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96
Budget Debates
Now, reverting to the direct subject of the Budget, I put forward for Your Excellency's consideration a sugges- tion relating to the discussion of the annual Estimates in Council. Hither- to, with one or two exceptions, the practice has been to pass the second and third readings of the Appropria- tion Bill at one sitting. The debate on the Budget is an occasion of great importance to the community. Speeches are made by almost every individual member, and the points raised by them are numerous and
even though advance-copies of the unofficial members' speeches are furnished to the Government a day or two before-hand, for all the criticisms and suggestions to be given adequate consideration.
Furthermore, no opportunity what- soever is afforded the public to formulate and express their views on the points raised before they are dis- posed of for good or ill. It is a recognised rule of good administration everywhere to ascertain the trend of public opinion upon debatable issues before proceeding to action. I would therefore make the suggestion that in future a separate date, say a week later, may be set aside for the third reading.
KOWLOON'S NEEDS
Opium Mr. Braga and
Control in the Colony
SOCIAL SERVICES
The Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga spoke as follows:-Your Excellency,-Two statements in the Colonial Secretary's
the
It is with regret I note a proposal to effect a reduction in the Medical Department of the salary of one Nursing Sister. I have had the bene- fit for some time of personal acquaintance with the duties de- manded and cheerfully rendered in this important Government depart- ment. Personally, I would recom- mend that Government retain the Nursing Sister, in addition to the departmental requirement of another assistant Matron, on the staff of the Medical
Department, instead of
dispensing with her next year, al- though I am not unmindful that the Sister will be replaced by two mid- wives on a dollar salary. It is not the
the
of
varied. It is well-nigh impossible, Budget Speech appear to me to con- flict; they call for some explanation. The first is that "on the instructions of the Secretary of State_six_more
wisest step to pursue on the opium shops would be opened." There are at present seven such shops. The ground of economy, consonant with Colonial Treasurer disputes the fore the efficiency of the hospitals.
Unfeigned cast of the revenue derivable from
appreciation must be the sale of opium. He asserts that expressed of the Government's ex- the opium monopoly still declines and periment in
substitution estimate for 1936 is perhaps sterling-paid men whose duties can "rather optimistically placed at be efficiently performed by Asiatic
the $300,000." It is regrettable that the members of
staff. I have the Colony is going to increase the num- repeatedly urged
scheme to It is a ber of its opium shops.
Government in the past; it can be; decision that, in the opinion of many, profitably repeated to-day. The is indefensible on any grounds what- proposal to broaden this successful
The increase might
be trial, which has passed its ex- accompanied by some satisfactory perimental stage, is one that is explanation of the attitude adopted commendable both from the point of by the Secretary of State since there view of economy and the absorption of local men for employment. To my sorrow I can observe the growing; tendency of the local unemployment problem and it behoves those in authority, whose duty it is effective- ly to check this undesirable growth to for its adopt remedial measures prevention.
A Personal Note
I apologise for having spoken so long; but as this is my last appear- ance in this Honourable Council, trust that you, Sir, and my honourable
colleagues will be indulgent. It is to me a striking co-incidence that my last utterance in this assembly should be on the Budget, an instrument which has been almost my constant concern since 1903.
For thirteen years in the Colonial Secretary's Office it was my duty to assist in the preparation of the Estimates; even after my resignation from the Government Service, I still performed this duty for the Govern- ment for a year during the War, in 1916, to be precise; and from 1923 until now the Budget has ever occu- pied my close attention, as a "member in opposition." So, as it is thirty- two years since I first directed my mind to the annual Estimates, it is perhaps fitting that my last word here should be of them.
Congratulations and Thanks
May I, in conclusion, associate my- self with the Honourable Senior Un- official member in his expression of congratulations and thanks to all those responsible for the production of the Budget before us-to Sir Thomas Southorn and Mr. D. W. Tratman, to the Hon. Colonial Trea- surer and the Hon. Director of Public Works, and to Mr. A. W. G. H. Grantham, to whom I also offer sincere felicitations
hris on
well- merited promotion.
It is a matter of great regret to all of us that illness overtook Sir Thomas Southorn and Mr. Tratman just on the completion of their ardu- ous labour on the Estimates. I offer them my deepest sympathy, and wish them a speedy and complete recovery. I desire also to congratulate Your Ex- cellency on your lucid and compre- hensive presentation of the Budget, and on the statesmanlike commentary which accompanied your exposition. The Colony is fortunate that at a time when it is deprived of the able guidance of both the senior officials in the civil administration, the tem- porary control of its affairs should rest in such capable hands. (Ap- plause.)
soever.
exist serious doubts as to the wisdom of the continuance of a contentious
policy.
cil
Shumchun Amusements The Colonial Secretary refers to the Treasurer's lucid memorandum to explain the decrease in railway re ceipts. One of the reasons given for this decrease is a reduction in "the passenger
A telegram from Geneva, dated the 6th September, 1935, informs the Far Eastern world that the League Coun- paid a tribute to the Chinese Government in the matter of opium suppression, and expressed the hope that it would finally rid China of the drug evil. On the ground of expediency alone, the Colony should, to my mind, forego an item of revenue for the great beneficial results which the extinguishment of the opium
traffic to Shumchun." I monopoly would bring about in the Colony. Hongkong has acted in the do not regard the diminution of the past at the behest of the League of Shumchun traffic with any regret or Nations on the question of one of misgiving, Frankly, I would its features of the social evil, and that the stimulation of that traffic is unwise as it is undesirable. I it may well now forestall the in- as
know that I am treading on thin ice dicated "necessity of tightening up when I say that the facilities afforded regulations" with regard to opium. Support is lent to this suggestion by in conspicuous public places for draw- the Colonial Secretary's remark the ing attention to the "amusements" in conflicting statement that "this question such as exist beyond our Colony must carry
out its inter- border are, to put it mildly, in bad form. Is it too much to hope that national obligations as regards
they may be removed? opium."
Social Services
The
citizens.
say
Up to this stage I have dealt with a few of the more salient features, as they appear to me, of the Colonial Secretary's statement that invite com- ments. I now approach more familiar home ground. subjects nearer my They deal with questions affecting
wisdom of refraining from reducing expenditure for social ser- vices will commend itself to most An important aspect of the question of these services has, I am afraid, never been emphasised in the past. Unstinted praise and credit Kowloon.
Kowloon Seafront cannot fairly be withheld from the
The re-laying of the untidy open various religious associations, irres- pective of their denominations, for space by the Railway fence establishing institutions for philan- Chatham Road involves a very slight the improvement thropic work and maintaining large expenditure for
on
staffs for whose services the Colonial which the site will offer to residents contributions represent a very small in the vicinity and to visitors to the part of the capital involved, part of Colony. To take in hand one section is which is from abroad, in the erection praiseworthy in itself. This partial become very of buildings and the upkeep of the improvement has
residents will special personnel who form such an noticeable. Kowloon important item amongst our import-appreciate prosecution of the work to
ant assets.
include the entire strip of land as soon as any savings can be made in the expenditure of the Public Works Department. There is all to commend the beautifying of open spaces on the Peninsula. On aesthetic grounds it is highly desirable, and, added to that recommendation, in the absence of public parks improvements called for in the interests of public convenience and necessity. Let hope that it will not be long before the finances of the Colony will permit of a public band-stand on this magnifi- cent ground by the sea where music can be discoursed of an evening in the warm summer time.
are
us
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