CO129-506-6 Suppression of Piracy Amendment Ordinance- 1927 21-10-1927 - 8-2-1928 — Page 2

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Gov.

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The action of the Hong Kong Government

in regard to the Piracy Restriction Regulations

gets worse and worse. I should like to repeat

once more the history of the matter.

X

The Commission reported on the 17th April

ant its report was forwarded by the Governor in

his despatch of the 27th of April (No.36 on 30016B).

He made no observations in doing so and it was assumed

that these would follow later. As, however, they

had not been received, he was asked by telegram to

submit his observations on the 27th July (No. 4 on

30016 C). He was reminded by telegram on the 28th

of October (No. 52 on 30016 C) and replied on the

19th November (No. 1 on 30016 D) indicating that

a decision had already been reached on the various

recommendations of the Commission and that action

was being taken. As regards the most important

recommendation, No. 3, the rescission of the Piracy

Prevention Regulations, this telegram read:-

"No. 3 is in hand but involves legislation".

As the legislation in question had already

been passed and was on its way here (the despatch

is dated the 21st October), it was hardly a straight-

forward answer.

1914

The most important provision of this Ordinance

is the repeal of the riracy Prevention Ordinance

and all regulations in force thereunder. Actually

it is not in operation yet as Section 5 provides that

it shall come into operation on such date as may be

fixed by the Governor in Council; but the reason

for so postponing it is not to give the Secretary

of State the opportunity of considering the matter

but