Sessional_Paper_1912 — Page 25

21

No. 1012

HONGKONG.

REPORT BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF

FORMING A PUBLIC HOUSE TRUST AND THE PRELIMINARY

STEPS NECESSARY IN THAT EVENT.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, March 7th, 1912,

Terms of reference:

To formulate (without going into details which admit of being deferred) an ad interim policy for the consideration of Government, having as its aim the eventual creation of a "Public House Trust" (if the Committee should find themselves in favour of its creation) and the avoidance in the meantime of any action on the part of the Licensing Board which would prejudice that object or create new liabilities. The objects in view and the general nature of the Trust Scheme can be seen from papers which will be submitted to the Com- mittee.

F. D LUGARD.

5th May, 1911.

1. It appears from the minutes and correspondence before the Committee that the Government has, in the projected creation of a public house trust, several ends in view :—

(a.) To withdraw from the public as far as possible any incentive to excessive

drinking and to secure the supply of liquors of good quality,

(b.) To secure for the community generally the profits arising from the sale of

liquors to the public.

(c.) To secure a better class of Public House Manager.

(d.) To provide, as alternatives for intoxicating liquors, refreshments such as tea,

coffee, etc., and

(e.) To provide for social intercourse and reasonable recreation by means of billiards and other games and by a supply of anriate literature so that the premises may not be drinking places pure and simple.

2. The Committee concur that the scheme is a sound one and they submit the following general recommendations regarding the carrying of it into effect:-

(a.) It is essential that the sale of liquors to the public should be entirely controlled by the Trust. To this end notice should forthwith be given to all holders of publicans' licences that their licences will not be renewed after the year 1915. (b.) The Trust should not come into operation until the month of December, 1915, when all existing licences should be simultaneously withdrawn. In the meantime the necessary preparations should be made for putting the Trust into operation. (c.) The requisite capital should be obtained from the public by the issue of deben- tures, on which the Government should guarantee interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. The debenture holders should be entitled to elect two trustees to safeguard their interests.

(d.) The control of the Trust should be in the hands of a body of Directors, which should, it is suggested, be composed as follows :--Two to be nominated by the Governor, one by the Legislative Council, and two by the debenture holders' trustees.