May
The Enclosure
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
459
3 JAN 02
3 November 1907.
Report on Ordinance.. 31 ...of 1907
I have examined the accompanying Ordinance, entitled
558
An Ordinance to amend The Merchant Shipping Consolidation
Ordinance, 1893 (Ordinance 38 of 1899),
and I am of opinion that the Ordinance is one which is not contrary to
the Governor's Instructions.
Objects and Reasons,
Most of the amendments, which are introduced into the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 36 of 1899, by this Ordinance have arisen out of recommendations made by the Colonial Office and by the Board of Trade.
A few amendments, however, (see sections 2, 24, 25, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43) have been inserted for reasons which have suggested themselves locally, and it will be convenient to deal with such amendments at the outset.
Section 2-The word "Chinese" has been omitted before the word “junks", because it was thought that the continuance of the use of the term might, in some cases, lead to misconception as to whether the nationality or the build of the ship was intended to be aimed at by the word "Chinese"; and the words "or any river or rivers in the interior of the Kwang-tung Province" have been inserted after the words "West River" Because a port or place on the East or North River may be hereafter opened.
Section 24.-The words "including ships of war of any Foreign nation" have been added because it might be necessary, in certain eventualities, for the places of mooring of foreign ships of war to be controlled.
Section 25.-The amendments effected by this section in section 23 of Ordinance 36 of 1899 have been rendered necessary by the alterations effected in the Quarantine Regulations by the new Table L (see section 39 of this Ordinance).