§ 82. Mr. DARBISHIREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Ordinance recently passed in the Legislative Council of the Straits Settle- 2596 ments to restrict the production of rubber has been assented to in the usual way; and, if so, when?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREA Bill imposing restrictive duties on the export of rubber over and above a certain percentage of estate proprietors' standard production was passed in the Legislative Council on the 30th October and has received the Governor's assent. I am unable at present to state the actual date of the Governor's assent to the Bill, as the official copies of the Ordinance have not yet reached this country.
§ Mr. DARBISHIREWhy was that Bill not reserved for allowance or disallowance by His Majesty the King, under the letters patent granted to the Governor?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREBecause I understand the Ordinance has been introduced to give effect to recommendations made by the late Secretary of State for the Colonies.