Sessional_Paper_1897 — Page 16

Sessional Papers 議政定例兩局文件 All

views of the owners of the bakehouses I could have obtained copies from the Sanitary Board I submit Sir, that the unofficial members should not be required to go to the Sanitary Board to obtain such papers and in future I hope your Excellency will cause instructions to be issued to the usual authority, the Clerk of Councils, for the unofficial members to be furnished with the papers and given full time to consider them in order that they may consult those whose interests may be seriously affected by any proposed changes in by-laws. I think that the dignity of the Council would be consulted if more consideration was shown by the Hon. Colonial Secretary to the unofficial members. At a meeting of the Council in December last the Hon. Colonial Secretary accused the unofficial members of endeavouring to "burk a Bill then before the Council, namely, the Military Contribution Bill. Now, Sir, the word "burk" was entirely inapplicable, and why it was employed I do not understand. I have before me here the despatch of the Secretary of State on the subject of this Bill dated 12th Feb., 1897, and Paragraph 2 states-"I have to request that you will convey to the unofficial members of the Legislative Council my regret that the Ordinance was submitted to them before the receipt of my despatch in answer to their memorandum, enclosed in your despatch No. 225 of the 23rd September, 1896." I do not make any formal complaint, but I think the dignity of the Council would be consulted and would not be injured if the Hon. the Colonial Secretary showed more consideration to the unofficial members.

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

I think the request made by the Hon. member that sanitary bye-laws should be placed in the hands of the unofficial members for a sufficiently long time to allow of their due consi- deration is a most reasonable one and it is a request which I ain sure your Excellency will see carried out. In regard to the Hou. member's accusation that the Colonial Secretary treats the unofficial members with a want of consideration I regret that that should be his opinion, and I trust it is not shared by his colleagues. If I have ever in any way treated Hon. members with a want of consideration it has not been from a desire to do so, but has been quite unintentional. I trust that the other Hon. members of this Council do not hold the same opinion as that expressed by the Hon. member who represents the Chamber of Commerce.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE VACCINATION ORDINANCE, 1890.-The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill,