CO129-541-2 Estimates 1931 14-10-1932 - 19-7-1934 — Page 175

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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the new hangar, when it is provided, shall as far as possible be sufficient for all needs. But the uncertainties of every phase of the subject of aviation make the question an exceedingly difficult

one.

Turning to the Kowloon Post Office, I fear I have small satisfaction for hon. members if they were hoping that the plans and preliminaries were ready for an early start of the work. It is only recently that the scattered requirements of Kowloon were crystallised into the idea of a large building which would house. a number of Departments and to some extent relieve Kowloon residents of the trouble of crossing to Hong Kong for Government work. Much has to be done before it is even possible to begin on the design, and no more can now be said than that the One requirements of the various departments are being examined. thing only is clear that it would be uneconomic to design a Post Office only which might well have to be pulled down in the near future.

The Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell has referred to the question of Harbour dues. Reference to the Colony's Estimates will show that the expenditure on the Harbour is consistently greater than the Revenue, and perhaps the shipping interests are rather liable to forget such items as Water Police, the hydrographic survey, dredging charges, Praya walls and the

the upkeep of Harbour Department buildings. Any shortage has necessarily to be made good from the general revenue of the Colony, and the Government is not prepared to disturb to the further disadvantage of the general taxpayer the existing distribution of taxation.

The question of introducing a compounded fee has been carefully considered, but it is the Government's opinion that the fairest method of taxation is that based on the use made of the port. On this basis Hong Kong is a cheap port as compared with other ports offering the same facilities.

It should be noted that river steamers pay according to the number of entries per month. They are therefore no exception to the rule of payment according to use made of the port.

I am in this matter only repeating some of the conclusions reached in a detailed correspondence with the Chamber of Commerce of a few months ago. The bearings of the question were then fully considered, and in the view of the Government no sufficient reason has yet been shewn for varying the decisions then taken.

The Outpatients Department at the Kowloon Hospital is a suggestion with which the Government has every sympathy. It is too late for the Budget before you, but I am authorised by His

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