CO129-543-12 Loans for public work 29-3-1933 - 20-12-1933 — Page 51

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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The Hon. Colonial Secretary in his speech, drew the attention of Hon. Members to the new grade of 3 Sub-Inspectors in the Cantonese Contingent, under Head 20-Police Department. It was hoped to recruit for these posts young men of education who will, after a few years' training, be competent to take their place in commissioned ranks. I fully agree to the creation of these new posts. It is a policy in the right direction. It opens a way for the better class of Chinese to take an interest in the Police Work. As the Hon. Colonial Secretary says in his speech, our Police Force must grow with the time. If some commissioned officers of the Cantonese Contingent be Chinese, it will be a saving in the personal emoluments of the Police Department.

But turning to Head 20 in the Estimates I was surprised to find that the emolument provided for these new posts is nothing better than that of a Junior Chinese Clerk of the VI class. I consider the pay is too meagre to induce men of education to take up such a responsible post. I may say that the Chinese Company of the Police Reserve is a good recruiting ground for the type of men wanted. But unless better inducement and brighter prospects are offered, it will be difficult to secure the proper type of men for these posts.

Under Head 22 of the Estimates provision is made to take over The Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital next year by the Medical Department. I should like to point out here that this hospital is situated in the poorest district in the Colony. It is a boon to the people living there because of its nearness to their home and it saves them the expenses of conveyance in case of sickness if the hospital were to situate at a distance. The various clinics carried on by the hospital such as the baby clinic, antenatal clinic and the treatment of woman diseases and the V-D. clinic were initiated by the late Dr. Mrs. Hickling whose energy and hard working were unsurpassing. It was entirely due to her that the hospital was so successfully carried on and her memory will never be forgotten by those who associated with her in her work.

I am now expressing a hope that clinics may continue to be carried on either in the Tsan Yuk or somewhere else close to the locality as may be conveniently arranged, so that the poor of the Western District may continue to receive the benefits which they have enjoyed during the last ten years. (Applause).

HON. MR. T. N. CHAU.-Sir,-As my two Chinese col- leagues have dealt with the Budget so fully, it only remains for me to express concurrence in their remarks. There is, however, a subject about which, because of its great importance to the Chinese community, I should like to say a few words in addition to the observations of the Senior Chinese Member. I refer to "Assessed Taxes" commonly called "Rates."

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