XN000022-1980-06-13 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1980

PROPOSALS TO AMEND PUBLIC ORDER LAW

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THE GOVERNMENT TODAY PUBLISHED THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980. THE MAIN CHANGE IT PROPOSES RELATES TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.

UNDER THE PRESENT LAW ALMOST EVERY PUBLIC MEETING, WHATEVER ITS PURPOSE, REQUIRES TO BE LICENSED BY THE POLICE. UNDER THE PROPOSED LAW THE LICENSING SYSTEM IS REPLACED BY A SIMPLER REQUIREMENT THAT THE POLICE MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE INTENTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING, AT WHICH MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ARE TO BE DISCUSSED, SEVEN WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE.

FURTHERMORE, UNDER THE PROPOSED LAW MEETINGS FOR SOCIAL RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS OR CHARITABLE PURPOSES WILL NOT REQUIRE TO BE NOTIFIED- NOR WILL MEETINGS OF LESS THAN 20 PERSONS IN A PUBLIC PLACE, OR MEETINGS IN PRIVATE PREMISES WHERE LESS THAN 200 PEOPLE ARE ABLE, OR EXPECTED, TO ATTEND,

BUT THE BILL DOES NOT AFFECT THE EXISTING POWERS OF THE POLICE TO TAKE PREVENTIVE ACTION ON THE SPOT IF ANY PUBLIC MEETING BECOMES, OR IS LIKELY TO BECOME UNRULY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING POLICE POWERS OF INTERVENTION AND CONTROL TO DEAL WITH DISTURBANCES AND POSSIBLE BREACHES OF PEACE ARE THOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BE ESSENTIAL IF THE INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE TO BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.

IN THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THE BILL ALSO EMPHASIZES THE DUTY UPON OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF PRIVATE PREMISES IN WHICH PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE HELD TO ENSURE THAT ALL SAFETY AND FIRE REGULATIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH. THIS DUTY IS ALSO IMPOSED ON ORGANISERS OF SUCH MEETINGS.

A NECESSARY MEASURE OF PRIOR CONTROL OVER POTENTIALLY UNRULY PUBLIC MEETINGS IS RETAINED IN THE BILL'S PROPOSALS WHICH EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO PROHIBIT THE HOLDING OF A PUBLIC MEETING WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE NOTIFIED.

THIS POWER MAY BE EXERCISED ONLY ON THE SPECIFIC GROUNDS LISTED IN THE BILL, AND IS SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS REGARDS PUBLIC PROCESSIONS THE BILL DOES NOT GREATLY AFFECT THE PRESENT LICENSING PROVISIONS.

+BECAUSE OF THE GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF DISRUPTION AND INCONVENIENCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM GROUPS OF PEOPLE MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, PUBLIC PROCESSIONS WILL STILL HAVE TO BE LICENSED IF THEY TAKE PLACE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY OR THOROUGHFARE OR IN A PUBLIC PARK, UNLESS THEY CONSIST OF 20 PERSONS OR LESS, OR ARE OF A NATURE OR DESCRIPTION TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, HE SAID.

THE PREPARATION