2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1975
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS A RESPONSE TO MOUNTING PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE INCREASING ALDUNT OF OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
HE DESCRIBED THE BILL AS +QUITE SEVERE+ BUT WHILE IT WOULD IN ITSELF DETER SOME, ENFORCEMENT WOULD NOT BE A SIMPLE MATTER, HE SAID.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW RELATING TO OBJECTIONABLE MATTER HE SAID, MUST BE UNDERTAKEN BY EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS: +1HE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY WHICH THIS BILL PRESENTS FOR ACTION AGAINST SUCH MATTER, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THE RESOURCES WHICH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CAN DEVOTE TO THIS FIELD ARE LIMITED.+
MR. HOBLEY WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE BILL DID NOT CHANGE THE TEST BY WHICH PUBLICATIONS IN GENERAL ARE TO BE JUDGED. THE QUESTION WILL CONTINUE TO DE WHETHER THEY ARE OF AN INDECENT. OBSCENE, REVOLTING OR OFFENSIVE NATURE. HE PERSONALLY DID NOT FEEL THAT THE WORDS NEEDED TO BE DEFINED AS THEIR ORDINARY MEANING WAS CLEAR ENOUGH.
+
HOWEVER, THE BILL WILL ALTER THE LAW AS IT AFFECTS OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS AIMED AT YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE NEW PROVISION APPLIES TO PUBLICATIONS CONSISTING OF OR CONTAINING STORIES TOLD IN PICTURES, WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ALSO WRITTEN MATTER.
+THAT IS THE LEGAL DRAFTSMAN'S PARLANCE FOR A STRIP CARTOON, BUT IT EXTENDS TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS CONSISTING OF PICTORIALLY PRESENTED STORIES, MR. HOBLEY EXPLAINED. THIS CHANGE WAS PROPOSED BECAUSE STORIES PRESENTED IN THIS WAY ARE READILY ABSORBED, HE SAID.
THREE BILLS PASSED
* * * *
THREE BILLS COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WHICH PROVIDES STIFFER PENALTIES AGAINST TAX EVADERS THE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH RAISES THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES FROM $10,000 TO $100,000- AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH ENABLES THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO MAKE CONTROLLING REGULATIONS.
FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE TABLED IN COUNCIL FOR THEIR FIRST READING: THESE WERE THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS DILL.
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, AND THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL.
13