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25th June, 1942.
58
The draft Order in Council for transferring the powers of the Governor of Hong Kong, which we discussed on the 14th of April, has been revised in the light of your comments, and I enclose two copies of the revised draft.
The provisions about Defence Regulations, the Merchant Shipping Act, and the Minister of war Transport have been omitted, For the general transfer of powers we have substituted a clause transferring only those specified in the First Schedule. The clause enabling the Secretary of State to modify enactments by adding to the Second Schedule has also been deleted. I think the only thing left about which you express ea doubt is the Secretary of State's power to use the interest from the Exchange Fund under the Hong Kong Currency Ordinance. This now appears in Clause 2 which applies to other funds in the hands of the Crown Agents and we are very anxious to retain it.
I know you are very busy, but there is
uneasiness in certain quarters about the delay which has already occurred (owing mainly to consultations with other Departments) and if you could find time to look at the draft within the next six or seven days we should be very grateful. You will no doubt let me know if you would like me to come and talk about it.
I enclose copies of the Ordinances mentioned in the Schedules and should be glad to have them back in due course. The Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Ordinance, 1908, is in the volume at pages 1058 et seq.
Sir John Stainton, K.B.E.
4.5.
K.a Robert nam.