1921-07-19 — Page 5

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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL.

(Continuçit from pay bỳ SPEECH BY HE, THE GOVERNOR.

H.E. THE GOVERson said: Gentlemen, did not intend to speak on the second. reading of the Bill, but it has come to my notice that in speaking previously of the necessity of some such measure 1. by an unfortunate 'slip, confined myself to axtor- dealing only with one case of gross tion. I was carried away rather by the side issue of "farming" and did not gise you the other information. I should like to take this opportunity of amend

ng that mistake, I am glad, as a master of fact, that I confined my remarks to one particular case cause the result of my doing so was to produce a letter in) the newspapers treat the Hungkong Land Investment Co...which afforded the best argument I have yet seen for the passage of such a Bill as this. I am not referring to the ingegious argument to show that au increase of 33 is equivalent to one of H, or rather that it would have been if circumstances had been entirely differ ent. Personally am seldom impressed by arguments based on the old French saying that If my aunt had been a man he would have been my uncle." think it is safer if we look at the facts." There was a passage in the letter in which it was shown that as a result of the farming system, the Land Investment]. Company had received in respect of cer tain tenements' an income representing 0.32 per ernt. on their expenditure. Well if 93 per cent, is the amount which the landlord was getting from his tenant should say it was not entirely anreasonable. I should have acepted it, with pleasure in those days when I was in the position of a Jadlord. One took risks of prop ray saling vacant. This result to the 9.52 - presents th

That Hongkong Land Investment Co. is what is paid to them by the farmer contend that this is far too much. The rent is farmed by one man who probably fanns it to another, and possibly it is farmed by halla dozen, and by the time it gets down to the tenant he is paying not. 92 per cent, but probably 19 per Even if there is only one farmer and he confines himself to the very mode

Cent.

I

»

THE COMMITTEE STAGE.

P

THE HONGKONG "DALLY PRAWS, TURSDAY, JULY 19rk.

On Clanse 2, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved to amend the long title by the addition of and 14 amend the Rating Ordinance, Dal."

נוי

COMPANY MEETING."

THE UNITED ASBESTOS co.

The annual meeting of this Company was held yesterday, at noon, when Mr.

On sub-clause (dy of Clause 4. Hia EXCELLANCY recalled Mr. Jenkin's paint, as to the position of a man who hadi] agreed to quit but who found that alter- native aceongaodation had been with- drawn. He said it would be rather dif ficult to frame a clause so that inconven- Morton Smith (Chairman) presided fence would fall impartially on the right and there were also present Mr. J person. The landlord would not be able Oven Haghes, Mr. W. C Shiner, Mr. to get an increased rent from anybody. Gerken, Mr. H., Silvic and Mr. G. Lotics The Secretary having read the else and would probably agree to R. Edwards (secretary). compromise and prefer that the tenant

convening the meesing and the minintes, he knew should remain.

of the previous meeting having beca con- Girmed,

The Hon. Mr. P. H. HoLyon: I think the matter will adjust itself; such cases will be very few.

evely

The nation was agreed to. On Clause 2, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed to end paragraph (9) as follows7--

(-)--Insert after habitation" in the Afth lise, and every hotel and boarding house falling within any one of the classes of boarding houses specified in Rule 1 of the

The CHAIRMAN wid Gentlemen-The rules made by the Governor in

report and accounts having been in your Council under the Asiatic Emigra The Hon. Mr. Boss mentioned that a tion

Ordinance, 1815, and the man subject to a due of 8100 a day hands for some days, 1 will with your Boarding House Ordinance, 1917, for every day he remained on certain pre-permission, take them as rend. During and published in the Gazette of the mises after July 1st, had decided, when he the earlier months of the financial year. 10th day of October, 1817." heard of this Bill, to remain on and under consideration, your Company's (b.)-Amend paragraph (i) by adding he (Mr. Ross) told him he thought he business suffered sonic falling off in

or their families.

would be justified, and would be upheld Revenue, but I am glad to say that re turns latterly have shown great improve (6.)—Amend' paragraph (iii)so as to by the Courts. The petitioners seemed

reat!:-

to think the Courts would give the land; ment, and, taking into consideration the (i)-Any hotel or boarding, house lord damages but he did not think so, general and world-wide depression in which does not fall within any because the man was intimidated into trade which has existed throughout the one of the classes of boarding giving that agreement, by which he was period under review, we have houses specified in Bule of the being charged $100 a day, instead of reason to be satisfied with the profit on rales made by the Governor in 200 a month before." Mr. Ross did not trading as shown in the accounts. From Council under the Asiatic Emi-think the landlord would wish to get the Balance available for distribution. gration Ordinance, 1015, and the Boarding

House Ordinance, 1917 the tenant out, Knowing that he would your General Managers feel justified in proposing the payment el dividends and and published in the Gazelle of nat get any more from a new tenant.

The Hon. Mr. LAC CHU-PAK thought i bonus on the same basis as last year. the 10th day of October, 1917,

the clause, as amended, was the most and I trust the allocation recommended (d.)-Insert the following paragraph:-

Juanch (iv)Any part of any hotel or board satisfactory compromise that could be will meet with your ipproval. Owing

to the age of the steam arranged.. ing house whatsoever.

Gladiator it is thought advisable to set (r.)-Renumber the present paragraph

aside a sum of $10,000 cub of revenue to (ie) as paragraph (»). (f)-Add the following paragraph:--

meet possible expenditure in this con- nection in the near future. Stecks were (vi)-Ang building for the time being

Mr. ALABASTER said the petitioners carefully checked on May 1st and a vested in the Custodian of Enemy Property, or any part of any would like the word lessors to be liberal allowance made for depreciation, such building,

extended to include his families and rela- and your hard and godown premises tives who should have the same considera stand in the books at a very conservative

figure now beg to propose the, adop tion as was shown to his employés.

HIS EXCELLENCY: Are they not intion of the report and accounts as vir culated. When this has been seconded' 1 cluded

shall be pleased to answer, to the best of my ability, any questions shareholders may desire to ask.

MILITARY TENEMENTS. H.E. THE GENERAL: Perhaps this may be a good opportunity to make it quite clear that property belonging to the Secretary of State for War cannot be subject to the operation of this Bill, The War Department have allowed, some partion of the married quarters to be leased and so helped to relieve the pressure on the housing accomniculation. Now, however, these quarters are re- married families of quired for the

It was agreed that the sub-clause should stand part of the Bill...

On paragraph () of sub-clause 1 of Clause 4.

Mr. ALABASTER: Not urcessarily, under the Chinese system of family life.

15

Mr. J. OWEN Irous seconded the

The Hon. Mr. Ross thought the Courts would hold that anyone of the same str name was a member, of the family; it is resolution and congratulated the general Mr. ALABASTER: Should it not be limit-managers, superintendents and offrials the clan.

of the Company on the very efficient ed to familiest

The lion. Mr. POLLOCK: Perhaps Manner in which its affairs had been The report, and accounts were then The Council adopted suggestion of Alabaster means his wives and children vond eted and its interests watched, His Excellency that the wards should be adopted

Mr. CHERIS proposed and Mr. SILVA was too wide seconded, the re-election of Mr. F. Maitland as auditor at a remuneration of $300 per annum.

thought relatives phrase.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Word to add the "following paragraph after para, (e) in sub-clause of Clause 41-

(f)-The lessor bond fide requires

troops, and, therefore, present tenants have received notice to quit. I should like to make it quite clear that this Bill rate rate ni 65 par coat, on capital that does not timts the powers of the Secrehimself and his family." His Excellency would male to prnt, the tenant is tary of State for War in that respret. paying on the property. That is, too. I do not know whether this would be the much.

This is one of the evils of the place to propose an amendment to make farming system which is a matter, con-that clear. sider, that ought to be dealt with and requires dealing with at once. I suggest to th Council tha in the letter before us we have overwhelming reasons for dealing with the farmer at an early date. The Let me give you other instances. first is a ease in Irving Street-it is a case in which a farmer is concerned. The rent was raised from $1 to $18 in May. and was proposed

to raise it more

DON'T SIGN THE PETITION

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH A VOTE.

The Ordin The ATTORNEY-GENERAL: unde would not bind the Crown. If an amendment were inserted, it might give ground for arguing that other CrOWD property was in a different category. Obviously if the military require this property they must obtain possession of If the Ordinance prevented them, it. special legislation could be introduced.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR: I'do not think it will be necessary.

Mr. ALABASTER: On this clause, na pointed out in the petition, it is not clear whether shops are intended to be included or not. We know offices are not included and I think the clause should be made perfectly clear.

used.

possession of the domestic, tene inent in order to pull down such domestic tenemens or in order to reconstruct auch domestic tene- inent to such an extent as to make such domestic tenement a new building within the meaning of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and shall have given the tenant three months' notice to quit. Subsequent amendments, and addi tional clauses proposed by the ATTORNEY GENERAL were adopted without discussion,

THE THIRD READING

On the Council resuming,

This was carried and the meeting con- cluded.

..

THE HONGKONG GOVERN- MENT.

The following comment is from the

L. Daily Veins:-

Those in Shanghai who have watched the struggle in "Hongkong for greater unofficial representation on the Legis lative Council will learn with interest that the Ceylan Legislative Council met Last month, ander its new constitution. B this departure from the old order of things the unofficial members have been given more power, and, as the Governor rightly said, more responsibility. Such The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that if a shop were let separately and no part H.E. THE GOVERNOR said in this case, for is not the ease in Hongkong for the un- of it were used for human habition, it the purposes of Rule 48 of the Standing official minority there can never carry a And would not come under the Bill, but in Rules and Orders, I declare that an point against the Government. the case of Chinese shops they were so emergency exists, and that in my opinion consequently they have really no respon- it is desirable in the public interest that sibility, or if they have no means of The SECRETARY OF CHINESE AFVALES: Rules 12 and 47 be suspended, so as to exercising it. It is difficult to conceive Recently from $10 to 20. I do not think it will be contended that the value of The petitioners are quite satisfied and enable the bill to be carried through its why, if some measure of unstitutional money bas gone down 25 per cent, since they do not doubt that a shop is includ remaining stages at this sitting of the reform is granted to Ceylon, similar the beginning of this year; so thated, having no doubt whatever that a Council. The grounds for this declarn-action may not be taken with regard to a domestic tenement. Tarytion are that, as the object of the bill is Hongkong. Certainly there is not very appears to represent an increase for shop is which there is no justification. This case could always prove, in case of need, to protect the tenants of domestic teno much real difference in status between, from unreasonable increase in the two and the safeguards that must is no dinary.one. On these that they do occupy their shops,

rental and from arbitrary termination of of necessity be maintained, it the Im- facts being

to the farmer he

The Hon. Mr. LAG CHO PAK agreed. Mr. ALAKASTEE said that as the clause their tenancies, and as tents have been perial interests, in Ceyfun would be as though it better to compromise at $17.

and are being raised unreasonably, and amply adequate in the case of Hong- "shop 4 The next case is from Nathan Road, was worded now Kowloon. The rent was raised. 30 aparently governed by whether there were attempts have been and are being kong. It is to be hoped that those who made to eject tenants who are unwilling are agitating for constitutional reform house-more than 25 per cent, increase.

The ATORNEY-GENERAL said that shops or are unable to pay such increased rente. in Hongkong will continue to do so This is an interesting case because the people upstairs or not. ground given for the increase of real by he landlord was that if he were to build were used for habitation by the Chinese.it is desirable to pass the hill immedi- until their point is gained. There is so HIB EXCELLENCY asked if Mr. Alabasterately so as to afford relief to as many as much to be done of a municipal nature posible of the class which the bill pro-which need in no way interfere with the How it would cost him $20.000 and the

desired to onit shops. land might be valued at $6,000. Such an

Mr. ALABASTER Kid he did, and to put Poses to protect.

The COLOSTAL SECRETARY seconded and wider activities of oficinidom, and so many non of ripe judgment and execu- argument is entirely irrelevant. He is

tior whether-government-by-a-majority of officiale, whose outlook is always more circumscribed, can have anything but a retarding effect on the, progress which such an important centre ought to make.

73

"P

was ap

ments

J

not building but taking advantage of them in the same category as affices and the suspension of the Standing Orders tive ability that it is now open to ques

they

all

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL: Even if is in are used for habitation t

Several members remarked that Chinese shops were used as human habit ations.

shortage of houses to tanke a wholly gedowns: unjustifie increase of the rents paid

Another case by bis tenants. Austin Road, where the rent of one room began at $7, then it rese to 815 and then to $17. The tenant having renovated the premises the landlord put up the rent to The next cam, is from Mody €18:50.

The rent in March, Boad, Kowloon.

was $100; in March, 1920. it became 7019 $105 in September, 1920, 8115; and in July, 1921, $135: That is as good a cuss of extortion as I have yet met. The next

་

was agreed-to-

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved the third reading of the Bill

The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and the Bill was passed..

THE ADJOURNMENT.

EXTRATERRITORALITY,«

A WARNING INCIDENT FROM CHEFOO.

The ATTORNEY-GESEHAL: The proposal HIS EXCELLENCY: The remaining busi would defeat the object of the Bill withness on the agenda we do not propose to regard to a very large number of dwel- take. In any casa fear these Bills will not be ready this week. I propose. there. ring.places.

Mr. LAU CHU-PAX: Shop-keepers have fore, that we should adjourn sine die. I should like, before we go, to express my suffered more than anybody else.

If no member de- thanks to members of the Committee and

The following incident from Chefoo HIS EXCELLENCY:

if I may say Ho, to the has been related to the N.-0: Daily Netos Attorney- league, the Hon. Mr. Pollock, for the may be expected to occur should extra- On sub-clause (1), of clause. 2, Mr. imens trouble they have taken in pro territoriality be abolished in China, 15, and was raised to 20 in January, 894 ALABASTER said the petitioners he reproducing this Bill, thich I trust will be in April and recently to 835. 1 think that sented, desired that the standard rent successful in attain the eject for is sufficient answer to the suggestion should be the rent which obtained on the which it was devised that the rents fixed should be those of 30th June. In a case in Morrison Street 30th of June

case is from Hollywood Raud, where the i gires to move an amendment, the clause, more especially, ** and his larmed.colas an instance of the kind of, thing which

reat was raised from 830 to 870, and there was a case: in Wanchai Road, where

the original rent a few years ago was

of $60 was demanded.

shpe

as amended, stands part of the Bill.

THE STANDARD RENT,

The SECRETARY OF CHINESA · AFFALES: There are 200,000 petitioners who beg to put June 1st, 1014.-

A

was

11

A Chinese cook employed by a Russian went to the local yamen stating that his master owed him $20 and a-king that steps be taken to secure payment. The Chinese authorities promptly set for the Russsian, with an order that be up- He pear at the yamén immediately. attended, and in answer to the accusa tion that he owed the cook $20 explained that this was not no, but he admitted This explanation. owing a sum of 88. had no effect on the Chinese authorities; they took him to the prison, showed him it, and announced that that was where he would be confined unless the $20 were The $20 was paid without further re- monstrance.

FINANCE COMMITTEE. H1B EXCELLENCY: That matter has

meeting of the Finance Committee the rent of $176 was raised in the fourth

the COLONIAL moon to $900, and now it is proposed to been very fully considered. I feel that

SECRETARY presiding:-- raise it to $600. In Chatham Road land the Council is unanimously of opinion afterwards, held,

THE GAP ROCK CABLE. was leased in 1911 by the Land Invest that the date should not be altered.

The Governor recommended the Council ment Company at 80. They then adopted

to vote a sum of $19,818 in aid of the the system of farming and the rent was raised to $14, and the second man raised

His EXCELLENCY.: My own inclina-vote Public Works, Recurrent, Communi- it. to $19, and at the same time

Theretion was to go back to 1914, but the cations, (8) Maintenance of telephones mency.

The CHAIRMAX: This sum of $10.810 is The rent was raised in one case from 1930, though not the best possible date, the amount requirrel for repairing the forthcoming. are two cases in Cross Street, Wanchai. difficulties were too great and December, including all enbles:

cable to Gap Rock. We took advantage. 814 to $28; and in another from $11 to is the most convenient que,

Clause, amended was then up of the presence of the cable ship Patrol $28. In Graham Street n rent of 830 was raised in August, 1990. to $70, and proved.

Clause was adopted with verbal in the waters of the Colony to employ her in recovering the cable and finding

KOWLOON TELEPHONE WIRES. it was now proposed to raised it to $100.

The Governor recommended the Council Is Gough Street rent was raised from amendments.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved several out, what was wrong. Fortunately the 827 to $30. then to $37 in March last and now to $75. I think these enses verbal unendments to Clause 4 and re: cable was recovered in about two days supply all the comment that is necessary. ferring to para (c) he said the effect of after the ship actually got to work and to vote a sum of $8,500 in aid of the vote clean cut across. By whom and how it munications. (27), Maintenance of Tele- They speak for themselves.

It may have phones. HIS EXCELLENCY, then put the motion the clause as it stood would he to make it was found that the cable had been Public Works, Recurrent, Kowloon, Com

a man living on the ground floor liable was done was not clear.

The CHAIRMAN: This sum is to lay He heen by fishing boat recovering her for the second reading of the Bill to the for the conduct of tenants. above; Council, and it was passed without a dis could not turn them out, and it would anchor. It required half a mile of large underground a number of telephone wires sentient vote

be an unfair obligation to place upon cable and nearly 23 miles of smaller cable in Kowloon. The poles are carrying so The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved him if they misconducted themselves to effect the necessary repairs. The hire many wires between Kowloon and Hung- that the Council go into Committee to he might be turned out by the land of the ship cost £800, the half mile of hop that in a typhoon it is thought they

the

large cable £308, (3) the rest of the cable may come down. So having a cable in consider Bill clauso by clause.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and flord, or it might be a collusive affair.

HIS EXCELLENCY: On the other hand, £1,008 and material £210-A total of stock we decided on aying these cables It involved cost of ought not a tenant, to be responsible for £2,452, of which 91861 is the equival- underground.

ent in local currency. It was a success $3,000 to the Public Works Department and 20,000 to the railway. For simpli any person he puts in his house I

ful but rather expensive job.

city it was decided to take a single vote "Approved

and charge the whole to Public Works Recurrent.

Approved.

the motion was agreed to,

His EXCELLENCY

invited Counsel appearing for petitioners to remain if

•they so wished.

Mr. ALABASTER remained to press the amandments be had indicated in his

addṛtās.

The Hon. Mr. FOLLOCK: They may be sub-tenants of his sub-tenants.

The sub-clause was allowed to remain

as drafted.

(Continued at fool of next column.)

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TELEPHOND 8146.

WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED CONSIGNMENTS OF

TABLE COVERS;

CUSHION CASES,

TABLE RUNNERS,

SIDE BOARD RUNNERS,

TABLE CENTRES,

CHAIR BACKS-TEA COSIES.

IN A VARIETY OF MATERIALS AND FINISHES. STENCILLED,

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EMBROIDERED, LARGE SELECTION OF PRINTED WASHING BED SPREADS CRASHC USHION CASES, RUNNERS.