}
V
was
not necessary in that Ordinance to do more than organise a centre of union and activity under one chief. The Govern. meat had abandoned the principle of a volunteer corps. The voluntary principle had not been considered sufficiently reliable in an emergenny. They would gladly accept the services of those who were ready to undergo such drill and train- ing as was necessary to fit them for the work of the brigade, and he calculated on finding many ready to give them help. He was sorry to say the insurance offices had not rendered the assistance he had expected from them, but. on the other hand, the Government had received valuable aid from one quarter in which they had not looked for it. from the Chinese community. The Chinese had given security for the cost of a first-class engine, and he had some mails back ordered an engine for them, and one for the Government. He beli ved also that it might be so arranged that each of the large Hougs sbould supply a few uten to the brigade, who might attend a periodical drill. He proposed to have a paid superintendent. Without this he did not think it would he pos- sible to bave the affairs of the brigade properly attended to. In reference to the mode in which the expenses of the brigade would be met, he said that be considered the fairest plan would be to throw the cost, upon the rates levied on house property. aa the preservation of that property was the object ju view. The extra charge would probably not amount, after the first year. to LOTE than a half per cent. In his office would be found the corespondence that had taken place with the ingnace offices, to which any of the members of the council could have free access. The Chief Justice threw out a suggestion to the effect that watch towers should be built in Hongkong as in Canton.
LAW RELATING TO JURORS. The "GOVERNOR then introduced another Ordinance to amend the law relating to Jurors, The Chief-Justice had made some suggestions which he had not yet had time to embody in the draft, but these would be brought before the conneil in the second reading,
Ordinance read a first time.
PENSIONS IN THE POLICE.
The attention of the Government had lately been directed to the subject of pensions in the police There had, indeed, been one very peculiar case, in which a man had claimed a pen- sion who had not been remarkable for particular zeal. In the police force pensions pould be oh- tained with far greater ease than was possible in other branches of the civil service. He thought it was a mistake to exempt the mem- bers of the police force from the conditions to which other persons in the Government service had to submit. He had appointed a commission. consisting of the Acting Colonial Secretary. the Acting Superintendent of Police, and Mr. Goodlake, to investigate the subject, and they had drawn up a valuable report. in accordance with the recommendations of which this Ordi- nance had been prepared. The Governor in Council was empowered to frame the regula. tions under which the pensions would be conferred. He had further provided that if after a pension had been granted it could he proved that the person had been guilty of corruption, while in the service, which had not been previously discovered, it would be lawful for the Governor to stop the pension. Thai clause he considered one of great importance. It was possible that persons who might be faithful to a friend guilty of corruption, so long as he remained in the police, might not continue silent permanently. It was a great defect that the police force. "which of all others required close scrutiny, should have been in this matter of pensions comparatively exempt from all control.
The Ordinance was read a first time,
TREASONABLE OFFENCES.
He next laid on the table a circular despatch from the Secretary of State, directing the as- similation of the law in this colony relating to treasonable offences with that of the United Kingdom. There could be but one opinion as to the desirability of this step. The Orlinanes was an accurate transcript of the law on the subject prevailing at home.
The Urdinance was then read a first time.
THE STAMP ORDINANCW. The GOVERNOR next laid before thecommittee an Ordinance entitled An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to amend "The Stamp Ordinance of 1866.” He did not intend that this Ordinance should at present be discussed. That would be very fully one at the
way
in
second reading, but he wisher now sex plain his views with regard to some of the changes recommended. It was with some hesitation that be set about the revision of the original tamp Ordinance, as there was a simplicity about it that be did not like to disturb. It was always very difficult in alter- ing such an Ordinance as this, to foresee what effect it would have in decreasing or increasing the revenue to be raised. During the operation of the Stamp Act, however, various peopl bad acquired practic experience of the which its provisions actually pressed on their own interests, and in this way, a number of suggestions bad arisen. He had, therefore, appointed a com- mission. consisting of the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, who was also a member of the Council, the Acting Treasurer, and the Collector of Stamps as the persons who could best represent the different interests concerned. This commission he intended should thoroughly digest all suggestions that might come before it, and also bring its own knowledge and experience to bear." The commission after much labor had made a very valuable report, which be laid before the council, and be took this opportunity of publicly thanking the gentlemen composing that commission for the zealous and effective manner in which they had performed the duty imposed upon them. As occupant of the chamber next to the one which they eat. be could, he said, at all evente bear testimony to the number of hours they had spent over their work, and if they had not resolved every difficulty, still they were nevertheless entitled to the thanks of the Government as well as of the community at lar. e. A great many changes were suggested in this report, some most im portant, but he could not consent to all these suggestions, and he thought there were many sections of the Ordinance and items in the schedule that would yet stand a further test of experience before they were altered for the better, while there were other suggestions that he thought for various reasons were not as feasible as those he should lay before the Council. He first called attention to the second item of the schedule. relating to Bank notes. The original Ordinance provided a tax of one per cent., but this had been reduced by the Governor and Executive Council to two-thirds. It was now suggested that a fortber reduction should be made to one half per cent. He was not aware that the present tax of two-thirds had bad the effect that had been prophesied, or that it had materially reduced the circulation of bank notes. He was aware that there were many who thought it excessive and burdensome, and the bankers said it was especially so since these wutes Isere issued solely for the nience of their customers, and were not a source of profit or revenue to the banks in any way. It appeared to him, however, that what ever the banks did, must be done for their own ultimate interest, whether it was a source of immediate pecuniary gain or not, and he could not attribute much weight to this argument. If the bankers objected to the tax, it was cer- tainly optional with them to contract or increasethe circulation.
the amount
Conve.
had in reality been affected by the tax he should Cousider that the Conneil ought to pause before legislating on this sub- ject, but he found that instead of decreasing, the circulation had actually increased, as was abown by the following returns. In January, 1867, it was for the four banks now in the Colony, $1,439,000; in 1868, it was for the same four banks, $2,374.000; and in view of these fig- ures he thought there was little fear of the stamp duty operating injuriously on the issue of notes. The case for the banks was not made out so clearly as to justify him in sacrificing a source of very considerable revenue without further discussion. The Ordinance now under consider. ation would make the tax two-thirds per cent. The commission had made one very valuable suggestion of which he had availed himself, and that was that the tax should be collected monthly on the statements now regularly re- turned, instead of half yearly, as heretofore, and this, he thought, would be found a great con- venience to all. The next item be would call attention to, was No. 3 of the schedule, and be would here remark, that he did not look upon un Ordinance laid upon the table and read a frst time, as final by any means. It was merely the principle of the Ordinance to which be called attention, and not to the particular wording, The only thing that he was bound to take care of, was that the Ordinance, as amended, did not provide for a smaller revenue
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