CO129-443 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [7-9] — Page 206

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

RETURN OF GERMANS AFTER THE WAR.

196

THE RESOLUTION.

The following resolution was passed by the Committee of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce and afterwards submitted to the Hongkong Legislative Council through the Chamber's representative, the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak:-

IT IS

THE OPINION OF THIS CHAMBER THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE OOLONY OF HONGKONG THAT PERSONS OF GERMAN NATIONALITY SHOULD BE EXOLUD- ED THEREFROM FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE DECLARATION OF PEACE; AND THAT, SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY BE ONLY ADMITTED INTO

COLONY

UNDER STRICT LICENCE."

THE

A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held on April 19th at the Council Chamber.

The following were present :-

F.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FRANCIS HENRY MAY, K.C.M.G.

MAJOR-GENERAL HIS EXCELLENCY VENTRIS (General Officer Commanding Troops In China).

Hon. Mr. CLAUD SEVERN, C.M.G. (Colonia) Secretary).

Hon. Mr. J. H. KEMP (Attorney-General). Hon. E. D. C. WOLFE (Colonial Treasurer), Hon. Mr. E. R. HALLIFAX (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).

Hon. Mr. C. Mol. MESSER (Captain Superintendent of Police).

Hon. Mr. WEI YUK, C.M.G.

Hon. Mr. LAU CHU PAK.

Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.

Hon. Mr. E. SHELLIM.

Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK.

Hon. Mr. C. E. ANTON

LETTERS PATENT.

The Letters Patent constituting the offices of Commander-in-Chief and the Governor of Hongkong were read.

PAPERS.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Police Magistrates Court for the year, 1916, and also the quarterly return of excesses on sub-heads met by savings under heads expenditure for the first quarter of 1917.

THE OFFICIAL MAJORITY.

Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK asked the fellow- ing questions:—

1. Will the Government state whether the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies is especially drawn on all occasions to motions made by Unofficial members which have been defeated by the use of the Official majority against the unanimous vote of Unofficial members of Council 1

3. Will the Government also state whether on all occasions when a Bill, or any part of a Bill, is passed by the use of the Official majority, against the unanimous vote of the Unofficial members of Council, a special explanation is given to the Secretary of State Official majority, and are the circumstances of different cases fully set forth in a special despatch t

Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils) for the Colonies to justify the use of the

MINUTES.

The minutes of the last meeting were onfirmed.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table report of proceedings of Finance Committee, No. 4, and moved that it be adopted.

3. Will the Government state when the German Bank and other "immovable * German private property will be sold by public auction?

4-Having regard to the fact that the German Bank property has already been advertised for the prescribed period of three months, will it be considered necessary to The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and advertise it again for any period longer than this was agreed to.

a few days!

: