The Police and the Press Act.

AN important point urged by the Bombay Presidency Association in their memorial to His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General of India regarding the Press Act is the objectionable activity of the police in certain cases. Points such as executive arbitrariness, not specifying offending writings, illusory appeals to High Courts have all been forcibly mentioned in the memorial. But the activity of the police is certainly least necessary and could be easily avoided. Whenever new presses are opened or the proprietors or printers change, the matter is referred to the police who make a most inquisitorial enquiry into the position, character, and antecedents of persons concerned. And the police report is generally relied upon by Magistrates. This proceeding is both annoying and detrimental to the interest of business