1939-11-09 — Page 18

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THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 9, 1939

INCOME TAX DEBATE

(Continued from Page 15)

bring in a revenue of $8 to $01⁄2 mil-

liness of our streets. I believe there lion without having to create any ex- is some difference of opinion in re-pensive collecting organization. gard to this matter, and also some There seems to be abroad in some difficulty in regard to the water sup- circles a feeling the British commun- ply required. I hope that a satis-ity is unwilling to shoulder its proper I desire to closely factory solution of these differences responsibilities. will be arrived at, for I feel strong- associate myself with the ly, as do many others, that money made by the Hon. Mr. S. H. Dodwell will be well spent if our roads and in this regard. There is no need to

add further to them. streets are kept in clean condition.

There is no reluctance, as far as 'I

SQUATTER BETTLEMENTS

remarks

the

I must also comment on the Squat-um aware, to take our share in ter Settlements in various overcrowd-war time responsibility of the Empire, but I do most strongly feel that the ed districts, particularly

financial and commercial interests of matshed buildings are allowed

futurė

the

way in-

discriminately on the hillsides. 1 the Colony and therefore its

dif-properity will be adversely affected by appreciate there are numerous

the introduction of a levy in the form ficulties in the way, but I maintain

of the proposed Income Tax. these settlements are no credit whoever s responsible for their supervision.

to

MR. LI TSE-FONG ON WAR'S IMPACT

The Hon. Mr. Li Tse-fong said:-re Member and The Senior Unofficial other honourable members have spok- en very fully on to-day's debate, and as I am a comparatively new mem-- ber of this Council I have only a few observations to make.

as

As one who has from time to time voiced criticism, I should be want- ing in my duty if I did not make some reference to Pensions, for this dis- is a subject that is constantly cussed in business circles with ever increasing alarm and apprehension.

The Colony is fully justified in its demands that this question be tackled forthwith, and a scheme evolved

I agree with the Government's whereby it will definitely know its

policy that there should be as little total committments from year to

disturbance possible with the year, and not have to rely upon an Colony's current activities and de- estimate in the Annual Budget. velopment schemes, and I venture to cannot believe there is any better

think that the provisions made service the Financial Secretary can render this Colony than for him to public works extraordinary are by no means extravagant. All works pro- solve this stupendous problem satis-vided for in the estimates for the de- factorily.

velopment of health and education, that would confer common benefit to GETTING OUT OF HAND

the community, should be proceeded Although I am not altogether satis-with without any avoilable delay. I fied the pensions already being en-earnestly hope that in the event of joyed cannot be put on a proper ac- Government being called upon to cut tuarial basis, the future can surely down expenditure in order to balance he catered for by the institution of the Budget, this should not be done some sound Provident Scheme.

at the expense of Health and Educa-

for

I venture to suggest, Sir, this question. tion is already getting out of hand, Although the present is not oppor- and unless dealt with firmly, effl-tune for me to advocate larger appro- ciently and immediately, will be too priation for the extension of these heavy a load for this Colony to bear. essential services, I feel that in the I hope it will not be long before matter of education I must call Gov- Government can make some

ernment's attention to the lack

an-

of

nouncement, that an expert is deal-provision for the building of model ing with the whole question. and The Senior Unofficial

other

members have dealt at some length with the question of the Special War Budget, and Government proposals to introduce Income Tax to provide funds for this Budget.

INCOME TAX

to

in his

vernacular primary schools as re- commended by Mr. Burney Report issued on May 27th. 1935.

SERIOUS WEAKNESS

In urging Government to give this matter its careful consideration, I will quote the following passage from the, Report in regard to primary verna- cular education in the Colony:-

is

I confirm, Sir, that it is the con- sidered opinion of the Committee of the General Chamber of Commerce,

"It is a serious weakness in Hong the introduction of Income Tax will Kong's educational system with re- be a hindrance and a deterrent to sult felt through the school career of the future prosperity of this Colony,

many of the children that the school advised As has already been

in which the primary foundations are the unanimous you, Sir, this was

laid should be of so poor a quality. opinion of that Committee.

This is the more regrettable when. It The principal reasons for arriving is remembered that for many child- at this decision have already been out-

ren education ends at the primary lined by the Senior Unofficial member, and by the Hon. Mr. S. H. Dodwell stage. In fact it is evident that the Government's expenditure on Higher and others, and need not be further

(including Secondary) Education elaborated at this juncture. I hope out of proportion to its expenditure on Government will consider the argu- Primary Education.. On these grounds ments put forward adequate, and will it is recommended that the Govern- be willing to accept the suggested al- ternatives, which it is estimated will ment should assume as soon as pos- sible larger responsibilities in primary education and the best way of doing this would be to build, as a start, two or three large primary schools in the City of Victoria, staff them only with fully trained teachers, inspect them properly and thus make. them fit to serve as models for schools conduct- ed by private enterprises. These new schools should be free, an innovation which would not be very costly since any fees charged could only be small." PRIVATE SCHOOLS -

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Some of the schools conducted by private enterprises, I must say, fine institutions but the general con- ditions of many others are far from satisfactory, The Community predominantly Chinese, and as tax- payers they have the right to expect that Government should assume full responsibilities in the primary educa- tion of their children. I submit that it is now the general accepted policy of all modern nations to provide at least the primary education necessary for every citizen as a common benefit and to make it free to all the recipients. This leads me to a consideration of the Board of Education. It was es tablished in 1920 "for the purpose of assisting the Director. of Education in matters pertaining to the development- and improvement of education in the Colony," and has since then remained es a purely advisory body. It is an important body, and I feel that it is time that the constitution of the Board should be reviewed and its function extended. A desirable fea--. ture of any new change would be the

(Continued on Page 19)

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