C. S. 0. M.F. 237.
)
90
rather than a postponement of Public Works Extraordinary which, when completed, will shew a capital involved.
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on
Sir William Shenton has made re- ference to the dredging of the har- bour and has stated that I would
with again deal
this matter. As foreshadowed in my speech last year the Government has taken up this question very energetically and the work is now progressing most satis- factorily. At the present time dredg-|| ing is principally confined to the Admiralty area but as this forms part of the general scheme other work is not being unnecessarily delayed. I learn from my Honourable friend the Director of Public Works that the entire work should be finished about this time next year, so that I trust if reference has again to be made to the subject in Council it will only be to congratulate the Government the successful completion of the scheme.
Dredging Costs.
on
on
pathetically considered by Govern-
ment.
Tariff Barriers.
The Honourable Colonial Secretary referred to the difficulties that our manufacturers experience in their efforts to secure outlets for their products owing to the high protective tariffs which are being introduced by most countries in the world. Provided we get the co-operation and support of our Home Government and the British Empire as a whole, those markets alone should afford local industries enough work to enable them to carry on until world trade again revives, when I hope we shall be able to secure a share of other business in competition with manu- facturers elsewhere. Unfortunately with continued rumours of the possi- bility of the imposition of quotas by the United Kingdom against Hong- kong manufactured goods, a feeling of uncertainty has been introduced which is seriously hampering the trade of the port and strangling certain industries.
preferential treatment for our local industries in the Empire markets.
I would like to express on behalf There is just one more point in of the Chamber of Commerce, our Connection with the dredging of the thanks for the support of the local harbour and the carrying out of har-Government in our effort to obtain bour improvements generally, which I feel I must touch, that is re- garding the cost of any such work. It may be said that any increased harbour facilities primarily benefit shipping (which already contributes largely to the revenue of the Colony) and the carriage of goods, but they ultimately benefit the whole munity and it is only reasonable that the cost should be spread over the community rather than charged to a section thereof. I consider there- fore that any new works of this na- ture should be carried out entirely at the expense of Government, with which view, Sir, I hope you concur.
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If this principle is recognised and adopted you may perhaps care to re- consider the Government's decision to charge the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Ltd., with half the cost of dredging the fairway to the new No. 5 Wharf. It is admit- ted that the Wharf Co. built the wharf with the knowledge that the Government would give no guarantee that the approaches thereto would be dredged to a depth of 34 feet, but at the same time they acted on the ad- vice of their technical advisers, in order to develop their property to the best advantage and to best meet the requirements of the port. Under the circumstances they feel that as public utility Company they have a definite grievance in being called upon to meet what they consider a public charge.
a
As shipping still continues to suffer from the effects of bad trade the Chamber of Commerce has petitioned the Government for a measure of relief in the matter of Sunday Permit fees. It is difficult to understand why shipping should be penalised for working on Sunday whilst any other business or trade can be carried on without restriction. I trust the i Chamber's request will be sym-
The natural market for the pro- ducts of our local factories is un- doubtedly Southern China and if the Canton Government could be per- suaded to come to a neighbourly arrangement with the Colony whereby local products could be introduced, on mutually satisfactory terms, into South China, benefits to both parties would unquestionably result. This is a matter however which will be fully considered by the Economic Com- mission and I trust that as the result of their deliberations closer co-opera- tion will be established between Hong- kong and Canton.
Air Services.
decision of the Government to dis- I am quite in agreement with the continue the subsidy to the Flying Club and to devote the whole of the annual subsidy of $30,000 to the training of Volunteers in flying and the maintenance of the flying effici- ency of Volunteers already trained. The Flying Club as at present con- stituted is of little or no practical value to the Colony.
Whilst on the subject of aviation perhaps some reference might with advantage be made to the poor facili- ties offering to the youth of Hong- kong and South China for instruction in flying. The training school has, I understand, three up-to-date planes for instructional purposes, but from what I hear and from personal ob- servation there is very seldom more than one machine in commission at a time. On occasion I am told no machine has been available, but I speak subject to correction. It appears to me such a service is quite inadequate and a very poor advertise-
If Great Britain is to participate. and take fair share in the develop- ment of commercial aviation in the Far East it is essential that Hong- kong be linked up with the great air routes of the world at the earliest, possible moment. For this reason am sorry to note that the Government' has not considered it necessary to make ahy provision in this year's estimates in respect of the subsidy to commercial aviation. With Hong- kong established as a great mercial air base the prosperity of the port would be greatly enhanced and I hope that no effort will be spared to bring this about.
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“Grandmotherly Regulations.” Another very important matter
to
which I have in mind is the tourist trade of Hongkong and I would in- vite the earnest attention of the Government this. Nearly every country in the world with any attrac- tions at all is actively engaged in drawing the attention of the holiday- makers and others to its excellence as a pleasure resort.
Now, there is no better natural winter resort than Hongkong. From November to February it is an extremely pleasant place, and we might almost extend that season and make it October to March. Hong- kong's natural attractions are con- siderable and could well afford to be advertised, but beyond a few scanty pamphlets of very ordinary interest, I have seen nothing really displaying the attractions of Hongkong in arresting terms. This alone might be considered and a greater tourist or holiday activity would call for the creation of greater artificial amuse- ments.
In this respect I have heard the accusation that Hongkong has "grand- motherly regulations" which damp the exuberance of spirit concomitant with holiday-making. Unless a rather heavy fee is paid, no ordinary and in- nocuous place of amusement can keep open its doors after midnight, and this alone may be held to cramp private enterprise in providing additional innocuous amusements for the delectation of visitors.
"A Good Time.”
With a campaign of literature describing the attractions of Hong- kong and an abolition of irksome re- strictions on any outlet for popular but innocent amusement I feel that private enterprise would be quite ready to do its bit in increasing the popularity of Hongkong as a winter resort. There are many people who could well afford to pay a visit to Hongkong if only they realised that it was a thing to do, and that they would have, what is commonly called by holiday makers, "a good time.": The expansion of aviation which greatly lessens distance in terms of
time must be borne in mind.
It has been said that any relaxa- tion of our present regulations would be a moral disadvantage, but this seems doubtful when one examines point of view. I know that many ment from the British manufacturers' conditions in other resorts. For a small Colony we seem to have a fair- difficulties are involved in keepingly large police force, but I see no machines in the air but here is a ship of vast potential value being spoiled for the want of a ha'porth of
tar.
reason to anticipate that its activities would be greatly increased, certainly not commensurate with the benefits which the Colony might well obtain
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