EXEMPTION FROM RUBBER DEALERS ORDINANCE

3.23 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Chan Sun Wing) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in the name of the Prime Minister, namely,

That this Assembly, pursuant to section 19 of the Rubber Dealers Ordinance (Chapter 199), resolves that the grant by the Prime Minister to the Malayan Rubber Export Registration Board of total exemption from all the provisions of the said Ordinance or of any rules made thereunder, with effect from the 1st day of September, 1960, as contained in Paper S.L. 28 of 1960, be approved.

Mr Speaker, Sir, this motion is the result of an application from the Malayan Rubber Export Registration Board for total exemption from the provisions of the Rubber Dealers Ordinance. This Ordinance, which controls dealings in rubber, requires licences for the purchase of rubber, or to treat or store rubber, prescribe duties on licences and impose penalties for breach of the provisions of the Ordinance.

The Malayan Rubber Export Registration Board is a pan-Malayan statutory body set up under and for the purpose of administering the Rubber Shipping and Packing Control Ordinances of the State of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya. One of the duties of the Board is to ensure that the rubber packed and exported from Malaya is of the grade and quality contracted for, and generally to ensure honest shipment. Accordingly it examines and deals with quality and other complaints received from overseas buyers of rubber from Malaya. In the course of its duties, the Board receives samples of rubber complained about which, after the complaints have been dealt with, are either retained or disposed of locally by the Board. It is more desirable that the Board, as a disciplinary body with quasi judicial powers, should maintain a position of dignity and prestige and command the respect of the rubber trade. Accordingly it is appropriate that it should not be required to be licensed as an ordinary rubber dealer. In order to perform its functions without contravening the Ordinance, the Board seeks total exemption under the provisions of section 19 of the Rubber Dealers Ordinance.

Section 19 provides that such exemption may be granted by the Minister but shall not come into force until it has been approved by the Legislative Assembly.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly, pursuant to section 19 of the Rubber Dealers Ordinance (Chapter 199), resolves that the grant by the Prime Minister to the Malayan Rubber Export Registration Board of total exemption from all the provisions of the said Ordinance or of any rules made thereunder, with effect from the 1st day of September, 1960, as con-tamed in Paper S.L. 28 of 1960, be approved.