PRH 7
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1974*
DAILY INEQRMMIQJM,BULLETIN
THE NUMBER OF ADOPTIONS CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR WAS THE HIGHEST FOR A DECADE.
FROM 121 ADOPTIONS IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1964-65, THE FIGURES SOARED TO 213 IN 1968-69 AND TO 364 IN 1973-74, A THREE-FOLD INCREASE.
IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 180 CHILDREN HAD THEIR ADOPTIONS FINALISED. AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT. THE NUMBER OF ADOPTIONS THIS YEAR WILL AGAIN SET A NEU RECORD.
WHILE THE NUMBER OF LOCAL ADOPTIONS JS RISING, THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS ADOPTIONS HAS DROPPED TO ITS LOWEST IN 10 YEARS. FROM 138 IN 1964-65, THE NUMBER FELL TO 47 IN 1968-69 AND TO NINE LAST YEAR. /
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ADOPTION UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED THE UPWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF LOCAL ADOPTIONS AS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN.
THERE ARE 20 CHILDREN AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, BUT THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST EXCEEDS 50.
THE SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE TO THE GREATER ACCEPTABILITY BY THE CHINESE POPULATION OF THE CONCEPT OF ADOPTION. THIS, ON THE OTHER HAND, REDUCED THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AVAILABLE FOR OVERSEAS ADOTP1ON.
OTHER REASONS FOR THE INCREASE INCLUDE:
* GREATER POPULARITY OF THE SERVICE IN LOCAL ADOPTION"
* INCREASE IN DIVORCE AND RE-MARRIAGE LEADS TO THE NEED IN LEGALISING THE STATUS OF THE STEP-CHILDREN IN THE FAMlLY=
» ABROGATION OF CHINESE CUSTOMARY ADOPTION IN 1973 LEAVES NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES THAN ADOPTION BY COURT ORDER-
* ADOPTION - BY COURT ORDER IS CONSIDERED THE ONLY MEANS FOR VERIFICATION OF RELATIONS'! IP/STATUS OF THE ADOPTERS AND THE ADOPTED-
* THE PRESENT NEED OF CHILDREN TO REGISTER IN SCHOOL WITH THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES' REQUIRE? THE ADOPTERS TO LEGALISE THE ADOPTION WHICH WAS FORMERLY NEGLECTED BY MANY- AND
* THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AVAILABLE LOCALLY FOR ADOPTION.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE INCREASE WAS ALSO PARTLY DUE
TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF CERTAIN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR LEGAL PROOF OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADOPTERS AND THE ADOPTED.
/CITING THE
by Government Information Servces, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1974
2
CITING THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AS AN EXAMPLE, SHE SAID AN ADOPTED CHILD COULD HOT BE ADDED INTO THE TENANCY UNLESS A LEGAL PAPER COULD VERIFY THE ADOPTED CHILD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE RECENT REQUIREMENT OF CHILDREN TO OBTAIN THE NEW JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS. THIS CALLS FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE ADOPTERS TO LEGALISE THE ADOPTION BY LOCAL COURT ORDER BEFORE THE CHILDREN CAN CLAIM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.+
WHATEVER THE REASON, THE GROWING NUMBER OF ADOPTIONS HAS CREATED A STAFF PROBLEM FOR THE ADOPTION UNIT.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SEVEN ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS IN THE UNIT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN EXPERIENCED OFFICER. EACH OF THESE OFFICERS WAS HANDLING 70 CASES AT THE END OF AUGUST, DOUBLE THE ESTIMATED WORK LOAD. FOR THIS REASON, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IT NOU TOOK TWICE AS LONG TO COMPLETE A CASE — ABOUT A YEAR INSTEAD OF THE USUAL SIX MONTHS. HOWEVER, IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE PERIOD HAY BE SHORTENED.
THE DUTIES OF THESE OFFICERS, BETTER KNOWN AS ADOPTION WORKERS, ARE TO ASSIST APPLICANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW AND THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED. THEY ALSO VISIT AND INTERVIEW APPLICANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EXECUTION OF AN ADOPTION ORDER IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD.
SOMETIMES, IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES, THE ADOPTION WORKERS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO REMOTE PARTS OF HONG KONG TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND INTER-ACTION BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE NORMAL HOME SETTING®
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHILD TO BE ADOPTED MUST BE IN THE CONTINUOUS CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE APPLICANTS FOR SIX MONTHS BEFORE AN ADOPTION ORDER COULD BE MADE. AFTER THAT, THE CHILD ENJOYS THE SAME LEGAL STATUS AS THE APPLICANT’S NATURAL CHILDREN.
INTENDING APPLICANTS MUST BE LEGALLY MARRIED, AGED 25 OR OVER AND BE IN GOOD HEALTH. RELATIVES OF THE CHILD INTENDING TO ADOPT IT MUST BE OVER 21. HOWEVER, THERE IS KO AGE LIMIT IN RESPECT OF APPLICANTS INTENDING TO ADOPT THEIR OWN CHILD NOT BORN OF THE PRESENT MARRIAGE. A FEE OF $103 IS CHARGED FOR EACH APPLICATION.
SUMMING UP THE WORK OF AN ADOPTION WORKER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +IT IS TEDIOUS SOMETIMES, BUT IT IS MOST INTERESTING AND MEANINGFUL.*
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1974
- 3 -
OVERSEAS TRAINING FOR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ft it ft h n n
FIFTEEN YOUNG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS RECRUITED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR ARE TO SPEND THE NEXT NINE MONTHS AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN BRITAIN UNDERTAKING A COURSE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FURTHER THEIR TRAINING.
THE OFFICERS, WHO ARE ALL IN THEIR TWENTIES, WILL BE LEAVING HONG KONG THIS EVENING (OCTOBER 1).
THE COURSE WILL COVER SUCH SUBJECTS AS GOVERNMENT, ECONOMICS, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. IT WILL INCLUDE VISITS BOTH WITHIN BRITAIN AND ON THE CONTINENT WHICH WILL CONCENTRATE ON DEVELOPING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO A COURSE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO +EQUIP THEM FOR THE IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS WHICH THEY ARE LIKELY TO OCCUPY IN THE FUTURE.*
HE ADDED THAT THE SCHEME WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE ONE THAT HAD BEEN OPERATING FOR MANY YEARS WHEREBY LOCAL OFFICERS FROM MANY GRADES HAVE BEEN SENT ON OVERSEAS COURSES A® ATTACHMENTS TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECT OF THE COURSE AT OXFORD WENT MUCH FURTHER THAN SIMPLY PROVIDING ACADEMIC TRAINING FOR THE YOUNG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS.
*THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BROADEN THE OFFICER’S OUTLOOK AND INTERESTS, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, AND ENABLE HIM TO GAIN A BETTER APPRECIATION OF HONG KONG IN ITS ECONOMIC AND INTERNATIONAL SETTING**
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG ISLAND BECOMES A SMOKE CONTROL AREA ........... 1
WORK BEGINS ON SUPER TUEN MUN HIGHWAY.................... 2
MORE SYMBOLIC TRAFFIC SIGNS INTRODUCED .................. J
HONG KONG STUDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN COMMONWEALTH ART EXHIBITION......................................... 4
WATER SITUATION REPORT .................................. 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON ......................... 5
DAILY QU IDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
e
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTODER 2, 1974.
_ 1 _
HONG KONG ISLAND BECOMES SNORE-FREE ZONE »■ n it n ii- n
HONQ KONQ ISLAND CANE UNDER OFFICIAL AIR POLLUTION REGULATIONS TODAY — THE SEVENTH SMOKE CONTROL AREA TO BE DECLARED DY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE DECLARATION BRINGS THE ISLAND UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE WHICH LIMITS TOE DISCHARGE OF POLLUTIONCAUSING BLACK SMOKE FROM ANY ESTABLISHMENT IN TOE AREA.
.< THE ORDINANCE CARRIES FINES OF UP TO $2,000. TOE DECISION TO MAKE HONG KONG ISLAND CINCLUDING AP LEI CHAUD A. SMOKE CONTROL AREA HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY CONSERVATIONISTS AS A LOGICAL STEP TOWARDS BRINGING ALL HONG KONG UNDER OFFICIAL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL. t
THE ORDINANCE IS ADMINISTERED BY THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER, MR. DAVID NEWBURY, SAID TODAY THE HONQ KONG ISLAND DECLARATION WAS A REFLECTION OF THE STEADY AND PURPOSEFUL PROGRESS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST THREE AND HALF YEARS TO COMBAT AIR POLLUTION.
♦SINCE THE HONG KONG ISLAND DECLARATION HAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TWO MONTHS AGO, OFFICERS OF THE UNIT HAVE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME VISITING VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS THAT WILL COME UNDER THE ORDINANCE,* HE SAID.
+WE HAVE EXPLAINED IN DETAIL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE AND TOE VERY REAL ADVANTAGES OF PROPER FUEL BURNING TO CUT DOWN POLLUTION AND ALSO SAVE MONEY.
♦FROM TODAY, WE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP THESE VISITS SO THAT UE CAN MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE NEW AREA IS FULLY BRIEFED ON WHAT IS REQUIRED.*
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974.
WORK STARTS ON SUPER TUEN MUN HIGHWAY ft ft H- * Jr
WORK BEGAN TODAY ON THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR 9-1/2-MILE TUEN MUN ROAD PROJECT.
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A 1,OOO-YEAR-OLO SHINTO CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICALS AND BY THE JAPANESE FIRM WHICH IS BUILDING THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ROAD.
ADDRESSING THE +COMMENCEMENT OF CONTRACT* CEREMONY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. WILLIAM BELL. SAID INTERFERENCE TO TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION WOULD BE REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM.
THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE, HE EXPLAINED, BECAUSE THE GREATER PART OF THE NEW ROAD WOULD BE LOCATED TO THE LANDWARD . OF, AND GENERALLY AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD. ?
WHEN COMPLETED, THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE A FIRST CLASS ' TRAFFIC ARTERY DESIGNED TO URBAN MOTORWAY STANDARDS LINKING TSUEN WAN AND KOWLOON TO THE SOUTH WITH THE NEU TOWNSHIP OF TUEN MUN AND .THE NORTH-WEST NEU TERRITORIES TO THE NORTH.
MR. BELL NOTED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD REPRESENTED AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION IN HONG KONG.
POINTING OUT THAT THE CONTRACT PRICE OF $222 MILLION WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST SINGLE HIGHWAY CONTRACT EVER LET, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO THIS PROJECT AS PART OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO RELIEVE THE MORE CONGESTED URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
THE ROAD HAD BEEN DESIGNED AS A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH CONSTRUCTION DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES — THE FIRST SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1977.
AS AN INDICATION OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE SCHEME, MR. BELL SAID THE REMOVAL OF SOME 4-1/2 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR SIX MILLION CUBIC YARDS OF EARTH WOULD BE INVOLVED TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF 16 MAJOR BRIDGES AND A CAUSEWAY OF 700 METRES ACROSS THE BAY AT TAI LAI-1 CHUNG.
MR. J1N1CII1 MAKITA, THE C.IA’RMAN OF KUMAGAI GUM I CH.K.J LTD WHICH IS BUILDING THE NEW ROAD A<. Gn ADDRESSED THE GATHERING AND GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HIS FIRM WOuL ^COMPLETE THE H1QHUAY TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG'KONG.
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Z5
5
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974
MORE SYMBOLIC TRAFFIC SIGNS TO QU IDE MOTORISTS ft ft ft ft ft ft
ANOTHER FIVE SYMBOLIC TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE INTRODUCED FAIRLY WIDELY ON THE ROADS AS FROM NEXT WEEK,
ALL OF THEM ARE CIRCULAR IN SHAPE WITH TWO INDICATING WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON VEHICLES ENTERING A ROAD, TWO PROHIBIT ENTRY TO VEHICLES, AND ONE PROHIBITS ENTRY TO BUSES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
' THE TWO WEIGHT RESTRICTION SIGNS BOTH HAVE A RED BORDER, WHITE BACKGROUND AND BLACK LETTERS AND CHARACTERS. ONE IS THE "WEIGHT LIMIT" SIGN WHICH INDICATES THAT VEHICLES WITH A LADEN OR UNLADEN WEIGHT IN EXCESS OF A SPECIFIED WEIGHT ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING. • •
THE OTHER IS THE "AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT" SIGN WHICH HAS A BLACK "AXLE" SYMBOL ON IT. IT INDICATES THAT VEHICLES WITH AN AXLE WEIGHT IN EXCESS OF A SPECIFIED WEIGHT ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING A ROAD.
THE NUMERALS ON THESE SIGNS HAY BE ALTERED TO SV IT DIFFERENT RESTRICTION WEIGHTS, AND THE RESTRICTION CAN BE IN EITHER METRIC OR IMPERIAL WEIGHTS, THAT IS "TONNES" OR "TONS".
THERE ARE TWO VEHICLE PROHIBITION SIGNS: ONE WITH A RED BORDER AND DIAGONAL WITH A BLACK SYMBOL ON A WHITE BACKGROUND APPLIES TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES. THE OTHER, WITH A RED BORDER AND WHITE BACKGROUND, APPLIES TO ALL VEHICLES BUT IS ALWAYS QUALIFIED BY SUPPLEMENTARY PLATES.
THE "BUSES PROHIBITION" SIGN, WHICH DOES NOT APPLY TO FRANCHISED.BUSES, HAS A RED BORDER AND DIAGONAL, A WHITE BACKGROUND AND A BLACK SYMBOL. A SUPPLEMENTARY PLATE MAY BE USED TO QUALIFY THE EXTENT OF THE PROHIBITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS: PHOTOGRAPH- OF THE FIVE SYMBOLIC TRAFFIC SIGNS
ARE AVAILABLE COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS f
ROOM, 6TH FLCCR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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A.....
4 -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974
H.K. STUDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART x IN COMMONWEALTH ART EXHIBITION ft ft rr ft ft $
HONG KONG STUDENTS ARE AGAIN BEING OFFERED A CHANCE TO SHOW OFF THEIR ARTISTIC TALENTS IN THE ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION OF THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE IN LONDON.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND IS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF SEVEN AND 18.
IN LAST YEAR’S EXHIBITION, HONG KONG ENTRIES WON HIGH ACCLAIM FROM THE JUDGES WITH 22 OF THE 35 ENTRIES SUBMITTED SELECTED FOR SPECIAL DISPLAY AND PRIZES — AN HONOUR UNEQUALLED BY OTHER PARTICIPATING COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HONG KONG IN NEXT YEAR’S EXHIBITION WILL FURTHER IMPROVE IN BOTH QUALITY Al© QUANTITY.
THERE IS NO RESTRICTION IN THE THEME OF WORK AND THE MEDIA USED, BUT THE WORK MUST BE TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND UNMOUNTED.
ENTRIES WILL FIRST BE SELECTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND FORWARDED TO THE INSTITUTE WHICH WILL ISSUE A CERTIFICATE TO EVERY ENTRANT WHOSE WORK IS EXHIBITED.
ALL ENTRIES MUST REACH THE ART SECTION, CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 26.
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (UEDNEDAY) STOOD AT 34,316 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 51.0 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 65,408 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 26,407 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 50,030 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORGHAQE REPRESENTS 52.3 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFAL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY CURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,3727 MM (54,04 IN).
THE KEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,003.1 MM (78.86 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 31.5 PER CENT.
IN THE FIRST FIVE DAYS (SEPTEMBER 25 TO 29> SINCE THE WATER RESTRICTIONS WERE INTRODUCED, THE AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION WAS 208 MILLION GALLONS A LAV, COMPARED WITH AM AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION OF 219 filU.KL GALL.' *S A DAY FOR THE WEEK BEFORE THE RESTRICTIONS (SEPTEMBER 18 TO 24). THIS REPRESENTS A SAVING OF ABOUT FIVE PER CENT A DAY.
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. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974.
- 5 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON X X n n ft
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE PIPER’S HILL INTERCHANGE, KOWLOON, AS FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO IMPROVE FuOW IN THE AREA.
NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG TAIPO ROAD PROCEEDING TOWARDS • SHATIN WILL, ON APPROACHING THE INTERCHANGE, BE DIVERTED TO THE LEFT ONTO A FLYOVER. TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS. <
MEANWHILE, A BOX JUNCTION WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE JUNCTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD (NEAR YUE MAU SQUARE) ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 4). .
BOX JUNCTIONS, A NUMBER OF WHICH HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION IN HONG KONG. ARE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE BY THE YELLOW CRISS CROSS MARKINGS ON THE ROAD SURFACE. MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO DRIVE INTO A BOX JUNCTION UNLESS THEY CAN IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THE ENTIRE JUNCTION.
IF THEIR EXIT FROM THE JUNCTION IS BLOCKED THEN THEY MUST WAIT EVEN IF THE GREEN TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS SHOWING.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE A ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
GRADE OF RICE OF SUPPLY AVERAGE
CHINA RICE < fl
I ;
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02 •
S.C. J JEN GOOD 1.86'
PO NGA I GOOD — 1*
CHU CHO GOOD \ •
THAI RICE
1002 WHOLE GOOD 1.84
10-152 BROKENS GOOD 1.74
A1 : SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 : SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD —
/
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/P1CUL-LIVE WEIGHT)
GOOD
320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH CFMO CHEUNQ SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THEAD GOOD 3.50 1.40 2.40
BIG-EYES GOOD 2.70 1.00 2.00
SQUID • NORMAL 4.70 2.40 3-50
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 1.10 0.40 0.80
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED 2.70 0.40 1.80
CROAKERS LIMITED 1.10 0.80 0.90
CONGER-PIKE-EELS GOOD 2.20 1.20 1.50
MELON COAT SCARCE 1.00 1.20 1.60
DREAMS LIMITED ' 5.00 1.00 3.00
YELLOW BELLY NORMAL 1.50 0.50 0.90 •
MACKERELS LIMITED 4.50 1.60 3.20
RED GOAT FISH NORMAL 0.70 0i40 0.50
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1 0.70 0.40 0.50
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED -5.20 3.00 4.00
MELON SEED NORMAL 1.60 0.60 1.10
POMFRETS SCARCE 7.50 5-50 6.50
GRAOUPAS LIMITED 8.70 5.00 7.00
YELLOW CROAKER LIMITED 5.80 2.50 4.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES CV.H.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY) MODE
HIGH LOU
FLOWERING CABBAGE NORMAL 1.40 0.40 0.90
WHITE CABBAGE NORMAL 0.90 0.30 0.60
CHINESE LETTUCE NORMAL 1.00 0.30 0.70
WATER SPINACH LIMITED 0.50 0.10 0.30
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.60 0.50 1.00
STRING BEANS - LIMITED 1.40 0.30 0.90
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.40 0.50 1.50
SPINACH NO SALE
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.00 2.00 3.20
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 1.60 0.40 1.00
CHINESE SPINACH NORMAL 0.80 0.20 0.50
TOMATO SCARCE 3.50 2.00 3.00
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OPENS THE COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG.............................. 1
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................ 2
HONG KONG OFFERS A MOST ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, SAYS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY................................ 3
THE GOVERNMENT CAN GAUGE WITH REASONABLE ACCURACY LOCAL OPINION ON ANY IMPORTANT ISSUE: SECRETARY FOR
HOME AFFAIRS .......................................... 5
HONG KONG MAY OPEN BRANCH OFFICE IN SCOTLAND FOR CHINESE COMMUNITY THERE ............................... 6
RESIDENTS URGED NOT TO TAKE LAW INTO OWN HANDS ........ 7
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN KOWLOON ........................ 7
MORE PARKING SPACE FOR LORRIES IN TAIKOKTSUI ......... 8
NGAU TAU KOK RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO GIVE BLOOD ....... 8
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 6-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974
GOVERNOR OPENS COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION CONFERENCE
PRINCIPLE OF FAIR REPORTING MUST BE UPHELD, SAYS SIR MURRAY
X X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY CALLED ON THE NEWS MEDIA THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH TO PRESENT A FAIR AND BALANCED PICTURE IN THEIR REPORTING OF EVENTS IN HONG KONG.
IN AN OPENING ADDRESS TO THE 12TH QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION, SIR MURRAY SAID: ♦WITHOUT EITHER DIRECT REPRESENTATION IN WESTMINSTER OR AN INFORMED PUBLIC OPINION, THERE IS NO NATURAL CORRECTIVE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO THE IMPRESSION MADE BY UNBALANCED OR INACCURATE REPORTS.♦
FOR THIS REASON, HONG KONG, LIKE OTHER SMALL UNITS OF THE* COMMONWEALTH, DEPENDED HORE THAN OTHERS ON FAIR TREATMENT BY THE MEDIA OF THE COMMONWEALTH. THE GOVERNOR ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT HE WAS SURE HOST REPORTS WERE BALANCED AND KOST FACTS CHECKED.
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION WAS MEETING AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD WAS FACED WITH NEU ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WHICH THE WORLD’S GOVERNMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HAD KOT YET BEEN ABLE TO MASTER, ALTHOUGH HE FELT THAT THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY BE OVERCOME.
♦BUT MEANWHILE, ACTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD THE STEADY EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE ON WHICH THE PROSPERITY OF THE POST-WAR WORLD HAS BEEN BUILT,+ THE GOVERNOR STRESSED.
HE ADDED: ♦! SUGGEST THAT IF EVER THERE WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE PRESS AND THE MEDIA OF THE COMMONWEALTH THIS IS IT, CALLING FOR THE MOST CALM AND DISPASSIONATE REPORTING AND COMMENTARY AND THE MOST VIGOROUS EXPOSURE ALIKE OF COMPLACENCY ON THE ONE HAND AND OF PANIC, EXAGGERATION AND POLITICAL OR COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION ON THE OTHER.♦
HONG KONG, LIKE OTHER DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES, WAS WATCHING THE SITUATION WARILY AND WAS LOOKING TO THE PRESS OF THE COMMONWEALTH +TO SEE THAT WE GET A SQUARE DEAL IN A SITUATION IN WHICH SELFISH SHORT-TERM MEASURES BY A FEW COULD SO EASILY SPELL DISASTER FOR SO MANY.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID: +FOR OUR PART, KOU AS ALWAYS, WE ARE ,CONSCIOUS OF OUR OBLIGATION NOT TO DISRUPT OR DAMAGE THE MARKETS - PROVED* ^D TO CONSIDER RESTRAINT WHEN DAMAGE OR DISRUPTION
ON THE MEDIA IN HONG KONQ, SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY LARGE AND LIVELY ARD WAS AS FREE FROM GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS AS ITS COUNTERPARTS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. itiunuub Ab
THE HONG KONG PRESS, HE SAID, ACCEPTED ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG’S UNUSUAL SITUATION WHERE THE GOVERNMENT WAS FORCED TO GOVERN WITHOUT THE USUAL AIDS OF A LIBERAL CONSTITUTION.
/ REFERRING TO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J, 1972*
- 2 -
REFERRING TO THE FAR-REACHING 10-YEAR PROGRAMMES COVERING HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND TRANSPORT, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL WISH TO SEE THEM THROUGH TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE TARGETS COULD BE ACHIEVED, PROVIDED THAT INDUSTRY WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ITS EXPANSION AND THAT SLACKENING IN THE GROWTH OF WORLD TRADE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TOO FAR, AND THAT HONG KONG EXPORTS WERE NOT STRANGLED BY PROTECTIONISM IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD.
HE WAS AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THAT MANY GOVERNMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS WERE WORKING HARD TO SOLVE IT.
THE GOVERNOR TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT IN CONSIDERING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG AND HOW MUCH MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE, TO BEAR IN MIND THAT EVERYTHING HAD BEEN DONE WITHOUT ANY OF THE MASSIVE AID THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAD RECEIVED AND WITHOUT ANY OF THE RAW MATERIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO OTHER COUNTRIES. +YOU MAY THEREFORE CONCLUDE THAT THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG IS SECOND TO NONE.+
-----0-----
WATER SITUATION REPORT * * * * * *
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (THURSDAY) STOOD AT 34,188 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 50.8 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 65,301 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 26,291 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,973 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 52.1 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
PAST atC2RD£D AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE
™ %s<™o?in"T4l ra,nfau- REC0RDE0 “
e
, ™E MEAN AVERA<5E RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT CENT°’1N5» REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 31.7 PER
/3.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J, 1974
- 3 -
HONG KONQ AN ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT
* X- * * *
HONG KONG OFFERS A MOST ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION FOR THE FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY THINKING OF ESTABLISHING A PLANT IN ASIA, MR. JIMHY MCGREGOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY,- SAID TODAY.
HE TOLD DELEGATES ATTENDING THE OPENING SESSION OF THE ' COMMONWEALTH PRESS UNION CONFERENCE THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRY RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR A CONTINUAL FLOW OF INFORMATION, EXPERTISE AND NEW INDUSTRIAL KNOWLEDGE FROM MORE ADVANCED COUNTRIES.
♦DEPENDING AS WE DO ON MANUFACTURING AND EXPORTING FOR OUR LIVELIHOOD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS TO SET UP PLANTS IN HONG KONG EITHER AS SOLELY OWNED PROJECTS OR AS JOINT VENTURES WITH SUITABLE LOCAL PARTNERS,* HE SAID.
+WE RECOGNISE TOO, THAT INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND THAT INDUSTRIES WHICH HOPE TO SELL IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS MUST KEEP UP WITH RAPID ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY, DESIGN AND MARKETING TECHNIQUES.
+ IN THESE AREAS, HONG KONG DERIVES MUCH BENEFIT FROM THE PRESENCE HERE OF FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES.*
MR. MCGREGOR POINTED OUT THAT THE OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALIST HAS LONG FOUND HONG KONG AN ATTRACTIVE AND GENERALLY PROFITABLE PLACE TO MANUFACTURE OR PROCESS GOODS.
+QU1TE APART FROM OUR INCOMPARABLE LABOUR, LOW TAXATION, FREEDOM FROM GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY AND INTERFERENCE, AND LACK OF DISCRIMINATION, HONG KONG HAPPENS TO HAVE ABOUT THE FINEST HARBOUR IN THE WORLD, A PARTICULARLY GOOD REGIONAL LOCATION, AND THE MOST EFFICIENT PACKAGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INGENUITY AND HARD WORK COULD PUT TOGETHER.*
AT THE PRESENT TIME HONG KONG HAS OVER 240 INDUSTRIAL FACTORIES EITHER FULLY OR PARTLY FOREIGN OWNED, MR. MCQREGOR SAID. THEY EMPLOY OVER 70,000 WORKERS, WHICH IS ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF OUR INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE. THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPORTS LAST YEAR VALUED AT AN ESTIMATED $1,875 MILLION, ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
+THE CAPITAL EMPLOYED BY THESE PLANTS IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $1,500 MILLION AND AMONG THEM ARE SONE OF THE HOST ILLUSTRIOUS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCERS IN THE WORLD,* HE SAID.
MR. MCGREGOR SAID HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL WORKERS HAVE LONG BEEN RECOGNISED AS ABOUT THE BEST IN ASIA - EASILY TRAINABLE, HIGHLY ADAPTABLE, INDUSTRIOUS AND PRODUCTIVE.
/♦THE QUALITY ......
r
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J, 1974
- 4 -
+THE QUALITY OF OUR WORKERS, ALLIED TO AN EXPANDING FACILITY FOR TECHNICAL TRAINING, PROVIDES A TREMENDOUS ATTRACTION FOR INDUSTRIALISTS,* HE ADDED.
+AS A RESULT OF A TRADITIONAL RESPECT BETWEEN ENLIGHTENED MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBLE LABOUR, OUR WORKERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING FOR HANY YEARS WITHOUT THE KIND OF DISRUPTIVE INDUSTRIAL ACTION RESORTED TO IN SO HANY OTHER COUNTRIES.
+HONG KONG LABOUR UNIONS HAVE SHOWN WISDOM AND MODERATION BOTH IN GOOD TIMES AND IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. NEITHER UNIONS NOR WORKERS HAVE SHOWN ANY ENTHUSIASM FOR INAPPROPRIATE ADVICE FROM OVERSEAS LABOUR EXPERTS WHOSE RECORD OF SUCCESS • AS TRADE UNION OFFICIALS HAS SO OFTEN WEAKENED THE ECONOMIES OF THEIR COUNTRIES.*
ON RELATIONS WITH CHINA, MR. MCGREGOR SAID : +WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN RECENT YEARS A CONTINUALLY IMPROVING CONTACT AND CO-OPERATION WITH OUR CHINESE FRIENDS, BUSINESSMEN HAVE OBVIOUSLY TAKEN NOTE OF THIS SITUATION AND HAVE NOT BEEN SLOW TO INTERPRET IT IN THE KOST PRACTICAL WAY, I.E. BY INVESTING IN SOME PRETTY LONG-TERM PROJECTS.
+THAT WE DEPEND UPON CHINA’S CO-OPERATION AND GOODWILL IS INCONTROVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT THIS GOODWILL IS EVIDENT IN OUR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONS. THAT THIS SITUATION WILL CONTINUE AS FAR AHEAD AS THE PRUDENT BUSINESSMAN NEED LOOK IS ALSO, IN MY VIEW, AN INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION.
+1 BELIEVE THAT ANY OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF OUR FUTURE WILL PROVIDE THE CONFIDENCE NEEDED AND VERY LARGE INTERNATIONAL AND MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES HAVE EMBARKED ON LONG-TERM PROJECTS IN HONG KONG.+
MR. MCGREGOR SAID THAT THE PROPOSED REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX WOULD COST AT LEAST $6,000 MILLION. THIS WAS MORE THAN THE FIRST FOUR STAGES OF THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM WHICH WAS ALSO A VERY LONG-TERM PROJECT.
+OUR TWO MOST RECENT MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES INVOLVE A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF MORE THAN $250 MILLION AND WE ARE DEALING WITH OTHERS IN THE SAME CATEGORY,* HE ADDED.
+THE BOARDS OF THESE COMPANIES HAVE OBVIOUSLY REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT THE COMMERCIAL FUTURE OF HONG KONG IS BRIGHT AND I AM BOUND TO SAY THAT I AGREE WITH THEM.*
MR. MCGREGOR SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS WHO WERE READY AND WILLING TO JOIN WITH FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS IN NEW VENTURES AND WE HAD BANK FINANCE TO SUPPORT SOUND PROJECTS.
1 ' "i
+WE HAVE RECENTLY MODIFIED OUR INDUSTRIAL LAND POLICIES
TO PROVIDE FOR DIRECT SALES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR MAJOR PROJECTS,* HE SAID, +AND WE ARE NOW WORKING ON PLANS FOR NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES WHICH WILL BE PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR ENGINEERING AND SUPPORT INDUSTRIES.*
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/5.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974.
- 5 -GOVERNMENT IS ALIVE TO PUBLIC OPINION
X * * * X
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS OFTEN MORE +CONSCIOUS OF AND SENSITIVE TO PUBLIC OPINION THAN SOME ELECTED POLITICIANS SEEM TO BE.+
SPEAKING AT THE 12TH COMMONWEALTH PRESS CONFERENCE, HE SAID THAT +UE HAVE AN ORGANISATION WHICH ENABLES ME TO SPEAK ALMOST DIRECTLY TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO BE RECORDED, ANALYSED AND SUMMARISED.+
MR. BRAY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE THIS SYSTEM, BUT HE FELT CONFIDENT THAT EVEN NOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD GAUGE WITH REASONABLE ACCURACY LOCAL OPINION ON ANY ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE.
' HE EMPHASISED THAT WITH THIS WIDESPREAD SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION THE MATERIAL AND OPINION RECEIVED WAS NOT JUST PIGEON HOLED. +IT IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND INFLUENCES THE OUTCOME.+
WITHIN SECTORS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES FIELD, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOUND IT USEFUL TO PUBLISH DETAILED ANALYSIS AND PROPOSALS DURING THE POLICY FORMATION STAGE IN THE FORM OF GREEN PAPERS. +THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD AND THE DEFINITIVE POLICY STATEMENT REFLECTS THIS DEBATE,+ MR. BRAY SAID.
HE WENT ON: +ONE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR WILLINGNESS TO REACT TO OPINION IS SOMETIMES A RELUCTANCE TO CARRY OUT UNPOPULAR MEASURES. THIS MAY OCCASIONALLY BE A DISADVANTAGE.
+BUT+, HE STRESSED, +ANOTHER MORE VALUABLE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO SUPPRESS DISSENT.+
MR. BRAY, WHOSE SPEECH WAS ENTITLED +GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE+, SAID HONG KONG HAS NO POLITICAL GAOLS, NOBODY IS DETAINED WITHOUT GOING BEFORE THE COURTS, THERE IS NO PRESS CENSORSHIP AND FILM CENSORSHIP IS AIMED AT LIMITING SCENES OF SEX AND VIOLENCE.
+WE COULD NOT TOLERATE SUCH A FREE SOCIETY IF WE FELT IT NECESSARY TO SUPPRESS PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS CONTRARY TO OUR PURPOSES,+ HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR. BRAY SAID THAT THE WORD +COLONY+ HAS COME TO IMPLY THE EXPLOITATION OF A REMOTE TERRITORY +BY AN UNSCRUPULOUS METROPOLITAN POHER.+
HONG KONG IS NOT LIKE Tn IS, HE SAID, +WE SINK OR SWIM BY OUR OWN EFFORTS.+
+THE ADMINISTRATION HER!: IS DOMINATED NOT BY SOME REMOTE AUTHORITY BUT BY THE PRESSURES AND WHIMS, THE PETULANCE, THE ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE, THE VALUES AND COMMONSENSE OF ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEIR HOME HERE.+
- - - 0 --------
/6.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974 - 6 -
HONG KONQ MAY OPEN NEW BRANCH OFFICE IN SCOTLAND TO SERVE CHINESE COMMUNITY THERE
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON IS CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING ANOTHER BRANCH OFFICE, POSSIBLY IN SCOTLAND, TO SERVE THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN BRITAIN.
THIS WAS INDICATED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR. S.T. KIDD, SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 7TH TERM OF OFFICE OF THE CHAMBER OF CHINESE TRADERS IN LONDON YESTERDAY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS REVIEWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIVERPOOL BRANCH OFFICE, WHICH UAS OPENED LAST YEAR, BEFORE EMBARKING ON FURTHER EXPANSION IN BRITAIN.
MR. KIDD COMMENDED THE CHAMBER FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING, THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS BY FOSTERING THEIR MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP, ORGANISING VISITS AND TRADE MISSIONS, AND TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN PROVIDING A SUITABLE CHINESE EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
WHILE THE CHINESE CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE CHAMBER WERE PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL, THEY WERE NOW FACED WITH 1HE PROBLEM OF * FINDING MORE SUITABLE PREMISES IN WHICH TO RUN THE STEADILY . EXPANDING CLASSES, HE SAID.
HE ASSURED THEM THAT THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE WOULD CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT COULD TO HELP FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
THE COMMISSIONER SPOKE OF THE GREAT RESPECT IN WHICH THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY WAS HELD IN BRITAIN FOR ITS INDUSTRY AND RESPECT FOR THE LAW.
BUT HE SAID THERE W£RE ALWAYS BOUND TO BE NEW SITUATIONS WITH .
WHICH THE HONG KONG COMHUNITY WOULD BE FACED IN LIVING IN BRITAIN, AND HE PLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE WOULD MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE CHAMBER AIJD THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE.
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT PARENTS WERE PROVIDING THEIR CHILDREN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO APPRECIATE CHINESE CULTURE, THROUGH THE TUITION PROVIDED BY VARIOUS CHINESE CLASSES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GIVING THEM ENCOURAGEMENT TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION SYSTEM.
THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE HAD BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST PARENTS IN THIS WORK BY PROVIDING TEXTBOOKS FROM HONG KONG WHICH CONVEYED A KNOWLEDGE OF CHINESE AGAINST THE HONG KONG BACKGROUND.
THE REGULAR SUBSIDIES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE ALSO PROVIDED TOWARDS THE RUNNING OF THESE CLASSES WAS ANOTHER FORM OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THIS WORK, SAID MR. KIDD.
REFERRING TO THE CHINESE CLASSES, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHAMBER, HR. CHAN SAU-ON, SAID THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS HAD STEADILY INCREASED IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, AND THE CHAMBER HAD STARTED SOME CLASSES AT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL.
MR. CHAN APPEALED TO MEMBERS TO PUT MORE EFFORT INTO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WELFARE OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN BRITAIN.
0 _ _
/?
THURSDAYt OCTOBER 3, 1974
- 7 -
DON’T TAKE LAW INTO OWN HANDS RESIDENTS URGED
Jt ft h- JJfc *
MR. TONY NEOH, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER OF KOULOON, TODAY URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO COMBINE SPONTANEOUSLY TOGETHER WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF TAKING THE LAW INTO plEIR OUN HANDS.
WHILE RESIDENTS SHOULD HELP IN BRINGING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE, THEIR PART SHOULD STOP WHEN THE CULPRIT IS CAUGHT, HE STRESSED.
MR. NEOH WAS SPEAKING AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE KOULOON EAST TRAINING COURSE ON BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JOINING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND JOINING IM A HOB TO TAKE THE LAW INTO OUR OWN HANDS.
+WE HAVE LAWS TO DEAL WITH CRIMINALS,*- HE SAID. +BY PUNISHING THE CRIMINALS OURSELVES, ON THE SPOT, UE DENY THAT THESE LAWS EXIST. LAWLESSNESS CANNOT BE FOUGHT WITH LAWLESSNESS. IF THE PUBLIC WISHES TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY RULED BY LAW, IT MUST BELIEVE THIS.*-
MR. NEOH PRAISED THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE SCHEME AS A FIGHTCRIME MACHINERY. +IN A GROUP, THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE EFFECTIVE BODIES TO COMBAT CRIME,*- HE SAID.
SINCE MUTAL AID COMMITTEES CAME INTO BEING A YEAR AGO, TREMENDOUS STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE IN IMPROVING SECURITY IN THE BUILDING ENVIRONMENT.
THE SECURITY MEASURES ADOPTED WERE POSITIVE STEPS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE, HE SAID.
------o--------
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING
* * * JI-
MOTOR ISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE SECTION OF DUNDAS STREET BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND KWONG WAH STREET, KOULOON, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO PROVIDE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW AS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 5>.
THE RE-ROUTING IS AIMED AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/8.......
THURSDAY, 0CT03ER 3, 1974 - 8 -
MORE PARKING SPACES FOR LORRIES IN TA|KOKTSUI
* » » J? « »
METERED PARKING SPACES FOR LORRIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE BUSY TA1KOKTSUI AREA IN KOULOON IN ORDER TO RATION THE LIMITED NUMBER OF LORRY PARKINS SPACES IN THE AREA.
STARTING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) 520 TWO-HOUR METERS WILL BE INSTALLED. THE CHARGE WILL BE 50 CENTS FOR TWO HOURS.
INSTALLATION WILL BE SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS, STARTING AT PALM STREET.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID PRIVATE CAR PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR LORRIES WHILE PRIVATE CARS IN TAIKOKTSUI AREA WOULD BE SERVED BY A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AT BUTE STREET WHICH IS DUE TO OPEN SHORTLY.
+DEMANDS FOR LORRY PARKING FACILITIES HAS INCREASED, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING MORE METERED PARKING SPACES FOR LORRIES AT OTHER LOCATIONS IS BEING EXAMINED,+ HE SAID.
------o--------
BLOOD COLLECTION DRIVE IN NGAU TAU KOK
RESIDENTS OF NGAU TAU KOK DISTRICT ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO DONATE BLOOD IN SUPPORT OF THE CORK OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE IN THE DISTRICT AND THE YWCA'S NGAU TAU KOK YOUTH CENTRE HAVE SENT APPEAL LETTERS TO FACTORIES, FIRMS, SCHOOLS, WELFARE AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT FOR DONATIONS.
TOMORROW (FRIDAY) HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AS BLOOD COLLECTION DAY. A TEAM FROM THE RED CROSS WILL BE STATIONED AT THE NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING FROM 4 TO 8 P.M. TO COLLECT BLOOD FROM THOSE RESPONDING TO THE APPEAL.
THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT SUCH A DRIVE HAS BEEN ORGANISED. LAST YEAR 70 DONORS GAVE BLOOD IN THE DRIVE THAT WAS RATED THE HOST SUCCESSFUL IN THAT YEAR.
- 0 -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
* * * K Jt M-
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOULOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE • . \
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. J1EN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA! GOOD *
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE . 100% WHOLE GOOD - 1.82
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.74
A1 : SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 : SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE GOOD X
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORKER
C$/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - $320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND ...
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE fR ICES OF MARINE FISH
CFKO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET) AVAILABILITY OF WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPECIES SUPPLY HIGH LOW KODE
GOLDEN THREAD GOOD 3.50 1.50 2.80
BIG-EYES GOOD 2*80 1.20 2.00
SQUID NORMAL 4.50 0.70 3.00,
HAIR-TAILS LIMITED 1.80 0.40 1.00
LIZARD FISHES UNITED 2.50 0.70 1.60
CROAKERS NORMAL 2.60 0.80 1.60
CONQER-PIKE-EELS GOOD 1.60 0.80 1.10
MELON COAT SCARCE 1.10 0.60 0.80
BREAMS LIMITED 6.00 ' 2.50 4.00
YELLOW BELLY NORMAL ' 1.80 0.60 1.10
MACKERELS LIMITED 4.50 1.80 3.00
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 1.30 0.45 0.80
FORK-TAIL • LIMITED 1.00 0.60 0.70
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 5.50 3.00 4.00
MELON SEED NORMAL 1.80 0.40 1.30
POHFRETS , SCARCE 8.00 5.50 7-00
GAROUPAS LIMITED 8.20 5.80 6.80
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 4.50 3.50 4.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICEC$/CATTY)
VEGETABLE OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE NORMAL 1.60 0.50 1.00
WHITE CABBAGE NORMAL 1.00 0.40- 0.70
CHINESE LETTUCE NORMAL 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH LIMITED 0.50 0.15 0.35
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.80 0.60 1.20
STRING BEANS LIMITED 1.60 0.30 1.00
SPRING ONION LIMITED 3.20 0.60 1.80
SPINACH • NO SALE
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.00 2.00 3.20
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 1.60 0.40 1.00
CHINESE SPINACH NORMAL 0.80 0.20 0.50
TOMATO SCARCE 3.50 2.00 3.00
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PR
□lEl IffllS
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSED COMMODITY EXCHANGE MOVES A STEP FORWARD 1 '
USE OF HOSES FOR WATERING BANNED DURING WATER RESTRICTION PERIOD ...................................... 2 •
WATER PRESSURE IN KWAI CHUNG ESTATE BACK TO NORMAL 3
SAU MAU PING ROAD SAFETY TOWN REOPENS.................. 4
WATER SITUATION : TOTAL STORAGE DOWN TO 34,073 MILLION GALLONS...................................... 4
BETTER LANDING FACILITIES PLANNED FOR WONG CHUK KOK LIGHT BEACON ........................................... 5
SIX OFFICIAL LEGCO MEMBERS REAPPOINTED ................ 5
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, CCTODER 4, 1974
l. - 1 -
ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMODITY EXCHANGE CONSIDERED ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING ACTIVELY TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A COMMODITY EXCHANGE IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY DY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. DEREK JONES, SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP ON COMMODITY EXCHANGES.
HE SAID THAT FOLLOWING A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED IN THE EARLY SUMMER OF THIS YEAR DY THE SIX GROUPS SEEKING TO SET UP A COMMODITY EXCHANGE IN HOL’G KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO BEGIN FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS WITH ONE PARTICULAR CONSORTIUM.
THIS CONSORTIUM COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WHEELOCK MARDEN GROUP, THE CHINA ENGINEERS GROUP, THE WOO HON FAI GROUP AND RUDOLF WOLFF AND CO., AND CO-ORDINATED BY GENERAL MANAGEMENT (H.K.) LTD.
+IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE GUARANTEEING AND CLEARING OF ALL CONTRACTS ON THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A CLEARING HOUSE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG SOLELY FOR THIS PURPOSE,+ MR. JONES SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT COMMIT ITSELF FIRMLY TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXCHANGE UNTIL IT WAS SATISFIED THAT ADEQUATE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN DRAUN UP TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A COMMODITY EXCHANGE BEING USED AS A VEHICLE FOR EXCESSIVE SPECULATION BY THOSE INEXPERIENCED IN TRADING ON COMMODITY MARKETS.
HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT PROVIDED THIS ESSENTIAL CONDITION COULD BE MET, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ACCEPT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMODITY EXCHANGE IN HONG KONG WHICH MET THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS,+ AS THIS COULD ONLY SERVE TO ENHANCE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE REGION, AND THUS TO BENEFIT ITS ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.+
MR. JONES RECALLED THAT LAST SUMMER^ THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENACTED THE COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE AND THIS WAS DESIGNED TO PROHIBIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EXCHANGES DEALING IN COMMODITY FUTURES WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
♦THE PASSING OF THIS ORDINANCE PROVIDED TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDY THE WHOLE QUESTION IN GREATER DETAIL TO ENSURE THAT ANY EXCHANGE PERMITTED TO ESTABLISH ITSELF IN HONG KONG WOULD BE PROPERLY REGULATED AND WOULD OPERATE TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
+THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND HIS STAFF, NOW INTENDS TO UNDERTAKE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH GENERAL MANAGEMENT (H.K.) LTD. PROVIDED THESE ARE SUCCESSFUL, A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED TO AMEND THE COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE COMMODITY EXCHANGE TO DEAL IN CERTAIN SPECIFIED COMMODITIES,* HR. JONES ADDED.
HE WENT ON: +IF THESE NEGOTIATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL AND THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE ASSURED THAT THE EXCHANGE SHOULD BE OF BENEFIT TO HONG KONG, DETAILED PROPOSALS WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE GO VERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.*
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974
- 2 -
USE OF HOSES PROHIBITED *
fc fr ft :
THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TODAY ISSUED A STRONG REMINDER THAT THE USE OF HOSES FOR ANY PURPOSE - INCLUDING THE WATERING OF PLANTS AND GARDENS AND THE WASHING OF CARS-1S STRICTLY ILLEGAL*
THE BAN ALSO APPLIES TO SUCH ACTIVITIES AS THE HOSING DOWN OF VERANDAHS, COURYARD AREAS AND ANY OTHER PARTS OR PRECINCTS OF BUILDINGS.
THE REMINDER CAME AFTER REPORTS WERE RECEIVED THAT SOME PEOPLE HAD BEEN OBSERVED RECENTLY USING HOSES FOR THESE TASKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT ANY SUCH ACTION - WHETHER ARISING FROM IGNORANCE OR FROM SELFISHNESS - SHOULD CEASE.
+ANY WASTAGE OF THIS SORT IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL IN THAT IT MILITATES, BY BAD EXAMPLE, AGAINST THE COMMUNITY’S WATER-SAVING EFFORT, AND COULD PUT AT GRAVE RISK THE CHANCES OF ACHIEVING A 25 PER CENT REDUCTION IN CONSUMPTION THIS WINTER.
+THUS THE BAD EXAMPLE SET BY A FEW COULD EVEN LEAD TO SEVERER RESTRICTIONS BEING IMPOSED ON THE MANY.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE USE OF HOSES IN TIMES OF NORMAL SUPPLY WAS ALLOWED ONLY WITH THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE WATER AUTHORITY AND EVEN THAN ON A CONCESSIONARY BASIS - THAT IS, ON ♦
THE STRICT UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FACILITY WOULD BE REMOVED IN TIMES OF SHORTAGE.
HE ADDED THAT THE WATERING OF PLANTS AND THE WASHING OF CARS WAS STILL POSSIBLE, BUT THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY BUCKET AND ONLY WITH WASTE WATER.
+DOMESTIC WASTE WATER FROM SINKS, BATHS AND BAS1NS+, HE COMMENTED, +1S NOT INJURIOUS TO PLANTS AND FLOWERS.+
-----o------
t
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974 - 3 -WATER PRESSURE IN KWAI CHUNG ESTATE BACK TO NORMAL ft ft ft ft ft
WATER SUPPLY TO THE UPPER FLOORS OF THREE BLOCKS IN KWAI
CHUNG ESTATE HAS RETURNED TO ------ ------
NORMAL FOLLOWING URGENT REPAIRS
BY WATERWORKS ENGINEERS
t
COMPLAINTS OF LOW WATER PRESSURE TO THE UPPER FLOORS OF BLOCK 18 WERE FIRST RECEIVED ON SEPTEMBER 28. SIMILAR REPORTS WERE RECEIVED FROM BLOCKS 12 AND 16 ON OCTOBER 1. ESTATE OFFICE STAFF IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THEM TO THE WATERWORKS OFFICE.
s - V
AFTER DETAILED CHECKING ENG I NEERS.FOUND THAT THE LOW HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WAS DUE TO CHOKED UNDERGROUND MAINS. THESE WERE CLEARED AND NORMAL SUPPLY TO BLOCK 12 WAS RESUMED ON OCTOBER 2, AND TO BLOCKS 16 AND 18 LATE LAST (THURSDAY} NIGHT.
MEANWHILE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE STAFF ARE CARRYING OUT URGENT REPAIRS TO A LEAKING UNDERGROUND MAIN WHICH IS CAUSING LOW WATER PRESSURE TO BLOCK 19 OF CHAI WAN ESTATE.
IN SAM KAR TSUEN LICENSED AREA WATER SUPPLY TO TERRACE III RETURNED TO NORMAL YESTERDAY AFTER REMEDIAL WORK WAS CARRIED OUT TO THE STANDPIPES BY WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF.
THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING INTO WAYS AND KEANS TO BOOST UP THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE IN THE AREA WHICH IS STILL SLIGHTLY BELOW NORMAL.
/4
>
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974
- L-
ROAD SAFETY TOWN REOPENS »*»»»»
THE ROAD SAFETY TOWN IN SAD MAU PING WILL BE RE-OPENED TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION AS FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 7).
DURING THE PAST ACADEMIC YEAR, OVER 21,000 PRIMARY PUPILS FROM 156 SCHOOLS VISITED THE TOWN. . i
THE TOWN, OPENED IN 1970, IS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ALL ASPECTS OF ROAD USAGE AND SAFETY. IT IS JOINTLY PLANNED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. -
y
STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE TOWN AND
ATTEND COURSES OF INSTRUCTION WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED BY POLICE OFFICERS. THERE WILL BE FOUR INSTRUCTION SESSIONS EACH DAY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY. EACH SESSION IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE 45 PUPILS. 1
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 30,000 SQUARE FEET, THE TOWN COMPRISES SIX STREETS INTERSECTING ONE ANOTHER AT RIGHT ANGLES, A ROUNDABOUT, A MAJOR ROAD JUNCTION, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, TRAFFIC SIGNS, PAVEMENTS AND ZEBRA CROSSINGS. FLOWER BEDS AND GROUPS OF TREES REPRESENT BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS.
BICYCLES, TRICYCLES AND PEDAL CARS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO RIDE ROUND THE TOWN SO AS TO GIVE THEM GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCE IN ROAD USAGE AND REGULATIONS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ARRANGE FOR SCHOOLS TO VISIT THE TOWN. HEADS OF SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS WELL IN ADVANCE FOR THEIR PUPILS TO ATTEND THE COURSES.
-----0--------
WATER SITUATION REPORT » M- fr fr * »
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (FRIDAY) STOOD AT 34,073 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 50.6 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 65,172 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 26,192 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,884 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 51.9 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLOWS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,372.7 MM <54.04 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,016.9 MM (79.41 IN). REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 31.9 PER CENT.
-----o------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974
- 5 -
BETTER LANDING FACILITIES PLANNED FOR WONG CHUK KOK LIGHT BEACON ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,300 SQUARE FEET OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED AT THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF LAMHA ISLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SET OF LANDING STEPS FOR THE WONG CHUK KOK LIGHT BEACON.
AT PRESENT THE ONLY LANDING PLACE IS A ROCKY, EXPOSED » COAST WHICH POSES A RISK FOR STAFF PARTICULARLY WHEN CONVEYING HEAVY AND FRAGILE EQUIPMENT USED FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE BEACON.
THE PROPOSED LANDING FACILITIES WILL SPEED UP MAINTENANCE AND WILL BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE HORE POWERFUL LIGHT SOON TO BE PROVIDED FOR THIS IMPORTANT BEACON WHICH IS USED BY THE MAJORITY OF VESSELS ENTERING OR. LEAVING THE HARBOUR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTIFICATION IN TODAY’S GAZETTE WHICH CALLS ON ANYBODY HAVING OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT TO SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM NOU.
- - 0 - -
SIX LEGCO MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED ft ft ft ft ft
SIX OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED AS FROM SEPTEMBER 26, 1974, TO JUNE 30, 1976, BOTH DAYS INCLUSIVE.
THEY ARE THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, DR. THE HON. GERALD CHOA, THE HON. IAN LIQHTBODY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, AND THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES. <
- - 0 _ _
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974.
i
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY CFR1DAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOULOON:
SUPPLIES AMD WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
GRADE OF RICE OF SUPPLY AVERAGE
CH IHA RICE
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.Co JIEN GOOD • 1.85
PO NG Al GOOD — '(■
CHU CHO GOOD \ —
THAI RICE
1002 WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-15K BROKENS GOOD 1.74
A1 : SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 : SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD < 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAQE)
/SUPPLIES AND ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
CFMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
AVAILABILITY OF
SPECIES SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD GOOD 3.80 1.70 * 2.80
BIQ-EYES GOOD 2.70 1.20 2.00j
SQUID NORMAL 4.70 2.30 3.80
hair-tails GOOD 1.70 0.40 0.80
LIZARD FISHES GOOD . 2.50 ' 0.70 1.80
CROAKERS LIMITED 1.80 . 0.35 0.8ff
conger-pIKE-EELS NORMAL 2.00 1.00 1.60
MELON COAT SCARCE 1.70 f 1.40 1.60
BREAMS SCARCE \ 5.00 1.00 3.50
YELLOW BELLY LIMITED 1.40 0.60 0.90
MACKERELS NORMAL 5.00 1.50 2.50
RED GOAT FISH \ SCARCE 1.00 0.50 0.70
FORK-TAIL GOOD 1.50 0.60 1.00
HORSE-HEAD NORMAL 6.00 2.20 4.00
MELON SEED LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1>50
POMFRETS SCARCE 7.80 4.50 6.00
GAROUPAS LIMITED 9-30 6.20 8.00
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 5.80 4.50 5.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF
LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CVMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
1.80 0.60 •
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMI TED 1.20
WHITE CABBAGE NORMAL 1.20 0.40 0.80
CHINESE LETTUCE NORMAL 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH LIMITED 0.50 0.20 0.35
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.80 0.60 1.20
STRING BEANS LIMITED 1.60 0.40 1.00
SPRING ONION LIMITED 3.20 0.80 2.00
SPINACH
WATER CRESS SCARCE 3-80 2.00 3.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 1.60 0.40 1.00
CHINESE SPINACH NORMAL 0.90 0.30 0.60
TOMATO SCARCE 3.20 1.50 2.50
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY , OCTOBER 5, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OVER 50 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST ............... 1
TEMPORARY CENTRE FOR COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES ........ 1
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................. 2J
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS ................. 2
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong:Tel: 5-233191
ATLCDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1974
FIFTY-TWO BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST Ji « Ji Ji Ji Ji
BUILDING PLANS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL CLINICAL BUILDING FOR THE KUOHQ UAH HOSPITAL IN DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON.
THE CLINIC IS AMONG 52 BUILDING PLANS APPROV'D IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, — 10 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KCUL03N, AND 20 I*N THE NEU TERRITORIES. THIS COMPARES WITH 79 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JULY, ARD 1>5 IN AUQUST LAST YEAR.
OTHER PLANS APPROVED IN AUQUST INCLUDE I?.”.TI-STOREY APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Hl URBAN AREAS, TWO FACTORY BUILDINGS OF OVER 20 STOREYS EACH IN KWAI CHUNG, AND A SCHOOL BUILDING ON HILL ROAD.
IN THE SAME MONTH, 45 COMPLETED BUILDINGS HERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION. TEE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF THESE BUILDINGS AMOUNTED TO OVER $100 BILLION.
AMONG THESE WERE TUO SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN STUBBS ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD, AND A BOYS' CENTRE IN CORNWALL STREET RUN BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS CENTRE.
CONSENT WAS ALSO GIVEN FOR 43 NEU BUILDING PROJECTS TO COMMERCE WORK. THESE COMPRISE MULTI-STOREY APARTKENT/COMHERCIAL BUILDINGS IN NORTH POINT, THE MID-LEVELS AIS' SHA TIM, AND INSTALLATIONS AT THE OCEAN PARK IN UONG CRUX HANG INCLUDING PENS, TANKS, BOILER HOUSE AND RESERVOIR.
A TOTAL OF 45 BUILDINGS WERE GIVEN DEMOLITION CONSENT IN AUGUST, INCLUDING 12 DANGEROUS BUILDINGS LOCATED IN TUNG STREET OH HONG KONG ISLAND, FUX UI MG STREET IN KOULCO.'J, AMD WAI YAN STREET IN TAJ PO MARKET.
- - 0 - -
COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji K-
A TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRE FOR PAYMENTS OF WATER CHARGES FOR THE SECOND PERIOD OF THE YEAR UILL BE SET UP AT THE SHATIN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES IN SHATIN FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE CENTRE UILL OPERATE FROM 9 A.fl. TO 1 P.M. ON OCTOBER 14 AND 15.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, OCTODER 5, 1974 - 2 -
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft n ft ft ft
THE TOTAL VATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (SATURDAY) STOOD AT 33,925 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 50.4 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 65,051 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE. 1
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 26,061 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,011 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 51.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL ODSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,372.70 Mil (54.04 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,023.30 MM (79.66 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.2 PER CENT.
-----0------
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS SENT A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, GENERAL NODRE DE CARVALHO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE TAIPA DRIDQE.
SIR MURRAY DESCRIBED THE COMPLETION OF THE BRIDGE AS A NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT WHICH, HE SAID, WOULD GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF MACAU.
THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE READS: +PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES ON THIS VERY HAPPY OCCASION. THE COMPLETION OF THE TAIPA BRIDGE IS A NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT WHICH I AM SURE WILL GREATLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF MACAU.+
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
• f
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NOf
OIL MAN ESTATE FLATS IN GREAT DEMAND.... 1
NEV/ PICNIC SIGNS BEING INTRODUCED IN RECREATION AREAS ............................ /••• 2
\
DIPHTHERIA UNDER CONTROL IN HONG KONG.... 3
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield Hou$e, Hong Kong. Tel: 5.-233191
1
’ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1974
01 MAN ESTATE FLATS IN GREAT DEMAND TUO BLOCKS NOU FULLY OCCUPIED Jr ft J’r Jr ft J$
ALL 1,242 FLATS AT WAI MAN HOUSE AND CHUNG MAN HOUSE IN 01 MAN ESTATE ARE NOU FULLY OCCUPIED.
THESE TUO BLOCKS HOUSE ABOUT 8,300 PEOPLE ALL OF UHOM ARE FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAITING LIST. ANYONE ELIGIBLE CAN APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST. . j
ANOTHER FOUR BLOCKS WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION BETWEEN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR AND JANUARY 1975. THEY WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 1,990 FLATS.
PROSPECTIVE TENANTS FOR THE FOUR BLOCKS HAVE ALL BEEN SCREENED AND LETTERS OF OFFER WILL BE MAILED TO THEM AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
ONE BLOCK OF SEVEN STOREYS WILL CONSIST ENTIRELY OF TWO-BEDROOM FLATS TOTALLING 76 FOR FAMILIES OF TEN OR MORE. IT IS A NEW CONCEPT IN ESTATE DESIGN BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND MANY OVERSEAS VISITORS WHO HAVE SEEN THESE FLATS HAVE BEEN FAVOURABLY IMPRESSED.
EACH FLAT HAS A NET LIVING AREA OF ABOUT 590 SQUARE FEET, EXCLUDING THE KITCHEN, BALCONY AND TOILET. THE RENT IS $550 PER ' MONTH, INCLUSIVE OF RATES AfJD SERVICE FEES.
MR. SIMON LEE, HOUSING MANAGER, NOTED THAT THE ESTATE WAS CENTRALLY LOCATED AND WELL DESIGNED AND SAID THE FLATS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND.
01 MAN ESTATE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY DEVELOPED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, WILL HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 46,000 HOUSED IN 6,236 FLATS OF VARYING SIZES IN 12 DIFFERENT BLOCKS.
THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $147 MILLION AND THE ESTATE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TENANTS WITH ALL THE AMENITIES OF A SMALL TOWN.
ANOTHER FEATURE IN THE ESTATE IS A THREE—STOREY COMMERCIAL CENTRE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TENANTS AND NEARBY RESIDENTS.
THE CENTRE, IDEALLY LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE BUS TERMINAL WITHIN THE ESTATE, WILL HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF SHOPS, TUO BANKS, A DEPARTMENT STORE, TUO RESTAURANTS AND A CAFE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING PART OF THE MARKET FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS, ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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/2.....
SUMDAY» OCTODEH 6, 1974
- 2 - .
NEW PICNIC SIGNS IN RECREATION AREAS a ft ft k ft ft
TWO NEW SYMBOLIC SIGNS ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO INDICATE THE TWO TYPES OF PICNIC SPOTS IN RURAL RECREATION AREAS MANAGED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE SIGNS IDENTIFY ’APPROVED BARBECUE PLACES* WHERE BARBECUES HAY BE HELD ON WE GRILLS PROVIDED, AND 4-PICNIC PLACES’ WITHOUT GRILLS WHERE BARBECUES ARE PROHIBITED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +TOE NEW SIGNS ARE PART OF A PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO FIRE HAZARDS, AND TO THE PROPER USE OF THEIR COUNTRYSIDE.
•
+WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRE DAMAGE TO’ THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. LAST FIRE SEASON THERE UAS A RECORD TOTAL OF OVER 1,000 HILL FIRES, AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT VERY HANY WERE THE RESULT OF PICNICKERS* CARELESSNESS*.
THE NEU +P1CN1C PLACE+ SIGNS DEPICT PICNICKERS ENJOYING THEIR HEALS AT A PICNIC TABLE AND BENCHES, COMPRISE BLACK FIGURES ON A WHITE BACKGROUND. USING THE SAKE COLOUR SCHEME, THE +APPROVED BARBECUE PLACE* SIGNS PICTURE A BARBECUE PIT AND FORKS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEU SIGNS ARE TO BE INCOPORATED INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE HAPS ISSUED BY THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC UORKS DEPARTMENT.
+WITH THE USE OF THE NEW SYMBOLS, PICNICKERS UILL KNOW UHAT SORT OF FACILITIES TO EXPECT WHEN THEY GO ON AN OUTING AND UILL AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT OF BRINGING CHARCOAL AND BARBECUE FORKS TO PICNIC PLACES WHERE BARBECUES ARE NOT PERMITTED*. HE SAID.
BARBECUE PITS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT ALL THE +APPROVED BARBECUE PLACES* TO DISCOURAGE PICNICKERS FROM BUILDING THEIR OWN PITS WHICH OFTEN MAY PROVE TO BE A FIRE HAZARD. SOKE OF THE POPULAR SPOTS ARE LOCATED IN THE SHING KUN COUNTRY PARK, AT DR IDE’S POOL, ABERDEEN RESERVOIRS AND TAI TAM RESERVOIRS, WHERE NEARLY 250 BARBECUE PITS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED SINCE OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE OVER 80 AFD RECREATION AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRYSIDE OF HONG KONG AND THE NEU TERRITORIES AND THEY ARE PROVING INCREASINGLY POPULAR. THE DEPARTMENT IS DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL RECREATION AREAS ON LANTAO ISLAND, AT SHEK KONG. SAI KUNG AND LION ROCK.
NOTE TO EDITORS: PICTURES OF THE NEU SIGNS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G1S PRESS ROOM , FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
- 0 ---------
/5.......
SUIWAY, OCTOBER 6, 1974 - 3 -
DIPHTHERIA UNDER CONTROL IN HONG KONG PARENTS URQED TO HELP KEEP RECORD CLEAN » » ft ft ft ft ft
DIPHTHERIA IS NO LONGER A FRIGHTFUL WORD IN HONG KONG — IN CONTRAST TO YEARS AGO WHEN THE DISEASE WAS PREVALENT BEFORE AND JUST AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR WHEN MORTALITY UAS HIGH AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 10. 1
THIS IS ONE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S ’SILENT' TRIUMPHS IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC HEALTH ABOUT WHICH LITTLE IS KNOWN.
/
ALSO RESPONSIBLE ARE PARENTS WHO SUPPORTED THE DEPARTMENT IN ALL ITS EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN THE NEED FOR IMMUNISATION, AND WHOSE CO-OPERATION REMAINS ESSENTIAL IF THE' RECORD IS TO REMAIN CLEAN. THIS YEAR’S ANTI-DIPHTHERIA CAMPAIGN IS NOW UNDERLAY.
THE GREATEST NUMBER OF DEATHS RECORDED WAS 214 IN 1936. THE MOST SERIOUS EPIDEMIC OCCURRED IN 1959 WITH 2,087 CASES.
THE MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES AFTER THE WAR WAS DUE MAINLY TO THE LARGE INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS WHICH MADE THE ENVIRONMENT MORE SUITABLE FOR THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE. A PREFERENCE FOR CHINESE HERBAL TREATMENT CAUSED DELAY IN ADMISSION TO HOSPITAL, AND CONSEQUENTLY A HIGHER FATALITY RATE THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE OCCURRED.
+FREE IMMUNISATION HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN GOVERNMENT HEALTH CENTRES, CLINICS AND HOSPITALS AS EARLY AS 1946,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY. +ANT1-D1PHTHERIA CAMPAIGNS WERE HELD YEARLY TO PROTECT VULNERABLE AGE GROUPS. THESE CAMPAIGNS WERE INTENSIFIED IN THE LATE 195OS ' AND EARLY SIXTIES.*
FIXED CENTRES AND MOBILE TEAMS WERE SET UP THROUGHOUT HONG KONG TO MAKE ANTI-DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION READILY AVAILABLE.
DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS WERE CARRIED OUT IN CROWDED TENEMENT BLOCKS, HOUSING ESTATES, AND SQUATTER AREAS BY INOCULATORS AND HEALTH VISITORS TO ENSURE THAT INFANTS AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WERE IMMUNISED.
SPECIAL TEAMS OF HEALTH STAFF WERE SENT TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS. TOYS AND SWEETS WERE GIVEN AS INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE WIDER ACCEPTANCE OF INOCULATION AMONG CHILDREN.. TO DATE, MORE THAN 12 MILLION DOSES OF ANTI—DIPHTHERIA VACCINE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN ENERGETIC MEASURES IN THE ISOLATION AND TREATMENT OF CASES, CONTROL AND TRACING OF CONTACTS, AND DETECTION OF CARRIERS.
/HEALTH EDUCATION.......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 197k
- 4 -
HEALTH EDUCATION ALSO FORMED AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE METHOD OF CONTROL. PARENTS HERE TOLD OF THE DANGER OF THE DISEASE, THE ADVANTAGES OF IMMUNISATION, AND THE WISDOM OF SEEKING EARLY PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTIONS INFORMATION WAS SUPPLIED THROUGH THE NEWSPAPERS, RADIO, AND TV, AND THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS DISTRIBUTION OF POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND >FILMS. LECTURES WERE ALSO GIVEN FROM • TIME TO TIME. f
AFTER YEARS OF CONCERTED EFFORT ON 'THIS SCALE, THE INCIDENCE OF DIPHTHERIA DEATHS BEG',AN TO SHOU A STEADY DECLINE.
♦ THE DISEASE HAS NOW VIRTUALLY CEASED TO POSE A THREAT TO HONG KONG,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +AND ONLY ONE CASE WAS REPORTED IN 1973. THERE HAS BEEN NO DEATH SINCE 1972.
+THE SUCCESSFUL MEAR-ERADICATION OF DIPHTHERIA IN HONG KONG DEMONSTRATES THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION OF ANTI-EPIDEMIC MEASURES IN DISEASE PREVENTION AMD CONTROL.
+THE FINANCE AND OTHER NON-QUANTIF1ABLE COSTS INVOLVED DURING THIS PERIOD ARE ENORMOUS. YET, COMPARED WITH THE BENEFITS REAPED IN THE SAVING OF HUNDREDS OF LIVES, REDUCED SUFFERING TO THOUSANDS, AND THE ACTlVAL SAVING IN THE MEDICAL CARE OF WOULD-BE PATIENTS, THE COSTS ARl£ INSIGNIFICANT AND THE EFFORT WORTHWHILE.
+YET DESPITE THE CONTAINMENT OF DIPHTHERIA THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY, OR A RELAXATION OF THE CONTINUOUS CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THIS DISEASE,.^
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO PARENTS FULLY TO UTILISE THE DEPARTMENT’S FACILITIES TO GET THEIR CHILDREN PROTECTED, ESPECIALLY DURING THE ANNUAL ANFTl-DIPHTHERIA CAMPAIGN WHICH IS NOW ON.
-----o-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
f NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY SECRETARY NAMED .................. -1
RECORD NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE IN AUGUST ........ 2
G.C.E. EXAMINATION DATE PUT FORWARD ..................... 2
THE AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF FIRE ON THE INCREASE ........ 3
MORE POWERFUL LIGHT BEACONS BEING INSTALLED TO GUIDE SHIPS......................................................
DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO ATTEND MANILA CONFERENCE ON TYPHOON .................................. 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT .................................. 5
IWO WESTERN BUILDINGS CONDEMNED.......................... 6
FIRST PLAY STREET IN HONG KONG ........................
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Horig Kong.Tel: 5-233191
I
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7. 1974.
- 1 -
NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY SECRETARY NAMED
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A PROFESSIONAL OFFICER HAS BEEN RECRUITED TO FILL THE > POST OF SECRETARY, HOUSING AUTHORITY.
HE IS MR. BASIL J. WRATTEN, 54.
HE WILL FORMALLY REPLACE MR. HAIDER BARMA, THE OUTGOING SECRETARY WHO IS BEING POSTED TO THE ECONOMIC BRANCH AS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY, FROM OCTOBER 14, 1974.
MR. WRATTEN IS A FELLOW OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS AND AN ASSOCIATE OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING MANAGERS.
HE HAS BEEN ENGAGED FOR MOST OF THE TIME IN HIS CAREER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT.
PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTEMENT, MR. WRATTEN WAS THE DIRECTOR OF TOWN DEVELOPMENT IN BASINGSTOKE, WHICH IS THE FASTEST GROWING TOWN IN ENGLAND.
BEFORE THAT HE WAS CITY ESTATES SURVEYOR, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HOUSING ESTATES AND OTHER PROPERTIES OF THE CITY OF OXFORD.
EARLIER IN HIS CAREER HE WAS THE DEPUTY CHIEF ESTATE OFFICER IN STEVENAGE NEW TOWN WHERE HE WAS CONCERNED WITH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR. WRATTEN ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF LAST MONTH HE IS MARRIED WITH A SON AND TWO DAUGHTERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF MR. B.J. WRATTEN ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION LATER THIS EVENING.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974
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RECORD NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE
ft * ft ft ft
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT GAVE IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE TO 1,061,785 TRAVELLERS IN AUGUST — A RECORD FOR ANY SINGLE * MONTH.
THERE VERE 541,926 ARRIVALS AND 519,859 DEPARTURES.
THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS SET IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WHEN 1,060,149 TRAVELLERS WERE RECORDED. v
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT TRAFFIC FOR THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TOTALLED 6,777,686, UP ONLY FOUR PER CENT ON THE FIGURE, 6,492,994, FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ALL THESE FIGURES EXCLUDED TRAVELLERS IN TRANSIT AND PASSENGERS WHO WERE REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND.
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G.C.E. EXAMINATION DATE ADVANCED
ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE ORDINARY LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMINATION ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THE MORNING OF JANUARY 8, 1975 HAS NOW BEEN ADVANCED TO THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 3, 1975*
CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THIS CHANGE WHICH FOLLOWS A TIME-TABLE CHANGE ADVISED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS WILL BE INCORPORATED IN CANDIDATES* ADMISSION FORMS.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974
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FIRE RATE RISING : WARNS FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN ft * ft ft ft ft
THE AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF FIRES HAS GONE UP FROM 14 IN SEPTEMBER TO ALMOST 19 TO DATE THIS MONTH, A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED TODAY.
HE SAID THAT DURING THE FIRST SIX DAYS OF OCTOBER THERE HAD BEEN 115 FIRES, CLOSE TO HALF OF UH ICH HAD OCCURRED LAST WEEKEND. THERE WERE 421 FIRES IN SEPTEMBER.
+THIS RISE IS MOST DISAPPOINTING,* HE STATED, +AT A TIME WHEN UE ARE URGING THE POPULATION TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL BECAUSE OF THE DRY WEATHER.*
HE ADDED: +MOST FIRES ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HUMAN NEGLIGENCE AND THEREFORE AVOIDABLE.*
HE SAID PEOPLE'S HABITS, SUCH AS THROWING LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES AWAY WITHOUT THOUGHT, ALTHOUGH ANTI-SOCIAL, WERE LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE FIRES DURING THE WET SEASON, BUT WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LOW HUMIDITY, EVEN THE SMALLEST SPARK COULD LEAD TO FIRE.
+1F THE ONE HABIT WERE DISCONTINUED,* HE DECLARED, +THERE WOULD BE 40 PER CENT LESS FIRES IN HONG KONG.*
HE APPEALED TO SMOKERS TO MAKE SURE CIGARETTE BUTTS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY OUT BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRE IN HONG KONG WAS ELECTRICAL FAULTS, MANY OF WHICH WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO OVERLOADING OF SOCKETS WITH TOO MANY APPLIANCES OR NEGLECTING TO KEEP APPLIANCES AND WIRING PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
HE APPEALED TO PICNICKERS AND OTHER VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE BARBECUES. +CHOOSE A SENSIBLE AREA TO BUILD A BARBECUE FIRE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +AND MAKE SURE SOMEONE IS WATCHING IT ALL THE TIME. WHEN YOU LEAVE THE AREA, PUT IT OUT WITH WATER AND EARTH, A SHALL EMBER LEFT BURNING COULD EASILY RESULT IN A BIG FIRE.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PEAK DANGER PERIOD LASTS FROM OCTOBER TO APPROXIMATELY CHINESE NEU YEAR, AND WAS DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE LEVEL OF HUMIDITY. +DURING THE PERIOD,* HE SAID, +FIRE IS FROM TWO TO FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN DURING THE NON-PEAK PERIOD.*
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC OF WHAT THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. FRED WATSON, SAID RECENTLY — fH<»T 1974 COULD TURN OUT TO BE ONE OF THE WORST FIRE YEARS ON RECORD — AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS GREATER BECAUSE OF THE WATER SITUATION. +EVERYONE MUST BE FIRE PREVENTION CONSCIOUS,* HE STATED.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974
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MORE POWERFUL LIGHT BEACONS BEING INSTALLED TO GUIDE SHIPS 1$ ft II- ft ft ft
IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT ON A SERIES OF NAVIGATIONAL AIDS STRETCHING ALONG EAST LAMHA ISLAND CHANNEL TO MAKE IT EASIER AND SAFER FOR VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE AREA. >
WHEN COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, THE LIGHT-BEAMS FROM THE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS WILL REACH TWICE AS FAR OUT TO SEA THAN AT PRESENT AND WILL BENEFIT ALL VESSELS, PARTICULARLY CONTAINERSHIPS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL, AND OIL TANKERS DELIVERING OIL TO THE SHELL COMPANY’S STORAGE AT AP LEI CHAU.
MR. JAMES DEAKIN, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S NAVIGATIONAL AIDS SECTION SAID THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT AT SIX LOCATIONS.
THE MAJOR WORK IN THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IS THE INSTALLATION OF AN AUTOMATIC LIGHTHOUSE ON AP LEI CHAU. CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE LIGHTHOUSE HAS ALREADY BEGUN AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THE OTHER FIVE PLACES INVOLVED IN THE SCHEME ARE YUEN KOK, WONG CHU KOK, SHEK KOK TSUI, MAGAZINE ISLAND AND KAU Y1 CHAU. THE RANGE OF THE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS PROVIDED ON THESE LOCATIONS IS TO BE INCREASED, SOME OF THEM FROM FIVE TO 10 MILES, AND OTHERS FROM SEVEN TO 10 MILES, AND FROM 14 TO 20 MILES.
MR. DEAKIN SAID THE NAVIGATIONAL AID ON MAGAZINE ISLAND" WOULD BE MOVED TO A MORE FAVOURABLE POSITION.
+SINCE THE COMPLETION OF THE WAH FU ESTATE, THE INTENSITY OF THE BEAM FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE ISLAND HAS BEEN REDUCED CONSIDERABLY AT NIGHT BY THE GLARE OF THE BACKGROUND LIGHTS FROM DOMESTIC FLATS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR VESSELS PASSING THROUGH THE AREA TO SEE THE BEACON,+ HE EXPLAINED.
THERE ARE NOW 174 NAVIGATIONAL AIDS INSTALLED IN HONG KONG WATERS, INCLUDING WAQLAN LIGHTHOUSE WHICH IS A MAJOR NAVIGATIONAL AID IN HONG KONG. THIS FIGURE COMPARES WITH 143 IN 1971-72, AND 152 IN 1972-73.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7. 1974
5
DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY TO ATTEND MANILA CONFERENCE * * ft ft ft
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, AND DR. CHIN P1NQ-CHUEN, OF THE RESEARCH DIVISION, WILL BE LEAVING FOR MANILA THIS AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE TYPHOON COMMITTEE.
I
MR. BELL IS CURRENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE AND DR. CHIN IS A MEMBER OF THE RESEARCH GROUP ON JOINT TYPHOON STUDIES.
THE MEETING, WHICH WILL START TOMORROW, WILL LAST SEVEN
DAYS. IT IS A JOINT PROJECT OF E.C.A.F.E. (ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE FAR EAST ) AND W.M.O. (WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION).
THE MAIN TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OBSERVATIONAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES, PROGRESS IN TROPICAL CYCLONE AND FLOOD FORECASTING, CO-ORDINATION OF REGIONAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND PROBLEMS ON COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER RELIEF.
BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST CURRENTLY BEING SHOWN IN TYPHOON MODIFICATION BY BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND PHILIPPINES, A SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TYPHOON MODIFICATION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE TYPHOON COMMITTEE SESSS1ON.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL PRESENT A PAPER AND WILL ALSO SHOW A RADAR FILM TAKEN BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES IN THIS AREA.
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WATER SITUATION REPORT
* ft * ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33,677 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 50 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 64,787 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25,839 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,648 MljtLlON GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 51.2 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,372.7 MM (54.04 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,036.1 MM (80.16 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.6 PER CENT.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7» 1974
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TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WESTERN CONDEMNED >
* K ft ft ft ft
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY’DECLARED NOS. 22 AND 24 W1NG LOK STREET, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE INSPECTED SUBSEQUENT TO A REPORT RECEIVED.
IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERE FRACTURES AND WEAKNESSES IN THE PARTY AND EXTERNAL LOAD BEARING BRICK WALLS INDICATING RECENT OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT KITCHEN BLOCK AND MAIN WALLS.
+THE EXTENT OF THE MOVEMENT IS SUCH THAT IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS A RISK OF IMMINENT FAILURE LEADING TO A COLLAPSE,* HE SAID.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.JO A.M. ON OCTOBER 15» 1974 WERE POSTED TODAY.
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THE FIRST PLAY STREET IN HONG KONG ft ft * * * X-
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PILOT PROJECT TO INTRODUCE THE FIRST PLAY STREET FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG WILL START NEXT WEEK.
DETAILS OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR CENTRAL MR. BERNARD MUI, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE G.I J5 MM THEATRE AT J PM ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9.
.S.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
**»»»*
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY CMONDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY> AVERAGE
CHINA RICE • i •
SEE MEW S.C. JIEN PO NGA 1 • CHU CHO GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD 2.02 < 1.86 •
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE 10-15% BROKENS A1 : SUPER EXTRA A1 : SUPER WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD . GOOD 1.82 1.74 1.70 1.45 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD •
2.00
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD MB
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL—LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND ......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH CFMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) MODE
HiqH LOW
qOLDEN THREAD qooD 3.50 2.00 ' 2.80
Biq-EYES qooD 2.70 1.50 < 2.00
SQUID qooD 4.00 1.00 2.20
HAIR-TAILS qooD 1.30 0.30 0.70
LIZARD F ISHES qooD 2.20 0.50 1.30
CROAKERS NORMAL 1.60 0.80 1.10
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 1.80 1.10 1.50
MELON COAT ——
BREAMS SCARCE 4.80 2.60 3.70
YELLOW BELLY LIMITED 1.50 0.80 1.10
MACKERELS LIMITED 4.30 1.40 2.00
RED QOAT FISH SCARCE 0.70 0.40 0.60
FORK-TA IL
HORSE-HEAD MORMAL 5.00 1.50 3.40
MELON SEED LIMITED 1.60 1.00 1.20
POMFRETS SCARCE 7.00 5.20 6.50
qAROUPAS NORMAL 7.50 6.00 7.00
YELLOW CROAKER NORMAL 4.70 3.00 4.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEqETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
HiqH LOW MODE
FLOWERINq CABBAqE LIMITED 2.00 0.70 1.40
WHITE CABBAqE LIMITED 1.40 0.50 1.00
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH LIMITED 0.50 0.15 0.30
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.50
STRINq BEANS SCARCE 2.00 0.50 1.20
SPRINq ONION NORMAL 2.00 0.50‘ 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.00
WATER CRESS SCARCE 3.80 2.20 3.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAqE LIMITED 1.80 0.50 1.00
CHINESE SPINACH LIMITED 0.90 0.30 0.60
TOMATO SCARCE 3.00 1.40 2.20
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM TO HONG KONG...... 1
ELECTRONICS FACTORY'S SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE SETTLED .. .3
WATER CHIEF'S WARNING ON NEED FOR TOTAL EFFORT ....... 4
SECOND STAGE OF WATER RESTRICTIONS BEGINS TOMORROW ... 5
CONSULTATION BETWEEN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS' COUNCILS ..................... 6
MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION FROM GOVERNOR OF MACAU .. 7
RESULTS OF THE TENTH GOVERNMENT LOTTERY ......... 8
COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR VISITS CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY ......................................... 9
WATER SITUATION REPORT ......................... 10
PROPERTY TAX IN TSUEN WAN EXPLAINED............. 11
CHAI WAN ESTATE — A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN..... 12
ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY TO VISIT R.H.K.A.A.F. ANNUAL CAMP ................................... 13
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
I
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM TO HONG KONG ft n «■ ft ft ft
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DEREK JONES, TODAY DESCRIBED THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG AS +S1QNIFICANT AND VALUABLE.+
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL AGENTS, MR. JONES SAID THAT IN 1960 HONG KONG HAD 164,000 TOURISTS WHO SPENT JUST OVER $300 MILLION HERE.
BUT BY 1973, HE SAID, THIS HAD RISEN TO ALMOST 1,300,000 WHO SPENT OVER $2,500 MILLION IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN AVERAGE GROWTH OF MORE THAN 17 PER CENT A YEAR IN BOTH ARRIVALS AND EXPENDITURE.
REFERRING TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, MR. JONES SAID: +ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED IN HOTELS, TRAVEL AGENCIES TOUR GROUPS, TOURIST SHOPS AND SO ON.
+THIS IS UNDER SIX PER CENT OF THE TOTAL HONG KONG LABOUR FORCE OF ABOUT 1~3/4 MILLION. THE NET EARNINGS OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, ON THE OTHER HAND, COME TO ALMOST 6-1/2 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.+
HE SAID: +THIS MEANS THAT THE AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL INCOME PER WORKER IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION OF ALL WORKERS IN THE ECONOMY.'
ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF TOURISM TO THE ECONOMY OVER THE
YEARS, MR. JONES SAID: +FROM THE TIME WHEN TOURISM FIRST TOOK OFF' IN HONG KONG IN THE EARLY 196OS THE GROWTH OF TOURISM AND THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE HAVE RUN ON FAIRLY PARALLEL LINES.-
BETWEEN 1961 AND 1969 THE NET CONTRIBUTION OF VISITOR EXPENDITURE TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FLUCTUATED FROM A LOW 6.4 PER CENT IN 1965 TO EIGHT PER CENT IN 1969.
IN 197O» THE YEAR OF EXPO '70, IT ROSE TO AS MUCH AS 8.4 PER CENT TO DECLINE THEREAFTER TO 6.2 PER CENT IN 1973.
/MR. JONES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
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MR. JONES SA IO: +THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT 1974 HAS SO FAR BEEN A TRAUMATIC YEAR FOR TOIJRISM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
+THE HUGE INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF OIL AND CONTINUING INFLATION IN OTHER DIRECTIONS HAD ALREADY RAISED AIR FARES BY AS MUCH AS 25 PER CENT.
+OTHER COSTS, INCLUDING THOSE OF HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND TOURIST SHOPS HAVE ALSO BEEN INCREASING AT HITHERTO UNPRECEDENTED RATES. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ORDINARY TRAVELLER HAS BEEN FEELING THE PINCH ON HIS INCOME AND HIS MARGIN FOR SPENDING ON LUXURIES, SUCH AS HOLIDAYS ABROAD, HAS BEEN DECLINING.
+WE IN HONG KONG HAVE NOT BEEN ALONE IN FEELING THE RESULTS OF THIS. TOURIST CENTRES IN EUROPE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ACTUAL DECLINE IN THEIR BUSINESS.
+ IN HONG KONG'S CASE THE NUMBER OF. VISITORS HAS CONTINUED TO GROW BUT AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE THAN IN RECENT YEAR.*
MR. JONES WARNED THAT +WE SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE COMPLACENT IN CONTEMPLATING THESE FIGURES AND ASSUME THAT THIS IS ONLY HONG KONG'S SHARE IN EQUAL MISERY FOR EVERYONE.+
£iE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG REMAINED THE LEADING TOURIST CENTRE IN THE REGION, OTHER CENTRES SUCH AS THAILAND, SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN +ARE NOW ADVANCING'MORE RAPIDLY AND ARE BREATHING DOWN OUR NECKS.+
HONG KONG, HE ADDED, COULD NOT RETAIN ITS SUPERIORITY BY JUST OFFERING THE SAME OLD PACKAGE AS BEFORE.
+WE HAVE TO USE OUR RESOURCES AS BEST WE CAN AND RECOGNISE THAT HONG KONG, AT BEST, IS A DENSELY POPULATED TERRITORY,* MR. JONES SAID. +IF HONG KONG IS TO KEEP ITS POSITION, WE MUST BEGIN TO TAILOR THE PACKAGE WE OFFER TO THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES.*
MR. JONES ALSO URGED THAT A WIDER RANGE OF ATTRACTIONS BE MADE AVAILABLE, IF HONG KONG WAS TO INCREASE VISITOR STAY.
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH CLASS OUT OF TOWN RESORTS IN AREAS SUCH AS LANTAU AND SAI KUNG MUST BE PUSHED AHEAD MORE RAPIDLY.
/WHILE EMPHASISING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
- 3 -
WHILE EMPHASISING THAT +THE BALL IS NOU IN THE HANDS OF THE PRIVATE DEVELOPER,* HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT FAVOURED SUCH DEVELOPMENTS, FOR THE LOCAL POPULATION AS WELL AS FOR TOURISTS, AND +WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF LAND AND SERVICES ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.*
CONVENTION BUSINESS WAS ANOTHER LUCRATIVE CATEGORY OF TOURISTS WHICH, HE SAID, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION HAD ITS EYES ON.
♦FACILITIES ARE NOW BEING DEVELOPED IN HONG KONG — SUCH AS THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT AT HOLTS WHARF — WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE GATHERINGS OF UP TO 3,000 PEOPLE.
♦ THEY WILL BE IDEAL FOR ATTRACTING CONVENTION TRAFFIC3 AND WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT THE AVERAGE CONVENTION ATTENDER TENDS TO COME FROM THE SOMEWHAT BETTER-OFF SEGMENT OF SOCIETY.
/
+THESE ARE JUST TWO POSSIBLE LINES OF DEVELOPMENT, NEITHER OF WHICH ARE PROFOUND OR NEW. BUT THEN, VE^Y OFTEN, PROGRESS DOES NOT DEPEND SO MUCH ON NEW IDEAS BUT ON PUTTING THE GOOD IDEAS WE ALREADY HAVE INTO EFFECT.*
HE CONCLUDED THAT IF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY WAS TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE, IT MUST RECOGNISE AND RESPOND TO THE CHANGING DEMANDS IN TOURISM. +WE CANNOT EXPECT THAT THE OLD FORMULAE WILL WORK INDEFINITELY,* HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. DEREK JONES' SPEECH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE GIS PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING-
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SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE SETTLED X X X X X X
THE SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE INVOLVING 110 WORKERS DISMISSED LAST FRIDAY BY MICRO ELECTRONICS LTD. OF KWUN TONG WAS SETTLED TODAY.
THE SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED AT A MEETING BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT AT THE KWUN TONG LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE THIS MORNING. THE MEETING LASTED ONLY AN HOUR.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY SIX WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES AND THREE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MANAGEMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S CONCILIATOR MR. CHOW TUNG-SHAN. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES SEVEN DAYS' WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, PRO-RATA ANNUAL BONUS AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS TIED TO LENGTH OF SERVICE. WORKERS WITH HORE THAN THREE MONTHS' SERVICE WILL GET SEVERANCE PAY.
Payment will be made on Friday coctober 11> afternoon at the FACTORY PREMISES.
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A....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974.
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WATER CHIEF'S WARNING ON NEED FOR TOTAL EFFORT
X- * * * * »
HONQ KONG'S WATER-SAVING CAMPAIGN IS NOT A STRUGGLE THAT CAN BE WON BY "THE FEW", THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, SAID TODAY. A TOTAL EFFORT BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WAS NEEDED, HE SAID.
’ MR. KNIGHT TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON THAT IF ANYONE OPTED OUT OF THE STRUGGLE, THEN HE WOULD BE LIKE "A CURSE" ON THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, SINCE HIS INACTION WOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF TOUGHER RESTRICTIONS BEING NEEDED THAN THE FOUR-HOUR DAILY SUPPLY TO BE INTRODUCED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
HE WARNED THAT PEOPLE WASTING WATER COULD AND WOULD BE * TAKEN TO COURT AND ADDED THAT INDUSTRIALISTS RECEIVING A 24-HOUR SUPPLY EITHER THROUGH DISPENSATION OR BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THEIR PREMISES WOULD BE EXPECTED TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT MEASURES THEY WERE TAKING TO "SAVE LIKE THE REST OF US".
HE NOTED THAT PEOPLE WERE TODAY FAR BETTER INFORMED ABOUT HONG KONG'S WATER SITUATION THAN THEY WERE AT THE TIME OF THE LAST RESTRICTIONS IN 1967. BUT THERE WERE "A FEW ALARMING SIGNS" OF A FAILURE TO RECOGNISE THAT EVERYONE HAD TO "PITCH IN" TO ACHIEVE THE ESSENTIAL 25 PER CENT CUT IN CONSUMPTION.
GIVING EXAMPLES OF "IGNORANT OR SELFISH" ATTITUDES WHICH COULD "MESS UP" THE COMMUNAL EFFORT, MR. KNIGHT SAID: + IF AN " INDUSTRIALIST OR BUSINESSMAN, JUST BECAUSE HIS PREMISES HAPPEN TO FALL WITHIN AN INDUSTRIAL-MANUFACTURING ZONE, TAKES THE ATTITUDE 'I'M ALL RIGHT, JACK - DAMN THE REST OF YOU', AND MAKES NO EFFORT TO REDUCE HIS DEMAND FOR WATER LIKE THE REST OF US, THEN HE'S A CURSE ON THE COMMUNITY IN THAT HE IS INCREASING THE CHANCE THAT SEVERER RESTRICTIONS WILL BE NEEDED.
+IF ANY INDUSTRIALIST CLAIMS EXEMPTION FROM THE RESTRICTIONS WITHOUT DETAILING HOW HE IS SAVING, OR IS PLANNING TO SAVE, HIMSELF, THEN HE IS SIMILARLY OPTING OUT OF THE COMMUNAL ECONOMY CAMPAIGN. THIS IS TRUE WHATEVER HIS LINE OF INDUSTRY IS - WHETHER IN MANUFACTURING, SERVICING OR COMMUNICATIONS.
+IF ANY OWNER OR MANAGER OF A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING FAILS TO TURN OFF THE BUILDING'S STORAGE SUPPLIES AT THE PRESCRIBED HOURS, THEN HE ALSO IS SABOTAGING THE COMMUNAL EFFORT.
+IF ANYONE USES A HOSEPIPE FOR ANY PURPOSE WHATSOEVER, THEN HE IS ALMOST CERTAINLY WASTING MAINS WATER TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE PEOPLE. CANY USE OF A HOSEPIPE IS ILLEGAL, UNLESS AUTHORISED IN WRITING FOR PERIODS OF PLENTIFUL SUPPLY ONLY>.+
AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS ADDRESS MR. KNIGHT POSED THE QUESTION WHETHER HONG KONG WOULD ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF A 25 PER CLNT REDUCTION OVER THE WINTER. THE ANSWER, HE SAID, WAS SIMPLE: +THERE IS NO QUESTION OF WHETHER WE SHALL ACHIEVE IT. WE'VE GOT TO ACHIEVE IT AND WE SHALL.+
/HE ALSO
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, UNLIKE THE FUEL SHORTAGE EARLIER THIS YEAR WHICH WAS ENDED BY THE ARRANGEMENT OF SUPPLIES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, THERE WAS NO CHANCE OF A SIMILAR SUDDEN DRAMATIC ENDING TO THE WATER SHORTAGE - THROUGH END-OF-SEASON RAIN OR THROUGH A NEW DEAL WITH CHINA.
HE SAID THAT SINCE THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED WITH THE KWANGTUNG WATER AUTHORITIES IN LATE 1972 WHICH RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT RECEIVED FROM 15,000 MILLION GALLONS TO 18,500 MILLION GALLONS, HONG KONG HAD BEEN TAKING THE MAX EMUM PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE AGREEMENT. +AND UE HAVE MADE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO THE CHINESE OUR INTEREST IN ANY FURTHER INCREASE THAT CAN BE CONTRIVED.
+BUT LET NOONE DELUDE HIMSELF THAT A NEW TAP CAN BE INSTANTLY TURNED ON TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT SO. I AH SURE WE SHALL GET MORE WATER FROM CHINA. BUT THE ALTERATIONS TO THE DELIVERY SYSTEM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER NEEDED TO GIVE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE CARRIED OUT IN TIME TO AFFECT THIS WINTER’S SUPPLIES.+
______0.______
SECOND STAGE OF WATER RESTRICTIONS BEGINS TOMORROW It K It It * It
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THE SECOND STAGE OF WATER RESTRICTIONS, IN WHICH SUPPLY WILL BE REDUCED TO 10 HOURS A DAY STARTS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). THE HOURS OF SUPPLY WILL BE FROM 6 A.M. TO 11 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M«
THIS SECOND STAGE WILL LAST UNTIL OCTOBER 30, WHEN IT WILL BE REPLACED BY THE FOUR-HOUR DAILY SUPPLY DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THE 25 PER CENT REDUCTION IN CONSUMPTION NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE
NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE
DRY SEASON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, WILL BE SUMMING UP OUR CURRENT WATER SITUATION IN A TALK WHICH HE IS GIVING TO THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON AT THE FURAMA HOTEL TODAY. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THIS LUNCHEON MEETING. WHICH BEGINS AT 12.45 P.M.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
6
CONSULTATION BETWEEN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ COUNCILS
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY TODAY SPOKE ABOUT THE CONSULTATION BETWEEN HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCIL AND THE GRANTS SCHOOLS COUNCIL ON MANY IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
+THE NEW CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS REPRESENTS THE FRUIT OF SUCH EFFORTS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
HE ADDED: +WHEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG ARE IMPLEMENTED, I SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER CO-OPERATION FROM BOTH COUNCILS.*
MR. TOPLEY WAS SPEAKING AT A TEA RECEPTION GIVEN IN HIS HONOUR BY THE SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCIL.
WHEN THE COUNCIL WAS INAUGURATED IN MAY 1971 IT HAD ONLY 50 MEMBER SCHOOLS BUT WITH THE STEADY EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, THE COUNCIL NOW REPRESENTED 75 SUBSIDIZED SCHOOLS.
+AS IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT SIX MORE SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COME INTO BEING NEXT SEPTEMBER, YOU ARE LIKELY TO HAVE SIX NEW MEMBERS IN A YEAR'S TIME,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT CONTACT WITH REPUTABLE PROFESSIONAL BODIES LIKE THE SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCIL WAS OF TREMENDOUS VALUE AND GAVE HIM GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT IN HIS WORK.
+EDUCATION IS A HOT SUBJECT IN HONG KONG AS IN MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD,* MR. TOPLEY SAID. +1N FACT, IT HAS GENERATED SO MUCH LOCAL INTEREST IN RECENT YEARS THAT HARDLY A DAY GOES BY WITHOUT SOME LIVELY COMMENTS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.*
SINCE THE COUNCIL IS MADE UP OF PRINCIPALS WHO HAVE THE INTERESTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS AT HEART, MR. TOPLEY MENTIONED WHAT HE CONSIDERED TO BE TWO IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING SECONDARY EDUCATION.
HE SAID: +THE FIRST GENERAL PRINCIPLE IS THIS: EACH SCHOOL MUST REALISE THAT ITS FIRST DUTY IS TO ITS PUPILS AS INDIVIDUALS. EACH PUPIL MUST BE REGARDED AS A UNIQUE PERSONALITY WITH HIS OWN NEEDS AND ABILITIES. THE SCHOOL MUST SATISFY THE PUPIL'S NEEDS, FIND OUT HIS ABILITIES AND DEVELOP THEM. SUCH AN ATTITUDE IMPLIES PLACING LESS EMPHASIS ON TESTS AND EXAM INATIONS= FURTHER, IT IMPLIES A REDUCTION IN THE QUANTITY OF ORAL TEACHING AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE TEACHER INTO A 'GUIDE, PHILOSOPHER AND A FRIEND. '
/+'flE SECOND........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 197^
J.
+THE SECOND IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS THAT THE SCHOOL MUST REMEMBER THAT EDUCATION IS AN UNENDING PROCESS. SCHOOL LIFE IS MERELY ONE PART OF THE PUPIL'S LIFE AND WHEN HE LEAVES SCHOOL EDUCATION WILL NOT CEASE. THE SCHOOL MUST THEREFORE FIT IN WITH THE BACKGROUND OF THE PUPILS, MUST BEAR IN MIND THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE COMMUNITY, AND MUST SEE TO IT THAT THE PUPILS DO NOT FEEL CUT OFF FROM THE LIFE OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
+BUT BEYOND THIS, EACH PUPIL MUST BE SENT OUT INTO THE WORLD WITH A SET OF ABIDING INTERESTS, DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THE EDUCATION WHICH HAS BEEN BEGUN AT SCHOOL AND GENUINELY INTERESTED IN AND AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND HIM. I DO REALISE OF COURSE THAT PUPILS ARE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND THAT THEY MUST ALSO PLAY A ROLE EVENTUALLY IN THE ECONOMY. BUT I AM SURE 1 DO NOT NEED TO REMIND ANYONE THAT PUPILS ARE NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS.+
HE TOLD THE PRINCIPALS THAT IF THEIR SCHOOLS SUCCEEDED IN FOLLOWING THESE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES THROUGH, THEY WOULD HAVE GONE A LONG WAY TOWARDS IMPROVING THE 'QUALITY OF EDUCATION, AND INCIDENTALLY THE QUALITY OF LIFE, IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO-EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. TOPLEY'S
SPEECH ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES' PRESS BOXES.
MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION FROM GOVERNOR OF MACAU
X X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, GENERAL NOBRE DE CARVALHO, HAS SENT * "ES^E °F APPRECIATION TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, FOR HIS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE TAIPA BRIDGE.
HIS MESSAGE READS: +1 HAD APPRECIATED VERY MUCH YOUR KIND MESSAGE. MANY THANKS FOR THE CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE BRIDGE WHICH INDEED WILL CONTRIBUTE WIDELY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MACAU.+
-------0 --------
/*......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
- 8
‘ LOTTERY RESULTS »»»»*•
THE HOLDER OF TICKET NUMBER 714237 WON THE FIRST PRIZE OF $816,000 IN THE TENTH GOVERNMENT LOTTERY — THE LAST ONE OF THIS YEAR.
THE SECOND PRIZE OF $81,600 WENT TO TICKET NUMBER 367646, WHILE THE THIRD PRIZE OF $8,160 WAS WON BY THE HOLDER OF TICKET NUMBER 437311.
THE PRIZES WERE DRAWN AT THE MAIN CONCOURSE OF THE OCEAN TERMINAL THIS AFTERNOON CTUESDAY3 BY SIX ARTISTES FROM THREE BROADCASTING STATIONS -- MISS WAN FONG LING AND MISS TSUI MEI MUI OF COMMERCIAL RAD 10= MISS K1MMY GOT AND MR. WONG SIU KEUNG OF RADIO HONG KONG= AND HISS MANOR CHAN AND MR. WU FUNG OF R.T.V.
WINNING NUMBERS OF THE 50 SPECIAL PRIZES OF $2,040 EACH ARE AS FOLLOWS :
382852 579885 279785 890407 109258 814684 970785
161312 439263 862130 443616 629421 949923 063074
369015 367726 532039 229977 417501 989632 129344
947274 949944 230558 442955 591193 239349 892377
483107 526388 755354 161165 372073 293254 082319
053828 561661 440017 977672 544712 999333 183098
567572 950377 733262 393762 379921 622174 474161
913349
THERE ARE ALSO 106 CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $2,040 EACH FOR TICKET NUMBERS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING AND FOLLOWING THE WINNING NUMBERS IN THE DRAW.
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/9
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
9
COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR VISITS POUER COMPANY IMPRESSED BY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT » » » » If »
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, HR. IAN PRICE, SAID TODAY HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE INDUSTRY MAKE MORE USE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT EXPERTS TO HELP INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN HONG KONG.
HE REVEALED THAT A RECENT SURVEY BY HIS DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE SHOWED THAT LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS SPENT ONLY ONE PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL WAGES BILL ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
+PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT STAFF HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO SOUND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN RECENT YEARS, • PARTICULARLY IN LARGER COMPANIES, AND IT IS A TREND THAT SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED,+ HE SAID.
MR. PRICE WAS COMMENTING AFTER A VISIT TO THE CHINA LIGHT ANO POUER CO. LTD., WHICH HAS A 30-STRONG PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.
MR. PRICE SAID THE COMPANY’S PERSONNEL SECTION WAS LARGE BY HONG KONG STANDARDS.
+1T IS GOOD TO SEE A GROWING AWARENESS IN RECENT YEARS OF THE NEED FOR A HIGHLY-QUALIFIED AND SKILLED PERSONNEL SECTION.
+EXPERIENCE IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SHOWN THAT PERSONNEL MANAGERS HAVE DEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE SUCCESSFULLY WITH EMPLOYEES, OFTEN WITH THE HELP AND ADVICE OF OUR OWN LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
+HOWEVER, A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED THAT FOR EVERY $1 MILLION INDUSTRY SPENDS ON WAGES FOR LABOUR, ONLY $10,000 IS SPENT ON PERSONNEL MANAGERS AND RELATED STAFF.
+1 BELIEVE THAT TOP MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE MORE AWARE OF THE ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED IN BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES BY HAVING SKILLED PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT STAFF.
MR. PRICE SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIALISED PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SECTION BY THE CHINA LIGHT COMPANY WAS ONE OF SEVERAL FEATURES WHICH HAD IMPRESSED HIM ABOUT THE COMPANY’S ATTITUDE TOW/.RDS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
THE OTHERS WERE:
THE SUCCESSFUL ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUR DIFFERENT JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEES WHICH HAD BEEN OPERATING FOR UP TO SIX YEANS.
/♦ GCiURCUS.......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8t 1971*
- 10 -
ft GENEROUS FRINGE BENEFITS, SUCH AS MEDICAL CLINICS, EDUCATION ALLOWANCES, GRANTS AND LOANS, MATERNITY ALLOWANCES, SUBSIDISED DENTAL TREATMENT AND LONG SERVICE/RETIREMENT BENEFITS.
* PROVISION OF A HANDBOOK TO EVERY NEW EMPLOYEE SETTING OUT TERMS OF CONDITIONS, REDUNDANCY PAY, DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES.
+THE COMPANY HAS ALSO RECOGNISED MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL,+ HE SAID.
+l WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE COMPANY HAS SPENT $7 MILLION ON PLANT EQUIPMENT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS TO PROVIDE BETTER • COMBUSTION CONTROL ON SULPHUR OXIDES AND POLLUTION-PRODUCING SMOKE BEING OMITTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
+ACCORDING TO OUR POLLUTION SAMPLES OVER THE PERIOD, THIS EXPENDITURE HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A QUITE REMARKABLE 92 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION IN THE SMOKE EMITTED BY CHINA L1GHT.+
AS PART OF HIS VISIT, MR. PRICE INSPECTED THE HOK UN POWER STATION.
HE‘WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS INSPECTION TOUR BY THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR RELATIONS), MR. TSUI TIM-FOOK, AND THE DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER, MR. BARRY WALSH.
------0-------
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft n
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M.
STO0D AT 33,523 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49.8 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 64,625 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25,709 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,543 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 50.9 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY, 1.1 MM CO.04 IN) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT TOE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1.373.8 MM C54.09 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,042.5 MM C80.41 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.7 PER CENT.
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/11......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
11
a ' . *
PROPERTY TAX IN TSUEN WAN
GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINS ft ft ft ft ft ft
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN, COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT SOME DEMAND NOTES HAVE BEEN SENT BACK TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT BY PROPERTY OWNERS IN TSUEN WAN AS A PROTEST AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF PROPERTY TAX IN THE AREA, EXPLAINED TODAY THAT PROPERTY TAX WAS NOT AN ADDITIONAL FORM OF RATES AS SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE. IT IS A TAX ON THE INCOME WHICH PROPERTY OWNERS GET FROM LETTING OUT THEIR PROPERTY.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, PROPERTY TAX WAS NOT PAYABLE ON PROPERTIES WHICH.ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED. THEREFORE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, OWNER-OCCUPIERS CAN CLAIM EXEMPTION.
EXEMPTION COULD ALSO BE CLAIMED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, IF THE PREMISES WERE OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY A BUSINESS CONCERN AS PART OF ITS BUSINESS OPERATIONS, ON WHICH PROFITS TAX IS PAID.
AS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE ONLY INCOME IS DERIVED FROM COLLECTING RENTS ON THEIR PROPERTY, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE PEOPLE COULD OPT FOR WHAT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS +PERSONAL ASSESSMENT.+
THIS MEANS THAT ALL HIS INCOME, FROM WHATEVER SOURCE, IS PUT TOGETHER, AND THE USUAL ALLOWANCES WHICH APPLY TO SALARIES TAX ARE DEDUCTED BEFORE TAX IS ASSESSED.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF A MAN AND WIFE, WITH NO DEPENDENT CHILDREN*. WHOSE ANNUAL. INCOME FROM ALL SOURCES, INCLUDING RENTS FROM HIS PROPERTY, DO NOT EXCEED $20,000, THE COUPLE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY TAX AT ALL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF PROPERTY TAX IN TSUEN WAN WOULD ONLY AFFECT LANDLORDS OF PROPERTIES WHO ARE NOT ALREADY PAYING TAX ON THEIR RENTAL INCOME IN THE FORM OF BUSINESS PROFITS TAX.
♦PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE SAME CATEGORY ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON HAVE BEEN PAYING SUCH TAX FOR MANY YEARS, AND IT SEEMS UNFAIR THAT THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN TSUEN WAN AND TSING Y1 SHOULD GET AWAY SCOT FREE.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, WAS TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE MASSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES ARE NOT TO DE SLOWED DOWN FOR LACK OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS.
♦NOW, MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME.+ HE ADDED, +PEOPLE WHO OUGHT TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO GOVERNMENT REVENUE SHOULD NOT WISH TO AVOID THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.*
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RESIDENTS OF TUSEN WAN WHO HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES TO CHECK WHETHER OR NOT THEY QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTION ON THE GROUNDS MENTIONED.
COMMENTING ON THE ACTION OF THOSE 1,800 WHO RETURNED THE FORMS TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WOULD NOT REMOVE THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY TAX AND THAT UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, A SURCHARGE OF WILL BE IMPOSED ON LATE PAYMENT, AND ANOTHER 10% WILL BE IMPOSED AFTER SIX MONTHS.
-----0------
/1’
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
12
CHAI WAN ESTATE -- A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN
* ft * ft J? ft
CHAI WAN ESTATE, ONE OF HONG KONG’S 12 OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IS NOW A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN AFTER A YEAR’S EFFORT BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE ITS LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
DURING THE PAST 14 MONTHS, A PHASED TIDY-UP OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE ESTATE WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 55,000 PEOPLE.
AS A RESULT, ABOUT 400 HAWKERS WHO WERE PLYING THEIR TRADE ALL OVER THE ESTATE PREVIOUSLY HAVE NOW BEEN MOVED INTO SEVEN PROPER HAWKER BAZAARS. A LARGE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS AND UNAUTHORISED SIGNBOARDS WERE ALSO REMOVED DURING THE EXERCISE.
TODAY, THE LAST LOT OF 52 EL1G1BLE'HAWKERS MOVED INTO THE SEVENTH BAZAAR LOCATED BETWEEN BLOCKS 7 AND 9, MARKING THE COMPLETION OF THE TIDY-UP PROGRAMME FOR THE ESTATE.
MR. LO CHI-YUEN, SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER, THANKED THE TENANTS AND HAWKERS OF THE ESTATE FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT WHICH MAD MADE THE PROGRAMME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ON RECORD.
+1 ALSO HAVE TO THANK THE ESTATE TIDINESS TEAM FOR THE SPLENDID WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO THE ESTATE. THEY HAVE OFTEN BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD BY THE HAWKERS AND TENANTS ALIKE, AND I AM SURE THE RESULTS OF THE OPERATION WILL HELP CORRECT THE IMPRESSION OF THE TIDINESS TEAM WHICH IS SO VERY ESSENTIAL TO GOOD ESTATE MANAGEMENT,+ MR. LO SAID.
HE WENT ON: +THE ESTATE IS NOW CLEAN AND TIDY AND I APPEAL TO EVERY TENANT TO UPKEEP 1T.+
MR. LO SAID THAT THE ESTATE WOULD EASILY REVERT TO ITS FORMER STATE OR EVEN WORSE WITHOUT THE TENANTS’ FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION.
HE ADDED: +THERE IS A MINORITY OF SELFISH HAWKERS WHO OFTEN EXTEND THEIR STALLS BEYOND THE PERMITTED SIZE, CAUSING OBSTRUCTIONS TO PEDESTRIANS. THE ESTATE STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION ON THEM UNTIL THE PRACTICE IS WIPED 0UT.+
THE ESTATE IS NOW ADEQUATELY SERVED BY A TOTAL OF ABOUT 400 HAWKERS. +WE HOPE TO KEEP THE SITUATION FROZEN TO ENSURE GOOD BUSINESS FOR EVERY ONE OF THEM,+ MR. LO SAID.
- - 0 - -
15 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
R.H.K.A.A.F. ANNUAL CAMP TO BE VISITED BY ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY * * * * * K X
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR. H.M.A. BRISTOW, WILL VISIT THE 25TH ANNUAL CAMP OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AT DODWELL'S RIDGE, FANLING, ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 10).,
THE RHKAAF HAS NOW BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 25 YEARS AND HAS A RECORD OF WHICH ANY AIR FORCE IN THE WORLD WOULD BE PROUD= AND WHICH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED LARGELY BY AUXILIARY PILOTS. PERHAPS THE MOST REMARKABLE OPERATION IN THE FORCE HISTORY WAS THE RESCUE IN 1965 OF 43 CREWMEN OF THE PANAMANIAN FREIGHTER NAM AN. ONE A.F.C., ONE B.E.M., AND 3 QUEEN'S COMMENDATIONS WERE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESCUE= AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT.
THE RHKAAF HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY BUSY WITH ROUTINE GOVERNMENT TASKS, SUCH AS THE FLYING OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO OUTLYING AREAS. THE AIR-SURVEY CAMERA FITTED IN THE FORCE’S TWO ENGINED ISLANDER AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN USED FOR MAKING THE ESSENTIAL SPECIALIST PLANS FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW TOWNS, AND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS. THE ISLANDER ALSO TRAINS KAI TAK AIRPORT'S RADAR OPERATORS, AND PROVIDES HONG KONG WITH AN IMPROVED +SEARCH AND RESCUE+ CAPACITY AT SEA. ITS THREE ALOUETTE MK IM HELICOPTERS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR +KERCY FLJGHTS+, KNOWN AS +CASEVACS+, FROM REMOTE VILLAGES TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, DAY AND NIGHT.
ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE RHKAAF MEMBERS ARE FULL TIME GOVERNMENT SERVANTS, INCLUDING CLERICAL AND ENGINEERING STAFF, AND THREE PILOTS. THE REMAINDER ARE LOCAL VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING 12 PILOTS AND THREE CADET/P1LOTS. ACTIVE MEMBERS IN THEIR 25TH YEAR OF SERVICE INCLUDE: ACTING SQUADRON LEADER L.M. SOUZA (FROM THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT), AND FLIGHT LIEUTENANT GEORGE LI KAI FUN (FROM THE ROYAL SWEDISH CONSULATE GENERAL).
THE RHKAAF ANNUAL CAMP RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER 19 TO OCTOBER 11, AT DODWELL'S RIDGE, FANLING, UNDER ITS COMMANDING OFFICER WING COMMANDER S.P.J. ELLIS (A LECTURER IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY), ASSISTED BY SQUADRON LEADER D.K. CHEUNG, A.F.C., O.C. FLYING (AN ENGINEER OF HONG KONG AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING CO., LTD.).
-------o----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
* » K ft *
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT
SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE
MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING • ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA UAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE ($/CATTY) OF SUPPLY AVERAGE
CHINA RICE SEE MEW S.C. J JEN PO NGA I CHU CHO GOOD 2.02 f GOOD < 1.86 GOOD GOOD
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE 10-15% BROKENS A1 : SUPER EXTRA A1 : SUPER WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD J 1.82 GOOD 1.74 GOOD 1.70 GOOD 1.45 GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE AUSTRALIAN RICE PAKISTAN RICE TAIWAN RICE GOOD 1.92 GOOD 1.88 GOOD GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
($/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 (AVERAGE)
•v
/SUPPLIES AND
»
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
CFMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPEC IES OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD GOOD 3.00 1.20 2.40
BIG-EYES GOOD 2.80 1.00 1.70
SQUID NORMAL 4.00 1.70 3.00
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 1.00 0.35 0.60
LIZARD FISHES NORMAL • 2.80 0.50 1.70
CROAKERS NORMAL 1.20 0.25 0.60
CONGER-PIKE-EELS NORMAL 2.50 1.60 2.00
MELON COAT LIMITED 1.50 1.00 1.20
BREAMS LIMITED 4.50 2.50 3.80
YELLOW BELLY GOOD 1.50 0/40 0.70
MACKERELS NORMAL 4.70 1.30 2.60 •
RED GOAT FISH NORMAL 0.50 0.35 0.40
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 0.70 0.30 0.45
HORSE-HEAD NORMAL ' 4.50 1.50 3.30
MELON SEED NORMAL 1.80 0.80 1.20
POMFRETS LIMITED 6.30 5.30 5-50
GAROUPAS LIMITED 7.70 6.00 6.80
YELLOW CROAKER —— —— **
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE ($/CATTY) MODE
HIGH LOW
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 1.80 0.60 1.20
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.40 0.50 0.80
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH LIMITED 0.60 0.20 0.40
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.80 0.80 1.40
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.00 0.50 1.40
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.20 0.60 1.50
SP1NACH SCARCE 3-00 1.00 2.00
WATER CRESS SCARCE 3.80 2.20 3.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.50 1.20
CHINESE SPINACH LIMI TED 0.90 0.30 0.60
TOMATO SCARCE 3.00 1.50 2.40
0
PRH *7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMENTS ON WORK-TO-
HONG KONG'S FIRST SIX DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS
OFFICERS APPOINTED
MORE DESALTING PLANTS BEING PLANNED ................... 3
BOOK ON HONG KONG HERBS AND VINES NOW ON SALE .......... 4
FIRST PLAY STREET IN HONG KONG......................... 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................. 6
PRESIDENT BONGO OF GABON HERE ON A BRIEF VISIT ........ 6
SUMMER TIME ENDS ON OCTOBER 20......................... 7
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN CENTRAL ......................... 7
^•LY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD
COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House,.Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974.
- 1 -
SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMENTS OH UORK-TO-RULE ft It ft ft ft
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. ALAN SCOTT, SAID TODAY THAT UE HAD HEARD UITH REGRET THAT THE CLERICAL ASSOCIATION HAD CALLED ON ITS MEMBERS TO +UORK-TO-RULE+.
HE SAID THAT HE HAD RECEIVED HO COMMUNICATION FROM THE ASSOCIATION SINCE HIS LAST MEETING UITH TiJEtl CM SEPTEMBER 25. AND HAD HAD RO REPLY TO HIS LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 27 •
KE COULD ORLY ASSUME THAT THE ACTION REPORTED IN THE PRESS INDICATED THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD TERMINATED DISCUSSIONS.
RR. SCOTT SAID HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE IT CLEAR TO THE ASSOCIATION THAT HE WAS WILLING TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS AT ANY TILE, DOTH WITHIN THE EXISTING CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARD Tl.ROUGH THE JOINT COMMITTEE EE HAD PROPOSED TO □(AMINE THE LQRK DORE DY THE CLERICAL CLASS AMD RELATED MATTERS.
COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT CLERKS WOULD DECLINE TO CARRY OUT SOME ASPECTS OF THEIR DUTIES, HR. SCOTT SAID THAT WELL-ESTABLISHED INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE DEFINED UORK-TO-RULE AS INCLUDING HOT ONLY DUTIES SPECIFICALLY PRESCRIBED IN WRITING, DUT ALSO DUTIES REC.ULARLY ACE) NORMALLY CARRIED OUT DY EMPLOYEES. THIS INCLUDED REASONABLE OVERTIME, SHIFT DUTY ARD WORKING OUTSIDE OFFICES.
EE NOTED THAT THE DUTIES REFERRED TO IN THE REPORTS ARE, IN VARYING DEGREES, PART OF THE USUAL CORK OF THE CLERICAL CLASS. IF STAFF DECLINED TO CARRY OUT OVERTIME IM THE USUAL UAY, IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO APPOINT ADDITIONAL STAFF FROM TEE SUBSTANTIAL WAITING LISTS OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.
REFERRING TO THE ASSOCIATION’S REPRESENTATIONS, HR. SCOTT RECALLED THAT IMPROVEMENTS HAD DEEN HADE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 1973 IN THE PROKOTION PROSPECTS CF CLERICAL OFFICER II (PROVIDING ABOUT ICO ADDITIONAL PROMOTION POSTS?= A DOUBLE INCREMENT IJAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR CLERICAL ASSISTANTS AFTER TWO YEARS’ SATISFACTORY SERVICE = ACTING PAY WAS HOW PROVIDED FCR CLERICAL ASSISTANTS ACTING AS CLERICAL OFFICERS® AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY DY CLERICAL ASSISTANTS TO THE CLERICAL OFFICER QP.AD3 HAS DEEN CONSIDERABLY EASED.
ON THE QUESTION OF FURTHER INCREASES IN SALARIES, HR. SCOTT POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASES ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST, EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1974 HAD RAISED CLERICAL CLASS SALARIES TO
HEU SCALE
CLD SCALE
CLERICAL ASSISTANTS $515 - $1150 $505 - $900
CLERICAL OFFICER II $755 - $1740 $525 - $1405
CLERICAL OFFICER I $1040 - $2410 $1570 - $2070
SENIOR CLERICAL OFFICER $2535 - $3300 $2100 - $2930
/THESE INCREASES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 19?4.
- 2 -
THESE INCREASES OVER THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1973 TO APRIL 1, 1974 REPRESENTED 21.8 PER CENT AT THE MINIMUM OF TOE CLERICAL ASSISTANT TAPERING TO 15.4 PER CENT AT THE MAXIMUM OF TOE SENIOR CLERICAL OFFICER.
THE INCREASES WERE CONSIDERED REASONABLE IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX MOVEMENT, GENERAL MOVEMENTS CF WAGES OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE ARD AVAILABLE EVIDENCE ABOUT COMPARABLE CLERICAL SALARIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE GENERAL INCREASE FOR THE WHOLE OF TOE CIVIL SERVICE WAS ON A TAPERED OASIS WITH THE HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASE GOING TO THOSE AT THE COTTON OF THE SCALE. THIS PRINCIPLE WAS AGREED AFTER CONSULTATION IN THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND WAS DIRECTLY AIDED AT BENEFIT?IHQ THOSE COST AFFECTED DY TOE INCREASED COST OF LIVING, INCLUDING TOE CLERICAL CLASS.
------0-------
SIX DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS APPOINTED
IS ft K- X- X- ft
HONG KONG’S FIRST SIX DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED.
THEY WILL SERVE IN WONG TAI SIN, SHAM SHU I PO, KWUN TONG, YUEN LONG AND IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE FUNCTIONS OF EACH DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER WILL BE TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF ALL SPORTS. FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
AS MEMBERS OF THE NEW RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE, THEIR WORK WILL BE CO-ORDINATED BY MR. M.C. CASWELL, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION).
MR. CASWELL IS ASSISTED BY MISS E.S. HAIR, CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, AND MR. YUNG TAK-KUN, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER (PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET THE SIX DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS WHO WILL SPEAK ABOUT THEIR WORK AT AN INFORMAL TEA RECEPTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE HASS MEDIA IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY). THEY WILL DE INTRODUCED BY MR. CASWELL.
- - 0 - -
—rr
WEDNESDAY, OCTODER 9, 1974.
- 3 -
NEW DESALTING PLANTS BEING PLANNED n k « a » »
PRELIM INARY PLANNING FOR FURTHER DESALTING PLANTS IN
HONG KONG IS ALREADY IN HARD, ACCORDING TO TLE GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER CDESALTINQ), MR. HERGERT UOODTHORPE.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE COST INVOLVED, RE SAID THE FINAL DECISION TO GO AHEAD UOUDLD DE DEFERRED FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
DISCLOSING THIS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HON’S KONG ISLAND ROTARY CLU3, KR. UOODTHORPE NOTED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING DESALTING PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LOX ON PAI IN CASTLE PEAK, NEW ONES UOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.
+A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH INTO DESALTING,* HE POINTED OUT, +HAS DEEN IN PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR A HUNGER OF YEARS, AKO IT IS JUST POSS1CLE THAT DY THE TIKE UE DUILD A SECOND PLANT A NEW TECHNOLOGY GIVING SOMEWHAT REDUCED COSTS MAY HAVE PROVED VIABLE.*
THE GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER SPOKE BRIEFLY ON THE HISTORY OF DESALTING.
REFERRING.TO THE PRESENT PLANT, HE SAID THE FIRST OF ITS SIX SEPARATE SELF-CONTAINED UNITS WILL COKE INTO OPERATION EARLY IN THE NEU YEAR WHILE THE SUCCESSIVE UNITS UILL COKE INTO SERVICE AT APPROXIMATELY THREE-RONTHLY INTERVALS TK-REAFTuR UNTIL hto-1976.
*ON COMPLETION, PER DAY, AID IT WILL
THE OUTPUT WILL DE 40 MILLION GALLONS DY A FAIRLY CONSIDERABLE MARGIN, DE THE
DIGCEST PLANT OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD.,* I
SAID
UITIJ REGARD TO ITS EFFECT ON THE EHVIBOIXSNT, HE STRESSED THAT CONSIDERABLE CARE HAD DEEN TAKEN* FIRSTLY, TO MINIMISE THE VISUAL IMPACT OF THE PLANT DY GOOD DESIGN AID DY A CAREFUL CHOICE OF COLOUR SCHEME FOR THE PLANT HALL° SECONDLY, TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS THE MINIHUM OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION FROM THE
♦
CHIMNEYS AID , LASTLY, TO AVOID HARU DISCHARGE of WARM DR INE.
E POLLUTION FROM THE
IN ORDER TO PREVENT ATMOSPHERIC SAID FUEL UI TH A LOH SULPHUR CONTENT QUANTITY OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMITTED.
POLLUTION, KR. UOODTHORPE
UOULD BE USED TO LOUER THE
/♦MOREOVER
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 197^ - h -
+kbreover the chimney height is cheater than is strictly NECESSARY ACCORD IOC, TO THE DESIGN CALCULATIONS AND THIS WILL ENSURE GOOD DISPERS1OH. Ill ADDITION, CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE DESIGN of THE CHIMNEYS TO ENSURE THAT TREY UILL LOCK EFFICIENTLY WHETHER OKE BOILER IS RUNNING OR ALL SIX.+
ON THE QUESTION OF COST, KE SAID AT CURRENT OIL PRICES THE COST OF DESALTED WATER UAS ESTIMATED TO CE IN THE REGION OF $12 TO $14 PER THOUSAND GALLONS.
+THIS IS BY KO KEANS CHEAP, CUT SINCE THE PROPORTION OF OUR SUPPLY DERIVED FROt) THIS SOURCE UILL DE COMPARATIVELY LOU FOR SONE YEARS TO CONE, THE OVERALL EFFECT ON THE PRICE OF VATER MAY KOT CE AS DRAMATIC AS NIGHT APPEAR LIKELY AT FIRST GLANCE,+ KE ADDED.
-------O---------
BOOK ON HONG KONG HERBS AND VINES NOU ON SALE
X X X a X
SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FL.OUERS IN HONG KONG ARE FEATURED IN A NEU BOOK ENTITLED 'HONG KONG HERBS AND VINES'.
THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF BOOKS PRODUCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE FLORA OF HONG KONG, THE BOOK.HAS OVER A HUNDRED PAGES IN COLOUR OF FLOWERS IN FULL BLOOM.
AS Ui TH THE PREVIOUS TUO BOOKS IN THIS SERIES - 'HONG KONG TREES' AND 'HONG KONG SHRUBS' - THE TOP HALF OF EACH PAGE IS A COLOUR SPREAD WHILE THE LOUER HALF IS DEVOTED TO A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FLOWER SHOWN. NOT ONLY UILL THE CASUAL READER FIND THIS BOOK ATTRACTIVE, HONG KONG'S YOUNG BUDDING BOTANISTS UILL FIND IT EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE, TOO.
SOME OF THE FLOUERS AND VINES SHOWN IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE:-THE AFRICAN VIOLET, BEGONIA, BLACK-EYED SUSAN, CHRYSANTHEMUM, CLIMBING BAUHINIA, DAHLIA, GLOXINIA, HONEYSUCKLE, ^OTUS, MORNING GLORY, NIC,HT-3LOOM1NG CEREUS, THE SPIDER.LILY AND OTHERS.
RETAILING AT HK$14.00, 'HONG KONG HERBS AND VINES'
IS ON SALE NOU AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, AND ALL LEADING BOOKSTORES.
-----0------
/5
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974
5
FIRST PLAY STREET IN HONG KONG ft ft ft ft ft ft
CHILDREN OF SIX TO 14 LIVING IN CENTRAL WILL HAVE A WHOLE STREET TO THEMSELVES IN WHICH THEY CAN PLAY WITHOUT WORRY OF TRAFFIC.
THE STREET IS KAU U FONG IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL DISTRICT. FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 1J) IT WILL BE TURNED INTO A PLAY AREA FOR THEM FROM 3 TO 6 PH ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR THREE MONTHS.
THE PROJECT WAS PLANNED BY MR. BERNARD MUI, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR CENTRAL WHO SAID WITH LIVING CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE IN THE AREA CHILDREN HAVE VERY LITTLE PLACE TO GO TO PLAY. HE ESTIMATED THERE WERE BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR THOUSAND CHILDREN LIVING THERE.
+WE ALREADY HAVE A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL AT WEEKENDS WHICH IS QUITE POPULAR WITH TOE PUBLIC SO WHY NOT HAVE A STREET FOR CHILDREN?*
THE IDEA OF A PLAY STREET, HE POINTED OUT, WAS NOT NEU AS SOME COUNTRIES ALREADY HAD STREETS SET ASIDE AT SPECIFIC HOURS FOR CHILDREN. *BUT IT IS THE FIRST TIME THIS IS BEING TRIED OUT IN HONG KONG**
WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IT WAS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE STREET TO TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS AND OPEN IT AS A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND.
MR. MUI SAID A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY YOUTH AGENCIES WHO WERE APPROACHED TO EXTEND THEIR SERVICES INTO THE AREA PROVIDING RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CHILDREN HAD EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST IN DOING SO. IT WAS HOPED TO INCLUDE PING PONG, CHINESE CHESS AND OTHER GAMES TO HELP THE CHILDREN ENJOY THEMSELVES, HE SAID.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE STREET, THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG HAS DONATED $4,000 FOR A FUN FAIR ON THE FIRST DAY. THIS WILL BE FROM 2 TO 6 PH AND WILL CONSIST OF A LION DANCE, BAND MUSIC AND 15 GAMES BOOTHS RUN BY LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS, SCHOOLS, CLANSMEN'S ASSOCIATIONS, KAIFONGS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
MR. MUI SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT SUCH A PROJECT COULD BE STARTED AND WAS A DEMONSTRATION OF TOE CONCERN OF THOSE INVOLVED FOR PROVIDING MORE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN.
RESPONSE FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS PROVES MORE PEOPLE WERE BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WERE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
HE HOPED SIMILAR PROJECTS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE KAU U FONG PLAY STREET PLAN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN G*I>S. PRESS BOXES THIS EVENING*
- - - - 0 - - - - /6.....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974.
- 6 -X
WATER SITUATION REPORT n n n a »
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 33,405 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49.6 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 64,500 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25,602 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,470 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 50.7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
* H
TRACES OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL • RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,373.8 MM <54.09 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,045.8 MM <80.54 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32*8. PER CENT.
I ------0-------
PRESIDENT BONGO ARRIVES FOR A BRIEF VISIT ******
PRESIDENT BONGO OF GABON AND A PARTY OF 120 ARRIVED BY AIR AT 11.45 AM TODAY <WEDNESDAY) FOR A BRIEF STAY ON HIS WAY HOME AFTER A VISIT TO CHINA.
THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR. ALAN DONALD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL, BRIGADIER R.G- LEWTHUAITE.
PRESIDENT BONGO AND HIS PARTY WILL LEAVE FOR NEW DEHLI ON FRIDAY.
/7
7
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9» 1974
SUMMER TIME ENDS ON OCTOBER 20 & » It ft ft
SUMMER TIME IN HONG KOfJQ WILL OFFICIALLY END AT 3.30 A.M. ON SUNDAY ( OCTOBER 20 ).
RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT BEFORE GOING TO BED ON OCTOBER 19 (SATURDAY), THEY SHOULD ROT FORGET TO PUT THEIR CLOCKS ARD WATCHES BACK ORE HOUR.
THIS YEAR SUMMER TIME UAS INTRODUCED EARLIER AS OKE OF THE MEASURES TO SAVE OH ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IN ANTICIPATION OF REDUCED SUPPLIES OF FUEL OIL, DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE OIL CRISIS. EOUEVER, THE EMERGENCY CSUtKiER TIRE) REGULATIONS 1973 UNDER WHICH EARLY SUMMER TIME UAS INTRODUCED, HAVE SINCE DEEN REVOKED, a::d summer time is again REGULATED by THE INTERPRETATION ARD GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN CENTRAL
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR TWO NIGHTS IN HARCOURT ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS THE ROAD OUTSIDE FURAMA HOTEL.
FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (OCTOBER 12 AND 13), THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER AND THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HARCOURT ROAD BETWEEN THE CITY HALL MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND HMS TAMAR WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
DURING THE CLOSURE PERIOD, EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE REROUTED VIA EDINBURGH PLACE AT THE WESTERN ENTRANCE TO HMS TAMAR AND RE-ENTER HARCOURT ROAD THROUGH A SLIP ROAD.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL GO THROUGH A SLIP ROAD UNDER THE COTTON TREE DRIVE FLYOVER AND RE-ENTER HARCOURT ROAD BY WAY OF A SLIP ROAD OUTSIDE FURAMA HOTEL.
MEANWHILE, STARTING FROM OCTOBER 13, THE WHOLE LENGTH OF KAU U FONG IN CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EVERY SUNDAY BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 6 P.M. AS KAU U FONG WILL BE USED AS A PLAY STREET DURING THESE HOURS.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED NOT TO PARK THEIR CARS IN KAU U FONG AT THE TIMES SPECIFIED.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft It ft » It It
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD —
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-152 brokens GOOD 1.74
A1 : SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 : SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
CS/PICUL—LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH CFKO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPECIES OF SUPPLY HIGH LOU KODE
GOLDEN THREAD GOOD 3.80 1.70 3.20
big-eyes GOOD 2.80 1.00 1.60
SQUID GOOD 4.30 1.00 2.80
HAIR-TAILS GOOD 1.20 0.30 0.60
LIZARD FISHES GOOD 2.90 0.55 1.60
CROAKERS NORMAL 1.40 0.45 0.80
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 2.10 1.40 1.80
MELON COAT SCARCE 2.20 1.80 2.00
BREAMS SCARCE 4.00 2.40 3.20
YELLOW BELLY NORMAL 1.20 0.40 0.65
MACKERELS LIMITED 3.20 1.10 2.80 .
RED GOAT FISH SCARCE 0.80 0.50 0.60
FORK-TAIL SCARCE 0.60 0.40 0.50
HORSE-HEAD NORMAL 5.00 2.40 3.80
MELON SEED LIMITED 1.80 1.20 1.40
POMFRETS SCARCE 6.50 5.00 5.80
GAROUPAS NORMAL 8.00 5.00 7.00
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 5.30 3.20 4.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
VEGETABLE OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.50
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.50 0.50 1.00
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 0.60 0.20 0.40
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.80 0.80 1.40
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.00 0.60 1.40
SPRING ONION LIMI TED 2.00 0.50 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.20
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.00 2.50 3.20
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.00 0.50 1.20
CHINESE SPINACH LIMITED 0.90 0,30 0.60
TOMATO SCARCE 3.00 1.50 2.00
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
I
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE N0,
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUILDING CONTRACT SIGNED ............ 1
MUSIC FOR K.C.R. PASSENGERS.............................. ’ 2
LATEST POSTING DATE FOR CHRISTMAS SURFACE MAIL 2
SIX NEWLY APPOINTED DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS
OFFICERS SPEAK ABOUT THEIR WORK ............ J...J J..... 3
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS RETIRING ......................... 4
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................... 4
CHILDREN’S DAY IN TAI PO ......
ODMMOn?TlFs T° WH0LESALE PR,CES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, [long Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974
HOMES FOR 39.000 ON TSINQ Yl ISLAND INITIAL $91-7 MILLION BUILDING CONTRACT SIGNED ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON TSING YI ISLAND TOOK ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO REALITY TODAY WITH THE SIGNING OF THE $91.7 MILLION PHASE 1 GENERAL CONTRACT.
MR. DONALD P.H. LIAO, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH MESSRS. SHUN SHING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.
THE CONTRACT IS THE BIGGEST SINGLE BUILDING CONTRACT EVER LET EITHER BY GOVERNMENT OR THE AUTHORITY.
IT WILL INVOLVE THE BUILDING OF FOUR 22 TO 24 STOREY TWIN-TOWER BLOCKS AND ONE SLAD CLOCK, PROVIDING 3.100 ILATS ' OF VARYING SIZES, A NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMERCIAL CENTRE ARD THE SITE FORMATION OF ONE 24-CLASSROOM SCHOOL.
■MT IS HOPED THAT THE FIRST TENANTS HAY MOVE IN TOWARDS THE LATTER PART OF 1977,4- A HOUSING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
SITE FORMATION ON THE SECOND PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED 10 START LATER THIS YEAR OR EARLY NEXT YEAR. BUILDING WORK, WHICH WILL IHCLUJE A FURTHER THREE TWIN-TOWER BLOCKS AND SIX SLAD BLOCKS WITH A TOTAL OF 3,472 FLATS AS WELL AS THE MAIM COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND A NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARD SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WILL THEN FOLLOW. 9
ON COMPLETION IN 1980, THE ESTATE WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR 39,000 PEOPLE AT A DENSITY OF 1,070 PERSONS PER ACRE.
THE FLATS WILL BE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S USUAL TYPE -SELF-CONTAINED WITH A PRIVATE BALCONY, KITCHEN, AND TOILET WITH SHOWER. THE SIZES OF THE FLATS VARY FROM THE SINGLE-ROOM TYPE OF 360 SQUARE FEET TO THE TWO-BEDROOM TYPE OF 590 SQUARE FEET, SIMILAR TO THOSE AT 01 MAN ESTATE IN HO HAN TIN.
^RESIDENTS WILL DE LIVING IN A SUPERO ENVIRONMENT WITH PLENTY OF FRESH AIR AND OPEN SPACE, 4- THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +AS THE ESTATE BLOCKS ARE BUILT ON A TERRACED SLOPE, MAW HOMES WILL HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE RANDLER CHANNEL, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG.4-
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE ISLAND THROUGH THE TSING YI BRIDGE AS THE ESTATE WAS GRADUALLY DEVELOPED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ESTATE WILL HAVE ITS OWN SHOPPING CENTRE. THERE WILL ALSO BE FOUR RESTAURANTS, FIVE PRIMARY AND FIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, EACH WITH 24 CLASSROOMS AND THREE KINDERGARTENS, ALL LOCATED WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10,1974
- 2 -
MUSIC FOR K.C.R. PASSENGERS ft ft ft ft ft ft
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S TS1M SHA TSUI TERMINAL WILL SOON BECOME THE FIRST RAILWAY STATION IN THE WORLD TO HAVE A MUSIC SERVICE INTERSPERSED WITH ADVERTISEMENTS.
A CONTRACT HAS BEEN SIGNED WITH BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS CH.K.) LTD. FOR INSERTING ADVERTISING INTERLUDES TOGETHER WITH RAILWAY ANNOUNCEMENTS WHEN MUSIC IS BEING BROADCAST.
K.C.R. GENERAL MANAGER, MR. REG GREGORY SAID: +THE TIMING AND TYPE OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE STRICTLY CONTROLLED. EXPOSURE IS LIMITED TO 10 MINUTES PER HOUR, ARD ON NO OCCASION WOULD IT EXCEED 60 SECONDS.*
THE TYPE OF MUSIC PLAYED IS DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE MOOD OF THE OCCASION. MUSIC OF A FASTER BEAT WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE MORNING AND EVENING WHEN COMMUTERS TRAVELLING BY TRAIN HURRY TO AND FROM WORK, AND A MORE TRANQUIL TYPE WILL BE PLAYED DURING MID MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS.
THE MUSIC VENTURE WAS INITIALLY LAUNCHED IN MAY ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR TWO WEEKS BY K.C.R. IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE REDIFFUSION LTD., WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE MUSICAL TAPES.
PUBLIC REACTION WAS FOUND TO BE FAVOURABLE, AND THE MUSIC ' TRIAL WAS LATER CHANGED TO A PERMANENT OPERATION.
+WE WILL BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM PASSENGERS AND WILL ALSO SEE TO IT THAT THE ADVERTISEMENTS INSERTED ARE NOT OBTRUSIVE, AND THE MUSIC IS ACCEPTABLE,* MR. GREGORY SAID.
IF THE OPERATION PROVES SUCCESSFUL, IT MAY BE EXTENDED TO THE NEU RAILWAY TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM.
------O ------
CHRISTMAS SURFACE MAIL ft ft ft ft ft
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE LATEST POSTING DATE FOR CHRISTMAS SEA-BORNE MAIL TO A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAS BEEN DEFERRED FROM OCTOBER 19 TO OCTOBER 22, 1974,
THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED ARE DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, WEST GERMANY, BRITAIN, ICELAND, IRISH REPUBLIC, NORWAY AND SWEDEN.
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/3......
- 3 -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974
MAXIMUM USE OF ALL SPORTS FACILITIES IN DISTRICTS NEU RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE BEGINS OPERATION ft ft ft ft ft ft
ONE OF THE JOBS OF THE SIX NEWLY APPOINTED DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS IS TO ASSIST IN THE FORMATION AND SERVICING OF DISTRICT SPORTS COUNCILS.
AT AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE MASS MEDIA TODAY, THE SIX OFFICERS SPOKE ABOUT THEIR WORK.
A
MR. MAK KWOK-CHING IS SERVING IN WONG TAI SIN, MR. CHAN WING-FONG IN SHAM SHUI PO, MR. CHIU YIM-SHUN IN KWUN TONG, MR. WONG KIN-FAI IN YUEN LONG, HR. UONG WOON-CHEUNG IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND MR. CHAN YEUNG-WING IN WESTERN.
THEY ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS, DISTRICT OFFICERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS AND THE DISTRICT STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SIX OFFICERS WILL PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THE NEW RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE BY TRAINING, SUPERVISING AND GUIDING NEWLY RECRUITED OFFICERS.
ALL OF THEM HAVE MORE THAN TEN YEARS SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THEIR WORK IS BEING CO-ORDINATED BY MR. M.C. CASWELL, PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION), .WHO IS ASSISTED BY HISS E.S. MAIR, CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, AND MR. DICKEN YUNG TAK-KUN, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER (PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING).
THE FUNCTIONS OF EACH DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER WILL BE TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF ALL SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THEY WILL SUPERVISE, LEAD AND ORGANISE COURSES AND COMPETITIONS COVERING PHYSICAL RECREATION, SPORT AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION IN LEAGUES AND COMPETITIONS AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
THEY WILL ALSO STIMULATE ACTIVITY IN RECREATION AND SPORT BY VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS AND WILL LIAISE WITH THE VARIOUS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS AND SPORTS CLUBS.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME WILL BE PHASED OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
THE COST OF INTRODUCING THE SERVICE IN THE FIRST YEAR IS BEING MET FROM $10 MILLION GIVEN BY AN ANONYMOUS DONOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION IN HONG KONG.
0 -------
A...
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974.
- 4 -
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS RETIRING ft ft ft ft ft
TWO OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE RETIRING SHORTLY, ONE AFTER 25 YEARS SERVICE AND THE OTHER AFTER 11 YEARS SERVICE.
THEY ARE MR. CHEUNG CHIN, ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, WHO HAS BEEN IN THE FIELD SINCE MARCH 1949 AND MR. PAUL CHING WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT SINCE SEPTEMBER 1963. "
TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MISS ANNIE CHAN, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO MR. CHEUNG AND MR. CHING AT THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE IN WELFARE ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG, ABERDEEN, AT 4.30 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE
--------------- presentation.
-----0------
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY < THURSDAY) STOOD AT 33.465 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49.7 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 64,321 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25,648 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,365 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 50.8 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TOTAL OF 14.2 M.M. CO.56 IN.) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,388 M.M. <54.65 IN.).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,049.1 M.M. <89.67 IN.), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.3 PER CENT.
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/5......
5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974
CHILDREN'S DAY IN TAI PO
J$ H JI JI n
TWO HUNDRED CHILDREN AND YOUTHS LIVING IN TAI PO AND LAM TSUEN IN THE NEU TERRITORIES WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ENJOY A HAPPY WEEKEND ON OCTOBER 12, AT THE LIONS CLUB LAN TSUEN YOUTH CENTRE.
ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES INCLUDING GROUP GAMES, SONGS, AND A RAFFLE AS WELL AS REFRESHMENTS HAVE DEEN PREPARED DY THE LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICE UNIT UITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICE C.ROUP OF TAI KUONQ MIDDLE SCHOOL AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS IN THE DISTRICT.
APART FROM PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE VOLUNTEERS UITH A CHANCE TO HELP OUT IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
CONDUCTING THIS TYPE OF SERVICE TO VILLAGE CHILDREN IS JUST ONE ASPECT OF THE UNIT'S WORK AS IT ALSO OPERATES THREE MOBILE LIBRARIES WHICH TOUR THE NEW TERRITORIES EACH WEEK. THE UNIT IS OPERATED DY THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
1
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOULOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE •
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C.JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA! GOOD
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE
100S WHOLE GOOD 1.82
1O-15S CROKENS GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.88
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK ($/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 (AVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1Ot 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF NARINE FISH
(FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPECIES OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW KODE
——————
GOLDEN THREAD GOOD 4.00 1.20 J.20
BIG-EYES GOOD J.20 ObOO 1.80
SQUID GOOD 3.70 1.40 2.60
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 1.60 0.50 0.90
LIZARD FISHES GOOD 2.45 0.60 1.50
CROAKERS NORMAL 2.50 0.50 1.20
CONGER-PIKE-EELS NORMAL 2.20 0.80 1.60
MELON COAT SCARCE 2.20 1.50 1.80-
BREAMS SCARCE 5.00 1.70 3.20
YELLOW BELLY LIMITED 1.00 0.40 0.60
MACKERELS LIMITED 5.50 1.80 3.00
RED GOAT FISH SCARCE 1.65 0.60 1.00
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1.20 0.40 0.80
HORSE-HEAD NORMAL 5-50 1.70 3»5O
MELON SEED LIMITED 2.00 0.70 1.50
POMFRETS LIMITED 7.00 5.00 6.00
GAROUPAS NORMAL 8.50 6.00 7=50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 6.50 2.20 4<>60
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.H.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE HIGH PR ICE LOW (S/CATTY) MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 1.80 0.80 1.40
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.50 0.50 1.00
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 0.70 0.30 0.50
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.80 0.80 1.40
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.00 0.60 1.40
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.00 0.50 1.50
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.00
WATER CRESS ' SCARCE 4.00 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.00 0.50 1.20
CHINESE SPINACH LIMITED 1.00 0.40 0.70
TOMATO SCARCE 3.00 1.50 2.20
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE KO.
f U ♦ PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY SYSTEM TO BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN.............................................. 1
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................... 2
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF A KITCHEN FIRE .. 3
ACCESS ROAD AND BUS TERMINUS FOR THE OCEANARIUM ... 4
CANOE RACE AT REPULSE BAY ................................ 4
GRANTS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO OVER 100 ORGANISATIONS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION ............ 5
TEMPORARY CENTRE FOR COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES .. 5
LARGE PARK FOR WAH FU AND ABERDEEN RESIDENTS ............. 6
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLSALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES.
X • . .
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
1
PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY SYSTEM TO BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN
It K » It It )t
A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, FEATURING A PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY SYSTEM, IS TO BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND TO PREVENT THE CONGESTION SITUATION FROM DETERIORATING.
THE SCHEME WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 16).
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY EXPLAINED THAT IN SHAU KEI WAN, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE HAIN ROADS WERE UNSATISFACTORY BECAUSE THE RELATIVELY NARROW CARRIAGEWAY COULD HARDLY COPE WITH THE HEAVY VOLUME OF TRAFFIC.
THE SCHEME, HE SAID, AIMED AT EASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY PROHIBITING KERBSIDE STOPPING ACT IVITIES “DUR ING PEAK HOURS.
THE URBAN CLEARWAY SYSTEM, TO BE IMPOSED ON TWO MAJOR ROADS, WILL PROHIBIT ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND TRAMS, FROM STOPPING TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AND TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.H. EACH DAY.
FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC, THE CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE ENFORCED ALONG THE SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN TAI ON STREET AND FACTORY STREET, AND THE SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND KAM WAH STREET.
FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC, THEY WILL APPLY TO THE SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN THE SHAU KEI WAN POLICE STATION AND. FACTORY STREET, AND THE SECTION OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND KAM WAH STREET.
UNDER THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT DE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN TAI CHEONG STREET AND TAI FOO STREET.
BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT DAILY, THEY WILL ALSO BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING U? OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS IN HOI LEE STREET AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF STREETS BETWEEN SAI WAN HO STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD TAI LOK STREET, TAI HING STREET, SHING OH STREET, HOLY CROSS PATH, HOI AN STREET AND HOI FOO STREET.
HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TWO PLB STANDS AT HOI NING STREET AND TAI FOO STREET. THESE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN AGREED BY PLB OPERATORS DURING A SITE MEETING HELD IN JURE WITH TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS DETAILS OF THE SCHEME.
/Tc- PICK
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
2
TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT THE TWO STANDS, WESTBOUND PLB’S WILL THEREFORE ENTER SA! WAN HO STREET VIA HOI AN STREET, LEAVING VIA HOI NING STREET, AND THEN AGAIN ENTER VIA TAI NING STREET, LEAVING VIA TAI FOO STREET.
FOR EASTBOUND PLB’S, THERE ARE ALREADY STANDS IN USE AT HING MAN STREET OFF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND AT FACTORY STREET AND KAM UAH STREET OFF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST. FOR PASSENGERS, IT WOULD TAKE ONLY ABOUT FIVE MINUTES TO WALK HALF-WAY BETWEEN HING MAN STREET AND FACTORY STREET FROM EITHER END.
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING WILL BE INTRODUCED IN A NUMBER OF SIDE STREETS. RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTH WILL BE HOI LEE STREET, AND THE SECTIONS OF TAI LOK STREET AND HO! NING STREET, BOTH BETWEEN SA! WAN HO STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
I
RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTH WILL BE THE SECTIONS OF TAI NING STREET, HOLY CROSS PATH AND HOI AN STREET, ALL BETWEEN SAI WAN HO STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
THE SECTIONS OF SAI WAN HO STREET BETWEEN TAI CHEONG STREET AND HOLY CROSS PATH AND BETWEEN HOI NING STREET AND HOI AN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WEST.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft k
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (FRIDAY) STOOD AT 33,348 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49.6 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YK1R THERE WERE 64,166 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25.541 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,284 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 50.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TOTAL OF 7*6 MM (0.30 IN.) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFAL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395*6 MM (54.94 IN.).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,052.4 MM (80.80 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32 PER CENT.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974. - 3 -
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN FIRE It ft ft It ft It It
MANY HOUSEWIVES WHO HAD BEEN VICTIMS OF KITCHEN FIRES, JUST DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE^SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THIS WAS THE CONCLUSION OF INQUIRIES MADE BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF SOME 500 KITCHEN FIRES IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 91 OTHERS INJURED IN THESE FIRES.
IN VIEW OF THIS AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS NOW IN A PERIOD WHEN THE DANGER FROM FIRE IS AT ITS PEAK, THE SPOKESMAN OUTLINED BELOW SOME OF THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF A KITCHEN FIRE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF HOUSEWIVES:
ft IF A SMALL PAN CATCHES FIRE ON TOP OF YOUR STOVE, THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TURN OFF THE HEAT. OBVIOUS, YOU MIGHT SAY, BUT IT IS SURPRISING HOW MANY PEOPLE FACED WITH A KITCHEN FIRE ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS
. ELEMENTARY STEP.
THE NEXT THING TO DO IS TRY SMOTHERING THE FLAME BY COVERING THE FIRE WITH A PAN COVER. IT SHOULD COMPLETELY COVER THE PAN SO AS TO STOP AIR FROM FEEDING THE FIRE. WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CLOTHING. IF THIS DOESN’T WORK, USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER OF THE DRY CHEMICAL OR CARBON DIOXIDE TYPE CA USEFUL ITEM IN ANY KITCHEN).
ft FOR AN OVEN FIRE, AGAIN THE HEAT SHOULD BE TURNED OFF •-FIRST. THEN TRY TO SMOTHER THE FLAME BY CLOSING THE OVEN DOOR FOR A FEU MOMENTS. IF THIS DOESN’T WORK, USE YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TRY THROWING BAKING SODA (NOT BAKING POWDER, SALT OR FLOUR) ONTO THE FLAMES. ,
IF THE ABOVE ACTIONS ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL AND THE FIRE THREATENS TO IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLES, GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE FLAT, CLOSE THE KITCHEN DOOR TO PREVENT FIRE SPREAD - AND IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE SERVICES EITHER BY DIALLING 999 OR THE NUMBER OF YOUR NEAREST FIRE STATION (WHICH YOU SHOULD KNOW).
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ONE SHOULD KNOW THESE STEPS WELL SO THAT ONE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A FIRE.
■(■NEVER RISK CARRYING A BURNING PAN AS YOU COULD EASILY SCORCH YOURSELF, OR BURNING FAT COULD DROP ONTO THE FLOOR AND CAUSE A MUCH BIGGER FIRE. NEVER TRY PUTTING WATER ON A GREASE FIRE AS IT WILL SPATTER AND SPREAD THE FIRE. AND NEVER TRY TO FIGHT ANYTHING BUT A SMALL FIRE,+ HE WARNED.
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A
, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
- 4 -
ACCESS ROAD AND BUS TERMINUS FOR OCEANARIUM ******
WORK WILL BEGIN SHORTLY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD AND BUS TERMINUS FOR THE PROPOSED OCEANARIUM AT BRICK HILL, ABERDEEN.
THE ROAD, MEASURING ABOUT 2,000 FEET IN LENGTH, WILL RUN FROM THE JUNCTION OF NAM FUNG ROAD AND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE OCEANARIUM. THE WIDTH OF THE CARRIAGEWAY VARIES FROM 24 FEET TO 46 FEET WITH TWO 12-FOOT WIDE FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES.
A BUS TERMINUS WILL BE BUILT AT THE END OF THE NEW ROAD. IT WILL PROVIDE FIVE BAYS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND SIX BAYS FOR FRANCHISED BUSES.
A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY LEADING FROM THE BUS TERMINUS TO THE OCEAN PARK COMPLEX WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
THE WORK, EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH, WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE, WITH A VIEW TO MEETING THE OPENING OF THE OCEANARIUM.
------0---- ___...
CANOE RACE AT REPULSE BAY *****
OWNERS AND PERSONS IN CHARGE OF SMALL CRAFT ARE URGED TO KEEP CLEAR OF THE REPULSE BAY-SOUTH BAY AREA TOMORROW (SATURDAYJ AFTERNOON BETWEEN 2 AND 6 O'CLOCK TO FACILITATE A CANOE CONTEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PRECAUTION WAS NECESSARY IN VIEW OF THE RECENT INCIDENT IN A CANOE RACE WHEN A YOUNG GIRL LOST HER LEG.
THE CONTEST TO BE HELD TOMORROW IS ORGANISED BY THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION AS PART OF THE BIENNIAL PRINCE OF WALES BANNER COMPETITION FOR VENTURE SCOUTS.
COMPETITORS WILL START AT THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB IN REPULSE BAY AND PADDLE CLOSE TO THE SHORE TO SOUTH BAY, AND THEN RETURN.
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/5 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974 - 5 -
SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION
1974-75 ALLOCATIONS
* * * * * * *
GRANTS TOTALLING JUST OVER $358,400 ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR TO 109 ORGANISATIONS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION.
THE GRANTS, APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE USED FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF PURPOSES, RANGING FROH THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND LIBRARY BOOKS TO CANOES AND CAMPING EQUIPMENT.
INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS FOR GRANTS FROM THE FUND ARE BEING INFORMED OF THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION BY LETTER.
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION WAS SET UP IN 1970 FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION, SPORT, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND RELATED PURPOSES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ENCOURAGING THE PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
0 - -
COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES
*******
A TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRE FOR PAYMENTS OF WATER CHARGES FOR THE SECOND PERIOD OF THE YEAR IS TO BE SET UP AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SHATIN. NEXT WEEK FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE ONE SCHEDULED TO BE OPENED AT THE SHATIN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES, WILL OPERATE FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON OCTOBER 14 AND 15.
- - 0 - -
/6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
— 6 —
LARGE PARK FOR WAH FU AND ABERDEEN RESIDENTS
******
A LARGE PUBLIC PARK IS TO BE BUILT SHORTLY ALONG THE COAST NORTH OF UAH FU ESTATE. MEASURING ABOUT SEVEN ACRES IN AREA, IT WILL BE KNOWN AS WATERFALL BAY PARK.
DESIGNED BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARCHITECTS WHO WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING ITS CONSTRUCTION, THE PARK WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AMENITIES TO RESIDENTS OF BOTH WAH FU ESTATE AND ABERDEEN
TENDERS WERE INVITED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARK WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE ENTIRE PARK WILL BE TURFED, WITH CONCRETE FOOTPATHS LEADING TO PLAYGROUNDS AND SITTING OUT AREAS. THERE WILL ALSO BE PICNIC AREAS WITH BARBECUE STOVES, A KIOSK AND A CAR PARK.
A PAVILION WILL BE BUILT ON TOP OF THE 100-F00T WATERFALL AT THE WESTERN END OF WAH FU ESTATE TO GIVE HIKERS A PANORAMIC VIEW OF WATERFALL BAY AND ABERDEEN.
THE HISTORY OF THE WATERFALL WILL ALSO BE INSCRIBED ON A PLAQUE NEXT TO THE PAVILION.
THE WATERFALL BAY PARK PROJECT WILL BE FINANCED BY THE
URBAN COUNCIL.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
*****
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C.JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD —
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE * • ••
1005$ WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-15* BROKENS GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.88
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK C$/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAQE)
/SLTi LlJiS AND
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES ( )F MARINE FISH
CFMO CHEUNQ SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICECS/CATTY)
SPEC IES OF SUPPLY H1CH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 4.70 2.00 3.50
BIG-EYES GOOD 2.80 0.90 1.70
SQUID NORMAL 3.50 1.40 2.60
HAIR—TAILS NORMAL 1.00 0.30 0.60
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED 3.15 0.50 2.20
CROAKERS LIMITED 1.20 0.50 O.9D
conger-pike-eels NORMAL 2.90 1.20 1.80
MELON COAT
BREAMS LIMITED 5.00 4.00 4.80
YELLOW BELLY GOOD 1.60 0.60 1.00
MACKERELS NORMAL 5.30 2.50 4.20
RED COAT FISH NORMAL 0.80 0.60 ■ 0.70
FORK-TA IL NORMAL 0.70 0.40 0.50
HORSE—HEAD LIMITED 6.50 1.00 3.50
MELON SEED NORMAL 1.70 0.65 1.00
POiiFRETS LIMITED 6.70 6.2b 6.50
QAROUPAS NORMAL 9.50 5.00 7.50
YELLOW CROAKER NORMAL 5.50 2.40 3.50
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF vegetable AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
HIQH LOW KODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.40
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.50 0.50 1.20
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 0.80 0.30 0.50
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.50
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.20 0.60 1.40
SPRING ONION LIMITED 1.80 0.50 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.20 2.50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 2.50 3*50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.00 0.60 1.20
CHINESE SPINACH LIMITED 1.00 0.40 0.70
TOMATO SCARCE 3.50 2.00 2.80
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gIs
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 12, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AN ADDITIONAL FLOOR FOR THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE................................................. 1
FOUR MORE FIRE ENGINES ARRIVING ON MONDAY................. 2
CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS NEEDED.................................................. 3
WORKSHOP ON DRUG ABUSE EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL....................................... 4
CLEANEST INDUSTRIAL BUILDING COMPETITION IN SAN PO KONG 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1974.
- 1 -
MORE WORKSHOP FACILITIES IN MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ft ft ft ft ft
AN EXTRA FLOOR PROVIDING MUCH-KEEDED SPACE FOR WORKSHOP FACILITIES HAS JUST DEEN ADDED TO THE WORKSHOP WING OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
WITH AN AREA OF SOME 6,000 SQUARE FEET, THE NEU FLOOR HOUSES THREE WORKSHOPS — TWO FOR TECHNICAL TEACHER TRAINING AND OKE FOR USE BY THE INSTITUTE.
FITTING AND EQUIPPING OF THE TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOPS IS WELL ADVANCED AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO’COME INTO OPERATION SHORTLY. ONE OF THEM WILL SERVE AS AN ADVANCED WOODWORK WORKSHOP WHILE THE OTHER WILL BE FOR METAL WORK TRAINING INCLUDING MACHINING.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL BE AN ADJUNCT TO THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WHICH CAME INTO BEING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. AT PRESENT, THE COLLEGE OPERATES IN THE BUILDING VACATED BY MORRISON HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
THE OTHER WORKSHOP ON THE NEW FLOOR OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS CURRENTLY BEING USED AS AH ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WORKSHOP BY THE INSTITUTE.
IN LINE WITH THE EXTENSION PROGRAMME OF THE INSTITUTE, THE • VEHICLE REPAIRS AND ENGINE TESTING WORKSHOP ON THE GROUND FLOOR HAS ALSO BEEN EXPANDED. THIS INVOLVED THE CONVERSION OF THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO THE WORKSHOP INTO A ROOFED WORKSHOP. EXPANSION OF THE WORKSHOP BECAME NECESSARY AS THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE MOTOR REPAIR INDUSTRY BY SPONSORING STUDENTS FOR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE CLASSES HAS RESULTED IN OVER-CROWDING OF THE ORIGINAL ACCOMMODATION.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION SCHEME, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EQUIPPING OF THE WORKSHOPS, HAS RUN INTO NEARLY $1 MILLION.
A,
THE NEW FACILITIES WERE A FOCUS OF ATTRACTION TO MR. KENNETH TOPLEf, THE NEWLY-APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, DURING HIS RECENT FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO THE INSTITUTE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREU KINGWELL= THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR. LINCOLN LIEU AND THE VICE-PRINCIPAL, MR. ALICK FONG-YAN, MR. TOPLEY SAW AT FIRST HAND WORKSHOP CLASSES IN SESSION ARD WAS THOROUGHLY DRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF VARIOUS COURSES.
THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1969 AND MOVED TO ITS NEU BUILDING IN 1970. THE INSTITUTE HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 814 FULL-TIME, 1,568 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE AND 10,631 EVENING STUDENTS. IT AIMS AT PROVIDING DOTH THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL'TECHNICAL EDUCATION REQUIRED BY THE PROSPECTIVE TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN IN INDUSTRY.
/THE HCNG KONG ....
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1974
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE, ON THE OTHER HAND, SERVES AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR BETTER QUALITY TECHNICAL TEACHING STAFF FOR HONG KONG'S SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE KUUN TONG ARD KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE IN MAY 1975.
AT PRESENT, THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE HAS A STUDENT ENROLMENT OF 224 — 111 FULL-TIME, 85 EVENING AND 28 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN DURING
MR. KENNETH TOPLEY'S VISIT TO THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
------0-------
FOUR MORE FIRE ENGINES DUE TO ARRIVE ******
FOUR NEW FIRE ENGINES PURCHASED FROM BRITAIN AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $800,000 ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON MONDAY.
THEY ARE PART OF AN ORDER FOR 12 FIRE ENGINES PLACED WITH ” DENNIS MOTORS LTD. AT A TOTAL COST OF $2.3 MILLION. SIX OF THESE ARRIVED IN JULY AND THE REMAINING TWO ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
KNOWN OFFICIALLY BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS PUMP ESCAPE TENDERS THE APPLIANCES ARE FITTED WITH 55-FOOT RESCUE LADDERS. FEATURES INCLUDE A .1,000-GALLON PER MINUTE PUMP WHICH CAN SUPPLY WATER TO SIX OUTLETS SIMULTANEOUSLY, A TANK CAPABLE OF HOLDING 400 GALLONS OF WATER FOR USE IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL AT A FIRE SCENE, A HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WINCH, A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM AND 11-INCH SEARCH LIGHTS, TWO-TONE HORNS AND A SIREN.
THE APPLIANCES ARE POWERED BY V-8 DIESEL ENGINES WITH FULLY-AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THEY WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHECKING BY WORKSHOP.
ALSO ON ORDER FROM THE SAME COMPANY ARE 12 FIRE ENGINES FITTED WITH 50-FOOT SNORKELS (ELEVATED HYDRAULIC PLATFORMS). THESE ARE DUE FOR DELIVERY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
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/3.....
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1974
- 3 -
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK
CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS NEEDED
********
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO INTRODUCE SOCIAL WORKERS INTO SCHOOLS BUT HE CAUTIONED THAT THIS SERVICE MUST BE DONE VERY CAREFULLY IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.
MR. TOPLEY WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON +UNDERSTANDI NG AND HELPING THE STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS* ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE’S SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR WAS TO PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO SHARE PROBLEMS AND GAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER, TO ENHANCE CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND TEACHERS, AND TO FIND BETTER MEANS OF UNDERSTANDING AND HELPING STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS.
ASKING THOSE TAKING PART IN THE SEMINAR TO KEEP THIS IN MIND DURING THEIR DISCUSSIONS, THE DIRECTOR SAID THE MOST DIFFICULT QUESTION FOR HIM WAS HOW TO ORGANISE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM IMPACT ON, AS HE PUT IT, +A LARGE BODY OF CLIENTS SPREAD WIDELY BUT IN SOME WAYS UNKNOWN.* . ■'
ON THE QUESTION OF WHO WAS TO DELIVER THIS SERVICE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE PEOPLE WHO MUST NOT BE LEFT OUT WERE THE TEACHER OF THE PARTICULAR STUDENT, THE HEADMASTER, THE CAREERS MASTER-IF THE STUDENT WAS LEAVING SCHOOL AND OF COURSE THE PARENTS AND THE SOCIAL WORKER.
+HOW MUCH FOR INSTANCE DO WE WANT TO TURN TEACHERS INTO SOCIAL WORKERS?* MR. TOPLEY ASKED. +DO WE WANT THE SCHOOL TO CHANGE RATHER THAN THE PUPIL?*
THE DIRECTOR HOPED THAT PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE SEMINAR WOULD LET HIM HAVE THEIR VIEWS ON THESE QUESTIONS.
HOWEVER, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD ADOPTED WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS A SENSIBLE APPROACH SINCE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO PLACE A SOCIAL WORKER IN EACH SCHOOL.
THE S.W.D. RECOMMENDED THAT SOCIAL WORK TO SCHOOL
CHILDREN BE DONE BY REFERRALS ON A REGIONAL BASIS OR BY PART-TIME ATTACHMENT OF A SOCIAL WORKER TO A SCHOOL.
ON THE REFERRAL CASES, THE FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COULD EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO SCHOOLS BY REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF AND RESOURCES.
MR. TOPLEY MENTIONED VARIOUS PROBL^I^IBcH STUDENTS 1 ENCOUNTERED INCLUDING PROBLEMS AT HOME WHICH MIGHT BE RELATED TO SCHOOL, GETTING ALONG WITH FELLOW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
A....
SATURDAY, CCTOBEH 12, 1974 - 4 -
NEED FOR FACTUAL INFORMATION TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE STRESSED
X-X-M-XXKXXH-
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION CCHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN, TODAY EMPHASISED THAT THERE WERE THREE ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN DEALING WITH ANY DRUG PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS - DRUG EDUCATION, DETECTING SIGNS OF ANY DRUG ABUSE AND DEALING WITH ANY STUDENTS SUSPECTED OF TAKING DRUGS.
MR. BROWN WAS SPEAKING AT THE WORKSHOP ON DRUG ABUSE EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING PUPILS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS HELD AT KING GEORGE V SCHOOL.
THE HALF-DAY WORKSHOP.WAS CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE DRUG ABUSE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY. THE WORKSHOP WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE SYMPOSIUM ON DRUG ABUSE FOR TEACHERS HELD LAST FEBRUARY.
IN THE CASE OF DRUG EDUCATION, MR. BROWN STRESSED THE NEED TO KEEP INFORMATION FACTUAL AND AVOID STIMULATING CURIOSITY - ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF DRUG TAKING AMONG ADOLESCENTS. . •-
HE ALSO TOUCHED BRIEFLY ON THE DIFFICULTIES OF DEALING WITH SUSPECTED OFFENDERS ESPECIALLY THAT OF CONVINCING THE STUDENTS' PARENTS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A DRUG PROBLEM.
MR. BROWN DID NOT OFFER SOLUTIONS BUT SUGGESTED THAT TEACHERS SHOULD DISCUSS THESE PROBLEMS SO THAT THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO IF THEY MATERIALISED.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR EXPLAINED TO THE TEACHERS THAT HE WANTED TO SUGGEST SOME OF THE TOPICS WHICH WOULD BE PROFITABLE FOR THEM TO INCLUDE IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS AT THE WORKSHOP.
HE POINTED OUT THE DIFFICULTY OF GETTING THE DANGERS OF DRUG TAKING IN SCHOOLS IN PERSPECTIVE, IN OTHER WORDS TO REALISE THAT PROVIDED SCHOOLS ACTED WISELY IT NEED NOT BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
MR. BROWN SAID THIS WORKSHOP WAS ONLY FOR TEACHERS IN ENGLISH-SPEAKING SECONDARY SCHOOLS SINCE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT BILINGUAL SEMINARS POSED PROBLEMS, BOTH BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE DIFFICULTY AND ALSO BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS LIKELY TO BE FACED BY TEACHERS IN ENGLISH SCHOOLS WERE RATHER DIFFERENT FROM THOSE FACED BY TEACHERS IN CHINESE SCHOOLS. HENCE SEPARATE SEMINARS HAD BEEN ARRANGED FOR TEACHERS IN CHINESE SCHOOLS.
/5
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1974.
- 5 -
CLEANEST INDUSTRIAL BUILDING COMPETITION IN SAN PO KONG *******
THE FINAL OF THE CLEANEST INDUSTRIAL BUILDING COMPETITION IN SAN PO KONG ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEE AND SAN PO KONG AREA COMMITTEE WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 14).
THE AIMS OF THE COMPETITION ARE TO INVOLVE THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT MORE ACTIVELY IN THE OCTOBER DISTRICT CLEAN-UP AND TO FOSTER THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AMONG BOTH THE INDUSTRIALISTS AND THE WORKERS BY KEEPING THE COMMON PARTS, SUCH AS STAIRCASES, CORRIDORS, LIFTS, ENTRANCES AND WALLS OF THEIR WORKING PREMISES CLEAN AND FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION. ADJUDICATION WILL DEPEND ON THE STATE OF CLEANLINESS IN THESE COMMUNAL AREAS.
AN OPEN LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN SAN PO KONG IN EARLY SEPTEMBER INVITING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION.
STAFF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) HAVE SORTED OUT 20 BUILDINGS FOR THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION WHICH WAS HELD YESTERDAY (OCTOBER 11).
DURING THE PRELIMINARY SELECTION, STAFF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) AND URBAN SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN), AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE SAN PO KONG AREA COMMITTEE PICKED OUT SIX BUILDINGS WHICH QUALIFIED AS THE FINALISTS.
A JUDGE PANEL COMPRISING THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND URBAN SERVICES OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ASSEMBLING AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) AT 2:10 P.M. ON MONDAY BEFORE LEAVING TO VISIT THE SIX FINALISTS AND ADJUDICATE WHO THE WINNERS SHOULD BE.
THE WINNER AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP OF THE COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES FROM HR. JAMES Y.C. SO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (KOWLOON) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT,IN THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT CLEAN-UP WHICH WJLL BE HELD IN THE MORSE PARK OPEN AIR.THEATRE ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 17> AT 7*30 P.M.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
0----
/6
I.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1974.
WATER SITUATION REPORT * * * * *
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (SATURDAY) STOOD AT 33,232 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49.4 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 64,038 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
_____THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25,426 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,219 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SANE DAY LAST YEAR, PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 50.3 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. -
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE H0URS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395.6 MM (54.94 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,055.7 MM (80.93 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.1 PER CENT.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION’MLETTN
SPACIOUS IICMES FUR 1,100 MORE FAMILIES n j:- j? n j:-
OVER 6,500 PEOPLE, NOU LIVING IN LOUER SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, ARE MOVING INTO MORE SPACIOUS HOMES THIS MONTH.
THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT'S PHASED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF RESIDENTS IN THE OLDER ESTATES.
COMING 4130M 1,100 FAMILIES, THESE PEOPLE ARE PRESENTLY LIVING IN BLOCKS 1, 5 AMD 6 OF THE ESTATE. THESE THREE CLOCKS WILL HAVE TO BE VACATED SHORTLY TO MAKE WAY FOR THE HEXT PHASE OF REDEVELOPMENT.
ABOUT HALF OF THE 1,100 FAMILIES HAVE OPTED TO LIVE IN UPPER PAK TIN AND THE REST IN SIX CONVERTED BLOCKS III THE ESTATE.
TO ASSIST 78 NEEDY FAMILIES TO MOVE TO AMD DECORATE THEIR . NEW HOMES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL DE PAYING OUT ABOUT $70,000 AS CASH ASSISTANCE.
HR. MOK YIU-KWONG, SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER(REDEVELOPMENT), OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT UAS FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH DOMESTIC AND SHOP TENANTS.
+WITHOUT THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT, OUR REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WOULD ROT HAVE BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL,+ HE SAID.
IN THE EARLIER STAC- OF THE PROGRAMME, 15,000 PEOPLE VACATED FROM BLOCKS 3, 4, 23 TO 28 WERE PROVIDED Ui TH IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION IN UPPER PAK TIN.
AS SOON AS THE CLOCKS WERE VACATED THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STARTED WORK TO TURN THEM INTO ' SELF-CONTAINED FLATS, E/.CH UITH ITS OWN KITCHEN, TOILET WITH SLOWER AND BALCONY.
THESE FLATS, MEASURING 120 SQ.FT., 240 SQ.FT. OR 36O SQ.FT. EACH, UERE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE FAMILIES OF THREE, SIX AND NINE RESPECTIVELY. THEIR MONTHLY RENTALS RAMGE $50 TO $180.
OF THE THREE BLOCKS WHICH ARE SOON TO CE VACATED, THE PROJECT ARCHITECT IS CONSIDERING DEMOLISHING TUO TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR A COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE WHEN FULLY REDEVELOPED WILL HAVE ITS POPULATION DENSITY DECREASED FROM 2,200 PER ACRE TO 1,300 PER ACRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING A FAMILY
IN A NEWLY CONVERTED FLAT ARE KOU AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN G.I.S. PRESS ROON.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191 -------------------------------------------0 -------------
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1974
WORK ON lO.OOO-FOOT LANTAU FCOTFATH WELL UNDERWAY
Jr Jr Jr Jr Jr Jr
WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 10,000-FOOT—LONG FOOTPATH LINKING UP SEVERAL DIVERSE AND SPARSELY POPULATED VILLAGES OF TUNG CHUNG IN THE NORTH-L’ESTERN PART OF LANTAU ISLAND.
PROVIDING A MUCH-NEEDED EEANS OF COMMUNICATION IN THE AREA, THE FOOTPATH IS EXPECTED TO ENSURE THAT VILLAGE COMMUNITIES IN THE REMOTE SECTOR OF THE ISLAND WILL NOT DE DIVORCED FROM THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE LORE PROSPEROUS AMD EASILY ACCESSIBLE NEIGHBOURING VILLAGES.
THE INITIAL 2,500 FEET OF THE FOOTPATH — THE FIRST CF FOUR STAGES OF THE PROJECT — HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED. THE SECOND STAGE IS DUE TO START SHORTLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THAT THE PROJECT WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN THROUC.H THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND VILLAGERS.
+UHILE THE GOVERNMENT GRANTED CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE VILLAGERS FOR THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT UNDER THE RURAL PUBLIC WORK CASH ASSISTANCE SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE REW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATIOI1.+ HE POINTED CUT, +IT IS THE VILLAGERS THEMSELVES WHO PROVIDED THE NECESSARY LABOUR TO CARRY OUT THE W0RK.+
UNDER THE CASH ASSISTANCE SCHEME, AID USUALLY IN THE FORM OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL IS OFFERED TO HEU TERRITORIES VILLAGERS WISHING TO CARRY OUT SUCH MINOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS AS RIVER TRENCHING AMD CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS. THE VILLAGERS, ON THE OTHER HARD, PROVIDE THE LABOUR TO DO THE WORK.
APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE COULD EE HADE TO ALL DISTRICT OFFICES WHERE THEY WOULD DE CAREFULLY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY PROCESSED, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+AS THERE ARE MANY APPLICATIONS FOR CASH ASSISTANCE AND IN VIEW OF THE LIMITATION OF FUNDS AND LABOUR AVAILABLE, IT IS ONLY FEASIBLE TO ACCORD ASSISTANCE TO THOSE PROJECTS THAT WARRANT SPECIAL PRIORITY, + HE EXPLAINED.
HE REVEALED THAT $7.8 MILLION HAD BEEN EARMARKED AS CASH ASSISTANCE FOR RURAL PUBLIC WORK PROJECTS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. OF THIS, $3 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON SANITATION FACILITIES.
REFERRING TO THE TUNG CHUNG FOOTPATH, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT A STRIKING FEATURE OF THE PROJECT WAS THAT IT WAS BEING JOINTLY UNDERTAKEN BY VILLAGERS OF SAN TAU AMD SrlA LO WAN WHO AGREED TO SHARE THE WORK EQUALLY BETWEEN THEMSELVES.
+THIS COMBINATION OF EFFORTS WILL CERTAINLY LEAD TO AN EARLIER COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE FOOTPATH WAS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR USE IN A YEAR’S TIKE.
/at present
SUNDAY, CCTOD.jR 1J, 1974
AT PRESENT, VILLAGERS OF BOTH SAN TAU Ata SHA LO WAN AS WELL AS HOLIDAY-MAKERS ARD HIKERS HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A DIFFICULT AND SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS TRIP BEFORE THEY CAN REACH TuHC, CHUNG.
i
WITH THE OPENING OF THE FOUR-FOOT-UIDE PATH, THESE DIFFICULTIES UJLL EE OVERCOME.
COMMENTING ON THE PROJECT, A VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE OF SAN TAU SAID: +THE FOOTPATH IS A PRODUCT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT ANO THE VILLAGERS. UE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THIS COOPERATIVE HOOD WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.+
MEANWHILE, IMPENDING MINOR PUDLIC WORK PROJECTS IN THE REMOTER PARTS OF LANTAU ISLAND INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS,THE BUILDING OF DAMS, UALKWAYS AND CATCHMENT DRAINAGE.
... PROJECTS ALREADY COtPLETED COMPRISE THE SETTING UP OF PUBLIC LAVATORIES, REPAIRING OF DAMS, EXTENSION OF UATER PIPES Ata THE BUILDING OF IRRIGATION DAMS AND A RURAL TYPE INCINERATOR.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING A SECTION OF
THE 10,000-FCOT FOOTPATH ARE KOU AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN G.I.S. PRESS ROOM.
PRH
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION DEFENDS
C.D.O. SCHEME ......................................... 1
ABERDEEN FLOATING RESTAURANT CONTINUES BUSINESS’..... 2
WORKING PARTI ON UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM PUBLIC ................................ 3
HONG KONG EXPERIENCES ANOTHER MONTH OF DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER ........................................ 4
NEW SERIES OF INDOOR DRIVING TRAINING COURSES ......... 5
EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS .................... 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................ 6
RECONSTRUCTION OF HANG HAU ROAD...................... 6
BUS-ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD OPENING TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AT NIGHT ............................ 7
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974.
GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO BRIDGE COMMUNICATION GAP » » * n » h
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, MR. DENIS BRAY, TODAY SPOKE ABOUT GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUING EFFORTS IN BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE Y'S MEN'S CLUB THIS EVENING, HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THIS PROBLEM.
+IN THE LATE SIXTIES UE STARTED TO GIVE MUCH MORE ATTENTION TO COMMUNICATION AND CAN NOU SEE EMERGING A USEFUL TREND IN CITY GOVERNMENT,* HE ADDED.
HR. BRAY SAID; +IN SPITE OF WESTERN DEMOCRATIC CONCEPTS, YOUR AMERICAN AND BRITISH FRIENDS WILL PROBABLY TELL YOU THAT MANY OF THEM HAVE NEVER MET, LET ALONE TALKED TO, THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN GOVERNMENT.
+THESE REPRESENTATIVES ARE MOSTLY TOO BUSY UITH IMPORTANT AFFAIRS AT WESTMINSTER OR CAPITOL HILL. TO YOUR FRIENDS, 'GOVERNMENT' IS STILL AN IMPERSONAL THING, A MONSTER UHICH IS AT ONCE EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE, A CREATURE UHICH CAN EE ONLY GLIMPSED AT BY ITS OUN SHADOW, BUT SELDOM, IF EVER, GRASPED BY ITS SUBSTANCE.*
IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, IT WAS THE AIM OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME TO PERSONALIZE GOVERNMENT AT THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL, AND IT HAD TURNED OUT TO BE THE PREDECESSOR OF OTHER SIMILAR EFFORTS TO HAKE +GOVERNMENT HUMAN*.
THE SECRETARY RECALLED THAT THE SCHEME FOLLOWED VERY CLOSELY THE ORGANISATION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AS THE TEN CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS DID NOT HAVE ANY EXECUTIVE POWER, CRITICS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THIS SHOWS A LACK OF SINCERITY ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT AMD THAT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER SCHEME IS NOTHING MORE THAN WINDOW-DRESSING.
COMMENTING ON THIS CRITICISM, MR. BRAY SAID: +THERE
ARE ALREADY PLENTY OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AMD NO REW ONES ARE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE WORK OF GOVERNMENT. THE THING THAT WAS HISSING WAS NOT ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY BUT HUMAN CONTACT. THIS WAS SUPPLIED.*
/tIE.....
1
OTIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974.
- 2 -
HE THEN NAMED A NUMBER OF SIMILAR SCHEMES WHICH WERE ALL SET UP WITH THE SAME AIM — TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND TO BRING THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE CLOSER TOGETHER.
THESE INCLUDED THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS SCHEME, THE DISTRICT URBAN SERVICES OFFICERS SCHEME, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS SCHEME AND THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS SCHEME.
MR. BRAY SAID THAT THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THESE GOVERNMENT DISTRICT AGENCIES THERE WAS A GROWING SENSE OF BELONGING AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING WAS FOSTERED.
HE CONCLUDED: +THROUGH THIS UNDERSTANDING, IT IS NOT TOO EXTRAVAGANT TO HOPE THAT ONE DAY THE SILENCE BARRIERS WILL BE BROKEN DOUN.+
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ABERDEEN FLOATING RESTAURANT CONTINUES BUSINESS fr M- K ft *
| THE TA! PAK FLOATING RESTAURANT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO CONTINUE OPERATION ON A RESTRICTED LICENCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THIS WILL BE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, UNTIL JANUARY 14 NEXT YEAR, DURING WHICH TIME THE OTHER FLOATING RESTAURANT, THE SEA PALACE, WILL INSTALL CERTAIN MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
THE SEA PALACE WILL CLOSE DOWN TOMORROW (OCTOBER 15) FOR THIS WORK AND BEFORE THE END OF THE THREE MONTH PERIOD, SHE SHOULD BE READY TO GO BACK INTO OPERATION.
THE TAI PAK WILL THEN BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE IN TURN TO BE MODERNISED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE OWNERS OF BOTH FLOATING RESTAURANTS TO COME TOGETHER, AND MAKING USE OF ALL THE MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT WHICH THEY HAVE IN HONG KONG, TO MAKE ALTERATIONS TO ONE RESTAURANT FIRST.
y +THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ACCEPTED THIS AS BEING A REASONABLE SOLUTION,+ HE SAID.
THE TAI PAK IS OPERATING ON A RESTRICTED LICENCE WHICH MEANS THAT, BESIDES OTHER RESTRICTIONS, SHE CAN ONLY CARRY 240 PEOPLE INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL NUMBER OF 430.
i /3.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974
- 3 -
WORKING PARTY ON UNREGJSTRABLE DOCTORS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM PUBLIC
* * * * JS-
A
THE WORKING PARTY WHICH WAS SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM OF NON-COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL GRADUATES IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM THE PUBLIC.
A
IN AN ADVERTISEMENT PUBLISHED IN SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS TODAY CMONDAY), THE SECRETARY TO THE WORKING PARTY ON UNREG ISTRABLE• DOCTORS, MR. MARCUS MAK, ASKED FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM ANY ORGANISATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE MATTER.
MR. MAK SAID THE WORKING PARTY IS AWARE THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WISH TO PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS, AND AT THE SAMETIME, IT WANTS TO OBTAIN AS MUCH MATERIAL AS POSSIBLE TO HELP IN FORMULATING ITS PROPOSALS.
+THE MATTER AFFECTS NOT ONLY UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS, BUT THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE AND WE ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE OVERALL PUBLIC REACTION AS WELL,* MR. MAK SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE WORKING PARTY HAS BEEN ASKED TO REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND IT IS HOPED THAT ALL COMMUNICATIONS WILL REACH HIM BY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26. CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY TO THE WORKING PARTY ON UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, FOURTH FLOOR, HONG KONG*
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING PARTY ARE TO CONSIDER WHETHER ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ENABLE SOME DOCTORS, WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT RECOGNISED BY THE GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG.
IF SO, THE WORKING PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING WHAT METHODS SHOULD BE USED TO ENSURE A PROPER LEVEL OF COMPETENCE AMONG UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS BEFORE THEY ARE LICENSED TO PRACTISE, AND WHETHER ANY CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE APPLIED TO SUCH PRACTICE.
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR THE CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 30 OF 24.2 DECREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED
MONTH OF 32.7 DECREES AND THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE ON SEPTEMBER 1. - ”
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974
THE MONTHLY WEATHER ROUNDUP ISSUED TODAY BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SHOWED THAT LAST MONTH’S WEATHER WAS, LIKE THE PREVIOUS FOUR MONTHS, AGAIN DRIER AND WARMER THAN USUAL.
THIS YFAR%]KE-tE^o07 ™E ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FOR
1*372*7 MM, WHICH IS ABOUT 69 PER CENT OF TMF
AVERAGE FIGURE FOR THE SAME PERIOD, AND THE LOUEST SINCE 1963
DUR INC THE MONTH, NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE
HONC KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
AND NO FIRE DANCER UARN1NCS WERE ISSUED. uunuiriwto
FIVE TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC IN THE MONTH BUT ONLY TROPICAL STORM 'TRIX' ARD SEVERE TROPICAL STORM 'UERDY’ NECESSITATED THE HO 1ST INC OF TROPICAL CYCLONE WARN INC SIGNALS IN KONG KONC.
SEPTEMBER WEATHER DRIER AND WARMER THAN USUAL ft ft ft ft ft ft
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON TWO OCCASIONS ON SEPTEMBER 3 AND SEPTEMBER 16.
MONDAY* OCTOBER 14, 1974
- 5 -
INDOOR DRIVING TRAINING COURSES ft ft ft ft ft
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL START ENROLLING 168 CANDIDATES FROM TOMORROW (OCTOBER 15 > FOR THE NEXT SERIES OF INDOOR DRIVING TRAINING COURSES DUE TO BEGIN IN MID—NOVENDER•
SINCE ITS OPENING IN JUNE, THE INDOOR DRIVING INSTRUCTION CENTRE AT PUI CHING ROAD, KOWLOON, WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH 16 DRIVING SIMULATORS, HAS PROVIDED BASIC TRAINING FOR MORE THAN 1,200 CANDIDATES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE COURSES HAD PROVED VERY POPULAR AND CLASSES WERE NORMALLY FULLY BOOKED*
HE SAID CANDIDATES WERE TAUGHT THE USE OF VARIOUS CONTROLS, RECOGNITION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND NORMAL REACTIONS TO DIFFERENT TRAFFIC SITUATION* TRAINING WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY FILMS AND LECTURES TOO, HE ADDED.
THOSE WISHING TO APPLY MUST HAVE PASSED THE PART A (WRITTEN) TEST FOR PRIVATE CARS. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENCE, HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND TWO RECENT COPIES OF THEIR PHOTOGRAPH.
CLASSES, EACH COMPRISING 15 ONE-HOUR LESSONS* ARE HELD BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 11 P.M. EACH DAY. THE FEE IS $200.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +AT THE END OF THE COURSE, CANDIDATES WILL SIT FOR A SIMULATOR TEST. THOSE WHO PASS THE TEST WILL BE PLACED ON A SEPARATE WAITING LIST FOR THE COMBINED ROAD TEST, AND ONCE THEY HAVE FINISHED THEIR OWN ON-ROAD DRIVING LESSONS, THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE COMBINED DRIVING TEST. THE FINAL TEST CAN NORMALLY BE TAKEN ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE INDOOR DRIVING TRAINING COURSE.*
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EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS ft ft ft ft ft ft
• ABOUT 130 PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES WERE FLOODED DURING ABNORMAL
HIGH TIDE ON LANTAU ISLAND YESTERDAY (SUNDAY), HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH EMERGENCY RELIEF BY THE TAI 0 AND TUNG CHUNG RURAL COMMITTEES.
MEANWHILE, STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVE STARTED REGISTRATION WORK WITH A VIEW TO GIVE FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED WHILE THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS ASSESSING THE DAMAGE TO CROPS AND FISHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THAT THE OVERALL SITUATION WAS NOT AS SERIOUS AS HAD BEEN REPORTED. *NO REPORT OF SERIOUS DAMAGE TO HOUSES WAS RECEIVED AND THERE WERE NO CASUALTIES,* HE ADDED.
. - - - 0 -----
/6.......
•I
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974 - 6 -
WATER SITUATION REPORT * ft ft ft ft
THE' TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.H. TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 32,949 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 49 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 63.755 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE. ' .
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25.182 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 49,057 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME » DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 49.9 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50.500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY' DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395.6 MM (54.94 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,060.4 MM (81.12 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.3 PER CENT.
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RECONSTRUCTION OF HANG HAU ROAD ft ft ft ft ft ft ‘
THE SECTION OF HANG HAU ROAD BETWEEN CLEARWATER BAY ROAD -AND THE TIN HAU TEMPLE IN HANG HAU, SAI KUNG, IS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED SHORTLY
MEASURING ABOUR 1,300 METRES IN LENGTH, THIS SECTION OF ROAD IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.
RECONSTRUCTION WORK WILL INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF THE CARRIAGEWAY FROM THREE METRES TO OVER SEVEN METRES. THERE WILL BE A FOOTPATH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
THE WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR, WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION, THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS FROM CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO THE INDUSTRIAL LOTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (NEU TERRITORIES) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
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/7........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974
7
BUS-ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD ft ft ft ft ft
THE BUS-ONLY LANE IN LEIGHTON ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE OPENED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 7 A. fl. STARTING ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 16).
THE NIGHT-TIME RELAXATION, SIMILAR TO THAT EFFECTED IN JUNE FOR THE MID-LEVELS BUS-ONLY LANE, IS TO ENABLE ALL OTHER VEHICLES TO USE THE LANE AT A TIME WHEN FEUER BUSES ARE USING IT.
DURING THE SPECIFIED HOURS, ALL TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED ■ TO USE THE WESTBOUND LANE OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN MATHESON STREET AND CANAL ROAD EAST.
OUTSIDE THESE HOURS, HOWEVER, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IN LEIGHTON ROAD, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FRANCHISED BUSES, ON APPROACHING THE WONQNEICHONG ROAD JUNCTION, WILL CONTINUE TO TURN LEFT INTO VONGNEICHONG ROAD.
THE LEIGHTON ROAD BUS-ONLY LANE WAS INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY CMONDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY> AVERAGE
CHINA RICE •
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C.JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD ,
CHU CHO GOOD
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.75
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70 .
A1 SUPER COOD 1*45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75 ' '
U.S* RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK C$/PICUL—LIVE WEIGHT)
GOOD
320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND
MONDAY. OCTOBER 14. 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
CFKO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) MODE
HIGH LOW
GOLDEN THREAD LIMITED 3.50 1.60 2.50
DIG-EYES NORMAL ' 2.40 1.10 1.80
SQUID LIMITED 4.30 0.60 2.70
HAIR-TAILS GOOD 1.45 0.50 0.80
LIZARD FISHES NORMAL 3.40 0.50 1.70 •
CROAKERS NORMAL 1.60 0.60 1.20
CONGER-PIKE-EELS NORMAL 2.80 2.20 2.50
MELON COAT SCARCE 1.80 1.20 1.60
BREAMS SCARCE 5.00 3.00 4.70
YELLOW BELLY LIMITED 1.50 0.70 1.00
MACKERELS LIMITED 3.50 1.60 2.40
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 2.10 0.35 0.60
FORK-TAIL GOOD 0.70 0.40 0.55
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 3.00 1.30 1.80
MELON SEED NORMAL 2.00 0.90 1.40
POMFRETS LIMITED 8.00 6.00 7.00
GAROUPAS LIMITED 10.50 5.50 8.50
YELLOW CROAKER NORMAL 7.00 4.80 5.70 ,
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF vegetable AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY)
HIGH LOW KODE
FLOWER IMG CABBAGE LIMITED 2.20 0.80 1.60
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.80 0.60 1.40
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.40 0.50 1.00
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.00 0.30 0.60
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 2.20 0.00 1.50
STRING LEANS SCARCE 3.00 0.00 1.80
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.60 0.60 1.80
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.20
WATER CRESS SCARCE 5.00 3.00 4.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 2.20 0.60 1.60
CHINESE SPINACH LIMITED 1.20 0.40 0.80
TOMATO SCARCE • 4.50 2.00 3-20
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EXPLAINS NEW TEXTILE AGREEMENT ......................................... 1
PROPERTY OWNERS IN TSUEN WAN AGAIN REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY TAX ..................................... 2
GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION TOMORROW .................................................. 2
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FINED FOR BREACHING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS ........................................ 3
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING TOURS NEW HOUSING ESTATE AT TUEN MUN.................................................... . 4
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ORGANISES SEMINARS ON DRUG ABUSE ..................................................... 5
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SAU MAU PING CENTRAL ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING .................................................. 7
SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE SETTLED............................. 7
MORE +LVCKY+ CAR NUMBERS TO BE AUCTIONED................... 8
WATER SITUATION REPORT...................................... 8 /-
HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY ............................................... 9
TWO NEW LEGCO MEMBERS TO ATTEND OPENING SESSION ........... 9
KOWLOON BAY CLEARANCE OPERATION COMPLETED ................ 10
YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICE, KOWLOON CITY ..................... 11
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
- 1 -
TALKS TO EXPLAIN NEW TRADE AGREEMENT LAUNCHED *#»»»»
A SERIES OF TALKS TO EXPLAIN THE WORKINGS OF THE NEW HONG KONQ/UNITED STATES TEXTILE AGREEMENT TO LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE TALKS ARE BEING ARRANGED BY THE DEPARTMENT'S QUOTA CONTROL DIVISION, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS GOVERNING HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES.
+THESE TALKS ARE A FOLLOW-UP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION UE HAVE ALREADY CIRCULATED TO THE TRADE,+ HRS FRANCES HSIUNG, HEAD OF THE QUOTA CONTROL DIVISION, SAID TODAY. +OUR OBJECT IS TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR EXPORTERS AMD MANUFACTURERS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.+
AN INVITATION TO RECEIVE SPEAKERS HAS DEEN ADDRESSED TO TRADE ASSOCIATIONS CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE TEXTILE TRADE. THE FIRST TALK HAS ALREADY BEEN DELIVERED TO THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG COTTON WEAVERS.
THE UNITED STATES IS HONG KONG’S LARGEST SINGLE MARKET FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS. HIGHER GROWTH POTENTIAL IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE NEW AGREEMENT WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT OH OCTOBER 1 FOR THREE YEARS.
IT REPLACES PREVIOUS RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE RENEGOTIATED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT UNDER THE TERMS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT COVERING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.
THE NEW AGREEMENT COVERS EXPORTS OF COTTON, MAN-MADE FIBRE AND WOOL TEXTILES. THE AGGREGATE LIMIT HAS BEEN RAISED FROM 792 TO 835 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQUARE YARDS, AND THIS WILL INCREASE BY JUST OVER SIX PER CENT ANNUALLY TO REACH 934 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQUARE YARDS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 1977, WHEN THE AGREEMENT EXPIRES.
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/2......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
- 2 -
PROPERTY OWNERS IN TSUEM WAN
AGAIN REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY TAX
* X ft ft ft ft
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THOSE TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS WHO HAD EARLIER RETURNED THEIR PROPERTY,TAX DEMAND NOTES WOULD RECONSIDER THEIR ACTION.
HE SAID THAT AS RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, IT WAS THEIR OBLIGATION TO PAY TAX.
♦BY RETURNING THE DEMAND NOTES OR GOING UP TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE WOULD NOT REMOVE THEIR OBLIGATION,* HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT SO FAR MORE THAN 2,000 PROPERTY TAX DEMAND NOTES FROM THE TSUEN WAN AREA, AMOUNTING TO SOME $5 MILLION, HAVE BEEN PAID TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT3 AND MORE ARE EXPECTED TO PAY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF 15% PROPERTY TAX IN TSUEN WAN WOULD ONLY AFFECT LANDLORDS OF SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTIES WHO ARE NOT ALREADY PAYING TAX ON THEIR RENTAL INCOME IN THE FORM OF BUSINESS PROFITS TAX.
♦NOW, MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME,* HE SAID, +PEOPLE WHO OUGHT TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO GOVERNMENT REVENUE SHOULD NOT WISH TO RUN AWAY FROM THEIR OBLIGATION WHEN THEIR COUNTERPARTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON HAVE BEEN PAYING SUCH TAX FOR YEARS.*
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GROUNDS ON WHICH THEY COULD APPLY FOR EXEMPTION AND SUGGESTED THEY FIND OUT WHICH CATEGORY THEY BELONG TO.
------0 - -
OPENING OF NEW LEGCO SESSION i;, ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL REVIEW THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG AT THE FIRST SITTING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S NEW SESSION TOMORROW (OCTOBER 16).
THE FIRST SITTING WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SUBSEQUENT SITTINGS A ON OCTOBER 30 AND 31 AND NOVEMBER 13 AND IF NECESSARY, 14.
ON OCTOBER 30 AND 31, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK AND ON -NOVEMBER 13 AND POSSIBLY 14, OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
TOMORROW’S PROCEEDINGS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE NETWORKS OF RADIO HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE CHINESE CHANNEL OF COMMERCIAL RADIO.
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/3......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
- 3 -
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FINED FOR BREACHING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS «•»»»«»
A COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR A KWAI CHUNG BUILDING PROJECT WHERE TWO WORKERS DIED IN MULTI-STOREY FALLS WITHIN THREE DAYS WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $7,000 IN TSUEN WAN COURT TODAY FOR BREACHES OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS.
MAGISTRATE MR. F.W. BLACKWELL IMPOSED THE FINES AFTER HE HAD ACCOMPANIED COUNSEL FOR THE PROSECUTION AND THE DEFENCE TO THE SITE WHERE THE HEN WERE KILLED ON JULY 12 AND JULY 15-
WHEN THE COURT HEARING RESUMED AFTER THE INSPECTION, DEFENCE COUNSEL MR. ANDREW CHRISTIE SAID HIS CLIENT, THE NGO KEE CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., WOULD CHANGE THE ORIGINAL PLEA OF NOT GUILTY TO ONE OF GUILTY.
AT AN EARLIER HEARING OF THE CASE ON SEPTEMBER 13, MR. BLACKWELL HAD ORDERED THE COMPANY TO SECURELY FENCE HOLES IN THE PARTLY-COMPLETED BUILDING AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THE COMPANY HAD FAILED TO DO SO DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS BY LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
I
THE COMPANY WAS SUMMONSED UNDER THE SAFETY PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS.
IT IS THE FIRST TIME A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY HAS BEEN PROSECUTED FOR IGNORING THE RECENTLY-INTRODUCED SAFETY REGULATIONS.
DURING THE EARLIER HEARING, CROWN COUNSEL, MR. M. SHARWOOD, ,, TOLD THE COURT THAT BOTH WORKERS DIED WHEN THEY FELL THROUGH ' HOLES IN THE FLOOR OF A PARTI ALLY-COMPLETED GODOWN/INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. -
WHEN TWO FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED THE SITE ON JULY 12 FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE FIRST MAN, THEY DISCOVERED HE HAD OVERBALANCED AND FALLEN THROUGH A HOLE IN THE FLOOR ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, HE SAID.
THEY DISCOVERED ABOUT TWENTY HOLES ON EACH OF THE SEVEN FLOORS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, VARYING IN SIZE FROM 24 FT. BY 40 FT. TO 24 FT. BY THREE FT.
MR. SHARWOOD SAID THE INSPECTORS HAD CATEGORICALLY DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF THE SITE AGENT TO THE HOLES, POINTING OUT TO HIM THAT THEY WERE A CONTRAVENTION OF OFFICIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS.
THEY HAD TOLD THE AGENT THE HOLES WERE ’’SHEER-DEATH TRAPS”.
„ THE SITE AGENT HAD AGREED TO SUGGESTED SAFETY MEASURES AND PROMISED TO IMPLEMENT THEM, MR. SHARWOOD SAID.
BUT WHEN ONE OF THE INSPECTORS RETURNED TO THE SITE THREE DAYS LATER TO SEE WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN HADE, HE LEARNED THAT A SECOND WORKER HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A FATAL FALL FROM A FLOOR OPENING ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
MR. SHARWOOD SAID THAT AN EXAMINATION OF THE SITE HAD SHOWN THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE TO REMOVE THE DANGER TO WORKERS OF FALLING THROUGH THE FLOOR OPENINGS.
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A
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
- 4 -
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING VISITS NEW HOUSING ESTATE AT TUEN MUN
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING. MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, YESTERDAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE LARGE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEME BEING DEVELOPED IN AREA 6 OF THE NEW TOWN AT TUEN MUN.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR. THOMAS KU, SENIOR ARCHITECT IN THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE ESTATE WHEN COMPLETED WILL HAVE FIVE LARGE CRUCIFORM BLOCKS TO HOUSE 46,000 PEOPLE. IT IS BEING DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST-PHASE CONTRACT FOR 29,000 PEOPLE IS FOR THREE-CRUCIFORM BLOCKS, A SIX-STOREY BLOCK, TOGETHER WITH THREE PRIMARY' SCHOOLS. THE FIRST PHASE, TOGETHER WITH A PORTION OF THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE, WILL BE READY IN OCTOBER 1976.
A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THESE TAPERING CRUCIFORM BLOCKS IS THAT THEY PROVIDE A VARIETY OF ROOM SIZES, WITH LARGER ROOMS AT THE BASE AND SMALLER ROOMS AT THE UPPER LEVELS. THE SHORTER CORRIDORS ON. EACH FLOOR WILL MAKE FOR A CLOSER COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG TENANTS. EACH BLOCK WILL HAVE 4,400 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS WITH BALCONIES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING WAS MET BY MR. LAWRENCE LEE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FAR EAST ENGINEERING COMPANY, THE CONTRACTORS FOR THE FIRST PHASE.
FOR THIS CONTRACT THE COMPANY IS USING A PART PRE-CAST BUILDING SYSTEM AND IS BUILDING A PRE-FABRICATION FACTORY ON THE ESTATE SITE FOR BUILDING FLOOR SLABS AND PARTITION WALLS. BY USING THESE MODERN, LABOUR-SAVING METHODS THE FAR EAST ENGINEERING COMPANY CAN COMPLETE ONE FLOOR IN 12 DAYS. THIS SYSTEM ALSO PRODUCES A BETTER WALL FINISH, AND ELIMINATES THE NEED TO PLASTER THE WALLS FOR A SMOOTH FINISH.
’ HR. LIGHTBODY WAS SHOWN THE WORK BEING DONE ON THE * FOUNDATIONS FOR TWO OF THE FIRST THREE BLOCKS. BECAUSE OF THE SOIL CONDITIONS IN THE AREA, IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT ONE WING OF EACH OF THESE CRUCIFORM BLOCKS ON RAFTS RATHER THAN CONVENTIONAL PILING.
THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS ESTATE IS OVER $80 MILLION. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE WHOLE ESTATE, I.E. TWO PHASES, IS ABOUT $160 MILLION. IT WILL INCLUDE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MARKETS, CULTURAL CENTRE AND A SHOPPING COMPLEX.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974
5
S.W.D. ORGANISES SEMINARS ON DRUG ABUSE TO SUPPORT +KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN*
» ft » ft »
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICES HAVE ORGANISED A SERIES OF SEMINARS IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE'S +KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN*.
THE AX OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO FAMILIARISE WELFARE WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC ON THE PROBLEMS OF DRUG ABUSE, METHODS OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AND THE ROLES THAT AGENCIES AND.
CITXENS CAN PLAY TO COMBAT THIS SOCIAL PROBLEM. - '
THE CAMPAIGN IS BEING HELD IN THREE STAGES WITH THE FIRST /FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR CONCENTRATING ON FAMILIARISING WELFARE WORKERS ON THE SUBJECT THROUGH SEMINARS AND THE LIKE.
Jz IN ALL, THE C.Y.O.S HAVE PLANNED SEVEN SEMINARS, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS HELD LAST WEEK AT YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OTHERS WILL TAKE PLACE IN SHAM SHU I PO, YAU MA TEI, TSUEN WAN, KOWLOON CITY, WESTERN AND EASTERN. SOME OF THESE WILL . INCLUDE PARTICIPANTS FROM NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS.
APART FROM GROUP DISCUSSIONS, LECTURES BY PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSE, SOME SEMINARS WILL INCLUDE TALKS BY EX-ADDICTS ON THE EXPERIENCE, AND A FILM.
IN THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND YOUTH CENTRES AND ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES, WILL ORGANISE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR SPECIFIC GROUPS WITHIN THEIR OUN NEIGHBOURHOOD. *?
THE C.Y.O.S WILL CONTINUE THEIR PARTICIPATION BY PROMOTING AND FACILITATING CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND WILL ACT AS CO-ORDINATORS AMONG THESE OFFICES, MEMBER AGENCIES OF THE COUNCIL AND OTHER NON—MEMBER ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SEMINARS
DATE
LOCATION
' TIME
(1) FRIDAY
OCT. 25TH
TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE TONG YAM STREET, TAI HANG TUNG,
10.00 A.M
12.30 P.M
1 KOWLOON.
/(2) WEDNESDAY
X •• * * -
1 4; K > •/. ‘J ; / /]
/ • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974
- 6 -
(2) I 1 WEDNESDAY OCT. JOTH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH (YAU MA TED OFFICE, 57, PEKING ROAD, 5 TH FLOOR, TSIM SHA TSUi, KOWLOON. 2.30 PiM. - 4.00 P.M. •' • । I 1 ■ * I • j
C3> FRIDAY NOV. 15TH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN. 9.20 A.M. 1 • - 12.35 P.M.
C4) <5> SATURDAY NOV. 16TH FRIDAY NOV. 22ND COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CKOWLOON CITY) 2.15 P-M. OFFICE, 8, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD KOWLOON CITY. WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2.00 P.M. WESTERN STREET, HONG KONG. - 4.30 P.M. *• I - 5.00 P.M.
(6) THURSDAY NOV. 28TH COMMUNITY AND YOUTH (EASTERN) OFFICE, ROOM 707, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, HONG KONG- 2.15 P.M. - 5.00 P.M. A g i r * i
I 0- % /7 1
• j * —•, .— * * t 1 . . . %'* '! *• : • < ' • 4. . • 1 • ■
. . . •. । * । f • • A. • • - • • ... ■ I .. • 1 ■ .1 ■f •• f':,'1
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974,
- 7 -
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SAU MAU PING CENTRAL ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S SAU MAU PING (CENTRAL) ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING WILL MARK ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 17) WITH AN +ANNIVERSARY DAY+ CELEBRATION ORGANISED BY WELFARE AGENCIES HOUSED IN THE PREMISES.
THE CELEBRATIONS, PLANNED BY THE BUILDING’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THE AGENCIES, WILL START AT 3.00 P.M. WITH THE OPENING REMARKS BY MR. MA HONG-YAM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE. IT WILL THEN BE FOLLOWED BY A RIBBON-CUTTING BY SIX LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THE ESTATE.
THE EXHIBITION ON PUBLIC AND WELFARE SERVICES IN THE ESTATE IN THE FORM OF PICTURES, CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND MODELS IS ALSO ONE OF THE PROGRAMMES OF THAT DAY. IT WILL LAST FOR TWO DAYS.
THE FINAL PROGRAMME, WHICH IS TO BE HELD IN THE EVENING, IS A FILM AND COLOUR SLIDE SHOW WITH A THEME ON FAMILY PLANNING AND EDUCATION.
BESIDES THE DEPARTMENT'S SAU MAU PING (CENTRAL) ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE AND THE SAU MAU PING DEAF CLUB, THE BUILDING ALSO ACCOMMODATES THE PING NGON YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE= THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG= THE HOLY CARPENTER CHURCH CLINIC= THE HONG KONG BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUB -ASSOCIATION SAU MAU PING LIBRARY AND THE GOSPEL DEBATING SOCIETY SAU MAU PING DAY NURSERY. '
A SIMILAR EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD AT THE HALL OF SAU MAU PING ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING (SOUTH). THE EXHIBITION, WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY (OCTOBER 14), WILL END TODAY.
*
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SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE SETTLED X X » X X Jf
THE SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE INVOLVING 80 WORKERS OF THE HONG KONG TABLEWARE LIMITED IN TSUEN WAN WAS SETTLED TODAY.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT CONCILIATOR, MR. SIN CHUNG YU, HAD CHAIRED TWO MEETINGS ON OCTOBER 10 AND 11 IN WHICH REPRESENTATIVES OF WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED THE TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
A SUM OF $53,738 COVERING SEVEN DAYS WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, PRO RATA ANNUAL BONUSES, SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AND GRATUITY WAS MADE ,TO THE WORKERS AT THE FACTORY THIS AFTERNOON.
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/8......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15. 1974.
- 8 -•t AUCTION OF •’LUCKY" CAR'NUMBERS
TWENTY MORE SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS WEEK.
THE SALE, ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT JO AM SATURDAY (OCTOBER 19> IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
THE NUMBERS ARE:
AA 23 AB 6600 AB 7117 AB 9669 AD 3830
AE 9009 AF 21 AF 88 AG 555 AH 5670
AK 252 1090 5115 8228 HK 8000
AV 181 AZ 123 BD 3 BD 3333 BD 1000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY
CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
THE PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
WATER SITUATION REPORT * * * ft »
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 32,051 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 48.8 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 63,610 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 25.090 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,960 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 49.7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395.6 MM (54.94 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,061.8 MM (81.17 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.3 PER CENT.
•ft
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/9......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
9
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF H.K. TRAINING COUNCIL ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
A BUFFET RECEPTION TO MARK THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONGJ KONQ TRAINING COUNCIL WAS HELD AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL 1OHIGHT.
OFFICIALS OF THE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES ATTENDED THE RECEPTION.
THEY WERE WELCOMED BY HR. JAMES HU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, WHO REPRESENTED THE CHAIRMAN, HR. T.K. ANN.
MR. ANN WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND BECAUSE OF ILLNESS.
GUEST SPEAKER AT THE RECEPTION WAS A VISITING BRITISH TRAINING EXPERT, MR. J.K. DENSHAM, SENIOR TRAINING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SERVICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF SPEECHES BY MR. WU AND MR. DENSHAM ---------------ARE N0U AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE GIS NEWSROOM.
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TWO NEW LEGCO MEMBERS TO ATTEND NEW SESSION ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
THERE WILL BE TWO NEW MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN THE NEU SESSION OPENS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KEN TOPLEY, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE.
MR. TOPLEY TAKES THE PLACE OF MR. JACK CANNING WHO RETIRED FRCM GOVERNMENT SERVICE NEARLY TWO MONTHS AGO, AJJD MR. PRICE TAKES THE SEAT PREVIOUSLY HELD BY THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. DAVID ALEXANDER.
BEFORE TAKING UP HIS POST AS DIRECTOR CF EDUCATION, HR. TOPLEY WAS DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. PRIOR TO THAT HE SERVED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING CORiUSSIONER FOR CENSUS
AND STATISTICS FROM 1970 TO 1973.
MR. PRICE HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR SINCE SEPTEMBER 1973. AFTER SERVING IN MALAYA AMD KENYA.
MR. PRICE JOINED THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT KJ HONG K01^ AS A SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER IN 1965. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN 1968 AND TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN 1971.
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/10-.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974
- 10 -
KOWLOON BAY CLEARANCE COMPLETED * * * K ft ft
SQUATTER CONTROL STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY CLEARED ABOUT 25 ACRES OF LAND ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION. WHERE RACKETEERS HAD BEEN EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN BUILDING ILLEGAL SQUATTER HUTS FOR SALE.
THE LAND CLEARED IS BEING HANDED OVER TO THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. PART OF THE AREA WILL BE USED AS A WORK SITE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM ANO THE REMAINDER FOR ROADWORKS AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
THE CLEARANCE INVOLVED NEARLY 400 ILLEGAL SQUATTER HUTS. HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAD ALREADY BEEN DEMOLISHED BY THE OCCUPANTS AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF HAD TO DEMOLISH ONLY 53 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES. \
THE CLEARANCE WAS COMPLETED VERY SMOOTHLY AND 18 FAMILIES ’ WHO FAILED TO MOVE OUT IN TIME WERE HELPED TO DO SO. THEY WERE TAKEN TO WONG CHUK HANG TRANSIT CENTRE BY DEPARTMENTAL TRANSPORT.
A TOTAL OF 241 FAMILIES COMPRISING 918 PEOPLE WHO WERE REGISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST HAVE MOVED INTO THEIR HOMES AT THE NEW SHEK YAM LICENSED AREA.
ALL THOSE WHO WERE OFFERED TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AT WONG CHUK HANG TRANSIT CENTRE TODAY HAD ONLY MOVED INTO KOWLOON BAY VERY RECENTLY. IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE PEOPLE BOUGHT THEIR ILLEGAL HUTS FROM RACKETEERS AFTER THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD COMPLETED ITS SURVEYED REGISTRATION OF THE AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO BUY HUTS FROM THE RACKETEERS OR THEY WOULD SUFFER UNNECESSARY LOSSES.
H _ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15» 1974
YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY CYO CKOULOON CITYJ
ft ft ft ft ft ft
A YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE CKOULOON CITY) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR YOUTHS OVER 15 OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION LEVEL.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAYS FROM OCTOBER 18 TO DECEMBER 27, 1974 FROM 7-30 P.M. TO 9.30 P.H. AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE CKOULOON CITY) AT 8, SUNG UONG TOI ROAD, FOOK TAO MANSION, GROUND FLOOR.
THE CONTENTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF ' UNDERSTANDING OF THE SHALL GROUP AND LEADERSHIP, TECHNIQUES IN THE DISCUSSION GROUP, PANEL PRESENTATION AND SPEECH DELIVERY, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PROGRAMME PLANNING-
THE FORMAT OF THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE SEMINARS, LECTURES, DEMONSTRATIONS, VISITS OF OBSERVATION, FIELD WORK PRACTICE AND VISUAL-AIDS.
MR. DONALD NG, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER CKOULOON CITY) SAID THAT SIMILAR TRAINING COURSES HELD SUCCESSFULLY LAST SUMMER WERE BEING CONTINUED THIS YEAR.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE TRAINING PROGRAMME ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICE OR THROUGH TEL, 3-021414.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET ANT) THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
• GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAqE
CHINA RICE
SEE MEW qooo 2.02
S.C.JIEN qooo 1.86
PO NQAI qooo
CHU CHO good ~ ।
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE qooD 1.82
10-15% BROKENS qooD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA qooD 1.70
A1 SUPER qooD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS qooo 1.75
U.S. RICE qooD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE qooo 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE qooo —
TAIWAN RICE qooo —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL—LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND
TUESDAY, OCTODER 15, 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF KARINE FISH
CFKO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY>
HIGH LOU KODE
GOLDEN THREAD LIMITED 4.00 2.00 3.00
BIG-EYES NORMAL 2.40 1.00 1.70
SQUID NORMAL 3=50 1.50 2.50
HAIR-TAILS GOOD 1.50 0.80 1.10
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED 3'. 00 0.50 1.80
CROAKERS LIMITED 3.20 0.70 2.00
CONQER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3.00 2.40 2.70
MELON COAT BREAMS SCARCE 5.00 NO SALE 3.50 4.20 •
YELLOW BELLY NORMAL 1.00 0.40 0.70
MACKERELS LIMITED 4.80 1.60 3.20
RED GOAT FISH SCARCE 1.50 0.50 1.00
FORK-TAIL GOOD 0.80 0.40 0.60
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 3.20 1.60 2.40
MELON SEED NORMAL 2.30 1.00 1.60
POMFRETS SCARCE 9.00 7.00 8.00 •
GAROUPAS SCARCE 10.00 6.00 8.00
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 6.30 5.00 5.60
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY>
VEGETABLE OF SUPPLY HIGH LOU MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 2.20 0.80 1.50
UNITE CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.60 1.40
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.40 0.50 1.00
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.00 0.30 0.60
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 2.20 0.80 1.50
STRING DEANS SCARCE 2.80 0.80 1.60
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.50 0.60 1.80
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.20
WATER CRESS SCARCE 5.00 3.00 4.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 2.20 0.60 1.50
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.40 0.40 0.90
TOMATO • • > • SCARCE 4.80 2.00 3.50 I
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PRH 7
IgisI hmil
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
UED7JESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1914
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
r , , arfoea.a«.«»C3«M»
GOVERNOR REAFFIRMS GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO PRESS
AHEAD WITH LONG TERM SOCIAL PROGRAMMES................ 1
THREE YEARS ASSISTED SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL BY 1979 ................................................. 3
EDUCATION WHITE PAPER TABLED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .. 5
REVIEW OF ECONOMIC SITUATION 1 CONTINUED GROWTH PREDICTED............................................ 11
PRUDENT. AND CAREFUL APPROACH ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING REQUIRED............................................. 13
SIR MURRAY OUTLINES FURTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR WORKERS .............................. IB
ACHIEVEMENTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE BEING CONSOLIDATED .... 22
EXPERT ADVICE BEING SOUGHT ON METHADONE TREATMENT IN HONG KONG............................................ 24
GOVERNOR CAUTIONS AGAINST OVER-SIMPLIFYING UNREGISTR-
ABLE DOCTORS ISSUE ................................. 25
GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS OPEN MIND ON FISCAL MEASURES AS
A MEANS TO DISCOURAGE LARGE FAMILIES ................ 26
GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE IN PROVISION OF MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES...................... 27
COMMUNITY AND POLICE MUST STAND TOGETHER IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME SAYS SIR MURRAY ....................... 29
MORE PRISONS PLANNED TO EASE OVERCROWDING IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS ........................................ 31
' »
PUBLIC RESPONDING WELL TO ICACs 300 PER CENT INCREASE
IN REPORTS RECORDED.................................. 32
/z.....
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
2
TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER TO BE DRAFTED EARLY NEXT YEAR .. 33
INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PLANNED TO HELP INDUSTRY ........... 35
GOVERNOR PRAISES CONSUMER COUNCIL ..................... 36
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON ........................ 36
TEACHERS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF PREVENTING TRIAD PENETRATION IN SCHOOLS ................................ 37
WATER SITUATION s TOTAL STORAGE DOWN TO 32,754 MILLION
GALLONS................................................ 37
GRADUATION CEREMONY OF FISHERMEN’S SCHOOLS PUPILS .... 38
TOO LOTS OF RESIDENTIAL LAND TO BE AUCTIONED ON FRIDAY 38
100 POSTMEN TO BE HONOURED FOR LONG SERVICE............ 39
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
WECKZGDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 1 -government to push ahead with long TEPM SOCIAL PROGRAMMES a x a a a
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY LOOKED TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE AND PLEDQED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD PRESS FORWARD WITH ITS LONG TERM PROGRAMMES TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
IN HIS WIDE RANGING REVIEW AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HURRAY SAID THE COMING YEAR UOULD EE ONE OF CONSOLIDATION RATHER THAN OKE OF LAUNCHING INTO HEW FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR.
WHILE HE DID NOT EXPECT THE YEAR TO BE AN EASY ONE, HE WAS CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG UOULD FARE MUCH BETTER THAN HANY OTHER CITIES IN THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH AT THIS TINE +1S OKE OF DETERMINATION, BUT OF PRUDENT AHD HARD-HE/JDED DETERMINATION TO PRESS ON TOWARDS THE OBJECTIVES,* HE SAID, STRESSING THAT IT UOULD BE A HOST SERIOUS MISTAKE AT 1HIS STAGE 10 ALLOW THE PRESENT WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION TO DEFLECT US FROM OCR LONG TERM AIMS +EXCEPT TO THE MINIMUM EXTENT THAT COMMON PRUDEi.CE WILL DICTATE.*
DESPITE PRESENT DIFFICULTIES, HE NOTED, CAREFULLY CONCEIVED PLANS FOR HOUSING, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND SOCIAL WELFARE WERE ALL GOING FORWARD. +THE SCALE OF THIS SHOULD EE APPRECIATED BECAUSE IT IS AH INDICATION OF OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE,* HE SAID.
IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED PLANS TO PROVIDE EVERY CHILD IN HONG KOL'G UI TH ASSISTED SECONDARY EDUCATION FROM FORMS 1 TO 3, LOST LIKELY DY 1979. BY THAT TIME IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE EXTRA TEACHERS REQUIRED UOULD HAVE BEEN TRAINED. AHD BY MAY 1978, PRIMARY 6 LEAVERS UOULD PROBABLY HAVE SAT THE PRESENT SECONDARY SCHOOL EHTrnKJE EXAMINATIONS FOR THE LAST TIKE.
SIR HURRAY WAS EQUALLY OPTIMISTIC OVER THE PROSPECT OF PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE HOUSING SITUATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, ARD HE UAS CONVINCED THAT BY 1984 IKE HOUSING SITUATION +UILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED.*
CONTRACTS NOW LET THROUGHOUT HONG KONG UOULD PROVIDE HOMES FOR UP TO 100,000 HORE PEOPLE IN 1975/76 AHD FOR ANOTHER 140,000 IN 1976/77. DETAILED PROPOSALS WERE ALSO BEING PREPARED FOR THE REDEVELXJPHENT OF A KUi.CER OF OLD TEKE..KHT BUILDINGS.
FOR HONG KONG'S LARGE LABOUR FORCE, FURTHER BENEFITS AND PROTECTION ARE OH THE UAY, INCLUDING SHORTER OVERTIME WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSUNS FROM 300 TO 250 HOURS A YEAR FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1975 AMD TO 200 HOURS 1.1 1976-= A HEU LABOUR RELATIONS BILL GIVING STATUTORY DACKlf.G TO THE LACOUR RELATIONS SERVICE AND FCR PROCEDURES TO CS FOLLOWED 1H A LABOUR DISPUTE WHEN CO..C ILIATION HAS FAILED= FURTH. R INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
Rr.QULATiOUS COlEftltlQ CARGO HAl.l.LI. qODOUUSa HEU REGULATIONS Pi.OVluL.C APPREllTICECJIP SUHHZS= Ai .J A SPEC THOSE SUFFER l.:q FkOil SILICOSIS. IG AT WiLu.VES, QUAYS AHD < A LEGISLATIVE FUAKEWORX FOR UAL COi.AJ.’SATlOH SCt.^l.E FOR /Oil TRANSi’OI.T
VJEDIIESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974 - 2 -
ON TRANSPORT, SIR MURRAY SAID A TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER WOULD BE PREPARED HEXT YEAR GIVING FIRM INDICATIONS AS TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO COPE WITH HONG KONG'S TRANSPORT NEEDS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD.
THE GOVERNOR SUPPORTED THE CONTINUATION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROJECT WHICH, HE SAID, WAS STILL JUDGED TO BE WITHIN OUR RESOURCES. THE PROJECT SHOULD GO AHEAD, HE FELT, +PROVIDED AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED ON THE BASIS OF THE SPECIFIED PRICE AT WHICH THE RAILWAY <S CALCULATED TO BE COMMERCIALLY VIADLE.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST EXPERTS IN METHADONE THERAPY WOULD BE COMING TO HONG KONG TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR TO HELP EVALUATE THE TWO PILOT METHADONE SUBSTITUTION PROJECTS NOW UNDERWAY, AND TO HELP PLOT THE WAY-AHEAD FOR METHADONE THERAPY AI.D ITS PROPER RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FORMS OF DRUG TREATMENT IN HONG KONG.
TO HELP INDUSTRY, INDUSTRIAL ESTATES ARE TO BE SET UP AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR SUCH A VENTURE IN JUM'C BAY HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED. SIMILAR STUDIES INVOLVING SITES AT TAIPO AND YUEN LONG ARE ALREADY FAR ADVANCED.
THE GOVERNOR WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG'S ECONOMY WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND HE PREDICTED A FOUR PER CENT GROWTH IN REAL TERMS THIS YEAR.
WHILE HONG KONG EXPORTERS WOULD FACE STRONGER COMPETITION;-+THERE IS A FAIR HOPE THAT IN OUR MARKETS AS A WHOLE A SUFFICIENTLY HEALTHY DEMAND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP HONG KONG BUSY.+
THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, HE ADDED, WOULD ALSO BE DOING EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO HELP Fl'CD NEU MARKETS AND EXPAND OLD ONES, WHILE FOR ITS PART THE GOVERNMENT -- WITH THE SUPPORT THE UK GOVERNMENT — WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS FOR A FAIR DEAL FOR HONG KONG'S PRODUCTS.
+THE PROSPECTS OF MAINTAINING OUR EXPORTS ARE FAVOURABLE BECAUSE HONG KONG'S PRODUCTIVITY IS NOW HIQH AND OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION ABROAD IS VERY STRONG,+ HE SAID.
TOUCHING ON ANGLO-CHINESE RELATIONS, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THE STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN RECENT YEARS IN S1NO-GRITISH RELATIONS. +THIS HAS HADE POSSIBLE THE FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION ABOUT MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WHICH IS SO GREATLY TO THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG.+ ■
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974.
V-’ 5 -
THREE YEARS ASSISTED SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL BY 1979 EDUCATION WHITE PAPER TADLED IN LEQCO
X » R X X- *
EVERY CHILD IN HONG KONG IS TO BE PROVIDED WITH SUBSIDISED SECONDARY EDUCATION UP FROM FORM 1 TO FORM 3 IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
+1F CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS ARE FULFILLED, THIS COULD BE AS EARLY AS 1979 — A MUCH SHORTER TIME THAN THAT ENVISAGED IN THE ORIGINAL GREEN PAPER ON EDUCATION,* HE TOLD THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+BY THAT DATE,* SIR MURRAY SAID, +IT IS JUDGED POSSIBLE TO TRAIN THE EXTRA TEACHERS REQU1RED= BUT IT CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS NECESSARY IF SECONDARY SCHOOLS WERE TO BE UN I-SESSIONAL, BECAUSE THE MONEY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO BUILD SCHOOLS FOR ALL THE PLACES REQUIRED IN THE TIME, NOR, IF IT WERE, WOULD IT BE PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE TO DO SO.*
THE GOVERNOR WAS OUTLINING SOME OF THE MAIN FEATURES IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG DURING THE NEXT DECADE WHICH WAS TABLED IN COUNCIL TODAY.
THE WHITE PAPER ENVISAGES THAT SUFFICIENT PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1979 IN FORMS 1 TO 3 FOR 100 PER CENT OF THE 12-14 AGE GROUP AND FOR 40 PER CENT OF THE 15-16 AGE GROUP IN FORMS 4 AND 5.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: +THE OBJECTIVE IS PROVISION OF ASSISTED SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL, BUT UNLESS MANY CHILDREN ARE TO BE■-DENIED THIS FOR HANY MORE YEARS THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD DURING WHICH THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS WE HAVE AND CAN CONSTRUCT ARE USED MUCH HORE INTENSIVELY THAN AT PRESENT.*
AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE, HE EXPLAINED, THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSED FLOTATION COUPLED WITH AN EXTENDED DAY SYSTEM SO AS TO MAXIMISE ENROLMENTS IN EXISTING SCHOOLS UNTIL THE BUILDING PROGRAMME OVERTAKES THE SCHOOL POPULATION.
WHILE HE REALISED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN IDEAL SOLUTION, THE GOVERNOR FELT IT TO BE+A REALISTIC COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE OVER-RIDING REQUIREMENT FOR IMMEDIATE SPEED, AND THE EVENTUAL IDEAL SOLUTION OF UNI-SESSIONAL SECONDARY EDUCATION.*
THE GOVERNOR WENT ON TO COMMENT ON THE DECISION TO DROP THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE GREEN PAPER TO MAKE ONE-FIFTH OF JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS PREVOCATIONAL AND INSTEAD TO MAKE 20-29 PER CENT OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS PRAC TIC AL/TECHN1C AL.
' THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE VALUE OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND WOULD CONTINUE TO ASSIST ALL THOSE IN EXISTENCE, HE SAID, BUT IT WAS CONSIDERED WRONG IN PRINCIPLE THAT A GENe-RAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE BASED ON A SEPARATION OF CHILDREN AT THE EARLY AC,E OF 11-1/2 OR 12 YEARS INTO THOSE WHO WOU! D RECEIVE PREVOCAT1JNAL AND THOSE WHO WOULD RECEIVE GRAMMAR SCHOOL SECONDARY EDUCATION.
/+THE 'WHITE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
♦THE WHITE PAPER’S VIEW IS THAT ALL CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT EQUALLY UP TO THE AQ£ OF 14 FROM ELEMENTS OF BOTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL/PRACT1CAL TRAINING, AND THAT EVENTUAL SEPARATION OF THE TWO STREAMS SHOULD BE LEFT AS LATE AS POSSIBLE TO SHOW IN WHICH DIRECTION THEIR NATURAL ABILITY LIES.,
+WE ARE ALL VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE-TECHNICAL APTITUDE, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS LIKELY TO BE MORE SECURELY BUILT ON THE BASIS OF A GENERAL EDUCATION, INCLUDING OF COURSE A TECHNICAL ELEMENT, UP TO THE AGE OF 14,+ HE SAID. THEREAFTER THERE WOULD BE AMPLE MEANS OF IMPLANTING AND EXTENDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS THAT EVENTUALLY 40 PER CENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES WOULD BE IN TECHNICAL FORMS. +FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REACH SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS THERE WILL BE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES COUPLED WITH THE SERVICES OF THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND FOR THE MOST TALENTED STUDENTS, THE POLYTECHNIC.+
ON THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WITH THE PROVISION OF SECONDARY PLACES FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS THE NEED FOR THIS EXAMINATION WOULD DISAPPEAR, PROBABLY AFTER MAY 1978.
IT WAS PROPOSED, HE ADDED, TO INTRODUCE A NEW EXAMINATION FOR A HONG KONG JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION TO BE SAT AT THE END OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY COURSE AS A RECORD OF ATTAINMENT, AND AS A METHOD.OF SELECTION FOR THE SECONDARY COURSE. SIR MURRAY STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS TO PHASE ITS INTRODUCTION SO THAT NO CHILD WOULD HAVE TO SIT BOTH EXAMINATIONS.
TURNING TO THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE GOVERNOR SAID FUNDS HAD BEEN AGREED FOR PHASE ONE OF THE POLYTECHNIC'S PLANS FOR A NEW CAMPUS AT HUNG HOM. THIS WOULD ENABLE THE POLYTECHNIC'S EXPANSION TO REACH A FULL TIME EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT 6,000 STUDENTS BY 1976. THEREAFTER, PHASES TWO AND THREE OF THE POLYTECHNIC'S DEVELOPMENT PLAN WOULD TAKE IT ONWARDS TO THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF A STUDENT BODY OF AT LEAST 8,000 AND POSSIBLY AS MUCH AS 10,000 FULL TINE EQUIVALENT STUDENTS.
AS THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN WOULD BE DISCUSSED AGAIN IN 1975 BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, SIR MURRAY COULD NOT COMMENT FURTHER AT THIS STAGE.
ON THE UNIVERSITIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE FOR THE CURRENT UNIVERSITIES QUADRENNIUM 1974-78, AND FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, HAD BEEN CONSIDERED IN DETAIL AND FUNDS APPROVED ACCORDINGLY.
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, HE NOTED, WERE PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY AND SHOULD REACH A PROJECTED STUDENT ENROLMENT OF 8,850 BY 1973.
-----0------
/5........
.-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
5
EDUCATION WHITE PAPER TABLED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL * * * * * *
NINE YEARS OF SUBSIDIZED GENERAL EDUCATION IS TO BE PROVIDED FOR EVERY CHILD IN HONG KONG BY 1979. DURING THIS PERIOD, ALL CHILDREN SHOULD FOLLOW A COMMON COURSE OF GENERAL EDUCATION.
THIS MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON +SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG DURING THE NEXT DECADE.+ THE DOCUMENT WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE PROVISION BY 1979 OF SUFFICIENT PLACES IN FORMS 1 TO 3 FOR 100 PER CENT OF THE 12 - 14 AGE GROUP AND IN FORMS 4 AND 5 FOR 40 PER CENT OF THE 15 - 16 AGE GROUP WILL BE DONE +IN A CONSIDERABLE SHORTER TIME THAN ENVISAGED IN THE GREEN PAPER,+ THE WHITE PAPER POINTED OUT.
IT STRESSED THAT THE FINANCIAL AND OTHER COMMITMENTS INVOLVED WOULD REPRESENT A HEAVY BURDEN, WHICH COULD ONLY BE CARRIED OUT AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NEEDS.
+HONG KONG HAS EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF ITS PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES SINCE THE WAR. THE POPULATION HAS INCREASED SEVENFOLD AND THE DEMANDS WHICH HAVE, IN CONSEQUENCE, FALLEN UPON ITS SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN IMMENSE,+ THE PAPER SAID.
IN SPITE OF THE URGENT CLAIMS OF HOUSING, MEDICAL SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE, AND THE MANIFOLD DEMANDS OF A MODERN URBAN SOCIETY, THE SIGNIFICANT TARGET OF MAKING SUBSIDIZED PRIMARY EDUCATION FREE FOR ALL WAS ACHIEVED IN 1971 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SMALL MINORITY OF SUBSIDIZED SCHOOLS AND THE JUNIOR ENGLISH SCHOOLS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW EMBARKING WITH ALL POSSIBLE SPEED ON THE AMBITIOUS SECONDARY EXPANSION TARGET. BY 1976 THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH FORM 1 PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCLUDING +BOUQHT+ PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, FOR 77 PER CENT OF PRIMARY SIX LEAVERS AND WHEN THE FULLY PRIVATE SECTOR IS ADDED, ABOUT 100 PER CENT OF PLACES WILL HAVE BEEN ATTAINED FOR CHILDREN IN THE 12 -14 AGE GROUP.
IN LINE WITH THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER, THE PERCENTAGE OF PRIMARY SIX LEAVERS WHO WILL GAIN FORM 1 PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN 1977 WILL RISE TO NEARLY 81 FER CENT, IN 1978 TO 95 PER CENT AND IN 1979 TO 100 PER- CENT.
/BEMPORARY.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 197'+ ' .*•' - 6 -
TEMPORARY MEASURES TO MAXIMIZE ENROLMENTS *
TO ACHIEVE THESE TARGETS, TEMPORARY MEASURES WILL HAVE TO BE ADOPTED TO MAXIMIZE ENROLMENTS IN EXISTING SCHOOLS UNTIL THE BUILDING PROGRAMME OVERTAKES THE SCHOOL POPULATION.
IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE IN SEPTEMBER VJ75 FLOTATION, COMBINED WITH AN EXTENDED DAY SYSTEM, TO PERMIT A STAGGERING OF CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN ALL JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, BUT NOT TO SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS, THEREBY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF FORM 1 PLACES BY UP TO 50 PER CENT IN THESE SCHOOLS. THE AIDED SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO ADOPT THIS SYSTEM.
THE WHITE PAPER SAID: +1F IT PROVES POSSIBLE'TO INCREASE THEIR ENROLMENTS BY 50 PER CENT, THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE IN FORMS 1 TO 3 OF THESE SCHOOLS WILL BE 137,000 IN SEPTEMBER 1976 AND 205,000 IN SEPTEMBER 1979.
+THE BALANCE OF PLACES NECESSARY TO MAKE UP THE TARGET OF 100 PER CENT PROVISION FOR THE AQE GROUP SY SEPTEMBER 1979 WOULD BE +BOUGHT+ IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
+1N 1979 IT IS LIKELY THAT ABOUT 77,000 PLACES WOULD HAVE TO BE +BOUGHT+, BUT THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF +BOUQHT+ PLACES WILL ALSO DEPEND UPON THE RATE OF COMPLETION OF NEU SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH AIDED SCHOOLS ARE ABLE AND WILLING TO INCREASE THEIR ENROLHENS BY FLOTAT1ON/EXTENDED DAY OPERATION.
EXTENDED DAY OPERATION
+IT IS NOT PROPOSED TO INCREASE ENROLMENTS IN FORMS 4 AND 5 BY USE OF THE FLOTAT1ON/EXTENDED DAY METHOD. 66,913 PLACES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER 1979 IN FORMS 4 AND 5 OF GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND ASSISTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS AGAINST A TARGET FIGURE OF 85,920 PLACES. THE BALANCE OF ABOUT 19,000 PLACES WILL HAVE TO BE +BOUGHT+ IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THERE IS NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE.*
WHILE IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE Bl SESSIONAL OPERATION IN JUNIOR SECONDARY 1
FORMS EVEN AS AN INTERIM MEASURE, IF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AUTHORITIES CHOOSE TO ADOPT BISESS IONAL1SM THERE WOULD BE NO GOVERNMENT OBJECTION.
SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WILL BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE ROTATION IF THEY WISH BUT IT IS NOT INTENDED TO RECOMMEND THE ADOPTION OF ROTATION AS STANDARD PRACTICE.
/PIE WHITE
WBDIIESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 197^
THE WHITE PAPER STRESSED THAT THE 1979 TARGETS SET FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION COULD BE ACHIEVED ON TIME IF
CA) ALL EXISTING AND PLANNED GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS ACCEPT AND PRACTISE THE FLOTATION/EXTENDED DAY SYSTEM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT BY SEPTEMBER 1976=
CB) THE SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED ON SCHEDULE= AND
CC) THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF 'BOUGHT* PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN BE ACQUIRED.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, BY 1983, 161 NEU SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COST OF PROPOSALS
THE COST OF THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER AT MID-1974 PRICES (WITH NO ALLOWANCE BEING HADE FOR INFLATION NOR FOR THE RECENT SALARY INCREASES APPROVED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND AIDED SCHOOLS) WOULD MAKE ESTIMATED RECURRENT EXPENDITURE RISE FROM $360 MILLION FOR SEPTEMBER 1975 TO $550 MILLION FOR SEPTEMBER 1979.
THE TOTAL COST OVER THIS FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IS LIKELY TO BE WELL OVER $2,250 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO SPEND $719 MILLION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE 10-YEAR PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1974 TO SEPTEMBER 1983. ANOTHER $141 MILLION WILL BE REQUIRED FROM SPONSORS.
+THESE ARE VERY SUBSTANTIAL FIGURES, AND MUST BE VIEWED AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF ESCALATING PRESSURES FROM OTHER SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ON OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES. THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FULFIL THE AMBITIOUS EDUCATIONAL TARGETS SET OUT IN THIS PAPER. BUT IT HAS TO BE ACCEPTED THAT THEIR FULFILMENT MUST BE SUBJECT TO A REGULAR REVIEW OF THE OVERALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND OF THE SHARE OF THEM WHICH PROPERLY CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION,+ THE WHITE PAPER SAID.
IT WILL BE APPRECIATED THEREFORE THAT TOTALLY FREE EDUCATION IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE FINANCIALLY ACCEPTABLE AT THIS STAGE. BUT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT NO CHILD SHOULD BE DENIED A SECONDARY PLACE SOLELY BECAUSE HIS PARENTS ARE UNABLE TO PAY SCHOOL FEES.
+IT IS, THEREFORE, INTENDED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF FEE REMISSION WILL CONTINUE FOR SO LONG'AS THE GOVERNMENT IS UNABLE TO ACCEPT THE HIGH COST WHICH WOULD BL INVOLVED IN MAKING SECONDARY EDUCATION WHOLLY FREE.+ THE DOCUMENT EMPHASISED.
/ABOLITION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 19?4
- 8 -
ABOLITION OF S.S.E.E.
DEALING WITH EXAMINATIONS, THE WHITE PAPER SAID THAT AS SOON AS THE TARGET OF PROVIDING 100 PER CENT SUBSIDIZED PLACES FOR FORMS 1 TO 3 IS APPROACHED, THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION WOULD BE ABOLISHED. IF THIS TARGET WAS REACHED BY 1979 THAT EXAMINATION WOULD BE SET FOR THE LAST TIME IN HAY 1978.
A NEW PUBLIC EXAMINATION - THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION - W' LL BE INTRODUCED AT THE END OF FORM 3 AND IT WILL COME INTO BEING IN 1982. THIS EXAMINATION WILL BOTH PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT A PUPIL HAS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED HIS EDUCATION TO FORM 3 STANDARD ANO WILL ACT AS A FORM OF SELECTION FOR FURTHER SUBSIDIZED EDUCATION.
+THE EXAMINATION WILL BE BASED ON THE COMMON TEACHING SYLLABUS FOR THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE AND WILL NOT HAVE A SPECIAL SYLLABUS OF ITS OWN,+ THE WHITE PAPER SAID.
WITH THE ABOLITION OF THE S.S.E.E., AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE DEVISED TO REGULATE THE FLOW OF STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY TO JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, A SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL TAKE PUPILS FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE SAME AREA. IT WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH SCHOOL TO SELECT ITS PUPILS UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE LINKED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE PERMITTED TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO THEIR OWN PRIMARY PUPILS AS AT PRESENT.
AFTER FORM 3, PUPILS SELECTED BY MEANS OF THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION WILL ENTER SENIOR SECONDARY TECHNICAL OR GRAMMAR FORMS. IT IS INTENDED THAT 60 PER CENT OF THE PLACES SHOULD BE IN SENIOR SECONDARY GRAMMAR FORMS AND 40 PER CENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY TECHNICAL FORMS,* ALTHOUGH THIS RATIO HAY TAKE SOME TIME TO ACHIEVE IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING PREPONDERANCE OF SECONDARY GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
+IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM THAT THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT PLACES IN SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR FOR 40 PER CENT OF THE 15“16 AGE GROUP BY 1979»+ THE WHITE PAPER SAID.
SINCE THERE WILL BE NO AUTOMATIC PROMOTION FROM JUNIOR SECONDARY TO SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS, SELECTION AND ALLOCATION PROCEDURES FOR THE SENIOR SECONDARY COURSE WILL DE CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE NEW PUBLIC EXAMINATION.
/EMPHASIS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
9
EMPHASIS ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION
UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN OF EXPANSION EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
THE WHITE PAPER SAID: +THE INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED INDUSTRIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEXT DECADE WILL BEST BE MET BY PROVIDING WORKERS WITH A BASIC MINIMUM NINE-YEAR COURSE OF GENERAL EDUCATION BUT WITH A PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CONTENT OF 25 " 30 PLR CENT. THIS WILL PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH FURTHER INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CAN BE GIVEN.+
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY EMBARKED UPON A SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAMME OF BUILDING TECHNICAL INSTITUTES STARTING WITH MORRISON HILL, AND A FURTHER FOUR ARE ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN THE PLANNING STAGE.
THE QUESTION OF A FURTHER EXPANSION IN THIS FJELD WILL DEPEND UPON THE LONG-TERM ACCEPTABILITY OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TRAINEES TO INDUSTRY.
ALTHOUGH THE EMPHASIS IN THE WHITE PAPER IS ON THE NEED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PLACES AND ON THE WAYS BY WHICH THESE CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE, THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE DESIRABILITY OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
♦ WITH THIS IN MIND, STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO MEET THE RAPID EXPANSION PLANNED FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS REQUIRED FOR 'BOUGHT1 PLACES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE EARLY EXTENSION OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
+THE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES WILL CONTINUE TO EXAMINE SYLLABUSES, WITH A VIEW TO MAKING THEM MORE RELEVANT TO THE NEEDS OF PUPILS IN A CHANGING AND MORE DEMANDING SOCIETY,+ THE WHITE PAPER SAID.
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
IN THE PAST SECONDARY EDUCATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED MAINLY THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ENGLISH. NOW THAT IT IS INTENDED TO MAKE SECONDARY EDUCATION IN FORMS 1 TO J AVAILABLE TO ALL, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO REVIEW THIS PRACTICE.
ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS THERE ARE STRONG ARGUMENTS FOR MAINTAINING THAT THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN AGEO 12-14 SHOULD BE CHINESE.
■ +HOWEVER, THERE ARE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. HONG KONG IS A COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WHICH HAS REACHED A HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SOPHISTICATION AND HAS ESTABLISHED CLOSE CONTACTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT HONG KONG, IF IT IS TO MAINTAIN ITS PROGRESS, WILL CONTINUE TO NEED PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND THE PROFESSIONS WHO ARE AT HOME IN ENGLISH AS WELL AS IN CHINESE.
/FUR THESE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1971*
- 10
+FOR THESE PRACTICAL REASONS, THE STANDARDS OF CHINESE AND cNGLISH MUST BE MAINTAINED, AND INDEED, IF POSSIBLE, IMPROVED, AND PARENTS ARE LIKELY TO DEMAND THAT THEY SHOULD BE. THESE CONSIDERATIONS SUGGEST THE NEED FOR A BALANCED APPROACH.
+1T IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AUTHORITIES SHOULD THEMSELVES DECIDE WHETHER THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE ENGLISH OR CHINESE FOR ANY PARTICULAR SUBJECT IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS.
+THIS WILL FACILITATE THE ADOPTION OF APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO DROP IN THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH OF THOSE CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION BEYOND FORM J, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, ENABLING OTHER STUDENTS TO DERIVE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE,+ THE WHITE PAPER SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT, IT SAID, +INTENDS TO REVIEW THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION AS THESE DEVELOP.+
EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL THE AIMS OF THE TREMENDOUS EXPANSION IN THE FIELD OF AIDED SECONDARY EDUCATION AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER BUT THE SUPPORT OF ALL CONCERNED WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE TARGETS*.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 11 -
GOVERNOR CONFIDENT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE CONTINUED GROWTH PREDICTED
#*»***
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY SOUNDED A NOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WHICH, HE PREDICTED, IS CERTAINLY EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW THIS YEAR — HOST PROBABLY AT A RATE OF FOUR PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE NEU SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HURRAY REVIEWED THE LOCAL ECONOMY IN RELATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SITUATION, AND NOTED THAT INTERVENTION BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS WAS ID GREAT THAT +A RECESSION IS UNLIKELY TO ASSUME AN EXTREME FORH.+
ON INFLATION, HE SAID ONE COULD AT LEAST BE THANKFUL THAT INCOMES WERE NOT BEING EATEN AWAY BY INFLATION IN QUITE THE SAME WAY AS LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT LAST YEAR'S EXTERNAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WOULD RO LONGER HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY OR THAT THERE WOULD NOT-BE ANY FURTHER PRESSURES THIS YEAR. ।
COMMENTING ON EXPORTS, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THERE WOULD BE A FAIR HOPE THAT +A SUFFICIENTLY HEALTHY DEMAND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP HONG KONG BUSY.+
+IF I MIGHT SAY S0,+ SIR MURRAY SAID, +HONG KONG IS SO ACCUSTOMED TO GROWTH THAT IS PHENOMENAL, THAT UE SHOULD GUARD AGAINST TOO PESSIMISTIC A REACTION TO GROWTH THAT IS, BY COMPARATIVE.STANDARDS, MERELY ENVIABLE.+
IN LOOKING DISPASSIONATELY AT THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT ONE MIGHT SEE IN IT ELEMENTS FROM WHICH HONG KONG MIGHT DRAW ENCOURAGEMENT.
+WE ARE NOT AT ALL FACING A SITUATION OF SLUMP LIKE THAT IN THE '20S OR EARLY '90S. THE LEVEL OF ECONOMIC INTERVENTION BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD IS NOU SO GREAT, AND THE CHANNELS OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION SO EXTENSIVE, AND THE POLITICAL PRcSSURES ON GOVERNMENTS TO AVOID EXCESSIVELY DEFLATIONARY SITUATIONS SO STRONG, THAT A RECESSION IS UNLIKELY TO ASSUME AN EXTREME F0RM.+
/
DURING THE DOWN-TURN NOW IN EXISTENCE, HE SAID THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE POPULATIONS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WAS CONTINUING AT A COMPARATIVELY HIGH LEVEL.
WHILE DEMAND FOR SOME PRODUCTS, AND IN PARTICULAR CARS AND CONSUMER DURABLES IS BEING AFFECTED, THE COURSE OF DEMAND FOR THE SORT OF THINGS THAT HONG KONG EXPORTED WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO GAUGE. MOREOVER THE DOWN-TURN WAS NOT EVENLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE HONG KONG MARKETS.
/+N0 DOUBT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 12 -
+NO DOUBT OUR EXPORTERS WILL FACE INCREASED COMPETITION, AND PERHAPS DIFFICULTIES OVER FINANCE, BUT THERE IS A FAIR HOPE THAT IN OUR MARKETS AS A WHOLE A SUFFICIENTLY HEALTHY DEMAND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP HONG KONG BUSY.*
THE GOVERNOR WENT ON TO SAY THAT LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS, WITH THEIR USUAL ENTERPRISE, WOULD BE SEARCHING THE WORLD'S MARKETS FOR CONTRACTS, +AND YOU MAY BE SURE THAT THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL BE DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS POWER TO HELP THEM TO FIND NEW OPENINGS AND EXPAND OLD ONES*
+THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS PART, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL THAT DETERMINED NEGOTIATIONS CAN TO EASE RESTRICTIONS ON OUR TRADE AND RESIST ATTEMPTS AT FURTHER IMPOSITIONS.
+THE PROSPECTS OF MAINTAINING OUR EXPORTS ARE FAVOURABLE BECAUSE HONG KONG’S PRODUCTIVITY IS NOW HIGH AND OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION ABROAD IS VERY STRONG, INDEED AS STRONG AS IT HAS EVER BEEN, SO WE ARE IN A POSITION TO SUPPLY WHAT DEMAND THERE IS NOW, AND TO RESPOND VERY QUICKLY TO ANY INCREASE IN DEMAND IN THE FUTURE.
+PROV1DED WE RETAIN THIS COMPETITIVE EDGE I EXPECT HONG KONG TO RIDE CURRENT PROBLEMS WITH LESS TROUBLE THAN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES,* HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WAS INCREASING, IN REAL TERMS, AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF SOME SEVEN TO EIGHT PER CENT, JUST A LITTLE ABOVE THE GROWTH RATE WHICH IT WAS BELIEVED COULD BE SUSTAINED IN THE LONGER TERM.
THIS WAS AGAINST THE THEN BACKGROUND OF INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE RATE VARIATIONS, COMMODITY SHORTAGES OVERSEAS, AND AN ALMOST UNBELIEVABLY RAPID RATE OF WORLD INFLATION. +IT REPRESENTED A TRULY REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT BY OUR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS.*
IT WAS TRUE, HE CONTINUED, THAT THIS WAS NOT WITHOUT SOME SLACKENING OF DEMAND IN THE LABOUR MARKET, AND THERE WERE IN CONSEQUENCE SOME WHOSE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WERE A GOOD DEAL LESS ROSY THAN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE MIGHT HAVE suggested.
+NEVERTHELESS, HONG KONG'S COMPETITIVE POSITION WAS EXTREMELY STRONG AND A GOOD DEAL STRONGER THAN A YEAR OR TWO EARLIER. THIS CARRIED THE POSSIBILITY, EVEN PROBABILITY, THAT OUR EXPORTS WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW AT A RAPID RATE, AND WITH THEM THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
+THERE WAS THEREFORE, GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR WOULD RISE AGAIN AND WITH IT WAGE LEVELS.*
/FURTHERMORE,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 13 -
FURTHERMORE, SIR MURRAY SAID CONSUMER PRICES, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1973, WERE ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF LEVELLING-OFF (AND EVEN FALLING IN SOME INSTANCES) AND SO AT THAT TIME THERE WAS EVERY REASON TO EXPECT A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN LIVING STANDARDS IN 1974 ACROSS THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF SOCIETY.
BUT THEN CAME THE QUITE UNEXPECTED OIL CRISIS AND THE WORLD ECONOMY WAS KNOCKED OFF COURSE. AFTER MAKING ALLOWANCE FOR THE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY OF THESE NEW CIRCUMSTANCES BY LAST FEBRUARY IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN 1974 WOULD INCREASE AFTER ALL, IN REAL TERMS BY SOME FOUR PER CENT.
WHILST THIS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE, IT WAS STILL BY NO MEANS INSIGNIFICANT.
TOUCHING ON THE OIL SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG WAS FAIRLY BRIEF. AND OF LITTLE REAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND THE INDUSTRIALISTS ADAPTED TO THE SITUATION OF SHORTAGES AND CHANGES IN THE SUPPLIES AND PRICES OF OIL-BASED RAW MATERIALS WITH THEIR USUAL SPEED.
+OUR EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO BE BUOYANT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR AND IN THE TWELVE MONTHS TO JUNE 1974, DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE OVER 8-1/2 PER CENT MORE IN VOLUME THAN IN THE • PREVIOUS TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD.*
THE GOVERNOR CONTINUED THAT THE ENORMOUS RISE IN THE PRICE OF OIL, ATTEMPTS BY SOME OTHER COMMODITIES TO FOLLOW SUIT, BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROBLEMS, LACK OF LIQUIDITY, AND HIGH INTEREST RATES, HAD ALL TOGETHER PRODUCED A SITUATION IN THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT WOULD TAKE TIME TO SOLVE, AND THAT A PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT WAS INEVITABLE.
+HOWEVER, THESE INTERCONNECTED PROBLEMS ARE OF SUCH GREAT ' IMPORTANCE FOR THE WORLD'S ECONOMIES, AND I MIGHT ADD THE WORLD'S ELECTORATES, THAT AT LEAST WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING MAXIMUM ATTENTION FROM GOVERNMENTS, AND THAT THE BEST BRAINS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE ARE WORKING ON THEM.
+THE PROBLEMS 1NVLOVED ARE OF COURSE NEW TO BOTH CREDITORS AND DEBTORS ALIKE. BUT INSOFAR AS THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.*
THERE HAD AT LEAST BEEN NO FURTHER DRAMATIC RISE IN THE PRICE OF OIL, AND THE BEGINNINGS OF A PROCESS OF RECYCLING OF OIL REVENUES CAN BE DISCERNED.
+PROVIDED THERE IS NO SETBACK, ONE CAN REASONABLY EXPECT THAT IN DUE COURSE THESE TENDENCIES WILL DEVELOP, WITH OIL PRICES STABILISING, THE PROCESS OF RECYCLING GAINING MOMENTUM AND FINDING NEW INSTITUTIONAL CHANNELS, INTEREST RATES DECLINING FROM THEIR PRESENT LEVELS, AND GENERALLY SPEAKING AN EASING OF quRRENT CONSTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENT AND DEMAND,* HE SAID. .
/WHILE A ...........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER-16, 1974
14
WHILE A PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT WAS INEVITABLE, SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FORECAST HOU HONG KONG WOULD FARE IN THIS PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE SO HANY FACTORS WERE NEW AND RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AND VIRTUALLY ALL WERE OUTSIDE THE CITY'S CONTROL.
+CERTAINLY HONG KONG CANNOT HOPE TO AVOID SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SLOWING DOWN IN WORLD TRADE. THE RATE OF GROWTH OF THE VOLUME OF OUR EXPORTS HAS DECLINED IN RECENT MONTHS.
+WE KNOW THAT MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT HERE,. AND IN MANY CASES TAKE-HOME PAY, HAS BEEN FALLING3 AND EVEN ALLOWING FOR NORMAL SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN TRADE IT IS HOT CONCEIVABLE THAT THE FIGURE FOR THE GROWTH OF EXPORTS DURING THIS CALENDAR YEAR WILL BE AS HIGH AS THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE I QUOTED FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS TO JUNE,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY PREDICTED THAT 1973 LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT WOULD UNLIKELY BE REGAINED THIS YEAR.
+ONE CAN AT LEAST BE THANKFUL THAT INCOMES ARE NOT BEING EATEN AWAY BY INFLATION IN QUITE THE SAME WAY AS LAST YEAR= BUT I AM AFRAID IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT THE EXTERNAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES OF THE LAST YEAR HAVE FINISHED WORKING . THEIR WAY THROUGH OUR ECONOMY, OR THAT THERE WILL NOT BE FURTHER ONES THIS YEAR,* HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 15 -
PRUDENT AND CAREFUL APPROACH ON EXPENDITURE VITAL ft ft ft It * It
THE GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRED, UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ADOPT A PRUDENT AND CAREFUL APPROACH TO EXPENDITURE IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ADDRESSING THE NEW SESSION OF THE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A BUDGET DEFICIT THIS YEAR, +THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING PARTICULARLY ALARMING ABOUT THIS IN ITSELF.*
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED SPECIAL CONCERN AT THE TREND OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WHICH HAS BEEN RISING AT A RATE OF NOT FAR SHORT OF 20 PER CENT ANNUALLY IN RECENT YEARS.
+I DOUBT WHETHER IT NEED BE AS HIGH AS THIS IF WE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE UERE AS PRODUCTIVITY-CONSCIOUS AS OUR COUNTERPARTS IN INDUSTRY.*
IN HIS REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES, HE BEGAN WITH THE BACKGROUND AGAINST WHICH HONG KONG HAD BEEN TAKING STOCK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PREPARED LONG-RANGE PLANS COVERING THE NEXT TEN YEARS IN MAJOR FIELDS OF SPENDING — HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE.
ADDED TO THESE WERE PLANS COVERING EXPENDITURE ON THE EXPANSION OF ROAD SYSTEM, THE KOULOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE MASS TRANSIT PROJECT, THE POLICE, THE PRISONS AND THE FIRE SERVICES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND COUNTRYSIDE AMENITIES.
+TAK1NG INDIVIDUALLY, THE BROAD OBJECTIVES OF EACH INITIAL DRAFT PROGRAMME WERE BELIEVED TO BE PROBABLY WITHIN OUR RESOURCES ON CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS, AMD THESE ASSUMPTIONS OF COURSE INCLUDED A REASONABLE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY FROM YEAR TO YEAR AS THE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG MIGHT CHANGE,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THOUGH HE BELIEVED THAT THE IMPACT OF ALL THESE PROGRAMMES ON THE BUDGET IN THE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING YEAR, THAT IS 74/75, PRESENTED NO PROBLEM, HE SAID IT WAS ONLY WHEN ALL WERE ' IN A REASONABLY COMPLETE FORM THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO ASSESS THEIR REAL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FQR THE YEARS AHEAD.
+IT WAS ONLY AT THIS POINT THAT REALISTIC APPRAISAL, REVIEW AND DRAFTING OF THESE PROGRAMMES BECAME POSSIBLE,* HE STRESSED.
REFERRING TO CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES, HE QUOTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHO, EARLIER THIS YEAR, TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT AFTER ALLOWING FOR ALL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM THE BORROWING AND TAXATION'THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CONSIDERED ..REALISTIC, THERE WAS A SHORT-FALL OF $1,960 MILLION OR ONE FIFTH OF THE TOTAL ESTIMATES FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD FROM 1975/76 TO 1977/78 INCLUSIVE.’ . ,
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBE;? 16J) 9 7*
16
HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE SUCCEEDING MONTHS THE SECRETARIAT HAD SYSTEMATICALLY SUBJECTED THEM TO SCRUTINY AND THE IMPOSITION OF ORDERS OF PRIORITY.
+1N THIS PROCESS, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES HAS BEEN TO ENSURE PROGRESS ON HOUSING AND THE NEU TOUNS, AND IN PRACTICE A BALANCE HAS ALSO BEEN HELD BETWEEN SPENDING ON THE NEW TOWNS AMD IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS,+ THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
BUT HAVING ACCORDED HOUSING AND NEW TOWNS A PRIORITY OF THEIR OWN, SIR MURRAY WENT ON, IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT A VERY HIGH PRIORITY SHOULD GO TO PROJECTS WHICH FACILITATE THE GROWTH AND EARNING POTENTIAL OF INDUSTRY AND PROVIDE EXPORT-ORIENTED JOBS.
HIGH PRIORITY, HE SAID, WAS ALSO GIVEN TO SELF-LIQUIDATING PROJECTS, WHICH PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT REVENUE RETURN — FOR INSTANCE THE PROVISION OF LAND.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE GOVERNOR CITED THE TUEN MUN MOTOR ROAD AS AN EXAMPLE, NOTING THAT IT MUST BE ON THIS THAT THE INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF NOT ONLY TUEN MUN
, ITSELF MUST BE BASED, BUT ALSO THAT OF THE WHOLE YUEN LONG PLAIN.
SIR MURRAY CONTINUED TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAD BEEN DONE AND THAT WAS PROPOSED IN THE FIELDS OF THE NEW TOUNS AND HOUSING IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS WHICH +W1LL TAKE A LARGE SLICE OF THE CAKE.+
ON THE OLD URBAN AREAS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE HOUSING PROGRAMME THERE HAD ENVISAGED AN EXPENDITURE OF $140 MILLION THIS YEAR, $200 MILLION NEXT, AND $250 MILLION IN EACH OF THE -FOLLOWING THREE YEARS. THIS, HE SAID, WOULD LARGELY USE UP DEVELOPABLE SITES IN THE OLD AREAS.
AS FOR EXPENDITURE ON THE NEU TOWNS, INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE HOUSING, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, CLINICS AND SO ON, IT WAS PLANNED TO RISE FROM $280 MILLION TO $740 NEXT YEAR AND NEARLY $1,000 MILLION IN 1976/77, AND TO CONTINUE THEREAFTER AT RATHER ABOVE THAT LEVEL.-
SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT AS THESE FIGURES WERE VERY LARGE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD FELT IT RIGHT TO BUILD FLEXIBILITY INTO ITS PLANS.
AS A RESULT, HE SAID, THE PLANS FOR EACH OF THE NEW TOWNS HAD BEEN DIVIDED INTO SMALL UNITS WHICH WERE CONSTRUCTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE IN THEMSELVES.
+WE HOPE IN THIS WAY THAT THE TOWNS CAN BE DEVELOPED IN A BALANCED WAY WHETHER IN THE'YEARS AHEAD OUR RESOURCES SUGGEST THAT THE RATE OF CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE SLOWER AT ONE TIME OR FASTER AT ANOTHER,+ THE GOVERNOR CONCLUDED.
IN HIS SUMMARY OF THE APPROACH TO STOCK-TAKING AND ITS OUTCOME;, SIR MURRAY TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH AT THIS TIME WAS ONE OF DETERM I NAT ION, BUT ALSO OF PRUDENT AND HARD-HEADED DETERMINATION, TO PRESS ON TOWARDS THE OBJECTIVES WHICH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAD CONSTANTLY SUPPORTED.
/+VJHIL3 PARTS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 197^
- 17 -
+WHILE PARTS OF THIS ADDRESS MAY HAVE STRUCK A NOTE OF UNCHARACTERISTIC CAUTION, I AH GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF CAREFUL AND DETAILED STOCK-TAKING, WHICH HAS OCCUPIED SO MUCH OF OUR TIME THIS YEAR, HAS CONFIRMED OUR ABILITY, AS THINGS STAND AT PRESENT, AND WITH THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE HON. MEMBERS, BROADLY TO SEE THROUGH OUR PROGRAMMES.+
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE WAS IMPRESSED NOT DY THE DEGREE OF REPHASING THAT HAD BEEN DEEMED PRUDENT, BUT BY THE BROAD FRONT OF IMPROVEMENT ON WHICH WE THOUGHT IT RIGHT AND REALISTIC TO ADVANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CAREFULLY CONCEIVED PLANS FOR HOUSING, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND SOCIAL WELFARE WERE ALL GOING FORWARD.
OTHER PROJECTS COULD ALSO START AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TOO, WOULD BE EMBARKING ON SOME DRAMATIC PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW BERTHS FOR THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL' AND THE KAI TAK CARGO TERMINAL AND OTHERS.
FINALLY HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRIALIST, WHO HAD BEEN +STRIVING FOR CONTRACTS AND FINANCE,* AND TO THE WORKER, WHO HAD BEEN STRIVING TO MAINTAIN HIS LIVELIHOOD AND THAT OF HIS FAMILY,* ADDING THAT *THESE PEOPLE ARE THE TRUE, THE PRINCIPAL ASSET OF HONG KONG.*
*1 HAVE WATCHED WITH ADMIRATION THE ABILITY, INGENUITY AND-REALISM PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE SHOWN IN THE DIFFICULT YEAR THAT HAS PASSED, AND WITH THESE QUALITIES I AM SURE THAT WE WILL WEATHER THE YEAR AHEAD,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-------0 - '----- /18.................................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
( - 18 -
GREATER PROTECTION AND BENEFITS FOR WORKERS ft ft ft ft H H
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY OUTLINED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO FURTHER IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR HONG KONG’S LARGE LABOUR FORCE.
THESE INCLUDE, SHORTER OVERTIME WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS, FURTHER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS COVERING CARGO HANDLING AT WHARVES, QUAYS AND GODOWNS, NEW REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES, A NEW LABOUR RELATIONS BILL, AND MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD REACHED THE STAGE WHERE LEGISLATION ENACTED OR ABOUT TO BE ENACTED COVERED MOST OF THE MAJOR AREAS IN THE LABOUR FIELD. +UE MUST NOU AIM TO CONSOLIDATE THIS POSITION,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY MADE IT CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT IN THIS PROGRAMME OF LABOUR LEGISLATION + THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO WISH TO PLACE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN A STRAIGHT JACKET.* HE REALISED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE WISH OF EITHER WORKERS OR EMPLOYERS, BOTH OF WHOM VALUED THE FLEXIBILITY WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THE TRADITION AND STRENGTH OF HONG KONG.
•♦•BROADLY SPEAKING,* HE EXPLAINED, +WE INTEND TO CONTINUE TO MOVE ONLY AFTER CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED. .
MANY OF THE EXISTING MEASURES, HE SAID, PROVIDED ONLY MINIMAL STANDARDS AND THERE WERE GAPS TO BE FILLED. THIS COULD BE DONE IN PART BY VIEWING AND REVISING EXISTING LEGISLATION. BUT THERE WERE ALSO OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN SUCH AS DEVELOPING AND IMPROVING THE FACTORY AND LABOUR INSPECTORATES, AND PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
+WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED ON THESE MATTERS WITH THE APPOINTMENT, AS AN ADVISER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR, OF AN EXPERIENCED FACTORY INSPECTOR FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS IN THE CONTINUING REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE. THE MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED, AN EXTENSION OF HOLIDAY WITH PAY AND SICKNESS ALLOWANCE TO ALL WORKERS COVERED BY THE ORDINANCES INCREASED ENTITLEMENT TO SICK LEAVE= CONTROLS ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST EXPLOITATION= STATUTORY PROTECTION FOR TRADE UNION MErtBERS- AND STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAY FOR REDUNDANT WORKERS.
/FOR TIE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 19 -
FOR THE COMINQ SESSION, THE GOVERNOR SAID, REGULATIONS
WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO REDUCE
THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE OVERTIME FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG
PERSONS. +WE HAVE IN MIND A REDUCTION FROM JOO TO 250 HOURS A YEAR FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR AND A FURTHER REDUCTION TO 200 HOURS IN 1976.+
ON THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT A SECOND TRIBUNAL WAS SET UP THIS YEAR ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
AT PRESENT THE JURISDICTION OF THE TRIBUNAL IS LIMITED TO INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS FOR SUMS OF MONEY ARISING FROM A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE WENT ON,: INTENDED TO INTRODUCE A NEW LABOUR RELATIONS BILL SHORTLY. +THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STATUTORY BACKING THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR -DEPARTMENT AND FOR PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN A LABOUR DISPUTE WHEN CONCILIATION HAS FAILED,+ SIR MURRAY EXPLAINED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED BILL, IN ITS PRESENT FORM, DELIBERATELY AVOIDED PROVISION OF POWERS TO IMPOSE COMPULSORY SETTLEMENTS, AND HE DREW THE COUNCIL’S ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT ELSEWHERE SUCH COMPULSORY POWERS HAD PROVED CONSPICUOUSLY INEFFECTIVE.
TURNING TO THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, SIR MURRAY SAID THE MATTER STILL REQUIRED FURTHER URGENT ATTENTION.
♦FURTHER REGULATIONS WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED TO COVER
CARGO HANDLING AT WHARVES, QUAYS AND GODOWNS,+ HE REVEALED. ♦OTHERS ARE PROJECTED FOR A VARIETY OF SPECIALISED INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES BUT THE ONLY MAJOR AREA ON WHICH A GOOD DEAL OF WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE IS THAT OF GUARDING HACHINERY.+
THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT IMPROVED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED BY THE ENACTMENT OF SPECIAL REGULATIONS . ALONE.
♦THE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IS ESSENTIAL AND STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE THEIR INVOLVEMENT THROUGH A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME OF ACTION INCLUDING THE EXTENSION OF SAFETY TRAINING AND INCREASED PUBLIC ITY.+
ON THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, HE SAID THE ORDINANCE WAS DUE FOR A MAJOR OVERHAUL DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS. IN PARTICULAR, HE MENTIONED SILICOSIS. ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES OCCURRING IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THE DISEASE TO BECOME APPARENT.
♦A SPECIAL COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE WILL BE INTRODUCED DURING THIS SESSION,♦ HE SAID.
TOUCHING ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, DURING ITS FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATION, HAD BEEN CONSIDERING A DRAFT BILL DESIGNED TO PROVIDE.A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES.
♦ WORK ON THIS IS IN THE FINAL STAGES AND IT IS INTENDED THAT THE BILL SHOULD REACH THIS COUNCIL DURING THE COMING SESSION. THE RATE OF FURTHER PROGRESS IN THIS FIELD WILL BE TO SOME EXTENT DEPENDENT ON THE SUCCESS OF EFFORTS TO RECRUIT SUITABLY QUALIFIED TECHNICAL STAFF TO SUPPORT THE UECENTLY CREATED TRAINING DIVISION WITHIN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.+ _____ 0
u------- /2O.....
' WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
-.20 -
BRIGHTER HOUSING PROSPECTS OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS GOVERNMENT TO PRESS AHEAD WITH BUILDING PROGRAMME ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD STEADILY WITH THE TASK IN PROVIDING SELF-CONTAINED HOMES IN A DECENT ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL IN HONG KONG FOR AS LONG AS IS NECESSARY UNTIL THIS SOCIAL PROBLEM IS SOLVED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.,
ADDRESSING THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR MURRAY INDICATED THAT THE HOUSING PROBLEM — WHICH HE LABELLED A +DEFECT IN OUR SOCIETY+ -- COULD ONLY BE SOLVED BY +STEADY PLANNED AND PERSISTENT CONSTRUCTION OVER A LONG PERIOD OF T1ME.+
+THIS YOUR GOVERNMENT AND THE NEW HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE (NOW GEARED TO MAINTAIN.+ HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY WAS OPTIMISTIC OVER THE PROSPECT OF PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE HOUSING SITUATION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
WHILE HE RECOGNISED THAT MANY FACTORS SUCH AS THE RATE AND TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL AS THE RATE OF IMMIGRATION AND NATURAL GROWTH OF THE POPULATION WOULD DETERMINE WHEN THE HOUSING PROGRAMME COULD BE ACHIEVED, HE WAS CONVINCED THAT BY 1984 THE HOUSING SITUATION +WILL HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED.+
SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD BEEN
VERY ACTIVE IN RECENT MONTHS IN UP-DATING ITS BUILDING. '
PROGRAMME IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE NEU TOWNS PROJECT managers.
+CONTRACTS NOW LET THROUGHOUT'HONG KONG WILL PROVIDE HOUSING FOR UP TO 100,000 MORE PEOPLE IN 1975/76 AND 140,000 in 1976/77,+ HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WELCOMED THE VARI0US'IMPROVEMENTS WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS MAKING IN ITS ESTATES. HE SINGLED OUT THE NEW 01 MAN ESTATE WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS +A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE ECONOMICALLY TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HOUSING STANDARDS AND OF THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO C0ME.+
HE BELIEVED THAT THE LAYOUT OF THE AUTHORITY’S ESTATES BEING BUILT IN THE NEW TOWNS SHOULD BE ATTRACTIVE AND PLEASANT PLACES TO LIVE IN.
SIR MURRAY REGRETTED THAT THE NEED FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING WAS STILL PRESENT BUT HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT PROGRAMMES WERE GOING AHEAD FOR BUILDING NEW LICENSED AREAS, BUT TO MUCH HIGHER STANDARDS THAN BEFORE AND THAT FUNDS HAD BEEN PROVIDED RECENTLY TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN THE OLDER LICENSED AREAS BY INSTALLING ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES.
/+NEVERTEELESS, ...
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
21
+NEVERTHELESS, I AM SURE THAT ALL OF US LONG FOR THE DAY WHEN-THE PRODUCTION OF HOUSES WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY SYSTEMATICALLY TO SET ABOUT THE HOUSING OF THE INMATES OF SUCH AREAS IN PROPER PERMANENT ACCOMHODAT1CN, AND NOT ONLY WHEN THE SITES ARE REQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT.+
THE GOVERNOR THANKED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THEIR EFFORT IN BRINGING BETTER HOUSING TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+THIS IS A TIME FOR SOUND AND IMAGINATIVE PLANNING AND POLICY FORMATION,+ HE SAID, +AND THIS HAS MADE HEAVY DEMANDS ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S MEMBERS.+
SIR MURRAY EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE NUMBER OF OLD TENEMENT BUILDINGS WHICH REMAIN UNDEVELOPED AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE DEVELOPED BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.
. HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE HOUSING SOCIETY HAD BEEN PREPARING DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A NUMBER OF THESE OLD PROPERTIES, AND HAD BEEN ASSURED OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE SOCIETY'S CONTRIBUTION IN THIS SPHERE AND ITS ROLE IN CONTINUING TO PLAN NEW ESTATES IN NEW TOWN AREAS, THE GOVERNOR PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO ALL ITS MEMBERS AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE CHAIRMAN, SIR DOUGLAS CLAGUE.
ON THE ROLE OF PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING, SIR MURRAY FELT THEY WERE A VERY IMPORTANT SOURCE OF NEW HOUSING. +WE WISH TO ENCOURAGE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PRIVATE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION,+ HE STRESSED.
WHILE HE APPRECIATED THE PROBLEMS FACING PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, PARTICULARLY IN FINANCING NEW SCHEMES, HE HOPED VERY MUCH THAT PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WOULD SEE THE ADVANTAGES OF MAKING NEW INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING NOW +WHEN LAND PRICES HAVE FALLEN AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS HAVE MORE CAPACITY.+
SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS INTERESTING TO NOTE THE CONFIDENCE DISPLAYED BY OVERSEAS INTERESTS IN HONG KONG AT THIS TIME. NEGOTIATIONS, HE REVEALED, WERE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WITH A MAJOR OVERSEAS GROUP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGE NEW RESIDENTIAL AREA IN SHA TIN TO HOUSE OVER 300,000 PEOPLE ON A 5O-ACRE SITE.
+IT IS THIS SORT OF VISION THAT PAYS OFF, FOR THERE IS ENORMOUS REQUIREMENT FOR HOUSING WHICH CANNOT BE SATISFIED IN FULL FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, IF EVER.+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
22
SOCIAL WELFARE — A YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION ***]?#*
GOOD OVERALL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IN HIS REVIEW OF THE YEAR’S ACTIVITIES IN THIS FIELD, HE SAID HONG KONG WAS NOW ON THE COURSE MAPPED OUT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND HE EXPECTED FURTHER progress TO BE MADE.
THE GOVERNOR REFERRED BRIEFLY TO SOME NEW MEASURES BEING PLANNED, INCLUDING LEGISLATION TO CONTROL AND REGULATE THE OPERATION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES.
WORK HAD ALSO BEGUN ON THE DRAFTING OF A PROGRAMME PLAN FOR REHA3 IL I TATION TO CO-ORDINATE AND GUIDE THE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MANY VOLUNTARY BODIES WHICH ARE ACTIVE IN THIS COMPLEX FIELD, HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY DESCRIBED THE YEAR AS ONE OF CONSOLIDATION WHICH HAD SEEN MANY NEW SCHEMES AND PROJECTS COMING INTO OPERATION IN LINE WITH THE WHITE PAPER AND FIVE-YEAR PLAN ON SOCIAL WELFARE.
COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO ALL DISTRICTS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND WORK WAS WELL ADVANCED TO ESTABLISH THE SCHEME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING HAD NOW COMPLETED ITS FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATION, AND HE ADVISED THOSE WHO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE ABILITY OF HONG KONG TO PRODUCE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE TO MAN THE SOCIAL SERVICES BEING PLANNED, TO VISIT THE INSTITUTE. 4-THEY WILL FIND IT A STIMULATING AND ENCOURAGING EXPERIENCE,* HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS PROVIDING REGULAR ALLOWANCES TO 50,000 ELDERLY AND SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS 18 MONTHS AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION.
THE RATE OF BENEFIT UNDER THIS SCHEME AND THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WAS REVIEWED REGULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE COST OF LIVING, AND TWO INCREASES HAD BEEN MADE THIS YEAR BRINGING THE RATES UP TO 62 PER CENT ABOVE THE BASE-RATE OF APRIL 1972.
/+TAKETI......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
2J -
+TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE FREE OR VERY HEAVILY SUBSIDISED MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND EDUCATION, OUR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE UNFORTUNATE IN OUR CITY ARE PROVIDED FOR UNTIL THEY CAN STAND ON THEIR OWN FEET AGAIN,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THESE SERVICES.
THE GOVERNOR DID NOT ANTICIPATE ANY DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE LOAD THAT THE SCHEME WILL HAVE TO CARRY, +BUT ANYONE WHO TAKES A LESS OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF OUR PROSPECTS THAN I DO CAN REST ASSURED THAT THIS SCHEME IS NOW SUFFICIENTLY STRONG AND WELL DEVELOPED TO BE CAPABLE OF EXPANSION AND ADAPTATION TO MEET ANY UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCY.*
THE JOINT PLANNING AND CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HE WENT ON, CONTINUED TO WORK SATISFACTORILY.
+IT IS NOW SUPPLEMENTED BY PROCEDURES TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS IT IS HOPED THAT THESE CAN BE EXPANDED DURING THE COMING YEAR, TO IMPROVE BOTH QUALITY AND ORGANISATION,* HE ADDED.
_____ n________
/24......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 24 -
EXPERT'S ADVICE SOUGHT ON METHADONE TREATMENT ft ft ft ft ft ft
ONE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST EXPERTS IN METHADONE TREATMENT WILL COME TO HONG KONG TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR TO HELP EVALUATE THE TOO PILOT METHADONE SUBSTITUTION PROJECTS NOU UNDERWAY.
THE EXPERT WILL ALSO HELP PLOT THE WAY AHEAD FOR METHADONE THERAPY AND ITS PROPER RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FORMS OF DRUG TREATMENT IN HONG KONG.
REVEALING THIS TODAY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, POINTED OUT THAT THE +RATHER ENCOURAGING* RESULTS OBTAINED SO FAR FROM THE TWO PILOT PROJECTS +HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CHECKED AND COMPARED WITH WHAT IS BEING DONE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.*
THE PILOT PROJECTS ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE DISCHARGED PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY. BOTH HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE FOR A FURTHER YEAR.
SIR MURRAY STRESSED THAT IN THE FIELD OF DRUG ADDICTION, THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE MUST BE +TO COUPLE THE MOST VIGOROUS AND RUTHLESS ATTACK ON THE MEANS OF SUPPLY OF DRUGS, WITH PROVISION OF A MEANS OF TREATMENT THAT CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE EN MASSE TO ADDICTS.*
+NOTH1NG BUT FRUSTRATION CAN RESULT FROM DENIAL OF THE ’’ DRUG WITHOUT OFFERING TREATMENT, OR FROM OFFERING TREATMENT WITHOUT DENYING THE DRUG, OR AT LEAST MAKING IT SO SCARCE AS TO BE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE,* HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING SUCCESS IN THE ATTACK ON THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS THAT RESULTED BOTH FROM IMPROVED METHODS AT HOME AND BETTER LIAISON ABROAD.
BUT SIR MURRAY ADMITTED THAT THE MEANS OF TREATMENT PRESENTED AN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
HOWEVER, IF THE TWO METHADONE PILOT PROJECTS WERE JUDGED SUCCESSFUL, THE GOVERNOR SAID, +WE WILL HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL A THERAPY FOR ADDICTION THAT IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN PRESENT METHODS, NEED NOT INVOLVE INCARCERATION, AND CONSEQUENTLY CAN BE APPLIED EN MASSE AND WITH MINIMUM DISRUPTION OF AN ADDICT’S DAILY LIFE OR EARNING CAPACITY.*
SIR MURRAY CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WERE MANY '■ PITFALLS IN THIS FIELD.
+BEFORE WE LAUNCH OUT INTO THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES ’ FOR TREATMENT ON THE MASSIVE SCALE THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO HAVE REAL IMPACT, WE MUST BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT WE WILL BE WORKING ALONG LINES THAT ARE OF PROVED RELIABILITY,* HE STRESSED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO THIS ISSUE BY THE COUNCIL AND SAID IT WAS A RELIEF TO HAVE ADVICE ON THE COMPLEX MEDICAL, SOCIAL AND POLICE ISSUES OF DRUG ADDICTION NOW CO-ORDINATED AND CENTRALISED THROUGH THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS UNDER THE VIGOROUS AND DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
UNREG1STRABLE DOCTORS : GOVERNOR SOUNDS NOTE OF CAUTION IfrlfrJtJfr* *»**)$■»»**
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY WARNED AGAINST UNDER-ESTIMATING THE COMPLEXITY OF SOME OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE CASE OF THE NON-COMMONWEALTH MEDICAL GRADUATES,
THE SUBJECT HAD AROUSED LIVELY PUBLIC INTEREST, HE NOTED, BUT +WE SHOULD NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE THE COMPLEXITY OF SOME OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED HOWEVER SIMPLY AND FORCEFULLY THEY MAY BE ARGUED BY THEIR PROTAGONISTS.* I
HE EMPHASISED: +WHAT WE NEED NOW IS AUTHORITATIVE UNBIASED ADVICE ON WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN RELY.+ SIR MURRAY WAS CONFIDENT THAT THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT COULD BE EXPECTED FROM SIR RONALD HOLMES AND HIS WORKING PARTY WHICH IS NOW EXAMINING THE ISSUE.
ON THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED IN JULY, SIR MURRAY SAID THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME LAID DOWN IN IT, HAD BEEN PREPAKBD IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO GO FORWARD IN AN ORDERLY SERIES OF PROGRESSIVE AND INTER-RELATED STEPS YEAR BY YEAR, WITH EACH STEP COSTED AND GIVEN ITS PRIORITY.
+THE SCALE OF THIS PROGRAMME HAS BEEN BASED ON THE BEST ASSESSMENT NOU POSSIBLE OF THE RESOURCES LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE. IT WILL BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW EACH YEAR STARTING IN 1975.+ HE EXPLAINED.
APART FROM INDICATING WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE, HE CONTINUED, THE PLAN ALSO PROVIDES GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH FLEXIBILITY CAN BE APPLIED ACCORDING TO RATIONAL PRIORITIES IF NECESSARY, AND IF MORE OR LESS RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE THAN SEEM LIKELY NOU, OR IF THE NEEDS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES CHANGE, AS TO SOME EXTENT THEY ARE BOUND TO DO OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THE-PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER TOGETHER WITH THE ACCOMPANYING WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE, PROVIDED A +REALISTIC AND FORWARD LOOKING* FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH COORDINATED PROGRESS HAD BEEN CHARTED OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
HE PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES AND THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ALL THE WORK THEY PUT IN. HE ALSO THANKED THE PUBLIC AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL BODIES FOR THEIR COMMENTS AND ADVICE.
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/26......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
26 -
GOVERNMENT CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR FAMILY PLANNING fr » fr IE » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN OPEN MIND ON PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL AND OTHER MEANS TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM RAISING LARGE FAMILIES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT SUCH A COURSE SHOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED AFTER THE RESULTS OF OTHER ACTION TO SECURE OUR ENDS BY EDUCATIONAL AND VOLUNTARY MEANS CAN BE SEEN.
SIR MURRAY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY WELL AWARE OF THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF EXCESSIVE POPULATION GROWTH IN HONG KONG, AND ITS FIRST OBJECTIVE HAD BEEN TO SEE THAT THERE WERE ENOUGH FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS CONVENIENTLY AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
+ONCE WE HAVE REACHED THAT POINT, AND WE ARE GETTING NEAR IT, WE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO CONCENTRATE ON BRINGING HOME TO THE PUBLIC THE BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM USING THESE CLINICS.+
THE INTEGRATION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE INTO THE GOVERNMENT'S MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMME, HE SAID, HAD MADE EXCELLENT PROGRESS.
BY THE END OF THE YEAR, FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE WILL BE OFFERED IN 37 GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND 32 CLINICS MANNED BY THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THIS COVERAGE WILL BE FURTHER EXTENDED NEXT YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: +THE WORK OF FAMILY PLANNING IS OBVIOUSLY VITAL IF OUR PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARS OF LIFE ARE TO HAVE THE EFFECT INTENDED. SO TOO IS THE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION.+
HONG KONG'S NET GAIN BY MIGRATION LAST YEAR, HE SAID, WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN OVER 60,000 OF WHOM THE BULK CAME FROM CHINA EITHER LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY.
+THOUGH THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE HIGH LEVEL OF SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THEY REMAIN TOO HIGH, AND DISCUSSION OF THIS MUTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES.+
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 27 -
MORE PLAY FACILITIES FOR THE YOUNG
K ft ft * ft It
GOOD PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN PROVIDING MORE AND BETTER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SIR MURRAY HACLEHOSE NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, SET UP IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, HAD ALREADY ACHIEVED SOME SATISFACTORY RESULTS AND WAS FORGING AHEAD WITH BIGQER PROGRAMMES TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS FLOCKING TO THE COUNTRYSIDE.
SIR MURRAY WELCOMED THIS MOVEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE IT FUNDS HAD BEEN CHANNELLED INTO/THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL TO EXPAND IT SO THAT MORE LEADERS FROM CITY DISTRICTS COULD BE TAUGHT HOW THE COUNTRYSIDE COULD BEST BE ENJOYED.
FUNDS HAD ALSO BEEN PROVIDED THROUGH THE COUNCIL FOR THE EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS STANDING CAMPS, OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ONES, THAT WILL RESULT IN SUPERVISED WEEKENDS IN THE COUNTRY FOR AT LEAST 15.000 MORE YOUNG PEOPLE NEXT YEAR.
+IN ADDITION, PLANS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FOR PROVIDING COUNTRYSIDE AMENITIES ARE NOW BEGINNING TO MAKE REAL PROGRESS,+ HE ADDED, NOTING THAT 30 MORE PICNIC SITES WOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE COMING YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE 60 SITES COMPLETED LAST YEAR TOGETHER WITH FIVE MILES OF PATH.
+IF 1 MIGHT SAY SO,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID +THEY HAVE BEEN BUILT AND EQUIPPED WITH NOTABLE IMAGINATION AND GOOD TASTE.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO WELCOMED THE FORMATION OF THE YOUTH HOSTELS ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG, AND SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING EVERY ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE IN THE PROVISION OF SITES FOR HOSTELS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE COUNCIL HAD DONE MUCH AD HOC WORK, GREATLY HELPED BY GENEROUS PRIVATE DONATIONS. AS AN EXAMPLE HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SOME 190 CONCRETE PING PONG TABLES, VOLLEY BALL AND BASKETBALL PITCHES HAD BEEN ORDERED OR WERE IN < THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION, ALONG WITH A CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF EQUIPMENT.
MORE RECENTLY, A PILOT SCHEME FOR FIVE CITY DISTRICTS AND FOR YUEN LONG CAME INTO OPERATION. THE SCHEME AIMS AT ENCOURAGING AND ADVISING ON HOI’ TO MAXIMISE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN EACH DISTRICT AND AT ENCOURAGING THE USE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE BY PEOPLE OF THE CITY.
/SIR MJRRAY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 19?4
28 -
SIR MURRAY NOTED. HOWEVER THAT THF hfai/icd nor to preserve ™ET,S"s™rTHflEL
AS A PRECAUTION, ADDITIONAL LITTER AND CLEANSING GANGS HAD ALREADY BEEN FORMED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. MORE FIRE FIGHTING CREWS HAD ALSO BEEN SET UP AND CIVIL AID SERVICES WERE NOU TRAINING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FIRE FIGHTING COVERAGE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE THIS WINTER.
+WHILE THESE SERVICES ARE STEADILY IMPROVING THE CLEANLINESS AND REDUCING THE FIRE HAZARDS IN THE MAIN POINTS AT WHICH VISITORS CONGREGATE, THERE REMAI MS Tl-IE LITTER AND
THE BUSH FIRES LEFT BY THE THOUGHTLESS ANP THE ROAM FURTHER AFIELD,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
HE APPRECIATED THE EFFORTS OF THE REGULAR PICNICKING CLUBS AND OTHERS WHO ARE NOW ACTING
CARELESS WHO
HIKING ANO AS SCAVENGERS
FOR THE IGNORANT AND CARELESS, BUT STRESSED THAT EVERYONE MUST PLAY HIS PART IN PRESERVING HONG KONG'S NATURAL BEAUTY.
WHILE HE EMPHASISED THE EXPANDING USES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
29
COMBINED EFFORT NEEDED TO FIGHT CRIME ft ft ft ft w ft
IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC AND THE GOOD SPIRIT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO WANTED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THE PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WERE THE PRIME REASONS FOR A BREAKTHROUGH IN POLICE RECRUITING, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO-DAY.
THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A LEVELLING OFF IN THE INCREASE IN SERIOUS CRIME, BUT HE WARNED THAT ALTHOUGH HEART COULD BE TAKEN FROM THIS FIRST RAY OF HOPE, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR SELF-CONGRATULATION UNTIL A SIGNIFICANT ARD SUSTAINED DECREASE IN SERIOUS CRIME HAD BEEN ACHIEVED.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT IN THE PAST YEAR THERE HAD BEEN A THREE-WAY THRUST IN THE FIGHT TO MASTER CRIME.
FIRST WAS THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AfM3 SENSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF MORE POLICEMEN** SECOND THE IMPROVEMENT OF POLICE TECHNIQUES, PROCEDURES AND ORGANISATION** AND THIRD THE MOVES TO MOBILISE THE PEOPLE TO ASSIST EACH OTHER AND THE POLICE.
+MITH A SUCCESSFUL COMBINATION OF ALL THESE THINGS WE SHOULD HAVE A LARGER AND MORE EFFICIENT POLICE FORCE TACKLING CRIME IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WOULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE CRIMINAL,* HE SAID.
+NE1THER THE POLICE ALONE NOR THE PUBLIC ALONE CAN TURN BACK THIS TIDE, BUT ACTING TOGETHER AS A UNITED COMMUNITY I BELIEVE WE CAN.+
SPEAKING OF RECRUITMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS AT LAST WAS PROCEEDING AT A SATISFACTORY RATE AND WITH A NEW INTAKE OF HIGH QUALITY. THE NET INCREASE THIS YEAR WAS LIKELY TO BE AT LEAST 1,500 AS AGAINST JOO LAST YEAR.
C1VIL1AN1SATION, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC WARDENS, SHOULD FREE ABOUT 300 UNIFORMED HEN AND WOMEN FROM ROUTINE WORK BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
AS A RESULT OF THE MAGNIFICENT RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL FOR AUXILIARIES ABOUT 1,900 WERE TURNING OUT FOR DUTY EVERY DAY.
THE EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER STRENGTH AVAILABLE FOR DEPLOYMENT EACH DAY, THEREFORE, SHOULD HAVE INCREASED BY SOMETHING LIKE 2,500. THIS WAS A LARGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND HE HOPED THAT ANOTHER EQUALLY BIG ONE WOULD BE TAKEN IN 1975.
/THE CHANGED .......
DEDIJESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 19?4
A NEW PATH COULD BE SEEN OPENING UP AND HE WAS SURE EVERYONE WOULD TAKE IT WITH CONFIDENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.
SIR MURRAY WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW METHODS AND ATTITUDES WHICH HAD BEEN ADOPTED. THERE WAS A HEALTHY NEW GROWTH, FIRSTLY AMONG THE PEOPLE AS A MEANS OF KNOWING EACH OTHER AND, SECONDLY, IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE, PARTICULARLY THE POLICE.
+THEY HAVE DONE MUCH TO DISCOURAGE CRIME IN THEIR OUN AREAS, CONSTITUTE A NEW DETERRENT TO CRIMINALS AND ARE VERY WELCOME TO POLICE AND PUBLIC ALIKE,+ HE SAID.
THE CHANGED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC HAD RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF 1,500 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WITH THE ACCOMPANYING SUPERSTRUCTURE OF AREA COMMITTEES. SOME WERE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN OTHERS BUT, BY AND LARGE, THEY ALREADY COVERED A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE POPULATION^ ALREADY
WEDNESDAY, OCTODER 16, 1974
31
MORE PRISONS BEING PLANNED TO EASE OVERCROWDING ft ft ft ft ,ft ft
PLANS ARE IN HAND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE PRISON INSTITUTIONS AND THE REBUILDING OF STANLEY PRISON TO COPE WITH THE RISING PRISON POPULATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SAID TWO NEW INSTITUTIONS AT PIK UK IN THE NEW < TERRITORIES WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND THEY WOULD HELP TO EASE OVERCROWDING IN EXISTING PRISONS.
ALTHOUGH OTHER PROJECTS, INCLUDING A NEW MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON, WOULD EVENTUALLY ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 3,000 OFFENDERS, IT WOULD BE SOME TIME BEFORE THESE ARE COMPLETED, HE SAID.
+WE ARE THEREFORE LOOKING FOR OTHER TEMPORARY >'
ACCOMMODATION WHICH COULD BE USED TO SOLVE THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING, WITH ITS ATTENDANT RISK OF DISORDER.*
THE GOVERNOR ATTRIBUTED THE MARKED INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION TO INCREASED CRIME, MORE VIGOROUS MEASURES TO COMBAT IT, MORE PRECAUTIONS AND THE LONGER SENTENCE BEING IMPOSED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INMATES IN ALL TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS UP TO THE END OF LAST MONTH WAS ABOUT 7,600 AS COMPARED WITH 6,400 THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.
REFERRING TO THE DETENTION CENTRES, SIR MURRAY SAID TH: Y HAD NiW COMPLETED THEIR FIRST TWO YEARS AND THE SYSTEM WAi BEING EVALUATED.
+THE PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND REPAID THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF CARE AND EFFORT PUT INTO THEM BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT. SO FAR, ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THROUGH THEM HAVE BEEN” RECONVICTED.
*W;2 CAN BE SATISFIED THAT OUR PRISONS DEPARTMENT IS
HA.;ING CONSTRUCTIVE AND REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRESS IN THEIR PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH THE YOUNG OFFENDER WHO IS NOT YET A HARDENED CRIMINAL,* HE SAID.
f
EDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
ICAC GAINING STRONGER PUBLIC SUPPORT ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE PUBLIC HAS RESPONDED WELL TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH REPORTS MADE TO IT RISING BY SOME 300 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH A SIMILAR PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TREND WAS WELCOMED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY WHEN HE REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT'S DETERMINATION TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION IN HONG KONG.
HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT.THERE COULD BE NO REAL VICTORY IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM UNLESS THERE ARE CHANGES OF ATTITUDE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY GENERALLY. +THOUGH THIS WILL TAKE TIME, WE ARE TOTALLY COMMITTED,* HE SAID.
REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE ICAC IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE COMMISSION — ITS INVESTIGATORY ARM — HAD MADE A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT.
+ABOUT 80 PROSECUTIONS FOR CORRUPTION AND KINDRED OFFENCES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED AGAINST A WIDE VARIETY OF GOVERNMENT SERVANTS £ AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND THIS IS DOUBLE UHAT WAS DONE JN THE ' SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR,* HE SAID.
IN CONSIDERING THIS PERIOD, THE GOVERNOR WENT ON, IT WAS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER THAT SOME 80 PER CENT OF THE OPERATIONS -DEPARTMENT HAD A CIVILIAN BACKGROUND.
+INEVITABLY, THIS HAS MEANT A TREMENDOUS EFFORT IN TERMS OF TRAINING STAFF IN THEIR ENTIRELY NEU ROLE,* HE SAID. +THESE ENTHUSIASTIC NEWCOMERS ARE AN IMPRESSIVE, WELL-EDUCATED GROUP DIRECTED BY EXPERIENCED INVESTIGATORS, AND UNDER THE OVERALL DIF.ECTION OF MR. JOHN PRENDERGAST, ONE OF THE HOST SUCCESSFUL POLICEMEN IN THE COMMONWEALTH.*
SIR MURRAY FELT THAT BUILDING UP THE INITIAL MOMENTUM OF THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WOULD DEPEND LARGELY ON THE SUCCESS OF THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.
+IT IS INESCAPABLE THAT TO MAKE PROGRESS, TO DETER THE CORRUPT AND TO SECURE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, A SATISFACTORY VOLUME OF DETECTION AND PUNISHMENT IS ESSENTIAL,* HE NOTED.
BUT, HE WENT ON, ONCE IT HAD BECOME APPARENT TO THE CORRUPT AND TO THE PUBLIC THAT CORRUPTION DID NOT PAY, THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS SIDES OF THE COMMISSION WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY VITALLY IMPORTANT PARTS. THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW BEING SET UP AND WILL SOON BE AT WORK.-
HE SAID, +AS SOON AS THIS STAFF ARE IN POSITION, TWO ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS WILL BE ESTABLISHED, TOGETHER WITH A SMALL HIGH-POWERED SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER AND MYSELF ON M.AJOR POLICY ASPECTS OF THE COMMISSION'S WORK.*
•SIR MURRAY ASSURED THE COMMISSION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL SUPPORT, BUT SAID THAT IN THE LONG RUN, ITS BEST ALLY WOULD BE +THE GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE SINCERITY OF THEIR DEMAND THAT THE TIME FOR NEW STANDARDS HAS COME.*
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/33
WEDNESDAY ,\ OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 33 -
M.T.R. PROJECT SHOULD CONTINUE IF PRICE' i.S RIGHT, GOVERNOR SAYS TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER TO BE DRAFTED EARLY NEXT YEAR
»**£&**
THE GOVERNMENT STILL BELIEVES THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM SHOULD GO AHEAD +PROVIDED AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED ON THE BASIS OF THE SPECIFIED PRICE AT WHICH THE RAILWAY IS CALCULATED TO BE COMMERCIALLY V1ABLE.+ THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY.
NOTING THE RECENT EXPRESSIONS OF DOUBT REGARDING THE WISDOM OF CONTINUING THE PROJECT IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, SIR MURRAY SAID: +1 WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT APPARENT THAT WHAT WAS JUDGED AN ACCEPTABLE PROPOSITION A YEAR AGO, AT THE SAME PRICE IS AN ACCEPTABLE PROPOSITION NOW.
+THERE IS A TIDE OF SUCH AFFAIRS, AND IF WE MISS THIS ONE IT $ WILL BE SOME YEARS BEFORE WE COULD FLOAT THE PROJECT AGAIN. MOREOVER, WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR FUTURE.
+THE PROJECT IS STILL JUDGED TO BE WITHIN OUR RESOURCES. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND HIS TEAM HAVE PUT AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF 'WORK INTO THE INTRICATE AND TECHNICAL WORK OF NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT, AND PROVIDED THEY CAN DO SO AT THE SPECIFIED PRICE, 1 AM SURE WE SHOULD ALL HEARTILY WISH THEM SUCCESS.+
SIR MURRAY ANNOUNCED THAT A TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL GIVE FIRM INDICATIONS AS TO HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO COPE WITH HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT NEEDS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD WILL BE PREPARED NEXT YEAR.
A COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, IN WHICH THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM WILL BE QUANTIFIED ON THE BASIS OF DATA FROM WIDE RANGING SURVEYS IS NOW IN ITS FINAL STAGES AND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE RESULTS FOR POLICY GUIDANCE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THESE RESULTS, TOGETHER WITH THE PUBLIC'S REACTIONS TO'THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT, PUBLISHED LAST JUNE, WILL PROVIDE MATERIAL FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE WHITE PAPER, SIR MURRAY SAID.
REFERRING TO THE BUS COMPANIES, THE GOVERNOR HOPED THAT FINAL AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TWO BUS COMPANIES UNDER WHICH NEW FRANCHISES COULD BE GRANTED FOR COMMENCEMENT NEXT FEBRUARY. %
+AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THESE WOULD HAVE TO BE DIRECT GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE DIRECTION OF THE COMPANIES' AFFAIRS THROUGH REPRESENTATION ON THEIR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS,+ HE SAID.
/DETAILED DISCUSSIONS
WEDNEDAY, OCTOBER 16, 197'+
DETAILED DISCUSSIONS OVER THE PAST MONTHS HAD ALREADY PRODUCED AGREEMENT ON DETAILED SCHEDULES OF SERVICES, ROUTE-BY-ROUTE FOR' 1975/76 TOGETHER WITH THE NUMBERS OF BUSES TO BE PROVIDED TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTABLE FREQUENCIES, HE CONTINUED, AND PLANS FOR BUS CAPACITY LOOKING AHEAD TO THE YEAR 1980 HAVE ALSO BEEN AGREED, ON REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE DEMAND FOR.BUS TRAVEL OVER THIS PERIOD.
TURNING TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID NEW PASSENGER ROLLING STOCK HAD BEEN DELIVERED AND DOUBLE TRACKING BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN WOULD BEGIN SHORTLY.
+A REVIEW OF THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILWAY HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN, AND I HOPE THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS 1 HAVE REFERRED TO WILL PROVE TO BE ONLY THE FIRST STEPS IN ESTABLISHING IT ON THE ONE HAND AS A MODERN SUBURBAN RAILWAY, LINKING URBAN KOWLOON WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND ON THE OTHER AS AN IMPROVED COMMUNICATION , LINK WITH CHINA FOR FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS ALIKE.+ •_«
ON HONG KONG'S ROADS, SIR MURRAY SAID THERE HAD BEEN A SHARP INCREASE THIS YEAR IN EXPENDITURE ON~NEW ROADS, AND THE INTENTION WAS TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF $350 MILLION CAT 1974 PRICES) ON ROADS IN EACH OF THE NEXT FOUR FINANCIAL YEARS, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN $130 MILLION DURING THE THREE PRECEDING YEARS.
1
+ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS, INDICATE THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT AND PRIORITY INTO MEASURES TO COPE WITH HONG KONG'S GROWING TRANSPORT NEEDS, AND THAT THIS EFFORT WILL BE CONTINUED AND INTENSIFIED IN THE YEARS TO COME.+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
35
INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PLANNED % % ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SET UP INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN HONG KONQ TO HELP MEET THE RISING DEMAND FOR MORE LAND FOR INDUSTRY IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
DISCLOSING THIS TODAY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR SUCH A VENTURE IN JUNK BAY HAD BEEN COMMISSIONED AND SIMILAR STUDIES WERE ALREADY FAR ADVANCED FOR MUCH EASIER SITES AT TA IPO /IND YUEN LONG*
+THESE PROJECTS,+ HE TOLD COUNCIL, +UILL BE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY.+
SIR MURRAY ALSO REVEALED THAT THE AMOUNT OF LAND PLANNED FOR ORDINARY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEU TOWNS WAS ALSO BEING RECONSIDERED.
+1 THINK IT ESSENTIAL,+ HE SAID, +THAT IN THIS PERIOD WHEN THERE IS SLACK IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRY WE SHOULD PRESS ON WITH WORK THAT WILL MAKE HONG KONG A HORE ? ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR INVESTMENT WHEN THE UP-TURN IN THE FINANCIAL * CLIMATE OF THE WORLD COMES AGAIN, AS COME IT W1LL.+
THE GOVERNOR BELIEVED THAT IN THE LONG TERM THE EVENTUAL ANSWER TO PROVIDE MORE LAND FOR INDUSTRY, WAS TO EXPAND THE HARBOUR WESTWARDS BY DEVELOPING THE NORTH SHORE OF LANTAU ISLAND FOR INDUSTRY BY MEANS OF A BRIDGE FROM THE MAINLAND.
+BUT THOUGH PLANNING FOR THIS IS NOW ESSENTIAL, IT IS A VERY LARGE PROJECT AND IN THE NATURE OF THINGS ITS IMPACT COULD NOT BE FELT BEFORE THE 1980S.+
ON BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, SIR MURRAY RECOGNISED THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT NEW BUILDING CONFORMED WITH PLANNING. SAFETY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
+BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS MORE THAN EVER NECESSARY THAT THESE CHECKS SHOULD NOT AVOIDABLY HOLD UP THE PUTTING IN HAND OF NEW WORK. I HAVE THEREFORE DIRECTED THAT FURTHER EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO STREAMLINE PROCEDURES TO ENSURE SWIFTER ' TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS ABOUT LAND AND BUILDINGS.
+1 AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT PROJECTS WHICH ARE KNOWN TO HAVE READY SOURCES OF FINANCE AT THIS TIME AND WHOSE BACKERS ARE READY AND ANXIOUS TO PROCEED SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE MINIMUM OF DELAY, AND I THINK THAT IF NECESSARY SPECIAL PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THIS MUST BE ADOPTED FOR THE TIME B£1NG»+ HE ADDED.
/36.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974 r 36 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON ft K ft ’ft ft ft
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT THE EXISTING TEMPORARY U-TURN UNDER THE PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER AT WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT U-TURN THERE.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN WATERLOO ROAD WISHING TO RETURN NORTHBOUND WILL HAVE TO TURN RIGHT INTO ARGYLE STREET, MAKE USE OF THE U-TURN IN FRONT OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. OFFICES AND CONTINUE ON THE SLIP ROAD INTO WATERLOO ROAD $
NORTHBOUND. v >
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERMANENT U-TURN AT WATERLOO ROAD IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE WEEKS. -------------------------------0--------
CONSUMER COUNCIL ACHIEVES BASIC AIM ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY COMMENDED THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND SAID IT HAD SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED ITS PURPOSE OF REASSURING THE PUBLIC THAT WHERE PRICES WERE HIGH DUE TO UNREASONABLE MANIPULATION OR MARK-UP IN HONG KONG ITSELF, SOMETHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.
WHILE MUCH OF THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP WAS NEW TO THE WORKING OF PUBLIC ADVISORY BODIES, IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY ON WHICH THE RISE IN PRICES WAS PRESSING PARTICULARLY HARD, HE NOTED. . ...
THE COUNCIL, HE ADDED, ALSO ACHIEVED ITS SIGNIFICANT AND CONTINUING INFLUENCE THROUGH THE QUICK AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION OF FACTS ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE USE OF PERSUASION AND PUBLIC OPINION ON THE OTHER.
+SURELY WE SHOULD PROCEED IN THIS QUICK AND INFORMAL WAY WHENEVER WE APPROPRIATELY CAN, RATHER THAN ALWAYS RELY ON THE PANOPLY AND PROCEDURES OF LEGISLATION, POLICE INVESTIGATION AND THE LAW COURTS. IT IS SO MUCH BETTER TO PERSUADE THAN TO PUNISH,* HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN FOR HIS ABLE AND IMAGINATIVE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
-------0 -
/37.......
r
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
HELPING KEEP TRIADS OUT OF SCHOOLS ***#»*»»
THE TAI HANQ TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE 1 DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A SEMINAR FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF PREVENTING TRIAD SOCIETY INFLUENCE FROM PENETRATING SCHOOLS. iwuaifct
CO-OPERATING IN THE PROJECT IS THE WEST KOWLOON YOUTH GUIDANCE COUNCIL.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TONG • YAM STREET, TAI HANG TUNG, AT 3 P.M. TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND ABOUT 30 REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE AREA WILL ATTEND.
PRINCIPAL SPEAKER WILL BE MR. CHAN PO KWONG, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER OF SHAM SHUI PO DIVISION.
THE FORUM WILL DISCUSS MEASURES TO KEEP TRIAD SOCIETY INFLUENCE OUT OF SCHOOLS AND ACTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN WHEN CHILDREN ARE THREATENED INSIDE OR OUT OF SCHOOL.
- - - - 0 ----
WATER SITUATION REPORT
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 32,754 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 48.7 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 63,459 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 24,998 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,871 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 49-5 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. —«<■
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL s RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395-7 MM (54.95 IN). « '
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,063.2 MM (81.23 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.4 PER CENT.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 38
JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT CITY HALL FOR PUPILS OF FISHERMEN’S SCHOOLS
* * * *
ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN AND 150 TEACHERS FROM 14 SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION WILL ATTEND A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL AT 11.30 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 18).
MR. JAMES M.H. WU, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO GRADUATES FROM PRIMARY 6 CLASSES, AND TO FORM 3 STUDENTS OF THE F.M.O.'S SECONDARY PRACTICAL SCHOOL AT ABERDEEN.
I
PRIZES TO PUPILS FOR +EXCELLENT APPLICATION* WILL BE PRESENTED BY MRS. WU.
THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THAT THE F.M.O. HAS BROUGHT
TOGETHER PUPILS FROM ALL ITS WIDELY SCATTERED DISTRICT :
SCHOOLS TO ATTEND A SINGLE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY. £
FOLLOWING THE SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS, THERE WILL BE FOLK DANCES AND OTHER MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY PUPILS OF F.M.O. SCHOOLS.
THE CEREMONY WILL CONCLUDE WITH +DIM SUM* AND TEA BEING SERVED IN THE +GARDEN RESTAURANT* OF THE CITY HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE PRESS, RADIO AND TV SERVICES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THIS EVENT. SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS. A FULL LIST OF THE NAME? OF THE graduates AND PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON THAT DAY. ALL GUESTS ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE THEIR SEATS BY 11.15 AM.
------0-------
CROWN LAND AUCTION ******
ONE OF THE THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND SCHEDULED FOR AUCTION ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 18) HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN.
SITUATED OFF TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD ON HONQ KONQ ISLAND, IT MEASURES 48,000 SQUARE FEET. ‘
THE SALE OF THE REMAIN JNQ TWO LOTS, ONE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE OTHER FOR INDUSTRIAL OR QODOWN PURPOSES, WILL BE HELD IN THE LECTURE ROOM, CITY HALL, ON FRIDAY AT 2.30 P.M. AS SCHEDULED.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974
- 39 -
LONG SERVICE BADGES FOR'POSTMEN » )4 » «• 34 14-
ONE HUNDRED POSTMEN, WHO HAVE EACH SERVED THE POST OFFICE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, WILL BE PRESENTED WITH LONG SERVICE BADGES IN TWO SEPARATE CEREMONIES TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, PEDDER STREET, THE ACTING CONTROLLER OF POSTS CHONG KONG ISLAND), MR. LO KAI-KON, WILL PRESENT THE BADGES TO 65 POSTMEN WHO HAVE TOGETHER RENDERED OVER 1,300 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE POST OFFICE.
IN THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE, NATHAN ROAD, SENIOR CONTROLLER OF POSTS (KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES), MR. TAM SHU-KEE, WILL PRESENT THE BADGES TO 35 POSTMEN WITH A TOTAL OF 700 YEARS OF SERVICE.
THE CEREMONY ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL START AT 4-15 P-M. AND THE ONE IN KOWLOON AT 4.30 P.M.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE CEREMONIES COVERED. THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE SORTING OFFICES OF THE TWO POST OFFICES.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE It ft ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RiCE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE AVERAGE C$/CATTY)
CHINA RICE •
SEE MEW GOOD • 2.02
S.C.JIEN GOOD 1.86 ■ L-
PO NGA I GOOD •• V *
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE
1002 WHOLE GOOD 1.82 • H
10-1555 BROKENS GOOD 1.75
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.25
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
—————————
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74 '"ii I
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD •
TAIWAN RICE GOOD ••
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 32O CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND
..... ,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1974. Il i
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
CFMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET) !' ' ■ p ■
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) HIGH LOW. MODE L -
GOLDEN THREAD BIG-EYES SQUID HAIR2TAILS LIZARD FISHES LIMITED GOOD NORMAL LIMITED GOOD 6.20 2.20 4.80 3.00 1.40 2.20 4.30 2.20 3.00 2.50 0.80 1.50 3.60 0.70 1.80 I i | ' I .
CROAKERS CONGER-PIKE-EELS MELON COAT BREAMS YELLOW BELLY MACKERELS RED GOAT FISH FORK-TA IL HORSE-HEAD MELON SEED POMFRETS GAROUPAS YELLOW CROAKER NORMAL LIMITED LIMITED SCARCE NORMAL LIMITED LIMITED LIMITED SCARCE SCARCE 2.40 0.90 1.50 • 3-25 1.80 • 2.60 3.60 1.70 2.40 3.00 0.90 1.60 1.60 0.60 1.00 * 5.80 2.00 4.00 NO SALE NO SALE 6.50 2.40 4.50 b > 2.80 1.20 2.20 v NO SALE 11.00 6.00 8.50 7.20 6.00 6.50 • I, *• i *
* 1 - - ■ 'r ■' : SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET) ■ ■
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY) ../> •• ■
HIGH LOU MODE , I
. . • . . ■ '• •. «.
FLOWERING CABBAGE WHITE CABBAGE CHINESE LETTUCE WATER SPINACH CHINESE KALE STRING BEANS SPRING ON ION-SPINACH WATER CRESS LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE CHINESE SPINACH!. TOMA-O . LIMITED - * NORMAL NORMAL SCARCE LIMITED SCARCE NORMAL : . SCARCE . 'SCARCE . ; LIMITED SCARCE > SCARCE 2.00 0o60'?1.40 1.60 0.50 1.20 1.20 0.40 0.80 . 1.03 0.30 0.60... ,■ .2.00 0.60’ .1.40 2.60 0.60 1.50 ' 2.20 0.50 1.40 ' 3.00 1.00 2.20 \ ; , 4.60 3.00 4.00 x ■ '2.20 0.50 1.40 ,J> ‘1.20 0.40 0.80 4.80 2.00 3.50 • • '• % !,
• *■’ / . • ■ o • • . ... : ■ ’■ \ x *. ✓ • i ’ • f • ; ■■ ■. ■ ■ ■’ . • • if;**
... " . r«./ ■ s ? •
PR 33 T000035
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Speech by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, at the Legislative Council on October 16, 1974.
OUTLINE
1• Introduction Page No. 1 - 3
2• Crime 5-8
3. Consumer Council 9
4. Prisons 9-11
5. Independent Commission Against^Corruption 11 - 13
6. Recreation and Sport 15 - 16
7• Urban Council 16
8. Labour 16 - 21
9. Medical and Health Services 21 - 22
(i) Unregistrable Doctors 22 - 25
(ii) Narcotic Addiction 25 - 24
(iii) Family Planning 24 - 25
10. Immigration 26
11. Transport
(i) The Green Paper on Transport 26
(ii) The Mass Transit Railway 26 - 27
(iii) The Bus Companies 27 - 28
(iv) The Kowloon-Canton Railway 28
(v) Roads 28
12. Industrial Land 28 - 29
1J. Building 29 - 30
14. Social Welfare 30 - 32
15. Anglo-Chinese Relations 32
16. The Economy 52 - 37
17. Review of Government Programmes 37-40
18. The New Towns 40 - 41
19. Housing 42 - 45
20. Education
(i) White Paper 45-48
(ii) The Universities 48
(iii) Polytechnic 48
21. Conclusion 49 - 51
Issued by Government Information ServicaSv-BaacontUakUHouse. Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
PR 33 $000035
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUPPLEMENT
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 16, 1974 ********
Last year I spoke to you shortly before the outbreak of the Arab/Israeli war and the drastic change in the cost of oil, the savage twist to world inflation and all the related financial and other problems which followed.
The year which ensued has not been easy for Hong Kong though it has been better than might have been expected. And though I expect the year which now begins to be better in Hong Kong than in many other cities in the world, it too will probably nobbe easy either. This coincides with a period during which in any case your government has thought it right to take stock, and to consolidate and maintain progress in its existing fields of endeavour, rather than to launch out into new ones.
In the last quarter century life in Hong Kong has been dominated by the way in which the growth in population out-stripped the capacity of any government to provide for residents and immigrants alike some of the basic infra— structure of life. But the problem was faced and very great progress was made. So much so, that two years ago your /Government...............................
Issued by Government
Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 2 - '
a Government concluded thr-t the time had come when it would draw up programmes to make an end to these deficiencies forced on 2
J Hong Kong in the past, and to do so within a measurable
period. As a rough guide we set ourselves the time span of a decade. To make this effort, and I have never under-rated how great the effort would have to be, the machinery of government was overhauled, and procedures were streamlined and geared to the new requirements. '■
1 would like Hon. Members to realise what great pressure on the public services this generated, and I would like to record my admiration for the enthusiasm and devotion with which they have responded. I am thinking in particular of the higher echelons in the Service on whom so much of the increased load has fallen, though the response of all has been equally commendable.
In recent months, in the new economic climate of the world, there has been much speculation and concern not only about whether all these plans taken together are viable or require s6me cutting back, but also how far the reduced growth of world trade and the many
international financial problems that have emerged gnd remain unsolved^
will affect these plans and more immediately the livelihood of people • here in Hong Kong. I am sure that such thoughts as these ar.e very
much to the fore in your minds, and therefore much of this address will be about them.
/But I....
I •C
£ ?
3 4
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 3 -
•But I would like to «say at the outset that though no firm prediction is possible at this time of the exact duration of the down-turn in some of our markets, nor of what its effect upon our own economy will ber it may well prove to be temporary, and certainly will do so in comparison to the time span over which our plans are to be implemented. We would therefore be making a most serious mistake at this stage to allow it to deflect us from our long term aims except to the minimum extent that common prudence will dictate. I reiterate my belief that it is upon the realisation of these aims that the future happiness, cohesion and prosperity of this community depends.
In consequence, in spite of these new and unexpected difficulties, your Government has continued to devote a great deal of its time and energy to the elaboration and implementation of long term plans for housing, social welfare, education, medical and health services and transport. I am sure that in this our priorities are right, and later in this address I will explain the practical implications of the work that has been done on them. But before doing so I would like to mention some other aspects of administration to which I attach very great importance and for which I hope to have your support.
GRIME
First and foremost, crime and the fight to master it. Fear of crime and criminals continue to be one of the most disturbing factors in the life of our community, and particularly in the lives of its poorer members. This Government has the /clear duty ....
4
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
clear duty to restore their peace of mind.
I will not recapitulate.the detailed account I gave last year of your Government’s many-sided approach to this problem. But in the last year the thrust • has been developed on three main points: firstly to . recruit, train and sensibly deploy more policemen; secondly to improve police techniques, procedures and organization; thirdly to mobilise people in neighbourhoods to assist each other and the Police to deter crime. With a successful combination of all these things we should have a larger and more efficient police force tackling crime, in circumstances whiciywould be much more difficult for the criminali?- Neither the police alone nor the public alone can turn back this tide, but acting together as a united community I believe we can.
In this approach we are attempting new methods for dealing with a problem which the world elsewhere has signally failed; to master..
Your Government- is of course also pressing on with other action which might bear on crime • The provision of assisted secondary education for all is one of them; expansion, co—ordi nation and improved supervision of recreational and community facilities is another. I am sure that boredom and lack of healthy outlets for energy breed crime. But while such measures could, and I hope will, help in the long term, we- are confronted with an immediate and pressing problem calling for more effective action to deter crime.
The substance of the problem - a rising crime rate -is still very much with us, and indeed it would be surprising if dramatic results had been achieved here in so short a time over a problem that has proved so intractable elsewhere.
/Crime statistics .
Wednesday, October 16, 197^ - 5 -
Crime statistics make bewildering reading and vd L- a;. v<s . ~
can be bedevilled by so many extraneous factors, but the tr zh.p ? ; . .
trend of crime over the last year has continued upward. It t-dj "; r" '
is true that the increase in serious crimes, which are those against which our main drive has been made, has levelled off. But while both police and public can take heart from this first ray of hope that can be discerned following the great efforts* they have made, it would be wrong 'to read too much into this tendency of the last 6 or 8 months. Nor is there any question of our doing so, The level is in any case unacceptably high, arid there can be no room for self-congratulation until a Significant and sustained decrease has been achieved. But though success still eludes us, the outlook is not by any means all black, because real progress has been made in the essential pre-requisites, the groundwork that must be laid, before there is much prospect of decisive.results.
In the first place there has been a breakthrough in recruitment for the police. This is at last proceeding at a satisfactory rate, and with_a new intake of high quality. The net increase this year in-the constabulary is. likely to be at least 1500, (a£ against 500 last year), and there is a reasonably satisfactory^increase in the inspectorate. Civilianisation, including the installation of traffic wardens, should have freed about 500 uniformed "^4/ A men and women from routine work by the end of this year, and this, process will continue. You know of the magnificent response to the appeal for. auxiliaries and now about 1900
/a day are ..
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 6 -
a day are turning out for duty. So in this comparatively short time our effective professional and volunteer strength available for deployment each day should have increased by something like 2500. We need many more than this, but it is a large step in the right direction, and I hope that -another equally big one will be taken in 1975*
No doubt this greatly improved situation is due to many factors, including improved conditions of service and improved recruiting techniques and perhaps, to a lesser extent, to a tighter labour market. But I think that the prime cause is the improved relations, between police and public and the good spirit of our young people. For the present high quality of recruit I suspect there are softer jobs for the money, but they join for a chance of an active life in protection of the community, and Hong Kong has every reason to be proud of them.
Progress has also been made in the re-organisation of the Police Force to fight crime and in retraining it for its changed relationship with the public to which we all attach so much importance. The Secretary for Security will be explaining the details in the course of the debate.
But I would like to speak about what the public — those at the receiving end of crime — have’’done. The . creation of 1500 Mutual Aid, Committees with the accompanying superstructure of area committees, is not-only a considerable administrative achievement, but indicates th:e great need that these organisations fill. There was indeed a void. A void which
/was as dangerous •••••
/^as as dangerous....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 7 -
was as dangerous for the Government as it was unwelcome to ordinary citizens, who were without means of influencing conditions outside their own front doors.
Some of these committees are more effective than others, but by and large they already cover a significant part of the population. They have done much to discourage crime in their own areas. In many cases they have installed alarm systems, and engaged watchmen to patrol the premises, and all in all they constitute a new deterrent to criminals that can be made increasingly effective and is very welcome to police and public alike.
I always leave meetings with Mutual Aid Committees encouraged by the knowledge.that in this field attitudes are changing fast, and that we have many good citizens willing to give a lead on how the people of a neighbourhood may help each other and help the community bjrsnaking their own areas safer, cleaner and better to live in. '
We have always had in mind that the ultimate aim was to develop regular policing on a neighbourhood basis, with, in addition, separate forces deployed to attack crime in accordance with strategic and tactical plans directed by District and Divisional Commanders. For this we first needed civilian neighbourhood organisations - we now have them. We also needed more regular policemen available for i deployment - these too we are now beginning to have. .
Finally we needed trained uniformed volunteers, that is to say auxiliaries, from the neighbourhood to form a .link between the regular police and the civilian population. We are
/now beginning....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 8 -
now beginning to have all these and you will have seen the beginnings of the neighbourhood policing scheme which we intend progressively to develop.
All in all I am encouraged by the success of these new methods and attitudes. Two new sorts of relationship are being built up. The first is between the people who live in a block or a neighbourhood; the means of knowing each other, as the families of a village used to know each other, is being offered and often taken with relief. Secondly a new relationship is being created between the people of these neighbourhoods and the public service, particularly the Police and the Urban Services Department and the Home Affairs Department. The growth is new and too much must not be expected or claimed for it at this stage, but it is a healthy growth, and it must be carefully and consistently encouraged, commensurate with the ability of the Department of Home Affairs to provide the necessary support. The aim must be quality rather than quantity for fts own sake. So far this new process of co-operation has been largely confined to the fields of cleanliness and crime, but rightly all the time other subjects are being • thrown up in different neighbourhoods, and thus direct consultation and participation over a widening field is being evolved. In short a new path can now be seen opening up before us. I am sure we should take it with confidence and perseverance.
/The Consumer Council
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 9 -
The Consumer Council
Beforefleaving this subject of community relations I wish to mention briefly the Consumer Council. First of all much of its membership was quite new to the working of • y j* f • *• e
public advisory bodies but was representative of sections of the community on which the rise in prices was pressing particularly hard. Secondly it successfully achieved its: purpose of reassuring the public that where prices were high-because of unreasonable manipulation or mark up in Hong Kong itself, something could be done about it. Thirdly it achieved its significant and continuing influence through the quick and impartial investigation of facts on the one hand, and the use of persuasion and public opinion on the other. Surely we should proceed in this.quick and informal way whenever we appropriately can, rather than always rely on the panoply and procedures of legislation, Police investigation and the law courts. It is so much better to persuade than to punish. I would like to record my gratitude to Sir Yuet—keung Kan for his able and imaginative chairmanship of the Consumer Council.
PRISONS
Increased crime, more vigorous measures to combat it, more prosecutions and the longer sentences being: imposed, have produced a marked increase in jthe-prison population. The total number of inmates in all types of institutions on JOth September 1974 was about 7,600 as compared with 6,400 on JOth September 1975*
/In Stanley Prison....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 10 -
In Stanley Prison alone the population was just under 3*000 whereas the prison was designed for 1,500. Hbn. Members will know of the incidents that have occurred -in this prison.
Something has already been done to strengthen the physical security of Stanley Prison and to improve management and operating procedures. However, in the long term new institutions will be needed and Stanley Prison itself will have to be progressively rebuilt. Planning for this is already in handJ Two new institutions at Pik Uk in the New Territories will be completed within the next few months and they will help to ease the position. Although other projects in the Public Works Programme, including a new maximum security prison, will eventually accommodate about 3,000 offenders, it will be some time before these are completed. We are therefore looking for other temporary accommodation which could be used to solve the immediate problem of over-crowding with its attendant risk of disorder. The Detention Centres have now completed their first two years and the system is being evaluated. The preliminary conclusion is that they have been successful and repaid the immense amount of care and effort put into
/them by the....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 11 -
then by the Prisons Departrent. So far, only about 10% of those who have passed through then have been reconvicted We can be satisfied that our Irisor.s Department is making constructive and reasonably successful progress in their problem of dealing with the young offender who is not yet a hardened criminal.
ICAC
A year ago in this Council 1 announced my intention of setting up an Independent Commission Against Corruption under a civilian commissioner. Within 4 months * • the Commission was in being and working under a new ordinance. While the Operations Department - the investigatory arm of the Commission - is the only section so far fully functional, the special Corruption Prevention and Community Relations departments are now being set up and will soon be at work. As soon as this staff are in position, two advisory committees on Corruption Prevention and Community Relations will be established, together with a small high-powered supervisory committee to advise the Commissioner and myself on major policy aspects of the Commission’s work. The public has responded well to this new organisation; and reports made to ICAC have increased by some 500% compared with those made during a similar period last year.
/The Operations.
Wednesday, October 16, 19?4
- 12 -
The Opera tiozss Department has already made a cprs-iderable impacto About 80 prosecutions for corruption and kindred offences have been launched against a wide variety of Government servants and members of the publict and this is double what was dene in the same period last year. In considering this record it is necessary to remember that some 80% of the Operations Department have a civilian background.
Inevitably this has meant a tremendous effort in terms of training staff in their entirely new role. These enthusiastic newcomers are ar impressive, well-educated group directed by experienced investigatorsw and under the overall direction of Mr, John Prendergast, one of the most successful policemen in the Commonwealth.
Building up the initial momentum, cf our fight against corruption will depend very largely on the success of the Operations Department. It is inescapable that to make progress, to deter the corrupt and to secure public confidence, a satisfactory volume of detection and punishment is essential. But once it has become apparent to the corrupt and to the public that corruption does not pay, the Corruption Prevention and Community Relations sides of the Commission will be able to play vitally important parts. There can be no real victory
/in dealing ....
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 15 -
in dealing with this problem unless there are changes of attitude throughout the community generally. Though this will take time, we are totally committed. I have faith in Mr. Jack Cater and the able and devoted people who are directing and manning the Commission. A more difficult task has rarely been undertaken in Hong Kong. They know they can count on the complete support of the Government. But in the long run their best ally will be the good sense of the people of Hong Kong and the sincerity of their demand that the time for new standards has come.
RECREATION AND SPORT
Let us turn now to the much pleasanter subject of recreation and sport.
Last year I spoke of the importance I attach to more facilities in this over—crowded city. We need to maximise the facilities that are already in existence and to provide new ones. There is a parallel need to develop the countryside its mountains and the beaches to provide recreation .and fresh air 'when people have time to get to them.
This must be a co-operative effort between the Government departments and many private clubs and voluntary agencies already in the field. It was to co-ordinate and expand these efforts that the Council for Recreation and Sport has been set up. It is now getting into its stride.
/One of its .....
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
14
One of its first steps was to recommend that District Recreation Officers should be appointed whose duty it would be to encourage and advise on how to maximise recreational facilities in each district, and also to encourage the use of the country-side by people of the city. A pilot scheme for 5 City Districts and for Yuen Long is now in operation.
The Council has done jnuch hoc work greatly helped by generous private donations. For instance in the urban areas and the New Territories something of the order of 190 concrete ping pong tables, volley ball and basket ball pitches have been ordered or are in process..of . construction, along with a considerable volume of equipment. Funds have also been channelled through the Council for the expansion of ' activities in various standing camps, or the construction of new ones, that will result in supervised week-ends in the -country for at least 15,000 more young people next year. In addition plans of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for providing countryside amenities are now beginning to make real progress; 60 new picnic sites came into commission last year, with an accompanying infrastructure of 5 miles of paths, and 50 more sites will be completed in the coming, year. If I might say so they have been built and equipped with notable imagination and good taste and they have performed their function of attracting many more visitors.
/The young .....
- 15
VTedncsday, October 16,
The young people of Hong Kong are taking more and more to picnicking, hiking and camping. Much of this has developed on their own initiative. But to help the movement gain momentum funds have been channelled into the Outward Bound School to expand it to have room to teach leaders from City Districts how the countryside can best be enjoyed. Similarly I was delighted to learn of the formation of a Youth Hostels Association in Hong Kong, and the Government is giving all the assistance it can in the provision of sites for hostels.
These are all comparatively small steps in the direction we must.go, but they are already of some significance.
Such heavy use of the country-side brings with it its problems of conservation. During the year additional Agriculture and Fisheries Department litter gangs and Urban Services cleansing gangs have been established, and also more fire-fighting crews, and with its traditional civic spirit, the Civil Aid Services are now training to provide additional fire fighting coverage in the countryside this winter. While these services are steadily improving the cleanliness and reducing the fire hazards in the main points at which visitors congregate, there remains the litter and the bush fires left by the thoughtless and the careless who roam further afield. Many members of the regular hiking and picnicking clubs and others who know and care for Hong Kong’s countryside, are already acting as scavengers for the newcomers, the ignorant and the careless who still do not. Now that this admirable trend to walking and picnicking is developing so fast, it is evident that 'in parallel there must be systematic education of all concerned about how to preserve the mountains and the beaches they visit.
I have emphasised these expanding uses of the countryside because they offer a natural balance to the lack of space for /facilities ...................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 16 -
facilities in the city. But they can never be more than supplementary to what is done and provided in the urban areas. The efforts of the Urban Council, the Education Department and the many voluntary agencies concerned are therefore vital. The Urban Council has continued to make rapid progress in this field, and Hon. Members will be aware that the Council has completed during the last year $6 new public gardens, 20 children’s playgrounds and 26 courts for basket-ball or volley-ball. They also completed a further swimming complex in Kennedy Town. These complexes are well tailored to the requirements of Hong Kong, and compare favourably with anything provided elsewhere in the world. Members will also have noted the steady progress being made by the Parks Department in the provision of more greenery, shade and colour in our city. THE URBAN COUNCIL
And here might I pay my tribute to the new-style Urban Council. Earlier this year it completed its first year under the new autonomous financial arrangements, and I am sure that in this Council which contains both serving members and alumni of the Urban Council, Hon. Members would wish me to say how much we all admire the vigour and imagination with which the new Council has set about its task.
LABOUR
I should now like to say something about labour legislation. Hong Kong’s prosperity depends fundamentally on its principal resource, its diligent and adaptable work force. The well-being of this labour force rests primarily
/in the hands ...
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 17
in the hands of workers and trades unions on the one hand and of employers on the other. But Government too has a significant responsibility to ensure that reasonable mi nimum standards are applied. Much has been done in recent years to secure a steady improvement in working conditions and terms of employment through an« extensive programme of labour legislation. This is a continuous process and today I will touch on some of the main areas of recent achievement and indicate what your Government proposes for the coming year as well as in the longer term.
First, good progress has been made in the continuing review of the Employment Ordinance. This was originally so framed that further parts could be added progressively to bun Id up a comprehensive code of employment, and a number of major amendments have been made over the past two years. Holidays with pay and sickness allowance have been extended to all employees covered by the Ordinance; entitlement to sick leave has been increased and the qualifications for it simplified; controls have been introduced over employment agencies to ensure that workers,- whether to be mployed in Hoiig Kong or overseas, are not exploited; and workers have been afforded statutory protection as members of trades unions in relation to their employers. Finally, severance payments have been made a statutory entitlement for redundant workers. This measure alone represents a significant advance in social legislation. The rates of severance pay provided are lower than those paid by most larger employers, but it was necessary that obey should be set at a level which could be afforded by those many smaller employers who formerly gave little or no severance pay, and
/it is particularly ....
Wednesday, October 16, 19?4
- 18 -it is particularly in this area that a real improvement has been made.
With regard to the coming session, Regulations will be submitted to this Council to reduce the maximum permissible overtime for women and young persons. We have.in mind.a reduction from $00 to 250 hours a year from the beginning of next year and a further reduction to 200 hours in 1976.
I mentioned in this Council last year that the Labour Tribunal, which was introduced on 1st March 1973» had proved an immediate success. I am pleased to say that this initial success has been sustained, and this year a second tribunal has been established and the Labour Tribunal Ordinance, which had only a limited life, has been made permanent. However the jurisdiction of the Tribunal is limited to individual claims for sums of money arising from a contract of employment. But it is not concerned with group disputes or collective bargaining with management. Luring the coming session your Government hopes to introduce for your consideration a new Labour Relations Bill. This bill is designed to provide statutory backing for the Labour Relations Service of the Labour Department and for procedures to be followed in a labour dispute when conciliation has failed. Labour relations have traditionally been good- in Hong Kong. '. But it is hoped that this bill will help to facilitate settlements when other means have failed. As now conceived it deliberately avoids provision of powers to impose compulsory settlements. Perhaps Hon. Members will agree that elsewhere such compulsory powers have proved conspicuously ineffective.
/The promotion .....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 19 -
The promotion of industrial safety still requiras further urgent attention. Safety regulations made during the last two years have covered the more dangerous industrial activities including construction work, the use of lifting appliances and lifting gear and work in confined spaces. Further regulations will soon be introduced to cover cargo handling at wharves, quays and godowns. Others are projected for a variety of specialised industrial processes but the only major area on which a good deal of work remains to be done is that of guarding machinery. Of course improved industrial safety cannot be achieved solely by the enactment of special regulations. The co-operation of employers and workers is essential and steps are being taken to encourage their involvement • 1.. . ■ . _r through a Five Year programme of action including the extension of safety training and increased publicity.
And now a word about the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance which, like the Employment Ordinance, is kept under constant review. Recent amendments have raised the maximum wage ceiling . k • • • • f. .1 aJ.
for entitlement of non-manual workers under these two ordinances from $1500 to $200<> per month. At the same time the maximum amounts that can be claimed in workmen’s compensation were correspondingly increased by 30%. The Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance is due for a major overhaul over the next two years but one other matter deserves mention. This is silicosis, one of the most serious occupational diseases occurring in Hong Kong, which.has never been included in the schedule to the
/ordinance because
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 20 -ordinance because it takes a long time for the disease to become apparent. A special compensation scheme for those suffering from the disease will be introduced during this session.
And now, let me turn briefly to Industrial Training. During its first full year of operation the Hong Kong Training Council has been considering the draft bill designed to provide a legislative framework for apprenticeship schemes. Work on this is in the final stages and it is intended that the bill should reach thiscCouncil during the coming session. The rate of further progress in this field will be to some extent dependent on the success of -efforts to recruit suitably qualified technical staff to support the recently created training division within the Labour Department.
We have now reached the stage where legislation already enacted or about to be enacted covers most of the major areas in the labour field. We must now aim to consolidate this position Many of the measures provide only minimal standards and there are some gaps to be filled. This can be done in part by reviewing and revising existing legislation but there are also other important tasks to be undertaken such as developing and improving the factory and labour inspectorates and, as I have . • •..rvC’*’
already mentioned, promoting industrial safety. Work has already started on these matters.with the appointment, as an adviser to the Commissioner for Labour, of an experienced Factory Inspector from the United Kingdom.
/Let me.........
... ; . . y . • J_ - •' .
■' : -J •.
Wednesday, October 16, 1974-
- 21 -Let me say that in this programme of labour legislation the Government has no wish to place industrial relations in a straight jacket* I know that this is not the wish of either workers or employers - both of whom value the flexibility which has contributed so much to both the tradition and the strength of Hong Kong. Broadly speaking we intend to continue to move only after close consultation with the Labour Advisory Board, and other organisations concerned. I am glad to say that Hong Kong’s performance over the application of the ILO Convention is already fairly satisfactory, though we expect to be able to make some further improvement.
MEDICAL & HEALTH SERVICES
In the field of Medical and Health Services we-now-have in the White Paper published in July a realistic and forward looking framework for future development, and I am most grateful-to Sir Albert Rodrigues and the Medical Development Advisory Committee for all the work they put in* I am also grateful for the comments and advice from professional bodies and the public.-The proposals in the White Paper and the accompanying work that has been done, provide a framework withinJ^hich ordinated progress has been charted over a ten year period. They envisage the construction of new hospitals and clinics", the extension of Medical and Health Services tee the new towns and the New Territories, measures to relieve over-crowding in Government hospitals and to make fuller-use of beds in Government-assisted hospitals, more specialist treatment particularly ; • for psychiatric patients and the elderly, and a general improvement in standards wherever practicable. /The point ......
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 22
The point I wish to make - and I will be returning to it in connection with other major programmes - is that this programme has been prepared in a way which will enable us to go -forward in an orderly series of progressive and inter-related steps year by year, with each step costed and given its priority. The scale of this programme has been based on the best assessment now possible of the resources likely to be available. It will be subject to regular review each year starting in 1975* As well as indicating what we ° r ‘ i-
hope at present to be able to achieve, the plan also provides guidelines within which flexibility can be applied according to rational priorities if necessary, and if more or less resources are available than seem likely now, or if the needs of the Medical and Health Services change, as to some extent they are bound to do over a ten year period.
Before leaving Medical Services, however, I should like to say something of one or two areas in which the Government has now become more directly involved. Unregistrable Doctors
The question of non-Commonwealth medical graduates, the so-called Unregistrable Doctors, has aroused lively public interest. We should not under-estimate the complexity of some of the issues involved however simply and forcefully they may be argued by their protagonists. What we now need is • . • 1 -V
authoritative unbiased advice on which the community can rely. /I am sure ..••••
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 23 -
I am sure that this is exactly what we can expect from Sir Ronald Holmes and his working party*. Narcotic Addiction
I mentioned last year the formation of the Medical and Health Department’s new division to develop and coordinate programmes for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Two pilot methadone substitution projects are being conducted by the Medical Department and the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society. Both have been operating for almost two years and they are to continue for a further year. The rather encouraging results obtained so far have been carefully checked and compared with what is being done in other parts of the world.
One of the world’s foremost experts in this form of drug treatment will arrive in Hong Kong towards the end of the year to help us further to evaluate these two pilot projects and to plot the way ahead for this form of therapy and i^s proper relationship to other forms of drug treatment.
As I see it, our objective must be to couple the most vigorous and ruthless attack on the means of supply of'drugs, with provision of a means of treatment that can be made available en masse to addicts. Nothing but frustration can result from denial of the drug without offering treatment, or from offering treatment without denying the drug, or at least making it so scarce as to be prohibitively expensive. You will have noted the growing success of the attack on supply of drugs that results both from improved methods here and also improved liaison abroad. But /the means ......
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
24
the means of treatment present an even more difficult problem. However if our pilot projects are judged successful we will have at our disposal a therapy for addiction that-is much cheaper than present methods, need not involve incarceration^ and consequently can be applied en masse and with minimum disruption o"f an addict’s daily life or earning capacity. So far, as I say, the experts have been encouraged. But in this field there are many pitfalls. Before we launch out into the provision of facilities for treatment on the massive scale that would be necessary to have real impact, we must be absolutely sure that we will be working along lines that are' of proved reliability.
Meanwhile I am conscious of the importance attached to this issue by Hon. Members. Might I add what a relief it is now to have advice on these complex medical, social and police issues co-ordinated and centralised through a body as strong as the Action Committee Against Narcotics as now constituted, with its own secretariat and Commissioner, and under the vigorous and distinguished chairmanship of Sir Albert Rodrigues. Family Planning
When I addressed this Council last year the integration of Family Planning service into our Maternal and Child Health Programme was just starting. It has made excellent progress.
By the end of this year, the Medical and Health Department will be running a total of 57 clinics throughout the Urban and Rural areas, including six new ones which have been opened'this year. In the year ahead more will be
..... /opened and .•••.
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 25 -
opened and additional sessions provided to meet the demands^ made for the service. At the same time, the Family Planning Association which formerly ran many of these clinics will of course continue to provide services in their own premises and I should like to pay a sincere tribute to their cooperation in this endeavour. For the future, the Association will be concentrating on areas not already covered by Government clinics, By the end of this year they will be providing services of various kinds at 32 locations, including eight which have been opened since October last year. In addition they have plans uo pro/ide services at a further three sites in the near future.
Your Government is very conscious of the social' and financial implications of excessive population growth. Our first objective here has Deen to see that there are enough clinics conveniently available to all members of the public. Once we have reached that point, and we are getting near it, we will be in a position to concentrate on bringing home to the public the benefits to be derived from using these clinics. I am aware of proposals going much further than this, for fiscal and other discrimination against large families. While the Government has an open mind * • " ' . _ _ » on this, I am sure Hon. Members would agree that such a course should only be considered after the results of other action to secure our ends by educational and voluntary means can be seen.
/IMMIGRATION" • V; 11 ..
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 26 -
IMMIGRATION
•
The work of family planning is obviously vital if our plans for improvement in standards of life are to have the effect intended. So too is the level of immigration. Hong Kong’s net gain by migration last year is believed to have been, over 60,000 of whom the bulk came from China either legally or illegally. Though the numbers have been brought down substantially from the high level of September last year, they remain too high, and discussion of this mutual problem with.the Chinese Government continues. .r
TRANSPORT
The Green Paper on Transport -
A green paper was published in June setting out the Government’s proposed strategy for dealing with Hong Kong’S transport problems. A Comprehensive Transport Study , in which the nature of the problem will be quantified on the basis of data from wide ranging surveys is now in its final stages and is expected to produce results for policy guidance early next year. These results, together with the public’s reactions to the green paper, will provide material for the preparation next year of a Transport White Paper. This will give firm ■indications on how the Government intends to cope with Hong Kong’s transport needs over the years ahead.
The Mass Transit Railway
- . The green paper envisaged that a major role should be
played by a Mass Transit Railway. Your Government still holds to this view, provided agreement can be reached on the basis
of the
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 27 -
of the specified price at which the railway is calculated to be commercially viable. Doubts have recently been expressed as to the wisdom of continuing with this project in present circumstances. I would have thought it apparent that what was judged an acceptable proposition a year ago, at the^same price is an acceptable proposition nowc There is a tide in such affairs, and if we miss this one it will be some years before we could float the project again. Moreover, we have every right to have confidence in our future; the project is still judged to be within our resources; the Financial Secretary and his team have put an immense amount of work into the •intricate and technical work of negotiating the contract; and provided they can do so at the specified price, I am sure we should all heartily wish them success.
The Bus Companies:
Detailed negotiations have been conducted over the past months with both the Kowloon Motor Bus Company and the China Motor Bus Company with a view to agreeing revised franchises for their operations. The discussions have now produced agreement on detailed schedules of services, route-by-routq for 1975/76 together with the numbers of buses to be provided to achieve acceptable frequencies. Plans for bus capacity looking ahead to the year 1980 have also been agreed, on reasonable assumptions about the demand for bus travel over this period. I hope that these discussions will lead to final agreement between the Government and the two companies under which new franchises can be granted to commence next February. An essential element in /these would ...................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 28 -these would have to be direct Government participation in the direction of the Companies’ affairs through representation on their Boards of Directors.
The Kowloon - Canton Railway;
New passenger rolling stock has been delivered to the Kowloon-Canton Railway and double-tracking between Hung Hom and Shatin will commence shortly. A review of the future development of the railway has been undertaken, and I hope that these improvements I have referred to will prove to bd only the first steps in establishing it on the one hand as a modern suburban railway, linking urban Kowloon with the New Territories, and on the other as an improved communication link with China for freight and passengers alike.
Roads
This year there has been a sharp increase in expenditure on new roads and the intention is that an average of $550 m. -(at 1974 prices) will be spent on roads in each of the next four financial years, compared with an average of less than $150 m. during the three preceding years. x
< <• All these developments indicate that your Government is putting a great deal of effort and priority into measures to cope with Hong Kong’s growing transport needs, and that •
this effort will be continued and intensified in the years to come. Industrial Land
Hon. Members have frequently urged the need to provide more land for industry, and for more land-intensive industry as well as that in high-rise buildings. This the Government entirely /accepts.......................................................
1J ?•
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 29-accepts. The first steps along the path have now been taken with the provision of land on special terms to two new industries in Tsing I. In the long term I believe the eventual answer is, as it were, to expand the harbour westwards, by developing -the north shore of Lantau for industry by means of a bridge from the mainland. But though planning for this is now essential, it is a very large project and in the nature of things its impact could not be felt before the ’80s. ;Eor the immediate future more rapid action is necessary, and your Government believes that the right answer is to establish industrial estates along the lines of those found so successful elsewhere. With this in mind a feasibility study has been commissioned for Junk Bay, and similar studies are far advanced of much easier sites at Taipo and Yuen Long. These . projects will be given high priority. The amount of land planned for ordinary industrial development in the New Towns is also
being reconsidered. I think it essential that in this period when there is slack, in the construction and engineering industry we should.press on with work that will make Hong Kong a more attractive place for investment when the up-turn in the financial climate of the world comes again, as come it will. Building +
Clearly the Government has an obligation to ensure that new building conforms with planning, safety and other requirements. But at this time it is more than ever necessary that these checks, should not avoidably hold up the putting in hand of new work. I have therefore directed that further efforts should be made to streamline procedures to ensure swifter transaction /of business •••••
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 50 -of business about land and buildings. I am particularly concerned that projects which are known to have ready sources of finance at this time and whose backers are ready and anxious to proceed should be subjected to the minimum of delay, and I think that if necessary special procedures to ensure this must be adopted for the time being.
SOCIAL WELFARE
- ■ ' , a •: '»•'?’ r !’■' - ■ . :
I now wish to refer briefly to the development of our Social-Welfare Services. The Secretary for Social Services will be speaking at greater length later in the debate.
This has been a year of consolidation following the introduction last year of many new schemes and projects in the context of the White Paper and Five Year Plan. The first full annual review of the Five Year Plan ;has now been completed. The joint pl arming and consultative machinery between the G-QVAmrnent and the voluntary sector continues to work satisfactorily. It is now supplemented by procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided by subvented organisations. It is hoped that these can be expanded during the coming year, to improve both quality and organisation.
Good overall progress has been made with the development of Social Welfare services but a few points deserve special mention:
/The Institute ......
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 31 -
The Institute for Social Work Training has now completed a full year of operation. Might I add that if anyone has doubts O.
about the ability of Hong Kong to produce young people of the right calibre to man the Social Services that are being pianned, lei? them visit the Institute * They will find it a stimulating and encouraging experience.
Legislation to control and regulate the operation of Child Care Centres has been prepared and will be introduced into this Council shortly4
Community and Youth Officers have been appointed to all districts in the urban areas, and work is well advanced to establish the scheme in the New Territories..
18 months after its introduction the Disability and Infirmity Allowance Scheme is providing regular allowances to 50i000 elderly and severely disabled persons. The rate of benefit under thi$ scheme and the Public Assistance Scheme are reviewed regularly in the light of the cost of living and two increases have been made this year bringing. the. rates up to 62% above the base-rate of April 197^.
Work has begun on the drafting of a programme plan for Rehabilitation to co-ordinate and guide the efforts of the Government Departments and many voluntary bodies which are active in this complex field.
These are just a few examples of what is happening, but Hon. Members may be reassured to know that broadly speaking we are on the course mapped out in the Social Welfare \ Five Year Plan, and that we expect to continue so next year.
/Taken together .....
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 32 -
Taken together with the free or very heavily subsidised Medical and Health .Services _.and Education, ouj? S&cial Welfare Services are intended to ensure that the unfortunate in our city are provided for until they can stand on their own feet
T again. The Public Assistance Scheme is an essential part of these services. For reasons which I will explain?later I do not anticipate any dramatic increase in the load that the Scheme will have to carry. But anyone who takes a Less optimistic view of our prospects than I do can rest assured that this. .... . scheme is not sufficiently strong and well developed to be capable of expansion and adaptation.to meet any unforeseen contingency.
Anglo-Chinese Relations
Before turning to the state.of our economy, might I say how satisfactory it is to see the steady improvement in re?ent years of Siao-British relations. This has made possible the friendly co-op* rarion about matters of mutual interest which is so greatly to the benefit of Hong Kong.
THE ECONOMY j
And now I turn to our economic prospects. While these are nothing like as bad ag the prophets of doom would 1
have us believe , we are obviously in a difficult^period and we nannot say with any accuracy precisely how long it. will last.
ac the time I spoke to you last year the gross domestic product was increasing, in real terms, at an annual rate of some 7-8%, just a little above the growth rate which it is believed can be substained in the longer term. This was against the then background of international exchange rate variations,commodity
/shortages • • •
Wednesday, October 16, 1972*-
- 35 -shortages overseas, and an almost unbelievably rapid rate of world inflation. It represented a truly remarkable achievement by our manufacturers and exporters.
It is true that this was not without some slackening of‘demand in the labour market, and there were in consequence some whose personal circumstances were a good deal less rosy than the performance of the economy as a whole might have suggested. Nevertheless, Hong Kong’s competitive position was extremely strong and a good deal stronger than a year or two earlier. This carried the possibility, even probability, that our exports would continue to grow at a rapid rate, and with them the gross domestic product. There was, therefore,good reason to believe that the demand for labour would rise again and with it wage levels. Furthermore, consumer prices, in the autumn of 1975 * were already showing signs of levelling-off (and even falling in some instances) and so at that tine there was every reason to expect a further improvement in living standards in 197^ across the whole spectrum of society.
But then, and quite unexpectedly, came the oil crisis. The World economy was knocked off course. . After making allowance for the impact on the economy of these new circumstances, by last February it was thought that the gross domestic product in 197^ would increase after all, in real terms by some 4%. Whilst this was substantially less than night otherwise have been the case, it was still by no means insignificant.
The oil shortage in Hong Kong was fairly brief and of little real significance and our industrialists adapted to the situation of shortages and changes in the supplies and prices
/of oil-based
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 54 -of oil-based raw materials with their usual speed. Our external trade continued to be buoyant in the first half of this year and in the twelve months to June 1974, domestic exports were over 8/^6 more in volume than in the previous twelve-month period.
But it has gradually become clear that the enormous rise in the price of oil, attempts by some other commodities to follow suit, balance of payments problems, lack of liquidity, and high interest rates, have all together produced a situation in the rest of the world that will take time to solve, and that a period of adjustment is inevitable. It is also inevitable, and already evident, that during this period the growth of world trade overall will not be as rapid as we have become accustomed to in recent years*. However, these interconnected problems are of such great importance for the world1-si economies, and I might add the world1s electorates, that at least we have the assurance that they are receiving maximum attention from Governments, and that the best brains available everywhere are working on them. The problems involved are of course new to both creditors and debtors alike. But insofar as there have been any recent developments they have been in the right direction. There has at least been no further dramatic rise in the price of oil, and the beginnings of a process of-t recycling of oil revenues can be discerned. Provided there is no setback, one can reasonably expect that in due course these tendencies will develop, with oil prices stabilising, the process of recycling gaining momentum and finding new institutional /channels .......................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 55 -channels, interest rates declining from their present levels, and generally speaking an easing of current constrictions on investment and demand.
Meanwhile, as I have said a period of adjustment is inevitable. But it is exceedingly difficult to forecast how Hong Kong will fare in this period of adjustment because so many factors are new and relatively unknown and virtually all are outside our control. Certainly Hong Kong cannot hope to avoid some of the consequences of a slowing down in world trade. The rate of growth of the volume of our exports has levelled off in recent months. We know that manufacturing employment here, and in many cases take-home pay, has been falling; and even allowing for normal seasonal variations in trade it is not conceivable that the figure for the growth of exports during this calendar year will be as high as the corresponding figure I quoted for the twelve months to June.
It is unlikely that 1975 levels of employment will be regained this year. One can at least'be thankful that incomes are not eaten away as last year, but I am afraid it would be wrong to assume that the external inflationary pressures of the last year have”finished working their way through our. economy, or that there will not be further ones this year. .
If we look dispassionately at the international economic situation we may see* in it elements from which Hong Kong may draw encouragement. We are not at all facing a situation of slump like that in the 120s or early 150s. The level of economic intervention by the governments of the developed world is now so great, and the channels of international co— operation so extensive, and the political pressures on Governments to avoid excessively deflationary situations so strong, that a
/rocosaion in • -•••
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
recession is unlikely to assume an extreme form. During the down-turn now in existence, the purchasing power of the populateons of developed countries is continuing at a comparatively high level. While demand for some products, and in particular cars and consumer durables is being affected, the course of demand for the sort of things that Hong Kong exports is much more difficult to gauge. One should not assume that because a family in the United States or Europe will economise by keeping an old car instead of buying a new one, or will put off buying a house, it will also put off buying clothes, or radios’; toys' or cameras. Moreover the down-turn is not evenly spread throughout our markets. No doubt our exporters will face inereased competition, and perhaps difficulties over finance, but there is a fair hope that in our markets as a whole a sufficiently healthy demand will continue to keep Hong Kong busy.
And on our side things will not be standing still. Our industrialists with their usual enterprise will be searching the world1 s markets for contracts, and you may be sure that the Trade Development Council will be doing everything within its power to help them to find new openings and expand old ones. The Government for its part, and with the support of Her Majesty’s GovemTne'nt, will cont inue to do all that determined negotiations can to ease restrictions on our- trade and resist attempts at further impositions. The prospects of maintaining our exports are favourable because’Hong Kong’s productivity is now high and our competitive position abroad is very strong, indeed as strong as it has ever been, so we are in a position to supply /what demand ....
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 37 -
what demand there is now, and to respond very quickly to any increase.in demand in the future. Provided we retain this /
competitive edge I expect Hong Kong to ride current problems with less trouble than most other countries. I certainly expect the economy to continue to grow, and the Financial Secretary’s estimate made last February of a growth rate of 4% in real terms still looks the most probable outcome.for this year. There are not.many industrial countries in the world that could say the same.
If I might say so Hong Kong is so accustomed to growth that is phenomenal, that we should guard against too pessimistic a reaction to growth that is, by comparative standards, merely enviable.
REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
This is the background against which we have been
taking stoc-k?
/ 4
During the last two years, as Hon. Members know, we have prepared long-range plans covering the next 10 years: j
for what^We want to do in the major fields of Government spending -housing/ education, medical and health services, social welfare.
To these must be added other plans already fairly precise covering J. expenditure on the expansion of the road system, the Kowloon-Canton Railway, the Mass Transit project, the Police, the Prisons
and the Fire Services. Other comparatively new fields have been
opened up such as community relations and countryside amenities, which though relatively cheap all add. to the total bill.
/Taken •••••.
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 58 -
Taken individually, the broad objectives of each initial draft programme were believed to be probably within our resources on certain -assumptions, and these assumptions of course included a reasonable degree of flexibility from year to year as the economic circumstances of Hong Kong night change. But though‘the impact of all these programmes on the budget in the immediately following year, that is to say 74/75, presented no large problem, it was only when all were in a reasonably complete form, and could be assembled to provide a forecast of likely expenditure if all were carried out exactly in accordance with departmental estimates, that it was" possible to assess their teal financial implications for the years ahead. It was necessary to see them all before there was any firm base from which to examine the priority of each separate plan and the details q£ .;qach separate plan itself, given that our resources were limited. In other words it was only at this point that realistic appraisal, review and drafting of these programmes became possible.
It would have been necessary to carry out this process of re-examination in any case, even against the background of a buoyant revenue with a large surplus to the budget, and with economic prospects that were clear for all to see. In the event the re-examination was undertaken against the background of the economic situation which I have described, which though by no means bad, is certainly not easy to predict 'with precision. We are also now aware of the possibility of a budget deficit this year, though there is nothing particularly /alarming about ...................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 39 -alarming about this in itself. However, all in all, the circumstances in which we now are, require us to adopt a prudent and careful approach to expenditure in the following years. I an particularly concerned at the trend of recurrent expenditure which has been rising at a rate of not far short of 20% annually in recent years. I doubt whether it need be as high as this if we in the public service were as productivity-conscious as our counterparts in industry. But it i-s on our capital works programmes that I wish to concentrate today.
You will remember that earlier this year the Financial Secretary, having reviewed departmental estimates and forecasts relating to capital works of all sorts, told us that, after allowing for all additional resources from the borrowing and taxation that he considered realistic, there was a short-fall of $1960 m., or 1/5 of the total estimates for the forecast period from 1975/76 to *77/78 inclusive. Having regard to the nature of the departmental estimates as I have described them, there was nothing very daunting about this discrepancy, and during the succeeding months the Secretariat has systematically subjected them to scrutiny and the imposition of orders of priority. In this process one of the priorities has been to ensure progress on housing and the new towns, and in practice a balance has also been held between spending on the new towns and in the old urban areas. But having accorded housing and new towns a priority of their own, it was also j decided that a very high priority should go to projects which /facilitate the ..............................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
40
facilitate the growth and earning potential of industry and provide export-orientated jobs. High priority was also given to self-liquidating projects, which provide a significant revenue return - for instance the provision of land. It followed from this philosophy for instance that the Highway Office should proceed immediately with the Tuen Mun motor road, because it must be on this that the industrial and residential development of not only Tuen Mun itself must be based, but also that of the whole Yuen Long plain. Similarly it followed that the Engineering Office should give priority to the provision of infrastructure for urban and industrial development. It was the same approach that accorded top priority to development work at Kai Tak, and to works connected with the Mass Transit Railway.
Examples of the outcome of the Review The New Towns
Since the new towns and housing in the old urban areas will take a large slice of the cake, and since the method of handling the problems involved gives a clear indication of your Government’s general approach, let me explain what has been done and what is proposed. Taking the old urban areas first, where much of the essential social and physical infrastructure already exists, the housing programme envisages expenditure of $140 m. this year, $200 m. next, and $250 m. in each of the following three years. This will largely use up developable sites in the old areas.
/Expenditure .....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 41 -
Expenditure on the new towns including infrastructure, housing, public buildings, including of course schools, clinics and so on, is planned to rise from $280 m. to $740 m. next year and nearly $1,000 m. in 176/77> and to continue thereafter at rather above that level. The rate of build-up at least in these initial years, has been dictated not so much by financial considerations since these figures are well within the Financial Secretary’s guidelines, as by physical constraints -• the simple problems of design, letting of contracts, site formation, and getting on with such large volumes of work.
Nevertheless these figures are very large, and your Government has felt it right to build flexibility into its plains. Consequently the plans for each of the new towns have been divided into small units which are constructionally and socially and economically viable in themselves. For each of the towns as a whole Development Programmes have been prepared embodying these units or packages. The Programmes will be submitted to the Public Works Sub-Committee at the November review as background documents, but they also are working documents to be referred to when considering individual projects at future reviews, and they indicate the time at which action on each project must be taken if the proposed timetable is to be kept. We hope in this way that the towns can be developed in a balanced way whether in the years ahead our resources suggest that the rate of construction should be slower at one time or faster at another <» /HOUSING .................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 42 -
HOUSING
The Housing Authority has been very active in recent months in up-dating its building programme in close consultation with the New Towns Project Managers. Contracts now let throughout Hong Kong will provide housing for up to 100,000 more people in 1975/76 and 140,000 in 1976/77• It would be wrong to give publicity to precise figures thereafter because completions will depend on so many factors, including clearance and site formation, that cannot be foreseen at present. But broadly speaking we intend the figures gradually and no doubt with some inegularity to rise to the 200,000 mark. Meanwhile we may look forward confidently to progressive improvement in the housing situation over the next five years. When our objective will be achieved of a self-contained home in a decent environment for all will depend on many things, including the rate and type of construction in the private sector and, of course, the rate of immigration and of natural growth of the population. But certainly by 1984 the situation will have been completely transformed.
I should emphasise that this problem can only be solved by steady planned and persistent construction over a long period of time. This your Government and the new Housing Authority are now geared to maintain. I reaffirm our determination to press ahead steadily with the work, for as long as necessary, until this defect in our society is removed. /It is ...................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 43 -
It is not of course just a matter of quantity and » I am very pleased to note the various improvements which the Authority* is building into its new estates. The new Oi Man Estate is a fine example of what can be done economically to improve public housing standards and of the shape of things to come. The layout of the Authority’s estates now building in the new towns should make them attractive and pleasant places to live in.
The nbed for temporary housing is regrettably still with us, and programmes are going ahead for building new licensed areas, but to much higher standards than before,and funds have been provided recently to improve conditions in the older licensed areas by installing proper electricity and water supplies. Nevertheless I am sure that all of us long for the day when the production of houses will be sufficient to enable the Authority systematically to set about the housing of the -inmates of such areas in proper permanent accommodation, and not only when the sites are required for development.
/I would
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 44 -
I would like to record my gratitude to members of the Housing Authority for all their efforts to bring better housing to the people of Hong Kong. This is a time for sound and imaginative planning and policy formation, and this has made heavy demands on- the Housing Authority’s members.
I am concerned about the number of old tenement buildings 'which remain undeveloped and are unlikely to be developed; by private enterprise. The Housing Society has been preparing detailed proposals for the redevelopment of a number of these old properties, and has been assured of Government’s administrative and financial support. Meantime, the Society continues to plan new estates in new town areas, and I would like to express my appreciation to its members under the chairmanship of Sir Douglas Clague for the time and energy they devote to this very valuable work.
Private developers are a very important source of new housing and we wish to encourage the maximum amount of private housing construction. While I appreciate the problems they face, particularly in financing new schemes, I hope very much that private developers will see the advantages of making new investments in housing now, when land prices have fallen and building contractors have more capacity.
It is interesting to note the confidence in Hong Kong’s future displayed by overseas interests at this time • for instance negotiations are currently proceeding with a major overseas group for the development of a large new residential area at Sha Tin, to house over 50,000 people on a site of about 50 acres. It is
/this sort .....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 45 -this sort of vision that pays off, for there is an enormous requirement for housing which cannot possibly be satisfied in full for many years to come, if ever. EDUCATION
In elaborating proposals for your approval in the Public Works Programme and Housing Programme your Government has attempted to combine tenacity of purpose on broad objectives, with provision for realistic flexibility. In the White Paper on Education tabled today you will see the same approach. The White Paper is a statement of policy and the measures described in it represent an enterprise of some magnitude which will prove a challenge and a stimulus to all concerned. The goal is to provide a J-year secondary course for all in the shortest time possible. If certain assumptions are fulfilled this could be as early as 1979 - a much shorter time than that envisaged in the original green paper. By that date it is judged possible to train the extra teachers required, but it certainly would not be possible to provide the number of new schools necessary if secondary schools were to be uni-sessional, because the money is not available to build schools for all the places required in the time, nor, if it were, would it be physically possible to do so. The objective is provision of assisted secondary education for all, but unless many children are to be denied this for many more years there will have to be a transitional period during which the school buildings we have and can construct are used much more intensively than at present. The technique for this, /for which ................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
for which the white paper has opted, is flotation coupled with an extended day. It is realised that this is not an ideal solution, and must in consequence only be a transitional one, but I believe it to be a realistic compromise between the over-riding requirement for immediate speed, and the eventual ideal solution of uni-sessional secondary education.
As in the case of the Public Works and Housing ' 1 • Programmes, and the 10 year Programme for Medical and Health Services, each step that must be taken year by year has been mapped out and costed so that the implications for the whole programme of the financial decisions that must be taken each year can be clearly seen. The figures are large and only in this way can flexibility be considered, if the need arises, on a proper and rational basis.
Later in this debate the Director of Education will be expanding on the policy set out in the white paper. There are one or two points about it I would like to make myself. The first is about the decision to drop the recommendation in the green paper to make 1/5th of junior secondary schools prevocational•and instead to make 20-25% of the curriculum of all junior secondary schools practical/technical. I know how passionately•some maintain the value of prevocational junior secondary schools. Certainly the Government will continue to assist all those already in existence. But it was /considered .....
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
; - 47 -
considered wrong in principle that a general educational system should be based on a separation of children at the early age of 11# or 12 years into those who would receive prevocational and those who would receive grammar school secondary education. The Wiite Paper’s view is that all children will benefit equally up to the age of 14 from elements of both grammar school and technical/practical training and that eventual separation of the two streams should be left as late as possible, so as to give children as long a tzune as possible in which to show in which direction their natural ability lies. We are all very conscious of the need to.improve technical aptitude, buh we believe that this is likely to be more securely built on the basis of a general education, including of course a technical element, up to the age of 14.
Thereafter there will be ample means of implanting and extending technical education. The proposal is that eventually 40% of Senior Secondary places will be in technical forms. For those who do not reach senior secondary schools ? there will be apprenticeship schemes coupled with the services of the five technical institutes, and for the most talented students, the polytechnic.
With the provision of secondary places for all primary ■' j ■■ . i. *
school leavers, the need for the Secondary School Entrance • • • ' 1 . I • - '•
Examination will disappear, and if the programme outlined in the White Paper can be adhered to this examination will be set for the last term in May, 197$-/Ultimately.................................................
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 48 -
■ Ultimately it is proposed to introudce a new examination for a Hong Kong Junior Certificate of Education to be sat at the end of the junior secondary course as a record of attainment, and as a method of selection for the senior secondary course. But I hasten to add that the proposal is to phase its introduction so that no child will have to sit both examinations.
I would like to. record my .thanks to Mr. P.O. Woo and the Board of Education for all the work and expertise they have - contributed to this new look at our secondary education system.
The Universities
Finally, before leaving the Educational field, I should mention that the recommendations of the University • and Polytechnic Grants Committee for the current universities quadrenniu^ 1974--1978, and for the first two years of the ..development programme,of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, were received and considered in detail by the Government and funds'approved accordingly. Hong Kong University and the Chinese University are progressing satisfactorily and should reach a projected student enrolment of 8,850 by 1978.
Polytechnic
The Hong Kong Polytechnic has prepared impressive plans for a new campus at Hunghom, and funds for Phase 1 have-been agreed. This will permit the Polytechnic’s expansion to reach a full time equivalent of approximately 6,000 students by 1978. Thereafter Phases II and III of the Polytechnic Development Plan will take the Polytechnic onwards to the ultimate objective of a student body of at least 8,000 and possibly as much as 10,000 full time equivalent students. Thie Government and the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee will be discussing the Polytechnic Development Plan again early in 1975? and I therefore do not wish to comment further at this stage, other than to record that the Board of Governors and staff of the Hong Kong Polytechnic have already made a most impressive start, and we look for a major contribution from the Polytechnic towards the rising demand for tertiary education in Hong Kong.
/Summary ........
Wednesday, October 16, 1974
- 49 -
Summary of the approach to stock-taking and its outcome
Hon. Members will deduce from what I have said about our major programmes what your Government’s approach is at this time. It is one of determination, but of prudent and hard-headed determination, to press on towards the objectives which Hon. Members have constantly supported. But to prepare and plan the way to these objectives so that we may increase or decrease the speed of our advance in accordance with the rate at which our resources expand, and to do this smoothly in accordance with predetermined interlocking priorities.
During this year much time and effort have been spent on refining this discipline of stock-taking, and on defining priorities across the whole field of capital expenditure. I beleive this to have been extremely beneficial, and that the machinery established to do it - and of course to keep on doing it because in the nature of things this is a continuing exercise -has made the Government more efficient, more flexible and more finely timed. Indeed it would be quite unrealistic without it to embark on the sort of transformation of life in Hong Kong which has now been charted in so many fields.
The aim to which we all subscribe of expanding and providing services up to the realistic limit of our resources, requires a much more precise idea of what the expenditure and the services and the resources will be over a comparatively long period of time, because the decisions of today' are inevitably locked into the decisions of tomorrow.
/However we
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
50
However we have now been through all this, we have taken stock and we'know'much better where we stand and where we are able to go and how fast, and where we might draw back if our resources fall short or accelerate if they unexpectedly expand. It will be for the Financial Secretary to spell out the figures next February, in the light of all the circumstances as they have developed.
But Hon. Members will have realised even from the broad terms in which I have spoken to-day, how much we believe is within our resources as now assessed.
Carefully conceived plans for housing, secondary and tertiary education, medical and health services, and social welfare are ail going forward. So too will the negotiations for the contract for a Mass Transit Railway. We are able to proceed with the urban road programme, and with linking the New Towns with the urban areas by the Tuen Mun motor road to the West, and the twin Lion Rock tunnels and the double tracking of the Kowloon-Canton Railway to the East. We expect to start on the construction of new industrial estates. The private sector too will be embarking on some dramatic projects such as the new berths for the Kwai Chung container terminal and the Kai Tak cargo terminal and of course many others too numerous to mention.
While parts of this address may have struck a note uncharacteristic caution, I am greatly encouraged by the fact that this whole process of careful and detailed stock-taking,
/which has
Wednesday, October 16, 197^
- 51 -
which has occupied so much of our time this year, has confirmed our ability, as things stand at present, and with the continuing support of Hon. Members, broadly to see through our programmes. I am impressed not by the degree of rephasing that has been deemed prudent, but by the broad front of improvement on which we think it right and realistic to advance.
The scale of all this should be appreciated because it is an indication of our confidence in the future. It is also important for the economy and the provision of employment that this scale of advance and this level of activity and investment by the Government and the private sector alike should be steadily and smoothly maintained.
Hon. Members, I have tended to speak today in economic or administrative terms, but it is of course of people that I think, of the industrialist, striving for contracts and finance, and of the worker striving to maintain his livelihood and that of his family. These people are the true, the principal asset of Hong Kong. I have watched with admiration the ability, ingenuity and realism people in Hong Kong have shown in the difficult year that has passed, and with these qualities I am sure that we will weather the year ahead.
00
EIS
PRH 7
" X.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974
CONTENTS PAQE NO. '
MEDIA URGED TO RECONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR A +PRESS COUNCIL* ......................................... 1
NEW OFFICE OF BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE* REGISTRY IN KWUN TONG..................;.................................. 2
NEW HOMES FOR 300,000 BY 1977 ........................... 3
FEWER WORKING DAYS LOST THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION ... 4
BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS...............•.............. 4
YOUTH FORUM ON SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS HONG KONG . 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................... 5 v
GOVERNOR TO TOUR TOY FACTORY ............................ 6
CASTLE PEAK ROAD SPEED LIMIT EXTENDED ................... 6
i
ADDITIONAL TRAINS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ............... 7 '
+.-1EET THE MEDIA* SESSION WITH DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION . 7
I
DAILY QU IDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974
- 1 - >
QIS HEAD CALLS FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS FOR NEWSMEN MEDIA URGED TO REVIEW +PRESS COUNCIL* PROPOSAL a a * fr a k fr
THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MR. DAVID FORD, TODAY CALLED FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR WORKING JOURNALISTS IN HONG KONG, MORE SOPHISTICATED TRAINING COURSES, AND URGED THE MEDIA TO CONSIDER SETTING UP A REPRESENTATIVE BODY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPROVING STANDARDS OF JOURNALISM.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR. FORD SAID HE REALISED THAT THERE WERE OBVIOUS DIFFICULTIES IN ESTABLISHING AN ORGANISATION WHICH WOULD EXERT INFLUENCE OVER THE VERY LARGE NUMBER OF MEDIA ORGANISATIONS HERE.
•
+BUT EVEN IF IT WERE NOT POSSIBLE TO ENCOMPASS THE WHOLE FIELD, I SEE GREAT ADVANTAGE IN THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA WHO VALUE THEIR REPUTATION, EVEN IF THE NUMBER TURNED OUT TO BE RELATIVELY SMALL, COMING TOGETHER TO FORM A COUNCIL OF SOME SORT.+
IF SUCH A START WERE MADE, HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT ITS INFLUENCE WOULD MAKE ITSELF FELT AND BENEFIT JOURNALISM STANDARDS.
MR. FORD STRESSED THAT ANY EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE STATUS' OF JOURNALISTS IN HONG KONG MUST BE INITIATED AND SUSTAINED FROM THE MEDIA ITSELF, BUT ONCE SUCH MOVES WERE MADE REASONABLE SUPPORT COULD BE EXPECTED FROM THE COMMUNITY.
HE NOTED THAT THE MEDIA HAD NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO REACH A DECISION ON PROPOSALS FOR A PRESS COUNCIL MADE BY LOCAL EDITORS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS, AND SUGGESTED THAT PERHAPS IT WAS TIME TO REVIEW THE MATTER AGAIN,
EMPHASISING THE NEED FOR TRAINING OF JOURNALISTS, MR. FORD SAID THE TIME HAD COME FOR MORE FORMAL TRAINING TO BE ORGANISED WITH CADET SCHEMES, IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES, OVERSEAS ATTACHMENTS AND EXCHANGES.
+ IF WE CAN GENERATE ENOUGH INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM LOCALLY TO DEVELOP OUR TRAINING SCHEMES, HONG KONG WITH ITS FINE FACILITIES WOULD BE A NATURAL CENTRE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR ASIA,* HE SAID.
MR. FORD COMMENDED THE START MADE IN THIS FIELD BY THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AND HOPED THAT THIS FIRST RATE INITIATIVE WOULD RECEIVE WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT OF NEWSPAPER PRORIETORS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD TWO VERY FINE INSTITUTIONS RUNNING FULL-TIME FOUR-YEAR COURSES FOR JOURNALISTS, AND SEVERAL OTHERS WHICH RAN SHORTER COURSES. THESE TOGETHER PRODUCED ABOUT 60 GRADUATES A YEAR, BUT ONLY HALF OF THEM TOOK UP JOBS IN JOURNALISM, AND A GOOD PROPORTION OF THESE MOVED TO OTHER JOBS OUTSIDE THE MEDIA WITHIN TWO YEARS.
/BUT WHILE ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 197^
- 2 -
BUT WHILE ORGANISED TRAINING SCHEMES WOULD ATTRACT MORE BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE MEDIA, THEY WOULD ONLY DO SO +1F THIS TRAINING IS COUPLED WITH A DECENT SALARY, REASONABLE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND GOOD PROMOTION PROSPECTS,+ HE STRESSED.
GREAT STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS IN IMPROVING PAY AND CONDITIONS, HE ADDED, +BUT TOO MANY JOURNALISTS I FEAR ARE STILL ON SALARIES WHICH ARE A SAD REFLECTION OF THE VALUE PUT ON THEIR SERVICES BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.+
MR. FORD FELT THAT SOME HEART-SEARCHING BY MEDIA PROPRIETORS WAS NEEDED ON WHETHER THE MEDIA WAS BEST SERVED BY HAVING A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF LOW-SALARIED REPORTERS OR BY EMPLOYING A SMALLER NUMBER OF BETTER-QUALIFIED, BETTER PAID JOURNALISTS.
BECAUSE MANY JOURNALISTS WERE BADLY PAID, HE NOTED, THEY WERE SUBJECT TO GREAT PERSONAL PRESSURES AND AS A RESULT WERE SOMETIMES TEMPTED TO AUGMENT THEIR INCOME BY ACCEPTING MONEY FROM UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE ONLY TOO READY TO HAVE SOMETHING PUT INTO THE MEDIA OR KEPT OUT.
' I-
+IHJS SITUATION IS UNLIKELY TO BE RESOLVED UNTIL v
JOURNALISTS ARE H1_A BETTER FINANCI AL POSITION TO RESIST SUCH BLANDISHMENTS.*
-----o------
NEW OFFICE FOR KWUN TONG BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY
THE KWUN TONG BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL HOVE FROM THE 3RD FLOOR TO THE 4TH FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE BUILDING ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 2D.
THE NEW LOCATION WILL PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING A SUITABLY DECORATED MARRIAGE ROOM AND A SEPARATE BRIDE’S ROOM. THE REGISTRY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FULL FACILITIES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS IN ITS NEW PREMISES.
THE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS OF THE REGISTRY ARE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. ON WEEK-DAYS, AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS.
------0-------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974;
NEW HOMES FOR 300,000 PEOPLE
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 300,000 PEOPLE BETWEEN NOU AND EARLY 1977.
THESE NEW HOMES ARE IN ESTATES WHICH ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED AND ARE STILL BEING DEVELOPED OR IN NEU ESTATES CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH IS DUE TO START SHORTLY.
THESE FLATS ARE CONTAINED IN 20 ESTATES WHICH ARE BEING BUILT BY THE CONSTRUCTION BRANCH OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. 'a
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS IN THE PIPELINE OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION HA KUAI CHUNG PHASE ONE, IIA AND I IB AND TSING YI PHASE ONE IN TSUEN WAN, WO CHE IN SHA TIN, AND IN THE URBAN AREAS 01 MAN, CLEARWATER BAY ROAD CEAST), HAMMER HILL, THE EXTENSION OF UAH FU, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TAI HANG TUNG.
THOSE BEING BUILT BY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INCLUDED PAK TIN, MEI TUNG, SHUN LEE TSUEN, CHAI WAN AREA 6, HING UAH, LEI KUK SHUE, LAI KING, KWAI SHING <PHASE II AND III, LEK YUEN AND TUEN HUN AREA 6 AS WELL AS THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT SHEK KIP HEI.
SINCE APRIL 1973, MORE THAN 88,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REHOUSED. THESE INCLUDED APPLICANTS FROM THE WAITING LIST, VICTIMS OF FIRE AND NATURAL DISASTERS, COMPASSION CASES REFERRED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, OCCUPANTS OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, LICENSED AREA TENANTS AND OTHERS.
IN ADDITION, HORE THAN 22,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE CONSIDERED NOT ELIGIBLE FOR DIRECT PUBLIC HOUSING BUT HERE FOUND TO BE GENUINELY HOMELESS WERE GIVEN SITES IN LICENSED AREA.
.. ... .. n .. __
A.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974 - 4 -
FEWER WORKING-DAYS LOST THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION
& & k n j?
HONG KONG LOST ONLY 1,447 WORKING-DAYS THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DISCLOSED TODAY. •
THIS COMPARES WITH AN AVERAGE QUARTERLY LOSS OF 9.338 WORKING-DAYS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, MR. TSUI TJH-FOOK, SAID : +THIS COMPARATIVELY SMALL LOSS IN WORKING-DAYS MEANT THAT EMPLOYERS WERE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON. ECONOMIC PROBLEMS RATHER THAN LABOUR DISPUTES DURING THE QUARTER. AT THE SAME TIME, EMPLOYEES WERE ABLE TO AVOID FINANCIAL LOSS THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION.*
MR. TSUI SAID THE WORKING-DAYS LOST IN THE THIRD QUARTER?? AROSE FROM FOUR DISPUTES IN WHICH 539 WORKERS WERE INVOLVED. ' LABOUR OFFICERS HAD ACTED AS CONCILIATORS IN ALL THE DISPUTES.
+OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE NOTED WITH SATISFACTION THAT EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE DISPUTES MADE GENUINE EFFORTS TO SOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES IN THE INTERESTS OF INDUSTRIAL PEACE AND HARMONY,* HE SAID.
HR. TSUI ADDED THAT LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OFFICERS HAD HANDLED 1,531 MINOR GRIEVANCES IN THE SAME PERIOD, MAINLY INVOLVING INDIVIDUALS. A TOTAL OF 422 OF THESE CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL.
IN ADDITION TO CONCILIATION WORK, LRS OFFICERS HANDLED 9,241 CONSULTATIONS AND INQUIRIES FROM WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT DURING THE QUARTER.
------0--------
MID-LEVELS BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS » ft ft * ft ft ft » ft
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED NO. 60 LOWER LASCAR ROW, HONG KONG TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THATTHIS FOUR—STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING HAS BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SmI ?TSeANDTHE EVIDENCE OF DETERIORATION CONTINUING TO OCCUR K INDICATES THAT URGENT ACTION IS REQUIRED.
TUP PPIMFORCFD concrete to the structural framing, floors ~ AND ROOF is SERIOUSLY SPALLED AND THE REINFORCEMENT BADLY CORRODED WITH SIGNS OF FRESH FRACTURES AND MOVEMENT.
A<? THERE IS A RISK OF A PARTIAL COLLAPSE, NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN vICT0R1A DISTRICT COURT AT 9.3O A.M. ON NOVEMBER 15. 1974 WAS POSTED TODAY.
______0-------
/5.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974
- 5 -
YOUTH FORUM ON SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS HONG KONG ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE IN WAN CHAI HAS ORGANISED A YOUTH FORUM ON +SENSE OF BELONGING TOWARDS HONG KONG+ TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 19 AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE.
ABOUT 100 YOUNG STUDENTS AND WORKERS FROM THE DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE’PROJECT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FORUM IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHANNEL THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT. +AND IT IS THEIR SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS ARD THUS REALISE THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY,+ SAID MR. LAM HARK-CHEE, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR WAN CHAI.
POINTS RAISED IN THE FORUM WILL BE COMPILED IN A REPORT L* £ WHICH WILL BE CIRCULATED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.'
THE FORUM WILL START AT 2.30 P.M. PROGRAMMES INCLUDE AN OPEN FORUM, SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND A PANEL PRESENTATION BY HR. NG CHU-HO OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, UNITED COLLEGE, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG= MR. TONG PIK-CHUEN, CHIEF EDITOR OF SING TAO MAN PAO, AND MR. HOWARD CHENG, A STUDENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS: YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE --------------- FORUM. LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE IS LOCATED AT 44, 01 KUAN ROAD, WAN CHAI. (NEAR THE MORRISON HILL SWIMMING POOL).
------o - --- -
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft ft . . •
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (THURSDAY) STOOD AT 32,660 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 48.5 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 63,303 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 24,906 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,782 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 49.3 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,395-7 MM <54.95 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,064.6 MM C81.28 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 32.4 PER CENT.
_______0________
/6
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974
GOVERNOR TO MAKE SHOP-FLOOR TOUR OF TOY FACTORY
*******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL BE MAKING A +SHOP-FLOOR+ TOUR OF ONE OF HONG KONG'S LARGEST TOY FACTORIES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE WILL BE VISITING THE PREMISES OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, AT 41A/43, SMITHFIELD ROAD, KENNEDY TOWN, ACCOMPANIED ' BY MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
S THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE FIRM'S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR. PETER N.W. TAN, AND OTHER COMPANY OFFICIALS.
HONG KONG RANKS AS THE WORLD'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF TOYS. OVERSEAS SALES FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ROSE TO $946 MILLION - AN INCREASE OF NEARLY $300 MILLION ON THE ~ CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1973.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT. HE WILL BE ARRIVING AT THE FACTORY AT 2.40 P.M. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PRESS WHILE SIR MURRAY RECEIVES A SHORT BRIEFING BEFORE MAKING A SHOP-FLOOR TOUR. TWO COMPANY OFFICIALS, MR. D. MURRAY AND MR. K.S. CHAN WILL ACT AS PRESS LIAISON OFFICERS. REPRESENTATIVES FROM G.I.S. WILL ALSO BE PRESENT.
-------0----------
CASTLE PEAK ROAD SPEED LIMIT EXTENDED ********
THE EXISTING SPEED RESTRICTION OF 30 MILES PER HOUR ALONG A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE EXTENDED ANOTHER 280 YARDS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY.
THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH NOW COVERS THE SECTION NEAR TUEN MUN SAN HUI, WILL BE EXTENDED NORTHWARDS TO A POINT ABOUT 280 YARDS NORTH OF THE TUEN MUN ROUNDABOUT.
MEANWHILE, THE HIGH-LEVEL FLYOVER AT THE PIPER'S HILL INTERCHANGE, KOWLOON, WILL BE OPEN ON MONDAY TO A SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI PO ROAD WISHING TO PROCEED WESTWARDS ALONG CHING CHEUNG ROAD. THIS WILL ELIMINATE THE PRESENT GROUND-LEVEL U-TURN MOVEMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE MINOR DIVERSIONS FOR BOTH EAST AND WEST-BOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI PO ROAD. WARNING AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
/7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974
ADDITIONAL TRAINS FOR CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
SPECIAL TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WO HOP SHEK DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 23 TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
ELEVEN UP-TRAINS WILL BE RUNNING FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO WO HOP SHEK STATION BETWEEN 6.15 A.M. AND 4.44 P.M., WHILE 11 DOWN-TRAINS WILL BE OPERATING BETWEEN 7.40 A.M. AND 6.14 P.M. HOWEVER, TRAINS HAY BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
THE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL NOT STOP AT HONG KOK STATION. THE NORMAL SCHEDULE UP-TRAINS WILL ALSO BYPASS MONG KOK STATION BETWEEN 8.00 A.M. AND 3.10 P.M.
DURING THIS PERIOD, PASSENGERS NORMALLY BOARDING AT * MONG KOK STATION ARE REQUESTED TO USE TSIM SHA TSUI STATION. HOLDERS OF SEASON OR MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BOARD AT TSIM SHA TSUI WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID THAT ADDITIONAL NIGHT TRAINS WOULD BE ARRANGED IF NECESSARY.
HE SAID ALL UP-TRAINS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE EXPECTED TO BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M., WHILE DOWN-TRAINS WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 9 P.M. TICKETS FOR DOWN-TRAINS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT MONG KOK STATION.
CONCESSION RETURN TICKETS VALID FOR OCTOBER 23 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT TSIM SHA TSUI STATION ON THAT DAY.
THIRD CLASS RETURN TICKET FOR ADULT FROM KOWLOON TO WO HOP SHEK IS $2.00. ADULT FARES FOR RETURN TRIPS FROM KOWLOON TO LO WU ARE $4.00, $3.00 AND $2.00 FOR FIRST CLASS,., • SECOND CLASS, AND THIRD CLASS RESPECTIVELY. TICKETS FOR CHILDREN ARE AT HALF PRICE.
------O-----
+MEET THE MEDIA+ SESSION WITH DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, AND MR. HO NGA-MING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR (PROFESSIONAL), WILL DISCUSS THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER AT A +MEET THE MED1A+ SESSION TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING WHICH STARTS AT 3 P.M. IN THE G« I.S. CONFERENCE ROOM, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
RADIO AND TELEVISION CREWS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.
-----0--------
TlIITLDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1974*
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE * k ft ft ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA UAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE •
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD
CHU CHO THAI RICE GOOD • • }1 1.82
100* WHOLE GOOD
10-15^ BROKENS GOOD 1.62
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD ■>•75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.77
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK C$/PICUL-LJVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND
TUUF.CDAY, C3T0LER 17» 1974.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF IIARII3 FISH
CFMO CHEUriq SHA UAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) KODE
HIGH LOU
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 5.50 2.50 4.00
BiG“£YES GOOD 3.20 1.60 2.40
SQUID NORMAL 4.80 2.50 3.80
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 2.30 1.00 1.60
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED ’ 3.80 1.20 2.50
CROAKERS GOOD 3.20 0.60 2.00
CONQER—PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3.10 2.50 2.80
MELON COAT GOOD 3.30 1.60 2.50 '
CREAMS LIMITED 5.50 3.50 4.50
YELLOW BELLY LIMITED 2.40 0.80 1.60
MACKERELS LIMITED 5.50 3.00 4.20
RED qOAT FISH —— RO SALE 1.00
FORK—TAIL NORMAL 1.20 0.80
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 5.00 3.50 4.30
MELON SEED NORMAL 2.80 1.40 2.00
POHzRETS —— HO SALE
QARDUPAS SCARCE 10.00 7.00 8.50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 7.80 3.20 5.50
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.M.O. CHEUNQ SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) MODE
HIGH LOW
FLOWERING CABBAGE NORMAL 1.60 0.50 1.20
WHITE CABBAGE NORMAL 1.40 0.50 1.00
CHINESE LETTUCE NORMAL 1.20 0.30 0.70
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.00 0.30 0.60
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 1.60 0.50 1.20
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.60 0.60 1.50
SPRING ONION NORMAL 2.00 0.40 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.20
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 2.00 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.40 1.20
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.20 0.40 0.80
TOMATO SCARCE 4.50 2.00 3-20
0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1974
t
CONTENTS PAGE NO. '
NEW LEG I SLAT 1 ION CONTROLLING CHILD CARE CENTRES TO
BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ........... 1
SAFETY RULES ON LIFTING APPLIANCES TO COME INTO FORCE NEXT MONTH....................................... 3 •
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO HOLD TRADE TALKS IN LONDON WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT .......... 4
WHOLE OF HONG KONG TO BECOME A SMOKE-FREE ZONE IN THE SECOND HALF OF DECEMBER........................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRld^W: OCTOBER 18, 1974.
' -i'I -
t -HEU LEGISLATION CONTROLLING CRECHES, NURSERIES AND CARE CENTRES
- »»»»»&. ’
ALL CHILD CARE CENTRES INCLUDING NURSERIES AND CRECHES WILL IN FUTURE HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY CAN OPERATE IF A NEU BILL MADE PUBLIC TODAY IS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE NEU LEGISLATION, THE CHILD CARE CENTRES BILL 1974, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE. ALSO PUBLISHED FOR INFORMATION IS THE PROPOSED CHILD CARE CENTRES REGULATIONS 1974 THAT LAY DOWN THE STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED.
CHILD CARE CENTRES THAT ARE IN OPERATION "AT THE TIME THE BILL IS BROUGHT INTO OPERATION MUST REGISTER WITHIN 12 MONTHS, BUT WILL BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE FULL CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION. A PHASED APPROACH WILL DE ADOPTED WHEREBY CENTRES WILL HAVE TIME TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS IN STAGES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
UNDER THE BILL, A CHILD CARE CENTRE IS DEFINED AS ANY PREMISES IN WHICH THERE ARE UNDER CARE, MORE THAN FIVE CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF SIX AND NOT OF THE SAME FAMILY.
BEFORE A CENTRE IS REGISTERED, CERTIFICATES AS TO THE . ,t SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES FOR USE AS A CHILD CARE CENTRE u WILL BE REQUIRED FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARD THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS GIVEN THE POWER TO REFUSE s OR CANCEL A REGISTRATION ACCORDING TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS LAID DOWN IN THE BILL OR TO REQUIRE REMEDIAL MEASURES TO BE TAKEN. A CHILD CARE CENTRE WHOSE REGISTRATION IS REFUSED OR CANCELLED HAS THE RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR.
SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS AND GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICERS MAY BE APPOINTED DY THE GOVERNOR TO DE INSPECTORS AND MEDICAL OFFICERS RESPECTIVELY OF CHILD CARE CENTRES. AS SUCH THEY WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENTER AND CARRY OUT INSPECTION, EXAMINE RECORDS OR REQUIRE ANY. INFORMATION TO DE FURNISHED.
THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS SET OUT THE STANDARDS WHICH REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES WILL DE EXPECTED TO MEET. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE, EITHER WHOLLY, . PARTLY OR CONDITIONALLY THESE REQUIREMENTS. HE HILL THEREFORE BE PUBLISHING A CODE OF PRACTICE BEFORE THE LEGISLATION IS BROUGHT INTO FORCE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF DOTH OPERATORS AND PARENTS.
THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, APPOINTMENTS AND DUTIES OF STAFF ARE SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS AS ARE OTHER CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES.
/CENTRES WILL ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER-18, 1974.
- 2 - • .. -V . '
CENTRES WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ON DUTY ONE STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY SIX RESIDENT CHILDREN . FOR NON-RESIDENT CHILDREN THE RATIO IS ONE FOR EVERY SIX CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OF AQE AND ONE FOR EVERY 14 WHO ARE TWO YEARS OR OLDER. <
IN DAY CARE, THOSE CHILDREN UNDER TWO MUST HAVE 30 SQ. FT. OF SPACE EACH AND THOSE TWO YEARS OR OVER 20 SQ. FT. IN THE CASE OF OVERNIGHT CARE I? WILL BE 35 SQ. FT. IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE.
CERTAIN POWERS OF ENTRY INTO REGISTERED CHILD CARE CENTRES PREMISES AND ADJACENT PREMISES ARE GIVEN TO OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CHECK ON FIRE SAFETY MEASURES.
t REGULAR FIRE DRILLS ARE ALSO REQUIRED. ,
HEALTH AND SANITATION MATTERS COVERED INCLUDE ADEQUATE FLOOR SPACE , LATRINES AND WASHING FACILITIES, THE PROPER PREPARATION OF FOOD, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF CHILDREN AND PERSONS EMPLOYED - IN CHILD CARE CENTRES.
PENALTIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR IN THE BILL AND IN THE REGULATIONS FOR CONTRAVENTION OF ANY OF THE CONDITIONS.LA ID DOWN.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW LEGISLATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE ABOUT 300 NURSERIES, CRECHES AND OTHER SIMILAR . CHILO CARE ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG WHICH DO NOT COME UNDERu ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR SUPERVISION.
+THOSE CENTRES OPERATED BY SUBVERTED VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE GENERALLY OF AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD, BUT PROFIT-MAKING CENTRES VARY CONSIDERABLY IN THEIR KODE OF OPERATION.
+BECAUSE THE DEMAND ON PROPERLY-RUN NURSERIES HAS BEEN VERY HEAVY, SMALL BADLY-RUN ONES OPERATING ON A PURELY COMMERCIAL BASIS HAVE PROLIFERATED. INSTANCES OF NEGLECT OR ABUSES HAVE OCCURRED It] SOME OF THESE CENTRES IN RECENT YEARS AND THE CONDITIONS IN OTHERS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND SAFETY,+ HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE STIPULATED AND OFFENCES PROVIDED TO ELIMINATE THE WORST ABUSES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAS BEEN GIVEN AS MUCH DISCRETION AS POSSIBLE TO ENABLE HIM TO EE FLEXIBLE IN ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION.
+THE STANDARDS ARE THE MINIMUM, REALISTIC REQUIREMENTS ST/iFf^H^ AND 0THER HAZARDS UNDER
UH1GH IT IS FELT.CHILD CARE,CENTRES SHOULD OPERATE.+
HE SAID THE BILL Afp REGULATIONS ARE THE OUTCOME OF DETAILED
BETWEEN THE SOCIAL WELFARE
™E ftEDlCAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC WORKS CQUNcllUlF SOCIALTOE H0NG KONG
FOR
•-0
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1974
SAFETY RULES ON LIFTING APPLIANCES EFFECTIVE FROM NOVEMBER 1 ft ft ft ft ft
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND GEAR USED IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL COME INTO FORCE ON NOVEMBER 1.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. DAVID LIN, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND EQUIPMENT INSPECTORS THAT CONTRAVENTION OF THE REGULATIONS CARRIED A FINE UP TO $5,000 ON CONVICTION.
♦PLENTY OF TIME HAS BEEN GIVEN TO OWNERS OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND GEAR TO MAKE THE NECESSARY PREPARATION*,* HE SAID.
+WE HOPE EVERYONE CONCERNED WILL CO-OPERATE IN MAKING SURE THE NEW REGULATIONS ARE FOLLOWED AND HELP IN THE DRIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY•+
THE REGULATIONS — THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS 1974 — WERE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, LAST NOVEMBER.
THEY COVER THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES fN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS INCLUDING ANY DOCK, QUAY, WHARF OF WAREHOUSE.
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS EXCLUDED FROM THE REGULATIONS , BECAUSE THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WHICH CAME INTO FORCE IN MAY THIS YEAR, INCLUDE DETAILED REGULATIONS ON LIFTING APPLIANCES USED IN CONSTRUCTION SITES.
MR. LIN SAID: +UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, OWNERS MUST ENSURE THEIR LIFTING APPLIANCES AND GEAR ARE OF SOUND CONSTRUCTION.
+THE EQUIPMENT MUST BE TESTED AND EXAMINED BY COMPETENT EXAMINERS BEFORE BEING USED AND MUST HAVE PERIODICAL TESTS AFTER THAT.
+THESE APPLIANCES AND GEAR MUST-NOT BE USED FOR LOADS GREATER THAN THEIR MAXIMUM WORKING LOADS, WHICH MUST BE LEGIBLY MARKED ON THE EQUIPMENT.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1974 - 4 -
HONG KONG TRADE TALKS IN LONDON It «■ «■ X- ft )l
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, LEFT FOR LONDON TONIGHT (FRIDAY) TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS ON TRADE MATTERS WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
HIS VISIT MARKS THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. THE AIM OF THE MEETING IS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND IDEAS ON TRADE MATTERS THAT ARE OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO HONG KONG. *
THE MAIN SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION ARE HONG KONG’S STATUS IN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY'S GENERALISED PREFERENCE SCHEME AND RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS COVERING HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE EEC.
MR. JORDAN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
THEY WILL BE JOINED FOR THE TALKS IN LONDON BY HONG KONG'S. REPRESENTATIVES IN EUROPE - MR. BILL DORWARD AND MR. GERRY * PEARSON (GENEVA) AND MR. CLAUDE BURGESS AND MR. PAT DODGE (BRUSSELS).
MR. BURGESS, A FORMER COLONIAL SECRETARY IN HONG KONG, IS A NEW ADDITION TO HONG KONG'S OVERSEAS STAFF. HE HAS BEEN APPOINTED MINISTER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN BRUSSELS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATION IN THE EEC.
ALSO AT THE TALKS WILL BE OFFICIALS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON, INCLUDING MR. TEDDY KIDD, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER.
A COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN ADDITION TO TRADE TALKS WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THE MEETING IN LONDON PROVIDED A USEFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR MR. JORDAN TO GET TOGETHER WITH HONG KONG'S RESIDENT STAFF IN EUROPE.
+ALTHOUGH WE MAINTAIN CONSTANT CONTACT THROUGH TELEGRAM EXCHANGES, THE CHANCE TO MEET AS A GROUP DOES NOT ARISE VERY OFTEN AND FULL ADVANTAGE WILL BE TAKEN OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/5
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1974
- 5 -
WHOLE OF HONG KONG BECOMES SMOKE-FREE ZONE ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY TOOK THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IN ITS CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION BY DECLARING ALL OF HONG KONG A SMOKE CONTROL AREA.
THE DECLARATION, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, COMES INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 17.
THE EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN WELCOMED BY CONSERVATIONISTS. IT HAD BEEN EXPECTED THAT THE DECLARATION COULD NOT BE MADE UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT CAPS A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME BY THE GOVERNMENT TO GRADUALLY BRING ALL THE TERRITORY UNDER ITS CONTROL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.
THE ORDINANCE STRICTLY LIMITS THE VOLUME OF POLLUTION-PRODUCING DARK SMOKE WHICH CAN BE EMITTED AND CARRIES A FINE OF UP TO $2,000.
PREVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECLARED SEVEN SMOKE » CONTROL AREAS — THE MOST RECENT BEING HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 2. TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BRING THE REMAINING AREAS OF KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE. .
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER, MR. DAVID NEWBURY, DESCRIBED THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS +VERY TIMELY+.
HE SAID IT WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET DOWN +GROUND RULES+ ON FUEL BURNING.
+ALREADY WE HAVE MAJOR OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS PLUNGING INTO THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SCENE IN AREAS OF TSING Y1 AND TUEN MUN AND THERE ARE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS ON LAMMA AND LANTO,+ HE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP AREAS IN . THE NEW TERRITORIES AS INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ESTATES.+ .
MR. NEWBURY SAID THAT DESPITE SOME RESERVATIONS A FEW YEARS AGO, THINKING PEOPLE IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY NO LONGER REGARDED THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT AS +BOGEY MEN+.
+WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE CAN HELP INDUSTRY SAVE HONEY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EFFECTIVELY REDUCING AIR POLLUTION,+ HE SAID.
/HE ADDED.......
FRIDAY, OCTCBFR 1&, 197't.
- 6 -
HE ADDED: +EXCESS1VE SMOKE IS NOT ONLY UNNECESSARY AND HARMFUL IT IS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT A SIQN THAT FUEL IS BEING WASTED. IT REPRESENTS A WASTE OF PRECIOUS RAW MATERIAL, WHICH l-?>u?LL1HITLESS' AND a WASTE of industrial and commercial rINANCE>+
THE SECRETARY OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CEPCOM), MR. LOU HALL, SAID TODAY HE WAS DELIGHTED BY THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT.
+IN MY VIEW THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION.
+1 HOPE FACTORY AND RESTAURANT OWNERS AND OTHERS DIRECTLY AFFECTED WILL ALSO BE IN FAVOUR.+
PRH
l-H HiiRfil Gisl
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO..
GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES $1 MILLION FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF TYPHOON CARMEN ................... 1
WATER RESTRICTIONS LIFTED TEMPORARILY PENDING FULL ASSESSMENT OF STORAGE SITUATION ........................... 5
PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR ABOUT 60 PER CENT FULL ............... 6
KA I FONG MOVEMENT CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY.............. 6
EXPERT TEAM SET UP TO MAP OUT COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME ................................................ 7
SEPTEMBER G.C.P.I. REMAINS STABLE AT 187 .................. '8
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OPENS TWO NEW OFFICES .................... 9
POST OFFICES TO CLOSE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY ... 9
• •<
GOVERNOR EXPRESSES HIS APPRECIATION TO VOLUNTEER WORKERS IN THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ..................... 10
PUBLIC WARNED OF FIRE DANGER DURING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS ............................................
JULY ACCOUNTS SHOW $106 MILLION DEFICIT................... 11
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND_SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
• Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'23319-1
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
- 1 -AFTERMATH OF TYPHOON CARMEN $1 MILLION MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP VICTIMS
* * * K- II
THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS MAKING AVAILABLE $1 MILLION FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND TO AID VICTIMS OF TYPHOON CARMEN.
THE MONEY WILL BE PAID TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOR COMPENSATING LOSSES OF LIVESTOCK AND CROPS, DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION TO PROPERTY SUCH AS SQUATTER HUTS, AND • FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH DOMESTIC RE-ACCOMMODATION OF VICTIMS.
MEANWHILE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING TO SUPPLY MEALS TO 53 VICTIMS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES.
THE VICTIMS ARE STILL ACCOMMODATED IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS IN BLOCK 11 OF CHAI WAN ESTATE, THE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG BDMiUNITY CENTRE, THE YAUMATI KAI FONG ASSOCIATION PREMISES, ;■ AND A FLATTED FACTORY IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED WITH OTHER EMERGENCY RELIEF MATERIAL AND WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FOOD FOR AT LEAST A MONTH OR UNTIL THEY CAN MANAGE ON THEIR OWN AGAIN.
THIS AFTERNOON, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO REGISTERED EIGHT FAMILIES COMPRISING 46 PEOPLE <20 HEN, 13 WOMEN AND 13 CHILDREN) WHO HAD TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES ON THE 3RD FLOOR AND ROOFTOP OF NO. 450 PORTLAND STREET, KOWLOON FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF A CLOSURE ORDER AS A RESULT OF A PARTIAL COLLAPSE THERE LAST NIGHT.
DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE TYPHOON WHEN MANY PEOPLE SOUGHT REFUGE IN EMERGENCY SHELTERS, MANY STUDENTS AND YOUNG VOLUNTEERS RESPONDED TO HELP IN RELIEF WORK.
AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, WHERE AT ONE TIME 168 PEOPLE TOOK SHELTER, A GROUP OF 14 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CENTRE'S SERVICE GROUP LENT ASSISTANCE. FOUR FAMILIES <16 - ’ PEOPLE) WHO LOST THEIR HOMES IN KWUN TONG ARE STILL THERE.
IN CHAI WAN, 23 YOUTHS FROM THREE VOLUNTEER GROUPS ASSISTED THE VICTIMS OF THE LICENSED AREA WHICH WAS FLOODED. TOMORROW, 50 OF THEM WILL VISIT THE AREA AGAIN AT 4 P.M. TO HELP IN CLEAN UP OPERATIONS.
/MEANWHILE.........
rCNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 197^
- 2 -
damage; TO CHOPS
MEANWHILE, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP 16 REGISTRATION CENTRES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO REGISTER THE LOSSES OF FARMERS CAUSED BY TYPHOON CARMEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID REGISTRATION WILL GO ON UNTIL FRIDAY (OCTOBER 25> EXCEPT DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS ON WEDNESDAY.
APPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION GRANTS FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING THIS WEEK.
COMMENTING ON DAMAGES TO CROPS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WORST HIT AREA WAS SHEUNG SHU I, WHERE FLOODING, WHICH LASTED TWO DAYS, AFFECTED SOME 800 DAUCHUNG OF VEGETABLE LAND. (NOTE: 6 DAUCHUNG EQUALS ONE ACRE).
THE TOTAL AREA AFFECTED BY FLOODING THROUGHOUT TE VVHE NEW TERRITORIES WAS 2,755 DAUCHUNG- FOR THE MAIN PART, FLOODING IN THE NT’S LASTED MAINLY BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE HOUKS.
ABOUT 7,370 DUACHUNG OF VEGETABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING THE TYPHOON. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SEEDLINGS AND 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LEAFY VEGETABLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE AFFECTED BY.THE STORM.
IN ADDITION, ABOUT 5^0 DAUCHUNG OF FLOWER BEDS WERE DAMAGED BY FLOODING AND GALES.
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT SOME 1,950 DAUCHUNG OF RICE PADDIES WERE AFFECTED. HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EXACT DAMAGE TO CROPS COULD NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THE FLOOD WATERS HAVE COMPLETELY RECEDED FROM THE PADDY FIELDS.
LOSSES AND DAMAGE TO POULTRY WERE COMPARATIVELY LESS. AS FAR AS IS KNOWN ABOUT 3,200 CHICKENS WERE DROWNED — 200 IN KAM TIN AND 3,000 IN FANLINQ.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APART FROM THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO CROPS, TYPHOON CARMEN COULD BE SAID TO HAVE BEEN BENEFICIAL TO FARMERS IN THAT SHE BROUGHT MUCH-NEEDED WATER TO THE ALMOST DRIED-UP WELLS FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES DURING THE DRY WINTER MONTHS AHEAD.
REGARDING FISHERIES, THE LOSS OF POND FISH WAS NOT GREAT ACCORDING TO REPORTS RECEIVED SO FAR. HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENT OF LOSSES COULD ONLY BE KNOWN UNTIL MORE DETAILED REPORTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM TEAMS NOW VISITING VARIOUS FISHING CENTRES IN THE NEU TERRITORIES.
ONLY ONE 37-FOOT SHRIMP TRAWLER WAS REPORTED SUNK IN T.AI PO, AND THERE WERE NO CASUALTIES.
/IN THE.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1972*
- 3 -
LAI SING COURT
IN THE MEANTIME, SURVEYORS FROM THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE ARE CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION ON THE SLOPE BEHIND LAI SING COURT IN TAI HANG ROAD WHERE A LANDSLIDE OCCURRED EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING.
HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN TWO BLOCKS OF BUILDING WERE EVACUATED FOLLOWING THE LANDSLIDE.
IN AN INTERVIEW AT THE SCENE THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, MR. EDWARD KENNARD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT A DECISION COULD BE REACHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE RESIDENTS COULD HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE POSITION THEY WERE IN.
+AS THE SITUATION NOW STANDS,* MR. KENNARD SAID, +THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER LANDSLIDES THERE.*
HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE LANDSLIDES AND REMEDIAL WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
MEANWHILE, AN EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER WAS ISSUED AT 9*30 AM AT VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT TODAY FOR THE TWO BUILDINGS. HOWEVER, RESIDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN ON A RESTRICTED BASIS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE POLICE TO RECOVER THEIR PERSONAL EFFECTS.
THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), MR. STEPHEN HO, ANNOUNCED THAT A LIAISON CENTRE WOULD BE SET UP IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING TOMORROW TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT THERE. THE CENTRE WILL OPERATE FROM 11 AM TO J>PM.
INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE PASSED TO CDO’S MAIN OFFICE AT 28-32 KING’S ROAD FOR DISSEMINATION TO TENANTS OF THE BUILDING*
TENANTS WHO WISH TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THIS SERVICE ARE ASKED TO LEAVE WITH THE CDO THEIR CONTACTING TELEPHONE NUMBERS. INFORMATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THEM BY TELEPHONE AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE.
DURING OFFICE HOURS, TENANTS MAY ALSO OBTAIN INFORMATION BY TELEPHONING 5*712658, 5*706960 AND 5*706579-
/TYPHOON CARMEN .....
KOIIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974. - 4 -
AfEE^X-QJl^IAI^
TYPHOON CARMEN VIRTUALLY DID NO DAMAGE TO HONG KONG'S 52 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND VERY MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE 27 LICENSED AREAS.
DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE TYPHOON, RESIDENTS OF CHAI WAN LICENSED AREA J HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HUTS TEMPORARILY BECAUSE OF EXCEPTIONAL HIGH TIDE. OFFICERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE EARLY FIRDAY MORNING TO GIVE WARNING TO THE RESIDENTS AND TO ASSIST THEM TO MOVE OUT LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY OF THE RESIDENTS TOOK SHELTER AT THE CHAI WAN POLICE POST AT BLOCK 12 AND AT THE TEMPORARY TYPHOON SHELTER AT BLOCK 1J. OTHERS HAD CHOSEN TO STAY WITH THEIR RELATIVES OR FRIENDS. MOST OF THEM RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES AFTER THE STORM SIGNAL NO. 8 WAS LOWERED LAST SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
FIVE HUTS IN THE AREA, SOME UNOCCUPIED, WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND 12 SLIGHTLY AFFECTED. OFFICERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE MAKING A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE DEGREE OF DAMAGE AT THE SITE THIS (MONDAY) MORNING*
TWO SQUATTER HUTS AT SAM KAR CHUEN WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE STRONG WINDS. BUT THE DAMAGE WAS LATER FOUND TO BE NEGLIGIBLE.
AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM, ABOUT 100 RESIDENTS OF THE LICENSED AREA TOOK SHELTER AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE. THEY HAVE SINCE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES.
ALSO SLIGHTLY AFFECTED BY THE STORM WAS THE YAN 01 LICENSED AREA. FOUR HUTS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY damaged.
STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE MEANWHILE MAKING A CHECK ON ALL LICENSED AREAS TO SEE WHAT OTHER DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE. GRANTS FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND WILL BE TAKEN OUT TO HELP THE LICENSEES REBUILD OR REPAIR THEIR HUTS IF THE NEED ARISES.
ROADS
ONLY TWO ROADS — SHEK PAI WAN ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE UNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN LUK KENG AND TAI MEI TUK IN TAI PO — REMAINED CLOSED AS A RESULT OF A ROAD SUBSIDENCE AND A LANDSLIDE DURING TYPHOON CARMEN. REPAIR WORK IS CONTINUING*
NEAR SHA TIN, THE LION ROCK TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD WHICH WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY A LANDSLIDE, IS OPEN TO SINGLE-LANE TRAFFIC ONLY. P.W.D. WORKERS ARE CLEARING THE ROAD OF ROCKS AND EARTH AND IT IS HOPED THAT IT CAN BE OPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC LATER TODAY-
ALL OTHER ROADS ARE OPEN TO NORMAL TRAFFIC.
-----0-----
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
- 5 -
24-HOUR WATER SUPPLY TO CONTINUE FOR TIME BEING BUT RESTRICTIONS CANNOT BE WHOLLY RULED OUT YET
* * * * * M-
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, DECIDED THIS HORNING NOT TO RE IMPOSE THE STAGE 2 WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR THE TIME BEING AND TO KEEP FUCL SUPPLIES ON FOR NOW.
BUT HE ADDED A WARNING THAT WHILE THE WATER STORAGE SITUATION HAD IMPROVED VERY SUBSTANTIALLY AS A RESULT OF THE TYPHOON, A REIMPOSITION OF SOME LEVEL OF RESTRICTIONS COULD NOT BE RULED OUT.
MR. KNIGHT TOOK THIS DECISION IN VIEW OF THE WATER LEVELS REPORTED EARLY THIS MORNING. ALL RESERVOIRS, WITH THE VERY IMPORTANT EXCEPTION OF PLOVER COVE, WERE THEN FULL OR NEARLY FULL. PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S LARGEST RESERVOIR AND A KEY FACTOR IN SUPPLIES,* WAS STILL ONLY ABOUT 60 PER CENT FULL.
THE PHASE 2 RESTRICTIONS HAD BEEN KEPT LIFTED OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING SEVERE WEATHER LATE ON SATURDAY AND THROUGHOUT SUNDAY. FULL SUPPLY WAS KEPT ON BECAUSE . THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULTY IN RESVER1NG SUPPLY IF RESTRICTIONS WAS THEN BEEN RUN BACK ON.
AS REGARDS A DECISION ON WHAT RESTRICTIONS MAY NOW BE NEEDED OVER THE WINTER, MR. KNIGHT SAID THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
+THE DECISION,+ HE SAID, +WILL BE. REACHED WITH All SPEED - BUT I MUST ASK EVERYONE TO BE PATIENT FOR A SHORT WHILE, SINCE WE HAVE TO RECALCULATE THE SUPPLY PROSPECTS ON THE BASIS OF A COMPLETELY NEW STORAGE PATTERN. AND THE FULL YIELD FROM THE STORE IS NOT YET KNOWN SINCE THE RUN OEF IS CONTINUING.
+WHILE WE ARE NATURALLY VERY PLEASED WITH THE INCREASE, IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE TOTAL STORAGE AS REPORTED YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) OF ABOUT 45,000 MILLION GALLONS WAS EXCEEDED BY STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE ALONE TEIS TIME LAST YEAR.+
HR. KNIGHT ALSO ADDED THAT WHATEVER THE DECISION REACHED ON RESTRICTIONS THE NEED TO SAVE WATER, AND TO AVOID ALL WASTE, WOULD CONTINUE.
+WASTE IS INEXCUSABLE,+ MR. KNIGHT SAID, +1N GOOD TIMES OR BAD.+
l
/6.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
- 6 -WATER SITUATION REPORT * * * * * *
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 47,503 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 70.6 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY, OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 62,708 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 31,088 MILLION • GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,440 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 61.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
83.2 MM (3.28 IN) RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,855.2 MM (73.04 IN)
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,071.2 MM (81.54 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 13.4 PER CENT.
RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF KAIFONG MOVEMENT *#•#***
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS TO CELEBRATE THE JUBILEE KAIFONG DAY TO BEHELD AT THE GARDEN RESTAURANT, CITY HALL AT 5 P.M. TOMORROW (TUESDAY),.., •
ABOUT 400 LEADERS FROM THE VARIOUS KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS FROM HONG’KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AS WELL AS HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ATTEND.
SIR MURRAY WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING, AND PROPOSE A TOAST TO THE KAIFONG MOVEMENT.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OCCASION.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
- 7 -
EXPERT TEAM SET UP TO MAP OUT COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME
*****#■
EVERY HONG KONG FAMILY DREAMS OF THE DAY THEY CAN HAVE A DECENT HOME AT A RENTAL OR PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD.
HOW CAN THEIR DREAMS BE REALISED? WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY DO TO HELP? IN WHAT WAYS AND BY WHAT MEANS CAN THIS ULTIMATE TARGET BE ACHIEVED?
A PLANNING TEAM HAS BEEN SET UP TO SEEK THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER QUESTIONS. IT WILL WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A STEERING GROUP CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, AND MEMBERS WILL CONSIST OF THE CHAIRMEN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S VARIOUS COMMITTEES TOGETHER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION AND A SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT.
THE PLANNING TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAWING A PROGRAMME PLAN ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HOUSING, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR.
IT WILL EVALUATE CURRENT PRODUCTION EFFORTS AS WELL AS THE ’ DEMAND FOR HOUSING, EXAMINE VARIOUS WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE PROJECTED HOUSING OBJECTIVES AND RELATE THE PERFORMANCE OF INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO OVERALL TARGETS. THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE UPDATING THE LONG-TERM PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME BASED ON THE LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
+THIS WILL MEAN A SYSTEMATIC AND THOROUGH LOOK AT HOUSING PRODUCTION, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR OR REDEVELOPMENT jF EXISTING DWELLINGS, THE ELIMINATION OF HOUSING THAT CAN'T BE HADE HABITABLE, PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT, INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, MORTGAGE FINANCE, IMPROVEMENT GRANTS, HOME OWNERSHIP AND OTHER RELATED TOP ICES,+ AN OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE EMPHASIS WILL NOT JUST BE ON BUILDING FLATS BUT RATHER ON THE CREATION OF COMMUNITIES IN A DECENT LIVING ENVIRONMENT.+
HE ADDED THAT THE PLAN WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CONDITIONS.
HEADING THE TEAM WILL BE MR. THOMAS LIHNA, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (MANAGEMENT) OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT WHO IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN PREPARING SUCH PLANS.
/CO-LEADER OF ......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974.
CO-LEADER OF THE TEAM FOR THE INITIAL PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS WILL BE MR. ROGER HOLLAND, A MCKINSEY CONSULTANT, WHO WILL ADVISE ON THE METHODOLOGY OF THE PLAN.
MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WILL BE MRS. ELAINE CHIA OF THE HOUSING, DEPARTMENT= DR. C.M. LUK, STATISTICIAN OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS OEPARTMENT= AND MR. WONG CHUN SHIU, SENIOR SURVEYOR OF THE RATING, AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT. IT IS HOPED ALSO TO SECURE THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED MEMBER OF THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
+THE TEAM WILL BE REINFORCED FROM TIME TO TIME AS REQUIRED AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL OF COURSE BE VERY HAPPILy'INVOLVED IN THIS EXERCISE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
SEPTEMBER G.C.P.I. REMAINS STABLE * * * * * *
THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER WAS 187, THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINK AND TOBACCO ADVANCED BY SEVEN POINTS, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF THE UPWARD REVISION IN THE PRICES OF SOME BRANDS OF CIGARETTES.
SLIGHT INCREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS AND THE INDEX FOR SERVICES.
THESE INCREASES WERE OFFSET BY THE FRACTIONAL DECREASE IN THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH, WHEN ROUNDED OFF, REMAINED UNCHANGED. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, DRIED SEA PRODUCTS, PORK, BEEF AND POULTRY DECLINED. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED DUE TO A SEASONAL DROP IN LOCAL SUPPLY.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
-------0----------
/9.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OPENS TWO NEW OFFICES
ft ft * ft ft
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT • IS OPENING TWO NEW OFF ICES TODAY ON HONG KONQ ISLAND AND IN TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE NEW OFFICE AT 324 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, 4TH FLOOR, HONG KONQ WILL CATER FOR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND, FROM WAN CHAI TO CHAI WAN. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-697432.
THE OTHER OFFICE AT 52 PO HEUNG STREET, GROUND FLOOR, BLOCK A, HEI WAN BUILDING, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES WILL SERVE ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN SHAT IN, TA IPO, FANLING, SHEUNG SHU I AND SHA.TAU KOK. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 12-662822*
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT IS MAINLY CONCERNED WITH. THE ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS REGARDING THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (AGED 14-17) IN INDUSTRY.
THE LAW RULES THAT WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE MUST NOT EXCEED EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND 48 HOURS A WEEK. IT ALSO . LAYS DOWN CONDITIONS ON THEIR GENERAL WELFARE RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF REST ROOMS AND SITTING FACILITIES, REST-DAYS AND RESTRICTION OF EMPLOYMENT IN DANGEROUS TRADES.
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 OFFICES IN ALL MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THERE ARE SIX OFFICES IN KOWLOON SERVING SHAM SHU I PO, CHEUNG SHA WAN, YAU MA TEI, TO KWA WAN, SAN PO KONG AND KWUN TONG= THREE IN THE NEU TERRITORIES OPERATING FROM TSUEM WAN, YUEN LONG AND TAI PO AND TWO ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
HOLIDAY POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS * * H )r >r
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 23) WHICH IS A GENERAL HOLIDAY.
THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON THAT DATE, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
/1O
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
. 10 -
GOVERNOR THANKS VOLUNTEERS IN MAKING, THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME A SUCCESS K- # Jb
THE GOVERNOR, SIR HURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS ISSUED A PERSONAL MESSAGE Ob’ THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS Ob’ THE 1^74 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
IN HIS MESSAGE, THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED THE PROGRAMME AS A ^SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN THE COMMUNITY CALEHDAR+, WHICH PROVIDED A IVERSE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR HORE THAN 1.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE.
THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 30,000 VOLUNTEERS HELPED IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE FOLLOWS:
+NOJ THAT THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR 1974 HAS DRAWN TO A CLOSE, 1 SHOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING IT SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS.
THE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR HAS PROVIDED A DIVERSE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE. IT HAS ENLISTED THE CLOSE COOPERATION OF NUMEROUS YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, WELFARE BODIES, SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT GROUPS. THE ARMED FORCES AND MANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE, AS BEFORE, RENDERED INVALUABLE SUPPORT. HORE THAN 30,000 VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EVENTS. THE ROYAL H.K. JOCKEY CLUB'S CONTINUED SUPPORT AND VERY GENEROUS DONATION HAS PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN GIVING THE PROGRAMME ITS SIZE AND VARIETY.
OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME HAS • EXPANDED AND BECOME A SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHARE MY APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAMME AND THAT THEY JOIN ME IN APPLAUDING WHAT IT DOES FOR OUR YOUTH.+
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974.
- 11 -
CHUNQ YEUNG FESTIVAL FIRE WARNING
******
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL BE CELEBRATING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL THIS WEDNESDAY WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY APPEALED TO INTENDING PICNICKERS AND INCENSE BURNERS TO -BE CAREFUL TO AVOID STARTING FIRES.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOL IDA/ WAS USUALLY ONE OF THE BUSIEST DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR FIREMEN, RESULTING F.ROM THE NORMAL MASS EXODUS OUT OF DOORS.
+WE ANSWERED DOZENS OF HILL AND FOREST FIRE CALLS LAST YEAR,+ HE SAID. +HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE DESTROYED AND LARGE AREAS OF COUNTRYSIDE SPOILT, ALL UNNECESSARILY. BY WARNING PEOPLE TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL, WE HOPE TO PREVENT THE SAME THING HAPPENING THIS YEAR.+
FAILURE TO TAKE A FEW COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS WAS AT THE ROOT, OF MOST OF THE FIRES, HE SAID, CITING AS EXAMPLES DISPOSAL OR? CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES WHEN STILL ALIGHT, LACK OF CONTROL' OF BARBECUE FIRES OR NOT ENSURING THAT THEY ARE EXTINGUISHED. BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA, AND INCENSE BURNERS BEING CARELESS WITH LIGHTED PAPER.
HE POINTED OUT THAT, DESPITE TYPHOON CARMEN, THE RISK OF FIRE WAS STILL HIGH AND EVERYONE VISITING THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE HOLIDAY SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE. +IT IS A MATTER OF SIMPLY BEING CAREFUL,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID,
------0------
JULY ACCOUNTS SHOW $106 MILLION DEFICIT
******
THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS FOR THE- MONTH OF JULY 1974 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $106 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $10 MILLION IN JULY LAST YEAR.
THE DEFICIT WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED SPENDING ON PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS AND TO ACCELERATED PROGRESS. PERMITTED BY THE DRY summer, on Public works projects.
THE RESULT IS AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $388 MILLION FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $398 MILLION WAS' $26 MILLION MORE THAN JULY 1973. TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $504 MILLION WAS $122 MILLION MORE THAN THE SANE MONTH LAST YEAR.
- 0 - -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
* » »
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (MONDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOONt '
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE AVERAGE C$/CATTY) •
CHINA RICE •
SEE NEW GOOD 2.02
3.C. J JEN GOOD 1.86
PO NQAI GOOD
CHU CHO GOOD — •*
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-15% brokens GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL-L1VE WEIGHT)
GOOD
320 (AVERAGE)
/surfinx z.i-'d
O-IDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1974
SUPPLIES AMO WHOLESALE PRICES OF MAR INS. FISH (FNO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE F|SH MA£MCET>
SPEC IES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) MODE
HIGH LOU
GOLDEN THREAD SCARCE 4.20 2.60 3.50
BIG-EYES LIMITED 4.60 4.20 4.50
SvJU ID LI IITEO 5.30 3.30 4.00 •
LIZARD FISHES SCARCE 2>00 1.50 1.00
CROAKERS LI Hl TEO 3.00 1.50 2.60
CONGER-P1KE-EELS SCARCE 3.60 2.40 3*20
MELON COAT SCARCE 2.80 2.30 2.50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 9.00 6.00 7*60
SUPPLIES ANO WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
•»•••••»••■ W •• •• ••••«• •««**• «»«* — a*M *»*.«•»*■«•*»«« -«■ «.*•* aw<* «**
CV.d.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY)
VEGETABLE OF SUPPLY HIGH LOU NODE
0.50 1.60
FLOWER 1<G CABBAGE LIMITED 2.40
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 1.60 0.30 1.00
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED 1.80 0.50 1.20
UAlcK SPINACH SCARCE 1.50 □•50 1.00
CHINESE KALL LI ill TED 2.43 0.60 1.60
STRUG BEANS SCARCE 2.80 1.00 2.00
SPRING ONION UNITED 2.50 0.60 • 1.60
SPINACH WATER GRESS SCARCE LIMITED 3.60 4.80 0.60 2.50 2.40 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.50 0.50 1.50
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.80 0.50 1.20
TUriATO SCARCE 4.5'3 2e4D 3.20
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974*.
CONTENTS PACE NO.
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE KAIFONG MOVEMENT ......... 1
NEW INVESTMENT WILL SPUR HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC QROUTH 2
TWO WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ........................................ J
NUMBER OF FIRES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS UP BY 50 PER CENT .................................................. 4
LIFTING OF WATER RESTRICTIONS, A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT 6
RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS VEHICLES LIFTED ................ 7
STAFF OF S.W.D. URGED TO SUPPORT THE CLEAN HONG KONG
CAMPAIGN .............................................. 8
SLIGHT INCREASE IN TRAVEL FIGURES .................. 8
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................ 9
RADIO HONG KONG TO EXTEND CHINESE NEWS SERVICE....... 9
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD » COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel:- 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974. - 1 -
KAIFONQS PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY WORK
* * * * II- »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE KA I FONG- MOVEMENT AND SAID THEY HAD A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING TO IMPROVE SOCIETY.
SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY HALL GARDEN RESTAURANT TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KA I FONG MOVEMENT.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE’kAIFONG UERE IN THE FOREFRONT OF ALL CAMPAIGN WORK - SUCH AS IN THE DRIVE AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME AND KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN - AND HAD GIVEN A LEAD IN . THE WORK OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. +1T IS THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS THAT EACH OF US CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS AN IMPROVED SOCIETY,+ HE SAID.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS:
+1 AH DELIGHTED TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE KAIFONG MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG. IN THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE MOVEMENT HAS GREATLY EVOLVED FROM ITS ORIGINAL ROLE OF PROVIDING EMERGENCY RELIEF AND WELFARE SERVICES.
+THE PROVISION OF RELIEF IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT, BUT TODAY THE KAIFONGS ARE ALSO IN THE FOREFRONT OF ALL CAMPAIGN WORK, LEADING THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE LN THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME AND THE CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN HONG KONG, AND DOING SO WITH SUCCESS. HANY OF YOU ARE SERVING ON DISTRICT AND AREA COMMITTEES AND HAVE GIVEN A LEAD IN THE WORK OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. IN THIS SORT OF APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS THAT CLOSELY AFFECT THE LIVES .OF THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG, I RELIEVE UE ARE SETTING OUT UPON A NEW ROAD. IT IS THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS THAT EACH OF US CAN HAKE A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS AN IMPROVED SOCIETY, AND GAIN THE SATISFACTION OF DOING SO. IN THIS THERE IS A MAJOR ROLE FOR THE KA1FOHQS TO PLAY.
+ON THIS OCCASION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KAIFONG MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG, HAY 1 ASK YOU TO DRINK A TOAST WITH ME TO WISH OUR KAIFONG EVERY SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE.+
-----o-----
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974.
- 2 -
NEW INVESTMENT WILL SPUR HONG KONQ'S ECONOMIC GROWTH *«-.*»**
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG’S RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE, DELEGATES ATTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IN NEW ZEALAND WERE TOLD TODAY.
MR. ROY PORTER, HEAD OF THE INDUSTRY DIVISION OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. DEPARTMENT, PREDICTED THAT THERE WILL BE MUCH NEW INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRY FROM BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN SOURCES AND THIS WOULD BENEFIT OUR EXPORTS.
ACCOMPANYING THIS WE WOULD SEE A CONTINUED REAL GROWTH IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF OUR PEOPLE WHICH, HE POINTED OUT, WAS THE ULTIMATE AIM OF ALL INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES.
THERE WAS A NEED, MR. PORTER.SAID, FOR CONTINUED STRONG EXPORT-ORIENTED INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IF THE ECONOMY WAS TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO CONTINUE TO FINANCE ITS AMBITIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
MR. PORTER WAS ADDRESSING THE AAMO-5 INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND, ORGANISED BY THE ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF. MANAGEMENT associations, the theme of the five-day conference, WHICH ENDS ON OCTOBER 24, IS +PRODUCTIVITY AND THE WAY UE LIVE.+
REVIEWING HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION, MR. PORTER SAID THAT, AS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, IT WAS SPEARHEADED BY THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY WHICH ESTABLISHED ITSELF RAPIDLY IN LARGE SCALE AND EFFICIENT MILLS.
AT THE OTHER END OF THE SCALE, SMALL GARMENT AND PLASTICS FACTORIES, AND WORKSHOPS PRODUCING SIMPLE METAL PRODUCTS, MUSHROOMED.
FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, MR. PORTER SAID, HONG KONG HAD EXPERIENCED TREMENDOUS GROWTH, AVERAGING IN VALUE TERMS 17.7 PER CENT COMPOUND. THIS WAS NOT ONLY QUANTITATIVE GROWTH, BUT ALSO REAL GROWTH IN THE QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL LEVELS OF OUR PRODUCTS.
MODERN PRODUCTION METHODS, PRODUCTIVITY TECHNIQUES AND MODERN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS WERE NOW WELL UNDERSTOOD AND WIDELY USED, NOT UNCRITICALLY BUT WITH INTELLIGENT ADAPTATION TO INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
+THE RELATIVELY LARGE SCALE FACTORIES HAVE MULTIPLIED AND THEIR RANGE HAS EXPANDED FAR BEYOND TEXTILES, WITH LIGHT ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS BEING OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE.+' SAID HR. PORTER.
+MANY OF THE SMALL FAMILY CONCERNS HAVE ACHIEVED AMAZING GROWTH TO JOIN THE RANKS OF OUR LARGE, MOST EFFICIENT PLANTS. SOME, INDEED, ARE NOW WORLD LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS.+
• /THERE WERE <...
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974
- 3 -
THERE WERE STILL, HOWEVER, MANY THOUSANDS OF SMALL FAMILY
CONCERNS PRODUCING A NARROW RANGE OF PRODUCTS OR OFFERING BASIC INDUSTRIAL SERVICES. MANY OF THEM FILLED A REAL NEED, PROVIDING SUB-CONTRACTING FACILITIES FOR THE LARGER FACTORIES AND SUBSTANTIAL EMPLOYMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR HOUSED IVES.
MR. PORTER SAID THAT WHILE MANY OF THEM WILL REMAIN IN BEING FOR SOME YEARS YET THEIR FUNCTIONS ARE GRADUALLY BEING TAKEN OVER BY LARGER INDUSTRIAL UNITS OR BY SIMILAR SMALL FACTORIES IN HORE NEWLY INDUSTRIALISING, LOUER LABOUR-COST COUNTRIES.
THE TERM +LA1SSEZ FAIRE+ WAS FREQUENTLY USED TO DESCRIBE THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID. THIS STEMMED FROM A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES, WHICH DID NOT BY ANY MEANS ENTAIL, LEAVING INDUSTRY TO STRUGGLE ALONG WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.
+THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM.+ HE STRESSED, +JS TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AS A WHOLE WITHOUT DICTATING THE PRECISE DIRECTIONS OF THIS DEVELOPMENT OR INFLUENCING CORPORATE DECISION MAK ING.+
THIS WAS DONE BY PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THOSE FACILITIES WHICH INDUSTRY CANNOT PROVIDE FOR ITSELF.
OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE WERE THE GOVERNMENT'S FISCAL AND TAXATION POLICIES WHICH WERE DELIBERATELY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS AND ITS POLICY OF MAKING ALL PROCEDURES AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INDUSTRIALIST, IMPORTER AND EXPORTER, WHETHER LOCAL OR FOREIGN.
------o-------
TWO WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD
X X X X X X
MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT KOWLOON WORKERS GENERAL UNION AND MR. LEE SH1NQ-CHU OF HONG KONG STEVEDORES UNION (CHAP YIN) WERE TODAY ELECTED AS WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1975.
THE ELECTION - HELD BY SECRET BALLOT AT THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT NEU RODNEY BLOCK, QUEENSWAY , - WAS SUPERVISED BY OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE BOARD IS A RON-STATUTORY BODY TO ADVISE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON SUCH MATTERS AFFECTING LABOUR, INCLUDING LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IT IS COMPOSED OF FOUR EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES AND FOUR WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AS CHAIRMAN.
TWO OF THE WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES ARE ELECTED BY REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS AND TWO ARE SELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT BY THF GOVERNOR.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974’
- 4 -
NUMBER OF FIRES IN 1972-74 UP BY 50 PER CENT LOSSES AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $100 MILLION ft ft ft ft ft ft
FOR EVERY TWO FIRES IN 1968/70, THERE WERE THREE IN 1972/74.
THIS ALARMING RISE IS REVEALED IN THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. HARRY WOOD, FOR THE TWO FISCAL YEARS 1972/73 AND 1973/74.
THERE VERE 9,787 FIRES AND 62 DEATHS IN 1968/70= THE RESPECTIVE FIGURES FOR THE TUO YEARS COVERED BY THE REPORT ARE 15,476 ARD 108.
THE REPORT STATES: -+IT IS NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE ' PHILOSOPHY IN HONG KONG AS REGARDS FIRE SHOULD BE 'IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME', FOR THE TRUh'H IS THAT, WITH THE EVER GROWING NUMBER OF FIRES IN THE COLONY, THE CHANCE OF BECOMING A FIRE VICTIM, ARD AS A CONSEQUENCE SUFFERING AGONISING INJURY OR EVEN DEATH, GROWS WITH EACH PASSING YEAR.+
IT CONTINUES: +THROUGH PRESS PUBLICITY, AS WELL AS FIRE . PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS, VISITS AND LECTURES, IT IS HOPED THAT THE MESSAGE - 'IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN TO ME UNLESS I TAKE PROPER CARE'— WILL EVENTUALLY BE DRIVEN HOME, TO HOUSEHOLDERS AS WELL AS TO FACTORY AND OFFICE MANAGEMENTS. ONLY THEN, POSSIBLY, COULD A DOWNWARD TREND BE SEEN. BUT, IN THE MEANTIME, THE FIRE SERVICES MUST ACT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE GRAPH WILL CONTINUE ITS UPWARD CLIt’3 - THERE IS LITTLE AT PRESENT TO SUGGEST THE REVERSE - AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY TO DEAL WITH THIS GROWING TOLL.+
DURING THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, THE DIRECT FINANCIAL LOSS FROM FIRE WAS $99.6 MILLION, BUT THE REPORT STRESSES THAT THIS ENORMOUS FIGURE TELLS ONLY PART OF THE STORY: +IT WOULD BE A GREAT DEAL HIGHER - OKE EXPERT HAS’PUT IT AS MUCH AS THREE TIMES - IF THE , INDIRECT COSTS OF FIRE COULD BE INCLUDED, SUCH AS, FOR A FACTORY, LOSS OF PRODUCTION, SALES, THE SERVICES OF TRAINED PERSONNEL, GOODWILL, BUSINESS CONFIDENCE, AND, FOR A FAMILY, THE ECOROH IC CONSEQUENCES OF LOSING ITS HOHE.+
THE REPORT GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE TRAGEDY OF THIS WASTE OF VALUABLE RESOURCES IS THAT IT COULD BE LARGELY AVOIDED. +1F PEOPLE WOULD TAKE GREATER CARE, BE LESS APATHETIC AND ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE SIMPLE MEASURES THEY THEMSELVES CAM TAKE TO PREVENT FIRE FROM BREAKING OUT, THE PROBLEM WOULD KOT BE ANYTHING LIKE AS FRIGHTENING AS IT NOW IS IN HONG KONG.
+FOR EXAMPLE, IF EVERYBODY HAD MADE SURE THAT THEIR CIGARETTES OR MATCHES WERE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY, 4,731 FIRES WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IN 1972/73= IF MORE CARE HAD BEEN TAKEN WITH ELECTRICITY, SUCH AS NOT TAMPERING WITH INSTALLATIONS UNLESS PROPERLY QUALIFIED, NOT OVERLOADING SOCKETS, KOT LEAVING APPLIANCES SWITCHED ON DURING ABSENCES OR MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY USED AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY, 2,985 LESS FIRES, MANY OF THEM MAJOR COSTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WOULD HAVE OCCURRED= AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN 669 LESS FIRES, 153 LESS INJURIES AND TH1EE LESS DEATHS IF, DURING THE TUO YEARS, KEROSENE FIRES AND OL STOVES HAD BEEN HANDLED WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.+
/The retort .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974.
- 5 - V
THE REPORT DESCRIBES THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD AS +AN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY ONE+ WITH A TOTAL OF 222,968 FIRE, SPECIAL SERVICE AND AMBULANCE CALLS BEING ANSWERED. THIS FIGURE IS 20 PER CENT MORE THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
ON FACTORY FIRES, THE REPORT REVEALS THAT LOSSES AMOUNTED TO $75.9 MILLION FROM 880 FIRES. +THIS MEANS*, IT STATES, +THAT 80 PER CENT OF THE MONETARY LOSS FROM FIRE IN 1972/74 RESULTED FROM ONLY SIX PER CENT OF THE F1RES+.
THE REPORT GOES ON: +FACTORY MANAGEMENTS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING URGED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO FIRE PREVENTION, ACCORDING IT AT LEAST THE SAME PRIORITY THEY GIVE TO PREVENTING BURGLARY, FROM WHICH THEIR LOSSES ARE LIKELY TO BE ALMOST INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED WITH LOSSES THEY WOULD SUFFER SHOULD THEIR FACTORY BE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED BY FIRE. THIS IS NOT TO SUGGEST THAT CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES BE DOWNGRADED, BUT THAT STEPS TO REDUCE THE FIRE RISK BE UPGRADED*.
THREE FACTORY FIRES ALONE COST $41 MILLION, OR 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LOSSES, AND THE REPORT DESCRIBES THIS AS +PERHAPS A REFLECTION OF THE INADEQUACY OF FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN MANY MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISES*.
OTHER POINTS FROM THE REPORT:
It A TOTAL OF 859 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM FIRE.
It THE NUMBER OF AMBULANCE CALLS ANSWERED WAS 19 PER CENT UP ON THE PREVIOUS TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
It THE NUMBER OF FIRE STATIONS INCREASED TO 37.
It THERE WERE 2,854 FALSE ALARM CALLS.
* 4,731 FIRES WERE CAUSED BY CIGARETTE ENDS.
* 2,985 FIRES WERE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAULTS.
It THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU DEALT WITH ALMOST 151,000 COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE.
It TWO FIREMEN WERE KILLED AND-110 INJURED.
It THE TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
IS 3,789 INCLUDING CIVILIANS. . t
It THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS 437 APPLIANCES AND VEHICLES AND MORE THAN 95 HILES OF HOSE.
It THE BUDGET FOR THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD WAS $102,384,400.00.
It A TOTAL OF 48 OFFICERS RECEIVED AWARDS DURING THE PERIOD. TWO OFFICERS WERE AWARDED THE GEORGE MEDAL.
-----0------
/6......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974
- 6 -
LIFTING OF WATER RESTRICT1ONS,ATEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT
* * * X * *
THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TODAY ISSUED A REMINDER THAT THE CONTINUATION OF FULL WATER SUPPLIES IS, AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, A TEMPORARY MEASURE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID THAT WITH SEVERAL RESERVOIRS STILL OVERFLOWING IT WOULD CLEARLY BE STUPID NOT TO ALLOW FULL SUPPLY FOR THE TIME BEING, SINCE MANY CONSUMERS COULD BE SUPPLIED FROM OVERFLOW.
+TO HAVE REIMPOSED RESTRICTIONS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN, +WOULD HAVE MEANT INCREASING THE OVERFLOW ON SOME RESERVOIRS - AND, IN EFFECT, DIVERTING WATER FROM CONSUMERS TO OVERFLOW. AS IT IS, THE WATER IS BEING USED, AND NOT LOST.+
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT THE EARLIER CONTINUATION OF FULL SUPPLIES OVER THE WEEKEND, WAS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE WEATHER FOLLOWING IN THE WAKE OF TYPHOON CARMEN. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NO GOOD TURNING OFF, HE EXPLAINED, IF WATERWORKS OFFICE STAFF WERE NOT SURE THAT THE WEATHER WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO TURN ON AGAIN LATER.
HE ADDED THAT WHILE A FINAL DECISION ON WHAT LEVEL OF RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE NECESSARY THROUGH THE DRY SEASON COULD NOT BE MADE YET, +WE MUST FACE UP TO THE FACT THAT SOME RESTRICTIONS THOUGH AT A FAR MORE MODEST LEVEL THAN THOSE PLANNED EARLIER, ARE STILL LIKELY TO BE NEEDED.+
THE STORAGE LEVEL AT PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S LARGEST RESERVOIR, WAS STILL THE KEY FACTOR IN THE SITUATION. +ALL OUR OTHER RESERVOIRS ARE FULL - BUT PLOVER COVE ACCOUNTS FOR SO MUCH OF THE SUPPLY CAPACITY FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY THAT THE FACT THAT IT IS STILL ONLY AT SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF CAPACITY CANNOT BE DISREGARDED.
+FURTHER, OUR PRESENT STORAGE TOTAL IS PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE IF WE REMEMBER THAT, EVEN TAKING TODAY’S LATEST FIGURE OF 48,017 MILLION GALLONS, WE HAD MORE THAN THAT THIS TIME LAST YEAR IN PLOVER COVE ALONE.+
------0-------
/7....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 197^
- 7 •
RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS VEHICLES LIFTED
* ft X- 3? J?
THE SUMMER-MONTH ENTRY RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS VEHICLES ALONG SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND CLEARWATER BAY ROAD WILL BE LIFTED LATER THIS MONTH•
THE RESTRICTIONS, WHICH APPLY FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS INTRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE ROADS DURING SUMMER MONTHS WHEN MORE HOLIDAY-MAKERS TRAVELLED TO AND FROM RECREATIONAL SPOTS.
•
FROM THURSDAY (OCTOBER 24), THE PROHIBITION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLES USING CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND CAUSEWAY ROAD FROM 11 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WILL BE LIFTED.
ON CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, THE PROHIBITION WILL BE LIFTED FROM NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 28). THIS MEANS THAT EASTEOUND C.OODS VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THE SECTION BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG HOAD AND FEI NGO SHAN ROAD FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M., ARD WESTBOUND GOODS VEHICLES, THE SECTION BETWEEN HIRAM'S HIGHWAY AND ANDERSON ROAD FROM 2 P.M. TO 7 P.ll.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE EXISTING DAILY PROHIBITION AGAINST ALL VEHICLES OVER 12 TONS LADEN WEIGHT USING CLEARWATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND FEI NGO . SHAN ROAD.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE HOLIDAY RESTRICTIONS HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY SLOW MOVING LORRIES OH THE STEEP ROAD SECTIONS, THUS GIVING PRIORITY TO PASSENGER TRANSPORT FOR A FEU HOURS ON HOLIDAYS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO HAVE REASONABLY QUICK ACCESS TO BEACHES AND OTHER RECREATIONAL SPOTS IN THE AREAS.
-------0 --------
/«.....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974.
- 3 -
S.W.D. OFFICES CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TOLD HIS STAFF TODAY TO SUPPORT THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, EITHER AS A DEPARTMENT OR INDIVIDUALLY.
•MR. LEE WAS SPEAKING.WHEN HE PRESENTED THE
+DSW SH1ELD+ TO MISS LEE YUK-FUN, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT'S CHILDREN'S RECEPTION CENTRE IN CHUK YUEN WHICH WON THE 1973 OFFICE CLEANLINESS COMPETITION RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
•
HE URGED THEM TO DO THEIR BEST TO ENSURE THAT THEIR OFFICES AND INSTITUTIONS WERE KEPT AS CLEAN AND TIDY AS POSSIBLE AT ALL . TIMES, WHETHER CLEANING THE OFFICES THEMSELVES OR EVEN IF THE PREMISES WERE CLEANED BY CONTRACT.
THE COMPETITION WAS STARTED IN 1972 IN SUPPORT OF THE MAIN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND A COMMITTEE WAS FORMED TO JUDGE WHICH OF THE MORE THAN 100 OFFICES AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT WERE THE CLEANEST.
IN SECOND PLACE THIS YEAR WAS THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE FOLLOWED BY THE KWUN TONG HOSTEL AND 0 PU1 SHAN BOYS1 HOME JOINTLY IN THIRD PLACE.
-----0------
SLIGHT INCREASE IN TRAVEL FIGURES
******
A TOTAL OF 7,469,001 TRAVELLERS ENTERED OR LEFT HONG KONG DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AN INCREASE Or ONLY 3.12 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR WHEN THE FIGURE WAS 7,242,857.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THIS WAS A BIG DROP IN THE NORMAL GROWTH RATE, +AND REFLECTS THE DECLINE IN TOURISM CREATED BY THE OIL CRISIS, COMBINED WITH A GENERAL RECESS ION.+
IN 1973/74, HE NOTED, AN INCREASE OF 19 PER CENT WAS RECORDED OVER THE FIGURE FOR 1972/73*
THE FIGURES INCLUDE ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES BY AIR, LAND AND SEA CLEARED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND DO NOT INCLUDE TRANSIENTS OR PERSONS REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND.
-------0 --------
/9
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974.
- 9 -
WATER SITUATION REPORT it * ie » »
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M.
TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 48,017 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 71-3 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 HILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 62,615 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 31,641 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,372 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. ’ PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 62.7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
9.8 M.M. (0.39 IN.) RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.H. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,865 MM (73-43 IN)..
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SJNCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,076.4 M.M. (81.75 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 10.2 PER CENT.
- - 0 -
RHK EXTENDING CHINESE NEWS SERVICE **){■*#*
RADIO HONG KONG WILL BE PUTTING OUT THREE ADDITIONAL NEWS BULLETINS IN CHINESE WHEN IT BEGINS ITS AUTUMN SCHEDULE ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 275-
THE NEU BULLETINS WILL BE BROADCAST ON RHK ONE AND TWO AT 6.45 AM, 11 PM AND MIDNIGHT. THE 6.45 AM BULLETIN WILL BE A BBC RELAY WHILE THE OTHER TWO WILL BE PREPARED BY RHK'S OWN NEUS ROOM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RADIO HONG KONG SAID: +UE FEEL THAT PEOPLE SWITCH FROM TELEVISION TO RADIO BEFORE THEY GO TO BED AND WE WISH TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN ADDITIONAL UP TO DATE NEWS SERVICE.*
RHK'S ONE AND TWO MAIN NEWS BULLETINS WILL THEREFORE BE BROADCAST AT 6.45 AM, 8 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT. DURING THE REST OF THE TIME, THE TWO CHANNELS WILL BE PROVIDING NEWS SUMMARIES ON THE HOUR.
- 0-------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft
„ THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHErlE AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AMD THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY)
GRADE OF RICE OF SUPPLY average
CHINA RICE %
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD —
CHU CHO GOOD
THAI RICE •
100* WHOLE GOOD 1.80
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1*75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/P1CUL—LIVE WEIGHT) - _ 320 (AVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND ......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
Ml | I I I 1 ■ "I ■ I I ■■»»»■! — — — ■
(FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPECIES OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
CROAKERS SCARCE . 4.50 2.40 4.00
CONQER-PIKE-EELS SCARCE 3-70 1.40 2.60
i
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE CS/CATTY)
VEGETABLE OF ^UPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE SCARCE 2.50 0.60 1.60
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 2.00 0.40 1.20
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 1.80 0.50 1.20
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.50 1.20
CHINESE KALE SCARCE 2.40 0.80 1.60
STRING BEANS SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.00
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.20 0.50 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.50 1.00 2.00
WATER CRESS LIMITED 4.00 2.00 3.00
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.60 0.80 1.80
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.80 0.50 1.20
TOMATO SCARCE 4.20 2.20 3.50
0 - S?
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATONWICTN
LIBRARY ON WHEELS
* * *
SPECIAL LIBRARY FACILITIES ARE BEING PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN REMOTE PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THERE ARE NO PERMANENT LIBRARIES.
TWO LIBRARIES ON WHEELS EACH LADEN WITH ABOUT 1,000 BOOKS MAKE REGULAR CALLS AT 25 LIBRARY STATIONS IN VARIOUS VILLAGES IN SHATIN, TAI PO, TUEN MUN, FANLING AND SAI KUNG, WHERE THEY ARE EAGERLY AWAITED BY YOUNGSTERS AND ADULTS ALIKE.
THE MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE IS OPERATED BY THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.
CHILDREN FROM THE VILLAGE THEY VISIT CAN EITHER READ THEIR FAVOURITE STORY BOOKS ON THE SPOT OR TAKE THEM HOME WHERE THEY CAN BE ENJOYED AT LEISURE.
EACH READER IS ALLOWED TO BORROW ONE BOOK OR TWO MAGAZINES AT ONE TIME. NO FEE IS CHARGED AND THE PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION OF3, MEMBERSHIP IS VERY SIMPLE.
ACCORDING TO MR. WONG PAK-CHUEN, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES UNIT, THE DAILY AVERAGE ATTENDANCE AT THE LIBRARY STATIONS IS OVER 700 AND THE REGISTERED MEMBERSHIP OF‘THE TWO MOBILE LIBRARIES IS MORE THAN 6,000.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALSO MADE WITH A NUMBER OF VILLAGE SCHOOLS AND WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE READING ROOMS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH VOLUMES FOR LENDING TO THEIR PUPILS AND MEMBERS. THESE INCLUDE REFERENCE BOOKS, STORY BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.
+FOR THIS SERVICE ALONE, SOME 2,500 BOOKS AND MAGAZINES ARE PROVIDED. EVERY TWO OR THREE MONTHS, THE TWO VANS WILL CALL AT THE SCHOOLS. TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A FRESH SUPPLY OF VOLUMES,+ MR. WONG SAID.
PROVIDING A LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE RURAL PEOPLE IS ONLY PART OF THE WORK OF THE LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES UNIT. IT ALSO OPERATES A MOBILE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICE TEAM FOR » N.T. VILLAGES, ORGANISING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILDREN. THE PROGRAMMES IT PROVIDES INCLUDE PICNICS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, VISITS, COMPETITIONS, GAMES AND SERVICE PROJECTS. YOUTHS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO FORM THEMSELVES INTO SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUPS AND TO UNDERTAKE VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
APART FROM RUNNING THE TWO LIBRARIES ON WHEELS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, STAFF OF THE UNIT ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, ADVICE PROCESSED BOOKS AND OTHER READING MATERIALS TO SIX OTHER LIBRARIES IN THE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. THEY ARE ALL ATTACHED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRES TO FORM PART OF THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191 /HIE TOTAL...............................................
TOJNESDAT, OCTOBER 23, 1<
THE TOTAL STOCK OF EACH LIBRARY RANGE J FROM 11,000 TO 23,000 BOOKS.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER LIBRARY WILL SOON HE OPENED IN CHAI WV COMMUNITY CENTRE TO LOOK AFTER THE INTELLECTUAL NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THAT DISTRICT.
PLANS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED BY TH! SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE MORE LIBRARY FACILIT ES IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS WHICH ARE NOT YET SERVED B'. PUBLIC LIBRARIES'.
-------n---------
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TAKES A LOOK AT LIVING CONDITIONS IN KWUN TONG ••• 1 RENT INCREASE FOR 42 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ............... 2
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIETY TOWARDS HANDICAPPED PEOPLE .... 3
LESS FIRES AT CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL THIS YEAR............... 3
WATER SITUATION REPORT .................................... 4
CHIEF JUSTICE TO INSPECT PASSING OUT PARADE OF PRISON OFFICERS .................................................. 4
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
J
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974
- 1 -
GOVERNOR TOURS KWUN TONG DISTRICT fc ft *#*##**
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TOURED THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OF KOWLOON TO TAKE A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON), HR. ANTHONY NEOH, AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (KWUN TONG), MR. MICHAEL SZE.
THE GOVERNOR FIRST VISTED A LARGE PLOT OF CROWN LAND AT THE END OF WAI YIP STREET WHICH IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY ILLEGAL SQUATTERS, JUNK DEALERS AND COOKED FOOD STALLS.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PRESENT POSITION BY MR. SZE WHO POINTED OUT THAT TWO SITES HAD BEEN RESERVED IN THE AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO U.S.D. COOKED FOOD BAZAARS. THERE ARE ALSO PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP THE CENTRAL PART INTO A TEMPORARY FOOTBALL PITCH AND A SITTING-OUT AREA.
THE GOVERNOR THEN DROVE TO THE KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE WHERE THE NEW VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE IS NOW PROVIDING A VERY USEFUL TRAFFIC LINK FOR FACTORIES IN KWUN TONG-
THE NEXT STOP WAS A TEMPORARY BASKETBALL PITCH AT THE JUNCTION OF WAN HON STREET AND HONG NING ROAD. THE BASKETBALL PITCH WAS DEVELOPED BY U.S.D. AFTER CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
SIR MURRAY THEN WALKED ALONG AN UNNAMED PATH BEHIND PO CHARK PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE. THE PATH IS . ONE OF THE MAJOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN KWUN TONG, PROVIDING A LINK BETWEEN RENNIE’S MILL AND YAU TONG* THE CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS CARRIED OUT BY LOCAL VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS.
SIR MURRAY THEN TOURED THE KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE AND TALKED TO OPERATORS OF STALLS IN THE MARKET THERE.
THE GOVERNOR WOUND UP HIS TOUR BY CALLING ON THE SION SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE IN THE KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE WHERE HE HELD TALKS' WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KWUN TONG YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, KWUN TONG LIONS CLUB AND KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
DURING THE MEETING, THE GOVERNOR ENDORSED THE WORK DONE BY THE AREA COMMITTEES. HE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE CRIME SITUATION IN THE VARIOUS HOUSING ESTATES IN’THE DISTRICT.
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT WHERE THERE WERE A STRONG MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF AUXILIARY POLICEMEN PRESENT, THERE MUST BE A DECREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF CRIMES.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974
- 2 -
RENT INCREASE FOR FORTY-TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES * X- * X- * *
THE RENT INCREASE, ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, ON TUESDAY WILL INVOLVE 42 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 1.5 MILLION.
THEY COMPRISE OF 17 GROUP A ESTATES, FORMERLY GOVERNMENT LOW-COST HOUSING ESTATES, AND 25 GROUP B ESTATES, FORMERLY RESETTLEMENT ESTATES.
THE RENT OF THESE TWO TYPES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION HAS NEVER BEEN INCREASED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A SMALL RISE OF $4 FOR MARK I AND II BLOCKS IN 1965- THE CURRENT MONTHLY RENT FOR MOST TENANTS RANGES FROM $13.50 FOR A 120 SQUARE-FEET ROOM TO $119 FOR A 320 SQUARE-FEET FLAT.
THE INCREASE, WHICH WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 1, WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE CENTS PER SQUARE FOOT PER MONTH.
FOR MOST TENANTS, THE INCREASE WILL RANGE FROM $4 TO $18 PER MONTH THOUGH IN A FEW EXCEPTIONAL CASES IT WILL BE UP TO $26 A MONTH DUE TO ODD SIZES OF FLATS.
THE INCREASE, HOWEVER, WILL NOT APPLY TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE RECENTLY MOVE IN AND ARE PAYING THE HIGHER RENT APPROVED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN MAY THIS YEAR.
THE 17 GROUP A ESTATES ARE:
KWUN TONG CL I YUE MUN ROAD)
CHEUNG SHA WAN
UPPER SHEK KIP MEI
VALLEY ROAD
UPPER WONG TAI SIN
SHATIN PASS
UPPER NGAU TAU KOK
WONG CHUK HANG
SHEK YAM
THE 25 GROUP B ESTATES ARE:
LAM TIN
JORDAN VALLEY
KWUN TONG CTSUI PING ROAD) TSZ WAN SHAN LOK FU HUNG HOM LOWER SHEK rt'lP MEI LEI CHENG UK SHEK LEI
KWAI CHUNG
SAN FAT TIN WAN HING WAH
UN CHAU STREET
KWAI HING LEI MUK SHUE KO CHIU ROAD KWAI FONG KWAI SHING HO MAN TIN UPPER PAK TIN
LOWER NGAU TAU KOK SAU MAU PING
YAU TONG
TUNG TAU
WANG TAU HOM
LOUER WONG TAI SIN LOWER PAK TIN
TAI HANG TUNG TAI WO HAU
YUEN LONG • CHAI WAN SHEK PAI WAN*
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974
’ 3 ’
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIETY TOWARDSHANDICAPPED PEOPLE
PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE HANDICAPPED ARE CHANGING AND THIS IS LEADING TO BETTER CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS IN FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR THEM, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY.
+THE PUBLIC IS BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND HANDICAPPED PEOPLE BETTER AND TO RECOGNISE THEIR RIGHTFUL STATUS IN SOCIETY AS WELL AS THE CONTRIBUTORY ECONOMIC ROLE THEY MIGHT PLAY.+ HE SAID.
THIS CHANGE OF ATTITUDE HAS GIVEN FIRM DIRECTION TO THOSE IN THE WELFARE FIELD AS REGARDS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION WORK, MR. LEE TOLD THE TAI PING SHAN LION'S CLUB AT ITS LUNCHEON MEETING.
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF REHABILITATION, HE POINTED OUT, WERE TO PROVIDE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE - THE BLIND, THE DEAF, THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED, THE MENTALLY-RETARDED AND EX-MENTAL PATIENTS -WITH SUITABLE CARE, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND CAREER GUIDANCE.
+THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO RESTORE AND DEVELOP THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL TO THE BEST OF HIS CAPACITY. MUCH AS THIS KIND OF WELFARE WORK ESTABLISHES THE PERSONAL RIGHTS OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, IT ALSO REFLECTS THE CHANGING ATTITUDE OF SOCIETY TOWARDS THE RECOGNITION OF THE EXISTENCE OF THESE LESS ' FORTUNATE ONES.+
IN THE PAST, HE NOTED, MANY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WERE ABANDONED BY BOTH THEIR FAMILIES AND SOCIETY ALIKE BECAUSE THE PUBLIC PRESUMPTION WAS THAT THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DEFORMITIES WERE USELESS MEMBERS OF SOCIETY UNABLE TO MAKE ANY CONTRIBUTION AND WERE SUCKING OUT ITS RESOURCES INSTEAD.
BUT RAPID SOCIAL PROGRESS, THE SPREAD OF EDUCATION AND MASS COMMUNICATION COUPLED WITH THE INCREASE IN ECONOMIC NEEDS, HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A GRADUAL RE-ASSESSMENT OF THE POSITION OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN LABELLED +SOC1ETY'-S BURDEN+.
MR. LEE TOLD THE MEETING THAT THOUGH REHABILITATION WORK WAS EXPANDING ALL THE TIME, THERE WERE STILL SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THESE PEOPLE SUCH AS BELIEF THAT DEFORMITY WAS PUNISHMENT IMPOSED ON THE PRESENT GENERATION BECAUSE OF THE MISDEEDS OF THEIR FORBEARS OR THAT MEETING A BLIND HAN WAS Ai-1 ILL OMEN.
+WHATEVER THESE IRRATIONAL NOTIONS MIGHT BE, IT MUST BE POINTED OUT THAT OVER-PAMPERING OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OR JUST LEAVING THEM TO THEMSELVES COULD IN NO WAY ASSIST THEIR REHAB IL I TAT ION.+
/MR. LEE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974.
- 4 -
MR. LEE SAID THAT REHABILITATION WORK IN HONG KONG UAS UNDERTAKEN BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDING A VARIETY OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED RANGING FROM SPECIAL EDUCATION TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
+AS A RESULT OF CONSCIENTIOUS EFFORTS MADE IN ALL DIRECTIONS THE WORK OF REHABILITATION IS GRADUALLY ASSUMING A BETTER SHAPE,+ HE SAID AND WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT UNDER THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WIL BE EXPANDING WELFARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED IN MANY AREAS.
BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT WHILE, THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL WELFARE WORK IN THE FUTURE RELIES TO A LARGE EXTENT ON THE EFFECTIVE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL VOLUNTARY AGENC IES= UNFLAGGING SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC WAS ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT ■ ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
-----o------
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL FIRES DOWN THIS YEAR
THE NUMBER OF FIRES DURING YESTERDAY'S CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL WAS 38, OF WHICH 18 WERE GRASS FIRES. LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 52 FIRES, MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF WHICH WERE GRASS OR FOREST FIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE'SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT, ALTHOUGH THE IMPROVEMENT OVER 1973 WAS WELCOMED, THE FIGURE OF 38 FIRES WAS STILL DOUBLE THE DAILY AVERAGE SO FAR THIS MONTH.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE DECREASE PARTLY TO PRE—FESTIVAL PUBLICITY, WHICH HAD URGED PICNICKERS AND WORSHIPPERS TO EXERCISE CARE,BUT ALSO TO THE DAMP CONDITION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE DUE TO LAST WEEK'S TYPHOON.
+BECAUSE OF THE RECENT RAIN,+ HE SAID, +IT WAS NOT SO EASY TO START A FIRE THROUGH CARELESSNESS, ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE STILL MANAGED TO DO S0.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FESTIVAL WAS ALWAYS ONE OF THE FIRS’ ' SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S BUSIEST DAYS BECAUSE OF DRY CONDITIONS AND THE MASS EXODUS OUT OF DOORS BY THE POPULATION.
HE SAID THE RETURN OF LOW HUMIDITY FOLLOWING THE PASSING OF TYPHOON CARMEN MEANT THAT THE COUNTRYSIDE WOULD SOON BECOME +TINDER DRY+ AGAIN AND VISITORS TO RURAL AREAS AT WEEKENDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH REQUESTS TO BE CAREFUL WITH CIGARETTE ENDS, MATCHES AND BARBECUE FIRES.
- 0 - -
/5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974.
- 5 -WATER SITUATION REPORT * * * * *
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY CTHURSDAY} STOOD AT 48,481 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 72 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67»3OO MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 62,356 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 32,154 MILLION • GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,240 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 63.7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,865.4 MM C73«44 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2080.1 MM (81.89 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 10.3 PER CENT.
CHIEF JUSTICE TO INSPECT PASSING-OUT PARADE *******
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS, WILL INSPECT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF PRISONS OFFICERS AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY, AT 11 A.M. ON SATURDAY C OCTOBER 26).
TAKING PART IN THE PARADE WILL BE 16 OFFICERS AND 147 ASSISTANT OFFICERS 11. THEY INCLUDE ONE WOMAN OFFICER AND THREE ASSISTANT WOMAN OFFICERS.
MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE BAND OF THE CAPE COLLINSON TRAINING CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO’ COVER THE EVENT.
-----0-----
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE
X- * * X- *
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY CTHURSDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE • j
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGA I GOOD —
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.80
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE” PR ICES OF SWINE •
CALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
C$/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 CAVERAGE)
/SUPPLD’S AND......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
CFMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
SPECIES OF SUPPLY > HIGH LOW MODE •
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 6.30 2.50 4.40
big-eyes L1M1 TED 3.50 0.60 2.40
SQUID x LIMITED 5.00 3.00 4.00
HAIR-TAILS LIMITED * 2.80 1.40 1.90
LIZARD FISHES NORMAL 4.30 1.20 2.00
CROAKERS NORMAL 2.70 0.50 1.50
CONQER—PIKE-EELS L1M1 TEO 3.70 2.20 3.00
MELON COAT LIMITED 4.20 1.20 . 3*20
BREAMS SCARCE 6.00 5.00 5.50
YELLOW BELLY — NO SALE
MACKERELS SCARCE 4.20 1.80 3.00
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.30
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1.60 1.20 1.40
HORSE—HEAD LIMITED 5.50 2.00 4.00
MELON SEED NORMAL 4.00 2.00 3.00
POMFRETS SCARCE 13.00 8.50 11.00
GAROUPAS LIMITED 14.00 6.50 11.50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 9.00 6.50 8.00
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CVMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY>
HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE SCARCE 3.00 0.80 2.20
WHITE CABBAGE SCARCE - 2.20 0.60 1.60
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 2.00 0.60 1.50
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.50 0.60 1.00
CHINESE KALE SCARCE 2.80 1.00 2.00 . ' •'
STRING BEANS SCARCE 3-00 1.20 2.20
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.60 0.50 1.40
SPINACH SCARCE 3-50 0.80 2.20
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.00 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.80 0.80 1.60
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.80 0.60 1.20
TOMATO SCARCE 3.80 2.00 3.00
-...—...4hK](i»]..........
Ig si IflM
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25. 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE KO.
TRAIN FARES TO GO UP NEXT MONTH.......................... 1
MORE OLD PARKING METERS TO BE REPLACED................... 3
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WELCOMED ....... 4
WATER SITUATION REPORT..............'.................... 4
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ENDORSES REPORT ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS ................................ 5
GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES ............. 6
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLD NORTHCOTE TRAINING COLLEGE .... 6
NINE HONG KONG SCHOLARSHIP AWARD-HOLDERS STUDYING AT UNIVERSITIES IN BRITAIN ................................. 7
EMPLOYERS URGED TO DRAW UP TYPHOON RULES TO GUIDE WORKERS DURING THE APPROACH OF A STORM .................. 8
SURVEY ON MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG................................................ 9
TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERS........................ 10
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD. < COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974.
- 1 -
K.C.R. FARE STRUCTURE TO BE REVISED ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
AN INCREASE IN FARES AND A REVISED STRUCTURE WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY FOR ITS PASSENGER SERVICES BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER .4, 1974.
THE FARE INCREASES RANGE FROM 27 TO 60 PER QENT WITH AN AVERAGE OF 35 PER CENT.
THERE WILL BE HALF FARE CONCESSIONS FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGE OF THREE AND 12 YEARS AND FOR STUDENTS ON WEEKDAYS, DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS. SCHOLAR TICKETS, VALID FOR SIX MONTHS, WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO APPROVED STUDENTS AT $48 EACH.
THE NEW STRUCTURE WILL INCLUDE THE ABOLITION OF THE THREE-MONTH SEASON TICKET. THE PRICE FOR THE MONTHLY TICKET WILL BE CALCULATED ON BASIS OF 40 INSTEAD OF 30 SINGLE JOURNEYS A MONTH. SINCE THEY ARE NORMALLY USED FOR 52 JOURNEYS, THE DISCOUNT FOR TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE OVER 20 PER CENT.
ANNOUNCING THE REVISION TODAY, THE KCR GENERAL MANAGER, MR. REG. GREGORY, SAID THE INCREASE IN FARES IS THE FIRST IN 27 YEARS AND WAS DECIDED AFTER A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THAT SURPLUSES HAVE TENDED TO DECLINE IN RECENT YEARS AND OPERATING COSTS HAVE RISEN SHARPLY. IN THE CURRENT YEAR FUEL COSTS WILL BE $1 MILLION MORE THAN THEY WERE IN 1973/74.
+THIS.+ MR. GREGORY SAID, +COUPLED WITH AN INCREASE OF
$1.7 MILLION FOR WAGES AND AN ESTIMATED DECLINE IN FREIGHT REVENUE OF ABOUT $1.5 MILLION SHOWED THAT THE KCR WOULD HAVE HAD A DEFICIT AT THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, UNLESS THE INCREASE IS INTRODUCED.*
IN RETURN FOR THE FARES INCREASE PASSENGERS WILL FIND THAT TRAINS WILL HAVE’MORE SEATS, ABOUT HALF OF THE COACHES WILL BE NEW AND, IN ADDITION, IT IS HOPED THAT EEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, IT WILL EE POSSIBLE TO OPERATE DAILY AH ADDITIONAL FIVE TRAINS EACH WAY BETWEEN UNIVERSITY AND KOWLOON STATIONS, SORE OF UH’CH WILL FURTHER ASSIST IN REDUCING OVER-CROWDING IN THE PEAK HOURS.
UNDER THE REVISED STRUCTURE, THERE WILL ONLY BE TWO CLASSES OF FARES - FIRST CLASS AND ORDINARY CLASS, WITH THE PRESENT SECOND AND THIRD CLASSES ELIMINATED.
IT SHOULD DE NOTED THAT ALL EXISTING MONTHLY AND SEASON TICKETS, PURCHASED BEFORE THE DATE OF THE INCREASE WILL BE VALID UNTIL THEIR DATE OF EXPIRY WITHOUT AH INCREASE IN PRICE. ALSO, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO SECOND CLASS COACHES, HOLDERS OF SECOND CLASS TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE FIRST CLASS COACHES DURING THE VALIDITY OF THEIR TICKET.
/A SPECIAL ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
2
A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE NEW STRUCTURE, HE ADDED, WAS THAT IT IS BASED ON A TAPERED—MILEAGE SCALE SO THAT THE LONGER THE JOURNEY, THE SMALLER WILL BE THE FARE INCREASE PER MILE.
+THIS IS DONE WITH SPECIAL REGARD FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN FANLIHQ, SHEUNG SHU I, TAI PO AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS AS.THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DEPENDENT ON TRAINS FOR THEIR TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS TO KOWLOON AND HAVE THE SMALLEST RATE OF INCREASE.*
ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT THE ORDINARY FARE BETWEEN TSIN SHA TSUI AND RONG KOK IS RAISED BY 60 PER CENT TO 40 CENTS. THIS WILL TEND TO PROVIDE MORE SPACE FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELLING ON LONGER JOURNEYS.
BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 4, KCR WILL ALSO INTRODUCE PRE-BOOKING FOR FIRST CLASS TICKET HOLDERS, EXCEPT ON FESTIVAL DAYS. THIS MEANS THAT FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS WILL KO LONGER HAVE TO QUEUE UP AT THE LAST MINUTE FOR A TICKET BUT INSTEAD WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE ADVANCE BOOKINGS, INITIALLY ONE DAY EARLIER. IF THEY PURCHASE THEIR TICKET WHEN MAKING THE RESERVATION THERE WILL BE N0 EXTRA CHARGE.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE, MR. GREGORY STRESSED THAT THE PRIMARY OBJECT OF THE INCREASE IN FARES WAS TO MAINTAIN THE VIABILITY OF THE RAILWAY IN RELATION TO THE NEED TO PROVIDE SURPLUSES FOR.FUTURE INVESTMENT.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE DOUBLE-TRACKING OF THE LINES BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN, THE OPENING OF THE NEW TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM, AIR-CONDITIONING OF FOUR OUT OF THE 40 NEW CARRIAGES, AND THE RE-CONSTRUCTION OF MONG KOK AND SHA TIN STATIONS.
HE STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS, AND OTHERS WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL FOLLOW, WILL BRING ABOUT A MORE COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT RAILWAY SERVICE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND ENABLE FUTURE FARE LEVELS TO REMAIN STABLE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A TABLE OF THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G.I.S. PRESS ROOM, 6 TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25» 1974
3
MORE OLD PARKING METERS TO BE REPLACED
* ft ft ft r
A PARKING METER CONVERSION PROGRAMME WILL START NEXT TUESDAY COCTOBER 29) ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN AREAS WHERE OLD METERS HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED BY THE NEW-RATE TYPE.
ABOUT 1,670 NEW METERS WILL BE INSTALLED TO REPLACE OLD METERS IN WESTERN DISTRICT, THE PEAK, HAPPY VALLEY, CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT. METERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONVERTED IN CENTRAL AND WANCHAI ON HONG KONG ISLAND AS WELL AS IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND YAU MA TEI IN KOWLOON.
THE NEW METER SCHEME AIMS AT FURTHER RATIONING THE LIMITED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE A BETTER TURNOVER OF PARKING FACILITIES FOR SHORT-TERM PARKERS.
THE CONVERSION PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL BE SPREAD OVER 12 WORKING DAYS, WILL START IN VILLAGE ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY AND THEN PROGRESS UP TO HOI KWONG STREET IN NORTH POINT.
THE NEW METERS ACCEPT ONLY 50-CENT OR ONE DOLLAR COINS DEPENDING ON THEIR TYPE. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TWO-HOUR METERS ONE WHICH TAKES 50-CENT COINS FOR }0 MINUTES AND THE OTHER WHICH ACCEPTS 50-CENT COINS FOR ONE HOUR. THERE ARE ALSO NEW-RATE HALF-HOUR METERS FOR WHICH THE CHARGE IS A FLAT $1.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY ADVISED MOTORISTS TO READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION PRINTED ON THE METAL PLATE ATTACHED TO THE PARKING METER TO ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT COINS ARE INSERTED.
♦CARS ALREADY PARKED AT OLD-RATE METERS, WHICH ARE SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED TO NEW METERS WHILE THE CARS ARE STILL PARKED, WILL BE GIVEN THE FULL TIME ALLOWED BY THE METERS AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN CONVERTED. _
♦ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO CANCEL ANY PARKING TICKET ISSUED. TO A MOTORIST WHO MAY HAVE PARKED HIS CAR AT A 1O-HOUR OR FOUR-HOUR METER WHEN IT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW TWO-HOUR METERS,+ HE SAID.
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A...
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
- 4 -
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN TUEN MUN NEU TOWN WELCOMED
ft ft ft ft ft K
™E DISTR,CT OFFICER, TUEN MUN, MR. DAVID LAN, TODAY SAID HE WOULD WELCOME AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN THE NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN.
^ROUP OF ABOUT 150 AMERICAN REAL ESTATE AGENTS VISITING HONG KONG, HR. LAN SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S 1NTEN1ON THAT TUEN MUN SHOULD BE THE HOME
AS
ENGINEERS, SCHOLARS AND ENTREPRENEURS, AS AND JUNIOR OFFICE WORKERS= ALL FORMING AN NEW TOWN.
FOR EXECUTIVES, WELL AS BLUE-COLLAR INTEGRAL PART OF THE
PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID, HAD PLAY IN HELPING TO BUILD THE NEW TOWN, SELF-CONTAINED WITH ADEQUATE EMPLOYMENT FACILITIES.
AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL BE
OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNIFY
+FOR THIS REASON,+ MR. LAN ADDED, +LAND HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AND MORE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT BY THE PRIVATE
UPON COMPLETION, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WILL COVER A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 2,700 ACRES, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF WHICH WILL BE RECLAIMED FROM THE SEABED IN CASTLE PEAK BAY.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE VISITING LAND AGENTS WAS THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SAI KUNG, MR. CLIVE OXLEY, WHO SPOKE ON VILLAGE LIFE' IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
------0 - - - -
WATER SITUATION REPORT ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M.
TODAY (FRIDAY) STOOD AT 48,584 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 72.2 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67.300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 62,175 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 32,279 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,135 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 63.9 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. '
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,865.4 MM <73-44 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,081.2 MM <81.94 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 10.4 PER CENT.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25» 1974
- 5 -
PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IDENTIFIED
T.A.C. ENDORSES IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ft ft it a n ft ft
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED AN UP-TO-DATE REPORT ON HONG KONG'S PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS AMD VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE EITHER BEING MADE OR RECOMMENDED .TO MAKE IT SAFER TO CROSS AT THESE POINTS.
THE REPORT, PREPARED BY THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING BRANCH OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT'S HIGHWAY OFFICE, REPRESENTS THE FINDINGS OF AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF ACCIDENT-PRONE LOCATIONS WHERE SUBSTANTIAL CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES EXIST.
THE FIRST REPORT WAS DRAWN UP AND SUBMITTED TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN IT UAS AGREED THAT THE SITUATION WOULD BE REVIEW ANNUALLY.
APART FROM UPDATING THE INFORMATION ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS EACH YEAR, THE REVIEW RECOMMENDS THE PRIORITY AND FORM OF IMPROVEMENTS BASED ON THE LEVEL OF TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN FLOUS, ACCIDENT RATES AND SPECIFIC CONDITIONS AT THE LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS THE TARGET DATE FOR THEIR COMPLETION.
FORMS OF IMPROVEMENT VARY WITH DIFFERENT SITES. THEY INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF GRADE-SEPARATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLS, ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, FOOTPATHS AND VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN RE-ROUTI NG.
THIS YEAR, THE REPORT LISTS A TOTAL OF 156 PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS 53 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 73 IN KOWLOON AND 30 IN THE NEU TERRITORIES WHERE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN PROPOSED, ARE IN HAND, OR COMPLETED.
EACH PROBLEM SPOT HAS BEEN INSPECTED TO ASCERTAIN THE SITUATION SOME LOCATIONS ARE THE SUBJECT OF DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS IN THE FORM OF TRAFFIC SURVEYS OR BASED ON THE POLICE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT, WHILE OTHER LOCATIONS, WHERE IT APPEARS THAT CONDITIONS HAVE NOT WORSENED DURING THE YEAR, ARE KEPT UNDER CLOSE OBSERVATION.
THE PRIORITY RATING FOR IMPROVEMENT IS CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE DATA OBTAINED FROM SURVEYS AND THE FORM OF IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED.
THE KOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO LOCATIONS WHERE THERE IS A VERY HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW - MORE THAN 10,000 PER HOUR.
THE NEXT ARE LOCATIONS WITH HIGH PEDESTRIAN FLOW C4,000 TO 10,000 PER HOUR), HIGH VEHICULAR FLOW CHORE THAN 2,500 PER HOUR) AND HIGH RATE OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH AND SERIOUS OR SLIGHT INJURIES.
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/6......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25. 1974.
- 6 -
GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES ft ft ft ft ft ft
MINOR AMENDMENTS ARE TO BE MADE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE COMPANIES DEPOSIT ORDINANCE AND THE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, UNDER TWO BILLS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE AMENDMENTS ENABLE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO MAINTAIN WITH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AS THEIR STATUTORY DEPOSITS INVESTMENTS AUTHORISED IN THE TRUSTEE ORDINANCE, WITH SOME MINOR EXCEPTIONS.
PREVIOUSLY, SUCH COMPANIES WERE ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN DEPOSITS EITHER IN FIXED INTEREST DEPOSITS WITH BANKS OR IN THE FORM OF INVESTMENTS AUTHORISED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM TRUSTEE ACT 1925.
THE NEW PROVISIONS WILL ALLOW A WIDER RANGE OF
INVESTMENTS AND IN PARTICULAR WILL PERMIT COMPANIES TO DEPOSIT ROTES ISSUED BY THE KONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY THE PAYMENT OF WHICH IS GUARANTEED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE ADVANTAGE TO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION LIES IN GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN MORE FAVOURABLE RATES OF INTEREST.
- - - - 0 ---------
IMPROVEMENTS TO OLD COLLEGE BUILDING ft ft ft ft ft ft
TWO MORE STAIRCASES PROVIDING BETTER FIRE ESCAPE MEANS ARE TO BE PROVIDED IN THE OLD NORTHCOTE TRAINING COLLEGE BUILDING IN BONHAM ROAD.
THE STAIRCASES WILL BE ADDED TO THE DEAD-ENDS OF THE THREE-STOREY BUILDING WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING USED AS A LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF ’ • THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS FOR TEACHER TRAINING PURPOSES BY THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
IN LINE WITH THE PROJECT, SOME MINOR ALTERATIONS TO THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OF THE PREMISES WILL BE CARRIED OUT WHILE FOUR MORE AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN EARLY DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THREE MONTHS’ TIKE.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25» 1974
- 7 -
NINE HONQ KONG SCHOLARSHIP AWARD-HOLDERS STUDY AT UNIVERSITIES IN BRITAIN »«■»»»»
NINE HONG KONG SCHOLARS COMPRISING TWO DOCTORS, TWO ENGINEERS, TWO TEACHERS, ONE SOCIAL WORKER AND TWO POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE AMONG THE 600 AWARD-HOLDERS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN 4N THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE HONG KONG AWARD-HOLDERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP COMMISSION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM AMONG THOSE NOMINATED AS CANDIDATES BY THE LOCAL COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS SELECTION COMMITTEE.
THE NINE AWARD-HOLDERS FROM HONG KONG ARE MISS CHOY KWAN-MING, MR. HO KA-LEUNG, DR. LAI CHING-LUNG, MISS LINDA LAI YEUK-LIN, MR. LAM FUEI-KIT, DR. SYBIL WU PUI-CHEE, MR. LEE KAI-FAT, MISS DORA LEE WAI-PIK AND MR. VICTOR SIT FUNG-SHUEN.
DR. LAI AND DR. WU, LECTURERS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY, H.K.U., FURTHER THEIR STUDY IN THEIR OWN FIELD IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY RESPECTIVELY.
MR. HO, A DEMONSTRATOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, H.K.U., IS STUDYING MICROWAVE ENGINEERING IN THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON= WHILE MR. LAM, A LECTURER IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT, IS STUDYING ULTRASONIC ENGINEERING IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUGHBOROUGH.
MISS CHOY AND MR. SIT, BOTH SERVING TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, ARE STUDYING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND GEOGRAPHY RESPECTIVELY IN THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, LONDON UNIVERSITY.
MISS LINDA LAI, A SOCIAL WORKER IN THE FAMILY SERVICE UNIT OF ST. JAMES' SETTLEMENT, IS STUDY ING" PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN THE BRUNEL UNIVERSITY . MR. LEE AND MISS DORA LEE, BOTH POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THEIR MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, ARE STUDYING MODERN CHINESE LINGUISTICS IN LEEDS UNIVERSITY AND PHILOSOPHY IN LADY MARGARET HALL, OXFORD UNIVERSITY RESPECTIVELY.
- - - - 0 ---------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
8
EMPLOYERS URGED TO DRAW UP TYPHOON RULES TO GUIDE WORKERS DURING THE APPROACH OF A STORM k ft n ft ft n
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON 'CARMEN', ASKING ABOUT THE POSITION OF EMPLOYEES WISHING TO LEAVE WORK AND RETURN HOME AS WEATHER CONDITIONS DETERIORATED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC LAWS OR REGULATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND THAT IT WAS BASICALLY A MATTER TO BE DECIDED BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.
♦NONETHELESS, IT IS HOPED THAT ON THESE OCCASIONS EMPLOYERS ACT IN THE INTERESTS OF THE SAFETY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES BOTH AT THEIR PLACE OF WORK AND DURING THE JOURNEY TO AND FROM HOME.+ HE SAID.
♦ IT IS IMPORTANT TOO THAT THE POSITION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, SO THAT WORKERS ARE RELEASED FROM THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN REASONABLE TIME TO ENABLE THEM TO REACH THEIR HOMES.+
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: +IT WOULD AVOID CONFUSION IF FIRMS PUBLISHED THEIR OWN REGULATIONS SO THAT EMPLOYEES CLEARLY KNOW ’ WHAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DO WHEN STORM WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.
♦ IN A FEW CASES, FIRMS WHICH HAVE SPECIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES MAY REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO REPORT FOR DUTY DURING A TYPHOON.
♦ AND FINALLY, IS IMPORTANT THAT MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE PAYMENT OF WAGES UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES DURING A TYPHOON.+
/9.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
- 9 - i
MANPOWER SURVEY ON MACHINE SHOP. AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY * * ft It ft *
A MAJOR SURVEY OF HONG KONG'S MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 6 TO DECEMBER 4, 1974.
THE SURVEY, THE THIRD OF ITS KIND, IS CONDUCTED BY THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT* THE SURVEY WILL COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE PRESENT MANPOWER STRENGTH AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDUSTRY.
QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS AND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WERE SENT TODAY TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED BY RANDOM STRATIFIED SAMPLING METHOD.
THE INFORMATION WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY INCLUDES: THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT EMPLOYED® THE NUMBER OF WORKERS AT PRESENT UNDER TRAINING® THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES® AND THE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL WORKERS REQUIRED BY NOVEMBER 1975.
DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT EACH OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS TO COLLECT THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE FROM EMPLOYERS.
THE SECRETARY OF THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY, EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN THE SURVEY BY SUPPLYING THE ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THAT PLANS CAN BE MADE TO MEET THE INDUSTRY'S MANPOWER NEEDS.
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/1O......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974.
- 10 -
TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERS k ft ft K ft a
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY ♦ CENTRE HAS SPONSORED ONE OF THEIR SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUPS THE MOBILE SERVICE TEAM, IN ORGANISING A TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD Al* THE CENTRE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, STARTING FROM TOMORROW (OCTOBER 26) TO MID-N0VEK3ER. ABOUT 30 VOLUNTEERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
♦THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE TO GIVE THE VOLUNTEERS A BASIC CONCEPT OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES, CHILD GUIDANCE AND PROGRAMME SKILLS, AND TO TRAIN THEM SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE UP A CHILD GUIDANCE PROJECT ON SOME ROOFTOPS OF THE ESTATE,* SAID MR. SIT LU I-LUN, WARDEN OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES WILL BE IN TWO PARTS. THE FIRST OF THESE IS IN THE FORM OF TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON SUCH TOPICS AS *THE VALUE OF VOLUNTARY WORK*, ^HANDLING THE PROBLEM CHILD* AND +TECHNIQUES IN HOME VISITING*.
THE SECOND PART CONSISTS OF LEADING CHILDREN IN DRAMA, FOLK DANCING, HANDICRAFT AND GROUP GAMES.
AFTER THIS, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL CARRY OUT A PRACTICAL EXERCISE ON THE ROOFTOPS OF FOUR SELECTED ESTATE BLOCKS WHERE THEY WILL HAVE TO RUN A CHILDREN GUIDANCE PROJECT ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS FROM NOVEMBER 1974 TO FEBRUARY 1975> THE MOBILE SERVICE TEAM WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM DURING THEIR PLACEMENT.
+ANOTHER OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT IS TO HELP THEM GROW AND MATURE SO THAT THEY MAY, IN THE LONG RUN, BECOME MORE COMMUNITY-MINDED AND INITIATE EFFORTS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE,* MR. SIT SAID.
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FKIDAY, OCTOEER 25» 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE » it n- n ft
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (FRIDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTT)
GRADE OF RICE OF SUPPLY AVERAGE
CHINA RICE
SEE MEW S.C. JIEN PO ngai CHU CHO THAI RICE GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD • 2.02 1.86
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.80
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.65
A1 SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
A1 SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD —
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
CALL SOURCES)
GOOD
320 CAVERAGE)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK C$/PICUL~LIVE WEIGHT)
/SUPPLIES AND
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 » 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH CFMO CHEUNG SHA UAH WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
HIGH LOU MODE
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 6.40 2.00 4.00
BIG-EYES GOOD J.40 1.50 2.00
SQUID LIMITED * 5.20 1.40 3-50
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 3.20 0.50 1.70
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED 4.60 1.10 2.50
CROAKERS GOOD 4.00 0.90 2.00
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3-30 2.40 2.80
MELON COAT NORMAL 4.00 2.00 3.20
BREAMS LIMITED 6.20 1.40 3.80
YELLOU BELLY NORMAL 2.00 0.60 1.40
MACKERELS LIMITED 5.00 4.70 5.00
REO GOAT FISH LIMITED 2.00 0.80 1.40
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1.50 0.70 1.10
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 7.00 4.00 5.50
MELON SEED NORMAL 3-70 2.40 3.00
POKFRETS SCARCE 11.00 9.00 10.00
GAROUPAS SCARCE 13.00 7.50 10.00
YELLOU CROAKER SCARCE 10.50 4.30 7.50.
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
CV.H.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF vegetable AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE C$/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE SCARCE 3.20 1.00 2.50
WHITE CABBAGE SCARCE 2.50 0.80 1.80
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 2.20 0.80 1.60
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.60 1.00
CHINESE KALE SCARCE 3.20 1.00 2.50'
STRING BEANS SCARCE 3® 00 1.40 2.50
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.60 0.50 1.20
SPINACH SCARCE 3.50 1.00 2.50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 2.50 3-50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.80 0.80 1.40
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.80 0.60 1.40
TOMATO SCARCE 3.50 1.80 2.50
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TEACHER TRAINING COURSES REDESIGNED TO MEET THE MAJOR. EXPANSION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION ..................... 1
OUTDOOR TRAINING CAMP FOR YOUTHS ....................... 2 ’
ACHIEVEMENTS OF DETENTION CENTRES .................... 3
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ........... 3
HEALTH REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER: DROP IN NOTIFICATIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS.................................... . 4
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................ 4
?£•
c IssQecfby Government Information’Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kon<). Tel: 5-233191
SA'ii RDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1974
- 1 -
TEACHER TRAINING COURSES REDESIGNED ft ft ft K ft ft
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT ITS PLANS TO REDESIGN AND UP-DATE.TEACHER TRAINING COURSES AT THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, MR. WILLIAM FISHER-SHORT, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), SAID TODAY.
THE COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE MAJOR EXPANSION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION DURING THE NEXT TEN YEARS.
MR. FISHER-SHORT SAID IN LINE WITH THE POLICY STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER, BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES ARE BEING EXPANDED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE KOT ONLY THE NUMBERS OF TEACHERS REQUIRED BUT ALSO THE QUALITY DEMANDED.
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANS, IN-SERVICE TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED FOR EXISTING TEACHERS WHO MAY BE SERVING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHERE + UE INTEND TO BUY A VERY LARGE HUMBER OF PLACES,+ HE SAID.
THE FULL TIME COURSES FOR NEU TEACHERS HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY REFINED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AMD WILL INDEED CONTINUE TO BE REFINED AS CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDS.
MR. FISHER-SHORT EMPHASISED THAT NOT ONLY IS THE DEPARTMENT TRYING TO UP-DATE THE QUALITY IN DOTH THE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES, BUT IT IS PROGRESSIVELY RECOGNISING THAT THE TYPES OF COURSE SHOULD BE MORE CLOSELY TAILORED TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STUDENTS.
THE PRESENT PLANNED OUTPUT OF THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION BY 1975 IS 1,660. BUT THIS OUTPUT CAN BE INCREASED TO 2,040.
FROM 1976 ONWARDS, THIS TOTAL OUTPUT SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE PROJECTED REQUIREMENTS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS UP TO SEPTEMBER, 1979.
AT PRESENT NON-QRADUATES SERVE BOTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND IN THE LOUER FORMS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WHERE THEY TEACH ALONGSIDE GRADUATE COLLEAGUES.
IT IS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO UTILISE MORE TRAINED NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS IN THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION ARD TO USE THEIR SERVICES UP TO FORM 3.
HR. FISHER-SHORT DISAGREED THAT THE USE OF MON-C.RADUATE TEACHERS WILL DILUTE STANDARDS IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS AS CLAIMED IN RECENT REPORTS IN CERTAIN NEWSPAPERS.
ON THE CONTRARY, THE NON-C.RADUATE TEACHERS CAN BENEFIT THE PUPILS MORE THAN GRADUATE TEACHERS SHOULD THEY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE IN UPPER FORMS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER UNDERGOING A TWO-MONTH INTENSIVE REFRESHER COURSE SOME HIGHLY SELECTED NOH-GRADUATE TEACHERS FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE FULLY COMPETENT TO TEACH IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS.
/A PERMANENT
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1974
- 2 -
A PERMANENT FOURTH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL BE PROVIDED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1979, IF THE DEMAND FOR TEACHER TRAINING FACILITIES EXCEEDS SIGNIFICANTLY THE OUTPUT OF THE THREE PRESENT COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, SINCE THE HUNGHOM ACCOMMODATION IS UNSUITABLE AS PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION FOR EITHER PRIMARY OR SECONDARY TEACHER TRAINING-
IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO* REVIEW SEPARATELY THE PROBABLE REQUIREMENT FOR TEACHERS AT BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS AND THE APPROPRIATE SIZE OF THE FOURTH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN THE LIGHT OF THESE FACTORS.
IF THE REVIEW INDICATES A NEED FOR A NEU PERMANENT FOUBTH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, IT IS INTENDED THAT IT SHOULD ALSO ACCOMMODATE THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS COLLEGE WHICH WAS OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1974 IN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AT MORRISON HILL.
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OUTDOOR TRAINING CAMP FOR ACTIVE YOUTHS ft It «• It It It
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH WORK UNIT, CO-OPERATING WITH ITS SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP +THE ETERNITY*, HAS ORGANISED TWO OUTDOOR TRAINING CAMPS FOR YOUTHS BETWEEN 17 AND 2J.
THE CAMPS WILL BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 16 TO 17 ARD FROM NOVEMBER JO TO DECEMBER 1. THE DESTINATIONS ARE LANTAU ISLAND AND SAI KUNG PENINSULA RESPECTIVELY.
+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CAMPS IS TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH TRAINING PROCESSES AND ACTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCE,* SAID MR. ANTONIO CHU, OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ATTEND TRAINING COURSES ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN MAP-READING, THE USE OF A COMPASS, ROUTE SELECTIONS, AND SAFETY PRECAUTION BEFORE THEY SET OUT FOR THEIR TWO-DAY AND ONE-NIGHT CAMP.
SINCE THE CAPACITY OF EACH CAMP IS 50, ANYONE INTERESTED SHOULD APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE YOUTH WORK UNIT OFFICE, EITHER AT ROOM 908 ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, HONG KONG, OR FROM THEIR KOWLOON OFFICE ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 405 NATHAN ROAD. EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE CHARGED $10.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1974.
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ACHIEVEMENTS OF DETENTION CENTRES * * * H n K
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR GEOFFREY BRIGGS, TODAY SPOKE
* ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT OF HONG KONG’S DETENTION CENTRES AND TRAINING CENTRES.
ADDRESSING A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF PRISON OFFICERS
AT STANLEY, HE SAID: 4-IN THE DETENTION CENTRES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS STATISTICS SHOWED A ‘SUCCESS RATE OF 90 PER CENT. IN TRAINING CENTRES THE SUCCESS RATE WAS OVER 50 PER CENT DURING A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
4-THESE ARE VERY GOOD RECORDS INDEED, AND NO WHERE SURPASSED IN THE COMMONWEALTH. 4-
THE CHIEF JUSTICE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS SERVING PRISON SENTENCES IN HONG KONG HAS INCREASED AND IS STILL INCREASING.
HOWEVER, HE SAID TWO MORE INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE IN SERVICE BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
SIR GEOFFREY EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MORE PRISONS WOULD BE BUILT TO COPE WITH THE NEED FOR MORE ACCOMMODATION.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH BY URGING THE OFFICERS TO STAND FIRM AGAINST SPECIAL REQUESTS MADE BY THE PRISONERS, FOR YIELDING TO THESE THEY WOULD EASILY LEAD THEMSELVES INTO CORRUPTION.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 16 OFFICERS OFFICERS 11.
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INTRODUCTION OF A NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX # * * X *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR. DAVID WHITELEGGE, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE THEATRE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5/F» ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 23) AT 3 P.M.
AT THE CONFERENCE, MR. WHITELEGGE WILL ANNOUNCE THE INTRODUCTION OF NEU CONSUMER PRICES INDEX, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY REPLACE THE EXISTING C.P.I.
REPRESENTATIVES OF MEDIA ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND.
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A....
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1974
- 4 -HEALTH REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER DROP IN NOTIFICATIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS
HEALTH RETURNS FOR SEPTEMBER ISSUED TODAY BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOU THAT THERE WERE DROPS IN CASES OF, AND DEATHS CAUSED BY TUBERCULOSIS.
IN AUGUST, THERE WERE 735 NOTIFICATIONS AND 74 DEATHS, WHILE IN SEPTEMBER, THE FIGURES WERE 707 AND 56 RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCIDENCE OF MEASLES DROPPED TO TWO FROM THE FOUR RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ’AND NO DEATHS RESULTED FROM THE DISEASE.
CHICKENPOX CASES ROSE FROM SIX TO NINE.
THERE WERE INCREASES ALSO IN THE INCIDENCES OF BOTH ENTERIC FEVER AND BACILLARY DYSENTERY. THE FIRST ROSE FROM 34 TO 55; AND THE SECOND FROM 28 TO 34.
THREE CASES OF AMOEBIASIS WERE REPORTED, 16 OF FOOD POISONING ONE OF SCRUB TYPHUS, 66 OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, AND EIGHT OF TETANUS.
THE OTHER DEATHS DURING SEPTEMBER, IN ADDITION TO THE 56 FROM TUBERCULOSIS, WERE ONE FROM AMOEBIASIS, ONE FROM VIRAL HEPATITIS, AND TWO FROM TETANUS, MAKING A TOTAL OF 60 —— A DROP FROM THE 87 RECORDED IN AUGUST.
NO CASES OF DIPHTHERIA WERE NOTIFIED. THE RECORD FOR POLIOMYELITIS ALSO REMAINED CLEAN. THE INCIDENCE OF OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SHOWED NO APPRECIABLE VARIATION.
DURING THE MONTH, HONG KONG REMAINED FREE FROM CHOLERA AND OTHER QUARANTINABLE DISEASES.
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WATER SITUATION. REPORT M- M- X- * M-
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (OCTOBER 26) STOOD AT 48,646 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 72-3 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPCITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 62,033 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 32,380 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 48,062 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE'S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 64.1 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A TRACE OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,082.1 MM (81.97 IN). TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,865.4 MM (73«44 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 10.4 PER CENT.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 197*.
CONTENTS PAGE MO.
BIGGER LOANS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT .............. 1
HEALTHIER BABIES AND FEWER INFANT MORTALITIES IN RECENT YEARS ........................................... 2
SMOKERS URGED TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH THEIR CIGARETTE ENDS .................................................. 4.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
I SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27• 1974
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BIGGER LOANS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
X- K K J? ft ft ft
BIGGER LOANS TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG CAN NOW BE OBTAINED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S LOAN SCHEME FOR SMALL INDUSTRIES.
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE UPPER LOAN LIMIT HAS BEEN RAISED TO $500,000 — DOUBLE THE PREVIOUS CEILING OF $250,000.
THE SCHEME HAS ALSO BEEN MODIFIED TO ENABLE A WIDER RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE BY INCREASING THE UPPER LIMIT ON PROPRIETORS’ FUNDS FROM $1 MILL1QN TO $2 MILLION.
♦WE HOPE THESE MINOR MODIFICATIONS WILL STIMULATE A GREATER DEMANDS FOR LOANS,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
HE STRESSED THAT THE SCHEME WAS NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE WORKING CAPITAL, BUT WAS INTENDED TO FOSTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BY MAKING LOANS AVAILABLE FOR BUYING NEU MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
♦THE OBJECT IS TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS TO SEEK FUNDS FOR MODERNISING THEIR FACTORIES, INCREASING THEIR EFFICIENCY AND BOOSTING THEIR PRODUCTIVE CAPAC1TY,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL FIRMS TO UP-DATE THEIR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES IN ORDER TO STAY AHEAD OF. THEIR COMPETITORS IN WORLD MARKETS.
ACTION TO MODIFY THE SCHEME HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THE ADVICE OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD AND THE NEU TERMS COME INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE +LOANS FOR SMALL INDUSTRY* SCHEME IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMERCIAL BANKING SECTOR. IT CAME INTO OPERATION IN JULY, 1972, FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF THREE YEARS AND SUBJECT TO A TOTAL LOAN COMMITMENT OF $30 MILLION.
SINCE THE SCHEME WAS STARTED LOANS TOTALLING $1,441,000 HAVE BEEN MADE.
BEFORE A LOAN IS MADE, THE APPLICANT FACTORY IS EXAMINED BY. THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE WHICH SUBMITS A DETAILED REPORT TO THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE VIABILITY ARD LIKELY EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED NEW MACHINERY ON THE FACTORY’S PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITS.
REPAYMENT OF THE L^N IS OVER A PERIOD OF UP TO FIVE YEARS
AT THE PRIME INTEREST PLUS TWO PER CENT TO COVER THE PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE’S COSTS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S RISK IN UNDERWRITING 50 PER CENT OF THE LOAN AMOUNT AGAINST FAILURE TO PAY.
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/2
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27» 1^74
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HEALTHIER BABIES AND FEWER INFANT MORTALITIES CREDIT TO FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE
* * * * * *-X
HEALTHIER BAB IES ARE BORN AND FEWER BABIES DIE UNNECESSARILY BECAUSE OF COMMON INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS MEASLES.
MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR THE BIRTH OF HEALTHY BABIES AND THE LOW INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN RECENT YEARS GOES TO THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THESE CLINICS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF VALUABLE SERVICES FOR BOTH BABIES AND MOTHERS.
THESE SERVICES (WITH THE CHARGES BEING KEPT TO THE MINIMUM IF NOT FREE) INCLUDE BABY DELIVERY, INFANT CARE, FREE VACCINATIONS FOR BABIES, FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE, AND WELL-ORGANISED MATERNAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR MOTHERS. THERE ARE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON NUTRITION, HOME SAFETY, FEEDING PROBLEMS, INFANT CARE, ADVICE ON FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL.
THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE SCHEME DATES BACK TO APRIL 1932 WHEN THERE WAS ONLY ONE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CLINIC IN LOCKHART ROAD. SUBSEQUENT EXPANSION LED TO THE OPENING OF TWO MORE AFTER THE.WAR IN 1946.
TODAY, THERE ARE 37 CLINICS EACH-MANNED BY A MEDICAL OFFICER AND FIVE TO SEVEN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING STAFF. TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE CLINICS ALSO PROVIDE DELIVERY SERVICE.
IN ORDER TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND OF A GROWING POPULATION, FOUR NEW CLINICS ARE PLANNED FOR IN LEI MUK SHU, LAM TIN, NGAU TAU KOK AND LOWER KWAI CHUNG, FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF BABIES AND MOTHERS.
OF THE 80,400 BABIES BORN LAST YEAR, ABOUT 76,000 C94 PER CENT) ATTENDED THESE CLINICS.
ON THIS HIGH PERCENTAGE OF ATTENDANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE SAID THAT PUBLICITY IN MAKING.THE’ VARIOUS SERVICES KNOWN TO MOTHERS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. THE 1NCEREASING APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF THE SERVICES AMONG THE EXPECTANT AND NURSING MOTHERS IS ALSO ANOTHER FACTOR.
SHE NOTED THAT AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE IS HEALTH EDUCATION WHICH TAKES THE FORM OF TALKS , INTERVIEWS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS SUPPLEMENTED BY VISUAL AIDS. THERE ARE 40 TOPICS, MAINLY ON NUTRITION, HOME SAFETY, INFANT CARE AND FEEDING PROBLEM.
+THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME IS MET WITH ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT. EVER SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION, THERE HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE DROP IN INFANT MORTALITIES CAUSED BY INFECTIOUS DISEASES,* SHE SAID.
/IN 1973
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1974.
3 -
IN 1973, SHE SAID STATISTICS SHOWED THAT NO BABY DIED OF DIPHTHERIA AND POLIOMYELITIS. +THIS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH FIGURES OF 10 YEARS AGO WHEN 86 DEATHS WERE CAUSED BY DIPHTHERIA, AND FOUR BY POLIOMYELITIS.+ DEATHS FROM MEASLES ALSO SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE DECREASE FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF MEASLES VACCINATION SINCE THE END OF 1967-
THJS EDUCATION PROGRAMME, SHE ADDED, IS COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT PROSPECTIVE MOTHERS ARE ADVISED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTE-NATAL CARE, THUS .MAXIMISING THEIR CHANCE OF GIVING BIRTH" TO HEALTHY BABIES.
DURING THEIR FIRST VISITS TO THESE CLINICS, NEW BORN BABIES HAVE TO UNDERGO COMPLETE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS, WHICH ARE REPEATED AFTER TWO YEARS. THE PURPOSE IS To DETECT, AT THE EARLIEST INSTANCE, ANY PHYSICAL ABNORMALITY OF THE BABIES, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE LEADING HEALTHY LIVES.
IN ADDITION, BABIES HAVE TO TAKE A DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING TEST WHEN THEY ARE SIX WEEKS OLD, IN THE COURSE OF WHICH THEIR HEARING AND SEEING FACULTIES ARE CHECKED.
A SPEECH TEST IS SET FOR BABIES ONE AND A HALF YEARS OLD. DEFECTIVE CASES WILL BE REFERRED TO SPECIALISTS AFTER THREE REPEATED TESTS SET AT THREE—MONTH INTERVALS.
THIS SERIES OF EXAMINATION WILL DETECT ANY PHYSICAL ABNORMALITY OR UNDER-DEVELOPMENT AT AN EARLY STAGE SO THAT CORRECTIVE MEASURES CAN BE EFFECTIVELY TAKEN.
MANY MOTHERS DO NOT KNOW THE CORRECT WAY TO APPLY DRESSING OF THE UMBILICAL CORDS OF NEW BORN BABIES. THEREFORE BATHING SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED.
A COMPLETE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS, SMALLPOX, DIPHTHERIA, WHOOPING COUGH, TETANUS, POLIOMYELITIS AND MEASLES IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AT THE CLINICS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN.
BABIES ARE WEIGHED EVERY WEEK DURING THE FIRST
THREE MONTHS TO CHECK IF THEY ARE GROWING AT THE NORMAL RATE OF FOUR TO EIGHT OUNCES PER WEEK. IF THE-GROWTH RATE IS NOT SATISFACTORY, WAYS OF BRINGING UP THE BABIES WOULD BE REVIEWED AND CORRECTED.
• . . * *
WHEN THE BABIES ARE SIX MONTHS OLD , WEIGHTS ARE
TAKEN EVERY TWO WEEKS, AND AFTER THEY HAVE COMPLETED THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME, WEIGHING BECOMES A MONTHLY ROUTINE.
TODDLERS OF TWO OR ABOVE VISIT THE CLINICS TWO TO FOUR TIMES PER YEAR. THE SERVICE IS TERMINATED WHEN THEY REACH FIVE YEARS OLD.
ADVICE ON FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL IS ALSO OFFERED AT THE CLINICS FOR MARRIED COUPLES AS WELL AS YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED.
♦J. .
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27. 1974
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SMOKERS URGED NOT TO DISCARD CIGARETTE ENDS INDISCRIMINATELY **»**»**»
THE ROLE OF THE CIGARETTE END IN STARTING FIRES IS PARAMOUNT.
STATISTICS FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD REVEAL IT AS TOPPING THE +CAUSES OF F1RE+ CHARTS YEAR AFTER YEAR.
AND HONG KONG IS NO EXCEPTION.
ONE IN EVERY THREE OF OUR FIRES IN 1973/74 RESULTED FROM SMOKERS CARELESSLY DISCARDING CIGARETTE ENDS OR MATCHES WHILE STILL ALIGHT.
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, A CIGARETTE END THROWN INTO A CAN OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID MISTAKEN FOR AN ASH TRAY LED TO A FIRE WHICH GUTTED THE PREMISES OF A PRINTING COMPANY AND CAUSED LOSSES EXCEEDING $1 MILLION.
IN HONG KONG, A WAN CHAI HOTEL FIRE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WAS ESTABLISHED AS VERY LIKELY HAVING BEEN CAUSED BY A CIGARETTE END SETTING FIRE TO A BED. EIGHT PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES AND 21 WERE INJURED.
MANY OTHER MAJOR FIRES IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN TRACED TO CIGARETTE ENDS AND, CERTAINLY, MANY OF OUR GRASS AND FOREST FIRES OWE THEIR ORIGINS TO LACK OF CARE ON THE PART OF SMOKERS.
THERE IS NO. EXCUSE AT ALL FOR CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES TO.BE DISPOSED OF OTHER THAN IN AN ASH TRAY. THOUSANDS OF THESE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN THE STREETS, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, MANY SMOKERS FIND IT MORE CONVENIENT TO THROW THEIR BUTTS ON THE GROUND, UNCONCERNED -POSSIBLY UNKNOWING - THAT SUCH NEGLIGENCE CAUSED 2,923 TOTALLY UNNECESSARY FIRES AND INJURED 31 PEOPLE IN THE 1973/74 FINANCIAL YEAR.
MOST CARS ARE FITTED WITH ASH TRAYS, BUT TOO MANY MOTORISTS PREFER TO TOSS THEIR CIGARETTE ENDS OUT OF THE WINDOW WHILE ON THE MOVE, OBLIVIOUS TO WHAT THE RESULTS OF THIS ACTION MIGHT BE.
SOME OF THE WORST TYPES OF OFFENDERS ARE SMOKERS WHO THROW THEIR FINISHED BUTTS FROM THE BALCONIES OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. IT IS A COMMON SIGHT TO SEE THIS EXTREME EXAMPLE OF IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR OCCURRING. A PUFF OF WIND COULD EASILY TAKE THE BUTT ANYWHERE. IT MIGHT LAND IN AN OPEN CAR, FALL AMONG DANGEROUS GOODS, EVEN ON A BABY IN A PRAM. WHO KNOWS? AND ALL FOR THE WANT OF A FEW SECONDS TO FIND AN ASH TRAY.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW EASILY A CIGARETTE END CAN CAUSE A FIRE OCCURRED IN MONG KOK LAST DECEMBER, WHEN CONDITIONS WERE EXTREMELY DRY (THE FIRE SERVICES WERE DEALING WITH AN AVERAGE OF 60 CALLS EACH DAY). EXPERT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE END WAS THROWN INTO A PILE OF RUBBISH. THIS CAUGHT FIRE WHICH VERY QUICKLY SPREAD TO A NEARBY AREA WHERE DANGEROUS GOODS WERE BEING STORED. FORTUNATELY, A PASSER-BY NOTICED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONED THE FIRE SERVICES, WHO HAD THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL BEFORE THERE WAS ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE.
/THROWING A
SUNDAY, COTOBEH 27, 1974
- 5 -
THROWING A LIGHTED CIGARETTE END OR MATCH ON THE GROUND IS HARDLY SENSIBLE AT THE BEST OF TIMES, BUT IT IS CRIMINAL TO DO SO DURING THE MONTHS OF LOU HUMIDITY (SAY, NOVEMBER TO MARCH). THIS IS UHEN HONG KONG BECOMES TINDER DRY AND IT ONLY NEEDS THE SLIGHTEST SPARK TO START A FIRE. REGRETTABLY, THERE ARE SUFFICIENT THOUGHTLESS SMOKERS AROUND WHO ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE THAT SPARK.
STATISTICS FOR 1972/73 SHOW THAT LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES CAUSED 1,808 FIRES, A BIG DROP COMPARED WITH THE NUMBER FOR THE PAST FINANCIAL YEAR. A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION OF THIS IS THAT, IN 1972/73, THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN UAS AT ITS HEIGHT AND THROWING CIGARETTE BUTTS AWAY IN JHE STREET UAS SHOWN IN THE CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY TO DE ONE OF THE OFFENCES FOR WHICH A FINE COULD BE IMPOSED. THIS SUGGESTS THAT LITTER WARDENS HAY UNWITTINGLY HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE FIRE PREVENTION OFFICERS.
IN THE PRESENT DRY WEATHER A FIRE CAN START WITH THE SLIGHTEST SPARK. THEREFORE, IT IS TIME FOR ALL SMOKERS TO DECIDE - NO MORE CIGARETTE ENDS TO BE THROWN OVER BALCONIES OR THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF MOVING CARS. IF THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED, WHICH IS SURELY NOT ASKING VERY MUCH, NOT ONLY WOULD A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION BE MADE TO THE CAMPAIGN TO RID HONG KONG OF LAP SAP CHUNG, BUT A GREAT DEAL WOULD BE DONE TO REDUCE THE GROWING LOCAL FIRE TOLL, OF WHICH, ONE DAY, YOU - MR THOUGHTLESS SMOKER - MIGHT WELL BE A VICTIM.
Gisl Irifei
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 f 19?4
CONTENTS 1————
PAGE NO.
TWO NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES INTRODUCED ......... 1
STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ON TRADE
TALKS IN LONDON................................ 3
LAI SING COURT RESIDENTS MAY RETURN HOME........... 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT ........................ 5
GOVERNOR OPENS CHAK YAM CENTRE..................... 6
PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES KEPI' BUSY ............. 7
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES................... 8
NEW DEADLINE FOR CHRISTMAS SEA MAIL TO NEW ZEALAND. 8
10,842 FARMERS REGISTER TYPHOON LOSSES ............ 9
OPENING OF SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE BUILDING ...... 9
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLIES OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
j •
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES INTRODUCED
M M M M «
TWO NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN UP-TO-DATE REFLECTION OF THE MOVEMENTS OF HONG KONG*S COST GF LIVING ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
LABELLED AS CPI(A) AND CPI(B), THE NEW INDEXES SERVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONES - THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARD THE MODIFIED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - WHICH HAVE ,EEN USED FOR OVER A DECADE. ’
THE NEW INDEXES ARE BASED ON UP-TO-DATE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE AND PRICING SURVEYS CONDUCTED BETWEEN JULY 1973 AND JUNE 1974. THE SURVEYS COVERED 2,864 HOUSEHOLDS. 3.600 ITEMS OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES AND 2,000 RETAIL OUTLETS AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
OF THE HOUSEHOLDS SURVEYED. 1,456 WERE IN THE EXPENDITURE RANGE OF $4OO-$l,5OO WHILE 1,408 IN THE $1,500-83.000 BRACKET. THE CPI(A) IS BASED ON RESULTS FROM THE FIRST GROUP WHILE CP 1(B) ON THE SECOND.
THE NEW INDEXES ALSO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLDS OVER THE YEARS AND COVERED FAMILIES IN SATELLITE TOWNS.
MR. DAVID WHITELEGGE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, SAID THAT THE INDEXES WERE DESIGNED TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF STABLE URBAN HOUSEHOLDS. IN THIS CONNECTION, HOUSEHOLDS COMPRISING OLD PERSONS, SINGLE PERSONS, HOUSEHOLDS IN TEMPORARY STRUCTURE AND MARINE HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
ALSO EXCLUDED ARE DISTRICTS EITHER WHERE HOUSEHOLDS WERE WIDELY SCATTERED OR WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THEM CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE OUTSIDE THE EXPENDITURE RANGE SURVEYED.
EXPLAINING THE WORKINGS OF THE NEW INDEXES, MR. WHITELEGGE SAID THAT THE HOUSEHOLDS COVERED IN THE EXPENDITURE BRACKET REPRESENTED ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL IN HONG KONG.
* <•; '
HE NOTED THAT THE PRESENT EXPENDITURE BRACKETS AND THOSE OF TEN YEARS AGO WHEN THE CURRENT CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WAS DRAWN UP WERE NOT EXACTLY THE SAME.
HOWEVER GENERALLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PATTERNS SEEMED NOT TO HAVE CHANGED TOO MUCH. OBVIOUSLY CHANGES THERE WERE, FOR HOUSEHOLDS TENDED NOW TO SPEND LARGER PROPORTIONS OF THEIR TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON FOOD AND TRANSPORT, AND SMALLER PROPORTIONS ON SERVICES, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO.
/IT is
MONDAY, OCtOBEB 28, 1974.
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IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE EXISTING GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND MODIFIED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WILL BE PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE NEW ONES FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS 10 GIVE USERS TIME TO CHANGE OVER.
♦IT IS TOO EARLY-TO SAY HOW MOVEMENTS OF THE NEW INDEXES COMPARE WITH THOSE OF THE EXISTING ONES. HOWEVER, AFTER THE £ MONTHS PERIOD IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO MAKE SOME COMPARISONS,* SAID MR. WHITELEGGE.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT THE LIST OF COMMODITIES USED IN THE CALCULATION OF THE NEW INDEXES WOULD BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES IN CONSUMER PREFERENCES AND OF INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMODITIES.
IN ORDER TO KEEP PRIVATE RENTAL MOVEMENTS UNDER REVIEW A SPECIAL RENT SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED QUARTERLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. AT THE SAME TIME, PRICES ARE COLLECTED ON A CONTINUING BASIS.
MEANWHILE, THE FULL REPORT OF THE 1973/74 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY IS BEING COMPILED AND WILL BE PUBLISHED EARLY NEXT YEAR. f
THE REPORT WILL INCLUDE A DETAILED ACCOUNT ON HOW THE EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS BEING CONDUCTED, METHODOLOGY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AN ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY RESULTS AND A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF TABLE SHOWING THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS.
NOTE TO EDITORS! ----------------- . COPIES OF TWO TABLES SHOWING THE 'WEIGHTS OF COMMODITY AND SERVICE AND ALSO THE ACTUAL LEVELS OF THE NEW INDEXES FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION. r- ' ’
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974.
- 3 -STATEMENT ON TRADE TALKS IN LONDON M M M M M M
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY) EVENING AFTER HOLDING TRADE TALKS IN LONDON ' WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS!
♦I WENT TO LONDON FOR THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS WE HOLD WITH BRITISH OFFICIALS.CONCERNED WITH MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S TRADE.
♦ON THESE OCCASIONS WE GATHER TOGETHER ALL HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN EUROPE AND HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
♦THE PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS WE HAD TO DISCUSS ON THIS OCCASION WERE AGAIN HONG KONG’S TREATMENT UNDER THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES AND FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY.
♦IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR MR. JOHN DAVIES TOLD THE COMMUNITY’S COUNCIL OF MINISTERS THAT BRITAIN WOULD PRESS STRONGLY FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG’S TEXTILE AND FOOTWEAR EXPORTS IN THE E.E.C.’S G.S.P.
♦THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SUBSEQUENTLY RECOMMENDED THAT HONG KONG’S FOOTWEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME FOR 1975.
♦IN JUNE THIS YEAR THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR. CALLAGHAN, SAID IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS SEEKING SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE POSITION OF HONG KONG UNDER THE SCHEME.
♦SINCE THEN OFFICIALS OF THE COMMISSION AND THE MEMBER STATES HAVE BEEN HAVING REGULAR DISCUSSIONS ON THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS FOR 1975. IN THESE DISCUSSIONS THEERITISH OFFICIALS INVOLVED Have BEEN PRESSING HARD FOR CHANGES IN THE SCHEME THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG. , .
♦THIS SEEMED A GOOD TIME TO GO TO LONDON BECAUSE THESE DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVE NOW CRYSTALLISED SUFFICIENTLY FOR BRITISH MINISTERS TO BE READY TO TAKE DECISIONS ON THE LINE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THE 1975 SCHEME WHEN IT COMES ON THE AGENDA OF THE COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES AUD SUBSEQUENTLY OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS ITSELF.
♦THE BRITISH OFFICIALS CONCERNED WISHED TO BE SURE THAT BEFORE THESE DECISIONS WERE TAKEN, WE IN HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT AGAIN, IN THE LIGHT OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
Ae made
IXXIDAT, OCTOBER 28. 197*
. * .
♦ WE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WHILE WE WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE OUR FOOTWEAR, ITS EFFECT WOULD DE SLIGHT AS COMPARED WITH THE CONTINUED EXCLUSION OF OUR TEXTILES. WE WERE THEREFORE VERY GLAD TO LEARN THAT ON 1OTH OCTODER SIR MICHAEL PALLISER, THE BRITISH PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE IN BRUSSELS, HAD MADE ANOTHER STRONGLY-WORDED STATEMENT TO THE COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT R PRESENTATIVES, IN WHICH HE EXPRESSED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE FACT THAT THE COMMISSION EXPECTS TO PROPOSE ’NO CHANGE* FOR TEXTILES IN 1975 AND URGED THE COMMISSION TO THINK AGAIN AND TO PROPOSE THE INCLUSION OF A" LEAST SOME CATEGORIES OF HONG KONG TEXTILES AS A FIRST STAGE TOWARDS THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION.
♦ WE ALSO MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE BRITISH OFFICIALS THAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSAL NOT TO INCREASE ACCESS UNDER THE SCHEME FOR PARTICULAR PRODUCTS COMING FROM BENEFICIARY COUNTRIES THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR ABILITY TO FILL THEIR SHARE OF THE PRESENT TARIFF QUOTAS.
♦ OUR BRITISH COLLEAGUES ASSURED US THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WCRKING HARD IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AND I AM QUITE SURE THEY WILL GO ON DOING SO. THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND OUR CONCERN NOT ONLY AI OUT THE EXISTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG BUT ALSO A1OUT THE DISCRIMINATORY EFFECT OF THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS TIAT I HAVE JUST REFERRED TO. THEY HAVE PROMISED TO PUT OUR VIEWS BEFORE THE MINISTERS CONCERNED.
♦ WE MUST REMEMBER HOWEVER THAT BRITAIN IS ONLY ONE MEMBER AMONGST NINE AND THAT, WHILE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS SAID THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS STRONGLY FOR THE REMOVAL OF EXISTING DISCRIMINATION AND TO PREVENT THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW DISCRIMINATION, THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS.♦
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
LAI SING COURT RESIDENTS MAY RETURN HOME RE-ENTRY ALLOWED - ON CONDITIONS
AFTER FURTHER INSPECTIONS THIS (MONDAY) MORNING BY STAFF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, IT WAS DECIDED TO ALLOW THE OCCUPANTS OF LAI SING COURT, TAI HANG ROAD, TO GO BACK INTO THE BUILDING AND RESUME RESIDENCE THERE FROM 4 P.M. TODAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH RE-ENTRY WAS BEING ALLOWED, THE OFFICIAL CLOSURE ORDER WAS NOT BEING LIFTED FOR THE TIME BEING. AND HE EMPHASISED THAT RE-ENTRY WAS BEING PERMITTED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS!
(1) THE LOWER CAR DECK AND THE REAR PART OF THE UPPER CAR DECK ARE TO BE KEPT BARRICADED, AND NO ACCESS TO THESE AREAS IS TO BE ALLOWED-
(2) IT MUST EE ACCEPTED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A HEAVY RAINSTORM WARNING OR A TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNAL HIGHER THAN NO.3 BEING HOISTED, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING AT SHORT NOTICE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT CLEARANCE WORK ON THE SLOPES AT THE TOP OF THE ROCK FACE BEHIND THE BUILDING OVER THE WEEKEND.
THIS WORK, TOGETHER WITH INSPECTIONS OF THE HILLSIDE AND SLOPES, WILL CONTINUE. AND A SCHEME.IS BEING DRAWN UP FOR ANY FURTHER NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORK TO THE STRUCTURE AND THE SLOPES.
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WATER SITUATION REPORT K * W * * M
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 48,714 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 72.4 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 61,697 MILL ION- GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 32,575 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 47,868 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME,DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 64.5 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1,865.9 MM (73.46 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2,084.5 MM (82.07 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 10.5 PER CENT.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974.
- 6 -
GOVERNOR OPENS CHAK YAN CENTRE # K # M * K
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE CHAK YAN CENTRE IN KOWLOON OPERATED BY THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES.
THE NEW CENTRE, LOCATED AT 47 CORNWALL ROAD, WILL CATER FDR 160 BOYS BETWEEN THE AGES OF EIGHT AND 16 IN NEED OF CARE A <D PROTECTION. THE CENTRE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING FORMAL EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MORAL EDUCATION T-iROUGH INFORMAL COUNSELLING, AND PHYSICAL TRAINING.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS, SIR MURRAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY FOR ITS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION IN THIS FIELD AND COMMENDED IT FOR ITS THOROUGHNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:-
+1 HAVE MUCH PLEASURE TO BE HERE TO OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THIS NEW CHAK YAN CENTRE.
+FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS, THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES HAS BEEN WORKING FOR BOYS IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION. IT HAS DONE EXCELLENT WORK IN ITS FIRST CENTRE IN SHANGHAI STREET, AND SHING TAK STREET AND IN ITS HOSTEL IN UN CHAU STREET. NOW THIS N:W CENTRE, WITH A CAPACITY OF 160 PLACES FOR BOYS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8 AND 16, WILL ENABLE THE SOCIETY TO EXTEND ITS VALUABLE SERVICES.
+1 AM GLAD TO SEE THAT THIS CENTRE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO ITS INMATES INCLUDING FORMAL EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MORAL EDUCATION THROUGH INFORMAL COUNSELLING, AND PHYSICAL TRAINING. THIS IS TYPICAL OF THE THOROUGHNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THIS SOCIETY. WE HAVE ALL WOKEN UP TO THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAS A VERY YOUNG POPULATION, LIVING IN EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THAT THERE IS AN URGENT SOCIAL AND MORAL REQUIREMENT TO TAKE ACTION TO OCCUPY, TEACH AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE. LAST WEDNESDAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I REPORTED TO MEMBERS ON THE THINGS THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT IS DOING.
♦UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. MICHAEL CHAN, THE CHAIRMAN, AID HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I AM SURE THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE ITS OWN SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THIS WORK. I CONGRATULATE ALL THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO BRING THIS NEW CENTRE INTO BEING, AND I WISH THE SOCIETY EVERY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
♦I NOW DECLARE THE CHAK YAN CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPEN.+
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
- 7 -
PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES KEPT BUSY
M M M M M M
WHEN MRS. CHAN ARRIVED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE IN THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, SHE WAS STILL GRIEF-STRICKEN, FEARING THAT HER LANDLORD MIGHT "KICK HER OUT".
BUT HALF AN HOUR LATER, HER GRIEF TURNED INTO RELIEF AND SHE LEFT THE THE OFFICE FULV OF CONFIDENCE, HAVING BEEN ASSURED BY THE STAFF BEHIND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTER THAT THE LANDLORD COULD NOT EVICT HER AT ALL, BECAUSE HER TENANCY WAS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1973.
EVERY DAY, STAFF OF THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OPERATED IN THE 19 CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, SUB-OFFICES AND IN THE HEADQUARTERS INFORMATION SECTION INTERVIEW AN AVERAGE OF 2,605 PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE CENTRES WITH ALL KINDS OF ENQUIRIES AND PROBLEMS.
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1973 CAME INTO OPERATION NINE MONTHS AGO, BUT MANY ENQUIRIES ARE STILL MADE ON TENANCY MATTERS RELEVANT TO THIS ORDINANCE.
ABOUT 79,213 ENQUIRIES ON TENANCY MATTERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, COMPRISING NEARLY 11 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF 711,145 ENQUIRIES HANDLED SO FAR DURING THE PAST NINE MONTHS.
OTHER ENQUIRIES RELATED TO TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (58,446), PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES (46,846), VACANCIES IN THE GOVERNMENT (24.374), FURTHER EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP (71,793). THE LAST THREE TYPES OF ENQUIRIES WERE MOSTLY MADE BY SCHOOL LEAVERS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
ENQUIRIES ON WEATHER AND TYPHOON ALSO SHOT UP DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER, WHICH IS THE TYPHOON SEASON. A TOTAL OF 16,891 TYPHOON ENQUIRIES WERE ANSWERED «•• DURING THESE MONTHS.
A TOTAL OF 505,298 FORMS WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES DURING THE NINE MONTHS.
NEARLY ALL KINDS OF GOVERNMENT, AND SOMETIMES NON-GOVERNMENT FORMS ARE DISTRIBUTED BY THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES. OUT OF THE 505,298 FORMS DISTRIBUTED, THE MOST POPULAR ONES WERE APPLICATION FORMS FOR GOVERNMENT POSTS, PUBLIC HOUSING, PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AND ENROLMENT FORMS FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT EDUCATION INSTITUTES.
. . . . o.. - - -
/8
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
. 8 .
CAUSEWAY BAY TRAFFIC CHANGES
M M M M M M
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED IN CAUSEWAY BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS. INVOLVING THE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING OF SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS, WILL COME INTO FORCE AT 10.30 A.M. ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 31). •
THE SECTION OF WHITFIELD ROAD BETWEEN HING FAT STREET AND WATSON ROAD, AND THE SECTION OF KING MING ROAD BETWEEN GLASS STREET AND WATSON ROAD, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WEST.
RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTH WILL BE THE SECTION OF HING FAT STREET BETWEEN WHITFIELD ROAD AND GORDON ROAD, AND THE SECTION OF GLASS STREET BETWEEN KING MING ROAD AND WHITFIELD ROAD.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE RE-ROUTING WAS TO REDUCE VEHICULAR CONFLICTS AT THE ROAD JUNCTIONS, THUS ENABLING TRAFFIC TO MOVE MORE SMOOTHLY IN THE AREA.
MEANWHILE, IN TSIM SHA TSUI. KOWLOON. THE SECTION OF ASHLEY ■ ROAD BETWEEN MIDDLE ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK OF A .PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY THERE, THE CARRIAGEWAY OF THE ROAD SECTION WILL THEN BE TURNED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WAY AFTER THE SUBWAY IS BUILT.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
NOTE OF EDITORS*
COPIES OF A SKETCH MAP SHOWING THE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AREA ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES.
NEW DEADLINE FOR CHRISTMAS SEA MAIL TO NEW ZEALAND » M « K M M K
THE LATEST ACCEPTANCE DATE FOR CHRISTMAS MAIL AND PARCELS BY SURFACE MAIL TO NEW ZEALAND HAS BEEN ADVANCED TO 12 NOON ON OCTOBER 31.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN SAID THE POST OFFICE WAS FORCED TO TAKE THIS MOVE DUE TO SHIPPING PROBLEMS OUTSIDE ITS CONTROL. THE SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED HIS REGRET FOR THE SHORT
NOTICE.
/9.......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
- 9 -
FARMERS REGISTER TYPHOON LOSSES K « W # W
A TOTAL OF 10,842 NEW TERRITORIES FARMERS AFFECTED BY TYPHOON CARMEN HAVE REGISTERED AT THE 16 REGISTRATION CENTRES SET UP BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK.
THESE CENTRES WERE SET UP IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM OCTOBER 21 TO 25 TO REGISTER THE LOSSES OF' FARMERS CAUSED BY TYPHOON CARMEN. APPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION GRANTS FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND WERE ALSO ACCEPTED.
APART FROM THE 16 CENTRES, 11 MOBILE TEAMS WERE SENT OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PING CHAU, CHEUNG CHAU AND OTHER REMOTE AREAS.
OF THE TOTAL NUMBER REGISTERED, 4,197 WERE REGISTERED AT YUEN LONG CENTRE, 4,542 AT TAIPC CENTRE AND 2,103 AT THE REMAINING CENTRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, HE HAD REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THOSE FARMERS WHO WERE IN NEED HAD ALREADY MADE USE OF THESE FACILITIES IN THE PAST WEEK TO REGISTER THEIR LOSSES.
INVESTIGATION ON THESE APPLICATIONS STARTED LAST SATURDAY (OCTOBER 26) AND SO FAR 762 CASES HAVE BEEN APPROVED. GRANTS TOTALING 3107,000 WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE FARMERS TOMORROW. INVESTIGATION WORK AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUND WILL CONTINUE DURING THE-NEXT TEN DAYS.
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OPENING OF SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE BUILDING H M *
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW SAI KUNG RURAL. COMMITTEE PREMISES AT 3 PM TOMORROW, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENT.
DrnNINE-SEATER VAN, AM 2133, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS THERE AND BACK. IT WILL LEAVE THE TSIM SHA TSUI SUE-POOL AT 2 PM.
REFRESHMENT WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE CEREMONY.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE « ««
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (MONDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOONl
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
AVAILABILITY
GRADE OF RICE OF SUPPLY
WHOLESALE PRICE (8/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE X
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86 -
PO NGAI GOOD w
CHU CHO GOOD «•
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.82
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.65
Al SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
Al SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE . • GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE
GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE
(ALL SOURCES) '
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK
($/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 (AVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1974.
. SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
(FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
• AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE (S/CATTY)
SPECIES OF SUPPLY HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 6.00 1.90 4.50
BIG-EYES NORMAL • 3.40 1.60 2.20
SQUID GOOD 5.00 0.80 3.20
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 3eOO 1.00 1.60
LIZARD FISHES NORMAL 4.50 1.00 3.00
CROAKERS GOOD 2.60 0.70 1.70
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3.20 2.20 2.80
MELON COAT LIMITED 4.00 2.60 3.20
BREAMS NO SALE
YELLOW BELLY NO SALE
MACKERELS LIMITED 5.500 2.80 4.00
RED GOAT FISH NO SALE
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1.60 0.50 1.20
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 6.50 2.40 4.50
MELON SEED NORMAL 4.00 1.70 2.40
PCMFRETS SCARCE 8.50 7.50 8.00
GAROUPAS LIMITED 12.00 7.00 9.50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 9.00 6.00 7.50
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF
LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
(V.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE (S/CATTY)
niun LUW
Ft.OWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 3.00 1.00 2.20
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 2.20 0.80 1.50 *
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 2.20 0.80 1.50
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.50 0.50 1.00
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 3.00 1.00 2.20
STRING BEANS SCARCE 2.80 1.00 2.00
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.50 0.40 1.40
SP1NACH SCARCE 3.50 1.00 2.50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 ■ 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.80 0.80 1.40
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.40 1.00
TOMATO SCARCE 4.50 2.20 3.50
PRH
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY 9 OCTOBER 29, 1974.
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
____•____ __________________________
RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR FIRST-CLASS TRAIN PASSENGERS AVAILABLE FROM NEXT WEEK .............................. 1
KAI TAK SITE FOR AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITY PUT UP FOR SALE .............................................. 2
WESTERN BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY MOVES TO NEW
ADRESS .................................................. 2
SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO SPEAK IN TOMORROW’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING............................. 3
TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF EDUCATION ' '
DEPARTMENT’S *THE ENGLISH BULLET IN+ ISSUED............... 4 .
• V • • * ,
THREE OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT RETIRING
SHORTLY ................................................. 5
WATER SITUATION REPORT .................................. 6
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES . •
/■' Z4
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
- 1 -
K.C.R. TO INTRODUCE SEAT RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS W k it x it
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL INTRODUCE A RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 4). PRE-BOOKING OF 1ST CLASS TICKETS WILL DE POSSIBLE ON WEEKDAYS FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. FOR ALL SCHEDULED TRAINS EXCEPT THOSE OH FESTIVAL DAYS AND HOLIDAYS.
+THIS MEANS THAT FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS AT TERMINAL STATIONS NEED NO LONGER QUEUE FOR A TICKET BUT WILL DE ABLE TO MAKE ADVANCE BOOKINGS, INITIALLY ONE DAY EARLIER AND UP TO FOUR HOURS BEFORE A JOURNEY COMMENCES*, K.C.R. GENERAL MANAGER, HR. REG GREGORY. EXPLAINED TODAY.
CHARTER ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH APPROVED AGENCIES WILL ALSO DE ACCEPTED AND IT IS PLANNED TC EXTEND TEE RESERVATION PERIOD AT A LATER STAGE TO SEVEN DAYS BEFORE A JOURNEY COMMENCES INCLUDING DAY OF TRAVEL.
THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA CHARGE IF PASSENGERS PURCHASE THEIR TICKETS WHEN MAKING A RESERVATION, HE SAID, lUT IF A TICKET IS NOT BOUGHT AT THE TIME OF RESERVATION, A NCR-REFUNDABLE FEE OF 31 PER RESERVATION VOUCHER WILL DE CHARGED.
TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED FROM APPROVED TRAVEL AGENCIES WHO WILL BE ASKED TO COMPENSATE THE RAILWAY FOR THE'FULL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PLACE RESERVED AT CIRCLE FARE, IF THE JOURNEY IS NOT MADE. A DEPOSIT WITH THE RAILWAY WILL EE REQUIRED. TRAVEL AGENCIES WISHING TO MAKE SEAT RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONE ARE ASKED TO APPLY TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
RESERVATIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED FROM OR AT INTERMEDIATE STATIONS.
THERE WILL NORMALLY BE FOUR FIRST CLASS CARRIAGES ON'SCHEDULED TRAINS. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS WILL DE PROVIDED WITH SEATING ACCOMMODATION DURING PEAK PERIODS OF TRAVEL ON WEEKDAYS.
ALL FIRST CLASS COACHES WILL EE IDENTIFIED BY A LETTER. COMMENCING WITH A AT THE MOST NORTHERLY END OF THE TRAIN AND ALL SEATS WITHIN A FIRST CLASS COACH ARE NUMBERED. '
BOARDS WILL EE PLACED ON THE PLATFORMS OF TERMINAL STATIONS TO INDICATE WHICH COACHES HAVE RESERVED SEATS. CARRIAGE ATTENDANTS ON THE PLATFORMS WILL ADVISE HOLDERS OF RESERVED TICKETS OF THE WHEREABOUTS OF THEIR SEAT.
IF A RESERVED SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED BY THE PERSON MAKING THE RESERVATION 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRAIN IS DUE TO DEPART THE RESERVATION WILL LAPSE.
- - - - 0 - - - - /2
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
- 2 -
ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITY AT KAI TAK * * * * *
ONE MORE SITE FOR AN AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITY IS TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASES IN AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
IT WILL BRING TO THREE THE NUMBER OF INSTALLATION ON THE AIRPORT PRESENTLY PROVIDING AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITIES. THE OTHER TWO EXISTING ONES ARE THE DAIRY FARM CO. LTD. AND AIR CATERERS LTD. GOURMET ENTERPRISES LTD. ALSO PROVIDE A SERVICE FROM KITCHENS OFF THE AIRPORT.
A SITE ON WHICH THE NEW AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITY MAY BE BUILT HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR PUBLIC TENDER. SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE AIRPORT, IT MEASURES ABOUT 26,000 SQUARE FEET.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID: +THE ADDITIONAL CATERING FACILITIES ARE NEEDED IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE EXPECTED DEMAND AND PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT SERVICE TO AIRLINES.
+IN THE PAST THREE YEARS,+ HE NOTED +AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 70 PER CENT.+
HE SAID THE THREE COMPANIES PRESENTLY OPERATING PROVIDED CATERING SERVICES FOR OVER 1.7 MILLION PASSENGERS LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH ABOUT 1.38 MILLION IN 1972 AND 1.1 MILLION IN 1971.
+IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR,+ HE ADDED, +THEY HAVE ALREADY RENDERED CATERING SERVICES TO OVER OKE MILLION PASSENGERS.+
THE NEW AIRCRAFT CATERING FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR OPERATION EARLY IN 1978.
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■NEW PREMISES FOR WESTERN BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY ******
THE WESTERN BIRTHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL MOVE AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH INTO NEW PREMISES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF JOHNSON MANSION, 428-438 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.
AS FROM FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 1) NOTICES OF MARRIAGE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE NEW REGISTRY, AND MARR I AGE CEREMONIES WILL BE PERFORMED IN A MARRIAGE ROOM ON THE PREMISES. A SEPARATE BRIDE’S ROOM IS ALSO PROVIDED.
THE NEW REGISTRY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FULL FACILITIES FOR THE REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS.
OFFICE HOURS AT THE REGISTRY WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS. THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-463911.
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/J.....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
-3-
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESUMES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SEVEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL.SPEAK ON A MOTION TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING SESSION EARLIER THIS MONTH.
AS IN PAST YEARS, THE UNOFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK ON A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY. .
LEADING OFF WILL BE THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER. DR. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, FOLLOWED BY MR. WILSON WANG, MR. LEE QUO-WEI, MR. OSWALD CHEUNG, MR. ROGER LOBO, MRS. JOYCE SYMONS, AND MR. P.G. WILLIAMS.
THE REMAINING EIGHT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK DURING THE SECOND PART OF THE SITTING ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 31) IN THE FOLLOWING ORDERt MR. JAMES WU, MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. LI FOOK-WO, MR. J.H. BREMRIDGE, DR. HARRY FANG, MISS KO SIU-WAH, MR. LO TAK-SHI NG,. AND MR. FRANCIS TIEN.
BOTH TOMORROW’S AND THURSDAY’S MEETINGS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE IN CHINESE ON RADIO HONG KONG’S R.H.K. 2 SERVICE AND ON CHANNEL 1 OF COMMERCIAL RADIO. THERE WILL ALSO BE A LIVE ENGLISH BROADCAST ON R.H.K. 4.
THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPL.Y TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON NOVEMBER 13 AND 14.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
- 4 -
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S +ENGLISH BULLETIN+ COMES GF AGE « * « « i'c ft
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS NOU DISTRIBUTING TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF +THE ENGLISH BULLETIN+.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY EXPLAINED THAT +THE ENGLISH BULLETIN* WAS FIRST ISSUED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN 1953 AS AN AID TO TEACHERS .OF ENGLISH IN HONG KONG. THE RESPONSE WAS SO ENCOURAGING THAT FURTHER EDITIONS WERE COMPILED AND THE PUBLICATION SOON BECAME AN ESTABLISHED FEATURE OF THE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL SCENE.
♦ONE OF THE MOST GRATIFYING DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS IS THE REPUTATION WHICH THE BULLETIN HAS GAINED OVERSEAS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
♦WE HAVE HAD REQUESTS FOR COPIES FROM MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND HAVE REGULAR READERS IN, FOR INSTANCE, AUSTRALIA, INDIA, MALAYSIA, PAKISTAN, THE PHILIPPINES, SARAWAK, THE SEYCHELLES, SINGAPORE, THAILAND, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BULLETIN IS STILL, AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, TO OFFER HELP TO THE • TEACHER OF ENGLISH IN HONG KONG.+
THIS HELP IS OFFERED IN SIX DIFFERENT WAYS - BY BRINGING NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN ENGLISH TEACHING TO THE ATTENTION OF HONG KONG TEACHERS- BY SUGGESTING UP-TO-DATE METHODS OF ENGLISH TEACHING, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CLASSROOM PRACTICE-. DY SUGGESTING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN ENGLISH TEACHING IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS- BY ACTING AS A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ON ENGLISH TEACHING- BY INVITING AND ANSWERING QUERIES- AND BY REVIEWING ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS. THE EMPHASIS THROUGHOUT IS ON SOUND CLASSROOM PRACTICE, ALTHOUGH LANGUAGE TEACHING THEORY IS NOT NEGLECTED. THE NEEDS OF CHINESE-SPEAKING LEARNERS OF ENGLISH ARE ALWAYS TAKEN FIRMLY INTO ACCOUNT.
THE 21ST ANNIVERSARY EDITION INCLUDES A TRANSCRIPT OF, ■ A TALK GIVEN IN HONG KONG IN MAY BY PROFESSOR PETER STREVENS, THEN DIRECTOR GF THE LANGUAGE CENTRE, UNIVERSITY GF ESSEX, ON ♦RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH,* AN ARTICLE ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SIX LY MRS. AGNES CHENG, OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, AND SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS IN WHICH HEADS OF SCHOOLS CAN HELP TO PROMOTE MORE EFFICIENT ENGLISH TEACHING.
/THE EDITOR .....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
- 5 -
THE EDITOR OF THE CURRENT EDITION IS MR. JOHN WINFIELD, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, WHO HAS DEEN DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH *THE ENGLISH BULLETIN* SINCE 1966.
MR. WINFIELD EXPLAINED THAT 4,500 COPIES OF EACH ISSUE OF THE BULLETIN ARE DISTRIBUTED FRcE OF CHARGE TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND INTERESTED BODIES SUCH AS LOCAL PUBLISHING HOUSES.
ANY INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS WHO ARE NOT ALREADY ON THE MAILING LIST SHOULD WRITE TO THE EDITOR, +THE ENGLISH BULLETIN*. C/C EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HONG KONG, IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE COPIES OF THE BULLETIN.
NOTE TO ED ITORSi
--------:------- COPIES OF +THE ENGLISH BULLETIN* ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. YOU ARE WELCOME TO QUOTE FREELY FROM THE MATERIAL IN THE BULLETIN.
SUPPLIES OFFICERS RETIRING *****
THREE STAFF WITH A TOTAL OF RETIRING SHORTLY
GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT
MORE THAN 70 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE ARE
un r.^9 MARK THE OCCASION THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPl ifq weI-offK 11%THiMaL>»>
PING -- W TH RFtTrSpnt CHENG SLAH AND MR- SHUM
iNb WITH RETIREMENT GIFTS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COLLEAGUES.
PALMER JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1951 AND HI«? prfspnt THE SERVIC"£THFT^mpNvfad GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES. MR. CHENG JOINED OFECLER?CAL OFTirSVfJ^JJP WAS-PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT POST ”CK I CAL OFFICER I IN 1969. MR. SHUM HAS BFFN WITH tuc
GOVERNMENT SINCE 1946, AND IS NOV A HEAD WATCHMAN,
NOTE TO EDITORSi
BE HELDUoiRffi?Di$0?T J°oC2VE? ™E PRESENTATION CEREMONY. IT WILL
- 0 -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974.
- fa -
WATER SITUATION REPORT
* K K * M *
. THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A M TODAY ST00D AT *8»717 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 72*4 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 61,511 MILLION GALLONS IN STME™ „A1 , ™<S MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 32.661 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 47,763 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY 1 act VEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 64 7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY dur imp
(B2.18H|N)“RNEPRESE§flNG'ANFSH0RTFALL OfTs PER™”?." 2’°87-4 ""
0
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974.
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE K * * # *
THE FOLLOWING PRICES WERE REALISED TODAY (TUESDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE • ___________________________________
GRADE OF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE (S/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE •
SEE MEW GOOD 2.02
S.C. JIEN GOOD 1.86
PO NGAI •GOOD ■■
Ch'U CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE •
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.80
10-15% BROKENS GOOD 1.65
Al SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
Al SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE ’ GOOD 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE • GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE . GOOD
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE (ALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK (S/PICUL-LIVE WEIGHT) - 320 (AVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND .....
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH (FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE HIGH PRICE (S/CATTY)
LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD COOD . 6.00 2.20 4.00
BIG-EYES NORMAL 3.30 1.50 2.40
SQU 1D GOOD 5. CD 2.00 3.50
HAIR-TAILS LIMITED 3.03 1.20 2; 00
LIZARD FISHES NORMAL 4.33 1.40 3.00
CROAKERS NORMAL 3.63 1*00 2.33
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3.20 2.40 2.80
MELON COAT LIMITED 3.SO 2.20 3.00
DREAMS ■MM
YELLOW BELLY NORMAL 1.80 1.00 1.40
MACKERELS SCARCE 5.SO 2.00 4.00
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 1.10 0.70 0.90
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 1.50 0.80 1.10
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 5.80 3.50 4.70
MELON SEED NORMAL 3.53 1.70 2.60
POhFRETS SCARCE 10.03 3.50 9.00
GAROUPAS LIM 1 TED 14.00 7.50 11.00-
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 10.50 7.03 8.50
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLE
1»WJ I ***>'**•* • •———«■<■>«•■»■» avow-*.* - .... - -Tr r- - - _
(V.H.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MRKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY. WHOLESALE HIGH PRICE LOW (G/CATTY) MODE
■».>« , •. . • < • • '• • '•OB
FLOWER 1 NG CALLAGE LIMITED 3.20 1.00 : 2.40
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 2.40 0.80 1.60
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 2.40 0-60 1.60
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.50 0.50 1.00 ‘
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 3.20 1.03 2.A0
STRING BEANS SCARCE 3.00 l.GO 2.20
SPRING ONION LI h i TED 2.50 0.50 1.40
SP1NACH SCARCE 3.50 1.03 2.50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.43 0.60 1.40
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.40 1.00
TOMATO SCARCE 4.50 2.20 3.50
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^RH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974
CONTENTS PACE NO.
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CALL FOR WIDER PUBLIC REPRESENTATION ON LEGCO ................................................ 1
HARD LABOUR IN THE FORM OF COMMUNITY SERVICES PROPOSED FOR CONVICTS ............................................ 4
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK ADVOCATED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.......................... 6
CALL FOR SPECIAL SPEAKERS’ CORNERS FREE FROM POLICE CONTROL ................................................. 8
EDUCATION WHITE PAPER RECEIVES GENERAL SUPPORT FROM UNOFFICIALS ............................................ 10
GOVERNMENT URGED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO EASE OVERCROWDING IN ENGLISH SCHOOLS ........................ 12
GOVERNOR RECEIVES 1976 OLYMPIC COIN SET ................ 14
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974 - 1 -
UNOFFICIALS PRESS FOR WIDER PUBLIC REPRESENTATION IN LEGCO DIRECT WORKERS’ REPRESENTATION PROPOSED
******
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY LAUNCHED A DRIVE FOR WIDER PUBLIC REPRESENTATION ON THE COUNCIL AND FOR WORKERS TO BE GIVEN A DIRECT VOICE IN HONG KONG’S LEGISLATURE.
THEY ALSO ASKED FOR ADEQUATE FINANCIAL ALLOWANCE TO HELP THE NOT TOO WELL OFF TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR SERVICES TO THE COUNCIL.
»
+THE INTRODUCTION OF A PAYMENT WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE AS MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL PERSONS WHO WORK AMONG THE LOWER STRATA OF THE ORGANIZATION IN FACTORIES AND SHOPS,+ THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN SAID.
SPEAKING ON A MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, DR. CHUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE EXPANDED FROM 15 TO 20 AND THAT THE ADDITIONAL MEMBERS BE SELECTED FROM A BROADER SEGMENT OF SOCIETY TO ENSURE +A FULLER EXPRESSION OF THE VIEWS OF THE WHOLE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
DESPITE CRITICISM TO THE CONTRARY, HE SAID THE UNOFFICIALS DID IN FACT MAINTAIN AN OBJECTIVE AND IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEGISLATION WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF WORK AND PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR LABOUR.
■ 1
+BUT FOR SO LONG AS THE UNOFFICIAL COMPOSITION OF THIS COUNCIL IS SEEN TO BE COMPRISED OF MANAGERS ALONE, EE THEY PROFESSIONAL OR OWNER MANAGERS, THERE IS BOUND TO EE CRITICISM AND SUSPICION BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC HERE AND BY OUR. CRITICS OVERSEAS.
+IT WOULD THEREFORE BE A MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IF APPOINTMENT CAN BE MADE TO THIS COUNCIL OF PERSONS WHO CAN THEMSELVES SPEAK FOR THE WORKERS OF HONG KONG WHO NUMBER MORE THAN ONE MILLION IN OUR FOUR MILLION POPULATION,+ HE SAID.
DR. CHUNG AND HIS 'COLLEAGUES ALSO FELT THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SER IOUSLfCONS IDER THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND FOR MANUAL WORKERS TO BE MANAGED BY A STATUTORY BODY. ,, -
.... v ■
IN PRINCIPLE, HE SAID, EMPLOYERS COULD EE ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE FIVE PER CENT OF THEIR EMPLOYEES’ WAGES AND, IF DESIRABLE, SOME KIND OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS COULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FUND.
+THIS FUND WILL NOT ONLY HELP PROVIDE THE LONG TERM'BENEFITS FOR THE LOWER INCOME WORKERS BUT WILL ALSO CREATE THE INVOLVEMENT OF A GREAT MASS OF PEOPLE. THESE PEOPLE WILL HAVE A STAKE IN HONG KONG AND A SENSE OF BELONG ING.+
/HE NOTED THAT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 197^
- 2 -
HE NOTED THAT PRACTICALLY ALL REMUNERATIONS IN INDUSTRY WERE EASED ON THE SHORT TERM APPROACH, AND FOR MOST MANUAL WORKERS RETIREMENT BENEFITS IN THE FORM OF PENSION SCHEMES OR PROVIDENT FUNDS WERE, WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, ALMOST UNHEARD OF.
+IN THE ABSENCE OF WIDESPREAD EFFECTIVE TRADE UNIONISM, GOVERNMENT HAS THE SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT LABOUR WOULD GET A FAIR SHARE OF OUR SUCCESS AND TO SEEK CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT IN WORKING CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT IN LINE WITH THE ADVANCEMENT IN OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,+ HE SAID.,
TURNING TO THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER, DR. CHUNG SAID THAT ON THE WHOLE IT HAD THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF ALL THE UNOFFICIALS ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS HAD .SOME RESERVATION ON SOME PARTICULAR POINTS.
AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT A 25-30 PER CENT PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CONTENT BE INCLUDED IN THE • CURRICULUM OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS SO AS TO GIVE CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCOVER AND DEMONSTRATE IN WHICH AREA THEIR NATURAL ABILITY AND TALENT LAY.
HOWEVER, HE FELT IT WAS NOT GOOD POLICY TO LEAVE THE PROVISION OF PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM TO THE DISCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS. +UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR ALL SCHOOLS IS A KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF REGIONALISATION OF SCHOOLS,+ HE STRESSED.
DR. CHUNG FOUND THE PROVISION FOR TECHNICAL OR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AT SECONDARY LEVEL INSUFFICIENT, AND STRESSED THAT THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE GIVEN DUE EMPHASIS AS HONG KONG " DEPENDED HEAVILY ON INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE WORKING POPULATION.
HE DESCRIBED THE SENIOR SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL WITH ITS PRESENT CURRICULUM AS A +MISNOMER+ AND WELCOMED THE WHITE PAPER’S PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM WITH A VIEW TO INCREASING THE SCOPE AND IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF THE TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
DR. CHUNG SAW INCREASING NEED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS. AND HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT SHED ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ESTABLISH MORE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.
ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING, DR. CHUNG SAID HE AND HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES WERE MINDFUL OF THE SUBSTANTIAL DISPARITY IN THE' GROWTH RATES BETWEEN TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN HONG KONG. +WE HAVE INITIALLY DISCUSSED REVENUE-RAISING CONSIDERATIONS AND EXPENDITURE ECONOMIES, AND WILL BE CONTINUING WITH OUR STUDY AND DELIBERATIONS IN DETAIL.*
/HOWEVER, HE.......
I
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 1974
- 3 -
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT SOME DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE WATERWORKS, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, KAI TAK AIRPORT, THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT AND THE GENERAL POST OFFICE COULD EE RUN ALONG COMMERCIAL LINES AND HE SUGGESTED THAT THEY EE GIVEN INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS OF ACCOUNTING SO THAT THEIR OPERATIONS ARE PROPERLY COSTED, THEIR PROFIT AND LOSS CORRECTLY DRAWN UP AND THEIR BALANCE SHEETS ACCURATELY PREPARED.
ON THE WORK OF THE UNOFFICIALS, DR. CHUNG SAID THAT MANY OF HIS COLLEAGUES DEVOTED MORE THAN HALF THEIR'TIME IN PERFORMING THEIR PUBLIC DUTIES, AND EVEN.THEN THEY FELT THEY WERE NOT DOING ENOUGH. THE UNOFFICIALS, HE NOTED, WERE BECOMING MORE ACTIVE AND VOCAL AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS RAISED BY THEM IN THE 1973/74 SESSION. THIS ALONE EXCEEDED THE TOTAL NUMBER ASKED DURING THE 22 POST-WAR YEARS PRIOR TO 1968.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT FOR THE LAST SESSION NOW CONTAINED 1,200 PAGES, WHEREAS IN THE EARLY 1960S IT CONTAINED ONLY 300 TO 400 PAGES.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974 - 4 -
MAKE CONVICTS WORK FOR COMMUNITY, SAYS MR. WILSON WANG
X X X X X X
SERIOUS OFFENDERS SHOULD EE MADE TO REPAY THEIR'DEBT TO SOCIETY BY PERFORMING PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS CLEANING THE STREETS AND HELPING TO DEVELOP DESERTED ISLANDS, THE HON. WILSON WANG SUGGESTED TODAY.
+ IT IS ONLY FAIR AND JUST THAT THEY SHOULD DO PENANCE FOR THE DESTRUCTIONS THEY HAVE CAUSED TO SOCIETY AND THIS MAY ALSO HELP THEM TO ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES,* HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR. WANG REGARDED HARD LABOUR IN THE FORM OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AS +THE MOST PRODUCTIVE PUNISHMENT* AT THIS TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH EXISTING OVERCROWDED PRISON CONDITIONS, AND SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON THE PHYSICALLY STRONG BUT MORALLY WEAK AND IRRESPONSIBLE OFFENDERS.
HE ALSO FELT THAT THE EFFORT TO FIGHT CRIME SHOULD CENTRE ON 1 THE PROTECTION OF THE LOWER STRATA OF THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE THE WORST AFFECTED BY CORRUPTION, TRIAD ACTIVITIES, RACKETEERING AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR. WANG DESCRIBED THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER AS + IMAGI NATIVE AND AMBITIOUS,* A'ND SAID THEIR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION WOULD DEPEND HEAVILY ON THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.
HE SINGLED OUT ONE SPECIAL FIELD WHICH CALLED FOR MOST EFFORT AND CO-OPERATION AMONG ALL CONCERNED, THE WORKING OUT OF A SUITABLE FORMULA FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS AFTER THE ABOLITION OF THE S.S.E.E. TO ENSURE THAT NO SCHOOLS SHALL HAVE THE MONOPOLY OF TAKING IN THE ’’ELITES’” AND THE ’’CREAM”.
FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, MR. WANG POINTED OUT THE OBVIOUS NEED TO EXTEND EDUCATIONAL T.V. FOR THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOURTH COLLEGE FOR TEACHERS TRAINING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
IN VIEW OF THE PROSPECT OF ACHIEVING THE TARGET SET BY THE WHITE PAPER, TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING SURPLUS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL-PLACES, MR. WANG BELIEVED IT TIME TO MAKE TOO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF PRIMARY EDUCATION. ' ”
THE FIRST CONCERNED COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND IN THIS REGARD HE URGED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO ENFORCE THE LAW REQUIRING EVERY CHILD OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, AND TO AIM AT THE SIX-YEAR COMPULSORY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN AS THEIR BIRTH-RIGHT. SECONDLY, HE PROPOSED THAT THE ADMISSION AGE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL SHOULD NOW BE LOWERED FROM SIX TO FIVE, AS WAS ALREADY THE CASE IN ALL ADVANCED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, AND THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
/WITH THE PRESENT
WOULD EE A LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH
WANG MADE A
ON SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
THE GOVERNMENT TO REMODEL AND UPDATE SO*AS TO COPE WITH THE RAPID
DEVELOPMENT AND THE EVER INCREASING POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MR. WANG ALSO CALLED ON ITS ADMINISTRATION MACHINERY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 197A
TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, THERE
SPECIAL PLEA FOR PROCEEDING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INDOOR STADIUM IN HUNG HOM. HE SAID IT WOULD BE A GREAT MISTAKE IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO DEFER A DECISION TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT MERELY BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
PARTI yTTn GOOD-SIZED INDOOR-STADIUM IN HONG KONG WAS
AND HAD HAD A DEMORALIZING EFFECT ON SSr TOUNO TS-
HE ADDED: +THE URGENT NEED FOR THIS INDOOR-STADIUM SHOULD BE
VERY OBVIOUS FOR WE NEED ONLY TO FIND A SINGLE CITY
IN THE WORLD WITH HALF OUR POPULATION AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THAT DOES NOT HAVE ONE.+
TO SOME FAMILIES, KEEPING SMALL CHILDREN AT HOME MAY EE A DIFFICULT PROBLEM WHILE SOME MAY NOT EE ABLE TO AFFORD AN ADDITIONAL YEAR OF SUPPORTING A CHILD AFTER THE AGE OF 14, WHILE
WITH THE PRESENT AGE-LIMIT, THE AVERAGE AGE OF ADMISSION, MR. WANG SAID, WAS IN FACT 6-1/2 AND THAT FOR THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS, 15-1/2 -- ONE AND HALF YEARS OVER THE LEGAL AGE OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT.
HE PROPOSED THAT DISTRICT OR TOWN COUNCI I pp iid im tuc
NEW TOWNS, ALONG THE SAME LINES AS THE URBAN COUNCIL THIS E i^cai NEATLY IMPROVE ADM I NI STRATI ON EFFICIENCY OF
I RS AND MATTERS RELATED TO THE DAILY LIVES OF THE
WOULD ALSO CREATE CIVIC -RESPONSIBILITY AND PROMOTE HETADDED°*0PERAT,°h BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED,
_ 6 _ UliDUiiSPAY, OCTOBER 30, 1<J74. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOHiEHT RANK ADVOCATED
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL ESTATES
X X X X X X
AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK WITH JOINT GOVERNMENT AND COMMERCIAL PARTICIPATION AND EXPERTISE TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN HONG KONG, WAS PROPOSED BY T^E HON. LEE QUO-WEI TODAY.
CALLING FOR A STUDY ON THE MATTER, MR. LEE SUGGESTED THAT THE BANK SHOULD BE OPERATED COMMERCIALLY AND DESIGNED TO RAISE MONEY LOCALLY AND, IN PARTICULAR, INTERNATIONALLY, AND DEAL ONLY WITH SUBSTANTIAL AND WORTHWHILE PROJECTS.
HE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PROVIDE LAND IN THE FORM OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AS A GREAT STEP FORWARD SINCE +THE PROVISION OF LAND .FOR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN A MAJOR WEAKNESS IN OUR COMPETITION WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES FOR OVERSEAS INVESTMENT,* ESPECIALLY IN LAND-1NTENSIVE INDUSTRY.
HE NOTED THAT A WORKING PARTY WAS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN AGENCY TO DEVELOP THE LAND, AND SAID THE IMPORTANT POINT WAS WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR BOTH SHOULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FINANCE.
+IF IT IS TO COME FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR BOTH, CONSIDERATION MAY BY GIVEN TO HAVING TWO SEPARATE BODIES - ONE CHARGED WITH THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, EVENTUAL SALE, LETTING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ESTATES, AND THE OTHER TO RAISE THE NECESSARY MONEY FOR FINANCING,* HE SUGGESTED.
LIKE HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES, MR. LEE SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PROCEED WITH ITS LONG-TERM WELFARE PROGRAMMES. HE REGARDED THIS AS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S • FUTURE AND SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NEEDED THIS REASSURANCE IF THEY WERE TO STRIVE FOR A BETTER FUTURE, WHILE OVERSEAS INVESTORS NEEDED TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG IF THEY WERE TO CONTINUE INVESTING HERE.
ALSO, IN THE PRESENT STATE OF SLACKENED ECONOMY, THE PROGRAMMES WOULD PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT IN CERTAIN SECTORS OF INDUSTRY. MOREOVER, DESPITE A DEFICIT BUDGET IN'tTHE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, HONG KONG HAD A LOW NATIONAL DEBT, RESERVE IN TAXABILITY AND THE RESERVES TO DRAW FROM IN CASE OF NEED.
MR. LEE WAS HOPEFUL OF A RECOVERY IN THE GENERAL WORLD ECONOMY NEXT YEAR ONCE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE MAJOR COUNTRIES TO CONTAIN INFLATION HAD THEIR DESIRED EFFECTS AND WITH THE HOPE OF A SMOOTH RECYCLING OF OlC PROCEEDS.
HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS. IN THIS HE WAS CERTAIN THAT OUR BUSINESSMEN, INDUSTRIALISTS AND WORKERS, WOULD PLAY THEIR PART AS THEY HAD DONE IN THE PAST. NR. LEE WAS ALSO CONFIDENT THAT THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS . CONCERNED AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ON THEIR PART WOULD STRIVE TO PROMOTE EXTERNAL TRADE.
EXPRESSING THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ CONCERN OVER PRODUCTIVITY IN THE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, MR. LEE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INTENSIFY ITS EFFORTS ON COST CONTROL, AND THAT MAJOR DEPARTMENTS SET UP SEPARATE SECTIONS TO COST THEIR SERVICES. t, I I '1__
I
/HE NOTED THAT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 1974
HE NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF VACANCIES FOR ACCOUNTANTS IN THE COST CONTROL UNIT OF THE FINANCE ERANCH HAD REMAINED UNFILLED FOR SOME TIME DUE TO RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS. +UNDER-STRENGTH AT THIS LEVEL MUST, TO AN IMPORTANT AND UNSATISFACTORY EXTENT, INHIBIT THE MANY COST CONTROL EXERCISES THAT NEED TO EE DONE,+ HE SAID, AND HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO FILL THE VACANCIES.
IN GENERAL, MR. LEE SUPPORTED THE WHITE PAPER ON EDUCATION.
HE SINGLED OUT THE PARTICULAR ASPECT OF ’LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION’ AND AGREED THAT IT WAS BETTER LEFT TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO DECIDE WHETHER THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE FOR ANY PARTICULAR SUBJECT IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS.
THE CHOICE OF LANGUAGE AS A TEACHING MEDIUM, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, HE SAID, HAD SUCH FAR-REACHING EFFECTS THAT A DECISION IN RESPECT OF IT MUST EE TAKEN IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS CONCERNED, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY GO FURTHER IN THEIR STUDIES OR NOT.
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG, HE POINTED OUT, THE INABILITY TO SPEAK AND READ AND WRTE ENGLISH COULD BE A DISADVANTAGE. +WE MUST ALSO FACE THE REALITY OF LIFE THAT, GIVEN TWO CANDIDATES OF APPROXIMATELY SIMILAR QUALIFICATION AND ABILITY. THE ONE WITH THE BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH WILL HAVE A DEFINITE ADVANTAGE OVER The. OTHER.+
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL MEANT J^T SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS WOULD EE FREE TO-CHOOSE THE LANGUAGE OF INTRUCTION . PREFERRED, AS IT SHOULD BE, HE SAID.
MR. LEE ALSO WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF WELL-ESTABLISHED TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. HF NOTFD THAT PLANS HAD ALREADY BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS, BUT HE WONDERED WHETHER DUE CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO REACTIVATE OR ACCELERATE WITH THE PLANS.
+CERTAINLY IT WOULD BE SPEEDIER AND LESS COSTLY TO HAVE A ’GREATER TA IPO’ OR ’GREATER YUEN LONG’ BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALREADY IN EX ISTENCE,*_HE SAID.
- 8 -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOEER 30, 1974
CALL FOB SPECIAL SPEAKERS’ CORNERS X X X X X X
THE HON. ROGER LOGO TODAY CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DESIGNATE SPECIAL SPEAKER’S CORNERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT HAVING TO OBTAIN PRIOR POLICE APPROVAL.
MR. LOBO TOLD COUNCIL HE FOUND IT DISTURBING THAT +SOME PEOPLE SEEM TO GAIN MORE PUBLICITY BY TROOPING TO THE POLICE STATION TO OBTAIN THEIR PERMITS TO HOLD MEETINGS OR RALLIES THAN THEY DO FROM THE PROGRAMME AND SPEECHES THEY PRODUCE FOR THE OCCASION ITSLF.+
HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE PRACTICE OF OBTAINING PR'lOR POLICE PERMISSION FOR HOLDING SUCH MEETINGS EE DROPPED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE ONLY CONDITIONS FOR USING THE SPECIAL SPEAKER’S CORNERS SHOULD BE THAT THE PARTICIPANTS DO NOT CREATE PUBLIC DISORDER OR GO INTO A PROCESSION TO DISRUPT THE LIFE OF THE CITY AND CAUSE NUISANCE TO OTHERS. ;
MR. LOBO NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD ENJOYING FULL FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND HE CONGRATULATED THE GOVERNMENT FOR FOSTERING THIS AND PURSUING A SYSTEM OF 'OPEN GOVERNMENT’.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE STILL MANY GAPS TO BE FILLED, HE ADDED. CITING AS AN EXAMPLE THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM OF WHICH, HE SAID. LITTLE OF THE RtAL FACTS WAS KNOWN. +THE SOONER THE GOVERNMENT IS IN A POSITION TO GIVE SOME STRAIGHT ANSWERS, WHETHER FAVOURABLE OR OTHERWISE, THE BETTER FOR ALL,+ HE STRESSED.
MR. LOBO ALSO REFERRED TO A SMALL PART OF KAITAK AIRPORT WHICH, HE SAID, +IS GIVING HONG KONG A BAD NAME.+ ARRIVING PASSENGERS, HE EXPLAINED, OFTEN FOUND THEMSELVES GOING THROUGH ALL SORTS OF FORMALITIES DURING WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN NO FEELING OF WELCOME-MANY WERE OFTEN FLEECED, AND ON TOP OF.THAT THEY HAD TO COPE WITH AN APPARENTLY +UNSOLVABLE+ TRANSPORT SITUATION AT THE AIRPORT.
TURNING TO SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. LOBO PRESSED FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN WITH PROPER GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
POINTING OUT THAT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE FOR CURRENT OR FUTURE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL RESTRICTIONS TO BE APPLIED TO THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE PURPOSES, MR. LOBO SUGGESTED THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS COULD BE RAISED BY SELLING SPECIAL 5-CENT OR 10-CENT STAMPS THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY USED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE. THIS STAMP WOULD EE IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL POSTAGE USED FOR LOCAL MAIL. HE FELT SURE THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT OBJECT TO THIS ADDITIONAL INCREASE IF THEY WERE ASSURED THAT IT WOULD GO TOWARDS A SEPARATE FUND FOR WELFARE.
/MR. LOBO ALSO
J
UWilESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 197^
MR. LOBO ALSO SUGGESTED THAT ONE OR TWO BUILDINGS WITH SPECIAL FEATURES SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE NEW ESTATES TO UNDERTAKE WELFARE WOrJ SHICE THE NEW ESTATES WOULD BE FAR AWAY FROM NORMAL FACILITIES.
+INCORPORATED IN THESE PLANS WE COULD IMPROVE, FACILITIES FOR STUDY ROOMS TO OVERCOME THE EVER-INCREASING DIFFICULTIES rtHICH STUDENTS FACE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR STUDIES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHER FAMILY ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID,
MR. LOBO APPRECIATED THAT THE MAIN DIFFICULTY IN THIS WOULD BE SUPERVISION, AND HE WONDERED WHETHER SOME ORGANISATION WOULD BE WILLING TO UNDERTAKE THIS, BUT SUCH FACILITIES, HE ADDED, WOULD BECOME MORE NECESSARY WITH THE* PROVISION OF FREE SCHOOL I NG JO ALL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG AND. THE SHORT TERM, WOULD ELIMINATE OVERCROWDING OF EXISTING LIBRARIES AND AT THE AIRPORT WHICH HAi BECOME A POPULAR PLACE OF STUDY.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT DORMITORIES BE PROVIDED IN NEW ESTATES FOR SINGLE PERSONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ROOM-SHARING.
_ 10 _ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 1974.
UNOFFICIALS GIVE GENERAL SUPPORT TO EDUCATION riHITE PAPER X X X X X X
DESPITE THE CRITICISM ON THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED EDUCATION WHITE PAPER, MRS. JOYCE SYMONS INDICATED THAT THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS NOT AS BAD AS SOME PEOPLE THINK.
SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SHE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE WHITE PAPER WAS NOT A DETAILED BLUE-PRINT IT DID OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DETAILED PLANNING.
AFTER MANY YEARS OF WORK AS A TEACHER, MRS. SYMONS WAS CONVINCED THAT +THERE IS IN CUR SYSTEM HERE A QUITE EXTRA- . ORDINARY MARGIN OF LEEWAY LEFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROFESSOR, LECTURER, PRINCIPAL OR TEACHER.*
+THIS FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR THE SCHOOL APPEARS TO ME TO BE RETAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER.BY IMPLICATION AND IT IS A FREEDOM THAT SHOULD EE RECOGNISED AND ACCLAIMED ENTHUSIASTICALLY.*
WHILE AGREEING WITH THE CRITICISM OF THE WHITE PAPER THAT URGED A DEFINITE PHILOSOPHY, AND WITH ANOTHER THAT URGED MORE EXACT DETAILS OF THE CURRICULUM AND THE PROPOSED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION, MRS. SYMONS WAS AMAZED THAT PEOPLE HAD ATTACKED THIS FREEDOM OF CHOICE AS WISHY-WASHY.
+THERE ARE NOT MANY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS AT A LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY OR NATIONAL LEVEL THAT PROVIDE AS MUCH FREEDOM AS IS INHERENT IN HONG KONG,* SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE MANY SYLLABUSES BEING DESIGNED IN THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS. SYMONS SAID THEY MIGHT WELL BE THE ONES THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANTED, BUT SHE ADDED THAT THEY HAD TO EE MORE WIDELY PUBLICISED TO EE ASSESSED.
SHE THEN REFERRED TO THE PROPOSED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WHICH, SHE SAID, WAS ONE FIRM RECOMMENDATION OF THE WHITE PAPER THAT APPEARED TO BE EQUALLY MISUNDERSTOOD.
SHE SAID: +MCST BOYS AND GIRLS IN FORM 3 TAKE AN EXAMINATION EVERY SUMMER AT THIS LEVEL’ THIS WOULD EE NO NEW IMPOSITION.*
HONG KONG, MRS. SYMONS SAID, STILL HAD BOYS AND GIRLS WHO WOULD WORK FOR EXAMINATIONS, SO THIS NATURAL APTITUDE COULD BE CHANNELLED INTO USING AN EXAMINATION AS A MEANS TO AN END -- TO EDUCATE PROPERLY THROUGH A GOOD EXAMINATION.
SHE ADDED: +ONCE.THIS CAN BE ESTABLISHED, WE WILL HAVE A FAIR TEST OF ATTAINMENT AND A FAIR TEST OF COMPETITIVE ABILITY TO CHOOSE BOYS AND GIRLS AFTER FORM 3 TO CONTINUE IN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM FOR THE CERTIFICATE COURSE, AND PERHAPS THE MATRICULATION COURSE.*
+THERE IS SO MUCH INVOLVED IN THIS SELECTION THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE WE CAN JUSTIFIABLY EXPECT PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO USE A CUMULATIVE RECORD SYSTEM ALONE TO DECIDE ON WHOM TO RECOMMEND FOR FORM 4.+
/MRS. SYMONS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 19A
- 11 -
MRS. SYMONS SAID THAT, IN ANY CASE, A PRINCIPAL COULD NOT COMPARE HIS STUDENTS WITH THOSE IN OTHER-SCHOOLS.
WHERE IMPERSONAL ASSESSMENT WAS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, SHE ADDED, THERE WAS STILL ROOM IN THE MODERN WORLD FOR EXAMINATIONS. +SUCH ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF A STUDENT AS A MEMBER OF THE LIVING SOCIETY OF A SCHOOL, OVER A LONG PERIOD MADE BY TEACHERS KNOWN TO AND BY THE STUDENT SHOULD BE A VALUABLE COMPLEMENT TO THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE, BUT IT CANNOT BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR IT.+
REFERRING TO THE PRESENT CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, SHE SAID IT WAS FIRMLY.ANCHORED TO RECOGNITION BY OVERSEAS ■ EXAMINATION AUTHORITIES, TO ENTRY TO GOVERNMENT POSTS AND TERTIARY COURSES OUTSIDE SCHOOLS AND TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITY.
+ IT TOOK SOME OF US YEARS .TO FIGHT FOR THIS RECOGNITION.' AGAIN, TWO YEARS LATER THE .ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION OF THE UNIVERITY OF HONG KONG IS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED,* SHE.SAID.
TO TAMPER WITH EITHER OF THESE WELL-DESIGNED EXAMINATIONS FOR FISCAL OR OTHER REASONS, SHE STRESSED, WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS OR SOCIETY.*
+THE NEW JUNIOR CERTIFICATE WILL COMPLETE THE TRILOGY-AND NEED NOT IN ITSELF STIFLE THE EDUCATION OFFERED AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL. ITS COUNTERPART CAN BE FOUND IN COUNTRIES LIKE JAPAN AND TAIWAN IN OUR AREA, FURTHER SOUTH IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, AND IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.* SHE SAID.
ON LABOUR, MRS. SYMONS AGREED THAT ALTHOUGH MORE LEGISLATION WOULD BE ENACTED FOR THE PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF THE WORKING MAN, THE PROVISION FOR THEM WAS STILL MINIMAL OR EVEN NON-EXISTENT, WHEN COMPARED WITH SOCIALISED COUNTRIES.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID HONG KONG WAS DIFFERENT FOR MANY REASONS AND IT NEED NOT EVER BE ASHAMED OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN HUMAN, SOCIAL AND. ECONOMIC TERMS. >
MRS. SYMONS, WHO SOME'MONTHS AGQ ATTENDED A COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IN LONDON, SAID SHE FOUND OUT THAT HONG KONG ENJOYED MORE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ACTION THAN MANY OF THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED. -
+THE POLITICAL IRONY TO OUR COMMONWEALTH COLLEAGUES PRESENT WAS THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE TRAPPINGS OF DEMOCRACY, OFTEN WITHOUT ANY REAL FREEDOM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL,* SHE SAID. ..
EARLIER IN HER SPEECH, MRS., SYMONS SAID THAT THE QUIET AND REALISTIC CONFIDENCE THE GOVERNOR HAD SHOWN IN HIS CAREFUL STOCK-TAKING HAD ENCOURAGED MANY IN HONG KONG TO TAKE FRESH HEART AT A DIFFICULT TIME BOTH HERE AND ABROAD.
>---0----
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974
- 12 -
OVERCROWDING GETTING WORSE IN ENGLISH SCHOOLS GOVERNMENT URGED TO MOVE QUICKLY TO ELSE SITUATION X X X X X X
THE HON. P.G. WILLIAMS TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE AVAILABLE SUITABLE TEMPORARY PREMISES TO EASE OVERCROWDING IN ENGLISH SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
THE SITUATION IN THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS WAS DETERIORATING BY THE MONTH, HE TOLD COUNCIL, STRESSING THAT IF A REAL CRISIS WERE TO BE AVERTED +THE GOVERNMENT MUST MOVE QUICKLY.*
AT PRESENT, STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN KOWLOON JUNIOR SCHOOL AND IN QUARRY BAY SCHOOL HAD TO ATTEND CLASSES IN OTHER SCHOOLS, WHILE KENNEDY ROAD SCHOOL RAN CLASSES IN TWO ADJACENT BUILDINGS, NEITHER DESIGNED AS A SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, ADMISSION TO KING GEORGE V AND ISLAND SCHOOL WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.
SUITABLE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE-HARBOUR, HE SAID, COULD PROVIDE A BREATHING SPACE UNTIL PERMANENT PREMISES BECAME AVAILABLE. AS IT WAS, HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT A BUILDING PROGRAMME COULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME TO PREVENT A REAL CRISIS.
THE MEASURE WAS NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT AS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN 1966 WAS SOLVED WITHIN A YEAR BY MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION A BUILDING TO OPEN ISLAND SCHOOL IN TEMPORARY QUARTERS.
MR. WILLIAMS SUGGESTED THAT TEMPORARY PREMISES IN KOWLOON COULD TAKE IN THE FIRST CLASSES OF BOTH A NEW JUNIOR SCHOOL AND A NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL WHICH COULD SEPARATE AND MOVE TO THEIR OWN PREMISES WHEN COMPLETED- WHILE THOSE ON HONG KONG ISLAND COULD TAKE IN THE EXISTING ADDITIONAL CLASSES, WHICH COULD LATER BE ABSORBED INTO THE STUBBS ROAD SCHOOL OR BECOME THE NUCLEUS OF THE NEW SCHOOL IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG.
HE WARNED THAT THE PRESENT +OVERCROWDI NG AND APPALLING FUTURE PROSfECTS* OF ENGLISH SCHOOLS COULD PLACE IN JEOPARDY SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT PLANS. NO ALLOWANCE, HE SAID, HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE ADDITIONAL INFLUX FROM OVERSEAS TO IMPLEMENT NEW GOVERNMENT PROJECTS, AND HE NOTED THAT A FIGURE OF 400 FAMILIES EACH IN THE CASE OF THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM AND THE POLYTECHNIC HAD BEEN MENTIONED.
+ INDEED I QUESTION THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING THAT INDICATE SCHOOLING IS AVAILABLE WHEN UNLESS URGENT AND IMMEDIATE ACTION IS TAKEN THIS CERTAINLY WILL NOT EE TRUE.
+CAN WE RECRUIT AND RETAIN ESSENTIAL OVERSEAS STAFF UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES?*'HE ASKED.
MR. WILLIAMS EMPHASISED THAT HE WAS NOT PLEADING FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR A SMALL SEGMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT THEY HAD EQUAL ENTITLEMENT TO A SUITABLE EDUCATION FOR- THEIR CHILDREN.
PLANNING OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS, HE WENT ON, APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INADEQUATE AND EASED ON ACTUAL ENROLMENT SINCE 1954. NEITHER HAD IT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE NEED HAD GROWN AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING POPULATION AS A WHOLE.
/MORE OVERSEAS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER JO, 197 A
- 13 -
MORE OVERSEAS CHILDREN REMAINED IN HONG KONG FOR THEIR EDUCATION NOWADAYS AND HORE NON-ENGLISH CHILDREN SOUGHT ADMISSION THAN USED TO DE THE CASE, HE SAID.
MR. WILLIAMS CONTINUED THAT NEITHER WAS THERE ANY SENSE OF URGENCY IN IMPLEMENTING PLANS ALREADY MADE. THE JUNIOR SCHOOL IN STUDDS ROAD TO REPLACE THE KENNEDY ROAD JUNIOR SCHOOL WAS A CASE IN POINT.
ORIGINAL DISCUSSIONS, HE SAID, ENVISAGED COMPLETION OF THE SCHOOL IN 1973 AND, ALTHOUGH HE HAD DEEN ASSURED IN COUNCIL A YEAR AGO THAT THE PROJECT WOULD DE RAISED TO CATEGORY A IN APRIL FOR BUILDING TO START IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, +NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND NOW COMPLETION IN 1975 IS IMPOSSIBLE.*
ON SPORTS, MR. WILLIAMS EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WOULD BE GIVEN THE MEANS TO BRING FIRST CLASS COACHES TO HONG KONG IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS.
+IF WE ARE TO GENERATE ENTHUSIASM FOR SPORTS IN HONG KONG IT IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF PROVIDING THE FACILITIES. TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE PART WE MUST HAVE OUR STARS WHO ARE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,* HE SAID.
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r
I WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974.
- 14 -
GOVERNOR RECEIVES 1976 OLYMPIC COIL' SET ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WAS PRESENTED WITH A SET OF STERLING SILVER COINS SPECIALLY MINTED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE XXI OLYMPIC GAMES TO BE HELD IN MONTREAL IN 1976.
THE PRESENTATION WAS MADE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE BY MR. M.G. CLARK, THE NEWLY-ARRIVED COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA IN HONG KONG. ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WAS MR. A.DE 0. SALES, PRESIDENT CF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG.
THE CANADIAN OLYMPIC COIN PROGRAMME WAS INITIATED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO HELP FINANCE A MAJOR PART CF THE COSTS OF THE OLYMPIAD IN 1976.
SINCE THE LAUNCHING OF THE FIRST COIN SERIES IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, SPECIAL SETS OF PROOF COINS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED BY . THE CANADIAN- GOVERNMENT TO" VARIOUS HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS. THIS IS DESIGNED TO DEMONSTRATE THE INTERNATIONAL AND UNUSUAL CHARACTER CF THE OLYMPICS AND TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF CANADA’S OLYMPIC SELF-FINANCING PROGRAMME.
HONG KONG, LIKE MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE COIN PROGRAMME. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THREE PER CENT CF THE SALES REVENUE OF ALL COINS SOLD HERE TO BE PAID TO THE LOCAL NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF AMATEUR SPORT IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE CANADIAN COIN PROGRAMME, A TOTAL CF 60 MILLION STERLING SILVER COINS IN SEVEN SERIES ARE TO DE ISSUED BETWEEN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND THE SUMMER OF 1976. EACH CF THE FOUR-COIN SERIES WILL HAVE DISTINCTIVE DESIGNS ALL DEPICTING’ VARIOUS ASPECTS CF THE OLYMPICS. THERE ARE TWO COINS CF CSS AND TWO OF C$10 FACE VALUE IN EACH SET.
THESE OLYMPIC COINS ARE SOLD IN SOME 40 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE REVENUE FROM THE SALES WILL BE ADLE TO CCVER SOME 60 PER CENT OF THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE STAGING OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN MONTREAL.
0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH
(FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE (3/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD NORMAL 6.50 2.20 4.40
BIG-EYES NORMAL 3.50 0.80 2.40 ....
SQUID GOOD 5.20 1.00 3.80
HAIR-TAILS NORMAL 2.80 0.50 1.70
LIZARD FISHES GOOD 4.50 1.50 3.20
CROAKERS NORMAL 3.00 0.60 1.80
CONGER-PIKE-EELS SCARCE 3.50 2.80 3.00
MELON COAT SCARCE 4.30 ■ 3.00 3.80
BREAMS — NO SALE
YELLOW BELLY —— NO SALE
MACKERELS SCARCE 4.80 4.50 4.60
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 1.70 1.10 1.40
FORK-TAIL LIMITED 1.80 0.80 1.30
HORSE-HEAD LIMITED 6.50 4.00 5.50
MELON SEED NORMAL 3.80 1.80 2.70
POMFRETS —— NO SALE
GAROUPAS LIMITED 14.00 6.00 9.50
YELLOW CROAKER SCARCE 8.50 7.00. 8.00
SUPPLIES -AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES
(V.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF AVAILABILITY WHOLESALE PRICE
VEGETABLE ' . OF SUPPLY (©/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE LIMITED 3.20 1.00 2.40
WHITE CABBAGE LIMITED 2.40 0.80 1.80
CHINESE LETTUCE LIMITED - 2.40 0.80 1.80
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.50 0.50 1.00
CHINESE KALE LIMITED 3.20 1.00 2.50
STR ING-BEANS SCARCE 3.00 1.00 2.20
SPRING ONION LIMITED 2.50 0.50 1.50
SPINACH SCARCE 3.50 1.00 2.50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.60 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE 2.40 0.80 1.50
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.40 1.20
TOMATO SCARCE 4.50 2.20 3.50
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LOW-RENT HOUSING SCHEME FOR WORKERS IN FUTURE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROPOSED.............................. 1
GOVERNMENT URGED TO INTRODUCE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME IN PUBLIC HOUSING .......................................... 3
GOVERNMENT STRONGLY URGED TO AVOID ALL UNNECESSARY SPENDING ................................................ 5
PLANNING OF AIRPORT FACILITIES AND SERVICES CRITICISED 7
IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPULSORY PRIMARY EDUCATION PROPOSED................................................ 9
GOVERNMENT URGED NOT TO CUT PLANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES' 11
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CALL FOR COMPLETE REVIEW OF GAMBLING LAWS ...................................... 13
DECISION ON PROPOSED OIL REFINERY COMPLEX URGED ....... 16
JOINT COMMITTEE SET UP TO EXAMINE CLERICAL STAFF PROBLEMS................................................ 18
NEW PLANT TO BOOST SUPPLIES TO PLASTICS INDUSTRY ....... 19
PRISONS DEPARTMENT AUTUMN FAIR ......................... 20
RETIREMENT OF ASSISTANT REGISTRAR ..................... 20
SINGING COMPETITION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS................. 21
ANTI-NARCOTIC CUP BASKETBALL COMPETITION BEGINS TOMORROW ............................................... 22
SPEED RESTRICTION ON SECTION OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD RELAXED ................................................ 22
WATER SITUATION REPORT ................................ 23
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN MONGKOK ........................ 23
DAILY GUIDE TO WHOLESALE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF BASIC FOOD COMMODITIES
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
1 THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974.
CALL FOR LOW-RENT HOUSING FOR WORKERS IN FUTURE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES X XXXXX
A SCHEME FOR PROVIDING LOW-RENT HOUSING FOR WORKERS IN THE FUTURE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON JAMES WU TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DELATE IN THE LtfcI SLATIVE COUNCIL, HE CALLED CK THE GOVERNMENT TC ALLOCATE SITES INTHE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AT REALISTIC PREMIUMS OR RENTALS TO ENCOURAGE FACTORIES TO PROVIDE QUARTERS FOR THEIR WORKERS AT A SPECIFIED RATE OF RETURN FOR THEIR ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT WHICH WOULD AUGMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING PROGRAMMES.
MR. WU SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCH QUARTERS COULD BE BUILT AT A COST OF ABOUT $50 PER SQUARE FOOT OF FLOOR AREA, +MAKING IT VERY ATTRACTIVE TO WORKERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS ALIKE.*
HE SUPPORTED AN EARLIER PROPOSAL FOR A SPECIAL CORPORATION TO HANDLE THE DETAILS OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES SCHEME, BUT FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE MAINLY CONCERNED IN THE DECISION OF LEASE CONDITIONS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT ENFORCEMENT, THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS, GENERAL LAYOUT OF THE ESTATES, ROAD AND SEWAGE SYSTEMS, AND PROVISION FOR INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES.
+THE ACTUAL SITE FORMATION AND CONSTRUCTION WORK TO THE CORPORATION’S SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE USER IN THE USUAL MANNER,+ HE SAID, STRESSING THE NEED FOR EARLY APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS SO THAT USERS COULD GET ON WITH DETAIL PLANNING.
HE WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S MOVE TO SPEED UP AND STREAMLINE PROCEDURES IN LAND EXCHANGES, AND PRESSED FOR EARLY PUBLICATION OF LAND USE PATTERNS TC STOP SPECULATION AND REDUCE THE CHANCES OF CORRUPTION.
WHILE HE FULLY SUPPORTED UNOFFICIALS’ PROPOSALS FOR AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BANK, MR. WU DIFFERED wI TH THE DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN WHO HAD BLAMED THE HIGH COST OK CONSTRUCT I ON IN HONG KONG TO THE. LACK OF COMPETITION HONG KONG’S EXPORTS FACED IN WORLD MARKETS.
IN MR. WU’S OPINION, THE PROBLEM WAS MORE LIKELY THAT THE CONTRACTING AND PIECE-WORK SYSTEMS PRACTISED HERE WERE NOT CONDUCIVE TO INNOVATIONS IN METHODS. +WITH PROJECTS GETTING LARGER AND REPETITIVE IN THE HOUSING FIELD, THE NEED FOR RATIONALISATION AND MECHANISATION IS MORE APPARENT,+'HE ADDED.
ON EDUCATION, MR. WU EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING TECHNICAL TEACHER TRAINEES IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH MODERNrFACTORY PLANTS IN HONG KONG. +IN MY OPINION,* HE SAID, +LECTURERS IN SPECIAL COURSES WHO HAVE NOT COME NEAR A.MODERN FACTORY IN THE TRADE FOR FIVE OR I'D YEARS OUGHT TO BE RETRAINED, AND ONLY UP-TO-DATE TEXT AND MACHINES SHOULD BE USE FOR TEACHING, WITH MORE COURSES RELATED TO MANUFACTURI NG.+
MR. WU SAID IT HAD TO BE ACCEPTED THAT EX-AMI NATIONS, AS NOW PRACTISED, +ARE NECESSARY EVILS,* AND HE•WAS GRATIFIED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONDUCTING SPECIAL STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND SCOPE OF EXAMINATIONS TO BRING ABOUT A FULLER ELiUGA i I ON.
/STRAIGHT PROMOTIONS .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- 2 -
STRAIGHT PROMOTIONS WERE KNOWN TO CAUSE DETERIORATING STANDARDS HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC PLACES AWARDED STRICTLY ON INDIVIDUAL MERIT DY EXAMINATION HAD GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO DESERVING YOUTHS FROM POORER FAMILIES.
TURNING TO CRIME, HR. wU SAID RECENT EXPOSURES IN COURT CASES SEEMED TO CONFIRM THE BELIEF THAT CRIMES IN HONG KONG WERE’ INSEPARABLE FROM CORRUPTION.
THE EXCELLENT WORK DONE BY THE ICAC HAD RAISED NEW HOPES AMONG THE COMMUNITY AND HELPED TO RESTORE JUSTICE, DECENCY AND CONFIDENCE, AND HE FELT THAT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES WERE AS EASY TO MEASURE IN PUBLIC SERVICE IF THE ICAC, THE POLICE AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES COULD SUCCEED IN CLAMPING DOWN ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING, SEX PEDDLERS, TRIADS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.
+LET US SAY THAT IF ILLEGAL GAMBLING, DRUG AND SEX PEDDLING, EXTORTION AND ROBBERIES FREQUENTLY OCCUR IN PARTICULAR PLACES AND ARE NOT PUT AN END TO, WE SHALL KNOW THAT EITHER CORRUPTION, LAXITY OR INCOMPETENCE EXISTS,* HE SAID.
THIS, HE FELT- REFLECTED TO SOME EXTENT THE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE REQUIRED OF OUR POLICE SUPERINTENDENTS AND C.I.D. CHIEFS, AND THE MEASURE OF THEIR MEN.
MR. WU SAID THAT IF HE WAS OVER-SIMPLIFYING, +IT HAS TO BE REMEMBERED THAT THE TAX-PAYING PUBLIC WOULD DEMAND NO LESS THAN SUCH PERFORMANCE IF THEY ARE TO ENJOY THE QUALITY OF LIFE PROMISED TO THEM.*
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_ 3 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974.
HOhfi OWNERSHIP SCHEME FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS a X X X X X
THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY URGED GOVERNMENT 70 SET UP A PROGRAMME TO SELL ON THE INSTALMENT PLAN SOME GF ITS EXISTING OR FUTURE HOUSING UNITS TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR PULL IC HOUSING AND CAN AFFORD TO PAY.
HE SAID: +THERE IS AN IMPERATIVE NEED TO PROVIDE A LARGER CASH FLOW ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDING PROGRAMME SO THAT GOVERNMENT CAN LIVE UP TO THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATION IN PROVIDI'O DECENT HOMES FOR ANOTHER 1.8 MILLION PERSONS IN THE NEXT 10 YEA
FURTHERMORE, MR. CHEONG-LEEN ADDED, IT COULD NOT EE REPEAT D TOO OFTEN THAT THE PROCESS OF HOME-OWNERSHIP WAS AN INTERGRAL PART OF CREATING A MORE PERMANENT AND DEEP-ROOTED COMMUNITY IDENTITY.
HE SUGGESTED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENVISAGE A HOME-OWNERSHIP SCHEME OF AEOUT 10 PER CENT DOWN PAYMENT, WITH INSTALMENT TERMS SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF BETWEEN 15 TO 20 YEARS.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS.
♦ANOTHER ASPECT OF HOUSING WHICH DESERVES TO BE LOOKED AT BY GOVERNMENT WITH A FRESH AND CRITICAL EYE,* HE POINTED CUT, +HAS TO. DO WITH ’HOUSING ELACK-3P0TS’ OR SLUM DISTRICTS IN THE.URBAN AREAS WHERE HONG KONG BORN OR LONG-TERM RESIDENTS HAVE DEEN LIVING FOR TOO LONG IN OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS IN OLD SLUM BUILDINGS,* HE SAID.
♦THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF SUCH ’BLACK-SPOTS’ WHICH ARE TO EE FOUND IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, IN YAUMATI, IN MONG KOK AND PERHAPS IN ONE OR TWO OTHER DISTRICTS.* A
HE CONTINUED: +SINCE IT WILL TAKE MANY YEARS BEFORE URBAN RENEWAL PLANS CAN BE PUT INTO EFFECT IN SUCH DISTRICTS, IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A PRACTICAL APPROACH IF SUCH ’BLACK-SPOTS’ COULD DE PINPOINTED AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BE EMPOWERED TO BUY OVER SUCH AREAS AT CURRENT MARKET VALUES FOR THE WHOLE DISTRICT. f
♦A SCHEME COULD THEN EE WORKED CUT WHEREBY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD RESETTLE THE RESIDENTS FROM THE ’BLACK-SPOTS’, WHILE .THE ACQUIRED LAND COULD EITHER BE SOLD OUTRIGHT OR DEVELOPED JOINTLY WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO PUT UP DOMESTIC HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES ON REASONABLE STANDARDS TO EE AGREED UPON IN ADVANCE.*
MR. CHEONG-LEEN EMPHASISED THAT THE CLEARING UP OF THESE HOUSING ’BLACK-SPOTS’ OUGHT TO BE A SCHEME REQUIRING QUICK ATTENTION AND SHOULD PROCEED WITH MAXIMUM SPEED IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER OR NOT URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES HAVE BEEN PREPARED OR APPROVED FOR ANY OF THE DISTRICTS IN QUESTION.
OK THE QUESTION OF CRIME, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID VIOLENT CRIME WAS STILL ORE CF THE MOST WORRISOME ASPECTS AFFECTING THE DAILY LIVES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
/SINCE THE .....
+SINCE THE PUBLIC IS IN A MORE RECEPTIVE MOOD THAN EVER BEFORE TO COOPERATE '..I TH GOVERNMENT IN FIGHTING CRIME,* HE SAID, +IT WOULD BE TIMELY NOW FOR A THREE-YEAR PROGRAMME TO BE PREPARED TO SET UP MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN THE APPROXIMATE 5,000 LARGE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WHICH DO NOT YET HAVE ANY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.*
MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF MORE COMMUNITY ORGANISERS AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF IN THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
+1 WOULD REGARD THIS THREE-YEAR PROGRAMME AS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WHICH SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRAG BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED UPON THE PROGRAMME,* HE ADDED.
+THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES CAN BE USED NOT ONLY TO FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME. THEY ARE MOST'USEFUL IN THE ’KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN’ CAMPAIGN, IN IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION, AND IN PLANNING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS, BOTH YOUNG AND .OLD, OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.*
+THEY COULD EE EQUALLY USEFUL IN GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE CORRUPTION, NARCOTICS PEDDLING, AND OTHER NON-SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOW RAMPANT IN A GREAT NUMBER OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS. IN ADDITION, THEY WOULD GENERATE A FIRMER CIVIC SPIRIT AT THE GRASS-ROOTS LEVEL OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ACT AS BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.*
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER WHILE NOT PERFECT WERE RELATED IN A PRAGMATIC WAY TO THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
IN EXPRESSING GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE WHITE PAPER, HE SAID HE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONSIDER CHANGING THE NAME OF THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION TO GENERAL SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION AND THE PRESENT FORM ^EXAMINATION TO SENIOR SECONDARY'CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION.
+WHEN AT A LATER DATE WE ARE IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE FIVE YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN, THE JUNIOR SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION WOULD BE ABOLISHED AND THE EXAMINATION AT FORM V LEVEL WOULD SIMPLY BECOME KNOWN AS THE SECONDARY CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SA I Dr
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD START DRAFTING A 10-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TELEVISION EDUCATI ON • NOT'ONLY IN PRIMARY EDUCATION BUT ALSO IN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION.
HE SAID PERHAPS A PAPER ON THIS SUBJECT COULD BE PREPARED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
ON ECONOMY, MR. CHEONG-LEEN REMINDED GOVERNMENT THAT IT HAD AN OBLIGATION TO THE PUBLIC TO KEEP INTERNAL INFLATION AT ITS ■ LOWEST POSSIBLE LEVEL AND NOT TO ALLOW CONTINUED INCREASES IN CHARGES BY ANY OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITHOUT THE FULLEST POSSIBLE JUSTIFICATION.
HE MENTIONED THE TELEPHONE CHARGES, WHICH, HE SAID, HAD GONE UP ONCE THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS NOW RUMOURED THAT A SECOND INCREASE FOR THIS YEAR WAS BEING CONTEMPLATED.
+THIS ISA MATTER WHICH DESERVES THE WIDEST POSSIBLE HEARING BY THE PUBLIC, AS IT INVOLVES MANY QUESTIONS SUCH AS THE EXTENT TO WHICH GOVERNMENT SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TO ENSURE THAT IT OPERATES AT A LEVEL OF PEAK EFFICIENCY CONSISTENT WITH THE PUBLIC GOOD AND THE REASONABLE INTERESTS OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974.
- 5 -
AVOID ALL UNNECESSARY SPENDING, SAYS MR. LI FOOK-WO X X X X X X
THE HON. LI FOOK-WO TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A STOCK TAKING EXERCISE ON ITS REVENUE EARNING CAPABILITY - AS IT HAD DONE ON EXPENDITURE - WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING EARNINGS.
WHILE HE WAS NOT ALARMED BY THE POSSIBLE BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, HE FELT +THAT MEASURES SHOULD EE TAKEN TO IMPROVE OUR REVENUE ON THE ONE HAND, AND TO TIGHTEN OR REDUCE EXPENDITURE ON THE OTHER.+
IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT, HE STRESSED, TO IMPROVE REVENUE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE EXISTING TAX STRUCTURE. +PROJECTIONS MUST EE MADE ON THE BASIS OF OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL STRUCTURE.*
I
HE ADDED: +WE MUST ALSO INVESTIGATE WHAT OTHER FEASIBLE AVENUES ARE OPEN TO US, THEIR REVENUE-GENERATING CAPACITY, AND THEIR COSTS. IT IS BY LAYING DOWN THESE ALTERNATIVES AND ITEMISING THEIR FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS THAT WE CAN HAVE A MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATION OF OUR FINANCIAL ABILITY.*
MR. LI SHARED THE GOVERNOR’S CONCERN OVER THE EXCESSIVE 20 PER CENT RATE OF INCREASE IN ANNUAL EXPENDITURE, AND STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO AVOID ALL UNNECESSARY SPENDINQ.
HOWEVER, HE APPLAUDED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO FORGE AHEAD WITH ITS LONG RANGE PROGRAMMES FOR HOUSING, SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND TRANSPORT.
+THIS IS NO TIME TO RETREAT,* HE SAID. +OUR SOCIAL COMMITMENTS MUST BE MET, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BASIC OBJECTIVES AND NECESSITIES OF OUR SOCIETY BUT ALSO BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF THE CONFIDENCE IN OUR CONTINUING PROGRESS.* HE REALISED, HOWEVER, THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS WOULD DEPEND ON THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
MR. LI CONTINUED THAT POPULATION GROWTH WOULD HAVE A GREAT BEARING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND HE CALLED FOR A POPULATION POLICY TO BE FORMULATED FORTHWITH.
.... * ■
HOWEVER, HE FELT IT WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH MERELY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FAMILY PLANNING FACILITIES AND THAT IT WAS TIME TO LOOK FURTHER THAN JUST POPULATION GROWTH.
COUPLED WITH THE POPULATION POLICY, HE SUGGESTED THAT A COMMISSION BE SET UP TO ENSURE THAT REALISTIC TARGETS ARE SET AND MET.
ON CORRUPTION, MR. LI REFERRED TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AS +A SOUND INVESTMENT FROM WHICH WE CAN ANTICIPATE HANDSOME DIVIDENDS IN THE FORM OF OUTSTANDING RESULTS.*
HOWEVER, HE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE FACT THAT THE TOTAL COST OF THE COMMISSION WHICH IS CHARGED TO GENERAL REVENUE, WOULD FAR EXCEED ITS ORIGINAL ESTIMATES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN APPARENT DRAIN ON THE PERSONNEL FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.
/MR. LI ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- 6 -
• HR. LI STRESSED THAT THE MISCONCEPTION OF CORRUPTION AS A WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG MUST EE CHANGED. +IN PARTICULAR, THE ATTITUDE OF THE YOUNGER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.TOWARDS THE EVILS OF CORRUPT PRACTICES MUST BE CORRECTED WITH THE VIEW OF REDUCING THE CRIME RATE.
IN THIS, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE SPECIAL CORRUPTION'PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENTS OF THE ICAC WOULD IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WHOLE COMMISSION THROUGH PUBLICITY, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 197*.
- 7 -PLANNING OF AIRPORT FACILITIES AND SERVICES CRITICISED X X X X X X
THE DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES AT KAI TAK AIRPORT HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH ACCURATE FORECASTS OF GROWTH, NOR WITH WHAT IS ACTUALLY REQUIRED, AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL CONTROL, MR. J.H. BREMRIDGE ' TOLD THE LEG ISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE AGREED THAT THERE WERE MANY PRIORITIES IN HONG KONG AND THAT THE HIGHEST OF ALL PRIORITIES WAS THE NEED TO HOUSE BETTER THE LESS WELL OFF MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IF THE OPERATION OF EITHER THE HARBOUR OR THE AIRPORT BECAME BLOCKED, THE SITUATION WOULD INDEED BE FRAUGHT WITH PERIL..
WHILE PRAISING THE GOVERNMENT POLICY OF LEAVING THE (
HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, MR. BHEHHIDGE CRITICISED THE PLANNING OF AIRPORT FACILITIES ANlTHtRvICES WHICH, HE SAID, WAS MORE THAN THREE YEARS BEHIND WHAT WAS LONG AGO RECOMMENDED. . f
HE BELIEVED THAT THE AIRPORT HAD BEEN UNREASONABLY, INDEED DANGEROUSLY STARVED IN RECENT YEARS AS A RESULT OF UNWILLINGNESS EY GOVERNMENT TO SET AGAINST THE VERY CONSIDERABLE GROSS CASH FLOW AVAILABLE FROM THE AIRPORT ON THE ONE HAND THE INEVITABLE COMMITMENT TO SPEND MONEY ON THE OTHER. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN FISCAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE PLANNING PROPOSALS OF SENSIBLE EXPERTS.
IN ADDITION, HE SAIDi +WHILE ANXIOUS TO ACCEPT THE REVENUE (AND INDEED TO INCREASE IT), THE SECRETARIAT HAS BEEN UNWILLING UNTIL VERY RECENTLY TO SPEND SUFFICIENT ON KEEPING UP WITH GROWTH.*
TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AT THE AIRPORT, Mft. BHiCMHlDGE . SAID HE USED TO EE STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THIS MAJOR CHANGE WAS PROBABLY PREMATURE AT A TIME WHEN GOVERNMENT HAD RELEASED VERY CONSIDERABLE SUMS FOR AIRPORT REQUIREMENTS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
-+IF IN LATER YEARS THERE ARISE SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF FAILURE TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH, AN INDEPENDENT AIRPORT AUTHORITY MAY EE THE FINAL SOLUTION. WE CANNOT MUDDLE TOO LITTLE TOO LATE,* HE SAID.
AS FOR THE PRESENT, HE SAID IT WOULD NOT BE UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT SUFFICIENT SPACE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES CONTINUOUSLY TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE NEEDS OF PASSENGERS AND CARGO.
IN’ THIS RESPECT MR. BIIU-ikIDGE _ SAID HE WAS NOT SO MUCH CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF PROVISION AS THE QUANTITY, THOUGH INDEED THE AIRPORT WAS *OUR SHOPFRONT*.
/OF COURSE ......
XHUitoUAiy-WTOIibB >1, Ty/’Fi*
- 8 -
OF COURSE, HE SAIDs +N0 ONE IN HIS SENSES WOULD ADVOCATE MARBLE PALACES FOR GOVERNMENT AIRPORTS. IT WOULD BE EQUALLY EXTREME TO PROVIDE COWSHEDS, AND TO TREAT THOSE WHO MUST USE THEM AS CATTLE. +
ON THE QUESTION OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF THE AIRPORT, MR. BBEMRIDGE SAID IT SHOULD NOT FALL ON THE TAXPAYER.
HE DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THE MAJORITY OF AIRLINES AND. OTHER USERS OF KAI TAK WOULD OBJECT TO PAYING FAIR OR EVEN INCREASED CHARGES, PROVIDED THAT THESE WOULD RESULT IN THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES.
MR. BHEMH1DGE THEN TURNED TO THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AND CALLED ON IHE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID AS HONG KONG’S THIRD MAJOR INDUSTRY, RANKING ONLY AFTER TEXTILES AND ELECTRONICS, TOURISM GENERATED A GROSS ANNUAL REVENUE OF MORE THAN HKS2.8 BILLION, ABOUT HK$1.7 BILLION OF WHICH IS REASONABLY ESTIMATED TO STAY IN HONG KONG.
+MOREOVER, THE TOURIST INDUSTRY EMPLOYS AT LEAST 100,000 OF OUR PEOPLE, WHO WOULD NOT FIND IT EASY NOW TO SECURE OTHER EMPLOYMENT.
+THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION IS ALSO A PRIME PURVEYOR OF THE OVERALL IMAGE OF HONG KONG TO THE WORLD, WHICH'IS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO US ALL,+ HE SAID.
MR. BKhJiHIDGE SAID THE ASSOCIATION, HOWEVER, HAD ONLY BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS AS A RESULT OF ITS PRIME FACIE DEPENDENCE ON THE HOTEL TAX, EESIDES GENEROUS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. x
+WITH STEADILY INCREASING TOURISM, THIS WAS JUST ACCEPTABLE, BUT NOW IT APPEARS AS THOUGH HONG KONG WILL BE LUCKY IN 1974, AND POSSIBLY IN 1975, TO EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANT TOURIST GROWTH, + HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE ASSOCIATION’S D4SCUSSI0NS WITH THE SECRETARIAT WOULD RESULT IN AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE ASSOCIATION WITH MORE' MONEY ON A THREE-YEAR BASIS, SO THAT THE ASSOCIATION MAY PLAN AHEAD APPROPRIATELY. ... " •’
+IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO CUT BACK ON EXPENDITURE ON A SEE-SAW ARRANGEMENT, SUBJECT TO THE VAGARIES OF YEAR-TO-YEAR REVENUE,+ HE STRESSED.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974.
- 9 -
IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPULSORY PRIMARY EDUCATION PROPOSED
* « H O * ' • I 1 .
DR. HARRY FANG TODAY PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER SERIOUSLY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPULSORY PRIMARY EDUCATION NOW THAT IT HAS ACHIEVED UNIVERSAL FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
COMMENTING ON THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE WELCOMED ITS PROPOSALS FOR ABOLITION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND THE PROVISION OF NINE YEARS’ UNINTERRUPTED EDUCATION.
HOWEVER, HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT WHILE ABOLISHING THE
S.S. E.E. ON ONE HAND, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPLACED IT WITH A
JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION ON THE OTHER.- j,
♦ INSTEAD CF RELIEVING THE ANXIETY CREATED BY THE S.S.E.E. AND FELT BY STUDENTS AND PARENTS ALIKE, THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION AT BEST POSTPONES THE ILL-EFFECTS AND THEREFORE, PROLONGS THE PERIOD OF PRESSURE FOR THOSE . INVOLVED,+ DR. FANG SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT HE WAS NOT AGAINST ALL EXAMINATIONS AS SUCH, BUT HE STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT THE NATURE OF THE EXAMINATION SHOULD BE SO TAILORED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A MEANS OF SELECTION • FOR PLACES BUT AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S ABILITY.
♦ WHILE I AM CONSCIOUS OF THE PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL /’
CONSTRAINTS FOR THE MOMENT,♦ HE ADDED, +1 SHOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ABOLITION OF SUCH AN EXAMINATION AND A DECLARED AIM OF UNIVERSAL SECONDARY EDUCATION, UP TO SCHOOL LEAVING LEVEL, FOR ALL IN HONG KONG.+ x
DR. FANG WAS SURPRISED THAT THE WHITE PAPER MADE NO REFERENCE WHATSOEVER TO THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
♦ IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, IN OUR COMMUNITY, THERE ARE 120,000 HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.. WHO, BEING HANDICAPPED, NEED TO EE MORE EDUCATIONALLY EQUIPPED TO FEND FOR. THEMSELVES. YET EXISTING FACILITIES CAN COPE WITH LESS THAN 5,000,+ HE SAID.
■THIS GAP, HE ADDED, MUST BE CONSIDERED +A BLOT ON OUR -
OTHERWISE FINE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND, UNLESS WE CANFILL IT,
WE CANNOT IN ALL HONESTY AND GOOD CONSCIENCE, CLAIM THAT WE HAVE
ACHIEVED FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR ALL.+
HE URGED THAT THESE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF OUR. SOCIETY BE INCLUDED IN CUR PROGRAMME OF UNIVERSAL FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION.
DR. FANG WOULD WELCOME A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS POLICY AND PLANS FOR THE EDUCATION OF THIS PARTICULAR GROUP.
/IN SUMMING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974
- 10 -
IN SUMMING UP, HE SAID: +WHILE THE WHITE PAPER INDICATES A STEP FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, IT HAS NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH IN COPING WITH OUR PRESENT NEEDS AND SOLVING THE BASIC EDUCATION PROBLEM.+
REFERRING TO THE HANDICAPPED, DR. FANG NOTED THAT LITTLE PROVISION WAS MADE FOR THEM IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND THERE WAS STILL MUCH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYMENT.
HE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT SOME PROVISIONS BE MADE FOR THEM IN THE MAJOR, IF NOT ALL THE STATIONS, OF THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.
+BEING HANDICAPPED IS NOT SHAMEFUL: NOT TAKING THE HANDICAPPED INTO ACCOUNT IN OUR SOCIAL PLANNING IS,+ HE STRESSED.
+IN OUR SOCIETY, THERE REMAINS MUCH PREJUDICE AGAINST THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED DESPITE THE FACT THAt THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND ARE -ABLE TO PERFORM THE SPECIFIC DUTIES-THE JOE REQUIRES
+IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES, THE LAW STIPULATES A THREE PER CENT EMPLOYMENT RATE OF THE HANDICAPPED IN INDUSTRIES. OUR GOVERNMENT, THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG, AND ENGAGING THE LARGEST NUMBER OF HANDICAPPED, HAS NO MORE THAN □.3 PER CENT ON ITS PAYROLL, WHICH IS CERTAINLY NOT A RECORD WE CAN BE PROUD 0F.+
HE APPEALED TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEMSELVES..
TURNING TO MEDICAL SERVICES, DR. FANG URGED THAT THE PLANS FOR EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES OUTLINED IN THE RECENT MEDICAL WHITE PAPER, BE IMPLEMENTED WITH +ALL POSSIBLE SPEED*.
HE' EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PROVISION OF DOCTORS TO MAN THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED SERVICES.
♦RECRUITMENT STATISTICS IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS FROM 1970 SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL INTAKE OF 595 DOCTORS, WHEREAS WASTAGE AMOUNTED TO 414 SO THAT THE ACTUAL GAIN WAS A MERE 181 OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS,* HE SAID.
+WHAT IS MORE ALARMING IS THAT THE ANNUAL WASTAGE FIGURES OVER THIS PERIOD OF TIME HAVE BEEN STEADILY INCREASING, FROM £3 IN 1970 TO 102 IN 1973. QUOTING THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER 'AGAIN, IT WAS CALCULATED THAT, BY 1982, WASTAGE AND RECRUITMENT WILL BE MORE OR LESS IN BALANCE IN THAT NET RECRUITMENT MIGHT BE IN THE ORDER OF ONLY 10 DOCTORS A YEAR.*
IT WAS EVIDENT THEREFORE, DR. FANG SAID, UNLESSTHE INTAKE OF DOCTORS WAS STEPPED UP CONSIDERABLY, AND GOVERNMENT SUCCEEDED IN SEEKING A WAY TO KEEP MORE DOCTORS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, +WE WOULD EITHER PUT A TREMENDOUS WORKLOAD ON THE DOCTORS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, OR WE WOULD JEOPARDIZE OUR QUALITY OF PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICE -- OR WE DO BOTH.*
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•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974.
- 11 -
GOVERNMENT URGED NOT TO CUT PLANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS URGED NOT TO CUT BACK IN THE PLANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH ARE YET TO EE IMPLEMENTED EVEN IF MORE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS ARISE.
IN MAKING THE APPEAL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, KISS KO SIU WAH EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT LONG TERM PLANS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WOULD STILL LE .THE ♦GCAL OF OUR WORK AND' OUR PLANS+.
Ml S3 KO DEPLORED THE SALE OF COMIC BOOKS WHICH SHE DESCRIBED AS UNHEALTHY, DAMAGING AND DANGEROUS.
THESE BOCKS, SHE SAID, COULD LEAD CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS TO IMITATIVE BEHAVIOUR WHEN THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO JUDGE WHAT WAS GCOD AND WHAT WAS BAD.
MISS KC FELT THAT STRONG MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO SUPPRESS THESE COMIC BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
SHE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN THE PRESENT INDECENT EXHIBITION ORDINANCE AS ONE OF THE URGENT AND PRACTICAL WAYS TO TACKLE SOME OF THE +ROOTS OF SOCIAL EVIL+.
TURNING TO THE 12-13 AGE GROUP, MI33 KO SAID. THAT LASuW ON THE 1^71 CENSUS, THERE WERE ABOUT 20,900 SUCH CHILDREN, WHO ARE NOW NOT STUDYING IK SCHOOL AND WHO ARE KOT OLD ENOUGH'TC WORK.
FOR THIS CATEGORY OF CHILDREN, SHE SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL PROGRAMME, AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE, COVERING CRAFT TRAINING, INFORMAL LEARNING, GROUP ACTIVITIES, INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE OR COUNSELLING SERVICES.
MISS KO EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.
♦IN THE PRESENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG,+ SHE SAID,+MAKY TEACHERS ARE FAR TOO BUSY wITh THE TEACH I.NG ASPECT AND HAVE THEREFORE NO TIME TO DEAL WITH THE STUDENTS’ PROBLEMS, BE THEY SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOG I CAL.+
HOWEVER, SHE SAID THAT WITH SPECIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN DEALING WITH HUMAN PROBLEMS, 5THE SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE-TO ASSIST IN THE HANDL I NG OF SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL ARD FAMILY PROBLEMS OF THE STUDENTS WHICH AFFECT THEIR LEARNING TK SCHOOL.
KISS KC BELIEVED THAT WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, THE RAPID GROWTH OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, ESPECIALLY IN SOME CONGESTED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, COULD EE PREVENTED AND REDUCED MORE EASILY.
REFERRING TO EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, SHE SAID: +ACCORDING TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE YEAR PLAN, ABOUT 103 MORE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEAR.*
/SHE EXPRESSED .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 19?L
- 12 -
SHE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THESE CENTRES WOULD PROVIDE SPACE, FACILITIES, OR EVEN MANPOWER TO SEE THAT THE SCHOOL CHILDREN tdLL HAVE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SUPERVISED OR ORGANIZED RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES AND INTEREST GROUPS AND SPORTS.
♦COMMENTING ON THE EDUCATION WHITE PAPER, SHE SAID THE PROPOSED JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION SHOULD EEST BE REPLACED tY AN APTITUDE TEST OR ABILITY TEST.
AS THE FIRST J.C.E.E. WOULD NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 1982 AS INDICATED IN THE WHITE PAPER, SHE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT WITH THIS AMPLE TIME TO MAKE PLANS, THE DESIGN AND CONTENTS OF THE EXAMINATIONS WOULD EE PREPARED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO INFLUENCE EFFECTIVELY THE METHODS OF TEACHING AND SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND EVENTUALLY BETTER THE WHOLE QUALITY OF THE NINE-YEAR EDUCATION.
+A POSSIBLE rtAY FORWARD WOULD BE TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION BY INCLUDING A PORTION OF TEACHER-ASSESSMENT AND STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS OVER THREE OR FOUR YEARS INTO THE FINAL RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION,* SHE SUGGESTED.
ON SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES, MISS KO SAID THAT ABOUT $‘3 MILLION WAS SPENT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS YEAR.
♦BUT- IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT THERE IS NO OVERLAPPING, THE MONEY IS PROPERLY AND WISELY SPENT, MANPOWER AND FACILITIES ARE FULLY UTILIZED AND THE PROGRAMMES PLANNED ARE REALLY ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS IN THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS AS WELL AS TO ENSURE BETTER PLANNING AND MORE SUITABLE PROGRAMMES FOR THE< FUTURE, AN OVERALL EVALUATION SYSTEM WITH ADEQUATE DEPTH IS NEEDED,* SHE ADDED.
MISS KO DESCRIBED THE PREPARATION OF LEGISLATION TO.CONJROL AND REGULATE THE OPERATION OF CHILD CARE CENTRES AS +NECESSARY AND TIMELY*.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID: +IT WOULD-BE DESIRABLE TOO, IN THE NOT TOO FAR DISTANT FUTURE, TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION FOR OTHER. SOCIAL WELFARE INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS OLD PEOPLE’S HOME, CHILDREN’S HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE DISABLED, TO: COPE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG.
JUDGING FROM WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MISS KO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLACED MORE ATTENTION ON PREVENTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS, WHICH IS THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF A MATURE GOVERNMENT.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- U -
REVIEW OF GAMBLING LAW URGED
MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH NEEDED, SAYS MR. T.S. LO K K K * * M
UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY CALLED FOR A COMPLETE REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S ’OUTDATED’ GAMBLING LAWS WHICH, ONE COUNCILLOR SAID, SERVED NO USEFUL PURPOSE.
THE UNOFFICIALS’ VIEW WAS EXPRESSED IN COUNCIL BY THE HON. LO TAK-SHING WHO SAID THAT WHILE HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES HAD DIFFERING VIEWS AS TO WHAT MIGHT EE DONE ABOUT THE SITUATION, THEY WERE UNANIMOUS THAT THE MATTER BE GONE INTO THOROUGHLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE INSTINCT TO GAMBLE, HE SAID, WAS PART OF HUMAN NATURE AND ONE SHOULD NOT TRY TO GO AGAINST IT. INSTEAD, HE URGED, +LET US USE OUR INGENUITY AND-OUR PRACTICAL SENSE TO DEVISE PRACTICAL LEGAL MACHINERY TO CONTROL GAMBLING AND PRACTICAL WAYS TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE FROM THE WORST EFFECT OF THIS INSTINCT.*
MR. LO TRACED THE HISTORY OF THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1891 BY THE THEN GOVERNOR SIR WILLIAM DES VOEUX, AND CONCLUDED THAT IN THE ENSUING 83 YEARS THE EXPERIMENT, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN EXPECTED TO WORK IN THE FIRST PLACE, +DID NOT WORK, HAS NEVER WORKED, AND WILL NEVER WORK.*
THE DOUBTS THAT HAD BEEN EXPRESSED AT THE TIME BY SIR WILLIAM THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE AND LEAD TO BRIBERY HAD BEEN PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT, HE SAID, AND IN 33 YEARS NO ONE HAD FOUND ANY DIFFICULTY IN PLACING A BET IN ANY FORM, OF GAMBLING.
+INDEED,* HE WENT ON, +THE ILLEGAL GAMBLING SYNDICATES" WHICH FLOURISH IN HONG KONG ARE FAR WORSE THAN ANY LEGALLY CONTROLLED ONES.
+TC ENFORCE PAYMENT OF GAMBLERS’ DEETS THEY EMPLOY HOODLUMS AND RESORT TC FORCE. TO INCREASE THEIR EARNINGS THEY DEAL IN DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION. TO ENSURE THAT CUSTOMERS LOSE THEY FIX THE ODDS, LOAD THE DICE AND TILT THE TAELES. FINALLY, TO KEEP IN BUSINESS THEY RELY ON BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.*
+TO A PERSON WHQ TELEPHONES HIS BOOKIE FOR AN OFF-COURSE BET ON HORSES OR DOGS THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG, IN MY VIEW, ARE ENTIRELY OBLITERATED,* HE SAID. +THE CRIMINAL LAw IS BECOMING WHAT THE POLICE CHOCSE TO ENFORCE, NOT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE ENACTS.* .. v '
CHINESE CURES
MR. LO ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT, ON BEHALF OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, TO SET UP A SPECIAL UNIT TO COLLATE INFORMATION AND TO ESTABLISH RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS IN THE UNIVERSITIES ON TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES SO AS TO BUILD UP COMPREHENSIVE DATA ON CHINESE CURES.
/WHIlS'i IT.......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER JI, 1974.
I
- 14 -
WHILST IT MAY BE OVER-AMBITIOUS AT THIS STAGE TO UNDERTAKE ANY LARGE SCALE RESEARCH INTO CHINESE HERBS, HE SAID, +IT WOULD BE INDEFENSIBLE HOT TO BEGIN TO BUILD A RESERVOIR OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AS SOON AS POSS1BLE.+
HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS NOW RECOGNISED IN WESTERN MEDICAL SCIENCE THAT THE CURATIVE EFFECTS OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINES AND TECHNIQUES COULD BE INTERPRETED IN STRICTLY SCIENTIFIC TERMS.
OVER 4,000 PEOPLE PRACTISED TRADITIONAL CHINESE CURES IN HONG KONG, HE NOTED, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY HAD AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER TAKEN CHINESE HERBS IN ONE FORM OR THE OTHERS.
SO FAR, HE ADDED, IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH ANY STANDARDS SO AS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE GENUINE ABLE CHINESE HERBALIST FROM ONE LESS ABLE OR INDEED THE OUT AND OUT CHARLATAN, AND WHILE HE DID NOT QUESTION THE WISDOM IN THE PAST OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POSTURE OF NON-INTERFERENCE AS REGARDS THE PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE DUE TO LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT, HE STRONGLY FELT THAT THE TIME HAD NOW COME TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT IT.
POLICY AND THE COMMUNITY
TURNING TO GOVERNMENT POLICY AND THE COMMUNITY, MR. LO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN INSTANCES IN THE PAST YEAR IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD REVERSED-ITS EARLIER DECISIONS IN THE FACE OF HEATED OPPOSITION FROM CERTAIN QUARTERS WITHOUT GIVING A FULL PUBLIC EXPLANATION FOR THE ABOUT FACE. HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE RECENT TROUBLE OVER THE FORM OF SHOP TENANCY AGREEMENTS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. x
MR. LO STRONGLY QUESTIONED THE WISDOM OF REVERSING OFFICIAL DECISIONS, IF THEY WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CORRECT, STRESSING THAT +N0 AMOUNT OF AXE-GRINDING RESISTANCE FROM THE IGNORANT OR SELF-SEEKING SHOULD CAUSE THE GOVERNMENT TO GO BACK ON WHAT IT HAS RESOLVED TO D0.+ .- • .
THE REASON WAS PLAIN, HE SAID. +FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO KNUCKLE UNDER MERELY BECAUSE IT MEETS OPPOSITION, IS TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION NOT OF BEING DEMOCRATIC, BUT OF BEING WE^*..'
+IT CAN ONLY ENCOURAGE THE UNSCRUPULOUS AND SELF-INTERESTED TO FOMENT OPPOSITION AND STIR UP TROUBLE WHENEVER THEY CAN MAKE CAPITAL OUT OF IT.+
MR. LO DOUBTED THAT GOVERNMENT DECISIONS WERE TAKEN HASTILY OR WITHOUT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION. IN FACT, WITH THE MACHINERY AVAILABLE TO SOUND OUT PUBLIC OPINION AT ALL LEVELS AND EVALUATE REACTION, EVERY DECISION, HE FELT, WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT HEART AND, IF HARDSHIP TO SOME COULD NOT BE AVOIDED, DE REASONABLY FAIR TO THAT SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
/HOWEVER, MR. .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1971*
- 15 -
HOWEVER, MR. LO WAS EQUALLY CONVINCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT HESITATE TO REVERSE EARLIER DECISION AND CHART A NEW COURSE IN CASES WHERE THE DECISION PROVED TO BE WRONG OR WHERE IT WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE IN VIEW OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES. ♦BUT IT SHOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEAR AND ADEQUATE EXPLANATION WHY IT IS DOING SO,+
HE ADDED: +IT IS ONE THING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE POLICY BECAUSE IT HAS MADE A MISTAKE OR BECAUSE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED — AND TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHY IT IS DOING SO.
♦IT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THING TO DELAY OR EVEN ABANDON A PERFECTLY SOUND MEASURE WITHOUT EXPLANATION MERELY BECAUSE THERE IS HEATED OPPOSITION. TO DO THIS,.IN MY VIEW, IS TO FAIL IN THE PRIME FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT — THAT OF-GOVERNI NG.+
0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOEER 31, 1974
- 16 -DECISION OF PROPOSED OIL REFINERY COMPLEX URGED
X X X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY URGED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE PROPOSED 06,003 MILLION OIL REFINERY AND PETRO-CHEMICAL COMPLEX DEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR +DEFORE CUR PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS GO ELSEWHERE.* < i
THE HOM. FRANCIS TIEN TOLD COUNCIL THE PROJECT COULD SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGE THE STRUCTURE AND DIRECTION OF HONG KONG’3 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND A DECISION ON ITS IMPLEMENTATION SHOULD NOT EE DELAYED ANY LONGER.
THREE YEARS HAD GONE BY, HE NOTED, SINCE THE FIRST APPLICATION FOR LAND FOR AN OIL REFINERY WAS MADE +BUT WE HAVE YET TO SEE ANY VISIBLE SIGN OF PROGRESS.*
HE REALISED THAT APART FROM THE PROJECT’S ECONOMIC VIABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS HAD TO DE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. +HOWEVER, THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHICH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS CAN BE SACRIFICED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURITY,* HE ADDED.
THE PROJECT, HE WENT OH, WOULD PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND MANY ADDITIONAL DOWNSTREAM INDUSTRIES COULD BE CREATED TO USE THE RA.1I MATERIALS PRODUCED BY THE PETRO-CHEMICAL COMPLEX.
I
+WE CAN LIVE IN A SAFE, THOUGH NOT ENTIRELY PURE, ATMOSPHERE.
+LET US THEREFORE CONTENT OURSELVES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS THAT ARE GOOD ENOUGH, THOUGH NOT THE BEST,* HE SAID. +IN ’ SOME CASES, THE BEST CAN BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD. AND'TH IS, I WOULD SUGGEST,. MAY WELL EE THE CASE.*
MR. TIEN ALSO ADVOCATED DIRECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE FORMULATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND POLICY AND INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION POLICY.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL LAND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE, LIKE THE VARIOUS OTHER LAND COMMITTEE, HAD NO UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATION AND HE’WONDERED HOW THE COMMITTEE COULD PROPERLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. ' .
WITH PRIVATE REPRESENTATION, -HE FELT +WE WILL BECOME MORE PROMOTIONAL IN NATURE INSTEAD OF BEING SIMPLY RESPONSIVE TO ENQUIRIES.*
MR. TIEN ALSO FELT THE NEED FOR A PROPER ORGANISATION FOR DEALING WITH INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS, AND SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF AN INDUSTRIAL LAND DEVELOP.’-ENT CORPORATION CHARGED WITH CO-ORDINATING, DIRECTING AND RATIONALISING THE POLICIES RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
HE WELCOMED THE NEW LAND POLICY OF DIRECT SALES OF SITES TO LARGE AND ECONOMICALLY DESIRABLE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AND HOPED THAT THIS POLICY WOULD BE PURSUED WITH GREATER VIGOUR TO ATTRACT SUITABLE ENTERPRISES TO HONG KONG.
/ON INDUSTHIA1 .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 19?U.
- 17 -
ON INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, MR. TIEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO SET UP STATUTORY TRAINING AUTHORITIES TO HELP LOCAL INDUSTRIES ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY MANPOWER, IN THE NUMBERS AND CF THE QUALITY REQUIRED, TO SUCCESSFULLY MEET FUTURE CHALLENGES.
♦THESE INDUSTRIES ASK NO MORE THAN FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO SHARE THEIR SENSE OF URGENCY, AND TO HELP THEM NOT ONLY HELP THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO THE ECONOMY AND COMMUNITY OF HONG K.CNG.+
. . t H. ♦ •. *
ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, MR. TIEN DEPLORED THE APPARENT LACK OF RESPONSE OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ALIKE TO INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONSIDER INTRODUCING A SYSTEM OF MORE COMPREHENSIVE ACCIDENT STATISTICS WHICH WOULD REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE EFFICIENCY, OR THE LACK OF IT, IN EACH OF HONG KONG’S MAIN INDUSTRIES IN TERMS OF SAFETY MEASURES.
SUCH STATISTICS, WOULD FIRST SERVE AS A BETTER WARNING, PINPOINTING THE PARTICULAR INDUSTRY WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, AND WOULD ENABLE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DEVISE MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF SAFEGUARDS FOR THEIR WORKERS, HE SAID. ' ■
IN CLOSING, MR. TIEN EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE DISCRIMINATION MAINTAINED BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AGAINST HONG KONG IN ITS GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES, AS WELL AS BY BRITAIN.
HE SAID: +wE ARE NOW IN AN HITHERTO UNHEARD OF, AND PROBABLY UNIQUE, SITUATION, BRITAIN, OUR METROPOLITAN POWER IS NOW HERSELF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HONG KONG IN FAVOUR OF OUR COMPETITORS WITH WHOM SHE HAS NEITHER HISTORICAL NOR ECONOMIC TIES.* x
HOWEVER, HE APPLAUDED THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN SEEKING A BETTER DEAL FOR HONG KONG AND SAID. +IT IS NOW UP TO HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT OUR INTERESTS.*
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3
ig THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974 JOINT COMMITTEE SET VP TO EXAMINE CLERICAL STAFF PROBLEMS
X X X X X X
AFTER A NUMBER OF RECENT DISCUSSIONS, THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT ARD THE HONS KONG GOVERNMENT CLERICAL STAFF ASSOCIATION!
♦A JOINT COMMITTEE COMPRISING STAFF AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAS BEEN SET UP, WITH AGREED TERMS OF REFERENCE, TO CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE ON A. BROAD RANGE CF MATTERS AFFECTING THE CLERICAL CLASS, INCLUDING A NUMBER CF CURRENT PROBLEMS. A TARGET DATE OF 3 MONTHS HAS BEEN SET FOR THE COMMITTEE TO PRODUCE ITS REPORT.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE WILL‘EXAM I NE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE ONs
(A) THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF THE CLERICAL CLASS AND WHETHER THAT STRUCTURE, WHICH AT PRESENT CONSISTS OF FOUR RANKS AND THREE LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO REMUNERATION, IS APPROPRIATE FOR AN EFFICIENT CLERICAL SERVICE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND WHETHER IT PROVIDES AN ADEQUATE CAREER STRUCTURE. APPROPRIATE COMPARISONS SHOULD BE MADE WITH OTHER GRADES HOLDING THE SAME OR EQUIVALENT ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND CARRYING OUT WORK OF COMPARABLE RESPONSIBILITY"
(B) LEVELS CF RESPONSIBILITY OF CLERICAL WORK WITHIN BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS ARD WHETHER THE NUMBER OF POSTS PROVIDED IN THE PRESENT GRADES AND RANKS ACCURATELY REFLECTS RESPONSIBILITIES-••
(C) THE TOTAL QUANTITY OF CLERICAL WORK WITHIN BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, AND WHETHER MANNING IS AT CORRECT LEVELS-
(D) THE SEVERAL KINDS OF WORK CLERICAL GRADER ARE PERFORMING, WHETHER THEY ARE ALL APPROPRIATE TO THE CLASS, AND WHETHER THEY ARE ADEQUATELY DESCRIBED AND UNDERSTOOD-
(E) THE DATES CF IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS'AS THE COMMITTEE MAY MAKE.
IN THE LIGHT OF THIS, THE ASSOCIATION HAS DECIDED TO SUSPEND WORK-TO-RULE ACTION. THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN ASSURED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE THAT NO ACTION TAKEN BY ANY MEMBER OF THE CLERICAL CLASS IN DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE WORK-TO-RULE WILL AFFECT HIS CAREER.+
/19....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- 19 -
NEW PLANT WILL BOOST SUPPLIES TO PLASTICS INDUSTRY
* * * * *
AN ASSURED SUPPLY OF BAS4C RAW MATERIALS FOR HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST EXPORT EARNER — THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY — IS EXPECTED TO COME ON STREAM IN WELL UNDER IS MONTHS’ TIME..
THIS WILL BE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR POLYSTYRENE MANUFACTURING PLANT ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
THE PROJECT, FOR WHICH SITE FORMATION WORK IS NOW IN PROGRESS, IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE WORLD-WIDE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY WHOSE CHAIRMAN, MR. CARL A. GERSTACKER, IS COMING TO HONG KONG FOR A BUSINESS VISIT.
SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, HE WILL BE LOOKING OVER THE SITE FOR THE NEW PLANT TOMORROW AFTERNOON (FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1) ACCOMPANIED BY MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF'COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND MR. R.W. LUNDEEN, CHAIRMAN OF DOW CHEMICAL (HONG KON$) LTD.
I.
THE COST OF THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED AT $160 MILLION. IT IS PLANNED TO HAVE THE PLANT READY FOR OPERATION BY THE END UF NEXT YEAR OR EARLY IN 1976. x
THE SITE FOR THE PLANT WAS OBTAINED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S MODIFIED LAND POLICY WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ATTRACT TECHNOLOGICALLY-ADVANCED INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG. 4
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER.. TO-COVER TOMORROW’S SITE VISIT. A LAUNCH WILL BE LEAVING QUEEN’S PIER AT 3.15 P.M. SHARP, AND RESERVATIONS SHOULD EE MADE BY CONTACTING THE G.I.S. PRESS ENQUIRY DESK NO LATER THAN 12 NOON TOMORROW. YOU ARE ADVISED THAT ROAD ACCESS TO TSING Yl IS NOT AVAILABLE AS THE CONNECTING BRIDGE IS FOR COMMERCIAL USERS ONLY.
MR. GERSTACKER AND MR. MCGREGOR WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SITE TC ANSWER PRESS QUESTIONS. IF WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT IMPROVE IT WILL DE NECESSARY TO CANCEL THE VISIT AT SHORT NOTICE, BUT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WILL EE MADE FOR A MEETING WITH THE PRESS.
/20.....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 19?4.
- 20 -PRISONS DEPARTMENT AUTUMN FAIR * * * * *
THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING ITS ANNUAL AUTUMN FAIR ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2) AFTERNOON AT THE STANLEY PRISON FOOTBALL GROUND.
THE FAIR, STARTING AT 2 PM, WILL BE OPENED BY MISS MARGARET MILLER, A POPULAR MOVIE AND TELEVISION STAR.
TO ENTERTAIN GUESTS, THE.POLICE BAND WILL PLAY AT THE FAIR AND ALSO DEMONSTRATE A MARCH DISPLAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED.
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ASSISTANT REGISTRAR RETIRING
******
MR. RICHARD KWAN KWOK-CHUNG, AN ASSISTANT REGISTRAR I, WILL BE RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER 16 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
TO HARK THE OCCASION, HE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 1), DY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. WALTER HUME, ON BEHALF OF ALL HIS COLLEAGUES.
MR. KWAN FIRST JOINED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AS A TEMPORARY ASSISTANT REGISTRAR II IN NOVEMBER 1958 AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT POST IN 1963.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD -IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, AT 4.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
_ _ 0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- 21 -
SINGING COMPETITION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN WELFARE AND CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS XX K M K K
THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF SEVEN WELFARE AND CORRECTIONAL. INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING TWO RUN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WILL TAKE PART IN THE INTER-INSTITUTI ON SINGING COMPETITION WHICH WILL BE HELD THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AT 2.30 P.M. AT THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED CHAK YAN CENTRE,OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES.
THE TWO WELFARE INSTITUTIONS ARE THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE AND THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES. -THE OTHER FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, THE 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME, THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME, THE KW'UN TONG HOSTEL AND THE MA TAU WEI GIRLS’ HOME.
PRIZES HAVE BEEN DONATED BY MR. MICHAEL S.H. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY OF BOYS’ CENTRES AND AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND WELL-KNOWN SOCIAL EDUCATOR IN THE CHILD CARE FIELD. MR. YIP WAI-HONG, PROFESSOR OF MUSIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, WILL BE THE JUDGE.
MISS ANNIE CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE • DEPARTMENT, WILL ADDRESS THE 'GATHERING BEFORE THE COMPETITION STARTS.
THE COMPETITION IS ONE OF THE ANNUAL SERIES OF ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE INTER-INSTITUTION ACTIVITIES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND ORGANISING VARIOUS INDOOR- AND OUTDOOR HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL CULTURAL COMPETITIONS OR ATHLETIC EVENTS EACH YEAR FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS UNDER THE CARE OF THESE INSTITUTIONS.
THE AIM IS TO BRING THEM TOGETHER, TO ENCHANCE THEIR MENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, AND TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE VOLUNTARY AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, SAID MR. K.W. LEUNG, THE COMMITTEE’S EXECUTIVE SECRETARY.
+0N ACCOUNT OF THE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN IN PAST COMPETITIONS, THIS ONE, WE FEEL WILL CERTAINLY DE ANOTHER SUCCESS. IT IS SINCERELY HOPED THAT THERE WILL BE MORE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC FOR THIS COMMITTEE SO THAT IT CAN MAKE ITS BEST ENDEAVOURS IN REHABILITATING AND CARING FOR THESE YOUNGSTERS.+
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
- 22 -
♦ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP+ BASKETBALL COMPETITION ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE FIRST MATCH IN AN +ANTI-NARCOTICS CUP+ BASKETBALL COMPETITION, ORGANISED IK SUPPORT OF THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN IN KWUN TONG, wILL DE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE. 22 TEAMS FROM SCHOOLS, FACTORIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS HAVE ENTERED THE COMPETITION WHICH 13 A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE IN KWUN TONG AUD THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE THERE.
MATCHES WILL BE PLAYED IM THE BASKETBALL COURT OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON THE EVENINGS OF EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY OF EACH WEEK UNTIL MID-DECEMDER.
BEFORE THE FIRST GAME TOMORROW THERE WILL Be A BRIEF-OPENING CEREMONY PRESIDED OVER BY MR. W. WILLIAMS, THE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE CAMPAIGN. MR. MICHAEL SZE. THE C.D.O. (KWUN TONG)- MR. KWOK KAI-SIK, THE C.Y.O. (KWUN TONG) AND MR, KO KAI-MAN, WARDEN OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS BANNERS TO THE TEAMS.
THE COMPETITION IS ONE CF THE MANY PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES IM SUPPORT CF THE CAMPAIGN.
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I
SPEED LIMIT ON SECTION OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD'RAISED ft ft ft ft ft ft ft
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 1) THE SPEED LIMIT ALONG THE SECTION OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD BETWEEN THE HUNG HOM INTERCHANGE AND HO MAN TIN INTERCHANGE WILL BE RAISED TO AO MILES PER HOUR. x
THE DECISION TO RELAX THE SPEED RESTRICTION ALONG THAT ROAD SECTION FOLLOWS THE FINDINGS OF A TRAFFIC SURVEY WHICH INDICATES THAT CONDITIONS THERE HAD BEEN POSSIBLE FOR THE SPEED LIMIT TO BE RAISED WITHOUT JEOPARDISING RCAD SAFETY.
MEANWHILE, IN NORTH KOWLOON THE CUL-DE-SAC BRANCHING FROM NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTH CF THE NAM CHEONG STREET-CORNWALL STREET ROUNDABOUT IS NOW PROHIBITED TO VEHICLES USED BY LEARNER DRIVERS UNDER DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS. THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE CONDUCTING GF DRIVING TESTS AT THE CUL-DE-SAC.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER J1, 1974.
.VATER SITUATION REPORT
* * * * *
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IM ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 AM TODAY (THURSDAY) STOOD AT 52,095 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 77.4 PER CENT GF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 61,197 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 35,285 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WITH 47,602 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 69.9 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
102'.3 MM (4.03 IN) OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 2’4 HOURS ENDING AT 9 AM TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 1974.6 MM (77.74 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 2093.2 MM (82.41 IN), REPRESENTING A SHORTFALL OF 5.7 PER CENT.
COMMENTING ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PREVIOUS DAY’S RAINFALL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID THAT RAINFALL WAS WELL DISTRIBUTED AND THE YIELD WAS GENERALLY GOOD.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SUPPLY SITUATION HAD IMPROVED AND THAT THE POSITION WAS NOW BEING ASSESSED.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN MONGKOK *******
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI KOK TSUI ROAD IN KOWLOON, WILL BE ABLE TO TURK RIGHT INTO CHERRY STREET AND THE'TAI KOK TSUI FERRY CONCOURSE STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A DIRECT ROUTEFOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI KOK TSUI ROAD INTO THE FERRY CONCOURSE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGN WILL" BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
CONSUMER ADVISORY SERVICE if if if if if
THE FOLLOWING PRICES REALISED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT SALE UNDER THE RICE CONTROL SCHEME AND AT THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHOLESALE MARKET AT CHEUNG SHA WAN, KOWLOON:
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF RICE
GRADE CF RICE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPL.Y WHOLESALE PRICE (S/CATTY) AVERAGE
CHINA RICE • • . ■ - ■
CO m m m i • . i l GOOD 2 92
S • C • J1 E h GOOD 1.66
PC NGAI GOOD
CHU CHO GOOD —
THAI RICE
100% WHOLE GOOD 1.30
10-15"’ DROKENS GOCD
Al SUPER EXTRA GOOD 1.70
Al SUPER GOOD 1.45
WHOLE GLUTINOUS GOOD 1.75
U.S. RICE GOOD' 1.92
AUSTRALIAN RICE GOOD 1.74
PAKISTAN RICE GOOD
TAIWAN RICE GOOD —
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF SWINE (ALL SOURCES)
AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY - GOOD
WHOLESALE PRICES OF PORK (ij/PICUL—LI VE WEIGHT) - 320 (AVERAGE)
/SUPPLIES AND .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1974
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF MARINE FISH (FMO CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET)
SPECIES AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE (3/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
GOLDEN THREAD SCARCE 4.50 2.60 3.80
BIG-EYES ■ GOOD 3.20 0.50 2.40
SQUID GOOD 5.50 1.10 3.80
HAIR-TAILS LIMITED 2.00 1.60 1.70
LIZARD FISHES LIMITED 4.50 1.50 3.00
CROAKERS GOOD . 2.80 1.10 2.00
CONGER-PIKE-EELS LIMITED 3.60 2.00 3.20
MELON COAT —— . NO SALE
BREAMS NO SALE •
YELLOW BELLY ——— NO SALE
MACKERELS SCARCE 5.00 3.00 4.30
RED GOAT FISH LIMITED 1.00 0.50 0.80
FORK-TAIL NORMAL 2.20 1.20 1.60
HORSE-HEAD NO SALE
MELON SEED L1M1 TED 3.70- 2.00 3.00
POMFRETS —— NO SALE
GAROUPAS SCARCE 14.00 8.00 10.50
YELLOW CROAKER —— NO SALE
SUPPLIES AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES (V.M.O. CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET)
TYPE OF VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLY WHOLESALE PRICE (S/CATTY)
HIGH LOW MODE
FLOWERING CABBAGE SCARCE 3.50 1.20 2.50
WHITE CABBAGE SCARCE 2.60 0.80 1.80
CHINESE LETTUCE SCARCE 2.80 •1.00 1.80
WATER SPINACH SCARCE 1.60 0.80 1.20
CHINESE KALE / SCARCE 3.40 1.20 2.50
STRING BEANS SCARCE 3.20 1.20 2.40
SPRING ONION SCARCE 2.40 0.50 1.20
SP1NACH SCARCE 3.60 1.00 , 2,50
WATER CRESS SCARCE 4.50 2.50 3.50
LEAF MUSTARD CABBAGE SCARCE • 2.50 0.80 1.40
CHINESE SPINACH SCARCE 1.80 0.50 1.20
TOMATO SCARCE 4.50 2.50 3.50