§ 51. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the provisions of the Public Order Bill drafted by the Government for introduction in the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia; and what are the grounds for its introduction.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe Bill, which is to a large extent modelled on the United Kingdom Public Order Act, 1936, prohibits political uniforms and flags and quasi-military organisations. It makes it an offence to carry lethal weapons at public meetings or processions; to use language intended or likely to cause a breach of the peace; to excite enmity between different sections of the community; and to incite strikes in essential services. In certain circumstances public meetings and processions may be forbidden. The object is to give the Government additional powers for the maintenance of public order.