Jury. F.O.
No. 339.
Sir,
26 MAY 1939
J
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
36
HONG KONG.
;
15th May, 1939.
I have the honour to forward for your
consideration the accompanying draft of a Bill, which it is proposed to introduce to Legislative Council, to
amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, and which is designed principally to enable the Harbour Master to refuse a port clearance in the case of a ship intending to proceed to a port of China which has not been opened
to foreign trade.
2.
The Memorandum of Objects and Reasons appended
to the Bill explains that the proposed amendment is designed to facilitate the preventive work of the
Chinese Maritime Customs. My Executive Council has
approved of its introduction and I should be glad if
the Bill may be submitted for Royal instructions, in
order that it may be proceeded with at once.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
/. God hathestr
Governor.
Dr
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
MALCOLM MACDONALD, M.P.,
&C.,
&C.,
&C.