1947-09-18 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 280

18th September, 1947.

PRESENT: —

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR ALEXANDER WILLIAM GEORGE HEBDER GRANTHAM, K.C.M.G.)

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR GENERAL G. W. E. J. ERSKINE, C.B., D.S.O.)

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. D. M. MACDOUGALL, C. M. G.) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. J. B. GRIFFIN, K.C.)

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. R. R. TODD).

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. C. G. S. FOLLOWS, C. M. G., Acting). HON. T. MEGARRY.

HON. V. KENNIFF (Director of Public Works).

DR. HON. I. NEWTON (Director of Medical Services).

HON. D. F. LANDALE.

HON. CHAU TSUN-NIN, C.B.E.

HON. LO MAN-KAM, C.B.E.

HON. R. D. GILLESPIE.

DR. HON. CHAU SIK-NIN.

HON. M. M. WATSON.

MR. G. T. ROWE (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT: —

HON. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO.

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 281

MINUTES.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th September, 1947,were confirmed.

QUESTIONS.

HON. LO MAN-KAM asked: —

(a) Did Government appoint a Committee with the following terms of reference—"to examine the position of Government Servants, Volunteers and Civil Defence Personnel who were not interned during the Japanese occupation of the Colony and to make recommendations regarding the award of salary or pay in respect of that period?"

(b) When was the Committee so appointed?

(c) When did the Committee make its report to Government?

(d) Will Government make a statement on the position generally and in particular with reference to the following points—

(i) Whether the report has been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and if so what indication the Secretary of State has given as regards his acceptance or otherwise of the recommendations of the Committee?

(ii) When does Government expect a final decision to be reached in this matter?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied as follows: —

(a) Yes.

(b) 16th August, 1946.

(c) 31st December, 1946.

(d) The Report was duly referred to the Secretary of State who had to consider it in the light of similar problems which had arisen in other occupied British territories in the Far East and in the light of recommendations which have been submitted by those territories. Although the conditions in the different territories, under which un-interned members of the Government service had to live, varied in many respects, the treatment to be accorded to interned and non interned personnel is a problem common to the whole area. The Secretary of State has recently indicated that for the above reasons it has not been possible for him to accept completely the recommendations of the Committee. Various modifications designed to secure a greater degree of uniformity throughout the Far Eastern Colonies are now under consideration and it is hoped that the scheme in its new form will prove acceptable. Government fully realizes the importance of an early solution to this complex problem and there are grounds for believing that a final decision will not be long delayed.

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 282

MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES AMENDMENT BILL, 1947.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the First reading of a Bill intituled “An Ordinance further to amend the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance, 1933.”

He said: Sir, the objects of this Bill are clearly stated in the Objects and Reasons published with the Bill. From these it will be apparent that the main object of this Bill is to add "bowling alleys" and "skating-rinks" to the list of places, trades, businesses, or occupations for which a licence under the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance is required. The Bill provides for a licence fee for such activities of $300 a year. The Bill also provides for minor amendments to remedy existing defects in the Ordinance and to clarify the position as regards the licensing authority for money-changers in the New Territories.

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

Objects and Reasons.

The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —

1. The object of this Bill is to amend the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance, 1933 (the principal Ordinance), to provide for the control, supervision and licensing of public bowling-alleys and. public skating rinks, the termination of the issue of temporary licences of auctioneers and alteration of the licensing authority for money-changers in the New Territories.

2. Clause 2 amends section 2 of the principal Ordinance by adding thereto definitions of "Public bowling-alley" and "Public skating rink".

Clause 3, by amendment of the First Schedule to the principal Ordinance, adds public bowling-alleys and public skating rinks to the list of places, trades, businesses or occupations for which a licence is required.

Clause 4 deletes the item relating to the issue of temporary licences to auctioneers from the Table in Part I of the Second Schedule to the Principal Ordinance, prescribes the licence fees for public bowling-alleys and public skating rinks, and makes the District Officer the licensing authority for money changers in the New Territories

Clause 5 deletes regulations 2 and 3 of Part II of the Second Schedule to the principal Ordinance which relate to temporary licences for auctioneers.

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 283

Clause 6 amends the Second Schedule to the principal Ordinance by the addition of Parts X and XI to the Regulations under the principal Ordinance to prescribe regulations governing Public Bowling-alleys and Public Skating Rinks.

Clause 7 amends the Appendix to the Second Schedule to the principal Ordinance by the deletion of the form of temporary licence for auctioneers and to provide forms of licence for public bowling-alleys and public skating rinks.

ASIATIC EMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL, 1947.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled “An Ordinance to amend the Asiatic Emigration Ordinance, 1915.”

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

On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL, seconded by the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

Council then resumed.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Asiatic Emigration Amendment Bill, 1947, had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed into law.

ADJOURNMENT.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR. — That concludes the business, Gentlemen. When is it your pleasure that we should meet again?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. —I suggest 14 days, Sir?

H.E. THE GOVERNOR. —Is that agreeable, Gentlemen? Council will adjourn until October 2nd.