HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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1933." He said: The effect of this Bill, as explained in the memorandum of objects and reasons, is to place members of the Volunteer Defence Corps on the same footing as members of the Compulsory Service groups who are assigned to that Corps, and to prevent them from leaving the Colony without the previous sanction of Your Excellency.
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 5 of the Volunteer Ordinance, 1933, permits volunteers to quit the corps, on complying with certain formalities, except when on actual military service.
2. Under section 11 (7) of the Compulsory Service Ordinance, (No. 32 of 1939) members of the Hong Kong Defence Reserve may quit the same only with the previous sanction of the Governor.
3. The object of this Bill is to require similar permission in the case of volunteers who may desire to quit the corps, during the war, if not called out for actual military service under section 11 of the principal Ordinance. Provision is also made, in accordance with the existing practice, for the granting to such volunteers of leave of absence from the Colony, not involving quitting the corps, by the Commandant in his discretion.
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ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES RESERVES BILL, 1939.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to provide for the maintenance of reserve stocks of commodities which would be essential for the vital needs of the community during war or other public emergency; for the registration of importers of such commodities and for purposes incidental to or connected with the matters aforesaid."
He said: The long title of this Bill explains very fully its effects. It enables Your Excellency-in-Council to schedule any essential commodities, to provide stocks of these commodities with licensed importers, and to issue import permits. The Bill will apply in the first instance to rice and this restriction will be explained by the Financial Secretary, who is seconding this motion.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.-As the Attorney General has explained, it is proposed immediately to apply this Ordinance to rice. As soon as the Bill is passed applications will be invited from all importers of rice stating the quantities which they desire to be authorized to import, and the minimum stock which is regarded as
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