CO129-561-10 Estimates 1938 2-9-1937 - 23-9-1938 — Page 174

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

In fairness to the Medical authorities, I cannot say off-hand how much of the untoward result is due to the lack of modern methods and how much is due to the virulence of the germs of the present epidemic, although the death-rate, which works out to be 63.3% appears to me unduly high.

In urging the necessity of a modern hospital for infectious diseases, I wish to remind Government firstly of our responsibilities to the public in all matters pertaining to health, and secondly of our international obligation as a signatory to the Sanitary Convention of Paris 1926, which requires among other things, every signatory to provide for the establishment of proper hospitals for quarantinable diseases, (i.e. plague, cholera, yellow-fever, small-pox, typhus, etc.).

Under Public Works Extraordinary, Heading 34, I note that provision is made for the development and extension of the cemetery at Chai Wan. Frankly, I cannot view this project with equanimity, because, situated as it is, Chai Wan is a conspicuous landmark, adjoin- ing the gateway of the harbour. This being the case, I fear visitors to this Colony would be given, before they see Hongkong, a very unpleasant, if not grave, first impression of our fair island.

I believe it is the consensus of opinion that the natural beauty of this Colony is one of our most valuable assets, and it should be our duty to preserve it at all costs. In this connection, I trust no public works will be done in the future which may have the effect of nullifying the splendid efforts made by the Hong Kong Travel Association in putting Hong Kong on the map as an attractive tourist resort.

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Chairman of the Travel Association for its successful undertaking despite the fact that much has been pioneering work. I trust the public will continue to give the Association the support it deserves.

I understand there is a proposal to establish a leper settlement on Lamma Island. If so, I trust Government will carefully weigh the situation before embarking on the project, because of the comparative proximity of Lamma Island to the Southern beaches of Hong Kong and the fact that Picnic Bay, one of our most beautiful bathing beaches, accessible by launch, is situated therein. Admittedly, the objections are on aesthetic grounds.

With reference to the Agricultural Development of the New Territories, which apparently have been relegated to the background during recent years, I desire to know whether Government is aware of the views expressed on the subject by an agricultural specialist visiting Hong Kong, which were published in the South China Morning Post en the 1st September, 1937.

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