Page
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
IMMIGRATION BILL DEBATED
AT COUNCIL MEETING
REDUCTION MADE IN FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATES
Attorney-General Replies To
Chinese Members
WHEN THE IMMIGRATION BILL WAS MOVED IN COMMIT- TEE, AFTER THE SECOND READING HAD BEEN PASSED, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, IL was agreed that the fees for residential certificates of four years and ten years be reduced from $10 to Se and from $5 to $2, res- pectively.
+1
Replying to a debate in which the three Chinese members, Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo, Hon. Dr. Li Shu-far and Hon. Mr. W. N., Thomas Tam, spoke, expressing regret that a Bill of this nature was found neces- sary at the present time, the Attorney-General (Hon. Mr. C. G. Ala- baster, O.B.E., KC.) sald that it was not desirable at the moment to reduce other fees but it was the intention of Government to treat this question, sympathetically.
1:
His Excellency the Acting Governor. Lt.-Gen. E. F. Norton, C.B., D.S.O., M.C., said that he was particularly anxious to get the Bill passed without controversy or division and he was gratified that there had been no serious con- troversy on the subject.
immates, while they are rightly-
not be considered, or treated as į
GENERAL
CHRIST CHURCH
SONG SERVICE
guarded from escape, they should Splendid Programme ordinary prisoners.
The issuing of entry permits and Residence Certificates should · not
Arranged
Lovers of muste will be pleased
be so drastically restricted as to to know that there will be a cause undue hardship, or to de- special evening song service in feat the object of the present B, Christ Church. Kowloon Tang, on leading thereby to widespread Sunday, Dec. 1, at 6.30 p.m. bribery, or wholesale smuggling of Immigrants into the Colony.
RARE OCCASIONS ·
A splendid programme of sacred music, has been arranged, which will be sung by the choir of the Mandarin congregation, a choir In regard to the maximum cash which has already made itself well- security of $250, I sincerely trust own throughout the Colony for that the amount normally de-its excellent work, and ranks as manded will be small, in strict one of the best choirs in the Co- accordance to the status of the
lony. Individual, and the distance from home in relation to repatriation, and that the maximum or the larger amounts will be demanded only on rare occasions. It is my view that every visitor of means is an economic asset to the Colony. At the present moment there is a large number of Chinese, who
Mr. Y. K. Sze, who since his arrival in the Colony has delighted large and numerous audiences by his ane bass voice, and wonderful technique, will sing a solo, and will assist the choir in choral works,
Dr. C. T. Wang, former Chinese Ambassador in Washington, will give a short address in Chinese
tiznes:
The Attorney-General also made our view, very largely on how it it clear that no permits were will be administered by the Im-are under the false Impression and English. necessary for persons who were migration Officer. If it is adminis- that, according to the Immigration The bulk of the service will be not going away from the Colony, tered sympathetically, and if the Bill, it is necessary to possess Re-in English, and the hymns for Immigration Officer succeeds in sidence Certificates, before they congregational singing are chosen building up and maintaining a
are permitted to reside in the so that the words and verses can staf efficient in the discharge of Colony.
be sung together in Chinese and their duties, untinged with cor-
Despite previous, announcements, English, to well-known ruption, or with even a suspicion I should like to urge that the taken from the Chinese hymn- of corruption, then we feel that Government should do its utmost book, "Hymns of Universal Praise" any inconvenience will be cheer to remove such false impressions and from the "English Hymnal." fully borne. My colleagues and 1
by making "clear announcements
All are cordially invited, intend to maintain a close interest designed to achieve. this end. In the operation of this measure. believe this action would result and we shall have no hesitation in also in diminishing the large making to Government any repre- number of applicants, who are at then a reduction in rees would be it our duty so to do. sentations which we may consider present thronging the immigration considered. It would however be a
premises,
HON. MT 3L LO The Hon. Mr. L. said:- Your Excellency: As Chinese constitute some $8 per cent. of the population of the Colony, any measure such as that contemplat- ed by this B is a matter of very great comern to them, I propose, therefore, shortly to state the position of my Chinese colleagues and myself on this question.
this measure is a painful necessity
HON. MR. THOMAS TAM The Hon. Mr. W. N. Thomas Tam
1
popular gesture, i Government were prepared now with the ex- perience already derived from the working of the Immigration De- partment to agree to a reduction of the fees.
Sir. had the circumstances been different, the Colony would now be in the midst of its preparations, for celebrating its Centenary next said:-- year, and in the course of that Your Excellency: While I have celebration the interdependence no hesitation in supporting this The demands wilch have been For reasons indicated by mv of this Colony with China in gul, it is nevertheless with a sense made for certificates-in anticnë- Honourable friend the Attorney general, and with the Province of of regret that such a measure tion of the passing of this Bill ap- General in his Objects and Rea- Kwangtung in particular. would should have been found necessary pear to be beyond the ability of sorts, we cannot but recognise that have received added emphasis. for "Hongkong.
the existing organisation to deal To me, at least, it is a matter Men of goodwill müst deplore with them. While it is not sug- In these difficult times. According-of great sadness and profound re-the existence of legislation any gested that a large personnel be ly we accept the principle of this gret that for the first time in its where and in any form which has immediately acquired, as the pre- Ell, and have directed our at history, now approaching its Cen- the effect of curtailing the liberty sent demands may dwindle after tention only to its detalled protenary, the Colony "should and of the individual to travel or to the nrst rush is over, it is hoped visions in order to satisfy our own itself compelled to pass a measure establish residence for such re-that increased facilities for supply- minda "that they do impose a mini- mum of convenience on the which puts an end to the right of strictions often create misundering forms will be provided.
free and unrestricted movement standing and discontent and can Finally I venture to echo what community compatible with the at-
between this Colony and China. have no place in a destrable world the Hon. Mr. M. E. Lo has sald tainment of the end in view.
But the terrible wars now raging order.
concerning administration, and I
for Chinese Affaim to state that
The perodesian granted by my on two Continents have brought My Sentor colleague has made it trust that in carrying out the law.". Honourable friend the Secretary about many unpleasant changes clear that the Chinese members red tape and bureaucracy will be this Shi was referred by Govern- and I feel and believe that Chi- of this Council are supporting this guarded against, not forgetting that ment to the District Watch Com-hese in the Colony will accept this measure only because they can Hongkong lives as an entrepot for datest unpleasant change with and no other practical solution to shipping and shipping includes
their characteristic philosophie, the problems confronting us messengers as well as carzo. calm and understanding,
mittee for their consideration enables me to acknowledge with gratitude the helpful attitude of the Attorney General in regard to suggestions made by the District
HON. DR. LI SHU-FAN
Hongkong. It is an imperfect re- medy: but readily accepted in the
fection.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL Replying for the Government;
The Hon. Dr. Li Shu-fan said: hope of removing a greater imper- the Attorney-General said he was grateful for the helpful speeches Watch Committee Kor certain Your Excellency: As the present As an example of our difficulties, and for the trouble taken by the dily accepted by him and are now portance to the general welfare Weed only look at our social ser-Chinese members of the Council in vices, for which incessant and in-assisting the Government advisers
amendments, which were all rea- nil is of such momentous im-
embodied in the B before the Council.
TWO POINTS The Bill has also received the careful consideration of the Chi- nese Chamber of Commerce, whose observations (like those received from
other sources), have been forwarded to Government;
Chamber's observations are direct ed chiefly to two points, namely. the provisions of section 7, and the fees set out in the Schedule
of the Colony, I feel it my duty creasing demands have been made and in particular, he thanked the
A to make a few remarks..
I desire to say that I heartily on our finances both public and Hon. Mr. Lo
private. While not wishing to The senior Chinese member had endorse the views e lucidly set shirk our proper responsibilities, it referred to Clause 7 of the Bill and out by my senior Chinese colleague, who has dealt with the various obvious that there is a limit to had asked for an assurance in res- our resources. Our hospitals are pect of that. He (the Attorney- aspects of the problem so ably, overcrowded, the refugee camps General) read the clause exactly that I have little to,add.
are full. There is congestion in as Mr. Lo hid and could give him While I agree with the principle our prisons and our known charit that assurance. He would go fur- of the Ell, I share the Hon. Mr. able institutions are inxed to tather and say that Mr. Forrest, the Lo's view that the effect of the acity. measure on the Oglony largely de- pends on the administration and
As regards section 7, the Cham- indeed the interpretation "of the ber ports out that unnecessary proposed ordinance.
STILL WELCOME
+ I am convinced that there is no intention on the part of Govern- hardship and inconvenience will I should like to point out that ment to be unsympathetic towards be caused to passengers in poss- the average Chinese generally those who desire to find asylum ession of vaild papers if they too looks at Immigration measures, here. These people are still wel- have to proceed to the Immigra- however mild, with askance. If come, It they can take care of tion Office and remain there until this were not a war-time measure, themselves or be cared for, but to "permitted to leave. Personally I it would have been viewed by the those who may become a public have always visualised that pas- Chinese with the utmost concern. burden as soon as they arrive, this sengers whose title to land is While it is gratifying to note Colony is reluctantly compelled to clearly established by their papers, that Government undertakes to close its gates." would be allowed to land by the re-examine the problem when the It is regrettable to have to turn Immigration Officer, and that only situation permits, I fervently hope away those who have no means of those whose cases require further that when the semblance of nor livelihood; but unless we can feed investigation would be directed to, malcy should return or if, and when them or offer them work, is a preceed to the Immigration Office. the ordinance should prove to be dubious privilege for them to be I hope to receive an assurance detrimental to the Colony, it would admitted only to starve in our
streets. from "Government that my under be amended or repealed without
· standing is coFTSER.
M
As regards the fees, the Obam-
hesitation
CIVIL AND TACTFUL
..
Immigration Officer, also read the clause as Mr. Lo did and it was his intention to give every facility to those persons in possession of proper papers to land" without vrhe - administration difficulty. would pursue their task in the in- terests of passengers and shipping generally and would not cause ob- struction.
(QUESTION OF FEES
The Attorney-General, went on to say that with regard to the question of fees, these were reduce able and increasable by His Ex- Council The fee for certificate cellency the Governor in Executive
of four years residence (valid for five years) would be reduced from 10 to 15 and for certificate of ten years residence (valid for Ave The charitably Inclined will mo
(years) would be reduced from 15 doubt bear in mind that the scope to 32. It was not desirable at the for their good work remains the moment to reduce the other fees With these points in view, I feel sume, Waile the destitate may not but it was the intention of Gov that in the administration of the come here, they are still present eriment to treat this question Whilet it is appreciated that the ordinance, the omdials should be in alarming numbers besides the sympathetically.
civil, sympathetic, tactful. and many who remain in adjacent ter The abject of the Bill was not to fees are designed not to bring in with despatch, in the execution of ritories who need help.
raise revenue but it was a neces-- revenue, but to make the Immigra-
their cuties,*****
Zón grounds of humanity, lk 15 sáry part of its object that "it": tion Kammistration self-support- I trust this statement will not hoped that restrictions will be re- was a necessary part of its object Ing. Tfeel that it must be borne be taken as casting any refection liked to samit those who may have should in these days bead- in mind that the administrative measures contemplated by this Bill on the present Immigration Officer, to suffer bombing in the future, il-ministered as economically as Düş- who, in my opinion, is highly though the area to which admissible "anti" that, as far as possible, are in the interests of the Colony qualided, and I venture to think son may be given may only be a it should pay for the undertaking. as a whole, and that accordingly that his appointment is a very small one and confined to the New If there was a surplus he had no the burden should not necessarily
happy choice.
**ber suggests that they are too high, and should be reduced by fifty per
cent.
Territories.
..
* ASSURANCE SOUGHT
doubt the Government would con- fall only on those whose more Although this is an emergency
sider reduction of fees on that ments bring them within the pr
ground alone. It was probable visions. Accordingly I hope that measure, I feel it calls for
thorough - organisation and ac My colleagues said I would be that the fees would not exceed the the question of the reduction, of the fees may be considered in curate adjustment in accordance grateful if Government would give cost of the administration con-
with circumstances,
́ ́jus' an·mesurance that it is not pro-cerned by myth genera
NOT:HOSTILES For instance, it is to be expected posed to raise revenue by this Bill that the depots and places of and that the Income from 1868
"committee.
CHEERFULLY BORNE
The
In conclusion, they Attorney-Gen-
effect of this measure detention should be provided with should exceed by an appreciable eral assured Hon. Dr. Li, and Hun the Colony, depends, in reasonable amenities, and that the amount the cost of administration,
Cont'd Page 12, Col. 3
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1940. -PAGE
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