HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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I take this opportunity for expressing the gratitude of the Colony to the Tung Wah, Tung Wah East and Kwong Wah Hospitals, the Chinese Public Dispensaries and the St. John Ambulance Bridge for the very valuable assistance that they give in medical and health matters. The Colony is deeply indebted to them. (Applause.)
Under Education you will notice that further provision has been made in connection with the Junior Technical School. We have been very fortunate in the master selected to take charge of the school and it is doing most excellent work. It should, however, be further developed along vocational and other lines. In fact, speaking personally, I consider that this is one of the most important of our educational establishments. I attach the greatest importance to technical training,
technical training, and, if funds for further development cannot otherwise be found, I would prefer to further economies in other branches of education in order that such development may be accomplished.
The Colonial Secretary has referred to concessions which have. been obtained in regard to the Military Contribution. There will be opportunities for full discussion when the Bill which has been referred to the Secretary of State comes before this Council, but I may say in advance that, while the present basis of contribution, like every other basis that has been suggested, may be open to some criticism, I am not prepared to admit that it is entirely absurd to increase the Colony's contribution to its defence pari passu with the increase in its revenue, which must, I submit, be in a large measure an index both of its capacity to pay for its defence and of the value of the property and interests to be defended. I trust that when the Bill is submitted this Council will feel able to endorse unanimously the thanks which I feel are due from the Colony to the Secretary of State for his strong support and assistance in securing valuable concessions.
I am glad that the idea of a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve has received your approval. This was an old proposal and was postponed on financial grounds. It is now being revived and I feel sure, especially with the energy and keenness of our present Commodore, it will prove a success.
Under Miscellaneous Services you will note that the grant to the University of Hong Kong remains at $350,000. In the present state of the finances of the University it is impossible to reduce this grant. I am glad to say that with its help it has been possible to carry out certain improvements to this institution. A
A new department of Surgery is being built at a cost of $26,000 and a Prime Movers Laboratory is also under construction. Extensions are being provided to the Lecture Room and Laboratory space in the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology and Biology at
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