334
THE ESTIMATES.
·THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
(Daily Press, 19th October.) The Estimates for the year 1900 would be eminently satisfactory but for two facts in connection therewith. First and foremost there is the circumstance that the Military Contribution is levied on the whole re- venue. When it was raised to £40,000 the colony protested very strongly against the increase, which amounted to one hund red per cent., the original amount having been £20,000, but as it had been decided to practically double the Garrison, the War Office insisted on some increase in the annual contribution made towards its maintenance by the colony. There are some who think it would have been well if the colony had acquiesced in the rather big and sudden jump to £40,000, holding that the com promise effected has proved even moro detrimental in its incidence than the first increase would have been. By that com- promise the contribution was fixed at 171 per cent. of the gross revenue, excluding the receipts from land sales. The amount payable on the estimated revenue for 1900 will be $538,208 or, roughly, £53,000. Those who object to the
percentage arrangement overlook the probabality, nny, the certainty, that had the contribution been fixed at some arbitrary figure, the amount would from time to time have been arbitrarily increased, as happened before, and the colony would consequently have been constantly exposed to unexpected demands, with the resulting friction, which would have operatod as a perpetual open sore. The percentage arrangement is free from these objections, and whether the revenue be large or small the colony knows exactly what proportion will have to be set aside for military contribution. But in addition to the military contribution proper the colony is called on for contributions towards "Barrack Services" and "Defence Works," both uncertain quantities. The chief objec- tion to the military contribution as it stands, however and a very important one-is that it is levied on the municipal as well as the general revenue. The Straits Settle- ments succeeded in getting their municipal revenue exempted from this charge, in fact there was never any attempt to includo it, but we have been less fortunate, the fact of the municipal revenue in this colony being merged in the general revenue not having been pointed out by Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON until after the decision had been arrived at by the committee representing the War Office, the Treasury, and the Col- onial Office, and when it was at length pointed out the home Authorities simply declined to re-open the question, on the ground of the great difficulty that had been experienced in bringing the different de- partments into line on the subject. Whe- ther it would be possible to get the question re-opened now is a matter for consideration.
The second fact which appears to us a big blow in the Estimates is that the estimated expenditure in connection with the New Ter- ritory is taken entirely from the ordinary revenue of the colony. The amount estim ated for the present year is $346,629, and, although the amount for next year cannot be ascertained from the Estimates, owing to the expenditure on that part of the colony not being kept distinct, it will certainly not be less than in 1899. We are not disposed to quarrel so much with the amount; a large outlay has been necessitated for polic ing and opening up the country. But this sum ought not to be chargeable against the colony's ordinary revenue; it should be met by a loan repayable out of the re-
because the Government cannot
[October 21, 1899,
venues of the Territory, as these become ing on a large scale. The annual thinnings developed, and the capital could be repaid from the young forests would yield quite a out of the sale of land. This would be a respectable addition to the revenue. The fair and equitable arrangement and would formation of salt pans, the breeding of cattle inflict hardship on none. The proposal to (for which the hill slopes afford good past- cast the whole financial burden of an exten-ure), and the establishment of mulberry and sive territory, acquired quite as much in cotton plantations might also be considered. Imperial as in colonial interests, upon the No doubt various other menus for opening comparatively small and uncertain income up new industries or of developing some now of Hongkong is unfair and impolitic. It is in a nebulous condition would be inpoted if unfair because the present residents of onco a start could be made. But efforts Hongkong will not derive much benefit should assuredly he put forth to make the from the new territorial acquisition, and it Territory self-supporting instead of proving is impolitic because it cannot fail to retard
a drain and dead-weight on the Colony, and the progress of the Colony. What better the utmost encouragement should be proof of this is required than the 1ocent afforded to any persons desirous of establish- massacre of innocents-we refer to the whole-ing industries. sale withdrawal from the Estimates of num-
THE NEW SANITARY BILL. hers of greatly needed Public Works. How much longer is the Colony to put
(Daily Press, 16th Ostober.) up with its inadequate Law Courts, its in- The new Sanitary Bill has been a long salubrious and most inconvenient Post time in incubation, and has undergone Office, that impediment to traffic the Clock revision after revision at the hands Tower, and the present incommodious and of the departmental authorities. In its dirty Harbour flice? Even such small final form, as read a first time at the matters as a shelter for chair coolics at last meeting of the Legislative Council, Victorin Gap, required as a matter of it will, we think, meet with general ap common humanity, is deferred indefini-proval. As stated in the "objects and ren- tely
sons" attached to the Bill, hitherto the dif- provide the four or five thousand dol- ficulty in the way of the Health Authorities lars required for its erection. It is true has been that the beneficial sanitary provi- the Law Courts are on the Estimates,sions of recent Health Ordinances have bad but is anyone sanguine enough to believe
no retrospective effect, but have only ap they will be commenced in the coning plied to buildings erected since the passing year? There are other works badly needed of such Ordinances. The present Bill to also, some of which would prove remunera- 8ome extent removes that difficulty, and tive, but everywhere the Government are existing houses will have to be brought confronted with the same difficulty-want into conformity with the conditions now of funds. This would not exist if only the laid down. Houses already existing which first development of the New Territory are not provided with a backyard of could be provided for out of a loan. I at least 50 square feet are required to His Excellency Sir HENRY BLAKE could have an open space between the prin- induce the Colonial Office to consent to n
cipal room or rooms and the main wall small silver loan being contracted he would
at the back, such space to extend over earn the thanks of the entire colony.
one half of the entire width of the house. While on this question, we should like to Thus all back to back houses will be pro- know what steps have been taken or are vided with an nir shaft. Formerly the being taken to raise revenue in the New majority of such houses had no provision Territory, It is no doubt good policy to for the circulation of air at the back. Of avoid taxing the natives of this extension late years landlords have in a considerable more than is necessary, but it is ridiculous number of cases voluntarily complied with to suppose that they escaped taxation when the suggestions of the Sanitary Board under Chinese rule. Although the land tax and sacrificed a portion of the kitchen tới is estimated to yield $100,000 per on- make an air shaft. In most of these cases num, when is it to be collected? So far the space provided will, we believe, comply as we are aware, at present the only source with the requirements of the present Bill, of revenue discovered has been the granite and in cases where auch space may fall quarries opposite Shaukiwan, which now short of the standard by only an insignifi pay a royalty of three hundred dollars per cant amount and where it would be n month to the Government. Of courso it is hardship to call upon the owner of the useless to expect to got anything ap- property to again undertake structural preciable out of opium or from stamp duties. alterations, the Governor-in-Council will Something should, however, be obtained no doubt exercise the power given him from licences; and, in order to make the to modify the requirements of the Or- people contribute towards the maintenance dinance. This power is given more pur- of police for their protection and for, ronds | ticularly, however, with reference to the for the devolopment of trade and peculiar construction of certain back-to- the transport of produce, a house tax back houses the floors of which overlup of some kind should be levied. It need one another and render the provision of an not be heavy, but the people should open space in the rear practically impos- not be allowed to go free from all taxation. sible. An example of such houses is to be It must not be forgotten that in entering found in those fronting on the one side on this British colony the Chinese inhabitants Bonham Strand and on the other side on of the territory secure various advantages, Queen's Rond, the ground floor on the not the least being a great increnso in the Queen's Road side being the first floor value of their landed property, free access
on the Bonham Strand side. Property of to the Hongkong markets, and the oppor- this description cannot be dealt with strictly tunity of securing remunerative employment on the principles applicable to houses on public works. When the extension has built on a level site and must therefore be been accurately surveyed, the Government subjected to special treatment. In such will be able to ascertain what extent of cuses, where the provision of open spaces country can be treated as Crown Land, and according to the terms of the Ordinance is this will form a valuable asset, which may waived by the Government, it is to be be greatly enhanced if prudently handled, † presumed that compensatory conditions One means of improving it might be readily I will be imposed in order to ensure that ou and inexpensively provided by tree plant the whole the houses shall not fall below
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