1923-06-15 — Page 5

Page

Ko

put these facts before the tenants. at

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRI:AY, JUNE 51m, 1998.

Your

Petitioners further desire to lard is not necessarily a reason, för legis same time I got in touch with Bishop; call the attention of the Several Members lating generally against all landlords, Pozzani who pit at my disposal ten dats" of the Legislative Coomeil to the care of. In all other cases the building offiger For these tenants in Robinson Road, the person nove housed in 26 dimestic assures me that he is satisfied that there which wil is realy at the end of the tenentents situated in Upper Ratter will be more legitimate accommodation year. With regard to the Senior Honour. Street and 13 in Lower Butter Street and an improved type of building in able member'a reference to Pateras These houses are about to be pulled down julist every case. I will quote his words:¦ Buildings the landford kindly by the kdlords, and approximately! la a'! other case houses built prior to reduced the rents fram 350 to 230, and 1 2,900 persis will be dispossessed mostly d are affected, most of them being geat this offe" in the tenants, but they employed as conservancy coolics. It is insanitary and dilapidated. In most came to me with a refusal to take the feared that these persons who discharge ground Hours because they were tiled. I a neessary service will not be able to hope 1 may not give offence when I say nd other suitable accommodation and that the attitude of some of these tenants will be unable to continue their work --by no means the majority of them--but satisfactorily. the attitude of some of thein is in necurds. anca with Mr. Mienwber's maxim of waiting for something to turn up," rather than with the more demais pro verb that themselves," am at a house agent, but any satisfied that satisfactory arrangements will eventually be unde for griting all thews propt into new homes. With regard to the Senior Inofficial Monster's retaarks abenit the Beaconstiell Asely property, I may mention that these fats have been, and are tenanted, by Sanitary Inspectors and other Euro Deans in the Government service.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that the several members of the Legislative Council, will be pleased :---

(1) To consider aa amendment to the Rents Ordinance with a view to making provision for the production of tenants wrongfully dispossessed." by adding to Section 20 of the Renta Ordinar, the words.

Street and

¡

vahe the lessze will go on building and wiling with the result that w buildings wa'l 'always be eming inta bing. Whil the original lease for forty years is can orly charge a running the lesse sufficient was rental to bring in, right por cont, and pay all exprass, including! a sinking fund, and insuraner and re pairs; but there will be no charge in the rent in regret of the valur of the land. The Senior Unofficial Member has ask

consideration to the question God helps those who help

Seme!

relief of persons employed in necessary duties.

Very

اما

of them have been there a considerable I may say I have been over al: these supposing "we had adopted this policy their capital will no longer be available)

tines

Now, coming to the European aspect of the question. I have been directly ap proached is a family and in that can

EUROPEAN RESERVATIONS.

properties which are to be demolished, The case of the Conservancy coolies is being dealt with by the Government to who

making arrangements tre

Can

NEW PANZITOrt s.

this

take in persons who may be dispass ssad, and obpiously also, at the same time

for further enterprises.

You

on a

vases additional storeys are to be pre- videt, but in some cases--Li houses in "d'the Council to jat a brake upon the Kutter Street 15 houses in Upper Rutter nterprise of persons who are willing to 19 houses in Metiregorive us new houses for old. The disgra ment does not propose to me the official Start--the accommodations will be reduced majority to thwart the wishes of the owing to the provision of open spaces. This provision of open space is just what Uolicial members in the matter, but 1 them to give very serious whether we desire Supposing a committee was would ask set up, as has been suggested by the

disease, Senior Unofficial Member, what standard the proposed remedy will not aggra The only criterion vosk it adopt other than, the standard of vate the mori accommolation and an improved upon which you can base your decision type of house, You have to put in the the true interests of the community as a whole and I am sure we all have that Am the Magistrate may order alance on the one side a large number

I think if this poftey is the bear to allow the lessee posses

of very much improve dwellings holding heart. sion of sneli, doustic ceirment."

mare de legitimately housed, un the depted, housing will be checked.

can hardly revoke it until there is

accommodation To consider measures for the other a great temporary umenience obviously suficient

to many tenants, and admit. a

But great hardship' to usiness men, when the Rents Ordinance first came into

I think this Cue will be well operation, we should not probably have. as we have now, the fine Bank of Ching advised to take warning by the examples Building in Queen's Road, of the Asiatic of other places where Guverument inter wuble to arrange with the landlord house them in temporary quarters on Petrolemn Building or the large strue ferente in economic laws of supply and; for them to be put into another tenement.;a large piece of ground immediately turn in Pedder Street in which the Senior demand as regards the housing question Variou representations weremade relating: adjoining. Among other cases, quoted is Chinese member is interested, because has not hail the happiest results..

That is the these buildings did disposess a number of cannot make omelettes without breaking to persons employed in the Naval Yard, that of McGregor Street, That is an Admiralty affair, and all I first which came immediately to the notice business people who could find no other eggs, and Kuggest that it is best to get |

DOO perions are amommodation, and therefore lost their this painful process over as expeditigasy need say is that these men have a house of the Government.

as possible, by encouraging every form of allowance which adequately meets the being dispossessed by re-constraction of livelihood. Allegations, sane what vague rent of available Hats in Kowloon. I these very old and andesirable torments, in character, have been made regarding building activity, whether in new hours hase also been approached wegarding two The Government consulered the case and the rapacity of landlords and there has

satisfied that reconstruction Was been a suggestion that a Fair Rents Board or in recon-truction: provided that the private hotels,--Kingsclere and a private was

Efforts were should be created to curb their extor. cemodation (am speaking parti- boarding house, consisting of four houses necessary and desirable.

I could tell tales of tests who calarly of Chinese tenement houses) is in- to their in Mallonnell Road. It is proposed to made to transport the tenants to Sham is,

conditions in China returns post houses on the Kingsclers site, and Shui Pa, and the question of housing have sub-let their flats on the fiction of creased and the type is improved. When to sustitute for two houses of the board them in matsheds was consulted but renting their furniture, which would put normal state-as assuredly they will- state from the tales regarding the landlords in the trade will revive, capital will flow back ing one and one other independent they disappeared. I

into its accfstomed channels, 2 large house in MacDonnell Road, right or ten Personal investigation that the Butter shade.

But with regard to

rental number of our refugees will return to ho I am afraid I could do nothing Street property which is to be demolished most undesirable property, and in this case except to talk of blocks or is n

met by the Building Ordinance Officer who ne-stion 1 think there has been great their homes, and I hope the Senior Ele flats in Kowloon, and I was

in contemplation a scheme for bailing when that happy state of things arrives-} various objections more or less valid companied me said he would be thankful aeration, The Government has had frial Member will be re-

a large muler of bungalows, semi te congratulate the Government I also sng to see it come down. rather more valid than less.

derachel, aking the railway line in Kow- vastly improved eity in which landlords gest that thos having experience of European hotel management, might get This Colony has a startling capacity pon. The idea was that these temporary will be vying to induce tenants within togeller and rent this building of absorbing Chine, as has been ex bangalows should be of the simplest their doors Applause.)

With regard to the second amendment | boarding hous-for Faropean de patien-emplified time and again times of construction with woulon roof covered by those persons who may be evicted from unrest at Canton. Now this results in with Malthoid roofing and no foundations as to main fide action on the part of the to keep them "standing: landlord in demanding more than his But the rout of most andesirable overcrowding, and for except enough their present tenements.

It the poses of the present argument I against typhoons. Without allowing for lawful rent, I will leave this to the Con the matter goes deeper than that.

mitter stage. I may, however, refer to right down to the question of merely sinte the tret that homeless people amortisation, repairs and upkeep, and 8

do find accommodation sontehov, i have per cent. on the investment, the minum Section of the Bents Ordinance which Europent reservations.

a list of a considerable number of empty rental works uit at $120 a month, 1 will This is the

(1) No person shall, as a condition I do not propose to deal with this tenements with which I will not now read from the estimate:

what thorny sabject except from the trouble Honourable Members, but they minimum atal which could be charged, or pretended condition of the grant, re aspect of the conitate pressure which is may be interested in the figures relating notwithstanding the fact that the fand newal, or continuance, by himself, or by gradually driving the Kampeans out of to tenements under construction Between would be leased for a perical of ten years the districts in which they have lived for the 1st of January and the 31st of May, without charge. No provision has been other person of a tenancy of any many years. A number of persons have a European and 321 Chinese houses were made for vacancies, and consequently it domestic tenement demand pasiment of The European is doubtful whether a lower restal than a sum of money whatsoever in addi- This merely It is not for us to nurse the tensats heet persistently crying stinking ish", certified for occupation. against the Government and some of those houses consisted of 182 and the Chinese, $150 could be charged.

Between now and four proves that ideek of residential flats are in all their comings in and goings out, who have cried Joudest have the least of 997 storeys,

new ecessary with a vice of edenining cheat and I propose to ask the Attorney- cause to do so. It may interest Hoseur mouth time there will be 20 abe members to knew that a year or the European houses; 34 European Hats and commidation, and that cheaply General whether this does not cover the

meet the Chinese houses, containing 1,534tructed bungalows will ago, the Government initiated a proposal, 472

These houses were us chen and matter.

wil draw attention namely, the statement to take a European reservation in the storeys. And there is also the new hotel lansat large area round the lower part of the of some rooms in Kowloon. As against small as they could be, occupying 1400 Them is one further matter to which I I think. Peak Road. It was essential. of course, that, the number of house which have square feet and eantaining two bed-rooms, of the Senior Unofficial Member as to

17. sitting room, one bath-room and small Chinese sleeping in the streets.

The cost for a quatif this got abroad, and especially if it that all the owner of houses in that ren or are to be themolished i district should agree that their houses: Therefore, it will be seen that there is servants quarters,

get to Parliament at Home, it would Those should only be let or suld to Europeans, building in excess of what is disappear (lity" (400 was suggested) was estimated at

create a very wrong impression. Honourable Many conferences tank pisey and most of ing. It takes only some six months to 85,200 each.

who have had experience of this town at the owners accepted the proposal. Some pull down and retrug these Chinese The stood out saying "No, we want a free tenments, so the hardship, dos riot last Member mentioned the flate built by the night or have had anything to do with market for our henses. We want to know for a very dọng period,,, The gaotion is talint Mission in Robinson Rd., pointing

sure the Chinese members will agre we leave the Culty and are ready to go. view than the lividual tonast, in the residents threatened with eviction from when I say that in the hot weather a very certainly that we shall be able to sell when to be looked at from a wider point of out that they were too expensive for the the Police, will support me--and 1 um home after ten or fifteen years and we year 1974, the great plague, sea, we paid, Belilios Terrace. Three buildings have may be unable to find a buyer under "this the penalty of our oil rat-inished sluins, en put up under the Government Loan large proportion of the people living in restricted scheme. Other owners took the and Sir William Robinson wrote: "The Scheme and I am satisfied that the Chinese tenements prefer to live in the The streets has attitude that they could not come in remedy, us your Lordship will see, is a return on the cost of the buildings alone streets because of the heat within doors. unless everybody agreed. Fairly recently very drastic one. In may result in the will not is more than six per cent, and a wet weather you may see them with na connection whatever with this housing a sale in this area has put the final nail destruction and rebuilding of one-tenth if the value of the land fg aided the little tents. Sleeping

part of Hongkong. It will necessitute the return will not be more than three, or

question. in the coffin of the scheme.

The Hon. Mr. KOTEW: 1 woai likas Quite recently a number of persons extension in every direction of houses three and a half per cent. have approached me on this subject of fitted for Chinese occupation on improvedį la a rapidly growing commercial com

munity like Hongkong, rising values to bear out the comment just made by the Colonial Sereinry. It struck me whilst a European reservation but there has sanitary principles." Since that day we always been the objection that while they have kid a Public Health and Building must result in the building over of the the Senior Inofficial Member was speak- are willing to rent they are not prepared Ordiner which, with all its imperfec vacant spaces in the centre of the town. to build, for the reason that when lear- tions, is a great advance on the conditions The same thing has happened in othering that his remarks were somewhat over ing the Colony they will not find an open of the days, and the condition of the cities In London our grandfathers lived stated.

H.E, THE GOVERNOR. market. la conversation with a well-town is much moro satisfactory. But we over their offers in the City and their

I will defer HE. THE GOVERNOR: known resident recently I reminded him still have must undesirable glans. I have grandsons are now in distant suburbs. crowded district. of the story of Abraham when the Angelberg over all those that have been named. St. Martin's, which was formerly in the

remarks propuse to make until If the any announced to him the intended destruc-in this connection, and I am speaking Fields, is now in a

we cothe' to consider individual amand- tion, of Sodom. Abraham pleaded for the from experience, when i say that Honour. adjacent to Trafalgar Square,

ten just able Members would. if they saw them, Council will excuse me in a digression Peradventure

things I should like to say at this city, saying persons will be found." and the Aigel be struck with amazement that the Colony for a moment. I may mention that the ments in committee. There are only two

will not destroy the is not swept from end to end every year Town Planning Committee has laid out ..answered.

by disease. In 198 we had the Cerebro a very large residential area along the stage: the first is I sincerely trust that be called upon to extend thes Len -City if

just

scheme which has will Find me Spinal Meningitis epidemic and after the Kowloon foothills and the Government this will be the last time the Council found.

operation of the Rents Ordinance; the An I

1 will tenor

reduce it. Find Oliksky report, the Government had in has initiated a new me five who will build houses in this contemplation the demolition and revor been accepted by certain capitalists. The other is that I should like the Council to understand the immense amount of whole difficulty has been the sale of land reservation and I am sure the Govern. "truction of large areas in the heart of. If we sell by auclion, in boom times. work which the Colonial Secretary has

If we do not

lavs

been personally putting into this matter merit i incet them more than half the Chinese quarters: but cusidered it!

Hell by austion the Governant He wrat out and has not return more expedient to concentrate on the prices arr. exaggerated.

opening out and development of suburbs itself open to charges of bad faith by dis for weeks past(Applause)

The second reading was then carried, appointed applicants. Also, if land is Now, there is no ficial question in and the improvement of communications all this

WAS

-cd.

Call person

Huid:

Not

Senior Unofficial

a forty

and

says.

tion to the rent,'

OH

the motion of the ArvoRNEY-

We are prepared to make with the intention that sufficient account below its market value there is GENERAL, the Council went into Committee similar proposition to any community modation should be available to put a thing to prevent the purchaser selling to consider the Bil! cause by clause.

In this new scheme, the ils own kitch and kin. We have, in fact, suddenly, we have our opportunity. The Government will give land anywhere in which may wish to live separately among stop to ongestion in the City. Now the next day.

Owing to unfortunate mechanical dif- recently leaved without auction to Chinese unrest in China has poured a flood of the Colony without charge on an area on which they propose to build Chinese capital into this place and a large, years leas. The Government and the ficulties the report of the Committer

part of which is being used by private inssee will by agrnment, before opera stage is held over until to-morrow. enterprise on its own initiative, to do this, tious commence, fix the value of that very work which should have been done, land. Suppose, for example, it is a pos you agren long ago. Year in aul year, out we have of 4,000 feet n * a foot.

Now $100,000. There will be imposed a build-

Sity houses for the permanent residence

of members of the Chinein community.

THE CHINESE CAKE,

The

TYPHOON WARNING.

I now come to the case presented to us had reached to us the absolute uecessity lefore you start that land is worth

I will read a portion or removing this slum property.

telegram has been by the Chinese.

from the Hongkong not only are others doing it for us but we ing convrent according to the locality flowing ment Consulate of the Petition

cates there will be 1. Tenante Protective Society, which has are sizing the opportunity of widening and in some 4,000 subscribing members representing, streets getting more open spaces, and restriction as to the type of tenant General Hongkong, from the Manila

10:30 am.. June 14th. approximately. -10,000 members of families. effecting other improvements which are When there buildings are completed the Observatory:- The petitioners say

are long overlue. Of course, the land lessees is allowed at anytime that the

Typhoon in about 130dex. Long. E. odeg. A great number of cases have oc- lords are not doing this from philas value of the land is doubled, to sell the curred in which tenants have been forced throphie motives, but I think it is not whole property, as it stands, in the open Lat. N., moving West.

the ordinary 75 vears' to vacate possession of their tenancies true to make a general assertion that market on under Section 4 (1)F of the Rents Ordin their guiding incentive is the evasion of renewable lease. The price realised goes ance, 1922, which allows the ejectment of the Rots Ordinars. There was one dis firstly to pay back the cost of the build- ings, and the procbeds are divided tenants in cases which the landlord in- tinet case in February last, which equally between the Government and the

The Excutive of the Frottish Miners? tends to rebuild domestic tenements so a tunately I did not hear of at the time essen who has had the enterpris: to put to make then new buildings within the in which the landlord had rebuilt, als his money into the concer. The Covern Union, meeting in Glasgow on May 8th meaning of the Public Health and Build for the purpose of evading the Ordinancement is assured that it gets back at least decided to send resolutions for the agenda ings Ordinarne 1923 and it has been sub- There was one other case. mentioned by the original value fixed upon the land of the British Miners' Federation confer- sequently ascertained that possession has the ser unofficial member, No. 4and-here comes the important point of ence at Folkestone in July, calling on the not been obtained in accordance with the Amy Street, in which, apparently the the arrangement from the point of view General Council of the British Trades provisions of the Ordinance.

same ohjeet was in view. I sent for the of the housing question the lessee, Union Congress to summon a national In these enses the deterrent contained architect and I think that nothing more directly he has said, must take his congress to consider the setting up of a in Section 20 has not been insufficient to will be heard of the matter. These are original capital and re-invest it in a minimum wage for all workers suficient prevent the evil while the tenants have the only cases. Well, gentlemen, one similar operation. Therefore, as long as to bring them above the poverty ling and Just all protection granted by the Ordin-swallow does not make a summer and the demand is so much in exors of the also to reaffirm the nationalization of the

one doubtful act on the part of a land supply as to cause land to double its mines policy.

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