it will involve the special sanction of the Legis lative Council, and it will naturally cease when the Gap Rock Lighthouse is paid off. As it is very inconvenient to levy for a broken period of the year, I think, unless there is strong reason to the contrary, it would be advisable to have a meeting again before the 1st January to pass this Bill. If you prefer a meeting at a later date I am quite willing to agree to that. However, as the Council has already practi- cally agreed to this matter there may be no objection to suspend the Standing Orders, and pass the Bill through all the stages to-day."
The Bill was passed there and then, and, in reply to a request by Mr. Ryrie that Mr. Mac- Ewen's question and the reply thereto should be specially noted, Sir William Des Voeux
further said:
"His Excellency-Of course this will be re- corded, and I think it will be just as well to mention in the minutes that Mr. MacEwen drew attention to the matter, and that I said that this extra rate was intended by me to be distinctly a payment for the Gap Rock Light- house and nothing else. Of course, when Mr. Byrie talks of a promise, I must say it is abso- lutely impossible for me to bind my successor about anything. All I can say is that I have not the slightest intention to apply the rate for any other purpose. If a necessity arose for doing so, I should come to this Board and in- form it of the fact."
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
HON. T. H. WHITEHEAD TO THE GOVERNOR.
Hongkong, 2nd December, 1896. Sir, I have the honour to address your Excel'enoy with reference to your communica tion to the unofficial members of Council, made through the senior member, on the subject of the Gap Rock Light dues, under date the 12th November. Mr. Chater in his letter in reply, dated the 27th alto., has informed you of my intention to do so, and of my dissent from the opinions expressed by him on behalf of his other colleagues in the Council on the sub- ject in question. I dissent so strongly, both as to the procedure adopted by your Excellency in bringing the matter before the members of Council privately, and on the merits of the question, and I deem it of such importance to the public, that I propose to now publish the whole correspondence, and to refer the subject to the Secretary of State.
rested
tile and shipping interest, ma tations on the subject, an and opinions should by a secret concla whom, Mr. Bell the mercantile and shipping fact was absent from the members at which the The other unofficial owners or largely perty, and only indirectly trade and freedom of the question which should be left to members to settle in private, and full statement in public of their res a full consideration and discussion of sible alternatives. There may be a dis in open Conncil, and speeches may be there will be no bona fide debate. There be, when the conclusion has been
They
ion
free port
As to the question of the abolition I take leave to call your Excellency's attention Rock Light dues, I am distinctly of op in the first place to the fact that although the that they ought to be abolished, letter of the Chamber of Commerce, calling the attention of the Government to the fact that imposed for a temporary purpose which has been the time had arrived for the abolition of the effected, and, more, they have left siderable credit balance in hand. Gap Rock Light dues, was dated the 31st July should be no tax of any kind on ship last, it was not until the 12th alto: that any matter how slight or for whatever purpose. step appears to have been taken with a view to the consideration of the question. I note Hongkong was established as a in the second place that it was not until the It has attained its present position because it 19th November that the Estimates for the has been a free port. It can only maintain its year 1897 were circulated to members and position by remaining an entirely and an From these extracts it will be clear to his that they contain.no suggestion of any intention absolutely free port. The landowners, the mer. Excellency the Governor that Sir William Des on the part of the Government to relieve the chants, the traders, the professional men, all who are making their livelihood in Hongkong, Voeux made an explicit pledge, so far as he was trade of the colony of the burden imposed on
owe their prosperity to the presence of the ship- concerned, that when the purpose for which shipping for a special purpose long since this special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate was accomplished, or any proposals for any alter ping. A free port opened on the neighbouring coast would draw away a large portion of levied had been achieved the impost would cease. native measure. I beg most respectfully to
our shipping, and the establishment of such This being the case beyond all cavil, my Com-submit that the delay in the preparation and mittee confidently appeal to the Governor to publication of the Estimates, and especially the port has been and is now in contempla carry out the expressed intentions of his pre- delay in taking action on the Chamber of Com- The residents in Hongkong should be decessor in office, feeling sure that his Excel-merce letter of the 31st July, is most injurious to to pay a "bonus" if it were needful to lency's sense of justice will bind him to the ful-
the public interests, and prevents any proper and courage ships and steamers to this port. The filment of the pledge given to the representa- adequate consideration of the important ques-selves, but in these days of keen competition
Light dues may be a mere trifle in them
tive of this Chamber.
tions involved, either by the responsible mem-
and careful calonlation of expenses they have to bers of the Council or by the public who are
be taken into account. It is the principle of directly interested. The Estimates will be laid upon the Council table to-morrow for the first freedom. I contend for. I cordially support the request of the Chamber of Commerce for the time, and will then only become known to the abolition of the Gap Rock Light dues, and I community generally. I understand that they must be passed before the end of the month, object to the impost of the same dues under another name. I am not satisfied that it is and there is now no time left for their proper and effective consideration. I feel it my duty necessary to substitute some other source of re- to formally protest against the holding back of venue, but if additional taxation is an absolute the Estimates until the very last month in the Deressity, there are it seems to me other avail
able sources of income. House property more. than any
other interest derives its value from the shipping, the fees for spirit liconces might
The tax of one cent per ton levied prior to 1889, and still imposed, on shipping yields more than sufficient to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of all the lights, and the Com- mittee therefore has the less hesitation in praying for the abolition of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate.
Trusting that his Excellency will see his way to perform the pledge made by his predecessor without undue delay.I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary.
year.
To Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Colonial against the method recently adopted by the be increased or doubled, and there are con
Secretary.
I beg further most respectfully to protest Government of privately consulting the un- official members of Council on matters the consideration of which ought properly and
THE BENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER TO THE must ultimately be brought before the Council
GOVERNOR.
Hongkong, 27th November, 1896 Sir,-With reference to your Excellency's despatches Nos. 138 G. and 141 G., of the 12th and 19th inst. respectively, I have the honour to inform you that the draft estimates for 1897 were duly forwarded to the unofficial members of the Legislative Council for their pernsal.
The question of the abolition of the Gap Rock Lighthouse rate was again discussed by them at a meeting held on the 25th inst., all being present, with the exception of Mr. Bell-Irving, who had left the colony.
We are unanimous in considering that it is expedient for your Excellency to redeem the pledge given by your predecessor to the effect that this special rate should cease as soon as the cost of the light had been defrayed.
As regards the covering of the deficit in the revenue resultant on its abolition, Messrs. Ho Kai, Belilios, Wei Yak, and myself are of opinion that & fixed rate of 2 cents per ton should in future be posed as light dues on all shipping entering he harbour, and in this we are joined by Mr. Bell-Irving, who addressed a letter to me on the subject immediately before his departure. Mr. Whitehead does not concur in this pro- posal and is addressing your Excellency directly on the subject. I am, &c. &c.,
(Signed) C-P. CHATER. His Excellency Sir Wm. Robinson, K.C.M.G.,
Governor, Hongkong.
There can
at its public sittings, and of obtaining from them, in writing through the senior member, opinions on matters on which subsequently they are called on to vote in open. Council. Such consultations must tend to render the meetings of Council farcical. be no real consideration or discussion, all being out and dried before hand. The public may have no opportunity of hearing the reasons put forward by the Government in support of their views, and the unofficial members must be de- prived of the opportunity of learning the opinions on the subject of those they are supposed to re- present, whatever it may be. The continuance of such methods must render the proceedings of the Council pro forma, and I submit they are unconstitutional.
siderations arising out of the Opium Farm and opium, and suggestions might be made in con- nection therewith for raising any required addi- tion to the revenue. Had the question been referred to the Finance Committee of Connoil within a reasonable period of the date on which the Chamber of Commerce brought it to the notice of Government there would have been adequate time for its examination and discussion, and the expenditure or economy in the cost of the administration could have been simultane- ously considered, but now in the last days of the year the Estimates must be hurried through without delay.
I respectfully protest against this method. of bringing forward important questions for debate at the latest possible moment. I further protest against secret confabulations between the unofficial members of Council on public questions, and at the reduction of the debates in Council to a mere pro forma discussion solutions already arrived at.
may be permitted to point out tha Straits Settlements, with their enorm and extensive interests, the Governmen laid the Estimates for 1897 on the Council on the 1st of October last.
I desire that the point and my complaint may be referred to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that his special attention may be directed to this, that if such a course of procedure is permissible at any time-and I do not say that within limits it is not-this question of the Gap Rock Light dues is the very last that should be dealt with in that way. It is a question affect- ing the freedom of the port, affecting directly every merchant and trader, a question which ought to be as publicly and as thoroughly ven tilated as possible, and to the consideration of which and of the possible consequences of the abolition or retention of the tax, the greatest length of time should be given. The Chamber His Excellency Sir Wm. Robinson, K.C.MG
Governor Hongkong, of Commerce, directly representing the mercan-
T have the honour to quest protest may be forwarded at you earliest convenience to the
the Secretar of State for the have the honour to be, your most
vant,
(Signed), TH. WHITEHEAD
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