THE DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1868.
Second Reading £2. de May 1868)
THE DISARMAMENT OF JUNES. The GOVERNOR said they now came to the consideration of the short, but important ordi- į nance relating to the disarmament of the fish- ing-boats. Since they last met be bad re- ceived } communication from the Govern- ment of Macao, to the effect that that Go- vernment had already followed the policy of the Viceroy with reference both to the fishing- boats and the stinkpots. He had nut been aware of this till the other day, nor had he even now received any copy of the Pro- clamation or ordinance, or whatever it was, by which the new regulations had been established. However, it was gratifying to know that far from having to encounter an obstacle to its new policy, the government would find a useful ally in the Government of Macao.
The Hon. W. KESWICK said that before pro. ceeding further, he was anxious to express an opinion concerning the impolicy of departing from the usual rule by handing over the dufy of legislation from the Legislative to the Exe- entive Council. It was important that every- thing connected with this subject should be done under the immediate eye of the Council.
The GOVERNOR said this was a matter of principle, but he would propose to the Council something which bad suggested itself to him that afternoon. They wight pass this ordi- nance for a year only.
The CHIE-JUSTICE.-1t can easily be re- newed.
The GOVERNOR.-Of course, but Mr. Kes wick objects to trust as much to the Executive, as would be entrusted under the ordinance as it stands,
The Hon. W. KESWICK thought it very im- portant to do nothing towards disarming the the junks before they were provided with ade. quate protection. The trade of the place depended to a large extent on the native vessels which were continually passing between this island and the mainland. It was very impor tant that nothing should be done which was calculated to interfere with that trade.
The GOVERNOR thought that observation might be a very proper one to address to the Viceroy, but one position was simply this.- shall we alopt those regulations which will be law in any case a few miles off after the 18th of July. Whatever action we take it will not impede the force of the Viceroy's proclamation. Mr. KESWICK urged that Chinese measures were never effective. Then the pirates could come down from Chusan, and that part of the coast, and sweep these waters It would be very seriously detrimental to trade if Hong- kong took the initiative in measures of this kind. The whole existence of the place de- pended on the facility with which vessels could communicate with the shore,
Judge BALL said he did not understand that the ordinance proposed in any way to go in advance of the Chinese Government.
Mr. KESWICK thought legislation on the sub- ject was premature.
The GOVERNos did not think the colony ould justify itself to the English Government for remaining inactive. Mr. Keswick must re- neraber that it was not hy any means all the shing-bouts which were armed, 46 per cent. of them carry nothing, 30 per cent. have a few old swords or unuskets, and the remainder only carry a few cannov. Iu forbidding all vessels tocarry stinkpots they would be conferring a favour upon these half armed-boats, which Tar outweighed the disadvantage they would suffer in having to give up these arms. Then it must be remembere i that a great deal had been done towards the suppression of piracy, and the boats would not be in the same danger that they formerly incurved. There had only been six cases of piracy all this year, and these in fact were not enses of piracy, as the term was gone- tally understood, but mere robberies from boats, mere cases of stealing. A great deal of protection was always provided. Thepromptitude with which the commodore sent out one or more of his gunboats, whenever there was a case of piracy reported was most commendable. It was possible to say that we were adopting the Chinese policy without having in the first in- stauce provided a large amount of protection for the honest trader.
After some further conversation it was de- cided to limit the operation of the ordinance to twelve mouths, and with this alteration it
was read a second time and passed.
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