CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 191

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light heartedly on extruvgant enterprises, and Hong Kong has

To prevent the unfortunately proved no exception to the rule. recurrence of such happenings in the future the Commissionors would suggest to Government that, when there is any project which is likely in itself to entail or to lead to heavy expenditure (for policy largely controls expenditure), financial aspect of and all material facts relating to the matter should be placed as lucidly as possible before Legislative Council. It must be remembered that the Unofficial Members have not normally access to Government files nor the time to digest them, but have to rely on the

It is therefore facts and figures presented to them. essential that such figures should be presented in a manner showing clearly the real position and the issues involved.

25.

The three Unofficial Members of the Commission desire to make the following observation. They feel that one of the great disadvantages of the Crown Colony's system is that the advent of new administrative heads is very apt to lead to changes in regard to settled policies which, if unsuccessful, as they have been, re-act to the grave detriment of the general body of residents in the Colony. The Commissioners of course recognize that at times changes of policy may be, and are; bencficial, but it does not seem to them, that where a woll defined policy, such as that in regard to Waterworks prepared by Sir R.E. Stubbs, has been definitely approved by the Secretary of State, no change therein should be made except with the unanimous approval of the Legislative Council.

26.

As an instance of extravagance the Commissioners would quote the Sanitary Department coolie quarters in Hospital Road, and the Western District Sanitary Office and coolie

quarters