218 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
17th December, 1931.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.). THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.).
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E.).
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, C.M.G., C.B.E.). THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. E. TAYLOR).
HON. MR. H. T. CREASY, C.B.E., (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE, C.M.G., (Inspector General of Police).
HON. COMMANDER G. F. HOLE, R.N., (Retired) (Harbour Master).
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C.
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON.
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.
HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.
HON. MR. S. W. TS'O, O.B.E., LL.D.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.
HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.
HON. MR. T. N. CHAU.
MR. R. A. C. NORTH (Deputy Clerk of Councils.)
ABSENT.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL J. W. SANDILANDS, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.).
HON. DR. W. B. A. MOORE (Director of Medical and Sanitary Services).
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 219
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
QUESTIONS.
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL asked:―
With reference to the remark made by the Hon. Colonial Secretary at the meeting of the Legislative Council held on the 22nd October, 1931, that the Government would give serious consideration to my suggestion that a committee be appointed to consider the general education policy of the Government, will the Government state―
1.―Whether such a committee will be appointed; and
2.―If not, what step does the Government propose to take to give effect to the object in view?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―
1.―The Government does not consider that the appointment of such a committee is called for as there already exists in the Board of Education a body which is competent to advise on matters connected with education in the Colony.
2.―In October, 1930, the Board was invited to review the existing system of education and to make recommendations in respect of future policy. Several of its recommendations have already been put into operation and others will be adopted shortly.
The recommendations deal with such matters as the distribution of funds provided for educational purposes, syllabuses English and Chinese, the possibility of improving the opportunities of the children in private schools, the school medical service, the difficult question of the extent to which public funds should be made available for other than Vernacular education, the University Local Examinations, and the training of teachers, and in fact constitute just such an overhaul of the existing system as appears to be contemplated by the honourable member.
FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee, No. 13 of 10th December, 1931, and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and this was agreed to.
220 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOTIONS.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved:―
"That the rule dated 27th day of October, 1931, made by the Registrar of Patents under section 11 of the Registration of United Kingdom Patents Ordinance, 1925, be approved." He said.―Under section 11 of the principal Ordinance, although the rules are made by the Registrar of Patents, they have to be approved by this Council, and under the existing Rule every application for registration of a patent has to be accompanied by a Statutory Declaration setting out the title of the applicant, and also stating that, to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief, the invention has not been publicly used in Hong Kong. The last statement which he would be required to make would prevent him making this declaration if he, himself, made use of the patent and, therefore, the Secretary of State's advisers have recommended that the latter part of the Rule be deleted, and the new Rule, which we are required to approve, does that.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the resolution was agreed to. LIQUORS ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the law relating to intoxicating liquors." He said.―As I stated in the motion at the first reading, the policy of the Government is not to continue licensed warehouses, but the Government will permit certain private firms to have general bonded warehouses of their own, and, therefore, in the Committee stage after the second reading, I shall propose an addition to clause 2 (13) of the Bill making this clear.
The additional words have actually been printed and published in last week's Gazette, and under these new words the Government is prepared to consider favourably conditionally appointing certain of the existing licensed warehouses as special general warehouses under the new scheme for a period of a few months while we are making arrangements to decide whether they will comply with the full conditions required for private bonded warehouses, or whether they will prefer to go into the general bonded scheme.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read a second time. The Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved an amendment to add words after the word "liquors" at the end of clause 2 (13), the words being, "and shall include a warehouse conditionally appointed for the storing of the dutiable liquors of any specified person or firm." He said.―The above amendment agrees with the Bill as gazetted in the last Gazette.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the amendment was agreed to.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―In Paragraph 3 of Clause 88, I see that reference is made to making regulations to regulate the management of general bonded warehouses. I do not think that is sufficiently wide if it is intended to cover private warehouses.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―We have already provided regulations under the extended definitions of a bonded warehouse to cover one of these forms.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that the figures "36" be inserted in two blank spaces in Clause 95.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the amendment was agreed to. Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment except that Clause 2 (13) had been amended to make it conform with that published in the Gazette, and that two blank spaces in Clause 95 had been filled in. As they had not been held to be material amendments, he moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read a third time and passed.
PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to amend the Public Revenue Protection Ordinance, 1927."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
Upon Council resuming,
222 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and he moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
REGISTRATION OF UNITED KINGDOM PATENTS
AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to amend further the registration of United Kingdom Patents Ordinance, 1925."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and he moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
TOBACCO ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the law relating to the taxation of tobacco."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that in Sub-Clause 2 of Clause 64 the blank space be filled in with the figures "39."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the amendment was agreed to.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that in the first schedule, regulation 2, page 16, be amended by deleting the word "steamship" after "China Navigation" in the fifth line.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the amendment was agreed to.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 223
Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee with two small immaterial amendments and he moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE, 1931.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to make provision for the taxation of bets on the authorised totalisators or pari mutuels, and on contributions or subscriptions towards authorised cash sweeps." He said.― When the Bill is in Committee I propose to move an addition to Sub-clause 4 (1) by way of proviso. The proviso will read, "Provided that the Inspector General of Police may permit any club to issue lists of numbers against which the names of the subscribers shall be entered."
Representations have been made that a proviso of this kind would be desirable, especially in connexion with the issue of through chances. I shall also move the addition of a new clause, bringing this Bill into operation on the 1st January, 1932, so that Clubs having meetings this year will not be interfered with.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that the following be added to Section 4 (1) as gazetted: "Provided that the Inspector General of Police may permit any club to issue lists of numbers against which the names of the subscribers shall be entered."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the amendment was agreed to.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―Before the Schedule is dealt with I move the following clause be inserted after Clause 9 and stand as part of the Bill:
10.―This Ordinance shall come into operation on the first day of January, 1932. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the amendment was agreed to.
224 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―Unless Your Excellency holds that these amendments are material, I move the third reading.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―I agree with you that the amendments are not material.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
NEW YEAR WISHES.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Gentlemen, as this is probably the last meeting of Council to be held this year, I take this opportunity of thanking the present members of Council and those who have acted temporarily during the course of the year for their advice and co-operation, and for the great assistance they have given me personally throughout the year. I offer you my sincere good wishes for the coming year.
ADJOURNMENT.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Council stands adjourned sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Following the Council, a meeting of the Finance Committee was held, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
Votes totalling $14,046, contained in Message No. 14 from H.E. the Governor, were considered.
No. 131.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Presumably this refers to Kowloon City as I see a reference to Kowloon City further on?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―The work refers to Kowloon. No. 132.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Is this going to be printed and laid on the table? THE CHAIRMAN.―I think it is printed in London.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Would it not be interesting for honourable members to know what is in the report?
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THE CHAIRMAN.―I think only the scientifically-minded will be interested. It is published by the Air Ministry. If we receive a copy, it could be laid on the table.
HON. MR. PATERSON.―Does it mean to say we pay whatever it is and do not get a copy? It seems to me that as we paid towards the cost we ought to get the result, not that I should be able to understand it.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I shall find out for you, Mr. Paterson, and if there is a copy in the office I shall be happy to let Sir Henry Pollock, yourself or any other member see it.
HON. MR. PATERSON.―I was not thinking of myself, but there are many people in Hong Kong who are air-minded.
No. 137.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Would it be of interest to have this geographical survey laid on the table?
THE CHAIRMAN.―It is a report on the survey department here.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―And of other Colonial Survey Departments.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Would not it be of interest to have it printed and published?
THE CHAIRMAN.―It is rather of a confidential nature, reporting on the work of the survey office. It is not a matter of general public interest. It deals with actual work done by the Survey Office from a technical point of view.
No. 138.
HON. MR. KOTEWALL.―This is rather a big increase in light and electric fans. Does it mean that it will go on increasing if more Police Officers get married, and is there any rule limiting the number of married officers in the Force?
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE.―No, but there is a rule limiting the amount which officers are allowed to use. If they exceed that amount they must pay for it. The accounts are issued every month for married men and single messes. It is in the form of a Police memo of current consumed, and anyone who exceeds the amount allowed has to pay that amount extra. It is very carefully watched. If the number of married men increase, naturally the quarters accounts increase.
226 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
There has been a big "boom" in the matrimonial market during the past year, and it has put me in a very awkward position, especially as certain flats have not been completed. There are four sets of flats which should have been completed by the 1st December, but as they will not be completed for another two months we have had to lodge officers in the St. Francis Hotel, which is undesirable.
No. 139.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―When are these flats likely to be completed? THE CHAIRMAN.―They are private flats, aren't they?
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE.―They belong to Mr. van Eps, the undertaker. They were to be completed on the 1st December, which we were promised as far back as last April, but, for some reason, the work has been extremely slow. I have now written to him stating that I will not take the flats unless he can give me a guarantee that they will be finished by 1st January; if not, a monetary penalty will have to be paid by him until such time as they are ready.
All the votes were approved.