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Honourable C. P. CHATER.-The Registrar General, by virtue of the Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, has the power of vetoing such decisions arrived at by the Committee of the Pó Léung Kuk.
The CHAIRMAN.-As a matter of fact I have absolutely no power over the Pó Léung Kuk.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-I mean over the girls. The Registrar General has the power to-day which, if that Ordinance was passed, I am given to understand by my friend on my right here (Dr. HO KAI), would have to be decided by the majority of those present at the Pó Léung Kuk who may vote against his wishes.
Honourable Ho KAI.--That is not exactly it. The Registrar General has the power, even if this Ordinance is passed, to place the girls wherever he likes, but once he makes use of the Pó Léung Kuk, sends a girl there, according to the provisions of that Ordinance, then the Committee is over the Registrar General.
EITEL.--You
Dr. EITEL. You mention the Superintendent of Police. I have not mentioned him for this reason that I see in paragraph 19 there is a provision that the detectives that are to be placed at the service of the Society are to work under the terms and conditions sanctioned by the Governor in Council. In other words, I believe the detectives will have to work under regulations made by the Governor in Executive Council, and it will be then for the Governor to make such regulations as place the detectives under the superintendence not only of the Registrar General but also of the Superintendent of Police.
The CHAIRMAN.-You think it would be a good thing to have the Pó Léung Kuk detectives under Police supervision ?
A.--I think it would be better to have only one Government Officer in the Ordinance. Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-How do you mean?
A.-I mean the Registrar General. There might not always be the same harmony between the Registrar General and the Superintendent of Police. The history of Hongkong shows that there must be something to cause friction between those two departments naturally. From the past history of Hongkong I think we may say that almost constantly there has been friction going on between the Registrar General and the Superintendent of Police, at least ever since the district watchman was introduced.
Q.-You say they work harmoniously now?
A.-I do not mean personal feelings, I mean friction caused by the natural position assumed by the Registrar General. I do not mean personal jars. I mean such friction as will naturally come when two departments have their work overlapping each other.
Honourable F. H. MAY.-Would it not be better to bring these heads more together? I myself think it very natural that there should be friction between the Registrar General and the Police Department.
A.-I think in this Ordinance the Registrar General is only mentioned. The Pó Léung Kuk would work better having only one man, unless the detectives have to do with another Officer besides.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Why do you think it would be better with only one Government Officer ?
A.-Everybody has one head, and two heads on one body is an anomaly in nature. Q.--One of the original motives of the Pó Léung Kuk Society was to assist the Government in the detection of the crime of kidnapping. It is the duty of the Police to look after that also, and would it not be desirable that the Pó Léung Kuk should be in constant communication with the Police?
A.-I think not.