1921-03-04 — Page 3

· HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 4TH, 1981.

public of shipping services, :1 should be happy to agree to their removal. In not absolutely clear as to the meaning of A meeting of "the Legislative Council Mr. Holyoak's remarks about a pledge

COUNCILL

QUESTIONS BY THE HON. MR. HOLYOAK.

ARKET ROAD HOSPITAL "The Hon. Mr. P. H. Hotyoik asked

THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL

was wld yesterday. There were pre that no further burden should be placed Will the Government slate when they not possible at present to give

Ment:--"

B EXCELLENCY

THE GOVERNOR (Sir

REGINALD EDWARD Sress, K.C.M.C.), HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OrricEn COMMANDING THE TROOPS (Majar General Sir GrotGE SACAULAY KIRK

·PATRICK, -K.C.S.I...K.C.B.), Hon, Mr. CLAUD SEVERN, C.M.G. (Colonial

"Vecretary),"

Bun. Mr. d. I. KEMr, K.C. C.B.E.

(Attorney-General),

Hout Mr. Mcl. MESHER, O.B.E.

(Colonial Treasurer).

ilon. Mr. T. L. PERKINS (Director of

Public Works).

Hon. Mr. S. B. C. Boss (Secretary for

Chinese Affairs). Hon. Mr. E. A Levis

Elucation).

(Director of

Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.£. Hon. Mr. Lau CHC PAX.

Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLTOAK.

Hon. Mr. Jous JOHNSTONE.. Hon. Mr. E. V. D. PARR,

MINUTES.

'The minutes at the list-weeting of the Comeil were confirmed and signed by the President.

PAPERS.

4

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by comman

It la

I

on shipping. I think in those wide terms it is quite impossible to give any such pledger. I will now make a further sng- gestion which has occurred to me clear, I think, that the present dues have not been felt as a burden; in fact I think I might go so far as to say that the majority of the members of the Council have forgotten that the measure was only te bis a temporary one and were surprised when the proposal that they should be made permanent was brought forward.

The Hon. Mr. Holyoak: No, no. objcet, sir..

H. E. THE GOVERNOR: The question of what further, burdens, if any, may neces sarily be imposed on shipping depsuds ba various factors in the future. As I indicated before, I imagine that in the future, a very large sum of money will have to be spent in order to keep the harbour up-to-date. The amount which imagine will be spent will in any case he so large that the receipts from the light dues will represent a very trivial amount in comparison with it. If we have to spend large suns on the harbour it is not perhaps entirely unreasonable that shipping should be asked to pay for it. I confess that as far as possible I should desire that no additional burden should

I

of E. the Governor, laid on the table the Jurors List for 1021, and the Quarter ly Return of Excesies on sub-heals, met by savings ander heads of expenditurebe placed on shipping, but we must con for the fourth quarter of 1020.

ceive the possibility of this being done, I am not quite clear at what period of the present year the cost of the typhun refuge will be worked off.

-VINANCE.

The "COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H. the Governor, laid upon the table Finante Minutes Nos. 8 and 9 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Com- mitter.

The COLONIAL TREASURER: October. ILLE. THE GOVERNOR: In that case, it means keeping on this tax practically for The COLONIAL TREASUREE seconded, and the whole year. The suggestion I make the motion was agreed to.

The CULONIAL SECRETARY, by conimand of H.E. the Governor..also laid on the table the Report of the Finance Com mittee No. 1.

THE LIGHT.DUES. QUESTION,

|

hope to open the separate Maternity ward of the Barker Road Hospital? The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied: about fifteen months.

In

The Hon. Mr. HOLYOK: Sir, with your permission, as I have not had an opportunity of discussing the question, I should like to give notice of the following question, arising out of the answer to my previous question: Will the Government state why they anticipate so long a delay na 15 months in su essential a thing as maternity ward for, the Barker Road Hospital, especially in view of the fact that it has been under consideration now. for the best part of two years,

THE POLICE OUT-ATATIONS.

"

The Hon. Mr. P. H. HoLroux asked

the recommendations of the Have Coroner's jury on the "Tai O" tragedy been carried out as regards two European Policemen being stationed at out-sta- tions?

The Hon. Mr." Philocs asked: When-/ will work be commenced on the Kowloon hospital site! What steps are being taken to expedite the building of such bospital? The COLONIAL SAKTARY replied: It is date. Sketch Plans have been prepared and are considered satisfactory. It is possible that work on the site will be commenced within two months, and when the detailed | plans aro ́ánjshed tenders will be invited.: THE PEAK TRAMWAY.

The Hon. Mr. Pollock asked in it the fact that, without alteration to the pussing points, cars can be put on the ench instead of 401 If so, will the Gov Peak Tramway to hold 00 passengers arnment, in view of many people being frequently crowded out of the cars, urga the Peak Tramway Company to put on such larger cars at an early datel

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, replied: The whole question of what, if any, alterations are desirable in the Peak Tramway is under consideration, and the Government is not prepared to make any representa- tion to the Company with regard to the size of the care at the present time.

The Hon. Mr. FOLLOOR: With regard to this answer I should like to ask, for how long the Government has had this question of alterations of the Peak Trum- way under its consideration-me that it must have been a very, consider able time and if so I should like to know when the views of the Cloveraincat are Jikely to be given.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM QUESTION, The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked:"Will the

Government lay upon the table the corres- pondence between:

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: I am afraid £ The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:-Two

notice of that question. European Police Officers have been sta-st ask the honourable member to give tioned at Tai O since the tragedy and also at Lok Ala Chau, an exposed frontier station. Two European Officers have also been stationed from time to timent Cheung Chau. The strength of the European Police Force does not admit of a second Police Officer being sent to other rural stations, hut when the European. Contingent is up to full strength it will be possible to send a second officer to certain other stations.

The Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK: Ir, connection with this answer, will the Government state when they expect the European Police Force to be up to full strength?

L

(His Excellency the Governor; and (i)The Hongkong Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, upon the subject of Con- stitutional Reform, since the Public meeting in January, 1910, at which resolutions were passed in favour of (i)-An unofficial majority on the

Legislative Council; (ft.)-The abolition

of Government

nomination in regard to all the non- Chinese members of that Council; And

The Hoo. Mr. POLLOCK: I would ask,

sir, why any despatches of a confidential nature should have been sent home on a matter of this sort.

H.E. THE GOVERNON: I am afraid that

answered.

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDINANCE, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL hoved the second reading of the Bill inst tule an Ordinance to amend the: Vehicles and Trafie Regulation Ordnance. 19," The COLONIAL SECRETÁRÝ secondled

to consider the Bill clause by clause.

On clause 3. the ATTORNEY-GENERAL-

The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied: The Government intends to prohibit the sale or use in the Colony of all erackers, bombs or other explosive objects that depend The Hon-Mr. HoLYOAK: I do not think for their effect on the shattering of a without some pledge that a further tax tion, and to enforce the provisions of the I am prepared to vote for this increase strong easing or that explode by detona shall not be made in the near future. Dangerous Goods Ordinance where anThe motion was carried. made the stipulation at the special request article used is specifically included in the The Council then went into Committee are quite conscious that before long wetion will not affect the crackers generally of the Chamber of Commerce because we list of Dangerous Goods. Euch prohibi are likely to have the report of Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice as to accessary im used. The reply to the latter part of pravements and harbour developments. the question is that there is considerable It is precisely for that reason that the difficulty in enforcing legislation owing to Chamber of Commerce is so extremely the impossibility in most cases of identify auxious to guard against undue taxationing the actual offender, while there are is the life-blood of the Colony. It is not making the occupier of the premises from falling upon shipping, which, I repeat, objections to legislating for the purpose

are thrown criminally necessarily an Eldorado from which taxa- which objects tion can be produced for any purpose and tinhle for the acts of others.

said. I propose a small amendment in this clause. In the new paragraph a 1 propose to insert, in the second line the word "public" before the words "motor vehicles", and, in the seventh line, amendment or." before the word “can-

cellation."

:

The chuse as amended, and the other. clauses of the Bill, "were approved.

THE CRACKER-FIRING PRACTICE. The Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLTOAK naked: (i)Enlarging the body of elector?

The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied; It is to the Council is that, without pledging Will the Government, in view of the ourselves definitely in the future, we will recent tragedy at West Point, wherein not proposed to lay the correspondence, vote that this levy be continued during several persons lost their lives and many practically all of which consists of con-

were injured, take steps at once to pro-fidential despatches the present year, and the matter can bohibit the sale of all so-called " Bombs" considered thereafter and if it is necessary in this Colony and further to enforce in the course of future years to levy existing legislation against the throwing additional dues on shipping, the two verandahs of houses and buildings into is not a question which can properly, be of crackers, stones or other missiles from The next business was the considera-things can be considered together. tion of the resolution muyed at the last think that is a reasonable suggestion. In the roadway?

that case, the resolution would be that meeting of the Council by the Colonial the light dues should continue during the Secretary providing for the, continuance present year to be collected. of the Light Due (Special Assessment).

The Hon. Mr. HoLYOAK: Sir, since the "That Council, meeting, at which I asked. for the postponement of this resolution, the matter has been very carefully con sidered by the Chamber of Commerce Com- mittee, and whilst we are not prepared to oppose this resolution wa abstain on the condition that the Government is pre- pared to give us a pledge that no further taxation or light dues upon shipping shall be made in future. We do this for the reason that we know and would again draw the attention of the Government to irthe absolute necessity of maintaining this part as an absolutely free port, as far as it is possible, in the interests of British trade. Only a few years ago it was absolutely one of the freest ports in the world, and with certain, limited restrictions it is so to-day. It is because the Chumber of Commerce, representing -not paly the great shipping interests, but the British mercantile interests in the Colony, are convinced that it is essentially clear whether Mr. Holyoak definitely to the maintenance of the trade which is declines to accept the suggestion which I made. If I did not definitely say it, I the life-blood of this place that these con- meant to imply that while these dues are ditions should be maintained, that we are collected we will not raise any additional asking for this pledge,

revenue from shipping. d that, when the question does arise-if it ever does arise of raining additional taxation from ship ping, and comes before the Council, the ther. I think it will be clear that it two things can then be considered toge would be-unreasonable to give a definita pledge that no farther taxation will be ledge of what will be necessary in the raised from shipping without any know. future, and I again suggest that it will

it should be most carefully safeguarded. TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND REGULATIONS, 1 must confess I heard with some alarm The Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK asked: the observations by your Excellency as In view of the general and considerable to future possibilities of taxation on increase in motor trafic in this Colony: shipping. If harbour developments are recommended by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice and the probability that it will still which are necessary for the life of the further increase ere long will be Gov. port they should only be made on condi- rnment appoint a small Committee to for the Colony to undertake them, or that tion either that there is sufficient revenue enquire into and revise traffic conditions

and regulations! we should adopt the very obvious course of raising a loan for the purpose, cer tainly not by taxation on shipping, on which this Colony really depends.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: I am not absolute-

The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:-The traffic regulations were carefully rested last year and it is ont considered that any further revision is now required.

The Hon, Mr, HOLYOAK: In connection with the answer to this question, as personally do not accept the answer as satisfactory, nor will. I believe the Auto mobile Association, which I have the honour to represent, I beg to give notice

the following resolution:

That in view of the alteration in" this Colony, in the opinion of this Council 'tis desirable to anpet a small, come wittee-to enquire into this matter."

QUESTIONS BY THE HON. MR. POLLOCK.

HANSARD

The Hon. Mr. H.E. POLLOCK, K.C.,

The Hon. Mr. JORNSTONE: I beg to support my friend Mr. Holyonk Sir, I think you yourself are now prepared to admit that the harbour is the one asset of this Colony, and, although I do not think that our status as a free port will be greatly interfered with by the addi- tional sent on the light duch, I am pro be a perfectly reasonable thing to con- pared to vote in favour of the resolution. Hinue the light dues for the present year, asked: Will the Government inclado in provided the Government will give us some assurance that the money so raised taxation will be raised from shipping Council questions which have been on the understanding that no further the Hongkong Hansard all Legislative will be spent on improvements to the har while they are in force. bour itself.

I answered in the Government „Gazette. The Hon. Mr. PARE: I should like to The Hon Mr. HOLYOAK: I am prepared together with the answers to such aure.

to accept the resolution în the light of tions associate myself, Sir, with the remarks" of the hon. member for the Chamber of understand is that no further taxation

-your-Excellency's-explanation What Commerce, and the Hon. Mr. Johnstone.will be imposed by the Government upon The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK; I desire to sup- shipping after the adoption of this resolu port, the observations which have fallen tion, without due notice and full time to from my hon, unofficial colleagues.

consider any further proposal.

The meeting of the Council was then resumed.

rending of the Bill.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Movel the third

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill passed its third reading.. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION ORDINANCE. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled an Ordinance to amend the Widows' and.. Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded. The Council went into „Committee “to consider the Bill clause by clause.

No amendments were made, and, on the resumption of the Council, the ATTOONEY- GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill. This was

carried."

THE ADJOURNMENT, H.E. THE GOVERNOR said: Gentlemen, Bill and no business of There is immediate urgency which is ready. It would have been impossible to meet next week. I had contemplated meeting the week after, and we might still do so, but I think the best course will be to adjourn

me dic.

The Council then adjourned sine dic.

FINÂNCE COMMITTEE. :

held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.

Following the meeting of the Council a meeting of the Finance Committee was

WATER SUPPLY AT FANLING.

The Governor recommended the Coun-

answer is in the afirmative

The-Cocoxia-SECRETARY-replied:The fcil-sa-vote a sum of $400-in-aid-of-the-

Tote Public Works Recurrent, New Terri tories, Water Works, (47) Water Account, (Meters, etc.).

"CENALA "OP" "CHINESE WUO`KAYE DEER” BOUGHT. The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked: Will the Government include in the Census which is being compiled this year. Census of Chiness who have been bought:

(a)-For purposes of adoption; (b)-For domestic service 1

The COLONUL SECRETARY replied'? It in proposed to add a columa to the Chinese

The CHAIRMAN This sum of $400 is needed for, the purchase of a meter to measure the new Fanling water sup- ply. When the estimates for the current genr were drawn up the requirements of the Fanling water supply were not known.

The vote was approved.

Tsimshatum Polico Station

H.E. THE GOVERNOR; Gentlemen, it is H.E. THE GOVERNOR. In any case, due a little difficult to give a pledge in the notice would naturally be given of any very wide, terms asked for by Mr. proposals for taxation, but in the present Holyank, but all I can say is that I fully case I am prepared to pledge myself not appreciate the importance of keeping this to suggest that any direct taxation should harbour'ne free as possible to trade. But be imposed on shipping while then dues I must say that I do not think the very continue to be collected, on the under-

PUBLIC WORKS AT KOWLOON. small levy on shipping which is involved standing that they only hold good for the

The Governor recommended the Coun in these light duen is a matter of serious, present year.

Schedule requesting information regard-cil to vote a sum of $111.00 in aid of the importance to shipping. If we ceased to the Hon Mr PARK: In reply to youring adopted persons The exact wording following vote collect these durs, what would happen? Excellency's inquiries from me, I should is now under consideration. .\r\\ Public Works Extraordinary, Kowloon; The shipping companiog profit by this like to say that the cause of the exorbitant The Hon. Mr. FOLLOCK: arising out Buildings:-- reduction would be. small item even to freights and pussage money, to which your of the nswer to question 2 I should them, and the general public would derive Excellency has referral does not unfor like to point out that I asked for a census,, no advantage, I would like to ask my Lunately rest with the shipping companies (a) of Chiness bought for purposes of hon. friend Mr. Parr whether, if this concerned who would all, without azcop-adoption and (b) of Chinese bought for lavy is abolished, or reduced, there is anytion, prefer that the fares should pursue domestic purposes, 1 do not know who possibility of the Fraights and passages the even tenour of their way, rather than ther, air, the answer to the question is charged by the P. & O. Company being, be affected by the causes before referred intended as negativing a census of those Teduced. If freights and passenger rates are to continue at their prescat exorbitant to, over which they have no control. figura 1 submit that the Companies can H.E. THE GOVERNOR: The resolution Woll afford to contribute a small sum now before, the Council is the resolution towards expenses which will otherwise fall ne it appears on the order paper, with on the general taxpayer. 11, of course, the words" during the present venrceiving consideration the reduction of the light dues would inserted after the word “collected." result in the reduction of cort to the The resolution was.carried.

who have been bought for domestic service or not, we

H.E. THE GOVERNOR: The answer was meant to imply that the matter was ro

The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: The answer. I think, referred only to adoption, soʻ

I am emphneiding the point?

$110.86

Extension Kings Park Quarters, In- 204.24

stalling Water Closets

Total

$411.09

The CHARMAN- said: These aro ro- votes of sums that should have been charged against last year's votes, but the invoices did not arrive from the Crown Agents in time.

The vote was approved. Thus caneluded the business.

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