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Q-If the Registrar General was not connected with the Pó Leung Kuk, would he not be better able to supervise?
A.-No. Why, he would know nothing about it! I think the Ordinance-I had not read it before, but I received it yesterday, and I read it very carefully-I think this Ordinance is an improvement on the original scheme which was drafted by Mr. FRANCIS, and I had myself a good deal to do with the original arrangements. I think it is an improvement upon the original plan.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-With the one provision you have made for a veto? A.--Yes.
Honcurable Ho KAI. -You mean to say that the veto should be exercised by the Registrar General ?
A. Yes. I have another idea to propose. I would propose to add to paragraph 8, at the end, these words, "But no resolution of the Permanent Board shall be valid unless it has been signed by the President, who shall have the right of veto, subject to appeal to the Government." If you wish it, I can make another suggestion about another point which you have not asked me about and that is relating to the elective Committee of the Board of direction.
The CHAIRMAN.-The Permanent Committee?
A.-It is called elective Committee, and, according to paragraph 8, it will have the functions of a working Committee.
The CHAIRMAN.-There is a Permanent Committee and an Elective Committee. The Board of direction is called the Permanent Committee.
A.-The Permanent Committee is called the Board. I would suggest that in paragraph 5 the words "who shall from time to time appoint one of their body to be Chairman" should read "whose Chairman shall be appointed from time to time by the Permanent Board of direction." My reasons for the suggestion are these. The Bill does not show whether a member of the Board of direction may also be elected on that Committee. As the Bill reads, the elective Committee, consisting of from six to twelve members, are to be deputed, or may be deputed, to do all the work, but none of them may be on the Permanent Board. That is to say that none of them may be a man of such high position as these members of the Permanent Board are the high position implying also wider views.
The CHAIRMAN.--And more experience?
A.--Yes, and more experience as to the relations which ought to exist between the Government and the Chinese community. Secondly, I think it would be well if one of the Board of directors-being one of those who make the regulations for the working of the elective Committee-should be also on the elective Committee, to see that the purposes of the resolutions of the Permanent Board are really carried into effect. As I read the Bill, I suppose there is nothing to hinder the Chinese Community from electing any member of the Permanent Board to this elective Committee. If so, of course what I suggest would not be necessary. In that case, if you were to adopt my suggestion, the Permanent Board would naturally select a member for the elective Committee to be their Chairman. I think it would tend to a more direct connection, and would ensure the carrying out of the spirit of the resolutions of the Permanent Board.
The CHAIRMAN.-Under the old regulations just referred to by you, drafted by Mr. FRANCIS, and in which you had a share, the Government had no control whatever?
A.-I have not been reading it over, but my recollection is that the detectives had to report constantly-every day-to the Superintendent of Police. That was one safeguard. Another was, so far as I remember, that the Committee meetings and the records of the meetings of the Pó Leung Kuk should always be open to the Registrar General. I think that was in the original draft.