THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1933),
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR ON SLUM CLEARANCE
Possible Use for City Development Profits
COMPREHENSIVE SPEECH
APPEAL FOR AID TO UNIVERSITY
CAUTIOUS BUT NOT UNHOPEFUL
undus complacency, in, regard, to the position in Hongkong to-day for I should strongly deprecate
sider that this is one of the most cided promptly to obtain cover for any such impression. While Go-
Important of our educational a portion of our futuro starling establishments. I attach the commitments and a contract for Vernment's financial position, may greatest importanco to technical £200,000 at 1/8d was made for be regarded as not unsatisfactory I am fully conscious of the fact training and if funds for further 1932
that the state of the Colony,a. trade development cannot otherwise be
to-day is very alarming and I do found, I would profer to see fur-
It happened however that when not consider that by Honourable ther economies in other branches of education in order that such it became necessary to make friend Mr. Mackie exaggerates
MISLEADING TERM.
ACTION. TO BE TAKEN
1.G.P., and Local
Bus Services
PENAL CLAUSES
development ay be accomplished, remittances to the Crown Agents when he says that it is worse than 1.G.P. wyjd;-Generally speaking 20% when circumstances, in his
UNIVERSITY NEEDS.
numerous.
JUVENILE COURTS
next annual assessment whore full consideration of his case will bo' given. The existing law permits an allowance of up to 20% on the valuation a figuro ample to cover normal periods of vacancy in all cases whore sovoral tenancies' are · included in one assessment. The practico, is to grant: %% in the nrat instance and a further 5,to, The Hon. Mr. ED.C. Wolfe, 10% when justified. In some cases the Assessor, allows the full under this contract the dollar was it was in the troubles of 1925. higher than 1/3d. with the result One of the leading Chinese re. It may be said that, on certain that the remittances cost us more cently remarked, to me that from of the bus routes, on both sides opinion justify the conccasion. It Under Miscellaneous Services dollars than would have been the personal knowledge he considers of the Harbour, the service is well is therefore considered that the you will note that the grant to case had wo merely remitted as it worse than, it has been for the maintained, but, on others it is existing system is equitable and the University of Hongkong re- raquired at the current rate of the past fifty years..
bad. In Hongkong, the service generous and that no undue hard- mains at $350,000. In the present day. This additional cost is what Unfortunately this is mainly on the Lower Level routes, gives hips on property ownem aro
involved state of the finances of the is termed by the Auditor a 'loss': dus to the world's economic little cause for complaint, but on Univeralty it is impossible to It le rather a misleading term and position and there is little that the bill routes, the constant break- reduce this grant. I am glad to would not, I believe, be no used by Government, can do to ameliorate down of the busca makes it quite say that with its help it has been a firm in similar circumstances. the local position except to avoid imposelble to adhere to the fixed possible to carry out certain im Having regard to the difficulties any increase in taxation and this time schedule and complaints are provements to this Institution which had been encountered in I hope to do.
It has, however, been a great balancing our Budgets owing to Advices from home indicate that In Kowloon,, the same applies, disappointment to me that my ap the fluctuations of the dollar there are signs of the clouds some services are good, others, peal for voluntary contributions was definitely of opinion that we lifting and I believe that even such as No. 6 Kowloon City to A large profit is estimated to accrue from the to the University on the occasion should take advantage of a mark our near neighbour, Malayn, who Star Ferry, are starved during Government House and City Development Scheme and of its coming of age has met with ed appreciation of the dollar to has been a gront aufferor, ía strik- busy hours, owing to the excessive afeguard the future to some ex-ing a note of greater optimism. number of buses under repairs in I am inclined to think that the tent and so ensure that in regard That such an improvement will the Kowloon Motor Bus Co's work residents of the Colony, fall to tour sterling commitments in prove real and that this Colony will shops. realize what a valuable asset it 1932 we should not find ourselves participate early therein in the
This points to unsatisfactory has in ita University, and how seriously
supervision and lack of work shop essential it is that it should re-vossible further fall in the dolinr. earnest hope of us all.
accommodation, staff and super-euld ceive all possible support. It has hitherto hold
vision, which, Applies to both I propose to také tho criticisma n high reputation
Licensees alike.
of Honourable Members, in so far but this will diminish and oven-
as they have not already been met, in the order in which they were tually be lost unless greater sup- port la forthcoming than has been
prosented. the case during the past year or two, His Excellency the Governor tobacco. The suggestion of the sald-Honourable Members, the Senior Unofficial Member that, as
There is a considerable amount Budget has be dealt with in drinks and singkes are perhaps the of money at present in the Colony auch detail by both Oficials and last things which people ordinari. In spite of bad times and 1 should Unofficials that there appears lit-ly forego, we might obtain larger like to see some of it donated to
and would in the long run almost The Hon. Director of Public tle left for me to say oxcept, as consumption and more revenue by For a University of this kind to certainly result in a leas which Works said:-Sir, 1 propose, to regards the general position." redueing the duties on liquor and
observations of I am indebted to the Honourable tobacco strikes me as somewhat of have no Chair of Health is a very could have been avoided. He was reply to the Members for their careful con- a 'non acquitur. The point how-serious blemish which I hope will of opinion that the Hongkong Honourable Members which refer
Government, disappear in the near future.
with the expert particularly to works under the sideration of the Budget and forever might be further considered.
The Government is already giving advice available locally, ought to control, of the Public Works De- the utmost assistance that it can, be in a position to remit broadly partment. having regard to its own finan-speaking, at the right time and
The preparation of the new site The estimated revenue for the ciat position, and it remains for approved of my exercising my for the Central British School levant to the Budget Itself, the forthcoming year under Water private effort to supplement this Judgment in deciding on any in- criticisms have been gratifyingly Supply and Meter Rents shows aheln and make the University andividual occasion what is the best was put in hand as soon as was few. It is noteworthy and some- considerable Increase due, in ni institution of which this Colony course to take in the public possible after the Board of Educa- took over forty-one and those who can. from time to time bo
His Excellency expressed the view that no better employment could be found for this surplus than a big scheme of slum clearance.
An important statement on housing policy formed one of the features of His Excellency the Governor's speech, which dealt comprehensively with most of the issues raised as well as to indicate the general line of Government's policy..
their helpful comments and cri- tlelemu. If we exclude certain comments which are scarcely re-
A
measure,
WATER SUPPLY.
no Buccess
this institution.
NEW C.B.S.
+
embarrassed by
HOME VIEW.
In view of the Auditor's opinion I submitted the whole matter to the Secretary of State who, in his reply, expressed the view that the remittance of money exactly when money is required without the freedom to use discretion as to the best time for remittances would not be an advantageous procedure
Interest of the Colony.
CITY DEVELOPMENT.
C.B.S. DELAY
Explanation by the D.P.W.
HARBOUR PIPE
CROSS HARBOUR PIPE.
to
REPRESENTATIONS MADE.
MR. TRATMAN'S EXPLANATION RISING COSTS OF GOVERNMENT.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary
Representations have been made
The frat Item in the speech of to the Licensees to improve mat the Honourable the Senior Un.. ters, so as to do away with the official member that falls to me is two main complaints (1) Failure the staff of the legal departments. to maintain propor time schedules, I say again that even without the which in turn is due in many late Mr. Agassiz, whose death we casca to (2) Breakdown of buses,
The Hongkong licensee con- be sufficient legal officers in the all so deeply deplore, there should templates the purchase of new Colony next your to keep all the buses for the hill routes, in due departments fully manned and I course, as he is unable to main-now add that we propose to re tain his existing equipment incruit a now officer in Mr. Agassiz suficiently satisfactory cond-place which will give a surplus.. tion to avoid breakdowns.
In addition it must be remembered Moreover although, the new that here are a number of Cadet concessionnaires for Hongkong Officers with legal qualifications
for Kowloon seventy-three of the spared to nssist the regular Legal drivers employed by the former Staff. One is doing so now. As holders there is no doubt that regards future retirénients Govern lack of experience on the part ment cannot agree that it la of the driver's contributes in necessary to recruit new officers some measure to the bad run-a-year in advance. ning on the hill routes and if
2
struck with the decision of a true change until our new water works rapid progress with the construc./Not to here myself but I feel sure should be carefully watched bestrict terms of the Contract do the requisite knowledge of Chin-
brief in duration.
SURPLUS BALANCE.
to carry out as far as appears pos-
HEALTH PROBLEMS.
LARCE PROFIT,
DREDGING,
or the
end of
The sum of $320,000 shown in
the Contracts.
A FAIR SYSTEM Colonial Treasurer on Assessed Taxes
The Hon. Colonial Treasurer said:-
proposed by the Honourable Mem-
last four months, three spare Cadet officers would have been required.
The question of a more sultable nomenclature for our Police Stat- lons will receive the consideration of the Inspector General.
PANASHING MUN DAM.
tion had signified its concurrence what unusual that some of the large measure, to the adoption of may well be proud.
In September, 1932. As the now suggestions involve increnses. In universal meterage. The ques-
site included the portion of land staff and expenditure.
tion of charges for water supply is I must confess that I found the jone which will have to be seriously I share the regrets expressed at The only other paint to which Church Missionary Society for the offered to and, accepted by the Budget somewhat difficult and, in considered during the next year or the slow progress that has been wish to make reference is what has re-orection of the New Victoria disappointing. Six two. We have undertaken to make made with the Central British been referred to as the Goverhment Home and Orphanage, it was first months ago our financial position our water supply self-supporting School. I stressed the necessity fuse and City Development necessary to re-open negotiations
the licensees do not in their own- COSTLY NOVELTY. seemed so strong that my feeling and, as you know, we are spend- of pushing on with the work and Scheme. The scheme has been with that body with a view
Intereste employ more satis- Apart from the reflection which, was that though there were many ing very large sums on this vital am very disappointed that it has submitted to the Honourable Mem-their accepting an alternative site.
factory staff on these routes, this seems to cast on the compel-" urgent needs which had to be met, service. My own feeling is that not been possible to make greater bera and has received their ap- Next contour the money was available and the there should be no free allowance progress. The Director of Public proval and that of the Secretary schedules of quantities had to be
steps will have to be taken to once of the experienced staff Burvey and
compel them to do so.
who will be left behind and can only question was whether wo and that all water consumed Works has explained to the Coun- of State. I am glad that the pro-
supply local knowledge, the 'idea could carry out the work with should be paid for, though
CONCESSIONS SOUGHT cil the reasons which prevented | posal to build the new Government prepared, and finally tenders had
that now officers must have sufficient expedition. As the would give a minimum allowance is making an earlier start. I House at Magazine Gap moots with to be invited and scrutinized.
The New Territories service which the Colonial Office is hardly 1year's trial run is a costly novelty. months passed, however, it became to each house at a very low rate give an undertaking that if the approbation. The site was only clear that the position was not so and charge higher rates on a slid work can be accelerated I will ask chosen after careful consideration.
appears to be running reasonably likely to accept. I am aware that: bright as I had hoped. What is ing scale for water consumption in this Council to vote an additional The suggestion that on the com- As stated by Sir Cecil Clementi well. The companies have recent this is the course adopted in the called the economic blizzard exceas of such allowance. I think sum for it in the course of next plotion of the new house a Gover in 1929 the construction of this ly applied for certain concessions case of Cadet Officers but there are struck the Colony perhaps a lit-that such a systom is necessary to
year.
nor's Visitors' Book should be kept type of cross harbour pipe was in for the more economical running special reasons in that a Cadet tlo later than it struck other bring home to consumers the ne-
Under Loan Works, I trust that at the Colonial Secretary's office the nature of an experiment, and of the services, but it is proposed recruit must devote his whole Colonies but when it did come Itcessity for avoiding waste, I
it will be possible to make more
appears sound. I fear that I shall it was essential that its behaviour to make any deviations from the time for two years to acquiring would prefer, however, to make no
tion of the new Gaol, for the exist to adopt the proposal.
that my successor will be ready fore taking a decision typhoon, but without, any of the
pendent on improved services all ose. As for periodical shortages are further advanced. compensations which come with a
second line. The experience now round, in conformity with the of staff and overtime, these fall In regard to Expenditure, I haveing one, as you all know, is a dis- typoon and unfortunately not so tried to keep the personnal down grace to the Colony and the
gained is being kept in view in en- terms of the Contract, and to the to the lot of overy senior Govern as low as possible having regard to Present position is almost unten- I am of opinion that it is most quiries at present being made in antisfaction of the general Public. ment servant, Acting Colonial efficiency. We are endeavouring able.
desirable that, if the Secretary of England in connection with the Should these measures fall to Secretaries included. To have Meanwhile, 'as Honourable Mom-State aces no objection, we should second pipe.
bring about the required improve-kept the Secretariat fully mantred. The effect is reflected in the faible the policy of increasing the bere are aware, a temporary treat this scheme as a whole as It will not be possible to comment, it will be necessary to have in the, face of all the casualties revised revenue figures for the number of locally recruited officers block is being constructed at the matter separate from the ordinary plete the socond pipe line and course to the penal clauses in which have afflicted it during the current year. We are fortunate, and reducing the number of those Laichikok Prison to enable us to estimates. It entails, on the one connected works by the therefore, in finding ourselves in recruited from Europe. It is, cope with the present congestion. side, the sale, of land after sfto 1984, but, provided it is decided possession of considerablo Surplus however, neither possible nor ex
preparation and on the other, tha to make no radical changes in FINANCING LOAN' WORKS. Balances. I feel convinced that pedient to proceed too fast with
lovelling of land and the construc- design, it is anticipated that it The question of our policy in tion of a new Government House, will be completed by the middle the policy of aiming at a minimum such a policy.
regard to financing Loan. Works a new City Hall and various other of 1985. -surplus of ten million dollars,
which I laid down early last year.
will require careful consideration buildings for Government pur- in the near future, and I propose poaca. a sound one, though there are no 1 share the regret expressed ato go into it with the Colon!a! So far as can be seen at pre-
As regards the completion of doubt, critics, few in number how the necessity of postponing many Treasurer, Mr. Taylor, on his sent the scheme should result in the Draft Estimates 1934 for NO CHANGE LIKELY the Shing Mun Dam, the Resident over, who consider the conserva- desirable services connected with return from leave, as it was pro- a very large profit but until it is dredging is the estimated net cost tion of such an amount oxcessive. the Modical Department, especial-posed that he should consult the further advanced it would, in my of this Government's share in the
the work in the time originally Engineer still hopes to completo In a colony like this which is ly in the matter of Health. At the Financial Advisers of the Colonial opinion, he entirely wrong to use scheme. The contributions of the based on a variable currency I same time I would point out that Omce while in England. For some any money which we may have Admiralty and the Hongkong
To assess floors soparately as set, but in any case the dolay and the subsequent change of alte have no doubt in my own mind the provision for Medical ime we have been financing Loan received under the scheme for any & Kowloon Wharf and Godown Cober would treble the work of the defects in the subsoil revealed by that it is essential to keep a sub-Sanitary Services has
|werg dao to the very unexpected [will be based on a similar ́unft stantial margin. The polley enormously in the past twolye Works out of Surplus Balances.
This course lo economically It may happen that the Colony cost to that used in computing the Revenue Collection Branch of the the preliminary drillinge and which I have followed this year years. The actual expenditure
Treasury and more than treble the were unavoidable. The Resident and last year of submitting a ¡under Medical Department in the sound but obviously. It cannot go/will have to wait for several years proportion chargeable to the Co-work of the Assessor's Office as Engineer also hopes to bo able
for the benefit of such profits na lony. supplementary budget when it year 1022 was $371,782 while the on indefinitely, and the difficulty
the extra supervision would be to achieve some storage towards appeared, largely owing to the amount provided in next year's la to decide just at what point to may accrue, and at present such
profit is merely an estimate.
CONTRACT PENALTY. Increased disproportionately. The the end of 1935, but here again maintenance of the money avail-estimate for this Department is raise a further loan.
larga addition of staff required the stability of the dam as n You will see from the Colonial able than was anticipated is some- по less than $1,745,589: The
SLUM CLEARANCE.
P.W.D. Contract No. 59 of 1929. would, be out of all proportion to whole must take priority. I may what unusual, but I think it has Department in 1922 was $548,824 ânancial position that It is ed figure, Government will have in of areas north-west of Nan property would obtain.
amount expanded by the Sanitary Treasurer's memorandum on the
Should It approach the estimat-This contract was for the filling the relief that owners of house add that the new aiting of the been justified and it has received and the amount provided for 1994 anticipated that by the end of this a very large amount at ita disposal Chang Street and west of Taipo
dam is expected to increase the, the approval of this Council and $1,179,394. These figures of year we shall have drawn on Sur- and, if I may indulge in a vision Road. Instructions to commencement now takes place annually fifty million gallons.
In Hongkong a general reassess total storage by two hundred and the Secretary of State. It remains course do not includo Sepcial Ser; plus Balances, in anticipation of looking ahead to a time a year or work were given to the Contractor and owners obtain relief when to be seen whother similar action vices porformed for those depart-la further loan, for an amount of two after I shall have left the on the 28th October, 1929, and rents are reduced much more by the Honourable Mr. Mackia.
I now come to the polate raised will be possible next year though ments by the Public Works Do-over seven and a half millions. Colony, I hope to see the greater the completion date under the quickly than elsewhere. In Britain DREDGING SCHEME. I confess that at the moment I am partment. I do not, in quoting It is obvious, therefore, that we part of that profit utilized for Contract was 27th April, 1931.for instance reassessment not optimistic about it.
these figures, wish it to be thought cannot continue drawing on Sur-slum improvement in Hongkong. With this serious drop of Re-that i grudge this increase or that plus Balances much longer, and As to its need there can be no to the contract, and changes which
On account of work additional quinquennial. venue it la perhaps natural that I am satisfied that all is being done it may be necessary to borrow doubt, but it is a difficult problem tho Contractor was obliged to Chinese tosemont property in Director of Public Works and I At the moment the rents of with by my Honourable friend the. the Budget should contain not-that is desirable. I realize that a before very long. hing spectacular, but it must be great deal more la required, but in
of which, having regard to the make in truck lines, road crossings Hongkong are falling, partly owing pass to the matter of the Marine conceded that provision has been a colony of this size there must,
financial aide, I have not been able etc. owing to the building of to overbuliding, and to some extent Survey Staff, * made for a number of important for financial reasons, bo somo limit The Sentor Unofficial Member number of buildings which have lines had originally been laid-a Owners therefore have to reduce to find a solution. The increased houses over areas on which the as a result of trade depression. works and that it shows signs of to the rate of progress. It is my has raised a question in regard to been erected in various parts of six montha' extension was grant rents or risk losing their tenants steady progress.
earnest hope that I shall be able to a sterling contract made in 1981 the Colony must, I think, have re-ed, making the completion date To asscas provide in 1986 for an up-to-date which I consider scarcely relevant loved to some extent the conges- 27th October, 1031.
each floor separately ALARMING FALLS.
Health Centre in which I trust it to the Budget now under dia- tion in the most crowded parts but
and consequently to refund whon With regard to Rovenue, the will be possible to arrange some cussion. I am prepared however this is not an entire solution of the to be entirely removed, the Con- encourage landlords to remove Later, as cortain truck Ines had vacancies occur would morely falling off under the heads of co-operation with the University to make a statement on the subject, problem... Duties and Opium has been somewhere I hope, by that time, to see The history is briefly as follows.
de tract, which was started with the occupants of a partially When more buildings are erect a large amount of rolling stock, occupled floor and crowd" the re- In September, 1981, the estimates ed and funds become available it had to be completed by lorry, and maining ones. They would in what alarming. The cstimate of a Chair of Health established. rovonuo: from Tobacco Duties was
for 1032 having just been prepared may be possible to break up some on this ground the completion date fact employ in respect of foors the It must be remembered that t seriously overestimated, though I
on the basis of a shliling dollar of the congested areas and open was further extended to 31st May, tactics which the Honourable is essential that trained mon shall -have for some years past, both in
Under Education you will notice exchange fluctuated considerably up new streets and open spacon. 1932.
Member mentions. In respect of be on hand in the Colony as 2001" Malaya and in Hongkong, found that further provision has boon as a result of England abandoning At the moment I can think of The work was completed on the whole houses.
as possible and it is only to be this source of revenue a steadily made in connection with the the gold standard. The starling no better use for what I trust will 28th November, 1982, and a fine Improving one. No doubt some of Junior Technical School. We have rate rose from 1174d on September be a very large sum availabion of 31,820.00 (870 par week, de ALLOWANCE
expected that such mon will hesitate to fall out of the minning the falling off is due to increased been very fortunate in the master 21st to hil on the 26th and after the completion of the scheme to provided for in the Contract) was The owner who is prepared to at home in order to take up the manufacture in the Colony result selected to take charge of the consultation with and which I refer. ing in the Importation of a larger school and it is doing most excel-advice of banking and business
Imposed for the 20 weeks from meet altered conditions and roduce posts with uncertain prospects, In
· TRADE ANXIETY.
the 81st May to 28th Novembor, rants, accordingly obtains due to say on the converse of this pro Hongkong shall have more to amount of non-manufactured to- lent work. It should, however, be circles where the view was hold
I trust that my remarks to-day3 1982, bacco with a lower rate of duty further developed along vocation that the rate would not be malg
lef as I have explained at the position in my next section, and a less emount of manufactured al and other lines. In fact I con- infned at that figure, It was de do not give the impression of
TECHNICAL SCHOOL,
and
grown
+
2.
STERLING "LOSS"
other purpose. :
GENEROUS
Fare
The position regarding our dredging schemo has been dealt
#
The views of the Chamber of
Commerce as to the desirability of the additional staff being recruited on a temporary basla were shared by the Government and communicated to the Board of Trade through the Colonial Office; but the Board,appears' to have found them impractica-
ble
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.