1928-09-21 — Page 7

1928. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21,

"STILL A LONG WÀY TO GO.”

1929 Budget: Erring on Side of Caution.

TO SPEND MORE THAN REVENUE.

Qualifying his review of the Colony's financial position with the observation that it is natural for budget-makers to err on the side of caution, H.E. the Officer Administering the Government (the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southern, C.M.G.) lay before the Legislative Council yesterday-prior to the first reading of the 1929 Supply Bill-figures

THE CHINA MAIL,

THE WATER QUESTION.

CINEMA NOTES.

“PETER PAN” TO BE SHOWN AGAIN.

FINE SCREEN EFFECTS.

Sir James Barrie's ever delightful It will be noticed that we five story of the boy who would'nt grow mado no specific provision for in-up and the Never Never Land,

$1,000,000 under Licences and In (the matter will come before you ternal Revenue, not otherwise clasin Finance Committee to-day) and sified.

a further sam estimated at $145,- There is, however, one Item which 000 will be required next year as does not show the increase which an. advance to Loan Funds which we might have expected, viz. will be a charge against our estim- Lignor Duties. New regulations ated liquid balance of $2,201,860. for the control of Chinese Distil laries were introduced during the year and have had some effect in

duties but the Government cannot Kong Island. The question, as at the World Theatre on Sunday, Reviews Made at First Reading of Supply Bill.roving the returna froz liquor creasing the water supply of Hong "Peter, Pan" returns to the gord but feel that the Treasury still Honourable Members are aware, fe according to a special advertisement fails to receive the full amount to one which has been engaging the in this issue. Produced on a scala which it is entitled under the law most earnest consideration of this impossible for the stage, the picture excise 'on' Wines and Government, and it was only on presents the famous tale with some from the Spirits and it may become neces- August 2 last that 1. made a state- really marvellous mechanical and. sary to tighten the regulations still ment to the Council on the present photographic effects. For Betty more in order to prevent illicit position. The Seselonal Paper on Bronson, who acts the part of Peter evasion of the duty. The honest the Aberdeen Water Schemei pro- Pan, the film is a great personal distiller and dealer would not suf-mised when the Budget was intro-success, and other

the

roles for If the way of the transgressor duced last year was published early are filled by auch capable: were made a little less easy, this year and was followed by a players · US

Ernest Torrence YEAR'S EXPENDITURE. - further Sessional Paper in the Esther Ralston, and Mary Brian Expenditure for this year we Colony's water supply generally. On account of its length, the picture have now estimated at $21,672,500, The views of the 'Unofficial Mem is the only one in the bill, and it Excess of expenditure over revenue in 1929

an under expenditure on our ori-bers have been communicated to will commetice promptly after the 8,985,979 Estimated balance on Jan. 1, 1980

ginal estimate of $510,545, and if the Secretary of State. and his re- overture. "Peter Pan" will also 2,201,860 Estimated liquid balances on Jan. 1, 1930 ...

our estimates prove correct weply is awaited. The urgency of be shown at all performances on

aur- some additional water supply on Monday' and Tuesday, "Peter Pan" | His Excellency spoke on the Colony's friendly relations with ehall finish the year with a

course has special appeal to neighbouring provinces, this year's revival and the general aspects plus of revenue over expenditure this side of the Harbour has al-of- of trade, adding a note of warning that "we have a long way to go. of $1,001,910, instead of a deficit ready been brought home to us by children, but it is also a picture that of $2,079,655. This surplus added the early Introduction of restrie- any grown-up can thoroughly The Colonial Secretary (the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., to our balance of assets at the be- tions on the supply to certain parts enjoy. C.B.E.) gave information regarding the Government's financial ad-ginning of the year should give us of the town owing to the Insuffi- ministration of Hong Kong. There were references to salaries, allowances, and further evidence to show why the petition of the junior clerical staff for more pay had been refused. It was an- nounced that the Revision Commission is to sit shortly.

which show estimuted amounts of:---

Estimated revenue next year Estimated expenditure next year

$22,278,600 24,799,650

2,621,050

The next meeting of the Legislative Council will be a. fortnight hence, on Oct. 4, when the Unofficial members will offer criticism and praise and the Government spokes- men will reply.

GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.

His Excellency said:

Honourable Members of

the

I

a Balance of Assets over Liabilities ciency of the rainfall and the In-

THE JUNGLE FILM. on December 31 next of $4,987,671 creased consumption, and we do

"Chang," the unique picture of without the repayment of the not wish to minimise the serious- money due from the Loan Account ness of the situation should there jungle life which is being screened or, with that sum added $6,951,029 not be a generous rainfall before at the Queen's Theatre, was pro- of which just over $5,000,000 may the dry season finally sets in. duced by Merian C. Cooper, a jbe regarded as liquid.

Whatever scheme may be decided wild-animal" hunter, and Ernest B. From this total, however, must be upon will be pushed on with the Schoedsack, an expert cameramın. deducted a sum of $444,000, which utmost vigour. The cost it is pro- Armed with weapons and film par

have captured: is being advanced this year from posed to charge ultimately to anphernalia, they surplus balances to meet an expen-new loan but it will be possible scones which are astonishing In diture on Loan Works beyond that in the meantime to finance the ex- their realism, thrills, suspense, provided in the Loan Ordinance to penditure from the unallocated sur-photographic beauty and simpli- SURPLUS-ANTICIPATED.

which I shall refer later, leaving plus balances which we are hold-city: The picture builds from one to Unless some unforeseen catasan estimated liquid balance of ing in reserve.

highly Interesting episode |trophe should occur to disturb the $4,722,010 avaliable for. 1928.

a smashing I commend, gentlemen; to your another and reaches even tenor of our way between SUDDEN EXPANSION.

earnest consideration the estimates' climax with a scene which is poul- now and the end of the year there

In framing our Estimates of Re- of expenditure which are about to tively amazing in its sweep is every prospect that we shall venue for 1929 we have given due be laid before you and I know that thrill. A horde of elephants

the sudden complete the year 1928 with a sur- consideration to

ex-I can rely on you now, as always, stampede through & Siamese village, plus on our estimates of just over pansion this year and have placed for that co-operation in all mea, tearing, roaring and destroying $1,000,000 Instead of a deficit of our revenue for next year without, aures for the welfare of this everything In its path. to place before you a brief resume just over $2,000,000.

any change in taxation at $22,278,-| Colony without which 'good Govern. of the financial situation of the

opened with a good 600, the details of which are given meat is impossible. Colony which may help to explain many clouds on the political hori-in the printed estimates. This. the basis on which the estimate zon owing to the December up amount is $896,810 less than our

D. W. Griffith's great production, of expenditure have been framed. heavals in Canton, but a new era revised estimate. for the current

"The Birth of a Nation," will be. shown at the World Theatre again When I introduced the Budget of improved relations with Kwang year but in these uncertain times

The Colonial Secretary sald

Lilico to-day and to-morrow. for 1928 I set before the Council Tung began with the Interchange we have not felt justified in assume

In rising to carry out Your Ex-

Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Mae' an estimate of our position at the of visits between Marshal Li Chai-ing that the sadden increase of this

cellency's instructions to introduce end of 1927 and at the end of 1928. sum and His Excellency Sir Cecil year will be more than maintain the Supply Bill for 1929, by the Marsh and Mirdam. Cooper appear. Now Budget making has not yet Clementi in the early part of this ed, wille, when the immediate de- statement Your Excellency has just as the leading players in this tense

this Colony and the mand for land has been satisfied, made I find my task lightened to drama. Produced on a magnificent |

Legislative Council:

Before the Colonial Secretary rises to move the first rending of the Supply Bill for 1929 I desire

The year

been reduced to an exact science! year, and

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and

"THE BIRTH OF A NATION,"

the point of dealing only with Ex-scale, and hailed as a screen triumph

and events have a trick of falsify-neighbouring provinces of China it is possible there may even be ing the most careful estimates. It owe much to Str Cecil's untiring a slight falling off under the head penditure. Further the expenditure wherever it has been shown, "The is therefore natural for Budget- labour for the re-opening of friend-of land sales.

moment the

commence

TO BE SHOWN AGAIN!

'A SUPERB FILM OF TREASURE, INDIANS AND ALL THE THRILLS OF FAIRYLANDI

I have to consider does not cover Birth of a Nation" was the first of makers to err on the side of cau- ly intercourse between Hong Kong We thus anticipate, that to meet matters connected with the Public the "super" files, and the one which tion, for should events prove their and its great neighbour, the city next year's expendiure, exclusive Works Loan, which is a matter apart, brought fame to the principal propheeles to have crred on the of Canton. It cannot be expected of Loan Works, we shall have avail- and concerns the revenue of the pinyers and the director alike. side of optimism the result may that trade should recover inable a revenue of $22,278,600 and a Colony only to the extent Only three performances a day ora well be disastrous to the financial bound the position from which it Hiquid surplus of $4,722.910 mak- of its Bervice and of the possible, owing to the great length stability of the Colony, while the had receded. China has been too ing a total of $27,001,510. The possibility of financing the of the film, and these errors of caution, if not pushed to long rent with civil strife to be Colonial Secretary will shortly lay works concerned from the surplus promptly at 2.30, 6.80 and 9.15 p.m., excess, are likely at the worst to able at present to trade with Its before you the Estimates of Expen- balances of the Colony pending with the orchestra in attendance. lead only to delay in the execution former freedom. It can neither diture for 1929 which amount to such time as it may be found deafrat 9.15 p.m. of works which, however desirable, produce nor absorb the volume of a sum of $24,799,650 and exceed able to offer a further sum for pub- cannot be classed as essential. its peace me trade. But at any by $2,616,605 the original estim lic-subscription.

Leaving out of account for the rate in Kwangtung and Kwang-ates of expenditure for the current

The estimated revenue for 1929 Num of $1,963,368 sal under their present rulers, year. This estimate shows a defi- reaches a total of $22,278,600 and against the revenue of in addition to that there will be which is due for repayment to aur-signs of returning prosperity are cit as

by no means lacking. Piracy and $2,521,050 but will still leave us available an estimated net liquid plus, balances from Loan Funds we

being suppressed, an estimated balance of assets over surplus balance of $4,722,910 mak anticipated an actual surplus of, banditry are

other means of com- liabilities of $3,985,979, and # asset's on the working of the year roads and

ing in all a total of $27,001,510. · Of 1927 of $2,184,033 of which some munication are being opened up, liquid balance of $2,201,860.

the total of the surplus balances communism is being kept in check.

THE LOAN. $500,000 would be liquid.

plus the annual revenue given above, the Government has aimed to leave Aware we passed the Public Works

approximately $2,000,000 intact: We welcome these signs and ven- Loan Ordinance authorising a Loan provision has also to be made The actual result for 1927 fal- sified our predictions in that the ture to offer our congratulations of $5,000,000 towards the end of

for Military Contribution $8,978,388 revenue instead of being below our and good wishes to the govern-last year and raised with almost and for the service ·· Estimate exceeded it by $337.139, ments of these provinces in the embarrassing case the sum of the Public Debt. $1,332,298, while our expenditure fe'l short of great endeavour they are making $3,000,000 out of the total authoris- the detalls of which will be

Detailed statements of the our estimate by $1,469,637, and in- to restore prosperity to the areas ed.

found on page 101 and 105 of stead of finishing the year 1927 over which they rule.

Loan Expenditure appear in the the draft estimates. Subtracting

with an

Appendices to the Printed Estim from the total available these aums expenditure of over

ates.

!we are left with a total which covera $1,307,306 as originally estimated,

But we have a long way to go. When the Loan was under dis- the expenditure of the $19,478,964 time last year, we actually had a before the volume of the Colony's cussion it was anticipated that the estimated as required to meet the trade will reach the figure of more sum of $5,000,000 would more than needs of the Colony for 1929. This surplus balances, and we were able, prosperous times; at present I am cover the cost of the then approv- sum with the Military Contribution to start the year 1928 with surplus advised that trade is Improving ed portion of the Shing Mun Val- and the Service of the Public Works assets of $3,986,761, of which some but that the improvement is very ley Water Scheme and the Aero- Loan exceeds the estimated Revenue $2,020,000 were liquid, instead of slow and is hampered by a lack drome and Harbour development for the year 1929-by $2,621,050, but $2,184,033, of which $500,000 would of confidence in the future on the

Our estimates however It is considered justifiable to provide

REVENUE EXCEEDED.

or of $1,302,267 as estimated this

surplus of $499,471 to add to our,

and a general feeling of security As Honourable, Members are

is being fostered.

LONG WAY TO GO.

schemes.

of

be liquid, as we anticipated when part of the Chinese merchant lead- have been found incorrect owing this amount out of surplus balancas we framed our Budget for 1928. ing to excessive caution in his bus to the inability of His Majesty's and without resort to increased taxa To these figures remain to be add-ness transactions. He is inclined Government to contribute more tion provided that the reserve ed the sum of $1,963,358, repayable still to adopt a hand to mouth than £100,000 towards the cost of of $2,000,000 can still be maintain- policy to which he is encouraged the Aerodrome., From the figures ed. It should be noted that the rate

from loan funds.

In considering this favourable by his uncertainty as to the taxa-published in the Appendices It will of exchange has been estimated at

tion which will be imposed by his be seen that as regards the Shing $1.1/11d, as for last year. result it must not be overlooked

¡Government.

Man Scheme the sum of 39,500,000 that our original estimate of re-

A complete explanation of the Es Bearing these facts in mind we will more than cover the expendi- timates of Expenditure allowing for venue was only exceeded by $37. cannot but congratulate ourselves ture exclusive of the cost of sup- proper comparison with previous 139 and the principal cause of our on the position in which the Gov-plying the water to the Hong Kong years involves a great mass of de- surplus was the not altogether erament Treasury finds Itself to-side of the Harbour, but that a. talls: and the example of last year satisfactory one of under expondi-

day.

further sum of $676,124 will be re- when the items of Public Works Ex- ture to the extent of nearly three

REVENUE RECOVERY. quired if the cross harbour pipe traordinary were presented fully in quarters of a million dollars on Publie Works. Extraordinary. In The revenue has shown a remark-and Garden Service Reservoir are written form, has been followed with a view to facluding all the details of this connection moreover we must able recovery. Without any altera-carried out.

The remember that the Public Works tion in our fiscal system beyond the The cost to the Colony of Har Departmental Expenditure. Department expended $1.537,281, two almost trivial Items of school bour Development is estimated at. tabular statement circulated with from loan funda, in 1927 which but fees and ship survey fees to which $547,916 and of the Aerodrome at the draft estimates is complete and for the flotation of our Public reference was, made last year our $1,589,467 making an excess of is, it is hoped, in a form which is Works Loan must have been met, cstimate of $20,103,390 seems like $587,388 over the amount provid- clear and which will provide an as in more prosperous times, from ly to be exceeded by $2,571,020 and ed by the. Loan to be charged to easy method of reference. The Revenue and Surplus Balances, we now estimate our revenue for Surplus Balances pending the float tables should result in economising while the Department can also this year at $22,074,414 There are ing of a further loan: Hnd His time of the Council, and with per point to many activities on behair increases under almost all heads, Majesty's Government paid three mission, Sir, I propose to omit mat of the Military Authority in con- the most noticeable being: the fn quarters of the cost of the Aero- tere which can be easily found in nection with the arrival of the crease of over $1,000,000 in land drome as was hoped this time last the statementar and confine my Ghaforce which were inevitably re-sales due to the resumption of land year this excess would not have as for a possible to broader Hnes dected

diminution of Ite purchase in the Colony during the occurred. We are for the moment of explanation.

Our estim- last few months, Thore is no financing these loan works from of the Surplus Balances but it will bu "show

necessary before long to raise the balance of our authorised loan anda then again to finance from Surplus Balances until it is decided to raise bla further loan) funds, It is neces

sary to take a vote of $444,000. duance the Harbour Development. and Aerodrome Yorks this year

over the

RNMENT SALARIES. The salaries of a large

vernment service have been

SIR JAMES BARRIE'S

PETER PAN

The ever delightful story of the boy who wouldn't

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