1934-09-28 — Page 10

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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER

28, 1934.

MR. BRAGA DISAPPOINTED AT GOVERNMENT'S

(Continued from Page 7)

1.

How. The economic hurricane which has struck us is of unpre- cedented violence and we may hope that never again will the Colony suffer such Bn unhappy deluge.

the present is not the time to make the best use of this surplus, when is the time? I say that now is, the time to do so and to do it *boldly.

But I am confident that the Colony's reserves would not, by these two remedial measures, be drawn below the margin of safety, but would rather, through their ameliorative effect

•

From Your Excellency, as from the Hon. Colonial Secretary who has administered the Government on so many occasions with such ability and success, we may look for

THE KOWLOON

And-Malarial, Works

LACK OF SYMPATHY

One has only to take a walk any · form of transport in streets not unfortunate people there Coubtful expedient, to say the make to the public, a trade ban the

comfort through least, to add to the cost of admin

Under Sub-head 35 is a vote of evening, especially after the Chin-served by the Bus Company, and of $30,000,000. To-day the Coliny received great

Istration the salaries of new at $80,000 for Anti-Malarial Work. Inese supper hour through the dis- in wet weather residents are in a is püssing through an even greater religious influence.

therefore, that I hope,

your cers of a grade that entails higher his Memorandum the Treasurercts of Tsimshatsui, Tabmal. position to say that rickalas are a crisis and it is to be hoped, as it

explains that the vote is for anti-Mongkok. Taikoktsul and Sham-real blessing for short journeys." ta bel'eved, that it will be extri- Excellency, who is so deeply inexpenditure.

all charitable and

Ná Territories Bimilarly, the Treasurer's pro- malarial work in Hong Kong. How shuipo to realise the pace at which rated from its sore plight by alm-terested in

Early this year the small Com- lar qualities of courage and states humane works in the Colony. will posal to increase the number of much of this $80,000 is for cost of Kowloon te growing. And for one

direct an enquiry as to the teas,his Cadet assistants by one, who resumption and how much of it like me whose vivid recollection mittee appointed by Your Ex manship.

bility of having a hospital in Hong will act as superintendent of the provides for the training of stream of the Mainland as it was nearly cellency to make recommendations Kong for these most unfortunate stamp office, cannot be regarded courses and the draining of sixty years ago is the existence for better facilties for marketing social outcasts. (Applause)

as a recommendation in the direct swamps to prevent the breeding of of a solitary brick and mortar New Territories produce presented tion of economy. I have a perfect mosquitoes, is a question I would building that served as a plente their report. The Estimates furnish na indication that efforts are being recollection of the days when the like answered by the Treasurer. house standing on what appeared

at the time as the inhospitable made for implementing the sug-" duties of Superintendent of the And when the explanation has been Stamp Office were discharged by forthcoming, ratepayers will be in foreshore of Faumati, flanked by gestions for greater facilities for locally-recruited officers to the terested to have the expert opinion three leper settlements, with no the disposal of New Territories entire satisfaction of the business of the Director of Medical and roads, no lighting or water service. produce. If no facilities are con- any Sanitary Services whether the allo-Kowloon's attainment to its pre-templated for 1935. I trust that community. I cannot see justfication for the change.

anti-malarial works sent day populous and prosperous means will be found for the pro- The same criticism must be di- properly so-called is not an amennt city, is nothing less than absolutely vision of the small sum required rected against the proposed em- just sufficient to tinker with the amazing!

It does not require the vision of ployment of a sterling officer to fill | malaria problem in the Colony. I the new post of Assistant Superint. cannot discover any appropriation an optimist to gain the conviction endent of Malls in the Post Offee, for this essential preventive service that a large administration build

for Kowloon and the Mainland. 1ng for Kowloon under whose rost co-ordinated is a necessity of the Peak district for residential par- poses, which has started in real

these qualities. Your Ex cellency's single-minded devotion. to the welfare of the community is known to all, and it is a matter for congratulation to ourselves dimcult business, that during these most Da and consequently on revenue, betimes our public affairs should found ultimately to be in the have been presided over by an neighbourhood of the Hon. Co-administrator with so sure a grasp lonial Treasurer's own estimated of our needs, and so great a readi- figure for the end of 1935. Thisness to foster and promote our in- view is strengthened by past ex-' terests. (Applause), perience of the results of a con- servative exchange

rate

being

taken in framing the. Estimates. I LEPERS IN THE

see the wisdom in the adoption

COLONY

Local Hospital Needed

on

MEMBER

The Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga's speech which was read to the Council Sy the Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell was es tolows:---

Your Excellency-I must confess to some disappointment with the Goverzument statement in present-

ing the Estimates for next year.

This disappointment arises from,

将

4

Cost of Transport

cation for

In order to obtain larger becom modation in the Colony's markets for vegetables and fruits grown in the Territories. The nécemily for stimulating the production of local marketing in the Colony is A measure the wisdom of which will be at once recognized.

The cogency of my criticism wili Development of the popular Castle all Government services could be products and for its more extensive

earnest,

51

near future.

proached me to register their dis- for hire at Tsimshatsui.

the fact that, while the trade de-appear with more telling effect

King's Park pression form the Keynote of the when it is appreciated that the

is actually retarded of the rate of 1/4d as the basis

Honourable the Colonial Secretary's cost of transport of Government

May I be permitted, Bir. to utter

Local Factories for the 1935. Estimates, and feel

review of the Estimates, the Gov-servants figures at the colossal through indifference in the adop

tion of measures for combatting 2 word of warning against the fur-

The economic depression has confident that by the end of that

ernment has shown no practical suth of exactly half a million dol- year our position from this cause will be found to be much better

sympathy with the Colony in the lars for 1935 against 48 lakhs this the malaria scourge in this bean ther encroachment on King's Park difficult times through which it is year. Not many ratepayers, I feel ital district of the New Terri by the construction of any more brought forth, for the first time tories Talpo's reputation for the Government buldings as it is pro-I believe, an admission that local than anticipated. "In his remarks of the an the surplus balances

passing. A substantial evidence of sure, realise the extent of the cost

area? 15 amalt in volume, are of far such sympathy would have been to the Colony which certain pri- Prevalence of malaria casts a re- posed to erect the Railway Mana-manufactures, though comperative- Colony, the Hon. Colonial Secre-

50 unsatisfactory a condition of Kings Park has been reserved for greater importance than most greatly appreciated if some scheme" vileges enjoyed by Civil servantsection on the inertia permitting ger's house within that tary referred to the necessity for

These privileges take the

things to continue.

recreation purposes and if building people realised, or were prepared to maintaining these balances at a

The Hon. Dr. S. W. Tso:-Your had been formulated for a reduc- entail. high figure owing to heavy com- Excellency:

tion in the high cost of the Colo-form of passage allowance, among

There is growing impatience at after building is piled on the site belleve. Nor were they willing to mitments not yet completed. At The Senior Unofficial Member. ny's administration. This was one others, to non-domiciled officers the delay in the presentation of the specific purpose for which this concede that our factories provide the same time, however, he re-in his speech, has so fully and of the ratepayers' legitimate. If on account of leave to England and the Maiariologist's expert report one park has been laid out will be a means of Hvelihood for many ferred to certain courses of re- clearly set out the collective views faint, hopes, before the appearance back. I am aware that I am

and recommendations as a result defeated. There are other suitable tens of thousands of our humble venue still untapped, from which Unofficial Members the of the Estimates. That hope hes treading on delicate ground when of his investigations and research sites for oicers' residences in inhabitants. Far too much stress has been faid in the past on the future replenishment of our ba- Budget, and, the Senior Chinese beed unfortunately blasted and the approaching, this subject. Leave since his arrival in the Colony Kowloon

Kowloon City Fathers, I am told.. predominant importance of our lances may be expected. I con- Member, also, has so ably repre- Colony's inhabitants are left in the privileges are defended on the more than four years ago. the sented the views of the Chinese predicament of having to work out principle that they assume a form

"The Bottle. Neck" clude, from this and from

are divided in their opinion as re-entrepot trade and too little notice conviction that the suggested mea-Members, there remains little for their own salvation.

of insurance for fitness and eff.

Representative residents of the gards a proposal for reducing the has been taken of our local manu- sures would result in increases in me to make comments upon.

Usually well-informed concern-etency. This insurance premium is

The surprise if the Economie ̈ Commis- many existing sources of revenue,

However, I should like to say aing action affecting the Colony probably justified in the case of Kowloon community have ap-number of public rickshas pising factoriek. It will cause me no that it would be a policy involving few words with regard to the generally taken by the big banks, the front rank members of of appointment and protest at the support for the reduction of 11-oh Your Excellency so timely no real danger to the Colony's assessment tax: as 96 per cent of the large commercial houses and cialdom and of especial technical perpetuation of the bottle-neck cences is based, I believe, an appointed were to reveal at the

the payers are Chinese.

near the Star Ferry Pier at Kow-humanitarian grounds. This senti- conchision of their enquiry certain industrial undertakings in Hong officers; but in all other cases my

og Government could not have submission is that the Insurance loon Foint. At no time did they ment, of humanity is all very pleasing Htartling facts and Ögures failed to become acquainted with premia are much too high during regard the erection of the garage laudable; but when one considers that cannot fail to rivet attention. on the Railway ground with favour that the earnings of ricksha coolles to the economie vame of the factories scattered the measures adopted by these va- these lean years. ・・・

While critical of an uneconom!- and their repeated protest against within the fat areas they are numerous rious institutions, almost without

With licensed to ply their trade are throughout Hong Kong and at exception, to cope with the dif- cal policy dictating the engage-It has proved unavailing.

besetting Hong

Kong ment of sterling-paid officers for growing bus and motor car trade fairly substantial in view of the Kowloon and on the Mainland. `It".

they goes without saying that shipping culties through this prolonged trade de posts that could be alled with at this potnit, the need for relieving comparatively light work pression. A choice of two evils pre-qual efficiency by local men, the bottle-neck of increasingly have to do, there is no valid rea- and the entrepot trade have first sented itself alternatively in pro- must not withhold my need of dangerous congestion is very real son why ricksha licences should claim on the Colony's support and posals for the cuts in salaries or praise to the Director of the Royal and the reconditioning of the garnot be maintained at their present protection. Granting this, Hong reduction in the personnel of the observatory in attempting to age to provide larger accommoda-number. The withdrawal of licences Kong's industries are not so unim Staff. The less harmful of the two train local officers on his present tion for postal facilities at Kow from the pullers will deprive them portant that one can afford to staff to the, necessary degree of loon is a poor substitute for a new of a living and go to swell the despite them. In recent months Application Of The Axe efficiency as Magnetic Observers so permanent Post Office in the con ranks of the unemployed. This there is a growing consciousness as to obviate the need of employ-struction of which, it has been latter contingency is greatly to be that local industries have a force ing another professional assistant," thought, a beginning might be deplored if it is allowed to happen. ful appeal on the Gotertiment no The Director's example might be made in 1935. followed advantageously by other heads of departments. I regard. bis recommendation as an eloquent testimony to the emciency of his subordinates who deserve the Co-

reserves.

In these times of uncertainty The Hon. The Colonial Secre- and doubts there is greater need tary. on introducing the Budget for us to adopt a due sense of sald. that "rate payers are now proportion as between the present beginning to be more dilatory in and the future. We may be to payment, and we hope that they more danger of neglecting the pre- will help the Government by sent for the future's sake than of paying promptly and so save extra leaving the future a little to itself expenditure, which in its turn has for the sake of to-day. The into be met, by increased taxation". terests of the present should not be under-estimated; they are, in sense. the interests of the future also, for a brigh future cannot be built upon a foundation of con- tinued and increasing depression in the preserit

I can assure the Government that this dilatoriness was not due to any neglect or wilfuldess on the part of the payers but rather to their inability to do so quicker on account of their receipt of rent, in many cases, where the entire house was not let. being insufici- The "Depressed" Mentality

ent to pay the rates. In the Many to-day are dishearteded, and for that they cannot be outlying districts many cases, to blamed. But the pity of it is that my knowledge, have happened our pessimists, in the absence of where tenants disappeared owing positive action by the Government, several months' rent. In such have gone about sounding the knell cases it makes it harder for owners pay their of the Colony. This depressing in- of small property to

promptly. I therefore Buence is to be deplored, for it rates has already produced, through the strongly support my colleague, the working of mass psychology, dis- Hon. Dr. Kotewall, in his raquest method of astrous résults. Our present trou- for a change in the

assessment and reduction bles are in no small measure due

rates. to psychological influences induced by such talks. I would even go to the length of saying that the pre- sent depression is due as much to paychological forces as to econo- mic, if not more. This baneful in

dence must be vigorously com- batted, and I can see no bettet way of doing it than the adoption of measures that would restore public confidence.

return to better times is to be

Toe

1

S

courses was chosen.

ኑ

In the application of the axe some arms have thought at to in- siltute an all-round cut in salaries of a uniform rate whilst others have worked on a sliding scale of reduction so as to inflict à mum- mum of hardship. The scale was graduated to a point below which it did not proceed, since it is con-lony's thanks. siderea that clerks and others of that category must be paid at least a living wage.

Bouquet For I. G. P.

The retiring Inspector General of Police vil permit an apprecia- If a scheme such as has been on of his effort at economy in brought into operation very widely putting Chinese Sub-Omcers in In the Colony had been framed Incharge of certain Fire Brigade connection with the Estimates it Sub-Btations for duties hitherto A partial performed by a European Assistant might have afforded measure of rellet upon Govern-Stalin Officer in charge of & Sta- ment's own initiation and it would tion, thus avoiding the increasing a Committee to enquire into the certainly have been interpreted as cost of the European estabilah.... facilities for the transportation a gratious gesture of the Government. and marketing of the New "Terri-ment's sympathy with the inhah!--

With regard to agricultural pro duction in the New Territory or which I take a special interest, the Government in 1932 appointed

In the matter of the collection tories produce. But the reference tants and an earnest of its efforts of hates the Colonial Secretary to that Committee did not cover to assist the Colong at the present hased the point of difficulty an enquiry into the means by juncture.

Lepers

a

experienced in fuch collection and suggesta is one of the steps for speeding up collection "an increase in the Rate with a corresponding decrease if payment is tendered

I would therefore most earnestly nak Your Excellency to give my which the farmers may be helped It will be recalled that on the two proposals your early and sym-" to increase their production. 119th June, 1930, this Council voted pathetic consideration. They are understand from my Hon: friend the sum of over one and a half admittedly palliative rather than Mr. Bell that there is a movement million dollars to ameliorate the Curative, and one, at feast, is put on foot by TOC-H to educate the condition of the officers of the within the legal period provided in forward as a temporary measure. people there by giving them talks Government because of the high the Rating Ordinance. I would I know that the finances and the both on health matters and on cost of living then prevailing. The appeal strongly to the Colonia] trade of the Colony wil never agriculture. I feel sure that if increases to salaries granted under Treasurer to desist from carrying quite recover their former position these talks are simple and not too the recommendations of the Gol-out an experiment of doubiral unless world economic conditions seientific and within the compre-tan Commission have been con- value. There is real danger that have improved, and unless the hension of the class of people tinged ever since despite the Co- the increased rate would be passed tariff wall in China, especially in talked to the scheme will be alanya altered economic condition on to the tenant by a type of land- the Kwagtung Province, is lower- success and bring good result for the worse. The local cost of lords with whom the honourable ed. But I feel. hope the lese trust, therefore, that the Clover living te how substantially lower member on my right is probably strongly, that the measures sug- ment will give every assistance The Colony in turn expects some well acquainted gested are essential, if the present and encouragement to such

little reciprocity and in this ex- Touching on the question of already serious condition is not to scheme.

pectation they have, no desire to those services that ensure the became still worse; if public, con-

faflet upon the employees of Cov- health, security and general well- fidence is to be restored; and if a

There is another matter which ernment the least hardship. Ans being of the community. I enter hastened. Even if the results of 1 should like to mention. The saving in Personal Emoluments tain, serious doubts if the ratepay- the proposed measures are uncer- Hon. The Colonial Secretary in could be applied towards an abate-ers are entirely satisfied with the work ment of Rates from which the Government's present policy. Many tain, they should be tried as ex-dealing

inhabitant stands to entertain the view that the medi- periments. The existing extraord- mentioned in his speech about humblest

cal services of the Colony are l- inary and unprecedented circum- lepers. am informed that the benefit.

Higher Expenditure ::

sufficiently financed and my stances call for a bold policy, even number of lepers in the Colony If that policy is not expected by are increasing. We have no faci-

Scrutinizing the Estimates with friends," the unordial members of some to yield the desired result. lities here for dealing with such some care fall to discover that the Banitary Board, are loud in de-

except deporting them. We must try and try again, until caste we succeed. Passive acquiescence From "The Leber Quarterly as any real effort has been made to claiming the Government's apathy curtail the cost of the permanen in Zalling to provide a sanatorium In a altuation avails us nothing.ed by the Chinese Mission to Unless something is attempted Lepers, whose Headquarter is in establishment of the Colony For for the treatment of tuberculosis Shanghat, and there is a branch example the proposal to recruit and, more recently, voiced the de- nothing will be achieved..

office here, I understand that two new cadets results in the per-sirability of action being taken for Trie re- there is a leprosery in the Malay sonat emoluments for the Colonial provision for the treat States under the control of the Secretary's department being lureprosy, la the Colony. Government there and a new creased by a sit of $14,000 in 1986: establishment of district dis cure le claimed to have been In fact, the impression is very wide pensary at Tsimshatsul at smal discovered by that institution. In ly belt that the Colonial Secretariat cost is not beyond the means of the the leper settlement is already overburdened with a Government to provide. These are category subjects which might fisefully en- Ta Kam Lund in June last, number of our of

under the management; and it times when cond

In 1925, when the economic ufe of the Colony was threatened by and when outside machinations

len

the

with ambulance

should gage the attention of the Director

Dr. John Lake, I found be the first consideration it of Medies) and Braitary Services,

It doesn't really matter.

Rickshas are... a very convenient

è llille gardening-

Whether you are beating

or a little carpentering-

raising

thing the

-maybe catching a rat or

two

For fruit forming -

-rolling the lown-

(Continued on Page 11):

-even a spot

bronco busting.

-youll do it better with a Wills's Gold Flake to soothe you-nil

Wells GOLD FLAKE

WILLS

BRISTOL

E

LONDO

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