XN000022-1980-03-25 — Page 11

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1980

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NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR POSTING OF HANDBILLS

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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO SEND COPIES OF POSTERS OR HANDBILLS PRODUCED IN CHINESE TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS OR THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR PRIOR APPROVAL.

SUCH REQUIREMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REMOVED BY THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 13.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT WHILE IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO SEEK APPROVAL UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, CONTENTS OF POSTERS AND HANDBILLS ARE STILL REGULATED BY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE LAW,

FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ADVERTISE.

* UNLICENSED PUBLIC MEETINGS OR PROCESSIONS,

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MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH FILMS EXHIBITED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE FILM CENSOR,

MATERIALS REFERRING TO ANY PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY,

MATERIALS WITH SEDITIOUS INTENTIONS,

PRINTED DOCUMENT WITHOUT THE FULL NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PRINTER,

ABORTION OR THE SALE OF MEDICINES OR SURGICAL APPLIANCES, OR

* ANYTHING OBJECTIONABLE - INDECENT, OBSCENE OR OF

REVOLTING NATURE, OR OF A KIND PORTRAYING SEX, VIOLENCE OR CRUELTY.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE PASSED IN THE SAME LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING LAST MONTH, BILLS OR POSTERS ON CROWN LAND CAN ONLY BE DISPLAYED WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHORITY (THE URBAN COUNCIL IN URBAN AREAS AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES), OR, IF ON PRIVATE LAND, THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE LAND.

THESE POSTERS MUST BE KEPT IN A CLEAN AND TIDY CONDITION. FAILURE TO DO SO THE AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED TO REMOVE THEM AND RECOVER THE COST OF REMOVAL FROM THE OFFENDER.

UNDER THIS NEW LAW, THE EMPLOYER OF THE PERSON WHO PUTS UP THE UNAUTHORISED BILL OR POSTER AND THE PERSON WHO BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLICITY MAY ALSO BE PENALISED, UNLESS THEY CAN PROVE THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW OR HAVE NOT AGREED TO THE DISPLAY.

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