6
Appendix V.
REGISTRATION OF CHINESE PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE.
22nd July, 1901.
PRESENT:-
His Honour Mr. Justice Wise, Chairman.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai.
The Hon. Wei Yuk.
The Hon. J. Thurburu. R. G. Shewan, Esquire. Leung Pai Chi, Esquire. also
Fung Wa Chin, Esquire.
Ho Fook, Esquire.
Lau Yam Chün. Esquire.
> Members.
The Chairman called upon Mr. Fung Wa Chun to give them his opinion as to the advisability of introducing the Bill.
Mr. Fung Wa Chin.--I think it would be a very good thing to register the part- ners in Chinese firms if it could be done. There are very many cases where partners do not come forward when their firms are in debt, especially in the case of women and children who are in the country and are interested in the firms here. My opinion is that it would be very difficult to have this registration.
Dr. Ho Kai.-Do you think the difficulties could be surmounted?
Mr. Fung Wa Chiin.-Not in the case of women and children in the country.
Mr. Shewan.-Do you think the Chinese would object to this registration?
Mr. Fung Wa Chün.-Not in the case of a respectable Chinese firm, who, I think, would not object to register their partners honestly, but in very many cases, the Chinese would register false names-their managers will do so. Of course, a respectable Chinese firm would not register false names.
Mr. Shewan. What is your opinion about advertisement?
Mr. Fung Wa Chüin.—The Chinese would object to advertise the names of their partners. I do not think that advertisement is a bad proposal, but it is not advisable to register.
Mr. Ho Fook, on being called on by the Chairman, said :-
I think it is advisable to have this registration if it could be done. There are many difficulties to be overcome, which can be got over. My idea is that the public should be protected by law. I would prefer a penal Ordinance, and not one that would bar the partner from being able to sue. I do not think that advertisement would work. The photographs of all partners should be taken.
Mr. Lau Yam Chin, on being called on by the Chairman, handed in a written state- ment, comprising his opinions and suggestions. Further questioned, he said, through Dr. Ho Kai, that the partners of firms should be registered, if this could be done. The difficulties to be got over are not too great. They should be registered with their real names under a penalty. He agrees to advertisement, but says they should also mention the amount of the partners' respective shares in the firm. Registration would be better than advertisement. There can be no difficulty if every one will act honestly.
The meeting then adjourned.
LEO: D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Secretary.