CO129-456 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1919 [10-12] — Page 189

.

171

-2-

(2) To give statutory power to prescribe fees to be payable

in respect of such censoring.(Section 6(9) ).

(#) The opportunity is also taken to fill up (see section 6(10)) a lacuna in the power of making regulations given by section

That section makes no

6 of the Theatres Ordinance, 1908. general reference to the prescribing of conditions of li-

It seems obvious that this power

cences and permits.

should exist. Such a power is usual in Ordinances which

give power to issue licences.

(4) Section 6 (b) has been specially inserted at the request of

80

the Unofficial Members of Council, as to ensure regula- tions made by the Governor in Council under this Ordinance being laid before the Legislative Council for their approval. The principle has also been conceded by the Government that, in the case of all future Ordinances giving the Governor in Council power to make regulations, a similar provision will be inserted in such Ordinances, except in the case of regulations dealing with matters of pure form or of a trivial nature.

4. Section 7, like section 7 of the Theatres Ordinance, 1908,

contains an exemption in regard to Chinese public theatrical per– formances. whion are dealt with under Ordinance 3 of 1888, and under

the regulations made thereunder.

5.

In my opinion this is an Ordinance to which His Excellency the Governor may properly assent in the name of His Majesty and on His

behalf.

36. E. Gotland

Attorney General.