C. S. 0.
3
86
Quotas.
the House of Commons this year. In our opinion, if the Quota System were applied to Hongkong, much trade which would otherwise pass through Hongkong, would be diverted else- where.
Trade Commissioner.
1
Water.
careful
has again been restricted in its water During the past year, the Colony
fortunate
We have noted with satisfaction, Mr. H. K. Holmes, C.B.E., is also ing, and we are of the opinion that that this Colony has so far been shortly leaving us.
He comes of an' this entry, appearing as it does in a excluded from the Empire Quota old Hongkong family, whose
con- Government Official Report, demands System. We thank Your Excellency nections are bound up with the history from Government the most for the consideration you have given of this Colony. He is perhaps not so investigation and relentless prosecu- to our interests in this respect. The much in the public eye as some other tion, if such a state of affairs exists.
atter is of vital importance to this Government servants, but there is no olony. On the 29th November, 1895, one in this Colony who has such an the Right Honourable Sir Joseph intimate knowledge of our laws, or Chamberlain, when writing to His whose advice is not only taken but supply, although Excellency Sir William Robinson, followed on innumerable occasions.
we have been then Governor of this Colony, said: No one is more ready than Mr. conditions of drought appertaining in in not experiencing the "I am aware that the trade of the Holmes to place his profound know- some other parts of the world. Colony under your Government is of ledge at the service of all who seek a special character," and the Right it, and we are not exaggerating when stantial progress has been made with We note, with pleasure, that sub- Honourable Sir Philip Cunliffe- we state that when Mr. Holmes goes the Shing Mun Dam, and we shall Lister made a similar statement in he cannot be replaced. If Your be glad to know when the Colony may
Excellency were able to induce Mr. expect to receive water from Holmes to stay on in harness a few
that. source of supply. more years, a real service would be rendered to the Colony. (Applause). 'includes the Dragon Back Catchment The Tytam Tuk Catch-water, which Ordinances and Regulations. area The last revision of our Ordinances
scheme, will substantially was in 1923, since when a mass of Colony, and we are glad to see that
the augment
water supply of the legislation, both new, or by way of this amendment, has been passed. For completed in 1935.
much delayed scheme will be the assistance and guidance of all who are connected with, or have occasion harbour was always understood to be The 12 inch pipe line across the to refer to, the Laws of this Colony, a forerunner of another, and bigger, a new revision should now be taken pipe. We are glad to note that the Another matter of a similar nature, will be ready for use next April.
second pipe, being an 18 inch pipe, which is almost of as great import- ance, is some codification of the well spent,
Money spent on water is money Economic Commission.
Regulations at present in force, pass-must be financed on such a basis that but our water system Owing to the prevailing depression,
ed in pursuance of Ordinance.
it is self-supporting. Your Excellency has seen fit to
The reduction in the excess water appoint an Economic Commission to
Our Statistical Department seems rate by 15 per cent. which Your enquire into the causes of the de-
to be doing good work, and there Excellency has found it possible to pression and make recommendations
appears to be an excellent demand bring into forcé, is a happy recogni- as to the future. We have every
for our monthly and annual returns. tion of Your Excellency's desire to confidence in this Commission. It is
It would be happier if those returns ameliorate the conditions of the now sitting, and we eagerly await showed a more prosperous state of
poorer classes in our midst. the report.
affairs in the Colony than they do. (Report Appendix E, page 13.) The
Public Works Extraordinary. We congratulate both Your Excel-Superintendent of Imports and Ex- Honourable Director of Public Works, The Notes on Estimates of the lency, and the Honourable Colonial ports has been very active in his are always of great interest to Un- Treasurer, on the success of the New prosecutions recently, and whilst we official Public Works 32 per cent. $25,000, appreciate the necessity for reliable barometer of the Colony's progress,
Members: they are 000 Loan, of which $14,000,000 was
statistics, we hope he will exercise and an indicator of its vitality. For floated in July last. It shows the
some discretion in favour of those confidence of the public in
who are less neglectful than others.ent that a very extensive policy of some years past, it has been appar- { this Government, and the fact that there
The falling off in the sales of opium is plenty of money available at a low rate of interest when sound securitytunate, but not be deplored if it were is, as a matter of revenue, unfor-
For many years this Colony has felt the need of some official connect- ing link with the trade of the Empire, This want has now been met by the appointment of a Trade Commissioner in the person of Mr. G. C. Pelham. We welcome his presence here, and his activity has already been appre- ciated on several occasions. (Govern ment Report Chap. I, page 3.)
is offered.
Government Loan.
Debenture Issue.
The recent offer of Debentures by one of our leading Land Companies is a step in the right direction, and should have the effect of getting more money into circulation, and the finding of a useful outlet for some of our
idle capital. It is also a clear indica- tion that this important concern has every confidence in the future prosperity of this Colony.
in hand.
Statistics.
Opium.
not for the fact that the unfortunate. policy of high-priced opium inevitably increases smuggling, which, in fact, it has. It is not that less opium is smoked, but that smuggling is greatly on the increase. A further point of substance is that if the Government want to sell opium they must supply the consumer with what is wanted, Singapore preparation which the consumer refuses to buy, (Report Appendix E, page 4.)
Bribes.
and not
a
Retiring Government Servants. We learn with deep regret of the In the Report of the Superintendent impending retirement of the Honour of Imports and Exports for the year able Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe, C.M.G., who 11933, (Appendix E. Sub-Appendix has for so many years honourably III, page 31) there appears an item served the Colony, in many capacities, (2) Fees paid to Chinese Police or and latterly that of Inspector-General Revenue Officers of Police and in charge of the Fire
every week, in- Brigade. He has performed his duties with meticulous care and the greatest enthusiasm. His office is one that brings him in direct contact with the public; in fact, he is often the intermediary between them and the Government. We have no hesitation in stating that he has performed his duties to our entire satisfaction, and we shall part with him with great regret. (Applause).
dividual payments from 30 cents up to $3". The fact that such an item appears as an ordinary entry in a trader's books, is a matter for the greatest regret, and points established and recognised corrupt to well- hear rumours of such practices exist- practices. We, Unofficial Members,
|
દી
many of the public institutions for replacement had become inevitable;
become hopelessly out of date. which Government is responsible, had
on the determination with which you We congratulate Your Excellency have faced these imperative needs; and we hope that progress with the works now in hand, will be pressed on with unfailing vigour.
on
works of this nature, we cannot stress In connection with non-recurrent too strongly desirability of creating temporary Government the posts, without liability for pension, or necessity to contribute to the Widows and Orphans Pension Fund.
We notice that there are to be two Kowloon. new markets in the Island, and two at
We believe that an increase in the number of markets will have the living, and this was the considered effect of keeping down the cost of opinion of a High Cost of Living Committee appointed some years ago. It is a matter for great regret that postponed for the time being, but the Wanchai market has had to be
dollar remain at a figure not less should the sterling value of
our
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.