20 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 16TH MARCH, 1922.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.
HON. MR. CLAUD SEVERN, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
HON. MR. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E. (Attorney General).
HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER, O.B.E. (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, O.B.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).
HON. MR. E. A. IRVING (Director of Education).
HON. MR. T. L. PERKINS (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK
HON. MR. E. V. D. PARR.
HON. MR. A. G. STEPHEN.
HON. MR. A. O. LANG.
HON. MR. CHOW SHOU-SON
MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER, C.B.E. (Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN FOLWER, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on February 23rd and February 28th were confirmed and signed by the President.
Papers
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor laid on the table Regulations under Section 4 of the Stamp Ordinance, 1921, dated 23rd February; Regulations under Section 2 of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922, dated 28th February; an Order under Section 10 of the
Travellers' Restriction Ordinance 1915, dated 28th February; additional regulations under section 2 of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922, dated 2nd March; an Order under the Societies Ordinance, 1920, dated 6th March; an Order under the same Ordinance, dated 7th March; an Order under Section 10 of the Travellers Restriction Ordinance, 1915, dated 7th March; an Order under sub-section 3 of section 2 of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922, dated 9th March and an Order under Section 4 of the Importation and Exportation Ordinance, 1915, dated 9th March; and the Jurors List for 1922.
Finance
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY also laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 14 to 17 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and it was agreed to.
Supreme Court (Original Jurisdiction) Emergency Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to make temporary provision for the appointment of solicitors to appear in the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in certain emergencies.
He said: The ranks of the Bar have, unfortunately, lately been reduced by death. Other members of the Bar, I understand, expect to leave the Colony shortly for a temporary period, and the result will be that for part, at least, of this year there will be a serious dearth of practising barristers. If steps are not taken to deal with this emergency suitors will be unable to bring their cases on for trial and considerable public inconvenience must be caused. This Bill proposes, therefore, to give the Chief Justice power to authorise any duly enrolled solicitor to appear and act as a barrister in any case in which he thinks it desirable to do so. The Ordinance is intended to meet a special emergency and it is therefore made
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 21
temporary, and clause 5 proposes that it shall come to an end on the 31st December. this year. I beg to move the first reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to second.
The motion was carried and the Bill was read a first time accordingly.
Merchant Shipping (Aliens Employment) Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to restrict the employment of aliens and of former enemy aliens on certain British ships registered in the Colony of Hongkong.
He said: This Bill proposes to restrict the employment of aliens on British ships of over 60 tons net register tonnage, registered in the Colony, and to prohibit the employment of former enemy aliens on all British ships registered in the Colony. The position with regard to aliens not former enemy aliens is that no such alien shall act as master, chief officer or chief engineer of a British ship of over 60 tons net register tonnage. Power is given to the Governor-in-Council to grant certificates of exemption from the provisions of that particular section and it also is not to apply to any alien who during the war, has acted as master, chief officer, or chief engineer of a British ship and has a certificate by the Admirality that he performed good and faithful service in capacity. The provision with regard to enemy aliens ―which, of course, , shortly, persons of German, Austrian, Hungarian, Bulgarian or Turkish nationality―is that no such alien shall act as master, officer or member of a crew of any British ship whatsoever registered in the Colony. This Bill is simply to carry out in Hongkong the Imperial policy contained in the Aliens Restriction Amendment Act, 1919. I beg to move the first reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The motion was carried, and the Bill was read a first time accordingly.
Opium Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill intituled, An
Ordinance to amend further the Opium Ordinance, 1914.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The third reading of this Bill was postponed on the last occasion while we were discussing a question raised on section 3, I think. I understand Mr. Lau Chu pak raised some objection and is now quite satisfied.
HON. MR. LAU CHU-PAK indicated his assent.
The third reading was approved, and the Bill passed accordingly.
Business not proceeded with
H.E. THE GOVERNOR announced that it was not proposed to proceed with the second reading of the Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1921, and the second reading of the Bill intituled, An Ordinance to restrict the taking of legal proceedings in respect of certain acts and matters done during the war and to provide in certain cases remedies in substitution therefor.
Adjournment
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The Council will adjourn until this day week at 2.30 o'clock. ——
FINANCE COMMITTEE
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A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding: ―
Salary of a Deputy
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,500 in aid of the vote, Harbour Master's Department, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN―This sum of $3,500 is required for the salary of an acting assistant marine surveyor during the absence of the permanent holder of the post. It represents ten months' salary at $350 a month.
Approved.
22 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Charitable Gratuity
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,180 in aid of the vote Charitable Services, Other Charitable Allowances.
THE CHAIRMAN―This sum is required for a charitable gratuity to the widow of a Government servant who was on the temporary establishment and it represents one month's salary for every three years' service.
Approved.
Assistant Crown Solicitor's Salary
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,560 in aid of the vote Crown Solicitor's Office, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN―This sum is required to pay an increase of salary to the Assistant Crown Solicitor from the 1st January, 1921, to the 31st December 1922. It has been approved by the Secretary of State.
Approved.
Care of the Insane
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $850 on account of Miscellaneous Services, Transport and Subsistence of Lunatics.
THE CHAIRMAN―This sum is required to supplement the vote for transport and subsistence of lunatics, which was insufficient. One such charge at present appears under "Charitable Services" but in future estimates it will be brought under the general vote above mentioned.
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