1930-10-20 — Page 7

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1930.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR,

A Forced Increased.

was

clusion

forced

thut,

THE CHINA MAIL.

The additional amount to be paid, iterable sums have been entered the basis of a 1a. 4d. dollar, and, The revised figure for Hong Kong when spread over the large number for general extensions and improve- it is estimated that the adoption!

roads: Hong Kong la of this proposal will effect a re of 17 per cent. Thelusive compares, of ships affected, will mean a veryments to

The pre-fortunate in having a consider duction of $388,888 in the expen- thua reducing the (Continued from Page 4)

therefore, very favourably with this small average increase,

Isent charges were imposed when the able mileage of excellent roads,diture, Budget, and both him and his

class of taxation in Malaya. offers for the great help that they

confess that I had made up my mind dollar was 2s. 6d, and the revised though I cannot but feel that some estimate, deflclt to a more rea- have given me in the final prepara-.

that it should not be raised by more rates are no more than is fair in have proved mere additions to the sonable, figure. It is too late to amenities of the place, rather than make the necessary alternations tion of it. I also thank the Senior

than 3 per cent., and stendily re-view of the fail in the dollar.

Noin the estimates without causing It may be an exaggeration to sayol a developmental nature. Unofficial Member, and through him

sisted suggestions to adopt a greater the other Unofficial Members, for

rise.

After comibing the estimates that most of the dollar companies doubt the hopes of development ip undue delay in-submitting them! however, I have raised their rates, but some vertala directions have been re-to the Secretary of State, but I their congratulations on the efforts

carefully, very

a large tarded,, owing to general depres-give you an assurance that this to the con- undoubtedly have, while made to deal with what is admitted-

basis will be adopted, subject to ir

lower humber of the ships using the portsion, ly a very difficult Budget, in the

any'

Hospitals Needed.

the Secretary of State's approval. circumstances. The tribute is

which cartainly The Colony appears to me to I trust that this step will go some generoas.

I also thank the Mer-rate were imposed, the deficit on belong to companies working on a

next year's working would be high-sterling basis,

is justified, and cannot reasonably complain of what have greater needs in the matter of way to meeting the criticisms re- bers for their careful consideration 'er than

the I am convines is a perfectly such institutions as the Govern-garding the increase of the dollar of it, and for their helpful com I reluctantly. came

Thave not consider-ment Civil Hospital, the gadi, the emoluments of Government off- In view of

that a 4 corylusion thents and eriticism.

per equitable rise.

it is possible to dis-hospital. It is proposed to provide cers. the difficulties involved in the.

Ithank the Unofficial, Members increase 1 ex-criminate in respect of toy charges for the new Government Civil Hos- necessity for increasing taxation, irent. rise was necessary. Before ed whether

deciding on this feel gratified that there has been splored other possible sources of re-between coastal and ocean goingpital and the gel out of loan funds for their assurance of the con- little criticism.

venue, but there appeared to be steamers. I doubt it but will go and an appdication will be made for \tinuance' of their whole hearted!

Assistance for these works from the Colonial Development Fund.

ast that the application will be successful. -

Water Supply.

Serinus Need For Economy.

It has been my misfortune in two and successive years. In Malaya here, to submit a Budget in which it has been necessary "severely to restrict expenditure with a view to on the year's reducing the deficit working. In both places prosperous years have been sucreated by lean that serious ones, with the result need for economy has arisen. spite of the most careful pruning of the estimates for 1931, it is impos- sible to avoid extra taxation unless there is to be a dangerous loss in efficiency.

In

It

to

none which would produce the neces-into the matter. sary amount required, or the in- cidence of which would be equally equitable,

11

་

1

support. I felt confident of such support. but it is none the less gratifying to receive the assur ance given,

***

dis-

We

Further Consileration. As regards the suggestion that The difficulty of finding the fees be reduced if the position may be at some future date justifles it, I

Hopes for the Future. more equitable form

The Celony has passed through

I am sorry that my first Bud- gathered from the unofficial reports can only say that I cannot possibly i of the recent meeting of the give an undertaking which would many anxious times in respect of ret. in this Colony is not a more the fetter my successors, but of course its water supply, but I have been pleasant one, but with the re- Committee of General

of it is always open to reconsider any greatly impressed by the successstricted resources at my Chinese General Chamber

were form of taxation at any time, should with which this essential problem osal. I have endeavoured to pro- Three sources Commerce. recommended-a

adequate maintenance tax on belting: it appear to be either too oneroue has been tackled. I need hardly vide for

say that there is no fatention of and for the upkeep of efficiency This has some merit and need not be or impolitic.

slowing down on approved schemes to a reasonably safe level. The Salaries Question. irrevocably turned down, but I think

As regards expenditure, naturally and provision will be made for have, so to sneak. a good deal it that it is advisable to ste the effect of it in England. In any event 20 there have been, considerable in them out of loan funds. The fur hand, and will not suffer much if per cent. would kill it and a reason-creased dollar cost of sterling,ther extensions of the schemes the rate of progress, which must

been submitted to the Secret amount. Meanwhile the sterlinge I can assure honourableary of State, and I expect a special amasement tax will be applied to members, however, that the greatest export to arrive here early in the led down. Meanwhile, I look for-1

I consider that economy consistent with ethiciency "forthcoming year to assist us with ward with confidence to im-

is being exercised.

Apart from a decision not to fill virable, in view of the magnitude vinced that we need have no fear certain posts which are at present of our proposals, and its pe ata as regards the future prosperity nennt, the question of actual re-ta arrange for this advice a trenchment of posts must await the lower fee than would ordinarily be recommendations of the Retrench-possible, owing to the visit of such The members an expert to Singapore, who will be ment Commission. of that Commission are dealing with able to combine his work in the. the question very thoroughly, and two colonies in one visit to the Government is most grateful to East. them.

Military Contribution.

The

I trust that their enquiries will lead to further economics..

This advice. This is considered de-

our resources, is somewhat slow-

proved conditions. and am eon-

of this Colony. (Applause).

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The formal resolution, to move the second reading of:-

was then put to the Council. His Excellency intimated that he would prefer members, to pro- pose amendments, if any, to specific clauses.

Keeping up the Standard. Coming to Hong Kong a little over huge ee months ago, I was struck by

the Racing Club. the fact that here, as in Malaya, the

the proposed tax on jewellery would considerable possesses country amenities, which it has been for- be almost impossible to enforce and tunate enough to acquire on a low any attempt to do so would in my basis of taxation. This high stan opinion be doomed to failure. dard was attained in both places as proposal regarding buses and fer- ries entails the raising of the cost a result of prosperous years, and now that we have happened on jean of essential services, also raising The cost of living. It must be re- years it is a question whether that standard should be allowed to demembered that we tax seats in buses tu and if the services were let for teriorate or whether, in order

A Bill to apply a sum not ex-! Government Salaries. tenger, this would have to be taken maintain it, some measure of ad-

million The burning question of Gov-ceeding twenty-three into account, In a Colony where ditional taxation should be imposed.

and sixty-five there is no income tax assessment

I may say, with reference to the crnment salaries was fully discuss-three hundred

three hundred and I cannot believe that the Colony Wild choose the former alternative. seems a fair form of laxation. In this suggestion of my Hon. friend Mred last June and has been touched thousand

on to-day. It looms large in the thirty-five dollars, to the Public Any increase of taxation la unplea-connection, it must be remembered Braga regarding local recruiting,

that the military contribution is that it is a question that I have had public eye. I am satisfied that the Service for the year 1931, sant, but if high standards are to be

since Iasic proposals were on the whole maintained, and I do not believe that high, and that of the 4 per cent. under consideration ever this Colony cannot afford to main additional rate, we only actually recame here and I have not only ask-equitable, but feel that the abnor Commit-mal rate of exchange is perhaps ceive 3.2 per cent, directly for re-ed the Retrenchment tain them, it is unavoidable.

I considered venue purposes.

tee to consider it but 1ve unduly favourable. has been argued that the cost of

instructed several departments to the question of putting a low limit of living is high in Hong Kong, and

Dr. Kotewall: Although Your As regards the military contribu-so how far it is possible to achieve on the rate of conversion therefore an increased of taxation

dollars, sterling salaries into

Excellency has just told us that tion it has been suggested the we something, or these linés. I doubt whether

that it is not justified.

of opinion but was Education Expense.

there is little likelihood of any any Chancellor of the Exchequer should try to get the percentage re- Efforts have been made in duced.

Education costs us a good deal, was unwise to do this at once. reduction in the Military Contri would be prepared to accept such an argument.

It is necessary to con- the past to get a revision but with but if the present policy is to be On the one hand, local cost of liv-bution, I should like to request

little success and I may say at once maintained, the cost is unavoidable ing might have increased in pro- vider to what such high cost

Is it due merely to that in my opinion there is not, the At the same time, I have given a portion to the fall in the dollar, living is due.

slightest chance of inducing the great deal of thought to the ques-while the dollar itself might have an increase in the cost of necessaries

stony hearted Home Treasury to tion of our policy, and confess to gone up. Neither of these even and a certain measure of luxuries,

some doubts whether it is entirely tualities has occurred, and it is or is it due to people having adopt-

agree to any material reduction,

I have been struck by necessary to review the position. luxurious style

may, remind you that we only pay justified. [ believe. 20 per cent. so long the cost of the high age of a number of the I am prepared, subject to the It seems to Secretary of State's approval, to the garrison coats more than that. pupils at our schools. It must also be remembered that theme that, owing to our present sysagree to the suggestion regard cast is almost entirely on a sterling tem, they stay there for three to ing the basis of conversion of the Secretary of State. He could the Honourable member basis and that the sterling value of four years more than is justified. sterling salaries into dollars, assure our contribution is adversely affect- Naturally the longer the boys are Half will be converted at the cur- that this would be done.

The motion was then put for ed by the low dollar. The reply to kept at schools, the fees at which rent rate, or more properly speak-

are admittedly too low to cover the ing, the Treasury rate, of ex- ward, and carried unanimously, His Excellency de- cost, the greater is the expenditure change, and the other half at 1s. after which incurred by Government. Further 6d. to the dollar. The estimates clared the Council adjourned sine assistance to Vernacular

and next year have been prepared on | dle. Government Alded schools might he considered if, economies can be effected in other directions. think that the whole of the educa-| tional policy must be overhauled, and I propose to seek the advice) of the Board of Education.

ed

more 4

'ni

If, as living.

of

the latter is largely responsible for the present high, cost of living, I cannot possibly accept the argu- ment as a reason for imposing no further taxation.

arc

Cost of Living Compared. Comparisons

proverbially odious, especially if they refute one's After 32 years of own arguments. Malaya, I am convinced that the cost of living is higher there than here. and that taxation, though fur from

the question regarding the exemp- tion of the profit on exchange is that the mintter is still under considera- tion.

Taxes on Shipping.

As regards the increase in ship burdensome there, is markedly high-ping charges, I fully appreciate that it is undesirable to make such er than in this Colony. To take

charges unduly heavy in a port like one important form of taxation which looms large in the discussions. this, which depends so much on its on this bill, the mnicipal assessment shipping for its prosperity. At the same time, the argument can be and rates both in Singapore and Penang total 22 per cent. inclusive overdone, and there is no reason of general water rate and education either why fair charges should not rate. In Singapore there is in ad- be imposed, or why the imposition dtion a 2 per cent, improvement rate, but of course this is earmarked for *pecial purposes.

I

Medical Campaign Held Up.. With regard to the Medical De-! partment, I am sorry that financiaal position does not enablo

our

of such fair charges. Should have.Dr. Wellington to go as far as he any marked Influence on the ship ping asing this port.

GAS FIRES

CLEAN CHEAP

COMFORTABLE CONVENIENT

IN WHEN

YOU'RE IN, OUT WHEN YOU'RE OUT.

FIXED

FOR

FIVE DOLLARS

ONLY

THE GAS COY

SHOWROOMS

ICE HOUSE STREET (Near Star Ferry), 246, NA AN ROAD corner of Jordan Road). AND AT THE WORKS WEST POINT.

had hoped in his work of improve- ment and extension of this depart- ment. Certain new appintments were, however, approved in con- nection with this year's estimates, and some have actually been made. It is proposed to defer' others for

the present. The appointment,

however, of a venereal disease specialist will be proceeded withi and I trust will he made in the near future. I am particularly anxious that this branch should be improv- ed, as there is no doubt that, in the matter of social hygiene; Hong Kong is distinctly backward.

Public Works Department. In the Public Works Department certain votes under annnually re- current expenndituró have been re- duced, but 1 am satisfied that the reduced votes shoud be sufficient to maintain the necesary amount; of; efficiency. As regards Public Works Extraordinary is the Colonial Secretary pointed out in his apeech, very little new work is contemplat ed, apart from that, the cost of which is to be paid for from loans. Although the amount allotted for Public Works Extraordinary has been restricted to 2 millions. I am in hopes that it will be possible to spend the whole of this during. the year. The amount usually pro vided is rarely if ever entirely spont. No doubt some of you may be disappointed that it has not been possible to commence further de sirable works, and I share in that disappointment.

In particular for instance I was very anxious to see a new word

built at the, Kowloon, Gove Hospital, and had made up my

to make provi

but I am

must defer my

year. Meanwhile

hospital there whi

new road.of%

that the views of the Chinese com- munity on the matter, as voiced by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, be brought before the Secretary of State..

His Excellency, in reply, stated

that the beat procedure to adopt

would be to place all the speeches

at the morning's Counell before

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TISH

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