}
it confers a general power of forcible entry into any premises
where he reasonably suspects a person recently guilty of any offence (whether felory, misdemeanour or summary offence) is to be
found. If this was intended we suggest that it is unreasonable.
If it was not intended we think the true intention should be
expressed.
Section 53.
We view with concern the provisions of this section,
particularly having regard to the fact that it is a blanket
ind emnity in advance which may cover cases as yet unforeseen and
which may lead to injustice.
Section 55
While we are not necessarily opposed to the partial
or complete abolition of corporal punishment we do deprecate the
insertion in an Ordinance relating to the maintenance of public
order of a provision abolishing such punishment for, inter alia,
larceny and malicious damage to property when not committed in
circumstances of public disorder. We notice that no reference
at all was made to this sweeping change in the Objects and Reasons
appended to the Bill.
We see no objection to the amendment of the definition
of "public meeting" which appears in the City Hall Ordinance but
we suggest that a multiplicity of consents and licences is to be
avoided and that any consent under that Ordinance should be deemed
to be a licence issued by the Commissioner of Police under s.7 of
this Ordinance and as such to be liable to amendment and cancella-
tion under s.8.
In conclusion we feel bound to place on record our
regret at the manner in which this Ordinance was rushed through
the Legislative Council in precisely twelve days.
It is no
19.