War Secrets.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 September 1911, Page 4

War Secrets.

SEVERER MEASURES AGAINST SPIES. The text of the new Official Secrets Bill, which drastically amends .... tho Official Secrets Act of 1889/ and introduces fresh and stringent precautions against espionage and attempts on railways, gas works, and electric light works in and before war, was published on Thursday. The first clause provides that any • person who "for any purpose prejudicial to tlie safety or interests of the State" approaches, or is in the neighbourhood of any "prohibited place." makes sketches, plans, models, or notes useful to an enemy, or obtains or communicates suoh information, shall be guilty of felony and be liable to penal servitude for not less than three or more than seven years. Tt is provided in the new Bill, though not in the old Act, that a person can be convicted "if from the cir.cumsta.nces of the case or his conduct or his shown character as proved it appears that his purpose was . . . . prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State/' and that such a purpose shall bo •presumed where a sketch is found to have been made, or information to have been obtained without official sanction. - T,be third clause is of extreme im--portance, as it enables a Secretary of State to extend the term "prohibited place" to any railway, road, . way, or channel .» . . . or any place used for gas, water, or electricity works," or a wide .variety of other places at which an enemy might strike in the event of war.