10.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, 'THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1936.
CHINESE PRESS CENSORSHIP
(Continged from Page
in
ments on the debate which appear- ed in the Engilan press. One Chi- nese newspaper translated one of the leading articles from the Eng- läsertion on Satur-
It is true that Section 2 (3) of March I introduced a Motion the Ordinance provides that all
this Council, and Hon. Members Regulations made shall continue in-¡ might have read some of the com- force until repealed by order of the Governor in Counch. The. Or- dinance, however, was proposed and passed as an emergency mea- sure. There was, and could be, nolish press for
And debate.
I day, the 21st. opportunity for
This mere transla- venture to think that it could not tion of a leader in an English pa- have been within the contemplation rer was held up for consideration, of any Hanourable member of this and publication was not permitted Council that any Regulations made una Monday: the 23rd. Another under the Ordinance would be kept Chinese paper wished to publish. in force for' over eteven years, on ori Surday the 22nd March. a lea- the plea that there is a continued dro the debate, which also dealt existence of "an occasion of emer- with present Constitution of the Can It Colony, but the whole of this anti- Rency or public danger."
cle was suppressed seriously be contended that the oc- casion of emergency or public dan- ger which existed in 1925 has con- tinued to exist up to the present time?
A PERMANENT SYSTEM
IMPOSED
It will be seen that under the k of an authority which the Governor in Counel is to exercise only on an occasion of emergen- sy or public danger the Govera- mett has, in effect, imposed a per- nunent system of censorship upon Le Chinese Press.
Before lunch this afternoon I re- celved various complaints from the Chinese press and it has been re- Presented to me that an article on the coming debate which is to be held this afternoon was absolutely suppressed and there are other comments dealing with censorship which have been suppressed on numerous occasions. All the fiems have been suppressed for reasons I which are no intelligible to me. would ask the. Hon the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to look into these complaints against wholesale censorship and suppression of new's
CENSORS' DISCRETION"
Much has been written against the undesirable modern tendency of delegated legislation ten-...
has been criticised dency wilch and deprecated by eminent judges, But venture to think that there can be no more glaring example of the dangers of such delegated legis-the Press is guverned by a detailed lation than that afforded by the orders in Council under discussion.
I can deal very shortly with the
i am aware that in various coun tries suce the Great War, a strict censorship has been imposed on the Press, and that in some countries
legal code prescribing his perils- gible content. But a censorship which is based on Regulations pre-
third aspect of this question. name-scribing the permissible con-
1. Freedom of the Press, for Frue dom of the Fress is now an accept ed fact in England, and, as far as I know, in all colonies under her: rule. As is succinctly stated in a work of reference which I consuit- ed:-
lent of the Press is, to my mind, not quite so obnoxious as "a censorship which permits the cen- sors to allow or disallow publica- low of any arucle at their discre- tion.
It may be that local conditions "In 1893. the Government of of the Colony require.some amend- England formally abandoned the ment of the existing substantive preventive tensorship of print-law of the Colony regarding the ing, and began the punitive. No permissible content of any news- one
paper, but I do submit that this was to be prohibited from publishing anything, but he must Cornell should have the privilege
two
GIANTS WELL AHEAD
"Schoolboy" Rowe In Form
BASEBALL RESULTS
leading News Agencks of Great Britain and America, I can- not but regret that the same pri- vilege to-day is partly denied to the Press a dental which assumes the form of the censorship en- forced against the Chinese news- happy to think, popers. I am
New York, Aug. 29." however, that the privilege of com- plete freedom remains unimpaired The following were the results so far as the section of the Eng-of to-day's major League Baseball Ish Press is concerned. The Chi-chcounters: nese Press. is unfortunately not so favourably situated.
My honourable friend, the last speaker, has made it clear that the Chinese Press has been in a sense muzzled. for the past 11 years, and the muzzled in a manner that Emergency Regulations confer po- wer for the closing down of an offending Chinese newspaper and the suppression of news that have appeared unquestioned and un- challenged in the English news- papers of the Culony.
The motion before the Council. designedly brief and precise in its cerms, calls for the revocation of those
existence of powers, the which can only be Justifled in times of emergency. The author of the motion has demonstrated. that such emergency has not ex- Isted now for some time. It does not" exist to-day.
That great Chinese Author. Mr. Lin Yutang, in his recent book on "A History of the Press and Pub- He Opintor In China," writes: "We. cannot "ignore the contemporary censorship of books, magizines and newspapers in China, because it alone explains the retarding of the growth of public opinion,"
There is happily an observable tendency on the part of our Chi- nese fellow-citizens to take an in-- telligent interest in public affairs.. and I should, indeed be sorry if any avoidable attitude should be responsible for a stifling of an in- tellectual consciousness that makes for the Improvement of our civic
interests.
CAN BE RELIED ON
Without over-stating the
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston Philadelphia
St. Louis New York
R. H. E. 11 10 13 10.5
2
Q
..1 ......... 13 22 2 Dimaggio and Crosetti homers.
Detroit
· Boston
hit
The players were called "in after the eight innings owing to rain. ||
"Boston
St. Louis
HOME CRICKET RESULTS
London, August 23.
At Chesterfield, Derby took first wnings points from Northants. Northants 144 (Copson 4 for 24, A. Pope 4 or 58) and 411 for 6 dec. Bakewell i not out; A. Pape & or 129).
Derby 209 Partridge 5 for 69) and 173 for 7.
At Le.cester, Glamorgan took first pings points. Leicester 213 (Hughes for 70) and 281 for 8 dec. (Packe 118). "G.amorgan, 225
Dyson 861 and 128 for 4.
At the Oval, Surrey took first innings
from Yorkshire. points Förkshire 315 (Leyland 107) and 157 for 8. Surrey 495 (E, R: T "Holmes 172).
At Manchester, Warwick took first innings points from Lanca- entre. Warwick 209 (Hopwood 4 for 37) and 255. Lancashire 199 (Paine 6 for 88) and 147 (Paine 6 for 44, Holler 4 or 441.
At Eastbourne, Gloucester beat- Sussex by an innings and 16 runs. Sussex 430 (John Langridge 156. Harry Parks 100 not out) and 131 Gloucester (Hammond, 5 for 27).
586 (Neale 108, Crapp ́168).
GORDON BENNETT RACE HITCH
2025
-11-2 3
0
14
Boston
5 12
0
E. Moore homered. St. Louis....
3
11..
2
Collins
and Joe Medwick
homered.
Spanish Balloon Seized By Insurgents
HOME FOOTBALL FORECAST
(BY FORWARD)
!!
The English Football Season commences on Satur. day the 29th inst., and it will be interesting to see how the promoted teams fare. In the First Division, Ar. senal, Sunderland and Brentford should gain a lot of
. supporters.
In the 2nd Division, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers will go all out to get back into the 1st Division but they will have tough opposition in Sheffield United and West Ham.
The third Division South should see some good football with Reading and Luton Town as the leading lights. In the third Division North, Port Vale and Hull City, two of the relegated team from the second division should do well but will meet strong opposition from Lincoln City and Tranmere Rovers.
The full programme of matches is as follows and the teams tipped by us to win are in Bold Type.
ARSENAL
Bradford BURNLEY
Bury
Manchester C.
HUDDERSFIELD
SUNDERLAND
Derby Co.
ជនខ្លួន អ៊ អ៊
129
..
5 13
0 1 2
0
0
DIVISION I.
"Schoolboy" Rowe pitched.
D. V.
Cleveland Washington
1 0 4 5 11 0
BIRMINGHAM
125 V1
Everton Portsmouth
Brentford
155
V.
Bolton W.
155
NATIONAL LEAGUE
GRIMSBY T.
135
Y.
Charlton A.
135
R H... E.
Brooklyn
ma 4
12
Pittsburg
'
.3
2
At Clacton, Essex beat Notting- hamshire by 34 runs Essex 300 O'Connor 111) and 216. Natts. 286 (Hardstaff 103: K. Farnes G for 73) and 196 (Hardstaff 70),—
Renter
Leeds U.
175
.V.
Chelsea
LIVERPOOL
340
Y
Stoke City
140
Manchester U.
70
WOLVES
11
Middlesbro
90
Y
Preston NE
45 V.
Sheffield W. West Brom
120
V.U
3.5 V.
DIVISION II
D. 7.
Bradford C.
D.
140 V.
Notts Forest
140
215
+,
BLACKBURN R.
215
85
V.
Coventry C
85
180 v,
Plymouth A.
160
LEICESTER C.
125
125
NEWCASTLE U. NORWICH G
195 V
Barnsley
195
115
4.
Sheffield U.
115
Southampton
105
CHESTERFIELD
105
Swansea "T West Ham U.
185
ASTON VILLA
165
D.
Y
TOTTENHAM H.
D
DIVISION III. (SOUTHERN SECTION)
Aldershot BRISTOL C
95
V.
Bournemouth
95
105
♡.
Queen's Park R..
105
CLAPTON 0.
D.
7.
Crystal P,
D
Gillingham
40
V
Brighton-Hove A.
40
LUTON T.
135
บ
Southend U.
135
MILLWALL
105
7.
Bristol R.
105
Newport C.
130
V.
Watford
130.
NOTTS CO,
190
Exeter C.
190
SWINDON T. TORQUAY U WALSALL
105 7
Northampton T.
105
130
Y.
Reading
130
95
V.
Cardiff C.
95
New York m Cincinnati
Kampouris homered.
6. 9
0,
5. 14
The game between Philadelphia and Chicago was postponed owing. to rain.- Reuter”.
diplomits
ilove Kan Daily Press" Specia..
Warsaw, Aug. 25.
The balloon destined to repre- sent Spain at the forthcoming Gordon Bennett Race. which is
scheduled to take place next Sun-
day, was seized by the insurgents, while both pilots are said to have lost their lives in the recent fight- | Ing near Madrid. "It is further- |
announced here more
that the American balleonists who were to i participate will likewise not start.--
case,
rced where soldiers fail" What is true of the Press 111 China. I believe, may be said to
and
Jews Servers
t
and trom my personal knowledge run the gauntlet of possible proof critically considering any such or the connections and the com-
secution for slander, sedition, im- proposed legislation before it ismercial Interests concerned, there apply to a great or lesser degree to
is not the least doubt that the management and the edi- presenttorial
staf of the respon-
morality and blasphemy. Black-brought into force. stone mates that--"The liberty of the Press consists in laying no previous restraints upon pub- lication and not in freedom from. censure for criminal matter when Published"."
I have ventured to criticise-I
not unfairly--the hope Censorship System as a
Holmbury's Laws of England. Vol B Second Edition), on page 590,
dealing with constitutional law,
states as follows:-
"The Crown cannot, apart from the rules of Jaw relating to the Iteensing of stage plays, or to blasphemous or seditious libels, or the publication of reports of judleial proceedings, exercise any control over the public press. The author of the article on Press Law in the Encyclopaedia Britan- nica Vol. 19, (9th Edition), say!--
"AL 'the present day the überty of the press in English-speaking countries is with perhaps the singte exception of Ireland) matter of merely historical tm- portance."
A
The same authority's reference, of page 712, to the British Colonies makes rather pathetic reading in view of the circumstances prevall- ing in Hong Kong
The censorship system under which every item of news, be it a report of the proceedings of this
Council, or of proceedings in the
the Chinese Press in Hong Kong,
In conclusion, 1 would quote
system: sible Chinese newspapers can be Again from Lin Yutang: "We must but before I sit down I should kerelied on for the exercise of their aght," he says, "or the constitu-
to make it quite plain that my re- marks are not intended, to con- stitute any criticism against the Censors personally.
I know that they have had and. Indeed, have, most difficult task to discharge. and I would like to pay a tribute to my friend" Mr. Lau Chin Ping. the Censor, and his associates, for the way in which they have ear ried out the onerous and difficult duties imposed on them by the existing Regulations.
I now formally propose the Mo-
tion standing in my name.
SECONDER'S SPEECH
none will be found to disagree.
WOMAN FENCER
WELCOMED.
Frankfort-on-Main, Aug. 25.
retter judgment, prudence and the Press and of personal civil ("Bong Kong Daily Press" Special! tional principle of the freedom or caution not to jeopardise their per- rights as a principle." With this sonal interests and the prestige dictum. I am inclined to think. which their newspapers rightly en- toy by any indiscreet action that may place their good name, and standing in jeopardy, As far as they can be regarded as good go- lug commercial concerns it is not to be supposed that any proprietor would be so foolish as to risk the suspension, if only for a time, of His pubilcation, which might in- volve him in serious monetary loss
Before sitting down, may I ex- press the hope that your Excellency might be graciously pleased to en- dorse the views enunciated by my honourable friend, who holds his seat on this Council primarily in the interests of the Chinese com- munity?
I have the honour to second the
POLITICAL UNREST
proposal, namely, that the present and loss of face" that is of so censorship, of the Chinese Press in much moment to the Chinese. 1 Hong Kong should be abrogated. am conscious of the fact that the "argument might be advanced that there will have to be new legisla- non for closing papers. My hon. curable friend urges that all the Your Excellency.-I would like to emergency regulalons should be second the motion introduced by revoked. I am entirely at one with my honourable friend, the furdor him. Chinese member.
In seconding the resolution the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga said:
Hon. Mr. J.J. Paterson said that he was afraid that in spite of the eloquence of Hon. Mr. Lo and Hon. Mr. Braga on the motion he remained unconvinced. The pow- ourer of the Press was very great and because of that great power and the present political unrest it would be better for the censor- ship to be kept. But he thought that there were certain matters that should be looked into by the B. CA
The famous woman-fençer, He- lene Mayer, who won the Silver Medal in the Olympic | Fencing Competition, Was accorded an enthusiastic welcome by friends and admirers as well as town of ficials in ber home town Koenig- stein in Taunus.
Helene Mayer had come back from America, where she Way studying, in order to represent her country in the fencing competl- ton-
Transocean News Festce,
emergency at the present time), censorship of the and that the press is in itself an undesirable thing. To both of these lines of argument a certain cogency must be conceded, but I nevertheless feel that this Council will agree that there are in present cir- cumstances good and sound rea- sons for the retention of the in- stitution.
govern-
CANTON'S EXAMPLE In doing so, it may be as well for me to state frankly at the out-. Under the new regime in "In the British colonier the
set that I do not propose to deal neighbouring city of Canton, In press is as free as it is in Eng-with the matter of the censorship tlination was given at the end of land. Each colony has its special of the Chinese Press in this Colony last month, at a reception to a legislation on the subject for
from the points of flew approach-large gathering of local journalists, police and revenue purposes." ed by the honourable mover. I that the authorities would welcome
As regards the former point, the have neither the wish nor the candid and constructive criticisms,
Honourable Member seems to have THE CAUSE OF
overstressed the word emergency. competence to deal with the sub- On that occasion the hope was ex- DISSATISFACTION
That pressed that, while the censorship
Hon. Dr. 8. W. Tso, speaking In the Ordinance which empowers Ject from Its legal aspect.
the Governor in Council to make aspect it a peculiarly in the pro- has been lifted, the Press would against the motion, said, that 97
regulations, an alternative vince of the proposer to deal with exercise discretion
per cent of Hong Kong's, popula- such and refrain
tion were Chinese and there was occasion is given, viz., one of pub- adequately, and he has done so to frem exploiting that liberty. That
so much uncertainty in the politi-e danger. That danger exists cal situation in the Far East. The still, and will continue to exist Chinese Press, he said, were likely until a defnitely stable to overstep their bounds" when giv- ment exists in China. In parti ing feelings of things Chinese, cular the danger must be admitted When bad feelings or bad blood to remain
civil war is
it was
threatening in one of the neigh- stirred among the mass
difficult to restrain it or There had been in- pacify it, cidents still fresh in their minds. Hon. Mr. 4. N. Chau sald he found himself unable to support the motion. While he sympathy with the Chinese Press To come nearer home, concluate felt that the time was not op- Ing a leading article on the sub- portune for abrogation. In times lect of the altered conditions in such as the present every means Canton, the "South China Morn- had to be taken to preserve peace Post" has this comment to and good order in the Colony.
I am
an extent that it does not, I be hope and that wish I feel certain leve, admit of successful rebuttal. would be echoed in Hong Kong:
As regards the financial side and while our neighbour in the first mentioned in the course of Kwangtung metropolis has fore- the honourable member's speech. stalled the Colony in the lifting of afraid the matter resolves the ban against the Chinese Press itself into a anestion whether it our action, on the other hand, is is advisable to continue. the cer- belated. Our inaction invites cri- Borship or to abandon it. If the ticism. We are much behind-hand decision favoura *the
in not having removed the censor- course, then the money part does ship from a community that has not exercise me at all. It has to beneficially used, and I am happy be met. On the other hand, if the to. think very rarely abused, the Council is for abandonment then it privilege of the Press. follows that the attendant ex- genditure disappears with it.
former
Courts of Law, or of any and every other kind of news. has to be sub- mitted to an approved by the cen- sory before pubileation, irrespective of the urgency and stress of mo- dern journalism, must of necessity.. cause dissatisfaction, and must tend to undermine the sense of in- dependence and responsibility on the part of the journalists. By the time a coriplaint agalugg ime proper suppression of news can be investigated and adjudicated upon, the new may be slale news, I therefore submit that such a cen sorship is objectionable in itself.
As I am concerned more with the question of the principle and legal basis of the existing censor- ship than with the actual adminis tration of the censorship system, I do not propose to go into details as to the articles or items of news which have been suppressed by the censors within recent years. will, however, mention inci- ment, caution, and propriety de- dents as illustrating the extent to which free 'scussions of matters of public interest have been "pre- vented. Hon. Members of this freedorn of the Press throughout. Counell may recall that on the 19th the period of my representation of
'A PECULIAR INTEREST
भ
I may say I felt a peculiar Intering est in the subject when it was first make mentioned to me by my honourable friend, Mr M. K. Lo, since for a period of over 25 years I had to serve the Press in a capacity call- Ing for the exercise of some judg-
manded by the wide interests 1 Berved. From the point of view. therefore, of one who enjoyed the
most
11
had
With men of integrity in ci- GOVERNMENT'S VIEW
fice it is hoped that Kwangtung will soon enjoy an unprecedent-
while
bouring provinces. It must not be forgetten either to what an extent) the welfare of Hong Kong depends on good relations with her cus-
tomers in trade, and that nothing i will sooner prejudice those rela- tions than an impression that the Colony can with impunity be made a base from which to ferment dis- 'order.
IMPARTIAL CRITICISM
None will defend interference with the reasonable freedom of the press, but It is the view of Government that, so long as that i freedom is open to abuse by jour- nd prosperity. Perhaps that The Acting Colonial Secretary, nals which in no sense represent happy result will be promoted the Hon, Mr. R. A. D. Forrest said: impartial criticism but which are more quickly if the Central Gov- My Honourable friend's argu- the paid organs of disa ected ernment will use newspapers as ment In favour of abrogation of groups, and so long as unrestrain ito 'servants and permit them the censorship falls into two parts ed publication can do very serious continuation of the new freedom'viz, that the regulations in ques-injury to our relations with China. which they now enjoy. A po- tion though properly made are im- werful Press in China may que properly continued (there being no
(Continued on Page 11
Doncaster FULHAM
الله
Blackpool
DIVISION III, (NORTHERN SECTION)
Accrington S, CHESTER CREWE A. HALIFAX T. MANSFIELD T OLDHAM A.
$120
9, Lincoln C.
120
140
Y.
Wrexham
V
140
40
V.
Rochdale
40
60
York C.
GO.
220
V.
Barrow
220
220
V.
New Brighton
220
150 7.
'Hull City
150
100 Y.
Gateshead
100
125 V
Hartlepools U.
125
85
V.
Darlington
85
285
บ
Carlisle U.
285
· ́ PORT VALE
ROTHERHAM U Southport STOCKFORT C. TRANMERE R.
ABERDEEN Albion R. Clyde HAMILTON HEARTS KILMARNOCK Queen of Bouth QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS
St. Johnstone
SCOTTISH LEAGUE
V. Falkirk.
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Dundee.
Arbroath.
T.
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St. Mirren
V
Partick.
V
THIRD LANARK. Dunfermling.
7. Hibernians
V. MOTHERWELL.
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