CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12] — Page 321

MINUTES.

If the conventions are to be applied

he must

pass igislation to carry.

than

out but he must make

his

Layo

"Mind"

mover

whether he'll adhere

MINUTES, NOT TO

BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.

No

415.

314

C

63446

RECE 23E 21

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 14th November, 1921.

Jo H. Conventions or

wo

¦

not.

I think

the

best plan is to

adherence

& Leave

them to pass legislatio & adhere

afterwards if they wish.

1.6.

to me 15

The derf. seems aroun the winter faing &

squares.

Then is

*་

question of

the Colony's" adhering to the

Camention, but of the Convention

being afflied anot afflich As the Colony-se (es, Artich 5 of the Comvention fring the minings for enfly

aga

bind dren at sea.

AF

2/6/2

Sir,

With reference to your Circular despatch of 13 th August,

I have the honour to inform you that, of the five Draft Conventions referred to as having been ratified, the Convention concerning Unemployment, and the Convention fixing the minimum age for

admission of children to employment at sea are inapplicable in this Colony, the former owing to the proximity of China, and the

continual flow of labourers backward and forward according to the

conditione prevailing on the mainland and the Colony; and the

latter on the ground that most of the fishing boats are family

concerns. It would in any case be impossible to introduce legislation in this Colony to give effect to this latter Convention

unless similar legislation were adopted in China, end, in addition,

local conditions do not appear to call for any such legislation.

The remaining three Conventions which have been ratified are receiving my consideration. It will probably be necessary to introduce legislation here very shortly to give effect to the Report of the Commission on Child Labour which is being forwarded to you by this mail and the opportunity may then conveniently be taken to apply or adapt to this Colony the provisions of one or more of these Conventions, concurrently with

such legislation.

The form of legislation adopted in the United Kingdom

to give effect to the Conventions will be followed as far as

possible in this Colony.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,

&c.

&C.

8.2. Stubbs

Governor, &c.