10
157
papers
were sent to the Attorney-General, who recorded his opinion.
"that not one of the corporal punishments
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#
#
#
inflicted on Mok Akwai had been
authorized by law. I reported all
the facts of the case to the Secretary
of State. I have endeavoured, and I
believe successfully, in spite of some little local opposition to check such abuses. No one shall prevent
me
from doing so, as long as I represent
Her Majesty, and enjoy the confidence, as I believe I do, of Her Majesty's Government"
And in concluding my explanation I
said:
"I don't know that I owe the Honourable gentleman any further
explanations. I
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am not to blame if
the attention of the British Parliament
has been drawn, as it has,
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by these
papers to what has taken place in Hong Kong. I was not one
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of the
visiting justices. I am not responsible
for having passed by these irregularities.
I detected some
"
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of them, and have
endeavoured to check them. I frankly
confess I prefer the prevention of crime
and the reign of Law to the clumsy
system of illegal floggings, brandings
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and deportings. I have
every
confidence
I shall receive the support
of the
Council, and especially of His Honour
"
the Chief Justice in
my
endeavour to