CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 75

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Secretariat Head. During the year, it is proposed to arrange for the inoculation of all stock in the New Territories against rinderpest, and to carry out experimental work in fertilisers, and in rice and vegetable production. The importance of establishing close contact with the farmers in the New Territories is fully realised and special attention is being paid to this. Naturally these increased activities are reflected in a fairly heavy increase in departmental expenditure, but as a result of a certain degree of reorganisation, with resultant economies, the increase in expenditure has been kept to a minimum.

25.

The title of the former Imports and Exports Department has been changed to 'Department of Commerce and Industry'. This change of name is a first step towards the expansion of the activities of the department. It is proposed that it should take over from the Department of Supplies, Trade and Industry - now re-named the 'Department of Supplies and Distribution' the functions of the latter department relating to industrial development. In this connection, it is proposed to create a new post of Assistant Director (Industry) Thus the re-organised department will have on its staff an officer who can devote his full time to the encouragement of new industries and the expansion of existing ones. He will also be able to advise potential industrialists on factory sites and allied questions.

26.

Considerable increases in staff are provided for under the Education head involving an increase in personal emoluments of $500,000. These are related to the building programme for schools, and next year when it will be necessary to pay this increased staff for a full twelve months a further increase in personal emoluments will be inevitable. Under sub-head 4 of the Public Works Extraordinary Head the sum of $700,000 has been included for the construction of what have loosely come to be known as workers' schools. A number of these schools have been established in various parts of the Colony in buildings which are far from suitable. Recently there have been indications that they have come under communistic influences, and it is felt that the time has come for Government to take them over if they are to develop along acceptable lines. One large industrial concern in the Colony is interested in the scheme, and it is hoped that it will be prepared to make some contribution towards the cost. The two schools will be operated on the two sessional system, which means that one set of pupils will receive about five hours' instruction in the morning and another set a similar period of instruction in the afternoon. A double staff totalling 64 will thus be required. It is also hoped that the reconstruction of Kings College, the Kowloon Junior School and the Vernacular Primary School will soon be ut in hand. Funds for this work have been provided under Loan.

27.

The apparent reduction in expenditure under the Education Head from $12,000,000 to $5,000,000 merits a word of explanation: In effect there has been no reduction, as all expenditure connected with Grant-aided and Vernacular schools has been transferred to the Subventions Head, under which provision for the further education of former members of the local forces and for the grant to the Hong Kong Teachers' Association has also been made. The total education expenditure provided for under this head amounts to $7,979,765

Thus so far from bringing the total cost to $13,065,100.

there being any reduction in Education expenditure there is an increase of $940,962.