I am attempting to regulate that which it cannot effectually prohibit. In framing the present Draft, I have sacrificed, to the prospect of conciliating opponents, my own private opinion, or I have hinted "in the Memorandum" in question, beyond indemnity or indirect form of Toleration, and is in express License.
There are, however, (and the history of the Religious Opinions Relief Act shows that there have always been) those who see harm in a "register" importing legal indemnity, but very unsatisfactory "license" giving sanction to an unwelcome practice.
(Signed) J. Churchill Anstey, G.,
Hongkong, 2 May 1856.
True Copy
Colonial Secretary.
1
(W.S.K.)
259
Hongkong,
31 April 1856. Remarks on the Draft Ordinance
"for the better repression of certain diseases." By G. B. Hillier, a Member of the Legislative Council.
This Ordinance, and the Act for the licensing of gaming houses, were first circulated together among Members of the Legislative Council; and I then made certain comments applicable to both. I have little more to do now than repeat, with sundry omissions, what I then wrote.
The present Ordinance does not correspond with its title. It is in fact not an Ordinance for the repression of diseases alone, but an Ordinance for the indirect licensing of brothels, and it is founded on a proposition of the Colonial...