46 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
5th April, 1940.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR G. A. S. NORTHCOTE, K.C.M.G.).
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, (MAJOR GENERAL A. E. GRASETT, D.S.O., M.C.).
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. N. L. SMITH, C.M.G.).
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, O.B.E., K.C.). THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. R. A. C. NORTH). THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. H. R. BUTTERS, Acting).
HON. COMMANDER G. F. HOLE, R.N. (Retired), (Harbour Master).
HON. MR. T. H. KING (Commissioner of Police).
HON. MR. A. B. PURVES (Director of Public Works).
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C., LL.D.
HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.
HON. MR. LO MAN-KAM.
HON. MR. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, JNR.
HON. DR. LI SHU-FAN.
HON. MR. A. L. SHIELDS.
HON. MR. W. N. T. TAM.
MR. C. B. BURGESS (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. DR. P. S. SELWYN-CLARKE, M.C., (Director of Medical Services). HON. MR. S. H. DODWELL.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 47
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table the following papers:―
Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) (No. 4) Order, 1940, made by the Governor, with the prior approval of the Secretary of State, under section 3 (2) of the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 1914, Ordinance No. 25 of 1914, as amended by regulation 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 1914, Amendment Regulations, 1939, dated 16th March, 1940.
Defence (Finance) Regulations, 1940, made by the Governor under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, as extended to the Colony by the Emergency Powers (Colonial Defence) Order in Council, 1939, dated 21st March, 1940.
Notification made by the Harbour Master under section 39 (17) and (18) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, Ordinance No. 10 of 1899, dated 20th March, 1940.
Order made by the Controller of Food under the Defence Regulations, 1939, with the consent of the Governor, fixing the standard price of C. &. B. Oatmeal in tins, dated 21st March, 1940.
Sessional Papers, 1940:―
No. 3.―Jurors List for 1940.
Report of the members of the Standing Law Committee of the Legislative Council on the War Revenue Bill, 1940.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―I rise to present the Report of the members of the Standing Law Committee of the Legislative Council on the War Revenue Bill, 1940. The Standing Law Committee, in the appendix to their Report, recommend certain amendments to Clauses 2, 6, 9, 11, 16, 21, 25, 40, 44, 60 and 61 of the Bill. Since the Report was finished, certain representations were made to Government with regard to another clause, Clause 24, which, I understand, are being considered by Government. I now lay the Report on the table, and understand that it will be gone into by the Committee of the whole Council at the next meeting.
48 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
URBAN COUNCIL BY-LAW.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―I rise to move "That the additional by-law made by the Urban Council under section 3 of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance, 1935, on the 27th day of February, 1940, under the heading "Dangerous and Offensive Trades," be approved. The Urban Council, under this by-law, declares the trade of making chloride of lime, commonly known as bleaching powder, to be an offensive trade.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and this was agreed to.
TELEPHONE AMENDMENT BILL, 1940.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Telephone Ordinance, 1925, as amended by the Telephone Amendment Ordinance, 1930, and the Telephone Amendment Ordinance, 1933."
HON. MR. M. K. LO.―Your Excellency―My Honourable friend the Financial Secretary, in his speech on the First Reading of this Bill, set out so fully the history of this matter, and gave such a comprehensive account of not only the objects of the Telephone Ordinance 1925 and how such objects had been achieved, but also of the unsatisfactory features which had emerged as the result of the working of that Ordinance, and of the way in which such unsatisfactory features would be met by the provisions embodied in the Bill now under consideration, that the task of the Unofficial Members of this Council, in their consideration of the Bill, has been rendered relatively simple. I should like to express to him my gratitude for having taken so much trouble to place all the facts before the Unofficial Members of this Council. I can assure you, Sir, such a speech is very much appreciated.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Upon Council resuming,
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Council stands adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on the 18th of April.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 49