1936-10-07 — Page 7

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THE CHINA KATE WEDNESDAY OCTOBET

VIGOROUS CRITICISM BY UNOFFICIALS OF BUDGET PROPOSALS

•

(Continued from Page 5)

"In answer to certain questions|said;----- by my Honourable friend Mr. J.

the P. Braga, the Hon

Acting Colonial Secretary, on November

25, 1935, made the following state- ment in regard to Mr. Burney's Report:

Although the Report in question has been laid on the table of this! Council it is the opinion of the Government that the consideration

of its detailed recommendations should in the first place be the con- cern of the Board of Education, 20 which the Report has been ferred.

of a

[absence of recreational facilities table amount for a supply over esented by the new tor will corres-replace the aqueduct at a reason- for Queen's College. The Director which he can exercise no effective, pondingly increase On the other able cost. If this is so will Gov-

for any, control

hand, by the abolition of excess jernment consider the question of I am...

thinking

Prevention Of Waste water charges, there will be a very remedying this defect? stronghold of young people, suur “It may be recalled that one of heavy saving in personnel and 15. In view of the rounded by a strip of green and the main grounds for the intro-administration in the P.W.D (legislation which has got on the exveloped in quietness, and about

"There should be no difficulty in Statute Book since 1923, will Gov- all, in the air, essentially a "castle duction of universal meterage was.

mass of

in the air. jest such a place as not to obtain an increase in checking wastage, on excessive jernmant, consider the question of Your Excellency has to-day thrown revenue out of a sheer necessity (consumption. by water restriction bringing out a new edition of the open to our British boys and girls (of life, but to prevent waste, andjif necessary, in particular dis-Hong Kong Ordinances in the I ask no more and no less, for our yet, the Commissioners clearlyĮtricts, and the supply of water can near future? premier Chinese school.

"I beg respectfully to associate showed, the prevention of waste is be conserved sectionally, or by myself with the Director in his mainly dependent upon the mes-distrita

hope, and his request.

Property And Rates

sure of physical control exercised

Tribute To Governor "The Senior Unofficial Memberį has already expressed our appre--

Many Attractions

given year, and that the factor, of principle of water charges only to Secretary's speech and of the prevention by economic, pressure is what may be termed tenement memoranda prepared by the Hon "In view of this remark I re propose now to make a few not operative under our present house districts has many attra the Colonial Treasurer and the fer to Mr. Burner's Report with observations on the question of system and the Commissioners tions. But I realise that it, would Hon. the Director of Public Works

sidence because, so far

as Hong Kong property in relation to held that it is difficult in the face be difficult to work out the amount If in my remarks I have been know, the Board of Education has Rates and Excess Water Charges of this evidence to regard our necessary to compensate the re somewhat critical, I certainly do not published any report of the result of its detailed consideration Position of Hong Kong published based on a

"In the Report on the Economic present system of water charges, venue for foregoing the excess not wish it to be understood that caluation" supply water charges in these particular I am unappreciative of the way in of this Report. But I share thein February 1995, the Commis-plus "extras" as being either districts, having regard to the which Government has faced the view, which I know is held by sioners pointed out that in 1934 equitable in incidence or efficacions difficulty of computing the amount situation. On the contrary I wish many in the Colony, that there is the rateable value stood at in prevention of waste'

collectable as excess water charges to say, if I may be permitted to something wrong with the educa38,641.956, and that this figure, "The Hon. the Director of Pub-from the rest of the Colony. " do so, how much I have admired. tional policy of the Colony. A

was kind enough to "It may be that my proposal the courage, industry and stabes- Government announcement as to its capitalised on the basis of 7 per lic Works

cent. per annunz represented apply me with certain figures in may not be attractive to those who manship with which Your Excel- educational policy would have been investment in rateable property of respect of the period 1920 to 1935. in practice have no excess water leney has grappled with the vari- The insuficiency of the exist-no less than $550,000,000 After The figures show expenditure for charges to par, but I submit that ous problems, culminating in the ing provision for Primary: Educa-pointing out that the total value maintaining Water Works on the all should cheerfully accept the Budget, since your arrival in Hong tion was commented upon by the of the shares of local companies one hand (which comprises Public burden of the new tax if, as I am hong.

(other than financial institutions)Works Recurrent and Salaries at persuaded, this is the only solu- **The decision to resort to sur- Retrenchment Commission. (See

otherwise insoluble plus. balances to meet the deficit paragraph 9. under the Heading listed by the Stock Exchange tributable to the Water Works). tion of an

amounted to approximately $150,- and on the other hand, the net problem.

frather then to new taxation, which) *Education · Department"). But I

"I accordingly respectfully com-Imay have a disastrous effect on respectfully differ from the view000,000 (which, of course, consist revenue derived for Water (which

excess charges mend this proposal to the sym-industry is, as I have stated, very therein expressed, that too much ed to an appreciable extent of in-comprises water is done for Secondary Education. Vestments in property), that the and the water rates (2 out of the pathetic consideration of Govern-much appreciated. The result of

estimated total investment, in Lack Of Facilities

"From 1920 to 1935 the total "Mr. Barney also deplored the Chinese factories or in Chinese in- 17 per cent, assessment). "extremely poor quality of the P-dustry in the Colony amounted to

zary Education provided. but I do about $50,000,000, and that the expenditure for the whole period

by the Water Authority in any The idea of applying this new ciation of the Hon. the Colonial When Your Little One Wakens Unwell

⚫welcome.

*-

not understand from his Report/total note issue amounted to about amounted to just over $7,000,000.Iundertow, is known to be extreme-[permanent retrenchment, can only,

that too much $160.00.000 (of which a great part for Secondary is held outside the Colony), the

Commissioners observed:

that he considers has been done Education. It is true, that out of the vote for the Education Depart

nest of over two million dollars. a very substantial part is devoted to Government Secondary Schools, and in subsidies for subsidised schools. And yet, to the average Chinese parent in the Colony the -problem of giving his childrea a sound education is difficult, if not insoluble.

༣

mert.

the steps which Your Excellency Island Bay Beach

has already taken, or has in con- "The Island Bay Beach, with its templation, by way of effecting

and the total revenue came to just ly dangerous, and many fatal acci-of course, become apparent withi over $22.800.000, showing a net dents have occurred. As it cannot the lapse of time, but I venture to profit obtained by Government be very expensive to provide for a think that what you, Sir, have al- from water of about $15,800,000. rowing boat (say on Wednesday ready done, merits, and will re- These comparative figures serve

over and Saturday afternoons, and Sun-ceive, the lasting gratitude of the to make it abundantly clear that The excess of revenue a very large portion, if not, the penditure for the period 1920 to days, during the bathing season), community.” bulk, of the wealth of the Colony, 1927 comes to $4.351.846.17, and with a man in charge to throw in for the period 1923 to 1935 comes a life buoy when needed, I suggest is represented by property.

That this must be so is hardly to $11.473.060.24.

that this question should be con--

Hon. Mr. Johnson's Speech

COST, OF MARINE SURVEY DEPARTMENT

surprising in a territory where "I understand that the totalsidered by Government. “I appre- there is little agriculture, almost a complete absence of any trace of capital expenditure for the Water eiate that Government gets a cer- mineral wealth, and where industry Works of the Colony, up to the tain amount of revenue from the is still only in its infancy.

end of 1985, came to approximate-matsheds at Repulse Bay; whereas (See page 8 of the Report). by $28,600,000. But I submit that Government gets no revenue, from "The new rateable value for as regards expenditure incurred bathers at Island Bay. But I In his speech the Hon. Mr. H. T. "There are, of course, numerous

is at the reduced prior to 1927, it has been more submit such a smalt expenditure Johnson said:- excellent-Secondary Schools in the 1936 to 1937

"Your Excellency, I desire. to Colony, but for the most part they figure of 534,543,760, but even this than repaid from Water Revenue would be more than amply justi-

the same obtained. And, as far as I can fied if, even one life could be saved. associate myself with the congra“ are run by religious bodies, and if figure. capitalised on

Governor At Canton tulations voiced by my Honour- the parent does not want his boy basis, represents an investment of make out, capital expended since

The maintenance of the happy able friend the Senior Unofficial -to be brought up in a religious at- nearly $500,000,000. The import-1927 is as follows:-

and cordial relation between Hong Member upon the manner, in mosphere not his own, he is prac-ance of Hong Kong property as au

Loan Works no doubt generally Under 1927 Ordinance.

Kong and Canton has often been which the Budget has been pre- tically restricted to Government asset though

is ob-

Section Shing

referred to in this Council. It is sented, and to express my Secondary Schools, in which the inadequately appreciated,

Mun Valley Scheme $3,500,000.00 teaching of Chinese is at best in-vious.

Under 1934 Ordinance. adequate. And if the problem for

Revised Estimated Cost-Aberdeer Val-

"The Commissioners reported parent in such circumstances is that property values were very de- difficult as regards his son, the pressed and that it was extremely difficulty is much more accentuat-difficult to negotiate the sale of ed in the case of his daughter, forjany property.

Four main causes

I believe I am right in saying that for this state of affairs were sug there is only one Government gested by the Commissioners, two excessive charges Secondary School for girls open to of which were Chinese.

"Of the total Education Vote of over two million dollars, the sum

of, just over $1,600,000 is for Per-

for water (in the case of Chinese property), and rates.

Raised Rates

ley Water Scheme. $ 2,555,702.73 Shing Man. Balance of

1st Section and whole of 2nd Sec-

tion

No Desire For Profit “Government has zil

sym

necessary for me to dwell on pathy with Your Excellency that this subject. But may-1-Sie be your first Budget for the Colony permitted to say that the Colony should be one in which so much learned with pleasure and apprehas had inevitably to be sacrificed ciation of the warm welcome 20- to econoiny.

one

· It s

mach anzious occasions that the wise-mother- reslines' the ad- vantages of having" Baby's Own Tablets handy in the"-homa, "for these tablets contain all that is necessary to correct those stomach and bowel troubles which are the chief cause of childhood ills.

They quickly banish infantile indigestion, colic, constipation, vomiting, “wind”, cool feverishness, relieve croup and colds, allay the -pains af teething, expel vozNS," The little ones like their pleasant taste, and they are guaranteed absolutely safe and good even for the youngest infant. Obtainable from medicine dealers everywhere.

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THE 1936

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corded to Your Excellency and “I would like to refer to $9,941,877.28 Lady Caldecott, on the occasion of subject which has come particn ONE MORNING YOU WILL BE SAYING-

your recent visit, by our hospitable|larly to my notice as a Member of $15,997,580.76 neighbour, and that nothing could the Harbour Advisory Committee, The more effective than suožba vixit, and that is the cost of maintain- in view of Your Excellency's per ing the Government Marine Sur- along sonality and Lady Caldecott's "As regards Rates, which were stated that it has no wish to make gracious charm, in cementing theyor's Department. I wish to preface my zemarks by saying sonal Emoluments But the masome years ago raised from 13 per money out of water supplied to the friendship and promoting a spirit that the last thing intended in terials provided do not enable one cent to 17 per cent, in view of inhabitants, and I submit that the of mutual co-operation. between to work out how much it costs to the present financial position of only fair way of computing the these two places? run each Government School, and the Colony, I can only respectfully cost of water supplied is to asser the cost per capita of the boys in concur in the Commissioners' obtain the amount payable for inter- "I regret the time I have al-j each Government School I reservation. that:- pectfully ask for a statement on the lines indicated above.

"Mr. Barriey, at page 16 of his Report, referred to the British Schools as follows:-

Miscellaneous Matters

these is any reflection on the per- sonnel of the Department in ques- tion. On the contrary, in 207 opinion and experience we are ex- est on the amount of the new ready taken up. There are still a

well tremely

served by the While it may not be possible to capital outlay, the amount payable few other miscellaneous matters restore the old rate of taxation, we for the annual reduction and re-on which I desire some inform- Government Marine Surveyor's consider that in view of the severe payment of the loan, and for the tion, and, for the sake of brevity both highly competent and rea

Department. .The Surveyors areļ depression in property it should be

On this I propose to set out the items in Government's aim to bring about cost of maintenance,

sonable and courteous to deal basis my figures are as follows:—an interrogative forma Total loan (attributable to

#1 On page 14 of the Hon. the with, but it does seem to me, and Water Works from 1927

Colonial Secretary's Memorandum I know to others interested in to date say Yearly reduction of

there is a reference to centralisa-shipping also, that the cost of 1/25th.

640,000 tion of the reception of Press maintaining the Department is 560,000 messages in the hands of Gover-extraordinarily high- and out of

some reduction at the earliest pos

sible moment.

In 19 the Director of Edaca-

"If no alleviation can at present tions wrote: "The Government rea- lises the justice of making the

be given in regard to rates. I sub- ratepayers contribute as little possible towards the cost of this mit that something can, and should special class of schools, and the be, done in regard to

الله

$15,000,000

excessive Interest at 3% per cent $

fees are therefore put as high as charges for water which, as the P. W. B. and Salaries, say $ 500,000 ment. Will Government be good proportion to the needs of the the parents can afford.' It is open Commissioners remarked:

to doubt whether that is true now;

in 1933 the fees were $90+ · L€! just about one-seventh of the gros cost per head. 190 mens in steni ing from about £4 10s. to about

may be fairly described as partes-

sonably high, and have had a ver

ious effect in making such pro perty unsaleable.

enough to make a statement for Colony. $1,700,000 the information of the public, as "According to a statement cir- "According to the Draft Estim to the extent and effect of this culated to the Harbpar Advisory ates the revenue

from Bates is centralisation, especially in rela-Committee this year the total an- unal cost of the Department in "In the Commissioners view computed at $5,600,000, represent-tion to owners of radio sets? £9, according to the rate of ex- CHEC

There would not appear clearly some relief here is over-ing 17 per cent of the Assessment. In both the new Gaol and round figures in £15,495. Included to be any hardship in maring the due. That the property market 2/17ths of this is in respect of the Queen Mary Hospital a highly in this amount, in addition to Sa- parents contribute a rather higher has not improved but has, on the water, amounting to $658.824: the qualified mechanic.... having the laries totalling £10,304, the state- a University ment shows Pensions 1859, Rent proportion of the total cost, and contrary, deteriorated, is clearly estimated revenue for water excess qualifications of

the staff, or both.

this could be done either by in-shown by the Hon. the Colonial supply and metre rents for 1937 xraduate in Engineering will have Allowances £825, Conveyance A creasing the fees or by reducing Treasurer's report on the Assess is $1,775,000, making a total of to be appointed to take charge of lowances £297. Overtime Allow- "For boys whose average at-ments for the year 1996 to 1937 $2.423,824 (I am not clear as to the boiler instaliation. What Isances £55, and Passages £1,433. tendance in 1935 came to 230 an this report it can be seen that whether the above revenge in the necessity for such an elaborate The last-mentioned, item, I may new school has just been opened, the rateable value in respect of cludes payments received by Gov-boiler installation? I assume that mention, represents more than built at a cost of about half a 1934 to 1935 of just over $38,500-ernment for water supplied to these posts are open to graduates nearly 9, full rate First Class million dollars, with playing 000 dropped, in respect of 1935 to steamers at Hong Kong) of the Hong Kong University, but return passages to London per "As any revenue for water ex-I respectfully ask for confirmation annum for a staff of 16 Euro- grounds sufficient for two large 1936, to less than $36,500,000, and

Menpeans and their families. The football fields, tennis courts, and a again dropped, in respect of 1936 ceeding $1,700,000 constitutes on this point. pavilion. According to the Directo 1937, to just over $34,000,000. excessive charge, I submit that I understand that the greater part of the balance of the tor's Report for 1935 the total en-As the Hon the Colonial Treasure the excessive charge for Water on Jaland is drawing a considerable $15,435 is accounted for by main- rolment in all schools, Government er observed, this is the third suc- the Budget figures comes to oversupply of water from King's tenance of a fleet of three or otherwise, is as follows cessive annual valuation showing $700,000 for the current year. Jubilee Reservoir, because, in spite launches costing £942 per annma In Vernacular Schools 58,394 a decrease and there has been no "Now that we have an assured of the fact that the Island reser In English School 17,086. instance of a decrease being supply from the Jubilee Reservoir voirs are full, the existing filter-

any

Not Over-Staffed, “

"I cannot readily call to mind shown in three successive annual I suggest that all excess watering capacity of the Island is in "I understand from my Honour- Vernacular School which valuations for the last 50 year charges be abolished and that, in suincient to cope with the demand able friend the Harbour Master possesses recreational grounds, and "I do not forget the recent re-lieu thereof, an additional & per If this is so will Government.com-that in comparison with London the recreational facilities for other duction, in the charges for excess cent on the Assessments be raised sider the question of increasing and other places, on the basis of English Schools are either zon-water - cœemmption and -- the

seperate "Excess Water Tax the filtering capacity, on existené, or utterly inadequate. |connte.” Allowed for a prompt.

tax will bring just short

Island 27 ment But these measures,

$1,000,000 this year, and as the

Page Queen's College

“Considerations, zach 器 the are gratefully above, make so much more tragic go to the root the lament of the Directos this which is merely speech at the opening of the new load is under the

"almiche au unascertained

"I understand

the tonnage visiting the port, we azu by no means, over-staffed; - but. carry-such a basis of comparison may mg easily prove very misleading. In Hong Kong statistics of tonnage visiting the port are swollen

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