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goods there is more money with which to gamble, but I am not sufficiently ac quainted with the subject either to sup port or to oppose the remarks of the hon. member. As for prison industries there has been an increase in the price of materials and consequently there is a smaller revenue. With reference to the large expenditure on the Canton and Kowloon Railway, we closed the Capital Account in 1915 at a figure of over fifteen million dollars, so that now we have to
28 a
think that I could have carried on in anything like the same manner. The senior anofficial member referred to jiuriki shas in Caine Road. That matter is still under consideration and I hope arrange- ments will be made to continue that ser- vice. With regard to hawkers' licenses there are two points one the number of licenses to be issued, the other how to deal with unlicensed hawkers who, in many cases, are small Chinese boys. The number of licenses is not strictly limited,
ut I think the hon. member and those charge capital expenditure to the ordin who are supporting him, must see that if the number goes beyond a certain limitary expenditure of the railway. We de the streets would become practically imcided not to increase the capital and passable and the whole administration of
therefore we have to show all expenditure the Polire work of the city would be
in the estimates. The question of pro hampered to an extent which I am sure viding launches and general assistan he and his colleagues would resent. Ан
in the harbour in typhoon weather bas regards the punishment of juvenile offen.
been referred to a Committen who are ders generally and hawkers in particular, going to consider how the subject can the Government has under consideration best be dealt with. I hope that when the some better method of dealing with them. next typhoon season comes round we shall It is a difficult matter, but of course the have some arrangement which will be in vicarious responsibility and punishment working order in sudden emergencies of a parent or guardian is a point that Regarding the Department of Import- cannot be considered. The Government is and Exports the question of permits now certainly in favour of cheap ferry services in existence and which, as I said last year, and its effort to get fares reduced the services started this year was, I regret to say, not successful. The term of the present concession, however, is as hon, members are aware, a quite short one, and during the period remaining the whole question will be thoroughly recon- sidered. As regards the opium revenue and the decrease to which reference has been made, I should stata that the figure of seven and a half million dollars which appears in this year's estimates will not be reached and, therefore, it ta not correct to say that there is an anti- eipated reduction of a million and a half dollars. It is quite proper and in accord with the Government's policy that there should be a reduction. In regulating the preparation and sale of opium and in creasing the price, it is obvious that some reduction must take place in the com sumption. As regards expenditure, the cost of packing and preparing that is the general factory expenses are the same, because the wages have increased. The same staff is required for handling the slightly decreased quantity of chests at the present time. I am not in a posi tion to say that the increase of pawn broker's licenses increases the amount of gambling. I see the argument that if there are greater facilities for pawning
war measure, will of course have to be reconsidered. But hon. members must remember that the Government has Dow instituted certain statistics of trade which were acknowledged to be of great use, and it is impossible for these statis tics to be in any degree accurate and satisfactory unless we have some method of checking the importa and exports of the Colony. With regard to the search ing of passengers, sheds asked for have been provided and it may be sible now to have more European super-
pos
vision. The question of the Government taking over lime washing will be consider el.
As I did not know that the hon. member was going to raise the point I have not made any enquiries as to the possibility of the Government doing it, but I an glad to bear that hon. members Are of the opinion that the Government can do this work at any rate better than private indivi duals. The question of vernacluar educa tion has been referred to. As I have said before the Government wishes to give every possible assistance for providing proper buildings and it is going care- fully into the question of the best places for vernacular schools. A large sum of money has been contributed indirectly by the Chiness. This should be taken
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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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Bay
I
Lil
The
a
jato consideration by the hon. member cult thing to get good English inter- We are trying to devise a scheme opposite who said that he thought the preters Chinese should subscribe towards this whereby it may be possible. I think the member who represents the Justices of work. They have subscribed in an in- direct manner under the local shipping the Peace must know himself how difficult it has been to get interpreters in the past trol scheme and their contributions
a good English may be made available for providing this and how very rare is
of education. The interpretar in the Chinese language. You particular form Government recognises the importance of will have to make it worth while for a the subject in every way and will deal good man to embark upon it as a career. Provision has been made for two Sanitary with it at the earliest possible moment. I do not think I need refer again to the inspectors in the estimate when four were commercial wireless station. It is not a asked for. One of these inspectors had subject in which the Government can do been put in in order to relieve another anything more and I cannot say whether inspector who had gone on leave. there are any prospects of such a station policy of providing inspectors for leave being erected. It would be an Imperial purposes is not one that the Government has ever encouraged, and it is not thought question and I can say nothing more on the subject. The question of providing desirable to depart from that policy by appointing additional persons for whom large recreation grounds comes next.
there is no definite work. The second think the Hon. Senior Unofficial member inspector was required for Quarry Bay spoke of golf links, This Colony is not but the Government thought it desirable a very suitable one for reserving such to carry on the existing arrangements. large areas as are required for golf linke The Peak Signal Station is to be main- but I have an idea on the subject of tained. It has been in existence for a recreation grounds. A good deal of great many years. It is one of the things money will be required but I am sure people arst see on approaching Hong.
than the community will not be backward kong. If for no other reason
the
matter.
cannot
sentimental one it was thought desirable anything more definite, but to maintain it. It has been decided not recognise that there is an increased 10 alter the present method of signalling. demand for recreation grounds which during fogs. The suggestion for the installas ill have to be met. There is no objection tion of diaphones at Waglan and Gap rock las on the part of the Government to all been found impracticable, as, apart from the unofficial members being placed on the the expense which is considerable,
We Public Works Committee As regards the necessary nower is not available. rice question, perhaps I ought to say bought a house recently adjoining the mething The senior unofficial member Victoria Hospital which may either be WAS KLX1 en! ngh
that saky
the used itself or may be used as Sisters' action taken by the Government prevent quarters and thus release the present ed certain things riots-and had a
The quarters for a maternity ward. steadying influence on the community, matter will be considered as soon as the which it prevented from being exploited. Principal Civil Medical Officer returns to It also had what I consider a far greater the Colony. It is quite possible there- effect and that was it maintained the fore that the original intention of having reputation of this Colony as a free entre- a maternity ward will before long be pot of trade. The rice was not suddenly realised. Referring to the question of nized and export prohibited, thereby housing I would like to say that the plan ausing large contracts to be broken and put before the Council a short time ago general confidence to be shaken. One of erecting flats and a hotel in Kowloon thing the Government tries to do here is has been very carefully considered with not to disturb the confidence people have the best expert advice, and opinions from in this place as a free entrepot of trade. many people living in the Kowloon Confidence is a very delicate plant and Peninsula have been taken to ascertain once disturbed it is very difficult to get whether the scheme was the best we could it to grow again. That I consider in the
carry into effect. The result has been rice question the most important object that it is proposed to go on with the we bid to deal with and I hope we hotel, for which there is a very great
demand. achieved it. Referring to the question
It is essential for the large number of tourists and others who con- stantly come to the Colony and for people
to
raised over interpreters for the Judicial and Legal departments, it is a very diffi-
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