204
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
article, or any other Grant-in-Aid or non-Government school, but it is very clear that unless the system of grants to these Schools (which are staffed by British Masters and Mistresses) is changed, some of them will soon have to close their doors.
Fire Brigade. Whilst all reductions in expenditure are welcome, I trust the Chief Officer is quite satisfied there will be no loss of efficiency in consequence of the reduction in the number of drivers and firemen.
Prisons Department.-It is to be hoped that work on the new printing shop approved by the Finance Committee early this year is being proceeded with, and that the new linotype machine will soon be installed and in working order, as printing is considered as likely to be a revenue earning industry in Victoria Gaol.
In conclusion, I repeat the pledge made by the Senior Unofficial Member, that Your Excellency will have our support in your present policy of thrift, and, wherever possible, retrenchment.-(Applause).
Increased Light Dues.
THE HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.-Sir, I wish to associate myself with the remarks made by my Hon. friends, the Senior Unofficial Member, Sir Shou-son Chow and Mr. Owen Hughes, who have presented a very fair criticism of the Budget and the manner in which it is proposed to meet the heavy estimated expenditure. The levies to be imposed are in most cases reasonable, but the suggested taxes on shipping, in the form of increased light dues and hire of buoys are, I consider, wrong in principle. This form of taxation has been the subject of several debates in this Chamber in the past, and if one can judge from records of the meetings the official attitude has been that shipping should only be taxed for specific purposes from which a direct benefit is obtained. In the present instance this can scarcely be put forward as an argument in favour of the suggested levies.
Hong Kong owes its very existence to shipping and, its pros- perity has been largely built up from the benefits derived from the advantages obtaining to a free port. This great asset should be maintained as far as possible at all costs.
Quite apart from the objections to taxing shipping in order to augment local revenue, it must be admitted by all that this particu- lar trade is passing through a very hard time and it is only by the most rigid economy that many companies are able to carry on.
If it can possibly be done I would like to see the proposed taxes withdrawn. Failing that, Sir, I hope some assurance can be given that they will be considered in the nature of a temporary levy only and will be removed when the finances of the Colony are on a healthier basis. (Applause).
59
Page 60Page 61
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.