CO129-525-3 Estimates 1931 and other financial papers 16-1-1930 - 1-9-1932 — Page 291

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

friction. If this payment will tend to reduce such friction the Government is prepared to go to this Council in due course and to ask for a vote for the necessary funds.

The amendment moved by the Senior Unofficial Member is largely an elaboration of the Government's own resolution as explained in the speech introducing it last week and as such can be readily accepted. The addition that Government should pay for the new connections, being also accepted, the whole amendment may well stand in the place of the Government's original resolution if the Council so desires.

H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.— The amendment before the Council is the amendment proposed by the Senior Unofficial Chinese Member:

"That in the opinion of this Council, the time has come for the Colony to decide upon the abandonment at the expiration of two years from this date, of the principle of the rider-main system, substituting therefor the principle of compulsory meterage to all house supplies to which the alternative shall be a free supply from street fountains."

On a division the votes were recorded as follows:-

Noes: Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga, Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell, H.E. the General Officer Commanding the Troops, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, the Colonial Treasurer, Hon. Commander G. F. Hole, Hon. Dr. A. R. Wellington, Hon. Mr. T. H. King, Hon. Mr. R. M. Henderson.

Ayes: Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, Hon. Mr. S. W. Tso, Hon. Mr. T. N. Chau.

The amendment was therefore lost by 13 votes to three.

H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.- The motion now before the Council is that proposed by the Senior Unofficial Member. Does any member wish to address the Council?

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL.-With Your Excellency's permission, I should like to say that the Chinese members of this Council have been requested by those directly concerned to ask the Government for certain concessions in the event of their request for the retention of the rider-main system not being granted. These concessions are summarised as follows:-

1. Cancellation of the 2% water rate now included in the 17% Assessed Taxes.

2. Lower rent for meters.

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