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world and at certain far too frequent seasona of the year one of the most prevalent to deuse fogs and adverse currents.
I again reiterate what my colleagues have pouted out before in this Council with regard to the linking up of the Canton railway with the Kowloon line. It seems strango indeed that the vast potentialities of railway development in south and central China do not apparently seem to be realised by the Chinese Authorities. The recent political troubles around Canton seem to have postponed indetimely any solution of this all-important business for the welfare of the country. We trust that the Kwang- sung and hwangsi factions will adjust their differences speedily and settle down to carry out their dest,nies and great responsibilities.
I should like to see a Government Pro paganda Department started. it has been remarked upon to me on more than une occasion by new influential arrivals from Home that the average man in the British isies mas no conception of what this outpost or our Empire consists of at the present time, converted as it has beca in the course of some sixty years by British enterprise from a fever-stricken aud swampy barren island to a busy thriving commercial com- munity. Thousands millions of money, have been spent and millions more are being spent on the development of the Colony and 1 should be the privilege and duty of all to make these things known at Home and around the Empire where they may not now be appreciated and when they can help on the good work in any way by so doing.
I cordially agree with what the hon. mem- ber for the Chamber of Commerce has said about our Director of Public Works, the Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, C.M.G., who has every right to feel proud of having success- fully carried out auring a long and honour- able career a fair proportion of this great work. in tendering him the Colony'a thanks we wish him & long and happy re tirement in the Old Country.
We would also respectfully offer our con gratulations to your Excellency on your administration during the past year. endorse the remarks of the Hon. Mr. Holyoak regarding the Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.B.E., and wish him eg pleasant a holiday in Eng- land as it is well-earned and deserved. In these remarks we include the Hon. Mr. Halifax, our Genial Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY'S
REPLY.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Sir, I must open my remarks with au apology in respect to the first point raised by the hon. mem- ber representing the Justice, who drew attention to the matter of the index. Wa were very prossed at the moment in connec- tion with the settlement of the subordinate officers salaries and, were unable to find time to compile the index. With regard to Page 17 am not quite sure that 1 under. gland the reference made by the hon. mom ber to the absence of the names of the Heads of Departments. They are included in the list on page 15 and it will be seen that the Secretary for Chinese Affairs is one of four officers at the top.
The Hou Mr. POLLOCK-My point, air, is that they should appear under the depart- inent headings.
'The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The hon. mem- bor referred to the question of the rice transactions and suggested that the report regarding the final winding up ought to have been laid on the table long ago. In tie first stance the auditing and checking have not been long completed and we have also been waiting for the consideration of the matter in connection with the Supple- montary Appropriation Bill which is to be considered this afternoon in the Finance Committee. I think his strictures as to expensive experience and lack of expert advice and assistance are somewhat unde- served, With regard to expenditure, we bought about 83 lakus of rice and on that the total loss was approximately 27 lakhs, and 1 venture to say that the figures of some individual merchans in this Colony will make no better showing in respect of their transactious for the same period. It must be remembered that, through force of circumstances, we were compelled to buy on a rising market in order to steady the price and we were unable to sell until there came a faliing market and the prospect of obtaining future supplies.
With regard to his point in connection with the possible inadequacy of the Public Works staff, His Excellency referred to this at the last meeting, and pointed out that we were employing some local firms, and that, if it should be necessary to engage additional staff, this would be done, With regard to Stamp duties it is the intention of the Government to give full notice to all parties interested of any proposed increase. The hon. mem- ber mentioned next the strengthening of the roads in connection with the pro- posed motor bus services at Kowloon. This is arranged for under Public Works Extra- ordinary, Page 85 of the Estimates, where a sum of $100,000 is set aside for this pur- pose. There is also an additional sum for the New Territory Road aud for improving the surfacing as far as Laichikok, which will possibly be the terminus of one branch of the Rervice. He also expressed the hope that the Kowloon-Canton Railway will be linked up with the Haukow railway. Negotiations are in an advanced stage and there is hope that as soon as things sottle down in Canton a speedy solution will be found. He then referred to the question of European Police and said the force was not sufficient for the protection of the population from the criminal classes of the Colony. I may say that the Police cost money, and the Euro- poan Police cost a very large sum indeed. It will be seen that the increase this year is from something like nine lakhs to thirteen lakhs, an increase of $400,000. The hon, member has produced no facts or figures to show we are not sufficiently protected. I think it is a great tribute to the efficiency of the Police that we have had such a clear record as regards crime recently, in view of the disturbed state of affairs in the neighbouring Province. I may say, too, that it is the opinion of Government that the Shipping Companies and Merchants here are rather too prone to substitute Government protection in these matters for -may I say?-self-reliance. We have had recent correspondence on the subject in re gard to broaching of cargo and thefts along the water front. It has been pointed out that the European Police along the front could, wet do much to remedy this state of affairs by better supervision and they could, no doubt, make the way of the transgressor somewhat harder, but this touches only the fringe of the sub.
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