which it reproduces.
These alterations are as follows:-
The term "British Consular Officer" is used instead of the words "The Chinese Government" the words "an officer of" are inserted, and the final words "and thereafter to act upon such written statement in such manner as it thinks fit" are added. These words preclude any doubt as to the power of the Court to act on such statement of the Chinese law in proper cases. As it may be convenient to have a reference to the previous law with regard to each section of the present Ordinance, I enclose a copy of the Ordinance in its "Bill stage", which contains marginal references to the sections and Ordinances corresponding with the sections of the present Ordinance.
The new Ordinance occasionally simplifies the language of the former enactments or divides them up for the purpose of rendering them more intelligible, while preserving their substance.
So W. Meigh Gorman,
Attorney General.