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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
all those who know him. (Applause). The announcement came as a surprise to the Chinese community, though not to me personally, for I had for some time known that he had been con- templating retirement on grounds of health. My Chinese colleagues and I sincerely hope that Your Excellency may find it possible to prevail upon Mr. Wood to suspend his application for retirement until after the expiration of his leave of absence which may, as we earnestly hope, restore him to such a state of health as may induce him to accede to the very urgent wish of the Chinese community that he should remain in his post for a few more years. (Applause). Mr. Wood being only 49, the prolongation of his service for a few more years would not be an undue obstacle to the advancement of his junior colleagues, while it would be to the best interests of the Colony.
Under Harbour Department, Special Expenditure, on page 28, again appears the item "Training Expenses for Assistant Govern- ment Marine Surveyor in England". The amount required in 1934 is $7,680. In connection with the Budget for the year 1932, the Honourable Senior Unofficial Member, on behalf of the whole Unofficial body, said that the system of training men after they had been engaged, in order to qualify them for their work, seemed to be one that was open to condemnation, and that it was not only uneconomical but did not conduce to efficiency. He further expressed the hope that in future only properly qualified men would be engaged. I have been unable to trace any reply by the Govern- ment to this comment. The system is certainly expensive, costing the Colony from nearly $8,000 to $9,000, according to the rate of exchange ruling at the time, to give training to one single Assistant Government Marine Surveyor. If there is good reason for this expenditure, that reason should, I submit, be given to this Council.
On page 51 of the draft Estimates provision is made for the expenses of the Juvenile Offenders Remand Home. In connection with this matter, may I enquire when the Juvenile Court will commence to function? The Juvenile Offenders Ordinance was passed as long ago as the 11th February, 1932, and it would be of interest to know what are the causes which have held up the implementation of this very necessary legislation.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary in his Budget speech invited attention to the new grade of Sub-Inspector in the Chinese Police Contingent, and said that it was hoped "to recruit for these posts young men of good education who will, after a
a few years probationary training, be competent to take their place in the commissioned ranks." He went on to say that "hitherto recruit- ment has only been of men who, however efficient they may be in other respects, are not the type that makes Assistant Superintendents." It is a matter of gratification to the Chinese community that this important opening has been made to the
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