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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
to build like their friends have been held up for that period-one year nearer the time for sending their children Home. It this Bill is held up for Sir Edward Stubbs' consideration it will pobably be held up for six months more. It will ultimately pass, I have no doubt, because I have opportunities of knowing the feelings of this little community and they are all in favour of being left undisturb- ed to develop the island in the same way as they have done in the past. I there fore oppose the amendment and support the original resolution.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERALI quite agree with the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace. It is an entire- ty economie question and not a racial question at all. On that ground the Bill should be defended and on that ground it is necessary 10 pass a measure of this description.
HE THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT asked the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak if he wished to fix any time for the Bill to be held in abeyance and the Hon. Mr. Lau Cha Pak replied until the arrival of the new Governor.
All members of Council were informed that they might vote exactly as they wished and upon a division all were against the amendment with the excep- tion of the two Chinese members.
The motion for the second reading was then put and carried and the Bill was tead a second time.
Council went into Committee to con- sider the Bill clause by clause.
The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and, upon Council resuming, the Attorney-General moved the third reading of the Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed, Mr. Lau Chu Pak and Mr. Ho Fook voting against it.
Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL--I do not propose to proceed with this Bill to-day, because all of the Regulations made under this Bill are not yet ready and I am enxious that when they are ready
they should be circulated to hon, mem- bers of this Council so that hon. members may be able to consider at the same time both the Bill and the Regulations made under it.
Rating (Special War Rate) Amend-
ment Ordinance, 1919
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled an Ordinance to amend the Rating (Special War Rate) Ordinance, 1917. In doing
so he said The objects and reasons of this Bill are fully stated in the draft memorandum attached to this Bill and I have nothing to add to them.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY secondled, and the Bill read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
The Bill passed through Committee without amendment and upon Council resuming the Attorney-General moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Council then adjourned until the fol- lowing week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the Colonial Secretary presid- ing.
Appropriation Bill
THE CHAIRMAN-The first thing to con- sider is the Supplementary Appropria- tion Bill. I presume that hon. members understand the purport of the Bill which is to vote the deficiencies which occurred Jast year and to pass expenditure which having been included in the estimates, it has been approved already but which, not
is necessary to provide for in the Bill. The amount does bot represent money being voted. As will be seen there are a great number of small amounta which are necessary to round off the accounts for 1918.
new
HON. MR. ALABASTER asked whether this was not the largest Supplementary Appropriation Bill the Council had ever been asked to pass.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Police and Prison Departments
vote.
The vote was agreed to.
Rice Allowance
66
THE CHAIRMAN T suppose it must be the largest, mainly of course because of the extraordinary votes made during the The Officer Administering the Govern year.
For example, the grants made for ment recommended the ancil to vote war purposes such as the Special War Rate contribution to the Imperial Govern-
sum of three hundred and twenty-five dollars ($325) in aid of Police and Prison ment, $1,052,760 and the other special Departments, -Prison, Other Charges: contribution to the Imperial Government Photography, $250. Executioner's Fee, for war purposes $3,189,971. Then there 375. were the special votes made during the Year such as $50,000 to the West River Relief Fund, 850,000 to the Tientsin Re of materials and the increased number THE CHAIRMAN-The rise in the price lief Fund $66,207 to the Hallifax Relief of photographs taken account for this Fund, which were not anticipated in the estimates and which had to be set out in this Bill. It has to be borne in mind that against these increases there have been considerable savings on money voted by the Council for the year 1918. For instance in personal emoluments (salaries) a saving of $454,000 is shown. Then there is a saving of $329,000 under mis- cellaneous expenditure; $106,000 saved on pensions, $107.000 Works Extraordinary. 2267.000 on public Public debt. The savings on public debt and pensions are due to the rise in exchange. With regard to the personal emoluments I may say that the saving of $454,000 is accounted for largely by shortage of staff, servants being absent on war ser- vice. For instance $103,000 was saved in this way in the Police Department, but on the other hand the Government grant- ed special allowances to the men absent and that is shown under Miscellaneous Services amounting to $207.000.
on
The Bill passed without amendment.
Oharitable Services
Whe
The Officer Administering the Cavern ment recommended the. Council to vote a sum of one hundred and twelve dollars and seventy-two cents ($112.79) in aid of Charitable Services: Charitable Pension, 284.66: Charitable Allowance, $28.06.
THE CHAIRMAN--This is in respect to a family who have had
very unfor- tunate history. Two brothers who were for a long time in the Government service died, and the only other son met with bis death in the Racecourse disaster. No male members of the family are left and this vote is to increase the grant from the Widows and Orphans Fund.
The vote was agreed to.
The Officer Administering the Govern theat recommended the Council to vote sum of forty-eight thousand dollars vices, Rice Allowance. ($48.000) on account of Miscellaneous Ser-
the Government has given a month THE CHAIRMAN- Members know that special rice allowance to persons drawing $70 a month or under. This is to cover that change.
The vote was agreed to.
Public Works Extraordinary,
Kowloon
The Officer Administering the Govern ment recommended the Council to vote a sum of six thousand five hundred dol- lars ($6.500) in aid of the vote Public Works, (39) Miscellaneous Works. Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Water
THE CHAIRMAN -This is for 20 hydrants which C.S.P. requires
The rote was agreed to.
Eurniture for the Imports and Exports Department
The Officer Administering the Govern ment recommended the Council to vote a sum of three hundred dollars ($300) in aid of the vote Imports and Exports De- partment, other charges, furniture.
The vote was agreed to.
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