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dangerous to the security of the State, or contrary to the laws of the country, to public order or decency, subject to the obligation to notify the office of origin immediately of the stoppage of the said communication or any part of it, except when the issue of such notification may appear dangerous to the security of the State.
2. Section 4 (1) (c) of the principal Ordinance enables the Governor, or any officer specially authorised in that behalf by the Governor, to order the stoppage of messages only on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety. It does not deal with messages which are contrary to the laws of the Colony or contrary to public order or decency.
3. Moreover section 4 (2) of the principal Ordinance is so worded as apparently to limit its operation to cases under section 4 (1) (a) whereas the certificate it requires may be equally necessary in cases under 4 (1) (b) and (c).
4. Clause 2 of this amending Bill accordingly repeals sub-section (2) of section 4 and substitutes two sub-sections which deal with these points.
5. Clause 3 of the Bill adds three words to section 31 (1) of the principal Ordinance which will enable a magistrate to authorize the sealing up of apparatus in cases where he does not think it necessary to authorize its seizure.
6. As the provisions of an International Convention are in question the Bill contains a suspending clause as required by Article XXVI 6 of the Royal Instructions.
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December, 1936.
C. G. ALABASTER,
Attorney General.
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