1938-04-15 — Page 7

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS

GENERAL

RENT REPORT DOES NOTHING TRADE RETURNS

TO RELIEVE H.K. TENANTS

Mr. J.P. Braga's Submissions On Commission's Findings

which WIL On the findings of the Rents Commission's Report, laid before the Legislative Council on Wednesday, Mr. 3. P. Brara makes his submissions. These take the form of a communication which he has addressed to the local Press, Mr. Braga covers: "Ex- tensive ground in a review of the Report, and concludes with a special pleading on behalf of tenants who have been so badly hit by the housing shortage.

Mr. Braga writes:

The findings of the Rents Com- mission are now available to the ⚫public; they can be subject to fair

and impartial criticism.

tude. It la surmised that a care-

{ "could be taken, 39

ir anquiry were to be pursued far enough other similar cases could be totind, as strikingly favourable to the landlord;

COMPILED

Customs Figures Shown

A new publication entitled the Whether cases of this type have | "Monthly Returns of the Foreign {been brought to the notice of the Trade of Canton and Howloon and Commission, and whether the of the Interport Trade of Canton" Commission, in pursuance of the has been produced by the Ping powers vested in them by the Com Yuen Printing Press, Canton, from missioners' Powers Act of 1886, had statistics supplied by the Canton subpoermed any witnesses before and Kowloon Customs. them and elicited similar startling This publication should prove revelations, one cannot tell. This useful to local Importers and ex- Is a moot point of some imper-porters as in addition to statis- tics of the foreign trade of Canton, tance, and is considered to be a determining factor for purposes of it contains the monthly figures Without it for foreign imports and exports rental comparison. only an ex parte case has been passed by the Kowloon Custom made out. That is one' conten-as well as accumulative figures

from January each year. ton

Applications

MILITATING EVIDENCE

There are several reasons why

for subscriptions should be addressed either to the to the Ping Yuen Printing Press of No. 24, Sun Kel Street, West (Shakee Road) Canton, or Brewers Bookshop. Alexandra Building, Hang Kong.

proof of a further increase in the popu- lation, as well as a healthy sign that conadence in the future of the Colony was being restored."

Hong Kong's revenue for 1928 From the frat, His Excellency

exceeded the Estimates by $4.865, the Governor showed personal concern with this perplexing hous-009, and of that of the previous ing problem. He revealed a soll-year by $3.622,863, which prompted citude for the public weal that the official author of the preface collection of material evidence has not been as compléta as it has earned recognition and grat- to the Administration Reports for should otherwise be. Its very in- 1928 to indulge in a note of op-completeness militates against the ful consideration of the various timism when he wrote that "1928 value of the report; the recom Issues that had engaged His Excel.showed a continuation of steadymendations, accordingly, fall short | Ekg. $30.00, including postage. lency's attention led to the conclu- recovery in the Anancial and coat of the requirements of the funds- | sion that "there was evidence that mercial position of the Colony."

The quotations. should carry

For example, there rents had risen and were rising.

the argument is to hold, à percentage Inherent shyness and timidity as high as 50 per cent, and more and that tenants in certain cases conviction that Hong Kong had were put into dimenity, not to say emerged out of the chaos created of a class of witnesses to ap-its not unknown. The case of A wardship. That much could be by the intensive anti-Hong Kong pear before the Commissioners; modest Chinese cashier in foreign gathered from his statement in strike and boycott of 1325 to the restraining influence of the employ, and another of a Filipino

ter upon "one of those cyclical Council.

language difficulty experienced by laundress, can be cited as speclic contin- prosperous periods during which foreign tenants in some cases and instances by whom I have been ap- "On that account."

was much speculation ip ued the Governor, "closer and there

illiteracy in others; and,“lästly. | proached. systematic investigation of house propertry.

fear of retallation by landlords. By further analogous arging. Το attain the best results -the-facts-in-relation-to-all-relevant

more

of

up

mental data.

are

The annual subscription 15

circumstances was necessary be- under the concomitant conditions-At the same time ample allow there was nothing to prevent the a booth. rents were forced ance must be made for the "haaty Commission probing into a family's fore such a far-reaching measure

that the invest-nature" (the phrase is of the Com-daily bull of fare, or the husband's In order could properly be presented to the

ments in property might bear the missioners' own coining) of the in-drinks and smokes and the Counc."

In the first place let it be noted most favourable relation between quiry, because of "the alleged family amusement costs for cinema

urgency of the position and of the and other forms of recreation. that the fundamental grievance of capital cost and interest yield

pending departure

FARMING bardship had been established to "This view places in doubt the Chairman's His Excellency's satisfaction, hence ipse dixit of the Commission in from the Colony." the appointment of the Commis-para. 2 that the majority of pro- perty owners must be regarded as "Tegitimate investors." Not all will

SCUL

FAR-REACHING MEASURE

agree with their claim.

An aspect of the question that Impartially, no blame can be at-does not appear to have been tached to the Commission. That touched upon by the Commission much is granted. If they had not is that of the farming of whole been placed in the position for a blocks of houses. To avoid having Judicial sifting of cases in the in to deal with individual tenants terests of tenants the latter are at of dats, not to speak of cubl-

clea. fault.

owners make it a point ot farming. The farmer agrees to lease the houses on a tain fixed

KOWLOON RESIDENTS' ASSN.

The far-reaching measure" Bir

LOANS ON MARGIN Geoffry Northcote had in mind

Numerous changes of ownership was the advocacy he, had received from various quarters "that legis- arose out of the speculative spirit lation should be passed at once which sent prices up during the

It is learnt from the Report that which would give greater protec- recovery period; these changes ac- tion to the holders of existing ten-companied the inevitable reaction complaints had been received from ancies than that which common that set in and Hong Kong began the Kowloon Residents' Associa "law and local statutes now provide to fall temporarily on evil days. tion, and in a summary which

and, conversely, would restrict the This condition was aggravated by deputation from that Association to the Commission it powers of the fallure of some of the native presented

were banks which created " a panic was supposed that there

existing rights and landlords."

in

сег

rental: he tn turo 13 free to Iet to whomever

he pleases and at whatever rent that suits him best.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15,

2525252525252525252525252525252525

LIGHT WEIGHT COTTON MESH

SPORTS SHIRTS

$3.50

FOR

1938, -PAGE

MEN

SIZES 34 TO 44". CHEST

IN.

WINE CANARY LIGHT BLUE

PER GARMENT

LESS 10% DISCOUNT

AND WHITE

LANE CRAWFORD • LTD.

Mens Wear

Department

The House of Quality & Service

A hasty perusal of the Commis-PAWNED alen's report gives no inkling into the extent of the increase which

To complete the necessary back. 1.bordering on an acute crisis. Good six cases of startling rent increases the farmer receives from his sub-

ROOT OF THE SITUATION

The Commission found difficulty

in giving "a continuous history" of

property in widely scattered areas was practically unsaleable.

MORTGAGORS' FAILURES

one was

FURNITURE

ILLEGALLY

Carpenter Charged By

PASSIONTIDE MUSIC

WATER RATE

To what extent the Commission

525252525252525257

cert. Some per

tenants, Strictly speaking, so far ground for an appreciation of

exceeding 150 satisfactory explanation should be

Jade Tree, Ltd. these criticisms of the Commis- slon's findings and so that no pre- Such might have been the con- forthcoming as to why the Com-25 the landlord is concerned, he

Before Mr. K. M A. Barnett at judice can be attributed to them, ditton of the Colony that furnished, mission did not discover "any such appears before the Commission" as

in fact, replaces the owner be-Wong Sul-lung, allas Wong Po- it must be remembered that the to quote verbatim from the report, huge increase as was alleged in impeccable; but the farmer who, at the Kowloon Court yesterday. comes the real offender. My hing, 30, a carpenter, of No. 15 Commission's terms of reference a wealth of evidence (presumably the summary given by the Com included the wish for information supplied by landlords themselves mittee's deputation." It is incon-

no doubt as to the existence of charged with larceny by ballee prevalent J.F.B.) to prove that owners of celvable that such a representa-practical experience leaves me in Fuk Wah Street, ground noor, was of respect

"the charges for rent in the towns of house property were the victimstive body like the K.R.A, can be this form of abuse. Quite often and legal pawning of a piece of Victoria and Kowicon, having re- of a disastrous slump during the capable of gross exaggeration,

One salient fact emerges on the the farmer will allege to the land-furniture entrusted to him for re- 1933 to 1937. The Com-

lord that a group of tenants pair by the Jade Tree, Lui gard to their rise and fall during years

at the Government

Intend vacating at the end of the The manageress of the Jade Tree the last ten years, and the extent missioners were careful to guard authority

month. Upon this so-called notice said that she gave defendant four to which and the manners in themselves in the assertion that Assessor that "of the vacancies on which tenants and landlords have "na doubt there were during the his list at present not been and are being affected by last ten years cases of peculative suitable for the Portuguese clericalhe traffics to the extent of letting pieces of furniture to repair. He mitting the existing to remain in been persistently asked for them. the sudden growth of population building in which men of straw class or European subordinates." the flats to new tenants, or per-returned only three after he had occupation, for the consideration saying that he had pawned the of Hong Kong since the beginning hoped to make a quick boom pro- (Page 15, para. 1.).

There are so many factors in-of a higher rent. Add to this the fourth. of Sino-Japanese hostilities last fit"

that fluencing rent

statements | Ulclt "squeeze" assuming such Defendant was fined $10, order- year."

submitted by landlords must be euphonious designations as "key."ed to pay $8.22 as compensation At the height of the speculation sublected to close scrutiny before "tea," or "shoe money," and it to the Jade Tree and bound over

be becomes apparent to whất lengths in a sum of $25 for a year: money was borrowed at high rates any valuable deduction can of interest. House property was made from them. The removal of the victimisation of sub-tenants is the rise and fall of refits during bought on wholly insuficient mar-disorderly houses from certain dis- carried. last ten years. On their own ad gin. "A tempting high rate of in-tricts and their occupation by mission "this fact is of great terest operated sa the balt for trades and professions capable of

A programme of special Passion- ide music was played by the com- significance and goes to the root smaller margin. A series of more paying higher rents; the absence nas probed into one feature of the bined choirs of St. John's Cathe- of the present situation of rents gagors fallurcs synchronized with of water service and fireproof stair- in the Colony." No explanation is inevitable foreclosures that fol-cases and the provision of these rent increases must remain a mat dral and St. Andrew's Church last

alter of

conjecture. The report night. given for this statement. This is lowed in the wake of the incan-incompetitive premises have unfortunate. Tenants were unable tious scramble to get rich quick.

very material influence in deter-offers no elucidation. I refer to

Mr. Rupert Baldwin was at the to furnish that "continuous hig In the present controversy the mining the value of rents, so that the question of water rates.

Several cases that have been

The programme will be repeated tory."

new owners successfully enlisted it is doubtful if the conclusions of

today. The fundamental level of ten sympathy by the representation the comparative gurca submitted brought to my notice remove all years ago provides considerable that current rentals suffer by in several paragraphs can be ac-doubt that as an indirect method useful data for the reasons I will comparisori: they do not yield cepted as incontestable proof in adding increase upon increase U.S.R.C. FUNCTIONS now explain. For 1928-29, it will they says, an economic return on support of any deductions in the of rent is the inclusion of water!

The following are forthcoming be remembered, a big surplus their money.

absence of material evidence in charges. When the housing short-

age began to be felt, an increase functions at the United Services! balance was recorded for Hong

A candid admission is obtained the other direction.

of the original rent inclusive of Recreation Club- Kong. It fell to the Hon. Mr.

on page 10 of the cogency of the

Tomorrow:-8.30 p.m. Auction of DOMESTIC PROBING

water was made, and conceded, (now Sir Thomas Southorn to foregoing argument when the

Sunday: 11.30 a.m. American-

Entries close 6.30

Wednesday, April 20:-7 p.m. to

Saturday, April 30:-Dinner and pm. Cocktail Party.. Dance. Dinner 8.15 p.m., Dance 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Application for tables It is well to remember that the to be made to the Hon. Becretary

by Wednesday, April 27.

the

gage."

determinable

organ.

#

review the financial position of owners confess that they had "ac-; With all deference to the pro- followed by a salve of the land-periodicals. the Colony when presenting the quired the properties as mortga-fessional character of the com-lord's conscience by the impost-

tion of a surcharge Ingeniously Tournament. Estimates for 1929. The Officer gees and entered into possession position of the Commission, I make designated water rate. The P. on Saturday. "Administering the Government

The net the submission that the pursuance during the depression... said on the September 20, 1928: return with the proposed tricreases of the questioning to ascertain the water rate fixed by the landlord The revenue of the Colony has will not cover the interest charges number of domestics of a house was a flat one applicable to all tenants of the house. The build- shown' a remarkable recovery... on the amount advanced on mort-hold in order to find out the ten ing usually comprises three or four These is по doubt that

ant's ability to meet his rent is population of the Colony has been It follows, therefore, that "the indignifying and outside the Com-storeys let to as many tenants.

mission's functions. The adequacy increasing during the year, and as

over-valuation of property, ten the vacant houses are occupied an impetus is given to building opera-years ago does not furnish a true of the rent in proportion to the water rate is a

it at anything higher than that R.A.M.C. DANCE tions and land purchase for which basis for purposes of, comparison. accommodation provided and its figure, and the landlord in placing The application of such a standard suitability are really what matter,

figure is definitely mulcting his

A dance will be held in the Hotel The argument which the Comtenants in a higher rent in an Cecil tomorrow at 830 pm, or- la misleading and conficts with tenants' interests today. By con- mission makes, that the reduction indirect manner. He at the same gatised by the Corporals' Club, RETURNING TO NORMAL trast, cases can be cited of forced the waxes of one servant by dtime evades payment of taxes on Royal Army Medical Corps. Our veteran (then sealer) un-sales and foreclosures proving pensing with him might have pro- the additional rent collected under

The music will be supplied by house what a prontable yield the existing vided the amount which the ten a different name. To that extent Toni Dermione and his orchestra. official member, Sir

ant needed to meet the increased the revenue of the Colony suffers Chow, expressed the gratification rentals supply.

The prices of admission are:- of his colleagues when he spoke of Here is an illuminating ex-rent, is poor (page 18, para. 18)

for the benefit of the landlord. Gentlemen, $1.25, Ladles 60 cents. Its fallacy will be made more evi

Herein Government intervention Dancing will be continued until 1 estimated revenue for 1928 as ample ikely to be exceeded by the sum $8,000 by a non-European land- dent if the analogy is extended to, can be equitably invoked, of not less than $2.571,000. That, lady in a house in the Euro-zay, the case of an he thought, might be taken as pean residential district of Kow- Individual earning a salary of $2, evidence that conditions in the loon from which she collects 1000 or so a month; Colony were gradually returning rent the sum of $160 per month.

considerable funds seem available."

to be

of

investment AT

of

individual

TRANSFER CHARGE Certain landlorda' intuition has Does it necessarily follow that definitely secured "the monetary

to normal. "The bigger demand she had spent $2,000 in zbcondi- he should pay out a percentage in benent to themselves out of any This may rent equal to that paid by ni proposed change of the incidence for building sites," the honourable tioning the premises.

(Continued on Tage 8) senior unofficial' member sald., appear to be an extreme case; but humbler fellow-dizens? If the

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