TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 106

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 1 June 1988

Second Reading of Bills

THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF HONG KONG INCORPORATION BILL 1988

MR. CHEONG-LEEN moved the Second Reading of: 'A Bill to provide for the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hong Kong and to provide for matters incidential thereto or connected therewith'.

He said: Sir, I move that the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hong Kong Incorporation Bill 1988 be read a Second time.

The Bill provides for the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hong Kong and for the transfer of property and assets vested in the existing National Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is of Hong Kong to the newly incorporated assembly.

According to the assembly, the Baha'is faith began in Persia in 1863 and is now an independent religion with approximately 4.5 million members. throughout the world. It has existed in Hong Kong for about 40 years with the first local spiritual assembly formed in 1952 and registered under the Societies Ordinance. The local Baha'i community is currently administered by the 'National Spiritual Assembly' with a membership of about 800, all but a small handful being local people. In 1969, the assembly was incorporated under the Companies Ordinance. The inland revenue has recognised it as a charitable body.

This Bill follows the standard pattern of an Ordinance for the incorporation of a charity, club or private institution. It provides for the establishment and incorporation of the assembly, the administrative arrangements of the assembly including its objects and powers, transfers of the assets and liabilities of the existing assembly, including the employment of its staff to the new assembly. It also provides for the dissolution of the existing assembly on the commencement of the Bill.

Sir, I commend the Bill to hon. Members and move that the debate on this motion be adjourned.

Question on adjournment proposed, put and agreed to.

HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988

DR. CHIU moved the Second Reading of: 'A Bill to amend the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association Incorporation Ordinance'.