CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4] — Page 479

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ordinary whipping with a birch on the breech for adults were

extended to many of the lesser forms of crime it would have

"a very real deterrent effect". Since the infliction of

corporal punishment is a custom which has been practised by

the Chinese for centuries and cannot with justice be regarded

as degrading to the criminal classes of that race I am not

averse on humanitarian grounds to its extension in exception-

-al circumstances, but I do not recommend that the infliction

of whipping should be extended in ordinary and normal

circumstances, nor am I confident that it will prove a real

deterrent. I am however prepared to recommend that on the

analogy of the Peace Preservation Ordinance, when the

Governor-in-Council may consider that the prevalence of

crime has reached abnormal proportions he should be empowered

by Proclamation to authorise the infliction of whipping for any of

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the offences enumerated in the schedule to the attached Bill

for a temporary and limited period not exceeding six months,

a report of the fact being made at once to the Secretary of

State. Actual experience will soon show whether this course

will prove an effective deterrent to the gangs of thieves

who troop over daily from Canton to take advantage of the

mildness

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