Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 415

THE CHINA (AMENDMENT) ORDER IN COUNCIL, 1921

363

2. The following provisions are substituted for Article 162 of the Principal -border:-

(1) A register of British subjects shall be kept in the office of every Consulate in China.

(2) Every British subject resident in China shall, in the month of January of each year, be registered at the Consulate of the Consular District within which he resides, provided that if some other Consulate is more easy of access, he may, with the assent of the Consular Officer, be registered there. A British subject arriving in China must apply for registration within one month after his arrival; provided that a person who fails to apply for or to obtain registration within the time limited by this Article may be registered at any

time if he excuses his failure to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer.

(3) Where a person is in possession of a valid British passport, the Consular Officer shall, on the first registration of any such person, endorse on the passport without further fee than that provided for in sub-article (6) hereunder a certificate of registration in such form as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State. Where any such person applies for the renewal of the registration and produces his passport, renewal of his registration need not attend personally unless that provided for in sub-article (6) hereunder be endorsed thereon.

(4) Every person who has not previously been registered applying to be registered under this Order shall, unless excused by the Consular Officer, attend personally for that purpose at the Consulate, but any person applying for the renewal of his registration need not attend personally unless directed by the Consular Officer so to do, provided that the registration of the wife or wives of a man who is registered under this Order may, if living with him, be effected without their personal attendance being required, and provided also that the registration of minors, being his relatives in whatever degree, living with the head of a family who is registered under this Order may, if living with him, be effected without attendance being required.

(5) A person registered in any register of British subjects established under the provisions of any Order in Council which have been repealed shall be registered under the provisions of this Order, unless the Consular Officer is satisfied after inquiry that the previous registration was erroneous or that such person is not entitled to registration under the provisions of this Order.

(6) Every person shall, on every registration of himself, and on every renewal of the registration, pay a fee of two dollars, or such other fee as the Secretary of State from time to time appoints. The amount of the fee may be uniform for all persons, or may vary according to the position and circumstances of different classes, if the Secretary of State from time to time so directs, but * may not in any case exceed four dollars.

(7) Where any person applies to be registered he shall be entitled without a fee to the assistance of the Consular Officer in the preparation of any affidavit that may be required.

(8) The Consular Officer may require the production of such evidence that an applicant for registration is entitled to the status of a British subject as he may see fit, but subject to such directions as may be issued by the Secretary of State.

(9) If any British subject neglects to obtain registration under the provisions of this Order, he shall not be entitled to be recognised or protected as a British subject in China, and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty dollars for each instance of such failure, but he shall, although not registered, be subject to the jurisdiction of his Majesty's Courts in China.

3. From and after the commencement of this Order, Article 162 of the Principal Order is hereby repealed, but such repeal shall not prejudice any rights, obligations or liabilities accrued thereunder.