C. S. 0. M.F. 237.
COSTLY GOVERNMENT.
Hon. Mr. Kotewall Demands Reduction in Taxes.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT.
The Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall said:- Sir,-- purpose this year, in view of these abnormal times, to abstain
from comments on individual items in the draft Estimates, so as to concen- trate on broad principles of Budget- ing and general policy of administra- tion with due consideration of exist- ing circumstances. In all I am going to say I have the concurrence of my Chinese colleagues.
concern
stock- of
kind
be given are, first, that experts should Point. I put forward, a strong plea be appointed to advise the Govern- for their retention as long as possible. ment and agriculturists on disease; secondly, that encouragement sands every day in summer. breeding
and the prevention
These pavilions are a great boon to the public which uses them by the thou- of a more directly financial should be offered by the provision of development will spread immediately It is not likely at land at favourable term for agricul- in that direction, and the retention of present that industrial ture and stockrearing; and, thirdly, the pavilions should therefore present that every facility should be given for marketing the agricultural products. Canton's Tariffs.
and no disadvantage to the Colony, no great difficulty to the Government for the time being. In the meantime rew sites should be sought, with ease of transport
While on the subject of industries. I desire to endorse the view expressed accessibility and by the Hon. Mr. Gordon Mackie in kept in mind. dustries of the Colony, which are of regard to the manufacturing in-
the
come
Government Caution.
future. The Government has already Government in regard to the present
greatest importance for done much to support the efforts of economic situation, as I have deduced its Now, I come to the policy of the our manufacturers to establish them it from the Budget. There is no doubt It is a matter for grave
selves in Empire markets, and will no that the Budget is a sincere and that, when the Colony is passing then in maintaining and extending needs of administration to prevailing doubt do all in its power to assist praiseworthy endeavour to adjust the through an economic depression these outlets for their products. severest in its history, when no signs of an improvement are visible, the the hope that the Canton Government even opposing standpoints. One such The Hon. Mr. Mackie has expressed criticised from various, and sometimes conditions. The Government has been cost of administration should actually 'might be persuaded to be on the increase. It is true that the friendly arrangement with us where-shown over-caution in not embarking total draft Estimate, of Expenditure by local products could be introduced upon
to acriticism is that the Government has for 1935, as compared with that for 1934, shows a decrease of $1,366,593; the Kwangtung Province, for the on the side of caution-though for on mutually satisfactory terms into think that the Government has erred new public works. I, too, but when we analyse the figures, and benefit of both places. I echo this another reason. deduct from this sum the anticipated hope. The interests of Kwangtung savings from Special Expenditure and Hongkong are the ($276,495), Military ($232,700) and Public Works Extra- the other, so also is the advantage of Contribution neither can prosper at the expense of As ordinary ($592,500), the net decrease comes to only $264,898. If, however, present tariff position as
one the advantage of the other. The a comparison is made with the revised Hongkong and China is one which Estimate for 1934-a truer criterion clearly injures both parties; and it is between -then the Budget provides for an in- bound, sconer or later, to be realised crease of $1,083,102, in spite of reduc- that South China stands to gain, not tions in Public Works Extraordinary by a contraction but by an expansion amounting to $800,550.
of trade. I am confident that Your to bring about an arrangement bene- Excellency will neglect no opportunity ficial to both parties.
Civil Servants.
In other words, the Government proposes to spend $1,083,102 more next year than it expects to have spent by the end of the current year. According to the Abstract of Differ- ences under "Recapitulation", new posts alone will entail an increase of $204,038.
sums on
same.
The Tourist Trade.
benefit
Your Excellency's decision not to
surplus balances is indicative of your rather considerable deficit out of the impose fresh taxation but to meet a
solicitude not to take any action which ties. But I trust I may be pardoned for expressing the doubt whether the might aggravate our present difficul-
mere avoidance of new taxation gces far enough in these admittedly bad tintes. My humble view is that what is required is some constructive and confidence and, with it, at least some courageous action designed to restore of our former prosperity.
Excessive Taxation.
It seems to me that this is not a time for excessive adherence to
extreme financial orthodoxy, and that
the Government should hold out to the
our
With another view of Mr. Mackie's, I again find myself in agreement. In fact, we both decided to speak on the subject-though from slightly differ- ent standpoints-without each other's intention. I refer to the people a new hope by making possible
knowing siderable "tourist trade" of Hongkong. Con-a more confident atmosphere in trade
to the Colony's
in industry and in commercial enter- economic prospects would, I feel sure, Merely to refrain from increasing prise, hv boldly reducing taxation. accrue were its attractions as a win-taxation is uninspiring and, in effect, ter resort better known and better negative. It is like revealing to the advertised. It is not personal pre-patient the seriousness of his disorder, dilection and prejudice which make me but holding out to him natural beauty with an excellent win- see Hongkong as a place of great positive aid in his recovery.
no hope of ter climate. How often have visitors Colony's trade and industry is
The depressed condition of the expressed surprise and delight when chief and urgent concern. they discovered a new and, to them, Commission is engaged in what we The trade officer of His Majesty's Navy, who causes and remedies. Its existence, unexpected winter paradise? An hope will be a fruitful inquiry into has recently arrived in Hongkong, however, does not absolve us from the tells me that in his opinion the beauty duty of taking some immediate action, Hongkong's natural sceneries is where such action can be shown to be unsurpassed anywhere, and that it is helpful or palliative. When pallia- Any measures calculated to add to the suggest themselves which, though they a pity that this is so little known. tives seem possible, when Col attractiveness as a place of may not constitute a permanent cure, $pathetic ear of the Government.
hould, therefore, have the would allay the violence of the available to the people of Hongkong, tie consideration of the Government. Meantime, the amenities already deserve the immediate and sympathe- malady, then, I say, these measures
not be diminished. I refer particular for the consideration of the Govern- especially in summer, will, I trust, During the year I have submitted ly to the bathing pavilions at Northment several suggestions designed to
Even after the $78,327, expected to be saved by the abolition of existing posts, is deducted from it. there is still the considerable increase of $125,711. The position would have been much worse were it not for the fact that the Budget is based on a more favourable rate of exchange.
In times like these, one naturally expects to see the cost of administra- tion kept down, if not cut down, Here, it is actually increased. Instead of continuing to spend large and in- creasing Government should, I respectfully personnel, the submit,
some reduction taxation to lessen the weight of de- pression that presses Colony. New
the expenditure justified only when it can be shown to of
can be be a positive contribution towards re- covery, or to be a positive check on the factors making for depression. In such a case one may at least hope that it will finally more than pay for itself. Of this nature would, for example, be money spent for the purpose of aiding agricultural industries in the New Territories. In my lines along which such aid could best view, the
make
on
in
re
measures
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