HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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The arrangement of salary conditions as between Government and its servants is a matter apart, and the latest ruling on that question is the Report of the Salaries Commission as adopted. That report sets out very fully the housing conditions of the service, though it may be of interest to state that rent is now to be paid at the current rate instead of at the privileged rate of $10-£1. The Government servant can be made to bear his proportion of the burden. in other ways than through the assessment and there is no intention of letting him off too lightly.
Cost of Transport.
I think the honourable member must have misread the entry under Transport of Government Servants. The increase entered is from $250,000 to $300,000 only: not $350,000 as he has it. The difference in the exchange rate alone would bring the figure to some $345,000, but Government hopes to secure certain economies which will keep the expenditure within the estimated figure. It must be admitted, however, that in a matter as uncertain as passages, the effort may fail; but it will be honestly made.
Sheung Shui Station.
The honourable member voices a protest against the expenditure of $43,100 on Sheung Shui railway station for the benefit of a few golfers only. Here again I fear he has been misinformed. During the last three months there has been an average per month of over 6,000 passengers (excluding golfers) utilising the station, which, besides effecting a junction with bus services on the important cross road between Un Long and Sha Tau Kok, has had an important effect in the revival of the market at Shek U Hui. The revenue from this source has averaged over the period about $2,300 a month. The golfers bring in at least an extra $10,000 per annum; and in addition again there are freight and goods charges. The station has, in fact, become an important one to the system; and there was no real choice between the alternatives of abandoning or rebuilding.
Colonial Development Fund.
I would only mention further that the Government has not lost sight of the opportunities that may be offered by the Colonial Development Fund. But assistance from it is not to be had for the asking it is hedged round with necessary conditions which are being carefully explored in the interests of some of the larger developments-such as the Government Civil Hospital and the Gaol which the Colony has in view.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.-Honourable Members, The subject has been so exhaustively dealt with that there appears little left for me to say.
In the first place, I wish to thank the Colonial Secretary for his able exposition of the Budget, and both him and his officers
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