1932-04-07 — Page 5

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 field of Government expenditure, the report offers some trenchunt geitfclum and makes, some sweeping proposals for economy. 1 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 suvings of $515,378, of which the Government has accepted $281,098. These figures, however, it is pointed out, are merely a rough 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 but the result was dis- appointing.

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

the

-

+

THE

HONGKONG

TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1932.

The report also refers to tho duplication of motor repair shops for Government vehicles, and ro- commend abolishing the post of mechanical engineer.

The Commission is in favour of the whole of the Electrical Office being taken out of the Public Works Department and pinced un- der the Post Office to remove double, allegiance,

They make no recommendations regarding the staff of the Elec- trical Ofico in view of the nego tintions proceeding between the Government and the Imperial Wireless and Cables Co. for the transfer of the greater part of the Colony's wireless service..

eon-

The Government abouk ider disposing of its telephone service to the Hongkong Telephone Co.. and possibly contracting out the maintenance of Government lifts.

purpose.

Harbour Works.

A reduction of the headquar- the replacement of European in- tora staff of the P.W.D. in recom- spectors by Asintics and contract- mended on three grounds-(1) the ing out the street cleansing. diminished amount of work fol lowing reorganization; (2) the entire severance of the water works branch; and (3) the removal of faulty organization at the central ollee, responsible for much of the present congestion.

EL

The Observatory. The Commissioners observo tendency on the part of the Royal Observatory staff to devote a part of their time to taking magnetic and other observations which are A brond outline is given of the of no benefit elther to Hongkong duties of the Director and his or to local shipping. In their staff on which reorganization mist opinion the Observatory should responsibility is recommended; at mariners. take place. Decentralization of confine its activities to work for present not enough is given Executive. Engineers,

The Post Office. whom when they appeared before the Commission showed a reluément, the report says that when a Referring to the Postal Depart- tance to accept responsibility, new Post Office is built in Kow- |

"It cannot be too strongly em- phasized," adds the report in this tere should be instituted, as has loon, central distribution of lot- connexion. "that responsibility is been on the Hongkong side. This a necessary adjunct to the office system would be economical of Executive Engineer."

portmen.

Chinese Affairs,

to 8010 of

The fabours of

In

the

the Commia-

18

17

OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS,

181

[22

123

126 [27.

120

150

Across Bold and confident to excess, and containing an arrangement for excess of oil, 9 Take u drag

of wine. It give you 10 Five in established custom.

11 Bu

12 Give pul

Will

1

organization is the first step 10 small staff for maintenance and the report urges the engaging of that the posts of Deputy and Apartment were considerably ligh-ia Being centrally illuminated, this

retrenchment,

the

11

tion.

casey

As dispatcher, you might as well agree.

it.

ከሁ

Harbour Department, The views of the Commission on

The staff of the Harbour De Chinese Affairs, the Commissioners Dealing with the Secretariat for' the future administration of the partment, particularly as regarla suggest that a system of voluntary harbour have already been put be- the Europeans, has grown fore the Government but they are siderably within the last five years, or cash deposit, might be sub- con censorship accompanied by a bond not reproduced in the report.

and whilst the Commissioners fully stituted for the present form of The Commission stressed

the recognize thr desirability

of censorship control, in the case of necessity for proceeding with fetency, they also realize that the large and

more responsible survey of the harbour without de-there is a point where efficiency Chinese newspapers. Jay under qualilled men engaged becomes uneconomical, and in from outside the service for that their opinion this point has been payment of compensation for "fung

They also recommend that passed. There is, moreover, the shui" should be discontinued. danger that too rigorous regulu- Where any big work is under-

Referring to the Port Develoption may discourage shipping from The report refers to the wieldiness of

Public Works taken, the work should be let out ment sub-department, which has

The Police. in hand the vehicular ferry piers.

using the port. Department and remarks that re-to private enterprise, leaving n

now, this little beggar The Commission is not satisfied sioners na regards the Police De-, begins to take advantage.

Be careful

minor constructional work,

temporary staff or in future consistant Harbour Master are neces-tened by the helpful attitude of the

alowly. Some PW.D. wHuesse arej Large staff employed for big tracting out to army of British

with

is the choicest part. sary, and recommend amalgama- Inspector General of Police, who 14 There is something that has been continuing contractors. censured for having been "merely schemes. reticent and others for having ability for pensions, would

One engineer and two overseers

came before them with a compre The report will be suflicient for the work re-transference to the Police Court which promined a saving of about!

recommends the hensive scheme of

burned in this Scottish dish. been frankly obstructive, their this way be obviated.

retrenchment 17 Red Sam enters into visionary The work of the architectural maining in hand at the end of the of all non-technieni accretiveTON" having wasted

realms, sub-department As regards the year, and the posts of executive en- the Marine Court. inch time.

from two lakhs. As a start the Commission re-time entailed is described as being gineer, two engineers and three

The main feature of the Ins of a finicky and trivial nature.

The Commissioners severing from commenda

overseers should be abolished. the

consider pector General's scheme is the re-21 This man makes the most of his the Harbour Master was wrong in placement of thirty British police The report says that to employ P.W.D. the two Waterworks offices,

The Crown Land and Surveys his estimate of the staff require-] by an equal number of Russians. 22 Do this and there will be

principal meal. two qualified European engineers Department, it is recommended, Maintenance and Construction.

One reason why the water ques-Jo such maintenance work is ex-ahould be formed into one unit un-1 Surveyors' · Department; and that) a lakh in salaries, to which must

ments of the Government Marine accounting for a saving of nearly 24 Put up a good fight, and you'll

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

properly as a result of his wishes having be added the large saving in pas-26 Try this kind of writing. qualified surveyor. the past, says the report, has been should be dispensed with,

Reference is made to the growth

been met, the department is now sages, pensions, etc. overstaffed. in number of Chinese Hurveyors

The police to be replaced are 31 Ornament. but

ods are as good as winks here.

arrived The Commissioners were struck those performing the duties of sec- from eight in 1926 to 35 in the by the inadequate seale

nothing. present year. There has been no

of fees tion sergeants; the least respon 32 A bit of an eyenore. reduction in the number of Eurocharged for ship surveys of vari-sible work of the European con- On tau! men are in their own.

lation to the cost of running the fees charged should bear some re-junior officers. gus kinds and consider that the tingent, and performed by the most 34 Persons who frequently disagree with each other, and are im- To employ on it highly paid

pertinent, to a conalderable de- department.

Europeans

gree. is extravagant, but as Let not my ring" worry you neither Indians nor, Chinese would, The Official Receiver.

(anag.). according to the I.G.P., bo satisfac- Referring to the Official Re-tory. On the other hand, Russians, that the post be allowed to lapse cheap, and experience with them, ceiver, the report recommends being domiciled in China, are

when the present holder retires in 28 anti-piracy guards, has three years time, the duties being that they would bo

suitable, minable

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

delny" figures from

in obtaining

After speaking of the large aum- the Accounts

ber of bankruptcies in 1927, the Stores Department and adds that report says should there be an when they were produced they be more economical to engage on other abnormal increase it would were of "little or no use."

Parenthetically the Commission-locally or from Home.

a temporary basis a solicitor either ofers believe that the water

only two departments which keep Railways Departments are the

The need for cost their accounts on a proper basis. imperative.

because the head of the Water

Department has been only one of 12 sub-departmental heads.

Competing with eleven or sub-departmental heads for the time and attention of the Director of Public Works, his views have failed to filter through to the Chief

Executive.

new

The constructional side of the

department should be reduced by three engineers and two overseers, but by our engineer only if the Government itself proceeds with and Gaol instead of letting these the new Government Civil Hospital out to private enterprise.

The "anomaloun" General Works Ofee should be abolished and its The proposal to met up a

other department is defended by a rework split up among the

sub-departments,

ference to the cost of bringing water to the Calony and storing it during the drought of 1929,

settled Programme Wanted. The Commission feels strongly that a settled water programme should be prepared and definitely adhered to, so that there shall be NO

Unqualified Architects, Referring to the Buildings Or- dinance Office, the report speaks ar the "large amount of work un- neceaanrily thrown on to it by faultily drawn up plans sent in by private architects,"

recurrence of the untoward largely from the fact, that "a large This results, adds the report, happenings of that year.

number of peradas whose With regard to the Waterworks Department, the Commission deer on the Hongkong list

authorised architects have

to the consumer as a business present forebcn #iploma.

sition, suflicient being charged) to cover cost of production.

Speaking of all departments of

chitects.

mantes

over-stalling. The number should pean surveyors, with resultant be reduced from nine to six.

Complaints of delays. having been made as regards applications for land to the Crown Lands Of- Bice, the Commission recommend that areas for development be map ped out in zones in advance,

Abuse of System.

and

and

accounting is

Public Works

Regarding the accounts of the Department, the

of ar

ed with

made

censure

a

a faultily

the

shown

20 Nods

Down

2 Extreme joy..

with

3 It was rather fun. I tempted it return

-chiefly with nuts-to eminently

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

reserved for British officors,

If

The Russian polico would be re- eruited on a Letaporary basis. Medical Department.

therefore it were desired at a later After eareful consideration the date to revert to an ali-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 reorganization schemes involving ferred until extra expenditure should be de- times.

more prosperous

The Commissioners, with the ex-

ception of the Chairman, advocate the adoption of the proposal, the Hon. Mr. Paterson adding that he had experience of Russiaus in Shanghai and found them most

satisfactory.

The Chairman

dissented from

thereof

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

--

nor-in-Council to

the proposal and in lieu recommended that the reduction of Thirty posts could and should be effected by a reorganization of the

should be mounted on motor cycles, thus enabling each officer to covor: he could at present on foot.

greater number of sections than

not recommend any reduction in qualifications ant are architects the staff. They say Hongkong is only is name." five years behindhand instead of

The Commission recommends being five years ahead,

the that no person should be permitted mistimum requirement elsewhere.

to practise as an architect in the The report recommends

that Colony unless he has obtained the water in Hongkong should be sold degree of A.RI.B.A, or an equiva-Allotment Voucher system appears I have been abused and steps The report recomminends the on should be taken to remedy this. plete re-drafting of the Buildings: There should be no water rate-

"As executive is responsible

They pute in passing, however, Ordinance to clarify the require-and paid as such." adds the re

considering the density of the for excopt

water required for

ments of the medical and fire au port, "and if he cannot be entrust- any other city in the world, it ublic purposes-no free allow-thorities for

population, probably higher than the benefit anre, and the rider main system

responsibility in will have to be abandoned.

spending of public money his ser- little public health work is done.

would seem that, if anything, ton Recommendation is also

viccs should be dispensed with.

The substitution of Chinese for makes for delay."

be pushed on as rapidly as suit Referring to the proposal for a

able local recruits are obtainable. central store with branch al Kowloon for all Government de-between the various medico-public

Great co-operation is partments, except medical, it is health authorities, and the point is

The Prisons. not considered that such a scheme stressed that it is wasteful to have would result in any saving.

Referring to the Prison Depart within two separate authorities. Turning to the directorate of

ment, the repart criticizes the the P.W.D., the Commissioners re-1

Government for health work.

The Commissioners are of the and questions the need for sixty existing plan for the new Prison commend that the two posts of opinion that the fees at present European Assistant Directors of Public

wardera. charged in Government hospitals should also be made at Victoria and Reductions Works be abolished and be re- placed by oue Deputy Director of tians are too low. They under-

for medical attendance and opera-Laichikok. Public Works.

They recommend that the Tech-stand that revision is under con-

sideration. nical Secretary be retained but

The Commission's views on the that a more junior officer all the desirability of building a new Government Civil Hospital have been submitted but are not repro- duced in the report.

rate that the financial year should

architect who erects be altered from January December 31 to April--March 31, constructed building.

The law should be tightened up The chief reason advanced for this change is that inaintenance prevent shoddy building and to contracts would proceed to the enforce modern methods to the ex- ud of the dry season instead of clusion of obsolete and dangerous stopping in the middle. big ones arising out of the sub-con-

tracting system.

aving would result.

The Tender System.

A

The Commission does not con- Aider that the large staff in the Tho report recommends that the Buildings Ordinance Office can be system 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 perntively needed. cerlain safeguards.

Roads and Drainage.

The Commission suggests Rome

The report considers the prepost. Changes in the manner of tender- ing and gives a reminder that gent division of roads work into Contract penalties are publlewe oparate sub-departments is money and should not be remitted ludicrous, especially when it in without the Governor's authority. realized one makes the road and

The report endorses the system the other does the surfacing.

bonus payment for work com-i The amalgamation of the roads pleted in good time.

and drainage offers is advocated.

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A scientific tonic containing

Cod Liver Okt

Malt

Hemoglobin

Fortifies, Builds & Ravivos

THE PHARMACY

FLETCHER & CO.

Tol. 20345.

Asiatic Building,

Senior Clerical Staff. With reference to the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staffs, attention is drawn to the Sling system which at present is con Isidored "far too cumbersonte and

detrimental to efficiency."

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS

GEE, MOIN.IT'S AWFUL NICE OF YOU TO LET ME keep THIS DOG... BOY! WE WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TRANDS, OR BURSLARS NOW...... WHY, THIS DOG ISN'T SCARED OF

ANYTHING!!

urged

:

The C. S. O..

the Speaking of

enormous at the growth of staff

Colonial Secretary's Office, the report sums the trouble up briefly as

"over- centralization."

The Commissiouers consider Sanitary Department. that a great dent of matter of a The Commissionera 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...

Our

COME ON, JUMBO... WE BETTER BE HIKIN FOR HOME....IT KUST BE HEAR SUPPER

TIME!!!

-1 Continued on Page 10,1

A Shy Fellat

HEY! DON'T BRING JUMBO IN HERE YET, TAG...

HE MIGHT GET ALL

TORN TO PIECES !!

(hidden).

4 Morning prayer.

Let it rip in threee.

6 Not necessarily aristocratic, but

SHARE PRICES.

TO-DAY'S QUOTATIONS,

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

►

Banks.

Hongkong Banks, $1,500 b. Chartered Banks, £114 n. Mercantile A. and B., £20 n. East Asia. $115 b.

Insurances.

Canton Ins., $1,250 n. Union Ins., $465 b.. China Underwriters, $4 n. China Fires, $500 n. H.K. Fire In.. $1,195 n.

Shipping. Douglases, $27 n.

H. K. Steamboats, $23 n. Indo-Chinas, (Pref.) $32 n. Union Waterboats, $19% n.

Mining.

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

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

Docks, etc. Kowloon Wharves, $143 b. Whampoa Docks, $22/20 an. South China Motora $10 n. Providents (old), $4.90 b. Hongkowa, Tls, 220 n. New Engineers Tis. 6 n. Shanghai Docka, Tla.. 9031⁄2 n.

Cottons.

Ewo Cottons, Tla. 14.75 b. Shanghai Cotton, Tis. 75 n. Zoon Sings Tis. 111⁄21⁄2 n.

fine clay, all the same, 7 A care where it is possible to put

on side even if one does go down.. 8 Oficial declarations in which more than one station is concern-

ed.

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

14 Just a team-on the qt,

16

Like extremes, these meet.

10 Stop! It looks like being a black

and dirty business,

18 Seen in n lagoon, but not recent-

ly, of course.

20 Help!

•

23 Give the trial your carnost con-

125

sideration-though 'tle nothing

but a trial after all.

I'm good--and very bad.

27 Old-time corn cutter. 28 The opposite of present. at Chicken.

30 A simple sounding cut.

Yesterday's Solution.

NE BOWLS" S APPEAR A TOTTER

RŢI ORK |BARROW REACTION WTBAM IU A A LOOVE NUTSHELL

PALMATE MEANDER

NIGHTCAP CROWNB NFUIT NE ADVANCED ASTEA Y

CRATER H MUDDLE EHUASTEI

Lands, Hotels, etc.

i. K. Hotels $13.60 su. Cum Rts. I. K. Hotels, Rts. $2.80 b. H. K. Lands, $78 b. S'hai Lands, Tia. 27 n. Humphreys $18 n. Realties, $11 b.

Public Utilities. Tramways. $21.50 b. Peak Trams, (old), $15.60 sa. Star Ferrics, $91 b. China Lights, $21 n.

1. K. Electrics, $73% b. Macao Electrics, $24% n. Telephones, $43 n.

China Buses, Tie. 16 n. Singapore Tractions, 3/- n.

Industrials.

Malabona, $21 9.. Canton Iecs, $51⁄2 n. Cements (com.). $18,40 b. Ropes, $16% n. Cum. Div.

Stores, etc. Dairy Farms. $28.75 n. Watsons, $16 b. Watsons Rights, $3% b. Der A. Wings. $1 n. Lane Crawfords, $5.50 n. Mackintosh, $19 n. Sinceres, $15. Powells, $3.66 n.

Miscellaneous. Amusements, $21

b.

Entertainments (old) $1490 .n. Constructions (old) $0.15 n. S. C. Enterprises $10 8. B. Ind. G. Bonds, 858% n. Loans, $3% b. Prem. Constructiona (now). $1.85 b. Asia Realties "A”, $160 n. Asin Realties "B", $80n. Am: O. Finance Corp., 829 n.

WHY, JUST LOOK AT HIM ¦ CAN'TCHA

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

OH! BUT LOOK!!

Blossom

NES U, K.TAT.OFT.

By Blosser

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