CO537-5116 — Page 191

to matters taking place outside the Colony.

5. I am also advised that proposed provision is open, to following practical criticiama:-

(a) an astute Chinese editor could use such provision to ridicule the Government by deliberately printing in each issue one or more fantastic statemente knowing they will produce officials denialy;

(b)

if one untrue statement is compulsorily corrected remainder of papon which may contain many half truths or perversions of truth will be given hall mark ás not (repeat not) having been denied by the Government. You will surely find it difficult to check morý statements on incidents arising outside the Colong,

If after considering above you still wish to inelude provision C on grounds of security, I leave matter to your discretion though I would ask that full statement of reasons for introducing provision be given to me before Bill is published, This will enable me to attempt to curb criticiem et this end.