C. S. 0.
Enclosure No.3.
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28,
THE BUDGET DEBATE
SUPPLEMENTARY VOTES PROMISED LATER.
COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE LEPROSY PROBLEM.
RAILWAY CONNECTION.
The estimates for 1935 were exhaustively debated in Legislative Council yesterday, when the Unofficial Members presented their views and the Government replied.
The Government's attitude was sympathetic. While regret- ting the necessity for postponing essential works, His Excellency said a supplementary budget would, if possible, be presented during the year.
As an earnest of its sympathy the Government has restored the Wanchai Market to the Budget. The Hon. Colonial Secretary moved in Committee an amendment to the Budget Bill to include an additional $80,000 “to be spent on the continuation of the Wanchai Market scheme", having previously stated that he had His Excellency's authority to do so. The Amendment was accepted and the Budget Bill amended to acquire a sum of $26,404,219 instead of $26,324,219.
The Government proposes to appoint a Commission to inquire into the Leprosy problem, and there is a hint of municipal developments in connection with the Sanitary Board.
The system of water charges may be revised, by abolition of the free allowance. Among other matters the Governor indicated a confident hope that the Kowloon-Canton and Canton- Hankow railway systems would be connected.
Important local problems such as Harbour Improvement, the Assessment tax, Public Health, Education, the Cost of Government etc., were debated. His Excellency admitting that the cost of the administration was on the high side, due to the large number of sterling-paid officers and the exigencies of exchange.
It was stated that there is to be a concession in the calcula- tion of the Military Contribution
1934.
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