1923-10-19 — Page 9

FRIDAY, OCTOBER -19 1923

COLONY'S NEEDS.

(Continued from page &;)`

of Commerce and it may interest members to know that within the fast few days we have made an agreement for a commencement of a vertical sca wall at North Point, which will be able to berth ships of 30 feet draught at any state of the tide and where it will be possible. to sling the cargo across a 35 foot road straight into godowns. This will fons one of the most important steps forward in the development, of the Harbour that has been seen

for many years.

The Hon, Mr. Pollack: Is that

Government enterprise ?.

a

The Colonial Secretary: No, it is being worked in conjunction with private enterprise. It is not a Government enterprise the Gov-

crnment has no money in it.

Quarry Bay School. With regard to the Quarry Bay School, the plans are ready and the Director of Education is discussing the question of a site with the Director of Public Works. In the meantime arrangements are under way with Mr. Edkins for the loan of a room or roonis at Taikoo Club and later on I hope to ask members of the Finance Committee to vote furniture for it.

The Government concurs in the proposal that it should publish periodically particulars of the in- vestment of Government funds in the hands of the Crown Agents. I am taking this opportunity to refer to the reference to the funds advanced to the P. and O. Banking Corporation. The explanation given by the Crown Agents is that they get from one-half to one per cent, better terms than from the

other banks in London.

Cost of Food,

The senior unofficial member asked whether the Government would look into the matter of fixing the price of food and other neces saries. I am afraid I can hold out no hope in that connection. We had unfortunate experience during the war. The thing was useless to us hut rather beneficial to the com- pradore because once the list came but they at once put up anything blow to the price the list notified and anything above the list they ignored. It is purely a ques

tion

I

Cheaper Drinks.

The second point was in connec- tion with the reduction of liquor and tobacco duties with which the Hon. Mr. Lowe associated himself, really think that hon. members do not know when they are well off. They pay practically no taxes here at all, no income tax and even when they pay on their liquors and on their tobacco they are happy in the assurance that they are paying considerably less than they do in London. I am astonished at the argument that an indirect tax is a bad one.

One of the points of a good tax

is that unless you wish to em phasise the fact to the people an in- direct tax is best, especially one easy and cheap of collection, and that desideratum is exactly ful- filled by this tax on liquor and to bacco. It may interest hon. members to learn in quite another connection that the directors of the Nanyang Tabac co Company-they have no objec tion to the publication of the figures-inform me that in the first nine months of this year they have paid nearly seven lacs of dollars in duty to the Government. No doubt your argument would be that is all the more reason why the tax should be reduced. Take the duty on the more expensive cigarettes, $1.50, and the cheapest 30 cents, they work out at three hundred to the pound and that gives less then ad on the better quality and less than one tenth on the in ferior quality. Well the good wages paid enable the poorer glasses to smoke cigarettes.

Hon. Mr. Holyoak: My argu- ment was that you were charging a 50 to 55% tax on liquor which is not reasonable at all.

Traffic Problems.

Recreation Grounds.

which are

THE CHINA MAIL.

14

ts al-

and as clearly as we possibly can before the members. If we hid all our working expenses and salaries we then could easily present to you copy of that very loan account, but balance sheet which is exactly a I am sure it would not be satisfac-

tory to members,

at

The University.

private enterprise should be defir Queen's College, and what Take the opposite advice. The their neighbour, which is no con- barred from participating in wire-eikes me as an obvious suggestion hon, member. advises us that we cern of theirs. If the general lesa telegraphy within the Empire. is the fact that the University, is ought to reduce our taxation and public would support the Police, The Government proposes to take so closely allied as regards its uses this simile. Does he expect, it might be possible to do more steps to ascertain upon what terms medical department with the that man to go back to his em- than we do how. At present you! private enterprise would work and Government Civil Hospital. The ployer and say, "I do not want constantly find when a robbery operate a station here. I may say students of course have their that extra salary; I have too much occurs the Chinese adopt the atti- that in 1921 the Marconi Company practical work in the hospital close money already coming in?"tude of the Priest and the Levite.

So close is the connection Or, does he expect approached us as to whether we by.

lum to and leave the matter strictly alone. would grant them permission to that it is deemed necessary to build say to the manager, "I will Then when you do get a criminal undertake this work and we refer- a hostel right udgainst the not handic your goods any almost in the act you have the

Government Civil Hospital. red them to the Colonial Office.

more I am making too much profit utmost difficulty in getting anyone }'.

Confucian School.

on it?" I think that simile is en-to come forward to give evidence With regard to the Cucian tirely in favour of the course taken against him, and the number of schools this a matter whi

by the Government.

people who interfere, either to ways had the Government's warm had no balance sheet. I can only think, hon, members realise. I The hon. member then said we persuade or threaten, is larger than, support and I find there has been say that this seems to me absurd. was somewhat startled by the some little misunderstanding' on Our accounts are not kept in the figures with regard to the propor what has transpired. The Govern: form of a bank's accounts naturally, tion of recovered and stolen pro- ment in putting forward the Bill because we put all our cards on the perty, but it is to be remembered for the employment of children table, I am sure there is no public that it is unfortunately so extreme- expressed the hope that the repre- company, bank, or anything else ly easy to get away with property sentatives of the Chinese would does the same. They do not tell here, and articles stolen in Hong- come forward with proposals for you the salary of the chief manager kong to-day will be the next day the education of the very poor or the cashier as we do. We put in Macao or Canton. Unless the which if satisfactory it would sup- these detalls in the fullest form theft is reported immediately the port. Well, the Confucian schools

chances of finding it are negligible. in certain parts exactly met that

I think, therefore, that considering want but it is the practice, of

the disadvantages under which the Government to equip a schoo!

they are working, the police do and if the school conducted in a proper manner to give half the cost

extremely well. of running it, subject to a report

Food Price Fixing. Mr. Pollock went on to refer to from the Inspector of Chinese Schools. Well, there was a mis-

the question of fixing the prices Question of Loans.

of food. Well, I think it is general understanding with regard to this

Then he came on to the question, ly admitted that any Government when the last vote of $10,000 was touched on by three mernbers, of which has endeavoured to fix the made, and this money was applied loans. It is suggested by the Hon. prices of food within recent years partly to the opening of the new Mr. Lowe that we should pay off has burned its fingers rather badly, schools and partly to the expenses our 6 per cent, loan. That question and I should be very sorry to ex-, of the old schools with

the is under consideration but he is pose the fingers of this Govern- result that when it was spent certain schools had to be closed. represented the position in my re- Colonial Secretary perfectly rightly wrong, I think, in saying I mis-ment to a similar fate. The That is not the intention. The Government is prepared to grant Sinking Fund is well above the 6% matter tends to become the mini- cent answer to his question. Our says that the maximum in this money to equip new schools and margia and most of the money is mum. Worse than that, when you subject to their

satisfactory invested at 6% or ver. I was re- are fixing the maximum price management to give up to half the ferring in answer to that question unless you are controlling the expenditure upon the cost of educa simply to the state of the Sinking supply-you have got to fix it at tion. But you cannot expect the Fund. With regard to the incribed a price, which will enable the! Confucian Society simply to open stock, I can see no reason what- middleman to get his stuff to the the schools with this money and ever-again I am not a mathem-market at a price which will pay then leave the Government to the whole cost. If the senior Un-atical man why we should pay off him. That means that the maxi- official member of the Chinese will row at 5 or 6% for our public works. fixes is bound to be considerably a cheap 34% loan in order to bor mum price which the Government put himself into touch with the Why not record that as money higher than the minimum price, Director of Education I think it will borrowed be possible to bring forward de- tinue

312% and con and it brings them to the maximum finite proposals before this Council. of

the public works out probably, if supplies are short the balance in our sending it up still higher. I had hands? We have these large funds some slight experience during the Then comes the question of and it seeins to me quite senseless war in trying to keep sales down to recreation but it must be remem-to pay off a very big amount of the figure provided by a paternal Kowloon have manifestly a right on the other hand borrow a big it was one of the most distinct bered that the pioneer clubs in įmoney at a low rate of interest and government, and I am bound to say

loon Cricket Club, the United Ser-There are large costs of loan flota Director of Public Works will to first choice. They are the Kow. amount at a high rate of interest, fajlures of the war and the hon. vices Recreation Club, both of tions and our sale would force up probably support me in that state-

being dispossessed the market so that we should havement. owing to military land exchanges, to pay much more than 31⁄2 per cent. the Club de Recreio which has for it. been turned out of its premises on Nathan Road, and the Kowloon Football Club which has only the temporary use of a piece of The hon. member made some railway land. These oldes remarks in reference to Garden tablished clubs are the pioneers Road with which I am in entire Lof sport in Kowloon. They concurrence: It was largely due to have spent a great deal of my instrumentality that the trees money and we have undertaken to have gone and I am in touch put them lack to King's Park as a with the Director of Public Works present. The Chinese are new on the question now. As to the comers in the field and while we hairpin bend, that has been most welcome them in every possible-I cannot say what it is. With re-given to the Rockefeller Trust to carefully considered. The top manner we are providing free play-gard to Mr. Brayn, I may point out provide them with a number of bend by Government House oping grounds for them in Kowloon he was formerly in Hongkong, but beds in the hospital. The only way posite Kennedy Road, is a place as for Europeans.

left the service for six or seven that I can see of getting over it is) where all the water mains and As to cenieteries, the proposals of years and came back in 1918-1919, 10 leave the Medical Faculty where electric wire seem to congregate the Government are at present in aand therefore his pension is natural. it is and move the others, a measure and it was decided that to cilt away very tentative state. They are that y affected thereby. He was, I be which would probably_give satis- more would make the descent too practically all burials should take lleve, in Algeria, and I believe he faction to nobody. The matter steep. A.car went over there only place on Lamma Island with free has some other pension from there. is one to be considered by the a fortnight ago. The same applies ferries running from Yaumati and am not sure on the point either, University. There was another to the other corner. If you cut from Kennedy Town at stated but at any rate his service for pen point to which I attach away it becomes steeper and any intervals as required. There will sion services was very short. I much importance and that reckless driver, goes straight over of course have to be some small think, Sir, I have now dealt with this: I believe that China presents into Ice House Street. It has been cemeteries on the Island and main all the points that have been raised a remarkable field for educated but there are various opinions on considered too but personally land for use in typhoon weather. in the discussion.

women in the near future, and I the point both for and against and I do not agrec with These proposals are simply out.

Railway Query.

consider that the Hongkong Uni- after very full consideration the the necessity for employing lined and they will be put before The Hon. Mr. Pollock: Mayversity is the source from which matter has been put out fortender: European police on traffic duty the representatives of the Chinese ask a question arising from the supply of educated women The tenders are due shortly and except at centres where there is community.

what has been said, whether should be very largely obtained in then we shall see how the land lies. likely to be a rush of chairs and There is one other point i con- any of our coaches have been the first instance: If that is so, It is quite possible that the discour-ricsha coolies. Our motor triffic nection with Shing Mun, which withheld on the Chinese sec-it is necessary to enlarge the Uni- agement given to trams in other to us in this small island may comes again into the general ques tion ? parts of the world according to seem immense but if you go to tion of loans, which I will not touch Sir, they are being continual for which I

versity by allowing students to live The Colonial Secretary: Yes, with their own relatives--a course newspapers sent to us may lead to any other city in the world you will on at present except to say that

have always no satisfactory tenders being given find that it is really nothing at all. work will be carried on piecemeal ly detained. As lately as argued. I entirely agree with and then we shall have to resort to The real danger is the slow moving and no large sum will be required. yesterday urgent messages had the arrangement made in the omnibuses. In any case the Gov- trucks, ricshas and so or, but it is We have money enough to make a

sent because we could first instance, that it should erament undertakes to consult the hoped that before long the fast beginning and to carry on for the wanted them on account of the and I should be

not get them back, and we be 2 residential University, Council before it takes any decisive moving motor traffic will tend to present.

very corry step in the matter.

drive them off the street. If any

Chinese Festival. They managed to see it ceasc to be Mr. Lowe Answered.

one, driver of a car proceeds with an

at last to send four coaches.

but I think it has now risen Now I come to the remarks made The next speaker was the mem- sounds his horn I do not think the te hardly fair to throw a lot of figures

ordinary degree of caution and by the Hon. Mr. Lowe. I think it is are being detained now?

Hon. Mr. Pollock: How many to a status in which it is her representing the Chamber of is any danger of any sort whatever. at my head, without any warning is about a dozen. The Railway think we,

not necessary that it should Commerce. His main point was in That is purely a personal expres- and I confess I am quite unable to authorities assure us they are not tain number

H. E. the Governor: I think it be wholly residential, and I connection with the high power sion of opinion.

are losing a cer- wireless station. He gives us the

of students be history of the subject, but in its

Rent Allowances.

I have being used for the military.

cause of the cost of hostel accom" present phase it dates from a re-

modation, and there is no reason The senior unofficial member re- solution which he proposed in this presenting the. Chinese referred

why we should not allow young Council in March 1919. The mat- first of all to the question of rent

people to live with parents and ter was then referred urgently to allowances for the non-European good reason to build up reserves.

guardians subject to satisfactory the Colonial Office who had ap- staff and asked that a beginning and to build

assurances. That applies especial- up # steady

POLICE FORCE AND PUBLIC. pointed a committee to study the might be made for all officers of revenue. In order to make his

ly to lady students, but the idea of whole question and in 1920 that over 10 years' standing. I do not figures more intelligible he gave

having lady students living with H.E, the. Govenor: Gentlemen, their relations, with, the Univer committee reported recommending think the Government can con- a simile of a married man in Hong-I have to thank you for the kind sity on the South of the island, an Imperial Wireless chain on State template going quite as far as that kong who made some money. I manner in which you have receiv- does not seem practicable. On owned stations, one of which was at present. The subject is under must confess it may be perhaps ed the Colonial Budget and for the other hand the alternative of to be in Hongkong. A commission consideration and the treasurer is because I have not a mathematical your criticisms, with possibly one women's hostels is less practicable. to experts was then appointed to working out certain figures in- that education-that the simile leaves or two exceptions certainly made I myself should be sorry to see the advise as to technical details. connection. I do not think we can me more confused than before. in a very helpful spirit. Although University moved from its present They sent us a questionnaire and do more than extend the system has a rise in salary or some anex-I appreciate the goodwill which understand, is the distraction of His point is that a married man cinnot entirely agree with them, position. The main objection, I we gave them, particulars as to which already applies to the sites and so on and they even got senior European staff, namely pected good fortune aid he goes hon. members have shown in the the locality. And as to that it is so far as to tell us of two stations, of granting rent allowance back to lis wife and his wife matter to the full. The Colonial not beyond the boutads of pos one for transmitting and one for to a man who is hit by the high naturally expects to get some of Secretary has dealt with most of sibility that the distractions may receiving. Meanwhile develop rents in Hongkong. That is to a that money in the shape of clothes, the points raised, but I should be removed before the students. meats in India, South Africa and man with his family in the Colony, or something of that kind. That like if I may to add one or two For other reasons there is some- Australia led to a modification of A man living alone with his family man, being a prudent man, would remarks on Imperial policy and the question of in the country can get along quite partly spond his money on that and polate. As to the Police Force, I view.

certain particular thing to be said from that point of a Hongkong station was postpon- cheaply and is not hit so much would partly invest it against his think the Colonial Secretary has ed. In March fast in answer to

Drinks and Smokes. The question will be sympathically old age. If that is admitted, take shown that the situation has question naked in the House of considered.

I should like to add something the Hongkong Government. In Improved materially and, of course, to what the Colonia! Secretary has Commons the Prime Minister said The question of the removal of some cases the Hongkong Govern-it is only within the last few months said as to the taxation on drink that recent development in the University will receive carefulment makes profits, some of which, that we have got our full strength and tobacco. I was astonished, the science of Wireless telegraphy attention At the present time the perhaps due to exchange, are not from Weihalwei, and warmly equally with the Colonial Secre and changes in the conditions Government had no knowledge as expected. What does it do? It hope for further improvement, fory, to hear the suggestion of the in the Dominions and to what the University authorities, proceeds to embellish the Colony At the 6-amo timo I am Hon. Mr. Holyoak that indirect

Colonial Secretary: Iam coming to that point. It is considered ad visable in view of the great uncer- tainty as to the Opium revenue to lay down a foundation of steady taxation bringing in a large sum of I think of supply and money so that if the opium profits densand. Our supply is seriously suddenly fall away we should he curtailed owing of the distur- in a position to view the situation bances in the neighbouring with equanimity without any sud province and our demand is im- den dislocation of our finances. I mensely increased by the influx will deal later with that, of wealthy refugees and by the good wages now being drawn by the working classes. You cannot control prices unless you can con- trol the supply at its source. You might make the Dairy Farm put back milk from 15 to 12 cents a bottle if you are prepared to face the subsequent law suit but you cannot make a Chinese farmer sell you 260 cent chicken for half a dollar and I think it would be use less to do anything on that line. The only alternative is for the Government to buy in a dear and sell in a cheap market and after our experience in the rice crisis when we found it essential to do so we cannet contemplate under taking anything of the kind again. With regard to the hon. mim ber's preferences for omnibuses to trams I must say I am inclined to agree largely with what he said,

Wireless.

deal with them off-hand.. takerf certain notes. He referred to the reduction in duties and I have attempted to show that we are not overtaxed and that there is

The senior Chinese member Pensions

raised the point about the removal He refered in passing to Con-of the University. As the Colonial stitutional Reform. I do not pro-Secretary says, there are very con pose to be drawn into an argumentsiderable practical difficulties in on the subject. He suggested that the way because it is almost the Official members frowned upon essential-in fact almost entirely the movement. I for one certainly did not; I was not aware it was an Association to be frowned upon. His last remark was as to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund. Mrs. Hutchisun has an ordinary pensioni

to be

H.E. THE GOVERNOR.

wwwwww.d

essential that the Medical School should be close to the hospital, be- cause the students get most of their practical training in the wards of the hospital. Moreover, we are bound by our undertaking

VOTING CONTEST.

OUR $50 PRIZE.

POPULAR CINEMA ACTORS.

CHINA -MAIL'S 7TH BIG FREE EVENT.

This week the China Mail's voting contest once more takes a new form. Who are the ten most popular cinema actors in the list given below? Name them in their order and win Our $50 prize.

Twenty different aloems actors are named below. Balant the ten you consider the most popular and wefts them out In the order of your cholos. The cut the form out and send it to. the "China Mall' offios marked **Zola.**

The at which comes nearest the correct solution will win the prize. • Thị correct selation will be decided by the general vote, the item pelling the most rotos being placed first, the ans coming next being pikoad soond and so on nail the Est of ten is completed.

items in xlphabetical order from ons lht, But to select the ten most popular games from our list and judge what place first, which second, and so on until all ten have each individually will occupy-which will come been placed.

Therefore the secret of the contest in Not to selast the ten most popular

The contest Insta from Monday to Saturday. The result will be announced be published along with the correct Ust. in the "Chine Mail" on the succeeding Wednesday, when the winner's name wli

Every copy of the "China Mail" contains ons form gising the reader one it for the prize. Regular readers thus hare not less than six tries in one week. Competitors may send in as many forms as they like.

Forms should be sent in to reach the "Chips Mall" by Monday. Any forme recefred by the "Chlon Mall' later than Monday will be discounted.

When making your photos use only the words given below, wrongly zaarked, mutilated, or indistinctly written will be ruled out.

Any forms

The decision of the Editor upon any points which may arise shall bo Anal. Members of the "China Mail" staff are debarred from entering the contest.

MAKE YOUR CHOICE HERE

Below WO

name twenty cinema actors. Select the ten you think the most popular.

1...

B...

3...

4...

5...

6...

Tive-

8...

9...

10....

11...

12...

13...

14...

15....

16...

is

17...

18....

.19... 20...

Colonies, had led to a modification think on the subject: The proposed with plers and various public works bound to say that it is almost im- taxation was bad. of the views of His Majesty's suggestion to turn the hostels into on every side and, like a prudent possible to expect the Police Force Hon. Mr. Holyoak! It is an Government in connection with this Government quarters has for me husband, takes part of that money to deal satisfactorily with crime interference with the free trade of State-owned wireless chain and geat attraction and the main and puts it by like some Unofficial whan the general public looks upon the port, they no longer saw any reason why building could no doubt be used members advise, for a raloy day. crime as a harmless amusement of (Continued on page 18.)

****

Wesley Barry Richard Barthelmess

Lon Chaney Charlie Chaplin

Jackie Coogan..

Douglas Fairbanks Alec B. Francis

Hoot Gibson Creighton Hale William S. Hart Frank Keenan Matheson Lang

Max Linder Harold Lloyd Thomas Meighan

Tom Mix Charles Ray Larry Semon

Milton Bills

Rudolf Valentino

CUT THIS OUT

To the Editor

Sir,

China Mail,

Hongkong.

Hongkong, Oct. 19, 1923.

I consider the following the ten most popular cinema actors placed in the order in which I think they are liked best-

Please write clearly in block letters.

Name

2.

3..

Address