+
il
10
Form II
THE SOCIETIES (REGISTRATION) RULES, 1949
(Rule 3)
In accordance with the provisions of section 5 of the Societie
Ordinance, 1949, I hereby order that the society named
shall be * { registered
ance.
exempted from registration
This ...........day of
}
under the said Ordin-
19
11
5. The Bill, apart from the requirement of compulsory registration, contains in clause 5 (3) provision, analogous to section 14 of the Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordinance, 1948, which is important. That provision empowers the Registrar of Societies to refuse registration of any local society which is affiliated or connected with any political organisation established outside the Colony. Thus upon enactment of the Bill that provision will apply to prohibit the existence and operation in the Colony of any local society (as defined) of the category above described and notwithstanding that it may be in existence and in active operation in the Colony at the present time. Such prohibition would mark an innovation in the Colony wherein consider- able latitude has long been afforded towards the existence and operation of "societies" of every kind. But a change of attitude, as regards societies, having outside political connection, is regarded as unavoidable in the best interests of the Colony while serious political unrest prevails throughout the world.
6. The Bill by clause 26 empowers the Governor in Council to make rules for the purposes therein mentioned and by clause 26(3) rules are in fact made which appear as a Schedule to the Bill providing the machinery necessary for the registration of societies which the Bill upon enactment will require. Clause 27 restricts the duration of the Bill,
upon enactment, until the 31st December, 1950, but empowers its continuance in force beyond that date by resolution of Legislative Council.
Registrar of Societies.
* Delete whichever inapplicable.
Objects and Reasons.
1. Prior to the enactment of the Societies Ordinance, 1920, the legislation in force in the Colony dealing with societies, i.e. the Societies Ordinance, 1911, provided for the compulsory registration of all societies.
2. The Societies Ordinance, 1920, introduced alteration of the law, par- ticularly in that registration of societies was no longer rendered compulsory. In fact, however, many societies in the years since 1920 have continued voluntarily to register with the Secretary for Chinese Affairs thereby notifying their existence.
3. It is considered that at the present time the maintenance of law and order in the Colony would be assisted by the existence of record of all societies in the Colony and a knowledge of their objects and by enhanced powers of control of societies.
4. In these circumstances a principal object of the Bill is to provide legislation in replacement of the Societies Ordinance, 1920, which replaces legal obligation upon every local society (as defined in clause 2) to apply for registration. Consequently (see clauses 9 and 25) within 30 days of the commencement of the Ordinance any local society which has not been registered or which has not been exempted from registration will automatically become an unlawful society and management or membership of any such society will be an offence (clauses 10 and 11).
J. B. GRIFFIN,
Attorney General.
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