ENG-1952 — Page 265

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

An application for a stay of execution of the sup- pression order pending appeal was granted on May 17th. On June 28th, the Full Court dismissed appeals against conviction by the proprietor and publisher and by the editor, but on June 30th varied the suppression order against the Ta Kung Pao to the period during which the newspaper had actually been suppressed (i.e. May 5th to May 17th).

The Solicitor General did not oppose the variation of the suppression order. He stated that the Attorney General would enter a "nolle prosequi" in the cases against the Wen Wei Pao and New Evening Post. The Crown, said the Solicitor General, having achieved its objects in showing that it would not tolerate the publication of seditious matter in Hong Kong without taking action, was not vindictive and considered that it was not necessary in the public interest to continue this series of prosecutions. The further prosecutions were stayed.

Hong Kong Newspapers and Periodicals

There were few changes of any importance in the general pattern of newspaper publishing during the

year.

The South China Morning Post Ltd. continues to publish the main English-language newspapers of the Colony, the South China Morning Post (weekday mornings), China Mail (weekday evenings) and the South China Sunday Post-Herald (Sundays). At the year's end the South China Morning Post was busy with preparations for the celebration of its 50th anni- versary in March, 1953.

216