470
A
from the Ordinance which it repcals.
6.
Ordinance
Such restrictions as are provided by the B
are necessary to control the trade in aras and ammunition in a free Port like Hongkong which offers so many faci- lities for smuggling, and there is nothing in the pro-
Ordinance) visions of the B to militate against legitimate trade.
7.
Strong objection is raised in the Memorandum to the increased fee, but, I am assured on good authority that the legitimate trade of the large dealers can well afford to pay the tax, and it is hoped that a number of the smaller and it is to be feared unscrupulous dealers, will be discouraged by the amount of the fee from engaging further in the trade.
There is no doubt that owing to various defl- ciencies in the former Arms Ordinance one of which was that dealers were not obliged to keep proper books, and another that the Police had no power of inspection of such books as were kept this Port has been made use of for carrying on a smuggling trade with China, the Philippines and other countries, and it is hoped that the new Ordinance will give the Government a very much more effective power of supervision over the trade in arms and ammunition
-
than has been possible in the past.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant,
7. J. Gascoigne
Major-General
Administering the Government.