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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS PROVE EFFECTIVE ............ 1
SERVICE RESERVOIRS TO BE BUILT FOR KWAI CHUNG RESIDENTS...................................... 2
STUDENTS TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIR POLLUTION . 3
TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY TO EAST
KOWLOON....................................... 4
LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS............... 5
I
TWO ROADS IN YUEN LONG TO BE CLOSED FOR NEW YEAR FAIR 5
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TOURS KWUN TONG SCHOOLS ... 6
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191
_ -j _ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975
CLEAI AIR REGULATIONS PROVE EFFECTIVE LESS II jUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION IN PAST TOO YEARS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO APPROVE ONLY HALF THE APPLICATIONS MADd IN THE PAST TOO YEARS FOR THE ALTERATION AND INSTALLATION OF FUEL-BURNING PLANT UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS. THE OTHER 50 PER CENT WERE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION.
HOWEVER, THIS APPARENTLY HIGH REJECTION RATE HAS RESULTED IN A VISIBLE IMPROVEMENT IN INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER, MR. DAVID NEWBURY.
+IT IS ALSO AN INDICATION OF THE HIGH STANDARDS SET BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS PROGRAMME TO COMBAT THIS FORM OF POLLUTION,* MR. NEWBURY SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THE CLEAN AIR (FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS) (INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION) REGULATIONS WHICH CAME INTO FORCE JUST OVER TOO YEARS AGO, HAD PROVED VERY EFFECTIVE. IN THE TOO YEARS THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN IN FORCE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT HAS PROCESSED 345 APPLICATIONS AND RE-APPLICATIONS - AND APPROVED 144 OF THEM.
THE REGULATIONS LIMIT THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT OF POLLUTIONPRODUCING SMOKE EMITTED FROM FUEL-BURNING PLANT.
+THE REGULATIONS CARRY A FINE OF UP TO 85,000 FOR EVADING THE LAW,* MR. NEWBURY SAID. +S0 FAR THERE HAVE BEEN 47 PROSECUTIONS FOR THIS - AND 45 OF THEM HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
+THE FINES IMPOSED HAVE RANGED FROM $100 TO $4,100, AND THEY TOTAL $18,000.+
MR. NEWBURY ADDEDi +THE LENGTHY AND FORBIDDING TITLE OF THE REGULATIONS HAS TENDED TO DEFLECT ATTENTION FROM AN EFFECTIVE SET REGULATIONS FOR THE REDUCTION OF AERIAL POLLUTION.
+PREVIOUSLY, THE ANTI-AIR POLLUTION BATTLE HAD TO BE FOUGHT BY INSPECTORS TRACKING DOWN OFFENDERS BY VISUAL EVIDENCE AND CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE.
+THE 1972 REGULATIONS PROVIDE A MORE POSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE APPROACH RIGHT AT THE DESIGN STAGE, AND ENSURE THAT ANY FUEL-BURNING PLANT SHOULD BE SO ENGINEERED THAT THE EMISSION OF AERIAL POLLUTIONS IS REDUCED TO THE MINIMUM CONSISTENT WITH OPTIMUM OPERATIONAL AND ECONOMIC LIMITATIONS.*
MR. NEWBURY POINTED OUT THAT THE REGULATIONS MADE IT MANDATORY FOR ANY OWNER OR OCCUPIER INTENDING TO INSTALL NEW FUEL-USING PLANT OR ALTER EXISTING PLANT TO SUBMIT FULL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
+THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT THEN CONSIDERS THE PROPOSALS AND DECIDES ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE DESIGN,* HE SAID.
♦ONLY PROPOSALS THAT ARE OF GOOD DESIGN AND MINIMUM AIR POLLUTION ARE GRANTED AN APPROVAL CERTIFICATE.
2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975
♦THIS INVOLV S THE UNIT IN DISCUSSION WITH THE OWNER’S ARCHITECT AND ENC NEER.
• . • .
+IN MANY CASES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOMMEND DESIGN CHANGES WHICH HAVE IMPROVED NOT ONLY THE ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL QUALITY BUT HAVE REDUCED THE CAPITAL OUTLAY OF THE OWNER.+
MR. NEWBURY SAID RESPONSE TO THE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING, WITH THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS INCREASING AND THE INCIDENCE OF OFFENDERS DECREASING EVERY MONTH.
+INDUSTRY REALISES THAT THE REGULATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO REDUCE A SOCIAL EVIL BY GOOD DESIGN AND TO ROOT OUT AIR POLLUTION AT SOURCE,+ HE SAID.
THE REGULATIONS HAVE ALSO HELPED INDUSTRY SAVE FUEL - AND MONEY - BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF FUEL-BURNING PLANT IN HONG KONG.+
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SERVICE RESERVOIRS IN KWAI CHUNG a a a a a
WORK WILL START SOON ON A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AT ‘LAI KING HEADLAND, KWAI CHUNG TO COPE WITH FUTURE WATER DEMAND BROUGHT ABOUT BY DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
THE SERVICE RESERVOIR, SITUATED ON A HIGH LEVEL AREA THAT LIES BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG, WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF FIVE MILLION LITRES (1.1 MILLION GALLONS).
A SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WITH A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 0.7 MILLION LITRES (150,000 GALLONS) WILL ALSO DE CONSTRUCTED IN THE SAME AREA TO PROVIDE A SALT WATER FLUSHING SYSTEM.
WORKS ON EACH OF THE TWO WATER SYSTEMS WILL COMPRISE A PUMPING STATION, A SERVICE RESERVOIR, A PUMPING MAIN AND DISTRIBUTION MAINS.
COMMENTING ON THE PROJECT, A WATERWORKS OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TOO RESERVOIRS WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FRESH WATER AND SALT WATER SUPPLIES TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HA KWAI CHUNG ESTATE AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY’S CHO YIU CHUEN ESTATE BEING PLANNED in THIS AREA.
THE HA KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE 19,000
PEOPLE, WILL HAVE ITS FIRST INTAKE IN MID-1977, AND CHO YIU CHUEN ESTATE WHICH WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR 16,000 PEOPLE, IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED DY 1970.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD ALSO SERVE OTHER PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ADJACENT HIGH LEVEL AREAS. CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE RESERVOIRS WILL BEGIN IN MARCH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975
SCHOOLS TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST AIR POLLUTION if it it it it it
l'
ABOUT 50 SCHOOLS ARE TO TAKE PART IN WHICH IS A CONTINUOUS EXPERIMENT DESIGNED WIND PATTERN DATA TO ASSIST IN THE BATTLE
^PROJECT WINDSHIFT+, TO PRODUCE UNIQUE LOCAL AGAINST AIR POLLUTION.
THE PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED DY THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, IS A JOINT EFFORT DY THREE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS - EDUCATION, LABOUR AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY - AND THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION. RANK XEROX IS FINANCING THE PROJECT AND PRINTING THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS FOR STUDENTS.
THIS PROJECT IS ANOTHER CONTRIBUTION DY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT. IT FOLLOWS THE +CLEAN WATER* SURVEY WHICH WAS CARRIED OUT IN MID-1973 DY 18,440 PUPILS. THAT SURVEY FOCUSES THE PROBLEM OF STREAM POLLUTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES VERY WELL AND THE FINDINGS ARE REGARDED AS A USEFUL ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION ALREADY COLLECTED.
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS TO LAUNCH +PROJECT WINDSHIFT*.
EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN A +HOME-MADE+ ANEMOMETER, THE PROTO-TYPE OF WHICH WAS INITIALLY PREPARED BY THE JOCKEY CLUD GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND MODIFIED , BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE INSTRUMENTS, PRODUCED BY A NUMBER OF SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, WILL DE CALIBRATED BY SCIENCE INSPECTORS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BASED ON STANDARDS SET BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THEY WILL BE CAPABLE OF GIVING CONSISTENT AND ACCURATE WIND SPEED READINGS. THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ADVISE THE SCHOOLS WHERE TO PLACE THE INSTRUMENTS TO OBTAIN THE BEST RESULTS.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL BE ASKED TO MAKE TWO READINGS EACH DAY TO COMPARE WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S OBSERVATIONS AT WAGLAN ISLAND, KING’S PARK AND CHEUNG CHAU.
+AT THE END OF THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR, THE RESULTS FROM EACH SCHOOL WILL BE COLLATED, COMPILED AND ANALYSED BY COMPUTER TO PRESENT THE LOCAL VARIATIONS IN WIND PATTERN*, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
*THESE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED AND GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT PLANNING AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL.*
/IT IS PUNNED.....
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 1, 1975
IT IS PLANNED TO ARRANGE A SEMINAR AFTERWARDS
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS THE FINAL REPORT.
THE SPOKESMAN WAS FROM HAVING FIRST-HAND
AND TEACHERS TO DISCUSS THE
CONFIDENT THAT THE STUDENTS
FOR ALL RESULTS IN
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN GATHERING
WOULD BENEFIT
SCIENTIFIC DATA WHICH WERE COMPLETELY LACKING AT PRESENT BUT ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR TOWN-PLANNERS WHO WERE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
THE SCHOOLS INVITED BY THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO TAKE PART IN +PROJECT WINDSHIFT+ ARE SITUATED IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS CONSIDERED TO BE MOST APPROPRIATE IN THIS PROJECT.
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INTERRUPTION OF SALT WATER SUPPLY IN KOWLOON a a a a
SALT WATER FLUSHING
SUPPLY TO A
INTERRUPTED
NUMBER OF AREAS IN THE EAST FOR 24 HOURS STARTING FROM
9°am°m S7February 3)?this is toenablereneual work on A 21-IHCH SALT WATER SLUICE VALVE TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE JUNCTION OF SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD AND KOWLOON CITY ROAD.
BE CARRIED OUT AT THE
AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES WITHIN AREAS OF HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, TUNG TAU TSUEN, KOWLOON TONG, LO FU &GAM, WANG TAU HOM, WONG TAI SIN AND FUNG WONG TSUEN.
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/5 ....
t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975
LUi R NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS it it it if if if
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST AND SECOND DAYS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH FALL ON FEBRUARY 11 AND 12, 1975, ARE. TWO OF THE SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, AND ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT EARN MORE THAN 82,000 A MONTH, ARE ENTITLED TO THESE HOLIDAYS. *
• ' ■ ’•
AN EMPLOYEE IS QUALIFIED FOR PAY ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY IF HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED CONTINUOUSLY BY HIS EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR MORE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY. AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS NOT WORKED FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STILL ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY, AND HIS EMPLOYER MAY AGREE VOLUNTARILY TO PAY HIM.
♦IF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY,* MR. PRICE SAID.
ANY EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEE WHO IS IN DOUBT ABOUT HIS OBLIGATIONS OR RIGHTS REGARDING STATUTORY HOLIDAYS OR HOLIDAY PAY MAY CONSULT OFFICERS OF THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS AREs FOR KOWLOON EAST, 3-205638- KOWLOON WEST, 3-201652° KWUN TONG, 3-898520° TSUEN WAN, ' 12-422096° AND HONG KONG ISLAND, 5-202523, EXT. 60.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YUEN LONG
DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR if it if it if if
V..CM JSLTR*NSP0RT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TWO ROADS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM FEBRUARY 3 (MONDAY) TO FEBRUARY 11 ^TUESDAY) FOR A CHINESE NEW YEAR FAIR .TO BE HELD IN THE AREA.
R0ADS ARE KIK YEUNG ROAD AND ON NING ROAD BETWEEN MA ttlU ROAD AND TAI KIU ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGHS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
/6
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1975.
EDUCATION DIRECTOR TO VISIT KWUN TONG SCHOOLS ft ft ft ft If ft I
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL VISIT A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND TOO PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN KWUN TONG ON MONDAY
, (FEBRUARY 3).
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (KOWLOON EAST), MISS WONG SHU-FAN.
MR. TOPLEY WILL SPEND ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AT EACH SCHOOL. THE THREE SCHOOLS ARE: THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL (A.M.), THE SUBSIDISED KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE SUBSIDISED GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION PAST STUDENTS ASSOCIATION KWUN TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL.
IN KWUN TONG, THERE ARE 91 PRIMARY AND 27 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF MORE THAN 133,000.
AFTER THE TOUR, THE DIRECTOR WILL MAKE A BRIEF STOP AT THE KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WHICH IS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE TOWARDS COMPLETION. THE INSTITUTE PLANS TO BEGIN COURSES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS: VOW AftB INVITED TO HAVE THE SCHOOL VISITS --------------- COUCRGP CJI MONDAY. THE PROGRAMME IS AS FOLLOWS:
9.30 AM - . VISIT BWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL (AM),
10.00 AM NGAO TAU KOK ROAD.
(HEADMISTRESS: MRS. SUEN CHAN CHI-TAK).
10.15 AM - VISIT KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, SHU I NING STREET.
10.45 AM (PRINCIPAL: MR. TONG PO-KWAI).
11.00 AM - VISIT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION PAST STUDENTS
11.30 AM ASSOCIATION KWUN TONG PRIMARY SCHOOL, BLOCK 17,
GROUND FLuUR, KWUN TONG ESTATE, TSUI PING ROAD. (HEADMASTER: MR. SZETO WAH).
11.45 AM BRIEF STOP AT KWUN TONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1975
EEC GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES BRITAIN EXERCISES ITS RIGHT IN FAVOUR OF HONG KONG
■ ■ r ' • .
BRITAIN HAS WAIVED ITS RIGHT UNDER THE NEW COMMON MARKET GENERAL SCHEME OF PREFERENCES TO INVOKE A PROVISION WHICH WOULD HAVE LED TO FURTHER DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG’S EXPORTS.
AFFECTED ARE TOYS (ONE OF. HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORTS), UMBRELLAS, IMITATION JEWELLERY, TORCHES AND WIGS.
ALTHOUGH THESE ITEMS ARE ON THE SO-CALLED SEMI-SENSITIVE LIST, THAT IS TO SAY EACH BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED TO CLAIM PREFERENCE UP TO 50 PER CENT OF THE COMMUNITY TARIFF QUOTA FOR THE PRODUCT IN QUESTION, HONG KONG AND SEVERAL OTHER BENEFICIARIES ARE DENIED FULL BENEFITS BECAUSE OF THEIR CLASSIFICATION AS ♦SUPER-COMPETITIVE* SUPPLIERS OF THESE AND SOME OTHER PRODUCTS.
• • • ■ . I
INSTEAD WE ARE SUBJECT TO A LOWER CUT-OFF LEVEL EQUAL TO OUR PREFERENTIAL ACCESS OF 1974 WHICH IS BASED ON 20 TO 30 PER CENT OF THE COMMUNITY TARIFF QUOTA OF THAT YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THERE IS A PROVISION WHICH FURTHER LIMITS OUR ACCESS IN EACH MEMBER STATE TO HALF OF THIS ENTITLEMENT.
IT IS THIS LATTER-LIMITATION THAT BRITAIN HAS NOW DECIDED NOT TO APPLY.
HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF THS ^VE ITEMS TO THE EEC WERE WORTH A LITTLE OVER 8480 MILLION LAST YEAR WITH BRITAIN TAKING THE LION’S SHARE.
WELCOMING THE NEWS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S DECISION HAS REMOVED PART OF THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG.
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. Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kdng.Tel: 5-233191
2SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1975.
COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AT 01 MAN ESTATE TO OPEN IN THREE MONTHS TIME a a h # a
HOUSEWIVES IN HO MAN TIN AREA WILL FIND IT A GREAT CONVENIENCE TO SHOP IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S LARGE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AT 01 MAN ESTATE WHEN IT OPENS IN THREE MONTHS TIME.
THE CENTRE, IDEALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE ESTATE AND JUST NEXT TO THE BUS TERMINUS, HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROVISION OF A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS A NEW CONCEPT OF THE AUTHORITY’S ARCHITECTS.
IT WILL HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF SHOPS, A SUPERMARKET, DEPARTMENT STORE, TWO BANKS, TWO RESTAURANTS AND A CAFE!
THE THREE-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED AND AN ESCALATOR WILL BE PROVIDED TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF SHOPPERS FROM FLOOR TO FLOOR.
<
LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE THE TWO BANKS AND THE SUPERMARKET. THE SHOPS AND THE CAFE WILL OCCUPY THE FIRST FLOOR WHILE THE RESTAURANTS AND DEPARTMENT STORE WILL BE ON THE TOP FLOOR. THE ROOF TOP WILL BE USED AS A RES.T AREA FOR SHOPPERS.
THE ENTIRE BUILDING HAS A GROSS AREA OF OVER 200,000 / SQUARE FEET. *
NOTE TO EDITORSi COPIES OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING AN
—...—......... ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
* X ■ ’ • ' . '
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1975.
•--YOUTH LEADERSHIP ’75+ a a a a
I ** ■
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YUEN LONG COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL HAVE JOINTLY ORGANISED A YOUTH LE DERSHIP TRAINING COURSE TO DEO IN IN MARCH.
ENTITLED +YOUTH LEADERSHIP, 75+, IT IS INTENDED TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE OF TIJE YUEN LONG AND TUEfl MUN DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP THEIR LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL** TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES OF ACQUIRING THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OF GOOD LEADERSHIP AND TO PROMOTE A GREATER AWARENESS ON THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.
MR. PAUL WONG, THE COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICER (YUEN LONG), SAID THE COURSE IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES - UNDERSTANDING, PLANNING, ACTION AND EVALUATION’- AND WILL RUN FOR NINE MONTHS.
♦THEORETICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE LEARNED WILL BE PROVIDED,+ HE SAID.
YOUTHS LIVING IN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICTS WHO ARE 15 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE AN EDUCATION OF FORM 3 OR ABOVE MAY APPLY FOR THE COURSE AT THE GERNERAL OFFICE OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL. APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE FEBURARY 21.
o
MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CERTIFICATES FOR 1973/74 SESSION
CERTIFICATES FOR THE 1973-74 SESSION OF BOTH FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EVENING COURSES OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION.
STUDENTS SHOULD BRING THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND CALL AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT 01 KWAN ROAD, WANCHAI, AT THE
• FOLLOWING TIMES i if MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS
9.30 A.M. TO 12 NOON (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
2.00 P.M. TO 4.00 P.M. (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
7.15 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M. (EXCEPT INSTITUTE HOLIDAYS) a SATURDAYS
9.30 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M. (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
CERTIFICATES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNICIAN PART-TIME DAY RELEASE COURSE WILL BE ISSUED AT A LATER DATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
i
MONDAY, FEBURARY 3, 1975
CONTENTS PACE NO.
HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL FORMALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR AT THE CITY HALL.......................................... «|
BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELL-TRAINED YOUNG MEN EMBARKING ON A TECHNICAL CAREER IN HONG KONG ......................... 3
SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEU YEAR
PERIOD................................................ 4
FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS POSTED AT SUPREME COURT .... 4
HONG KONG RESERVOIRS 76.3 PER CENT FULL..................... 5
• ' I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1975
। *
GOVERN i OPENS THIRD HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL it H it H it it
THE THIRD HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SWUNG INTO HIGH GEAR THIS MURRAY^MACLEHOSE W,TH ™E F0RMAL 0PEN,NG by THE GOVERNOR, SIR
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS AT THE CITY HALL, SIR MURRAY NOTED THAT THE FESTIVAL HAD COME A LONG WAY IN THE PAST THREE YEARS AND HAD ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS AN INTERNATIONAL ARTISTIC EVENT OF HIGH QUALITY.
•
♦ IT IS GIVING A NEW IMPETUS TO THE ARTS IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID, NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD NOW ESTABLISHED ITS OWN PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA AND BUILDING AN ARTS CENTRE.+
♦ABOVE ALL,* SIR MURRAY ADDED, +FOR MANY IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD IT HAS SHED A NEW LIGHT ON OUR CITY, ON WHAT SORT OF A PLACE IT IS, ON WHAT WE WHO LIVE IN IT ARE TRYING TO DO, ON WHAT IT MIGHT OFFER TO CITIZENS AND VISITORS ALIKE.*
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS A DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND QUALITY WHICH REFLECTED WELL ON THE COMMUNITY AND DESERVED FULL SUPPORT.
AFTER THE FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY MACLEHOSE ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING CONCERT BY THE ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. ,
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECHt
+IT IS MY PLEASANT DUTY TO OPEN THIS THIRD HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
+1 SHOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE MANY DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS WHO HAVE COME FROM ABROAD. SOME OF THEM HAVE RETURNED TO RENEW THEIR ASSOCIATION, OTHERS ARE COMING TO HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME. TO ALL ARE DUE OUR GRATEFUL THANKS.
+HONG KONG’S OWN ARTISTS HAVE BENEFITED IMMENSELY FROM THE PAST TWO FESTIVALS. MANY OF THEM WILL BE PERFORMING DURING THE WEEKS AHEAD, AND WILL BE DEMONSTRATING THE CONTRIBUTION THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO MAKE. TO THEM TOO ARE DUE OUR THANKS, ‘AS WELL AS OUR CONGRATULATIONS AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
+1 SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT, IN PARTICULAR THE URBAN COUNCIL, BRITISH AIRWAYS, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG HOTELS ASSOCIATION.
/+1 ALSO THANK .....
2
MONDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1975
♦I ALSO THAN!. THE MANY ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COME FORWARD AS GUARANTORS, AS SPONSORS OF STUDENT SEATS, OR TO HELP IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
+l SHOULD LIKE TO MENTION JUST TWO NAMES. FIRST OF ALL THAT OF MR. IAN HUNTER. IT IS HE WHO HAS ESTABLISHED THIS FESTIVAL AND PUT IT ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP. SECONDLY, MR. RUN RUN SHAW AND HIS COMMITTEE. WE OWE THE CONTINUANCE OF THIS FESTIVAL AS A VIABLE PROPOSITION TO THEIR ENERGY, REALISM AND GENEROSITY.
+THIS FESTIVAL HAS MANY PURPOSESI TO GIVE PLEASURE, TO SHARPEN OUR APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS AND COMPLEMENT THE ARTISTIC WORK OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM- TO ACCELERATE HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS A CENTRE OF ART AND CULTURE AS WELL AS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
♦IN THESE THREE YEARS IT HAS COME A LONG WAY. IT IS ESTABLISHED AS AN INTERNATIONAL ARTISTIC EVENT OF HIGH QUALITY. IT IS GIVING A NEW IMPETUS TO THE ARTS IN HONG KONG AND IN THIS SHORT TIME A PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA OF OUR OWN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND AN ARTS CENTRE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. ABOVE ALL. FOR MANY IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD IT HAS SHED A NEW LIGHT ON OUR CITY, ON WHAT SORT OF A PLACE IT IS, ON WHAT WE WHO LIVE IN IT ARE TRYING TO DO, ON WHAT IT MIGHT OFFER TO CITIZENS AND VISITORS ALIKE. IT IS INDEED A DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE AND QUALITY WHICH REFLECTS WELL ON THIS COMMUNITY AND DESERVES ITS FULL SUPPORT, AND ONCE AGAIN I SHOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL, WHETHER ARTISTS, ORGANISERS OR SPONSORS WHO HAVE'MADE IT POSSIBLE.
♦I NOW TAKE GREAT PLEASURE IN DECLARING OPEN THE THIRD HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.+
3
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1975
PRENTICES TOLD OF BIG OPPORTUNITIES a a a a a a
THE HEAD OF THE WATERWORKS OFFICE, MR. BILL TUCKER, TODAY SPOKE OF THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND CHANCES CONFRONTING ANY WELL-TRAINED YOUNG MAN EMBARKING ON A TECHNICAL CAREER IN HONG KONG.
MR. TUCKER. WHO IS PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT WATER ENGINEER, WAS PRESENTING PASSING-OUT CERTIFICATES TO 43 CRAFT APPRENTICES WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED FOUR-YEAR COURSES OF TRAINING WITH THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID IT WAS BECOMING’ INCREASINGLY APPARENT IN HONG KONG THAT SKILLED MANPOWER RESOURCES WERE GETTING SCARCER IN RELATION TO DEMAND AND HAD TO BE PUT TO THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE.
+A CONSEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT TO MINIMISE THE DEMAND FOR THIS SCARCE RESOURCE# AS A RESULT, THE DEGREE OF SKILL FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION MUST RISE ACCORDINGLY TO MEET THE NEW DEMANDS.
♦FURTHERMORE, THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WILL MATERIALLY DEPEND ON DEVELOPING ITS INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF ITS GOODS. THIS WILL PRESENT A CHALLENGE AND CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINED MEN LIKE YOURSELVES, WHOSE INDUSTRY AND OUTLOOK MAKES THEM READY AND WILLING TO SEIZE SUCH OPPORTUNITIES.+
DURING THEIR FOUR-YEAR COURSES, THE APPRENTICES HAVE BEEN GIVEN INTENSIVE PRACTICAL TRAINING IN WORKSHOPS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE AND THE WATERWORKS OFFICE.
THEY WILL HAVE THE CHANCE OF JOBS IN EITHER OF THESE TWO OFFICES, IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR WITH THE KOWLOON AND CANTON RAILWAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS#
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING CRAFT APPRENTICES RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN WELDING AT P.W.D.’S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE WORKSHOP AT WHITFIELD BARRACKS, KOWLOON, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1975
TRAIN SERVICES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
SP££‘& PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE OPERATED DURING THE THREE-DAY CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD STARTING FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN COMMUTERS.
TEN UP-TRAINS WILL BE RUNNING FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN 9.46 A.M. AND 8.29 P.M., WHILE ELEVEN DOWN-TRAINS WILL BE OPERATING BETWEEN 10.57 A.M. AND 11.33 P.M.
THE SPECIAL UP-TRAINS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI STATION WILL NOT STOP AT MONG KOK STATION. THE NORMAL SCHEDULE UP-TRAINS RUNNING ON SUNDAYS AND-PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WILL ALSO BYPASS MONG KOK STATION BETWEEN 6.30 A.M. AND 3.01. P.M.
^DURING THIS PERIOD, PASSENGERS NORMALLY BOARDING AT MONG KOK STATION SHOULD USE TSIM SHA TSUI STATION. HOLDERS OF MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BOARD AT TSIM SHA TSUI WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGES. TICKETS FOR TRAINS TO KOWLOON WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT MONG KOK STATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY TODAY ADVISED THE PUBLIC THAT TRAINS GOING UP TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M. THOSE RETURNING TO KOWLOON ARE EXPECTED ------------
HE SAID ADDITIONAL THE LATE EVENING SHOULD
TO BE PACKED BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND
SPECIAL TRAINS WILL BE PROVIDED CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
9 P.M
IN
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X
NEW JURY LIST h a a k
THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT ANNOUNCED'TODAY THAT A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WILL BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD NEAR THE LIFT INSIDE THE SOUTH-WEST ENTRANCE OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON FEBRUARY 17.
THE LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS. DURING THIS PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN SUCH NOTICE. THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST.
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/5.....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1975
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT ft it it it it it it
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL ^SERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3) STOOD AT 51,326 MLLION GALLONS, BPPnP^FMTIHQ 76-3 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY Or MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 47,760 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
tmiq MonNINR’S STORAGE 'AT PLOVER COVE WAS 33,722 MILLION GALLONS COMPARED WITH 37.103 MILLION GALLONS ON frlE SAME DAY ?JsT YE&R PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 76.7 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL ?g|ERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. jOTAL RAIN. ALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 35.8 KM (1.41 IN).
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 35.3 MM (1.39 IN).
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PRH 7
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
. ■ 1 .. J • • '' ■■ I • I
•; '••/•■ .,’-.• " . ’; •• . । i
। , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
■’ • ’ " • . ' v
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW......................... 1
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ENCOURAGES OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS TO FORM JOINT VENTURES WITH LOCAL FIRMS ..................................................... 2
ONE THIRD OF FORMER PAUL LEE WORKERS RE-EMPLOYED BY NEW CONTRACTORS ............................................ 3
COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS BELIEVES THAT HONG KONG’S PENAL SYSTEM IS SECOND TO NONE.................................. 4
RETIREMENT OF EDUCATION INSPECTOR AFTER 34 YEARS’ SERVICE .. 5
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PRAISES MARYKNOLL PUPILS FOR PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE........................ 6
RESTAURANT WAGE DISPUTE SETTLED.............................. 6
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
LE SLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW u « n a « «
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) SEEKING APPROVAL FOR A SO PER CENT INCREASE IN ANNUAL TELEPHONE RENTALS AND INSTALLATION CHARGES BEGINNING FORM MARCH 1, 1975.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TELEPHONE (AMENDMENT) BILL SEEKING TO WAIVE ROYALTY PAYMENTS DY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR 1974 AND 1975 AND THE APPOINTMENT OF A GOVERNMENT DIRECTOR TO THE BOARD OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY WILL ALSO DE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS — ONE ON THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER OH THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE WILL EE MADE DY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RESPECTIVELY.
THE FIRST SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF TAX IMPOSED UNDER THE HOTEL ACCOMODATION TAX ORDINANCE TO THREE PER CENT BEGINNING FROM APRIL 1, 1975 UNTIL MARCH 31, 1976 AND FURTHER TO INCREASE IT TO FOUR PER CENT FROM APRIL 1, 1976.
THE SECOND SEEKS TO EXTEND FOR THE TERM OF THREE YEARS ENDING ON APRIL 30, 1970 THE DURATION OF SECTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE APPLICATION DY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO THE FULL COURT FOR THE REVIEW 07 ANY SENTENCE PASSED DY ANY COURT.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL DE ASKED THAT IN VIEW OF THE FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTIES SURROUNDING THE TELEPHONE COMPANY DISCLOSED DY ITS APPLICATION FOR INCREASED CHARGES WHAT WERE THE CONSIDERATIONS, IF ANY, FOR NOT SUSPENDING THE SHARES FROM DE I NG TRADED TO PREVENT ANY POSS I DIL ITY OF THOSE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ITS AFFAIRS GAINING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER THOSE MORE IGNORANT.
OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED DY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL INCLUDE THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY ON THE CERTIFICATED MASTERS* DISPUTE=> GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR INDUSTRY TO AVOID BANKRUPTCIES DUE TO CASH FLOW PROBLEMS13 THE SETTING UP OF PROPER COOKED FOOD BAZAARS IN HEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY OH UNREGISTRADLE DOCTORS.
/IN ADDITION .......
TUESDAY t FEBRUARY 4t 1975
2
sis ™
Susan s«FS!M ss-" “ sw
KONG POLYTECHNIC ANNUAL REPORT 1973/74 ANn^r'THE «ONG
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MTRPA TO KEEP CENTRAL REGISTER
OF LOCAL CONTRACTORS
######
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY IS TO KEEP A CENTRAL REGISTER OF LOCAL CONTRACTORS INTERESTED IN JOINING UP WITH INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS TO UNDERTAKE WORKS CONNECTED WITH THE MTR PROJECT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID THE INTENTION WAS TO ENCOURAGE OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS TO FORM JOINT VENTURES WITH LOCAL COMPANIES SO THAT THE MAXIMUM USE WOULD BE MADE OF LOCAL RESOURCES.
HE SAID THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VERSATILE AND EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FIRMS IN HONG KONG WITH CASTING, EXTRUDING AND GENERAL ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES.
♦BY MAINTAINING A CENTRAL REGISTER,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +WE HOPE TO ACT AS A MIDDLEMAN BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS IF NECESSARY.♦ >
TWENTY-FIVE CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS AND TEN OTHERS FOR
. ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS ARE TO BE LET. TENDERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CALLED FOR PROGRESSIVELY FROM APRIL.
A BROCHURE CONTAINING PRELIMINARY INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUT ON SALE.
COPIES OF THE BROCHURE AT US$10 EACH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICES OF THE AUTHORITY AND THE LONDON OFFICE OF FREEMAN FOX AND PARTNERS,-CONSULTING ENGINEERS TO THE AUTHORITY.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
- 3 - ! '
F RMER PAUL LEE WORKERS RE-EMPLOYED DY HEW CONTRACTORS a a a a a a
ABOUT ONE THI.iD OF THE FORMER WORKFORCE OF THE FAILED PAUL LEE ENGINEERING CO. LTD. HAVE DEEN RE-EMPLOYED BY THE NEW CONTRACTORS ENGAGED DY THE GOVERNMENT.
THEY WERE RE-HIRED FOLLOWING A REQUEST FROM SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO THE NEW CONTRACTORS TO TAKE ON AS MANY OF THE EX-PAUL LEE WORKERS AS POSSIBLE.
WORK ON EIGHT FORMER PAUL LEE PROJECTS HAS BEEN STEADILY BUILDING UP OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS.
' DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NEW CONTRACTORS HAVE HIRED 132 — OR 32 PER CENT — OF THE 412 WORKERS FORMERLY DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY THE PAUL LEE COMPANY.
OFFICIALS OF DOTH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN KEEPING IN CLOSE TOUCH WfTH THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION ON THE PROJECTS.
THE GOVERNMENT RE-ENTERED THE SITES ON NOVEMBER 6 LAST YEAR, AND ARRANGED FOR A SPECIAL EX-GRATIA PAYMENT ~ BELIEVED TO BE ABOUT $150,000 TO,$200,000 — TO THE PAUL LEE COMPANY TO PAY ITS WORKERS BACK WAGES UP TO THAT DATE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE RATE OF EMPLOYMENT OF EX-PAUL LEE WORKERS WAS EXPECTED TO EE STEPPED UP AS WORK ON THE PROJECTS ACCELERATED IN THE COMING WEEKS.
HE ADDED t ♦OF COURSE, A NUMBER OF THE COMPANY’S FORMER EMPLOYEES HAVE PROBABLY FOUND OTHER JOBS IN THE MEANTIME.
♦HOWEVER, THE NEW CONTRACTORS — HSIN CHONG, GAMMON, HARBOUR, PAUL Y, AND FOOK LEE -b RESPONDED ENCOURAGINGLY TO A REQUEST THAT THEY TAKE ON THE EX-LEE WORKERS WHERE POSSIBLE.
♦THIS HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN THE FACT THAT IN A VERY SHORT SPACE OF TIME, NEARLY ONE THIRD OF THE COMPANY’S WORKFORCE IS BACK ON THE PROJECTS WITH THE NEW CONTRACTORS.+
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A.....
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
HO!!Q KONG’S PENAL SYSTEM SECOND TO NONE SAYS COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS m ti a « u «
THE PENAL SYSTEM IN HONGKONG IS SECOND TO NONE. FURTHERMORE, HONG KONG PROBABLY LEADS THE WORLD IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY MR. TOM GARNER, COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS. WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON*
EARLIER HE REVEALED THAT COMPARED TO THE LATEST FIGURE AVAILABLE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ALLOWING FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SIZE OF POPULATION, HONG KONG’S PRISON POPULATION IS 150 PER CENT HIGHER.
♦THERE IS AT PRESENT CONFINED WITHIN PENAL INSTITUTIONS OVER 8.200 PRISONERS — THIS IS SOME 2,000-MORE THAN THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED.*
+YET DESPITE THIS OVERCROWDING — AND THIS HAS BEEN A PERENNIAL PROBLEM - THE PENAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS SECOND TO NONE. FURTHERMORE WE PROBABLY LEAD THE WORLD- IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS,* HE STRESSED.
THAT WE ARE IN THE FOREFRONT, HE ADDED, AMPLY REFLECTS THE EFFICIENCY OF THE STAFF. +IT IS THEY — THEMSELVES — WHO HAVE DESTROYED THAT ONCE POPULAR AND TAUNTING MYTH THAT THE ROLE OF A PRISON OFFICER IS SIMPLY THAT OF A TURN-KEY. IF THERE WAS ANY GRAIN OF TRUTH IN THIS’, THEN SURELY IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS.*
FURTHER ELABORATING, MR. GARNER SAID, *THE AVERAGE CITIZEN MAY HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT PRISONERS LIVE IN SUB-HUMAN CONDITIONS AND ARE OFTEN ILL-TREATED BY THE STAFF. THIS UGLY, MEDIEVAL PRACTICE IS HISTORY. ILL TREATMENT IS A METHOD OF THE PAST AND IT WILL STAY THAT WAY.*
ON OTHER ’FACTS ABOUT PRISONS’ THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT FEW PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A LOW ESCAPE RATE FROM OUR PENAL INSTITUTIONS — A FACT WHICH IS PROBABLY THE ENVY OF MANY COUNTRIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND PROBABLY IN THE WORLD.
SPEAKING ABOUT THE MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON AT STANLEY, MR. GARNER SAID, +IT IS WITH SOME SATISFACTION I CAN SAY THAT 1974 SAW THE LOWEST NUMBER OF ASSAULT CASES IN STANLEY PRISON FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS, WHICH HAVE AVERAGED 62 PER YEAR. LAST YEAR THERE WAS ONLY TEN CASES IN ALL. A FAR CRY FROM 1953 WHEN THERE WERE 90 CASES OF ASSAULT AND EVEN AS RECENT AS 1971 WHEN THERE WERE 91 CASES OF-SUCH INCIDENTS.*
THE COMMISSIONER DESCRIBED THE STEADY DECLINE OF ASSAULTS INSIDE STANLEY AS SHOWING A VERY DEFINITE INDICATION OF THE DEGREE OF CONTROL NOW EXISTING IN THAT INSTITUTION. ______
/ON THE
I
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
ON THE REFORMATION OF YOUNG OFFENDERS MR. GARNER HAD THIS TO SAY. +SINCE THE DETENTION CENTRES CAME INTO OPERATION IN JUNE, 1972, A TOTAL OF 1,412 YOUNG OFFENDERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 21 HAVE BEEN AT 1ITTED. OF THIS 78 PER CENT OR A TOTAL OF 1,112^WERE ADMITTED FOR OFFENCES ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME OF
THE SUCCESS RATE CONTINUES TO HOLD AT AROUND 90 PER CENT AND MR. GARNER NOTED THAT THIS WAS NO MEAN ACHIEVEMENT AND INDEED A CREDIT TO THE STAFF WHO HAD PUT SO MUCH EFFORT INTO IT.
MR. GARNER ALSO BELIEVES THAT PARENTS DO CARE FOR THEIR " CHILDREN WHO GET INTO TROUBLE AND THIS IS BORNE OUT BY THE FACT THAT ONLY THREE PER CENT OF THE INMATES HAVE FAILED TO RECEIVE VISITS DURING THEIR PERIOD OF DETENTION.
r
NOTE TO ED ITORSs
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. TOM GARNER’S SPEECH AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON WILL BE BOXED SEPARATELY FOR COLLECTION THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
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EDUCATION INSPECTOR RETIRES
# it a n a a
MR. CHOW PING-KONG. INSPECTOR OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS RETIRING TODAY AFTER 34 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
’ THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN, YESTERDAY PRESENTED MR. CHOW WITH A MEMENTO FROM HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
HE REMINDED THOSE PRESENT AT THE PARTY, WHICH WAS HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, THAT MR. CHOW HAD JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1941 AS A WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR.
DURING THE WAR HE JOINED AN IRONWORKS IN KWEILIN AS A TECHNICIAN AND THEN SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY' IN KWEIYANG.
ON HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG, MR. CHOW REJOINED THE GOVERNMENT AND BEGAN AN EDUCATIONAL CAREER WHICH COVERED TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, THE GRANTHAM TRAINING COLLEGE AND IN JULY 1961 THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WHERE HE HAD SINCE BEEN SERVING.
IN 1969 MR. CHOW WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ASSISTANT MASTER.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975 ! - 6 -
MARYKNOLL PUPILS PLAY ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE # # H «
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY TODAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL FOR ENCOURAGING AND y. PREPARING ITS PUPILS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OPEN DAY OF THE SCHOOL.
' t’ • • ’■/ .‘J
MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT WITH THIS TRAINING IT WAS NOT SURPRISING TO FIND SO MANY MARYKNOLL GIRLS OCCUPYING IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY THOSE PROFESSIONS INVOLVED IN SOCIAL SERVICE.
♦THE MARYKNOLL SISTERS AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TAUGHT OR BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAVE REASON TO BE PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
♦TODAY THE SCHOOL HAS A HIGH REPUTATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF HONI3 KONG AND OVERSEAS NOT ONLY FOR THE SOUND ACADEMIC ATTAINMENTS OF ITS PUPILS BUT ALSO THE SCHOOL’S WELL-KNOWN COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT 50 YEARS AGO THE MARYKNOLL SISTERS ESTABLISHED THE SCHOOL WITH 12 KINDERGARTEN PUPILS. NOW IT HAS A TOTAL-ENROLMENT OF MORE THAN 2,300 KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PUPILS. / . ,
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RESTAURANT WAGE DISPUTE SETTLED ##«### -
THE WAGE DISPUTE INVOLVING 22 EMPLOYEES OF THE MING FONG RESTAURANT IN WESTERN DISTRICT WAS AMICABLY SETTLED. YESTERDAY.
AT A MEETING AT THE HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE, THE PARTIES REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE PAYMENT OF CHINESE NEW YEAR BONUS AND STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY.
PAYMENT WILL BE MADE ON FEBRUARY 6 AT THE RESTAURANT.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
z • SIR HURRAY STRESSES THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT EXPENDITURE.................................... 1
UNOFFICIALS-GIVE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL TO INCREASE IN TELEPHONE CHARGES........................................ 4
FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAYS THERE IS NO IMPROPER TRADING OF TELEPHONE SHARES .......................................... 11
PROVISIONS FOR REVIEWING COURT SENTENCES TO BE EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS..........................i....... 12
NO POLICY OF ASSISTANCE FOR UNPROFITABLE COMPANIES ........ 13
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX TO RISE FROM TOO TO THREE PER CENT IN APRIL THIS YEAR ..................................... 14
FOUR BILLS COMPLETED PASSAGE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .. 15 TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO INCREASE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND EASTERN EUROPE ................. 16
BUS FRANCHISES EXTENDED UNTIL END OF MAY................... 17
NO DECISION YET ON PUBLICATION OF REPORT ON CERTIFICATED MASTERS0 DISPUTE.................................... 17
COOKED FOOD BAZAARS TO BE INCLUDED IN AMENITY AREAS OF NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES...........4............................. 18
REPORT ON UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS TO BE SUBMITTED IN TOO MONTHS ................................................... 18
AMBULANCEMEN ANSWERED RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS................ 19
PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ............... 20
TECHNICAL TEACHERS0 COLLEGE RECEIVE BOOK DONATION ......... 20
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
ole V
COVERIZIEriT TO TAKE A H/kRD LOCK AT EXPENDITURE
«25« a
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE A VERY HARD LOOK AT EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
A
IN THE PRESENT DIFFICULT WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION, THIS WAS NOT THE TIME FOR SPENDING ON INESSENTIALS. HE TOLD A DINNER OF THE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE (1ONG KONG CLUB.
+1 DO NOT THINK PEOPLE WOULD DE READY TO SHOULDER INCREASED BURDENS UNLESS ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS PART HAD DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE FROM THE LOAD EVERYTHING THAT IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES WAS INESSENTIAL,* HE SAID.
SIR MURRAY SAID THAT NO ONE WAS MORE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE PRESENT DIFFICULTIES THAN HIMSELF, DUT HE FELT THE PROBLEM WAS A TEMPORARY ONE — *THERE IS A BAD PATCH DUT A BRIGHT FUTURE.*
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT WHEREVER DEMAND EXISTS NOW HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY WAS WELL PLACED TO FILL IT AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE, AND WHEN THE UP-TURN COMES, AS HE FELT SURE IT WOULD, HONG KONG SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO BENEFIT.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN WORLD ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WOULD RE-ADJUST ITSELF, HE SAID, DUT IN THE MEANTIME EVERYONE’S EFFORTS SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S LIVELIHOOD.
DESPITE WHAT THE CRITICS MIGHT SAY, HE ADDED. HONG KONG HAD GREAT CREDIT IN THOSE CIRCLES OF THE WORLD THAT MATTER ECONOMICALLY.
+ IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST ADAPTABLE CONCENTRATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL SKILL AND ENTERPRISE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN, WITH A WORKFORCE WHOSE PATIENCE IN ADVERSITY AND RESILIENCE IN PROSPERITY I ADMIRE MORE AND MORE WITH EVERY YEAR I STAY HERE.
r
*THIS MUST NOW DE DEPLOYED TO GET US THROUGH THE BAD PATCH AND CLIMB OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE.*
IMAGINATIVE AND AGGRESSIVE SALESMANSHIP, HE STRESSED, WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE AT THIS TIME, AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE REDOUBLING OF EFFORTS BY LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS TO FIND NEW MARKETS AND NEW SALES IN OLD ONES.
AS AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE HE PERSONALLY ATTACHES TO SALES PROMOTION, THE GOVERNOR DISCLOSED THAT HE INTENDED TO SPEND A WEEK IN EARLY APRIL WITH SIR YUET-KEUHG KAN AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TEAM AT HONG KONG’S CLOTHING DRIVES IN PARIS AND LONDON.
I
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/ DEKESDAI, FEBRUARY 5, 5975
♦ANOTHER ITEM OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE IN THIS PERIOD IS A SYMPATHETIC AND UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR.+ HE SAID. +THIS IS CERTAINLY NO TIME FOR HASTY OR ROUGH ACTIONS BY EITHER SIDE.*
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT UNTIL THE WORLD HAD RE-ADJUSTED TO THE NEW SITUATION WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BREATHE FREELY AGAIN. +IT IS AN UNEASY SITUATION BECAUSE WE CANNOT KNOW EXACTLY HOW LONG THE PROCESS WILL TAKE. THOUGH THERE IS A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION THAT THE LEVEL OF WORLD ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WILL GRADUALLY RISE IN 1976.♦
I
SIR MURRAY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG TERM AIMS AND COMMENTED GENERALLY ON SOME OF THE CONSIDERATIONS CONFRONTING THE GOVERNMENT IN PREPARING THE BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR SYMPATHISED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, BUT SAID THAT WHEN THE LATTER ANNOUNCES THE BUDGET HE WOULD BE DOING SO WITH HIS FULL SUPPORT.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE FELT DOWN HEARTED, AND THE DECISIONS THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN WERE DIFFICULT, HE WENT ON. +WE ALSO REALISE THE DANGER OF FALTERING IN OUR PROGRAMMES AND-THE AGGRAVATION THIS COULD BRING TO OUR PRESENT SITUATION.+
SIR MURRAY SAIDi +OBVIOUSLY WE MUST AS FAR AS POSSIBLE MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE URGENTLY NEEDED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE EMPLOYMENT THEY PROVIDE IN THIS TIME OF RISING UNEMPLOYMENT AND DROPPING FAMILY BUDGETS.
+TO DO THIS IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES MEANS INCREASING REVENUE BY RAISING TAXES AND CHARGES.+
THE GOVERNOR NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WERE SEVERE LIMITATIONS AND THAT MANY AT THE LOWER END OF THE INCOME BRACKET WERE ALREADY FEELING THE PINCH.
।
FOR EMPLOYMENT TO BE MAINTAINED, SO MUST PROFITABILITY, AND HONG KONG MUST BE KEPT COMPARATIVELY MORE ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS AND EMPLOYERS THAN HONG KONG’S COMPETITORS.
ANOTHER CONSIDERATION, HE SAID, WAS FOR HONG KONG TO BORROW, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE WERE LIMITS ON HOW MUCH BECAUSE LOANS HAD Tb BE SERVICED AND REPAID OUT OF FUTURE REVENUES.
ON THE LONG TERM TARGETS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE FIRST PRIORITY WAS THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, AND THUS THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE POPULATION. +THIS HAS TO BE MAINTAINED AND ALL ELSE DEPENDS ON IT.+
MUCH HAD TO BE DONE AND QUICKLY, HE SAID, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS NEEDED BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE WORLD COULD PROVE DANGEROUSLY UNSYMPATHETIC TO HONG KONG IF IT WAS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO SOLVE ITS SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
/m THIS
EEDHESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
- 3 -
IN THIS REGARD, THE MAIN LINES WERE CLEAR — HOUSING MUST BE MADE ADEQUATE, SO MUST EDUCATION, AND MEDICAL SERVICES MUST KEEP PACE. THERE MUST ALSO BE A SAFETY NET OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO CATCH THE DESTITUTE, THE HANDICAPPED AND THE INFIRM.
HOWEVER, NONE OF THESE COULD BE ENJOYED UNLESS PROGRESS WAS ALSO MADE IN THE FIELDS OF CRIME, VICE AND CORRUPTION, HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, CONTACT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE MUST BE MAINTAINED AND DEVELOPED AT EVERY LEVEL, AND ADEQUATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED.
♦SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, SOME ARE NOT, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS AND MUST REMAIN A COMPARATIVELY LOW TAX SOCIETY THERE CAN BE NO FRILLS ANYWHERE,+ SIR MURRAY SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORSa COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE PRESS BOXES.
----0 - ---
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975 • •
INCREASE IN TELEPHONE CHARGES UNOFFICIALS GIVE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL ««««««««
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS ' AFTERNOON THAT THE INCREASED TELEPHONE CHARGES WHICH SUBSCRIBERS WOULD BE CALLED ON TO MAKE UNTIL THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY’S RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE DEEN CONSIDERED WOULD BE, IN EFFECT, IN THE NATURE OF ^PROVISIONAL DEPOSITS*.
HE MADE THE STATEMENT IN HIS SPEECH WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE RESOLUTION TO REVISE TELEPHONE CHARGES WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY APPROVED. THE REVISION INCLUDES A 28-1/2 PER CENT INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL LINES AND A 29 PER CENT INCREASE IN BUSINESS LINES.
MR. HADDON-CAVE WAS COMMENTING ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESOLUTION BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUBJECT TO TWO QUALIFICATIONS.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, ANNOUNCED BY DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, WERE, FIRST, THAT THE INCREASE IN RENTAL CHARGES SHOULD NOT DE REGARDED AS GENERAL REVENUE OF THE COMPANY, BUT AS A SEPARATE IDENTIFIABLE ACCOUNT PENDING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
SECONDLY, THAT NO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE BY THE COMPANY UNTIL THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY HAD REPORTED ITS FINDINGS.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID: +1 BELIEVE THESE QUALIFICATIONS WILL HELP TO MAKE IT DOUBLY CLEAR THAT THESE INCREASED CHARGES ARE PROVISIONAL.*
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT THE FACT THAT SOME IMMEDIATE STEPS WERE *ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY* DID NOT MEAN THE LONG TERM SOLUTION WAS BEING PREJUDGED IN ANY WAY.
- EARLIER IN MOVING THE RESOLUTION, MR. HADDON-CAVE DESCRIBED IT AS ONE OF THE +INTERIM MEASURES REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN TELEPHONE SERVICES, WHILE A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY EXAMINES THE AFFAIRS OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.*
<
HE RECALLED THAT THE OTHER MEASURES WERE THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD MAKE NO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS IN 1975° A GOVERNMENT DIRECTOR SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD0 AND THAT ROYALTY PAID BY THE COMPANY FOR 1974 AND 1975 SHOULD DE WAIVED.
MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT THE FOUR INTERIM MEASURES FORMED A PACKAGE WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED AS A WHOLE. *WHATEVER THEIR CAUSE THE COMPANY’S DIFFICULTIES ARE REAL AND, I THINK, ARE GENERALLY RECOGNISED TO EXIST.*
/REFERRING TO .....
I
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
I
5 -
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION THAT ANY INCREASED CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY HAS REPORTED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THIS WAS JUST NOT POSSIBLE.
♦EVEN WITH THE INCREASES IN RENTALS AND IN OTHER CHARGES NOW PROPOSED ON AN INTERIM BASIS, TOGETHER WITH THE FOREGOING OF DIVIDENDS AND THE WAIVER OF ROYALTY,THE COMPANY IS EXPECTED TO FACE A CASH SHORTFALL IN 1975 OF ALMOST 890 MILLION, WHICH WILL ' HAVE TO BE MET BY THE COMPANY’S BANKERS- AND THE COMPANY’S DEBT LIABILITIES ARE ALREADY VERY SUBSTANTIAL INDEED.+
♦SIMPLY TO REQUIRE SHAREHOLDERS TO FOREGO DIVIDEND PAYMENTS AND FOR THIS COUNCIL TO WAIVE ROYALTY PAYMENTS FOR TOO YEARS, WOULD ONLY REDUCE THE CASH SHORTFALL IN 1975 TO S19O MILLION WHICH, GIVEN THE DEBT BURDEN ALREADY ASSUMED BY THE COMPANY, WOULD BE BEYOND THE LIMITS OF BANKING PRUDENCE TO FINANCE, PARTICULARLY HAVING REGARD TO THE COMPANY’S OVERALL DEBT LIABILITIES.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT AN INCREASE IN CHARGES NOW WAS
' UNAVOIDABLE. - '
HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF INTERESTED PARTIES INVOLVED WHO HAD TO MAKE SOME CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERIM MEASURES UNTIL A DEFINITIVE, LONGER TERM SOLUTION HAD BEEN DEVISED BY THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
THESE WERE THE COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDERS, THE COMPANY’S BANKERS, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANY’S EXISTING AND NEW SUBSCRIBERS.
♦AND I SHOULD P'ERHAPS ADD TO THIS LIST, THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE, AS DISTINCT FROM THE SUBSCRIBERS. I SAY TH S BECAUSE I REALLY DO THINK THE PUBLIC MUST TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT, IN AN ADMITTEDLY UNPALATABLE SITUATION, THE GOVERNMENT IS DO NG ITS BEST TO ENSURE THE CONTINUANCE OF AN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND, IN DOING SO, TO BE FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED,* MR. HADDON-CAVE CONCLUDED.
LATER THE COUNCIL PASSED A BILL WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ..APPOINTMENT OF A GOVERNMENT DI RECTOR TO THE BOARD OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY AND THE WAIVING OF ROYALTY PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY FOR 1974 AND 1975.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTOR WOULD RLAY A P^T IN ♦FOSTERING THE EFFICIENT EMPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES AND TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS OF'THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.♦
/HE ADDED THAT .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
6
HE ADDED THAT BY SUCH DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPANY’S AFFAIRS, THE DIRECTOR WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING THE GOVERNMENT’S INFLUENCE TO BEAR ON THE POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND, + l HOPE WITH HIS FELLOW DIRECTORS, TO FOSTER THE EXPANSION AND GOOD HEALTH OF THE COMPANY TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY ALIKE.*
EARLIER, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, SPEAKING ON THE MOTION BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SAID THE TOO QUALIFICATIONS WERE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS.
FOR A PUBLIC UTILITY. HE SAID, ONE MUST ADMIT THAT AN AVERAGE RATE OF RETURN OF 13.6 PER CENT WAS GOOD.
SINCE THE COMPANY WAS IN SUCH A PROFITABLE SITUATION IN 1973 AND HAD A 17-19 PER CENT INCREASE IN TELEPHONE RENTALS AS FROM FEBRUARY 1974, ANY LAYMAN WOULD QUESTION THE COMPANY’S PUBLIC STATEMENT IN AUGUST 1974 (WHICH WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER THE INCREASE) THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE UNLESS A FURTHER 70 PER CENT INCREASE IN TELEPHONE RENTAL WAS GRANTED.
DR. CHUNG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROPOSED A 30 PER CENT INCREASE BECAUSE +THE COMPANY IS FACING A CHRONIC CASH SHORTFALL DUE TO THE LARGE CAPITAL EXPANSION PROGRAMME IT HAS EMBARKED UPON IN RECENT YEARS AND (MUCH INCREASED) INTEREST COSTS ON PAST BORROWINGS, TOGETHER WITH A CONSIDERABLE SLOWING DOWN IN 1974 IN THE DEMAND FOR NEW TELEPHONE LINES*. •
HE REFERRED TO THE PUBLISHED ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS OF THE COMPANY WHICH, HE. SAID, SHOWED THAT'BETWEEN 1969 AND 1972 INTEREST COSTS ON BORROWINGS AROUND $150 MILLION TO $250 MILLION WERE FLUCTUATING BETWEEN $2 MILLION AND $5 MILLION PER YEAR.
♦SUDDENLY. IN THE YEAR 1973 THE INTEREST COSTS INCURRED BY THE COMPANY ROSE TO $12 MILLION AND BORROWINGS AS AT 1973 YEAR END INCREASED TO NEARLY $450 MILLION,* HE SAID.
+WITH INTEREST.RATES RISING RAPIDLY DURING 1974 TO 10 PER CENT TO 12 PER CENT PER ANNUM, THESE PAST BORROWINGS ALONE COST THE COMPANY A CASH DRAIN OF ABOUT $45 TO $55 MILLION AND THIS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED THE COMPANY’S PROFIT.*
AS A RESULT, DR. CHUNG SAID, IT WOULD CREATE DIFFICULTIES OF CASH FLOW AND IN TURN THE COMPANY WOULD REQUIRE MORE BORROWINGS WHICH AGAIN WOULD FURTHER AGGRAVATE BOTH THE PROFITABILITY AND CASH-FLOW SITUATION.
/HE POINTED OUT .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 5, 1975
7
HE POINTED 0 ' THAT THIS HAD A SPIRAL EFFECT AND UNLESS SOME INTEREST FREI OR VERY LOW INTEREST FUNDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY, I WOULD SOON DECOME INSOLVENT I.E. UNADLE TO MEET ITS DEDTS AS THEY BECAME DUE.
IF THIS WERE TO WINDING=UP.
ALLOWED TO HAPPEN THE COMPANY WOULD BE LIABLE
REFERRING TO THE POSSIBLE SOURCES OF INTEREST FREE OR VERY LOW INTEREST FUNDS, DR. CHUNG SA IDs *NATURALLY, UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THIS EXTRA FINANCING WOULD DE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHAREHOLDERS. LET US MAKE NO MISTAKE ADOUT IT.
*HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE COMPANY AND OF THE STOCK MARKET, IT SIMPLY CANNOT ATTRACT NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT FROM SHAREHOLDERS.
*WE WERE INFORMED THAT UNLESS THE COMPANY’S REVENUES WERE BOLSTERED FROM SOME OTHER SOURCE THE BANKS WOULD NOT REGARD THE COMPANY AS DE I NG CREDITWORTHY AND SO WOULD NOT PROVIDE MORE LOANS TO THE COMPANY EVEN AT CURRENT MARKET RATES OF INTEREST, LET ALONE INTEREST FREE LOANS.*
DR. CHUNG SAID OF COURSE, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUBSIDISE OR EVEN NATIONALIZE THE COMPANY.
BUT HE ADDED THAT ONE COULD HARDLY SEE THE LOGIC OF USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO SUDS ipISE PUBLIC UTILITIES OF THIS NATURE.
ON THE ASPECT OF NATIONALIZATION, HE SAID, IT DID NOT NECESSARILY MEAN A MORE EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL OPERATION. IN MANY INSTANCES, THE RESULT WAS THE REVERSE.
DR. CHUNG OPPOSED THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE AN INTEREST FREE LOANS TO THE COMPANY.
*IN OUR PRESENT TIGHT FINANCIAL SITUATION,* HE EXPLAINED, *WE WOULD HOT WISH TO SEE FURTHER CUT BACKS IN OUR SOCIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS EDUCATION, HOUSING, MEDICAL SERVICE AND SOCIAL WELFARE.
*IF SUCH A LOAN WERE PROVIDED OUT OF OUR RESERVES WE WOULD Lose the interest which that amount is now earning and we cannot AFFORD TO LOSE SUCH REVENUE IN THESE TIMES.*
DR. CHUNG STRESSED THAT IF AN EFFICIENT TELEPHONE SERVICE WERE TO BE MAINTAINED IN HONG KONG, THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT THAT THE SUBSCRIBERS IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS SHOULD HELP SOLVE THE URGENT AND SERIOUS ISSUE.
’ '3 SAID THERE WERE...
WEDNESDAY, FEBURABY 5, 1975
8
HE SAID THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT THE SUBSCRIBERS’ ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A LOAN OR A DEPOSIT WHILE SOME OTHERS TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ISSUING PREFERRED STOCKS OR REDEEMABLE SHARES TO SUBSCRIBERS.
HE RECOMMENDED THAT THESE SUGGESTIONS BE GIVEN CAREFUL AND THOROUGH CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
TURNING TO THE OPERATION OF THE COMPANY, DR. CHUNG DESCRIBED IT AS A VERY COMPLICATED ONE.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TELEPHONE SERVICES EVEN WITH THE EXPERTISE AT ITS DISPOSAL IN TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, COST ACCOUNTING, FINANCING, MANAGEMENT, AND EVEN AFTER THREE MONTHS INQUIRY, STUDY AND DELIBERATION COULD NOT GET ALL THE ANSWERS IT WANTED TO ITS QUESTIONS DESPITE THE CO-OPERATION OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, DR. CHUNG SAID THAT IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TELEPHONE SERVICES HE HAD HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF CLOSELY STUDYING THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY FOR THE PAST MONTH.
WHILE ADMITTING THAT HIS KNOWLEDGE OFJTS AFFAIRS WAS STILL INCOMPLETE, DR. CHUNG ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC THAT +SOME POSITIVE ACTION MUST BE TAKEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE COMPANY IS VERY SHORT OF CASH AND ITS FINANCING COSTS ARE MOUNTI NG.<
AT THE SAME TIME, HE EMPHASISED THAT SUCH ACTION IF TAKEN SHOULD BE OF AN INTERIM NATURE AND SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WHOSE TASK WOULD BE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SUBSTANTIVE SOLUTION WHICH WOULD BE FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED.
HE ADDED THAT THE POSITIVE'ACTION MUST TAKE THE FORM OF PROVIDING THE COMPANY IN THE INTERIM WITH MORE CASH.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'HAD SAID THAT THE COMPANY IN ORDER TO OVERCOME ITS CASH SHORTFALL IN 1975 WOULD NEED AN ADDITIONAL SUM OF ABOUT 3100 MILLION APART FROM THE WAIVING OF ROYALTY PAYMENT OF 36 MILLION, THE FOREGOING OF DIVIDEND PAYMENT OF $43 MILLION, AND THE NEW LOAN FROM THE COMPANY’S BANKERS AMOUNTING TO 390 MILLION.
SPEAKING ON THE SAME MOTION, ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. LO TAK-SHING SAID THAT BASED ON THE FIGURES SHOWING MAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE AND INCOME OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, THE COMPANY COULD NOT POSSIBLY REACH AN EIGHT PER CENT DIVIDEND RETURN ON PAID UP CAPITAL AND CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS ENTITLED TO AN INCREASE.
/HOWEVER, .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBHRARY 5, 1975
9' -
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THOSE FIGURES WERE ONLY FORECASTS AND THESE WERE MADE IN LATE 1974 ON CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS AS TO OVERHEADS, INTEREST RATES, INFLATIONARY TRENDS AND EXPECTED DEMANDS.
IF THE SITUATION CHANGED, HE ADDED, THE FIGURES WOULD LOOK VERY DIFFERENT.
MR. LO THEN TURNED TO SOME OF THE POINTS WHICH, HE SAID, HAD CAUSED CONSIDERABLE RESENTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY*
FIRSTLY, HE SAIDs *THE .GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER CLEARLY STATED WHAT RESPONSIBILITY IT CONSIDERS THAT IT OWES TO THE PUBLIC IN RESPECT OF UTILITIES IN GENERAL AND THIS UTILITY IN PARTICULAR.*
REFERRING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION OF APPOINTING A DIRECTOR WHO WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, MR. LO THOUGHT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ALREADY HAD THESE POWERS PARTLY BECAUSE OF SECTION 31 OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE AND PARTLY BECAUSE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
ANOTHER REASON WHY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REACTED IN THE WAY THEY DID WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE KEPT IN THE DARK ON THE FIGURES WHICH FORMED THE BASIS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S REPORT AND THOSE WHICH FORMED THE BASIS OF GOVERNMENT’S DECISION IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
FULLYHE H°PED THA^ THE COMMISSION’S REPORT WOULD BE DISCLOSED
MR. LO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE WAS EXPIRING IN FIVE MONTHS TIME.
+THE LEGISLATION ITSELF IS. ARCHAIC. IF THE GOVERNMENT QWISHES TO SHOW THAT IT DOES FEEL A DEFINITE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THIS UTILITY, I TRUST THAT WORK WILL SOON START ON IT TO REVISE IT AND BRING IT UP-TO-DATE, +. HE ADDED.
ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. JAMES WU CALLED ON MANAGEMENT OF ALL BUSINESS, LARGE AND SMALL, IN A COMPACT COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG AND AT A TIME OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, TO DEMONSTRATE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
/HE SAID THAT .....
REDRESDAY, FEBRUART 5, 1975
HE SAID THAT EMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE FAILED IN THEIR D .TIES IN NOT ADVOCATING A MOST SEARCHING INVESTIGATION BY / COMMISSION OF INQUIRY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT OR HOW MUCH OF THE 3C PER CENT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS GENERAL REVENUE OF THE COMPANY FROM THE PROPOSED SEPARATE IDENTIFIABLE ACCOUNT.
SPEAKING ON THE MOTION, THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG, SHARED THE VIEW OF DR. CHUNG THAT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY WAS IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND THAT THE COMPANY WOULD BE LIABLE TO BE WOUND UP IF NO FUNDS WERE FORTHCOMING.
+HONG KONG, A TRADING AND MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY, CANNOT LET IT HAPPEN,+ HE SAID.
/ TO AVOID THIS, MR. CHEUNG SAIDs +THE FUNDS MUST BE MADE
Available, and available while the commission enquires.+
- '-HOWE'VERT'^IF THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSESSMENT WAS WRONG, THE COMPANY MUST BE MADE LIABLE TO PAY BACK ALL OR PART OF THE FUNDS, HE ADDED.
MR. CHEUNG SAID THAT OVER THE PAST 10 OR 15 DAYS, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS HAD BEEN GIVEN THE MOST SINCERE AND WELL-INTENTIONED ADVICE DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MANY ORGANISATIONS.
ONE OF THE PROPOSALS, HE SAID, WAS THAT EVERY SUBSCRIBER SHOULD BE MADE TO DEPOSIT 8200 WITH THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
>
+IT IS ONE WAY TO PROVIDE THE COMPANY WITH LIQUIDITY. IT IS ONE THAT OUGHT CERTAINLY DE SUGGESTED TO THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY,* HE SAID.
BUT MR. CHEUNG POINTED OUT THAT $200 IN ONE SUM AT THIS TIME WAS A VERY MUCH HEAVIER BURDEN THAN $20 OR $30 A QUARTER.
MR. CHEUNG ALSO MENTIONED SOME OTHER PROPOSALS HE SAID THAT ALL THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HAD-BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND ‘bEBATED AT LENGTH AMONG THE UNOFFICIALS.
HOWEVER, MR.' CHEUNG WAS CONVINCED THAT +WE CANNOT WAIT, AND WE HAVE RELUCTANTLY COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT IS BEST, THAT IS MOST EQUITABLE, THAT THE CASH SHORTFALL OF $10,0 MILLION SHOULD BE CONTRIBUTED IN SMALL SUMS FROM THOSE WHO DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM THIS ESSENTIAL SERVICE.*
OQOwO***0**
Z1
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
11 -
NO IMPROPER TRADING OF TELEPHONE SHARES SAYS FINANCIAL SECRETARY
« H « M ft
UP TO THE PRESENT TIME, THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION OF ANY IMPROPER TRADING IN THE SHARES OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. T.S. LO IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATIONS WERE, IN VIEW OF THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTIES. FOR NOT SUSPENDING THE SHARES FROM BEING TRADED TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBILITY OF THOSE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ITS AFFAIRS GAINING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER THOSE MORE IjJjTORANT. ..
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS ONLYWHEN THE JJOV^i^WwT-DEC.IDED',' PART OF THE. PACKAGE OF INTERIM MEASURES HE'AtlNOWGED iN^THE^ ** COUNCIL ON JANUARY 22, TO AlO’HE COMPANY’S JCARD TO RECOMMEND • TO SHAREHOLDERS THAT NO DIVWEND PAYMENTS SIWJLD BE MADE IN 1975 THAT THE QUESTION OF A POSS IBLE EFFECT
BUT THIS INFORMATION, HE SAID, WAS ONLY PUT TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY, AS A MATTER OF COURTESY, ON THE MORNING THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.
♦EFFECTIVELY, THEREFORE, THE GENERAL BODY OF SHAREHOLDERS WERE AWARE OF THE POSITION AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME TIME AS THE COMPANY WHEN I MADE MY ANNOUNCEMENT.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE RECALLED THAT THE COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR INCREASED CHARGES WAS PASSED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TELEPHONE SERVICES FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND ADVICE AFTER IT WAS RECEIVED TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST, AND THIS WAS A MATTER OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL POSITION WAS STARTED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS ANALYSED INFORMATION WAS THEN PASSED ON TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ITS FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT ALL THIS WAS PART OF THE NORMAL PROCESS OF VETTING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASE IN PUBLIC UTILITY CHARGES AND IT IN NO WAY . JUSTIFIED ANY SUSPENSION OF TRADING IN THE SHARES OF THE COMPANY.
♦INDEED, AND IN FACT, DURING THIS PERIOD AND UP TO THE PRESENT TIME, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY IMPROPER TRADING IN TELEPHONE COMPANY SHARES,♦ HE SAID.
________>------------------—-——+----f— --------
& 5
, - WEDNESDAY, FEBSVAES 5, 1975
- 12 -
HE EMPHASISED THAT NOTHING HAD HAPPENED UNTIL VERY RECENTLY TO MAKE ANY INSIDER TRADING WORTHWHILE BY THOSE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ITS AFFAIRS, AND HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN FACT, UNTIL VERY RECENTLY. THE COMPANY WAS STILL PLANNING TO MAKE DIVIDEND PAYMENTS TOTALLING SOME
1 $48 MILLION IN 1975.
+1 SHOULD PERHAPS ADD,+ HE SAID, +THAT THE SUSPENSION OF DEALINGS IN THE SHARES OF ANY COMPANY PUTS THE SHAREHOLDERS AT A SERIOUS DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE LOCKED IN AND CANNOT REALISE THEIR MONEY.
♦FOR THIS REASON, SUSPENSION OF TRADING IS A SERIOUS MATTER WHICH SHOULD ONLY BE INVOKED AS A LAST RESORT.*
' , -J ■ ■ ' >
PROVISIONS FOR REVIEWING COURT SENTENCES TO BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS
(WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
RESOLUTION TO EXTEND FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS THE PROVISIONS FOR THE REVIEWING OF ANY SENTENCE PASSED BY ANY COURT UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE.
THESE PROVISIONS’, WHICH ENABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK A REVIEW OF THE SENTENCE IMPOSED BY A COURT ON A CONVICTED PERSON, HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR THREE YEARS AND ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON APRIL 30 THIS YEAR.
WHEN MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISIONS HAD SERVED THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THEY WERE INTENDED.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE JUDICIARY.
„ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
<- 15 •»
KO POLICY OF ASSISTANCE FOR UNPROFITABLE COMPANIES
X 8. X X X
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID TODAY HE DID NOT THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE A POLICY OF KEEPING UNPROFITABLE COMPANIES AFLOAT.
HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. JAMES WU IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO HAD ASKED WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING TO ASSIST INDUSTRY AND TO AVOID BANKRUPTCIES DUE TO CASH FLOW PROBLEMS.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE KNEW THE NUMBER OF BANKRUPTCIES HAD INCREASED, BUT HE WAS NOT SURE THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF CASH FLOW OR OTHER EQUALLY IMPORTANT PROBLEMS, SUCH AS PROFITABILITY AND THE LENGTH OF ORDER BOOKS, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO PUT RIGHT THE MAIN EXPORT MARKETS WHICH WERE IN RECESSION.
+THE HELP WHICH THE GOVERNMENT GIVES TO INDUSTRY IS MAINLY THE PROVISION OF A PROPER WORKING ENVIRONMENT, WITH A LOW STANDARD RATE OF DIRECT TAXATION APPLICABLE SOLELY TO INCOME DERIVED WITHIN HONG KONG ITSELF. FREEDOM FROM CONTROLS AND INTERFERENCE, AND FREEDOM FROM IMPORT OR EXPORT DUTIES.
♦ASSISTANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT IS ALSO PROVIDED IN CERTAIN SPECIFIC AREAS THROUGH THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS STATUTORY AGENCIES AND SUBVENTED BODIES,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CASH FLOW PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE HAD ARISEN LARGELY AS A RESULT OF INFLATION, AND OF TAX SYSTEMS WHICH BEAR HEAVILY ON PROFITS REFLECTING STOCK APPRECIATION AS WELL AS FROM PRIVATE CONTROLS.
+IN HONG KONG WE HAVE BEEN FREE FROM INTERNALLY GENERATED INFLATION- AND ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH IMPORTED INFLATION, THE PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS FROM ABROAD, OTHER THAN OIL, HAVE FALLEN SHARPLY OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS OR SO.
+AS REGARDS STOCK APPRECIATION, OUR LOW STANDARD RATE OF PROFITS TAX WILL HAVE MADE THE PROBLEM LESS ACUTE THAN ELSEWHERE, AND OUR MOVE TO A CURRENT YEAR BASIS FOR CALCULATING ASSESSABLE PROFITS WILL HELP MANUFACTURERS WHO ARE NOW RUNNING OFF STOCKS BOUGHT AT HIGH PRICES IN THAT RELIEF WILL BE AVAILABLE SOONER THAN PREVIOUSLY IF THERE IS A DOWN TURN OF PROFITS IN EXCESS OF 10 PER CENT,* HE SAID.
MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED THAT HE BELIEVED ANY MEASURES OF A MORE GENERAL KIND TO ASSIST INDUSTRY COULD POSSIBLY' BE DAMAGING TO OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION IN THE LONGER TERM.
+IN ANY CASE, ASSISTANCE INVOLVING ACTUAL EXPENDITURE WOULD, I FEAR, HAVE BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS WHICH COULD NOT BE ACCEPTED AT PRESENT.
+AND IF, AS WOULD INEVITABLY BE THE CASE, WE FOUND OURSELVES LOCKED IN TO A POLICY OF ASSISTANCE, THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL POLICY,* HE WARNED.
------0 - * - - /14......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5,
1975
14
INCREASE OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX FROM TWO TO THREE PER CENT IN APRIL THIS YEAR ft * * « ft ft
THE RATE OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX, WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION’S INCOME, IS TO BE INCREASED FROM TWO PER CENT TO THREE PER CENT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR AND TO FOUR PER CENT FROM APRIL 1, 1976.
WHEN SPEAKING ON A RESOLUTION ON THIS INCREASE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE INCREASE HAD BEEN AGREED BY THE HONG KONG HOTELS ' ASSOCIATION AND SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION IS ♦WELL-PLACED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE POSED BY THE CURRENT UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND INCREASED COMPETITION FROM OTHER DESTINATION+.
MR. HADDON-CAVE RECALLED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ASSOCIATION’S TOTAL INCOME HAD INCREASED FROM $10.7 MILLION TO $16.7 MILLION IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, IT WAS AT A TIME WHEN COSTS HAD BEEN RISING AT AN EXCEPTIONAL RATE, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OVERSEAS CENTRES.
TO HELP THE ASSOCIATION MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE LEVEL OF OPERATION DURING THESE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL GRANTS ON AN AD HOC BASIS, OVER AND ABOVE THE ANNUAL SUBVENTION, OF BETWEEN $1.2 MILLION AND $1.5 MILLION PER YEAR, HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE MAIN REASON FOR THE GROWING IMBALANCE BETWEEN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE, UNDER THE PRESENT FORMULA, WAS A LACK OF BUOYANCY IN THE YIELD FROM HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX.
♦THIS, IN TURN, HAS BEEN CAUSED BY A GROWTH IN THE PROPORTION OF VISITORS, CURRENTLY ABOUT 45 PERCENT, WHO COME ON GROUP TOURS AND ENJOY DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EVEN AT FOUR PERCENT, THE TAX WOULD BE LOWER THAN THAT IMPOSED ELSEWHERE PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE REGION AND WAS NOT EXPECTED TO DETER.WOULD-BE VISITORS.
.. THE HON. J.H. BREMRIDGE WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION.
♦I BELIEVE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THIS CHAMBER, OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE ACKNOWLEDGE THE TASK THAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION IS PERFORMING TO THE BEST OF ITS ABILITIES IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.
♦THE CONTRIBUTION THAT VISITORS MAKE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY — A NET INCOME OF OVER HK$1,8OO MILLION A YEAR— UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION IN SELLING HONG KONG’S ATTRACT IONS+.
/hk ELSO
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY J, 1975
15
HE ALSO PAID i?IBUTE TO THE HOTEL INDUSTRY^ IN GENERAL TO WHICH,'-HE SAID HONG KONG O'JE A PUBLIC DEBT.
♦THIS IS A DEBT WHICH IS NOT OFTEN ACKNOWLEDGED. NOR IS THE FACT THAT THIS ISA MAJOR EXPORT INDUSTRY,* HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, IN HIS OPINION, THE FACT THAT THE HOTELS ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AGREE TO THE TAX INCREASE ^REFLECTS BOTH A VERY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH AND AT THE SAME TIME A TOKEN OF THEIR APPRECIATION OF WHAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION IS ATTEMPTING TO DO FOR THEM.*
. I. ■ • A * .s'.'
HE BELIEVED THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS *FAIR AND BALANCED* AND HE/WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION WILL REGULATE ITS BUDGETS ACCORDINGLY.
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BILLS PASSED AT LEGCO
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FOUR BILLS'COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON. (
THEY WERE THE TELEPHONE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975; THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES (EXTENSION OF GRANTS) BILL 1975, THE CHILD CARE CENTRES BILL 1974 AND THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975.
A RESOLUTION SEEKING APPROVAL FOR INCREASES IN ANNUAL TELEPHONE RENTALS AND INSTALLATION CHARGES WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS — ONE ON THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER ON THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE — WERE ALSO APPROVED. - . :
FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED INTO COUNCIL FOR THEIR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE POST OFFICE BILL 1975# THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING[ (RECR&I TIN OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 AND THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975.
SESSIONAL PAPERS TABLED WERE THE SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1974/75 THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30. 1974, THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS OF, THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS’FUND FOR THE YEAR SNDEDAUGUST 31, 1974,THEH0NG KOMO POLYTECHNIC ANNUAL REPORT 1973/74 AND THE BALANCE SHEET AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC FOR , THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1974
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
c, -26 »
TDC INCREASE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND EASTERN EUROPE « iJ M n ; • «
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY THAT THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL INCREASE ITS TRADE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR HI THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND EASTERN EUROPE.
HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. JAMES WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO ASKED WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING TO SEEK NCW MARKETS AND STIMULATE TRADE.
MR. JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH FOR NEW MARKETS NOR IN THE PROMOTION OF HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE, DUT THAT THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WAS.
HOWEVER, AS A MEMBER OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HE SAID HE KNEW THAT THE COUNCIL WAS KEENLY AWARE OF THE HEED TO SEEK NEW MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS.
❖THIS IS PARTICULARLY SO WHEN THE DEMAND IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS IN NORTH AMERICA AND WESTERN EUROPE HAS SLACKENED AND THE DAYS OF EASY EXPORT GROWTH ARE OVER, AT LEASE FOR THE TIME BEING,* HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS WITH THIS IN MIND THAT THE COUNCIL HAD DECIDED TO STEP UP ITS ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING YEAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND EASTERN EUROPE.
❖IN 1975/1976 JUST OVER 30 PER CENT OF THE COUNCIL’S OVERSEAS TRADE PROMOTION BUDGET OF 0.6 MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT IN THESE AREAS WHICH TOOK OHLY SEVEN AND A HALF PER CENT OF HONS KONG’S EXPORT IN 1974,* MR. JORDAN SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD, OF COURSE, CONTINUE ITS ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG’S ESTABLISHED MARKETS, OPERATING FROM 15 OFFICES IN NORTH AMERICA, WESTERN EUROPE, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR TRADE AFFAIRS IN THESE MARKETS AND ORGANISE BUSINESS MISSIONS TO THEM.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
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BUS 'RANCHISES EXTENDED UNTIL END OF MAY a a h « a n
I
THE FRANCHISES CF HONG KONG’S MAJOR BUS COMPANIES — CMB AND KMB — HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 31.
THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PASSAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES (EXTENTION OF GRANTS) BILL 1975, WHICH SEEK? TO EXTEND THE DUS COMPANIES’ EXISTING FRANCHISES,
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID THE EXTENSION WOULD PROVIDE FURTHER AND MORE ADEQUATE TIME FOR FULL CONSIDERATION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES BILL, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS +A MEASURE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE*.
THE EXISTING FRANCHISES OF THE TOO BUS COMPANIES ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON FEBRUARY 14.
f
WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON. T.S. LO SAID THAT THE REASON FOR EXTENDING THE PRESENT FRANCHISES FOR A FEW MONTHS WAS THAT THE OFFICIALS FELT THAT MORE TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED BY THEM TO CONSIDER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ PROPOSALS
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN GENERAL TERMS THE AMENDMENTS
- SUGGESTED DY THE UNOFFICIALS WERE IN THE MAIN RELATED TO ENSURING THAT THE TERMS OF FRANCHISES WERE MADE PUBLIC AND MIGHT DE AMENDED DY THE COUNCIL AND TO A SYSTEM OF STATUTORY • CONTROL OF PROFITS NOT ENVISAGED IN THE DILL.
, REPORT ON CERTIFICATED MASTERS’ DISPUTE ii « « a «
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET DECIDED ON WHETHER- THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY ON THE CERTIFICATED MASTERS’ DISPUTE BE PUBLISHED OR NOT.
THIS WAS THE REPLY GIVEN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DENYS ROBERTS, TO THE HON. LI FOOK-WO WHO ASKED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLISH THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE SPECIAL COMMISSION WHICH WAS APPOlNiED IN 1973.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
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COOKED F )D BAZAARS IN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES n n n n a a t
PLACES WHERE WORKERS CAN GO TO HAVE CHEAP HOT MEALS, SUCH AS COOKED FOOD BAZAARS, WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE AMENITY AREAS OF THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION DY THE HON. ALEX S.C. WU WHO WANTED TO KNOW IF THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO PROVIDE PROPER COOKED FOOD BAZAARS IN THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
+THE PLANNING AND COSTINGS OF THE PROJECTS HAVE THEREFORE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE PROVISION OF SUCH AMENITY AREAS.
-s-BIJT THEIR DETAILED PLANNING HAS NOT DEEN CARRIED TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD SAY JUST WHAT TYPE OF CATERING WILL, IN FACT, BE PROVIDED IN THEM,* HE SAID.
0 .
REPORT ON UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS TO BE SUBMITTED IN TWO MONTHS « « K- K H n
THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS IS EXPECTED TO DE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN ABOUT TWO MONTH’S TIME.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI F00KHWW IN REPLY TO THE HON. HARRY S.Y. FANG IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
MR. LI SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY HOPED 70 SUBMIT THE REPORT IN THAT TIME, AND SUBJECT TO THE GOVFilNOR’S DIRECTION, THE REPORT WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER IT HAD BEEN RECEIV'D,
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
19
AMBULANCEMEN ANSWERED RECORD NUMBER OF CALLS it K it it « it
THE AMDULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE FOUR HUNDRED CALLS PER DAY BARRIER — AFTER COMING CLOSE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
DURING THE 24-I10UR PERIOD ENDING AT 7.00 A.M. TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE COMMAND ANSWERED A TOTAL OF 412 CALLS, WHICH IS MORE THAN 17 PER HOUR.
OF THE CALLS, 201 (OR 68.2 PER CENT) WERE EMERGENCY AND 131 NON-EMERGENCY.
KOWLOON DIVISION ANSWERED 201 CALLS, HONG KONG DIVISION 143 AND NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION 68.
THE PREVIOUS HIGHEST NUMBER OF CALLS WAS 393 RECEIVED SHORTLY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
MR. G. DOORE, CHIEF AMDULANCE OFFICER, SAID HE EXPECTED THE UPWARD TREND TO CONTINUE AND, FOR THIS REASON, THE NUMBER OF AMBULANCES AND DEPOTS WAS DE I NG INCREASED.
*WE ARE GETTING A FURTHER FIVE AMBULANCES IN MAY AND AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT IN NOVEMBER,* MR. DOORE SAID. +THIS WILL BRING OUR FLEET TO 99 AMBULANCES.*
DURING 1975, DEPOTS WILL DE OPENED AT MOUNT DAVIS AND CHAI WAN ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
MR. DOORE REVEALED THAT AMBULANCEMEN WERE BEING TRAINED TO INCREASINGLY HIGH STANDARDS AND THAT THE RANGE OF FACILITIES ON AMBULANCES WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND.
+WE HAVE EVEN GOT MEN OH DETACHMENT TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT LEARNING HOW TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCY CHILD BIRTH PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1975
20
PASSING-OUT PARADE « ft « « «
EIGHTEEN ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, INCLUDING SIX WOMAN RECRUITS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE TO BE HELD THIS FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 7) AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND, HAPPY VALLEY.
MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT, URBAN COUNCILLOR, WILL ADDRESS AND INSPECT THE PARADE.
NOTE TO EDITORSs
THE PASSING-OUT PARADE WILL START AT 9.30 AM ON FRIDAY. YOU,ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED.
ASIA FOUNDATION DONATES 150 BOOKS
\ TO TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE
ft « n « «
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE HAS RECEIVED FROM THE ASIA FOUNDATION TOO DONATIONS OF BOOKS TOTALLING 150 VOLUMES.
+THIS TIMELY GIFT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE COLLEGE AS IT MAKES AVAILABLE TO PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS UP-TO-DATE TEXTS ON EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS,* THE PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE, MR. PETER SMITH, SAID TODAY.
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iil® TOSI
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
I
I •
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ASSISTANT EDUCATION DIRECTOR STRESSES NEED FOR MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH TO LEARNING .................... 1
ADDITIONAL TRAM SERVICE BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICTS PROPOSED ............................. 3
THAI SECURITIES EXCHANGES OFFICIALS HERE ON A BRIEF VISIT .................................................. *
NEW POST OFFICE TO BE OPENED AT JARDINE’S LOOKOUT THIS SATURDAY .......................................... 5
HONG KONG’S +MR. INDUSTRIAL SAFETY* RETIRES .......... 6
MANAGEMENT OF PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT REMINDED TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS DURING FESTIVAL ......... 7
LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED ........ 8
AUCTION OF LAI CHI KOK INDUSTRIAL LOT POSTPONED ..... 8
I -------------------------0----
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House’, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
. 1 / _______________________________________________' __________________________________
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
1
CALL FOR MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH TO LEARNING if if if if if if
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN, TODAY STRESSED THE NEED FOR A MORE PRACTICAL APPROACH TO LEARNING IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS BY USING, FOR EXAMPLE, ACTIVITY METHODS.
ADDRESSING A Y’S MEN’S CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING, MR. BROWN REFERRED TO PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE CURRICULUM FOR HONG KONG’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER SECONDARY FORMS,
THE CONCEPT OF A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO THE WHOLE OF THE CURRICULUM IS IMPLICIT IN THE-WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION POLICY. +THIS IS WHAT WE ARE NOW TRYING TO ACHIEVE,+ HE SAID.
FOR WELL OVER A YEAR THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN RE-FRAMING THE CURRICULUM FOR FORMS I - III IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH EMPHASIS ON +EDUCATION FOR LIVING*, THE TITLE OF MR. BROWN’S TALK. .
THE NEW COMMON CORE CURRICULUM, TACKLING VITAL TOPICS AFFECTING OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THAT THINKING.
CRITICS OF THIS +COMMON CORE CURRICULUM* SAID THAT THIS WAS FINE FOR THE EARLY SCHOOL LEAVERS BUT WOULD WRECK THE PROSPECTS OF POTENTIAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
+THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS THAT THIS IS NONSENSE, AND MOST OF OUR UNIVERSITY FRIENDS AGREE WITH US. (THEY ARE WELL REPRESENTED ON OUR COMMITTEES AND ’ARE THEMSELVES CONCERNED AT THE EXTENT TO WHICH UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS AT PRESENT TEND TO DICTATE THE CURRICULUM),* MR. BROWN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT POTENTIAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, WHO IN ANY CASE FORMED A VERY SMALL MINORITY, NEEDED THE SAME BASIC BACKGROUND EDUCATION AS EVERYONE ELSE, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD BECOME NARROW AND LIMITED IN THEIR HORIZONS.
, +HENCE THE CONCEPT OF A COMMON CORE CURRICULUM AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL,* MR. BROWN SAID.
HE WENT ON TO SAY HOWEVER THAT +IT IS NOT JUST THE CONTENT THAT MATTERS BUT HOW IT IS TACKLED.*
THE BURDEN OF CHANGE WOULD FALL ON THE TEACHERS BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE APPROACH TO LEARNING'RATHER THAN IN THE CONTENT TO BE COVERED THAT THE BIGGEST CHANGES V/£RE REQUIRED.
/*THE OLD „«
2
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
+THE OLD STYLE OF LEARNING PASSAGES FROM TEXTBOOKS FOR HOMEWORK AND BEING TESTED ON THEM THE NEXT DAY AT SCHOOL MUST GO AWAY PERMANENTLY AND*BE REPLACED BY A NEW TEAM SPIRIT, A RELAXED CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE TEACHER IS A PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS A LEADER, AND ENCOURAGES RATHER THAN DOMINATES THE STUDENTS.
+THIS IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE, AND TEACHERS WILL NEED A GREAT DEAL OF HELP, HELP WHICH WE SHOULD DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE IN MANY FORMS, SUCH AS PAMPHLETS, COURSES, SEMINARS AND VISITS BY INSPECTORS,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO TEXTBOOKS, MR. BROWN SAID MORE IMAGINATIVE TEXTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE, WERE NEEDED.
+WE NEED TEXTS THAT STIMULATE THOUGHT RATHER THAN PROVIDE ALL. THE ANSWERS, THAT PROVIDE IDEAS FOR TEACHERS TO FOLLOW UP, THAT SUGGEST PROJECTS AND RESEARCHES. THIS MEANS WE NEED CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PUBLISHERS AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPERS AND THERE ARE SIGNS THAT PUBLISHERS ARE AS MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WE ARE.
+JUST AFTER CHINESE NEW YEAR WE HAVE ARRANGED A MEETING WITH EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS TO DISCUSS FRANKLY THE PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF TEXTBOOKS TO MEET CURRICULUM NEEDS.
+THE RESPONSE FROM PUBLISHERS HAS BEEN EXCELLENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A STIMULATING AND PRODUCTIVE MEETING,* HE SAID.
MR. BROWN EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR CO-OPERATION BY EVERYONE CONCERNED, PARENTS AS WELL AS TEACHERS AND PUBLISHERS IN THIS CHALLENGING TASK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. BROWN’S SPEECH IN ENGLISH ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOXES.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
«• 3 -
ADDITIONAL TRAM SERVICE PROPOSED
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A TRAM TURNING LOOP AT THOMPSON ROAD IN WAN CHAI FOR A PROPOSED ADDITIONAL TRAM SERVICE BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE PROPOSED NEW SERVICE IS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED TRAM FACILITIES FOR THE INCREASING NUMBER OF OFFICE WORKERS IN WAN CHAI AREA.
EARLY LAST YEAR, THE HONGKONG TRAMWAYS COMPANY OPERATED THE SERVICE ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, WITH THE WESTBOUND TRAMS TERMINATING AND REVERSING AT A CROSSOVER NEAR THOMPSON ROAD. THE TRIAL SERVICE PROVED POPULAR.
HOWEVER, THE METHOD FOF TRAMS REVERSING AT A CROSSOVER IS CONSIDERED TIME-CONSUMING AS THE CONDUCTOR HAS MANUALLY TO SHIFT THE TROLLEY BOOM FROM ONE OVERHEAD WIRE TO THE OTHER FOR GOING INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TRAM TRAVELLING IN REVERSE DIRECTION TO THE ONE FOR WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED, AND WITH THE SEATED CONDUCTOR SYSTEM, THIS WOULD PRESENT DIFFICULTIES IN FARE COLLECTION, SEATING AND PASSENGER CIRCULATION.
WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING THE NEW SERVICE ON A PERMANENT BASIS. WITHOUT CAUSING DELAY TO OTHER TRAMS AND TRAFFIC IN GENERAL, THE COMPANY HAS APPLIED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR A TRAM TURNING LOOP TO BE BUILT IN THOMPSON ROAD AND LUARD ROAD TO SERVE AS A TERMINUS AT THE WAN CHAI END.
THE MATTER WAS BROUGHT UP FOR DISCUSSION BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AT A RECENT MEETING. DURING WHICH IT WAS INDICATED THAT RESIDENTS AT THOMPSON ROAD IN GENERAL HAD NO STRONG FEELING AGAINST THE PROPOSALS, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD MEAN THE CANCELLATION OF SOME METERED PARKING SPACES IN THE AREA.
FOLLOWING THE COMMITTEE’S ENDORSEMENT, THE APPLICATION WILL NOW BE TREATED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AS ONE FOR STREET ALTERATION, AND RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED SCHEME WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE ANY OBJECTION THEY MAY HAVE.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
- 4 -
THAI SECURITIES EXCHANGES OFFICIALS
HERE FOR TALKS imi M
FIVE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NEWLY FORMED SECURITIES EXCHANGE OF THAILAND HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG FOR A BRIEF VISIT. »
AMONG THE VISITORS IS THE DIRECTOR AND MANAGER OF THE EXCHANGE, MR. SUKRI KAOCHARERN.
DURING THEIR STAY THEY WILL DISCUSS THE WORKING OF THE HONG KONG MARKET WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGES.
THEY WILL BE HERE FOR THREE DAYS.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
- 5 -
NEW POST OFFICE OPENING AT JARDINE’S LOOKOUT POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ANNOUNCED
x a x a x
A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED THIS SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 8) AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HANG ROAD AND PERKINS ROAD AT JARDINE’S LOOKOUT.
THE FULL RANGE OF POSTAL FACILITIES, EXCEPT ACCEPTANCE OF INSURED LETTERS AND BOXES, WILL BE AVAILABLE THERE AND TOO STAMP VENDING MACHINES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO SUPPLY 1O-CENT AND 50-CENT STAMPS AT ALL HOURS.
A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE OPENING OF THE NEW OFFICE IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE DEPARTMENT AND SHOULD BE OF BENEFIT TO RESIDENTS IN THE VICINITY OF JARDINE’S LOOKOUT.
+IT BRINGS TO 69 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POST OFFICES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING A MOBILE POST OFFICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,*- HE SAID.
BUSINESS HOURS OF-THE PERKINS ROAD POST OFFICE ARE FROM
9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. AND FROM 2.15 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. .
MEANWHILE, THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED SPECIAL POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY (FEBRUARY 11) AND ON FEBRUARY 13 AND THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERIES.
ON FEBRUARY 12, THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY OF MAIL AND 32 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975.
+MR. INDUSTRIAL SAFETY* RETIRES ft # ft ft *
NICK CARTER — HONG KONG’S +MR. INDUSTRIAL SAFETY* — WAS FAREWELLED BY HIS LABOUR DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUES TODAY.
MR. CARTER WILL GO ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE ON FEBRUARY 16 AFTER 19 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS BEEN THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING OFFICER SINCE 1967. DURING THAT TIME HE BECAME A WELL-KNOWN AND RESPECTED FIGURE IN HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL CIRCLES.
THE FAREWELL CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON OFFICE — A CENTRE WHICH MR. CARTER BUILT UP TO ITS PRESENT HIGH STANDARD OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
OFFICIALLY FAREWELLING MR; CARTER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID MR. CARTER AND HIS STAFF COULD TAKE MUCH PRIDE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRE.
HE SAID THE CENTRE HAD RECENTLY MARKED COMPLETION OF THE 5OOTH SAFETY TRAINING COURSE, BRINGING TO MORE THAN 10,000 THE NUMBER OF PERSONS TRAINED BY THE CENTRE.
MR. PRICE PRESENTED MR. CARTER A FILM PROJECTOR AND A ROSEWOOD CABINET AS A FAREWELL GIFT FROM HIS COLLEAGUES.
MR. CARTER AND HIS WIFE WILL BE TAKING AN OVERSEAS HOLIDAY BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR HOME IN BRITAIN.
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? THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975
i
LUNATi NE3 YEAR FIRE WARNING
X X X X X
MANAGEMENTS OF PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS AND STORES WERE TODAY REMINDED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRE DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR.
THE HEAD OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, MR. MAURICE LANE SAID THE RISK OF FIRE DURING THE HOLIDAY WOULD INCREASE DUE TO CROWDING IN PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
♦BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT,* HE SAID, +PEOPLE TEND TO BECOME FORGETFUL ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION. CONSEQUENTLY, MANAGEMENTS SHOULD BE WELL PREPARED.*
HE DREW ATTENTION TO A CIRCULAR SENT OUT IN DECEMBER WHICH EMPHASISED THE DANGERS OF FIRE IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS AND STORES DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS, AND MEASURES WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE RISKS.
THESE INCLUDED8 APPOINTING A SENIOR STAFF MEMBER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE PREVENTION13 ENSURING THAT THE +FIRE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS* LAID DOWN ORIGINALLY BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE BEING MAINTAINED AND COMPLIED WITH- REMINDING STAFF TO BE SPECIALLY ALERT FOR ANY SIGN OF FIRE, OR THE POSSIBILITY OF FIREENSURING THAT ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE TAKEN ON TEMPORARILY, KNOW THE LOCATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO OPERATE IT- MAKING SURE EXIT SIGNS ARE NOT HIDDEN AND THAT EXIT ROUTES ARE CLEAR AT ALL TIMES- AND PROMINENTLY DISPLAYING +FULL HOUSE* SIGNS TO PREVENT OVERCROWDING.
THE CIRCULAR ALSO STRESSES THAT ANY ADDITIONAL WIRING FOR DECORATIONS MUST BE DONE BY COMPETENT ELECTRICIANS, AND FLIMSY DECORATIONS MUST BE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM LIGHT BULBS.
IT ALSO ADVISES MANAGEMENTS TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH SURVEY OF PREMISES TO ELIMINATE ALL POSSIBLE FIRE RISKS.
MR. LANE APPEALED FOR CO-OPERATION FROM MANAGEMENTS IN TAKING APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHICH HE SAID WOULD GREATLY REDUCE TflE FIRE RISK DURING THE THREE-DAY HOLIDAY PERIOD.
PRECAUTIONS SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN AT HOME, HE STRESSED, SUCH AS KEEPING MATCHES, CANDLES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN, PLACING PORTABLE HEATERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY CANNOT BE KNOCKED OVER OR SET CURTAINS OR BEDDING ON FIRE,' NOT LEAVING HEATERS OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ON WHEN GOING OUT AND USING ASH TRAYS TO DISPOSE OF CIGARETTE ENDS.
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/8
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6,
1975.
- 8 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED ft ft ft ft ft ft
A SERIES OF LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES TO ENTERTAIN THE MENTALLY RETARDED TRAINEES OF THE WORK ACTIVITIES GROUP IN THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE WILL BE HELD OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, A GROUP OF 20 OF THEM WILL BE TAKEN TO SEE +DISNEY ON PARADE+ AT THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL STADIUM. TICKETS FOR THE SHOW AND TRANSPORTATION HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN ABERDEEN.
ON SATURDAY MORNING, ANOTHER GROUP OF 45 WILL BE TAKEN TO SEE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR BAZAAR ‘AT VICTORIA PARK.
ON FEBRUARY 14, THERE WILL BE A LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY FOR ALL TRAINEES AT THE CENTRE, FEATURING LION DANCES, GROUP SINGING AND GAMES. ’
TO END THE CELEBRATIONS, TWO GROUPS OF TRAINEES WILL BE TREATED TO LUNCH AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT ON FEBRUARY 18 AND 19.
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AUCTION OF LAI CHI
KOK INDUSTRIAL LOT POSTPONED ft ft ft ft ft ft
ONE OF THE FOUR
LOTS OF
CROWN LAND SCHEDULED FOR AUCTION ON
WITHDRAWN TO ENABLE THE CONDITIONS OF SALE
TOBBEAREV^SEDASQBAS TO PERMIT PAYMENT OF THE PREMIUM BY INSTALMENTS
PREVIOUSLY THE FACILITY OF PAYING LAND PREMIA BY INSTALMENTS WAS CONFINED TO THE MORE DISTANT INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO ENCOURAGE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACTORIES, AND VERY VALUABLE COMMERCIAL SITES IN THE CENTRAL AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
- THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY DECIDED TO APPLY THIS POLICY TO SALES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG, AND TO ALL SALES OR TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL LAND WHERE THE PREMIUM IS ESTIMATED TO EXCEED $10 MILLION.
THE WITHDRAWN LOT, COVERING AN AREA OF 10,670' SQUARE FEET, IS SITUATED BETWEEN CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD IN KOWLOON. IT IS RESERVED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GO-DOWN PURPOSES. IT WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE AGAIN LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SALE OF THE REMAINING THREE LOTS, ALL FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, WILL BE HELD IN THE LECTURE ROOM, CITY HALL, AT 2.30 PM ON FEBRUARY 21 AS SCHEDULED.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
I.
14 • • < ’
( ( FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SENIOR PUISNE JUDGE NAMED TO HEAD COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE AFFAIRS OF TELEPHONE COMPANY ..
+NO SOFT OPTIONS* IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET — SAYS ------------- AFFAIRS............................... 3
FOR WAN CHAI PERMITS WIDER USE.................................. 5
D. C. AND I. OFFICIALS TO LEAVE FOR TRADE TALKS IN EUROPE............................................... g
NINE STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON CITY DECLARED DANGEROUS .... 7
CHAI WAN CHILDREN TO BE ENTERTAINED AT LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR...........................................................■.................................. 7
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR MA HANQ ..................... 8
TAXI DRIVERS WARNED NOT TO CHARGE EXCESSIVE FARES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD............................ 8
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE CALLS FOR MORE CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE AGED............................ 9
NEW COMPENSATION LEGISLATION FOR BREACH OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS BECOMES EFFECTIVE TODAY ..................... 9
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
1
TELEPHONE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY NAMED X M M M M
A FORMER SENIOR PUISNE JUDGE OF HONG KONG, SIR ALASTAIR BLAIR-KERR, WAS TODAY NAMED TO HEAD THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE AFFAIRS OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
SIR ALASTAIR, A MUCH RESPECTED JUDGE WHO SPENT MORE THAN 27 YEARS IN HONG KONG, WILL BE ASSISTED BY FIVE MEMBERS.
THEY ARE MR. GORDON MACWHINNIE, THE FOUNDER CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND SENIOR PARTNER OF THE FIRM OF PEAT, MARWICK, MITCHELL AND COMPANY- MR. JOHN SOONG. CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MOBIL OIL HONG KONG- MR. C.P. HUNG. PRESIDENT OF THE CH INESE'MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATIONDR. L.K. DING, A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER- AND MISS LYDIA DUNN, A DIRECTOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE (FAR EAST) LTD. AND GENERAL MANAGER OF ITS EXPORT DIVISION. THE SECRETARY IS MR. DONALD TSANG OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT. i
»
THE WIDE-RANG l-NG TERMS OF REFERENCE OFt THE COMMISSION ARE I -
1. TO EXAMINE THE AFFAIRS OF THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY INCLUDING t
(A) ITS MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION, ITS DEBT LIABILITIES AND ITS PROF I TAB IL ITY-
(B) THE CAUSES OF ITS PRESENT CASH FLOW PROBLEM-
(C) ITS PLANS FOR EXPANSION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ITS FINANCES-
(D) THE ADEQUACY, EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF THE SERVICE WHICH IT PROVIDES AND IS PLANNING TO PROVIDE.
2. IN THE LIGHT OF THE FOREGOING TO RECOMMEND i
(A) WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO RENDER THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY FINANCIALLY VIABLE HAVING REGARD TO I (I) ITS FINANCIAL POSITION AND PROSPECTS-
(II) THE NEED TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROPER QUADTY-
(III) WHAT IS EQUITABLE TO TELEPHONE USERS-
(IV) THE ROLE OF THE TELEPHONE SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
(B) WHAT MEASURES SHOULD 'BE TAKEN TO ENSURE
(I) THAT PUBLIC CONTROL OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY IS ADEQUATE, HAVING REGARD TO ITS CHARACTER AS A PRIVATE COMPANY PROVIDING A MONOPOLY PUBLIC UTILITY-
(II) THAT A PROPER BALANCE IS STRUCK BETWEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE FUTURE MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY’S SERVICE AND A REASONABLE RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS ON THEIR INVESTMENTS.
i
/THE COMMISSION .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
2
THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR WITHIN SIX MONTHS.
AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL, MR. DOUGLAS BLYE, HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY.
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTOR, WHOSE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST, WAS MADE POSSIBLE FOLLOWING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A BILL ON WEDNESDAY.
--•--0-------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
JSF' -i? /J-a&rV ‘.■•'?^^U-..;'. .-*■ .
BUDGET - "NO SOFT OPTIONS” THIS YEAR # * * W # K
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, PREDICTED TODAY THAT THE FORTHCOMING BUDGET WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE THEIR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
SPEAKING AT THE KOWLOON NORTH ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON, MR. BRAY SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE ”NO SOFT OPTIONS” THIS YEAR. HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RESERVES TO GIVE AWAY TAXES AND KEEP SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES.
AT THE SAME TIME, +WE CANNOT JACK UP TAXES TO DO ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE ARE SO OFTEN CRITICISED FOR NOT DOING. NOR CAN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE BE SLASHED WITHOUT STOPPING DOING SOME OF THE THINGS PEOPLE EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO,+ MR. BRAY SAID.
HONG KONG, HE ADDED, IS A +LITTLE PLACE IN A BIG ROUGH WORLD GOING THROUGH AN ECONOMIC RECESSION. WE ARE DOING REMARKABLY WELL IN SUCH A SITUATION.*
REFERRING TO RECENT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS SAID THAT PUBLIC FINANCE SEEMED TO LE ONE SUBJECT ON WHICH +PEOPLE HAVE THE ODDEST IDEAS*.
IT IS A BIG AND DIFFICULT SUBJECT, HE SAID. MOST PEOPLE HAVE SOME UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THEIR OWN FAMILY FINANCES. +BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC FINANCES WE SEEM TO THINK EVERYTHING WORKS DIFFERENTLY.*
MR. BRAY EXPLAINED THAT IN BIG COUNTRIES SUCH AS AMERICA OR BRITAIN IT WAS TRUE THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO SPEND MORE AND TAX LESS DURING TIMES OF DEPRESSION.
+YOU CAN GET THINGS GOING INTERNALLY WITHOUT WORRYING TOO MUCH WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, BUT OTHER PEOPLE’S IMPORTS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR,* HE SAID.
EXTERNAL TRADE WAS OF MUCH LESS IMPORTANCE TO BRITAIN OR AMERICA THAN TO HONG KONG. +IF WE THREW GOVERNMENT MONEY AROUND OUR BALANCE OF PAYMENTS WOULD BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OVER-NIGHT.*
MR. BRAY SAID THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS MORE LIKE A FAMILY ECONOMY THAN THAT OF A LARGE DEVELOPED COUNTRY. IF.A PRIVATE ECONOMY WAS IN RECESSION ONE COULD NOT INDULGE IN A SPENDING SPREE.
/SPEAKING ABOUT .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
SPEAKING ABOUT THE RESERVES, MR. BRAY SAID THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT HAD VAST RESERVES AND FELT SURE THAT HONG KONG WAS IN FOR A SHORT BAD PERIOD, WE COULD REASONABLY AND DELIBERATELY DRAW ON THEM
*BUT,+ HE SAID, +WE DO NOT HAVE VAST RESERVES AND WE DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THINGS WILL TURN UP.+
IN FACT, BECAUSE NO ONE CAN REALLY FORECAST THAT TIMES CANNOT POSSIBLY GET WORSE, *IT WOULD BE JUST AS WELL TO ALLOW FOR A LITTLE BAD LUCK, RATHER THAN DEPENDING ON GOOD LUCK.*
MR. BRAY NOTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO DRAW ON ABOUT $400 MILLION OF ITS RESERVES BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTED DEFICIT BASED ON SEPTEMBER’S FIGURES.
HE ALSO .CLEARED UP ANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE RESERVES BY DESCRIBING AS ^ABSOLUTE RUBBISH* SUGGESTIONS THAT THEY WERE JUST +SQUEEZED OUT OF HONG KONG TO KEEP ENGLAND GOING.*
+HONG KONG ISA GREAT PLACE, BUT BY NO STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION CAN ANYONE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE CLAIM THAT IT IS HARDWORKING HONG KONG THAT KEEPS DECADENT ENGLAND GOING. WE COULDN’T ANY MORE THAN WE COULD SUSTAIN ANY OTHER COUNTRY TENS OR HUNDREDS OF TIMES OUR SIZE.*
HE SAID MOST PEOPLE REALISED NOW THAT THE SURPLUSES WERE HONG KONG’S SAVINGS AND WERE NOT JUST GIVEN AWAY TO WHOEVER LOOKED AFTER THEM. THEY ARE BANKED IN A NUMBER OF PLACES AND ARE EARNING INTEREST, JUST AS HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS WERE MUCH MORE USEFUL WHEN BANKED.
MR. BRAY ADDED THAT THE VALUE OF THE RESERVES HAD CERTAINLY BEEN ERODED BY DEVALUATION ABROAD, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING DELIBERATE OR FOOLISH ABOUT THE LOSSES.
+INDEED, SIR JOHN COWPERTHWAITE PIONEERED THE CONCEPT OF THE STERLING GUARANTEE FROM WHICH ALL OTHER STERLING HOLDERS BENEFITED. AS THE.GUARANTEE WAS ERODED BY THE CHANGING NATURE OF WORLD MONETARY ARRANGEMENTS SO OUR RESERVES HAVE BEEN DIVERSIFIED. NOT THAT TO MOVE OUT OF STERLING INTO, SAY, THE U.S. DOLLAR MEANS THE AVOIDANCE OF EXCHANGE RISKS,* HE SAID.
/5
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
REVISED DRAFT PLAN FOR WAN CHAI PERMITS WIDER VARIATIONS OF LAND USE
PROPERTY DEVELOPERS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A WIDER RANGE
OF LAND USE VARIATIONS IN WAN CHAI UNDER THE TOWN
PLANNING BOARD’S REVISED DRAFT PLAN FOR WAN CHAI AREA PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
WHILE THE REVISED PLAN DOES NOT PROPOSE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONED USE OF LAND IN WAN CHAI, IT COMPRISES A REVISED SET OF NOTES WHICH LAY DOWN USES THAT MAY BE AUTOMATICALLY PERMITTED IN A SPECIFIC ZONE, AND OTHER USES WHICH MAY BE PERMITTED ON APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE NEW NOTES IN THE DRAFT PLAN ALLOW FOR SPECIFIC DEPARTURES FROM ALL ZONED uses ON THE PLAN. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE RESIDENTIAL ZONE THERE IS NOW PROVISION FOR SUCH USES AS OFFICES, HOTELS AND PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT IF ACCEPTABLE TO THE BOARD.
THE BOARD ALSO PROVIDES IN THE NOTES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES IN GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY AND OPEN SPACES ZONES. THIS IS TO ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY WHERE DEVELOPERS EXPRESS AN INTEREST IN UNDERTAKING COMPOSITE PROJECTS ON LAND ZONED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES WHILE DEVOTING ADEQUATE SPACE WITHIN SUCH PROJECTS FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION OR COMMUNITY USE.
THE INCLUSION OF THE NEW NOTES IN THE DRAFT PLAN FOR WANCHAI AREA WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ENACTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION ORDINANCE LAST AUGUST.
UNDER THIS LEGISLATION, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IS ALLOWED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR USE OF LAND NOT STRICTLY IN COMPLIANCE BUT COMPATIBLE WITH THAT SHOWN ON STATUTORY PLANS, IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE BOARD FEELS THAT DEPARTURES MAY BE AUTHORISED AND WHERE THE NOTES PROVIDE FOR THE GRANT OF PERMISSION.
ALTHOUGH THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE BOARD TO AMEND PLANS SO AS TO INCLUDE THE NEW NOTES WITHOUT OPENING THE PLANS FOR PUBLIC OBJECTION, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS DECIDED TO ALLOW OBJECTION TO THESE NOTES IN THE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY.
.. THE PROVISION OF NOTES WILL BE EXTENDED PROGRESSIVELY TO OTHER STATUTORY PLANS. IN THE COMING MONTHS, THE BOARD WILL BE REVISING ALL DRAFT AND APPROVED PLANS IN THE SAME MANNER.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE USES LISTED IN THE SECOND OR +PERMISSIVE+ COLUMN OF THE NOTES IN THE WAN CHAI DRAFT PLAN SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, ON APPROVED APPLICATION FORMS. COPIES OF THESE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE AT MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED FOR USES SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE SECOND COLUMN OF THE NOTES.
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- 6 -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 75
TRADE OFFICIALS LEAVE FOR IMPORTANT TALKS IN '""ROPE
TWO SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE FOR EUROPE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR TRADE TALKS I I TH AUSTRIA AND EEC MEMBER STATES.
MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE COMMFRC: . - "JDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, IN CHARGE OF COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.WILL Fl INITIALLY TO GENEVA WHERE HE WILL HOLD CONSULTATIONS WITH OFFICIA! 8 THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT ON ITS REQUEST FOR RESTRAINTS ON TLE E . ORTS OF HONG KONG SHIRTS TO THAT COUNTRY.
HE WILL. THEN SEE TRADE OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS AND IH 7;IE OTHEfc EEC MEMBER STATES AS WELL AS HONG KONG’S TWO REPRESENTATIVES IN EUROPE, MR. CLAUDE BURGESS AND MR. PAT DODGE.
MR. MILLS’ LATEST VISIT TO EUROPE IS HIS SECOND ’fl ~ JE WEEKS AND IS BEING MADE TO HELP HIM PUT HONG KONG’S NEGOTIATING . U -INTO FINAL PROSPECTIVE FOR THE FORTHCOMING TEXTILE NEGOT ” ONS WITH THE EEC. THESE ARE LIKELY TO BE HELD IN ABOUT A M . Ti.-'S ' IME.
MR. PETER TSAO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN-CHARGE OF CO JAI. RELATIONS WITH THE COMMON MARKET AND INTERNATIONAL TPAi ORGANISATIONS, WILL ATTEND IN GENEVA A MEETING OF THE 1"/.'" NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE GATT. THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS WAYS OF REDUCING - ON A MUTUAL BASIS - TARIFF .AL ■ iJON-T/R itT BARRIERS TO WORLD TRADE.
BEFORE THIS, HOWEVER, MR. TSAO WILL ATTEND AN INFOR Al ME-'TING OF THE DEVELOPING MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMM . LI' FOR ASIA AND PACIFIC (ESCAP) IN CONNECTION WITH THE . MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO BE HELD LATER THIS Y
THE PURPOSE OF THE INFORMAL TALKS IS TO ENABLE s HE GL-. ’iNG MEMBERS OF ESCAP TO DISCUSS HOW THEY MIGHT PREPARE T!' . ' IS ")R THE FORTHCOMING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEVELOPED COUNTRI AT GATT MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
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I
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS « « « « H
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY INTENDS TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FOR A GROUP OF NINE STRUCTURES IN SAI TAU TSUEN, KOWLOON CITY, SOME OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED IN A RECENT FIRE.
THE AFFECTED STRUCTURES ARE NOS. 2A SHING LUNG STREET, 2, 2A AND 12B CARPENTER ROAD, 2B AND 2C SAI TAU TSUEN FIRST STREET - ALL OF WHICH ARE INA DANGEROUS CONDITION - AND NOS. A2 ARPENTER ROAD, 2A SAI TAU TSUEN FIRST STREET, AND THE BUILDING OVER RIDING SAI TAU TSUEN FIRST STREET ADJACENT TO CARPENTER ROAD, 'IICH ARE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAIL IN A STATEMENT THIS MORNING THAT THE ROOFS OF FOUR OF THIS GROUP " IB-STANDARD STRUCTURES WERE CLOSED FOLLOWING A RECENT FIRE. +FG: '7 UP INSPECTIONS HAVE REVEALED THAT THE LOWER GROUND FLOC ; AREAS SHOW EXTENSIVE SIGNS OF DECAY TO SEVERAL MAIN TIME SR SUPPORTS AND SOME SUBSIDENCE OF THE GROUP HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE..
AS THERE IS A RISK OF COLLAPSE, HE SAID, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THIS WHOLE GROUP OF INTER-COMM" : I CAT I NG STRUCTURES.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS WERE POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY. THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE IIE/'.D IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 28.
------o - - - -
NEW YEAR FETE FOR CHAI WAN CHILDREN K « h « K «
FIVE HUNDRED CHILDREN FROM CHAI WAN WILL BE ENTERTAINED AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 9) AFTERNOON AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION WILL BE TWELVE GAME STALLS WHICH PROMISES TO GIVE THE CHILDREN A FUN-FILLED THREE HCU/.G FROM 2 P.M. THAT DAY.
TO ENCOURAGE ORIGINALITY IN THE DESIGN OF THE STALLS -ALL TO BE SET UP AND MANNED BY YOUTH MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY ORGNISATION - PRIZES DONATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE'CHA! WAN KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, MR. SO CHING, WILL BE AWARDED T THE THREE BEST DESIGNS.
THE NEW YEAR FAIR IS ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN IRSHERMEN’S RECREATION CLUB, THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN' '.HE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE COUNCIL, THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION AND THE CHONG GENE HANG SCHOOL WILL BE HELPING IN SETTING UP AND RUNNING THE STALLS.
----------------------------------------0--------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------/8..................
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975 •
- 8 -
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR MA HANG
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD A SUBMARINE OUTFALL AT MA HANG IN STANLEY TO DISPOSE OF SEWAGE AWAY FROM THE SHORE AND AVOID POLLUTION.
THE OUTFALL PIPE WHICH WILL CARRY THE SEWAGE WILL BE PERMANENTLY BURIED IN THE SEABED AND WI LU BE PROTECTED BY RUBBLE THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH.
AT PRESENT MA HANG IS INHABITED BY SEVERAL THOUSAND SQUATTERS WHO OPERATE A FEW HUNDRED PIGSTIES. THE MAIN STREAM SERVING THE AREA FLOWS INTO THE SEA AT A BEACH AT THE WEST END OF STANLEY BAY.
WITHOUT A PROPER DISPOSAL SYSTEM, THE WASTE DISCHARGE FROM SQUATTERS AS WELL AS THE PIGSTIES MAY FIND ITS WAY INTO THE STREAM AND POLLUTE THE BEACH, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROPOSED SUBMARINE OUTFALL, TOGETHER WITH OTHER BUILDING WORKS ON LAND, WILL SATISFACTORILY DISPOSE OF THE SEWAGE INTO DEEP WATER AT A POINT WHERE IT WILL BE ADEQUATELY DILUTED AND DISPERSED BY CURRENTS, HE ADDED.
THE EXTENT OF THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING PROJECT IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS OF PRIVATE RIGHT MAY SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN THE NEXT TOO MONTHS. *
- - 0
TAXI DRIVERS WARNED NOT TO RAISE FARES DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR « « n a it it
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED TAXI DRIVERS THAT THEY WOULD BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE IF THEY CHARGED FARES HIGHER THAN THE APPROPRIATE SCALE,
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS DURING THE LAST CHINESE NEW YEAR OF TAXI DRIVERS DEMANDING +LUCKY+ MONEY OR HIGHER FARES FROM THEIR PASSENGERS.
HE WARNED THAT ANY PERSON COMMITTING SUCH AN OFFENCE WAS LIABLE IN THE CASE OF FIRST CONVICTION TO A FINE OF S5OO AND AN IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
NO TAXI DRIVER IS ALLOWED TO CHARGE A FARE EXCEEDING THE APPROPRIATE SCALE OF FARES SET DOWN IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, HE SAID.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1975
9
MORE CARE AND ATTENTION NEEDED FOR ELDERLY
X X K H
THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR MORE CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES FOR SENILE PEOPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE NOTED THAT WHILE HONG KONG HAD A LONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING REGULAR HOMES FOR THE AGED, THE NUMBER OF CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES STILL FELL SHORT OF DEMAND.
ONE POSSIBLE WAY OF GETTING CLOSER TO MEETING THIS DEMAND, HE FELT, WAS FOR EXISTING OLD'PEOPLE’S HOMES TO DEVELOP CARE AND ATTENTION SECTIONS.
BUT UNTIL THIS HAPPENED CARE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT AVAILABLE PLACES WERE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO NEEDED THEM, HE STRESSED.
MR. LEE MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE DEDICATION AND OPENING OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S NEW CARE AND ATTENTION HOME AT KAM TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID IT WAS A CREDIT TO THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SALVATION ARMY THAT IN LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST CARE AND ATTENTION HOME WAS OPENED ANOTHER VALUABLE SERVICE WAS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO INFIRM PEOPLE.
-----0------
COMPENSATION RULES FOR BREACH OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS M M M
NEW LEGISLATION RESTORING THE RIGHT OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CLAIM LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE CAME INTO FORCE TODAY.
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1975 PROVIDES THAT WHERE A-CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS WRONGFULLY TERMINATED BY EITHER PARTY, A LIQUIDATED SUM EQUAL TO WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE IS PAYABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY.
THE NEW LEGISLATION BECOMES SECTION 8A OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE SAID: +THIS IS A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO RESTORE THE LEGAL POSITION TO WHAT IT WAS ALWAYS THOUGHT TO BE.+
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PREVENTIVE SERVICE HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MONTH AGAINST DRUG PEDLARS IN JANUARY ........................... 1
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CAUSEWAY BAY AREA DURING LUNAR-NEW'YEAR FAIR ................................ 2
!
BIG DROP IN NUMBER OF FIRES BETWEEN OCTOBER AND JANUARY 4
RESIDENTS IN EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON WILL HAVE A NEW POLYCLINIC ................................................ 4
---0---
Issued by Government Information Servises, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1975
1
DRUG RUNNERS HIT HARD BY PREVENTIVE SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft ft
THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MONTH AGAINST DRUG PEDLARS IN JANUARY, SEIZING MORE THAN SI MILLION WORTH OF DANGEROUS DRUGS DURING THE MONTH.
THE BIGGEST SEIZURE MADE BY PREVENTIVE SERVICE OFFICERS THIS YEAR WAS ON JANUARY 21 WHEN TEN BLOCKS CONTAINING 12.6 KILOGRAMS OF +999+ MORPHINE WERE SEIZED FROM A PRIVATE CAR.
THREE MEN WERE ARRESTED AND A FURTHER 1.75 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN WERE SEIZED FROM A FLAT INSIDE THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY AS A RESULT OF FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS.
A TOTAL OF 239 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH VARIOUS NARCOTICES OFFENCES.
A LARGE QUANTITY OF OPIUM SMOKING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING 61 OPIUM PIPES AND HEROIN SMOKING AND INJECTION PARAPHERNALIA WAS SEIZED.
THE TOTAL RETAIL VALUE OF ALL DANGEROUS DRUGS SEIZED
IS ESTIMATED AT $1,378 MILLION. THIS INCLUDED 3.7 KILOGRAMS OF RAW OPIUM, 2.7 KILOGRAMS OF PREPARED OPIUM, A SMALL QUANTITY OF HEROIN, AND THE MORPHINE BLOCKS AND HEROIN SEIZED ON JANUARY 21.
< ^MEANWHILE, THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY OF MOTOR BOATS ON HIRE AT HOURLY RATES FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR STARTING FROM APRIL!, 1975.
THE BOATS WILL BE USED TO CONVEY PREVENTIVE SERVICE OFFICERS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS AT ANCHOR Ml THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE USED FOR SURVEILLANCE WORK SINCE THEY ARE LESS CONSPICUOUS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL SAILING TIME PER MONTH WILL NOT BE LESS THAN 200 HOURS AND THE TOTAL WAITING TIME 500 HOURS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS, ROOM 1020, RUMSEY STREET CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
THEY MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 28.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1975 - 2 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
H * K * M «
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 10 AND 11) IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY AREA ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN CONNECTION WITH THE LUNA? NEW YEAR "AU AT VICTORIA PARK.
THERE WILL BE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING AND D'VERSIONS, CLOSURE OF ROADS AND SUSPENSION OF PARKING FACILITIES ii, ORDER TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS.
CONGESTION IS EXPECTED IN THE GENERAL AREA YEAR VICTORIA PARK ON LUNAR NEW YEAR’S EVE, AND MOTORISTS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO AVOID USING CAUSEWAY ROAD.
FROM 6 P.M. ON MONDAY'UNTIL 6 A.M. THE NEXT i JTIiLiG. • PATERSON STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTH FROM GREAT GEORGE STREET TO NEW WATERFRONT ROAD. EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG GREAT GEORGE STREET WILL ONLY TURN LEFT AT THA BASTION OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG THE FLYOVER LEADING IN VICTORIA PARK ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN GIG!? GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IN CAUSEWAY ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO HING FAT STREET, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES.
IN FACT, ENTRY TO HING FAT STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED CJJLY TO FRANCHISED BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES.
LAU LI STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY EAST FROM ,'CTRIC ROAD TO KING’S ROAD, AND ONE-WAY WEST FROM ELECT*‘C C TO HING FAT STREET.
THE SECTION OF TUNG LO WAN ROAD BETWEEN EAS'URS HOSPITAL RQAD AND THE ROXY ROUNDABOUT WILL BE ROUTED ONE- ’ Vr W T, EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES WHICH WILL BE ALLOWED TO ' ilTER THIS ROAD SECTION FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD UNDER POLICE C /i5 ION IN ORDER TO GO UP TAI HANG ROAD.
TRAFFIC PROCEEDING ALONG TUNG LO WAN ROAD .< v3 ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED INTO MORETON TERRACE EXCEPT FOR THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO TAI HANG ROAD.
/DU2ING TUB .....;
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1975
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSEDi SUGAR STREET- PATERSON STREET BETWEEN YEE WO STREET AND GREAT GEORGE STREET- KINGSTON STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEVELAND STREET- THE SECTION OF LAU SIN STREET BETWEEN ELECTRIC ROAD AND HING FAT STREET EXCEPT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES- JAFFE ROAD EAST OF PERCIVAL STREET- LOCKHART ROAD EAST OF PERCIVAL STREET, CANNON STREET SOUTH OF GLOUCESTER ROAD- THE SECTION OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH GREAT GEORGE STREET- AND CAROLINE HILL ROAD EAST EXCEPT FOR VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES ON THE ROAD.
MOTORISTS REQUIRING ACCESS TO TAI HANG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL EITHER VIA LEIGHTON ROAD, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD, OR, IF APPROACHING FROM THE EAST, VIA KING’S ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD.
PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 3 P.M. ON MONDAY AND 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ROXY CAR PARK- NGAN MOK STREET- YACHT STREET- CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY CAR PARK- VICTORIA PARK ROAD- KINGSTON STREET EAST OF CLEVELAND STREET- AND GREAT GEORGE STREET EAST OF PATERSON STREET. THE HING FAT STREET CAR PARK WILL BE RESERVED FOR GOODS VEHICLES ONLY DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED AND TRAFFIC POLICEMEN WILL BE ON DUTY TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
।
A
0 - -
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1975
- 4 -
BIG DROP IN FIRES M « * * « *
THE NUMBER OF FIRES DURING THE PEAK FIRE PERIOD OCTOBER-JANUARY HAS DROPPED BY 44 PER CENT, AND GRASS, HILL AND FOREST FIRES BY 78 PER CENT.
REVEALING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WHILE THE REDUCTION WAS HEARTENING, NO ONE COULD AFFORD TO LET DOWN HIS GUARD PARTICULARLY OVER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WHEN THE FIRE RISK TENDS TO RISE. ♦
BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 1974 AND JANUARY 31, 1975 THERE WERE 2,472 FIRES, COMPARED WITH 4,415 DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1973/74. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR GRASS, HILL AND
FOREST FIRES WERE 490 AND 2,198 — A DROP OF ALMOST 78 PER CENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FIREMEN WERE USUALLY VERY BUSY DURING THESE MONTHS, FIGHTING FROM TWO TO FIVE AS MANY FIRES THAN NORMAL, MOST OF THEM IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
COMPARING THE WHOLE OF 1974 WITH 1973, THERE WAS AN OVERALL FALL OF 60 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE UNSEASONAL WEATHER UNDOUBTEDLY HAD PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT PART IN KEEPING THE NUMBER OF FIRE DOWN. HE ADDED 1 +WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE BECOMING MORE FIRE-PREVENTION CONSCIOUS.+
. POLYCLINIC FOR EAST KOWLOON
******
A POLYCLINIC IS TO BE BUILT NEAR THE CHOI HUNG ESTATE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON.
LOCATED ON THE EASTERN S-IDE OF HAMMER HILL ROAD, THE KOWLOON EAST POLYCLINIC WILL CONSIST OF TWO TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES.
STAGE I COMPRISES A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH. CENTRE, A CHEST CLINIC AND A STANDARD URBAN CLINIC WITH A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE POLYCLINIC, CONSISTING MAINLY OF A DENTAL CLINIC AND SPECIALIST FACILITIES, WILL BE BUILT AT A LATER DATE,
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION DIRECTORS ................................ 1
CURRENT RESTRAINTS ON TEXTILE EXPORTS TO E.E.C. WILL BE CONTINUED BEYOND MARCH 31 THIS YEAR................ 3
INCOME LIMITS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICANTS RAISED BY 10 PER CENT....................................... 4
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF HA KWAI CHUNG ESTATE PROGRESSING WELL .............................. 5
PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT OF
SHA TIN NEW TOWN ................................... 6
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHA TIN AREA ON CHE
KUNG FESTIVAL....................................... 7
Isstied by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
1
TWO NEW MTR CORPORATION DIRECTORS APPOINTED * H « O M «
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY HAS ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENTS OF MR. PAUL HUGH FINDEN ANDREW AS THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING - DESIGNATE, AND MR. LAU WAH-SUM AS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE - DESIGNATE IN THE FUTURE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THESE APPOINTMENTS COMPLETE THE DIRECTORATE OF THE CORPORATION WHICH IS SHORTLY TO BE ESTABLISHED.
MR. ANDREW HAS WORLD-WIDE EXPERIENCE IN ENGINEERING. DURING HIS CAREER, HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS INCLUDING. THE STANDARD GRANGE PROJECT FOR THE WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT RAILWAYS SCHEME - A PROJECT WITH OVER 600 MILES OF NEW STANDARD GRANGE TRACK, THE COST OF WHICH WAS ON A SCALE COMPARABLE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM CITY AND GUILDS COLLEGE WITH AN HONOURS DEGREE, MR. ANDREW BECAME AN ASSOCIATE OF THE CITY AND GUILDS INSTITUTE. HE WAS AWARDED THE DIPLOMA OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE FOLLOWING POST-GRADUATE STUDY.
BETWEEN 1957 AND 1962 HE WAS A SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER WITH G MAUNSELL AND PARTNERS AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN OF POWER STATIONS, WATER PURIFICATION WORKS AND PUMPING STATIONS IN IRAQ, BRIDGE WORK IN ECUADOR AND THE CONVERSION OF THE MALTA DOCKYARD TO CIVIL USE.’
FROM 1962 TO 1974 MR. ANDREW UNDERTOOK STUDY, DESIGN, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF MANY LARGE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF AUSTRALIA.
HE BECAME A PARTNER OF MAUNSELL AND PARTNERS IN 1967. MORE RECENTLY HE WAS THE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION OF THE 400,000 DWT DRY DOCK IN SINGAPORE FOR SEMBAWANG SHIPYARD LTD.
MR. ANDREW HAS ALREADY TAKEN UP HIS APPOINTMENT.
MR. LAU WAH-SUM WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN 1928. HE IS CURRENTLY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. FOR MANY MONTHS HE HAS WORKED ON THE FINANCE ASPECTS OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY. HE IS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF COST AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS.
/Educated in .....
SUNDAY,
FEBHUAKY 9, 1975.
2
^•^E^ATED IN H0NQ K0NG» MR* LAU WORKED WITH BETWEEN 1947 AND 1961.
THE SWIRE GROUP
HLo°^ED ,HE treasury as an accountant in
THEN, HAS F,llEU A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT POSTS WITH THE HOUSING c^THOR*TY, IN THE TREASURY AND IN FINANCE BRANCH. HE BECAME SENIOR COST CONTROL OFFICER IN 1967.
1961 AND, SINCE
IN 1971 HE ATTENDED A COURSE IN MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY. *tKV,Cfci> F0R .... PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN ORGANISING YOUTH ACTIVITIES ?mx«;<JREASURER 0F THE H0NG K0NG SEA CADET CORPS. HE IS ALSO INTERESTED IN SAILING AND HIKING.
HE
MR
IS MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN.
LAU IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP HIS APPOINTMENT DURING MARCH
NOTE FOR
EDITORSi
PHOTOGRAPHS OF COLLECTION FROM THE HOUSE.
MR. ANDREW AND MR. W.S. LAU ARE AVAILABLE FOR
G. I.S. PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD
COLOUR TRANSPARENCIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR TV STATIONS ON REQUEST
SUNDAY, FEBR ’J.RY 9, 1975
3
EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO E.E.C. M * M M * M M
THE Dihc^iOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, ANNOUNCED TOD.. . .AT EXPORTERS COULD ASSUME THAT THE CURRENT RESTRAINTS REGARDiNG EXPORTS OF CERTAIN TEXTILES TO THE EEC WOULD BE CONTINUED BEYOND MARCH 31, 1975 AND THAT THE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW IN FORCE.
PRECISE DETAILS OF THE RESTRAINTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND IN ANY CASE NOT LATER THAN THE END OF FEBRUARY.
MR. JORDAN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NUMBER OF QUERIES FROM THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE UNCERTAIN SITUATION REGARDING EXPORTS OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO THE EEC.
SUCH EXPORTS, HE EXPLAINED, HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER A UNILATERAL RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENT WHICH HAD BEEN IN FORCE SINCE JANUARY 1974 WHEN THE PREVIOUS BILATERAL ARRANGEMENT EXPIRED.
THE UNILATERAL ARRANGEMENT HAD, SINCE THEN, BEEN EXTENDED TWICE AND WAS NOW DUE TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 31, 1975.
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN HOLDING ITSELF READY FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE EEC SINCE 1973 WITH A VIEW TO REACHING A BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY. UP TO THE PRESENT, NO REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS FROM THE EEC HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
MR. JORDAN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT FULLY APPRECIATED THE DIFFICULTY WHIOH HONG KONG TRADERS FACED AND WAS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH FLOW OF TRADE.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
10 PER CENT INCREASE IN INCOME LIMITS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING LIST APPLICANTS * M M * M M
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS RAISED THE INCOME LIMITS FOR APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST FOR PUBLIC HOUSING BY TEN PER CENT RETROSPECTIVE FROM SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. .
THE INCOME LIMITS ARE TIED TO THE INDEX OF NORMAL AVERAGE DAILY WAGES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS WHICH HAS BEEN RISING SINCE MARCH 1973.
THE REVISED INCOME LIMITS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST $50, AREl $1,500 FOR FAMILIES OF THREE TO SIX PERSONS, $1,700 FOR FAMILIES OF SEVEN, $1,850 FOR FAMILIES OF EIGHT, $2,000 FOR FAMILIES OF NINE AND $2,200 FOR FAMILIES OF TEN OR MORE.
THE INDEX FOR MARCH 1973 AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1974 HAS RISEN BY TEN PER CENT, AND IN LINE WITH THE AUTHORITY’S POLICY, THE INCOME LIMITS FOR APPLICANTS ON THE WAITING LIST WERE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. -
IN VIEW OF THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT SAID THAT APPLICATIONS INVESTIGATED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1974 BUT REJECTED ON THE GROUND OF OVER INCOME, WOULD BE REVIEWED.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO APPLY FOR INCLUSION ON THE WAITING LIST AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1974, BUT WERE REFUSED REGISTRATION BECAUSE OF OVER INCOME, WILL HAVE TO RE-APPLY.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
HA K'Al CHUNG *
- 5 -
ESTATE TAKING SHAPE M M M *
ON A WAN, KWAI GRADUALLY
TERRA ED HILLSIDE
COMMANDING A PANORAMIC VIEW OF TSUEN
CHUNG AND XSI NG Yl ISLAND, A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IS TAKING SHAPE.
IT IS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HA KWAI CHUNG ESTATE WHICH people°N C0MPLET,0N ,N 1977' provide HOMES FOR ABOUT 19,300
BLASTING TO PROVIDE A 22-.ACRE SITE HAS TAKEN OVER A YEAR. PART OF THE ROCKS OBTAINED WERE USED FOR THE BUILDING OF THE ESTATE BLOCKS AND THE REST FOR RECLAMATION PURPOSES.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST STAGE, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF TWO TWIN-TOWER BLOCKS AND THE FORMATION OF A PODIUM WITH A +Z+-SHAPE BUILDING ON TOP AND A THREE-STOREY*CAR PARK UNDERNEATH, IS FORGING AHEAD AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE +Z+ BLOCK WILL PROVIDE A NUMBER OF SHOP SPACES ON ITS GROUND FLOOR AND TWO RESTAURANTS ON THE FIRST FLOOR WITH DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION ON THE TOP FLOOR.
SITE FORMATION WORK ON THE SECOND STAGE IS BEING CARRIED OUT CONCURRENTLY. THIS PHASE OF WORK COMPRISES THE BUILDING OF ANOTHER TWIN-TOWER BLOCK, A SLAB BLOCK, TWO SCHOOLS AS WELL AS PREMISES FOR WELFARE AGENCIES.
THE ESTATE WILL HAVE 2,415 FLATS OF VARYING SIZES. INTAKE FOR 5,000 RESIDENTS WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR.
Mfr.-HENRY NG, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARCHITECT IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT, SAID THAT DUE TO THE HILLY TERRAIN MUCH EFFORT HAD TO BE PUT INTO THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF THE ESTATE.
♦THE TWIN-TOWER BLOCK IN THE SECOND STAGE HAS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT 60 FEET ABOVE THE PODIUM AND THE SLAB BLOCK IS EVEN FURTHER HIGHER UP. BECAUSE OF THIS, WE HAVE TO DESIGN A COVERED WALKWAY AND A LIFT TO LINK THESE BLOCKS WITH THE PODIUM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE DEVELOPED INTO A SHOPPING CENTRE.* HE SAID.
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/6
6
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO SHARE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT . * * M * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO OFFER HONG KONG DEVELOPERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN BY INVITING TENDERS FOR' THE RECLAMATION OF A PORTION OF TIDE COVE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USE. THE AREA, KNOWN AS DEVELOPMENT AREA 14, LIES TO THE WEST OF WONG UK.
THE TOTAL .RECLAMATION AREA IS ABOUT 141 ACRES OF WHICH 40 ACRES WILL BE RETAINED BY THE DEVELOPER AND THE REMAINDER RETURNED ON COMPLETION TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. FILL MATERIAL FOR THE RECLAMATION WILL BE OBTAINED FROM NEARBY +BORROW+ AREAS, WHICH WILL BE FORMED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SPECIFICATIONS, WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE 40-ACRE SITE IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME 25,000 PEOPLE, PLUS COMMERCIAL FACILITIES, CAR PARKING SPACES, ONE PRIMARY AND TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
DRAFT CONDITIONS OF TENDER (INCLUDING A TECHNICAL SCHEDULE AND PLANS) ARE BEING SENT TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DEVELOPERS IN HONGKONG FOR PRELIMINARY COMMENTS PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE TENDER DOCUMENTS.
ANY PARTIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT AND WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE DRAFT PARTICULARS MAY APPLY TO NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, NORtH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY BUILDING, TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON FOR THE PARTICULARS.'
/?
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1975
- 7 -
SHA TIN TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS M »
HEAVY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 13) IN LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, TAI PO ROAD APPROACHING SHA TIN, AND SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DUE TO THE CHE KUNG FESTIVAL IN SHA TIN.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID DRIVING THROUGH THIS AREA ON THAT DAY UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
PEOPLE GOING TO THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE IN SHA TIN ARE ADVISED THAT ONLY LIMITED PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS.
THEY MAY PARK ON AN OPEN SPACE AND LORRY TRACK WHICH RUNS PARALLEL WITH THE WEST SIDE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, IN LIK YUEN ROAD UP TO THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME SITE OFFICE, ON THE RECLAIMED LAND ON THE WEST SIDE OF SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD, OR IN THE CAR PARK BEHIND SHA TIN MARKET.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARK ON PAVEMENTS OR ROADSIDES. THOSE FOUND ILLEGALLY PARKED WILL BE TOWED AWAY.
MEANWHILE, ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON ROUTE NO. 7OA BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY AND SHA TIN.
A TEMPORARY STAND FOR KOWLOON-BOUND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE SRT UP AT LIL YUEN ROAD NEAR LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND TSUEN NAM ROAD.
TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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PRH 7
HH 1»
GIS! MS
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1975
contents
PAGE NO.
SIH MURRAY VISITS CHINESE NEW YEAR FAIR AT VICTORIA PaHK ....... 1
ADJUSTMENTS OF SjJAiRY FOR STAFF OF VOLUNT.Aff WELFARE AGENCIES . 2
TOTAL WaTER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS NOW OVER 50,000 MILLION G.JuIOKS ........................................................ 2
ACTIVITIES ORG.kNISED FOR THE iJGED DURING LUN. Ai NEW YE<iR HOLIDAYS 5
DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE ,JlD FISHERIES TO PRESENT PRIZES /JiD CERTIFICATES TO FISHERMEN ....................................... *
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1975
1
GOVERNOR VISITS CHINESE NEW YEAR FAIR
X « X X X • • A A
THE GOVERNOR, SIR rAJRRoY HoCLEHOSE, TONIGHT SPENT xCMOST <*N HOUR VISITING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR F<JR AT TH: VICTOR!^ PaRK.
»
alCCOMP.^IED BY THE xJSSIST.JNT DIRECTOR (HONG KONG) OF THE URBiuN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR. .ALBERT LAM, AND THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (HONG KONG), MR. PETER NG, THE GOVERNOR MINGLED WITH THCUSxJWS OF PEOPLE WHO FLOCKED TO THE FAIR.
SIR MURRAY SHOWED INTEREST IN V.xRIOUS KINDS OF FLOWERS FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES <*ND HE BOUGHT « POT OF TULIP IJID BUNDLE OF CHaYSxxNTHEMUM.
TO MARK THE YCd< OF JLCE, HE ;CS0 BOUGHT ,<N INFLATED PUJ3TIC RABBIT.
sir Muidu.Y /iso Paused ,.nd talked to the flower grov/ers ASKING THEM xiBOUT THEIxi BUSINESS ..ND CH.ZTTED WITH SOME OF THE VISITORS TO THE F.Jk.
IN WELCOMING TEE NEW YILJi, THE GOVERNOR .'ISHED TIC PEOPLE GOOD FORTUNE .J4D .. PROSPEROUS NEU Y^Ai.
NOTE TO EDITOxiS:
COPIES OF xx PH0TULuJ*Ii TxJCEN DUkING THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT Tc
THE Fixlic xuC xiVxxILxxBLE IN THE G.I.S. PidluS i-iOGM, 6TH FLOOR, BCxCvNSFIELD iioUSE, IICNG KoNG.
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McNDajY, FEBxiU^Y 10, 1975
- 2 -
*xDJUoTi'i*jNT0 vF S.jRuxY FOR VwLUN‘l\kXiY <. TTFAi.G ST..FF
4KxxiuJJGLJ'iLNT.j i'Cx< P.xYi'HJNT FIN..LI0ED X X X X X X
.udRiNGEMENTS H..VE R.u BEEN FIN.AISSD KA PAYING VtLUNT.AiY wELF.uuI ..GANOIDS THE .JMUSTMENTS Ti TELIA STAFF SuL.d<I3S B..CKD..TED Tv .J?RIL 1, 1974, .4® LETTERS HaVE BxAN SENT Tv INFvish THEM OF THS .j'ItUNTS THEY JILL BE xiECEIVING.
IN DECEMBER LaST &u> THE GOVERNMENT M.1DE ..VULuBLE AN .DDITICN.LL SUBVENTION Fvit THE ..GENCIES To ASSIST THEM IN INCREASING THEIa ST.JF S.J-AJES IN LINE ..ITII THE GENERAL INCREASE AVLuiDED TO government st..ff.
.. SPvKASm.JI R.2 THE Si CI. J. 'ELF.aE DEP..RTMENT PvINTED OUT THAT THE GOVEI<NMENT INC1EASE '.JAS NOT A FIXED PERCENTAGE FOR ALL ITS STAFF, BUT VARIED BETWEEN 21-1/2 PERCENT FOR THOSE AT THE LOVER END OF THE SALutf SCALE TO rBOTT 11 PIkiCENT FOR THOSE THE TOP.
HE LENT ON TO S..Y IT ,.J5 HOPED TIL.T ..GENCIES WOULD AJA1J) INCldAJjGS TO THEIR ST.JF ON SIMILAR LINES.
THE AMOUNT 01' THE INCisE.JSED SUBVENTION V.AilED BETWEEN AGENCIES BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID THE TOT.X SUBVENTION P.JD TO ..GENCIES V.r<IED BUT .iSO THE SUBVENTED S-i-jCY ELEMENT FOi. EACH AGENCY WAS DIFFExxENT.
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■‘rdlKTiY a'ATEIx SITUxiTION -ojPO.vT X A X X X
THE TOT.L ..ATEa ST0iu>GE IK .JLL .xESSAVOIkS .JS rT 9 ...M. TOD..Y (nONDx.Y, FEBKUxuiY 10) STOOD ..T 50,581 MILLION G.LLONS, .JEPRESENTING 75.2 PSA CENT OF THE FULL OPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. .JT TUTS TIME luJST YExui THE-iE 46,635 MILLION G.LLONS IN STORE.
/THIS MORNING'S .....
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1975
- 3 -
THIS MORNING'S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 38,351 MILLION GALLONS, COMP.ud® WITH 36,357 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME D..Y L.iST YE.JA PLcVEA CvVE'S PiuiSENT STCluiGE REPRESENTS 75.9 PEa CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
.* TOTAL OF 2.1 Hh (0.08 IN) OF .LJNFALL IVAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOT.® RnINFALL RECORDED SO F.Jl THIS YE..R IS 51.4 MM (2.02 IN).
THE ME.J4 AVER. .GE R-JNF.JJ. SINCE J..NU.JVY 1 ST.JTOS AT 46.0 MM (1.81 IN).
--------0---------
LUN. Ji NEW YE. Ji TRE..TS FOR THE AGED
X X X X X X
WITH THE LUN.Ji NEW YE.Ji FESTIVITIES NOW IN FULL SWING, THE ..GED .JIE NOT BEING FORGOTTEN. ACTIVITIES FOR THIS SECTOR OF THE COrJIUNITY .JtE BEING ORG.JIISED BY V.JilOUS SERVICE GROUPS AND COMMUNITY WELF.JG ORG.JIIS.kTIONS.
FIFTY ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN L..M TIN EST..TE WILL BE T.VKEN ON .. PICNIC ORG.JIIsED BY FIVE WELFARE 0HG.JNIS..TI0NS IN THE ESTATE'S WELFARE BUILDING ON S..TURD..Y (FEBRU.JiY 15).
THEY WILL SPEND THE D..Y OUT .J CASTLE PEAK AND WILL ALSO HAVE A LUNCH OF VEGETARIAN FOOD.
THE ELDERLY au® .ILL MEMBERS OF .. CLUB C.iLLED THE +OLD AGE GROUP+ .J® THIS IS THE FIRST 0CC..SI0N TH-.T THEY WILL BE GOING ON /Ji OUTING.
IN TAI HANG TUNG., A P..RTY H.JS BEEN ARRANGED FOR 200 OLD PEOPLE IN THE AREA ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 17).
ORG/JUSED BY THE COrJMUNITY CENTRE THERE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM ITS YOUNG COMMUNITY SERVICE .J® INTEREST GROUP MEMBERS, THE P.JiTY WILL INCLUDE BESIDES A CHINESE DINNER, SNTE.<T..INMENT IN THE FORM OF CHINESE MUSIC, MAND.AilN SONGS .J® SKETCHES OR DEMONSTRATIONS.
THE PARTY, WHICH LASTS FROM 7.30 TO 10 P.M., WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TvNG YAM STREET.
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/4.......
MONDAY, FEBRUAliY 10, 1975 - 4 -
PxTZE-GIVING C&iEMSNY FCk FISHERMEN * X X X X X
SEVENTEEN FISILAJiEN WHi HAVE SaVED LIVES ON ViAJCUS OCCASIONS DURING THE PAST Yi^JR WILL kECEIVE CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES FROM THE DIxdJCTvA oF ..GkICULTUivE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHoLS, THIS WEDNESDAY (SECOND D^Y vF THE LUNxAt NEW YEAaJ THE CHEUNG SHa WAN WHCLES/JLS FISH M^idCJT.
CERTIFICATES mW PAIZES jILL BE PRESENTED BY MAS. NICHOLS TC 47 FISiiE^iEN Wiic HAVE LU'JDLD THE L-aRGEST VALUE cF MAHINE FISH AND L< NG
SERVICE MJDaLS WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO 25 MEIJERS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION WHO HAVE EACH COMPLETED 25 YE^kS OF SERVICE.
-MR. NICHOLS WILL *LSO xxDDRESS THE GATHERING THE TRjkDITIONxJj PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.
FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION, THE GUESTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY 4k LION DxjNCS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU xALJ INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN aiT 12 NOON ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 12) AT THE UHOLESxJiE FISH MilRKET ixT FxT TSSUNG STREET, KOWLOON.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
]i!f!JimrcnR0GRAMME F0R QUEEN’S VISIT IN MAY
AI» li w U i w v u> D
rXr?!gp&ncte.'.T. .
a™eu/ddhoN“?kdo»gvS,s“?.l.:'ds BElNG I"STSUED
1
4
6
0
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
1
BUSY PROGRAMME FOR QUEEN’S VISIT
MANY RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE ROYAL COUPLE k k a m «
A CARNIVAL PARADE ALONG NATHAN ROAD, A COLOURFUL DISPLAY OF BOATS IN ABERDEEN AND A SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY IN THE HARBOUR - THESE WILL BE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROYAL VISIT PROGRAMME WHEN THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE ---------
OF EDINBURGH COME TO HONG
KONG IN MAY
DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME ARE NOW EMPHASIS WILL BE ON SHOWING THE QUEEN
BEING FINALISED BUT THE AND THE DUKE AS MANY ASPECTS
OF LIFE IN HONG KONG AS POSSIBLE, AND GIVING AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE A CHANCE TO SEE OR MEET THEM IN THE SHORT TWO DAYS AVA ILABLE.
THIS WILL BE THE FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG BY A REIGNING BRITISH MONARCH, AND A NUMBER OF SPECIAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED SO THAT RESIDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE CAN SHARE IN THIS HISTORIC OCCASION.
THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL ARRIVE AT 6 P.M. ON MAY 4 AND WILL SPEND THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS CARRYING OUT A FULL PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS- THEY WILL LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING ON MAY 7.
DURING HER STAY, THE QUEEN WILL VISIT 01 MAN ESTATE - THE FIRST HOUSING COMPLEX TO BE COMPLETED UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S TEN-YEAR HOUSING PROGRAMME.
THE QUEEN WILL WALK ROUND THE ESTATE, STOPPING TO TALK TO RESIDENTS. WHILE THERE, SHE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING THE INSIDE OF ONE OF THE FLATS AND MEETING THE TENANTS.
THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL ALSO BE MEETING MANY YOUNG PEOPLE. A SPECIAL TIME HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR CHILDREN AT MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL TO SEE THE QUEEN AND TALK TO HER. BOYS AT THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG WILL BE VISITED BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.
VISITS TO THE TOO UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO BEING ARRANGED TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO SEE AND MEET THE ROYAL VISITORS.
- ANOTHER SPECIAL FEATURE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION OF A WIDE RANGE OF ITEMS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN HONG KONG. THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL BE KNOWN AS +PROGRESS - HONG KONG+, WILL DEMONSTRATE THE DIVERSITY AND QUALITY OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN 1975.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE THE UNVEILING OF A PLAQUE BY THE QUEEN AT THE NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION, A FIREWORKS DISPLAY - FINANCED BY ANONYMOUS DONORS - UNDER THE NIGHT SKY OF THE HARBOUR AND A SHORT EVENING VISIT TO THE RACES IN HAPPY VALLEY, WHERE A QUEEN’S CUP RACE WILL BE HELD TO COMMEMORATE HER VISIT.
/IN ABERDEEN ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
2
IN ABERDEEN, THE FISHING COMMUNITY WILL BE ARRANGING A SPECIAL SHOW FOR THE ROYAL COUPLE WITH DRAGON BOAT RACES AND GAILY DECORATED JUNKS AND SAMPANS.
THE ROYAL TOUR WILL REACH ITS CLIMAX WITH A GLITTERING PROCESSION ALONG NATHAN ROAD ON THE EVE OF THE QUEEN’S DEPARTURE.
TOGETHER WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL BE TREATED TO A TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL OF CHINESE FOLK DANCES, GONGS AND CYMBALS, DANCING LIONS AND DRAGONS, ACROBATICS, . MARTIAL ARTS AND LEGENDARY CHINESE HEROES AND DEITIES.
A SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAMME TO DATE IS AS FOLLOWS s
SUNDAY, MAY 4
THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL ARRIVE AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 6 P.M. THEY WILL DRIVE TO KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER WHERE THEY WILL BOARD THE GOVERNOR’S LAUNCH TO CROSS THE HARBOUR, AND ATTEND-A SHORT WELCOMING CEREMONY IN THE CITY HALL.
MONDAY, MAY 5
THERE WILL BE SEPARATE PROGRAMMES FOR THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE IN THE MORNING. THE QUEEN WILL DRIVE THROUGH PART OF KOWLOON SEEING VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS ON THE WAY TO MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL WHERE SHE WILL BE MEETING YOUNG SWIMMERS. AFTERWARDS SHE WILL PROCEED TO Ol MAN ESTATE, WHERE SHE WILL WALK ROUND AND VISIT ONE OF THE FAMILIES IN THEIR HOME. >
MEANWHILE, THE DUKE WILL FLY BY HELICOPTER TO THE NEW TERRITORIES TO VISIT THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE CADET SCHOOL AT FANLING, THE 7TH DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES AT QUEEN’S HILL CAMP AND THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL AT SAI KUNG.
AFTER THE MORNING ENGAGEMENTS, THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL ATTEND A COMMUNITY LUNCH WITH 600 GUESTS AT THE CITY HALL. IN THE AFTERNOON THEY WILL VISIT THE NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION WHERE THE QUEEN WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE TO OPEN THE RAILWAY TERMINUS. WITH THE DUKE SHE WILL VIEW THE +PROGRESS - HONG KONG+ EXHIBITION IN THE NEW STATION WHEN SUFFICIENT PROGRESS WILL HAVE BEEN MADE TO ENABLE THE MAIN PASSENGER CONCOURSE AREA TO SERVE AS AN EXCELLENT EXHIBITION HALL ON THIS UNIQUE OCCASION.
I
IN THE EVENING, A FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL BE PRESENTED IN THE HARBOUR, WATCHED BY THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE FROM ON BOARD H.M.S. CHICHESTER. AFTERWARDS THEY WILL DRIVE TO HAPPY VALLEY TO ATTEND A RACE MEETING WHERE A QUEEN’S CUP RACE WILL BE HELD TO COMMEMORATE HER VISIT.
/TUESDAY, MAY 6 ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
3 -
TUESDAY, MAY 6
THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL AGAIN HAVE SEPARATE PROGRAMMES FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE MORNING. THE QUEEN WILL GO BY HOVER-FERRY TO TSUEN WAN. AT THE SPORTS GROUND IN YEUNG UK ROAD SHE WILL BE GREETED BY SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO WILL PERFORM A SERIES OF ENTERTAINMENTS FOR HER. THIS WILL INCLUDE A DRAGON DANCE AND THE QUEEN WILL BE ASKED TO +DOT THE EYE+. BEFORE LEAVING THE SPORTS GROUND THE QUEEN WILL MEET PROMINENT NEW TERRITORIES’ PERSONALITIES. AFTERWARDS SHE WILL DRIVE THROUGH THE STREETS OF TSUEN WAN SEEING THE NEW TOWN AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE WAY TO KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL WHERE SHE WILL BE JOINED BY THE DUKE. FROM THERE THEY WILL TRAVEL IN THE'GOVERNOR’S LAUNCH TO THE OCEAN TERMINAL, WHERE THEY WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION FOR 2,000 GUESTS, REPRESENTING A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE DUKE WILL SPEND THE FIRST PART OF THE MORNING VISITING THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AT SHA TIN, MEETING STAFF AND STUDENTS. HE WILL THEN FLY TO KWAI CHUNG BY HELICOPTER TO JOIN THE QUEEN.
IN THE AFTERNOON, THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AT POKFULAM AND MEET STAFF AND STUDENTS. AFTERWARDS THEY WILL DRIVE TO ABERDEEN TO SEE A WATER PROCESSION IN THE HARBOUR. THE DUKE WILL THEN FLY BY HELICOPTER TO STANLEY FORT TO VISIT THE 2ND BN. GRENADIER GUARDS.
IN THE EVENING, THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL CROSS THE HARBOUR BY VEHICULAR FERRY TO WATCH A CARNIVAL PROCESSION ALONG NATHAN ROAD.
WEDNESDAY MAY 7
THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE WILL LEAVE HONG KONG AT 9.20 A.M. FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
- - - - 0 ----------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
- 4 -
HONG KONG JOINS FISH RESEARCH PROJECT
#####«
HONG KONG IS CO-OPERATING WITH EIGHT OTHER COUNTRIES IN A JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT TO EXPLORE +UNTAPPED+ LARGE RESERVES OF PELAGIC FISH RESOURCES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED GROWING NEED FOR MARINE PRODUCTS IN FUTURE.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHOLS, SAID THE NATURE OF THESE RESERVES IN TERMS OF SPECIES AND SITUATION WAS INDISTINCTLY KNOWN AND THE EXPLORATORY PROGRAMME AIMS AT ASCERTAINING MORE DETAILS, CONFIRMING AND THEN EXPLOITING THESE RESOURCES.
ADDRESSING A LUNAR NEW YEAR CEREMONY HELD AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR. NICHOLS SAID RESEARCH VESSELS OF THE PROJECT WOULD, HOPEFULLY, JOIN A SIMILAR VESSEL OF HIS DEPARTMENT — THE CAPE ST. MARY — AND BE OPERATIONAL WITHIN HONG KONG’S OWN AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER MONTHS.
ONCE THE PELAGIC RESOURCES ARE IDENTIFIED, MR. NICHOLS NOTED THAT NEW HORIZONS COULD OPEN UP FOR THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME +NEW PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES WILL FACE US WHICH WE CAN ONLY SURMOUNT BY FACING THEM TOGETHER.*
FISHING TECHNIQUES NEW TO HONG KONG MIGHT HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED AND DEVELOPED TO EXPLOIT THIS RESOURCE. +THIS SUGGESTS THAT NOT ONLY WILL FISHING CREWS NEED TO BE RE-TRAINED BUT ALSO THAT AT LEAST PART OF THE FLEET WILL NEED TO BE RE-EQUIPPED.
+ON THE MARKETING SIDE, THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO BE RE-EDUCATED TO ACCEPT NEW AND POSSIBLY UNFAMILIAR FISH ON THE MARKET SLAB. HERE WE WILL- NEED TO BE PATIENT IN THE SHORT TERM IN ORDER TO REAP LONGER TERM BENEFITS,* HE SAID.
LOOKING AHEAD OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS, MR. NICHOLS FORESAW EVEN GREATER CHALLENGES FOR THE HONG KONG FISHING FLEET. HIS DEPARTMENT HAD PREPARED A LONG RANGE FORECAST OF WHAT HONG KONG WOULD REQUIRE IN THE WAY OF FISH AND MARINE PRODUCTS BY 1986.
♦ASSUMING A NORMAL GROWTH RATE COMPARABLE TO THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE EVIDENCE POINTS TO A NEED TO PRODUCE AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL 50 - 60,000 METRIC TONS OF MARINE PRODUCTS BY THAT RATE.*
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
- 5 -
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL MARICULTURE INDUSTRY, MR. NICHOLS NOTED THAT EXPANSION HAD BEEN PHENOMENAL AND IN SOME LOCATIONS PRODUCTION HAD TRIPLED OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
+IN WELCOMING SUCH DEVELOPMENT, HOWEVER, ONE MUST ALSO SOUND A NOTE OF CAUTION. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS TO BE IDENTIFIED, FACED AND OVERCOME,+ HE SAID.
+IN PRODUCTION TERMS ONE CAN SUGGEST OVER-STOCKING AND OVERFEEDING, TO NAME BUT TWO » AND OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF COMPETING USES FOR INSHORE WATERS, IS THE NEED TO EXECUTE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE MARINE FISH FARMER FROM INTERFERENCE AND ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE THE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SECTOR OF OUR INDUSTRY.
+FOR SOME YEARS NOW THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PRESSING FOR SUCH LEGISLATION AND ONE IS HOPEFUL THAT THE NEXT 12 MONTHS WILL SEE OUR OBJECTIVE REALISED,* SAID MR. NICHOLS.
NOTE TO EDITORS: ' COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. NICHOLS’
----------------- SPEECH ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE
G. I.S. PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
------• _ 0 - - - -
/6..........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975
- 6 -
BETTER NAVIGATIONAL AIDS BEING INSTALLED
MORE POWERFUL LIGHT BEACONS FOR .GUIDING SHIPS THROUGH THE EAST LAMMA CHANNEL ARE BEING INSTALLED BY THE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THESE BEACONS WILL BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL TO CONTAINERSHIPS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER BERTHS AND TO TANKERS DELIVERING OIL TO AP LEI CHAU AND NGAU YING CHAU IN TSUEN WAN, ACCORDING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF LIGHTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR. JIMMY DEAKIN.
FOUR EXISTING BEACONS AT YUEN KOK, WONG CHU KOK, SHEK KOK TSUI AND KAU Yl CHAU WILL BE FITTED WITH MORE POWERFUL LIGHTS, WHILE A NEW AUTOMATIC BEACON WILL BE INSTALLED AT AP LEI PEI.
SOME OF THESE BEACONS HAVE A RANGE OF 10 MILES, OTHER 20 MILES.
THE AUTOMATIC BEACON IS EXPECTED TO BE FUNCTIONAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, THE OTHERS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
+THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE CARRYING OUT TO KEEP UP THE HIGH STANDARD OF NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG WATERS,* MR. DEAKIN SAID. t .
+AT THE MOMENT THERE ARE ALSO PLANS TO INSTALL A TOTAL OF 64 WINKER LIGHTS ON JETTIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO PLACE LIGHTED BUOYS IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN APPROACHES TO VICTORIA HARBOUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME.*
THE WINKER LIGHTS, WHICH CAN BE SEEN ONE AND A HALF MILES OFF AND WHICH ARE OPERATED BY A LONGLIFE BATTERY, WILL BE USEFUL TO SMALL VESSELS OPERATING IN THE AREA.
WORK ON THEIR INSTALLATION, tyHICH IS CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HAS ALREADY BEGUN IN COASTAL VILLAGES OF TAI PO DISTRICT.
" PLANNING FOR LIGHTED BUOYS IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN APPROACHES.TO THE HARBO R IS ALSO IN HAND.
+THEY WILL BE HELPFUL TO VESSELS IN KEEPING WITHIN TRAFFIC SEPARATION LANES, ARRIVING OR LEAVING AT TIMES OF LOW VISIBILITY,* MR. DEAKIN SAID.
ABOUT FIVE OR SIX OF THE BUOYS WILL BE PLACED AT TURNING POINTS AND SEPARATION LINES ALONG THE LANES.
THE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS SECTION IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST SECTIONS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
/+AT PRESENT......
WEDNESDAY, FEBBUABx 12, 1975
- 7 -
+AT PRESENT IT HAS TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN A TOTAL OF 175 MARINE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS, INCLUDING TWO MANNED LIGHT HOUSES AT TATHONG AND WAGLAN, 34 LIGHTED BUOYS, A STANDBY WRECK BUOY, 130 LIGHTED UNWATCHED BEACONS, A NUMBER OF FOG SIGNAL STATIONS, RADIO BEACONS AND A RACON BEACON WHICH RESPONDS TO RADAR TRANSMISSIONS,* HE SAID.
THESE VARIOUS BEACONS AND SIGNALS TEND TO BE LOCATED IN REMOTE AREAS WITH POOR ACCESS AND OFTEN EXPOSED TO ROUGH SEAS.
+A SPECIALLY DESIGNED LAUNCH TAKES OUR MEN ON THEfR DAILY INSPECTION TO THESE PLACES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG, FROM DEEP BAY TO MIRS BAY AND SOUTH TO WAGLAN ISLAND.
+THEIR WORK IS ARDUOUS AND OFTEN THEY ARE EXPOSED TO DANGER, ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER, WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR ESSENTIAL DUTIES,* MR. DEAKIN CONTINUED.
+MY STAFF WILL BE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED
EVEN MORE BUSY IN THE FUTURE WHEN THE NEW
TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND EASIER • MOVEMENT OF VESSELS IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS — ONE SHOWING A
NEW BEACON UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE OTHER A LIGHTED BEACON BEING CHECKED — ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS PRESS R00M,6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1975
Ai'TI-DRUG” YOUTH* SEMINAR
•. •: '■Ui..
£ * X X
THE 'JONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE HAS ORGANISED A SERTTO OF PROGRAMMES IN ITS COiTINUING DRIVE TO MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF DRUG ADDICTION.
THE FIRST OF THESE ACTIVITIES IS .. POSTER COMPETITION. THIS WILL BE OPEN TO STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS OF WONG TaI SIN DISTRICT, ..ND WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE FOR YOUTH UP TO THE ..GE OF 16 AND ANOTHER FOR ..DULTS FRCi-I 17 ONWARDS.
THE DEWLINE IS FEBRUARY 28 ..ND RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED nBCUT MID-MuRCH FOLLOWED BY A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ..T J.JO P.M. ON march 17. prize-winning entries ...nd others of interest will be displayed AT A T'70-D..Y EXHIBITION TO BE HELD FROM MARCH 17-19.
THE SECOND FUNCTION 'JILL BE .. SEMIN.iR SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 28 AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHING TAK STREET, JONG TAI SIN, BEGINNING AT 8 P.M.
THE P..RTICIP..NTS, ./ILL HE..R T..LKS ON THE C..USES OF DRUG ADDICTION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE YOUTH POPULATION- THE IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ..BUSERS ..ND THEIR REHABILITATIONS AND THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN THE PREVENTIVE ASPECT OF DRUG ABUSE. THE TALKS WILL BE AUGMENTED BY A FILM SHOW' AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS.
OTHER PROGR..MMES BEING PLANNED IN SUPPORT OF THE +KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE CaMPaIGN+ ORGaNISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SCCI.i SERVICE, INCLUDE VISITS TO TaI LAM ..DDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE ..ND A D.AMA P3RF0RMANCI ABOUT DRUG aBUSE.
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1J, 1975
- 2 -
316,050 DONATION FOR N.T. LIBRARY SERVICE
X X X X X
THE LIONS CLUB OF C.JSTLE PE..K IS TO DON..TE >16,050 TO THE SOCIAL '.7ELF.j.lE DEPARTMENT FOR USE BY ITS RURAL ..ND MOBILE LlB-AcY SERVICE IN THE NE1'.' TERRITORIES.
THE MONEY '.TILL BE liECEIVED BY MR. MORRIS MORGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCL.L 7ELF...5], ON BEH.LLF pF THE DEPARTMENT, AT A DINNER TO BE HELD ..T THE PENINSULA HOTEL ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 15) AT 8 P.li.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, FEBRU..RY 14, 1975
CONTENTS
P..GE NO.
LATE WATER BILL PAYERS WILL RECEIVE TOUGHER PEN.J/TY............... 1
CAUSE OF DE. .TH REPORTS ’.'ILL BE AV.JL.BLE TO THE POLICE .JS WELL .JS THE CORONER............................................... 2
OUTING FOL TAI HANG SAI YOUNGSTERS ................................ 5
THIRTEEN ajiDIE.TES NOMINATED FOR COMING URBCO ELECTIONS .... J
LESS LOC.i PEOPLE WENT TO CHIN.. FOL LUN..R NEW YE..R.............. 4
DWARF PL..NTS DISPLAY IN CENTRAL THIS SUNDAY....................... 5
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBxttL.RY 14, 1975
- 1 -
EXTki 10 PER CENT SU11CIL.AGE GN UNPAID WATER BILLS
X X X X X
PEOPLE WHO F..IL TO R.Y THEIR VASTER BILLS WILL F..CE .At ADDITIOIL.L SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT iJTER SIX MONTHS OF NON-PAYMENT.
THE NEW SURCHARGE, J.HICII IS u.UTHCRISED UNDER THE WATER7C.AKS I-iEGUL'.TIONS 1974, WILL BE APPLIED ..S FROM MAxiCH 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOK THE W.^TEIf./CRKS OFFICE POINTED GUT TODAY TEL.T A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT ON UNPAID BILLS H..D BEEN AUTHORISED .AID IMPOSED FOR-SOME YEARS. •
GIVING aN EkxMPLE OF HOW THE NEW PENALTY WILL BE ..PPLIHD, HE SAID: +IF a CONSUMER RECEIVED L.JST AUGUST a BILL FOR 3105 WHICH ./AS DUE TO BE PAID BY SEPTEMBER 1, THE FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE WOULD HAVE BEEN ADDED ON SEPTEMBER 2, MAKING THE SUM DEMANDED 3105. AS FROM MiiRCH 1 THIS YEaR, HE WILL F..CE THE ADDITIONAL 10 PER CENT SURCHARGE ON THIS SUM, MEANING THAT HE ’./ILL BE BILLED FOR #115.5.+
THE REASON FOR IMPOSING THE NEW SURCHARGE, 7JDDED THE SPOKESMAN WAS VERY SIMPLE. +WE ARE OBLIGED TO GET TOUGHER WITH THE DEFAULTERS ..ND THE SLOW PAYERS, + HE S..ID, +IN FAIRNESS TO THE VAST MAJORITY GF CONSUMERS WHO PAY PROMPTLY.
+T0 .JLO.7 BaD DEBTS TO ACCUMULATE WOULD MEaN TIL.T THIS IG.JC2JTY WOULD IL.VE TO P.Z, IN ONE FORM OR THE OTHER, FUR THE REMISSNESS GF THE FE. WE aIC CONFIDENT TH..T THE PUBLIC aT LkRGE WILL SUPPORT THE APPLICATION
OF THIS NEv/ MEASURE.+
THE SPCKESMiN POINTED OUT TIL.T A SIMILAR ..DDITION.Hu SURCHARGE IL J) BEEN INTRODUCED FOR THE NON-PAYMENT OF R.TES ..ND T..XES.
HE EMPHASISED TIL.T THE NEW REGULATION ON SURGE .2GAS IN NC WAY .kFFSCTS THE EXISTING PROCEDURE FCR DISCONNECTION IN THE EVENT CF NONPAYMENT OF BILLS.
/DISCONNECTION,
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1975
- 2 -
DISCONNECTION, HE EXPLAINED, COULD TAKE PL'.CE ANY TIME AFTER A FINAL NOTICE HAD BEEN SERVED, hND THIS NOTICE COULD BE SERVED ANY TIME AFTER THE DUE DjiTE FOR PAYMENT HAD PASSED. +THIS MEANS,+ HE SAID, +TIIAT IN NEARLY ALL ChSES WHERE THE 10 PER CENT FURTHER SURCHARGE IS IME'OSED, DISCONNECTION WILL ALREADY HAVE TAKEN PLACE.+
CONSUMERS WHO ARE NOW NEiiRLY SIX MONTHS IN ARREARS' WITH PAYMENTS CAN AVOID THE IMPOSITION OF THE ADDITIONAL SURCHARGE BY PAYING aLL OUTSTANDING WATER CHARGES NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28. PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY CHEQUES, DRAFTS OR CASHIER ORDERS THROUGH THE POST, ADDRESSED TO THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL,THE TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG, OR IN PERSON AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:- ;
X THE TREASURY REVENUE BRANCH, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG.
X THE CAUSEWAY BaY SUB-TREASURY, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, ELECTRIC ROAD, HONG KONG. ■
X THE YAU Ma TEI SUB-TREASURY, ATH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON.
« THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, 1ST FLOOR, MAN SANG COMMERCLLL BUILDING, 548-352, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOTLOON.
X THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN OR SH,< TIN.
COPIES OF WATER ACCOUNTS MUST BE PRESENTED ON PAjWNT. DUPLICATE COPIES OF THE OUTSTANDING WATER ACCOUNTS CAN BE OBTAINED AND ALSO ENQUIRIES ABOUT OUTSTANDING WATER ACCOUNTS MAY BE NADE IN PERSON AT THE ENQUIRY COUNTER, OFFICE OF THE WATER AUTHORITY, MURRAY BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR BY LETTERS ADDRESSED TO CONSUMER SERVICE, 'WATER AUTHORITY, MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG, QUOTING THE CONSUMER ACCOUNT NUMBER.
/3.......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1975
- 3 *
CORONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975
X. X X X X
AN AMENDING LEGISLATION, WHICH SEEKS TO ENaBLE A MEDICAL REPORT TO BE FORWARDED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AT THE SAME TIME AS IT IS FORWARDED TO THE CORONER, IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
THE AIM OF THIS LEGISLATION — KNOWN AS THE CORONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 — IS TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO GET HOLD OF A COPY OF A MEDICAL REPORT ON THE CAUSE OF DEATH AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CORONER DOES SO THAT, WHERE APPROPRIATE, POLICE INVESTIGATIONS WILL NOT BE IMPEDED THROUGH DELAY.
AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR A MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT ON THE CAUSE OF DEATH TO BE FORWARDED TO aNYONE ELSE OTHER THAN THE CORNONER UNLESS THE LATTER SO AUTHORISES.
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OUTING FOR TAI HANG Sal YOUTHS
X X X X X
A GROUP OF YOUTHS LIVING IN TAI HaNG SAI HOUSING ESTATE HAVE ORGANISED AN OUTING TO JUBILEE RESERVOIR AREA ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 16) FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ESTATE.
OPERATED ON A SELF-SUPPORTING BASIS, THE OUTING WILL COST 38 PER HEAD AND ABOUT 50 YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE .aRT.R TO PARTICIPATE.
BESIDES HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES DURING THEIR
LUNAR NEW YEAR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, THE AIM OF THIS PROGRAMME IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUTHS TO FORM THEMSELVES INTO A MUTUAL AID SERVICE GROUP FOR THE ESTATE.
SUPERVISOR AND ADVICE IS PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY WORK UNIT OF- THE' TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE. ‘
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1975
- 4 -
NOMINATIONS FOR U.C. ELECTIONS
JX X X
THIRTEEN NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE FORTHCOMING URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER, MRS. MABLE CHIU-WOON HAYES, AT THE CLOSE OF THE PERIOD ALLOWED FOR NOMINATIONS ’WHICH EXPIRED AT 5 P.M. THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE 13 CANDIDATES ARE: DR. WONG PUN-CHEUK= MRS. ELSIE ELLICTT= DR. CHIU BUT-YORK= MR. LUK HOI-ON ( HENRY )= DR. HUANG MONG-H'JA (DENNY)= MISS YEUNG LAI-YIN (CECILIA)= MR. SUNG PUI= MR. POON TAI-LEUNG= MR. NG CHUNG-YIU (NAPOLEON)= MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN= MR. TUET WAI-SIN (WILSON)= MR. SHUM KUI-CHUNG (WILLIAM)= AND MR. HUNG SAU-NIN (ROBERT).
THE ELECTIONS, FOR SIX VACANCIES ON THE COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5.
_______0_________
LESS PEOPLE VISIT CHINA DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR
X X X X
THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS GOING TO CHINA FOR THE LUN.-.R NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR WAS 97,238.
THIS REPRESENTS A DROP OF JUST UNDER 16 PER CENT FROM LAST YEAR'S FIGURE OF 115,296, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 7 AND FEBRUARY 13, THE HIGHEST DAILY FIGURE OF PASSENGERS DEPARTING FOR CHINil WAS 22,262 RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 9, aS COMPARED WITH 23,582 RECORDED ON JANUARY 23 (LUNAR NEW YEaR'S DAY) LAST YEAR.
/HOWEVER, .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1975
- 5 -
HOWEVER, THERE WERE MORE RESIDENTS GOING TO MACAO FOR THE HOLIDAYS. A TOTAL OF 67,935 PASSENGERS WAS CLEARED AT THE MACAO FERRY TERMINAL DURING THE SAME PERIOD, AN INCREyiSE OF ABOUT 11 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR'S FIGURE OF 61,160.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF 13,40? PASSENGERS DEPARTING FOR MACAO ON A SINGLE DAY WAS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 11. LiST YEAR, THE HIGHEST DAILY NUMBER OF 12,315 WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 24.
_______0---------
DISPLAY OF DWARF PLANTS AND TREES
X X X X
A LiRGE VARIETY OF DWARF PLANTS AND TREES WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 16) FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC.
THIS DISPLAY IS SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN CENTRAL TOGETHER WITH THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION AND THE KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
PLANTS ON SHOW ARE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG ARTISTIC POT PLANT ASSOCIATION AND CAN BE VIEWED FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF CEREMONY AT NOON TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISPLAY. IT WILL BE OFFICATED BY MR. MUI KAN-KIT, COMMUNITY YOUTH OFFICER, (CENTRAL)= MR. MUI WAH-ON, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, (C3NTRAL)= MR. C.P. HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATIONS MR. ONE-WAY WOO, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG DRUG FREE CAMPAIGN CWA1I AND MR. HO CHI-WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION PROVIDING THE EXHIBITS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PERFORMANCE OF SONGS TO ENTERTAIN THE VISITS A.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT ON SUNDAY.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975
CONTENTS
PACE t’Oo
Cl rr> < ri
STUDENTS ARE HORE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS —
SAYS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION •••,* *•ooo«oooooo□ooo•oooeoo••oo 1
CASTLE PEAK LIONS CLUB DONATES $16,050 TO HELP IMPROVE
YOU 2t! SERV ICES It! Ho - * o,«*aooooQ»a«oooooooooooo«oooooao«o
GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE WHOLE
GOVERNMENT FLEET KI TO? SEAWORTHY CONDITION 3
ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION IN KOWLOON CITY
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
SATUHDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975
1
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS « ft « K If »
ATTEMPTS TO INVOLVE STUDENTS MORE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND ISSUES ARE SUCCEEDING AND ELICITING RESPONSE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY AT TH?. OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THREE-DAY 7TH HONG KONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SEMINAR AT MORRISON HOUSE.
SPEAKING AS PATRON, MR. TOPLEY NOTED THAT IN THE EARLY DAYS THE DISCUSSIONS AT THE SEMINARS TENDED TO BE ON WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED INTERNAL ISSUES - CURRICULA, TEACHING METHODS, INTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
BUT GRADUALLY THE EMPHASIS SWITCHED TO THE PLACE OF THE SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS WITHIN THE WIDER COMMUNITY.
+THIS CHANGE REFLECTS THE GROWING CONCERN AND INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, IN PARTICULAR IN COMMON 17 SERVICE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHICH HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THIS WAS A VERY HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND A NECESSARY ONE IF TEACHERS WERE TO DO THEIR JOBS PROPERLY.
THE TOPIC FOR THIS YEAR’S SEMINAR - +THE IMPACT OF MASS MEDIA ON HONG KONG YOUTHS* - HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSED IN RECENT YEARS.
BUT MOST OF THE DISCUSSION AND REPORTS ON IT REFLECTED THE OPINIONS OF THE OLDER AGE GROUPS. +1 LOOK FORWARD TO READING THE VIEWS OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER THE TOPIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IMPACT ELSEWHERE, THE KNOWLEDGE EXPLOSION AND WHAT WOULD THE WORLD BE LIKE WITHOUT THE MASS MEDIA.
AS IT WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO FIND OUT OPINIONS OF STUDENTS, MR. TOPLEY SAID HE WOULD APPRECIATE A REPORT OF THEIR DISCUSSIONS AND OF THE SEMINAR IN GENERAL. +SUCH FEEDBACK IS INTERESTING,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1969 WHEN THE FIRST SEMINAR WAS HELD, SOME 60 ODD STUDENTS REPRESENTING ABOUT 20 SCHOOLS ATTENDED. TODAY THERE WERE OVER 100 DELEGATES REPRESENTING 26 SCHOOLS.
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/2 ..•. .
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975
» 2 «•
DONATION TO HELP IMPROVE YOUTH SERVICES IN NEW TERRITORIES «««««!(
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR $16,050 TONIGHT (SATURDAY) BY THE CASTLE PEAK LIONS CLUB TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIBRARY AND YOUTH SERVICES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT RUNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CHEQUE WAS PRESENTED TO MR. MORRIS MORGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, BY MR. FAN PA-FUN, THE PRESIDENT, AT THE CLUB’S LADIES NIGHT HELD AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL.
IN ACCEPTING THE MONEY ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR. MORGAN SAID PART OF IT WOULD GO TOWARDS AUGMENTING THE SUPPLY OF BOOKS PURCHASED FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR THE SERVICE’S TWO LIBRARY VANS THUS ENABLING THE LIBRARIES TO OFFER A WIDER SELECTION OF READING MATERIAL.
THE REMAINDER WILL BE SPENT ON SOUND EQUIPMENT AND GAMES EQUIPMENT FOR ANOTHER VAN AND WILL GREATLY HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS YOUTH SERVICES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RURAL MOBILE VANS HAD TWO FUNCTIONS. FIRSTLY, HE SAID, THEY PROVIDE A MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO VISIT, BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE INVOLVED, LIBRARIES WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AT FIXED LOCATIONS, AND SECONDLY, TO PROVIDE A CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICE FOR REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦THIS SERVICE INCLUDES ORGANISING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FILM SHOWS, CAMPS, SOCIAL EVENINGS AND INFORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, UNDERTAKING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AND ENCOURAGING YOUTH AND OTHER VILLAGERS TO FORM THEIR OWN GROUPS TO ORGANISE PROGRAMMES AND SO 0N.+
THE THREE VANS MAKE DAILY JOURNEYS ROUND THE NEW TERRITORIES AND REGULARLY VISIT SOME 50 STATIONS. IN A TYPICAL MONTH, HE SAID, THE TWO VANS USED AS MOBILE LIBRARIES WOULD SERVE 25 READING STATIONS AND 22 SCHOOLS AND THE THIRD VAN WOULD BE ORGANISING CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES IN SOME 10 VILLAGES.
THEREFORE, HE ADDED, THE MONEY DONATED BY THE CLUB WOULD GO IN SOME WAY TOWARDS ENRICHING THE LIFE OF RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN THE REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
oooo
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975. - 5 -
THE TASK OF KEEPING 176 VESSELS AFLOAT # it # # if # #
THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD, WHICH IS RELATIVELY UNKNOWN TO THE PUBLIC, HAS AN ARDUOUS TASK TO PERFORM — TO KEEP THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT FLEET IN TOP SEAWORTHY CONDITION ALL YEAR ROUND AND TO OPERATE THE FLEET OF LAUNCHES DIRECTLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT FLEET CONSISTS OF 176 VESSELS. THESE VESSELS, RANGING FROM SOPHISTICATED POLICE PATROL BOATS TO CRUDE RUBBISH BARGES, CAN FORM A LINE STRETCHING ALL THE WAY FROM CENTRAL TO THE JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER.
THE TASK OF UPKEEP ING THESE VESSELS RESTS ON THE 1,200 WORKERS IN THE DOCKYARD WHICH IS UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
OF THESE WORKERS, 700 ARE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING 500 CREWMEN. THE REMAINING 500 ARE EMPLOYED DY 16 PRIVATE CONTRACTORS. •
+THEY ALL WORK UNDER THE SAME ROOF AND BUSINESS IS KEPT AS COMPETITIVE AS POSSIBLE+, SAID THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE DOCKYARD, MR. KHIN HLA.
MR. KHIN KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT AND THINKS NEITHER A WHOLLY GOVERNMENT-OPERATED, NOR A SOLELY PRIVATERUN BUSINESS OF THIS NATURE IS PRACTICAL ENOUGH TO KEEP SUCH AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY.
+WE KEEP OUR OWN STAFF SO THAT WE ARE NOT TOTALLY RELIANT ON THE CONTRACTORS IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE FLEET+, HE SAID.
UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT WORKERS CARRY OUT ROUTINE CHECK-UPS WHILE THE CONTRACTORS, OPERATING ON A TENDER BASIS, LOOK AFTER MAJOR OVERHAUL WORK. THE WORK INCLUDES HULL AND DECK CHECKS AND ENGINE MAINTENANCE.
OVERHAUL WORK IS DONE ON THREE SLIPWAYS, TWO OF WHICH HAVE CONCRETE COVERS. THESE TWO COVERED SLIPWAYS ARE USED TO HANDLE VESSELS BELOW 300 TONS WHILE THE OPEN ONE CATERS FOR LAUNCHES UP TO 500 TONS.
MINOR REPAIRS TO EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS COOKING, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING AND STEERING SYSTEMS, ARE DONE IN THE VARIOUS WORKSHOPS.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD MOBILISES THE WHOLE MARINE DEPARTMENT FLEET.
/+THE FLEET
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975
„ A „
+THE FLEET DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB TO HELP TRANSPORT FRESH WATER FROM OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN THE 1963 DROUGHT, TO HELP FIGHT THE SEAWISE UNIVERSITY FIRE IN 1972 AND IN VARIOUS OIL POLLUTION SITUATIONS*, MR. KHIN RECALLED.
BESIDES THIS, ThE DOCKYARD WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE NAVIGATIONAL AIDS SECTION TO ENSURE THAT ALL BUOYS, BEACONS AND OTHER NAVIGATIONAL AIDS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION.
MR. KHIN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD HAD COME A LONG WAY FROM ITS RATHER PRIMITIVE ORIGIN IN 1914 WHEN A SLIPWAY AND A RANGE OF WOODEN SHEDS WERE DUILT AT THE CANTON ROAD WATERFRONT INSIDE THE YAUMATI TYPHOON SHELTER TO LOOK AFTER A FLEET OF 35 COAL-BURNING VESSELS.
THOUGH IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE, OVERCROWDING BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE GOVERNMENT FLEET WAS INEVITABLE.
IN THE EARLY 196O’S, A TENTATIVE PLAN TO BUILD A NEW DOCKYARD ON THE WATERFRONT OF THE EXISTING CANTON ROAD CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES WAS DRAWN UP.
THE PLAN BECAME A REALITY IN SEPTEMBER 1971 WHEN THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD SWUNG INTO OPERATION.
IT IS MORE SPACIOUS AND BETTER EQUIPPED. BUT THERE
IS A NEED FOR FURTHER EXPANSION AS THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT FLEET HAS DOUBLED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.
COMMENTING ON FUTURE PLANS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID: +WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF STREAMLINING THE STAFF STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD*. +AT THE SAME ' TIME*, HE ADDED, +THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED A PIECE OF LAND ADJOINING THE DOCKYARD FOR BUILDING TWO MORE SLIPWAYS CAPABLE OF HANDLING EVEN BIGGER VESSELS.*
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING A LAUNCH
---------------- BEING REPAIRED AT THE DOCKYARD WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1975
- 5 -
ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION IN KOWLOON CITY ««««««
A THREE-DAY EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION ON ANTI-DRUG ABUSE WILL BE HELD FROM MONDAY (FEB. 17) TO WEDNESDAY (FEB. 19) BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM AT THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE, FOOK TAO MANSION, 8-12 SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
AM_ PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS, STATISTICAL MATERIALS
AND SAMPLES Or DRUGS. THESE HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER TO SHOW THE VARIETIES OF DRUGS AND THEIR RESOURCES, THE EXISTING SITUATION OF DRUG-ADDICTION IN HONG KONG, THE VARIOUS WAYS OF DRUG-TAKING AND THE WORK OF ANTI-NARCOTICS AGENCIES.
cA.n COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR KOWLOON CITY,
SAID THAT THIS WAS JUST ONE OF A LARGE VARIETY OF ANTI-DRUG PROGRAMMES SUCH AS SEMINARS, TALKS, COMPETITIONS AND VISITS TO REHABILITATION CENTRES, BEI&G HELD BY 13 AGENCIES IN KOWLOON CITY INCLUDING KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, YOUTH CENTRES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARIMENTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1975.
THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE 700,0(10 SEPARATE TREATMENTS IN 1974 « n n n « n n
A TOTAL OF 13,694 PATIENTS RECEIVED NEARLY 700,000 SEPARATE TREATMENTS AT 11 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UNITS ATTACHED TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN 1974. OF THEM D 11,905 WERE HEW CASES.
AS THE DEMAND FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IS GROWING STEADILY, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PROCEEDING WITH PLANS TO STRENGTHEN THIS SERVICE, AND IT IS NOW INTENDED. FUNDS PERMITTING. TO INCLUDE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UNIT IN EVERY NEW GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL AND POLYCLINIC TO DE DU ILT IN THE HEXT 10 YEARS.
THE HISTORY OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HONG KONG SHOWS THAT THE FIRST OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST WAS APPOINTED IN 1953, AND THIS SOLITARY PIONEER, MISS J.R. HOPKINS, WAS ORGINALLY ON TEMPORARY TERMS.
MISS L.P. MARTIN NOW HEADS THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE AS SUPERINTENDENT, SHE IS ASSISTED DY A STAFF OF 20, INCLUDING OFFICERS RECRUITED FROM ABROAD AND SCHOLARSHIP GRADUATES RETURNING FROM BRITAIN, DUT SHE FEELS THAT THE TOTAL IS NOT ENTIRELY ADEQUATE FOR AH EXPANDING WORKLOAD.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS. TREATMENT VARIES WIDELY, DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL HEEDS.
IN GENERAL, PATIENTS MAY DE ASKED TO ENGAGE IN ANY ONE OF A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HAND-WORK, COOK ONG. CLERICAL WORK, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,
THE AIM IS TO HELP THEM ATTAIN MAXIMUM PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY SO THAT THEY CAN AGAIN CONTRIBUTE CONSTRUCTIVELY TO THE COMMUNITY,
MISS MARTIN SAYS o 4-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IS CONCERNED WITH THE PATIENT AS A WHOLE, HOT MERELY HIS INJURY, CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO AGE, SEX, SOCIAL BACKGROUND, JOB REQUIREMENTS, AND EDUCATIONAL LEVEL,
•>AN OFFICE WORKER AND A LABOURER ARE NOT KEPT THERAPEUTICALLY OCCUPIED WITH THE SAME ACTIVITY, THE LABOURER COULD DE DORE?) AHO DISINTERESTED WITH BANGING ON A TYPEWRITER, AND THE CLERK COULD FEEL AN INJURY TO HIS PRIDE IF ASKED TO USE A HAMMER,
THE RESULT IS THAT, IN FACT, THIS SORT OF CONGENIAL AND SYMPATHETIC TREATMENT DOES VERY OFTEN ENABLE PATIENTS TO RETURN NONE THE WORSE TO THEIR PREVIOUS JODS,«
Issued by Government Information Services, Beacony^j^, Hgji^ Kong. Tel: 5-233191
wsrv
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1975. 2 -
SHE EXPLAINS THAT WHEN AN INJURY IS SUCH THAT THE PATIENT CANNOT RESUME HIS NORMAL TASKS, THERAPY IS USED TO HELP ASSESS HIS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR A TOTALLY DIFFERENT VET ACCEPTABLE AND REWARDING ACTIVITY.
THE KOWLOON REHABILITATION CENTRE HAS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UNIT ATTACHED TO THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL. THIS UNIT LOOKS AFTER CONVALESCENT PATIENTS NEEDING PHYSICAL RATHER THAN PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT AFTER HAVING DEEN TRANSFERRED FROM HOSPITAL WARDS. IT ALSO HAS AN OUT-PATIENT SERVICE.
THERE ARE TWO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UNITS IN THE DAVID TRENCH REHABILITATION CENTRE, TREATING BOTH PSYCHIATRIC AND PHYSICAL PATIENTS.
IN THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, THERE ARE PROGRAMMES FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS. TIIEIR TREATMENT BEGINS WITH VERY SIMPLE CHORES WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN THE WARDS.
LATER, THEY PROGRESS TO ACTIVITIES REQUIRING MORE CONCENTRATION. WHEN ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE WARDS, THEY ATTEND THE MAIN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY UNIT AND JOIN GROUPS THERE.
THE HONG KONG PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE AND THE YAU MA TEI POLYCLINIC OPERATE PSYCHIATRIC DAY CENTRES FOR PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE FURTHER REHABILITATION BEFORE THEY ARE CONSIDERED FULLY FIT FOR REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.
APART FROM THIS SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL AND DEPARTMENT, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMMES OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP.
HEALTH THERAPEUTIC DEPARTMENT,
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1975
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHOP TENANCIES AT Of MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX
M M » »
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S FIRST COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IS NEARING COMPLETION AND TENDERS FOR THE TENANCIES OF ITS FIRST LOT OF SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES WILL BE INVITED TO-MORROW (MONDAY).
THE THREE-STOREY 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX; IDEALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE ESTATE, HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE HO MAN TIN AREA AS A WHOLE.
IT WILL HAVE A GROSS AREA OF OVER 200,000 SQ.FT. AND WILL DE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED.
THE FIRST DOZEN OF COMMERCIAL PREMISES TO BE LET INCLUDE TWO RESTAURANTS, A CAFE, A DEPARTMENT STORE, A SUPER-MARKET AND SEVEN SHOP PREMISES.
THE SHOPS, THREE FOR GENERAL TRADE AND THE OTHERS FOR DESIGNATED TRADE, WILL BE LET BY THE AUTHORITY’S TENDER PREMIUM SYSTEM. RENT HAS DEEN FIXED AT 53.50 PER SQUARE FOOT, RATE AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPENSES INCLUSIVE.
THE RESTAURANT, CAFE, DEPARTMENT STORE AND SUPER-MARKET WILL BE LET BY A TENDER RENT SYSTEM AND THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL HAVE TO PAY THE TENDERED RENT AS WELL AS RATES AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPENSES.
TENDERS FOR THE SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES WILL BE CLOSED AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 28, 1975.
THOSE INTERESTED IN TENDERING THESE PREMISES ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE 01 MAN ESTATE OFFICE ON TELEPHONE NO. 3“O36136 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
ALLOWING A SHORT PERIOD FOR DECORATION PURPOSES, THE CENTRE SHOULD DE READY FOR OPENING IN EARLY APRIL.
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A
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1975
- 4 -
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS
THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE’S FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH EXAMINATION THIS YEAR WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON JUNE 17 AND 18, WHILE THE SAME UNIVERSITY’S CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH EXAMINATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 18 AND 19.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE FEE FOR THE WHOLE FIRST CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION IS 805 AND THE FEE FOR THE WHOLE CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION IS 8110.
EACH OPTIONAL PAPER IN THE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION WILL BE CHARGED 845.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO EXAMINATIONS WERE OPEN ONLY TO CANDIDATES WHOSE MOTHER-TONGUE WAS NOT ENGLISH AND WERE NOT INTENDED FOR CANDIDATES UNDER THE AGE OF 16.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A CANDIDATE MUST MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE FOR ORAL/AURAL TESTS AT A TIME TO BE SPECIFIED ON ANY DAY WITHIN THE PERIOD OF MAY 26 AND JUNE 21.
CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATIONS BY ATTENDING COURSES IN SCHOOLS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS.
THOSE WHO ARE NOT PRESENTED BY A SCHOOL MAY APPLY TO ENTER AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES.
ENTRY FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 17), AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES, TOGETHER WITH PROOF OF IDENTITY AND TOO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM FEBRUARY 17 TO 21.
PRIVATE CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED THAT NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AND ALL FEES MUST BE PAID BY FEBRUARY 25.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
15 STREETS IN KOWLOON SET ASIDE FOR A PILOT HAWKING SCHEME................................................... 1
DROP OF 70,647 IN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR LAST YEAR............................. 3
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BE EXTENDED TO JAPAN FROM MARCH 3 4
HIKING EXPEDITIONS ORGANISED DY RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE PROVED POPULAR................................... 5
LESS FIRES IN THE FIRST SEVEN WEEKI3-*UT 1975 ............. 6
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT ............................. 6
■j \ . 1
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1975
1
SPECIAL HAWKING AREAS 70 BE SET UP a « n a « n
TWENTY-SIX REPRESENTATIVES OF HAWKER ASSOCIATIONS WERE BRIEFED THIS AFTERNOON DY MR, JAMES SO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES (KOWLOON WEST}, 0.’ A PLAN TO SET ASIDE 15 STREETS IN KOWLOON FOR AN EXPERIMENT ON HAWKIHc.
UNDER THE SCHEME, HAWKERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO CARRY ON THEIR BUSINESS INSIDE SIX HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS WHILE HAWKING BEYOND THEM WILL DE PROHIBITED EXCEPT DY LICENSED STALL-HOLDERS,
THESE SIX AREAS ARE IN YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK, SHAM SHU I PO AND SAN PO KONG,
MR, SO TOLD THE HAWKER REPRESENTATIVES THAT -o-THE SCHEME RECOGNISES THAT PEOPLE SHOULD DE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING IN SPECIFIED AREAS WITHOUT CAUSING UNDUE INCONVENIENCE AND NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY NOW THAT HAWKERS HAVE INCREASED IN NUMBERS IN THE WAKE OF THE ECONOMIC RECESSION,*
THE ESSENCE OF THE SCHEME, HE SAID, WAS TO PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE HAWKERS COULD EARN AN HONEST LIVING, PROVIDED THERE WAS NO SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION, NUISANCE OR HEALTH AND FIRE RISKS,
UNDER THE SCHEME, HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS WILL DE THOROUGHLY CLEANSED AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY’S BUSINESS AND HAWKERS WOULD BE STRONGLY ADVISED HOT TO LEAVE ANY TRADING EQUIPMENT AND GOODS BEHIND.
THE HAWKER REPRESENTATIVES SUGGESTED THAT LICENSED HAWKERS SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE HAWKER-PERMITtED AREAS FIRST,
THEY PROPOSED THAT SPACES IN THE HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS BE DEMARCATED DEFORE BEING ALLOCATED TO HAWKERS,
THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO CALLED FOR THE ISSUE OF MORE HAWKER LICENCES AND THE SETTING UP OF MORE HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS
THEY EXPRESSED DOUBT THAT THE HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS COULD ACCOMMODATE ALL HAWKERS IN THE DISTRICTS COVERED, AND SAID THAT THEY EXPECTED THERE WOULD DE CHAOS AND FRICTION BETWEEN HAWKERS.
IN REPLY, MR. SO STRESSED THAT THE PRESENT SCHEME WAS EXPERIMENTAL AND WOULD BE CAfifilcX CUT ON A LIMITED SCALE.
/IF THE
LWDAY, FEBRUARY 1?, 1975
«. 2 “
IF THE EXPERIMENT PROVED SUCCESSFUL AFTER A CONSIDERATION WOUI D BE CTVEN TO ITS EXTENSION.
HE CAI>£n OU UAWKERS TO CO-OPERATE SO AS TO EXPER A SUCCESS.
TRIAL PERIOD
MAKE THE
AUTHORITY HAD
• MR. SO NOTED THAT SINCE 1970, THE LICENSING CEASED TO ISSUE HAWKER LICENCES. +CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS,-:- HF SAID, +1 ND I CATE THE NEED TO REVIEW THIS DECISION AND THE EXPERIMENT WILL PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE MADE TO IHE URBAN COUNCIL FOR A REVIEW.*
THE HAWKER REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT WHEN THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED, ALL HAWKERS WOULD FLOCK TO THE HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS AND THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS CONGESTION.
_ IT WAS P0,fli7ED TO THEM THAT THIS WOULD HOT HAPPEN BECAUSE EXISTING LICENSED HAWKERS OUTSIDE HAWKER-PERMITTED AREAS WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER PRESENT CONTROLS.
NOTE TO ED I TORSj
COPIES OF TOO PHOTOGRAPHS-ONE OF THIS AFTERNOON’S MEETING AND THE OTHER OF A SIGN INDICATING A ’HAWKER PERMITTED AREA13 ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
MOWDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1975
3
EMPLOYMENT IM MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS K « Jf « it it ft
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IM MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1974 WAS 555,745. THIS REPRESENTED A DECLINE OF 8,122 OR 1.4 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURES FOR THE QUARTER ENDING LAST SEPTEMBER.
TAKING THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THERE WAS A DROP OF 70,647 IN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IM THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES AT THE END OF 1973.
THE LATEST STATISTICS ARE THE RESULT OF A SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THEY SHOW THAT DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1974 THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING IN THE WEARING APPAREL (+2,857) AND TEXTILES (■>549) SECTORS. BUT THERE WERE DECLINES IN ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-4,757) AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-1,073).
THE FIVE MAJOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES CONTINUED TO BE WEARING APPAREL, INCLUDING GARMENTS AMD KNITWEAR (169,l.v0 = TEXTILES, INCLUDING COTTON WEAVING AMD SPINNING (94,699’J ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES (60,930* ELASTIC PRODUCTS (56,121)= AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (4C-j1B).
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE DECLINE REFLECTED THE CONTINUING DOWNTURN IN THE WORLD ECONOMY, WHICH HAD RESULTED IN AN EASING OF EDMAND FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
ALTHOUGH THE DROP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WAS ONLY 1.4 PEP CENT, COMPARED WITH THE 11 PER CENT FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THIS WAS REFLECTING THE BEGINNINGS OF A LEVELLING OFF IN THE DOWNWARD TREND, HE SAID.
STATISTICS ON THIS NEW BASIS - COVERING ALL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE CENSUS AND STATIST’OS DEPARTMENT RATHER THAN JUST THOSE REGISTERED WITH OR RECORDED BY ~'I!E LABOUR DEPARTMENT - WERE FIRST COLLECTED IN THE FOURTH QUARTS’ OF 1973c THEY NOW APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE MONTHLY DIGEST OF ST.' .’STICS.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1975
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO JAPAN ft ft ft ft
HONG KONG’S SPEEDPOST SERVICE WILL DE EXTENDED TO JAPAN FROM MARCH 3,
THE EXTENSION FOLLOWS THE SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF THE SERVICE TO GREAT BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL,
UNDER THIS FACILITY, INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES OF BUSINESS PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS ARE GIVEN FAST AND RELIABLE COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE,
WHILE FULL DOOR-TO-DOOR PICK-UP AND DELIVERY SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED IN HONG KONG, JAPAN WILL DELIVER ONLY TO A POST OFFICE BOX ADDRESS AT TOKYO INTERNATIONAL POST OFFICE AND OSAKA CENTRAL POST OFFICE,
THE TERMS OF COLLECTION AND DELIVERY ARE SPECIFIED AND AGREED WITH THE CUSTOMER UTILISING PRE-DETERMIND FLIGHTS, AND EXPEDITIOUS TREATMENT IS GIVEN DY THE POSTAL ADMINISTRATION IN DELIVERING THE PACKAGES.
PACKAGES COLLECTED IN HONG KONG AT ABOUT NOON WILL BE DESPATCHED ON A FLIGHT LEAVING KAI TAK IN THE SAME AFTERNOON, ARRIVING IN JAPAN IN THE LATE HOURS OF THE SAME DAY FOR DELIVERY THE NEXT MORNING.
THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE, WHICH WILL DE ON A CONTRACT BASIS, IS HK39O FOR THE FIRST POUND PLUS HKS5 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL POUND WEIGHT OR PART OF A POUND.
ANYONE REQUIRING FURTHER INFORMATION MAY CONTACT THE POST OFFICE AT 5-245992.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1975
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HIKING EXPEDITIONS POPULAR Hit « It « «
THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HAS PUT INTO OPERATION ITS PLAN ON HIKING EXPEDITIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALREADY 17 OUTINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN JANUARY, MISS BETTY MAIR, CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, SAID TODAY.
♦THERE IS VERY GREAT INTEREST IN THE HIKING-EXPEDITION -OUTING TYPE OF ACTIVITY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPANDING THIS KIND OF RECREATIONAL PURSUIT IS ENORMOUS SINCE IT CAN CATER FOR ALL AGE GROUPS,* SHE SAID.
+THE OTHER- MAJOR ADVANTAGE IN PROMOTING THIS TYPE OF PROGRAMME IS THAT IT CAN BE MADE EDUCATIONAL. SUCH CONCEPTS AS FIRE PREVENTION, CARE OF THE COUNTRY SIDE, FIRST AID, AND SAFETY IN THE OUT DOORS CAN DE NATURALLY WORKED INTO THE PROGRAMME.*
THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICERS, WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF, WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT SPORTS ORGANISATIONS TO IMPROVE SPORTS PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
LAST NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING AND ORGANISING 29 COACHING COURSES AND CLINICS FOR VARIOUS SPORTS.
IT CONDUCTED OR ASSISTED IN THE ORGANISATION OF 24 SPORTS COMPETITIONS INCLUDING MAJOR SPORTS MEETINGS FOR YOUTHS AND FACTORY WORKERS AT DISTRICT LEVEL. SOME 43 EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS WERE ORGANISED FOR FAMILIES, YOUTHS AND FACTORY WORKERS.
ON MAXIMISING THE DUAL USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, MISS MAIR SAID THAT PRIVATE CLUBS HAD A LOT TO OFFER.
SHE HAS SUCCEEDED IN OBTAINING THE USE OF THE TENNIS COURTS OF THE LADIES RECREATION CLUB FOR A TENNIS COACHING PROJECT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
MISS MAIR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT OTHER PRIVATE CLUBS WOULD MAKE THEIR FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE RECREATION A'.jD 'PORT SERVICE WHICH WOULD ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF ANY FACILITIES OFFERED BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS.
/6 OOCJO
<=» ' e»
FEIJER FIRES - BUT MO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY ft- n a a a a
THE DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES DURING 1974 IS
CONT I till INS INTO 1975o
ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DURING THE FIRST SEVEN WEEKS OF THIS YEAR THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 640 FIRES COMPARED WITH 1,051 FOR THE SAME PERIOD OF 1974. THIS REPRESENTS A REDUCTION OF 20 PER CENT.
WHILE THIS IS ENCOURAGING, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT RECENT FIRE STATISTICS SHOW THAT A YEAR WITH LESS FIRES USUALLY IS FOLLOWED DY ONE WITH A DIG INCREASE IN FIRES. *S0 THERE IS NOT THE SLIGHTEST CAUSE OF COMPLACENCY DECAUSE OF THE FIGURES,<■ HE STRESSED.
THE UNDERLYING TREND IN FIRES WAS VERY DEFINITELY UPWARDS — THERE HAD DEEN A VIRTUAL QUADRUPLING IN TEN YEARS — AND 1974 SHOULD DE REGARDED AS A FREAK YEAR IN WHICH UNSEASONAL WEATHER HAD PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT THE REDUCTION, HE ADDED.
^DESPITE THE CURRENT DECREASE, THEREFORE, HO ONE SHOULD RELAX HIS GUARD DUT RATHER TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO PREVENT FIRE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT ABOUT HALF THE FIRES IN HONG KONG WERE CAUSED EITHER BY CARELESS DISPOSAL OF LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES OR DY ELECTRICAL FAULTS.
ADVISORY LEAFLETS ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND SMOKERS’ CARELESSNESS WERE NOW BEING PREPARED AND SHOULD BE READY FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO DE HELD LATER IN THE YEAR.
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT a ft ft x- » ft
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 50,253 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 74.07 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 45,712 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
•HIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 38,139 MILLION GALLONS. COMPARED WITH 35,964 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 75.5 PER CENT OF ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS.
A RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY
DURING T1IE PAS| 24 Houns ENDING AT 9 A.M. TODAY. TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS 71.3 MM (2.81 IN).
. ™E MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 58.4 MM I o
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY IB, 197'
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
JOINT COMMITTEE ON CLERICAL CLASS SUBMITS REPORT TO GOVERNMENT .............................................. 1
PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS TO VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONTH .....................................
ANOTHER BATCH OF +LUCKY+ CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE .............. 3
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AMD INDUSTRY TO VISIT WEAVING FACTORY ................................................... 4
VERANDAH OF PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS .........
■0--------
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1975
1
REPORT ON CLERKS SUBMITTED n « n « « h
TO GOVERNMENT
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE CLERICAL CLASS WHICH BEGAN WORK ON OCTOBER 20, 1974 HAS SUBMITTED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. ALAN SCOTT.
THE REPORT, WHICH HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE U-MAN JOINT COMMITTEE, ANALYSES THE VIEWS OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND THE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE INTO THE STRUCTURE AND LEVELS OF REMUNERATION OF THE 10,000 STRONG CLERICAL CLASS.
THE REPORT COVERS THE KINDS OF WORK THE CLASS IS DOING, A COMPARISON OF THE CLERICAL CLASS WITH OTHER GRADES OF GOVERNMENT WHOSE WORK IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE CLERICAL CLASS AND STAFF RELAT "NS WITHIN DEPARTMENTS IN SO FAR AS THEY AFFECT THE CLERIC./;L CLASS.
THE JOINT COMMITTEE PLACED PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON A STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE CLERICAL CLASS AND AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT BE POSSIBLE WHICH WOULD PRODUCE BETTER TRAINED AND BETTER MOTIVATED OFFICERS WHOSE PRODUCTIVITY WOULD BE INCREASED AND WHO WOULD GIVE BETTER SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT. T E RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THESE ASPECTS COMPRISE THE GREATER PART OF THE REPORT.
THE REPORT FORMS THE CULMINATION OF MORE THAN THREE AND A HALF MONTHS WORK ON THE PART OF THE TWO SIDES, OFFICIAL AND STAFF, MAKING UP THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.
FOUR OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE STAFF SIDE, ALL OF WHOM ARE OFFICE BEARERS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CLERICAL STAFF ASSOCIATION, WERE PERMANENTLY DETACHED FROM NORMAL DUTIES TO CONCENTRATE EXCLUSIVELY ON THE WORK OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE. TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH THEY CONSIDERED DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS AND INTERVIEWED DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES TO ASSIMILATE AND ANALYSE THE MASS OF CONSIDERED OPINIONS, FACTS AND FIGURES ON WHICH THE REPORT IS BASED.
THE STATEMENT, ISSUED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE CONCLUDED s +IT IS HOPED THAT WHEN THE REPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN CONSIDERATION DY THE GOVERNMENT, THE DECISIONS TAKEN ON THE PROPOSALS IT MAKES AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS IT CONTAINS, WILL LEAD TO A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE, BETTER TRAINED AND BETTER MOTIVATED CLERICAL SERVICE, BRINGING GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND INCREASED EFFICIENCY WITHIN DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES AND GIVING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CLERICAL CLASS A SENSE OF SATISFACTION IN THEIR WORK AND IN THEIR CAREERS*.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1975
2
TOP BRITISH ENGINEER TO VISIT HONG KONG a a a a a «
SIR WILLIAM HARRIS, THE HEAD OF THE BRITISH PROFESSIONAL BODY REPRESENTING C’VIL ENGINEERS, WILL BE VISITING HONG KONG NEXT MONTH TO MEET COLLEAGUES IN ALL BRANCHES OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION AND TO SEE FOR HIMSELF SOME OF THE MAJOR ENGINEERING PROJECTS HERE.
SIR WILLIAM, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (I.C.E.) — THE WORLD’S OLDEST ENGINEERING INSTITUTION — WILL ARRIVE ON MARCH 19o
DURING HIS FIVE-DAY VISIT HE WILL MEET AND ADDRESS MEMDERS OF THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF HONG KONG. HE WILL ALSO MEET THE GOVERNOR, AND AMONG THE SITES'WHICH HE WILL VISIT ARE THOSE OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL.
MUCH OF SIR WILLIAM’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER HAS BEEN CLOSELY CONNE.TED WITH THE SEA. THE SON OF A MASTER MARINER, HE JOINED THE ADMIRALTY IN 1937 AND HIS WARTIME WORK INCLUDED THE PLANNING OF THE FLOATING DOCKYARDS WHICH ENSURED THE SUCCESS OF THE NORMANDY LANDINGS IN 1944.
HE BECAME DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NAVY WORKS IN i960 AND IN 1963 TRANSFERRED TO THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF WORKS. HIS LAST GOVERNMENT POST WAS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TRANSPORT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT. HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE I.C.E. LAST NOVEMBER.
HIS MAIN PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS IN HONG KONG WILL BE WITH MR. J.R. WHITAKER, DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE I.C.E.’S HONG KONG ADVISORY COMMITTEE0 AND MR. G.B. O’RORKE, ALSO OF P.W.D., WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
MR. WHITAKER SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS HIGHLY APPROPRIATE THAT SIR WILLIAM’S FIRST OVERSEAS TOUR AS PRESIDENT OF THE I.C.E. SHOULD INCLUDE HONG KONG.
<IN THE FIRST PLACE,+ HE POINTED OUT, +WE HAVE MORE THAN 700 MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTION HERE - WHICH IS CERTAINLY THE HIGHEST MEMBERSHIP ANYWHERE OVERSEAS IN PROPORTION TO SIZE OF TERRITORY. SECONDLY, THERE IS NO LACK OF EXCITING THINGS FOR HIM TO SEE.*
SIR WILLIAM, 62, WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, AND DY THE SECRETARY OF THE INSTITUTION, MR. J.G. WATSON.
NOTE TO ED ITORSs COPIES OF SIR WILLIAM’S PHOTOGRAPH WILL BE
--------------- BOXED FOR COLLECTION LATER TODAY.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 1975
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’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE $ a « n «
ANOTHER 20 SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WILL. BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS WEEK TO PROMOTE A CHARITABLE CAUSE.
THE AUCTION, THE 22ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 22) AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM NORTH, 8TH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK.
THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ARE s-
BH 3 BH 8 BH 3333 BH 666 BE 333
DE 5225 ' BD 2222 BD 888 BD 77 BC 7
BB 99 BB 28 BB 3366 AG 300 AF 555
HK 656 2202 1170 BH 999 AB 5578
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION HARK WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1975
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FACTORY VISIT BY MR. DAVID JORDAN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WILL BE MAKING ANOTHER OF HIS PERIODIC VISITS TO FACTORIES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THIS TIME, HE WILL SEE THE KONG SUN WEAVING FACTORY LIMITED AT YAU TONG BAY, KOWLOON. THE FACTORY PRODUCES COTTON DENIM FABRIC FOR MARKETS MAINLY IN BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND AFRICA.
IT ALSO HAS FACILITIES FOR BLEACHING, DYEING, SIZING OF YARNS, WINDING AND SO ON.
MR. JORDAN MAKES THESE VISITS TO FACTORIES AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH IN ORDER TO KEEP HIMSELF IN CLOSE AND CONSTANT ’ TOUCH WITH HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AND THE STATE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, EXPORTS AND EMPLOYMENT.
MR. JORDAN WILL ARRIVE AT THE FACTORY, SITUATED ON THE 4TH TO 6TH FLOORS OF THE LONG LIFE BUILDING AT NO. 15, KO FAI ROAD, YAU TONG BAY, AT 3 P.M. AND WILL SPEND ABOUT AN HOUR THERE.
HE WILL BE MET (ON THE 5TH FLOOR) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPANY, MR. LAU SAI-YAN, AND THE DIRECTOR, MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT. THE D.C. AND l.’S PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, MR. GERRY XAVIER, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1975
~ 5 “
DANGEROUS VERANDAH TO BE DEMOLISHED
n a k n « h «
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE VERANDAH OF NO. 62 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR. THE FRONT VERANDAHS OF THIS FOUR STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING HAD BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SOME TIME AND NOW SHOWED SIGNS OF EXTENSIVE RECENT MOVEMENT. IT WAS NECESSARY, THEREFORE, TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THEM.
IT HAD NOT PROVED NECESSARY, HE ADDED, TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THE MAIN BUILDING DESPITE SOME SIGNS OF MINOR MOVEMENT AT THE REAR. HOWEVER NEW ENCLOSURES WILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE EXPOSED FRONT MAIN WALL OF THE BUILDING UPON THE REMOVAL OF THE VERANDAHS, HE SAID.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MARCH 17 WAS POSTED YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RADIO HONG KONG’S BROADCASTING FACILITIES MAY BE MADE
PARTLY AVAILABLE TO COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ............... 1
34 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY ................. 2
ANOTHER CITY DISTRICT SUB-OFFICE OPENING IN YAU TONG ON FRIDAY.................................................. 3
OLDAPEOPLE°UTH SERVICE GR0UP ORGANISES N.T. TOUR FOR
SINGING CONTEST FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ............... 5
150 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS FROM WANCHAI TO TAKE PART IN SPRING CAMP IN CHEUNG CHAU....................................... 5
DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY VISITED WEAVING FACTORY IN YAU TONG BAY.................................. 6
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975
1
RHK MAY GO PARTLY COMMERCIAL « « » « «
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER MAKING RADIO HONG KONG’S BROADCASTING FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO COMMERCIAL INTERESTS FOR PART OF EACH DAY, THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. JAMES HAWTHORNE, SAID TODAY.
HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE DONE, HE SAID, UNTIL COMMERCIAL RADIO LTD. RELINQUISHES ITS MONOPOLY OF COMMERCIAL SOUND BROADCASTING — THAT IS, WHEN COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LTD. BEGINS TRANSMISSION.
MR. HAWTHORNE, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON OF HONG KONG ISLAND EAST, SAID HE COULD NOT ELABORATE +SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE WIDER PROBLEM OF COMMERCIAL RADIO DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.+
HE ADDED: +THIS PROBLEM IS OF COURSE BEING EXAMINED BUT CANNOT BE RESOLVED UNTIL THE MANY TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE BEEN FULLY STUDIED — FOR EXAMPLE, HOW WE STAND WITH AM TRANSMISSION DEVELOPMENT, HOW WE STAND WITH FM AND STEREO DEVELOPMENT.+
SOME DECISION ON FREQUENCY ALLOCATION, HE POINTED OUT, HAD TO BE TAKEN OUTSIDE HONG KONG AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
ON RHK-TV, MR. HAWTHORNE SAID THAT THE PROGRAMMES PRODUCED BY THE UNIT WERE AMONG THE BEST IN HONG KONG AS EVIDENCED BY THE RECORD AUDIENCES THEY ATTRACT.
’BELOW THE LION ROCK,’ FOR INSTANCE, HAD A TOTAL REGULAR AUDIENCE OF 2.7 MILLION, AND A SURVEY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE RECENT EPISODES WITH POLICE THEMES WERE SEEN BY 75 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION.
THE LATE NIGHT CHINESE CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME ’NEEDLE POINT’ WAS WATCHED BY A WEEKLY AUDIENCE APPROACHING ONE MILLION, HE SAID, AND INDICATIONS WERE THAT TXJICE THIS NUMBER. WATCHED THE PROGRAMME DEALING WITH THE TELEPHONE ISSUE A FEW WEEKS AGO.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975
2
34 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED K 8 « K «
PLANS FOR A 22-STOREY COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT JARDINE’S BAZAAR IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND A TWO-STOREY SPORTS CENTRE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY TOGETHER WITH 32 OTHER NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY LAST MONTH.
.o. . TRESE APPR0VED PLANS, 14 ARE FOR PROJECTS ON HONG KONG nev/Akowloon N K0WL00N AND S,X ,N THE NEW territories AND
tm... INCLUDE TOO HIGH-RISE COMBINED APARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN KENNEDY TOWN, ONE OF 24 STOREYS IN SMITHFIELD ROAD AND ONE OF 23 STOREYS IN BELCHER’S STREET. kuad,
AS FOR INDUSTRIAL FACTORY BUILDING'AND A SHA WAN ROAD.
DEVELOPMENT, THERE WILL BE A MULTI-STOREY NINE-STOREY GODOWN BUILDING IN CHEUNG
APPROVAL WAS ALSO GIVEN LAST MONTH TO 49 BUILDING PROJECTS TO START WORK, INCLUDING A THEATRE AND A REEF TANK IN THE OCEAN
PARK.
FIFTY-SIX BUILDINGS WITH A TOTAL DECLARED VALUE OF OVER $135 MILLION WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION.
THEY INCLUDE 11 APARTMENT OR COMBINED APARTMENT AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE 20 STOREYS HIGH. AND FOUR MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS, IN WANG WO TSAI STREET IN TSUEN WAN, AND WAI YIP STREET IN KWUN TONG.
DURING THE MONTH, APPROVAL WAS GIVEN TO DEMOLISH 20 OLD BUILDINGS. FOUR OTHER BUILDINGS IN SAI TAU TSUN WHICH HAD BEEN DECLARED DANGEROUS, WERE ALSO APPROVED FOR DEMOLITION.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975.
- 3 -
NEW CDO SUB-OFFICE FOR YAU TONG • o « X « H ft
THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IS SETTING UP ANOTHER CITY DISTRICT SUB-OFFICE IN YAU TONG AS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO PROVIDE MORE CONVENIENT SERVICES TO RESIDENTS WITHIN THEIR OWN DISTRICT. /
THE YAU TONG SUB-OFFICE OF THE KWUN TONG CDO WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 21) BY MR. AUGUSTINE KAM CHUI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, AND FOUR RESIDENTS OF YAU TONG - MADAM KWOK SO, MR. MA CHI-KEUNG, MR. CHENG KWAN AND MISS CHAN SHUI-NGAN.
IT IS SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK 24 OF YAU TONG ESTATE AND WILL CATER TO THE 85,000-0DD RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
THE SUB-OFFICE WILL PROVIDE THE FULL RANGE OF CDO SERVICES, INCLUDING PUBLIC ENQUIRY AND STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICES.
THE TELEPHONE OF THE NEW SUB-OFFICE IS 3-351135.
MR. MICHAEL SZE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, KWUN TONG, NOTED THAT THE OPENING OF THE NEW SUB-OFFICE WAS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORT TO PROVIDE MORE LOCALISED SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS.
SEVERAL NEW SUB-OFFICES WERE OPENED RECENTLY, HE SAID, THE LAST ONE BEING THE NGAU TAU KOK SUB-OFFICE IN LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS! YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONY --------------- COVERED. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3.30 P.M. ON
FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 21).
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975
- 4 -
N.T. TOUR FOR OLD PEOPLE ,• . « # * #
A GROUP OF 100 ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM SAU MAU PING AREA WILL BE TAKEN ON A DAY’S OUTING TO THE NEW TERRITORIES ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE OLD PEOPLE’S CLUB AT THE SAU MAU PING CENTRAL ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING AND THE TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG, CASTLE PEAK, TAI PO AND SHA TIN HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR THEM BY THE ESTATE’S YOUTH SERVICE GROUP.
STARTING AT 10 A.M. THEY WILL BE TAKEN TO THE USUAL PLACES OF INTEREST IM THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEY WILL MAKE A STOP AT CHING CHUNG KOON, THE MONASTERY AT CASTLE PEAK WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND MINIATURE TREES, WHERE THEY WILL ALSO HAVE LUNCH.
TEN MEMBERS .OF THE SERVICE GROUP WILL ACCOMPANY THE OLD PEOPLE AS GUIDES AND TO HELP SERVE THEM.
THE COST FOR THIS OUTING, ABOUT $1,200, WAS RAISED THROUGH A FUND-RAISING MOVIE AND TOO YOUTH BALLS HELD OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
THE OLD PEOPLE’S CLUB WAS FORMED IN JUNE 1974 AND HAS 120 MEMBERS OVER THE AGE OF 60, MOST OF THEM WOMEN. THEY MEET EVERY THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN THE HALL OF THE ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING WHERE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CANTONESE MUSIC AND SONGS, TALKS AND MOVIE SHOWS ARE ARRANGED FOR THEM BY STAFF OF THE ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE AND VOLUNTEERS.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975
- 5 -CHILDREN’S SINGING CONTEST
FORTY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ON HOLIDAY FOR THE LUNAR NEW
YEAR, WILL BE GATHERING AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) EVENING TO TAKE PART IN A SINGING CONTEST ORGANISED FOR THEM BY A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP, THE LIK HANG CLUB. THE CONTEST WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 P.M.
THE CHILDREN WILL SING ONE SONG EACH FROM A SELECTION OF SEVEN ENGLISH AND CHINESE FOLK SONGS, AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP SIX.
I
THE CHILDREN ALL ATTEND PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE LIK HANG CLUB, FORMED THREE YEARS AGO, HAS PREVIOUSLY ORGANISED OTHER TYPES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS INCLUDING USED BOOK EXCHANGE SCHEMES IN THE SUMMER OF 1973 AND 1974.
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SPRING CAMP FOR WANCHAI VOLUNTEERS * X « «
SOME
150 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS FROM WANCHAI WILL MEET TOGETHER AT A SPRING CAMP TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND (FEBRUARY 22 TO 23) AT CARITAS GAUDETE HOUSE ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
PROGRAMMES OF THE TWO-DAY EVENT, IN ADDITION TO SOCIAL GATHERINGS, A CAMPFIRE, AND SPORTS AND GAMES, WILL INCLUDE GROUP VOLUNTEERS3 °N ™E R°LES AND REP0NSIB,L,TIES 0F SERVING YOUNG
THE CAMP IS DESIGNED TO GIVE VOLUNTEERS A COMMON MEETING GROUND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES AND HELP PROMOTE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT GROUPS, ACCORDING TO THE ORGANISER, MR. LAM HARK-CHEE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER OF WANCHAI. '
ALL THE PARTICIPANTS ARE LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF SOCIAL SERVICE GROUPS ATTACHED TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN WANCHAI.
THESE ORGANISATIONS ARE THE WANCHAI COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SCc’oeA G,RLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION, ST. JAMES SETTLEMENT
THE RED CROSS CADET CORPS, WAH YAN COLLEGE, QUEEN’S COLLEGE, NEW METHOD COLLEGE, SHUE YAN COLLEGE, NING NAN’COLLEGE AND THE TUNG WAH YOUTH CENTRE.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1975.
- 6 -
FACTORY OWNER OPTIMISTIC #*#«««
IN THE PRESENT GLOOMY TRADE CLIMATE, IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO HEAR AT LEAST ONE MANUFACTURER STATE TODAY THAT HE WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT HIS BUSINESS - COTTON DENIM FABRIC.
MR. LAU SAI-YAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE KONG SUN WEAVING FACTORY LIMITED, TOLD THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, THIS WHEN THE LATTER VISITED THE FACTORY IN YAU TONG BAY, KOWLOON, THIS AFTERNOON. s
MR. LAU SAID THAT HE HAD RECEIVED MANY INQUIRIES ABOUT HIS PRODUCT AND WAS CONFIDENT THAT OCDERS WOULD BE COMING IN. +INDEED, SOME ALREADY HAVE,* HE ADDED.
THE VISIT WAS ANOTHER IN THE SERIES, MR. JORDAN HAS BEEN MAKING EVER SINCE.HE BECAME DIRECTOR THREE YEARS AGO.
THESE VISITS - AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH - KEEP HIM IN CLOSE AND CONSTANT TOUCH WITH HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND THE STATE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, EXPORTS AND EMPLOYMENT.
NOTE TO ED I TORSs COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING MR. JORDAN
--------------- AT THE FACTORY ARE BEING BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
400,000 WILL HAVE NEW HOMES BY 1979 UNDER PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME ........................... 1
URBAN COUNCIL ELECTORS WILL SHORTLY RECEIVE POLL CARDS........................................ 3
SIR SHIU-KIN TANG +TOPPED OFF+ NEW SPECIALIST CLINIC HE HELPED TO FINANCE......................... 4
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ORGANISES RE-ORIENTATION COURSE ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHERS ....... 5
FRINGE BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES FOSTER LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ................................. 6
LUNAR NEW YEAR TREAT FOR CHILDREN OF MEDICAL DEPART-
MENT STAFF................................... 7
FUN FAIR FOR N.T. CHILDREN THIS SATURDAY..... 8
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
HOUSING PROGRAMME PUSHES AHEAD
HONG KONG’S AHEAD AND WITHIN SHOULD BE READY, LIGHTBODY.
* «««»»«
PUBLIC HOUSING BUILDING PROGRAMME IS FORGING THE NEXT FEW YEARS NEW HOMES FOR SOME 400,000 ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN
HE TOLD A LUNCHEON OF THE Y'S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG TODAY THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY NOW HAD 14 ESTATE CONTRACTS RUNNING WHICH WILL PRODUCE HOMES FOR UP TO 300,000 PEOPLE BY 1978 AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT $1,000 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY’S ARCHITECTS HAD REACHED AN ADVANCED STAGE IN THEIR DESIGN AND PLANNING WORK FOR A FURTHER SIX SCHEMES WHICH WOULD HOUSE ANOTHER 100,000. HOPEFULLY, HE ADDED, THESE PROJECTS WOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1979 AT THE LATEST AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $400 MILLION.
MR. LIGHTBODY SAID HE COULD NOT SAY EXACTLY HOW PLANS FOR LETTING NEW CONTRACTS WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE COMING BUDGET, +BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL RATE A HIGH PLACE IN ANY LIST OF PRIORITIES.+
HE NOTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE VAST SUMS OF MONEY SPENT BY THE AUTHORITY, FINANCE WAS ALWAYS A MAJOR PREOCCUPATION AND THE AUTHORITY MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO GET MAXIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY IN ITS BUILDING PROGRAMMES.
♦GIVEN THE MANY COMPETING DEMANDS ON PUBLIC HOUS ING,+ HE SAID, *1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD PREFER THAT WE SHOULD ACCEPT THE NEED TO CHARGE HIGHER RENTS THAN HAS BEEN THE CASE IN THE PAST FOR THESE NEW ESTATES, RATHER THAN CONTEMPLATE ANY REDUCTION IN OUR HOUSING PROGRAMME.*
HE DESCRIBED AS +UNFOUNDED* CRITICISM OF THE RENT CHARGED FOR NEWER HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES AND POINTED OU I THAl THE NEW LEVELS WERE STILL REASONABLE COMPARED WITH THOSE CHARGED FOR COMPARABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. +AND OF COURSE WE DO KEEP IN MIND THE FACT THAT WE ARE CATERING FOR PERSONS IN THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS.*
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HE SAID, WAS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT HOUSING SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS.
WHILE THE AUTHORITY’S GENERAL WAITING LIST FOR PUBLIC HOUSING HAD NEVER BEEN OPEN TO FAMILIES WITH LESS THAN THREE PERSONS, SINGLE PERSON AND TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS HAD FROM TIME TO TIME BEEN ALLOCATED FLATS ON A SHARED BASIS.
/♦THIS IS
2
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
+THIS IS BASICALLY UNSATISFACTORY AND DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS DO IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHERE THERE IS A PRINCIPAL TENANT TO HOLD THE RING, AS IT WERE,+ MR. LIGHTBODY SAID.
+IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC GOOD, AND OF MAKING THE BEST USE'OF HOUSING AUTHORITY FLATS, THERE WOULD SEEM TO BE STRONG ARGUMENTS FOR ALLOCATING THEM TO LARGER FAMILIES RATHER THAN HAVING THEM SHARED IN THIS WAY.
+IT IS THE LARGER FAMILY WHICH FACES THE GREATEST PROBLEMS IN FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IT IS THE SMALL GROUP WHICH FINDS IT EASIEST TO MAKE ITS OWN WAY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR,+ HE STRESSED.
MR. LIGHTBODY POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT ECONOMIC TO BUILD FLATS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR SMALL HOUSEHOLDS ^BECAUSE HAVING BUILT THE KITCHEN AND TOILET WHICH REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE TOTAL BUILDING COST, IT IS NOT SENSIBLE TO ATTACH THEM TO A VERY SMALL LIVING AREADESIGNED FOR ONE OR TWO PERSONS.+
MORE ATTENTION, HE SAID, WAS BEING GIVEN TO FORMING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN ESTATES SO AS TO HELP HOUSING STAFF TO GE I A BETTER PICTURE OF ESTATE PROBLEMS AND PRIORITIES, AS SEEN BY TENANTS, AND TO SECURE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF TENANTS IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IN ESTATES.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THEIR EFFORT IM PROMOTING WHAT PERHAPS IS HONG KONG’S BIGGEST SOCIAL PROGRAMME. THE AUTHORITY COS I STS OF 20 MEMBERS - 13 PRIVATE CITIZENS AND SEVEN OFFICIALS. THE AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AND ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON HOUSING POLICIES GENERALLY.
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o o o o o o
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
5
POLL CARDS ISSUED FOR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION It MM «
A TOTAL OF 34,078 POLL CARDS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE SPEEDY ISSUE OF BALLOT PAPERS TO VOTERS ON URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY ON MARCH 5 ARE BEING POSTED TO ELECTORS TODAY.
EACH CARD BEARS THE VOTER’S ELECTORAL NUMBER, HIS NAME AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE POLLING STATION AT WHICH HE IS REGISTERED TO VOTE.
THE REGISTRATION OFFICER TODAY EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE FOR INTENDING VOTERS TO PRODUCE THEIR POLL CARDS AS WELL AS THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AT THE PROPER POLLING STATION, IN ORDER TO VOTE WITH THE MINIMUM OF DELAY.
HE SAID THAT IF AN ELECTOR' WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE HIS POLL CARD ON ELECTION DAY, HE WAS NEVERTHELESS ENTITLED TO VOTE, PROVIDED HIS NAME APPEARED ON THE FINAL REGISTER AND HE WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
IF A VOTER HAS CHANGED HIS ADDRESS SINCE THE FINAL REGISTER WAS COMPILED AND HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, IT IS PROBABLE THAT HIS POLL CARD WILL BE RETURNED TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT AS +UNDELIVERABLE+.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR AND WHO DOES NOT RECEIVE HIS POLL CARD WITHIN THREE DAYS, IS ADVISED TO CONTACT MR. CHAN HON-YIU OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. NO. 5-765912 TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER HIS CARD HAS BEEN RETURNED BY THE POST OFFICE AS -s-UNDEL IVERABLE+. IF DESIRED, ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE BY VISITING MR. CHAN, WHOSE OFFICE IS AT KA CHEONG BUILDING, NO. 4, SUNNING ROAD, 7TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO VISIT ANY OF THE POLLING STATIONS OR TO BE PRESENT AT THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES ON MARCH 5 (URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION DAY) MUST COMPLETE FORM 20 - DECLARATION OF SECRECY - BEFORE EITHER A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, A PRESIDING OFFICER OR THE RETURNING OFFICER.
THEY SHOULD HAVE THE FORMS WITH THEM WHEN THEY CALL AT ANY OF THE POLLING STATIONS.
COPIES OF THESE FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE PRESS ROOM, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED BY YOU TO COVER THE ELECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICE, MR. DAVID FORD, JP, WILL BE PLEASED TO ADMINISTER THE DECLARATION BETWEEN 3.30 PM AND 5 PM ON MARCH 4.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975 - 4 -TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC ’TOPPED OFF’ X X «• X- x
SIR SHIU-KIN TANG, THE WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST, TODAY PRESIDED AT A TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY ON THE ROOF OF THE TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC NEXT TO THE TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL IN WAN CHAI.
' THE BUILDING, NAMED AFTER SIR SHIU-KIN’S FATHER, IS NEARING COMPLETION. THE $6 MILLION COST IS BEING MET IN PART BY A SUBSTANTIAL DONATION BY SIR SHIU-KIN. THE GOVERNMENT WILL MEET RECURRING COSTS.
SIR SHIU-KIN WAS ACCOMPANIED TO THE ROOF BY DR. GERALD CHOA, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. DOTH HAD TO WALK EIGHT FLOORS, AS DID A SMALL NUMBER OF GUESTS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE CLINIC WILL EVENTUALLY REPLACE SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT FACILITIES NOW AVAILABLE IN THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC, BUT THE LATTER WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND TO GENERAL OUT-PATIENTS.
THE TANG CHI NGONG SPECIALIST CLINIC IS BUILT ON A 12,000 SQ. FT. SITE. IT WILL PROVIDE SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT FACILITIES FOR MEDICINE, SURGERY, EYE, EAR-NOSE-AND-THROAT, AMONG OTHERS.
THERE ARE TO BE 21 CONSULTING ROOMS, TOO OPERATING THEATRES FOR MINOR SURGICAL AND OPHTHALMIC CASES, VISUAL ACUITY AND TEST ROOMS, TREATMENT ROOMS, DISPENSARIES, LABORATORIES, SPEECH THERAPY OFFICES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUITES.
EACH FLOOR HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ACCOMMODATE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF SPECIALIST SERVICE. THE OPENING DATE OF THE CLINIC HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED.
NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF SIR SHIU-KIN TANG --------------- PERFORMING THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION LATER TODAY.
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/5.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
-5-
IN-SERVICE COURSE FOR TEACHERS ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY « n « « « «
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL RUN A 20-WEEK IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
THE COURSE, DESIGNED TO RE-ORIENTATE TEACHERS IN THE SUBJECTS TRADITIONALLY DESIGNATED AS PRACTICAL EDUCATION TOWARDS A NEW CREATIVE APPROACH, WILL BE OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 22) AT 10 A.M. AT THE VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, IN WOOD ROAD, WANCHAI.
■ SUBJECTS OF THIS COURSE WILL INCLUDE WOODWORK, METALWORK AND TECHNICAL DRAWING.
THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE PRESENT SKILL-ORIENTATED SYLLABUS TO A PROBLEM-SOLVING ONE, THUS ENCOURAGING THE PUPILS AS WELL AS THE TEACHERS TO DEVELOP A WIDER RANGE OF EXPERIENCES IN DECISION-MAKING.
+THIS DEMONSTRATES THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S DETERMINATION TO DEVELOP PRACTICAL EDUCATION AS ENVISAGED FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER,* THE CONVENOR OF IN-SERVICE TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR. JOHN HOWELL SAID TODAY.
MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY, HE SAID.
THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A SELECTION OF BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION OF THE WORK DONE BY STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND PUPILS OF THE VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL WHO ARE ALREADY BEING TAUGHT THE TRADITIONAL SUBJECTS THROUGH A PHILOSOPHY OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, MR. HOWELL SAID.
GIVING MORE INFORMATION ON THE COURSE, MR. HOWELL SAID IT WILL BE CONDUCTED AT TWO CENTRES - THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN WANCHAI AND THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN SIAM SHU I PO.
THE COURSE WILL CONSIST OF LECTURES, SEMINARS .AND PRACTICAL WORK TO BE HELD TWICE A WEEK FOR 18 WEEKS. THE REMAINING TWO WEEKS WILL BE A FULL-TIME SUMMER SCHOOL TO DE FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION OF WORK DONE BY PARTICIPANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY COVERED
MR. HOWELL, WHO IS SENIOR LECTURER (DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY)
HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, CAN BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS AT THE COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-723459).
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975.
- 6 -
FRINGE BENEFITS HELP KEEP WORKERS HAPPY
X X X X
FRINGE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY MANY COMPANIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES HAD MADE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GENERALLY HARMONIOUS INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID TODAY.
MR. PRICE MADE THE COMMENT AFTER VISITING THE PHILIPS
HONG KONG LTD. (LIGHT FACTORY) AT KWAI CHUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE $6 MILLION COMPLEX - ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED AND HIGHLY-AUTOMATED IN HONG KONG - EMPLOYS ABOUT 62 PEOPLE BUT PRODUCES 25 MILLION TORCH BULBS A YEAR. PLANS FOR A FURTHER SA-MILLION EXPANSION PROGRAMME ARE PRESENTLY UNDER DISCUSSION.
MR. PRICE VISITED THE FACTORY AS PART OF HIS REGULAR +KEEPING-UP-TO-DATE+ VISITS. AFTERWARDS, HE SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY SOME OF THE FRINGE BENEFITS PROVIDED FOR THE WORKERS BY THE COMPANY.
THESE INCLUDED GENEROUS HOLIDAY AND SICK LEAVE SCHEMES, MEAL AND TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES, YEAR-END BONUS AND A STAFF CLUB WITH RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
+1 WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE COMPANY’S MEDICAL BENEFITS SCHEME WHICH COVERS ALL MONTHLY-PAID EMPLOYEES,+ HE SAID.
+SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE COMPANY PAYS FOR ALL CHARGES INCURRED FOR MEDICAL CONSULATIONS, VISITS FROM MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, PRESCRIBED MEDICINES AND HOSPITALISATION OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND THE DEPENDANTS OF MALE EMPLOYEES.
MR. PRICE SAID THAT IN RECENT YEARS A GROWING NUMBER OF FIRMS IN HONG KONG HAD PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL FRINGE BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES. +THIS IS GOOD, AND SOMETHING THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED,+ HE SAID.
+1 BELIEVE MORE EMPLOYERS ARE REALISING THAT FIRST-RATE WELFARE FACILITIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS CAN HELP TO REDUCE LABOUR TURN-OVER, FOSTER HARMONIOUS LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS AND EVENTUALLY HELP INCREASE PRODUCT I ON.+
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
- 7 -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF PARTY
If H K ft H « «
CHILDREN OF STAFF MEMBERS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL BE TREATED TO A LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY IN THE GROUNDS OF THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
AN ENTERTAINING AND COLOURFUL PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DRAWN UP, INCLUDING A BAND. CONCERT, A MAGIC SHOW, A MERRY-GO-ROUND AND GAMES’ STALLS. HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE A LUCKY DRAW AND A TUG-OF-WAR. DR. GERALD CHOA, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL DRAW THE WINNING NUMBERS.
THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH SUCH PARTY TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF SOCIETY BRINGING BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER.
MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE BAND OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE.
THE BAND IS MADE UP OF 50 MEMBERS, WHO HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN MUSIC, AND WHO REHEARSE REGULARLY. THEY TAKE PART IN MANY CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS A YEAR, AND ARE ALWAYS IN DEMAND.
ON MARCH 9, THE AMS BAND WILL PERFORM IN THE COMPOUND OF
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IN OIL STREET AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF PARTY. THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 1 P.M.
THE BAND WILL ALSO ENTERTAIN THE PUBLIC AT THE KOWLOON PARK AND THE BOTANICAL AND ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 3 P.M. ON MARCH 30 AND APRIL 6 RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS : THE STAFF PARTY WILL BE HELD ON THE LAWN BY THE ---------------- ENTRANCE TO THE WEST WING, KOWLOON HOSPITAL,
ARGYLE STREET, BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5 P.M. YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE IT COVERED.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO WELCOME TO COVER THE VARIOUS CONCERTS BY THE AMS BAND.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1975
- 8. -
FUN FAIR FOR N.T. CHILDREN
X X X X X
ABOUT 4,000 CHILDREN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL MEET FOR AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND GAMES THIS WEEKEND (FEB. 22) AT THE YUEN LONG MINI-SOCCER PLAYGROUND.
.THE FUN FAIR, ORGANISED BY A NUMBER OF N.T. ORGANISATIONS AS A LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION .FOR CHILDREN BELOW 14 YEARS OF AGE, WILL HAVE 22 STALLS OFFERING A WIDE CHOICE OF GAMES FOR YOUNGSTERS.
THE POLICE DOG UNIT WILL ALSO STAGE A DEMONSTRATION AND PARADE FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE CHILDREN.
THE FAIR WILL BEGIN AT 3 P.M. WITH A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY TO BE OFFICIATED BY MADAM LEUNG SING-TAK, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WOMEN AND JUVENILE WELFARE ASSOCIATION- MRS. CHAN YAT-SUN, WIFE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK AND MRS. G.R. LLOYD, WIFE OF THE POLICE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF YUEN LONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FAIR ON SATURDAY AT THE YUEN LONG MINI-SOCCER PLAYGROUND.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ?.X, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROCEDURES FOR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED ..... 1 NEW ROAD MARKINGS TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT PEDESTRIAN
CROSSINGS............................................. 3
FIRE DANGER NOW EXTREME BECAUSE OF DRY WEATHER ....... 5
KWUN TONG FACTORY WORKERS SPORTS DAY ................. 5 GOLD MEDALS FOR OUTSTANDING WATERWORKS FOREMEN ....... 6 STUDENTS TO HOLD ANTI-DRUG FAIR IN TAI HANG TUNG ..... 7 FOOTBRIDGE PLANNED AT LAI CHI KOK ROAD ................ 7
HOME AFFAIRS DIRECTOR TO HELP CLEAN UP DIRTY H.T.
BEACH.............................................. 8
PUMPING STATION FOR HIGH ISLAND WATER RESERVOIR ...... 9 LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED WITH HELP OF LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE............................................. 9
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1
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975
1
PROCEDURES FOR URBAN COUNCIL. ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
X X X X X X
THIRTEEN POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 5, THREE MORE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION TWO YEARS AGO.
THE RETURNING OFFICER, MRS. MABEL HAYES, SAID TODAY THAT IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL FOUR CENTRES ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND SIX IN KOWLOON, THERE WILL BE THREE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE CENTRES WILL BE AT TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG AND TAI PO„
THE POLLING STATIONS WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM AND THE COUNTING OF VOTES WILL BEGIN AT THE CITY HALL AFTER THE POLLS HAVE CLOSED.
MRS. HAYES SAID THAT ALTOGETHER A STAFF OF 342 WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING THE ELECTION AND OF THESE 88 WILL BE EMPLOYED ON VOTE COUNTING.
PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ARE THOSE WHOSE NAMES APPEAR IN THE ELECTORAL REGISTER, WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 15 THIS YEAR.
ELECTORS MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AT THE POLLING STATIONS BY PRODUCING THEIR IDENTIFY CARD OR SOME OTHER POSITIVE MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION, SUCH AS A PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENCE OR IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY ONE OF THE AUXILIARY DEFENCE SERVICES.
THE PRODUCTION OF A POLL CARD, ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.
POLL CARDS HAVE BEEN MAILED TO ALL PERSONS DULY REGISTERED AS ELECTORS BEFORE THE ELECTION. THESE WILL HELP THE POLLING STATION STAFF TRACE THE ELECTOR’S NAME IN THE REGISTER, THUS SPEEDING UP THE ISSUE OF BALLOT PAPERS.
MRS. HAYES REMINDED ELECTORS THAT THEY MUST VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION DESIGNATED FOR THEM ON THE POLL CARDS AS THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE AT ANY OTHER POLLING STATION.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE HEAVY PENALTIES FOR IMPERSONATION AT POLLING STATIONS.
ELECTORS ARE FORBIDDEN TO TALK TO OTHER VOTERS, TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OR DISPLAY POSTERS WHILE IN THE POLLING STATION. THEY
ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN TO REMOVE ANY BALLOT PAPER, MARKED OR UNMARKED, FROM A POLLING STATION, OR TO DEPOSIT IN THE BALLOT BOX ANY PAPER OTHER THAN THE BALLOT PAPER PROVIDED BY THE POLL CLERK.
ELECTORS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT THEY MAY VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX CANDIDATES.
/MENDBPS OF......
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975 - 2 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE VOTE COUNT, BUT THE RESULTS WILL BE DECLARED AS SOON AS COUNTING IS FINISHED.
THE POLLING STATIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE LOCATED ASKING’S COLLEGE HALL, 63A BONHAM ROAD- THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL- THE HENNESSY ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 169 THOMSON ROAD-AND THE NORTH POINT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 888 KING’S ROAD. IN KOWLOON, THE'STATIONS WILL BE ATs THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, ALONGSIDE THE EAST WING OF THE STAR FERRY TERMINAL- THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, 152 SAI YEE STREET- THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 332 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD- THE PERTH STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 6 PERTH STREET- THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, AND THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, 240 CGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
THE NEW TERRITORIES POLLING STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED ATa-THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, HOI PA STREET- THE HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, KAU YUK ROAD-AND THE WONG SHIU CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAI PO ROAD, TAI PO.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975
- 3 -
ZIG-ZAGS TO REINFORCE ZEBRAS
NEW MARKINGS WILL MAKE CROSSINGS SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS h a n n n x-
A NEW ROAD SAFETY DEVICE, CONSISTING OF ZIG-ZAG MARKINGS ON EITHER THE APPROACH SIDE OR ON BOTH SIDES OF ZEBRA CROSSINGS, IS TO BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH WITH THE AIM OF GIVING EXTRA PROTECTION TO PEDESTRIANS AND REDUCING THE ACCIDENT TOLL AT THESE CROSSINGS.
ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW MARKINGS. ARE REINFORCED TRAFFIC RULES UNDER WHICH IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE FOR A MOTORIST TO OVERTAKE, WAIT OR PARK ON THE STRETCH OF ROADWAY MARKED WITH THE ZIG-ZAG LINES.
NOTICE OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (ROAD CROSSINGS) REGULATIONS, EMBODYING THE NEW RULES, APPEARS IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT, ON ALL CROSSINGS THAT HAVE BEEN MARKED WITH THE ZIG-ZAG LINES, FROM MONDAY, MARCH 3.
IN ADDITION TO THIS NEW REQUIREMENT ON MOTORISTS, IT WILL ALSO BE AN OFFENCE FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROAD WITHIN THE AREA DEFINED BY THE MARKINGS. THIS MEANS THAT, FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION, THEY MUST CROSS AT THE ZEBRA CROSSING ITSELF.
THE NORMAL LENGTH OF ROADWAY WHICH WILL BE MARKED WITH THE ZIG-ZAG LINES ON EITHER SIDE OF A CROSSING WILL BE 19 METRES (NEARLY 21 YARDS).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ZIG-ZAG MARKINGS FOLLOWED THEIR SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION IN BRITAIN.
ROAD RESEARCH THERE HAD SHOWN THAT ABOUT A QUARTER OF ALL ACCIDENTS AT ZEBRA CROSSINGS ARE CAUSED BY ONE VEHICLE OVERTAKING ANOTHER WHICH HAS SLOWED DOWN OR STOPPED TO GIVE WAY TO PEDESTRIANS.
SINCE IN 1973 THERE WERE 2,482 SUCH ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG -AN INCREASE OF 354, OR 16 PER CENT, ON THE 2,128 ACCIDENTS IN 1972 - IT IS HOPED THAT THE ZIG-ZAG MARKINGS COULD LEAD TO THE PREVENTION OF ABOUT 500 ACCIDENTS A YEAR HERE THROUGH THE CLAMPDOWN ON OVERTAKING.
POLICE TRAFFIC REPORTS IN HONG KONG SHOW THAT FAILURE BY A MOTORIST TO GIVE WAY TO PEDESTRIANS AT A ZEBRA CROSSING WAS A FACTOR IN 679 ACCIDENTS IN 1973.
RESEARCH IN BRITAIN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT IT IS THREE TIMES MORE DANGEROUS FOR A PEDESTRIAN TO CROSS THE ROAD WITHIN ABOUT 19 ME IRES OF A ZEBRA CROSSING THAN ON IT. THIS UNDERLINES THE NEED TO HAVE PEDESTRIANS CROSS ONLY AT THE ZEBRA CROSSINGS THEMSELVES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT STAFF OF P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE WOULD START WORK NEXT MONDAY ON PAINTING THE ZIG-ZAG MARKINGS AND BY THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, WHEN THE NEW REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT, ABOUT 30 CROSSINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN MARKED.
/THESE WILL
4
FHIDAT, EEBiiUAOT 21, 1975
THESE WILL INCLUDE 12 OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED CROSSINGS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THE 12 PRIORITY CROSSINGS ARE LOCATED AS FOLLOWSs-
KOWLOON:
1. JUNCTION OF WATERLOO ROAD AND DUNDAS ROAD, OUTSIDE Y.M.C.A. 3. LEI YUE MUN ROAD, POLICE STATION
5.
ROAD
4. JUNCTION’OF CHATHAM ROAD
ROAD. 2. SALISBURY NEAR KWUN TONG
ROADA
___________ AND PAK KUNG STREET.
JUNCTIONOF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI NAN STREET. 6. JUNCTION LAM STREET. 7. HENG LAM STREET, NEAR JUNCTION FU SAN TSUEN, NEAR BUS TERMINUS.
NEAR HENG
8. MEI-
HONG KONG ISLAND:
1. HENNESSY ROAD, OPPOSITE WANCHAI MARKET. 2. QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, NEAR CLEVERLY STREET.
NEW TERRITORIES:.
1. CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEAR JUNCTION WITH CHUNG ON STREET, TSUEN WAN. 2. KWONG FUK ROAD, NEAR JUNCTION WITH PAK HING STREET. TAI PO.
IN ALL, THERE ARE 125 ZEBRA OF MARKING THEM ALL WITH ZIG-ZAG POSSIBLE.
CROSSINGS IN HONG KONG. THE WORK LINES WILL PROCEED AS QUICKLY AS
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975
FIRE DANGER ’EXTREME’ ft ft ft ft ft ft
A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY WARNED THAT THE CURRENT SPELL OF DRY WEATHER HAD +GREATLY INCREASED* THE CHANCES OF FIRE OUTBREAKS.
HE SAID THAT IF THE SPELL CONTINUED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME THE NUMBER OF FIRE CALLS COULD RISE FROM TWO TO FIVE TIMES OVER THE NORMAL NUMBER.
+THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING IS IN OPERATION WHICH MEANS THAT THE FIRE RISK IS EXTREME,* HE SAID. +WE APPEAL TO EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT FIRE IN THEIR HOMES, PLACES OF WORK, AND IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.*
'HE MADE A SPECIAL APPEAL TO SMOKERS TO BE CAREFUL HOW THEY DISPOSE OF CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES. +MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM,* HE SAID. +IF NO ASH-TRAY WAS AVAILABLE, GRIND THEM UNDER FOOT.*
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT SMOKERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOUR OUT OF EVERY TEN FIRES IN HONG KONG.
GREAT CARE SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN WHEN USING ELECTRIC OR KEROSENE HEATERS, HE ADDED.
+THE FIRE TREND SO FAR THIS YEAR HAS BEEN DOWNWARD IN COMPARISON WITH 1974,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +BUT THIS SITUATION COULD CHANGE DRAMATICALLY DUE TO THE VERY LOW HUMIDITY.*
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FACTORY WORKERS SPORTS MEET ft ft ft ft ft ft
SOME 600 WORKERS FROM FACTORIES IN TEST THEIR STAMINA IN A SERIES OF FIELD SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
KWUN TONG WILL MEET TO AND TRACK EVENTS ON
JmE.^THLETIC MEET’ WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE at THE perth STREET STADIUM IN KOWLOON, HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR THEM BY THREE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES IN THE DISTRICT.
A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9 A.M. BEFORE THE START OF THE EVENTS. OFFICIATING WILL BE MR. PATRICK YIU, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER DESIGNATE (KWUN TONG)= MR. CHIU YIM-SHUN, DISTRICT RECREATION ANIX SPORTS OFFICER (KWUN TONG) AND MR. KWOK NAI—SIK, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (KWUN TONG).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975 - 6 -
OUTSTANDING WATERWORKS FOREMEN HONOURED Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji
TWO WATERWORKS FOREMEN WILL RECEIVE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD DURING A TRADITIONAL CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY FOR CHILDREN OF ALL WATERWORKS STAFF AT THE KOWLOON WAH YAN COLLEGE.
THE GOLD MEDAL WINNERS ARE MR. LAM PAK LIT, FOREMAN I II OF THE OFFICE’S MECHANICAL DIVISION AND MR. TONG CHI, FOREMAN III OF THE ELECTRICAL DIVISION.
THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH KIRKWOOD AWARDS, WHICH WERE STARTED SOME YEARS AGO WITH DONATIONS FROM TEXTILE AND ENGINEERING FIRMS IN MEMORY OF A FORMER WATERWORKS ENGINEER.
THESE AWARDS ARE GIVEN ANNUALLY TO STAFF OF THE RANK OF FOREMAN III OR BELOW WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY THEIR GENERAL CAPABILITIES AND ATTENTION TO DUTIES OR BY THEIR NOTEWORTHY CONDUCT OR PERFORMANCE OF DUTY IN A PARTICULAR INSTANCE.
AT THE PARTY THIS YEAR, WHICH IS FINANCED BY DONATIONS FROM SENIOR STAFF, SOME 2,000 CHILDREN WILL BE ENTERTAINED THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON BY THE NEW METHOD COLLEGE BAND, ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES, AND A COMEDY SHOW BY R.T.V. CELEBRITIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE NUMEROUS GAME STALLS AND PLENTY OF GIFTS AND FOOD AND DRINKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CHILDREN’S PARTY AND THE KIRKWOOD AWARD PRESENTATIONS. THE PARTY STARTS AT 12.30 P.M. AND THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE MADE AT ABOUT 1.25 P.M. MR. CHAN CHI HA, PRESS LIAISON OFFICER OF THE WATERWORKS OFFICE WILL BE PLEASED TO RECEIVE VISITING MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AT THE PARTY.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975
7
ANTI-DRUG FUN FAIR « K « « K H
STUDENTS OF TAI HANG TUNG DISTRICT IN KOWLOON WILL ROUND OFF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, AIMED AT EDUCATING THE YOUNG ON THE EVILS OF NARCOTICS, WITH A COLOURFUL FUN FAIR THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THE FAIR WILL COMBINE FUN AND GAMES WITH EDUCATION AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION AND WILL FEATURE 15 GAME STALLS, EACH WITH AN ANTI-DRUG THEME.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TONG YAM STREET, BEGINNING AT 2 P.M. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR STALLS WITH THE BEST DESIGN.
THE FAIR IS ORGANISED BY STUDENTS OF SIX SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN THE AREA — TAK NGA GIRLS’ SCHOOL, WAI KIU SECONDARY SCHOOL, CONCORDIA LUTHERAN MIDDLE SCHOOL, MARYKNOLL FATHERS SCHOOL, MING YIN COLLEGE AND HOLY TRINITY COLLEGE.
EARLIER ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES ORGANISED INCLUDED ESSAY COMPETITION ON DRUG ADDICTION, AND ANTI-DRUG POSTERS AND ANTI-DRUG SLOGANS COMPETITIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED.
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FOOTBRIDGE AT LAI CHI KOK ROAD « H « « H K
A FOOTBRIDGE IS TO BE BUILT OVER LAI CHI KOK ROAD AT PEI JN «HAM SHUI PO T0 ENSURE GREATER SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS A AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL AFFECT THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY AT PEI HO STREET BETWEEN YEE KUK STREET AND TAI NAM STREET.
NOTICE OF THE PLANNED PROJECT IS GIVEN IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. ANYONE OBJECTING TO THE PROJECT SHOULD LODGE HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS BEFORE MARCH 21, 1975.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975 - 8 -
H.A.D. PARTY TO CLEAR BEACH o o
A LARGE PARTY OF VOLUNTEERS FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, LED BY THE DIRECTOR MR. ERIC HO, WILL SPEND THIS SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23) CLEANING UP THE BEACH AT LAI CHI WOR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY WILL REMOVE RUBBISH WHICH, IF ALLOWED TO ACCUMULATE, COULD BECOME A HEALTH HAZARD AND NUISANCE TO PICKNICKERS.
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE LENDING HELP BY SUPPLYING CLEANSING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS LITTER BAGS, BROOMS AND BASKETS.
SOME 85 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WILL BE TAKING PART IN THIS PUBLIC SERVICE. THEY WILL START WORK IN THE MORNING AND END AT ABOUT 3 P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES CAN JOIN THE PARTY AT 7.30 A.M. IN HANKOW ROAD, BY THE SIDE OF PENINSULA HOTEL WHERE A TOURIST BUS WILL TAKE THEM TO WU KAN TAN. THE JOURNEY FROM WU KAN TAN TO LAI CHI WOR WILL BE ON FOOT. AFTER THE CLEAN-UP, THE PARTY WILL DEPART AT ABOUT 3 P.M. ON FOOT AND ARRIVE AT WU KAN TAN AT ABOUT 5.00 P.M. TO BOARD THE TOURIST BUS FOR HANKOW ROAD.
LUNCH FOR PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE PROVIDED. HOWEVER THEY ARE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR OWN DRINKING WATER.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1975
9
PUMPING STATION FOR HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR ft * ft ft ft ft
A NEW PUMPING STATION WILL BE BUILT IN SAI KUNG IN CONNECTION WITH THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.
THE NEW WU LEI TAU PUMPING STATION, SITUATED IN THE SOUTHWEST OF THE PAK KONG VILLAGE, IS, IN FACT, ONE OF EIGHT SUCH STATIONS TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO DEVELOP LOWLAND CATCHMENTS AS PART OF THE RESERVOIR PROJECT.
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW STATION, TOGETHER WITH AN ACCESS ROAD, CATCHWATER AND DELIVERY PIPELINE IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
THIS STATION WILL DRAW FLOOD WATER FROM THE STREAM AND PUMP IT THROUGH A PIPELINE OF 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND 1,800 FEET LONG TO A HIGH LEVEL CATCHWATER WHICH FEEDS THE MAIN TUNNEL SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH WATER WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE RESERVOIR.
THE WORK WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE BUILDING OF A 10-FT. WIDE CATCHWATER ACCESS ROAD OF ABOUT 2,000 FT. LONG TOGETHER WITH A CATCHWATER CHANNEL AND A 10-FT. WIDE ACCESS ROAD OF ABOUT 1,700 FT. LONG LEADING TO THE PUMPING STATION.
NORMAL LOCAL WATER SUPPLIES FOR DOMESTIC AND AGRICULURAL PURPOSES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BOTH DURING AND AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATION.
IMPROVEMENT WORKS INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION CHANNELS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM OF THE FIELDS.
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LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED ft ft ft ft
THE DISPUTE INVOLVING 28 WORKERS OF A GARMENT FACTORY IN KWUN TONG WAS SETTLED YESTERDAY. THE WORKERS WERE DISMISSED ON FEBRUARY 8 FROM THE CUTTING SECTION OF LEVER SHIRT GARMENT WEAVING, BLEACHING AND DYEING FACTORY LTD.
WORKERS APPROACHED THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR CONCILIATION ASSISTANCE ON FEBRUARY 19. TWO JOINT MEETINGS WERE HELD IN THE KWUN TONG LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE, AND SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AFTER FURTHER SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS.
WORKERS RECEIVED PAYMENTS OF HALF-MONTH’S WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE. A LUMP SUM OF $800 WERE ALSO GIVEN TO FOUR WORKERS WITH LONG SERVICE AS EX GRATIA PAYMENT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO. '
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HONQ KONG’S METRICATION PROGRAMME SWINGS INTO HIGH
GEAR WITH MORE PEOPLE MEASURING IN METRES AMD WEIGHING IN KILOGRAMS ...................................... 1
ROLE OF SCHOOLS OUTLINED BY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION . 3
TWENTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $143,500 AT TODAY’S AUCTION ............ 4
MEW MARKET FOR MONGKOK RESIDENTS TO BE READY BY NEXT FEBRUARY ..................................... 4
/
BRAVE HONG KONG SEAMAN HONOURED BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT . 5
TRAFFIC CHANGE IN WAN CHAI ........................ 5
NEW RAILWAY TRACK TO BE LAID AT HO HAN TIN FOR HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS........................... 6
HEUNG YEE KUK TO HOLD ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY ON MONDAY............................................ 6
I
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, HongJCong. Tel: 5’233191-
SATURDAY, FRP.RHARY 22, 1975
1
MORE TURNING TO METRIC SYSTEM X X X X .X .X * * i ♦ » • < » • I
MORE PEOPLE ARE MEASURING IN METRES AND WEIGHING IN KILOGRAMS AS HONG KONG’S METRICATION PROGRAMME SWINGS INTO HIGH GEAR.
METRIC, OR S.l. (SYSTEME INTERNATIONAL), UNITS ARE EASIER TO CALCULATE AND ARE INCREASINGLY BEING ADOPTED BY MOST COUNTRIES REPRESENTING ABOUT 95 PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION, ACCORDING TO THE METRICATION OFFICER, MR. JIM MCGUINNIETY.
+IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THEREFORE FOR HONG KONG, WITH SO MANY OVERSEAS CONTACTS, TO CHANGE OVER,* HE SAID.
AN ENABLING BILL, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO AMEND EXISTING NON-METRIC UNITS IN LEGISLATION AND TO PROMOTE THE USE OF METRIC, IS EXPECTED TO BE TABLED SOON AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION, THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THE SETTING UP OF A METRICATION AUTHORITY AND A SUPPORTING SECRETARIAT WHOSE TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE TO PLAN AND CO-ORDINATE THE CHANGE-OVER.
MEANWHILE, SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING STEADILY TO BRING ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION.
IN THE FOREFRONT IS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS SET UP A SPECIAL METRICATION UNIT TO PROGRAMME, PROMOTE AND OVERSEE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE METRIC SYSTEM IN PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMMES;
THIS IS BEING ACHIEVED IN THREE PHASES — ACQUISITION OF DATA AND EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND IMPLEMENTATION.
+WORK ON THE FIRST PHASE IS AT PRESENT REACHING ITS PEAK,* MR. MCGUINNIETY SAID, +ALL MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT THE DEPARTMENT USES ARE NOW BEING CALIBRATED IN METRIC UNITS.*
AS FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME, ABOUT 3,000 PROFESSIONAL, SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL STAFF HAVE HAD INDUCTION COURSES AND TRAINING, AND A SERIES OF METRIC INSTRUCTIONS NOW RUNNING TO THE 27TH ISSUE, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.
A NUMBER OF OTHER PAMPHLETS HAVE ALSO BEEN PREPARED BY THE METRICATION UNIT, THE LATEST OF WHICH IS A GLOSSARY OF S.l. TERMINOLOGY IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE. IT IS INTENDED THAT MOST OF THESE PUBLICATIONS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
+THE FINAL PHASE, THAT IS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM, HAS BEEN WELL UNDER WAY SINCE JULY LAST YEAR,* MR. MCGUINNIETY SAID.
+THE VARIOUS PWD OFFICES ARE NOW DESIGNING NEW PROJECTS IN METRIC AND LAND SALES IN METRIC WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM JULY THIS YEAR.
Athe town....
SATUP.DAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1975 - 2 -
+THE TOWN PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL OFFICES ARE PRODUCING ALL NEW PLANS AND REPORTS IN METRIC AND MAPS ARE PROGRESSIVELY EEING PRODUCED USING METRES AND KILOMETRES INSTEAD OF FEET AND MILES.
+THE WATERWORKS, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND HIGHWAY OFFICES HAVE ALREADY LET CONTRACTS IN METRIC, INCLUDING ONE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN TUEN MUN.
+AS FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, THE BUILDING ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS ARE NOW BEING REVISED IN METRIC, AND FROM NEXT YEAR, BOTH IMPERIAL AND METRIC BUILDING PLANS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THAT OFFICE. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROGRAMME WILL REQUIRE THAT FROM JANUARY 1, 1977, ONLY METRIC PLANS WILL BE .ACCEPTED.
THESE CHANGES WILL PERMEATE ALL LEVELS OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM ALL STATIONS OF LIFE ARE IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADE, AND THEY WILL SOON BE REQUIRED TO USE METRIC TERMINOLOGY IN THEIR EVERYDAY DEALINGS.
THE METRICATION UNIT HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, AND THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE HOUSING, RATING AND VALUATION AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
+THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AS FAR AS I KNOW, HAS CONVERTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO THE METRIC SYSTEM, AMD TEXTBOOKS WRITTEN WITH IMPERIAL UNITS ARE PROGRESSIVELY BEING REPLACED WITH BOOKS IN METRIC PHRASEOLOGY. SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOO HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE METRIC SYSTEM,<■ MR. MCGUINNIETY SAID.
+THE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THIS YEAR’S SECONDARY SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME BE CONDUCTED ENTIRELY IN METRIC.
+THE TOO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC HAVE ALSO ADOPTED THE METRIC SYSTEM IN THEIR TEACHINGS.
+PARENTS WHO HAVE BY NOW UNDOUBTEDLY BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO HEARING TERMS SUCH AS +DEGREES CELSIUS* AND +MILL IMETRES* THROUGH WEATHER REPORTS FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL SOON COME TO FURTHER METRIC KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY DURING HOMEWORK SESSIONS.
+IT MAY TAKE A LONGER TIME FOR THE TRADITIONAL HOUSEWIFE BUYING HER CATTY OF CABBAGE FROM THE STREET MARKET'TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO THE KILOGRAM, BUT IF THERE IS PROPER PUBLICITY AND ASSURANCE THAT SHE WILL NOT BE CHEATED IN THE NEW AND BETTER SYSTEM, EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT CONSUMERS TOO WILL QUICKLY ACCEPT AND FINALLY PREFER THE METRIC SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS! PHOTOGRAPHIC COPIES OF A POSTER URGING THOSE IN THE BUILDING TRADE TO ’THINK METIC’ ARE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1975
- 3 -
ROLE OF SCHOOLS OUTLINED
i
THE ROLE OF SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG IS TO GIVE CHILDREN A BROAD-BASED EDUCATION WHICH WILL ACT AS A SPRING BOARD TO LAUNCH THEMSELVES INTO THEIR FUTURE CAREERS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY.
+IT IS MOST ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE MINDFUL OF THIS AND THAT THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT IN A PRACTICAL WAY,* HE SAID WHEN OPENING THE FIRST IN-SERVICE COURSE ON DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS RUN BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
MR. TOPLEY NOTED THAT APPLICATIONS FAR EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF PLACES FOR THE 20-WEEK COURSE. HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT COURSES WOULD BE OFFERED IN THE FUTURE TO ALLOW ALL APPLICANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.
TEACHERS OF PRACTICAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS FELT THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE TO LOOK BEYOND THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANUAL SKILLS TO THE ACTIVITY WHICH LIES AT THE CORE OF A LIBERAL PRACTICAL EDUCATION - DESIGN WITH ITS ATTENDANT PROBLEM-SOLVING CHALLENGES.
+IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE COURSE IS BEING OFFERED TO SERVING TEACHERS OF PRACTICAL SUBJECTS,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MORE CHILDREN WERE ENCOURAGED TO USE REASON AND LOGIC, THE BETTER.
TEACHING BASIC SKILLS FOR THE SAKE OF TEACHING BASIC SKILLS ALONE, WITHOUT GIVING THE CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP HIS OWN CREATIVE TALENTS, WOULD APPEAR TO BE A RESTRICTIVE FORM OF EDUCATION.
+WE LIVE IN A TIME WHEN SOCIETY IS CHANGING RAPIDLY AND NOWHERE IS THIS CHANGE MORE APPARENT THAN IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD - SO RAPID IS THE CHANGE THAT WHAT IS SOUND PRACTICE TODAY MAY WELL BE OBSOLETE TOMORROW,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.
TEACHERS SHOULD PROMOTE PERSONAL CREATIVITY AND ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL IDEAS, PRESENT CHALLENGES WHICH WOULD HELP THE CHILD GROW UP AS PERSON WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO COPE WITH REAL-LIFE PROBLEMS. ,
ALL TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY THEIR WORK IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE SENSE OF WELL-BEING WHICH CREATIVE PURSUITS, MR. TOPLEY
CRAFT TEACHERS, MUST GO ABOUT THEIR PUPILS DEVELOP AND ENJOY RESULTS FROM PARTICIPATING IN SAID.
O - - -
A...
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1975
ca e*
’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBERS FETCH $143,500 if if if if if it
TWENTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $143,500 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
TODAY’S AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER BB28 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $16,500.
BH3 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $15,000, AND THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,500 FOR THE HUMBER BE5225.
THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PRICESs BH3 FOR $13,000= BB99 FOR $11,000= BD388 FOR $9,000= BE333 FOR $8,500= BB3366 AND AF555 FOR $8,000 EACH= BH999 AND BC7 FOR $6,500 EACH= AG300 AND BH3333 FOR $6,000 EACH= BD2222 FOR- $5,000= HK656, BH666 AND 2202 FOR $4,500 EACH= AB5678 AND BD77 FOR $3,500 EAQH= AND 1170 FOR $2,500.
SPECIAL NUMBERS SOLD AT AN AUCTION WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S.SALE, THE 22ND IN A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $3.64 MILLION.
NEW MARKET FOR MONGKOK RESIDENTS if if if it if if
RESIDENTS IN MONGKOK WILL HAVE A NEW MARKET BY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE TOO STOREY MARKET, TO BE BUILT AT THE JUNCTION OF ARGYLE STREET AND CANTON ROAD, WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING MARKET WHICH IS ALREADY 47 YEARS OLD.
IT WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF OVER 13,300 SQUARE FEET AND IN ADDITION TO MARKET FACILITIES WILL HAVE A PLAY AREA AND FIVE STAFF QUARTERS ON THE ROOF.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MID-APRIL THIS YEAR.
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/5.....
SATUR 'AY, FEBRUARY 22, 1975
UK GOVERNMENT HONOURS BRAVE HONG KONG SEAMAN
LEADING HONG KONG SEAMAN, MR. WONG SUNG-FAT, HAS BEEN HONOURED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOR HIS BRAVERY IN RESUCI NG SHIPWRECK SURVIVORS N SHARK-INFESTED WATERS OFF THE COAST OF FIJI IN DECEMBER 1973.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS COURAGE, HE WILL BE PRESENTED — AT THE DIRECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE — WITH AH INSCRIBED GOLD WATCH BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR. ALLAN FLETCHER ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 24). ,
' THE INSCRIPTION ON THE WATCH READS 8 ^PRESENTED BY HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO WONG SUNG-FAT LEADING SEAMAN, M.S. ’SOOCHOW’. IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICES RENDERED TO SURVIVORS WHEN M.V. ’ULUILAKEBA’ SANK OH 1OTH DECEMBER, 1973.*
SEAMAN WONG WAS A MEMBER OF THE CREW OF M.S. SOOCHOW WHICH WENT 70 THE RESCUE OF THE ILL-FATED ’ULUILAKEBA’ WHICH HAD SUNK IN A STORM OFF THE COAST OF FIJI.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SHARKS IN THE AREA, SEAMAN WONG, 56 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. UNHESITATINGLY WENT INTO THE WATER TO RESCUE SURVIVORS AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING MANY LIVES. THE RESCUE OPERATION LASTED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, WITH SEAMAN WONG REPEATEDLY GOING OVER THE SHIP’S SIDE SWIMMING OUT TO SURVIVORS AND BRINGING THEM BACK.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY COVERED. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 A.M. ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 24) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM IN MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
0- - -
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC CHANGE ««««««
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M.
ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 24, NO RIGHT TURN WILL BE ALLOWED FOR TRAFFIC FROM HENNESSY ROAD INTO ARSENAL STREET. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE CHANGE WAS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
„ _ o - -
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY P.2, 1975 •’ 6 >•
RAILWAY TRACK AT HO MAH TIN
•): « M i; iS iS
ONE OF THE REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE NEW TRACK FOR THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS WILL BE LA IB TO LINK UP WITH THE EXISTING RAILWAY ALIGNMENT AT HO MAH TIN.
EXCAVATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WAILS FOR THE TRACKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT FIRST AHEAD OF THE RAINY SEASON.
WHEN THESE ARE COMPLETED 150 METRES OF NEW TRACK WILL BE LAID AND 130 METRES OF EXISTING TRACK WILL BE RE-ALIGNED FOR THE LINK-UP.
THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE P.W.D. CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, WILL ALSO SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY THIS YEAR.
HEUNG YEE KUK NEW YEAR GATHERING n « « n h n
NOTE TO EDITORS: z
THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S ANNUAL LUNAR NEV/ YEAR PARTY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM. ON MONDAY, (FEBRUARY 24) AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL.
AMONG THE 1,000 GUESTS EXPECTED TO ATTEND WILL BE THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WHO WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
THE EVENT IS AN OCCASION AT WHICH MEMBERS OF THE KUK EXCHANGE NEW YEAR GREETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WORKING IN THE NEV/ TERRITORIES. THIS YEAR, THE PARTY HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICIALS AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PARTY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1975
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
1975-76 BUDGET ECONOMIC BACKGROUND PUBLISHED ........ 1
KAM TIN RIVER IN YUEN LONG CLEARED OF ACCUMULATED RUBBISH BY JOINT DEPARTMENTAL EFFORTS................ 3
MORE PHONES INSTALLED AT 01 MAN ESTATE’S ENQUIRY
CENTRE TO FACILITATE CALLERS ENQUIRING ABOUT TENDER PROCEDURES FOR SHOPS................................ 5
EDUCATION DIRECTOR TO VISIT KINDERGARTEN TOMORROW .. 6 •
NEW +HOT LINE* FOR URGENT LABOUR RELATIONS PROBLEMS 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1975 - 1 - • ' -
BUDGET ECONOMIC BACKGROUND PUBLISHED it it it it it H it it it
UNDER THE IMPACT OF THE OIL CRISIS, HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT INCREASED BY AN ESTIMATED 1-1/2 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1974.
THE 1975-76 BUDGETS ECONOMIC BACKGROUND PUBLICATION WHICH APPEARS TODAY, SHOWS THAT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1974, THE IMPORT BILL FOR FUELS WAS MORE THAN S1,5OO MILLION, COMPARED WITH A LITTLE OVER 3500 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1973, AND WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN THE QUANTITIES IMPORTED.
NONETHELESS, IT IS NOTED THAT EVEN WITH THE INCREASE IN PRICES, THE IMPORT BILL FOR FUELS REPRESENTED OHLY SIX PER CENT, BY VALUE, OF TOTAL VISIBLE IMPORTS.
THE REPORT GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE MAJOR IMPACT OF THE INCREASE IN OIL PRICES ON HONG KONG WAS FELT IN A SLOWING-DOWN IN THE GROWTH OF DEMAND IN PRINCIPAL EXPORT MARKETS. THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A HIGHER PROPORTION OF NON-OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES’ FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS BEING APPLIED TO MEETING THE INCREASED IMPORT COST OF FUELS.
THE REPORT SHOWS THAT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1974, DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IN QUANTITY TERMS, ACTUALLY DECLINED BY ABOUT 1-1/2 PER CENT.
MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT IN THE SAME PERIOD DECLINED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT. THERE WAS ALSO A LEVELLING-OFF IN WAGE RATES IN BOTH THE MANUFACTURING AND CONTRUCTION SECTORS.
❖THE FACT THAT WAGE RATES IN HONG KONG ARE FLEXIBLE IN THIS WAY HAS ALMOST CERTAINLY MEANT THAT INCREASES IN UNEMPLOYMENT HAVE BEEN RATHER SMALLER THAN WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN THE CASE,* THE REPORT NOTES.
FURTHERMORE, THE ABSENCE OF WAGE-COST INFLATIONARY PRESSURES HAS ENHANCED HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO INCREASES IN OVERSEAS DEMAND.
THE BUDGET: ECONOMIC BACKGROUND, WHICH WILL BE ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, SAYS THE DECLINE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IN QUANTITY TERMS, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A REDUCTION IN THE QUANTITIES IMPORTED OF RAW MATERIALS, CONSUMER GOODS AND, TO SOME EXTENT, FOODSTUFFS.
/But with increases .....
SUITOAY, FEBUHhpY 23, 1975
BUT WITH INCREASES IN THE QUANTITIES OF FUELS AND CAPITAL GOODS IMPORTED AMD WITH BOTH IMPORT AND EXPORT PRICES CONTI Mill NG TO RISE RAPIDLY, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WIDENED CONSIDERABLY. FOR 1974 AS A WHOLE, THE VIS IDLE TRADE DEFICIT WAS A RECORD 84,094 MILLION.
HOWEVER, THE TERMS OF TRADE BEGAN TO IMPROVE AGAIN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR WITH EXPORT PRICES INCREASING VERY SLIGHTLY OVER THOSE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER AND WITH IMPORT PRICES ACTUALLY DECLINING.
THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE EXTERNAL VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAS BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE IN RECENT YEARS. IT APPRECIATED, IN TERMS OF THE CURRENCIES OF HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL TRADING PARTNERS, BY ABOUT 4-1/2 PER CENT IN THE PERIOD FROM THE ’SMITHSONIAN’ CURRENCY REALIGNMENTS OF DECEMBER 1971 TO THE END OF 1973 AND BY ABOUT 1-1/2 PER CENT IN 1974.
STILL IN THE MONETARY FIELD, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT ADVANCES AND LOANS BY THE LICENSED BANKS TO THE FINANCIAL SECTOR SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN 1974, BUT .THOSE FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY CONTINUED TO INCREASE, ALTHOUGH AT A RATHER SLOWER RATE THAN IN 1973 AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE SLOWINGDOWN IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND FURTHER INCREASES IN 1974 IN INTEREST RATES.
AMOUNTS DUE TO BANKS ABROAD IN 1974 INCREASED ON AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE SCALE, BY MORE THAN 86,500 MILLION OR NEARLY 75 PER CENT. THIS INCREASE WAS PARTLY ASSOCIATED WITH BALANCES MADE AVAILABLE BY OVERSEAS HEAD OFFICES TO FACILITATE LENDING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG, DUT IT WAS ALSO ASSOCIATED, MUCH MORE THAN IN THE PAST, WITH ADVANCES AND LOANS MADE OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
TURNING TO THE PROPERTY SECTOR, THE REPORT NOTES THAT THE SLOWING-DOWN OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN 1974 WAS ALSO REFLECTED IN A DECLINE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR IN OFFICE RENTS ON THE RENEWAL OF EXISTING TENANCIES AND FOR NEW LETTINGS, AMOUNTING TO EIGHT PER CENT. THIS COMPARES WITH AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.
THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX LEVELLED-OFF IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1974, FOLLOWING PARTICULARLY . RAPID INCREASES EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND IN 1973.
OUT-OF-SEASON TROPICAL CYCLONES RESULTED IN INCREASES IN THE INDEX IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, BUT IT DECLINED SHARPLY IN DECEMBER.
NOTE TO ED I TORSs
COPIES OF THE BUDGET# ECONOMIC BACKGROUND ARE NOW AVAILABLE HONGCKONGCTION FR°M THE G,S PRESS R00M BEACONSFIELD HOUSE,
• SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2975
KAM TIN RIVER IS FLOWING AGAIN n « n n
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, THE WATER OF THE KAM TIN RIVER AND ITS FIVE TRIBUTARIES IN YUEN LONG IS FLOWING ITS NATURAL COURSE AGA I No
IN THE PAST, THE RIPPLING OF RIVER WATER WAS SOMETHING QUITE UNHEARD OF TO THE VILLAGERS AND PICNICKERS ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.
AND THEY HAD NOBODY BUT THEMSELVES TO BLAME. FOR IT WAS NOT A LONG DROUGHT THAT HAD BROUGHT ABOUT THIS SORRY SIGHT. IT WAS JUST INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF LAP SAP. SO MUCH REFUSE AND WASTES HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE RIVER THAT VERY OFTEN YOU COULD WALK RIGHT ACROSS IT WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS WATER UNDERNEATH.
'HOWEVER, A CHANGE OF SCENERY TOOK PLACE IN THE AREA LATE LAST YEAR WHEN A TEAM OF ABOUT 40 UiS.D. WORKERS MOVED IN AND EMBARKED ON THE ARDUOUS TASK OF REMOVING TONS OF LAP SAP AND CUTTING DOWN OVERHANGING VEGETATION ALONG THE RIVER BANKS.
FROM KO PO TO HA CHI, THE WORKERS COVERED THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE KAM TIN RIVER, WHICH, INCLUDING ITS TRIBUTARIES, MEASURES SOME SEVEN MILES.
THIS BIG CLEANSING OPERATION, WHICH TOOK 33 WORKING DAYS, WAS INITIATED LAST OCTOBER AT AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEETING HEADED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING INCLUDED THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINSTRAT ION AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
A PILOT SCHEME WAS THEN DECIDED TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH COULD BE DONE BY EXISTING U.S.D. MANPOWER IN REDUCING THE EXTENT GF POLLUTION IN N.T. RIVERS. THE AIM OF THIS OPERATION WAS TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE RIVERS TO ALLOW A FREE FLOW OF WATER AND TO PREVENT AND MINIMIZE SEDIMENTATION OF SOLID WASTES IN THE RIVER BEDS.
THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THIS CLEANSING OPERATION WAS MR. NG HON-WING, URBAN SERVICES OFFICER (YUEN LONG). AF7F.R HE WAS ASSIGNED THE JOB, HE CARRIED OUT A NUMBER OF SURVEYS AMD FINALLY DECIDED ON THE KAM TIN RIVER AS HIS PILOT OPERATION GROUND.
THREE TEAMS, EACH COMPRISING ONE FOREMAN AND 10 LABOURERS, WERE MOBILISED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF MR. WONG KOOM-CHUNG, A HEALTH INSPECTOR. EQUIPPED WITH RUBBER WADERS, JUNGLE KNIVES, DINGHIES AND A SAMPAN, THE MEN SET OUT FOR OPERATION +KAM TIN RIVER*. I
FROM NOVEMBER 25 LAST YEAR TO JANUARY 4 THIS YEAR, THE MEN ' WENT ABOUT THEIR JOB FROM MORNING TO DUSK, CUTTING DOWN PRICKLY BUSHES AND BAMBOOS AND SCOOPING REFUSE FROM THE MUDDY RIVER.
/ACCOHDUIG
8W".'.r, 250 ■5975'
ACCORDING TO MR. NG, EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY AND THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS EXCEPT FOR SOME MINOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS VEHICLE SHORTAGE AND SLIGHT INJURIES TO STAFF.
+THE VILLAGERS WHO LIVE ALONG THE RIVER WERE ALL IN FAVOUR OF THE CLEANSING OPERATION AND OFTEN LENT A HELPING HAND,+ MR. NG SAID.
A TOTAL OF 248 LORRY-LOADS OF BAMBOOS AND BUSHES WAS REMOVED AND 2,235 BASKETS (ABOUT 50 LBS. PER BASKET) OF REFUSE, MAINLY MADE UP OF DEAD POULTRY, PIGS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES, WERE COLLECTED. SOME OF THIS REFUSE WAS DISPOSED OF AT THE NGAU TAM MEI REFUSE DUMP AND SOME BY ON-THE-SPOT INCINERATION.
COMMENTING ON THE PILOT CLEANSING PROJECT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID# +THIS IS A REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. IN FACT WE ARE QUITE SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED BY A JOINT DEPARTMENTAL EFFORT.+
HE ADDED THAT THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING AND THAT SIMILAR OPERATIONS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT IS THE ADDITION OF 15 REFUSE CONTAINERS AT STRATEGIC POINTS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE 20 VILLAGES SCATTERED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER. EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY PROPER REFUSE COLLECTION CENTRES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE KAM TIN RIVER BEFORE AND AFTER ITS CLEANSING OPERATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM.
0
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1975
- 5 -
MORE PHONES FOR 01 MAN ESTATE’S ENQUIRY CENTRE
MM ft ft « » ft ft
THE SPECIAL ENQUIRY CENTRE SET UP AT 01 MAN ESTATE HAS BEEN FLOODED WITH CALLERS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS MAKING ENQUIRIES ABOUT TENDER PROCEDURES FOR SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL UNITS IN THE ESTATE’S COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
SO FAR, ABOUT 1,600 TENDER FORMS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ENTERPRISES OR INDIVIDUALS.
AS THE CENTRE’S SPECIAL TELEPHONE LINE 3-036136 HAS OFlEN BEEN JAMMED BY CALLS, THREE ADDITIONAL LINES 3-030121, 3-030122 AND 3-030123 ARE BEING INSTALLED TO FACILITATE ENQUIRERS. lllESE WILL PROBABLY BE PUT INTO SERVICE IN ONE OR TWO DAYS.
THE HOUS ING AUTHORITY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE TENANCIES OF SEVEN SHOPS, TWO RESTAURANTS, A CAFE, A SUPER-MARKET AND A DEPARTMENT STORE IN THE COMPLEX ON FEBRUARY 17. CLOSING DATE FOR THE I ENDERS HAS DEEN FIXED AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 23.
01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IS A PIONEER PROJECT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. IT WILL HAVE MORE THAN CO SHOPS WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL.
AT PRESENT, 01 MAN HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 23,000 PEOPLE. LETTING OF DOMESTIC UNITS IS PROCEEDING AND THE LAST 300-0DD UNITS COMPLETED SO FAR ARE EXPECTED TO BE FILLED WITHIN WO OR THREE WEEKS. SIX MORE NOW BLOCKS IN THE ESTATE ARE NEARING COMPLEllON AND SHOULD BE READY FOR LETTING SHORTLY. THEY WILL EVENTUALLY BRING THE ESTATE’S POPULATION TO A TOTAL OF 46,000.
- - 0 - -
- 6
SUMDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1975
EDUCATION DIRECTOR TO VISIT KINDERGARTEN
MODERN IDEAS OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION ARE BEING USED AT A KINDERGARTEN WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL VISIT TOMORROW (MONDAY) MORNING.
THE CHILDREN AT LING LIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN IN LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG, LEARN THROUGH PLAY AND FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE *CENTRE OF INTEREST* PROJECT, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS.
*THIS IS A KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN WHICH LEARNING ACTIVITIES ARE DEVELOPED ROUND A MAIN THEME AND THE TEACHER ADOPTS THE ACTIVITY APPROACH IN TEACHING THE CHILDREN,* SAID MISS FRANCES HON, INSPECTOR (KINDERGARTEN) WHO WILL ACCOMPANY THE DIRECTOR DURING THE VISIT.
MISS HON SA IDs *EACH CHILD AT THIS KINDERGARTEN LEARNS AT HIS OWN RATE, RELATES HIS LEARNING TO HIS INTEREST AND EVERYDAY LIFE, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE WORK AND FREE EXPRESSION WORK AND FOSTERS CLOSER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM SO THAT THE CHILD MAY ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS READILY IN AN INFORMAL MANNER. /
*THE TEACHERS HAVE ACHIEVED GOOD RESULTS DY ADOPTING THIS METHOD.*
THE HEADMISTRESS, MRS. ANGELA LUK CHIU KWAN-HUNG, WAS AMONG THE FIRST GROUP WHO COMPLETED THE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS FROM 1956 TO 1953 ORGANIZED AND RUN DY THE KINDERGARTEN SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE.
THE COURSE IS WELL ATTENDED AND IS HELD ON TUESDAYS AT THE JOCKEY CLUB GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND ON THURSDAYS AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE LING LIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN OPERATES IN TOO SESSIONS AND HAS A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 560 CHILDREN. IT IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MAKING KINDERGARTEN SPONSORED DY LING LIANG WORLD-WIDE EVANGELISTIC MISSION, HONG KONG. THE SCHOOL CEASED TO OPERATE PRIMARY CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER 1972.
THE KINDERGARTEN IS VISITED BY LECTURERS AND STUDENTS FROM THE THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, STUDENTS AND STAFF OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND, AMONG OTHERS, NURSERY WORKERS FROM LADY TRENCH DEMONSTRATION NURSERY AND TRAINING CENTRE.
NOTE TO ED ITORS8
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DIRECTOR’S VISIT TO THE KINDERGARTEN AT 40A LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE TOUR OF THE SCHOOL TOMORROW WILL DEGIN AT ADOUT 9.30 A.M. AND WILL LAST ONE HOUR.
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' /7....
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1975
NEW ’HOT LINE’ FOR URGENT LABOUR RELATIONS PROBLEMS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED A NEW AFTER-HOURS • TELEPHONE NUMBER TO DEAL WITH URGENT LABOUR RELATIONS PROBLEMS.
FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES CAN CONTACT MR. CHAN KWOK-KUEN, LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE ON 3-640540 AFTER REGULAR OFFICE HOURS. THE FORMER AFTER-HOURS ENQUIRY NUMBER OF 5-755900 IS NO LONGER IN USE.
THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, MR. TSUI TIM-FOOK, SAID THE NEW AFTER-HOURS NUMBER WOULD HANDLE URGENT AND IMPORTANT CONSULTATIONS ON LABOUR RELATIONS MATTERS IN KONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT ORDINARY DISPUTE COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE MADE TO DISTRICT LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OFFICES DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER WAS A RESIDENTIAL ONE. ♦IN THE PAST, PEOPLE HAVE RUNG OFF BECAUSE THEY WRONGLY THOUGHT THEY WERE RINGING A LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICE.
♦PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PUT OFF BY THE FACT THAT THE NUMBER IS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE AND SHOULD CLEARLY EXPLAIN TO THE PERSON ANSWERING THE CALL THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY.
♦MR. CHAN, WHEN AVAILABLE, WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP WITH ANY URGENT CONSULTATION. BUT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD REALISE THAT A DISPUTE CANNOT BE SETTLED OVER THE TELEPHONE.*
PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POSTMASTER GENERAL DISPELS MISUNDERSTANDING OVER NEW POST OFFICE BILL................................................. 1
HONG KONG DELEGATION LEAVING SOON TO BEGIN EEC TALKS r.... 3
GOVERNOR ATTENDS HEUNG YEE KUK’S LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY .... 4
MR. T.K. ANN LEADS DELEGATION TO ESCAP PLENARY SESSION ... 5
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY DROP ..................... 6
WONG TAI SIN SCHOOLS TAKE PART IN ’CIVIC WEEK’ .............. 7
FOURTEEN WET DAYS LAST MONTH................................. 8
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND PUT UP FOR SALE..................... 9
PUPILS RECEIVE PRIZES FROM ELLIS KADOORIE EDUCATION TRUST 9
SPECIAL POSTAL COVERS TO BE ISSUED TO CELEBRATE RHKAAF SILVER JUBILEE ............................................. 10
MANY CAREERS IN TRADE AND INDUSTRY OPEN-TO YOUNG PEOPLE .. 11
CLEANING OPERATION AT LAI CHI WOR DEACH......................12
WATER STORAGE REPORT........................................ 12
MORE CASES OF MEASLES LAST MONTH...............•............ 13
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
-1-
M ^UNDERSTANDINGS OVER POST OFFICE BILL CLARIFIED n n n « n «
^POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR. WALK I ADDI, TODAY SOUGHT TO P’SPEL ANY MISUNDERSTANDING OVER CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE POST OFFICE DILL NOW DEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
mat .l\C^LRARYJ2JHAT S0ME PE0PLE BELIEVE,* HE SAID * IT IS r rnn , Z E*THER UNDER THE EXISTING OR PROPOSED LEGISLATION -
i;ETTERS 0R DOCUMENTS RELATING TO GOODS WHICH ARE SENT DY
SEA OR AIR TO **•*•*•*••— ...............- --
CONTINUE TO ACCOMPANY AND BE
DELIVERED WITH THE
GOODS.*
MR. ADD I
EMPHASISED THAT THE NEW BILL
INTRODUCE ANY FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE LAW IN RESPECT OF THE POSTMASiER GENERAL’S PRIVILEGE. IT SIMPLY STATES MORE CLEARLY THE FULL EXTENT OF THAT PRIVILEGE.
^BECAUSE PRIVILEGES IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER ARE LEGALLY RESERVED TO POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS IN ALL COUNTRIES, NEITHER THE POSTMASTER GENERAL NOR THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE POWER TO LICENSE PRIVATE COURIERS TO CONVEY LETTERS TO, OR DELIVER THEM IN, ANOTHER COUNTRY - UNLESS THAT COUNTRY HAS ALSO LICENSED SUCH SERVICES AND NONE IS KNOWN AT PRESENT.
*ANY SUCH COURIER WOULD, THEREFORE, BE AT RISK FOR BREAKING THE LAW IN THOSE PLACES TO WHICH HE IS CARRYING OR DELIVERING LETTERS. AND THESE PLACES INCLUDE THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES,* MR. ADDI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN THIS CONNECTION IT WAS NOTEWORTHY THAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE BECOMING MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PRIVATE COURIERS. IN FACT, THE MATTER WAS RAISED AT LAST YEAR’S UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION CONGRESS AT WHICH 150 COUNTRIES WERE REPRESENTED.
FEARS HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE NEW BILL MIGHT RESTRICT THE OPERATIONS OF AIR FREIGHT SERVICES.
*SUCH FEARS ARE GROUNDLESS. THE POSTMASTER GENERAL DOES
NOT HAVE, AND WILL NOT DE GIVEN, ANY MONOPOLY OVER THE CONVEYANCE OF GOODS FOR FREIGHT. HIS MONOPOLY IS CONCERNED ONLY WITH LETTERS,* MR. ADDI SAID.
Awhat is
HOBDAY, FEBRUARY 2'>, 1975
2 -
o
+WHAT IS EVIDENTLY NOT GENERALLY REALISED IS THAT WHEN PROPER USE IS MADE OF THE EXPRESS AND SPEEDPOST SERVICES, THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE CAN, AND DOES, PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT SERVICE FOR THE DELIVERY OF URGENT MAIL.*
DURING THE PAST WEEK, MR. ADD I HAS MET REPRESENTATIVES OF SOME ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TO EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW BILL AND TO CLEAR UP CERTAIN MISUNDERSTANDINGS.
REFERRING TO RECENT COMMENTS ABOUT POSTAL DELAYS, MR. ADD I SAID THAT ALL THESE HAD BEEN OF SUCH A VAGUE AND GENERALISED NATURE THAT THEY HAD PRECLUDED ANY INVESTIGATIONS OR SPECIFIC REBUTTALS.
HE ADDED THAT HE AND HIS STAFF ARE ALWAYS PLEASED TO DISCUSS WITH ANY CUSTOMER THE BEST WAYS OF USING THE POSTAL SERVICES TO MEET PARTICULAR NEEDS.
0 .
. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
5
EEC TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN ON MARCH 17 K - -K K X X
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AIMED AT DRAWING UP A NEW TEXTILE RESTRAINT AGREEMENT ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 17 IN BRUSSELS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FEBRUARY 24) MR. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, SAID THAT THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, LED BY MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS, WOULD BE LEAVING FOR BRUSSELS IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS* TIME. IT WOULD BE JOINED BY HONG KONG’S MINISTER AND COUNSELLOR IN THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BRUSSELS, MR. CLAUDE BURGESS AND MR. PAT DODGE.*
MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT SEVERAL DELAYS IN STARTING THE NEGOTIATIONS HAD CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DIFFICULTIES FOR TRADERS AND MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG AND FOR IMPORTERS IN EUROPE AND IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY FOR HIS DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS INTERIM RESTRAINT MEASURES PENDING THE HOLDING OF NEGOTIATIONS.
♦THE CURRENT MEASURES ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 31, 1975 AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO EXTEND THESE FOR A FURTHER PERIOD UNTIL WE HAVE A NEW DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE EEC,< MR. JORDAN SAID.
THE CURRENT RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE END OF THE YEAR OR UNTIL THEY ARE.REPLACED BY ARRANGEMENTS TO BE AGREED WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.
THE EXTENSION IS NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE TRADE TO CONTINUE, ON A KNOWN AND STABLE BASIS, TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE BUYING SEASONS AND TO ALLOW MANUFACTURERS TO PLAN PRODUCTION SCHEDULES.
*
FULL DETAILS OF THE REVISED CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS. WHICH ARE RETROACTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1975. ARE CONTAINED IN * NOTICE TO EXPORTERS ISSUED TODAY BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THESE MEASURES, TAKEN ON THE ADVICE OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, AFFECT EXPORTS OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE BENELUX COUNTRIES, ITALY,
FRANCE AND DENMARK.
- - O - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
l> -
GOVERNOR ATTENDS HEUNG YEE KUK’S ANNUAL PARTY
X X X X X
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY (MONDAY) COMPLIMENTED COUNCILLORS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND MEMBERS OF RURAL COMMITTEES AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE HELPED FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
»
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL.
SIR MURRAY SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEIR-FRUITFUL COLLABORATION WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE AND THAT WITH MUTUAL CO-OPERATION *WE- SHALL OVERCOME OUR PRESENT DIFFICULTIES AND MAKE PROGRESS IN THE COMING YEAR.*
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH!
+MR. CHAIRMAN, COUNCILLORS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN s -
+1 AM VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU ALL THE COMING OF THE NEW YEAR, AND WISH TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY.
+OVER THE YEARS IN YOUR CAPACITIES AS COUNCILLORS OF THE KUK, MEMBERS OF RURAL COMMITTEES AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, YOU HAVE ALL PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION , IN FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS FRUITFUL COLLABORATION WILL CONTINUE, AND THAT WITH MUTUAL CO-OPERATION WE SHALL OVERCOME OUR PRESENT DIFFICULTOES AND MAKE PROGRESS IN THE COMING YEAR.
+MAY I ASK YOU THEN TO RAISE YOUR GLASSES AND DRINK A TOAST WITH ME TO THE NEW YEAR.*
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR. CHAN YAT SAN, IN HIS SPEECH RECALLED THAT THE YEAR OF THE TIGER HAD WITNESSED A NUMBER OF DIFFICULTIES AND URGED THAT A CONCERTED EFFORT BE MADE TO OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE NEW YEAR.
+THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STAYING TOGETHER THROUGH THICK AND THIN,* HE SAID, *IT IS THUS MY HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE WILL IN FUTURE BE FRANK TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND ACHIEVE FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION IN A JOINT EFFORT TO PROMOTE PROSPERITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.*
NOTE TO EDITORS!
COPIES OF MR. CHAN YAT SAN’S SPEECH AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION THIS 'EVENING.
0 =
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975 - 5 «•
H.K. DELEGATION LEFT FOR ESCAP PLENARY SESSION
ft ft ft ft ft
A DELEGATION, LED BY MR. T.K. ANN, EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, LEFT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON FOR NEW DELHI TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE 31ST ANNUAL PLENARY SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP).
ESCAP WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE FAR EAST (ECAFE). THE NAME WAS CHANGED LAST YEAR AND IS A MORE ACCURATE REFLECTION OF ITS CURRENT ROLE IN THE REGION.
THE PLENARY SESSION OPENS ON WEDNESDAY AND LASTS UNTIL FRIDAY, MARCH 7.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CUSTOMARY PROCEDURE IT WILL CONSIST OF A WIDE RANGING REVIEW OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE REGION.
THE PRINCIPAL AREAS OF CONCERN THIS YEAR ARE THE FOOD SHORTAGE WHICH CONFRONTS WIDE AREAS OF THE REGION, GROWING BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROBLEMS AND INFLATION. THERE WILL, HOWEVER, ALSO BE CONSIDERATION OF TRADING AND ECONOMIC MATTERS OF DIRECT CONCERN TO HONG KONG.
MR. ANN, AS LEADER, WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE LATER IN THE WEEK. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR, . DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND MR. P.S. JOHNSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ECONOMIC SERVICES, WHO WILL ACT AS SECRETARY TO THE DELEGATION.
f
MR. ANN AND MR. MCGREGOR ARE SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2, AND THEIR PLACE FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF THE CONFERENCE WILL BE TAKEN BY MR. D.J.C. JONES, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES.
- - 0 - -
i
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
- 6 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JANUARY X X X X X
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR JANUARY WAS 105, ONE POINT LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THIS INDEX IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 AND $1,499 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS DECLINED BY TWO POINTS. THIS WAS DUE MAINLY TO LOWER PRICES FOR RICE, FRESH VEGETABLES AND MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ALSO DROPPED BY ONE POI NT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ADVANCED BY ONE POINT, AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES AND NEWSPAPERS. J
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY AND SERVICE WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR LAST MONTH WAS 106, ONE POINT LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THIS INDEX IS BASED ON WEIGHTS’DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS FELL TWO POINTS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF RICE AND IN THOSE OF FRESH VEGETABLES.
DECREASES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AND IN INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS.
DURING THE MONTH, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT, FOLLOWING HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES AND NEWSPAPERS.
MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY AND SERVICE WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (SEPT. 63/AUG. 64 “ 100) FOR JANUARY WAS 184, THREE POINTS (OR 1.6 PER CENT) LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975 - 7 -
’CIVIC WEEK’ IN WONG TAI SIN a a a a a a
TEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ARE NOW ACTIVELY PREPARING FOR THE ’’CIVIC WEEK” TO BE HELD FROM TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 25, TO SATURDAY, MARCH 1.
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WONG TAI SIN) TO AROUSE CIVIC AWARENESS.
TWO IMPORTANT PROJECTS WILL BE LAUNCHED DURING THIS PERIOD. THEY AREi AN INTER-SCHOOL PROJECT DESIGN CONTEST AND EXHIBITION, AND AN INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION. THESE PROJECTS AIM AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR. TO THE HEEDS, PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM.
AT THE INTER-SCHOOL PROJECT DESIGN CONTEST, EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL DESIGN A PROJECT ON ONE SOCIAL ASPECT OF HONG KONG. ILLUSTRATED BY MEANS OF GRAPHS, PHOTOS, OR MODELS.
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE BEST ENTRIES. ADJUDICATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, AT 9.00 AM AT HO LAP COLLEGE, (SAN PO KONG). THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON THE AFTERNOON OF FEBRUARY 25 AND WILL CLOSE AT 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 28.
THE INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MARCH 1, AT HO LAP COLLEGE AND WILL CENTRE ON ONE ASPECT OF SOCIAL PROBLEM.
THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC WEEK PROJECTS WILL BE HELD AFTER THE DRAMA COMPETITION.
MR. HENRY HU, AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, WILL BE THE CHIEF ADJUDICATOR FOR THE INTER-SCHOOL DRAMA COMPETITION.
NOTE TO ED ITORSs
MRS. J. SYMONS, AN UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’CIVIC WEEK” TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 10 AM AT THE HO LAP COLLEGE, SAN PO KONG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
- 8 -
JANUARY WEATHER WARMER AND wetter THAN USUAL
MEASURABLE RAIN WAS RECORDED ON 14 DAYS DURING LAST MONTH WHICH AMOUNTED TO TWICE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF RAINY DAYS FOR T MONTH OF JANUARY. BUT THE MONTH’S TOTAL RECORDED RAINFALL OF 35.8 MM ONLY EXCEEDED THE AVERAGE VALUE BY 13 PER CENT.
THE FIRST TROPICAL CYCLONE OF THE YEAR, TYPHOON +LOLA*, DEVELOPED TO THE EAST OF THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES ON JANUARY 23, BUT DISSIPATED OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH VIETNAM ON JANUARY 28 WITHO POSING A THREAT TO HONG KONG.
FOUR AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DURING THE MONTH DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO THUNDERSTORM OR HEAVY RAIN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED, AND THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS ISSUED ON SIX OCCASIONS.
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 24.4 DEGREES CELSIUS FOR THE MONTH WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 1, AND THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 10.5 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 22.
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE s
SUNSHINE 88.9 HOURS - 56.5 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RA 1NFALL KM : 4.1 MM ABOVE NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 13% ABOVE NORMAL
RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 77% 18.3 C 2% ABOVE NORMAL 0.1 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 16.0 C 0.6 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 14.3 C 1.0 C ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 11.8 C 0.7 C ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 72.0 MM 48.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
9
CROWN. LAND SALE » « ft « «
THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WITH A COMBINED AREA OF MORE THAN
SIxt mooth?e offered FOfl SALE BY AUCT,°" T0V'A,’DS
TWO OF THE LOTS, ONE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE AND THE OTHER FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, ARE IN KOWLOON. THE FIRST IS SITUATED AT 137, RECLAMATION STREET AND MEASURES 922 SQUARE “ 17'76° SWARE FEET- ls AT s“s s,,u“
THE REMAINING LOT ON HOtiG KONG ISLAND IS SITUATED AT 50. FIRST STREET AND HAS AN AREA OF 692 SQUARE FEET. IT IS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LECTURE ROOM, CITY HALL AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 14.
EIGHTH FLOOR,
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD,- 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.
------0-------
PRE-VOCATIONAL PUPILS RECEIVE PRIZES n n « it «
THIRTY-THREE PUPILS OF SIX PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS HAVE RECEIVED CASH PRIZES FROM THE OFFICIAL TRUSTEE OF THE ELLIS KADOORIE EDUCATION PRIZES TRUST, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
ELEVEN OF THEM WERE AWARDED FIRST PRIZES OF 8120, ANOTHER ELEVEN RECEIVED SECOND PRIZES OF 880 AND THE REMAINING ELEVEN WERE GIVEN THIRD PRIZES OF 850 EACH.
THE STUDENTS WERE SELECTED BY THE PRINCIPALS OF THE SCHOOLS ON THE BASIS OF OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN ACADEMIC AS WELL AS PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.
THE PRIZES TO THE PUPILS, WHO ARE IN FORMS 1 AND 2, COME FROM THE ANNUAL INCOME ARISING FROM THE ELLIS KADOORIE EDUCATION PRIZES TRUST.
THE LATE SIR ELLIS KADOORIE’S GENERAL INTENT WAS TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
THE TRUST IS ADMINISTERED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL WHO IS THE OFFICIAL TRUSTEE.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
* i
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! COMMEMORATIVE COVERS FOR RHKAAF SILVER JUBILEE
< ft ft ft ft ft ft '
THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM IN LONDON, IS PRODUCING A SPECIAL POSTAL COVER TO COMMEMORATE ITS SILVER JUBILEE.
PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE SPECIAL COVERS, AFTER ALL CHARGES HAVE BEEN DEDUCTED, WILL DE HANDED TO THE R.A.F. MUSEUM FOR GENERAL PURCHASES AND FOR BUYING AND MAINTAINING OLD AIRCRAFT
THE COVERS HAVE BEEN AIR-BORNE BY TWO OF THE SQUADRON’S AIRCRAFT--AN ALOUETTE MARK I I IB HELICOPTER AND A BRITTEN-NORMAN ISLANDER.
ON FEBRUARY 1, ABOUT 13,000 COVERS WERE CARRIED ON THE ALOUETTE HELICOPTER ON A 55-MINUTE FLYING DOCTOR RUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH STOPS AT NIM WAN, WU KAU TANG AND SAM A TSUEN.
A MAXIMUM OF 2,500 OF THESE COVERS WILL FURTHER BE SIGNED PERSONALLY BY THE HELICOPTER PILOT, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT A.P. ASPREY AND THE CREWMAN, SERGEANT K.C. WONG.
ALL THE COVERS ARE AT PRESENT BEING OVERPRINTED WITH DETAILS OF THE FLIGHT AND WHEN READY WILL BE SENT TO THE R.A.F. MUSEUM FOR AN INSERT GIVING A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE R.H.K.A.A.F. THEY SHOULD BE READY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
IN ADDITION, A SMALL NUMBER OF COVERS HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN ON A TRAINING FLIGHT ON THE ISLANDER AIRCRAFT TO CLARK AIR FORCE BASE IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY WERE FRANKED WITH AN AMERICAN 10-CENT STAMP AND CANCELLED AT THE BASE ON FEBRUARY 1.
THE RETURN FLIGHT, WHICH TOOK FOUR HOURS 55 MINUTES WAS PILOTED BY FLIGHT LIEUTENANT J.R. BROWN OF R.A.F. AND CO-PILOTED BY FLIGHT LIEUTENANT M.A. WIGHTMAN AND THE CREWMAN WAS PILOT OFFICER B.C. FAWCETT OF THE R.H.K.A.A.F.
THE AUXILIARY AIRMEN WERE ABLE TO SEE THE CLARK AIR BASE AIR-SEA RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE BESIDES GAINING NAVIGATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE FLIGHT.
COVERS CARRIED BY THE ALOUETTE ARE OBTAINABLE AT $3.50 EACH FOR THE ORDINARY FLOWN OHBS AND AT $4.70 EACH FOR THOSE SIGNED BY THE FLIGHT CREW, FROM THE R.H.K.A.A.F. PROJECT OFFICER AT R.A.F. KAI TAK BEFORE MARCH 15. ORDERS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED DY THE CORRECT REMITTANCE.
THOSE COVERS FLOWN IN THE ISLANDER ARE DIRECTLY OBTAINABLE FROM THE R.A.F. MUSEUM AT AERODROME ROAD, HENDON, LONDON NW9 5LL, ENGLAND. ORDERS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REMITTANCE OF ONE POUND STERLING FOR EACH COVER, POSTAGE CHARGES NOT INCLUDED.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
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GREAT DEMAND FOR SKILLS CONNECTED WITH INDUSTRY.
SAYS DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY « n m « a n
HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY COMPLEX AND SOPHISTICATED
AND TRADE ARE BECOMING SO MUCH MORE THAT WE ARE GOING’TO NEED THE BEST CRAFTSMEN. MANAGERS, ACCOUNTANTS
TECHNOLOGISTS, uhmj- idhizij, iwnAbtus, agouuntafjts. SALESMEN AND SO ON IN THE YEARS AHEAD, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID foDAY.
HE WAS ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF *CAREERS WEEK* AT THE LOK SIN TONG YU KAN HING SCHOOL, AT WANG TAU HOM, IN KOWLOON.
+IT IS NOT MERELY THAT OUR INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN WILL WANT BETTER QUALIFIED AND MORE CAPABLE PEOPLE - THEY HAVE HO ALTERNATIVE IF THEY ARE GOING TO PRODUCE AND SELL BETTER DESIGNED AND HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCTS AT COMPETITIVE PRICES,* HE ADDED.
MR. JORDAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE EDUCATED AND SKILLED IN THE PROFESSIONS CONNECTED WITH INDUSTRY -AND PARTICULARLY WITH THE HEW INDUSTRIES THAT HONG KONG WOULD NEED IF IT WERE TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION - WOULD DE IN GREAT DEMAND HERE.
MR. JORDAN ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT INDUSTRY AND TRADE WERE HOT THE ONLY FIELDS.
*THE GREAT THING ABOUT HONG KONG IS THAT THERE IS SUCH AH ENORMOUS RANGE OF CAREERS OPEN TO USE. A GREAT MANY ARE COVERED IN THE PROGRAMME FOR THIS WEEK. THERE’S THE WHOLE RANGE OF THE COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE - BANKING, SHIPPING AND AIR TRANSPORT, INSURANCE, AND SO ON. THERE’S THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. THERE’S A VAST CHOICE OF CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE,* HE SAID.
BUT THE ONLY ADVICE MR. JORDAN SAID HE WOULD OFFER ANYONE WOULD BE s MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE0 CHOOSE THE CAREER THAT YOU THINK WILL SUIT YOU BEST. IF YOU FIND, YOU’VE MADE A MISTAKE, CHANGE BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. DON’T GEi LOCKED INTO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T ENJOY DOING. AND, WHATEVER YOU DO CHOOSE, KEEP AN OPEN MIND. NOT JUST FOR A YEAR OR TWO, BUT DURING THE WHOLE OF YOUR WORKING LIFE, REMEMBER THAT, WHATEVER WE DO AND HOWEVER WELL WE THINK WE DO IT, THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, BOTH IN OURSELVES AND IN THE ORGANISATION WITHIN WHICH WE WORK.*
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
12
CLEANSING OPERATION IN LAI CHI WOR n n n a it
PICNICKERS WHO VISIT LAI CHI WOR BEACH IN TAI PO WILL DE SURPRISED TO FIND THE PLACE MUCH CLEANER THAN IT WAS BEFORE.
THIS WAS THE RESULT OF THE EFFORT OF A LARGE PARTY OF 93 VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WHO SPENT THEIR HOLIDAY YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) IN CLEANING UP THE DEACH
AMONG THE STAFF OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WERE THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. ERIC HO AND MRS. HO AND CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON), MR. A.F. NEOH.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, CLERICAL OFFICERS, TYPISTS, MESSENGERS AND LABOURERS.
THEY CLEARED ABOUT 105 BASKET LOAD OF RUBBISH WHICH HAD BEEN DEPOSITED ON THE BEACH DY THE ABNORMAL HIGH TIDES DURING TYPHOONS. THE RUBBISH, IF ALLOWED TO ACCUMULATE, COULD BECOME A HEALTH HAZARD AND NUISANCE TO PICNICKERS.
MOST OF THE RUBBISH COLLECTED WAS BURNED ON THE SPOT, AND GLASS BOTTLES AND FOOD TINS WERE CARRIED AWAY FOR DUMPING. ALL CLEANSING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS LITTER BAGS, BROOMS AND BASKETS WERE SUPPLIED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE CLEANSING OPERATION LASTED FROM 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
«■»«>•«• 0 «• *> o «■
WEEKLY WATER SITUATION REPORT
THE TOTAL WATER STORAGE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 49,493 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 73.5 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THERE WERE 44,703 MILLION GALLONS IN STORE.
THIS MORNING’S STORAGE AT PLOVER COVE WAS 37,688 MILLION GALLONS, COMPARED WliH 35,383 MILLION GALLONS ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR. PLOVER COVE’S PRESENT STORAGE REPRESENTS 74.6 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 71.5 MM. (2.81 IN.)
THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 STANDS AT 70.7 MM.
(2.78 IN.)
/13
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975
- 15
HEALTH REPORT FOR JANUARY SLIGHT INCREASE IN INCIDENCE OF MEASLES M M If »
HEALTH RETURNS FOR JANUARY ISSUED TODAY BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHOW A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF MEASLES.
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, REPORTED CASES OF THE DISEASE TOTALLED WO, BUT LAST MONTH, NOTIFICATIONS ROSE TO SIX, WITH HO DEATHS.
REPORTS OF SCARLET FEVER WERE REDUCED FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH’S 53 TO SEVEN IN JANUARY, AND FOOD POISONING CASES DROPPFD FROM 10 TO EIGHT.
S‘X™"E,®HT CASES 0F V,RAL HEPATITIS WERE REPORTED, THREE OF AMOEBIASIS, 42 OF BACILLARY DYSENTERY, TWO OF CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS AND MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS, 75 OF CHICKENPOX, 42 OF ENTERIC FEVER, TWO OF OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM, 630 OF TUBERCULOSIS,
OF THE 73 DEATHS RECORDED DURING JANUARY, 67 WERE CAUSED DY TUBERCULOSIS, FOUR DY VIRAL HEPATITIS, ONE DY AMOEDIASIS, AND ONE BY TEflANUSo
IHERE WERE NO REPORTS OF TETANUS NEONATORUM, POLIOMYELITIS, AND DIPHTHERIA. 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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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETI
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
1975
CONTENTS
PAGE
FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO PRESENT APPROPRIATION BILL 1975 TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW ........................
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS WILL DE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM ..........................
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO OPEN NEW NURSERY AT SHEK LEI ....................................... •...........
ROLE OF POSTERS IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STRESSED BY HEAD OF POLYTECHNIC’S DESIGN DEPARTMENT .............
HEUNG YEE KUK TO HOLD BY-ELECTION IN TAI PO ON FRIDAY .
FUN AND GAMES FOR 3,000 CHILDREN IN SAU MAU PING THIS SATURDAY ...............................................
‘3 •
DINNER IN HONOUR OF THE AGED IN TSUEN WAN ..............
GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR RETIRES AFTER 17 YEARS OF SERVICE ................................................
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
1
BUDGET DAY TOMORROW »»»«»»
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WILL DE MADE KNOWN TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 26) WHEN THE APPROPRIATION DILL 1975 IS PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 P.M. DURING WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL MOVE THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL AND OUTLINE THE.MA IN FEATURES OF ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1975/76.
THE ESTIMATED HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL DE SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL TO DE PUBLISHED IN A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY AT 2.30 P.M.
DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE DILL WILL DE ADJOURNED AND RESUMED ON MARCH 19 WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATE OF HONG KONG AND THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIONS AS INDICATED DY THE BILL AND ESTIMATES. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE ON MARCH 20.
THE DEBATE WILL BE RESUMED ON APRIL 2, AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, IF NECESSARY,- WHEN THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.
THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ADJOURN AGAIN UNTIL APRIL 23, WHEN THE BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED IN COMMITTEE AND THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE FORMAL THIRD READING.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL DE COMPREHENSIVELY COVERED BY RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH AT TOMORROW’S SITTING WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE OVER RADIO HONG KONG’S CHINESE (RHK 1) AND ENGLISH (RHK 3) SERVICES, WHILE THE OTHER SITTINGS WILL DE BROADCAST LIVE OVER THE STATION’S FM SERVICES, RHK 2 (CHINESE) AND RHK 4 (ENGLISH).
COMMERCIAL RADIO’S CHINESE SERVICE WILL BROADCAST ALL EXCEPT THE THIRD SITTINGS LIVE ON CHANNEL ONE. SUMMARIES OF SPEECHES WILL BE BROADCAST ON BOTH ITS CHANNELS ONE AND TWO IN REGULAR NEWS BULLETINS.
FOR ALL SITTINGS, THE STATION’S ENGLISH SERVICE WILL ISSUE BUDGET +FLASHES* IN ITS HALF-HOURLY HEADLINES WITH TAPED EXCERPTS IN THE 6.30 P.M. NEWS BULLETINS. HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE REPEATED THE FOLLOWING MORNING DETWEEN 6 AND 8 A.M. IN THE HEWS CASTS.
BOTH TVB AND RTV WILL COVER THE MEETINGS IN THEIR REGULAR NEWS PROGRAMMES.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
~ 2 -
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GROUNDS OPEN TO PUBLIC ON SUNDAY
XX X X X
I
THE GROUNDS AND GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUDLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2) TO ENABLE THEM TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN FULL BLOOM.
THE GROUNDS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10.00 AM TO 5.00 PM.
VISITORS ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER THE GARDEN BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE DY THE EAST GATE SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE GARDENS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCES TO OTHERS.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT, AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO COOPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
ONLY THE GROUNDS WILL DE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, VISITORS SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
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NEW NURSERY IN SHEK LEI U « U « « «
NOTE TO EDITORS#
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE TUNG. WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ NEW NURSERY IN BLOCK 12 OF THE SHEK LEI ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE NURSERY, WHICH HAS PLACES FOR 60 CHILDREN, WILL OFFER DAY CARE SERVICES TO THE LOWER INCOME GROUP FAMILIES IN THE ESTATE AND NEARBY AREAS AND IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
COPIES OF MR. LEE’S SPEECH, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH G.I.S. OH WEDNESDAY.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
** 3 -
HOLE OF POSTERS If) PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY it a m n n ii if
HEAD 0F 'HE l!Of3S KONG POLYTECHNIC’S DESIGN ,T0DAY STRESSED THE ROLE OF POSTERS IN PROMOTING THE MESSAGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
PRESENTING PRIZES FOR THE SEVENTH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER COMPETITION, MR. HADFIELD CONGRATULATED THE WINNERS FOR USING THEIR TALENTS FOR A VERY GREAT PURPOSE - A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED DY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES, ATTRACTED A RECORD 322 ENTRIES FROM 31 SCHOOLS.
THE FIRST PRIZE OF $250 WENT TO MR. LAM KON-WING, A 21-YEAR-OLD THIRD-YEAR STUDENT IN ARTS AND DESIGN AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
THE SECOND PRIZE OF $200 AND THIRD OF $150. WERE WON DY MISS HO YUK-PING OF THE KEI HEEP SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL AND MISS CHENG FUK-KING OF THE JOCKEY CLUB GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL SCHOOL RESPECTIVELY.
FIVE OTHER STUDENTS WHOSE ENTRIES WERE HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE JUDGES WERE AWARDED CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $30 EACH.
MR. HADFIELD PRESENTED THE PRIZES AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE IN THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
HE SAID POSTERS BASED ON THE DESIGNS OF THE WINNING ENTRIES WOULD GO OUT TO FACTORIES AND WORKPLACES, ♦WARNING EVERYDODV TO DE VIGILANT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DANGER AND CARELESS PRACTICES IN OUR DAILY LIVES.*
+IN THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL COMMUNITIES, SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ARE OBLIGATORY FOR US ALL,* HE SAID.
+IN THE FACTORY, THE WORKSHOP, OUTDOORS AND IN THE HOME, LIFE CAN BE ENDANGERED DY FAULTY EQUIPMENT, CARELESS HANDLING OF WEIGHTS, UNTIDINESS, RUBBISH, AND THOUGHTLESSNESS.*
HE ADDEDs +THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE DESIGNED THESE POSTERS ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED UPON UTILISING THEIR CONSIDERABLE TALENT FOR A VERY GREAT PURPOSE 8 THAT PURPOSE IS THE MOVE TOWARD AN IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT, IN WHICH PERSONAL SAFElY INCREASES WliH INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.*
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
° b «
HEUNG YEE KUK 21ST TERM BY-ELECTION
» « lift n n
AN ELECTION TO FILL THE .VACANCY OF AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE 21ST TERM OF HEUNG YEE KUK WILL BE HELD AT THE KUK’S OFFICE IN TAI PO ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975. /
THE VACANCY WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT ELECTIONS OF THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE.
POLLING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 P.M. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR. D. AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THERE ARE 53 CANDIDATES ELIGIBLE FOR THE ELECTION AND THEY CONSIST OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF RURAL COMMITTEES.
THE ELECTORATE IS THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH CONSISTS OF 21 SPECIAL COUNCILLORS, 74 RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN AND 16 NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE (FOUR OF WHOM ARE CONCURRENTLY RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND ONE IS CONCURRENTLY RURAL COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIRMAN). ALTOGETHER THERE ARE 105 ELECTORS FOR THIS ELECTION.
THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURE LAID DOWN IN THE HEUNG YEE KUK ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 1097, IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE ELECTION ROOM. ADMISSION WILL BE CONFINED TO ELECTION OFFICIALS, COUNCILLORS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, WHO WILL WEAR APPROPRIATE IDENTIFICATION BADGES.
EQEB TO EDiaOHSt _____-_____ - _____..______ . . _________!...
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE ELECTION COVERED ON FRIDAY (FEB. 20) AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S OFFICE IN TAI PO.
IDENTIFICATION LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED TO PRESS MEMBERS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE PRESS ROOM, GIS, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 6TII FLOOR, FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) TO THURSDAY.
REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD WEAR THE
LAPEL BADGES ON ARRIVAL AT THE ELECTION ROOM AND THROUGHOUT THE PROCEEDINGS. PHOTOGRAPHS WILL HOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE POLLING AND COUNTING OF VOTES BUT THEY CAN BE TAKEN OUTSIDE THE ELECTION ROOM WHEN THE ELECTION IS OVER.
I
AN INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE PRESENT AT THE ELECTION ROOM TO ASSIST THE PRESS.
< _ D - - O -----
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
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FUN AND GAMES FOR 3,000 CHILDREN « ft ft ft » ft
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS MAY DE OVER, BUT FOR SOME THE GAIETY CONTINUES. AT SAU MAU PING ESTATE THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON (MARCH 1), 3,000 CHILDREN WILL DE ENTERTAINED AT A FUN FAIR.
THE CHILDREN CAN TRY THEIR LUCK AT 18 GAMES STALLS AND WILL ENJOY A FILM SHOW.
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR PROGRAMME HAS DEEN PREPARED DY 17 WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AREA ON THE INITIATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES IN SAU MAU PING CENTRAL AND SOUTH.
ABOUT 2,000 OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS ATTENDING ARE JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS AND ARE SPONSORED DY THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE IN KWUN TONG.
A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY OFFICIATED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORGANISERS WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M. BEFORE THE PROGRAMME STARTS. THERE WILL ALSO DE AWARDS FOR THE BEST DESIGNED GAMES STALLS.
■-HMIWII ■! HI
NOTE TO ED ITORSs
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT. THE HALL AND CARPARK OF THE SAU MAU PING ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1) AT 2.30 P»M.
IT WILL TAKE PLACE IN CENTRAL WELFARE BUILDING
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/6.....
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975 '
6 -
ANNUAL DINNER FOR THE AGED a a a a ■::•
A DINNER FOR 700 OLD PEOPLE AGED FROM 65 TO 95 IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW TERRITORIES RESTAURANT IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS HELD ANNUALLY TO HONOUR THE SENIOR RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN. IT IS BEING ORGANISED DY AO DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS IN TSUEN WAN THROUGH THE S.W.D.’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE WITH ASSISTANCE OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE. A SUM OF $20,000 HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THE FUNCTION.
APART FROM ENJOYING A CHINESE DINNER, THE GUESTS WILL EACH BE PRESENTED WITH A GIFT PARCEL CONTAINING.FOOD AND OTHER DAILY NECESSITIES. RED PACKETS WILL ALSO DE GIVEN TO THOSE OVER 90 YEARS OF AGE AND THE FOUR ELDEST OF THE GROUP - TWO MEH AND TOO WOMEN WHO ARE ALL 95 -.WILL EACH RECEIVE A GOLD MEDAL AS A SOUVENIR.
OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS WILL BE ON HAND TO SERVE AND HELP OUT AT THE PARTY WHICH WILL DE OFFICIATED DY MR. J.S. WARREN, DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN.
NOTE TO ED I TORSs
/ •
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE DINNER. THE NEW TERRITORIES RESTAURANT IS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
RETIREMENT OF GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR a a a a a a
MR. A.L. AYLMER, A GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, IS RETIRING IN SEPTEMBER AFTER 17 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
HE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH A GIFT FROM HIS COLLEAGUES TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT. THE PRESENTATION WILL DE MADE DY MR. E.T. KENNARD, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT DU ILDI NG SURVEYOR ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
MR. AYLMER FIRST JOINED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN 1953 AS A BUILDING SURVEYOR, AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE PRESENT POST IN NOVEMBER, 1973.
NOTE TO ED ITORSa
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 3 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 27 AT MURRAY BUILDING, 10TII FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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PRH 7
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
I
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
CONTENTS RAGE NO.
HIGHER TAXES AND FEES PROPOSED TO RAISE AN EXTRA $467 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR 1975/76 ................... 1
GOVERNMENT SPENDING IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR ON
SOCIAL COMMUNITY AND OTHER SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO
GROW .................................................. 5
FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSES MODEST INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES ...............'......................... 7
$429 MILLION DEFICIT BUDGETED FOR 1975-76 FINANCIAL YEAR ............................................... 10
ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WILL BE
AFFECTED BY PROPOSED HIGHER WATER CHARGES ............ 12
INCREASE IN POSTAL CHARGES PROPOSED .................. 14
HONG KONG’S OVERALL ECONOMY LIKELY TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN IN 1976/77— SAYS FINANCIAL SECRETARY............ 16
PROPOSALS TO RAISE EXTRA REVENUE OUTLINED FOR THREE-YEAR FORECAST PERIOD OF 1976-79 ...................... 20
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON BOTH CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE ................. 22
NEW RESERVES ESTIMATE REPRESENTS ONLY 36 PER CENT OF
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR ........ 25
FINANCIAL SECRETARY DEFENDS HONG KONG DOLLAR FLOAT ... 26
BUDGET TALK ON TELEVISION PROGRAMME +VIEWPOINT+ ...... 28
OPENING OF NEW NURSERY IN. SHEK LEI ESTATE BY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE .................................... 31
WATER CUT IN SHtK KIP MEI ............................ 32
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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
1
HIGHER TAXES AMD FEES PROPOSED n « X- if X «
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TODAY PROPOSED A SERIES OF TAX INCREASES AND HIGHER FEES AND CHARGES ON A VARIETY OF ITEMS, INCLUDING POSTAL SERVICES, THE GENERAL RATE, LIQUOR AND TOBACCO, BUSINESS AND COMPANY REGISTRATIONS, BANK LICENCES, AND A RE INTRODUCT ION OF ENTERTAINMENT TAX.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE TAX INCREASE PACKAGE WOULD RAISE AN EXTRA $467 MILLION IN REVENUE, BUT THAT.THE ULTIMATE EFFECT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WOULD NOT EXCEED ONE-HALF OF A PER CENT.
MOST OF HIS PROPOSED INCREASES ARE TIMED FOR APRIL 1 THIS YEAR OR LATER, BUT NEW DUTIES ON LIQUOR AND TOBACCO CAME INTO EFFECT AT 2.30 P.M. TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LIQUOR AND TOBACCO
THE DUTY ON SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR AND WINES IMPORTED FROM NON-COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES IS RAISED BY $6 PER GALLON AND 10 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY. A GALLON OF BEER WILL COST 60 CENTS MORE. THE EFFECT WILL BE THAT A BOTTLE OF BRANDY AND WHISKY WILL COST Cl MORE, A STANDARD (REPUTED QUART) BOTTLE OF SPARKLING WINE AN EXTRA 90 CENTS, STILL WINE A MAXIMUM OF 50 CENTS MORE, A SMALL AND LARGE BOTTLE OF BEER FIVE CENTS AND 10 CENTS MORE, RESPECTIVELY. <
THESE INCREASES ARE EXPECTED TO BRING IN AN EXTRA SU MILLION TO THE GENERAL REVENUE.
ENTERTAINMENT TAX
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY RE-INTRODUCED ENTERTAINMENT TAX, WHICH WAS ABOLISHED TOO YEARS AGO, AND SAID THE NEW TAX WOULD BE AT RATES LESS ONEROUS THAN BEFORE FOR BOTH OPERATORS AND PATRONS.
HIS PROPOSED NEW ENTERTAINMENT TAX ENVISAGES DUTY OF 40 CENTS ON $4 SEATS, 60 C^NTS DUTY FOR S6 SEATS AND 80 CENTS DUTY FOR S8 SEATS.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE YIELD OF THE REINTRODUCED TAX WOULD BE ABOUT S21 MILLION, BASED ON VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS SUCH AS THE SEATING CAPACITY OF CINEMAS CURRENTLY IN OPERATION, THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN EACH AND THE DAILY SEAT OCCUPANCY RATE.
/TRAVELLERS TO
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975 .
PASSENGER CHARGE
TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM MACAU WILL HAVE TO PAY $5, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 50 CENTS, AT THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL AS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR UNDER ANOTHER INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE financial secretary.
WHILE HE DID NOT THINK THAT THIS CHARGE WOULD AFFECT TRAVEL TO MACAU, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE DID NOT WISH TO DAMAGE THAT CITY’S PROSPERITY, AND IF IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE NUMBERS OF TRAVELLERS WERE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED, HE WOULD BE PREPARED TO RECONSIDER THE TAX-LOADING ELEMENT OF THIS CHARGE.
CORPORATIONS PROFITS TAX
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO RAISE THE RATE OF TAX ON THE PROFITS OF CORPORATIONS BY ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENTAGE POINTS, NAMELY FROM 15 PER CENT TO 16-1/2 PER CENT FOR THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1975/76. PROVISIONAL TAX FOR THAT YEAR WOULD ALSO BE CALCULATED AT THE NEW RATE.
♦THIS MODEST INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN THE RATE,* HE SAID, +SHOULD PRODUCE $100 MILLION IN 1975/76.+
ASSUMING A COMPANY RETAINS 50 PER CENT OF ITS PROFITS AFTER TAX AT THE PRESENT RATE OF 15 PER CENT, THE NEW RATE OF TAX OF 16-1/2 PER CENT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT ON SHAREHOLDERS AS A WITHHOLDING TAX OF ABOUT 3.5 PER CENT. MR. HADDON-CAVE MADE IT CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT HE WAS NOT COMMITTING HIMSELF TO A WITHHOLDING TAX OF ONLY 3.5 PER CENT, *BUT I AM MAKING THE POINT IN THE HOPE THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL NOT CAST A QUITE UNREALISTIC SHADOW OVER THE STOCK MARKET.*
HE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT A CORPORATION WHICH IS IN A JOINT VENTURE WITH ANOTHER BUSINESS WILL SUFFER TAX AT 16-1/2 PER CENT ON ITS SHARE OF THE PROFITS.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INTENDS TO PUT BEFORE COUNCIL CONCERNS THE VALUE, FOR SALARIES TAX PURPOSES, OF QUARTERS PROVIDED BY AN EMPLOYER FOR HIS EMPLOYEES.
HE SAID HE INTENDS TO RAISE FROM 7-1/2 PER CENT TO 10 PER CENT THE FIGURE USED IN ASSESSING THE VALUE OF FREE OR SUBSIDISED QUARTERS. THIS HE INTENDED TO DO WITH EFFECT FROM THE FINAL ASSESSMENT FOR 1975/76. THERE WILL BE PROPORTIONATE INCREASES FOR PERSONS OCCUPYING HOTEL.OR HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION. FREE OR SUBSIDISED QUARTERS PROVIDED BY A PERSON ASSOCIATED WITH THE EMPLOYER WILL ALSO BE BROUGHT TO CHARGE.
HE ALSO INDICATED THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER FURTHER INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE AT A LATER DATE.
/Proprietors of
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
5
BUSINESS REGISTRATION
PROPRIETORS OF BUSINESSES WHO DO NOT PAY PROFITS TAX BECAUSE THEIR CHARGEABLE PROFITS ARE COVERED BY ALLOWANCES AVAILABLE UNDER PERSONAL ASSESSMENT ARE.ALSO CAUGHT IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S NEW TAX NET.
SUCH PROPRIETORS WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY A HIGHER REGISTRATION FEE OF 5150, THREE TIMES THE PREVIOUS AMOUNT. THE INCREASED FEE WILL APPLY TO ALL REGISTERED BUSINESSES, EXCEPT THOSE AT PRESENT EXEMPTED FROM PAYMENT, BUT WILL REMAIN A DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSE FOR COMPUTING PROFITS TAX. MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THIS INCREASE WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE AT A COST TO THE BUSINESSES CONCERNED OF $8.30 A MONTH.
HE ALSO PROPOSED THAT CERTAIN CLUBS SHOULD BE BROUGHT WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
COMPANY REGISTRATION
MR. HADDON-CAVE PROPOSED TO TRIPLE THE FEE FOR REGISTERING A BUSINESS FROM 5100 TO 5300 AND TO CHANGE THE ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR EACH $1,000 OF NOMINAL SHARE CAPITAL FROM $2 TO 54 WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE NOTED THAT NOT ALL REGISTERED COMPANIES WERE ALSO REGISTERED BUSINESSES SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE THAT ARE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG BUT CARRY ON THEIR BUSINESS OFFSHORE. r
BANK LICENCES
MR. HADDON-CAVE FELT THAT BANKS .IN HONG KONG OUGHT TO PAY MORE FOR THEIR +PRIVILEGED TRADING POSITION* AND PROPOSED TO RAISE THE ANNUAL FEE FOR A BANK LICENCE FROM ’ $40,000 TO $200,000, AND THAT FOR A BRANCH BANK BE INCREASED TO 510,000 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT $1,000.
FINANCE COMPANIES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT A BbLL PROVIDING FOR THE REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT TAKING FINANCE COMPANIES WAS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY.
HE PROPOSED AN ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR SUCH COMPANIES OF $10,000, ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT 200 COMPANIES WOULD SEEK REGISTRATION.
/TO RECOVER
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1975 - 4 -
AIRPORT CHARGES
TO RECOVER COSTS AND EARN A FAIR RETURN ON CAPITAL INVESTED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO RAISE AIRCRAFT LANDING FEES AT KAI TAK BY 15 PER CENT. ON THE ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, HE ALSO SOUGHT TO LEVY A SURCHARGE OF $500 FOR MOVEMENTS BETWEEN MID-DAY AND 6 P.M. THIS WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS. TO ENABLE THE AIRLINES TO PREPARE FOR THE ADDITIONAL CHARGES, MR. HADDON-CAVE PROPOSED TO BRING THEM INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1, 1975.
BUOY| FEES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR HIRE OF BUOYS IN THE HARBOUR BY 300 PER CENT TO $600 A DAY FOR AN ’A’ BUOY, AND TO $400 A DAY FOR A ’B’ BUOY. HE ALSO INCREASED THE ANCHORAGE FEES FROM $3 TO $12 PER 100 TONS A DAY INSIDE THE HARBOUR LIMITS AND FROM 80 CENTS TO, $3.20 PER 100 TONS A DAY ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG WATERS. HE POINTED OUT THAT THESE NEW FEES WERE STILL VERY MUCH LOWER THAN DOCKAGE FEES.
BETTING DUTY
MR. HADDON-CAVE LEFT OPEN FOR THE TIME BEING HOW TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $27.5 MILLION FROM BETTING DUTY FROM HORSE RACING. THERE WERE SEVERAL OPTIONS, HE SAID, WHICH HE WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB BEFORE DECIDING WHICH ONE TO ADOPT.
STAMP DUTY
AS REGARDS STAMP DUTIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED AN EXTRA 30 CENTS ON TRAVELLERS’ CHEQUES, CHEQUES DRAWN WITHIN HONG KONG, AND CASHIER ORDERS AND DIVIDEND WARRANTS. THE INCREASED DUTY ON TRAVELLERS CHEQUES, CASHIER ORDERS AND DIVIDEND WARRANTS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1975, BUT THE NEW DUTY APPLICABLE TO BLANK CHEQUE FORMS COMES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
AD VALOREM DUTY CHARGEABLE ON CERTAIN CONVEYANCES ON SALE, VOLUNTARY DISPOSITIONS INTER VIVOS, AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE RAISED FROM TWO PER CENT TO TWO-AND-A-QUARTER PER CENT. THE INCREASED RATE WILL APPLY. TO DOCUMENTS EXECUTED ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1975. DOCUMENTS RELATING TO LAND OF A VALUE NOT EXCEEDING $150,000 WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY.
0
't
’ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1575
0 5 °
PUBLIC SPENDING DILL CONTINUES TO GROW
n n it n « n
GOVERNMENT SPENDING IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR ON SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND OTHER SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS ESTIMATED AT 36,615.3 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 5431 MILLION OR SEVEN PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR THE 1974/75 YEAR, EXCLUDING EXPENDITURE RE-INDORSEMENTS FROM THE URDAN COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
TAKING ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FROM GENERAL REVENUE TOGETHER WITH THAT FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND, THE LOTTERIES FUND, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URDAN COUNCIL, THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE COMES TO $7,318.7 MILLION.
THIS MONEY WILL MAINLY DE SPREAD OUT OVER FIVE MAIN GROUPS OF SERVICES. (SEE APPENDIX VII! IN THE SUPPORTING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND STATISTICAL APPENDICES).
TOPPING THE LIST AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS IS THE SOCIAL SERVICES GROUP WHICH COMPRISES EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, HOUSING, SOCIAL WELFARE AND LABOUR.
A RECORD SUM OF 33,057.0 MILLION — REPRESENTING 41.8 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE — WILL DE CHANNELLED INTO THESE AREAS, MOST OF IT TOWARDS EDUCATION. COMPARED TO THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1974/75, THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 3337.4 MILLION.
THIS WILL BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS8 (THE FIGURES IN BRACKETS REFER TO THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1974/75).
EDUCATION c 81,335.5 MILLION (31,209.3 M)
HOUSING 8 8793.9 MILLION (3 660.5 M)
MEDICAL AND HEALTH 8 5533.2 MILLION (3 563.8 M)
SOCIAL WELFARE c 8326.7 MILLION (3 270.1 M)
LABOUR 8 8 17.2 MILLION (8 15.9 M)
THE NEXT BIGGEST GROUP, IN TERMS OF EXPENDITURE, IS COMMUNITY SERVICES ON WHICH 81,896.3 MILLION OR 25.9 PER CENT WILL DE SPENT. THIS WILL BE DIVIDED AS FOLLOWSs
TRANSPORT, ROADS AND CIVIL
ENGINEERING 8 $813.9 MILLION ($813.1 M)
» a
WATER SUPPLY e $602.3 MILLION ($642.8 M)
AMENITIES AND RELATED
SERVICES (INCLUDING THOSE
TO BE PROVIDED DY THE ' •
URBAN COUNCIL) s $309.7 MILLION ($313.7 M)
/FIRE SERVICES .....
i'jJ'DJESDAYa EEDHUAK? 260 1975
- 6 « '
FIRE SERVICES t $ 90.4 MILLION (8 89.8 M)
NEXT IN LINE IS GENERAL SERVICES WITH AN ESTIMATED $1,038.8 MILLION, REPRESENTING 14.2 PER CENT OF TOTAL REVENUE. THIS GROUP INCLUDESa
LAW AND ORDER 8 $672.8 MILLION (3603.8 M)
DEFENCE s 3132.0 MILLION (3122.6 M)
ADMINISTRATION 8 3120.9 MILLION (3122.5 M)
REVENUE COLLECTION AND
FINANCIAL CONTROL r 3 89.4 MILLION (3 87.0 M)
PUBLIC RELATIONS a 3 23.7 MILLION (3 27.1 M)
ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL TAKE UP AN OR 8.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ESTIMATED
ESTIMATED 3633.8 MILLION
EXPENDITURE. IT INCLUDES8
COMMUNICATIONS 8 3250.9 MILLION (3317.8 M)
AIRPORT AND HARBOUR SERVICES a 3182.8 MILLION (3123.9 M)
OTHER ECONOMIC SERVICES a 3141.3 MILLION (3125.7 M)
PRIMARY PRODUCTS a 3 36.9 MILLION (339.5 M)
COMMERCE AND"INDUSTRY a 321.9 MILLION (319.4 M)
THE NEXT GROUP, COMMON SUPPORTING SERVICES, WILL RECEIVE AN ESTIMATED 3284.8 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTS 3.9 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1975/76.
OF THIS. $218.5 MILLION WILL GO TOWARDS BUILDING
DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (3225.9 M)° 323.7 MILLION (321.8 M) TO GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES AND THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD- 319.0 MILLION TO GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES (333.2 M)- AND 323.6 MILLION TO GOVERNMENT PRINTING (323.7 M).
OTHER EXPENDITURE WHICH CANNOT BE ALLOCATED TO ANY OF THESE GROUPS AMOUNTS.TO 3231.6 MILLION OR ABOUT 3.2 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE. IT INCLUDES 3185.7 MILLION FOR PASSAGES, TELEPHONES, TELEGRAMS ETC. (3103.9 M) = AND 345.9 MILLION FOR GOVERNMENT QUARTERS (367.1 M).
THE BALANCE OF THE TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE COMING YEAR IS MADE UP BY PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES AND THE PUBLIC DEDT WHICH TOGETHER ACCOUNT FOR 3176.4 MILLION (3152.9 M).
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
MODEST INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES PROPOSED ft ft a a n a
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID RATES WOULD NOT BE REVALUED THIS YEAR BUT ONLY DURING 1976, AND NEW ASSESSMENTS WOULD ONLY BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1977.
HE SAID THE LAST REVALUATION CAME INTO EFFECT IN APRIL 1973 AND AS A MATTER OF GENERAL POLICY REVALUATIONS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT AT FREQUENT INTERVALS.
f
+ 1 AM OF THE VIEW THAT THE REVALUATION SHOULD BE POSTPONED FOR YET ANOTHER YEAR,* HE SAID, +HAVING REGARD TO THE PROBLEM OF REVISING ASSESSMENTS IN THE PRESENT UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE LIKELY RESULTANT SHIFT IN THE BURDEN OF-THIS TAX FROM THE NOH-DOMESTIC SECTOR TO THE DOMESTIC SECTOR.*
BUT TO RESTORE THE REVENUE WHICH HE HAD ANTICIPATED THIS TIME LAST YEAR WITH ANOTHER REVALUATION EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID RATES FOR SOME AREAS WOULD HAVE TO BE INCREASED BY AT LEAST 2-1/2 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATES BY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS ONLY TO YIELD 891 MILLION IN 1975-76.
THIS INCREASE, HE EXPLAINED, WOULD RESULT IN ONLY MODEST INCREASES IN THE MONTHLY SUM PAID BY OCCUPIERS OF TENEMENTS.
FOR EXAMPLE, OCCUPIERS OF A SMALL PRIVATE DOMESTIC POSTWAR TENEMENT WITH A MONTLY RENT OF 8530 (EXCLUSIVE OF RATES) WILL PAY 85 MORE A MONTH FOR RATES UNDER THE TWO-POINT PERCENTAGE INCREASE. THIS REPRESENTS 0.88 PER CENT OF THE RENT PLUS RATES.
SIMILARLY, A FAMILY IN A SMALL FLAT PAYING A MONTHLY RENT (EXCLUSIVE OF RATES) OF 81,015 WILL PAY AN EXTRA 810,20 RATES PER MONTH, OR 0.93 PER CENT MORE.
IN THE CASE OF A LARGE FLAT WITH A MONTHLY RENTAL OF 84,180 THE EXTRA RATES PER MONTH WILL BE 840.20, OR 0.9 PER CENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE INCREASE WOULD BE EFFECTED BY A RESOLUTION UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ENABLE DEMAND NOTES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER TO GO OUT BEFORE APRIL 1.
AS TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, IT WAS AGREED LAST YEAR THAT RATES WOULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO TENANTS OE GROUP B (OLD RESETTLEMENT) ESTATES UNTIL 1976-77. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD THEREFORE PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 85.6 MILLION TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO BE PAID OVER IN 1975-76. j....
/MR. HADDON-CAVE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
8
MR. HADDON-CAVE EXPLAINED THAT RATES WERE BASICALLY A TAX ON OCCUPIERS FOR THE PAYMENT OF LOCAL SERVICES *RATHER THAN A DEMONSTRABLE ABILITY TO PAY AS WITH, SAY, EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAXES.*
*RATES CATCH MANY WHO WOULD OTHERWISE CONTRIBUTE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO THE REVENUE AND THIS SHOULD DE BORNE IN MIND BY THOSE WHO VOCIFEROUSLY COMPLAIN THAT THE DIRECT TAX NET IS CAST ACROSS TOO RESTRICTED A FIELD,* HE SAID.
THE FOLLOWING ARE TABLES SHOWING THE EFFECT OF THE TWO PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE IN THE GENERAL RATES TO 11 PER CENTb-
EFFECT OF INCREASE IN THE GENERAL RATE TO 11%
PRIVATE SECTOR
DOMESTIC (POST-WAR)
(1) CLASS (2) AVERAGE RENT (#) (PER MONTH EXCLUDING RATES) (3) RATES PER MONTH AT EACH 15% (4) AVERAGE RENT(PER MONTH INCLUDING RATES) (2)*(3) (5) RATES PER MONTH AT EACH 2% (6) (5)AS A % OF (4)
SMALL TENEMENTS $ 530 ^7<5O ( • 8 567.50 8 5.00 8 0.88%
LARGE TENEMENTS 695 49.00 743.00 6.40 0.86%
SMALL FLATS 1,015 76.50 1,091.50 10.20 0.93%
MEDIUM FLATS 2,175 144.50 2,319.50 19.30 0.83%
LARGE FLATS 4,180 301.00 4,481.00 40.20 0.90%
HOUSES 6,190 476.00 6,666oOD 63.50 0.95%
PRIVATE SECTOR . 1
NON-DOMESTIC (PRE-WAR AND POST-WAR)
GROUND FLOOR SHOPS 2,320 211.50 2,531.50 28.20 -1.11% •
OFFICES 3,850 286.50 4,136.50 33.20 0.92%
COMMERCIAL PREMISES 5,610 547.50 6,157.50 73.00 1.19%
/Factory premises .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
9
FACTORY PREMISES • » . 5,520 625.00 6,145.00 83.30 1.36%
STORAGE 12,475 1,252.50 13,727.50 167.00 1.227$
PREMISES
PUBLIC SECTOR
(HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY (GROUP A) AND HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY)
SMALL TENEMENTS 275 23.00 298.00 3.10 1.04%
LARGE TENEMENTS 480 38.00 518.00 5.00 0.97%
SMALL FLATS 580 43.00 623.00 5.80 0.93%
GROUND FLOOR 1,235 123.00 1,358.00 16.40 1.21%
SHOPS
(n) AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENT AS ESTIMATED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION.
- - - - 0------ I
/1O.....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975.
- 10 -
$429 MILLION DEFICIT FORECAST IN 1975/76 BUDGET « II « « if
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY BUDGETED FOR A DEFICIT OF $429 MILLION FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS HAS ALREADY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE $467 MILLION TO BE RAISED THROUGH REVENUE PROPOSALS. (THE DEFICIT FORECAST IN THE 1975-76 DRAFT ESTIMATES IS $096 MILLION).
HOWEVER, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID UE DID HOT PROPOSE TO FINANCE THE DEFICIT BY RUNNING DOWN THE FISCAL RESERVES.
IN VIEW OF THIS, HE SAID HE HAD TO LOOK TO VARIOUS FORMS AND SOURCES OF LOAN FINANCE.
ON THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE BUDGET. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE FINANCED FROM PUBLIC FUNDS TO'THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AVERAGED 15 PER CENT OVER THE TEN YEARS TO 1973-74.
♦AS A RESULT OF THE VERY LARGE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE IN 1974-75, THERE WAS A JUMP TO NEARLY 20 PER CENT,* HE SAID. + IN 1975-76 I EXPECT A FURTHER, BUT SMALL, INCREASE TO A LITTLE OVER 20 PER CENT.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THE INCREASE IN TOTAL EXPENDITURE FINANCED FROM PUBLIC FUNDS IN 1975-76, AT 7-1/2 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS, WOULD REFLECT SOME INCREASE IN REAL TERMS, SINCE THE UPWARD TREND OF COSTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WAS NOW EASING.
♦ INDEED,* HE SAID, ->IT IS ON THIS INDUSTRY THAT PUBLIC . ' EXPENDITURE IMPINGES MOST HEAVILY.* ’
HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT RECESSION, WHICH IS AFFECTING THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER, IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO MAINTAIN, AMD EVEN INCREASE, THE LEVEL OF SPENDING THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. .
I
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT IN 1974-75 THERE WAS A MAJOR SWING FROM SURPLUS TO DEFICIT; WITH EXPENDITURE RISING MUCH FASTER THAN REVENUE.
HE SAIDi +THE IMPACT OF THIS SWING ON THE ECONOMY WAS, OF COURSE, EXPANSIONARY, THOUGH LIMITED BY THE HIGH LEAKAGE INTO IMPORTS. _
/♦in 1975-76
WEDNESDAYt FEBRUARY 26f 1975
11
♦IN 1975-76 THERE IS NO FURTHER
INCREASE IN THE ESTIMAtED
DEFICIT, BUT THE METHOD OF FINANCING IT, THAT IS BY BORROWING RATHER THAN DRAWING ON THE RESERVES, IS DIFFERENT" AND EXTRA FISCAL REVENUE IS TO DE RAISED TO FINANCE INCREASED EXPENDITURE,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID *
THEREFORE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THOUGHT THAT THE IMPACT OF THE DEFICIT HE WAS BUDGETING FOR HEXT YEAR WOULD BE MORE EXPANSIONARY THAN THIS YEAR’S DEFICIT. THE REASONS HE GAVE WERE (1) BORROWING OFFSHORE INCREASES THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE ECONOMY. THAT IS TO SAY, IT ALLOWS AN INCREASE IN THE MONEY SUPPLY AND (2) AS THE INCREASES IN TAXES AND FEES, PARTICULARLY THOSE FALLING ON BUSINESSES, ARE LIKELY TO DE PARTLY AT THE EXPENSE OF SAVINGS, THE NET IMPACT OF THESE INCREASES AND OF THE EXPENDITURE THEREBY FINANCED IS LIKELY TO BE IN THE DIRECTION OF INCREASING DEMAND, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SA IDs +THE 1975-76 BUDGET IS, WITHOUT DOUBT EXPANSIONARY BY COMPARISON WITH 1972-73 AND 1973-74 WHEN WE RAN VERY LARGE SURPLUSES AND WHEN COMPARED WITH ANOTHER OBVIOUS OPTIONS FURTHER CUTS IN EXPEND I TUREo
+IF I HAD REDUCED DEPARTMENTAL SUBMISSIONS BY MORE THAN A NET SI,372 MILLION AND SO ELIMINATED THE NEED FOR LOAN FINANCE I ESTIMATE THAT THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WOULD HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY UP TO 1-1/2 PER CENT.*
AS IT IS, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, THE BUDGET WILL MAKE A MODEST CONTRI* BUTION TO THE MAINTENANCE'OF THE LEVEL OF DEMAND AND EMPLOYMENT
0 O o • o
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
- 12 -
HIGHER WATER CHARGES PROPOSED
EIGHTY PERCENT OF CONSUMERS NOT AFFECTED « if n i: if if
THE FINANCIAL. SECRETARY, THE HOM, PHILIP HADDON-CAVE., TODAY ANNOUNCED PROPOSALS FOR AN INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES WHICH, H:, STRESSED, WOULD AFFECT ONLY ADOUf 20 PER CENT OF THE DOMESTIC CONSUMERS,
HIS PROPOSED MEW WATER CHARGE STRUCTURE IS AS FOLLOWS3
if THE PRESENT FREE SUPPLY OF 2,700 GALLONS THROUGH EACH DOMESTIC METER IN A FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD WILL DE . MAINTAINED®
if A CONSUMER USING 14,000 GALLONS OR LESS THROUGH EACH DOMESTIC METER IN A FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE EXISTING CHARGE OF S3 PER 1,000 GALLONS, AND 80 PER CENT OF TI!E DOMESTIC CONSUMERS STAY WITHIN THIS 14,000-GALLON LIMIT AND THEY WILL NOT PAY ANY MORE®
ft A CONSUMER USING MORE THAN 14,000 GALLONS WITHIN THE BILLING PERIOD, HE WILL PAY, AS AT PRESENT, THE CURRENT RATE OF S3 PER 1,000 GALLONS FOR WATER CONSUMED UP TO THAT LEVEL, FOR WATER CONSUMED ABOVE THIS 14,000 GALLON LEVEL, HE HILL HAVE TO PAY ACCORDING TO THE NEW RATE, THAT IS, $6 PER 1,000 GALLONS.
THESE CONSUMERS REPRESENT ONLY 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, BUT USE ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE DOMESTIC SUPPLY.
.THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAIDs +TIIEY ARE THE TAKERS OF BATHS, RATHER THAN SHOWERS, AND THE OWNERS OF WASHING MACHINES AND WASHING-UP MACHINES, BOTH OF WHICH CONSUME FAR MORE WATER THAN DOES WASHING BY HAND.
+IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE A GROUP WHICH CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE STRAIN THEY IMPOSE ON OUR EVER MORE EXPENSIVE SUPPLY SYSTEM.-s-
HE SAID THESE PROPOSALS WOULD YIELD AN EXTRA $22 MILLION IN 1975-76 AFTER ALLOWING FOR LAGS IN THE BILLING SYSTEM.
MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO CITED EXAMPLES OF HOW THE NEW CHARGES WOULD AFFECT THE CONSUMERS.
THOSE NOW PAYING $34 OR LESS WOULD PAY NO MORE THAN THEY ARE NOW. BUT IF A FAMILY USES 60 GALLONS A HEAD A DAY, IT WILL PAY $190 RATHER THAN ITS PRESENT $112.
/THE BUIS OF .....
VJEWSDAY, rEBRUAHZ 35, 1975
13 -
THE BILLS OF THOSE USING 100 GALLONS A HEAD A DAY WILL RISE FROM f>190 TO 3346. THE FLAT RATE CHARGE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS ON UNMETERED SUPPLY WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE RAISED, POSSIBLY TO A PERCENTAGE OF RENT.
HE SAID HE COULD NOT PROPOSE A MORE SOPHISTICATED FORM OF DIFFERENTIAL PRICING BECAUSE OF THE LIMITATION OF THE PRESENT BILLING SYSTEM. *DUT PLANS ARE ALREADY IN HAND FOR COMPUTERISING THE ACCOUNTS.*
HE ADDED THAT IN 1977-78, IT SHOULD BE READY TO SUBDIVIDE THE TOP $6 BRACKET AND CHARGE THE VERY HIGH USERS OF WATER AT AN EVEN STEEPER RATE.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT A DIFFERENTIAL PRICING SYSTEM ON THE LINES HE HAD PROPOSED MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT TO APPLY TO HON-DOMESTIC USERS. IT COULD BE ARGUED THAT IT WOULD PENALISE LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISES AND OTHER ENTERPRISES IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES WHICH, ALTHOUGH THEY USE WATER ON A LARGE SCALE, ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE ECONOMY.
❖NOR DO I PROPOSE ANY INCREASE IN THE PRESENT FLAT RATE CHARGE OF $4 A THOUSAND GALLONS, AT LEAST UNTIL NEXT YEAR. AND I DO NOT PROPOSE TO CHANGE THE RATES CHARGED FOR OTHER PURPOSES,* HE SAID.
/14.....
I
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
14 »
INCREASE IN POSTAL CHARGES PROPOSED
PROPOSED T|'aTNTHEL INLAND 'lETTEr'RAT? nFPnA,?<!?nHAD?0N"CAVE» T0DAY KOT QUITE SO STEEP,^t.TOESSEs’rJ.I Sieo'lETTEoF”"'"^
JESTER ’GENERALTANDAH IS^REDECGS^ORS^A^hSmc1^ PRESEfJ' MAINTAINED A BASIC in PFflTQ iNiAnn HONG KOfJS HAD
at THE SAME TIME THAT THE PROPOSED HISHE? jATES^D1^®™6®®
MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION
THAN FOR
LETTERS ARE AS FOLLOWS 8-
THE
PROPOSED INCREASES FOR HEAVIER
PRESENT PROPOSED
ft ft
1 oz. 0.10 0.20
2 0.30 0.40
4 □ a 40 0.50
8 0.00 1.00
1 LB. 1.50 2.00
2 2.50 4.00
4 4.00 6.00
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED, ON THE ADVICE OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE RATE FOR LETTERS AND POST CARDS BE RESTORED DY INCREASING THE LATTER TO 15 CENTS ONLY.
AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN THE INLAND RATE, HE ADDED, THERE WILL BE AN' INCREASE IN THE SURFACE RATE TO CHINA, MACAU AND TAIWAN. THE BASIC RATE FOR THE FIRST OUNCE WILL BE RAISED FROM 20 CENTS TO 30 CENTS WITH APPROPRIATE INCREASES FOR HEAVIER LETTERS. THESE INCREASES ARE 8-
VJJWESDAY, EEBRUART 2$, 1975
I
PRESENT PROPOSED
3 3
1 oz. O.2O 0.30
2 O.4O 0.50
4 0.50 ‘ 0.65
8 1.10 1.30
1 LB. 2.10 2.50
2 : 3.50 4.50
4 । 5.50 6.50
AS FOR OTHER RATES FOR OVERSEAS MAIL, MR. HADDON-CAVE DISCLOSED THAT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WAS REVIEWING THEM IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW CRITERIA ESTABLISHED DY THE LAUSANNE CONVENTION OF THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE COST OF REGISTERING MAIL, BOTH INLAND AND OVERSEAS ITEMS, BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT CHARGE OF Si TO $2.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THESE INCREASES IN POSTAL CHARGES WILL BRING IN AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF 317 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR.
° O • 0 — „
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975.
CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IM 1976 ft « n « n n
1 HONG KONG’S OVERALL ECONOMY IS LIKELY TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN IN 1976/77 FOLLOWING A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL IN 1974 AND 1975.
<» t
ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE THREE-YEAR FORECAST PERIOD 1976/77 TO 1970/79 APPEAR TO BE VERY CONSIDERABLE, AND RAPID GROWTH OVER THESE YEARS COULD COMPENSATE FOR THE LACK OF GROWTH LAST YEAR AMD THIS YEAR.
REVIEWING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN THE LONGER TERM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE ADHERED TO HIS BELIEF THAT A SEVEN PER CENT REAL GROWTH RATE FOR THE ECONOMY WAS A REALISTIC ASSUMPTION FOR BUDGETARY PLANNING PURPOSES.
+BUT TO ALLOW A LITTLE TIME FOR THE GROWTH RATE TO PICK UP I AM ASSUMING FIVE PER CENT IN 1976 AND SEVEN PER CENT THEREAFTER,* HE SAID.
MR. HADDON-CAVE THOUGHT THAT A RAPID GROWTH RATE DURING THE FORECAST YEARS WOULD BE AN UNDULY OPTIMISTIC BASIS FOR BUILDING A REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FORECAST, ALTHOUGH IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT SUCH AN ABOVE AVERAGE RATE OF GROWTH WOULD TAKE PLACE.
MORE REALISTICALLY, HE SAID IT MIGHT WELL BE QUITE DIFFICULT FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN THE SEVEN TO EIGHT PER CENT REAL GROWTH RATES ACHIEVED IN THE PERIOD 1966-73 AS HONG KONG NOW FACED STIFFER COMPETITION IN MANY OF ITS TRADITIONAL EXPORT LINES AND MARKETS.
+NOR CAN WE DISCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE GROWTH IN. WORLD TRADE WILL NOT REGAIN THE HISTORICALLY VERY HIGH PRE-1974 RATES.*
YET THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE ECONOMY WOULD BE IN A POSITION QUICKLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHATEVER EXPANSION OF WORLD TRADE WHEN IT OCCURRED.
VIEWING THE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN THE SHORT TERM, MR. HADDON-CAVE FORECAST THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN REAL TERMS IN 1975 WOULD, IN EFFECT, AGAIN BE ZERO . LIKE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
+IT COULD EVEN BE NEGATIVE TO A SMALL EXTENT,* HE SAID, STRESSING THIS FORECAST WAS BASED OH A WHOLE RANGE OF ASSUMPTIONS, INCLUDING THE VIEW THAT OUR EXPORTS WILL FALL, IN QUANTITY TERMS, BY UP TO FIVE PER CENT AND IMPORTS BY ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT.
i
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FORECAST THAT THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT WOULD FALL FROM LAST YEAR’S RECORD 84,100 MILLION TO UNDER $3,000 MILLION, IN MONEY TERMS, TO A LITTLE BELOW THE LEVEL FOR 1973.
WEDNESDAY, IEBRUAHY 25, 1975
1?
THE MONEY SUPPLY, HE SAID, WOULD LIKELY INCREASE AT A SLOWER RATE IN 1975 THAN IN 1974. *TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT, THIS REFLECTS THE SLOWING DOWN OF INFLATION AND SHOULD HOT BE TAKEN TO MEAN THAT LIQUIDITY WILL BECOME GENERALLY TIGHTER.
*NOR SHOULD IT BE ASSUMED THAT ANY SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH OF MONEY SUPPLY WILL, IN ITSELF, BRING ABOUT AH INCREASE IN INTEREST RATESa THESE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE LARGELY IN SYMPATHY WITH INTEREST RATES ABROAD.* ♦
IN GENERAL, MR. HADDON-CAVE PREDICTED THAT INCOME AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT WOULD DE MUCH THE SAME, IN MONEY TERMS, AS LAST YEAR.
CONSUMER PRICES WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND HE PREDICTED THAT, EVEH ALLOWING FOR THE UTILISATION OF HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS, REAL PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WOULD FALL, PERHAPS DY UP TO FIVE PER CENT.
+THIS REFLECTS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT WAGES AND SALARIES, AS WELL $L9IHER INC0MES> W,LL INCREASE VERY MODESTLY THIS YEAR, IN MONEY TERMS, AS WELL AS THE EFFECTS OF A LOWER LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT AND MORE SHORT TIME WORKING.*
PRIVATE INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ALSO SEEMED LIKELY TO FALL, IN REAL TERMS. PRIVATE SECTOR DEMAND FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK HAD ALREADY FALLEN FROM THE PEAK IN 1973 AND THERE WAS NO SIGN YET OF ANY RECOVERY, DESPITE THE EASING IN BUILDING COSTS SINCE MID-1974.
THERE HAD BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT ASSURANCES ON FUTURE RENT CONTROL POLICIES AND RELIEF FROM THE PAYMENT OF RATES ON VACANT DOMESTIC PREMISES WOULD MATERIALLY INFLUENCE THE CLIMATE OF DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES. *1 HAVE MY DOUBTS FOR WE ARE HOW WITNESSING THE INEVITABLE REACTION TO THE EARLIER BOOM=> YET BOTH SUGGESTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED DY THE GOVERNMENT.*
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON BOTH CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE, IN MONEY TERMS, AND THIS WOULD REFLECT LIMITED REAL GROWTH.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE VIEW HE HAD TAKEN OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY 1975 WAS A VIEW OF THE YEAR AS A WHOLE AND CONCEALED MOVEMENTS WITHIN THE YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS HOT EXPECTING AMY SUBSTANTIAL UPTURN IN OVERSEAS DEMAND THIS YEAR, BUT HE ASSUMED THAT THE ECONOMY WOULD SHOW SOME SIGNS OF INCREASED ACTIVITY TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
I
/MOVING o:f oe...
WIOTESM?, FEBRUARY 25, 1975
- 18 -
MOVING ON TO THE WORLD ECONOMY, HE SAID IT WAS IN RECESSION AT THE BEGINNING OF 1975. THE MAJC3 ECONOMIES OF THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (O.E.C.D.) HAD, ON AVERAGE, EXHIBITED LITTLE OR HO GROWTH IN OUTPUT IN 1974.
THE SYMPTONS OF RECESSION INCLUDED A RAPIDLY RISING LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT, PARTICULARLY MARKED IN SOME OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS, TOGETHER WITH FALLS IN THE QUANTITIES OF SOME TRADE FLOWS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASING OF DEMAND PRESSURES HAD LED TO A FALL IN THE PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS, OTHER THAN OIL. INTEREST RATES, TOO, HAD DECLINED SHARPLY BY THE END OF 1974.
DUE TO THE WEAKNESS OF DEMAND AND ALSO BECAUSE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WERE BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF EASING, THE STANCE OF POLICY IN MOST COUNTRIES HAD NOW SHIFTED IN THE DIRECTION OF EXPANSION. *BUT THE FEAR OF INFLATION AND THE BALANCE OF PAYMENT PROBLEMS THAT DEVELOPED IN THE WAKE OF THE HUGE INCREASE IN OIL PRICES HAD COMBINED TO RESTRICT THE SCOPE FOR EXPANSIONARY POLICIES.*
ALL IN ALL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THOUGHT IT REASONABLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE BEGINNING OF A RECOVERY IN WORLD OUTPUT AND TRADE BEFORE THE END OF 1975. *BUT BECAUSE THE FIRST HALF OF 1975 IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE DEPRESSED, THE YEAR AS A WHOLE IS UNLIKELY TO SHOW MUCH GROWTH OF OUTPUT OR TRADE.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO SPOKE ON THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL BACKGROUND IN 1973 AND 1974.
IN TERMS OF REAL GROWTH, HE SAID 1973 WAS A REMARKABLY GOOD YEAR FOR THE ECONOMY. THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN REAL TERMS INCREASED BY 12-1/2 PER CENT OR AT DOUBLE THE AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.
IN PER CAPITA TERMS THE INCREASE WAS TEN PER CENT IN 1973 COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF FOUR PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.
INCOME DERIVED FROM VISIBLE EXPORTS WAS EQUIVALENT TO ALMOST HALF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. A MAJOR FACTOR IN THIS GROWTH WAS THE BUOYANCY OF OVERSEAS DEMAND, BUT IT WAS ACHIEVED IN THE FACE OF WIDE FLUCTUATIONS IN EXCHANGE RATES AND AN EXCEPTIONAL RATE OF INFLATION ABROAD WHICH LED TO A DETERIORATION IN OUR TERMS OF TRADE.
BY THE END OF 1973 AND THE EARLY PART OF 1974 IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE RAPID GROWTH IN 1973 COULD NOT BE SUSTAINED, EITHER IN THE WORLD ECONOMY OR IN OUR OWN, HE SAID.
THE OIL CRISIS WAS THE SINGLY MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR THIS. WHILE THE THREAT OF A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES WAS SOON LIFTED, THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THE 350 PER CENT INCREASE IN CRUDE OIL PRICES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1973 AND JANUARY 1974 HAD CONTINUED TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS A HIGHER PROPORTION OF NON-OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES’ FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS HAD BEEN APPLIED TO THEIR FUEL BILLS.
/IN ADDITION, ....
' rEDnrs9AY, ezbruahs 25, 1975
*• 19 *•
IN ADDITION, THE WEAKNESS IN DEMAND IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS WAS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR AND RESULTED IN A FALL IN THE ACTUAL VOLUME OF OUR EXPORTS OF SEVEN PER CENT OVER THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, INTERRUPTING A PROLONGED GROWTH TREND DATING FROM AT LEAST 1959.
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE DURING 1974 INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS, ONLY A LITTLE LESS THAN WAS FORECAST. GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, HOWEVER, INCREASED BY 22-1/2 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS OR DY HORE THAN THE 14 PER CENT ANTICIPATED.
X
THE RAPID TURNROUND UNDERGONE BY THE WORLD ECONOMY, FROM EOOM IN 1973 TO RECESSION IN 1974, BROUGHT ABOUT A SHARP SLOWDOWN IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, THROUGH A SLACKENING DEMAND FOR OUR EXPORTS.
HE SAID THE SAME FORCES WERE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EASY SUPPLY POSITION AND THE FALLING PRICES OF MANY COMMODITIES. THUS WHILE MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT FELL BY 11 PER CENT IN THE 12 HON ENDING DECEMBER 1974 AND HONEY WAGE RATES HARDLY ROSE AT ALL, CONSUMERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE.BENEFIT OF STEADIER PRICES.
THE FALL IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IN QUANTITY TERMS, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A REDUCTION IN THE QUANTITIES IMPORTED OF RAW MATERIALS, CONSUMER GOODS AND, TO AN EXTENT, FOODSTUFFS.
IN 1974, THE MONEY SUPPLY INCREASED AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE AS THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. BY 12-1/2 PER CENT. ADVANCES AMD LOANS FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY INCREASED, AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE AS IN 1973, BUT THEY LEVELLED-OFF IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
INTEREST RATES BEGAN TO FALL TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, IN LINE WITH MOVEMENTS ABROAD. THIS HELPED TO SUPPORT STOCK MARKET PRICES WHICH HAD BEEN FALLING FOR KOST OF THE YEAR IN THE LIGHT OF GENERALLY UNFAVOURABLE SHORT-TERM WORLD TRADING PROSPECTS..
/20.....
- 20
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
PROPOSALS TO RAISE EXTRA REVENUE OUTLINED FOR 1976-79 FORECAST PERIOD ««««««
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY OUTLINED SEVERAL PROPOSALS FOR RAISINS EXTRA REVENUE TO FINANCE WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS *ACCEPTADLE RATE OF EXPENDITURE* FOR THE THREE-YEAR FORECAST PERIOD OF 1976-79.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED THE APPOINTMENT OF AH INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE INTRODUCTION OF DIVIDENDS WITHHOLDING TAX AND REVALUATION CF PROPERTIES IN RELATION TO RATING.
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE NOTED THAT THE PRESENT TAX SYSTEM WAS.UNLIKELY TO DE SUFFICIENTLY PRODUCTIVE EVEN FOR A CAREFULLY CONTROLLED EXPANSION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES.
*AND AS THERE MUST BE A LIMIT OH BORROWINGS, I MUST NOW INDICATE THE WAYS IN WHICH I THINK THE EXTRA FISCAL REVENUE REQUIRED MUST BE FOUND, BUT WITHOUT BEING TOO SPECIFIC AS TO TIMING AND NUMBERS.*
ON THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE, MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT THAT IN HIS BUDGET SPEECHES IN 1973 AND 1974, HE HAD SAID THAT HE HOPED TO INTRODUCE A BILL TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO RESTORE THE AMBIT OF THE PROFITS TAX CHARGE IN RESPECT OF BUSINESSES GENERALLY AND TO WIDEN THE DEFINITION OF CHARTER HIRE SO AS TO MAKE A LARGER PROPORTION OF RESIDENT SHIPOWNERS’ PROFITS CHARGEABLE TO HONS KONG PROFITS TAX.
A BILL WAS INDEED DRAFTED LAST YEAR BUT IT HAD BEEN DECIDED NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE BILL, AND FOR THE TIME BEING THERE THE MATTER MUST REST.
HE PROPOSED THAT THE HEXT STEP SHOULD DE THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ORDINANCE. *THE TERMS OF REFERENCE WILL BE SO DRAFTED AS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL BE CONCERNED WITH BASIC PRINCIPLES RATHER THAN ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS.*
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HOPED THAT THE APPOINTMENT, MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMITTEE COULD DE ANNOUNCED AROUND THE MIDDLE OF 1976. *THE PUBLIC WILL, OF COURSE, DE GIVEN AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE COMMITTEE.*
ON DIVIDENDS WITHHOLDING TAX, HE SAID PENDING THE REPORT OF THE PROPOSED INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO WHATEVER RECOMMENDATIONS THEY MIGHT MAKE, THIS TAX WOULD DE ONE MEASURE WHICH COULD BE INTRODUCED FOR THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT 1976-77.
/THIS TAX
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
- 21 -
THIS TAX, BEING MODEST AMD REASONABLE IN MATURE, COULD BE INTRODUCED BY WAY OF AH AMENDMENT TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE. (A SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE TAX IS GIVEN IN APPENDIX (6) OF THE PRINTED VERSION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH.) .
ON RATING. MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE HAD ALREADY MENTIONED THAT THE NEXT REVALUATION OF PROPERTIES WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN IM 1976 TO COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1977. +TO PROTECT THE REVENUE, A FURTHER UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE GENERAL RATE IN 1976-77 MAY, THEREFORE, DE NECESSARY.♦
REFERRING TO THE BASIS OF ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAX, HE SAID QUITE APART FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE DESIRABILITY OF PROVIDING A SEPARATE ROLL OF PROPERTY OWNERS, VALUES FOR PROPERTY TAX PURPOSES SHOULD DE ASSESSED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE RATING VALUATldN LISTS.
THIS WOULD ENABLE SUCH VALUES TO BE FIXED IN LIME WITH CURRENT MARKET RENTAL VALUES AND NOT ON A TONE OF THE LIST BASIS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND ENABLE RESTRICTED RENTS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE ASSESSMENTS.
♦AS THE NEXT REVALUATION FOR RATING PURPOSES IS TO BE POSTPONED UNTIL 1976, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RATING AND VALUATION SHOULD HAVE TIME TO PROVIDE SEPARATE VALUATIONS FOR A HEW PROPERTY TAX ROLL WHICH WILL BE THE BASIS FOR THIS TAX IN 1976-77 AND MAKE IT MORE PRODUCTIVE.* . ,
FOR OTHER POSSIBILITIES, HE SAID HE HAD IM MIND THE REVENUE IMPLICATIONS OF AM EVENTUAL EXTENSION OF THE SCOPE OF THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO NEW FORMS OF AUTHORISED OFF-COURSE BETTING.
HE HAD ALSO LOOKED INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF A PAYROLL TAX AND DUTIES ON A WIDER RANGE OF SO-CALLED LUXURY GOODS. +BUT THESE THREE IDEAS INVOLVE DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS WHICH, IN MY VIEW, RULE THEM OUT FOR THE PRESENT.♦
IN CONCLUSION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT IF THE YEAR OF THE TIGER WAS DOUBLY DEPRESSING BECAUSE IT DID HOT REMOTELY RESEMBLE ANYONE’S PRECONCEPTIONS IT WOULD NOT BE EASY TO HAVE ANY PRECONCEPTIONS AT ALL ABOUT THE COMING YEAR.
♦SO, WHEREAS THE KEYNOTE OF THE 1974 BUDGET WAS CAUTION, THE KEYNOTE OF THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT IS BELIEVED TO HERALD BETTER THINGS TO COME IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON. AMD I AM SURE IT WILL, PROVIDED THAT, IN THE COMING MONTHS, WE TAKE PARTICULAR CARE WITH THE ECONOMY ON THE HEALTH OF WHICH ALL DEPENDS,+ HE ADDED.
0
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975.
- 22 -
GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE EXPANDING SOCIAL SERVICES « « H K II If
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON BOTH CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE, IN MONEY TERMS, DESPITE A POSSIBLE FALL OF 5 PER CENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY.
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT THIS WOULD REFLECT LIMITED REAL GROWTH.
AT 86,615 MILLION, THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1975-76 REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 8431 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1974-75, AFTER ALLOWING FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON BEHALF OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF 8270 MILLION IN 1974-75.
IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN INCREASES IN RECENT YEARS. IN 1974-75, THE INCREASE WAS 33 PER CENT, EXCLUDING THE TRANSFER OF 8300 MILLION TO THE MASS TRANSIT FUND IN 1973-74 AS WELL AS EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON BEHALF OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHILE THE INCREASE IN 1973-74 WAS 26 PER CENT. '
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE PROVISION FOR EXPENDITURE ON RECURRENT SERVICES SHOWED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WAS 84,618 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 8407 MILLION OR 10 PER
CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1974-75. BUT IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN IN RECENT YEARS. IN 1974-75 THE INCREASE WAS 30 PER CENT WHILE THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE THREE YEARS ENDING 1973-74 WAS 22 PER CENT.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE DID NOT PROPOSE THIS YEAR TO ANALYSE IN DETAIL THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BUT, INSTEAD, TO DRAW ATTENTION TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR.
HE SAID: +PROVISION HAS BEEN INCLUDED TO BRING AN ADDITIONAL 19,000 SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES INTO THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO ALLOW THE INCREASED INTAKES AT FORM I IN PREVIOUS YEARS TO PROGRESS THROUGH THE SCHOOLS" AND TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT PLACES IN FORM I FOR 50 PER CENT OF THOSE LIKELY TO APPLY.*
CONTINUING THE EMPHASIS ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION, HE SAID, THE PROVISION WOULD ALLOW FOR THE OPENING OF TWO NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WITH A COMBINED CAPACITY OF 2,400 FULL TIME STUDENTS AND FOR THE PLANNED EXPANSION OF THE,POLYTECHNIC TO PROVIDE FOR A FURTHER 400 FULL TIME STUDENTS. .
... . ip ....... ..■■■•* ■ ..- -I--.________1,_____2. __
/+THE PROVISION
WEDNESDAY, KD3UABZ 26, 1975
- 23 -
+THE PROVISION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ALLOWS FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND FOR DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT THE NEW PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, TOO POLYCLINICS AND A SPECIALIST CLINIC WOULD BE OPENED.
THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WOULD BE SUBVERTED FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW CENTENARY BLOCK AND THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL TO ENABLE .IT TO OPERATE AT FULL CAPACITY FOR A FULL YEAR. '
HE SA IDs + ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN MADE FOR OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE AND MEDICAL SUBVERTED ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET INCREASED PRICES, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL BE EXPECTED TO ECONOMISE AS WELL.*
MR. HADDON-CAVE SA IDs *WE HAVE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAD TO ALLOW FOR A FAIRLY DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE PRISON POPULATION, AND ALSO FOR A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE STRENGTH OF THE POLICE FORCE."
TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH OF EXPENDITURE ON PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS, HE SAID, THE NET INCREASE IN THE STRENGTH OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE WOULD BE LIMITED TO 1,600.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AS SHOWN IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES REPRESENTED ONLY AN INCREASE OF 0.7 PER CENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
+THIS LIMITING OF INCREASES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT TO ESSENTIAL AREAS ONLY,* HE SAID, +WILL BE CONTINUED IN 1975-76.+
♦PROVISION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (INCLUDING ALLOWANCES, BUT EXCLUDING PENSIONS) WILL BE REDUCED BY THIS MEANS TO 33 PER CENT OF TOTAL RECURRENT PROVISIONS, COMPARED WITH 40 PER CENT FOR 1974-75 AND AN AVERAGE OF 42 PER CENT OVER THE THREE YEARS ENDING 1973-7'4.*
tHE ESTIMATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1975-76 IS $1,997 MILLION. IT REPRESENTS AH INCREASE OF OHLY 624 MILLION ON THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1974-75.
THIS FIGURE INCLUDES $556 MILLION FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME OH NEV/ TOWNS AND HOUSING AND $1,070 MILLION FOR OTHER PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EMPHASISED THAT THE INCREASE IN 1974-75 WAS 40 PER CENT AND THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE OVER THE THREE YEARS ENDING 1973-74 WAS 37 PER CENT, EXCLUDING TRANSFERS TO THE MASS TRANSIT FUND IN BOTH 1972-73 ($500 MILLION) AND 1973-74 ($300 MILLION).
( .
/Respite the .oo
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
DESPITE THE POSTPONEMENT OF CERTAIN WORKS, MR. HADDON-CAVE POINTED OUT THAT PROVISION HAD BEEN INCLUDED FOR NEW CONTRACTS INVOLVING EXPENDITURE OF 3140 MILLION IN 1975-76 FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, INCLUDING BUILDING WORKS AT THE AIRPORT AND ON PRISONS, ROAD WORKS TO REDUCE CONGESTION WHEN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IS BEING BUILT AND WORKS RELATED TO THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME. <
HE SA IDs +CONTRACTS INVOLVING EXPENDITURE OF Sill MILLION IN 1975-76 WILL BE LET IN THE NEW TOWNS.
♦PROVISION OF 341 MILLION HAS BEEN INCLUDED FOR HOUSING ESTATES UNDER WAY IN THE URBAN AREA AS PART OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND $25 MILLION HAS BEEN INCLUDED AS A TRANSFER TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND TOWARDS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S EXPENDITURE ON NEW HOUSING PROJECTS.♦
AS REGARDS OTHER CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, PROVISION HAD BEEN INCLUDED TO ALLOW FOR CONTRACTS TO BE LET FOR THE POLYTECHNIC, FOR SUBVERTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS, FOR IMPLEMENTING PART OF THE APPROVED PROGRAMME FOR INTRODUCING ECONOMIES THROUGH A GREATER USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LICENSED AREAS FOR HOUSING THE HOMELESS, FOR OVERHAULING BUOYS AND MOORINGS IN THE HARBOUR, FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS IN tllE NEW TERRITORIES AND RADIOS FOR POLICE ON BEAT PATROL.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
- 25 ■■
RESERVES NOW ONLY ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE » « « n i: 11 ?•
HONG KONG WILL PROBABLY BE ENTERING THE MEW FINANCIAL YEAR WITH FISCAL RESERVES REPRESENTING OHLY ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OF TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THS HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, INDICATED TODAY.
HE ESTIMATED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH THAT THE RESERVES ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR WOULD BE $2,371 MILLION — $511 MILLION LESS THAN THE POSITION A YEAR AGO. THE NEW RESERVES ESTIMATE REPRESENTS ONLY 35 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF $5,615 MILLION FOR 1975/76. j
IN SHARP CONTRAST, THE RESERVES ON APRIL 1, 1974 AT $2,082 MILLION REPRESENTED 52 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED $5,493 MILLION EXPENDITURE FOR THAT YEAR. OH APRIL 1, 1973, THE RESERVES STOOD AT $3,158 MILLION, REPRESENTING 75 PER CENT OF THE YEAR’S $4,290 MILLI ON EST I MATED EXPEND l(TURE.
MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID TWO FACTORS CAUSED AN EROSION OF THE FISCAL RESERVES IN THE CURRENT 1974/75 FINANCIAL YEAR.
ONE WAS THE DEFICIT ON BUDGETARY ACCOUNT WHICH WOULD BE OF THE ORDER OF $410 MILLION, AND THE OTHER WAS THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET, INVOLVING A FALL IN THE VALUE OF OUR FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS IN HONG KONG DOLLAR TERMS OF PROBABLY $80 MILLION. OF THIS $30 MILLION LOSS $35 MILLION CAN BE RELATED TO STERLING ASSETS, AND $45 MILLION TO THE HONG KONG DOLLAR’S STRENGTHEN INS AGAINST OTHER CURRENCIES, LARGELY THE U.S. DOLLAR.
THIS LOSS, HE ADDED, HAD BEEN CALCULATED BY THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT C0MPEHSAT40N OF $45 MILLION RECEIVED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT UNDER THE UNILATERAL STERLING GUARANTEE ARRANGEMENT COVERING THE'PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 1973 TO MARCH 31, 1974.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE-EXPECTED THAT $315 MILLION OF THE $2,371 MILLION RESERVES ON APRIL 1, 1975 WOULD BE HELD WITH BANKERS IN HONG KONG AND THAT $2,056 MILLION WOULD DE HELD ABROAD TO FORM PART OF HONG KONG’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESOURCES. THESE WOULD CONSIST OF OVERSEAS ASSETS OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKING SYSTEM AND PRIVATELY HELD ASSETS.
’ ' . r
- - 0
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975 I
- 26 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY DEFENDS DOLLAR FLOAT n if if if if if
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPOSING AN EXCHANGE RATE CONTROL SYSTEM OR ARTIFICIALLY WEAKENING THE HONG KONG DOLLAR FOR THE SAKE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE.
+ IT WOULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO CHEAPEN THE CURRENCY ARTIFICIALLY BECAUSE, AS SOON AS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE MARKET WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE LOWER RATE, THERE WOULD BE A TENDENCY FOR FUNDS TO FLOW IN AGAIN,* HE SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH. *THE RESULT WOULD BE A RENEWED STRENGTHEN ING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR RATE.*
ANY WEAKENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AS A RESULT OF REFLATION WOULD NOW FOLLOW ONLY AFTER A LONG DELAY, BY WHICH TIME SUCH A WEAKENING MAY NO LONGER BE DESIRABLE, HE SAID. IN FACT, HE ADDED, IF DONE ON A LARGE SCALE IT COULD HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT DY WEAKENING OUR BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ON CURRENT ACCOUNT AND PARTLY DY MAKING OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE WORSE.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT HESITATE TO INTERVENE IN THE MARKET TO SMOOTH OUT OBVIOUSLY ERRATIC OR WAYWARD MOVEMENTS, MR. HADDON-CAVE STRESSED, BUT HE WAS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO ANY IDEAS WHICH WOULD INVOLVE A FORM OF-EXCHANGE CONTROL, SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE, A TWO-TIER RATE SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, HE DID NOT RULE OUT THE USE OF INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX AS A POSITIVE REGULATOR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY APPRECIATED THAT THE FLOATING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S, CURRENCY, FROM LATE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, HAD ADDED TO THE UNCERTAINTIES FACING THE HONG KONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND THE PERSISTENT STRENGTHENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN RELATION TO CURRENCIES OF SOME OF OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS HAD BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO HONG KONG EXPORTERS.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER# *THEIR MAIN PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A LACK OF ORDERS AND EVEN IF A WEAKER HONG KONG DOLLAR ALLOWED THEM TO QUOTE PRICES WHICH WERE THREE OR FOUR PER CENT LOWER, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS WOULD ENABLE THEM TO ATTRACT ORDERS AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR COMPETITORS ELSEWHERE, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD IMPROVE THE PROFITABILITY OF THE ORDERS ALREADY IN HAND.*
A FLOATING EXCHANGE, HE SAID, WAS IN ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY SELF-REGULATING LIKE ANY OTHER PRICE. IF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR RATE IS STRONG, REFLECTING EXCESS DEMAND FOR THE CURRENCY AND A TENDENCY FOR FUNDS TO FLOW IN FROM ABROAD, THEN THE HIGH PRICE IS ONE MEANS OF CONTAINING THE INFLOW.
/THE AUTOMATIC EFFECTS .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
- 27 -
THE AUTOMATIC EFFECTS OF THE FLOATING RATE HAD PROBABLY BEEN OBSCURED SO FAR BECAUSE MANUFACTURERS’ INVENTORIES OF MATERIALS WERE LARGE WHEN THE DOLLAR WAS FLOATED, SO THAT THE FALL IN EJIPORTS WHICH WAS ALREADY TAKING PLACE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AN EVEN SHARPER FALL IN IMPORTS, AND AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE OVERALL BALANCE OF PAYMENTS SURPLUS.
IT WAS CLEAR, HOWEVER, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID, THAT THIS PARTICULAR COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD NOT CONTINUE FOR EVER.
HE EXPLAINED THAT REDUCTIONS IN INTEREST RATES IN HONG KONG HAD SEEMED TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKS TO BE THE OBVIOUS MEANS OF EASING THE PRESSURE OF FLOWS OH CAPITAL ACCOUNT — APPARENTLY ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS IN THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
IN THE THREE MONTHS SINCE-FLOATING, SIX REDUCTIONS IN INTEREST RATES HAD BEEN MADE. THE IMPACT, HOWEVER, HAD BEEN DISAPPOINTING PARTLY BECAUSE THE U.S. DOLLAR HAD CONTINUED TO WEAKEN IN OVERSEAS MARKETS AND PARTLY, PERHAPS, BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATE REDUCTIONS HAVE HAD A CONTRARY PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT PERHAPS IT WAS TOO EARLY YET TO ASSESS THE RESULTS OF LAST WEEK’S REDUCTIONS, AND IN ANY CASE, THEY WILL HAVE MADE THINGS EASIER FOR EXPORTERS IN OTHER WAVS.
-----o------
/2'3 »o#ool
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
-28-
VIEWPOINT TALK BY FINANCIAL SECRETARY ft ft ft ft ft «
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF TALK. BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY BROADCAST TONIGHT s-
+GOOD EVENING 3
♦THIS AFTERNOON I PRESENTED THE BUDGET FOR THE 1975-76 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MY SPEECH WILL BE AVAILABLE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT. I HOPE THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE THE TIME WILL OBTAIN A COPY AND READ IT AT YOUR LEISURE BECAUSE IT IS, ESSENTIALLY, A REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUR AFFAIRS OVER THE PAST YEAR AND IT SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON HOU THEY SHOULD BE MANAGED DURING THE COMING YEAR AND, INDEED, THEREAFTER.
' ♦AS YOU ARE ALL WELL AWARE OUR ECONOMY HAS STOPPED GROWING FOR THE TIME BEING NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF OURS BUT BECAUSE THE DEMAND FOR OUR EXPORTS OVERSEAS HAS EASED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN LARGELY DUE TO THE ENORMOUS INCREASE IN OIL PRICES WHICH HAS SHIFTED A SIZEABLE CHUNK OF WORLD SPENDING POWER INTO THE HANDS OF OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES. THESE COUNTRIES TEND TO HOLD ON TO THIS SPENDING POWER, IN THE FORM OF CASH DEPOSITS. SO UNTIL A RECYCLING OF THIS SPENDING POWER HAS BEEN ORGANIZED, WORLD DEMAND AND WORLD TRADE WILL NOT GROW AT THE RATE WE HAVE BECOME USED TO IN RECENT YEARS. THIS AFFECTS OUR EXPORT EARNINGS, THE LEVEL OF OUR WAGES AND PROFITS INTERNAL INCOMES AMD, OF COURSE, THE YIELD FROM THOSE TAXES AND LEVIES ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DEPENDS TO FINANCE THE PUBLIC SERVICES AND CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES.
♦SO THE ECONOMY IS PAUSING IN BETWEEN ONE PERIOD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH FADED AWAY EARLY LAST YEAR AND THE NEXT. JUST WHEN THE GROWTH OF WORLD TRADE WILL BEGIN TO PICK UP REALLY IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. BUT IN THIS AFTERNOON’S BUDGET SPEECH I SAID I THOUGHT THAT, AFTER A STANDSTILL FOR MOST OF THIS YEAR, A RECOVERY WOULD GET UNDER WAY IN,TIME TO IMPROVE OUR PROSPECTS IN 1976. 1
♦HONG KONG MUST BE READY TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND PROFITABLY TO A RENEWAL OF GROWTH IN WORLD TRADE WHEN IT DOES OCCUR. IF OUR PAST IS ANYTHING TO GO BY, WE SHOULD. AND I PREDICT THAT AFTER RECOVERING IN 1976, OUR ECONOMY REALLY WILL GET INTO FULL GEAR AGAIN IN 1977 AND 1970. MEANWHILE, OUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS HAVE TO BE MANAGED IN SUCH A WAY AS NOT TO IMPAIR THE ECONOMY’S ABILITY TO RESPOND. AT THE SAME TIME, SOMEHOW, ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICES MUST BE MAINTAINED AND, SOMEHOW, OUR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES MUST PROCEED, AND ON A BROAD FRONT, IF NOT AT THE PACE WE WOULD PREFER.
/♦AGAINST THIS .....
uddnesday, febwjit 26, 1975
29
+AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THE BUDGET FOR 1975-76 PROVIDES FOR EXPENDITURE HEXT YEAR OF $6,600 MILLION. THIS FIGURE HAS EEEfl ARRIVED AT AFTER THE HOST THOROUGH SCRUTINY OF DEPARTMENTAL BIDS FOR FUNDS RESULTING IN REDUCTIONS TOTALLING NEARLY $1,400 MILLION. EVEN SO IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE. OF $430 MILLION ON WHAT ACTUAL EXPENDITURE IS LIKELY TO BE IN 1974-75 AND SOME OF THIS MONEY WILL PAY FOR A FURTHER EXPANSION OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES. PROVISION HAS, FOR EXAMPLE, DEEN INCLUDED FOR 19,000 MORE PLACES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, FOR OPENING TWO HEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, FOR EXPANDING THE POLYTECHNIC, AND FOR OPENING THE NEW PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THREE HEW CLINICS AND THE NEW CENTENARY BLOCK OF THE TUNS WAN GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
*DUT THIS PROVISION FOR EXPENDITURE IS HOT PAINLESS. UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN AFTER THE PRUNING EXERCISE, THE REVENUE WE COULD EXPECT NEXT YEAR AT PRESENT TAX RATES FALLS SHORT OF EXPENDITURE DY $900 MILLION.
* S0 THE QUESTION I HAD TO CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY WAS THIS a HOW BEST COULD THE SHORTFALL DE COVERED? EXPENDITURE IN 1974-75 EXCEEDED REVENUE BY OVER $400 MILLION. THIS MEANT THAT OUR FISCAL RESERVES WERE RUN DOWN TO $2,370 MILLION, OR ONLY FOUR MONTHS WORTH OF EXPENDITURE. I DO HOT THINK WE SHOULD PLAN TO RUN THEM DOWN FURTHER. IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, OUR RESERVES MUST DE KEPT INTACT TO FINANCE UNFORESEEABLE COMMITMENTS ARISING DURING THE YEAR AND TO COVER UNEXPECTED SHORTFALLS IN REVENUE.
* 80, I PROPOSED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON THAT ROUGHLY HALF OF THE EXTRA $909 MILLION REQUIRED SHOULD DE FOUND FROM NEW AND ADDITIONAL TAXATION AND HALF DY BORROWINGS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
* 1 THINK MY TAX PROPOSALS SPREAD THE DURDEN EQUITABLY AND IN SUCH A WAY AS TO HAVE THE LEAST POSSIBLE EFFECT ON THE COST OF LIVING AND ON THE PROFITABILITY OF INDUSTRY. ABOUT $100 MILLION WILL COME FROM AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF CORPORATION PROFITS TAX AND WILL, IN EFFECT, LARGELY DE BORNE BY PERSONS RECEIVING DIVIDENDS FROM SHARES. AN EXTRA $212 MILLION WILL DE RAISED FROM INDIRECT TAXES. HERE I HAVE TRIED TO SPREAD THE LOAD AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE a MY PROPOSALS WILL LEAD TO INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY, IN THE GENERAL RATE, IN EXCISE DUTIES ON LIQUOR AND TOBACCO AND CERTAIN STAM? DUTIES AND I PROPOSE ALSO THE RE INTRODUCT ION OF ENTERTAINMENT TAX ON ADMISSIONS TO CINEMAS. FINALLY, $155 MILLION WILL DE RAISED FROM INCREASING VARIOUS FEES AND CHARGES WHICH ARE AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF REVENUE GIVEN OUR LOW AND NARROWLY BASED TAX STRUCTURE" AND WE MUST ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC UTILITY UNDERTAKINGS RUN BY THE GOVERNMENl SUCH AS THE WATERWORKS, THE AIRPORT AND THE POST OFFICE PAY THEIR WAY. I SHOULD JUST MENTION HERE IN PASSING, HOWEVER, (HAT THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE CHARGE FOR WATER WILL ONLY AFFECT 20 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC CONSUMERS.
/♦BY EORPOV/IKG.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
- 30 -
+BY BORROWING OVER 8400. MILLION WE SHALL BE ABLE TO FINANCE CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE OF JUST ON 02,000 MILLION OUT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF 06,600 MILLION. WITHIN THIS FIGURE OF 02,000 MILLION, PROVISION HAS DEEN POSSIBLE FOR THE LETTING OF QUITE A NUMBER OF NEW CONTRACTS AS WELL AS THE CONTINUATION OF EXISTING CONTRACTS. THIS WILL BE HELPFUL TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND GENERALLY I THINK THE BUDGET WILL HAVE A MILD EXPANSIONARY EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY WITHOUT, I FEEL CONFIDENT, INVOLVING BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROBLEMS. '
+l THINK THE BUDGET STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE CONTAINMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND THE RAISING OF ADDITIONAL TAX AND NON-TAX REVENUE. AND, CERTAINLY, I HAVE TRIED TO BEAR IN MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING STEADY PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES, WHILST AVOIDING ANY MOVE WHICH MIGHT DAMAGE THE ECONOMY; ON THE HEALTH OF WHICH OUR FUTURE DEPENDS.-*
' ' ... •
I
f
......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975
■> 31 .
NURSERIES PLAY INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE n u n h n a
NURSERIES AND CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG WHERE THE TREND IS FOR MARRIED WOMEN TO LEAVE THE KITCHEN AND GO OUT TO WORK, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ NEW NURSERY IN BLOCK 12 OF THE SHEK l.EI ESTATE IN KWAI CHUNG. WITH PLACES FOR 60 CHILDREN, IT WILL CAVER TO THE LOWER INCOME FAMILIES IN THE ESTATE AND NEARBY AREAS.
MR. LEE SAID NURSERIES HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FILLING IN THE GAPS IN A CHILD’S LIFE IN AREAS WHICH PARENTS WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND TO THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY WERE EITHER TOO BUSY OR PREOCCUPIED.
THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP A NURSERY, HE WENT ON, WAS NOT MERELY TO DISTRIBUTE MEALS AND DAILY NECESSITIES, BUT TO PLAN OUT THE DAILY LIVES OF THE CHILDREN IN DETAIL, SO THAT THE DAILY ACTIVITIES WERE FULLY IN KEEPING WITH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL GROWTH, INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EACH AND EVERY CHILD.
IN OTHER WORDS, CHILD CARE SERVICE SUPPLEMENTS PARENTAL CARE, HE SAID, AND HE URGED ALL PARENTS TO KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH CHILD CARE WORKERS IN NURSERIES SO THAT THEIR YOUNG COULD BENEFIT FROM THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR. LEE SAID IT WAS THE OLDEST CHARITABLE ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG AND WAS RENOWN FOR PROVIDING A VAST SCOPE OF VALUABLE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
CHILD CARE SERVICE WAS JUST ONE OF ITS AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND IT WAS EXPANDING THIS SERVICE IN LINE WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO MEET INCREASING DEMANDS. '
THE TUNG WAH GROUP, HE NOTED, ALREADY HAD A NURSERY OPERATING IN WAN CHAI FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS PROVIDING CARE FOR ABOUT 100 CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND IT WAS ALWAYS FULL.
MR. LEE LOOKED FORWARD TO CONTINUED CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TUNG WAH GROUP AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FURTHER ADVANCEMENT OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS#
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. THOMAS LEE’S SPEECH, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION TODAY.
0
/.> ■ - o o o o o o
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1975 w *
WATER CUT ' H H IS H
WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEK KIP MEI DISTRICT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR FIVE HOURS ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 29) BEGINNING FROM 1 A.M. TO ENABLE A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.
AFFECTED WILL BE THE AREA BOUNDED BY TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE BLOCKS 9 - 14 AND TO YUEN STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
Q
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VALUE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS IN JANUARY DECLINED BY $260 MILLION ............................................... 1
RATE OF TAX-FREE INTEREST WILL BE REDUCED TO 3-1/2 PER CENT IN MARCH.......................................... 2
36 ASSISTED PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO
RECEIVE GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ............... 3
HONG KONG AGREES TO RESTRAIN EXPORTS OF WOVEN SHIRTS OF
COTTON AND DISCONTINUOUS SYNTHETIC FIBRES TO AUSTRIA . ,4
BUDGET PUBLICATIONS ON SALE NOW.....................
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTINGS IN FANLING TO BuGIN THIS WEEKEND .. 5
AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF FIRES WENT UP TO 23 DURING PAST WO WEEKS ............................................ 6
HOSTEL’S +GETTING TO IKNOW YOU+^EVENING ............... 7
PRESS CONFERENCE ON PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT .......... 7
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
1
JANUARY EXPORTS DROP BY $260 MILLION
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S.DOMESTIC TRADE LAST MONTH DECLINED BY $260 MILLION TO $1,635 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURE REPRESENTS A DROP OF 13.7 PER CENT, IN VALUE TERMS, AGAINST THE JANUARY 1974 FIGURE.
IMPORTS ALSO WENT DOWN IN VALUE TERMS BY 1.1 PER CENT TO $2,406 MILLION, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS DROPPED BY 10.5 PER CENT TO $515 MILLION.
TAKING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FEBRUARY 1974 TO JANUARY 1975, INCREASES ARE SHOWN IN ALL THREE AREAS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD. DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE BY 12.4 PER CENT, IMPORTS BY 15.3 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY 4.8 PER CENT. * '
NOTE TO EDITORSs FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, A COMPARISON TABLE IS
GIVEN BELOW. •
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE OR
1975 1974 DECREASE
$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 1,635 1,895 - 260 - 13.7
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (76.1%) (76.7%)
IMPORTS 2,406 2,433 - 27 - 1.1
RE-EXPORTS 515 - 575 - 61 - 10.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (23.9%) (23.3%)
NOV. 1974 NOV. 1973
TO TO INCREASE OR
JAN. 1975 JAN. 1974 DECREASE
X $ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 5,178 5,790 - 612 - 10.6
IMPORTS 7,522 8,538 -1,016 - 11.9
RE-EXPORTS 1,608 1,852 - 244 - 13.2
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS .....
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
2
• FEB, 19/4 TO JAN. 1975 FED. 1973 TO JAN. 1974 INCREASE OR DEGREASE
(5 MN. 8 MN. 8 MN.’ • %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 22,651 20,156 +2,495 + 12.4
IMPORTS 34,093 . 29,579 +4,515 + 15.3
RE-EXPORTS 7,064 6,743 + 321 + 4.0
i \ *”■ “ — •• 0 • • • •
TAX-FREE INTEREST RATE REDUCED a n r< x n «
THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE DY LICENSED BANKS, AND ALSO DY THE GOVERNMENT AND CERTAIN PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, WHIG!! IS EX’-.! FROM INTEREST TAX WILL DE REDUCED FROM 4-1/2 PER CENT TO 3’1/2 PER CENT PER ANNUM FROM SATURDAY (MARCH 1),
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE EXCHANGE BANKS’ ASSOCIATION HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED A REDUCTION IN THE INTEREST RA-PAYABLE ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO 3’1/2 PER CENT PER ANNUM FROM ;!!A DATE, THE REDUCTION IN THE TAX EXEMPTION LIMIT SIMPLY FOLLOWS THE CHANGE.
- - - - 0----------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
3 °
36 ASSISTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO GET FINANCIAL HELP
Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji
THE GOVERNMENT’S SUBVENTIONS ON EDUCATION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR BEGINNING APRIL INCLUDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 36 ASSISTED PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ENABLE THEM TO CONVERT BY STAGES TO FULLY SUBSIDIZED STATUS UNDER THE UNIFIED CODE OF AID FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS,
SUBJECT TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THIS COMMITMENT IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SCHEME IN SEPTEMBER 1975, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY,
IN THE 1975-76 DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, ABOUT $2.5 MILLION IS PROVIDED AS CAPITATION.GRANT FOR THE 36 SCHOOLS TO BE BROUGHT ONTO RECURRENT SUBSIDY BY STAGES. THE CAPITATION GRANT WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT CLASSROOM ALLOWANCE.
THE PROVISION OF ANOTHER $11.5 MILLION IS A SALARY GRANT TO TEACHERS AS PART OF THE SCHEME. THIS SAI.ARY GRANT IS EQUIVALENT TO ONE-HALF OF EACH TEACHER’S ACTUAL ENTITLEMENT. THE GRANT WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT SALARY ALLOWANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO READJUST THEIR CLASS ORGANIZATION BY STAGES TO CONFORM WITH OTHER FULLY AIDED SCHOOLS.
THE DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SUBSEQUENT STAGES OF THE SCHEME WILL BE DECIDED WHEN PROVISION FOR THE 1976/77 ESTIMATES IS CONSIDERED.
HE RECALLED THAT THE SCHEME FOR CONVERTING THE 36 ASSISTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO FULLY SUBSIDIZED STATUS BY SiAGES WAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 18, 1974.
THESE 36 SCHOOLS PROVIDE ABOUT 30,000 PLACES IN FORMS 1 TO 3, 10,000 IN FORMS 4 AND 5 AND 2,000 IN FORM 6.
- - 0
oooooo
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975.
- 4 -
TEXTILES AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRIA n k n •:$ n n
FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS HELD RECENTLY IN GENEVA, HONG KONG HAS AGREED TO RESTRAIN ITS EXPORTS OF WOVEN SHIRTS OF COTTON AND DISCONTINUOUS SYNTHETIC FIBRES TO AUSTRIA, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE REQUESTED BY AUSTRIA UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.
MR. MILLS SAID THAT AUSTRIA WAS NOT A VERY LARGE MARKET AND AN INFLUX OF IMPORTS COULD HAVE A CONSIDERABLE EFFECT ON ITS DOMESTIC INDUSTRY. DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS THE AUSTRIANS WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT THEIR SHIRT INDUSTRY WAS BEING THREATENED BY IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG.
HONG KONG HAS, THEREFORE, AGREED TO INTRODUCE EXPORT RESTRAINT IN RECOGNITION OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.
t.
THE AGREEMENT RUNS FOR ONE YEAR FROM 1 FEBRUARY 1975 TO 31 JANUARY 1976.
THE BULK OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO AUSTRIA IS IN GARMENTS. IN 1974 EXPORTS OF GARMENTS TO AUSTRIA AMOUNTED TO SOME UK$97 MILLION OF WHICH EXPORTS OF THE ITEM NOV/ UNDER RESTRAINT ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT HKS1O MILLION.
MR. MILLS ADDED THAT DETAILS OF THE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 3, NO. 7/75, COPIES OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S RECEPTIONIST COUNTER.
BUDGET PUBLICATIONS ON SALE
•x x » a it «
THE BUDGET PUBLICATIONS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
CENTRE
PRODUCT^mi-n^AT SAA’COP?.™ ESTIMATCS 0F GR0SS D0MEST'C
- - 0 - -
5 oTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTINGS IN FAHLING n « n n n a .
A ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS WEEKEND IN LUEN WO MARKET AREA IN FAHLING, HEW TERRITORIES, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION THERE.
THE SCHEME WILL COME INTO EFFECT AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1), AND WILL INVOLVE RE-ROUTING OF ROADS IN THE MARKET AREA TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC TO ENSURE BETTER FLOW.
THE WHOLE LENGTH OF LUEN FAT STREET, AND THE SECTION OF LUEN SHING STREET BETWEEN WO TAI STREET AND LUEN WO STREET, WILL EE ONE-WAY FROM WO TA I STREET TOWARDS LUEN WO. STREET.
THE SECTIONS OF LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN CHEONG STREET, BOTH BETWEEN LUEN WO STREET AND WO TAI STREET, WILL DE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM LUEN WO STREET TOWARDS WO TAI STREET.
LUEN ON STREET WILL BE ONE-WAY IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION FROM LUEN CHEONG STREET TO LUEN WO STREET.
THE SECTION OF WO TA! STREET BETWEEN LUEN CHEONG STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET WILL DE ONE-WAY SOUTHWEST-BOUND FROM LUEN CHEONG STREET TOWARDS LUEN SUING STREET, WHILE ANOTHER SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN FAT STREET WILL ALSO BE ONE-WAY SOUTHWEST-DOUND FROM LUEN HING STREET TOWARDS LUEN FAT STREET.
THE WHOLE LENGTH OF WO LUNG STREET, AS WELL AS THE SECTION OF WO TAI STREET DETWEEN LUEN HING STREET AND LUEN SHING STREET, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM LUEN HING STREET TOWARDS LUEN SHING STREET.
WO FUNG STREET WILL BE ONE-WAY SOUTHWEST-BOUND FROM LUEN CHEONG STREET TOWARDS LUEN FAT STREET.
THE MIDDLE CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SECTION OF LUEN WO STREET BETWEEN LUEN SHING STREET AND LUEN DING STREET WILL DE ONE-WAY FROM LUEN SHING STREET TOWARDS LUEN HING STREET.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL DE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
MEANWHILE, SAN HA STREET IN CHAI WAN, HONG KONG ISLAND, WILL BE CLOSED TO PUBLIC LIGHT DUSES FROM 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1). THEY WILL ALSO BE FORBIDDEN TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS IN WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND MIDNIGHT.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.
/6
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975.
- 6 -
UP GO FIRE FIGURES n n h « n
DUE TO THE PROLONGED SPELL OF VERY DRY WEATHER THE AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF FIRES HAS GONE UP FROM 18 DURING THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OF THE YEAR TO 23 FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE 806 FIRES BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND FEBRUARY 13. FROM THEN ON, THE LEVEL OF HUMIDITY DROPPED SHARPLY RESULTING IN 296 FIRES DURING THE 13-DAY PERIOD FEBRUARY 14 AND 26.
-i-LAST WEEKEND ALONE,+ HE SAID, ♦THERE WERE 89 FIRES AND ’ 69 ON THE PRECEDING TWO DAYS. THE COMING WEEKEND COULD SEE SIMILAR FIGURES IF PRESENT WEATHER CONDITIONS PERS 1ST.+
HE SAID THE UPSURGE IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES OVER THE PAST TOO WEEKS HAD REVERSED THE PREVIOUS TREND WHICH HAD BEEN DOWNWARDS BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1974.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE*+LARGELY TO CARELESSNESS AND FAILURE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE INCREASED FIRE DANGER BROUGHT ABOUT BY MUCH DRIER WEATHER.+
HE URGED SMOKERS TO BE SPECIALLY CAREFUL AT THE PRESENT TIME AND APPEALED TO THOSE PLANNING TO VISIT THE COUNTRYSIDE THIS WEEKEND TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO PREVENT CAUSING FIRE.
BARBECUES SHOULD BE HELD IN AREAS WHICH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THIS PURPOSE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. CAMP FIRES MUST BE CONTROLLED ALL THE TIME AND PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DEPARTURE.
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT TOO RECENT FIRES HAD RESULTED IN MORE THAN 1,100 PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975
- 7 -
HOSTEL’S +GETTING TO KNOW YOU+ EVENING ««««««
THE DIVISION ♦GETTING
KWUN TONG HOSTEL RUN BY THE PROBATIONS AND CORRECTIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING A TO KNOW YOU+ TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FUNCTION IS TO ENABLE PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP YOUNG PROBATIONERS READJUST TO SOCIETY AND HOPEFULLY ENCOUARGE MORE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORM OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
GUESTS INVITED TO THE FUNCTION INCLUDE INDUSTRIALISTS, FACTORY OWNERS, CIVIC AND KA IFONG LEADERS, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY. PARENTS OF PROBATIONERS HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO SEE THE PROGRESS THEIR SONS ARE MAKING AND THUS ESTABLISH A MUCH CLOSER FAMILY RELATIONSHIP.
GUESTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED TO A VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL INCLUDE SLIDES ILLUSTRATING LIFE AND TRAINING OF RESIDENTS (N THE HOSTEL, FOLK SONGS, A COMEDY SKIT AND DANCES, PERFORMED BY THE PROBATIONERS AND STUDENTS FROM NEARBY SCHOOLS.
THE FUNCTION WILL START AT 7VP.M. WITH A BRIEF CEREMONY WHICH INCLUDES A RIBBON CUTTING BY MR. J.A. BOWRAN AND MR. W.J. MCCLELLAND, MAGISTRATES OF KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY- MR. MAK WING-HONG, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE PROBATIONS AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION- MR. K.K. NG, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS) AND OTHER GUESTS.
------0 - - - .
PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT ft ft a ft ft
NOTE TO EDITORS#
THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS IN SOME NEWSPAPERS RECENTLY ABOUT THE DROP IN ENROLMENT IN PRIMARY 1 CLASSES AND HOW THIS MAY AFFECT THE TEACHERS CONCERNED.
IN ORDER TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TQPLEY. ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. PETER WILLIAMS AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY), MR. LAM TAT-LAU.
THE CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11.30 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
CONTENTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
PAGE NO.
MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BILL PUBLISHED .......... 1
NEW OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR KWAI" CHUNG WILL CATER FOR MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE BY 19C3................... 4
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN EXPECTED AT WEEKEND FUN FAIRS ....... 5
FIRE SERVICES LEGISLATION TO BE AMENDED TO BRING IN STIFFER PENALTIES ........................................ 6
MORE PRIMARY CLASSES WILL BE OPENED IN NEW TOWNS AND
ESTATES .............................................. g
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS PRAISED FOR THEIR BALANCED APPROACH TO
EDUCATION ................................................ 9
NEW PARKING METERS FOR MONG KOK STREETS................... 10
01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX SHOPS MUCH IN DEMAND............ 11
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG FOR +WALK A MILLION* .. 12
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS NEW P.R. MAN............ 12
PAY DISPUTE ENDS AFTER MARATHON MEETING .................. 13
OVER 40 SCHOOLS ATTEND SEMINAR TO HELP REDUCE AIR POLLUTION................................................. 14
LAND TO BE RECLAIMED IN SHA TIN FOR NEW POLYCLINIC ....... 15
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
- 1 -
PUBLIC NEEDS ENSURED IN MTR CORPORATION BILL INITIAL CAPITAL SET AT 152,000 MILLION «««««« nn
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN ANOTHER MAJOR STEP TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PLAN WITH ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO SET UP A MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO BUILD AND RUN THE RAILWAY TO BEST SERVE HONG KONG’S FUTURE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS.
A BILL, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BILL 1975, WHICH SETS OUT THE CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE CORPORATION, HAS BEEN DRAFTED AND IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FOR PUBLIC ' INFORMATION. IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID +AS THE RAILWAY WILL BE AT THE CORE OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE 1980’S THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE CORPORATION MUST BE TO ENSURE THAT IT WILL BE OPERATED IN SUCH A WAY AS BEST TO SERVE HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS*.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE BILL THE CORPORATION WOULD BE REQUIRED TO +CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS ACCORDING TO PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES*.
HOWEVER, TO GUARD AGAINST THIS BEING INTERPRETED AS MEANING THAT THE CORPORATION WOULD BE FREE TO MAXIMISE ITS RETURN ON INVESTMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, BY CHARGING VERY HIGH FARES AND CARRYING FEWER PASSENGERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE CORPORATION TO TAKE COGNIZANCE OF THE REASONABLE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
UNDER THE BILL, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN A POSITION TO EXERCISE A GREATER DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER THE CORPORATION THAN OVER OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES.
FOR INSTANCE, AS THE MAJOR AND, INITIALLY, THE ONLY SHAREHOLDER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE A LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO HAVE A MAJORITY ON THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR PUBLIC .OFFICERS.
UNDER THE BILL, MOREOVER, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY GIVE GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO THE CORPORATION IF HE THINKS IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO S0= BUT THERE IS ALSO PROVISION THAT GOVERNMENT MUST AUTOMATICALLY COMPENSATE THE CORPORATION FOR LOSS OF REVENUE OR PROFITABILITY WHICH ARISES AS A RESULT OF SUCH A DIRECTIVE, E.G. TO LOWER OR TO SUSPEND AN INCREASE IN ITS FARES.
OTHER MEANS THROUGH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO EXERT CONTROL UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD INCLUDE!
/THE GOVERNOR .....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
2
ft THE GOVERNOR MAY FOR SUFFICIENT REASON REMOVE A PERSON FROM THE BOARD.
ft THE CORPORATION MAY NOT INVEST IN ANY TYPE OF SECURITIES WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S APPROVAL.
ft THE CORPORATION IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND A REPORT IN ITS ACTIVITIES AND TO FURNISH INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR ON REQUEST. ,
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A BOARD OF THE CORPORATION TO CONSIST OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CORPORATION, ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND BETWEEN FOUR AND EIGHT MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THESE MEMBERS WILL INCLUDE BOTH PUBLIC OFFICERS AND PEOPLE DRAWN FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE LATTER WILL DE APPOINTED FOR A TERM NOT EXCEEDING THREE YEARS BUT MAY BE REAPPOINTED.
THE CHAIRMAN WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO WILL ALSO DETERMINE HIS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.1
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE CORPORATION BUT IT MUST OBTAIN THE GOVERNOR’S APPROVAL FOR HIS APPOINTMENT, SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES IN THE FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE BILL IS THAT THE CORPORATION WILL HAVE AN INITIAL AUTHORISED CAPITAL OF $2,000 MILLION.
THIS CONSISTS OFs
ft THE AMOUNT OF THE GOVERNMENT EQUITY CONTRIBUTION, WHICH IS $800 MILLION IN CASH- AND
ft THE PROVISION OF A REASONABLE MARGIN TO COVER FURTHER EQUITY ISSUES IN RESPECT OF GRANTS OF LAND AND TO MEET TAX LIABILITIES.
THE BILL WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, IF NECESSARY, TO AUTHORISE A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR THE CORPORATION’S DEBTS, WITH ANY SUMS REQUIRED FOR FULFILLING A GUARANTEE FALLING AS A CHARGE TO GENERAL REVENUE. -t-THIS WAS IMPORTANT BOTH TO THE CORPORATION AND TO POTENTIAL LENDERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE CORPORATION TO REIMBURSE THE GOVERNMENT FOR CERTAIN EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY IT ON THE RAILWAY. THIS WILL INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON SALARIES AND OTHER. ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEADS IN PLANNING THE RAILWAY, FEES PAID TO CONSULTANTS AND ADVISERS AND THE SALARIES OF STAFF BEING RECRUITED BY THE CORPORATION. IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE COST OF INVESTIGATIONS, ADDITIONAL PUBLIC WORKS, THE DIVERSION OF PUBLIC UTILITY INSTALLATIONS AND SOME OF THE COMPENSATION ARISING FROM CLAIMS IN RELATION TO LAND.
/THE SPOKESMAN .....
a 4
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
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THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT, AS THE INITIAL DEBT WAS CALCULATED, THE CORPORATION WOULD DRAW DOWN SUMS FROM THE MASS TRANSIT FUND TO REIMBURSE THE GOVERNMENT.
UNDER THE BILL, THE CORPORATION WILL NOT BE EXEMPTED FROM TAXES AND RATES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE NO OVERRIDING REASONS JUSTIFYING EXEMPTION, EXCEPT AS A MEASURE TO HELP THE CORPORATION OVERCOME ITS INITIAL CASH FLOW DIFFICULTIES. +INDEED,+ HE SAID, +TO EXEMPT ANY ENTERPRISE ON THIS BASIS WOULD BE MOST INADVISABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD ERODE THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL POLICIES AND WOULD CREATE AN UNDESIRABLE PRECEDENT FOR OTHER DEVELOPING ENTERPRISES.+
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILWAY WOULD CAUSE SOME DEGREE OF UNAVOIDABLE DISRUPTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT HE ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT THE CONTRACTS WOULD RESTRICT CERTAIN TYPES OF PILING TO PARTICULAR HOURS AND WOULD LIMIT NOISE, INCONVENIENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF DISRUPTION AT EVERY SITE TO TOLERABLE LEVELS. TO ALLOW NIGHT WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT, HOWEVER, THE BILL WILL EXEMPT THE CORPORATION FROM THE OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL LAW OF NUISANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD ONLY HAVE REMEDY AGAINST NUISANCE CAUSED BY CONSTRUCTION IF THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVE THAT EITHER THE*WORKS WERE NOT AUTHORISED OR THAT NEGLIGENCE WAS INVOLVED. IN THESE CASES, THEY COULD APPLY TO THE COURTS FOR A CEASE-WORK ORDER.
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A.....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
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KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED ■ K « If ft
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR KWAI CHUNG.
THE OBJECT OF THE PLAN,' WHICH REPLACES THE KWAI CHUNG PART OF A LARGER PLAN EMBRACING TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl, IS TO BRING UP TO DATE THE STATUTORY LAND USE PATTERN AND MAJOR ROAD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MAY BE LEGALLY CONTROLLED.
THE PLAN, COVERING AN AREA OF 2,884 ACRES, ALSO AIMS TO CONSOLIDATE AND REGULARISE THE USE OF LAND IN THE DISTRICT, TO BRING UP TO DATE THE PLANNING PROPOSALS FOR THE AREA AND TO ENSURE A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS. THE . POPULATION OF THE DISTRICT IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO ABOUT 550,000 BY 1983.
EARMARKED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE ARE 480 ACRES OF LAND. THESE AREAS INCLUDE A NUMBER OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTAES. IN ADDITION, 149 ACRES OF LAND HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT, COVERING AREAS MAINLY OCCUPIED BY VILLAGES RESITED OR TO BE RESITED FROM THE PLANNING AREA OR NEXT DOOR TSUEN WAN.
%
ANOTHER 375 ACRES OF LAND ARE RESERVED FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE, SUCH AS SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, CAR PARKS, FIRE STATIONS, POLICE STATIONS AND CLINICS.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT ACRES ARE ZONED FOR DISTRICT KOPEN SPACE, T E DEVELOPMENT OF WHICH WILL PROVIDE TWO SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES AND A COUNTRY PARK. A GREEN BELT TOTALLING 813 ACRES WILL ESTABLISH THE LIMITS OF URBAN EXPANSION OF KWAI CHUNG ON THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE PLANNING AREA.
FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, 254 ACRES ARE SET ASIDE. PROVISION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN KWAI CHUNG IS MADE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL LAND PLANNED FOR TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl, THUS ENSURING THAT SUFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL LAND IS RESERVED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE POTENTIAL LABOUR FORCE OF THE TOWN AS A WHOLE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPANSION OF ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIAL .ENTERPRISES.
AS FOR COMMUNICATIONS, AN AREA IS RESERVED ABOUT MIDWAY ALONG THE NEW KWAI CHUNG ROAD FOR A +DIAMOND+ ROAD-INTERCHANGE. AN EXISTING ROAD BRIDGE LINKS KWAI CHUNG AND TSI NG Yl, A ROAD LINK TO SHA TIN IS ALSO BEING PLANNED.
/APART FR0:i uo.oe
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
5
APART FROM THE CONTAINER TERMINAL WHICH WHEN COMPLETED WILL BE SELF-CONTAINED WITH ITS OWN CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES, AN AREA ON THE WESTERN SEA FRONT HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR CARGO HANDLING TO SERVE THE NEARBY INDUSTRIAL AREAS AS WELL AS THE ADJOINING AREA WHICH IS PROPOSED FOR AN INCINERATOR AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLAN WITH AN ACCOMPANYING EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE AT $25 PER COLOURED COPY AND $5 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY, FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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FUN FAIRS IN KOWLOON THIS WEEKEND Ji Ji Ji it Ji Ji
TOO FUN FAIRS OVER THE
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN IN LAM TIN ESTATE AND THE LYEMUN AREA IN KOWLOON WILL BE HAVING A DAY OF FUN AT TWO FUN FAIRS OVER THE
WEEKEND
ABOUT IN LAM TIN THERE WILL AGENCIES.
1,500 CHILDREN ARE. EXPECTED ESTATE WHICH BEGINS AT 2 PM BE 11 GAME STALLS MANNED BY
•x
TO ATTEND THE SPRING FAIR ON SATURDAY (MARCH 1). VOLUNTEERS FROM WELFARE
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE LAM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, AND ORGANISED BY OPERATING WITHIN THE ESTATE.
THE NEXT DAY (SUNDAY) A LUNAR NEW IN THE LYEMUN AREA OF EAST KOWLOON.
TIN ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING FIVE WELFARE AGENCIES
YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD
IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL GAME’STALLS, THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL BOOTH WHERE MUSIC LOVERS CAN PLACE ^^ESTS FOR THEIR FAVOUR! lE TUNES. ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT WILL BE A DI SPLAY OF PRODUCTS BY 11 IE TAILORING AND KNITTING GROUPS OF THE ORGANISERS; THE
+C0 OPERATION SOCIETY+, A SELF-PROGRAMMING GROUP Or 1 ME KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE FAIR TO BE HELD AT THE PLAYGROUND OF HOI BUN SCHOOL IN LYEMUN IS SPONSORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S V_11TU •{•OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME* iHROUGH ITS COMMUNIlY AND ZOUTH OFFICE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE IN KWUN TONG.
_0
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
- 6 -
STIFFER FINES PROPOSED FOR FIRE HAZARD OFFENCES If M M 8
PEOPLE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT ORDER WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIME MAY BE FINED 32,000, DOUBLE THE EXISTING AMOUNT, UNDER PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THEY ARE ALSO LIABLE 'TO A FINE OF 340, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 320, FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
THE HIGHER FINES ARE CONTAINED IN THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH TIGHTENS UP SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND UPDATES THE EXISTING ORDINANCE. •
THE BILL ALSO DOUBLES FROM 32,000 TO 34,000 THE FINE FOR CONTRAVENING A FIRE HAZARD ORDER.
AND FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE CONTINUES THE FINE WILL BE 3100. DOUBLE THE EXISTING AMOUNT.
THE DEFINITION OF +FIRE HAZARD* IS AMENDED TO MAKE PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THOSE WHICH ARISE FROM IMPROPER USE OF MEANS OF EXITS FROM BUILDINGS, SUCH AS STAIRWAYS.
FIRE HAZARDS SPECIFIED IN’THE ORDINANCE AREs ALTERING A BUILDING IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE" OVER-CROWDING PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT OR ASSEMBLY" REMOVING FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS OR EQUIPMENT FROM A BUILDING OR HAVING IN A BUILDING SUCH INSTALLATIONS OR EQUIPMENT WHICH ARE NOT IN EFFICIENT WORKING ORDER" AND INADEQUATE MEANS OF EXIT FROM ANY PREMISES IN A BUILDING TO STREET LEVEL OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, OR USING SUCH MEANS OF EXIT FOR A PURPOSE WHICH INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF FIRE OR CALAMITY. OR THE DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY RESULTING FROM FIRE OR CALAMITY, OR WHICH WOULD HAMPER THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN DISCHARGING ITS DUTIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT BLOCKING OF STAIRWAYS HAS BEEN TOO PREVALENT AN OFFENCE IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES WHERE STAIRWAYS ARE OFTEN REGARDED SOLELY AS CONVENIENT STORAGE AREAS.
+IN THE PAST,* HE SAID, +LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST BECAUSE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ESCAPE FROM A FIRE AS EXITS AND STAIRWAYS HAVE BEEN OBSTRUCTED. IT IS HOPED THAi THE NEW LEVEL OF,FINE WILL DETER PEOPLE IN FUTURE FROM THIS PRACTICE BOTH IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.*
UNDER THE BILL, PROPERTY REMOVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WHEN ABATING A FIRE HAZARD MAY BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION AND THE PROCEEDS USED TO COVER EXPENSES INCURRED. ANY SURPLUS MAY BE PAID TO THE OWNER OF I HE PROPERTY IF HE APPLIES WITHIN 12 MONTHS, OR ELSE IT WILL BE PAID INTO GENERAL REVENUE. NO TIME LIMIT IS SPECIFIED AT PRESENT.
/THE FINE ....
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
7
THE FINE FOR OBSTRUCTING A MEMBER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN CARRYING OUT HIS DUTIES WILL BE RAISED FOURFOLD FROM $250 TO $1,000. THIS OFFENCE ALSO CARRIES A SIX MONTHS’ PRISON SENTENCE. A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS MAY BE IMPOSED ON ANY PERSON WHO WEARS A FIRE SERVICES UNIFORM WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR. AT PRESENT, FINE FOR THIS OFFENCE IS $250.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE DEFINITION OF FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT DUTIES WILL BE WIDENED TO INCLUDE GIVING FIRE PROTEClI ON ADVICE, ASSISTING ANYONE NEEDING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND CONVEYING ANYONE NEEDING SUCH ATTENTION TO OR FROM A HOSPITAL OR A CLINIC.
SECTION 17 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH DEALS WITH MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINING A STANDARD OF LIVING ABOVE THAT WHICH WAS COMMENSURATE WITH, OR BEING IN CONTROL OF PECUNIARY RESOURCES IN EXCESS OF, THEIR OFFICIAL EMOLUMENTS WILL BE REPEALED IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDED ORDINANCE WILL GIVE THE DIRECTOR POWER TO DISMISS FIREMAN GRADE RANKS FOR OFFENCES AGAINST DISCIPLINE. AT PRESENT, ONLY THE GOVERNOR HAS THIS POWER.
THE NEW BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
/8
8 -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
DISTRIBUTION OF PRIMARY CLASSES IN NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR
h k n x n «
NEARLY 240 NEW CLASSES WILL BE OPENED IN NEW AND DEVELOPING AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG IN THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINNING NEXT SEPTEMBER.
THE CLASSES WILL BE IN SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TOWNS, IN NEW HOUSING KESTATES IN OTHER DEVELOPING AREAS, AND IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE SHORTAGES. MOST OF THESE CLASSES ARE NECESSARY TO MATCH THE SHIFT IN POPULATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE GRADUAL MOVEMENT IN THE POPULATION TO THE NEW AREAS HAD RESULTED IN A STEADY DECLINE IN RECENT YEARS IN ENROLMENTS IN SOME OF THE PRIMARY CLASSES IN THE OLDER URBAN AREAS.
+AS A RESULT, AND BY MAINTAINING A CAREFUL WATCH ON ENROLMENT IN PRIMARY 1 CLASSES, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO PHASE OUT A SIMILAR NUMBER OF THESE UNDER-UTILISED CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER. HOWEVER, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ENTERING PRIMARY 1 IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PLACES IN SCHOOLS CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APART FROM THE SHIFT IN POPULATION, THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE PRIMARY AGE GROUP. HOWEVER, THIS NUMBER WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE AGAIN IN 1978. THE DEMAND FOR PRIMARY PLACES WOULD BE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY, BOTH TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT PLACES WERE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND ALSO TO AVOID UNDER-ENROLMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT* THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS MAKING SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP ANY TEACHERS AFFECTED BY THE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION. DEVELOPING SCHOOLS IN WHICH THE NEW CLASSES WERE BEING OPENED WOULD BE ADVISED TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO THESE TEACHERS. +THE OVERALL NUMBER OF TEACHERS REQUIRED BY THE AIDED SECTOR WILL NOT BE REDUCED AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES*, HE POINTED OUT.
FOR THE STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE NORMAL WAY FROM WASTAGE, RETIREMENT, AND FROM THE OPENING OF CLASSES IN NEW AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
IN THE CASE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO RE-DEPLOY GOVERNMENT PRIMARY TEACHERS FROM SCHOOLS WHERE CLASSES ARE UNDER-ENROLLED INTO OTHER SECTIONS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND, TEMPORARILY, INTO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
IN SEPTEMBER 1975, THREE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WILL INTRODUCE A 3RD-YEAR GENERAL COURSE TO ACCOMMODATE OVER 100 GRADUATES FROM THE PRESENT TWO-YEAR COURSES. THIS STEP WILL HAVE THE DUAL ADVANTAGES OF ENHANCING THE KOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE TEACHERS WHILE IMPROVING THEIR TEACHING SKILLS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY OUTLINED THE POSITION TO THE TEACHERS’ UNIONS, AND SCHOOLS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD IN NO WAY AFFECT PUPILS WHO WERE ALREADY ENROLLED AT SCHOOL, AND THAT AT ALL TIMES THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ENDEAVOUR TO MINIMIZE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO PUPILS ENTERING PRIMARY 1.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
9
GOVERNOR ATTENDS INTER-CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOLS SPORTS MEET it ft ft « ft
THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY URGED ALL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN SPORTS, TO CONTINUE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPORTS EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE LEFT SCHOOL.
HE SAID : +GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, GOOD HEALTH AND HARDWORK, MAKE FOR A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE.+
SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE INTER-CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOLS SPORTS MEET WHICH FORMED PART OF THE CELEBRATION MARKING THE CENTENARY OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR SA IDs +THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HAVE LONG RECOGNISED THE NEED TO PROVIDE A WELL-BALANCED EDUCATION IN THEIR SCHOOLS WHICH COMBINES SOUND ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION WITH CULTURAL AND PHYSICAL ACT IVITI ES.+.
THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT OF SPORTS AND GAMES AMONG THEIR STUDENTS, HE SAID, HAD PRODUCED MANY OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN WHO HAD CONTINUED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SPORTS IN HONG KONG LONG AFTER THEY HAD LEFT SCHOOL.
SIR MURRAY STRONGLY URGED ALL THE PRESENT STUDENTS TO MAINTAIN THIS FINE TRADITION.
FOLLOWING IS -THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:
+BROTHER ALPHONSUS, BROTHER PATRICK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: %
+1 AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON AND TO SHARE IN CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, AT THIS SPORTS MEET WHICH I AM SURE EVERYONE HAS THOROUGHLY ENJOYED.
+THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, I KNOW, HAVE LONG RECOGNISED THE NEED TO PROVIDE A WELL-BALANCED EDUCATION IN THEIR SCHOOLS WHICH COMBINES SOUND ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION WITH CULTURAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.
+THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT OF SPORTS AND GAMES AMONG THEIR STUDENTS HAS PRODUCED MANY OUTSTANDING SPORTSMEN WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SPORTS IN HONG KONG LONG AFTER THEY HAVE LEFT SCHOOL.
+1 STRONGLY URGED ALL THE PRESENT STUDENTS TO MAINTAIN THIS FINE TRADITION. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, GOOD HEALTH AND JIARD WORK, MAKE FOR A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE.
+IT ONLY REMAINS FOR ME TO CONGRATULATE ALL THE PRIZE WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS, AND THE ORGANISERS OF THIS SPORTS MEET. I WISH YOU ALL GOOD LUCK AND FUTURE SUCCESS.+
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
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NEW PARKING METERS FOR MONG KOK ««««»«
ABOUT 800 OLD-RATE PARKING METERS IN MONG KOK, KOWLOON, WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE NEW-RATE TYPE AS FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 2) IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A BETTER TURNOVER OF PARKING FACILITIES FOR SHORT-TERM PARKERS IN THE AREA.
THE CONVERSION PROGRAMME, ON METERS WEST OF YIM PO FONG STREET BETWEEN SHAN TUNG STREET .AND DOUNDARY STREET, WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 DAYS TO COMPLETE. •
THE PROGRAMME WILL START AT SHAN TUNG STREET AND THEN PROGRESS UP TO BOUNDARY STREET. THE OLD-RATE METERS FOR GOODS VEHICLES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT, DURING AND AFTER THE CONVERSION, THEY SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION PRINTED ON THE METAL PLATE ATTACHED TO THE PARKING METER TO ENSURE THAT THE CORRECT COINS ARE INSERTED.
HE SAID ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CANCEL PARKING TICKETS ISSUED TO A MOTORIST WHO MAY HAVE PARKED HIS CAR AT AN OLD-RATE METER WHICH IS THEN REPLACED BY A NEW-RATE METER.
CARS ALREADY PARKED AT olD-RATE METERS, WHICH ARE SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED TO THE NEW TYPE WHILE THE CAR IS STILLED PARKED, WILL BE GIVEN THE FULL TIME ALLOWED BY THE METER AFTER IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED, HE ADDED.
NEW-RATE METERS ACCEPT ONLY 50-CENT OR ONE DOLLAR COINS DEPENDING ON THEIR TYPE. UNDER THE NEW RATE SYSTEM, THERE ARE TOO TYPES OF TWO-HOUR METERS - ONE WHICH ACCEPTS A 50-CENT COIN FOR 30 MINUTES, AND THE OTHER WHICH TAKES A 50-CENT COIN FOR ONE HOUR. THERE IS ALSO ONE TYPE OF HALF-HOUR METERS AT WHICH THE CHARGE IS A FLAT SI.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
11
MANY SEEK SHOP SPACES IN 01 MAN «««»««
MORE THAN 140 TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY FOR THE FIRST LOT OF SHOP PREMISES AND COMMERCIAL UNITS IN 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WERE RECEIVED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UP TO THE CLOSING OF THE TENDER AT NOON TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE TENDERS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION AND THE TENDERERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULT WITHIN A PERIOD OF A FEW WEEKS.
THE TENDERS WERE REMOVED AT NOON TODAY FROM THE TENDER BOX PLACED AT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN THE PRESENCE OF MR. D.l. MCINTOSH, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND OFF ICER-1N-CHARGE OF THE CONFIDENTIAL REGISTRY.
THEY WERE OPENED IMMEDIATELY AND THE ORIGINAL COPY FROM THE TENDERS WERE CHOPPED AND INITIALED BY THE ASSISTANT DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARY BY WAY OF AUTHENTICATION THAT THEY WERE RECEIVED ON TIME.
MR. MCINTOSH SAID: +THE TENDERS WILL BE ANALYSED AND PROCESSED AND A COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE TENDERS AS WELL AS AN INITIAL RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE TENDERS TO BE ACCEPTED WILL BE PREPARED BY THE DIVISION CONCERNED. '
+THESE DOCUMENTS WILL BE CHECKED BY THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY TO SEE THAT ALL TENDERS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH AND RETURNED AND NO ALTERATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE PERMITTED HAVE BEEN MADE. THEY WILL THEN BE COMPILED INTO A TENDER REPORT AND WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.*
MR. MCINTOSH SAID THE COMPREHENSIVE TENDER PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING WOULD GO WRONG DURING PROCESSING AND ALL TENDERS WERE CONSIDERED FAIRLY AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY INVITED TENDERS FOR TWO RESTAURANTS, A CAFE, A DEPARTMENT STORE, A SUPER-MARKET AND SEVEN SHOP PREMISES IN THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX ON THE 17TH OF THIS MONTH.
INTEREST WAS SO GREAT THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD TO SET UP A SPECIAL OFFICE TO DEAL WITH ENQUIRIES FROM ENTERPRISES AND INDIVIDUALS.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
12
KWUN TONG TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON SUNDAY (MARCH 2) IN KWUN TONG IN CONNECTION WITH THE KOWLOON +WALK FOR A MILLION+ EVENT ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
THE EVENT WILL START AT 9 A.M. FROM THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND AND IS EXPECTED TO FINISH AT THE SAME PLACE AT ABOUT 6 P.M. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTREME CARE.
THE +LINK+ ROAD BETOEEN SAU MAU PING ROAD AND ANDERSON ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BETWEEN 7 A.M AND 5 P.M. VEHICULAR TRAFFIC USING ANDERSON ROAD FROM THE LINK ROAD TO RENNIES MILL WILL BE RESTRICTED TO FRANCHISED BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, SEVERAL ROADS WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. THESE ARE, LEI YUE MUN ROAD BETWEEN JUNK BAY ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD= KAI TIN ROAD BETOEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND JUNK BAY ROADn AND JUNK BAY ROAD BETOEEN KAI TIN ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO.GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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NEW P.R.O. FOR MEDICAL DEPARTMENT W « « * ft «
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR. CHRIS WONG, SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO REPLACE MR. ALBERTO DA CRUZ AS HEAD OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS FROM MARCH 1, 1975.
MR. WONG MAY BE REACHED IN HIS OFFICE ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-793766.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY P.8, 1975.
LABOUR DISPUTE SETTLED
AFTER MARATHON NEGOTIATION SESSION
LABOUR DEPARTMENT CONCILIATORS LAST NIGHT CHAIRED A 1O-HOUR MEETING TO END AN 18-DAY OLD SEVERANCE PAY DISPUTE AT A KWUN TONG PRINTING FIRM.
THE YEE CHEUNG CO. LTD. WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE APPOINTED RECEIVER OF A BANK ON CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE (FEBRUARY 10).
WITH THE HELP OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE WING ON BANK, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE ON THE SAME DAY TO PAY THE REDUNDANT WORKERS THEIR WAGES FOR JANUARY.
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND THE APPOINTED RECEIVER WERE ARRANGED DY THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
AT THE FOURTH CONCILIATION MEETING YESTERDAY, SETTLEMENT WAS FINALLY REACHED AT MIDNIGHT AFTER A 10-H0UR SESSION WHEN WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND THE APPOINTED RECEIVER SIGNED AH AGREEMENT IN THE KWUN TONG LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE.
THE TERMS OF SETTLEMENT COVERED THE PAYMENTS OF WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE, ARREARS OF WAGES FOR FEBRUARY. DOUBLE PAY FOR 1974. HOLIDAY PAY AND SEVERANCE PAY.
I
WORKERS WITH LESS THAN TT70 YEARS’ SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN $200 AS SEVERANCE PAY.
THE RECEIVER, AFTER REAL ISI NG-THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY, WILL UNDERTAKE TO PAY THE WORKERS.
FIRST PAYMENT COVERING WAGES IN LIEU WILL BE MADE ON MARCH 8. FURTHER PAYMENT WILL EFFECT BY THE END OF APRIL.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975.
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AIR POLLUTION SEMINAR
MM J: ft
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING AT THE KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE IN WATERLOO ROAD TO LAUNCH ■{•PROJECT WINDSHIFT+, WHICH IS A CONTINUOUS EXPERIMENT DESIGNED TO PRODUCE UNIQUE LOCAL WIND PATTERN DATA TO ASSIST IN THE BATTLE AGAINST AIR POLLUTION.
FORTY-FOUR SCHOOLS AND THE TOO UNIVERSITIES ARE TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT, A JOINT EFFORT BY THREE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS -EDUCATION, LABOUR AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY - AND THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION. RANK XEROX IS FINANCING THE PROJECT AND HAS PRINTED THE INSTRUCTION PAMPHLETS FOR STUDENTS. THESE PAMPHLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE FIRM’S MARKETING PLANNING MANAGER, MR. LAWRENCE LUNG.
IN A BRIEF FOREWORD TO THE PAMPHLET, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR. OF SCHOOLS), MR. ARTHUR BROWN SAID ■(•EDUCATION, EVEN SCIENCE EDUCATION, CAN SO EASILY BECOME BOOK LEARNING AND THE SOAKING UP OF FACTS, AND HERE WE HAVE THE EXACT OPPOSITES.
+INSTEAD OF SIMPLY MEMORIZING FACTS FROM A BOOK, WE ARE TO DISCOVER THEM FOR OURSELVES AND, WHAT IS MORE, THESE ARE NOT SIMPLY ESTABLISHED FACTS THAT ARE ALREADY KNOWN BUT FACTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ORIGINAL RESEARCH.,
•(■INSTEAD OF READING A BOOK ON POLLUTION WE ARE INVOLVED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE WRITING OF. ONE. I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT WILL HELP US TO REALISE WHAT SCIENCE IS ALL ABOUT, MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN OUR NORMAL LESSONS.*
AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR, SPEECHES WILL BE MADE BY MR. BROWN AND DR. BETH GOTT, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION.
FOLLOWING ILLUSTRATED TALKS BY MR. DAVID NEWBURY, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND MR. PETER PETERSON, SENIOR SCIENTIFIC OFFICER, ROYAL OBSERVATORY, +HOME-MADE+ ANEMOMETERS WILL BE PRESENTED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE --------------- SEMINAR COVERED. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10.30 A.M.
TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, 54A WATERLOO ROAD.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WHO WANT INTERVIEWS WITH THE OFFICIALS CONCERNED TO DO SO HALF-AN-HOUR BEFORE THE START OF THE SEMINAR. ANY MEMBER OF THE MASS MEDIA WHO WISHES TO HAVE AN INTERVIEW IS REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE COLLEGE AT 10 A.M. SHARP.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1975
15
LAND TO BE RECLAIMED. FOR POLYCLINIC
Kanna
MORE THAN 56 ACRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF TIDE COVE, NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE RECLAIMED SHORTLY FOR THE SITING OF A POLYCLINIC.
THE POLYCLINIC WILL PROVIDE MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR FUTURE RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE SITE IS NEXT TO A FUTURE RESIDENTIAL AREA EARMARKED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT HOUSING ESTATES AND IS WELL CONNECTED BY ROAD TO OTHER PART OF THE NEW TOWN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID THE RECLAMATION OF A FURTHER SMALL AREA OF ABOUT 1.7 ACRES DOWNSTREAM OF THE EXISTING ROAD BRIDGE WOULD PROVIDE OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATION FOR THE FUTURE POPULATION OF NEARBY AREAS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTIFICATION IN TODAY'S GAZETTE. ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD SUBMIT THEM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.