STRICTER STEPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 11

STRICTER STEPS

PALESTINE UNREST COMMANDER OF FORCES WIDER POWERS GIVEN NEW ORDER-IN-COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September :SO, 0.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. \2i) An Order-in-Council relating to martial law in Palestine was published in the London Gazette this evening. The order enables the High Commissioner to delegate power to Major-General J. D. Dill, General Officer Commanding the Forces in Palestine, to make regulations for securing the public safety and the defence of Palestine. The General Officer Commanding will be able to make regulations an such subjects as censorship, arrest, detention, exclusion and deportation; the control of harbours, ports and aerodromes; transportation by land, air or water; trading in and appropriation; control, forfeiture and disposition of property; the infliction of communal fintfs and the forfeiture and destruction of property as punitive measures. These regulations are not to be open to challenge in any court of law. Moreover, the power conferred will include the setting up of military courts for the trial of offences against these regulations, from the decisions of which there shall, if the General Officer Commanding thinks fit, be no appeal. The proclamation of martial law would not, in itself, have conferred greater powers over the civil population than are already possessed, whereas the present order puts the authorities in possession of clearly defined and unchallenged powers.