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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
As far as I
make out from the Homewhat cryptic figures which I have received from the Colonial Treasurer, the working of the British section of the Kow- Toon-Canton Railway has shown a loss of $2,500,000 to date. I do not wish to blame the officials who manage the British section of the line, but I am not convinced that the Government have done everything in their power to improve matters.
that report the cost of providing such harbour at Shanghai or Tsingtau is esti- mated at Tls. 100,000,000—or
say £20,000,000--and it is considered by a com petent authority that it would cost about the same amount to improve the Hong- kong Harbour to the same extent. It is ships with a draft of from 40 to 50 feet that are expected. This matter of Har- bour improvement requires the earnest consideration of the Government and would form a fitting subject for submis sion to and discussion by the enlarged Public Works Committee to which I have already referred.
With the improved position in Europe and the prospect of an early termination of the war it behoves us to seriously con- sider the work that it will be necessary to take in hand after peace has been declared
It is well known that the management of the Chinese section leaves much to be desired, that the junction of the line with the Kwangtung Railway is necessary for improved earnings, and also the comple- tion of the Hankow Line to the Kwang- tung border. Now, have the Government energetically attempted to bring about any of these things which are so essential to the future of Hongkong? I am not sure that they have done so. I am afraid
a peace which we sincerely trust will be they are so wrapt up in the Municipal worthy of the sacrifices made by those who administration of this place that these have fought and by those who have died larger trading matters are neglected. I in the great cause for which the Allies think the Colonial Office, having many have been fighting the freedom of the other matters to attend to, are not inter- | world. ested in British trade with China, of which Hongkong is the chief depot. think the Government of this Colony is out of touch with the Foreign Office, who look after British trading interests else where in this part of the world.
I
With a multitude of Government De partments the Colonial Office, the For- eign Office, the Overseas Department of the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Com merce we have not even yet got a Com- mercial Attaché in Hongkong; we have no scheme for improving British trade after the war.
to
HON. MR. HOLYOAK Sir, in studying
fail
have the estimates it cannot struck any of the unofficial members and I know it has not failed to do so- that the salaries of Government officials almost throughout the Service are inadequate. That this is recognised by the Government is proved more or less by the fact of the constantly recurring "duty pay, is added to the salaries, I conclude, by the Government because the Government recognises that the salary given is insuffi- cient. Be that as it may, we all think that the time has come for a revision of
which
salaries on modern lines and in tune with Under Ad-
+1
we should like to see an
In this Budget no provision is made for even the commencement of the works re- quired to fit this place for the terminus the expenses of the day.
ministration and three of a great Continental Railway, or four years is all that is necessary to item included for the provision of a good complete the connections once an agree ment between the Governments of Great Britain and China has been arrived at.
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT --To what connections do you refer !
The day has gone past when you can meet motor-ear or cars for Government House,
visitors to these shores with the somewhat antiquated method of Government House chairs, and, in keeping with the spirit of the day, we should like to see a first-class car provided as part of the equipment of Government House. And, if it is not out Hox. MR. LANDALE--The connection of place to mention it, we should be of the Hankow railway with the Kwau- pleased if Government House was brought tung railway and the Kwantung railway more up to date in the matter of furni with the Canton-Kowloon railway. Iture. It is probable that in the course of do not know, sir, whether you have the coming days, at the close of the war. read the recently published report on the distinguished visitors will pass more fre- provision of a great harbour in China quently through Hongkong than has been of sufficient size and depth of water to the case in the past, and these things are provide for the confidently expected great things which tend to make impressions increase of trade on the Pacific Ocean. In which cannot be destroyed.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Under the head of Education," the report of the Committer appointed by the Government to inquire into the teaching of Government schools, which was laid before this Council in May of last year, contained the following criticism with regard to the Saiyingpun school:
It is most unsuitable, being between two busy roads un a very narrow site. The accommodation is insufficient and cannot be extended.
A new school should be built."
Now, sir. I have looked in vain in the Estimates for any indication that the new school unanimously suggested by that Committee has been in any sense provided for, or even that the temporary accom- modation which has been in existence in the shape of two matsheds ever since 1912 is to be replaced by a permanent building more suitable for teaching, in case another site, as recommended, cannot be found immediately. I visited this school with my hon. friend who represents the Justices of the Peace only a few days ago, and I have no hesitation in saying that the matsheds in which education is carried on in that school are not suitable and are resented by Chinese parents. I think provision should be made for rebuilding the school, or for the alteration of the present structure. The school is known to be doing well, and it is crowded. You are turning away scholars because you cannot accommodate them, and attempts are made to persuade them to attend other schools, but the scholars prefer to go to this one.
In connection with the same question I would suggest that the grade of this school, in justice to the Head- master, should be raised to the same grade as that of the Ellis Kadoorie School, because at the present time you have a master teaching a considerably larger number of boys at a smaller salary.
HIS EXCFELENCY THE OFFICER MINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT mean the grade of salary ?
36
their children Home to be educated. That there is likel, to be a more or in per manent and growing population of this character is a fact that cannot be denied, and that we must provide for their educa tion cannot be denied either. Whether it should take the form of an assisted school, such as my hon. friend recommended, or whether there should
provided thoroughly up-to-date Central :chool. where a finished education can be given to boys and girls such as would fit them for after-life, is a matter for future dis- cussion, but it is a matter which, I sub- mit. deserves the very serious considera- tion of the Government.
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2
Under Public Works Extraordinary I am glad to find at last a sum of money for the improvement of the Lunatic Asylum, which has long been under con- sideration. I could have wished that this had been part of a larger scheme to im- prove the whole of the Hospital system. I have already dwelt on the unsuitability of the present Hospital, and my hon. friend who represents the Justices of the Peace has dealt with the value of the site from the building point of view and has suggested the removal of the Hospital to a more suitable site from the health point of view. That the present Hospital can hardly be regarded as curative from the European point of view cannot be denied. I should like, also, to See some reference to development in connection with Vic- toria Hospital. The questions which I asked some months ago in Council received replies which were, I considered, emin- ently unsatisfactory, and I had hoped that the questions would have borne fruit in some way in the Estimates this year. The Hospital was originally intended for Europeans, and it certainly was intended for taking in maternity cases.
For a very considerable time past these cases have been denied entrance, and I submit that AD- the Hospital in Barker Road is not ful You filling the intention of the people who subscribed the funds in the first place, or achieving the object which it might
HỌN. MR. HOLYOK Yes, I presume the achieve in connection with the public grade of school influences the salary.
health. I shall propose, unless the Government sees its way to deal with this H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING | matter. that there be a Committee to THE GOVERNMENT - - The Schools of exactly the same grade.
are
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-My hon. friend the senior unofficial member for the time being has touched on the necessity for making some provision for the sons and daughters of Europeans who, owing to existing circumstances, are unable to send
inquire into the whole question.
Under the heading of "Roads," I would like to offer congratulations to the Gov- ernment upon the remarkable progress made on this side of the Island in improv. ing the roads for motor traffic. Last year I criticised sharply and, I think, with justice the money spent on roads on the other side at the expense of the improve-
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