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Objects and Reasons,
1. The object of this bill is to prevent any British river steamer, or British vessel registered in Hong Kong, from trading within the Inland Waters of China, as defined in the Ordinance, without a licence for the purpose from the Governor in Council.
2. With the exception of the proposed new section 3A (7) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, the draft of the Ordinance as it appears above was approved by the Secretary of State. The sub-section in question has been added to meet his proposal that the Ordinance should also provide for a penalty to be imposed on such unlicenced ships as may be found to be trading within the Inland Waters of China, as defined in the Ordi-
nance.
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