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However, some foreigners in Hong Kong have objected to these bills and have asked the British Government to prevent them from being passed. It is most puzzling that these local foreigners should think only of the benefit of the criminals.
The average citizen does not understand the complicated details of the law, but for the sake of his life and property, he strongly believes that harsh sentences is the most effective crime deterrent.
We have heard some policemen complain that very often they risked their life to arrest a criminal only to find that he was let off lightly by the court. This indeed deals a heavy blow to their morale.
We have heard that under the influence' of these "merciful" experts of the law, the Hong Kong Government is going to amend the anti-crime bills. If this is true, it will have much adverse effect on the Fight Crime Campaign.
New Life Evening Post (24.6.73) carried a further editorial after some comments had been made on the harshness of the new laws to fight crime.
Certain law amendments have recently been made to impose longer imprisonment on criminals. It is an effective way to curb crime.
Only harsh sentence can make up for the inadequacy of the police force. After all, police raids that have been carried out during the Fight Violent Crime Campaign cannot last forever. It is only the strength of the law that can effectively prevent these potential law breakers from committing crime.
Sing Tao Jih Fao (21.6.73)
At the start of the second phase of the Current Fight Crime Campaign, we have already expressed the hope that the authorities should take serious note of public opinion by not giving in to those in the legal profession who have tried to exert pressure on the Government through Britain for taking a lenient attitude towards criminals.
However, it is depressing to note that the acting Attorney General, under pressure from Britain, may be taking measures to revise the anti-crime bills at the time when they are about to be passed into law at the Legislative Council. This shows that the Government is not paying adequate attention to public opinion as it should although it did appeal from time to time to public for their co-operation to support the Fight Crime Campaign.
It is understood that the revision of the anti-crime bills was made solely because of the objection from the legal profession. What the people of the legal profession have advocated would not help promote the interest of Hong Kong, but would undermine the authority of Hong Kong Government and weaken the current Anti Violent Crime Campaign.
Distribution
Mr. G. P. Lloyd, C.M.G. Mr. J. Cater
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