563078-1929-Minutes--No-5 — Page 3

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JUNE 21, 1929.

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(d) the indirect blow at the free-trade policy of the Colony, on which its development and prosperity were founded, by penal- izing one class of motor-car manufacturers in favour of another?

4. Does the Government realise that adoption of the recommendations of the Committee would be tantamount to increasing the taxation on the average car in the Colony by over 200%, thus tending to reduce the efficiency and excellence of the public service of motor-cars at present conducted by owner-drivers and discouraging, through enormously increased oper- ating costs, private ownership?

5. What was the actual quantity of petrol imported in Hong Kong in 1928 and what is the estimated quantity for 1929 and the value thereof?

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

1 & 2. The Government does not propose to proceed immediately with legis- lation for the introduction of taxation of motor-cars as recommended by the Committee. The report was published for general information and the Government is prepared to receive representations from interested parties.

3. The Government will bear in mind the observations made by the Honour-

able Member.

4. The Government has no proof of the correctness of the premises on which the Honourable Member bases his pessimistic estimate of the effects of the proposals suggested by the Committee.

5. Exact figures are not available. The amount imported for local consump- tion in 1928 is estimated at 1,700,000 gallons. The estimated consump- tion in 1929 is 2,000,000 gallons.

Values vary according to price. At the present retail price of 70 cents a gallon the retail values would be $1,190,000 and $1,400,00 respectively.

6. The Hon. Mr. J. P. BRAGA, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:---

1. Has the Captain Superintendent of Police had his attention drawn to the leading article in the Hong Kong Daily Press of May 7, alleging that the standard of efficiency anong the rank and file of the fire-brigade is low because nearly 50 per cent. of the force leave the service every year by dismissal, resignation or desertion, and is that statement accurate?

2. Is it considered that the wages offered to firemen are such as to attract suitable recruits to the service, and have any complaints regarding the wages paid been brought to the notice of the authorities?

3. Besides the question of salaries, what other grounds, if any, exist for dis- satisfaction with the conditions of service in the Fire Brigade Sub- department of the Police?

The Captain Superintendent of Police replied as follows:-

1. The Captain Superintendent of Police had perused the article in the Hong Kong Daily Press of May 7th. In 1928 the casualties through resignation, desertion and dismissal were 31, 14 and 21 respectively, making a total of 66. The authorised establishment (Chinese) in 1928 was 240. The casualties under the same head during 1927 were 11, 23 and 14 respect- ively, making a total of 48. The figures for 1929 up to April 30th are 5, 19 and 10 respectively, making a total of 31. It is thus seen that the