2.c.

l.c.

7

Some Ad Hoc group Members

were concerned that some

villages might have been missed out from the survey, and the Bill

would then be

be unfair to the villagers. They wanted to adopt a

more flexible definition so

definition so that residents of omitted villages, if

there were any, could also claim the rent concession.

Despite assurances from the Administration of the

thoroughness of the survey in question, we cannot deny that there is still a remote possibility that such cases may be established.

question

The Ad Hoc group was glad to hear that the Government will look into

into the matkak to ensure that all claims to pre-1898 status will be considered in the light of the Joint Declaration,

and evidence outside of the Block Crown Lease will be given its

proper weight.

I believe

this is sufficient assurance from the

Government to cover any possibility in this regard,

causing further delay to the passage of the Bill.

without

T'sos and tongs

rent

The second concern raised was the application of

concession to property held by "t'sos" and "t'ongs". These are

ancient Chinese institutions of ancestral land-holding, land derived from ancestor is enjoyed by male descendants

generation to generation.

whereby

from

However, the Ad Hoc group noted that only in the case of le

"t'sos" is the land concerned definitely held by indigenous

villagers. The question regarding the "t'ongs" is more

complicated: it is an association of people coming together for a particular

purpose

philanthropic.

include both

whether

religious,

commercial

or

Very often its members are So diverse as to

indigenous and non-indigenous villagers. Their

membership is also subject to changes from time to time.

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