CO129-054 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [1-2] — Page 228

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

disturbance. In other places it might be sufficient, as a general rule, to set the law in motion only on the complaint of two householders annoyed by the vicinity of such establishments, but here the apathy and low moral tone of the bulk of the Chinese inhabitants necessitates an initiative action on the part of the Government; yet there may be kept steadily in view the principle which is, I think, consistent with the rules that should control legislation avoiding any forcible interference with private habits. We may prohibit such an open exhibition of profligacy as gives public scandal, or to the obstruction of others in giving effect to their convictions of right, or which adds to the ordinary temptations to a vicious course.

There can, I think, be no reasonable doubt that the public toleration and licensing of gaming houses would greatly increase the number of habitual gamblers. Many are uncontaminated by this vice only because they are free from temptation. They do not seek its haunts, nor will they brave the shame of being known there. Some there are too who, having a better standard of Morality, take that for right which the executive authority does not punish. When the law by its action shall have removed the shame and the temptation to every man's door.

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disturbance. In other places it might be sufficient, as a general rule, to set the law in motion only on the complaint of two householders annoyed by the vicinity of such establishments, but here the apathy and low moral tone of the bulk of the Chinese inhabitants necessitates an initiative action on the part of the Government; yet there may be kept steadily in view the principle which is, I think, consistent with the rules that should control legislation avoiding any forcible interference with private habits. We may prohibit such an open exhibition of profligacy as gives public scandal, or to the obstruction of others in giving effect to their convictions of right, or which adds to the ordinary temptations to a vicious course. There can, I think, be no reasonable doubt that the public toleration and licensing of gaming houses would greatly increase the number of habitual gamblers. Many are uncontaminated by this vice only because they are free from temptation. They do not seek its haunts, nor will they brave the shame of being known there. Some there are too who, having a better standard of Morality, take that for right which the executive authority does not punish. When the law by its action shall have removed the shame and the temptation to every man's door. Page 223
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kisturbance . In other place it might be sufficient, as a general al rule, to set the law in motion only the ོན complaint of are two householders annoyed by the vicinity of such establishments, but one or at the most here the apathy and low moral tone : the bulk of the chinese inhabitants of the necessitates an initiative action on the part of the Government; yet there may be Kept steadily in view the лаге le- which is I think principle consistent with the rules that should controul legislation avoiding any forcible interference with private may prohibit such an habits we as tenido opent exhibition of profligacy to public scandal, or to the obstruction. of other in giving offect to their 223 convictions of right, or which addo to the ordinary temptations vicious course. y to a There can I think be no reasonable doubt that the public toleration and the number of are nowm licensing of gaming houses would greatly increase the habitual gamblers. Many unicontaminated by this vice this vice only because they are free from temptation. do not seek ite haunts, nor will They they brave the share of being densowned there. Some there are too who having 110. better standard of Morality take that for right which the executive authority does not punish - When the law by ito action shall have brought removed the shame and the temptation to every man's too.
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kisturbance . In other place it might be sufficient, as a general

al rule, to set

the law in motion only

the

ོན

complaint of are two householders annoyed by the vicinity of such establishments, but

one or at the most

here the apathy

and low moral tone

: the bulk of the chinese inhabitants

of the

necessitates an initiative action on

the

part of the Government; yet there may be Kept steadily in view the

лаге

le- which is I think

principle

consistent with the rules that

should controul legislation avoiding any forcible interference with private

may prohibit such an

habits we

as tenido

opent exhibition of profligacy to public scandal, or to the obstruction. of other in giving offect to their

223

convictions of right, or which addo to the ordinary temptations

vicious course.

y

to a

There can I think be no reasonable

doubt that the public toleration and

the number

of

are nowm

licensing of gaming houses would greatly increase the habitual gamblers. Many unicontaminated by this vice

this vice only because they are free from temptation.

do not seek ite haunts, nor will

They they brave the share of being densowned there. Some there are too who having

110.

better standard of Morality take that for right which the executive authority does not punish - When the law by ito action shall have brought

removed the shame and

the temptation to every man's too.

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