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Table of Correspondence,-continued.
The Seditious Publications Ordinance, 1914,-(continued).
Existing law.
Corresponding matter (if any) in draft Bill,
Seditious matter is defined in section 2; it includes in addition to seditious matter properly SO called such things as "putting a person in fear, thereby inducing him to hand over property", "conveying threats to a public servant", etc.
Power of Superintendent of Imports and Exports and Postmaster General to de- tain packages containing seditious matter (sections 5 and 6) and search warrant (section 9).
Power of Governor in Council |
to declare certain publica- tions forfeit (sec. 3) and appeal to Supreme Court (secs. 7 and 8).
The Bill defines in statutory language what has always been understood by that term; it is, in consequence, more limited in its scope than the existing Ordinance, which appears to be wide enough to cover cases of blackmail and other matters far removed from sedition proper. It is proposed to supersede the existing law on this matter by the present Bill.
Clause 7 authorizes the issue of search warrants. The Superintendent of Imports and Exports and Postmaster General are given special powers of search under another Bill relating to importation of seditious literature. The combined effect of these two bills. should make it unnecessary to retain sections 5 and 6 of this Ordinance.
Forfeiture under the Bill is only
after a conviction (clause 4). It should be unnecessary to retain these provisions if this Bill and the Bill relat- ing to importation of sedi- tious literature become law.
(8) Emergency Regulations, 1931.
Reg. 19 makes it an offence to
promote a general strike, disorder of any kind or the spread of sedition.
Clause 4 (1) makes it an offence to do any act with a sedi- tious intention. This pro- vision would appear to ren- der regulation 19 unneces- sary.
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