1927-09-07 — Page 4

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MOST EXPENSIVE COLONY TO LIVE IN.

HONG KONG GETTING AN UNENVIABLE REPUTATION. «

A PLEA FOR REDUCTION OF ABNORMALLY HIGH COSTS.

SANITARY BOARD DISCUSSES WEIGHTS AND

"MEASURES.

***Hong Kong is earning the unenviable reputation of being the post expensive Colony to live in," said Mr. J. P. Braga at the -meeting of the Sanitary Board yesterday afternoon, when he raised.

the question of the prices of fresh foodstuffs in the local markets.

He made a plea for taking steps to reduce the cast of living: Reference was made to the committee appointed to consider market prices, and the fact that it had been considered unneces sary for the committee to issues report. He suggested that a report published by the committee would be of very great public, interest. It would invite public criticism and bring in suggestions lor keeping down prices."

Mr. Braga went at some length into the question of food prices, and also referred to the importance of encouraging a larger growth of vegetables in the New Territories, and the need for obtaining a reduction in the cost of transpertation to Kowloon and Hong Kong

The President of the Board in his reply reviewed what the committee on prices had done. He pointed out that they had found that prices went up according to changes prevailing at ports. of origin, and that retailers here did not seem to be reaping excessive profits. With regard to local production, the President stated that transportation from the New Territories to Kowloon was much more expensive than by steamer from, "say, Shek Ki. Those present at the meeting': were: Mr. N. L. Smith (President), Dr. S. W. T10, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, Dr. S. C. Ho, Mr. J. P. Braga, the Hon Mr. H. T. Jackman (act ing Director of Public Works), Dr. G., W. Pope (Medical Officer of Health) and Mr. D. Dacies (Secre-

tary).

It

No Inordinate Proft,

We

I think the papera circulated will indicate the lines on which we went to work. We saw every month the wholesale prices of cattle and swine, and we were able to keep a careful check of them. We' in- terviewed at considerable length the importers of enttle and swine, and interviewed the butchers and re- presentatives of the butchers. also had the advics of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, and we came to the conclusion, which I think is "correct, that no inordinate. pro- fit is being made by the actual re- tailer. It was seen, and the figures prove it, that the increase in prices was due to the higher prices reign- ing at the ports of origin. They came down in a very marked do- gree early this year, but they have gone up again since, but nothing like what they did during the Boy-

cott.

Health Competition

As regards what Mr. Braga said about supply and demand, I think we are apt to make too much of the bogoy of the ring" and the Guild. One who has been into the markets, like myself, will see that there ja very healthy competition, and you can beat them down. This it-bound to be the case where there are perishable commodities like beef, etc. Prices move in a curve. When there is a glut prices drop a few cents, and when there are i few hundred cattle less in the de pot the price rise a few cents.

New Territories Production, Another striking fact is the

This is a not a ̈ Board matter, and phenomenal increase in the prices I am not sure I ought to be mak of Chinese vegetables as compared ing these remarks, except that we were appointed to go into this to what they were a few years ago. matter. I think you will always This big increase hits the poor find people who will buy cheap and sell dear, whether it is in Ice working classes very badly. would be interesting to learn from House Street or in the markets. the Committee whether any effort The only way in which that can has been made to obtain a larger where there is a market monopoly, be kept within bounds, especially The PRESIDENT referred to the supply of vegetables for our marit to have plenty of markets,

kets from the producing districts of work of a committee being appoint the New Territories,, A factor ed to consider the prices of fresh against the New Territories farmers As regards local production. The food stuffs, and said that the com- is the difficulty and the high cost committee also had the advantage mittee had suggested that the of transport from the producing of a large number of files on the centres to our markets in Hong subject of encouraging the_produe- papers be circulated, to members of

Kong. In the present age of tion of food stuffs in the New Ter- mechanical transport some feasible ritories, and it is not easy to say the Board, but that it was untieces- sary to issue a report. He under scheme, should be worked out for much on the subject. In the ease collecting vegetables grown in the of the New Kowloon vegetable man stood that Mr. Braga had something New Territories and transported it has been definitely found that he to say to the Board on the ques-cheaply to Kowloon and Hong is within range of a number of Kong A pertinent question would markets. The whole of Kowloon be: Has the railway administration has vegetables. With the New Ter-

tión.

A Heavy Burden,

Local Production.

there is expensive transport. It costa more to bring vegetables from Shatim to. Kowloon than from Shek tions on which residents would api by steamer. There is a big diff preciate the views, and recommenda- ference in the prices charged for tions of the Market-Prices Com transportation,

mittee.

Hong Kong is earning the unen- viable reputation of being the most

Mr. BRAGA then said: I suggest. been approached to reduce the riteries it is more difficult, and ed that this question of the prices freight on perishable goods to Kow- of fresh foodstuffs should be brought loon from stations within the bor: up for discussion to-day, because it der1 These and others are quea concerns a much wider sphere than the limited circle-of-membership of this Board. It is a question that

It is not easy to see that any affects all classes in Hong Kong.

steps taken to encourage local pro- Another reason why I wanted an

duction will go very greatly to en opportunity for a public discussion

The of the prices of the daily neces-expensive Colony to live in. If this courage reduction of price.. saries of life is because public atten. abnormally high cost of living could local man will keep his price just tion can be drawn to the fact that be put down as the result of any below the price of the imported the incidence of the high cost of recommendation the Committee is stuff. During the strike the New capable of forculating, I feel sure Torritorice reaped a golden harvest, Eving in Hong Kong is hearing very heavily on the class-leass capable residents will have reason to be especially with their swine and

vegetables. of shouldering the burden. I speak grateful to its members. af the middle-class wage-carrers, the tendency of whose income in towards reduction, because of the difficult times through which the Colony is passing, and whose er- penditure goes on increasing in en

inverse ratio,

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THE PRESIDENT'E' STATEMENT. Replying to Mr. Braga, the PRESIDENT said: I am sure the Committee, of which I was & memn- ber, would be glad to submit to the Board a subsequent report if that

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Wild Optimian.

Their are matters, which, as I say, do not concern the Board as such, nor even the committee, who were given fairly wide powers to deal with the matter.

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[APE. 14]

EMBEZZLER SENTENCED.

UNABLE TO REIMBURSE.

Lindsell at the Central Magistracy yesterday.

“The' defendant when first charged

I shall be very glad to incor A little while ago I received a porata remarks in a subsequent letter from a Chinese gentleman (1 Of Great Public Interest.

is the desire of the Board We report, but we considered we had did not know him) who suggested When a Sub-Committee of this have no wish to shirk our respon-sufficiently covered matters by cir- the need for an official system of Board was appointed to go into the abilities in that respect. After culating the report around. weights and scales in the markets question of the prices of fresh lood- consideration we thought that if Concluding, the President said: of Hong Kong. He pointed out to A Chinese who had embezzled the stuffs about two years ago, the the papers were circulated to mem- It can never be hoped that the me the grievance of Chinese scr rezark was generally heard that bers of the Board they would show New Territories can supply live vants. Servants go to the markets sum of $1,500 belonging to his great things might be expected that the Committee had not been stock as we need it to the extent and are given a certain quantity employers the Tin Shing Steam- from ite labours to keep down mar at all dormant. I would like to of 50,000 swine, and 4,000 cattle for a presumed weight. They are ship. Co., was sentenced to two ket prices. "From time to time the thank at this stage the two Chiness month. I don't think even the told to take it or leave it This months' hard labour by Mr. R. E. pertinent question has been asked members for the Lime and care they wildest optimist could think that Chinese gentleman auggested to me in the Press whether the Com-gave to work on this Committee.

the New Territories could produce that official scale weights and mea mittee was still in existence and to We also thought that if any report livestock in that quantity.

sures should be established," and what extent it was controlling the was made it would be bound to

that such a system would be a big MR. BRAGA HEPLIES. market prices. But for all the bo in a way negative.

advantage to poor people. I pro I think that the Board should mained dormant, and now it is sug- bear in mind that Food Prices are President, thanked him for his and I think this is a suitable time week's time to get his father to re- Mr. Braga, in replying to the mised to bring it before the Board, about a week" ago, was given a gested that no good purpose would not in any way its concern. They interesting and comprehensiva zet do so. I would be thankful if imburse the money to the complain- be served by the Committee issu- never have been, and I venture to

view of the question, commenting they could see some way to meet ing a report and, therefore, it is say they should not be. This Com- that it would be most interesting the wishes of this Chinese gentle-ants, but all the father could get proposed that no report be issued. mittee was appointed in conse and illuminating reading to the

together was about 8300. New Territories Encouragement. I regret such a decision. I would queaked in May, 1923, in which public in general,

In sentencing the defendant, the go further and ask the members of the Committee to reconsider their he asked whether the Board, in do not quite, see eye to eye with ritories. While we are not all the

Continuing, Mr. Braga said: "I In this matter of the New Ter-Magistrate told Mr. D. McCallum, decision. A report by the Commit-letting market stalls could not

take tee, if published, would be of very some steps to stop what be described you, Sir, when you say that as rewildest optimists, I think there counsel for the defence, that if the great public interest. It would, as profiteering. I followed that up gards the matter of the price of fare plenty who feel that the fara, money were repaid, be would re- besides, invite public criticisms and by consenting to the setting up of foodstuffs this is no concern of the era in the New Territories might consider the sentence. possibly useful suggestions for keep a small committee, consisting of Based The mere fact of the Board be encouraged to do more than ther ing down prices for the benefit of myself and two. Chince rep deal with the question is tacit con- stood us in good stead during the having appointed a Committee to have done in the past. They all consumers at large. Without any tives, to go into the question of report, the public is entirely in the prices of food sold in the markets, sent on the part of the Board more first months of the 1005 crisis 1 DUTCH SHIPS GREETINGS. dark as to the steps (if any) taken and which at that time we felt to or less to regulate food prices in do think that given encouragement, by the Committee to reduce pro- be extremely high, and if possible the interest of the community for and the guidance of the Forestry duce prices. For example, a few to make recommendations to reduce the past two years. I realise that Department they could produce DUTCH SKIPPER'S WRONG

there is no statuts which places vegetables in larger quantities and months ago the price of bread was these prices.

USE OF SIRÉN. such duties on any member of the nt prices which would combete with shaved up because of the higher

Boycott Effects,

Committee or Board. As it was imported commodities. The pro- price of imparted flour. The price

May, 1928, of course, was not the an all-embracing question affecting duction of swine and cattle is a When Mr. J. Simons, master of of this latter commodity must surely worst time of the Boycott, but the the whole of the community, I question which needs time to con- the ss. Tiiponds, was before Lieut- have fluctuated since then, and yet Boycott still existed. Before 1925 think that the Board might have sider for development. our bread price has remained fixed, the main supplies of cattle and employed its efforts to contra!

No Competitive- Prices, --- pigs were from two West River prices.

of a question which Dr.

All The Same Price.

Transportation Charges,

Comdr. G. E. Hole, at the Marine

As regards market produce, I ports, Wuchow and San Mel, and

The question of transportation by Court yesterday for using his steam have my doubts that prices are in the matter of cattle supplies

sideration. The present charges regulated strictly by the laws of about 88 per cent of the total im I do not agree that there are railway is one which also needs con- whistle for purposes other than supply and demand. It is suspect. portation came from those places competitive prices in the market are much too high, and I think if navigation, he told the Court that that the influence of the Butchers' During the trouble in 1925, and I have been in them and enquired we could get the railway to reduce it was customary for Dutch ships at the fruit, vegetables and meat costs of transport, it would be to greet each other in passing, by Guild is the greatest determining right on to October, 1920, these two factor, and it would be interesting ports were entirely: closed, I have sections. It is a curious co-incid-doing a good service to the Colony. three-lang-biasts-of-the-whistle. to learn to what extent the Con- no doubt that the same cattle, orence that sayin-the-firat section. The President replied that he This would be answered by the mittee has succeeded, if at all, to their descendants came vid Kwazig you can go the whole length of would take up the question of other ship and then followed by undermine the power of that Guild Chow Wan,

There is no such thing as competito be paid /aturally there had the block and you will find the official weights and measures in the dipping the flag. 26 SURKE UTI

sorts of dues before practically the same prices obtain

tive prices in our markets, which the cattle crossed the French front every stall. This is not so. with markets. It had been brought up Captain Simons also said that goes to bear out the belief that tier to begin with, and further it the competition, say in Ice House some time ago, and the police had this form of greeting is done in with using scales, or a system of that it was a violation of the re between the butchers and the com- was more difficult to bring them Street or in other departments of made several arrests in connection every port and he was not aware weighting other than a recognised gulations of Hong Kong Harbour. pradores prices are kept up to the that way than direct from-Wuchow commercial activity.

"He was finedTM. and the West River.

(Continued on next Oclumn.)

method. prejudice of the consumers.