1925-03-05 — Page 1

6 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

5TH MARCH, 1925.

PRESENT:―

Base

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.) HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. LUARD, C.B., C.M.G.).

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. SIR CLAUD SEVERN, K.B.E., C.M.G.).

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (HON. MR. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E.).

THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER, O.B.E.).

HON. MR. H. T. CREASY (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain Superintendent of Police).

HON. MR. D. W. TRATMAN (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, K.C.

HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK.

HON. MR. A. O. LANG.

HON. MR. H. W. BIRD.

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL.

MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT:―

HON. MR. CHOW SHOU-SON.

New Member

The Hon. Mr. D. W. TRATMAN (Secretary for Chinese Affairs) took the oath and his seat as a member of the Council.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting of the Council were approved, and signed.

Hongkong's Contribution to Singapore

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Gentlemen,―If I may crave your indulgence for a few moments, I should like, for public information, to recall certain facts which are known to yourselves. Some months ago, it will be remembered, there was a considerable difference of opinion with regard to the application of the moneys which had been received as the result of the local scheme for the control of shipping during the War. Opinions varied as to the use to which such moneys should be put. My own opinion was always that, seeing that the money had come to us rather accidentally, it was not fitting that it should be devoted to the purposes solely of this Colony, but that it was desirable to devote it to some object of general advantage to British interests and British trade in the Far East.

As you will recall, in December last I called a meeting of members of both Councils and put my views before them. The unofficial members unanimously accepted my suggestion, and with their approval, I telegraphed to the Secretary of State, saying:

"With the approval of the Unofficial Members of both Councils I offer to His Majesty's Government the sum of £250,000, representing, in round figures, the profits of the local scheme for the control of shipping during the War, as a contribution to the Singapore Naval Base."

The Secretary of State replied in due course saying:

"His Majesty's Government most gratefully accepts the offer which you have made with the approval of the Unofficial members of both Councils, to

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 7

contribute the sum of £250,000, representing the profits of the scheme of control of shipping during the War, towards the expenses of the Singapore Base. This very generous contribution will be of very material assistance to the important work of Imperial defence."

The matter has been kept quiet until the present time because His Majesty's Government had made no declaration on the subject, and I did not wish to force their hands, but I now learn that in the House of Commons yesterday a question was asked in the following terms: "Whether any contribution has been offered by Hongkong towards the cost of the Singapore base and accepted by His Majesty's Government; and if so, what was the amount?" The answer was: "Yes; Hongkong has generously offered a gift of a quarter of a million sterling towards the cost of the Singapore base, representing the profits made by a local scheme of shipping control during War time. The gift has been most gratefully accepted." The announcement, I have been informed, was received with cheers in the House of Commons.

Papers

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to lay on the table three papers, one being an order made by the Governor in Council under section 24 of the Rents Ordinance of 1922; the second being a regulation made by the Chief Justice under section 10 of the Legal Practitioners' Ordinance, 1871; and the third the Jurors' List for 1925.

Finance

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― By command of H.E. the Governor, I beg to lay on the table the Report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, No. 1, and move their adoption.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The Rents Question

H.E. THE GOVERNOR, referring to the resolution in regard to the Rents Ordinance, which appeared again on the agenda, said the resolution would stand over.

At a later stage the HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked―Should not the resolution appear on the agenda with an asterisk and note indicating that it would not be proceeded with at this meeting?

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―I confess I am not very clear as to the practice. I think in the present case no one was really misled, but in the future the Clerk of Councils will take care that a motion not to be proceeded with is "starred" in the agenda.

Bill to amend the Stamp Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move the second reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Stamp Ordinance, 1921.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL Council resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

The Bill passed through Committee with only one amendment, this being the insertion of the word "Saving" a marginal note to clause 4; and in the second column of the table in clause 7 the figure $10 was charged to $100, making it read "10 cents for every $100."

On Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed.

Dangerous Goods Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move the second reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1873.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The Council thereupon resolved itself into committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and on Council resuming it was read a third time and passed.

8 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Advertisements Regulation Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move the second reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Advertisements Regulation Ordinance, 1912.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.

Council resolved into Committee to consider the Bill and on Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed.

Bill to Incorporate the Bishop

of Victoria

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move the second reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to provide for the incorporation of the Lord Bishop of Victoria in the Colony of Hongkong.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.

The Council resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the addition "Lord" in the long title of the Bill.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The explanation of the omission, of course, is that although the Bishop of Victoria is always referred to as Lord Bishop, the title is not recognised by law except in the case of Bishops sitting in the House of Lords. It is legally incorrect and the word has been excised.

The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and on Council resuming was read a third time and passed.

Legal Practitioners' Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move that the next item on the Orders of the Day (the Bill to amend the Legal Practitioners' Ordinance, 1871) stand over.

Agreed.

The Adjournment

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The Council will adjourn sine die.