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98
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
We consider the amount of $2,500 set down for afforestation in the Northern district as inadequate and would like to see a larger sum spent upon this work.
We still are not satisfied that the Fire Brigade has an adequate permanent staff or that the equipment is sufficient and up-to date, and we would like an assur- ance from the Government that this very important matter will be further considered and attended to.
last I have heard about this Committee. As far as I know, apparently it rarely, if over. meets, and as far as I know it has not been consulted regarding the very large expenditure on public works which are proposed in this Budget. The unofficial members of this Committee are quite willing to give any such advice and assistance as they can in connection with these public works and regarding such works as the Public Works Depart- undertake, and they do not appreciate the figure-head position which is at present accorded to this Committee. which must originally have been created for some useful purpose."
ment
was
As regards education, Mr. Pollock referred to this matter when the Supple- mentary Estimates were under discussion before this Council, and other hon. members have something to say on this
The result of that speech subject. Generally speaking, we would be that when the Committees were re-arrang- prepared to vote a larger sum for educa-ed for the following year I was not ap- pointed to the Public Works Committee but was appointed by H. E. the Governor a member of the Law Committee a sub- ject which I know very little about.
tion.
As to a better class school for which there appears to be a demand. Person- ally 1 would rather see some scheme drawn up and approved whereby some arrangement could be made by which the parents of European children, who under existing circumstances cannot afford to send their children to a cooler climate for their education, would be enabled to do so without additional cost rather than that public money should be spent upon establishing an expensive school here, where the climate is unsuitable for children. For instance, would it not be possible to subsidise some school at Weihaiwei, so that the fee charged the parents would be the same as if the school were situated in Hongkong/
We now come, sir, to the estimates for the Public Works Department, and as my hon. friend who now represents the Justices of the Peace is an expert in such
LA
matters he will be able to make more valu- able criticisms than I can. I. therefore, intend to refer only briefly to a few of the items under the heading Public Works Extraordinary." Before doing so, however, I would like to read you extract from a speech I made in this Coun- cil on the 23rd October, 1913, when the estimates for the year 1914 were under dis-
cussion.
an
Now, sir, it is the unanimous desire of the unofficial members of this Council that the estimates for the Public Works should in future be submitted in the first instance to the Public Works Committee and fully explained to them and discussed by them before they come before this Council. We would like to see the Public Works Committee enlarged so as to com- prise all the unofficial members of Council.
If the inauguration of this procedure does not meet with approval here, or is beyond the power of H. E. the Governor, or the Officer Administering the Govern- ment for the time being, which I cannot believe it is, we wish the proposal sub- mitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and his sanction obtained thereto. For all such expenditure on buildings.. as the Central Police Station extension.
Imports and Exports Office, Quarters for European officers on Leighton Hill, Quar ters for scavenging coolies, comprised in items 1, 2, 3, 5 on page 97--we would all like to see the plans before being asked to vote the money. to know in what way the $50,000` asked We particularly wish for this year for the Imports and Exports. Office is going to be spent. We wish to know how it is proposed to construct this The first matter I would like to refer building, and are most strongly adverse to is one that has been called attention
to any piece-meal construction such as was to by the hon. member who represents adopted in building the Law Courts with the Chamber of Commerce. Shortly after such disastrous results. A contract for I had the honour of becoming a member the complete construction of a building of this Council. His Excellency the such as this should be let by tender to Governor announced that I had been be finished within a year or eighteen appointed a member of the Public Works | months. Any other method we consider Committee. That, sir, is practically the | unnecessary and wasteful.
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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
We hope the construction of this build- ing does not foreshadow a continuation of the irksome demands of this office, which are only put up with as a wat measure and have very largely increased the clerical labours in all shipping and other offices. It must not be lost sight of that Hongkong owes its prosperity to the fact that until quite recently it was a free port, and the sooner it becomes again a free port the better.
The
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many good building sits and would pay for itself in a short time. Motor accesa to the Peak is much wanted, and we there- fore wish $100,000 added to the estimates for this road.
We would like to have some particulars of the very large amount put down for reclamation at Samshuipo.
We notice with surprise that no provi- sion has been made for the Eastern Re- clamation scheme, and we are quit at a I would like again to protest against which the Government has
loss to understand the very dilatory way handled the system under which all such public works are paid for out of revenue. only businesslike way of supplying the Colony with such works is by incans of short loans in local currency with ade quate sinking funds, which would provide the amount required for each year while more equitably distributing the burden of repayment. We would like to see a scheme of the kind adopted.
The Unofficial members of the Sanitary Board have represented to us the absolute necessity for the provision of a poultry market and we wish a sum of $50,000 in- cluded in the Estimates for that purpose. The programme for road construction we welcome, but it was with very much regret that We listened to the reply of the Government to the question asked by the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace regarding the road from Pokfolum to the Peak suggested by the Automobile Association acting under the best expert advice. I could have understood the reply had the Director of Public Works, for whom I have a great respect, been here, for his Somewhat Victorian ideas of the develop ment of the Colony are well-known, but for this reply to be given with a young and energetic Acting Director of Public Works at the head of the Department is amazing. We take it the reply means that the Government does not wish to construct the road, for although they say they know of a better, nothing has been put in the estimates for this better road - on that side of the hill, at any rate,
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT There is provision for a road up the Peak in the estimates.
HON. MR. LANDALE No provision for a road on that side of the hill. We should be sorry to think that this proposed shelv- ing of the matter is due to pique, and that our road will be trotted out a few years hence as a fresh proposal from the P.W.D The road would open up
this matter. The overcrowding in the Wanchai District is notorious, and the offensive condition of the foreshore all along the Praya at low tide is also only much needed public work in a great mea- too well-known. As the cost of this very
sure will fall upon the Marine Lot-holders public economy does not enter largely into the question, and we would like to know the cause of the delay and to see the work immediately commenced.
We are glad to hear that the outlying Police Station at Tai O is to be connected by telephone.
The telephones at all Police Stations should be connected with the Central Ex- change and direct communication thus established, instead of, as at present, through the Central Police Station. We should like the Government to take imme- diate steps to effect this connection with the Central Exchange.
We think the station tower at Kowloon has been long enough without a clock, and we would like to see this rectified and a suitable clock that would show the time by night as well as by day placed in the position which has already been provided for it.
With regard to the Military Contribu ton. we are still very strongly opposed in principle to the method of assessment hui for patriotic reasons we do not pro- pose to press the matter until after the
war.
The injustice inflicted upon the per- one of the Fleet and the Army by the rate of exchange at which the Naval and Military Services are paid in longkong has been represented, as you know, sir, to the Government at Home, and so far has not been adequately adjusted. We feel very strongly on this point, and would like to know whether any reply has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies. We consider that the amount required for this exchange compensation would be a fair charge on the revenues of the Colony during the war and demobilisation of the Army.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.