HOUSE OF KEYS, MAY 18, 1937. 325 rather have a drink in Laxey? I would apply to licences granted under the ask members to be fair. I was hoping present Act. for a word from the Douglas members, Mr Qualtrough: Would the Secretary and I expected the hon. member for explain? North Douglas would support me in this measure, seeing it was not long since we The Secretary: The Bill as drafted had a wave of redistribution (Laugh- says a certificate shall be granted when ter.) I hope now he will practise what a person gets exemption, and a further he preaches, and support this with a section says that a certificate shall be hearty vote. issued with the licence for each dog. The provisions of section 6 apply to The Speaker: The motion before the each such licence. Section 6 of the House is that the Bill be read a second earlier Act says that dogs shall wear an time. identification badge, and the Highway The House divided Board shall issue a badge with each such licence. Sub-section 2 deals with the re- For: Messrs Quayle, Robert Kneen, placement of badges, section 3 with the W. K. Cowin, J. H. L. Cowin, return on the expiry of the licence, and Alcock, Kitto, and Craine-7. section 4 says badges are not to be lent. Against: Messrs Clinton, Crellin, T. H. Section 5 says dogs are to wear collars Kneen, Daniel Teare, Cottier, Cal- to which the badge can be attached, and low, T. Clucas, Richard Kneen, section 6 says that a dog without a collar Kelly, McArd, Mrs Shimmin, Messrs is to be treated as a stray dog. Norris, Hampton, Alfred Teare, Mr Cottier moved and Mr Crame Qualtrough, and the Speaker-16. seconded that the clause be adopted. The second reading was lost. The House agreed. The House suspended the Standing Orders to take the third reading. HIGHWAY BILL.—THIRD READING. Mr Qualtrough: This declaration cr The Speaker: In regard to the High- schedule will have to be altered. it is way Bill, the secretary has drafted a not exactly exemption now. new sub-section 4. The Secretary: Exemption from duty. The section as read provided that sec- The Bill was read a third time. tion 6 of the Dogs Act, 1908, should The House afterwards sat in private.

31.1121.411.01M

TYNWALD COURT.

Tuesday, May 25th, 1937.

Present: The Governor (Sir Montagu Speaker (Sir Frederick Clucas, C.B.E.), Butler, K.C.S.I C B., C.I.E., C.V.O., Messrs T. A. Quayle, Robert Kneen, J. C B.E.). In the Council: The Lord Clinton, J. F. Crellin, T. H. Kneen, D. J. Bishop, Deemsters Farrant and Cowley, Teare, E. B. C. Farrant, A. J. Cottier, the Attorney-General, Messrs R. B. W. K. Cowin, T. Callow, T. Clucas, Quirk, J. R. Corrin, W. C. Southward, J. H. L. Cowin, Richard Kneen, W. A. F. S. Dalgleish, C. Gill, and R. C. Cain Kelly, J. J. McArd, Mrs Shimmin, (Receiver-General), with Mr B. E. Messrs W. H. Alcock, S. Norris, A. E. Sargeaunt, Government Secretary and Kitto, R. Q. Hampton, A. J. Teare, W. C. Clerk to the Council. In the Keys: The Craine, and J. D. Qualtrough, with Mr

Highway Bill—Third Reading. 323 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

R. G. Johnson, Secretary and Clerk to THE SPEAKER'S KNIGHTHOOD.— Tynwald. CONGRATULATIONS BY GOVERNOR. The Governor: I am sure I shall be CORONATION CELEBRATIONS.— expressing everybody's feelings when I STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR. say with what pleasure we heard of a knighthood having been conferred upon The Governor: Before we proceed Mr Speaker. (Hear, hear.) In another with the business of the agenda, i place, in his own House, his merits as should like to give public expression of Speaker have been extolled as they the deep satisfaction which I know we should be; but I should like to think of all feel at the remarkable success of the you here, Mr Speaker, not only as the celebrations of the Coronation of His vice-president of our new branch of Majesty the King End Her Majesty the the Empire Parliamentary Association. Queen. The British people are not which has brought this Court into touch demonstrative, and the Manxman is no with all the parliaments throughout the exception to that rule. But deep down British Empire, but also, specially and principally, as a representative Manx- in all our hearts there is, I know, a very man. (Hear, hear.) In this Island, a great affection for the Throne, and all very great deal is done by public men that it stands for—for the unity of the without remuneration of any kind, and great Empire, and for those ideals of it is as one of those men, Mr Speaker, life and government which our fathers that you have been pre-eminent. And have handed on to us, and which we I know that in honouring you, you will are determined to maintain. On the feel that His Majesty has honoured all 12th May last, these feelings all came to those who give their services, as you the surface in a very wonderful manner, have done, to the good of the Island and in this loyal Island the people were without thought of what it may bring as enthusiastic as anywhere else. And them. And if I may, in congratulating as 1 went round, I could not help you, associate with you Lady Clucas, noticing and being conscious of how who has been at your right hand in all strongly they manifested themselves, charitable work, I know that 1 shall also not only in the big towns, but in every be expressing the feelings of this Court parish which I visited. I seemed to and of the Island as a whole. The notice, also, though the loyalty was ancient Romans thought it sufficient to the same, the difference from similar say of a public man that he had celebrations of the Jubilee. Then, we deserved well of the State. I know I were looking back, and expressing our may say of you, Mr Speaker, and 31 gratitude for the past; but on this occa- Lady Clucas, that you have deserved sion there was a wonderful note of hope well of this Island. and of looking into the future. And I The Speaker: Perhaps Your Excellency would like to take this opportunity to will allow me to say just one word in thank everybody who worked so hard appreciation of the very generous way to make these celebrations a success. in which you have spoken of me person- Much loving work was put into it, and i ally and of my wife. I can only repeat know that everybody who did anything what I said in the House of Keys last on that day was more than amply re- week, that while it would be affectation warded by the success of the celebra- to say that I don't appreciate the honour tions. (Hear. hear.) And I should like, ' personally, still I feel it a greater plea- also, to express thanks to those who sure that it is given to me, as it were, as went from this Island, in various capaci- a representative of the Manx people. ties, across the water, to take part in the Perhaps you will allow me to say a few bigger celebrations there, and especially words, also, with regard to the Empire to you, my Lord Bishop, to you, your Parliamentary Conference. We are the Honour the First Deemster, and to you, last, I think, of the recruits to that body, Mr Speaker, for the very worthy part and I think Tynwald owes a debt of which you were able to take in the cen- gratitude to the hon, member for tral ceremony itself in the Abbey. Castletown, who took the matter up with

Coronation Celebrations—Statement by the Governor.—The Speaker's Knighthood— Congratulations by Governor. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 327 such enthusiasm, and brought the ques- GIFT OF THE CALF ISLAND--DONOR tion before the Court. It was most in- ACKNOWLEDGES COURT'S THANKS. teresting, and certainly very educative. i The Governor: I have another pleas- suggest that at future conferences—I ing duty to perform, which is to read a think the Association meets at intervals letter which has been received from Mr of so-many years—the honour of attend- F. J. Dickens, the donor of the Calf ing them should, as it were, go round, so Island to the National Trust, in acknowledging a resolution passed by that the benefit the individual receives Tynwald on March 2nd. He says:- from these contacts should be shared by 1 am greatly touched by this token of all alike. Quite apart from the really friendly goodwill, which I shall always trea- lavish hospitality which all delegates sure as one of the most precious memories of from overseas received from everybody, my life. I have received letters from Manx- men in many parts of the world, expressing the overflowing hospitality, a consider- their pleasure that the little island is to be ably number of conferences took place. preserved, and the gratification that my action They were held in a room off Westmin- appears to have evoked is more than ample ster Hall; they were all private; only reward. delegates were admitted, or members of any Legislature which had sent dele- QUESTION ON ELECTRICITY SUPPLY gates. No motions were proposed or IN THE NORTH. passed; it was simply an occasion on Mr Daniel Teare asked the Lieutenant- which the representatives of the various Governor: If he will ascertain from the Dominions and Colonies gave their Isle of Man Electricity Board when it is intended to make arrangements for opinions on the matters before them, and the distribution of electric current in spoke quite freely. We were addressed the Northern district of the Island? on every occasion by either a Cabinet minister or someone very high up in the The Governor: I will communicate national life of England. To hear some with the Isle of Man Electricity Board of these addresses themselves was very on the subject. delightful and very instructive. It was very interesting, also, to hear discus- QUESTION ON THE BALLACURN sions on subjects concerning particularly ROAD, BALLAUGH. the different parts of the Empire. Quite Mr Crellin asked the chairman of the apart from that, it was very instructive Highway Board: Whether the Highway to come across, in a private way, re- Board intends placing any more stone presentatives who had come from all on the Ballacurn road, Ballaugh? over the world. There were curious similarities, and curious differences. I Mr Southward: The answer to the could spend a long time on this subject, question is in the negative. The road in a more or less colloquial way, but I is not scheduled for maintenance. A did discover that there was one small few years ago the Board decided to allo- colony where they have a general elec- cate a limited sum of money from their tion every year. The reason, I believe, income each year to assist in the repair is that the voting qualification is very of this class of road. In 1931 the Balla- high, and that the election canvassers cunt road, which leads to two farms and form a very influential body, and are terminates in Ballaugh Mountain, re- strong enough to prevent any legislation ceived assistance by materials, etc., to from ever bein/ carried. (Laughter.) Of the value of approximately £140. The course they get quite a good living so owners undertook to spread the material long as there 's an election. But there over the road, and about 432 tons were it is, that there is a part of the Empire deposited thereon, but it was reported where a general election is held every by the divisional surveyor that the year. I thank the Court very much, ou material was left on the road to a depth behalf of my wife and myself, for the of two feet. The Board, therefore, de- generous way in which they have re- cided to stop further supply. The ceived the remarks which fell from material supplied was deemed adequate His Excellency. for the completion of surface repair.

Gift of the Calf Island—Donor Acknowledges Court's Thanks. — Question on Electricity Supply in the North.—Question on the Ballacurn Road, Ballaugh. 828 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

The public traffic over this road is prac- ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROYAL tically nil, and the Board is of opinion ASSENT TO ACT. that such traffic does not justify the fur- ther expenditure of public moneys The Governor: I have the honour to thereon. announce, in accordance with the terms of section 2 of the Acts of Tynwald Emergency Promulgation Act, 1916, that QUESTION ON WATER SUPPLIES the Royal Assent was given to the High- IN THE SOUTH. way Amendment Act, 1937, on the 13th Mr McArd asked the chairman of the April, 1937. Local Government Board: What pro- gress has been made—(a) to form a Southern Water Board; and (b) to aug- PAPERS LAID BEFORE TYNWALD. ment the supply of the Rushen Water The Governor: I have the honour to Board and the supplies to Ballabeg, lay before Tynwald:— Howe, Cregneish, Ballafesson and Mount Summary of the Local Government Gawne districts, as recommended in the Board of the annual report of its chief report of Mr T. C. Greenfield, dated the inspector as to public health in the Isle 25th November, 1935, particularly with of Man for the year ended 31st Decem- respect to—(i) the installation of modern ber, 1936. rapid filtration plant at Ballagawne for a capacity of 600,000 gallons a day Report of the Council of Education (recommended to be ready for the for the year ended 31st March, 1937. summer of 1937 at the latest), and (ii) Report of the Isle of Man Forestry the construction of impounding reser- Board with statement of accounts for voir and auxiliary works, the capacity the year ended 31st March; 1937. of the reservoir to be 25 million gallons Report of the Old Age Pensions and (recommended to be ready for the National Health Insurance Board for the summer of 1939 at the latest). year ended 31st December, 1936. Mr Crellin replied: (a) No further Estimates of the Highway Board for progress has been made to constitute a the year ending 31st March, 1938. Southern Water Board; (b) a supply to the Rushen Water Board has already Douglas Corporation superannuation been augmented by means of a new pipe scheme, 1936, made under the provisions line taking an additional supply from of section 13 of the Local Government Awin Vitchell and Cringle streams; (i) Amendment Act, 1929, approved by the the installation of a modern rapid Local Government Board and certified filtration plant at Ballagawne is being by that Board on the 23rd April, 1937, considered in connection with the as complying with the regulations made scheme at present under examination; by the Lieutenant-Governor on the 9th (ii) about £400 has already been spent April, 1936, and approved by Tynwald in excavating trial shafts, and these ex- on the 12th May, 1936, under the pro- cavations have been examined by a visions of section 13 (1) of the aforesaid geological expert whose report is under Act. consideration. Public Auditors' report on the ac- counts of the Isle of Man Fisheries QUESTION ON DRAINAGE SCHEME Board for the year ended 31st December, AT BALLABEG. 1936. Mr McArd asked the chairman of toe The Additional Import Duties (No. 4) Local Government Board: Has any con- (Isle of Man) Order, 1937, dated 30th sideration been given to the preparation April, 1937 (Government Circular No. of a drainage scheme for the district of 1797). Ballabeg? Estimates of Receipts and Expendi- Mr Crellin: The Board will consider ture of the Isle of Man Government for the question of a drainage scheme for the year ending 31st March, 1938. Ballabeg when the district has been Order entitled The Milk Marketing supplied with water. Scheme, 1934, Amendment Order, 1937,

Question on Water Supplies in the South.—Question on Drainage Scheme at Ballabeg.—Announcement of Royal Assent to Act.—Papers laid before Tynwald. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 329 made by the Board of Agriculture on provements to petitioners' sewage dis- the 18th March, 1937, under the pro- posal works, and for the erection of visions of the Agricultural Marketing public conveniences. Act, 1934. The Governor: We are not likely to Report of committee appointed by take that to-day. Tynwald to consider the petition of James Maynard for leave to introduce a Bill to dissolve the marriage be- GOVERNOR'S FINANCIAL STATE- tween petitioner and Elizabeth Margaret MENT. Beatrice Maynard (formerly Wade). The Governor presented the estimates Public Auditors' reports on the ac- of receipts and expenditure for the counts of (a) the Mental Hospital Board financial year ended 31st 1Viarch, 1938. for the year ended 31st March, 1937; (b) He said:— the Board of Agriculture (Knockalce Before dealing with the details of account) for the year ended 12th Novem- the estimates of receipts and ex- ber, 1936. penditure, I should like to put on record Report of the Isle of Man Harbour my appreciation of the way in which Commissioners for the period 1st July, the Government Treasurer and his 1936, to 31st March, 1937. assistants have coped with the heavy Report of the Government Property work involved. In previous years I Trustees for the year ended 31st Maren, have made a similar acknowledgment, 1937. but this year I should like specially to Order dated 14th May, 1937, declaring thank them, not only because this bud- that part of the parish of Malew calico get is the last with which I shall be troubling them, but also because it re- Derbyhaven a special district under the name of the "Derbyhaven Drainage presents the culmination of the effort we nave been making together during the District'' for the purpose of charging last four years to associate Tynwald thereon exclusively the expenses or more closely in the management of the works of sewerage. Island's finances. I do feel that I nave been very fortunate in having so good a BILLS SIGNED. linance department to help me. The Gibson Divorce Bill and the In his observations on the Estimates, Leonard Divorce Bill were presented ior the Government Treasurer has given the signature. exact figures for our receipts and ex- penditure for 1936-37, and has explained ONCHAN VILLAGE COMMISSIONERS. 'die principal variations between what —PETITION TO PURCHASE PORT we expected and what we got or spent. JACK GLEN. In my remarks, I shall refer only to matters of special interest, and shall The Governor: I observe that counsel quote all figures in whole thousands, as are in Court. What are you appearing being easier to follow. in, Mr Lay? Put briefly, we received £20,000 more, Mr H. D. Lay, advocate: I appear in and spent £10,000 less than we estima- the petition of the Onchan Village Com- ted, and ended the year with a surplus missioners for authority to put into force of £37,000, instead of one of £7,000. the powers of the Land Clauses Act, 1871, for the purpose of acquiring com- As I have explained before, so long as pulsorily Port Jack Glen, Onchan, from conditions remain normal, our receipt:3 the Douglas Corporation. I am going to are likely to exceed what we show in ask, however, that the petition be ad- our Budget. The reason is that nearly journed to the next Court. three-quarters of our income comes from the allowance made us by the im- The Governor: And you, Mr Fargher? perial Government as our share of the Mr E. W. Fargher, advocate: I appear duties levied by the Imperial Customs for the Michael Village Commissioners department on articles in respect of in a petition to borrow money for im- which we have agreed to have the same

Bills Signed.—Onchan Village Commissioners—Petition to Purchase Port Jack Glen.—Governor's Financial Statement. 330 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. tariff as prevails in the United King- has been examined by the members of dom. The total amount produced under the Executive Council and of the this common purse arrangement, as it is Finance Committee of the House of called colloquially, depends partly on Keys, and I have their authority for the nature of the Island season, but saying that they think it should be tried mainly on the state of industrial pros- this year as an experiment. Its adop- perity in the United Kingdom, Neither tion will save about 1,200 signatures, of these conditions is known for certain will facilitate discussion, and will not in April, when our Budget is prepared, affect in any way the right of members and in any case we have no voice in fix- to move reductions in any particular ing the figure. We need not cavil at item included in the composite resolu- this. It is always better, so far as tion. I should also like to draw atten- receipts go, to have too much than too tion to the fact that this year the Budget little. Some lapses in expenditure are is being introduced earlier than usual. also inevitable, seeing that each spend- Thanks to the reformed procedure now ing authority must keep a margin 01 in vogue, it would have been possible to safety, so as not to exceed its Budget have had this meeting even a week allotment, and such margins added to- earlier, but this year this would have gether mount up. These lapses used to meant summoning Tynwald during be excessive, and, in previous speeches Whit Week, and I did not like to trouble on the Estimates, I have dwelt at some members then. length on the difficulties they caused, Our receipts into general revenue and explained the steps I was taking to reduce them. I am glad to say that the have been put at £444,000, as compared measures adopted have proved effective. with £437,000 actually obtained in 1936- Lapses, which in 1933-34 amounted to 37. Duties of customs from the common £26,000, fell to £22,000 in 1934-35, to purse represent £330,000, equivalent to £14,000 in 1935-36, and in the year which 74 per cent. From duties of customs col- has just closed, to £10,000. This last lected locally, we hope to get £75,000, figure is equivalent to 2 per cent, on the equivalent to 17 per cent., and from total expenditure of the year from other receipts paid into general revenue, general revenues, and is not excessive. £39,000, equivalent to 9 per cent. The I turn now to the figures for 1937-38, only comment I need make on these but first wish to say something about the figures is to stress once more how much method of presentation. In the report we depend on the common purse ar- of the Committee of Tynwald appointed rangement. Thanks to it, our revenue to inquire into the constitution of has been increased greatly in recent Boards of Tynwald, etc., reference is years, and it is well not to lose sight or made to the desirability of saving time this fact. I will now take up the ques- during the sittings of Tynwald by group- tion of our expenditure from general ing together Budget resolutions of a renenue in 1937-38. In the printed similar character. Hitherto every money Estimates, this has been put at £436,000 resolution has been signed by all the and the balance at £7,000. Resolutions members of Tynwald, and as over 100 will be submitted to Tynwald dealing resolutions have been put, and there are with the details, and if they are disposed :34 members the task of obtaining signa- of in the usual way, without lengthy dis- tures has been a heavy one. To a con- cussion, the reason must be sought In siderable extent, the resolutions are the character of the expenditure, and formal, and follow each other rapidly, in the procedure followea here for find- and, as a result, the attention of mem- ing out the wishes oi memaers in ad- bers is diverted constantly from the vance. This procedure, and the nature business in hand by the presentation of of our expenditure, are not always papers for signature. Now a scheme realised, and it will be useful, I think, to has been worked out, by which, for give some explanation of what happens example, the several educational and before the Estimates take shape, and are agricultural resolutions have been shown in secret session to the Executive grouped, and will be put together, and Council and to the Keys as a whole, in this way the total number of resolu- prior to their formal presentation to tions reduced by one-third. The scheme Tynwald. The figures I shall quote

Governor's Financial Statement. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 331 relate to the Estimates for 1937-38, now without the most careful scrutiny of the before Tynwald. benefits likely to accrue from any Manx expenditure from general change in procedure. Under the system revenues falls roughly into four cate- now in force, these boards and commit- gories. In the first comes that for the tees, and not the Government, adminis- reserved services, totalling £84,000, ter the various departments in their which is equivalent to 19 per cent. of charge. For example, normally the the whole amount. This is on account Highway Board does not consult the of the Executive Government, the ad- Government about the roads it wishes ministration of Justice, the Customs, to repair or improve, the staff it wants Police, and Prison services. It includes to employ, or the quarries it intends to also our contribution of £10,000 to thc work. It makes up its mind, frames its Imperial Exchequer, and £13,000 for the estimates, and sends them in to the Gov- interest and sinking funds of our vari- ernment Treasurer. A similar procedure ous loans. For the most part these are is followed by the Harbour Board, the fixed charges, which do not vary ap- Council of Education, and the Forestry preciably from year to year. In so far Board, and other bodies holding from as they cover salaries, a convention Tynwald. During my time here, there exists that the amounts shall not be in- has been no shortage of money, and in creased without reference to the Execu- so far as the Estimates submitted have tive Council and the Keys, and in the totalled out at amounts similar to the few cases in which this has occurred in amounts voted by Tynwald in previous my time, the proposals put forward have years, and have been on account of been modified to accord with the advice activities approved generally by Tyn- tendered. wald, it has been my practice to accept them. In the Estimates for 1937-38, In the second category come those items of this nature account for items of the Voted Services, for which £207,000, equivalent to 471 per cent, of disbursements are made by the Govern- the total annual expenditure. ment Treasurer in accordance with So far I have dealt with items account- scales fixed by Act or Order of Tynwald. ing for 84 per cent, of our total expendi- In this class I include items like the ture, which are repeated in much the expenses of the Legislature, grants in same form from year to year, and in the aid of advertising the Island, grants to ordinary course give little scope for dis- local authorities for first and second cussion. Different considerations apply class scheduled roads at 75 per cent. and to items in the fourth category, covering 50 per cent., payments under the De- the remaining 16 per cent., where fresh rating Acts on account of agricultural money is needed for some new activity. land, the Government share of un- These items, so far as they relate to employment pay, the grant towards the public works, or to projects into which T.T. and Motor Car Races, the subsidy the question of the employment of labour given under the Isle of Man Electric in the winter enters, are examined first Light and Power Act, and so on. These of all by the Public Works Commission charges do not vary much from year to on their merits. They are then collected, year, and so long as the Acts or Orders and laid at the same time, first, before concerned remain in force, it is incum- the Executive Council, and then before bent on the Government to meet them. the Keys Committee, for advice, both on They total out at £76,000, which is their merits and on their relative equivalent to 171 per cent. of the total priority of importance. Finally, if they expenditure. embody any new principle, or are In the third category come the voted specially costly, the practice I have fol- items, other than new projects, con- lowed has been to get them submitted to trolled directly by boards or committees Tynwald before the Budget is prepared, elected by and responsible to Tynwald. with a declaratory resolution asking the The use of committees of the Legislature Government to consider them when pre- for administrative purposes is one of the paring the estimates for the following most interesting contributions of the Isle year. of Man to constitutional practice, and I In the estimates for 1937-38 are in- hope the system will never be sacrificed cluded several projects of this nature,

Governor's Financial Statement. 332 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1931. some of which have been proposed by out by local authorities, and 75 per cent., boards or committees of Tynwald, whilst instead of 50 per cent., of the amount others have been put forward by other disbursed on unemployment pay from authorities. Examples of the former are November to April inclusive. 1 have the buildings needed to enable the been watching closely the effect of these school-leaving age to be raised, for concessions on the expenditure incurred which £20,000 has been provided as a by the taxpayer and ratepayer respec- first instalment. Again, £6,000 has been tively on combating unemployment. In entered on account of drainage work; 1935-36 the taxpayer found 86.5 per £2,000 on account of the overdraft on cent, of the cost of providing work for the experimental farm at Knockaloe, men on the register, whilst in 1936-37 and £8,000 on account of King Wil- the figure was 8a.5 per cent. Thus the liam's College, a report regarding which, ratepayer has been footing only from 13 made by a committee of Tynwald, is in to 15 per cent. of the bill for work. members' hands. An appropriation of Again, whilst in Ramsey and Castletown £26,000 has been shown also for the sec- the poor rate has gone up subsequent to tion of the northern water scheme, ap- the introduction of unemployment pay proved by Tynwald for commencement in 1928-29, it has renlained about the under certain conditions. The actual same in Peel and Lonan, and has gone vote will be taken so soon as the condi- down noticeably in Rushen, Port St. tions have been complied with. Mary and Port Erin. In Douglas, where the big expenditure occurs, the poor Certain additional expenditure has rate, which stood at lid in 1927-28, has also been entered on the application of now fallen by one penny to 10d. The the Forestry Board, the Board of Agri- figures are striking, and suggest that, if culture, and the trustees of the Manx rates are to be relieved further, some Museum, for the development of their other opening should be sought. If I activities, and a special grant of £500 to have read the mind of Tynwald cor- the Publicity Board to meet its Corona- rectly, there is a feeling that some tion expenses has been suggested. Ex- change is needed in the present arrange- amples of the other class are the instal- ment by which, though grants of 75 per ment due to the Douglas Corporation on cent. and 50 per cent. are made to urban account of the widening of their prom- authorities of their first and second-class enade. This charge was fixed by vote roads, no help is given for any others. of Tynwald some years ago. There is The feeling finds voice sometimes in a also a further grant to Douglas of claim that urban areas should share in £3,000 for the preparation of King the proceeds of the fees and taxes paid George's Playing Field at Belle Vue, a directly to the Highway Board. But, if project sponsored two years ago by this this were done, obviously either the Court. I am also suggesting that, as a work of the Highway Board would have mark of sympathy towards Ramsey in to be curtailed, or a sum, equivalent to its misfortune, a lump sum of £1,000, the amount of the fees and taxes sun- out of the £1,200 which the work of re- rendered, would have to be voted to the pairing its promenade wall will cost, be Highway Board from general revenues. borne by general revenues. I do not suppose that the Highway Provision has also been made for re- Board would object to a curtailment of peating last year's grant to urban areas its activities, but, when such a possi- for improving their third-class roads. bility is examined, it will be found that In view of what I said then, this entry the position is not so simple as is often needs explanation. In 1934-35, when supposed. For example, it is not always there was also a good surplus, Tynwald realised how many of the men, em- approved my proposal that all of it ployed by the Highway Board in rural should not be devoted to capital ex- areas, are recruited, not from the rural penditure, but that some of it should go areas, as one would expect, but from the towards reducing the rates. The form towns. On the 30th January last, when this reduction took was that general I had a census taken, the proportion was revenues should bear 75 per cent. in 74 per cent. Possibly, but not easily, place of 50 per cent. of the cost of ap- work under some other employing au- proved schemes of development carried thority could be arranged for these men.

Governor's Financial Statement. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. :333

and the Highway Board relieved to that , dealing with the general revenue. Pro- extent, but in that case the financial ad- ' jects were included in the estimates justment needed could be made much which were not ripe for commencement, better, and more quickly—for legisla- and large lapses occurred, throwing out tion would not be needed—by reducing all calculations. Gradually this trouble the considerable amount voted each has been got under control, and we have year from general revenues to supple- now reached a position where we can fix ment the Board's income from fees and a reserve against emergencies, and each taxes. year make the amount which comes into the fund by way of receipts available for It follows that if the urban areas are expenditure. Opinions have differed in to be helped, the proper course is to the past as to what the amount of the help them out of general revenues direct, reserve should be. This year I have and to leave the finances of the Highway been authorised by the members of the Board out of the calculation, to be Executive Council and the Keys commit- dealt with, if so desired, on their merits. tee to say that, for the purposes of this This is the course I propose to follow, budget, they advise that the two amounts and my suggestion is that all scheduled invested, namely, £64,698 in 31 per cent. roads of the second class shall be moved War Stock, and £25,000 in Isle of Man up into the first class, and get the 75 per 3', per cent. Stock, should be kept as the cent. contribution, and that the remain- reserve, and this is being done. ing roads shall be examined in detail, The balance in the fund on the 1st with a view to scheduling such of them as April, 1937, exclusive of what is out on seem suitable in the second class, so as loan, and of the £89,698 to be held in to qualify for a contribution of 50 per reserve, was £27,000, and the receipts cent. during the year are estimated at A resolution to this effect will be £50,000, making £77,000 available. moved in due course by the Attorney- Against this total theie are various General. No extra expenditure can be sums still to be spent out of votes incurred on this account until 1938-39, as passed last year, as shown on page 28 if the local authorities concerned have al- the Estimates. These total £33,000, ready prepared their budgets for the leaving £44,000. Against this it is pro- current year, and that is why last year's posed to appropriate, which means to provision of £10,000 for 100 per cent. earmark, as was done last year, a sum grants has been repeated. This 100 per on which to draw for housing schemes cent. concession is special to this year, as they mature, and £20,000 has been and I hold out no hope that it will be put down for that purpose. The re- continued. I should add that, generally maining £24,000 I had hoped to be able speaking, the classification of the High- to allot to definite projects, but there way Board roads will not be altered. A has been such delay in sending them in resolution, however, will be put before that the Public Works Commission has Tynwald to schedule suitably the Board's not yet been able to tender its final ad- newly constructed roads, and to raise to vice about them. the first class the road from Ballasalla to Derbyhaven, which is now bearing the Accordingly, it is proposed to earmark traffic to the Ronaldsway airport. a sum of £24,000 for development schemes generally, and to take votes as I will now refer to the proposals relat- they are needed. This amount, and the ing to the Accumulated Fund. Recently amounts provided out of general re- there has been controversy over the venues and from the Accumulated Fund, management of this fund, based largely will be available for winter work, but on misunderstanding, but having also until the Public Works Commission has this foundation of truth that for three or concluded its labours no figures can be four years in succession expenditure did given as to the number of men who will not keep pace with receipts, with the re- be employed. sult that the balance in the fund became excessive. To a considerable extent this I should add that I have looked into state of affairs was due to the defects of the question of the unadopted roads, as budgetting, to which I have alluded in I undertook to lo when the Court last

Governor's Financial Statement. :134 TYN WALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. met, and find that no applications for new body the Public Works Commission. assistance have been submitted. Until I owe much also to the Mayor and Cor- applications are before me, and I can poration of Douglas, to the various Town examine them on their merits, I cannot Commissioners, and to other bodies and express any opinion as to whether they individuals too numerous to mention. deserve grants from insular revenues. Shortly now I shall be leaving you. There remains the question of the In- When I have gone, I should like to be come Tax fund. The present basic rate remembered not merely as one who re- of 8d. in the E can be maintained with- duced the income tax and took over out the credit to the fund of the money burdens which fell previously on the raised under the 1931 Acts. If that rates, or even as one in whose time this money were so credited, it would be pos- and that material benefit was conferred, sible to reduce the basic rate to 6d. On but as one who loved well the Island and the other hand, it is not certain that this its people, who sought always to promote lower rate could be maintained in future, unity amongst all classes, and who and frequent changes in the rate should realised that the well being of a nation be avoided. Moreover, Tynwald has not depends not on material things alone, yet decided whether to follow the lead but on those deeper things of the heart given in the United Kingdom, and to ex- and spirit, which he who would govern tend the benefits of contributory pen- wisely must never forget. sions to the small self employer. I have always wanted to see this step taken, The Speaker: It is quite unnecessary and shall ask the Attorney-General to to congratulate Your Excellency on the draft the necessary bill for submission to Budget you have presented to us, and the Legislature as soon as the English the few remarks I am going to make are measure becomes law. It follows that in no sense valedictory, because I under- the moneys levied under the 1931 Acts stand that we shall bid a formal farewell will remain for this year in general re- to you at our sitting in July. My own venues, and the question of its disposal view is that this is a remarkable state- in future will be considered when next ment, not so much because of the figures year's budget is taken up. which it contains, but because of the This concludes what I have to say policy to which it refers, and which you about this year's estimates. The budget have, during your stay with us, followed. I have presented is the fourth which I You have, sir, the genius for putting be- have laid before the Court, and the thir- fore us in a very lucid way, of bringing teenth in successive years for which I to our attention, points which we are have been responsible. One of the too likely to forget. And I think that shrewdest of the Victorian prime minis- Your Excellency has done very well to ters is reported to have said that no remind us of the large amount of ad- legislation was fit to be brought before rnini,trative work which is done by the Parliament unless it was uncontentious; Boards of Tynwald. I, at any rate, wel- for, if it was contentious, then public come the suggestion that as time goes opinion was not ready for it. Much on, this administrative work will be de- truth underlies this apparent paradox, veloped. It seems to me that this is our and it holds good equally, I have always constitution's peculiar way, that this is felt, in the field of administration. The how we have developed—that these re- way of consent is not easy, but I have sponsibilities should be thrown upon the always found it worth while to seek it, boards elected by the Court, who repre- and by the method of consultation and sent every section of the Court and every conference have sought here to obtain section of the community. I am sure I substantial agreement before asking shall be expressing the feeling of the Tynwald to pass new laws or to House of Keys when I say how much we vote money for new projects. I am appreciate the way in which Your grateful to all those who have co- Excellency has consulted the Finance operated with me in the task; to the and Consultative Committee long before members of the Executive Council and the introduction of the Budget. to the Keys; to the boards and commit- That practice was introduced by your tees of Tynwald, and to that valuable predecessor, but you have developed it.

Governor's Financial Statement.

TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, I 937. 335

And there is really no step which has certain qualities of mind and heart; in been taken upon which you have not fact, I can almost sum it up by saying consulted us, and in the many confer- that so long as we have a Governor of ences we have had with you, you have the qualities you possess, we shall be always put the matter clearly before us. perfectly contented ( ("Hear, hear"). and asked our individual opinions, and. Mr Norris: On the occasion of the we believe, largely governed yourself presentation of the Budget, it is im- accordingly. The fear has been expres- portant in any assembly, and I think sed that while this practice has been it is particularly important in the Tyn- very successful during your stay, an- wald Court of the Isle of Man, to take other Pharaoh may arise, who might take a different point of view, and that the occasion of having whatever say is the step we have gained might be lost. I possible on the spending of the finances feel sure that there is not the slightest which it is called upon to find. Be- ground for any fear of that sort, because cause of our history and our circum- changes in a constitution are not, as a stances, we have had, really and truly. rule, made by legislation; they come by very little say. But at present, through a gradual process of thought, the gradual your Excellency's action, there is a growth of democratic opinion, and it gradual development in what we may would be perfectly impossible for any call financial control—spoken about for future Governor, however conservative so long, and of which we have had so he might be, however aristocratic might little, largely through our own fault. be his mode of thought, to go back upon But your Excellency has established in the principle which has been established the system you have introduced of pre- by Your Excellency. The practice which liminary discussion, such close contact Your Excellency has adopted in this con- with the Legislature in the early stages nection is, to my mind, established as of preparation for the Budget, that we clearly as if it were in the pages of an meet to-day, not in the spirit which has Act. Once a step has been taken like so often been inevitable, but in the spirit that, after it has been found to work of co-operation, because of the co- amicably and successfully, public operation which your Excellency has opinion, and the opinion of the Legisla- 1 hought it your duty to undertake in ture, would be such as to make it im- what I regret to say, is the last year possible for any future Governor to go of your governorship in this Island. back upon it. Another point which im- This is your Excellency's fourth Budget, pressed me very acutely, while Your and while last year was good, you have Excellency was speaking, was the ques- improved as the years go on. I said tion of the age of our Governors. last year that it was a very good Budget. Emphasis seems to have been given in but without doubt this is not merely the the English press to an expression of best of the lot, but the best that has opinion that we must have a younger ever been presented to the Legislature Governor. There is no real ground for of the Isle of Man. I mean, that the that expression; I doubt very much revenue which the Court is called upon whether ' that is the expression of to find, a very considerable sum, is being Tynwald ("Hear, hear"). I am not go- appropriated, through your Excellency's ing to call Your Excellency old, because policy, more extensively than ever it has if I did I would be calling myself older been before. And I should like to ex- still; but the Budget you have presented press my own warm personal thanks to certainly shows no signs of that un- your Excellency for what you have done fortunate time of life. Your Excellency in this matter. I have been regarded in has shown to us what can be done by a this Court, and not least by the Gov- man of mature years, who has gained ernors, as a kind of critic, almost an in- great experience in larger spheres- veterate critic. Sir, that is not so. A -("Hear, hear")—and I think we should look back upon the speeches I have be very foolish to bind ourselves to say- made in this Court, especially on ing that we want a young Governor, or a finance, will show that my desire has Governor of this age or that. We want a always been that we should spend the Governor of financial ability, a man of money we possess not in the way of

Governor's Financial Statement. 336 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

creating new debts, or asking the local the urban areas for the roads, the same authorities to earmark current revenue as is done in the other areas. That Is for loan charges cast upon future a proposal which I am sure will have generations, but that the Government of the sympathy of the Court. Your Ex- the Island should undertake its full cellency has set aside E26,000 for the measure of responsibility in the cost of Northern water scheme, £8,000 tor the the government and the development of re-building of Icing William's College, this Island. You have recognised that. and £20,000—which relieves local rates sir, in the changes of policy which you to the extent of half, at any rate—for have announced your intention to intro- new schools. These, of course, are duce, and it would ill become me for votes on account. Consideration must one moment to omit to say how heartily be given to the enormous increase in I appreciate, as I think people outside expenditure which our Budgets show. the Court will appreciate, what you It is necessary, I grant, or if not all have done. To-day, for the first time. necessary, then desirable. And some of the Accumulated Fund and the General the revenue raised to meet it comes Revenue are one. To-day, for the first from outside sources. But the fact re- time, we are not talking about loans to mains that the taxation levied upon tne I he local authorities, to be repaid to the 50,000 people in the Isle of Man last Government; we are talking about year amounted to £511,000. Over £10 grants—about taking over, within the of taxation for every man, woman and limits of our Budget, the responsibility child was imposed by Tynwald upon for the Island's development. The 16 per the resident population of this Island. cent. of the national revenue which your The resolutions to be submitted to us Excellency spoke of amounts to some- to-day—and -/here is no attempt to thing like £80,000 at present rates, and reduce them—represent a total of that is a very considerable item. If we, E517,000. That sum, as I have said be- can relieve the other partner with our- fore, shows a greater ratio of increase selves in the development of the Island in the Isle of Man than has been im- of burdens which really have become posed in England, with all her burdens burdensome, because of the condition of and all her obligations. It is true that things which have existed since the war, the actual amount of taxation in the and the amount of public work which Isle of Man is not so high per head as was there and had to be done—if we can in England, but the ratio of increase is do this in the form of capital expendi- greater. Before the war we in the Isle ture, we are doing the right thing. But of Man were paying 30s per head, and there are some things to be watched. 1 it was much more than that in England. heartily agree with what your Excel- Of course it is more than £10 in Eng- lency has said; I don't find myself in land now—that is, of course, including conflict with any view that has been ex- income tax. In the Isle of Man we have pressed; but I do think that it is im- almost standardised and stabilised in- portant that in applying this overflow- come tax. I am not complaining, but I ing revenue left at our disposal, we do thank your Excellency for not allow- should not set up new charges, new de- ing that £10,000 which is collected from partments, and new scales of salary income tax on non-residents to go into which the Island cannot carry. New per- the Income Tax Fund, to reduce a rate mament charges are things to be avoided. which I think should not be reduced. If we take our existing liabilities—just While I am not anxious to increase taxa- and fair liabilities—that is a thing we tion, or increase the limited obligations should bear in mind. I want to ex- placed upon the Income Tax Fund, I press appreciation of the fact that once think it would be a mistake to reduce it again your Excellency has allocated at present. I don't think I have any- £10,000 towards certain work in the thing more to say, except, sir, that you urban districts of the Island. There is have so thoroughly and completely got a sum of £23,000 still to be appropriated, the mastery of our financial system. and I particularly welcome what your that we are definitely not going to be Excellency said about the Government's so well off, whoever may be appointed taking over further responsibilities in as Governor, for a year or two after

Governor's Financial Statement. TYNWALD COURT, MAY '25, 1937. 337

you have gone. I am personally sorry logical and humane reason for dealing that we shall not be seeing you in that with the finances of the Island as they chair again presenting a Budget. I were never dealt with before. In that thank your Excellency for what you statement you said you realised the have done for the Isle of Man in this scientific difference between taxes and matter, and I agree with Mr Speaker rates, and at all events you gave me to that it is not by legislation that the best understand that rates should not be re- constitution is formed. It is only by sorted to so long as taxes could finance the building up and consolidation of what is required. I happen to have a precedent that the best constitutions bad habit of making things as conten- come into being, and the best work is tious as possible, but this time I can't do done, and that undoubtedly is true here. so. When I heard that statement of There is no idea in mind that we should yours, the local authorities were groan- try to get a younger man as Governor. ing under their burden of local rates, I agree with what Mr Speaker has said, and I felt sure some of that burden that if we can get a man of his present would have to come off in the next two Excellency's calibre, we shall be very years. Several of the heavy rates on fortunate indeed. the local authorities could have been Mr Qualtrough: I would like to take shifted over to the Revenue—education, the opportunity, as chairman of the Keys roads and poor rates. You said local Finance Committee, to express our grati- authorities previously received only 50 tude to your Excellency for the ex- per cent, of the cost of unemployment, tremely able and detailed statement you and you raised it to 75 per cent. Al- have given to us on our Budget finances. though that gave some considerable I felt as I read it that it was something relief to the local authorities, I think you were possibly committing to us as a your Excellency yourself realises that kind of testament, in order that we even if it were 100 per cent, it would not might profit in future years. I felt it be comparable to the relief that could be was some-thing I should like to take given if these big rates like education home and ponder over. I don't feel at and poor rates could be taken off. I all equal to the task of criticism or com- hope you have handed down your policy ment, nor do I wish to do so, because I securely based and well framed, so that know your Excellency's financial policy your successor cannot say he was not has been to find out what the Court de- made aware of the progressive policy sires and what is best for the Isle of you put before the Court. I get a chok- Man. Your Excellency did say at the ing feeling coming over me when I think end the task had been a labour of love, of the wonderful era of happiness and prosperity that could have been brought prompted by your affection for the Isle to the Island in the next two or three of Man. We appreciate that too, and so years if your Excellency had stayed. We far as the Isle of Man is concerned, the all, in our local authorities, as one bur- feelings you have for us are very den after another was taken off our heartily reciprocated. (Hear, hear.) shoulders, could have seen our way to Mr Alcock : I shall never forget your develop our districts, to make them a Execellency's three previous budgets credit to the town and the people who and the pleasure it gave to everyone of live there. My own town is extremely us to hear them. I think the one to-day grateful to you for the help you have is the crowning achievement of the lot, given us. Ramsey is groaning night and and in the years to come I feel sure day under the burden of excessive taxa- every member, when they read your tion. We can't see our way out. We Budget statements, will realise in very have had to borrow £18,000 under full measure the misfortune that has schemes free of interest for 20 years. happened to the Island by your de- Our people walked into it with their parture. I have before me on my desk eyes wide open, and have now to repay your statement of the year before, and out of the rates the annual cost. Let me as you were reading that I saw the sun close by saying that in the years to come of prosperity rising and shedding its all of us here will wonder why it was beneficent rays over the Isle of Man. I that such a thing as your Excellency's saw there you had a perfectly sound, departure could have happened. You

Governor's Financial Statement. 338 TYNWALD COURT, M.AY 25, 1937. are called to a position you could not applies shall not exceed whichever of the two following rates is the higher, that is to say, very well refuse, and we are left to 28 8/9ths per cent, of the value of the article, groan and travail, with nothing to cheer or 8s per pound weight; us up except the hope that the good (b) the articles to which this resolution work you have so well laid down will be applies are stockings and socks made wholly of carried on to greater fruition. silk, or containing silk components the value whereof exceeds 20 per cent, of the aggregate The debate concluded and the Court of the values of all the components thereof, proceeded to other business. and being Empire products within the mean- ing of section 5 of the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, 1919, as amended by any subsequent en- EXEMPTION FROM CUSTOMS DUTY actment. OF REED ORGANS, BEING In accordance with section 2 of the Isle cl EMPIRE PRODUCTS. Man (Customs) Act, 1887, it is resolved that it is expedient to reduce the said customs duty The Attorney-General moved:— in the Isle of Man, and that such reduction Resolved, that as from the 25th day of May, shall take effect immediately. 1937, with a view to the fulfilment of the agree- ment made on the 23rd day of February, 1937, He said: This brings a-pout a reduction between His Majesty's Government in the in the duty on silk stockings made in Unired Kingdom and His Majesty's Govern- the Empire. ment in the Dominion of Canada, the duty of customs chargeable under section 6 of the Isle Agreed. of Man (Customs) Act, 1926, as amended by section 5 and section 4 of the Isle of Man (Cus- toms) Acts, 1933 and 1935, respectively, and as DUTIES OF CUSTOMS.—ALE, WINES. continued by section 2 of the Isle of Man SPIRITS, TOBACCO, TEA, ETC. (Customs) Act, 1936, shall cease to be charged Tthe Attorney-General moved:— on reed organs (including harmoniums) im- That the duties of Customs on goods re- ported complete, being Empire products within moved or imported into this Isle, being goods the meaning of section 5 of the Isle of Man of the description set out in the first column (Customs) Act. 1919, as amended by any sub- of the following table by the respective enact- sequent enactment. ments set out in the second column of that In accordance with section 2 of the Isle of table, shall continue to be charged, levied and Man (Customs) Act, 1887, it is resolved that it paid as from the 1st day of August, 1937, until is expedient to exempt such articles from the the 1st day of August, 1938. said customs duty in the Isle of Man, and that such exemption shall take effect immediately. TABLE. Description of Goods. Enactment or Resolu- He said: This and the next resolutions tion Imposino Duty. are really both agreements come to be- Ale and Beer Section 8 of the tween His Majesty's Government and Second Act of 1932, the Dominion of Canada. This deals as amended by sec- with reed organs made in the Empire. tion 4 of the Act of which are freed from duty. I am sure it 1936. is a pleasure to us to carry out the agree- Cinematograph Films Section 6 of the Act of 1925, as amended ment so far as the Isle of Man is con- by section 12 of the cerned. Act of 1927, section Agreed. 14 of the Act of 1928, and section 4 of the Act of 1935. REDUCTION OF CUSTOMS DUTY ON Cocoa Section 4 of the Act SILK STOCKINGS AND SOCKS. of 1924. Clocks and watches Section 6 of the Act BEING EMPIRE PRODUCTS. and component parts of 1925, as amended The Attorney-General moved:— of clocks and watches by section 5 of the Act of 1933. R eso tved- Hops and extracts, Section 5 of the Act (a) As from the 25th day of May, 1937, with a essences and other of 1925. view to the fulfilment of the agreement made similar preparations on the 23rd day of February, 1937, between His (other than hop oil) Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom made from hops and His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of Canada, the preferential rate of Hop oil Section 3 of the Act any new duty of customs chargeable under of 1929. section 4 of the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, Matches Section 1 of the Act 1933, on any article to which this resolution of 1933.

Exemptions from Customs Duty of ,Reed Organs, being Empire Products.— Reduction of Customs Duty on Silk Stockings and Socks, being Empire Products.— Duties of Customs—Ale, Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Tea, etc.

TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 339

Description. of Goods. Evactnleut or Resolu- Mr Norris: Have we always had all tion Imposing Duty. these items in this? Motor ears, including Section 6 of the Act motor bicycles and of 1925, as amended The Governor: Yes. motor tricycles, and by section 6 of the their accessories and Act of 1926 and sec- Mr Norris: Personally I would have component parts tion 11 of the Act of 1927. preferred if the resolution had been Musical instruments, Section 6 of the Act divided into two, so that those things including gram 0. of 1925, as amended embodied in English legislation that we phones, pianolas and by section 5 of the have to follow could be in one section other similar instru- Act of 1933, section and others, where there are duties upon ments; and accessor- 4 of the Act of 1935, ies and component and by resolution of articles in this Island which we need not parts of musical in- follow, put in a new resolution to deal Tynwald of 25th struments, and re- May, 1937. wtih beer, tea and so on. I do want to cords and other call attention to this. The tea duty, we means of repro- were told twelve months ago, would not ducing music be felt by the people of this Island and Silk and artificial silk Section 7 of the Act £8,000 was put down as the yield. It and articles made of 1925, as amended has shown the biggest increase of any wholly or in part of by section 8 of the article of taxation. There has been an silk or artificial silk Act of 1926, section increase in the product of the tax equal 9 of the Second Act of 1932, section 4 of to nearly 50 per cent. No other taxation the Act of 1933, and has shown an increase to such an extent. by resolution of There has been nearly £12,000 from tea Tynwald of 25th and, therefore, it is a very important May, 1937. Spirits Section 2 of the Act article of taxation in this Island. Other of 1930. increases have taken place in beer and Sweets Section 2 of the Act spirits and a few other things, including of 1929, as amended petrol. This is also a matter that is by section 3 of the worthy of more than passing notice. I Act of 1933. Tea Section 1 of the Act don't think the Government should ever of 1936. forget that the petrol tax is a compara- Tobacco Section 19 of the First tively new tax, growing more and more Act of 1932. every year, and now amounting to Wines Section 1 of the Act £75,000. England adopted the petrol of 1927, as amended by section 8 of the tax because derating had taken place Act of 1933. and it has not taken place in the Island. Provided that, where any enactment set out It is a very serious matter for people in the second column of the foregoing table who occupy premises used as workshops confers power on the Governor to make of all kinds. They are derated in Eng- orders varying or repealing the duties of cus- toms payable on the goods referred to in that land and the Government makes good to enactment or imposing a new duty on such the local authority the difference in the goods, the provisions of that enactment re- rates. A person who is running a busi- lating to the said power shall continue in force ness is not rated. There has been a re- until the said let day of August, 1938, and the assessment of railways and tramways in foregoing provisions of this resolution shall have effect subject to any orders made in this country, and local authorities are pursuance of any such power which are for the going to lose those rates. The Govern- time being in force. ment in this Island ought to be reim- In this resolution a reference to an Act of bursing local authorities for the loss of any year shall be deemed to be a reference those rates. With £75,000 from petrol to the Isle of Man (Customs) Act of that year. and the £30,000 the Highway Board get He said: The next five resolutions are in licensing fees, there is £100,000 that all re-impositions of existing duties. I the Government of this Island is getting beg to move this. in new revenue. The town of Douglas Mr Norris: Before this is put I would alone is paying into this petrol tax like to refer to this new system of group- £3,000 for running buses over its own ing. roads. I am very pleased there is some indication now that means have been The Governor: We haven't reached found to reimburse local authorities out anything new yet. of some of these funds.

Puties of Customs, 340 TYN WALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

IVIr Crellin: There is no particular day of April, 1938, the unit rate of Income reference to petrol in this resolution. Tax shall be at the rate of 8d in the £, and accordingly that Income Tax be levied at the The Governor: It is not in this resolu- following rates:— tion. At the rate of 8d in the £ when assessable in- The resolution was adopted. come does not exceed £500. At the rate of 10d in the if assessable in- come exceeds £500, but does not exceed £1,000. DUTIES OF CUSTOMS—IRISH FREE At the rate of is in the £ if assessable income STATE PRODUCE. exceeds £1,000, but does not exceed £1,500. The Attorney-General moved:— At the rate of is 2d in the £ if assessable in- come exceeds £1,500, but does not exceed That the duties of Customs on Irish Free £2,000. State produce imported into this Isle from At the rate of is 4d in the .£ if assessable the Irish Free State, or exported from the income exceeds £2,000, but does not exceed Irish Free State to any other country and £2.500. thence brought into this Isle, imposed by Sec- At the rate of is 6d in the £ if assessable tion 10 of the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, income3 exceeds £2,500, but does not exceed 1936, as amended by the resolution of Tyn- wald dated 16th April, 1937, shall continue to be charged, levied and paid as from the At the rate of is 8d in the £ if assessable 1st day of August, 1937, until the 1st day income exceeds £3,000, but does not exceed of August, 1938. £3,500. At the rate of is 10d in the £ if assessable Agreed. income exceeds £3,500, but does not exceed £4,000. At the rate of 2s in the :£ if assessable in- DUTY ON MANX BREWED ALE OR come exceeds ,£4,000, hut does not exceed BEER. £4,500. At the rate of 2s 2d in the £ if assessable in- The Attorney-General moved:— come exceeds £4,500, but does not exceed That the duties in respect of all beer brewed £5,000. for sale in this Isle, imposed by resolution of At the rate of 2s 4d in the £ if assessable Tynwald on the 31st day of May, 1932, Olen income exceeds £5,000. continue to be charged, levied and paid as from the let day of August, 1937, until the He said: This continues the existing in- 1st day of August, 1938. come tax rates beginning at 8d and Agreed. going up to 2s 4d on assessments exceed- ing £5,000. ADDITIONAL IMPORT DUTIES Agreed. ORDER. The Attorney-General moved:— EXPENSES OF LEGISLATURE. That the Additional Import Duties (No. 4) The Speaker moved:— (Isle of Man) Order, 1937, dated 30th April, That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be 1937 (Government Circular No. 1797) be and authorised to apply from the current revenue the same is hereby approved. of this Isle a sum not exceeding £4,952 for the He said: This confirms the approval purpose of defraying, during the year ending of additional import duties, to keep tic 31st March, 1938, the expenses of the Legisla- ture. in the Common Purse. Agreed. He said: This is the same as previous years. They are set out in Appendix No. 7 of the Estimates. INCOME TAX RATES. Agreed. The Attorney-General moved:— Whereas by section 4 of the Income Tax Amendment Act, 1927, it is enacted that the EXPENSES UNDER MISCELLANEOUS unit rate of Income Tax to be levied for the STATUTES. year commencing the 6th day of April, 1927, and ending the 5th day of April following, The Attorney-General moved:— and for every subsequent year of assessment That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be shall be as determined by resolution of Tyn- authorised to apply from the current revenue wald: of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, Resolved,—That for the year commencing 1938, a sum not exceeding £4,587 for the pur- the 6th day of April, 1937, and ending the 5th pose of defraying the expenditure to be in-

Duties of Customs—Irish Free State Produce.—Duty on Manx Brewed Ale or Beer.— Additional Import Duties Orden—Income Tax Rates.—Expenses of Legislature.— Expenses under Miscellaneous Statutes. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 341 curved in connection with tire following ser- He said: This is another grouping. In vices regard to the expenses of overseas (a) Civil Registratioh Acts 1697 in) Aduitcration Acv, etc 900 settlement, i:50 was spent last year. (c) Dangerous Goods Acts 50 There is £150 compensation to the dry (n) S led nation .1.cts 150 cleaning industry; ever since the duty kc) Unildren Acts (Maintenance of was imposed we have given them a re- Children in Approved Schools), etc 1,000 bate. The other items are small amounts (1) Prouation of Offenders Act 50 tor printing and advertising and miscel- (g) House of Keys Election Acts 1,100 (n) Gas li•egulation Act 50 laneous charges. (i) Food Regulation Act 120 (j) Postcard Censorship Act 40 Agreed. (k) Public Authorities Acquisition of Land Acts Hill (1) Inquests of Death Acts 150 SALARIES OF UNATTACHED OFFICERS. £4,587 The Attorney-General moved:— The Governor: This is the first of th,: new type of resolutions in which we That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be have attempted to consolidate various authorised to apply from the current revedue of this Isle a suns not exceeding £788 for the items. purpose of defraying, during the year ending The Attorney-General: The expense, 31st March, 1938, the following salaries :- of various acts ot Tynwald are consoli - Surgeon to the Household £40 dated here. These amounts are some- Clerk to the Justices, Douglas 200 times a little more and sometimes a do. Ramsey 40 little less than last year. I think this is do. Peel 40 a clear case of the desirability of our do. Castletown 40 new system, because all these statutory Six Coroners 420 The Admiral of the Herring Fleet 5 sums have to be found. The V ice-Admiral do. Agreed. -- £788

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES. He said: The only change in that Is The Attorney-General moved:— the additional salary to the Clerk of That the Treasurer of the isle of Mau be the Justices in Douglas, which is now authorised to apply from the current revenue bucigetted for in accordance with the of this Isle during the year ending list March, declaratory resolution carried in Tyn- 1938, a sum not exceeding £635 for the purpose wald. of defraying the expenditure to be incurred in connection with the following services :— Agreed. (a) Empire Overseas Settlement £100 (To enable persons residing in the isle of Man to take advan- THE MENTAL DISEASES ACTS AND tage of the United Kingdom Overseas Settlement Scheme; for THE INFIRMARY. providing additional funds for impecunious persons who would The Speaker moved:— otherwise be unable to take ad- That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be vantage of the scheme, for train- authorised to apply from the current revenue ing Purposes, and for other ex- of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, penses connected with overseas 1938, a sum not exceeding £2,238 for the pur- settlement.) pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- (b) Compensation to the dry-cleaning in- curred in connection with the following ser- dustry 150 vices :— (Grants to Insular firms en- (a) Mental Diseases Acts £1,850 gaged in the dry-cleaning in- dustry, equivalent to the duty (b) The Infirmary (grant in aid) 388 paid on such "white spirit" re- moved or imported into this £2,238 Island as has been used in the industry.) He said: This includes the charges (c) Printing and advertising 125 under the Mental Diseases Acts and the (d) Miscellaneous charges 260 usual grant in respect of the Infirmary. £635 Agreed.

Miscellaneous Services.—Salaries of Unattached Officers.—The Mental Diseases Acts and the Infirmary. 342 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

EDUCATION VOTE. for the classes for unemployed youths. The Speaker moved:— 1VIembers will have before them the superintendent's report giving details of That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue those in attendance. The number of of this isle during the year ending 31st March, boys who applied for admission was less 1938, a sum not exceeding £65,487 for the pur- than previous years, and more boys se- pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- cured work than before. Generally the curred in connection with the following report is an optimistic one. It does services :— mention a matter which I think I would (a) Public Education £61,910 (b) Education (Extension of Medical like to refer to in moving the vote. i Treatment) Act 2,522 have had complaints from the parents (c) Education of unemployed youths 995 of some of the boys that the conduct of (For defraying the cost to be in- certain boys is such that the parents of curred by the Education Author- children who are decently brought up ity in providing further educa- are very reluctant to send their children tional instruction for : there. I have also heard complaints ol (a) Boys who on attaining school-leaving age are un- the noise and rowdyism of the boys able to secure regular em- coming from the classes, and there have ployment, and also been one or two unfortunate cases tb) Boys between the ages of where the boys have been in the hands 14 and 18 years who are of the police charged with various temporarily unemployed, in offences. It is perfectly true that in accordance with a scheme prepared by the Education every system of the sort there are bound Authority and approved by to be a few black sheep, and on the the Lieutenant-a overnor). whole I think the Court will agree that the classes are serving a good purpose. £65,487 I think it might possibly be suggested He said: The Court will be aware that that instead of paying the boys each the education vote is a large one. We week it would be better if they were have already dealt, at a previous sitting, paid at longer intervals and payment with the principle of re-organisation, so made dependent upon attendance and I am not going to touch on that. You conduct outside. It ought not to be pos- will find in the report of the Council of sible for a boy to come before the police Education their account, which show, and pay his fine out of the money he gets nothing that is new. There are the out of these classes. My own view is it various grants made to the Education would be better if the boys were paid Authority and our usual grant to King once a month and that payment should William's College and the Buchan School be withheld if the boys come before the for Girls. Then there is the statement authorities or get themselves into mis- of receipts and expenditure of the Edu- chief. That is only a suggesti6n of my cation Authority, and there again there own. I have nothing to add, and I move is not any very material difference the vote as it stands. Some items are up and some are down. Mr Alfred Teare: I would like to ask If members wish to ask me any ques- whether the Council of Education have tions I will do my best to answer them. considered any expenditure in the train- There is also the report of the school ing of apprentices or to continue educa- medical officer, which is always a very tion for apprentices. We have classes interesting one, and it has been circu- for unemployed youths, but so far as I lated to members. The medical condi- can see there is no opportunity for boys tion of the children has improved im- being apprenticed and seeking the bene- measurably. The system of giving milk fit of further education. has proved very beneficial, and the medical officer says that parents con- The Attorney-General: You mean tinue to report the increased well-being evening classes. of the children since the supply of milk. Mr Alfred Teare: There are classes on There are interesting particulars of the mainland where boys attend for two- various epidemics, but as a whole the half days weekly and receive special in- report is a very satisfactory one. In- struction in the trade they are taking up. cluded in the vote this year is the vote My observation has been that such

Education Vote. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 343 classes are desirable because now work- really good home influence, or unless men have little time, even if they have the things are tightened up in the schools, 1 inclination, to give instruction. At one think they will have very little chance time journeymen did occupy some time of getting on in the world. showing boys how to do the job. Nowa- days that opportunity is not there, and Mr Alcock: I am glad the hon. mem- a boy has either to pick his trade up by ber has drawn attention to this. 1. was watching workmen or get it by attending reading a book by a head of a Borstal vocational classes. I might say that at institution in which he says juvenile the moment there is a movement afoot crime is caused by lack of religious in- to establish something of this nature. struction in the schools. I really rose We have recently had established in the to make a suggestion. I saw the other Isle of Man a regional council for the day that a Welfare Society, whose chief registration of plumbers and sanitary activities are in Liverpool, had issued engineers. That movement had the bles- an annual report in which it was stated sing of the Royal Sanitary Institute in they had sent 600 boys to Birmingham the interests of health and its objects and Coventry and they had all got work. are to see that those following that par- Those are the two cities in the United ticular trade are equipped and properly Kingdom where there is little or no un- competent There is a regional coun- employment, and where trade is brisk. cil in the Island for the registration I wonder whether it would not be a good of these men; they are examined prac- idea to think out some scheme whereby tically by papers sent out by the a certain number of boys of 14 could be Worshipful Company of Plumbers, and taken and put in a hostel in Birming- apprentices are also examined for these ham, so that they can go for a year or purposes. Boys cannot possibly take this two years to technical schools. There is examination unless they are properly no doubt that after a year or two they trained. We are promised the. support could be absorbed in motoring or other of very important lecturers on the main- skilled industries. It is a curious land to give boys and men instruction thing that when there was a population here. There are lectures on copper on this Island of 52,000 people the taxa- welding and things of that nature. New tion in that year yielded £87,000. In things are being introduced more and 1931, with a population of 49,000, the re- more into house construction nowadays, venue had risen to four times that and this will give the boys an opportun- amount, £426,000. I would like to make ity of learning of these new things. I am a suggestion to the Court now. I don't sure if the Council of Education took the know that the extra £40,000 is required matter up and allocated a sum of money every year from the ratepayer for the for classes they would be working on the cost of education. I don't think it is too right lines. With a proper association hard, too large or too difficult for us to to co-operate, materials would be sup- provide it out of the revenue and so save plied at one-half of their cost. When the local authorities. that material is experimented on they Deemster Cowley: I am very glad that would take it back again and renew it the hon. member, Mr Teare, has referred with fresh material. When you get co- to the subject of the possible training of operation of that nature, I think the apprentices and craftsmen, because it authorities would be well advised to set gives me an opportunity of explaining up classes such as I have mentioned. the delay resulting in the publication of Mr Crellin: I would like to call the the report of the Commission dealing attention of the Court to the present with apprenticeship. We had a good lack of discipline, lack of manners, and many meetings, some helpful and some the apparent lack of religious training not very helpful. The point the hon. on the part of young people in the member referred to received our careful schools. You hear from some of the girls consideration. I know from personal some of the most appalling language in knowledge, of the wonderful work that the trains. You see lack of discipline is being done by the National Council and lack of manners from children all of Plumbers, work which I hope will ex- over the Island, and unless there is tend to other branches of craftsmanship.

Education Vote. 344 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 193/.

We are in touch with the Director of He said: If hon. members will refer Education in regard to the work done to the report of the Local Government by the Education Authority, and the Board, they will see that the health of work we hope to see done as the result the people of the Island shows an im- of the Apprenticeship Commission. As provement. There were 52 fewer cases soon as the difficulties are out of the reported of scarlet fever than last year, way—and the work in connection with while typhoid and para-typhoid revel the raising of the school age is one—we were responsible for only four cases, hope we may have some concrete pro- compared with 16 last year; and there posals to put before the Education were only two cases of erysipelas, as Authority and the Council of Education. against nine. There have been 148 re- Mr Kelly: We on the Board of Agricul- movals by the Board's ambulance, a re- ture have from time to time discussed duction on last year. It is a very lengthy the advisability of the lectures held here report, and I am quite prepared to and there, and I have gathered from answer any questions which any member some members of the Board that if any- likes to raise. The number of plans or thing technical arises in the course of new buildings submitted has been 405, of the lecture, through lack of elementary which 94 were rejected. This is because knowledge of agriculture, food produc- the new building bye-laws have not been tion, and nutrition, it very often falls on complied with. Contractors and others fallow ground. We have on these lines know what is required, and if the plans spoken of approaching the Education do not comply with the bye-laws, we Authority to find out whether they could have no option but to turn them down. not, in the country districts, give at least Dr. Bradbury now visits the Island every some agricultural bias to the subjects four weeks and makes reports on the they teach, and interest boys and girls tuberculosis cases in the Island. The in the life of the people round about doctors send many more patients than them. We are very fortunate in Rushen they did before, and last year we had in having Mr W. E. Kelly there as head- 139 new patients—a considerable ad- master. He takes a very keen interest, vance on what we have had before. and conducts the school garden splen- Generally speaking, Cronk Ruagh Sana- didly, making simple experiments and torium has been modernised and giving very lucid teaching in regard to equipped with greater facilities for them. From my observation in the treatment, so that it is now no longer country, I wish the Education Authority necessary to send patients to the main- would take note of some of the work land for treatment. The report also done in Rushen, and stimulate teachers deals with the progress made under the in other areas to do that class of work. Milk and Dairies Act. The work of re- It would undoubtedly result in the pro- conditioning the cowhouses and dairies duction of higher class produce through- during the year was much interfered out the country, and would be of general with owing to the wet weather. On benefit to the people. page 8 you will find the position of the The resolution was put and agreed to. premises renovated up to December 31st, 1936. Last year it was found not possible LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD EX- to carry out so much work in renovation. PENSES AND HOUSING OF RURAL The work has to be carried out in July, WORKERS. August, and September, when the cattle can be turned out at night; but owing to Mr Crellin moved :— the wet, it was found impossible to turn That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be the cattle out, and the work on the cow- authorised to apply from the current revenue of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, houses had to be held up. The intra- 1938, a sum not exceeding £9,642 for the pur- dermal test of cattle has, I am afraid, not pose of defraying the expenditure to be proved very satisfactory, as will be seen incurred in connection with the following ser- by the table on page 9. More samples of vices :— milk containing tubercle bacilli have (a) Local Government Board £8,142 been obtained from cattle which, from (b) The Housing (Rural Workers) Act, the results of the intradermal test, were 1929 1,500 assumed to be free, than from the re- £9,642 actors. Cows which have passed the

Local Government Board Expenses and Housing of Rural Workers. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 345

test have proved to be affected, while Board deserve thanks for the amount of others which had not passed, were found work they do, as I do not think the Court on being slaughtered, to be free. Many appreciates the amount of work the more samples of milk were taken than in Board do. I would like to ask if there the previous years, due to the Douglas is any sign of the report on the Douglas Corporation inspectors taking samples. Housing Scheme. The scheme has been These are supplied to the Local Govern- hanging fire for three years, and the cost ment Board, and sent away for examina- of the scheme will be increased by tion to Manchester, or a similar labora- 1.;5,000 by the rise of prices during the tory. We are asking for £.600 more. past twelve months. I do not know We have now a full-time Secretary in what has been decided, but would like to the place of a part-time one; £172 Is see some end to the matter, and hope required for a health visitor; bacterio- that the report will be published with logical examinations will cost more, as a the least possible delay. great deal more samples will be taken. Mr Hampton: I should like to ask the There is also an increase in the amount chairman how many houses were recon- for rural workers' housing. We spent ditioned last year under the Rural Hous- £800 last year, and this year there will ing scheme. be an increase. Mr Alcock: A person is allowed to Mr Corrin: I second the motion. With borrow up to £120. regard to the Housing Rural Workers' Act, I would like to point out that a Mr Crellin: £100. great deal of what has been done under Mr Alcock: And after the £100 has this Act is not getting at the real pro- been spent, the house is not allowed to blem of houses in rural areas. A good be let at a rental of more than 4s. 6d. a many of the houses are old and dilapi- week. I would like to see that extended dated, and some of the money which has so that the rural workers could get been spent on reconditioning these houses. I would also like to see houses houses is not money well spent. I think provided on each farm, according to the the time has come when we should try numbers of workers employed there; and face the problem of houses for rural then you would find the population re- workers. We are spending a great deal turning to the country, because there of money on houses in the towns and would be houses for them to live in. villagers, and there is just as much or a Mr Crellin: With regard to the report greater need for houses in the rural on the Douglas Housing scheme, some of areas as there is in the most densely the members wished to inspect certain populated areas of the Island. We have sites in Douglas, and this was done, but been making grants to renovate the the report is ready and will be published houses, and in a few years, in a great tc-morrow. many cases, these houses will become uninhabitable. These people will drift The motion was carried. into the towns and villages, or will be compelled to find employment outside HOUSING (RURAL WORKERS) the Island altogether. I know it is a LOANS. difficult problem, and one which it is up Mr Crellin moved:— to the Parish Commissioners to take up. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be am not hopeful that they will do any- authorised to apply from the funds standing thing unless there is some pressure be- to the credit of the Isle of Man Accumulated hind them to make them move in this Pond a suni not exceeding £500 for the pur- direction. There are housing conditions pose of making loans in pursuance of the in the country districts of the Isle of Housing (Rural Workers) Act. Man which are deplorable, and if the This is a new vote under the Housing same conditions existed in Douglas or (Rural Workers) Act. This comes out of Ramsey they would be called slums. In the Accumulated Fund and the other the interests of the people of the country came out of the revenue. This refers to I do urge that something should be loans only. done. Mr Norris : I would like to ask whe- Mr Norris: I certainly think the ther anything has been done with regard

Housing (Rural Workers) Loans. 346 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. to demolition of derelict houses along We will soon be approaching the twen- the highroads? tieth year of National Health insurance, Mr Crellin: After the matter was and I think everyone in the Court will raised in Tynwald last, the Board wrote realise how much the Island owes to the the local authorities on the need of deal- genius of Lloyd George for introducing ing with the matter. They are not too that scheme. anxious to meet the Board's wishes, and Mr Hampton seconded, and it was with the exception of Laxey, nothing has carried. been done to compel people to move them. VOTES FOR AGRICULTURE. The motion was agreed to. Mr Kelly: I beg to move;— That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue OLD AGE PENSIONS AND NATIONAL of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, HEALTH INSURANCE VOTE. 1938, a sum not exceeding £6,378 for the pur- pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- The Attorney-General: I move;— curred in connection with the following str- vices :— 'that the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply a sum not exceeding (a) Cattle Diseases Prevention Act £1,478 ,11/3,335 during the year ending 31st March, (b) Agricultural Marketing Act (Im- 19,58, to be provided as to two-thirds thereof portation and. Exportation of Stock 1 coin the Income Tax E und, and the re- Expenses) 50 mainder from the current revenue of this Isle, (c) Collection of Agricultural Returns I.58 for the purpose of defraying (a) Old Age Pen- in) board of Agriculture- sions, and the proportion of the benefits of 1 Administrative expenses £1,58) National Health Insurance under the pro- Experimental work at Knock- visions of the Old Age Pensions and National aloe Farm 508 Health Insurance Acts, and for the administra- in Agricultural education and tion of such Acts (£72,089); (0) the expenses to publicity 650 be incurred by the Treasurer in carrying tnt iv Urant in aid al Board's the duties imposed upon him by such Acts Ueneral Account 200 (£1,246). v Towards cost of milk pub- licity campaign 100 The report dealing with this motion vi To discharge excess expendi- U a very formidable one, running to 34 ture on Knockaloe Experi- pages, and gives full details of the work mental Farm 1,900 done. I do not wish to take any time, 4,550 but there are one or two matters that (e) Cultivation of Phormium Tenax 150 should be referred to. The report of the £6,378 Government Actuary on the third quin- quennial valuation, for the last five The first three items deal not so much years, shows a credit balance of £10,000. with the work of the Board of Agricul- This will result in the continuation and ture as with Government inspection. perhaps an increase of 2s in the With regard to the next items, No. 1 normal sickness benefits for men, but deals with the administrative expenses though there has been some improve- of the Board, No. 2 with experimental ment in the case of women's benefits, work at Knockaloe farm, and the third the contributions of women allow of no with agricultural education. The Board margin for contingencies. We have only are working in conjunction with the been able to continue the benefits for Young Farmers' Clubs and doing very women by the vote we receive from the good work in the way of education. They revenue. The benefit which the Island have arranged lectures on educational receives under these schemes is very subjects, and have arranged visits to great. If we take the old age pension, the other side. No. 5 deals with the cost incapacity pension, widows and orphans, of the milk publicity campaign, and No. the total number of beneficiaries is over 6 is the amount which has been provided 3,000, and if you include those who come by Tynwald to wipe off the debt on Linder the National Health Insurance Knockaloe. If any member wants any Scheme, with their wives, widows and further information, or if any questions children, you find they cover a large pro- are asked I shall be glad to answer them. portion of the population of this Island. The motion was carried.

Old Age Pensions and National Health Insurance Vote.—Votes for Agriculture. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 347

WIDOWS', ORPHANS' AND OLD AGE whether anything can be done to en- CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS. courage them. It might be that they will get the farms at a less cost so that they The Attorney-General: I move:— can be made to pay. Something will That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be certainly have to be done to stop the authorised to apply from the current revenue of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, drift of people from the country to the 1938, a sum not exceeding £1,886 for the pur- towns. If agriculturists can show that pose of defraying the expenses to be incurred they can't pay the wages and meet their in the administration of the Widows', Orphans' other liabilities, I think that every mem- and Old Age Contributory Pensions Acts, and ber of this Court would be in favour of a sum not exceeding £12,000 towards the cost of pensions provided under such Acts. a scheme to see that the farm worker was paid at least as much as the This is to meet the cost of administra- labourer on the highroads, so as to en- tion of the Widows', Orphans' and Old courage people to go back to the land. Age Contributory Pensions Acts. It is a In the last 20 years there has been a payment made from the general revenue drift of at least 1,000 men from the from time to time. country to the towns, and we must guard Agreed. against a further drift, as the only hor e of solving the unemployment problem is ASSISTED FARM LABOUR SCHEME, in getting the men back to the land. I would like to see a commission set up to The Attorney-General: I move:— find out if something different cannot be That the Treasurer of the Isle or Man be done to induce men to go back on the authorised to apply from the current revenue land. I have followed closely what is be- of this Isle during the year ending 31st March ing done on the mainland, and in 1938, a sum not exceeding £1,000 for the pus- Pose of enabling the Treasurer to defray ex- Durham and in other districts when penses and the approved proportion of the work is slack in the mines the men are cost of wages of registered unemployed, men guaranteed so many days work on the who may be employed by farmers, in addition land. Something similar might be done to their ordinary staffs, under a scheme to be here. They might be encouraged to take approved by the Lieutenant-Governor. over small holdings and these men could I am sorry that this scheme is not be given employment by farmers at taken more advantage of. Last year certain times of the year. I don't know only £586 of the vote was expended. whether that would work in the Island, The scheme was devised to encourage but I think it might be tried. It might the employment of men at a time of the induce people to settle in the country. year when the farmers could not get a Then in South Wales they have a scheme full day's work out of them. I under- where the men on the farms are em. stand, however, that arrangements have ployed so many days a year on the high- been come to to reconsider the condi- roads. The main part of the year they tions and make them more attractive. spend on the land as smallholders. I can- Deemster Cowley seconded. not elaborate a scheme to-day, but I think that what I hay.: suggested is Mr Alfred Teare: I am sure that we worthy of going into, to see whether or must all feel disturbed at the failure of not something can be done along these this particular type of unemployment lines to stop the continual drift into the scheme, and the poor response made in towns, because in a few years time, when the employment of farm workers. There the development schemes come to a must be some reason. Is it lack of inter- finish, we are going to be up against a est in agriculture, or is it that employ- very serious problem in this Island. ment is more attractive in other direc- tions than in agriculture, or is it that Mr Crellin: There is no doubt at all in the agricultural worker is underpaid my mind that the winter work and the when compared with other workers? If higher wages paid than can be earned on this latter is the case, then this Court the farms is responsible for this position. should set up an inquirs; of some kind At the present moment, no farm and go into the whole question. Our labourer dare work on the land, because farmers say that they can stand no more he knows that he is immediately blue- at present. If that is so we ought to see marked if he wants to register. He pre-

Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions.—Assisted Farm Labour Scheme. 348 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. fers to hang on for the whole of the win- so. There has been a great deal of im- ter and be in a position to register. There portation of outsiders in this Island, and is plenty of work available in tile as to the importation of outsiders, 1 country, but a man prefers to walk about should like to know from the Chairman until he can register at the back end, what they are paid, and is it true that a rather than be suspected of being a farm large number of farm labourers have labourer. That was proved to me by a been imported into the Island during the man in Michael who did not register un- last year or two, and engaged by til the 12th November. He had never farmers'? And, if so, under what con- been a farm labourer, but had done a bit ditions? Are they blacklegs? Are our of thatching, or a day in the harvest. I men not satisfied with these wages, and think it would be a great help if that are they sufficient for the imported date was wiped out as far as farm labourer and not sufficient for the men labourers are concerned. Let them all on the spot'? I think our system is go on at the same time, and they will wrong. The men are attracted by the know exactly where they are, and it will wages on the roads; but if farm work be some encouragement for them to take was made more attractive; then they up work on the farms if they don't get would stop on the farms. I want the in- on the roads. formation of the exact position of things Mr Craine: I an-i going to support this, in regard to imported labour divulged to because I think that in the coming win- the Court. I am not prepared to sub- ter the farmers are going to have great sidise any private trader unless it is need of assistance, as there has been a proved to be necessary. I don't take wage increase all round, and farmers are that statement that agriculture is down not able to pay the same wages as are and out. I also know that we have sub- paid to men on the highroads. I think 3idised this industry to the extent of the time has come when we will have to £30,000. alter the regulations with regard to men Mr J. H. L. Cowin: And that is not a on the land. The difficulty with this is quarter of what it is in England. that certain farmers may make state- ments which are incorrect in order to get Mr Norris: That is not the point. In cheap labour. The world is all wrong. the Isle of Man we have the finest mar- In one part of the world you read of ket in the world. We are here in the people dying of famine. In another part general interests of the public, and we of the world, crops were left standing, should take the long view and the broad and millions of bags of coffee were burnt view. because they could not find a market at Deemster Cowley: In the course of this an economic price. You can talk about discussion we have got a good deal away national wealth, but when a country's from the actual resolution before the agriculture goes down, that country must Court. I am not going to suggest that also go down. When we get an agricul- there is not a great deal of force in what ture that is prosperous, every other part the hon. member for South Douglas has of the country is prosperous too. We said. It is a subject in which most of have to stop the decline, even if we have us are interested, and it gives the Court to subsidise more than we cto at present. cause for thought when the number of During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a men permanently employed on the land system was put into operation whereby during the last few years drops by so soldiers returned from the wars in the many hundreds, and it may be a ques- Netherlands were taken on by farmers, tion for us to consider at an early date and the State paid the wages by sub- whether or not the regulations could bc sidising the farmers. so altered as to obviate the difficulty Mr Norris: I am not in opposition to mentioned by the hon. member for the vote, but the war is over twenty Michael. The attraction of the winter years. works programme is drawing men away. from the land. But that is not the sub- Mr Craine: I was speaking about the ject of this resolution. The object of time of Queen Elizabeth; not the war. this resolution is to vote a sum not ex- Mr Norris: And the same principle ceeding E1,000 to pay an approved poi- should be evolved to-day. I do not think tion of the wages of registered un-

Assisted Farm Labour Scheme. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 349

employed men who may be employed by whole matter is still being considered farmers. There is no question before us with a view to getting a better scheme beyond those which we are trying to deal and avoiding the difficulties that have with under this assisted farm labour been created. scheme. The depression in agriculture Mr Norris: Might I ask you a question had the effect that a large number of as to the importation of labour ? farms were not being maintained in the condition in which they should have been Deemster Cowley: At the time we in- maintained for the efficient carrying on quired, I was informed that there had of agriculture. No doubt the original been an increase, and that matter is intention of the scheme was that farmers receiving our attention. might be assisted by the grant of half Mr Alcock: I want to submit to you wages, particularly in carrying out re- a thesis about this work on the land, pairs, such as draining, cutting hedges, and the wages received by a man for the cleaning ditches, and so on, work which work he has to do. I submit to you that was essential, and which was, unfortun- the wages are inadequate. That is no ately, being neglected. Regulations fault of the farmers. We have let farm- were drawn up, and there were certain ing go down, and down, and down. The specified conditions, one of which was farmers had to recoup their losses, and that the men to be employed under this obviously the only thing to do was to scheme must be additional to the men save on their labour costs. We are employed by the farmer in 1932. Diffi- training labourers to make roads. culties arose in administration, and in understand it costs £2 6s per week to the first year there were only 43 applica- keep a man on the roads, and they are tions; in the second year, 65; and in the goi(ng to have £2 lOs after that for third year, 141 applications for men material. If we really want to put men under the scheme. There were one or on the land, the thing to do is to give two instances in which the scheme was the man on the land a minimum wage of abused, and in which it was necessary to lOs per week, and if the revenue pays tighten up the regulations, because men £2 per week we will be saving £2 6s were being employed ostensibly for un- per week. It has been pointed out to employment work and were not so em- me that a man is not sure that he will be ployed. Other more serious difficulties accepted before November 12th, and arose, and in the spring of last year Your then he probably would not get a job at Excellency appointed a committee of two all. I submit that we should pay a man members of the Board of Agriculture, £2 a week and let the farmer give him two members of the Unemployment Ad- 10s. We have tried this system for two visory Committee, and myself to go very years, and apparently it doesn't work fully into the whole matter. We dis- yet, and I agree that the time is past for cussed the matter at considerable length the regulations to be revised and end eventually arrived at a scheme brought down to something reasonable. under which a farmer with a certain If a man works a few months in the year number of acres ought to have a certain on a farm he is penalised, and he has number of men. The scheme has been to keep himself and his family and look tried for a number of years, but, unfor- for some means of employment. He tunately, the results have been dis- cannot register before 12th November appointing. If you refer to the report, and has to wait four weeks before he is you will find that 66 applications were entitled to the dole. I think the time considered last winter. Five men had has come when that waiting period been in employment, but their term had should be done away with. I am not expired; and, in ten cases, men were struck on this subsidy business unless selected who were ineligible. There has necessity is shown. The fact of the been a tendency for farmers to send men matter is that there ought to be a away at the end of the summer and take balance sheet showing the position of them on again under this scheme. We -the farmers. It should be shown that have by no means reached perfection in a fter working the farm they can't get dealing with this matter, which is again money to pay the men. Now the men being considered. The larger measure are turned down practically till 12th does not come within our purview. The November, and they have to go and seek

Assisted Farm Labour Scheme, 450 TY N WA LD COURT, MAY 25, W37. ^ poor relief until 12th December before These and the next two or three votes they come in for the "dole." I will not are statutory. take up more of the Court's time now, Agreed. but at a later period I might have some- thing to say. UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF PAY. Mr Cottier: I think that those who prepared this scheme are on the right The Attorney-General: I beg to move: lines. I told the chairman of the Ad- That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be visory Committee that I could see no re- authorised to apply from the current revenue of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, sult at all from the present regulations. 1938, a sum not exceeding £9,950 for the pur- I asked the secretary of the Board to pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- draw up particulars of the different curred in connection with the following ser- farms and the numbers employed. The vices :— committee thought that the requirements (a) 75 per cent, of the cost of unemploy- ment pay in respect of the period as set down were very reasonable, but 1st to 30th April, 1937, and 28th in many cases they compelled a farmer October, 1937, to 31st March, 1938 £8,500 to employ another man until he could (b) Towards cost of providing work get a man under this scheme. Now, I and/or training of youths between had no hope that it would be a success. the ages of 18 and 22 years in pur- If a farmer could get so much of his suance of scheme approved by the labour without going into what he Lieutenant-Governor 1,000 (c) Unemployment Advisory Commit- should or should not employ, we would tee's expenses 450 get better results. The farmers are not against this scheme. The Deemster told £9,950 us there had been 66 applications, but This is to carry out the scheme which those were not all the applications sent we have adopted, of meeting 75 per cent. in by any means. Several applications of the cost of unemployment relief pay. were made to the Board which were out- side the scope of the scheme altogether. Agreed. and these are not included. Before we get this scheme taken up as I should like UPKEEP OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. to see it, the regulations will have to be Mr Quirk: I beg to move:— • ronsiderably altered. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue AGRICULTURAL CREDITS ACT of this isle during the year ending 31st March, EXPENSES. 1938, a sum not exceeding £6,260 for the pur- pose of defraying the following expendi- The Attorney-General moved:— tures :— That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be (a) Government Property Trustees £5,369 authorised to apply from the funds standing (maintenance and repair of to the credit of the Isle of Man Accumulated public buildings) Fund, a sum not exceeding £500 for the pur- Murray House, and Nos. 12 and 14, poses of the Agricultural Credits Acts, 1924 to 333 1932. Buck's Road, Douglas (c) Castle Rushen 281 Agreed. (d) Peel Castle 277 AGRICULTURAL RATES REMISSION £6,260 AND AGRICULTURAL RATES AND IMPROVEMENT FUND. All that is proposed here is absolutely The Attorney-General: I beg to move: necessary. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be Agreed. authorised to apply Irons the current revenue of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, 1938, a sum not exceeding £21,000 for the pur- ALTERATIONS TO HOUSES IN pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- BUCK'S ROAD, DOUGLAS. curred in connection with the following ser- vices :— Mr Quirk moved:— (a) Agricultural Rates Act, 1929 £15,700 That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be (h) Agricultural Rates and Improve- authorised to apply from the current revenue ments Fund Act, 1934 5,300 of this Isle during the year ending 31st March. 1938, a sum not exceeding £487 (being the un- £21,000 expended balance of the vote taken in 1936-37) — — — Agricultural Credits Act Expenses.—Agricultural Rates Remission and Agricultural Rates and Improvement Fund.—Unemployment Relief Pay.—Upkeep of Public Buildings.---Altcrations to Houses in Buck's Road, Douglas. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 351

to enable the Government Property Trustees of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, to complete the alterations in Nos. 8 and 10, 1938, a sum not exceeding £10,000 as a grant Buck's Road, Douglas, so as to provide com- to the Publicity Board for the purpose of mittee rooms for meetings of the Legislature advertising the Island. and Boards of Tynwald. The amount is the same as last year. 1 Agreed. don't propose to say anything about unless any hon. member wishes to ask CUSTOM HOUSE ALTERATIONS. for information. The arrivals of visitors last year were, I think, the second best The Attorney-General: I beg to move: in the history of the Island, and we have That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be a very considerable hope that this year authorised to apply from the current revenue may also be very good indeed. Had it of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, 1938, a sum not exceeding £300 (being the un- not been for the counter-attraction of expended balance of the votes taken in 1936-37) the Coronation. I dare say that this year to enable the Government Property Trustees would have been approximately equal to complete the alterations to the Douglas to the best year the Island has ever had, Custom House. 1913. I have still, and I think the Board These and the next two resolutions are has as well, a great hope that 1937 is re-votes of unexpended balances. going to be—well, I won't say it will be Agreed. better than last year, but we shall be very disappointed if it is not. EXTENSION TO MANX MUSEUM. The resolution was carried. Deemster Farrant moved:— That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue MANX MUSEUM EXPENSES. of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, 1938, a sum not exceeding £1,645 (being the un- Deemster Farrant: I beg to move:— expended balance of the vote taken in 1936-37) to enable the Government Property Trustees That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be to complete the plan for remodelling the Manx authorised to apply from the current revenue Museum by the erection of a further extension of this Isle a sum not exceeding £2,250 ler to the existing building. the purpose of defraying, during the year end- ing 31st March, 1938, the expenses of the Agreed. Museum and Ancient Monuments Trustees. This is the usual annual vote, except FURNISHING PUBLIC BUILDINGS. that it is :C.25() larger than last year, Mr Quirk moved:— owing to the extension which has taken That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be place, and the extra expenditure we are authorised to apply from the current revenue put to for the administration of the of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, premises. 1938, a sum not exceeding £713 (being the un- expended balance of the vote taken in 1936-37) Agreed. to enable the Government Property Trustees to complete the furnishing of (a) the first floor and ground floors of Nos. 8 and 10, Buck's PUBLICATION OF BOOK ON MANX Road, now being reconstructed to provide committee rooms for the Legislature and PERSONAL NAMES. Boards of Tynwald (£595), and (b) the new library at the Rolls Office (£118). Deemster Farrant: I beg to move:— That the Treasurer or the Isle of Man be Mr Craine: Will there be a bar in this authorised to apply from the current revenue building? (Laughter.) of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, The Attorney-General: A milk bar 1938, a sum not exceeding £176 (being the un- expended balance of the vote taken in 1936-37) (Renewed laughter.) as a grant in aid to enable the Museum and Agreed. Ancient Monuments Trustees to publish a book on Manx Personal Names by Mr John Joseph Kneen, M.A. ADVERTISING THE ISLAND. This is a re-vote of money already Mr Qualtrough: I beg to move:— granted. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue Agreed.

Customs House Alterations.—Extension to Manx Museum.—Furnishing Public Buildings.—Advertising the Island.—Manx Museum Expenses,—Publication of Book on Manx Personal Names. 352 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY. — GOVERN- the nurseries 200,000 seedlings, and MENT'S CONTRIBUTION. these will be available for planting The Attorney-General: I beg to out in the plantations next year. move:— The Board themselves used up 1,132 That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be posts, in order to fence in the various authorised to apply from the current revenue plantations, so as to protect the young of this Isle, by way of grant to the Isle of trees from the ravages, particularly, of Man Electricity Board during the year ending 31st March, 1938, a sum not exceeding £2,000 rabbits. We were able to find for our- in respect of interest and sinking fund, pay- selves all the posts that were necessary. able by the said Board on money borrowed Also, we sold 1,336 poles to the general by the Board for the purposes of the Isle of public. Unfortunately, last winter was Man Electric Light and Power Act, 1932. very severe. It was against the growth This is a statutory payment. Last year of trees, so the percentage of failures our contribution amounted to £3,102. It was more than in the previous year. It is on a declining scale, and this year it amounted to about five per cent. this is under £2,000. year, and this was due entirely to the ex- ceptionally bad weather. The Board has Agreed. now 5601 acres of land, of which 350 are planted. During the past year, only ten acres were purchased. We are always FORESTRY BOARD EXPENSES. open to hear from persons who have land Mr Southward: I beg to move:— available and for sale for this purpose. Unfortunately, when a public body tries That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue to acquire land, the prices go up very of this Isle a sum not exceeding £4,600 for the considerably, and sometimes land has purpose of defraying during the year ending been offered to the Forestry Board which 31st March, 1938, the expenses of the Forestry was quite unsuitable for planting. We Board. want land in which we can plant trees I should like to say how sorry I am that will be seen by the people, parti- that the report upon the activities of the cularly the visitors who come to see the scenery of the Island. Sometimes we Board is not in members' hands. We have offers of land which is far away sent the report in for printing on the back, where nobody can see it, and 22nd April, and it is probable that the sometimes where it is very unsuitable printers have been so busy that they for planting. We employed thirteen have not been able to issue it. It is, men during the summer, and 42 in the however, in proof. In view of that fact, winter, under the employment scheme. I should like to give a summary of what And I may say that owing to the in- the Board has been doing during the past creased size of the plantations, and the year, so that the Court will be informed number of trees planted, the summer work will certainly increase. It is no as to the extent of the work. The total use planting small trees and then allow- number of trees disposed of was 152,718, ing them to be smothered with under- and these were allocated as follows:— growth. That has to be cut down, and used in the plantations, 137,495; sold to the work has to be done in the summer. the public, 13,607; granted to public The people who visited the Forester, or bodies, 1,616. I may say that whenever were visited by him, were 1,540, and the public bodies, that is to say local author- work of the secretary's department has ities, apply to the Board for trees to increased by 13 per cent. The sum of beautify their various areas, we always £348 was received for goods sold. I grant the trees free, on the condition might point out that the Forestry Board that they are looked after. Unfortun- is the only Board of Tynwald that is ately, in some cases where we have given paying money back into the general the trees, the local authority has not revenue. All the others are simply tak- given them the care that should have ing it out, but I am glad to say we are been given, and many of them have been giving something back. broken down and destroyed. During the year there were lined out in A voice: You cannot help it.

Electricity Supply--Government's Contribution.—Forestry Board's Expenses. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, I 937. 353

Mr Southward: This payment is being NAVAL AND MILITARY WAR increased each year. Last year, I think, PENSIONS. it was about £250. Our plantations are Deemster Farrant moved:— scattered all over the Island, more or That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be less, and it is necessary to get about over authorised to apply from the current revenue these places quickly, and also to trans- of this Isle a sum not exceeding 1470 for the port plants. So, we had to acquire a purpose of defraying during the year ending 31st March, 1938, the administrative expenses motor car, and this past year we also ac- of the committee appointed by the Court quired a lorry, which is proving very under the Naval and Military War Pensions useful indeed. Already it has travelled (Isle of Man) Act, 1915. nearly 1,500 miles. The nurseries are five in number, and the plantations Agreed. fifteen. I should like, before sitting down, to pay a tribute to our forester DEVELOPMENT BOARD. — SALARY ("hear, hear"). He is a very excellent OF SHORTHAND TYPIST. man, who takes a very keen interest in Mr Corrin: I beg to move:— his work, and I am sure that his services That in terms of section 4 (14) of the Town have been appreciated by the people all and Country Planning Act, 1934, Tynwald ap- over the Island. He is always at their proves of the payment of £78 per annum to beck and call, and always willing to give a shorthand typist to be employed by the the best advice that is possible to every- Development Board constituted in pursuance one, no matter whom they may be. I am of the said Act. sure he has been of very great service, The passing of this resolution creates a and he is a very approachable man new office, and under the terms of the ("Hear, hear"). The secretary, also, is Act, we have to come to Tynwald for a very faithful and efficient servant, and permission. The necessity for this new I should like to pay a tribute to them office has come about for two reasons. both in this Court. One is that the work of the Board keeps increasing, but the most important rea- The resolution was carried. son is that the inquiries we are involved in in connection with our development FISHERIES BOARD EXPENSES. scheme during the coming year will Mr Crellin: I beg to move:— necessitate the employment of a typist. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be The work of taking shorthand notes and authorised to apply from the current revenue typing in conection with the Douglas of this Isle, a sum not exceeding £400 for the housing scheme cost, I think, round purpose of defraying during the year ending about £60. So, the Board will see that 31st March, 1938, the expenses to be incurred by the Fisheries Board. we only need one or two inquiries in order to save money by employing our I would like to apologise to the Court own typist. for not having our report ready. As a matter of fact, it only came back from Mr J. H. L. Cowin: Is this salary on the auditors a comparatively short time the recognised Government scale? It ago, and it is now in the hands of the doesn't seem large. printers. There is a small increase of Mr Corrin: I don't know what the £50, which may be necessary in connec- minimum is, but it is a very modest tion with the work of the Isle of Man salary. Fisheries Association. The resolution was passed. Mr Craine: I would like to ask whether the Douglas Corporation have prohibited people from fishing along the DEVELOPMENT BOARD EXPENSES. river at Belle Vue? I have heard com- Mr Corrin: I beg to move:— plaints. Can they do it? That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be authorised to apply from the current revenue Mr Crellin: I don't think they can pro- of this Isle during the year ended 31st March. hibit anyone from fishing, but they can 1938, a sum not exceeding £1,484 for the pur- certainly prohibit people from wander- poses of the Town and Country Planning Act, ing along the bank, if they wish to. 1934. The resolution was carried. This is an increase, as compared with

Fisheries Board Expenses.—Naval and Military War Pensions.—Development Board—Salary of Shorthand Typist.—Development Board Expenses. 354 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. last year, of round about £500. That in- velopment Board had been in operation crease is accounted for, first of all, by earlier, a great deal of mischief would the new office we have just created, the have been prevented. Now, you will find shorthand-typist, with a salary of £78, that these estates have been developed, and also by the preparation of schemes— and there will be portions of them in that is, inquiries, and the issue of pro- which you cannot find access from one visional orders, which must arise during street to another. We are preparing a the coming year. While I have the op- scheme to prevent that sort of thing portunity, I should like to say a word or from happening in the future. That two with regard to the work of the scheme has been practically prepared Board. During the period between the and adopted, and in a very short time 12th May, 1936, and the 31st March, 1937, we shall be holding an inquiry, and com- we have had before us, for development ing before Tynwald with a provisional of one kind and another, 591 applica- order to make it effective. tions. Of these, 475 were approved, 102 Mr Kitto: May I ask if the Board is- disapproved, and 14 withdrawn. Of the sues an annual report, the same as the 102 that were disapproved, 46 were re- other Boards? submitted, embodying the modifications Mr Corrin: Yes, it is in course of pre- suggested by the Board, and were then paration. approved. With respect to five of these disapprovals, contracts were produced The Speaker: I should like to ask showing that the development was out- whether the Board's work hitherto has side the date of the coming operation of included the preservation of our glens the general interim development order, It would be very lamentable if any of and consequently we had no jurisdic- our glens were to share the fate of Port tion over them. In addition to this kind Soderick, and I would like to see steps of work—which is, after all, not the being taken to ensure that the beauty of main work of a Development Board; it our glens shall remain. is merely, if I may put it so, restrictive Mr Daniel Teare: In connection with work, controlling the ordinary develop- the Development Board, I think there is ment of building—we have to undertake room for a little more co-operation, both the work of planning, of determining be- with the Local Government Board and forehand how the different areas of our the local authorities. I was approached country shall be laid out. We have been some time ago by a gentleman who told se snowed under, with the work of deal- me he wanted to build a small bungalow, ing with plans in the ordinary way, that and he had had to get out three different we have to a large extent been unable sets of plans. One went to the local to deal with the bigger question. But authority, one to the Local Government we have asked the local authorities to Board, and the other to the Development prepare schemes for their particular Board. He said this was needless ex- areas, and submit them to our surveyor pense, and I quite agree. I would like for his observations, and for approval. to know from the chairman whether this One such scheme is at present being pre- is necessary, and whether the Board re- pared, for Port St. Mary and Port Erin, quires a separate set of plans, or and when these schemes are submitted, whether it can co-ordinate with the our surv.yor will see that they are co- other authorities, and use the same related, that they will fit in with one plans. If this is a requirement, it will another, and also fit into a general make building more expensive. The De- scheme, which will come before us in the velopment Board are getting into present year. There is also a very knotty people's bad books, I think. I have problem dealing with the Ballakermeen nothing to say against them, but I hear and Ballabrooie estates. On those that they are going ahead too quickly, estates we have various speculative and interfering in questions which would builders, who have bought portions of be better left to the Local Government the land in order to carry on their busi- Board and the local authorities. I am ness, and unfortunately, they have been not going to raise that matter now, but I carrying on without any attempt at all would like to know about these plans. at co-ordinating their plans. If the De- Mr Alfred Teare: I have heard this

Development Board Expenses. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 355

Board referred to as "the Devilment any member of the Court having re- Board." Quite a number of complaints ceived the Board's report for the past have come to me about various things year. I am sorry to say this, because it that this Board does, or doesn't allow seems as though I were getting at the other people to do, and I would like to chairman in a dual capacity. Last year mention one or two. I take it that the I had to find fault with him, on the Board's real object should be to plan all same grounds, as chairman of the Elec- estates which in the near future may be tricity Board. If these Boards were built upon. It seems as though their composed entirely of members of Tyn- time is being taken up with dealing wald. I could get at them in another way. merely with plans of houses and other But without presenting any report, he buildings on the point of being erected. is asking for a sum of money to enable And while they are passing these plans, him to carry out this nefarious work. they seem to have no bye-law or regula- (Laughter.) I have always been opposed tion for anybody to get hold of; they to this so-called Development Board. I simply say, "In our opinion—." And have always thought that if we wanted opinions differ from time to time. It is any areas to be efficiently planned out, stipulated that no person shall build it would have been very much cheaper more than twelve houses to the acre, and to get an expert over from England from a person may have a space of land at time to time, who would tell us what we the back of his house, and yet is not could do. At present, the Board are allowed to build a shed in which to place nothing short of a horrible nuisance. a wheelbarrow or a lawn mower. I am They are falling out with the people of sure that to put an erection of some kind the Isle of Man, north, south, east, and for this purpose would be less unsightly west, and interfering in niggling things than to have a contraption of screws and that they should be ashamed to mix parts standing in the open, or to allow themselves up in. The matter reached the plot of land to become a mass of a climax at Ramsey the other day, when weeds. Again, I should like to know a friend of mind who is a practical joker how it is, when wooden erections are not sent in three sets of plans for a dog allowed to ordinary persons, that the kennel in his house. The plan went to police have erected one on the outskirts the town surveyor, who showed it to of Douglas, quite close to a main high- the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk said. road. I don't know whether it is sup-- "Very well, if we have no objection to posed to be a summer house, or a place it, it must go on to the Town Planning to have afternoon tea in—(laughter)- Board, and a copy must be sent to the but I have heard that it is to be a call- Local Government Board." It went to box. I suppose the Development Board the Town Planning Board, and I hap- had notice of it. Some people are pre- pened to be on that committee of the vented from putting up a wooden erec- local authority which received it when tion like that, and other people are it came back. I can get no further in- allowed. Another grievance is that the formation, but a rumour went round the Board have allowed a certain erection to town that the only objection the Town be built in a place which to my mind is Planning Board had was this: When the most dangerous corner in the Island, their inspector went round to see the the Quarter Bridge. A building has been kennel, he saw not only the mother dog. removed on one side of the road, but the but a little puppy. And he suggested owners have been allowed to erect that in addition to the large door at the another on the other side, in a most dan- side for the ingress and egress of the dog. gerous place. Any person wishing to a small door should be put in for the in- purchase anything at that shop will have gress and egress of the puppy to cross a most crowded road—and all (Laughter.) That is typical of the De- the traffic is on that particular side—and velopment Board. They are interfering I am sure we shall have some very with the Forestry Board, of which I am a member: and I think that shortly they serious accidents. will be telling the Highway Board how Mr Alcock: I really think it is a piece to conduct their business. I am per- of cool audacity for the chairman to fectly convinced that if you could get a bring forward this resolution, without free vote of this Court on the abolition

Development Board Expenses, 356 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. of the Development Board, the vote this particular Board, and what I want would be unanimous for abolition. to say is this, possibly a new broom (Laughter.) I do object to the chair- sweeps clean. The Development Board man coming here and asking us for this is a blessing in disguise money without letting us have a report Mr Alcock: A thick disguise. of the infamies they have been com- mitting this year. Mr W. K. Cowin: We have objections from people who might think the Boafd Mr Craine: If there is any board which is too hard, which it might be at some should be formed, it is the Development time or another. Members of the Board Board. I am not saying that with my don't see eye to eye at all times. I tongue in my cheek. I am only sorry would not like to see the ,Board abol- that the Board was not formed fifty ished, and if it were I would move to years ago. There would have been some have it started again. I agree with the town-planning in Douglas then, and we hon. member for South Douglas when he should have had a beautiful promenade, says he is sorry the Board was not here which the sea would not be eroding 50 years ago. I hope the Board will con- away. I have heard the processes of the tinue with the work it is going on with Development Board described in this now. way: "Half-hour Service: Plans in at 8 o'clock, rejected at 8-30." (Laughter.) Mr Gill: I want to support this vote, I don't believe that. After the statement and as a member of the Board I con- made by the chairman, I am sure the sider it has not been in existence a Court will agree that they are doing minute too soon. It should have been in some very good work. But if I may existence years ago. Of the 591 plans offer a criticism, I would say that I don't submitted to the Board, 102 were dis- know the standard on which they reject approved, and 46 re-considered and plans. I know some members of the passed. The Board are getting a lot of Board who have very strong personal criticism which is really uncalled for. opinions on matters, but whether their We have done everything to work in opinions are formed by reference to with the local authorities, and asked some standard, I don't know. We get them to work in with us. They have plans in •at the Douglas Town Council, passed plans and given the tip to us to before the Works Committee, and whilst turn them down. We are backward with many members of the committee think our zoning and regional planning. At it would be unfortunate, for various rea- Ballakermeen there are three different sons, if the proposed building were car- builders and three sets of planning or ried out, if they comply with the bye- estates. We have to fit them in so that laws they have to be passed. The De- roads run into one another. It has got velopment Board has power in respect of to be fitted in like a jig-saw puzzle, and such buildings now, and I am just won- we are really doing a very good and use- dering whether they have got a set of ful work. I think it is very wrong that bye-laws for their own guidance. I we should be criticised to such an ex- think it would ease the mind of the tent. The dog kennel the hon. member Court if the chairman could tell us on spoke about was submitted by a breeder what lines the Board approves or re- of dogs; it was a very big thing. It jects. Nevertheless I am going to sup- was submitted by a well-known breeder, port this vote. I know that the exist- who had every right to submit it to the ence of the Development Board is a boon Board. I think the Court would be doing to the Douglas Corporation. Plans a great wrong to turn this down, and come in to us, and they comply with the that they ought to be complimented on bye-laws, and yet every member of the the work they are doing. committee thinks that the proposed Mr Kelly: Whilst I have various buildings should not be there. But I am opinions on what I hear of the work of confident that we shall be able, when we the Development Board, I want to ask send the plans to the Development the Board a question with regard to a Board, to pass on a footnote, "Please re- letter which came before the Boara of ject this." (Laughter.) Agriculture the other day. A man in- Mr W. K. Cowin: I am a member of tended to try out pig production on a

Development Board Expenses, TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 357 site 150 yards from a house or highroad, death traps that abound in every town and sent in plans of a piggery to consist of the Island. I say this whether we of galvanised iron, lined with wood, a agree with all they have done or not— stock type used on most of the pig farm's and I don't agree with all their decision; in England. The Development Board and I think they are sadly wrong in one turned down his application unless brick thing—I think we all ought to back them was used. For an experiment, brick up loyally. If they can evolve standard • would have been too expensive to try regulations it is very desirable they out, and so he has given up the whole should do so. You can say how thick project, simply because the Development timbers are to be, and drain pipes, and Board would not approve the type of so on, but it is a different matter when building and conditions obtaining in you are dealing with beauty and ameni- England and on a site 150 yards from a ties. But I think the Board are consider- house or highway. I would like to know ing that, and we must not expect them if that is a correct statement. as a general thing to lay down rules as The Attorney-General: When this a local authority does. I think that as Board was first formed 1 was asked to a whole they are working in co-opera- attend their first meeting, and I said to tion with the local authorities, and when them, "You have a most unpopular wor.Lc we see the positive side in zoning and to .do, and the possibility is you will be not merely the restrictive side, which is slanged by every Board of Tynwald." It bound to come into prominence in the is our habit to set up a board and spend early days of the Board, I think we wi,1 of the rest of our days abusing it. One appreciate the work the Board is doing. of the best things in favour of the Board Mr Corrin: I am grateful to the Tyn- was the article in the "Times" the other wald Court for the kindly way it has re- week in which architects complained of ceived this. We are, I suppose, the most plans turned down by the Board. When unpopular Board in the Isle of Man, and I think of the beauty of the country dis- I was sure when we commenced our tricts in England, of the places and work that we were in for trouble. What houses frequently reproduced in the has surprised me is the amount of co- photographs in the London "Times," I operation and sympathy we have re- think of some of the villages in the Isle ceived up and down the Isle of Man. It of Man and realise the big and difficult says a great deal for the foresight of job we have here. I think our thanks the Manx people. With regard to the co- are due to Mr Corrin and the other operation that exists between the members of the Board. We may have Development Board and other author- to reconsider its constitution; it is very ities involved in our schemes, I might big,. probably too big for working pur- say that we keep in constant touch with poses. There are 19 members, I believe; the local authorities, the Local Govern- we wanted to get in as many interests as ment Board and the Highway Board. We we could. I have been frequently in have had several conferences with one touch with them as I have to act for the Board and another, and in answer to the Board, and I have been impressed with hon. member Mr Kelly, I might say that the fact that though there are different we determined at our last meeting to dis- opinions, they are moving in the right cuss the very question of agricultural direction and working on sound lines. I buildings, and particularly this question don't think we ought to discuss indivi- of a piggery. dual cases here, whether a piggery Mr Cottier: Will you tell us whether should be built of brick or galvanised three sets of plans are necessary? iron. We might want to know how near this was to be to a road, whether there Mr Corrin: I think it is unfortunate, would be any smell from the road, and but I would like to give the Court this whether a single brick wall was dearer. information. If a person who wants to The point is that at last we are setting provide plans makes one copy, he can our hands to the principle that the Isle send them along to be photographed of Man has got to be developed on lines and have half-a-dozen plans for 2s. of beauty. We are not going to have There is not a lot of expenditure if the roads that don't run into other roads, plans are photographed. Builders do bringing about the general confusion ol that very commonly now. With regard

Development Board Expenses. 858 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. to the question the Speaker has put, the see that any danger which exists at the Board are anxious to protect all the present time will practically have dis- beauty spots of the Island, and so far as appeared. their powers permit them, they are determined that shall be done. Things Mr Alfred Teare: People will have a have happened that have done a good wider road to cross then. deal to spoil our glens, and we are hop- Mr Corrin: I take it there is always a ing for the future our glens will be safe- greater danger on a narrow road, especi- guarded against any desecration of that ally on a corner. We are working in co- kind. The Attorney-General has an- operation with the Douglas Corporation, swered, and much better than I can, the and it was really on their advice that the question of establishing regulations to plans were passed. With regard to Mr cieal with our work. We all see how im- Alcock, I think he is too severe and is possible that is. We are not dealing not justified in the attitude he has taken with the strength of walls but the ques- towards the Development Board. I dis- tion of amenities, and when you are agree when he says that if the Tynwald dealing with that, and spiritual qualities Court had the opportunity of creating which cannot be measured, you cannot this Board now they would turn the idea bring them under bye-laws or regula- down. I think that the Tynwald Court, tions. You have got to trust the judg- like the people of the Isle of Man gener- ment of the Board, and that is where all ally, have come to the conclusion that the trouble arises. I might say that the the Development Board is very neces- principal trouble has arisen not in con- sary in the Isle of Man and is really do- nection with the big things we have to ing good work. In conclusion, I would deal with. A person wants to put up a like to appeal for the co-operation and summer house in the garden or a garage, helpful sympathy of all concerned so and they think that any kind of a shack that we can make a really good job of can cover a car or be suitable for storing this question of planning. tools in. They do not consider the ques- The motion was put and carried with- tion of amenities, but only of conveni- out dissent. ence to themselves, and when the De- velopment Board say they are not going to permit it, or the neigh- TOURIST TROPHY RACES AND bours object, there are some people MOTOR CAR RACES. who get on their high horse. Gener- Mr Southward moved:— ally speaking, we find the people 'that the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be we have to deal with very reason- authorised to apply from the current revenue able, and those people who have caused of this Isle during the year ending 31st March, trouble and endeavoured to get the 1938, a sum not exceeding £3,500 as a grant in Board into bad books are comparatively aid of the 1937 international Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy Races, and a stun not exceed- few. The Board have passed a good ing £1,500 as a grant in aid of the 1937 Car number of structures of that kind, but Race. we lay it down strictly that they must not be unsightly, and, whenever possible, Agreed. must be hidden from view of the road. In addition, we make it a condition that HARBOURS.—GENERAL MAIN TEN - this kind of structure should be kept in AN CE AND REPAIR. presentable condition and kept painted in such a way as to prevent it be- The Receiver General moved:— coming unsightly. With regard to the That this Court do approve the estimates house at the Quarter Bridge, that house submitted by the Harbour Commissioners for has been built into the adjoining ground. the maintenance of the harbours of this Island (including the Victoria Pier Buildings A great deal of excavation was neces- and Swing Bridge, Douglas, and the Queen's sary in order to get it there and I think Pier, Ramsey) for the year ending 31st March, the change that has been suggested will 1938, amounting in the aggregate to £24,736, be obviated when the widening of the as set forth in the said estimates, and do roads at the Quarter Bridge will have authorise the grant to the Harbour Commis- taken place. That is bound to take place sioners of a sum not exceeding £22,055 to be and when it has been done we will all applied, along with moneys in the hands of Tourist Trophy Races and Motor Car Races.—Harbours—General Maintenance and Repairs. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 359 the Commissioners, towards such maintenance, such sums to be provided as hereunder :— and the engineer told me a few days ago From current revenue— we would have to spend from six to eight Amount received dur- thousand pounds to keep it there. We ing the year ended are not asking for that this year. In- 31st March, 1937, from cluded in the vote is £200 more for the rents, bay fisheries and boat licences £1,900 0 0 Queen's Pier at Ramsey. The Court will For Victoria Pier Build- know there has been a system of taking ings 655 0 0 luggage from the point of the pier to the For Douglas Harbour town by a trolley worked by hand. It Swing Bridge 1,220 0 0 is very obsolete and wants a lot of For maintenance of Queen's Pier, Ramsey 930 0 0 money spending on it. The Harbour £4,705 0 0 Commissioners have purchased a pretrol From the passenger duty and har- locomotive to carry ten or twelve people bour dues, or either of them, as well as luggage with a trailer. Tla: levied or to be levied at the schemes we have on hand for next year several harbours towards the are not able to absorb the same number general maintenance of harbours.. 17,350 0 0 of men as we did last year. The differ- £22,055 0 0 ence is only eight, but I want to put it to the Court, so that when the time comes He said: This is the usual vote for the we will not be found fault with. I move maintenance of the harbours of the Isle the vote, and it may be of interest if I of Man. The amount of the vote is an mention now a matter which actually increase on last year of £4,000, accoun- has nothing to do with the vote. We ted for by the fact that we had a balance have had a dredger for 12 months, and of considerably over £2,000, and this during that time, whilst the figures for year we had very little. In this vote we the 12 months are not available, the had to take into account the increased figures for 10 months show that 20,000 to price of materials used in the course of 30,000 tons have been removed from the year's work. Included in the esti- different harbours. I think we must mates is the sum of £2,000 for a new congratulate this Court for giving up shelter on the North side of the Victoria permission to purchase the dredger, Pier. I don't think £2,000 will cover it. which is the best investment the Harbour It is only the beginning. We hope to be Commissioners have made since I have able to do part of that work this year. been a member. The Court will know the old black shelter there which has served its Mr Norris: You have not taken the day, and it is time now for its demoli- sand off the shore by any chance? tion. There is £1,000 for re-surfacing Mr Alcock: This vote is like a red rag the North Quay and finishing the re- to a bull to me. There is £1,200 voted maining portion with asphalt, which has for the maintenance of a swing-bridge in cost a considerable amount of money, but Douglas and, notwithstanding anything we have a guarantee for five years from I can do, there is not a half-penny for us those who have done the work. There in Ramsey. At the next Tynwald Court is £750 for the Marconi radio beacon, I will raise the question of the .swing- which we hope to have installed on the bridge in Ramsey and bring it to a de- Victoria Pier by the end of June. I may finite conclusion. say that every one of the passenger steamers have installed receivers, and Mr Craine: Is anything mentioned the signal will operate for a distance of about the fog-horn in the report? And 25 miles out to sea. the reason why we are hearing it every minute of the day for a week? It is get- Mr Craine: Is this any relation to the ting on many people's nerves. One day fog-horn? We are fed-up with it in Dou- it was really brilliant sunshine. Whether glas. We have heard it every day. they were practising or not I do not The Receiver-General: On account of know, but I would like to know why the very heavy storm the North Pier at we have to put up with this terrible Ramsey was extensively damaged and it noise. has been repaired temporarily. It has Mr J. H. L. Cowin: I took the same been built considerably over 80 years view of the fog-horn after it had been

Harbours—General Maintenance and Repairs. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. running for six hours and 1 went to the keeps raising this year after year. We end of Victoria Pier to see what was hap- are getting three-quarters back of what pening. There, 1 was met by two engin- we paid. How much in tolls is being re- eers who showed me over the plant, ceived from people passing over the which includes one petrol and one swing-bridge in 1-tamsey in the last 12 electrical engine. With one set they months? There is no toll, and the people were just at the conclusion of the test of Douglas claim there should be no toll and were about to start testing the other. over the swing-bridge in two years time. I told them that unless they wanted the They are getting £1,700 a year now. whole of Douglas to descend on them Something should be done. People liv- they had better keep it until the next ing on the other side of the harbour have day. At the same time the fog-horn is a to pay 5s a year for the right to cross definite boon to every kind of shipping the bridge. in this port. I would like to call the at- Demster Cowley : The Government of tention of the Board to the very bad the Isle of Man pay £1,000 a year to- state of the South Quay. I don't know wards the upkeep of the Queen's Pier whether the Harbour Board is wholly out of revenue. responsible for it. You might say its present bad condition is caused by lay- The Receiver-General : The hon. mem- ing the new gas main, and the alterations ber for South Douglas, Mr Craine, asked to the Stone Bridge, but I commend it to about the fog horn. It was in the agree- the Board's consideration. When the ment that before we took it over it should run for 24 hours. As a matter Board start work next winter, I would of fact, it was run for half that time. I ask them to consider getting shelters hear it lying in bed, but as a matter of further down the Victoria and the King fact, we only get about 100 hours of fog Edward Piers. It is true there is a cer- in a year. With regard to the road al, tain amount of shelter once the queue the South Quay, raised by the hon. mem- starts to move, but sometimes they move ber for Middle, part of the South Quay very slowly and people might be a is under the control of the Harbour Com- quarter-of-an-hour standing in a open missioners, and part under the Douglas position. I think something could be Corporation. Now, in connection with done. You said last time there were the new bridge, new gas mains have engineering difficulties, but I would like been laid on the sea side of the Quay, to see the Board tackle the question and which is under the control of the Har- inquire whether these difficulties could bour Board, and that accounts for its be overcome. When persons arrive at bad state. Repairs to the roadway were Blackpool, say, in a railway station they started yesterday, and I think I might are covered and have every possible say that prior to the laying of the mains comfort. that part of the South Quay which is Mr Norris: I rather think that the hon. under the control of the Harbour Board member for Ramsey gives the impres- was in a much better condition than that sion that £1,200 is being given for the under the control of the Douglas Cor- maintenance and repair of the Douglas poration. In reply to the other ques- swing-bridge, his object being to show tion, about the shelter on the Victoria to the people of Ramsey that this Court Pier. 1 understand there is some diffi- refuses to spend one penny on the swing- culty. The Harbour Master considers bridge at 'Ramsey. On pages 9 and 10 that to extend the shelter further down of the harbour estimates, the hon. mem- the pier would be dangerous, but we will ber will see that the sum of £1,630 was consider what the hon. member has men- received in receipts from the swing- tioned. bridge this year. That was paid to the The vote was agreed to. Government and of that, £1,200 is being paid back. The balance would be paid for interest and sinking fund on the HARBOURS.—MISCELLANEOUS cost of that bridge. The whole of the WORKS. cost will be paid in two years' time to- The Receiver-General moved:— gether with interest and sinking fund. That the Treasurer of the Isle of Man be The hon. member is quite wrong and authorised to transfer to the general revenue

Harbours—Miscellaneous Works. TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937. 361 from the passenger duty and harbour dues, men; from November to March we had or either of them, levied or to be levied at the 364 temporary men, and from March to several harbours during the year ending 31st March, 1938, a sum not exceeding £4,500, October, 66 temporary men. We took, for the purliose of enabling the Harbour Com- on an average, 369 men from the regis- missioners to : ter. The largest number of temporary (1) Repair, the Alfred Pier, Port St men we employed at one time was 387, Mary £1,000 and the average number taken from the (2) Reconstruct Peel Quay Road Bridge 1,300 register 369. The permanent men's (3) Modernise the Douglas fog signal wages amounted to £30,231, and for tem- and remove it to a new position 1,600 (4) Complete the reconstruction of the porary men we paid £20,720, a total of Harbourmaster's Office, Ramsey ... 400 £50,951, or practically £51,000 paid dir- ect to the men in wages, which repre- £.4,300 sents 50 per cent. of our total expendi- The vote was agreed to. ture in wages. I think that is a fair price considering the work carried out. Also, to carry out this work we had to em- ploy a number of lorries. This year the HIGHWAY BOARD GRANT. Board had 56 lorries and 15 carts. Mr Southward moved:— would like to point out that the employ- That the Treasurer of the isle of Man be ment oi these carts and lorries greatly authorised to apply from the current revenue assists the unemployment problem, as we of this Isle during the year ending 31st Marmi, paid for the hire of lorries £15,496, and 1938, a sum not exceeding £60,350 for the pur- to the men from whom we hired the pose of defraying the expenditure to be in- curred by the Highway Board in connection carts £669, a total cost for hire haulage With the following services :- of £16,165. Also, in connection with the (a) Reconstruction of scheduled roads £42,080 roads, we have done a lot of tar spray- (o) Reconstruction of King Edward ing. Some of the roads have to be done Road 250 each year, and others every three years; (c) Bye-pass road, Castletown—com- it depends on the traffic on the roads. pletion of 3,600 Last year we tar sprayed 84 miles of (d) King Edward Road—diversion of road at a total cost of £15,488. The area Baldromma crossing 5,000 we tar sprayed was 943,000 square yards. (e) Quarry development and general works 5,000 The cost of spraying works out at just 4,500 under 4d. per square yard, and we used (1) Land drainage 410,000 gallons of tar. Outside of this £60,350 we carried on a deal of special work, G rants to he made lions time to time on the financed mostly out of our own funds. certificate of the Surveyor-General as to the These included the Port Soderick road at total cost of the work completed. Santon; the Barregarrow Hill, Michael; The work provided for in this resolution to the Sound road, Rushen; the Black- be carried out only between 1st November, 1937, and 31st March, 1938, and all latiOur boards, Santon; Union Mills Bridge; (other than the permanent staff required for Union Mills Corner; Sulby Claddagh supervision) to be engaged from the register Bridge; Walton House Corner, Balla of unemployed. salla; the Howe road, Port St. Mary; Mr Southward: The only thing I Gordon widening; Thurol Cottage widen- would like to call attention to is that you ing; the Harbour road, Santon; the top will notice that the grant for reconstruc- of Slieu Lewaigue; King Edward Road, tion of scheduled roads is down by and the Castletown bye-pass road. In £2,750, due to £2,750 less being required connection with Land Drainage work, for the completion of the King Edward's we spent £4,500 last year, in Sulby river, Road. I would just like to say a few the Neb, and at Laxey. At Sulby river words with regard to the working of the we excavated 573 tons of gravel and put Board during the past year. We have in 1,145 piles, clearing 651 yards of the re-constructed 10 miles of roads, and for river. At the Neb, we cleared 750, put- that purpose we have produced 84,122 ting in 1,334 piles and excavating 729 tons of stone from all our quarries. We tons of gravel. At Laxey we put in a also spent on unscheduled roads £345. In retaining wall at the weir. order to carry out this work we have em- Mr Norris : How many men were em- ployed, on an average, 242 permanent ployed in the rivers?

Highway Board Grant.

362 TYNWALD COURT, MAY 25, 1937.

Mr Southward: Eighty. of the Island are equal to, if not better Mr Norris : What is the number to be than, those in England. There is one employed next year? matter which I ieferred to last year to which I would like to call the attention Mr Southward: Four hundred and of the chairman, viz., King Edward sixty-two, Road. The fence on that road, with the Deemster Cowley: The number last exception of that under the control of year was 451, and this year it is 460 at the Douglas Corporation, is totally in- the moment, subject to certain reserva- adequate. I don't know whether the tions. Highway Board is responsible, but who- ever is, the fence is quite inadequate, Mr Norris: I noticed you received and if anything ran into it, it will be £5,000 from local authorities for stone give way, and the result win from the quarries. Do you supply them bound to be a fatal accident. I sincerely hope with stone for tar-spraying? that the chairman will look into tho. Mr Southward: Yes. matter. Mr Norris: What do they pay? Mr Southward: The fences belong to Mr Southward: The cost of produc- the owners of the land, not to the High- tion. way Board. Mr Norris: The cost of getting the Mr J. H. L. Cowin: Is it not time that stone from the quarries is paid for out King Edward Road was open for all of the revenue, but when you sell stone, sorts of vehicular traffic? The roadway that goes into the revenue of the High- was built so that visitors to the Island way Board. This year you have re- could see some of the beauties of our ceived £5,090, and this has been paid coastal scenery, but it is closed to chara- into your revenue, to be used for your bane traffic, with the result that a num- own purpose. The Insular revenue pays ber of people are debarred from using the cost of production, and the Board the road. There is also a lack of sign- sell to the rating authorities at a posts. We are getting an increasing profit— number of English motorists to the Island. I met one the other day, and Mr Southward: No. he was complaining about the lack of Mr Norris: Why don't they credit the directional signs. It was not much good Government with the money they re- getting our roads into such a good state ceive from the local authorities? I want of repair unless we tell people how to to say that the Highway Board should use them. The signs should be large not make a profit out of the stone they enough, and so fixed that people in sell. I want the local authorities to he motor cars can read them. placed in the same position as the High- Mr Southward: In reply to the hon. way Board. member for Middle, the Board will con- Mr Southward: if any local authority sider the opening of the King Edward applies for stone, we give it them at cost Road when the Groudle Bridge is price. finished. As to the signposts, the Board Mr Hampton: I would like first to are dealing with that. compliment the Highway Board for the The vote was carried, and the Court manner ;n which they have carried out adjourned to the following day at their work. I consider that the roads 11 a.m.

alfb41•■■%

Highway Board Grant.