347
5.
To prevent such a state of affairs, or
rather to prevent the continuance and intensification of a process which had already set in, the Rent Restriction Ordinances were introduced. There can be no question that they are thoroughly endorsed by public opinion in all quarters, except for a few of the more grasping landlords, and that the withdrawal of them before other means have been found of meeting the situation would result in widespread discontent and agitation. There are, as I see the position, only two means by which such an alteration of circumstances can be effected as will enable us to withdraw this legislation and leave the question of housing to the ordinary laws of supply and demand. One is the restoration of order in South China which would result in large numbers of the immigrants returning to their homes and reducing our population to its proper level. I regret to say that at present that consummation appears to be as remote as ever, far more so even than it was two years ago,
The other is the provision of sufficient
houses to accommodate the increased population. This is the line which we are pursuing to the utmost of our ability but with only partial success since no sooner are new houses built than a new wave of immigration floods the Colony.
The amount of leral land available in the
Colony is comparatively small. It is being considerably increased by reclamations but these are bought up for building purposes the moment they are finished and the task
of keeping supply up to the level of demand is something
like the labour of the Danaids.
6.
In the period between 1st July, 1921, and 30th September, 1923, 211 European and 1,458 Chinese houses
were built but I should hesitate to say that the situation has been materially improved. By 1st July, 1924, it is
anticipated
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