TNAG-0397-FCO40-443-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 150

L

J. MacKenzie

c/o Hutchison-Boag Limited

WATSON'S ESTATE "C", 9TH FLOOR

CHAIRMAN:

11

SIR DOUGLAS CLAGUE. C.B.K., M.C..

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN &

MANAGING DIRECTOR

JOHN MACKENZIE

HONG

KONG

The Hon. Nicholas R. Ridley, M.P. Houses of Parliament,

Westminister,

London,

t

England.

16th June, 1973.

TELEX:

TELEPHONE: 8-702221

HX 3147

Dear Mr. Ridley,

1

At the very moment Hong Kong is embarking on a community-wide "Fight Violent Crime" Campaign - starting 18th June we have disturbing reports in our local press regarding possible U.K. objection to the Anti-Crime Laws which form the backbone of our Anti-Crime drive and which are wholly supported by the population with the exception of a particularly vocal minority. This invitation to intervention in Hong Kong appears to emanate from the organisation Justice and it is reported that the U.K. Chairman, Lord Gardiner, has requested an inter- view with the Foreign Secretary in order to inter-meddle again in Hong Kong affairs.

Justice in Hong Kong has been noticeably silent at times of public disquiet over rising crime and light sentenc- ing in the Courts. In the past four years the incidence of violent crime such as murder, manslaughter and robbery with

In 1971, the Hong Kong Annual aggravation has increased by 140%. Report stated the then feeling of the population in the follow- ing way:

"The increase in crime caused much public concern, many people calling for sterner measures to be taken against criminals. Sir David Trench in his final speech at Legislative Council on October; 1st referred to the disturbing and continuing rising incidence of robberies and crimes committed against the person." My colleague, Urban Councillor T. S. Lo (himself a solicitor) made reference to the inadequacies of then court sentencing in the Urban Council's Annual Debate in November 1970. An excerpt of his speech, which is attached, may be of interest.

I think you have been left in 'no doubt, during the visit of Mr. Shaw, Mr. Jopling and yourself, of the strength of Hong Kong reaction to the recent reprieve for Tsoi Kwok-cheung. The purpose of my letter is to advise you that public reaction to any inspired interference in legislative measures introduced in Hong Kong 'for the protection of the community, with the common consent of the community, will do even more to undermine

(REGISTERED OFFICE: PRINCE'S BUILDING, 20TH FLOOR, Hong Kong!

【*སཱ,

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