46
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
whereas the actual estimate of the payment HON. DR. HO KAI-I repeat the coolies by non-Chinese is $47,000. I would remind in Singapore command two or three times you also that in speaking of the non-Chinese the wages they do here. Therefore they can races it is not only Europeans and so se of afford to pay a much higher tariff. In the wealthier portions of the community answer to His Excellency's remark that the that are included, but also Portuguese, Chinese in drinking samshu are drinking a Japanese and Indians and many clases of liquor which contains a great deal more the community who are certainly not num. alcohol than beer or porter, I do not know bered amongst its most wealthy members. that the Chinese ever water down their wine I do not recollect any other point in my unless it is watered for them before they bon, and learned friend's speech in propos- purchase it. But I don't think the argument ing this resolution, which demands a reply is quiet fair, because samshu is distilled by from me, and for the reasons given it is Chinese and not in a very scientific way, and with regret I have to say that the Govern- if you refer to the report of the Government ment does not accept the resolution,
Analyst you will find that the strength varies from 15 to 25 per cent. of alcohol. something like ten degrees and contains
me.
Hox. DR. HO KAI-I have the privilege of making a few observations in answer to some of the arguments that have been advanced. I will first of all begin with those of the hon. member on my right, who represents the Chamber of Commerco. I do not understand exactly why he will persist in misunderstanding and misquoting He says I still complain that the taxa. tion presses more heavily on Chinese than on Europeans. I think I explained most carefully that I did not complain of that at all, I complain that the tax presses much more heavily upon the poorer classes of Chinese vis-a-vis the richer class of Chinose and Europeaus. The hon. Colonial Secre- tary quoted Singapore, and said that the Chinese there paid a much higher tax for the liquor they consumed. Now, Sir, I think the Colonial Secretary knows quite well that the Chinese labourer in Singapore commands a much higher wage than the labourer in this Colony. In Singapore labourers can earn more than double what they can here, and that induces annually a great number to emigrate there. Therefore, if they have to pay a much higher tax there they can well afford it. But when we come to consider the conditions of the coolie classes here, and the wages they command, 87, 88 or 810 a month, we must impose & tax commensurate with their means.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg leave, Sir, to make a personal explana tion. In Singapore the minimum rute is $1, while here it is 30 cents per gallon. There- fore there is a considerable difference between the two tariffs, and full allowance has been made for the fact that Chinese coolies in Singapore draw higher wages than in Hongkong.
HON. ME, KESWICK--This is only based
on 25.
Hoy, DR. HO KAI--It may be on 15 or it may be on 10, but it must not be over 25, If it is over, a higher duty will be charged. That does not mean that a man will always send out liquor up to 35 per cent.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY--Con- sumers would drink much less of the more potent liquor,
HON. DR. HO KAI-Yes, certainly.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY --- It takes inch longer to consume a gallon a gallon of of samehu than to consume
beer.
if
HON. DR. HO KAI-It all depends on half a dozen years to consume a gallon of the drinker, I expect. It would take me anything, but, present company excepted. I know some friends who would consume one gallon in an hour. I am extremely sorry the Council cannot accept this resolution. However, I have done my duty in placing before you what I consider to be a fair and just arrangement on behalf of the Chinese population, and I hope, even if the Council will not sanction the reduction at the present momont, that at a future time when the finances of the Colony are in a better con dition that the Government will have the tax reduced in proportion to the increase on other classes of liquor.
HISEXCELLENCY submitted the motion to the voto and declared it defeated.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
HIS EXCELLENCY-Do you wish a division f
HON. DE. HO KAI-Yes.
The motion was then put to the meeting. Only the mover and seconder voted in favour of it.
it.
His EXCELLENCY - The Noes have
The Rebate Question
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL--
Your Excellency, as I have been informed that the resolution standing in my name is likely to excite considerable opposition, I beg leave to withdraw it.
The resolution was as follows:
221
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The memorandum states:-This Bill in- serts in Section 18 of Ordinance 15 of 1908 certain words which were left out in con- sequence of some misunderstanding when that Ordinance was passed.
Electricity Supply Ordinance THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Or- dinance for regulating the supply of Elec- tricity for Lighting and other purposes with- in the Colony of Hongkong and its Depend- encies,'
11
ed, and the motion was agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second-
The objects and reasons of the Bill are: -No legislation on the subject of the sup- ply of electricity has hitherto been enacted, and, as there are companies both in the City of Victoria and in Kowloon which carry on operations on a somewhat extensive scale and transmit currents of considerable strongth or pressure, it has been considered advisable in the interests of the public to introduce a Bill for their regulation. The Bill and accompanying Regulations have been based largely on the Acts and Board of Trade Regulations in force in England. Some modifications have, however, been made, as it is considered that some of the Home regulations are too stringent for ap- plication in their entirety to places which are not so fully developed as Home cities.
Whereas for purely financial reasons this Council is unable to approve the continuance of a Rebate to the Military and Naval Authori- ties on Intoxicating liquors as contemplated by Ordinance 27 of 1909, and whereas it is estimated that the Military Contribution which is paid by the Hongkong Government to the War Office will be increased by the imposition ot liquor duties by a su of approximately $164,900 in 1911, and whereas it is anticipated that approximately 80 per cent, out of the gross revenue collected in respect of duties ou Euro- pean liqur will be paid by the Military and Naval Authorities, be it resolved that the per- mission of the Secretary of State for the Col- onies be requested to deduct from the said Military Contribution accruing from liquor duties
each year a sum equal to the ascor- tained amount of these duties paid by the Military and Naval Authorities, and that such sus be puid as heretofore to the Military and Naval Authorities in order that the officers THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved and men of His Majesty's Naval and Land Forces may not suffer financially from the im-Au Ordinance to further amend the the second reading of the Bill entitled, position of the said duties while serving in
Widows' and Orphans' Pension
Pawnbrokers' Ordinance
this Colony, and be it further resolved that Pawnbrokers' Ordinance, 1860 and 1902." His Excellency the Governor be requested to in doing so he said-This Bill, Sir, is ren- transmit a copy of this resolution to the dered necessary owing to the revision of the Spere ary of State for the Colonies.
laws, and the Chief Justice in the course of a scrutiny of the laws as they are at present discovered an ambiguity with regard to the Ordinance of 1902, which amended the Ordinance No. 1 of 1860. I can assure the Council that the alterations slightest degree affect the intentions of the which are effected by the Bill do not in the
Ordinance.
Ordinance Amendment
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordin- ance further to amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension. Ordinance, 1908."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
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