BY BAG
FM HONG KONG
SAVING TELEGRAM
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.52
UNCLASSIFIED
29 JUL 1974
OP COPY
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 178 SAVING OF 20 JULY 1974.
A
The following is the text of the petition
referred to in my telegram No 770 of 20th July :
LAST REE
Hong Kong & Kowloon Joint
Kai-fong Research Council, c/o Tai Hang Residents'
Welfare Association, Tung Lo Wan Road,
14th June 1974
RECE
29 JUL 1974
N 57
103
NEXT
REF,
(612)
Hong Kong.
9418
Your Majesty,
Subject:
135
Joint petition from the Hong Kong & Kowloon Joint Kai-fong Research Council and kai-fong welfare associations of various districts in Hong Kong and Kowloon requesting a Royal Decree instructing the Hong Kong Government to re-impose the death penalty on criminals convicted of robbery and murder, so that the 4 million local people may live and go about their business peacefully, and also that Hong Kong's social stability and economic prosperity may be maintained
As a result of an economic recession in recent years, public security in Hong Kong has continued to Geteriorate: not a single day passes without violent crimes such as robbery and murder being committed; there is virtually no protection for the lives and property of the local people. This state of affairs has caused grave concern among those who love Hong kong, and members of the public have repeatedly appealed to the Government for the imposition of capital punishment on criminals convicted of robbery and murder. However, the Hong Kong Government is unable to do so in view of the laws now in force in the United Kingdom.
Appeasement would give rise to more evil. Should the Government continue to follow such a lenient policy, a situation favourable to robbery and murder would be created and, consequently,
HONG KONG'S