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DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.
(Continued from Page 15.)
from purchasing land. The moment is opportune for proposing the erection of a weather signal- station on some conspicuous posi- tion on the Kowloon Tsai hills that should be clearly visible from Kowloon Tong and Kowloon City. Reservations
for
sports
SOUTH
CHINA M
I am jealous of the good name HON. MR. T. N. CHAU. which Kowloon has earned as place for safe investment and feel strongly that any attempt to be- smirch its fair name cannot be condemned in too severe terms.
Pleads for Society for Protection of Children.
A tendency has grown up of late towards belittling at least one of our old-established in- URGENT NEED STRESSED.: dustries and of public utility concern on the other side of the harbour. In both have millions of dollars been invested and to both have the united efforts of zealous
directorates, supported by share-
Hon. said:
Mr. Chau, supporting.
complete con-'
Sir-1 express
grounds is a necessity that should / holders' money, devoted time and currence in the views and senti-
not be lost sight of.
The erection of the wireless sta- tion at Hunghom for the large transmitter for broadcasting is a step in the right direction. My honourable friend, Mr. Shenton, with his usual thoughtful regard for social service in the Colony, has spoken of the benefits which broadcasting has conferred.
His remarks are certain to be accord- ed the reception which they de-
serve.
re-
The same honourable member in his complete competence has dealt with the question of air-mail and passenger services. His marks cannot fail to arouse general interest. The logical development of our magnificent aerodrome at Kai Tack will hasten the extension of that district eastward. While work- shops and offices will be built within the aerodrome itself a demand for houses for the Europeans having business with the future air service will lead to the neighbouring hills being ex- plored for residences. The road to Ma Yue Tong will facilitate the selection of sites presenting a landscape rivalling even Peak itself.
Transport Fares.
the
The Council is still in ignor ance of the recomm ndations of the Road Passenger Transport Committee. The present occasion is opportune for bringing into greater prominence an apparently forgotten statement by the Chair- man of the Hongkong Tramways, Ltd., when presiding at the annual meeting of shareholders on 17th February. He said:
thought to build their future on solid foundations.
ments of the honourable senior Chinese member and of the Hon. Dr. S. W. T80. In expressing this After years of persevering labour, often thwarted by adverse general concurrence I desire toį circumstances, the future holds amplify one subject which the great promise for both these im- Hon. Dr. Kotewall has already portant undertakings; they form dealt with rather fully, namely, part of the Colony's substan.ial the grant to the Society for the assets; they are very essential Protection of Children. I respect- factors in the industrial life of fully urge the request for an in- Kowloon.
Were the criticisms I have just referred to dictated by honest motives and constructive in their urpose, no exception could be ken to them. Indeed, they ould be most welcome. That is not, however, the spirit animating the critics. Theirs is a subtle, veiled thrust primarily designed to undermine confidence and, secon- darily, to influence quotations on the Stock Exchange.
"Bear" Tactics,
"Bear" tacties that stoop to n distortion of facts, deliberate
a stampede calculated to create among genuine small holders of stock and so to depress certain shares by questionable reprehen- sible methods regardless of their mischievousness, cannot be too strongly deprecated.
In these times of world in- dustrial depression, the Colony needs, for the success of its trade and commerce, all the help it can rally around itself. Untruthful. statements can do a lot of harm and are discreditable to their authors.
creased grant on Your Excel-i lency's sympathetic notice. As Join" Honorary Secretary of the Society, I may add to the informa- tion given by the Hon. Dr. Kote- wall that in 96 cases in the past ten months, the families concern- ed were without visible means; and in the whole of the 702 cases dealt with by the Society in that period, the average income work- ed out at a figure which allowed to each member of the family a monthly income of less than $3 out of which to provide food, clothing and accommodation. In over 50% of the cases the family had no means to pay for a single room but occupied only
a 'bed- space.'
Not only were the persons cou- poor, but in cerned miserably more than 50% of the cases re- ported, the children were suffer; ing from disease, and very frequently this was the direct re- sult of insufficient food.
mor-
The figures of infantile tality among Chinese children are abnormally high, and it must be overwhelmingly apparent to all that the contributory cause poverty with the resultant bad ac- and insufficient
is
If the dissemination of libellous rumours, damaging to the Colony's industries, should be persisted in to the detriment of its welfare, commodation every endeavour should be made to food. effectively check this form of
The Society is just undertaking abuse and put a stop to pernicious "The Government, in June actions hurtful to businesses that that kind of work which will, in last, sanctioned a further in- have cost much money and taken time to come, effectively minimise
this mortality rate; but it is " crease in fares which was put long years of patience and toil to into force on July 1st, and al-build up and that must be protect funds. I take this opportunity to
handicapped by inadequacy though our receipts improved, ed not only from "the slings and the number of passengers suf-arrows of outrageous fortune", but appeal to the public for their sup-. our port; and in the meantime I sin- fered a considerable decline. also from enemies within It is clear that the economic gates who seek their own selfish cerely hope that Your Excellency jimit. io which Koalan fares gain at the expense of the general will see your way to increasing the Government grant du 10,000 Can Le saimni Jams vi tree goodi.
Kowloon is looked on by many to carry on work which, as the reached. Although receipts per
48 a "Promised Land" to be bus-mile improved by 3.21 cents the expenses per bus-mile in- jealously guarded and conserved
creased by 7.84 cents, of which
5.30 cents represents the in creased cost per bus-mile petrol."
for
It is a pertinent question whet- her the possibility of the introduc-
more
of
honourable senior Chinese mem-
as the precious heritage of pioneer ber has said, is so essential for social well-being of the settlers whose descendants have the in Kowloon their permanent home. Colony. (Applause). (Applause).
cial support and associate myself with the Hon. Members in asking for an increased grant to this de- serving institution.
tion of trolley buses for Kowloon HON. MR. S. W. T'SO. me to emphasize its need of finan- has been explored for the economical operation of the pas- senger transport service. If the question has been gone into by the Transport committee, will the Government inform the Council what decision has been arrived at?
Commends the Policy of Caution.
AN EDUCATION MATTER.
In the Budget debate last year I urged the Government to give every encouragement to the far- Recent letters appearing in the
mers in the New Territories to in- senior morning newspaper suggest
crease their agricultural produc- tion. the possibility of the introduction
I am pleased to note that in of midget taxis into Kowloon. As Your Excellency, I desire to the Estimates under Head No. 28, services, the no rickshaws have been licensed associate myself with the views for miscellaneous to ply for hire in the Homuntin | which have
Hon. Mr. T'so said:
been so fully and Government has increased the
and Kowloon Tong areas, a cheap ably expressed by the Senior Un- grant, from $1000 to $2000, to the Laxi service such as is contemplat- official Member Sir Henry Pollock, New Territories Agricultural Aa- ed is bound to reduce travelling also by the Senior Chinese Mem- sociation. I trust the Govern- expenses in the case of those re-ber, the Hon. Dr. Kotewall on the ment will keep a watchful eye on sidents whose slender purses do Budget; and to congratulate the the progress of the New Territory
afford them not permit of the luxury of the Government for presenting to this farmers and
Council a Budget framed on the facility that they may reasonably basis of safety and caution. I require. feel that so long as the value of the dollar is uncertain and while trade depression is still among
ownership of a motor car.
Subordinate Staff Promotions.
Empire Goods.
My honourable friend. the Senior Chinese Unofficial Member, whose oratorical fluency is such a feature of the annual debate on us, a policy of caution is extreme- British Empire goods this
The Chinese Community greatly
every
The Empire Day Exhibition of,
year the Budget, has adequately com- ly wise and desirable. mented on the change of Govern-
has proved to be a great success ment policy which is about to appreciates that the estimates for and a great incentive to the New initiate a system admitting of the year 1933 were prepared with Terri ory farmers to exhibit their promotions of a limited number of a view to avoiding additional taxa- goods. I hope therefore that the members of the subordinate staff tion and it is earnestly. hoped that Government will make this show to a new section of the clerical no unforeseen circumstances will an annual event lending to it as and accounting staff. Since I happen that may compel the Gov- much as possible Official counten- first had the honour of a seat at ernment to deviate from its policy.
hia Council table I have con- sistently and persistently advocat
d the claims of the local men to promotions and to a just re-
ognition of their merits.
8
ance.
I consider it therefore
an economy to encourage these schools.
For, every fresh taxation means Turning to the estimate under further burden on trade and in- Head No. 25 Education Depart- crease to the cost of living. Al- ment-I find that the capitation though Hongkong is said to have grants have been increased from fared rather better than the rest $180,000 to $217,500 for the com- I am firmly convinced that if of the world during the last two ing year; but no increase has ecruitment of local men and years, yet, with a constant recur- been made on subsidies to Urban women were to be the more liberal [rence of unrest in the Far East Elementary Vernacular Schools in practice in the filling of posts and with trade depression still Hongkong. Whatever may be said which their ability entitles them hanging over the world, Hong- of these schools they do supply to hold, the heavy burden of ad- kong may not be able to escape
un elementary education to thou- ministrative expenditure, neces- the common fate. It is necessary sands of poor children. If the sitating additional taxation in therefore that, while our financial Government were to provide recent years, will be relieved of a position IB still sound, strict schools for these children it would substantial proportion of the economy compatible with efficiency cost the Colony an enormous sum charges on the Budget under the should be exercised. With co. of money. heading of Personal Emoluments. operation between Government There should certainly be more and people Hongkong stands dollar-and less sterling-paid posts good chance against any adverse with corresponding economy to the circumstances that may happen. The Normal School for women Colony. I should have falt
Aid to Children.
is being housed in rented pre- happier it. with the proposal for As my Hon. Colleagues who mises which proved to be most the Initiation of this new policy, spoke before me have already unsuitable. The need of a build- an announcement could have been dealt fully with the Budget, there ing of i's own is very urgent. made concurrently of more remains lit'le for me to comment The Hon. the Colonial Secretary generous leave privileges granted on. But I should like to add my has, in his speech, recognized its to the hard-working members of roice to the appeal made by the urgency but building operation is the subordinate staff in the Hon. Mr. Shenton and the Hon. deferred to other more important Government service.
this cost for an
for Dr. Kotewall
increased works. As the grant to the Society for the Pro- building is not so large as com- tection of Children. The good pared with other larve schemes, I urge the Government to When I rose to address the work done by this Society and its would Cour this afternoon I spoke financial position have been fully keep the matter in sight and sanc- with some enthusiasm on the in- set out by the Hon. Dr. Ko'ewall tion building operation at the ear-
(Applause). dustrial expansion of Kowloon. in his speech. It only remains for liest possible date.
Kowloon's Fair Name.
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