CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 447

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There will probably be two results of this legis-

lation, (1) Companies which are in fact non British or

which for other reasons wish to avoid the provisions

of the Ordinance, will transfer their management to

Hongkong, a proceeding which no legislation can avoid,

for registration will not be refused in any British

possession to a company managed there. Or (2) such

companies will establish a branch in Hongkong for the

purpose of bringing themselves within the definition

of a "Hongkong Company". Mr. Bourne has written

strongly on this point, in his despatch to Sir J.

Jordan, a copy of which he sent to the Secretary of

State in No. 1 of 1913. I do not propose to suggest

an alternative draft, as it is better left to experts

on this subject and I am only too likely to have to

"interpret" it, but the difficulty requires careful

consideration, especially in view of the despatch No.

155 from the Secretary of State to Sir J. Jordan of

the 23rd December last; as to which I am about to send

my views to His Majesty's Minister.

3. I discussed the question of the attachment

of the duties of the Deputy Registrar of Companies in

Shanghai

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