XN000022-1974-07-17 — Page 8

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VEDISANT, JULZ 17, 1974

+ IF THE LAW DOES NOT PERMIT THIS OR EVEN IF IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT IT DOES, I HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL COVE AND DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH US,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WAS A GATEWAY THAT OUGHT TO LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF NARCOTIC CONSPIRACIES AND THE SUPPRESSION OF TRAFFICKING.

MR. CHEUNG SAID HE WAS A BIT DISTURBED BY REPORTS - IF THEY WERE ACCURATE THAT THE POLICE KNOW ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE BIG DRUG TRAFFICKERS, BUT LACK EVIDENCE TO CONVICT THEM IN COURT.

+ IF SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS GROUNDED ON REASONABLE BELIEF,+ HE SAID, + AM NOT AT ALL SURE WHY THE POLICE CANNOT PROCEED.+ HOWEVER, HE APPRECIATED THAT THE POLICE HAD A PROBLEM AND HE REPEATED HIS INVITATION TO THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

MR. CHEUNG WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE WOULD SHOW NO COMPASSION OR MERCY TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS, EXCEPT IN ONE EVENT, WHERE IN EARNEST REPENTANCE A CONVICTED BANKRUPT CAVE FULL DISCLOSURE OF HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRADE AND ITS PERPETRATORS.

+TO ONE WHO MAKES FULL DISCLOSURE, I WOULD BE PREPARED TO ENACT SUITABLE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE THAT SENTENCES IMPOSED ON HIM MIGHT BE MITIGATED.

+TO ONE WHO REFUSES TO MAKE DISCLOSURE, I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO IMPOSE FURTHER SANCTIONS,+ HE SAID.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL AND CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE TOTAL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT'S ALL-OUT EFFORT TO CLAMP DOWN ON ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ADDICTS.

HE NOTED THAT IT WAS USELESS TO ENACT LAWS IF THEY COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED, AND SAID THE PUBLIC EXPECTED THAT ALL BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY THE POLICE AND THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE JUDICIARY WOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT THE LAWS WILL NOT BE FLOUTED AND THAT WITH MORE UNITED EFFORTS BY ALL CONCERNED THE NARCOTICS PROBLEM WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY ABATED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS.

THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAMENDMENT) BILL WHICH MAKES MALE PERSONS CONVICTED FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENCES GENERALLY COMMITTED FOR PROFIT, SUBJECT TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

IN REPLY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SECRETARY FOR SECURITIES TOOK NOTE OF MR. CHEUNG'S PROPOSALS REGARDING EVIDENCE AND SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THEM.

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