[English] COUNCIL MEETING. FIRST READING OF BOY SCOUTS ORDINANCE.

COUNCIL MEETING.

FIRST READING OF BOY SCOUTS ORDINANCE.

The Legislative Council, at a meeting held yesterday afternoon, passed the first reading of an Ordinance to further and protect the activities of the Boy Scouts Association, and to incorporate the Hongkong branch thereof.

His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government (Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.) presided, and there were also present:

His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Troops (Major General C. C. Luard, C.B., C.M.G.)

Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., C.B.E. (Colonial Secretary).

Hon. Sir Joseph Horsford Kemp, K.C., C.B.E. (Attorney-General).

Hon. Mr. C. McI. Messer, O.B.E. (Colonial Treasurer).

Hon. Mr. H. T. Jackman (Director of Public Works).

Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe (Captain Superintendent of Police).

Hon. Mr. R. A. C. North (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

Hon. Sir Shou-son Chow.

Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G.

Hon. Mr. D. G. M. Bernard.

Hon. Mr. A. C. Hynes.

Hon. Mr. J. Owen Hughes.

Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton.

Mr. E. W. Hamilton (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

Boy Scouts Ordinance.

The Attorney-General, in moving the first reading of a Bill intituled An Ordinance to further and protect the activities of the Boy Scouts Association, and to incorporate the Hongkong branch thereof, said: In view of the speeches made at the annual meeting of the Hongkong branch of the Boy Scouts Association, which were reported in the Press this morning, it seems unnecessary to say anything about the aims and activities of that movement. Everyone knows something of its aims and activities, and they have always met with complete approval. The object of this Bill is to protect the movement in Hongkong against undesirable imitations.

The success of the Boy Scouts movement is a temptation to the formation of small local organisations, borrowing the titles, badges and other features of the original movement but not subject to the control of the central authority. The imitation may be flattery, but flattery is generally bad and may sometimes be very embarrassing. Some of these local bodies which might be formed, might not be bad themselves, but they would lack the strict discipline and the careful organisation of the original Boy Scouts movement and they might tend to confusion and dissipation of energy. Other local independent organisations might be distinctly bad in their tendencies, because they might be used for political and militaristic purposes. The Boy Scouts movement, as you all know, is not political and it is not militaristic.

This Bill proposes, therefore, to protect the well-known title of Boy Scouts and the Chinese equivalent. It also protects the present Boy Scouts Association and the use of the badges and emblems which are employed by it. It also proposes to incorporate the local branch of the Association in order that it may more conveniently hold property of the branch. I understand that many of the Colonial branches of the Association already have secured the advantages of incorporation. I beg to move the first reading.

Prevention of Rabies.

The Ordinance to make provision for regulating the keeping of dogs and for the prevention of the importation and spread of rabies passed all its remaining stages and became law.

The Council adjourned sine die.

Source:

1. Page 2, "Hongkong Telegraph", Friday, 18th November, 16th Year of the Republic of China

   • 25th Day, 10th Lunar Month, Ding-mao Year

   • Friday, 18th November, 1927 Common Era

2. Page 5, "Hong Kong Daily Press", Friday, 18th November, 16th Year of the Republic of China

   • 25th Day, 10th Lunar Month, Ding-mao Year

   • Friday, 18th November, 1927 Common Era