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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
The Magistrates' Ordinance THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to amend the Magistrates' Ordinance, 1890, and for purposes con-
ม nected therewith."'
The Objects and Reasons state that Clauses 2 and 3 of this Bill are to enable magistrate to proceed ex parte upon the failure of the defendant to appear in answer to his summons. The effect of
these clauses will be to assimilate the law on this point to that in force in England. Clause 4 is inserted in order to make it clear that the above two clauses will apply to all summonses issued after the com- mencement of the Ordinance whether the offence was committed before or after that date.
Clause 5 proposes to raise the maximum fine to $850 in the case of indictable offences tried summarily. This is in order to as- similate the maximum fine in this class of case to the maximum fine adopted in clause 6 in accordance with the law in force in England,
Clause 6 is intended to give a magistrate power in all cases to impose a fine instead of imprisonment. It is taken from the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1979. The magistrates in Hongkong already have power to fine in most cases, but a few cases exist in which they have not. Examples are the offence of unlawful pawning and the offences punishable under the Vagrancy Act, 1824.
Clause 7 is intended to assign to Ordi- nance No. 29 of 1913 a different short title from that of Ordinance No. 3 of 1913,
se-
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY conded, and the Bill was read a first time. Debate on the Budget
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Bill intituled. "An Ordinance to apply a sum not ex ceeding nine million eighty-one thousand two hundred and nine dollars to the Pub- lic Service of the year 1916."
THE COLONIAL TREASURER se- conded.
THE HON. MR. HEWETT-Your Excel- lency, I have been asked by the Unofficial Members to make the first reply on their behalf to the speech your Excellency made a fortnight ago when laying the Estimates for next year before us.
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very much regret the unavoidable absence of two of my unofficial colleagues, but perhaps it would be just as well if I added that all the unofficial members met in my office last week, when we considered your Excellency's speech and the Budget, and what I am about to say is done with the unanimous approval of my unofficial colleagues. Generally speaking, the Bud get, considering the abnormal conditiona under which we are existing, must be considered as a satisfactory one, particu- iarly in view of the very heavy public works in which we are engaged, many of which cannot be suspended, and the difficulty in making the Budget meet. We are glad your Excel- tency has been abje to put before Budget which does not call for increased taxation, although probably that may have to follow before very long. On behalf of the unofficial members, and I am sure I am speaking on behalf of the whole community, we realise the very great stress that has fallen Empire, and in every possible way we are prepared to support your Excellency in any scheme you may bring forward with a view to our taking a full share of the burdena thrust upon us. We entirely agree with your Excellency that this is a time when rigid economy should be prac tised, and we regret very much that it hey been found necessary to temporarily suspend necessary public works, but we realise that, whatever the cost is, certain works such as the Yaumati Refuge, the Tai-Tam-Tuk water scheme, and one or two other such works must be proceeded with, and the money must be found, either by short loans or other means found most convenient.
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There is another point, of course, in the public works expenditure extraordin ary which should also be pressed forward -I do Drot think your Excellency especially referred to it. That is, the erection of quarters for the Government staff. That is practically a remunerative investment, and should be proceeded with Your Excellency spoke of ruthless economy. "That is rather a harsh term,
1 but, atill, we think that you have not applied it so far as you might. I refer to two item, in the Budget that we should have liked to see eliminated $140,000 for the part purchase of private mooring and, a, a corollary, the annual expendi- ture of $10,000 for the upkeep of those member, last year, woorings. As your Excellency will re- when speaking on behalf of my colleagues, We strongly op-
posed this scheme for the purchase o
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