1931-10-22 — Page 1

LET

US

SHOW

YOU

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A REALLY MODERN BATHROOM MAKES.

Estimates and Specifications fres.

C. E. WARREN & CO., LTD.

Chip Building

Local North-east

for The South China Morning Puat, Los;

1 & 3, Wyndham 'Street, HongEl-Fay

The

Dollar on D T.T. on New York Lighting-up>Time High Water)2-20.) Low Water: 13.08.

Library, Supre

Hongkong Telegraph.

Tat 70200

FOUNDED 1881

11.03. NO

1931. OFF VITA+AFF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22,

BTA SINGLE CUPT 10' CENTS

936 PER ANNUM

FORT DUNLOP

LOCAL BRANCH.

Faddar Bldg. |

TEN PER CENT. CUT

CUT IN GOVT. SALARIES DEMANDED. United Unofficial Criticism of Proposal to Abandon Special Sterling Conversion Rate. LABOUR PARTY TO-DAY'S KEEN DEBATE ON

BITTERNESS.

ELECTION

VITUPERATION.

TORY DIE-HARDS REBUKED.

London, Oct. 21.

The minutes of no British Cabinet meeting have ever been so fully revealed as those of the Labour Govern- ment at the fatal session im- mediately preceding resigna- tion, thanks to the campign of vituperation now proceed- ing between Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Mr. Snowden, Mr. J. H. Thomas and their former Ministerial collca-

gues.

Mr. William Graham, who was President of the Bourd of Trade in the Labour Ad- ministration, in a brondenst speech last. night, three times charged

the Prime Minis- ter and

the

Mr. Graham.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, with "deliberate lying.”

Mr. Snowden to-night, in a state sent to the Press, Eroutices Mr. Grahat for "several gruely in- accurate sintements,

Meanwhile, Mr. Ramsay Mar- Donald has done his best to mal the rift which threatened in the National Government Jute in con- sequence of Mr. Neville Changber- Len's remarkable Protection spevel.

- Bemingham.

and tor

in

Interviewed today he Premier referring to the issues raised enurse of the Chamberkza

COLONY'S BUDGET.

GOVERNMENT'S

JUSTIFICATION CHALLENGED.

•

AMENDMENT TO BE MOVED

IN COMMITTEE.

TAXABLE CAPACITY POINT. UNITED unofficial condemnation of the proposal to convert the

salaries of sterling-paid Government servants at the current rate of exchange as from January next, backed up by a demand

for an all-round reduction of ten per cent. in basic rates of sterling

pay, formed bright features of the debate on the Colony's Budget, resumed in Legislative Council this afternoon.

It was argued by the Hon. Mr. Mackie, who was the chief Unofficial spokes. man on the salaries issue, that the Colonial Secretary's submissions in support of the decision were not at all convincing, were, in fact, very misleading, particu- larly his references to commercial houses. Stress was laid on the fact that Civil Servants received a 15 per cent. increase when the Colony's finances were taking a definite turn for the worse, that the "compromise" arrangement for 1934 wag regarded merely as an equitable readjustment, and that the abandonment of the compromise means reversion to an unduly favourable condition, having regard to the fact that the cost of living has not increased commensurately with the fall in the dollar.

Notice was given that a resolution giving effect to the Unofficial demand for a reduction of salaries would be moved as an amendment during the committee stage of the Budget Bill.

The salaries issue naturally caused other important matters raised by Unoffi- cials to be thrust somewhat into the background, but the Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell voiced strong views on the Government's road policy, the Hon. Mr. Shenton pleaded for retirement of Civil Servants.on reaching the age-limit, and the Hon. Mr. Braga sub- mitted Kowloon's claims for improvement of public amenities.

COLONY STINTED OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Sir

Show on Chow, who made the principal_speech for the Unofficials in Council this afternoon, and led the track

on the alarina imu

Momentous Washington Meeting.

FRANCE, U.S. AND WORLD CRISIS.

Washington, Oct. 21, The possibility that results of immense importance to the sponsors of measures to bring) an end to the world economic crisis will emerge from the forthcoming conversations be- tween President Hoover and M. Pierre Laval, Premier of France, is the subject of considerable comment here.

M. Leval arrives in New York to-night and will proceed almost immediately to Washington. -

Test there should be any mis- understanding, it was declared by official circles to the Associated Press to-day that the United States does not İconsider

Itself

able to make promises re- Karding the security or France or any other Etropenn nation.

of the

THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

GRAVE MISGIVINGS AT GENEVA.

COUNCIL WEAKENS.

the

GRAVE MISGIVINGS are felt at Geneva regarding U the Council's present attitude towards the Man- churia dispute. Present indications are that Committee of Five will invite their colleagues to take the line of least resistance, ignoring China's demands for the immediate withdrawal of Japanese forces and again urging the parties to seek a settlement by direct negotiation.

Nothing has definitely been decided. The Com- mittee is awaiting the Japanese Reply to recent communications and the tone may materially affect the issue. If, however, this is conciliatory, the opinion is that Japan will again be urged to expedite withdrawal as far as possible and to seek a settlement within a time limit to be set.

The Chinese delegates are very displeased with the outlook, but criticism is not by any means, confined to Chinese circles.

A message from London this morning says that the anxiety, almost alarm, lest the Council should carry out its intention of virtually abdicating over the Man- churian dispute, is reflected in the London morning newspapers. The News-Chronicle appeals to M. Briand and Lord Reading to remain at Geneva and avert the threatened calamity to the League.

|MAY ADJOURN WITH NOTHING DONE.

Geneva, Oct. 21.

League Council is prepared to pro- The Chinese delegation to thefered on these lines, overriding the League Council are getting im-Chinese claims, they will seeming- patient at the prolonged delay, at any rate, leave the Japanese In offering a solution to their ment nuder the pressure of mill- to treat with the Chinese Govern-

tary occupation.

grievances against Japan.

Dr. Alfred Sze.. the principa, Chinese representative, called upon M. Briand this afternoon to ascertain the position reached and to emphasise that the Chinese ure anxious for

a speedy settlement. All Dr. Sze was able to get out of M. Briand, however, was statement to the effect that appears the Council are still awaiting the Japaness Govern-

Chinese Demunds.

A

it

This feeling has produced a mast deplorable effect in League- circles,

It in feared that thin policy, If, persisted in, will have a most disantraux effect on the fortheoming disarmament conference and the Lesgue itself, which in faced with the most serious crisis it has ever experienced..

The Prime Minister is my mak- ing a short teatr nulsithe his own constituency. · Yesterday he spike in support of his son, Mr. Malerin BlacDonnid. the National Labour

The Hon. Sir Shouson Chow un remarked: "What has been the everything mitt slepend upon the rauidate Tor setlaw, morrow he will speak in Derby fordertook the duty of presenting the prime cause of such very ex

It is believed movement of exchange, but what He is saying dong views of the Chotictal mem-ercised at the expense of effi- ever the cost, the Colony cannot basis

that the sole Mr. J. H. Thomas.

bers of the Council, and, at the rioner? The answer is the enorafford it. time by dying whenever the wea

aitset. tendered to . E. thempus cost of administration that

discussions be- spite of the, ruthless cur tween President ,ther conditions permit.

Governor their congratulations up has been occasioned by the gen-tailment uf on his ability to produce a inlanced erat increase

nevessary public Hoover and M. salaries, sane-works, in spite of a considerable Budget, one which was undoubted tinned by

Ival will be the Government In number of the recommendations of world economic ly one of the most difheult that this cam-Curton of this Colony had been when the financial condition of the having, according to the Hon.

Counela Year ago the Retrenchment

Commission restoration. called upon to prepare,

Colony was just beginning to take Colaniut Secretary, already been After expressing the public's re-ja tura for the worse.

acted upon, the estimated expen- ret that the expecte surplus of

It is stated that France and the ment's reply. "The public was therefore amaz. liture for next year shows the that the appeal which is being made about $00.000 had been achieveded to hear that li spite of the staggering increase of $4,13, United States, as holders of two- in for a National Government and only by stinting the Colony of very present state of affairs, the Secre-over the approved catimates for thirds of the world's monetary whatever the predominant political necessary public works, and by atary of State for the Colonies had 1931, and of $2,829,161 over the

have positions of party in that National Government! seemingly uncuding series of fresh | directed that sterling salarios revised estimates for the same) Special responsibility and the len- may be, it still remains National taxes which had hardly left and not party, and no party will single item of licences and fees next, he converted at current rate the $1,000,000 for the Naval Ar-expected to give this full weight/viewpoint of the Nanking Govern- {Japanese Embassy in London in

ሀ- an-should, as from the 1st January year, without taking into account ders meeting in Washington have the right to forget its origin tched, the speaker declared that and the aupent upon which the Colony's luxnble empacity has exchange, with the provise that senal, to be financed out of sur- elected, to in the

now reached House of Commons and say

or additisml Liberal whether Labour

imposts will assured. Conservatives--we are going toy hive adverse effects on trade

the

economic life of the pursue our own policy, irrespective and

iga, other than those laid down in his manifesto, said:

41 want to make it quite clear

or

Special Responsibility.

in the discussion,

are

I

Japanese Optimism.

Later. Contrasting with the pessimism prevailing at Geneva, Reuter was The Chinese attitude is Un informed this evening that a more Dr. Sze maintains the optimistic view prevails at the chungel. ment that the Japanese must with regard to the Sino-Japanese dis-

It Was sald there

Веomx to

there that

any for the present payment should plus balances. These figures re- The revision, of war debts and draw their troops to the railway ra A point where not be made at more than $20 to veal a state of affairs which does reparations are bound to come in-zone and agree to pay an indemni-i

not go to support the Hon. Colonial to the forefront as is also the quer of the occupation, the amount of of a settlement as both sides ap-

[the pound sterling.

The unofficial members pro test in most emphatte terms against this decision."

"it will be within the recollec

to "We are unable

Secretary's contention that we can tlon of the burden of armaments. afford to pay these salarles, of the colleagues with whose ca-] Colony!" The Unofficial members,

French Viewpoint. operation the election was fought on however, realised that, in order to

Retrenchments Nugatory. National IRAVE.

Le Temps, the famous Paris enable the Government to balance the Budget, fresh imposts in one

aBeertain journal, declares in a leading artl- "I believe in the honour of my form or another were inevitable, tion of all that during the debate from the draft Estimates the total cle to-day that Franco-American colleagues of all parties," added Mr. and they considered that, on the on the Budget inst year Your Ex- amount of savings in personal co-operation in political, financial MacDonald. "Until the crisis is whole, the form adopted was better cellency agreed to

emoluments that have been effect and economic donuting remains settled they will not turn a National than a further increase in Assessed mise suggested by the Hon. Mr.ed by the adoption of the Retron-tirely open-Rester.

majority into a party one."

Paul Lauder of paying half the chm

chment Commission's recom- salary of sterling-paid offeers at mendations, but it

"Dark Designs"

Taxes,

Petrol Tax Anomaly.

the 'compro

conceivable

the rate of 1/Gd to the dollar, and that such savings would be more

ty for Chinese losses as a result

bo every sign which shall be settled later, before commencing direct negotiations car to have made up their minds with Japan.

to bring about an arrangement. Everyone, it was added, Acoms to be doing his best with this fobject in view,

Serious Misgivings. In the evening, It became ex-apparent that a very serious view Is taken regarding the present situation. League circles allege that the Council's special commil- tee dealing with the Manchuria

weakening in

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald's Dealing with the increase in the in so doing you said that the ab- than counterbalanced by the in- EMPIRE CURRENCY treatment of the dificulty.

TO-

of

It

asociates in order to Introduce mainten the Government, simul- Legislative Council by means of ther to Improve the lot of sterling-|

ADVOCATED.

BRITISH EXPERT'S

Committee of Five Meet.

Later. At a momentous meeting of the

of Committee

Five (Britain, ItsFrance, Germany, Italy and Spain) which lasted an hour and a half, it was

decided to hold a public joinder followed also upon allega-petrol tax, Sir Shouson Chow, normal rate of exchange was per-crease entailed by the conversion

It is said that the committee meeting of the Council tomorrow. tions from numerous Free Trade after pointing out that petrol was haps unduly favourable to the of sterling salaries at current rate

inclined to advise the Chinese to at which it is believed a resolu platforms, that the Conservativen now a necessity rather than a sterling-paid officers." The com-of exchange. This being the case,

abandon their conditions for direction will be submitted, which will are barbouring dark designs to luxury, drew attention the fact promise was therefore in the the retrenchments so far effected

negotiations, namely, the previous not take the form which it was secure an independent majority that in many countries where this nature of an equitable readjust- would be renderd nugatory.

withdrawal of the Japanese milltary through the Nationalist label, and tax is levied, the receipts derived mont, if not an amends honorable, would also mean dispensing with

forces and the presence of neutrals thought possible when the Council the

SUGGESTION. after the Government had forced the services of a large number of then oust their Liberal and Labour therefrom: are employed for

to supervise the evacuation.

met a week age. The impression, is that if the It was then the general opinion roads, whereas in its salary scheme through the less well paid men in order fur-

London, Oct. 22.

that the Council would take a full-blooded Protection.

pald efficers who are by no means celved the support of Sir, Basil The Imporial currency idea ro-

strong Jine. To-day, the impres taneously with imposing the tax, the official vote.

to reduce the votes for the

niggardly treated.

Blackett, in the course of an ad-master of its own economie de-alon is that Japan's strong life "Tho estimated total expanditure

tion. |sidering a managed sterling, cur- 000, and outaide the city from has given bie decision, contrary Extraordinary, is $25,441,549, of

Contribution and Public Works don Rotary Club.

Sir Basil, who is an expert on rency, and also an Imperial cur- tervention of Mr. Lloyd Georg step which, in the worde of the we fear that any

of currency,

which, once successfully es- doubted had brought such a possibility

the de protest from nearer than would otherwise have Colonial Secretary, will mean would be futile. But the decision cent, is for personal emoluments, sirability of Britain returning to tries outside the Empire.

It is true that those high been the case, but when Mr. Bald- lowering of the high standard at

the gold standard unlosa and until The plan would, moreover, pro that bably point the way to the re-es- Your Excellency has admitted to being framed on. aabilling be an unduly favourable cond dollar;

working tablishment of a true international nono the Iodel they played havoc with the

currency, serving the twin pur- tion; it means additional expendi are phenomenally high, hatever thereof have been overcome. Salary Scheme Protest.

If, by sacrificing stability of poses of stable exchanges and stable Continuing, Sir Shauson Chowture. What it will actually cost the cause, and it behove us to

to the Colony we do not know: (Continued on Page

exchange, Britain can be made prices.Reuter

Mr. Baldwin's Word.

Hongkong

The Prime Minister sald tant maintenance of roads and bridges

Cannot Afford It.

tion and the most unfortunate in 3120,000 to $80,000. This was to Your Excellency's advice, and which. $13,809,382, or 54:28 par roused on numerenced, would soon attract coun- the nction of the Labour oppout. in the elty from $100,000 to $80,-. "Now, the Secretary of State for next year,' excluding Military/ dram at, a mooling of the Lon-stiny, it would be worth con.has caused a lack of 'determina-.

win told him that they were going which the Colony's ronds have mounts to a roversion to what aures are due to the Budget the international conditions

to work out a "rontlemen's agree mont" he was willing to take Mr. Baldwin's word-Reuter and Bri- tish-Wireless.

hitherto been maintained."

It is said that the resolution to be submitted at, to-morrow's meet- ing will merely urge Japan", "and- China to did a "mutual settlement `of their diffenlifes within’a- period which will, most probably, be fr dicated by some date, wet, for the next meeting of the Commeil, which, It is understood, will be shent middia of Novembera: Salpely,

- {Continued in:Page1-)