CO129-420 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [1-2] — Page 97

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To prevent misunderstanding it is necessary that the

Police should be instructed that the only alteration that has been made in the law of the Colony by Proclamations issued since the

outbreak of war is that

I. (a). Civilians are punishable for offences against the Army Act and may be arrested for such offences by the Civil

or Military Police without warrant if the circumstances necessitate such action.

(b). Civilians may be tried by Courte Lartial for such

offences unless the Governor otherwise directs. (c). Civilians may be arrested by the ilitary Police for

offences against the laws of the Colony which are also offences against the law of England and, if the Governor so directe, may be tried by Courts Lartial for such offences. It is understood, however, that the Kilitary Police will arrest for such offences only in cases of urgency or when called upon for aid by the Civil Police. Where the case is not urgent the Kilitary Police will report the case to the Civil Police.

(d). The Governor is clothed with certain additional powers conferred by the Order-in-Council of the 26th October, 1896. Attention is called to Clause III Section 15 of

that Order.

II. The Civil Folice are still primarily responsible to the

Governor for the maintenance of law and order including the suppression of riots and other disturbances, and must carry out their duties in that behalf in accordance with the law

of the Colony, supplemented as above, the Police Regulations and their Departmental orders. It is understood that the Military Authorities will in the event of serious disturbance at once take their own messures to safeguard Kilitary or Naval property.

III. While it is eminently desirable that the Police must