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        "document_key": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]",
        "page_number": 112,
        "title": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]",
        "content_text": "## 110 \n\n15 \n\n14 \n\nThe Hongkong Government Gazette, \n\nferred with. \n\nI had not the slightest idea who would get the privilege until the Governor decided on the present holder. I did not know whether the Governor might strike out the tenders received on Sunday. My note on the list of tenders referred to the Governor seems rather to point out that the second on the list might be favourably considered. To show how little I knew myself who would obtain the Opium License, I may mention that on Friday the 12th March, the day preceding the closing of the tenders, I had a long conversation in John Burd & Co.'s office, with Mr Bridges and a Chinaman whom I found there. I put down in figures the result of my inquiries and calculations as to the probable revenue from the Monopoly; the consequence of this was that the fifth highest tender, which is $8,640 above any of those below, is from John Burd & Co.'s comprador. \n\nAdjourned till Wednesday next at 3 P.M. \n\n**H. TUDOR DAVIES, Chairman** \n\nMeeting of Committee on Wednesday, 19th May inst at 3 P.M. \n\nPresent, Both Members. \n\nAdjourned till Saturday next at 3 P.M. \n\n**H. TUDOR DAVIES, Chairman** \n\nOn Saturday, 22nd May, the Meeting was adjourned through the Clerk of the Councils, by order of the Chairman to Wednesday, the 26th May instant, at 10.30 A.M. \n\nWednesday, 26th May instant, at 10.30 a.m. \n\nPresent, Both Members. \n\n[Read Two Letters from Mr Hoey, annexed, (J.K.)] **HENRY KINGSMILL, Esq.,**-Called in and examined By the Chairman,--I was counsel for Chun-tai-kwong in a case before you, in which Chun-tai-kwong was complaining and Mr Hoey defendant. Mr Hoey stated on cross-examination by me, that Dr Bridges had a personal interest in the Opium Monopoly. I asked him whether, when he was going to the Government Offices to execute the bond, he had told Dr Bridges that he (Hoey) was to be a partner in the Monopoly. He said \"No.\" I asked him whether it was intended at the time he was to be a partner. He said \"Yes.\" I asked him if he ever told Dr Bridges that he was a partner. He said he did on the day on which the `Caribbean` case had been heard before you. I asked him why he had not mentioned this to Dr Bridges before. He gave no direct answer, and then giving a toss of his head said, \"the fact of it is, Dr Bridges has a personal interest in it himself.\" He said this in an angry way. I said, \"there, Mr Hoey, that's quite enough, that's a question with which we have nothing to do here;\" my impression is that you rather seconded my observation. \n\nI then asked...\n\nChairman. As Acting Attorney General from 22nd July last to December, I drafted an Ordinance for the Monopoly of the Sale of Opium. This, I think, was about the 10th December; it was not confined to prepared Opium. In receiving my instructions for the drafting, I only communicated with the Acting Colonial Secretary; I did not communicate with anyone else-Chinese or other. \n\n**THE ATTORNEY GENERAL**.-Re-called and examined By the Chairman.-I wish to draw your attention to the last edit but one of the Opium Monopoly Ordinance, published in the Gazette of the 27th February last, and to the Ordinance finally passed on the 17th March last, and published in the Gazette of the 20th March. There are great alterations. Will you point out the alterations to the Committee, and explain their effect? \n\n[JUNE 19, 1858.] \n\nlations, and I think those of Java. I redrew Mr Kingsmill's draft, changing the arrangement, and making it applicable to all Opium raw or prepared, saleable in quantities of less than one Chest. I sent in this draft, I think, about the 10th or 15th December. It was then laid before the Council, a first time, and printed, December, 1857. On the first reading of the Bill, I opposed it in its principle, and in every one of its details, distinguishing as I always do between my duties as draftsman, and as Legislative Councillor. If passed, it would have effectually destroyed a retail trade in Opium, as well as in prepared Opium, both being to be included in the Opium privilege, and the Sub-licenses, and dealing with them in any other way being prohibited under the penalties contained in the 6th Section, without Benefit of Clergy. [Minute-Book of Legislative Council produced by Clerk of the Councils.] The first reading took place on the 26th of December, 1857, as appears by the Minute-Book produced; and on the 5th January, 1858, I learn from the same Minute-Book, that the debate on the Ordinance was adjourned to that day fortnight. It appears by the next entry that, down to this time, it had not been published for general information; for the next entry of the same is an order to that effect proposed by the Acting Colonial Secretary, and seconded by the Chief Magistrate. It was then published in the Gazette of the 9th January; it was read a second time on the 19th January, but on the opposition of the Honourable Mr Dent, the Committee on the Ordinance was postponed till the 16th of February, and immediately afterwards the resolution of which you have the draft was moved by me for taking evidence if offered. On the suggestion either of His Excellency or the Acting Colonial Secretary, members understood that the names of any witnesses to be examined on the 16th February were to be sent in, on or before the 13th February. There was no Meeting of the Legislative Council on the 16th February, but there was one on the 23rd February, when the Acting Colonial Secretary stated that, on mature consideration, Government had decided to confine the application of the Ordinance to prepared Opium, and to extend it by making it applicable to all such Opium whether sold in large or small quantities. The exemption of raw Opium was said to be a concession to the opposition made to the Ordinance by the community, and particularly by the opposition members of Council; but inasmuch as no evidence pursuant to the resolution had been brought forward by any member of Council or of Government to justify the remaining restrictions...\n\nI continued to oppose them. His Excellency was pleased to state in reply, that he was prepared to agree to any reasonable amendment of the Ordinance, which would prevent the frightful abuses which I predicted, and I remember especially that the pledge was given that the moment the Governor had granted the Opium Monopoly or Licenses to the purchaser, then the Government was to retire and leave him to litigate by litigation or otherwise, his own private rights of property, and that he should have no authority to call in the aid of the police to enforce them. This arose in consequence of my tendering a protest, which His Excellency thought out of reason, as the Ordinance had not yet passed. A few verbal alterations having been made in the 2nd clause towards carrying into effect the intentions of Government, the further consideration was postponed until the 22nd February, when the draft was recast so as to embody the whole of the requisite amendments and additions prepared by me as draftsman, so as to complete it according to the actual views of the Government, and in the shape it was ordered to be published in the Gazette, where it appeared on the 27th February. It then bore its present title; there was introduced at that time for the first occasion the Informer's Clause. I opposed it, but eventually consented to its passing, on its being restricted as it at present stands, to...\n\nThe Attorney General. Before I answer that question I would suggest, that there had been many important alterations in the various printed editions-published or not-of the Ordinance before that published in the Gazette of 27th February; whilst waiting to be examined, I accidentally found on the table a copy of one of the Draft Ordinance, and at the foot of it, in my own writing, a resolution adopted on my motion. This I put in as part of my evidence. The resolution is this,-\"That on the 16th February, the Council will take such evidence on the subject matters of the said Ordinance, as may then and there be offered.\" It recalls to me the circumstances of a debate which I should otherwise have forgotten. This paper I know to be the first draft of the present Ordinance as prepared and settled by myself. Its title is \"An Ordinance for licensing and regulating the Sale of Opium in small quantities.\" On my arrival from sick leave early in December last, a draft in Mr Kingsmill's autograph, purporting to be a Draft Ordinance, with a title to the same effect, was sent to me by His Excellency to revise, having regard to certain accompanying instructions, including the Macao Opium Regulations, the Singapore Opium Regulations, and I think those of Java...\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| --- | --- |\n| ...where the informer was a person holding an Opium Privilege or License; | this was done avowedly in fulfilment of the pledge given, that the action of the Police and Government... |\n\n...At the next Meeting of Council, on the 24th February, an amendment was ordered to be made for exempting Opium bona fide prepared for medicinal purposes, but nothing further in regard to the Ordinance was done. The Gazette of 27th February, which contains the Ordinance, so amended, also contains, as did the previous Gazette of 20th February, the Government Notification [E] of the latter date calling for tenders. The next Meeting of Council was on the 17th March, by an special summons, on which day the Ordinance passed, and received the Governor's assent.\n\nHaving now made this statement, I answer the question put...\n\nOn the 16th March, I received my instructions to prepare further amendments of the Draft Opium Ordinance, with an intimation that it was highly desirable that the Ordinance should pass in some shape or other the next day.\n\nThe serious variations to which the Committee refer, were produced by those amendments. I drafted what is now Section 9, and returned it the same day to the Acting Colonial Secretary. By that Section the power to issue Search-warrants is given to a Stipendiary Magistrate or the Superintendent of Police. There were other new clauses, some of which did not pass, and were not pressed to a vote on the following day. There was one which would have given the Opium farmer power to levy a sort of customs duty on imports of Opium: that was proposed by the Acting Colonial Secretary, but was not seconded, and on my opposition was disapproved by His Excellency himself. It was proposed by way of amendment of Section 7 as it now stands, and I am almost sure on the 17th of March, for it was distinctly stated by the Acting Colonial Secretary in moving it, that it was suggested by the man who had, or was likely to have, the Opium Farm.\n\nThe Acting Colonial Secretary gave on the same day the very same reason for proposing another amendment also drafted by me, either on the 16th or 17th March, namely, the last paragraph of existing Section 14, which directs the Court in adjudicating in favour of any complainant under the Section before mentioned-Section 8, to adjudge and deliver to the holder of the Monopoly preferring such complaint the whole of the Opium found to be illicitly imported or possessed. I also opposed the latter amendment, but this time without success, and I also failed to induce the Council to throw out the Search-warrant clause.\n\nAdjourned till Friday next at 10.30.\n\n**H. TUDOR DAVIES, Chairman**\n\nFriday, the 28th, May inst., at 10.30 a.m. Present,-Both the Members.\n\nThe Chairman stated, that the Committee after consideration, had come to the opinion, that a question put to the Attorney General at the last meeting ought not to have been put; it, therefore, and the answer to it, are now struck out of the Minutes.\n\n**DR BRIDGES**,-Re-called and examined.\n\nChairman, Why was a notification for tenders for the Opium Monopoly published in the Gazette of the 20th February, when the Ordinance only got through Committee on the 22nd February, and was not published till the 27th February?\n\nThe Attorney General-My proposal to throw them out was resisted by the Acting Colonial Secretary, on the express ground that they had been called for by a Chinaman who had contracted to give a very large sum for the Monopoly.\n\nDr Bridges, The notification referred to had no particular relation to the draft of the Ordinance, as it appeared in the Gazette of the 27th February. Of course it related to the same subject matter. But His Excellency had not made up his mind as to what the Monopoly would be for, whether solely for prepared Opium or for crude and prepared Opium; and therefore the Notification was put out as a feeler, in order to ascertain how much could probably be got solely from a monopoly of prepared Opium, in order that we might have some data for preparing the Ordinance.\n\nChairman, Was any reason given for these alterations?\n\nDr Bridges, ...that he (Dr Bridges,) had taken upon himself to assure the man, that there would be no difficulty in getting them passed through Council; that if the amendments were not adopted he doubted whether the man would complete his contract; and that by not adopting them, Government would be open to the charge of a breach of faith. I spoke strongly against the right of the Executive to pledge the Legislative, and signified that that would make no difference in my course.\n\nThe Forfeiture Clause amendment was adopted without alteration by a majority. The Search-warrant Clause would have been thrown out, if the Governor had not acceded to two suggestions made by the Honourable Mr Jardine,-the one that the alterations favourable to the Monopolist in the Ordinance, as a section should not extend to the case of a supposed intention not actually carried into execution; and the other, that the person executing the search-warrant should not have power to seize Opium not actually prepared. Against these two suggestions the Acting Colonial Secretary protested to the last, on the grounds of danger to the contract, and breach of faith to the Chinaman. They were however, adopted, and the Clause passed by the Governor's casting vote, the members being three on either side.\n\nDr Bridges,-The preparation of the heads of the Opium Ordinance totally devolved upon me, who had but a theoretical knowledge of the subject. When I saw Chun-tai-kwong and his partners for the first time on Tuesday, 16th March, they remained nearly three hours, I think, in the office making suggestions, and pointing out facts connected with the practical working of the Ordinance. Some of these suggestions I considered reasonable, I submitted to His Excellency, who ordered me to lay them before the Council.\n\nThis he did because his proposed amendment, with reference to the customs duty on importation, had not been accepted or even seconded, and therefore he proposed to get rid of the new clauses altogether, and substitute the provisions which are contained in those two Sections. As I had drawn them any person might have imported prepared Opium in any quantity not exceeding two taels. As they stand, no Opium can be imported by any person soever, with license or without...\n\nThe Attorney General...that I had assured the Monopolist that there would be no difficulty in getting certain alterations in the Ordinance passed through Council. The remainder of the Attorney General's statement as to what I said in Council is correct.\n\nThe Members of Council seemed to be taken by surprise at these amendments, and I find in the Minute-Book this entry \"Mr. Jardine suggested that whenever additions and amendments materially affecting an Ordinance which had been once before the Council, are in contemplation by the Government, such additions and amendments should be previously communicated to Members for their consideration.\"\n\nChairman-Do you know whether the time for tendering was extended?\n\nThe Attorney General-It was not extended; for I knew on the 18th from the Acting Colonial Secretary himself, that the highest bidder at that time, except one-who was disqualified by Ordinance as being the servant of a public officer- had been approved as the purchaser; it is notorious also that the extension of the time for tender has never been notified. The Acting Colonial Secretary told me what I have stated at...\n\nChairman,-Were you retained as Counsel for Chun-tai-kwong before the 17th March.\n\nDr Bridges, I saw Chun-tai-kwong for the first time on Tuesday the 16th March. If I were upon my oath I should swear that to the best of my information and belief nothing was said to me on the subject of a retainer until after the 17th March; but if my memory is not correct, it may have taken place on the morning of the 17th, and if it did it only consisted in this, that Chun-tai-kwong and two of his partners came to my house about 8 A.M., to make some inquiry with regard to the Ordinance. I was in bed, and told the boy to open the door of my bed-room, which was on the ground floor. I told them if they wanted to see me to come up to Government Offices, and as the door was being closed, Chun-tai-kwong said to me, \"I want to know, Sir, if you can be retained for the Opium Farm.\" I said, \"Yes.\" That is all that took place. I believe that this was after the 17th March.",
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    {
        "id": 275634,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-133 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [10-12]",
        "page_number": 206,
        "title": "CO129-133 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [10-12]",
        "content_text": "## \n\"Lapsed a framed Regulations by an Ordinance in Council were introduced into the scheme with some variance in drafting and different spelling, the Lee 2031, 13, 22 & labouring disarmament after debate 7, had mass Framing a Examining clauses were far beyond Larry Stick Pots Amendment. Main intention was to carry out Reclamation to Eching. Clause was arrived at. \n\nThe Committee assured that Proclamation of danger & Taking land at Wt 203 als from the District Office, who had instructions than I rapidly enforced, an L-thi danger & there within nisderd in a little divergence.\n\nSubsequent to mine aus stating them property hi \"Guard of the Dunk People from \"allack & pillage by wooing \"pernatural Spirits\" Uit feeling It affair bit in whegance the fire others Ralam dion. \n\nQue Ros L was besieged with representations not only from the owners but to justice of the emonstrance starving found the infratricability & expediting the Reclamation so far as disarmament was concerned he resendid it & dire profeed preliminary measure Ad...",
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    {
        "id": 320776,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]",
        "page_number": 155,
        "title": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]",
        "content_text": "154\n\n(2)\n\ninconsistent. It would be unfortunate if the recent interference of the Chinese Executive in the internal affairs of Korea should be hereafter adduced to throw doubt upon the international validity of any of the provisions of the Foreign Treaties on the faith of which commercial intercourse with Korea will have been entered upon and is to be conducted.\n\nThe Committee, however, accepting the independence of Korea as a recognized international fact, ventures in the first place to offer to your Lordship some observations upon the Treaty as a whole, and, in the second, to consider seriatim the several clauses of that document which may seem to call for special comment.\n\nThe Committee assumes that Her Majesty's Government has had some cogent reason, arising out of the political situation, for pushing forward to a rapid conclusion the negotiations with the Korean Authorities, but admitting that there were good grounds of policy for entering into immediate relations with the Country, the Committee respectfully submits that that object would have been as successfully, and much more conveniently attained if preliminary negotiations had been confined to drawing up a short Treaty, expressive of national amity, and providing generally for political and commercial intercourse, leaving a Tariff of Duties, and the special conditions under which foreign trade is to be carried on, to a supplementary and carefully considered Convention.\n\nThe frequent disputes which have arisen about the interpretation to be placed upon certain clauses of the Treaty of Tientsin show the importance of drafting with peculiar care agreements, affecting national interests, which have to be drawn up in a language so full of obscurities even to the most experienced Sinologue as that of China, so as to avoid all misunderstanding when the stipulations and covenants to be observed on either side come to be made effective. The Committee cannot fail to perceive that the Diplomatic Instrument, signed by Admiral WILLES at Jin Chuen in June last, has been very loosely compiled in point of form, and that many of its most important provisions have been expressed in most indefinite language, and further that imperfections, similar to those now generally recognized as existing in the Treaties with China and Japan, have been repeated and intensified in this new Treaty. Moreover, after a careful consideration of the whole scope of the document, the Committee is apprehensive that the limitations, which some of its stipulations impose upon foreign intercourse and trade, will not only be injurious to the operation of the Treaty itself, but will seriously prejudice the position hitherto consistently maintained by the Representatives of Western Nations at the Courts of Peking and Yedo, in combatting proposals to place similar restrictions upon trade with China and Japan.\n\nThere can be no doubt that, notwithstanding the vast material benefits which have resulted to the people of China during the last 20 years from the great increase in all branches (excepting in Opium) of the foreign and coasting trade of the Empire, and which have been the direct consequence of the extended foreign intercourse opened up by the Treaty of Tientsin, the Ruling Classes of China are actuated at the present time by a desire to restrict, as far as possible, the application of foreign capital and enterprise to the further development of the resources of the Country. The Committee may adduce the strenuous attempts which have recently been made to prevent the organization of various industries under foreign auspices at Shanghai in evidence of the present unsatisfactory attitude of the Chinese Authorities, and earnestly desires to draw your Lordship's attention to the great accession of strength which the reactionary party in China would derive from the stipulations of a Treaty, voluntarily entered into by the Western Powers with a Dependency of the Empire, if the opponents of progress should be able to point to conditions of exclusion in that Treaty, disadvantageous to the foreigner, which have been yielded to the Tributary State but are denied to the Country of the Suzerain.\n\nIn conclusion of these general remarks your Lordship need hardly be reminded of the difficulty which would be placed in the way of a successful conduct of the existing negotiations for a revision of the Treaty with Japan, if the arguments of Her Majesty's Minister at Yedo, in favour of the adoption of a liberal foreign policy by the Japanese Cabinet, should be met by unfavourable precedents cited from the recent agreement with Korea.\n\n(3)\n\nProceeding now to consider some of the special stipulations of the Treaty,\n\nArticle 2,--relates to the character of official relationship and communication between the two Countries, with which it is scarcely the province of this Chamber to deal, but so great has been the inconvenience sustained in former years by the Merchants in China under the provisions of the Treaty of Nanking, which seriously hindered free communication between foreign Consular Officials and the Provincial Authorities, that the Committee feels it necessary to advert to the paragraph in the first clause of this article which stipulates that \"Officials shall have relations with the corresponding local authorities of equal rank upon a basis of mutual equality.\" This stipulation is a very vague one according to the English text, and what it may imply in the Chinese text the Committee is unable to say. It may be read in an exclusive sense, and be taken to mean that officials of the one Country may only communicate with Officials of the same rank in the other. The war with China, commenced in 1856, would probably have been averted if Consul PARKES could have insisted upon personal communication with Governor General YEH, and the Committee suggests the expediency of providing that the Commissioned Officers of both Countries, whether Civil, Naval, or Military, shall be entitled to hold official intercommunication on terms of social equality while observing the ordinary rules of precedence relating to Official rank.\n\ncargo be\n\nArticle 3,-in the clause which provides that a British vessel shall with her seized and confiscated if found engaged in clandestine trade, is remarkable for repeating a grave shortcoming in the Tientsin Treaty which has been the occasion of a lasting controversy. Under this article a vessel, alleged to be engaged in trading to a port not opened by the Treaty, may be confiscated by the Korean Authorities of their own motion, and with or without trial, subject to no investigation by, or appeal to, British Officials.\n\nThe Committee desires to enter the strongest protest against the confirmation of this clause, on two grounds,\n\n1st. That the absence of any recognized practice or system of jurisprudence in Korea renders it impossible to repose confidence in the decisions of Korean Officials who would be judges in their own cause without appeal, and\n\n2nd. Because the power of confiscation is granted without the safeguard of any provision as to the nature of the proceedings which shall be taken to prove that the vessel shall have been really guilty of the offence with which it may be charged. The Treaty between Japan and Korea provides that in the event of a Japanese vessel being found engaged in smuggling goods \"into any non-open port in Korea, it shall be seized by the Korean local Authorities, and delivered over to the agent of the Japanese Government residing at the nearest port. Such goods to be confiscated by him, and to be handed over to the Korean Authorities.\n\nIn the clause relating to the wreckage of British Vessels on the Coast of Korea, the local Authorities should be made responsible not only for taking the necessary measures for rendering assistance to the Crew, and salving the Vessel and cargo, but also for inflicting condign punishment upon all plunderers or wreckers.\n\nArticle 5,-mainly relates to fiscal obligations and the Committee cannot conceal its surprise and regret that after the experience which has been gained of the unsatisfactory working of the Tientsin Treaty, owing to the looseness of certain of its stipulations which provide for and limit the Tariff of Duties, Her Majesty's Representative should have given his assent to clauses which cannot fail in operation to revive, in the case of Korea, difficulties and controversies similar to those which have arisen and still exist in carrying on trade with China.\n\n1",
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    {
        "id": 334758,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 40,
        "title": "CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "2\n\nto the English Local Government Board requirements and therefore the only fear that I would have would be that the open space of 101 foot would be insufficient. Native landlords have told me before now that the Chinese tenant does not require light or ventilation. With all respect, I submit that that is nonsense. I should say the native tenant requires and appreciates light and ventilation quite as much as his landlord. At the present moment in a great many native tenements if the tenant wishes to breathe unpolluted air, he has to go outside into the street, and if he wishes to see he has to burn lights throughout the day. Some of the tenements I have seen as dark as Erebus even at noonday. That, it must be admitted, is a most unsatisfactory state of things, and it is gratifying to think that if hon. members will support the clauses which relate to the provision of adequate space around buildings, we may find in this Bill a remedy for so grave an evil.\n\nI am told, again, that some of the building lots in this town have been divided into sections and subsections, so small as not to admit of backyards ten feet wide. That may be so or may not be so. I must confess that I know several lots and sections of lots myself, where, possibly, backyards might not be admissible. All I can say, with regard to properties of this kind is that if they are so shallow as not to admit of a backyard for the purposes of light and ventilation, then they are manifestly unfit for human habitation, though they may, perhaps be utilised for shops or workshops, or for industrial or commercial purposes, or in fact, for any purpose other than that of human habitation.\n\nThere is one more matter in this Bill which I shall refer to very briefly. It is perhaps the crux of the Bill. I mean the clauses which relate to overcrowding. The Bill seeks to make overcrowding a misdemeanour. That proposal is perhaps at first sight a startling one. We will be asked \"Where do you propose to house the surplus population, which you propose to turn out of doors?\" The question would be a very natural one to make, and unquestionably the reply will be \"More houses must be built.\" It is only right to mention that concurrently with these legislative enactments against overcrowding the Government propose to submit to the Legislature at once certain extensive building schemes in the outskirts of the city.\n\nBut it will be obvious to hon. members that even if there were 10,000 empty houses at the outskirts awaiting occupation, it is not likely the Chinese would leave the central portions of the city to go and inhabit them unless some provision, in the nature of these clauses, made overcrowding a misdemeanour. Unless these clauses are passed as part and parcel of this Bill it will be impossible to get the population to leave the congested districts and go to the outskirts. The object of the Bill is, if I may use a mathematical term, centrifugal. It seeks to relieve the congested centre of the town by sending the surplus population to the circumference or to the outskirts.\n\nIt may be urged that a working man will not readily leave a home near his work and make a distant foot journey every morning and evening from and to his work, and that therefore there will be a great difficulty at the outset in getting new building lots outside the town taken up and built on. But the Government has wisely made provision for this contingency, and it is intended in conjunction with the passing of this Bill to propose the construction of tramways to bring the outskirts of the town into cheap and rapid communication with the centre.\n\nWith regard to the other miscellaneous provisions of this very long Bill which are of a less contentious nature, I shall not at this stage take up the time of the Council with any further remarks. I will only say, in conclusion, I am confident that when hon. members digest this Bill, they will find it is nothing more than a reproduction, however imperfect, of the Health Law of England, watered and diluted so as to meet the peculiar conditions of Hongkong. And they will not fail to notice another thing, and that is that this measure is characterised by a manifest desire to press as little as possible on private interests.\n\nThey will find that the measure, so far from being arbitrary or harsh, has been so tempered as to be—well, I was going to say brought to the very verge of inefficiency from sheer weakness—but, perhaps, that is too disparaging an expression to use. The Sanitary Board in the drafting of this measure and the Government in its approval of it have been animated by a wish to proceed tentatively and both have gone on the principle that half a loaf is better than no bread.\n\nI agree with my hon. and learned friend in thinking it is possible there may be imperfections found in this Bill, but I think it will also be possible that in Committee such imperfections if found may be remedied. I beg to second the motion of my hon. and learned friend.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—Hon. gentlemen, after the very exhaustive statements which have been made, there is very little for me to say, but I do not wish we should separate to-day without my saying a few words on this subject. First of all, I would endorse what the last hon. gentleman who spoke told us, that the very greatest consideration had been shown to the interests of private individuals by this Government. That has always, I think, characterised the way that this Government tries to act, because we believe that public prosperity is merely the greatest aggregate amount of individual well-being and prosperity.\n\nI can also thoroughly endorse what the hon. gentleman the Acting Attorney-General has told us with regard to the evils that exist in our midst. I have myself inspected some of the native parts of the town—I am told not the very worst parts—and I have also inspected several of the villages, and from having been military sanitary commissioner in various places, I can affirm most decidedly that I have never in all my life seen such a condition of things as exists in this City of Victoria and in the villages around us. Anything worse I have never seen in India or anywhere else.\n\nI therefore think this is a most urgent question, which should be disposed of as soon as possible, that is, with all due regard to time being given for the thorough ventilation of the subject, and for its consideration not only by ourselves but the public at large. I think, speaking for myself, that we should further consider this Bill in a month's time. I think the urgency of the question lies in the fact that we cannot go on with any of the great public improvements until this matter is settled.\n\nThe hon. Surveyor-General has told us that he is endeavouring to find outlets in various directions for the surplus population. I may tell you that a large scheme for further reclamation at Causeway Bay has been before the Executive Council, and as soon as this scheme has been revised and printed it will be laid on this table. It will first of all be sent to the Public Works Committee.\n\nWell, hon. gentlemen, what is the use of considering that, and also the Praya scheme—which will form, of course, the connection between this part of the town and Causeway Bay, and without which we can hardly expect this tramway—what is the use of considering this scheme until we have considered and passed, as I hope we shall, this Ordinance? I was myself most particularly anxious, during the recess, of working in the direction of getting this Praya scheme settled. I believe it to be a work of primary importance.\n\nTherefore it was my anxious desire to write to the authorities at home, and try and get them to understand the urgent need for its sanction. I rather differ from the hon. gentleman who, in addressing some questions to me the other day on the defences, said that the home authorities were rather chary in allowing us to spend our own money. I think that we have only to show we are in earnest on any subject, and mean what we say, and we shall be allowed to spend our own money as we like. But we must show we are in earnest, and I think hon. gentlemen we must show we are in earnest in this matter.\n\nIt is a matter that must be disposed of, but, as I said before, with all due consideration to private interests. I don't think I need take up your time longer, and the subject has been so thoroughly handled that I have really nothing left to say. I intended only to have spoken on the question of urgency, and I hope you will consider the matter.\n\nThe motion was carried nem. con. and the Bill was read a first time.\n\nPage 37",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12].txt",
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        "id": 338002,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 397,
        "title": "CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "393\n\nthe Society, and Sub-Enclosure, Enclosure 1. of a Memorandum and Rules and Regulations which accompanied Annexure to Sub-Enclosure, Enclosure. 5th June, 1888\n\nFrost thereon. it, together with a report by the Registrar General. The Rules are in all essential points identical with those framed by the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, and differ only in some minor details. Your Lordship will observe that Rule 10 gives to the Committee the power of inviting Government Officials to become Honorary Members of the Chamber, and this we regard as of the greatest importance as it will prevent the Chamber from drifting into politics, which there might otherwise be some danger of their doing.\n\nThe advantages which would accrue from the establishment of a Chinese Chamber of Commerce would, I think, be considerable. Mr Lockhart and Dr Ho Kai point out that the Committee of the Chamber, comprising, as it doubtless would, the most influential Chinese, would be a representative body whose opinion on matters affecting the welfare of the enormous native population would be...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-239 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1888 [9-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 339490,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-242 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1889 [8-12]",
        "page_number": 81,
        "title": "CO129-242 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1889 [8-12]",
        "content_text": "## EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 5th July, 1889.\n\nI have the honour formally to recommend that the Government take steps to establish a Girls' School intended to give an English education to girls of all classes, on the principles of the present Government Central School (for boys) and that measures be taken at once to start such a School on 1st March, 1890.\n\n2. In former Educational Reports and especially in my Report for 1888 (paragraph 10), I pointed out that a vast majority of the children in Hongkong who remain uneducated (over 8,000 in number) are girls, that female education as a whole is still in a very backward condition in the Colony, that a good deal has been done indeed to put a purely Chinese education within the reach of Chinese girls, that the Roman Catholic Missions are providing an English education for girls of their own denomination, but that hardly anything has hitherto been done for the girls of non-Catholic classes to offer them that sort of English or Anglo-Chinese education which during the last 25 years has been, with annually increasing liberality, provided for boys, by the Government Central School and by about a dozen similar institutions, and finally that there is no prospect of private effort coming forward to supply this pressing deficiency in the sphere of female education.\n\n3. The girls for whose benefit I desire the Government to provide an English education may be said to belong principally to the very classes of people who send their boys to the Government Central School, that is to say Chinese (about 90 per cent.), European (about 4 per cent.), Indian (about 3 per cent.) and Eurasian (about 3 per cent.). Virtually, I may say, the girls whom I expect eventually to attend the proposed Government Girls' School are the sisters of the 600 boys now attending the Government Central School. Other classes may indeed send their daughters to the proposed School, but such an extra contingent will be an extremely small minority.\n\n4. Among the objections raised against the plan of offering to girls, some 93 per cent. of whom are of Chinese or Eurasian extraction, an English education, it has been urged that the local system of concubinage would only be fostered by providing Chinese or Eurasian girls with an English education. This objection has hitherto had special weight with the public for the reason that the Ladies' Committee (under the late Bishop Surru), which started the Diocesan Female Training School in 1862, found itself compelled in 1865 to close the School on the ground that almost every one of the girls, taught English in that School, became, on leaving school, the kept mistress of foreigners. But the circumstances surrounding this Girls' School problem have undergone a very considerable alteration since 1865. In those days, the girls drifting into concubinage had no opportunity to learn that smattering of English colloquial which they require for their purposes, and consequently they crowded into the Diocesan School in 1862 which at that time could hardly get girls of any other class. At the present day there are numerous little evening Schools scattered over the Colony where these girls can learn what little English they require, whilst all existing Girls' Schools have as many applicants as they can accommodate, and public opinion is now strong enough in these Schools to frown out any open supporters of immorality. A second change, which has taken place with reference to this class of people, consists in the fact that Chinese girls are not now as formerly the only class furnishing concubines.\n\n(In C.S.O. T§44).\n\n80\n\nI think it expedient to attach forever to a public institution the name of a private donor, whose contribution, however liberal, would be small compared with the portion of the cost borne by the public.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nMy Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant,\nGw Der Vaur\n\n**HONGKONG GIRLS' SCHOOL**\n`C. O. 19295`\n`REC2 10:28 SEP 39`",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-242 - Governor Des Voeus Acting Governor Stewart - 1889 [8-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 349130,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7]",
        "page_number": 82,
        "title": "CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7]",
        "content_text": "# pense of maintaining \n\na large number of rescued women and girls. No one is allowed to marry or adopt a girl from the Pó Léang Kuk until he can find satisfactory security approved by the Registrar General and enter into a bond before him in which the rights and welfare of the girl are carefully protected.\n\nIn order to give some idea of the number of persons who have been assisted by the Pó Leung Kuk, in the manner which I have described, I have had a return drawn up, giving the statistics for the last 4 years of the numbers of males and females received by the Society, and showing how they have been dealt with.\n\nFrom this return it will be seen that during the past 4 years, no fewer than 2,412 males and females have been sent to the Po Leung Kuk and restored to their relatives; that 218 women have been married, and 46 children have been adopted; and that the total number of persons dealt with has been 2,851. A glance at the figures contained in the return will show that the figures for the period from the 12th July, 1891, up to the end of 1891, or a period of less than six (6) months, amount to a total of 506, by far the largest number for such a period since the Society was first established. This increase in numbers is to a great extent due to the increased powers given to the Registrar General under the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance, which came into force last year, and to the unremitting exertions of the present Committee, who, though business men whose time is much occupied by their own affairs, have contrived to devote an amount of energy and time to the work of the Society which has increased its efficiency and has been of the greatest assistance to this office. Such zeal in the cause of humanity is, I submit, not only worthy of support but should also receive some formal recognition from this Government.\n\n## THE WANT OF ACCOMMODATION.\n\nThe Committee, however, does not ask for reward or favour, but, in the petition which I am forwarding, requests that the Government may grant the Society some aid in order that it may have a suitable place for housing and maintaining those who are entrusted to its care, and this brings me to the question of a Home.\n\nThe Pó Leung Kuk has hitherto had no Home of its own, the persons placed under its care having up to the present time been quartered in a portion of the Tung Wa Hospital, which the management of that Institution kindly placed at the disposal of the Society. The accommodation thus afforded has been for long recognised as insufficient and in no way suitable for the purpose for which it is now used. Both the Government and the Society have been fully alive to the defects in the present arrangements and steps were taken many years ago to find a site, but the difficulty was to find one suitable, a difficulty intensified by a feeling of soreness which existed among some of the members of the Society owing to the Chinese Recreation Ground, which had been granted as a site, being resumed by the Government under instructions from the Secretary of State. Mr Chadwick, the Sanitary Commissioner sent out by the Colonial Office to Hong Kong, having strongly recommended the retention of the site in question which the late Sir Richard MacDonnell described as the \"Lungs of Taipingshan.\" In 1887, another site, a vacant piece of ground immediately behind the Tung Wa Hospital, which is now built over, was applied for, but it was finally decided that the Government should build a row of houses, the top-floors of which could be used as a Home and the other floors let out as shops or residences. These houses were accordingly constructed, but when completed the Society represented that they were not suited for a Home, and when I returned from leave at the end of 1890, I found the Pó Leung Kuk still located in the Tung Wa Hospital and the question of a Home still undecided.\n\nOn viewing the houses, the top-floors of which had been built for a Home, I reported that I agreed with the members of the Society in considering the proposed accommodation unsuitable. The idea of utilizing the top floors of the houses in the manner proposed has been abandoned, and the question of the erection of a suitable Home has not yet been definitely settled.\n\n## A SOLUTION OF THE DIFFICULTY.\n\nOpposite the Tung Wa Hospital is Lot No. 361, which was granted to the Tung Wa Hospital Corporation by the Government for the lawful and charitable purposes of the said Corporation.\n\nOnly a small portion of this lot being used by the Tung Wa Hospital for hospital purposes, the members of that Corporation, at a meeting held on the 13th December last, resolved:- \"That on Lot No. 361, where the Kwong Fuk Tsz stands, which was given by the Government to this Hospital, a plot should be marked out for the site of the Pó Leung Kuk.\"\n\nI attach the translation of a letter handed to me by the Chairman of the Tung Wa Hospital, which contains the above resolution, and which adds that if in the future the Pó Leung Kuk should find a more suitable place to which to remove, the plot of ground with the building on it will revert to the Tung Wa Hospital for charitable purposes, a condition which may require some slight modification.\n\nThe Pó Leung Kuk Society considers the site will be in every way suitable for the purpose of a Home, and it is conveniently situated for those who are interested in the work of the Society.\n\nA plan of the building which it is proposed to erect is attached.\n\nIf there is no objection on the part of Government to the granting of the site, and if the plan of the building is approved generally, the question resolves itself into one of\n\n## WAYS AND MEANS.\n\nWith regard to the financial aspect of the matter, I would point out that according to Ordinance 11 of 1890, the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance, it was evidently the intention of the Legislature that a Home should be provided out of the public revenue, and that the persons lodged in it should be maintained at the public cost.\n\nSection 17 of that Ordinance seems clear on that point :~ \"It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council, out of moneys to be provided by the Legislative Council for that purpose, to provide a suitable building or buildings for the purposes of temporarily housing and maintaining women and girls detained under the provisions of this part of the Ordinance and as the Asylum for them during such detention.\"\n\nI should also mention that at Singapore and other places in the Straits Settlements, where Homes have been established under the Women and Girls Protection Ordinance, the cost of the building and the expenses of the upkeep have been and are being defrayed out of public moneys, and no subscription, like that raised in Hong Kong among the Chinese, to which reference is made in the petition from the Pó Léang Kuk, has been collected in the Straits in aid of the Homes there.\n\nThe principle of Government support of a Home having been thus affirmed by the Legislative Council and embodied in one of the Ordinances of this Colony, which has received the sanction of Her Majesty the Queen, it would seem that all that now remains to be done, in the direction of giving aid towards the establishment of a Home and the maintenance of those entrusted to its care, is to consider the amount of financial assistance which the Legislative Council would be justified in affording to the Pó Léung Kuk and on what conditions such assistance should be given.\n\nAs is pointed out in the petition from the Committee of the Pó Leung Kuk, a subscription in aid of the Society was started among the Chinese community about the beginning of last year, and, notwithstanding the general depression in commercial circles, which was so prevalent during the past year, a sum amounting to $30,000 has been subscribed. The interest on this sum will only help to defray a portion of the annual expenses of the Society, which are estimated at from $5,000 to $6,000, and that is the reason why the Committee now apply for Government aid.\n\nI understand that it is the intention of the Government to sell the five houses, the top-floors of which were intended for a Home. Their value, together with that of the ground on which they stand, has been estimated by the Surveyor General at $21,000. I would, therefore, recommend that the Legislative Council be requested to vote that sum toward defraying the cost of building a Home, which if constructed in accordance with the plan referred to above will, I am informed by the architect who made the plan, require an outlay of about $15,000. This would leave a balance of $6,000 which might be given as a grant-in-aid to the Society. I feel certain that, if the Government supports the establishment and maintenance of a Home as I suggest, the Chinese community, which has already subscribed so generously, will be willing to give still further substantial proof of its charity by annually subscribing towards the maintenance of those who come under the care of the Society. It is at present impossible to say whether those subscriptions together with the interest on the other funds will be sufficient to meet the expenses of the Society, but even if they are not, I presume the Government would be willing to make regular grants in proportion to the amount of the subscriptions from the Chinese community.\n\n## THE STATUS OF THE SOCIETY.\n\nThe Society also asks that it may be placed on a more satisfactory footing. At present it is recognised by the Government and the Rules referred to above have been approved by the Secretary of State.\n\nSeeing, however, that the Society is possessed of large funds, and that it will have to deal (if my recommendations are approved) with moneys granted by Government, I think it would be well to grant the request of the Society, and have its position and status defined by law in the same way as was done in the case of the sister institution, the Tung Wa Hospital. If this be approved, I shall be glad to place myself in communication with the Acting Attorney General and give him all the information he may require for drafting an Ordinance.\n\n## VALUE OF THE WORK DONE.\n\nIn conclusion, I have only to remark that the work which the Pó Leung Kuk does gratuitously, and for the performance of which it has received little or no recognition from the Government and that portion of the public which is ignorant of its working, is much appreciated by the Chinese residents of the Colony, as is shown by the large sum which they have subscribed towards it, and to point out that if it were not for the existence of the Society and the hearty manner in which its members co-operate with this office in endeavouring to suppress kidnapping and other kindred offences and in providing a refuge for destitutes and rescued women and girls, voluntarily the burden which it now undertakes would have to be entirely borne instead of being shared by Government. This would most certainly entail an increased expenditure for the salaries of those who would have to be employed to carry on the duties now so excellently performed by the Society and necessitate the placing on the annual estimates of a large sum for the maintenance of destitutes and others, and in the end the work would not be so effectively or so satisfactorily performed as at present.\n\nI have the honour to be, Sir,\nYour obedient Servant,\n**J. H. STEWART LOCKHART**,\nRegistrar General,\nHonourable W. M. Goodman,\nActing Colonial Secretary.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-255 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [5-7].txt",
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    {
        "id": 353895,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4]",
        "page_number": 285,
        "title": "CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4]",
        "content_text": "him in the dangerous rôle of prophet!\n\nAs to objection 7,\n\nperhaps\n\nwe might\n\n?: Ask G. of Straits to report whether any Japanese subsidiary (nickel) has ever or got into circulation in the Straits (silver).\n\nSince the You Wa whether any legalized danger of it is anticipated,\n\nhe\n\nBefore replying to these despatches\n\nthey no\n\nrusenich & not copp circulat\n\n? Wait for reply from S.O. to letter drafting asking further as to their being able to mint these British Dollars.\n\nI meanwhile print these two despatches for the Committee.\n\nJu96/3 C.P.2.67.\n\nIt is very probable that Japan will cut into India's trade with this part, because the effect of the Indian currency legislation is at once to enhance the cost of production (by artificially depreciating the exchange) in India and potentially reduce the cost of production in a silver-using country like Japan. But the legalization of the British dollar has little to do with it. If the thay Kory people spent less time worrying about currency nostrums, they would try and establish useful trade with them using cheap Chinese currency.\n\nMr.\n\n857 713.94\n\nDo you really think it necessary to print this Vanags of nonsense? I should be ashamed for the Committee to be,\n\nBritisle dollar in\n\nIf it is legalized it will be on different grounds.\n\nSin R. Meadé\n\nRUN 18/3\n\nar\n\nwas\n\nwholly\n\nth\n\nThe only part that I thought really essential to print. Report (Enclosure 6 in 3995) of the",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4].txt",
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    {
        "id": 354714,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]",
        "page_number": 448,
        "title": "CO129-263 - Acting Governor Barker Governor Sir Robinson - 1894 [5-8]",
        "content_text": "I shall have to make some slight amendments, probably only one or two words to make it a little more complete. I see there is one other section I have not dealt with and that is the last section. That empowers the Permanent Committee to take possession of unoccupied land or buildings without any notice on payment of a fair and reasonable rent for the same, and the object of that is to give them places to remove people to or on which to erect hospitals for the reception of people suffering from the disease. In that section also I shall have to make in Committee stage a slight amendment. I understand that already some places have been taken possession of by the Permanent Committee, and we must make that section protect them in the good work they are doing by making it retrospective. I do not think, sir, I have anything else to remark on this Bill, but in conclusion I should like, and I think I ought publicly, to acknowledge the very great assistance in my particular sphere of work and duty to the Government, that the Chairman of the Permanent Committee has rendered at an enormous sacrifice of his time. He has given himself almost wholly and entirely for the good of the colony. His long experience, his, I may say, almost wonderful and rapid grasp of any subject he takes up, his great legal ability and acumen, have been of the greatest assistance to the Government not only in the drafting of the by-laws made by the Sanitary Board but in the present Bill which is before the Council. I hope and I am certain—in fact he gave a promise to that effect—to receive further assistance from him, during the crisis through which we are passing, in drafting any other measure which may be submitted to this Council. With these few words, sir, I beg to move the second reading of the Bill.\n\nPage 144",
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    {
        "id": 355203,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 188,
        "title": "CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "186\n\nI assume it would be admitted by the learned Chairman that the main work, the work which is of the greatest difficulty and occupies most time, lies in the drafting of the Ordinances passed in these two years I am prepared to say that more than half of them were not drafted by the learned Chairman; in 1886, 20 or 21 ordinances and in 1887 eight ordinances were not drafted by the Attorney General but most of them were sent set up cut and dry for introduction into the Legislative Council and had been drafted by the Law Revision Commission which was then sitting and of which I was Secretary.\n\n7. From close observation I think I may fairly say that the work of the Attorney General's Office has considerably increased during the last five years; generally speaking there is ample work to occupy an able and conscientious worker at least six hours a day, at other times when there is any particular pressure at least eight hours a day, and in a crisis such as that in which the Colony entered in May last, all the time (apart from necessary relaxation) that the Attorney General could afford, and I conscientiously believe that if allowed private practice the Attorney General assuming him to be a really good and capable man in which case he would be sure to command a large private practice, would have to subordinate Government work to private work or vice versa and with such a small salary as suggested by the Committee it is very probable that Government work would suffer.\n\n8. I believe I am correct in saying that this question was thoroughly gone into in Sir Wm. De Voeux's time but the Committee seem to be ignorant of the fact.\n\n9.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-264 - Governor Sir Robinson & Public Offices - 1894 [9-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 357665,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]",
        "page_number": 522,
        "title": "CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6]",
        "content_text": "# That the Permanent Committee consisted at first of three members of the Board to whom the Board, in a great emergency, delegated all its powers, and that, as the older and more experienced member of the Committee and, probably, also because of my legal knowledge and training, I was constituted by the Committee its Chairman,\n\n2. That this Committee was appointed when the plague was in the very midst of us and that it had to take up its duties without a moment's time for consideration, without any previous knowledge or experience of plague work on the part of its members and with no one in the Colony, who had any greater knowledge or experience, to advise them. That they had to prepare bye-laws, to organise a staff of workers, to devise, on the spur of the moment, the best plans for tackling the plague and to carry out these plans with firmness and decision amid a perfect clamour of contradictory opinions and advice.\n\n3. That, for at least the first month of the plague (to be well within the limits), and until the organisation was complete and in perfect working order and until there had set in a sensible daily diminution in the number of cases, your Excellency's Government, most wisely, stood aside and left the entire duty and responsibility of combatting the plague wholly to the Sanitary Board and to its Permanent Committee, on whom it was imposed by Ordinance, referring every question of plague administration to their decision acting, in all things within their province, on their opinion and advice, and simply providing money and lending to the Permanent Committee such officers and men as it requisitioned for.\n\n4. That all officers detailed for plague duty, all Medical Officers lent by the Naval or Military Authorities, or who volunteered for the work (except two specially engaged by the Medical Department) reported to the Permanent Committee, took their instructions from it and reported solely to it as to the performance of their duties. That when the assistance of the troops had to be asked for, the Military Authorities were put in direct communication with the Committee with which all detailed arrangements were made,\n\n5. That while the Colonial Surgeon was busy all day in his hospital and general medical work, and Mr. May was fully occupied in superintending, from daylight till dark, the actual work of the house-to-house visitation, the removal of the sick and dead, the general cleansing and disinfecting, the clearing of Taipingshan and the housing of its inhabitants and the thousand and one multifarious and most responsible duties of the Committee out of doors, the duty fell upon the Chairman of the Committee, (and the responsibility) of considering and deciding upon many, if not most, of the questions of administration that were continually cropping up, of giving all orders for supplies, of carrying on the entire correspondence, of interviewing every person who had any business with the Committee, and generally of watching over and co-ordinating the work of the entire staff. That the Committee could only meet in consultation for about an hour or an hour and a half in the evening of each day and that much had to be left to the judgment and discretion of the Chairman.\n\n6. That the work of the Permanent Committee did not end with the disappearance of the plague, but continued, although with the valuable assistance of Surgeon-Major James, A.M.S., and of Mr. R. K. LEIGH, until every insanitary basement in the Colony had been cleared of its inhabitants, every illegal mezzanine and cubicle removed and every house in the Chinese quarters--east and west--and in the villages had been cleaned and white-washed, and until the resumption of Taipingshan, first suggested and recommended by the Committee, had been carried out on the lines recommended by them, and the sanitary laws and bye-laws had been altered and amended broadly as advised by the Committee in their letters of the 28th and 29th June.\n\n7. That the Chairman of the Committee in addition to his direct work on the Committee gave your Excellency's Government every advice and assistance in his power in all matters arising out of or connected with the special plague or general sanitary legislation, in drafting Ordinances or otherwise--an assistance most handsomely referred to and recognized in Council by the then Acting Attorney General, Mr. LEACH,\n\nThese are the simple facts of the case, perfectly well known to every resident in the Colony, perfectly well known to your Excellency from your interviews and correspondence with me as Chairman, perfectly well known to your Colonial Secretary who, for the first month, was present at nearly every meeting of the Committee. These are the facts which Mr. ACKROYD, in his letter, did not think it necessary to refer to in detail but which were left to your Excellency, as Her Majesty's Representative, to bring prominently to the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and these are the facts on which the Committee felt justified in recommending me to Her Majesty's Government for some recognition of or reward for my services of a class and character higher than anything they could give. They felt that a medal or a piece of plate, however valuable, was no sufficient acknowledgment for such services.\n\nPage 518\n\nI am sure your Excellency will feel with me that it is impossible for me, under such circumstances, to accept the inkstand you have sent me and which I now beg most respectfully to return. Will you say to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State when forwarding to him this letter, of which I furnish you three copies for transmission, that I am perfectly satisfied with the thanks of the community conveyed to me by their Committee and with their recorded opinion as contained in their letter of the 3rd December already referred to, I am much obliged for the expression of thanks received from your Excellency and from the Secretary of State. I shall have a sufficient memorial of the plague year and of my work during it in the gold medal to be presented to me by my fellow-citizens and in the state of my fee book. I am not at all ashamed to say that I should have been highly gratified if Her Majesty had thought fit to honour me as my friend and colleague, Mr. MAY, has been so deservedly honoured; but the gift of a silver inkstand from the Government of Hongkong is, if your Excellency will pardon the expression, so ludicrously inadequate to the services rendered, even to the more time expended by me in working on the Permanent Committee, that I can only come to one conclusion, and that is, that the Marquess of Ripon has, in some strange fashion, been left under the impression that I was simply Secretary to the Permanent Committee, and not, from force of circumstances and because of the necessary division of labour between us, its brain and motive power. This is not said in any way in derogation of the ability or skill of my colleagues, who deserved the very highest praise and commendation, but they themselves constituted me their leader, accepted my leadership, and would be the very first to admit and proclaim that in our five months' campaign against the plague, I was the General in command. It is usual in England or, at least, it always has been, to award the honours of the campaign to the leader, however distinguished may have been the services of his colleagues.\n\nThis is the first time, I think, I have made either in speech or writing any report, or anything like a report, on the work of the Permanent Committee as a whole. As Chairman I have reported very fully on the services rendered by all those who served with us and served under us. I have been strongly urged to prepare and send in a general report, but I have shrunk from it as it would have seemed like reporting on my own work, work done freely, voluntarily and without a thought, at the time, of anything beyond serving the Colony, in which I have lived so long, to the very best of my ability. I apologise for speaking so much of myself now, but there are times when it becomes a duty to speak out, and I think my fellow-citizens will forgive me for doing so now, in justification of their recommendations to Her Majesty's Government on my behalf.\n\nI propose to publish your Excellency's letter, the needful extract from the Public Committee's letter of the 3rd December last, and this my letter in reply.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nSir,\nYour most obedient, humble Servant,\nJ. J. Francis",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6].txt",
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    {
        "id": 357996,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11]",
        "page_number": 161,
        "title": "CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11]",
        "content_text": "# The Daily Press\n## HONGKONG, MARCH 13TH. 1895.\n\n### LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nA meeting of the Legislative Council was held yesterday, 12th March. Present:-\n\nHis Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.\nHon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Acting Colonial Secretary.\nHon. A. J. LEACH, Acting Attorney-General.\nHon. A. M. THOMSON, Acting Colonial Treasurer.\nHon. F. A. COOPER, Director of Public Works.\nHon. M. RUMSEY, Harbour Master.\nHon. C. P. CHATER.\nHon. HO KAI.\nHon. J. J. KESWICK.\nHon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.\nHon. A. McCONACHIE.\nMr. A. SETH, Clerk of Councils.\n\n### NEW MEMBERS\n\nThe Hon. A. M. THOMSON and the Hon. A. J. LEACH were sworn in on taking their acting appointments.\n\n### A RECORD REVENUE\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have the honor to lay upon the table the following documents:- A letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Harbour Master, a financial statement for 1894 and a statement showing the total revenue and expenditure for 1894. In laying this statement upon the table, I should like to call the attention of hon. members of the Council to the fact that the revenue for 1894 amounted to $33,872,032, which I believe is the largest revenue ever collected in this colony (applause), and this collection was made notwithstanding the serious epidemic of plague which visited the colony last year. I also lay on the table the report of the Captain Superintendent of Police for 1894.\n\n### FINANCIAL MINUTES\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have the honour to bring up the table financial minutes 5 and 6 and to move that they be referred to the Finance Committee, a meeting of which will be held immediately after the Council. I have the honour to bring up the report of the Finance Committee held on the 26th ult., and move its adoption.\n\nCarried.\n\n### THE SANITARY BOARD'S BY-LAWS\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-It had been my intention to move to-day the adoption by this Council of certain by-laws made by the Sanitary Board, but a letter has been received from the hon. unofficial member opposite (Hon. J. J. KESWICK) requesting that consideration of the by-laws may be deferred, and the Government, in view of this communication, has consented to delay. I am, however, to point out that it is highly important that these by-laws should be adopted and passed with as little delay as possible, as they involve matters of great importance to the health of this colony, and the Government regrets that there should be any further delay.\n\nHon. J. J. KESWICK-I have to thank you for postponing these by-laws for another opportunity for considering them. They were delivered to us on Saturday afternoon and the next day being Sunday, there was very little time for consideration. My reason for asking for the postponement of their consideration is that there are several clauses in them which I am satisfied, on further consideration, it would be necessary to alter. (Applause).\n\n### CARRIAGE OF DEADLY WEAPONS\n\nThe ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled \"An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the law relating to the carriage and possession of deadly weapons.\"\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second.\n\nCarried.\n\n### THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES\n\nThe ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled \"An Ordinance to declare the effect of Ordinances repealing others.\" The subject, he said, was a dry one, and the object was shortly to pass a general enactment as to the effect of the repeals, which will render it unnecessary for the Government, in drafting other Bills, to take into consideration the effect of these repeals. Very nice questions arose when one Ordinance was repealed which itself repealed another.\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Carried.\n\n### ADJOURNMENT\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY-The Council now resolves itself into Finance Committee. After what has fallen from the Acting Colonial Secretary with regard to the by-laws, I propose that we adjourn until Wednesday next, the 20th inst.\n\n### FINANCE COMMITTEE\n\nThe Finance Committee met immediately after the Council meeting, the Acting Colonial Secretary presiding.\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-The Committee is one in which the Council recommends the Council to vote $800,000, being compensation to the owners and other persons having any right or interest in the lots of land within the resumed area of Taipingshan, interest on the above from 1st June, 1894, to date of payment at 7 per cent., and costs awarded against the Crown by the Board of Arbitrators under `The Taipingshan Resumption Ordinance, 1894`. This matter is so well known to members of the Council that I do not think it is necessary for us to give any explanation with regard to it. The Ordinance under which this money was to be paid was duly considered in the Legislative Council and was passed by the Council. The Arbitration under the Ordinance has taken place and it has been a matter which has been noticed publicly in the papers, and the awards have also been published; so, as I have already said, I do not think it is necessary to enter into details. If there are any questions which members of the Committee wish to ask, I shall be very pleased to answer them.\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I second that.\n\nHon. C. P. CHATER-I have no objection to the vote at all, but I should like to know if the Government has made up its mind as to what is going to be done with the resumed property. We are going to vote $810,000 and I should like to be informed if you can give me any information as to what is the intention of the Government-how they intend to deal with the property resumed.\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-Although the question asked does not bear exactly upon this point, it is the desire of the Government to give all the information it possesses, and I may say that the Director of Public Works has almost completed a scheme which he proposes in regard to the resumed area; and that report, when it is in the hands of Government, will be communicated to the unofficial members. The report is not yet completed, but it is approaching completion, and, as I have said, unofficial members will be given copies of the report. I hope you will consider that satisfactory.\n\nHon. E. R. BELILIOS-Apparently we have funds to vote this sum. Will you kindly tell us what purse it comes out of?\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-It will come out of only one purse, of course-the ratepayers' pocket. It is proposed to pay the money out of the balances and later on, if it is found necessary, to have an overdraft on the Crown Agents, but the Treasurer will inform you more in detail perhaps than I am able to tell you.\n\nThe COLONIAL TREASURER-The present balance is about $450,000, and the remaining $350,000 it is proposed to pay off by an overdraft on the Crown Agents, which will be outstanding at the most only two years. It is hoped to recoup it by the re-sale of land within the resumed area, and it is expected there will be a surplus at the end of the current year of revenue over expenditure. The revenue returns for January and February are very satisfactory. (Applause).\n\nHon. HO KAI-Is it proposed to pay the claims at once?\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-It is.\n\nHon. HO KAI-Immediately?\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-Immediately.\n\nHon. HO KAI-And the balance we have in hand is $450,000?\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-It is.\n\nHon. E. R. BELILIOS-There will be no loan raised to pay this money?\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-No; the present intention is to raise no loan.\n\nHon. C. P. CHATER-Hear, hear.\n\nThe vote was then passed.\n\n### THE NEW CENTRAL MARKET\n\nThe ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-The next minute I have to bring before you is one in which the Governor recommends the Council...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-268 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [7-11].txt",
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    {
        "id": 359493,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-270 - Public Offices & Others - 1895",
        "page_number": 264,
        "title": "CO129-270 - Public Offices & Others - 1895",
        "content_text": "## Stemmli Despatching \n\nDan \n\npapers annexed to 11th Decentod. 1894.\n\n1322 \njo=71865 \n\nReceived the allong-published Report 24th & 25th see 3. The Magistrates Ordinance was prepared. A Committee was then appointed, consisting of Mr. Judges, the Attorney General, the Crown Solicitor, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Francis H. May, Police Magistrate, the Senior Solicitor, and Mr. G. W. ... \n\nThe subject was the object of deliberate consideration. After full deliberation, the Committee left the limit of punishment at 6 months' imprisonment in ordinary cases.\n\nWhen the bill was being read through (I think there was not much discussion on this point) in the Legislative Council, the limit was, on the motion of the Attorney General, raised to 12 months' imprisonment in cases of assault (see XVI p. 1575). It was done without reference to the drafting Committee, and certain discussions in reference to the debates show that this alteration was opposed on the particular case - I think to meet some of the convenience that it was stated to witnesses and not proposed as having any general effect. The actual effect has been to increase the number of cases tried in the Supreme Court (see returns).\n\nSee liber 2. Gazette as to cases before and after the passing of the Ordinance.\n\nSee 4. The extension of the power of punishment to 12 months in cases of assault (Ord. XVI p. 1575) was adopted in Victoria. The number of such cases and the simple nature of the evidence, generally being committed in hot blood and not further accompanied by theft and concealment, were the reasons. Returns from Banishment show the same result. \n\n| Col | Col |\n| --- | --- |",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-270 - Public Offices & Others - 1895.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 373804,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]",
        "page_number": 534,
        "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]",
        "content_text": "The number of registered articles has increased.\n\nNot annexed.\n\nAttached is a piece of the Attendance Book for the last six weeks. There is nothing special about this particular period; it is merely bringing facts up to date.\n\nIn October, no contract mails from Europe arrived on Sundays.\n\nThe two extra clerks for the Registration Department are required specially to deal with Parcels.\n\nAt present, the correspondence is divided; the Money Order Branch doing the work with the Colonial Secretary's Office, and the Accountant handling the rest. As the name implies, the latter has the accounts to keep, and in this connection, the balance sheet for last year is attached. Table E, with the exception of the Money Order transactions, all other accounts pass through his office.\n\nHis (the Accountant's) \"books and accounts\", and the amount of work and the number and complexity of accounts were the subject of special comment by the Retrenchment Committee of 1894, page IX of the report, paragraph 29. Accounts are kept with thirty-six offices of all nationalities.\n\nThis officer has, in addition, mails to close and sorting to do by the principal contract mails. The custom has grown up, but it is a bad one, and courts confusion; he should certainly be relieved of all correspondence and, were it not that he is one of the oldest, most experienced, and trustworthy officers in the Department, should be relieved of closing mails also; at present, however, that cannot be done.\n\nThe correspondence clerk, therefore, should not be a mere copyist but a man capable of drafting ordinary letters, with some training enabling him to index books intelligently, and...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 381196,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]",
        "page_number": 724,
        "title": "CO129-305 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [5-7]",
        "content_text": "18-\n\n19\n\n718\n\nThe report of the Commission was referred to the Sanitary Board who in a report dated the 9th of June, 1898, urged more drastic measures on all points touched on by the Commission, and in addition that the height of buildings provided for by section 12 of Ordinance 15 of 1894 should be further restricted by enacting that no domestic building to be erected in future should exceed in height one and a half times the width of the street upon which the building fronts.\n\nA Bill embodying the most of the recommendations of the Sanitary Board was read a first time in November, 1898. In October, 1899, a new Bill was substituted for it and read a first time and on the 26th October in the same year the Bill was read a second time.\n\nIts principal provisions were:--\n\n(a.) The restriction of cubicles to top floors in houses fronting streets of less than 15 feet in width. (Clause 4 sub-section (a.).)\n\n(b.) Prohibition of cubicles on ground floors whatever the width of the street. (Same clause sub-section (b.).)\n\n(c.) Restriction of height of cubicles to 7 feet when there are two in one floor and to 6 feet when there are more than two.\n\n(d.) Prohibition of mezzanine floors except under regulations to be framed by the Sanitary Board. (Clause 5.)\n\n(e) Restriction of height of buildings to 1 times the width of the street in cases of land acquired from the Crown after the passing of the Ordinance. (Clause 6.) The Sanitary Board had recommended that this latter restriction should apply to all houses erected in the future, but owing to the strong opposition on the part of those interested in house property the Board agreed to limiting the application to land acquired from the Crown in the future.\n\n(f) The provision of open spaces in rear of (1.) existing dwellings by opening out on each floor one half of the space between the principal room and the main wall at the back unless the building is already provided with an open back-yard of 50 square feet (Clause 7); (2.) dwellings erected after the passing of the Ordinance according to the following scale :-\n\nHouses not exceeding 40 feet in depth for each foot of width,........8 square feet.\n\nExceeding 40 but not over 50 in depth, .............10\n\nOver 50 and under 60, ..........................12\n\nOver 60, .......................................14\n\nwith a proviso that when the owners of a block of buildings make a lane opening at either end on a public street the open spaces might be reduced as follows:--\n\nFor houses not exceeding 40 feet in depth a lane 6 feet wide.\n\nOver 40 feet but under 50 feet ..........................\n\nIn Committee His Excellency the Governor suggested that with a view to diminishing over-crowding the area of the cubicles should be increased, and the further discussion of the Bill was postponed.\n\nOn the 31st of October the Council resumed the consideration of the Bill in Committee and the Captain Superintendent of Police suggested on behalf of the Sanitary Board that clause 4 sub-section (a.) should be amended so as to provide that a space of 6 feet (as originally recommended by the Board) instead of 4 feet be left between a cubicle and any window the area of which is included in calculating the required window area of one tenth of the floor area,\n\nThe Director of Public Works, Honourable E. R. Belilios and the Honourable Dr. Ho Kai were in favour of not increasing the four feet of space and the Council decided to leave the clause as it stood.\n\nThe Honourable T. H. Whitehead suggested that clause 6 be amended by deleting words so as to make it apply to all buildings erected after the passing of the Ordinance unless the building had a lane of a width at least one fourth of the height of the building along one of its lateral sides and throughout its whole depth.\n\nThe Colonial Treasurer and the Director of Public Works pointed out that such a provision would probably involve compensation on the part of the Government to the owners of property acquired before the passing of the Ordinance and the amendment was not pressed.\n\nClauses 7 and 8 relating to open spaces in rear of buildings were left over for further discussion, and on the 20th November the clauses were adopted with some verbal alterations.\n\nOn the 23rd November the Bill was read a third time and passed.\n\nEnclosure D.\n\n  \n    Year.\n    Gross Revenue.\n    Gross Expenditure.\n    Expenditure on P. W. Ex.\n    Expenditure for Loan Account.\n  \n  \n    1883,\n    $ 1,289,448.29\n    $ 1,342,299.24\n    $ 77,337,298.98\n    \n  \n  \n    1884,\n    1,173,071.48\n    1,595,398.39\n    180,052.10\n    \n  \n  \n    1885,\n    1,251,889.70\n    1,621,250.39\n    475,147.24\n    \n  \n  \n    1886.\n    1,867,977.74\n    2,020,861.65\n    825,624.84\n    \n  \n  \n    1887.\n    \n    1,427,485.79\n    744,820.38\n    \n  \n  \n    1888,\n    1,557,300.03\n    1,992,329.67\n    530,870.03\n    \n  \n  \n    1889,\n    1,823,549.13\n    1,833,718.79\n    374,551.63\n    \n  \n  \n    1890,\n    1,995,220.47\n    1,915,360.47\n    397,507.42\n    \n  \n  \n    1891,\n    2,025,302.51\n    2,449,096.26\n    581,013.00\n    \n  \n  \n    1892,\n    2,236,938.37\n    2,342,837.26\n    450,362.77\n    223,083.32\n  \n  \n    1893,\n    \n    \n    \n    \n  \n  \n    1894,\n    \n    \n    \n    \n  \n  \n    1895,\n    2,278,528.25\n    2,299,096.00\n    236,810.02\n    \n  \n  \n    1896,\n    2,486,228.89\n    2,972,873.01\n    1,024,812.92\n    \n  \n  \n    1897,\n    2,609,878.94\n    2,474,910.37\n    183,186.27\n    \n  \n  \n    1898,\n    2,686,914.70\n    2,641,409.71\n    300,180.30\n    \n  \n  \n    1899,\n    2,918,359.24\n    2,841,805.20\n    230,619.82\n    449,429.27\n  \n  \n    1900,\n    3,610,143.25\n    3,162,792.36\n    321,705.89\n    321,705.89\n  \n  \n    \n    4,202,587.40\n    3,628,447.13\n    370,226.90\n    135,845.85\n  \n  \n    Grand Totals,\n    $ 39,018,754.44\n    $ 41,077,491.52\n    $ 8,382,852.74\n    $ 1,792,153.62\n  \n\n* It is not possible to give particulars of the First Loan amounting to £201,479.1.9 which was raised to meet Expenditure on account of Fortifications, Water-works and other Public Works as the amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary was given as a total sum and not divided into works chargeable and works not chargeable against the loan,\n\nC. Mel. MESSER, Acting Colonial Treasurer.\n\n13.7.1901.\n\nF. H. MAY.\n\n(g.) The concreting, channelling and lighting of private streets. The Director of Public Works in seconding the Bill remarked that the Bill as it now stands is somewhat of a compromise. Some of those connected with its drafting have wished to go much further in the provisions for admitting light and air to the crowded houses in the city, in providing for larger open spaces and consequent less overcrowding; others have been inclined to make less change in the existing order of things which proves the aphorism that there is no relation between Hygiene and money getting.\"\n\nHe went on to say that \"one of the most eminent of modern writers on sanitary subjects states 'all sanitarians are agreed that mortality and density of population are directly proportional' and he quoted Dr. Vivian Poore who wrote 'we have been long accustomed to hear that one chief sanitary necessity in this world is pure water. This would be quite true if we were fish, but it is obvious that the purity of the air we breathe is of far greater importance than the purity of the water we drink, seeing that we must take a draught of air about twenty times a minute while many of us don't take a draught of pure water from week's end to week's end.\"",
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    {
        "id": 390102,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11]",
        "page_number": 378,
        "title": "CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11]",
        "content_text": "## Mounting the Refinements Under Considerance When Drafting Judgments\n\nIn drawing up their judgments, a good many consulting the Interpreters who were before them in a particular case and consulting them upon the evidence or documents bearing on a particular point which to their mind, the Interpreters' experience might help.\n\nThough this is perfectly right, and the quibble raised about what I might have done is ludicrous. I might have consulted the Interpreter when drawing up my file, and I did, for this is a chief point and immediately noted. See Report para. 10.\n\nIn all their credulity and ignorance of practice, the Commissioners were duped, and there are the men who endeavour to... nothing other than the Kermarch case mentioned by Mr. Frist, where he says that is official committee.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-319 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [10-11].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 391099,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903",
        "page_number": 60,
        "title": "CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903",
        "content_text": "COPY).\n\nANDRICAL SUPUSING\n\nMINING COMPANY •\n\n71. Broadway,\n\nJan. 10. 2001. 56\n\n*\n\nWhitehead:-\n\nI am only at the office today between times. I was in Washington all of last week, and am going back again.\n\nYour very kind letter, and also yours from Wardyston (reply not received until now) have been most welcome. I was leaving for Washington and was on the train, and now with my papers in Washington, I haven't had it before me to refer to the date.\n\nI shall be greatly interested in receiving your memorandum to be drawn up for presentation to the Sub-Committee, and I know that you'll be equally interested.\n\nI am much interested in the silver question and the construction in this country, and on returning to the country from England, I am to be kept informed in connection with drafting facilitating regulations which we hope will be both beneficial to Canada and to the importers of silver in a way with which I am sure you will sympathize.\n\nI beg to enclose herewith the last draft made of the Bill to be introduced into Senate to give a silver currency to the Philippine Islands. In all probability, this Bill will be passed.\n\nThe design had some phrases during the week. There was no delay in it, and it is intended to coin the new currency as soon as possible, probably not later than the 1st of April. It may be decided, in order to facilitate a large coinage to start with, to coin these coins at both the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints.\n\nThe total amount of the silver coinage required is not a million dollars on hand, and regulations regarding it will be observed to a certain extent.\n\nThe intention is not to maintain the dollar to coin ratio.\n\nPage 60\n\nPage 61",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-321 - Public Offices & Others - 1903.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 395356,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904",
        "page_number": 693,
        "title": "CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904",
        "content_text": "CHINA TRADE.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\nNo. 1.\n\n689\n\n[November 1.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nChina Association to Foreign Office.\"-(Received November 1.)\n\n159, Cannon Street, E.C.,\n\nSir,\n\nOctober 31, 1904.\n\nTHE official text of the Regulations for the registration of trade-marks in China having now come to hand, this Association has the honour to submit a few comments thereon, in the hope that they will receive the usual consideration which communications on subjects connected with the interests of traders in China have always enjoyed.\n\nIn this case the Regulations were forwarded by the Commercial Attaché to the Shanghae Chamber of Commerce \"for their information,\" and there is no mention of consultation being desired with those whose interests were most concerned to ascertain whether the Regulations would be acceptable and meet the requirements of merchants. The Committee are of opinion that if the course usually adopted had been followed the Chamber of Commerce at Shanghae would have pointed out grave objections to the Regulations as submitted, and would have suggested amendments of great importance. Thus friction would have been avoided by the drafting of Regulations acceptable to both Chinese and foreigners.\n\nThe want of a Registry Office had long been felt, and the merchants in Shanghae had already opened a \"Record\" Office attached to the Chamber of Commerce with the object of trying to prevent colourable imitations of established trade-marks from being used by unscrupulous dealers, Chinese especially. The \"Record\" Office had no power to enforce compliance with its rules, but it had done good work, and foreign merchants could have a so-called new trade-mark and imitation frequently detected.\n\nIt is the desire of merchants of all nationalities to see this temporary expedient superseded by a duly constituted office, which should have the power to suppress the illegal copying of trade-marks, and so afford effective protection to the rightful owners.\n\nThe Regulations in their present form are open to strong objections, and unless they are remodelled there is every prospect of the projected office becoming a failure. Merchants will prefer to rely upon the rights already possessed under Treaty rather than register their trade-marks under the new Regulations.\n\nThe remedy provided under these is worse than the present evil. Not only is the time allowed before enforcing the Regulations wholly inadequate, and the fees to be charged exorbitant, but the Regulations themselves are vicious.\n\nThe first clause states that registration shall be compulsory if the right to the exclusive use of a trade-mark in China is desired.\n\nThe sixth clause states that the first applicant to register is to receive priority, apparently with little inquiry into the history and real merits of the application. It becomes possible under it for an unscrupulous person to register a trade-mark and to wait his time. If the fraud is not discovered for three years he becomes the acknowledged owner of the mark, notwithstanding that the real owner may have had it in use for half-a-century or more.\n\nThe ninth clause limits the period for exclusive right to a trade-mark to twenty years, and the twenty years are to date from the original registration abroad.\n\nThe accompanying opinion by Messrs. Wilson, Bristows, and Carpmael points out the defects in the Regulations, and their opinion is considered by the Committee to be worth attention.\n\nThe necessity for great circumspection when adopting Regulations for the registration of trade-marks has been impressed on this Committee by the knowledge of certain cases which followed the initiation of trade-mark registration in Japan. In more than one well-known instance consignees of goods registered trade-marks as being their property, and compelled the real owners to pay them compensation on consignments sent later to other firms under the same mark.\n\n* Query already printed.\n\n† Not printed.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 412928,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907",
        "page_number": 688,
        "title": "CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907",
        "content_text": "## 7.1 \n\nThe output \"Outro d'acor on) ydeejot Cher yourto? ut\" appears to be garbled OCR output and does not form coherent text. The subsequent text also contains numerous errors.\n\nRo ooitat tetro 8.3% is likely \"Ratio tetro 8.3%\" but the context is unclear; however, a more plausible correction is not feasible.\n\nThe text from \"bro gan a very en negsg bag foragung\" to \".afli na prequi\" is unintelligible due to OCR errors.\n\nThe following section appears to be a mix of nonsensical text and numbers.\n\n## I \n\nThe text resumes with a somewhat coherent narrative.\n\nIn 1899, finding that the Hongkong Code of Procedure, which was framed by Mr. Julian (afterwards Pauncefote) and enacted in 1873, had become somewhat outdated, I summoned a meeting of the members of the legal profession and submitted for their decision the question whether the time had come for the preparation of a new Code, its provisions more closely assimilated to existing English procedure.\n\nThis question was resolved in the affirmative, and my offer to prepare the draft of such a Code was accepted by the meeting and subsequently by the local Government. Accordingly, in the same year I prepared the draft and it was printed at the Oxford University Press, in one 8vo. volume.\n\nAfterwards this draft was, during several months, examined and revised by a committee of judges, barristers, and solicitors, of which I was chairman, and which was nominated at another meeting of members of the profession. When settled it was shortly afterwards passed into law by the Legislative Council without alteration.\n\nAs soon as this was done, I passed through the press a special edition of the new Code in one 8vo. volume, with an elaborate index, for the use of the Supreme Court and the profession.\n\n## 8 \n\nIn the year 1900 I made an offer to the Government of Hongkong to prepare a new and revised edition of the Laws of that Colony. This offer was accepted, and the work was begun in 1900 under the authority of the `Statute Laws (2nd Edition) Ordinance, 1900`.\n\nAmong the Ordinances dealt with were the Partnership Ordinance, 1897, the Probates Ordinance, 1897, the Interpretation Ordinance, the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, 1899, and the Trustee Ordinance, 1901. I assisted besides in drafting and revision of a few other Bills.\n\n2 -",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-345 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 413218,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]",
        "page_number": 165,
        "title": "CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3]",
        "content_text": "## MEMORANDUM\n\nAfter reading the interesting evidence given before the House of Lords Committee appointed in 1906 in consequence of the Insurance scandals in the United States (`L.194/06 horovith`) and the criticisms sent home, it seems to me that while the main provisions of the Ordinance can easily be defended, it certainly contains some defects in its details, defects no doubt due to the fact that no actuary was consulted by the Government as regards the drafting of the Bill.\n\nThe objections here put forward are of two kinds.\n\n### A. To certain of the main provisions of an Ordinance.\n\n### B. To certain minor details.\n\nA. The apparently almost unanimous opinion of British actuaries and underwriting employers is strongly in favour of the \"Publicity and Freedom\" policy in force in this country, and their view was endorsed by the House of Lords Committee in their Report (para. 7). In France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United States, and elsewhere, however, life insurance companies are subject to a more or less close government supervision (see Appendix to House of Lords Report).\n\nBut if we admit that the \"Publicity and Freedom\" policy is the best for the United Kingdom, it does not necessarily follow that it is the best for the Far East. The idea of the British policy is that it lets the Government insist on every life insurance company making public full accounts of its business and financial position and requires a substantial deposit (`£20,000`).",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3].txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 418640,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]",
        "page_number": 218,
        "title": "CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3]",
        "content_text": "Review of the Principal Ordinance\n\nIt is now amended mainly in practice and its administration regarding conferring. It goes considerably beyond the\n\nAdi as in J. Junich {ke - to Mukhing offenders under (for indict the offences, other than homicide, this summarily), but this is probably all dealt with by the new districts Act which is not before. It is extraordinary, inconceivable that so much time should lapse before we are put in possession of the statistics of the preceding year. I have called attention to this before.\n\nA senior thinker from the Drafting Committee that the limitation of this section to the schedule has been carefully settled, but I am not surprised if they have overlooked some other misdemeanour for which the stocks are hardly an appropriate punishment. However, they can always amend by adding to the schedule.\n\nThe provisions do not appear to call for comment from A to $4.\n\nThe best point of training we may have an uneasy feeling that the Magistrates will give effect to the punishment on in ten times able of we shall be.\n\nLIR. Check this is the periodical returns. 25/4\n\nWait a reasonable time for the spitting protest. Chang Seely Is proceeding. It's not much like the effect & number of lashes of whipping, at the end of a year when we do. Do Mike Mr. Risley.\n\nI am not quite clear whether the effect of section 6 (Stocks) is to increase the use of this punishment or diminish it. Can you advise?\n\nOrder 13 of 1907 (4043567 and pp. herewith) was passed in order to limit to \"offences punishable with imprisonment only\" the which use of the stocks as a punishment allowed by sec 87 of the Magistrates Ordinance 1900.\n\nThe Draftsman, however, overlooked sec 80 of the then Ordinance of which is magistrates' alternative powers of fine or imprisonment in the case of offences with which they are empowered to deal summarily. They cannot so deal with indictable offences of the grave sort - such Schedule 3 sa of the order.\n\nConsequently, as pointed out in the Annex [Debates p.154] to a large extent the intention of Order 13 of 1907 was defeated, for it would seem that the stocks could be resorted to only in cases of non-indictable offences punishable with imprisonment only, and I should imagine that such offences are few in number.\n\nSec 5 of the present order is meant to give effect to the real intention of Order 13 of 1907. It is of course subject to sec 80 of the Magistrates Ordinance, and in laying down that the stocks sanction the tie.\n\n28/4\n\nPage information is not explicitly present in the original text; however, based on the content and the instruction to keep 'Page XX' information, it is assumed that the original text was not provided with clear page breaks. The text has been formatted into paragraphs using HTML as per the instructions.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-355 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [1-3].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 419420,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6]",
        "page_number": 529,
        "title": "CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6]",
        "content_text": "Sir,\n\nC.O. 24936\n\nAttorney General's Chambers(9)\n\nHongkong, 3rd June, 1909.\n\n515\n\nIn reply to your letter 7399/09 of 26th May, 1909, on the subject of the Attorney General's salary I have the honour to say that I do not concur in the recommendation of the Retrenchment Committee to reduce that salary from £1,500 without private practice to £1,000 per annum with private practice.\n\nI concur in the opinion of the Committee that competition in private practice 'sharpens the wits and keeps one up to date in law and practice', and for those reasons I, until recently, held the view that it would be for the public advantage that the Attorney General should be allowed private practice.\n\nI am however convinced from practical experience that no one can single-handed efficiently perform for any length of time the duties of Attorney-General and at the same time successfully conduct a lucrative practice at the Bar.\n\nThe demands on his time and attention from both quarters are each imperative and conflict too much to make it possible for both to be simultaneously complied with; the one must of necessity from time to time give way to the other and remain for a time without attention.\n\nIt would of necessity frequently occur that the presence of the Attorney General would be desired in Executive or Legislative Council or the preparation of a Bill would demand his close attention at a time when his presence in Court is imperatively required in the interests of his private clients to neglect which would destroy his private practice.\n\nThe volume of business in the Attorney General's Department, and the amount of clerical work in the way of drafting which falls upon the Attorney General personally demands",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 419422,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6]",
        "page_number": 531,
        "title": "CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6]",
        "content_text": "Hon. Colonial Secretary,\n\nI regret that I cannot agree with the statements of the Retrenchment Committee to the effect that since private practice was disallowed to the Attorney-General the work of Acting Attorneys General has been satisfactory to the Government.\n\nI may claim to have been \"behind the scenes\" for the last 10 years, and my experience is that the appointment of a Barrister in private practice to act as Attorney-General is a most unsatisfactory arrangement. It is of course necessary that one of the leaders of the Bar should be so appointed; it follows that the appointee is a very busy man with a number of important private cases to attend to, and he is obliged therefore to do the Attorney-General's work in odd moments and at great pressure.\n\nThe result is that, whilst no doubt urgent matters have been promptly dealt with and skilfully handled, the bulk of the routine work is either postponed or passed on to the Crown Solicitor whose advice is sought on questions which ought certainly to be referred to the Attorney-General.\n\nFurther, a busy practising Barrister cannot possibly find the necessary time for drafting Ordinances, and consequently legislation is either postponed or dealt with without sufficient consideration.\n\nSo long as the Attorney-General's department is run on its present lines, I am convinced that private practice should not be allowed.\n\nA private barrister is able to advise on many points and to settle many drafts because, in the first case, the facts leading up to the question on which advice is sought are properly digested and laid before him in a case; in the second case, the draft ordinance or other document has been prepared by a properly qualified person who is experienced in such matters.\n\n4.\n\nRcc\n\nC.O. 24936\n\n547\n\nRec'd 26 JUL 1923\n\n \n1.079\n\n60P Y.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-356 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [4-6].txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 419618,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9]",
        "page_number": 164,
        "title": "CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9]",
        "content_text": "Hongkong Law Society.\n\nREC\n\nC.O 77756\n\nRGP 19 46 09\n\nHongkong, 7th July, 1909.\n\nSir,\n\nReferring to your letter of the 15th ultimo No. 3070/09, I am directed and have the honour to inform you that the proposed Bill to amend the Code of Civil Procedure was duly considered by the Committee of the Law Society, and they are of the opinion that the amendment is necessary, and should be made in accordance with the request made through the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.\n\nThe drafting of the Bill will no doubt be put in the proper form.\n\nI have etc.,\n\n(sd.) Paul M. Hodgson,\n\nHon. Secretary.\n\nHonourable\n\nMr. A. M. Thomson,\n\nActing Colonial Secretary.\n\nEnclosure\n\n6.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 427612,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]",
        "page_number": 161,
        "title": "CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12]",
        "content_text": "Page 155\n\n# Lodwore¶ .u to droger oild vol Jitskidtøqed wid at youou to \noxroda) .07aneli vd moldmiszorul to dossimo0 and gd bowoflot \nof noltradðs stil boʻlas atsb wet teal orit miridtw bad house bas \nJom bib rotasi \"nodtoll edt teit woly odt boazorqxe boe „*i\n\n ̧.24 eunovel to moktosfios to shoričan odt satmoque vlezaupoka\n\n- Jaogial ont to ono al ooitto wodzali odt tioamid awa orf ma \n-835 Jus#raqoɑ ɔit to baon sit bus admonzzaqob enintao-BuNOVOT \nand ori anglaw 199ftto Jaotsitto as beebiamoo od exotonodd Jon-\n\n„donziɗ alat tovo Iortnoo ipnoeroq bar figuotose a \nanobro odd bounch of tarið at Ugor alli\n\n+ bas (@raipotib .0.2.0 bus vtuajert ode to tqlsoor no Tianacogn \nbot so Jon oroy yorit tadt oldianoquor bled od żonnao od tast \nJonass I bra tiqor vroinstoltan a alde Tobianoo tom ob I .Jc\n\nntatqs) guitarenoza ap at tqonos vizuotteeteanoo usa of Jonnor I \nnoeď ovari kinofis orỉ bortsoot bad of egnictaw ov? Todta .Tolyk?\n\n*all* woon ovad has galzmronsa sɗé delu dɔvod (snoereq arots at \ncoob of .dio betraso gnted exow toɗeovo3 Jaal x to arobro ald \nyna novias ro (ast¬lapan Ianoareg yne oben ovať od 180:q8 Ton\n\natodonto¶ .TH vd aogrado dnopor art Toddodw nist70928 of aqeta \noll font at molŝahawot vos bad Tonsolf bas omoda .camel bna\n\nvallidianoqaor nwo alif no arrtot besididong apan! of bouatinos \n¤yab intoves not ayonom ot'duq boniator zhaoqqe ji Itousa eid\n\n-doindent Istonant Juo boiTiso ovari bivoda art #807oriw Tońtoyot \nstaying god zijnoraqua 1tonda oft .822 bma TS6,288 enol- ...I\n\n1.0.Us. or bills in a public safe, to which two different \ndepartments had key# - a system he should never have tolerated. I need not recapitulate all the details.\n\nWhen was the last examination of Harbour \noffice accounts made by the Auditor, and to what extent was it \npossible for him to have detected the irregularities.\n\nI have on another file today approved of \nyour suggestion to write to the Harbour Master directing him that either he or the Assistant Harbour Master must be present \n\"when practicable\" in the office. The present case reveals a \nlack of supervision over not the least important branch of the Harbour Master's duties, - the proper care of the public revenue collected by him. The Assistant Harbour Master has been \nrelieved of the duties of the Import and Export (Liquors) branch and I see no reason why both should simultaneously be away except on rare occasions. The Retrenchment Committee went so far as to recommend the abolition of the post of Assistant \nHarbour Master. I desire therefore that for the next six months \nthe Harbour Master will report to me every occasion upon which \nboth he and the Assistant Harbour Master are simultaneously \nabsent from the Harbour Office and the reason which rendered this necessary that I may judge for myself whether it was unavoidable. The report to be made as briefly as possible and \nwithin 24 hours.\n\nCall upon the subordinate officers you make for explanation please as you propose, and to communicate this \nminute to the Harbour Master prior to drafting to the Secretary \nof State.\n\n5th November, 1910.\n\n(sd.) P. D. Lugard.\n\nPage 156",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-370 - Governor Sir Lugard & Public Offices - 1910 [12].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 433725,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 306,
        "title": "CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "# 600\n\nIt was one more attempt to grapple with the question of their own Chinese partnership customs. Therefore, they criticised it, and the Bill was dropped. As a result of it being dropped, His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government asked me if I would take the matter up in consultation with the Registrar General, the senior unofficial member of the Council, and others. As a result of conferences between those gentlemen and myself, a Bill was drafted. The framework is the same as the framework of the English Act of 1907, but the principles are different. Its principle is to recognise Chinese partnership customs, as far as we feel we can. As the committee reported in 1900 that legislation was impossible on the subject, and as someone admitted at any rate that it would be impossible unless it were heaven-inspired, before drafting this Bill, I had to consider the question as to why previous attempts proved abortive.\n\nThe reason, given in the report of the committee, which recommended that nothing could be done, advised that it would be inadvisable to introduce such legislation whether penal or disabling. Try as you will, you cannot force people to register unless you make it to their advantage; that is, people engaged in commerce. If it is not to a commercial man's advantage to register, he either evades the Act and refuses to register or else takes his business elsewhere. The only people who would register under a compulsory registration Ordinance would be the very people whom it does not matter whether they are registered or not, honest people. We would never get the rogues.\n\nThis Bill is different, and whether it succeeds or not will depend very largely, I venture to think, on whether we have given them enough, whether the bribe is big enough. If they do not register, they remain as they are subject to the present partnership law. I believe it has been suggested that this Bill should go before a special committee. That will come up afterwards. At present, I beg to add what I have already said to the objects and reasons attached to the Bill, and to move that it be read a second time.\n\n296",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 436161,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911",
        "page_number": 371,
        "title": "CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911",
        "content_text": "As in last par\n\nTelegraph summary of pamphlet high 1 & add in proposed by the Robeson 4.0. letter\n\nas amended by their Stubbs.\n\nIf at once\n\nJa. 1.1.12\n\n(Sir J. Anderson agreed that, if the replies to our telegrams\n\nare in the affirmative, we can authorize the Delegates to sign on behalf of the British Colonies in\n\nthe Far East \"or if they prefer \" on behalf of Ceylon,\n\nthe S.S., H.K. and S.S.W.\" but that we cannot authorize\n\nsig. on behalf of Protectorates such as Johore,\n\nand that we had better leave out F.M.S. also).\n\nA&C\n\nC\n\nin any further communication\n\non this subject, please quote\n\nNo.\n\nand address---\n\nThe Under Secretary of State,\n\nForeign Office,\n\nLondon.\n\nSir:-\n\nPage 369\n\nRice\n\n101 JAN\n\nJAN 12\n\nFOREIGN OFFICE\n\nDecember 3 1911.\n\nJ\n\nWith reference to previous correspondence on the\n\nsubject of the International Opium Conference, I am directed\n\nby Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, for the\n\ninformation of the Secretary of State for the Colonies,\n\nthe following documents received from the British Delegates\n\nto the Conference:\n\nA. A proposed Convention in the form adopted by the\n\nDrafting Committee. This Convention will be finally\n\nconsidered by the Conference when it reassembles on January\n\n8th, and it is not anticipated that any alterations in\n\nsubstance will be made.\n\nB. The draft of Articles respecting ratification,\n\nadhesion and denunciation.\n\nFurther discussion will be\n\nrequired in regard to these articles, the British delegates\n\nhaving submitted a counter-draft according to which the\n\nconvention will come into operation independently of the\n\nThe Under Secretary of State,\n\nColonial Office.\n\nadhesion\n\nPage 370",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-385 - Public Offices - 1911.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 439885,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 377,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "008\n\n369\n\n::\n\n:\n\ntaroy\n\ned bidy\n\nmethod ad folds vd osha shu to notiek,\n\nMAC puɔtaunt ett cav\n\nOD\n\nI DEVO\n\nIn conformity with the requirements of the present Conference, they were adopted, and I have the honour to enclose a copy herewith.\n\nIn the afternoon sitting we proceeded to discuss the motion by the First American Delegate for the appointment of a Committee to consist of one Delegate from each Power represented to draw up a definite programme of the work to be submitted to the Conference. This proposal, which Dr. Hamilton Wright only put forward after consultation with the British Delegation, was passed unanimously, and the Committee was forthwith appointed, Mr. Max Muller being designated to represent Great Britain. As required by the rules a Committee was appointed for making the necessary communications to the Press, and a Drafting Committee of five Delegates to coordinate and give form to the resolutions to be adopted by the Conference; to this latter Sir William Collins was elected.\n\nThe Conference then adjourned until the Programme Committee should have been able to produce a programme on which the Conference could usefully work. This Committee has issued an interim report formulating items",
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    {
        "id": 439988,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 480,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.\n\n469\n\n0\n\n OPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[December 13.]\n\n2018\n\nSECTION\n\nREG 20 JAN 12\n\n([49906])\n\n(No. 1.) Sir,\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir C. Clementi Smith to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 13.)\n\nThe Hague, December 7, 1911.\n\nI HAVE the honour to report that the International Opium Conference met here as arranged on the 1st instant, and assembled in the Hall of Knights. I enclose herewith a complete list of the delegates, all of whom were present except those of Italy, who only arrived at The Hague on the 7th instant.\n\nThe chair was provisionally taken by M. van Swinderen, who welcomed the conference to The Hague in a speech, the text of which will be found in the procès-verbal of the first sitting. He was followed by M. Cremer, the first delegate of the Netherlands, who, speaking first in English and subsequently in French, proposed that Bishop Brent, the first United States delegate, should be elected chairman of the conference, adducing in support of his motion the ability and impartiality with which the bishop had discharged the duties of chairman at the Shanghai Commission of 1909, and the fact that the Government which he represented had taken a leading part in the proceedings which led to the assembly of the present conference. M. Cremer's proposal was supported by myself and by the German first delegate, and, being carried unanimously, the bishop took the chair.\n\nThe chairman then made an address to the conference, indicating its aims and the spirit in which we should approach our task. French was decided upon as the official language of the conference, but in deference to the wishes of the delegates of several countries who were not conversant with that language, it was provided that the use of others would be permissible. The conference then appointed its secretariat, and adjourned till Monday, the 4th instant.\n\nAt the second meeting, business began with the question of the rules by which the conference should govern its procedure, and the American delegation proposed a short code, based on that adopted by the Second Peace Conference. After the introduction of some modifications intended to bring the rules into closer conformity with the requirements of the present conference, they were adopted, and I have the honour to enclose a copy herewith.\n\nIn the afternoon sitting we proceeded to discuss a motion by the first American delegate for the appointment of a committee, to consist of one delegate from each Power represented, to draw up a definite programme of the work to be submitted to the conference. This proposal, which Dr. Hamilton Wright only put forward after consultation with the British delegation, was passed unanimously, and the committee was forthwith appointed, Mr. Max Müller being designated to represent Great Britain. As required by the rules, a committee was appointed for making the necessary communications to the press, and a drafting committee of five delegates to co-ordinate and give form to the resolutions to be adopted by the conference; to this latter Sir William Collins was elected.\n\nThe conference then adjourned until the programme committee should have been able to produce a programme on which the conference could usefully work. This committee has issued an interim report formulating items of discussion with regard to raw and prepared opium, of which copies are enclosed herewith.\n\nAt the same time, more informal meetings of technical experts have been taking place with a view to definitions of the terms which will be commonly used in discussion. Agreement has been reached with regard to the definitions of raw, prepared, and medicinal opium, and these, together with the two chapters of items for discussion mentioned in the preceding paragraph, will be reported to the full conference at its sitting of to-day.\n\nI have the honour to enclose to you herewith, besides the papers already specifically mentioned, copies of the procès-verbal of the first two sittings of the conference, in which you will find a fuller account of the proceedings than I have thought it necessary to give in this despatch.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nCECIL CLEMENTI SMITH,\n\n* Not printed.\n\n[2297 - -1]\n\nPage 480\n\nPage 481",
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    {
        "id": 440007,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 499,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] CO 2386 OPIUM. CONFIDENTIAL. [2263] No. 1. [January 16, 1912] 24 JAN 12 SECTION 1. 488\n\nSir,\n\nBoard of Trade to Foreign Office.--(Received January 16.) Board of Trade, January 16, 1912.\n\nI AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, dated the 13th and 15th January, transmitting copies of a telegram and despatch from the British delegates to the Opium Conference, with reference to the terms of the adhesion and ratification clauses of the proposed convention.\n\nThe proposal of the drafting committee of the conference, although providing for the supplementary signing of the convention by all the Powers of Europe and America, does not appear to provide in terms for the procedure to be followed in the event of such signatures not being obtainable. The Board accordingly venture to suggest that the amendment numbered 4A, proposed by the British delegates, should more appropriately precede the draft article numbered 4, and form part of the section headed \"Signature supplémentaire.\" They are disposed to think that the convention should not in any event be ratified on behalf of His Majesty's Government until there has been an opportunity of considering whether the signatures affixed by the States which are not represented at the conference are sufficient in number and importance to justify such ratification.\n\nBut in view of the possibility of such States signing, but failing to ratify, the convention, a similar situation would also arise, so that it would seem desirable that there should be a further amendment appended to article 7 of the draft making provision for such a situation. The article numbered 10, as originally drafted, appears to meet this point to some extent, but the article which it is proposed to substitute for it, though it has the advantage of meeting the point referred to in the following paragraph of this letter, does not appear to provide for this particular contingency.\n\nAs regards the difficulty contemplated in the Board's letter of the 12th January, that the German Government might not find it possible to introduce adequate legislation, although, the convention having once been signed and ratified, Great Britain would be compelled to enact such legislation, the Board recognise that, as above stated, the proposed new article 10 meets this point to some extent, but they are at some loss to understand what is intended to be meant by the date of the coming into force of the convention (article 8), seeing that it is apparently possible by virtue of article 9 and the new article 10 that the convention, though in force by virtue of article 8, has not necessarily resulted in legislation being enforced by the contracting States. In other words, the Board are inclined to suggest the entire omission of article 8, and the alteration of the last line of article 9, so as to make it refer not to the date of coming into force of the convention, but to the date on which the last ratification has been received. If this suggestion be adopted, it would be advisable that a definite period should be substituted in article 5 for the words \"un délai aussi court que possible.\"\n\nThe Board accordingly venture to suggest that the enclosed rearrangement and modification of the draft might be sent to the delegates with instructions to propose it, should they see no objection to this course.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nGEO. J. STANLEY.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1.\n\nSignature supplémentaire.\n\nLES Puissances non représentées à la conférence seront admises à signer la présente convention.\n\n2. Dans ce but le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas invitera immédiatement après la signature de la convention par les plénipotentiaires des Puissances qui ont pris part à la conférence, les Puissances non représentées à la conférence à signer la présente convention.",
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    {
        "id": 440010,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 502,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n2386\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[2276]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nNEGE 24 JAN 12\n\n[January 17]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to the British Delegates to the International Opium Conference.*\n\n(No. 18.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, January 17, 1912.\n\nYOUR despatches Nos. 9 and 10 of the 15th and 16th instant, enclosing draft proposals as to the procedure to be followed for the signature and ratification of the proposed convention on the subject of opium and its derivatives, have been carefully considered in consultation with the India Office, Colonial Office, and Board of Trade.\n\nThe Board are not altogether satisfied as to the position which this country will occupy after the convention comes into force, and before the enabling legislation for carrying out its provisions makes it effective, and I am directed to enquire what are the exact obligations which will be imposed upon His Majesty's Government by the coming into force of the convention, as stipulated in article 10. It is presumed that the delay of three months between the deposition of the last ratification and the entry into force of the convention is provided in order to give time for the Netherlands Government to notify all the contracting parties of such deposition.\n\nI am further to transmit to you herewith copy of a letter from the Board,† enclosing a draft drawn up by them dealing with the signature and ratification of the convention. This letter was written before your despatch No. 10 was received, and consequently before it was known that the drafting committee had accepted your amendments to the original draft of these articles.\n\nI am to state that the Board of Trade proposals appear, in some respects, preferable to the draft of the committee, and I request that you will carefully consider whether it is not possible to introduce the more important of them into the articles. At the same time I am to authorise you to accept the articles as drafted in your despatch No. 10, if you consider that they are not likely to prove acceptable to the conference in the form suggested by the Board of Trade.\n\nI am,\n\n&c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n[2340 r - 1]\n\n* Also to Board of Trade, Colonial Office, and India Office.\n\n† Board of Trade, January 16, 1912.",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440079,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 571,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[January 16.]\n\n559\n\nSECTION\n\nC\n\n[2263]\n\nNo. 1.\n\n2546\n\nSir,\n\nBoard of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received January 16.)\n\nBoard of Trade, January 16, 1912.\n\n(823 JAN 12)\n\nI AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, dated the 13th and 15th January, transmitting copies of a telegram and despatch from the British delegates to the Opium Conference, with reference to the terms of the adhesion and ratification clauses of the proposed convention.\n\nThe proposal of the drafting committee of the conference, although providing for the supplementary signing of the convention by all the Powers of Europe and America, does not appear to provide in terms for the procedure to be followed in the event of such signatures not being obtainable. The Board accordingly venture to suggest that the amendment numbered 4A, proposed by the British delegates, should more appropriately precede the draft article numbered 4, and form part of the section headed \"Signature supplémentaire.\" They are disposed to think that the convention should not in any event be ratified on behalf of His Majesty's Government until there has been an opportunity of considering whether the signatures affixed by the States which are not represented at the conference are sufficient in number and importance to justify such ratification.\n\nBut in view of the possibility of such States signing, but failing to ratify, the convention, a similar situation would also arise, so that it would seem desirable that there should be a further amendment appended to article 7 of the draft making provision for such a situation. The article numbered 10, as originally drafted, appears to meet this point to some extent, but the article which it is proposed to substitute for it, though it has the advantage of meeting the point referred to in the following paragraph of this letter, does not appear to provide for this particular contingency.\n\nAs regards the difficulty contemplated in the Board's letter of the 12th January, that the German Government might not find it possible to introduce adequate legislation, although, the convention having once been signed and ratified, Great Britain would be compelled to enact such legislation, the Board recognise that, as above stated, the proposed new article 10 meets this point to some extent, but they are at some loss to understand what is intended to be meant by the date of the coming into force of the convention (article 8), seeing that it is apparently possible by virtue of article 10 that the convention, though in force by virtue of article 8, has not necessarily resulted in legislation being enforced by the contracting States. In other words, the Board are inclined to suggest the entire omission of article 8, and the alteration of the last line of article 9, so as to make it refer not to the date of coming into force of the convention, but to the date on which the last ratification has been received. If this suggestion be adopted, it would be advisable that a definite period \"un délai aussi court que possible\" should be substituted in article 5 for the words.\n\nThe Board accordingly venture to suggest that the enclosed rearrangement and modification of the draft might be sent to the delegates with instructions to propose it, should they see no objection to this course.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nGEO. J. STANLEY.\n\nEnclosure in No. 1,\n\nSignature supplémentaire.\n\nLES Puissances non représentées à la conférence seront admises à signer la présente convention.\n\n2. Dans ce but le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas invitera immédiatement après la signature de la convention par les plénipotentiaires des Puissances qui ont pris part à\n\n[2340 q-1]\n\nPage 363\n\n[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n363",
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    {
        "id": 440081,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "page_number": 573,
        "title": "CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12]",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n561\n\nC O\n\n2546\n\nREJE 26 JAN 12\n\n[January 17.]\n\nSECTION 1.\n\n[2276]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nSir Edward Grey to the British Delegates to the International Opium Conference.*\n\n(No 18.) Sir,\n\nForeign Office, January 17, 1912.\n\nYOUR despatches Nos. 9 and 10 of the 15th and 16th instant, enclosing draft proposals as to the procedure to be followed for the signature and ratification of the proposed convention on the subject of opium and its derivatives, have been carefully considered in consultation with the India Office, Colonial Office, and Board of Trade.\n\nThe Board are not altogether satisfied as to the position which this country will occupy after the convention comes into force, and before the enabling legislation for carrying out its provisions makes it effective, and I am directed to enquire what are the exact obligations which will be imposed upon His Majesty's Government by the coming into force of the convention, as stipulated in article 10. It is presumed that the delay of three months between the deposition of the last ratification and the entry into force of the convention is provided in order to give time for the Netherlands Government to notify all the contracting parties of such deposition.\n\nI am further to transmit to you herewith copy of a letter from the Board,† enclosing a draft drawn up by them dealing with the signature and ratification of the convention. This letter was written before your despatch No. 10 was received, and consequently before it was known that the drafting committee had accepted your amendments to the original draft of these articles.\n\nI am to state that the Board of Trade proposals appear, in some respects, preferable to the draft of the committee, and I request that you will carefully consider whether it is not possible to introduce the more important of them into the articles. At the same time I am to authorise you to accept the articles as drafted in your despatch No. 10, if you consider that they are not likely to prove acceptable to the conference in the form suggested by the Board of Trade.\n\nI am, &c.\n\nE. GREY.\n\n* Also to Board of Trade, Colonial Office, and India Office.\n\n† Board of Trade, January 16, 1912.\n\n[2340]\n\nPage 1 information is not present, but [2276] and the following content indicate it is likely from a multi-page document.\n\n[End of Page 1]\n\nPage 363 (or any other page) information is not present in the given text, so no action is taken regarding it.\n\n \n[2340 - 1]",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440329,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 222,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "that it is not probable. that the Convention will be ratified before the end 71.\n\nyear &\n\nhe is aware that\n\nlegislation & and not\n\nintroduced into Parliament\n\nfor some\n\ntime after the last\n\nmotion for ratification\n\nhas been read. But it\n\nappears\n\nto him that in so\n\nimportant and complicated a\n\nquestion considerable discussion\n\nwill be necessary before the drafting of an Imperial Act is commenced. Mr Stacey is therefore inclined\n\nto think that it will be as well\n\nto take steps to appoint the\n\nCommittee at as distant a date.\n\n(Signed) H. J. READ.\n\nfor the Under Secretary of State.\n\nPage 220\n\nMy",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt",
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    {
        "id": 440332,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 225,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nCO 1.402\n\n# OPIUM.\n\n## CONFIDENTIAL.\n\nग्रे\n\n[52330]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nForeign Office to Colonial Office.*\n\n## SECTION 1.\n\n[December 30 23 APR 12\n\n223\n\nSir,\n\nForeign Office, December 30, 1911.\n\nWITH reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the International Opium Conference, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, for the information of Mr. Secretary Harcourt, the following documents received from the British delegates to the conference :-\n\n(A.) A proposed convention in the form adopted by the drafting committee. This convention will be finally considered by the conference when it reassembles on the 8th January, and it is not anticipated that any alterations in substance will be made.\n\n(B.) The draft of articles respecting ratification, adhesion, and denunciation. Further discussion will be required in regard to these articles, the British delegates having submitted a counter-draft, according to which the convention will come into operation independently of the adhesion of non-signatory Powers.\n\n(C.) The draft of a \"final protocol\" showing certain rules which the conference has adopted.\n\n(D.) The draft of an \"additional convention\" containing articles referring especially to China, which it is proposed shall be signed by the representatives of those of the participating Powers who have treaty rights in that country.\n\nI am to explain that the proposed articles of the convention have not in every case been accepted without reserve by all of the delegates.\n\nWith regard to article 7 (document (A)), I am to say that the second sentence was added to meet the wishes of the Portuguese delegates, and the following article was inserted with special reference to the case of Portugal. In addition to the reserve thus made (of which His Majesty's Government would, it is presumed, not take advantage), the interests of the British Crown colonies have been safeguarded by a declaration by the British delegates, worded as follows:--\n\n\"The British delegation desires that its vote may be recorded in the affirmative on the understanding that the resolution does not interfere with the arrangements for the preparation and distribution of opium now in force in the Malay Peninsula or elsewhere in His Majesty's dominions, which are clearly a question of internal, as opposed to international, traffic.\"\n\n## Enclosure in No. 1.\n\n(A.)\n\nI am, &c.\n\nW. LANGLEY.\n\nCONFÉRENCE INTERNATIONALE DE L'OPIUM: COMITÉ DE RÉDACTION.\n\n## Convention internationale de l'Opium.\n\nLES hautes parties contractantes,\n\nDésireuses de marquer un pas de plus dans la voie ouverte par la Commission internationale de Shanghai de 1909;\n\nRésolues à poursuivre la suppression progressive de l'abus de l'opium, de la morphine, de la cocaïne, ainsi que des drogues préparées ou dérivées de ces substances donnant lieu ou pouvant donner lieu à des abus analogues;\n\n* Also to India Office and Board of Trade, mutatis mutandis,\n\n[2297 gg-1]",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440371,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 264,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\n261\n\n10.94\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[15190]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nF.co\n\n[April 1\n\nRecd 3 MAY 12\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir,\n\nColonial Office to Foreign Office.(Received April 11.)\n\nDowning Street, April 10, 1912. WITH reference to the letter from this department of the 6th March, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to request you to inform Secretary Sir Edward Grey that he has had under his consideration a letter from the Board of Trade, dated the 28th March, with regard to the legislation necessary to give effect to the provisions of The Hague Opium Convention. It is understood that a copy of that letter has been communicated to your department.\n\n2. Mr. Harcourt is inclined to think that, in the circumstances, the best course would be to appoint an informal committee, composed of representatives of the Foreign, Indian, and Colonial Offices, the Board of Customs, the General Post Office, and the Board of Trade to consider the general lines of the legislation which is required.\n\n3. The result of the committee's deliberations should be submitted to one of the parliamentary counsel for the purpose of drafting the necessary Bill, and when the draft has been prepared the committee should be reassembled in order to examine and consider its terms.\n\n4. I am to suggest that, if Sir Edward Grey is prepared to concur in this proposal, the departments concerned should be invited by your department to agree, and to nominate representatives on the committee.\n\n[24587-1]\n\nI am, &c.\n\nH. J. READ.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440373,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 266,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "In reply, I am to state that the Board could not undertake this task, in view of the heavy parliamentary work which is engaging their attention during the present session, and that they are of opinion that a measure of this character is not one which falls within their proper functions. These functions have regard to matters relating to the maintenance and promotion of the trade of the United Kingdom, whereas the measures contemplated by the convention are primarily designed to benefit the interests not of the United Kingdom, but of His Majesty's Eastern possessions and colonies. Their effect on the trade interests of this country is purely incidental and, so far as it goes, that effect must necessarily be of a restrictive character.\n\nMr. Harcourt will be aware that the Board of Trade were not represented at The Hague Convention and that their action in the matter was confined to indicating to the British delegates, both at informal meetings which took place before the conference assembled, and whilst it was sitting through the Foreign Office, how the restrictions necessitated by colonial and Indian interests could be imposed in such a way as to prove most effective, and at the same time inflict the minimum amount of damage to British manufacturers and traders.\n\nThe Board accordingly venture to suggest that the drafting of the necessary measures and their conduct through Parliament should be undertaken by one of the departments concerned with the possessions and colonies in whose interests the convention was concluded. They will, of course, be prepared to render all possible assistance to the department charged with the responsibility for the Bill, and if desired, to appoint representatives on any committee which may be appointed for the purpose of drafting it.\n\nThe Board are causing copy of your letter and of this reply to be sent to the Foreign Office for Sir E. Grey's information.\n\nI have, &c.\n\nH. LLEWELLYN SMITH.\n\nDate. 1912 May.\n\nPage 2\n\nPrevious Paper: HONG KONG 144926 Recognition of new C. O. 14492 RECEIVED 13 MAY 12, Chinese You! suggests that only should be informed that press statements referred to in his telegram of 7 May are without foundation and that he is at liberty to contradict them.\n\nM. Shibberen te ? Tel (substance within cyther porch 197th May pass\n\nFor. Ahing y. ht 2.357 M. TR Antiments afened to are without foundation and you may contradict them. (40,244). Wt.25,940-17. 40,000. 11/11. A&E.W.\n\nNext subsequent Paper",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440382,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "3. The clauses given in italics had, however, been the subject of objection by other Powers. His Majesty's Government could not admit the discussion of clauses (k), (l), (m), and (n). The French Government likewise objected to (l) and (m), and reserved their opinion about (a), while also objecting to (i); and the Russian Government objected to (f). On the other hand, the British Government laid down as a condition of their participation in the conference that it should also deal with the question of stringent restrictions on the manufacture and trade in morphine and cocaine, and this condition was accepted by the other participating Powers.\n\nThe Italian Government, again, suggested that the conference might advantageously deal with drugs produced from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa or indica).\n\n4. Our instructions, communicated to us in your despatch of the 29th November, 1911, emphasised the fact that His Majesty's Government held it essential that \"the conference should thoroughly and completely deal with the question of restricting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphine and cocaine.\" This, indeed, you added, \"is a subject to which His Majesty's Government attach especial importance in view of the spread of the morphia and cocaine habit in India, in China, and in other Eastern countries. Indian and Chinese experience shows that legislation against the importation of morphia and cocaine must fail to be thoroughly effective owing to the ease with which it can be evaded in practice, and consequently suggests the desirability of co-operation on the part of the home and foreign Governments in the shape of control over manufacture and distribution.\" We were therefore to use our best efforts to secure the assistance of the Governments represented at the conference towards obtaining this end.\n\n5. Our instructions went on to indicate the various points (specified above) in the original American tentative programme for the conference to which His Majesty's Government had taken exception and which therefore they were not prepared to discuss. We were further told that the following matters should also be considered as excluded from treatment by the conference:\n\n(1) The arrangements made between His Majesty's Government and China respecting the progressive restriction of the importation and production of opium in China.\n\n(2) All other existing treaties between the two countries.\n\n(3) Any resolution specifically affecting the domestic regulation of the production and use of opium and cognate questions of internal administration in India or any portion of the British dominions.\n\nWe were, therefore, to refuse to discuss these subjects, although not precluded from communicating to the conference, if desired, any information in regard to systems of regulation in India or the colonies that might be of assistance in its labours.\n\n6. In accordance with this last proviso, Sir William Meyer submitted to the conference a paper dealing with the measures taken by the Indian Government to control and restrict the consumption of raw opium in India, and a second paper treating of the policy adopted in Burma, where the usual method of consumption is the smoking of prepared opium. This latter memorandum also referred to the measures taken by the Indian Government against the smoking habit in the rest of India. At a later stage, a memorandum was likewise put in showing the methods taken in British colonies, mainly those in the Far East, to restrict the consumption of opium, morphine, and cocaine. These memoranda are included in Vol. II of the conference proceedings, but as we shall have occasion to refer to them occasionally, we append copies of them (Appendices I to III).\n\nWe may add that we were furnished with a copy of the Government of India's clear and exhaustive expression of their actions, difficulties, and wishes in regard to opium, morphine, and cocaine, as set forth in their despatch No. 285 of the 23rd November, 1911, to the Secretary of State for India, and that this document proved of great value and assistance to us.\n\n7. In your despatch of the 11th December, 1911 [49099], we received supplementary suggestions as to the measures which His Majesty's Government thought it desirable that we should suggest to the conference in the matter of restricting the manufacture of, and trade in, morphia and cocaine, and these will be referred to later on.\n\n8. The conference assembled on the 1st December, 1911 (first session), and, after a speech of welcome from His Excellency M. de Marees van Swinderen, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was subsequently elected honorary president of the conference, Bishop Brent, the leader of the American delegation, was unanimously elected to the actual presidency — on the proposal of M. Cremer, the first delegate for the Netherlands, supported by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith and M. von Müller, the first delegate for Germany — and delivered an eloquent inaugural address.\n\nThe natural selection for the presidency would have been M. Cremer, as senior member of the delegation of the country in which we were meeting; but as he expressed himself unwilling to accept this post, the choice of Bishop Brent, as representing the country on whose initiative the conference had been called, was inevitable. The result was, however, unfortunate in that it threw the leadership of the American delegation into the hands of Dr. Hamilton Wright, who is singularly wanting in those qualities of clear-mindedness, moderation, and respect for the ideas of others which are essential for success in an international gathering of this kind. Under Dr. Wright's leadership, the American delegation was responsible for a number of useless and irritating proposals, and entirely lost the position of special advantage which it might have enjoyed as representing the Power on whose initiative the conference had come together.\n\n9. The second session (4th December) was occupied by the framing of rules of procedure and the constitution of committees, viz.:\n\n(a) A Programme Committee, consisting of one member from each delegation, which was to prepare and submit to the conference a programme of work, based on the original draft programme of the American Government as modified by the objections made in respect thereto by other Powers. This programme was also to deal with the supplementary proposals made by Great Britain on the subject of morphine and cocaine, and by Italy in regard to hemp drugs. It was further decided that any additional matter on which the conference might later embark should likewise be a subject of preliminary examination by the programme committee. This committee was presided over by M. Cremer (Netherlands), and Mr. Max Müller was the representative of the British delegation.\n\n(b) A Drafting Committee (\"Comité de Rédaction\"), consisting of five (afterwards six) members, and presided over, first by M. Guesde of the French delegation and later on, when M. Guesde had to return to Paris, by his colleague, M. Brenier. Sir William Collins was a member of this committee, which also included representatives of Germany, Holland, and Russia, and subsequently of the United States.\n\nThe original reference to this committee was to draft into proper conventional form the resolutions passed by the conference, but later on, as will be seen, its functions were considerably enlarged.\n\n(c) A Press Committee, consisting of three members, whose duty it was to decide what information should be communicated to the press, it having been resolved that the meetings of the conference should be private.\n\n(d) A fourth committee, the Technical Committee, though never formally constituted, also assumed shape, and eventually definite recognition. It consisted of the medical and scientific members of the various delegations under the presidency of Sir William Collins.\n\n10. It was also definitely decided at this session that, while French must as usual be the official language of the conference, each delegate might speak in his own language, and that translations of French documents might be furnished to those delegates who desired it. As a matter of fact, owing to the large number of delegates who understood English better than French, most of the speeches were made in English, even the French and German delegates frequently repeating in English what they had already said in French, and there was likewise an English summary of the proceedings, though it was always understood that the French text was the only authoritative one, and we feel it only right to take this opportunity of placing on record our sense of the courtesy and consideration with which the other delegations accepted the situation.\n\n11. At the third session (7th December), a warning note was sounded by the French and Portuguese delegations in regard to the difficulties that might arise owing to the small number of countries represented at the conference, and the danger of outside Powers deriving profit from the self-denying ordinances which the participating Powers might impose upon themselves in regard to trade in opium, &c.; and it may be mentioned here that at the fourth session a resolution was carried, on the proposal of the Persian delegate, that all the conclusions arrived at by the conference should be presented to outside Powers with a view to their co-operation being obtained.\n\nPage 9\n\n272",
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        "content_text": "6\n\npackages, the bulk of whose contents often consisted of other matters besides opium. A further Chinese amendment that the total number of packages to be exported should not exceed a monthly limit to be fixed by the conference was rejected as impracticable. The resolution as finally passed forms the basis of article 4 of the convention.\n\n22. The British delegation then proposed a resolution that each participating Government should prohibit the export and import of raw opium save through the agency of specially authorised persons, and this was passed with an amendment suggested by the German delegation substituting the word \"duly\" for \"specially.\" The resolution as thus amended forms the basis of article 5 of the convention.\n\n23. The last resolution we proposed on this subject was that measures should be taken by the Universal Postal Union for regulating the transmission of raw opium through the post. This was carried, but does not find place in the articles of the convention, on the ground that the conference had no power to bind the Postal Union. It figures, therefore, as an expression of opinion (veu) in clause (1) of the final protocol.\n\n24. The report of the Programme Committee on the matters to be discussed under the head of medicinal opium, morphine, and cocaine, &c., was then approved, and some discussion took place in regard to the fourth section of their proposed agenda, which simply specified anti-opium remedies without mentioning points which might be discussed thereunder. The action subsequently taken in regard to this matter will be found stated in paragraph 56, and was in accord with a suggestion made at this stage by Sir W. Collins.\n\n25. At the sixth session (12th December) the Chinese delegation proposed a resolution to the following effect:\n\n\"With a view to assisting China in her efforts to restrict the importation of opium into her dominions, the Governments represented at the conference are prepared to signify their adhesion to the engagement embodied in the agreement between the British and Chinese Governments of the 8th May, 1911, to the effect that chests of Indian opium, unsealed and unaccompanied by the special numbered permits issued by the Indian Government, shall be refused entry into any of the treaty ports of China, and will take the necessary steps to make that engagement binding on their nationals.\n\nFurther, the Governments represented are prepared to signify their adhesion to the terms of prohibition issued by the Chinese Government forbidding the importation of Persian and Turkish opium into the Chinese Empire after the 1st January, 1912, and to take the necessary measures to make such prohibition binding on their nationals.\"\n\nAfter some discussion, in the course of which Mr. Max Müller pointed out that, to the best of his knowledge, all the treaty Powers, with the exception of Portugal, Brazil, and Sweden, had already adhered to the Anglo-Chinese agreement of the 8th May, 1911, the resolution was carried. Later on, when it came before the Drafting Committee, it was held that its appropriate place would be not among the definite articles of the convention, but as a clause in the final protocol, and ultimately (at the seventeenth session) the Chinese delegation proposed that it should be dropped altogether, in view of the objections which the Persian delegate had expressed at the sixteenth session, when he urged that the conference was not called upon to give emphatic approval to measures that had already been taken by the Chinese Government, and which were calculated to cause loss to his country; and this course was taken.\n\n26. A further resolution which was subsequently proposed on the subject, primarily, of raw opium may be conveniently referred to here. This was brought forward by the Persian delegation at the thirteenth session, and was to the effect that there should be a gradual suppression of the production of opium containing less than 9 per cent. of morphine; and that to this end the interested Powers should agree to discourage the production of all opium of this sort by private enterprise, and to stop its production under direct Government control within a period of eight years. He stated that this resolution was justified by the fact that medicinal opium must contain not less than 10 per cent. of morphine, and that it was desirable to confine the consumption of opium to medical purposes.\n\n27. Sir William Meyer replied that the British delegation could not possibly accept this resolution. The great bulk of Indian opium contained less than 9 per cent. of morphine—on the average about 7 per cent. He had already explained (vide Appendix I) the policy of the Indian Government in regard to raw opium. That Government did not agree that its use should be confined to so-called medical purposes, since they had to take into consideration the usages and needs of a large number of people who could not or would not have recourse to European treatment.\n\n7\n\n274\n\nOn a division the resolution was defeated by 9 votes to 2, the American delegation being the only one which rallied to its support.\n\nIt is tolerably certain that this mischievous resolution, the intention of which was to strike at Indian opium, was due to the suggestion of Dr. Hamilton Wright, since it is within our knowledge that Dr. Wright had himself previously drafted a resolution to the same effect.\n\n28. Reverting now to the proceedings of the sixth session (the 12th December), the conference then took up the subject of prepared opium, and the Netherlands delegation moved a resolution that the participating Powers should prohibit, as a general rule, the importation and exportation of this species of opium, subject to a proviso that, in certain circumstances, it might be allowed on board ship for the personal use of the crew during the voyage.\n\nOn discussion this proviso was withdrawn, and the Portuguese delegation proposed to amend the main clause of the resolution by making the prohibition of export of prepared opium a gradual one, on the ground that there was an export of locally manufactured and prepared opium from Macao into China; that the supply was in the hands of a contractor whose contract had some time to run; and (as explained in the following session) that it was desirable to substitute gradual for immediate reform in order to gain the adhesion of outside Powers. The amendment was lost, and the original resolution was then passed in the following form: Les Gouvernements participants à la conférence s'engagent à prohiber l'importation et l'exportation d'opium préparé. The resolution forms the basis of the first part of article 7 of the convention, and the only vote cast against it was that of Portugal.\n\n29. We, however, recorded our affirmative vote ad referendum, in view of the possibility of the resolution being held to apply to traffic between one British possession and another, and of the fact that an absolute prohibition of such traffic, in respect of prepared opium, might be inconvenient, since, for example, some of the protected Malay States are supplied with prepared opium from Singapore, and a similar course is under consideration as regards the North Borneo Protectorate. On reference to you, we were authorised to accept the resolution on the understanding that the words \"exportation\" and \"importation\" referred merely to foreign trade, and not to traffic between different territories under His Majesty's jurisdiction. A declaration to this effect was accordingly made at the fourteenth session.\n\n30. The American delegation then brought forward a series of further resolutions on the subject of prepared opium. Dr. Hamilton Wright had previously declared that these would not be put if the main part of the Dutch resolution above referred to was passed unanimously; but as Portugal had voted against it, he held himself at liberty to proceed with his resolutions. The first of these was to the effect that such of the participating Powers as had not already prohibited the exportation of prepared opium should do so, or else should restrict the number of places through which prepared opium might be exported. After some amendments moved by ourselves and the Chinese delegation with the object of eliminating Portuguese opposition, the resolution was unanimously passed in the following terms:\n\n\"Il est convenu que les pays représentés qui ne sont pas encore prêts à prohiber l'exportation de l'opium préparé la prohiberont aussitôt que possible, et restreindront en attendant le nombre de localités par lesquelles l'opium préparé pourra être exporté.\"\n\nThis resolution now figures in the convention, partly as a second part of article 7 and partly as clause (a) of article 8; and it may be noted that, with article 7 as thus constituted, the Portuguese objection to the resolution which formed the basis of the first part of the article disappeared.\n\n31. Later on, at the twenty-first session, when article 7 came up for second reading, the Chinese delegation proposed an addition to the effect that in any case there should be prohibition within three years of the convention coming into force. The Portuguese, however, strongly opposed this amendment, and said that if it were carried they could not take part in the further work of the conference.\n\nWe thought the amendment reasonable, but in view of the strong opposition of the Portuguese to reopening the question at this stage, we abstained from voting, as did most of the other delegations, with the result that the amendment was carried by the votes of three delegations only, those of China, the United States, and Persia. In view of the small number of positive votes in its favour, the Chinese delegation thereupon withdrew the amendment.\n\n32. The next American resolution was that the Governments represented should forbid the exportation of prepared opium to such countries as may forbid its entry, and that no prepared opium should be shipped to a country which wishes to restrict the ...",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "14\n\nso-called anti-opium remedies, which for the most part contained opium, morphine, or cocaine. After some discussion, during which Dr. Wu-Lien-Teh showed, from a series of analyses that had been made in regard to a number of these remedies, that nearly all of them contained opium or morphine, even though in some cases warranted not to do so, the resolution was passed unanimously in the following form:--\n\n\"La conférence, constatant que, dans les pays où des efforts ont été faits pour combattre l'abus de l'opium, on a été amené à faire usage de soi-disant remèdes anti-opium, contenant de l'opium, de la morphine ou de la cocaïne, décide que les Gouvernements participants prendront contre ces remèdes dangereux des mesures analogues à celles qui sont proposées contre l'opium, la morphine, la cocaïne et contre leurs sels respectifs.\"\n\nThe substance of this resolution has been embodied in article 14 (b) of the final convention, which lays down that any preparations, whether styled anti-opium remedies or not, containing more than 2 per cent. of morphine or 1 per cent of cocaine, shall be treated in the same way as those drugs.\n\n57. The Chinese delegation then submitted a series of resolutions having special reference to China, and to the Powers having special treaties with the Chinese Government. These resolutions had been previously discussed with us before they had been presented, and they had been worded in accordance with suggestions we had made.\n\nThe first two resolutions were to the effect that:--\n\n(1) The participating Governments agree to co-operate with the Chinese Government in the prevention of the smuggling of opium, morphine, cocaine, &c., from their colonies in the Far East, or from their leased territories in China into Chinese territory, while the Chinese Government will similarly co-operate towards the prevention of such smuggling from China into the colonies and territories in question.\n\n(2) With a view to giving practical effect to the principle embodied in resolution No. 9 of the Shanghai commission, the Chinese Government will enact pharmaceutical laws for its subjects, regulating the sale and distribution of morphine, cocaine, &c., and will communicate these laws to the treaty Powers represented at the conference. These Powers will, if they find the said laws acceptable, take the necessary steps for applying them to their own nationals in China.\n\nThese two resolutions were carried as they stood.\n\n58. The third resolution was to the effect that the participating Governments would undertake to adopt all necessary measures to restrict and control the smoking of opium in their leased territories, settlements, or concessions in China, and to suppress any opium smoking divans, &c., that might still exist there, as also to prohibit the smoking of opium in places of public amusement and houses of ill-fame.\n\nTo this resolution the German delegation moved an amendment, which was adopted, to the effect that the suppression of opium-smoking divans, &c., should take place pari passu with similar measures adopted by the Chinese Government in its own territories.\n\n59. The fourth resolution, as carried with a verbal amendment suggested by the French delegation, proposed that the participating Powers should take effective measures for the gradual reduction, pari passu with similar measures taken by the Chinese Government, of the number of shops dealing in opium, which may still exist in their leased settlements, territories or concessions, and that they should adopt suitable and effective measures for the restriction and control of the retail trade in opium in these areas.\n\n60. The fifth resolution, after some alteration in the original wording which took place after discussion thereon, was to the following effect:--\n\n\"The participating Governments possessing post offices of their own in China undertake to adopt stringent measures to prevent the illegal importation into China, as well as the transmission from one part of China to another through the agency of their aforesaid post offices, of opium, whether raw or prepared, of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, and of the other substances dealt with in the convention.\"\n\n61. All these resolutions, subject to the amendments above indicated, passed without opposition, but Siam and Persia abstained from voting as not having treaties with China. The resolutions were originally embodied, as having special reference to the conditions of China and to circumstances which did not affect some of the conference Powers, in a separate supplementary convention. At the fourteenth session, however,\n\n15\n\n278\n\nwhen the articles came up for discussion in this form, the Chinese delegation proposed that they should figure in the main convention, on the ground that they were of primary importance, and that their relegation to a separate convention would seem to place China on a footing apart from the other conference Powers. After some discussion the matter was referred to the Drafting Committee, which recommended (section II of its report on a variety of matters which had been referred to it, contained in the minutes of the fifteenth session) that to meet the Chinese wish, and with the alteration of \"contracting Powers\" into \"contracting Powers having treaties with China,\" the articles should figure in the main convention. This proposal came up for discussion at the sixteenth session, and was adopted, Persia and Siam alone dissenting. The articles now figure as Nos. 15 to 19 of Chapter IV in the final convention, and in signing the convention the Siamese and Persian delegates indicated that they did so with a reserve on the subject of these articles, since they have no special treaties with China. We could never understand why these delegations, and especially that of Siam, were so tenacious in pressing this point, since obviously the chapter, as now worded, could only refer to the treaty Powers.\n\n62. The Drafting Committee then put before the conference three drafts, comprising:--\n\n(a) Draft articles of a convention embodying the general resolutions already passed on the subject of opium, raw and prepared, morphine, cocaine, &c.\n\n(b) Draft articles on the subject of ratification, adhesion, and denunciation.\n\n(c) A draft final protocol.\n\nA preliminary reading was then given to document (a), and some verbal amendments were introduced.\n\n63. At the twelfth session (20th December) the conference proceeded to the discussion of the first portion of document (b), which dealt with the procedure in regard to ratification coming into force, adhesion coming into force, and denunciation in respect of the convention. The procedure submitted for discussion was as follows:--\n\n(1) There would be a premier dépôt des ratifications at The Hague as soon as several signatory Powers were prepared to ratify.\n\n(2) The remaining participating Powers would ratify subsequently by written notification.\n\n(3) All outside Powers should then be invited to adhere.\n\n(4) The convention would come into force a year after the Netherlands Government had received the ratifications of all the contracting Powers and the adhesion of all the outside Powers above mentioned.\n\n(5) If, however, matters were not so far advanced two years after the signing of the convention, all the Powers that had by that time ratified or adhered were to be invited to send delegates to a fresh conference at The Hague to consider the conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be wholly or partially enforced.\n\n(6) A subsequent denunciation of the convention by any Power would apply only to that Power, and would come into effect a year after notice of denunciation had been given.\n\n6. In regard to the first condition above mentioned, we proposed, to expedite matters, that the convention should in any case be ratified by the participating Powers within six months, and, subject to an American amendment which extended the period to one year, this was carried. As regards the third condition, we also procured an amendment providing that invitation to the outside Powers should take place after the premier dépôt instead of after universal ratification, and that the premier dépôt might have effect as soon as six Powers were ready to ratify.\n\nThe discussion of the draft did not proceed further before our Christmas recess, but at the thirteenth session we tabled an important amendment with reference to the manner in which the convention was to come into force, which is given in paragraph 77 infra.\n\nThis amendment was referred to the Drafting Committee.\n\n65. The Germans had at the same time drawn up an additional draft article on the subject of denunciation to the following effect:--\n\n\"In case a nation which, up to the date of signing the present convention, has not produced opium or manufactured morphine, cocaine, &c., should engage in such production or manufacture, every Power within whose territories opium is produced, or\n\nLy",
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        "content_text": "16\n\nmorphine, cocaine, &c., are manufactured on the date when the present convention shall be signed, shall have the right to denounce the said convention; and such denunciation may take effect a month after it has been communicated to the Netherlands Government.\" \n\nIt will be observed that this proposal aimed not merely at the production of opium, morphine, or cocaine for purposes condemned by the convention, but even at production for legitimate medical purposes, and would in fact have prevented any Power from starting a new internal industry for such purposes. \n\nThe German delegates, in private conversation with us, suggested that we ought to welcome this proposal, since it would permanently establish our practical monopoly in the morphine trade like that of the Germans in cocaine. We replied, of course, that we could not assent to anything of the kind, and that our instructions were simply to obtain measures for confining the use of these drugs to proper medical purposes. The proposal gave us considerable anxiety, since it seemed to us to indicate that the Germans, in spite of the agreement we had come to with them in regard to the morphine and cocaine articles, were casting about for an easy means of withdrawing from the convention. We hoped, however, that this was merely a ballon d'essai, and that the idea would not be pressed. \n\nThe proposal was subsequently withdrawn, in view of the methods finally adopted to secure the adhesion of outside Powers to the convention. \n\n66. At the thirteenth session (21st December) the American delegation also brought forward resolutions on the subject of adhesion to and ratification of the convention, which were to the following effect :-- \n\n(1.)—(a.) Powers not represented at the conference might be allowed to adhere to the convention; but the participating Powers might lay down conditions of adherence. In the absence of such conditions, adherence would imply acceptance of all the obligations required by the convention. \n\n(b.) The interested Governments should agree among themselves as to the steps to be taken to obtain the adhesion of States whose co-operation might be necessary or useful in order to secure complete execution of the convention. \n\n(2.) The convention should be ratified as soon as possible, and in any case within a year. \n\nThis was merely setting forth in other words a matter which had already been agreed to provisionally. \n\n(3.) The convention should come into force in all the dominions of the contracting Powers sixty days after ratification. \n\nThese resolutions were subsequently withdrawn, \n\n67. The powers of the Drafting Committee were, by a resolution passed during this session, extended so as to enable it not merely to put into conventional form the substance of resolutions already accepted by the conference, but to add such additional articles as seemed necessary for the purposes of completing the convention. \n\n68. Reference had been made in more than one of the previous sessions of the conference to the difficulty in regard to dealing with \"Indian hemp.\" The Italian Government had put this subject forward as one of the matters which the conference should consider, but its delegate, M. Santoliquido, having also to attend the International Sanitary Conference in Paris, had only been present at one of our meetings (at the fourth session). The Italian Minister at The Hague had accordingly been communicated with by M. Cremer (Netherlands), as chairman of the Programme Committee; and M. Cremer now put before the conference a letter from the Minister stating that M. Santoliquido had informed him that the Italian delegation had no intention of presenting any specific proposal in regard to hemp drugs, and left it to the conference as a whole to take such measures in regard to these as it might deem expedient. \n\n69. At the urgent request of Dr. Hamilton Wright the subject was referred to the Programme Committee, but that body was of the unanimous opinion that no useful purpose would be served by entering on the discussion of such a question, in which many interests might be involved, without careful study and consideration. M. Cremer, its chairman, therefore announced to the conference that, having regard to these circumstances, and to the facts that--(a) the conference was not in possession of the statistics necessary for adequate treatment of the subject;* (b) it was difficult to obtain a scientific definition of the preparations that would have to be dealt with; (c) the delegates had no instructions in regard to the discussion of this matter; (d) it appeared sufficient for the countries threatened by the abuse of hemp drugs to take internal measures against them--the Programme Committee considered it sufficient to recommend the adoption of the following resolution in the form of a vœu :-- \n\n“Il est à désirer que les Gouvernements participants étudient la question du chanvre indien au point de vue statistique, et scientifique, dans le but de régler éventuellement, par leur législation intérieure ou pour un accord international, les abus de son emploi.” \n\nThis resolution was accordingly introduced by the Netherlands delegation, and was carried, with an amendment proposed by us substituting for the word \"éventuellement\" the words \"si la nécessité s'en fait sentir.\" \n\n70. The Chinese delegation wished the resolution to read as follows :---- \n\n'Il est à désirer que les Gouvernements participants étudient la question du chanvre indien au point de vue statistique et scientifique, dans le but d'en contrôler le commerce, et d'en régler l'usage par leur législation intérieure ou par un accord international, ou par tous les deux. \n\nBut this was objected to on the ground that it was going beyond what the data before us justified. M. Brenier (France) pointed out that the Chinese Government could, if it pleased, take restrictive measures against hemp drugs such as had been already taken in Indo-China, and Sir William Meyer added that similar restrictions had been in force in British India for a good many years. The Chinese amendment was accordingly withdrawn. \n\nDr. Hamilton Wright expressed the hope that the resolution as carried would become a definite article of the convention, but he met with no support in this view, and the resolution remained a vœu, and stands as such in the final protocol (clause I (2)). \n\n71. The next matter for consideration was a resolution by the American delegation which had been brought forward and received some discussion at the twelfth session. This was to the effect that the participating Powers should communicate to one another, through the medium of the Netherlands Government, texts of existing and future laws and regulations bearing on matters dealt with in the convention; as also statistical information in regard to the trade in raw and prepared opium, morphine, and cocaine, and their respective salts, hemp drugs, and any other drugs or preparations dealt with in the convention. \n\nThe mention of hemp drugs was now deleted from the resolution, and, as regards the exchange of statistical information, an amendment, moved by our delegation and accepted by the Americans, to the effect that the statistics should be based, not only on Customs reports, but also on the registers of sale kept by persons licensed to carry on trade in the drugs concerned, was carried with a single negative vote--that of Germany. Our object, as Mr. Max Müller explained, was not in any way to divulge the statistics of individual firms, but, by grouping these together, to obtain information which would be very valuable as a supplement to the Customs returns. \n\nLater on, however (seventeenth session), when article 21 of the convention, which was based on this resolution, came up for consideration, the German delegation pointed out that in some cases, as in regard to heroine, the trade was so largely in the hands of a single firm that to give the statistics proposed would in effect amount to divulging private affairs; and, recognising the justice of this view, the conference brought back the article to the scope of the original resolution by merely prescribing in general terms the submission of statistical information in regard to trade in the drugs mentioned. \n\n72. At the fourteenth session (22nd December) the American delegation brought up a fresh series of resolutions, intended to stiffen the restrictive measures already agreed upon in respect of the drugs dealt with by the convention. The fourth resolution, however, which concerned the protection of aboriginal natives of Pacific islands, was withdrawn, and the remaining three resolutions were referred to the Drafting Committee and subsequently dropped. \n\n73. The conference then proceeded to the discussion in article form, and at this stage in a separate convention, of the special resolutions regarding China referred to in paragraphs 57-61 above, and then adjourned for a Christmas recess. \n\n74. We had now been sitting for about three weeks, and had, as it seemed, come to a final agreement in regard to most of the matters with which we had been called upon to deal. The resolutions covering the ground which forms the basis of the \n\n[878]\n\nF\n\n279\n\ny",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "18\n\nfirst five chapters of the final convention had been reduced to article form and passed, and although some further modifications might be necessary, there was no reason to suppose that these would involve any material change of substance. We had in fact, as one of the French delegates epigrammatically remarked, painted in our picture, and what principally remained was to deal with the best manner of framing it—in other words, with the procedure to be laid down in regard to the ratification of the convention, its coming into force, the adhesion of outside Powers, and the methods and effects of denunciation. These matters raised difficult points, in regard to which there were a number of proposals still to be considered; but as the Drafting Committee was to reassemble some days before the full conference in order to consider and report upon them, and was to be assisted by an eminent international jurist, M. Asser, whose valuable services had been procured by the kind offices of the Netherlands Foreign Minister, there was every reason to believe that the conference, on coming together again, would be able to terminate its labours very speedily.\n\n75. When, however, we reassembled on the 8th January, we were confronted by a very different state of things. Owing to an entirely fresh and novel scheme which had been suddenly put forward on behalf of the German delegation, the Drafting Committee had to address itself to questions of substance, which exceeded the limits even of its extended reference, in regard to what may be called the \"effectuating\" clauses of the convention, i.e., the articles relating to adhesion, ratification, coming into force, &c. The committee accordingly confined itself to setting forth, and commenting upon, the various proposals made, in a very full and lucid report which dealt with other matters also, and which was formally received at the fifteenth session (9th January).\n\n76. In that report the committee put before us:—\n\n(1.) The original \"effectuating\" draft, as amended by the alterations made in that portion of it which the conference had considered at the twelfth session, vide paragraphs 63–64. Apart from some minor verbal modifications, the only point of difference between the draft as it then stood and that which the committee now submitted to us, was the omission of the condition, inserted at our suggestion, that ratification should take place within a year. This omission had been made at the instance of M. Asser, from whom the committee received most valuable assistance, on the ground that it was not expedient to tie down sovereign States to a fixed time condition as regards ratification, which circumstances might preclude some of them from fulfilling.\n\nAs it will be convenient hereafter to refer to this draft as the primary scheme, the committee justly remarked, this scheme was silent on the important points of the legislation required by the convention, and the date on which such legislation should come into force.\n\n77.—(ii) (a.) The primary scheme as modified by the further British amendment referred to at the close of paragraph 64 above, which dealt with those matters, and which is in its final form was as follows:—\n\n(1) The convention would come into force, as regards matters which did not require legislation, as soon as possible; and in any case within six months of its ratification by the participating Powers.\n\n(2.) Laws necessary to give effect to the convention should be drawn up as soon as possible, but the date on which they would come into force was to be the subject of an agreement between the Powers, and to depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested had adhered.\n\nThe insertion of this last stipulation was of course with reference to the fact that the participating Powers were so few in number, and to meet the objections raised as to particular Powers sacrificing their trade interests by embarking on legislation which other Powers might not adopt. We also desired to ensure that if the fresh conference, proposed by condition (5) of the primary scheme (paragraph 63) became necessary, should be confined to this point only. Generally speaking also, we desired, as the committee observed, to give practical effect to the decisions of the conference with the least possible delay.\n\n78.—(ii) (b.) Some further amendments to the project, as thus modified, suggested by the French delegation. That delegation pointed out that measures which in Western countries would require legislation would in some Eastern countries, as for instance, in French Indo-China, be brought into effect by administrative enactment. Such enactments were consequently equivalent to the \"laws\" of Europe; but whereas the British scheme laid down that the coming into force of laws should be the subject of an agreement between the participating Powers, and should depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested might adhere, administrative regulations were to be put into effect without any such qualification. The French delegation therefore proposed that in the event of the agreement contemplated in regard to laws not being obtained, Governments which had meanwhile proceeded by administrative enactments might withdraw or modify them.\n\nThe French contention as to the equivalence, in certain circumstances, of administrative enactments and laws, was one which we were bound to accept.\n\n79.—(iii) M. Delbrück, the German member, had himself suggested the original scheme submitted by the Drafting Committee; nevertheless, he had now propounded an entirely new scheme, the main lines of which were as follows:—\n\n(a.) Immediately after the signature of the convention by the conference delegates, all the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to adhere.\n\n(b) When all these Powers had thus adhered to the convention, the process of ratification by all the Powers now concerned would commence, and would be carried into effect as soon as possible.\n\n(c) Adherence and ratification should be not merely for the home territories of any Power, but for its colonies and other outside possessions and protectorates also.\n\n(d.) The convention would come into force a year after the completion of ratification by all the Powers concerned.\n\n(e.) If, however, matters had not advanced to the ratification stage two years after the date of the signing of the convention by the delegates, a fresh conference should be held to consider conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be brought into force, wholly or in part.\n\nThis project, which we shall refer to hereafter as the German scheme, involved an entirely new principle, viz., the subordination of ratification to adhesion; but M. Asser did not think there was any objection in principle to this, although his own preference was for the usual method.\n\n80. The reasons brought forward by M. Delbrück for this novel proposal were that the circumstances were also unprecedented, since some of the matters dealt with by the conference were of world-wide interest, and could not be adequately carried out by the small number of Powers represented at the conference, especially in view of the fact that some of the non-represented Powers occupied a very important position in regard to the questions under discussion, as, for instance, Turkey in regard to raw opium, and Bolivia and Peru (where the coca plant is principally produced) in regard to cocaine.\n\nM. Delbrück argued further that, as regards Germany, the convention would require the ratification of the Reichstag, and (as he subsequently informed the conference) such ratification would, ipso facto, make the convention a portion of German law, so that it would be difficult to obtain such ratification while the attitude of outside Powers was unknown.\n\nOn the other hand, Sir William Collins had pointed out that this scheme as it stood, making ratification dependent on the adherence of all outside Powers of Europe and America, was likely to lead to indefinite delay in regard to the practical enforcement of the measures on which the conference had agreed.\n\n81. Having set forth these points of view, the committee added that account must also be taken of the first three American resolutions brought forward at the fourteenth session of the conference (paragraph 72) which were of a mixed character, since they related in part to matters connected with the coming into force of the convention, and in part to specific restrictive measures, which would rather belong to the main articles than to effectuating clauses, and entered on the ground already covered in general terms by what is now article 20 of the convention.\n\n82. The Drafting Committee also reported difficulties which had arisen as to the exact significance of the words \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in article 5 of the convention, on the subject of raw opium, and also in articles 7 and 8, and in some of the articles in chapter 3, in regard to prepared opium, morphine, cocaine, &c.\n\nM. Delbrück had raised the point that these words might be taken as covering every transportation of goods across a frontier, with the result that there would be a constant intervention of the Customs Department, which might not be within the intention of all the delegations. Was it, therefore (the committee asked), the intention of the conference to require a special authorisation for importation or exportation from carriers, such as railway and steam companies, or was this obligation to be only incumbent on those who carried on actual trade? If the latter was what the conference had in view, a definition of the terms seemed called for. Accordingly, on the advice...\n\n19\n\n280",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "21\n\n281\n\n20\n\nof M. Asser, the committee had prepared the following formula, which specifically applied only to raw opium, but would, of course, be equally necessary in regard to importation or exportation of other drugs:—\n\n\"Par importation, on entend l'acte d'introduire de l'étranger en qualité de commerçant en gros, demi-gros ou en détail, de consignataire ou commissionnaire, de l'opium brut.\n\n\"Par exportation, on entend l'acte d'expédier vers l'étranger, en qualité de commerçant en gros, en demi-gros ou en détail, où de commissionnaire, de l'opium brut.”\n\n83. This definition would show that it was only actual traders who required a licence. M. Asser and Sir William Collins had objected to the addition of the words, à l'exclusion des simples transporteurs, expéditeurs ou transitaires, on the ground that the formal exclusion of these persons might constitute indirect encouragement to contraband dealing, and that it was, therefore, better to omit them by implication, in the event of the definition proposed being necessary, rather than explicitly. The committee further pointed out that the question of carriers was specifically raised by the second American resolution brought forward at the fourteenth session and referred to in paragraph 72 above.\n\n84. As Sir William Meyer subsequently pointed out to the conference (twentieth session), we could not accept the definition prepared by the committee, since it omitted two categories of persons, whom experience in India had shown to be very dangerous smugglers of prohibited drugs, i.e.—\n\n(a.) Persons who were not in any way traders by profession, but took advantage of their visit to a prohibiting country to introduce, for their own profit, considerable quantities of the forbidden drugs.\n\n(b.) Go-betweens secretly employed by persons engaged in trade, who were paid to undergo fine or imprisonment, if detected, rather than divulge the names of their real employers.\n\nOur desire was therefore to treat importation and exportation as having the widest possible sense; but this, on the other hand, was not in the least likely to be accepted by the German delegation.\n\n85. The remaining portions of the committee's report dealt mainly with—\n\n(a.) The wording of a number of the articles already agreed on, in regard to which the suggestions of the committee were subsequently in large measure accepted.\n\n(b.) The proposal, already referred to in paragraph 61, for bringing the special Chinese articles into the main convention.\n\n(c) The submission of a fresh draft final protocol.\n\n86. Apart from the important questions which had been thus raised by the report of the Drafting Committee, we were also faced with a very serious difficulty in regard to the morphine and cocaine articles. Although, as previously explained in paragraphs 45 and 46, the resolutions on which these were based had been put forward by us after consultation and agreement with the German delegation, and we had in some cases modified our original proposals in order to bring them along with us, the Germans now informed us, to our great surprise, that they would be obliged to move a series of amendments in regard to articles 10 to 16 of the original draft convention, as quoted in paragraph 48, which would have the result of invalidating the binding character of most of these articles.\n\n87. We had thus, as will be seen, to face problems of a very serious character, and which involved not merely private conference with other delegations, but in some cases references to His Majesty's Government. Unfortunately, too, we were deprived at this juncture of the guidance of Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, whose health had not permitted him to return to The Hague after the Christmas recess. The leadership of the British delegation accordingly passed, during the remainder of the conference, to Sir William Meyer as the next senior delegate.\n\n88. The sixteenth session (10th January) dealt mainly with matters which have already been reported on, such as the transfer of the special Chinese articles to the main convention.\n\n89. At the seventeenth session (11th January) the report of the Drafting Committee on the various \"effectuating\" proposals came up for discussion. Sir William Meyer pointed out that superficially the main cleavage seemed to be between the primary and the British schemes on the one hand, and the German scheme on the other, since the first two followed the usual method of ratification of the contracting Powers preceding the adhesion of others, while the latter put adhesion first. From the practical point of view, however, the primary and the German schemes stood together on one side, and the British on the other, since the former postponed the coming into force of the convention until the adhesion of all the outside Powers had been obtained, while the latter provided that all matters which did not involve special legislation (or its equivalent, as suggested by the French delegation) should come into force on ratification by the Powers represented at the conference.\n\n90. M. Delbrück gave a clear exposition of the circumstances which had led to the propounding of the German scheme, in the course of which he laid stress on the fact (as we have already indicated) that ratification of the convention by the Reichstag would make it an integral part of the German corpus juris; while in the United States, for example, even if the convention were ratified by the Senate, its provisions would remain ineffective until applied by internal legislation.\n\n91. M. Cremer (Netherlands) said that his delegation could not accept the British scheme even if modified by the acceptance of the French amendment, since no Government was likely to put in hand laws or their equivalents without any certainty that these would eventually be applied. It would, in fact, be a case of every country waiting to see what the others would do.\n\n92. Dr. Hamilton Wright objected to waiting for the adhesion of outside Powers, and said that his delegation would like ratification and the coming into force of the convention to be effectuated as soon as possible. Finally, M. Delbrück indicated that it might be possible to proceed without getting the adhesion of all the outside Powers. The debate was then adjourned to the next session.\n\n93. The course of the discussion, however, and exchanges of opinion with other delegations, had already convinced us that the British amendment to the primary scheme was not likely to find acceptance. As we more than once indicated to the conference, our object throughout was to insist on the practical and expeditious enforcement of the measures that had already been agreed to, rather than on questions of form; and as between the primary and the German schemes, the latter had the advantage that the adhesion of outside Powers was to be sought immediately after the signing of the convention, while under the former that process would not be commenced till six at least of the conference Powers had ratified. Accordingly, on the 11th January, we sent you a telegram asking whether we might negotiate on the basis of the German scheme, endeavouring to shorten the periods before which the convention should come into force, and to substitute \"substantial\" for \"unanimous\" adhesion of outside Powers.\n\n94. At the eighteenth session (12th January) the adjourned debate on the subject of the \"effectuation\" procedure was opened by M. Brenier (France), who pointed out that the divergent schemes before the conference arose from a conflict of ideas, typically represented by the German and British delegations respectively. The former, looking to the great difficulties of embarking on the measures approved by the conference without adhesion of outside Powers, held that the obtainment of such adhesion was the first object to be aimed at; the latter, concerned chiefly with getting the convention into force as soon as possible, objected to the delay which the German method would involve. In order to bridge these differences between these divergent ideas, M. Brenier suggested a compromise scheme and proposed that the Drafting Committee should reconsider the subject on the lines he had put forward.\n\nThe American delegation, however, proposed an amendment referring the matter back to the committee without any specific instructions, and this was carried.\n\n95. The Drafting Committee, which had been materially aided in its fresh deliberations by the kind assistance of M. van Swinderen as well as of M. Asser, then agreed to put forward a scheme following in some respects the lines of the German proposal as a basis for further discussion by itself. Sir William Collins, our representative on the committee, thereupon discussed with us the amendments which would be necessary in order to make the scheme a satisfactory one from our point of view, and we reported these to you in our despatch No. 9 of the 14th January. The main lines of the scheme as it was thus to be altered are shown below, the clauses italicised being those which Sir William Collins was to propose:—\n\n(1.) As soon as the convention had been signed, the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to sign it also. No reference was now made to the word adhesion as being an unsuitable term to use in the circumstances proposed.\n\n(2.) As soon as these supplementary signatures had been obtained, ratification would be proceeded with.\n\nPage 373",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "22\n\n(3.) If, however, all the outside Powers had not signed by the 31st December, 1912, the Powers that had signed, whether originally or by way of supplementary signature, should send representatives to The Hague to consider whether ratification might not nevertheless be proceeded with. Our object here was to cut short the delay which might be caused by refusal to sign, or procrastination in agreeing to sign, on the part of some of the outside Powers.\n\n(4.) The convention was to come into force two months after the completion of the ratification process. (The Drafting Committee's original scheme said six months.)\n\n(5.) Laws, &c., necessary to give effect to the provisions of the convention should be drawn up and presented to the Parliaments concerned within six months of the convention coming into force.\n\n(6.) The date on which such legislation should come into force would, however, be the subject of agreement between the signatory Powers.\n\nWe thus met the point, raised in your telegram of the 12th January, and the Board of Trade letter enclosed in your despatch No. 16 of the 13th idem, that restrictions should not be enforced until each State had had an opportunity of considering the extent to which other Powers were prepared to move in the same direction.\n\n(7.) In the event of grave difficulties arising in regard to the putting into force of the convention as a whole, or of the laws, &c., specifically contemplated thereby, a fresh conference should be summoned to obtain agreement on these matters.\n\n96. We indicated, in addressing you on the subject of these amendments, that we thought the procedure proposed would present material advantages in coping with the difficulties of a situation in which the representatives of only a few Powers were endeavouring to deal with matters some of which were of universal concern. We also observed that M. Brenier, on behalf of France, would, for the reasons stated in paragraph 78, propose to place administrative ordinances on the same footing as laws with reference to conditions (5) to (7), and that we must admit the justice of this proposal.\n\n97. The committee accepted our amendments (with the small change of two months into three in regard to clause 4 above) and also M. Brenier's; and at the nineteenth session (15th January) the latter, as chairman of the Drafting Committee, put the scheme before the conference as the best method of reconciling the differences of view indicated in his speech at the eighteenth session. The scheme was received with general favour, although at this stage several of the delegations, our own included, could not definitely commit themselves to its acceptance pending instructions from their Governments.\n\nOne of\n\n98. In your despatch No. 18 of the 17th January you authorised us to accept the scheme if we thought that certain further amendments which had been suggested by the Board of Trade were not likely to prove acceptable to the conference. Those suggestions was that the provision for a supplementary conference mentioned in clause (7) above should also cover the possibility of undue delay in ratification, and to meet this eventuality we successfully proposed, at the twenty-third session, to amend what is now article 24 of the convention accordingly. We explained in our despatch No. 12 of the 20th January why we had not thought it advisable to press the Board of Trade's other suggestions.\n\n99. It was also agreed at the twenty-third session to amend the conditions of clause (5) above, so as to cover the contingency of a legislature not being in session at the date on which the six months' delay allowed expired. In that case laws not already put before such a Parliament were to be submitted to it on its reassembly.\n\n100. The other delegations which had reserved their acceptance of the scheme when first put forward, also in due course received the assent of their Governments to its adoption, and the scheme has formed the basis, with some verbal modifications, of articles 22-24 of the convention.\n\n101. At the nineteenth session the final protocol as revised by the Drafting Committee, was also accepted on first reading.\n\n102. At the twentieth session (16th January) the German delegation brought forward the amendments to the morphine and cocaine articles of which preliminary mention has been made in paragraph 86 above.\n\nThe extent to which these amendments, as they were first drawn up and communicated to us, altered the provisions of the original articles 10 to 16, as exhibited in paragraph 48 above, will be best seen from the statement below, which puts the original articles and the proposed German re-draft in parallel columns.\n\nOriginal Articles. (See paragraph 48 ante).\n\nARTICLE 10.\n\nLes Puissances contractantes limiteront, par des lois, aux seuls établissements et locaux qui auront été désignés à cet effet, la fabrication de la morphine, de la cocaine et de leurs sels respectifs.\n\nARTICLE 11.\n\nLes Puissances contractantes exigeront que tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs, soient munis d'un permis pour se livrer à ces opérations.\n\nARTICLE 12.\n\nLes Puissances contractantes exigeront des fabricants et commerçants munis de ces permis la consignation sur leurs livres de toutes transactions concernant la fabrication, l'importation, la vente, la distribution et l'exportation de la morphine, de la cocaine et de leurs sels respectifs. Cette règle ne s'appliquera pas forcément aux prescriptions médicales, et faites par des pharmaciens dûment autorisés.\n\nARTICLE 13.\n\n...\n\n23\n\nGerman re-draft.\n\nARTICLE 10 (formerly 13).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes auront soin de faire contrôler, dans la mesure du possible, tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent, et exportent la morphine, la cocaine et leurs sels respectifs, ainsi que les bâtiments où ces fabricants et commerçants exercent cette industrie ou ce commerce.\n\nARTICLE 11 (formerly 10).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes prendront, à cet effet, les mesures nécessaires pour constater dans quels établissements et locaux la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs sont fabriqués.\n\nARTICLE 12 (formerly 11).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes auront soin, dans la mesure du possible, d'exiger que tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs en avertiront les autorités ou se muniront d'un permis pour se livrer à ces opérations.\n\nARTICLE 13 (formerly 12).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes auront soin, dans la mesure du possible, d'exiger de ces fabricants et commerçants la consignation sur leurs livres des quantités fabriquées, des importations, des ventes, de toute autre cession, et des exportations de morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs. Cette règle ne s'appliquera pas forcément aux prescriptions, et aux ventes faites par des pharmaciens dûment autorisés.\n\nARTICLE 14.\n\nLes Puissances contractantes prohiberont dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées.\n\nARTICLE 15.\n\nLes Puissances contractantes interdiront, en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions commerciales, l'importation de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs à d'autres qu'à des personnes autorisées.\n\nARTICLE 16.\n\n...\n\n282\n\nARTICLE 14 (old 14).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes prohiberont dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées.\n\nARTICLE 15 (old 15).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes, en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions commerciales, auront soin de restreindre, dans la mesure du possible, l'importation commerciale, de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs aux personnes y autorisées. Les Puissances contractantes s'engagent à prohiber, par des conventions spéciales ou autrement, l'exportation de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs de leurs pays et colonies vers les pays, colonies ou territoires à bail des autres Puissances contractantes, sauf dans le cas où le destinataire aura reçu un permis accordé conformément aux lois du pays.\n\nARTICLE 16 (old 16).\n\nLes Puissances contractantes envisageront...",
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        "content_text": "26\n\n108. On the 9th January, immediately after this first meeting, we telegraphed to you on the subject, stating that each delegation had agreed to submit the draft as thus amended to its Government; and that we proposed, subject to your approval, to state when the matter came up in conference, that we much preferred the original articles, and should only accept the revised scheme in order to preserve unanimity. We were compelled to this course by the fact that it seemed clear that otherwise the Germans might dissent altogether, and the conference fail of effect, at any rate in regard to cocaine.\n\n100. In your telegram of the 12th January, No. 2, you replied that you deprecated the amendments, as they would greatly diminish the utility of the convention; but that if acceptance was the sole method of arriving at an agreement, we might reluctantly give it, on condition that the convention should provide that the enforcement of the restrictions it contemplated should not be obligatory on a Government until there was likelihood of steps being taken in the same direction by the other participating States, as well as by the most important of the outside Powers. As observed in the Board of Trade's letter which formed an enclosure to your subsequent communication of the 13th January, No. 16, the danger to be avoided was that of a situation in which Great Britain, for instance, \"would be under an obligation to impose restrictions on the manufacture and exportation of morphine, whilst Germany would be able to escape the imposition of restrictions of a similar stringency in regard to cocaine, a drug, which, as all the available information goes to show, has produced and is producing, far more pernicious effects than morphine on the inhabitants of our Indian and other Eastern possessions and colonies.”\n\n110. The provisions necessary to guard against this danger having been obtained by the revised scheme in respect of the effectuating clauses—vide article 24 of the convention—we were able to inform the Germans that on their proposing the amendments indicated in paragraph 107, we would not oppose, though we could not give our willing consent. The amendments were consequently, as has been stated, introduced at the twentieth session, with an explanatory speech by Dr. Grünenwald, in which, while explaining the circumstances that had given rise to the amendments, and urging the desirability of assenting to them for the sake of obtaining complete and cordial unanimity, he said that the modifications proposed were really of a verbal character, to suit German conditions, and would not in any way affect the spirit of the original resolutions.\n\n111. Mr. Max Müller, on behalf of our delegation, took note of this declaration, and expressed the hope that the practical application of the articles as revised would be the same in Germany as would have been the case if the articles had been adopted in their original form. He emphasised the fact that the original articles had been fully accepted at the time by the German delegation, and informed the conference of the meetings which had taken place between our delegation and that of Germany, in order to cope with the new situation. Acting on the discretionary power given by our Government, and in order to secure unanimity in this important matter, the British delegation was (he said) prepared to accept the German amendments if they met with approval from other delegations, but could accept them only with regret.\n\nThe conference then accepted on first reading, and with some verbal amendments, the articles as redrafted, and they form the basis of articles 10 to 13 of the convention.\n\n112. The only material amendment subsequently introduced, was in respect of what is now article 11. At the twenty-third session the American delegation explained that this article as it stood would be beyond the competence of the Central Government and legislature in the United States, since traffic within the individual States was a matter for those States only. It was accordingly agreed to insert before the word \"prohiberont,\" at the commencement of the article, the words \"en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions.\" Our delegation abstained from voting on this proposal, and at the twenty-fourth session, Mr. Max Müller obtained a stiffening of the article as thus amended by wording it as follows:-\n\n\"Les Puissances contractantes prendront des mesures pour prohiber dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées, à moins que des mesures existantes n'aient déjà réglé la matière.”\n\nThe American attitude on the subject of the morphine and cocaine articles was remarkable. Dr. Hamilton Wright was aware of the difficulties we were having with the German delegation, and assured us more than once that whatever we and the Germans agreed would be accepted by him. He also attended, by invitation, the last private conference we had with the Germans prior to the twentieth session, but withdrew shortly after its commencement. When, however, the German amendments were proposed at the twentieth session, and carried as definite articles at first reading, the United States delegation reserved its vote, and we were subsequently informed that the delegation felt so strongly on the subject of the weakening of the articles that it was possible that Bishop Brent might vacate the presidential chair to make a speech against such a course. Nothing of the kind, however, occurred, and the only American intervention was, as has been seen, to obtain a weakening of what is now article 11.\n\n27\n\n113. At the twentieth session the difficulty in regard to the meaning to be attached to the terms \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in the convention, on which the Drafting Committee had reported, as indicated in paragraphs 82-84, also came before the conference. We had had a considerable amount of private discussion with the German delegation on this subject, our position throughout being that, for the reason stated in paragraph 84, we could not accept the definition prepared by the Drafting Committee, and that, so far as we were concerned, we desired to give the terms in question the widest possible application. The Germans, on the other hand, as already indicated, objected to anything which might oblige them to bring their Customs authorities into play in dealing with the drugs aimed at by the convention, urging that such a procedure would cause great delay in the transmission of other goods which might be travelling on board the same ship or in the same railway consignment; and they further desired to exempt not merely the operations of carriers but the private conveyance into or out of a country of drugs, by, say, a morphinomaniac for his personal use.\n\nTo this last point, we held that no one should be permitted to bring into or out of a country more than the quantity of drugs, if any, which he might legitimately possess within the country itself. We urged throughout that, in view of such difficulties, the best plan was not to attempt a definition at all, but to let each country apply the words \"importation\" and \"exportation\" in the sense of its own laws and traditional administrative methods; this, however, the Germans replied that ratification of the convention by the Reichstag would make it a part of their corpus juris; and that if the convention contained no specific definitions of \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" the legal application would be that of their customs laws, where the terms were necessarily employed with a very wide connotation. Several attempts were made to frame a definition which would meet the wishes of both parties, as a minimum for the conference to lay down, but without success, and we consequently determined to leave the question for solution by the conference as a whole.\n\n114. Accordingly, at the twentieth session, Sir William Meyer explained the difficulties that had arisen, and indicated the reasons (vide paragraph 84) why we could not accept the definition prepared by the Drafting Committee, preferring to leave the interpretation of the words \"importation\" and \"exportation\" to the discretion of individual Governments. He concluded by asking why the German Government could not, in submitting the convention to the Reichstag, state what meaning it proposed to attach to these terms, or why the German delegation might not itself make a similar declaration which would figure in the minutes of the conference.\n\n115. After some further discussion, which was continued at the twenty-first session, when the Netherlands delegation supported our view that no specific definition was required, the consideration of the matter was once more adjourned at the desire of the Germans. At the twenty-second session, however, the German delegation made the following declaration, which thus solved the matter in accordance with the view we had throughout championed, that no specific definition was necessary, while at the same time it indicated the limits within which the German Government was prepared to act :-\n\n· Après l'échange de vues qui à ce sujet a eu lieu au sein de Comité de Rédaction et dans la vingtième et vingt et unième séance plénières, la délégation allemande est prête à renoncer à une définition; cependant la délégation tient à constater que le Gouvernement allemand interprète les dispositions de la convention ainsi qu'il suit :\n\n“(1.) Chaque Gouvernement pourra définir les mots 'importation' et 'exportation ' selon ses propres conditions, et en tenant compte de sa législation intérieure.\n\n**(2.) Les mesures que les Gouvernements prendront pour exécuter les stipulations de la convention quant à l'importation et à l'exportation peuvent être limitées aux actes purement commerciaux, et ne se rapporteront pas forcément aux transactions des transporteurs et expéditeurs.\n\nCC\n\n(3.) Les Puissances contractantes ne sont pas obligées d'instituer un contrôle de l'importation ou de l'exportation à la frontière, où par les organes de la douane.”\n\n284",
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        "content_text": "28\n\n116. The only other business not already referred to, dealt with at the twenty-first session (17th January), was the insertion of a denunciation article (article 25 of the convention) which follows the original scheme of the Drafting Committee, and the commencement of the second reading of the convention as a whole.\n\n117. At the twenty-second session (18th January), as we reported to you at the time (in our despatch No. 11 of the 19th January), Dr. Hamilton Wright, on behalf of the American delegation, suddenly introduced a resolution inviting the Drafting Committee to consider the advisability of preparing an entirely fresh draft of the effectuating clauses, based on the idea that there should be two separate conventions, one principally concerned with the articles relating to opium, and the other containing those relating to morphine, cocaine, &c. The first of these was to be ratified in the usual way, and within a year, by the participating Powers, and the adhesion of outside Powers would be invited. The second would be subject to the special procedure already proposed by the Drafting Committee, and provisionally accepted by the conference, for the convention as a whole, by which preliminary adhesion by outside Powers by way of signature would precede ratification.\n\n118. M. Cremer (Netherlands) pointed out that the adoption of this resolution would involve a breach of the conditions on which His Majesty's Government entered into the conference. Sir William Meyer, speaking for the British delegation, emphasised this point, quoting from your note of the 17th September, 1910, to Mr. Whitelaw Reid, to show that His Majesty's Government had from the outset made their participation in the conference conditional on restrictive measures against morphine and cocaine being taken up pari passu with opium. His Majesty's Government, he said, regarded the consumption of those drugs as being, in present circumstances, a far more serious evil than that of opium, and he could not possibly accept Dr. Hamilton Wright's contention that the primary object of the conference was to conventionalise the opium resolutions of the Shanghai Commission. Opium reform had already advanced very largely, thanks mainly to the generous co-operation, at a material loss to herself, which India had given to the Chinese anti-opium policy, and even if the present conference were to come to nothing the stimulus thus given would continue to act. The proposed measures in respect of morphine and cocaine, on the other hand, required international agreement and co-operation to render them effective, and for this purpose a convention was necessary. Nevertheless, the American delegation now proposed a course which would have the effect of treating the opium articles as of primary importance, and bringing them into effect with comparatively little reference to outside Powers, while the morphine and cocaine articles would take a back place, and be subject to a much longer process before they could come into force. In fact, this procedure might perfectly well lead to their being shelved altogether. Such a course was emphatically opposed to the condition which His Majesty's Government had laid down as indispensable to their taking part in the conference, and Sir William Meyer said that we must, therefore, absolutely oppose the solution proposed by Dr. Hamilton Wright being regarded as even an open question.\n\n119. After some discussion, in which the British point of view was strongly supported by the Siamese, French, and Russian delegations, Dr. Hamilton Wright, perceiving that the sense of the conference was against him, asked leave to withdraw the resolution. The conference, however, decided on its being put to the vote, and it was then rejected by 9 votes to 1 (that of the United States), the German delegation abstaining.\n\n120. We may add that the first intimation we had of this American move was in a private conversation between Bishop Brent and Mr. Max Müller on the 17th January, in which the former broached the matter. Mr. Max Müller replied that the matter was so clearly contrary to the ideas of His Majesty's Government and to the conditions on which they had entered the conference that the British delegates could at once reply that it was, from their point of view, absolutely inadmissible, and we were greatly surprised when the resolution was nevertheless tabled.\n\n121. At the twenty-third session (19th January) the American proposal was once more brought forward, this time as a resolution committing the conference to direct action. We sent you a copy of the resolution in our despatch No. 11 of the 19th January, above quoted.\n\n122. Before, however, this resolution was discussed upon its merits, the chief delegate for Russia raised the point that it involved a departure from the conditions on which Great Britain had entered the conference and which had been accepted by the other Powers represented. He therefore proposed that the first vote to be taken should be as to whether, in these circumstances, the resolution was one suitable for discussion.\n\n20\n\n285\n\nThis proposal was supported by M. Cremer (Netherlands), and on a division it was decided by seven votes to three (Germany and China voting with the United States on this occasion) that the American resolution was not in order; and it was thus finally shelved.\n\n123. The remaining business at this session not already referred to in previous paragraphs—see, for instance, paragraphs 52, 53 and 98, 99—consisted in bringing the second reading of the convention up to article 24. This second reading was extended to the remaining articles at the twenty-fourth session (20th January).\n\n124. At the twenty-fifth session (22nd January) the conference was informed that in consequence of the continued absence of the Italian delegate, M. Santoliquido, the Italian Minister at The Hague had been authorised to sign the convention on behalf of Italy.\n\n125. Mr. Max Müller read the following declaration, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in your despatch No. 19 of 19th January, on the subject of the application of the convention to His Majesty's dominions:—\n\n\"Nous déclarons que les articles de la présente convention, si elle est ratifiée par le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté, s'appliqueront à l'Empire des Indes britanniques, à Ceylan, aux établissements des Détroits, à Hong Kong et à Wei-hai Wei, sous tous les rapports, de la même façon qu'il s'appliqueront au Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande; mais le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté se réserve le droit de signer ou de dénoncer séparément ladite convention ou nom de toute dominion, colonie, dépendance et protectorat de Sa Majesté outre que ceux qui ont été spécifiés.\"\n\nHe added that this declaration would be appended as a reserve when we signed the convention, and this was accordingly done.\n\n126. The Portuguese delegates also made the declaration that in signing the convention, they desired it to be understood—\n\n(1.) That the stipulations of the convention would not affect those of existing treaties, conventions, or agreements to which Portugal was a party, or any advantages which she obtained by most-favoured-nation clauses.\n\n(2.) That further action in regard to the limitation of the number of ports from which raw and prepared opium could be exported, with reference to articles 2 and 8 (a), could not be undertaken by Portugal, since Macao was already the only Portuguese port of export in the Far East.\n\n(3.) That as regard the provisions of articles 4 and 8 (d), in regard to marking exported packages of raw or prepared opium so as to indicate the nature of their contents, the Portuguese Government reserved to itself the right of placing special marks on such packages in addition to any uniform marks that might be adopted as of international application.\n\nThe convention and the final protocol were read for the last time this session.\n\n127. At the twenty-sixth and last session (23rd January) M. Brenier (France) notified the conference that he would place against his signature the words:—\n\n“Sous réserve d'une ratification, ou d'une dénonciation, éventuellement séparée et spéciale en ce qui concerne les protectorats français.\"\n\n128. Some discussion had taken place at the two previous sessions in regard to the publication of the convention, and it was now indicated by the Netherlands delegation that his Excellency M. de Marees van Swinderen, as Dutch Foreign Minister and honorary president of the conference, was of opinion that it might be published immediately after signature—a course which was accordingly adopted.\n\nprocess\n\n129. After the minutes of previous sessions which had still to undergo this had been ratified, M. Cremer (Netherlands) proposed a vote of thanks to Bishop Brent, as president of the conference, which was seconded by M. von Müller (Germany) and by M. Sauches de Miranda (Portugal); and after valedictory addresses by the president and honorary president (M. van Swinderen), the conference was then declared closed, and the delegates plenipotentiaries proceeded to sign the convention and the final protocol.\n\n130. In signing the convention reservations were made, as already indicated, by delegation in regard to separate ratification or denunciation in respect of any portion of His Majesty's dominions, colonies, dependencies, or protectorates other than the United Kingdom, India, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, and Wei-hai Wei; similarly by the French delegation in regard to French protectorates; by the delegates\n\n[878]\n\nour own",
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        "content_text": "34\n\ntowards the closing of opium divans in the said concessions and settlements, to take steps to that end, as soon as they may deem it possible, on the lines already adopted by several Governments.” \n\nThis object is attained by the latter part of article 17, which engages the contracting Powers having treaties with China to suppress smoking-shops in their leased territories and settlements in China, pari passu with like action in the Chinese territories adjoining, and to prohibit the smoking of opium in places of public amusement and houses of ill-fame. \n\nThe British Government, it may here be noted, have already taken steps to this end in Hong Kong and Wei-hai-Wei. \n\n153. Resolution No. 8 of the Shanghai Commission was as follows:- \n\n“That the International Opium Commission recommends strongly that each delegation move its Government to enter into negotiations with the Chinese with a view to effective and prompt measures being taken in the various foreign concessions and settlements in China for the prohibition of the trade and manufacture of such anti-opium remedies as contain opium or its derivatives.” \n\nAs above observed, the anti-opium remedies in question come within the scope of chapter III of the convention, as well as of articles 15 and 19, &c., the object which the commission had in view in desiring to prevent the growing up of any trade in such remedies in the settlements and concessions is thus attained. \n\n154. Article 9 of the Shanghai resolutions ran as follows :- \n\n“That the International Opium Commission recommends that each delegation move its Government to apply its pharmacy laws to its subjects in the consular districts, concessions, and settlements in China.\" \n\nArticle 16 of the convention has met the desire here expressed in a somewhat different way. It will be for the Chinese Government in the first instance to enact suitable pharmaceutical laws for its own subjects in regard to the drugs dealt with in chapter III of the convention, and to communicate these laws to the treaty Powers. The latter, in so far as they are parties to the convention, will then, if they consider these laws suitable, take the necessary steps for applying them to their own nationals. \n\n155. To sum up, the Shanghai Commission directed itself mainly to the subject of the opium traffic in the Far East, and was primarily concerned with rendering assistance to the opium suppression movement which the Chinese Government had lately initiated. The present convention goes far beyond this. It has dealt with morphine, cocaine, &c., as well as with opium; and in prescribing measures for confining the use of the two first-mentioned drugs, and the others referred to in chapter III, to legitimate medical purposes, for placing the production and distribution of raw opium under rigid control, and for restricting, with a view to eventual extinction, the trade in prepared opium, it has, for the first time, laid down as a principle of international morality that the various countries concerned cannot stand alone in these measures. It is not sufficient for a particular State to take adequate measures for the protection of its own subjects; it is also essential that it should assist the efforts of other countries by preventing undesirable importation of drugs into their borders. \n\n156. In order to give adequate effect to this principle, practical unanimity in regard to the measures possible and desirable was of course essential; and accordingly the British delegation and His Majesty's Government, agreed reluctantly to less stringent measures than had at one time seemed possible in the matter of morphine, cocaine, &c., rather than run the risk of losing this portion of the convention altogether. \n\n157. The acceptance of these measures in regard to morphine and cocaine stands to the credit of the British Government, which had already made the first important advance in regard to international co-operation in the matter of opium by the Anglo-Chinese agreements under which the exportation of opium from India to China will cease, having in the meantime undergone progressive diminution, by the year 1917, or at a previous date, if the Chinese Government similarly accelerate the disappearance of local production. This earnest of good-will, involving great pecuniary sacrifices on the part of the Indian Empire, materially helped us in urging on the conference the general principles which inspired the convention, since it showed the disinterested sincerity by which His Majesty's Government were actuated. As matters now stand, even if the difficulties to which we shall presently allude should impair or delay the full fruition of the labours of the conference, the fact will remain that it has marked an important\n\n35\n\n288\n\nstep in international ethics, and has brought the matters which have been under discussion to such a position that international public opinion must eventually bring about, in one shape or another, the full results aimed at. \n\nNo Power which has participated in the conference, for example, can hereafter maintain that its obligations cease with adequate protection of its own subjects from noxious drugs; it is also pledged to help its neighbours as far as may be practicable towards the same end. \n\n158. The difficulties we have just referred to arise of course from the fact, already touched upon, that the number of Powers represented at the conference, being limited to twelve, they are not alone competent to carry out the full extent of international co-operation which the convention enjoins; and that it would be unreasonable to expect the participating Powers to sacrifice their own trade interests for the sake of international morality when there are many outside Powers on which no such obligation would rest, and which might merely profit by the altruism of the nations represented at the conference. \n\nIt is difficulties of this sort that have required the special and original character of the \"effectuating\" clauses in chapter VI of the convention, and dictated the provision that, after the signing of the convention, the first step should not be ratification by the signatory Powers, but an invitation addressed to the thirty-four Powers of Europe and America not represented at the conference, to sign the convention also and thus put themselves on the same footing as the original participating Powers. In the event of some of these outside Powers not having signed by the 31st December, 1912, it will be necessary, as the convention provides, to summon a fresh conference of the signatory Powers to consider how far the stipulations of the conference can nevertheless be ratified. \n\n159. Then, again, there might be difficulties of a somewhat similar sort in regard to the carrying out of laws or their administrative equivalents to be enacted by the several Powers, since it would not be fair to expect one Power to embark on drastic measures which might be to the benefit of other Powers not prepared to go so far. Here, again, as provided by article 24, an additional conference may be necessary to deal with difficulties thus arising, or in respect of delays in ratifications which cannot be otherwise solved. \n\n160. There is thus the possibility of considerable delay in carrying out the provisions of the convention—delay which might have been avoided had the United States Government addressed its invitation to a much larger number of Powers. Nevertheless, we can claim that the conference has done the best it could in the circumstances in which it was assembled; that it has provided machinery for shortening delays and difficulties; and that, as already stated, it has, at any rate, materially paved the way for a full and satisfactory co-operation of the chief countries of the world in grappling with the evils of opium, morphine, cocaine, and the other drugs mentioned in the convention. Nor, again, is there anything to prevent individual Powers which may be willing to carry out the full stipulations of the convention (or even to go further), without waiting for the co-operation of others, from taking such action, \n\n161. We should like to state that, throughout the course of the conference, we received the most constant and loyal support from the French delegation, and in a special degree from M. Brenier, of the French Colonial Service. M. Brenier not only supported us ably and consistently throughout the conference, but he constantly gave us his valuable assistance outside its full sittings, especially in such matters as the proper rendering into diplomatic French of English ideas and phrases. M. Brenier was also of great service to the conference as a whole as chairman of the Drafting Committee, the important functions of which, especially in its later stages, have been dealt with in the report, and he rendered most willing assistance to other delegations, as well as to our own, in regard to the wording of resolutions or articles. \n\nWe hope that, if you think it, the great value of M. Brenier's services to the conference as a whole, and to our own delegation in particular, may be communicated to the French Government. \n\nThe Russian and Netherlands delegations also gave us valuable support, especially in the matter of the American attempt to split up the convention, and M. Cremer, the leader of the Netherlands delegation, afforded the most kindly hospitality to ourselves and other delegates. \n\nThe German delegation, as will be seen from the report, were the most formidable antagonists with whom we had to contend; but, as will have been observed, we were able to settle our differences with them in a satisfactory manner by private colloquies. These were throughout carried on on the most friendly footing; and we",
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        "content_text": "3. The clauses given in italics had, however, been the subject of objection by other Powers. His Majesty's Government could not admit the discussion of clauses (h), (l), (m), and (n). The French Government likewise objected to (l) and (m), and reserved their opinion about (a), while also objecting to (2); and the Russian Government objected to (f). On the other hand, the British Government laid down as a condition of their participation in the conference that it should also deal with the question of stringent restrictions on the manufacture and trade in morphine and cocaine, and this condition was accepted by the other participating Powers.\n\nThe Italian Government, again, suggested that the conference might advantageously deal with drugs produced from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa or indica),\n\n4. Our instructions, communicated to us in your despatch of the 29th November, 1911, emphasised the fact that His Majesty's Government held it essential that \"the conference should thoroughly and completely deal with the question of restricting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphin and cocaine.” \"This is a subject to which His Majesty's Government attach especial importance in view of the spread of the morphia and cocaine habit in India, in China, and in other Eastern countries. Indian and Chinese experience shows that legislation against the importation of morphia and cocaine must fail to be thoroughly effective owing to the ease with which it can be evaded in practice, and consequently suggests the desirability of co-operation on the part of the home and foreign Governments in the shape of control over manufacture and distribution.\" We were therefore to use our best efforts \"to secure the assistance of the Governments represented at the conference towards obtaining this end.\"\n\n5. Our instructions went on to indicate the various points (specified above) in the original American tentative programme for the conference to which His Majesty's Government had taken exception and which therefore they were not prepared to discuss. We were further told that the following matters should also be considered as excluded from treatment by the conference --\n\n(1.) The arrangements made between His Majesty's Government and China respecting the progressive restriction of the importation and production of opium in China.\n\n(2.) All other existing treaties between the two countries.\n\n(3.) Any resolution specifically affecting the domestic regulation of the production and use of opium and cognate questions of internal administration in India or any portion of the British dominions.\n\nWe were, therefore, to refuse to discuss these subjects, although not precluded from communicating to the conference, if desired, any information in regard to systems of regulation in India or the colonies that might be of assistance in its labours.\n\n6. In accordance with this last proviso, Sir William Meyer submitted to the conference a paper dealing with the measures taken by the Indian Government to control and restrict the consumption of raw opium in India proper, and a second paper treating of the policy adopted in Burmah, where the usual method of consumption is the smoking of prepared opium. This latter memorandum also referred to the measures taken by the Indian Government against the smoking habit in the rest of India. At a later stage, a memorandum was likewise put in showing the methods taken in British colonies, mainly those in the Far East, to restrict the consumption of opium, morphine, and cocaine. These memoranda are included in Vol. II of the conference proceedings, but as we shall have occasion to refer to them occasionally, we append copies of them (Appendices I to III).\n\nWe may add that we were furnished with a copy of the Government of India's clear and exhaustive expression of their actions, difficulties, and wishes in regard to opium, morphine, and cocaine, as set forth in their despatch No. 285 of the 23rd November, 1911, to the Secretary of State for India, and that this document proved of great value and assistance to us.\n\n7. In your despatch of the 11th December, 1911 [49099], we received supplementary suggestions as to the measures which His Majesty's Government thought it desirable that we should suggest to the conference in the matter of restricting the manufacture of, and trade in, morphia and cocaine, and these will be referred to later on.\n\n8. The conference assembled on the 1st December, 1911 (first session), and, after a speech of welcome from his Excellency M. de Marees van Swinderen, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was subsequently elected honorary president of the conference, Bishop Brent, the leader of the American delegation, was unanimously elected to the actual presidency--on the proposal of M. Cremer, the first delegate for the Netherlands, supported by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith and M. von Müller, the first delegate for Germany--and delivered an eloquent inaugural address.\n\nThe natural selection for the presidency would have been M. Cremer, as senior member of the delegation of the country in which we were meeting; but as he expressed himself unwilling to accept this post, the choice of Bishop Brent, as representing the country on whose initiative the conference had been called, was inevitable. The result was, however, unfortunate in that it threw the leadership of the American delegation into the hands of Dr. Hamilton Wright, who is singularly wanting in those qualities of clear-mindedness, moderation, and respect for the ideas of others which are essential for success in an international gathering of this kind. Under Dr. Wright's leadership, the American delegation was responsible for a number of useless and irritating proposals, and entirely lost the position of special advantage which it might have enjoyed as representing the Power on whose initiative the conference had come together.\n\n9. The second session (4th December) was occupied by the framing of rules of procedure and the constitution of committees, viz.:-\n\n(a.) A Programme Committee, consisting of one member from each delegation, which was to prepare and submit to the conference a programme of work, based on the original draft programme of the American Government as modified by the objections made in respect thereto by other Powers. This programme was also to deal with the supplementary proposals made by Great Britain on the subject of morphine and cocaine, and by Italy in regard to hemp drugs. It was further decided that any additional matter on which the conference might later embark should likewise be a subject of preliminary examination by the programme committee. This committee was presided over by M. Cremer (Netherlands), and Mr. Max Müller was the representative of the British delegation.\n\n(b.) A Drafting Committee (\"Comité de Rédaction\"), consisting of five (afterwards six) members, and presided over, first by M. Guesde of the French delegation, and later on, when M. Guesde had to return to Paris, by his colleague, M. Brenier. Sir William Collins was a member of this committee, which also included representatives of Germany, Holland, and Russia, and subsequently of the United States.\n\nThe original reference to this committee was to draft into proper conventional form the resolutions passed by the conference, but later on, as will be seen, its functions were considerably enlarged.\n\n(c.) A press committee, consisting of three members, whose duty it was to decide what information should be communicated to the press, it having been resolved that the meetings of the conference should be private.\n\n(d) A fourth committee, the Technical Committee, though never formally constituted, also assumed shape, and eventually definite recognition. It consisted of the medical and scientific members of the various delegations under the presidency of Sir William Collins.\n\n10. It was also definitely decided at this session that, while French must as usual be the official language of the conference, each delegate might speak in his own language, and that translations of French documents might be furnished to those delegates who desired it. As a matter of fact, owing to the large number of delegates who understood English better than French, most of the speeches were made in English, even the French and German delegates frequently repeating in English what they had already said in French, and there was likewise an English summary of the proceedings, though it was always understood that the French text was the only authoritative one, and that the English version was a summary rather than a translation. We feel it only right to take this opportunity of placing on record our sense of the courtesy and consideration with which the other delegations accepted the situation.\n\n11. At the third session (7th December) a warning note was sounded by the French and Portuguese delegations in regard to the difficulties that might arise owing to the small number of countries represented at the conference, and the danger of outside Powers deriving profit from the self-denying ordinances which the participating Powers might impose upon themselves in regard to trade in opium, &c.; and it may be mentioned here that at the fourth session a resolution was carried, on the proposal of the Persian delegate, that all the conclusions arrived at by the conference should be presented to outside Powers with a view to their co-operation being obtained. Ultimately (as will be seen later)...\n\nPage 3\n\n3\n\n...\n\nPage 328",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "330\n\n6\n\npackages, the bulk of whose contents often consisted of other matters besides opium. A further Chinese amendment that the total number of packages to be exported should not exceed a monthly limit to be fixed by the conference was rejected as impracticable. The resolution as finally passed forms the basis of article 4 of the convention.\n\n22. The British delegation then proposed a resolution that each participating Government should prohibit the export and import of raw opium save through the agency of specially authorised persons, and this was passed with an amendment suggested by the German delegation substituting the word \"duly\" for \"specially.\" The resolution as thus amended forms the basis of article 5 of the convention.\n\n23. The last resolution we proposed on this subject was that measures should be taken by the Universal Postal Union for regulating the transmission of raw opium through the post. This was carried, but does not find place in the articles of the convention, on the ground that the conference had no power to bind the Postal Union. It figures, therefore, as an expression of opinion (vou) in clause (1) of the final protocol.\n\n24. The report of the Programme Committee on the matters to be discussed under the head of medicinal opium, morphine, and cocaine, &c., was then approved, and some discussion took place in regard to the fourth section of their proposed agenda, which simply specified anti-opium remedies without mentioning points which might be discussed thereunder. The action subsequently taken in regard to this matter will be found stated in paragraph 56, and was in accord with a suggestion made at this stage by Sir W. Collins.\n\n25. At the sixth session (12th December) the Chinese delegation proposed a resolution to the following effect:\n\n\"With a view to assisting China in her efforts to restrict the importation of opium into her dominions, the Governments represented at the conference are prepared to signify their adhesion to the engagement embodied in the agreement between the British and Chinese Governments of the 8th May, 1911, to the effect that chests of Indian opium, unsealed and unaccompanied by the special numbered permits issued by the Indian Government, shall be refused entry into any of the treaty ports of China, and will take the necessary steps to make that engagement binding on their nationals.\n\nFurther, the Governments represented are prepared to signify their adhesion to the terms of prohibition issued by the Chinese Government forbidding the importation of Persian and Turkish opium into the Chinese Empire after the 1st January, 1912, and to take the necessary measures to make such prohibition binding on their nationals.\"\n\nAfter some discussion, in the course of which Mr. Max Müller pointed out that, to the best of his knowledge, all the treaty Powers, with the exception of Portugal, Brazil, and Sweden, had already adhered to the Anglo-Chinese agreement of the 8th May, 1911, the resolution was carried. Later on, when it came before the Drafting Committee, it was held that its appropriate place would be not among the definite articles of the convention, but as a van in the final protocol, and ultimately (at the seventeenth session) the Chinese delegation proposed that it should be dropped altogether, in view of the objections which the Persian delegate had expressed at the sixteenth session, when he urged that the conference was not called upon to give emphatic approval to measures that had already been taken by the Chinese Government, and which were calculated to cause loss to his country; and this course was taken.\n\n26. A further resolution which was subsequently proposed on the subject, primarily, of raw opium may be conveniently referred to here. This was brought forward by the Persian delegation at the thirteenth session, and was to the effect that there should be a gradual suppression of the production of opium containing less than 9 per cent. of morphine; and that to this end the interested Powers should agree to discourage the production of all opium of this sort by private enterprise, and to stop its production under direct Government control within a period of eight years.\n\nHe stated that this resolution was justified by the fact that medicinal opium must contain not less than 10 per cent. of morphine, and that it was desirable to confine the consumption of opium to medical purposes.\n\n27. Sir William Meyer replied that the British delegation could not possibly accept this resolution. The great bulk of Indian opium contained less than 9 per cent. of morphine---on the average about 7 per cent. He had already explained (vide Appendix 1) the policy of the Indian Government in regard to raw opium. That Government did not agree that its use should be confined to so-called medical purposes, since they had to take into consideration the usages and needs of a large number of people who could not or would not have recourse to European treatment.\n\n7\n\nOn a division the resolution was defeated by 9 votes to 2, the American delegation being the only one which rallied to its support.\n\nIt is tolerably certain that this mischievous resolution, the intention of which was to strike at Indian opium, was due to the suggestion of Dr. Hamilton Wright, since it is within our knowledge that Dr. Wright had himself previously drafted a resolution to the same effect.\n\n28. Reverting now to the proceedings of the sixth session (the 12th December), the conference then took up the subject of prepared opium, and the Netherlands delegation moved a resolution that the participating Powers should prohibit, as a general rule, the importation and exportation of this species of opium, subject to a proviso that, in certain circumstances, it might be allowed on board ship for the personal use of the crew during the voyage.\n\nOn discussion this proviso was withdrawn, and the Portuguese delegation proposed to amend the main clause of the resolution by making the prohibition of export of prepared opium a gradual one, on the ground that there was an export of locally manufactured and prepared opium from Macao into China; that the supply was in the hands of a contractor whose contract had some time to run; and (as explained in the following session) that it was desirable to substitute gradual for immediate reform in order to gain the adhesion of outside Powers. The amendment was lost, and the original resolution was then passed in the following form: Les Gouvernements participants à la conférence s'engagent à prohiber l'importation et l'exportation d'opium préparé. The resolution forms the basis of the first part of article 7 of the convention, and the only vote cast against it was that of Portugal.\n\n29. We, however, recorded our affirmative vote ad referendum, in view of the possibility of the resolution being held to apply to traffic between one British possession and another, and of the fact that an absolute prohibition of such traffic, in respect of prepared opium, might be inconvenient, since, for example, some of the protected Malay States are supplied with prepared opium from Singapore, and a similar course is under consideration as regards the North Borneo Protectorate. On reference to you, we were authorised to accept the resolution on the understanding that the words \"exportation\" and \"importation\" referred merely to foreign trade, and not to traffic between different territories under His Majesty's jurisdiction. A declaration to this effect was accordingly made at the fourteenth session.\n\n30. The American delegation then brought forward a series of further resolutions on the subject of prepared opium. Dr. Hamilton Wright had previously declared that these would not be put if the main part of the Dutch resolution above referred to was passed unanimously; but as Portugal had voted against it, he held himself at liberty to proceed with his resolutions. The first of these was to the effect that such of the participating Powers as had not already prohibited the exportation of prepared opium should do so, or else should restrict the number of places through which prepared opium might be exported. After some amendments moved by ourselves and the Chinese delegation with the object of eliminating Portuguese opposition, the resolution was unanimously passed in the following terms:\n\n\"Il est convenu que les pays représentés qui ne sont pas encore prêts à prohiber l'exportation de l'opium préparé la prohiberont aussitôt que possible, et restreindront en attendant le nombre de localités par lesquelles l'opium préparé pourra être exporté.\"\n\nThis resolution now figures in the convention, partly as a second part of article 7 and partly as clause (a) of article 8; and it may be noted that, with article 7 as thus constituted, the Portuguese objection to the resolution which formed the basis of the first part of the article disappeared.\n\n31. Later on, at the twenty-first session, when article 7 came up for second reading, the Chinese delegation proposed an addition to the effect that in any case there should be prohibition within three years of the convention coming into force. The Portuguese, however, strongly opposed this amendment, and said that if it were carried they could not take part in the further work of the conference.\n\nWe thought the amendment reasonable, but in view of the strong opposition of the Portuguese to reopening the question at this stage, we abstained from voting, as did most of the other delegations, with the result that the amendment was carried by the votes of three delegations only, those of China, the United States, and Persia. In view of the small number of positive votes in its favour, the Chinese delegation thereupon withdrew the amendment.\n\n32. The next American resolution was that the Governments represented should forbid the exportation of prepared opium to such countries as may forbid its entry, and that no prepared opium should be shipped to a country which wishes to restrict the ...",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "334\n\n14\n\nso-called anti-opium remedies, which for the most part contained opium, morphine, or cocaine. After some discussion, during which Dr. Wu-Lien-Teb showed, from a series of analyses that had been made in regard to a number of these remedies, that nearly all of them contained opium or morphine, even though in some cases warranted not to do so, the resolution was passed unanimously in the following form:\n\n\"La conférence, constatant que, dans les pays où des efforts ont été faits pour combattre l'abus de l'opium, on a été amené à faire usage de soi-disant remèdes anti-opium, contenant de l'opium, de la morphine ou de la cocaine, décide que les Gouvernements participants prendront contre ces remèdes dangereux des mesures analogues à celles qui sont proposées contre l'opium, la morphine, la cocaïne et contre leurs sels respectifs.\"\n\nThe substance of this resolution has been embodied in article 14 (6) of the final convention, which lays down that any preparations, whether styled anti-opium remedies or not, containing more than 2 per cent. of morphine or 1 per cent of cocaine, shall be treated in the same way as those drugs.\n\n57. The Chinese delegation then submitted a series of resolutions having special reference to China, and to the Powers having special treaties with the Chinese Government. These resolutions had been previously discussed with us before they had been presented, and they had been worded in accordance with suggestions we had made.\n\nThe first two resolutions were to the effect that:\n\n(1) The participating Governments agree to co-operate with the Chinese Government in the prevention of the smuggling of opium, morphine, cocaine, &c., from their colonies in the Far East, or from their leased territories in China into Chinese territory, while the Chinese Government will similarly co-operate towards the prevention of such smuggling from China into the colonies and territories in question.\n\n(2) With a view to giving practical effect to the principle embodied in resolution No. 9 of the Shanghai commission, the Chinese Government will enact pharmaceutical laws for its subjects, regulating the sale and distribution of morphine, cocaine, &c., and will communicate these laws to the treaty Powers represented at the conference. These Powers will, if they find the said laws acceptable, take the necessary steps for applying them to their own nationals in China.\n\nThese two resolutions were carried as they stood.\n\n58. The third resolution was to the effect that the participating Governments would undertake to adopt all necessary measures to restrict and control the smoking of opium in their leased territories, settlements, or concessions in China, and to suppress any opium-smoking divans, &c., that might still exist there, as also to prohibit the smoking of opium in places of public amusement and houses of ill-fame.\n\nTo this resolution the German delegation moved an amendment, which was adopted, to the effect that the suppression of opium-smoking divans, &c., should take place pari passu with similar measures adopted by the Chinese Government in its own territories.\n\n59. The fourth resolution, as carried with a verbal amendment suggested by the French delegation, proposed that the participating Powers should take effective measures for the gradual reduction, pari passu with similar measures taken by the Chinese Government, of the number of shops dealing in opium, which may still exist in their leased settlements, territories or concessions, and that they should adopt suitable and effective measures for the restriction and control of the retail trade in opium in these areas.\n\n60. The fifth resolution, after some alteration in the original wording which took place after discussion thereon, was to the following effect:\n\n\"The participating Governments possessing post offices of their own in China undertake to adopt stringent measures to prevent the illegal importation into China, as well as the transmission from one part of China to another through the agency of their aforesaid post offices, of opium, whether raw or prepared, of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, and of the other substances dealt with in the convention.\"\n\n61. All these resolutions, subject to the amendments above indicated, passed without opposition, but Siam and Persia abstained from voting as not having treaties with China. The resolutions were originally embodied, as having special reference to the conditions of China and to circumstances which did not affect some of the conference Powers, in a separate supplementary convention. At the fourteenth session, however,\n\non\n\n15\n\nwhen the articles came up for discussion in this form, the Chinese delegation proposed that they should figure in the main convention, on the ground that they were of primary importance, and that their relegation to a separate convention would seem to place China on a footing apart from the other conference Powers. After some discussion the matter was referred to the Drafting Committee, which recommended (section II of its report on a variety of matters which had been referred to it, contained in the minutes of the fifteenth session) that to meet the Chinese wish, and with the alteration of “contracting Powers\" into \"contracting Powers having treaties with China,\" the articles should figure in the main convention. This proposal came up for discussion at the sixteenth session, and was adopted, Persia and Siam alone dissenting. The articles now figure as Nos. 15 to 19 of Chapter IV in the final convention, and in signing the convention the Siamese and Persian delegates indicated that they did so with a reserve on the subject of these articles, since they have no special treaties with China. We could never understand why these delegations, and especially that of Siam, were so tenacious in pressing this point, since obviously the chapter, as now worded, could only refer to the treaty Powers.\n\n62. The Drafting Committee then put before the conference three drafts, comprising:\n\n(a) Draft articles of a convention embodying the general resolutions already passed on the subject of opium, raw and prepared, morphine, cocaine, &c.\n\n(b) Draft articles on the subject of ratification, adhesion, and denunciation.\n\n(c) A draft final protocol.\n\nA preliminary reading was then given to document (a), and some verbal amendments were introduced.\n\n63. At the twelfth session (20th December) the conference proceeded to the discussion of the first portion of document (b), which dealt with the procedure in regard to ratification coming into force, adhesion coming into force, and denunciation in respect of the convention. The procedure submitted for discussion was as follows:\n\n(1) There would be a premier dépôt des ratifications at The Hague as soon as several signatory Powers were prepared to ratify.\n\n(2) The remaining participating Powers would ratify subsequently by written notification.\n\n(3) All outside Powers should then be invited to adhere.\n\n(4) The convention would come into force a year after the Netherlands Government had received the ratifications of all the contracting Powers and the adhesion of all the outside Powers above mentioned.\n\n(5) If, however, matters were not so far advanced two years after the signing of the convention, all the Powers that had by that time ratified or adhered were to be invited to send delegates to a fresh conference at The Hague to consider the conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be wholly or partially enforced.\n\n(6) A subsequent denunciation of the convention by any Power would apply only to that Power, and would come into effect a year after notice of denunciation had been given.\n\n64. In regard to the first condition above mentioned, we proposed, to expedite matters, that the convention should in any case be ratified by the participating Powers within six months, and, subject to an American amendment which extended the period to one year, this was carried. As regards the third condition, we also procured an amendment providing that invitation to the outside Powers should take place after the premier dépôt instead of after universal ratification, and that the premier dépôt might have effect as soon as six Powers were ready to ratify.\n\nThe discussion of the draft did not proceed further before our Christmas recess, but\n\nat the thirteenth session we tabled an important amendment with reference to the manner in which the convention was to come into force, which is given in paragraph 77 infra.\n\nThis amendment was referred to the Drafting Committee.\n\n65. The Germans had at the same time drawn up an additional draft article on the subject of denunciation to the following effect:\n\n\"In case a nation which, up to the date of signing the present convention, has not produced opium or manufactured morphine, cocaine, &c., should engage in such production or manufacture, every Power within whose territories opium is produced, or",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "16\n\nmorphine, cocaine, &c., are manufactured on the date when the present convention shall be signed, shall have the right to denounce the said convention; and such denunciation may take effect a month after it has been communicated to the Netherlands Government.' \n\nIt will be observed that this proposal aimed not merely at the production of opium, morphine, or cocaine for purposes condemned by the convention, but even at production for legitimate medical purposes, and would in fact have prevented any Power from starting a new internal industry for such purposes.\n\nThe German delegates, in private conversation with us, suggested that we ought to welcome this proposal, since it would permanently establish our practical monopoly in the morphine trade like that of the Germans in cocaine. We replied, of course, that we could not assent to anything of the kind, and that our instructions were simply to obtain measures for confining the use of these drugs to proper medical purposes. The proposal gave us considerable anxiety, since it seemed to us to indicate that the Germans, in spite of the agreement we had come to with them in regard to the morphine and cocaine articles, were casting about for an easy means of withdrawing from the convention. We hoped, however, that this was merely a ballon d'essai, and that the idea would not be pressed.\n\nThe proposal was subsequently withdrawn, in view of the methods finally adopted to secure the adhesion of outside Powers to the convention.\n\n66. At the thirteenth session (21st December) the American delegation also brought forward resolutions on the subject of adhesion to and ratification of the convention, which were to the following effect -----\n\n(1)(a) Powers not represented at the conference might be allowed to adhere to the convention; but the participating Powers might lay down conditions of adherence. In the absence of such conditions, adherence would imply acceptance of all the obligations required by the convention.\n\n(b) The interested Governments should agree among themselves as to the steps to be taken to obtain the adhesion of States whose co-operation might be necessary or useful in order to secure complete execution of the convention.\n\n(2) The convention should be ratified as soon as possible, and in any case within a year. This was merely setting forth in other words a matter which had already been agreed to provisionally.\n\n(3) The convention should come into force in all the dominions of the contracting Powers sixty days after ratification.\n\nThese resolutions were subsequently withdrawn.\n\n67. The powers of the Drafting Committee were, by a resolution passed during this session, extended so as to enable it not merely to put into conventional form the substance of resolutions already accepted by the conference, but to add such additional articles as seemed necessary for the purposes of completing the convention.\n\n68. Reference had been made in more than one of the previous sessions of the conference to the difficulty in regard to dealing with \"Indian hemp.\" The Italian Government had put this subject forward as one of the matters which the conference should consider, but its delegate, M. Santoliquido, having also to attend the International Sanitary Conference in Paris, had only been present at one of our meetings (at the fourth session). The Italian Minister at The Hague had accordingly been communicated with by M. Cremer (Netherlands), as chairman of the Programme Committee; and M. Cremer now put before the conference a letter from the Minister stating that M. Santoliquido had informed him that the Italian delegation had no intention of presenting any specific proposal in regard to hemp drugs, and left it to the conference as a whole to take such measures in regard to these as it might deem expedient.\n\n69. At the urgent request of Dr. Hamilton Wright the subject was referred to the Programme Committee, but that body was of the unanimous opinion that no useful purpose would be served by entering on the discussion of such a question, in which many interests might be involved, without careful study and consideration. M. Cremer, its chairman, therefore announced to the conference that, having regard to these circumstances, and to the facts that--(a) the conference was not in possession of the statistics necessary for adequate treatment of the subject; (b) it was difficult to obtain a scientific definition of the preparations that would have to be dealt with; (c) the delegates had no instructions in regard to the discussion of this matter; (d) it appeared sufficient for the countries threatened by the abuse of hemp drugs to take internal measures against them--the Programme Committee considered it sufficient to recommend the adoption of the following resolution in the form of a vœu :--\n\n“Il est à désirer que les Gouvernements participants étudient la question du chanvre indien au point de vue statistique et scientifique, dans le but de régler éventuellement, par leur législation intérieure ou pour un accord international, les abus de son emploi.” \n\nThis resolution was accordingly introduced by the Netherlands delegation, and was carried, with an amendment proposed by us substituting for the word éventuellement the words si la nécessité s'en fait sentir.\n\n70. The Chinese delegation wished the resolution to read as follows:\n\n\"Il est à désirer que les Gouvernements participants étudient la question du chanvre indien au point de vue statistique et scientifique, dans le but d'en contrôler le commerce, et d'en régler l'usage par leur législation intérieure ou par un accord international, ou par tous les deux' \n\nBut this was objected to on the ground that it was going beyond what the data before us justified. M. Brenier (France) pointed out that the Chinese Government could, if it pleased, take restrictive measures against hemp drugs such as had been already taken in Indo-China, and Sir William Meyer added that similar restrictions had been in force in British India for a good many years. The Chinese amendment was accordingly withdrawn.\n\nDr. Hamilton Wright expressed the hope that the resolution as carried would become a definite article of the convention, but he met with no support in this view, and the resolution remained a vœu, and stands as such in the final protocol (clause I (2)).\n\n71. The next matter for consideration was a resolution by the American delegation which had been brought forward and received some discussion at the twelfth session. This was to the effect that the participating Powers should communicate to one another, through the medium of the Netherlands Government, texts of existing and future laws and regulations bearing on matters dealt with in the convention; as also statistical information in regard to the trade in raw and prepared opium, morphine, and cocaine, and their respective salts, hemp drugs, and any other drugs or preparations dealt with in the convention.\n\nThe mention of hemp drugs was now deleted from the resolution, and, as regards the exchange of statistical information, an amendment, moved by our delegation and accepted by the Americans, to the effect that the statistics should be based, not only on Customs reports, but also on the registers of sale kept by persons licensed to carry on trade in the drugs concerned, was carried with a single negative vote--that of Germany. Our object, as Mr. Max Müller explained, was not in any way to divulge the statistics of individual firms, but, by grouping these together, to obtain information which would be very valuable as a supplement to the Customs returns.\n\nLater on, however (seventeenth session), when article 21 of the convention, which was based on this resolution, came up for consideration, the German delegation pointed out that in some cases, as in regard to heroine, the trade was so largely in the hands of a single firm that to give the statistics proposed would in effect amount to divulging private affairs; and, recognising the justice of this view, the conference brought back the article to the scope of the original resolution by merely prescribing in general terms the submission of statistical information in regard to trade in the drugs mentioned.\n\n72. At the fourteenth session (22nd December) the American delegation brought up a fresh series of resolutions, intended to stiffen the restrictive measures already agreed upon in respect of the drugs dealt with by the convention. The fourth resolution, however, which concerned the protection of aboriginal natives of Pacific Islands, was withdrawn, and the remaining three resolutions were referred to the Drafting Committee and subsequently dropped.\n\n73. The conference then proceeded to the discussion in article form, and at this stage in a separate convention, of the special resolutions regarding China referred to in paragraphs 57-61 above, and then adjourned for a Christmas recess.\n\n74. We had now been sitting for about three weeks, and had, as it seemed, come to a final agreement in regard to most of the matters with which we had been called upon to deal. The resolutions covering the ground which forms the basis of the\n\n[2458 s-2]\n\nF\n\n335\n\n17",
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        "content_text": "18\n\nfirst five chapters of the final convention had been reduced to article form and passed, and although some further modifications might be necessary, there was no reason to suppose that these would involve any material change of substance. We had in fact, as one of the French delegates epigramatically remarked, painted in our picture, and what principally remained was to deal with the best manner of framing it—in other words, with the procedure to be laid down in regard to the ratification of the convention, its coming into force, the adhesion of outside Powers, and the methods and effects of denunciation. These matters raised difficult points, in regard to which there were a number of proposals still to be considered; but as the Drafting Committee was to reassemble some days before the full conference in order to consider and report upon them, and was to be assisted by an eminent international jurist, M. Asser, whose valuable services had been procured by the kind offices of the Netherlands Foreign Minister, there was every reason to believe that the conference, on coming together again, would be able to terminate its labours very speedily.\n\n75. When, however, we reassembled on the 8th January, we were confronted by a very different state of things. Owing to an entirely fresh and novel scheme which had been suddenly put forward on behalf of the German delegation, the Drafting Committee had to address itself to questions of substance, which exceeded the limits even of its extended reference, in regard to what may be called the \"effectuating\" clauses of the convention, i.e., the articles relating to adhesion, ratification, coming into force, &c. The committee accordingly confined itself to setting forth, and commenting upon, the various proposals made, in a very full and lucid report which dealt with other matters also, and which was formally received at the fifteenth session (9th January).\n\n76. In that report the committee put before us:—\n\n(i.) The original \"effectuating\" draft, as amended by the alterations made in that portion of it which the conference had considered at the twelfth session, vide paragraphs 63-64. Apart from some minor verbal modifications, the only point of difference between the draft as it then stood and that which the committee now submitted to us, was the omission of the condition, inserted at our suggestion, that ratification should take place within a year. This omission had been made at the instance of M. Asser, from whom the committee received most valuable assistance, on the ground that it was not expedient to tie down sovereign States to a fixed time condition as regards ratification, which circumstances might preclude some of them from fulfilling.\n\nAs it will be convenient hereafter to refer to this draft as the primary scheme, the committee justly remarked, this scheme was silent on the important points of the legislation required by the convention, and the date on which such legislation should come into force.\n\n77.—(ii) (a.) The primary scheme as modified by the further British amendment referred to at the close of paragraph 64 above, which dealt with those matters, and which is in its final form was as follows:—\n\n(1.) The convention would come into force, as regards matters which did not require legislation, as soon as possible; and in any case within six months of its ratification by the participating Powers.\n\n(2.) Laws necessary to give effect to the convention should be drawn up as soon as possible, but the date on which they would come into force was to be the subject of an agreement between the Powers, and to depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested had adhered.\n\nThe insertion of this last stipulation was of course with reference to the fact that the participating Powers were so few in number, and to meet the objections raised as to particular Powers sacrificing their trade interests by embarking on legislation which other Powers might not adopt. We also desired to ensure that if the fresh conference, proposed by condition (5) of the primary scheme (paragraph 63) became necessary, it should be confined to this point only. Generally speaking also, we desired, as the committee observed, to give practical effect to the decisions of the conference with the least possible delay.\n\n78.—(ii) (b.) Some further amendments to the project, as thus modified, suggested by the French delegation. That delegation pointed out that measures which in Western countries would require legislation would in some Eastern countries, as, for instance, in French Indo-China, be brought into effect by administrative enactment. Such enactments were consequently equivalent to the \"laws\" of Europe; but whereas the British scheme laid down that the coming into force of laws should be the subject of an agreement between the participating Powers, and should depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested might adhere, administrative regulations were to be put into effect without any such qualification. The French delegation therefore proposed that in the event of the agreement contemplated in regard to laws not being obtained, Governments which had meanwhile proceeded by administrative enactments might withdraw or modify them.\n\nThe French contention as to the equivalence, in certain circumstances, of administrative enactments and laws, was one which we were bound to accept.\n\n79.—(i.) M. Delbrück, the German member, had himself suggested the original scheme submitted by the Drafting Committee; nevertheless, he had now propounded an entirely new scheme, the main lines of which were as follows:—\n\n(a.) Immediately after the signature of the convention by the conference delegates, all the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to adhere.\n\n(b.) When all these Powers had thus adhered to the convention, the process of ratification by all the Powers now concerned would commence, and would be carried into effect as soon as possible.\n\n(c.) Adherence and ratification should be not merely for the home territories of any Power, but for its colonies and other outside possessions and protectorates also.\n\n(d.) The convention would come into force a year after the completion of ratification by all the Powers concerned.\n\n(e.) If, however, matters had not advanced to the ratification stage two years after the date of the signing of the convention by the delegates, a fresh conference should be held to consider conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be brought into force, wholly or in part.\n\nThis project, which we shall refer to hereafter as the German scheme, involved an entirely new principle, viz., the subordination of ratification to adhesion; but M. Asser did not think there was any objection in principle to this, although his own preference was for the usual method.\n\n80. The reasons brought forward by M. Delbrück for this novel proposal were that the circumstances were also unprecedented, since some of the matters dealt with by the conference were of world-wide interest, and could not be adequately carried out by the small number of Powers represented at the conference, especially in view of the fact that some of the non-represented Powers occupied a very important position in regard to the questions under discussion, as, for instance, Turkey in regard to raw opium, and Bolivia and Peru (where the coca plant is principally produced) in regard to cocaine.\n\nM. Delbrück argued further that, as regards Germany, the convention would require the ratification of the Reichstag, and (as he subsequently informed the conference) such ratification would, ipso facto, make the convention a portion of German law, so that it would be difficult to obtain such ratification while the attitude of outside Powers was unknown.\n\nOn the other hand, Sir William Collins had pointed out that this scheme as it stood, making ratification dependent on the adherence of all outside Powers of Europe and America, was likely to lead to indefinite delay in regard to the practical enforcement of the measures on which the conference had agreed.\n\n81. Having set forth these points of view, the committee added that account must also be taken of the first three American resolutions brought forward at the fourteenth session of the conference (paragraph 72) which were of a mixed character, since they related in part to matters connected with the coming into force of the convention, and in part to specific restrictive measures, which would rather belong to the main articles than to effectuating clauses, and entered on the ground already covered in general terms by what is now article 20 of the convention.\n\n82. The Drafting Committee also reported difficulties which had arisen as to the exact significance of the words \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in article 5 of the convention, on the subject of raw opium, and also in articles 7 and 8, and in some of the articles in chapter 3, in regard to prepared opium, morphine, cocaine, &c.\n\nM. Delbrück had raised the point that these words might be taken as covering every transportation of goods across a frontier, with the result that there would be a constant intervention of the Customs Department, which might not be within the intention of all the delegations. Was it, therefore (the committee asked), the intention of the conference to require a special authorisation for importation or exportation from carriers, such as railway and steam companies, or was this obligation to be only incumbent on those who carried on actual trade? If the latter was what the conference had in view, a definition of the terms seemed called for. Accordingly, on the advice\n\n19\n\n336",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "20\n\nof M. Asser, the committee had prepared the following formula, which specifically applied only to raw opium, but would, of course, be equally necessary in regard to importation or exportation of other drugs:-\n\n\"Par importation, on entend l'acte d'introduire de l'étranger en qualité de commerçant en gros, demi-gros ou en détail, de consignataire ou commissionnaire, de l'opium brut.\n\n\"Par exportation, on entend l'acte d'expédier vers l'étranger, en qualité de commerçant en gros, en demi-gros ou en détail, où de commissionnaire, de l'opium brut.\"\n\n83. This definition would show that it was only actual traders who required a licence. M. Asser and Sir William Collins had objected to the addition of the words, à l'exclusion des simples transporteurs, expéditeurs ou transitaires, on the ground that the formal exclusion of these persons might constitute indirect encouragement to contraband dealing, and that it was, therefore, better to omit them by implication, in the event of the definition proposed being necessary, rather than explicitly. The committee further pointed out that the question of carriers was specifically raised by the second American resolution brought forward at the fourteenth session and referred to in paragraph 72 above.\n\n84. As Sir William Meyer subsequently pointed out to the conference (twentieth session), we could not accept the definition prepared by the committee, since it omitted two categories of persons, whom experience in India had shown to be very dangerous smugglers of prohibited drugs, i.e.:--\n\n(a.) Persons who were not in any way traders by profession, but took advantage of their visit to a prohibiting country to introduce, for their own profit, considerable quantities of the forbidden drugs.\n\n(b.) Go-betweens secretly employed by persons engaged in trade, who were paid to undergo fine or imprisonment, if detected, rather than divulge the names of their real employers.\n\nOur desire was therefore to treat importation and exportation as having the widest possible sense; but this, on the other hand, was not in the least likely to be accepted by the German delegation.\n\n85. The remaining portions of the committee's report dealt mainly with--\n\n(a.) The wording of a number of the articles already agreed on, in regard to which the suggestions of the committee were subsequently in large measure accepted.\n\n(b.) The proposal, already referred to in paragraph 61, for bringing the special Chinese articles into the main convention.\n\n(c.) The submission of a fresh draft final protocol.\n\n86. Apart from the important questions which had been thus raised by the report of the Drafting Committee, we were also faced with a very serious difficulty in regard to the morphine and cocaine articles. Although, as previously explained in paragraphs 45 and 46, the resolutions on which these were based had been put forward by us after consultation and agreement with the German delegation, and we had in some cases modified our original proposals in order to bring them along with us, the Germans now informed us, to our great surprise, that they would be obliged to move a series of amendments in regard to articles 10 to 16 of the original draft convention, as quoted in paragraph 48, which would have the result of invalidating the binding character of most of these articles.\n\n87. We had thus, as will be seen, to face problems of a very serious character, and which involved not merely private conference with other delegations, but in some cases references to His Majesty's Government. Unfortunately, too, we were deprived at this juncture of the guidance of Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, whose health had not permitted him to return to The Hague after the Christmas recess. The leadership of the British delegation accordingly passed, during the remainder of the conference, to Sir William Meyer as the next senior delegate.\n\n38. The sixteenth session (10th January) dealt mainly with matters which have already been reported on, such as the transfer of the special Chinese articles to the main convention.\n\n39. At the seventeenth session (11th January) the report of the Drafting Committee on the various \"effectuating\" proposals came up for discussion. Sir William Meyer pointed out that superficially the main cleavage seemed to be between the primary and the British schemes on the one hand, and the German scheme on the other, since the first two followed the usual method of ratification of the contracting Powers preceding the adhesion of others, while the latter put adhesion first. From the practical point of view, however, the primary and the German schemes stood together on one side, and the British on the other, since the former postponed the coming into force of the convention until the adhesion of all the outside Powers had been obtained, while the latter provided that all matters which did not involve special legislation (or its equivalent, as suggested by the French delegation) should come into force on ratification by the Powers represented at the conference.\n\n90. M. Delbrück gave a clear exposition of the circumstances which had led to the propounding of the German scheme, in the course of which he laid stress on the fact (as we have already indicated) that ratification of the convention by the Reichstag would make it an integral part of the German corpus juris; while in the United States, for example, even if the convention were ratified by the Senate, its provisions would remain ineffective until applied by internal legislation.\n\n91. M. Cremer (Netherlands) said that his delegation could not accept the British scheme even if modified by the acceptance of the French amendment, since no Government was likely to put in hand laws or their equivalents without any certainty that these would eventually be applied. It would, in fact, be a case of every country waiting to see what the others would do.\n\n92. Dr. Hamilton Wright objected to waiting for the adhesion of outside Powers, and said that his delegation would like ratification and the coming into force of the convention to be effectuated as soon as possible. Finally, M. Delbrück indicated that it might be possible to proceed without getting the adhesion of all the outside Powers. The debate was then adjourned to the next session.\n\n93. The course of the discussion, however, and exchanges of opinion with other delegations, had already convinced us that the British amendment to the primary scheme was not likely to find acceptance. As we more than once indicated to the conference, our object throughout was to insist on the practical and expeditions enforcement of the measures that had already been agreed to, rather than on questions of form; and as between the primary and the German schemes, the latter had the advantage that the adhesion of outside Powers was to be sought immediately after the signing of the convention, while under the former that process would not be commenced till six at least of the conference Powers had ratified. Accordingly, on the 11th January, we sent you a telegram asking whether we might negotiate on the basis of the German scheme, endeavouring to shorten the periods before which the convention should come into force, and to substitute \"substantial\" for \"unanimous\" adhesion of outside Powers.\n\n37\n\n*\n\n94. At the eighteenth session (12th January) the adjourned debate on the subject of the \"effectuation\" procedure was opened by M. Brenier (France), who pointed out that the divergent schemes before the conference arose from a conflict of ideas, typically represented by the German and British delegations respectively. The former, looking to the great difficulties of embarking on the measures approved by the conference without adhesion of outside Powers, held that the obtainment of such adhesion was the first object to be aimed at; the latter, concerned chiefly with getting the convention into force as soon as possible, objected to the delay which the German method would involve. In order to bridge these differences between these divergent ideas, M. Brenier suggested a compromise scheme and proposed that the Drafting Committee should reconsider the subject on the lines he had put forward.\n\nThe American delegation, however, proposed an amendment referring the matter back to the committee without any specific instructions, and this was carried.\n\n95. The Drafting Committee, which had been materially aided in its fresh deliberations by the kind assistance of M. van Swinderen as well as of M. Asser, then agreed to put forward a scheme following in some respects the lines of the German proposal as a basis for further discussion by itself. Sir William Collins, our representative on the committee, thereupon discussed with us the amendments which would be necessary in order to make the scheme a satisfactory one from our point of view, and we reported these to you in our despatch No. 9 of the 14th January. The main lines of the scheme as it was thus to be altered are shown below, the clauses italicised being those which Sir William Collins was to propose:----\n\n(1.) As soon as the convention had been signed, the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to sign it also. No reference was now made to the word \"adhesion\" as being an unsuitable term to use in the circumstances proposed.\n\n(2.) As soon as these supplementary signatures had been obtained, ratification would be proceeded with. [2458 s-2\n\nG\n\n-2]\n\n337\n\n21",
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        "page_number": 342,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "29\n\n(3.) If, however, all the outside Powers had not signed by the 31st December, 1912, the Powers that had signed, whether originally or by way of supplementary signature, should send representatives to The Hague to consider whether ratification might not nevertheless be proceeded with. Our object here was to cut short the delay which might be caused by refusal to sign, or procrastination in agreeing to sign, on the part of some of the outside Powers.\n\n(4) The convention was to come into force two months after the completion of the ratification process. (The Drafting Committee's original scheme said six months.)\n\n(5.) Laws, &c., necessary to give effect to the provisions of the convention should be drawn and presented to the Parliaments concerned within six months of the convention coming into force.\n\nup\n\n(6.) The date on which such legislation should come into force would, however, be the subject of agreement between the signatory Powers.\n\nWe thus met the point, raised in your telegram of the 12th January, and the Board of Trade letter enclosed in your despatch No. 16 of the 13th idem, that restrictions should not be enforced until each State had had an opportunity of considering the extent to which other Powers were prepared to move in the same direction.\n\n(7.) In the event of grave difficulties arising in regard to the putting into force of the convention as a whole, or of the laws, &c., specifically contemplated thereby, conference should be summoned to obtain agreement on these matters.\n\na fresh\n\n96. We indicated, in addressing you on the subject of these amendments, that we thought the procedure proposed would present material advantages in coping with the difficulties of a situation in which the representatives of only a few Powers were endeavouring to deal with matters some of which were of universal concern. We also observed that M. Brenier, on behalf of France, would, for the reasons stated in paragraph 78, propose to place administrative ordinances on the same footing as laws with reference to conditions (5) to (7), and that we must admit the justice of this proposal.\n\n97. The committee accepted our amendments (with the small change of two months into three in regard to clause 4 above) and also M. Brenier's; and at the nineteenth session (15th January) the latter, as chairman of the Drafting Committee, put the scheme before the conference as the best method of reconciling the differences of view indicated in his speech at the eighteenth session. The scheme was received with general favour, although at this stage several of the delegations, our own included, could not definitely commit themselves to its acceptance pending instructions from their Governments.\n\n98. In your despatch No. 18 of the 17th January you authorised us to accept the scheme if we thought that certain further amendments which had been suggested by the Board of Trade were not likely to prove acceptable to the conference. One of those suggestions was that the provision for a supplementary conference mentioned in clause (7) above should also cover the possibility of undue delay in ratification, and to meet this eventuality we successfully proposed, at the twenty-third session, to amend what is now article 24 of the convention accordingly. We explained in our despatch No. 12 of the 20th January why we had not thought it advisable to press the Board of Trade's other suggestions.\n\n99. It was also agreed at the twenty-third session to amend the conditions of clause (5) above, so as to cover the contingency of a legislature not being in session at the date on which the six months' delay allowed expired. In that case laws not already put before such a Parliament were to be submitted to it on its reassembly.\n\n100. The other delegations which had reserved their acceptance of the scheme when first put forward, also in due course received the assent of their Governments to its adoption, and the scheme has formed the basis, with some verbal modifications, of articles 22-24 of the convention.\n\n101. At the nineteenth session the final protocol as revised by the Drafting Committee, was also accepted on first reading.\n\n102. At the twentieth session (16th January) the German delegation brought forward the amendments to the morphine and cocaine articles of which preliminary mention has been made in paragraph 86 above.\n\nThe extent to which these amendments, as they were first drawn up and communicated to us, altered the provisions of the original articles 10 to 16, as exhibited in paragraph 48 above, will be best seen from the statement below, which puts the original articles and the proposed German re-draft in parallel columns.\n\nOriginal Articles.\n\n(See paragraph 48 ante).\n\n  \n    ARTICLE 10.\n    German re-draft.\n  \n  \n    Les Puissances contractantes limiteront, par des lois, aux seuls établissements et locaux qui auront été désignés à cet effet, la fabrication de la morphine, de la cocaine et de leurs sels respectifs.\n    ARTICLE 10 (formerly 13). Les Puissances contractantes auront soin de faire contrôler, dans la mesure du possible, tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent, et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs, ainsi que les bâtiments où ces fabricants et commerçants exercent cette industrie ou ce commerce.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 11. Les Puissances contractantes exigeront que tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs, soient munis d'un permis pour se livrer à ces opérations.\n    ARTICLE 11 (formerly 10). Les Puissances contractantes prendront, à cet effet, les mesures nécessaires pour constater dans quels établissements et locaux la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs sont fabriqués.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 12. Les Puissances contractantes exigeront des fabricants et commerçants munis de ces permis la consignation sur leurs livres de toutes transactions concernant la fabrication, l'importation, la vente, la distribution et l'exportation de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs. Cette règle ne s'appliquera pas forcément aux prescriptions médicales, et faites par des pharmaciens dûment autorisés.\n    ARTICLE 12 (formerly 11). Les Puissances contractantes auront soin, dans la mesure du possible, d'exiger que tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs en avertiront les autorités ou se muniront d'un permis pour se livrer à ces opérations.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 13. Les Puissances contractantes entreprendront de faire contrôler ces fabricants et commerçants, ainsi que les bâtiments où ils exercent cette industrie ou ce commerce.\n    ARTICLE 13 (formerly 12). Les Puissances contractantes auront soin, dans la mesure du possible, d'exiger de ces fabricants et commerçants la consignation sur leurs livres des quantités fabriquées, des importations, des ventes, de toute autre cession, et des exportations de morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs. Cette règle ne s'appliquera pas forcément aux prescriptions, et aux ventes faites par des pharmaciens dûment autorisés.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 14. Les Puissances contractantes prohiberont dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées.\n    ARTICLE 14 (old 14). Les Puissances contractantes prohiberont dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 15. Les Puissances contractantes interdiront, en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions commerciales, l'importation de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs à d'autres qu'à des personnes autorisées.\n    ARTICLE 15 (old 15). Les Puissances contractantes, en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions commerciales, auront soin de restreindre, dans la mesure du possible, l'importation commerciale, de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs aux personnes y autorisées.\n  \n  \n    ARTICLE 16. Les Puissances contractantes s'engagent à prohiber, par des conventions spéciales ou autrement, l'exportation de la morphine, de la cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs de leurs pays et colonies vers les pays, colonies ou territoires à bail des autres Puissances contractantes, sauf dans le cas où le destinataire aura reçu un permis accordé conformément aux lois du pays.\n    ARTICLE 16 (old 16). Les Puissances contractantes envisageront de prendre des mesures pour que...\n  \n\n23\n\n338",
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        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "340\n\n26\n\n108. On the 9th January, immediately after this first meeting, we telegraphed to you on the subject, stating that each delegation had agreed to submit the draft as thus amended to its Government; and that we proposed, subject to your approval, to state when the matter came up in conference, that we much preferred the original articles, and should only accept the revised scheme in order to preserve unanimity. We were compelled to this course by the fact that it seemed clear that otherwise the Germans might dissent altogether, and the conference fail of effect, at any rate in regard to cocaine.\n\n109. In your telegram of the 12th January, No. 2, you replied that you deprecated the amendments, as they would greatly diminish the utility of the convention; but that if acceptance was the sole method of arriving at an agreement, we might reluctantly give it, on condition that the convention should provide that the enforcement of the restrictions it contemplated should not be obligatory on a Government until there was likelihood of steps being taken in the same direction by the other participating States, as well as by the most important of the outside Powers. As observed in the Board of Trade's letter which formed an enclosure to your subsequent communication of the 13th January, No. 16, the danger to be avoided was that of a situation in which Great Britain, for instance, \"would be under an obligation to impose restrictions on the manufacture and exportation of morphine, whilst Germany would be able to escape the imposition of restrictions of a similar stringency in regard to cocaine, a drug, which, as all the available information goes to show, has produced and is producing, far more pernicious effects than morphine on the inhabitants of our Indian and other Eastern possessions and colonies.\"\n\n110. The provisions necessary to guard against this danger having been obtained by the revised scheme in respect of the effectuating clauses—vide article 24 of the convention—we were able to inform the Germans that on their proposing the amendments indicated in paragraph 107, we would not oppose, though we could not give our willing consent. The amendments were consequently, as has been stated, introduced at the twentieth session, with an explanatory speech by Dr. Grünenwald, in which, while explaining the circumstances that had given rise to the amendments, and urging the desirability of assenting to them for the sake of obtaining complete and cordial unanimity, he said that the modifications proposed were really of a verbal character, to suit German conditions, and would not in any way affect the spirit of the original resolutions.\n\n111. Mr. Max Müller, on behalf of our delegation, took note of this declaration, and expressed the hope that the practical application of the articles as revised would be the same in Germany as would have been the case if the articles had been adopted in their original form. He emphasised the fact that the original articles had been fully accepted at the time by the German delegation, and informed the conference of the meetings which had taken place between our delegation and that of Germany, in order to cope with the new situation. Acting on the discretionary power given by our Government, and in order to secure unanimity in this important matter, the British delegation was (he said) prepared to accept the German amendments if they met with approval from other delegations, but could accept them only with regret.\n\nThe conference then accepted on first reading, and with some verbal amendments, the articles as redrafted, and they form the basis of articles 10 to 13 of the convention.\n\n112. The only material amendment subsequently introduced, was in respect of what is now article 11. At the twenty-third session the American delegation explained that this article as it stood would be beyond the competence of the Central Government and legislature in the United States, since traffic within the individual States was a matter for those States only. It was accordingly agreed to insert before the word \"prohiberent,\" at the commencement of the article, the words \"en tenant compte des différences de leurs conditions.\" Our delegation abstained from voting on this proposal, and at the twenty-fourth session, Mr. Max Müller obtained a stiffening of the article as thus amended by wording it as follows:—\n\n\"Les Puissances contractantes prendront des mesures pour prohiber dans leur commerce intérieur toute cession de morphine, de cocaïne et de leurs sels respectifs, à toutes personnes non autorisées, à moins que des mesures existantes n'aient déjà réglé la matière.\"\n\nThe American attitude on the subject of the morphine and cocaine articles was remarkable. Dr. Hamilton Wright was aware of the difficulties we were having with the German delegation, and assured us more than once that whatever we and the Germans agreed would be accepted by him. He also attended, by invitation, the last private conference we had with the Germans prior to the twentieth session, but withdrew shortly after its commencement. When, however, the German amendments were proposed at the twentieth session, and carried as definite articles at first reading, the United States delegation reserved its vote, and we were subsequently informed that the delegation felt so strongly on the subject of the weakening of the articles that it was possible that Bishop Brent might vacate the presidential chair to make a speech against such a course. Nothing of the kind, however, occurred, and the only American intervention was, as has been seen, to obtain a weakening of what is now article 11.\n\n27\n\n118. At the twentieth session the difficulty in regard to the meaning to be attached to the terms \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in the convention, on which the Drafting Committee had reported, as indicated in paragraphs 82-84, also came before the conference. We had had a considerable amount of private discussion with the German delegation on this subject, our position throughout being that, for the reason stated in paragraph 84, we could not accept the definition prepared by the Drafting Committee, and that, so far as we were concerned, we desired to give the terms in question the widest possible application. The Germans, on the other hand, as already indicated, objected to anything which might oblige them to bring their Customs authorities into play in dealing with the drugs aimed at by the convention, urging that such a procedure would cause great delay in the transmission of other goods which might be travelling on board the same ship or in the same railway consignment; and they further desired to exempt not merely the operations of carriers but the private conveyance into or out of a country of drugs, by, say, a morphinomaniac for his personal use. As to this last point, we held that no one should be permitted to bring into or out of a country more than the quantity of drugs, if any, which he might legitimately possess within the country itself. We urged throughout that, in view of such difficulties, the best plan was not to attempt a definition at all, but to let each country apply the words \"importation\" and \"exportation\" in the sense of its own laws and traditional administrative methods. This, however, the Germans replied that ratification of the convention by the Reichstag would make it a part of their corpus juris; and that if the convention contained no specific definitions of \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" the legal application would be that of their customs laws, where the terms were necessarily employed with a very wide connotation. Several attempts were made to frame a definition which would meet the wishes of both parties, as a minimum for the conference to lay down, but without success, and we consequently determined to leave the question for solution by the conference as a whole.\n\nTo\n\n114. Accordingly, at the twentieth session, Sir William Meyer explained the difficulties that had arisen, and indicated the reasons (vide paragraph 84) why we could not accept the definition prepared by the Drafting Committee, preferring to leave the interpretation of the words \"importation\" and \"exportation\" to the discretion of individual Governments. He concluded by asking why the German Government could not, in submitting the convention to the Reichstag, state what meaning it proposed to attach to these terms, or why the German delegation might not itself make a similar declaration which would figure in the minutes of the conference.\n\n115. After some further discussion, which was continued at the twenty-first session, when the Netherlands delegation supported our view that no specific definition was required, the consideration of the matter was once more adjourned at the desire of the Germans. At the twenty-second session, however, the German delegation made the following declaration, which thus solved the matter in accordance with the view we had throughout championed, that no specific definition was necessary, while at the same time it indicated the limits within which the German Government was prepared to act:—\n\nAprès l'échange de vues qui à ce sujet a eu lieu au sein de Comité de Rédaction et dans la vingtième et vingt et unième séance plénières, la délégation allemande est prête à renoncer à une définition; cependant la délégation tient à constater que le Gouvernement allemand interprète les dispositions de la convention ainsi qu'il suit:—\n\n\"(1.) Chaque Gouvernement pourra définir les mots 'importation' et 'exportation' selon ses propres conditions, et en tenant compte de sa législation intérieure.\n\n(2.) Les mesures que les Gouvernements prendront pour exécuter les stipulations de la convention quant à l'importation et à l'exportation peuvent être limitées aux actes purement commerciaux, et ne se rapporteront pas forcément aux transactions des transporteurs et expéditeurs.\n\n(3.) Les Puissances contractantes ne sont pas obligées d'instituer un contrôle de l'importation ou de l'exportation à la frontière, ou par les organes de la douane.\"\n\n17",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "page_number": 345,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "28\n\n116. The only other business not already referred to, dealt with at the twenty-first session (17th January), was the insertion of a denunciation article (article 25 of the convention) which follows the original scheme of the Drafting Committee, and the commencement of the second reading of the convention as a whole.\n\n117. At the twenty-second session (18th January), as we reported to you at the time (in our despatch No. 11 of the 19th January), Dr. Hamilton Wright, on behalf of the American delegation, suddenly introduced a resolution inviting the Drafting Committee to consider the advisability of preparing an entirely fresh draft of the effectuating clauses, based on the idea that there should be two separate conventions, one principally concerned with the articles relating to opium, and the other containing those relating to morphine, cocaine, &c. The first of these was to be ratified in the usual way, and within a year, by the participating Powers, and the adhesion of outside Powers would be invited. The second would be subject to the special procedure already proposed by the Drafting Committee, and provisionally accepted by the conference, for the convention as a whole, by which preliminary adhesion by outside Powers by way of signature would precede ratification.\n\n118. M. Cremer (Netherlands) pointed out that the adoption of this resolution would involve a breach of the conditions on which His Majesty's Government entered into the conference. Sir William Meyer, speaking for the British delegation, emphasised this point, quoting from your note of the 17th September, 1910, to Mr. Whitelaw Reid, to show that His Majesty's Government had from the outset made their participation in the conference conditional on restrictive measures against morphine and cocaine being taken up pari passu with opium. His Majesty's Government, he said, regarded the consumption of those drugs as being, in present circumstances, a far more serious evil than that of opium, and he could not possibly accept Dr. Hamilton Wright's contention that the primary object of the conference was to conventionalise the opium resolutions of the Shanghai Commission. Opium reform had already advanced very largely, thanks mainly to the generous co-operation, at a material loss to herself, which India had given to the Chinese anti-opium policy, and even if the present conference were to come to nothing, the stimulus thus given would continue to act. The proposed measures in respect of morphine and cocaine, on the other hand, required international co-operation to render them effective, and for this purpose, a convention was necessary. Nevertheless, the American delegation now proposed a course which would have the effect of treating the opium articles as of primary importance, and bringing them into effect with comparatively little reference to outside Powers, while the morphine and cocaine articles would take a back place, and be subject to a much longer process before they could come into force. In fact, this procedure might perfectly well lead to their being shelved altogether. Such a course was emphatically opposed to the condition which His Majesty's Government had laid down as indispensable to their taking part in the conference, and Sir William Meyer said that we must, therefore, absolutely oppose the solution proposed by Dr. Hamilton Wright being regarded as even an open question.\n\n119. After some discussion, in which the British point of view was strongly supported by the Siamese, French, and Russian delegations, Dr. Hamilton Wright, perceiving that the sense of the conference was against him, asked leave to withdraw the resolution. The conference, however, decided on its being put to the vote, and it was then rejected by 9 votes to 1 (that of the United States), the German delegation abstaining.\n\n120. We may add that the first intimation we had of this American move was in a private conversation between Bishop Brent and Mr. Max Müller on the 17th January, in which the former broached the matter. Mr. Max Müller replied that the matter was so clearly contrary to the ideas of His Majesty's Government and to the conditions on which they had entered the conference that the British delegates could at once reply that it was, from their point of view, absolutely inadmissible, and we were greatly surprised when the resolution was nevertheless tabled.\n\n121. At the twenty-third session (19th January) the American proposal was once more brought forward, this time as a resolution committing the conference to direct action. We sent you a copy of the resolution in our despatch No. 11 of the 19th January, above quoted.\n\n122. Before, however, this resolution was discussed upon its merits, the chief delegate for Russia raised the point that it involved a departure from the conditions on which Great Britain had entered the conference and which had been accepted by the other Powers represented. He therefore proposed that the first vote to be taken should be as to whether, in these circumstances, the resolution was one suitable for discussion.\n\n20\n\nThis proposal was supported by M. Cremer (Netherlands), and on a division, it was decided by seven votes to three (Germany and China voting with the United States on this occasion) that the American resolution was not in order; and it was thus finally shelved.\n\n123. The remaining business at this session not already referred to in previous paragraphs—see, for instance, paragraphs 52, 53, and 98, 99—consisted in bringing the second reading of the convention up to article 24. This second reading was extended to the remaining articles at the twenty-fourth session (20th January).\n\n124. At the twenty-fifth session (22nd January) the conference was informed that, in consequence of the continued absence of the Italian delegate, M. Santoliquido, the Italian Minister at The Hague had been authorised to sign the convention on behalf of Italy.\n\n125. Mr. Max Müller read the following declaration, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in your despatch No. 19 of 19th January, on the subject of the application of the convention to His Majesty's dominions:-\n\n\"Nous déclarons que les articles de la présente convention, si elle est ratifiée par le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté, s'appliqueront à l'Empire des Indes britanniques, à Ceylan, aux établissements des Détroits, à Hong Kong et à Wei-hai Wei, sous tous les rapports, de la même façon qu'il s'appliqueront au Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande; mais le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté se réserve le droit de signer ou de dénoncer séparément ladite convention au nom de toute dominion, colonie, dépendance et protectorat de Sa Majesté outre que ceux qui ont été spécifiés.\"\n\nHe added that this declaration would be appended as a reserve when we signed the convention, and this was accordingly done.\n\n126. The Portuguese delegates also made the declaration that, in signing the convention, they desired it to be understood-\n\n(1.) That the stipulations of the convention would not affect those of existing treaties, conventions, or agreements to which Portugal was a party, or any advantages which she obtained by most-favoured-nation clauses.\n\n(2.) That further action in regard to the limitation of the number of ports from which raw and prepared opium could be exported, with reference to articles 2 and 8 (a), could not be undertaken by Portugal, since Macao was already the only Portuguese port of export in the Far East.\n\n(3.) That, as regards the provisions of articles 4 and 8 (d), in regard to marking exported packages of raw or prepared opium so as to indicate the nature of their contents, the Portuguese Government reserved to itself the right of placing special marks on such packages in addition to any uniform marks that might be adopted as of international application.\n\nThe convention and the final protocol were read for the last time this session.\n\n127. At the twenty-sixth and last session (23rd January) M. Brenier (France) notified the conference that he would place against his signature the words:-\n\n\"Sous réserve d'une ratification, ou d'une dénonciation, éventuellement séparée et spéciale en ce qui concerne les protectorats français.\"\n\n128. Some discussion had taken place at the two previous sessions in regard to the publication of the convention, and it was now indicated by the Netherlands delegation that His Excellency M. de Marees van Swinderen, as Dutch Foreign Minister and honorary president of the conference, was of the opinion that it might be published immediately after signature—a course which was accordingly adopted.\n\n129. After the minutes of previous sessions which had still to undergo this process had been ratified, M. Cremer (Netherlands) proposed a vote of thanks to Bishop Brent, as president of the conference, which was seconded by M. von Müller (Germany) and by M. Sanches de Miranda (Portugal); and after valedictory addresses by the president and honorary president (M. van Swinderen), the conference was then declared closed, and the delegates plenipotentiaries proceeded to sign the convention and the final protocol.\n\n130. In signing the convention, reservations were made, as already indicated, by our own delegation in regard to separate ratification or denunciation in respect of any portion of His Majesty's dominions, colonies, dependencies, or protectorates other than the United Kingdom, India, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Hong Kong, and Wei-hai Wei; similarly by the French delegation in regard to French protectorates; by the delegates\n\n[2458 s-2]\n\nI\n\n341",
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    {
        "id": 440425,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 348,
        "title": "CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "344\n\n34\n\ntowards the closing of opium divans in the said concessions and settlements, to take steps to that end, as soon as they may deem it possible, on the lines already adopted by several Governments.\n\nThis object is attained by the latter part of article 17, which engages the contracting Powers having treaties with China to suppress smoking-shops in their leased territories and settlements in China, pari passu with like action in the Chinese territories adjoining, and to prohibit the smoking of opium in places of public amusement and houses of ill-fame.\n\nThe British Government, it may here be noted, have already taken steps to this end in Hong Kong and Wei-hai-Wei.\n\n153. Resolution No. 8 of the Shanghai Commission was as follows:\n\n\"That the International Opium Commission recommends strongly that each delegation move its Government to enter into negotiations with the Chinese with a view to effective and prompt measures being taken in the various foreign concessions and settlements in China for the prohibition of the trade and manufacture of such anti-opium remedies as contain opium or its derivatives.\"\n\nAs above observed, the anti-opium remedies in question come within the scope of chapter III of the convention, as well as of articles 15 and 19, i.e., the object which the commission had in view in desiring to prevent the growing up of any trade in such remedies in the settlements and concessions is thus attained.\n\n154. Article 9 of the Shanghai resolutions ran as follows:\n\nThat the International Opium Commission recommends that each delegation move its Government to apply its pharmacy laws to its subjects in the consular districts, concessions, and settlements in China.\n\nArticle 16 of the convention has met the desire here expressed in a somewhat different way.\n\nIt will be for the Chinese Government in the first instance to enact suitable pharmaceutical laws for its own subjects in regard to the drugs dealt with in chapter III of the convention, and to communicate these laws to the treaty Powers. The latter, in so far as they are parties to the convention, will then, if they consider these laws suitable, take the necessary steps for applying them to their own nationals.\n\n155. To sum up, the Shanghai Commission directed itself mainly to the subject of the opium traffic in the Far East, and was primarily concerned with rendering assistance to the opium suppression movement which the Chinese Government had lately initiated. The present convention goes far beyond this. It has dealt with morphine, cocaine, &c., as well as with opium; and in prescribing measures for confining the use of the two first-mentioned drugs, and the others referred to in chapter III, to legitimate medical purposes, for placing the production and distribution of raw opium under rigid control, and for restricting, with a view to eventual extinction, the trade in prepared opium, it has, for the first time, laid down as a principle of international morality that the various countries concerned cannot stand alone in these measures. It is not sufficient for a particular State to take adequate measures for the protection of its own subjects; it is also essential that it should assist the efforts of other countries by preventing undesirable importation of drugs into their borders.\n\n156. In order to give adequate effect to this principle, practical unanimity in regard to the measures possible and desirable was of course essential; and accordingly the British delegation and His Majesty's Government agreed reluctantly to less stringent measures than had at one time seemed possible in the matter of morphine, cocaine, &c., rather than run the risk of losing this portion of the convention altogether.\n\n157. The acceptance of these measures in regard to morphine and cocaine stands to the credit of the British Government, which had already made the first important advance in regard to international co-operation in the matter of opium by the Anglo-Chinese agreements under which the exportation of opium from India to China will cease, having in the meantime undergone progressive diminution, by the year 1917, or at a previous date, if the Chinese Government similarly accelerate the disappearance of local production. This earnest of good-will, involving great pecuniary sacrifices on the part of the Indian Empire, materially helped us in urging on the conference the general principles which inspired the convention, since it showed the disinterested sincerity by which His Majesty's Government were actuated. As matters now stand, even if the difficulties to which we shall presently allude should impair or delay the full fruition of the labours of the conference, the fact will remain that it has marked an important\n\n35\n\nstep in international ethics, and has brought the matters which have been under discussion to such a position that international public opinion must eventually bring about, in one shape or another, the full results aimed at.\n\nNo Power which has participated in the conference, for example, can hereafter maintain that its obligations cease with adequate protection of its own subjects from noxious drugs; it is also pledged to help its neighbours as far as may be practicable towards the same end.\n\n158. The difficulties we have just referred to arise of course from the fact, already touched upon, that the number of Powers represented at the conference, being limited to twelve, they are not alone competent to carry out the full extent of international co-operation which the convention enjoins; and that it would be unreasonable to expect the participating Powers to sacrifice their own trade interests for the sake of international morality when there are many outside Powers on which no such obligation would rest, and which might merely profit by the altruism of the nations represented at the conference.\n\nIt is difficulties of this sort that have required the special and original character of the \"effectuating\" clauses in chapter VI of the convention, and dictated the provision that, after the signing of the convention, the first step should not be ratification by the signatory Powers, but an invitation addressed to the thirty-four Powers of Europe and America not represented at the conference, to sign the convention also and thus put themselves on the same footing as the original participating Powers. In the event of some of these outside Powers not having signed by the 31st December, 1912, it will be necessary, as the convention provides, to summon a fresh conference of the signatory Powers to consider how far the stipulations of the conference can nevertheless be ratified.\n\n159. Then, again, there might be difficulties of a somewhat similar sort in regard to the carrying out of laws or their administrative equivalents to be enacted by the several Powers, since it would not be fair to expect one Power to embark on drastic measures which might be to the benefit of other Powers not prepared to go so far. Here, again, as provided by article 24, an additional conference may be necessary to deal with difficulties thus arising, or in respect of delays in ratifications which cannot be otherwise solved.\n\n160. There is thus the possibility of considerable delay in carrying out the provisions of the convention—delay which might have been avoided had the United States Government addressed its invitation to a much larger number of Powers. Nevertheless, we can claim that the conference has done the best it could in the circumstances in which it was assembled; that it has provided machinery for shortening delays and difficulties; and that, as already stated, it has, at any rate, materially paved the way for a full and satisfactory co-operation of the chief countries of the world in grappling with the evils of opium, morphine, cocaine, and the other drugs mentioned in the convention. Nor, again, is there anything to prevent individual Powers which may be willing to carry out the full stipulations of the convention (or even to go further), without waiting for the co-operation of others, from taking such action,\n\n161. We should like to state that, throughout the course of the conference, we received the most constant and loyal support from the French delegation, and in a special degree from M. Brenier, of the French Colonial Service. M. Brenier not only supported us ably and consistently throughout the conference, but he constantly gave us his valuable assistance outside its full sittings, especially in such matters as the proper rendering into diplomatic French of English ideas and phrases. M. Brenier was also of great service to the conference as a whole as chairman of the Drafting Committee, the important functions of which, especially in its later stages, have been dealt with in the report, and he rendered most willing assistance to other delegations, as well as to our own, in regard to the wording of resolutions or articles,\n\nWe hope that, if you think fit, the great value of M. Brenier's services to the conference as a whole, and to our own delegation in particular, may be communicated to the French Government.\n\nThe Russian and Netherlands delegations also gave us valuable support, especially in the matter of the American attempt to split up the convention, and M. Cremer, the leader of the Netherlands delegation, afforded the most kindly hospitality to ourselves and other delegates.\n\nThe German delegation, as will be seen from the report, were the most formidable antagonists with whom we had to contend; but, as will have been observed, we were able to settle our differences with them in a satisfactory manner by private colloquies. These were throughout carried on on the most friendly footing; and we\n\nLy",
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        "document_key": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 248,
        "title": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "# THE OPIUM EVIL.\n\n## Rule V. \nA drafting committee for the purpose of coordinating the acts adopted by the conference and preparing them in their final form shall also be appointed by the conference at the beginning of its labors.\n\n## Rule VI. \nThe members of the delegations are all authorized to take part in the deliberations at the plenary sessions of the conference as well as in the committees of which they form part. The members of one and the same delegation may mutually replace one another.\n\n## Rule VII. \nEvery resolution or motion proposed for discussion by the conference must, as a general rule, be delivered in writing to the president, and be printed and distributed before being taken up for discussion.\n\n## Rule VIII. \nThe public may be admitted to the plenary sessions of the conference when the conference itself so decides. Tickets shall be distributed for this purpose by the secretary general with the authorization of the president.\n\n## Rule IX. \nFrench shall be the official language of the conference, and the minutes shall be recorded in this language. However, other languages may be used in the conference.\n\n## Rule X. \nSpecial questions which have been already dealt with in the sessions of the committees cannot be discussed in pleno by a member of a delegation in a speech of more than 10 minutes, unless the conference decides otherwise.\n\nThe rules as finally adopted by the conference follow:\n\n## Rule I. \nThe International Opium Conference is composed of all the delegates of the powers which have accepted the proposal of the United States Government and the invitation of the Government of the Queen of the Netherlands.\n\n## Rule II. \nAfter organizing its bureau, the conference shall discuss in pleno the best method of drafting a program. The conference may, if necessary, appoint committees to study the questions submitted to it. The delegates of the powers are free to register on the lists of these committees as may appear convenient to them.\n\n## Rule III. \nEach committee shall appoint a chairman, secretary, and reporter.\n\n## Rule IV. \nA drafting committee for the purpose of coordinating the resolutions adopted by the conference and preparing them in their final form shall also be appointed by the conference at the beginning of its labors.\n\n## Rule V. \nAll the delegates are authorized to take part in the deliberations at the plenary sessions of the conference as well as in the committees of which they form part. The members of one and the same delegation may mutually replace one another.\n\n## Rule VI. \nMembers of the conference attending the meetings of committees of which they are not members, are not to be entitled to take part in the deliberations without special authorization of the chairman of the committees.\n\n## Rule VII. \nWhen a vote is taken, each delegation shall have only one vote. The vote shall be taken by roll call in the alphabetical order of the powers represented.\n\n## Rule VIII. \nEvery resolution or motion proposed for discussion by the conference must, as a general rule, be delivered in writing to the president and be printed and distributed before being taken up for discussion. Such proposals cannot be voted on during the same session without the unanimous consent of all the delegations.\n\n## Rule IX. \nA committee of three delegates shall be appointed by the conference, to which shall be intrusted the duty of making any communications to the press.\n\n## Rule X. \nThe minutes of the plenary sessions of the conference and of the committees shall give a succinct résumé of the deliberations. A proof copy of them shall be delivered with as little delay as possible to the members of the conference: they need not be read at the beginning of the sessions, except by the request of a delegate.\n\n## Rule XI. \nFrench shall be the official language of the conference, and the minutes shall be recorded in this language. However, other languages may be used in the conference. This rule shall not exclude the delivery of a translation to those delegates who desire to receive these documents in any other language.\n\n## Rule XII. \nSpecial questions which have been already dealt with in the sessions of the committees cannot be discussed in pleno by a member of a delegation in a speech of more than 10 minutes, unless the conference decides otherwise.\n\n## THE OPIUM EVIL.\n\nSome discussion having arisen as to the program of the conference, the following statement was made on behalf of the American delegation:\n\nThat the United States had endeavored to secure from the interested Governments a definitive program for the conference, based on the tentative program contained in its circular proposal of September 1, 1909, and the additional proposals of Great Britain, but had failed to do so because several of the Governments had expressed a desire to reserve their views until the conference had assembled; that it was now apparent that a committee to be termed the program committee should be selected, and that this committee, composed of members from each delegation, should formulate a definitive program for the conference.\n\nThis view was concurred in by all of the delegates, and the following resolution, proposed by the American delegation, was unanimously adopted:\n\nThat a committee to be called the program committee be appointed, consisting of one representative from each delegation, and that it be authorized to prepare and submit to the conference a draft program for consideration, such program to be based upon the suggestions made on behalf of the United States of America as modified by the several powers which have made reservations thereon and upon the additional suggestions made on behalf of Great Britain and Italy; and that any further matters which the conference may subsequently decide to take into consideration shall similarly be first referred to the same committee.\n\nUnder this resolution, a partial program was designed for the conference. Some delay and confusion which afterwards occurred would have been avoided if the conference had sent all new proposals to this committee to be properly formulated, instead of discussing them in plenary session, as was insisted upon by several of the delegations present.\n\nRule 8, as adopted by the conference, proved to be a cause for delay, and it was finally changed, on suggestion of the Japanese delegation, to read as follows:\n\nEvery resolution or motion proposed for discussion by the conference must, as a general rule, be delivered in writing to the president, and be printed and distributed before being taken up for discussion. The resolution referred to in the present rule is one of such character as is destined to form the subject of international agreement and consequently to require a careful study beforehand; and does not include a resolution offered in the course of the sitting of the conference for transaction of business. Such proposals cannot be voted on during the same session, without the unanimous consent of all the delegations.\n\nUnder the rules, the deliberations of the conference were to be kept secret, or at least not communicated by members of the conference to the press except through the agency of the press committee of the conference. It may be observed that this rule was not fully respected, and at one of the plenary sessions the president called the attention of the conference to the fact. Some adverse comment has been made because the conference chose to deliberate in camera. It should be stated in this connection that the American delegation was one of those opposed to a day-to-day publication of the proceedings of the conference, for it recognized that the conference was dealing with the production and traffic in commodities the present and future value of which would be largely determined by the definitive arrangements to be made. \n\n15 \n245",
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        "content_text": "2* \n\n(m), and (n), while, on the other hand, they laid it down as a condition of their participation in the conference that it should also deal with the question of stringent restrictions on the manufacture and trade in morphine and cocaine, and this condition was accepted by the other participating Powers.\n\nThe Italian Government, again, suggested that the conference might advantageously deal with drugs produced from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa or indica).\n\n4. Our instructions emphasised the fact that His Majesty's Government held it essential that \"the conference should thoroughly and completely deal with the question of restricting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphine and cocaine.\" This, indeed, you added, \"is a subject to which His Majesty's Government attach especial importance in view of the spread of the morphia and cocaine habit in India, in China, and in other Eastern countries. Indian and Chinese experience shows that legislation against the importation of morphia and cocaine must fail to be thoroughly effective owing to the ease with which it can be evaded in practice, and consequently suggests the desirability of co-operation on the part of the home and foreign Governments in the shape of control over manufacture and distribution.\" We were therefore to use our best efforts to secure the assistance of the Governments represented at the conference towards obtaining this end.\n\n5. Our instructions went on to indicate the various points (specified above) in the original American tentative programme for the conference to which His Majesty's Government had taken exception and which therefore they were not prepared to discuss. We were further told that the following matters should also be considered as excluded from treatment by the conference :-\n\n(1) The arrangements made between His Majesty's Government and China respecting the progressive restriction of the importation and production of opium in China.\n\n(2) All other existing treaties between the two countries.\n\n(3) Any resolution specifically affecting the domestic regulation of the production and use of opium and cognate questions of internal administration in India or any portion of the British dominions.\n\nWe were, therefore, to refuse to discuss these subjects, although not precluded from communicating to the conference, if desired, any information in regard to systems of regulation in India or the colonies that might be of assistance in its labours.\n\n6. In accordance with this last proviso, Sir William Meyer submitted to the conference a paper dealing with the measures taken by the Government of India to control and restrict the consumption of raw opium in India and a second paper treating of the policy adopted in Burma, where the usual method of consumption is the smoking of prepared opium. This latter memorandum also referred to the measures taken by the Government of India against the smoking habit in the rest of India. At a later stage, a memorandum was likewise put in showing the methods taken in British colonies, mainly those in the Far East, to restrict the consumption of opium, morphine, and cocaine. These memoranda are included in the official report of the proceedings of the conference, but as we shall have occasion to refer to them, we append copies of them (Appendices I to III).\n\n7. Later, we received supplementary suggestions as to the measures which His Majesty's Government thought it desirable that we should propose to the conference in the matter of restricting the manufacture of, and trade in, morphia and cocaine, and these will be referred to later on.\n\n8. The conference assembled on the 1st December, 1911 (first session), and, after a speech of welcome from his Excellency M. de Marees van Swinderen, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was subsequently elected honorary president of the conference, Bishop Brent, the leader of the American delegation, was unanimously elected to the actual presidency—on the proposal of M. Cremer, the first delegate for the Netherlands, supported by Sir Cecil Clementi Smith and M. von Müller, the first delegate for Germany—and delivered an eloquent inaugural address.\n\n9. The second session (4th December) was occupied by the framing of rules of procedure and the constitution of committees, viz.:\n\n(a) A Programme Committee, consisting of one member from each delegation, which was to prepare and submit to the conference a programme of work, based on the original draft programme of the United States Government as modified by the objections made in respect thereto by other Powers. This programme was also to deal with the supplementary proposals made by Great Britain on the subject of morphine and cocaine, and by Italy in regard to hemp drugs. It was further decided that any additional matter on which the conference might later embark should likewise be a subject of preliminary examination by the programme committee.\n\n(b) A Drafting Committee (\"Comité de Rédaction\"), consisting of five (afterwards six) members, and including representatives of Great Britain, Germany, Holland, and Russia, and subsequently of the United States. The original reference to this committee was to draft into proper conventional form the resolutions passed by the conference, but later on, as will be seen, its functions were considerably enlarged.\n\n(c) A press committee, consisting of three members, whose duty it was to decide what information should be communicated to the press, it having been resolved that the meetings of the conference should be private.\n\n(d) A fourth committee, the Technical Committee, though never formally constituted, also assumed shape, and eventually definite recognition. It consisted of the medical and scientific members of the various delegations.\n\n10. It was also definitely decided at this session that, while French must as usual be the official language of the conference, each delegate might speak in his own language, and that translations of French documents might be furnished to those delegates who desired to have them. As a matter of fact, owing to the large number of delegates who understood English better than French, most of the speeches were made in English, even the French and German delegates frequently repeating in English what they had already said in French, and there was likewise an English summary of the proceedings, though it was always understood that the French text was the only authoritative one, and that the English version was a summary rather than a translation. We feel it only right to take this opportunity of placing on record our sense of the courtesy and consideration with which the other delegations accepted the situation.\n\n11. At the third session (7th December) a warning note was sounded by the French and Portuguese delegations in regard to the difficulties that might arise owing to the small number of countries represented at the conference, and the danger of outside Powers deriving profit from the self-denying ordinances which the participating Powers might impose upon themselves in regard to trade in opium, &c.; and it may be mentioned here that at the fourth session a resolution was carried, on the proposal of the Persian delegate, that all the conclusions arrived at by the conference should be presented to outside Powers with a view to their co-operation being obtained. Ultimately (as will be subsequently explained) this difficulty was met in another way by providing that before the convention drawn up by the conference is ratified, the non-participating Powers of Europe and America should be invited to give their signatures to it, and thus place themselves on the same footing as the original signatory Powers.\n\n12. Definitions of the terms \"raw,\" \"prepared,\" and \"medicinal\" opium, which had been submitted by the Programme Committee, after report by the Technical Committee, were then accepted. These definitions were those which now find place at the head of chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the convention; but there was a further paragraph in the definition of raw opium which extended its application to what is known commercially as powdered and granulated opium. This latter paragraph, as submitted by the Programme Committee, departed from the terms drawn up by the Technical Committee, and, inasmuch as in this altered form it appeared to include under \"raw opium\" what were in effect medicinal or officinal substances, this paragraph was subsequently struck out, leaving the definition of raw opium as it now stands. The result is that powdered or granulated opium would only be \"raw opium\" if it did not fall under one of the other definitions, i.e., in so far as it was merely the raw product of the poppy simply powdered or granulated. To render this point quite clear, and in accordance with instructions received from you, we made a specific declaration to this effect at the twenty-first session (17th January). After some discussion, it was then decided to ask the Technical Committee to report whether any further alteration of the definition of raw opium was desirable. The committee held that the declaration made on behalf of the British delegation might be deemed sufficient, or else that some maximum percentage of morphine would have to be introduced; the former alternative was endorsed by the conference as a whole at the twenty-third session.\n\nIt may be added that, apart from this particular point, the definitions as they now stand follow the broad lines between opium eaten and opium smoked, which has always been adopted in India. Opium which is eaten is \"raw\" opium, while smoking preparations are \"prepared\" opium.\n\n* The first of these three documents is given, in the form of a speech, on p. 28 of Vol. I of the \"Actes et Documents,\" the second and third appear in the second volume. \n\nPage 262",
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        "content_text": "## 44. A further German amendment which inserted the words \"généralement reconnues\" after the words \"recherches scientifiques\" in what is now article 14 (d) was at the same time carried, its desirability being generally apparent.\n\n45. It may be explained here that the original resolution on which draft article 17, as given in paragraph 39, was based, made no specific mention of anti-opium remedies. The circumstances in which this reference was inserted in clause (b) of the draft article, and in article 14 (b) of the final convention, are stated in paragraph 47.\n\n46. We need only add at present, that when the resolution which formed the basis of draft article 11 (paragraph 39) came under consideration, the American delegation suggested that the licence system therein contemplated should apply also to instruments used for the injection of morphine and cocaine. This was, however, opposed by the German delegation, on the ground that there was no special set of instruments set apart for use in connection with these drugs, and, the objection being supported by Sir William Collins, the proposal was dropped.\n\n47. At the eleventh session (19th December) the French delegation brought forward a resolution to the effect that it was desirable to take measures against so-called anti-opium remedies, which for the most part contained opium, morphine, or cocaine. After some discussion, during which Dr. Wu-Lien-Teh showed, from a series of analyses that had been made in regard to a number of these remedies, that nearly all of them contained opium or morphine, even though in some cases warranted not to do so, the resolution was passed unanimously in the following form:\n\n\"La conférence, constatant que, dans les pays où des efforts ont été faits pour combattre l'abus de l'opium, on a été amené à faire usage de soi-disant remèdes anti-opium, contenant de l'opium, de la morphine ou de la cocaïne, décide que les Gouvernements participants prendront contre ces remèdes dangereux des mesures analogues à celles qui sont proposées contre l'opium, la morphine, la cocaïne et contre leurs sels respectifs.\"\n\nThe substance of this resolution has been embodied in article 14 (b) of the final convention, which lays down that any preparations, whether styled anti-opium remedies or not, containing more than 2 per cent. of morphine or 1 per cent of cocaine, shall be treated in the same way as those drugs.\n\n48. The Chinese delegation then submitted a series of resolutions having special reference to China, and to the Powers having special treaties with the Chinese Government. These resolutions had been discussed with us before they were presented, and had been worded in accordance with suggestions we had made.\n\nThe first two resolutions were to the effect that:\n\n| Resolution # | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | The participating Governments agree to co-operate with the Chinese Government in the prevention of the smuggling of opium, morphine, cocaine, &c., from their colonies in the Far East, or from their leased territories in China into Chinese territory, while the Chinese Government will similarly co-operate towards the prevention of such smuggling from China into the colonies and territories in question. |\n| 2 | With a view to giving practical effect to the principle embodied in resolution No. 9 of the Shanghai commission, the Chinese Government will enact pharmaceutical laws for its subjects, regulating the sale and distribution of morphine, cocaine, &c., and will communicate these laws to the treaty Powers represented at the conference. These Powers will, if they find the said laws acceptable, take the necessary steps for applying them to their own nationals in China. |\n\nThese two resolutions were carried as they stood.\n\n49. The third resolution was to the effect that the participating Governments would undertake to adopt all necessary measures to restrict and control the smoking of opium in their leased territories, settlements, or concessions in China, and to suppress any opium-smoking divans, &c., that might still exist there, as also to prohibit the smoking of opium in places of public amusement and houses of ill-fame.\n\nTo this resolution the German delegation moved an amendment, which was adopted, to the effect that the suppression of opium-smoking divans, &c., should take place pari passu with similar measures adopted by the Chinese Government in its own territories.\n\n50. The fourth resolution, as carried with a verbal amendment suggested by the French delegation, proposed that the participating Powers should take effective measures for the gradual reduction, pari passu with similar measures taken by the Chinese Government, of the number of shops dealing in opium, which may still exist in their leased settlements, territories or concessions, and that they should adopt suitable and effective measures for the restriction and control of the retail trade in opium in these areas.\n\n51. The fifth resolution, after some alteration in the original wording which took place after discussion thereon, was to the following effect:\n\n\"The participating Governments possessing post offices of their own in China undertake to adopt stringent measures to prevent the illegal importation into China, as well as the transmission from one part of China to another through the agency of their aforesaid post offices, of opium, whether raw or prepared, of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, and of the other substances dealt with in the convention.\"\n\n52. All these resolutions, subject to the amendments above indicated, passed without opposition, but Siam and Persia abstained from voting as not having treaties with China. The resolutions were originally embodied, as having special reference to the conditions of China and to circumstances which did not affect some of the conference Powers, in a separate supplementary convention. The articles now figure as Nos. 15 to 19 of Chapter IV in the final convention, and in signing the convention the Siamese and Persian delegates indicated that they did so with a reserve on the subject of these articles, since they have no special treaties with China.\n\n53. The Drafting Committee then put before the conference three documents, comprising:\n\n| Document | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | Draft articles of a convention embodying the general resolutions already passed on the subject of opium, raw and prepared, morphine, cocaine, &c. |\n| (b) | Draft articles on the subject of ratification, adhesion, and denunciation. |\n| (c) | A draft final protocol. |\n\nA preliminary reading was then given to document (a), and some verbal amendments were introduced.\n\n54. At the twelfth session (20th December) the conference proceeded to the discussion of the first portion of document (b), which dealt with the procedure in regard to ratification coming into force, adhesion coming into force, and denunciation in respect of the convention. The procedure submitted for discussion was as follows:\n\n| Procedure # | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| 1 | There would be a premier dépôt des ratifications at The Hague as soon as several signatory Powers were prepared to ratify. |\n| 2 | The remaining participating Powers would ratify subsequently by written notification. |\n| 3 | All outside Powers should then be invited to adhere. |\n| 4 | The convention would come into force a year after the Netherlands Government had received the ratifications of all the contracting Powers and the adhesion of all the outside Powers above mentioned. |\n| 5 | If, however, matters were not so far advanced two years after the signing of the convention, all the Powers that had by that time ratified or adhered were to be invited to send delegates to a fresh conference at The Hague to consider the conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be wholly or partially enforced. |\n| 6 | A subsequent denunciation of the convention by any Power would apply only to that Power, and would come into effect a year after notice of denunciation had been given. |\n\n55. In regard to the first condition above mentioned, we proposed, to expedite matters, that the convention should in any case be ratified by the participating Powers within six months, and, subject to an American amendment which extended the period to one year, this was carried. As regards the third condition, we also procured an amendment providing that invitation to the outside Powers should take place after the premier dépôt instead of after universal ratification, and that the premier dépôt might have effect as soon as six Powers were ready to ratify.\n\n56. The discussion of the draft did not proceed further before our Christmas recess, but at the thirteenth session (21st December) we presented an important amendment with reference to the manner in which the convention was to come into force, which is given in paragraph 61 infra. This amendment was referred to the Drafting Committee, whose powers were extended so as to enable it not merely to put into conventional form the substance of resolutions already accepted by the conference, but to add such additional articles as seemed necessary for the purposes of completing the convention.\n\nPage 270\nPage 271",
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        "content_text": "## 57. Reference had been made in more than one of the earlier sessions of the conference to the difficulty in regard to dealing with \"Indian hemp.\" As previously stated, the Italian Government had put this subject forward as one of the matters which the conference should consider, but it appeared that the Italian delegation was not to present any specific proposal in regard to hemp drugs, but rather to leave it to the conference as a whole to take such measures in regard to these as it might deem expedient.\n\n## 58. The subject was therefore referred to the Programme Committee, but that body was of the unanimous opinion that no useful purpose would be served by entering on the discussion of such a question, in which many interests might be involved, without careful study and consideration. M. Cremer, its chairman, therefore announced to the conference that, having regard to these circumstances, and to the facts that-(a) the conference was not in possession of the statistics necessary for adequate treatment of the subject;* (b) it was difficult to obtain a scientific definition of the preparations that would have to be dealt with; (c) the delegates had no instructions in regard to the discussion of this matter; (d) it appeared sufficient for the countries threatened by the abuse of hemp drugs to take internal measures against them-the Programme Committee considered it sufficient to recommend the adoption of the following resolution in the form of a vœu :--\n\n\"Il est à désirer que les Gouvernements participants étudient la question du chanvre indien au point de vue statistique et scientifique, dans le but de régler éventuellement, par leur législation intérieure ou pour un accord international, les abus de son emploi.” \n\nThis resolution was accordingly introduced by the Netherlands delegation, and was carried, with an amendment proposed by us substituting for the word \"éventuellement\" the words \"si la nécessité s'en fait sentir.\"\n\n## 59. The next matter for consideration was a resolution by the American delegation which had been brought forward and received some discussion at the twelfth session. This was to the effect that the participating Powers should communicate to one another, through the medium of the Netherlands Government, texts of existing and future laws and regulations bearing on matters dealt with in the convention; as also statistical information in regard to the trade in raw and prepared opium, morphine, and cocaine, and their respective salts, hemp drugs, and any other drugs or preparations dealt with in the convention.\n\nThe mention of hemp drugs was now deleted from the resolution, and, as regards the exchange of statistical information, an amendment, moved by our delegation and accepted by the Americans, to the effect that the statistics should be based, not only on Customs reports, but also on the registers of sale kept by persons licensed to carry on trade in the drugs concerned, was carried with a single negative vote. Our object, as we explained, was not in any way to divulge the statistics of individual firms, but, by grouping these together, to obtain information which would be very valuable as a supplement to the Customs returns. Later on, however (seventeenth session), when article 21 of the convention, which was based on this resolution, came up for final consideration, the German delegation pointed out that in some cases, as in regard to heroine, the trade was so largely in the hands of a single firm that to give the statistics proposed would in effect amount to divulging private affairs; and, recognising the justice of this view, the conference brought back the article to the scope of the original resolution by merely prescribing in general terms the submission of statistical information in regard to trade in the drugs mentioned.\n\n## 60. The conference adjourned after the fourteenth session (22nd December) for the Christmas recess.\n\n## 61. We had now been sitting for about three weeks, and had, as it seemed, come to a final agreement in regard to most of the matters with which we had been called upon to deal. The resolutions covering the ground which forms the basis of the first five chapters of the final convention had been reduced to article form and passed, and although some further modifications might be necessary, there was no reason to suppose that these would involve any material change of substance. We had in fact, as one of the French delegates epigramatically remarked, painted in our picture, and what principally remained was to deal with the best manner of framing it--in other words, with the procedure to be laid down in regard to the ratification of the convention,\n\nIt may be noted in this connection that the suggestion for the inclusion of hemp drugs in the conference programme was not brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government till about a fortnight before the conference met.\n\nPage 15\n\n## 61. ...its coming into force, the adhesion of outside Powers, and the methods and effects of denunciation. These matters raised difficult points, in regard to which there were a number of proposals still to be considered; but as the Drafting Committee was to reassemble some days before the full conference in order to consider and report upon them, and was to be assisted by the eminent international jurist, M. Asser, whose valuable services had been procured by the kind offices of the Netherlands Foreign Minister, there was every reason to believe that the conference, on coming together again, would be able to terminate its labours very speedily.\n\n## 62. When, however, we reassembled on the 8th January, we were confronted by a very different state of things. Owing to certain new proposals which had been put forward on behalf of the German delegation, the Drafting Committee had found itself confronted with questions of substance, which exceeded the limits even of its extended reference, in regard to what may be called the \"effectuating\" clauses of the convention, i.e., the articles relating to adhesion, ratification, coming into force, &c. The committee had therefore of necessity confined itself to setting forth, and commenting upon, the various proposals made, in a very full and lucid report which dealt with other matters also, and which was formally received at the fifteenth session (9th January).\n\n## 63. In that report the committee put before us :-----\n\n(1) The original \"effectuating\" draft, as amended by the alterations made in that portion of it which the conference had considered at the twelfth session (vide paragraph 54). Apart from some minor verbal modifications, the only point of difference between the draft as it then stood and that which the committee now submitted to us, was the omission of the condition, inserted at our suggestion, that ratification should take place within a year. This omission had been made at the instance of M. Asser, from whom the committee received most valuable assistance, on the ground that it was not expedient to tie down sovereign States to a fixed time condition as regards ratification, which circumstances might preclude some of them from fulfilling. It will be convenient hereafter to refer to this draft as the primary scheme. The committee justly remarked, this scheme was silent on the important points of the legislation required by the convention, and the date on which such legislation should come into force.\n\n## 64. (ii) (a) The primary scheme as modified by the further British amendment referred to at the close of paragraph 55 above, which dealt with those matters, and which in its final form was as follows:\n| Condition | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (1) | The convention would come into force, as regards matters which did not require legislation, as soon as possible, in any case within six months of its ratification by the participating Powers. |\n| (2) | Laws necessary to give effect to the convention should be drawn up as soon as possible, but the date on which they would come into force was to be the subject of an agreement between the Powers, and to depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested had adhered. |\n\nThe insertion of this last stipulation was rendered necessary by the fact that the participating Powers were so few in number, and in order to meet the objections raised as to particular Powers sacrificing their trade interests by embarking on legislation which other Powers might not adopt. We also desired to ensure that if the fresh conference, proposed by condition (5) of the primary scheme (paragraph 54) became necessary, it should be confined to this point only. Generally speaking also, we desired, as the committee observed, to give practical effect to the decisions of the conference with the least possible delay.\n\n## 65. (ii) (b) Some further amendments to the project, as thus modified, suggested by the French delegation. That delegation pointed out that measures which in Western countries would require legislation would in some Eastern countries, as, for instance, in French Indo-China, be brought into effect by administrative enactment. Such enactments were consequently equivalent to the \"laws\" of Europe; but whereas the British scheme laid down that the coming into force of laws should be the subject of an agreement between the participating Powers, and should depend on the extent to which outside Powers materially interested might adhere, administrative regulations were to be put into effect without any such qualification. The French delegation therefore proposed that in the event of the agreement contemplated in regard to laws not being obtained, Governments which had meanwhile proceeded by administrative enactments... \n\nPage 268 \n[665]",
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        "content_text": "269 \n\n16 \n\nmight withdraw or modify them. The French contention as to the equivalence, in certain circumstances, of administrative enactments and laws, was one which we were bound to accept.\n\n## 66\n-(i) M. Delbrück, the German delegate on the Committee, had submitted a new scheme, the main lines of which were as follows:- \n\n(a) Immediately after the signature of the convention by the conference delegates, all the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to adhere. \n\n(b) When all these Powers had thus adhered to the convention, the process of ratification by all the Powers now concerned would commence, and would be carried into effect as soon as possible. \n\n(c) Adherence and ratification should be not merely for the home territories of any Power, but for its colonies and other outside possessions and protectorates also. \n\n(d) The convention would come into force a year after the completion of ratification by all the Powers concerned. \n\n(e) If, however, matters had not advanced to the ratification stage two years after the date of the signing of the convention by the delegates, a fresh conference should be held to consider conditions under which the convention might nevertheless be brought into force, wholly or in part.\n\nThis project, which we shall refer to hereafter as the German scheme, involved an entirely new principle, viz., the subordination of ratification to adhesion; but M. Asser did not think there was any objection in principle to this, although his own preference was for the usual method.\n\n## 67\nThe reasons brought forward by M. Delbrück in support of his proposal were that the circumstances were unprecedented, since some of the matters dealt with by the conference were of world-wide interest, and could not be adequately carried out by the small number of Powers represented at the conference, especially in view of the fact that some of the non-represented Powers occupied a very important position in regard to the questions under discussion, as, for instance, Turkey in regard to raw opium, and Bolivia and Peru (where the coca plant is principally produced) in regard to cocaine. M. Delbrück argued further that, as regards Germany, the convention would require the ratification of the Reichstag, and that it would be difficult to obtain such ratification while the attitude of outside Powers was unknown.\n\nOn the other hand, Sir William Collins had pointed out that this scheme as it stood, making ratification dependent on the adherence of all outside Powers of Europe and America, was likely to lead to indefinite delay in regard to the practical enforcement of the measures on which the conference had agreed.\n\n## 68\nThe Drafting Committee also reported difficulties which had arisen as to the exact significance of the words \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in article 5 of the convention, on the subject of raw opium, and also in articles 7 and 8, and in some of the articles in chapter 3, in regard to prepared opium, morphine, cocaine, &c.\n\n## 69\nThe remaining portions of the committee's report dealt mainly with-- \n(a) The wording of a number of the articles already agreed on, in regard to which the suggestions of the committee were subsequently in large measure accepted. \n(b) A proposal for bringing the special Chinese articles into the main convention. \n(c) The submission of a fresh draft final protocol.\n\n## 70\nApart from the important questions which had been thus raised by the report of the Drafting Committee, we were also faced with a serious difficulty in regard to the morphine and cocaine articles, into which the German delegation, as a result of the conferences they had had with their Government in Berlin, were now desirous of introducing important modifications. We had thus, as will be seen, to face fresh problems of a serious character, which involved not merely private conference with other delegations, but in some cases references to His Majesty's Government. Unfortunately we were deprived at this juncture of the guidance of Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, whose health had not permitted him to return to The Hague after the Christmas recess.\n\n## 71\nThe sixteenth session (10th January) dealt mainly with matters which have already been reported on, such as the transfer of the special Chinese articles to the main convention.\n\n## 72\nAt the seventeenth session (11th January) the report of the Drafting Committee on the various \"effectuating\" proposals came up for discussion. M. Delbrück gave a clear exposition of the circumstances which had led to the propounding of the German scheme, in the course of which he laid stress on the fact that ratification of the convention by the Reichstag would make it an integral part of the German corpus juris, while in the United States, for example, even if the convention were ratified by the Senate, its provisions would remain ineffective until applied by internal legislation.\n\n## 73\nThe course of the discussion, in which various delegations took part, had convinced us that the British amendment to the primary scheme had been superseded by the new proposals now put forward. As we more than once indicated to the conference, our object throughout was to insist on the practical and expeditious enforcement of the measures that had already been agreed to, rather than on questions of form; and as between the primary and the German schemes, the latter had the advantage that the agreement of outside Powers was to be sought immediately after the signing of the convention, while under the former that process would not be commenced till six at least of the conference Powers had ratified. We accordingly requested instructions as to whether we should negotiate on the basis of the German scheme, while endeavouring to shorten the periods before the convention should come into force, and to substitute \"substantial\" for \"unanimous\" adhesion of outside Powers.\n\n## 74\nAt the eighteenth session (12th January) the adjourned debate on the subject of the \"effectuation\" procedure was opened by M. Brenier (France), who pointed out that the divergent schemes before the conference arose from a conflict of ideas. The German delegation, looking to the great difficulties of embarking on the measures approved by the conference without adhesion of outside Powers, held that the obtainment of such adhesion was the first object to be aimed at; other delegations, concerned chiefly with getting the convention into force as soon as possible, objected to the delay which the German method would involve. In order to bridge the differences between these divergent ideas, M. Brenier suggested a compromise scheme and proposed that the Drafting Committee should present a definite proposal in regard to ratification, adhesion, and the coming into force of the convention. The American delegation proposed an amendment, which was carried, directing the committee to have regard to all the proposals which had been made, but not to express approval of any one of them.\n\n## 75\nThe Drafting Committee, which had been materially aided in its fresh deliberations by the kind assistance of M. van Swinderen as well as of M. Asser, then put forward a scheme following in some respects the lines of the German proposal. The main lines of the scheme as it was thus to be altered are shown below, the clauses italicised being those which we considered necessary in order to make the scheme a satisfactory one from our point of view - \n| Clause | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (1) | As soon as the convention had been signed, the outside Powers of Europe and America were to be invited to sign it also. No reference was now made to the word \"adhesion\" as being an unsuitable term to use in the circumstances proposed. |\n| (2) | As soon as these supplementary signatures had been obtained, ratification would be proceeded with. |\n| (3) | If, however, all the outside Powers had not signed by the 31st December, 1912, the Powers that had signed, whether originally or by way of supplementary signature, should send representatives to The Hague to consider whether ratification might not nevertheless be proceeded with. Our object here was to cut short the delay which might be caused by refusal to sign, or procrastination in agreeing to sign, on the part of some of the outside Powers. |\n| (4) | The convention was to come into force two months after the completion of the ratification process. (The Drafting Committee's original scheme said six months.) |\n| (5) | Laws, &c., necessary to give effect to the provisions of the convention should be drawn up and presented to the Parliaments concerned within six months of the convention coming into force. |\n| (6) | The date on which such legislation should come into force would, however, be the subject of agreement between the signatory Powers. We thus met the point which had been raised by the Board of Trade that restrictions should not be enforced until each State had had an opportunity of considering the extent to which other Powers were prepared to move in the same direction. |\n| (7) | In the event of grave difficulties arising in regard to the putting into force of the convention as a whole, or of the laws, &c., specifically contemplated thereby, a fresh conference should be summoned to obtain agreement on these matters. |\n\n## 76\nWe indicated, in addressing you on the subject of these amendments, that we thought the procedure proposed would present material advantages in coping with the ... \n\nPage 269\nPage 16\nPage 17\n[660] \nD 2",
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    {
        "id": 440937,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 273,
        "title": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "## 18 \n\nThe difficulties of a situation in which the representatives of only a few Powers were endeavouring to deal with matters some of which were of universal concern. We also observed that the French Delegation would, for the reasons stated in paragraph 65, propose to place administrative ordinances on the same footing as laws with reference to conditions (5) to (7), and that we must admit the justice of this proposal.\n\n77. The committee accepted our amendments (with the small change of two months into three in regard to clause 4 above) and also that of the French Delegation; and at the nineteenth session (15th January) the chairman of the Drafting Committee put the scheme before the conference as the best method of reconciling the differences of view indicated in his speech at the eighteenth session. The scheme was received with general favour, although at this stage several of the delegations, our own included, could not definitely commit themselves to its acceptance pending instructions from their Governments. The delegations which had reserved their acceptance of the scheme when first put forward, in due course received the assent of their Governments to its adoption, and the scheme has formed the basis, with some verbal modifications, of articles 22-24 of the convention.\n\n78. At the nineteenth session the final protocol as revised by the Drafting Committee, was also accepted on first reading.\n\n79. At the twentieth session (16th January) the German delegation brought forward the amendments to the morphine and cocaine articles of which preliminary mention has been made in paragraph 70 above. We had had a meeting with the German delegates on the subject on the 9th January, at which they had explained to us, as they now proceeded to do to the full conference, that on returning to Berlin for the Christmas recess and discussing matters with their Government, it had been found that the categorical form in which the original articles were drawn up was not suited to the constitution and conditions of the Empire, for while the convention would have to be ratified by the Reichstag, so becoming a part of the German law, the matters with which these articles dealt were, for the most part, within the sphere not of the Imperial Government or legislature, but of the individual States. The Bundesrat was accordingly not likely to put before the Reichstag, or was the latter likely to ratify, articles which would thus encroach upon State autonomy. The German delegates further explained to us that in a number of the individual States the method of controlling chemical or dangerous industries was not by licensing, but simply by requiring notification to the authorities, who could then intervene if their intervention seemed called for. It was to suit this method that amendments in the wording of the old articles 10 and 11 were now proposed to be introduced.\n\n80. Having taken note of these considerations, we proceeded to discuss the amendments on their merits, and pointed out that we could not accept them as they stood, since they whittled down the original articles far too much.\n\nIn the original German draft of the amended articles the categorical terms \"limiteront,\" \"exigeront,\" &c., had been replaced by such formulae as \"auront soin, dans la mesure du possible, de faire contrôler, exiger,\" &c. Further, whereas the original article 10 laid down that the manufacture of morphine, cocaine, &c., should only take place in premises specially set apart for the purpose, the German amendment merely provided that the authorities should take note of such premises. Again, whereas the original article 11 required producers of, and dealers in, the drugs in question to obtain a licence, the German amendment allowed them, as an alternative, merely to apprise the authorities that they were embarking on these operations, and this alternative was placed first as if to show that it would be the more usual course.\n\n81. After considerable discussion it was provisionally agreed that:\n\n(1.) Instead of such expressions as \"auront soin, dans la mesure du possible,\" the word employed should be the equivalent of the English \"will use their best endeavours,\" or of the German \"nach Möglichkeit darauf Bedacht nehmen.\"\n\nWe proposed \"s'efforceront\" as the proper French equivalent, and our German colleagues, though at first reluctant to accept this rendering, on the ground that it seemed to imply an undesirable amount of coercion, ultimately, after several meetings, agreed to it.\n\n(2.) As regards original article 10, the former provisions should stand, provided that, as an alternative, Governments which so desired might simply keep themselves informed of the premises in which manufacture was carried on, and maintain a register of them.\n\n(3.) As regards original article 11 again, the licensing method should come first, with an official notification to the authorities as an alternative.\n\n## 19 \n\n## 270 \n\n82. The final result of our conferences with the German delegates will be seen from the text of the German amendments as actually presented to the conference which is given below. It represents the substance of what we provisionally agreed to on the 9th January, with some verbal modifications subsequently arrived at:\n\n(Old Article 13.)\n\n**ARTICLE 10.**\n\n\"The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to cause to be controlled all persons manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, and exporting morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, as well as the buildings in which these manufacturers and traders carry on such industry or trade.\n\nTo this end, the contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to take the following measures:\n\n(Old Article 10.)\n\n\"(a.) Limit to the sole establishments and premises which have been designated for this purpose the manufacture of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, or inform themselves in which establishments and premises morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts are manufactured, and keep a register of them.\n\n## 14 \n\n(Old Article 11.)\n\n(b) Require all those who manufacture, import, sell, distribute, and export morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to obtain a permit to carry out these operations, or give official notice to the authorities.\n\n(Old Article 12.)\n\n(c) Require these manufacturers and traders to record in their books the quantities manufactured, imports, sales, any other transfer, and exports of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts. This rule shall not necessarily apply to prescriptions and sales made by duly authorised pharmacists.\n\n**ARTICLE 11** (Old Article 14).\n\n\"The contracting Powers shall prohibit in their internal trade any transfer of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to unauthorised persons.\n\n**ARTICLE 12** (Old Article 15).\n\n\"The contracting Powers, taking into account the differences in their conditions, shall use their best endeavours to restrict the importation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to authorised persons.\n\n**ARTICLE 13** (Old Article 16).\n\n\"The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to take measures to ensure that the exportation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts from their countries, colonies, and leased territories to the countries, colonies, and leased territories of the other contracting Powers takes place only in cases where the recipient has received a permit issued in accordance with the laws of the importing country authorising the importation of these drugs.\n\nTo this end, any Government may from time to time provide the Governments of exporting countries with information regarding persons to whom import permits for morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts have been issued.\"\n\n(Old Article 18.)\n\n(Translation.)\n\n**ARTICLE 10.**\n\n| English | French |\n| --- | --- |\n| The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to cause to be controlled all persons manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, and exporting morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts, as well as the buildings in which these manufacturers and traders carry on such industry or trade. | Les Puissances contractantes s'efforceront de faire contrôler tous ceux qui fabriquent, importent, vendent, distribuent et exportent la morphine, la cocaïne et leurs sels respectifs, ainsi que les bâtiments où ces fabricants et commerçants exercent cette industrie ou ce commerce. |",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 440938,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "page_number": 274,
        "title": "CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912",
        "content_text": "271 \n\n20 \n\nWith this object, the contracting Parties shall use their best endeavours to take the following measures:\n\n(Old Article 10.)\n\n\"(a) To confine the manufacture of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to those establishments and premises alone which have been appointed for this purpose, or to obtain information respecting the establishments and premises in which these drugs are manufactured and to keep a register of them.\n\n(Old Article 11)\n\n\"(b) To require that all persons engaged in the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, or exportation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts shall be furnished with a licence to engage in these operations, or shall inform the authorities officially.\n\n(Old Article 12.)\n\n\"(c) To require that such manufacturers and traders shall enter in their books the quantities manufactured, imports, sales and all other distribution, and exports of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts. This rule shall not necessarily apply to prescriptions and to sales by duly authorised chemists.\n\n## ARTICLE 11 (Old Article 14).\n\n\"The contracting Powers shall prohibit, as regards their internal trade, the delivery of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts to any unauthorised persons.\n\n## ARTICLE 12 (Old Article 15).\n\n\"Due regard being had to the differences in their conditions, the contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to restrict to authorised persons the importation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts.\n\n## ARTICLE 13 (Old Article 16).\n\n\"The contracting Powers shall use their best endeavours to take measures to ensure that morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts shall not be exported from their countries, colonies, and leased territories to the countries, colonies, and leased territories of the other contracting Powers, except when the consignee has received a licence issued in accordance with the laws of the importing country authorising him to import these drugs.\n\nWith this object, each Government may communicate from time to time to the Governments of the exporting countries information respecting the persons to whom licences for the importation of morphine, cocaine, and their respective salts have been granted.\"\n\n83. Immediately after this first meeting, we informed you that each delegation had agreed to submit the draft as thus amended to its Government, and that we proposed, subject to your approval, to state, when the matter came up in conference, that we much preferred the original articles, and should only accept the revised scheme in order to preserve unanimity. You replied that you deprecated the amendments, as they would greatly diminish the utility of the convention; but that if acceptance was the sole method of arriving at an agreement, you reluctantly authorised us to give it, on condition that the convention should provide that the enforcement of the restrictions it contemplated should not be obligatory on any one Government until there was likelihood of steps being taken in the same direction by the other participating States, as well as by the most important of the outside Powers.\n\n84. The provisions necessary to guard against this danger having been obtained by the revised scheme in respect of the effectuating clauses—vide article 24 of the convention—we were able to inform the German delegates that if they proposed the amendments indicated in paragraph 82, we would not oppose them, though we could not give our willing consent. The amendments were consequently, as has been stated, introduced at the twentieth session, with an explanatory speech by Dr. Grünenwald, in which, while explaining the circumstances that had given rise to the amendments, and urging the desirability of assenting to them for the sake of obtaining complete and cordial unanimity, he said that the modifications proposed were really of a verbal character, to suit German conditions, and would not in any way affect the spirit of the original resolutions.\n\n21 \n\n85. We took note of this declaration, expressed the hope that the practical application of the articles as revised would be the same in Germany as would have been the case if the articles had been adopted in their original form, and intimated that our Government, in order to secure unanimity in this important matter, were prepared to accept the German amendments if they met with approval from other delegations, but could accept them only with regret. The conference then voted on the first reading, and with some verbal amendments, the articles as redrafted were accepted, seven voting for, and four abstaining. They form the basis of articles 10 to 13 of the convention.\n\n86. At the twentieth session, the difficulty in regard to the meaning to be attached to the terms \"importation\" and \"exportation,\" as used in the convention, on which the Drafting Committee had reported, as indicated in paragraph 68, also came before the conference. We had had a considerable amount of private discussion with the German delegates on this subject. Our position throughout the discussion was that we did not see any need for a definition of the terms, and that, so far as we were concerned, we desired to give them the widest possible application. Our German colleagues, on the contrary, were, for reasons which they explained fully, anxious that the conference should embody in the text of the convention specific definitions of the terms \"importation\" and \"exportation.\" Several attempts were made to frame a definition which would meet the wishes of both parties, as a minimum for the conference to lay down, but without success. The question was discussed at some length at this and at the twenty-first session (17th January), and it was finally suggested that the German delegation should make a declaration stating what meaning their Government proposed to attach to the terms, and that this declaration should figure in the minutes of the conference. This suggestion was fortunately adopted by the German Government, and at the twenty-second session (18th January), the German delegation made the following declaration, which thus solved the matter in accordance with the view that no specific definition was necessary, while at the same time it indicated the limits within which the German Government was prepared to act:\n\n£6 \n\nAprès l'échange de vues qui à ce sujet a eu lieu au sein de Comité de Rédaction et dans la vingtième et vingt et unième séances plénières, la délégation allemande est prête à renoncer à une définition; cependant la délégation tient à constater que le Gouvernement allemand interprète les dispositions de la convention ainsi qu'il suit:\n\n“(1.) Chaque Gouvernement pourra définir les mots 'importation' et 'exportation' selon ses propres conditions, et en tenant compte de sa législation intérieure.\n\n“(2.) Les mesures que les Gouvernements prendront pour exécuter les stipulations de la convention quant à l'importation et à l'exportation peuvent être limitées aux actes purement commerciaux, et ne se rapporteront pas forcément aux transactions des transporteurs et expéditeurs.\n\n(3.) Les Puissances contractantes ne sont pas obligées d'instituer un contrôle de l'importation ou de l'exportation à la frontière, ou par les organes de la douane.”*\n\n87. The only other business not already referred to, dealt with at the twenty-first session, was the insertion of a denunciation article (article 25 of the convention) which follows the original scheme of the Drafting Committee, and the commencement of the second reading of the convention as a whole.\n\n88. At the twenty-fifth session (22nd January) we made the following declaration on the subject of the application of the convention to His Majesty's dominions:\n\n46 \n\nNous déclarons que les articles de la présente convention, si elle est ratifiée par Le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté, s'appliqueront à l'Empire des Indes britanniques, à Ceylan,\n\n* (TRANSLATION)-\"After the exchange of views on this subject which has taken place in the Drafting Committee and at the twentieth and twenty-first plenary sessions, the German delegation is ready to abandon a definition; the delegation desires, however, to record that the German Government interprets the provisions of the convention as follows:\n\n\"(1.) Each Government may define the words 'importation' and 'exportation' according to its own circumstances, and having regard to its internal legislation.\n\n\"(2.) The measures to be taken by the Governments to carry out the provisions of the convention in regard to importation and exportation may be restricted to purely commercial actions, and will not necessarily relate to the transactions of carriers and shippers.\n\n\"(3.) The contracting Powers are not obliged to institute a control of importation or exportation at the frontier, or by means of the customs.\"",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 441255,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "page_number": 19,
        "title": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "content_text": "## present session occupies the B.I.T.\n\n(2)\n\nthey will have an interval for recreation & preparation of the hill\n\nI am afraid that the trade interests of the Chinese are not going to benefit much by the Convention; though the physical and moral welfare of the communities may gain from the proposed restrictions.\n\n(3) The whole object of legislation in this country is to augment the traffic at this end: it is not to which obviously neither the H.O. nor the Home Govt. nor the Legislative Co. has the necessary knowledge.\n\nI am afraid that the B.I.T. have not paid much attention to the terms of the Convention.\n\nThe only alternative to the B.I.T. that occurs is the Bombay Opium Excise - with the approval of the Treasury.\n\nIndians will presumably have to settle this question amongst themselves since the T.G. & B.O.T. decline to do the work, being clearly unfitted for it.\n\nIn the meantime, I think we should generally point out that we can't draft the legislation, that the B.I.T. has got plenty of time to brood over it; & that the H.O. cannot make it up under the Factory Act; it's a matter for the B.I.T.\n\n(d) send a copy `R29/2`\n\nI think we shall have a Committee after all to settle the draft.\n\nIt does not seem possible to get representations of H.O. Customs & B. of T. together as a committee to consider what provisions should be introduced.\n\nTo get Parliamentary Counsel & do the drafting.\n\nTo consider the draft in Committee.\n\nThere won't be a question of taking on the job of introducing the Bill to the House. That is not a matter for this Dept.\n\n7th 10.9\n\nC 18 \n630.22 \n\n## Page 30",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 441257,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "page_number": 21,
        "title": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "content_text": "20 \n\nwere not represented at the Hague Conference and that their action in the matter was confined to indicating to the British Delegates, both at informal meetings which took place before the Conference assembled, and whilst it was sitting through the Foreign Office, how the restrictions necessitated by Colonial and Indian interests could be imposed in such a way as to prove most effective and at the same time inflict the minimum amount of damage to British manufacturers and traders.\n\nThe Board accordingly venture to suggest that the drafting of the necessary measures and their conduct through Parliament should be undertaken by one of the Departments concerned with the Possessions and Colonies in whose interests the Convention was concluded. They will, of course, be prepared to render all possible assistance to the Department charged with responsibility for the Bill, and, if desired, to appoint representatives on any Committee which may be appointed for the purpose of drafting it.\n\nThe Board are causing copy of your letter and of this reply to be sent to the Foreign Office for Sir E. Grey's information.\n\nI have the honour to be,  \nSir,  \nYour obedient Servant,  \nHewallyn Smith",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 441259,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "page_number": 23,
        "title": "CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912",
        "content_text": "## to the Governor of Hong Kong\n\nThe best course would be to \nform an \ninformal Committee, composed \nof representatives of the French, \nIndians Colonial Offices, \nthe British Consul, \nMajor Port Officer & the \nDirector of Trade, to consider \ntrade \nand the general lines of \nwhat is required and to \n\"introduce \nthe legislation which is required \nto be introduced \n\n3. It is further proposed that \nthe result of the Committee's \ndeliberations be submitted \nto one of the Parliamentary \nCounsel for the purpose of \ndrafting the Bill, that when the draft has been prepared, it be \nsubmitted to the Committee to examine \nand consider its terms.\n\n4. I am to suggest that, if \nyou concur in this proposal, the Departments concerned be invited \nto nominate representatives \nto the Committee.\n\n(Signed) H. J. READ",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 445809,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "page_number": 280,
        "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "content_text": "SECOND PLENARY SESSION.\n\nWednesday, July 2, 1913.\n\nPresidency of Mr. J. T. Cremer.\n\nThe President took the chair at 2.30 p.m.\n\nAll the Delegations were present except that of the Dominican Republic.\n\nThe President read the following telegram which Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands had been pleased to address to him in reply to the message of the Conference:\n\n\"I am happy to see at The Hague the representatives of the Nations assembled for the Second International Opium Conference. While thanking you, Mr. President, for the sentiments you have interpreted, I express to you my good wishes for the humanitarian goal of the Conference.\n\nWILHELMINA.”\n\nThe President: My proposal is to take the rules for the first Conference also for this Conference, with the understanding that what is superfluous in them we can leave aside.\n\nThe proposal was carried unanimously.\n\nThe rules read as follows:\n\nRule I.\n\nThe International Opium Conference is composed of all the Delegates of the Powers which have signed the International Opium Convention of January 23, 1912 or the additional Protocol for the non-signatory Powers and have accepted the invitation of the Government of the Queen of the Netherlands.\n\nRule II.\n\nAfter organizing its Bureau, the Conference shall discuss in pleno the way in which the program shall be drawn up. The Conference, if necessary, shall appoint Committees to study the questions submitted to it.\n\nThe Plenipotentiaries of the Powers are free to register on the lists of these Committees according their own convenience, and to appoint technical Delegates to take part therein.\n\nRule III.\n\nEach Committee shall appoint a Chairman, a Secretary and a Reporter.\n\nRule IV.\n\nA drafting Committee for the purpose of coordinating the acts adopted by the Conference and preparing them in their final form shall also be appointed by the Conference at the beginning of its labors.\n\nRule V.\n\nThe Delegates are all authorized to take part in the deliberations at the plenary sessions of the Conference as well as in the Committees of which they form part. The members of one and the same Delegation may mutually replace one another.\n\nRule VI.\n\nMembers of the Conference attending the meetings of Committees of which they are not members, are not entitled to take part in the deliberations without special authorization of the Chairmen of the Committees.\n\nRule VII.\n\nWhen a vote is taken, each Delegation shall have only one vote. The vote shall be taken by roll-call in the alphabetical order of the Powers represented.\n\nRule VIII.\n\nEvery resolution or motion proposed for discussion by the Conference must, as a general rule, be delivered in writing to the President, and be printed and distributed before being taken up for discussion.\n\nThe resolution referred to in the present rule is one of such character as is destined to form the subject of international agreement and consequently to require a careful study beforehand; and does not include a resolution offered in the course of the sitting of the Conference for transaction of business.\n\nSuch proposals cannot be voted on during the same session, without the unanimous consent of all the Delegations.\n\nRule IX.\n\nA Committee of three Delegates shall be appointed by the Conference to which shall be entrusted the duty of making communications to the Press.\n\nRule X.\n\nThe minutes of the plenary sessions of the Conference and of the Committees shall give a succinct résumé of the deliberations. A proof copy of them shall be delivered with as little delay as possible to the members of the Conference; they need not be read at the beginning of the sessions except by the request of a Delegate.\n\nEach Delegate shall have a right to request the insertion in full of his official declarations according to the text delivered by him to the Secretary, and to make observations regarding the minutes.\n\nThe reports of the Committees shall be printed and distributed before they are taken up for discussion.\n\nRule XI.\n\nFrench shall be the official language of the Conference, and the minutes shall be recorded in this language. However other languages may be used in the Conference.\n\nThis rule shall not exclude the delivery of a translation to those Delegates who desire to receive documents in any other language.\n\n1\n\n279",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 445820,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "page_number": 291,
        "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "content_text": "30\n\nFurthermore, it must be observed that the difficulties anticipated by Austria-Hungary, Norway, and Sweden, as regards their legislation, were foreseen by the Delegates of the Signatory Powers and were, indeed, the subject of thorough examination by the twelve Contracting Powers. Almost all the Signatory Powers are in the same position as the above-mentioned Powers and have not yet formulated all the measures contemplated by the Convention.\n\n2nd. Expresses the wish that the Government of the Netherlands may be pleased to communicate to the Governments of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Peru, Roumania, Servia, Turkey, and Uruguay, the following resolution:\n\n\"The Conference regrets that certain Governments have as yet declined or failed to sign the Convention. The Conference is of the opinion that the abstention of these Powers would prejudice most seriously the humanitarian ends sought by the Convention. The Conference expresses the firm hope that these Powers will alter their negative or dilatory attitude.”\n\n3rd. Expresses the wish that the Government of the Netherlands may be pleased to inform the Swiss Government that it is mistaken in its belief that its cooperation will be almost valueless. Contrary to the view expressed in the letter of the Federal Council of October 25, 1912, the Conference believes that the cooperation of Switzerland will be most useful, while its abstention will jeopardize the results of the Convention. As for the consideration advanced by the Federal Council concerning the respective fields of federal and cantonal legislation, it may be observed that similar difficulties confronted the First Conference, which took them into account while drafting the text of the Convention.\n\n4th. Invites the Signatory Governments to instruct their representatives abroad to support the above-mentioned representations of their Netherlands colleagues.\n\n5th. Expresses the hope that should the signature of all the Powers invited in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 23 not be obtained by December 31, 1913, the Government of the Netherlands will immediately request the Signatory Powers to appoint Delegates to proceed to the Hague to examine into the possibility of putting into effect the International Opium Convention of January 23, 1912. In witness whereof the Delegates have attached their signatures to this Protocol.\n\nDone at the Hague, the ... in one instrument, which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Netherlands and copies of which, duly certified, shall be forwarded through diplomatic channels to all the Signatory as well as to the Non-Signatory Powers.\n\nFor Germany, etc.\n\nMr. van Deventer, Chairman of the Editing Committee, proposed that the Protocol of Cloture be divided into three parts, I, II, and III:\n\nThe first embodying the clause for the deposit of ratifications; the second containing the resolution already adopted by the Conference and consisting of four parts; the third comprising a new proposal of the Editing Committee, as follows:\n\nIII. Expresses the wish that should the signature of all the Powers invited in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 23 not be obtained by December 31, 1913, the Government of the Netherlands immediately ask the Signatory Powers to appoint Delegates to proceed to the Hague to examine the possibility of placing in force the International Opium Convention of January 23, 1912.\n\nIn the text, the words: \"at that date\" after \"the Signatory Powers\" were erased from the original text in order not to exclude the Powers who should sign after December 31, 1913, but before the assembling of the third Conference eventually necessary.\n\nAs Delegate of the Netherlands, the speaker was not in accord with the suggestions of Mr. STENIO VINCENT that the text of the resolution adopted by the Conference be modified.\n\nMr. Steno Vincent replied that the fact that the Conference had already adopted this resolution did not preclude later modifications of form. The Editing Committee had just done so.\n\nMr. van Deventer remarked that these modifications related to a proposal of the Committee itself and not to the resolutions of the Conference. As regards the resolutions, they had been formulated with a desire to express them clearly, and he believed that this clarity would only be impaired by substituting for the present wording the terms proposed by Mr. STENIO VINCENT.\n\nThe President expressed himself as in accord with this view, whereupon Mr. Steno Vincent stated that he did not insist upon his suggestion. Mr. van Deventer, Chairman of the Editing Committee, said:\n\nOn behalf of the Editing Committee, I have the honor to give a short résumé of our labors, from which has resulted the proposed Protocol of Cloture which we have presented to the Conference.\n\nThis task has been considerably facilitated by the assistance of many of our colleagues, not only by participating in our deliberations but also in giving us their good advice.\n\nThe most valuable assistance of all has been that of our Honorary President, His Excellency Jonkheer DE MAREES VAN SWINDEREN, who had the great kindness to attend our last meeting and gave us the benefit of his ability and experience. Our Committee is happy to be able to assure you that the proposal presented to the Conference is wholly in harmony with the views of our Honorary President. On behalf of your Committee, I warmly thank His Excellency and our colleagues for their cooperation.\n\nThe Editing Committee considered it necessary to examine first of all the reply that the Conference has made to the question submitted to it under paragraph 2 of Article 23 of the Convention; to ascertain whether, in case all the signatures are not yet obtained, the deposit of ratifications would nevertheless be possible. In the plenary session of July 2, the President proposed that the nations who are ready to ratify now deposit their ratifications. Our Committee, having detected no opposition to his proposition, believes that it may consider the proposition as accepted. Thanks to the proposal of the Chinese Delegation, the Conference has been enabled to reach a formal decision in this matter.\n\nThis decision has just been taken, so that the parentheses between which we placed the words \"has decided that deposit of ratifications may now take place\" may be erased.\n\nHaving determined the possibility of the deposit of ratifications, the Editing Committee considered the proposition made by the British Delegation in the plenary session of July 4 and accepted by the Conference, that there be inserted in the Protocol of Cloture: 1st, the resolution unanimously adopted; 2nd, an amendment to Article 23, reviewing the situation created by the signature of the Convention by a large number of the Powers and the abstention of a certain number thereof.\n\nThe matter is very simple as regards the resolution. As our President said in the third plenary session, the principal task of the Conference would seem to be accomplished as soon as this resolution is adopted.\n\nThe Committee therefore believed that it interpreted the desire of the Conference in inserting this resolution literally in the protocol.\n\nThe amendment suggested by the British Delegation, which entails a modification of the Convention of January 23, 1912, presents some difficulties.\n\n290",
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    {
        "id": 445938,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "page_number": 409,
        "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "content_text": "[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]\n\nC.O.\n\n40958\n\nOPIUM.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL.\n\n[49321]\n\nNo. 1.\n\nRECEIVED OCT 13\n\nSECTION 1.\n\nSir,\n\nColonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received October 30.)\n\nDowning Street, October 29, 1913.\n\nWITH reference to your letter of the 16th April, 1912, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to enquire whether, in the opinion of Secretary Sir Edward Grey, the time has now come when an informal interdepartmental committee should be appointed to consider the general lines of the legislation necessary to give effect in the United Kingdom to The Hague Opium Convention.\n\n2. Mr. Harcourt gathers that it is not probable that the convention will be ratified before the end of this year, and he is aware that legislation need not be introduced into Parliament for some time after the last instrument of ratification has been received. But it appears to him that in so important and complicated a question considerable discussion will be necessary before the drafting of an Imperial Act is commenced. Mr. Harcourt is therefore inclined to think that it would be as well to take steps to appoint the Committee at no distant date.\n\nI am, &c. (For the Under-Secretary of State),\n\nH. J. READ,\n\n[1903 gg-1]\n\n407",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913.txt",
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    {
        "id": 445963,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "page_number": 434,
        "title": "CO129-406 - Public Offices - 1913",
        "content_text": "6\n\ndiscussion of its terms. As a matter of fact, at the next session, on the consideration of the report of the Editing Committee, which incorporated the resolution in the protocol, the Haytian delegate proposed certain alterations of form to which no exception could be taken, but it was ruled that, as the resolution had been unanimously accepted and had been included, unaltered, in the protocol, it was impossible to reopen discussion upon it. There was, indeed, throughout the sittings of the Conference a tendency on the part of certain delegates, whose Governments were only interested in a secondary degree in the subjects we were met together to discuss, unduly to hasten the proceedings and to sacrifice thorough consideration of the questions before us to a speedy termination of our labours. On the other hand, certain other delegations desired to protract the duration of the Conference until replies had been received from the non-signatory Powers to the new representations which were about to be made. We are not aware, however, that the results attained by the Conference were in any way prejudiced either by too little discussion or by the expedition of the procedure.\n\nWe desire to draw attention to a speech made by Dr. Wu Lien-Téh, one of the Chinese delegates, at the commencement of the third session (l. c., p. 16). Dr. Wu urged the necessity of speedy ratification by all the signatory Powers, and insisted on the efficacy of the measures adopted by the Chinese Government since the signature of the convention and the importance of the results thus obtained. He pointed out that China was especially interested in an early ratification of the convention as it contains articles specially applying to China. He quoted article 18, which deals with the reduction, pari passu with the adoption of corresponding measures by the Chinese Government, of the number of shops for the sale of raw or prepared opium existing in the leased territories, foreign settlements, and concessions in China, and the restriction and control of the retail trade in opium in the leased territories, settlements, and concessions. He gave instances of the state of affairs in this respect at present prevailing in the International Settlement of Shanghai and the French Concession at Tien-tsin. We were not in a position either to confirm or contest the accuracy of Dr. Wu's figures though we reasserted (l. c., p. 18) the belief of His Majesty's Government in the sincerity of the Chinese Government in their opium policy; our object in referring to this particular point is merely to express our opinion that this is one of the matters where action on the part of the signatory Governments need not wait on ratification and enforcement of the convention.\n\nWith the adoption of the resolution prescribing the steps to be taken with the object of inducing the hitherto abstaining Governments to sign, it was felt that the Conference had accomplished its principal task and that little remained to be done. However, as the president pointed out, it was necessary to decide what should be the next step on the part of the signatory Powers if the fresh representations contemplated failed to produce the desired effect and certain Governments still refused to sign. In the course of the ensuing discussion the Chinese delegate explained (l. c., p. 21) that according to his interpretation of article 23 of the Opium Convention, under which we had been summoned, we were bound to decide before separating, either in the affirmative or the negative, the question of the possibility of ratifying the convention. He contended that, though the delegations had individually declared the ability or inability of their Governments to ratify, no decision on this point had been come to by the Conference as a whole, so that we had not as yet discharged the duty imposed on us by article 23. He suggested that the new representations contemplated by the resolution just adopted be made at once, and that, pending receipt of replies, the Conference do adjourn. He was optimistic enough to believe that the replies would be received by the end of August, and he proposed that the delegates should reassemble by that date, which would coincide with the opening of the Peace Palace, and expressed his firm belief that the Conference would by that time be in a position to decide as a body on the ratification of the Opium Convention.\n\nDr. Hamilton Wright, the first delegate of the United States, seconded the proposal of the Chinese delegate, and expressed his wish that the Conference should not dissolve until the result of the fresh representations had been ascertained. The opinion of the majority of the delegates was against such a proposal. It was felt that the question of the possibility of ratification had already been fully examined into, and it was quite evident, though the minutes do not clearly indicate this, that few, if any, of the delegates shared the optimistic views of their Chinese and American colleagues as to the time necessary to obtain the replies of those Governments which had hitherto failed to sign, several of which were at the time actively engaged in war.\n\nOur opinion was that the event contemplated by article 23 had taken place; the Powers which had signed had met together, and had examined the possibility of depositing their ratifications notwithstanding the absence of certain signatures. That mandate was exhausted, and it therefore seemed necessary to amend or extend article 23. We accordingly proposed (l. c., p. 22) the following resolution:—\n\n“That it be referred to the Editing Committee to prepare and present to the next meeting of the Conference a protocol de clôture, setting out the resolution which has been passed unanimously by the Conference, and also suggesting an amendment of article 23 with a view to meet the situation which has arisen from the signature of the convention by a large number of Powers and the abstention of a certain number.”\n\nAfter some further discussion our resolution was adopted, and the Conference adjourned in order to allow the Editing Committee to accomplish the duties thus imposed on them.\n\n7\n\nThe reasons which guided the Editing Committee in drafting the final protocol are fully described in the explanatory statement made by their chairman, M. van Deventer, at the fourth session of the Conference (l. c., p. 31). For the moment it is sufficient to say that their draft protocol was printed and distributed to the delegates in time to permit of its consideration before it came up for discussion at the fourth session. At this same session the Chinese delegation submitted a resolution in the following terms:-\n\n“That the delegates to the Second International Opium Conference advise their Governments to deposit forthwith their ratifications.”\n\nThis resolution had been previously circulated, and we took an early opportunity of pointing out privately to the Chinese delegates that such a resolution could not be accepted by certain of the delegations; that it was superfluous as far as concerned the Governments which had already declared their readiness to deposit their ratifications; while, as regarded the other Governments, their delegates had, under instructions, stated the reasons for which their Governments were for the present unable to proceed to ratification, and nothing had meanwhile occurred which would justify those delegates in advising their Governments to alter their attitude and deposit their ratifications forthwith. Dr. Yen therefore withdrew this resolution, and agreed to move in its place the resolution to which reference has already been made, and which had been drafted by the Editing Committee, thus providing the Netherland Government with the necessary authority to receive the instruments of ratification from those Governments which were prepared to ratify. This resolution appears in the final protocol in these words: “a décidé que le dépôt des ratifications peut avoir lieu dès maintenant.” TRANSLATION——“Has decided that the deposit of ratifications may now take place.”\n\nM. van Deventer, chairman of the Editing Committee, in submitting for the approval of the Conference the draft final protocol, referred to the assistance afforded to the Committee by the honorary president of the Conference, M. van Swinderen, who had attended their last meeting and was in full accord with the proposals now submitted. M. van Deventer explained that the Committee had, at the outset of their labours, noticed the omission on the part of the Conference, already referred to by us, to give a direct reply to the question submitted to it under article 23 of the convention, whether, in spite of the fact that certain signatures had not yet been obtained, the deposit of ratifications could nevertheless take place. This omission, M. van Deventer explained, had now been remedied by the resolution just unanimously adopted. The Committee had next dealt with the British resolution adopted at the third session. They had had no difficulty in deciding on the bodily incorporation of the resolution dealing with the steps to be taken to secure the signatures of further Powers, but they had found that the suggestion of a modification of article 23 of the Convention of the 23rd January, 1912, presented difficulties. It had appeared to the Committee that to modify in any way the text of the convention was open to exception, especially in view of the fact that one of the original signatory Powers to the convention was not represented at the second Conference; moreover, the chairman of the Committee explained that it was scarcely logical to eliminate a provision which had already been acted upon and to which practical consequences attached. In place of a formal amendment of article 23, the Committee accordingly proposed that the Conference should pass the following vœu, which would then be inserted in the final protocol:-\n\n“Que dans le cas où la signature de toutes les Puissances invitées en vertu du paragraphe 1 de l'article 23 n'aurait pas été obtenue à la date du 31 décembre, 1913, le\n\nD\n\n432",
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    {
        "id": 447133,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3]",
        "page_number": 231,
        "title": "CO129-409 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [1-3]",
        "content_text": "The text provided appears to be a jumbled mix of nonsensical words and phrases, likely due to errors in the OCR process. To correct this, I will focus on the coherent English text that appears towards the end of the provided snippet.\n\nhe makes an intentional mistake about it. The Circular of the 14th. of November last year was the result as is alleged by him of the report by Mr. Fletcher yet he tells the Committee that he does not remember what he said to me but he remembers the nature of the report by Mr. Fletcher. The reason why he did not speak to me about it was because he already knew of the practice and took no notice of it. I submit that if he would have spoken to me about Mr. Fletcher's report he would have been handed the balance in Li Ah Shau's case which was then in my possession and I further submit I could not have been so daring as to still continue the practice in spite of the warning by the Head of the Department.\n\nI did not take the fees in advance in a concealed manner from applicants but openly and in the presence of my colleagues sitting near to me in the Registry and with their assistance as to interpretation, &c.\n\nThis I submit has been substantially proved by the fact that Mr. Nisbet himself handed me about $12 in cash in advance in the case of Re Sonksen, deceased, in January this year for payment of Court Fees in that case. I submit that if he was unaware of the existence of this practice he would not have deposited the Court Fees paid to him in advance by the officer from the German Consulate with me but would have gone straight to the Shroff with the sum in accordance with the General Orders and could have never dreamt of me. But knowing that I was the proper person in the Registry for these sort of things could not at the time help doing otherwise.\n\nDela\n\nD. A. Cordeiro, deceased.\n\nI was the most busy clerk in the Registry and if I may say a jack of all trades and especially when a batch of Probate papers were sent down by the Chief Justice after making the grants. It was the duty of the Deputy Registrar and Appraiser to draft grants but not knowing the work I was made to do it. It is not any easy or small work and requires great care and attention and knowledge of probate law. I often could not attend to drafting work for 10 days",
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    {
        "id": 449922,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12]",
        "page_number": 74,
        "title": "CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12]",
        "content_text": "J27\n\nHONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nit is quite possible that it may shortly require supplementary amendment, but the urgency of the matter is such that some provision must be made at once.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.\n\nHON. MR. HEWETT—Your Excellency, this Bill, as you know, was only sent out this morning, and I have had no opportunity of consulting my colleagues on the matter. Two points occur to me which I think the hon. Attorney-General hardly made quite clear. Before I come to these I would state, speaking for myself entirely—I am not speaking for my unofficial friends—that I think we all ought to recognise the urgency of this Bill. It must become law to-day. I also realise the difficulties under which the Attorney-General had to work at very short notice in drafting such an important Bill having far-reaching effects, and, as he stated, without guidance from previous legislation in the Colony. At the same time it is more than probable that we may early have to ask your Excellency to consider some of the clauses of this Bill and modify them. The point I wish to raise is that the Attorney-General said, in the early part of his remarks, that there was no question of an alien enemy disposing of any property. He then went on to make some reference to persons who might purchase a business and then work it in the interest of the original proprietors. I think that point ought to be made clear. As I stated in this chamber three weeks ago, it appeared to me just as bad for an alien enemy to sell his property to someone else and thereby benefit during hostilities, by capital being paid for a going concern, as it would be if he sold a ship. That is a point which I think ought to be made very clear, because, in the concluding remarks of the Attorney-General, it appeared to me that while on the one hand an alien enemy was not supposed to profit or benefit, at the same time a loophole was left by which he could dispose of his property to a person in his employ, or to some friend, and get so much in hard cash which would benefit him or his country; or, on the other hand, that a transfer might be more or less a bogus one. In either case, bona fide or bogus, it appears to me that there is a large opportunity given to an alien enemy to carry on his business and benefit in this Colony, and yet at the same time we cannot stop it. I gather from the Attorney-General's explanation, with regard to section 6, sub-section 1, that it is quite understood that any British firm who can capture the trade of the enemy is not able to come under the terms of the section. Of course, Sir, I speak entirely on my own responsibility, and possibly some of my unofficial colleagues may wish to modify or dissent from what I have said. I trust I have in the main expressed the views of British merchants in Hongkong on this very important measure.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL—In reply to what the hon. member has just said, I would like to say that when I was dealing with clause 6 I was merely trying to make the point that though the clause as drafted, wide as it is, might appear possibly to allow interference with persons who might bona fide get hold of trade formerly carried on by alien enemies, that was not the intention. Permission may be given by the Governor to carry on or engage in trade previously carried on by an alien enemy. As the intention is not in any way to hamper such trade not carried on by an alien enemy, such permission would, of course, be given. With regard to clause 4, prohibition against disposing of property, that, of course, is only prohibition against disposing of property without permission. The liquidation itself, of course, presupposes that the property of an alien enemy will be disposed of under permission, and any proceeds of that property will not be sent out of the Colony, but will be paid into a bank to be held at the disposal of any law that may be enacted on that behalf or any directions given by the Governor.\n\nThe Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nOn Clause 5, sub-section 11,\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the amendment of this sub-section by the addition of the words, \"including the rent of any business premises formerly occupied by such alien enemy due while such premises are occupied by the liquidator for the purposes of such winding up.\"\n\nHON. MR. LANDALE—How does that affect premises on lease?\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The question of lease is not dealt with in this Bill expressly, and cannot for the moment be dealt with without further consideration. The only point affecting this Bill is payment of the rent by the liquidator, who may use the premises formerly occupied by an enemy firm. That rent is to be paid in certain priority.\n\nHON. MR. LANDALE—Is a lease not a definite liability on the part of an alien enemy?\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—The question of lease was only raised this morning, and we have not had time to consider it. It will require careful consideration. I would remind you that a very great number of persons are affected by this Bill, alien enemies so-called, who are prisoners of war; others of them are not prisoners of war, but are compulsorily expelled from the Colony. This question will have to be carefully considered, and when we come to a conclusion on the point, no doubt it may be necessary to further amend this Bill to make it clear what the law on the subject is.\n\nHON. MR. HEWETT—With regard to your Excellency's remarks about making it quite clear, I presume when you refer to the word lease you mean the lease of premises for private use as opposed to office premises?\n\nHON. MR. LANDALE—I meant all leases; they are a definite liability.\n\n123\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—I think the point of the hon. member who raised the question is, that many of these offices, which are rented at very large rentals, are leased for considerable periods, some for five or six years. Well, it is obvious that the rent of those during liquidation is a fair charge against the assets of a firm which is being liquidated. Then the question arises as to what about the remainder of the leases. Is that it?\n\nHON. MR. LANDALE—Yes, Sir.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—That is a question which will have to be considered.\n\nHON. MR. HEWETT—Also, I understand, leases of private premises from which the occupants will have to be expelled.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—Leases of private residences come in also.\n\nOn Council resuming,\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee with slight amendment, and moved that it be read a third time.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY—Council stands adjourned until next Thursday week.\n\n70",
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    {
        "id": 450473,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 55,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "Powers found themselves in the same position as the Governments of Austria-Hungary, Norway, and Sweden, and, indeed, have not as yet elaborated all the legislative and other measures involved in the articles of the convention.\n\nIn regard to the reasons advanced by the Swiss Government for their refusal to sign, it was felt that they arose from a failure to appreciate the full scope of the convention and the necessity of general international co-operation in order to render fully effective the domestic regulations of the various nations for the suppression of the illicit trade in morphia and cocaine. In regard to the question raised by the Swiss Government as to respective spheres of the federal and cantonal authorities in the matter of the supervision of factories, we pointed out that similar difficulties had confronted the German delegates in the course of the discussions at the first Conference, that they were fully considered at the time, and that the provisions of the convention were specially drafted to meet those difficulties. It was the opinion of the representatives of the six delegations who drafted the resolution, that if the Netherland Government explained these points to the Swiss Government, and represented to them how far from valueless, on the contrary, how essential—the co-operation of Switzerland was, the probability was that the Swiss Government would consent to the convention.\n\nIn regard to group 3, we decided that, though the attitude of the various countries included in this group towards the question of signature was not in all cases the same, it would be simpler to make no difference in the fresh representations to be made, between those Powers that had definitely refused to sign without stating any specific reason, those that had agreed to sign but had not actually done so, those that had not yet concluded their examination of the convention, and those that had not replied at all. We merely recommended that the Netherland Government should be requested to approach the Governments of all those countries again, to express to them the earnest desire of the Conference that they should sign the convention, and to point out how prejudicial their abstention might prove to the work which the signatory Powers hoped to accomplish.\n\nIn our instructions, you had suggested that any action taken by the Netherland Government might usefully be supplemented by action taken jointly by all the signatory Powers, and that such action, if decided on by the Conference, would have all the greater weight as being the result of the joint deliberations of the Powers assembled at The Hague. This suggestion, which we had already communicated to the Conference, met with the approval of the delegates of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United States of America, who agreed that it would add weight to the representations of the Netherland Government if the diplomatic representatives of the signatory Powers at the various capitals where such representations were to be made were directed to support the action of their Netherland colleagues. A clause was accordingly inserted in the draft resolution inviting the signatory Governments to issue the necessary instructions to their representatives abroad.\n\nThe resolution, as drafted by representatives of the six delegations, was circulated to all the delegates and then formally presented to the Conference at its third session; so entirely did it commend itself to the approval of all the delegations that it gave rise to no discussion and was at once put to the vote and adopted unanimously.\n\nWith the adoption of the resolution prescribing the steps to be taken with the object of inducing the hitherto abstaining Governments to sign, it was felt that the Conference had accomplished its principal task and that little remained to be done. However, as the president pointed out, it was necessary to decide what should be the next step on the part of the signatory Powers if the fresh representations contemplated failed to produce the desired effect and certain Governments still refused to sign. In the course of the ensuing discussion, the Chinese delegate explained that according to his interpretation of article 23 of the Opium Convention, under which we had been summoned, we were bound to decide before separating, either in the affirmative or the negative, the question of the possibility of ratifying the convention. He contended that, though the delegations had individually declared the ability or inability of their Governments to ratify, no decision on this point had been come to by the Conference as a whole, so that we had not as yet discharged the duty imposed on us by article 23. He suggested that the new representations contemplated by the resolution just adopted be made at once, and that, pending receipt of replies, the Conference do adjourn.\n\nDr. Hamilton Wright, the first delegate of the United States, seconded the proposal of the Chinese delegate, and expressed his wish that the Conference should not dissolve until the result of the fresh representations had been ascertained. The opinion of the majority of the delegates was against such a proposal. It was felt that the question of the possibility of ratification had already been fully examined into, and it was quite evident that few, if any, of the delegates shared the views of their Chinese and American colleagues as to the time necessary to obtain the replies of those Governments which had hitherto failed to sign, several of which were at the time actively engaged in war.\n\nOur opinion was that the event contemplated by article 23 had taken place; the Powers which had signed had met together, and had examined the possibility of depositing their ratifications notwithstanding the absence of certain signatures. That mandate was exhausted, and it therefore seemed necessary to amend or extend article 23. We accordingly proposed the following resolution:—\n\n\"That it be referred to the Editing Committee to prepare and present to the next meeting of the Conference a protocol de clôture, setting out the resolution which has been passed unanimously by the Conference, and also suggesting an amendment of article 23 with a view to meet the situation which has arisen from the signature of the convention by a large number of Powers and the abstention of a certain number.\"\n\nAfter some further discussion, our resolution was adopted, and the Conference adjourned in order to allow the Editing Committee to accomplish the duties thus imposed on them.\n\nThe reasons which guided the Editing Committee in drafting the final protocol were fully described in the explanatory statement made by their chairman, M. van Deventer, at the fourth session of the Conference. For the moment, it is sufficient to say that their draft protocol was printed and distributed to the delegates in time to permit of its consideration before it came up for discussion at the fourth session.\n\nM. van Deventer, chairman of the Editing Committee, in submitting for the approval of the Conference the draft final protocol, referred to the assistance afforded to the Committee by the honorary president of the Conference, M. van Swinderen, who had attended their last meeting and was in full accord with the proposals now submitted. M. van Deventer explained that the Committee had, at the outset of their labours, noticed the omission on the part of the Conference, already referred to by us, to give a direct reply to the question submitted to it under article 23 of the convention, whether, in spite of the fact that certain signatures had not yet been obtained, the deposit of ratifications could nevertheless take place. This omission, M. van Deventer explained, had now been remedied by the resolution just unanimously adopted. The Committee had next dealt with the British resolution adopted at the third session. They had had no difficulty in deciding on the incorporation of the resolution dealing with the steps to be taken to secure the signatures of further Powers, but they had found that the suggestion of a modification of article 23 of the Convention of the 23rd January, 1912, presented difficulties. It had appeared to the Committee that to modify in any way the text of the convention was open to exception, especially in view of the fact that one of the original signatory Powers to the convention was not represented at the second Conference; moreover, the chairman of the Committee explained that it was scarcely logical to eliminate a provision which had already been acted upon and to which practical consequences attached. In place of a formal amendment of article 23, the Committee accordingly proposed that the Conference should pass the following vœu, which would then be inserted in the final protocol:—\n\n\"Que dans le cas où la signature de toutes les Puissances invitées en vertu du paragraphe 1 de l'article 23 n'aurait pas été obtenue à la date du 31 décembre, 1913, le Gouvernement des Pays-Bas invite immédiatement les Puissances signataires à cette date de désigner des délégués pour procéder à La Haye à l'examen de la possibilité de faire entrer en vigueur la Convention internationale de l'Opium du 23 janvier, 1912.\"*\n\nThis vœu, as M. van Deventer explained, goes farther than a mere prolongation by one year of the period prescribed by paragraph 2 of article 23 of the convention; it recommends that should the signature of all the Powers not be obtained by the end of the present year, a further Conference should be summoned, not to examine the possibility of depositing ratifications, because that question has already been dealt with, but to examine the possibility of putting the convention into force.\n\nIn the discussion which ensued, Dr. Wu Lien-Teh expressed the opinion that the\n\n* TRANSLATION. \"That if the signature of all the Powers invited in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 23 be not obtained by the 31st December, 1913, the Government of the Netherlands do immediately invite the signatory Powers to appoint delegates to proceed to The Hague to examine the possibility of putting into force the International Opium Convention of the 23rd January, 1912.\"\n\nPage 53",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 450732,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 314,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "# \n## 310 \n### PLATT, MACLEOD and WILSON. \n#### EWO BUILDING, \n#### 3G, PEKING ROAD, \n#### SHANGHAI, \n#### 19th November, 1913. \n\nMy dear Bourne: \n\nI am enclosing copy of a letter dated to-day which I have received from Mr. W. W. Woods, the Honorary Secretary of the Bar Committee; I am also enclosing your draft of the proposed King's Regulation, having reference to the sale of shares in Companies. You will see that the Bar Committee have no suggestions to make regarding the drafting of the Regulation. Speaking for myself, I am of opinion that the Regulation drafted is most desirable. \n\nYours &c., \n(Signed) M.A.C. Platt. \n\nF. S. A. Bourne Esq., \nActing Judge, \nHis Majesty's Supreme Court. \nActing Crown Advocate.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 450733,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 315,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "# SHANGHAI, November 19th, 1913.\n\n311\n\nMy dear Platt:-\n\nThe Bar Committee has considered the enclosed draft of proposed King's Regulations. We understand we are not asked to express any opinion as to the desirability of such legislation. As to the drafting we have no suggestions to make. Will you please so inform the Judge.\n\nYours, &c.,  \n(Signed)  \nH. N. Macleod  \nHonorary Secretary.\n\nA. C. Platt Esq.,  \nActing Crown Advocate.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 450741,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 323,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "# 818\n\n## ZOTERO VAINROA\n\nMRI E dotav\n\nJnomtraqat silt mort \"edtel edt of enmetal\n\nagolteom ad #mtbrane JɛKİ YE 15250 to\n\n“İst” 1+ autocha\n\nDitto wife je bled mA\n\nyd batɔenib ry „Itaquon mi retro (asin\n\nvd :::\n\n\niamjestion to go fch medtem\n\n01:\n\n\n背は\n\n\n„mad za bettimanari \"netdue,\n\nbetroovba pitidas\n\n.tr\n\nt-ovode att to a wait\n\noned' velv ett\n\n1 vadme to 2 et\n\nす\n\n\nIvode *,badbene ed of gr\n\nmatrala trei da\n\n‚jaði sebio vd nad‡ siqilet ar\n\n*olup° s'amli yd ed\n\n10/8 te Teeny ads of nwn la est 1\n\nmivost do olf\n\n-TA 38W Sevd\n\nI bow be aq ed trods amoljkingSt\n\nWIN\n\nencouraged to prepare a draft for the purpose.\n\n319\n\nSir E. Grey was not however quite satisfied with\nthe drafting of the regulations as prepared by T.\nBourne and he therefore caused an alternative draft to\nbe prepared in this Department, a copy of which is also\nenclosed herewith.\n\nThe China Association were then consulted in regard\nto the two drafts and I am to transmit to you herewith\na copy of their letter containing the Committee's\nobservations thereon.\n\nSir E. Grey would now be glad to be furnished with\nany observations which the Board of Trade may desire to\noffer on the proposed regulations and on the China\nAssociation's letter of the 24th ultimo.\n\n(Signed)\n\nI am &c.,\nA. Law.\n\nCONFIDENTIAL \n\n.sent to braof end of",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 450766,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "page_number": 348,
        "title": "CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914",
        "content_text": "## 7 G\n\nof the report of the Editing Committee, which incorporated the resolution in the protocol, the Haitian delegate proposed certain alterations of form to which no exception could be taken, but it was ruled that, as the resolution had been unanimously accepted and had been included, unaltered, in the protocol, it was impossible to reopen discussion upon it. There was, indeed, throughout the sittings of the Conference a tendency on the part of certain delegates, whose Governments were only interested in a secondary degree in the subjects we were met together to discuss, unduly to hasten the proceedings and to sacrifice thorough consideration of the questions before us to a speedy termination of our labours. On the other hand, certain other delegations desired to prolong the duration of the Conference until replies had been received from the non-signatory Powers to the new representations which were about to be made. We are not aware, however, that the results attained by the Conference were in any way prejudiced either by too little discussion or by the expedition of the procedure.\n\nWe desire to draw attention to a speech made by Dr. Wu Lien-Teh, one of the Chinese delegates, at the commencement of the third session (4, c., p. 16). Dr. Wu urged the necessity of speedy ratification by all the signatory Powers, and insisted on the efficacy of the measures adopted by the Chinese Government since the signature of the convention and the importance of the results thus obtained. He pointed out that China was especially interested in an early ratification of the convention, as it contains articles specially applying to China. He quoted article 18, which deals with the reduction, pari passu with the adoption of corresponding measures by the Chinese Government, of the number of shops for the sale of raw or prepared opium existing in the leased territories, foreign settlements, and concessions in China, and the restriction and control of the retail trade in opium in the leased territories, settlements, and concessions. He gave instances of the state of affairs in this respect at present prevailing in the international settlement of Shanghai and the French concession at Tien-tsin. We were not in a position either to confirm or contest the accuracy of Dr. Wu's figures, though we reasserted (l. c., p. 18) the belief of His Majesty's Government in the sincerity of the Chinese Government in their opium policy; our object in referring to this particular point is merely to express our opinion that this is one of the matters where action on the part of the signatory Governments need not wait on ratification and enforcement of the convention.\n\nWith the adoption of the resolution prescribing the steps to be taken with the object of inducing the hitherto abstaining Governments to sign, it was felt that the Conference had accomplished its principal task, and that little remained to be done. However, as the President pointed out, it was necessary to decide what should be the next step on the part of the signatory Powers if the fresh representations contemplated failed to produce the desired effect and certain Governments still refused to sign. In the course of the ensuing discussion the Chinese delegate explained (7, c., p. 21) that according to his interpretation of article 23 of the Opium Convention, under which we had been summoned, we were bound to decide before separating, either in the affirmative or the negative, the question of the possibility of ratifying the convention. He contended that, though the delegations had individually declared the ability or inability of their Governments to ratify, no decision on this point had been come to by the Conference as a whole, so that we had not as yet discharged the duty imposed on us by article 23. He suggested that the new representations contemplated by the resolution just adopted be made at once, and that, pending receipt of replies, the Conference do adjourn. He was optimistic enough to believe that the replies would be received by the end of August, and he proposed that the delegates should reassemble by that date, which would coincide with the opening of the Peace Palace, and expressed his firm belief that the Conference would by that time be in a position to decide as a body on the ratification of the Opium Convention.\n\nDr. Hamilton Wright, the first delegate of the United States, seconded the proposal of the Chinese delegate, and expressed his wish that the Conference should not dissolve until the result of the fresh representations had been ascertained. The opinion of the majority of the delegates was against such a proposal. It was felt that the question of the possibility of ratification had already been fully examined into, and it was quite evident, though the minutes do not clearly indicate this, that few, if any, of the delegates shared the optimistic views of their Chinese and American colleagues as to the time necessary to obtain the replies of those Governments which had hitherto failed to sign, several of which were at the time actively engaged in war.\n\nOur opinion was that the event contemplated by article 23 had taken place; the Powers which had signed had met together, and had examined the possibility of depositing their ratifications notwithstanding the absence of certain signatures.\n\nThat mandate was exhausted, and it therefore seemed necessary to amend or extend article 23. We accordingly proposed (l. c., p. 22) the following resolution:-\n\n\"That it be referred to the Editing Committee to prepare and present to the next meeting of the Conference a protocol de clôture, setting out the resolution which has been passed unanimously by the Conference, and also suggesting an amendment of article 23 with a view to meet the situation which has arisen from the signature of the convention by a large number of Powers and the abstention of a certain number.\"\n\nAfter some further discussion our resolution was adopted, and the Conference adjourned in order to allow the Editing Committee to accomplish the duties thus imposed on them.\n\nThe reasons which guided the Editing Committee in drafting the final protocol are fully described in the explanatory statement made by their chairman, M. van Deventer, at the fourth session of the Conference (L. c., p. 31). For the moment it is sufficient to say that their draft protocol was printed and distributed to the delegates in time to permit of its consideration before it came up for discussion at the fourth session.\n\nAt this same session the Chinese delegation submitted a resolution in the following terms:-\n\n\"That the delegates to the Second International Opium Conference advise their Governments to deposit forthwith their ratifications.\"\n\nThis resolution had been previously circulated, and we took an early opportunity of pointing out privately to the Chinese delegates that such a resolution could not be accepted by certain of the delegations; that it was superfluous as far as concerned the Governments which had already declared their readiness to deposit their ratifications; while, as regarded the other Governments, their delegates had, under instructions, stated the reasons for which their Governments were for the present unable to proceed to ratification, and nothing had meanwhile occurred which would justify those delegates in advising their Governments to alter their attitude and deposit their ratifications forthwith. Dr. Yen therefore withdrew this resolution, and agreed to move in its place the resolution to which reference has already been made, and which had been drafted by the Editing Committee, thus providing the Netherland Government with the necessary authority to receive the instruments of ratification from those Governments which were prepared to ratify. This resolution appears in the final protocol in these words: “a décidé que le dépôt des ratifications peut avoir lieu dès maintenant.\"* The resolution was, as already stated, unanimously adopted.\n\nM. van Deventer, chairman of the Editing Committee, in submitting for the approval of the Conference the draft final protocol, referred to the assistance afforded to the Committee by the honorary president of the Conference, M. van Swinderen, who had attended their last meeting and was in full accord with the proposals now submitted. M. van Deventer explained that the Committee had, at the outset of their labours, noticed the omission on the part of the Conference, already referred to by us, to give a direct reply to the question submitted to it under article 23 of the convention, whether, in spite of the fact that certain signatures had not yet been obtained, the deposit of ratifications could nevertheless take place. This omission, M. van Deventer explained, had now been remedied by the resolution just unanimously adopted. The Committee had next dealt with the British resolution adopted at the third session. They had had no difficulty in deciding on the bodily incorporation of the resolution dealing with the steps to be taken to secure the signatures of further Powers, but they had found that the suggestion of a modification of article 23 of the convention of the 23rd January, 1912, presented difficulties. It had appeared to the Committee that to modify in any way the text of the convention was open to exception, especially in view of the fact that one of the original signatory Powers to the convention was not represented at the second Conference; moreover, the chairman of the Committee explained that it was scarcely logical to eliminate a provision which had already been acted upon and to which practical consequences attached. In place of a formal amendment of article 23, the Committee accordingly proposed that the Conference should pass the following resolution, which would then be inserted in the final protocol :—\n\n\"Que dans le cas où la signature de toutes les Puissances invitées en vertu du paragraphe 1 de l'article 23 n'aurait pas été obtenue à la date du 31 décembre, 1913, le ...\n\n* TRANSLATION.—\"Has decided that the deposit of ratifications may now take place.\" \n\n## Page 344",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 452790,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2]",
        "page_number": 146,
        "title": "CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2]",
        "content_text": "# Telegram\n## Translation of CODE Telegram\n### PAMILO. JAMISKIVOR\n\nFrom **GOVERNOR, HONGKONG**  \nTo **SECRETARY OF STATE**  \nDate **12th January, 1915**  \n143\n\nMy telegram of 18th December, it seems probable that the Court will take the view that on the authorities prior to the Declaration of London no costs or damages should be awarded to the claimants but that the Court may hold that the law as to the right to compensation has been altered by the adoption of the Declaration of London. In particular the Court seemed impressed by the commentary on Article 64 in the general report of the Drafting Committee. The absence of allusion to the general report in the Declaration of London Order-in-Council No.2 of 1914 was pointed out by the Attorney General.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2].txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 458711,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-429 - Public Offices & Others - 1915",
        "page_number": 272,
        "title": "CO129-429 - Public Offices & Others - 1915",
        "content_text": "270\n\nThe same view appears to have been taken by the Colonial Defence Committee, whom the office of this Committee was responsible for the drafting of the Order in Council of 1895. On November 13th, 1894, Major Peacocke, Secretary of the Committee, submitted a memorandum on the Ceylon Defence Scheme which contained the following observations:-\n\n\"There was no intention on the part of the Colonial Defence Committee to suggest that the Governor should in the smallest degree be superseded by the General Officer Commanding. Such a suggestion would have been entirely outside their province.\n\n3\n\nThe Civil power must be supreme, the Governor, on his part, giving the fullest support to the General Officer Commanding, who is his professional adviser and executive officer in all matters relating to the defence of his Colony.\"\n\nWhile in a memorandum dated the 24th of October, 1894, dealing also with the Ceylon Scheme Major Peacocke stated the views of the Committee as follows:-\n\n\"The Committee can see nothing in paragraph (22) of their memorandum, No.46, of the 3rd May, 1893, which even implies that the General Officer Commanding is to acquire and exercise the special powers to which General Justice refers in his letter. The only reference therein to the acquisition of any special powers by the General Officer Commanding is merely \"such as are required for securing sites for works, occupation of buildings, requisitioning of supplies and transport\" all these being minor measures which directly concern the military action of the General Officer Commanding in war time and for the due execution of which it is manifest...\n\n(Ceylon/No.10)\n\nDRAFT.\n\n11/94 Ceylon Secret\n\nX\n\nOctober",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-429 - Public Offices & Others - 1915.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 459215,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915",
        "page_number": 73,
        "title": "CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915",
        "content_text": "won't out to the CNA that direct \n\ncourse Whissen them & horas a subject of discipline re in the \n\nthe \n\ndefucated; suggest that if he send \n\n+1 \n\nout these montordinate litters rade \n\nfor a sport rurses to run to the C.N.A shenery they think they has a prièsance. \n\nwe that be sneouraging \n\npl In inclined to tell the CNA. that we can't consider complaints rect in this irregular pastion: that the nurses mets to know that if they had complaint I make the hoper couse is to apporach the tread Sort the S.MS. through the treal Sort that the CNA. Las hitter all \n\nthouse ladki's recording \n\nJK 167/10/15 \n\nMr. Robinson \n\nmi \n\nPut it delicately: \n\nWḍ you to \n\nmind drafting through \n\nlacnaghlin, for the mis sig \n\nAt once \n\nNext Jr. \n\nMr. Collms, \n\nunderstood. \n\n69 \n\nI am afraid the position has not been quite \n\nMrs.Hawkins showed me these letters when attended the last meeting of the Colonial Nursing Association, and we arranged together that she should tell the nurses that the Colonial Nursing Association could do nothing, and that any complaints or applications for transfer must be made officially. Mrs. Hawkins told me quite frankly that she, at the Committee, had felt that there was something in these grievances, because there has been previous trouble between Dr. Johnson and his nursing staff. \n\nI suggested to Mrs. Hawkins that it might be as well for her to give me the extracts, so that the Kuslim Dig't might see their privately, she did it, Ihamsted then is the daft longbaita mes. I did not intend that anything more should be done. When Mr.Beckett asked whether they might be sent privately to the Governor I agreed with some hesitation. I did not know they had been registered. I think the accompanying letter to Mrs. Hawkins disposes of the matter for the present. \n\nTeM. 25/10/15. \n\nAt once \n\nA&C 26.10.15 \n\n1 \n\nA&C 19.10.11\n\nCorrected version:\nwon't go out to the CNA directly \n\nOf course Whisson them & horas a subject of discipline re in the \n\nthe \n\ndeducted; suggest that if he sends \n\n+1 \n\nout these insubordinate letters made \n\nfor a sport nurses to run to the C.N.A secretary they think they have a grievance. \n\nwe are encouraging \n\nI am inclined to tell the CNA. that we can't consider complaints received in this irregular fashion: that the nurses need to know that if they had a complaint the proper course is to approach the head of the S.MS. through the proper Sort that the CNA. has hinted at all \n\nthose ladies recording \n\nJK167/10/15 \n\nMr. Robinson \n\nMinute \n\nPut it delicately: \n\nWould you \n\nmind drafting through \n\nMacLaughlin, for the missing signature \n\nAt once \n\nNext Junior \n\nMr. Collins, \n\nunderstood. \n\n69 \n\nI am afraid the position has not been quite \n\nMrs.Hawkins showed me these letters when I attended the last meeting of the Colonial Nursing Association, and we arranged together that she should tell the nurses that the Colonial Nursing Association could do nothing, and that any complaints or applications for transfer must be made officially. Mrs. Hawkins told me quite frankly that she, at the Committee, had felt that there was something in these grievances, because there has been previous trouble between Dr. Johnson and his nursing staff. \n\nI suggested to Mrs. Hawkins that it might be as well for her to give me the extracts, so that the Colonial Secretary might see them privately, she did it, I handed then is the draft letter mes. I did not intend that anything more should be done. When Mr.Beckett asked whether they might be sent privately to the Governor I agreed with some hesitation. I did not know they had been registered. I think the accompanying letter to Mrs. Hawkins disposes of the matter for the present. \n\nTeM. 25/10/15. \n\nAt once \n\nA&C 26.10.15 \n\n1 \n\nA&C 19.10.11 \n\nHowever, to follow the exact output format requested:\n\nwon't go out to the CNA directly \n\nOf course Whisson them & horas a subject of discipline re in the \n\nthe \n\ndeducted; suggest that if he sends \n\n+1 \n\nout these insubordinate letters made \n\nfor a sport nurses to run to the C.N.A secretary they think they have a grievance. \n\nwe are encouraging \n\nI am inclined to tell the CNA. that we can't consider complaints received in this irregular fashion: that the nurses need to know that if they had a complaint the proper course is to approach the head of the S.MS. through the proper Sort that the CNA. has hinted at all \n\nthose ladies recording \n\nJK167/10/15 \n\nMr. Robinson \n\nMinute \n\nPut it delicately: \n\nWould you \n\nmind drafting through \n\nMacLaughlin, for the missing signature \n\nAt once \n\nNext Junior \n\nMr. Collins, \n\nunderstood. \n\n69 \n\nI am afraid the position has not been quite \n\nMrs.Hawkins showed me these letters when I attended the last meeting of the Colonial Nursing Association, and we arranged together that she should tell the nurses that the Colonial Nursing Association could do nothing, and that any complaints or applications for transfer must be made officially. Mrs. Hawkins told me quite frankly that she, at the Committee, had felt that there was something in these grievances, because there has been previous trouble between Dr. Johnson and his nursing staff. \n\nI suggested to Mrs. Hawkins that it might be as well for her to give me the extracts, so that the Colonial Secretary might see them privately, she did it, I handed then is the draft letter mes. I did not intend that anything more should be done. When Mr.Beckett asked whether they might be sent privately to the Governor I agreed with some hesitation. I did not know they had been registered. I think the accompanying letter to Mrs. Hawkins disposes of the matter for the present. \n\nTeM. 25/10/15. \n\nAt once \n\nA&C 26.10.15 \n\n1 \n\nA&C 19.10.11",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-430 - Others & Individuals - 1915.txt",
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        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 460384,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]",
        "page_number": 517,
        "title": "CO129-431 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [1-2]",
        "content_text": "82\n\nArticle 52.-In order to meet special requirements there may be included in the estimates appropriations extending over a certain number of years as a Continuing Expenditure Fund.\n\nArticle 53-In order to supply deficiencies in the estimates, or to meet requirements unprovided for in the same, a Reserve Fund shall be provided for in the estimates.\n\nArticle 54. Estimates for the objects of expenditure specified below shall not be rejected or reduced, except with the concurrence of the\n\nPresident -\n\n(1) Those appertaining to the legal obligations of the State.\n\n(2) Such necessary expenditures as may have arisen from the provisions of statute.\n\n(3) Expenditures necessary to carry out treaties.\n\n(4) Expenditures necessary for the organization of the Army and Navy.\n\nArticle 55.-In case of international warfare or internal disturbance, or in extraordinary circumstances, when the Legislature cannot be convoked, the President, with the concurrence of the Council of State, may make urgent financial appropriations. But he shall request the Legislature to ratify the same at the beginning of its next session.\n\nArticle 56-If the new estimates have not been acted upon the appropriations of the previous year shall continue in force. The same procedure shall be observed should the adoption of the estimates be delayed after the fiscal year has already begun.\n\nArticle 57.-The final accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the state shall be audited every year by the Board of Audit, and shall be reported by the President to the Legislature for approval.\n\nArticle 58.-The organization of the Board of Audit shall be determined by the Constitutional Compact Conference.\n\n### CHAPTER 9. THE PROCEDURE FOR MAKING THE CONSTITUTION.\n\nArticle 59,-The Constitution of the Chung Hua Min Kuo shall be drafted by the Constitution Drafting Committee.\n\nThis Committee shall be composed of persons not exceeding ten in number elected by the Council of State.\n\nArticle 60.-The Draft of the Constitution of the Chung Hua Min Kuo shall be examined and passed by the Council of State.\n\nArticle 61-After the Constitution of the Chung Hua Min Kuo has been examined and passed by the Council of State it shall be submitted by the President to the National Convention for final adoption.\n\nThe organization of the National Convention shall be determined by the Constitutional Compact Conference.\n\nArticle 62.-The National Convention shall be convoked and dissolved by the President.\n\nArticle 63.-The Constitution of the Chung Hua Min Kuo shall be promulgated by the President.\n\n## CHAPTER 10.-SUPPLEMENTARY ARTICLES.\n\nArticle 64-Until the Constitution of the Chung Hua Min Kuo comes into force the Constitutional Compact shall have the same force as the Constitution.\n\nLaws and ordinances in force before the going into effect of the Constitutional Compact, so far as they do not come into conflict with the same, shall continue to be valid.\n\nArticle 65.-The Articles proclaimed on the twelfth day of the second month of the first year of the Min Kuo, regarding the favourable treatment of the Ta Ching Emperor after his abdication of the Throne, and the special treatment of the Ching Imperial Clan, as well as the special treatment of the Manchus, Mongols, Mohamedans and Thibetans shall never be modified.\n\n514",
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    {
        "id": 463509,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11]",
        "page_number": 601,
        "title": "CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nIt is quite possible that it may shortly require supplementary amendment, but the urgency of the matter is such that some provision must be made at once.\n\nTHE **COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded.\n\nIt does occur to me in this Colony, and yet at the same time we cannot stop it. I gather from the Attorney-General's explanation, with regard to section 6, sub-section 1, that it is quite understood that any British firm who can capture the trade of the enemy is not liable to come under the terms of the section. Of course, Sir, I speak entirely on my own responsibility, and possibly some of my unofficial colleagues may wish to modify or dissent from what I have said. I trust I have in the main expressed the views of British merchants in Hongkong on this very important measure.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** - In reply to what the hon. member has just said, I would like to say that when I was dealing with clause 6 I was merely trying to make the point that though the clause as drafted, wide as it is, might appear possibly to allow interference with persons who might bona fide get hold of trade formerly carried on by alien enemies, that was not the intention. Permission may be given by the Governor to carry on or engage in trade previously carried on by an alien enemy.\n\n**HON. MR. HEWETT** - Your Excellency, this Bill, as you know, was only sent out this morning, and I have had no opportunity of consulting my colleagues on the matter. Two points which I think the hon. Attorney-General hardly made quite clear. Before I come to these I would state, speaking for myself entirely - I am not speaking for my unofficial friends - that I think we all ought to recognise the urgency of this Bill. It must become law to-day. I also realise the difficulties under which the Attorney-General had to work at very short notice in drafting such an important Bill having such far-reaching effects, and, as he stated, without guidance from previous legislation in the Colony. At the same time it is more than probable that we may early have to ask your Excellency to consider some of the clauses of this Bill and modify them. The point I wish to raise is that, as the intention is not in any way to hamper such trade not carried on by an alien enemy, such permission would, of course, be given.\n\nWith regard to part of his remarks, that there was no question of an alien enemy disposing of property, that, of course, is only prohibition against disposing of any property. He then went on to make some reference to persons who might purchase a business and then work it in the interest of the original proprietors. I think that point ought to be made clear. As I stated in this chamber three weeks ago, it appeared to me just as bad for an alien enemy to sell his property to someone else and thereby benefit during hostilities, by capital being paid for a going concern, as it would be if he sold a ship. That is a point which I think ought to be made very clear, because, in the concluding remarks of the Attorney-General, it appeared to me that while on the one hand an alien enemy was not supposed to profit or benefit, at the same time a loophole was left by which he could dispose of his property to a person in his employ, or to some friend, and get so much in hard cash which would benefit him or his country; or, on the other hand, that a transfer might be more or less a bogus one. In either case, bona fide or bogus, it appears to me that there is a large opportunity given to an alien enemy to carry on his business and benefit.\n\nThe Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nOn Clause 5, sub-section 11,\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** moved the amendment of this sub-section by the addition of the words, \"including the rent of any business premises formerly occupied by such alien enemy due while such premises are occupied by the liquidator for the purposes of such winding up.\"\n\n**HON. MR. LANDALE** - How does that affect premises on lease?\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** - The question of lease is not dealt with in this Bill expressly, and cannot for the moment be dealt with without further consideration. The only point affecting this Bill is payment of the rent by the liquidator, who may use the premises formerly occupied by an enemy firm. That rent is to be paid in certain priority.\n\n**HON. MR. LANDALE** - Is a lease not a definite liability on the part of an alien enemy?\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY** - The question of lease was only raised this morning, and we have not had time to consider it. It will require careful consideration. I would remind you that a very great number of persons are affected by this Bill, alien enemies so-called, who are now prisoners of war; others of them are not prisoners of war, but are compulsorily expelled from the Colony. This question will have to be carefully considered, and when we come to a conclusion on the point, no doubt it may be necessary to further amend this Bill to make it clear what the law on the subject is.\n\n**HON. MR. HEWETT** - With regard to your Excellency's remarks about making it quite clear, I presume when you refer to the word lease you mean the lease of premises for private use as opposed to office premises?\n\n**HON. MR. LANDALE** - I meant all leases; they are a definite liability.\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY** - I think the point of the hon. member who raised the question is, that many of these offices, which are rented at very large rentals, are leased for considerable periods, some for five or six years. Well, it is obvious that the rent of those during liquidation is a fair charge against the assets of a firm which is being liquidated. Then the question arises as to what about the remainder of the leases. Is that it?\n\n**HON. MR. LANDALE** - Yes, Sir.\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY** - That is a question which will have to be considered.\n\n**HON. MR. HEWETT** - Also, I understand, leases of private premises from which the occupants will have to be expelled.\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY** - Leases of private residences come in also.\n\nOn Council resuming,\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** reported that the Bill had passed through Committee with slight amendment, and moved that it be read a third time.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY** - Council stands adjourned until next Thursday week.\n\n.588",
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        "id": 476757,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6]",
        "page_number": 573,
        "title": "CO129-448 - Governor Sir May - 1918 [4-6]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThe **ATTORNEY-GENERAL** Government do not consider that men must be obtained at all costs, because the bill itself recognises that the essential interests of the Colony must for Imperial reasons be protected, and to say that the policy of the bill is to obtain men at all costs is not to represent it correctly. It is also not true that the Government consider that the days for the protection of trade are passed, because they propose to protect the essential elements of trade. But the days have changed, and the need for men is so great, as your Excellency has said, that there must be some change in the standard. It is impossible to keep to the old standard of maintenance of trade as it existed a year or two or three years ago. I only want to point out that the Government do not say that men must be obtained at any cost or that trade must not be protected. But they do say that only the essential elements of that trade must be protected in view of the very urgent need of the Empire for more men.\n\n## Debate on Amendment\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-I must press the amendment because it represents the very strong view of the Chamber of Commerce. You cannot separate Hongkong from Shanghai, or Hankow or Canton. We are interwoven, body, continually corresponding, and in many cases the head of the business is here. Therefore, you cannot separate British trade in China, as it is inseparably bound up with Hongkong, and to ignore that would be fatal to British interests.\n\n**HON. MR. LANDALE**-I think, Sir, you touched on one of the vital points when you referred to the transfer of men. The transfer of men to and from Hongkong is just one of the things we wish covered; otherwise, it would make it impossible to control a large business from Hongkong.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR** We recognise that trade in China controlled from here is one of our essential interests. Really, gentlemen, we might talk around the subject for a week and not be able to get any more satisfactory definition than that which stands in the Bill. As I said before, that is why we have this Tribunal, in order to arrive at an understanding on what are the essential interests of the trade of Hongkong. I regret that I cannot accept the amendment. I think it is too wide. How could any man say what number of men in Hongkong is required for the essential British trade interests in the Far East! It is tremendously wide. An argument might be put forward based on trade in Newchwang, with which we might have nothing whatever to do.\n\n**HON. MR. SHELLIM**-Would you add the words \"essential trade interests controlled from the Colony?\" These are the exact words used by your Excellency.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**-It is not necessary to put those words into the Bill. As I say, when the Government solemnly undertakes to interpret the phrase in a certain way, that is as good as its being brought into the Bill. We laid down the form when we included in the term \"essential interests\" the essential trade interests and trade in China controlled from Hongkong. It is not necessary to put that into the Bill.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-The Chamber of Commerce discussed this in Committee at very considerable length and passed a resolution unanimously that they wished these words in the Bill. If your Excellency refuses to include them, I have nothing further to say except that your Excellency places your wisdom above that of the Chamber of Commerce Committee on a matter of trade, and I regret that I must press for a division.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR** The amendment is too wide altogether. You wish to divide?\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-Yes.\n\nA division was taken, and the amendment was lost, all the unofficial members voting for it.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-I must protest against the use of the official majority against what is, from the leading merchants of the Colony, a specialised opinion to defeat their unanimous wishes. It is not as though this matter had not been brought forward without due consideration, nor as if we had not seriously considered it.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL**-Is the hon. member in order in discussing an amendment which has been passed?\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**-The amendment is lost.\n\n## New Clause Added\n\nOn the motion of the **Attorney-General**, the following new clause, No. 16, was added:\n\n| Clause | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (1) | It shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint three persons, two of whom shall be commercial men, to act as Assessors upon appeals to the Governor in Council under the provisions of this Ordinance. |\n| (2) | Every such assessor shall, during his tenure of office as such assessor, be entitled to be present at all proceedings whatsoever in any such appeal. |\n\n## Third Reading\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**-The member must give us some credit for having experience in drafting a Bill, for seeing the danger of adding lightly new words which may lead us into unforeseen depths. I would ask the honourable member, after the assurance given on the first reading of this Bill and the explanation given at this meeting, to accept the third reading without a division.\n\n**HON. MR. POLLOCK**-I think we ought to divide on the third reading.\n\nA division was then taken- All the unofficial members voted against the third reading, with the exception of the **Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak**.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** moved that the Bill be read a third time.\n\nWhen the question was put to the **Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak**, he asked if it referred to the Bill as a whole, and being informed that it did, he gave his vote in the affirmative.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-I challenge a division on this.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR**-I should be sorry if this Bill were not passed unanimously. I think that the subject is a difficult one, but I think many of the difficulties of which the Chamber of Commerce is afraid will disappear when we come face to face with the problems.\n\n**HON. MR. HOLYOAK**-What we want is protection in the Bill, Sir.\n\nThe Bill was then read a third time and passed.\n\n**H.E. THE GOVERNOR** There is no further business. The Council stands adjourned sine die. I wish to thank honourable members for the patient consideration they have given to this Bill. I am quite certain that the legislation we have just passed will result in no inconsiderable addition to the fine contribution in manhood that the Colony has already made to H.M's. Army, and that the operation of this Ordinance will redound to the credit of this Colony.",
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    {
        "id": 477426,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12]",
        "page_number": 111,
        "title": "CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nThe recommendations made by Lieutenant Olitsky have, of course, been carefully considered. Steps have been taken to prepare the serum for the treatment of epidemic meningitis and in the quantity suggested. As regards the treatment of the patient, it will require careful and continuous persuasion to get the serum used; and in the event of an epidemic, every effort will be made to provide the patient with methods of Western treatment, including the use of serum. The prevention of pharyngeal infections and influenza can only be effectively achieved by keeping the individual in the best possible state of health, by segregating the sick from the healthy and (what is more difficult, in fact, at present practically impossible) by avoiding overcrowding. The employment of masks could only be resorted to in special circumstances, as in hospitals, for example. Prophylactic vaccination as a method of prevention is still in the stage of enquiry.\n\nDuring the epidemic this year, a leaflet was drawn up and translated into Chinese dealing with certain efficacious measures capable of being easily carried into effect, but it was not distributed. Should there unhappily be a return of the disease in epidemic form, this method of propaganda, in conjunction with oral advice, would probably be the most effective way of educating the population. There I will leave the report for the present, and I feel sure that honourable members will wish to record their sense of the obligation this Colony is under to the Rockefeller Institute for the valuable assistance rendered by it in this matter.\n\n## Finance\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY**, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table Finance Minutes Nos. 79 to '82 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.\n\n**THE COLONIAL TREASURER** seconded, and this was agreed to.\n\n## Government's Discussions with Unofficial Members\n\nH.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT—It will be convenient, I think, to make a short statement at this meeting of the Legislative Council regarding certain matters that have been the subject of discussion between the Government and honourable unofficial members during this year.\n\nIn January last, information was requested regarding the organisation and pay of the Police Force, the Fire Brigade, and the Preventive Staff of the Department of Imports and Exports, and at a later date, honourable unofficial members submitted to the Government a list of recommendations which was discussed at a meeting held on the 23rd of May.\n\nThe question of the rates of pay in the Police Force has been settled temporarily by the grant of a ten per cent. allowance, while the question of the rate at which pensions should be granted is still under consideration, and, I hope, will shortly be decided.\n\nThe next matter was the organisation of the Fire Brigade, both as regards personnel and equipment. The efficiency of the volunteer portion of the brigade has been increased by relieving the men of certain other duties, which they had been performing. Additions have been made to the equipment, including two powerful motor pumping engines that have been ordered from America. It has for a long time been recognised that the present site of the Fire Station in Victoria is too cramped and that a station is required at Kowloon. A suitable site in Victoria is already in the possession of the Government, and it is probable that a good site can be found on Crown Land in Kowloon.\n\nAfter the murder of Sergeant Glendinning at Tai O, honourable unofficial members endorsed the recommendations made by the jury at the Coroner's enquiry, and asked certain questions as to the patrolling of the waters of the Colony and the visits of inspection made to out-stations. The Government replied as follows:\n\n| Question | Response |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) The practice of having two European Officers at Tai O | The practice was interrupted owing to the war. It was proposed to resume it at once. It was not considered that the Cheung Chau Station or any of the Police Stations on the mainland were so isolated as to require the presence of two European police constantly stationed there. Circumstances had arisen, and might again arise, rendering the presence of two or more European police at a station necessary. |\n| (b) Enquiry into telephonic material | Enquiry was being made as to the possibility of obtaining the necessary telephonic material. It has since been ascertained that the material can be got from Japan, and the work of linking up the island stations with the mainland is now in hand. |\n| (c) Provision of steam or motor pinnace | It was not considered necessary to provide at any of the four island stations a steam or motor pinnace, as the expense would be out of all proportion to the usefulness of the craft. Four police launches were employed in the patrol of the waters of the Colony beyond the limits of the harbour. The island stations were visited by patrol launches some fifteen or sixteen times a month. Details of visits of inspection by Police Officers were supplied. |\n\nHonourable unofficial members, in reply, recorded their unanimous opinion that Cheung Chau was of sufficient importance to render it advisable that a second European Police Officer should be stationed there. The Government has not found itself in a position to give effect to their wishes.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY**, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table report of proceedings of the Finance Committee, No. 7, and moved that it be adopted.\n\n**THE COLONIAL TREASURER** seconded, and this was agreed to.\n\n## Opium Ordinance, 1918\n\n**THE ATTORNEY GENERAL** moved the second reading of the Bill intituled, \"An Ordinance to amend the Opium Ordinance, 1914, and the Opium Ordinance, 1917.\"\n\nIn doing so, he said—The Bill proposes to make certain amendments in the two existing Ordinances, some of which are formal while others are of a more substantial character. In Sections 46 and 49 of the Opium Ordinance, 1914, in dealing with tonnage of steam ships, rather ambiguous expressions are used. In one section, the term used is \"tons burden.\" In the other section, the word used is simply \"tons.\" Clauses 2 and 3 of the present Bill propose to make it quite clear that in these two sections, the tonnage referred to is what is known as \"the register tonnage.\" Clause 4 of the Bill corrects a slight drafting error in the Opium Ordinance, 1914. Clause 5 of the Bill deals with the Opium Ordinance, 1917. That Ordinance made it an offence to be in possession of labels, wrappers, or marks resembling the labels, wrappers, or marks used on the opium sold by the Government. The clause was drawn too widely because it included cases of possession of marks resembling Government marks but not resembling Government marks with any fraudulent intention. Clause 5 of the Bill, therefore, proposes to amend that provision so that the resemblance aimed at will be resemblance amounting to colourable imitation. Clause 6 of the Bill stops another gap in the defences against fraud in connection with the Opium Ordinance. It provides that every person in possession of labels and wrappers which were at one time attached to Government prepared, or dross opium and which have been detached from Government receptacles be guilty of an offence. The object of detaching such labels and wrappers is, of course, to use them again in a fraudulent way by attaching them to receptacles containing non-Government opium. Clause 7 provides that in the case of any person found possessing any box or package containing opium, the onus shall be thrown on him of proving that he did not know that such box or package contained opium.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL** then moved that Council go into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nThe Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and, upon Council resuming, the Attorney-General moved the third reading of the Bill.\n\n**THE COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded, and the Bill was then read a third time, and passed.\n\nIn July, Mr. Lau Chu-pak requested that provision might be made for the application of the Grant Code system to the vernacular schools subsidised and managed by the Confucian Society, as the schools were supplying a distinct want. Arrangements have accordingly been made for the giving of a grant to the 18 Confucian Schools and to the 11 Tung Wah Schools. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking those Chinese gentlemen who have so generously contributed to the support of these schools.\n\nA number of other questions have also been under discussion in the course of the year between the Government and the unofficial members, as for instance, the housing scheme for Civil Servants and the choice of a site for the European Young Men's Christian Association Building.",
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        "id": 478693,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918",
        "page_number": 158,
        "title": "CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918",
        "content_text": "# EX-OFFICERS.\n\n| Rank | No. | Regt. | Age | Medical Notes | Qualifications and Previous Employment | Present Courses | Locality |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2nd Lieut. | D.0.1140 | 32 Middx. | 26 | Lama. L. leg | Ed. privately. 2 yrs. clerk and inspector of agents, policy drafting and usual office routine, Royal Insurance Co., London. [French.] O.U.T.C. |  |  |\n| 2nd Lieut. | 10.1216 | 21 Middx. | 27 | Good | Ed. privately. 1 yr. clerk Denny, Mott Dixon. Hobbies: photography, poultry-keeping. [French] O.U.T.C. |  | Devon. |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1142 | A.S.C. | 24 | Good. B. ATT damaged. | Ed. privately. 1 yr. clerk, County Fire Office. Mildenhead. 1 yr. asst. present Headmaster, Maidenhead Coll. [French.] |  | Berks. |\n| 2nd Lieut. | 10.1218 | 28 London |  | Good | Ed. Royal Acad., Belfast, City of London Coll. yrs. clerk marine insurance broker. |  | London. |\n| Captain | 0.1221 | 46 Lanes. Fus. |  | Fair |  |  |  |\n| Major | D.0.1152 | 61 |  | Good | Ed. Charterhouse. 18 yrs. Reg. Army. Read for Bar. Rejoined Army 1914, Adjutant. Retired, 1917. Work required-clerical nature. [Hindu. staui.] |  | Sutrey. |\n| Capt. | D.0.1169 | 56 N.Z. |  | Good | Ed. Glasgow Academy and Glasgow Univ. Knowledge of shipbuilding. Considerable experience as a business organiser, including re-organisation of Woolwich Tramway Co. & transport depart., Messrs. W. Whiteley & Co., London. Considerable experience in horse dealing [Roumanian, Dutch, Kaffir, French.] |  |  |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1171 | 45 A.V.C. |  | Fair | Ed, privately. B.A. Wellington, New-Zealand. Served through S. African War and Zulu Rebellion, 3 yrs. asst. resident magistrate, Rhodesia. Also acted as remount officer, sales and inspection, U.S. [Matabele, Dutch.] |  |  |\n| Major | D.0.1175 | 65 B.E. |  | Good | Ed. privately. 23 yrs. Reg. Army, 4 yrs. exp. transport work in China, also controlling native labour. Served in S African War. Good knowledge of horses. |  |  |\n|  | D.0.1183 | 28 M.G.O. |  | Fair, Nephritis. | Ed. privately, 17 yrs. sorter G.P.O. Now clerk Admiralty. |  | Warwick |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1196 | Buffs, | 22 | Fair | Ed. privately. Left school to join army, |  | Kent. |\n| 2nd Lieut. | D.0.1199 | 25 |  | Good | Ed. Cheltenham. 21 yrs, N. Rhodesian Police, quartermaster, chief paymaster, staff officer, supplies, transport. |  | London |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1201 | North. Fus. | 27 | Good | Ed. privately. 3 yrs. shipping clerk Gilbert McCaul & Co. 4 yrs. traveller Addressograph Co. Own business tea trade, Germany. [German.] |  | London. |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1203 | 2+ S. Staffo. |  | Good | Ed. King Edward's, Birmingham; Cambridge Univ. Secretary Birmingham Education Committee. Asst. secretary Colonial Wool, Jute and Flax Committees. Superintendent work and sports, St. Dunstans. Knowledge office routine, company law. |  | London, |\n| Lieut. | 0.0.1238 | B. Fus. | 28 | Good | Ed. privately. 17 yrs. Reg. Army. Commissioned 1915. 3 yrs. manager photo printing firm. 5 yrs. commission agent S. Africa, Hobbies, photography, poultry. |  | London, |\n| Lieut.-Col. | 0.0.1239 | 63 B.G.A. |  | Good | Ed. Cheltenham & R.M.A, Woolwich. 30 yr army service. |  | Somerset. |\n| Lieut. | 10.1244 | 26 Notts & Derby. |  | Good | Ed. privately and Nottingham Univ. |  | London. |\n| 2nd Lieut. | 1.0.1249 | 25 Lancs. Fus. |  | Fair. Dyspepsia. | Ed. privately. Studied for surveyor. 6 yrs. asst. librarian, Free Library, Richmond, |  | Loader |\n| Capt. | 0.0.1262 | Border. | 46 | Good | 2 yrs. general commercial ex. 7 yrs, A. C. Pearse & Co. Ltd., Nottingham shippers. (Apprenticed 4 yrs.) [French.] |  | Lancashire. |\n| 2nd Lieut. | 0.0.1272 | 36 M.G.C. |  | Fair | Ed. privately and R.M.C., Sandhurst and Ordnance Coll. Whole career spent in Army. Commissioned 1898. Served S.A. War. Ordnance officer. Exp. secretarial duties. [German.] |  | Lancashire. |\n| Major | 0.0.1278 | 48 N. Rhodesian Police. |  | Good | Ed. Civil Service Coll., Dublin, 2 yrs. Census Office, Dublin. 1 yr. Audit Dept, National Health Insurance. 2 yrs. Bank of Ireland. Knowledge clerical work, auditing and book-keeping. |  | Ireland. |\n| Lieut. | D.0.1282 | B.I.R. | 47 | Fair | Ed. privately. 3 yrs. shipping clerk Gilbert McCaul & Co. 4 yrs. traveller Addressograph Co. Own business tea trade, Germany. [German.] |  | London. |\n| Brigr.-Gen | D.0.1284 | 61 B.A. |  | Good |  |  |  |\n| Lieut. | 0.0.1286 | 28 Notts & Derby |  | Good | Ed. privately. Sir Anthony Brown's School, Brentwood, 6 yrs. bank clerk, London, County and Westminster Bank, From 1913 general farming in New Zealand until joined army. Knowledge internal combustion engines, photography, |  | Essex |\n|  |  |  |  |  | Ed, privately. R.M.A. Woolwich, 36 yrs. reg. army. Volunteered 1914, served France. Voluntary work. N.A.C.B. recruiting, Boy Scouts Deputy Lieut. Essex. |  | Essex. |\n|  |  |  |  |  | Ed. Eastbourne. Univ. Coll., Nottingham, London Matric. 1 yr. studied science (chemistry), preparing for Inter, B.Sc., but breakdown in health prevented further study. |  | Notts. |\n\nPage 155  \nH.Q. D.0-39.7.18  \nH. D.0/5.-29.7.18.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-452 - Others & Individuals - 1918.txt",
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        "id": 487173,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5]",
        "page_number": 147,
        "title": "CO129-467 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1921 [1-5]",
        "content_text": "# 146\n\nHon. Colonial Secretary,\n\nI enclose translation of a letter which I have just received from the Po Leung Kuk elders, which perhaps the Governor might like to see.\n\nI think that this movement is on the right lines and it comes from the people who are regarded by the Chinese as the proper persons to take a lead in such matters.\n\nMr. Li Po Kwai and Mr. Lo Cheung Shiu are both on the Permanent Committee and are therefore the right sort of people to bring a matter of this sort before the actual Committee.\n\nI am drafting a circular which will have to contain a great amount of \"to li\". \"Only bad men kick their grandmothers\" and that sort of stuff, which the Chinese love to read.\n\nI have had a meeting this morning with the two Chinese Members of the Legislative Council and the Committee of the Po Leung Kuk and we have decided to take the following steps:-\n\n1. Householders will be sent circulars and the Committees of the District Dispensaries will preach as far as they can, the necessity of kindness to girls and servants. I will send a copy of the circular when it is finished.\n\n2. A committee of Chinese Ladies will come forward to assist. It is unlikely that they will have much effect on the mui tsai but they will visit the Po Leung Kuk and act as advisors to their husbands who will be either present or past members of the Committee. This I must admit is an experiment and it will be interesting to see what happens. No one can seriously maintain that a band of elderly Chinese gentlemen, however kindly disposed, can know as much about the happiness and comfort of quite small girls, such as those we have in the Po Leung Kuk, as women can. It would be impossible to have a Committee of English ladies, though they would of course be very much more efficient.\n\nI think the",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 213,
        "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\n## 211 \n## 40 \n\n**HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL**\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied: The Government has for some time past been in communication with the Dairy Farm Co. on the matters referred to in the question, but it is not possible to make any statement at present.\n\n## Enemy Property\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled, **An Ordinance to provide for the transference of property, rights and powers to successive holders of the office of Custodian of Enemy Property**.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was agreed to.\n\nH EXCELLENCY: The Bill is passed.\n\n## The Stamp Ordinance\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL said: I move the second reading of the Bill intituled, **An Ordinance to Amend the Law relating to Stamp Duty**, and in doing so, I would like to acknowledge the assistance received from various bodies and individuals, members of both Councils, and others. The time has unfortunately been short and I think we are greatly indebted to the various bodies and persons who have devoted much time and care to the examination of the Bill and given to the Government the benefit of their views and deliberations. The course of the criticism has taken the form of efforts to reduce the increases of the various duties proposed by the Bill and to induce the Government to omit certain other duties altogether. Even where the Government have not been able to agree with the arguments put forward, I think the arguments have helped very much to clear up the position, and will enable us eventually to come to just decisions.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL: I beg to move that the Council now go into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.\n\nOn the Council resuming, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL reported that no amendments had been made, and moved that the Bill be read a third time.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.\n\nH EXCELLENCY: The Bill is passed.\n\n## Treaty of Peace Orders\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled, **An Ordinance to modify certain provisions of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, as amended by the Treaty of Peace (Amendment) Order, 1920, and by the Treaty of Peace (Amendment) (No. 2) Order, 1920, for the purpose of adapting the provisions of the Order to the circumstances of the Colony of Hongkong**.\n\nI would like to refer, sir, to two or three general points. It has been suggested more than once that, as the Government are only asking for a million from the new stamp duties, and as the present yield is about $800,000 or $900,000 a year, they might have obtained that sum by simply doubling the existing duties. But, apart from the fact that in some cases, in many cases—particularly duties have been doubled, I would like to point out that there are a good many headings of duty in the present stamp law which cannot fairly be doubled, even increased at all. There are others that we think cannot safely be doubled because, if they were, the probable effect might be either to drive trade from the Colony—which is a thing one must always bear in mind—or else encourage evasion to such an extent that the duty would produce nothing like double the yield of the present revenue.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.\n\nThe Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. No amendments were made and on the Council resuming,\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the Bill be read a third time.\n\nDoubling as a means of obtaining another million is impossible because there are certain items—they amount to more than half—which cannot fairly or safely be doubled. We, therefore, have to look to other means of increasing the stamp revenue.\n\n## HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n## 41\n\nIt has been suggested, both in this Council, and elsewhere, that the duties proposed by this Bill are an attack on Free Trade. I venture to say, sir, that is an improper use of the term \"Free Trade,\" and that nothing in this Bill has any bearing at all on the question of Free Trade. \"Free Trade\" I think, is used in two senses: in the first sense being opposed to a system of monopolies or chartered companies. There is nothing of that kind here. In the second sense, it is used as being opposed to a system of taxation under which import duties are imposed on imports from abroad, or bounties given for the protection of home industries. This Bill, of course, imposes no import duty whatever, and gives no bounty; it has nothing at all to do with the question of Free Trade. I mention this because phrases are very dangerous and that phrase might get abroad and give the idea that Hongkong is abandoning its policy of Free Trade. The only import duties in Hongkong are the duties on tobacco and liquor, and they are not touched by this Bill.\n\nClause 3, sub-clause 29, contains a definition of the term \"vesting order.\" It has been pointed out that that definition includes too much. A great many vesting orders which are not transfers of property for consideration, but are made, e.g., on the appointment of new trustees, would have to pay conveyance duty. What is proposed to be done in this case is to omit that sub-clause altogether and to insert in sub-clause 9, which is a definition of \"conveyance on sale,\" after the word \"instrument\" these words: \"and every decree or order of any Court.\" That will make the section practically a copy of the English section and will confine the duty on vesting orders, to vesting orders on sale. It may be that we shall not get the duty on all the vesting orders we ought to get it on, but I think, on the whole, it is fairer than the present draft.\n\nClause 17 provides that instruments executed out of the Colony, other than wills of being executed, brought into force, acts of exchange and promissory notes, shall, before being brought into force, acted upon, or registered within the Colony, be stamped with the duty to which they would have been liable if executed here in the first instance. It had been pointed out that that might be unduly hampering in the case of policies, bills of lading and, I think, mates receipts, attached to bills of exchange, and if a form of wording can be found to exempt those from the section, I think that that exemption might very well be made. I have not had time to draft an amendment to that effect, but I have no doubt that some form of words can be found.\n\nAnother suggestion made for dealing with the deficiency in revenue is that we should obtain money by means of Short Loans. On that point, I only want to say that I think the phrase \"extraordinary expenditure\" which appears in the estimates is perhaps (though quite a good phrase for its purpose) a little misleading for the man in the street. It has been suggested that to make roads and put up houses and other buildings we ought not to rely on taxation but obtain Short Loans for the purpose. As long as I have been in the Colony—over 20 years we have always been making roads and putting up buildings; it is a constantly recurring expenditure and though it does result in the permanent improvement of the Colony, still, as Hongkong is, fortunately, a developing Colony we always are, and shall have, I hope for many years to come, to go on building roads and putting up buildings out of revenue and not relying on short loans for the purpose.\n\nClause 21 is the clause dealing with the duty on agreements for the sale of property. It is proposed to omit that altogether, and to omit, of course, the corresponding Heading 5 in the schedule. I think it is a duty which would not result in a very large yield because I think the cases to which it would apply in this Colony are small in number.\n\nNow, in further consideration of this Bill, all the Government have come to the conclusion that a good many of the proposals in it must be either altered or abandoned. There are also a number of small amendments which it is proposed to submit in committee—some are drafting amendments; others of some slight substantial importance. I propose to go through the Bill and state the amendments which we propose to bring forward in committee, and state what particular provisions of the Bill we are prepared, at this stage, to abandon.",
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        "id": 487866,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 219,
        "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\n## PRESENT:-\n\n24TH APRIL, 1921.\n\n**HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT** (Hon. MR. CLAUD SEVERN, C.M.G.).\n\nH.E. MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEORGE MACAULAY KIRKPATRICK, K.C.B., K.C.S.I. (General Officer Commanding the Troops in China),\n\nHON. MR. ED. C. WOLFE (Colonial Secretary).\n\nHON. MR. J. H. KEMPE, K.C., (Attorney-General).\n\nHON. MR. C. McI. MESSER, O.B.E. (Colonial Treasurer).\n\nHON. MR. E. A. IRVING (Director of Education),\n\nHON. MR. S. B. C. ROSS (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).\n\nHON. MR. T. L. PERKINS (Director of Public Works).\n\nHON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, C.B.E.\n\nHON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.\n\nHON. MR. A. O. LANG.\n\nHON. MR. CHAU SIU-KI.\n\n## Finance\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the report of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports for the year 1920, and the report of the Finance Committee, No. 6, moved that it be adopted. THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and it was agreed to.\n\n## The Stamp Ordinance\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the Council go into Committee to consider the clauses of the Stamp Bill.\n\nOn clause 16, sub-clause (3), was amended to extend the right of appeal to the Governor-in-Council on any point decided by the Collector.\n\nOn Clause 17, relating to instruments executed out of the Colony, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it had been pointed out that the clause had too wide an application, and had been re-drafted to make it practically the same as in the present Ordinance, which had been the law for the past years.\n\nClause 23 was re-drafted and approved.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that Clause 25, relating to proxies, be re-committed. This was agreed to, and it was amended by inserting the word \"single\" before the word \"meeting.\" THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained that the clause is intended to provide that any proxy to vote at a single meeting must contain the date of the meeting. It was feared that from the clause it might possibly be held that there was no power to give a general power of attorney to vote at meetings, and the motion was approved.\n\nIn Committee, many verbal amendments were made on clauses postponed for that purpose from the last meeting; clauses were re-numbered, and consequential alterations made in the schedule.\n\n## ABSENT:-\n\nHON. MR. H. W. BIRD.\n\nHON. MR. A. G. STEPHEN.\n\n## New Member\n\nMr. CHAU SIU-KI took the oath and his seat as a member of the Council during the temporary absence of the Hon. Mr. Ho Fook.\n\n## Minutes\n\nThe minutes of the meeting held on April 12th (not 25th) were approved and signed by the President.\n\n## Papers\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report.\n\nOn clause 3, paragraph 18, an amendment was approved to make the definition the same as in the present Ordinance. In paragraph 19, an amendment suggested by the Stockbrokers' Association was adopted. In paragraph 22, an amendment was approved making it clear that \"person\" includes a firm.\n\nSub-clause (6) of clause 5, which had been left over for re-drafting, was now adopted in two sub-clauses dealing with civil and criminal liability separately.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained that the stamp duty is a civil debt to the Collector, but clause 6 was originally drafted so that the Collector could not establish his claim because he could not produce the unstamped document which was the only proof of failure to pay the duty.\n\nClause 6 was approved as it had been amended by the Attorney-General.\n\nWith reference to Clause 41, which had been held over for re-drafting, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed that it should read as follows:-\n\n41-(1) Where any obligation or liability is under the provisions of this Ordinance imposed upon a corporate body, and such obligation or liability is not discharged; every director, manager, secretary, and other officer, of the corporate body, who is wilfully a party to the default, and the said corporate body, shall be deemed to commit an offence against this Ordinance.\n\n(2) Where any obligation or liability is under the provisions of this Ordinance imposed upon a firm, and such obligation or liability is not discharged; every partner in the said firm, and every servant of the said firm, who is wilfully a party to the default, and the person appearing to have the management of the said firm within the Colony, shall be deemed to commit an offence against this Ordinance.\n\nThe general idea of the two clauses (he said) was to make the company, in the one case, and the manager, in the other, liable to see that the documents are duly stamped, but neither a director, officer, or servant shall be liable unless he is knowingly and wilfully a party to the evasion of the law.\n\nThe clause, as re-drafted, was approved. Clause 43 was verbally amended and approved.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL introduced a new clause, No. 44, to provide that the Ordinance shall come into operation on the 1st of May, 1921. He said he understood the intention was to take the third reading of the Bill on Saturday, at a formal meeting of the Council, and the Bill would be gazetted in a Gazette Extraordinary.\n\nHON. MR. POLLOCK-I suppose, Mr. Attorney, there is no objection to the Bill coming into force on a Sunday?\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he did not think so.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY-Make it Monday, the 2nd day of May.\n\nThis was agreed to.\n\n## THE SCHEDULE\n\nHeading No. 1. Adjudication fee (to be paid on the requisition or other application for adjudication).\n\nTHE ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that a representation had been made by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce that the fee of $10 was too high, and he moved that it be reduced to $5.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY (to MR. LAU CHU PAK)-Will you second that?\n\nHON. MR. LAU CHU-PAK-I think it is still too high. Every time a Chinese goes to the Stamp Office and asks for a document to be stamped, he has to pay $5.\n\nHIS EXCELLENCY-I understand the Collector is always ready to help in a case of that kind. Where any formal adjudication is applied for, then he has to pay. Where no formal adjudication is applied for, there is no charge whatever.\n\nTHE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS said it was only in a case of a dispute that adjudication was applied for. Chinese who asked for an opinion were not charged.",
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "page_number": 231,
        "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "## Enclosure 7\n\nSir,\n\n223, Des Voeux Road, Hongkong, 11th May, 1921.\n\n**Re New Stamp Duties Ordinance**\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter under date the 7th instant conveying to me an expression of thanks from His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, in respect of my services as a member of the Committee appointed in the above connection and in acknowledging same I would ask you to inform His Excellency of my deep appreciation thereof.\n\nI would also like to record the fact that by far the greater portion of the work in connection with the above Commission fell on the shoulders of the Honourable Mr. Kemp, Attorney General, without whose assistance the other members of the Committee would have found themselves faced with a far more difficult task than that which they had to actually undertake; for not only was the drafting of the Bill in itself a masterpiece of good work undertaken by the Attorney General, but in addition, he was responsible for the preparation of the whole of the documentary basis upon which the Committee's labours were founded, and compared with what he had to accomplish, the task of the Committee was indeed a small one.\n\nI have, &c.,\n\n(Sd.) J. Scott Harston.\n\nThe Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe,  \nActing Colonial Secretary.",
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    {
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "page_number": 469,
        "title": "CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nI thought the band would not be necessary. They assured me this was the best law they had ever read. Amongst other bodies, the Chinese Chambers of Commerce in this Colony, numbering 15, have signed this petition on behalf of 70,400 members. It is very difficult to find out how many people are represented by this petition. I am told today that it is 230,000. I dare say a lesser number might be correct, but I think 136,000 is the minimum figure. Also, 103 guilds of masters and workmen, representing 79,800 men, wish to offer this petition to Your Excellency and the members of this Honourable Council, and in presenting it to the Council, they beg me to ask you not to listen to evil advisers but to tell you, Sir, that having read this Bill, they find that you, the Governor, holding justice in your hands, have decided to deal with the people of this Colony as though they were your little red babies. It is a very voluminous petition.\n\n## \n\n4\n\n**THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL**-I beg to move the second reading of a Bill intituled **An Ordinance to amend the law relating to the recovery of possession in certain cases and to restrict the rents of certain domestic tenements**.\n\nThe need for some legislation on this subject has been widely recognised. The main objects are to protect tenants from unreasonable increases of their rent and from arbitrary termination of their tenancies; in other words, to keep a roof over the heads of present occupiers and to protect them from excessive exploitation. It has been pointed out, Sir, that the Bill will also have another subsidiary effect in that it will tend to check the recent rash speculation in house property which must, if continued, have led to constant increases of rental, resulting in increased cost of living and discouragement of trade. The Bill has been very widely discussed and much help has been derived by the Rents Committee and the Government from the various letters, petitions, reports, and other communications received. I would like to say that concrete proposals such as were received on this present Bill are always welcome. I would like to acknowledge too, the very great assistance I have received in the drafting of the Bill from the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace.\n\nThe Government, Sir, are fully alive to the general and theoretical objections to legislation of this kind, the undesirability of interfering with the ordinary working of economic laws, and the danger of discouraging new buildings, and that is why - as you yourself have said, Sir - the Government held their hand for a considerable time. But the situation has become so acute that it has been decided that some action is necessary. As a matter of fact, I do not think the Bill ought to discourage new building because any new buildings finished after the Ordinance comes into operation will be entirely outside its scope.\n\n1\n\nI would like, Sir, if I may - it will not take more than a few minutes - to refer again to the policy of the Bill and show how it proposes to work. The two possible causes, I suppose, of the present shortage of housing accommodation are, first of all, the influx of strangers - refugees - into the Colony and, secondly, the failure on the part of builders and property owners to keep pace with the normal development of the Colony. I do not know how far that second cause affects the result, or whether it is an appreciable cause at all, but I will assume, for the moment, that it is one of the causes of the present shortage. The situation created by the working of these two causes has been aggravated and made intolerable by two subsidiary factors,— one, the speculation in house property, which tends to drive up rents all the time, and, secondly, the greed of certain landlords. The Bill attacks these two subsidiary factors without which the position created by the two main causes would not have been felt so severely. The two weapons which it uses are the provision of a standard rent and the principle of no ejectment. While the Bill remains in force, the standard rent alone will be payable, and as long as the tenant pays that rent, and complies with the other terms of his tenancy, he cannot be turned out. With regard to the influx of strangers from elsewhere, the Bill provides that the present occupiers, who are permanent residents of the Colony, shall not be turned out of their houses to make way for people coming in from outside. It is not possible to attack the other main cause, i.e., the failure of the property owners to keep pace with the regular normal development of the Colony, because, of course, we cannot create houses by Ordinance, but we hope we have encouraged new building by providing that any houses built after this Ordinance comes into force shall be entirely unrestricted as to rentals and they will thus get preferential treatment over existing houses. Certain proposed amendments have been published in the Gazette, but the general principle and scheme of the Bill remain unchanged.\n\nVarious suggestions have been made for carrying out the object of the Bill which the Rents Committee and the Government have been unable to accept. One was a proposal that the standard rent should be the pre-war rent with the addition of a certain percentage. That I have dealt with in paragraph 3 of the Objects and Reasons of the original Bill; I would only repeat that it would be extremely difficult, in fact, it would be impossible, to fix one percentage for the whole of the Colony. It would have to vary in districts and for different classes of property.\n\nA Rents Board has been suggested, and possibly that would be the fairest method if the Rents Board were omniscient and were permanently sitting and could work sufficiently quickly, but there would be great uncertainty, the delay would be great, and there would be great expenditure of public and private time. I should very much doubt whether the decisions of that Board could be made so uniform as to be equally fair in all cases. At all events, it is not a scheme which we felt could be produced at such short notice.\n\n86\n\nAnother proposal which was made in the very able report of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was that the second subsidiary factor, that of speculation in land, should be checked by providing that no rent should be raised for one year after the purchase of house property. That would be a much greater and longer interference with ordinary economic laws than the interference proposed by this Bill, because it would last for nearly two years, it would be also very difficult to keep track of the rents charged because, under the scheme which it is a part of, it is proposed that landlords should still have power to evict in certain circumstances. When a tenant was turned out and a new tenant came in, the latter might not know what the late rent was and he might be charged a much higher rent. It would be impossible to keep track of all these rents, and the provision, I have no doubt, would be very largely evaded.\n\nIt was suggested, also, that the collection of \"shoe money\" should be prohibited, but we felt that in a Bill already rather exceptional, it would be unwise further to disturb existing practices by prohibiting a custom which, bad as it may be, is certainly widespread. While the Bill remains in operation, there is no reason why anyone should be forced to pay any excessive \"shoe money\" because the weapon in the past for the exaction of \"shoe money\" has been the threat of eviction, and if a man pays the standard rent, as long as the Bill remains in force, that man cannot be turned out. I hope the publicity given to the Bill will result in tenants realising this fact.\n\nAgain, it was proposed that one of the subsidiary factors which I spoke of just now, i.e., the greed of certain landlords, and chiefly of farmers of house property, should be checked by providing that farmers of house property should be allowed to collect from the tenants below them only a certain percentage of what they themselves pay to their superior landlord. We found that that was unworkable; different rates would have to be fixed for different parts of the Colony and different kinds of property in the same district. Some property would be perfectly safe; I do not suppose that tenants on the Peak or Bonham Strand often abscond without paying their rent, but in other parts of the Colony, it is a real danger. The buyer, if he is buying a house to live in, is either a resident here already or he is someone from outside. If he is a resident, he has a house in which he is living now and can continue to live. If he is a stranger, then I would say the permanent residents have a greater claim to our consideration. Again, if the purchaser is buying in order to acquire business...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8].txt",
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    {
        "id": 488386,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12]",
        "page_number": 127,
        "title": "CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12]",
        "content_text": "# HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\n\"A deportation order may be made in any of the following cases: — (c) if the Secretary of State deems it to be conducive to the public good to make a deportation order against the alien.\" The reference in the existing section to the Peace Preservation Ordinance is out of date, as the Ordinance has not been used for years.\n\n3. The object of the first amendment effected by clause 3 is to remedy a difficulty that might arise from a literal construction of the opening words of section (14) of the Ordinance. It might be argued that, as the law stands at present, no part of section 4 applies to British subjects, except to those classes specified in sub-section (14). The result would be that any proceedings under the section against a British subject would be illegal, though the nationality of the person in question might be discovered only in the course of the proceedings. It is, therefore, considered advisable to amend sub-section (14) by providing that sub-section (11) only, which deals with the actual deportation, shall not apply to British subjects, except the classes particularly specified.\n\n4. The second amendment effected by clause 3 of the bill is based on Article 2 of the China (Amendment) Order-in-Council, No. 3, 1920, which was published in the **Gazette** of May 20th, 1921. It is considered necessary to take power to deport any person whatsoever who, in the opinion of the Governor-in-Council, has acted or is about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety, etc.\n\n5. Clause 4 effects an amendment in Form No. 7 of the Schedule to the Deportation Ordinance, 1917, by deleting the reference to the Peace Preservation Ordinance, 1886.\n\n6. Clause 5 is new and is based on Article 21(3) of the Aliens Order, 1920. It provides that any person deported under the Deportation Ordinances, 1917, and 1921, shall be deemed for the purposes of the deportation order to retain his nationality as at the date of the order, unless the Governor otherwise directs.\n\n## Tobacco Ordinance\n\nThe **ATTORNEY-GENERAL** moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Tobacco Ordinance, 1916.\n\nHe said: This Bill deals, almost entirely, with matters of detail which might be better considered in committee than in the introduction of the Bill on its first reading. I would only like to say that clause 7—which deals with penalties—proposes to give the magistrate power to impose a fine of ten times the duty, instead of the ordinary fine authorised by the present Ordinance, in any case where the magistrate is of opinion that there has been an intent to avoid payment of duty. Lately, large quantities of tobacco have been brought in without paying duty and the fine authorised by the present Ordinance—$500—has been quite insufficient in view of the inducement offered to the smuggler to get a large quantity of tobacco through. Clause 4 is an attempt to close up gaps in the net so as to provide that any tobacco imported by railway shall be brought into Kowloon Station. At present, it may be taken off at an intermediate station and in that way escape duty. Clause 2 deals with the powers of the Governor-in-Council to alter the tobacco duties. Of course, the Legislative Council has full control in this matter as it is a matter of taxation, but it is obviously necessary to have the power to amend the tobacco taxes at short notice, to prevent dealers getting the tobacco out of bond and escaping new duties. The present section is not quite full enough to deal with all cases. For example, the Governor-in-Council cannot reduce duties. It might be found that some were too high and it might be desirable to reduce them; under this clause, it will be possible. At present, that cannot be done.\n\nThe **COLONIAL SECRETARY** seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.\n\nThe \"Objects and Reasons\" state:\n\n1. The object of this Bill is to amend the Tobacco Ordinance in certain respects where experience has shown it to be defective.\n\n2. Clause 2 gives the Governor-in-Council a wider power of dealing with tobacco duties in anticipation of a resolution of the Legislative Council. The powers now conferred correspond with those entrusted to the Legislative Council by section 7 of the Ordinance.\n\n3. Clause 3 provides that duty shall be paid on tobacco manufactured in the Colony which is removed into a bonded or licensed warehouse, before removal from such bonded or licensed warehouse.\n\n4. The object of clause 4 is to prevent the smuggling of tobacco into the Colony by rail. As the law stands at present, it is possible for persons to bring tobacco into the Colony by rail from Chinese territory, and to evade detection by alighting with the tobacco at any of the stations before the Kowloon terminus. As long as they remain on the train and do not remove the tobacco from the train, they are within the law and cannot be arrested, and detection at intermediate stations is difficult. Clause 4 requires all tobacco imported by the railway to be consigned through to Kowloon by railway invoice, and any persons found on the train in possession of tobacco not so consigned will be liable to arrest and prosecution.\n\n5. Clause 5 gives certain Railway officials the same powers under the Ordinance as are given to revenue officers, the object being to enable arrests and seizures to be made on the train by Railway officials.\n\n6. Clause 6 effects two formal amendments in section 41 of the Ordinance, both of which tend towards a clearer interpretation of the section.\n\n7. Clause 7 amends section 59 of the Ordinance, which is the general penalty section, by empowering a magistrate to impose a fine of ten times the duty on the tobacco in question, instead of the fine authorised by section 59, whenever he is of the opinion that there has been intent to avoid payment of duty. There have recently been cases of smuggling tobacco which have obviously required a pecuniary penalty greater than that authorised by the principal Ordinance, and it has been thought advisable to give the magistrate the option of imposing a fine of ten times the duty, where such will be greater than the present maximum fine. The power of the magistrate to inflict imprisonment in lieu of or in addition to any fine remains unaltered.\n\n## Stamp Amendment Ordinance\n\nThe **ATTORNEY-GENERAL** moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Stamp Ordinance, 1921.\n\nHe said: Much of this Bill is purely formal; for example, clause 2, which supplies a drafting omission and corrects a drafting mistake in the principal Ordinance. Another part of the Ordinance consists of the clauses which propose to collect together and place in the new Ordinance certain regulations which have been made under the principal Ordinance. It seems more convenient to have them embodied in the Ordinance and the schedule than to have them scattered about in regulations. Clause 3 deals with what is called \"splitting.\" A section of the principal Ordinance which prohibits splitting—the execution of more instruments than would be ordinarily required for the transaction in order to evade duty thereby—that is to say, if I receive payment of $18 and make out two receipts for $9 each to avoid the stamp duty: that is not allowed. The prohibition is clear: the difficulty is to enforce it. It is very difficult for the Collector to prove, affirmatively, that there has been splitting to evade duty, and the effect of this clause is to throw the onus of proof on the person who asserts that there has been no splitting. He is the person who knows all the facts, and it is only fair that he should be required to show that the splitting up into two documents or more was done bona fide and not to evade duty. Clause 4 deals with exchange contracts. It makes three main changes in the collection of that duty. In the first place, it imposes on the banker, if either party to the contract is a banker, the duty of seeing that the stamp duty is paid. If both parties are bankers, the seller is to put the stamps. If neither party is a banker, the seller again has to put the stamp. The reason for the first of these requirements is that bankers are used to collecting these duties; they have the necessary stamps and they are less likely to find difficulty and less likely to overlook the necessary stamping. Another change is to give the Collector...",
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    {
        "id": 489916,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921",
        "page_number": 407,
        "title": "CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921",
        "content_text": "## Enclosure 3 in No. 1\n\n**Consul-General Sir E. Fraser to Mr. Mackay (British Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai)**\n\nSir,\n\nShanghai, July 6, 1921. WITH reference to the question of the penalties imposed on British shipowners in connection with the traffic in opium, I had the honour to inform your predecessor on the 25th February last that a copy of his letter of the 17th December, 1920, had been forwarded by His Majesty's Minister to the Foreign Office.\n\nSir Beilby Alston now instructs me to inform you that he has received a reply to the effect that a copy of the above letter has been forwarded by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Home Office for communication to Sir Malcolm Delevingne, the British delegate at the forthcoming meeting of the Opium Advisory Committee of the League of Nations, and that a copy is also being furnished confidentially to Sir John Jordan, the British assessor on that committee.\n\nI am to add that the views expressed in the penultimate sentence of Mr. Burkill's letter are fully appreciated by His Majesty's Government, and that they have already been brought to the notice of the competent authorities.\n\nI have, &c.\nE. H. FRASER.\n\n## HONG KONG STRAITS\n\n| FROM | DATE | FOR CIRCULATION | SUBJECT |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 先 | 3 Oct | Mr. Jr. Grindle, Sir H. Lambert, Sir H. Brad, Sir G. Fiddes, Mr. Wood, Mr. Churchill | 49569, 406, 6 OCT 21 |\n\n## MINUTES\n\nI copy of four Ashurst, horris, Crisp to complaining of the Haempels' treatment by police at Singapore. What reply?\n\nIs it not a reply pro cousin carro for Joever 18 Octen. (251) pam happy am.\n\n## Subsequent Paper\n\nмо 1930125 {x} (977309) Wt. 4710/19 Op. 163 40000 5-21 W & Etd.\n\nSince drafting atom ms. 12.10. for Straits (wat I am received the N.O most abstract for September para the draft. + har added a / An. 11.10. alt der submitted. copy colle 12110724 his name is censored, we must regard him as whitewashed I allow him to frequent the East as he liber 8111011",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 491500,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-474 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [1-4]",
        "page_number": 41,
        "title": "CO129-474 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [1-4]",
        "content_text": "N° 17.\n\nSir,\n\nRECE: 9665 33 RECR REG 28 FEB 22\n\nGOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG. 12th January, 1922.\n\nmo 52649\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No.366 of the 9th of November enclosing a memorandum prepared in the Office of the Board of Inland Revenue with regard to the Stamp Ordinance, 1921, and to transmit for your consideration a copy of a minute by the Attorney General dealing with the points raised.\n\n2. I would observe that the Committee which assisted in the drafting of the Bill, designed for the purpose of raising necessary revenue, was fully representative of business interests, and that the Council which passed it unanimously contained a representative (not a silent one) of the Chamber of Commerce. In its operation the Ordinance does not appear to be imposing any noticeable burden on trade.\n\nI have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,\n\n7.2. Stubbs Governor, &c.\n\nTHE RIGHT HONOURABLE WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P., &c., &c., &c.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-474 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [1-4].txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 492288,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]",
        "page_number": 218,
        "title": "CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7]",
        "content_text": "September 3rd, 1921.] Regulations for any particular case. As none of these arbitrational boards exist in Hongkong, clause 3 provides for tribunals which are to consist of one of the judges as president, and of two other members, one nominated by the Governor and the other by the claimant. The Imperial Act provides for an appeal on a point of law from the arbitration tribunal to the Court of Appeal. Clause 5 provides that the president of the local tribunal may reserve any point of law for the decision of the Full Court, and that the decision of the Full Court on such point of law shall be final. The Imperial Act provides for an appeal from the Court of Appeal to the House of Lords, but only by leave of the Court of Appeal.\n\nCHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT\n\nIt might be argued that, as the law stands at present, no part of section 4 applies to British subjects, except to those classes specified in sub-section (14). The result would be that any proceedings under the section against a British subject would be illegal, though the nationality of the person in question might be discovered only in the course of the proceedings. It is, therefore, considered advisable to amend sub-section (14) by providing that sub-section (11) only, which deals with the actual deportation, shall not apply to British subjects, except the classes particularly specified.\n\n225\n\n2.—Clause 2 gives the Governor-in-Council a wider power of dealing with tobacco duties in anticipation of a resolution of Legislative Council. The powers now conferred correspond with those entrusted to the Legislative Council by section 7 of the Ordinance.\n\n3.—Clause 3 provides that duty shall be paid on tobacco manufactured in the Colony which is removed into a bonded or licensed warehouse, before removal from such bonded or licensed warehouse.\n\n4. The object of clause 4 is to prevent the smuggling of tobacco into the Colony by rail. As the law stands at present, it is possible for persons to bring tobacco into the Colony by rail from Chinese territory, and to evade detection by alighting with the tobacco at any of the stations before the Kowloon terminus. As long as they remain on the train and do not remove the tobacco from the train, they are within the law and cannot be arrested, and detection at intermediate stations is difficult. Clause 4 requires all tobacco imported by the railway to be consigned through to Kowloon by railway invoice, and any persons found on the train in possession of tobacco not so consigned will be liable to arrest and prosecution.\n\n8.—Clause 6 saves all Prize Court proceedings from the operation of the Bill.\n\n5.—Clause 4 effects an amendment in Form No. 7 of the Schedule to the Deportation Ordinance, 1917, by deleting the reference to the Peace Preservation Ordinance, 1886.\n\n9.—It may be pointed out that sub-clause (1) of clause provides that if any legal proceedings which are barred by the Ordinance shall have been instituted before the commencement of the Ordinance, it shall be discharged, subject to such order as to costs which the Court may think fit to make. Sub-clause (4) of the same clause provides that nothing in the clause shall affect a final judgment given before the passing of the Ordinance.\n\nDEPORTATION ORDINANCE.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled an Ordinance to amend the Deportation Ordinance, 1917.\n\nHe said: This Bill falls into two portions. Clause 2, clause 4, and clause 5 are founded on the recent Aliens registration in the United Kingdom. The important part of clause 3 is founded on a recent Alien Order in Council. I do not know that I need refer in detail to the clauses based on the Aliens' legislation of the United Kingdom, but I would like to refer to section (b) of clause 3. That is the part of the Bill which is based on the Alien amendment Order in Council No. 3 of 1920. It gives the Governor-in-Council power to deport any person who it is considered has acted or is about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety. That power to deport can only be exercised after what we may call the long procedure of the Deportation Ordinance has been gone through. It is not a summary power; the person it is proposed to deport has to have a definite charge put before him and is given the opportunity of answering that charge.\n\nThe COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.\n\nThe \"Objects and Reasons\" state: 1.—The object of this Bill is to amend the Deportation Ordinance, 1917, by remedying certain apparent defects therein and by inserting certain new provisions in order to conform with recent legislation in the United Kingdom.\n\n2.—Clause 2 of the Bill is based on a combination of the present section 3 (2) of the Ordinance and the provisions of Article 12 (6) (c) of the Aliens Order, 1920, which reads as follows:-\n\n\"A deportation order may be made in any of the following cases: (c) if the Secretary of State deems it to be conducive to the public good to make a deportation order against the alien.\" The reference in the existing section to the Peace Preservation Ordinance is out of date, as the Ordinance has not been used for years.\n\n3. The object of the first amendment effected by clause 3 is to remedy a difficulty that might arise from a literal construction of the opening words of section (14) of the Ordinance.\n\n6.—Clause 5 is new and is based on Article 21 (3) of the Aliens Order, 1920. It provides that any person deported under the Deportation Ordinances, 1917, and 1921, shall be deemed for the purposes of the deportation order to retain his nationality as at the date of the order, unless the Governor otherwise directs.\n\nTOBACCO ORDINANCE.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled an Ordinance to amend the Tobacco Ordinance 1916.\n\nHe said: This Bill deals, almost entirely, with matters of detail which might be better considered in committee than in the introduction of the Bill on its first reading. I would only like to say that clause 7—which deals with penalties—proposes to give the Magistrate power to impose a fine of ten times the duty, instead of the ordinary fine authorised by the present Ordinance, in any case where the magistrate is of opinion that there has been an intent to avoid payment of duty.\n\n5.—Clause 5 gives certain Railway officials the same powers under the Ordinance as are given to revenue officers, the object being to enable arrests and seizures to be made on the train by Railway officials.\n\n6. Clause 6 effects two formal amendments in section 41 of the Ordinance, both of which tend towards a clearer interpretation of the section.\n\n7. Clause 7 amends section 59 of the Ordinance, which is the general penalty section, by empowering a magistrate to impose a fine of ten times the duty on the tobacco in question, instead of the fine authorised by section 59, whenever he is of the opinion that there has been an intent to avoid payment of duty. There have recently been cases of smuggling tobacco which have obviously required a pecuniary penalty greater than that authorised by the principal Ordinance, and it has been thought advisable to give the magistrate the option of imposing a fine of ten times the duty, where such will be greater than the present maximum fine. The power of the magistrate to inflict imprisonment in lieu of or in addition to any fine remains unaltered.\n\nThe ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled an Ordinance to amend the Stamp Ordinance, 1921.\n\nHe said: Much of this Bill is purely formal; for example, clause 2, which supplies a drafting omission and corrects a drafting mistake in the principal Ordinance. Another part of the Ordinance consists of the clauses which propose to collect together and place in the new Ordinance certain regulations which have been made under the principal Ordinance.\n\nClause 4 is an attempt to close up gaps in the net so as to provide that any tobacco brought by railway shall be brought into Kowloon Station. At present, it may be taken off at an intermediate station and in that way escape duty.\n\nClause 2 deals with the powers of the Governor-in-Council to alter the tobacco duties. Of course, the Legislative Council has full power in this matter, but it is obviously necessary to have the power to amend the tobacco taxes and the liquor taxes at short notices, to prevent dealers getting tobacco out of bond and so escaping new duties. The present clause is not quite full enough to deal with all cases. For example, the Governor-in-Council cannot reduce duties. It might be found that some duties were too high and it might be desirable to reduce them. At present, that cannot be done, but under this clause, it will be possible.\n\nThe COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.\n\nThe \"Objects and Reasons\" state:-\n\n1.—The object of this Bill is to amend the Tobacco Ordinance in certain respects where experience has shown it to be defective.\n\nIt seems more convenient to have them embodied in the Ordinance and the schedule than to have them scattered about in regulations.\n\n3. Clause 3 deals with what is called \"splitting.\" A section of the principal Ordinance prohibits splitting—the execution of more instruments than would be ordinarily required for the transaction in order to evade duty thereby; that is to say, if I receive payment of $16 and have two receipts for $8 to avoid the stamp duty, that is not allowed. The prohibition is clear: the difficulty is to enforce it. It is very difficult for the Collector to prove, affirmatively, that there has been splitting to evade duty.\n\n12",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-475 - Governor Sir Stubbs & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1922 [5-7].txt",
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    {
        "id": 497124,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-483 - Others & Individuals - 1923",
        "page_number": 370,
        "title": "CO129-483 - Others & Individuals - 1923",
        "content_text": "# REVISION OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE, \n\nThe Committee decided, with reference to Rule 2 of its Rules of Procedure, that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should hold office from one spring session to another.\n\n## PUBLICITY OF MEETINGS.\n\nThe Committee noted that the Council had agreed that it should be left to the discretion of the Committee to decide what publicity should be given to its meetings.\n\nThe Committee decided that for this session all the meetings should be held in public unless the members of the Committee wished to sit in private for the discussion of any particular question.\n\n## THE PROPOSALS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.\n\nThe Delegation of the United States of America presented the two following proposals:\n\n\"1. If the purpose of the Hague Opium Convention is to be achieved according to its spirit and true intent, it must be recognised that the use of opium products for other than medicinal and scientific purposes is an abuse and not legitimate.\n\n\"2. In order to prevent the abuse of these drugs, it is necessary to exercise the control of the production of raw opium in such a manner that there will be no surplus available for non-medicinal and non-scientific purposes.\n\nThese proposals were amplified by the United States representatives, who, in commenting on them, showed that they were in full accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the International Opium Convention of 1912.\n\nThe Committee very fully examined the proposals of the United States. It would be difficult in a short space to summarise the discussions which took place, but a full report of them is included in the minutes of the meetings, and reference should be made to them. After a long discussion, and on the proposal of a Drafting Committee which was appointed to prepare the final text, the Committee adopted unanimously the following resolution:\n\n\"I. The Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium accepts and recommends to the League of Nations the proposals of the United States representatives as embodying the general principles by which the Governments should be guided in dealing with the question of the abuse of dangerous drugs, and on which, in fact, the International Convention of 1912 is based, subject to the fact that the following reservation has been made by the representatives of the Governments of France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal and Siam:\n\n\"The use of prepared opium and the production, export and import of raw opium for that purpose are legitimate so long as that use is subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of the Convention.\n\n\"II. The Advisory Committee, appreciating the great value of the co-operation of the Government of the United States of America in the efforts which the League has for the past two years been making to deal with the question of the abuse of dangerous drugs, expresses the belief that all the Governments concerned will be desirous of co-operating with that Government in giving the fullest possible effect to the Convention.\n\n\"III. In bringing the American proposals to the notice of the Council and the Assembly, the Advisory Committee would recall that, during the two years that have elapsed since the Convention came into operation, it has worked towards the same ends by: (1) taking all possible steps to secure the adhesion of all countries to the Convention; (2) investigating the question of the world's needs of the manufactured drugs for medicinal and scientific uses with a view to the eventual limitation of the production of these drugs; (3) recommending the system of import certificates, arranging the exchange between States of information in regard to the illicit traffic in the drugs, and proposing other measures for securing international co-operation in suppressing that traffic; (4) inviting the Powers with territories in the Far East to review their requirements of opium, and submitting proposals for an investigation by the Chinese Government of the conditions in China with a view to the more effective application of Chapter II of the Convention and the solution of the problem of the use of prepared opium in the Far East; (5) collecting and publishing information as to the measures taken to give effect to the Convention and the position generally in all countries in regard to the traffic with a view to securing the enforcement of the Convention.\n\n\"IV. As a means of giving effect to the principles submitted by the representatives of the United States and the policy which the League, on the recommendation of the Committee, has adopted, and having regard to the information now available, the Advisory Committee recommends to the Council the advisability of inviting:\n\n\"(a) The Governments of the States in which morphine, heroin or cocaine and their respective salts are manufactured and the Governments of the States in which raw opium or the coca leaf is produced for export for the purpose of such manufacture; \n\"(b) The Governments having territories in which the use of prepared opium is temporarily continued under the provisions of Chapter II of the Convention, and the Government of the Republic of China,\n\nto enter into immediate negotiations (by nominating representatives to form a committee or committees, or otherwise) to consider whether, with a view to giving the fullest possible effect to the Convention of 1912, agreements could not now be reached between them:\n\n\"(a) As to a limitation of the amounts of morphine, heroin or cocaine and their respective salts to be manufactured; as to a limitation of the amounts of raw opium and the coca leaf to be imported for that purpose and for other medicinal and scientific purposes; and as to a limitation of the production of raw opium and the coca leaf for export to the amount required for such medicinal and scientific purposes. The latter limitation is not to be deemed to apply to the production and export of raw opium for the purpose of smoking in those territories where that practice is temporarily continued under the provisions of Chapter II of the Convention;\n\n\"(b) As to a reduction of the amount of raw opium to be imported for the purpose of smoking in those territories where it is temporarily continued, and as to the measures which should be taken by the Government of the Republic of China to bring about a suppression of the illegal production and use of opium in China.\n\n## Reservation by the Representative of the Government of India.\n\nThe representative of the Government of India associates himself with the foregoing resolution, subject to the following reservation regarding paragraph 1:\n\n\"The use of raw opium, according to the established practice in India, and its production for such use, are not illegitimate under the Convention.\"\n\nThe representatives of the United States of America communicated to the Advisory Committee the following reply regarding the above resolution:\n\n\"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 5th, 1923, enclosing a copy of the resolution adopted by the Advisory Committee in regard to the propositions presented by the United States representatives.\n\n\"The reservation made by the representatives of the Governments of France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal and Siam in adopting the American proposals appears to be but a reaffirmation of Chapter II of the Hague Opium Convention, and, as such, gives rise to no question. Paragraphs II and III are matters to which no exception could, it is hoped, be taken, especially as it is the earnest desire of the United States to co-operate in every possible way in the work of suppressing the abuse of narcotic drugs.\n\n\"While I am without specific instructions in regard to the subject-matter of Paragraph IV, it contains a suggestion which I shall take pleasure in submitting to my Government for favourable consideration.\n\n(Signed) Stephen G. PORTER.\"\n\n## APPLICATION OF CHAPTER II OF THE CONVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO EUROPEAN POSSESSIONS AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE FAR EAST.\n\nThe Advisory Committee very fully discussed the question of the use of prepared opium and examined the figures for consumption in the European Possessions and other countries in the Far East. It reached the conclusion that the general situation does not show at present the gradual reduction of the use of prepared opium which is stipulated by the terms of Chapter II of the Convention, and adopted by six votes to one, with one abstention, the following resolution proposed by the representative of Great Britain:\n\n\"The Advisory Committee, having regard to the large amount of detailed information now available, recommends the Council to invite the Powers with Far Eastern territories where the use of opium for smoking is temporarily continued, in pursuance of Chapter II of the Opium Convention, to enter into immediate negotiations, by means of calling a special conference of representatives of these Governments, or otherwise, to consider what measures could be taken to give a more effective application to Chapter II of the Convention and to bring about a reduction of the amount of opium used, and whether, on the lines of the suggestions set out below or on other lines, an agreement or understanding could not now be reached for the adoption of a uniform policy on the matter:\n\n`J.N.250(F) + 180(A.) 6/23 + 1.300(F) + 1.400(A.) 7/23. Imp. Atar.`\n\nPage 364",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-483 - Others & Individuals - 1923.txt",
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    {
        "id": 501705,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 732,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.\n\nCHINA\n\nDecypher.\n\nMr. Palairet, (Peking),\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nD.\n\nR.\n\n6.45 p.m.\n\n5.5 p.m.\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nNo.179.\n\nURGENT.\n\n722\n\nMy telegram No.167 penultimate paragraph, At to-day's meeting of heads of legations who have carefully considered written report of our delegates it was decided to recommend to Shanghai municipal council removal of Mr. McEuen commissioner of police and transfer of inspector Everson to other employment. At same time we attribute blame to chairman of municipal council (who is American) and severely criticise police regulations. We have entrusted to a committee the task of drafting communications (which will set forth in full our reasons) to Shanghai and Chinese government and press and I hope to be able to telegraph them to you tomorrow. In the meantime above information should on no account be made public.\n\nWe fear resentment if not opposition will be aroused in Shanghai by our decisions but we felt this must be faced. We shall instruct Consuls to explain to municipal council that it is essential for them to give effect to our recommendations.\n\nIn my second sentence of your telegram No.111 I trust your support of our action will not be lacking if necessary.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 501708,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 735,
        "title": "CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use\n\nCHINA\n\nDecypher.\n\nMr. Palairet, (Peking),\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nD.R.\n\n6.45 p.m.\n\n5.5 p.m.\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nJune 30th 1925.\n\nNo.179.\n\nURGENT.\n\n725\n\nMy telegram No.167 penultimate paragraph. At to-day's meeting of heads of legations who have carefully considered written report of our delegates it was decided to recommend to Shanghai municipal council removal of Mr. McEuen commissioner of police and transfer of inspector Everson to other employment. At same time we attribute blame to chairman of municipal council (who is American) and severely criticise police regulations. We have entrusted to a committee the task of drafting communications (which will set forth in full our reasons) to Shanghai and Chinese government and press and I hope to be able to telegraph text to you tomorrow. In the meantime above information should on no account be made public.\n\nWe fear resentment if not opposition will be aroused in Shanghai by our decisions but we felt this must be faced. We shall explain to municipal council that it is essential for them to give effect to our recommendations.\n\nBearing in mind second sentence of your telegram No.111 I trust your support of our action will not be lacking if necessary.",
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    {
        "id": 501817,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "page_number": 63,
        "title": "CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925",
        "content_text": "2\n\nWhile His Majesty's Government adhere whole-heartedly to the principles laid down at Washington, there are two points of importance to which they desire to call particular attention, viz., (1) that the purpose of the concessions proposed at the Washington Conference is to benefit China as a whole, and (2) that effective guarantees must be devised to ensure the fulfilment of this purpose.\n\nAs regards the first, it is obvious that the object in view will not necessarily, or even probably, be attained by indiscriminate concessions to the Central Government. The artificial nature of the privileged position which that Government still enjoys must not be lost sight of in the application of the Washington policy to China as a whole. For very many years past it has been the consistent policy of the British Government to support the Central Government as against the provinces, and the fiscal changes strengthen the former's hold over the sources of revenue. Following the advent of the foreigner and his treaties have tended more and more to support the capital at the expense of the provinces; loan upon loan has been raised on behalf of the Central Government on the strength of the maritime customs and salt gabelle, whose administrations are partly under foreign control. So long as the authority of the Central Government was generally recognised, and more or less effective over the whole country, this policy was amply justified; but the Central Government has ceased to represent China, and is hardly superior to any Provincial Government in the authority it wields or the influence it exercises. In the eyes of the provinces, i.e., the great bulk of China, the Central Government is regarded as having an unfair advantage by deriving revenues from sources under foreign control. Such being the situation, there is a real danger that the application of the Washington decisions for the benefit of the Central Government, and of that Government alone, may not only foment anti-foreign feeling, but actually aggravate the disunion which it aims at healing. China as a whole may feel that the concessions promised to her at Washington are being diverted to the profit of the foreigner, and of the Central Government, which might be regarded as the foreigner's tool and as representing little or nothing but the interests of its own members and of foreign bondholders.\n\nIn these circumstances it has become a question for consideration whether the attitude hitherto observed by His Majesty's Government towards the Central Government can be maintained without modification, especially if the amount of foreign-controlled revenue is to be largely increased. In order to guard against the danger of undue partiality to the Central Government it may prove expedient to admit the participation of the Provincial Governments on a pro rata basis in the allocation of any additional customs revenues. The question of how this may best be accomplished is discussed in a subsequent section of these notes. His Majesty's Government incline to the view that it will probably be best to avoid any direct dealings with the provinces, but to impose upon the Central Government the duty of coming to terms with them, any agreement reached between the provinces and the Central Government being subject to the approval of the conference.\n\nWhile His Majesty's Government desire that the above considerations should be borne prominently in mind, they wish it to be clearly understood that in putting them forward it is not their intention to interfere with the wide measure of discretion which must necessarily be allowed to the delegates, who will be in a better position to judge the situation on the spot in the light of circumstances which cannot all be foreseen in advance. The following detailed observations are therefore intended not as formal instructions, but as general indications of the policy which commends itself to His Majesty's Government as at present advised, but which may require modification in the light of the further information which the British delegates will be able to collect.\n\nI. PREPARATIONS FOR THE ABOLITION OF Li-kin.\n\nIt is of the first importance that this subject should engage the earliest attention of the conference. The speedy abolition of li-kin is, under article 2 of the Washington Treaty, the primary object of the conference, and satisfactory progress towards the solution of this problem should be a condition of the settlement of the other questions with which the conference will have to deal. The insertion of this question in the forefront of the programme will help to keep its importance in proper perspective in relation to other questions.\n\nIn pursuance of article 2 of the Chinese Customs Treaty of Washington, it is the duty of the Special Conference to prepare the way for the abolition of li-kin and for the fulfilment of the other conditions laid down in article 8 of the Mackay Treaty.\n\n3\n\nand the relevant articles of certain other treaties (see Annex (C)) in return for the application of the surtaxes provided for in those articles.\n\nThe conditions referred to are the conditions to be fulfilled by China in order to obtain the surtax of 7 per cent. referred to in the Mackay Treaty. This point is of some importance, because among the treaty articles enumerated in article 2 of the Washington Treaty is article 5 of the United States Treaty of 1903, which provides, inter alia, for reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment. As certain of the treaty Powers, notably France, do not at present grant complete most-favoured-nation treatment to China, the French delegate raised the question at Washington whether the citation of this article was intended to impose on them any obligation to grant complete most-favoured-nation treatment to China as a condition of the abolition of li-kin. Thereupon Mr. Root, as chairman of the Drafting Committee, made a statement to the negative, which was recorded in the minutes. This statement (see Annex (D)) should be appealed to in the possible event of the Chinese delegate raising the same point at the Special Conference.\n\nAs regards the exact steps to be taken to prepare the way for the coming into force of the new régime, His Majesty's Government do not desire to fetter the British delegates with precise instructions. It is obviously impossible to expect the complete abolition of internal taxation under present conditions, in which the influence of the Central Chinese Government over the provinces is almost non-existent. It should, however, be clearly insisted upon that, in order to fulfil the conditions laid down by article 8 of the Mackay Treaty, the abolition of li-kin must be complete, effective and permanent. In particular, it would be of no avail to abolish li-kin as such merely to replace it by some alternative form of irregular internal taxation. In this connection it is impossible not to regard with considerable misgiving the results which may follow from the application of section 8 of article 8 of the Mackay Treaty, which expressly contemplates the imposition of a consumption tax subject to the condition that it shall not be applied to foreign goods. It is, of course, impossible for His Majesty's Government to repudiate a provision to which they are bound by treaty, but advantage should be taken of any suitable opportunity which may occur to endeavour to persuade the Chinese delegates in the interests of China itself to forgo the exercise of this right. Emphasis might be laid upon the extreme difficulty of giving practical effect to the guarantees provided for in the treaty for ensuring that foreign trade shall not in practice be interfered with by the new consumption duties, and the Chinese Government might possibly be invited to submit to the criticism of the conference details of the mode in which they would propose to overcome this essential difficulty.\n\nThe conditions laid down above, that the abolition of li-kin must be complete in order to make possible the concession of a surtax of 7 per cent., is not, of course, intended to exclude the possibility of abolishing li-kin by progressive instalments, each of which might, if the treaty Powers consent, be followed by a proportionate increase of the customs surtax. Any proposal from the Chinese for the gradual limitation and restriction of li-kin in advance of its ultimate abolition should be received and studied sympathetically, but the ultimate goal of complete abolition should be steadily kept in mind. It would no doubt be necessary to find some means of compensating the Chinese provinces for the loss of revenue entailed by the progressive diminution of their revenue from li-kin, and the most obvious mode of effecting this would be that suggested above, namely, to increase the customs surtax pari passu with the reduction of li-kin. It should, however, be noted that the Chinese Customs Treaty of Washington does not empower the Special Conference to authorise any surtax beyond those which are specifically provided for in the treaty, and any additional recommendation by the conference on this subject would need to be formally submitted to the Powers for their ratification.\n\nThe abolition of li-kin by progressive instalments might take one of the following forms, but, as will be seen, all these methods are attended with special difficulties:\n\n1. Li-kin or internal taxation of particular types might first be abolished, e.g., li-kin on the railways, coast-trade duty, &c. The difficulty of this method is that the relief afforded to foreign trade by these partial remissions would not be uniform throughout China, and there might, therefore, be complaints if a uniform surtax on imports were imposed as compensation therefor.\n\n2. Li-kin might be completely abolished in particular provinces, the administration of which appears to be ripe for the change, with a view to studying...\n\nB 2\n\n61",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925.txt",
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    {
        "id": 504640,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12]",
        "page_number": 509,
        "title": "CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12]",
        "content_text": "An independent step, therefore, which His Majesty's Government may take at Canton will at once affect not only the rest of China but our relations with other Powers having interests in the Far East. The provocative attitude of the group of Extremists now in control at Canton may be deliberately calculated to provoke retaliatory measures whereby they hope to gain in popularity in their own country and to single out Great Britain as the oppressor of China. Such a development would be specially unfortunate at the present moment, when the Tariff Conference is about to meet at Peking and solidarity among the Powers and conviction of our good intentions on the part of the Chinese people are particularly necessary. Mr. Chamberlain will not hesitate to recommend strong action if and when it is considered that the situation would be permanently improved thereby. But he would prefer to take such action in concert with the other Powers whose treaty rights are equally at stake, and whom, as explained above, we are under an obligation to consult. He would be most reluctant to act alone except in circumstances where it would be clear to unprejudiced opinion that he had no reasonable alternative (letter to Colonial Office of the 5th September).\n\nAs regards Sir J. Jamieson's proposal for a blockade of the Canton River, Sir Cecil Hurst wrote in a minute on F3890 (the 20th August, 1925) as follows:-\n\n\"I assume that the Communist Government at Canton has not been recognised in any way as a Government by His Majesty's Government, and also that the proposed blockade of Canton is not intended as an act of war, but merely as a method of applying coercion in order to oblige the Canton authorities to desist from their illegal action in attempting to interfere with the liberty of foreign steam vessels to exercise their treaty rights of trade at Canton. Action such as is proposed by Sir J. Jamieson in his telegram No. 10 can be taken by His Majesty's Government without prior application to the League; but if such action is taken, any member of the League, including China herself, will be entitled to bring the matter before the Council under article 11 (see paragraph 2 of the article). If the action taken at Canton were a joint action with one or more of the other Great Powers, there would be the advantage that it would lessen the risk of trouble in the Council. It would diminish the chance of any attempt being made to isolate His Majesty's Government. All the Great Powers would be bound to stick together. If time allows, it might be well to call the attention of the Peking Government to these unjustifiable regulations which have been issued at Canton in breach of the treaty rights of the Powers, and warn it that unless it can secure their withdrawal within a specified time limit, the Powers would be obliged to take forcible measures. It would be difficult for the Government at Peking to protest to the Council at such action being taken by the Powers at Canton when it was rendered necessary by the failure of that Government to put an end to illegal action in its own territory.\"\n\nOther methods of dealing with Canton suggested at that time were:—\n\n  Immediate examination of measures to be taken in order to permit the French and British consuls to face the situation created in Kwangtung by the recent actions of the Communist Government (French Ambassador's note of the 13th August): \"A naval demonstration\" (French Ambassador's note of the 15th August). We replied to M. de Fleuriau, on the 7th September, that it did not appear as though, at the present time, there were an immediate danger to the persons and property of foreigners in Canton, and that the Navigation Rules had been disavowed, but that if the position becomes suddenly worse, or if it appears to be drifting in a definitely dangerous direction, we might have to consult further with his Government.\n  On the 21st August, in a telegram to the Admiralty, the Commander-in-chief suggested strong local action, involving an ultimatum to the Canton Government that if normal trade conditions were not resumed within a short and definite period, the Bocca Tigris and Whampoa Forts, and also the Whampoa Military College would be bombed and destroyed. The Admiralty informed us that from a technical point of view the action proposed was quite practicable and, indeed, an easy measure. But we rejected it, as we considered that if there were objections to a blockade, the same objections existed in much greater force to a bombing expedition.\n  Interception of vessels obeying strike committees' regulations. This was proposed in a concrete instance by Sir J. Jamieson on the 19th August. The proposal was put up to us at 48 hours' notice, and, especially as it involved cargo belonging to a French firm, it was not approved.\n  The reference of the Canton incident to the League of Nations. This was suggested by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Peking, to His Majesty's consul-general, Canton (see Peking telegram No. 322 of the 20th August), who replied once more that, though the League of Nations might determine the facts, a stage had been reached when nothing short of abrogation of treaties would placate the local Government or end the strike.\n  A contribution not exceeding 1 million dollars, to be made from Hong Kong funds towards a scheme to support anti-Bolshevik parties in Canton (Colonial Office letter of the 22nd August). We have always strongly opposed the financing of Chinese parties, and we informed the Colonial Office that we could not approve of this proposal.\n\nOn the 24th August, Sir J. Jamieson telegraphed that there were signs of collapse of the Extremist Government at Canton. He had been approached through a foreign channel as to how the deadlock might be ended. He had suggested that the five demands made by the Canton Government after the incident of the 3rd June should be referred to Peking and that the \"Navigation Rules\" should be disclaimed, thus allowing resumption of traffic between Hong Kong and Canton; this better outlook was confirmed by Peking on the 25th August. On the 26th August, the Canton Government informed Sir J. Jamieson that they had neither published nor approved the \"Navigation Rules\"; he accordingly suggested that a river steamship should be sent from Hong Kong to Canton as a test.\n\nAt the end of August, therefore, there was sufficient reason to be optimistic, although, as yet, there were no very definite signs of improvement. But about this time occurred the first of those obscure political moves in Canton city itself, which resulted in the overthrow of more moderate counsels, and an end of our hopes. On the 30th August, His Majesty's consul-general telegraphed that the military cadets and the strike committee had complete charge of the city; opposition to them was gathering, but that it was doubtful whether their (i.e., anti-Communists') men would stand up against artillery and grenades.\n\nOn the 5th September, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking telegraphed (Peking telegram No. 357) as follows:-\n\n(1) The current of Chinese popular feeling is setting against Soviet intrigues in Canton and elsewhere. It is, therefore, quite possible that the Canton Government may soon fall without our intervention.\n\n(2) Revulsion of feeling would probably take place in favour of Canton if attacked from outside. I feel that Peking Government might well regard a blockade as violation of China's sovereign rights and also protest as a recognition by foreign Powers of independence of Canton; and as one of the contracting Powers, China seems to me clearly entitled to prior consultation under article 7 of the Washington Treaty.\n\n(3) I am strongly of opinion that preliminary consultation with Japanese, American, and French Governments would be preferable to immediate application to Washington Powers. I would suggest consultation with Italian Government, also, as they have ships here.\n\nOn the 6th September, Peking (in telegram No. 359) forwarded the following message from His Majesty's consul-general, Canton:\n\n\"The city is in the hands of cadets, labour and strike unions, and Russians, and is controlled by a Chinese triumvirate, whom it would be difficult to dislodge. A saner Chinese element would appreciate intervention, but I personally deprecate it as it would leave a legacy of hatred for the future. On the other hand, continuance of present state of things will bankrupt Hong Kong.\"\n\nSir J. Jamieson's memorandum on the boycott (dated the 11th September) will be found in Annex XI. It indicates that the triumvirate consisted of Chiang Kai-shek (Cadet army), Wang Ching-wei (Labour Unions), and Hsu Chung-chi (Cantonese military). The first two are Extremists; the last belongs to the less extreme Kuomintang, and his influence has consequently been waning.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12].txt",
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    {
        "id": 505062,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "page_number": 328,
        "title": "CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "content_text": "put into effect.\n\nA drafting committee on which I naturally declined to serve was appointed to prepare this statement. I made it plain to my colleagues that I could not commit myself to anything beyond submitting such a formula to His Majesty's Government.\n\nAddressed to Foreign Office No. 361. Repeated to Tokyo No. 112, Hongkong No. 35, Canton No. 111.\n\nPage 326\n\nPage 326\n\nPage 326",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926.txt",
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    {
        "id": 505413,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "page_number": 135,
        "title": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "content_text": "# POLITICAL SITUATION\n\n## Peking Government\n\nUNDER the title of \"Provisional Chief Executive of the Government of China, Marshal Tuan Ch'i-jui, chief of the Anfu party, has managed to maintain his position as head of the Government at Peking, from which, it will be remembered, the Powers withdrew de jure recognition after the coup d'État of October 1924. The actual executive power, such as it is, has shifted during the year from a coalition of representatives of the Anfu, Mukden and Kuomin parties to a Cabinet composed mainly of moderate Kuomintang elements. For a short time early in the year, with the arrival of Dr. Sun Yat-sen at the capital, it seemed possible that a serious effort might be made to evolve a form of Government to which all political parties in China would give their allegiance. On Dr. Sun's death (the 12th March) the only personality that could have held together the disruptive elements disappeared, and the Canton section of the Kuomintang resumed its attitude of uncompromising hostility to the Peking Government.\n\n2. The Chief Executive has nevertheless continued to cherish the hope that it would be possible to convene a \"Citizens' Conference,\" representative of the whole nation, to whom could be assigned the task of discussing and passing a Constitution. A preliminary conference, known as the \"Reorganisation Conference,\" sat in Peking from the 1st February to the 21st April, and was intended to devise plans for constitutional, financial and military reform, and to elaborate preparatory measures for the Citizens' Conference. It appears, however, to have accomplished little beyond organising two commissions to carry on its work. On the 3rd August a committee charged with the duty of drafting a new Constitution held its inaugural meeting, and in spite of the civil war which broke out in the autumn, was able to complete its labours by the end of the year, and to submit to the Chief Executive a Draft Constitution. Another new body, known as the Provisional Senate or State Council, was inaugurated about the same time (the 30th July). Its duties were said to be to assist the Chief Executive and to discuss and pass bills submitted by him on various affairs of State. Its actual achievements went little beyond the allocation of work among five committees, composed of some forty members each, who are reported to have seldom attended in sufficient numbers to form a quorum.\n\n## Manœuvres for Power\n\n3. The beginning of the year was noticeable for the steady extension of the authority of Marshal Chang Tso-lin southwards to the neighbourhood of Shanghai. It gradually spread along the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway and through the provinces of Chihli, Shantung, Anhui and Kiangsu, until the outbreak of civil war in the autumn drove his troops rapidly back. The capital itself still remained under the control of Marshal Feng Yü-hsiang, commanding the First Kuomin Army, whose headquarters were at Kalgan. He was appointed early in the year Director General of North-West Frontier Defence, and his troops occupied the Peking-Suiyuan-Paotou Railway. His allies, Generals Hu Ching-yi and Sun Yüeh, commanding respectively the Second and Third Kuomin Armies, occupied the Chihli and Honan sections of the Peking-Hankow Railway as far as the borders of Hupei. In the other provinces the control of affairs was also in the hands of various military leaders, as described in paragraph 10 of the annual report for 1924.\n\n4. In January a last effort was made by General Ch'i Hsieh-yüan, the defeated Military Governor of Kiangsu, to regain possession of Shanghai from the local representative of the Peking Government. With the support of General Sun Ch'uan-fang, Military Governor of Chekiang, whose troops occupied important positions south of Shanghai, a sudden attack was made on the 10th January in the neighbourhood of the Kiangnan arsenal. General Chang's troops were overwhelmed, and General Ch'i remained once more in control of Shanghai. Encouraged by this success, the latter prepared to advance on Nanking and to oust General Lu Yung-hsiang, who had recently been appointed Pacification Commissioner of Kiangsu and Anhui and Military Governor of Kiangsu. The Fengtien troops, which had now been heavily reinforced from Manchuria and included a regiment of Russians, advanced under General Chang Tsung-chang from Nanking along the railway towards Shanghai to meet their opponents. After a preliminary clash near Chinkiang, General Ch'i's resistance gradually collapsed, his troops were overcome, and he himself fled to Japan towards the end of January, leaving the railway and the greater part of the province under the control of the Fengtien generals. The Peking Government professed to believe that General Sun Ch'uan-fang had been no party to General Ch'i's campaign, and confirmed the former's appointment as Military Governor of Chekiang. It was arranged that both Sun's and Chang's forces should withdraw from Shanghai. Sun withdrew to Sungkiang in Kiangsu Province and Chang to Kunshan (Quinsan); and this position of the opposing forces was maintained until the disturbances at Shanghai on the 30th May gave the Fengtien generals an opportunity of occupying Shanghai under the pretext of preserving order. The position of the Military and Civil Governors of the province, Generals Lu Yung-hsiang and Han Kuo-chün, soon became untenable as General Chang took charge of the civil as well as the military administration and they left their posts in May and June respectively.\n\n5. Under pressure from Marshal Chang Tso-lin, General Chang Tsung-chang was appointed by the Chief Executive Military Governor of Shantung to take the place of General Cheng Shih-ch'i, one of Marshal Tuan's most trusted adherents, and arrived at Tsinan to assume the duties of his office on the 13th May, with some 15,000 troops. In due course he was appointed concurrently Civil Governor of the province.\n\nA struggle then ensued between the Chief Executive and Marshal Chang Tso-lin over the appointment of a Military Governor for the Province of Anhui, which ended in the latter having to agree to the appointment to the post of another adherent of the Anfu clique.\n\n6. In Chihli Province the Fengtien General Li Ching-lin had been appointed in January Military Governor. In April his troops occupied Paoting-fu and the northern (Chihli) section of the Peking-Hankow Railway, from which General Sun Yüeh retired into Honan. Mukden forces also occupied the Jehol territory, thus half encircling the capital and threatening the position of Marshal Feng Yü-hsiang. Cut off from his allies of the Second and Third Kuomin Armies and from...\n\nPage 3\n\n[15004]\n\nB 2\n\n132",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926.txt",
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    {
        "id": 505655,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "page_number": 377,
        "title": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "content_text": "By a compromise formula for the Register No. it should be represented. Possibly the effort might fructify and I shall lift certain objections. That the CQ and the 70 have an excursus on the question whether certain further action is needed.\n\nBut it seemed certain Joseph's point of crucial importance.\n\n2/00 No. 8.8.1.11.20 Minute Sheet No. 371\n\nThis file is returned as it is required for reference. The question will be considered at a meeting. The O.D.C. Friday morning, the 29th inst.\n\nA copy of O.D.C. Paper 183 covering a draft is affected.\n\nI have discussed with the O.D.C, who has promised to see the 2.O. The O.D.C. and representative on getting the 2.O. to let the Committee have their views.\n\nThe matter will be reconsidered at the next meeting of the O.D.C., subject to re-drafting the memorandum.\n\nThese files should now go to Maj Macready.\n\n6.10.26\n\nIt is argued that largely the Thai representative, and for these reasons, it was decided that it was wise to wait until agreement on the co-signatories to the Washington Treaty.\n\nFrom the political point of view, it is considered wise to have secured an agreement.\n\nFrom the Service point of view, this can or cannot be done by waiting since (1) it is possible to secure an agreement, (2) the land cannot be lost, and it would be impossible to acquiesce with the Powers.\n\nFrom the HK point of view, the waiting is that the land may mean something.\n\nLE & POLDEN, LTD. PRINTERS, ALDERSHOT. 3) WL 1,681–86. 100,000. 9/11. W [164]\n\n[P.T.O.]",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 505788,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "page_number": 510,
        "title": "CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926",
        "content_text": "(24)\n\n\"Unanimously adopted by the Seventeen American Staff Members at Canton Christian College.\"\n\nJune 24th, 1925.\n\nAPPENDIX O.\n\nPublic statement made by the Rev. A. Baxter, Vice-President of Canton Christian College, published in the Hongkong Daily Press and other Hongkong papers of the 27th June, 1925.\n\nI am the Vice-President of the Canton Christian College. On Tuesday evening, the 23rd June, students and members of the staff returned from the neighbourhood of Shameen, carrying with them bloodstained clothes. They represented to me that a procession in which they were taking part, whilst stationary near Shameen, was fired upon from Shameen without any firing from the Chinese side. This was corroborated by some twelve of our most responsible Chinese teachers who had been present. In view of these statements, Dr. J. M. Henry, who is President of the College, and I attempted to reach Shameen to find out for ourselves how matters stood, but we were unable to get any launch or boat. The Council sent some five senior teachers, who had not been present in the procession, to make further investigation and to report as to the killed and wounded.\n\nWhen these returned, the President and I called a meeting of the Council, consisting of some five Chinese, four Americans and myself, and the messengers who had returned corroborated in every detail the reports previously received. As a result of further discussion in the Council, a Committee of Chinese, with the President and myself, were requested to issue a statement. This statement was drafted in Chinese,\n\n(25)\n\nthe gist of it reported to Dr. Henry and myself, and signed by us and by the Chinese, as representing the College. The matter was arranged at midnight on the 23rd June and I have not seen the document since. I am not able to say whether the translation appearing in the Hongkong Telegraph of the 26th June is correct. The drafting in Chinese was done by the Chinese, who informed Dr. Henry and myself of the gist of it, other Americans having in the meantime left, and no members of the foreign staff, other than Dr. Henry and myself, knew what was in the document. I left the College at 9 a.m. on the 24th June, and I am not aware whether the document was signed by others later. I was not aware that the document was addressed to the American Government or the American people, nor that it purported to have been adopted by seventeen American staff members of the Canton Christian College. When I signed the document I had no information whatever as to its correctness other than the statements of Chinese members of the College who had been in the procession and the reports of the messengers sent out.\n\nSince the time when I signed the document I have personally gathered information from eye-witnesses which entirely satisfies me that the firing started from the Chinese side.\n\nAt the same time, I am of the opinion that the position which the Chinese teachers and students occupied in the procession did not enable them to note where the firing originally came from, and that so far as they were concerned their statement represented their honest conviction.\n\nI should like to state frankly that an error of judgment was made on my part in signing the document without investigating more fully the statements in it, and without waiting for information from Shameen.\n\nPage 510\nPage 511",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 506840,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-499-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-1-1927 - 4-2-1927",
        "page_number": 152,
        "title": "CO129-499-2 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-1-1927 - 4-2-1927",
        "content_text": "## (II)\n\nUnder present conditions, it is obvious that any case of dismissal would result in continual and protracted arbitration. During such a period of arbitration, the authority of the hospital would be paralyzed, and dismissal of even redundant employees impossible.\n\n### Threats of Strikes\n\nThese regulations are the result of an appeal made to the Government last October, when labour union demands were being forced upon the hospital and the employees had threatened to walk out unless those demands were acceded to. The Government, represented by Mr. Eugene Chen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, sought to settle the dispute by promulgating certain regulations which would control, for all hospitals, their relations with their employees.\n\nHe required the labourers not to strike while the regulations were being drafted and enjoined the hospital not to dismiss employees during that period. A committee was appointed within the Government, and the work progressed slowly until the removal of Mr. Chen and his associates to the headquarters at Wuchang apparently brought progress to a standstill.\n\nUnder this arrangement, which Mr. Chen had intimated would be short, the employees of the hospital, however, stirred up serious trouble in December, and demands for the removal of one of the foreign staff were followed by flagrant and persistent insubordination on the part of some employees. At this juncture, in view of the Government's inaction, the hospital management deemed it necessary to dismiss some of the troublemakers. The Government was duly notified, and during January, two employees were dismissed.\n\n### Government Concern\n\nThis was followed by another threat to strike, on a charge of 'dismissing without reason.' The Government Foreign Office thereupon renewed its concern over the labour situation and promised to promulgate the regulations within the month, again enjoining the hospital to agree not to discharge employees within that period. It also requested that, for the sake of adherence to the former agreement, the two employees be retained or reinstated temporarily. This the hospital finally agreed to do.\n\nThe committee drafting the regulations had had submitted for its consideration the demands of the labour union (which insisted on full liberty to strike, big pay, that no change of work or dismissal of an employee be permitted without consent of the labour union, and also demanding certain sickness and death benefit clauses that were quite impossible to fulfil). This committee was also the recipient of a document requested from the hospitals, which embodied four principles for hospital management drawn up by the South China Medical Association. The statement was as follows:\n\n### Immune From Strikes\n\n\"Hospitals are for the relief of the ill and injured. It is the duty of all connected with the hospital to co-operate, each doing his particular part to effect the cure of the patients. All, poor or rich, young or old, when sick want the best treatment and care possible, and they should have it. Everyone in a hospital should give his best for the patients.\n\n\"The doctors have special training and experience in the care of the sick. They, more than any others, know the best methods and have the ability to use them. Furthermore, upon them solely rests the responsibility for the welfare of the patients. Therefore, all other employees of the hospital are under the direction of the physicians or their representatives. All authority rests ultimately in the medical staff.\n\n\"It is necessary, however, that all employees have fair compensation, healthful living quarters, and opportunity for the reasonable enjoyment of life in return for faithful, efficient service.\n\n\"1. Hospitals are to be immune from strikes, forcible closing, picketing, intimidation of staff or patients, or any outside illegal interference in their management or operation.\n\n\"2. Full authority shall be vested in the hospital management for engaging, disciplining, or discharging anyone in the service of the hospital.\n\n\"3. In case an employee is discharged for reasons not the fault of himself, one month's remuneration in advance shall be given him.\n\n\"4. Any employee guilty of stealing, adultery, gross maltreatment of a patient, or disobedience or neglect of duty, may be dismissed without notice or advance remuneration.\"\n\n### Forced to Borrow\n\nThe Canton Government has to be notified and requested to remove from the hospital the two hundred and thirty public health patients received from the Canton Public Department of Health. Part of this number comes from Hongkong, that Government having deported such patients to the Canton Department of Public Health, but having recently provided temporary support for them in the John G. Kerr Hospital.\n\nAt the present date, the Canton Government, through its Department of Public Health, has already incurred a debt to the John G. Kerr Hospital of ninety-one thousand dollars (not including interest). This debt has accumulated over the past five years, the Government at times paying little or nothing towards the support of its patients and refusing to remove them from the hospital.\n\nUnable and undesirous of turning the Government patients out on the streets, the hospital has been forced, in order to bear the enormous financial cost of feeding those patients during that unprofitable period, to borrow heavily from its own building funds, money which has been generously given by many Chinese abroad, by the Hongkong Government, and by other bodies. These internal loans were only made after full notification to the donors.\n\nPage 156",
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    {
        "id": 507953,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927",
        "page_number": 75,
        "title": "CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927",
        "content_text": "## MEMORANDUM\n\n**China Indemnity Advisory Committee**\n\nThe Chairman desires me to inform you that since the last Meeting no definite questions have arisen which appeared to justify or necessitate a further Meeting of the available members of the Committee.\n\nUnless events require it, he does not propose to hold a Meeting until after the holidays.\n\nBut he has directed me to draw up a short confidential memorandum for your inspection as to the present position in regard to the Indemnity Fund.\n\nOwing to existing circumstances in China, the Foreign Office have decided not to press, during the present session, for the introduction of the proposed Bill to amend the **China Indemnity (Application) Act 1925**; especially as, in view of the great obscurity as to the future in China, it is considered that the drafting of the Bill should stand over until the time comes when it may be less difficult to formulate its terms and to obtain the general assent of Parliament.\n\nIt is considered, however, that this decision need not affect the creation of the proposed Provisional Committee *pro tem* in China (suggested by the British members of the Committee at the last informal meeting), which can be constituted without any legislation here.\n\nIt will be remembered that...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927.txt",
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    {
        "id": 507963,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927",
        "page_number": 85,
        "title": "CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927",
        "content_text": "## MEMORANDUM\n\n**China Indemnity Advisory Committee**\n\nThe Chairman desires me to inform you that since the last Meeting no definite questions have arisen which appeared to justify or necessitate a further Meeting of the available members of the Committee.\n\nUnless events require it, he does not propose to hold a Meeting until after the holidays.\n\nBut he has directed me to draw up a short confidential memorandum for your inspection as to the present position in regard to the **nãocnity Fund**.\n\nOwing to existing circumstances in China, the Foreign Office have decided not to press, during the present session, for the introduction of the proposed Bill to amend the **China Indemnity (Application) Act 1925**; and especially as, in view of the great obscurity as to the future in China, it is considered that the drafting of the Bill should stand over until the time comes when it may be less difficult to formulate its terms and to obtain the general assent of Parliament.\n\nIt is considered, however, that this decision need not affect the creation of the proposed Provisional Committee moved in China (suggested by the British members of the Committee at the last informal meeting), which can be constituted without any legislation here. It will be remembered that this... \n\n`85`",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-501-2 Chinese situation- Boxer indemnity 5-2-1927 - 14-12-1927.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 508170,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927",
        "page_number": 138,
        "title": "CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927",
        "content_text": "131 \n\nwith assistance of the Crown advocate Garstin could not carry it out alone. In any case his health is indifferent and I have had definitely to promise him his home leave before the summer.\n\nJudge, who has had experience of previous unsuccessful attempts, notably, in Egypt and Turkey to apply native law in British courts is evidently sceptical of any greater success in China. He informs me it involves very much more than mere amendment of Orders-in-Council and that single-handed in Supreme Court of Shanghai it would be quite out of the question for him to undertake the work. The most that he could do would be to give advice from time to time. Last Order-in-Council was, he tells me, drawn up by Foreign Office legal adviser and judges and took over a year to complete.\n\nHe has put forward tentative suggestion that drafting committee should be formed at home consisting of practising barrister of the King's Bench, company lawyer, member of legal department of Foreign Office and Garstin, when he goes on leave, for the purpose of utilising his knowledge of Chinese codes and his knowledge of Chinese. In addition to these, Mr Skinner Turner would perhaps be available and also King, Registrar of Supreme Court who is also going on leave at the end of April.\n\nHis suggestion appears to me eminently practical; in fact I do not see any alternative to it. I should be glad of an early reply to this as various arrangements are dependent on it.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 508526,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926",
        "page_number": 120,
        "title": "CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926",
        "content_text": "14 - \n\nto interfere with the latter as at present administered, \nthough possible misunderstanding and friction would be \navoided if Maritime Customs co-operation should be \navailable in the collection of the new tax by fiscal authorities to be appointed by my Government\". \n\nTwo days before Colonel F. Hayley-Bell, the Commissioner of \nCustoms at Canton, had telegraphed to Mr. A.H.F. Edwardes, \nthen acting as Inspector General of Customs at Peking (Sir F. Aglen being on leave in England), that \nsuch a mandate was about to be issued. Mr. Edwardes \nin reply instructed the Canton Commissioner not to grant facilities for the collection of the new taxes unless they were internationally accepted or acquiesced in. On the 8th October the Diplomatic body at Peking \nmet to discuss the situation. The discussion revealed \na full appreciation of the gravity of the issues raised at Canton. The American Chargé d'Affaires stated that he had strongly urged his Government to oppose these taxes: but no one appeared to contemplate the possibility of a resort to force, if a protest proved ineffective. A drafting committee was appointed to prepare a protest (`Peking telegram to Foreign Office No. 361 of the 8th October`) but the Ministers rejected the draft prepared by their committee and eventually it was agreed that \nthe Senior Minister should inform Mr. Edwardes that he \nwas not in a position to state that the attitude of the Powers towards the taxes would be (`Peking telegram to Foreign Office No. 364 of the 8th October`). \n\n14. Then came the 10th October. Then the slogan acclaimed at Canton was:- \"The boycott is dead. Long \nlive \n\n124 \n\nPage 120\nPage 121",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 511580,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-505-4 Labour situation in Canton and effect on Hong Kong- Labour Advisory Board 27-1-1927 - 31-8-1927",
        "page_number": 71,
        "title": "CO129-505-4 Labour situation in Canton and effect on Hong Kong- Labour Advisory Board 27-1-1927 - 31-8-1927",
        "content_text": "73\n\n8\n\nCEYLON SESSIONAL PAPERS, 1926.\n\n32. Uniforms and Clothing Allowance.-Firemen and boiler fitters asked to be supplied with uniform or overalls. We consider, however, that the request is impracticable, and the issue of such clothing does not appear to be customary in other parts of the world. Some workers complained that they had to work in the open but were not supplied with rain coats. We consider that where Heads of Departments are satisfied that rain coats or capes are necessary they should be provided.\n\n33. Petitions. Certain complaints were made that petitions could not be made direct to the Head of the Department. We understand that this is not now the case. Care should be taken by Heads of all Departments to see that all workmen are informed that petitions may be sent to the Head of the Works concerned (vide paragraph 15 of Sessional Paper XXXV.—1925). A similar procedure should be followed in all Departments.\n\n34. General Recommendations for Railway Department.--In general we recommend that for all daily and hourly paid employees in the Railway Department any recommendations not specially touched on in this Report but made in Sessional Paper XXXV.-1925 and sanctioned by Government be adopted.\n\n35. Increases to be made Retrospective.-As the increase of 20 per cent. has been paid from October 1, 1925, to daily paid workmen in Colombo working under Factory Conditions and as owing to the number of memorials received the investigations by the Sub-Committee have occupied several months, we recommend that any increases granted to employees dealt with in this Report may be made retrospective as from October 1, 1925.\n\n36. Various minor items of complaints, such as better sleeping accommodation in out-stations, overtime to be paid at the same time as the monthly pay instead of being paid the following month, coconut oil lamps instead of the present kerosine oil lamps when required to work in the fire-box, &c., were brought to our notice during the course of the Sub-Committee inquiry and were noted by Heads of Departments or Sub-Departments who were present to be dealt with departmentally. A charge of demanding gratuities from employees was made against a minor official in one Department. It was investigated by the Head of the Department concerned and reported to be without foundation.\n\n37. The Sub-Committee desire to record their appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. A. H. Morgan, the Secretary, in connection with their investigations and in the drafting of the Report. They also wish to thank Mr. Lambert de Silva, Shorthand Writer, for the expeditious manner in which the notes of evidence were transcribed for their information.\n\nW. E. WAIT,\n\nActing Controller of Revenue, and Chairman, Labour\n\nAdvisory Committee.\n\nF. G. TYRRELL,\n\nChairman, Colombo Port Commission.\n\nJ. STRACHAN,\n\nDirector of Public Works.\n\nD. MCMILLAN,\n\nActing General Manager of the Railway.\n\nH. E. NEWNHAM,\n\nChairman, Municipal Council, and Mayor of Colombo.\n\nG. W. DODDS,\n\nHarbour Engineer.\n\nJ. M. ORKNEY,\n\nDeputy General Manager of the Railway (Administrative).\n\nJ. GRAY,\n\nFactory Engineer.\n\nE. J. HAYWARD.\n\nD. B. JAYATILAKA.\n\nG. A. WILLE.\n\nJ. SYDNEY COLLETT.\n\nA. H. MORGAN,\n\nActing Secretary,\n\nLabour Advisory Committee.\n\nColombo, April 19, 1926.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-505-4 Labour situation in Canton and effect on Hong Kong- Labour Advisory Board 27-1-1927 - 31-8-1927.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 512476,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-507-1 Proposal to dispose of Boxer Indemnity funds- claim by Hong Kong university 21-12-1927 - 24-7-1928",
        "page_number": 110,
        "title": "CO129-507-1 Proposal to dispose of Boxer Indemnity funds- claim by Hong Kong university 21-12-1927 - 24-7-1928",
        "content_text": "(F2777/6/10)\n\n.401 (10/100)\n\nBritish Legation,\n\nPeking.\n\nApril 24th, 1928.\n\n112\n\nSir,\n\nDuring the course of conversation which I had recently with Dr. Lo Wen Kan, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Peking Government, he asked me if I thought His Majesty's Government were thinking of making any move in the direction of implementing their policy in regard to the disposal of the British share of the Boxer indemnity, for purpose of mutual benefit, in accordance with the recommendations of the Willingdon Commission.\n\n2.\n\nI explained to Dr. Lo how in August last the formation of the provisional committee which we were then in process of bringing together to make preliminary investigations in regard to the actual allocation and expenditure of the funds had been held up owing to the precarious position of the Nanking Government, certain members of which had been asked to serve on the committee. I also made it clear to him that owing to the state of political confusion in China the drafting of the proposed Bill to amend the China Indemnity (Application) Act of 1925 had had to be postponed. I said I feared that, if we were to take up the formation of the provisional committee where we had left off last August, we might have more difficulty in collecting the requisite six Chinese members, who would be acceptable both to north and south.\n\nWith\n\nThe Right Honourable\n\nSir Austen Chamberlain, P.C., K.G.,\n\netc.,\n\netc.,\n\netc., Foreign Office,\n\nS.W.1.\n\nPage 110\n\nPage 111\n\nPage 112",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-507-1 Proposal to dispose of Boxer Indemnity funds- claim by Hong Kong university 21-12-1927 - 24-7-1928.txt",
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    {
        "id": 514929,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-510-14 Report of committee of enquiry into discrepancies and losses in government departments in Hong Kong... 21-4-1928 - 24-10-1928",
        "page_number": 18,
        "title": "CO129-510-14 Report of committee of enquiry into discrepancies and losses in government departments in Hong Kong... 21-4-1928 - 24-10-1928",
        "content_text": "Department of the full responsibilities in \n\nregard to financial matters which normally attach \n\nto the position of Head of Department, and in \n\nsuch cases it may be legitimate, as a special \n\nmeasure, to give to a senior officer who is not \n\nthe Head of Department some of those responsibilities. \n\nBut such a course should be an exception to the \n\nrule and not involve a general abandonment of the \n\nrecognised practice.\n\nPage 18\n\nIn Ethi...\n\nA.... standing \n\n20/12/28 \n\nviews \n\non \n\nThis \n\nYou asked for my views \n\n(1) Treasurer. \n\nCol. Reps 204-206 deal with the functions of \n\nthe Treasurer. I think we are agreed that \n\nin recent years they have not been \n\nsatisfactorily discharged by his department. For instance, if they had been, this Committee would not have been necessary. Unfortunately, Hongkong seems to be just drifting along.\n\nUnder the local Pension Law an \n\nOfficer can be retired at 55.\n\nIn Bessel's case, he was born in 1874. He comes \n\nat the end \n\nof March \n\non leave \n\nin 1929. I suggest that he \n\nshould not be allowed to return.\n\nWe come now to the question how the \n\npost \n\nof Treasurer \n\nmust be filled.\n\nThe ideal treasurer in Hongkong should",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-510-14 Report of committee of enquiry into discrepancies and losses in government departments in Hong Kong... 21-4-1928 - 24-10-1928.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 519264,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "page_number": 56,
        "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "content_text": "55 \n\n## Enclosure No.7 \n\n### 6. \n\nWe went through **the draft agreement of 1918**, article by article, and satisfied ourselves that it would form a suitable basis for the draft of a new agreement. Accordingly, we appointed a drafting committee, consisting of Sir Joseph Kemp, Mr. Wright and Dr. C.F. Johnston, to examine the draft in detail and make such amendments as both sides considered to be desirable. This work was well done by the drafting committee; and on the 29th July a second conference was held, over which I presided, and at which there were present the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Superintendent of Imports and Exports, representing the Colony of Hong Kong, and Mr. Maze, Mr. Wright and Mr. Johnston, representing the Chinese Maritime Customs. We considered, article by article, the draft prepared by the drafting committee and approved it with certain alterations. I annex hereto a print of the draft in the form which it has now reached, and which is acceptable both to Mr. Maze and to myself. I shall today place it before my Executive Council and, if it is approved, I shall then submit it for consideration by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce. I may say that a translation of the document into Chinese is now in preparation. \n\n### 8. \nAt noon on the 30th July, Dr. Maze, with my full consent, met the Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General and the Superintendent of Imports and Exports.",
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    {
        "id": 519309,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "page_number": 101,
        "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "content_text": "- & \n\nIr. loss: May I suggest that it would be as well to put \"Auxiliary Steam Power\" in view of the great increase in the number? Some junks have engines.\n\nHis Excellency: When is a Junk not a Junk? That point will have to be considered by a drafting Committee later on.\n\nArticle (a) is that our existing practice, Commander Hole?\n\nCommander Hole: Yes, no change at all.\n\nHis Excellency: Is (b) that done?\n\nThe \n\nCommander Hole: It is, but instead of calling it a Pass-book we call it a Licence Book.\n\nMr. Maze: At every Station they have to stop and have their Pass Books chopped with the date, so that, when the junk or steamer comes back to the original Port, we are able to ascertain whether she has called and reported at the Stations. It controls the movement.\n\nCommander Hole: I have an arrangement with the Chinese Customs here.\n\nMr. Maze: We do the same thing.\n\nHis Excellency: And (c)?\n\nCommander Hole: That is the existing law.\n\nHis Excellency: And (d)? I have no objection except from the artistic point of view. It could be done better in some other way than on mainsails.\n\nCommander Hole: At the present moment it is painted\n\n### 3 104",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 519320,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "page_number": 112,
        "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "content_text": "## \n19-1 \n\nThe word \"launch\" here and elsewhere ought not to be \"steamer\". Some of these West River Steamers are really only glorified launches. I might suggest as amendment \"any vessel\".\n\nHis Excellency: But is that not too wide? It might cover an ocean-going steamer from England.\n\nMr. Lloyd: Launch under 60 tons?\n\nHis Excellency: We will reserve the point for the drafting Committee.\n\n## II - (e)\n\nThat means salt coming into the Colony, which is not for local consumption, has to go into a licensed warehouse.\n\nMr. Lloyd: \"Payment of duty\" - it does not say to whom paid?\n\nHis Excellency: The words \"to the Customs\" should be added.\n\nCommander Hole: I presume, \"to the Chinese Maritime Customs\". Would not legislation be required in a case where salt merchants shipped out salt.\n\nHis Excellency: It means we have to control salt on introduction into the Colony. If brought in for consumption, it goes into a licensed warehouse. Any shop wishing to sell salt would have to go to the Warehouse. Shops would be allowed to take salt for legitimate use. We do not propose to control shops or license them.\n\n3 \n115",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt",
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        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 519335,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "page_number": 127,
        "title": "CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929",
        "content_text": "## \nHis Excellency: \n\nIf you put these things into Chinese hands, there is going to be trouble.\n\nSir Joseph Kemp: What about a British Chinese?\n\nHis Excellency: I want it absolutely clear that the man at the Head of the Kowloon Customs is to be a Britisher.\n\nSir Joseph Kemp: A British subject of European descent.\n\nMr. Maze: I think that if you put in \"European descent\" there might be trouble.\n\nHis Excellency: You can say \"a British subject acceptable to the Hong Kong Government\".\n\nArticle XVII was agreed to.\n\nMr. Maze: I have not got a great deal of time, but I would like to go back with the amended draft in my hands, if it could be put through. Would it be desirable to have a Drafting Sub-Committee?\n\nHis Excellency: We will have a Drafting Sub-Committee and the Attorney General must be on it. Who would you like to have?\n\nMr. Maze: I would like to have Mr. Johnston and... \n\nPage 34 \nPage 130",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929.txt",
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    {
        "id": 519499,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929",
        "page_number": 26,
        "title": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929",
        "content_text": "- 2 -\n\n26\n\nKotewall, C.M.G., the Honourable Dr. S.V. Ts'o, O.B.E., \nand Messrs. Li Yau-ts'ün, C.B.E., Li Yik-mui, Chau \nU-ting, Tong Yat-chuen, Chau Tsun-nin, Li Koon-chun and \nLo Man-kam, to ascertain and inform me as to the views \nof the Chinese merchants of Hong Kong.\n\n2. The most careful consideration has been \ngiven to the document, and many criticisms on points of detail have been made; but the principle of the \nagreement has been accepted by British and Chinese \nmerchants in this Colony alike. The view of \nthe Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the \nHong Kong Branch of the China Association is that an \nagreement on the lines proposed would be of considerable \nvalue to Hong Kong, while the Chinese merchants \nreported on the 20th August, 1929, as follows:-\n\n\"Generally this agreement may be regarded as favourable to both countries, because on the one hand China will \nderive great benefit from the previous decision to \nprevent smuggling, and on the other hand Hong Kong will \nremain a distributing centre in South China\".\n\nAccordingly I appointed a small drafting Committee, \nconsisting of Sir Joseph Kemp (Chairman), the \nHonourable Mr. B.D.F. Beith, representing British \nmerchants, and the Honourable Dr. R.H. Kotewall, \nrepresenting Chinese merchants, to consider the criticisms made on points of detail and to prepare agreed amendments.\n\n3.\n\nMeanwhile I received, on the eve of my departure to visit the Governor General of the \nPhilippines,",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929.txt",
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    {
        "id": 519504,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929",
        "page_number": 31,
        "title": "CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929",
        "content_text": "- 7 - \n\n31 \n\n**Enclo. No. 3.** \n**Enclo. No. 4.** \n\nI \n\nThe meetings took place in November and lasted from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. I took the chair on both occasions and there were also present, in addition to Mr. Moss, the Honourable Mr. Southorn, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Sir Joseph Kemp, C.B.E., Attorney General, the Honourable Dr. Kotewall, C.M.G., the Honourable Mr. Beith, who is head of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, and Mr. T.H.R. Shaw, who is head of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire in this Colony. You will notice that of these gentlemen Sir Joseph Kemp, Dr. Kotewall and Mr. Beith formed the drafting committee. \n\nWe considered the whole agreement clause by clause very carefully and made extensive amendments in it upon the recommendation partly of British and partly of Chinese merchants. I now attach a reprint of the agreement as revised and, for convenience of reference, I also attach a copy of the previous print, dated the 29th of July, 1929, upon which the amendments now introduced are shown. \n\n8. \n\nApart from the amendments to Article 5, to which I draw your special attention, I wish to point out to Your Lordship that Article 2, which dealt with salt, has been struck out, and that the question of salt is now dealt with as a part of Article 11. I consider that Article 2, as originally drafted, contained too much detail, and that it is sufficient for the purpose of this agreement to declare that the Hong Kong Government will endeavour to prevent the illicit entry of salt into China. This, after all, is the only point concerning the regulation of salt in Hong Kong with which the Chinese Government is concerned. \n\n9.",
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    {
        "id": 521183,
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-520-6 Railway development- Canton-Kowloon Railway 5-11-1929 - 5-11-1930",
        "page_number": 84,
        "title": "CO129-520-6 Railway development- Canton-Kowloon Railway 5-11-1929 - 5-11-1930",
        "content_text": "Page 260\n\nTHE CHINA CRITIC\n\nMarch 13, 1930\n\nMarch 13, 1930\n\nTHE CHINA CRITIC\n\n261\n\nA resolution passed by the Second Plenary Session of the Kuomintang Central Executive Committee last Spring appropriated two-thirds of the Boxer Indemnity Funds for railway construction and decided that the Canton-Hankow Railway should be completed by the end of 1932. Therefore, a Commission on the Completion of the Canton-Hankow Railway was established with Mr. Y. S. Chun as Chief Commissioner and Mr. H. S. Chuck as Director of Construction of the Chuchow-Shaochow Section. The same resolution further decided that the Lunghai Railway should be completed by the end of 1934. Therefore, a Commission on the Completion of the Lunghai Railway was established with Mr. Kuan Keng Lin as Chief Commissioner, Mr. Ling Hun Huan as Director of Construction of the Lunghai Railway, and Mr. Ko Kuang Ting as Managing Director.\n\nAs compensation to the shareholders of the Canton-Shaochow Section of the Canton-Hankow Railway, the Ministry has been authorized by the Government to issue $20,000,000 bonds to redeem the shares outstanding. A Board of Trustees for the Yueh-Han Railway Redemption Bonds was organized.\n\nOther organizations, such as the Advisory Committee on Railway Terminology and the Advisory Committee on Railway Loan Agreements, have come into existence as work demands.\n\nII. Analysis of Principal Duties\n\nTHE ADVISORS' OFFICE\nProposing, investigating, examining, and inspecting the plans, construction, and management of Railways and National Highways.\n\nTHE COUNSELLORS' OFFICE\nDrafting, examining, deliberating on, editing, and compiling rules, regulations, and ministerial orders.\n\nTHE SECRETARIAT\nDrafting, deliberating on, and safekeeping confidential correspondence, editing and translating administrative reports and documents in foreign languages, keeping records of ministerial conferences, taking care of the Library and the Museum.\n\nTHE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL AFFAIRS\nAttending to the general affairs of the Ministry and its subordinate offices and affairs not specially assigned to other offices, departments, and bureaus.\n\nTHE DEPARTMENTS OF TRAFFIC AND OPERATION\nAttending to the traffic and operation of Railways and National Highways under the Ministry.\n\nTHE FINANCE DEPARTMENT\nAttending to the financial affairs of the Railways and National Highways under the Ministry.\n\nTHE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT\nAttending to the engineering work of the Railways and Highways under the Ministry.\n\nTHE BUREAU OF RAILWAY STATISTICS\nAttending to the statistics of the Ministry and its subordinate offices.\n\nTHE RAILWAY HEALTH SERVICE\nAttending to the sanitary and medical affairs of the various Railways.\n\nTHE THROUGH TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION\nAttending to domestic and international through traffic arrangements and the clearing of Railway accounts.\n\nRAILWAY PLANNING COMMISSION\nPlanning Railway lines of the whole country.\n\nNATIONAL HIGHWAY PLANNING COMMISSION\nPlanning the Construction of National Highways.\n\nECONOMIC COMMITTEE\nMaking economic plans for operating and projected lines.\n\nEDITORIAL COMMITTEE ON RAILWAY RULES AND REGULATIONS\nDrafting, deliberating on, and compiling rules and regulations.\n\nPUBLICITY COMMITTEE\nCentralizing publicity and editing official publications and statements.\n\nTECHNICAL COMMITTEE\nStudying and solving technical problems in Railway Engineering.\n\nCOMMITTEE ON STANDARDIZATION OF RAILWAY TECHNIQUE\nDetermining the standard of and working out improvements on Railway technique.\n\nPURCHASING COMMISSION\nPurchasing materials for the railways.\n\nADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE UNIFICATION OF RAILWAY ACCOUNTS AND STATISTICS\nRevising the Accounting Rules and Classifications, working out accounting methods, working out Statistical forms and Regulations, and summarizing other accounts.\n\nADVISORY COMMITTEE ON READJUSTMENT OF RAILWAY OBLIGATIONS\nReadjusting the various Railways' obligations arising out of domestic and foreign indebtedness.\n\nCOMMITTEE ON RAILWAY PERSONNEL\nInvestigating the qualification of railway employees.\n\nCOMMITTEE ON RAILWAY EDUCATION\nReforming and improving Railway education.\n\nCOMMITTEE ON RAILWAY SCHOLARSHIP ABROAD\nDetermining the number of scholarships and investigating the qualification, examining the standard and experience of scholarship holders and applicants.\n\nCOMMISSION ON SUPPRESSION OF OPIUM SMOKING\nInvestigating, examining, and suppressing Opium Smoking that may be addicted by Ministerial and Railway staff.\n\nCOMMISSION ON THE COMPLETION OF THE LUNGHAI RAILWAY\nTaking charge of the planning, surveying, financing, and construction of the unfinished sections of the Lunghai Railway.\n\nCOMMISSION ON THE COMPLETION OF THE CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY\nTaking charge of the planning, surveying, financing, and construction of the unfinished section of the Canton-Hankow Railway.\n\nCOMMITTEE FOR COMPILING THE HISTORY OF COMMUNICATIONS\nCompiling the History of Communications.\n\nII. The organization of and Distribution of Work in the Ministry\n\nThe Ministry of Railways plans, constructs, and manages all the state railways and national highways. It supervises all the province-owned and private railways.\n\nThe Ministry of Railways is composed of:\n\nThe Counsellors' Office.\n\nThe Secretariat.\n\nThe Department of General Affairs, The Dept. of Traffic and Operation.\n\nThe Finance Department.\n\nThe Engineering Department.\n\nThe Through Traffic Administration.\n\nThe Bureau of Railway Statistics.\n\nThe Railway Health Service.\n\nThe Commissions and Committees.\n\nThe Counsellors' Office is composed of two Sections, the Legislative Section and the Compilation Section. This office attends to the drafting, deliberation, examination, compilation, editing, and registry of rules, regulations, and Ministerial Orders.\n\nThe Secretariat is composed of three offices, the Secretarial Office, the Editorial and Translation Office, and the Library. The Secretaries attend to the drafting and custody of confidential correspondence, the deliberation of official documents, the editing and translation of official publications, statements, and documents, and the records of the Ministerial Conferences.\n\nThe Department of General Affairs is composed of the Business Division, the Division of Documents and archives, the Division of Education, and the Personnel Division. This Department attends to:\n\n1. The receiving, despatching, distribution, drafting, and safekeeping of documents.\n\n2. The issuance of Ministerial Orders.\n\n3. The custody of the Ministerial Seals.\n\n4. The appointment, dismissal, reward, and punishment of the staff of the Ministry and the staff of the officers under the Ministry.\n\n5. The compilation of administrative reports.\n\n6. The training and education of executive and technical personnel for the Railway service.\n\n7. The education of Railway employees and the administration of Railway schools.\n\n8. The Ministerial estimates, budgets, accounting, and miscellaneous affairs.\n\n9. The affairs not especially assigned to other offices, departments, bureaus, committees, or commissions.\n\nThe Department of Traffic and Operation is composed of the Traffic Division, the Operation Division, and the Labor Division. This Department attends to:\n\n1. The supervision, management, improvement, and development of the traffic business of the Railways.\n\n2. The management and control of Railway operation and the rolling stocks.\n\n3. The determination of fares and rates.\n\n4. The domestic and international through traffic arrangements.\n\n5. The approval of traffic equipments.\n\n6. The working condition and protection of Railway employees.\n\n7. The training and control of Railway police.\n\n8. The adoption of plague-preventive and other sanitary methods in the Railways.\n\n9. The supervision of the province-owned and private Railways.\n\n10. International Railway problems.\n\n11. The operation and traffic of national highways.\n\nThe Finance Department is composed of the Division of Financial affairs, the Division of Audits and accounts, the Division of Railway Obligations, and the Division of Investigation. This Department attends to:\n\n1. The drawing up and checking of railway estimates and budgets.\n\n2. The control and safekeeping of Railway funds.\n\n3. Raising funds for rehabilitation and construction of Railways.\n\n4. The readjustment and repayment of Railway loans and obligations.\n\n5. The auditing of Railway accounts and bills.\n\n6. Railway accounting system and statistics.\n\n7. The management of Railway properties.\n\n8. The purchase and management of Railway land.\n\n9. The economic planning and investigation of Railways.\n\n10. The supervision of the finance of the province-owned and private Railways.\n\n11. Other financial affairs of the Railways.\n\n12. The financial affairs of national highways.\n\nThe Engineering Department is composed of the Division of Civil Engineering, the Division of Mechanical Engineering, and the Planning Division. This Department attends to:\n\n1. The supervision, management, and rehabilitation of engineering affairs in the Railways.\n\n2. The Location of Railway lines and the planning of Railway engineering.\n\n3. The supervision and management of the engineering work in Railway construction.\n\n4. The construction of Railway terminus and municipal construction in the Railway zones.\n\n5. The examination of materials for civil and mechanical engineering in the construction of Railways.\n\n6. The construction and management of Railway shops and stores.\n\n7. The supervision of the engineering work in the province-owned and private Railways.\n\n8. Other engineering work in the Railways.\n\n9. Engineering work in the national highways.\n\nIn the Ministry of Railways, there shall be one Minister, one Political Vice-Minister, one Administrative Vice-Minister, two to four Counsellors, four to eight Secretaries, four Department Directors, twelve Division Chiefs, one hundred twenty to one hundred sixty clerks, one Chief Technical Expert, sixteen to twenty Technical Experts, twenty to thirty Junior Technical Experts, and twenty to twenty-four Technical Assistants.\n\nFor the planning of the National Railway Network, the national highway system, the unification of Railway accounting system, the compilation of Railway rules and regulations, the purchasing of Railway materials, and the standardization of Railway technique, the Ministry of Railways organizes a number of committees and commissions.\n\nIn the Ministry of Railways, the Through Traffic Administration takes care of domestic and international through traffic and Railway clearing, the Bureau of Railway Statistics takes care of Railway statistics, and the Railway Health Service takes care of the medical and sanitary affairs of the various Railways.\n\nPage 262 is not available, but the next available page is:\n\n95\n\n...\n\n電\n話\n電價舘\n目址\n脚上\n六各六境\n月每月\n洋\n月\n洋月\n電報簡碼 三〇四六\n歐美各國每月潭二元五角 三個月:七元\n六個月举十二元五角 全年廿四元\n40 $2\n一七四六八\n四一六\n-\n上海山東路二二歳\n中國境內每月一元 三個月洋三元\n六個月洋五元 全年洋九元\n1 民國日報\n1",
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        "id": 521773,
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        "document_key": "CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930",
        "page_number": 214,
        "title": "CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930",
        "content_text": "Kenel 7.\n\n(17) 0262847/29\n\n216\n\nAgreement was carefully examined and it was agreed that it would form a suitable basis for the draft of a new agreement. A drafting committee examined this draft in detail, making such amendments as both sides considered desirable, and the draft prepared by the Committee was considered at a second conference, on the 29th July, and finally approved with certain alterations. The general principle of the Agreement was also accepted subsequently by the Executive Council. A copy of this first draft is enclosed.\n\nThe position of the two sides in the subsequent negotiations was summarized afterwards by Mr. G. S. Moss, the Acting Consul-General at Canton, who had taken part in the discussions, as follows:\n\n\"On the Hong Kong side there appeared to be willingness in the interests of the safeguarding of the Chinese Customs revenue and of the facilitation of British trade to make great concessions to permit of a large increase in the Chinese Customs staff to co-operate in the Colony and its waters with the Colonial authorities as regards the extension of control, at the Kowloon Railway terminus, the harbour, junk anchorages and afloat, of shipping and cargoes destined for China. This included proposals for the joint control of exports of salt, and involved plans for the joint collection of reliable statistics, the registration and control of shipping, the establishment of Customs sub-stations, the joint control of exports of explosives, munitions...\n\n16 on 62847/29 X",
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    {
        "id": 521985,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930",
        "page_number": 146,
        "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930",
        "content_text": "58.\n\n145\n\npenalties could be enforced in the interests of the\n\nCustom. A clause was added providing for legal\n\nproceedings brought by the Hongkong Government against\n\nthe defaulter in the Hongkong courts. The Attorney-\n\nGeneral observed that it was very unusual to enforce\n\nthe revenues laws of another state.\n\n63.\n\nIn Article 16, dealing with duration of the\n\nagreement, the Governor suggested 10 years instead\n\nof five (the draft was altered accordingly) and as\n\nregards the nationality of the Commissioner,\n\nGovernor insisted he should be a British subject\n\n'acceptable to the Hongkong Government\". New\n\nArticles were inserted in the agreement dealing with\n\nthe cost of legal proceedings, the cost of seizure,\n\nthe cost of loss or damage to goods seized while\n\nunder detention, all of which was to be borne by the\n\nCustoms. An article was added saying that nothing\n\nin the agreement was to affect the right of the\n\nHongkong authorities to make seizures authorised by\n\nthe law of the Colony. Lastly, it was stipulated\n\nthat the salaries of officers engaged by the Hongkong\n\nGovernment for the purpose of legalising seizures\n\nmade in Hongkong territory on behalf of the Customs\n\nshould be refunded by the Customs, and such officers\n\nwere to be entitled to share in rewards for seizures.\n\nThe same conditions were to apply, mutatis mutandis,\n\nin cases of seizures on behalf of the Hongkong\n\nGovernment.\n\n84\n\n64.\n\nThe draft was therefore revised, in accordance\n\nwith this discussion, by a drafting committee\n\nof Hongkong and Customs officials (it was later\n\nfurther examined and slight emendations were\n\nmade",
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930",
        "page_number": 268,
        "title": "CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930",
        "content_text": "267\n\n58.\n\npenalties could be enforced in the interests of the\n\nCustoms. A clause was added providing for legal proceedings brought by the Hongkong Government against\n\nthe defaulter in the Hongkong courts. The Attorney-General observed that it was very unusual to enforce\n\nthe revenues laws of another state.\n\n63.\n\nIn Article 16, dealing with duration of the agreement, the Governor suggested 10 years instead of five (the draft was altered accordingly) and as\n\nregards the nationality of the Commissioner, the\n\nGovernor insisted he should be a British subject\n\n\"acceptable to the Hongkong Government\". New\n\nArticles were inserted in the agreement dealing with\n\nthe cost of legal proceedings, the cost of seizures,\n\nthe cost of loss or damage to goods seized while\n\nunder detention, all of which was to be borne by the\n\nCustoms. An article was added saying that nothing\n\nin the agreement was to affect the right of the\n\nHongkong authorities to make seizures authorised by\n\nthe law of the Colony.\n\nthat the salaries of officers engaged by the Hongkong\n\nGovernment for the purpose of legalising seizures\n\nmade in Hongkong territory on behalf of the Customs,\n\nshould be refunded by the Customs, and such officers\n\nwere to be entitled to share in rewards for seizures.\n\nThe same conditions were to apply, mutatis mutandis,\n\nin cases of seizures on behalf of the Hongkong\n\nGovernment.\n\n64.\n\nLastly, it was stipulated\n\nThe draft was therefore revised, in accordance with this discussion, by a drafting committee\n\nof Hongkong and Customs officials (it was later\n\nfurther examined and slight emendations were made",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930.txt",
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    {
        "id": 523006,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-521-4 Piracy in Chinese waters- China Navigation Company Ltd- H.M. Attorney General; responsibility of British Government... 24-6-1930 - 23-4-1931",
        "page_number": 155,
        "title": "CO129-521-4 Piracy in Chinese waters- China Navigation Company Ltd- H.M. Attorney General; responsibility of British Government... 24-6-1930 - 23-4-1931",
        "content_text": "At a Shipping Sub-Committee Meeting held on the 16th July, I submitted a report on the Harbour Improvement Scheme and put forward in same a proposal with regard to a passenger depot for River Steamers. The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was subsequently informed by Mr. Fletcher that certain matters, with regard to Harbour Improvements were being suspended until the arrival of Mr. Duncan from Home. It occurred to me therefore that it might be opportune to put before the Government the scheme of the proposed passenger depot, even if you were not in a position to send in a considered report on the whole project of Harbour Improvements. To this end I addressed the Chamber of Commerce in a letter dated the 26th October, Since then I have received numerous enquiries with regard to the passenger depot, which seems to have aroused a certain amount of public interest. It has been suggested that I might go one step further and prepare a rough plan of what I have in mind. I accordingly made some rough sketches which have been set forth in presentable form through the kindness of Mr. L. G. Bird, of Messrs. Palmer & Turner, and you will now find upon the table the general outline of the scheme. This plan will perhaps make matters more clear to you, and I shall as briefly as possible explain the modus operandi of working the depot.\n\nBefore doing so however, I think perhaps I may say that the necessity of taking some definite steps towards the suppression of piracy and general lawlessness is becoming, every day, more pressing. Since we first discussed this scheme, piracies have been largely on the increase, and although the Hong Kong Government may have made certain arrangements with regard to better searching of passengers and their baggage, have arranged patrols to accompany the River steamers and although representations have been made to the Naval Authorities, no movement commensurate with the importance of the issue has yet been made, and if you approve of same, representations to the Government by the Chamber advocating this depot scheme will be in line with the strong resolutions recently proposed by the delegates of the Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai.\n\nIt is admitted by all that the present system of police inspection at wharves during all sorts of weather and at night cannot but be most unsatisfactory, and all who have any knowledge of Chinese criminals state that it is not likely banishees, bad characters, etc., will submit themselves to an eye to eye inspection by detectives in broad daylight or well lit rooms.\n\nI am not overlooking the prevention of piracy regulations, and while these in a measure may assist in quelling an outbreak on board, I am inclined to look upon them with mixed feelings, inasmuch as that while the regulations and the use of grilles and locks may have a deterrent effect and assist in preventing the control of the ship falling into the hands of pirates, there is another side to the question, namely, the ordinary perils of the sea. By this I mean that in the event of an outbreak of fire, or panic by collision, or stranding, the presence of grilles and the difficulty of gaining free access to boats, might be the means of bringing about a terrible calamity. Even since these notes were written, a serious accident has occurred in the Canton River, namely, the stranding of the \"HEUNGSHAN\" with over 500 passengers on board. I have not yet heard the official details of this casualty but it is evident that the personnel of the vessel must have done exceedingly good work in keeping order and in getting passengers to a place of safety. It is said in the Press that the Piracy Prevention grilles were pulled down. I do not suppose this is correct however. What I wish to impress upon you is that this accident happened in a river where it was a comparatively simple matter to speedily beach the steamer, but I leave you to consider what might have occurred had the vessel met with a similar mishap in some part of her route where there was no possibility of taking steps for safety as was so promptly done by Captain Thomas. These boats navigate mostly at night leaving and entering a crowded Harbour, which greatly increases the ever present dangers of navigation.\n\nIt is appreciated that those who were responsible for drafting the Piracy Regulations have done their utmost to give as free access to boats as possible, but it must be patent to all that grilles constitute a very grave danger in event of panic, to which Chinese passengers are particularly prone. We most of us remember the burning of the \"HANKOW\" which even when lying alongside the wharf with free and easy access to decks and gangways, resulted in a very large and regrettable loss of life. Again the stranding of the \"POWAN\" on Ma Wan Island was a casualty accompanied by loss of life, and obviously if grilles had been erected on these two vessels, the results might have been appalling.\n\nI mention this as it seems to me the best course of action is to adopt any means which will prevent pirates getting on board, and which may in the course of time lead to the gradual elimination of barriers below deck, it is with this object in view therefore, that I submit this scheme. The unsatisfactory position of affairs on the Canton Delta and the flouting of the British Flag together with the serious menace to the lives of Captains, Officers, Engineers and crew is a common and unpleasant topic, not only in this Colony, but in the Far East generally, and I think it behoves us to leave no stone unturned to press the Government to embark without delay upon such Harbour work as the Chamber considers essential and which will in the future be of benefit generally.\n\nIt may be thought by some, that the present Piracy epidemic is but a passing phase and that there is no call for permanent preventative measures such as suggested in this. I am not in agreement, as I think that the general change in Chinese mentality generally calls for regulations and restrictions which were not necessary some 10 or 20 years ago. Apart from this consideration however, I am strongly of opinion that the depot will be a valuable asset to one of the chief branches of the Colony's shipping business.\n\nThis particular depot will of course, take some time to build, perhaps a matter of 18 months, but the sooner it is started, the sooner it will be completed, and it will have the added effect of setting an example to other places, such as Canton, where in the course of time it might be possible for the Authorities to arrange similar berthing facilities.\n\nApart from piracy it has got to be remembered that the Depot would play a very important part in the health of the Colony, inasmuch as it will provide an excellent opportunity for medical inspection of the greater bulk of the passengers arriving from Canton. At present for instance, there is a small-pox epidemic in Canton, and so far as my knowledge goes, thousands of passengers are arriving in this Colony every day without any medical inspection whatsoever, and it would seem that Hong Kong opens its doors to all and sundry, whether they be afflicted with disease or otherwise. This in itself, calls for the gravest consideration, and it is generally thought that we must regard small-pox as being one of the epidemics inseparable from China, at least for many years to come.\n\nIn like manner the Excise and Revenue Department should welcome this scheme, as in searching ship's baggage and passengers they will have their labours largely centralised, and without doubt it should lead to economy in time and consequently number of staff, to say nothing of the inestimable advantage of improved control. I am not overlooking the question of the railway which in due course will bring many passengers to the Colony, but it should be a comparatively simple matter to arrange examination of Chinese arriving at stations on the Kowloon Peninsula. To cover cost of building and maintenance the Government could charge a small fee for every passenger passed through the Depot, this would in due course be collected from the Shipping Companies concerned who would make a surcharge on the passage tickets to recoup themselves.\n\nTurning to the plan, you will note from Sketch No. 4 that the depot has been shown as projected from the Praya, and in the vicinity of Des Voeux Road; in explanation I would say that this in no way indicates or suggests the possible site, it is merely shown to illustrate how it would abut on the Praya, if it was eventually suggested to erect same in such manner. On the question of site, I do not wish to speak, as this is a subject which calls for very careful consideration of facts which are outside my knowledge. Admittedly the Praya would be the most suitable place and it should be erected somewhere adjacent to the new ferry piers which the Government have under consideration.\n\nIn my original sketches a two-storey building was shown with examination rooms on the ground floor and on the upper storey. Mr. Bird suggested that possibly a two storey building in front of the present buildings on the Praya might raise certain objections in the way of outlook from present property holders. I do not know myself that this is any great disadvantage but I leave it to those more qualified to judge. A two-storey building would of course economise in space, but on the other hand would have the disadvantage of passengers having to move up and ...",
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    {
        "id": 524848,
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-524-6 Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children- inauguration of Hong Kong Branch 22-1-1930 - 22-1-1930",
        "page_number": 23,
        "title": "CO129-524-6 Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children- inauguration of Hong Kong Branch 22-1-1930 - 22-1-1930",
        "content_text": "tion of Children, which is this day to be constituted. I am certain that, if the need should arise, the Legislative Council would be prepared to increase that Vote.\n\nChinese Support of Movement.\n\nIt is a source of immense satisfaction to me that the most prominent members of the Chinese community in this Colony, and particularly the members of the District Watch Committee and the three Chinese members of the Legislative Council, have devoted all their energy to forming this Society. The drafting of the Constitution of the Society, which is to be put before this meeting, was very largely the work of Dr. Tso, and with him was associated in this task Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, who was a secretary of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in England, and whose knowledge of the working of the home Society has been and will, I am sure, continue to be a great help to the Hong Kong Society.\n\nThis Society enters on its career with the best wishes, not only of the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Legislative Council, but with the support of all citizens of this Colony, no matter to what community they belong. It has many difficulties before it; but I have no doubt at all that these difficulties will be overcome, and I am very confident that the work of this Society will be more helpful in protecting mui tsai and in watching over the welfare of children in this Colony than will be the methods of official registration at present relied upon.\n\nI wish the Society all possible success, and I shall watch its progress with the keenest interest, wherever I may be.\n\nI now call upon the Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow to move the resolution, standing in his name, for constituting the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.\n\nHis Excellency's speech was then translated into Chinese by Mr. T. N. Chau.\n\nSociety Formed.\n\nThe Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow then moved: \"That the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children be constituted.\" The Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga seconded the proposal which was carried unanimously.\n\nThe Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow proposed and the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax seconded, that the Constitution of the Society as printed be adopted.\n\nThe First Patrons.\n\nThe Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow then proposed that the first patrons of the Society should be His Excellency and Lady Clementi.\n\nSir Cecil Clementi said in reply: I thank you sincerely for having elected my wife and myself to be the first patrons of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.\n\nI now propose that the Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow, senior Chinese member of the Legislative Council, should be elected to be the first President of this Society. I am deeply grateful to my friend, Sir Shou-son, for consenting to be nominated to this post. In view of his venerable age, and of the multifarious and heavy demands upon his time made by the civic duties which he has already undertaken, I feel that it is an act of the highest public spirit on his part to allow his name to be put forward for election to this office.\n\nSir Henry Pollock seconded, and the proposal was carried with applause.\n\nElection of Officers.\n\nThe following were elected Vice-Presidents:-The Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, K.C., the Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., the Hon. Mr. J. Owen Hughes, the Hon. Dr. S. W. Tso, O.B.E., and the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga.\n\nThe following were elected to the General Committee:-Sir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. Li Yau Tsun, Lady Pollock, Mr. Fung Ping Shan, Mrs. Kotewall, Mr. Ho Kom Tong, O.B.E., Mrs. S. W. Tso, Mr. Ip Lan Chuen, Mrs. Minett, Mr. Tong Yat Chuen, the Hon. Mr. A. C. Hynes, Mr. Mok Kon Sang, Mr. B. D. F. Beith, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, Dean Swann, Mr. Wong Mau Lam, the Rev. L. Bianchio, Mr. Kwok Siu Lau, the Rev. R. E. Wells, O.B.E., Mr. B. Wong Tape, Mr. Hung Hing Kam, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Chan Heung Pak, Mr. Cock, Mr. Li Jowson, Mr. Coppin, Mr. Li Yik Mui, Dr. Kirk, Mr. M. K. Lo, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Ng Wah, Mr. Forrest, Mr. Ng Shing Kwan, Mr. Leung Pat Yu, Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, Mr. Tse Ka Po, Mr. Prior, Mr. J. D. Bush, Mr. Li Hoi Tung, Mr. T. N. Chau, Mr. Ho Sing Chau, and Mr. Wong Tak Kwong.\n\nIt was decided that the Executive Committee should consist of the following:-Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, Mr. Ho Kom Tong, Dr. Kirk, Mr. Ip Lan Chuen, Mr. Coppin, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Wong Mau Lam, Mrs. Kotewall, Mr. Li Hoi Tung (treasurer), Mrs. Minett, Mr. Chau Tsun Nin (secretary), and Mr. Prior (secretary).\n\nThe auditors appointed were Messrs. Percy Smith, Seth and Fleming.\n\n26",
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    {
        "id": 524851,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-524-6 Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children- inauguration of Hong Kong Branch 22-1-1930 - 22-1-1930",
        "page_number": 26,
        "title": "CO129-524-6 Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children- inauguration of Hong Kong Branch 22-1-1930 - 22-1-1930",
        "content_text": "tion of Children, which is this day to be constituted. I am certain that, if the need should arise, the Legislative Council would be prepared to increase that Vote.\n\nChinese Support of Movement.\n\nIt is a source of immense satisfaction to me that the most prominent members of the Chinese community in this Colony, and particularly the members of the District Watch Committee and the three Chinese members of the Legislative Council, have devoted all their energy to forming this Society. The drafting of the Constitution of the Society, which is to be put before this meeting, was very largely the work of Dr. Tso, and with him was associated in this task Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, who was a secretary of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in England, and whose knowledge of the working of the home Society has been and will, I am sure, continue to be a great help to the Hong Kong Society.\n\nThis Society enters on its career with the best wishes, not only of the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Legislative Council, but with the support of all citizens of this Colony, no matter to what community they belong. It has many difficulties before it; but I have no doubt at all that these difficulties will be overcome, and I am very confident that the work of this Society will be more helpful in protecting mui tsai and in watching over the welfare of children in this Colony than will be the methods of official registration at present relied upon.\n\nI wish the Society all possible success, and I shall watch its progress with the keenest interest, wherever I may be.\n\nI now call upon the Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow to move the resolution, standing in his name, for constituting the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.\n\nHis Excellency's speech was then translated into Chinese by Mr. T. N. Chau.\n\nSociety Formed.\n\nThe Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow then moved: \"That the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children be constituted.\"\n\nMr. J. P. Braga seconded the proposal which was carried unanimously.\n\nThe Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow proposed and the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax seconded, \"that the Constitution of the Society as printed be adopted.\"\n\nThe First Patrons.\n\nSir Cecil Clementi said in reply: I thank you sincerely for having elected my wife and myself to be the first patrons of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. I now propose that the Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow, senior Chinese member of the Legislative Council, should be elected to be the first President of this Society, deeply grateful to my friend, Sir Shou-son, for consenting to be nominated to this post. In view of his venerable age, and of the multifarious and heavy demands upon his time made by the civic duties which he has already undertaken, I feel that it is an act of the highest public spirit on his part to allow his name to be put forward for election to this office.\n\nSir Henry Pollock seconded, and the proposal was carried with applause.\n\nElection of Officers.\n\nThe following were elected Vice-Presidents:-The Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, K.C., the Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., the Hon. Mr. J. Owen Hughes, the Hon. Dr. S. W. Tso, O.B.E., and the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga.\n\nThe following were elected to the General Committee:-Sir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. Li Yau Tsun, Lady Pollock, Mr. Fung Ping Shan, Mrs. Kotewall, Mr. Ho Kom Tong, O.B.E., Mrs. S. W. Tso, Mr. Ip Lan Chuen, Mrs. Minett, Mr. Tong Yat Chuen, the Hon. Mr. A. C. Hynes, Mr. Mok Kon Sang, Mr. B. D. F. Beith, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, Dean Swann, Mr. Wong Mau Lam, the Rev. L. Bianchio, Mr. Kwok Siu Lau, the Rev. F. R. Wells, O.B.E., Mr. B. Wong Tape, Mr. Hung Hing Kam, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Chan Heung Pak, Mr. Cock, Mr. Li Jowson, Mr. Coppin, Mr. Li Yik Mui, Dr. Kirk, Mr. M. K. Lo, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Ng Wah, Mr. Forrest, Mr. Ng Shing Kwan, Mr. Leung Pat Yu, Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, Mr. Tse Ka Po, Mr. Prior, Mr. J. D. Bush, Mr. Li Hoi Tung, Mr. T. N. Chau, Mr. Ho Sing Chau, and Mr. Wong Tak Kwong.\n\nIt was decided that the Executive Committee should consist of the following:-Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, Mr. Ho Kom Tong, Dr. Kirk, Mr. Ip Lan Chuen, Mr. Coppin, Mr. Wong Kwong Tin, Mr. McPherson, Mr. Wong Mau Lam, Mrs. Kotewall, Mr. Li Hoi Tung (treasurer), Mrs. Minett, Mr. Chau Tsun Nin (secretary), and Mr. Prior (secretary).\n\nThe auditors appointed were Messrs. Percy Smith, Seth and Fleming.\n\n28",
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    {
        "id": 526990,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-529-4 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "page_number": 77,
        "title": "CO129-529-4 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "content_text": "# 6023/183.\n\n## PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the High Commissioner in the Union of South Africa for H.M. Government in the United Kingdom.\n\n(Sent 5.0 p.m. 16th April, 1931)\n\n**Immediate. Secret. No. 34.**\n\nYour telegram 14th April No. 33 Extraterritoriality in China. It would seem that Van den Heever is under a misapprehension as to the nature of the proposed treaty and imagines that it is analogous to an ordinary commercial treaty conferring upon British subjects and ships benefits to which they would have no claim apart from the treaty. We should entirely agree if this were the case that there would be no objection to the treaty being signed for the United Kingdom alone, and principles set out in paragraphs (b) et seq of the Report of the Drafting Committee of the Imperial Conference on the Form of Commercial Treaties (see pages 33 and 34 of `E(30)34`) would apply. But in fact, the position is very different.\n\nThe treaties at present in force with China create a special régime which is at present enjoyed by all subjects of His Majesty in China, and the primary object of the new treaty is not to obtain new benefits for those persons but to surrender, at least in part, the treaty rights at present enjoyed by them. It was for this reason that we considered the case one falling within the scope of paragraph (a) of the Report of the Drafting Committee referred to above, which I quote in full for the sake of convenience: \"When His Majesty in negotiating a treaty...\"",
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    },
    {
        "id": 527238,
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        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "page_number": 151,
        "title": "CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "content_text": "# 17 \n\nfirst unilateral action. On the foreign side the position in regard to the negotiations was unchanged, except that China had fixed yet another time limit, namely, the end of 1931, within which a settlement was finally to be reached. It was not to be expected that, granted reasonable stability of government, the responsible Chinese political leaders would, when the time came, rest content with another paper gesture like the mandate of the preceding year.\n\n## Resumption of Negotiations on May 8, after Issue of Mandate.\n\n45. By this time we were approaching the completion of our task of building up the general body of the treaty, but a certain amount of work had still to be done on various outstanding points, including the difficult and contentious matter of personal status; and it remained to be seen, when we resumed contact after the opening of the People's Convention and the issue of the Chinese Government mandate and the statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the subject of extra-territoriality, whether we were to continue our work in the same spirit as before, or whether, with the removal of the incentive of the fateful date, the 5th May, we should find the Chinese negotiators less forthcoming and anxious to reach a settlement. Mr. Teichman actually resumed his discussions with Mr. Hsü-Mo on the 8th May, and found no apparent difference in the Chinese attitude, good progress again being made. A number of drafting amendments, which the Foreign Office desired to see introduced into the agreed texts, were for the greater part disposed of. The remaining articles of the treaty, beyond those already agreed upon, were discussed, and numbered from 13 to 22, thus definitely deciding the form of the treaty. Amongst these articles and notes discussed and tentatively agreed upon at this time were those concerning rights of residence, the abrogation of conflicting clauses in the existing treaties, provision for an authoritative French text, the publication of translations of the principal Chinese laws, and the question of personal status cases.\n\n## Discussions concerning Personal Status Cases.\n\n46. As regards this latter subject, personal status, the Foreign Office had proposed a number of amendments in the text tentatively agreed upon on the 27th April, thus necessitating the reopening of the whole question, with curious results illustrating the difficulties of conducting negotiations, meant to be as far as possible identical, simultaneously at Nanking and Washington. When Mr. Teichman on the 4th May had discussed the proposed amendments with Mr. Hsü-Mo, the latter had stated at the outset that the Chinese did not understand why His Majesty's Government were so particular in seeking to retain in their own hands these personal status cases when the American Government had offered to concede full jurisdiction in such matters to the Chinese courts, provided they were satisfied with the adequacy of the relevant Chinese laws. In view of this development, which could not fail seriously to prejudice our position in regard to this article, Mr. Teichman thought it best merely to leave our new proposals with Mr. Hsü-Mo without making for the moment any serious attempt to reach agreement on them. Subsequently I explained the situation to my American colleague, with the result that the State Department withdrew the draft they had submitted to the Chinese Minister in Washington and substituted for it one on the lines of our tentatively agreed draft of the 27th April, thus again, unwittingly, undermining our position, this time in regard to securing the amendments which the Foreign Office desired to see inserted in that draft. In the circumstances, I was satisfied with, and had no hesitation in submitting for your approval, the new draft of the 8th May, agreed upon by Mr. Teichman and Mr. Hsü-Mo, which embodied most, but not all, of the Foreign Office amendments.\n\n## Visit to Shanghai and Meetings with Joint Committee, May 14, 15 and 16.\n\n47. On the 12th May, as I had learned that the instructions for which I was waiting could not reach me for some days, I proceeded to Shanghai, in order to take the opportunity of this pause in the negotiations to discuss local questions with His Majesty's consul-general, and once more to explain the position reached to the local Joint Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce and China Association. I met the Joint Committee on the 14th May, and, as usual, informed \n\nPage 5822\n\nD \n\nPage 209",
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        "id": 527240,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "page_number": 153,
        "title": "CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931",
        "content_text": "# \n19 \n\nwould not do, as they had made their two offers, first of Shanghai, and then of Greater Shanghai, and were waiting for the next move from us), and actually suggested some modification of our insistence on all four reserved areas as the price of a definite settlement. I accordingly replied to your telegram, pointing this out, and stating that if we failed to make any progress in getting the Chinese to agree to our four reserved areas (and it was evident we could not expect to do so), I should leave Nanking and return to the North.\n\n## Meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs on May 18\n\n49. I arrived back in Nanking on the 18th May, and on the same afternoon was in session with the Minister for Foreign Affairs for over three hours, Mr. Teichman and Mr. Hsü-Mo, as usual, assisting. At first we made good progress in disposing of ground already covered. Article 14, concerning the vexed subject of personal status, was at length agreed to, with the exception of two words, which were left outstanding, but which were subsequently accepted on the Chinese side. Article 15, confirming existing rights of residence and trade, &c., was accepted, on the understanding, on our side, that I should at the time of the signature of the treaty address the Minister for Foreign Affairs a note reserving on behalf of His Majesty's Government the right to raise the question of the opening of the interior at such later date as they might deem appropriate. Articles 19 and 20, regarding the abrogation of conflicting clauses of existing treaties and the authoritative French text were agreed to. Three additional paragraphs covering minor points in the agreed minute were accepted. The constitutional and drafting amendments which His Majesty's Government desired to see introduced into the texts were disposed of, and a new draft note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs which I had prepared, covering the assurances on minor points desired by the Shanghai Joint Committee, was discussed and eventually accepted by Dr. Wang. Subsequently the Chinese negotiators, complaining that there was no end to the assurances for which we asked, sought to dispense with this note, or, alternatively, to incorporate its contents in the \"agreed minute\"; but I was able successfully to insist that the note must stand.\n\n## Meeting of May 18: Preamble\n\n50. There were now left outstanding only the preamble, article 16 (Reserved Areas), article 21 (Duration), and article 22 (Ratification). We accordingly turned to these new texts, and I submitted, to begin with, a draft preamble as telegraphed out to me from the Foreign Office. The Minister for Foreign Affairs took exception to the phraseology, more especially to the references to \"the extra-territorial system and the modification (or \"abolition\") \"of extra-territorial jurisdiction,\" which seemed to me also rather clumsy and awkward; particularly in view of the fact that, under the treaty, with its reserved areas, we were neither exactly \"modifying nor abolishing extra-territorial jurisdiction.\" Eventually, after the Minister for Foreign Affairs had tried his hand at redrafting our formula \"on a basis of equality and mutuality,\" we found common ground on a more simple version referring merely to the desire of both parties \"to arrange for the removal of the restrictions on China's jurisdictional sovereignty\"; which I undertook to recommend to you. Subsequently I received from you the text of the preamble of the Dutch treaty, which had just been communicated to the Foreign Office; this merely referred to the readjustment of \"matters relating to jurisdiction,\" and was eventually accepted as being the most suitable.\n\n## Meeting of May 18: Duration\n\n51. I next presented an article providing for a ten years' duration of the treaty, along the lines of our original draft of September 1930. This I did as a tactical move, expecting that it would be rejected as unacceptable, since I was well aware that the Chinese Government could not be induced to agree to any wording which could be interpreted as binding them, on the lines of the vague duration clauses of the old \"Unequal Treaties,\" to the continuance for an indefinite period of special rights and immunities for foreigners in any shape or form; indeed, even in their recent reciprocal commercial treaties with minor \n\n[5822]  \nD 2  \n211",
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    {
        "id": 527553,
        "series_id": 27,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "page_number": 43,
        "title": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "content_text": "# \n\nThe University must formulate policy for the better education of apprentices which could reasonably be advocated for the Colony as it now is could ever bring even the more promising apprentices up to a standard at which they could, without neglecting their work, either pass the University matriculation or even after having done so, go profitably through an engineering course leading to a University degree. We are even inclined to doubt whether if this were a practical goal, it would at the present juncture be a desirable one.\n\nBut we think it possible that if such a technical school system as we are envisaging progresses, a higher type of apprentice may emerge who could in time be profitably sent to the University. Meanwhile we would not wish to see the University's efforts to teach mechanical and electrical engineering of the highest standard either curtailed or prejudiced. We look to a future in which the most promising apprentices will pass on naturally to the University and with good technical ground work their numbers should increase in time. For the present we look to the Engineering Faculty to show to the Colony and to China what the University training of engineers involves and stands for and to co-operate in the more practical stages of technical training in the absence of which the Faculty cannot hope to satisfy the high hopes with which it was created.\n\n49. It is not our business to suggest how the University should adapt the working of its Faculty of Engineering to the demands with which it now stands confronted. But the careful study which we have given to the history of the Faculty of Engineering and to the controversy as to the practical value of its graduates, which will we hope now be closed, reveals at least one point on which both the Faculty and its critics are agreed—We refer to the universally accepted necessity for the practical training of mechanical and electrical engineers.\n\n## proper\n\n50. The present Dean of the Faculty of Engineering regards the function of the University in this respect to be the education of those who will, or could be sent to complete their training as apprentices in Britain. We admit unreservedly that the regular drafting into British works of engineering graduates from Hong Kong would be in every way a most desirable arrangement. But this arrangement is conditional on return fares at least being made available. Has the University any reasonable prospect of raising the necessary funds? Moreover, the majority of Chinese parents cannot afford to send their sons so far away and for so long an unremunerative period.\n\n51. The Dean suggests that the number of graduates who could be sent abroad is likely to continue to be small. This will of course be the case so long as the number of students taking either the mechanical or the electrical course stands annually at 2 or 3, as it does at present. We should, however, suggest that to conduct a mechanical and an electrical engineering course for 2 or 3 students can scarcely be regarded as an economical proposition.\n\nan\n\n52. We have quoted the Singapore Technical Education Committee as having stated (see para. 30 above) that a technical college cannot be regarded as an economic proposition unless in each of the classes in a four years' course there are approximately 30 students. We do not regard this statement as an unreasonable one and we cannot help noticing that all the students in the final year of the Engineering course of the Hong Kong University do not at the moment exceed 16 and that 13 of these are taking civil engineering. We are bound to look forward to a time when the mechanical and electrical engineer will have better prospects before them than he apparently has at present.\n\n53. Be this all as it may, it does occur to us that the force of circumstances, to say nothing of its own admission, points to the urgency of the formulation by the University of a policy in the matter of its mechanical and electrical engineering courses.\n\n54. The impossibility, for the time being at any rate, of an apprentice who has had experience in a workshop being admitted to the Engineering Faculty being granted, the University can only look for recruits to that Faculty to the ordinary school-boys who have succeeded in passing the Matriculation Examination. To students such as these the University offers a special course either in mechanical or in electrical engineering, but in admitting a student to such a course the University is, unless it can arrange for the student to pass on to an apprenticeship in Britain, undertaking to give him a training at the end of which he will, on its own admission, be of no immediate use to an employer. The possible employer, moreover, will not be apparently either willing or in a position to take on such a graduate as an apprentice.\n\n55. This is, we venture to think, an impossible position for the University to be placed in. It is not for us to suggest what the University should do. The difficulty affects our inquiry directly, in so far as it makes us apprehensive that, unless a solution be found, the mechanical and electrical courses of the University may have died long before there could be any hope of an apprentice from the technical school, which we are going to propose, making use of them. We should deplore this curtailment of the Colony's general facilities for higher technical education, but facts must be faced and economic considerations cannot be ignored.\n\napprentice-sandwich system.\n\n56. There are, as it seems to us, only two possible ways out of this difficulty. Either the University must provide scholarships so that the local engineering firms may take on as apprentices those mechanical and electrical engineering graduates who cannot be sent to works in Britain, or the University must try and arrange with the local engineering firms some sort of \"sandwich\" system, by which those students might be admitted to the local engineering works for definite portions of the year. If the first alternative be adopted, the actual payment of the allowances should be in the hands of the firms. The latter alternative could possibly be worked, without much interference with the present teaching terms, so as to admit of six months in the University and six months in the works. Even if the \"sandwich\" system alternative be not regarded as so satisfactory as the other, it should not, we think, be rejected without consideration. There are colleges in America in connection with which the \"sandwich\" system is believed to be working satisfactorily. And local needs and conditions cannot be ignored.\n\n57. It has been suggested by local employers of engineering labour that the University's course in mechanical engineering might with advantage be made more practical. The Professor of Electrical Engineering, from the stand-point of one who is advocating the drafting of graduates to British works, is opposed to this suggestion. He thinks that the substitution of instruction in machine design and workshop to which we have referred in paragraph 14 above for mechanical design was a step in the wrong direction. He argues that the Hong Kong University engineering courses should be kept as far as possible on the same lines as those which are taught in British universities and suggests that workshop practice would be better taught in a workshop. From the point of view of those who are going to apprenticeships in British works there is something in what the Professor says, but if students are going to be admitted to the mechanical and electrical engineering courses who have no prospect of going on to British works, the problem must, it seems to us, be viewed from a different aspect, especially if such students cannot look forward to post-graduate apprenticeships in local works. We submit that it might be possible slightly to differentiate the course as between a student who had a good prospect of passing on to an apprenticeship abroad and one for whom such an arrangement would appear to be difficult or impossible. We realize that such differentiation as also the fixing up of the \"sandwich\" system for such students as were intending to take either the mechanical engineering or the electrical engineering course, would involve the making of plans for a student early in his engineering course, whereas under existing conditions the usual practice is for a student to postpone until after he has completed successfully three years of the engineering curriculum, making up his mind whether he will take the civil, mechanical or electrical course. We do not, however, regard these difficulties as insuperable. We feel that a serious student of engineering should know his mind from the start and that this habit of drifting should be discouraged.\n\n58. We venture to make another suggestion. A workshop course is, as we have pointed out, compulsory for students of the Engineering Faculty who are in their first and second years but the work done by the students in the workshop is not subjected to any examination or other form of test. We think that the practical skill of the student in this respect should be tested by the Professor of Mechanical Engineering acting in collaboration with an external examiner who \n\n61",
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        "id": 527556,
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        "document_key": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "page_number": 46,
        "title": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "content_text": "# \n64 \n65 \n\n## The Hong Kong Dockyard \n\n18 \n\nious mechanic out of a boy who only joined the ranks of industrial workers, because he has failed to become a clerk. \n\n67. We have already referred to the apprentice systems now working with the Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Company and the Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Company. On the 1st June, 1931, there were 434 apprentices on the payrolls of the two firms. These apprentices were distributed as follows:- \n| Company | Trade | Number |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Brassfinishers | 20 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Coppersmiths | 12 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Plumbers | 18 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Fitters | 58 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Turners | 24 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Electricians | 9 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Patternmakers | 3 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Joiners | 22 |\n| Taikoo Dockyard | Carpenters | 12 |\n|  | Total | 178 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Brassfinishers | 6 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Turners | 51 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Fitters | 147 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Electricians | 24 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Coppersmiths | 26 |\n| Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock | Patternmakers | 2 |\n|  | Total | 256 |\n\nWe have explained that many of these apprentices enter upon their indentures practically illiterate and though we recognize their enthusiasm for education and improvement, we realize how little an evening class can do for a boy of 16 or more who after his day's work brings to such a class a mind almost entirely uneducated and hands and eyes almost wholly untrained. The Manager of the Taikoo Docks reports that owing to their lack of elementary education and ignorance of English some of his apprentices who are attending the Technical Class held at the Taikoo Docks are wanting in enthusiasm in tackling technical subjects, whereas they are all keen to learn English. We think that something should be done for all apprentices; but though the raising of the general intelligence of all engineering workers is part of our aim, it is not the whole of it. We want to produce leading hands, junior foremen who can develop into foremen and draftsmen and we want in this way to create a class from which there may occasionally emerge a specially brilliant youth who can be sent on to the University. \n\n## Groups A and B. \n\n68. It appears from the statement made to us by the Manager of the Taikoo Docks that the boys whom his firm takes on annually as apprentices have mostly been to a lower primary school-many of them have doubtless attended the Quarry Bay Lower Primary School-and have filled the interval between their leaving school and their joining the works as apprentices, by doing odd jobs for their parents or in some form of casual labour. These boys are frequently illiterate or practically so when they become apprentices. Many of them do not know the most common Chinese characters. Of English they are nearly always quite ignorant nor have their calculating capacity or their ability to draw (this ability is probably latent in many of them) been developed. But there are also found among the annual recruits who start on the Taikoo apprentice system a few boys who are mostly sons of the firm's best Chinese employees. These boys have probably had some school education above the lower primary stage and many of them have acquired some knowledge of English. \n\n69. We have been told that one apprentice came recently to the Taikoo Docks from King's College and the Managing Director of the Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co., has, we understand, received occasionally into his apprentice system boys from Queen's College and King's College. But the demand for admission into the Government Anglo-Chinese Schools far exceeds the vacancies available. There seems to be no doubt but that those boys destined to be apprentices in engineering works, whose parents can afford to keep them in school beyond the lower primary stage generally drift into private proprietary schools-schools whose lure is that they teach English but which rarely employ teachers capable of teaching that language effectively. The best boys when they become apprentices, have probably acquired a smattering of English and Chinese and a little arithmetic but have no solid grounding. In fact, though in the annual batch of the apprentices it is generally not difficult to pick out a few who show signs of having had some education and who can therefore be regarded as capable of further instruction, even so not only are those few far below the standard of general intelligence and education which would be demanded of apprentices in England, but they are also lacking in the rudiments of those subjects, such as elementary mathematics, drawing and the first principles of mechanics which are essential to the intelligent practice of their craft. His defect is a serious handicap to their advancement more especially as they have never had their hands and eyes trained by manual instruction. We are convinced that the first and most vital step in the process of producing locally a more responsible and effective type of engineering mechanic is to secure for him a more appropriate and more generally effective system of pre-apprenticeship or school education \n\n13 \n\n― \n\nprovement of \n\n70. The first suggestion put forward in this connexion was that the Government should be asked to provide scholarships to enable the sons of artizans and mechanics to go for their general education to such schools as Queen's College or King's College, there to prepare to become apprentices. The second was that the Committee should impress upon the Education Authorities the necessity of providing better facilities for Chinese children of the artizan class to learn \"English and kindred matter\" after they have learned their own language but during a school life of from 6 to say these better facilities were to take the form of a special school which might be near one of the Dockyards but not necessarily so. \n\nThe second suggestion was supplemented by the view that: — \n\n15 \n\n\"Some fair standard of education and brain-training is essential in the case of all young people, including Chinese, and such education in the case of the latter should cover some training in the English language before there is the slightest use of trying to heap on to the youth any technical education at all.” \n\n## Menace. \n\n71. The first suggestion brings us up against a difficulty that we believe to be a very real one. We have referred to it already and have quoted the Singapore Technical Education Committee on it. The difficulty is the lure of the clerical or white collar occupations. The reality of this difficulty has been impressed upon us by the Director of Education, by the Acting Manager of the Taikoo Dockyard, by Mr. MacKichan and by the Building Contractors who told our Chairman that the sons of the more successful workers in the building industry now go to some small extent to private schools and that, having picked up therein a little English and imbibed a general distaste for labour, they generally manage to become store-clerks, shop-assistants or domestic servants. Anyway they are lost to the industry. \n\n72. The second suggestion does not appear to us to meet in any way the needs of the case. Simply to ask Government to provide better educational facilities for Chinese children of the artizan class is merely to shift on to someone else's shoulders the solution of a vital aspect of the problem which we have been called upon to investigate. A special Government school providing a general literary education with special emphasis on English-a school which is to be in no sense technical nor under the control of anyone whose business it is to look after those who are likely to become the future workers of the engineering industry--would be in effect merely an additional English school which Government would certainly be loth to establish and maintain. If Government did establish such a school, either in the neighbourhood of one of the Dockyards or elsewhere, it is difficult to see how such a school could be reserved for possible future apprentices, for even if preference were given to sons of employees of engineering firms (and part of the suggestion was that such boys should be educated free) there would be no guarantee that boys educated under these conditions would join the engineering industry at all. If experience be any guide, this would probably be the last thing they would wish to do. A special general school established and maintained by Government in response to a demand for better educational facilities for the children of the Chinese artizan class would reproduce the white collar danger in an acute form. \n\n## vernacular \n\n73. The problem is to bridge over the gap between the vernacular primary school and the apprenticeship and to bridge it in such a way as to avoid the distraction of more popular forms of employment which are much easier of access. The problem is by no means confined to Hong Kong or even to the East. And it still exists in England. Colonel R. K. Morcom, O.B.E., of the recent Economic Mission, to the Far East, who in addition to being a Director of Messrs., Belliss & Morcom Ltd., and Chairman of the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers Association was also for years a member of the Education Committee of the Birmingham City Council, told our Chairman that the problem of keeping boys who should eventually become apprentices in engineering works from drifting into other forms of livelihood and especially from getting submerged in various forms of casual labour was one of vital importance. The tackling of the problem, is, in England, the function of the Junior Technical School. The following is an extract from a Survey of Technical & Further Education in England and Wales which was published by the Board of Education, Whitehall in 1926 (Educational Pamphlet No. 49):- \n\n\"Boys of 13 or 14 with a taste for engineering and with the requisite ability can obtain, in almost any large centre of population, a pre-apprenticeship",
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    {
        "id": 527565,
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        "page_number": 55,
        "title": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "content_text": "## 103. \nWe now give a very rough estimate of the annual initial cost of the Technical School:\n\n| Position | Calculation | Annual Cost |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Principal | £850 × 16.66 | $14,161 |\n| Woodwork Instructor |  | $4,800 |\n| Travelling allowance | $50 a month for 7 months | $250 |\n| Graduate teachers in the Junior Technical School |  |  |\n|   Building construction Teacher | 3 hours a week for 40 weeks @ $7 an hour | $840 |\n| Evening Class Instructors | (112 × 40) + (28 × 40) | $5,600 |\n|  |  | $29,251 |\n\n## 104. \nThe Director of Education informs us that it is just possible that a school building will be available in the Eastern District and that this might serve the purposes of the Junior Technical School and for some of the evening classes. For such evening classes as could be most conveniently held at the Taikoo and Kowloon Docks, accommodation would, we understand, be provided by the companies concerned. The Technical Institute classes are already held in the University, and we have already referred to the Taikoo Professor's suggestion that the Technical School might possibly make use of the University's metal workshops. The University would probably be willing to lend the use of its lecture rooms and its laboratories (under safeguards), and we have received from the Professor of Electrical Engineering a suggestion which involves making the University's lecture-rooms, drafting-rooms, laboratories, etc., annually available for the further and technical education of apprentices. Government school buildings might also be made available, though the priority of the claim of the Technical Institute to the use of these buildings would have to be recognized. We should not, at any rate, recommend the erection of any new building until the Technical School has justified itself and the Principal is here to advise on the lines of the new building. The only possible expenditure which might have to be incurred before the scheme could be started might be the renting of a house for the Junior Technical School. If we assume that $200 a month might be required for this purpose and add a sum of $1,549 for furniture and equipment and other unforeseen expenses, the estimate of initial expenditure must be raised to $31,000. We do not, in fact, anticipate that the cost of the Technical School during the first five years of its existence would exceed $35,000 a year, which, at the present rate of exchange, is less than £1,750.\n\n## 105. \nWe feel that the scheme might be initiated on the basis of the following programme:\n\n(a) Bring out the Principal to a building adapted for the purposes of the Junior Technical School and for evening classes organized either in this building or elsewhere.\n\n(b) If the undertaking is successful both as regards the Junior Technical School and the Department for the Further and Technical Education of Apprentices, then retain the Principal and put up the necessary building.\n\n(c) If the undertaking is successful as regards the Department for the Further and Technical Education of Apprentices but fails as regards the Junior Technical School, then dispense with the Principal; close the Junior Technical School, and increase the funds at the disposal of the Director of Education so as to enable him to extend the present Technical Institute Evening Classes by the inclusion in that organization of the work in which the Department for the Further and Technical Education of Apprentices has succeeded.\n\n(d) If the Junior Technical School is successful but the Department for the Further and Technical Education of Apprentices is a failure, the Principal could, if necessary, be sent home, and the Junior Technical School continued under a less expensive headmaster appointed from the Education Department.\n\n(e) If the undertaking is unsuccessful in both departments, the Principal can be sent home.\n\n## 106. \nWe think that fees should be charged both in the Junior Technical School and in the Evening Classes. As regards the latter, the fee rates might be the same as those charged by the Technical Institute, viz., $10 a term per subject, for an annual session of two terms. Thus, an apprentice who is taking two subjects would pay $40 a year. The fees charged at the Junior Technical School should be at the rate of $60 a year, which is the fee now charged in the lower classes of Queen's College. Admission to the Junior Technical School should be by competitive examination. We do not think that there should be any free students at the Junior Technical School, but we should like to see some scholarships to be competed for either at the entrance or at the annual examinations. The engineering firms agree to give the pupils who pass successfully out of the Junior Technical School first claim to enter their apprenticeship systems. But the engagement of apprentices by any particular firm will be, of course, at the sole discretion of the firm. It would be desirable that there should be a few scholarships awarded at the final examination of the Junior Technical School—scholarships tenable by apprentices only, who were going through the evening classes curriculum. We consider that if Government establishes and maintains the Technical School, it is only reasonable that they should look to the public for scholarships. We have suggested that admission to the Junior Technical School should be by competitive examination. Care will also have to be taken to see that none but those whose parents' intention is bona fide that they should pass on to be apprentices should be admitted. Probably a statement to this effect from the parent or guardian should be required.\n\n## 107. \nIt should be noted that the staffing arrangements suggested both for the Junior Technical School and for the evening classes should make it possible for all the instruction, save the technical instruction given by members of the Dockyard staffs and others, to be through the medium of Chinese. This arrangement will make it practical for the English teaching to be devoted towards the workers' practical needs.\n\n## VI. Trade Schools\n\n## 108. \nThe third category under which the Singapore Technical Education Committee of 1925 considered its reference was \"the education given in trade (or artizan) schools to youths training to become mechanics and so on.\" In so far as our suggested Junior Technical School is to give pre-apprenticeship education to those who are going to become mechanics, it falls under this category. But it differs from a trade school, as we understand it, in this important respect, that, whereas a trade school such as the Kuala Lumpur school for the training of motor mechanics aims at training the ordinary workers in the motor driving and repairing industry, or, in other words, chauffeurs and the ordinary garage workers, the Junior Technical School which we suggest aims at producing mechanics or workers who are likely to develop into supervisors, foremen, etc. The distinction turns to a certain extent on the nature of the industries towards which the educational effort is directed. The shipbuilding and engineering industry of Hong Kong is an organized industry which needs to be able to recruit locally ordinary workers and men of the potential foremen or supervisor class.\n\nThe Junior Technical School represents the first stage in the attempt to produce the latter type. Admission to this school will be by open competition, but it will not, to start with, at any rate, touch the rank and file of the dockyard workers. It might, therefore, be suggested that such a trade or artizan school should be established and maintained for the dockyard workers. We are not in favour of any such step being taken at the present juncture. The ordinary trade apprentices who are taken on at the Dockyards will be eligible for admission to appropriate evening classes, and for the organization and conduct of these classes, the experience of the Principal of the Technical School will be available. These artizans will learn the practice of their several crafts in the workshops of the shipyards. The evening classes will give them a chance of becoming more intelligent craftsmen and will give the exceptional boy a chance of rising. A beginning has to be made, and we are convinced that our suggested Technical School is the most practical way of making an effective start. ...to plan under existing conditions a scheme of trade schools directed towards the provision of a general training of artizans and mechanics for the local engineering industry.\n\nPage 77",
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        "id": 527577,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "page_number": 67,
        "title": "CO129-530-2 Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies- Hong Kong education report 1930 23-12-1930 - 12-10-1931",
        "content_text": "## 91\n\n\n2 \n\nThe newly-opened Kadoorie Agricultural School at Tulkarem, the appointment of a special instructor on the staff of that school, the establishment of a hostel for the students, the award of scholarships, and expenditure on the improvement of school gardens.\n\n**(d)** **MR. MAYHEW** drew attention to the Report of the Colonial Films Committee circulated with the papers for the meeting. They would find in it suggestions regarding ways in which the services of this Committee might be used for the development of the cultural and educational use of films in the colonies.\n\n**(e)** He also drew attention to a preliminary announcement that had just been placed before them regarding a Conference to be held in April between educationists at home and overseas. The list of names on the Advisory Council which had approved of the Conference included three members of the Advisory Committee. It was proposed to circulate information regarding this Conference to Directors of Education overseas, as it was thought that officers on leave might like to take advantage of this opportunity for discussing general educational topics with Home educationists and educationists from other parts of the Empire. Though the Conference dealt essentially with Christian education, it would cover many topics concerned with education generally.\n\n**(f)** Sir Edward Denham, now Governor of British Guiana, had asked that thanks might be communicated on his wife's behalf and his own to the Advisory Committee for their kind appreciation of their work in the Gambia. This appreciation had been recorded at the Committee's meeting of the 19th June.* \n\n## A \n\n**(g)** He stated that replies had been received from all Colonial Governments to whom, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, a questionnaire had been addressed regarding the delegation of educational powers to local authorities. A summary of the information thus obtained was being prepared for the use of the Committee.\n\n**(h)** The Advisory Committee's Memorandum on English Reading Books had been communicated by the Secretary of State to all Colonies where there was a large number of non-English-speaking pupils, as well as to educational publishers and other bodies likely to be interested. In addition to the 800 copies thus circulated, 238 copies had subsequently been asked for, many of the requests coming from the West Indies, where the Memorandum had also been found useful.\n\n**(i)** **MR. MAYHEW** (in Mr. Vischer's absence) reported that Mr. Rivers-Smith was due to retire from his post of Director of Education, Tanganyika Territory, early in the coming year. The heads of the local Catholic missions had asked the Government to use their influence to prolong his services until the educational scheme had gained full strength and maturity. They had been informed in reply by the Government that His Excellency was gratified to receive this testimony to the value of Mr. Rivers-Smith's services, but would not feel justified in standing in the way of his desire to take a well-earned pension on completion of more than twenty-five years' public service in Africa.\n\n**(j)** As regards the London Club for African Students he stated that a meeting of various persons interested was held under the chairmanship of Sir Percy Nunn on Wednesday, the 15th of October, and an Organizing Committee was set up to endeavour to get the club started. It appeared that Mr. Lapido Solanke, the Secretary of the West African Students' Union, had obtained promises of some support for a club, and it was considered essential to obtain his co-operation. He was shortly returning to this country. There was likely to be an annual deficit on the club of between £1,500 and £2,000, and initial expenditure of some £5,000 or £6,000 would probably be necessary. Means of obtaining this money were now being considered, and it might be necessary to issue a public appeal. The African Governments were expected to make annual contributions in the neighbourhood of £1,000 a year.\n\n**(k)** Action had been completed by the Colonial Office on the previous recommendations of the Committee in practically every instance.\n\n## 4. Annual Report of Kenya Education Department, 1929\n\n**THE CHAIRMAN** informed the Committee that the Annual Report of the Kenya Education Department for 1929 had been circulated and that he understood some members wished to comment on it.\n\n**SIR JAMES CURRIE** drew the Committee's attention to certain passages on pages 7 and 8 regarding the \"Policy of Missionary Assistance\" and \"Native Aspirations.\" He considered that the Report was a very challenging document and that it ascribed to the Committee an educational policy which the Committee had never held. In support of this view he read a note on the subject prepared by Mr. Mayhew. He had also received a letter to a similar effect from Lord Lugard. This letter was read to the Committee.\n\n**MISS BURSTALL** associated herself with the protest raised by Sir James Currie.\n\n**THE CHAIRMAN** said that no statement had ever been made by the Committee which would justify Mr. Scott's views.\n\nWith regard to a point raised in Lord Lugard's letter to the effect that the Kikuyu tribe had quarrelled with the Missions generally on the matter of female circumcision, he thought that in fact they had quarrelled only with the Scottish Mission and that the influence of the Church Missionary Society had not been weakened at all.\n\n**MR. PARKINSON** was in no doubt, from other reports to which he drew attention, that the Kenya Government had correctly understood the policy of the Committee, and it was therefore unlikely that the Director of Education should misunderstand it; and he had wondered whether the mis-statement in the paragraph referred to could be due to bad drafting. In reply to a question by Sir James Currie, he said that the practice of female circumcision was part of initiatory tribal rites, and he summarized briefly the Government policy in the matter.\n\n**MR. OLDHAM** said that the policy as stated by Mr. Scott was not the policy advocated by the Missions who were entirely in favour of the policy laid down by the Advisory Committee. It might be that his mistake had arisen owing to the fact that before going to Kenya, he had had long experience in the Transvaal where the educational policy was that all educational work should be done by Missions.\n\nThe best Missionary opinion was in favour of the recognition and, as far as possible, the retention of native customs, but in regard to the extreme form of female circumcision there was a body of competent opinion which held that it was a barbarous custom which ought to be discouraged in every possible way.\n\nAfter some further discussion it was decided that Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Parkinson should together draw up a statement regarding the policy of the Committee for immediate communication to the Government of Kenya, and that copies of the statement should be circulated to the Committee, for information at their next meeting.\n\n## 5. Form of Annual Education Reports\n\n**SIR GEORGE MAXWELL** referred to the circulated abstracts of the Trinidad and Hong Kong Reports, and considered it unfortunate that the suggestions of the Committee (relating to the form and content of Annual Education Reports) had not been communicated to Colonies which were not participating in the Advisory Committee's affairs. The whole aim and object of the suggestions made was that the reports of all the Crown Colonies should be uniform. If a certain number of Colonies was omitted, the value of the co-ordination and of the statistics available fell to the ground. He suggested that the Secretary of State should be invited to send a copy of the Committee's suggestions for such Education Department Reports to all non-participating Colonies.\n\nHe also pointed out that Hong Kong, which had received the suggestions, had not complied with them.\n\n**MR. MAYHEW** explained the objections to sending the suggestions to non-participating colonies. So far as Hong Kong was concerned, it was decided that Mr. Mayhew should write privately to the Director of Education.\n\n## 6. The Development of Indigenous Art in Tropical Colonies\n\nMemoranda on this subject by Mr. Ainsworth and a covering note by Mr. Mayhew relating to the views of Professor Rothenstein and Mr. Stevens had been circulated to members of the Committee.\n\n**PROFESSOR ROTHENSTEIN** informed the Committee of his experiences as a member of a Selection Committee of the Board of Education, appointed to select a candidate for the direction of art in the Straits Settlements. The cultural obligations of this country were very great and should take an important place in our responsibility for the Colonies.\n\n**MR. STEVENS** emphasized the difficulty of carrying out the proper research work on indigenous art in the Colonies. It could only be done in school holidays, owing to the fact that an officer attached to one particular institution would at other times be fully occupied by his ordinary teaching duties. He pointed out that there were two attitudes towards art teaching—the academic attitude and the experimental attitude; for the subject of indigenous art, the experimental attitude was the better one.\n\nIn education, any change took two or three generations to work out. There were still schools in the Gold Coast which the new influence had not yet reached.\n\n\n\n## 92",
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        "id": 528712,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-531-9 Hong Kong University- proposal to found faculty of Chinese studies 17-10-1930 - 10-6-1931",
        "page_number": 83,
        "title": "CO129-531-9 Hong Kong University- proposal to found faculty of Chinese studies 17-10-1930 - 10-6-1931",
        "content_text": "84 \n\ninfluence of America. Nankin University had been subsidised with American money and the young Chinese were either becoming Americanised or were drifting into the Soviet Research Agricultural Institute.\n\nHe was in sympathy with the views expressed by Sir William Hornell, Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong University. It would be most undesirable to make a fetish of classical Chinese, and the Committee should give the Vice-Chancellor every support in his attempt to modernise the University, and that he supported the views expressed by Sir C. Clementi. Unless the University had a Chinese Faculty it would lose prestige in the eyes of the Chinese.\n\nLord Lugard considered that a Chair should be endowed for the study of Chinese Classics so that those who were proud of the litterati would be attracted to the University. It was desirable to attract the sons of the litterati. Universities in this country and Chinese Universities might exchange lecturers. He entirely agreed with the Vice-Chancellor's views on the question of Matriculation. The students at Hong Kong University were at present much handicapped by the existing regulation which compelled them to pass an examination in Chinese language and literature.\n\nMr. Somerville informed the Committee that certain amendments were being inserted in the China Indemnity (Application) Bill regarding the grant to Hong Kong University. These amendments provided for the exchange of representative English men and women and Chinese men and women between the two countries; the finding of suitable accommodation in England for Chinese students; the giving of advice to Chinese students as to their course of study in this country; the granting of facilities for the study of Chinese at Universities in this country; and the development of cultural interests between this country and China.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-531-9 Hong Kong University- proposal to found faculty of Chinese studies 17-10-1930 - 10-6-1931.txt",
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    {
        "id": 534048,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932",
        "page_number": 66,
        "title": "CO129-539-4 Mui Tsai system 28-6-1932 - 28-11-1932",
        "content_text": "4\n\nTo these questions the Council, by its resolution of January 28th, 1932, added another— namely, the measures which the Committee might suggest to induce States which have not yet done so to ratify the Convention or to accede thereto.\n\n*\n\nThough the programme assigned to the Committee of Experts was thus defined, and clearly defined, the Council left the Committee to determine its own methods of work.\n\nIn this connection, the Committee of Experts first considered whether it was entitled to make use of documents sent to it direct by private persons or associations.\n\nInterpreting the Council resolution of September 29th, 1931, in the light of the Assembly resolution of September 25th of the same year, the Committee concluded that it was only intended to examine documents supplied or transmitted by Governments.\n\nThey comprise:\n\n(1) The documents referred to in the Assembly resolution of September 25th, 1931, and which the Council, in its resolution of January 28th, 1932, requested the Secretary-General to transmit or communicate to the Committee of Experts. They appear in the list attached to the report (Appendix A).\n\n(2) The replies of Governments to the circular letters of November 1st, 1929, November 7th, 1930, and October 21st, 1931,1 communicating to Governments the resolutions adopted by the Assembly at its tenth, eleventh and twelfth sessions, and inviting Governments to supply the Secretariat, not only with the documents referred to in Article 7 of the 1926 Convention, but also with any information which these Governments might be able to furnish as to the present position in regard to slavery and even such particulars, obtained from private sources, as they might see fit to communicate or to transmit concerning, not only their own territory, but also the general position at the present time in the matter of slavery. The replies have been enumerated in the list forming Appendix B to the report.\n\n**\n\nIt remained for the Committee to decide the extent to which it might reasonably utilise information derived from documents supplied or transmitted by Governments. Should it not endeavour to ensure that if such information referred to another State it should be previously submitted to that State? Was it authorised in the course of its work to hear the evidence of persons or representatives of organisations whose information had been transmitted by a Government to the Council?\n\nOn these points, the Committee decided to adhere, whenever occasion arose, to the procedure adopted by the Temporary Slavery Commission of 1924 and 1925, a procedure which was approved by the Council in its resolution of August 29th, 1924, and by the Assembly in its resolution of September 22nd of the same year.\n\nMoreover, the report submitted to the Council on September 29th, 1931, included the suggestion that the Committee should bear in mind the procedure followed in 1924 by the Temporary Slavery Commission.\n\nConsequently the Committee decided:\n\n(1) That its meetings would not be public;\n\n(2) That it might hear such additional explanations as it might judge necessary or useful from persons or the representatives of organisations whose written communications had been received through a Government;\n\n(3) That, if the documentary material supplied or transmitted by a Government mentioned facts which were alleged to have occurred or to exist in the territory of another Government, and if the latter had not admitted the truth of such allegations, it would be advisable, before taking cognisance thereof, to request the Council to communicate the information to the Government under whose administration the facts were said to have occurred or to exist.\n\nApart from the few hours necessary for the solution of these preliminary questions, the Committee devoted the thirteen plenary meetings of its May session to a discussion of all the questions referred to it by the Council.\n\nAfter ascertaining that the Committee of the Council set up to examine conditions in Liberia was also dealing with slavery questions arising in that country, this Committee decided that it need not give any attention to Liberia,\n\n*\n\n*\n\nIn accordance with decision No. 2 above, the Committee heard Lord Noel Buxton and Mr. Harris, the joint representatives of the \"Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society\" of London, who offered to furnish explanations on the reports which were received on April 8th,\n\n1 Documents C.L.292.VI, C.L.296.1930.VI, C.L.172.1931.VI.\n\n5\n\n1932, and were, on May 2nd, 1932, addressed by that Association to the Council, through the British Government.\n\nE3\n\nThe Committee did not have occasion to resort to the procedure laid down in No. 3 above. Though the documents transmitted by one Government referred to facts alleged to have taken place, or to exist, in the territory of other Governments, the Committee has expressed no opinion upon the accuracy of the statements made. It has presented them as having the character of mere allegations, and, in the most serious cases, has taken care to cite the evidence adduced in denial of them.\n\n***\n\nAs the preparation of the draft report to be sent to the Council required a fairly considerable amount of time, and as the other members of the Committee had to be given an opportunity to examine it before discussing it, the Committee adjourned until August 22nd, 1932, for the final revision of the report. Moreover, the Council itself had, as is shown by the Minutes of its meeting on January 28th last, contemplated the necessity of the Committee's holding two sessions.\n\nAt its second session, which was held from August 22nd to 30th, 1932, and which comprised sixteen meetings, the Committee, after discussing the draft report, adopted it in its final form.\n\nI have the honour to transmit the report to you herewith.\n\n*\n\n**\n\nIn drafting its report, the Committee has followed the method adopted during the course of its discussions. The report begins with an account of the present position in regard to slavery, dealing in turn with the various aspects of slavery as defined in the Temporary Commission's report of July 25th, 1925, with the omission, as stated, of public or private compulsory labour, and the situation in Liberia. The particular advantage of this method is that it facilitates a comparison between the situation in 1924 and that existing at present.\n\nThe report therefore deals successively with the following questions:\n\nChapter I. - Status and Legal Status of Slavery (paragraphs 1 to 15).\n\nII. - Slave-raiding and Similar Acts (paragraphs 16 to 24).\n\nIII. - Slave Trade (paragraphs 25 to 42).\n\nIV. - Slave-dealing (including Transfer by Exchange, Sale, Gift, Inheritance or Occasional Sale of Persons previously Free) (paragraphs 43 to 47).\n\nV. - Practices Restrictive of the Liberty of the Person (paragraphs 48 to 58).\n\nVI. - Domestic or Predial Slavery (Serfdom) (paragraphs 52 to 63).\n\nVII. - Transition from Servile or Compulsory Labour to Free-wage Labour and Independent Production (paragraphs 64 to 67).\n\nLike the 1925 report, each of the chapters of the present report concludes with suggestions as to the manner in which the particular aspect of slavery referred to can best be combated. The Committee attaches special importance to those which relate to slave-raiding (paragraphs 23 and 24) and to the slave trade, especially when carried on by sea (paragraphs 34 to 42).\n\nE\n\nThe report concludes with a Chapter VIII, headed \"Summary and General Suggestions\". After a brief summary of the preceding chapters, Chapter VIII sets forth in turn the answers to the questions which the Council put to the Committee.\n\nTo the first question namely, to what extent the 1926 Convention has been successful in putting an end to slavery, and what obstacles exist to fresh progress in this direction—the Committee was of opinion that, whilst reflecting a considerable improvement, the documents supplied had not enabled it to give a definite reply (see paragraph 69).\n\nOn the second question—namely, by what methods assistance can be rendered to those States which have expressed a desire to receive it for the purpose of suppressing slavery within their territory—the Committee noted that only Liberia had asked for League assistance. As, however, the special Council Committee already mentioned had been instructed to study questions concerning that country, the Committee of Experts felt that it should refrain from any suggestions with regard to that country (see paragraph 70).\n\nThe third question is whether any modification of the existing machinery of the League would be desirable.\n\nThe Committee is of opinion:\n\n(1) That a special Bureau should be instructed to receive and endeavour to supplement the documentary material as well as to prepare for action to be taken upon it. It has expressed the desire that the information to be furnished by Governments under Article 7 of the 1926 Convention should be supplemented by reports to the Council giving an account of the slavery position in their territories and, where appropriate, of the measures which are being taken to deal with it, the results obtained, and the obstacles in the way of further progress.\n\n(2) That a small permanent Commission would be exceedingly useful, not only to take action upon the documentary material collected by the Bureau referred to in paragraph (1)\n\nDocument A.19.1925.VI.\n\n80",
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        "id": 535033,
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        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-541-1 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 29-7-1932 - 3-2-1933",
        "page_number": 34,
        "title": "CO129-541-1 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 29-7-1932 - 3-2-1933",
        "content_text": "GENERAL.\n\nThe Law Officers are accordingly requested to advise :-\n\n(1) Whether the case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong was, in their opinion, rightly decided; if so (2) Whether, assuming that satisfactory proof of intent to commit piracy is forthcoming, a foreigner who on the high seas assaults with intent to murder any person on board a vessel, could be convicted in the Courts of this country under 1 Vic., c. 88, or in the Colonial Courts under 12 & 13 Vic., c. 96.\n\n(3) Whether the Imperial Parliament could properly be invited to pass legislation conferring jurisdiction to try foreigners in the circumstances indicated in (2).\n\n(4) Whether it is expedient to refer to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council any question arising out of the matters discussed in this case, and, if so, to settle the suggested terms of reference.\n\n(5) Generally on the case.\n\nOpinion of the Law Officers of the Crown and Mr. Wilfrid Lewis.\n\nIn our opinion the question whether or not the full court of Hong Kong arrived at a correct decision in quashing the conviction in the above case can only be satisfactorily answered by approaching the matter de novo.\n\nIt is thus necessary to decide at the outset what jurisdiction the Hong Kong Court had to try the twelve prisoners. They were Chinese subjects in a Chinese vessel upon the high seas. Although it is not expressly so stated, we feel entitled to assume that the acts with which the prisoners were charged were not committed inter fauces terrae, and took place more than 3 miles from the coast of Hong Kong so as to be outside the zone provided by the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act, 1878. From the above circumstances it results that these prisoners, in the absence of any relevant statute applying to foreigners when outside that zone and in foreign ships, were for no purpose subject to Imperial municipal law. These prisoners, however, were liable to be tried and punished for offences committed outside the 3-mile zone if amounting to piracy jure gentium. Reference should be made to the exhaustive judgment of Cockburn C. J. in Reg. v. Keyn (1876 2 Exch. D. 63 at pp. 159 to 238), where the history and scope of English criminal jurisdiction over foreigners upon the seas was traced and examined.\n\nIt will be convenient to postpone dealing with the questions whether actual robbery is an essential element in the crime of piracy jure gentium or whether a frustrated attempt to commit a piratical robbery is not equally piracy and justiciable as such, and to deal first with the question whether Imperial Courts have jurisdiction over foreigners in foreign ships who commit outside the 3-mile zone offences made punishable as piracy by British or Imperial Statutes.\n\nIn this connection the propositions of Cockburn C. J. in Reg. v. Keyn can be stated broadly as follows: Up to the 16th century the jurisdiction of English criminal courts was confined to crimes committed within the body of a county, while crimes at sea were subject to the jurisdiction of the Admiral (pp. 162, 167). Thus piracy jure gentium was never a felony at common law. Subsequently, in the reign of Richard II the respective jurisdictions were allowed to overlap, to the extent that in murder and mayhem done in great ships in the mouths of great rivers the Admiral was accorded concurrent jurisdiction with the common law (p. 168). And so English criminal law remained until 1878. Cockburn C. J. examined the statute 28 Henry VIII, c. 15, and reached the conclusion (pp. 169 and 209) that it created no new offence and did not render foreigners liable to any English Court when they were not previously so liable: the statute merely transferred the existing jurisdiction of the Admiral to commissioners appointed by the King, and the only jurisdiction over foreigners for crimes committed on the high seas being derived from the civil law the commissioners received no further or greater jurisdiction under the statute of Henry VIII than the Admiral possessed and no power to apply English criminal law to foreigners in circumstances where the Admiral could not apply it (p. 169). And this position was not altered by the statute 4 & 5 William IV, c. 36 (which gave the Central Criminal Court jurisdiction) or 7 & 8 Vict., c. 2, which gave power to ordinary Courts of Assize to try offences committed on the high seas and within the jurisdiction of the Admiral.\n\nGENERAL.\n\n3\n\nAdmittedly piracy jure gentium was within the jurisdiction of the Admiral, and to this extent the Commissioners (subsequently the Central Criminal Court and Assize Courts) obtained jurisdiction over foreigners committing crimes in foreign ships on the high seas, though Cockburn C. J. admitted that if Parliament had expressly asserted a more extended jurisdiction it would have been the duty of the Courts to recognise and endeavour to enforce such jurisdiction (pp. 160 and 207). At p. 208 he examined the question whether English municipal law either expressly or by implication had been extended to foreigners in foreign ships on the high seas. After approving the doctrine laid down by Turner L. J. in Cope v. Doherty (1858 2 De G. & J. 614 at 624 affirming 4 K. & J. 367) that Parliament must not be presumed to have legislated for foreigners and that to warrant such a conclusion the words of an Act ought to be express or its context very clear, Cockburn C. J. reached the conclusion that, up to 1876, no provision had been made by Parliament for trying foreigners for crimes committed generally upon the seas in foreign ships (p. 213), while such legislation as had been applied either expressly or impliedly to foreigners within what may for convenience be termed territorial waters had dealt with the revenue, customs, the protection of fisheries and kindred matters.\n\nWe feel satisfied that Cockburn C. J. in his exhaustive analysis of the law would have commented on such acts as the Suppression of Piracy Act, 1698 (Halsbury's Statutes IV, p. 334), the Piracy Act, 1821 (p. 343 op. cit.), the Offences at Sea Acts, 1799 and 1806 (pp. 401 and 417), the Murders Abroad Act, 1817 (p. 440), the Piracy Act, 1837 (p. 461), the Admiralty Offences Act, 1844 (p. 476), and the Piracy Act, 1850 (p. 520), had he considered that the provisions of any of those Acts either expressly or impliedly referred to foreigners, for, although the crime charged in Reg. v. Keyn was manslaughter, the principle at issue was sufficiently wide to render relevant the various municipal Acts dealing with piracy had the advocates in the case or other members of the Court cited them as conferring statutory criminal jurisdiction over foreigners in foreign ships.\n\nUp to 1878, therefore, we think that, while for the purpose of regulating national defence and such matters as customs and revenue, municipal law had in certain cases been applied to foreigners in foreign ships at sea, there was no statute which had extended the jurisdiction of our criminal courts in respect of crimes committed by foreigners at sea, unless committed on board a British ship or falling under the definition of piracy jure gentium. The ratio decidendi of Cockburn C. J. and the majority of the Court was responsible for the drafting of the Territorial Waters Jurisdiction Act of 1878. The effect of that Act was to declare and enact (see the preamble and per Coleridge C. J. in R. v. Dudley and Stephen, 14 Q.B.D. at 281), that the jurisdiction of our courts extended to all offences committed within 3 miles of the coast; but, subject to that extension, we think that the law of the high seas remains to-day as it was stated by Cockburn C. J. (see Harris v. steamship \"Franconia,\" 1877, 2 C.P.D. 173, and the Fagernes, 1927 P, 311).\n\nThus, in our opinion, Section 2 of the Piracy Act, 1837, does not assist, except in so far as it affects the question of punishment.\n\nWe think that the object of this Act was not the definition of the crime of piracy, but the regulation of its punishment. It must be remembered that at this time statutory revisions of punishments, and more particularly capital punishment, was occupying the attention of the Legislature see, for instance, the Criminal Law Act, 1827, Section 7, the Forgery Act, 1837, and the Punishment of Offences Act, 1837. We think the object of the Piracy Act, 1837, was to retain the death penalty in cases of piracy with violence, but in other cases of statutory or municipal piracy to substitute transportation for death (Section 3). Moreover, if actual robbery is an essential ingredient in piracy, the Section carries the matter no further; if it is not, it is unnecessary to invoke the section.\n\nAccordingly, in our opinion, it would not have been correct to indict these twelve prisoners under the Piracy Act, 1837, Section 2, or any other provision of English municipal law relating to piracy.\n\nOn the other hand, we do not agree with what we understand to be the view of the Hong Kong Court, that they were not competent to try a charge of piracy jure gentium. We entertain no doubt that the Hong Kong Court possesses jurisdiction over foreigners accused of piracy jure gentium. We think such jurisdiction was inherent under international law, upon the doctrine that the\n\n[7653]\n\nB 2\n\n34",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-541-1 Piracy- case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong 29-7-1932 - 3-2-1933.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 537293,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934",
        "page_number": 5,
        "title": "CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934",
        "content_text": "## \n\nAs a matter of drafting, it worked out in the case of J.C. Steele for special reference to the P.C. under section 4 of the Judicial Committee Act 1833 to proceed with the petition if H.M. should think fit. Six copies being sent as follows:\n\n| Copies with enclosures sent to | \n| --- | \n| (9) L.F.F. mijn |\n| and copy with enc. 'copy 57 (7) to Treasury Solicitor L.F. wife re (6) |\n\ninforming each.\n\nBeut...\n\nThe James... \n\n30.5.33 \n\nTo \n\nI am not quite clear as to procedure. The 5.75 will make the special reference to the Judicial Committee, the Treasury Solicitor being employed. We have first to ascertain if H.M. thinks fit. Will you please advise.\n\nJ. A. Calder \n30.5.33 \n\nWe should now write to the Treasury ref. Nov 6+10 Enclosing a copy of No.11 and requesting that the necessary steps may be taken to bring the matter before H.M. in Council so that the reference to the Judicial Committee may proceed if H.M. should think fit so to do.\n\nI have been much supplied quality to a plan for agreed in share cost call to send copy (case Queen v ...) and find out what near...\n\nd \n\nM. McComber of the Treasury Solicitor's Deputy to whom I mentioned the point on the telephone this afternoon, told me that this is all that is necessary.\n\n2/6/33 \n\nSend copies without d... per Jameson.\n\n11. Duncan.\n\nby \n\n6.6.33 tan",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 537322,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934",
        "page_number": 36,
        "title": "CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934",
        "content_text": "## C. O.\n\n**Mr. Bushe**\n\n10.33.\n\n**Mr. Parkinson.**  \n**Mr. Tomlinson.**  \n**Sir C. Bottomley.**  \n**Sir J. Shuckburgh.**  \n**Permt. U.S. of S.**  \n**Parly. U.S. of S.**  \n**Secretary of State.**  \n**DRAFT.**\n\nDowning Street.  \n16 October, 1933.\n\nDear Colin Smith,\n\nThere is a letter going from the Secretary of State to the Lord President of the Council asking for a special reference under Section 4 of the Judicial Committee Act in regard to certain questions about piracy in the Far East. The whole matter has been under the consideration of the Attorney General, and while we were about it we took the opportunity of drafting an Order in Council which seemed to us to be suitable. Now I know that this is a matter for you, and I have no desire to intrude, but as the Order has been drafted, I am sending you a copy in the hope that you will see your way to adopt it. In any case, you will appreciate that the question... \n\nCopy to:  \n`COLIN SMITH, ESQ., M.V.O., O.B.E.` (Privy Council Office).  \nCopy to Treasury Solicitor.  \nlopy whoulence, to Mr Mc krube. -> appears to be OCR error and not meaningful, thus left as is but likely should be ignored or marked as `...`. However, following the instructions to not add commentary, it is left unchanged.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-543-4 Piracy- Case of Rex v. Chung Tam Kwong and others 10-2-1933 - 2-3-1934.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 543231,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934",
        "page_number": 3,
        "title": "CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934",
        "content_text": "## \n\nPrinted Memorandum.\n\nWhen the Attorney General completed the review of the draft Bills, he proceeded to collaborate with DMSTS in the drafting of these Bills. Now a new Committee has been formed to review this scheme and the various Bills are being introduced independently. Dr O'Brien indicates that the Report of the Committee should be awaited before the Bills go to the C.A.\n\nBut it occurs to me that the covering despatch for this Annual Report might be disposed of by the Committee independently within three or four months, before the new scheme and Bills, and the Report of the local Committee, be brought up for consideration.\n\nPrinted `13.1.3/4` \n`13873` \n`〃` \n`Z` \n`aquse. As Hanton` \n`Suyant.`",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-545-8 Annual medical report 1932 2-11-1933 - 16-5-1934.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 545548,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-549-14 Commission of Enquiry into trade of Colony 17-7-1934 - 18-1-1935",
        "page_number": 29,
        "title": "CO129-549-14 Commission of Enquiry into trade of Colony 17-7-1934 - 18-1-1935",
        "content_text": "## 19.\n\nThe cost of living, and the standard of living in Hongkong, has been largely on an increase in recent years both with the Foreign and Chinese communities. Western ideas, modern hotels and houses, motor roads, sporting facilities and cinemas, all have made their mark and it is doubtful whether either the hours of work or the output quantity are what they were. I believe a careful investigation will show that food prices are kept up by various native rings. Increase of markets and larger production in the New Territories (if this is possible) appear the most direct means of combating the evil.\n\n20. The cost of Government has gone up by leaps and bounds in recent years and although it puts more money into circulation, much of it is unproductive of commercial result. The Retrenchment Committee report might be again studied. The total expenditure for 1933 was $31,624,093 and was as to debt charges 5.6%, administration 38%, economic development 9.7%, social services 21.8%, defence 18.9% and pensions 6%.\n\nHaving arrived at this stage I am inclined to ask whether the system of trading in this Colony in the past is not now antiquated, and whether or not some close form of co-operation with the Chinese is not called for. Whether the system known as the Compradore system has not outlived its period of usefulness.\n\nAfter reviewing the position as a whole, I have come to the conclusion that from what Hongkong is mainly suffering is due to external circumstances over which the Colony has no control and that the best policy is to leave matters as they now are and wait for the general improvement in world conditions except that there might with advantage be a careful investigation with a view to some alleviation of taxation in respect of some of our basic industries and a transfer of the burden to the shoulders of the general community particularly in regard to luxury taxation.\n\n22nd August, 1934.\n\nW. E. L. SHENTON.\n\n**Confidential**\n\n## SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM\n**(SIR W. E. L. SHENTON, KT.)**\n**Economic Commission.**\n\nThe question of bringing the Colony of Hong Kong or a part of it within the Chinese Customs area is a problem which has been often discussed in recent years.\n\nIt might include the Colony as a whole, the mainland exclusive of the Island of Hong Kong, or the New Territories only.\n\nNegotiations for a Customs arrangement between the British and Chinese Governments progressed at one time so far as the drafting of an Agreement, whereby under certain specified terms the Chinese Customs revenue was to be collected by the Chinese Maritime Customs throughout the colony in addition to the arrangements already existing at Kowloon Railway Station.\n\nThis Agreement was ultimately cancelled on the initiative of His Excellency General Chen Ming Shu, then Governor of Canton, on the ground that the Agreement was detrimental to the interests of Canton, presumably because the revenue would go direct to Nanking. I believe also the refusal of Mr. T. V. Soong to agree to the port of Chung Shan (Tong Ka Wan) being a \"Free Port\" had a material bearing on the subject.\n\nHere is an instance of China not wishing to benefit Hong Kong at the alleged expense of another part of China.\n\nSome five years ago I was approached by a responsible Chinese Official, in office at the time, who enquired whether I thought the British Government would agree to return the New Territories to China 25 or 30 years before the expiration of the Lease if China",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-549-14 Commission of Enquiry into trade of Colony 17-7-1934 - 18-1-1935.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 548066,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-553-12 Education- report of Mr Burney's visit 28-3-1935 - 7-8-1936",
        "page_number": 19,
        "title": "CO129-553-12 Education- report of Mr Burney's visit 28-3-1935 - 7-8-1936",
        "content_text": "19\n\n32. Extract from minute of Advisory Committee on Literacy\n\n? 32 May\n\nbe put by\n\n& Morris\n\n23.7.35°\n\nThe\n\nCommittee's\n\nConclusions\n\nwill be\n\nneed to\n\nthe Committee\n\ncommunicated\n\nto\n\nWAC\n\nat the\n\nsame time\n\nas\n\nprinted copies of\n\nthe Report\n\nare sent out.\n\nWe\n\nhave not\n\nyet received\n\nfinal copies\n\nfrom\n\nThe C.A.\n\n? Wait-\n\nN.B. Cost\n\n2417/35\n\nPf. ark CA m\n\nWhen this\n\nis to be expected\n\nN. B. I have had a talk with Mr. King\n\nwho is to-day going on leave. He is\n\nAnxious\n\nthat\n\ndrafting of the\n\nthe printed report shall\n\nbe delayed till his return.\n\nThe Edu. Com.\n\nThe July meeting of was cancelled, it is now Mr. Ray's\n\nview, with which I agree,\n\nThat...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-553-12 Education- report of Mr Burney's visit 28-3-1935 - 7-8-1936.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 548783,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-554-12 Public Reclamations Validation and Clauses Bill (formerly Foreshores Bill) 30-4-1935 - 3-3-1936",
        "page_number": 8,
        "title": "CO129-554-12 Public Reclamations Validation and Clauses Bill (formerly Foreshores Bill) 30-4-1935 - 3-3-1936",
        "content_text": "the owners of neighbouring lots found that they \n\nhad been injuriously affected although they had \n\nno reason to anticipate it before the undertaking \n\nwas begun.\n\nClause 7 (3).\n\nWords should be added to provide that if \n\nthe claim were in respect of a sum exceeding \n\n$1,000 (or whatever the present limit is to warrant \n\nthe case being heard in the Supreme Court) it \n\nshould be heard before the Chief Justice.\n\nThe claimant should be allowed to amend his \n\nStatement of Claim when the case is to be heard \n\nbefore a Judge.\n\nIn line 1 it should be made clear that the \n\nword \"acceptable\" is to be interpreted as meaning \n\nacceptable to the claimant.\n\nClause 7 (6).\n\nThis should be qualified so as to allow a \n\nright of appeal up to the Privy Council on a \n\npoint of law although not on a simple question of \n\nthe amount of compensation awarded.\n\nClause 10 (1).\n\nWhat exactly does the word \"answerable\" \n\nmean? In any case, in view of the exceptional \n\nconditions, e.g. typhoons, which are met with in \n\nHong Kong, the liability of the owner of a vessel \n\nor float should only be founded on negligence.\n\nFinally, Mr. Looker said that many people \n\nstill held the view which was put forward in the \n\ncriticisms of the earlier Bill that the Bill should \n\nprovide that the Government may not contemplate any \n\nundertaking which would have the effect of destroying\n\nPage\n\nPage\n\nany existing private enterprise, e.g. reclaiming \n\nthe foreshore in front of any of the Dock \n\nCompanies, but on that point I suggested to \n\nhim that whether or not it was likely that the \n\nGovernment would do any such thing, it would \n\nnevertheless, I should say, be asking too much \n\nof the Government to insert a clause depriving \n\nthem of the power in the ultimate resort to \n\ntake whatever steps might be necessary in any \n\ncontingency in the public interest, and I drew \n\nhis attention to the terms of Clause 11.\n\nNo doubt the question of compensation which \n\nany such drastic action on the part of the \n\nGovernment might involve would ensure that the \n\nGovernment would not decide in favour of any \n\nsuch undertaking without the most serious \n\nreason. But it would surely be impossible \n\nfor any Government to bind itself in the way \n\nhe suggested in respect of existing enterprises.\n\nMr. Looker said that he quite understood the \n\nforce of this opinion and he would propose to \n\ninclude it in his memorandum to the China \n\nAssociation.\n\nHe finally said that if \n\nMr. Cowell wished to discuss these points with \n\nhim further he would be happy to come along \n\nafter a month's time during which he is going \n\non a cruise. He agreed with me that many of \n\nthe points he had raised were drafting points \n\nwhich might be corrected at the Committee stage \n\nof the Bill,\n\nPending\n\nending any formal reference \n\nto the Colonial Office by the Governor or by \n\nthe China Association, this paper can be put by.\n\nDer Gent\n\n27/2/36",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-554-12 Public Reclamations Validation and Clauses Bill (formerly Foreshores Bill) 30-4-1935 - 3-3-1936.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 548945,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935",
        "page_number": 20,
        "title": "CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935",
        "content_text": "20\n\n-\n\n6\n\n-\n\nHONG KONG, 16th February, 1935.\n\n77\n\nREPORT OF THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION.\n\nChapter I.\n\nSIR,\n\nOn the 13th July, 1934, we were appointed by Your Excellency under the Public Seal of the Colony:\n\nto enquire into the causes and effects of the present trade depression in Hong Kong and make recommendations for the amelioration of the existing position and for the improvement of the trade of the Colony\".\n\nWe have the honour to submit herewith our Report.\n\nWe have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour Excellency's most obedient servants,\n\nHis Excellency,\n\nSir WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.,\n\nGovernor,\n\nHong Kong.\n\nM. J. BREEN, (Chairman),\n\nA. BREARLEY,\n\nF. A. JOSEPH,\n\nC. GORDON MACKIE,\n\nSTANLEY H. DODWELL,\n\nV. M. GRAYBURN,\n\nG. C. PELHAM,\n\nT. N. CHAU,\n\nLI KOON CHUN,\n\nW. N. T. TAM.\n\nPRELIMINARY.\n\n1. The first meeting of the Commission was held on Wednesday, 1st August, 1934. It was then decided that we should meet twice weekly, as far as possible, and Wednesdays and Fridays were selected as meeting days.\n\n2. Between August 1st and October 20th we held 20 meetings of the full Commission, examined 26 witnesses and considered well over a hundred memoranda, records of evidence, letters and reports submitted not only by the general public but also by various members of the Commission itself. In addition, members of the Commission accompanied by the Honourable Colonial Secretary, paid visits of inspection to factories, chosen as being fairly representative of the various branches of industrial activity within the Colony. In this connection it may perhaps be mentioned that the personnel of the Commission contained members who had already made a study of local industries and were fully acquainted with their scope and with the conditions of manufacture prevalent in factories in Hong Kong.\n\n3. At the 20th Meeting it was decided that sufficient progress had been made in our enquiries to justify us in commencing the preparation of our final report. A Drafting Committee was appointed accordingly and the Commission was adjourned sine die.\n\n4. It was fully realised at the time that the work of the Drafting Committee would inevitably bring to light various questions necessitating further deliberation and decision by the full Commission, but it was deemed advisable to deal with these questions by means of special meetings as and when opportunity occurred.\n\n5. In the event it was found necessary to convene four further meetings of the Commission, making a total of 24 meetings extending over a period of nearly seven months. The Drafting Committee also met on 15 occasions.\n\n6. The personnel of the Commission was larger than that of any other Commission appointed in this Colony in recent years. It consisted of twelve members, two official and ten unofficial, but, unlike the Straits Settlements Trade Commission, it did not include any members appointed as paid full-time officers. In other words, the whole of the work of the Commission was undertaken by officials and unofficials alike in addition to their other duties.\n\n7. It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Mr. J. D. Lloyd, Superintendent of Imports and Exports and Head of the Statistical Office, which occurred on 24th January, 1935. By virtue of his official position Mr. Lloyd was the source of a great part of the statistical information required by the Commission and he spared no pains to make this information as comprehensive and as lucid as possible. In addition, his wide knowledge and experience of trade and trading conditions in the Colony were of great assistance in our deliberations, while his keenness and energy made him a colleague whose loss it is difficult to over-estimate.\n\n8. Two further changes in the original personnel were caused by the resignations of Mr. W. H. E. Thomas, who was recalled to England in January, 1935, and of Mr. W. J. Keswick, who left the Colony on 13th February, 1935. By a Commission dated 19th January, 1935, Mr. Alfred Brearley was appointed to succeed Mr. W. H. E. Thomas. In view of the fact that at the date of Mr. W. J. Keswick's departure the work of the Commission was practically completed, no appointment was made to fill this vacancy.\n\n21\n\nPage 20\n\nPage 21",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 549010,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935",
        "page_number": 85,
        "title": "CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935",
        "content_text": "HONG KONG, 16th February, 1935.\n\nREPORT OF THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION.\n\nChapter I.\n\nSIR,\n\nOn the 13th July, 1934, we were appointed by Your Excellency under the Public Seal of the Colony :-\n\nto enquire into the causes and effects of the present trade depression in Hong Kong and make recommendations for the amelioration of the existing position and for the improvement of the trade of the Colony”.\n\nWe have the honour to submit herewith our Report.\n\nWe have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour Excellency's most obedient servants,\n\nHis Excellency,\n\nSir WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.,\n\nGovernor,\n\nHong Kong.\n\nM. J. BREEN, (Chairman),\n\nA. BREARLEY,\n\nF. A. JOSEPH,\n\nC. GORDON MACKIE,\n\nSTANLEY H. DODWELL,\n\nV. M. GRAYBURN,\n\nG. C. PELHAM,\n\nT. N. CHAU,\n\nLI KOON CHUN,\n\nW. N. T. TAM.\n\nPRELIMINARY.\n\n1. The first meeting of the Commission was held on Wednesday, 1st August, 1934. It was then decided that we should meet twice weekly, as far as possible, and Wednesdays and Fridays were selected as meeting days.\n\n2. Between August 1st and October 20th we held 20 meetings of the full Commission, examined 26 witnesses and considered well over a hundred memoranda, records of evidence, letters and reports submitted not only by the general public but also by various members of the Commission itself. In addition, members of the Commission accompanied by the Honourable Colonial Secretary, paid visits of inspection to factories, chosen as being fairly representative of the various branches of industrial activity within the Colony. In this connection it may perhaps be mentioned that the personnel of the Commission contained members who had already made a study of local industries and were fully acquainted with their scope and with the conditions of manufacture prevalent in factories in Hong Kong.\n\n3. At the 20th Meeting it was decided that sufficient progress had been made in our enquiries to justify us in commencing the preparation of our final report. A Drafting Committee was appointed accordingly and the Commission was adjourned sine die.\n\n4. It was fully realised at the time that the work of the Drafting Committee would inevitably bring to light various questions necessitating further deliberation and decision by the full Commission, but it was deemed advisable to deal with these questions by means of special meetings as and when opportunity occurred.\n\n5. In the event it was found necessary to convene four further meetings of the Commission, making a total of 24 meetings extending over a period of nearly seven months. The Drafting Committee also met on 15 occasions.\n\n6. The personnel of the Commission was larger than that of any other Commission appointed in this Colony in recent years. It consisted of twelve members, two official and ten unofficial, but, unlike the Straits Settlements Trade Commission, it did not include any members appointed as paid full-time officers. In other words, the whole of the work of the Commission was undertaken by officials and unofficials alike in addition to their other duties.\n\n7. It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Mr. J. D. Lloyd, Superintendent of Imports and Exports and Head of the Statistical Office, which occurred on 24th January, 1935. By virtue of his official position Mr. Lloyd was the source of a great part of the statistical information required by the Commission and he spared no pains to make this information as comprehensive and as lucid as possible. In addition, his wide knowledge and experience of trade and trading conditions in the Colony were of great assistance in our deliberations, while his keenness and energy made him a colleague whose loss it is difficult to over-estimate.\n\n8. Two further changes in the original personnel were caused by the resignations of Mr. W. H. E. Thomas, who was recalled to England in January, 1935, and of Mr. W. J. Keswick, who left the Colony on 13th February, 1935. By a Commission dated 19th January, 1935, Mr. Alfred Brearley was appointed to succeed Mr. W. H. E. Thomas. In view of the fact that at the date of Mr. W. J. Keswick's departure the work of the Commission was practically completed, no appointment was made to fill this vacancy.\n\nPage 98",
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    },
    {
        "id": 549952,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-555-6 Banking crisis 24-9-1935 - 18-10-1935",
        "page_number": 19,
        "title": "CO129-555-6 Banking crisis 24-9-1935 - 18-10-1935",
        "content_text": "75176/35 Pal\n\n4\n\nI have passed the bank law translated on pp 405-408 of the China Year book for 1934, but we do not know whether it is mere facade or really operative. I will try to find out if I go to Shanghai, or, failing that, here. In the meantime could we have by air-mail as much as would be useful of the Palestine papers (including, I suggest, their Committee's report, Waley's letter to Williams with enclosures, and your final conclusions about their draft Ordinance) and also anything else useful that you have?\n\nH.E. has seen this letter, which is to some extent in substitution for an official despatch which I had thought of drafting, and agrees that further consideration should be given to the possibility of regulating banking here, perhaps by the appointment of a Commission or Committee at once, unless it is thought better not to risk a renewal of uneasiness by doing anything at the moment, but to wait for the report of the Special Manager on the affairs of the Bank of Canton, and hang an enquiry on to that.\n\nAs regards Savings Banks, there is in existence a sub-Committee of the District Watch Committee, which was appointed last March; but its Chairman, Sir Shenton Chow, has been ill, and it has not yet done more than circulate a memorandum by the most active member recommending that a savings bank should be compelled to keep separate records, that its assets should be segregated and not merged in the general assets of the parent institution (which at present is the universal practice here, followed even by the H.K. & S.B.) and that investments should be prescribed.\n\nMeanwhile Grayburn has asked Government to legislate against such rules as 8 and 12 of the rules of the Commercial & Industrial, of which I attach a copy.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-555-6 Banking crisis 24-9-1935 - 18-10-1935.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 553904,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "page_number": 22,
        "title": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "content_text": "## \n\n22 \n\nLee \n\nA reference I included to this summary included in the with W reference letter Rules. \n\nexperience and only an officer of the Hong Kong Government by reason of his appointment. \n\nMr. Young's view is that expert knowledge might well be supplied by the Advisory Committee, and it is not so essential that the Examiner should possess it. I think this can be discussed when the officer is recruited, and that there is no need to comment to Hong Kong at the moment. \n\n### Section 358\n\nThe B. of E. suggest a minor drafting amendment by substituting the word \"small\" for \"minor\", and \"other deposits are also accepted\" for \"deposits of larger amounts to be also accepted\". I think we might suggest this. \n\n### Section 360(2)\n\nThe same considerations apply to this section as to Section 353(3), and I suggest that we should ask for similar safeguards. \n\n### Section 361(1)\n\nThe G.P.O. state that they used to publish pages of information in their bank books, including a copy of all rules, but it was found that this information was seldom referred to by depositors and became out-of-date, so the practice was abandoned, and a brief summary of conditions occupying one page only is now printed in the book. They say that except that there is some protection in that a depositor has a copy of the rules and cannot in consequence plead ignorance, is there much likelihood that he will read them? I am rather inclined to think that the reason for this provision in Hong Kong is rather different from the view taken by the G.P.O., and that it is desirable not so much for the information of depositors as to ensure that the degree of publicity given to the rules will prevent more objectionable provisions that might otherwise occur in the case of some of the minor Chinese banks. I think we might leave",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 553941,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "page_number": 59,
        "title": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "content_text": "## TO \n**NATIONAL** \n**SCHE** \n**DISABLED** \n\nTelephone No.: Whitehall 1234.\n\nIn any reply please quote Regd. No. `F.11091/2`.\n\n## 2 \n\nDear Boyse,\n\n**TREASURY CHAMBERS, WHITEHALL, S.W.1.**\n\n10th November, 1937.\n\n## 59 \n\nI enclose, as promised, notes (which I have put in the form of separate letters) on the three Hong Kong questions which we discussed on Monday morning. The fourth (Hong Kong banking legislation your `53600/37` of July 29th) we agreed to leave over until you had had time to become familiar with it and perhaps also the Palestine banking legislation. But it may be useful if I send you now the enclosed comments by the Bank of England. Some of them are on drafting points; but that on Section 356(1) is fundamental. My view had been that an intelligent, though not expert, examiner might do much to improve the present position by applying the general knowledge obtainable from an expert Advisory Committee to the particular problems which would come to his notice in the confidential information supplied to him by modern style Chinese banks.\n\nV.H. Boyse, Esq., O.B.E., Colonial Office.\n\nYours sincerely,",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 553956,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "page_number": 74,
        "title": "CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938",
        "content_text": "## \n74 \n\nEND \n\n`1660/1/28` \n\nSinval.\n\nbanking operations in the Colony, including also the savings banks system, the examination of which was requested in Mr. Malcolm MacDonald's circular despatch of the 3rd of July, 1935. This Committee, which is referred to in paragraph 1 of the \"Objects and Reasons\" for the draft Bill, underwent in the course of its existence considerable changes in personnel through withdrawals and co-options, and has recently reported its matured conclusions, which are embodied in the present draft Bill.\n\n3. The work of drafting the Bill was largely in the hands of Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, M.C., Crown Solicitor, who was a member of the Committee from its inception. Mr. Hazlerigg goes home on leave on the 23rd of January, 1937, and in considering the draft Bill, opportunity might be taken of his presence in England, if it is desired to elucidate further any point in it or any question in regard to those parts of local banking operations with which the Bill deals.\n\nThe \n\nI have the honour to be, \nSir, \nYour most obedient, humble servant, \n**[Name not clear: \"aameerk\"]** \nGovernor, &c.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-561-6 Companies Amendment Ordinance draft bill- correspondence 18-1-1937 - 6-7-1938.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 556210,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-564-6 Typhoon- reports of damage- etc 9-9-1937 - 6-11-1937",
        "page_number": 31,
        "title": "CO129-564-6 Typhoon- reports of damage- etc 9-9-1937 - 6-11-1937",
        "content_text": "SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. SEPTEMBER FRIDAY, 3, 1937.\n\nCHINA AND JAPAN\n\nBasic Facts Reviewed By an Observer\nPEACE IN EUROPE\n\nLittle Entente Policy Announced\nWAICHOW UNEASY\n\nFear of Air Raid Causes Exodus of Residents\nMY COFFEE MUST BE A FINE BLEND\n\nWELL, I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT.\n\nTO HAVE IT REALLY FRESH\n\n13\n\nBUT I INSIST ON HAVING IT GROUND JUST RIGHT\n\n32\n\nWaichow, Sept. 1. It is reported that a bomb was dropped from a Japanese airplane flying over Au-tau, at the head of Bias Bay, fifty or more miles from Waichow. Yesterday, it is further rumoured that Waichow is one of the several places to be attacked from the air, which of course causes much uneasiness. Quite a number of women and children have previously retired to the village and others are leaving the city pursuant to these unfavourable reports.\n\nCHANGE OF VIEWPOINT\n\nThe motives which urged the Japanese to take advantage of the Lukouchiao and Shanghai incidents to start the present war are explained by a competent observer, Mr. E. M. Gull, in a letter to the Manchester Guardian. He says:\n\nSir, May I begin this letter, which I have been wanting to write for some time, by congratulating the Manchester Guardian on its presentation and treatment of the conflict between China and Japan? It needed real knowledge and insight to see and considerable courage to declare, as you did in your issue of July 13, that \"there is every reason to believe that, should the Japanese go forward, political necessity as well as his personal inclination will force General Chiang Kai-shek to fight at last.\" You were, I felt convinced, absolutely right, and so too, I thought, had been your correspondent in Nanking in the admirable messages which he had been sending to you.\n\nBucharest, Sept. 1. Members of the Little Entente have issued a communique on their policy, which is based on the same principles as the United States.\n\nMost observers in England, among them persons who had recently been in China, thought that China would not fight—not, some said, in any circumstances, and among them were men for whose respect I had a high regard.\n\nWashington, Sept. 1. Asked whether the United States and Britain contemplated further joint action in the Sino-Japanese crisis, Mr. Bingham replied that any statement would have to come from the Department of State.\n\nReports that British and American naval commanders at Shanghai were discussing the possibility of convoys to escort vessels were treated with circumspection by the Department of State, which takes the view that such a step would require Mr. Roosevelt's approval.—Reuter.\n\nTension Relieved\n\nUpon its presentation and treatment of the Far Eastern crisis \"to some extent.\"\n\nIt is expected that American cargo and passenger ships will be permitted to enter freely into Chinese waters soon, but Mr. Roper added that the American Government had to proceed upon a daily, and nigh an hourly basis, dependent on developments as they occurred.—Reuter.\n\nChinese Make Amends\n\nWashington, Sept. 2. The State Department has announced that the American Ambassador to China, Mr. N. T. Johnson, has cabled advising that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has officially apologised in connection with the mistaken bombing of President Hoover and made amends.—United Press.\n\nBritish Co-operation\n\nShanghai, Sept. 2 (7 p.m.). Admiral Yarnell, interviewed by Reuter, expressed his appreciation of British co-operation in the present difficulties. He stated that he was conferring with Vice-Admiral Little frequently on questions of common interest, keeping the river open to navigation, and he described the help given by H.M.S. Cumberland to the United States supply ship Gold Star as a sterling example of Anglo-American co-operation.\n\nThe Basic Facts\n\nI say all this not by way of sending you an agreeable letter but because it enables me to state what I conceive to be the basic facts in the present situation. First, the Chinese are not temperamentally fighters, and they have a moral and intellectual antipathy to violence. The commonest coolie will describe as \"too fierce\" the threatening, blustering type of person, and once that has been said three or four times of a man, he is marked as inferior \"for keeps.\" But what the Chinese feel today transcends this constitutional dislike. They feel that unless they fight Japan, they will become a second-rate people, dominated by an inferiority complex, under the influence of which they could accomplish none of the tasks which they know must be undertaken and completed before they can rank again as a first-rate people.\n\nThe communique states that the development of the economic and political relations with the Danubian countries is increasingly hopeful.\n\nThe communique praises M. Paul Van Zeeland's efforts for international economic accord.—United Press.\n\nETHIOPIAN CONQUEST\n\nBelgrade, Sept. 1. Semi-officially, the newspaper Vreme reported that members of the Bucharest conference agreed that the question of recognising the Italian conquest of Ethiopia should be liquidated as soon as possible.\n\nIt is believed that members of the Little Entente are ready to originate a common move for the recognition of the conquest, and eliminating the subject from further European consideration.—United Press.\n\nHAILED IN FRANCE\n\nParis, Sept. 1. The country has hailed the results of the conference at Bucharest as the greatest victory of French foreign policy since Herr Adolf Hitler's policy changed the international line-up.\n\nAttention has been drawn to the communique, which endorses every principle of French foreign policy. It is said that the \"Hands-off Spain\" policy adopted at Bucharest is a direct blow to the Italo-German interference doctrine that in the civil war is justifiable because of the danger of the establishment of an extreme Leftist regime in Spain.—United Press.\n\nOPIUM PROBLEM\n\nCase of the British Colonies\nFUTURE CONTROL POINT\nA plea for the closest co-operation between the United States and this country in regard to the opium traffic was made at a gathering in Westminster by Mrs. Howell Morrhead, of the Foreign Policy Association, U.S.A., who for twenty-two years has been making a close study of the opium problem, discussing it with experts in many countries, and watching the work of the League of Nations Opium Advisory Committee.\n\nMrs. Moorhead spoke of a conference that would be held at Geneva in about two years, a conference of plenipotentiaries of the various Governments, to consider the drafting of a treaty to limit the supply of raw materials to the needs of doctors and scientists.\n\nMedical and scientific needs are already known, but to arrive at the world requirements of raw material, the League must also know the amount of raw material required by the opium-smoking monopolies and how long that need is to continue.\n\nIt should therefore also know what policy Great Britain intended to pursue in regard to such of her colonies as still allow opium-smoking. In some of those colonies, there are only a few—the smoker is registered but not rationed; in some, he is rationed, and in some, the registered list is closed, though new names may be added on medical authority.\n\nMrs. Moorhead, who made it clear that she was not speaking for her Government, said that the one point at issue between opinion in the United States and in Great Britain was the indefinite continuation of the opium-smoking monopolies in certain British colonies.\n\nAPPEAL TO MAYOR\n\nSan Francisco, Sept. 1. Teamsters throttled waterfront longshoremen's gangs attempting to unload ships here today, and cargoes are not leaving the docks.\n\nIn Clashes\n\nJerusalem, Sept. 1. Four more persons were killed today as a result of clashes between Arabs and Jews.\n\nJewish leaders have issued a proclamation in similar terms used by the Arab Higher Committee yesterday, urging their people to keep calm. Police and aircraft are standing by for emergencies.—Reuter Bulletin.\n\nMartial Law Threat\n\nA spokesman for the shippers asserted: \"Outbound ships will soon be without cargoes. All shipping will be badly crippled. We are not party to the dispute but are watching developments closely.\n\nJerusalem, Sept. 1. Two more Arabs have been shot to death. The toll for the 72 hours is seven Arabs and three Jews. The British authorities have threatened martial law.—United Press.\n\nAppeal to Mayor\n\nArab Killed\n\nJerusalem, Sept. 2. Shots were fired at the British High Commissioner's summer camp today, killing an Arab constable.\n\nSan Francisco, Sept. 1. Seventy-five women, mostly the wives of longshoremen, some leading and others carrying children, marched to the offices of the Mayor, Mr. Angelo J. Rossi, and appealed to him to terminate the embargo.—United Press.\n\nThe High Commissioner is at present residing there.—Reuter Bulletin.\n\nThe meeting agreed that the problem of Hongkong, where the control system has broken down, would require separate consideration.\n\nAMOY MAYOR QUITS\n\nAmoy, Sept. 2. Mr. Li Shih-lin, the mayor of Amoy, resigned today. It is reported that Mr. Kao Han-chiu will be appointed to succeed Mr. Li.—Central News.\n\nThe Canton-Hankow Railway has now resumed its regular service, which was lately interrupted by flood in Hunan, says the Canton Gazette. The large quantity of Hunan rice intended for Kwangtung and held up by the flood is gradually pouring into Canton.\n\nPage 13\n\nPage 13\n\nPage 13\n\n...\n\nPage 32\n\nPage 32\n\nPage 32",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-564-6 Typhoon- reports of damage- etc 9-9-1937 - 6-11-1937.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 556427,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-565-14 Vacancy for air raid precaution officer. Includes 1 photograph depicting- Douglas Berwick Maitland- applicant for... 15-11-1937 - 8-2-1938",
        "page_number": 51,
        "title": "CO129-565-14 Vacancy for air raid precaution officer. Includes 1 photograph depicting- Douglas Berwick Maitland- applicant for... 15-11-1937 - 8-2-1938",
        "content_text": "$387\n\nXXX SECRET\n\nAIR MAIL.\n\n52\n\nGOVERNMENT HOUSE,\n\nHONG KONG.\n\n15th November, 1937.\n\nmy pong by\n\nannined)\n\n6230/37 (ci cuc)\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to refer to your secret circular despatch of 5th May, 1937, on the subject of the anti-gas protection of civilian populations, and to inform you that in the course of the past few months the Air Raids Precautions Sub-Committee of the Local Defence Committee has been engaged in working out a programme of measures by which the Colony will, during the next few years, be provided with the trained personnel and equipment necessary for a complete air raids precautionary service.\n\n2.\n\nPending the detailed recommendations of the Air Raids Precautions Sub-Committee a sum of $50,000 was provided in the draft Estimates for 1938 (forwarded to you under cover of Mr. N.L. Smith's despatch No.598 of 23rd September, 1937) under the new Head 27, Defence, D., Air Raid Precautions. Since the drafting of these Estimates a programme of those measures which call for priority of attention has been submitted by the Sub-Committee, and in this programme the first item, which forms the subject of the present despatch, is a proposal for the appointment of a whole-time Air Raids Precautionary Officer. It is submitted that the work\n\nTHE RIGHT HONOURABLE\n\nW.G.A.ORMSBY-GORE, P.C., M.P.,\n\n&C.,\n\n&C., &C.\n\n1",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-565-14 Vacancy for air raid precaution officer. Includes 1 photograph depicting- Douglas Berwick Maitland- applicant for... 15-11-1937 - 8-2-1938.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 556624,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-565-8 British Medical aid for China- sponsered by League of Nations 14-10-1937 - 5-1-1938",
        "page_number": 27,
        "title": "CO129-565-8 British Medical aid for China- sponsered by League of Nations 14-10-1937 - 5-1-1938",
        "content_text": "[Communicated to the Council and the Members of the League].\n\nC. 524. M. 363. 1937. X.\n\nGeneva, October 22nd, 1937.\n\nLEAGUE OF NATIONS\n\nTECHNICAL COLLABORATION WITH CHINA\n\nSCHEME OF ANTI-EPIDEMIC ACTION\n\nReport by the Supervisory Commission\n\n1. In pursuance of the Assembly's decision of October 5th, 1937, approving the Fourth Committee's report (document A.76(a).1937), and of the Council's resolution of the same date, the Supervisory Commission met at Paris on October 19th and 20th to examine the scheme of anti-epidemic action drawn up by the special Sub-Committee of the Health Committee.\n\nThe Sub-Committee's report is appended.\n\n2. The Commission's first step was to clear up certain points on which full explanations were furnished by Dr. Parisot, Chairman of the Sub-Committee.\n\n3. In accordance with Chapter III of its previous report, dated October 4th (document A.76(a).1937), the Supervisory Commission examined the proposals submitted by the Sub-Committee, both from the budgetary and administrative points of view, and took the necessary steps to ensure that the execution of the scheme should not entail, directly or indirectly, expenditure in excess of the sum of two millions allocated by the Assembly.1\n\nThe entire responsibility for the work will be assumed by the Chinese Government. The League's part will therefore be to place at that Government's disposal, for a period of one year, groups of experts provided with the necessary medical and technical equipment. The general principle which the Commission felt impelled to adopt will involve the following consequences, which may be conveniently enumerated as follows:\n\n(a) Personnel. The experts to be sent by the League of Nations to China will not form a distinct international body operating in a particular country. They will be technicians grouped in a given area and placed at the Chinese Government's disposal under the same conditions as the advisers which the League has sent out to assist that Government on former occasions.\n\nThe experts will be invited to accept a contract of a stated type, providing among other things for insurance, so that acceptance of such contracts will entirely relieve the League of any financial responsibility in respect of those concerned.\n\n2\n\nAll arrangements with regard to the appointment of experts, the drafting of their contracts and the taking-out of insurance policies will be made by the Secretary-General of the League of Nations.\n\nThe credits necessary for the payment of the experts' salaries for the year during which the scheme is to remain in force will be earmarked at the time of their appointment: no shortage is therefore to be feared in regard to this chapter of the budget.\n\n(b) Medical and Technical Equipment (travelling laboratories, motor-cars, medicines and vaccines, etc.). On the termination of the scheme, the material and equipment placed at the experts' disposal will become the absolute property of the Chinese Government. It is understood that the handing-over to the Chinese authorities of the material provided for in the scheme does not imply direct or indirect responsibility on the part of the League of Nations for the replacement of such material in the event of its proving insufficient or being exhausted before the end of the year during which the scheme is in operation.\n\nAs regards the purchase and despatch of the material, for which the Secretariat is not equipped, the Commission recommends that it should as far as possible be centralised, and that in any case the work should be placed in the hands of an experienced person, every precaution being taken to ensure that the purchases are made under the best possible conditions.\n\n1 The contribution of the Chinese Government towards the 1937 budget was paid at the beginning of November and transferred to a special account.\n\n2 Whenever it may be thought advisable to consult the Governments of individual experts, this will be done before the appointment is made.\n\n3349\n\n-\n\nS.d.N. 650 (F.) 400 (A.) 11/37. Imp. Granchamp, Annemasse.\n\n27",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-565-8 British Medical aid for China- sponsered by League of Nations 14-10-1937 - 5-1-1938.txt",
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    {
        "id": 562248,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938",
        "page_number": 30,
        "title": "CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938",
        "content_text": "## 7 \n\nThe scope of our functions was sometimes misunderstood in certain quarters. We were frequently asked to prohibit landlords from raising rent or giving notice to quit, or to arbitrate between landlord and tenant. In one case, a tenant who had been evicted on a magistrate's warrant desired us to intervene, and in another, a tenant who had been an unsuccessful defendant in an action for recovery of possession in the Supreme Court.\n\n## 8 \nWe also received evidence from the Government Assessor of Rates, the Executive Engineer in charge of the Buildings Ordinance Office, and various unofficial witnesses. We considered, in addition, written cases submitted by tenants, and written arguments, tables of figures, and extracts from account books submitted to us by a number of prominent house property owners.\n\n## 9 \nBy the evening of the 21st March, 1938, we felt we had progressed sufficiently to justify us in notifying, in the columns of the press, and at all Police Stations in Victoria and Kowloon, that we would not receive further complaints after the 23rd March, 1938, and such notification was given accordingly on the 22nd March, 1938.\n\n## 10 \nWe had hoped, on and after the 24th March, 1938, to devote our time to analysing the evidence and information we had obtained, and to drafting this Report, but a delay was caused by circumstances which we desire to explain. We requested the Secretary of the Kowloon Residents Association, which had, before our appointment, inserted in the newspapers an advertisement incorporating a questionnaire whereby tenants were invited to ventilate their grievances, to appear before us. The Secretary to the Association duly appeared before us on the morning of the 14th March, 1938, when he informed us that the Association had, up to that date, received about 130 replies to its questionnaire. We requested him to ask his Committee to consider the correspondence and to select for us those cases in which investigation seemed most necessary. The Association held a general meeting on the 22nd March, and on the afternoon of the 23rd March, we received a deputation representative of its members who informed us that, on account of the fact that their advertisement had contained the words \"All replies will be treated confidentially,\" they did not feel at liberty to disclose particulars of any complaints they had received. The Association had not investigated any of the complaints. They stated that the number of complaints received up to and including the 19th March, 1938, was 321 and that they did not propose to entertain any further complaints. They requested us to extend our enquiry, so far as the complaints that they had received were concerned, until the 26th March, 1938, in order that they might find time to inform their complainants, by means of press advertisements, that those who desired their cases to be investigated by the Commission should communicate directly with us. In view of the large number of complaints received by the Association, and the startling increases of rent alleged to have been imposed in a summary presented to us by the deputation, which in six cases were said to exceed 150%, we felt that we had no option but to agree to the request.\n\n## 11 \nWe sat on the morning and afternoon of Saturday, the 26th March, 1938, to deal exclusively with the Kowloon Residents Association's cases. Owing to an unfortunate error in a comment in a Chinese newspaper on the Association's advertisement, for which the Association was in no way to blame, the Chinese public were led to believe that we were prepared to hear all cases, and considerable confusion resulted. We endeavoured to ascertain which of the many applicants had, in fact, applied to the Association before the 19th March, 1938. Some had not complained to the Association at all; others had not complained before the 19th March, 1938; others were not resident in Kowloon, and others were tenants whom we had already seen or whose written complaints we had already considered. All these we declined to hear. Those tenants who had actually written to the Association, as distinct from merely filling in its questionnaire, had been notified by its Secretary that they should report to us, and we interviewed all those in possession of his letter. In addition, we heard what appeared to be the more outstanding cases. In no case did we discover any such huge increase as was alleged in the summary given us by the Committee's deputation, but we must admit the possibility that some cases may have been overlooked in the prevailing confusion.\n\n## 12 \nIn spite of our endeavours to make our inquiry as widely known as possible, in which we received some assistance from the staff of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, many tenants who were in a position to complain forthwith delayed writing to us until after we had ceased to entertain fresh cases. The principle underlying the maxim \"vigilantibus non dormientibus æquitas subvenit\" may justly be regarded as applicable to such cases.\n\n## 13 \nWe have decided not to publish the evidence which we received, some of which was confidential, in the shape of appendices to this Report, and the only appendices annexed hereto are Appendix I, Appendix II, and Appendix III, representing respectively a table showing the decrease in vacant accommodation, a graph illustrating the same decrease, and figures relating to the house construction now in progress. The points from the evidence, both oral and written, upon which our findings are based will be found incorporated in the body of the Report, and the notes of oral evidence, the written evidence, the original memoranda, and correspondence, and a file of press cuttings have been communicated to Government.\n\nOur Report is divided under the following headings:\n\n## 14 \n\n1. Preliminary\n2. The Reasons for, and the Extent of, the Rise in Rents\n3. Landlords' Return on Capital\n4. Evictions and Alternative Accommodation\n5. Possible Solutions\n6. Miscellaneous and Conclusion\n\nand a separate part of this Report is devoted to each heading.\n\n## 15 \nFinally, we desire to place on record our appreciation of the courtesy of the Honourable Secretary for Chinese Affairs in allowing us to make use of the services of Mr. Lai Chi-cheung as interpreter and Mr. Chung King-pui as translator. Our thanks are also due to the Chairman of the Urban Council for permitting us to make use of the Urban Council Chamber, and to the Honourable Director of Public Works for subsequently permitting us to complete this Report in his departmental board room. We wish to express our thanks to the Honourable Mr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., LL.D., for collecting and forwarding information to us; to the Land Officer for certain data as to mortgages; to the Government Assessor of Rates for providing us with figures and assisting us in referring to his records; to the Executive Engineer in charge of the Buildings Ordinance Office for compiling certain statistics and assisting us with an appendix; to the Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court for particulars relating to distraints; and to Miss R. Bercovitch, Mrs. A. Osmund, Mr. Lai Chi-cheung, and Mr. Chung King-pui. To Miss Bercovitch and Mrs. Osmund for sterling work as typists and stenographers, and to Mr. Lai and Mr. Chung for equally good work as interpreter and translator, respectively.\n\n## PART II \n### The Reasons for, and the Extent of, the Rise in Rents\n\n## 1 \nUnder our terms of reference, we were to have regard to the rise and fall of rents during the last ten years, but only very few tenants were able to give us a continuous history for so long a period. This fact is of great significance and goes to the root of the present situation of tenants in the Colony.\n\n## 2 \nA wealth of evidence was furnished to prove that owners of house property were the victims of a disastrous slump during the years 1933 to 1937. No doubt, there were during the last ten years cases of speculative building in which men of...\n\nPage 30\nPage 31",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 562284,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938",
        "page_number": 66,
        "title": "CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938",
        "content_text": "## 73\n\n6- \nscope of our functions in certain quarters. We were frequently asked to prohibit landlords from raising rent or giving notice to quit, or to arbitrate between landlord and tenant. In one case a tenant who had been evicted on a magistrate's warrant desired us to intervene, and in another a tenant who had been unsuccessful defendant in an action for recovery of possession in the Supreme Court.\n\n8. We also received evidence from the Government Assessor of Rates, the Executive Engineer in charge of the Buildings Ordinance Office, and various unofficial witnesses. We considered in addition written cases submitted by tenants, and written arguments, tables of figures and extracts from account books submitted to us by a number of prominent house property owners.\n\n9. By the evening of the 21st March, 1938, we felt we had progressed sufficiently to justify us in notifying in the columns of the press, and at all Police Stations in Victoria and Kowloon, that we would not receive further complaints after the 23rd March, 1938, and such notification was given accordingly on the 22nd March, 1938.\n\n10. We had hoped on and after the 24th March, 1938, to devote our time to analysing the evidence and information we had obtained, and to drafting this Report, but a delay was caused by circumstances which we desire to explain. We requested the Secretary of the Kowloon Residents Association, which had before our appointment inserted in the newspapers an advertisement incorporating a questionnaire whereby tenants were invited to ventilate their grievances, to appear before us. The Secretary to the Association duly appeared before us on the morning of the 14th March, 1938, when he informed us that the Association had up to that date received about 130 replies to its questionnaire. We requested him to ask his Committee to consider the correspondence, and to select for us those cases in which investigation seemed most necessary. The Association held a general meeting on the 22nd March, and on the afternoon of the 23rd March we received a deputation representative of its members who informed us that on account of the fact that their advertisement had contained the words \"All replies will be treated confidentially\" they did not feel at liberty to disclose particulars of any complaints they had received. The Association had not investigated any of the complaints. They stated that the number of complaints received up to and including the 19th March, 1938, was 321 and that they did not propose to entertain any further complaints. They requested us to extend our enquiry, so far as the complaints that they had received were concerned, until the 26th March, 1938, in order that they might find time to inform their complainants by means of press advertisements that those who desired their cases to be investigated by the Commission, should communicate directly with us. In view of the large number of complaints received by the Association, and the startling increases of rent alleged to have been imposed in a summary presented to us by the deputation, which in six cases were said to exceed 150%, we felt that we had no option but to agree to the request.\n\n11. We sat on the morning and afternoon of Saturday the 26th March, 1938, to deal exclusively with the Kowloon Residents Association's cases. Owing to an unfortunate error in a comment in a Chinese newspaper on the Association's advertisement, for which the Association was in no way to blame, the Chinese public were led to believe that we were prepared to hear all cases, and considerable confusion resulted. We endeavoured to ascertain which of the many applicants had in fact applied to the Association before the 19th March, 1938. Some had not complained to the Association at all; others had not complained before the 19th March, 1938; others were not resident in Kowloon and others were tenants whom we had already seen or whose written complaints we had already considered. All these we declined to hear. Those tenants who had actually written to the Association, as distinct from merely filling in its questionnaire, had been notified by its Secretary that they should report to us, and we interviewed all those in possession of his letter. In addition, we heard what appeared to be the more outstanding cases. In no case did we discover any such huge increase as was alleged in the summary given us by the Committee's deputation, but we must admit the possibility that some cases may have been overlooked in the prevailing confusion.\n\n12. In spite of our endeavours to make our inquiry as widely known as possible, in which we received some assistance from the staff of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, many tenants who were in a position to complain forthwith delayed writing to us until after we had ceased to entertain fresh cases.\n\nThe principle underlying the maxim \"vigilantibus non dormientibus æquitas subvenit\" may justly be regarded as applicable to such cases.\n\n13. We have decided not to publish the evidence which we received, some of which was confidential, in the shape of appendices to this Report, and the only appendices annexed hereto are Appendix I, Appendix II and Appendix III, representing respectively a table showing the decrease in vacant accommodation, a graph illustrating the same decrease, and figures relating to the house construction now in progress. The points from the evidence, both oral and written, upon which our findings are based will be found incorporated in the body of the Report, and the notes of oral evidence, the written evidence, the original memoranda and correspondence and a file of press cuttings have been communicated to Government.\n\n14. Our Report is divided under the following headings:\n\n1. Preliminary.\n2. The Reasons for, and the Extent of, the Rise in Rents.\n3. Landlords' Return on Capital.\n4. Evictions and Alternative Accommodation.\n5. Possible Solutions.\n6. Miscellaneous and Conclusion.\n\nand a separate part of this Report is devoted to each heading.\n\n15. Finally, we desire to place on record our appreciation of the courtesy of the Honourable Secretary for Chinese Affairs in allowing us to make use of the services of Mr. Lai Chi-cheung as interpreter and Mr. Chung King-pui as translator. Our thanks are also due to the Chairman of the Urban Council for permitting us to make use of the Urban Council Chamber, and to the Honourable Director of Public Works for subsequently permitting us to complete this Report in his departmental board room. We wish to express our thanks to the Honourable Mr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., LL.D., for collecting and forwarding information to us; to the Land Officer for certain data as to mortgages; to the Government Assessor of Rates for providing us with figures and assisting us in referring to his records; to the Executive Engineer in charge of the Buildings Ordinance Office for compiling certain statistics and assisting us with an appendix; to the Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court for particulars relating to distraints and to Miss R. Bercovitch, Mrs. A. Osmund, Mr. Lai Chi-cheung and Mr. Chung King-pui. To Miss Bercovitch and Mrs. Osmund for sterling work as typists and stenographers, and to Mr. Lai and Mr. Chung for equally good work as interpreter and translator respectively.\n\n## PART II\n\n## The Reasons for, and the Extent of, the Rise in Rents.\n\n1. Under our terms of reference we were to have regard to the rise and fall of rents during the last ten years, but only very few tenants were able to give us a continuous history for so long a period. This fact is of great significance, and goes to the root of the present situation of tenants in the Colony.\n\n2. A wealth of evidence was furnished to prove that owners of house property were the victims of a disastrous slump during the years 1933 to 1937. No doubt there were during the last ten years cases of speculative building in which men of... \n\n## 74",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 562382,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939",
        "page_number": 33,
        "title": "CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939",
        "content_text": "# Enclosure No. 4.\n\n5.\n\n- 3 - \n\n34\n\nindependence of the Water Accounts and also provides a sounder financial basis for future capital renewals. At the same time it involves some immediate loss of revenue on general account.\n\nIn spite of these modifications, proposals were still opposed by the three Chinese members of Legislative Council, but their opposition was not supported by the other unofficial members. I enclose for your information newspaper cuttings reporting the debate at the second reading of the Waterworks Bill on the 15th September, 1938, in which is contained the statement of the reasons for this opposition and the reply made on behalf of the Government.\n\n6.\n\nIt was found necessary to amend the Bill in Committee on certain minor matters of administration and drafting, and it was finally passed on the 13th October.\n\n7.\n\nThe draft estimates for 1939, copies of which have already been forwarded to you, have been framed on the basis of the revised proposals, and Waterworks departmental expenditure and expenditure on maintenance are accordingly being shown under a special Head \"B\" of the Public Works Department. It is proposed for the present to charge all new capital expenditure on Waterworks to Loan Account, and provision is being made accordingly in the draft estimates. The estimates contain in an Appendix statements showing the estimated revenue from water",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-572-14 Proposed reorganisation of water services 7-4-1938 - 3-4-1939.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 563102,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-573-7 Education- government grants to vernacular schools 30-5-1938 - 28-7-1938",
        "page_number": 3,
        "title": "CO129-573-7 Education- government grants to vernacular schools 30-5-1938 - 28-7-1938",
        "content_text": "## \n\nB \n\nD \n\nCommittee. Apparently the code has already received the Governor's official approval, but no doubt if, after reading the memorandum, which he very likely has never seen before, he thinks there is a case for further consideration, he can in due course get the code revised.\n\nThe drafting of parts of the code seems open to criticism; for instance in Section I \"The code aids education\", and in II (4) the interpretation of \"reasonable grounds\" might, I think, present considerable difficulties.\n\nSection 12, relating to furniture grants suggests that a school can only receive a furniture grant if it also receives a building grant, and only at the time when the new building for which the grant is given is being erected. I should have thought that provision for furniture grants, irrespective of building grants or construction of new buildings, would have been desirable.\n\nI leave it to the Department to decide whether the points referred to in the two preceding paragraphs ought to be brought to the notice of the Governor.\n\nAltan Righet  \n12.7.38.\n\nJane  \nas regards cantation  \nFranks  \nsee  \nof the attached  \npum  \n· Colonial NIP4  \npar 10, 13, 14  \n\n> \nI Louvr  \nouvr if  \nof the  \nw\" by  \nJour hug  \nadvantays in  \nThe sys  \ninking wolics of A, B.  \nThe fumiture",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-573-7 Education- government grants to vernacular schools 30-5-1938 - 28-7-1938.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 564645,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940",
        "page_number": 228,
        "title": "CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940",
        "content_text": "# HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\n183\n\nAnother general complaint has been about the alleged unequal incidence of income tax. In this category are included a large number of complaints and objections on matters of comparatively minor detail, such as that the exemption limit is too low or that the personal allowances should be increased, or that other allowances should be given for various kinds of expenses or liabilities. Obviously, no objection of principle can exist to making adjustments in those allowances if so advised by the very representative Committee which Your Excellency has set up to examine these and other details. If I may carry the war into the enemy's camp again, another beauty of Income Tax is precisely that such adjustments can be made in a way which is impossible with any other tax.\n\nQuestions have also been asked as to whether such and such perquisites of Government officials and others are to be taxed, for example, free houses. Provisions laying down the treatment of such perquisites are contained in the draft bill now being examined by the Committee, and if they are thought to be inequitable, they can be changed. Other inquirers have asked whether the income tax assessment would include the squeeze upon which so many of us, official and unofficial, are popularly supposed to live. It is the dream of every zealous income tax official that he will some day find a conscientious burglar who will make a full return of the profits of his profession. I have no doubt that he would similarly welcome a full disclosure from the recipients of squeeze, but I fear that he will have to wait until those members of the public who claim to possess full information on the subject are kind enough to communicate it to the authorities. The other problems of assessment of income and allowances are primarily matters of the drafting of legislation and will no doubt receive the due attention of the Committee.\n\nThe third general class of comment relates to evasion. That people will try to evade taxation of any kind is certain, but there are means open to Government for detecting many kinds of attempts at evasion, and this matter also is largely one for discussion by the Committee which is examining the draft legislation. In the course of the long period during which income tax has been in operation in the United Kingdom, a very great variety of methods of evasion have been tried and a great many ways of detecting them have been developed. I do not suppose that the would-be evaders are going to publish their methods, but at any rate, the methods announced by those persons who claim to be au fait with the intentions of the evaders are not different from the ordinary stock-in-trade of the tax dodger all over the world. I have never denied personally that this question of prevention of evasion is by far the greatest problem in the administration of income tax, whether here or anywhere else, but I see no reason why it should be less capable of solution here than in other countries. We are being constantly told that income tax has failed in this country or that. All I can say is that in those British countries where it exists today, that is not the official view; and there has been a\n\n249",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-576-10 Estimates 1940 6-10-1939 - 22-10-1940.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 565802,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-578-2 Revision of salaries for Government employees 4-11-1938 - 12-12-1939",
        "page_number": 72,
        "title": "CO129-578-2 Revision of salaries for Government employees 4-11-1938 - 12-12-1939",
        "content_text": "3\n\n12\n\n2\n\nofficers who have actually accepted appointment at the fixed salary of £1250 is receiving further consideration.\n\n3. The proposals in paragraph 2(d) of your despatch of 27th April with regard to the salaries of certain individual posts are being examined with the Heads of Departments concerned, and I will communicate further in due course with regard to them.\n\n4. As regards the Anomalies Committee proposals with regard to rent for quarters and rent or lodging allowance I have decided, after consideration of the representations made by the local service to bring into operation the new General Order proposed by the Committee, subject to certain drafting amendments and with two provisos; first, that it will not be applied so as to reduce the allowance of any officer drawing allowance as a married man when it comes into operation (or any such officer who is on leave but was drawing such allowance immediately before going on leave), and second, that in the case of single officers on the old 6% terms no reduction will be made until 1st January, 1940. A copy of the revised General Order when finally issued will be forwarded to you.\n\n5. Steps also will be taken to introduce the necessary legislation amending the Pensions Ordinance, to make other consequential amendments to General Orders and to make adjustments in outstanding individual cases in which salary on promotion or while acting in higher appointments has been dependent on decisions on the Anomalies Committee Report.\n\nI have the honour to be,\n\nSir,\n\nYour most obedient, humble servant,\n\n[Signature as] Acting Governor.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-578-2 Revision of salaries for Government employees 4-11-1938 - 12-12-1939.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 568910,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940",
        "page_number": 86,
        "title": "CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940",
        "content_text": "86\n\nHONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.\n\n183\n\nAnother general complaint has been about the alleged unequal incidence of income tax. In this category are included a large number of complaints and objections on matters of comparatively minor detail, such as that the exemption limit is too low or that the personal allowances should be increased, or that other allowances should be given for various kinds of expenses or liabilities. Obviously no objection of principle can exist to making adjustments in those allowances if so advised by the very representative Committee which Your Excellency has set up to examine these and other details. If I may carry the war into the enemy's camp again, another beauty of Income Tax is precisely that such adjustments can be made in a way which is impossible with any other tax.\n\nQuestions have also been asked as to whether such and such perquisites of Government officials and others are to be taxed, for example, free houses. Provisions laying down the treatment of such perquisites are contained in the draft bill now being examined by the Committee, and if they are thought to be inequitable they can be changed. Other inquirers have asked whether the income tax assessment would include the squeeze upon which so many of us, official and unofficial, are popularly supposed to live. It is the dream of every zealous income tax official that he will some day find a conscientious burglar who will make a full return of the profits of his profession. I have no doubt that he would similarly welcome a full disclosure from the recipients of squeeze, but I fear that he will have to wait until those members of the public who claim to possess full information on the subject are kind enough to communicate it to the authorities. The other problems of assessment of income and allowances are primarily matters of the drafting of legislation and will no doubt receive the due attention of the Committee.\n\nThe third general class of comment relates to evasion. That people will try to evade taxation of any kind is certain, but there are means open to Government for detecting many kinds of attempts at evasion, and this matter also is largely one for discussion by the Committee which is examining the draft legislation. In the course of the long period during which income tax has been in operation in the United Kingdom, a very great variety of methods of evasion have been tried and a great many ways of detecting them have been developed. I do not suppose that the would-be evaders are going to publish their methods, but at any rate the methods announced by those persons who claim to be au fait with the intentions of the evaders are not different from the ordinary stock-in-trade of the tax dodger all over the world. I have never denied personally that this question of prevention of evasion is by far the greatest problem in the administration of income tax, whether here or anywhere else, but I see no reason why it should be less capable of solution here than in other countries. We are being constantly told that income tax has failed in this country or that. All I can say is that in those British countries where it exists to-day, that is not the official view; and there has been a",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-582-7 Taxation 6-6-1939 - 5-2-1940.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 571546,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940",
        "page_number": 20,
        "title": "CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940",
        "content_text": "## Page 20\nAlthough not strictly income tax I should be grateful if you would look at this and say whether you have any further comments. In spite of having had a considerable hand in the drafting of the Ordinance I am not inclined to resent the Board of Inland Revenue's strictures on it. It was admittedly a makeshift measure and probably suffered additionally from the fact that the original draft was prepared very hastily in the expectation that the lawyers would tighten it up later on, whereas what has happened is that the Hong Kong lawyers attempted nothing of the sort, while the Committee, consisting mainly of officials, devoted their efforts to weakening its provisions.\n\nI agree that we should sanction the Ordinance, while setting out the Board of Inland Revenue's comments on it. I would, however, go on to say that the Secretary of State has no doubt that the Hong Kong Government fully realise that the present Ordinance compares unfavourably with income...\n\nPage 20  \nPage 21",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 571669,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940",
        "page_number": 143,
        "title": "CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940",
        "content_text": "T.2015/4/40.\n\nDear Caine,\n\n## SECRETARIES' OFFICE, INLAND REVENUE\n### 38 Somerset House, London, W.C.2.\n13th May, 1940.\n\nWe have examined the draft of the Hong Kong War Revenue Ordinance which you sent me on the 10th April (`54002/40`) and I attach some notes on a number of points which require consideration.\n\nThe drafting of the Bill is very loose and it is a pity that the draftsman did not have regard to the drafting of the Model Ordinance prepared by the Departmental Committee of 1922 (`Cmd.1788`), which covers much of the same ground, i.e., definition of chargeable income, exemptions, allowances, trustees, agents, etc. What troubles us more, however, is that the proposals in the Bill are open to serious criticism in principle. As the Committee recognises, the proposals involve inequality of burdens between individuals and this is likely to be a fruitful cause of evasion. I understood from you that the limitations of the Bill are dictated by local conditions peculiar to Hong Kong, but in our view these inequalities are likely to increase rather than diminish the difficulties of administration and the possibilities of evasion.\n\nIf I rightly understand the report of the War Revenue Committee (Chapter 2, Paragraph 8) the principal objection to a general income tax, apart from apprehended difficulties of administration, was that it would have applied to all profits wherever made. This need not necessarily be so: the Model Ordinance is restricted to income \"accruing in, derived from, or received in\" the territory and the scope of the proposals could have been limited to profits made in the territory. Nor is there any difficulty about exempting profits made in Hong Kong which are chargeable to income tax in the United Kingdom or some part of the Empire. Indeed, these latter restrictions are actually incorporated in the present Bill (Clauses 13-15, but see the Note on Clause 15).\n\nS. Caine, Esq.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-586-8 War Taxation 2-2-1940 - 11-5-1940.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 573123,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-588-24 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 23-11-1942 - 1-1-1943",
        "page_number": 258,
        "title": "CO129-588-24 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 23-11-1942 - 1-1-1943",
        "content_text": "# MOST SECRET\n## 131\n### 258\n\n**USUAL DISTRIBUTION**\n\nThis telegram is of particular secrecy and should be retained by the authorised recipient and not passed on.\n\n**CYPHER**\n**WAR CABINET DISTRIBUTION**\n\nFROM: **CHINA**\nFROM CHUNGKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE\n\nSir H. Seymour No.1614\nD. 3.00 p.m.\nR. 8.00 p.m.\n30th November, 1942.\n\n**IMMEDIATE**\n\n112 Your telegram No.1522 paragraph 20.\n\nMinister for Foreign Affairs informs me phrase was introduced in order to make it perfectly clear, mainly to the Chinese public, that even if some particular point had been overlooked in the drafting of the Treaty it was understood that no old treaty rights infringing China's sovereignty were to be retained. He assured me that the Chinese Government had no particular point in view to which this sentence would apply, but thought it well that the Treaty should make it clear that no unilateral rights still remained and that the settlement will be comprehensive.\n\n2. I think that this explanation is the true one. Several matters mentioned in the Draft Note are really covered at any rate by implication in the Treaty. Their appearance in the Note is due to the desire of the Chinese Government to have an answer to questions asked in the press and at the Central Executive Committee whether this or other Treaty right was included in the abrogation of extra-territoriality.\n\nWith the Compliments of the \nUnder Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs \n\nCOPY \n`(8035/828/10 - DEC 1942)`\nColonial Office. \n`(W.B. Monson, Esq)`\n\nOTP.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-588-24 China- British extra-territorial rights- negotiations with China 23-11-1942 - 1-1-1943.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 573533,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943",
        "page_number": 18,
        "title": "CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943",
        "content_text": "18 \n\nA student who reached his finals without having done two years in Hong Kong was not likely to arise for some time, and it was suggested that his case might be met by a promise that we would see that on the re-opening of the University, he would be allowed to proceed straight to take the final medical examination of the University, if he had already qualified in the Chinese school.\n\nThe drafting of an order in council on the lines suggested will require a good deal of detailed examination of existing legislation and statutes, but the immediate step is to put the matter to the GMC, whose Executive Committee is meeting on Monday, and I attach a draft for this purpose. I have spoken to Mr. A. L. Scott (F.0.) and told him what we are doing. He had no objection to this.\n\n19.5.43.\n\nIlan passed the craft - after consultation with P. Packin... \nthe proposal, but it is likely to have... \nthe provisions, not... \nnote if felt by... \nadvisors, in a convenient... \ncondensed form for the information of high authority, in preparation for the next...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943.txt",
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    {
        "id": 576418,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "page_number": 7,
        "title": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "content_text": "6\n\nfrom\n\nMr Gento Mr. Parkin.\n\nThe Higher Education Committee agreed that one document should be prepared for Hong Kong and Malaya respectively and that the two sets of documents be examined at the meeting on the 8th and circulated to members.\n\n8th,\n\nHerewith two documents accordingly which you will wish to see before circulation.\n\nThe Committee concerned itself with the drafting of the various clauses of the Hong Kong document.\n\nThe drafting of certain of the Malayan clauses was left to the Department, in which connection see the redraft of paragraphs 14 and 16 on page 4.\n\nParagraph 16 follows the formula used in the relevant despatch from the Secretary of State to the Governor of the Straits Settlements.\n\nI have inserted sub-headings above some of the paragraphs. If it is considered that such are unnecessary, we should perhaps be consistent, and delete those headings previously accepted.\n\nMr. Rowell has seen and agreed with these documents.\n\n\"gay e Fr. diretives\".\n\n11.2.44.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 576437,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "page_number": 26,
        "title": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "content_text": "4\n\nEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.\n\n[July 21, 1939\n\nrestricted to those concerning organisation and administration, which involved little or no additional expenditure. The measures were of importance, however, and were necessary to improve the conditions under which instruction was provided; some indeed were essential if the requirements of the General Medical Council were to be carried into effect. In 1934 the Dean and the Board of the Faculty of Medicine conducted a comprehensive and detailed examination of the organisation of, and provision made for, medical education as a whole and for each subject throughout the curriculum. Following this examination of the position a series of changes was made, including many modifications in the general organisation, the re-drafting of the University regulations, the introduction of a syllabus for each subject, the re-organisation of the academic year into three terms instead of two, and a re-adjustment of the students' time-table of studies. The procedure concerning applications from outside students for exemption from courses of study and examinations before admission to the Faculty of Medicine was revised and regularised. These measures, and others to be referred to later and to which attention was called in 1934, became effective in the period under review.\n\n6. During the visit in January, 1939, the substantial advantage of these reforms to the departments and to the studies was apparent. The great difficulty in the preparation period before entering upon the medical curriculum, properly so called, does, however, remain. The medical student before admission to the University now passes the Hong Kong University School Certificate examination, an examination introduced in 1935 and recognised for matriculation to Universities in Great Britain, or an examination in lieu thereof. The first year is, as before, devoted to the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. In this year the classes in Chemistry and Physics are common to the students of all the Faculties of the University; in Biology a separate course is provided for intending medical students.\n\n7. In the Report of 1934 it was recorded that the classes were crowded and that many students had had little or no opportunity of obtaining any instruction in elementary science during their school education, and some had insufficient practice in spoken English. Such students were greatly handicapped during the first year of studies in the University, and seemed to be struggling to learn new subjects in a language they only knew imperfectly. Many failed to attain the requisite standard in the examinations at the first attempt, and repeat courses of study and duplication of classes were necessary. The position was recognised by the University as unsatisfactory. The teaching period during the academic year covered about six and a half months—about 27 to 28 weeks—a period which had proved insufficient for adequate preparation \"without compressed instruction indistinguishable from cramming.\" It was suggested, therefore, for the consideration of the University that the academic year should be re-organised to include three terms instead of two, and that the total teaching period should be increased to 33 to 34 weeks, or alternatively that medical students should be required to take the course for the Intermediate Examination in Arts in the University group which included English, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, a course which covered two academic years. The Board of the Faculty of Medicine and the Senate considered the suggestions, and recommended the adoption of the alternative suggestion of two years' instruction, which, however, was rejected by the Council of the University.\n\n8. The general conditions of study during the first year remain. The classes are, perhaps, more crowded than before owing to the increased number of entries in September, 1938, when sixty-seven new students were admitted, as compared with an average of thirty-one for the four years, 1934-7. Thus in regard to the pre-medical year the position is substantially what it was on my previous visit. A satisfactory course of training in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology must depend on the degree of preparation of a student during the period of school education, as well as on the attainments indicated by passing the matriculation test. The problem is admittedly a difficult one, and it is suggested that the position be further considered by the University.\n\nTHE COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.\n\n9. In the Faculty of Medicine there are departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, housed in separate buildings.\n\n5\n\nEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.\n\nJuly 21, 1939]\n\nPage 27 appears to be missing some content as per the original instruction, however, the given text is proofread and formatted as per the given rules.\n\n \nhas been removed as per rule 12. The text is now formatted in HTML using  for paragraphs as per the output requirement.",
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    },
    {
        "id": 576486,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "page_number": 75,
        "title": "CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944",
        "content_text": "incorporated in such recommendations. Drafts of other recommendations previously proposed by the Committee in respect of Hong Kong were examined and amended and it was agreed that one document should be prepared to incorporate the two sets of recommendations.\n\nIt was also agreed that a similar document for Malaya should be prepared, the drafting of two or three paragraphs thereof being left to the Department and that both the Hong Kong and Malayan documents be circulated.\n\n87\n\n11/20\n\n7/2",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-591-1 Hong Kong University Advisory Committee- recommendations 10-1-1944 - 5-12-1944.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 577589,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945",
        "page_number": 14,
        "title": "CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945",
        "content_text": "Miss Rudon\n\nA sai\n\nQuery,\n\n142\n\n14\n\nThe Regulations of Hong Kong are an edition of regulations set forth in schedules to Acts which by Ordinance No.51 of 1936 (Revised edition of Ordinances and Regulations) the editor had power to omit from Ordinances and to include in Regulations of Hong Kong (1937 edition). I think this answers 1 and 2. They are not now in the Schedule to the Act. See Order of 17th August 1939.\n\n3. (a) Yes if no other power is sought.\n\n(b) Yes. Derived from Statute 3,1.\n\n00\n\nI understand from Mr.Paskin after drafting order that it was not proposed now to give any powers to deal with the funds in London as was suggested at the same time.\n\n4. I do not think it necessary to set out the powers of any body specifically. The congregation has no power.\n\n5. 16(2). I have added powers for this. Quorum of Committee full enough?\n\n(b) I doubt it. We could put in a proviso to the effect that before recommendation the Committee must be so notified, but is it not a matter for them and instructions given to them?\n\n6. Not by regulation. Rules made by Senate, No draft, doubt,\n\n3.\n\n7.\n\nStatute 3, rule 7. It is prescribed by statute 3, rule 7. We are leaving this untouched, no power to alter it.\n\nGiving Amau y Committee\n\nShould here be me? Jhones\n\n24/1. HGWtterhung",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 577608,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945",
        "page_number": 33,
        "title": "CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945",
        "content_text": "33\n\nWhitehall\n\n5422\n\nin the Straits Settlements register are entitled to practice, though in some cases it is necessary for their names to be published in the Gazette.\n\n5. The situation is, therefore, that if Mr. Hastings' view is accepted that the holders of Hong Kong Emergency Degrees will be entitled to be registered as Medical Practitioners in Malaya as well as in Hong Kong.\n\n6. This being so, I do not know quite what is meant by the suggestion in paragraph 4 of Mr. Hezeltine's letter (32) that \"temporary registration\" (? with the G.M.C) should be effected, but in the circumstances it does not seem necessary.\n\n7. The members of the proposed Committee have all accepted the invitation to serve on it and I am telegraphing to Dr. Gordon King asking if we may now have urgently a full list of the candidates and the necessary particulars to lay before the Committee. May we now have authority to arrange for the issue of the Order in Council? In response to your request for a final vetting of the draft (your minute of the 11th May) Mr. Roberts Wray made some drafting adjustments. Since the draft has not been touched and I have placed it in the form agreed by Mr. Roberts Wray on the opposite side of the file.\n\n8. In connection with the machinery for getting the Order through, I have spoken to Mr. A.W. Smith who has kindly got in touch with the Privy Council Offices to find out when the next meeting was likely to be held. He tells me that unfortunately a meeting is taking place today and that it is not expected there will be another for some weeks, in view of the probability that the King will be going away and Parliament dispersed. In these circumstances he suggests that perhaps you would consider having a word with Mr. Leadbitter, Clerk of the Council, with a view to seeing whether it would be possible to call a special meeting of the Privy Council.\n\nA. Me\n\n24th August, 1945",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-591-2 Hong Kong University- award of degrees to medical students whose studies were interrupted by war.... 26-2-1943 - 19-12-1945.txt",
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    {
        "id": 577953,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-591-3 Education Department- revised grant code 24-10-1945 - 11-12-1945",
        "page_number": 92,
        "title": "CO129-591-3 Education Department- revised grant code 24-10-1945 - 11-12-1945",
        "content_text": "Central Executive Branch,\n\nCivil Affairs,\n\nPost Office Building,\n\nHong Kong,\n\n24th October, 1945.\n\nPilo\n\nRef: 9-B/42.\n\nC.W.M. Cox, Esq., C.M.G.\n\nEducation Adviser,\n\nColonial Office,\n\nPalace Chambers,\n\nBridge Street,\n\nLONDON, S.W.1.\n\nMy dear Cox,\n\nI have been so busy during the past three weeks that I have been unable to submit my first Situation Report to you.\n\nBefore going on to that subject, however, I should like to make certain that the new Grant Code for Hong Kong has not reached the Colonial Office through official channels. I certainly looked for it in every possible Department while I was in London but could find no trace of it. Two of the Heads of the grant schools have fortunately preserved copies of it and the Rev. Frank Short, Headmaster of Ying Wah School, who was a member of the drafting committee, which drew up the Code, is fortunately still in the Colony. He has asked me if you would be so kind as to get in touch with Dr. A.M. Chirgwin of the London Missionary Society, 42 Broadway, London, with a view to obtaining staff for the two Ying Wah Schools.\n\nWith regard to staff for the grant-aided schools, I had already put to the Eastern Department, through Miss Ruston, the suggestion that in the present unusual circumstances, the Colonial Office should guarantee the passages of the staff required by the grant schools for immediate replacements. At the same time, I sent a cable through the War Office to Sedgwick of the Planning Unit, asking him to get in touch with Bishop Hall and the Rev. Father MacMahon for the immediate recruitment of six teachers each for the Protestant and Catholic schools; and also that my suggestion that Government should pay their passages should be taken up. The two Ying Wah schools do not come into either of these categories as they are run by the London Missionary Society. For this reason, I have passed on to you the Rev. Short's message.\n\nWith regard to passages, I find that in Paragraph 22 of the new Grant Code, the following rule is laid down:\n\n\"The expenditure may include provision for the cost of 'second-class passages for European teachers on first appointment, on taking approved leave, and on retirement. Similar passages",
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    {
        "id": 577955,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
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        "document_key": "CO129-591-3 Education Department- revised grant code 24-10-1945 - 11-12-1945",
        "page_number": 94,
        "title": "CO129-591-3 Education Department- revised grant code 24-10-1945 - 11-12-1945",
        "content_text": "C\n\n3\n\n112\n\n1\n\n{\n\nwhole lay-out of the Code.\n\nI have heard from Dr. Priestley that he has been made a member of the Hong Kong Committee. I assume that you have formed a sub-committee of the A.C.E.C. to deal with educational matters arising in this Colony, and I am very glad indeed to hear it. I expect the indefatigable Burney will be the Chairman of this sub-committee, at least I hope that he is. I can assure the sub-committee that in the state we find ourselves at the present time, they are going to have a considerable amount of work on their hands. Please give my regards to Burney, Crocch-Jones, Miss Oakden and others at the A.C.E.C.\n\nWalton arrived three weeks ago, and is tackling the problem, as he finds it, with energy and vigour. The teachers are gradually drifting back and I believe that quite a number are assembling in Kunming and are endeavouring to obtain onward transport. As this is by air, they can only come in a few at a time, when lack of priority passengers permits, which is not often. I think that we now have all those who were in Macau back again with us. When all those now in China re-appear, it seems to me that we shall have more staff than we require. This is due to the great shortage of school buildings and equipment. Unfortunately, five schools in Kowloon are still occupied for military reasons, although I hope to have Yaumati School released shortly.\n\nIn view of the shortage of buildings and equipment, I have given permission for the grant schools to operate as co-educational schools during the period of Military Government; but even so, they are turning away hundreds of applicants for admission every week. It would indeed be easy to requisition various buildings as schools, but in the absence of stationery, desks and the usual school furniture, such an action would not result in any material benefit to the children. We are in the position of having no premises sufficiently large to accommodate a Chinese secondary school such as King's and Queen's used to be, and, as I have said in a separate communication, (a copy of which is attached) the War Office in reply to their T.O.O.261923A, King's and Queen's College are completely wrecked, and re-building in both cases will be necessary. It does give us an opportunity of re-siting Queen's College in a more suitable area, and Walton has been exploring possibilities and sent recommendations in to the Requisitioning Officer. How soon it will be possible to start building is another matter, especially in the present shortage of staff in the Works Department, and the lack of building material.\n\nIn the 12 grant-aided schools to date, there are about 5,600 children and in the vernacular schools, either subsidised or private, there are about 6,700 children in about 48 schools. We have opened one Government Junior School, ages 8 to 12 plus, and are in process of opening three Government vernacular schools in requisitioned premises. The girls' secondary school (Belilios) is expected to open on the 1st of November in one floor of the Northcote Training College. Miss Stephen has deferred her...",
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    {
        "id": 580628,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946",
        "page_number": 8,
        "title": "CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946",
        "content_text": "8\n\nF\n\nFinance\n\nA\n\nB\n\n31\n\nOn this see my minute of that date above.\n\nWith regard to paragraph I (e) of his note, it is true, as he says, that to give to the Committee authority to provide for the retirement of such officers as will not be required to serve in the re-opened University looks at first sight as if it would mean giving to the Committee dangerously arbitrary powers. It is understood from Mr. Sloss however, that there are in fact only two members of the present staff apart from those whose contracts will run out in any case within the next few months whose contracts he considers should be terminated. See last column of 6. I think you agreed, therefore, that the power to terminate contract should be included in the authority which it is proposed the Committee should be given, but that there should be a \"gentlemen's agreement\" that the small Finance Committee would not in fact use this power without prior reference to yourself as Chairman of the Advisory Committee. On this please see paragraph 5 of my minute of 19/11 above.\n\nThe other point is in paragraph I (d) of Mr. Sloss' note. The suggestion that the Finance Committee should be authorized to make staff appointments again seems at first sight to encroach on the functions of the Advisory Committee. As explained in paragraph 7 of my minute of 19/11, however, I think that in fact the only appointment likely to come up for consideration in the near future is that of a Secretary. This is mentioned in paragraph 2 of Mr. Sloss' covering letter on which I have minuted to you separately. Here again I think the safeguard would be that there should be a clear understanding that the Finance Committee would not make any appointments without reference to yourself and, if you consider it advisable, without reference to the Advisory Committee.\n\nIf on these understandings you agree that the functions of the Finance Committee should be as set out in Mr. Sloss' note, I will ask Mr. Hastings, who prepared for us an Order in Council in connection with the conferment of emergency medical degrees, (a copy of which I have attached at 9) to help us again in drafting this one.\n\nThe other action outstanding on this file is an informal approach to the Treasury re a grant to enable the University to meet its commitments to its staff on the basis of 5. I will take this up as soon as the file comes back to me.\n\nI have attached a copy of the University calendar which as far as I know is the only copy we have of the University Statutes. This will probably be needed in connection with the drafting of the Order in Council.\n\n26.\n\nI agree, subject to D&B above\n\nA\n\nCurrent Copy",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946.txt",
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    {
        "id": 580648,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946",
        "page_number": 28,
        "title": "CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946",
        "content_text": "I have suggested an addition to the minutes.\n\nI took the letter from the Crown Agents at (57) to show to Mr. Sloss when I saw him just before he left last week, but stupidly omitted to do so. A copy of it should now be sent to him, and I have drafted opposite a letter from Mr. Caine's signature (draft I).\n\nI have also placed opposite a draft acknowledgment to Mr. Downie (draft II).\n\nThe full revised minutes of the last meeting of the Provisional Powers Committee are at (58). They include Mr. Caine's amendments at 55. The point referred to in paragraph 3 of Mr. Sloss's note at 57A is omitted (with his agreement) because, in fact, Mr. Sloss himself asked us to approve of Mr. Morse's signing cheques on behalf of the University - see (47) and (52), otherwise all points are included in the minutes at (5) and he has taken a copy of them. A loose copy is on the file for Mr. Caine.\n\nA copy of the minutes should be sent to Mr. Morse, and I have drafted a covering letter to him (draft III). Mr. Caine has already passed paragraph 4 (at 55) but perhaps he would confirm that the wording of it is not likely to cause any difficulty with Mr. Morse: I confess that I had not got him in mind when drafting it. It is probably too late to alter it, however, since Mr. Sloss has taken a copy.\n\nI have also drafted a despatch (draft IV) to the Governor on the lines proposed. With reference to Mr. Mayle's marginal note on my minute of 21/11, I have ventured to include a reference to the possible appointment of additional members, because, if the life of the Provisional Powers Committee continues for more than a month or two, I think there will be a feeling that there should be more than two active members. If the Governor and the Vice Chancellor advise that the University should be formally reconstituted quite soon, the Provisional Powers Committee will come to an end. But it may be that, having deferred for so long the re-opening of the University in order not to prejudice a decision on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, they will advise that the present arrangement of control by the University Interim Committee shall be continued for another term.\n\nI should be grateful for Mr. Cox's advice on this point.\n\n4 drafts herewith.\n\n5th December, 1946.\n\nI think it is desirable that paras. 4&5 of Draft I should stand, for the reason given in preceding minute. Para. 5 is only suggesting against a possible contingency.\n\nI think we ought to consider a reminder to the F.O. Enforcing long.\n\nWe can't expect to rush the Treaty.\n\nCium Cox\n\n27/12\n\n6/12",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-593-5 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Provisional Powers Committee 21-8-1946 - 23-12-1946.txt",
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        "document_key": "CO129-593-6 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee papers 1-1-1939 - 31-12-1946",
        "page_number": 32,
        "title": "CO129-593-6 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee papers 1-1-1939 - 31-12-1946",
        "content_text": "## HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE \n### HAUAC No. 34 \n#### by Professor Hinton \n\n## SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERATIONS IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG\n\n### The office of VISITOR\n\nIt is so essential to associate the University with the educational system of China that some official connection at the very highest level ought to be considered. As His Majesty the King is the Visitor and has power to delegate his functions, would it not be possible to make the President of the Republic of China a Visitor also with like power to delegate? If these powers were then used annually it would be possible for the British and Chinese Governments to exercise a helpful influence and to observe the direction of development of the University. If His Majesty's and the President's delegates were in Hong Kong at the same time they could consult with one another and with the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, to the very great advantage of the University. In this way we could avoid drifting apart or developing activities which might hinder the object of improving mutual understanding.\n\nIt might be useful, and a symbolic gesture of some value, to have a Visitor's House in the grounds always ready to receive them, and in their absence for use by any distinguished scholars passing through Hong Kong.\n\n### The office of CHANCELLOR\n\nThe Governor of Hong Kong is Chancellor ex officio, and the University has benefited from the interest of several of its Chancellors in a marked way. But it is not desirable to identify the University too closely with the Government of the Colony of Hong Kong in view of the University's function and the possibility of political changes in the future. The Governments interested in the University, we hope, will be the British Government, the Government of China, and the Government of the Colony. (It may be that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand also of Canada may come to share that interest). Some procedure designed to secure the approval of the three Governments to the appointment of a Chancellor might be designed. For instance, the nomination might come from the British Government after consultation with the Governor, and be submitted to the Chinese Government for approval. The Chancellor should be required to travel widely, not only in China but elsewhere in the Pacific and should also go to England. He could appeal for funds in suitable circumstances, deal with problems of relations with the Chinese Educational System, and look after the interests of the University in its relations with other British Universities. The Vice-Chancellor cannot do this except very occasionally, as he is always the Principal of the University, and if the University is refounded and rebuilt, he will be very closely occupied in Hong Kong for at least the next five years, and little less closely for the following five.\n\nP.T.O.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-593-6 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee papers 1-1-1939 - 31-12-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 581332,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946",
        "page_number": 66,
        "title": "CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946",
        "content_text": "C.O.\n\n**REGISTERED No.**\n\n**DRAFT AND RECORD COPY**\n\nColonial Office,  \n94\n\nTo  \nMR. Cox  \nDowning Street  \nS.W.1.\n\nDear Mr. Cox,\n\n12th July, 1946.\n\nHerewith my copy of the Report in which I have marked all the amendments that have been suggested to date. The one of most substance is that by Sir Herbert Alston on page 20 that a lecturer in ophthalmic surgery should be included on the proposed staff of the medical faculty. I imagine the other suggested amendments will be readily accepted by the Committee.\n\nWe are, I think, very indebted to Mr. N. I. Smith who has done most careful proofreading and been to considerable trouble to indicate clearly his amendments. I have written regretting that his distance from London prevented him from being on the drafting Committee.\n\nSir Humphrey Prideaux-Brune has sent no comments or amendments on the Report but writes \"from the Foreign Office point of view it would be considered very undesirable that the Report should be published. It contains many passages which it would be impolitic to disclose to the Chinese, whichever way the decision eventually goes.\"\n\nThis, of course, is the reaction to be expected from him. Perhaps we could ask him to indicate the passages which he has in mind.\n\nI am so relieved that you will be able to take the Chair at Tuesday's meeting and do hope...\n\nENCLOSURES also sent with `5414/7/8/16`\n\n**FURTHER ACTION**\n\n[4264A] Wt. 11439/415 50m. 5/45 C.N.Ld. 748",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581334,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946",
        "page_number": 68,
        "title": "CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946",
        "content_text": "**C.O.**\n\n**REGISTERED No.**\n\n**DRAFT AND RECORD COPY**\n\nColonial Office,\n\n54147/8/46\n\n**LETTER SENT**\n\n**DRAFT**\n\nDear Mr. Smith,\n\nI am most grateful for all the trouble you have taken in pointing out the punctuation errors in the Report. I wish you had been nearer and could have seen on the drafting Committee. Thank you very much indeed for your help.\n\nI think the question of printing and perhaps circulating the report may be voiced on Tuesday. I have been wondering myself whether it would not be appropriate to publish it as a Colonial Office non-Parliamentary Paper. There has been a good deal of public interest in the article on the University and some M.P.s have written to us about it and been told that the views of the Advisory Committee were awaited. I wonder if you would think this matter over in your mind before our meeting.\n\nYours sincerely,\n\nA blank auto\n\n**FURTHER ACTION**\n\nN.L. SMITE, 838. C.N.G.\n\n|             |         |\n| ----------- | ------- |\n| DATE        | 12 July |\n|             | 1945    |\n| ENCLOSURES  | 966     |\n| To          | Downing Street. s.f.l. |\n\n`[4264A] Wt. 11439/415 50m. 5/45 C.N.Ld. 748`",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581436,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "page_number": 4,
        "title": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "content_text": "# HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE\n\n**CONFIDENTIAL**\n\n## DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE\n\nHELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON TUESDAY 18TH JUNE, 1946\n\nPresent:-\n\n* Mr. C. W. Cox (in the Chair)\n* Mr. Adams\n* Professor Hinton\n* Sir Humphrey Prideaux-Brune\n* Dr. Priestley\n* Dr. Rae (for Dr. Kauntze)\n* Mr. Sloss\n* Miss Ruston\n\nDr. Burney, Dr. Channon, Sir Herbert Eason, Mrs. Foster, Sir George Moss, Professor Fenson, Mr. N.I. Smith and Dr. Venn were unable to be present.\n\n## \n\nThe minutes of the last meeting held on 11th June were approved.\n\nIt was agreed that the word \"memorandum\" should be substituted for the words \"Section VI\" in paragraph 8 of the minutes of the 8th meeting and that for the sentence beginning \"The main proposals\" the following should be substituted: \"Proposals put forward by Professor Hinton in `H.K.U.A.C. No. 34` together with the comments by Mrs. Foster in `H.K.U.A.C. No. 39` were considered and the following conclusions drawn,\"\n\n3. Alternative paragraphs 6, 7, and 8 of Part II of the draft Report submitted by Professor Hinton were read out by the Chairman and it was agreed that they should be passed to the Drafting Committee and incorporated in the Report.\n\nThe rest of the meeting was devoted to a consideration of Parts III, IV and V of the draft Report which had previously been circulated to members. A number of amendments and additions were agreed and noted and it was arranged that they should be incorporated in a revised draft.\n\n4. \n\nThe arrangements agreed at the 10th meeting were confirmed, namely that when the amendments of substance agreed by the Committee as a whole had been incorporated, the Report should be sent to the Drafting Committee who were authorised to make what minor amendments they thought fit.\n\n5. It was agreed that when this revised draft of the Report had emerged from the Drafting Committee, it should be circulated to all members who would thus have the opportunity of sending in in writing any further amendments which they wished to make. It was hoped, however, that these comments would be restricted as much as possible to enable the Report to be agreed upon and signed at the next meeting, which it was agreed should be held at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16th in the Colonial Office.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581437,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "page_number": 5,
        "title": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "content_text": "# HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE\n## CONFIDENTIAL\n### DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON TUESDAY 18TH JUNE, 1946.\n\nThe following should be present:\n\n**Present:**  \n| Name | \n| --- | \n| Mr. C W. Cox (in the Chair) | \n| Mr. Adams | \n| Professor Hinton | \n| Sir Humphrey Prideaux-Brune | \n| Dr. Rae (for Dr. Kauntze) | \n| Dr. Priestley, | \n| Mr. Sloss, | \n| Miss Ruston. | \n\nMr. Burney, Dr. Channon, Sir Herbert Eason, Mrs. Foster, Sir George Moss, Professor Penson, Mr. N. L. Smith and Dr. Venn were unable to be present.\n\n1. The minutes of the last meeting held on 11th June were approved.\n\n2. It was agreed that the word \"**memorandum**\" should be substituted for the words \"Section VI\" in paragraph 8 of the minutes of the 8th meeting and that for the sentence beginning \"The main proposals......\" a substitute \"proposals put to be forwarded by Professor Hinton in `H.K.U.A.C. No. 34` together with the comments by Mrs. Foster in `H.K.U.A.C. No. 39` were considered and the following conclusions drawn.\n\n3. Alternative paragraphs for 6, 7, and 8 of Part II of the draft Report submitted by Professor Hinton were read out by the Chairman and it was agreed that they should be passed to the Drafting Committee and incorporated in the Report.\n\n4. The rest of the meeting was devoted to a consideration of Parts III, IV and V of the draft Report which had previously been circulated to members. A number of amendments and additions were agreed and noted and it was arranged that they should be incorporated in a revised draft.\n\n5. The arrangements agreed at the 10th meeting were confirmed, namely that when the amendments of substance agreed by the Committee as a whole had been incorporated, the Report should be sent to the Drafting Committee who were authorised to make what minor amendments they thought fit.\n\n6. It was agreed that when this revised draft of the Report had emerged from the Drafting Committee, it should be circulated to all members who would thus have the opportunity of sending in writing any further amendments which they wished to make. It was hoped, however, that these comments would be restricted as much as possible to enable the Report to be agreed upon and signed at the next meeting, which it was agreed should be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16th in the Colonial Office.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 581452,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "page_number": 20,
        "title": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "content_text": "20 \n\nAs to the Committee's report he felt that there would be little prospect of obtaining Treasury support if an alternative smaller and less expensive scheme were put forward and he thought it would be for the Hong Kong Government to raise the question of the continued existence of the University in those circumstances.\n\n19. Sir Mark Young agreed that from the point of view of the Committee the right course was to appeal to His Majesty's Government for financial aid for the larger scheme and that an alternative and cheaper scheme should not be offered. He repeated, however, that he thought it would be disastrous to wind up the University and that the loss to British prestige would be immense.\n\n20. Sir Humphrey Prideaux-Brune added that in his view close intercourse with China in educational matters would be hazardous unless the University in Hong Kong were such as to regain the respect of the Chinese.\n\n21. The project of deputing Members of the Committee to go to China for the purpose of confirming that the Chinese would welcome a reconstituted University of Hong Kong was discussed briefly, but it was generally thought that the best time for such a visit (providing it had the approval of the Foreign Office) would be after the Committee's report had been considered by His Majesty's Government.\n\n22. Mr. Cox then referred to two of the causes of the failure of the University in the past which the Committee had not hitherto studied. One concerned the difficulty of language and the other the higher cost of living in Hong Kong.\n\nWith regard to the question of language it was explained that the progress of **Kwok Yu** - the simplified colloquial Mandarin in all parts of China justified the hope that a common spoken language might soon be sufficiently wide spread to make this a much less serious obstacle in the future. It was stated that **Kwok Yu** had been introduced into the curriculum of the schools in Hong Kong.\n\nWith regard to the high cost of living it was thought that the disparity between the cost of living in Hong Kong and in China might become less in the future. Nevertheless a generous provision of bursaries giving fees and tuition and providing aided accommodation in Halls would have to be a central feature of the new scheme. This had not been taken into account in preparing the rough estimates given in the appendix to the note circulated as `HKUAC 31` and it was agreed that a further estimate should be prepared taking account of such bursaries.\n\n23. In reply to a question Sir Mark Young agreed that the abandonment of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering would not affect the prestige of the University and therefore of Hong Kong. He agreed with the proposal to establish instead a School of Architecture.\n\n24. After Sir Mark Young had left, the Committee considered briefly the best means of drafting its report. It was agreed that this document should be as brief as possible and that detailed and erudite information should be confined to appendices.\n\nIt was thought that the historical section in the note sent to Sir Mark Young should be transferred to such an appendix and that the report itself should start off with a bold statement of the Committee's recommendations. Mr. Sloss agreed to be responsible for ...\n\nPage 20\nPage 21",
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        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581453,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "page_number": 21,
        "title": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "content_text": "for the drafting of the report in consultation with Dr. Priestley (as far as he was able to spare the time), Professor Hinton and Miss Ruston.\n\n25. It was agreed that the academic Members of the Committee were most qualified to comment on the Constitution of the University reported in `HKUAC30` and Mr. Sloss was deputed to collect and collate the views of Dr. Priestley, Dr. Venn and Professor Penson on this matter.\n\n26. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should be held on Tuesday May 7th, at 2.30 when it was hoped that the draft report could be considered.\n\n2.1",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581674,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "page_number": 242,
        "title": "CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946",
        "content_text": "240 \n\nWith regard to the question of language it was explained \nthat the progress of Kwok Yu - the simplified colloquial Mandarin - \nin all parts of China justified the hope that a common spoken \nlanguage might soon be sufficiently widespread to make this a much less \nserious obstacle in the future. It was stated that Kwok Yu \nhad been introduced into the curriculum of the schools in Hong Kong.\n\nWith regard to the high cost of living it was thought the \ndisparity between the cost of living in Hong Kong and in China \nmight become less in the future. Nevertheless a generous provision \nof bursaries giving fees and tuition and providing aided accommodation \nin Halls would have to be a central feature of the new scheme. \nThis had not been taken into account in preparing the rough estimates \ngiven in the appendix to the note circulated as `HKUAC 31` and it was \nagreed that a further estimate should be prepared taking account \nof such bursaries.\n\n23. In reply to a question Sir Mark Young agreed that the \nabandonment of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering \nwould not affect the prestige of the University and therefore of \nHong Kong. He agreed with the proposal to establish instead a \nSchool of Architecture.\n\n24. After Sir Mark Young had left, the Committee considered \nbriefly the best means of drafting its report. It was agreed that \nthis document should be as brief as possible and that detailed \nand erudite information should be confined to appendices. \nIt was thought that the historical section in the note sent to Sir Mark Young \nshould be transferred to such an appendix and that the report \nitself should start off with a bold statement of the Committee's \nrecommendations. \nMr. Sloss agreed to be responsible for the \ndrafting of the report in consultation with Dr. Priestley (as far \nas he was able to spare the time), Professor Hinton and Miss Ruston.\n\n25. It was agreed that the academic Members of the Committee were \nqualified to comment on the Constitution of the University reported in `HKUAC 30` and Mr. Sloss was deputed to collect and collate \nthe views of Dr. Priestley, Dr. Venn and Professor Penson on this matter.\n\n26. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should be \nheld on Tuesday May 7th, at 2.30 when it was hoped that the draft report could be considered.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581736,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-5 Financial Policy Directive 21-2-1945 - 6-10-1945",
        "page_number": 17,
        "title": "CO129-594-5 Financial Policy Directive 21-2-1945 - 6-10-1945",
        "content_text": "## NOTE 4\n\nIn 1939 a Taxation Committee, of which Mr. S. Caine, then Financial Secretary, Hong Kong, was Chairman, presented the report Sessional Paper No.2 of 1939, which recommended, among other things, the introduction of a general income tax. The summary of the conclusions of the report appears at (5) in file `54002/39`, Hong Kong Taxation. When these proposals were published, both the Chinese and the Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce recommended the Governor to impose taxation on lines other than income tax.\n\nWhen the budget was introduced, the Secretary of State instructed the Governor that the official majority should not be used for enforcing the passage of new taxation measures and that he should not press for income tax against the wishes of the unofficial members of the Council, provided the revenue was forthcoming by other measures. He also added that, if income tax measures were acceptable, he would have no objection to the inclusion of an automatic repeal clause in the Bill providing for its repeal at the end of the war. In a demi-official letter dated the 18th November, 1939 (29), the Governor stated that the Taipans of Hong Kong were definitely opposed to income tax. Notwithstanding the persuasive eloquence of Mr. Caine, the tax was turned down. A War Revenue Committee was appointed to examine the draft Income Tax Bill, and its report No. 1 of 1940 appears at (21) in `54002/1940`. What they proposed was a Corporations profit tax, business tax, salaries tax, and a property tax. The Governor stated the proposed measure is a partial income tax, but its incidence will not be as equitable as income tax proper. On this, Ordinance No.13 of 1940 to impose War tax was passed. The Inland Revenue Commissioners made some criticism, vide (38). Not only did they consider the draft Bill to be loose, but they thought the incidence of the salaries tax was far less equitable than a general income tax. They added certain detailed criticisms on the drafting, which were sent out to Hong Kong. Further consideration was given under a report of the Reconstituted War Revenue Committee No. 4 of 1941, (11) in `54002/41`, as a result of which an amended and consolidated Ordinance No.14 of 1941 was passed and provided for a salaries tax (at 6% upon the first $5,000 and 14% upon the remainder), a profits tax (at 7% upon the first $59,000 and 14% on the remainder), and an interest tax of 14% on interest arising under debentures, mortgages, Bills of Sale, etc. This Ordinance came into effect on the 27th of June, 1941, vide copy in `54002/41`.\n\nThus it will be seen that there was not a straightforward Income Tax in Hong Kong before the War; its introduction had been strenuously opposed; but there was a War Revenue Ordinance providing for taxation as a War measure on properties, salaries, profits, and interest.\n\n11. 9.45.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-5 Financial Policy Directive 21-2-1945 - 6-10-1945.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 581899,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-8 A G H Sment- report on medical activities and problems 16-12-1945 - 18-2-1946",
        "page_number": 39,
        "title": "CO129-594-8 A G H Sment- report on medical activities and problems 16-12-1945 - 18-2-1946",
        "content_text": "## 39\n\nUnder normal conditions water supplies are generally adequate and safe but there are at present mechanical difficulties associated with the war and temporary rationing may be necessary on the Island, about one-third of whose supply is pumped from the mainland. It will be necessary to increase the provision of safe water supplies to rural areas on the mainland.\n\nThe permanent aim in regard to nightsoil disposal in urban areas is to provide a water-carriage system. The position at present in Victoria is most unsatisfactory because of wastage of buckets and general deterioration of plant. The matter is under urgent consideration by the C.A. Administration in conjunction with the Service authorities.\n\n## 6. School Hygiene\nThe 1941 School population is given as 126,500. The need for a well-qualified School Medical Officer who could organize a School Medical service on up-to-date lines is stressed and a full-time U.K. recruited Dental Surgeon should be sent out to organize dental services for the schools and help to get going a University Dental School. A Health Sister to train a staff of Health and Community nurses is also required.\n\n## 7. Agriculture and Food Production\nThe absence of an Agricultural Adviser is commented on and it is suggested that a qualified officer should be sent out to Hong Kong to size up the situation and put forward recommendations. There is no officer in Hong Kong who can help the Chinese agriculturalist, or assist other departments in dealing with agricultural problems having a collective bearing and affecting the community as a whole.\n\n## 8. Propaganda\nSuggestions for a widespread campaign and the appointment of a suitable officer to direct and control publicity generally are made.\n\n## 9. Research\nA tribute is paid to the valuable research already carried out in Hong Kong and suggestions are put forward to help develop research on the best lines and secure suitable workers. Research scholarships to enable local personnel to come to the U.K. for research purposes should be made available.\n\nFurther research on nutritional problems should be continued and an investigation undertaken into the social causes of disease. This latter should take into account the movements of the Chinese population and their trend, having especially in mind the future development of the Colony and its immigrational capacity.\n\nFurther research should also be continued on the problem of rendering nightsoil innocuous and providing a further supply of good fertilizer for the Chinese agriculturalist.\n\n## 10. Quarantine and Port Health Services\nAttention is directed to the peculiar risk that the Colony incurs in the importation of disease, especially from Canton. Hong Kong is the gateway to South China and has a large transient population. While the prosperity of the Colony as an entrepot depends on maintaining freedom of movement of individuals, of shipping, rail, and air transport, all reasonable precautions must be taken to control the transmission of disease, both from the international and Colony standpoint. The creation of a large civil airport for the Colony on the mainland underlines this need. To do this, up-to-date Reception centres on appropriate sites are needed and a Quarantine Hospital and Camp with the usual means for disinfection of baggage. The hulk formerly housing the disinfecting apparatus has been sunk and, at the moment, there is no provision whatever for carrying out disinfection of any class of passengers or their belongings. The return of more normal shipping and air traffic conditions makes this an urgent matter. At the time of drafting this paragraph, there are eight merchant ships lying in Victoria harbour.\n\n## 11. Higher Medical Education\nAttention is drawn to the report of a Committee appointed by the Chancellor in 1939 to advise on the development of the University. The report put forward a number of recommendations, one of which was that consideration should be given to the question of \"the transfer of the University to a larger site outside the town.\" While no answer can be attempted to the longer-term questions involved, it is recommended that there should be no question of not recommencing courses of study in the present buildings, after reconditioning, at the earliest possible date. Some arguments for and against the transfer of the University are put forward and such questions as liaison with other Medical Schools, \n\nPage 22",
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    {
        "id": 581952,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-594-8 A G H Sment- report on medical activities and problems 16-12-1945 - 18-2-1946",
        "page_number": 92,
        "title": "CO129-594-8 A G H Sment- report on medical activities and problems 16-12-1945 - 18-2-1946",
        "content_text": "## 16. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS.\n\ncont'd.\n\nReasonable precautions must be taken to control the transmission of disease, both from the international and Colony standpoint. The creation of a large civil airport for the Colony on the mainland underlines this need. To do this, up-to-date Reception centres on appropriate sites are needed and a quarantine Hospital and Camp with the usual means for disinfection of baggage. The hulk formerly housing the disinfecting apparatus has been sunk and, at the moment, there is no provision whatever for carrying out disinfection of any class of passengers or their belongings. The return of more normal shipping and air traffic conditions makes this an urgent matter. At the time of drafting this paragraph, there are eight merchant ships lying in Victoria harbour.\n\n## 11. Higher Medical Education\n\nAttention is drawn to the report of a Committee appointed by the Chancellor in 1939 to advise on the development of the University. The report put forward a number of recommendations, one of which was that consideration should be given to the question of \"the transfer of the University to a larger site outside the town.\" While no answer can be attempted to the longer term questions involved, it is recommended that there should be no question of not re-commencing courses of study in the present buildings, after reconditioning, at the earliest possible date. Some arguments for and against the transfer of the University are put forward and such questions as liaison with other Medical Schools, recruitment of teaching staff and reciprocity of titles are discussed. It is suggested that the 1939 Committee should be re-appointed with outside representation and that they be asked to put forward further recommendations for the development of the University in the light of the position today. Provision for the training of nurses and midwives, sanitary inspectors and medical aids is also discussed. It is suggested that all courses of training should be brought into line with the recommendations contained in the Asquith Commission's report on Higher Education and that of the Rushcliffe Committee on the Appropriate Training of Nurses for the Colonies, wherever these apply.\n\nThe establishment at the University of a Dental School of moderate capacity is recommended. A School of Hygiene should also be formed incorporating existing courses on Public Health work.\n\n## 12. Recruitment of Medical staff\n\nThe recruitment and training of local candidates is referred to. That of U.K. candidates should be on a Far Eastern basis so that free interchange will be possible during a period of service when normally there is little prospect of transfer. This would enable staff to be fully tried out and would also counteract the tendency to grow stale through persistent service in one territory.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-594-8 A G H Sment- report on medical activities and problems 16-12-1945 - 18-2-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 586237,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-603-2 Education Department- revised grant code 5-4-1948 - 6-1-1949",
        "page_number": 24,
        "title": "CO129-603-2 Education Department- revised grant code 5-4-1948 - 6-1-1949",
        "content_text": "ACEC (OT) (48) 4th Minutes.\n\nADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN THE COLONIES\n\nOther Territories Sub-Committee\n\nDraft minutes of the 4th Meeting held on Tuesday, 7th December, 1948.\n\nPresent:-\n\nMr. Burney (Chairman)\n\nMr. Elliott\n\nThe Rev. H.M. Grace\n\nBishop Myers\n\nSir Mark Young\n\nMr. Robison\n\nMr. Anderson (Social Services Dept. 'B').\n\nApology for non-attendance had been received from Robertson.\n\n1. MINUTES. Sir Mark Young pointed out an apparent contradiction between Mr. Rowell's statement in paragraph 18 of the Minutes of the 3rd Meeting held on 16th July 1948 that private schools could charge what fees they liked and the second sentence of point 5 on page 3 of the Memorandum by Mr. Rowell (ACEC(OT)(48)4) which stated that legislation had been introduced prohibiting private schools from raising fees. It was DECIDED that elucidation on this point should be obtained from Mr. Rowell. The Minutes of the 3rd Meeting were then confirmed.\n\n2. THE HONG KONG SUBSIDY CODE (ACEC(48)17). The sub-committee did not understand why a Subsidy Code was needed since the Grant Code as revised in 1948 prescribed regulations in accordance with which the Grant-in-Aid was paid to vernacular schools. If a Subsidy Code was necessary in addition to the Grant Code, the sub-committee RECOMMENDED approval of the revised Subsidy Code subject to the following comments:-\n\n(a) It was thought that difficulties might arise from obscurities in the drafting of certain paragraphs of the Code, particularly paras 3, 12, 20(a), 26 and 30.\n\n(b) The sub-committee understood that as a result of the recent discussions which the Colonial Office had with the Director of Education, Hong Kong, and the Bishop of Hong Kong, the amendment of paragraph 3 had been suggested. The omission of the words \"shall be deemed ... regulations, and\" would appear to meet the objections which the Bishop had made. As the term \"Manager\" would then disappear from the wording of this paragraph, the sub-committee considered that the correct title \"Correspondent\" should replace \"school manager\" in paragraph 16.\n\n(c) The sub-committee wished to know how the figure 1.4 in paragraph 12 had been calculated. The formula suggested could give a part-time teacher a higher salary than one working full time.\n\n(d) The sub-committee suggested that the word \"approved\" should be inserted before \"educational purposes\" in paragraph 20(a).\n\n(e) The wording of paragraph 26 did not clearly indicate what was meant by \"higher standards\". The sub-committee suggested that there should be definitions of \"primary school course\" and \"middle school course\" referred to in this paragraph.\n\nColonial Office,\n\n15, Victoria Street,\n\nS.W.1\n\n13th December, 1948.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-603-2 Education Department- revised grant code 5-4-1948 - 6-1-1949.txt",
        "external_url": "",
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    },
    {
        "id": 589285,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941",
        "page_number": 209,
        "title": "CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941",
        "content_text": "Mr. Kadoorie's Views.\n\nMr. Kadoorie said that no serious criticism had been levelled against the present system and he thought that the only possible advantage of a Port Trust would be that if it were given the powers to take over everything as a single unit, some economies in administration might be effected but it would involve very considerable expenditure in compensation. By \"everything\" he meant all such matters as foreshore rights, docks, godowns, air services, leases, etc.\n\nThe only criticism that he had seen running through the different letters to the Committee appeared to be that there was a lack of co-ordination, but no actual example of this lack of co-ordination had been brought before the Committee. If it was accepted that there had been a lack of co-ordination then he thought it could be avoided by a representative Committee with the highest powers, as described by the Hon. Mr. Morse (Representation No.20).\n\nThe Committee, or to give it another name, the Port Directorate, should have power to see that the plans approved were carried out. This Committee should have as its Chairman a man of the highest calibre. He agreed with Mr. Colman that it might be preferable to have a Chairman of the business man type, as he would have plenty of technical advice available to him.\n\nHe thought the Port should be regarded as a separate entity and that to incorporate the Port administration in a Transport Secretariat would not prove satisfactory.\n\nAs regards the Typhoon Shelter and other reclamations, he approved the recommendations of Sir David Owen. The filling in of the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter would provide considerable development, not only of this particular area but also that portion of Tsim Sha Tsui at present occupied by the troops, which was now a dead area in the centre of Kowloon. If that part were to be developed properly it would be necessary to level it and the earth could be used for filling in the shelter. From that point of view he thought it would be practical to do the two things as one scheme.\n\nDRAFT REPORT.\n\nThe Secretary was instructed to proceed to the drafting of the Committee's report with a view to its circulation to members and its use as a basis for discussion at the next meeting.\n\nADJOURNMENT.\n\nThe meeting then adjourned until a date to be notified, when the draft report had been prepared and circulated.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 590236,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-610-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 9-1-1948 - 18-1-1949",
        "page_number": 38,
        "title": "CO129-610-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 9-1-1948 - 18-1-1949",
        "content_text": "38\n\ntake a final negative decision.\n\nWith regard to the money being available, my recollection is that there was some considerable uneasiness and discussion towards the end of the CUBAC meeting as to its having virtually allocated all its funds, in view particularly of a possible case being made out by Hong Kong later; and that both Mr. Bourdillon and Mr. Adams were anxious to say that if there were a real case for any area later, we must either scratch round for funds from one or other of the CUGAC allocations (e.g. that for \"central\" purposes, which includes provision for an eye scheme that has not so far materialised), or put up in due course a powerful case for a small grant from the reserve. By the time Hong Kong is anywhere near within sight of having actually spent the half million pounds already pledged for the University, it may be easier to see whether a further grant is to be provided there is a clear and powerful case by the I.U.C. and by CUGAC for such a grant. If this is a reasonably fair assessment of the position, the Hong Kong Government in publishing the Report should take steps to see that the people do not think that its main recommendation has been rejected. No decision except to defer the decision has yet been taken by H.M.G. that help from C.D.W. funds has been ruled out.\n\nI think Mr. Adams should now see these papers but he (like myself) is at the Oxford Congress all this coming week. I am passing through Mr. Bourdillon as he is a member of the Grants Committee and was at the meeting. (I think Sir Sydney Caine might also be much interested to see; his interest in the University is of long standing.)\n\nCum Cox\n\n19th July, 1948.\n\nBefore drafting the letter at 4-(56)1 telephoned M. Bancroft of the Treasury and said that they would publish the Report with caution. M. Bancroft said he could see no objection to the proposal and that the Treasury did not in fact object.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-610-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 9-1-1948 - 18-1-1949.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 594156,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-616-6 Hotels Ordinance- 1949 21-2-1949 - 21-2-1949",
        "page_number": 169,
        "title": "CO129-616-6 Hotels Ordinance- 1949 21-2-1949 - 21-2-1949",
        "content_text": "## HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\ndeserving of mention, and it is this. The Committee's Report refers resident guests. In fact, it was found in preparing legislation that the term \"resident guest\" was not in fact capable of precise definition. Furthermore, it was appreciated that the intention of the Committee was to protect by reservation of accommodation and by control of rates, the \"Hong Kong resident\" meaning, a person who is resident in Hong Kong for the reason that his occupation is in Hong Kong. The term \"Hong Kong resident\" is defined in the Regulation.\n\nSir, it will be seen from Regulation 2 that the regulations will apply only to the hotels specified in the first schedule to the regulations, that is to say, the hotels named in the Committee's Report, and that will be the extent of application unless and until the first Schedule is amended. The first Schedule to the Regulations shows not only, as I have said, the list of hotels to which the Regulations apply, but also shows the percentage of accommodation which each of these hotels must reserve for the Hong Kong resident. Again those percentages exactly reproduce the recommendations of the Report.\n\nThe fifth Schedule describes the maximum weekly rates for accommodation and the sixth Schedule reproduces the monthly charges recommended by the Committee which may be made for electricity other than electricity used for lighting purposes.\n\nAs I have said, the Regulations have adhered closely to the recommendations of the Committee, but necessarily in the drafting of the Regulations there has been need to deal with precision with certain ancillary matters which are bound in the administration of the Regulations to be dealt with. For instance Regulation 9(2) shows that the controlled rates will be applicable to a Hong Kong resident only where he has made a declaration of his intention to remain in the hotel at least for a period of 4 weeks. Again, as regards reservation for accommodation of Hong Kong residents, regulation 8 makes it clear that it will be possible, with the consent of the Quartering Authority, for accommodation reserved for Hong Kong residents to be allowed to persons who are not Hong Kong residents in cases where in fact a hotel can show that there are not enough Hong Kong residents to fill its available accommodation.\n\nNow, Sir, reverting to the Bill it will be observed that the Bill provides for the repeal of the Price Control (Hotels) (Control of Charges) Regulations, 1948, and declares that any charges fixed thereunder shall be deemed never to have been applicable. Again, by clause 10 the Ordinance is to come into force upon such date as the Governor shall notify by proclamation, thus allowing of a time lag during which the necessary administrative arrangements can be made to give effect to the Bill on enactment and the regulations. Lastly, by clause 11 the duration of the Bill upon enactment is expressed to be limited to the 31st December, 1950, but on the analogy of the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, 1947, it will be lawful for this Council from time to time by resolution to extend the duration of the Ordinance for such term not exceeding one year at a time as may be specified in such resolution.\n\nPage 168",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-616-6 Hotels Ordinance- 1949 21-2-1949 - 21-2-1949.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 594746,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-618-7 Port Adminstation Inquiry Committee- report and minutes of meetings 1-1-1945 - 31-12-1946",
        "page_number": 16,
        "title": "CO129-618-7 Port Adminstation Inquiry Committee- report and minutes of meetings 1-1-1945 - 31-12-1946",
        "content_text": "## Mr. Kadoorie's Views\n\nMr. Kadoorie said that no serious criticism had been levelled against the present system and he thought that the only possible advantage of a Port Trust would be that if it were given the powers to take over everything as a single unit, some economies in administration might be effected but it would involve very considerable expenditure in compensation. By \"everything\" he meant all such matters as foreshore rights, docks, godowns, air services, leases, etc.\n\nThe only criticism that he had seen running through the different letters to the Committee appeared to be that there was a lack of co-ordination, but no actual example of this lack of co-ordination had been brought before the Committee. If it was accepted that there had been a lack of co-ordination then he thought it could be avoided by a representative Committee with the highest powers, as described by the Hon. Mr. Morse (Representation No.20).\n\nThe Committee, or to give it another name, the Port Directorate, should have power to see that the plans approved were carried out. This Committee should have as its Chairman a man of the highest calibre. He agreed with Mr. Colman that it might be preferable to have a Chairman of the business man type, as he would have plenty of technical advice available to him.\n\nHe thought the Port should be regarded as a separate entity and that to incorporate the Port administration in a Transport Secretariat would not prove satisfactory.\n\nAs regards the Typhoon Shelter and other reclamations, he approved the recommendations of Sir David Owen. The filling in of the Taumati Typhoon Shelter would provide considerable development, not only of this particular area but also that portion of Tsim Sha Tsui at present occupied by the troops, which was now a dead area in the centre of Kowloon. If that part were to be developed properly it would be necessary to level it and the earth could be used for filling in the shelter. From that point of view he thought it would be practical to do the two things as one scheme.\n\n## DRAFT REPORT\n\nThe Secretary was instructed to proceed to the drafting of the Committee's report with a view to its circulation to members and its use as a basis for discussion at the next meeting.\n\n## ADJOURNMENT\n\nThe meeting then adjourned until a date to be notified, when the draft report had been prepared and circulated.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-618-7 Port Adminstation Inquiry Committee- report and minutes of meetings 1-1-1945 - 31-12-1946.txt",
        "external_url": "",
        "rank": 0
    },
    {
        "id": 597023,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951",
        "page_number": 54,
        "title": "CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951",
        "content_text": "53\n\n-4-\n\nwith provision for the compulsory registration of business names, including the names of all partners together with their aliases. The original suggestion was that this tax should be linked to the premises occupied for the purpose of conducting the business. In practice, however, this presented very great difficulties when it came to drafting the necessary legislation. A situation could not be contemplated, for example, where a man renting ordinary business premises had to pay the tax, while a man conducting a substantial business from a hotel room escaped. Other difficulties were encountered both in connection with the legislation and the practical administration of the proposed tax. These were not fully resolved until the closing months of the financial year 1950/51, and it was therefore decided to defer the introduction of the necessary legislation until early in the current financial year. The measure is a valuable one in that it should prove of great assistance to the department of Inland Revenue, and should put a stop to the introduction of fictitious partners and other evasive practices. This should in due course be reflected in some increase in the yield from Profits Tax, so that the actual registration fee is only of secondary importance. After further discussion in Executive Council it was decided in order to minimise any possible hardship on small businesses to fix the fee initially at $200 and not $300 per annum, as was originally proposed. Once the necessary machinery is set up it would be a comparatively simple matter to raise the registration fee.\n\n11.\n\nUnder pressure from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, two Unofficial Members in the course of the budget debate, urged not only that this business registration tax should be deferred, but that, in view of the favourable financial position, the standard rate of tax under the Inland Revenue Ordinance should be reduced to its former level of 10 per cent. Both these proposals were rejected and the Financial Secretary pointed out that the harm already done by the American embargo will adversely affect certain sources of revenue in 1952/53, and that in particular we must expect a reduction in the yield from Profits Tax. He explained that it was uncertain how the current financial year would develop, and that there might be a short fall under some revenue Heads. In these circumstances, he contended that it was reasonable to assume that we should require all the revenue which could be collected.\n\n12.\n\nExpenditure as originally provided for in the estimates, totalled $233,465,137, but as a result of the adjustments in Select Committee this figure was increased to $234,669,050, though part of this increase was due to a self-balancing item which had the effect of adding $519,000 to the revenue total. The final expenditure figure of $234,669,050 represents an increase of a little over $3.34 million over the approved estimate for 1950/51. It of course represents a decrease over the revised estimate figure for that year, as this contained an abnormal item of $50 million in respect of loan advances charged off to expenditure.\n\n13.\n\nThe large increase over the approved estimate figure for 1950/51 occurs almost entirely under Other Charges and Special Expenditure, particularly under the latter due to the necessity for a large number of re-votes owing to delays in the execution of orders. There are also some very large provisions which were not included in the",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 597743,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-625-1 Trading Reserve Fund 1-5-1950 - 31-10-1951",
        "page_number": 32,
        "title": "CO129-625-1 Trading Reserve Fund 1-5-1950 - 31-10-1951",
        "content_text": "HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\n\nare contained in Clauses 4 and 6 of the Bill, is that a married man without children, for example, will at the new rate pay exactly the same as he paid at the old rate unless his salary exceeds $1,000 a week. Indeed, in many cases he may pay less, thanks to the concession in regard to quarters supplied by the employer. I should add that for some time past the Commissioner of Inland Revenue has been pressing for a number of amendments to the Inland Revenue Ordinance, mainly in the interests of the smoother running of his department, and indeed I understand that some of these amendments have been suggested by local professional associations. However desirable some of these amendments may be, Government has decided that they must be considered separately from the question of an increase in the rate of tax, so that neither issue can be clouded by the other. The Commissioner has therefore been authorized to proceed with the drafting of a further amending bill after this present one has been disposed of, and his proposals will in due course be submitted for the consideration of Honourable Members after scrutiny by Government.\n\nI feel that I must emphasize that although the enactment of this Bill and of the forthcoming Business Registration Bill would give us a paper surplus of $3 millions, the position is not such as to give cause for any complacency. Already it appears that in the near future we may have to meet heavy bills for further security measures, and the possible effect on our finances of the discussions now proceeding in London must be borne in mind. The Estimates do not provide for these contingencies.\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a First time.\n\nOBJECTS AND REASONS.\n\nThe \"Objects and Reasons\" for the Bill were stated as follows:\n\nIt is anticipated that unless an increase in taxation is authorized a deficit will result in regard to revenue and expenditure for the Colony for the financial year 1950-51. This Bill is primarily designed so to amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance, 1947 (the principal Ordinance) as to permit of an increase in the standard rate of tax.\n\n2. In the Bill-\n\nClause 2 provides for the repeal and replacement of section 5 of the principal Ordinance to alter the standard rate from 10%, as now existing, to 12½%.\n\nClause 3 provides for the repeal and replacement of section 10(2) of the principal Ordinance. Such provision, which governs the valuation for purposes of tax of places of residence provided by an employer, has proved cumbersome and inequitable in practice. The opportunity is therefore taken to provide by the amendment proposed for a simpler method which allows of the application of 7½% of the other income and perquisites derived from an employer in ascertaining the rental value of a place of residence for the purposes of tax. The proposed amendment makes provision whereby inequity to a tax payer may be avoided-\n\n(a) by allowing a lower rate than 7½% of other income and perquisites derived from an employer where place of residence consists of restricted accommodation in a hotel, hostel or boarding house; and\n\n(b) in other cases by allowing a person to elect to have rateable value substituted for such rental value at 7½%.\n\nClause 4. This clause provides for the repeal and replacement of section 14 of the principal Ordinance so that addition to the burden of the majority of salary earners as a result of the proposed increase in the standard rate will be avoided. This position will result from the fact that it is proposed by the amendment to introduce graduations of one-fifth of the standard rate instead of quarters of the standard rate as at present specified in the section. The effect would be to charge no increase in tax on the first $40,000 of taxable income of employees.\n\nClause 5. A consequential amendment to section 30, stipulating deduction of tax at the new rate from payments or credits of interest on mortgages, etc., is provided by this amendment, and a proviso to the clause restricts such new provisions to payments or credits made after the Bill becomes law.\n\nClause 6. This clause provides for the repeal and replacement of section 44(1) of the principal Ordinance so as to apply the same graduation of rates to Personal Assessment as the amendment proposed by clause 4 applies to Salaries and Annuities Tax.\n\nClause 7. This clause provides that the legislation proposed shall have effect from the 1st April, 1950, i.e. the commencement of the financial year, but provides for the continuation of the previous method of assessment for assessments and recovery of tax still to be made for past years.\n\nLAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL, 1950.\n\nTHE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled \"An Ordinance to make amendments to miscellaneous Ordinances for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the revised edition of the laws\".\n\nTHE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Second time.\n\nCouncil then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-625-1 Trading Reserve Fund 1-5-1950 - 31-10-1951.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 597822,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-625-2 Finance- revenue equalization fund 1-1-1951 - 31-12-1951",
        "page_number": 14,
        "title": "CO129-625-2 Finance- revenue equalization fund 1-1-1951 - 31-12-1951",
        "content_text": "# REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 1951/52 - 1956/57.\n\nWe were appointed as a sub-committee of Finance Committee to consider the revision and extension of the existing five-year programme of capital expenditure, and have met on three occasions. Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie ceased to be a member of the Legislative Council after our first meeting, but he participated in all our discussions and agrees with our recommendations, although he has not signed this report.\n\nWe considered it would be of value to divide the programme under separate headings. We have accordingly done so, and attach a revised programme covering the financial years 1951/52 to 1956/57 inclusive. In drafting this programme, we had in mind primarily the capacity of the Public Works Department to undertake the programme, and secondly, the availability of finance. It will be observed that the cost for the financial year 1952/53 is approximately $46 million, and we consider that this sum is about as much as can or should be expended in any financial year. The programme should constitute by far the great majority of the works which will be listed under Public Works Non-Recurrent, although we foresee that there will be a number of what might well be termed \"Opportunity\" projects under that head which could not properly be regarded as belonging to a long-term programme. Our comments on the programme are as follows:\n\n## Education\n\nThe total to be spent over the five years, namely $7 million, has been increased to $7,530,000 by reason of the $730,000 donation received towards Aberdeen Primary School. It is possible that a further donation of $200,000 may be received for another school, and in such an event, we recommend that the total programme should be increased by that amount. We considered allocating a larger sum for the education programme, but the Director of Public Works advised that, so far as he could foresee, there was no possibility of his department being able to undertake any further work. Indeed, it is the case that both King's College Secondary School and Tai Po Primary School will have to be carried out by private architects. The programme is in the order of priority chosen by the Director of Education. We recommend that a possible increase in the allocation for education might be considered after the next twelve months.\n\n## Harbour\n\nThe first two of the items under this head appear in the existing programme and must be regarded as of primary importance. There are two new items, namely the Kowloon City pier and the new Vehicular Ferry piers, which are included in accordance with the recommendations of the Harbour Ferry Services Advisory Committee. The Director of Public Works advises that, because of the volume of work, he sees no prospect of the Kowloon City pier being commenced before 1953/54 and the Vehicular Ferry piers before 1955/56.\n\n## Medical and Health\n\nWe understand that a general hospital is required in Kowloon, apart from any question of removal of the existing hospital because of possible development of Kai Tak. Under the circumstances, we think that this work is of great importance, and we have recommended that a start be made in 1953/54 if...",
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    },
    {
        "id": 598255,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-625-6 Hong Kong University- endowment fund 1-5-1951 - 30-9-1951",
        "page_number": 9,
        "title": "CO129-625-6 Hong Kong University- endowment fund 1-5-1951 - 30-9-1951",
        "content_text": "(c) that such a course would have a profound effect on British prestige generally in view of Hong Kong's position as an outpost and shop window of British democratic institutions.\n\n9\n\nI am very satisfied that it would be right for the Secretary of State to see and hear what the Unofficials say. The party would include Sir A. Morse, Sir M.K. Lo and Dr. Sloss, the late Vice Chancellor of the University representing Colonel Ride who will have left to return to Hong Kong by then.\n\nI think the proposal which Mr. Palmer and Mr. Hall have suggested i.e. to use some of the Japanese assets in Hong Kong is, in many ways, an attractive one and I agree that it would be well to get the Governor's preliminary views on it right away. We shall want time to consider them here before the meeting takes place and to advise the Secretary of State thereon, and I should get the telegram off with the least possible delay.\n\nI have not delayed this to pass through the Finance Branch since the proposal is one which has already been discussed with Mr. Palmer.\n\nThe telegram should, however, clearly be confidential at this stage; it can, if necessary, issue separately, and the papers go on quickly to the Private Secretary who has already been warned of a possible discussion for next week between the Secretary of State and the Unofficials, with a view to arranging a date towards the end of next week.\n\nIn drafting should be with bare essentials.\n\nIf we get a reply within the next few days Tel No 866 to Hong Kong.\n\nJBS\n\n18. 7. 1951.\n\n18.7.51\n\nI have passed (and detached) the draft telegram to Hong Kong asking the Governor whether it may not be possible to find a solution to this problem by allocating to the University the whole (or part) of the Japanese assets, now in the hands of the Hong Kong Custodian. (We hope that a decision will be taken by Ministers on Monday that Far Eastern Colonies, which were occupied by the Japanese, will be allowed to keep, and apply to the benefit of those territories, the Japanese assets now in their hands).\n\nAs to the representations made at the meeting of which an account is given at No. 9, I was not able myself to be present at that meeting, but later in the day I met Sir A. Morse and Sir M.K. Lo and they both expressed themselves in very strong terms about the little hope that was held out for assistance to the University being forthcoming from H.M.G. Indeed they went so far as to say that they felt that Hong Kong had been \"led up the garden path\" by the decision (in spite of the recommendation in the Report of the Cox Committee) that the University should be reopened on its pre-war basis without any real assurance of adequate financial provision being made for it. I was not myself concerned with the affairs of Hong Kong at the time of that decision, but I told them that I felt that there was no basis for such a feeling, and I find that my recollection is borne out by the terms of the correspondence at Nos. 45 & 46 on 54147/47. While, at that time, there was still a hope that the financial circumstances of this country might recover to the point where the bigger scheme, advocated in the Cox Report, could be put into effect, it is quite clear...",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-625-6 Hong Kong University- endowment fund 1-5-1951 - 30-9-1951.txt",
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    {
        "id": 600658,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951",
        "page_number": 30,
        "title": "CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951",
        "content_text": "5. From early days in Hong Kong, various kaifong have also, from time to time, done a great deal to promote primary education. Another of their traditional undertakings was of a semi-religious kind when they organised holiday festivals on the anniversary of an important deity, or arranged processions to avert or diminish the effects of some great disaster which might be attributable to some god's negligence or anger.\n\n6. But during the twenty years before the war, the old kaifong in Hong Kong gradually died away in most of the urban areas. In some districts, the whole thing was apparently forgotten. In others, the tradition became at best a half-hearted affair kept up by a few individuals. Repairing public bridges and mending roads had long been the responsibility of the official Public Works Department. The provision of free medical aid had been increasingly undertaken by yet other civil servants or concentrated in large voluntary Western-style institutions or in the Tung Wah Hospitals. Though it is interesting that that venerable and purely Chinese charitable organisation (the Tung Wah group of Hospitals) has not only always provided free medical aid for those in need but has carried out another traditional kaifong activity in their supply of free coffins and in their arrangements for free burials for the poor.\n\n7. By 1941, very little indeed was being heard of the kaifong. The Japanese occupation apparently put the final touches to their disappearance. After 1945, the last remaining Chinese Public Dispensaries were taken over by the Medical Department. In the whole of urban Hong Kong and Kowloon, there was only one pre-war Kaifong of any importance which was trying to struggle into life again.\n\n8. I have spent some time on these old kaifong because they are amongst the most important ancestors of the present-day Kaifong Welfare Associations and similar bodies. In spite of a somewhat chequered history in Hong Kong, they built up a fine record for certain forms of public service, besides playing a not unimportant part in the Colony's social history.\n\n9. But now we must turn to their successors, of whom you may have read an increasing amount in the (Hong Kong) Chinese and English press during the last two years.\n\nThe first of these new associations was started in the densely populated residential, industrial, and commercial district of Shamshuipo on the Kowloon mainland, where some local Chinese gentlemen set to work on two assumptions. They believed that the old kaifong and their traditions of public service were not by any means entirely forgotten, in spite of the evidence of the last twenty years and in spite of Japanese occupation. Also, they realised that social welfare does not mean mere relief work or socially unprofitable mass charity; that it should include a whole network of constructive services aimed at genuinely helping people seek to improve in practical ways their own welfare, and to maintain that improvement. They believed that these two sets of ideas—the one looking back to the best traditions of the old kaifong and the other drawn from a broad and constructive Western interpretation of social welfare—could be blended together. The whole emphasis of this new Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Association and of the fifteen other genuine ones which were to follow was accordingly to be on practical work by as many residents of a district as possible for their own district and for their fellow-residents. That was the way the Shamshuipo Association started, and the way that all the other genuine Kaifong Welfare Associations started as well—local Chinese meeting together to discuss their ideas for their own district's welfare. It was also perhaps natural that these groups used, from the start, to ask the Social Welfare Office whether there was any advice or aid which it could offer to help them realise their aims. We did what we could. The actual development of each Association usually followed a fairly clear pattern. First, there was a \"t'aam wa wui\" or informal discussion group organised by the original sponsors. From this emerged a Preparatory Committee which got down to the hard work of planning and organising a membership campaign, arguing out the form and functions of the proposed Association, drafting a\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951.txt",
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    },
    {
        "id": 600664,
        "series_id": 27,
        "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine",
        "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案",
        "series_use_hku_proxy": false,
        "document_key": "CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951",
        "page_number": 36,
        "title": "CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951",
        "content_text": "36\n\n3.\n\ncoolies at his Centre also frequently and cheerfully stayed on duty for long hours, sometimes until as late as midnight, preparing the premises for the meetings and clearing up afterwards; they too received no overtime pay or bonus. Light refreshments were usually provided at the longer meetings and were paid for by some members of the Social Welfare Office. Workers at other S.W.O. Welfare Centres later had similar burdens to carry.\n\n10.\n\nMeanwhile the small Shamshuipo Preparatory Committee and its supporters had thrown themselves into their work with increasing keenness, had interested a fair number of other local residents, and had completed their drafting work. A general meeting of 500 - 600 people was called on the 23rd October 1949 at which the draft constitution was adopted with a few minor amendments, and the committees and principal officers elected for a twelve-month term. Inevitably a fairly impressive demonstration was to be expected as a face-giving and enjoyable accompaniment to the inaugural meeting of the Association; the smallest Chinese club or society is always ready to celebrate even its annual general meetings by spending what to Westerners may seem far too much money and effort on obtaining suitable premises, on gay decorations and exhilarating fire-crackers, possibly on entertainments, and on light refreshments if no full dinner can be financed. The Shamshuipo Kaifong set the example for their kind of association by being anxious not to spend money on these essential but often expensive outward shows, when that money was so badly needed for constructive welfare work. They solved the problem by holding the meeting in a suitably and gaily decorated school assembly hall (kindly lent free of charge by the chairman of the school's board of directors, who happened to be an energetic member of the new Kaifong), by suggesting to a local bakery (also represented on the Kaifong) that it should donate light refreshments only, and by having simple entertainments provided by local musicians and the flattered members of the local S.W.O. Welfare Centre's Children's Club.\n\n11.\n\nAnother way in which the Shamshuipo Kaifong set a precedent was in the form of its constitution, which at the wish of the founder members was long and detailed. The S.W.O.'s part in the hours of debate and discussion spent on it was confined to suggesting alterations to parts of drafts which might be unfortunately misinterpreted by government officials or members of the public; as far as possible the Preparatory Committee was encouraged to make all the constructive suggestions. In brief, the main provisions of the final Chinese written constitution were:\n\n- (a) Full name of the association to be the Shamshuipo Kaifong Welfare Advancement Association.\n\n- (b) Object of the association to be to develop friendly neighbourliness and the spirit of mutual help, and to advance all welfare activities in the neighbourhood.\n\n- (c) Address to be, temporarily, c/o S.W.O. Shamshuipo Welfare Centre.\n\n- (d) Principal activities to include mass moral education, evening classes or schools for non-school children, vocational training especially for the unemployed, employment bureaux, public health campaigns, establishment of a public library, and charitable and public assistance work generally. (Note: later practical experience was to widen the scope of some of these aims and to shift the emphasis in others).\n\n- (e) Membership of the association to be open to all \"who live or work in factories, shops, or houses in Shamshuipo irrespective of nationality, sex, or age if over 20, if they are of good conduct with no bad habits, are of sound mind, are willing to work faithfully and loyally for the welfare of the neighbourhood, agree to the",
        "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-629-8 Social policy 1-12-1949 - 31-12-1951.txt",
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