This hard no alternative, is to be made available to the growth of Hong Kong: and all that can be done seems to be to impress upon the Govt the need for caution.
Sec. 14 prevents appeal from which is the new court virtually I suppose to the Supreme Court. This leaves open, I suppose, the Constitutional right of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?
on a count of justice
SW No 3/2
It seems a measure of an onerous character - Especially on an unformed class of squatters.
regards the least
857
3·2·91
The object of the measure (or preamble) is to give regular titles to persons in occupation of Crown Lands who can show a fair claim to be regarded as Crown tenants. It is not for any hardship on the part of the claimants.
& a measure on a similar principle was passed 12 months ago in the Straits.
The measure is in favour of the squatter, who otherwise might be simply turned out.
as to the appeal it is strange that these matters are to swamp the Judicial Committee & as there is a discretion in the Governor to listen to any person who fancies himself aggrieved, & in any case there is the safeguard that the Chairman is a Judge of the Supreme Court.
The Measure may be fair. The Govt should report upon its working after a year.
Appears. But besides calling for a report at the end of a year, I think that meaning should be given to the words that the measure will be worked with great caution & liberality.