CO129-392 - Governor Sir May - 1912 [9-10] — Page 197

But, Sir, in view of the chain of wire- less stations which, we shortly to be erected to connect up the are told, are various portions of the Empire, it seems to me that, having regard to the very important and outlying position of this Colony, there should be no delay in forging the link which is to bind us to that chain. No doubt it is a wise precau- tion to delay, and very probably the last word has not yet been said in the matter of wireless telegraphy, but in these days of invention and rapid change the Colony of Hongkong cannot afford to stand still or wait. Already we lag behind. Witness the wireless stations in Japan and the Philippines, and even in parts of the neighbouring Republic of China, whilst Hongkong, probably the greatest, or one of the greatest shipping ports in the world, is, in the matter of wireless com- munication, dependent upon the courtesy or good offices of one of His Majesty's ships when they happen to be in port. It is not due to any lack of enterprise on the part of the commercial community that a wireless station has not already been established here, but we have to wait the pleasure of the Home Govern ment in this matter. I do not think any of us doubt the wisdom of the decision arrived at by the Imperial Conference, that all wireless stations should be State controlled, but I think that this Council should urge to the utmost of its endeavours that the matter be not further delayed. Sir, I beg to second the motion made by my hon. and learned friend.

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Hon. Mr. WEI-I am in favour of the resolution.

HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, I am sure we would all like to see Hongkong participating in any large schenie of radio-telegraphic communication through. out the Empire, but I think you must agree with me that the Government can- not accept this resolution. In the first place, the Government has no information whatever about this particular scheue- which is an Imperial scheme-referred to in the resolution. In the second place, the

Hon. Mr. BONNAR-I am quite in subject to which the hon. mover has re- accord with the sentiments expressed by ferred is only the beginning of the debate my hon. and learned friend, but if, as in the House of Commons, and we do not your Excellency has promised, the views even know whether the scheme has been expressed in the resolution will be con- adopted. In the third place, before this reyed to the Sceretary of State, I think Government can commit itself to any the point will be met." such scheme it would naturally like to

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK--I withdraw the know some of the details as to participa- resolution. tion in the cost or otherwise, cost of

His EXCELLENCY-1 will do what 1 pro- maintenance and participation in the mised to do. revenue derived from the station. have no information about any of these matters, and all I can do is to ask the Secretary of State for information about this scheme, to forward the resolution and the speeches of the hon. unofficial members who moved and seconded it, and to say they are very desirous that Hong- kong should not be left out of the scheme. I think that if I do that the object with which the hon. members have moved and seconded this resolution will be met. As I do not wish to vote against the resolu- tion, I suggest to the hon. members that they withdraw it. I would merely add, with reference to what the hon. mover said at the end of his speech about a local commercial station, that if he turns to his estimates he will find that we have provided a sum for that particular pur- pose, but that was a different subject altogether.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-With reference to that last point, we want to be in the long distance chain. I am speaking for myself, personally, as it occurs to me at the moment, and I can conceive, Sir, that it might even be a stumbling block in the way of obtaining something better hereafter if we started with a low power station to begin with. With reference to what has fallen from your Excellency as to dividing on this question, I think I should ask my unofficial colleagues pre- sent if they support me in what I have said, and with that I would be satisfied not to press the resolution to a division. Sir KA Ho KAI--For myself, I am entirely in sympathy with the mover and seconder of the resolution, but if they consent to withdraw it I wish to express my own personal opinion in the dmatter. I entirely support it.