XN000022-1975-11-14 — Page 10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

CONVENTION ON ARBITRATION AWARDS TO BE EXTENDED TO H.K.

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AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON FOREIGN ARBITRATION AWARDS IS TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG UNDER A BILL PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE. IF APPROVED IT WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE CONVENTION THE NEW YORK CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS - WILL BE APPLIED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WHEN THE ARBITRATION ACT 1975 COMES INTO EFFECT.

IT WAS ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION IN JUNE 1958. THE CONVENTION PROVIDES FOR THE RECOGNITION OF ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL ELEMENT THE CONSEQUENT SUSPENSION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING DISPUTES WHICH SHOULD BE ARBITRATED- AND THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCE- MENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES TO WHICH IT IS EXTENDED, OF ARBITRAL AWARDS MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES PARTY TO THE CONVENTION.

THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY SEEKS TO AMEND THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ACT. THIS WILL ENABLE THE U.K. TO MAKE A DECLARATION EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG.

N.T. VILLAGE HOUSES TO BE EXEMPTED FROM RATING

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VILLAGE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM RATING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNDERTAKINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, UNDER AN AMENDING BILL PUBLISHED TODAY.

THE RATING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975 ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE EXEMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND DWELLINGS WHICH ARE OCCUPIED IN CONNECTION WITH AGRICULTURAL LAND.

IN CASES WHERE A PERSON OBJECTS TO AN ASSESSMENT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PREMISES SHOULD NOT BE RATEABLE BECAUSE IT IS A VILLAGE HOUSE. THE BILL REQUIRES THE COMMISSIONER FOR RATING AND VALUATION TO CONSULT THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF HIS VIEWS.

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