1929-09-24 — Page 5

BUDGET DEBATE CONTINUED.

(Continued from Page 4)

The

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1929.

170

Tobacco Duties, With regard to the remarks of the Senior Chinese Unofficial Mém- ber the subject of Tobacco duties, it is estimated that half the anticipated increase under that: head in the 1930 Estimates wil be due to the more efficient method of collection rendered possible by the races Amendment Ordinance of 1940, and the remainder will accrue from normal increase of consump.

ing only 10 per cent.. in excess of

It is considered more economical stope should be taken in order to to build a Government launch for prevent a similar occurrence in the these purpose of landing P.W.D. tutie,

recommendations Stores and of relief work, than to

of this continue the hiring of outside Committee have been embodied in launches at an average tariff of a General Order, which it is hoped. Such estimated increase be $25 per diem, goal oil and stores will have the desired effect. being provided by Government.

The Costly Kan Sing.

sonal emoluments to revenue to the present Budget (and in this connection it must not be forgot ten that the same personal emolu- ments deal with an expenditure of nearly 82,000,000 on loan works in addition to yoted expenditure), is slightly less than the percentage shown by the 1997-1999 figures for Ceylon, and figures for the Straits Settlements, and much less than the 1920 figures for Shanghai. I therefore venture to doubt the justness of the charge that our per the 1021 collection cannot be rey high proportion of our revenue, sonal emoluments absorb an undu garded as unduly optimistic.

and the need for some improve The previous system of taxing

ment of salaries-especially in the lower grades of the service has was found unsatishetery and, after

been shown by the report of the due consideration, inperseded; and

Salaries Commission. a uniform rate imposed in acord- ance with home practice. The Im ports and Exports Department will welcome any suggestions that the Chinese Chamber of Commerce may put forward for combating smuggling, but the Government is antisfied that the new system of duties works satisfactorily.

it has been suggested by the Hon. NEW FACTORY LAW. tobacco on an ad valorem" sende Senior Unufficial, Member that the Kau Sing could perform this duty. This would be most uneconomical.

The Hon, Senior Unofficial Meg

stated in his speech Inci- dentally we are informed that the Staff of the G.M.S. Department has grown to such dimensions that it seems doubtful whether there im zufficient shipbuilding and skip re-i pais work now going on Colony to keep them all fully on- ployed."

in the MONEY MATTERS. "

Widow's and Orphans. The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shento called attention to the position un

Widows' and Orphans' der the Pension Scheme.

a charge on the revenues of the Colony in accordance with the pro- visions of the Ordinance.

The fund referred to by the Ifon. Meniber cased in 1005 when Ordi-

nance No. 15 of 1908 cause into

I pass now, Sir, to some of the detailed criticisms and enquiries of my unofficial" friends.

The Attorney-General, replying to To keep the Kan Sing under steam Hon. Mr. Shinton's refererer at half an hour's notice during non. last Thursday to the subject of typhoon weather would post apFactory legislation, said :-

"The New Prison. proximately an additional $30.0001 This question has for some time

Taking first the remarks of the per annum. If she was employed bren under consideration by the

Senior Unofficial Member, as *C- three days a week it would cost Government. A Bill to amensl the

gards the gaol we all know that a yet another $20,000, or $30,000 per adustrial Employment of Children annum in all The estimated initia: Ordinance, 1925, Ordinance No. 2

dew gnal is required and that the cost of the new launch caked for is of 1992, so as to extend its scope to

work, once comin need at Kai Tak, $10,000, and it is estimated that women and young persons, and cer-

il difficulties of the year 1995. was suspended owing to the finan- her fuel and stores, etc., will cost tain regulations proposed to he approximately 85,000 per annum, so i made under the, Ordinance as 80

That site is no longer available, that the total cost for

being required to be reserved · for the first aineraled; have already been draft-

the development of the aerodrome, year would he 843,000. From this d, and are so under considera

On January 1, 1900, the Govern-

And I have no doubt the founda Han. Members will see that to run on by the Governor in Council.

tions prepared for the gnal will the Kau Sing for this duty would The grand legislation is intend.ment under authority of Ordinance No. 13 of 1908 took over the

be found useful for future build- cent more in one year than the led to a further step in the im

Widows and Orphans' Pensions initial cost of the proposed newprovement of factory conditions in Fund at $371,500, which sum was

ings. The question of accommoda- lannich plus one year's expenses for the Colony, Such improvement

tion in the prisons is receiving at tention. A proposal has been made fael and stores..

must of necessity be slow and credited to the General Revenue of

the Colony. Since then all con gradual, and it is very difficult in

to transfer the female prisoners to Lai Chi Kok, where there is auch matters to travel far ahead of tribution have been credited

reventie, ned pensions to the nighiuring countries. It is in-

can be effected the situation in rental to follow up this trislation widows and orphans of contribu-space available, and if the transfer tors are guaranteed by their being Victoria Gaol will be considerably with other measures. "

relieved. The present Government, while recognising the need for new gaol, differs from its predeces sors in thinking that a new civil hospital should have priority over a new gaol, and we doubt if the finances of the Colony justify the undertaking both of these costly works at once. It is for this rea- son that we thought it worth while to improve the printing-shop in the guol as we believe it will prove an Economical undertaking in the long run. We cannot vacate the present gaol until the new gaol is ready, and I venture to predict ihat 10 years is a modest estimate for the life of the present gaol, I might remind Hon. Members that the printing-shop proposal was laid before them in the Budget for 1920, and a sum of $41,000 was vot- ed withont demur. When the plans came to be worked out it was found that the proposed scheme would not provide all the accommodation re- quired, and an amended scheme costing $100,000 has been prepared in its place. The Hon. Director of Public Works will he prepared to explain the details in Committee, and I trust that hon. members will agree with the Government that the scheme will prove to be an economy in the long run and will upprove the expenditure asked for.

Mr. M. J. Breen, Colonial Treasurer, said he proposed to deal with the observations made by Hom, Unofficial Members on various fin- ancial items in the Budget, taking the items in the order in which the coservations were made.

Military Contribution.

The Hon. Senior Unofficin! Mem her remarked on the apparent dis- crepancy in the Military Contribu tion figures shewa on pages 12 and

100 of the Estimates.

Issue of Steamer Certificates. In 1927, at the instance of tho Hong Kong & Whaupon Deck Co., Ltd., and other local Bras, in order to obtain recognition by the Board of Trade for our 1. A. foreign- guing passenger certificate-a matter of great importance to local ship- 1uilding interests-the Board of Trade were requested to send out to this Colony a representative to dnse Government on the neces sary steps to be taken before such recognition could be granted. "It was laid down by the Board of

The large discrepancy between Trade (vide Par. 3 of Sessional the revised 1020 estimate and the Paper No. of 1927) that they approved estimate is due to the would require to be satisfied that":

recovery during the current year (a.) The survey work as this Part of i sun of $802,711 from the is carried out by officers commilitary authorities on account of petent to do the work and an over-payment of military con- under regulations of equivalent tribution made in 1917/1919. value to those in farve in the United Kingdom, (b.) The staff is numerically ade quate to deal efficiently with the total work of the port Mr. Wilton, the Board of Trade

arrived in representative,

the

Instructions Ergin the Secretary of State to make this recovery were recrived early in the present year,

The sum of 83,121,769 is what we pect to pay for Military Con-

tribution in 1980.

It is customary, to show revised. estimates.. in the Abstract on page 12 only, and to insert the original unrevised figures in the body of the Estimates.

force.

It is the practice in many British Crown Colonics. including the Surnita Settlements, Malaya and Ceylon, to embody widows and orphans' contributions and the pay- ment of pensions under the scheme in the general finances of the Colony,

THE COLONIAL

SECRETARY.

The speech made by the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southor. Colonial Secretary, was as follows:-

My Hon. friends the Director, of Medical and Sanitary Services, the Harbour Master, the Attorney General, and the Treasurer have dealt fully with certain aspects of the remarks of the Enofficiñi Mem- hers which particularly affect their Departments. You, Sir, will, I understand, deal with some of the more important subjects under dis-i cussion, and it remains for me to answer those criticisma which will not have been covered by other speakers.

a temporary market there, at a cost of $1,500, and the proposal was accepted at the time without comment. The plans were ready in February, and the work might have een completed by now but for the fact that demands have since been put forward out of all proportion to the sume provided. The revised plans and estimates were only re ceived inst month, too late for in- clusion in the draft Estimates for 1930, and the justice or otherwise. of these demands is at present un- der unsideration, but as at pre- sent advised 1 am inclined to think that Kowloon Tong's demands in this matter are excessive. I do not understand the Hon. Mr. Braga's suggestion that the omission of the. market from the Estimates for 1030 is a slight on the Sanitary Board. The suggestion appears to be en- tirely unjustified.

Children's Playground,

A good deal has been said by the Hon. the Senior Unofficial Member and his colleagues on the subject of recreation grounds, open "spaces, and children's playgrounds. ledges the needs of the Colony in The Government readily acknow-

these respects, and as Hon. Mem hers know a Committee has been appointed to go into the whole question. This Committee, which I have the honour to be Chairman, had only just commenc ed work when I was obliged to take short period of leave for reasons of health, sad on my re turn everyone was so fully occupi ed first with the water crisis and

found impossible to make progres. then with the Budget that it w

of

to

It is hoped that the Committee will resume its labours next month, and will before lang he able to make useful representations | Government on this important subject. Meanwhile the Govern ment prefers not to anticipate the reccammendations of the Committee, but will await its report before putting forward specific proposala.

m. however, authorised to say that any practicable proposal for the establishment of a Chinese Golf Course will receive the sympathetic consideration of the Government. As regards the children's play grounds

which in Kowloon, to special reference has been made. arrangements are now in hand tó convert the triangle at the junc tion of Salisbury and Chatham Road into a public garden and playground on the vote in the cur rent year's, Estimates,

I might add that so far..as I have been. able to ascertain no previous com. plaint has been received by the Government regarding the railings of the Chatham Road playground

this matter. and enquiries will now be made in

Aviation and Wireless.

The Government notes with satis faction the unofficial approval of its attitude towards aviation, and while it can hold out no hope of Educational Questions,

au increased contribution from the Air Ministry, towards "the cost of The important subject of educa Kai Tak aerodrone, it has every tion has not unnaturally given In the first place, Sir, I should rise to comment from more than help towards the cost of the deve- reason to hope that substantial like to thank my undificist colka- gues for their very carefully reason

une of my unofficial friends. The Government will take counsel with lopment of the air port will be ed criticism of the Badget, and 1

forthcoming from the Colonini De- the Director of Education on the think the impression left on the points raised by the Senior Unoffied by the Home Government.

velopment Fund recently institut- mind of anyone who listened to cial Member, but I would remind their speeches was that the princi-, him that a good deal is already ples of the Budget are accepted being done in the way of instruc and that only the details are sub-tion in sanitation and hygiene in

to jected

serious criticism. It all schools, and in elementary Public Money Outstanding. seems to me that the forward po-agricultural instruction in certain The Hon. Senior Unofficial Mem-licy of services is not in any way selected areas, The Hon Member her has asked for information re- garding the amount of the arrears of premin due from the Kowloon Tong Estate and the Praya East Marine lot-holders.

Colony in 1927, and shortly after his arrival proposals for the acces eary additions to the G.MS. Staff were put forward.

At that time Mr. Wilton considered the proposals

Military contribution has hitherto adequate, and provision was made, been paid on any profits which may in the Estimates for 1928 to carry accrue as the result of appreciation them into effect. After lour mouths in the sterling price of investments local experience, however. Mr. Wilahich we realise. We have not so ion informed me that he had under ar paid military contribution on estimated the survey work of the any profits due exchange, as this port, sind was of the opinion that question is under discussion with the proposals as put forward-and the Secretary of State. for which provision had already heen made were the absolute mini- mum of staff that was required to deal efficiently with the total work of the port. Since these proposals were adopted there has been no herence to the G..S. Staff. It is interesting to note that in the first right months of the current year the survey staff has worked over time on 38 days 15 per cent.

Training Expenses for Marine

Surveyors in England.

The position as regards Kowloon Tong Estate is as follows:-

The total premium originally stipulated was 8421,977, of which $190,556.37 has-len paid to Govern. ment. It is expected that the Government holds itself respo-bainnee of $295,120.63 will be re- sible for the cost of training marine ceived when the houses are com surveyors in England, as this fol plated and the Crown leases issued. lows, the practice of the Board of

With regard to the Praya East. Trade. Candidates already trained Reclamation Scheme there is still are unobtainable, The amount of $7,200 for this purpose for 1929 was Ander estimated, and oa April 27, 1929, Supplementary Vote $11,589 was taken, blinging the total of this Vote for 1929 up to $18,762

3

of

a sum of 8143,919,50 due to the

Government from marine lot-hold- ers by way of premia.

condemned for the encouragement of aviation, the re-establishment of the Statistical Department, and the forward move in matters of

health and sanitation have all met

with the approval of my Hon. friends on the unofficial side.

The Chief Complaint. Their chief complaint, or so it seems to me, is that the Govern- ment has not at the same time been able to undertake some of the preesing need of the Colony in the way of buildings, roads, recrea tion-grounds, and other material works. Well, Sir, I may say at once that the Government fully shares their disappointment, but even the Government cannot make bricks without straw, and the har- dest part of a Budget framer's task is the endeavour to make the quart of the demands go into the pint pot of the revenue. There is hard- Senior Unofficial Member suggests,ly a work mentioned by our cri- and Motor licences will be shown tics which has not received the separately. For the Hoa. Mem most careful consideration of the Ler's information I may add that Government and been finally ruled the figure of $230,000 in next year's out in favour of works which seem Estimates is made up of :- to the Government to merit prior

Rickshaw

Chair

performance. Licences

$15,000 Trucks"...........

...... 20,000 Motor Vehicles

113,000

Licensed Conveyances. The item on page 6 of the Estimates. Carriage, Chair, etc. The sum of $20,045 for 1930 is Licences will be subdivided in the amount considered necessary to future Estimates, as the Hon. defray the expenses of training during that year without having recourse to a Supplementary Vote.

This Vote will not be annually recurrent, and will cease as soon as the training of the present staff has been completed.

New candidates to fill vacancies Caused by resignations, etc., how- ever, will require to be trained from time to time before coming out from the Colony...

and

Wireless. Message Fees. The Hon. Senior, Unofficial Mem-

Allowances to Diesel Engineers; her remarked on the item "Message It has been found from practical Fees on page 9" "Message Fees" experience, since semi-Diesel en signify wireless message fecs, to- kines were introduced into Govern-gether with a small amount collect- ment launches, that as soon as an ad for advices of vessels from light engineer had been trained into the houses.

The Estimate for 1030 was based working of these engines he became dissatisfied with the Government ca the receipts for the period Several such engi- January/May 1929. This period rates of pay. neers have already resigned from showed a considerable set-back in Government service in order to trafic for the Philippine Islands take up employment with private and the United States as compared firms on higher rates of pay. The with the same period in 1928, allowance a set forth ($120) is when the Estimate for 1920, was designed as an inducement to such prepared. This set-back will pro

be compensated to a engineers to remain in Governmentable extent by increased traffic Service.

with China stations, viz. “Canton The Loss of a Launch.

and also Shanghai, which started After the sinking of S.D.3. the operations from July 1 last. But Government apported a Commit there were not sufficient grounds teo, consisting of the Treasurer, for anticipating a greater revenue the Harbour Master, and the in 1930 than that shown in the draft Colonial Auditor to consider what Estimate, viz. $130,000,

·con-

also asked whether school fees should not be reduced.. The Gov- rnment does not consider that the fees charged in Government schools ace unduly high in view of the educational facilities provided, and cannot see any adequate reason for reducing these fees.

The item under Education De- partinent of 860,000 for building grants is to meet the following de- munds:-

Lia

St.

Salle 850,000.

Francia School, Victoria, 810.000.

College, Kowloon

As regards the Central British School at Kowloon, the sum provid- ed is for site formation only. The Government is not in a position at present to provide funds to com- mence the buildings. The last of the Hon. Member's list of items is an appeal for a grunt-in-aid

on behalf of the Mun Sang College. The Director of Education has res ported that this school has not yet reached the standard required for a Government grant, but it is hoped that if the management ac cepts the Director's advice it may in course of time reach grant standard.

In connection with broadcasting the Government has made in small while it sympathises with the Hon. provision in the Estimates, and Members desire for more extensive provision. it feels that other de manda have prior claims on the funds available.

Afforestation,

Attention is drawn to the sums provided for afforestation in the North and South districts of the New, Territories, and it is suggest ed that they are inadequate. I should explain that these sums are for very ininor schemes supervised by the District Officiers, and are adequate for their purpose. Large schemes of afforestation are maro properly placed under the control of the Botanical and Forestry De- partment, and adequate provision is made under Head 27."

Post Office and Fire Brigade. The accommodation at the Post Office will receive consideration in consultation with the Post-master General. Office Accommodation generally is becoming inadequate, and the needs of the Government service as a whole are being con sidered by a small departmental Committee.

The Hon. Member has referred to the appointment of an inspec- tion officer for the fire-brigade.

The Cost of Administration,”

This officer is required for the inspection of buildings in respect The work of administration has The Hon. The Senior Chinese of their safety from risk of fire. to be provided for before money unofficial member refers to the re

On page 45 of the Administrative can be found for public works, and duction in three educational sub "Report for 1928 the Captain in this connection I would refer sidies. I can assure him that no Superintendent of Police, and the to the remarks of the Senior Chin abatement of the Government's in- Chief Officer, Fire Brigade, will cese Unofficial Member on the ris

tercat in or encouragement of be found a report of the inspection ing cost of administration. The education is implied in these re- work done during 1925. It involv

ductions. Government admits that the cost

The amounts provideded the inspection of 082 buildings, last year were greater than the including 407 theatres and cinemas, of administration is rising, and it must continue to rise so long as amounts required by more than the 101 garages, ad 180 inflammable more and more is demanded of the

reductions effected and it is be structures. The work is rapidly. Government. The largest increases lieved that all legitimate demands increasing as more and more at- are covered by the amounts now in- in the present Budget are in ans

tention is paid to this, important wer to insistant public demand, sorted in the Estimates.

matter, and the present fire-brigade staff cannot cope with it except at and have met with unofficial ap-

the cost of other equally import- proval. So far as I can remember,

ant duties. only one department is charged with being overstaffed, and the Harbour Master has, I think, made

Accountancy Methods. an affective reply to the charge. markets, and provision has been The Hon. the Senior Chinese As a matter of curiosity I have made for the continuance of the unofficial member took us to tark caused the expenditure on_person work on the Bai Ying Pun and over the form in which the Esti- al emoluments in Hong Kong to Kowloon City markets. Aa re mates are printed.. I readily ac le compared, so far as information gards the Kowloon Tong market, cept his suggestion that the totals emoluments, other is available here, with the expendi- which was referred to by the Hon of personal ture in neighbouring Administra- Mr. Braga as well as by the Senior charges, and special expenditure be tions, and we find the interesting Unofficial Member, provision was shown separately in future and result that the percentage of per-made in the Estimates for 1920 for (Continued on Page 8.)

Public Markets,

The Government agrees with the Hon. The Senior unofficial member

to the importance of 118

the

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