1936-05-21 — Page 21

THE HONGKUNG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1936.

788 Per Cent Increase In Pensions In 15 Years! But- CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE LEGITIMATE

COMPLAINT REGARDING WIDOWS' FUND

THEY PAID $3,554,800 INTO

FUND: GOVERNMENT TOOK $1,114,260

:

DEDUCTED FROM SALARIES: SURPLUS BECOMES PART OF COLONY'S “REVENUE”.

"Telegraph” Spocial Representative CONSIDERABLE interest occurred as a result of the disclosures made by the "Telegraph" last week re- garding the staggering burden the Hongkong taxpayer is now called upon to face as a result of the increase in Government pensions appropriations.

With the passing of rách year the burden has grown heavier and 'heavier.

In 1920 we paid-only $266,320 to retired Civil Servants. By last year the total annual expenditure had increased to $2,070,000.

In fifteen years the Colony's pension bill has therefore increased 788 per cent!

More than half of the total of $17,170,000 paid inj pensions since 1920 has been expended in the past five] years.

Despite Government's budget for a decreased pension] éxpenditure of $1,810,000 for the current year, as com- pared with the all-time high of $2,090,000 in 1934, there seems no indication that the heavy additions which have been imposed with the passage of each year will not con- tinue.

When the estimates for the current year were made, the dollar was based at 1s 8d. sterling. Almost im- mediately afterwards the dollar commenced to fall, until it reached its present relatively stable level of 1s. 35%d.

If the Hongkong dollar were to remain in the vicinity of 1s. 4d., it would be necessary for Government to find at least $2,100,000 for next year's pensions.

Since the beginning of 1920, jof 1901, under which the Colony Hongkong hus spent $17,170,000 pays a specific portion of its re- on pensions for Civil Servants, venue for Defence purposes. Police Officers and Widows and Orphans.

Of this amount the greatest appropriations were made for Civil Service pensions, which have increased from $190,820 per annum in 1920 to $1,450,000 per annum in 1935 and $1,260,- 000 (estimated) for the current year. Police Department. pen- sions, which accounted for only $45,000 in 1920, cost the Colony $370,000 in 1936.

|

In order to create a surplus, the 1908 ordinance provides for an abatement of four per cont. of the total salaries of contributors.

PROFIT FOR GOVERNMENT

This abatement of four per cent, has not only been sufßelent · to pay the $2,410,540 spent on Widows and Orphans' pensions during the past fifteen years, but has been so much in excess of requirements that it has pro vided the Hongkong Government with a surplus of $1,114.260. In effect, Hongkong civil Widows and Orphans penslona vants during the past 15 years cost $30,500 in 1920. In 1935 have paid almost 60 per cent. more they cost exactly a quarter of a jinto the fund than widows and million dollara.

orphans have received from it.

The excess money they have That is the Hongkong public's paid into the fund does not go into side of the pensions question. Trust, ns would ordinarily be the

THE OTHER SIDE

ser-

HOW THE MONEY HAS GONE SINCE 1920

Civil Servants Pollee Widown & Orphans Total $ 45,000 $ 30,500 € 266,320

1920

$ 100,820

1921

210,000

30,000

40,000

312,000

1922

208,865

69,625

.

54,630

393.111

1923-

295,000

85,793

60,893

*441,093

1924

303.800

115,000

60,000

G31,800

1925

369,000

113,700

72,660

560,280

1926

J73,600

127,600

90,000

591,200

1927

433,310

09,050

675,803

1928

512,405

1020

150,000

495,000

103,000

"833,9TD

1930

1931

705,000

535,000 213,000

169,000

*847,000

185,000

913.000

275,000

248,000

1932

1,088,000

370,000

⚫1,223,000

250,000

1933

1,300,000

350,000

1,708,000

214,000

1934

1,500,000

$30,000

1,894,000

200,000

2,000,000

1915

1,450,000

370,000

250,000

2,070,000

↑1936

1,250,000

320,000

240,000

1,810,000.

Total Pensions Paid since 1920 $17,170,186,

Includes a total of $115,000 Death Gratullies. †Estimated:

A SIGHT ALL HONGKONG

4

IS WAITING FOR

Overflow at Tytam Intermediate Reservoir on the Island, a sight that will mean, when it happens this year, the end of all water restrictiona in the Colony.

ALL-RED AIR ROUTE AROUND WORLD:

But if the public have a com-case with a similar fund run by HONGKONG AS

plaint regarding the exhorbitanta private institution.

growth of pensions, the public Colony's general revenue.

Instead, it becomes part of the

It in

VITAL LINK?

servants have an equally legitima included in the budget as ate complaint regarding the under the heading "Reimburse A handling of the Widows' and ments in Ald". Orphans' Pension scheme.

Although payment of this pen- sion is shown, in the Government's Aunan balance sheet it is, in fact, paid by the civil servants them- solves.

RADIO BROADCAST

Daventry, Relay-Monologue In Melody

CHILDREN'S CONCERT

From Z.B.W. on a wavelength of 355 metres (845 kilocycles):

5:0 p.m. Hongkong Hotel Dance Orchestra.

6 p.m... Children's Studio Concert. 6.30 p.m. Dance Music,

7 pm. "Stenka Razino" (Gla zounov}

7.17 pm. Vocal Gema.

The Three Musketeers; The Choco- Inte Soldier.

7.30 p.m. "Nell Gwyn Dances" (Edward German)

7.45

p.m.

trys

A Relay from Daven-

"Monologue in Melody.”- Denis Van Thal in Syncopated planoferte Music.

8 pm: Time, Weather, Stock Quo- tations and Announcements.

8:05 pm. Chinese Studio Concert. 1 pm. Close Down. 8.05-10

Tro-

p.m. European gramme from ZEK. on a fre.

·quency-of-610-kilocycles.

8.05 p.m. The Hill Billies, The Hill Billy Bond; Susamme from Alabama When that Harvest Moon is shining; Good-Night,

9.18 pm. Cinema Organ Music. Nola (Arndt); Funeral March of a Marionettó (Gounod). Sydney Gun- tard: Film Hits of the Moment..... Sidney Torch; Farade of Parades Selection Quentin M. Maclean.

O Marck Weber and his

Chopinnta-Potpourri (urr, Silber- mann); You shall be the King of my heart (Stolz); Entry of the Spring) Flowers (Kockert); Amorettentanzo-- Waltz (Cung 1); Old Vienna (Lanner).

9 p.m. Daventry News Bulletin. 9.20

p.m.

Variety and Dance

Music.

Vocal America Calling....The Carlyle Cousins; Tango Marilou; Song Mo and my Dog ("Public Nuisance No. 1")....Frances Day: Fox-Trots You can't do that there cre: The Duck Song: Song--I'm sittin' high en a hill top....Sam Browne; Fox-Trots-With all my heart; Cling to me; Song The Little Jessic Matthews; Fox- Orchestra Play; If I

ping"

xhould lose you.

10 p.m. Big Een from Daventry: Close Down.

ZEESEN PROGRAMMES

for

Special progÉTILITY MEM

Far Eastern Bisteners will be broadcast from Zwesen ___ Tollawa¿ ̈*

39.74 mm 25,200 ke 1.30-3 3.1. 19,74 m 38.200 ke ... p.m.

DJI DJB

DJN

21.45 m

DJN

9,540 4.45-8.18 pm. 15.74 m 35,200 ke #p.me17,3) mom,

BOUTHI ABIA ZONE

South Asia Zotie, Iroadenst [rom DJD, (19.74 metres) and DJN (31.45 metres).

4.50 p.m. Forman Falk Bang. 4.55 p.m. Greetings to our Nateners, Ap.zo. All Sorts of Wandering Folk. 5.20 p.m. News and Review In English 6.45 2.0 Haulcal Works of Romance, 4.39 p.m. Virtuoso Male Mosic.

8.45 p.ta. Nows and Steview In German.

7 p.m. Concert of Light Music. 7.15 p.m. Toples Talk,

7.39 p.m. Concert of Light Music from

finged).

A p.m. News In Ehrlich,

BJ. Concert of Light Musle

Loved)...

EAST ABIA ZONE

(сапа

East Asin Zone broadcast through DJQ an 10.63 metres (16,280 k.c.) 1.80-9 p.m. Concert, news at Ep..

9.05 p.m. German Folk Song.

9.10 p.m. Greetings 10 vor Listeners. 9.15 p.m. Nowa and Review in Carm 1.30 p.m. Music by a Reichswehr Hand

10 p.m. News and Review in English on

DIN, DJE,

10.13 p.m. To-day in Germany. 10.30

m. From Natfound-Socialist Litera- tures Dr. Robert Ley: "Germany has became more beautiful,** 10.45 pm. Boldier Comrades,!"

DAVENTRY PROGRAMMES

The following wave-lengths and frequencie are observed by Deventer.

Blen Frequentey Wavelength

G8A

СП

4,950 k.c. 9610 k.z.

49.62 metres

GRC

9.535

k.c

G80

$1.750 k.e.

GSK

CSF

€80

CAT

Passengers would be able to travel from England to long- kong by three alternate British routes.

CHI

G8J

CBL

13.97 meiten 14,200 ... 19.48 meiree 23,840 k.c. 10.40 metro

k.c.

31.45 metres $1.39 metres 25.53 metren 11.863 ke. 26.28 metres 10,140

11.87 tortres 17,768 k. $6,40 metree $1.470 ke

42.10

petres

such, Sa result of representations made by the Canadien Department of National Defence, Canada may short- Government servants have a ly be linked with Hongkong by air. legitimale grievance in that the It is understood that the Canadian Government has surplus portion of the four per cent. assessment on their salar urged upon the British Government the desirability of in- fes does not go into a fund to augurating British air services between Vancouver and provide more generaus pensions Hongkong and Vancouver and New Zealand, before the Of the total payments of $17,- 1

to their widows and orphans, 170,186 made for pensions since but is taken by the Government contemplated Imperial Airways trans-Atlantic service be- 1920, the civil servants have con- as part of the Colony's revenue.tween Ireland and Newfoundland starts. tributed $2,440,540, by means of a

$1,114,260 EXCESS

Feeder services across the American continent, from New- Since 1920 the excess collected foundland to Vancouver would then provide an all-Red air route lovy on their salaries, for Widown' and Orphans' pensions. Thus the from government servants in this around the world. actual Government contribution manner has amounted to the extra- towards pension during the past ordinary total of $1,114,200. This 16 years was not $17,170,186 but total, applied in a lump sum, is in axcoss of the Government surplus $14,729,646.

The direct route would be from Croydon to Hongkong via Control of the Widows' and Or- for 1933, the last year in which Singapore and Penang, the service now in existence. phans Fund, which commenced in there was surplus of revenue over An alternative route would be from Ireland to Newfoundland, 1900, was vested in the Govern expenditure. ment in 1908, when Ordinanco No the Widows and Orphans Fund and Singapore.

Newfoundland to Vancouver by Canadian domestle services short- How Government's profit from ly to be inaugurated, and thence across the Pacific to Hongkong 15 of 1908 was introduced and has grown since 1920 is shown in passed by Legislative Council. CREDITED TO REVENUE

the following Agures.

Omcers' Government 'Contributions Payments to

to Fund Widows de

Orphans 55,000

30,300 10,000 54,020 00,003 00,000

་ ་

The 1908 Ordinance stipulated that widows' and orphans' pensions should be paid out of the Colony's general, revenue, and were to ba 1020 made a charge upon such revenue, [1021

But-

1022 All contributions and other 1923 revenues receivable from officers 1024 of the civil service under the fo

1925 1026 provisions of this ordinance ard 1027 carried to the credit of

the1028 general revenue, and therefore 1920 become a part of the Colony's 1930

10,000

81,000

87,000

107,000

123,000

77,580

144,000

152,300

00,000

170,000

DD.050

110,000

175,000

100,000

revenue.

1931

294,000 428,500 .394.000

380,000- 307,000

mated) 330,000

120,000 130,000 213,000 200,000 -244,000 200,000 250,000

240,000

Contributions towards the WI-1932 dows' and Orphans' ponsion fund 1095 are not, however, assessable for 1933 1034 military contributions under the 1030 (esti Dafonce Contribution Ordinanca

The roundabout route would be via Canada across the Pacific to Now Zenland, where a link would be provided by the existing Imperia! Airways and Q.A.N.T.A.S. services linking New Zealand with Aus tralia and Australia with Singapore and Penang. CANADIAN SUPPORT

The project is receiving the enthusiastic support of Mr. George W. Wakeman, Canadian Minister for Defence, who urges the all British routes across the Pacific as a means of strengthening the obvious weakness of the Imperial Air Route to the Far East, at present imperilled by European unreat.

Access to the Far East by Britain in case of Interruption of air communications between London, India, Australia and the existing Imperial Airways service to Singapore and Hongkong could best be ablained via Canada, Mr. Wakeman pointed out recently.

Due to the international understanding that each country has sovereign rights in the air above national terriborles, air netivities bo paralysed In the event of an European conflict.

No such paralysis could eventuate, if an alternative route to the East via Canada were used, since most of the Journey would be over water.

Transmission i

(G.9.N, GA.B.).

A vocal comedy,

11.30 pm. Di Ben."ant there." 1. The .I.C. Empire Orchestra,

Greenwich Tima Bignal ai 1.30 p.m. 1.65 p.m. The Planting of Penny Medaw

Anatorical and **** account of the ceremony which takoo place Anasally en morning of Ascenalen Era in Whilky Harbour.

2.18 p.m. The Nawa and, Annoanteminia. Transmission 2

(9.8.0.. (KJ) 7 pm

Hg. Den. The B.B.C. Theatre Or-

chesira 7.4 p.m. "Henologue in Melody." 8.p... Ont of Doors. Henry Williamor. B.15.p.m.. Chamber Hasle.

Greenwich Time Rignal.at., p. p.m. The News and Announcementa. 0.30 p.m. The B.B.C. Danes Dechesten,

Transmission J

(0.8.0, 0.5), 'q.8.D.) '!*!!

10 p.m. Big Ben, “Under Big Ben A

talk by Howard Marshall.. 10.17, p.m. The Band of Hla Malmlyti magnor Royal Marine“ Plymouth Division, 4.11. pom. "Lady on the Walk" --11.ẨM. p... Mouta by Bria: Coated."" -

11.65 p.m. *. Khi Nowe and Announcements,

Greenwich Time Signal M JE GRA 19.15 - Dat56 Malkask, and his Muste,

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Shooting In Palestine

BOMBING OF JAFFA POLICE STATION

Jerusalem, May 20 Shots were fired at Acro, Dajan,. Jonin and other towns to-day, ne- cording to a Government communique,

At Jalla tho pollco station bombed and the window smashod.

Curfew regulations have boom In- pored

along the milways. throughout Palestine.

British troops a

куда

are

tha guarding centres of population as a result of

the serious proportions of the Arab Jowish discord-Router

26 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Telephono.59101.

WAKE UP YOUR LIVER BILE- WITHOUT CALOMEL

And You'll Jump Out of Bed Fani- ing You Could Push ä Bus Over The liver should peur out two pints of Hould hile tats your bowala tally, If this bile not wing freely your food doesn't digest. It Just decay in the hampir (as bloats up Tour atoniark. You get constipated. Your whole arstem is poisoned and you feel sour, sunk and the world books punk

Salle, flasy drinks, paistable Jaxalives and arsh parektires are makethista. A mero bowel movement doesn's get at the cause. It takes the Campoba, sure scling Cartor's Lättia ∙iseur Pilla jo at, those two pints of bile Dowing dress and make you feel "op and 1p** Hartala, caalid, yet amkring, în make for bile flow, Cresly, dink for Carter's Little Liver File Look for the name Carter's o the red package.