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will have proved to be a salutary lesson. In the existing state of lawlessness adequate Naval patrols ing protection to trading vessels; are of the greatest value in afford- and if action can be taken against the haunts of the pirates after a piracy has taken place we believe that there will be a great diminu- tion of their outrages.
Malarial Research,
from which the pirates came, and presents a step in the right direc-it is sincerely to be hoped that this tion; indeed, we feel that even more should be done than has been hitherto, in the way of in- creasing forestry work in the New Territories. The aim should be to make the Colony, as far as possible, self-supporting in the matter of its supplics of firewood. This applies also to other essential commodities which can be produced in the New Territories; and in this connection, we would respectfully commend to the Government's notice the good work being done by the New Territories Agricultural Show Com- mittee. Such work deserves the fullest encouragement and support of the Government and the public. The Government might well con- sider establishing, or at least as- sisting private enterprise to estab- lish, experimental farms for the growing of vegetables, etc., so that the Colony may be more indepen- dent of outside supplies.
Police And District Watchmen. The increase on the head Polies Force is undoubtedly large. But there can be no cavil at it, because the Colony's expansion makes it necessary. The steady growth of the population, owing to the peace and security that can be enjoyed within our borders, has meant the filling up of a large number of empty houses in recent months; and many houses which were in course of construction or were in contem- plation before the outbreak of the Strike in 1925, are now completed. This means additional areas to be protected by the Police. The dis- turbed state of the adjoining Main- land, too, has caused many thou- sands of people in seek refuge in Hong Kong, and it is inevitable in the nature of things, unfortunately, that these should include a per- centage of bad characters. There- fore, it is only proper that the police should have the numbers necessary to cope with their heavier responsibilities. The Police-and the District Watch Force also, I may add-have performed yeoman service during another
of strain and anxiety. Their zeal and good work must be a source of pride to the Hon. Captain Super- intendent of Police and the Hon. Secretary for Chinese Affairs, to whom we wish to tender our con- gratulations on the able manner in which they have applied the firm .and tactful policy laid down by
your Excellency.
Piracy.
year
We concur with the Government's policy of contributing towards the cost of three armed launches for anti-piracy work in the delta. It is essential that everything in our power should be done to protect
our
commerce from the depre- dations of pirates. Two weeks ago the British steamship, Kochow was pirated on the West River. On this occasion His Majesty's Naval vessels took action against the villages
Malaria has long been a serious problem in the Colony, and we wel- come the appointment of a specially trained malarial research officer whose duty it will be to investigate local conditions and advise as to the steps to be taken to deal with the disease. The Hon. Mr. Shen- ton will make further reference to this subject in his speech, but I may say here that we hope the ap- pointment marks the beginning of
an
organised effort to eradicate malaria entirely from this Colony where it still takes such heavy toll every year.
Victoria Hospital.
The Government's intention to admit men as well as women to the Victoria Hospital has our cordial
approval, às we consider this an economical arrangement which might well have been made long ago. Your Excellency will, we hope, carefully consider our sugges- tion that patients be granted the right of being treated by their own doctors if they so desire. Although that suggestion when first made did not receive official approval, we feel constrained to point out once more that its adoption, be- sides bringing increased revenue to the Government through more the hospital, will give greater satis- patients being encouraged to use
faction to the public, with whose money it was that the hospital was built in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's jubilee.
Probationer Nurses.
The increased use being made of the services of locally trained pro- bationer nurses is welcome, for not only are those nurses doing very useful work, but they will in time be the means of spreading a know- ledge of Western medicine and hygiene throughout South China.
Vehicular Ferry.
In connection with the Estimate of the Public Works Department we should like to refer to the scheme for a vehicular ferry. We hope that the matter will not be lost sight of, and we await with interest the report we understand the Government will publish when the matter has been fully consider- ed.
Water Supply.
Another important public work which has had to stand over is in- creased water supply. We note that a sessional paper will shortly be issued on the proposed Aberdeen
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