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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Charges really bears on the general subject of putting in large sums of money without definite explanations. On more than one occasion we have had to refer, in Finance Committee, to votes which had to be passed without sufficient ex- planation and this is part and parcel of the same thing.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR I rather think that there is some misunderstanding. The figure quoted on page 79 of the esti- mates is made up of a very large number of items which are explained both in the draft estimates and in the
annexure explaining the differences in the estimates. The hon. member should appreciate that
the total covers some 40 items.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-It might be ap- preciated by an accountant, but I am not an accountant.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR The word total," Other Charges,
would seem to indicate that it was a total even to one who is not an accountant.
function they do not function fully as- far as Hongkong returns are concerned. If it was desired to find out in two years time what effect the strike had had on Hongkong trade it would be impossible to get the necessary information with- out these figures.
The argument that
the Import and Export figures are not reliable is no argument against the need for keeping them but is rather an argu- ment against the method of compiling them. Without such figures it is im- possible to make a comparison between one year and another and what is more important there is no means of compar- ing the imports into this Colony of com- petitor countries. They are part of world trade statistics and Hongkong We do feel that the cost of the Depart- should not be lacking in that respect.
ment is preposterous and that the cost ought to be very much lower than it has been.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY-There are a tremendous number of items and it is purely physical work in recording them.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-With reference to
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-On the question of Praya East drainage I could not help the Taipo Road bridges, I agree with noting the remark of the Director of Public Works that he **
Your Excellency's remarks as to speed. hoped
the con- tractor responsible would improve the of course, but for a long time past the first section of the Taipo Road has been position. Surely it is for the Director of Public Works to insist upon the improve-point of view-and I speak as one who a menace to safety. From a motorist's
ment.
REFUSE DESTRUCTORS
With regard to refuse destructors, not- withstanding the fact that the Colonial Secretary has re-read to us the state- ment made in previous discussions I would beg you to note it is the unani- mous recommendation of the Unofficial Members that refuse destructors should be experimented with.
TRADE STATISTICS
drives, the bridges are a positive dan- ger. They should have been one of the first improvements undertaken. A large Colony during the past twelve months on sum of money has been spent in this roads which should have been spent on the main road in the New Territories leading to Taipo. We submit that the improvement of the road ought now to be amongst the first of new works under- taken. The first three bridges are tremely dangerous and very narrow.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY
ex-
The
bridges between the Reservoir and Shatin?
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-Yes. They are very dangerous however carefully you
1 am glad to hear that some arrange ment may be made for the continuance of the figures in connection with the Imports and Exports Department. I was asked to raise this question by interest-drive. ed merchants who are. perhaps, more interested than they appear to be. The real fact is that in almost every other port in the world you have Customs. In Hongkong you have none. Whilst it is true that the Chinese Maritime Customs
The Bill was then read a second time.
Council went into Committee to con- sider details of the Bill. No changes were made in Committee, and upon Council resuming,
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
107 395
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved celebrating the centenary of its foundation. the third reading of the Bill.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
Governor's Farewell to Council
H.E. THE GOVERNOR Hon. members of the Legislative Council.-It only re- mains for me to perform a duty which I ap- proach with a keen consciousness of my inability to do justice to the occasion, that is to take leave of this Council over which I have had the honour to preside for the last six years. You will I trust for- give me if I do not take the opportunity of laying before you a full account of my stewardship.I am, as you know, no friend to long speeches and I do not think that the present juncture, when we have been compelled to abandon for the time being many of the works which I had hoped to see begun during my term of office, is suitable time for such a review.
May I express the hope that the Government of the day will then invite me--if I am still alive I shall be one of the oldest surviving Governors of Hongkong-to take part in the celebrations and to see for myself how far the reality corresponds with my expecta- tions.
RELATIONS WITH COUNCIL
But I do not want to take up your time now by discussing the Colony and its future. I should wish on this occasion to deal only with my relations to this honourable Council.
men, for more than six years, and while I We have worked together, gentle- cannot claim that we have always been in entire agreement I think I may justly claim that we have throughout worked in the com- pletest harmony and that, where we have differed, you have realised as clearly as I have realised, that on both sides the only motive that has actuated us has been a desire to do what each has believed to be the best for the interests of the Colony. I have valued my association with you more than I can say and it will always be one of my proudest memories that you have unanimously and repeatedly shown your confidence in me by asking that my term of office should be extenderl. If your request had been granted I should have been happy to remain, but, as this has not been found possible. I can only express to you my heartfelt thanks for paying me so striking a compliment. years
I am sorry that no great work has been affected in the Colony which will serve to remind our successors of my Governor ship. I had hoped to see the Praya East Reclamation practically finished, and I had almost hoped to see the Military Lands question settled, but unexpected delays in the former case and unforeseen events in the latter have resulted in disappoint ment. I can only claim that the six contain a record of steady progress. The arrears due to the period of stagnation during the war have been made up; the de- velopment of the Colony has until the last few months been regular and continuous, and my successor will be able, as soon as the present period of depression is over, to proceed confidently with many works which I had hoped to see inaugurated in my time.
I leave the Colony to my great regret at a time of trouble and difficulty, but I am confident that this shadow will soon pass and that Hongkong will resume the path of progress which will lead it to a prosperity far surpassing anything that it has yet seen.
A REVISIT
Mr. Holyoak has kindly expressed the hope that my wife and I may some day revisit Hongkong. I am afraid that for the next few years I shall be at a distance which will render a casual visit impossible, but in some sixteen years' time Hongkong will be
PUBLIC SERVIE
I have also to thank yon gentlemen, one and all, for the invaluable help which you have given me during these years by your advice and criticisms. It has been a cause of admiration and wonder to me that in a Colony, such as this, where there is no leisured class, it has always been possible to find able and hardworking men who will sacrifice their time to the gratuitous service of the State. Membership of this Council has been no sinecure, and the Colony has those other former members of the Council, cause to be grateful to all of you and to
who have been taken from us-such men
as my dear friend Alexander Stephen, Montague Ede, Arthur Lowe, Lau Chu-pak, Ng Hon-tsz and Chow Siu-ki.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
I owe a special debt of gratitude to those of you who have served on my Executive Council, for I fear that I have on many
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