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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
The sum of $20,945 for 1930 is the amount considered necessary to defray the expenses of training during that year without having recourse to a Supplementary Vote.
This Vote will not be annually recurrent and will cease as soon as the training of the present Staff has been completed.
New candidates to fill vacancies caused by resignations, etc., however will require to be trained from time to time before coming out to the Colony.
Allowances to 17 Diesel Engineers at $120 Each.
It has been found from practical experience since semi-Diesel engines were introduced into Government launches that as soon as an engineer had been trained into the working of these Engines he became dissatisfied with the Government rates of pay. Several such Engineers have already resigned from Government service in order to take up employment with private firms on higher rates of pay.
The allowance as set forth is designed as an inducement to such Engineers to remain in Government Service.
S.D.3.
After the sinking of S.D.3. Government appointed a Committee consisting of the Treasurer, The Harbour Master, and The Colonial Auditor to consider what steps should be taken in order to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
The recommendations of this Committee have been embodied in a General Order which it is hoped will have the desired effect. (Applause.)
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.-The Hon. Mr. Shenton referred in his speech last Thursday to the subject of factory legislation. This question has for some time been under consideration by the Government. A bill to amend the Industrial Employment of Children Ordinance, 1922, Ordinance No. 22 of 1922, so as to extend its scope to women and young persons, and certain regulations proposed to be made under the Ordinance as so amended, have already been drafted, and are now under consideration by the Governor in Council. This proposed legislation is intended to be a further step in the improvement of factory conditions in the Colony. Such improvement must of necessity be slow and gradual, and it is very difficult in such matters to travel far ahead of neigh- bouring countries. It is intended to follow up this legislation with other measures.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER. Sir,-I propose to deal with the observations made by hon. unofficial members on various financial
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