CO129-498-8 Canton situation- speeches made by members of the Canton Government- and visit of the Fraternity... 13-1-1926 - 13-1-1926 — Page 30

246

Several years ago the Dutch Folly had been made the private property of the militarists, but we have

now restored the laland for the good of the people.

The Dutch Folly is one of the eight beauties of

Canton, and the Government has now turned it into

a recreation ground for the enjoyment of the people.

The Clepsydra will be removed there, and the ground would be ready in a month's time.

(5) Finance. The Municipal Government at its first establishment, had a monthly revenue of

$60,000 apart from the special incomes of the

Public Peace Bureau, such as house contributions,

Police Hates, etc. However the monthly educational expenses absorbed $50,000 of it, and it is clear

that the revenues were far from being sufficient

to meet the expenditus. Later, after much hard

work, we successfully increased the revenues to $120,000 a month, but this increase was in no way through the imposition of any new tax. The Government will never attempt any small and petty

levies. When monies are required to improve the

Municipal Administration, she will raise from

the people a large revenue of more than $1,000,000

to meet the purpose. A new scheme is now under

consideration, which will greatly help the Municipal coffer, without causing trouble to the people. The scheme is to levy Crown Rents. In most of the leading fities and even in villages, Crown Renta must be paid, but in Canton we have not yet had such a levy. I have no need to explain the legality of such levy, for you gentlemen, who have been in Hongkong for many years, must know it very

well."

Page 30Page 31