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(Chinese Passengers' Act 1855), but on the other hand it would appear to be possible to argue that in the cases in question the Secretary of State is entitled to require as a condition of the issue of a licence that the coolies to be carried shall not be under indenture.
THE LAW OFFICERS and MR ROWLATT are requested to advise:
(a) Whether having regard to the provisions of the Chinese Passengers' Act 1856 the Ordinance as it stands apart from any instructions from previous Secretaries of State, actually prohibits by implication or otherwise the Governor of Hong Kong from granting a licence for a single voyage to a vessel carrying indentured coolies to a place outside His Majesty's dominions.
(b) Whether, if this is not the case and if the Governor's inability to grant such licences is due solely to the instructions given by Secretaries of State, such
(4)