CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7] — Page 402

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

mined age

it

it, and if not, they may safely ignore it. I doubt whether the article is strictly libellous. When actions Sir J. P. Hennessy did not bring for libel against the other papers, nor did The ask advice about inserting advertisements in them. Surely both points can best be decided on the spot. The present despatch sounds very much as if the Hong Kong Officials are afraid of Fraser Smith.

in.

The Attorney General's advice not referred to bring an action, in the case to me seems most sensible.

Reply that in future, as on the present occasion, the Governor must be guided by the advice of the Attorney General, using his own discretion in regard to allowing Government Officers to prosecute a newspaper for libel in any case; and in regard to publishing Government advertisements in the Daily Papers, in cases where greater publicity is desirable than is given by the Gazette, the Governor has discretion, taking into consideration the fact that each of the papers is probably read by a certain section of the population who may not see the others (as is suggested by par. 4 of despatch). But that the Secretary of State cannot take upon himself the responsibility of boycotting any particular newspapers.

one or two articles which were brought to his notice.

I would reply in the sense of the minute as far as it goes.

Sep 5.

The reasons for not taking official notice of newspaper criticisms are very rarely described. Proceedings in respect of newspaper criticisms and allegations of improper public conduct to which attention may be directed by the government should be injurious unless the government knows that the allegation is altogether incorrect.

Le Grenada 3616 (Lu 83. D.5.7) Sep 6

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mined age it it, and if not, they may safely ignore it. I doubt whether the article is strictly libellous. When actions Sir J. P. Hennessy did not bring for libel against the other papers, nor did The ask advice about inserting advertisements in them. Surely both points can best be decided on the spot. The present despatch sounds very much as if the Hong Kong Officials are afraid of Fraser Smith. in. The Attorney General's advice not referred to bring an action, in the case to me seems most sensible. Reply that in future, as on the present occasion, the Governor must be guided by the advice of the Attorney General, using his own discretion in regard to allowing Government Officers to prosecute a newspaper for libel in any case; and in regard to publishing Government advertisements in the Daily Papers, in cases where greater publicity is desirable than is given by the Gazette, the Governor has discretion, taking into consideration the fact that each of the papers is probably read by a certain section of the population who may not see the others (as is suggested by par. 4 of despatch). But that the Secretary of State cannot take upon himself the responsibility of boycotting any particular newspapers. one or two articles which were brought to his notice. I would reply in the sense of the minute as far as it goes. Sep 5. The reasons for not taking official notice of newspaper criticisms are very rarely described. Proceedings in respect of newspaper criticisms and allegations of improper public conduct to which attention may be directed by the government should be injurious unless the government knows that the allegation is altogether incorrect. Le Grenada 3616 (Lu 83. D.5.7) Sep 6 Page ... ...
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minedage it it, and if not, the may safely ignore it. I doubt whether the article is strictl. libellous is. when actions Sir J. P. Hennessy did not bring for libel aganist the other papers, nor did The ask advice about inserting advertice ments in them. Surely both points can best be decided on the spot. The present despatch sounds very much, as if the Hongking Officials are afraid of Fraser Smith. in. The Attorney General's advice not referred to bring an action, in the case to weems most sensible. Reply that in future, as on the present occasion, the fovernor must be guided by the advice of the Attorney Leneral, I use his own on discretion in or forbidding regard ab to allowing away Government Officer to prosecute a newspaper for libel in any case; and in and in regard to publishing fovernment advertisements in the Daily Papers, in cases where greater publicity in desirable than is given by the for fazette, the fovernor discretion, taking into consideration the ponfact that Each of the papers is probably read by certain section of the population who may not see the others (as is suggested by par. & of drop.) fout that the Secretary must use his own C C of State Cannot take upon gif the responsibility of boycotting on account been any particular newspapers. one o two articles whit 4 Jone to hire Wir f brought to his artice. S. I would rept reply in the sense of minute es far hat it in A Sep 5. Whasons. the the mark I saying do to take official sitten 7. vory rarely describe to Cater ligul precedings in respect of newspaper criticisms. allegation of improper and that any public conduct to which attention myy thef ترین A newspaper l directed should be injecera h whation may be into by the govemment (noustrand that thin Character unless 7 the newspaper) was wh the govemment knows that the allegation is altogether inconcet. Le Grenada 3616 (Lu 83. D.5.7 Rew Lesb tep 6 .. }
2026-05-23 11:17:52 · Baseline
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minedage

it

it, and if not, the may safely ignore it. I doubt whether the article is strictl. libellous is. when

actions Sir J. P. Hennessy did not bring for libel aganist the other papers, nor did The ask advice about inserting advertice ments in them. Surely both points can best be decided on the spot. The present despatch sounds very much, as if the Hongking Officials are afraid of Fraser Smith.

in.

The Attorney General's advice not

referred to bring an action, in the case to weems most sensible.

Reply that in future, as on the present occasion, the fovernor must be guided by the advice of the Attorney Leneral,

I use his own

on discretion in or forbidding regard ab

to allowing away Government Officer to prosecute a newspaper for libel in any case; and in

and in regard to publishing fovernment advertisements in the Daily Papers, in cases where greater publicity in desirable than is given by the for fazette, the fovernor discretion, taking into consideration the ponfact that Each of the papers is probably read by

certain section of the population who may

not see the others (as is suggested by par. & of drop.) fout that the Secretary

must use his own

C

C

of State Cannot take upon gif the responsibility of boycotting

on account

been

any particular newspapers.

one o

two articles whit

4

Jone

to hire Wir f brought to his artice. S.

I would rept

reply in the sense of

minute es far

hat it in

A

Sep 5.

Whasons.

the

the mark I saying do

to take official sitten

7.

vory rarely describe to Cater ligul

precedings in respect of newspaper criticisms.

allegation of improper

and that any

public

conduct to which attention myy

thef

ترین

A

newspaper

l directed

should be injecera

h whation may be

into by the govemment (noustrand that

thin Character

unless

7

the newspaper) was wh

the govemment knows that the

allegation is altogether inconcet.

Le Grenada 3616

(Lu

83.

D.5.7

Rew Lesb

tep 6

..

}

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