tition of the reserves in Re- pulse Bay and Sheko must avoided at all cost.
be
Speaking as a member of the Broadcasting Committee, I am aware of the big improvement that is about to take place when the new short-wave transmitter is in- stalled,
to and the great benefit shipping on the high seas and its publicity value to Hongkong. It has long been felt that the Chinese licencees do not receive the maxi- mum service from the Broadcasting Studio, through no fault of the lat- ter.
There is this to be said both for the Committee of the Studio and for the Government, that the apparent neglect of the Chinese may not be put down to discrimina- tory influences. In reality it is the mechanical deficiency that has to be made good. This deficiency, again, cannot be justly attributed to the technical staff. Physical needs have to be provided. In the first place by enlarging the accommoda- tion, which is far too limited for the increasing demands on the tech- nical side on the Studio equipment; and, in the second place, by a more powerful transmitter than Z.E.K.. which is admittedly weak, provides at the moment.
I believe very strong arguments can be advanced for equipping the Studio with both increased accom- modation and a more powerful ap- paratus. Figures have, I under- stand, been prepared that justify the expense
that will have to be incurred in order to make better provision to cater for Chinese licence holders, who can easily be increased, so it is estimated, by more than double the present num- ber. If this estimate, which is cal- culated to be rather on the con- servative than on the liberal side, is realised, the extra cost for the provision of the necessary equip- ment and its fitting up would be reimbursed in a few years' time, and the running expenses would easily be met out of the larger re- venue derived from an increased number of licencees. The capital expenditure may, in the end, prove to be quite a remunerative invest- ment.
N. T. Agriculture
Agriculture and the farming in- terests in the New Territories have not merited SO much as passing notice from the Government spokes- man. I had wished that a small ray of hope might have been shed to the possibilities of the co- operative scheme on which the Government obtained the expert report from Mr. A. Strickland.
as
As in the past, small Chinese pri- vate enterprise has been left un- aided. To mention the difficulties Chinese of small means have to en- counter, I wish to relate the experi- ences of two Chinese poultry farm- ers in Kowloon City. Both started their businesses in a very humble way as permitees of small areas of Crown land. These men commenc- ed business with a few chickens, and the flock of white leghorns increased until one of them could boast of over 800 birds. The ty- phoon of August 17 practically wiped out the stock in the case of the smaller of the two farms, and did considerable damage to the other. These are, I submit, typical instances where the co-operative scheme like that designed by Mr. Strickland could be made to bene- fit the farmers in Kowloon and the New Territories.
I take this opportunity of reiter- ating that, to my mind, the indus- trial and agricultural value of the New Territories to the Colony can- not be over-estimated. This, I fear, has been too long overlooked. The time has come when every means should be devised to make the Colony as self-sufficient as possible
4
in the matter of its own food sup- plies. I believe it cannot be too strongly urged that Mr. Strickland's report be carefully examined and that definite steps be taken to ex- ploit the agricultural resources of the New Territories.
During the past year the market villages of Tai Po and Yuen Long in the New Territories were de- limited as urban areas. Residents of these districts are called upon to pay increased taxes accordingly. I know it for a fact that a sporting
institution in one of these urban districts, whose membership is com- osed entirely of Chinese, has ap- plied to a private firm for the use of their level open ground for the purposes of recreation and sport. The firm in question has generous- ly allowed the use of the ground to the club members without pay- ment of any rent. I submit that the higher rate of tax in urban areas should
carry with it city amenities that the residents of those districts are entitled to expect, and the provision of recreation grounds within these areas in the New Ter- ritories is, therefore, a matter which should be cared for by the Government.
In conclusion, I commend_these humble suggestions to your Excel- lency's sympathetic consideration. Although with the stress of finan- cial
problems weighing heavily upon the Government my requests on behalf of those for whom have spoken may at first sight appear to be somewhat exacting, I feel con- fident that I shall not be asking in vain.
EXCESS WATER RATES
Mr. Tso Mentions Complaint By Chinese
SCHOOL GRANT REDUCED
on
The Hon. Mr. S. W. Tso said:- Your Excellency,-As Senior Chinese Member of Council, I desire behalf of myself and my Chinese colleagues to voice our general agreement with the views expressed by the Honourable the Senior Un- official Member of Council in his speech on the Budget. I wish also to congratulate the Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary for the lucid manner in which he presented his first Budget. His memorandum on the estimates for 1937 and the memoranda prepared by the Colonial and the Director of Treasurer Public Works giving references to the increases and reductions in the estimates for 1937 are much appre- ciated. That the Budget for 1937 would show a large deficit was anti- cipated in view of the trade de- pression and the low value of the local dollar; and the policy of the Government to draw on the surplus balance to meet such deficits instead of imposing new taxes is economical- ly sound.
The estimated deficit for the year 1936 of $5,000,000 has by stricter economic measures been reduced to a little over $1,000,000, and I hope that at the end of 1936 the posi- tion of the revenue in the Colony will be so improved that the anti- cipated Budget deficit of 31⁄2 million dollars for the year 1937 will not be so large.
In view of the trade depression and the shrinkage in revenue, I hope that the Government will see their way to finance all constructional work of a large or permanent nature such as markets, roads, bridges, etc., which benefit the future generations as well as, if not more than the present, by loans instead of from revenue.
excess
Excess Water Rates
71
I find that the Government are getting very good revenue from the consumption of water and from meter rents. The system under which this charge is made causes a good deal of complaint from the Chinese community, particularly from the owners of tenement houses who allege that the amount charged for excess consumption is sometimes even more than the actual amount of rent received. I
the hope Government will go thoroughly into the question and find means of settling the matter. However. my Chinese colleague the Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo will speak more fully on the subject.
I
I think it a pity that the Govern- ment have seen fit to reduce the capitation grant to Grant-in-aid schools. These schools are a great help to the Government in the cause of education in the Colony; but the proposed cut of 10% will be a real discouragement to them. Ac- cordingly, I am sure it would give great satisfaction if, in the event of an improvement in the financial position of the Colony towards the end of the year, the Government would bear this point in mind and restore the cut.
Motor Car Tax
I regret to see that the Govern- ment are going to impose increased taxes on motor cars next year. The public would like to know whether extra taxation will be imposed on buses, public vehicles in general and transport vehicles as well as on pri- vate motor cars.
I am glad to hear that the export trade in Hongkong is increasing, which is no doubt due, to a certain extent, to our industrial concerns. Agricultural products can scarcely be produced in sufficient quantities to cover our own consumption, much less export. But there is a splendid opportunity for establishing manu- facturing and industrial concerns and I hope the Government will do their best to give encouragement wherever possible to such enterprises.
The trade of Hongkong is essen- tially connected with China and particularly with Canton. A cordial relationship and co-operation are most essential and beneficial to the people of both places. Perhaps to some minds the point is hackneyed, but, for my part, I do not think it! can be stressed too much or too! often. Accordingly it was with great pleasure that I heard of Your Excellency's friendly visit to Canton. I am sure that it helped greatly in cementing the cordial relationship between our cities, and on behalf of the Chinese community in this Colony, I wish to express our deep appreciation and gratification.
Sterling Commitments
May I in conclusion mention that am of the opinion that so long as we have large sterling commitments, it will be most difficult to balance our Budget on account of the low rate of our local dollar. Until we shall attain the stabilisation of international currencies, Hong- kong will always be faced with this problem, but with Your Excellency at the helm, I feel sure that our ship of state will be steered through this troublous sea of finance to a harbour of safety.
Finally I wish to say that the ap- pointment of Mr. N. L. Smith to the Colonial Secretaryship has given great satisfaction to the Chinese Community. On their behalf and on behalf of my Chinese colleagues in Council, I offer him our heartiest congratulations.
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