Page
Censorship Of Chinese Press Criticised
THE CHINA MAIL"-WEDNESDAY," "AUGUST 26, 1936
EDUCATIONAL EXPERTSLOCAL NEWS BREVITIES MARTELL'S BRANDIES APPOINTED IN CANTON
"No netliable disease was report- Canton. To-day--Mr. Hu Soong-t ching, the newly appointed Com-I had to serve the Press in aeded in the Colony during the 24 missioner of Education for Kwang capacity calling for the exercise hours ended on Monday." (Continued from Page 1), emergency nature of the Regala-tung, had a discussion with heads of some judgment, caution, and
Mr. S. D. Begg and Mrs. Mary tions to be made under the Or of Government schools” yesterday,propriety demanded by the wide "The Emergency Regulations dinance I mar point out that cer- and has appointed 11 educational interests I served From the Church were passengers on the 3.5. Ordinance, 1922, Section 2 pro-tain emergency Regulations were experts to take charge of the point of view, therefore, of one President Cleveland, which sailed vides as follows:-
made on the same day as the meet-schools-Our Own Correspondent-who enjoyed the freedom of the for the North yesterday. 2 (1) On any occasion which the
Press throughout the period of
A case of mistaken identity rẻ- Governor in Council may consider to ing, that certain other Regulations
my representation of two leading be an occasion of emergency or pub-were made on the 2nd March. 1922, lic danger, be may make any regula- and that all these Regulations stem, I do not propose to go into News Agencies of Great Britain garding a dog resulted in the dis- tions whatsoever which he may con- were repealed on the 9th March details as to the articles or items
of news which have been sup-and America, I cannot but regrets. Clark, of the Sanitary Depart sider desirable in the public interest 1922
(2) Without prejudice to the gen-
"It is true that Section 2 (3) 01joressed by the censors within re-/that the same privilege to-day is ment, when he appeared before to the Fress--9|MI. Q/A, A. Macfadyen at the erality of the provisions of sub-seo- zion (1), such regulations may be the Ordinance provides that all cent years. I will, however, men.partly denied
to. any matters Regulations made shall continuetion two incidents as illustrating denial which assumes the form of Kowloon Magistracy yesterday. made with regard coming within the classes of subjects in force until repealed by order the extent to which free discus the censorship enforced against hereinafter enumerated, that is of the Governor in Council. The sions of matters of public interest the Chinese newspapers.
35,30-
and
means
to
of
missal of a summons against T-
V.S.O.P.
BOTTLED IN
CORDON
COGNAC AND
ARGENT
THREE STAR
and flasks)
I am The Siamese Prince, from (3) censorship, and the sentrol and Ordinance, however, was proposed have been prevented. Hon. Mem- happy to think, however, that the New York, sailed from Los Angeles suppression of publications, writ- and passed as an emergency mea-bers of this Council may recall privilege of complete freedom reon August and is expected here (also in square pints
There was, and could be, that on the 19th March I intro-mains unimpaired so far as thelon or about September 1. ings, maps, plans, photographs. sare. communications,
The RM.A. Dorado arrived here no opportunity for debate. And duced a Motion in this Council section of the English Press is The Chinese Press communication:
venture to think that it could not and Hon. Members might have concerned. (3) Any regulations made under have been within the contempla read some of the comments on the is unfortunately not so favourably at 1.10 p.m. yesterday, carrying two My honourable friend, passengers - Miss S. H. Glick shall 'tion of any Honourable member of debate which appeared in the Eng-situated. the provisions of this section
this Council that any Regulations lish press. One Chinese news-as last speaker, has made it clear (American) from Penang and Mr. V.V.E.S.O.P.
3.922 kilos of freight; and 169.386 be kept in force for over eleven paper translated one of the leading that the Chinese Press has been C. Rogers (British) from London;
English press in a sense muzzled for the past 11 articles from the
kilos of mail years, on the plea that there is a for insertion on Saturday, the 21st years, and muzzled in a manner the 25th June. continued
This mere translation of a leader];
that the Emergency Regulations One case of diphtheria and three 1925, the following regulations casion of emergency or public dan-in an English paper was held up confer powers for the closing of enteric fever (one imported) made inter alia under the ger. Can it seriously be contend for consideration, and publication down of any offending Chinese were reported in the 24 hours.end- 1. No person shall print, publish ed that the occasion of emergency was not permitted until Monday,
continue in force until repealed by or
der of the Governor in Council
1925 Regulations "By order of the Governor
Council made on
were
above mentioned Ordinance:-
made under the Ordinance would
existence of "an
-20
or distribute any newspaper, placard or public danger which existed in the 23rd. Another Chinese paper newspaper and the suppression of ed yesterday.
for
per
au-
leave for
The s.s. Sirdhanz will leave for:
Dext Satur or pamplet containing any matter in 1925 has continued to exist up to wished to publish, on Sunday the ews that have appeared unques- 22nd March, a leader on the de-tioned and unchallenged in the! the Chinese language (other than a the present time? bone fide trade advertisement) which "It will be seen that under the bate, which also dealt with the English newspapers of the Colony. Calcutta vie ports The motion before the Council,day at 10.30 am. has not been previously submitted to cloak of an authority which the present Constitution of the Co-
The as Tjikarang will leave] and passed by the Secretary
Governor in Council is to exercise lony, but the whole of this article designedly brief and precise in its terms, calls for the revocation of Chinese Affairs.
the only on an occasion of emergency was suppressed.
those powers.
the,, existence of Hong Kong for Kulung, via ports, and the XX 3. No person shall, without
Not Personal Criticism permission of the Secretary for Chin-jor public danger the Government
Tjisalak, will sail for Sourabaya, in effect, imposed a per- "I am aware that in various which can only be justified in an September 1.
The ese Affairs, import any newspaper, has.
time of emergency.
via ports, on September 8. The placard or pamphlet containing any matter in the Chinese language other manent system of censorship upon countries, since the Great War,
stilet censorship has been imposed thor of the motion has deinon-
ss Tjikembang will than a bona fide trade advertisement. the Chinese Press.
"Much has been written against on the Press, and that in some strated that such emergency has Batavia, ria Tandjong Pandat, on No person shall have in his posses sion any newspaper, placard or pam- the undesirable modern tendency countries the Press is governed by not existed now for some time. It September 25. phlet imported withect
of delegated legislation--a tena detailed legal code prescribing does not exist to-day.
"That great Chinese author, Mr. mission.
4. The Governor in Council shall dency which has been criticised its permissible content. But a cen- have power to suppress for such per-and deprecated by eminent judges. sorship which is based on Regula-(Lin Yutang, in his recent book on duit Road, was this morning fined} iod as he may think fit or until fur-But I venture to think that there tons prescribing the permissible History of the Press
content of the Press is, to my Public Opinion in China," writes: Central Magistracy for allowing ther order the printing and publica-can be no more glaring example of
the dangers of such delegated mind, not quite so obnoxious as a
"We cannot ignore the contem-his dog abroad without muzzle or tion of any newspaper.
of books, lead.on August & Miss M. Chura, "By orders of the Governor in legislation than that afforded by censorship which permits the cen Council made on the 1st day of the orders in Council under dis-sors to allow or cisallow publica-porary censorship October, 1931, the Emergency Re-cussion.
tion of any article at their discre-magazines and newspapers in who appeared in place of the de China, because it alone explains fendant, said that the dog went out of properly muzzled but on its return tion. gulations made on the 25th June,
Freedom of The Press
was seen by the constable without "I can deal very shortly with 1925 were repealed, but re-enacted
"It may be that local conditions the retarding of the growth
it. The muzzle was later found on in an amended form, Regulations the third aspect of this question, of the Colony require some amend-public opinion."
Intelligent Interest
the road. Nos. 22, 24 and 25 taking the
namely, Freedom of the Press, for ment of the existing substantive
"There is happily an observable
Mr. S. M. Churn, of No. 52 Cón-)
and $15 by Mr. S. F. Balfour at the
places of the repealed Regulations Freedom of the Press is now an law of the Colony regarding the Nos. 1, 3 and 4, and Regulation 22 accepted fact in England, and, as permissible content of any news- tendency on the part of our Chin- having a lung extra paragraph. far as I know, in all colonies un-paper, but I do submit that this ese- fellow-citizens to take an Tin Yat, was this morning fined
der her rule. As is succinctly stated Council should have the privilege intelligent any nor shal print, publish or distribute any news in a work of reference which critically considering any auch affairs,
Proposed legislation before it is deed. brought into force.
which reads as follows:
person
consulted:-
#
Chang Tak, a passenger by the interest in public $10 for importing a dog into the and I should, in-Colony without a permit from the be
if any Colonial Veterinary Surgeon yes- sorry sheet in the Chinese language as an
avoidable attitude should be re-terday, "In 1693 the Government of Eng. extra, nor shall any person post, up
"I have ventured to criticise-Isponsible for a stifling of an in-
that Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Ballantyne, consciousness any placard purporting to contain in and formally abandoned the preven the Chinese language any portion of tive censorship of printing, and be-
of and their son Mr. D. L. Ballantyne, as a system:makes for the improvement the contents of any newspaper, or any gan the punitive. No one was to be hope not unfairly the present tellectual
inr.. left the Colony by the to the con- prohibited from publishing anything, Censorship System announcement relating
our civic interests:
President Cleveland for New York tents of any newspaper, unless the aut he must run the gauntlet of pos-but before I sit down I should like
"Without over-stating the case, distribution sible prosecution for slander, sedi-l
and San Francisco, ria ports, yes- printing, publishing or
and blasphemy to make it quite plain that my re- such placard has been authorised and Blackstone states that -The liberty marks are not intended to con- and from my personal knowledge day. Mr. Ballantyne, who is on consists in laying stitute any criticism against the of the connections and the com- the staff of the Chase Bank, is pro- well as the matter contained in sach no previous restraints upon publica- Censors personally. I now that
of such extra or the posting up of tion, immorality
unless the form and arrangement as of the Press
B.S.
extra and placard has been previous-tion and not in freedom from censure they have had and, indeed, have,ercial interests, concerned, there ceeding on leave, while his son is re- ly approved by the Secretary for for criminal matter when published"."
of England, a most difficult task to discharge, is not the least doubt that the turning to school in America after any Assistant Vol. 6. (Second Edition), on page and would like to pay a tribute to management and the editorial spending his
20
Chinese Affairs Secretary for Chinese Affairs.” -
What Steps Taken?
"Halsbury's Laws
Summer
590, dealing with constitutional my friend Mr. Lau Chin Ping, the staff of the responsible Chinese with his parents here.
Chief Censor, and his associates, newspapers can be relied on for "Parenthetically I would like iaw, states as follows:- most respectfully to ask:-
tion standing in my name."
Seconder's SpeechTM
vacation
With men of integrity in office it is hoped that Kwangtung will soon enjoy an unprecedented pro- sperity.. Perhaps that happy. Te sult will be promoted more quickdy "if the Central Government will use and newspapers as its servants
continuation of permit them
which they new freedom
A enjoy.
powerful Press in China may succeed where: diplomats and soldiers fail
the
DOW
"The Crown cannot, apart from for the way in which they have the exercise of their bettef judg- "What steps, if any, have been the rules of law relating to the licen carried out the onerous and dif-ment, prudence and caution not tola community that has beneficially to blasphe ficult duties imposed on them by jeopardise their personal interests used, and I am happy to think and the prestige which their very rarely abused, the privilege taken by Government to see that sing. of stage plays, or the provisions of Regulation 24 mous or seditious libels, or the publi- the existing Regulations.
cation of reports of judicial proceed- "I now formally propose the Mo-newspapers rightly enjoy by any of the Press.
"To come nearer home, con: have been carried out, and how ings, exercise any control over the
indiscreet action that may place can a person in the Colony satisfy public press.”
their good name and standing including a leading article on the himself that an imported paper "The author of the article on
South China has been imported with the per- Press Laws in the Encyclopaedia Seconding the motion, the Hon. jeopardy. As far as they can be subject of the altered conditions
regarded as good going com-in Canton, the mission of the Secretary for Chin- Britannica, Vol. 19. (9th Edition), Mr. J. P. Braga said:
"I would like to second the mercial concerns it is not to be Morning Post has this comment to says: ese Affairs?
any proprietor make- "At the present day the liberty of motion introduced by my honour-supposed that "I have set out the Regulations imposing the censorship and the the press in English-speaking coun-able friend, the junior Chinese would be so foolish as to risk the
tries is (with, perhaps the single ex-
suspension, if only for a time, of Ordinance under which they were ception of Ireland) a matter of mere member.
"In doing so, it may be as well his publication, which might in- made. Now, what were the cir- ty historical importance."
at the volve him in serious monetary loss cumstances under which the Or- "The same authority's reference, for me to stafe frankly dinance was passed by this Coun-on pare 712, to the British Co outset that I do not propose to and "loss of face" that is of so cil? The Colony was then going lonies makes rather pathetic read-deal with the matter of the cen-much moment to the Chinese. I through one of the most critical ing in view of the circumstances sorship of the Chinese Press in am conscious of the fact that the crises of its existence. The out-prevailing in Hong Kong:-- this Colony from the points of argument might be advanced that look was grave; disorder threaten- "In the British colonies the press view approached by the honour-there will have to be new legis-
I have neither theflation for closing papers. On the 28th February, 1922, is as free as it is in England: Each emergency meeting of this colony has its special legislation anable mover."
At this the subject for police and revenue with nor the competence to deal honourable friend urges that all Chira, I believe, may be said to Council was convened
with the subject from its legal as the emergency regulations should apply to a greater or lesser de I am entirely at one gree to the Chinese Press in Hong meeting, after the first reading of
Obvious Dissatisfaction
pect That aspect it is peculiar be revoked.
Kong. the Bill, His Excellency Sir Be
"The censorship system undery in the province of the proposer with him ginald Stubbs moved the suspen- which every item of news, be it a to deal with adequately, and he Canton's New Regime sion of the standing orders in or report of the proceedings of this has done
"Under the new regime in our so to an extent that!
"In conclusion, I would quote der to enable the remaining stages Council, or of proceedings in the it does not. I believe, admit, of neighbouring city of Canton, in again from Lin Yutang: "We must -of the Bill to be taken at the ment Courts of Law, or of any. 2nd successful rebuttal.
timation was given at the end of fight," he says, "for the constitu- ing. The
Bill was then taken every other kind of news; has to "As regards the financial side last month, at a reception to tional principle of the freedom through the remaining stages, and
be submitted to and approved byst mentioned in the course of large gathering of local journa of the Press and of personal civil became the Emergency Regula- the censors before publication, ir-
as a principle.”. the honourable member's speech, lists, that the authorities would rights tions Ordinance, 1922. Sir Re-respective of the urgency and I am afraid the matter resolves welcome candid and constructive this dictum, I am inclined to ginald Stubbe," in addressing the stress of modern journalism, must Council on the measure, spoke in of necessity cause dissatisfaction, itself into a question whether it criticisme. On that occasion the think, none will be found to dis- ter alia as follows:-
and must tend to undermine the is advisable to continue the cen- hope was expressed that, while
the the censorship has been lifted, the "Before sitting down may 1 ex- "The Council has been called, to-
former Press would exercise discretion press the hope that your Excel-| day for a special purpose, which is sense of independence and ressorship or to abandon it. the part of the decision favours the to pass a Bl to conter upon the ponsibility on Governor in Council power to make journalists. By the time a com-course, then the money part does and refrain from exploiting that lency might be graciously pleased It has liberty. That hope and that wish to endorse the views enunciated regulations in cases of emergency plaint against improper suppres- not exercise me at all. or public danger. tial for the safety of the Colony that sion of news can be investigated to be met.
ed.
an
it:
purposes."
My
"What is true of the Press in
agree.
Unchallenged-Dictam
With
On the other hand, I feel certain gould be echoed in by my honourable friend, who steps should be taken as early as pos-and adjudicated upon, the new if the Council is for abandonment Hong Kong, and while our neigh-holds his seat on this Council sible, to confer upon the Executive may become stale news. I there then it follows that the attendant bour in the Kwangtung metro-primarily in the Interests of the the most drastic powers for dealing fore submit that such a censorship expenditure disappears with itpolis has forestalled the Colony Chinese community? with a situation which may at any is objectionable in itself.
Own Experience
in the lifting of the ban” against] “I have the honour to second moment "result in disorder owing to "As I am concerned more with "I may say I felt a peculiar in the Chinese Press our action, on the proposal, namely, that the the misguided efforts of persons who
Our present censorship of the Chinese are under the influence of Bolshevist the question of the principle and terest in the subject when it was the other hand, is belated.
We Fress in Hong Kong should be legal basis of the existing censor-first mentioned to me by my inaction invites criticism." ship than with the actual ad-honourable friend, Mr. M. K. Lo are much behind-hand in not hav- abrogated." "In order to show clearly the ministration of the censorship sy-since for a period of over 25 years ing removed the censorship from The meeting is
doctrine."
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