These provisions will, it is trusted, materially increase the protection it is desired to afford to Chinese emigrants against unscrupulous persons who may be tempted to take advantage of their ignorance.
Section 10 is intended to prevent the waste of time at present occasioned by requiring the matters mentioned in sections 10, 11, 13 and 4 of Ordinance No. 1 of 1889, to be brought before the Executive Council.
As regards section 11, this substitutes a new section in lieu of section 33 of the principal Ordinance owing to the fact that this Ordinance introduces a new system of examination in the case of male passengers under the age of sixteen years and of female passengers, namely, examination before the Registrar General instead of before the Emigration Officer.
Sections 12 and 14 correct errors in the references to Sections of the principal Ordinance contained in Section 90 and Schedule N of such Ordinance.
As regards section 13 of this Ordinance, the only substantial differences between the new Schedule 1, which is enacted by that section and the old Schedule I, are as follows, namely:-
(i.) Regulation 9 requires the notice therein mentioned to be given in addition to the application for the certificate.
(ii.) Regulation 4 (1.) provides for the cleanliness of the ship.
(iii.) In Regulation 4 (2.), the words, "on the lower between decks 18 superficial and 126 cubic feet of space for every adult on board", are new. The reason for this adoption is that no provision has hitherto been made in the Schedule for space on the lower 'tween deck, and such provision has been found to be necessary.
(iv.) The provisions of Regulation 5 are new and are based upon the language used in section 294 of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894.
(v.) Regulation 8 (4.) is new to meet the requirements of this Ordinance.
(vi.) Regulation 9 is taken from Regulation of Schedule D of the principal Ordinance and made to apply to ships within Schedule I.
(vii.) Regulation 10 is a modification of the old Regulation 8, but the Emigration Officer is no longer required to examine all the passengers as some are now examined by the Registrar General.
(viii.) The proviso clause in Regulation 13 is borrowed from Government Notification No. 322 of 1884, made under instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
(ix.) Regulation 17 introduces a new provision as to the muster of passengers on board which, while not throwing any unfair burden upon the master of a ship, is designed to afford protection to emigrants. The other Regulations are substantially the same as before.
T. Meigh Gorst
Attorney General.
G. 13
A. F. 24/2 Johnson 24 Feb
Sir,
You 4682 01-02 Haughing 200 Downing Street, 24 Feb. 1902.
I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty will not be advised to exercise his powers of disallowance with respect to the Ordinance "Hongkong No. 3 of 1901, entitled 'An Ordinance to further amend the Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance, 1889,'" a transcript of which accompanied your despatch No. 524 of the 31st Dec. last.
2. I have to call Your attention to the fact that copies of this Ordinance were not forwarded in the despatch under reply.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, humble Servant,
3. I shall also be glad to receive copies of any rules that may be made under this Ordinance.
Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong
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