1930-10-20 — Page 11

*

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1930.

.

Sir Shou-son Chow.

Hon; Dr. Kotewall.

(Continued from Page 1.)

of the subject demands, but, we commend them to the very careful consideration of the Government.

THE CHINA MAIL.

Cecil Clement's request that MIE tary Contribution on fresh taxes, levied to meet additional expendi- ture caused by the general revision of salarles, be waived as an act of son which actuated the Secretary grace. I can understand the rea- mako his decision:

(Continued from Page 1.) aut be reduced, we do not demur to the present proposal, as we consider it not unreasonable. It affects only the upper forma

My Chinese colleagues and 1 of State to of King's College and Queen's College and five other agree that any increase in the As-that renson appears to be that; so Government Schools where the fees sessed Taxes is inopportune as, long as the existing arrangement in in the past have been low in com-apart from the general stagnation regard to Military Contribution parison with those of other schools in trade, land development, after exists, the 20, must be paid on any of depression, is only just items of revenue, be they now or Use of Motor Vans On the same page, the vate Use showing signs of revival, and any old, provided they're of a permin adverse factors, such as this pro-ent nature; and the new taxation We toposal would do much to set it back now proposed is in essence perman- To the property-owner, sent because it is levied to meet 4 per cent. increase in the rates permanent form of expenditure, would mean a 4 per cent. decrease

of Motor: Vans' shows an incrense from $7,500 to $25,000.

not understand the purport of the item, nor can, we conjecture the rea son for its large ineresse.

Message Fees.

able reduction.

Wireless Telegraphy Royalties.

years

gain:

Hon. Mr. J. Owen-

Hughes.

(Continued from Page 1.)

།

1931. 12,340 -

1,078.

408,405

99,670

149,981

29,253

871,194

4,758.

1,164,394

168,062

154,568 -

46,512-

71,012

33,918

826,479

54,085

173,354

19,784

47.226

12,498

50,322

15,404

namely, the increase of salaries.

18.631

4,805

86,754

11,610

It seems to me that the best way

2,399

to tackle the problem is by way of

2,190

110 72

2,710,962

*551.727

713,389

127.685

1,446,585

236,974

954,276

162,713

119,587

12,091

1,739,708

390,017

2,038,328

384,451

1,536,150 2,500,000

917,547

103,660

287,332 4,169

1.490,955

- 130,560

30,591

251,500 -

1,340,760

months Exchange has but momen- the tarily touched that rate, average monthly rate has been: Jure July August September 1/3 1/3.1/16 1/8.9/16 1/3.11/16 This question however will be more fully dealt with presently by 8. my friend the Hon. Mr. Lauder. 92.20 I will now follow the example of 24.23 the Hon. Senior Unofficial Member and draw attention to some of the 16.87 items in the. Estimates. 29.18

5

Included in "Other Charges" In $1.4 most Departments in the item Con- 14.21 voyance and Motor, Allowance, 12.83 varying in amounts of $130 under *36. "Treasury" to $50,000 for the 44,1 Public Works Department. I make 34.76 the total to be over $116,000. I 46.17 have no doubt the Retrenchment 4.8 Commission will have this in mind 5.4 As one for investigation, the ag- 25.55 gregate Is a high one, and could in 21.8 my opinion be considerably re- 19.6 ducod. 20.50 Harbour Office-Subhead 2. 11.24 Coal and Oil fuel for Launches 23.89 $274.130 an increase of $61,000, a

than. 23.2 more precisa explanation 14.00 merely "considered necessary" is It 34.09 think desirable, as also under Sub- 28.26 head 12:

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Coal for offices, an additional

these

Education Department. May I commend to your Excel- lency and the Government's notice

tion which, appeared in the Daily an article on the subject of Educa-

Press of the 11th inst.

in his return, and the reaction

a reduction of the percentage. I be On Page 9, again, the item would be general, Already a case "Message Fees' under 'Post Office' is has come to my knowledge where

We should the intending purchaser of a large lleve that some years ago a commalt inéreused by $170,000. like to know whether those messages property withdrew his offer, to buy, tee was appointed to enquire into are all transmitted by wireless or, if inmediately on hearing of the im- the incidence of Military Contribu not, by what other means they are pending increase. It should not be į tion, and I am sure that a similar transmitted. The publle would be supposed that the present 'activity committee would be useful for the interested to know what revenue in building operations is an unmis-purpose of going into the question the Colony receives in return for takable sign of returned and set-nol only of the percentage to be the large and growing expenditure led prosperity. Some houses have paid, but also of the items of re- A reference to of the Wireless Sub-Departigunt: for had to be erected because building venue which should be excluded

recovenants have had to be fulfilled; from calculation. the annually in addition to current charges shown under the others have been and are being put | Appendix III of the draft Estimates Sub-Department proper, provision is up to meet the demand caused by will show how the present contri- made under the Public Works De-unrest in the interior. As soon asbution is calculated.

Last year the honourable senior partment for special expenditure peace manifests itself in the neigh-

houring provinces, a generalexodus unofficial member enquired whether amounting to $76,700.

will ensue. as past experience Military Contribution was paid on in almost every department, and $1,000, does this mean more office Kowloon-Canton Railway. The revenue from the Kowloon-teaches. We submit that the Gov-profits from the Colony's sales of only by cutting down drastically fres, or can it be lower exchange? Training expenses of Marine Carton Railway shows a slight deernment should do everything in its investments, and the Hon. Colonial the vote for Public Works Recur; Under Subhead 22:" erease of about $1,000, as we see power to encourage land-develop-Treasurer in his reply said that rent, and Public Works Extra-

much longer from page 10: While on pages ment, because more buildings, will contribution had hitherto been paid ordinary has it been possible to Surveyor in England, $16,200. 97-108 under Expenditure we find tot only bring in more revenue. on profits which had accrued as the arrive at the balance forecasted, How that the staff of the Department has but relieve the congested parts of result of appreciation in the Ster- which means that much important charges likely to appear?

This and necessary work for the de- ling price of investments. been augnated and a larger supply the Island.

However, my Chinese colleagues is one item of receipts on which, velopment of the Colony has to be of coal and locomotive ail has been provided for. A short statement of and I recognise that, since the gen-in my opinion, contribution should left in abeyance, and as the Hon. the position of the Railway would eral increase in salaries is an ac-not be paid; and there may be other Colonial Secretary states in his

complished fact, increased taxa-items that come within the same speech,

"Members will miss from the be interesting.

as long as theentegory. tion is inevitable,

completed list one work or an- I am at present not concerning Other Miscellaneous Receipts.

On page 71 of the Estimates,

other which they would have myself with the relative claims of Ou page 11 the item (Other Mis-rate of exchange remains at the

the institutions referred to in that liked, included." cellaneous Receipts' shows a drop present level; and that in the ab- under the head. 'Education Depart- from $200,000 to $50,000, but no ex-sence of alternative schemes of ment, the vote 'Subsidies to Ele-

Coming now to the third factor article, or any other Grant-in-Aid planation is given as to why the Gave revenue, an increase in Assessed montury Vernacular Schools in

clear that unless the erament expects this very consider-Taxes is unavoidable as a final mea- Hong Kong' is reduced from $95.000 which influenced the Government or non-Government school, but it

sure to enable us to balance our to $80,000, a decrease of $15,000. in the framing of the Budget for is very

are staffed by British accounts for the coming year. This vote has alrendy dwindled, for 1931, namely, the establishment of system of grants to these Schools In the absence of any explanatory The point is whether or not there it was reduced by $6,000 last year, the Retrenchment Commission. At (which note, we are similarly unable to tell are alternative schemes. Several when the Chinese unofficial mem- the fateful meeting of June 19, Masters and Mistresses) la chang- Wireless Tele-have been put forward, and we hope hers drew attention to the redue Hon. Mr. Southern in moving the ed, some of them will soon have to why 'Royalties on

.Fire Brigade. graphy' shown on the same page, is that the Government will thorough-tion and expressed the hope that no resolution that Council adopt the close their doors.

ly explore their possibilities with a further cut would be made in fu- Salaries Commission Report, said:

Whilst all reductions in Expen- expected to yield nothing in 1931.

Estimates. Necessary, as (I quote from Hansard):

"I am authorised to say that it diture are welcome, I trust the These points, as well as innumer-view to adopting some of them. If ture

quite satisfied the proposed increase in the As economy is in these times, we con-1

has been decided to leave in Chlef Officer is abeyance the proposal to raise there will be no loss of efficiency the Assessment Tax, though in consequence of the reduction in must warn Hon. Members that it the number of drivers and firemen.

Prisons Department. may still be necessary to impose some increase later on in order It is to be hoped that work on to balance the Budget for 1981, the new printing shop approved by unless the Retrenchment Com-the Finance Committee early this mittee, which my Hop. friend year is being proceeded with, and Mr. Owen-Hughes is asking for that the new Linotype Machine I would now proceed to examine the Government the necessity of

... is able to effect such "will soon be installed and in work- Military Contribution, to which at-pressing on with all possible speed

reforms that further taxatlon Ing order, as printing is consider- North, has

revenue ed as likely to be a the the waterworks under construction, tention has been drawn by

can be avoided." $2,000 to $500, and, on page 21 the Chinese General Chamber of Com I make no apologies for offering

The warning given was quite earning industry in Victoria Gaol. In conclusion I repeat the pledge sum provided for the same service in the District Office, South, hng merce. This item is increased from some observations on the subject,

$3,865,560 to $4,784,200 a differ which affect the Chinese more than unnecessary, for it was obvious to

all that in accepting the Salaries made by the Senior Unofficial been entirely deleted.

ence of $918,730. It is an irony other members of the community the Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, speak that while fresh taxation is about There is no need for me to recount Commission's recommendations an member, that Your Excellency will ing on behalf of the unofficial memto be levied on it, the Colony is here the great hardships which the increase in Assessment Tax must have our support in your present | bers, suggested that the figures budgeted for afforestation, work in called upon to pay a further sum poorer classes of the Chinese had be resorted to, and that quickly, policy of thrift, and, wherever

of nearly a million dollara, not be to undergo during the water famine and the Taxpayer is now called possible, retrenchment. 1930 might be doubled in future years, We'recognise that in these cause this sum is actually neces: last year, but I should like to refer upon (to start with) for the pay-

say to meet Military Services, bai

to a peculiar incident of about two ment of an additional 4 per cent., times economy must be practised because we have to pay a prescrib-months ago in connection with the not to mention additional taxes on One Tobacco and Stamps, and new on every hand, but we hope that; ased percentage to the War Office, irwater supply on the Island. soon as funds, permit, the figures respective of the actual cost.

morning the inhabitants of the taxes on Fetrol, Amusements, etc. standing in the current Estimates

The community was greatly dis-Western section of the rider-main Extra taxation being unavoidable, of the may be restored, for in our view the

apointed at the refusal of the district suddenly found themselves my colleagues and I are Secretary of State to accede to Sir deprived of the regular supply of opinion-after careful considera- the New Territories is a necessary

water to their house, and put on tion-that Government in its de- work. Judicious planting would official member in 1929, stated that the street fountains, the

reason cision has chosen the lesser evil.

It is proposed to raise further not only beautify the landscape but the Colony had not so far paid given by the Government being that improve the quality of the soil, military contribution on any profit the storage of the Pokfulam Reser revenue from Light Ducs, Buoys, eto, which is expected to bring in strengthen the ground against land-due to exchange, as the question was voir, which was the principal

return of approximately slips, and make the Colony less destill under discussion with the Secre-source of supply to that section, a

others concerning the

would ressed Taxes is passed by this sider that the limit has been reach-

able Estimates of Revenue, doubtless have been

made

clear by. short footnotes such us, pntil a few years ago, inserted in the Estimates.

were

Expenditure: Afforestation. Turning qow to the Estimates of Expenditure, we

find on page 20 that the money provided for 'Affor estation in the District Office

been

reduced from

Last year

afforestation of the barren hills of

fuel.

Institute.

Staff" has boon raised from

increase.

Maintenance & Supply of Furniture.

Council to-day, we ask that in theed in this direction, and that fur- event of other forms of taxation ther reductions would prejudicial. being devised, or of the rate of exly affect many elementary vernacu change rising.. or, again, of the lar schools which afford education Anancial position of the Colony im to thousands of children of the proving generally, this 4 per cent poorer classes. increase may be remitted or at leant reduced proportionately.

matter.

Though the honourable senior unofficial member has urged upon

Your Excelleney very readily

Ex-

June 19

pendent on outside sources for its tary of State for the Colonies. We was getting dangerously low. The $364,832.

These last items will be strenu- should like to be informed what de-people affected could not under- Refuse Tug,

cision has been reached in this stand how, when rain had apparent. ously opposed by all the Shipping A new launch for the Sanitary

ly been plentiful, the reservoir interests in the Colony, and my Department at a cost of $82,000 Is

Waterworks,

could have behaved in that way. Hon. friend Mr. Mackie will doubt- provided for on page 28. We are

Though the financing of the Shing To our knowledge, the Pokfulam less express his own, as well as glad to have the promise of the Hon. Mun and Aberdeen Waterworks is Reservoir has the vagary of rapidly the. Shipping Companies' views on Colonial Secretary that if this ex-by public loan and does not there emptying nad filling itself in sede this proposal. penditure is approved by this Coun fore strictly come within the mysterious way. As a matter of cit the Government will not au- Estimates, it is nevertheless a pari fact, the full supply was restored acceded to the request for a Re thorise the outlay without further of public expenditure, paid out of only a few days after the restric- trenchment Committee, and with reference to the Council. Thus the public money raised on loan, and we tion had been put on, as a good, great promptitude appointed a unofficial members will have the therefore consider this an

appro- downpour of rain had providential Commission with, I think, mple opportunity of carefully consider-priate occasion to speak on the sub-ly come to the rescue of the people. terms of referente. The personnel ing whether the launch is absolute- 'ject. We express the earnest bapo We sincerely hope that every step of the Commission has met with ly necessary, and if so, whether that the Government will not allow will be taken by the Government to very general approval, and I would the necessity is. Immediate.

the stringency of the economie render the people who now receive like here to congratulate your Lecturing Staff, Technical situation to Impede for one day the their supply of water from this re- cellency on the selection you have On page 74, under Technical progress of these most urgent and servoir less dependent on it in fu- made...

Important works. They arture. The Aberdeen Reservoir wil! But Mr. Southorn on Institute, the item "Lecturing works which should take precedencévery appreciably help in this direc-was anticipating events, for no $18,000 to $19,470. We should like of all others, and, in the words of tion, and we trust that nothing will rellef can be hoped as the result an explanation of this substantial Sir Cecil Clementi, should be press be allowed to delay its construc of the Commission's investigations and recommendations for several ed rapidly to a'successful conclusion. tion.

Administrative Expenses. My Chinese colleagues and I rea- months to come.

The Hon. Colonial Secretary in- We have offered no commenta on pectfully associate ourselves with" On page 77, item No. 7, "Main the present beavy expenses of the the honourable senior unofficial forms us:

"the special effort at Retrench- tenance and Supply of Furniture' Colony's administration, because member in assuring Your Excel-

ment of Personnel now required under 'Public Works Department is the Hon. Colonial Secretary has in-lency of our whole-hearted support

needs close and prolonged study, Increased by $31,500 from $16,500 formed us that in its efforts at and co-operation in your arduous

with a perspective not limited to to $48,000, with the explanation in economy the Government had large- task of administration - In these

the inside. of Government offices: a footnote that part of the Increase ly left, the question of personnel in times of extraordinary diflculties.

the Commission as constituted-10 was previously included in Public the Retrenchment Commission. We Your Excellency has the reputation Works Extraordinary. We are not sincerely hope that the labour of the of an administrator who, in addi-particularly well qualified for Informed how much of the $31,500 Commission will be productive of tion to his native ability, la blessed was so included, nor are we given satisfactory results with a Lucky Star. When Your upon to do it thoroughly. any explanation regarding any part Finally I wish, on behalf of the Excellency was guiding the des- This is all to the good, and I am of this sum that may not have been unofficial members, to pledge to tinies of the people of the Feder-glad to learn that meanwhile close so included. We are glad that the your Excellency our support of your cted Malay, States, you brought to touch is being maintained with Government has made provision for policy of exorcising as much them unprecedented, prosperity the Retrenchment Commission.. the maintenance and supply of thrift as is consistent with which, curiously began to dwindle Leaving thon Salaries as settled furniture under Other Charges of officiency, and our co-operation in on your departure. The Chinese (as unfortunately we cannot at the Department instead of under the your difficult task of guiding the believe in such a mystical attribute present do otherwise); and leaving Head Public Works Extraordinary Colony through a period of de--the good luck of a ruler; and in also the findings and recommenda- which should be reserved for publla pression which we hope will not be your case their belief has bean tion of the Retrenchment Commis- works of non-recurrent nature. of long duration. Though we may markedly confirmed by the over- sion until their labours are com• Milltary Contribution. be disquieted by the stormy weather, flow of reservoirs which, only a few plated, we have still the question Concerning Miltary Contribu and even at times Foubt the sturdi- months ago were large muddy of the uncertainty of Exchange to long, shown on page 108, the Henness of the ship, we have entire tanks. May you, Sir, give us other consider, and what the effect will Colonial Treasurer, In reply to Confidence in the skill of the man af blessings including the blessing of he if the figure, of a 1/4 dollar Is being a lightly tasted community not rostlaed. During the last four question put by the seniorun the beli

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