1938-04-13 — Page 22

10

THE HONGKONG ↑ TELEGRAPH,"

WEDNESDAY, APRIL -13, 1988.

"We Recommend That Goverment Sees No Reason At Present To Impose Restrictions

Commission Hopes That Employers Will

Adjust" Sararies To Meet Situation

66

'NO ACTION' REPORT

TO GOVERNMENT

QUIRY INTO RENTS, WHOSE REPORT WAS TABLED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON,' TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT "SEES; NO REASON AT PRESENT TO IMPOSE RENT RESTRICTIONS, BUT 15 CAREFULLY Watching THE SITUA- TION, AND WILL NOT HESITATE, SHOULD FUTURE CIRCUM- STANCES JUSTIFY SUCH A MEASURE, TO PASS LEGISLATION RESTRICTING INCREASES IN RENT WHICH UNDULY BENEFIT LANDLORDS."

Second Committee Reports

On Government Rents

THE Report of a Committee on Rentals for Government quarters was THE

also tabled in Legislative Counelt this afternoon,

The Report recommends as the unanimous conclusion of the Com- mittee, comprising the Hon, Mr. S. Catne, Sir. Ilenry Pollock and Mr. J. K. Bousfield, that, having regard to the origin of the present system of rent allowances and housing asalstance, to the fact that existing salaries were fixed in the light of that system and to the usual practice in other parts of the Colonial Empire, the basis of rentals coull not be altered without concomitant revision of salaries,

"Any attempt to vary rentals without adjusting salarles would be equivalent to a salary cut and would result in anomalies as between officers at present entitled to free quarters and officers not eligible for such free quarters but liable to pay rent.

"Wa recommend therefore that no charge be made in the ratala at present charged.

The hope is expressed in the Report that concerns employing large clerical staffs will recognise that many of their employees are now compelled to pay increased rents in the absence of cheaper premises, and will read-the border, and just salaries or grant allowances to meet present conditions.

Continued From Page Three.

circum-

comparison

we are now con-

duca

servoir of putential refugees nerous!

that

cheapi any houses erected may prove to be

merely the receptacle for its over-

flow. Anything that we build", sold the Government Assessor of Rates, is certain to be filled up while the aresent conditions Inst, but when the! property market (Lc., the letting i

be a lot of empty huuses'.

FACTORY MENACE

"We learned that in

two

↓

Purse Lifter Captured,

Sent To Gaol

ܐܕܐ ܵܲ ccrses

INSURANCE POSITION "UNCERTAIN

Far East Events Disturb Business

Mr. S. H. Dodwell

Speaks

to

to

Reference

recourse

the Courts for a decision on a particular form of guarantee business was made by the Hon. Mr. S. H, Dodwell, presiding this morning at the ordin- ary yearly meeting of the Union Insurance Society of Canton, Ltd' In addition to shareholders, there were present Mr. K. S. Morrison, Mr. G. Miskin, Mr. H. V. Wilkinson

CANADIAN PACIFIC-

STEAMSHING -- HOTELS-

* HAMATYS

TO MANILA

EMPRESS OF CANADA

EXPRESS

‚Fri., April $2.

гo CANADA, UNITED STATES and EUROPE

vin Shanghai, Kobe & Yokohama EMPRESS OF ASIA

.7.00 am. Fri, Apr. 15, EMPRESS OF CANADA vis Honolulu......Naon, Fri. Apr. 29. EMPRESS OF RUSSIA

..Noon, Frl...”May.... 13,- EMPRESS OF JAPAN via Honolulu......Noor, Fri, May 27.

Air-conditioned equipment on C.P.R. Trans-Continental. Trains. Frequent Canadian Paddle Atlantio sailings to European Ports.

MAKE BOOKINGS FOR 1938 EARLY-to ensure desirable accommodation,

Union

Buliding

Canadian Pacific

Telephone

20752

(Directors) and Mr. A. W. Hughes, BARBER-WILHELMSEN LINE

General Manager.

In_presenting the annual report, unsallafactory tenants during recent [which we, reply that the

The Chairman referred -to staff years. Tenants have been in arrears.stances in which sneh restrictions market) is normal again, there may

changes. The difficult year of 1937 with their rent for months. Houses were imposed bear no

A Northern Chinese, Wong Wing- had a particular effect on Insurance and flats have been constantly vnennt, with those which

"If Government sees fit to erect Edwards at the Central Magistracy made at the beginning of the year hei, 35, appeared before Mr. R.business and the good start that was sometimes for years, Landlords have sidering. In this Colony rent rehouses, they might be reserved for this morning, charged with the theft was followed by n recession of prices, been called upo::

pay enormous striction was imposed in 1923, which the present for permanent residents of charges for cke water. Temints was a period of great prosperity, and of the Colony who cannot and alter- a handbag containing $39.42 ani increasing unemployment and polilt- by threatening to quit, have forced there was no hardship in Iimiting native arcommodation.

belonging to Miss Yim Yuk-ling, cal disturbances. The Company was down rents to exertively low levels.

the landlords rent to the level ob

from the Bata Shoe Company yester- not so dependent as it used to be on "Almost any pre extracted from taining in 1920.

day.

trade and financial conditions in the Joseph A. Lelgli, a satesman, said For East but speaking of the Sino- a landlord's accounts will justify the

The time at our disposal foregoing statements as regards the not allow us to consider the details

that

he was attending Miss Yim, and Japanese conflict, he could say that chenper class of premises, and ten of earlier legislation. We must cun- notice to quit had been given to a gone to fetch samples for hee any reduction of income as a result ants in their evidence frequently ad- tent ourselves by observing that the cumber of tenants with the object inspection. On his return, he saw of the cessation of normal trade had mitted as much. A Europeng banker referred to eares where landlords properly

distinction between the state of the of converting premises into factories, Wong making for the shop door, with been more thun made up through

and believe that

instances

m,additional war risk coverage. have cancelled several months back tyrker then and now or this nature are to be found. The Witness Immediately shouted to an- the policy of the managment to avoid to stay on and pay his rent in misse records show that it was considered establishment of factories is to be other salesman who was by the door war risk commitments and

was than Current Marine Policies, and "We think that notices to quit legislation was permitted to

Lame when the earlier encouraged, but they should if pos- to hold defendant, and Wong

the Society had had no war risk ascible be prevented from occupying held until the police arrived. have been given in many

residentin buildings.

Detective-Sergeant We under- cases and when suggestions of its re-stand that this question is also being prosecuted, asked for a serious view

Dewar, who lablity in China.

In the marine market, casualties because the landlord is at last in introduction were made, that it had nsidered by the Housing Commis- to be taken of the offence, saying continued with increasing severity,

bad largely failed in its object. We can

following on the losses of 1930. The only reach the conclusion that the slow, and we leave statutory restriellon of rents is an

total loss of the President Hoover, which was probably the worse impracticable measure

Whi present conditions.

single loss for some years, followed the typhoon of September 2 which put 27 ships ashore and was very costly to underwriters,

rent so long as the tenant promised

a position to red rid of + tenant

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS "What are the possible solutions? They seem to us to be two in mum- ber-(a) the statutory restriction of rents, and (b) the inception of rapid house construction work.

"The second solution, whether achieved by governmental action or by private enterprise, has the ob- vlous disadvantage that some time must Inevitably clapse before it be comes effective.

both at the bur

In

EVICTIONS USELESS

"Legislation prohibiting evictions

from

his arm,

100

to that Com-such occurrences were getting mission to make recommendations. frequent, and although many culprits

we

communication had been caught, others had managed received 11

Admiralty a group of

Civil to get away. Servants. I

seems to us that the Navy, Army, Air Force and Civil about without the option or Service Authorities might consider whether they could provide further was imposed.

alone without at the same time re- nccommodation for their respective stricting Increases of

rent

would

A sentence of two months' hard

services, meanwhile granting such STOCK EXCHANGE

prove useless. It might, for example, allowane, he evaded by the device already re-bendegu ferred to of raising the rent beyond prevailing the tenant's means, but in our view the line is not ripe for Intervention until the rent actually charged ex-i

"As disinterested witnesses of imceeds a figure which is fair in re- portance have unanimously testifled, lation to the class of property in the great difficulty inherent in म statutory restriction of rents is to devise an equitable basis upon which

*question,

"The solution of rapid

many

leu of quarters as may

In the clrcumstances

n time to time.

PLEA TO EMPLOYEES

QUIETLY FIRM

London, Apr. 12. "It is earnestly to be hoped that The Stock Exchange was quietly concerns employing large clerical{firm in all sections, especially among Klafts will recognize that many of the speculative issues. Cable and their employees are now compelled Wireless ordinary Issues recovered to pay increased rents in the ab-sharply with the announcement of the sence of cheaper premises. and year's dividend of four per cent, will adjust salaries or grant allow-j ances to meet present conditions. Chinese bonds were

but gill-edged holdings were quietly "Lastly, while we consider that irregular. landlords as a class have incurred

belter,

building. a standard rent may be nasessed, If apart from its necessarily slow con- the level obtaining Immediately be- summation, Is attended by

com-dimculties. fore the present rise in rents

It is necessary to restore menced be taken, then us we have confidence in the property market shown the effect will be artificially before much development

can be to continue the depression as regards expeeled at the hands of private much undeserved ndium, we are well Among the commodities, сосол, -house- property owners and to de-enterprise.

prive them of a lleing income.

ware that there may be unscrupul- after weakening with Hiquidation,

take nd-was disappointing to the Bulls, "The

Who to-dny, asked a witness, our landlords who may. evidence of a European bunker on this point is worth, con- will develop property in Hongkong? vantage of this Report to indulge in The foreign exchange Was quict sidering th some detail. If you are We endeavoured to answer

profiteering. - this

apart from some selling of Belgas going to restrict rents, what guar-question, and were shown graphs by "Landlords should remember that against the purchase of the French

the Executive Engineer in charge of in 1921 Government was forced most franc-Reuter Special. 10 going 'the landlord? Are you going to the Buildings Ordinance Office, of unwillingly to impose rent restriction, guarantee payment of his renting a continuous decline in construc- found it a great burden."

which copies are not available, show-and that they or their predecessoré times? II man has pro-

tion since the year 1931. In 1932, perty and you restrict his resin- 1.472 houses were

actually that he cannot pay his bank in-

160 rpleted. In 1937 only terest, there will be a crisis

were completed. It is obvious that the present rate of building 19 wholly inadequate.

antee. In return pre

Lad

- 05:

you start banks calling in mortgages, then you will have a serious crisis." On the same point a prominent Chi- nese stated: 'Inability to pay In- terest

induced by any legislative

nction may result

foreclosure in

re-

"We recommend a public state- com~

ment that Government houses

sers no reason at present to impose striction, but is carefully watching the situation, and will not hesitate should future circumstances justify such a measure, to pass legislation restricting increases in rent which unduly benefit landlords,”

(which word we think he used to prominent landlord, that the remedy describe all mortgagees'

as

DISTRESS REMEDY USELESS

"It was pointed out to us by a remedies) of distress, a powerful weapon avail- able to kindlord in England, is in this Colony, at least far as the majority of Chinese tenants are con- rerned, al

completely useless. We asked the Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court to supply us with figures, and we found

that sales under distraints

since September, 1037, until the present time amount- ed to a farce.

which would mean depression of market values to the great detriment of the Colony's prosperity.'

"Bearing in mind the quotation we have already made from the Econo- mic Commission's Report, these are words of grave significance.

of the wealth of the Colony can only

almost

KING AND QUEEN AT ALDERSHOT

manoeuvre

that

of

about

by

It was

other

Changes had been made in Marine Standard Cinuses revising the terms be under which war risk

could covered, and an agreement As to underwriters, war risk lability on land was reached which eliminated the danger of all companies being faced with a huge war risk loss in this connection.

"ACCIDENT BUSINESS"

Fire results were particularly satis- faciory uu. the acident business"

in which the motor car was most Important, continued to give anxiety. Recent court decisions and a ten- deney on the part of juries to award Bigner dumuges to third parties made this underwriting difficult,

Compensating features were the Increase in the income in all sections of insurance business and given reasonable freedom from political troubles, said the Chairman, he was confident of a prosperous future.

The transfer £200.000 to Under- writing Suspense Account was neces- sary to strengthen it against losses I paid in connection with a particular MILLIONS INVESTED BY

business, form of guarantee

the BRITAIN ABROAD

result of which had been unsatis- factory and which had since been London, Apr. 12. Replying to a House of Commons ns to the amount recoverable from discontinued. A dispute had arisen question the Parliamentary Secretary re-insurers and others and at the to the Wallace suid that according to

Board of Trade, Captain moment it appeared that recourse

esti- mates made by Sir Robert Kinder- would have to be made to the Courts sley, the nominal amount of British capital invested overseus et end

to the accounts which have already 1936, which was the latest available been published, and the report and date, was £3,704,000,000. It had

accounts were then seconded by Mr. been estimated that British overscas E. Davidson and approved by the Investments in 1913 totalled £4,000,- meeting. 000,000.-British Wireless.

SHIPS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

for a decision.

The Charman referred in detail

Meetings of the China Fire In- surance Co., Lid. and the British Traders' Insurance Co., Ltd, followed.

London, Apr. 12. Their Majesties the King and Queen made a visit of inspection to Aldershot to-day. The WARNS Against legisLATION

spectacular

RAILWAY WORKER HURT item on their programme was the The following ships are expected) "Legislation which will further

a combined attack by to be in wireless communication with

Leung Tung, 43, employed by the undermine the already deprecinted

"The Deputy Registrar supplied us modern mechanised forces. Infantry the Hongkong Wireless Stallon:- Kowloon-Canton Railway, had the value of investments constituting with further figures showing

Hangsang, President, Angers of his right hand crushed yes- ivery large portion, if not the bulk, landlords are resorting to distress in gunners and tank corps took part. Kwaisang.

was engaged in a greater number of cases in recent Bath Their Majesties also visited the Adams, Norviken, Potsdam, Mayor. terday while he months, but we think that warrants barracks and

Asian, the Haldis, enquired

Touraine,

India, coupling carriages at the terminus Layesterday. He was admitted to the are issued more with a view to get- soldiers' living conditions-British Glenshiel, ting rid of undesirable tenants than Wireless.

Kowloon Hospital. "The ruin of private enterprise with any hope of recovering arrears avith holdings on su vastu cele of rents. It is possible that in some must lead to repercussions the extent cases landlords have abused the re- of which it is difficult to exaggerate.medy of distress, for example by It is especially worthy of note that refusing rent when tendered and we have evidence that large corpora then alleging that rent la in arrear, tions, controlled by both Europeans but we received no evidence of this. and Chinese, including Chinose banks,

"We think that everything possibla

work against the best interests of the

community as a whole.

have been forced to borrow from should be done to remove the land- European banks in connection with lords' difficulties and to restore eat- their dealings in house properly. fidence in house property, but we If the level of rents obtaining doubt whether any immediate pri- before the depression be taken as the vate development can be hoped for. standard, theit in our view no bene-

GOVERNMENT BUILDING At will be derived by the tenants, for we consider, that the

Increases now proposed seldom restore

the

present rents to the level then ob- of the building of various types of

talning:

ronte be, limited to

turn on capitol cuthy,

41

to

"We understand that the question

houses by Government is now being Housing Com- certain reasonable net percentage reconsidered by the

again the mission, and we do not feel that any tenants will not benent as against useful purpose can be served by our the majority of landlords, for we are attempting, in a rapid survey,

class cover ground which is being ex will not deriva, an undue

We merely de- revenue plored by experts. from their investments even when sire to observe that if the provision the proposed increases are taken into of additional accommodation is ac- account, and such a measure would cepted as the correct solution to the Invite fraudulent valuations of pro- "perly,

NO

zatlifed. that Inndlords, asa

COMPARISON

difficulty, and present

private enterprise will not supply that ac commodation, the only alternative is undertake the for. Government. to -"No one with any experlonce of necessary construction, but we would Beonveyancing in this Colony will add that any nation calcuinted to "question, the possibility. of much discourage, private, enterpring should fraudulent valuations: 21" may be be avoided in the interests of the Mobilected that Brint restélettan to stili Colony as a whôie, pogle

inforce in England; and was at one time. In force in this Colony, to

"It should also be remembered-that there is any mormous untapped re-

Borde.

D'Artagnan,

ACES HIGH

Hillman

Humber

Jan

Talbot

A

4+

S. S. Jaguar

GILMAN & CO.

Tel. 30968 (

Monthly Service to

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

via LOS ANGELES & PANAMA CANAL PORTS

also taking cargo on through Bills of Lading for Wost Indios ports, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Rio Grande do Sol Buonos Aires, South America.

NEXT SAILING:-

M.V. "TAI YIN"

on 18th April

Excellent accommodation for 12 passengers

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

Agents.

Hongkong Bank Bldg.

Telephone 28021.

OUR

BRITISH CROSSWORDS

ACROSS

118

120

124

24

20

I A sailor's union (0).

4 China's abiding scar, maybe (4), 7 Without the fourth letter this saft job would be an influence for good (8).

3 The middle is debated, even en-

tirely (6)

10 On the Baltic has anyone ever

this the first half? (8).

phrase

13 A

that may help to make big hit with an article (8). 14 This is raised, flat, and ends in

one spot (7).

16 Estimate for a foolish female?

(0).

10 Food, or where-on half of 15

Recess can find it (7).

10 This time the fairy started (0).

20 Cut started by cut (7).

25 Persistent ailments exhibit, this

(0)

20 If

fat Ash tried this would

his scales show any difference? (8)..

27 Not a bright fellow (8).

28 Try on car to produce the op-

posite (8).

20 fl

appropriate place would be 30 across, or 23 down (4). 30 Listen to the heart of 10 across

for ils vehlele (0),

DOWN

1 The housewife puts these gar-

ments in the first half to second half (0).

2 This bit of Jewellery may con-

tain a first part (8).

3 The hungry appreciate his joint

efforts (d),

The tramp may be it, and the busy traveller come it (8),

# Disturbed by a sharp advance.

of. shares (8).

7 What the gamekeeper may get

if the bag is too small (4).

Is this an abovebourd sugges- tion that such a bird as the Ho exists? (6):

11 Fashion again (7).

12 His job takes a lot of beating

(7)

13 Looked over, and nearly olt

tinned (7).

16 Peruse the end and extend the

whole (8).

17 "A felt rug" (anag.) (8).

18 Mathematical ratios contribute

largely to comfort (3),

21 For removed about a little thing

(6).

22 A rog in the home (0).

23 An upset in the offics records to

end with (0).

24 This isn't fair (4).

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION HIGHGATE WEEVI

VEL LLEBOARD REASON DIT U MALE STUD UG BULADIES

PELEGANCE GE CRÀTHV HEBE IBATRN FATESB MUon a BNL PAT OVERTIMF S RIDLEYNSUMEVAT OF LOIN PEO VACATE NOBALLED

DRAGON

INFRINGI

}