226
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[October 6, 1906.
HONGKONG LEGISLATORS AND way to set about it. We adhere to that, we have a GOVERNOR who never turns a
THE PUBLIC.
(Daily Press, October 1st.) The community by now has had time to digest the eleven solid columns of information provided by its legislators, as retailed in our last two issues. As usual, most of the items had been considered, already by the public, from one point of view or another, and the various speakers at the Legislative Council advanced no particularly new facts or arguments. The Hon. Mr. HEWETT dwelling at length on the estimates, adopted on the whole, and in the not very cheering circumstances, a wholesomely optimistic tone. Taking the points as they are recalled to memory, rather than in sequence, it is worth noting that Mr. HEWETT inade one remark not intended to apply to His Excellency the GOVERNOR'S objection to loans, but which might properly be seized upon as applicable. His sound remark that the question of deferring public works to balance the budget is a policy which can only be followed for a year or so at the most", sufficiently implies that past generations have not paid for so many benefits as the present genera tion, on the GOVERNOR's anti-loan policy, might reasonably expect to be enjoying, One salient feature of the history of the Colony, as recorded by EITEL at least, is the way in which over and over again the policy of deferment has been followed, not only to fit budgets, but so as not to interfere with the ambitions of Governors less con- scientious than the present incumbent. We submit with very great respect for the contrary opinion of an administrator of proven ability that His EXCELLENCY'S proposition was no more fair than the popular one that he quoted, "Why should we pay for what will be enjoyed by another generation?
Public works obtained by the loan system are paid for by present and future generations, by, in fact, all parties who enjoy them. It is the fairest way of distributing the cost. Often the present generation begins to pay actually before enjoyment, when interest falls due before completion of the work. Those arguments typified by the remark of some forgotten humourist who said, Hang posterity. What has posterity done for us?", are of course never satisfactory. We object to them whichever way they turn. In China the children support the parents, and are in turn supported by their children, and so
on.
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now and always, na principle; but it is deaf car to any ba-fide expression of obvious that there is a point beyond which public opinion. Need we protest that these retrenchment would become retardation. | last remarks are not prompted by mere Typhoon shelters are absolute necessities, journalistic considerations, but earnestly urgent we might safely say, and straightened meant in the public interest. Though as our means are and promise to be, most newspapers are run for profit, like other people rejoice at HIS EXCELLENCY's intima. businesses, they are as much in the service tion that he was determined to do all he of the public as are railway systems and so could to start one in the coming year. Dr. ¦ forth. Verbum sat sapienti, EITEL remarks apropos the typhoon of 1874 that very little was done to utilize the lessons taught by it. Much was talked of and voted on, but "the whole scheme was allowed to drop". Sir MATTHEW NATHAN is not likely to permit any repetition of that.
For Mr. HEWETT's plea for the trees of the Colony we are thankful, but it was not "nice" of him to say "it is a very small matter". There is a very large party in the Colony which considers it a very importaut matter indeed. While talking of small matters, in addition to the chronic pool at Blake Pier, noted by Mr. HEWETT, we may mention the pools which have several times in the last fortnight collec ́ed in Queen's Road opposite the Connaught House block, and in Des Vreux Road at the approach to our own offices. We are informed that these hav been occurring for many years, and that the drainage there is considered difficult. This is no excuse so near the sea, with such a gradient, and we regard both as nuisances that ought to be abolished at once. During the recent raius, people in those frequented localities have had to wade waist-deep in Queen's Road, and knee-deep in Des Voeux Road Stock in adjacent stores was damaged, and the public health seriously endangered. If there be a difficulty, it is surely one that must be overcome. There were to many items mooted, however, for us to refer to them all; and it will be admitted that the various speakers dealt with them adequately The outlook for the local opium trade, in more than one aspect, threatens to raise the question of the advisability of the Govern. ment itself running the Farm. there is less pressure of business before the Council, we would be glad to have the question mooted and officially discussed. Information and opinion of value would doubtless be forthcoming on this many-sided question, and its discussion could hardly do harm. Indeed, it might amend the notions
of the tenderers somewhat.
As soon as
There is one point in which the public could easily assist, and in some degree obviate the disadvantage they are under with a bureaucratic or preponderatingly official government instead of a representa- tive one. We hear so many excellent criticisms and suggestions, made in con. versation, after such Council meetings, by men often peculiarly qualified to
deal and it with various subjects,
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THE HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.
(Daily Press, Oct. 2nd.)
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The writer of to-day's letter dealing with matters to be investigated by the Typhoon Commission makes a proposal which we do not think is expectel to be taken seriously, but we trust that he will be welcomed as a witness at the enquiry now proceeding. It is evident by recent semi-official remarks, noting the allegation that our local Observatory's relations with Mauila are not as cordial as they ought to be, and suggesting that it was long ago proved groundless, that "exoneration looms too largely in certain quarters. We have before us the fourth volume of the 1900 report of the Philippine Commission, and it is ridiculous to assert, in face of its records, that the relations of the two neighbouring Observatories are or have been what the public has a right to demand. Though the present system may or may not be entirely the result of опе official's personal prejudices, we take it that the Government is ultimately responsible. If the present enquiry finds that there is not the fullest co-operation with the weather experts of Manila, the Government can at once order that it must be inaugurated. If that order should be neglected, or only half-heartedly obeyed, then the radical proposal of Captain OUTERBRIDGE might become a practical policy. Certainly things cannot go on as they are
Considering the general feeling on the matter, which has been manifesting itself sporadically and frequently during the last half dozen years, it is hardly necessary to repeat what has been so often said. It may refresh some memories, however, to show why and how the Manila Observatory was "vindicated and rehabilitate in 1899 ". It appears that nineteen years before the Government of Hongkong earnestly begged that "a daily and methodical exchange of meteorological notes be made" between Man la and Hongkong. The Manila experts willingly agreed, and there is abundant testimony on record that Hongkong fully appreciated the benefit of receiving typhoon warnings from Manila. Three years later, it is clear that Mr. W. DOBERCK exhibited a sad want of tact in his relations with the disinterested men who were doing such excellent work, but nothing really seems unpleasant seems to have occurred until to get a 1898. There were before that date complaints that he suppressed Manila warnings, "at times to the detriment of navigation", but that was met by them being sent in duplicate, one to him and ove The latter sent to the Spanish Consulate. them to the Press, and so the shipping 1
people no longer depended so much the newly-established Observatory. The Report ofthe Philippine Commmission to the American President, pages 121 and 122, states:-
In Europe the precise reverse is the case, but there often arise instauces where the rule cannot be adhered to. Some children have to do double duty, supporting both their parents and their children. In such circumstances there can be no talk of what is "fair" or unfair.
Some of our legislative parents in Hongkong failed to do what our present ones seem determine to do the point, we think, is now sufficient. a pity that they should fail ly clear. We need not point out that hearing. It is not always convenient to there are other benefits attaching to the hunt up one of our excellent un-official public loan system, which quite counter.uthpieces; and, indeed, some of the ablest balance objections. Mr. HEWETT, it may be noted, is on this point neither for us nor against us. He was able to see the wisdom of the GOVERNOR's intentions, but he also admitted the possibility of the loan policy being forced upon us. That is the question: may not our present circumstances be said to demand it? HIS EXCELLENCY himself described our financial straits, and mentioned it as one way out. On top of that, Mr. GRESSON reminded us that now was a favourable time to adopt that policy. Before, we strongly recommended the GOVERNOR's retrenchment alternative, and threw out one or two suggestions as to the
1
critics would be averse to taking even. less, trouble. They speak their mind, and so relieve themselves, but many of the bullets fail to find billets. The Press is the people's parliament, open to all with legitimate messages to deliver, and it 'strikes us as curious that (without reflecting upon oar numerous correspondents) so few practical letters appear on public matters which all are discussing privately. Our un.official members are excellent sharp-shooters, as witness this last meeting, but their important duties might be less onerous if we all helped to carry ammunition. It is pleasing to remember, though it spoils the simile, that
on
At the end of 1898 the director of the British
meteorological service at Hongkong, taking by the serions ciren tances through which advantage of the favorable opportunity offered these islands were passing, addressed himself to the Agricultural Department of the Govern. ment of the United States of Americs in terms very unfavorable to the directors of the Manila
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