1925-10-23 — Page 5

THE BUDGET

BUDGET DEBATE.

OFFICIAL REPLIES TO POINTS RAISED.

THE

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

३.१.

FRIDAY, OUTOBER 21, 1925;

Refuse' Destructors.

referred to

shown themselves to be extremely John Oakley (doalt only with the and upkeep of quarry plant I will now deal with the remarks

efficient on several occasions. ampunt of money which was to be aniounting to $19,000 were inserted of the senior Unofficial member to meet expenditure at the new which have not already been re- The senior Unofficial member It is very sad to think that the paid if certain lands in the occupa quarry at Tai Kok Tsui, which was plied to. With regard to the and his colleague

It is were taken from them. There was required for supplying materials transfer of the junior clerical ser- the question of refuse destruc-banyan trees in Nathan Road will tion and possession of the military for the strengthening of the Kow-lee, that has been, as was point fors. I may say at once that when have to 80 sometime loon rouds, but since thed out by your Excellency in ad-1-reime to the Colony I did so with recognised that when we have the po.application from us to have these to go, No one likes seeing them military to leave them. The only strengthening of these ronda hus dressing the Counell, a matter of a knowledge of refuse destructors new bus service they will have fands, and no application from the been postponed the quarry will not great convenience. It shows the cost the Straits Settlements and the now be required and there will be of clerical service in a way which Malny States, which led me to think, but there is no alternative question Sir John Oakley was a saving of this amount, is desirable, and we shall now they were wonderful things. There are over 200 of them. They called upon to decide was what was

strengthening the roads and start- With regard to the item for know how much that particular led to press my views on Sir wild 50 as soon as we commence a fair price to pay for the lands.

Last year Henry May, and found him entirely ing the bus service. upkeep of motor lorries and ears, service is costing us.

"I thank the Unofficial members! the increase is provided to mee; it was proposed to make this unsympathetic. I felt I was fully the upkeep of additional lorries, change very shortly before the ins the right and that they should for their comments; and am glad to this Colony feel, speaking for the last time an The paint that I wish to make

etc., which are now "more than troduction of the estimates, but be introduced into After we had gono to press yes.. torday, Official members of the now is that the Hungkong Gove double the number on hand at the resisted it because I did not see Since then we have ented for re Legislative Council replied at fment ought to make it its businus commencement of this year. The how, in the very short period avarts from various places. A Budget debate, that we are all figures in the 'estimates do not

66

GOVERNOR ON SQUEEZE

length to various points raised into tunch the course of the Budget debate by Unofficial members

Port Development. The hen, member referred to the heavy cost of the Fort Development Department. I think that the

to the future prosperity of the the case, because the heavy per- its schools and in the

Secretary, Mr.

sonal emoluments and other charges Colony (Applause)."

which amount to over $100,000, University, the wonderful growth remaining increase of $5,000 is to able, it could possibly be done, al hon. members will remember, the more or less in unity with regard quite indicate the exact facts of

I do not Metcher, in the Budget dobute of and prosperity of this Colony, owing meet the upkeep of the increased though I realised it was a moveating Colonial to its liberal institutions, its equit number of fans and lights princl-in the right direction.

actual expenditure on port works. able treatment of and justice to pally in new buildings such as the think, there is any great magic in 1923 referred to this matter, and HIS EXCELLENCY'S REPLY. look high in comparison with the His Excellency, the Governor of $605,000. I must point out that all races, and starting onward from Fire Station, Salyingpun School, knowing exactly how much it costs will read to you his remarks. Governor Des Voeux's despatch to Sisters' Quarters, etc., which are in any one department in any par. He said: "The question has been

ticular year. You may have ulgone into exhaustively, on three Gentlemen, the Director of Public the work of the Department in- the present day to show how that nearing completion."

Provision has been made under clerk in one grade one year and occasions, first in 1901, again in Works and the Colonial Secretary.

reclamation. There is only a vory same fair trentinent of the Chinosa Las resulted in the immensely Item P.W.E. 14 for converting an in another grade another, and then 1006 when reports were fald on in a speech which I may be allowed cludes the whole of the Praya Enst On each occasion we dealt with most of the points raised. contribution included in the esti been engineered from Canton and greater proufs of prosperity whien lapen iron shed at Wanchal Denut you may have a successor in the table in this Council, and again to describe as a swan song, have small proportion of the Government

ATTORNEY GENERAL

REPLIES.

recont

The Attorney General: Sir, 1 should like to make a few remards on the subject of education in this' Colony. Perhaps in the Bolshovist campaign, which 108

'perhaps it would be more neonate

have

are now before us to-day, and which into a temporary workshop for different grade altogether at an 1921.

to say from Moscow) nothing has are the result of the cordial co-carrying out repairs to lorries and lower rate, You cannot say that asked particulars of Singapore, There are one or two on which 11mates; and this would reduce the the tion, that if I had realised earlier also have to take into account work more annoyed old residents who operation which has for so long cars, and a mechanical enginee-the clerical service of a particular Penang, Kuala Lumpur and other should like to say "a few words, percentage of personal emoluments a real affection for this existed and still exists between the has arrived, and, will be 'put department will cost a certain sum towns and the replies were most prefacing them with the observato a very low figare. Then you The capital that this was the last occasion on in connection with the reclamation to, spend that mondy to get the mormous expense. Colony and a firm belief in Briar British and Chinese in this Colony charge of this workshop. It is of money, and that it is necessary discourgaing because of

hoped that in the near future, work done efficiently. If you have cost of building ruas as high as which the Colonial Secretary would at North Point. I should strongly fairplay than the lying campaign

Department will have a large

a clerk who is particularly good hex and a half dollars per ton of probably attend a meeting of the deprecate any suggestion of placing consumed annually, Council, I should have forestalled Mr. Partington under the Director general workshop with qualified mechanical, engineer may work up from $1,000 or $1,200 rubbish

of eclumny which has misrepresent

'D.P.W.'S 'REPLY. The Director of Public Works: ed the British oficials and the British business men of this Colony Sir, In reply to the speech of the

Banner in which Chinese have

tandard. »

Wanebst workshop.

this

fully

:

of the Shing Mun Valley Scheme made of the amounts that will be were not regarded as of very great fucked here to do business is al

part 1) estimated to cost $3,500,-expended during 1925 on suficient refutation of the gros slanders to which I have referred

Officer of this Colony estimate

that the Chinese owned "ft-

sixteenths of the lagled property

ossible to do without the restric-estimates for 1926. un of the water supply both at

pers, and It all looked very nice,

I

¿

in this Colony, and it is a wongkong and Kowloon during available in time for hon. members' see everything organised to a great/An incinerator must be more or could not. The clerks provided fortrol over other matters.

I think it

as riding roughshod over the rights Hon, the Senior Unofficial Merber, charge, but it present only small year to $3,000, but he may be against our cost of eighty cents the remarks of the senior Chinese of Public Works. We are paying a lower salary and the whole cost The rubbish is largely of a light Council between my departure and same salary we would have to pay of the Chinese and brutally, or it is much to be regretted that repairs can be undertaken at the replaced Inter on by someone at for all our plant and material. member. 1 did not realise that the the Port Engineer precisely the In altered without any reduction vegetable, nature and it requires a that of the Colonial Secretary to an official ranking as an assist- imperialistically, for that is the the work of strengthening main

in efficiency.

ant Director of Public Works, and third of its weight in fuel to con-would probably not meet, and I favourite wurd used, riding roads has had to be postponed, and

sume and leaves a third in slag should like at this point to take the the staff of clerks and accountants The estimated revised expendi-

Trade Statistics. roughshod over the rights of the in some cases the maintenance Revised Expenditure for 1925,

It is a matter for regret that the to be got rid of. The destructor opportunity of thanking him for the would remain the same. I would requires complete renewal once highly efficient manner in which remind hon. members that the main Chinese her. Nothing could posvotes have had to be reduced it sibly be further from the truths. "On will be readily understood that bure for 1925 was not inserted in the contrary, the record of this such postponement and reductions the Draft Estimates for 1926 Statistical Department of the Im-

the disposal of the slag is also a for some 14 years in this Colony Port Development Department Colony in one of sympathetic govern-in regard to the upkeep of main because of the difficulty of arriving ports and Exports Office has been every ten years.' The question of he has served as Colonial Secretary reason for the establishment of this At and for the entirely adequate way was not that we had any doubt of ment by three gonerations of bad roads, cannot be permitted for any at the amount with any degree of for the time being, abandoned. working officials of the highest length of time without serious de-accuracy in consequence of (a) may say and I think the hon. matter of great, difficulty.

road repairs, but here we have a Governors during temporary ab Works to construct any works on integrity, and of, friendly intererioration and the ultimate heavy Labour troubles; (b) The neces- senior Unofficial member knows Home it is very much used for in which he has taken the place of the ability of the nice day doubt. of

great enthusiasm

much better and entirely acces-Bencess (Hear; hear). • **

the earth or in the waters, but COUTEC of three generations expenditure that will be required ity for economy; (c) Ascertaining there was no

To come to more, immediate

simply because his time is employed British business firms with the

o bring them back to the present what claims would have to be shown by those for whom the reble material in granite, There- Laced from contractors' if contracts turns were particularly drawn up.

An I think if you enquire of the Super.fore, this slag would have to be points. The hon. senior Unofficial so much on other matters that we... Chinese in this Colony.

arted" away. It could be used in member referred to this question thought we were not taking full this Colony has, attained and the Continuance of work on all itemapproximate estimate has now been intendent he will tell you they reclamations but it would have to of classifying the junior type of advantage of his experience and

The wonderful prosperity which Provision has been made for the were to be interfered with.

such value and it is very doubtful whe-be taken there. The pulsance of servants separately. The Colonial abilities if he was tied down to 00, and everything will be done works as "appear in the 1926)ther, the returns were really these collecting stations on the Secretary dealt with one point of work which might be done by other" Praya would not be done away view. Mr. Holyoak's point was people. By relieving the Director. ó expedite this scheme, until the estimates and these figures will be correct. They were drawn up a Some years ago a former Lane omletion of which it will not be neluded in the final print of thelon information supplied by: ship-with, The town is very narrow that under the old system you of Public Works of the Port Deve- and the destructor would have to could see-the exact cost of a delopment Department it leaves hint These figures could not be made and no doubt persons who, like to be taken along the streets as now. partment. The answer is that you at liberty to take more direct con- less a nuisance to people in the in the estimates were certainly would be a retrograde step to neighbourhood and I think it would changed from one department to abolish the Fort Development De eriods in which there is an un-reference when considering the extent will think it a great loss

3raft estimates for 1920. known fact that their large land

available. Whether they were cause much more trouble than another. If you will take a figure

partment.' owning still continues, and aisqually distributed rainfall.

Street Names.

rect or not we do not know, and finding an occasional cabbage leaf under a department in the estimates The Hon. Mr. Bird's remarks and add to it the figure given in about the Fire Brigade have been In reply to the Hon. Mr. Bird's the persons who were chiefly con-on the pavement." The contract for the Bowen Road!

the appendix, you will get very dealt with by the Colonial Secret I would state: With cerned did not appear to be parti Cast Gravity Filtration Plant has

regard to street name plates, this cularly interested. The work re-

With regard to the question of much nearer the truth, the truth tary. Mr. Bird said, that if such let to Messrs. Patterson work had to be postponed. The quired a great many clerk at com een Engineering Co.

design of these name plates was paratively low salaries, and it later hours for ferries and trams, in these things being a thing which and such was the case-1 regret price including shipment and erec-doelded apon in consultation with could not be dong with a leas num the Western ferry service-not the lies very much at the bottom of a 1 did not take a full hote of his rete work and foundations will be at J. W. Bird and her of clerks than we employed, so Star ferry--is run under a con- well confidently assure men- remarks-our views did not cons approved, by Government in April that you either had to have the tract, and I am perfectly certain bers that this change, for which I cide. Well, I am afraid our views

Farms in New Territories. in Kowloon and 39 in Hongkong) As regards the Register that of found that by running liter he useful one.

**"The Trade Returns.

With regard to the question of I have in hand a despatch been received, so that the cost for last, and 89 street name plates (50) whole of them or none of them. that if the successful tenderer take entire responsibility, is do not coincide. (Laughter),

this work is not known. The con would have been completed, during course, will be maintained by the would be making more money, he of a former Governor. Sir Wil tract is to be completed in nine this year. The preliminary work Police, and there will be no' neces- would do it at once. If it is done

The hor. member also mentioned farms in the New Territories, I months. The capacity of the plant was in hand when the strike pri Sity to show any special sub-de for the comfort and convenience is three million gallons. per day 38 vented further progress..

Since partments. An adequate staff of those who like to stay out very the question of the abolition of the shall be pleased to learn that there no doubt special statistical department. I, like the are thousands of acres in the New compared with the output of the then, owing to retrenchment, all will keep that register up to date late at night existing Bowen Road filter beds of works not considered essential, and because the Government and the fares could be arranged in order hon. member and everybody else, Territories suitable for extensive such works as could be cancelled community realise that it has been to do so,. Two o'clock has been am entirely unable to understand cultivation. I can assure him that three-quarters of a million.

without involving claims, have valuable, and experience has als pul as a suitable hour, but I really the enormous cost of this depart-if he can find these thousands of shown in what way it can be enthink that people who stay out ment, but it is perfectly obvious acres which are not being put to larged in order to add to its use. until that time for certain reasons that the cost was far more than the best possible use we shall bo can pay for a motor launch, to be we were justified in paying for pleased to hear of them. I entirely paid for by the winners statistics required for the commer-agree with him as to the (Laughter). i

always cial community, who took little in-ability of encouraging the inhabit-

that they are the owners of a large propertion of the shares in ou public companies We have als the curious fact that the wives and families of some of the officials Capton, who are working again us, are actually receiving sunstty

here is our inidal in this so-called imperialistic British Colony,

History and Progréss,

Des Vorux dated October 31st,

of State for the Colonies, on

1888, reporting to the then Secretary

the

In the concluding paragraphs of Tirs Willium his lespatéli, Sir Voeux pointed it 'the wondarial transformation, since we took ove

Filter Beds,

tion is £8,700.

The contract

Reinforced con

extra. Drawings have not yet

remuarks

been stopped.

Taipo Rond.

the

The

that these returns are not

fulness.

Later Ferries.

bave

to establish themselves

desire

for sup-

condition and prospects of long. kong, and in timelespatch he points out with pride that our

The Eastern filter beds are near revenus for 1958 one nad hati million dollars, was larger thaa ning completion. The total number In 1021 our of these beds is 11, all of which any former year.

Five are revenue was about 24 million dolleshave been constructed. Another item which Governor ites at present in use as filter beds

Public Works Reductions With regard to the dangerous Voeux mentions is land salu receipts giving approximately an output of which amounted to

It has been necessary, of course, thought that the trams stop at an terest in them and whose accuracy ants to grow fruit, vegetables, $100,000, as 11⁄2 million gallons; two are being bridges on the Taipo Road referred against nearly three million dollars used as balance tanks and the re-to, an item was tentatively prin view of the economies we hope early hour, but the same remark could not be guaranteed in any way chickens and so on. Not long ago. A Bemi-official of a certain village in these mat- received in 1923, a bumper year maining four are not yet in use, pused to be included in The population for 18ss he mentions All the beds cannot be utilised as estimates for 1826 for this wor to effect, to reduce the staff, applies those people who wish to whatever. It may be possible, II endeavoured to interest the Elders as 160,000 Before the roumetes-filter beds until the five million but owing to retrenchment, it had pecially in the Public Works De stay out late for their own pur anderstand, by

taken not to terminate the empley-car. No doubt these companies ly valuable at a reasonable rate, ment of the recent purest it was gallon service reservoir now in to be postponed. The necessity of partment, but great care has been poses can afford to take a motor agency, to provide statistics equal-ters, and urged them to endeavour The Star and that question will be gone into, plying pigs and chickens, especially improving these bridges is con- probably about 500,000,

progress is completed.

sidered most essential, together ment of any offleer whose service can be approached.

may be required in the event of ferry run until a quarter to one. At the same time there is a matter for this Colony. I said the Govern- Praya Road East.

Hon. Mr. Lang: One o'clock, in connection with this subject to ment would be happy to consider with the widening and improving certain works being resumed. We!

The Colonial Secretary: The which I am sorry to have to refer any proposals or suggestions which Mention has been made of the of the approaches to them.

have been extremely careful, in

put forward. The the bridges that. Of course it is regrettable lower level Peak tram runs until There is no question that the neces they had to disturbed Conditions of the Prays widening of all of

Unfortunately between Castle Peak and Taipe in one way that at the present time 12 o'clock. I have always been sity of providing these statistics Elders listened to me with the cus "in 1890, of Hongkong from a bad Road at Wanchai. wick, with a fisherman's but here the raising of alt drains and Market have been taken in hand we are unable to go on with cer-surprised that the trams on the gave rise to a great amount of tomary politeness of Chinese Elders. new low level stop at an extraordinary abuse. In connection with these and since then I have heard no

I con assure the hon mem and there," to a windorful and busy sewers necessitated by the Praya and should be completed by the tain work, especially when

However, it is aetatistics, permits were required more. and prosperous slipping port. La East Reclamation has caused an early part of next year.

men have been got out' from home early hour. for certain work. I can assure matter for negotiation with the for exports, and I have it or evi- ber that the Government will take hon. members that great care Company.

dence cannot reject, that the sympathetic view. Owing to the it is not COLONIAL SECRETARY'S

LAST BUDGET SPEECH. has been exercised in going

Government's Leniency. necessity of applying for these per- smallness of the area The Colonial Secretary: Sir, De-through the establishment not to

With regard to land sales and mits was used by clerks of that possible to do much, but I have had in Her Majesty's reign, and indertime. As far as possible this un-points in the speeches of the Un-senior' olleer or European unless the Building Covenant, the Govora. department for purposes of obtain-one or two instances before me in during a speare of less that fifty avaldable inconvenience to

the official members, I would like to it is an absolute waste of money to ment recognises that in the ciring what is known as "squeeze." the last few weeks which suggests cumstances they must be lenient. Had I understood this matter before that something might be done. For years on ground in immediate com

public will be reduced a thank the senior Chinese member keep him on.

a man is obviously should have had an investigation instance, Mr. Soares interested me tact with the most populous Empire ruinimum. The large open sewer for his personal reference to my As regards hawkers licenses, to and where in the world by a comparatively in running parallel with the old debate and the estimates. I think which the senior officer mere trying to carry out the Building made at once, and I shall certainly particularly in an excellent banana finitesimal number of an entirely alien race, separated from their raya wall is responsible for many this is the twelfth debate on the and the senior Chinese membert Covenant he is treated leniently, not consent to the reconstruction he is growing successfully, and Mr. Homes by nearly the whole earth, of the complaints received, but this Budget in this Colony in which ferred, I think it is realised that Every ease is considered very of this department without that Alves has established a flourishing With regard to the question of aud, unlike their countryinen in matter has now been referred to have taken part, and I have had we have to maintain some propor-carefully, and certainly there is no matter being investigated. I. ap-ginger plantation. Australia and Canada, living in an the Fort Development Department the honour of Introducing the estion between the number actually intention of putting on heavy fines peal to our Chinese colleagues to onervating and trying climate; and and it is hoped the contractorimates for the years 1914, 191 required and who make some sort or penalties at present unless there ask them to urge their countrymen when it is further remembered this responsible will be able to keep and 1929. The progress and deve-of a livelihood, and the blocking is an absolute disregard of the to bring such cases to the notice street names, I think last year I the Chinese, whose labour and this drain in a more sanitary con-lopment of the Colony and its of streets, with hawkers stalls in Building Covenant altogether. enterprise under. British auspices dition in future.

the last paragraph of his, despatch The says as follows!

"Hongkong has indeed clungel

upheaval of the roads in this dis- trici, which has been complicated by the necessary removal of water

its aspect; and when it is rene mains, gas pipes, cables, etc. which

bered that all this bes been affected had to be dealt with at the anme fore I proceed to the reply to the terminate the employment of any

have largely assisted in this devaraju ment, have been under *No con-

Motor Lorries and Cirs,

to

excess of

Street Names,

of the Government. I. am con-encouraged hon. members to tha. The personnel of the Fire stantly receiving complaints of extent of suggesting that street general prosperity during the 14 crowded places of the city. I have

ratho: "squeeze" in the Government ser-names would be useful, but I do. year's I have been here his, of always resisted the attempts of Brigade is certainly a

thing. The present vice, but no one will over come not think we could possibly regard course, been extremely gratifying the Captain "Superintendent of serious The increase referred to to me as well as to the whole com- Police to reduce the number below remuneration does not seem to forward and actually sign his name the placing of street names at all munity. I have watched the pro- certain figures and have gone very attract, and it has been decided to to a complaint. I cannot believe corners of streets as a necessity. ress of the Colony with the great- carefully into his arguments with raise it with the view to recruit that these numerous complaints After all this is not such a very Both the ing more Asiatics. Whother it will have no justification, but it is fra-large place, and even at times when the possible for the Government to take the trams censo running I think. est possible interest, and although regard to obstruction.

necessary to increase there is now what I am sure we senior Unofficial member and the be all feel is just a temporary slack-senler Chinese member can rest European officers later will be action unless we can obtain clear most people know the street they We have gone into the evidence. I would ask the Chinese are in (Laughter). The exact ening of that development, I feel assured that this matter of reduc- açon quarries

$7,800 that if I am able to return to this fng the number of licenses, will question of station officers very mombers to ask the Chinese Chan- significance between, streets names Colony after a comparatively short not be lost sight of unless there is carefully, and it is not now con- ber of Commerce to report any and a geological survey escapes me. I'deprecate any suggestion that the Upkeep of motor lorries ..and.care

... 14,000 time I shall find all the big worka real reason for refusing licenses sidered necessary to increase the auch cases at once. ***

The hon. member referred to the money provided for the geological Upkeep of quarry plants 11,500 that are in contemplation and in owing to obstruction. A certain number. The one renson given for Electric lights and fans 5,000 progress in full swing again and class of hawker in certain districts an increase is that the European unfortunate postponement or can survey should be used for any

other purpose. The two increased items for mple revenue to make provision will not be reduced below what is officer may fall i The sealor cellation of the military lands

absolutely necessary.

Chinese members of the staff have arrangement. The award of Siri Contilued on Pane 17) incidental expenses for quarries for them,

Incidental expenses

pulsion, but have, come here as Page 79 showing an free men, attracted by liberal estimated expenditure of $44,311 institutions, equitable treatment, and the justice of our rule; and for 1926 under the head of Other when all this is taken into urcount. Charges over that of 1025 is chiefly it may be doubted whether the accounted for by the four items: evidence, of material and moral achiovement, presented as it wore focus, nuke anywhore a more forcible appoal to eye and imgant- tion, nud whether any other spot" on the earth is thus more likely to excite, or anuch more fully justin pride in the name of Englishman

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