1934-09-28 — Page 3

Page

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY,

UNOFFICIALS CRITICISE

Sir William Shenton

SEPTEMBER 28, 1934.

HIGH COST OF ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINE

Optimistic

As To

14

Colony's Future

Dr. Kotewall Presents Proposals To Combat Depression

Unofficials Want Campaign To Attract Tourists To Colony

The debate on the Budget which took place yesterday at the Legislative Council was the longest on record, the proceedings lasting a little more than three hours.

The Hon. Sir William Shenton, Senior Unofficial Member of the Council spoke at great length on the various points raised by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary in the latter's Budget Speech.

}

Several proposals for an improvement in business in Hong Kong came from the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, whose suggestions, however, did not find favour with Gov-

ernment.

1

The Hon. Mr. Braga, who was unavoidably absent on account of his health, had his speech read by the Hon. Mr. V. H. Bell. In the course of his criticisms, Mr. Braga touched upon the high cost of administration and attacked the employing of Sterling paid officers where local men, on a dollar salary might be employed.

The Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackie made interesting references to Harbour im. provement and suggested that Sunday werking permits might be dropped. This how... ever, was not considered practicable.

"

Reference to the aviation question in the Colony was made by the Hon. Mr. W, H, Bell in connection with which His Excellency the Governor made a statement Several Unofficial members drew Government's attention to the possibility of attracting tourists to Hong Kong and suggested that the Colony's beauties might be better advertised.

The various points raised by the Unofficials were dealt with in the reply by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary and by the speech of His Excellency the Governor, The demand in connection with the Wanchai market was met by the Government conced- ing a further $80,000 in connection with this work, and the necessary amendment was made when the details of the bill came before the House.

In the course of his speech, H. E. the Governor said that to his sorrow it had been necessary to postpone certain works which might fittingly be described as essen- tial and he felt that once again the Budget must be regarded as the grave of many hopes."

[

In another part of his speech, His Excellency said: The Budget which has been submitted to you cannot he regarded as spectacular; indeed in these times a spectacular budget is more likely to be unpopular than otherwise."

Governor Describes Budget As "Grave Of Many Hopes"

The Hon. The Col. Becretary Sir Thomas Southern, K.B.E., C.M.G.

The Hon. The Attorney General Mr. R. E. Lindsell

depression, and until there is a

$31% Loan real and sold improvement in the

the opinion that this entry, ap. ances, but should be of aufcient general world conditions, we can-

We congratulate both Your Ex-ment

pearing as it does in a Govern- accommodation to be a venue for not look for a substantial improve-Colonial Treasurer on the successful Investigation

cellency. and the Honourable

Official Report. demands Government and Puble Recep- from Government the most care- tlona. ment in our present position.

of the New Public Works 34% prosection. If such

and It

relentless We are glad that Government is. however the can-$25,000,000 Loan, of which $14,000,- affairs exists. sidered

ot have seen at to grant some relief view

Estate or Enomcial 000 was floated in July last. It

to Members. that although

the builder in extending the shows the confidence of the pub- immediate future

automatically the burden of build- depress-lic in this Government, and the

ing soveranta for one year. This fact that there is plenty of money available at a low rate of interest when sound security is offered.

ing nevertheless, the great recu-

parative pqwars, which this Colony has always evidenced in the past will reassert themselves, and that taking a long view of the future, we unhesitatingly state that Hong Eong holds out even greater pos- sibilities of prosperity than in the past.

จ

Water

During the past year, the Col- concession will assist in an in- ny has again been restricted in direct method; our economie pro- tts water supply, although we have blem, and bring relief to a valu been fortunate in not experiencing, able section of our Debenture Issue.

community, the conditions of drought apper- but will not interfere with genuine by one of our leading Land Com-world,

The recent offer. of Debentures aining in some other parts of the

building.

pantes is a step in the right direc-

Viewing the position as a whole. We note with pleasure, that sub of Public Works must be well we think the Honourable Director tion, and should have the effect stantial progress has been made pleased with the programme he Looking over the past few years.

of getting more money we consider that the merchants eculation, and the finding of a weshall be glad to know when the Works Extraordinary Vote has into cir-with the Shing Mun Dam and has before. him, even though the business elements inful outlet for some of our idle Colony may expect to receive w been reduced from $53.591,850 In

and other

the Colony have darived consider able benents from the stability of the value of our dollar, and al though there have been fluctuations from time to time, such variations have not been so violent as they might have been; fh addition to

capital. It is also a clear indica-ter from that source of supply tion that this important concer has every confidence in the future prosperity of this Colony,

Retiring Government Servants We learn with deep regret of which the premium on the Hong the impending retirement of the Kong dollar, which was so detri-

Honourable Mr. ED.C. Wolfe, mental to Hong Kong, has prac-honourably served the Colony, in C.M.G.. who has for so many years tically disappeared. For these favourable positions, we are in- debted to the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation.

Declining Revenues

The Tytam Tuk Catch-water of his predecessors would

1934 to $2,899,450 in 1935. Many which includes the Dragon Back jealous of his enviable position.

be Catchment area scheme, will sub-

Before leaving the subject of stantially augment the water suppublic works, we desire to state ply of the Island, and we are glad that we approve of the principle to see that this much scheme will be completed in 1935. Central British School is private

delayed

of giving out much works as the

be a forermner of another, and developed in suitable cases. barbour was always understood to that the practice might be further The 13 inch pipe Hue across the arms of architects, and we think bigger, pipe. We are glad to note that the second pipe, being an 18 inch pipe, will be ready for use next April,

Playing Grounda

many cpacities, and latterly that of Inspector-General of Police, and in charge of the Fire Brigade. He has performed his duties with meticulous care and the greatest The empty houses and fats, the brings him in direct contact with enthusiasm. His cffice is one that declining land sales, the fall in the the public; in fact, he is often the collection of stamp duties and Intermediary between them and· Government fees, the diminishing the Government. river and coastal steamer trafne. hestation in stating that he has We have no are matters of grave concern, but performed his duties to our entire Lasso clearly pointed out by the Hon- { satisfaction, and we shall part nition of Your Excellency's desire strongly, stressed.

ourable Coloplal Secretary in his with him with great regret, speech. Hong Kong's troubles are largely external, and until those ex- ternal conditions improve, Bong Kong cannot look for better times. History "teaches us that the nationalistic policles' now pursued

We have watched with interest,

must be financed on such a basis we hope that Government, when well spent, but our water system ground at Wanchak this year, and Money spent on water is money the opening of the public play-

that it is self supporting.*.

developing new areas for building The reduction in the excess purposes, will as far as possible. Excellency has found it possible to possible. The need for more fungs water rate by 15%. which Your make similar provision wherever bring into force. is a happy recog- the Calpar cannot be too

اما

shortly leaving us. He comes of Mr. H.K Holmes, CBE, is also an els Hong Kope family, whose connections are bound up with the history of th's Colony. He is per- haps not so much in

Our since

to ameliorate the conditions of the poorer classes in our midst.

of

Public

We congratulate Your Excellency

our.

a solid Yorkshire Budget is more direction, making trading most refer to the Laws of this Colony, two new markets in the Island. question for recreation." groURAES

by a genuine

revenue force, passed in pursuance 01

policy.

Ordinances.

Quotas

StatisticsTM

We have noted with satisfaction, Our

Statistical Department

ודי

Living Committee appointed some years ago.

It is a matter for great regret: that the Wanchai market has had

the matter might receive consider- ation.

Vehicular Ferry.

More athletic grounds are very necessary, and we think that Gov- ernment should investigate the Public Works Extraordinary possibilities of the south side of Honourable Director

The Notes on Estimates of the the Island, particularly the area between Deep Water Bay and by the nations of the world, are public eye as some other Govern est to Unomcial Members: ther | Aection therewith, necessary and ̈ the Works, are always of great inter Aberdeen, not-forgetting, in con- no new phenomena, but an' econo-- mic phase of which there is plen-in this Colony who has such an progress, and an indicator of its ment servants, but there is no one are a barometer of the Colony's

economic forms of transport. ty of precedent. In Europe in the intimate knowledge of dur laws, vitality. For some years past, it pre-Christian era and days

Bathing Facilities Sulla, and again after the wars of but followed of innumerable octensive policy of replacement had bathing facilities at North Point of or whose advice is not only taken has been apparent that a very exto come up for consideration is the A matter which will ere long hare. Napoleon, similar positions existed castona. No one more ready than become inevitable; many of the Daily in the summer months, many and there are many other exam- Mr. Holmes to place his profound public Institutions for which Gov thousands avail themselves of this ples.

knowledge at the service of all ernment is responsible, had be very healthy form of recreation. We are fully aware that the who seek it, and we are not ex come hopelessly out of date an value of our manufactures, though aggerating when we state tha

The permits for the erection of amall in volume is far greater

when Mr. Holmes goes he cannot on the determination with which the Parlions are, and always than many people realise. I do

be replaced. not propose to deal with this sub-were able to induce Mr. Holmes to needs, and we hope that progress within the next few years alteriza

If Your Excellency you rive faced these Imperative have beers, temporary only, and ject in detail, as several of my stay on in harness a few more with the works now in hand, will five accommodation will have to be Honourable Colleagues will speak years, a real service would be ren-be pressed on with unfalling rig found, ge the commercial develop- on this aspect of our Colony's

dered to the Colong.. économic position.

ment of that part of the Colony Ordinances & Regulations" "In conection with non-recur cannot be impeded No one can deny that China is

The last revision

rent works of this nature, we can- The construction of a motor Passing through a very critical Ordinances was in 1923.

not strege tog strongly on Govern-road, from the gap aboys Deep Lime economically. Since she ob- when a mass of legislation both the desirability of creating Water Bay, down to the res tained tariff autonomy in 1828, new, or by way of amendment, has for pension, or necessity to con- Works, but new belonging to Cg7- temporary posts, without liability formerly occupied by the Brick duties have been ever on the in-been passed. For the assistance tribute to the Widows and Orphans ernment, thereby opening on the crease, and with an unfortunate and guidance of all who are eon- His Excellency the Governor, Sir of the past, a scrutiny of the De-

degree of uncertainty in every neeted with, or have occasion. to

Pension Fund.

whole of Deep Water Bay for beth William Peel, KCMG, K.BE. pre-partmental Reports, Memoranda in keeping with the present cir-

We notice that there are to being purposes, and the ares in sided and there were present:-

difficult. It is to be hoped that a new revision should now be and a consideration of the future. cumtances. His Excellency the General Off My Colleagues desire that a similar

bina, and the rest of the world, taken in hand,

and two at Kowloon ter Commanding the Troops, Major procedure be followed this year.

might possibly make some provis $1,222,386, thereby reducing the an interchange of commodities, pature, which is almost of as great the effect of keeping down the cost the road and tram 'rails, through

An estimated deficit for 1834 of will realise that what is needed is

We believe that an increase inlon to meet the situation Another matter of a similar

the number of markets will have whether it is possible to continue General O. C. Borrett, C.B., CM.G..

excess of assets over liabilities to freed from taxation and restric- | Importance, is some codification of living, and this was the con- shaukiwan, along the water level" CBE, D.8.0.

Budget Posidon

$12,601,259, and for 1935 of $1,890.-tions, other than such as neces-of the Regulations at present indered opinion of a "High Cost of to Balwan Bay, we do not know, hut We wish to record our real ap- 452, thereby reducing the excess sitated preciation of the clear and con- af assets over liabilities to $10,710,- clee way in which Your Excellency 807, "is not a position which we has placed before us the Estimates regard with anxiety, especially The Hon. The Secretary for Cha- for the year 1935. An exhaustive when we consider that the Agures nese Affairs Mr. N. 1. Smith.

not think it requires a Daniel to excluded from the Empire Quota there appears to be an excellenting, but should, the sterling value cost the Colony a substantial are based on a dollar. We do that this Colony has so far been seems to be doing good work, and to be postponed for the time be prophesy, that at the end of 1934, System. We thank Your Excel-demand for our monthly and an- not less favourable than its prend may be criticised on this

of our dollar remain at a figure and again in 1935, we shall find lency for

nual returns. I would be happier the consideration you The speech of the Honourable the balance is on the right side. Colonial Secretary was an excel-

have given to our interests in this if those returns showed a more sent value, we would ask Your account, but there is no gainsaying We realise that a favourable respect. The matter is of vital prosperous state of ana'rs in the Excellency to bring this matter the fact that it has linked up the The Hon. Com, G. F. Hole, R.N.lent Guide, and has been of great exchange has been a most impor-importance to this Colony. On Colony than they do, The Superin- before Unomcial Mimbers for fur-Island with the mainland in a

assistance to us in following the tant factor in the preparation of the 29th November, 1895, the Right tendent of Imports & Exports has

ther consideration during the com- manner no other practical, means ramifications of the Budget. the Estimates, and this becomes Honourable Bir Joseph Chamber been very active in his prosecu-

ing year.

could have effected. Its popularity The Memorandum on the finan-strikingly apparent when one lain, when writing to Ha Excel- tops recently and whilst we ab

The alte formation of the new is, like the traffic carried, growing, plac pin 1933, 1954 and 1935. reads the abstract of differences, lency Sir William Robinson, then preciate the necessity for rehabis Goyergment Civil Hospital, and day by day, and is even now a placed before us by the Honour- or peruses the footnotes of the Governor of this Colony, said: statistics, we hope he will exercise the new Gaol at Stanley, appear valuable gaset.

For a continuam aware that the trade of the some discretion. In favour of those near completion, and the site for ance of this satisfactory position, Colony under you Government is who are less neglectful than others the new Central British School at

148 Foot Bond We must look for similar or higher of a special character" and the

Kowloon has been started in ear- Another hardy. When all is said and done, affe-Laster made a similar state- rates in the future

Right Honourable Sir Philip Cun-

fest, with the result that the com- foot road at Ner reduction in penditure for the ment in the House of Commons opium is, as a matter of revenue res n respect of these essential this year, and we can

The falling off in the sales of ing wear should witness real pro-siderable work has

with ease to follow the variations perience in this Colony in recent Quota System were applied to unfortunate policy of high-priced and the Magistracy at Yaumat, without delay.

year 1935 of $774,093, is a novel ex- this year. In our opinion, if the unfortunate, but not to be deplored public works, \___

if it were not for the fact that the The Upper Levels Folice Station, will be made to complet In the respective Estimates.

Hong Kong much trade which would otherwise pass through opium inevitably increases smugg- are very necessary requirements.

Folles Force. Hong Kong, would be diverted, which, in fact, it has. It is elsewhere.

A Separate Entity not that lesa opium is amoked, but

We no

change, that smuggling a greatly on the in-

House and ments on page 47 of the The Gover crease. A further point of sub- City Development Scheme, must The want to sell optum they must as it has been segregated from salary stance is that if the Government be regarded as a separate entity. Police supply the consumer with what is the General Government Accounts.nually, wanted, and not a Singapore pre- It is, we understand, anticipated Class-1 fuses to buy. paration which the consumer re- that the Scheme, when completed, 1,800

will pay for itself. -- € - tráined police The Scheme was based on the valuable than

dent of Imports & Exports for the way is made clear for the con of Poli

sale of the City Hall, and now Class for the In the Report of the Superinten- that it has been disposed of the the position year 1938, there appears an item struction of the new Government one of the Economic Commission

(2) Fees paid to Chinese Police butidings and

the new Govern Honon or Revenue Officers, every week, ment House An Assembly Hall Owing to the preval pre individual payments from 30 cents and Theatre is badly needed, and slon, Your Excellency has seen At up to $a." The fact that such an as the sale to appoint an Economic mis-item appears, as an ordin sion to end Into the depression and mendat.c

The Hon. the Col. Treasurer, Mr.

Edwin Tayiqr.

A

The Hon. Mr. B. D. 0. Wolfe, C.M.G. (Inspector General Palice).

Retired) Harbour Master..

OL

The Hon. Dr. W. B. A. Moore, Director of Medical and Sanitary. Services).

The Hon. Mr. R. M. Henderson

(Director of Public Works).

Kt,

The Hon. Sir William Shenton

The Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackie. The Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall,

C.M.G., LL.D.

The Hon. Mr. 8. W. T'so, C.B.E,

LLAD.

The Hon. Mr. T. N. Chau, The Hon. Mr. 3. Owen Hughes. The Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell Mr. H R, Butters (Clerk of Council).

The Hon. Dr. W. B. A. Moore was sworn in at the outset of the pin- ceedings.

HON. SIR WM. SHENTON

fund of information has been

made available to us, and we have had no dificulty in following the mass of figures, »

able Colonial Treasurer, is an ill-Draft Estimates.

much appreciated by us. uminating document, and has been

tween the approved Estimates of The abstract of differences be- Expenditure for 1934 and for 1935,

is indeed useful, and enables us

The Notes on the 1935 Estimates. prepared by the Honourable Direc tor of Public Works, have given us an excellent insight into the many and varied works under his supervision.

years.

Crown Colony Budgets We have noted from a speech made in the House of Commons in England, on the 12th July last,

Prado Comandlendöner

by the Right Honourable air P. Cun- For many years this Colony felt The many Departmental Reports liffe-Lister, that several of our the need of some official connect for the year 1933, which have come sister Crown Colonies have been ing link with the trade of the into our hands from time to time, able have kept us constantly in touch produce favourably balanced Byd- met by the appointment of a Trade in the immediate past, to Empire. This want has now been with the Government of this Co-gets, which they have not pre- Comm.salonar in the person of tony, and are most useful, AR

Tiously done for some years, and Mr. G.C. Pelham We welcome his We congratulate Your Excellency, we hope that this is a good augury presence here, and his activity and the Members of the Govern for the future prosperity of our has already been appreciated on ment concerned, on the healthy Colony. position of the Colony's finances.

several occasions,

Prospects

The Hon: Sir William Shenton said: Your Excellency, it is my privilege this year to speak, on be- half of the Unofficial Members of Connell, and deal with matters of a these days of depression, stress Future Proes general concern, arising out of the and strata we look for an ortho Estimates for the coming year, dox Budget. The present is not leaving to my Colleagues the sub-the occasion for fights of high Jects in which they are indivdually, finance, nor monetary experi- for a cops derable period asc or particularly interested.

ments, nor do we regard the time from the general world dep

state that we view the immedia

It would not be correct for us to future with optimism. The

the Grindence

Bribes

cause of in a trader's books, recom- the greatest regre

for scheme som points to of the

well-established and

It has been the practice in the as at all appropriate, for new ex- owing to a number of past, not only to deal with the tensive and unproductive public ces, which I need not, Items of the Estimates as presen-works extraordinary. We believe It la incontestable ted, but to take a general survey that something along the lines of now feeling the full blast of the and we eagerly await the rep

are

Commission. It

The vehicular ferry may have

the hope that

We

$250,000

,600 an

30

that life

Cadet