CO129-519-2 Estimates for 1930 19-9-1929 - 19-9-1929 — Page 174

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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We also trust that the rumoured negotiations for connecting Canton with Hong Kong by telephone will prove successful, because every link which joins Hong Kong to Canton is of mutual benefit to both places.

Loans.

It may well be asked how are all these schemes to be financed. We are of opinion that, much as we may regret it, we have now arrived at the parting of the ways-we cannot continue to pay for the permanent works out of current revenue-posterity must contribute to the benefits posterity will receive. We are of opinion that although it may be possible to make economies in many directions, nevertheless current revenue is obviously insufficient and a carefully considered policy of municipal loans must be resorted to.

Treasurer's Memorandum on Revenue.

We notice a paragraph in the Treasurer's Memorandum on Revenue, which states that arrears of premia are due from the Kowloon Tong Estate and the Praya East Marine Lot Holders: and we should be glad to be informed what is the amount of the arrears of premia which is due from each of those bodies respectively.

In connexion with the Praya East Reclamation, we should like to know when the Government proposes to put up lights along Lock- hart Road on that Reclamation, so as to enable motor vehicles to use that road at night as well as by day, between Arsenal Street and Percival Street, and thus to avoid entirely the tram route at night for that distance.

Remarks on Various Items In the Estimates,

I will now bring this long speech to an end in the orthodox fashion, by firing off at the Government, on behalf of myself and my Unofficial colleagues, a broadside of remarks and questions in regard to various items in the Estimates which have not yet been dealt with by me.

(1) On page 6 we notice an item "Carriage, Chair, etc., Licences $230,000," and would suggest that, in future Estimates, it would be interesting to have a separate heading for motor vehicle licences instead of lumping them together with chair and ricksha licences.

(2) On page 9, in connexion with the item "Public Schools Fees," we would ask the Government to consider whether the fees charged in public schools ought not to be reduced.

(3) On page 9 we notice the item "Message Fees $160,000." Does this mean wireless message fees, and, if so, why are the estimated receipts for 1930 less than those for 1929?

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