84
Chairman, had only just com- menced work when I was obliged ito take a short period of leave for reasons of health, and on my return everyone was so fully oc- cupied first with the water crisis and then with the Budget that it was found impossible to make pro- gress. It is hoped that the Com- mittee will resume its. labours next month and will before long be able to make useful representa- tions to Government on this im-
portant subject. Meanwhile the (Government prefers not to anti- of cipate the recommendations the Committee but will await its report before putting forward specific proposals. I am, however, authorised to say that any prac- ticable proposal for the establish- ment of a Chinese Golf Course' will receive the svmpathetic con- sideration of the Government. As regards the Children's Play-
Kowloon to 'grounds in
which special reference has been made. arrangements are now in hand to convert the triangle at the junc- tion of Salisbury and Chatham. Roads into a public garden and playground on the vote in the current year's estimates. I might add that so far as I have been able to ascertain no previous complaint has been received by the Government regarding the railings of the Chatham Road playground and enquiries will now be made in this matter.
Aviation.
The Government notes with satisfaction the unofficial approval of its attitude towards Aviation
and while it can hold out no hope of an increased contribution from the Air Ministry towards the cost
Aerodrome of Kai Tak
it has every reason to hope that sub- stantial help towards the cost of the development of the Air Port will be forthcoming from the Colonial Development Fund cently instituted by the Home Government.
Broadcasting.
inadequate and the needs of the Government service as a whole are being considered by a small de- partmental Committee.
The Fire Brigade.
The Hon. Member has referred to the appointment of an Inspec- tion Officer for the Fire Brigade. This officer is required for the inspection of buildings in respect of their safety from risk of fire. On page 45 of the Administrative Report for 1928 by the Captain Superintendent of Police, and the Chief Officer, Fire Brigade, will be found a report of the inspec- tion work done during 1928. It involved the inspection of 982 buildings including 407 theatres and cinemas, 191 garages and 180 inflammable structures. The work is rapidly increasing as more and more attention is paid to this im- portant matter, and the present Fire Brigade staff cannot cope with it except at the cost of other equally important duties.
Form of Estimates.
The Hon. the Senior Chinese unofficial member took us to task over the form in which the Estimates are printed. I readily accept his suggestion that the totals of Personal Emoluments, Other Charges and Special Ex future, and have issued instruc penditure be shown separately in
tions accordingly. With all de- ference to his views I deprecate the reversion to the old practice of showing the clerical staff of each office separately under that step in so far office. It would be a retrograde,
as it introduces unnecessary complication, and I venture to hope that it will meet the Hon. Members' requirements if we show the totals of the clerical staff, taken from the ap- pendices, under each head and carry out a total for the whole of the expenditure under the head. I have duly noted the Hon. Mem- ber's criticism as regards the inadequacy of the notes in some departments and will endeavour to
in fuller notes
future
Motor Road to Canton.
The motor road to Canton is an undertaking for which this Gov- ernment cannot accept liability. Our own motor roads already run close to the frontier and can be linked up with the Chinese road without much difficulty as soon as the latter is ready.
The Government feels that the provision of a House for the infirm is a subject for charitable rather
than official enterprise. Much care is required in dealing with such a proposition lest we find ourselves asked to find asylum for all the infirm of Kwangtung.
Motor Parking.
Play
The
As regards the Hon. Mr. Braga's remarks I have already referred to the Kowloon Tong market, the Children's grounds and open spaces. question of motor parking at Kow- loon Point is mixed up with the very difficult question of the pro-j per development of that area from a traffic point of view. Many schemes have been discussed and finality has not yet been reached but it has been strongly borne in upon the Government that no permanent alleviation of the con- gestion is possible without the removal of unattended motor cars and motor cycles from the area adjacent to the Star Ferry Pier.
Disorderly Houses.
As regards the disorderly houses mentioned by the Hon. Member the matter will be re- ferred to the Captain Superinten- dent of Police, who will be re- quested to take such steps as may be possible to abate any nuisance. The Captain Superintendent will be ready at any time to investigate any specific complaint which may be brought to his notice.
The Kowloon Hills. The question_of_clothing the
hills!
It
nakedness of the Kowloon re-
In connexion with Broadcasting the Government has made a small provision in the Estimates, and while it sympathises with the Hon. Members' desire for more extensive provision it feels that other demands have prior claims on the funds available.
Afforestation.
I
Attention is drawn to the sums provided for afforestation in the North and South districts of the New Territories and it is suggest- ed that they are inadequate. should explain that these sums are for very minor schemes super- vised by the District Officers and are adequate for their purpose. Large schemes of afforestation are more properly placed under the control of the Botanical and Forestry Department and adequate provision in made under Head 27.
The Post Office.
;
secure
years.
Favourite Schemes.
I have come now to the remarks of the Hon. Mr. Shenton and desire to sympathize with him in the absence of his favourite schemes from the Budget. I am afraid his fears as regards the inadequacy of our financial re- sources are only too likely to be realised should we attempt to undertake most of the works he has mentioned. A new City Hall, desirable though it may be, must, as an item of Government expendi- ture, yield priority to many more urgent works.
#
one.
with trees is not a new will be referred to the Botanical and Forestry Department but I am not very hopeful as to the result.
Band Concerts.
in in
As regards Band concerts Kowloon and for that matter Victoria it was intended to pro- vide a sum of $1,200 in the Estimates but the item was in- advertently omitted from the print. The Government will be prepared to propose a special vote for this service early next year.
General Principles. With your own remarks to fol- low, Sir, the ground of
the un- official members' criticisms will I think have been covered and I trust Hon. Members will be satis- 'fied that the Government has re- cognized the seriousness of their The Vehicular Ferry is ancriticisms and has answered them undertaking which the Govern-as fully as the short time avail- ment hopes to see undertaken by table has permitted. We cannot all private enterprise. Various local
see eye to eye in matters of detail The accommodation at the Post Business organisations have shown but we are
at one in general Office will receive consideration interest in the scheme and a call principles and remembering that in consultation with the Post
for tenders is only held up pend-we are all united in our desires for Master General. Office
ing the final settlement of the de- the prosperity and well being of modation generally is becoming signs to which the piers must Hongkong I hope that unofficial
conform.
members will find themselves able to accept the Budget now pre- sented. (Applause).
accom
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