WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1980
18
SHORTER TIME REQUIRED TO REPLACE ID CARDS
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THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES SAID TODAY THAT TWO STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF LOST IDENTITY CARDS: THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS DEPLOYED FOR THIS WORK HAS BEEN INCREASED, AND SOME SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCEDURES HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR DAVIES ADDED HOWEVER THAT BEARING IN MIND THE EXISTING WORKLOAD IN REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES IN THE FIRST ISSUE OF CARDS, AS WELL AS THE ISSUE OF REPLACEMENTS, IT TAKES ABOUT SIX WEEKS FROM APPLICATION BEFORE A REPLACEMENT IS ISSUED.
+ THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IS CONSIDERING WHAT FURTHER STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THIS PERIOD.
+ IN THE MEANTIME THE DOCUMENT GIVEN BY AN ROP OFFICE TO A PERSON WHO HAS LOST HIS CARD IS ONE OF THE DOCUMENTS WHICH HE MAY PRODUCE TO PROVE HIS IDENTITY OR TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT, HE SAID.
PROHIBITION ON FORTUNE-TELLERS UNNECESSARY
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THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1980, WHICH REMOVES THE PROHIBITION ON FORTUNE TELLING EXCEPT IN REGISTERED CHINESE TEMPLES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING ITS SECOND READING IN THE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON DENIS BRAY SAID THE GENERAL PUBLIC SCARCELY SEEMED TO BE IN NEED OF PROTECTION AGAINST THE ACTIVITIES OF FORTUNE TELLERS WHO DO NOT OTHERWISE BREAK THE LAW BY, FOR INSTANCE, CRIMINAL FRAUD OR BLACKMAIL.
HE NOTED THAT OVER THE LAST 22 YEARS THERE HAD BEEN TWO PROSECUTIONS FOR FORTUNE TELLING UNDER THIS SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE - NEITHER OF WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL.
+WE MAY BELIEVE WITH FRANCIS BACON THAT MEN MUST PURSUE THINGS ANICH ARE JUST IN PRESENT, AND LEAVE THE FUTURE TO THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE' BUT THOSE WHO WISH TO SEEK SOLACE FROM FORTUNE TELLERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SC !THOUT FEELING THEY ARE PATRONISING CRIMINALS, MR BRAY SAID.
DERATE ON THE BILL AAC ADUOURNED.
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