XN000022-1975-01-17 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1975

NEW RULES FOR MACAU FERRY TERMINAL ENTRY PASSES

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THE HOLDER OF A PASS ALLOWING ENTRY TO THE HONG KONG-MACAU FERRY TERMINAL IS REQUIRED, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, TO RETURN THE PASS TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WITHIN 48 HOURS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF ITS REVOCATION.

UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (HONG KONG-MACAU FERRY TERMINAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1975 PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE, IT IS AN OFFENCE NOT TO COMPLY WITH SUCH A NOTICE WITHOUT A REASONABLE EXCUSE.

THE OFFENCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000.

THE MOVE FOLLOWS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE IRREGULAR USE OF REVOKED PASSES AT THE FERRY TERMINAL IN RECENT MONTHS.

COMMENTING ON THE REGULATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WAS FORMERLY EMPOWERED TO ISSUE AND REVOKE PASSES TO THE TERMINAL.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE DIRECTOR DID NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ENSURE THAT PASSES WHICH HAD BEEN REVOKED WERE RETURNED TO HIM.

THEREFORE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAD BEEN ENTITLED TO A PASS TO RETAIN IT AFTER ITS CANCELLATION AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT, AND TO USE IT TO GAIN UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO THE TERMINAL AT A LATER DATE.

THE NEW MEASURE, HE ADDED, WOULD PUT THESE IRREGULARITIES TO AN END.