[April 11,
1895.1
perty. Mr. WHITEHEAD's paper no doubt affords evidence that he has read and studied the publications of the Eastern Bimetallic League, but that is not quite the same thing as plagiarisın. If so, the League's writers might themselves be charged with plagiarism, for the ideas expressed in their publications might all, or nearly all, be found in the pre- viously published writings of other bimetal- lists. The subject, in fact, is one on which there is little that is absolutely new to be said. Now and then some man of original
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mind strikes out a new idea, but the general Body of bimetallic literature consists in roll- ing round the same old ideas and presenting them in such forms as may be calculated to attract the attention of a particular set of readers. The N. C. Daily News tells us that Those who look for some new and instruc- tive matter in Mr. WHITEHEAD's paper are likely to be disappointed." Those who look for new matter will certainly be disappointed, but those who look for in. structive matter will find their fill of it. The paper is packed with instructive matter and valuable statistics, and, although all his de- ductions may not be accepted, the hon. gentleman merits warm thanks for a very valuable contribution to the discussion of the currency question. His paper has at- tracted widespread attention at home, which ought to afford satisfaction to the Eastern Bimetallic League, since its object is the pread of bimetallic views. The jealousy of of that body seems to us therefore rather chil·lish. Some time ago the League pro- posed to send a delegate to England to ex- Found the bimetallic doctrine. No official delegate was sent, because the funds were not forthcoming; but Mr. WHITEHEAD having voluntarily undertaken the work, though not specially accredited, and having done it so well, deserves hearty recognition,
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A meeting of the Legislative Council was held on the 4th April. Present:-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
265
diuance to repeal Ordinance No. 1 of 1864 6" | Governor, " in the Legislative Council;" so that titled "An Ordinance to provide for conversion the line will read of British Currency in all payments by or to Council." I am
Governor in the Legislative the Government." The object of the Bill been at the beck and call of your Excellenoy and sure all unofficial members have
Ordinance which relates to the is to remove from the statute book this if we were asked to assemble, even if the notice of British currency, and which has practi- to come here; and I think it will be wise if we conversion was only an hour's notice, we were never reluctant cally become a dead letter by reason of
are allowed an opportunity to express an opinion the proclamation which was published in the in the event of the necessity to prohibit or re- Gazette on Saturday last. The proclamation, in gulate immigration. terms, repeals this Ordinance, but it is considered better that the legislature which passed that Ordinance should also peal it. I beg to move The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second. Bill read a first time.
the first reading.
or exists
..
officials and
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-With regard to the proposed amendment, it appears to me to be the Governor in Council would issuo no pro- undesirable. It has been stated clearly that clamation unless satisfied that these diseases are in existence, and that the proclamation is neces-
sary.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-The Acting Attorney. General informed us a little while ago that the unofficial members were anxious to introduce a read. The unofficial members met at a meeting few words into the clanso which has just been called this forenoou at the request of my hon. A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I have to moves the amendment. The object, sir, in trying friend opposite, and consequently it is he who move the second reading of the Immigration Or to have this proclamation issued by the advice dipanes. I stated on the last occasion that cer of the Legislativ Council, and not the Governor tain amendments had been proposed by the Sani in Council, is to strengthen your Fxcellency's the consideration they deserved, and I thought it the Governor in Council shall be satisfied that tary Board, and that they had unt then received hands. The clause reads us follows-" Whenever would be desirable that they should be more fully the bubonic plague, cholera, small-pox," &o. The considered before the Bill was read a second time. Governor in Council is the Governor in Executive The amendments proposed have been generally Council, whereas the amendment proposed by my accepted by the Gavernment, and they are inhou. friend opposite is that the words shall be corporated in the draft Bill before the Council altered to Governor in Legislative Council," to-day. The object of the Bill is, as I have which includes all your own stated. to enable the Governor in Council to pro- the representatives of the public in the fected place where the bubonic plague prevails fore, I think, as far as your Excellency is con hibit the immigration of Chinese from any in- persons of the unofficial members. There The Sanitary Board has reconcerned, it would strengthen your Excellency's mended the extensioų of this smallpox, and such other serious diseases which Legislative Council. I have very great pleasure to cholera, hand to have the pepelanation issued by the may be notified in the Gazette and probably in seconding the amendment. that extension, if the Bill is passed, will meet wording of it might not be quite as proposed by Probably the with the general approval of the Council. There the hou. member, but the Attorney-General are other small details and amendments they may put it in proper form. I suggest, by the ment. They propose that the Governor should propose, but there is one more substantial amend advice or recommendation of the Legislative
Conncil," not only have the power to prohibit the impor tation of Chinese by sea, but by fand also. That meaning of Governor in Council is the Governor The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-The also has also been adopted in the Bill. The pre-in Executive Council. rention of plague is all important, not only to the welfare of the colony, but to the trade that the plague came bore, or was imported here of the port. If the general impression be true last year, and did not, as it were, grow in the place. some power ought to be conferred upou the Governor to restrict the immigration, by land or by sea, of those who are likely to im- the object of the amendment was to strengthen "he hon. the unofficial member said that port it, or whose luggage and clothing the Governor's hand, I really fail to see Low might be brought here with germs the disease in
of calling together au rssembly of the Legisla it. It may possibly tom-tive Conncil in a matter of this kind would hard owners and traders in the colony; but you will hands. porarily prove
or injurious to ship-in any way strengthon the Governor's see from the Bill that this is only a temporary to prevent Chinese coming into this colony The object of the proclamation is measure; it is not to be a permanent measure from an infected port. Before any proclamation The restriction is to last for such time as may of the kind is issued the Governor would as. be fixed by the Governor in Council. Quarantine, certain all the facts. we are told by medical officers to be really effectual, must be complete. that quarantine under local circumstances, and with the many possibilities of evading it, cannot be effectual as it is carried out in this colony. Therefore it is necessary for the Governor to come to Council
Hon. Ho KAI-1 am in favour of the amend. for larger power of restriction which is the ment, because I think it is as easy for the object of this Bill.
I think hon members will Government to summon member
a meeting of the with this.
I believe the senior unofficial Legislative Council as to summon a meeting of agree
wishes to make some addition or the Executive Council. There is no doubt that alteration in a clause of the Bill, but it is the public, or a certain number of them, would not probable that the Governor in Council have more confidence if the Government would would issue a proclamation of this summon them or their representatives, together cription unless there is very serious reason to with the Executive Council, before such a pro- believe that the introduction of the plague, or clamation is issued, and for this reason I should other disease such as is mentioned, is likely.I have supposed that the Government would not think the Governor in Connoi must be given the oppose the amendment of the unofficial members. oredit for taking the greatest consideration and There is no reason why the wishes of the un. the deepest care if it is deemed necessary to issue official members should not be complied with; at proclamation. I believe the hon. the senior least I can see none and we have heard of none. unofficial member wishes in some way, before the The Legislative Council can be summoned and proclamation is put in force, that it should come assembled at an hour's notice. quite as easily before a meeting of the Legislative Council. He the Executive Conucil, and whether can easily adapt that clause, or introduces words
hands your Excellency's into the clause which will present the pro- or
are strengthened by summoning the clamation doming into effect hastily. There must, Council instead of the Executive Council is a Legislative however, always be some delay if the Legislative matter of opinion, but I ani quite sure the public Council have to be called together. I have no would regard it as in some measure the proper doubt that it will receive every consideration course to be taken. ?
when the Bill comes before Committee. With that the Government took proper care, and that In that way we could see these remarks I beg to move the second reading there was necessity for the proclamation before issuing it. I hope that the Government will, in this instauce, see that the wishes of the un- official members are complied with.
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.||
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
Hon. A. J. LEACH, Acting Attorney-General. Hoa. F. A. COOPER, Director of Public Works. Hoa. A. M. THOMPSON, Acting Colouial
reasurer.
Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, Harbour Master, Hoa, C. P. CHATER.
Hon. Ho KAI.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hon. A. MCCONACHIE.
Mr. A. Seth Clerk of Councils.
FINANCIAL BUSINESS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid upon the table the report of the proceeding of the Finance Committee held on 28th March; and Financial minute No. 10 was referred to the Finance Com- mittee.
THE SANITARY BY-LAWS. The COLONIAL SECRETARY—I have to move that an additional by-law made under Section 13 of Ordinance 15 of 1894 be approved by this Conncil.. The Conncil will remember at the last meeting but one a number by-laws made under this section were approv by this Coun oil. Among those by-laws the. was one which did not then meet with the approval of the Council and it was decided that it should be re- ferred back to the Sanitary Board for recon. sideration. The Sanitary Board has recon- sidered the by-law and it is now transmitted for the approval of this Council in a form which, I tenst, will meet with th approval of all members of the Council.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to
second that.
Hon. C. P. CHATEL-I am well satisfied with the by-law as it now stand ›.
Carried.
#
AN ORDINANCE REPEALED.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled an Or-
of the Bill
des-
4
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, Bill read a second time, and Confucil went into Committee On the reading the first clause,
Hou. E. R. BELILIOS said-This is a matter which affects especially the shipping interests, and it will be wise, 1 think, to insert after the word
veruor's hands would be strengthened by calling I do not see how the Go- a meeting of the unofficial members, who have a very largo kuowledge of matters connected with this colony, but of such matters as diseases they have absolutely none.
not
make a suggestion ? Instead of calling this, as The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-May I it evidently would be called, a meeting of the Legislative Council formed in this Chamber,