TNAG-0555-FCO40-650-Review-of-death-sentence-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 4

Plast REVIEW

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10-16 DEC 75

Both papers also pointed out that even if Hong Kong was in a sound economic position, we should not pay as much as 75 per cent of the full defence bill.

The Express said: "Hong Kong is part of British territory; therefore Britain should not shed its responsibility of paying for its garrison."

"But on the other hand, because the presence of British troops in Hong Kong contributes a great deal towards our security, we maintain that Hong Kong has the obligation to share part of the cost," the paper ended.

Sing Tao Jih Pao (14.12.75) maintained that the proposed defence bill for Hong Kong was "unacceptable".

The five-fold increase would have serious effects on the public would cause inflation, the paper said.

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RECYCLE IN REGISTRY R

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With deficit expected next year, we wonder how Hong Kong can meet proposed increase in defence costs," the paper added.

The Death Penalty

On Thursday last (December 11) the House of Commons in Britain rejected a fresh proposal to bring back hanging for terrorist murders.

The debate and the resulting vote were well publicised in the Chinese language newspapers.

review.

There were eight editorials on this subject during the week under

The communist Hong Kong Evening News (13.12.75) said that the decision in London to oppose the restoration of the death penalty was based on political, and not humanitarian, grounds.

"Such political elements do not exist in Hong Kong, yet we still have to go along with Britain's decision."

"This is most regrettable and the crime situation will not be improved," the paper went on.

Sing Tao Wan Pao (12.12.75) also said that Hong Kong was affected by the stubborness of the Labour Party in Britain.

It said: "We believe the majority of the people in Hong Kong are disappointed with the outcome of the matter."

Sing Tao Jih Pao (15.12.75) said it was illogical that Hong Kong could not enforce the death penalty just because it did not exist in Britain.

The paper said: "Let us continue with the fight to bring back the death penalty. The situation in Britain should not discourage those people who are concerned about violent crime in Hong Kong."

It pointed out that political elements, which did not exist in Hong K Kong, played a big part in opposing the restoration of the death penalty in Britain.