FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1979
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PING CHAU DESIGNATED AS AREA IN WHICH
CARRYING OF ID CARDS IS COMPULSORY
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THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) MADE AN ORDER, EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 16, DESIGNATING PING CHAU IN MIRS BAY AS AN AREA IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE, MUST CARRY IDENTITY CARDS AND PRODUCE THEM FOR INSPECTION ON DEMAND BY POLICE OFFICERS.
THE ORDER WAS MADE UNDER THE NEWLY PASSED REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO EFFECT THE COMPULSORY CARRYING, AND PRODUCTION OF IDENTITY CARDS IN SPECIFIED AREAS.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR, LEWIS DAVIES, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 4) THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THE SECURITY FORCES IN HELPING TO
IDENTIFY THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG ILLEGALLY.
MR. DAVIES ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO DESIGNATE LARGE AREAS OF POPULATION AS PLACES IN WHICH PEOPLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
PING CHAU IS AN ISLAND CLOSE TO CHINA AND A VERY POPULAR HOLIDAY RESORT FOR PEOPLE FROM THE URBAN AREAS.
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LEGISLATION TO FACILITATE THE GRANTING OF
MATRIMONIAL RELIEF
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PROPOSALS TO AMEND THREE ORDINANCES CONCERNING MARRIAGE WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MARRIAGE REFORM (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 AND THE MATRIMONIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.
THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE REFORM (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 IS DESIGNED TO PERMIT ONE PARTY TO APPLY TO THE COURT FOR A DECLARATION THAT A CHINESE CUSTOMARY MARRIAGE SUBSISTS WHERE THE OTHER PARTY TO THE MARRIAGE CANNOT BE TRACED OR NOTIFIED.
UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, SUCH AN APPLICATION TO THE COURT FOR A DECLARATION CAN ONLY BE MADE BY ONE PARTY IF THE OTHER PARTY DISPUTES THE EXISTENCE OF THE MARRIAGE OR IS UNWILLING TO JOIN IN ANY APPLICATION TO THE REGISTRAR OF MARRIAGES FOR REGISTRATION.
THIS MEANS THAT AN APPLICATION TO THE COURT CANNOT BE MADE THE OTHER PARTY CANNOT BE TRACED OR NOTIFIED OF THE APP!CATION.
REGISTRA