Hon. WONG SHING said that with reference to the Surveyor-General's statement that Chinese houses had no light or air, he could explain how a China shop was built. In the lanes between Jervois-street and Queen's Road some of the shops were only 25 feet deep and they had the whole front open and on the second floor had a large opening eight feet by six on the floor which threw a light on the counter on the back, besides which they had an opening for the staircase. He thought therefore there must be light enough and air enough.
His EXCELLENCY—I do not know exactly what motion is before the Council; whether it is the adjournment for a fortnight as proposed by my hon. friend on the left (Hon. P. Ryrie), or whether it is the intention to oppose altogether the second reading of the Bill. I should like to know exactly what is before the Council.
Hon. P. RYRIE—That the second reading of this Bill be postponed for a fortnight.
His EXCELLENCY—In that case I have not the slightest objection to the motion. I have all along contended that we must make a beginning. I think I also stated that we would sit at such intervals as would suit the convenience of hon. members and also that the public might thus have every opportunity of considering everything that comes before us at each sitting. With regard to this question of backyards that is still so much harped upon, although it is not before us at the present moment you will see that clause 79 says whenever the provisions of the two preceding clauses—that is the two which relate to the question of backyards—cannot be adhered to without undue sacrifice of property, such provisions may be modified at the discretion of the Governor in Council. Our sole object is to obtain in every house thorough ventilation and light, and if these can be secured by any other means we do not insist upon the backyards. All we want is to get for each house ventilation and light, which are generally considered necessary as regards Chinese or other people, and it was with this object that the clauses mentioned were introduced.
I have visited many of these poorer class houses. I visited them in 1885, I have visited them now in 1887, and I shall probably pay a few more visits to them. A few of these houses which in 1885 I remarked upon as being perfectly disgraceful, I find to my pleasure and surprise remodelled voluntarily by the landlords very much to the benefit of the poor unfortunate coolies who had to live there, and I have no doubt that these improvements have been carried out at a very small loss, that the landlords do not receive much smaller rents. People here seem to think sanitation is not required. They say Hongkong is so marvellously healthy, and then they quote statistics. All I can say is I have been going through these statistics very carefully and find the death rate is something enormous.
In the first place you must bear in mind that a large portion of the population consists of adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Young men come here full of health and strength to earn a livelihood because they find they can earn more here than on the other side, and of course when they have made their money they return. A large portion of the Chinese come here for a time only and then return to their native districts. A death rate, therefore, of 30 per thousand in comparison with what it would be at home, 20 or 21 per thousand, I call enormous. From what I have seen I think the passing of this Bill would be to the interests of all.
As I remarked, I think, the other day, sanitary legislation has usually been carried out under the influence of a panic. If we carry sanitary legislation here under a panic what would become of the landlords? I am afraid they would not receive much consideration. We soldiers always say "Prepare for war in the time of peace," and so it appears to me in this instance the proper time for carrying out sanitary legislation is now, not to wait until there is a panic. I do not think, really, it is necessary for me to say more. All I plead for is to go on with the Bill. I have said all along "make a beginning." It is of no use folding our hands and doing nothing. On behalf of the Government and with the cordial agreement, I am sure, of all my colleagues, I shall be most happy to accede to the motion that we adjourn the further consideration of this Bill until this day fortnight.
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Hon. WONG SHING said that with reference to the Surveyor-General's statement that Chi- nese houses had no light or air, he could explain how a China shop was built. In the lanes be- tween Jervois-street and Queen's Road some of the shops were only 25 feet deep and they bad the whole front open and on the second floor had a large opening eight feet by six on the floor which threw a light on the counter on the back, besides which they had an opening for the stair- case. He thought therefore there must be light euough and air enough.
His EXCELLENCY-I do not know exactly what motion is before the Council; whether it is the adjournment for a fortnight as proposed by my hon. friend on the left (Hon. P. Byrie), or whether it is the intention to oppose altogether the second reading of the Bill. I should like to know exactly what is before the Council.
Hon, P. RYRIE--That the second reading of this Bill be postponed for a fortnight.
His EXCELLENCY-In that caso I have not the slightest objection to the motion. 1 have all along contended that we must make a begin- ning. I think I also stated that we would sit at such intervals as would suit the oon. venience of hon, members and also that the public wight thus have every opportu- nity of considering everything that comes before us at each sitting With regard to this question of backyards that is still so much harp. ed upon, although it is not before us at the pre- sent moment you will see that clause 79 says whenever the provisions of the two proceding clanses-that is the two which relate to the ques- tion of backyards-caunot be adhered to without undue sacrifice of property, such provisions may be modified at the discretion of the Governor in Council. Our sole object is to obtain in every house thorough ventilation and light, and if these can be secured by any other means we do not insist upon the backyards. All we want is to get for each house ventilation and light, which are generally considered necessary as regards Chinese or other people, and it was with this object that the clauses mentioned were introduced. I have visited many of these poorer class houses. I visited them in 1885, I have visited them now in 1887, and I shall probably pay
few more visits to them. A few of these houses which in 1885 I remarked upon as being perfectly disgraceful, I find to my pleasure and surprise remodelled voluntarily by the landlords very much to the benefit of the poor unfortunate ooolies who had to live there, sud I have no donbt that these improvements have been carried out at a very small loss, that the landlords do not receive munch smaller rents. People here seem to think sanitation is not required. They say Hongkong is so marvellously healthy, and then they quote statistics. All I can say is I have been going through these statistics very care. fully and find the death rate is something enormous. In the first place you must bear in mind that a large portion of the population consists of adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Young men come here full of health and strength to earn a livelihood because they find they can earn more here than on the other side, and of course when they have made their money they return. A large portion of the Chinese come here for a time only and then re- turn to their native districts. A death rate, therefore, of 30 por thousand in comparison with what it would be at home, 20 or 21 per thousand, I call enormous. From what I have seen I think the passing of this Bill would be to the in- terests of all. As I remarked, I think, the other day, sanitary legislation has usually been car. ried out under the influence of a panio. If we carry sanitary legislation here under a panic what would become of the landlords? I am afraid they would not receive much consideration. We soldiers always say "Prepare for war in the time of peace," and so it appears to me in this instanca the proper time for carrying out sanitary legislation is now, not to wait until there is a panic, I do not think, really, it is necessary for me to say more. All I plead for is to go on with the Bill. I have said all along "make a beginning." It is of no use folding our hands and doing nothing. On behalf of the Govern- ment and with the cordial agreemont, I am sure, of all my colleagues, I shall be most happy to accede to the motion that wo adjourn the further consideration of this Bill nutil this day fortnight.
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