212
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
March 15, 1909. despatch, and to await the arrival of one I precipitate action, and also the degree to which | hand deal justly and generously with the was now submitting. I desire with regard to effective measures in Hongkong must bo Colony. I am glad that both of these an- this, to explain to the Council that the pro-dependent on the course of events on the ticipations have been realised (applause). posals involved a very considerable modification mainland. He said that the Conference at The Secretary of State adds in his des- of the declared policy of His Majesty's Govern- Shanghai would afford fuller information to patch the following words, "I have read ment. I was for that reason unable to lay them Government as to what has actually been with regret the observations in the Legisla. before this Council until I knew what the accomplished in China in the direction of tive Council which you have brought to my attitude of the Secretary of State would be towards closing divans, and limiting the production of notice. The supposition that His Majesty's them. They were very fully discussed in the opium, and would furnish valuable suggestions Government have acted with indifference Executive Council. I requested the Secretary for treatment of the question as a whole. he
to the views and interests of the of State to permit me at AS early a Secretary of State added:
inhabitants of Hongkong is entirely errone- date as possible to communicate to this Council
Taking all these circumstances into ous, It is a matter of much concern to the action which has been taken in this matter, account, and influenced by their strong. me that, at the moment when this question which so vitally affected the finances of the desire not to impose an undue burden assumed an acute form, the Colony should Colony. The proposals which that despatch on the Colony, His Majesty's Govern- be suffering from an interruption of its contained I will summarise as follows: In the ment are projiared to proceed gradually prosperity, which, though as I hope and first place, that steps should be taken to diminish in the course which they have decided to believe) it is only transient, has materially the available supply of opium for consumption adopt, and while arranging for the immediate increased the difficulties of the position. His in Hongkong proportionately to the decrease in reduction to defer the final and total abolition Majesty's Government have been unable to the export from India, and in the production in until after March 1910 By that time the see that they had any option in the and the export from China. This decrease being existing opium farm will have expired, and the matter, for the growth and strength of the progressive in accordance with the pogramme put difficulties arising from the contract with the movement in china have rendered it impossible forward by the Chinese Government would lead Farmer will no longer present themselves, that they should abstain from corresponding to the total cessation of the supply in ten years, while the intervening period will allow time action in British territory for which they are supposing that within the same period China has for the receipt and due consideration of the responsible. I shall be slow to believe that ceased to produce and export opium. To this Commissioners' recommendations. But it is public opinion in Hongkong can be permanently end I suggested that for the remaining year of necessary that steps should be taken forthwith at variance with that of this country on sucht & the present contract the maximum number of towards carrying out the policy to which question, and I must ask you, and the communi chests which the farmer is entitled to purchase His Majesty's Government are pledged. I over which you preside, to accept the assuran⚫ should be reduced from 1800 to 1200 a proposal Juve been in telegraphic communication that the policy which His Majesty's Gover1. to which he was willing to agree without claim. with you on this aspect of the question, and ment have adopted has been dictated by para. ing compensation provided that divans were not I learn that as the result of discussion with mount considerations of their duty to civiliza- abolished, and that in the new contract it should the Farmer you will be able to arrange,
tion." I have spoken, gentlemen, at some be further reduced to 900 (which is about the without giving rise to
from him for length as the seriousness of the matter average consumption of the last few years) compensation, that imum amount of demands. I have not laid the whole of with a progressive decrease in each succeeding opium which he is permitted to prepare for the despatches on the table, in the first contract, so long as the Indian Govern- local consumption shall be reduced to 1000 place, because they are very lengthy, and in ment follows B similar policy with chests during the last year of the farm, and the second place, as Council will realise, they regard to its exports. In the second place I that 26 divan licences shall be extinguished contain matter which it would be inadvisable to suggested some further restrictions upon the forthwith, as they expire. Whatever com put in a State paper. I have, however, given farmer in the new contract with a view to the pensation may be found to be equitably due you their purport very fully, and I quoted more effective control of his operations. I also to the holders of these licences will be provid- everything from my own despatches which it informed the Secretary of State of the increasing ed from Colonial revenues. His Majesty's was necessary to do for a full understanding of use of morphia and of opium compounds in the Government have decided, under all the this matter, and as for the Secretary of State's form of pills, and of hypodermic injections of circumstances of tho case, to accept despatch I have for the most part quoted morphia, and I explained to him the efficacy of these proposals as a first step in the realisation ipissima verba in all essential particulars. The the Hongkong legislation in regard to these. I of their aims and as an earnest of the future memorandum which I have laid on the table* told him we had it under consideration still co-operation of the Colony. It would be to-day has been largely re-written in order to further to increase these restrictive measures ly premature to discuss, on this occasion, the omit all passages based ou confidential informa legislation. With regard to divaus I
arrangements which will come into force in tion, or which might give umbrage to other gave my own opinion that they form in this Colony a March 1910. I shall doubtless hear further Powers. It contains some matters which I hope useful means of control. I explained their from you on the subject in due course, and I
members of Council will find of interest in nature, which I believed not to be fully appre- need only remark here that His Majesty's perusing.-(Applause.) ciated in England, and I said that I had fears Government cannot admit the possibility of lest their entire abolition might demoralise any divan licences remaining in force after- domestic life by compelling smokers to smoke in that date, and that in framing any recom- their women's quarters, and by extending the mendations you may submit, you should influence of bad example. Finally I informed be governed by this consideration. His Lord Crewe of the financial condition of the Majesty's Government recognise that as a Colony, and that in that year, 1908, we had a result of giving effect to their policy deficit of six lacs, with a further deficit of five the Colonial revenue must suffer a loss which lacs in 1909 I pointed out that in addition to it would be impossible for the local Govern- this the grave situation of the public finances ment wholly to replace. The amount of that was further aggravated by personal losses loss cannot be estimated until the conditions due to typhoons, the fall in the rate of which will obtain after March 1909 are known exchange, and also to the heavy trado de- with some degree of accuracy, but when the pression which has weighed upon the Colony for time arrives His Majesty's Government on the last few years. I described the negotiations their part will be prepared to ask Parliament undertaken with the farmer, and I estimated the to give a substantial contribution towards total abolition of the divans would cost this
making good to the Colony the revenue which Colony upwards of five lacs of dollars. I added it is found to have lost as the direct result of finally that in the present condition of the measures adopted under their instructions." Colony it was practically impossible to meet any (Hoar, hear). The final result therefore loss unless his Majesty's Government saw their gentlemen, is that 26 licences were not renewed way to make a grant for the purpose. Although on March 1st last. There may possibly be some these proposals were in point of fact inconsist- small compensation for good will, but it will be ent with the declared policy of His Majesty's quite a small sum. No compensation is asked Government, they provided in substitution for by the farmer for any steps which are now of that policy, a means of restriction which being taken, and there is no other cost or loss I, for my own part, considered be which falls within the present year. The next at least equal, and perhaps more effective contract will have to be issued under some (hear, hear). I asked the Secretary of State restrictious as to the amount of opium which to reconsider by the light of the opinion may be brought into the Colony and the number which I gave him, and having regard to the of divans which will be allowed. There will financial position of the Colony, the decision at also be some minor restrictions regarding con- which the House of Commons had arrived. The
trol of the farm, and it is probable that under Secretary of State informed me that His Ma- these circumstances the tender for the next jesty's Government had pledged themselves in farm will be somewhat lower than the Parliament that they would not recede from amount paid by the present one, but we have the policy of abolishing the opium divaus in the promise of His Majesty's Government to Hongkong as soon as may be, and to that pledge give as asubstantial contribution towards meeting they would steadfastly adhere. At the same time any loss which may occur, through the direct His Majesty's Government recognised that there result of the measures prescribed by the were grave difficulties in the way of immediate Imperial Government. I have always felt action to as great an extent as they would desi- certain that on receipt of information regard- re. The Secretary of State acknowledged that ing local conditions, the Imperial Government I had brought forward weighty arguments to would on the one hand decide that precipitate illustrate both the possible dangers attending action would be impossible, and on the other
to
it as
MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance further to amend The Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899. In doing so he said -The object of the Bill is to bring into force in this Colony certain provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act passed by the Imperial Parliament in 1906. Among others it is intended to incor- porate in the local Merchant Shipping Ordinance provisions extending to foreign ships duties and liabilities with respect to deck and load lines, and life-saving appliances which at present extend only to British shipping.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The Council afterwards went into committee to consider the Bill and on resuming His Excellency reported that the Bill had been left in committee.
HUNGHOM RECLAMATION.
In
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorise for public purposes the reclamation of certain portions of the Crown foreshore and sea bed situate in Hunghom Bay in the Colony of Hongkong and to validate such reclamation as has heretofore taken place. doing so he said-The Bill is necessary for the purpose of taking authority to reclaim that portion of land in Hunghom Bay required for the railway. The Bill also provides that work done prior to the passing of the Ordinance shall be valid.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
:
The Council then went into committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON - I should like to know the meaning of the marginal note "extinction of public rights."
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL-The rights to go upon the foreshore, to fish, to prsead nets, and so on.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.