them to the consideration of the Governor, in order that, if he approved of the same, they might be introduced as Government measures or be submitted to the Secretary of State for his approval.
On these two Bills I beg to report as follows: —
The first mentioned Bill would confer on the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and any Committee thereof the same powers as the House of Commons now possesses, for enforcing the attendance of witnesses or for punishing persons guilty of contempt. If it be decided to adopt this measure, the further question would arise whether the present wording of the 20th Section should be preserved, viz:
"shall have all such and like powers, rights and privileges as are now possessed or exerciseable by the House of Commons" — whether, in order to avoid using these words, the Bill should not specifically state and describe at full length the actual powers to be conferred and the means of exercising them.
With regard to the Second Bill, viz: The Commissioners Powers Bill, "I do not know of any general Act in England corresponding thereto." An Act was passed in 1867 to authorize the Commissioners on Trades Unions to examine witnesses on oath, to compel their attendance, and to punish persons guilty of contempt. I think the necessity and advisability of introducing such a measure here cannot be doubted.
A Committee appointed by the Governor two years ago was unable to arrive at any satisfactory result through not being able to obtain certain evidence, and, surrounded as we are by secret Societies, the necessity of possessing such power might, at any moment, be felt, if it was desired to inquire into their control.
them to the consideration of the Goverecor, in order that, if he approved of the sance, they might be introduced as Government
be submitted to the Secretary
measures or
of State for his approval.
On these two Bills I beg to report - follows: —
00
The first mentioned Gill would confer on the Legislative Council of thing. Kong and any Committee there of the sauce,
e powers as the House of Commons now possenses, for exforcing the attendance of wituceses or for punishing persons guilty, of contempt . If it be decided to adopt this measure, the further question would arise whether the present wording of the 20th Section should be preserved, viz:
" shall " have all such and like powers, rights and privileges as are now possessed exerciseable by the House of Commons = whether, in order to avoid using these words, the Bill should not specifically state and describe at full
Or
ssed or
}
411
full length the actual powers to be "Conferred and the means of exercising
theme.
With regard to the Second Bill
viz The Commissioners Powers Bill "Ido not know of any general Act in Exegland corresponding thereto. – An act was passed in 1867 to authorize the Commissioner Trades Unions to examine witnesses
on
ou
- oath, to compel their attendance, aud to punish persons guilty of contempt . I thick the recessity o
a
Ovisability of introducing
each a
measure here camcot be doubted,
A Committee appointed by the
Governor.
conue
two
years ago, was
unable to arrive at
result
any
satisfectory through not being able to obtain
certain evidence, and, surrounded do we
are by secret Societies, the necessity of possessing such power might, at any moment, be felt, if it was desired to inquire.
hits
Control
of
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