Enclosure No. 2.
REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE, 1949.
Explanatory observations in accordance with Article XXVIII
of the Royal Instructions.
1. This Ordinance was passed on the 17th August, 1949.
2. The reasons for enacting this Ordinance are set out in
the Objects and Reasons to the Bill. A copy of such Bill is
attached.
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3. The Bill for the legislation under report was prepared
in circumstances of urgency. Precedent, other than afforded by
the (Singapore) Emergency (Registration) Regulations, 1948 was
not available. The extent to which such Regulations were followed
is indicated in the Table of Comparison attached to this Report.
4. In consideration given to a scheme for registration of
persons and to the form of legislation necessary, it was early
decided that practicability in operation required that registration
should be effected in stages. An early draft of the Bill therefore
provided by clause 4, corresponding to section 4 of the Ordinance
under report, that obligation to register would apply to persons
according to Notification of category to be made from time to time
by the Governor. It was objected that such provision would result
in the accusation that discrimination in enforcement of registration
was intended. In these circumstances the more clumsy procedure
indicated by section 4 of the Ordinance under report was adopted
in the Bill as introduced into Legislative Council.
5. The legislation evoked interest but no organised or
sustained opposition by the press or by public comment and it