1923-03-20 — Page 4

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SEE

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS TUESDAY, MARCH 29a, 1925

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE. Every worker wie more or less a sup- of the old one. --The Rents Ordinance

A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WANTED.

porter of the Government-a taxpayer actually produced a case of legalised....... and for that reason his interests should profiteers in feat. As to limit was put be protected and ample house room to the extent to which houses might be should be provided at a moderate rent, pulled down and re-butt, the housing thus enabling the Colony to compete with capacity of the Colony, diring the perind other places and its inhabitants to live in of restriction, was actual lessened. And since there was no limi to the reit

RENT RESTRICTION ORDINANCE STRONGLY comfort-(Appinuse.)

SUPPORTED.

TRANSFER OF MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS PRESSED.

Mr. MCGUIGAN said it appeared to him charged for new houses, Investors would. that the statements in the resolution pay very much less heed to the price paid. were not strong enough. The present for land and building The extra- housing conditions in the Colony were ordinarily high bidding a public auctions..

The public meeting on the Housing An instance occurred in a recent sale of responsible not only for a great deal of was the evidence of thi Competition foot-300. The price Question, called by the Constitutional land near Causeway Bay which was sold ill-health and suffering, but for a great was sending the price of, 2000 square feet Beform Association and the Kowloon for six times the upset price. That destruction in human life. For some of land to 87 a Residents' Association, at the City Hallenst would have to be added to the cospars past the loss of life attributable to of building had gone up to 40 por super. last "night was attended by a large and of the building, and it would be far this cause had been appalling, and dis-ficial foot so that with the house, which koonly interested audience. The pro better if the Government increased the case had spread as the result of over- might cost $28,000—a total of $60,000 was- coedings

tho Hon. Mr. amount of land available, rather than, crowding. For years it had taken its reached for house standing on a plot of

·Soven per cout:- were, as H. E. Fallock remarked at the con- itself, try to profiteer by restricting land tribute of infant life. It was to this side 4,000 square feet. olusion, agratifying indication that "at available, and increasing competition for of the question they should turn their very low return-would gye à rent of last a real feeling of public spirit has what little there is. It was a fact also, attention if they were going to do any nearly $400 a month. A long as the arisen in the Colony and, when a meeting that land on which it was physically thing worth while. The resolution was Rents Ordinance continued it would" bes is called to discuss a public question, a possible to build houses varied in value far too mild. They should be able to say found that the people who most needed large and representative assembly can be from something like half a cent a foot to just what they required. The appoint protection-the working cases who lived $100 a foot. It was impossible to build ment of a housing commission seemed to in dilapidated houses were not protect found to take part."

reasonable buildings on land at the him a way of delaying or deferring theed, because their houses could be pulled The Old Chamber of Commerce Room highest prices unless "sky scrapers" were matter. The solution of the problem down by the landlords. Row of houses..... was crowded. The Hon. Mr. H. Eerected. Land of the cheaper values simply was that this loss of life conso were pulled down and the people were Pollock, C., presided and he was sup could not be brought within the building quent upon bud housing conditions should hameless because the Renta Ordinance ported by members of the Committee of sreas unless communications were im cease. If they failed to solve the also secured that other tenants had the Constitutional Reform Association proved. And by communications he did problem, then loss of life would have to security of tenure, and the dimossessed. and of the Kowloon Residents' Associa not meat. merely Fonds. No-one wished continue. The housing problem was not people could not afford to pay prices of to walk five or six miles to work and back peculiar to Hongkong, it confronted the as much as $30 per cubicle charged in again every day. They would have to people of every civilised country. Neither the new houses, which were subject to It had the rigour of the law of supply, and de- on the roads, something was the problem a new one, have something. without any prefatory remarks, called [cheap, and something quick. One of troubled England for the last Sfty years, mand... Thus a vicious circle waa set up.

tion.

In view of the large number of resolu tions before the meeting the CHAIRMAN,

upon, Mr. Alabaster to move the first re solution.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY NEEDED.

the special resolutions referred to tram and had engaged the attention of speak-A Commission to inquire into the wholy ways so he would leave that branch alone,ers on political platforms, in Parliament, question. was certainly needed, but by but there were other things, there were and in the Government. To-day it was the did not think the Rents Ordinance shoul bus It had to be particularly remem e difhenity England had to contend be continued until the situation becawir bered that the two great cities which with They had to realise that if they normal. This might not happen be an- were growing up in the Colony were really wished to solve the problem they other twenty years and one could not The resolution ran as follows:-

separated by the Colony's greatest asset, would have to get the Government imagine the state of affairs if the Reoty "That the Honing Problem is the most

Were continued for that time, Ordinance to do something far more radical serious problem confronting the localita harbour. There was no road, bridge,

Mr. Ho Kword seconded the anend-- Administration; it lies at the root of the or tunnel connecting these two cities, and

that has been done in England, of ment, high cost of living, it explains in large they could only be kept in close touch

was asked for in this resolution. They The CHAIRMAN, said he did not think mensure the constantly increasing rate of and adequately developed by s ropes would have to ask the Government to one could possibly couple the land short- wages, and by the overcrowding entailed" it constitutes a perpetual menace to the system of ferries. The recent great health and well-being of the community, developments in Slamsuipo was to be take the taxes off, buildings altogether, age or the high cost of building Kotses and tax land values to make up for it with the Rents Restriction Didinance. of ferry and that, therefore, the Government be attributed to a bettor class.

was in was that there was an extra asked to appoint a Commission to brought in to serve the district, but that they were to get half a million The reason for the difficulty the Colony inquire into the Housing Problem and class was not good enough. They must houses down from Heaven to-morrow, they ordmary demand for houses, increased Transit questions in connection with the try to evolve the type of furry which would still be no better off. There would during the last few years owing to the disturbed state of the neighbouring pro as good bo nowhere for them to put them, and vinces of China which caused a very

same."

Ftion.

wort

of a Board to co-ordinate them.

remove all the cbstacles, and he will Mr. ALABASTER then moved the first supply all the "houses required in

Hongkong.(Applause.) resolution.

Mr. B. WYLIE seconded.

fect, but it had afforded protection bo

would make the communications Mr. C. G. ALABASTER, EC., O.B.E., as those in other parts of the world, the competition for sites would be, so large influx of Chidose into the Colony. began by saying that, rather more than such, for instance, as exists in Sydney, heavy that land values would be auto 4 gentleman connected with a local

times of disturbance it sometimes hap four years, in that very room, he had and San Francisco. It might well be, inmatically accentuated. The Government Steam Ship Company told him that in taken part in a meeting at which it was this connection, that the Commission ought to stop faxing houses altogether.pened that no less than 50,000 new tera came down in the proposed that a Housing Commission he would recommend the establishment of a As things were, human life was being porary residents appointed to examine the housing situa Board of Communications. He was not an destroyed, and they had lost quite enough course of three days, to seek residence in a great extent from shortage of land, tion. That was never done and the advocate of unnecessary boards, but the already. It had been decided in New Hongkong. The Colony also suffered to situation now was worse than it was four advantage of one such as this would be York recently not to tax new houses for which he hoped would be remedied if lands was acceded to by all the powers. years ago Therefore, he was going to that the various departments concerned a certain period of years, and the result the resointion with regard to the military ask the meeting to re-affirm that resolu with communications would be able to co- had been an enormous increase in build-interested in that question. Because, in ing in that city. He did not think there the military moved to other sites away. The Commission, if appointed, Fordinate their ideas and policies. could usefully devote its inquiries into With regard to land communications was any. Commission needed to go into from the centre of Victoria and Kowloon hundreds of acres of land, already three channels: firstly, building cost; there two departments-Publio the question in Hongkong. It seemed to the Colony would have the use of several secondly, kad values, and thirdly, com-Works Department, which made the ronds, him that they had only to look round levelled for building.

As regards the housing of the working man, he thought the proposed Housing munications.

and z Police Department to control the to see what the problem was. "It is Building costs had risen enormously in traffic. As to the water communications like appointing a commission to soc why Commission might have to recommend to the last few years nad it had become there were the two Secretariats, the fish are not caught on the Peak" be the Government a scheme for putting practically impossible in certain districts Harbour Departments and, very often, added, "I would suggest that you ask houses up for working men near their As regards the re-building of old. to build a house which could be let at the District Officers. Many good ideas the Government to abolish taxation on place of employment. an economic rent, or at a rent which were pigeon-holed in one or other of the houses and raise it by taxing the land, houses, be thought that this practice had people could afford to pay. The rise in departments because there was the want Give the Chinese workman a chasco, always been recognised, owing to the fact that some of the houses were 60 or 60 years old and the time had come for building costs was not entirely due to the

them to be rebuilt. He did not think it right that this should be checked. rise in wages. Wages had risen all over

⠀⠀ The CHAIRMAN went on to express the the world, but building costs had not

The CHAIRMAN said that with reference opinion, that the Rents Restriction risea all over the world to the extent

Mr. W. S., Bailey, speaking in support to Mr. MCGUIGAN's remarks on the Ordinance had done good in the Colony. which they had in Hongkong. One cause was the insufficiency of skilled labour. of the resolution, agreed with the last subject of a Commission, his own opinion (Loud applause) It might not be per The Commission might well inquire into spraker as to the importance of ready was that it was advantageous to have tenants of houses against having their the causes of that insufficiency, and, if means of transit, and said that his re- such a body. It was a good thing, also, renta raised if the houses were built be- That was an imperatat thing and had prices were kept up by a ring, suggest marks were actuated with special refer to hold public meetings like this, for it fore the passing of the Ordinance. Another ance to the workmen of the Colony, more gave them the opportunity of hearing a been a very great boon to persons at means of breaking it down. cause was the multiplicity of sub-con especially the industrial concerns of the number of valuable opinions and sugges present living in the Colony. The Bents Ordinance rightly adopted the principle that those resident in the Colony haď HONGKONG tracts and sub-subcontractors. The Colony. A great proportion of the work- tions on the subject,

more, claim on the consideration of the Commission might very well inquire inte mer employed in the dockyards and other

Government than those who wers pour making all the sub-contractors into inde industrial concerns had to walk very long

ing in from outside.--(Hear, hear and applause.) He had to confess that when pendent contractors in competition with distances caused by the high rent which

the Rants Restriction Ordinance was cach other. Another means that could they had to pay in the vicinity of their be adopted of reducing building costs employmoot. Their work therefore suffer

Mr. M. WHYT then proposed the assed he expected to find the approaches:

to the Law Courts blocked with litigants, - was by standardisation. There were in od and the men themselves were put to.

"and hardships. The second resolution, which read:

but considering all things the Ordinance most countries people who practised the heavy expenses

"That this Meeting approves the ex had worked with extraordinary smooth profession of quantity surveyors, but hight cost of house rent, as the resolution tension of the Renta Restriction Ordinance ness. There had been comparatively few cases. From his knowledge, the Govern here there were none, as a separate pro-stated, was at the root of the high cost and considers that, in the best interests ment would welcome From Bir. Lo and fession, and when contracts were put out of living and therefore placed the Colony of the community, the Ordinance should others any suggestion for the improves. to tender there was an extraordinary at a great disadvantage in competing bo continued until such time as the mente of the Ordinance. Such sugges

tions would co doubt be of considerable. diversity in the prices which different with other ports in the East for work supply meets the demand."

assistance in the framing of amendments" which it might be necessary to make tą, contractors quoted. If there were a pro and business. The high cost of living Mr. A 5. B. SILVA NETTO seconded.

THE ORDINANCE CHITICISED. ·

the Ordinance. He know thit that fession of quantity surveyors, who could and the high house rent bad the effect

Mr. M. K. Lo moted as an amendment Attorney-General was willing at all times, tell the amount of material put into every of increasing the cost of production. The

that the Renta Ordinance should be to listen to suggestions (applause)-bug contract, it would be easier for Chinese Colony Lived by production to a very continued until the Report of the Hous- I should hesitate a very long time before contractors to tender. Lastly the in-farge extent. The industrial concerne ing Commission, to be appointed under I could possibly vote for the dironting fluence of the increased cost of materials were the large arteries by which money Resolution 1, was published. He thought anes of an Ordinance which has had on must be considered. Certain materials was brought from abroad and paid this would be better than continuing the the whole very beneficial resulta

Ordinance indefinitely, until the supply (Applause.) were much more expensive, and Building against such producte. It was the life of houses excorded the demand The Mr. G. W. Sewart suggested that other Ordinances which were designed to pro blood of the Colony which supported the Rents Ordinance, in its working, bad meetings would probably be held, after vide houses of a certain kind of material whole place. If this stream was checked raised questions which called for grave the appointment of the Commission and would have to be ro-examined to seo it as it was now being done by the high consideration. He did not wish to be Mr. Lo's amendment would be mora

committed to any definito view as to appropriate them. other materials than those the law now house rent then the whole Colony whether or not the Rents Ordinance had Mr. MCGUIGAN remarked that the Herfst suffered and the workmen possibly to the worked good or evil, or whether the evil Ordinance was only a palliative for the required could be used.

The second channel of inquiry which greatest extent. It was said that the it created was not worse than the evil it housing, problem. In the meantime, it set out to cure. The result of the Ordin- was protecting a large number of poopla. the Commission might pursue was that of high cost of building was due to combine ance, he knew, from the little exper and it was not enough to say that it land values To the cost of every house tion or rings of contractors, or among fence and had, was that most of the should continue until a Commission made built must be added the premium paid for the men. He hoped that the meeting speculators and investors served three certain recommendations. It might be a the land, and if Crown land was sold would show by the manner in which it the potions under the Rents Ordin- long time before they were put into opo ance with the idea of pulling down the ration. Let us hold on to all we have en it was sold now-far too seldom, so carried the resolution that it was of one houses and rebuilding them. The curione got -natil we have something better, that there was tremendous competition mand that anything of that kind must be position arose that there might be two advised Mr. Modurans, amid applause.. The amendment was lost, only three for each lot put up, that competition led smashed and the interests of the work house of exactly the same size, one sow

and one old, and the rent of the new voting in favour, and the resolution WAS to an increase in the cost of building, served no matter how low his position, one would be something like double tant them carried by a large majority,

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The resolution was carried Uz. animously.

THE RENTS RESTRICTION

ORDINANCE.