Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 90

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Question, &c. for debate.

Rules and regula- tions under

ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS-HONG KONG

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

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

are to be enacted.

Form of enacting Ordinances,

Ordinances to be numbered and methodically arranged.

Different subjects

in same Ordin-

to be introduced

1.--All laws shall be styled "Ordinances," and the enacting word shall be, "enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice an consent "of the Legislative Council thereof.'

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2.- All Ordinances shall be distinguished by titles, and shall b divided into successive clauses or paragraphs, numbered consecutively, an to every such clause there shall be annexed in the margin a short summar of its contents. The Ordinances of each year shall be distinguished b 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, sha be dated as of the day on which the assent of the Governor is given, an shall be numbered as of the year in which they are passed. Bills not s assented to by the Governor, but reserved by him for the signification Our pleasure, shall be dated as of the day and numbered as of the year o and in which they are brought into operation.

3. Each different matter shall be provided for by a differen Ordinance, without intermixing in one and the same Ordinance such thing 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 an 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

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 :

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