Ongman diepen
23 Dec 19189
HONG KONG (HOTEL LICENCES).
12. Sir E. CORNWALL asked the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies whether the licence for the Grand Hotel at Hong Kong is Dow held by a man of German nationality and the licence for the Peak Hotel by a German who has recently been naturalised, both being of military age; whether at the licensing board meeting the unofficial members all voted against the grant of the licences to these two men; whether, when these licences were refused last year, they were granted by an over- riding order of the Government; what action has been taken on the present occa- sion; and what are the reasons inspiring official policy in this matter?
Lord R. CECIL: My right hon. Friend is unable to be here, and has asked me to answer this question on his behalf. I have no information as to the matters referred
to in the hon. Gentleman's question, but I am telegraphing the Governor for a report.
Or: Reporİ 4 Jan 1966.
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES ( Mr. Bonar Law): The answer to the first two parts of the ques- tion is in the affirmative. The Governor. informs us that the licensee of the Grand Hotel is thirty-four years old, left Ger- many in 1897, and had no intention of re- turning. His sympathies are stated to be British, and he married in 1903 an Austra- lian wife, whose father lives with the licensee. He has held a licence since 1909. The licensee of the Peak Hotel is of the same age, and has resided in Hong Kong for eleven years continuously, was natural- ised in 1911, and has been licensed seven ! years. The Governor states that both bear good characters. One licence only was opposed last year, and was granted on appeal to the Governor in Council. On the present occasion both licences were refused by the unofficial majority, but were granted on appeal to the Governor in Council, one member alone dissenting. No question of policy was involved, and the Executive Council acted throughout in a judicial capacity under the licensing
ordinance.
Copy.
Dear Locook,
Downing Street,
22nd December, 1915.
Lord Robert has kindly consented to
answer the enclosed question.
It la simple and
no supplementaries need be feared.
Yours sincerely,
(Sd) J.C.C.Davidson.
Included in the
TW
1377/16
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