"Import Control on Red China Cement

Importers of Chinese cement in Singapore and the Federation will now have to apply for special licences before placing orders with their suppliers.

A Singapore Ministry of Commerce and Industry spokesman told the Straits Times last night that this step was necessary because cement produced in the Federation was facing competition from Red China cement."

Mr Speaker: Order. I have mentioned in the past that if any hon. Member wishes to quote from a newspaper, he ought to produce that newspaper and not a mere cutting. Perhaps the hon. Member will remember that in future.

Mr William Tan: Thank you, Sir, I will remember that.

Following up this ridiculous restriction, the Singapore Government has prohibited the import of certain types of goods from China because the Federation Government says so. Government should realise by now that this action is detrimental to our trade and the people of Singapore at large. Why must we follow the Federation Government? Just because they say, "We want it", therefore we must follow their action. That is most ridiculous.

Singapore should realise by now that we have spent millions and millions of dollars, or wasted this money on such small items like the stockpiling of rice. Why cannot that be removed?

Sir, in order that our people here can live decently and comfortably, I am of the opinion that we should adopt an independent policy in trade, which is our lifeblood, and this lifeblood must not be drained away at all costs. With encouragement, I hope that trade and industry will expand and perhaps produce a healthy economic structure that will in turn result in more dollars for our Treasury and also help to solve the problem of unemployment.

I would urge the Government to relax the tight immigration laws so that people with money can come and invest in this country. We must always remember that charity begins at home.

Now the Financial Secretary said at col. 1058 of the Hansard dated 3rd December, 1958:

"...the prospects of raising loans are not particularly bright.".

Sir, how can the prospects be bright when our own elected Government chose to invest 25 per cent of the Central Provident Fund overseas? Just work it out - 25 per cent of the Central Provident Fund - millions and millions of our valuable dollars! And I am not really surprised, Sir, that the irresponsible statements made by irresponsible politicians have also deterred people from investing money here. So how can we have loans? Now, as the Financial Secretary said, even the banks and other bodies which subscribed handsomely to loans in the past have no longer the same resources to do so. Why? Because they have no confidence. How can you raise loans and ask them to subscribe to them? The position is such that people with money are investing in Hongkong. They buy houses in Hongkong. They put their earnings in Hongkong. Many of them also invest their money in England, Australia, India and elsewhere. If Government are sincere about doing a job in the interests of the people, they can provide more houses and cheaper houses for the people. We have, Sir, about 15,000 people on the waiting list for houses but Government have only erected 1,000 or 2,000 and they come back with the answer or an excuse, "Oh, we cannot erect houses on that land, until we drive so and so out. But we will not do that!" That is all nonsense!

Even regarding the Health services, Sir. We can provide more outdoor dispensaries or clinics in the rural areas.

The Minister for Health (Mr A. J. Braga): On a point of clarification, Sir.

Mr Speaker: If the Member will give way? Mr Minister, the Member has not given way.

Mr William Tan: They do not look after their own jobs, but they look after their own interests. Even in the midst of a polio epidemic - a very serious one at that - the Minister chose to run away to Japan, in spite of appeals by Members of this House.

On Education, Sir, col. 1065 of the Hansard says:

"59 primary and 9 secondary schools have been built."

Why cannot we build more secondary schools to absorb those students? The Government are not aware of the grave problem of the teenagers who have to leave school for failing their examinations. Government must, provide more trade or technical schools for these school-leavers. Do they want them to roam about the streets? It is no wonder that crime is on the increase every day in Singapore.

So much has been said about merger with the Federation. All of us want merger, but the way the Government are going about it is not dignified. No doubt we want to merge with our big brother the Federation but we must also look after the interests of the people of Singapore first.

What do the Federation think of us? Have they any consideration or any sympathy towards our people here? We hear about merger day after day, until we get tired of it. There are four important things for the Singapore Government to do: (1) housing; (2) health; (3) education; (4) welfare. Do not talk about merger. We must think of our ownselves. We must work hard, so that we can live here comfortably instead of relying on the Federation. The Federation is a very rich country. What have we got here? Just because the Federation Government want to do a certain thing, must we follow? The Federation want us to do that. Must we agree? We are dignified and we must have a dignified approach, even if we want to consider the problem of a merger. I consider all the moves made by the Government are undignified.

3.07 p.m.

The Chief Minister: rose -

Mr Speaker: A business motion?