2.
77 END.
copy annexed.
On further consideration, however, it was felt that the
bill does not go far enough and that what is required in
Hong Kong is a comprehensive Ordinance, somewhat on the
lines of the Straits Settlements Ordinance No.55, making
telegraphy within the Colony a Government monopoly.
Adequate recognition would of course have to be paid to
the landing rights and other vested interests of the
Cable Companies.
2.
It would seem advisable also to make the
possession of telegraph apparatus illegal without an
appropriate licence. This Colony is bound by the Madrid
Telegraphic Convention of 1932 and this provision seems necessary in order to suppress unauthorised Stations within
the Colony. Recently an obviously clandestine station
established by a European Bank was discovered, the object
of which was the private and rapid receipt of exchange
quotations from Shanghai. A further case, which shows the
necessity for more rigid regulation, recently came to light
through an application made by a local branch of a Chinese
News Agency for permission to install a printing press.
It was then disclosed that under cover of a broadcast
receiving licence they intended to receive and publish news
from Shanghai. The only prohibition against making use
of information obtained under a broadcast receiving licence
appears in Clause 5 of the Conditions endorsed on the back
of the licence, and, while this might be invoked against
this particular applicant, I preferred to allow him to
continue his news agency rather than to cancel his licence
and drive him underground.
Theoretically of course it is the duty of the
Administration in whose jurisdiction the transmitting
station is situated to exercise adequate control over such
stations but in China in practice little or no control is
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.