CO129-616-4 Public Order Ordinance- 1948 13-11-1948 - 7-2-1949 — Page 16

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persons of this character should be made to give security for their good behaviour. Clauses 6-8 inclusive of the Bill seek to achieve this object. They are based on provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Singapore.

4. The proximity of Hong Kong to Chinese Territory both by land and sea has always made it tempting for pirates and bandits to operate from Chinese territory. This tendency has been aggravated by the rise of guerilla bands during the Japanese occupation and by the fact that there is now a state of Civil War in China. It is thought that some of these bands may also have supporters in the Colony and quite recently there have been incidents on the border which have been a serious threat to public order and safety. These incidents may well recur and it is not right to expect the police and the services to take action for which they have no legal sanction. In order to be able to take effective counteraction with the minimum danger to the person and property of inhabitants of the Colony it is considered necessary that the Governor should have power-

(a) to declare a curfew within a specified area;

(b) to close an area to all persons not having the requisite permit; (c) to order the evacuation of any area or place;

(d) to prohibit the movement or anchorage of any craft or the use

of the waters of the Colony by craft of a specified class.

The above powers are conferred upon the Governor by clauses 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively. Each power may be enforced by the use of firearms.

GEORGE E. STRICKLAND,

Acting Attorney General.