1932-08-19 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1932.

DEBATE ON THE RIDER MAIN SYSTEM

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8.)

Chinese Viawa.

The Hou. Dr. Kotowall in his

that while 831 meters were' installed in the City of Victoria in 1909, the number went up to 5,359 in 1931; and there are now 2.100 applica-speech has fully and clearly stated tions awaiting attention. It is most the Chinese views on the subject. I do not propose therefore to ad- duce further arguments against the assumption that the rider main or that the

system is wasteful

give an opportunity to the public to discuss the matter, had been given or not by a previous Governor. The present Government should have consulted the people before taking any action as the Admini-likely that the object would bol stration of 1023 did.

completely attained in the course of the next two years, for there are now only 5,000 unmetered houses in the rider-main districts, and this moter system can prevent waste of number will be reduced to 3,500! water. But if the rider main sys- after the wants of the 2,100 houses tem is a wasteful syston, the Gav- have been supplied. As I have ernment can surely produce better proof than it has done. For so far already pointed out, many more applications would have been mude I know the system of water supply for motors but for the difficulties in this Colony is served by two and delay experienced by the peo- means: metored or unmetered Bor- ple in obtaining them in the past, vice. The quantity of water sup By the gradual and natural pro- plied by motera either for domestic cess suggested by us the number of use or for trade purposes is known unmitered houses in the rider main and the balance of consumption districts should, by the end of must have been consumed by the 1034, be so reduced that abolition rider main or by other uses known would be attended with no diff to the Government, culty.

The Government, by its netion in fixing meters, to some of the rider mains, has made it, to use the Hon. Colonial Secretary's words, "o longer possible to bring the sections concerned into use on the rideri main principle." There are some 2.000 houses affected in this way It means that the occupants of these 2,000 houses, computed rough ly at over 10,000 souls, have stil!

to take water from the street- fountains when our reservoirs are

full to overflowing, and when the other unmetered houses in the rider main districts have had a direct supply restored to theem since the 2nd August. This precipitate ac- tion of the Government, with its attendant effects, is causing great dissatisfaction to the people direct- ly concerned. We have received numerous letters of protest, which ask that the disconnected houses be accorded the same treatment as are the other more fortunate houses in the rider main districts. We con- sider the protest justified, and the request only natural.

The Hon. Colonial Secretary in his speech said that "the transition was too far advanced for any call- ing back now, and there was nothing

tion of the meterage system." From this remark it is apparent that the Government has made up its mind to go on with its scheme, whatever the merits of the people's case. The discussion now being permitted to us is, it would seem, permitted merely for the purpose of fulfilling a forgotten promise

As a matter of form.

Forsgone. Conclusion." The Hon.

Colonial Secretary also said that even at the time of Sir Cecil Clementi's promise, "the was foregone and the conclusion discussion could hardly have been more than a facing of the facts and An explanation A reference to page 222 of Hansard of 1928 shows miss, he added these all-important

Consumption Per Head.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY;

The Colonial Secretary: The pro. visional acceptance by the Chinese Members of the principle of, the abolition of the rider main system might well make it unnecessary for me to make any further refer- anes to the arguments brought for ward by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall in

the retention of the system. Ib the earlier parts of his speech for would be necessary only to deal with the possibility of postponing action for the abolition of the

not like to pass over the earlier system for two yours, but I would parts of the spot without a tribute to the extreme care and laborious research which has boon revealed and further to the labour of collecting and of representing so fully the views of all sections of Chinese community. These views are so minutely set out that a justifiable inference is that there can be little it anything more to be said upon this side of the ques-

the

tiva.

Statements Challenged.

en

system which has already had

its foundations laid and having ib

completed by the time that Shing Mun can give us more water. The Government has no hesitation in choosing the latter course and in belioving that it is in the best in- terests of the community rich and poor alike.

Equitable Distribution.

In passing, it may well ocension surprise that a system which is sub- ject as Dr. Kotowall admits. to. severe restrictions for long periods

proposed system which provides a at a time should be referred to the

much more equitable distribution throughout the Colony and at the aame time may confidently be ex- posted when comploted to reduce the necessity for restriction at all.

Furthor discussion on the wasteful-

ness of the rider main system is I fear unprofitable for in the ab- sened of the meters, of which I have of the meters of which I have already spoken there is no satis- factory method of comparison. I must however accept the views of our water authorities whose general At the same time the Gover-experience convinces them firmalý To give effect to our request, I│

mont is not prepared to let the that the system is wasteful of beg" now to move the following. With regard to the monthly re-implications of the statements in water. amendment to the original resolu¡ ports issued by the Water Author- support of the rider main system

It is gratifying to learn that the ities of the total water consump go

entirely tion: -

unchallenged and Chinese Unofficial Members are That in the opinion of this tion in Hong Kong and in Kowloon it would ha error to allow after all prepared to accept the Council the time has come for and of the quantity of water con- it to appear on record that the principle of the resolution and it the Colony to decide upon the abandonment, on the expiration sumed per head per day, I and Government accepted the interpre only remains to discuss the two of two years from this date, of that the consumption per head per tations put by Dr. Kotewall on years delay for which they apply. the principle of the rider main day is calculated on an estimated various phases of the history. For In the view of the Government it system, substituting therefor the principle of compulsory meter-population much lower than that instance the whole of this quo- would be unwise to accept this aug- age to all house supplies to given by the Census. According to tations dealing with pos. gestion. The position at the mo- which the alternative shall be a Para. 20 of Sessional Paper No. 4

sibility of preventing waste

ment is confessedly confused and free supply from street-four- taina."

of 1932, the population of the through the rider main system should be righted with the least Colony, excluding the New Terri- turned on the supply of a master possible delay. To allow it to drift tories, is estimated at 750,848, while ❘ meter sach section

in the manner implied would mean the population estimated for the

that the confusion would become worse, for the whole of two years there would be no orderly scheme for abolishing the rider main sys-

with meters and those without on tem and differences between those

any section would be accentuated and the work of the water depart-

exceedingly heavy for sometime to ment which must necessarily be

come would remain infinitely more

to organize it. difficult as it would be impossible

tem

in abolished,

by the Government for the purpose

of connection meters to them. With the water consumption report oue

to

the

Such

master meters never were in fact installed and it is very doubtful whether they could have been in stalled with success. It is only of the residents in any one section necessary to consider the feelings who were all cut off because there

one or

had been waste by some

would have been open haul waste other of them, the only course that

been proved. Further again it is stitution of the rider main system wrong I submit to consider the in-

Expense Entailed. We have not forgotten that this for it but to complete the instalin-amendment, if approved, would i purposes of calculating the water necessitate the restoration of the consumption per head per day is 2,000 disconnected houses to the on the average, '691,377, I made this ridor mains, and the removal of cut from the water consumptions re about 800 meters from these mains ports issued by the Water Author- and connecting them to the pria-itics from January up to August cipal mains, entailing some expense 1932, that is, for 8 months. It and trouble. But there is another means a difference of about 09,500 side of the picture which should be persons in the population estimated kept more prominently before the by the Census and that estimated by public than it has been. It is that the Water Authorities and it makes the rider maius which were ori-n great difference in the computa- as a bargain in the way that the ginally paid for by the tion

Oost of Installation. of consumption of water Senior Chinese Unofficial member when the people would,

#ya- per head per day. I mention interprets it. It was.a compromise

The Government therefore regrets be utilized this breause by looking at and an experiment, and it was a that it cannot accept the amend- bargain in that the Chiness com- ment proposed by the Senior munity paid for the original rider

Chinese Unofficial Member. The main system when the Government Government however readily no- was not prepared to pay for the cepts that part of the amendment its value, but there was not and Member which deals with the pay- could not be a bargain in the sente that the terms were unalterable. A

mont by the Government of the fairer view and I submit the correut connecting them in all rider main cost of installing moters and of view Sa that the experiment has been tried out and the purchasers against the view that this payment districts. We must be guarded have received at least full value for the whole of their expediture is anything in the nature of right We must not again forget that the conceded (but the Government is abolition of the rider mains bas

anxious that the important change now contemplated should be made been necessitated very largely by the pressure of the Chinose them

with the least possible friction. selves for the installation of

If this payment would tend to re- duce such friction tho Government wigters. Since the date in 1003 to which Dr. Kotewall refers the de-a prepared to go to this Council cision to grant meters freely to all for the necessary funds, applicants has been the primary cause of the existing condition of things, which inevitably leads to a complete abolition of the system as a whole

out these mains, the Government may be led to think that a good would have either to connect the deal of water has been wasted. But meters to the principal mains,

that when Sir Ceail gave his pro- necessitating the eutting up of as a matter of fact the high rate installation, by way of trying out moyed by the Senior Unofficial

COUTAR.

I trust therefore that the Gov.

ernment will see its way of conced ing to this request of the Chinese Community by agreeing to this

amendment.

roads-a thing which the Govern- of consumption per head per day words:

"It will, of

ment desires so much to avoid-or Le impossible to discard the

to construct new subsidiary mains was due to an under-estimate of the rider main system until there is an for the purpose. Thus the rider population. assured supply of water available mains originally laid at the ex- both on the island and on the enzin- pense of the people, would be the land throughout the yeur." From means of saving considerable ex this very definite expression of penditure the public. opinion of Bir Cecil Clementi ita We therefore express the earnest clear that whatever might have been hope that Your Excellency will the contemplated policy of the accept our amendment, not only as Government at the time, it certain. ty could not have been its inten tion to abolish the rider-mains be also as an act of equity demanded forean assured supply of water

by the occasion and in harmony Hon. Mr. T. N. Chau, support is available both on the island and with the traditional policy of the ing the motion, said:-As the mo- on the mannland throughout the Government to accord to all comtien now before Council year." We are far from this happy munity considerateness and justice. which I think principally affects state of things at present; and so It would not be unreasonable to

ask the Government to accept Sir. Lucil Cementi's view.

alon.

the best and most reasonablo com promise in the circumstance, but

HON. DR. TSO.

HON. MR. CHAU.

is one

-An Oversight.

in due course and të pak for a vote

The amendment moved by the Senior Unofficial Member is largely an elaboration of the Government's own resolution as explained in the i speech introducing it last week and as sitch can be readily accepted.. The addition of that Government I have already in moving the re-should pay for the now connections, solution apologised for the action being also accepted, the whole of the Government in overlooking amendment may well stand in the Sir Cecil Claxonta's promise to place of the Government's original allow an opportunity for a full die resolution if the Council so desires. cussion in Council before the rider main system was abolished. Dr. Kotowall is at pains to impress its offence in the Government but it can be confidently stated, that Sir Cecil Clementi himself would have had no hesitation in agreeing that the abolition of the system na whole was already necessary pro- vided he was in possession of the information which we have to-day. That information we not available in 1929 and in fact conditions which altered the whole aspect of the case fnd their origin no earlier than this year. Sir Cecil had stated that it would be impossible to discard the system until there was a full supply Mainland. There again

AMENDMENT DEFEATED.

The amendment of the Hon. Mr. Kotowall was then put to the meet- ing but was defeated by 13 votes to 3, only this Chinese members; voting in favour of the amendment.

CONCESSIONS ASKED.

the interests of the Chinese com- munity, or I should perhaps say the interests of the poorer classes of the community, I feel I would be But after anxious and. careful The Hon, Dr. S. W. Too:-I rise failing in my duty if I did not consideration of all aspects of the to second the amendment proposed venture to signify my entire agree problem, we have decided to accept by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall, Senior ment with the amendment intro- the principle of the resolution, but Chinese Member of Council, to the ducet by the Hon. Dr. Kotowall. to ask that it may not be carried Motion before us to-day,

My senior Chinese colleague has, into effect for 2 years, from this The amendment just proposed by to my mind, made out a very strong date. We realise that sooner or my Honourable colleague is not at case on behalf of our constituents, later the system has to go, not be variance with the Motion, of the and ne he and the Hon. Dr. Ta cause it is wasteful or because uni-Hon. Colonial Secretary in prin- | have dealt so very fully with versal meterago would conduce to ciple, but merely asks to allow the all the aspects of this difficult pro- economy--both of which we do not rider main system to abolish itself, blem, I do not think there is much admit but because a uniform sys in years' time by the gradual in that I can usefully add. tem of water supply for all parts stallation of meters, which, my However in support of my senior of the Colony has much to recom- Chinese, colleagues and I consider, colleague's contention in refutation mend it, and because the present is the best mode of attaining the of the allegation made by the Hon. intention of the Government will object, which the Goverment de Colonial Secretary that the average tend to accelerate applications for sires to effect, without causing the daily consumption of water on the meters, thus gradually obliterating hardship and inconvenience to the inland is about 30% higher the the rider main system without up- people living in the rider main dis that or the mainland, I would like dus haste or unnecessary compul- trints which immediate abolition to point out also that the Hon.

would,

Colonial Secretary when making The reason for our request för a

It is very unfortunate that the the comparison, had ommitted to 2-year respite is that, in our view,

the in- the people should not be forced out Government did not take the Chin-take into consideration

ose community into its confidence portant fact that the whole of the contract entered into between them when it decided to abolish the ri-peak district uses the water supply of water on the Island and on the Council have been requested by

der main system in February last for flushing purposes, and I am -and--the-Government, especially at and took steps to disconnect cer-inclined to think that the amount whether we are justified in pin- Government for certain concessions sured supply of water is not avail-tain houses from the rider main. of consumption in that direction ning him to a literal interpretation in the event of their request for able throughout the year," when it If the Government had prepared a must be somewhat considerable.

of his words. If taken too litorally the retention of the rider main is not really a case of stopping scheme beforehand showing the man- That the rider main system will it might mean waiting indefinitely system not being granted. These waste, when the rider-mains are nor in which the Goverment pro have to go one day, I think we are for the experience of Hong Kong concessions are suramarised as fol- 'still quite serviceable, and when, pused to convert the rider main all of one mind; what we differ on

has shown that growth of popula-lowa ne we have it from Your Excellency, system-into-n-universal meterago is only the question of time for its tion usually outstrips any increase (1) Cancellation of the 2 per the proposed change is not a matter system and let the Chinese go abandonment, and in view of the in the water supply. The full Dent. water rate;now included of revenue,

thoroughly into the matter, no convincing argumenta advanced by supply contemplated is now much in the 17 per cent. Assessed doubt a modus operandi would have my two senior Chinese colleagues. nearer and may be regarded as a Taxes, Gradual

Installation of Meters been found satisfactory to the Chin all of which I strongly endorse, cortainty in a few years time.We Our suggestion is in accord with es who are chiefly concerned. As submit that the two years exten Mr. Chadwick's idea that the rider it is, the Chinese did not know what tion asked for is not at all unrea- Main system should be allowed to the Government had done or pro-sonable, and which I hope will be abolish itself by the gradual in-posed to do until the subject was concoded to. stallation of maters. That this ob-brought before the Council at its With these few remarks, Sir, I ject has to a large extent boen ful- last festing and are consequently beg to support the Hon. Dr. Kote.

wall's amendment. filled can be seen from the fact much concerned.

of what, after all, is some sort of

the present time, when an as-

The amendment by Sir Henry Pollock was then put to the meet- ing and the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kote wall again addressed the Council.

He said: With Your Excellency's permission, I should like to say that the Chinese members of this

doubt thoses directly concerned to ask the

have the choice between continuing and perhaps making even more con- fused the rather confused state of things which now exists and Ho ginning to right it only after Shing Mun is complete or else of de liberately continuing a reasonable

(2) Lower rent for meters. (3) Reduced charges for EXECES

consumptionem quand (4) Computation of the water allowance on the basis of 25 cente instead of 10 cents per unit of 1,000 gallons. (Continued on Page 10.).

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