Firm, Regiment, Ship, or Master to
Enclosure 4
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Mintre
by
the Acting Attorney General.
(Copy)
who probably controls the distribution.
I think it would be very advisable to have control on the trade and storage of arms. During the riots in October 1884 I considered the gem shops in the vicinity of the disturbance, a source of great danger to the peace of the City, and for a time the arms were removed.
Sgd. J. C. Campbell, Ullajos Act'g Capt. Supt. of Police
13th August, 1886.
I have no objection to what is called Class Legislation, when the necessity for it has been clearly established; but, in the case of the proposed Arms Bill, I do not think the words "Chinese, Malay, or Indian" should be struck out, and the word "person" used instead, in Sections 3 and 11.
The "Chinese, Malays, and Indians are not the only persons who give trouble to the Authorities by the carrying of arms. Sailors of various nationalities have occasion to be on shore in Hongkong and made use of deadly weapons. But, apart from this, I am of opinion that the words "without reasonable excuse" in the 3rd Section render it possible to apply the law to the whole community without distinction of race, and at the same time prevent any person's liberty from being unnecessarily interfered with. Every person ought