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1

in Hong Kong. This all too Pasy for one

man to make

irror where from

h

Але

Con-

have

hi

Machament

which will

An

publication matters

Сита

repercussions

here

mean

a

adheshere, a perhaps

L

"Chimile down

hi

a town where prestige her

more than

a

face

Valve.

The "competent authority"

Regulation could be left as

ih. in

And

the Governor be

!

told to his trucks that function_

&

any that be much refer

Council to the Governor-in-

any contemplated action under Regulations 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, (Whuch. I
see do relates to the Governor

And on

Jeee

also

which

think he would

be wise & consult his Connal

first), but not 16.

Illo not think this cautionary procedure would make for dein; As the
Executin Council in

Hong Kong are all

spot, so far as I know.

an

on

!

20.10.50.

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True

13

From the "cansoshif' fait of

vies

there is no objection to the interduction of any of the Regar Catins
noticed his Mr Halli Minte of 19/10/50. The densim whether

or not to introduce them is me for

Guit

as a whole

Semity advice.

2. It is not strictly my besizers, Cut I should not have thought it was

жет

reccessarily affenfriate to adoft-

the

mygstion at X/ of Mr Bortinis Mainte above. The friciful Ordinance
(whides)

thane. It is to have not consulted) most have authorised

itated ky22, ik Ares not heatin

any

"competant

Authority". If

tentions inly I

Reg. No 3, furiding for the offiituent of

"confetent authority" for

thex and

the inbrechinich otter perfires when the Regulations; viz.

May

become hoben

Megt

He lineviewly allowing the Govenor to delegate authrity

Malse

If the Gove or better has to len the legal thrown backing fires (and as
dyiction won muised, so

Tags down one

penalty

for as I law, when non-disalloward of

the Ordriach was

notified), is it for us,

at this stage, to chose him not to delegate

Las

this farticles respect? J. p. 6.

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I

Į

Req 7.

I

Reg b.

The sweeping powers of his Regulation would,

time of peace, arouse vident objection.

head & "Emergency' (and

d

Linder

having in mind the situation in HK.) I Thank that muthu the Empire Pun
linco

the U.K. Pruss (except of course the "Daif Worker") will raise any
objection

13.

1시

13

-

I am a little uneasy as to the latton pant of sub-pars 3.

Can a person, being

already in possession of

a publication

not you prohibited, be prosecuted unmediately a polubition is decided
on) with

no

chance & surrender, or destroy, the document "

This may, of course, be the idea,

Swift emergency measure

apples

CLA

The first para of my comment abor

Duto

I think this, in practice, may often be rom Expercent impossible to
comply with

of the long windedness of some official

statements

news space.

HK.,4 the shortage, even in

13ut

doubtless it writte administered with common sende,

See comment on

6.

mów

to the HiK. Good

I might be well

t

cnsis

(comes to

a

the present

will be expected promptly

above Regue

123-10.50

uther a cautran that when (if ever

end they

the

to lift all

REJohnsm

No comment from the 1RD aspect on the introduction,

of the Regulation

dolmań

Ref Brig voluman comics an

Repulation, 14.

to which Rep 14 would be most likely to

kind of janrial to which Rep

expply

wanded greally

I "newspaper. In such cases

"views

valter then, a

He

long-winded the

sabrint (and consequently the red len attractive the paper)

thu murt

neccenful the treat, ut is likely to be. There

in nolling that is "Love

I editom Ficam

likely to

falling circulation.

ŵ.duu

доброт

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!

:

i

|

The ing tanssi-

ala there.

allá

PB14/e

I do not think we can not on the suggeston at % of the Basta's

gium in pers

2f1

2 of the Morgone

minute for the newne of 10/10. In my case I to not think we can

minat

by Lowon in detail

how the for shouted administer the carines regulations though

can suggest that in inre of their importance that they will why

be and after very careful insidiontin & administered on the commence.

Il Aft for enson, & sight be a good idea to refer to the P.Qs Aamer in
14253/1.02

Mr Hati.

We spoke J.G.

No Sidelo them

J.J. Aham

MALAK

In para & of (21) on 94095/7/50 7.5.mx the O.A.G. stated that it is
proposed to bring into force Emergency Reg 7 to make orders thereunder
against a number of

communist phanpheats crmulating in H. Kory. It also mentioned Augs 6,
13, 14, 15h 16.

These Rigs han bum windered in Def Dept, Information Depts or 1.K. At
the minutes from 19/10 - 70/10. The banning

of Communist Procomials also formed the subject matter of a 1.2 on 25th
Out with 14253/P.9.2/50.

I do not theid we can

aljust to the for taking the action he рорини aben be insidus it
necesary to do so but of do theate we should suggest, as in the aft
opuriste, that active asces there haps should only be taken after very
careful consideration.

? be in oft.

Mahall

tum afroux Indhen to what in at x/in my 30/10 1 Menuli of 20/10 and I do
not be day hason

-

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- !

|

bearspain

to bring in the Human Rights Airliet linken it is now "law." Iwen Bailin

31.10.50.

t

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Mr. Sidebotham:

1

I understand from Mr. Hall that you wish a composite

minute.

2.

The Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922 gives the Governor-in-Council
powers to make regulations. These Regulations were made in December
1949, and a copy is opposite. They do not come into force, see
Regulation 137, until their operation is notified in the Gazette, and
they may be brought in piecemeal.

3. The Governor, at (21) on 94095/7/50, Annexe, states that he proposes
to bring into force Regulation 7, and indicates that Regulations 6, 13,
14, 15 and 16 might also be brought into operation at same future date.

I do not think we sho become incolind in detail, the aft
streamed that the Rigo and why be used ofthe very carsfond consideration
it is for the for to decide how best the Can awange this,

Regulation 7 concerns the importation, exportation, printing or
publishing of any kind of publication which could be, or is likely to
be, prejudicial to the public interest.

Regulation 6 concerns the publishing in publications of "prejudicial
matter".

Regulation 13 requires newspapers to obtain a permit before they can be
printed or published.

Regulation 14 requires newspapers to publish official communications if
so directed.

Regulation 15 gives authority to prevent publication by illustration,
placard, advertizement, proclamation, pamphlet or any like document of
any matter to be specified in an Order for which a permit must be first
obtained.

Regulation 16 gives authorit, to require the submission of matter for
censorship before publication.

These are full and sweeping powers, and we are all agreed that in the
present circumstances of Hong Kong, they should be brought into effect,
and the sooner the better. Equally, we are all agreed that very great
care needs to be exercised by the Hong Kong Government in the
application of these Regulations inasmuch as freedom of the press is
concerned.

5.

Regulation 3(1),

DOLORIRADAZA LA TAP authorizes the appointment of a "competent
authority", but because of the Parliamentary and other interest in the
matter of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, I do not think
that what is really a matter of life and death to the press should be in
the hands of one man, however competent. Consequently, I think that the
Governor should be authorized to bring all the Regulations mentioned
into force, but that it should also be suggested to him that he should
instruct the "competent authority" to refer any action contemplated
under all the Regulations mentioned,save 16, to the Governor-in-

Council. I imagine this reference can be more easily made in Hong Kong
than in any other Colony, e.g. by telephone. I also doubt whether we
need bring into the reply anything about the Human Rights Convention.

6. Mr. Hall's point of view is that these as yet unapplied Regulations
have been in this Office since December last, and we should have taken
such points as the one I have made at the time, and he thinks it wrong
for us to lay down how the Governor should administer the various
Regulations, although we can, he says, state that, in view of their
importance they would only be used after very careful consideration and
administered with commonsense. For this purpose, the reference to the
Human Rights Convention has been made in the dreft.

7. Generally, in this connexion, see F.9.14453 loose opposite.

1.11.1950

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رابعة

Mr. Barton's minute of 1/11 summarises the main pointa of the large
volume of minutes since No. (23) on this file.

So far as any reference to the Declaration of Human Rights in this
telegram is concerned, that seems to me to be quite unnecessary since
paragraph 3 of No.(21) & para.6 (23) on 94095/7 Annexe/50 below have
made the importance of ente metter√ perfectly clear and the regulations
of this kind are only necessary in the interests of national security, a
matter which, I understand, is provided for in the draft Convention of
Human Rights. That, to my mind, must be held to override in times of
emergency the provision of e.g. Article 19. not dealing with normal
times in Hong Kong, and I see no reason to bring Article 19 in at all.

He are

The point which appears to be the main cause of difficulty is who the
competent authority is going to be, and in the first instance I think we
should send a short telegram pointing out that regulations of this kind
would clearly require to be used with considerable circumspection; and
that before replying to the Governor's savingram of 20th July, the
Secretary of State would wish to learn who the competent authority for
these, purposes under the regula tions would in fact be, and whether the

powers by the competent authority under these regulations would, in
fact, be subject to the prior concurrence of the Governor and Executive
Council, having regard to the obvious) creed for circumspection in the
use of such regulations.

although their necessity is not-enguable. In this connection we might
make a reference to the question and answer on 14253/P.Q.2/50 below.

Драгни

ма

2. 11. 50. at

)

J. h. as directed by M'Sitzbathum.

J.J. Andersen.

m. Lube..

au

Txi

Please see my much of 2.11 alors

In all this I should purpose litad

oft ans. When we

пливачерку han the reply we oughta I think to submit to soy few view of
the interest aheady läher Bl

ti Ruhamient

1

3/11

i o nee

Liv

4/11/50 almic

Hong Kong- Tel 1638 Saret-cons-3/4/50

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4

η

б.м.

- no reply to (2).

استم

1. Steware

Ax

The next mon is sms with HK, v në au

unbhely to hear

anything wakil they couder the hogs should be exformed wheel

with

mary

not to for some time-

Bats

Hall

14/4 t-

đóng

Extract from Hansard of the thong Hong Legislative bouncil for 11 t
aclober, 1950.

ilk'

(25) is the Hearned extent of the scarlatim anecoming the

introduction of the new

(moving)

& owning

Emerging Lag 116 A spatid to us at (23).

" He scolation the A. 6. made the folling prints: -

(a) that he prosecution still not be mititated except with

the count of the A.L.

"A*a p 321.

'(b) that although as parission is made for the duration of the Reg

the receity for its continuance will be the endjest of

periodical review "C

AL

322.

These exfore with the instructions groom in (19) or modified lay (20) ̧"
(2ṛl So (19) pass 1 (1) it has have land drom that if the hey is not
repeated in their 6 month, the soft's agreement mast to sught to its
enteruence.

I suggest the file is 1.1. at the Lipany of March 1951 to wriidu whether
A.they should be ached to agunt on the

mecanity for entering the reg.

Bring up a purposed.

1/12

Lori).

4.12 M. Dali tome

2BS.

a -2/12

"

7

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76. Extract from "Ohura Mail "

Shura Mail of 13:10.50. "South China Morning

Pr

27 Extract

from

M' WA

M' Side botham

You

weny

الها

to see Hive. Press reacting

(at (26) +12?)) to Reg. 116A. Both pps apprise

with obvines revervatives.

5/X11

Ssen

Jos paky 6/en.

Mall

5/10

h!

28 Foreign Office Administration ofAfrican Territones - 345/5/6/50.

Me Hall,

dund & I wench

If you

21:12:50

вать по

objection.

we should ash Hong Kong to supply

the copies as

as in craft

requested by the FOAAT herewith

22/12.

السلام

21 May Kong bar: 1313

28 DEC 1950

30 to major by Brine (Go admin) w/c (29), Stamp Ref(128) _ 28/10/50

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