1941-02-20 — Page 46

Page 14,

THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 20, 1941.

GOVERNMENT REPLIES TO CRITICISMS

to

00

the

und been to include with the approval] paupers,

60 the potential It is quite true that at the time (Continued from Page 13)

the public that if this measure fails in its of all Members of this Counell, criminals. of the neighbouring when this offer was made it was

primary object, Re- parts of South Ching. Banish I think generally thought that the namely, to reduce consumption geney, but only a financial emer-provision for the Fisheries

particularly in respect of pel· gency and there is none such at search Station and the Experi- ment plus a rigorous enforcement War was à remote incident

yato cars, the rationing of petrol present, and I decline to treat next mental Agricultural Station in the of the Immigration Ordinance are, which the Colony should contri- in next year's the most obvious remedies; but bute in this remote WBY, and year's budget, though including New Territories

may have to be introduced. The increase in the duty large defence expenditure, as an estimates to be met from Colonial 1 think it is also to be noted that there was Fttle expectation of the emergency and not mainly a nor- funds. That is only a small pro- in existing circumstances of mill-vast local preparations which have heavy oils to be used as fuel for

no portion of what is required. It

slace mal budget. But if we have

tary precautions the calls on the been forced upon us

the heavy oil road vehicles from 30 balance to draw on to meet un- may be said that such develop Pollos Force are so great that events in Europe of last summer. to 40 cents per gallon and foreseen expenditure how are we ment is not practical politics at some diminution in their normal At the same time the offer was imposition of a duty of 10 cents to carry on? The experience of the the present time. That may be duties of preventing crime is hard-a firm one and, even if no ac per gallon on other hydrocarbon recent loan is a warning that we so but the budget was framed as ly unexpected.

tual expenditure has yet been in-

oils (Kerosene) hitherto untaxed, with effect in both cases from the I stated already to make due pro-

curred, it may be felt that cannot berrow at least at a

16th January, 194), are, as in- sonable rate of interest. Inciden- vision for defence and social ser- Government Servants question of dishonouring that pro-dicated in my speech to this Coun tally the Honourable

mise should not be considered soil on that day, revenue producing Mr. Tam vices. has misinterpreted my remarks in

comes measures. that connection. I deplored noth- ing. I stated that Government took up so much. In fact it decid-

rea-

ed on that amount before the is

prospectus indicates sue, as the and was not left with that amount in its hands, but the fact remains that there was little public res- ponse

In my experience this Colony never enjoys a prolonged period of financial normality with a steady and reasonably predictable incom:

a

the Lage Bocal expenditure en drive he seryd to pump codtamers punchasing power unto the packet of many and fimul ated trade If at any time th. Colony is able to meet its exper- chine face

43

1

wollen by om de !

,ין

TOW.

and that expenditure :hould be met so for tes per sulle, and I vut- mit that means entirely, from eur- pet revenue.

is

No Oppressive Taxes There is no oppressive taxation in Hong Kong at this time, and I submit that none of the new taxat on proposed oppressive and that this Colony ought to be able to provide from its current revenue all the expenditure - cluded in these estimates an

Honour- I appeal to able Members not to spend the meagre reserves mhered from

necessary.

the past nor to seek an overdraft

MR. N. L. SMITH WINDS UP Winding up the debate, the Pre- sadent. The Hon. Mr. N. 1. Smith

sand

the

The Honourable Mr. Paterson long as our local revenue and the Honourable Mr. Dodwell in at its present rate. I cannot, bave both remarked on the

however, say more on this sub- eftects, especially noticeable inject at the moment except to pro- times of crisis, of the apparently mise a full and early examina- inviolable position enjoyed by tion. Government servants and the duficulties which lie in the way off discarding the inefficient. fortunately, perhaps, fortunately for the officers concerned, perhaps,} neither the Government nor this Council has an entirely free hand in this matter, as was explained. in the 1939 Budget debate (1939

vants above a

Un-

ser-

No one, gentlemen, can say that to-day's debate indicates a subservient or an uncritical at- titude such as has occasionally been charged against the Un. official Members of this Council. I venture to say that the healthy such as

the

public

PETROL RATIONING

BALLOON

BARRAGE SUCCESS

collision with a balloon announced in an cable Air Ministry communique balloon barrage crews destroyed three night raiders in eight days this Air month, states the Ministry news service.

The other two were shot down by gun crews of the balloon bar- lage.

It is either enjoying a boom or

and helpful criticisms

Including an enemy suffering from a depression AI SET the future, but to endeavour Hansard, p.225), as the rules un- we have heard to-day are wel-

comed by the Government and raider brought down by to meet current expenditure from | dei which all Government present I submit it is having

are evidence of the high current revenue, beming in mund

appreciation boom, and in spite of the

Ste certain rank

their cost of living a great number of that the purpose of that expendi- governed in all matters of disci- of those Members of pice pale in this Colony are njoy tints targely defence and social phne, salary, increment, and the portant duty as representatives of

Whether on matters! TOM uprendented property services, or, if I may otherwpel like are universad thoughout the the public.

of detail in our Finance Camut- express it, the preservation and Colomal Empire. promotion of our caviliseto1).

Another point

raised hy the tee discussions or on broad ques- Honourable Mr. Dodwell has also tions of policy as in to-day's de- personally always been the subject of earher dis bate I have cussion in this Council, namely his found those representatives con- attempted comparison between the structive in their criticisms and

personal emolu- jealous guardians of Sumns spent on

good. ments and the sums spent on so- cial services, This, I think it will be agreed, is a cross-division, us doctors and schoolmasters and

WARNING inspectors musi salaries market

draw just પ્રશ્ન much

H. R. Butters, those officers

The Hon. Mr. duties watse merely administrative. A Financial Secretary, moving the general concern to the community study of the final column on page arst reading of the appropriation crall fell into the sea. and which are very properly rais 15 of the Estimates now present- / bill gate warning that petrol ed in this annual debate. Financial Secretary has replied to ed, which shows the percentage reliening might be necessary. He which euch Government depart- the financial points raised by Hon- ourable Members and it remains ture for the year, would, I sug-on petrol, was inercased to. 86 cenis ment bears to the total expend! - The duty on light oils, that a for me, in closing the debate, to refer to the more important of the Best. give a clear view of any dis- per gallon on the th November other questions which have been Parity such as Mr. Dodwell cri 1940. The object of the increase touched upon.

in petrol duty is, by reducing con- sumption, to conserve foreign ex- change and save tankerage. not intended us a revenue pro ducing measure.

I am authorised to state the information of Honourable Members and as a warning to

Revenue Outlook The revenue calculations for next year are based on the con- tinuation of the present prosperity of the Colony and in the present

Wo

' I have stened with great in

terest to the specches of Honour- able Unofficial Members both on the subject of the 1941-42 Budget and on other subjects which are of|

The

world situation 1 sulmit that ce- presents

certain degree optimism. Several Members have reminded us that of recent years actual revenue has exceeded the estimate and, therefore, should continue to do so, and that

There are three major adminis- should be satisfied with thinkingtrative questions that have come not that all will be well and that in for considerable criticism, everything from the revenue point only in to-day's debate but in the this of view will automatically turn discussions which preceded out satisfactorily.

meeting and, to some extent, in the correspondence columns uf the local press, namely Immigrü- tion, Food Control and Firewood Control.

One Member has gone so far as to accuse me of conservatism, caution and pessimism. If by pessimism he means endeavour. ing, to foresee and obviate diffi culties 1'confess I am pessin.is tic and nothing that 1 have heard in the speeches of Hon ourable Members to-day has relieved, my pesalmism.

I am authorised by Hia Ex- cellency the Acting Governor to state that he has yesterday. with the consent of the Execu tive Council, decided to appoint a strong Commission, the com- position of which will be nounced without delay, to en- quice into various allegations which have recently been made against the Immigration Officer and his staff.

an-

With this in view it would be

like to assure Honourable Mem-

It is said that I have sought to build up hidden reserves and have written off expenditure In- curred on lood reserves. I only wish I had more hidden reserves. to confess to. The expenditure on food reserves has not been

me to discuss the written off, though it is not possi-improper for ble to estimate how much of it matter in this Council, but I should. will be recovered, and we are at bers that in the last few days Mr. present dealing with the expen- Forrest has been provided not only diture for next year. If these re-with additional accommodation but serves have to be maintained, also with another capable admine throughout the year there is bound istrative assistant. I will not say to be a loss in turnover and re- more except to state that the placement whatever eventual sum foundations of the department may find its way to revenue. And were, in the opinion of the Gov- to charge the cost to expenditure ernment, laid on, the best lines ad- instead of opening a suspense ac-vised by an expert, from Malaya; count is the proper way to main- tain control in the hands of the legislature.

Income Tax

It has been alleged that by these devices and on the pretext of an unbalanced budget I have raised the bogey of Income Tax. I do not propose to discuss that matter, which can well be left to the re constituted War Revenue, Com-. mittee, but it is my duty to point out as the Honourable Mr. Dod- well has stated that this Colony is ridiculously lightly taxed in com- parison with Home, and in my opinion it must have balances, and adequate balances, not only to racet an emergency but to even out the fat and, the lean years it any, planned, development is to be undertaken,

are

ticises.

Vessels For Admiralty

The point which the Honour. able Mr. Shields makes about the provision of vessels for the

Ad- miralty will be further examined.

Į

said:

for

OLD MEN, BOYS, HELP GREEKS WIN

OLD MEN AND boys, armed with hunting guns, blunderbusses, and bill hooks, and shepherds using grenades instead of stones, in their slings, helped to out the Italians in the mountains of Northern Greece.

chanised army's first assault on the Greeks in the The story of this smashing of the Italian me-

Pindus Mountains was told for the first time when wounded Greek officers reached their base hospitals. and also that the urgency of started soldiers, and peasants share the

Evzones, the famous Greek kilt ing the Immigration Department credit for this amazing victory. was constantly pressed upon M.. Forrest in spite of his requests for more time for preparation.

Food Control

With his wounded · leg. propped up in bed, an Evzone sergeant told yesterday how his SOS. for, re- inforcements to meet the Italian attack was answered in. surprise

As regards Food Control, also, ing fashion. to-day's debate comes at 1 somewhat inopportune moment as, the whole organisation, ql, this Important defence. department bas been, in the last week under very aptive scrutiny. An an- nouncement on thip, subject will -be made at an carly date.

our troops were counter-attacking,

"The next morning we found the Italians had: left two machine-guns and rifles, and their only victims were eleven - wild pigu. part of a herd- which, frightened by gunfire, had run into the Italians and caused panic."

The first bomber crashed into a balloon cable. The engines ot the raider failed after a blue ftash was seen in the sky and the air-

Three nights later the crew of a barrage balloon oponed fire on an enemy bomber. tm- mmediately there was an explo- ston and a sheet of flame and the aircraft dived into the sea about a mile and a half away. Another balloon barrage

brought down a third bomber five nights later. The gun crew held their fire until the aircraft was | directly

when overhead

they opened up and hils were register- ed on the machine. Shortly afterwards the bomber burst into flames and crashed a few miles away.

Although their normal work is to operate balloons the crews of the balloon barrage are trained gunners. British Wireless.

PRAYED, SAVED 700 IN TITANIC

Captain Sir Arthur Ros tron, one of the world's most famous transatlan- tic liner captains, the man who saved more than 700 people from the Titanic, has died.

He told the story years after. "I am a prayer," he said. 'Always, every great believer in night I have said my prayers, and I have never asked for anything without having it granted in some

way.

.

"That night, in mid-Atlantic 1 knelt beside my bunk in my cabin and prayed that something would happen that would. bring fasting honour on my ship, my firm and my wife.

"I had been in bed about an hour when my chief officer burst open the door of my cabin and ruslied

in,

"We were amazed and, disap: All the wounded Greeks, spoke pointed," said: the sergeant, of the Italian Bersaglieri and "when hundreds of old men and Alpini as tough fighters, but sald boya, armed with hunting gung, the Blackshirt battalions liked blunderbusses and bill hooks sucking villages, and were poor many of them left over from Oghters. the Turkish, war-turned, up,

Greek women have, asked per- He bore the first message for aid "They begged to be allowed to mission from their King to form sent out from the Titanic. fight for revenge, as Italian 'planes a regiment of Amazons, says "I thought that my little ship) had bombed their village, killing Ankara radio. The peasant women the Carpathia, would proudly tow seventeen.

of the mountains are used to the giant liner into Quebec, handling rides, and agcustomed to Tho pensafts with long-barrell ed guns were wonderful They areat physical exertion, ddn't waste a single shot

"Shepherds used grenades instead!

GIFT BY NATIVES OF TANGANYIKA

"know the Titanie could not sink. Every sullor 'knew? it. Yet, ap stood on the bridgo, 'I felt myself urged by some power to maka preparations.. "Those preparations were made against my, will, and yet something told me. I must make them.

"So I ordored all my executive.... officers to make ready. Stewards

The price of firewood and the conservation of adequate reserves for defence purposes has for long been the concern of this Govern- ment, which sent, a month, or so ago, a special representative to enquire into this vital necessity In this connection I would state in Manila, Borneo and Malaya. of stones in their slings against that Sir Geoffry Northcote, short- The first shipment of Government ly before he departed on leave purchased firewood from Sapda- the Alpini, while mule teams were

bringing up mountain guns, instructed me to prepare a pro kan may shortly be expected and gramme, for, this Colony in con- it is hoped that this and subgaacale the aldes of the ravine, we When the Bersaglieri tried to nection with the Colonial Develop-quent consignments will re some! ment, and Welfare Scheme, which latanee, towards a solution of this bayonets, and the peasants I have failed to do.

dificult problem,

used their knives.” I have spent considerable time The Honourable Mr. Tam has How a herd of wild pigs frightermined to play their part along Boats were swung out, alert for on the problems and the more I remarked on the present lawless-tened one, group of Italians was with other cluzens of the Empire the tragedy that couldn't happen. investigated the greater they up-ness in the Colony and this is only told by a bearded Greek soldier in in helping London: men, and wo- "We steamed on, and then, when peared and: the necessity for etu- too apparent from accounts that the next bed, whose eyes twinkled men rendered homeless, through the first boats and rafts came into borate planning embracing har- come from various sources. Such beneath his bandaged head.

the blitz."

sight; I knew that some great. bour development, town planning a state of affairs is hardly unex- "Our company," he said, "didn't They have donated, respective power, had guided my action," and slum clearance, agriculture pected at a time when Hong Kong have a chance of a straight Aght, ly, 80 and 125, head of cattle, their (The Titanic sank in the Atlan- and fisheries, health and education is ns overcrowded as ever and We were autnumbered. We sniped most cherished: possession, to re- tie at 2:20 am. on April 18, 1012; became increasingly apparent. All when..so great a part of the te puces muring the day, and at night heard, love the distress of sits raid-home-873 of the crew and 225: passengeri that we have been able to do has plus population comprises the firing in the valley. We thought less --Router.

were lost.)

Natives of the Tanganyika areas,

of Walkizi and Ngrumbl are de- got. bunks, and blankets prepared.