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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
COMMISSIONERS POWERS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1934.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886." He said: The Secretary of State has pointed out certain defects in the Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886, which are corrected by this Bill, the effect of which is .explained in the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a first time.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows:-
1. Section 2 of this Ordinance substitutes for section 4 of the principal Ordinance a new section the object of which is to encourage witnesses to make a full disclosure, and which in this respect follows in principle the old section which it replaces.
2. Old section 4 of the principal Ordinance was based on section 7 of the Truck Commission Act, 1870 (33 and 34 Vct. e 105) and empowered commissioners to indemnify a witness from all proceedings "in respect of any matter touching which he has been examined". No such indemnity can now be given under the new section, but a witness is assured of freedom from civil action arising out of his examination by sub-section (1) and is protected from indiscriminate proceedings by sub-section (2) which requires the consent of the Attorney General to a prosecution.
3. Section 3 of this Ordinance inserts a new section 6 in the principal Ordinance which entitles any person whose conduct is the subject of inquiry, or who is concerned in the matter under inquiry, to be represented by counsel or a solicitor. A similar amendment appears in the Straits Settlements Inquiry Commissions (Amendment) Ordinance, No. 13 of 1933.
4. Both the foregoing amendments are made in consequence of suggestions made by the Secretary of State in his despatches of 12th July and 9th August, 1932, and the form of the Ordinance has been approved by the Secretary of State in his despatch of the 15th November, 1933.
MERCHANDISE MARKS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1934.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Merchandise Marks Ordinance, 1890." He said: This Bill strengthens the principal Ordinance, which deals with those who apply false trade marks
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