Singapore To Maintain Its Emergency Regulations

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27641, 23 April 1955, Page 7

Singapore To Maintain Its Emergency Regulations

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.)V SINGAPORE, April 22. The first freely-elected government of Singapore announced today that it would maintain the colony’s emergency regulations, which give the police and the military special powers to fight Communist terrorism. I The announcement was made in the speech of the Governor (Sir John Nicoll) at the opening session today of the colony’s first Legislative Assembly. But the Governor said the Moderate Socialist “Labour Front” Government was exhaustively examining the emergency regulations and the banishment ordinance and intended to abolish all special powers no longer needed to maintain law and order.

Sir John Nicoll extended the emergency regulations by proclamation yesterday though he had revoked certain measures which the new Government was satisfied could be dispensed with immediately. The proclamation for a further three months would have to be confirmed by the new Assembly, the Governor added. He announced a programme of social reform by the “Labour Front,” headed by Singapore’s first Chief Minister (Mr David Marshall). “The Government recognises the vital role of trade unionism in raising the standard of living and fostering the prosperity of the country and all possible assistance will be given to strengthening the movement,” he said. “The Government recognises the low level of the standard of living of the large mass of the people of the country and the . threat of upemployment on a wide scale and will seek to encourage a more equitable distribution of the income of the country and the utilisation of its wealth in a wider field.” he said. Reforms Planned Also on the Government’s programme were these reforms:— Vigorous and even drastic measures to build more houses for the poorer classes, even if this means a lowering of standards. Social Security to assist the aged, disabled and unemployed. Expanded medical services, particularly in the countryside. Equal treatment for all schools. The Governor gave a hint of higher taxation to come. He said the financial position of Singapore was sound and favourable trading conditions over the last few years had enabled substantial reserves to be built up. But there were indications that revenue was no longer mcreasing although existing development plans would in.crease expenditure. The Government therefore planned an immediate examination of the revenue potential and planned “to introduce as soon as possible such measures for increasing the revenue as are considered practicable, having regard to the intention of the Government to increase the economic prosperity of Singapore, to encourage enterprise and to expand trade and industry.”