1931-10-23 — Page 13

BUDGET DEBATE

(Continued from Page 19.)

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1931.

is so far advanced that little or nothing can be done far tliep. It

13

The Olegg Zaport..

tively bo much higher. In Malas is hoped, that propaganda in thin the Police Fores, partly as "apital there is approaching com-Clogg Commission on the Qurronoy.

The Police.

to make provision for proceeding with this in 1933. Meanwhile the Soma reductions have been made block intended for a maternity hos

result of the recommendations of j

pletion. In view however of the the Retrenchment Commission, but increased demand for accommoda disonte will never he eradicated or duce the efficiency of the Force, certain that this new block will be it is hoped that this will not retion for. general cases it in almost

In reply to Sir: Shou-son Chow's query regarding the report of the question I am unable to say de Anitely when it will be published the near future. I am subjort to but it will almost certainly be in

it

apant, but the cost of permanent works in this Colony, owing to the

·inture of its formation, will rela- ravines, or mullahs as they shape of pamphlets and hentar ler called here can be, trained at n

tures may nchieve something but 1 more reasonable cost, owing to there feel convinced that this dread where the hulinha Tu many cases baing parsity of rock. Here,

and I am inclined to think that consist of solid rock, the cost of einted. In point of fact it "bas" antimalarial drainage work will basiona¿n this Colony except by the the principle which has largely od mainly for such cases ponding the Scorotary of State's instructions." it has os heen suficiently appro-Crajuing them and providing for meant then an offeer has actually much higher. A sum of 8180,000 carrying out of extensive town been followed is to meet n reduction the erection of another ward.. been drawing less dollars than he has been entered to deal with this improvement and reconstruction of staff by increased mobility. If consider that a further extension to

ablo Members; in the Arst place I remained inforce and he had drawn mates for the following year. oration of housing conditions dueer the efficiency of the Force, the urgent needs of the Colony and if wholehearted support I on my H.. the Governor said: Honour to the Salaries. Commission had lar um will be entered in the Est, solomon, with a view to the amali. it proves that this matarially re- this hospital in one of the most for their renewed assurance of their

would have drawn if the rates prior work, and 1 anticipate that a simi

H.E. THE GOVERNOR.

SALARIES SACRIFICE, NOT APPRECIATED.

wish to congratulate my Homurable his pay at the current rate of ex- may say that I gave instructions friend the Colonial Secretary for chang. This, is proudly noe ren for the entry of this "sum in the his able and lucid speech introdas lized by most people and would first instance, but aventually with ing the Budget, and to thank both scarcely have been contemplated. great reluctance had to reducs .16 him and his officers for the great This ancrifics certainly saved the to $50,000. With the increase of help which they have given me in Colony 81,400,000, 'thus "ch- rovenne resulting from the extra the final propuration of it. I also abling the Budget for the current taxation. I was enabled to restore thank Honourable Members for year to be balanced. I venture to the original figuro. I think that I giving it such careful considela sny therefore that the statement of should stress in this matter that tion, and for their hiptur commy Honourable Friend, the Senior whore areas liable to malaria, are monts and criticism. On the whole Unofficial Member, that this balane occupied only by a comparatively I am grateful that the criticism has ing of the Budget has been achiev-stall and well-to-do populasio

ed"only by stinting the Colony of whose total contribution to the very necessary public works and rates in small, it is only equitab increasing taxation is scarcely an that they should contribute direct accurate representation of the ly to the special measures which arb. position.

necessary. Assuming that this is done, it will be possible to carry out the work with greater celerity than wild otherwise be the case,

Those Directors': Fees,

"

Infant Welfare.

even reduced to very small dimen-

question of a restoration of some

tary contribution has naturally.

I

in the matter.

I thank the Unofficial Members

our financial position should prove side "undertake, so long as I hold

Kowloon Täterasts,

I take this opportunity of assur

new

I shall always receive that support...

The Colony has in ita history passed through dark days, but has hopa entirely to escape such days emerged successfully. It cannot

of the personnel will be considered. I to be as good as I anticipate at my present post, to work whole- It will be noticed that the grant the end of the first quarter of next heartedly for the welfare and pros to the Hong Kong University is the year I propose to consider the queperity of the Colony; and, so long same as that made this year. It tion of special provision for the as I do this, I feel confident that is quite obvious that it is unable purpose. to carry on," even' on the present basis, without this help, and it is unthinkable that the Colony should allow its University to lose its place ing my Honourable Friend Mr.in future. Clouds at times gather for want of that necessary support, Braga who has made such "an

round us, and indeed have done so As a result of the considerable eloquent appeal on behalf of Kow during the past months, but the increase in the revenue, the mililoon that its interests will not being its friendly relations with all Colony has succeeded in maintain......

overlooked. I would point out parties, and I trust that it will largely increased in dollar figures, that, oven regarding the always succeed in doing so. With but it must be remembered that the Female Prison, at Laichikok ne a

the continued co-operation of All èlacson of the community. I feel con- cost of the garrison is mainly in- carred on a sterling baiss, and our partnership institution, as indeed fident that this hope will be contribution in sterling still fallu

it is, the amount provided for realised. very far short of the total cost. Cor- divided almost equally between the

Public Works Extraordinary is. AMENDMENT DEFEATED, respondence has been continued Island and the mainland.

The Colonial Secretary then with the Secretary of State in re-

Final provision is made for the moved a Bill to apply a sum not gard to certain principles regulat-Prison. This work is long over hundred and forty one thousand, complation of the now Female exceeding twenty-six million, six oven hundred and eighty seven dollars to the Public Service of the year 1932, Mr. Mackie proposed an amendment reading "that "n sum not exceeding 823,708,257 in place of the anon of 826,641,787 gha he and the same is hereby charged upon the revenue and other funds of the Colony for the service of the your 1000"

which are very bad indeed in this Colony and which are undoubtedly the main cause of tuberculosis,

Some increased benefits have been provided for in the matter of education. The grants in ald will be increased and are to be based on nabrate which will give some relief to various schools, though some will benefit but little The existing fees in Government schools are certainly on the low side, and it has brevi suggested that they should be raised in order to contribute more equitable · share. to educational costs. It has also been suggested that there should be a distinction between the' foce paid by scholars who are domicilet in the Colony, and those paid by scholars coming from China: After due consideration, Gover ment is not prepared to agree to this. From many points of view, which I need not amplify at the present moment, it is desirable to encourage educational and cultura' relations with Chinn, and it woulu therefore be a retrograde step to discourage in any way scholars coming from that country to Honging this contribution. These prin- Kong for education.

ciples include that of calculating the contribution on the net revenue Education.

of quasi-industrial undertakings, Committee to stigh a wireless telegraphy, and the ows I appointed a

consider certain aspects of tech- rate for the annual percentage nical education, and their report allowance on the capital expendi- will shortly be laid on the table.ture paid for from current revenue As a result of their recommanda-on such undertakings as railways, tions, it is proposed to open a telephones and water supplies. The Junior Technical School, which it question of excluding all reimburse- is hoped will be in operation by ments from the calculation is also the middle of next year. The being considered. I am hopeful necessary provision has been made that we shall obtain some enncession in the Estimantes. This will cater

When I have for a particular class of mechanic. received the final decision of the and will, it is hoped, help to sup. Secretary of State 1 will ask for ply a very necessary demand which his sanction to publish the whole hitherto has been unfulfilled. ***** | correspondence.

Another Committee which was appointed by me W:15 the Committee to deal with the question of juvenile courts, has reported, its report has been laid on the table and its recom: endations are now being consider ed by Government. I need only say they appear to me eminently sound at present that, generally speaking,

to give effect to thems and Government proposes generally

MBY

In

St. John Ambulance. I wish to add the thanks of

in

the matter.

Roads to be Maintained,

not boen more severo,

This Bulges, like many other budgets, has both its gratifying and ita disappointing aspects. It may he regarded 'hs gratifying"in what it clearly" indientes the financial strength of the Colony, a strength. which is probably unequalled in any part of the British Empire to While I appreciate that many in xlay. The estimate, of revenue for the Colony have suffered financial 1912 exceeds in dollars by a very ly from "the depression, it is well I have always been interested in considerable sum that of any pre- known that this is not universally infang welfare, and when I came nor has the recent rise here I was disappointed to find so coding year, and I think that it the case, must be admitted that this has been of the dollar been universally wel- little provision made for it 1 achieved without any excessive or comed. Certain sterling salaries have made provision in the "forth oppressive taxation. It has been have been consistently paid at curcoming year for a centre to be stated ad nausenm perhaps that rent rates of exchange, and pace established on the island, with a this Colony is comparatively light my Bon. friend Mr. Paterson lady medical officer, in charge and ly taxed. It has been necessary to aretain directors' fees have been in n staff. In the first instance, it is increase taxation, but I think I teransed and in some cases doubled proposed to rent premises, but if am right in anying that more than because of the low dollar, while it proves a success. it one Honourable Member of this many reductions have only taken he desirable eventually to build Council has públicly admitted that place during the course of this an institution of our taxation is still reasonably light. Iyear.some indeed only quite The St. John Ambulance Brigade had hoped that farther taxation recently, months after the reduc has ilane good work in the New might have been avoided, bution of the dollar equivalent of Territories in relation both to owing to our sterling commitment Government sterling salaries had adulta and children, and the Brt. and the low dollar, it has been un- been adopted. Moreover I ballove and is anxious to start an infant avoidable. At the sama time, that I am right in saying that welfare centre thers.: Steps have, have endeavoured to spread the ad them rednotions outside Geyerheen taken with a view to carry ditional taxation as fairly as posment service rarely reached as high ing out this proposal, but I con sible, to restrict it on the whole a figure as 17 per cont. Those facts sider that it is the duty of Gov to luxuries, and to avoid rainina enme within the knowledge of the ernment to provide a centre the essential cost of living by any Secretary of State, both from some Kowloon, if possible in 1933, simi- further increase in the assessment of the local people affected and lar to that which it is proposed to fax, A number of favs have been from others, representations being establish on the island." revised in view of the fall in the made in the House of Commons an dollar, but I think that the' revia | the subject. The Secretary `of ed fees are entirely reasmahlo, and State after full consideration is of 1 air grauly indebted to the (Lopinion that the fall in exchange, lonial Treasurer for the care and having been arrested and the Co. Government to those expressed by trouble that he has taken in this any having had a sufficient interval my Honourable Friend the Bener revision. I also take this oppor in which to re-adjust its budge. Unofficial Member to the St. John funity of congratulating the Trentary arrangements to meet the new Ambulance Brigade for the very surer on the very able and lucid conditions, a period should now be great services which they render t memorandum which he has drawn set to the sacrifice which has been the Colony. These services stand up in connection with the Est-demanded from officers on sterling out even in n Colony, where mates. A new feature has been in lorica. He has decided therefore much unselfish work is done by troduced in the shape of taxation, that the present reductions cannot private citizens for the public good based on sterling in the case of be continued beyond the presention of the work done by the New I also wish to record my apprecia liquor and tobacco duties. Should year, and that salaries should be the dollar average a higher figurepaid at the current rate of ex- Territories Medical Benevolent than a shilling for 1032, the dollar change, as from the 1st of January,

Society. estimate under these hens will of 1932, subject to a minimum rate of In the matter of venereal disease course be reduced, but this will be 1/ to the dollar and a maximum clinics, hore again we are some far more than compensated for by rate of 2- to the dollar, and be what behind hand. A health offi A reduction in the dollar equivahaa issued instructions to thin cer has been appointed who is a lent of our sterling commitments effect. Government is unable there-specialist in this disease, and he fore to accept the amendment put has made certain recommendations, The Low Dollar.

forward.

As Honourable Members are pro bably aware, there is a clinic for Retrenchment Commission." both men and women at the Gov. As Honourable - Membora are ernment Civil Hospital, while the increase in revenue, it has not been Bware, I appointed a Rotrench- Taan Yuk Hospital provides

ment Commission, which has re-elinie for women. This however in Their report will probab- not enough, and it is pronosed to made available after it has, establish a clinic in Kowloon.

the considered consider it better to have it more views of thoir Government, in the centre of the town than the ed on the basis of a chilling dollar. Leen perused by the Secretary hospital is, and here again premiser I trust however to be able to show of State, As stated by the Co-will be rented in the first place, to that provision has been made for lonial Secretary, certain reductions enable us to see what success a number of improvements and for in personnel have been made at achieved. In addition to this, fur further progress in the forthcom ing year. Should the dollar, rise.result of the Commission's report, ther special equipment, is being though Government has not been provided for, in accordance with the position will be more favourable to go quite so far as it hoped the recommendations of the health able, and I hope in that ovent to It would. be a mistake to reduce officer. explore after a few months the staff, too quickly and find that the possibility of reinforcing certain loss of efficiency proved too great.

In this conection it is perhape desirable that I should refer to the maintenance voten, and providing Is would moreover be a great dis

Government policy in relation to for additional extra-ordinary

advantage to the Colony to reduce brothels. Most countries have now works.

Approximately two-thirds of our

our staff too drastically, and so get adopted the policy of the abolition the Colony a bad name which would of recognised houses, but the pre atorling commitments are in res pect of sterling salaries, and on damage its chances of successfu;blem in Hong Kong is more diffi- the desirability of increasing pro-at Kowloon, which is in urgent cult than in most other places. Her thin mitch bad been spoken and recruiting in the future. written, almost as much as on the When I came here, I was im we have, an enormous proportion question of currency. The crux of pressed by the large number of of illiterate people who fail to ap European staff, particularly in the preciate the health side of the ques the difficulty is that some person, subordinate grades. Steps are betion, and we have an enormous whether Government or non-Gov. ernment, are paid on a sterling ing taken to replace some of these floating population. basis while others are paid on a gradually by local officers, though has definitely closed these, houses, dollar basis, and each party is in it in a stop which must be taken. and in, some respect the problem with caution. Government is re there may be said to approximate ady to "give local recruits every to that in Hong Kong more close- chance, and it will be for the than does that in Western coup to prove that such confidence is not tries. But hera the problem is misplaced This policy can only

even greater than it is in Singa mare, owing to the aforesaid ffont- followed if local recruits proving population. This question has that they possess the necessary

The disappointing feature of the Budget is that, in spite of the

ported.

possible to provide as much as 1. should have liked for special eor vices. This of course is largely duely be to the fact that our sterling com mitments have had to be calculat-together with

élined to complain whenever the situation changes and nuts the other in & more favourable posi tion. When the dollar goes up, the dollar paid employes gets the advantage, and the sterling paid

18

Singaport

It Under Public Works Recurrent, when originally balancing the Budge, I found it necessary to curtail certain maintenance votes. With the increased taxation how- reinstate these to a large extent. ever it has been found possible to As the Colonial Secretary has stated, we have hitherto maintain- North and South, I found that Colony, and it would be deplorable In my visits to the Districts ed a high standard of roads in this several growing villages were very to allow them to deteriorate. I backward in the matter of health hope to be able to allot further and sanitation, particularly the funds for maintenance later in village of Tsun Wan, and I con- the year should this prove neces sidered it necessary to make an ar ofort to improve matters. I dis- The Public Works Extraordinary cussed the condition of Tsun Wan programme is admittedly not a with the elders, and they generally large one, but certain works aro agreed with my proposals, which being provided for out of loans, amounted to building a market on The questions of a new Government the higher levels and gradually Civil Hospital, Motal Hospital and inducing the inhabitants by ex Infections Diseases Hospital have changes of land to move their for the moment been deferred, but village to more sanitary sites round I hope to take them up in the near the market.

Provision of 88,000 future. A sits on the Pokfulam has bean madr in the Estimates for Road. more suitable from nearly A new market and site preparation, every point of view has been decid- definitely feel that we have noted upon for the new Government done enough for the health and Civil Hospital. A site at Kennedy sanitation of these villages: Town was suggested for the new think the time has almost came to Infectious Diseases Hospital but I bring certain villages, only two or feel strongly that the city will three in number at present, within develop in this direction and dat the purview of the Assessment such a scheme would seriously in- Ordinancs, and it is probable that terfere with that development. I in 1933 a reasonable assessment rate suggested Green Island as a better t will be levied, the proceeds of which site from every point of view and will be devoted to improving con-

this has been accepted by my ad- ditions.

visers and those leaders of the I san in entire accord with the Chinese community whom I have views expressed by my Hon, friends consulted. I have had. with great Dr. Kotowall and Dr. Tso as to regret to postpone the further ex-

tension the Government Hospital. duction from the New Territories but I am inclined to think that this need of such extension, but I hope would be best achieved by further inculenting the principles of co- operation among the agriculturists. Harbour Improvements.

The question of harbour improve- ment is a very important one to this part, and a hydrographic survey is at present in progrEKB with a view to enabling Govern ment to decide what works in respect of dredging and so ou are

ona "loses, When the dollar tegrity and efficiency. If they fail engaged my attention, not only necessary to give adequate facilities.

down, the converse' in tho" ense With an anticipated low dollar, which is to the advantage of the sterling paid employee, whether he Government or not, the latter is exposed to, the frost of envy

The Government Standpoint, MARIAESTE GANART

cannot complain if we have to re- vert to the systém which Jins 'nh- tained. hitherto. The matter lies in' their handa

-Mødical-Serviess:

appreciate however that it may do necessary to carry out more ex- tensive dredging before this survey is completed and I propose to can- ! sult the Harbour Advisory Com mittes-on-the-subjeol ———

to do this, they and the Colony since I came here, but in Malaya, to the port. A special officer, who and there is no doubt that it is a returned from leave last June, in most difficult problem to solve. Ingaged on the "work. There was have bad correspondence with the same delay owing to typhoons but Secretary of State on the matter up to date some 718 agres have been and propose to ask for a further surveyed leaving upwards of 10,000 roport-on-the-effect-on-the-aboleros to be dealt with. Arrange The needs of the Colony in in a position to take the matter tion in Singapore. I may, then bè

ments are being made to employ an additional officer so as to ex- Doubtless the stablization of the health and medical matters still further, but it is probable that it pedite the completion of the work. dellar would obviate these different loom largo, and I am glad that I will be best to await the report of oes but until that is achieved have been able to make some ad- the league of Nations Commission would urge that a broader view brditional provision in this depart which visited the Colony a few taken and judgment not passed ment, Malaria is not so great a merely in the light of temporary scourge in this Colony as it is in months ago, and devoted some av

tention to this question. and poster conditions. Ar Flow many others, but-it-in showing a ourable Members are aware, I was tendency to increase, and there is

The Government Marine Bur- of opinion a year ago that a Gov no doubt that steps must be taken:

veyors Department is undoubted-

·ørnmor: { servant might reasonably to prevent this. I trust that my No one can deplore more than Ily an expensive one, and it will make some concession and draw his Honourable Friend the Acting 'do the torrible tell taken in this be necessary when a favourable op- salary at a modified rate. This Director of Afedical and Sanitary Colony by tuberculosis. At this portunity arises to consider the re system was adopted KA from Barvices will agree with me when same time I confess to grave doubts | vision of fees for services rendered. January 1 lost entailed I say that, generally speaking, ma whether sanitarin would achieve av with a view to recovering a greater surrender by all, sterling paid off-laria can be eradicated almost any much as many people think. Ex proportion of the costs of the de cera from the Governor, downwards, where provided that sufficient perience has shown, more particupartment. I do not consider it of approximately 17 per cent of funds are available for the purpose,ary in the East, that tubercular | desirable however to raise these the dollar equivalent of the salery In Malaya, where the measures H. the GOVERNOR FOURTH foes during the period of deprés which they had been, promised, takon have proved very successful patients as a rule only come to sion which the shipping industry in This is a consideráble surrender, a great deal of money has been such institutions when the disease at present undergoing.

Tuberculosis.

duc, and will, when completed early, next year, greatly alleviate the pre- sent state of things.

Loan works have been adequately dealt with by the Colonial Seere tary. It is estimated that a sum of nearly 82,000,000 will be expended on loan works in the forthcoming year. In the first instance, this expenditure, will be met from sure plus balances, but it may be neces- sary to raise a loan towards the latter part of the year. In fact, is almost certain that this will be done na apart from other considera tions Government fully appreciates the, desirability of converting the 4 per cent. Public Works Loan to one bearing a lower rate of interest.,

()

The amendment was defeated by nine votes to seven, all the Un official Merabera voting for the amondinent while His Excellency the Governor and all the official members opposed it.

The bill proposed by the Colonial Sporetary then passed its second and third readings

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