1928-02-22 — Page 4

BATH ROBES and SLIPPERS in new styles

PYJAMAS

blue.

Cut from a soft silken finish material in plain mauve, grey or smart block stripes. Tailored to fit generously with plenty of room for a good "stroteh".

11

$12.50, $13.50 per suit. OTURA QUALICIES from $8.50. Lass our usual 10% cash discount.

Mackintosh

Po

MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS

ALEXANDRA BUILDING.

& Co.La

DES VOEUX ROAD

DINE-DANCE

"at the

CAFE REGENT

MOST COMFORTABLE SOCIAL RENDEZVOUS WITH SPECIAL LADIES' LOUNGE SERVICE FROM 8 A.M. To 12 P.M. MIDNIGHT EXCELLENT CUISINE-MUSIC-DANCING Cafe Pavilion Cakes and Bread Always on Hand TEA SERVED MORNING, AFTERNOON & EVENING

Refreshments of all kinds"・

WINES, SPIRITS, etc.. VERY BEST FULL PUBLICAN'S LICENCE

Dance Parties, Receptions, ëtë, catered for SATISFACTORY SERVICE.

PEDDER BUILDING,

TRL. C. 3050

WHITEAWAYS

BLANKETS AND DOWN QUILTS Chilly nights bring thoughts of warmth and blankets. Whiteaways have always been noted for giving the best value in Wool Blankets in Hong Kong.

The following numbers are specially made for Whiteaways and are not obtainable elsewhere.

Size 84 by 64 in. $1975.& $25.50 Size 98 by 74 in.

$35.50

Size 104 by 84 in.

$45.00 pair

REAL WITNEY

Blankets

$59.60-pair.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd, 1928.

READJUSTMENT OF MARKET STALL-

RENTS.

MR. BRAGA COMPLAINS OF THE

SYSTEM."

HEREDITARY

SUB-LETTING OF STALLS ALLEGED.

Greater Facilities To New Territorios.

Dr. Ho makes a good case against the sub-letting of stalla for profit, and yet the Report makes no recom- mendation against this system of profiteering.

Among the signatories to the re pert two Dames appear of members who strongly advocate assistance to New Territories farmers and agricul turists Yek is disappointing to see that neither put forward any

REPORTS ADOPTED BY 3 VOTES TO 1. recommendation whereby produce

54

The question of the adjustment of market stall rents which had been left in abeyance since November last, was again brought up at the Sanitary Board Meeting yesterday afternoon. The Com- mittee which had been appointed to enquire into the matter has recommended a scheme of readjustment. It is based on the average rental paid by stalls selling any one conimodity in one market. Stalls whose rents are below the average will be raised to the average, but rentals above the average will continue as at present. Mr. J. P. Bragn, who voted against the adoption of this scheme said that there are stall-holders in the Central Market who pay only a month while some were paying as much as 8380.` A pertinent question, he, said, was whether the $1 licensee were sell. ing his goods at any less price than the $39 man. Mr. Braga also spoke against the hereditary system" whereby a stali-holder may pass his stall on at the old rate to another. He also com- plained of "the sub-letting of atalls.

Better transports facilities for New Territories farmers were also advocated. Such a move would make Hong Kong more self-support- ing, said Dr. Ho.

The adoption of the report was carried by 3 votes to 1. Mr. Braga being the objector. "Those present at the meeting yesterday were Mr. W. J. Carrie (President), Mr. J. Watson (Secre-

"

That the meat dealers should protest against my speech of the 1st November is not surprising. What

Towers in the New Territories might be given greater facilities for the disposal of their produce in the markets of Hong Kong and Kow- loon. It is fair to Dr. S. C. Ho' to state that he wrote to the H.S.D. urging strongly the claims of the New Territories people, and it is strange that his recommendation was not embodied in the Report.

I will vote against the resolution. SELF-SUPPORTING HONG

KONG ADVOCATED. Addressing the meeting Dr. S. C. Ro said: Mr. Braga has just made reference to one of my recommen- dations I should stress the point to the meeting. A system that permits of profit-taking with the letting and sub-letting of stall- licences leaves much to be desired. I hope Government will take this matter into serious consideration and devise means to put an effective check on practice that can only add to the price of foodstuffs to the consumer. The greater the profit to middle-men, when there are more than one, the higher price will the his meat, noultry or vegetables resident be called upon to pay for bought in the markets.

KAIPING COAL

FOR HOME, FACTORY, & POWER HOUSE

HOME, FACTORY AND BUNKERS

POWER

HOUSE,

TUGS &

LOCOS.

THE KAILAN MINING ADMINISTRATION DODWELL & CO., LTD.. Agents, Hong Kong.

MANCHURIA'S CURRENCY: ROUND THE COURTS

JAPANESE ANGER AT FENG-

PIAO DEPRECIATION,

THEFT OF TELEPHONE

WIRE PUNISHED:

OWNERS -ADJOURNED SUMMONS AGAINST GARAGE

SINE DIE.".

The Fangpino question will never be settled so long as the Chinese authorities refuse to handle it without beating scientifically, currespondent of the Forth China about the bush, writes the Mukden Daily News, Decapitations of 'cx-" On Saturday night a Chinese change brokera or arrests of hank-detective arrested a man who was tion....

tary), Dr. W. V. M. Koch, Dr. S. C. Í the "ketual" figures Are which may be fensible to render assisters will never improve the etua, carrying a bag containing aix

Ha, Dr. S. W. Tso, Dr. G. W. Pope and Mr. J. P. Braga,

THE MARKET COMMITTEE'S

REPORT.

The report of the "Committee ap- pointed to enquire into the question of the readjustment of the rent of market stalls was as follows:-

"Ex-Parte Figures.

I do not know to what extent it ance to the New Territories farmers. were promised in reluiation of my Certainly, it should be possible to statements remain to be known. I put sonie scheme on a trial test to have perused the Special Com-ses to what extent practical assist ance may be afforded to the people mittee's report and looked in vain of the New Territories in order that for any reference to the statistics they may, on their part, help to reduce the cost of market produce promised by the meat dealers.

both at Hong Kong and Kowloon. Of what good is it to hold Agricul tural Shows and offer greater incen- tives to the farmers to grow more and better, vegetables if the Gov. crament is not going to grant them greater facilities to dispose of their produce to the inhabitants of the Colony? I would like to see greater efforts exerted to render Hong Kong more self-supporting in respect of its food supplies.

It will be matter of no surprise to Members if I state that the ment dealers in Hong Kong, while pos We have examined a list of the sibly enjoy 1g a certain form of rents at present being paid in the monopoly, do not enjoy any ex- various markets and the following clusive privilege in the matter of markets, which have been long statisties concerning swipe and established, show wide variations in cattle at the principal places of the rents paid for stalls selling the embarkation for export to Hong same commodity:-Central; West-Kong. The meat dres' figures at ern; Saivingcun; Wanchai; Sai- best are ex parte. On the other wanhe; Shaukiwan: Shektongtau hand, I am in possession of a state- Aberdeen; Yaumati; Tsimshatsu::ment of prices from a disinterested Reclamation Street; Reclamation

source-which-has-been-compiled. Street (poultry); Mongkoktari. with scrupulous care, and goes to Such variations are due to a show that I am not entirely with out any knowledge of the subject. variety of causes, many of which are

As to the Special Committee's re- obvious. We confine our recommen- dations to these markets and export itself, regret any it is clude the newer markets as we con not as illuminating as I had ex sider that such variations as exist pected it to be. For example, the in them, rest on a true economic third paragraph, referring

variations in stam renta, states: basis.

"Such variations are due to a variety of causes, many of which are obvious." I may be dense, but

The Japanese insist that the pounds of speel and brass wire. Chinese authorities have deliberate These were found to be telephone ly and shamelessly violated their wire cut down from the poles be solemn promises to redeem the superfluous Fengpias notes in cir tween Quarry Bay and Shauki- culation, and there are documents wan. in black and white to prove this

The man was charged before Mr. fact The Chinter authorities have caused the agents of the Three R. E Lindzell as the Central Eastern Banks to purchase produca Magistracy yesterday when Mr. W,

་་

piad notes, and they have later re

monopolistic basis with Feng-Griggs, of the P.WD., and Ser- god their produce stocks to mergeant W. Bent, of the Royal Corps chants on a dollar basis, raking in of Signals, gave evidence of several ice profit thereby, but instead thefts of wire. The last theft, took of redeeming the superfluous Feng- pino notes in circulation every place between that Saturday and cent has been emitted to Peking Monday when about led yards of wire was cut down from the mili- tary Mines.

for war purposes.

The Harita dollar has likewise gone to pieces, but no one in Authority stuns capable of tackling the situation The chief thing in mind appears to be to curry favour with the Dictator by sending him as much money as possible for his

THE LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND, Relative to the adjustment of market stall rentals. Dr. Ho wrote to the H.S.D. on December 10th last as follows:-With regard to the discussion at the meeting of the campaign chest. Stritary Board, and the motion for investigation into the question of readjustment of stall rents at the principal markets of the Colony, I have the honour to submit a few suggestions which embodied my per sonal opinion concerning the matter, Since the file was sent to me for your kind consideration.

labours, after satisfying the greed It is only of the middlemen with whom they

they had to sell elsewhere, are forced to deal. natural they would rather sell what

"Sergeant Meadows, of the Shane- kiwan Police Station, informed his Worship that following the defend- ant's arrest a long pole with a forked branch attached to it was found hidden in the undergrowth The Bergeant suggested that this pole was used for pulling down the

wires

Defendunt, who denied that be had the wire in his possession, was If the Government will only give sentenced to six months' hard

We agree that a readjustment is required in these old established markets and consider that the scheme of readjustment which we propose affords no reason för an increase in prices in the stalls affect informative had the Report stated have come to the conclusion and hem what possible help it can they labour on two charges. rd and is unlikely to cause any such

increase.

must confess that it would have been much more satisfactory and what the obvious causes are instead of leaving them to the imagination of readers to conjecture what they Happy In The Licensee.

Each market has been treated separately. The average rental paid may be. by the stalls selling one commodity

the

+

quite agree that it is only just and fair to readjust the scale of stall rents at all the principal. markets of the Colony, especially so if it is done on an average minimum in- dividually, having particular re gard to the question of locality.

Opposed To Sub-Letting.

will only be too willing to.. co- aparate and do their best. If the

REQUIREMENTS. situation is probably handled with GARAGE OWNERS AND POLICE sufficient and effective backing, I see no reason why the Colony cannot be made to be self-supporting as far as the question of these principal foodstuffs is concerned. It seems to

Eleven cases in which owners of

me that much more good may bo motor garages were summoned at I also am opposed to the system done for the Sanitary Board to the Central Magistracy last week the Government is practising, or at appoint a sub-committee to inves for storing cars on the premises any rate, tolerating, of the sub-tigate into their case also, and try, letting of a stall by the original if possible, to provide them cheaper without permits from the Captain licensee at an enormous rental. means of transport, alleviate their Superintendent of Police were sce no reason why the Government hardships and cause of complaint, again before Major C. Willman, should not have that much added if any." revenue instead of throwing it over to a man who is too lazy to conduct his own businem.

yesterday,

Mr." F. H. Loseby appeared for

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY. In replying to Mr. Braga, Mr. ten of the defendants and Mr. As regards the question that the Carrie said that he was sorry that Horace Lo for the other. mere readjustment of the rent of the reports were considered too market stalls would reduce the price brief to give any satisfaction. He

duce

An adjournment was given on

in one market has been calculated. In the fifth paragraph a striking and this average has been taken as example of the disparity of rents is the minimum rental for stalls in that given. I quote the Report. "For market selling that commodity. All example, in the Central Market the rentals below this average have rente paid for Stalls selling Pork been raised to the average figure; range from 81 a month to 838.60." and all rentals above the average Happy is the license who has have been left undisturbed.. In most been permitted to hold his licence, cases the latter are the most recent probably under the hereditary

system,' Agures obtained at open auction and

for ever so long against they rent therefore on an economic his competitor who pays into the Treasury 38 times as much for the basis.

For example in the Central same privilege. A pertinent ques Market the rents paid for stalls sell- tion might be asked has ing pork range from $1 a month to $1 licenses been selling his pork at $35.50 and calculations show that any less price than the $38 man the the average is 810 a month. All If so, what has been the difference stalls paying less than $10 a month in the prices! will, if our scheme is adopted, be

Is "Hereditary System" To agree. It has always been my firm market stall rents was brought up Ordinance to justify the require

Continue?

belief that the chief factor govern just in view of the very query menta imposed by the police. called upon to pay $10 a month or

Mr. Loseby mentioned yesterday. surrender the stalls for auction;

Apparently, the hereditary dysing the price of foodstuffs is depen-raised by Mr. Braga as to whether while all paying $10, $12 or any

tem is to continue, for the Report dent on the law of supply and de-a 31 stall-holder was selling his that he had since seen the Captain higher rent will remain unchanged.

In a few cases there were com- states: All rentals above the mand. Ever since the last strike. produce at a lesser price than the Superintendent of Police,

rather than there should be adverse plications which caused this average average $10-have been left the population of Hong Kong had 38 man.

cases the been steadily increasing by the in- It would be most unfair if the decisions on either side, he had system to break down. For example undisturbed. In most fish tanks are sometimes let with latter are the most recent figures coming of the additional army and the stalls; or a stall may have been obtained at open auction and they navy as well as Chinese and aliens, present scale of rentals were not agreed that an application be. economic due to the ever-existing troubles of changed, as in times of trade de made for the summonses to be subdivided; or a stall may be of rest therefore

the interior of China. For the last Pression the $36 man would suffer adjourned sine die. This, Mr. unusual size compared with others basis,

The Central Market,

named reason also, imported food-most, and even in case of a boom, Loseby said, was because of the the same man would not profit so diffeplt position in which bis clients were placed and the expen- in the same markets. Each of these

From the "red" book of rental stuffs from the neighbouring ports, enses has been specially considered

As to the question of sub-letting diture they would be put to if they were to comply with the require- and account taken of the special circulated to members I find that or ports of origin had been gra al much as the $1 man. circumstances in assessing the new all bolders of beef stall licences are ly decreasing; so that it would only rental proposed..

those who have hold their licences seem natural for the Colony to ex-stalla, he said he would be, very We recommend the adoption of since 1st May, 1911, with one excep- perirnes the shortage in the course glad if any member could bring him ments immediately. Permite would the scheme with effect from lat July, tion only. The only change took place of time. Hence the greater demand proof of it. It was one of the con- therefore he issued conditional The and the lesser supply obviously proditions that stalls should not be upon the requirements being com in 1918, nearly 12 years ago.

In spite of sublet and anyone doing so would plied with within a certain period (Sd.) W. J. CARRTE,

rental Sgures have remained con- duce higher prices. S. W. TBU,

stant at $15 as the minimum and what has been said, I do not believe have his licence cancelled. Further at the end of which time, if the de- 840 as the maximum. The repart that it had anything to do with more, the Committes was only ap-fendants failed to carry out the offers no satisfactory explanation doubtedly existed..

the market rings, though such un-pointed to consider the question of work, they could be proceeded

of food, or could, at any rate, pro bad intended it to be brief, but Friday when Mr. Losoby contended whatsoever effect towards he had no idea that it was so brief that there was no clause in the lessening it, I am inclined to dis He said that the readjustment of

1928.

10

WONG Kwond Tis, S. C. Ho.

"for this wide variation-

The Remedy Similarly with the fruit stalls. Excepting a solitary change on the The remedy,

I

-MB. BRAGA'S PROTEST.

He also said that assistance to

-Any sugges-

readjusting the rentals and not to against

The Magistraté granted the ap find out whether stalls had been sub- let. "But if you could and evidence plecation and adjourned sine die summonses against all de- it, of this practice, we have the power the

tendants. Mr. Braga who voted against the

of to correct it at once," he added. adoption of the Market Committee's th February, 1012, the licensees are lies solely in the question

obtain the parne as those on the let May how and where can wo Report, said: PURE MERINO WOOL BLANKETS

understand that after my 1911, that is, 17 years ago. As with sufficient quantities of foodstuffs, the New Territories was not within FINES FOR ILLICIT OPIUM.

more particularly vegetables, ment, One of the best qualities speech in this Board on the 1st the beef stalls the rents have been Extremely light and warm.

November last, three different de constant, riz., $15, as the minimumpoultry and eggs, etc to make the the scope of the Committee appoint

who was described by the market stall rent.

Á mah obtainable.

putations of persons in the ment rent and $35 as the maximum.

In Dr. Ho's letter of the 10th Deupply equal to the existing auded for the purpose-of-readjusting increasing demand. It was been trade saw the H.8.D. and offered.

"runner was yesterday fined Cot size 32 by 40 Size 4.by 64 inches

to refute by actual figures a num-cember lust to the President of the from the last strike that the peopletion as regards the New Territories Chief Revenue Officer Watt, as a

of the New Territories had done would be met with sympathy. ber of my statements which they Board, he wrote:

Concluding, Mr. Carrie said that 83,000, or in default six months' "I also am opposed to the splendid work by raising the above $11.50 pair.

considered were made without any knowledge of the subject. They system the Government is practis mentioned foodstuffs and greatly be considered that it was a fair hard Jabour for being in possession id that meat was cheaper, here ing, or at any rate, tolerating, of helped the situation, The reason proposal that those stall-holders of forty taals of prepared opium on Jan in Macro or Shanghai. They.

number of years should be Another man, who was arrested the sub-letting of a stall by the why they failed to continue in this who had been paying small rents board the ss. Loungiang, stated also that they had absolute original licenses at an enormous work lies chiefly in the lack of cheap for proof that the present time in retail prices was actually less than Codal! the great rise in "equeeze sorts at the ports of origing Lej the local profite have-diminished. since the chaca

· DOWN QUILTS. from $29.50

FIRST FLOOR SHOWROOMS..

104 by 88

$89.50 pair.

$125,00

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW & CO., LTD.

TONG KONG

rental. I see no reason why the transport, as what facilities, there made to pay more, or else give up on the Wing Lok Street Whart with fifty tael of raw opium in his Government should not have that much added, revenue instead of, such as trains and motor their stalls, de que deb throwing it over to a man who is orrine, are so expensive, as to leave The adoption of the report was possession was given the option of

hard labour. too lazy to conduct his own busi- them little or no profit for their then put to the vote and was car-la-fine of $1,000 or four months

(Continued on next Voluma.)ried by 3 to 14

ncas."1