1930-10-21 — Page 2

THE

HONGKONG

PENINSULA HOTEL:

ד''

HONGKONG HOTEL: REPULSE BAY HOTEL: PEAK HOTEL

and

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE: PALACE HOTEL:

HOTELS

LIMITED.

In association with the Grand Hotel Des Wagons Lits, Peking.)

KOWLOON HOTEL

KOWLOON.

Under the Personal Supervision and Attention of

Phone No. 58008.

H. J. WHITE. Cable "KowLOTEL " Hongkong.

PALACE HOTEL

Tel. Kowloon No. 3,

Tel. Address "Falace."

A First Class Residential, and Tourist Bolel with all the Don- Goky Under Entirely European Management. veni pece of à Home, Loange and Billiard Baloon. Three minutes from Ferry. Families specially ward for. Moderate ierm.

Mrs. J. M.40xberry.

Propri tres.

EUROPE HOTEL "Renowned by Recommendation" ·

DANCING:

MUSIC:

GRILL:

After Dinner every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

On the VERANDAH every Saturday from 12 noon to 1.30 p.m. and every Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.

Telephone. 5341 (8 lines) Cables "'EUROPE" Singapore,

THE EUROPE HOTEL, Ltd. Arthar E. Odell Managing Director,

PENANG

Music

Daily.

Dinner

Dance Twice weekly.

RUNNYMEDE HOTEL.

"Malaya's Nicest Hatel."

With beautiful private lawns to the Sea. MODERN THROUGHOUT

CABLE. RUNNYMEDE.”

RUNNYMEDE HOTEL LTD. George Goldsack.

Manager.

E. HING & CO. SHIPBUILDING MATERIALS, SHIP CHANDLERS HARDWARE MERCHANTS.

25, Wing Woo Street.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, TUESDAY, OCTOBER

GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON BUDGET.

LUXURIOUS STANDARD OF LIVING,

also thank the Members, for their

careful consideration of it, and for their helpful comments and criticism. In view of the difficul- ties involved and the necessity for increasing taxation, I feel grati- fied that there has been so little criticism.

from

the

ter.

21, 1930.

1

cofi-

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER!

AROSO

PORT AND SHERRY.

JOLLY GOOD DRINKS.

Obtaintable Everywhere

H. RUTTONJEE & SON.

15, Queen's Road, Central.

form of taxation which looms large sent charges were imposed when in the discussions on this bill, the the dollar was 2s. 6d, and the municipal assessment and rates revised rates are no more than is both in Singapore and Penang fair In view of the fall in the total 22 per cent, inclusive of dollar. It may be an exaggera- general water rate and education tion to say that most of the dol- rate. In Singapore there is in ad- lar companies have raised their dition a 2 per cent., improvement rates, but some undoubtedly have, rate, but, of course, this is ear-while a large number of the ships marked for special purposes. The using the port belong to revised figure for Hongkong of panies working on a starling basis, SALARY SCHEME.

17 per cent. inclusive compares, which certainly cannot reasonably therefore, very favourably with complain of what I am convinced Below we give the full text of this class of taxation in Malaya, is a perfectly equitable rise. I His Excellency the Governor's I confess that I had made up my have not considered whether it is speech at yesterday's meeting of mind that it should not be raised possible to discriminate in respect steamers. I the Legislative Council, of which by more than 8 per cent., and of buoy charges between coastal

suggestions to and ocean-going a summary appeared in our issue steadily resisted

adopt a greater rise. After comb-doubt it, but will go into the mat of last evening:

As regards the suggestion that His Excellency said.-Honouring the estimates very carefully, however, I was forced to the con- able Members.-The subject has clusion that, if any lower rate the fees be reduced if the position been so exhaustively dealt with were imposed, the deficit on next at some future date justifies It, I that there appears little left for year's working would be higher can only say that I cannot possibly me to say. In the first place, I than is justified, and I reluctantly give an undertaking which would conclusion that a fetter my auccessors, but of course wish to thank the Colonial Secre came to the

4 per cent rise was necessary: it is always open to reconsider tary for his able exposition of the Before deciding on this increase any form of taxation at any time, Budget, and both him and his explored other possible sources of should it appear to be either too officers for the great help that revenue, but there appeared to be onerous or Impolitic. I hope that they have given me in the final none which would produce the the shipping industry's back will preparation of it. I also thank necessary amount required, or the be sufficiently strong to carry the

upon it. the Sentor Unofficial Member, and incidence of which would be equal-extra straw that has been placed

ly equitable.

The Exchange Problem... through him the other Unofficial

The Amusement Tax.

As regards expenditure, natur Members, for their congratula-

The difficulty of finding a more ally there have been considerable tions on the efforts made to deal with what is admittedly a very equitable form may be gathered increases to meet the increased unofficial reports dollar cost of sterling salaries, difficult Budget. In the circum-

of the recent meeting of and of purchases made in sterling. stances, the tribute is generous. I the General Committee of I can assure honourable members, the Chinese General Cham- however, that the greatest economy ber of Commerce. Three sources consistent with efficiency is being Sole Distributors were recommended:-a tax on bet- exercised. In this connexion I ting: this has some merit and should like to make reference to need not be irrevocably turned what I consider to be fallacious down, but I think that it is advis-comparisons between the figures able to see the effect of it in Eng-of the establishments in general land. In any event 20 per cent. expenditure, first in the estimates In spite of the lucky star which would kill it and a reasonable per- for 1930 and the figures for 1931. my Honourable friend, Mr. Kete- centage would not bring a huge The tendency is to take the cost wall, suggested I am blessed with, amount. Meanwhile, the amuse-of personal emoluments based on it has been my misfortune in two ments tax will be applied to Rac-18. 10d. to the dollar for 1930, Successive years, in Malaya and ing Clubs. I consider that the pro- ignore the vote of $420,000 for here, to submit a Budget in which posed tax on jewellery would be high cost of living and make the it has been necessary severely to almost impossible to enforce and smaller figure the basis of com- restrict expenditure with a view any attempt to do so would in myparison for 1931, which was to reducing the deficit on the opinion be doomed to failure. The timated on a is. 4d. dollar and in your's working. In both places. proposal regarding buses and fer- which estimates no figure appears prosperous years have been suc-ries entails the raising of the cost for high cost of living allowance. ceeded by lean ones, with the re- of essential services, so also rais- have not seen any figures and I sult that serious need for economy ing the cost of living. It must be do not know if the Colonial Trea- has arisen. In spite of the most remembered that we tax seats insurer has them, but I think if Careful pruning of the estimates buses and if the services were let figures were got out, showing for 1931, it is impossible to avoid for tender, this would have to be what the late system of salaries extra taxation unless there is to be taken into account. In a Colony would have cost, with the ap a dangerous loss in efficiency. where there is no income tax, as proved high cost of living allow-

sessment seems a fair form of taxa-ances, and at 1. 4d., the Local Standards.

tion. In this connexion, it must basis of salaries would not show be remembered that the military nearly as high an increase as is Coming to Hongkong a little contribution is high, and that of generally believed to be the case. over five months ago, I was struck the 4 per cent additional

rate, I can get. figures taken out if by the fact that here, as in Mala we only actually receive 3-2 per necessary and I think they would ya, the country possesses consider cent directly for revenue purposes, be rather illuminating. able amenities, which it has been As regards the military contribu- fortunate enough to acquire on a tion it has been suggested that we low basis of taxation. This high should try to get the percentage standard was attained in both reduced. Efforts have been made places as a result of prosperous in the past to get a revision but years, and now that we have hap- with little success and I may say pened on lean years it is a ques- at once that in my opinion there is members of that Commission are tion whether that standard should not the slightest chance of in- dealing with the question

thoroughly, and Government is be allowed to deteriorate or wheducing the stony hearted Home ther, in order to maintain it, some Treasury to agree to any material most grateful to them. I trust measure of additional taxation reduction. I may remind you that that their enquiries will lead to should be imposed. I cannot be we only pay 20 per cent, so long

I may say, with .eference to the lieve that the Colony would choose

as the cost of the garrision costs the former alternative. Any in-

more than that. It must also be suggestion of my hon. friend Mr. crease of taxation is unpleasant. remembered that the cost is almost Braga regarding local recruiting, but if high standards are to be entirely on a sterling basis and that it is a question that I have had under consideration ever maintained, and I do not believe that the sterling value of our con- since I came here, and I have not that this Colony cannot afford to tribution is adversely affected by only asked the Retrenchment Com maintain them; it is unavoidable.

the low dollar. The reply to the It has been argued that the cost question regarding the exemption mission to consider it, but I have instructed several departments of living is high in Hongkong, and of the profit on exchange is that to see how far it is possible to therefore an increase of taxation the matter is still under con achieve something on these lines. is not justified. I doubt whether sideration. Meanwhile favourable

Education. any Chancellor of the Exchequer consideration has been given to the would be prepared to accept such an argument. It is necessary to consider to what such high cost of living is due. Is it due merely to an increase in the cost of neces-

The Shipping Taxes. saries and a certain measure of

As regards the increase in ship- luxuries, or is it due to people having adopted a more luxurious ping charges, I fully appreciate style of living? If, as I believe, that it is undesirable to make such the latter is largely responsible charges unduly heavy in a port for the present high cost of living, like this, which depends so much ber of the pupila at our schools.

2.5-

new

Apart from a decision not to fill certain posts which are at present vacant, the question of actual re trenchment of posts must await the recommendations of the Re- Commission. The

trenchment

further economies.

very

suggestion that capital expendi- Education costs us a good deal, ture on certain undertakings but if the present policy is to be should be taken into account with maintained, the cost is unavoid- a view to exemptions.

able. At the same time, I have given a great deal of thought to the question of our policy, and confess to some doubts whether it is entirely justified. I. have been struck by the high age of a num-

I cannot possibly accept the argu-on its shipping for its prosperity. It seems to me that, owing to our ment as a reason for imposing no At the same time, the argument present system, they stay there can be overdone, and there is no for three to four years more than further taxation.

reason either why. fair charges is justified. Naturally the longer Hongkong Lightly Taxed,

should not be imposed, or why the the boys are kept. at schools, the imposition of such fair charges fees at which are admittedly too Comparisons are proverbially should have any marked influence low to cover the cost, the greater odious, especially if they refute on the shipping using this port is the expenditure incurred by one's own arguments. After 32 I realise that shipping, in common Government. Further assistance years of Malaya, I am convinced with trade, is, passing through a to the vernacular schools and also can be that the cost of living is higher time of depression, but the addi- to grant-in-aid schools might be there than here, and that taxation, tional amount to be paid, when considered if economies

directions. I though far from burdensome there, spread over the large number of effected in other is markedly higher than in this slips affected, will mean a very think that the whole of our educa-

(Continued on Page 11.) Colony. To take one important small average increase. The pre-

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THAT LECTURE I GAVE SAM ON "THRIFT DIDN'T FALL ON DEAF EARS! HE'S WAKIN' UP! PROBʼLY WANTS TO DROP A NICKEL OR A DIME,IN TA' BANK THAT HE'S SAVED ON· LUNCH MONEY - FLL JUST TAKE A PEEK!

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THE END

By Small

469 - C'MON,YOU! ONE MORE. CENT NOW AN I'LL BE GOIN TO

"TH BALL GAME!