FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1980
STRICTER RULES FOR STAGING LION DANCE
****
ORGANISERS OF LION AND OTHER SIMILAR DANCES AND ATTENDANT MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAYS MAY SOON HAVE TO APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE FOR A PERMIT TO PUT ON THEIR SHOWS.
IF THEY DO NOT THEY COULD FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THESE CONDITIONS ARE LAID DOWN IN THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981 TO BE PUBLISHED.
LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES AND ATTENDANT MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAYS HELD IN PUBLIC PLACES ARE CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO THE LICENSING PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED +PUBLIC MEETINGS+,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY THAT CONTROL WAS EXERCISED TO:
* MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS-
*
PREVENT INTIMIDATING BEHAVIOUR-
*
*
PROHIBIT PERSONS EMPLOYED TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR DANCERS FROM CARRYING WOODEN POLES WHICH COULD BE USED OFFENSIVELY- AND
ENSURE THAT RIVAL GROUPS DID NOT PERFORM IN THE SAME AREA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID +POLICE EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF CONTROL, RIVAL GROUPS COULD EASILY CLASH AND INJURIES COULD RESULT.
AS
+THEREFORE, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT CONTROL BE MAINTAINED. THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE ALREADY DEALS WITH ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT ANNOY OR INCONVENIENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THIS CONTROL SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ORDINANCE.+
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO:
*
ATTACH CONDITIONS TO THE PERMIT - SUCH AS SPECIFYING A ROUTE WHICH WOULD MINIMISE OBSTRUCTION, OR PREVENT THE CARRYING OF BAMBOO POLES AND
* EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN A PERMIT
THOSE PERSONS OR ORGANISATIONS WHOSE DANCES POSE NO PROBLEMS FOR LAW AND ORDER.
IT IS EXPECTED THE NEW REQUIREMENTS COULD COME INTO FORCE EARLY IN 1981, IF THE BILL IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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