HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,
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China. $12,000 has been inserted for next year. There will it is expected be a saving on this vote once the short wave wireless apparatus is installed, but it is too early for any accurate reduction at present.
Sub-head 45-"Transport of Government Servants" has been increased by $50,000 to meet the extra cost resultant on the reduction in the period qualifying for home passages from 4 to 4 years.
Head 35-Charitable Services.
There are two new votes under this head. They are $10,000 for free burials for the Tung Wah Hospital and $7,000 for the Kwong Wah Hospital. These two hospitals have in previous years paid for the cost of coffins, etc., for free burials from the mortuary and General Civil Hospital, both Government institutions. The Tung Wah Hospital Committee has appealed for a reimbursement of the cost and the Government feels that this is a proper charge on the Revenue. The work could not be done so satisfactorily if undertaken departmentally. The amounts inserted in the Estimates are based on the expenditure for this service by the two hospitals for the last five years.
A sum has been provisionally inserted under Head 36 for service of the 1927 Loan. Repayment on the existing War Loan will be completed this year.
The question of amending the Pension Minute to enable a gratuity of a year's salary to be paid to an officer's dependants on his death whilst serving has already been before the Finance Committee, and is at present being considered by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In order to avoid the necessity for making each grant the subject of a separate supplementary vote as has been done this year, a sum of $20,000 has been inserted in the Estimates.
I trust that I have not wearied Honourable Members by what may seem a tedious narration of details, but it has been my endeavour to explain as clearly as is in my power what the Government proposes to spend its money on next year, and why it proposes so to spend it.
There may be disappointinent that it is not intended to proceed with such eminently attractive and popular public works as the schemes for improved bathing beaches, but as I made evident at the beginning of my speech the present time is not one for embarking on anything that is not absolutely essential.
For the last few years we have been making both ends meet by using up the savings of the past. Those savings are now coming to an end. We are borrowing money for essential works which will benefit future generations, but the ordinary day-to-day expenses of administration, and of upkeep of the harbour, roads, etc., must be met out of current revenue. With care that revenue will suffice; and it has been our endeavour in framing this budget to exercise that
care.
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