·
April 4, 1908.]
they plainly said that the amount of foreignį opium prepared at Hongkong "is sure to be greatly increased by the suppression of the native opium trade." So it would, in the ordinary course of things, but then it is not to be supposed we would allow it, if we were once convinced of China's good-faith. Let China show a serious appearance of "the suppression of the native opium trade," and the Governor of Hongkong will not neglect his responsibility in the matter, nor the Indian Government, nor the British. Our task is the easier, because so much smaller. Yet, though it is com- paratively small, it means a great deal to us, if there is to be no good result after all in the shape of real reform, and we too. remember that the amount of native opium "is sure to be greatly increased by the suppression of the foreign opium trade," to transpose the Chinese argument. Let China begin with her nine-tenths and we undertake to end our one-tenth as soon as or sooner than she does hers, But, say the missionaries, China has begun. It seems that she has, in parts, and that she has not, in other parts. Most of the evidence, is us less, for the missionaries look through optimistic spectacles, and We have to regret in this connection that Sir JOHN. JORDAN should have advised the Consular officials to obtain their evidence from such witnesses. This is not an impugnment of the veracity or honour of missionaries, but simply the usual judicial objection to biassed or partial testimony. Sir ALEXANDER HOSIE showed that in one particular, the higher taxation of native opium; Peking had not been quite ingenuous. Mr. LEECH, the Councillor of the Legation, notes that the Central Government had not been altogether satisfied with the result of its repeated Edicts; that sundry people had died in consequence of having to give up opium-smoking; that "if opium goes, its place will not long be empty, and if its substitute js one which produces aggressive action rather than sedative in- action, the change will scarcely be a good one;" and that in the provinces reform bas been greatly hampered by financial consider ations. He argues "good intention" from the fact that every province has taken note of the Edicts in some formal way, but his own evidence shows clearly enough that such formality was in most cases merely to "save face". Even the missionary evidence shows that in numerous districts nothing real was done or attempted. In the chief growing centres there was merely a pretence of obedience, though here and there odd missionaries were misled into enthusiastic reports of progress, or signs and symptoms of it. In general, says Mr. LEECH, no attention has been paid throughout the Empire to the order to restrict cultivation,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. RONGKONG LEGISLÄTIVE
COUNCIL.
Council was held yesterday in the Council A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Chamber.
PRESENT:-
*HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.8.0.
Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Mr. W. REES DAVIES, (Attorney. General).
Hoa, Mr. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Trea- sarer).
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar | General).
Hon. Commander BASIL R. H. TAYLOR, R. N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. Dr. Ho Kar, MB, C.M., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. Hon. Mr. WEI YUK Hon. Mr. H. KESWICK. Hon. Mr. E. OSBORNE. Mr. C. CLEMENTI (Clerk of Councils).
MINUTES.
the Chinese to study the Bill. I hope the Government will have no objection to postponing the second reading for three weeks from this date.
The Hoot Mr. KaSWICK-I beg to second that, not only for the reasons given by the hon. member, but also in order that the foreign landowners and the property owners may have through this Bill.. further opportunity of discussing and looking
His EXCELLANCY-I shall be glad to post- pone consideration of the Bill for another three weeks in accordance with the wish of members. The Council stands adjourned for a fortnight. There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee after the Council.
FINANCE COMMITTEE, ̈.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held after the Council-the Colonial Secretary presid ingat which the following votes were passed :-
ASSESSOR'S OFFICE,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote à sum of One hundred Dollars ($100) in aid of the vote, Treasury, B.-Office of Assessor of Rates, Other Charges, Typewriter.
· SHROFFS SECURITIES.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents ($112,50) in aid of the vote, Treasury, Treasurer's Office, other charges
read, and confirmed.
The minutes of the previous meeting were Security Allowances for nine months to one 4th
4
P PERS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by direction of H. E, the Governor, laid on the table the following papers. Report on Queens' College for the year 1907, and Report of the Harbour Master for the year 1907.
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
tion of His Excellency the Governor, laid on The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY, by direc- the table Financial Minutes Nos. 9 to 13 and mored that they be referrel to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIALEASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
FINANCIAL.
His Excellencoy the Governor, laid on the table The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by 'direction of the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and moved its adoption..
The COLONIA TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to,
HONGKONG-CANTON BAILWAY.
of the Colonial Secretary-
The following resolution stood in the name
million and twenty thousand dollars ($4,020,000) It is hereby resolved that a sum of four be advanced out of funds in the custody of the Government for the purpose of construc ion of the Hongkong-Canton Railway (British Section) during the year 1908.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY said: This resolution was referred to the Finance Committee and there was a reduction to the sum stated in the resolution in consequence of certain sums being dedacted from the estimated expenditure in accordance wit› your Excellency's directions.
}
The COLONIAL TEASURER 86conded; and the resolution was carried
FOREIGN CORPORATIONS ORDINANCE. reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to enable The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first
Foreign Corporations to acquire and hold and in the Colony..
The COLONIAL SECRET BYT seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
|
WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY'S BY-LAWS. Mr. Edward 8: Little of Shanghai writes:- The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first For two years in succession the minority has reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to ruthlessly used its power to ernsh the majority authorize the making of Bye laws by the Hong in our ratepayers' parliament. Last year akong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Com- majority of eighty was turned into a minority by the votes of two or three men.
This year &
The COLONIAL SECRETARY 800onded, and majority of forty one is turned into a minority the motion was agreed to. by the votes of two men and a heavy additional
PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILD NGS ORDINANCE tax fastened on an already burdened community.
(AMENDMENT) BILL. It is evident some three or four men can control
**
and
the affairs of this Settlement of half a million | inhabitants—anʼanomaly that must come to an end. The system is entirely r-pugnant to all: modern political life. Ratepayers from this time on will fight for "one man one vote will ultimately win. The poll must go The sooner all ratepayers put their shoulders to the accomplishment of this task the sooner will this survival of feudal times disappear,
pany Limited.
|
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Public Health and Buildings Ordi- nance, 1903, and The Public Health and Build ings Amendment Ordinance, 1903.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I would ask that the second reading of the Bill be postponed for three weeks. The translation into Chinese is not ready yet but it will be ready some time next week and then there will be only two or three weeks for
Grade and one 5th Grade Shroff.
IMPROVEMENT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, The Governor recommended the Council to vole. a sum of four thousand foar hundred dollars ('4,400) in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, Installation of Electric Fans at Government House.
MAINTENANCE OF LIGHTHOUSES
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of six thousand five hundred dollars (86,500) in aid of the vote, Public Works, Recurrent, Buildings, Maintenance of Eight- houses,
HARBOUR MASTEE'S DEPARTMENT. The Governor recommended the Council to votes sum of two hundred and thirty-four dollars Department, ($234) in aid of the vote, Harbour Master's Charges, Oil and Sundry stores.
A.-Harbour Office, Other
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held yesterday, at the Board Rsom. The Hon. Dr. J. M. Atkinson (president), presided, and (vice-president), Colonel Martin, Captain Lyons, there were also present Hon. Mr. W. Chatham Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr. Fang Wa Chuo, Mr. H. Humphreys, Mr. H. A. W. Slade, Mr. Lau Chu-pak; and Dr. W. W. Pearse - (Medical Officer of Health).
4. PROSP CTIVE DISCUSSION. The PRESIDENT said he understood it was the wish of members to have a special sitting to discuss the Ordinance amending the Pablic Health Ordinance. He thought either Monday or Tuesday would be suitable days.
Mr. HOOPER said Monday would suit him, and it was agreed that the meeting should take place on that day pro ided there was no Connoil on that afternoon. In that event the meeting is to be held on Tuesday.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. The COLONIAL VETERINARY SURGEON re- ported an outbreak of foot and mouth disease at the Kennedytown Cattle Depot. This disease bad been prevalent more or less since he had been there, but always in a very mild form, so mild except by post mortem. Daring the past year as to be very often impossible of recognition it had disappeared altogether but had now re-appeared both in the cattle in the Depot and in new catile which came in. Eyon at ils worst it was a benign disease and seldom or Loss of condition is its
never caused death. worst result, It is interfering to a considerable extent with the Manila export trade as in the early stages the increase in temperature is the only symptom and it cannot be distinguished from any other febrile condition. He indicated the steps he was taking to control it
MORTALITY STATISTICS,
The death rate for the British and foreign community for the week ended 14th March was 7.9 per 1000 of the population as compared with 28.7 in the corresponding week of last year and for the whole Colony including
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