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not been followed. An attempt has been made to simplify the
wording of the clauses by introducing the term "property under prohibited control"; the term is defined in clause 2 or the bill. The reference to the passing of the property on intestacy has been omitted because it seemed unnecessary in the case of the five properties involved. The main departures from the Nigerian model are in connection with the forfeiture clause. The forfeiture of the whole property is provided for, instead of the forfeiture of the enemy interest, because it seemed that without more elaborate provisions difficult questions might arise in dealing with the forfeited interest, for instance in cases where the forfeited interest was that of a shareholder in a company, or was a future interest, and it was thought that such questions would be dealt with more conveniently for all part -ies by means of negotiation with the Government. No doubt the Crow would never insist on ultimate forfeiture of the whole
property where only a portion of the total interest was held by or for a prohibited person and where the other persons interest- ed had acted bona fide and after due enquiry. For similar reasons the reference to relief against forfeiture was omitted. These sections seem to carry out the instructions contained in the second paragraph of your circular despatch.
11.
The next question was that of the restrict- ion of the sale to British purchasers. Hessrs. Blacknend's Soap and Soda Factory was on a site which is of great importance to the Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Co. of Hongkong Lta. as it forms the only possible means of extending the dockyard, and
to that extent the sale of this property is of public interest. With this reservation, the five properties have no particular economic or public characteristics and no military significance, and so long as they are not purchased now on behalf of their present owners or on behalf of any other enemy subjects it seems to me that the question of future dealings with these particular
properties
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