CO129-259 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1893 [5-8] — Page 459

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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The origin of the Committee could fairly be held to entitle them to as that Committee is at present composed.

The Committee is the outcome of a long continued struggle between the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council and all of the Government of the Colony on the subject, first of retrenchment, and secondly of enquiry with a view to retrenchment. Until His Excellency arrived in the Colony there was no admission on the part of any member of the Government that retrenchment was either necessary or possible. His Excellency, it is true, fully admits the need for retrenchment and that there is room for it, and he advocates many valuable reforms, but His Excellency and the Honourable the Colonial Secretary have always opposed a public and independent enquiry.

On appeal to the Secretary of State the views of the unofficial Members of Council have prevailed over the views of the Officials, and if either side is entitled to have a majority on the Committee on enquiry and to make their views prevail it is surely that which thinks an enquiry necessary, and desires to push it to the fullest extent, and not that side that has always opposed public and independent enquiry as unnecessary and inopportune.

May I further point out that in my humble opinion it can be no possible advantage on an enquiry of this nature that the Commission is so constituted that there is a probability of equal division of opinion on many points, and consequent inability to take action. The object of the Committee is enquiry "comprehensive enquiry" to use the words of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, affecting all departments in the service". The party favouring enquiry ought to have, if this is to be the prime object of the...

Page 431


was not provided, text ends abruptly.

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The origin of the Committee could fairly be held to entitle them to as that Committee is at present composed. The Committee is the outcome of a long continued struggle between the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council and all of the Government of the Colony on the subject, first of retrenchment, and secondly of enquiry with a view to retrenchment. Until His Excellency arrived in the Colony there was no admission on the part of any member of the Government that retrenchment was either necessary or possible. His Excellency, it is true, fully admits the need for retrenchment and that there is room for it, and he advocates many valuable reforms, but His Excellency and the Honourable the Colonial Secretary have always opposed a public and independent enquiry. On appeal to the Secretary of State the views of the unofficial Members of Council have prevailed over the views of the Officials, and if either side is entitled to have a majority on the Committee on enquiry and to make their views prevail it is surely that which thinks an enquiry necessary, and desires to push it to the fullest extent, and not that side that has always opposed public and independent enquiry as unnecessary and inopportune. May I further point out that in my humble opinion it can be no possible advantage on an enquiry of this nature that the Commission is so constituted that there is a probability of equal division of opinion on many points, and consequent inability to take action. The object of the Committee is enquiry "comprehensive enquiry" to use the words of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, affecting all departments in the service". The party favouring enquiry ought to have, if this is to be the prime object of the... Page 431 was not provided, text ends abruptly.
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tages the origin of the Committee could fairly be held to entitle them to as that Committee is at present composed. • The Committee is the outcome of a long continue struggle between the Unoificial Members or the Legislative Council all of the Government of the Colony on the subject, first of retrenchment, and secondly of enquiry with a view to re- trenchment. Until Hi Excellency arrived in the Colony there Was no aumission on the part of any mener of the Government that retrenchment was either necessary or possible. His Ex- cellency, it is true, fully admits the need for retrenchment and that there is room for it, and he avocates many va- luable reforms, but His Excellency and the Honourable the Colonial Secretary have always opposeu a public and inu epen- dent enquiry. On appeal to the Secretary of State the views of the unoriicial Members of Council have prevailed over the views or the Officials, and if either side is entitled to have a majority on the Committee on enquiry and to make their views prevail it is surely that which thinks an enquiy necessary, and desires to push it to the fullest extent, and not that side that has always opposed public an indepenuent enquiry as unnecessary and inopportune. May I further point out that in my humble opinion it can be no possible duvantage on an enquiry of this nature that the Commission is so constituted that there is a pro- bability of equal division of opinion on many points, allt consequent inability to take action. The object of the Com- mittee is enquiry "comprehensive enquiry" to use the words ม of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, affecting all departments in the service". The party favouring en- quiry ought to nave, if this is to be the pre object of the 431
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tages the origin of the Committee could fairly be held to

entitle them to as that Committee is at present composed.

•

The Committee is the outcome of a long continue struggle

between the Unoificial Members or the Legislative Council

all of the Government of the Colony on the subject, first

of retrenchment, and secondly of enquiry with a view to re-

trenchment. Until Hi Excellency arrived in the Colony there

Was no aumission on the part of any mener of the Government

that retrenchment was either necessary or possible. His Ex-

cellency, it is true, fully admits the need for retrenchment

and that there is room for it, and he avocates many va-

luable reforms, but His Excellency and the Honourable the

Colonial Secretary have always opposeu a public and inu epen-

dent enquiry. On appeal to the Secretary of State the views

of the unoriicial Members of Council have prevailed over the

views or the Officials, and if either side is entitled to

have a majority on the Committee on enquiry and to make

their views prevail it is surely that which thinks an enquiy

necessary, and desires to push it to the fullest extent, and

not that side that has always opposed public an indepenuent

enquiry as unnecessary and inopportune.

May I further point out that in my humble opinion

it can be no possible duvantage on an enquiry of this nature

that the Commission is so constituted that there is a pro-

bability of equal division of opinion on many points, allt

consequent inability to take action. The object of the Com-

mittee is enquiry "comprehensive enquiry" to use the words

ม

of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, affecting

all departments in the service". The party favouring en-

quiry ought to nave, if this is to be the pre object of

the

431

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