HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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I notice with regret in the Report of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports that although our Statistical Department was clamoured for, some few years ago, the demand locally remains rather meagre.
Before closing I would like to express appreciation of the services rendered by the St. John Ambulance Association, the New Territories Medical Benevolent Association, Society for the Protection of Children and other kindred voluntary concerns who do much beneficial work, which would otherwise have to be provided at the expense of the taxpayers. Money voted for these Associations is money well spent, and the grants should be still further increased.
This brings me to a conclusion, but before resuming my seat, may I express the hope that as far as the Government is concerned the dollar will not fall below 1/2 and that at the end of the coming year we shall find ourselves with a nice fat balance in hand, and with our public works well on the way to completion. (Applause).
THE HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL. Sir,-In my experience as a member of this Council, which covers a period of nearly ten years, there has not been in that period a Budget which contained so few controversial items, or which was so well balanced as the Budget now before us. There is therefore very little for me to criticise. I have never been a carping critic, but have always held to the belief that praise should be given where praise is due.
The innovation-introduced two or three years ago and carried further this year-of leaving details as far as possible to foot- notes and memoranda, and confining the introductory Budget speech to policy and important items, has evoked favourable comment all round. If I may be permitted to say so, the Hon. Colonial Secretary's speech on the present Budget has clearly and ably presented to the public the financial position of the Colony and the financial policy of the Government.
The form of the Estimates, too, is much better, even though that of the 1932 Estimates was itself a distinct improvement on its predecessors for some years. It is a matter of some satisfaction to myself that the suggestions made by me last year for improving the technical side of the Estimates have been carried out almost in their entirety. Breaking up the various 'omnibus' heads, and allocating, the items thereunder to the different departments concerned, must have entailed on those responsible for the task a great deal of exacting work-work which, I find, has been done very well indeed.
Encouraged by the readiness of the Government to receive suggestions in this direction, I venture to offer a few
few more recommendations for improving still further the technical aspect of future Estimates.
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