(6)
DRNING POST.
FRIDAY.
HON. MR. W. H. BELL.
OCTOBER 7, 193
THE HARBOUR.
Plea for Reduced Burden Existing Systems Regarded
on Shipping.
| THE SHING MUN SCHEME.
Hon. Mr. Bell, dealing with a number of local matters, said:
As Economical.
YAUMATI SLIPWAY.
The Hon. the Harbour Master said:
Sir, There are three questions concerning the Harbour Depart- ment for me to answer. The first deals with Head 10, sub-head 2- Chain Cables for Mooring $22,960.
I would like to support what the Hon. Mr. Shenton has said as re- gards Aviation generally and, in particular, as regards the provi- sion of an Air Mail service, which can be done by linking us up with some of the already established
When the re-organisation of the Main line Air Mail Services We Harbour moorings was undertaken have always prided ourselves that it was divided into three parts, Hongkong has kept well abreast each part being undertaken during of the times and has been a pro- one financial year. The third part gressive community. It is ob- was finished this year. Moorings vious, however, that we are fall-
ing behind in this most important remain down for three years and matter. It is generally recognised inspect, and renew
it is then necessary to raise, worn parts. that Governments have to take a it will therefore be seen that leading part in initiating aviation during the years 1930, 1931 and enterprises. I would, therefore, 1932, no upkeep vote was required. urge upon this Government the This being the fourth year, upkeep adoption of a more progressive is required. This now becomes a policy in this respect.
recurrent charge in order to keep spare parts available to moorings which have depreciated during their three years service. Returning Launches to Their Sub-Departments.
Radio Concerts.
I am one of those who regularly enjoy the radio concerts broad- casted from our local Studio. I
am disappointed at times, however,
renew
to find that there is nothing but a The centralisating of all repair Chinese programme for me to work, stores, fuel, etc., and the
I would be the last to endeavour to deprive my Chinese fellow citizens of their enjoyment: in- deed, I would like to see an in- crease and an improvement in the Chinese programmes.
a great
listen to, and unfortunately my musical education did not include: placing of all launch crews on the general list for seniority and pro Chinese music.
motion has proved to be extremely easy in working and administrative improvement.
Under this system (a). Stores can be obtained in bulk from the Crown Agents
great saving Quite recently a new transmit which is ter has been installed, and I would "piecemeal" buying. like to suggest that the old one be (b). Daily supervision is pos- retained in use also. In my sible by the boatswain of Yaumati opinion it was perfectly satisfac-yard each morning to see that the tory as a transmitter as far as launches and crew are in a clean Hongkon was concerned, though and efficient state.
I doubt If it is powerful enouch
we
(c)
1
on
Accurate check is kept on
to reach any great distance. By the consumption of all fuel and using the two transmitters
stores which are issued. would be able to have two entire Euro- programmes-Chinese and
pean.
I would like to see the use of radio encouraged amongst our Chinese friends, and I can well imagine that it would form a use- ful means of broadcasting occa- sional lectures on sanitation, public health, and other matters of public interest.
(1) Fuel as per consumption
tests,
(2) Stores per scale. (d). All ratings being on a general list given equal chances to all for promotion the onl exception to this being the water, Police, who are under special con- ditions of service.
(e). The launches being direct-i It would be useful also in time fly under this department
A
(f). All defects are reported direct and are dealt with at once.
of trouble to broadcast instruc-aniform system of discipline 18 tions, reassuring information. maintained. etc., etc. It may be urged that our Chinese friends are not much interested in radio, but this atti- tude could doubtless be chanved by giving them more and better Programm=<
whipping Dues.
The continuance of the increas-
(g). All contracts for repairs, etc., being dealt with by central authority, it is much easier f estinate the cost.
I would point out that even if | the launches are returned to their.
ed scale of light dues is a mattor sub-departments this department of concern to shipping companies will have to do all the supervision which are passing through bad of repairs, stores, etc., with a times and therefore feel the extra greatly lessened control. burden acutely. I earnestly hope
Yaumati Slipway.
that the Government may be able Thirdly the senior unofficial to give them some remission in member questioned the economy this form of taxation, which wasof maintaining a Government slip- increased one hundred per cent way. It is only necessary, I think, nearly two years ago. When that to refer to the number of craft, increase was made the Govern- 58 in all, excluding the Kausing, ment stated that, in view of the we have to deal with, entailing depreciation of Silver, the in-constant, small adjustments and crease was a reasonable one as a repairs to realise that an estab- large number of the companies lishment of this nature is neces-i work on a sterling basis while the sary for this purpose alone.
The coastal companies had to a con- comparative cost of work in the siderable extent increased their slipway and outside has been dollar rates. This unfortunately carefully examined by the Govern- does not present the whole of the ment, and the results showed a picture, as no account is taken of considerable margin in favour of the heavy decline in the volume the yard.
of trade, and as regards the
coastal companies such increases
in dollar rates as it has been doubts whatsoever as to the ability possible to effect have been quite of our Public Works Department to inadequate to meet the increased complete the work satisfactorily, dollar equivalent of their Sterling but because I feel that we should commitments:
first ascertain the ideas of the big Some adjustment of the inci-Contractors as regarda price and dence of the burden as between hat very important essential, various classes of shipping seems time. It seems to me that they work also to be called for. Figures might be able to do the have been submitted to the Govern- quicker and for leas cost owing to ment by the Chamber of Commerce the favourable position in which showing that steamers which call they are placed. They have, for here most frequently-in other instance, special plant suitable of this description words which render regular ser- for work vice to the Colony's trade whether which they can lay down in Hong- that trade is good or bad-pay kong and take away again for use substantially more per call under elsewhere, whereas we would have our system of taxation than they to buy the Plant and after the do elsewhere. Special exception | completion of the work sell it. has already been made in respect possibly at scrap prices.
of river steamers and some exten- Another advantage would be sion of the system seems highly that from one of the big Con- desirable to meet the саве of tractors we could get a fixed price vessels which are in Hongkong for the greater part of the work. If the Contractor made a mistake very frequently.
Review of Taxes.
in his cost calculations the His Excellency The Governor Government would not be in the
Council on expressed in
20th unfortunate position of having to October, 1930 his appreciation of revise their contract in order to the undesirability of burdening enable him to complete the work.
It is quite unnecessary for me shipping in this port and left the way open for a review of such to stress the importance of time taxation at a later date, and in in this matter. Our water short- view of this assurance I suggest ages are too frequent and too re- that the Government give the cent for us to forget what they Shipping Committee of the Cham-mean. Therefore, if one of these ber of Commerce an opportunity big Contractors can guarantee to of discussing this matter with do the work in a shorter period them.
than is estimated by our Public
We are now about to begin on Works Department, that would be in favour of what I think the Hon. the Colonial a strong argument
Of course Secretary described as one of the giving the work out.
be a very big engineering works of the there would have to world-the second section of the substantial penalty clause. Shingmun Valley scheme. A firm I would. therefore, urve unon of the highest repute has been re- the Government the desirability tained as Consulting Engineers of giving some of these hig world and I hone that the Government Contractors the opportunity to will call for tenders for the quote. We are not bound to ac avocation of the work from some cent any of their tenders. and wa of the big Contractors with world-will be in a position to do the work wide ernerience.
Need for Time Saving.
ourselves if we consider it would be to our advantage to do so
I say this, not that I have any (Applause).
227
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