1938-11-11 — Page 13

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

NEED

FOR

NEW

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1938.-PAGE 3

QUEEN'S

COLLEGE

afford to the aged and infrin who... bave otherwise no means of up- port and who, by reason of their residential qualification. would be entitled to Poor Law Relief if it were available in Hongkong, an alternative to starvation.

defined policy of exclusion or re-sociation for their assistance by is not of such a serious nature as hawking, properly regulated, does patriation applicable to only those launching a persistent campaign in to outweigh the advantages of the who have no residential qualifica- the Chinese Press, with leaders and ideal surroundings afforded by the tion and no means of support, and slogans, and I am happy to inform | site. who cannot be absorbed. in the Your Excellency that the Ascoala- available labour market. But evention has readily responded to our such a policy presents serious request. dificulties and may involve grave objections

At this stage I need only say that I feel sure that Your Excel- lency w afford the Chinese a proper opportunity of considering any such proposal in a concrete form, and of making representa tions thereon, before it is to be carried into effect.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

I desire to acknowledge our ap- preciation of the public-spirited assistance rendered by the Chinese Press In this matter.

EDUCATION

When, in 1936, I had the honour to participate in the fist Budget Debate in this Council, I expressed the view that "there is something wrong with the educational policy of the Colony," and that “a Gov- ernment announcement as to its educational policy would have been welcome."

However this may be I ven- ture to hope that a site ac- ceptable to all interested par- ties will be soon found, so that a commencement may be made of a new Queen's which shall be worthy of the Colony as the premier secondary Government School, with its unique his- torical traditions, and Its 'proud record of having" pro-,

duced so many worthy sons distinguished for their public service both to the Colony and to China.

"

THE HON. MR. LEO D'ALMADA

The Hon. Mr. Leo D'Almada said:

Your Excellency-The very full examination of this Colony's post- tions, plans and prospects which has taken place in Committee since the presentation of the Budget leaves little to be done ex- cept to remind Government of matters requiring its attention in. the near future

First, with regard to Kowloon,

the promise of better street-light- is at last in course of fun!- ment so far as Nathan Road is concerned. But improvement must

HAWKER PROBLEM Your Excellency pointed out the

Your Excellency stated that this "blg increases in the fields of public health and public safety. I then ventured the view that problem was still to be solved, and including defence," "and observed the provision of primary education that its solution might have to that "much of that Increased ex- oy Government had teen totally await the restoration ofspaces penditure must be looked upon not inadequate, and I was able to China. In these circumstances I only as permanent, but also in-quote in support of my views the realise that this is not the occasion dicative of greater demands of the high authority of Mr. Burney. In for any lengthy' argument on the same nature in the future."

July the report of the committee subject. But in view of Your EX-not be allowed to end there. As on the training of teachers was 'cellency's observation .."but published, and I am glad to and fact must not be forgotten that in the very interesting and able the practice of lood-hawking on majority report that it is the view dangers pubile health and is a of the six out of the seven mem- sign of backward administration." bers of the committee that Gov-I desire most respectfully to ven. ernment should undertake greater ture a few remarks, responsibility f

I unhesitatingly admit that the doctrine that food-hawking in it-

As regards public safety we can only accept the inevitable. with the hope and prayer that in time to come and may it come before it is too late?- our financial burden of defence may be considerably eased. upon the restoration of sanity. to all aggressive, nations and the realization by all of the fatility, cruelty and barbarity of war. In the meantime we pay because we must.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE But in regard to public health and hygiene, the Colony pays without any feeling of frustration, for the value. and, indeed, the necessity of a sound and progres- sive public health administration, aiming at the prevention and cure of human flls, is increasingly ap- preciated by all..

If I have any uncomfortable feeling regarding Hongkong's hospital facilities it is that the really poor, the "free patients," are still inadequately provided for.

A statement showing available free beds in Government Hospitals, and the ratio between such free beds and paying beds, will clarify the position. And I awalt with deep interest the report of the Committee on the hospitalization system recently appointed by Your Excellency

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nacular educatiɔn.

primary

ver-

the

I confess that I found it a little self constitutes a source of danger difficult to follow the minority to public health is theoretically report. but I console myself sound. but I suggest that the ques- with the thought that my diffi- tion as to whether or not there is culty might have been caused by any practical risk to Health de the omission from that report pends on the kind of food hawked. of detailed reasons for differing and the circumstances under from the majority's recommenda- which it is hawked. tions---an amission which ob. viously rendered it difficult for a layman like myself to appreciate the reasons for such differences of opinion.

It was therefore with much gratification that. Istened to Your Excellency's observations on the Committee's report. I am glad that. by Your Excellency's direction,, some provision in the Estimates for implementing the Report was referred to, and passed by, the Select Committee.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE

H

Theoretically, manual con- tact with bank notes and coins does. I suppose, become a source of infection, and yet the practical risk is not suck as to deter people from hand- ling them on that account. Perhaps I may also observe that hawking of certain kinds of food is a prevalent practice. even in the Metropolis of Eng- land.

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NO LICENCE RENEWALS In March this year I submitted a Memorandum to Government,

soon as funds permit other in-

portant thoroughfares should be attended to, notably Chatham, Waterloo and Prince Edward

Roads.

The Kowloon Mortuary has already been mentioned by the Honourable the Senior Un- official Member. The site of the present one is no longer suitable and I am told that the building itself leaves much to be desired. The sooner a new one is built, and that in a Jocality chosen with greater foresight than was shown in the choice of the present one, the better.

The matter of suitable drainage

for large areas of Kowloon comes up for discussion regularly in the Urban Council as well as at meet- ings of the Kowloon Residents Association. It seems that for some time to come. at least, nothing can be done to improve the lot of residents of Ho Man Tin and other like areas, but it should be the policy of Government in future to provide new districts with facitles for this very essential feature before they are opened for development.

The Senior Unofficial Member and as paragraph 20 seta out my has placed on record our view that views on this aspect of the subject

THE NEW TERRITORIES a new Queen's College is one of I beg leave to quote it here:-

Nothing could more clearly em- the public works which it is desir- 20. It should be remembered phasise the desirability of fostering able should be undertaken in the

that people who buy articles than the striking figures mention- agriculture in the New Territories

near future if funds permit. In

from hawkers generally belonged by your Excellency in dealing this connection I would like to

to classes of persons who oc- with Forestry and Agriculture in

such houses, cubicles,

I am sorry to say that malaria, which seems to be a preventable disease, is still prevalent in Hong-point out that the present build- kong, "and exacting its toll of ling, having stood the elements for half a century, has long passed.its

of this nature.

עקנים

bed-spaces, and in surround your speech of October 13, and re- ings that the hygienic ideal cent events have made it even *aimed at by the Urban Council more obvious, if that were posible,

The statement, thereforce, be achieved." What

that the Superintendent of the matters that the food is bought

Botanical and Forestry Depart- "from a clean shop if it is cöok-

ment has been. Instructed to ed, kept and eaten in a place

report on the possibilities of ... in which dust, dirt and Mes

development in the New Terri- etc, abound? The prohibited;

tories is singularly opportune, class 7 contains "congee, tea

There should be no delay in the and...cakes, puddings, bean-matter. With the present rise in curd." Is there really substan-

nesses and deaths.

But I do feel that the Colony is economic life, and that it is situat-

cannot ed in surroundings which have be- singularly fortunate in having a come quite unsuitable for a school the Head of this important, des partment of Government my Honourable friend Dr. Selwyn- Clarke, whose knowledge, energy, initiative and courtesy, and whose deep concern for the poor, have deeply impressed all who have been privileged to come into contact with him. He will, I have no doubt, see to it that the Colony. gets the utmost value out of every dollar which the Colony can af ford on public health and medical services.

HEROIN

tial danger to public health by prices, the local farmer would the sale of such articles to the naturally be more amenable than heretofore to suggestions with re- particular class of buyers who gard to large-scale production of patronise hawkers? Some

vegetables, in lieu of or in addition 3,871 persons have presumably to rice, and the opportunity must

made their living by the sale of these articles, and there are to be no renewals of the exist- ing licences. What would be

not be missed.

- SANITATION The New Territories have long

When I protested in Select Committee against Queen's Col-

· lege's exclusion from the Five-.. Year Plan, I understood fron the Honourable the Colonist Secretary that the reason for such exclusion was because as yet no agreement as to a suit- able new site could be reached. I understand that one of the sites suggested is in the Pokfulam area. Objections readily come to une's mind against a site so far removed from the centre of the The Chinese are very grateful to town, having regard to the class Your Excellency for expressing in of boys for whom the College the result? Suppose the num- been neglected, too, in matters of such clear and impressive language exists. Such objections may in- beris gradually reduced to sanitation. It is pleasing to see our horror and detestation of the deed, be decisive agafrist this par- 2000. If the demand for this that this year's Budget provides herolr trafe As you know. Bir, ticular site. But I hear that all class of hawkers can absorb for the appointment of a bealth the Chinese leaders have done those who have visited it, includ- say 4,000 sellers, 2,000 more star for this area. A casual in- what they could to moholise public ing many old boys of the College, hawkers will inevitably make spection of Talpo and Shengshui opinion against what Your Excel-ure enthusiastic about its situation, their appearance, only of Markets and of Un Long reveals a lency has so aptly described as and are of the grinion that the course they will be unlicensed." state of uncleanliness, disgraceful

this man-killing industry.” distance from the town, especially I have ventured the above re-in a British Colony,

"INCREASE OF CRIME Bince Your Excellency's' inspiring in view of the Tssibility of Himit-marks in the hope, Bir, that if and

my Chinese colleagues ing the College to certain higher when this problem is tackled, a The increase of crime, particular- message and I have appealed to the recent classes, is not a serious objection realistic solution will be found, ly in Kowloon has been suggested ly formed Chinese Reporters' As- and, in any case, that the objection having regard to the fact that to me as worthy of mention in this

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