"moments, to reflection should have convinced "him that the Committee was not likely to be invested with & Judicial functions, wenst scocesarily report und in be " a matter of time, and that therefore these "delinquents would have no notice taken " of their malpractices till too late to be of urich use " whotly deur to; became I was not with aware of the component parts of the Committe until duas face to face with them on the 21th July; Communication that I saw was made to me why the Secret Committee should not be swested with quasi Judicial powers. I had reflected on the matter several times, and my instinct was that the proposed Secret Committee would be cudowed with powers by the 90 power similar to those given by Straits Government to the Commission appointed to inquire into the Secret societies of Penang, or to Judges appointed to inquire into British Parliamentary Elections - viz:- power to examine on oath, to commit refractory witnesses, and to grant certificates of immunity. Further, I had no idea that the Committee would not sit until eight weeks after the receipt of the letter, which was the origin of the inquiry, or that its scope would be enlarged to the extent it appears to have been. (Para 3) Prompt action and a wholesome warning and deterrent to others were what was required."