HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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Fund by $30,000 a year. The Tung Wah Hospital and its associate hospitals are the institutions that would most benefit by this augmented subsidy. These hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to make both ends meet, for not only have their main sources of income, which is derived from property and mortgage interest, shown enormous decreases during the past few years owing to the depressed condition of the property market, but greater expenditure has had to be incurred on account of the large increase in the number of patients treated in these hospitals. It is no exaggeration to say that if the Government were to take over the management of these institutions, the cost to the community would be increased at least threefold. We therefore venture to express the hope that should the Directors of these hospitals find it necessary to make an appeal to the Government for a special grant to enable them to balance their budget for the current year, their request will receive sympathetic and favourable consideration.
Another decision of the Government which has given much gratification to the Chinese community is the appointment of 10 additional Cantonese Sub-Inspectors to replace an equal number of European Lance Sergeants. Although the scheme is, as stated by the Hon. Colonial Secretary, in the nature of an experiment, there is no doubt in my mind that it will prove to be a success. It should, however, be remembered that right selections are of the utmost importance, and in this direction my Chinese colleagues and I would be pleased to assist the Hon. Inspector General of Police.
The policy of gradually opening to local men some of the posts hitherto held by Europeans is one that should commend itself to all sections of the community. Not only can substantial savings be thus effected in salaries, pensions and passage money, but the policy may be considered to be a just recognition of the loyalty and co-operation which have always been shown by the Chinese community who are, incidentally, the largest taxpayers.
The typhoon of the 2nd September took a heavy toll of life and property. While the extent of the damage can never be fully known, it has been reported that about 1,200 junks and sampans were totally lost, and thousands of poor people have been rendered homeless. Though subscriptions amounting to a little over $4,000 have been received, the sum is hopelessly insufficient for the twofold purpose of giving immediate aid to the sufferers, and of assisting a large number of them in the re-erection of their demolished houses, or the replacement of their lost junks and sampans. Unfortunately the resources of the existing charitable institutions and of the community are already severely strained, and so my Chinese colleagues and I are constrained to turn to the Government for help in the name of these unfortunate people. We ask that a sum of money adequate for the purpose may be specially voted, as was, I understand, done in 1906 when a similar catastrophe befell this Colony.
In conclusion, may I be permitted to say how fortunate the Colony is in having at the head of its affairs during the last six months a
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