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was to lead boys to break the law by bawking without a licence, as they must support themselves or assist their parents; and another effect-a much worse one-was to drive such boys into the streets, to get into mischief soon or late. We hope that the reduction in the estimates by $10,000 is due to causes other than the intended reduction of these licences.
POLICE FORCE.
I desire, on behalf of the Chinese community, to associate ourselves with Your Excellency's commendation of the splendid work of our Police Force. They must have passed through very difficult times, and they have discharged their arduous duties with tact and efficiency. The work of our Volunteers and Police Reserves was also valuable, and has been much appreciated by the community.
VERNACULAR EDUCATION.
I understand that while I was in Eng- land the Hon. R. H. Kotewall took up with the Government the question of improving our system of vernacular education; and it is a great satisfaction to me to see that provision has been made in these estimates for the estab- lishment of a Vernacular Middle School at Saiyingpun. It is the opinion of many Chinese who have made some study of the subject, that there should be a graduated system of schools reaching up from the vernacular school to the Chinese middle school, and on to an enlarged and improved department of Chinese study in the University. In such system great stress should, we think, be laid on the ethics of Confucianism which are in China, the greatest force for good. Any money which the Government may spend in this direction would in our opinion be money well spent, and also constitute social insurance of the best kind.
THE COLONY'S VITALITY.
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In presenting the Budget, Your Ex- cellency asked for the support of the unofficial members for your policy of economy. I need hardly say that my Chinese colleague and I support Your Excellency most heartily. Last year, when the estimates were before this Council, we urged that strict economy should be exercised in all directions, 80 that, as I said at the time, when the rainy day came, as it was bound to come soon or late, we might be able to face the financial situation with equanimity. But our advocacy of thrift does not mean that we have lost faith in the Colony. Like our English colleagues, the Hon. Mr. Kotewall and I are firm believers in the Colony's vitality and its future. We believe that the cloud which is temporarily darkening our sky will, and must, one day roll away, when the sun will again smile upon a happy day.
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In conclusion, I should like to con- gratulate Your Excellency upon the very able manner in which you have present- ed to us what must be one of the most difficult Budgets that a Governor of this Colony has been called upon to prepare. I sincerely hope that you will soon have the gratification and pleasure of seeing that your policy in regard to finances has been completely justified by results. As this will be the last oo- casion on which the Hon. Colonial Secretary will be associated with our Budget, I should also like to take this opportunity to express appreciation of the courtesy and ability with which he, both as Colonial Secretary and as Officer Administering the Government, always participated in the discussions in connec- tion with the subject.
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