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directly or indirectly, of value everyone, whether he be the head of or even a large firm, or as small tradesman, a ricksha-puller. It is to the great potentialities of this or- be hoped that everyone, will realise ganisation, and support it to the best of his ability.
gi, pairs.u
Batas avilions
MIG
importunate, I sure the Guvern-
2904
10
which is eternally inviolate is a use- myself to broad principles of budget- less excrescence. ing and general policy of administra- cumstances
By using it, in cir- like the tion. In my observations
present, on these lighten the burden of trade and in- points my Chinese colleagues have dustry, and, what is more important, expressed concurrence.
The Honourable Senior Unofficial revival, which would, in turn, benefit give positive aid and stimulus to their Member has voiced the united and our revenue. strong views of the unofficial body on length of saying that if we try to I would even go to the the subject of possible new taxation. conserve the surplus without taking As the Chinese community pays over any constructive action, we may, as 90 per cent. of the Colony's taxes, things go, lose it; but if we use it I make no apology for offering a few wisely, we may still have it. additional remarks on this important
Local Appointments
In some ways connected with this subject. The statement in this re-
project are the bathing pavilions at There is one form of gard, which Your Excellency consider- which, in my view,
economy North Point, which are a distinct at- ed it necessary to make at the last exercised to the extent it should be. other neighbouring
has not been traction to visitors from Cat
Canton and meeting of this Council, has caused I refer to the employment of "local risk of appearing. egions. At the the community grave concern; for it men" in the Government Service. By would once more" is already taxed to capacity, if not throwing open to them many of the ment to conserver as long as possible, beyond it, and any new tax-burdens posts now held by Europeans, a con- these pavilions which are also a very may be the last straw.
siderable saving in the cost of ad-necessary means of recreation and I am aware that there are not want- ministration would be effected without health to Targumbers of dir in- ing people who believe that Hongkong loss of efficiency. In times past the habitants. is lightly taxed, compared with other lack of suitable recruiting material parts of the Empire. This belief is, might have been pleaded against this taining and entfeing the amenities Meanwhile, with! view to main- as I have more than once pointed out, proposition, but that plea can based on faulty premises. So much longer stand.
no of the Colony world be wise for of our population is of a migratory from the high schools, there is a other sites well would serve the From the University, Government took forand Yeserve character that to compare our tax- steady flow burdens per head with those of other steady young men, many of whom, in to people of the middle and lower
of well-educated and same purpose, and be easy of access! places is fallacious and futile. It is these hard times, can find no employ- classes. on the settled portion of the popula- ment, and thus are unable to make,
900 H tion that the preponderating part of use of the knowledge they have ac-
Municipal Recreation Ground the burden falls, as it is with them quired. The Government may
The amenitiracial the Colony can that the mainsprings of our economic utilise this splendid material for the of a public retreation ground open to well further be ented by the provision activity are to be found.
more responsible offices as far Reduced Taxation
as all sections of the community, where possible. In my opinion, formed after care-
golf, football, tennis and other forms ful study of the prevailing conditions, have in recent years adopted a more small fees to these for whom private I am aware that the Government of recreation would be available at the Government, instead of contem-liberal policy in this matter; but it sports clubs are too expensive. There plating new taxation, should devise does not go far enough; nor are its is no need to point out how such means of positive amelioration. trade is more than ever depressed, gible in comparison with the actual ness
Our results likely to be other than negli- facilities would add to the attractive- but so far only negative fiscal mea- needs. In other parts of the Empire resorts of England and other countries of Hongkong The municipal sures have been taken; and now even need only the policy of avoiding fresh taxes
instance India and depend to a great extent on the pro- may go by the board. Surely
Ceylon-where, as here, the beneficent vision of it
such recreation, grounds. would be wise statesmanship to ven-
rule of Great Britain is grounded From time to time during the last ture upon a positive fiscal policy, not upon co-operative endeavour, employ- fifteen years, there have been spas- of new taxation, but of lightening the ment of the natives of the land in modic attempts here to initiate such burden of the people.
administrative posts of all grades, a scheme by private enterprise, but has proceeded far. Here in Hongkong for one reason or another, they fell Speaking in the Budget debate last we lag behind. The present policy through. year. I strongly urged a reduction of
does not conduce to the best interests I am informed that Government are the Assessed Tax by 4 per cent. cial reasons, good men will not com- this purpose with regard to an avail- of the Colony, for, apart from finan- prepared to consider applications for as a temporary expedient. I need mit their life-career to a service in able site at Aberdeen, but it is dif- not repeat at length the arguments which there is for them very little ficult in these times for private enter- which then adduced, and which, I have reason to believe, had and have scope for betterment in spite of the prise to undertake a project of this the support of a large proportion of highest qualities and qualifications.
magnitude. Yet the scheme is one the community.
Tourist Trade
which may well be véonsidered as a public necessity from the point of community, as well as of the material view of the health and fitness of the
profits to the Colony which I have mentioned. It would, therefore good policy for the Government quired, much of which might be ex- undertake the financial outlay pected to be reimbursed in course of time through fees.
The Assessed Tax
I am more than ever convinced The Government are to be con- that, as a means of restoring prosencouragement they have given to the gratulated upon the official aid and perity, a reduction in the tax is es- sential. Not for a moment do I project for promoting our "tourist delude myself with the belief that trade", a project which holds out the there would then be no further obstacles in the way of recovery, but I do say that there is imperative need for a stimulus of this nature to induce a favourable turn of trade.
Surplus Balances
hope of better things to come. scheme is the outcome of suggestions This made by the Hon. Mr. Mackie and myself in the Budget debate last year, and it is gratifying to see the promptness with which those sugges- Government. tions have been taken up by the
In order to meet the loss of revenue, which I believe would be only temporary, I advocated last year that we should draw upon the Colony's Government have been more apprecia- In this matter, it seems that the surplus balances. Even more strong- tive of the public's needs and interests ly do I now believe that such a re-than the public itself. course to our balances would be not cause I am informed that the response I say this be- only justified, but a wise and con- of the community to the appeal made structive policy. If the pressure of by the Travel Association for funds costs upon our trade is alleviated in, has this way, can anyone say that no amount that has been subscribed, the been disappointing. Of the impetus would thereby be given to bulk comes that trade? The impetus would, I and European firms.
from public companies believe, be emphatic; profits would companies represent Chinese capital Although these become possible; and trade would in- to no small extent, it is a pity that crease. As trade increased, public the direct response from the Chinese revenues would expand, and the community has been so meagre. I Colony's surplus, if not left intact, should like to see a much more in- would at all events, not suffer the dividual attenuation that some fear.
and direct encouragement from that quarter.
which this meeting affords, to impress I avail myself of the opportunity upon all that this project is one which will undoubtedly bring valuable results.
very
Some may think
I have already expressed the view that to keep a reserve with the avowed object of enabling the Colony to meet emergencies, and then so to define emergencies as to exclude all con- ceivable conjunctures, is illogical.. that the benefits will accrue only to Are not the times through which we certain classes of the community; but are passing times of emergency? I assure them that a large influx of Are we not suffering from the great-visitors and the development of the est economic depression the Colony Colony as a resort cannot
but be, ever experienced? A reserve
has
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Relations With Canton
be to
re-
I should like, if I may, to dwell for a moment on the relationship between
with our essential to maintain good relations Hongkong and Canton. That it is
That the relations now subsisting are neighbour all recognise.
also admit. But the exchange of cordial and sympathetic, everyone will friendly visits necessary and gratifying as it is, is from time to time,
assist and to co-operate with each not enough. We should endeavour to other in the active promotion of inter- two places are inter-dependent, and port trade, for the interests of the the fortunes of the one are bound up with those of the other.
achieved in this direction, were serious I am convinced that much could be
steps taken towards formulating a
matter the hope that Government will give this common policy, and it is my earnest
importance deserves.
consideration which
its
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