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Q.--At former times the Registrar General was the only one to exercise the powers absolutely by himself. He has supreme management and control over the girls, --whether to detain them or let them go. He decides all by himself?
The CHAIRMAN.--He could, but he does not.
Is
Honourable Ho KAI.-In the new Ordinance the Registrar General is to associate himself with seven other Chinese and consult them and then exercise his power. not that the better way?
A. Of course, to consult them.
Q.--The Chinese prefer that?
A.-Yes, quite so.
Q.-Is it not within your own knowledge that some Chinese would come forward willingly to be members of the Committee if they have a certain voice in the matter?
A. Yes.
Q.-On the other hand they would never come forward if they had not?
A. Yes.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--Do I understand you that at present the Registrar General controls entirely the working of the Pó Léung Kuk?
The CHAIRMAN.—I have no power over the Pó Léung Kuk.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD. -The power of the Registrar General can exercise itself over the girls independent of the Pó Léung Kuk?
The CHAIRMAN.--I have the power and control over the girls-by law independent of the Pó Leung Kuk. As a matter of practice, however, I consult them and get advice from them and act upon that advice if I consider it the best.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--In the event of the Ordinance being enacted the Registrar General would be President of the Committee of the Pó Léung Kuk and all questions appertaining to the Society and to the girls under his protection would be decided by the majority of that Committee of which the Registrar General-is one.
The CHAIRMAN,—Yes, by that Committee as far as the affairs of the Pó Léung Kuk are concerned. There is the law which gives the Registrar General certain powers of dealing with girls independently of the draft Ordinance. He has to remove them to a place of safety and, at the present, he has to decide that the place of safety is in the middle of a Hospital. Under the Ordinance the Registrar General would consult, as he invariably does now, with the Committee of the Pó Leung Kuk, in order to decide what was the best thing to be done with any girl.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-The vote of the majority would decide what would be done with the girls?
The CHAIRMAN.—Yes.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Although the Registrar General would still have powers to deal with them. Suppose the majority were against the Registrar General ? What would happen? Suppose the majority of the Committee of the Pó Léung Kuk decide to do a certain thing, and having the majority they would carry out what they decided to do. The Registrar General under the Girls' Protection Ordinance would have no power to step in and interfere.
The CHAIRMAN.—It depends entirely what the case might be.
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