1941-02-21 — Page 9

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

"

·

BUDGET

COLONIAL SECRETARY REPLIES TO THE DEBATE

Continued from Page 1 Jary have necessitated a revision of, the point he raised in connexion time this Colony is able to meet Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith

The estimated deficit of $7,553,- the proposed new block of offices 776 shown in the draft estimates and quarters at the Central Folice as presented on 16th January Station, though a token

of vote $50,000 remains in the draft esti-thus reduced to $3,855,715.

any

expenditure

mates to cover that may have been incurred iri the preparatory work of drawing

In the

Q3

tles, the annual grant to the Uni- versity of Hongkong has been in- creased by the sum of $100,000.

held.

I hereby move that the Estimates as now presented be approved. of Expenditure for the year 1941-42

HOW TO FINANCE

to fmance

Simigro

tura

caution and

Des

PESSIMISM NOT RELIEVED

If these

to.

1: gre

more

in

the

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1941. -PAGE 9

Just.

Unpacked

An

Exclusive Range

of

JAYSON ARROW

·

COOPER

Shirts

LATEST DESIGN AND QUALITY

29-

IN

was

SHOWING MODERN "STYLE

PLEASING COLOURS

(GENTS. DEPT.)

the estimate of revenue: revenue with the War Revenue Ordinance Its expenditure, even swollen by Lighthouse Tender. has been ex-

from Duties will, it is now esti-regarding Chinese partnerships has our defence requirements, it La Gentlemen. I have listened with clsed. It has also been decided not mated, amount to $15.690.000 tn-already been taken up by me with now, and that expenditure should great interest to the speeches of to proceed during the coming an- stead of $13.740,000.

the Commissioner of War Taxe-be met so far as possible, and I Boncurable Unofficial Members ancial year with the building of

tion.

submit that means entirely, from both on the subject of the 1941-42 Sir, I shall confine myself to the current revenue.

Budget and on other subjects 1stmancial aspects of certain erit The revenue calculations for which are of general concern cism which has today been made Dext year are based on the con- the community and which by the Honourable INDEPENDENT SANCTION

Unofficial tinuation of the present prosperity very properly raised in this annua Members That criticism has been of the Colony and in the present debate The Financial Secretary Lastly..I would remind Honour-directed mainly, not to sue'details world situation I submit that has replied to the financial points

estimates of expenditure presents a certain degree of op-

raised by up plans. etc. Similarly the Selectable Members that every item or of the

Honourable Members Committee felt that the times are Special Expenditure in all depart-as now presented, but to the pic- timism.. Several Members have and it remains for me, in closing

of Public ture of the revenue position and reminded us that of recent years the debate, to refer to the not sufficiently propitious and the ments and every Item plans not sufficiently matured to Works Extraordinary requires the to the proposals to Improve it. I actual revenue has exceeded the important of the other questions permit the building of the propos-independent sanction of Govern- have never viewed the expenditure estimate and, therefore, should which have been touched upon. ed new Infectious Diseases Hospi-ment apart from the general pro-programme as ideal, but I submit 'continue to

do so, and that we

There are three major adminia- tal at the Kowloon Medical Centre." vision offered by the Appropria-It is necessary. It omits many should be satisfied with thinking rative questions that have come

that all will be wel and that

In for considerable criticism... 'not The Budget Committee realises tion Bill. Should revenue fall short items highly desirable.

of expectations or should expendi- No one who has not that this hospital is recommended ture at present unforeseen be in- meetings of the Estimates Com- of view will automatically

attended everything from the revenue point only in today's debate but in the discussions, which preceded this Technical Hospitalization

curred that sanction will be with-mittee, which deals with deparr out satisfactorily,

extent, One Member meeting and," to some Committee's report, 1938-1939,

mental schemes, can realise how has gone so far as to accuse me of the correspondence columns of the first major Item in a long-term

Besides thanking, on behalf of many are these omissions and conservatism, programme but it feels that, apart

the local press, namely Immigra- tion, Food Control and Firewood from difficulties of providing the the Government and. 'I think I may how great the sacrifices made.

Control. I am authorised by His necessary building materials, this say the whole Colony, the Unom-tank there is general agreement

the time is not the time or place to embark clal members lor

and as to the details now included

Excellency the Acting Governor they

to state that he immediately on this hospital. The labour "which

gave to the

has yesterday. If by pessimism he means en- with the consent of "the Execu- sum of $100,000 has however been preparation of the estimates in

deavouring to foresee and obviate tive Council, decided to appoint a provided which is larger than the their revised form, I should like to It 15 the problem of how to difficulties I confess I am usual "token vote" In case It may express my particular gratitude to finance the expenditure for "next mistic, and

pessi- strong Commission, the compost nothing that I have tion of which will be announced. be possible in the coming year to the Financial Secretary and to his year which finds us divided, not heard in the speeches of

Hon without delay, to make a start.

assistant; Mr. Tode. I am very Unofficials from Officials, but even ourable Members today has re- various allegations which

enquire into conscious of my own shortcomings! Honourable

have Unofficial EMERGENCY STORES

Members leved my pessimism. It is said recently been made against in this respect but I feel sure that among The provision of funds, for the Honourable Members will appre-what T stated in

themselves. In spite of that I have sought to build up Immigration Officer and his staff.

connexion with hidden reserves and have written équipment of this hospital has clate, that during the past few the general reserve balance, or Su-off expenditure incurred on food

With this in view it would be been omitted as it is felt that months it has been physically im-called surplus balances, at the last reserves. 1 onry wish I had more

improper for me to discuss the apart from the uncertainty which possible to devate the time and meeting of this Connell, the Hon-hidden

matter in this Council - but I surrounds the hospital itself, there attention that

reserves to confess to: are normally ex- ourable Mr. Li The Fong proposes The expenditure on food reserves Members that in the last

should like to assure Honourable are at least hopes of considerable pected of a Colonial Secretary in that we should have recourse to has not been written off, though days Mr. Forrest has been

few emergency stores being available framing the financial policy for this balance during the coming financial year. the coming year.

pro war ex-it is not possible to estimate how penditure next year, and he adds much of it will be recovered, and.

vided not only with additional Under Charitable Services provi-

the interesting theoretical arad- we are at

accommodation but also with az- sion has been made for a grant of

present dealing with $10,000 to the British Fund for the

ment that a balance is a medieval the expenditure for next year.

other capable administrative survival which a modern state has

sistant. I will not say ΣΚΟΤΕ Relief of Distress, in China and

no need to keep.

reserves have to be except to state that the founda- under Miscellaneous Services, in

maintained throughout the year tons of the department were, in response to pressing representa-

It may be possible in a totall- there is bound to be a loss in the opinion of the Government. tions from the University Authori- Hon. Mr. T. E. Pearce tarian economy to dispense with a turnover and replacement what laid on the best lines advised by

balance as it possible to dis-ever The few remarks I have to make perse with normal backing for way to revenue. And to charge, that the urgency of starting the eventual sum may find its an expert from Malaya; and also merely, re-echo those of my col- leurrency. but this Colony does not the cost to expenditure instead of Immigration leagues.

Department The Select Committee also

possess a self-contained economy 'opening a suspense account is the constantly pressed upon Mr. For- When addressing this Council and is brought under review the matter on last year's Budget, I strongly China and its prosperity depends the hands of the legislature.

largely an entrepot for proper way to maintain control in rest in spite of his requests for of the institution, at a cost of over advocated postponement four lakhs, of a system of nightsoll number of big projects until more soundness and orthodoxy of its

more time for preparation. of a to a large extent, I submit, on the l

It has been alleged that by removal by labour directly employ-normal conditions, prevalled

FOOD CONTROL SCRUTINY ed by the Sanitary Department. the outlock was less obscure.

and finances and the confidence they

these devices and on the pretext

As regards Food Control, also, of an As it is impossible. In present cir- therefore whole heartedly endorse stated at

Inspire both locally and in China raised the bogey of Income Tax. what inopportune moment as the

unbalanced_budget I have today's debate comes at a

some- cumstances, to proceed with the the remarks of the Hoh. Mr. S. H. our real balance was about 7 mil. do not propose to

the last meeting that

discuss that whole organisation complete scheme as recommended by the Health Authorities consi- Shields in their expressions of

Dodwell and the Hon. Mr. A. L. Hon dollars. I exaggeraten

matter, which can well be left to portant defence department has the reconstituted War Revenue been in the last week under derable doubt was expressed as to

The rexarve balance

very of this Committee, but it is my duty to active whether the benefits to be gained such items have been shelved for Colony as I have informed Hon- point out as the Honourable Mr. ment on this subject will be made scrutiny. An announce- by the substitution of coolies em the time being and the expendi- occasion is 'rapressed with a trust Colony ridiculously lightly taxed

ourable Members or a previous Dodwell ployed by Government for the ex-

Das stated that this

at an carly date. isting free-lance coolies would be

The price of firewood and the year's Budget. I am certain the so far as the compulsory con in comparison with Home, and in commensurate with the expendi- Unofficial Members of this Council tributions of Government officers my opinion it must have balances,

conservation of adequate reserves ture involved: It was decided, how will give generous support to these to the Widows' and Orphans' Pen- and adequate balances, not only to for defence purposes has for long! ever, that the provision for the

tween the sums spent istons Scheme have teen paid to schemes, postponed emoluments of the 2,000 coolies others which will be for the bene-revenue and

been the concern of this Governonal emoluments and the and any

meet an emergency but to. even no fund has been should be allowed to stand in the at of the Colony when normality established to meet the outgoing any planned development is to be Su 50, &

out the fat and the lean years ment, which sent, a month spent on social services

special representative draft estimates on the understand-returns and the Colony can afford which Government has undertaken undertaken.

1 think it will be agreed, is a Ing that no actual expenditure will the expenditures.

to enquire into this vital

BANGKOK, Feb. 20 (Reuter)-- neces- cross-division, as doctors and The British authorities in Thai- be incurred without the specife

sity in Manila, Borneo and Ma-

schoolmasters and market In-land have merely suggested lava. The first approval of the Finance Committee

ΟΙ shipment spectors must draw salaries Just British subjects the desirability of after further consideration of the Budget, whilst it has been ex-

Government purchased So far income in this connexion In this connexion I would state from Sandakan may shortly be duties are merely administrative. children to leave Thailand for the

as much as those officers whose arranging for their wives whole matter. There was insum tremely satisfactory to find the has exceeded expenditure, but the that Sir Geoffry Northcote, shortly expected and it is hoped that this elent time, when this item came sum raised last year approximates position is not satisfactory thougs before he departed on leave, in- and subsequent consignments will A study of the final column

on present, says Thai Government up for consideration, to reach 97 Millions, against the original it cannot be said without actua- structed me to final decision on this important estimate of 6 Millions. I share the rial investigation how

now communique, which emphasses that prepare a Pro 80 some distance towards a solu- Page 15 of the many mugramme for this Colony in

presented, which shows the per- this is a precautionary measure in question and the Finance Com-disappointment expressed by the lion dollars should be earmarked exon with the Colonial Develop

centage which each

Government view of the general international mittee desires an early opportun-Financial Secretary that the Busi- for this fund, but I am afraid the ment and Welfare Scheme, which remarked on the present lawless penditure for

department bears to the total ex-situation. ity of a full discussion with. the ness Profits Tax did not bring in position is that the reserves with I have failed to do.

the year, would, It is not confined only to Thal- Health Authorities, upon which will to that total more than 9 lakhs which the Honourable Mr. Li The considerable time on the problems only too apparent from accounts any disparity such as Mr. Dodwell

I have spent ness in the Colony and this is 1 suggest, give a clearer view of land. depend the question of authorising I believe this Source can bear Fong wishes to meet next year's and the more I investigated the that come from various

The communique adds that the actual expenditure.

more of the burden, and feel the extraordinary commitments do not greater they appeared and

sources. criticizes.

British Minister has informed the percentage and limits for taxation morally exist, though they can to necessity for

the Buch a state of affairs is hardly

Thal Government can be amended.

that British elaborate planning unexpected at a time when Hong-

VESSELS FOR ADMIRALTY a certain extent be made available embracing harbour development, kong is as overcrowded

the Honour-subjects have not been ordered to as evér The point which in an emergency.

town planning and

leave Thailand. slum clear-and when so

makes great a

of able Mr. part

about ance. agriculture

vessels for the I agree with biar that balances.,

and fisheries that surplus population comprises the provision of

ex- may properly be used to meet an health and education became in the paupers, and so the poten-Admiralty will be further

A Young People's Meeting will creasingly apparent. emergency, but only a financial

tial criminals, of the neighbour-mined. It is quite true that at be held at the Chapel of the not otherwise change the present emergency and there is none auch All that we have been able to ing

this China the time when

offer was Christian and Missionary, 25 Cum- scale or disturb the organisation at present, and I decline to treat do has been to include, with the Banishment plus a rigorous en-made it was

I think generally berland Road, Kowloon, this even- which has dealt with and collect-ext year's budget, though in- approval of all Members of this forcement of the Immigration Or-thought that the war was aing at 7 o'clock." Leader: Mrs.

to which cluding large defence expenditure, Council, provision for the Fisheries dinance are the most obvious re-remote incident $100,000ed the Tax up to date.

the John Bechtel. The service will be as an emergency and not mainly Research Station and the Expert-medies; but I think it is also to Colony should contribute in this in English and is open to all Eng- I wish, Sir, to associate myself normal budget. But if we have mental Agricultural Station in the be noted that in

cir-remote way: and there was little lish-speaking Young People. existing with the remarks made by my $110,000 Colleagues in regard to the lack nforeseen expenditure how

no balance to draw on to meet New Territories in next year's cumstances of military precau-expectation of the vast local

are estimates to be met from Colonial tions he calls on the Follce Force preparations which of administrative ability and The following are the items slackness displayed by several

we to carry on? The experience funds. That is only a small pro- are so great that some diminution forced upon us since the events which have been omitted

departments.

j

ADDED AND OMITTED.

Items

The following are the which have been added:-

Head 5, Charitable Services,

Sub-head 23, Grant to Bri. tish Fund for the Rellef

of Distress in China $ 10,000 Head 17, Miscellaneous Services.

Sub-head 24, University

of Hong Kong

(Increased from $355,000

to $455,000) ·

reduced:-

Head 11A, Harbour Department.

Sub-head 1. Personal

Emoluments. Crew for

¿

$

New Lighthouse

Tender

Sub-head 21 New

Lighthouse Tender

"Head 16, Medical Department.

Sub-head €8, Equipment

for new infectious Dis- eases - Hospital

11

satisfactionI

that a number of

túre involved. deleted

from this

to pay.

With regard to the Special War

PRESENT SCALE

I express the hope the mittee which is to review whole question of Taxation

Com- the wil!

EXCEEDED EXPENDITURE

WELFARE SCHEME

of this

Or

firewood

con- tion of this difficult problem,

The Honourable Mr, Tani has

parts of

South

Chine

Shields

ΟΧΙ

Estimates

porium

PROVIDERS

QUEEN'S

ROAD

CENTRAL

per-¡EVACUATION ORDER

Suma

This, A PRECAUTION

have been

.

to

and

ALLAHABAD, Feb. 0 (Reuter)— Lt. Col. Bir John Thom, Chief

or Heads of important Government that we cannot borrow at least at may be said that such develop-venting crime is hardly unexpect- same time the offer was a firm of Court, died yesterday,

of the recent loan is a warning portion of what is required. It in their normal duties of pre- Europe of last summer. At the Justice of the Allahabad High

$ 103,590

INVIOLABLE POSITION

J.

should tive in their criticisms and jea-

of the

public

our lous guardians

THOSE FRESENT Present at the meeting were Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith (President), H. E. Major-General. A. E. Grasett, Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, Hon.

at its good.

I cannot, however, way more by this subject at the moment the cent to promise a full and way examination,

on

ex-

early

EL

has

uncritical at- occasionally

a reasonable rate of interest, ment is not practical politics at ed.

and, even if no actual expend!- I express the hope that inde- Incidentally the Hon. Mr. Tam has the present time. That may be so

ture has yet been incurred, it may pendent Committees of enquiry misinterpreted my remarks in that but the budget was framed as I

be felt that the question of dis- will soon be instituted to make connexion. I deplored nothing. I stated already to make due provi-and the Honourable Mr. Dodwell not be considered so long as

The Honourable Mr. Paterson honouring that promise close scrutiny into the running of stated that Government took up son for defence and social ser- have both remarked on 3,471 these departments, and that these so much. In fact it decided on vices.

the ill local revenue *comes in enquiries will be the means

effects, especially noticeable of that amount before the issue, as

in present rate. $800,000 correcting the grievances we are the prospectus indicates and was

OPPRESSIVE TAXATION times of crisis, of the apparently complaining of, though I have not left with that amount in its

Inviolable position enjoyed There is no oppressive taxation Government servants doubts whether there can be per- hands, but the fact remains that in Hongkong at this time, and I difficulties which he in the and manent satisfaction, until the pre- there was Httle publie response. sent system in the Services, which

submit that none of the new taxa- of discarding the inefficient. Un- Ko one, gentlemen, can say Mr. R. A. C. North, Hon. Mr. H. seems to discourage initiative and

tion proposed is oppressive BOOM OR DEPRESSION ·

and fortunately, perhaps, fortunately that today's debate indicates ability, comes to an end.

that this Colony ought to be able for the officers concerned, neither subservient or an

R. Butters, Hon. Mr. A, B. Purves, In my

experience this Colony to provide from its current re- the Government nor this Coun-titude such 85

Hon. Dr. P. 8. Belwyn-Clarke, Hon. never enjoys a prolonged period venue all the expenditure included cl has an entirely free hand in been charged against the Unom- Mr. C. G. Perdue, Hon. Mr. W. J. of financial normality with a in these estimates and even ad- this matter, as was explained in dal Members of this Council, Carrle, Hon., Mr. J., J. Paterson," 750,000 Hon. Mr. H. R. Butters

steady and reasonably predictable ditional expenditure if necessary. the 1939 Budget (1939 Hansard, venture to say that the healthy M. K. Lo, Hon. Mr, Leo D'Almada,

Hon. Mr. 8. H.. Dodwell, Hon. Mr... income. It la either enjoying a I appeal to Honourable Mem-p.225), as the rules under which and helpful criticisms such as Mr. President, May I pretace boom or suffering from a depres-bers not to spend the meagre re-all Government servants above a have heard today are welcomed Mr. W. N. Thomas Tam, Hon. Mr. Пе jun.. Hon. Mr. A. L. Shields, Hon. my reply by thanking the senior alon. At present I submit it is serves inherited from the past nor certain rank are governed in 400,000 Unofficial Members, European and having a boom, and in spite of to seek an overdraft on the fu-mattera

all by the Government and of discipline.

are T. E. Pearce, Hon. Mr. Li Tee-fong Chinese for their generous remarks the high cost of living a great ture, but to

salary, evidence of the appreciation endeavour to meet increments and the like are uni- those Members of their important puty Clerk of Council). ** $1,857,061 cegarding myself atu express my number of people in this Colony current expenditure from current versal throughout the Colonial duty as representatives

gratitude to all Members of Fin- are enjoying unprecedented pros- revenue, bearing in mind that the Empire. Turning to the other side of the ance Committes or their

public. Whether on matters coperity. Even the large local ex- purpose of that expenditure in Another point raised by the detail in our Finance Committee picture, the new or additional operation while I have been Finan- venditure on defence has served largely defence and social ser- Honourable Mr. Dodwell has also discussions or on broad questions his oath of allegiance as a mem- The Hon. Mr. Li Tse-fong, took duties on table waters, hydrocar-cial Secretary. I would add par- to pump consumers purchasing vices, or, if I may otherwise ex-been the subject of earlier dis-of policy as in today's debate Iber of the Legislative Council bon olls and liquor which were im-enthetically for the information of power into the pockets of many press it, the preservation and pro-Pussion in this Council. namely, have personally always posed with effect from 16th Janu- the Honourable Mr. M. K. Lo that and stimulated trade. If at any motion of our civilisation,

found prior to the commencement of the his attempted comparison be- those representatives construe-business of the meeting.

Head 30, Public Works Extraordinary. Sub-head 5, Central Police

Station-New Block (Reduced from $800,000 to $50,000)

Sub-head 26, Infectious

Diseases, Hospital (Re-

duced from $500,009 to $100,000)

I

01 and Mr. C. Bramall Burgess (De-

of the

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

of

い