HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1936.
COLONIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINS BUDGET
$1,000,000 Saved In Government Salaries
INCREASED TAXATION INDICATED
ני
:
CADET SERVICE.
EXPLAINING THE VARIOUS ITEMS OF THE BUDGET, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HỒN, MR. R. A. C.. NORTH, COMMENCED WITH THE LUCID STATEMENT THAT THE BUDGET DOES NOT BALANCE.” HE THEN WENT ON TO DEAL WITH THE IMPORTANT QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IN RELATION TO THE ESTIMATES. The first point, which will ce obvious' at a glance, is that the Budget does nut balance. The Treasurer has given you the figures, and it remains for me to aay a few words on the' question of policy
DEFICIT LESS THAN ANTICIPATED
The budge. for 1938 was drawn up on the basis of a one un right penity dollar. but It became
i
I refer to
placed as low as possible, and any envisaged in the Revenue Esti- expansions not shown to be inmates. with the exception of one ev tante has been ruthlessly sacri-item which has already been men- ficed. In this connection we feel tloned in this Council, that we cannot safely repeat in 1037 the pruning of such items as road maintenar.ce votes which has helped the financial position in 1936. Even now we are faced by heavy expenditure at some future date if we are to return
to the
high standards maintained in the past, and continued neglect will
During the year the Cadet Ser- "Vice has lost three of its sentor officers. Messrs. Tratman and the tax on motor Breen through retirement, and Mr, should be raised by 30 per cent. to vehicles which, 1t is proposed.N. L Sauth, though fortunately the Colony retains him, through fall due for renewal. 40 per cent, when leences next
promotion. I am sure that all will Join with me in congratulating Mr. Smith" on his new appointment and in expressing the debt of grati- tude which Hong Kong owes to the their services in the past, and in LWO officers who have retired for wishing them good health
In this connection I think it is relevant, to mention item No. 58 under Fublic Works Extraordinary which refers to an expenditure of prove definitely uneconomical, It
$60,000 for widening and improving is unlikely therefore that sayings will be available on recurrent ex-
the road to Customs Pasa, This
have as far as possible been kept penditure votes. "Other Chargessible to the motorists of the Colony road will before long make acces-
et the 1938 level, and th's in many
a very beautiful part of the New Territories including Hebe Haven cases means a reduction" because of increased prices due to a lower
and Clear Water Bay; so that It dollar.
cannot be said that they will get nothing for their increased contri- buting to the revenue.
LOVER RATE FOR STERLING SALARIES
eviden: very early that this high exchange could not be maintained. and that drastic steps would have te de saken if the position at the and of the year was not to show serious deficit. That there will by a deficit seems certain, but i expectations are realised, this will not, be nearly as urge as was an- ticipated. The situation was met by three measures; first by in- dreased taxat on and by increased receipts due to the operation of the sliding scale in the case of Liquor and Tobacco duties which have now been fixed once more in local currency; secondly by eut- tag down or deleting items wher-
this could ever
be done with- cut serious loss of efficiency: und thirdly as a levy on the salarles of all Civil Servants in receipt of over a certala minimum wage. I should like: in passing. to pay a it is proposed to lower the rate tribute to the manner in which ui conversion for sterling salaries this levy has been accepted by tie by three farthings to the Budget service generally.
No one accepts į tale of 1/3, if the dollar remains acut gladly, and it is not srris- 1 or below that figure as from ing that there have been some the first of January and to con- complaints. When one has ad- tinue the levy on both dollar and justed one's standard of living to sterling salaries. a certain inqume, it is rather dis- concerting to be faced. suddenly
There remains direct sterling expenditure, and this of course ne- counts for the greater part of the deffeft. In the case of stores bought and payments made through the Crown Agents no saving is pla sible. In the case of salaries, the Government has very reluctantly come to the conclusion that the levy In some form wil have to be continued. "
And
It is hoped however that it will De possible to reduce the levy by. by an income tax amounting. In
bout 20 per cent. and the post- some cases to as much as four don will be reviewed towards the shillings in the pound It is not end of this year with that object perhaps my place to say so. but I. view. The levy will produce do feel that the Colony uwes a debt of gratitude to the officers who are contributing th's year over mon dollars towards the re- duction of the deficit. These three sources will not however provide quite enough to meet our commitments during the year, and it will be necessary to draw on our surplus balances for the remain- dier.
&
53) MULLIONS DEFICIT
between: a quarter
half a
mately decided upon. I am at- Lillion according to the rate ulti-
thorised to state in this connection that the Secretary of State for the Colonics has agreed to the con- tinuation of the levy in 1937 with very great reluctar.ce, and desires Dassurance to be given that an emergency imposition, of this character will not be maintained any longer than 's demanded by the obscurity 0% the financ'al outlook.
I now come to 1937. The de- ficit shown is $3 milons. How is this to be made up? We have allowed something for expansion of revenue, and ..We propose to appropriate in addition one' wind- fall in the shape of the surplus of assets over abilities of the Trade Le looked for Loan. Expenditure has been other hand no further taxation is
"TILL WE MEET
AGAIN"
At Queen's
Splendid Picture
01
Under the able direction Robert Florey, the principals in the picture. Herbert Marshall Gertrude Michael and Llonel At- will give one of the best per-
NO REDUCTION OF TAXATION Next with regard to taxation. I trust that Honourable, Members will agree that in the circumstan- ces no reduction of taxation can in 1937, On the
FINE
PROGRAMME
AT KING'S
Marvellous Feats." On The Stage
Balancing feats which are almost unbelievable-unbelievable had one
1/
SURPLUS BALANCES TO MEET DEFICIT
fore proposed to draw
To meet the deficit it is there-
surplus balances which will, It is upon our
anticipated be thus reduced by the end of 1937 to approximately $8.- | 000,000
and
happiness in the future. ask for new appointments to fill It is not proposed at present to these three vacancies.
CLERICAL SERVICE Recruitment, for the European section of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff has been suspend- ed and vacancies are for the pre- sent being Alled by local recruits. A similar experiment is being con- ducted i the Police and Sanitary Departments.
COLONIAL LEGAL SERVICE The Legal Departments have for 50me tlac been short-handed. They have had the assistance of two members of the Administra-
ristera, but even so it has not al- ways been possible to keep all posts diled and there has been no re serve in case of sickness or to en- able officers to take casual leave.
It is considered that, if ever, this policy is Justined at the presentive Service who are qualified bar time. Hong Kong is still feeling the effects of the serious depression of the last few years. One may feel that with the stablisation of our cases considerable, of our export currency. the increase, in some
trade in local manufactures, and the growing prospect of peace and prosperity...among our neighbours in China, the stage is set for re- covery: but until the curtain has gone up, the less added to the burden of industry the better
are
two
Its proposed to recru!t additional officers, one as a reserve, and one to assist in the office, where there are large ar- Land
Crown Leases awaiting
rears of
issue..
||
POST OFFICE Two large additional Items ap- pear under Post Office repre- senting Hong Kong's share of the subaldy which will enable all Em- pire letters to be carried by Air Mall at the ordinary letter rate. Postage rates have already been raised an account of the fall in ex- change and it is not proposed to
additional expense involved, raise them further in spite of the
END OF EXPANSION Moreover 1837 will be in some ways a turning point. We drawing near the end of a period of expansion. Early next year three of our major public works, the Jubilee dam, the new prison, and the Queen Mary Hospital will be finished. It will be necessary to decide then what standard of maintenance and what rate of progress should be set for the fu- ture. The problem of reducing the ccst of personnel by reducing the scale of salaries for new appointees and by substituting local for Euro- pean staff is under constant ating and any reduction in personnel tention, and experiments in both directions are already being made.
I shall now with your permission offer a few brief comments on some of the more important points con- nected with the estimates which are before you..
The table is supported by four rods which radiate from a bottle. This bottle is the base of the up- side down pyramid.
Acrobatic tests and dancing also are included in the programme and if only for this extra show, a visit is worth the while.
Human Cargo" is another ple- ture woven around the drama of a newspaper mun. The picture is an exaggerated, conception of a re- porter's life and is full of thrills and action.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
item *20 Sub Inspectors" which ap- I have already referred to the
pears under the heading "Chinese Contingent." During 1937 these officers will of course be in train-
which may result from their ent ployment will not appear until later.
PRISONS.
The new prison will be completed early in the year. When it is ready for occupation Victoria Gaol will
Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES
The Y.M.C.A. Discussion Group will meet in the West Lounge at 9 pm on Sunday.
The YMCA. Whist Drive will be held in the West Lounge at 8 pm. on Monday.
2
CHINESE CUSTOMS
INFRINGEMENT
The whole story centres around aliens into the country. This state the American "racket of smuggling weakness on Sept. 1 in the market Although there was no great
Immigration Laws of America were drawn tight. To be caught doing this was an offence which merited the heaviest of punishments and so these, racketeers, rather than be caught with the "evidence," had escape detection. no scruple's about missa murder to
formances to date in Till We not seen them are featured at the Meet Again" showing at the King's Theatre together with "Hu-of affairs was true to life when the Queen's.
The story deals with espionage
Inan Cargo." Balancing two billard and counter-espionage during the balls at the end of a cue is one World War, how on the eve of the of the items. and there seems to wedding o! Herbert Marshall, be no doubt as to the authen- (Alan Barclay). "arial" Gertrude ticity of the feat.. Michael, (Elsa
Before one's must rejoin the secret service of eyes the balls are placed and then,
Austria
Duranyl), Elsa
She leaves a note with only the one inscription: "Trafalgar; 1805" which Alan readily understands. he too, joins up with the British Sercret Service.
when the act is
over, they are shaken off the cue showing no adhesiveness whatever.
Perching
a small tray on the nose and supporting a sheet of Meeting in Germany, after Elsa glass is the next act. That is not had thought that Alan had died all. On the tray are placed several tu action, the reunion is most wine glasses and on top of these dramatic leading up to a dramatic glasses is placed another sheet of climax.
glass. Still the actor continue to For loyers of good music, a add further articles in the shape short subject entitled. "The of eggs in elongated egg-cups, Hay- Parade of the Maestros" provides ing divested himself of his coat good entertainment.
The three and having put it back again the band leaders are Ferde Grote: Edmund Deutsch and the inimit
trays of glasses are unloaded one by one, able "Red" Nichols, without his five pennies, but with a much big-
Not satisfied with that, a table ger aggregation of soloists render- fully load with utensils and anti- ing the latest in "swing" muntel cles, is next balanced on the chin.
¡
be closed all but a small portion to be used as a clearing house for pri- saners going to and from the Magistracies. Lalchikak prison will also be closed but the Female pri- son will remain in use.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
Mary Hospital, the Victoria Hos- With the opening of the Queen
pital and the in-patients depart- pital will be closed. ment of the Government Civil Hos-
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Trade School and 'increased provision for physical training re- present. additional educational facilities resulting from recom- mendations contained in Mr. Bur- ney's report.
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
Provision has again been made for a grant of $15 000 towards the expenses of the Travel Associa- tion, I wish to make it clear that this grant will not in future be un- conditional-but that it represents
a maximum up to which Govern- ment will contribute a dollar for every dollar raised by public sub- scription...
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
The apparent increase in the staff of this department is due to transfer of officers whose salaries" have hitherto been met from loan funds.
the
Most of the items shown under Public Works Extraordinary are commitments, or of the nature of commitments, that is to say, ex- penditure on roads, drainage and waterworks, necessitated by the completion of new buildings,
The construction of a new Gov- ernment store (item 5) is the only "new work under this head of any magnitude to be begun in 1937. Given facilities for purchase and storage in bulk of stores required for Government purposes," It is ex- pected that economies will be made possible which will amply justify the expenditure to be incurred.
The new Central Market, provi- sion for which will be found under Loan Works, is necessitated owing to the collapse of part of the old building. Markets are of course highly, remunerative undertakings and for this reason it has been thought appropriate to make use of the balance of funds still avail- able from the loan rather than to attempt to finance construction from revenue.
I now move the First Reading of the Bill Intitled "An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding $25,508,-
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GARY RUNS GUNS
Gary Cooper it trying his hand at gun-running in his latest Para- mount picture, It is called The General Died at Dawn, and takes place in China, where things seem to have lust some of the languor- Dus mystery of the Orient and taken on a hectic touch of melo- drama.
Gary, playing the part of an Irish edventurer, arrives in the coun- try to dy a bombing 'plane for une of the local War Lords. But he decides later to fight against his would-be employer.
To complicate things. A very pretty, but quite obstinate, young woman (Madeleine Carroll) puts In an appearence. So that, what with love and duty and threats of sudden death, Gars bas a pret-
CHINESE IMPRESS
Again the first team of Chinese
for Chinese Government bonds, there was a general malaise as a result of the announcements con- cerning the infringement of the Chinese Maritime Customs in Ho- Fet and Chahar. Early accounts of the change affected are not too clear as to detalls, but the result is that part of the revenue from ty busy time. Brian Donlevy plays the part of two provinces has been sequestrat
Customs which should go to these the newspaperman ferreting outed by General Sung Chen-Yuan. this ring of crime. Claire Trevor Apart from the fact that the marl- Is one of the "400" who wishes for time Customs form the specific excitement and forces herself on security of more than one icon, than she bargained for, and in the to a newspaper. She gets more they also play an important part footballers ever to visit this coun- company of Donlevy, penetrates the in the 1928 Treaty. Further, the "ring" Two murders
fact that the service of the loans try Islington Corinthians felded mitted in her presence, murders of been met makes, the Customs re-
are com-secured upon them bas invariably a strong combination. people who were about to disclose ceipts bulk even larger than per- tish and English types, the Chinese Playing football a blend of Scot the indentity of the ringleader.
haps their quantitative importance went down. Ave forwards in a line, places herself unwittingly into the China's ability to pay. For these and actually scored twice in twenty Miss Trevor, in a thriling climax, warrants in afl estimates of backed by an attacking centre-balf, hands of the ringleader and is reasons this infringement is likely minutes before their opponents rescued by Donlevy. The "brain" to be regarded in investment cir- settled down. is revealed and the story ends with cles as a serious matter, and it is through their wedding announce- lation will be reversed and other Miss Trevor and Donlevy phoning to be hoped that the new legis ment to their, editors, who are means found to raise what funds waiting for the story."Reknit." are necessary)
Islington reduced arrears before ! staying better, won the game with half-time through Tunnington, and second half goals by Osborne and Lewis.
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