XN000022-1975-03-14 — Page 9

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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1975

TOUGHER PENALTIES PROPOSED FOR WEAPON CARRIERS

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TOUGHER PENALTIES ARE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF POSSESSING OFFENSIVE WEAPONS UNDER A DRAFT BILL PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE.

THE NEW LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 - SEEKS TO RAISE THE PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE OF POSSESSING OFFENSIVE WEAPONS FROM A FINE OF $1,000 OR IMPRISON- MENT FOR THREE MONTHS TO A FINE OF $5,000 OR IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.

THIS OFFENCE IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE UNDER SECTION 33 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE WHICH NORMALLY CARRIES A MANDATORY MINIMUM CUSTODIAL SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS BUT DIFFERS FROM IT IN THAT IT MAY BE COMMITTED IN PRIVATE PREMISES.

AT THE SAME TIME, ANOTHER BILL THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 WHICH SEEKS TO MAKE THE COMMON PARTS OF ALL PREMISES **PUBLIC PLACES'' IS ALSO GAZETTED TODAY FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.

IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THIS WILL MEAN THAT THE CARRYING OF AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE IN THE SHARED OR COMMON PARTS OF ANY BUILDING SUCH AS STAIRCASES. CORRIDORS AND LIFTS, WILL CARRY THE MANDATORY CUSTODIAL SENTENCE PROVIDED IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.

THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISSUING PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMITS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.

UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, APPLICATIONS MADE ON BEHALF OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF PERMITS FOR FLAG AND FLOWER DAYS OR OTHER FORMS OF STREET COLLECTIONS ARE PROCESSED INITIALLY BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BEFORE PERMITS ARE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.

THIS PROPOSED TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE'S CURRENT POLICY OF EMPLOYING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO THE MAXIMUM EFFECT, AND HIVING OFF DUTIES THAT CAN BE CARRIED OUT EQUALLY WELL BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

IF THE BILL WERE PASSED. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WOULD STILL ACT AS A CONSULTING AUTHORITY, AND TAKE OUT PROSECUTIONS FOR BREAKERS OF CONDITIONS OF PERMIT IF NECESSARY.

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