1909-09-16 — Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

A meeting of the Legislative Council was beld in the Council Chamber this aftar noop. Present-His Excellency the Governor, Sir Frederick Lugard, K.C.M., His Excel-

·lency Colonel Darling, R.E., Hon. Mr. A. M. Thomson(Colonial Secretary), Hon. Sir Henry Berkeley (Attorney-General), Hon. Mr. C. Mel. Messer (Colonial Treasurer), Don. Mr. P. N. H. Jones (Director of Public Works), Hon, Mr. F. J. Radeley (Capinio Superintendent of Police), Hoo, Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar General), Hou. Dr. Hơ Kại, M.B, GM.G., Hon, Mr. W.]. Grasson, Hou. Mr. Wei Yuk, M.,, Hou, Mr. E. Osborne, Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett, Hoo. Mr. Murray Stewart, and Mr. C. Clement (Clerk of Councils).

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and confirmed.

MINUTES.

FINANCIAL MINUTE,

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH THURSDAY SEPTEMBER

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16 1909

VOLUNTEER CORPS ORDERS.

ENGINEER CO.

Intimations.

CHEESE

point of view it was desirable to have them. can understand that, from the administrative point of view, it is always confortable to have large powers in reserve. But the possession of large powers which tends

Club Cup.-. K. V. E. Riña Club) A to make administration comfortablo frequently shoot for the Club Cup will be held at King's make the public uncomfortable, and then

Park Range on Sunday, the roth inst., at 9.30 seemed calculated to have that effect. The .sharp. in prize Club Cup and prize pre- contemplation of them made me, as a member sented by H. K. E. V. R. C. Fan 300,500, CHOICE CANADIAN" of the public, most ascomfortable. And as a and 6an yards. Conditions Bevan, shoin and a humble representative of the public 1 fakt bound sighter at each range: Members are requested to protest. I did so at the first possible oppor- to keep clear of the “firing point" until their tunity, as Your Excellency may remember, turn to fire comes." Entrance Ice 30 cents Subsequently I found that already, in the first Ammunition can be purchased on the Range revised version of the Bill, which was laid for cash. There will be 'only one shoot for on the table at the lost meeting, the offending these prizes. words "recently landed" had been cut ont of "clauso zi,

Parados at Head Quarters at 5.30 p.m. Mon. day, September 20th--Recruits-lafentry Drill. Infantry Company-Lecture. Instructor, Sergt. Wallis, and Buffs.

Tuesday, September 2191–Specialists' Train- gun layers, zange takers, signallors and fuze setters. Instructors, Bergts. Moore and",

The Colonial Secretary laid on the table As regarded profit on import duties which they it was seen and agreed to in all these discus having built up a defance of cortaio importantCarman, R.G.A. Sergt. Wallis, 2nd Buffs.

Financial Minute No. 4o. It was agreed that it be referred 'in the Finané: Committés.

And 10-day the Government has sanounced the deletion of clause jo and sundry other im- portant modifications. I admired the skill and address with which the Bon, the Attorney General

powers gracefully retired under cover of it from ar untenable position, I commend the con ciliatory spirit in which our representations have been thus met. I hope it may prove happy augury of the spirit in which this bill will eventually be operated,

| that they had whatever deficit might accrue on | sumed in it and we united in the hope and be the tooder for the Opium Farm, From that losslief that the Government would receiva and they could deduct whatever sam the Imperial favourably consider certain suggestions as to Government gave us as a substantial part of the method of collection which would not our lois, If the Imperial Government were to change the character of the port. A method give us balf that sum there would still remain of collection believed to be at once efficacious two and a half lakhs to make 'good. His and almost frictionless, as regards ocean Excellency could not estimate yet with any steamers, was suggested and thrashed not at precision what the deficit would be when they the private meeting at Government House to had completed the Estimates for pext year. It which reference has been made. The risks of depended upon the tender for the Opium Farm petty smuggling by passengers coming from and in part on the contribution of the Imperial great distances were held to be so small as to Government. But he had hoped that with two, be negligible. It was pointed out that usters and half Inkhs from the increase of liquor {'rence cases of wine are very carefully packed, break fees together with considerable retrenchments, age is likely to occur, and that therefore, together with some further savings which he if in any quantity, such cargo is certain to be hoped would be considerable and which he would declared. Anything less than a case was voted explain in a week or two when he bad the to be not worth bothering about, certainly" not pleasure of introducing the Budget for next year, worth while changing the character of the port, The minutes of the last meeting were read he hoped that they should meet or nearly meet int. The asumption was that, as regards ocean the fire lakhs of last year's deficit, but that left steamers, the collection of the duty could be the loss from the opium practically untouched, worked entirely through the Harbour Office

proposed under this Bill, they would no sions that the case was different as regards doubt all agree with him that all persons en- steamers arriving from Macau, Canton and the gaged in the liquor trade who had any stocks of Coast Ports. It seemed to me that special liquor to the Cotony would retain those for sale powers to deal with passangers by these in the Colosy duty free and if they re-steamers would have to be taken by the Go. quired, fiquor · for export they, would have veroment. But after bearing the Senior Un- their stocks replenished. He therefore thought official member this afternoon I should like to the revenue derived from import duties during think over that again. But upon this we were

1910 would be less than the ordinary all agreed that there were to be no fionikin represent I do not propose thus to criticise the amount and he thought they should sotgulations for dealing with passengers by ocean estimals it at more than seven and a half lakhs.steamers, The globe trotter and bis luggage From that deduct a sum for the collection of were to go free. From these biots as to what the duties, which would probably amount to occurred it will be evident that the unofficial the best part of a takb, leaving some six and a members were not indifferent to the principle half-lakhs to meet-the-fiva-lakba deficit.op last of freedom which it is perhaps their first duty.vote against the second reading. I hope year's Budget in addition to the opium loss, to protect, Looking to retrenchments which they had been able to effect and other savings, he hoped it might leave us a little to the good but the margin would not be a large osa With regard to 1911, he reminded them that jo that year they would have to meet the interest on the capital account for the railway, And that the Sinking Fuad came into operation in that year. Moreover, norailway or very few rail

LIQUOR LICENCES.

The Resolution under Section 6 of the Liquor Licences Ex'ension Ordinance, 1908, was not proceeded wish.

IMPORT DUTY, 2

The Attorner-General moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide for the collection of duties upon in toxicating Liquors,

He said that this Bill was so fully de-It with by His Excellency in his speech to the Council when the Bill was read a frat time that it would not be necessary for him to address the Council any, length. His Excellency on that occasion gave the reasons which had led. "the Government to introduce this Hill, told the necessity for its intraduction for the raising of révenue necessary for carrying, 00 His Majesty's Government in the Colony, and dealt generally with the Bill in a manner that enabled every member of the Council and every person out of the Council who read the speech in the papers to be fully scquainted with the

The Senior, Unofficial Member has dealt with certain other clauses to which he objects. At

Hill-1 shall have many objections to make in Committen. We have now to vats on the principle of raising revenue by an import duty on liquor. To that principle the unofficiale stand committed. We cannot therefore

Wednesday, September zaúd-Guo Drill. I and 2 Companies 5" BL. howitzer. 3 and 4 Companies-2.95" Q. F. Instructors Sergis Moore and Carman, R.G A.

Friday, September 24th--Officers and Special- isis Five Discipline. Instructor, Sergt. Car man, R.G A. Parade at Taikoo at 5 15 pm.

Thursday, Septembar 23rd-2.95 G. F. Gua Drill and instruction of gue layars. Instructor, Bergt. Maarn, R.G.A.

JOINED,

Mr. . B. Marshall joined the Corps on the 8th September, assigned Corps No. 1,099 and posted to No. 3 Company.

Mr. A. C. Guttierres joined the Corps on the 8th September, assigned Corps No. 1,100 and posted to the Engineer Company,

RESIGNED.

Corp! J. D. Kinnaird of No. 4 Company in

we may find the officials whoan duty it will be to operate the Bill imbued with the idea of maintaining the easentials of freedom-resist

MLB. Huskett joined the Corps on the 8th ing the temptation to introduce 'restrictions convenient. to their immediate purposes but September, nasigned Corps No., 4,101 and post- calculated to hamper trade or hinder traveled to the Engineer Company. That will be one of our dangers. It is not

Mr. W. B. Hind joined the Corps on the 13th that officials are, lets thoughtful than other September, assigned Corps No, 1,roz and post- men. Other men in their place would do, the ed to No. 1 Company, same. They would be just as liable to get

services tend to expand. Weak spots keep revealing themselves to officials enger for efficiency.. A demand sets up for more and more stations, more and more regulations, more, and more officers. This I dread-the multiplication of minor officials, In this case their one thought will be revenue. They will become eager to stop every conceivable bole and corner where it may get past. They will need restraining.

principle of the Bill and with the measures ways ever paid expanses at first ad being buili: Liberty is supposed to rest on the theory carried away by zeal. Further, all protective permitted to resign with effect from the 9th

the duties derived from this Bill considerably increased in 1911, with efficient machinery and when the existing stocks in the Colony had been consumed he thought there was not too large a margin to meet the increased cost due to the undertaking of the railway. His Excellency hoped that with those remarks many arguments would not now be rendered necessary..

Dr. Ho Kai did not approve of the drastic principles proposed to be enacted especially He also doubted with regard to detection the idea that the Chinese would indulge in smuggling.

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Mr. Wei Yuk concurred.

Mr. Hewett proposed that the Bill should be delayed so they might understand the alterations which had been made in it since first it came before the Council.

Your Excellency commented on the unusual nature of the step which we took in making public the resolutions at which we had arrived. These were sent to the press not because we were so sure that we were right but because in case of the kind the fallest possible publicity seemed desirable. It seems to me desirable that aby proposals involving taxation should be referred to the public. English political

We had some idea which prompted our action. that our suggestions might stimulate criticism and reveal neglected aspects of the question, But in any case what happened shews that a bald statement to the effect that the unofficial urged the Government to put on an import duty, as if the circumstance had its origin in their eagerness to impose one, is seen, in beat least open to misconstruction. Our choice lay between two evils, the doubled licensed fees on the one hand, the duty on the other. We chose, we hope, the lesser evil, but we were cot so blind as to fail to see it in the light of an evil.

that were to be included in the Bill to give effect to that principle. The principle was, shortly, the imposition of duties upon quars as being, after consideration, deemed to be the article most properly subjective to duty on the occasion that bad arisen for raising revenue to matt the arcessities of the Government He referred to the fact that originally it was intend- led to raise the revenue by an increase in the feas for liquor licences. After considering the representations that were made to the bead of the Government it appeared that on the whole it would be less harsh if, instead of following that course, a duly should be placed by which the whole community would bear a part. The

Personally, I regret baving had to agree to the whole community were consumers of liquor,

surrender of a single inch of our freedom from It was, therefore, considered fair and equitable

trade restrictions. It goes against the graig to place this duty on the whole community

with me to witness the institution of even the instead of a slogie class-{bear, hear).' He Mr. Murray, Stewart said-This day's work smallest Customs service. I am haunted by need not dwell upon the necessity for dis in this Council will, in any event, be, note the prospect of seeing upon our quays the man covering some fresh source of revenue. It had worthy in the annals of the Colony. The deci-ja the brass bat whose business it is to challenge readily and generally been recognised as a

sion which we are to-day driven to taka is the passenger to unstrop his trunks. fobject living necessity in view of the measures traught with possibilities of danger. No one to that man wherever met. I objeci to meeting which the Colony bad taken for the aid can fail to feel the grave responsibility of him so often. He straddies across the thres and assistance of China in suppressing the sharing in it. The occasion takes you by the bold of nearly every country-a standing opiam. It was the abandonment of the ie. throat and puts you into a corner and demands puisance to travel the symbol of economic venue oblalped hitherto from, opium, which that you should speak out, if it should seem that false doctrine, financial heresy, and politica! any aspect of the question needs emphasising, there was every reason, to believe would not come in lo as large a volume in the futurs as

One aspect does, in my opinion. Through all in the past, that had compelled the finances of the discussions which have led up to this mo- this Colony to lonk for same source that would ment I have been haunted by the fear of an give a supply of the ready money needed to impression getting abroad that the Colony has ‚ CAITY OD the Gayeromeat The source fallen away from its old faith in the freedom of they proposed to tap and which they the port. Your Excellency has, tried to dissi- believed was generally the most approv. pate this impression, but in spite of all that has ed was the consumption of liquor by the been said, in spite of the very satisfactory as Colony. He held that the Government surances which you have gives, doubt will, in bringing forward this Bill was giving effect I fear, still tend to linger. to the resolutions adopted by the pofficial members. He referred to the provisions of the Bill in some detail and, with regard to the search of baggage, said that principle was nothing Doanal. He'deprecated the use of the term "domiciliary visit" in respect of a constable who was acting on a warrant granted by a magistrate on swom information that it was believed cer- this, goods 'were stored in a certain house The provision was taken from the Straits Set- tlements Ordinance, although it would be Jess offensive bere than in the neighbouring Colony, He stated that there wern several alterations in the Bill, the duty on spirits being reduced to $2.40 ̊n gallon or 40 cents á þóttles There would be no licence fee for the storage of pával and military wares. Ho expressed the belief that the members of the Council would see their way to put this Bill unanimously,

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Only the other day an old resident who used to, occupy a seat at this table wrote to the papers saying that madness lies the way we are going. There are many old residents here, and many more at home having interests here,, who will view with apprehension the proposals contained in this Bill. The imposition of an import duty in any shape or form may well seem to them to indicate an ominõus weakening of the ideal which has hitherto been the Colony's guiding stor. Anyone familiar with Hongkong's history but knowing Jittle of the inside workings which bave resulted in the prescat meatuer may quite conceivably imagine that an extraordinary thing has happened. He will have, it in mind that hitheno proposals to impede by taxation' the unfettered frosdom of tradé hove usually ema“ dated from the Government and have stead. fastly been opposed by the mercantile comma.

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schism. He is the outward and visible sign of denial of the great doctrine of universal free trade. In 'that I still believe, although the hopes OD which it is based seem more thao ever dim, › But dim though they may appear, and though elsewhere it, may be that retaliation is justifiable, the jealous guarding of that doctrine in this Colony is diclated by the vital notessities of our situation. And so when I read the version of this Bill' which reached me last Thursday evening-the evening before the first reading took place-I was staggered to find that the Government proposed to abrogate to them selver powers under which a complete customs service could be established..

How extensive, those powers were does not seem to have been fully realised in some quar tes Under them Customs stations could have been established at every wharf in the harbour, in every bay in the coast line, and on every road leading into the Colony. Passengers landing from any steamer could have been held up and arrested without warrant if they objected to open luggage at the bidding of any revenue officer, who might be a Chinese or ap Indian talking no English.

by land shall, on demand by any revaque ot police officer, permit his bagage to be searched r etc. Having recently lauded! This mean? that none of those huge trucks of luggage which are mankauled up to the doors of our leading hotels in the travelling season would be safe from the danger of being arrested by any Indian constable or Chinese lukong whose suspicious might fasten on the saratoga trubk of some American globetrotter, probably an elderly total abstainer from a prohibition sinte (Laughter.)

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And the power behind them, the Government, may conceivably now and then also need restraining. That is perhaps the main danger, Appetite grows by what it feeds on. The Government will be exposed to the constant temptation of trying to get more and more revenue in this way. Here it will be the duty of (the representatives of the community to keep watch and ward, remembering that no amount of revenue could compensate for start-, ing a diversion of that through and by which trade the port lives and thrives, -

Ishall voto for the second reading of this bill in the hope that it may be administered through- out in the spirit of Your Excellency's assurances and in the manner originally suggested by the unofficial members, to that case the character of the port.need suffer no noticeable change Freedom may still be our motto. We may still regard it as the pole star of our policy, the fixéd, mark which has so far looked on many tempests and never yet been even so much as shaken, The policy which made the place is not in any danger from any fundamental change to the attitude of the unofficial members of this Coun cil and this fact I hope I may have helped to made abundantly clear, (Applause.) -

His Excellency in reply said he throught there was little for him to say. The Gov- crument had done its best to meet the wishes of the Chinese community in this meiter-In-response to what Mr. Murray Stewart had said, His Excellency assured him that any reasonable suggestion made in Com- mitice would receive the almost enosidera- tion from the Government. He denied that there was anything in the Bill opposed in "free" trade; there was nothing in it of a protectiva natura. He had always under- sood that duties imposed for the purpose of revenue were not as infraction of the principle of free trade. · As regards the provisions they would have an opporturaty of discussing them in Committee. **

The Bill was.read a second time, ... On the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the Coun- ' til weat into Commitles on the Bill.

The Council adjourned at 6.30 p.m. till to morrow at 4.30 p.m. to resume consideration of the Bill in Committee.

THE OPIUM:TRAFFIC..

COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ACTION,

Testimony is boine to the work of the Singa pors Opism Commission in the annual report of Sir Arthur Young on the Straits Settlements for 1908. He says their report is a very valu able document, and the mass of information which it contains cannot but prove to be of great assistance in whatever direction attempts are made to deal with the opium traffic.

And not only could such an officer bave so held up any passenger landing; he would have been 'equally formidable when, after landing, His Excellency the Governor majd be consid-pity. He will note that the present proposals the passenger might reasonably have imagined.

·ered 'it desirable to explain the financial posi- seemed to come from the community and he himself safe in the bosom of the Colony. Ac- tios of the Colon, in the hope that it would may conclude that the attitude of the com- cording to Clause 31 in my version of the Bill expedita tha business of the Council. He took munity's representativen' towards' an old and "any person landing or being about to land or it the question in the mind of a good many vitni question has undergone, a remarkable having recently landed from any ship, or ep- members of this Couscil wai' somewhat as change. That is not the case. True, responsitering or having recently, entered the Colony follows: On the 13th August by the resolution bility for the proposed step reste upon the introduced into the Council it was estimated uncfficial members. I do not seek to, akirk any that the revenus derived from the operation of responsibility inherent in our proposals: I am that resolution would amount to some only anxious to make clear the nature of that thing like two Bud... ñ half lakba, where responsibility and to'disclaim any for proposals as to-day they were bringing forward of the Government which go farther than the Bill to impose import duties by which recommendations in which I concurred, I it was estimated that the tax derived under its am loath to tread ground so familiar to most operation would ameyaz to perhaps some seven of av hur for my purpose I must skotch the or eight lakhs or evað, as ibe member for the circumstances under which these recom- Ühamber of Commerce had said, perhaps too mendations were made. They may bà brief- lakhs. The question was: Why if two and a ly stated thus. The Government, having |

The Commissioners found that there' had' half lakhs were considered sufficient in the decided to raise revenue somehow from The phraseology of clause 32 was similarly been no increase in the prevalence of the habit first instance, why was the taxpayer being the sale of intoxicating liquors, brings for open to objection, 34 gave power to any rave- and made certain specific recommendations, asked to contribute so much more towards ward a scheme-admittedly a faulty one.

nue officer to arrest any ona without warrant on the chief of which wars that the Government the fancer of the Colony? In the first Discontent with it is widely expressed. The suspicion of bis having in bis possession any should itself administer the opium monopoly, place, he would. remind the Council that unofficial members meet to see if they can dutiable liquors and gf gave the right of domi that the arrangements of the existing opium when he introduced the Budget last year he arrive at some solution of the difficulty. We cillary search on the warran! of a single I. P. of opium in brothels suppressed and the sple smoking shops should be improved, tha qie polated out that by-appropriating the sem of did not meet to discuss other sources of re- Altogether these clauses seemed to leave of chandu to women or to persons under $371,500, the capital amount of the Widows' vanpe. It is not our business, to prepare the nothing of our former libertina beyond what the the age of 18 be made peral. The first of and Orphans' Food, together with that which estimates. This does not soom to be fully Government might be pleased to allow us to these will be carried into effect in ⚫ingapore the Government paid as interest on that sum understood. We did, however, as it turned enjoy on sufferance. Having agreed, after much and Malacca in 1gro, and it is hoped in Pau- and equalisation of exchange they incurred a out, discuss other possible sources: None painful heartsearching, to the surrender of the enforce the law as regards sale of opium in ang in 1911. - Efforts have been made to total liability of $14,500. In addition the Bad- seemed so wuitable as the source indicated. port'i freedom to the extent of a most carefully brothels and the question of Improved regula- get did not balance, by $72,170." Altogether After much consideration we decided to re- measured inch, immediately the Goverment tion of opium shops is receiving attention, they got with these sums a total sum of nearly commendan import duty, Wapassed resolutions annexadell. In explaining this Your Escal Opportunity will be taken in the now ordinance "fire lakhs. That was the amount of the deficit indicating plainly that we did not intend the lency assured us that all these powers which it which will be required in view of the abolition on last year's Budget which they had to make through trade to be touched in any way tho was proposed to take were not intended sals to women and children suggested, by the of the farm system to insert the provision as to good in quimuting for muxt year, in addition to ! Qolony was only to pay on liquor actually con- fot-ass, but that from the Government commissioners Stain Finn,

September.

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STRUCK OFF THE ROLL Mr. H. N. Darmer of No, 3 Company bas been struck off the rell with effect from the 14th September.

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Mr. R. A. Whitamore of No. 3 Company has been strack of the roll with effect from the 14th September.

PRESIDENT ›ZAFT AND DR, COÒE, CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE.

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New York; Sept. 5

in addressing a telegram to Dr. Cook, who

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President Taft said that Dr. Cook's description of his undertaking movedibim (the President) to send his sincerest congratulations. * * Dr. Cook's achievement would stimulate the spirits of the American people...

Animated discussion is proceeded in Wa abington-on-the-question-en-to-whether the wly discovered Arctic territory should be made an American territory.

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