CO129-399 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [1-2] — Page 113

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38

ENCLOSURE IN No. 36.

A BILL

ENTITLED

No. 29:-[1,6,11.—1.]

An Ordinance to prohibit the importation and circulation of foreign copper and bronze coins,

Be it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and cousent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Foreign Short title. Copper Coin Ordinance, 1911.

tion and

2. The importation and circulation of all kinds of Prohibition copper or bronze coins, other than those specified in of importa. Her Majesty's Order-in-Council duted the second day circulation of February, 1893, and published in the Gazette of the of foreign thirtieth day of March, 1895, and other than Chinese copper and cash, are prohibited.

bronze coins.

without or

3.-(1.) If any person imports or attempts to import Penalty for any coin the importation of which is prohibited by this importing Ordinance he shall be liable on summary conviction, if in cun- the coin be of the amount of five dollars in nominal travention value or upwards, to a fine not exceeding one thousand of licence, dollars, and in any event, unless the Magistrate is satisfied that the coin imported was not intended for use in the Colony, the coin so imported or attempted

to be imported shall be forfeited.

(2.) The provisions of this section shall not apply to

any

coin imported under a licence in writing under tho band of the Colonial Secretary. Every such licence shall specify the terms on which such coin may be imported.

(3.) If any person importing coin under any such licence fail to comply with any of the terms of such licence be shall be liable on summary conviction to the fine and forfeiture to which he would have bee liable if the licence had not been granted.

4.-(1.) If any person circulates or attempts to Penalty for circulate any coin the circulation of which is prohibited circulation. by this Ordinance, be shall be liable on summary con- viction to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars and the coin so circulated or attempted to be cirenlated shall be forfeited.

(2.) For the purposes of this section a person shall Definition be deemed to circulate coin if he ienders, utters, bays, and sells, receives, or pays it, or puts it off, provided always exemption. that a person shall not be deemed to circulate coin it he gives such coin to a bond fide banker or to a licensed money-changer either in exchange for other coins or notes or for any other purpose and provided also that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any bima fide banker or to any licensed money-changer.

5. This Ordinance shall come into operation on the Commence-

day of

1911.

ment.

39

یعت

Objects and Reasons.

Up to recently Hongkong copper coin was at a very large discount but recent measures for redemption has reduced it to a figure which it is considered cannot be further reduced without legislation on account of the free circulation of foreign coins.

As the discount causes great hardship to many businesses in the Colony and as the amount of Hongkong coin in cirenlation and in stock at the present time is estimated to be no more than is required for the needs of the Colony, opportunity is now taken to prohibit the circulation of foreign coils.

It is believed that, with the sucessful operation of this Bill, the coin in question will rise, almost if not quite, to par. The principle of the Bill has been approved by residents representing all sections of the business community.

No. 37.

C. G. ALABASTER,

Attorney General.

Copy of despatch from Governor of Hongkong to Secretary of State for Colonies.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 20th June, 1911.

SIR,-In continuation of my Confidential despatch of the 9th instant, I have the No. 36. honour to state that I propose that section 5 in the draft bill therein enclosed should be renumbered 6 and a new section to the following effect insterted before it :---

5. No prosecution under this Ordinance shall be instituted except with the consent of the Attorney General, or of the Captain Superintendent of Police or of the Deputy Superintendent of Police: Provided always that any police officer may arrest and take into custody without warrant any person upon reasonable suspicion of his baving cominitted offence punishable

any by this Ordinance."

I shall be glad to learn whether this amendment meets with your approval.

The Right Honourable

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c.

&c.,

&o.,

I have, &c.,

F. D. LUGARD,

Governor, de.