CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 654

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(15207/14).

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sense of the draft Order but merely that they would make it

more impossible for the meaning and intention of the clauses

in question to be misunderstood,

In the circumstances Sir E. Grey is of opinion that

these amendments should not be introduced at the present

stage and that it is desirable that the draft Order should

come into force in its present form as soon as the supple-

mentary legislation has been enacted at Hongkong to meet it,

in order that the new scheme may enter into operation with

as little delay as possible, leaving such amendments and im-

provements as experience may show to be desirable to be in-

troduced at a later date.

As it would appear that Sir Havilland de Bausmarez has

informed the Governor of Hongkong of the alterations sug-

gested, Sir E. Grey would be glad, should Mr. Harcourt see no

objection, if the decision which he has arrived at in the

matter could be communicated to Hongkong.

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,