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of the Ordinance, two other Crown Lessees.
There is nothing in the Act providing that the Chinese residents to whom Colonial Registers may be granted should be British Subjects nor are any limits assigned within which the Register is to be in force: and if it be intended that the grant of a Colonial Register shall confer on the vessel the rights and privileges attaching to a British Vessel, it appears to their Lordships extremely questionable whether their departure from the Merchant Shipping Act
My Lords,
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(17 & 18 Vict cap 104) according to which British ownership is an essential condition (and in fact the only condition) of British registry, should be sanctioned by Her Majesty.
It also appears to my Lords deserving of consideration whether, looking to the effect of registry on the titles to ships, it is desirable to apply to Hongkong Colonial Ships owned by British Subjects a system of Registry different from that which is provided for in the Imperial Act.
I am however to point out to you that by the 567 Section of the Imperial Act, the Legislative authority