Ina Morning Post
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1971
es
apron rs of
own thout
new one whether it does not lion for or capital nt would this for ving the
omy.
at while
cil will Council's will not spent. will have es and to to gain
ntinue to made by Jockey
such
as
Such as a
or a
to be
Council's
unless
before
one or Works
uncil's
be no addition
tions as hg alleys, saloons,
ble tennis
ce halls, d pawn- with the
ere is not ge though present
e of all
Until a
is it is not
what Urban
fite Paper give the
ed powers its own.
Council to through
buncil is e, col 6)
The Governor making his farewell bow at yester- day's Legislative Council meeting.
Governor bids
farewell to
Legco members
The Legislative Council has seen
many changes and developments over the last seven-and-a-half years, but its essential character has not changed, the Governor, Sir David Trench, said yesterday.
Sir David, who took leave of the Council yesterday, said it remained a forum for the serious and constructive discussion of Hongkong affairs conducted without partisanship and in a spirit of mutual co-operation, having no object other than the good of the community.
He recalled that the Council was enlarged during 1964, and the Standing Orders were modernised a few years ago. He said that they were now due for more revision in the light of ex- perience and any decisions arising from reports by the Chinese language committee.
The Governor thanked all members, in particular the Unofficials and the Executive Council, for their assistance.
Sir David said he was sure the Council would support Sir Murray MacLehose as ably and generously as it had supported him.
Mr Y. K. Kan, speaking on behalf of Unofficial Members. praised Sir David for leading Hongkong in a continuing upsurge of welfare and prosperity. Under the Governor's leadership, faith and confidence had been maintained.
"The notable dimensions of the achievements that have been brought about should not. of course, blind us to the manifold tasks and Herculean labours that remain ahead."
Mr Kan recalled some of the outstanding features achieved during Sir David's tenure as Governor, including low-cost housing, universal primary education, public assistance and labour legislation for workmen's protection.
Mr Kan thanked Lady Trench for all she had done, especially in the field of social welfare. He wished them both a happy retirement. Wherever they went, they could be certain that the people of Hongkong would always remember them.
The Colonial Secretary, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker, speaking on behalf of the Official Members. said they wished to be associated with everything Mr Kan had said.
"I doubt what has been achieved in Hongkong could have been done without your wise guidance and leadership. We shall miss you," Sir Hugh said.
Price 40 cents
Deportation fears dispelled for
China-born locals
The Legislative Council has set at rest the fears of more than two million Chinese not born in Hongkong and who were not naturalised here, that they could be deported or refused re-entry at any time. It created a new category under the much-debated Immigration Bill, accorded these people the status of "Chinese residents," and gave them similar rights to those born here of remaining in Hong- kong or travelling freely in and out of the Colony.
The six categories
The new Immigration Ordinance classified six categories of people and accords them certain rights and conditions of stay.
The six categories are:
1. Hongkong belongers: Those born or naturalised in Hongkong and British subjects registered here under Section 7 (2) of the British Nationality Act 1948, together with their wives, widows and chidren. They have the right to stay in Hongkong, enter and leave the Colony, and are not liable to deportation or refusal of re- entry into Hongkong.
2. Chinese residents: Those wholly or partly of Chinese race who have at any time been ordinarily residents in Hongkong for at least seven years. They are given a right to stay here and might leave and re-enter Hongkong freely. They are subject to deporta- tion by the Governor in Council:
(a) on the recommendation of the Court;
(b) on a report of a Deportation Tribunal; and (c) in security cases.
3. Resident United Kingdom belongers: Those of UK origin who have been ordinarily resident in Hongkong for a continuous period of at least seven years. They are given a right to enter Hongkong and are subject to deportation only on security grounds.
4. United Kingdom belongers: Those of UK origin, their wives and children. They can be deported only in the a Chinese
same manner as resident.
5. Aliens: They have no right to enter Hongkong and are subject to deportation at any time if found guilty of an
offence punishable by not less than two years of imprison-
ment.
6. British subjects: Those who are not citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, such
Commonwealth subjects. They are treated in the same way as aliens.
as
on
The legislation provides that they will be liable to deportation only under certain circumstances recommendation of the court, on a report of a newly set up Deportation Tribunal, and in security cases.
Only one condition is needed to qualify for this category: that they must have lived at any time in Hongkong for a continuous period of at least seven years.
Also greatly relieved yesterday were the many residents here who hold United Kingdom passports. Under the provisions of the original Bill, they could be refused re-entry or deported, even if they have been living here for ten years or
more.
Same rights
But amendments adopted during the committee stage of the Bill classified these as "resident United Kingdom belongers" (those who have stayed here continuously for seven years) enjoying the same rights as "Chinese residents" and who would be subject to deportation only on security grounds.
The revised version of the legislation. five years in the making and widely hailed as "rational and fair," will come into effect on a date to be appointed by the Governor.
This is not expected for some time. There will be a great deal of preparation before the Immigration Department is ready to execute the legislation. New forms will have to be printed, fresh instructions will have to be issued, and the 400 or so immigration officers who are charged with the task will
(Contd from Page 1)
were to take such a step, this would give foreign Government excuse for refusing to recognise the document.
an
The
new
makes it clear that residence in Ordinance also
Hongkong
does not include any time spent in prison, or any period during which a person is illegally in Hongkong after the commencement of the Ordin-
ance.
have to briefings.
undergo thorough
But hopefully, the Director of E. Immigration, Mr W. Collard, said he would like to see the legislation coming into effect on April 1, next year.
Allaying fears of residents of the new effects of the new legislation, Mr Collard said the many steps outlined were but administrative measures already in practice now written into law.
For example, under the old law, a Chinese was treated in the same way as an alien. But in practice, it had always been the policy of the Immigration Department, 3 5 а п administrative measure, to grant the Chinese resident the privilege of free entry and exit from the Colony.
In fact, he pointed out, nearly 1.5 million people in Hongkong, most of them Chinese, are in possession of valid Hongkong Certificates of Identity or Re-entry Permits - documents which confer administratively the right to to Hongkong from overseas trips.
return
The Certificates of Identity (commonly known as C.I.), are recognised by more than 40 governments throughout the world due largely to the incessant efforts of the Director of Immigration.
"We have never ever refused entry of a person in possession of this document," said Mr Collard. Because if Hongkong (Contd on Back Page, col 4)
This is an important provision since its effect is to give people who have entered Hongkong illegally in the past and been resident for at least seven years a right to remain, subject only to deportation in certain circumstances.
However, in the future, an illegal entrant must "regularise" his position before his residence or further residence here can count towards the seven years.
Since the Bill was published in July this year, there has been a good deal of correspondence in the press on its provisions.
Recommendations have also been received from UMELCO, the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, the Reform Club and other organisations. and all these have been carefully studied and appropriate amendments made where possible.
(See also Page 7)
Page 270Page 271
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.