Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 218

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Question, &c.) for debate.

Rules and regula-

ions under

ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS-HONGKONG

XXIV. It shall be competent for any Member of the Legislative Council to propose any question for debate therein; and such question, if seconded by any other Member, shall be debated and disposed of according to the standing rules and orders. Provided always that every ordinance vote, resolution, or question, the object or effect of which may be to dispose of or charge any part of Our revenue arising' within the Colony, shall be proposed by the Governor, unless the proposal of the same shall have been expressly allowed or directed by him.

XXV.-In the passing of Ordinances the Governor and the Council which Ordinances shall observe, as far as practicable, the following Rules:-

are to be enacted.

1.—All laws shall be styled "Ordinances," and the enacting words Form of enacting shall be, "enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and

consent "of the Legislative Council thereof."

Ordinances.

Ordinances to be num bered and

methodically arranged.

Different subjects not to be mixed

to be introduced

2. All Ordinances shall be distinguished by titles, and shall be divided into successive clauses or paragraphs, numbered consecutively, and to every such clause there shall be annexed in the margin a short summary of its contents. The Ordinances of each year shall be distinguished by consecutive numbers, commencing in each year with the number one.

Except in the case of Bills reserved for the signification of Our plea- sure, all Ordinances passed by the Legislative Council in any one year shall, if assented to by the Governor, be assented to by him in that year, shall be dated as of the day on which the assent of the Governor is given, and shall be numbered as of the year in which they are passed. Bills not so assented to by the Governor, but reserved by him for the signification of Our pleasure, shall be dated as of the day and numbered as of the year on and in which they are brought into operation.

3.-Each different matter shall be provided for by a different in same Ordin- Ordinance, without intermixing in one and the same Ordinance such things ance. No clause as have no proper relation to each other; and no clause is to be inserted foreign to what in or annexed to any Ordinance which shall be foreign to what the title of title of Ordinance such Ordinance imports, and no perpetual clause shall be part of any ary Ordinances. temporary Ordinance.

imports. Tempor.

Description of Bills not to be assented to

XXVI. The Governor shall not, except in the cases hereunder men- tioned, assent in Our name to any Bill of any of the following classes:-

1.-Any Bill for the divorce of persons joined together in holy matri-

mony:

2.-Any Bill whereby any grant of land or money, or other donation or gratuity, may be made to himself:

3.Any Bill affecting the Currency of the Colony or relating to the issue of Bank notes :

4.-Any Bill establishing any Banking Association, or amending or altering the constitution, powers, or privileges of any Banking Association:

4: 5. Any Bill imposing differential duties:

6. Any Bill the provisions of which shall appear inconsistent with obligations imposed upon Us by Treaty :

7.- Any Bill interfering with the discipline or control of Our forces by and, sea, or air:

8. Any Bill of an extraordinary nature and importance, whereby Our prerogative, or the rights and property of Our subjects not residing in the Colony, or the trade and shipping of Our United Kingdon and its Dependencies, may be prejudiced: