1932-04-07 — Page 17

RETRENCHMENT.

SWEEPING PROPOSALS

OUTLINED.

GOVERNMENT'S REPLY.

The long-awaited report of the Hongkong Retrenchment Commission appointed in July of 1930 has now been released by the Government for publication. Dealing with the whole fleld of Government expenditure, the report offers some trenchant criticism and makes some sweeping proposals for economy.

Signed by Mr. M. J. Breen (Chairman), the Hon, Mr. J. J. Paterson, Mr. J. Scott Harston and Mr. W. N. T. Tal, the report recommends savings of $515,378, of which the Government has accepted $281,098. These figures, however, it is pointed out, are merely a cough approximation.

The commission held 99 meetings and examined 53 witnesses, the majority of whom were members of the Government service. A number of private persons also gave evidence and helped the commission with their expert knowledge. The public were invited to bring forward their views hut the result appointing.

wng dis-

A summary of the main points of the report is given below, together with some extracts from the Government's commentary in the report.

retrenchment.

much time.

from

commenda severing

tho P.W.D), the two Waterworks offices, Maintenance and Construction.

THE

n

HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1932,

The report also refers to the; A reduction of the headquar duplication of motor repair shopsters staff of the P.W.D. is recom- for Government vehicles, and re-mended on three grounds-(1) the commend abolishing the post of diminished amount of work fol- mochanical ongineer.

lowing reorganization; (2) the entire severance of the water works branch; and (3) the removal of faulty organization at the central ofice, responsible for much of the present congestion.

The Commission is in favour of the whole of the Electrical Office being taken put of the Publie Works Department and placed un- der the Post Office to remove a double allegiance.

Elec-

They make no recommendation regarding the staff of the trical Office in view of the nego tiations proceeding between the Government and Wireless and Cables Co. for the the Imperial transfer of the greater part of the Colony's wireless service.

con-

The Government should sider disposing of Its telephone service to the Hongkong Telephone Co., and possibly contracting out the maintenance of Government lifts.

Harbour Works.

The views of the Commission on the future administration of the harbour have already been put be fore the Government but they are not reproduced in the report,

The Commission stressed the necessity for proceeding with a survey of the harbour without de- lay ander qualified men engaged from outside the service for that

purpose.

the replacement of European in- spectors by Asiatics and contract- ing out the strict cleansing,

a

The Observatory. The Commissioners tendency on the part of the Royal;

observe

Observatory staff to devote a part of their time to taking magnetic,

and other observations which are A broad outline is given of the of no benefit olther to Hongkong | duties of the Director and hls or to local shipping. Ir thoir staff on which reorganization must opinion the Observatory should take place. Decentralization of confine its activities to work for responsibility la recommended; at marinery,

whom when they appeared before present not enough is given to Executive Engineers, ROMD of

The Post Office. the Commission showed a relue-ment, the report says that when a Referring to the Postal Depart- tauce to accept responsibility. new Post Office is built in Kow- phasized," adds the report in this

"It cannot be too strongly em- loon, central distribution of lot- connexion, "that responsibility is a necessary adjunct to the office of Executive Engineer."

Harbour Department.' The staff of the Harbour De-

partment, particularly as regards the Europeans, has grown siderably within the last five years, con- and whilst the Commissioners fully recognize the desirability of efficiency, they also realize that there is a point where efficiency becomes uneconomical, and in their opinion this point has been

passed.

tion

Cases

from

consider

ters should be instituted, as has been on the Hongkong side. This system would be economical

postmen.

Chinese Affairs,

It

Dealing with the Secretariat for

Chinese Affairs, the Commissionera suggest that a system of voluntary censorship necompanied by a bond stituted for the present form or cash deposit, might be sub- of the large and cennarahip control, in the ease of Chinese newspapers,

responsible

more

They also recommend that the payment of compensation for "fung shui" should be discontinued.

two lakhs.

22

OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS.

Астони

Bold and confdent to excess, and containing an arrangement for excens--of oil.

9 Take a drop of wine." It

give you aid.

will

1 Live in established custom.

Be careful now, this little beggar begins to take advantage.

- realms,

agree.

ft.

visionary

10

There is, moreover, the The report refers to the un-1 Where any big work is ander. Referring to the Port Develop anger that too rigorous regula. wieldiness of the Public Works taken, the work should be let out ment sub-department, which has may discourage shipping from

The Police. Department and remarks that re-to private enterprise, leaving organization is the first step to small staff for maintenance and the report urges the engaging si that the posts of Deputy and A. Bioners as regards the Police De- Give out slowly.

in hand the vehicular ferry piers, using the port.

The Commission is not satisfied

The labours of the Commis- minor constructional work.

temporary stat or in future con- Some P.W.D. witnesses

Large staffs employed for big tracting out to nre:

a firth of British istant Harbour Master are neces-tered by the helpful attitude of the 17 Being centrally illuminated this

partment were considerably ligh- censured for having been "merely | schemes, with the continuing contractors.

sary, and recommend amalgama- Inspector General of Police, who 14 There is something that has been reticent" and others for having lability for pensions, would in

is the choicest part, One engineer and two overseers been frankly obstructive, their this way be obviated.

will be sulliclent for the work re-

The report recommends the hensive scheme of retrenchment 17 Red Sam enters into

came before them with a compre- barned in this Scottish dini. "accretiveness" having wasted The work of the architectural maining in hand at the end of therence to the Police Court which promised a saving of about

sub-department as regards

the year, and the posts of executive en- the Marine Court.

of all non-technical Aan start the Commission re-time entailed is described as being aineer, two engineers and three

1 As dispatched, you might as well The main fenture of the of a finicky and trivin! nature,

Ing- The overacers should be abolished.

Commissioners The report anys that to employ

pector General's scheme is the re-21 This man makes the most of his The Crown Land and

the Harbour Master was wrong in placement of thirty British polico; Surveys two qualified European engineers Department, it is recommended, is estimate of the staff require by an equal number of Russians, 22 Do this and there will be

principal ment. One reason why the water ques-/on such maintenance work is ex- should by formed into one unit un- Surveyors' Department; and that a lakh in salaries, to which muat 124 Put up a Rond fight, and you'l

ments of the Government Marine accounting for a saving of nearly

strings on it. tion has been so mismanaged in travagant and the services of one der the headship af a

properly the past, says the report, has been should be dispensed with.

qualified surveyor,

as a result of his wishes having be added the large saving in pas Try this kind of writing. Reference is ninde to the growth been met, the department is now sages, pensions, etc. in number of Chinese

Loverstaffed.

20 Nods are as good as winks here. from right in 1926 to 35 in the by the inadequate scale

The police to be replaced are 1 Ornament. bat arrived The Commissioners were struck present year.

those performing the duties of sec-

nothing: reduction in the number of Euro-charged for ship surveys of varisible work of the European con-83 On land men are in their own.

of fecation sergeants; the least reapon-32 A bit of an eyesore. ver-stalling. The number should fece charged should bear some re- junior officera.

surveyors, with resultants kinds and consider that the tingent, and performed by the most 34 Persons who frequently disagre

with ench other, and are be reduced from nine to six,

lation to the cost of running the To employ on it highly paid

pretinent, to a considerable de Complaints been made as regards applications of delays having.

department.

Europeans is extravagant, but neither Indians nor Chinese would, 35 "Let not my ring" worry you for land to the Crown Lands Of-

according to the I.G.P., bo satisfac-

(nung.). fee, the Commission

Retory.

On the other hand, Russians, Unqualified Architects. that areas for development be map

cheap, and experience with them, being domiciled in China, are Referring to the Buildings Or-ped out in zones in advance. dinance Office, the report speaks

as anti-piracy guards, has shown that they would be eminently the "large amount of work an-

suitable. terrasarily

other

because the head of the Water

The constructional side of the Department has been unly one of department should be reduced by three engineers and two overseers, 12 sub-departmental hends.

but by one engineer only if the Competing with eleven

for the Government itself proceeds with sub-departmental heads lime and attention of the Directorthe new Government Civil Hospitalean of Public Works, his views have and Gaol instead of letting these failed to filter through to the Chief out to private enterprise,

The "anomalous" General Works Executive.

Offee should be abolished and its The proposal to set up a department is defended by a rework split up among the other ference to the cost of bringing sub-departments. water to the Colony and storing it. during the drought of 1929,

Settled Programme Wanted.

21:3

thrown og to it

Aurveyors

There has been no

recommend

The Omelal Receiver. Referring to the Official that the post be allowed to lapse ceiver, the report recommends when the present holder retires in Ahuse of System.

three years time, the duties being utily drawn up plans sent in bygures from the Accounts

The report speaks of an "inter-performed by the Registrar. by minable delay"

After speaking of the large num- obtaining

ber of bankruptcies in 1927, the private architects."

and This results, adds the report, when they were

Stores Department and adds that report says should there be an recurence of the untoward largely from the fact, that "n large were of "little or no use."

produced they

ather abnormal increase it would happenings of that year.

be more economical to engage on With regard to the Waterworks number of persons whose manten

Parenthetically the Comntisston- ja temporary basis a solicitor either Department, the Commission does appear on the Hongkong list of

nuthorised

ers believe that

locally or from Home. architects have

the water and not recommend any reduction la

The Commission feels strongly that a settled water programme should be prepared and definitely adhered to, so that there shall be

110

in

the staff. They say Hongkong isualifications and are architects only two departments which keep five years behindhand instead of The Commission

yours

ahead,

only in name,"

the

being five

inimum requirement elsewhere.

recommends that no person should be permitted The report recommends that Colony unless he has obtained the u practise as an architect in the

Railways Departments ure the their accounts on a proper basis. The need for cost necounting is

Public Works Department, imperative.

Itegarding the necounts of the the

Only men with a knowledge of English would be employed. The higher posts of Inspector, Sub- Inspector and Crown sergeant in the European contingent would be reserved for British officers.

water in Hongkong should be sold i deres of A.R.F.B.A. or an equivallatment Voucher system appears extra expenditure should be de- the adoption of the proposal, the

to the consumer as a business prent foreign diploma,

The Russian police would be re- cruited on a temporary basis. Medical Department.

Ir Therefore it were desired at a later After enreful consideration the date to revert to an all-British Eur- Commissioners feel unable to re-opean contingent, there would be commend any

reduction in the no difficulty in doing so. Medical Department, but feel that The Commissioners, with the ex- reorganization schemes involving Seption of the Chairman, advocate

· position, sufficient being charged |

to have been abused and steps

ferred until

Hon. Mr. Paterson adding that be The report recommends the com-

more prosperous to cover cost of production.

times.

had experience of Russians in There should be no water rate-plete redrafting of the Buildings should be taken to remedy this.

"An executive is responsible, Ordinance to clarify the require-and paid as such," adds the re

They note in passing, however, Shanghai and found them most public purposes-a free allowments of the medical and fire au port, "and if he cannot be entrust-population, probably higher than.

considering the density of the satisfactory.

The Chairman diesented from thorities tor the benefit chitects.

of ared with responsibility in the in any other city in the world, it the proposal and in lieu

thereof will have to be abandoned.

Recommendation is also

pending of public money his ser- would seem that, if anything, too recommended that the reduction of Speaking of all departments of :

thirty posts could and should be vices should be dispensed with.ittle public health work is done.

The substitution of Chinese for effected by a reorganization of the rests that the financial year should, frnor-in-Council to ensure

anmakes for delay." The altered from January

architect who rects Inuitily

be pushed on as rapidly as suit- should be mounted on motor cycles, December 31 to April--March 31.constructed building.

able local recruits are obtainable. thus enabling each officer to cover a greater number of sections than he could at present on foot..

The Prisons.

except for

water required for

ance, and the rider main system

muck:

the P.W.D., the Commission sug-that power be given to the Gov-Ta fetter him as is now done only European nursing sisters should duties of section sergeants, who

The chief reasoit advanced · for

at

Referring to the proposal for a central store with a branch Kowloon for all Government de- partments, except medical, it is

The law should be tightened up This change is that maintenance to prevent shoddy building and in contracts would proceed to the euforce modern methods to the ex-not considered that such a scheme end of the dry season instead of clusion of obsolete and dangerous would result in any saving. stopping in the middle. A bigues arising out of the sub-con- saving would result.

J

tracting system.

The Commission does not con- The Tender System.

sider that the large staff in the The report recommends that the Buildings Ordinance Offer can be stem of direct labour and the cut down until such time as there execution of small works by the is a new Ordinance, which is im- P.W.D. should be extended with peratively needed. ertain safeguards.

Are

Ronds and Drainage.

urged

Great co-operation is health authorities, and the point is between the various medico-public

stressed that it is wasteful to have two separate authorities within Government for health work.

The Commissioners are of the

Referring to the Prison Depart Turning to the directorate of

ment, the report criticizes the the P.W.D., the Commissioners re-

existing plan for the new Prison commend that the two posts of

of Public opinion that the fees nt present and questions the need for sixty Assistant Directors

European warders. Reductions be re-charged in Government hospitals Works be abolished and placed by one Deputy Director of for medical attendance and opera-should also be made at Victoria and Public Works.

tions are too low. They under- They recommend that the Tech-stand that revision is under con- nical Secretary be retained but

sideration.

Laichikok.

The report considers the pre-that a more junior ofeer All the The Commission's views on the growth of staff at tho

The Commission auggests some changes in the manner of tender- ing and gives a reminder that 82nt division of roads work into contract penalties

nubile two separate sub-departments is money and should not be remitted ludicrous, especially when it is without the Governor's authority, realized one makes the road and

The report endorses the system the other does the surfacing. of bonus payment for work com-i The amalgamation of the roads pleted in good time.

and drainage offices is advocated.

RENEWS HEALTH & vigour

HEMATACOL

A scientific tonic containing

Cod Liver Oil

Malt

Homoglobin

Fortifies, Builds & Revives

THE PHARMAGY

FLETCHER & CO.

Tel, 20345.

Asiatic Building.

past.

Senior Clerical Staff. With reference to the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staffa, attention is drawn to the system which at present is con |sidered "far too cumbersome and

detrimental to efficiency."

Ming

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS

GEE, MOM...IT'S AVIFUL NICE OF YOU TO LET ME KEEP

THIS DOG... Boy! We wouT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TRAMPS, OR BURSLARS HOW....WHY, THIS DOG ISNT SCARED OF

ANYTHING!!

new

desirability of building a Government Civil Hospital have been submitted but are not repro- duced in the report.

Sanitary Department.

The C. S. O. Speaking of the enormous Colonial the trouble up briefly as Secretary's Office, the report suma centralization."

"over-

The Commissioners consider that a great deal of matter of a The Commissioners do not con-

trivial nature should be dealt with sider that the Sanitary Depart-In toto by the heads of the various ment is over-staffed, but favour departments.

YOU MAY KEEP HIM, IF YOU BUY HIS FOOD, AS YOU

AGREED TO DO........

COME ON, JUMBO... WE BETTER BE HIKIN'

FOR HOME... IT MUST" BE NEAR GUPPER

TIME!!!

(Continued in Page 10.)

A Shy Fella!

HEY! DONT BRING JUMBO IN' HERE YET, TAG...

HE MIGHT GET ALL

TORN TO PIECES !!

2 Extreme Joy,

Down

with

im-

3 It was rather fun. I tempted it -chiefly with nuts-to return (hidden).

4 Morning prayer.

Let it rip in threes.

6 Not necessarily aristocratic, but

SHARE PRICES.

TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS.

The following is the list of local share quotations issued to-day:

Banku.

Hongkong Banks, $1,500 b. Chartered Banks, 11 n. Mercantile A. and B., £20 R. East Asia, $115 b.

Insurances.

Canton Ins., $1,250 n. Union Ins., $465 h. China Underwriters, 1 n. China Fires, $590 n. H.K. Fire In... $1,195 n.

Shipping. Douglases, $27 n.

H. K. Steamboats, $28 n. Indo-Chinas, (Pref.) $32 n. Union Waterboats, $19% n.

Mining.

Benguets, $12.50 b. Kailans, 25/- n.

S'hai Explorations, Tls, 2.10 n. Raubs, $38. b.

Docks, etc. Kowloon Wharves, $145 b. Whampoa Docks, $22/20 sa. South China Motors $10 n. Providents (old), $4.90 b. Hongkowa, Tis. 220 n. New Engineers. Tls. 6 Shanghai Docks, Tis. 90% n.

Coltons.

Ewo Cottons, Tis. 14.76 b. Shanghai Cotton, Tis. 75 n. Zoon Sings Tia. 11 n.

.

fine clay, all the same.

7 A case where it is possible to put on side even if one dose go down. 8 Official declarations in which more than one station is concern-

ed.

Sounds like parental instructions to take a stroll-but the pater nity is non-existent

14 Just a team-on the q.t 15 Liko extremes, these meet. 16 Stop! It looks like being a black

and dirty business. 18 Seen in a lagoon, but not recent-

of course.

the trial your earnest con- sideration--though 'tis nothing but a trial after all.

25 I'm good and very bad.

27 Old-time corn cutter.

28 The opposite of present.

30 A simple rounding cut.

31 Chicken.

Yesterday's Solution.

BOWLS

ΕΤΗ

B APPEARA TOTTER FTIU KRTC BARROW REACTION WL BAA UU N A LOOVE NUTSHELL STOATE

TY ALMATE MEANDER ETNT BX OTE NIGHTCAP CROWNB NEVILL NE ADVANCED ASTRAY

OREEHUE

CRATER MUDDLE EHDASIN E Y

Lands, Hotels, etc.

H. K. Hotels $13.60 sa. Cum Rts. H. K. Hotels, Rta, $2.80 b. II. K. Lands, $78 b.

S'hai Lands, Tis. 27 n. Humphreys $18 n. Rehlties, $11.

Public Utilities. Tramways, $21.50 b. Peak Trams, (old), $15:60 8. Star Ferries, $91 b. China Lights, $21 n.

n.

If. K. Electrics, $731⁄2 b. Macno Electrics, $24 Tolephones, $41 n. China Buses, Tls. 16 . Singapore Tractions, 8/- a.

Industrials.

Malabons, $21 s. Canton Içes, $5% D. Cements (com.) $18.40 b. Ropes, $16 n. Cum. Div..

Stores, etc. Dairy Farms, $28.75 n. - Watsons, $16 b Watsons Rights, $3% . Der A. Wings. $1 n. Lane Crawfords, 35.50 n. Mackintosh, $19 n. Sinceres, $15 n. Powells, $3,65 n.

"Miscellaneous. Amusements, $21 b. Entertainments (old) $14.90 n. Constructions (old) $0.18-n. S. C. Enterprises $10 .

B. Ind. G. Bonds, $58% n. Loans, $8% b. Prom. Constructions (now). $1.85 b. Asia Realties “A”,

$160 n.

Asia Roaltics "B", $30n. Am: 0. Finance Corp., $29 n.

WHY, JUST LOOK AT HIM!! CAN'TCHA

SEE HE WOULD GO FOR JUMBO, UNLESS WE INTRODUCED THEM FIRST ?

OH! BUT

LOOK!!

By Blosser

1

Blosion

BEG LI, S. PAT, ONY, 01931 BY MEA SERVICE, MG