HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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in comparison with certain other colonies. When referring to the question of extra taxation in connexion with the Estimates for 1931, the Hon. Colonial Secretary said that all taxation was distasteful, but that it was hoped that "this ingredient in the medicine which we must necessarily take for our condition had been correctly prescribed." There is always the danger that a patient may suffer from too much medicine. Knowing what a wise physician Your Excellency is, the community confidently looks to you for a period of recuperative rest, without further doses of physic.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.—On behalf of myself and my advisers I thank the honourable members for their remarks. I may say the revenue this year is coming in very satisfactorily, and although it was anticipated at the time the budget was introduced last year that there would be a deficit approaching two millions- I think there is good reason to hope that we shall be able this year to balance our revenue and expenditure. If this success is achieved it is, nevertheless, largely as the result of the restriction of desir- able public works and services. Our financial position to-day is very much more satisfactory than most of us ever hoped for, and I have no hesitation in expressing my opinion that it compares very favourably with that of any other British colony. It is, therefore, necessary that we should consider very carefully how far the restriction to which I have referred should be continued. It is difficult to foresee quite so far ahead, and I can, at the moment, therefore, only add that I echo the hopes of my honourable friends that it will not be necessary further to increase taxation in connexion with the Budget for 1932 so long as we are able on the present basis to maintain the necessary standards of efficiency.-(Applause).
The Bill was read a second time.
Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by
clause.
Upon Council resuming,
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third read- ing.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
SUMMARY OFFENCES AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituted "An Ordinance to amend the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1845."
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