港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1975 - DEC

FRH

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PILOT COMPOSTING AND BALING PLANTS TO BE SET UP ............ 1

RESERVOIRS 95 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY ...................... 2

FLYOVERS TO BE BUILT AT BUSY ROAD JUNCTION IN MID-LEVELS ... 3

AWARD FOR MONEY AND TIME SAVING SUGGESTION ................... 4

RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED IN OCTOBER BY PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT H.A.D. HEADQUARTERS ....................... 5

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TREGUNTER PATH POSTPONED................ 5

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975

PILOT COMPOSTING AND BALING PLANTS TO BE SET UP «***)(«

PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DEVELOP BETTER AND MORE ECONOMICAL METHODS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING AMOUNT OF REFUSE GENERATED BY THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG, k

AS A FIRST STEP, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO SET UP A COMPOSTING PLANT AND A BALING PLANT ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS TO ASSESS THEIR ADAPTABILITY IN HONG KONG.

THE TOO NEW FACILITIES WERE RECOMMENDED BY CONSULTANT ENGINEERS FOLLOWING A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL IN HONG KONG. FUNDS FOR THE TOO PROJECTS> AMOUNTING TO $39 MILLION, HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS PROPOSED TO SET UP THE COMPOSTING PLANT AT CHAI WAN AND THE BALING PLANT AT SAI TSO WAN IN KOWLOON.

PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS, HE SAID, WERE THAT UNIT COSTS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL BY COMPOSTING AND BALING WERE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN DY'INCINERATION, AND WERE SANITARY AND DID NOT CAUSE POLLUTION PROBLEMS.

ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES, HE SAID, THE UNIT COST FOR DISPOSING ONE TON OF SOLID WASTE BY COMPOSTING WOULD BE $27 AND $12 FOR HIGH DENSITY BALING. THESE COMPARE WITH $38 BY INCINERATION.

WORK WILL SHORTLY BEGIN ON THE DESIGN OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE COMPOSTING PLANT AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY 1977. WHEN COMPLETED, THE PLANT WILL BE ABLE TO TREAT SOME 200 TONS OF REFUSE A DAY.

THE COMPOSTING PROCESS INVOLVES THE TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTE THROUGH GRADUAL DECOMPOSITION INTO HYGIENICALLY SAFE, INERT AND INOFFENSIVE MATERIAL. THIS METHOD DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AND THE COMPOSTED WASTES MAY BE USED AS INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL COVER MATERIAL IN CONTROLLED TIPPING OPERATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/ON THE .....

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975

ON THE BALING PLANT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS PLANNED TO SET UP THIS PILOT PROJECT ON A PROPOSED CONTROLLED TIPPING 'ITE AT SAI TSO WAN AND TRY IT OUT FOR TWO YEARS TO EVALUATE n d RESULTS. THE PLANT WILL HANDLE ABOUT 600 TONS OF REFUSE A DAY.

HE NOTED THAT BALING — A PROCESS WHEREBY SOLID WASTES ARE FIRST TREATED AND THEN COMPRESSED INTO BLOCKS — WAS SUBSTANTIALLY CHEAPER AND THE END-PRODUCT VASTLY EASIER TO DIS, .;SE OF IN LANDFILL AREAS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IN BOTH THE COMPOSTING AND BAi (NG PROCESSES, THE BULK REDUCTION IN VOLUME OF THE TREATED WASTE WOULD YIELD LOWER TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND ENABLE MORE ECONOMICAL USE TO BE MADE OF LANDFILL SITES.

-----o------

RESERVOIRS 95 PER CENT FULL M

A TOTAL OF 63,897 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 94.9 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 54,116 MILLION GALLONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID.

PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 49,300 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 97.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, IT HELD 38,462 MILLION GALLONS.

+TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,979.4 MM (117.3 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2,140.3 MM • (84.26 IN),+ HE CONTINUED.

0 - -

0 i

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975 - 3 -

FLYOVERS TO BE BUILT AT BUSY ROAD JUNCTION

WORK WILL BEGIN SOON ON TWO FLYOVERS AT THE ROBINSON 7OAD/CASTLE ROAD JUNCTION IN THE MID-LEVELS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.

TENDERS ARE NOW BEING CALLED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVERS, WHICH FORM PART OF A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT SCHEME 'I■> ELIMINATE TRAFFIC CONFLICT AT THE BUSY JUNCTION. IT WAS DESIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE BY CONSULTANT ENGINEERS APPOINTED BY THE PWD.

MR. C.K. CHOW, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CONSULTANT MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE PV/D’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE, SAID: +CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE FLYOVERS IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.+

HE SAID THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN SERVING RAPID AND INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONDUIT ROAD, SEYMOUR ROAD, PARK ROAD, ROBINSON ROAD AND KOTEWALL ROAD AREAS.

ONE OF THE FLYOVERS, HE SAID, WOULD CARRY EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON ROBINSON ROAD Off A NEV/ ALIGNMENT OVER THE NORTHERN PORTION OF CASTLE ROAD, WHILE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON CASTLE ROAD WOULD PROCEED TO THE EASTBOUND LANE OF ROBINSON ROAD VIA THE OTHER FLYOVER.

APART FROM THE TWO FLYOVERS, SOME ADDITIONAL GROUND LEVEL WORKS IN ROBINSON ROAD WOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.

THfiSE GROUND LEVEL WORKS, MR. CHOW SAID, WOULD ENABLE EARLY BENEFIT TO BE GAINED FROM PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED WORKS BY A FORMER CONTRACTOR.

HE ADDED: +THE SHARP AND NARROW BEND ON ROBINSON ROAD NEAR YING WA GIRLS’ SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE STRAIGHTENED AND WIDENED WHEN CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE TWO FLYOVERS GETS UNDER WAY.

+AT THE SAME TIME, THE VERY STEEP GRADIENT AND TORTUOUS ALIGNMENT ON THE UPPER SECTION OF CASTLE ROAD WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED.+

-------o ---------

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975

AWARD FOR MONEY AND TIME SAVING SUGGESTION ««»«««

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, WILL PRESENT A CHEQUE FOR $500 TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO MISS LUK YIU-CHEUNG, AN ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AS AN AWARD FOR A SUGGESTION WHICH WILL MEAN THE GOVERNMENT MAKING A SUBSTANTIAL SAVING IN TIME AND MONEY.

THE AWARD HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF SUGGESTIONS COMMITTEE AND IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EVER MADE.

LAST NOVEMBER MISS LUK, WHO WAS THEN DEPUTY SUPERVISOR OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT IN TAI PO, SUGGESTED THAT PAYMENTS OF THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES (DIA) BE MADE TO RECIPIENTS THROUGH BANKS TO REPLACE PAYMENTS THROUGH CASH ORDER BOOKS AT POST OFFICES.

FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, HER SUGGESTION WAS IMPLEMENTED IN JULY THIS YEAR THROUGH THE AUTO-PAY SYSTEM AND SO FAR MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE NEARLY 63,000 PEOPLE RECEIVING THE ALLOWANCES ARE BEING PAID THROUGH BANKS.

+IN TERMS OF PRINTING SOSTS ALONE, MISS LUK’S SUGGESTION MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE A SAVING OF AT LEAST $200,000 A YEAR. OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO QUITE A SUBSTANTIAL SUM. APART FROM THIS, IT IS HELPING TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON STAFF OF OUR PAYMENTS CONTROL SECTION AS WELL AS ON STAFF AT POST OFFICES

WHERE THESE PEOPLE FORMERLY RECEIVED THEIR MONEY,+ A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE BENEFITS WERE NOT ONLY ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE BECAUSE RECIPIENTS WERE FINDING IT MORE CONVENIENT TO GET THEIR MONEY FROM BANKS NEAREST THEIR HOMES. THIS MEANT THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO LINE UP AT POST OFFICES AND ALSO .SAVED TIME ON TRAVELLING.

+THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY OUR CLIENTS AND MORE OF THEM ARE WANTING TO MAKE THE CHANGE. PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE MAJORITY, IF NOT ALL, WILL DO S0.+

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE S.W.D., LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, 4TH FLOOR, HONG KONG, AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (DECEMBER 2).

-------o

■ MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1975

RECORD NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED MOM

A RECORD 20,491 ENQUIRIES WERE HANDLED BY THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT THE HO.lE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN OCTOBER.

THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS 22.3 PER CENT OF THE 136,202 ENQUIRIES RECEIVED BY THE 22 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OPERATED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.

THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT THE H.A.D. HEADQUARTERS NOW HANDLES ALL THE ENQUIRIES OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT BECAUSE OF THE RECENT AMALGAMATION OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE SUBSEQUENT CLOSURE OF THE CENTRE PREVIOUSLY RUN BY THE C.D.O. (CENTRAL) IN WELLINGTON STREET.

THIS CENTRE ALSO OFFERS A 24-HOUR TYPHOON ENQUIRY SERVICE AS SOON AS SIGNAL NO. 1 IS HOISTED.

IT IS ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING (TELEPHONE NO. 5-456381-4).

0 ------

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TREGUNTER PATH POSTPONED «*«««« ।

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF TREGUNTER PATH ON HONG KONG, SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TOMORROW, WILL NOW BE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE SECTION OF TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 11 AND ITS JUNCTION WITH MAY ROAD WAS SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO ENABLE ROAD WIDENING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

- - o - -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

mcLsssG &i raiw

Monday, December 1, 1975

SEVEN LICENSED AREAS GET ELECTRICITY SUPPLY '

*#***»«**«

The Housing Department has recently installed proper electricity supply in seven older licensed areas at a cost of about $2.5 million.

These are: Chai Wan H, Chai Wan HI, Cheung Sha Wan * D’, Wang Tau Hom, Junction Road, Hip Wo Street and Sai Cho Wan.

To meet part of the cost of the installation and other environmental improvement works, the Housing Authority is to raise the licence fee from to $6 from January next year.

The fees may be paid monthly or quarterly.

So far, the Housing Department has completed similar power supply programmes in 20 licensed areas.

Licence fees for those areas other than the seven mentioned have already been adjusted and the slight increase to be implemented in January will not affect them in any «vay. * --------------------------------0---------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

OCTOBER EXPORTS UP BY 25 PER CENT ........................... 1

UNOFFICIALS TO ASK QUESTIONS ON TEXTILE EXPORTS AT i.EGCO TOMORROW ............................................. 3

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BELGIUM STARTS JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR ................................................... 4

HELP FOR 150 SCHOOL DROPOUTS'................................ 5

ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER AWARDED FOR SUGGESTING IMPROVEMENT .................................... 6

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS TEAM TO VISIT PENG CHAU AND MUI WO .................................................. 7

WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG ...................................... 8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975 i “

OCTOBER EXPORTS UP BY 25 PER CENT K M « H H

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC TRADE IN OCTOBER CONTINUED TO SHOW AN INCREASE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE k MTU AFTER 11 MONTHS OF DECLINE.

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 0 i'OBl.R WENT UP BY $416 MILLION OR 25.6 PER CENT DY VALUE C iPAIiED WITH OCTO).ER 1974. TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE MONTH W ;E VALUED AT (>2, U:1 MILLION.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 31.4 PER CENT TO $3,225 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS WENT UP IN VALUE BY 21.4 PER CENT TO $632 MILLION COMPARED WITH OCTOBER LAST YEAR.

FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY - OCTOBER SHOWED DECREASES rY VALUE OF 5.5 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 7.1 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 5-6 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THE VALUE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 1974 TO OCTOBER 1975 SHOWED'DECREASES OF 6.1 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 8.7 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 7.2 PER CENT FOR-RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES;

OCTOBER 1975 OCTOBER 1974 $ MN. INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. 0/ /O

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,041 (76.3%) 1,624 (75.7%) + 416 + 25.6

IMPORTS 3,225 2,453 + 772 + 31.4

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 632 (23.7%) 521 (24.3%) + 112 + 21.4

AUG.-OCT. 1975 AUG.-OCT. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6,448 5,797 + 651 + 11.2

IMPORTS 9,233 8,098 +: 1,135 14.0

RE-EXPORTS 1,870 1,742 + 128 + 7.3

/JAN. - OCT........

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

JAN.-OCT. 1975 JAN.-OCT. 1974 « INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. 8 MN. 55 MN. %

'• TIC EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS) 18,313 (76.3%) 19,369 (76.3%) -1,056 - 5.5

>ORTS 26,934 29,004 -2,070 - 7.1

E-EXPORTS ' C ' TOTAL EXPORTS) 5,691 (23.7%) 6,031 (23.7%) - 340 - 5.6

NOV. 1974 TO OCT. 1975 NOV. 1973 TO OCT. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,856 23,263 -1,407 - 6.1

IMPORTS 32,050 35,109 -3,059 - <3.7

RE-EXPORTS 6,784 7,308 - 523 - 7.2

- - 0 ---------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

UNOFFICIALS TO ASK QUESTIONS ON TEXTILE EXPORTS

* H ft ft ft ft

QUESTIONS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS ARE "CTED TO BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE C ; CIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN IS EXPECTED TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT ".'KE A STATEMENT ON THE RECENT DECISION OF THE EEC’S J.iCIL OF MINISTERS TO CONTINUE TO EXCLUDE HONG KONG’S

Ei OF TEXTILES TO THE COMMUNITY FROM ITS G.S.P. FOR 1976.

HE WILL ALSO ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL RECONSIDER

'ESI RAD ILITY OF INVITING SOME EEC OFFICIALS TO VISIT

KONG WITH A VIEW TO ACQUAINTING THEM WITH THE REAL STATE . NG KONG’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

THE HON. ALEX WU WILL ASK WHAT ACTION THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING TO MODIFY THE QUOTA SYSTEM FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS SO AS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NON-QUOTA HOLDERS.

OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIALS WILL INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF APPOINTING A SECRETARY FOR YOUTH TO SUPERVISE ALL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES AFFECTING YOUNG' PE PLE, MORAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A i ARATE UNIT FOR THE SPEEDY AND EFFICIENT ANALYSIS OF FC; OR BEVERAGES WHICH APPEAR TO CONTAIN POISONOUS INGREDIENTS.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON A NUMBER OF BILLS, INCLUDING THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS BY REGULATING THE OPERATIONS OF +DL. OS IT-TAKI NG COMPAN IES+. ••

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL, WHICH WILL PERMIT INCREASES IN RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 23 YEARS, WILL ALSO COME UP FOR DEBATE.

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, WILL MOVE A MOTION SETTING A RATE OF I EVY OF 0.03 PER CENT ON THE F.O.P. VALUE OF THE CLOTHING ITEMS EXPORTED. THE LEVY IS TO FINANCE THE TRAINING SCHEME FOR HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY.

-----0 - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

- 4 -

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BELGIUM # « H ft

THE POST OFFICE IS TO EXTEND THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BELGIUM ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTION OF THE SERVICE TO BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID: +UNDER THIS FACILITY, INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES OF BUSINESS PAPERS, DOCUMENTS, COMPUTER DATA AND SAMPLES ARE GIVEN FAST AND RELIABLE DOOR-TO-DOOR COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE.*

+TIMES OF COLLECTION AND DELIVERY ARE SPECIFIED AND AGREED WITH THE CUSTOMER UTILISING PRE-DETERMINED FLIGHTS, AND SPECIAL FACILITIES ARE GIVEN BY THE BELGIAN POSTAL ADMINISTRATION IN DELIVERING THE PACKAGES,* HE ADDED.

HE EXPLAINED THAT PACKAGES COLLECTED IN HONG KONG WHEN NORMAL COMMERCIAL BUSINESS WAS COMPLETED FOR THE DAY WOULD BE DESPATCHED ON A FLIGHT LEAVING KAI TAK IN THE SAME EVENING AND ARRIVE IN BRUSSELS IN THE EVENING OF THE FOLLOWING DAY, FOR SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL DELIVERY IN BELGIUM.

THE COST OF THE SERVICE, ARRANGED ON A CONTRACT BASIS, WILL BE 3100 FOR THE FIRST POUND, PLUS 315 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL POUND OR PART OF A POUND.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING 5-245992.

-------0---------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

- 5 -

HELP FOR SCHOOL DROPOUTS * * * * *

SOME 150 SCHOOL DROPOUTS BETWEEN 12 AND 13 ARE BEING HELPED TO JOIN SUITABLE COURSES IN EVENING, PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. THOSE APPROACHING 14 ARE BEING HELPED TO FILL APPRENTICESHIP VACANCIES.

THESE CHILDREN WERE LOCATED BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATION COMMITTEES OF FOUR CITY DISTRICTS : HONG KONG EAST. KWUM TONG, WONG TAI SIN AND SHAM SHU I PO.

CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS, DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EDUCATION, HOUSING AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS, ARE REPRESENTED ON THESE COMMITTEES.

ORIGINALLY, A TOTAL OF 250 CHILDREN WERE LOCATED IN WONG TAI SIN, CHAI WAN, SAU MAU PING AND IN THE UN CHAU STREET ESTATE THIS YEAR.

ABOUT 100 OF THE CHILDREN HAVE NOW EITHER RE-ENROLLED IN SCHOOLS OR TAKEN UP JOBS ON BECOMING 14.

FOR THOSE WHO STILL REQUIRE HELP, A THREE-DAY CAMP, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE FRIENDS OF SCOUTING, WAS HELD LAST MONTH.

THE CAMP PROVIDED RECREATION AS WELL AS COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR THE YOUNGSTERS. SOCIAL WORKERS WERE INVITED TO THE CAMP TO ACT AS COUNSELLORS TO FIND OUT THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF THE CHILDREN.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THE FOUR CITY DISTRICTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN OR KNOW OF NEIGHBOURS WITHIN THE 12-13 AGE BRACKET WHO ARE NOT IN SCHOOL OR AT WORK ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THEIR CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS.

0 -------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

AWARD FOR SUGGESTING IMPROVEMENT

AN ASSISTANT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE 7EPARTMENT, MISS LUK YIU-CHEUNG, WAS PRESENTED WITH AN AWARD OF -00 TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR SUGGESTING AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PAYMENT SYSTEM OF THE DEPARTMENT’S DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES

• itME vWIICH WOULD MEAN THE GOVERNMENT SAVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TIME AND MONEY.

THE PRESENTATION WAS MADE BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL 'ELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, AT A CEREMONY HELD IN THE CONFERENCE OOM OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.

MR. MORGAN SAID HER SUGGESTION THAT PAYMENT BE MADE THROUGH TANKS RATHER THAN CASH ORDER BOOKS MEANT THERE WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN TERMS OF PRINTING COSTS, STAFF TIME AND SPACE AND THOSE RECEIVING THE ALLOWANCES WOULD ALSO FIND IT HORE CONVENIENT AS THEY DID NOT HAVE TO LINE UP AT POST OFFICES ? TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES.

HE NOTED THAT ALREADY MORE THAN 23,000 PEOPLE WERE GETTING THEIR MONEY THROUGH THE BANKS PAYMENT SYSTEM WHICH STARTED IN JULY THIS YEAR.

HE SAID THE AWARD WAS BEING MADE NOT ONLY AS AN INCENTIVE TO OTHER STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO TO THOSE IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AND DEMONSTRATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALWAYS WILLING TO ACCEPT NEW IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT.

THE AWARD WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF SUGGESTIONS COMMITTEE AND WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST EVER MADE.

MISS LUK, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR JUST OVER FOUR YEARS, IS DEPUTY SUPERVISOR GF A SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT WHICH DEALS WITH PAYMENTS OF THE DIA ALLOWANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975 7 -

REGISTRATION TEAMS TO VISIT PENG CHAU AND MUI WO

* * * K

A MOBILE REGISTRATION TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT RESIDENTS OF PENG CHAU AND MUI WO AND THOSE ."ROM ADJACENT AREAS EARLY NEXT MONTH.

REGISTRATIONS AT PENG CHAU WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE PENG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE FROM DECEMBER 8 TO DECEMBER 10, BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 3.45 P.M. EACH DAY.

AT MUI WO, THE VISITS WILL BE ON DECEMBER 11 AND 12 AND THE BUSINESS HOURS ARE FROM 10.30 A.M. TO 4 P.M. ON THE FIRST DAY AND FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. ON THE SECOND.

DURING THESE VISITS, PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 11 FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS. ,

YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED 18 AND WHO ARE HOLDING JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS CAN REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.

PEOPLE LIVING IN THE TWO AREAS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN FOR IDENTITY CARDS.

THEY MUST ALSO REPORT TO THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT ANY CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL'STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.-

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1975

8 -

WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG * * * *

1 ^av«YwAcr£uEE^H?^oAs, a* *»1

SKTK0N"’uASt'A»S4fseJ!i|Ni;0NGNUA';.TSUEN’ L° UK’TSUEN’ SIK ^UEN,

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW RATES OF DUTY ON LIQUORS AND TOBACCO AND REVISED REGISTRATION TAX FOR CARS EFFECTIVE TODAY ................. 1

FULL REVIEW OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM UNDERWAY 5

NO NEED FOR SECRETARY FOR YOUTH .......................... 7

COMPENSATION FOR WORKMEN SUFFERING FROM SILICOSIS ......... 8

COMMUNITY SERVICE - KEYNOTE OF MORAL EDUCATION ............ 9

SPEEDY ANALYSES OF SUSPECT FOOD AND BEVERAGES ............ 10

MORE STAFF FOR INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ................. 11

GO-AHEAD FOR LEVY TO FINANCE TRAINING FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY ................................................. 12

BILLS PASSED .......................................... . 13

HONG KONG PEOPLE HEALTHIER THAN EVER, SAYS DR. CHOA .... 14

WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ............................ ..... 16

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1973

MEW RATES OF DUTY ON LIQUORS AND TOBACCO REVIS-9 REGISTRATION TAX FOR CARS EFFECTIVE TODAY

K Jr M « H W

NEW RATES OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND ”F i'TIFS ON SPIRITUOUS LIQlK.-i AND MANUFACTURED TOBACCO FROM "Ml O‘L.DALTH COUNTRIES WERE AL; DICED DY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY Tlk HOII. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE NEW RATES OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM 6 P.M. TODAY. THE NEW RATES OF DUTY, MADE IN AN ORDER UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE AND SIGNED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR THIS MORNING, CAME INTO EFFECT AT 3 P.M. TODAY.

IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION'WAS TAKEN +TO HONOUR THE UNDERTAKING GIVEN TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SHOULD HONG KONG BE DESIGNATED AS A BENEFICIARY Or THE U.S. GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES.+

THE UNDERTAKING, GIVEN IN MAY THIS YEAR, WAS +TI1AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE, BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1976, BEING ?ATE F0R |HE SCI1EME» THE NECESSARY LEGISIATIVE STEPS CDUH 'l ALL TA^ DUTY PREFERENCES IN FAVOUR OF DEVELOPED

HE NOTED THAT SOME 25 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S EXPOR IS TO THE UNITED STATES, ON THE PRESENT PATTERN OF TRADE, WOULD QUALIFY FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

+SO HAD WE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE SCHEME WE WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE SERIOUSLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN FAVOUR OF OUR COMPETITORS,* HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE ECONOMIES OF OUR COMPETITORS WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FURTHER AT OUR EXPENSE TO THE EXTENT THAT.I HE PREFERENCES AVAILABLE UNDER THE SCHEME ASSISTED IN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT.

/THE NEW SCHEDULE .....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER J, 1975

- 2 -

THE NEW SCHEDULE TO THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE WILL PROVIDE FOR TAX TO BE LEVIED ON AN AD VALOREM

LAS IS AS FOLLOWS:

ENFRANCHISED PUBLIC BUSES

ALL OTHER DUSES (I.E. NONENFRANCHISED PUBLIC BUSES,. PRIVATE BUSES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES)

GOODS VEHICLES

TAXIS AND ENFRANCHISED PUBLIC CARS

NON-ENFRANCHISED PUBLIC CARS

PRIVATE CARS

KOTOR CYCLES AND TRICYCLES

NIL (AS NOW)

15% (COMPARED WITH 15% ON NONCOMMONWEALTH VEHICLES ONLY)

30% (COMPARED WITH 15% ON COMMONWEALTH VEHICLES AND 30% ON NON-COMMONWEALTH VEHICLES)

.• • '■:

‘ . r9 • ••

.• • f • • .•

/AS REGARDS .....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER J, 1975

AS REGARDS IMPORTS OF SPIRITUOUS TOBACCO FROM COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, PROPOSED TO ELIMINATE THE PREFERENCE TO THE LEVEL OF THE RATES APPLICABLE COUNTRIES.

LIQUORS AND MANUFACTURED

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MARGINS BY RAISING THE RATES TO IMPORTS FROM NON-COMMONWEALTH

A°DITI0N’ HE PROPOSED TO RAISE THE GENERAL RATES ON MOST PRODUCTS TO LEVELS V/HICH WILL YIELD PART OF THE EXTRA REVENUE NEEDED IN 1976-77.

. LHt NEW RATES>+ HE SAID, +MAY SLIGHTLY DISCOURAGE SALES, BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE NO QUESTION OF DIMINISHING RETURNS.+ HE ADDED THAT THE EFFECT ON ~

WOULD BE +MINIMAL+.

THE CONSUMER PRICE

INDEX

SOME EXAMPLES OF THE NEW RATES IN TERMS OF DUTY PAID PER BOTTLE (ROUNDING OFF VERY SLIGHTLY FOR SIMPLICITY’S SAKE) ARE AS FOLLOWS:

BRANDY $19 ($18.94 COMPARED WITH $14.63 ON

COMMONWEALTH ORIGIN, AND $15.86

ON NON-COMMONWEALTH ORIGIN, IMPORTS)

OTHER EUROPEAN $16 ($15.95 COMPARED WITH $14.61)

TYPE SPIRITS

CHAMPAGNE AND $12 ($12.00 COMPARED WITH $10.22)

SPARKLING WINES

STILL WINES ABOVE 15%

STILL WINES BELOW 15%

BEER, IMPORTED, SMALL EOTTLE

BEER, LOCAL, SMALL

BOTTLE

CHINESE TYPE SPIRITS, IMPORTED

$6 ($6.01 COMPARED WITH $5.08)

$5 ($5.01 COMPARED WITH $4.24)

$0.25 ($0.25 COMPARED WITH $0.23)

$0.20 ($0.20 COMPARED WITH $0,175)

$1.65 ($1.65 COMPARED WITH $1.51)

ON TOBACCO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE NEW RATE OF

DUTY OF MANUFACTURED TOBACCO HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT TO $19.80 PER POUND FOR CIGARS, TO $18.50 PER POUND FOR CIGARETTES, TO $3.70 PER POUND FOR CHINESE PREPARED TOBACCO. AND TO $14.90 PER POUND FOR UNMANUFACTURED TOBACCO.

THE NEW RATE OF DUTY PAID PER PACKET OF 20 IMPORTED CIGARETTES WILL BE BETWEEN $0.75 AND $0.85.

/Turning to .....

WEDNESDAY, DECBIBER 4, 1975

4 -

TURNING TO THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASES IN DUTIES ON THE COST OF LIVING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN TERMS OF PRICES PARTICULAR PRODUCTS IN THE SHOPS, THIS WILL DEPEND ON: THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE INCREASES ARE ABSORBED WITHIN THE PROFIT MARGINS OF IMPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS, ON THE ONE HAND, AND RETAILERS, OH THE OTHER, AS OPPOSED TO BEING PASSED ON TO CUSTOMERS.

ON A STANDARD BOTTLE OF (NON-COMMONWEALTH) BRANDY, THE INCREASE IS $3 AND ON A STANDARD BOTTLE OF COMMONWEALTH WHISKY, SI.35.

THE INCREASE ON A SMALL BOTTLE OF BEER IS ONLY $0.02 (AND ON A LARGE BOTTLE $0.04).

ON A PACKET OF 20 CIGARETTES, THE DUTY INCREASE IS RATHER MORE OR RATHER LESS THAN $0.10, DEPENDING ON WEIGHT AND TO AN INSIGNIFICANT EXTENT, ON ORIGIN.

ON THE EFFECT ON THE OVERALL COST OF LIVING AS MEASURED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE EFFECT WOULD NOT EXCEED 0.1 PER CENT.

-----o-------

i > 1 r

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

FULL REVIEW OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM UNDERWAY

* ft ft * H ft

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN REITERATED TODAY THAT THE D.C. AND I. WAS CONDUCTING A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM.

HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD THROUGH THE PRESS AND THROUGH WRITTEN INVITATIONS ASKED THOSE INTERESTED TO PUT THEIR VIEWS TO THE D.C. AND I. AS TO WHETHER ANY CHANGES WERE REQUIRED TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND, IF SO, WHAT THOSE CHANGES SHOULD BE.

A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS, HE ADDED, HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED AND WERE BEING CONSIDERED.

MR. JORDAN WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION PUT BY THE HON. ALEX WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

MR. JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM WAS THAT ALLOCATION OF TEXTILE QUOTA WAS BASED ON PAST PERFORMANCE.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, NON-QUOTA HOLDERS COULD TAKE PART IN +FREE-QUOTA+ SCHEMES OPERATED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND COMPANIES THAT WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE FULLY THE YARDAGE OBTAINED IN THIS MANNER WERE ELEGIBLE FOR A QUOTA ALLOCATION IN THE NEXT TEXTILE YEAR, THAT IS TO SAY, THEY BECOME QUOTA-HOLDERS THEMSELVES. • V

MR. JORDAN ADDED: +AT THIS STAGE, WHILE OUR REVIEW IS IN PROGRESS, I SHOULD NOT LIKE TO COMMIT MYSELF AS TO HOW FAR WE SHOULD GO IN FURTHER OPENING UP THE SYSTEM TO NON-QUOTA-HOLDERS, BUT I CAN ASSURE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND THAT WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE DESIRABILITY OF DOING SO — SO LONG AS WE CAN ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF EXISTING QUOTA-HOLDERS ARE GIVEN REASONABLE PROTECTION AND THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE ARE SERVED BY A SYSTEM THAT MAXIMISES THE USE OF THE LIMITED EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO US UNDER THE RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS THAT WE ARE OBLIGED TO IMPLEMENT.+ i

IN REPLY TO THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN WHO ASKED ABOUT THE EEC DECISION TO CONTINUE EXCLUDING HONG KONG’S TEXTILE EXPORTS FROM THE COMMUNITY’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES, MR. JORDAN EXPLAINED THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED THE INCLUSION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF +NON-SENSITIVE+ HONG KONG TEXTILE PRODUCTS IN THE EEC-GSP FOR 1976.

/♦BUT THE COUNCIL .....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

- 6 -

+BUT THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS FELT UNABLE TO ACCEPT THESE PROPOSALS, AND INSTEAD, IT DECIDED THAT THE CONSIDERATION OF THE INCLUSION OF TEXTILES FROM HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFERRED AGAIN TO 1976, WHEN THE SCHEME FOR 1977 .OULD BE DRAWN UP,+ MR. JORDAN SAID.

THE FACT THAI THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS FELT UNABLE TO ACCEPT THIS VERY MODEST PROPOSAL WAS AN INDICATION OF THE VERY HEAVY PRESSURE THAT THE TEXTILE AND CLOTHING I.JUoTRIES IN EUROPE WERE EXERTING AGAINST IMPORTS, ..... JORDAN SAID.

HE ADDED: +WE ARE NATURALLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL’S DECISION AND WE SHALL, IN 1976, CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER DONOR COUNTRIES TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HONG KONG IN THEIR PREFERENCES SCHEMES+.

MR. TIEN ALSO ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RECONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY OF INVITING SOME EEC OFFICIALS TO VISIT HONG KONG WITH A VIEW TO ACQUAINTING THEM WITH THE REAL STATE OF HONG KONG’S TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

MR. JORDAN REPLIED THAT'THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL IN TOUCH WITH THE EEC COMMISSION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ARRANGING FURTHER VISITS BY EEC OFFICIALS.

-HE ADDED: +1 HOPE THAT WE SHALL EE ABLE TO ARRANGE A VISIT BY COMMISSION AND MEMBER STATE OFFICIALS EARLY IN 1976+.

-----o------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

NO NEED FOR SECRETARY FOR YOUTH

*«*«««

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SAID : HE DID NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE APPOINTMENT C'- A SECRETARY FOR YOUTH IN HONG KONG.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN T■£ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,HE SAID THAT SUCH AN APPOINTMENT WAS NOT NECESSARILY +THE BEST WAY TO SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE.+

ALL THE SOCIAL SERVICES, FOR YOUTH AND OTHERS, ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES. +1 THINK WE ARE ALREADY DOING EVERYTHING A SECRETARY FOR YOUTH COULD DO,+ MR. BRAY SAID.

HE NOTED THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR YOUTH WAS APPOINTED IN 1973 TO MAKE SURE THAT NO REASONABLE SUPPORT FOR YOUTH WAS MISSED .OUT, AND THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WHICH SEEMED TO BE NOBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY.

THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR. BRAY, INCLUDES ALL THE SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS DEALING WITH MATTERS CONCERNING YOUTH. +IT IS A USEFUL FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF APPROACHES TO YOUTH PROBLEMS,+ MR. BRAY ADDED.

-----0-----

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

- 8 -

COMPENSATION FOR WORKMEN SUFFERING FROM SILICOSIS » « * «

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THS HON. IAN PRICE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) C ■ ■ '.INES THE MAIN DIFFICULTY INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A ” -iSAllON SCHEME FOR WORKERS SUFFERING FROM SILICOSIS.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG ON v.‘HAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION FOR SUCH A SPECIAL COMPENSATION SCHEME.

+THE MAIN DIFFICULTY YET TO BE RESOLVED,+ MR. PRICE POINTED OUT, +ARISES FROM THE LONG PERIOD WHICH USUALLY ELAPSES AFTER SILICOSIS HAS BEEN CONTRACTED AND BEFORE IT BECOMES EVIDENT -AND DURING THIS PERIOD THE WORKMAN MAY HAVE BEEN ENGAGED BY A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS.+

HOWEVER, HE SAID HE WAS. STILL HOPEFUL THAT WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE ACCIDENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, HE WOULD BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE MAIN PROBLEMS OF HOW LIABILITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION COULD BE APPORTIONED BETWEEN A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS.

WHATEVER SCHEME WAS EVENTUALLY PRODUCED, MR. PRICE WARNED, CONSIDERABLE GOVERNMENT FUNDS WOULD BE INVOLVED AND TO OBTAIN SUCH MONEY, THE SCHEME WOULD HAVE TO +TAKE ITS PLACE IN THE QUEUE WITH REQUESTS FOR MONEY FOR OTHER HIGHLY DESIRABLE PROJECTS.+

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

9 -

KEYNOTE OF MORAL EDUCATION: COMMUNITY SERVICE * * * * H X

COMMUNITY SERVICE IS THE KEYNOTE OF MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WHO WANTED TO KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT AND IN WHAT MANNER MORAL TRAINING WAS GIVEN TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY ACC I RED A SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY, SELF-DioClPLINE AND A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THE MAIN EMPHASIS MUST BE LAID ON EXAMPLE AND PRACTICE RATHER THAN ON PREACHING.

HE SAID: +MOST SCHOOLS NOWADAYS INCLUDE IN THEIR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT LEAST ONE WHICH IS BASED ON COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUCH AS SCOUTS, GUIDES, RED CROSS, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE, ROAD SAFETY PATROLS AND BLOOD DONATION. MANY CLUBS TOO, ARE ORGANISED WITHIN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO RENDER SERVICE TO THE DISADVANTAGED.

+THESE ACTIVITIES ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ENCOURAGE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND ITS PROBLEMS.+

THERE WAS OF COURSE A CASE FOR A MORE FORMAL APPROACH TO SOCIAL AND MORAL EDUCATION ON APPROPRIATE OCCASIONS.

+MANY PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE WEEKLY ASSEMBLIES IN WHICH THE HEAD TEACHERS TALK TO THE CHILDREN ON SIMPLE SOCIAL AND MORAL THEMES (FOR EXAMPLE, KINDLINESS, HONESTY, GOOD MANNERS, TOLERANCE AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY). THESE THEMES ALSO APPEAR IN THE SYLLABUSES BOTH FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

POINTING OUT THAT MORALITY WAS NOT A SCHOOL SUBJECT IN THE SAME SENSE AS MATHEMATICS, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +IT IS RATHER A VITALLY IMPORTANT ELEMENT WHICH SHOULD PERMEATE THE WHOLE LIFE OF A SCHOOL.+

ONE BROAD AIM OF EDUCATION WAS TO PREPARE CHILDREN TO TAKE THEIR PLACES IN SOCIETY AS CITIZENS, WORKERS AND PARENTS. SO EDUCATION MUST TRY TO DEVELOP SOCIAL AND MORAL QUALITIES IN THE INDIVIDUAL.

IN CONCLUSION, THE DIRECTOR SAID: +NATURALLY, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY AND I PROPOSE TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO GIVE CHILDREN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP MORAL AND SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OF THEIR OWN ACTIVITIES: THIS TO MY MIND IS THE SUREST METHOD OF CHARACTER FORMATION IN THE YOUNG.+

-----o ---------

/1O......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

SPEEDY ANALYSES OF SUSPECT FOOD AND BEVERAGES

* K # # K

ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY EXIST FOR THE EFFICIENT AND SPEEDY CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES SUSPECTED TO CONTAIN POISONOUS OR HARMFUL SUBSTANCES, DR. THE HON. GERALD CHOA, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG WHO HAD ASKED WHETHER A SEPARATE UNIT WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO CARRY OUT SUCH ANALYSES.

+NORMALLY, SAMPLES OF SUSPECTED FOOD AND BEVERAGES ITEMS ARE TAKEN BY STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE AND FORWARDED TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR ANALYSES,+ DR. CHOA CONTINUED.

THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE LABORATORY THEN UNDERTOOK TO EXAMINE SUCH SAMPLES FOR THE USD AS PART OF THEIR SERVICE FOR THE VARIOUS ’’CLIENT” DEPARTMENTS, HE ADDED.

DR. FANG ALSO ASKED WHETHER IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO CONVERT THE VERANDAH AND LOBBY ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SCHOOL IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE MORE FOR THE SCHOOL.

IN REPLY, DR. CHOA SAID THE QUESTION WAS RAISED A YEAR DURING A UMELCO VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT WAS THEN CONSIDERED INADVISABLE AND UNECONOMICAL TO

AHEAD WITH PIECEMEAL ALTERATIONS AND CONVERSIONS OF EXISTING FACILITIES.

A PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG WAS AT THAT TIME BEING PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH WOULD BE A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO COVER ALL ASPECTS OF REHABILITATION FOR THE NEXT DECADE, DR. CHOA EXPLAINED.

BESIDES BEING CONSIDERED INADVISABLE AND UNECONOMICAL, THE SUGGESTED CONVERSIONS WOULD LIKELY BE A COSTLY UNDERTAKING WHICH COULD NOT BE SUPPORTED AT THAT TIME, HE SAID.

+THE SITUATION REMAINS THE SAME TO DATE,+ HE ADDED.

SPACE

AGO

-----o------

/11

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

- 11 -

MORE STAFF FOR INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT M M W K W *

THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF THIS YEAR FOR COMMITMENTS ARISING FROM THE BUDGET PROPOSALS AND FROM INCREASED WORKLOAD.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. Q.W. LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE INCREASED WORKLOAD WAS MAINLY IN THE SALARY TAX SECTION WHERE THERE HAD BEEN A 55 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TAX FILES= IN THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION SECTION FOLLOWING AN INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE° AND ALSO IN THE INSPECTORATE.

+FOR THESE PURPOSES,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, +THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A FURTHER 55 POSTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR.

+AND THE STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED BY 100 OFFICERS SINCE APRIL 1, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT THIS HAS MEANT AN INCREASE OVER THE NET GROWTH OF 1,600 PLANNED FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE THIS YEAR.*

ON STAFFING PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, MR. HADDON -CAVE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE NORMAL WAY AS THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE SUBMITTED THEM.

REFERRING TO PLANS FOR CENTRALISED ACCOMMODATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT A SEARCH WAS NOW BEING MADE TO LOCATE A SUITABLE BUILDING AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT +SHOULD BE HOUSED UNDER ONE ROOF BY EARLY 1977.+

- 0 --------

/12

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1?75

GO-AHEAD FOR LEVY TO FINANCE TRAINING FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY M * * K # #

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY THAT A RATE OF LEVY OF 0.03 PER CENT BE IMPOSED ON THE F.O.B. (FREE ON BOARD) VALUE OF CLOTHING ITEMS EXPORTED TO FINANCE TRAINING FOR HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY.

IN MOVING A MOTION TO SET THE LEVEL OF LEVY AT 0.03 PER CENT, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING AUTHORITY, SA k. THAT ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE TOiAL F.O.B. VALUE OF CLOTHING ITEMS EXPORTED IN 1974 WAS $8,752 MILLION. BASED ON THIS FIGURE, LEVYING AT THE RATE OF 0.03 PER CENT WILL THEREFORE YIELD A SUM OF ABOUT $2.6 MILLION.

AFTER PAYING THE'COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT THE COST OF COLLECTING THE LEVY ON THE AUTHORITY’S BEHALF, THE ACTUAL INCOME FROM THE LEVY WILL BE ABOUT $2.4 MILLION.

IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR, THE AUTHORITY’S TOTAL EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $4.65 MILLION. OF THIS, MR. TIEN NOTED, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT $4.15 MILLION AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AMOUNTED TO $0.35 MILLION. THE REMAINING $0.15 MILLION WAS THE ESTIMATED PAYMENT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON PART OF A LOAN OF $4 MILLION FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND.

MR. TIEN SAID THE AUTHORITY HAD DECIDED THAT THE LOAN +WILL ONLY BE USED TO COVER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INCOME FROM THE LEVY AND EXPENDITURE AND WILL BE DRAWN UPON ONLY WHEN INCOME LAGS BEHIND CAPITAL PAYMENT DEMANDS.+

MR. TIEN SAID THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT BY THE END OF 1976, THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO INFORM THE GOVERNMENT THAT A PART OF THE LOAN WOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED.

+BY SO DOING, NOT ONLY WILL THE INTEREST PAYMENT BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM, BUT WILL ALSO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO BE SOLVENT AND SELF-SUPPORTING AND GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE COMMITTED LOAN FOR SOME OTHER PURPOSE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.+ HE SAID.

MR. TIEN SAID THE TRAINING CENTRE WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JANUARY 1977 IN VIEW OF THE URGENT NEED TO GET TRAINING STARTED.

-------0---------

/13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

13 -

BILLS PASSED

NINE BILLS COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TO BECOME LAW.

THEY WERE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL, THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE RATING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, THE-SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1974-75) BILL, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL AND THE COMMONWEALTH PREFERENCE (MOTOR VEHICLES) (REPEAL) BILL.

AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER’S BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS BILL, ALSO COMPLETED ITS COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READ I NG..

IN ADDITION, THE MOTION SETTING A RATE OF LEVY OF O.O3 PER CENT ON THE F.O.B. VALUE OF THE CLOTHING ITEMS EXPORTED WAS PASSED.

THREE OTHER BILLS WERE TABLED FOR FIRST READING. THESE WERE THE TRUSTEE (AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION) BILL, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL AND THE CHEERO CLUB INCORPORATION (REPEAL) BILL.

-------o -

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

- 14 -

HONG KONG PEOPLE HEALTHIER THAN EVER, SAYS DR. CHOA

******

THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE MUCH HEALTHIER THAN BEFORE IN ■ PRACTICALLY ALL ASPECTS DUE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FREE MATERNAL AND CHILD, CHEST AND SOCIAL HYGIENE SERVICES.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE ROTARY CLUB OF KwUN TONG THIS AFTERNOON.

HE SAID IN THE LAST TWO DECADES THERE HAVE BEEN MARKED REDUCTIONS IN INFANT AND MATERNAL DEATHS AND IN THE INCIDENCE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, PARTICULARLY POLIO, SMALLPOX, DIPHTHERIA AND TUBERCULOSIS.

HE SAID THERE WERE'MANY FACTORS WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT IN PEOPLE’S HEALTH. +THERE HAS BEEN IMPROVEMENT IN' ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, PEOPLE ARE MUCH BETTER NOURISHED, THEY ARE NOW BETTER EDUCATED IN HEALTH MATTERS, AND THEY HAVE DISCARDED MOST OF THEIR BELIEFS IN TRADITIONAL PRACTICES,+ HE SAID.

BUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FREE HEALTH SERVICES WAS ALSO AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR, HE ADDED.

IN THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICE, DR. CHOA SAID, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S 37 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CLINICS PROVIDED A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES TO BOTH THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD FREE OF CHARGE.

AS A RESULT, THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE HAS DROPPED FROM 99.6 PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN 1950 TO 17.4 IN .1974 WHICH IS HIGHER THAN JAPAN’S 11.7 BUT LOWER THAN SINGAPORE’S 19.3 AND THAILAND’S 22.5.

FREE VACCINES ARE GIVEN TO CHILDREN AGAINST SUCH DISEASES AS TUBERCULOSIS, SMALLPOX, POLIOMYELITIS, DIPHTHERIA AND MEASLES.

DR. CHOA SAID EFFORTS TO COMBAT TUBERCULOSIS, WHICH HAD BEEN REGARDED AS THE PRINCIPAL KILLER OF MANKIND, WERE MOST ENCOURAGING.

THE DEATH RATE OF THIS DISEASE PER 100,000 POPULATION HAD DROPPED FROM 120 IN 1955 TO ONLY 22.9 LAST YEAR, HE SAID.

/FROM THE .....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER J, 1975

FROM THE NUMBER 1 SPOT IN THE LIST OF COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS, TUBERCULOSIS HAS NOW RECEDED TO THE SIXTH•

+IT IS EVIDENT THAT FEWER NEW CASES HAVE NOW BEEN REPORTED, LESS PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF TUBERCULOSIS, AND THOSE WHO DIE ARE NO LONGER VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, IN FACT, THE AVERAGE AGE OF TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IS NOW ABOUT 30 YEARS,+ SAID DR. CHOA.

AS FOR OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES, DR. CHOA SAID THE INCIDENCE OF DIPHTHERIA WHICH REACHED ITS PEAK IN 1959 WITH • 2,087 CASES AND 116 DEATHS HAD BEEN REDUCED TO ONE AND TWO CASES IN 1973 AND 1974 RESPECTIVELY, WITH NO DEATHS.

POLIO, WHICH CLAIMED 52 DEATHS IN 1962 HAS NOW BEEN ELIMINATED WITH NO CASES REPORTED LAST YEAR.

IN SOCIAL HYGIENE SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY SUCCESS IN TREATING VENEREAL DISEASES AGAINST WHICH THERE IS AS YET NO VACCINE.

HOWEVER, TREATMENT FOR ALL TYPES OF VENEREAL DISEASES IS FREELY AVAILABLE IN THE DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL CLINICS WHERE ROUTINE EXAMINATION IS ALSO CONDUCTED FOR THOSE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY.

ON THE WHOLE, SAID DR. CHOA, THE INCIDENCE OF ALL VENEREAL DISEASES, WITH SYPHLIS AND GONORRHOEA BEING THE TWO COMMONEST, HAS BEEN ON THE DECLINE, DROPPING FROM 19,257 CASES IN 1955 TO 9,543 LAST YEAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF THE FULL AT THE GIS PRESS BOX FOR

TEXT OF DR. CHOA’S SPEECH ARE AVAILABLE COLLECTION.

-------0---------

/16......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1975

WATER CUT * * * * K

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE INTERRUPTED BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 5) TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD BETWEEN HAM TIN STREET AND TEXACO ROAD AND PART OF LUEN YAN STREET. YEUNG UK ROAD, HAM TIN STREET AND SHA TSUI ROAD.

- - - - 0 --------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

EVISION OF POSTAL CHARGES .................................... 1

MASSIVE INVESTMENT’ NEEDED FOR ADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY, SAYS SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ...................'....... 3

2-DAY CAREERS ’76 EXHIBITION STARTS ON DECEMBER 17 ........... 5

MAIL SERVICES TO CANADA RESUME ............................... 6

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN JAVA ROAD......................... 7

WATER INTERRUPTION IN MONGKOK AND ABERDEEN ................... 7

RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HOLDS EXHIBITION ................ 8

AM TIN SPORTS DAY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS ................ 9

COURSE ON MAGIC ........

........................................... 9

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

REVISION OF POSTAL CHARGES K K O if «

THE POST OFFICE WILL INCREASE SOME OF ITS CHARGES FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

COMMENTING ON THE REVISION OF CHARGES, A SPOKESMAN FOR iHE DEPARTMENT SAID s +THE INCREASES ARE DICTATED MAINLY BY THE NEED TO CONFORM WITH NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS WHICH 3VERN THE CHARGES FOR CERTAIN POSTAL SERVICES, AND THE NEED TO UPDATE THE PRICING OF A NUMBER OF MINOR AND SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES WHICH HAVE BEEN OPERATING AT A LOSS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.+

AT THE CONVENTION IN LAUSANNE IN 1974, THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (UPU), OF WHICH NEARLY EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IS A MEMBER, AGREED TO A NUMBER OF CHANGES AND PRICE INCREASES IN THE INTE NATIONAL MAIL SERVICES.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THESE TO HONG KONG, ACCORDING TO ' THE SPOKESMAN, IS A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH THE POSTAL ADMINISTRATION OF ONE COUNTRY MUST PAY TO THAT OF ANOTHER IF IT SENDS TO THAT COUNTRY MORE MAIL THAN IT RECEIVES FROM IT. THIS +IMBALANCE PAYMENT+ WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1 TO $3 FOR EACH KILOGRAMME OF EXCESS WEIGHT OF MAIL rROM JANUARY 1.

THE COST OF AEROGRAMMES WILL GO UP FROM 50 CENTS TO 60 CENTS. +THE 50 CENT AEROGRAMME HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 20 YEARS, AND HAS LONG BEEN A POPULAR ’BEST BUY’. BUT EVEN AT ITS NEW PRICE, IT WILL STILL PROVIDE ONE OF THE CHEAPEST AIRMAIL SERVICE IN THE WORLD,+ THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

INCREASES IN AIRMAIL CHARGES TO INDIA, JAPAN AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA, AND ALSO A MODEST UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SEAMAIL LETTER RATES TO COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CHINA, MACAU AND TAIWAN ARE ALL BEING MADE TO CONFORM WITH UPU TARIFF CHANGES.

BY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, THE INSURED BOX SERVICES WILL CEASE. THE ITEMS WHICH MUST BE SENT IN INSURED BOXES AT PRESENT MAY BE SENT IN INSURED LETTERS OR PACKETS IN FUTURE. '

BY SIMILAR AGREEMENT, INSURANCE FEES AND THE COST OF INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPONS WILL BE INCREASED. THE FEE FOR REQUESTING ADVICE OF DELIVERY OF A REGISTERED LETTER WILL ALSO BE INCREASED, AND IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO REQUEST SUCH AN ADVICE AFTER THE LETTER HAS BEEN POSTED.

/AMONG OTHER .....

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

AMONG OTHER TARIFF CHANGES, THERE WILL BE INCREASES IN THE STORAGE FEE FOR UNCOLLECTED PARCELS AND A DELIVERY FEE FOR BUSINESS REPLY LETTERS. THE FORMER IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF PROVIDING STORAGE SPACE FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF UNCOLLECTED PARCELS. THE LATTER IS REQUIRED BECAUSE THE SERVICE HAS BEEN PROVIDED VIRTUALLY FREE OF CHARGE AND AT CONSIDERABLE COST TO THE POST OFFICE FOR MANY YEARS.

THE INLAND POSTCARD RATE (15 CENTS) WILL BE ABOLISHED AS IT IS RARELY USED AND POSTCARDS WILL BE TREATED AS LETTERS. THIS WILL NOT AFFECT PRINTED CARDS WHICH WILL STILL BE ADMISSIBLE AT THE 10-CENT PRINTED PAPER RATE.

THE PREFERENTIAL SURFACE LETTER RATES TO COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES WILL ALSO BE ABOLISHED ON JANUARY 1. +THERE IS NO LONGER ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR SUCH PREFERENTIAL POSTAGE RATES TO CONTINUE, AND A NUMBER OF COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAVE ALREADY ABOLISHED THEM,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SURFACE PARCEL CHARGES WILL'ALSO BE INCREASED AS A RESULT GF HIGHER DELIVERY FEES TO BE PAID TO OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS AND THERE ARE CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE AIR PARCEL TARIFF.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A TABLE SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1976 WILL BE PUT IN THE G.I.S. PRESS BOX FOR COLLECTION THIS EVENING.

-----0-----

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

’MASSIVE INVESTMENT’ NEEDED FOR ADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY * * * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. JIM ROBSON, SAID TONIGHT THAT THE DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG WAS STILL GROWING DESPITE A RECENT SLACKENING DUE TO THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE.

SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FAR EAST CONFERENCE ON ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY INDUSTRY, HE SAID THAT IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO FORESEE WHERE THE EVENTUAL DEMAND FROM ALL SOURCES WOULD BEGIN TO LEVEL OFF.

HONG KONG NOW HAS A SUPPLY POTENTIAL OF OVER 2,000 MEGAWATTS, WITH EQUIPMENT ON ORDER OR CURRENTLY BEING INSTALLED TO INCREASE THIS BY SOME 30 PER CENT.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, FORECASTS BY THE INDUSTRY INDICATE THAT THE PRESENT DEMAND COULD DOUBLE BY 1985 AND IT IS +A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT ADEQUATE SUPPLIES ARE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES IN THE FUTURE.+

THIS WOULD MEAN +CONTINUAL MASSIVE INVESTMENT* IN ADDITIONAL POWER GENERATING CAPACITY, AND +SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT* IN NEW TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES WITH THE DISPERSION OF THE POPULATION AND INDUSTRY AWAY FROM THE OLDER URBAN AREAS.

IN FACT, MR. ROBSON SAID THAT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR POWER COMPANIES ON NEW EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN RUNNING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT $300 MILLION A YEAR IN RECENT YEARS.

HE ADDED THAT AS SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT HE WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE IMPACT WHICH NEW GENERATING STATIONS AND TRANSMISSION LINES WOULD HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT. BUT HE WAS GRATIFIED TO SEE THAT THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY WAS NOW GIVING SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THESE MATTERS.

TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF NUCLEAR POWER, MR. ROBSON RESTATED THAT IN HIS OPINION NUCLEAR-POWERED PLANTS PRESENTED A FAR LESS THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAN TRADITIONAL FOSSIL FUEL POWER.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT THE TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PLANNING NECESSARY FOR SETTING UP A NUCLEAR POWER STATION IN HONG KONG WERE BEYOND OUR RESOURCES, AND LARGE SCALE TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES WAS CLEARLY REQUIRED.

MR. ROBSON WENT ON: +IT MAY BE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRUNCH, HONG KONG WILL FIND THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO EMBARK UPON A PROGRAMME FOR NUCLEAR POWER AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE TO CONTINUE USING FOSSIL FUEL PLANTS.*

/IF THIS WERE .....

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

IF THIS WERE THE CASE, HE SAID, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO . ।

HEED THE WARNING SOUNDED AT THE CONFERENCE THAT THE CONTRIBUTION OF FOSSIL FUEL POWER TO CIV IL I SAT I ON IN THE COMING YEARS WOULD BE DEPENDENT ON ACHIEVING SATISFACTORY SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF INSECURITY OF FUEL SUPPLY AND TO THE ENVIRNOMENTAL PROBLEMS.

ON THE QUESTION OF FINANCING, MR. ROBSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE WAS THAT +NO INDUSTRY OF SERVICE SHOULD BE SUBSIDISED AND THAT EACH SHOULD PAY ITS WAY.+ HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THERE WERE NO CONTROLS OVER WHAT THE POWER COMPANIES CHARGED.

IN FUTURE, HE SAID, THERE WERE GOING TO BE MORE SYSTEMATIC CONTROLS OVER THE AFFAIRS OF PRIVATELY OWNED UTILITY COMPANIES, ALTHOUGH HE WAS SURE THESE CONTROLS WOULD BE THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPANIES COULD GET ON WITH THE JOB OF PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT PUBLIC SERVICE AT THE MINIMUM REASONABLE PRICE.

MR. ROBSON EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION OF ATTEMPTING TO RUN ANYTHING WHICH COULD BE LEFT TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

IN FACT, THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN POWER PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST 30 YEARS WAS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER WAS LEFT TO FREE ENTERPRISE. HE ADDED. ,

-------0 - - - -

/5......

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

5 -

CAREERS ’76 EXHIBITION * M X * * H

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CAREERS ’76 -- THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION -- WILL OPEN AT THE CITY HALL ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, AT NOON.

THE 12-DAY EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, AIMS TO ACQUAINT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG, AND TO OFFER ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE A CHOICE.

FIFTEEN ORGANISATIONS FROM THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND CIVIL SERVICE SECTORS ARu TAKING PART. THEY WILL SHOW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS BANKING, TRANSPORT, TEXTILES, TELEVISION, SOCIAL WELFARE.AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.

EACH EXHIBITOR WILL DISPLAY INFORMATION ON THE JOBS AND POSTS NORMALLY AVAILABLE IN ITS FIELD.

+TO MAKE A SENSIBLE AND REALISTIC CHOICE OF CAREER,* MR. PRICE SAID,* THE RELEVANT AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AND FACTS MUST EE MADE KNOWN. CAREERS ’76 IS DESIGNED EXACTLY TO CATER FOR THIS NEED.

+1 AM SURE STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE VISITING THE EXHIBITION WILL GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO THE CHOICE OF CAREERS THAT IS AVAILABLE AFTER FORMAL EDUCATION.*

THE COMMISSIONER REMARKED THAT CHOOSING A CAREER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS A YOUNG PERSON HAS TO MAKE IN HIS LIFE. +HE HAS TO MAKE SUCH A DECISION, IRRESPECTIVE OF HOW RICH OR POOR HE IS, OR HOW PROSPEROUS OR UNFAVOURABLE THE HONG KONG ECONOMY MAY BE.

+CAREERS ’76 WILL PROVIDE FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELP THEM CHOOSE WISELY THEIR CAREERS,* MR. PRICE ADDED.

CAREERS ’75 LAST YEAR HAD A RECORD ATTENDANCE OF 93,000, WITH STUDENTS IN THE MAJORITY. IT ALSO RECEIVED FAVOURABLE COMMENT FROM TEACHERS, PARENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, DR. KEITH LEGG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN CAREERS ’76 AT 11 A.M. ON DECEMBER 17.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM NOON THE SAME DAY, AND DAILY FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 7 P.M. UNTIL IT CLOSES AT 5 P.M.

ON DECEMBER 28.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

- 6 -

MAIL SERVICES TO CANADA RESUME #*####

THE STRIKE BY CANADIAN POSTAL WORKERS, WHICH HAS DISRUPTED POSTINGS FROM HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH, IS NOW OVER, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC STILL HAVE TIME TO SEND THEIR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN CANADA BUT THEY MUST DO SO ON OR BEFORE NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 8).

THIS IS THE FINAL DATE FOR POSTING AIRMAIL LETTERS AND CARDS TO CANADA FOR DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID HONG KONG WAS ADVtSED OF THE END OF THE STRIKE BY THE CANADIAN POSTAL AD.’. IN ISTRATION.

ALL CLASSES OF AIR AND SURFACE MAILS CAN NOW BE ACCEPTED AGAIN FOR DESTINATIONS IN CANADA.

HOWE'ER, AT THE REQUEST OF THE CANADIAN POSTAL ADMINISTRATION', THE FIRST DESPATCH OF ’AIL FROM HOt’G KONG WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL NEXT MONDAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

o -------

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975.

- 5 -

CAREERS ’76 EXHIBITION

******

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CAREERS ’76 — THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION — WILL OPEN AT THE CITY HALL ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, AT NOON.

EACH EXHIBITOR WILL DISPLAY INFORMATION ON THE JOBS AND POSTS NORMALLY AVAILABLE IN ITS FIELD.

+TO MAKE A SENSIBLE AND REALISTIC CHOICE OF CAREER,+ MR. PRICE SAID,+ THE RELEVANT AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AND FACTS MUST EE MADE KNOWN. CAREERS ’76 IS DESIGNED EXACTLY TO CATER FOR THIS NEED.

+1 AM SURE STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE VISITING THE EXHIBITION WILL GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO THE CHOICE OF CAREERS THAT IS AVAILABLE AFTER FORMAL EDUCAT I ON.+

+CAREERS ’76 WILL PROVIDE FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND HELP THEM CHOOSE WISELY THEIR CAREERS,+ MR. PRICE ADDED.

CAREERS ’75 LAST YEAR HAD A RECORD ATTENDANCE OF 93,000, WITH STUDENTS IN THE MAJORITY. IT ALSO RECEIVED FAVOURABLE COMMENT FROM TEACHERS, PARENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, DR. KEITH LEGG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN CAREERS '76 AT 11 A.M. ON DECEMBER 17.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM NOON THE SAME DAY, AND DAILY FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 7 P.M. UNTIL IT CLOSES AT 5 P.M. ON DECEMBER 28.

o -------

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

- 6 -

MAIL SERVICES TO CANADA RESUME K H # K # #

THE STRIKE BY CANADIAN POSTAL WORKERS, WHICH HAS DISRUPTED POSTINGS FROM HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH, IS NOW OVER, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC STILL HAVE TIME TO SEND THEIR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN CANADA BUT THEY MUST DO SO ON OR BEFORE NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 8).

THIS IS THE FINAL DATE FOR POSTING AIRMAIL LETTERS AND CARDS TO CANADA FOR DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID HONG KONG WAS ADVISED OF THE END OF THE STRIKE BY THE CANADIAN POSTAL ADMINISTRATION.

ALL CLASSES OF AIR AND SURFACE MAILS CAN NOW BE ACCEPTED AGAIN FOR DESTINATIONS IN CANADA.

HOWE’ER, AT THE REQUEST OF THE CANADIAN POSTAL ADMINISTRATION, THE FIRST DESPATCH OF '. -AIL FROM HOFS KONG WILL BE DELAYED UNTIL NEXT MONDAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

-----o------

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

7 -

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN JAVA ROAD M H K K * *

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOMORROW

<N NORTH POINT FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SECTION OF JAVA ROAD BETWEEN KAM HON STREET AND TONG SHU I ROAD.

FROM 9 A.M. WESTBOUND TRAFFIC IN JAVA ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO SHU KUK STREET WHILE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO KAM HON STREET OR LEFT INTO SHU KUK STREET.

DURING THIS PERIOD BUSES ON ROUTES 23 AND 23B WILL BE REROUTED FROM JAVA ROAD VIA TONG SHU I ROAD TO KING’S ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET.

IN YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON, THE SECTION OF KANSU STREET BETWEEN FERRY STREET AND CANTON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 1 P.M. TOMORROW UNTIL 1 P.M. ON SATURDAY TO ENABLE PILING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER.

MEANWHILE, FROM SATURDAY (DECEMBER 6), NORTH-WEST BOUND TRAFFIC ON TA IPO ROAD IN KOWLOON TURNING LEFT TO JOIN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO TRAVEL EASTBOUND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TURN RIGHT SUBSEQUENTLY FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD INTO NAM CHEONG STREET.

THIS ARRANGEMENT IS BEING INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

WATER INTERRUPTION

###****

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONGKOK AND ABERDEEN WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M.ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 6) TO ALLOW LEAKAGE TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

IN MONGKOK, PREMISES BOUNDED BY CANTON ROAD, NELSON STREET, NATHAN ROAD, DUNDAS STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE AFFECTED.

IN ABERDEEN, PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG SING ROAD TO THE END OF SHEK PAI WAN ROAD, YUE WOK STREET, YUE LEI STREET, TIN WAN STREET, TANG FUNG STREET, KA WO STREET AND TIN WAN ESTATE.

0 - -

- 8

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1975

RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HOLDS EXHIBITION # K KK K *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE IS CELEBRATING ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY THIS MONTH AND TO MARK THE OCCASION, A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION WILL BE HELIKAT THE CCEAN TERMINAL CONCOURSE STARTING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, MR. DENIS BRAY, AT 12 NOON TOMORROW.

MR. DICKEN YUNG, SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, SAID THAT THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION WAS TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE HAD BEEN DOING IN THE PAST YEAR SO AS TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS FUNCTIONS.

+IT IS ALSO A WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU TO ALL THE ORGANISATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN US THEIR ARDENT SUPPORT AND WE WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL FOR SUPPORT FROM MORE ORGANISATIONS, MR. YUNG SAID.

THE EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHS SHOWING THE VARIOUS SPORT AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SERVICE.

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 12 NOON TO 7 P.M. TOMORROW AND FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE EXHIBITION.

-------0----------

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 197

LAM TIN SPORTS DAY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS * * * M M M H

ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN NINE AND 14 WILL BE GATHERING AT THE LAM TIN RESERVOIR FOOTBALL PITCH ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 7) TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES.

THERE WILL BE TEN DIFFERENT EVENTS DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST SCORES.

THIS SPORTS DAY HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES IN LAM TIN EAST AND WEST AND THE LAM TIN CENTRES OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION- THE Y.M.C.A. AND THE FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS.

FOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT ARE SPONSORING THE EVENT. THEY ARE THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE- THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.

A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED FOR 2 P.M. AT WHICH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SPONSORING AND ORGANISING OFFICES WILL OFFICIATE.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

- - 0 -

COURSE ON MAGIC * H * * M *

IN ORDER TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES, THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE HAS ORGANISED A THREE-MONTH COURSE ON PERFORMING MAGIC.

THE COURSE WILL BE HELD EACH FRIDAY EVENING FROM 7.30 P.M. TO 9.30 P.M. AT THE COMMON ROOM OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.

ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 14 WHO WANTS TO JOIN SHOULD CONTACT STAFF AT THE CENTRE. THE COST IS $15 A PERSON.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

THURSDAY, December 4, 1975

MORE ESTATES TO BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN

Five public housing estates are being built and another one has just been completed in the Tsuen Wan/kwai Chung area of Kowloon. These housing projects will eventually provide homes for about 137,000 people.

Mr. Ian Lightbody, Secretary for Housing, Mr. Donald P.H. Liao, Director of Housing and Mr. H.M.G. Forsgate, Mr. V.O. Roberts and Mr. CHEUNG Yan-lung, members of the Building Committee of the Housing Authority, made a site visit this (Thursday) morning to see building works being carried out there.

Tsing Yi Island will have a population of some 125,000 in public housing by 1985.

The party inspected the building progress of the first public housing estate on the Island.

The project, comprising four tvin-tower blocks and one slab block, will house some 23,000 people on’ completion in early 1977.

The group then visited the Cheung Shan Estate site where levelling and other site formation work is going ahead.

This estate will provide housing to about 12,500 people when finished in 1979.

The inspection tour ended with a visit to Li Muk Shue Estate where new flats for nearly 19,000 people have recently been completed and Ha Kwai Chung Estate where public housing blocks are being erected on a terraced slope commanding a panoramic view of Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island.

Construction of Ha Kwai Chung Estate is progressing well and the first housing units for 5,000 people should be ready for occupation during the first half of next year.

The estate will be able to house about 19,000 people when fully developed in 1977.

-------0---------

FRH 7

i-Hl i™

GISI Ml

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1975

CONTENTS

PAGE NO

LAND FOR CULTURAL AND PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE RECLAIMED AT TSIM SHA TSUI ................................. 1

LABOUR COMMISSIONER EMPHASISES NEED FOR MANPOWER TRAINING ................................................... 2

'DURATION DEPARTMENT WILL REVIEW SIXTH FORM EDUCATION ... 3

S.W.D. DEPUTY DIRECTOR TO JOIN +WALK FOR A MILLION* ........ 4

MILLION DEFICIT IN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR SEPTEMBER .................................................. 5

t'ECRETARY FOR N.T. TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE NEXT TUESDAY .................................................... 5

CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITIONS FOR CHILDREN .......... 6

ADMISSION FORMS FOR G.C.E. CANDIDATES READY FOR

COLLECTION

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1975

1 T

LAND TO BE RECLAIMED FOR MTR « n n « n %

SOME 6,500 SQUARE METRES OF LAND WILL BE RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA OFF TSIM SHA TSUI NEAR THE FORMER RAILWAY TERMINUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM.

THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION FALLS WITHIN ONE OF THE WORKS AREAS SET ASIDE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VENTILATION BUILDING AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WATER PIPES AND CABLES WHICH HAVE TO DE DIVERTED FROM THE LINE OF THE MTR CROSS-HARDOUR TUNNEL CONNECTING TSIM SHA TSUI TO WANCIIAI.

WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY. NEXT MONTH AND WORK ON THE IMMERSED TUBE WILL START NEXT APRIL.

FURTHER STAGES OF RECLAMATION WILL DE CARRIED OUT AS THE MAIN CONTRACT WORK PROCEEDS AND ULTIMATELY THE RECLAMATION WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO A PROPOSED SEA FRONT DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL CONTAIN A PLANETARIUM, PUBLIC OPEN SfACE, A CULTURAL COMPLEX AND A PUBLIC PROMENADE.

•NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION IS GIVEN IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. THE NOTICE ALSO STATES THAT ANY CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION ARISING FROM THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO REACH HIS OFFICE BEFORE JANUARY 5, 1977.

COPIES OF THE PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION AREA MAY EE INSPECTED BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AT THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG, AS WELL AS THE CROWN LAND AND SURVEY OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD, AND AT THE YAU MA TEI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 260-264 TEMPLE STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.

-----o------

• FRIDAY, DEC’ ’iER 5, 1

MANPOWER TRAINING ’ONLY WAY TO STAY IN BUSINESS’ a n if « « n

‘HE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY EMPHASISE? THAT INVESTMENT IN MANPOWER TRAINING WOULD LEAD TO BETTER SERVICu, INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, COMPETITIVENESS AND PROFITABILITY.

♦ IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPLEX INDUSTRIAL CONTEXT, IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO STAY IN BUSINESS,+ HE SAID.

MR. PRICE WAS VISITING THE. TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY IN KWUN TONG - PART OF HIS PROGRAMME TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL SCENE IN HONG KONG.

THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TRAINING SCHOOL, OPENED IN MARCH 1971, HAS A LECTURE AND DEMONSTRATION AREA OF SOME 50,000 SQ. FT. AND ANOTHER 10,000 SQ. FT. FOR OUTDOOR TRAINING. IT PROVIDED 450 DIFFERENT COURSES FOR 7,000 STUDENTS LAST YEAR.

THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT THE ELECTRONICS (INCLUDING TELECOMMUNICATION) INDUSTRY NEEDED TO TRAIN ADOUT 300 TECHNICIANS AND 900 CRAFTSMEN ANNUALLY TO MEET EXPANSION AND WASTAGE.

♦THE GOVERNMENT,+ HE ADDED, +HAS LONG RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR MANPOWER TRAINING. IT HAS BEEN PROVIDING THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL COURSES THROUGH THE POLYTECHNIC AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

♦EMPLOYERS IN INDUSTRY MUST NOW SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY AND TAKE ON MORE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR TRAINING, PREFERABLY AS APPRENTICES,+ HE SAID.

IN THIS CONNECTION, MR. PRICE URGED EMPLOYERS TO ADOPT THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES PROPOSED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION. THESE INCLUDE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION ON A PART-TIME-DAY-RELEASE BASIS.

MR. PRICE, ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING), MR. HORACE KNIGHT, SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE TRAINING FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY.

♦THE COMPANY HAS DONE MUCH NOT ONLY TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR OUR YOUNG GENERATION TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS.+

THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TRAINING SCHOOL WAS THE FIRST TRAINING CENTRE BUILT BY A PUBLIC ENTERPRISE ON A GOVERNMENT-GRANTED SITE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE - THE FORERUNNER OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY APPROVED TWO APPLICATIONS FOR LAND FOR THE SETTING UP OF TRAINING CENTRES, ONE IN KWUN TONG FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE OTHER IN KWAI CHUNG FOR THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 19

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW SIXTH FORM EDUCATION X X K K X X

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, IS PUTTING IN TRAIN A CAREFUL REVIEW OF SIXTH FORM EDUCATION - ITS AIMS AND CONTENT

ANNOUNCING THIS AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE THIS EVENING, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT SIXTH FORMS SHOULD ' PROPERLY BE SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST CLASSES IN WHICH TO STUDY TO PASS THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO THE PRINCIPAL OF ST. STEPHEN’S, MISS KAY BARKER, WHO HAD RAISED THE QUESTION OF SIXTH FORM EDUCATION IN HER ANNUAL REPORT.

THE PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE EMPHASIS ON ACADEMIC SUBJECTS IN THE SIXTH FORM WAS NOT A NEW ONE AND WAS IN MANY WAYS THE RESULT OF PUBLIC DEMAND.

♦ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS SEEN AS THE AVENUE TO SUCCESS. MANY EDUCATIONISTS HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO CHANGE PUBLIC OPINION AND TO ENCOURAGE NEW, MORE REALISTIC ASPIRATIONS WHICH WILL BE MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE WORLD AS IT IS,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THERE HAD ALSO BEEN CONSTANT COMPLAINTS FROM THE SCHOOLS ABOUT THE DISTORTING EFFECTS QF THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL UNIVERSITIES UPON THE SCHOOL CURRICULA.

LIKE MISS BARKER, THE DIRECTOR SAID HE TOO WAS HEARTENED BY DR. RAYSON HUANG’S ADDRESS AT THE RECENT CONGREGATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

♦ IT IS MOST ENCOURAGING THAT DR. HUANG IS SO AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND THE PROBLEMS IT CREATES. I HOPE THAT DR. HUANG’S REMARKS WILL LEAD, AS I AM CONFIDENT HE INTENDED THEM TO DO, IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO MORE CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE SCHOOLS SO THAT SIXTH FORM EDUCATION CAN DE RE-EXAMINED IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT NEEDS,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THE DIRECTOR AGREED WITH MISS BARKER AND DR. HUANG THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A WIDENING OF THE RANGE OF SUBJECTS OFFERED AND A BREAK-AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL +ACADEMIC+ COURSES.

IN SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A COMPLEX ONE, MR. TOPLEY CALLED FOR A DEGREE OF CAUTION.

♦REMOVING UNDUE INFLUENCE ON SCHOOL CURRICULA BY UNIVERSITIES IS ONE THING. INTRODUCING GENERAL OR VOCATIONAL STUDIES IN PLACE OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF FAIRLY INTENSE STUDY OF A SMALL GROUP OF ACADEMIC SUBJECTS IS QUITE ANOTHER.

/+THE SYSTEM .....

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1975

+THE SYSTEM OF SPECIALIST SUBJECTS IN SIXTH FORM HAS ITS WEAK ESS. IT ALSO HAS VIRTUES WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THROWN AWAY TOO '-'YSIL Y. ALSO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE NOT THE SOLE CONCERN. WE I."ST ALSO REMEMBER THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THEMSELVES WHO ARE IN THE SIXTH FORMS, THEIR STAGE OF INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE I,.,.;!’ APPROPRIATE WAYS BY WHICH THIS DEVELOPMENT CAN DEST BE GUIDED.+

MR. TOPLEY SA IDs +HONG KONG IS NOW MOVING TOWARDS UNIVERSAL SECONDARY EDUCATION.

+IF THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER COUNTRIES IS ANYTHING TO JUDGE BY WE ARE ENTERING A PERIOD WHEN SUBSTANTIAL RE-THINKING OF OUR EDUCATIONAL WORK WILL DE DEMANDED.

+MEETING THE NEEDS-OF A STUDENT POPULATION COMPRISING THE FULL RANGE OF ABILITY AND APTITUDE WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT MAJOR RE-DRAFTING OF OUR TEACHING SYLLABUSES AND A THOROUGH RE-EXAMINATION OF OUR TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMMES.+

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT MUCH WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON CURRICULAR REVISION, MAINLY FOR THE FORM 1 TO FROM 3 LEVELS OF OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. SIMILAR RE-STRUCTURING OF THE FORM 4 TO 5 CURRICULA WAS HOW IN HAND.

+IT WOULD APPEAR LOGICAL FOR THE PROCESS TO CONTINUE WITH A THOROUGH REASSESSMENT OF THE PURPOSES OF OUR SIXTH FORMS AND THE COURSES OF STUDY WE PROVIDE IN THEM.+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

- - 0 - -

S.W.D. STAFF AND TRAINEES IN +WALK FOR A MILLION* a n k n a #

A TEAM OF 16 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, WILL TAKE PART IN THE +WALK FOR A MILLION* ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 7) IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN.

ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE WALK WILL BE A GROUP OF 23 PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED TRAINEES FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S KAI CHI CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRE AND ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE. THEY WILL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THREE STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE CENTRES.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1975.

- 5 -

.GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR SEPTEMBER K * H K M *

THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 1975 SHOW A DEFICIT OF $85 MILLION, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $226 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $506 MILLION FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR THE DEFICIT WAS $816 MILLION.

TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH WAS $369 MILLION - $20 MILLION MORE THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1974, DUE MAINLY TO INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM INTERNAL REVENUE.

EXPENDITURE AT $454 MILLION WAS $121 MILLION LESS THAN THE CORRESPONDING MONTH LAST YEAR, MAINLY BECAUSE OF DECREASED SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS. THIS WAS PARTLY DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND PARTLY REFLECTING LOWER CONTRACT PRICES RESULTING FROM MORE COMPETITIVE TENDERS.

----o------

SNT TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE « If « H

NOTE TO EDITORS:,

, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 9) AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, TAI PO ROAD, AT 10.30 A.M.

MR. AKERS-JONES WILL EXPLAIN THE IMPOSITION OF PROPERTY TAX ON VILLAGE RESITE HOUSES IN TSUEN WAN.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

-----o------ /6

FRIDAY, DECEMBER ,

CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITIONS

**««««

TWO CHRISTMAS CARD DESIGN COMPETITIONS ARE BEING ORGANISEl BY SOC.AL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY WORK UNITS TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN ART.

ONE IS BEING RUN BY THE LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES UNIT FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN THE new TERRITORIES DISTRICTS OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, PAT HEUNG, KAM TIN AND SAI KUNG. ANY NUMBER OF ENTRIES CAN BE SUBMITTED AND ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS COMPETITION CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-8O9O25 OR 3-95*476.

THE OTHER COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE TWO COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES IN LAM TIN ESTATE TOGETHER WITH THE DOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION LAM TIN CENTRE.

THIS COMPETITION fS DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS, ONE FOR STUDENTS UP TO PRIMARY THREE LEVEL. ANOTHER FOR THOSE IN PRIMARY FOUR TO SIX AND THE THIRD FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. AGAIN THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES.

THE CLOSING DATES FOR BOTH COMPETITIONS IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13._,

- - 0 - -

ADMISSION FORMS FOR G.C.E. EXAMINATION

h a ft ft ft

CANDIDATES FOR THE G.C.E. EXAMINATION NEXT JANUARY CAN COLLECT THEIR ADMISSION FORMS AT THE TIME AND PLACE SPECIFIED IN THE NOTIFICATIONS SENT TO THEM.

ANY CANDIDATE WHO IS UNABLE TO GO AT THE SPECIFIED TIME OR WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION SHOULD COLLECT HIS FORM IN PERSON AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EXAMINATIONS DIVISION AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS ON DECEMBER 15. HE SHOULD BRING WITH HIM HIS IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT.

THOSE WHO FAIL TO COLLECT THEIR ADMISSION FORMS UP TO THE TIME OF THE EXAMINATION WILL BE REGARDED AS HAVING WITHDRAWN THEIR ENTRIES.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

management seminars for senior government officers 1 REPLY TO SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET PETITIONERS.................. ?

SHADOW BOXING CLASSES FOR OFFICE WORKERS ................. 3

REGISTRATION FOR LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMINATION OPENS NEXT WEEK.........................................J. 4

TREGUNTFR PATH TO BE CLOSED FOR SIX MONTHS................ 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1975.

- 1 - *

MANAGEMENT SEMINARS FOR OFFICERS AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL ft « h » n a

THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION IS CONDUCTING A SERIES OF SEMINARS FOR OFFICERS AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE TRAINING SUITE, MAY HOUSE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS, ARSENAL STREET, BETWEEN DECEMBER 8 AND 19.

THE SEMINAR LEADERS WILL BE PROFESSOR A.L. MINKES AND DR. DEREK WILLIAMS OF BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY. MR. EDWARD MCCRENSKY, REGIONAL ADVISER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, UNITED NATIONS, WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE.

PROFESSOR MINKES IS ON THE U.N. ROSTER OF CONSULTANTS AND THE PROJECT IS SPONSORED DY THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION.

THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE SEMINARS ARE TO ILLUSTRATE THE RELEVANCE OF MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND SPECIALISTS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, TO OFFER EXAMPLES OF MODERN THEORIES AND TECHNIQUES IN MANAGEMENT, AND TO EXAMINE SPECIFIC ISSUES.

DURING THE LAST TOO WEEKS, PROFESSOR MINKES AND DR. WILLIAMS HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH SEVERAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC IN PREPARATION FOR THE SEMINARS.

THE SEMINARS WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1975 '

- 2 -

REPLY TO PETITION TO ACTING GOVERNOR

K ft « # H

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. J.J. ROBSON, HAS REPLIED TO THE PETITION SUBMITTED TO THE ACTING GOVERNoA BY SIX FORMER COMMERCIAL TENANTS OF THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED BUILDINGS AT NOS. 197, 199, 201, 203 AND 207 SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.

IN HIS LETTER, MR. ROBSON POINTED OUT THAT NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO TERMINATE THE TENANCIES IN QUESTION WAS GIVEN IN WRITING TO ALL CONCERNED AT THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR.

THE PERIOD OF NOTICE GIVEN WAS FOUR MONTHS, SO THAT THE TENANCIES EXPIRED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. THE NOTICE WAS TO GIVE TIME FOR THE TENANTS TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR REMOVAL.

MR. ROBSON SA IDs +AT NO TIME HAVE THE TENANTS CONCERNED BEEN PROMISED COMPENSATION OR ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION AT THE END OF THEIR TENANCIES OR UPON REMOVAL.

♦FURTHERMORE, THE FORMER TENANTS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO

STATUTORY COMPENSATION UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, THE HASS TRANSIT RAHWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE OR ANY OTHER ORDINANCE.*

HE SAID THAT IN SPITE OF THE FORMER TENANTS’ LACK OF LEGAL RIGHTS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS REASSESSING THE LEVELS OF CASH PAYMENT ALREADY OFFERED. IT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING WHETHER IN THE CASE OF WORKSHOPS THE OPTION OF ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN LIEU OF CASH COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE.

+ IN ORDER TO HELP WITH THIS,* HE. ADDED, +STAFF OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY VISIT THE PREMISES TO SURVEY THE UNDERTAKINGS. IT WILL, THEREFORE, BE ESSENTIAL IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS FOR THE FORMER COMMERCIAL TENANTS TO CO-OPERATE IN THE SURVEY.*

MR. ROBSON CONTINUED: +THEREAFTER, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL INFORM THE FORMER COMMERCIAL TENANTS OF THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY INDIVIDUALLY. AT THE SAME TIME, FINAL LEGAL NOTICES REQUIRING VACANT POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES WILL BE SERVED.*

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT SAID THAT ANY OFFER OF ASSISTANCE EMERGING FROM THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS WHICH WAS SHORTLY TO START WOULD SUPERSEDE THE OFFER OF CASH PAYMENTS EQUIVALENT TO TWO MONTHS’ RENT PREVIOUSLY MADE TO THE FORMER COMMERCIAL TENANTS. FURTHERMORE, ANY_ARREARS OF RENT REMAINING OUTSTANDING AT THE TIME OF EVACUATION WOULD BE COLLECTED.

FINALLY, MR. ROBSON EXPLAINED THAT THE REQUESTOFTHE FORMER TENANTS FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME OF TWO MONTHS BEFORE MOVING OUT COULD NOT BE AGREED AS DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING WOULD BEGIN ON JANUARY 1, 1976.

_ - - o-------

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1975

CHINESE SHADOW BOXING CLASSES IN CENTRAL ««»»»«

OFFICE WORKERS IN CENTRAL WHO WANT TO BECOME KUNG FU MASTERS OR WHO SIMPLY WANT TO DO SOME EXERCISE AND REDUCE THOSE EXTRA INCHES AROUND THE WAIST SHOULD TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW.

TAI CHI, OR CHINESE SHADOW BOXING, CLASSES ARE BEING ORGANISED PARTICULARLY FOR THEM AND WILL BE HELD CLOSE TO THEIR PLACES OF WORK IN THE NEWLY OPENED CHATER ROAD TEMPORARY GARDEN.

ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE BY WELL-KNOWN MASTERS.

CLASSES WILL BEGIN NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 8) AND WILL LAST TILL THE END OF FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.

EACH LESSON WILL BE ONE HOUR, FROM 7.45 A.M. TO 8.45 A.M. ONE GROUP OF STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY WHILE ANOTHER WILL TAKE LESSONS ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY.

ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) WHICH IS ORGANISING THE KEEP-FIT CLASSES, APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN STEADILY COMING IN SINCE ENROLMENT STARTED.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AND YOUNG AND OLD, HAVE APPLIED FOR THE COURSE.

SHOULD THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS EVENTUALLY EXCEED THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE PLACES, FURTHER COURSES WOULD POSSIBLY BE HELD AFTER THE END OF FEBRUARY.

BY THAT TIME, THE RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICE ALSO HOPES THAT OTHER COURSES, IN FENCING AND FOLK DANCING, CAN BE ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS AND WORKERS IN CENTRAL.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE TAI CHI CLASS ARE STILL INVITED.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING AT 141, DES

VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, OR BY TELEPHONING THE OFFICE AT 5-452758.

-----o--------

/4.....

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1975

- 4 -

LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMINATION * M * * *

STUDENTS WHO INTEND TO TAKE THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMINATION NEXT SPRING WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR IT NEXT WEEK.

THOSE PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATION BY ATTENDING COURSES SHOULD REGISTER THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS.

PRIVATE CANDIDATES CAN OBTAIN ENTRY FORMS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EXAMINATIONS DIVISION AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, 1OTH FLOOR.

THEY SHOULD RETURN THE FORMS IN PERSON TO THE SAME OFFICE ANYTIME BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY NEXT WEEK (DECEMBER 8 TO 12).

THEY MUST BRING WITH THEM TOO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS AND THEIR PASSPORT OR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD.

THE EXAMINATION WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 3 TO 14.

ENTRY FEES FOR EACH SUBJECT RANGING FROM $28 TO $36 MUST BE PAID BEFORE DECEMBER 16 AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION OFFICE ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

FEES MAY BE PAID THROUGH THE POST BY CROSSED CHEQUES, PAYABLE TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

- - - o----

TREGUNTER PATH TO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC « » « « M

TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MAY ROAD AND HOUSE NUMBER 11 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEGINNING FROM NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 9).

THE SECTION OF THE PATH IS TO BE CLOSED TO ENABLE ROAD WIDENING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

DURING THIS PERIOD, TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBER 11 AND OLD PEAK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY.

THE MAXICAB ROUTE FROM CENTRAL TO OLD PEAK ROAD WHICH PASSES TREGUNTER PATH WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. RESIDENTS CAN USE THE PEAK TRAM SERVICES.

.t TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

----o------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1975

URBAN RENEWAL PILOT SCHEME a « * it

THE URBAN RENEWAL PILOT SCHEME IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL SOON TAKE ANOTHER BIG STEP FORWARD WHEN WORK BEGINS ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY TO SERVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORK TO GET UNDERWAY UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN THE PILOT SCHEME AREA AFTER SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.

TENDERS FOR THE ROAD PROJECT AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INVITED AND CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START SHORTLY.

THE FIRST LOTS ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PILOT SCHEME AREA WILL SOON BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION AND FURTHER SITES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AS CLEARANCE OPERATIONS CONTINUE. ' . • „

MR. D.M. SCOTT-WILL, CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR OF THE P.W.D.’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE SCHEME HAD NOW REACHED THE STAGE WHERE ONLY 47 PROPERTIES IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP REMAINED TO BE ACQUIRED AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE UNDERWAY TO ACQUIRE THESE ON MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE TERMS.

+SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE FINANCING NEXT YEAR, AND BARRING ANY UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES, THE PROPERTY ACQUISITION WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1977,+ HE SAID.

SO FAR, HE ADDED, 286 PROPERTIES HAD BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A COST OF ABOUT $46,000,000. +WE ARE ALSO MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN VACATING OCCUPIED PROPERTIES AND REHOUSING DOMESTIC OCCUPANTS SO THAT DEMOLITION WORK CAN CONTINUE,* MR. SCOTT-WILL SAID.

TO DATE, OVER 4,700 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME HAVE BEEN REACCOMMODATED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

MR. SCOTT-WILL SAID THE LAND FOR THE REGRADING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF SAI STREET AND LOWER LASCAR ROW TO FORM THE NEW ROAD LINKING QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD HAD ALREADY BEEN CLEARED OF BUILDINGS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE PROJECT.

+A TEMPORARY HAWKER BAZAAR IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN CIRCULAR PATHWAY TO FACILITATE RE-SITING OF HAWKERS FROM THE ALIGNMENT OF THE NEW LINK ROAD, AND LATER A PERMANENT HAWKER BAZAAR WILL BE PROVIDED IN FAT HING STREET.+ HE ADDED.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191 /The link...

I HE LINK ROAD WILL BE ABOUT 220 METERS LONG RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTRE OF THE PILOT SCHEME AREA SO AS TO PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO PROPOSED NEW BUILDINGS AND SHOPPING PROMENADES IN THE AREA. A SPECIAL LOADING AND UNLOADING BAY FOR GOODS VEHICLES WILL ALSO EE BUILT ALONG PART OF THE NEW ROAD. MOST OTHER STREETS IN THE AREA WILL DE FOR PEDESTRIANS ONLY.

ONE OF THE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SITES FRONTING QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, MR. SCOTT-WILL SAID, WOULD BE GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FOR BUILDING HOUSING ACCOMMODATION TOGETHER WITH SHOPS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ALSO IN HAND TO CLEAR ANOTHER COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL SITE IN POSSESSION STREET TO MAKE WAY FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF THE EXISTING ELECTRIC SUB-STATION IN LOWER LASCAR ROW, HE ADDED.

♦OVERALL,+ MR. SCOTT-WILL SAID, +THE SCHEME IS PROGRESSING SATISFACTORILY.*

+LAND SALES WILL'CONTINUE AS SITES BECOME'AVAILABLE FOLLOWING VACATION, REHOUSING AND DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS, AND THE PILOT SCHEME AREA IN ITS FINAL FORM CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE LARGELY COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1980’S, ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AFTER THE LAST LAND SALE HAS TAKEN PLACE.*

THE PILOT SCHEME AREA COVERS ABOUT 12.81 ACRES AND IS BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD IN THE NORTH AND WEST, HOLLYWOOD ROAD IN THE SOUTH AND SHING WONG STREET IN THE EAST.

ON COMPLETION, THERE WILL BE TWO SITES FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, A CONTROLLED HAWKER BAZAAR AND TWO SCHOOLS IN ADDITION TO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

----- o-------

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1975

ROYAL OBSERVATORY CALENDAR « « if n

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY 1976 CALENDAR WILL BE READY FOR SALE LATER THIS MONTH.

THE CALENDAR WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION ON THE TIMES OF SUNRISE, SUNSET, MOONRISE, MOONSET, DATES OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AS WELL AS THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE AND LOW TIDES. THE 24 SOLAR TERMS OF THE CHINESE CALENDAR AND LUNAR ECLIPSES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.

ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE CALENDAR WILL BE THE COLLECTION OF INTERESTING INFORMATION IN 12 FINELY ILLUSTRATED PAGES. TOPICS COVERED WILL INCLUDE THE INTERPRETATION OF SATELLITE PICTURES, LUNAR ECLIPSES, CLIMATOLOGY OF SOME SOUTHEAST ASIAN CITIES, STORM SURGES, TROPICAL CYCLONE, RAINFALL, AND A GREAT CIRCLE DISTANCEBEARING MAP WITH HONG KONG AS CENTRE.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1975.

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

REGULATIONS BEING DRAFTED TO PROMOTE SAFE OPERATION OF DANGEROUS MACHINES ....................................... 1

THREE SETS OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS TO BE ISSUED NEXT YEAR ................................................. 2

SEMINARS FOR DIRECTORATE OFFICERS OPENED BY ACTING GOVERNOR .................................................... 3

RESERVOIRS NOW 94 PER CENT FULL ........................... 4

CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED IN TSUEN WAN ................................................ 5

• • . *

WATER INTERRUPTION IN TAI PO AND EAST KOWLOON .............. 5

CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS TO BE•INTRODUCED ON SECTIONS OF KWUN TONG ROAD............................................... 6

V I . ‘ ‘

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5^233191

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1975

' - 1 -

TIGHTER CONTROL OVER GUARDING OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY X U X X /A A 4»

SPECIAL REGULATIONS WHICH WILL TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER THE GUARDING OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY ARE BEING DRAFTED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CUT DOWN ON Till: LARGE NUMBER OF FACTORY ACCIDENTS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, I.R. IAN PRICE SAID TODAY.

IN A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR. PR IGE'I O KITED OUT THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 85 OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS A DAY IN 1973 AND 19/4, MORE THAN 20 PER CENT OF WHICH WERE CAUSED DY MACHINERY.

EVEN MINOR ACCIDENTS WERE COSTLY, MR. PRICE SAID,AND IN 1974 THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAD PAID OUT AT LEAST TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.

+TIIIS FIGURE REPRESENTS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL COST OF ACCIDENTS IF ONE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ALSO LOSS OF PRODUCTION, INTERRUPTION OF WORK FLOW, POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO RAW MATERIALS AND MACHINERY AND THE I? D TO TRAIN REPLACEMENT STAFF,+ HE WENT ON.

UNDER EXISTING REGULATION 23 OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, PROPRIETORS OF REGISTRABLE WORKPLACES MUST FENCE +ALL DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE MACHINERY.+

THE NEW REGULATION WOULD DESCRIBE IN DETAIL DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY AND SHOULD PROVE TO BE MUCH MORE HELPFUL TO INDUSTRIALISTS THAN THE PRESENT BROAD AND GENERALISED DESCRIPTION.

+BY IDENTIFYING, IN THE REGULATIONS, THOSE PARTS OF MACHINERY WHICH MUST DE GUARDED, I CONSIDER THAT MUCH LETTER PROGRESS SHOULD BE MADE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER GF MACHINERY ACCIDENTS.*

HE SAID A SIMILAR APPROACH WOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR GUARDS. +1 INTEND TO SPECIFY SOME FIVE DIFFERENT METHODS OF GUARDING MACHINERY, BUT WILL LEAVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROPRIETOR THE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHICH METHOD, OR COMBINATION OF METHODS, HE SHOULD ADOPT.+

TOUCHING ON THE STANDARDS OF PROTECTION ON IMPORTED MACHINERY, THE COMMISSIONER SAID : +1 CANNOT IMPOSE SAFETY STANDARDS ON THOSE WHO MAKE MACHINERY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. YOU, HOWEVER, AS USERS GF THE MACHINERY IN HONG KONG WILL BE SUBJECT TO THIS NEW LEGISLATION.+

+MAY I THEREFORE ASK YOU, WHEN ORDERING NEW MACHINERY FROM ABROAD, TO EXERi-l. E PARTICULAR CARE IN INSISTING ON THE PROVISION BY THE MANUFACTURER OF PROPER GUARDS ? YOUR ILFLUEIJCE AND POWER, AS THE PAYING CUSTOMER IN AN INTENSELY COMPETITIVE MARKET, CAN ACHIEVE MUCH IN THIS RESPECT, ❖ HE ADDED.

MR. PRICE WENT OH TO SAY THAT DRAFTING OF THE NEW REGULATIONS WAS MOW FAIRLY FAR ADVANCED AND THE LA;OUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD ALREADY AGREED TO THEIR PRINCIPLES.

/+BUT .......

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1975

- 2 -

♦BUT I MUST NOW CONSULT THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGISLATION IS CLEAR, EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I STRESS THIS STEP OF CONSULTATION BECAUSE WHILE IT IS OF GREAT VALUE. IT DOES TAKE TIME.+

. WHEN MAKING THESE NEW REGULATIONS, MR. PRICE SAID HE WOULD DISTRIBUTE FREE OF CHARGE A PAMPHLET SHOWING SIMPLE DIAGRAMS OF DETAILS OF THE VARIOUS METHODS OF GUARDING MACHINERY — PARTICULARLY THOSE IN COMMON USE IN HONG KONG’S FACTORIES.

+l AM ALSO EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITY OF HOLDING AN EXHIBITION ON MACHINE GUARDING DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1976,+ HE SAID.

MR. PRICE URGED EMPLOYERS TO EXAMINE CRITICALLY THE GUARDING OF EVERY MACHINE IN THEIR FACTORIES, AND TO MAKE AN EARLY START IN PROVIDING ADEQUATE GUARDS WHEREVER DEFICIENCIES ARE REVEALED.

+IF YOU NEED THE ADVICE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE IT IS READILY AND FREELY AVAILABLE. AS I HAVE SAID ELSEWHERE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES. PLEASE ASK NOW FOR ASSISTANCE, AND DO NOT SIT BACK AND WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE CAUGHT DEFYING THE MORE PRECISE STANDARDS TO BE SET BY THE NEW REGULATIONS.+

-----o-----

.THREE COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUES IN 1976 if if if if if if

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE THREE ISSUES OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS IN 1976.

TWO STAMPS, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 20 CENTS AND $1.30 WILL BE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH IS THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE NEW GENERAL POST OFFICE, THREE STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED. THEY ARE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 20 CENTS, $1.30 AND $2.

TWO STAMPS, IN DENOMINATIONS OF 20 CENTS AND $1.30, WILL BE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES DIAMOND JUBILEE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID: +THE ISSUE DATES FOR THE COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE FOR EACH EVENT.+

-----0 - - - -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, la7‘

- 3

SEMINARS FOR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICERS OPEN ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF MANAGEMENT SEMINARS FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF.

THE SEMINARS, TO EE HELD OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, ARE LED BY PROFESSOR LEONARD MINKES AND DR. DEREK WILLIAMS OF BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY. MR. EDWARD MCCRENSKY, UN REGIONAL ADVISER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO TAKING PART.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR DENYS’ SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINARS THIS MORNING t-

+1 AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO OPEN THE FIRST OF THIS SERIES OF SEMINARS FOR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF, WHO SELDOM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF. TAKING PART TOGETHER IN STUDY GROUPS OF THIS NATURE.

+INEVITABLY, AS THE SERVICES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD AND SPECIALISED, AND AS OUR ECONOMY DEVELOPS AND ADAPTS, THE DEMANDS UPON THE RESOURCES AND ORGANISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT MULTIPLY.

+EQUALLY INEVITABLY, THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT MACHINE GROWS. WITH GROWTH, ANY ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINE UNLESS IT IS UNUSUALLY ALERT AND SENSITIVE, BECOMES CAUTIOUS AND MORE PONDEROUS. DECISIONS ARE REACHED WITH INCREASING SLOWNESS AND DIFFICULTY. SOMETIMES THIS IS BECAUSE MIDDLE AND UPPER MANAGEMENT LEVELS DO NOT EXPAND, IN NUMBERS OR QUALITY, AS FAST AS THE LOWER RANKS. SOMETIMES IT OCCURS DECAUSE MANAGEMENT IS RELUCTANT TO DELEGATE. OFTEN DECAUSE THOSE BELOW ARE UNWILLING TO TAKE DECISIONS WHICH IN THE PAST, IN A SMALLER ORGANISATION, WERE TAKEN AT A HIGHER LEVEL.

+THESE DEVELOPMENTS EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF LIMITED HUMAN RESOURCES. THIS DEMANDS A WILLINGNESS TO ADAPT AND REORGANISE, BETTER STANDARDS OF MANAGEMENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE TRAINING.

♦THIS SERIES OF SEMINARS IS LARGELY THE OUTCOME OF VISITS BY MR. MCCRENSKY, THE UN REGIONAL ADVISER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN RECEIVING FINANCIAL HELP FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FUND FOR TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION, TO WHICH WE ARE INDEED GRATEFUL. PROFESSOR LEONARD MINKES AND DR. DEREK WILLIAMS FROM BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY HAVE COME TO HONG KONG TO SHARE WITH YOU THEIR KNOWLEDGE, AND WEALTH OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT IN THE UK AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

/♦THE SUCCESS

MONDAY, DZCEMBE1L 8, 1975

+THE SUCCESS OF A SEMINAR LIKE THIS DEPENDS LARGELY UPON HOW MUCH THE PARTICIPANTS THEMSELVES PUT INTO IT. THIS IS NOT A FORM OF PASSIVE EDUCATION, DURING WHICH YOU WILL MERELY LISTEN AND LEARN FROM OUR DISTINGUISHED VISITORS, THOUGH YOU WILL DO THIS FOR SOME OF THE TIME. THE REAL VALUE OF A SEMINAR COMES FROM THE CLASH OF MINDS, THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCE, AND THE ADSORPTION OF OTHER MEN’S THOUGHTS.

+SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE WONDERED WHETHER I WOULD ASK, IN THE DOG IN THE MANGER MANNER WHICH IS EXPECTED OF ME, HOW ON EARTH YOU ARE ABLE TO SPARE SO MUCH TIME FROM YOUR ORDINARY DUTIES. YOU WILL BE RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT, ON THE CONTRARY, I BELIEVE THAT YOUR PRESENCE HERE DOES YOU CREDIT.

+FIRSTLY, YOUR PRESENCE SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE A SOUND SENSE OF PRIORITIES, SINCE YOU ACCEPT THE FACT THAT, HOWEVER SENIOR AND EXPERIENCED YOU MAY BE, YOU REMAIN A LEARNER AND THAT YOU BADLY NEED THE STIMULATION OF OTHER ADLE MINDS.

+SECONDLY, IT SUGGESTS THAT YOU HAVE SO ARRANGED THE AFFAIRS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT OR OFFICE THAT YOU CAN BE ABSENT FROM IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WITHOUT CONCERN. ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ORGANISE HIS DEPARTMENT SO AS TO MAKE HIMSELF INDISPENSABLE IS DOING IT AND HIMSELF A GRAVE DISSERVICE. THE BEST LEADERS ENSURE THAT THEIR OGAN I SAT IONS WORK AS EFFECTIVELY WHEN THEY ARE ABSENT AS WHEN THEY ARE THERE. .

+l WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT THIS SEMINAR, AND THE OTHERS WHICH ARE TO FOLLOW IT, ATTRACTED MANY MORE APPLICATIONS THAN THERE WERE PLACES AVAILABLE. THIS PROVES THAT THERE IS, AMONG THE DIRECTORATE, A REAL INTEREST IN THE STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS OF MANAGEMENT AND A GENUINE INTEREST IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MACHINE, AND IN ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVING OUR PUBLIC.

+ l WISH YOU ALL A PLEASANT AND .PROF I TABLE SEMINAR.+

------0 -

RESERVOIRS 94 PER CENT FULL ft ft $ ft

A TOTAL

OF 63,037 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE

IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING GALLON^ CENT °F THE FULL ST0RAGE capac,ty of 67,300 MILLION

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 56.116

MILLION GALLONS. ’

PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR. MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 96.8 PER CENT OF I CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME HELD 40,219 MILLION GALLONS.

HELD 48,895 TS FULL STORAGE

LAST YEAR, IT

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,979.4 MM (117 3 IN) THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2,147.5 MM (84.55 IN).

5 -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1975

ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE CULTURAL H K K W K H

ACTIVITIES IN TSUEN WAN

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL IN TSUEN WAN TO ANNOUNCE THE AND RECREATIONAL CO-ORD I NAT 1

BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 10) FORMATION OF THE TSUEN WAN CULTURAL

NG ASSOCIATION.

THEASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS INITIATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW lERR(TORIES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER (TSUEN WAN). IS AIMED /IT PROMOTING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. JIMMY HAYES, AND MR. DEACON CHIU, J.P., WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS AFTER THE CONFERENCE.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10:30 A.M. AT THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE, FAR EAST DANK BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.

- - - - 0 ------

WATER STOPPAGE

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE WITHOUT WATER ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 11) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PLOVER COVE ROAD, TUNG CHEUNG STREET AND KWONG FUK ROAD.

IN EAST KOWLOON, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF AREAS WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY UNTIL 10 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATERWORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREAS AFFECTED A'RE FUNG WONG ESTATE, WONG TAI SIN, WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU, KOWLOON TONG, TUNG TAU TSUEN, KOWLOON CITY, TO KWA WAN, HUNG HOM AND TSZ WAN SHAN.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1975

- 6

CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN KWUN TONG ROAD M * K K M *

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG THIS WEEK TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA.

STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 10), 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWUN TONG ROAD FROM NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TO TSUI PING ROAD AND ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWUN TONG ROAD FROM KING YIP LANE TO LA I YIP STREET.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING ON THE ROAD TO PICK UP AND SET DOWN PASSENGERS OR TO LOAD OR UNLOAD GOODS.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE RESTRICTIONS.

- 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SECRETARY FOR THE N.T. EXPLAINS WHY TSUEN WAN VILLAGERS MUST PAY PROPERTY TAX ............................ 1

APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT TOEFL TEST HOW OPEN ........ 2

ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP EXPORTERS OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO THE U.K........................................ 3

BRITISH WELFARE EXPERT VISITING U.K............... 4

SPECIAL POSTAL COUNTERS TO ACCEPT I GCAL CHRISTMAS MAIL .. 5

MANPOWER REPORT ON THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY HOW Oil SALE . 5

LEARNER DRIVERS TO BE BANNED FRC.,1 THREE ROADS IN KWAI CHUNG ............................................ 6

TEMPORARY WATER INTERRUPTION lil <<.’G TAI SIN ... 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 197'

- 1 -

NO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VILLAGE HOUSES 111 TSUFN WAN

•x -x -x x -x -x

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY RE-AFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION NOT TO GRANT EXEMPTION FROM THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX ON RENTED OUT VILLAGE PROPERTIES IN TSUEtl WAN.

SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN HIS OFFICE, HE SAID THAT THE REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION WAS VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE GcM.RNCR IN COUNCIL DEFORE THE DECISION ROT TO GRANT EXEMPTION WAS TAKEN.

MR. AKERS-JONES EXPLAINED THAT PROPERTY TAX WAS ROT A TAX ON THE OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AS SUCH, BUT ON INCOME FROM THE PROPERTY.

■MT IS RELATED TO THE OTHER FORMS OF TAX ON INCOME WHICH ARE LEVIED IN HONG KONG, FOR EXAMPLE, SALARIES TAX, BUSINESS PROFITS TAX AND INTEREST TAX.

^PROPERTY TAX IS ONLY COLLECTED WHERE A PROPERTY IS LET OUT BY THE OWNER= MOREOVER, IF A PERSON LIABLE TO PAY PROPERTY TAX OPTS FOR PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, ALL HIS INCOME FROM THE FOUR TAXABLE SOURCES IS ADDED TOGETHER, AND SUBSTANTIAL ALLOWANCES FOR THE TAX-PAVER AND HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE DEDUCTED BEFORE THE TAX PAYABLE IS ASSESSED,+ THE SECRETARY SAID.

MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT A NUMBER OF PROPERTY-OWNERS IN THE RESITE VILLAGES HAD OPTED FOR PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, AND, AS A RESULT, MOST C;F THEM WOULD EITHER HAVE TO PAY LO TAX AT ALL OR WOULD HAVE THEIR LIABILITY GREATLY REDUCED.

-^BECAUSE PROPERTY TAX. UNLIKE RATES, IS NOT A TAX ON THE OWNERSHIP GF PROPERTY, IT WOULD ROT DE APPROPRIATE TO C ’ EXEMPTION TO OWNERS OF VILLAGE HOUSES.*

MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT SOME 0,000 PROPERTY OWNERS IN OTHER PARTS OF TSUEf! WAN HAD PAID Ai UT ;)U MILLION 1(1 PROPERTY TAX SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR.

-MT WOULD, THEREFORE, DE UNFAIR TO SINGLE OUT VILLAGE PROPERTIES FOR’ EXEI PTJGu,* HE ADDED,

-i-PROPFRTY TAX AS I HAVE EXPLAINED, IS A TAX Ml INCOME, WHICH IS PAYABLE DA’ ALL PROPERTY OWE MS IN EM1G KMM, ICCWLGON AIM THE REST OF T3UEN WAN LJO RENT MIT TIL L: PR! M. ,,

Ait j.-,

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

- 2 -

+IT IS MOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT OWNERS OF THESE VILLAGE PROPERTIES SHOULD MAKE A SIMILAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUES, SINCE THEY ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE PROVISION OF SUCH PUBLIC SERVICES AS POLICE, FIRE SERVICES, ROADS, SCHOOLS, CLINICS, STREET LIGHTING AND CLEANSING,+ HE ADDED.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY OF THE DECISION BEING CHANGED AND HE URGED THE RESITE VILLAGERS TO SETTLE PROMPTLY THE DEMAND NOTES WHICH THEY HAD RECEIVED.

YESTERDAY (MONDAY) THE SECRETARY SENT A LETTER TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK AGAIN EXPLAINING THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE ISSUE.

- 0--------

HEXT TOEFL TEST TO BE HELD IM FEBRUARY

T.O.E.F.L. TEST WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 23

THE NEXT

1976, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY

COPIES OF THE BULLETIN OF INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, OR FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.

COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, 408 J. HOTUNG HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR, 5/15 HANKOW ROAD, KOWLOON.

A CONDIDATE MUST HAND IN HIS COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORM IN PERSON TO THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. FROM DECEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 19. HE MUST BRING ALONG HIS PASSPORT OR IDENTITY CARD AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS.

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL

BE ACCEPTED.

A CANDIDATE MUST PAY A TEST FEE OF $80 ON AT THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION.

OR BEFORE DECEMBER 23

PAYMENTS DY CROSSED CHEQUES, MADE PAYABLE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, SHOULD BE SENT THROUGH THE POST TO THE DIVISION.

- - 0

/3 .......

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR 1976 TEXTILE SHIPMENT TO U.K. NOW ACCEPTED K K ft H K

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WILL START ACCEPTING IMMEDIATELY EXPORT LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR 1976 SHIPMENTS OF RESTRAINED TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THESE LICENCES WILL BE ISSUED AGAINST 1976 PRELIMINARY QUOTAS, AND WILL BE VALID FOR THREE MONTHS INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 28 DAYS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DECISION TO RECEIVE IMMEDIATELY APPLICATIONS FOR 1976 SHIPMENTS AND TO EXTEND THE 28-DAY VALIDITY PERIOD WAS TAKEN TO ASSIST THOSE TRADERS WHO DID BUSINESS WITH U.K. FIRMS ON A LETTER OF CREDIT BASIS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT RECENTLY THE BANK OF ENGLAND HAD CALLED UPON CLEARING HOUSES IN THE U.K. TO APPLY STRICTLY A RULE THAT BANKS MAY OPEN IRREVOCABLE LETTERS OF CREDIT ONLY AGAINST GOODS FOR WHICH BRITISH IMPORT LICENCES WERE OBTAINED.

♦THIS MAY CAUSE SOME DELAYS FOR THE HONG KONG EXPORTER, AND THAT WAS WHY WE DECIDED UPON THESE MEASURES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED TRADERS APPLYING FOR THE HONG KONG EXPORT LICENCE TO STATE ON THEIR APPLICATIONS THE WORDS +1976 SHIPMENTS* AND +EXEMPTION FROM APPLICATION OF CONDITION 4*.

CONDITION 4, HE EXPLAINED, CONCERNED THE 28-DAY VALIDITY PERIOD FROM WHICH THE APPLICANT IS NOW EXEMPT.

EXPORTERS NEEDING FURTHER INFORMATION ARE ASKED TO CONTACT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS :-

MISS N.T.Y. LAW

MR. S.K. FUNG

MR. C.K. WONG

ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER TEL. NO. 5-430719

INDUSTRY ASSISTANT li.L. NO. 5-446789

INDUSTRY ASSISTANT . Ti l.. NO. 5-260672

- 0 - -

A....

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

U.K. EXPERT VISITS U.K. WELFARE SERVICES & W 54 54 & 54

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES OF COVENTRY CITY IN ENGLAND, MR. D.T. WHITE, IS AT THE MOMENT VISITING HONG KONG TO SEE SOME OF THE WELFARE SERVICES HERE.

MR. WHITE, WHOSE TRIP IS SPONSORED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL, IS SPENDING THREE DAYS VISITING VARIOUS OFFICES AND INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

HIS VISIT, WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY, INCLUDED DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AND TOURS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, THE PO LEUNG KUK, THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE.

TODAY HE VISITED THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN RECEPTION CENTRE, THE CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE AND THE SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND’S SHELTERED WORKSHOP. HE ALSO VISITED A FIELD UNIT AND FAMILY SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

MR. WHITE ROUNDS OFF HIS VISIT TOMORROW WITH A MEETING AND DISCUSSION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. AFTER THAT, HE WILL GIVE A TALK TO STAFF FRC.; DO i d HIE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY ORGAillS. ' L ' 0:1 <:( \iiISATION, FINANCING

AND CO-ORD I NATION GF SOCIAL S IN THE UN I LED KINGDOM+.

MR. WHITE, WHO LEAVES HONG KONG ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 11), IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE।UNITED KINGDOM.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MR. WHITE’S TALK IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT 11 A.M. . TOMORROW AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN HENNESSY ROAD (NEXT TO ASIAN HOUSE). THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL MAKE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION DEFORE MR. WHITE GIVES HIS TALK.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

SEND YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS k h « « -t

IF YOU WANT YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS TO RELATIVES IN HONG KONG BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HOT I ATER THAN DECEMBER 21.

EARLY

REACH YOUR FRIENDS AND YOU SHOULD SEND THEM

A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT POSTINGS OF I OCAL MAIL ITEMS AFTER THIS DATE COUI ■ HOT DE GUARANTEED DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

TO EXPEDITE HANDLING AND SUBSEQUENT DELIVERY OF LOCALLY ADDRESSED CHRISTMAS CARDS, SPECIAL COUNTERS WILL BE SET UP AT TEE GENERAL POSI OFFICE, THE KO'JLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE.

THESE COUNTERS WILL BE IN OPERATION FROM DECEMBER 13 TO 20.

♦ANY QUANTITY OF CARDS ’JILL EE ACCEPTED AT THESE SPECIAL COUNTERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +DUT CUSTOMERS ARE REQUESTED TO SEPARATE THEIR CARDS BETWEEN HONG KONG ADDRESSES AND KO'JLOON AND NEU TERRITORIES ADDRESSES.*

-------0--------

REPORT OH ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

A REPORT OH THE THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY OF INDUSTRY IS HOU OH SALE AT AT THE CuVERRM. CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HOUS KOHS.

THE ELECTRONICS NT PU.1uI CATIONS

PEP0PT» PREPARED DY THE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD GF HIE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, PROVIDES STATISTICAL I HF OR. lAT I OIL ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY INCLUDING THE L'lhiBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EACH PRINCIPAL JOB* A lo' cC’ E ^'HTH^H ’’and RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASURES

THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, UI Til DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AH)

IN AUGUST 1974 BY THE ELECTRONIC iHL ASSISTANCE OF THE I ABOUT STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

-----0--------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1975

- 6 -

BAN ON LEARNER DRIVERS IN KWAI CHUNG M * H * X X

LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF ROADS IN KWAI CHUNG STARTING FROM 10 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 11).

THE ROAbs WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TO THEM ARE TAI YUEN STREET, THE SECTION OF FU UK ROAD NORTH OF YAU MA HOM ROAD, AND THE SECTION OF TAI PAK TIN STREET FRONTING BLOCK 15 OF SHEK LEI ESTATE.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.

-----o-----

WATER CUT IN WONG TAI SIN n # ■:( h «

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON, WILL BE INTERRUPTED ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 12) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDUARD ROAD, SZE MEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, TAI YAU Si REE I, TSUFK LUK STREET, KING FUK STREET, SAM CHUK STREET AND TSAT PO STREET INCLUDING SAN PO KONG FACTORY BLOCKS 5'6.

0 ~ -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1^75

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

employers requested to help in employment SURVEYS .. 1

POSSIBLE DELAY TO AIR PASSENGERS DURING WORK ON NF ’ RAMP. o

WATER INTERRUPTION IN QUARRY RAY.................... ?

EDUCATION DIRECTOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION .......................................... 0

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS TEAM TO VISIT TAI 0......... 4

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY ........... 4

FIFTEEN LUCKY CAR NUMBERS FOR AUCTION THIS WEEKEND . D

■ ' X

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975. - 1 -

EMPLOYMENT SURVEYS: EMPLOYERS ASKED TO HELP if if if if if if

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT A FULL-SCALE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY TO COLLECT DATA FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER THIS YEAR AND TO UPDATE THE DIRECTORY OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SURVEY WOULD COVER SOME 35,000 ESTABLISHMENTS AND SURVEY CARDS HAD ALREADY BEEN SENT TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS.

+THEY ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE CARDS BY FILLING IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENGAGED BY THEM AND THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES THEY HAD AS AT DECEMBER 4.

+THEY ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED CARDS IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPES ENCLOSED BY DECEMBER 15,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ALONG WITH THIS SURVEY, ENQUIRIES ARE BEING MADE ON

THE EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCY SITUATION IN SELECTED NON-INDUSTRI AL TRADES AND SERVICES, INCLUDING IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, BANKS, AND INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION FROM MANAGEMENTS WERE VITAL TO THE EARLY RELEASE OF RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS.

+INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY ESTABLISHMENTS WILL EE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, AND WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR COMPILING SUMMARY STATISTICAL TABLES,+ HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975

CONGESTION AT AIRPORT EXPECTED DURING WORK ON RAMP

X .X X X X 4 1 4 V M 4 \ 4 \

AIR PASSENGERS DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT ARE ADVISED TO ALLOW TIME FOR SOME TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING BETWEEN DECEMBER 12 AND 16. . -

•

k CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY THAT DURING THIS PERIOD, A HEU RAMP, HOU UH-.T.R CONSTRUCTION FROM OLYMPIC AVENUE TO THE DEPARTURES LEVEL AS PART OF THE AIRPORT’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME, IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING COMPLETED.

SOME CONGESTION AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL WAS THEREFORE EXPECTED WHILE WORK WAS BEING CARRIED OUT, HE SAID.

+THIS IS LIKELY TO CAUSE DELAYS TO DEPARTING PASSENGERS AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC DURING PEAK PERIODS BETWEEN 12 NOOlI AND 6 P.M.,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

. +T0 MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE AND TO EASE TRAFFIC FLOW, MORE POLICEMEN WILL BE POSTED THERE TO HELP THE PUBLIC.

+PASSENGERS DEPARTING DURING PEAK HOURS ARE REQUESTED TO TAKE THIS EXPECTED DELAY INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN LEAVING FOR THE AIRPORT.

+ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED IS REGRETTED,* HE SAID.

--------------------0-----------------------I. ■ I

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975.

WATER STOPPAGE IN QUARRY BAY

« k « «

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN QUARRY BAY, HONG KONG, WILL BE WITHOUT WATER ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 13) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

AFFECTED ARE NOS. 865 TO 1021 AND 992 TO 1054 KING’S ROAD, INCLUDING NORTH POINT MODEL HOUSING ESTATE AND PREMISES IN Fl NN IE STREET, HOI TAI STREET, HOI WAN STREET, TONG CHONG STREET, HOI KWONG STREET, PAH HOI STREET AND MT. PARKER ROAD.

-----0-------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975

- 3 -EVERYONE NEEDS EXERCISE SAYS TOPLEY If « K X

~;YSICAL EDUCATION TODAY CONCERNS EVERYONE, FOR IN THIS AUE GF URBAN LIVING EVERYONE NEEDS EXERCISE NOT ONLY TO EE FIT FOR WORK BUT ALSO TO REMAIN HEALTHY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUC/TION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID THIS MORNING.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPORTS MEET OF MU KUANG ENGLISH SCHOOL HELD AT THE MONGKOK STADIUM IN BOUNDARY STREET, KOWLOON.

MR. TOPLEY SAID: +THE CONCEPT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION HAS . CHANGED FUNDAMENTALLY IN RECENT YEARS. THE AIM IS NO LONGER MERE DEXTERITY BUT SELF-IMPROVEMENT FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL.+

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT ATHLETICS WERE ONLY A PART OF THE BROAD CURRICULUM OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, BUT THEY WERE AN IMPORTANT PART.

+A WELL-ORGANISED SPORTS MEET PROVIDES THE NECESSARY OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN TO PUT THEIR PREVIOUS TRAINING AND ACQUIRED SKILL TO THE TEST OF COMPETITION AND TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SPORTSMANSHIP AND THEIR RESISTANCE TO FATIGUE - WHETHER IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT.

+SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS HAVE A GOOD DEAL OF SURPLUS ENERGY, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL. THEIR INTEREST IN SPORTS SHOULD THEREFORE TAKE THE FORM OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND NOT MERELY OF WATCHING OR READING ABOUT THEM. WHATEVER THE SPORT, IT SHOULD BE TAKEN UP WITH ENERGY AND WITH THE DETERMINATION TO TRY AND IMPROVE,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATED THE SUPERVISOR OF THE SCHOOL, MRS. ELSIE ELLIOTT, AND THE STAFF OF MU KUANG FOR THEIR ENDEAVOURS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL EDUCATION THROUGH ATHLETICS.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THE SCHOOL HAD A MODEST START IN KOWLOON CITY BUT EVEN IN THOSE FORMATIVE YEARS IT HAD BUILT UP'A GOOD REPUTATION AND CATERED FOR THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF C1ILDREN IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

WITH THE FREE GRANT OF THE PRESENT SITE BY THE GOVERNMENT, TOGETHER WITH AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN, THE SCHOOL WAS ABLE TO PUT UP ITS NEW PREMISES IN KWUN TONG IN 1972, OFFERING STANDARD ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES. THE SCHOOL WAS NOW OFFERING A FULL SECONDARY COURSE WITH AN IMPRESSIVE ENROLMENT OF 1,800.

+1 AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO NOTE THAT IT OFFERS ALL ITS PLACES IN FORMS 1 - 3 TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT UNDER THE CURRENT SCHEME OF BOUGHT PLACES,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

/A .......

- _ 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975

- 4 -

TEMPORARY REGISTRATION CENTRE FOR TAI 0

A TEMPORARY REGISTRATION OF PERSONS CENTRE WILL BE SET UP AT T OFFICE OF THE TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE IN THE NEW

ERR.TOR IES FOR THREE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE CENTRE WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 5 P.M. ON '.EMBER 15= 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON DECEMBER 16= AND 9 A.M. HD 3 P.M. ON DECEMBER 17.

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FACILITIES .0 ROISTER THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 11 FOR JVENILE IDENTITY CARDS.

HOLDERS OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS WHO HAVE REACHED THE SE w' 18 SHOULD REGISTER FOR ADULT CARDS.

<OPLE LIVING IN THE AREA ARE REMINDED OF THEIR ES; )NSIBILITY TO REGISTER THEMSELVES FOR IDENTITY CARDS.

THEY MUST ALSO REPORT CHANGES OF EMPLOYMENT OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, MARITAL STATUS, OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED SINCE REGISTERING FOR THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

-------0----------

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

* H M * X H .

TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION, NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE EMBANKMENT ROAD-KNIGHT STREET AREA OF KOWLOON.

FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 12), BOUNDARY STREET WILL BE MADE ONE-WAY EASTBOUND FROM EMBANKMENT ROAD TO KNIGHT STREET= KNIGHT STREET ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND' PRINCE EDWARD ROAD ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM KNIGHT STREET TO EMBANKMENT ROAD= AND EMBANKMENT ROAD ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

0 - -

/5 ........

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1975

- 5 -

LUCKY CAR NUMBERS UP FOR AUCTION K X « « * M

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ANOTHER 15 SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WOULD BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS WEEKEND TO PROMOTE A CHARITABLE CAUSE.

THE AUCTION, THE 27TH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 13) AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM NORTH, STH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK.

THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ARE:

6006 AH 7007 AV 7777 AZ 88

8899 AJ 99 AW 11 BE 833

AC 23 AP 3 AX 300 BC 123

AD 212 AR 555 AZ 2

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.

POTENTIAL BIDDERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.

0------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

+PREVENT FIRE + CALL TO PUBLIC DURING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS ........................................ 1

SWD SPONSORS MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ........... 2

HONG KONG TEAM LEAVES FOR DRUSSELS FOR FURTHER TEXTILE TALKS .................................................... 3

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR SALE NEXT MONTH ............. 3

FOURTEEN CAREERS TALKS TO BE GIVEN TO SECONDARY STUDENTS ................................................. 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1975

- 1 -

PREVENT FIRES DURING HOLIDAYS X- ft ft -X- ft

WITH THE APPROACH OF CHRISTMAS AND LUNAR* NEV/ YEAR, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA PR CAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT ANY OUTBREAK OF FIRE.

ADVICE ON FIRE PREVENTION DURING THE COMING HOLIDAYS HAS DEEN SENT DY THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF CINEMAS, THEATRES, RESTAURANTS, NIGHT CLUBS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND OTHER PLACES WHERE THE PUBLIC ARE LIKELY TO GATHER IN LARGE NUMBERS.

IN A CIRCULAR LETTER, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE BUREAU, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER BRIAN FENDER, SAYS THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE PREVENTION MUST NOT BE DELEGATED TO JUNIOR MEMBERS OF STAFF +AS IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT THEIR LIMITED AUTHORITY DOES NOT ENSURE APPLICATION GF THE HIGH STANDARDS WHICH ARE SO NECESSARY ‘IODAY.+

HE WARNS THAT FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS WILL BE MAKING INSPECTIONS OF PREMISES TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE BEING MAINTAINED.

MR. FENDER SUGGESTS TEN MEASURES TO PREVENT FIRE:

ft PRIMARY RESPONSIDILITY FOR GENERAL FIRE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD DE IN THE HANDS OF A SENIOR MEMBER OF STAFF.

ft ENSURE THAT FIRE SERVICES REQUIREMENTS ARE FULLY COMPLIED WITH.

ft REMIND ALL STAFF TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL AND TO WATCH OUT FOR ANY POSSIBLE FIRE DANGER.

ft ENSURE THAT THE LOCATION AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IS KNOWN TO ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE ON TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT.

ft EXIT AND EXIT SIGNS MUST NOT BE OBSTRUCTED. CLEAR EXIT ROUTES MUST BE MAINTAINED Al ALL TIMES.

• ft ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL WIRING SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN, DEARING IN MIND THE DANGER OF FLIMSY DECORATIONS CATCHING FIRE IF PLACED NEAR LIGHT BULBS.

/ « PROVIDE PLENTY • • -

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1975

- 2 -

H PROVIDE PLENTY OF ASH TRAYS AIJD EAN SMOKING IN PLACES SUCH AS STOREROOMS.

M DEVISE A SAFE METHOD TO DISPOSE OF EMPTY CARTONS AND LOOSE PACKING MATERIALS.

H TO AVOID OVERCROWDING, +FULL HOUSE* SIGNS SHOULD BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED.

SURVEY THE PREMISES THOROUGHLY TO FIND OUT WHAT OTHER ASPECTS OF FIRE SAFETY REQUIRE ATTENTION.

MORE COMMUNITY PROJECTS STARTING THIS MONTH # h n r- $;• n

ANOTHER 73 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS WiL- START THIS MONTH IN THE THIRD ROUND OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S +OPPORTUN(TIES FOR YOUTH* SCHEME.

THE PROJECTS, ALL OF WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR, WERE CHOSEN OUT OF 99 WHICH WERE SUBMITTED WHEN APPLICATIONS WERE INVITED RECENTLY.

THE THEME WHICH RUNS THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE PROJECTS THIS TIME IS RURAL SERVICE AND INCLUDE SERVICES IN REMOTE OR ISOLATED VILLAGES, STUDY GROUPS FOR RURAL CHILDREN AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR VILLAGERS.

OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDE SERVICES TO THE AGED, ROOF-TOP DWELLERS, BOAT PEOPLE, THE HANDICAPPED AND RESIDENTS OF LICENSED AND SQUATTER AREAS.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS FINANCING THESE PROJECTS AT A COST OF/SOME $86,000.

THE +/PPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH* SCHEME WAS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER/lAST YEAR AND IN THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS SOME 76 COMMUNITY/SERV ICE PROJECTS WERE CARRIED OUT BY VARIOUS • CROUPS Of/ YOUNG PEOPLE.

------0---------

/ 3....................

CROWN LAND SALES X X X X X X

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 9, 1976 AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM, 8TH FLOOR, CITY HALL.

ONE LOT, IN SZE SHAN STREET, SAM KA TSUEN, KOWLOON, OCCUPIES AiJ AREA OF 22,550 SQ. FT. AND IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES. IT CAN ALSO EE USED AS A GODOWN.

THE OTHER TWO LOTS ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND BOTH ARC SET ASIDE FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL PURPOSES. ONE LOT IS BETWEEN UPPER LASCAR ROW AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND MEASURES A,000 SQ. FT. WHILE THE OTHER, MEASURING 18,850 SQ. FT., IS AT CHAI WAN ROAD.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY EE OBTAINED FROM 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, A05 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON. SALE PLANS CAN ALSO DE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.

- - 0 - -

JORDAN LEAVES FOR TEXTILES TALKS WITH THE EEC X X X X X X

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, LEAVES FOR .BRUSSELS TONIGHT AT THE HEAD OF A FOUR-MAN DELEGATION FOR A SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS ON THE HK/EEC TEXTILE AGREEMENT.

THE FIRST ROUND TOOK PLACE HERE LAST MONTH.

MR. JORDAN WILL STOP 111 LONDON FOR ONE DAY FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BEFORE GOING ON TO BRUSSELS WHERE HIS DELEGATION WILL BE JOINED BY HONG KONG’S MINISTER FOR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS, MR. CLAUDE BURGESS.

THE HK/EEC TALKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 15. IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW LONG THESE WILL TAKE, BUT MR. JORDAN SAID BEFORE HE LEFT THAT HE WOULD CERTAINLY BE BACK FOR CHRISTMAS.

THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG TEAM ARE MR. PETER TSAO, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COMMERCIAL RELATIONS), MR. DOUGLAS CHAN, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER AND MR. MICHAEL WU, TRADE OFFICER.

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1975

- 4

CAREERS TALKS FOR STUDENTS M K M H M M

THOUSANDS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS WILL BENEFIT FROM A SERIES OF CAREERS TALKS ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE SERIES OF 14 TALKS WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 7 AND END ON MAY 12, 1976.

THE AIM OF THE TALKS IS TO PROVIDE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZONS AND TO MAKE PERSONAL CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM HIGHER EDUCATION AND SPECIALISTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS OF WORK.

THE TALKS, TO EE GIVEN IN CANTONESE, WILL COVER A1 RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS - JOURNALISM, TOURISM, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND LAW - AND POST-SECONDARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

STUDENTS WILL BE GIVEN AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE SPEAKERS PERSONAL QUESTIONS.

COPIES OF A PROGRAMME HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE HEADS OF ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THEIR SENIOR STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS TO THE PROGRAMME AND A GENERAL SCHOOLS CIRCULAR.

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WHO WISH TO ATTEND ANY OF THE TALKS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE WITH THE CAREERS OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE TALKS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVEN SCHOOL HALLS, EACH OF WHICH HAS A SEATING CAPACITY OF ABOUT 400. THESE HALLS HAVE DEEN CHOSEN AS CENTRES FOR THE CAREERS TALKS BECAUSE OF THEIR ACCESSIBILITY TO STUDENTS IN NEIGHBOURING SCHOOLS.

THE HALLS ARE IN HO TUNG TECHNICAL SCHOOL, ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE, Y.W.C.A. HIDE TJO YOENG COLLEGE, HEEP WOH COLLEGE, SING YIN SECONDARY SCHOOL, NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL AND THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

- - 0 - -

4000035 P.R. 33

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

NFORMATION

SERVICES

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

FRIDAY, December 12, 1975

TEXT OF SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE mT THE OPENING OF THE NEW HONG KONG SHANGHAI BANK OFFICE IN NEW YORK ,.T 8 P.M. ON DgCEi-BER 11 (NEW YORK THE?

’’Gentlemen, we are here to celebrate the opening of the new premises in the world trade centre of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. It has been represented in New York since 1875* In the intervening century it has grown into a house of considerable significance on the world banking stage, and this new New York office represents all members of the present Hong Kong Banking group, including the British Bank of the Middle East and the Mercantile Bank.

’’The very distinguised gathering here this evening is a tribute to the reputation new enjoyed by the Bank and also to the t standing of its Chairman, our host, hr. Sayer.

”It is a bank of the old school. Its unostentatious strength and good sense always puts me in mind of Shakespeare’s classic dictum in King Lear ’Have more than thou showest speak less than thou knowest lend less than thou owest*•

’’But behind the panelling and the marble, and lovely collection of Chinnerys on its walls there is everything that thrust imagination and modern technology can give. And I am delighted that the Bank, and thus Hong Kong with whose fortunes it is so closely connected, are expanding their presence in this city, which contains the greatest concentration of financial power in the world. juid if this presence encourages American interest in Hong Kong so much the better.

/’’American......

"American interest in the China coast is just as old as the British, as the Salem Museum bears witness. Indeed, before the age of steam, ^dnerican clippers held the record for passages from Hong Kong to both London and Boston.

”1 am no admirer of that early colonial era in which Hong Kong was founded, but it is a striking fact that of that era Hong Kong is the only colony of any economic significance that has survived. This is largely due to special circumstances, including the attitude of the People’s Republic of China. But I think too it has survived because the combination of the place, the people and the Government has been so extra-ordinarily successful: and because all are equally free and welcome to participate in this success and to profit from itw whether from China, America, Britain or elsewhere*

”In jnerican terms it is tiny, smaller than any state in the Union, but in spite of that, and with no natural resources except a harbour and its own magnificent people, with their wit and realism and capacity for hard work, it is the 16th largest trading unit in the world.

"Manj of you will know how modern Hong Kong started. In * *3 •

the early 50’s there was a flood of immigrants from China that doubled and tripled the population in a decade. And with the UN embargo there were no means of employing them in Hong Kong’s traditional trade with China. These daunting conditions forced on Hong Kong the economic characteristics it has retained ever since, that is of large-scale manufacture for export using imported raw materials. This started along the simplest lines but has progressed rapidly to sophisticated and capital-intensive production. The story of Hong K°ng’s industrial transformation is well told in that of a well-known firm that started

/by making .....

by making tooth brushes, ploughed tack its profits and retooled for canvas shoes, did the same thing again for box cameras, and is now one of the biggest producers of high grade photographic and optical goods in the world - all within 25 years on the same site and with even some of the same work—force. The ingradiants are typical of

Hong Kong with determination to survive, acceptance of the need to plough back profits, willingness to adapt and progress up the technological scale. Naturally, none of this world have been possible without the support of a first rate banking system.

"The principal industry is high-grade clothing and textiles, but toys, .electronics, clocks, watches, radios, cameras and optical instruments are all important, and diversification into a wide range of other industries is qontinuous. So too is the growth of service industries to maintain and even build some of the machines for the producers. The rate of progress has been so rapid that the government has given high priority to technical education at all levels so as to meet requirements for craftsmen, technicians and technologists.

’’Hong Kong has the reputation of being the last outpost of laissez faire and on this account has both its panegyrists and its critics. The fact is that the government is disinclined to intervene in the natural play of market forces except to stop abuse or distress to the public, or if market forces left to themselves cannot meet public needs. This is of course a large qualification, and there is comprehensive legislation covering financial, commercial and industrial activity, as well as labour relations, and Hong Kong would be an insecure field for investment if there were not. But it is true that

Hong Kong does have comparatively low rates of tax and a comparatively simple fiscal system: there is no exchange control, and there is freedom

/to employ .....

4 -

to employ such staff as a firm see$ fit, and freedom to remit-profits and capital at will, and in comparison with other communities there is a refreshing absence of regulations and red tape. So in Hong Kong the entrepreneur probably does enjoy greater freedom to get on with his job than in any comparable place of business. We have every intention of adhering to this general approach.

“The prudently orthodox financial philosophy of the government is consistent with this general approach. Hong Kong must be unusual amongst the major cities of the world in having debt of only negligible proportions and in maintaining at the same time very large fiscal reserves. Of course Hong Kong has never received aid, and suspects that none would help her if she failed, and I can assure you that this background can be a stern enforcer of financial discipline.

’’But Hong Kong is not just an industrial, commercial or financial institution. It is a community of about 4j4 million, intensely shrewd and active people. It is governed with more real freedom than any other community in 4*sia and yet - because of eircumstances which are forced upon it - without elected government. It is a fascinating and constantly evolving story. How in these circumstances the government seeks to achieve consent for its policies, tries to be responsive to the wishes of its people and aims to achieve their participation - because in these respects Hong Kong real1y is unique in the world. Nowhere else can the constitution be so authoritarian but the practice be so deeply imbued with liberal traditions and safeguards.

’’The major problem of Hong Kong is sheer weight of numbers and the rapidity with which they have built up through immigration since the 50’s. This has created great problems of providing housing, education and social welfare and the whole infrastructure that makes life in a

/community •••.•

community what it should be. But these things are being, and will continue to be, provided, and on an ever increasing scale, until the deficiencies forced on Hong Kong by the influx of population have been eliminated.

"Hong Kong has stability and its relations with China have never been better, and its prospects are excellent. It is immediately vulnerable in one respect only - it is totally dependent on its exports and thus on both access to markets and on the level of demand in them. Its competitiveness, and the ability it has shown to tighten its belt in bad times as well as to improve its living standards in good, assure it a market wherever demand exists, provided no artificial barriers are raised against it. But against crude protectionism or preferences accorded to its competitors it is powerless. All that it asks and all that it needs to assure its future is freedom to trade with those who wish to buy.

"Like other places, Hong Kong has had its difficulties in this recession period, with a high level of unemployment and considerable distress. But the economy succeeded in adjusting downwards to the new situation and it has been a remarkable and most helpful fact that the indices of both cost-of-living and wage rates have been virtually static for the last year. . In consequence Hong Kong has been and is in a highly competitive situation. Its exporters were thus able to take advantage of such demand as there has been in world markets, and to react quickly to the first impulses of economic revival. The Government was also able to assist the economy by maintaining its expenditure at a comparatively high level but without affect on either inflation -which has hes! nil over the last year - or on the parity of the Hong Kong dollar which has remained steady to strong. The economy bottomed up in the second quarter. Exports have been improving in the third and fourth

/quarters .......

quarters and though there is still far too much unemployment, there is general relief that the corner has been turned. There is also confidence that steady growth will be resumed next year.

"It is perhaps indicative that in the course of last year Hong Kong let contracts for the biggest highway it has ever constructed, completed the largest desalination plant in the world and has begun to build the latest underground railway in the world.

"Some of this confidence in the future is based on an assessment of the likely trend of economic activity in Hong Kong’s markets, some on knowledge of the current competitiveness of Hong Kong’s position.

Though there are no illusions about an early return to the conditions of the 60’s and early 70’s, we do believe that Hong Kong is in the right place at the right time with the right things to offer. It is

on the edge of the biggest country in the world which is itself in the course of rapid economic development; but also it is in the centre of an area of the world - the Western Pacific - where economic growth is likely to be rapid in the next decade; and it occupies a focal point in the communications and distribution system of the area. It has a superb harbour, an unrivalled work-force, and financial institutions of great strength. Land is available on special terms for new industry judged valuable to the economy. ;md finally, and perhaps most important of all, you have a government which provides a stable and predictable economic environment.

"It is therefore not surprising that so many leading banks and manufacturers from all over the world are now represented in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s economy will always be based primarily on manufacture for export to the great developed countries of North America and Europe,

/and on .......

and on shipping, tourism, commerce and banking. But I see it also developing fast as a platform from which to participate in the growth of the Western Pacific area, whether by partial or complete manufacture within the area, by direct sales, by financial operations or by entrepot arrangements.

"Gentlemen, it is unwise for bankers to ask the Governor to speak after dinner because he will go on speaking about Hong Kong for ever, and in conclusion I would like to revert to banking. Hong Kong owes a very great deal to banks in general and to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in particular. But if I might widen my remarks, I should like to say in all humility that the traumatic economic experiences endured in these last two years have revealed the immense adaptability and strength of the world’s financial institutions. No doubt some governments have helped just as others have hindered,but it has been the established financial institutions, working individually or in combination, which have kept the economy of the world afloat in this hazardous, unforeseen and erratic situation, and I would like to pay my small tribute to what they have done.

"To end on a more personal and frivolous note, I personally consider bankers to be in a very special position - as Ogden Nash wrote they are like anyone else but richer. Like the majority of mankind I take the view that they are primarily there to help and that what lies behind their awe-inspiring portals is what we all want - money. The thought is well put in a slight misquotation of a verse by Emily Dickinson written over a century ago -’I never lost as much but twice and that was in the sod. Twice have I stood a beggar before the door of god. <ingels twice descending reimbursed my store - banker, banker - father I am poor once more’..

"Gentlemen, I give you the toast to ’Banking’ with which I couple the name of our hosts the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation."

- - 0---------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN *• . > I

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975 Y

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

» NEW AREAS IN THE N.T. TO BE BROUGHT INTO RATING FROM NEXT APRIL .............................................. 1

GOLD COIN TO MARK YEAR OF DRAGON SOON TO BE ON SALE ....... 3

FOUR-MONTH RECREATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN IN SAI KUNG ............................................. 4

SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT CALLS FOR POSITIVE STEPS TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT .................................... 5

TECHNICAL COURSES OPEN FOR APPLICATION .................... 6

SALES OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS RAISE NEARLY $280,000 .......... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975

N.T. RATEPAYERS TO GET NOTICES OF RATEABLE VALUE

THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IS SENDING NOTICES OF RATEABLE VALUE TO RATEPAYERS IN A NUMBER OF NEW AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH WILL BE BROUGHT INTO RATING NEXT YEAR.

THE AREAS ARE YUEN LONG, TAI PO, LUEN WO MARKET, ON I OK TSUEN, SHEK WU HUI, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN AND THE CLEAR LATER BAY ROAD AREA.

PREMISES IN THESE AREAS, WHICH WERE SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-CCUNCIL FOR RATING PURPOSES IN JUNE THIS YEAR, WILL BE LIABLE FOR RATES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1976.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT PROPERTIES IN THE URBAN AREAS AND IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl, WERE ALREADY ASSESSED TO RATES.

THE INCLUSION OF THE NEW AREAS FOR RATING WAS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED POLICY OF EXTENDING RATING TO DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE SAID.

NEVERTHELESS, AS HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, BY VIRTUE OF RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE RATING ORDINANCE, VILLAGE HOUSES IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED AREAS ARE TO EE EXEMPTED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PURPOSE OF SENDING THE NOTICES OF RATEABLE VALUE WAS TO INFORM RATEPAYERS OF THE RATING ASSESSMENTS PROPOSED FOR THEIR PROPERTIES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT, ALTHOUGH THE RATEABLE VALUE OF ANY PROPERTY WAS BASED ON AN ESTIMATE OF ITS ANNUAL RENTAL VALUE, THE DEPARTMENT, IN FIXING VALUES, HAD TO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE LEVEL OF VALUES IN OTHER AREAS WHICH WERE ALREADY ASSESSED TO RATES.

+SINCE RATEABLE VALUES FOR PREMISES IN OTHER AREAS HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1972-73,+ HE SAID, +VALUES ARE GENERALLY BELOW CURRENT OPEN MARKET RENTALS AND THE SAME WILL APPLY FOR THESE NEW AREAS.+

+IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE FROM THE MAIN URBAN AREAS AND THE LACK OF CERTAIN SERVICES, GENTS GENERALLY ARE LOWER THAN IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THUS RATEABLE VALUES, TOO, WILL BE LOWER.*

/TO ILLUSTRATE, ........

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975 - 2 -

TO ILLUSTRATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AN AVERAGE MODERN TENEMENT FLOOR OF ABOUT 350 SQUARE FEET IN TSIM SHA TSUI MIGHT HAVE A RATEABLE VALUE OF $5,670, IN WAN CHAI OF $5,460, IN KWUN TONG OF $4,830 AND IN SHAM SHU I PO OF $4,200.

FOR A COMPARABLE FLOOR IN TAI PO THE AVERAGE RATEABLE VALUE WOULD BE OF THE ORDER OF $3,360, IN YUEN LONG $3,120, IN TUEN MUN $2,880 AND IN SHEK WU HUI OR LUEN WO MARKET $2,640.

IN SOME CASES, THEREFORE, RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE LESS THAN HALF THE VALUES FOR SIMILAR PREMISES IN THE CENTRAL UR-BAN AREAS.

THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED ALSO THAT IN ESTIMATING RATEABLE VALUE, THE FACT THAT PREMISES WERE OCCUPIED BY AN OWNER WAS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

LEAFLETS EXPLAINING GENERALLY RATES, LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT, EXEMPTIONS, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS WILL BE SENT WITH THE NOTICES OF RATEABLE VALUE.

RECIPIENTS ARE ADVISED TO STUDY THE LEAFLETS CAREFULLY, PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE NOT PAID RATES BEFORE.

RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE PROCEDURES ON THE MAKING OF PROPOSALS FOR THE ALTERATION OF RATEABLE VALUES, WHICH ARE PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE NOTICES.

ANYONE WHO IS IN DOUBT ABOUT THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED FOR HIS PROPERTY OR OTHER ASSOCIATED RATING MATTERS MAY MAKE ENQUIRIES AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, 1 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-249021), OR AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

TECHNICAL OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT

WILL BE STATIONED AT DISTRICT OFFICES FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIED PERIODS INITIALLY TO DEAL WITH ENQUIRIES. RATEPAYERS CAN ALSO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO SEE VALUERS AT DISTRICT OFFICES IF

THEY DO NOT WISH TO TRAVEL INTO TOWN.

-----0--------

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975

ISSUE OF GOLD COINS TO MARK YEAR OF DRAGON H K * K K «

THE FIRST OF WHAT MAY BE A SERIES OF 12 UNIQUE GOLD COINS, EACH DEPICTING ONE OF THE TWELVE ANIMALS TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE OF PARTICULAR LUNAR YEARS, WILL SHORTLY BE ISSUED FOR THE COMING NEU YEAR.

THE COIN TO BE ISSUED WILL BE THE ONLY ONE ISSUED BY HONG KONG TO SHOW A LUNAR YEAR ANIMAL -- THE DRAGON.

THE OTHER ELEVEN ANIMALS IN THEIR ORDER ARE THE SNAKE, HORSE, GOAT, MONKEY, COCKEREL, DOG, PIG, RAT, OX, TIGER AND RABBIT.

THE DRAGON YEAR GOLD COINS WILL HAVE A LIMITED CIRCULATION OF NO MORE THAN 30,000, OF WHICH NO MORE THAN 10,000 WILL BE PROOFS.

EACH COIN IS MADE OF 22 CARAT GOLD, WITH A STANDARD WEIGHT OF 15.976 GRAMMES AND A DIAMETER OF 23.4 MM. (1.118 INCHES). IT HAS A PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN ON THE OBVERSE SIDE AND A PICTURE OF THE DRAGON ON THE REVERSE.

THEY MAY BE BOUGHT IN BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT THEIR FACE VALUE OF $1,000 OR IN PROOF QUALITY AT $1,500. EACH COIN WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH A DESCRIPTIVE BOOKLET AND PACKAGED IN AN ATTRACTIVE PRESENTATION CASE.

THE FIRST TIME LEGAL TENDER GOLD COINS WERE ISSUED IN HONG KONG WAS IN MAY THIS YEAR, MARKING THE VISIT OF THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP.

A TOTAL OF 20,000 COINS WERE ISSUED AT THAT TIME TO MEET LOCAL AMD OVERSEAS DEMAND. SOME 18,000 HONG KONG RESIDENTS APPLIED FOR TilEM.

THE PROOFS OF THE DRAGON YEAR GOLD COIN ARE MINTED WITH SPECIAL QUALITY DIES AND THE COIN DISCS ARE POLISHED TO A MIRROR-LIKE FINISH, AND HAVE THIR RELIEF DESIGN DELICATELY FROSTED.

BECAUSE OF THEIR FINE QUALITY, THEIR LIMITED CIRCULATION AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, BOTH THE PROOFS AND THE VERY HIGH QUALITY UNCIRCULATED COINS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN GREAT DEMAND ALL OVER THE WORLD.

TO ENSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, EACH APPLICATION IS RESTRICTED TO ONE COIN. APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM A DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS ADVERTISEMENT AT ALL BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.

IN CASE THE ISSUE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED A BALLOT WILL BE HELD AND THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL EE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.

THE COINS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BEFORE THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON ACTUALLY BEGINS.

-----o-----

/4........

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975

RECREATION FOR RURAL CHILDREN M H * K K K

A FOUR-MONTH RECREATIONAL PROGRAMME STARTING TOMORROW (SUNDAY) HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR ABOUT 150 CHILDREN IN SA I KUNG. ’

THE PROGRAMME, RUN BY THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMUNITY CENTRE, IS A PROJECT UNDER THE SOCI ’’OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH” SCHEMJE.

CORPS OF KWUN TONG AL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S

THE INTENTION IS TO SERVE RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE IS A LACK OF RECREATIONAL RESOURCES AND FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN. IT IS HOPED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THESE AREAS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO RENDER SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAMME COME FROM THREE VILLAGES: TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE, LAM WAI VILLAGE AND PIK UK VILLAGE. ACTIVITIES PLANNED INCLUDE GAMES DAYS, TOWN VISITS. COMPETITIONS, .QUIZ AND SLIDE SHOWS.

MR. KO KAI MAN, WARDEN OF THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE. AND! VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PROJECT AT THE KWONG PUI SCHOOL, CLEARWATER BAY ROAD.

SAI KUNG AT 2.00 P.M. TOMORROW.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13,

1975

- 5 -

’POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENTS’ CALLED FOR K * K K M H

IF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS TO BE MADE BETTER IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE INTRODUCED WHEREVER POSSIBLE. Y

MR. JAMES ROBSON, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE NEW PLAYGROUND CONCEPTS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES.

HE ADDED : +1N‘TH IS RESPECT THE PROVISION OF BETTER HOUSING AND AMPLE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROBABLY PLAY THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE.+

HE NOTED THAT THE PROVISION OF BETTER PLAYGROUND FACILITIES WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

+THE PLAYGROUND IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WHERE A CHILD SPENDS OR SHOULD SPEND A LOT OF HIS TIME AND WHERE HE LEARNS AT AN EARLY AGE THE NEED, IN LIFE, FOR BOTH CO-OPERATION AND COMPETITION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY,+ HE SAID.

MR. ROBSON THOUGHT THAT THE PENINSULA JAYCEES’ NEW PLAYGROUND CONCEPTS REPRESENTED A PROMISING START IN IMPROVING THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS.

+THE ENTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ARE IMAGINATIVE AND INGENIOUS, AND WILL, I AM SURE, DELIGHT AND THRILL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG BY PROVIDING A STIMULATING AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT WHEN THESE CONCEPTS ARE TURNED INTO REALITY,+ HE SAID.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975.

- 6

ENROLMENT IN TECHNICAL COURSES INVITED K * * * M M

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED BY THE HONG '-'.ONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE FOR ENROLMENT IN A PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE INDUSTRIAL TRADE INSTRUCTORS’ COURSE.

THE 12-WEEK COURSE WILL START NEXT MONTH AND STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASSES FOR ONE DAY AND TWO EVENINGS EVERY WEEK.

THE ENROLMENT FEE IS 380 AND THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE CHINESE BUT SOME ENGLISH TERMS WILL BE USED.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 27.

MEANWHILE, THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ARE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT IN A NUMBER OF EVENING SHORT COURSES PLANNED TO RUN IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1976.

THE COURSES INCLUDE COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE, ACCOUNTING ANb FUNDAMENTALS OF TRANSISTORS.

TUITION FEES RANGE FROM $20 TO $40. THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE OR BOTH.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INSTITUTE AT 6 01 KWAN ROAD, WANCHAI, FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND 7P.M. TO 8 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD EE RETURNED TO THE INSTITUTE ON OR ' BEFORE DECEMBER 23. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE COMMENCING DATES ,OF THE COURSES.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1975

SALES OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS FETCH OVER $$270,000 M K H M #

FIFTEEN SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $$278,000 WHICH WILL GO INTO '• THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM. SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 6006 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF {>44,000.

ANOTHER NUMBER AZ 88 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $$40,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $$2,300 FOR AH 7007.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE

FOLLOWING PRICES

8899 — $$37,000

BB 838 — $$35,000

AP 3 — $$21,000

AR 555 — $$20,000

AW 11 — $$15,000

AJ 99 — $$15,000

AZ 2 — $$14,500

AV 7777 *- $513,000

AC 23 — $$ 7,000

AX 300 $$ 6,500

BC 123 $$ 4,500

AD 212 — $$ 3,600

BE ASSIGNED ONLY

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.

TO VEHICLES WITHIN 12

TODAY’S SALE THE 27TH IN A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973. BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO ABOUT {$4.3 MILLION.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1975

COMPOSTING PLANT AT CHAI WAN: FIRST STEP TAKEN M M K # M H #

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS FROM CONTRACTORS AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS INTERESTED IN SETTING UP MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT AT CHA I WAN.

THE PROPOSED PLANT, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG , WILL PROVIDE AN ECONOMICAL AND +CLEAN+ SYSTEM FOR DISPOSING OF \ THE INCREASING VOLUME OF REFUSE GENERATED BY THE GROWTH OF HONG KON

X PRE-QUALIFICATION TENDERS ARE BEING CALLED ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS AND PROSPECTIVE TENDERERS ARE BEING ASKED TO SUBMIT

■DETAILED PROPOSALS ON THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE PLANT. I

MR. HARRY STUBBS, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.'S ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE, SAID TODAY FORMAL TENDERS FOR THE PLANT WOULD BE CALLED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.

+CONSTRUCTION WORK AND FABRICATION OF EQUIPMENT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY EARLY 1977 AND THE WHOLE PLANT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY MID-1978,+ HE SAID.

MR. STUBBS SAID THE PLANT WOULD INITIALLY EE CAPABLE OF DISPOSING OF 240 TONNES OF MIXED URBAN REFUSE PER DAY. +BUT EVENTUALLY WE HOPE TO DOUBLE ITS CAPACITY TO HANDLE ABOUT 480 TONNES OF RUBBISH DAILY,* HE ADDED.

COMMENTING ON THE .PLANT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SAID ONE BIG ADVANTAGE OF THE COMPOSTING PROCESS -- WHICH BASICALLY INVOLVES THE BREAKING DOWN ' AND TREATMENT OF SOLID WASTES INTO HYGIENICALLY SAFE, INERT AND INOFFENSIVE MATERIAL -- WAS THAT IT DID NOT CAUSE ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION. ‘

+ANOTHER IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE IS THAT THE SOLID WASTE IS REDUCED TO ONE-FOURTH OF ITS ORIGINAL VOLUME AND REDUCED TO TWO-THIRDS ITS ORIGINAL WEIGHT, THEREBY FACILITATING TRANSPORTATION TO LANDFILL AREAS,* HE SAID.

, +MOREOVER, THE COMPOSTED WASTE CAN BE COLLECTED AND STORED AND ALLOWED TO MATURE FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN USED AS INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL COVER MATERIAL IN CONTROLLED TIPPING OPERATIONS WHERE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE COVER MATERIAL MAY BE LIMITED.*

I ' •

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS ALSO A POSSIBILITY THAT THE MATURED COMPOST MIXED WITH TOPSOIL COULD BE USED AS A FERTILISER FOR TURFING AND GRASSING.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel:'5-233191

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1975

- 2 -, t

HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PLANT WOULD FUNCTION PRIMARILY AS A WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT AND THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOST WOULD ONLY EE SECONDARY.

+THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE AN IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL ASSET IN SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ON HONG KONG ISLAND ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR IS ALREADY WORKING TO CAPACITY,* THE ■SPOKESMAN SAID.

AT PRESENT, SOME 760 TONNES OF RUBBISH ARE COLLECTED EACH DAY OR THE ISLAND. OF THIS, 520 TONNES ARE BURNT AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR PLANT WHILE THE REST IS DUMPED AS FILL MATERIAL AT THE GIN DRINKER’S LAY CONTROLLED TIP.

+HOWEVER, ESTIMATES INDICATE THAT THE AMOUNT OF SURPLUS '■ REFUSE WILL INCREASE IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND MEANS MUST BE FOUND OF COPING WITH IT.

• +TIIE NEED FOR FURTHER AND BETTER REFUSE DISPOSAL FACILITIES HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNISED AND THE PULVERISING AND COMPOSTING PLANT IS ONE OF THESE,*'HE SAID.

OCEAN PARK V IS IT ARRANGED FOR RETARDED CHILDREN H & r H K K

ABOUT 100 CHILDREN AND STAFF OF THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S

CENTRE WILL SPEND A FUN-FILLED AFTERNOON NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 16) AT THE OCEAN PARK IM WONG CHUK HANG.-

KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE IS A REHABILITATION INSTITUTION FOR THE MENTALLY-RETARDED.

THE VISIT, WHICH STARTS AT 3 P.M. , WILL INCLUDE A SHOW BY THE SEA LIONS NOW UNDERGOING TRAINING.

MR. KWOK CHEUNG, THE ADMINISTRATION MANAGER OF OCEAN PARK, OFFERS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THE CHILDREN AS A GOODWILL GESTURE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE IN THE COMING FESTIVE SEASON.

THE VISIT ON TUESDAY IS THE FIRST Or A SERIES OFFERED TO HANDICAPPED CHILDREN UNDER THE CARE OF VARIOUS REHABILITATION CENTRES AND INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

VISITS WILL BE ARRANGED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY UNTIL JANUARY 21 NEXT YiAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE VISIT ON TUESDAY. TRANSPORf WILL BE PROVIDED. YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT ON 4TH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, BEFORE 2.30 P.M.

------0-------

/3......

SUMDAY, DECEMEER 14, 1975

3 -

COLDEST DAY IN ANY NOVEMBER SINCE 1922 if if if ft ft

HONG KONG LAST MONTH EXPERIENCED ITS COLDEST DAY IN ANY NOVEMBER FOR 59 YEARS.

THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 3.5 DEGREES CELSIUS RECORDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON NOVEMBER 24 WAS THE LOWEST IN ANY NOVEMBER SINCE 1922. IT ALSO RANKED AS THE FOURTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR NOVEMBER.

THE TEMPERATURES AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN THAT MORNING WERE 0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS AND 2.5 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, NEITHER FROST NOR ICE FORMATION WAS REPORTED.

IN GENERAL, THE'MONTH WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY COOLER THAN NORMAL.

LAST MONTH WAS MUCH DRIER THAN USUAL. THE RAINFALL RECORDED AMOUNTED TO ONLY 17.4 MM, WHICH IS ONLY 40 PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER.

THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, HOWEVER, IS STILL 39 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.

DURING THE MONTH, FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES WERE REPORTED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, BUT HONE CAME CLOSE ENOUGH TO THREATEN HONG KONG.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975.

CONTENTS ' PAGE NO.

WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS COMES UP IN LECCO ON WEDNESDAY ........................................ 1

DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO PRESENT COMMENDATIONS FOR BRAVERY AT SEA ................................... 2

ARRANGEMENTS rvR COLLECTION OF CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING LEVY ................................... 3

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR CH I LORE.'! UNDER SWD CARE .. 4

WELFARE DIRECTOR VISITS VILLAGE FOR RETARDED CHILDREN ......................................... 5

PRESS CONFERENCE ON N.T. WALK FOR A MILLION ...... 5

RESERVOIRS HOW 93 PER CENT FULL .................. 6

DEPUTY ’WELFARE DIRECTOR TO DISTRIBUTE PR I ZES AT SI OR IS MEET .................................... 6

INTERRUPTION GF WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI . 7

ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION TO OPEN ON WEDNESDAY ... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS TO BE RAISED IN LEGCO it it it it it it

QUESTIONS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND EDUCATION, WILL BE RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 17).

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEM WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER IT WILL ISSUE A WHITE PAPER ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND WHAT PART IT WILL PLAY IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S ’’FORESIGHT PREVENTS BLINDNESS YEAR” IN 19/6.

IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, MR. CHEOL'G-I.EEN WILL RAISE THE SUBJECT OF SOCIAL PLANNING AND POPULATION GROWTH.

THE HON. T.S. LO WILL ASK QUESTIONS ON THE PROCRESS OH REVISING THE WEIGHTS AN') MEASURES AND MERCHANDISE MARKS ORD I HANCES, THE COST OF COMMERCIAL. OFFICE SPACE RENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PLANS FOR REBUILDING THE FIKE SERVICES 1 HILDING, OLD MURRAY BUILDING AND NEW RODNEY HOUSE.

THE HON. F.W. LI WILL ASK WHEN THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON CERTIFICAiED MASTERS WILL BE PUBLISHED.

OTHER UNOFFICIALS WILL ASK QUESTIONS ON MALPRACTICES BY TAXI DRIVERS, STAFFING (.,• THE NARCOTICS SECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT IABORATORY, PAY RISES FbR CIVIL SERVANTS, A PROPOSED VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE BLIND, ARD THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE 12 TO 14 AGE CROUP HOT RECEIVING NORMAL DAY- SCHOOL EDUCATION.

DR. THE HOIJ. S.Y. CHUNG WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT A POSSIBLE INTERCHANGE FOR THE tiTR AND KCR.

- - 0 - -

/2 .

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975s

- 2 -

BRAVERY AT s A2 TO EE COMMENDED k »r M M k Jr

FORTY-TwO PUBLIC-SPIRITED HEN WILL RECEIVE COMMENDATIONS AND ;WARDS EifOM THE DIRECTOR OF MARU'S FOR BRAVERY AT SEA II! A SPECIAL i ZREliui'Y ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 19).

THIRTY-TWO OF THEM HAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING THE FAST YEAR WENT TO THE RESCUE (. PECTl.'! WHO WERE IN DIFFICULTIES IN THE HARBOUR.

FIVE ARE MEMBERS OF THE HJiLIC WHILE THE OTHERS ARE CREW MEMBERS OF THE TWO FERRY COMPANIES.

CREW MEMBERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S OWN FLEET TOO HAD THEIR SHAil.i OF GALLANTRY Alli) BILL ALSO RECEIVE COMMENDATIONS : : THE CEREMONY.

SEVEN OF THEM, FROM LAUNCH RO. AO, REMOVED A LIVE BOMB

I 'FT i.Y THE LAST WAR FROM THE SEAWALL AT HUNG HOM AND DUMPED If INTO iHE SEA HEAR PO TOI ISLAND IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

ANOTHER THREE, OH BOARD LAUNCH NO. 28, WENT TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THE +5IRAAT I’AGASAK 1+ WHICH WENT ADRIFT DURING THE PASSAGE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM DORIS LAS1 OCTOBER.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS OF COMMENDATIONS AND AWARDS’AND BRIEF NOTES OH THE II. DEEDS LILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY. 11 WILL TAKE PLACE Al 10.30 A.H. II! THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’3 EXAMINATION HALL Oi! THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE RUMSEY SlREET HULTI-S1GREY CAR PARK BUILDING.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER TH . EVENT.

— o —

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

LEVY FOR CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY K K H * M H

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT

IT HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO COLLECT ON BEHALF OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY A SPECIAL LEVY ON CLOTHING EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG TO HELP TRAIN WORKERS FOR THE LOCAL TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

THE LEVY - 0.03% OF THE F.O.B. VALUE OF THE CLOTHING ITEM EXPORTED - WILL BE COLLECTED FROM JANUARY 4, 1976 UNDER THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) ORDINANCE, 1975.

THE LEVY WILL BE COLLECTED TOGETHER WITH THE NORMAL AD VALOREM CHARGE ON SUBMISSION OF A TRADE DECLARATION, THE NEW FORM FOR WHICH IS C AND I 418A. THIS FORM WILL GO ON SALE AT $2 A PAD FROM TOMORROW (DECEMBER 16) ONWARDS AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

(A) THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (HEADQUARTERS), 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.

(B) THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (KOWLOON OFFICE), ROOM NO. 610, 664 NATHAN ROAD, 6TH FLOOR, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.

THE FORM WILL APPLY TO ALL BUT FIVE CLOTHING ITEMS LISTED UNDER HONG KONG IMPORT AND EXPORT CLASSIFICATION LIST GROUP NOS. 841 AND 842. THE FIVE ITEMS TO WHICH FORM 418A DO NOT APPLY ARE:

(I) 841 294 WATCH STRAPS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS

(II) 841 303 WATCH STRAPS, LEATHER

(III) 841 592 HELMETS, STEEL

(IV) 841 593 HELMETS, FIBRE, CRASH, PITH AND THE LIKE

(V) 841 601 GLOVES, RUBBER

THESE WILL HAVE TO BE DECLARED UNDER THE EXISTING EXPORT DECLARATION FORM C AND I 418.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

FUN TIME FOR CHILDREN UNDER S.W.D. CARE

M M K M H M-

HUNDREDS OF PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED TRAINEES UNDER THE CARE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S REHABILITATION CENTRES AND CLUBS WILL HAVE AN ENJOYABLE TIME THIS CHRISTMAS. A SERIES OF PARTIES AND ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR THEM TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON.

ONE OF THE LARGEST SINGLE FUNCTIONS WILL BE A CHRISTMAS PARTY ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 18) FOR 400 CHILDREN AT THE SHERATON HOTEL. MOST OF THE CHILDREN WILL COME FROM REHABILITATION CENTRES AND CLUBS. OTHERS WILL BE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CHUK YUEN RECEPTION CENTRE FOR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY CENTRES.

THE TWO-HOUR PARTY, BEG I NN I NG'i AT 10.30 A.M., WILL FEATURE SANTA CLAUS AND IT IS ALSO HOPED TO HAVE DONALD DUCK AS WELL.

ON FRIDAY, BOTH THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE IN WONG CHUK HANG, ABERDEEN, WILL HOST A JOINT PARTY FOR 400 OF THEIR TRAINEES.

BESIDES AN OPEN-AIR ACROBATIC SHOW, THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY TV ARTISTES AND A CONCERT BY A BAND OF BLIND MUSICIANS. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PARTY WILL BE AN EYE-CATCHING +WHEELCHAIR DANCE+. THE PARTY STARTS AT 2.30 P.M.

ALSO ON THAT DAY, THE CHUK YUEN RECEPTION CENTRE FOR CHILDREN, WILL HOLD A PARTY FOR THE ORPHANS AND ABANDONED CHILDREN UNDER ITS CARE. THIS WILL START AT 10.30 A.M.

NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 22), KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE IN KWUN TONG WILL THROW A PARTY BEGINNING AT 10.30 A.M. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE AND TO TRAINEES WHO HAVE ACHIEVED THE BEST PERFORMANCE IN THEIR TRAINING. THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL SOCIAL SERVICE TEAM WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT.

ON DECEMBER 23, THE WORLD REHABILITATION TRAINING FUND DAY CENTRE WILL HOLD A PARTY AT WHICH RADIO HONG KONG’S CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT. THE TRAINEES THEMSELVES WILL STAGE A KUNG FU DANCE AND A FOLK-SONG SESSION.-

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AND WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO GUEST PERFORMERS.

NOTE 'TO ED I TORSs

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THESE FUNCTIONS.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

WELFARE DIRECTOR TOURS VILLAGE FOR RETARDED CHILDREN

* K * K * #

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, SPENT MORE THAN AN HOUR TOURING PINE HILL VILLAGE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN TAI PO THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.

MR. LEE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR. KHOO TAI-PIN, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION.

THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE VILLAGE BY MRS. J. BREMRIDGE. THE CHAIRMAN- THE REVEREND S.F. SIDEBOTHAM, COUNCIL MEMBER- MR. F.C. TANG, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, AND MRS. B. CHU. DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S FUND.

AFTER THE TOUR, THE PARTY HELD DISCUSSIONS ON PLANS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF PINE HILL VILLAGE, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF A VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE WITH RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, A SHELTERED WORKSHOP, A SPECIAL SCHOOL AND A SERVICE CENTRE.

PINE HILL VILLAGE WAS SET UP IN 1973. IT PROVIDES THREE SERVICES AT PRESENTER MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, NAMELY: THE PINE HILL TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE TRAINING OF RETARDED PERSONS IN THE MODERATE GRADES- THE PINE HILL PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THREE AND SIX AND THE PINE HILL SEVERE GRADE UNIT WHICH CATERS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS WHOSE I.Q. ARE BELOW 30.

RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE AND THE SEVERE GRADE UNIT.

------0---------

N.T. ’’WALK FOR A MILLION” * K H X M

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN, MR. JAMES HAYES, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, ON THE SUBJECT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WALK FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 18. TOMORROW’S CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 4.45 P.M. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.

----o ----------

/6........

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

RESERVOIRS 93 PER CENT FULL KOKH# /

■ M .,,A 62.450 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WAS IN STORE

no oLk<-RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING CENT 0F THE FULL ST0RAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION

GALLONS.

°N THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 55,861 MILLION GALLONS.

MH I .H0NG K°NS’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 48,571 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 96.2 PER CENT OF 1TS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS YEAR, IT HELD 40,386 MILLION GALLONS.

AT THIS TIME LAST

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS 119.23 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS 84.74 IN).

AT 3,028.5 MM

YEAR IS 2,152.4 MM

- - 0--------

DDSW TO PRESENT PRIZES AT COLLEGE SPORTS MEET X H M

NOTE TO ED I TORS

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, WILL PRESENT PRIZES AT THE ANNUAL ATHLETICS MEETING OF THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE AT THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND ON • WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 17) AT 4 P.M.

COPIES OF HIS SPEECH WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE G.I.S. . PRESS ROOM ON THAT DAY.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1975

- 7 -

WATER CUT it if it it if

WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A. 11. TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (DECEMBER 18) TO ENABLE A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY SAIGON STREET, NATHAN ROAD, JORDAN ROAD AND SHANGHAI STREET.

— o —

CAREERS *76 EXHIBITION if if if if

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION — CAREERS ’76 — FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL OPEN FROM Wednesday (December 17) until Sunday, December 23.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, DR. KEITH LEGG. WILL ADDRESS AND OPEN THE EXHIBITION AT 11 A.M. AT THF CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL ON WEDNESDAY.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER 10 COVER THE EVENT.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

APPLICATIONS FOR SHIPMENTS UNDER US-GSP NOW ACCEPTED .... 1

MAINTENANCE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO NEEDY STUDENTS .............. 2

ELECTRICAL SAFETY EXHIBITIONS TO BE STAGED .................. 3

TWO SITES IN CLEARWATER BAY TO BE AUCTIONED.................. 4

SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION OPEN FOR APPLICATION 4

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SPEAKS ON PURPOSE OF SCHOOLING ................................................... 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975 -1-APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED FOR SHIPMENTS TO U.S. UNDER G.S.P.

* * * *

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WAS ACCEPTING, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, APPLICATIONS FOR "FORMS A" IN RESPECT OF GOODS SHIPPED TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THAT COUNTRY’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES.

THE U.S.-G.S.P., OF WHICH HONG KONG WAS RECENTLY MADE A BENEFICIARY, GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1976.

UNDER THE SCHEME, ABOUT 2,700 HONG KONG PRODUCTS INCLUDING CERTAIN TOYS, PLASTIC ARTICLES, MOTION CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ACCESSORIES ARE ALLOWED INTO THE UNITED STATES DUTY-FREE.

THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SOME PRODUCTS WHICH WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SAME BENEFIT, HAVING BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME. THESE ARE TEXTILES, WATCHES, FOOTWEAR AND SOME ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, DESCRIBED BY THE UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES AS "IMPORT-SENSITIVE."

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT TO CLAIM U.S.-G.S.P. THE COST OF DOMESTIC MATERIALS PLUS THE DIRECT MANUFACTURING COST OF THE ITEM IN QUESTION MUST BE EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 35 PER CENT OF ITS EX-FACTORY VALUE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD SENT OUT TO MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS TODAY A CIRCULAR (CERTIFICATE OF PREFERENCE CIRCULAR 23/75), CONTAINING INFORMATION ON HOW THE US—GSP WORKS, AND HOW TO FILL OUT THE FORMS A IN RESPECT OF IT.

HE ADDED THAT A COUNTER HAD BEEN SET UP IN THE CERTIFICATION BRANCH ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO HANDLE ANY FURTHER ENQUIRES TRADERS MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THE SCHEME.

_ _ 0 - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

- 2 -

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTHAM GRANTS INVITED « * K H » K

STUDENTS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CARRY ON THEIR STUDIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR MAY NOW APPLY FOR THE GRANTHAM MAINTENANCE GRANTS.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, AN APPLICANT MUST BE TAKING A SECONDARY OR MATRICULATION COURSE, OR A TECHNICAL COURSE AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, OR THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.

DIPLOMA STUDENTS AT THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AND UNDERGRADUATES AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES CAN ALSO APPLY.

THE OVER-RIDING CRITERION FOR AWARDS WILL BE FINANCIAL NEED. THE GRANTS ARE INTENDED FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO DID NOT NEED A GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIP AT FIRST BUT WHO NOW HAVE TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE OF A DROP IN THE FAMILY INCOME.

AWARDS ARE NOT NORMALLY MADE TO STUDENTS WHO ALREADY HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP OR HAVE ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN INTEREST-FREE LOANS OR FEE REMISSION.

UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS WHOSE FAMILY EARNINGS HAVE DROPPED MAY APPLY.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN NOW BE OBTAINED FROM THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT’S TRUST FUNDS OFFICE ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 141 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

THE COMPLETED FORM, TOGETHER WITH A SWORN STATUTORY DECLARATION ON FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES, MUST BE RETURNED THROUGH THE HEAD OF THE APPLICANT’S SCHOOL BY JANUARY 19.

/ 3 ......

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

- 3 -

EXHIBITIONS ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY

* * * M * *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TO STAGE A SERIES OF MINI EXHIBITIONS ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY.

THE EXHIBITIONS ARE DESIGNED TO REMIND CONSTRUCTION SITE EMPLOYEES OF THE DANGERS ARISING FROM THE USE OF FAULTY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS, THE COMMON MALPRACTICES IN THE USE OF ELECTRIC POWER, AND THE METHODS OF MINIMISING OR OBVIATING SUCH HAZARDS.

ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS, AS THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING OFFICER, MR. T.K. CHAN, POINTED OUT, HAVE DOUBLED OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

IN 1974, 50 PER CENT OF THE FATAL AND ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE NON-FATAL ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OCCURRED IN BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION SITES.

THE EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED ON BOARD THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE DISPLAY VAN AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.

THE FIRST OF THE SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF GAMMON (H.K.) LTD. FOR THE NEW CAMPUS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN YUK CHOI ROAD, HUNG HOM. THE TWO-DAY DISPLAY BEGINS AT 10.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 19).

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, MR. HO SAI-CHU, AT 10.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 19) AT THE SITE FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S NEW CAMPUS IN YUK CHOI ROAD, HUNG HOM.

---- /4.....

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

- 4 -

N.T. LAND SALES ******

TWO LOTS OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL USE IN THE CLEARWATER BAY AREA WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION NEXT MONTH.

ONE SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 27,600 SQ. FT., IS IN SILVERSTRAND. THE OTHER WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 62,500 SQ. FT. IS IN TA KU LING.

THEY WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 13 IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFF ICE AT THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES. THE AUCTION BEGINS AT 2.30 P.M.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION NORTH kAU/i nnN MAGISTRACY. TAI PO ROAD. AND AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.

SALE PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.

SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND: APPLICATIONS INVITED

******

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION WAS SET UP IN 1970 TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO PROJECTS WHICH WILL HELP DEVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL AND ENCOURAGE THE PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE BY YOUNG PEOPLE.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE FUND, C/0 COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT AT 1A GARDEN ROAD, 1ST FLOOR, NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 26, 1976.

ANY APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER THAT DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

- o - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

- 5 -

AIM OF EDUCATION TO PRODUCE LEADERS ******

THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION IS TO ENABLE PUPILS TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS OF HONG KONG AND NOT JUST TO FIND A JOB, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION), MR. YEUNG KAI-YIN, SAID THIS AFTERNOON.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE JOINT ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE BUDDHIST WONG FUNG LING COLLEGE AND THE BUDDHIST WONG CHEUK UM PRIMARY SCHOOL.

♦NOWADAYS, THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED NOT ONLY TO IMPART MODERN KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT TO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS, BUT ALSO TO IMPART THIS KNOWLEDGE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO EXCITE YOUR INTEREST AND TO TRAIN AND REFINE YOUR POWERS OF JUDGEMENT,* MR. YEUNG SAID.

REFERRING TO SOCIAL STUDIES, HE EMPHASISED THAT A PROPER APPRECIATION OF HONG KONG’S HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS WOULD HELP US +TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN SURVIVE IN FUTURE.*

A PROPER APPRECIATION OF GROGRAPHY +TELLS US THAT WE ARE A VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE EAST AND THE WEST, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF TRADE AND TRAVEL.*

MR. YEUNG ADDED THAT A PROPER APPREICATION OF +OUR RECENT HISTORY TELLS US THAT WE HAVE BECOME A POWERFUL MANUFACTURING AND EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF A FORTUNATE COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE 195OS AND 196OS.

+THIS COMBINATION CONSISTED OF THE INFLUX OF CAPITAL, EQUIPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL EXPERTISE FROM CHINA, OF THE CREATION OF A SERIES OF NON-DISCRIM INATORY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON WORLD TRADE AND OF COMMONWEALTH PREFERENCE- OF A LARGE, HARDWORKING LABOUR FORCE- AND OF THE GROWTH OF OUR PORT, OUR SHIPPING, BANKING AND OTHER FACILITIES ALL HAPPENING AT ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME.

+TO ALL THESE FACTORS WE OWE OUR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SUCCESSES OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS OR SO,* HE SAID.

/+AS HONG KONG HAS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1975

- 6 -

AS HONG KONG HAS NO NATURAL RESOURCES IT MUST EXPORT ITS MANUFACTURES IN ORDER TO LIVE.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID; +WE HAVE HAD A FORTUNATE COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AS LUCKY AGAIN, FOR OUR TRADING PARTNERS ARE TENDING TO LOOK LESS FAVOURABLY ON US THAN ON OUR COMPETITORS IN THE TREATMENT OF OUR EXPORTS.

+WE HAVE, THEREFORE, TO EARN THEIR GOODWILL AND TO CONTINUE IMPROVING UPON THE QUALITY OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY WANT TO BUY FROM US.+

MR. YEUNG SAID THAT GONE WERE THE DAYS WHEN A GOOD MANAGER WAS A PERSON WHO COULD EXPRESS HIMSELF WELL.

+NOWADAYS A GOOD MANAGER MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOUNDED ON SUCH THINGS AS THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF A PROPOSAL OR A PROJECT, THE COMPANY’S OR THE PROJECT’S CASH FLOW, AND THE LIKELY BEHAVIOUR OF HIS CLIENTELE, ALL OF WHICH REQUIRE A SOUND APPRECIATION OF PRACTICAL MATHEMATICS,* HE SAID.

-------0---------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEED TO MONITOR POPULATION GROWTH RECOGNISED ................. 1

LEGISLATION ADOPTED TO PROTECT PEOPLE WORKING IN CO. PRESSED AIR CONDITIONS ................................... 3

PUBLIC URGED TO HEED FIRE WARNING ............................ 5

WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG AND TSIM SHA TSUI ..................... 5

POLYTECHNIC DIRECTOR PROPOSES NEW WAYS TO HELP YOUTHS CH>OSE A CAREER .............................................. 6

TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER TO BE PUBLISHED TOWARDS END OF NEXT

YE/'.R ....................................................... 8

LEVY ON CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO FINANCE TRAINING SCHEME FOR BUILDING INDUSTRY ............................................ 9

ME. SURES TO STOP MALPRACTICES BY TAXI-DRIVERS ............. 10

CO ERHt'ENF’S USE GF OFFICE SPACE BEING REVIEWED............. 11

MO. E POSTS SOUGHT FOR FORENSIC LABORATORY .................. 12

CE, TIFICATED MASTERS REPORT BEING FURTHER EXAMINED......... 12

EA. LY START TO BUILD TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE BLIND NOW PO. SIDLI.................................................... 13

FEASIBILITY OF KCR-MTR INTERCHANGE UNDER STUDY .............. 13

MORE YOUNG VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN BUILDING A BETTER CO; MUN I I Y ............................................... 14

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY Oil SALARY RISES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS RE TATLD .................................................... 15

Bl'LS PASSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ......................... 15

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

POPULATION GROWTH MUST BE CAREFULLY WATCHED x x x x H

POPULATION GROWTH MUST BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND THE PROGRAMME TO MEET THE NEED FOR FURTHER PUBLICITY AND PROVISION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES MUST BE INTENSIFIED, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. F.K. LI, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE PROJECTED POPULATION GROWTH OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WAS LIKELY TO BE ABOUT 80,00J, OR JUST LESS THAU TWO PER CENT A YEAR.

MR. LI SAID THIS INDICATED THAT +A PRODLEM EXISTS AND THAT IT MUST BE CAREFULLY WATCHED.*

HE SAID THE WORK DONE BY THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION +MUST NOT DE ALLOWED TO DISSIPATE* AUD THE GOVERNMENT +IS BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS SO WELL BEGUN.+

HE CONTINUED : +CONTROL OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MUST BE SEEN IN THIS CONTEXT AND GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS ARE RECOGNISED NOT ONLY IN THIS COUNCIL BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HUNG KONG AT LARGE.+

MR. LI SAID WHAT POLICY MAKERS HAD TO ASSESS WAS THE +RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN A POPULATION BEING TOO HIGH AND IT BLING TOO LOU.*

HE DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S PROBLEMS AS +UNIQUE+. EIGHTY-FIVE PER CENT OF THE POPULATION ARE LIVING IN ONLY 15 SQUARE MILES OF SPACE.

+IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT,* HE SAID, +THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND MURE recently has become involved in the direct provision of THESE SERVICES.*

THE SECRETARY SAID EXCESSIVE POPULATION GROWTH WOULD HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.

+WHILE WE HAVE NOT ADOPTED ANY ECONOMIC DISINCENTIVE MEASURES AIMED TO DISCOURAGE POPULATION GROWTH, THE RATE OF GROWTH IN HUNG KONG COMPARES REASONABLY WELL WITH THAT OF SINGAPORE,* HL SAID.

PRESENT FIGURES INDICATE THAT WHILE IB PER CENT OF MARRIED WOMEN BETWEEN 15 AND 49 WERE ATTENDING FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS III 1970, BY 1974 THE FIGURE HAD INCREASED TO 28 PER CENT.

MR. LI SAID : +THIS PERCENTAGE MUST BE FURTHER INCREASED IF OHLY BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THIS CATEGORY WILL RISE BY ALMOST ONE-FIFTH OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.*

/EARLIER, .......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 2 -

EARLIER, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WHO RAISED THE MATTER OF +SOCIAL PLANNING AND POPULATION GROWTH* IN THE DEBATE, CALLED FOR A +POSITIVE EXPRESSION BY GOVERNMENT OF A POPULATION POLICY SUITED TO THE VITAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG FOR THE COMING YEARS.+

HE SAID 8 +WITHOUT A WELL-DEFINED AND WELL-ACTIVATED POPULATION POLICY, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE NO MORE THAN HALF-A-CHANCE TOWARDS ACQUIRING EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.*

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT IN SO FAR AS THE CONTROL OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAS CONCERNED, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED AiJD CONTINUED TO ADOPT THE MOST PRACTICABLE MEASURES AVAILABLE UNDER CONDITIONS AS THEY VARIED FROM TIME TO TIME.

+YET,+ HE SAID, + IN REGARD TO INTERNAL POPULATION GROWTH, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR SHOWN A ’SHYING AWAY’ ATTITUDE IN EXAMINING AND PROPOSING HORE EFFECTIVE MEASURES AT POPULATION GROWTH.*

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE DID NOT PROPOSE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOLLOW WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES WERE DOING TO TACKLE PROBLEMS G. POPULATION GROWTH. +OUR POPULATION POLICY SHOULD BE TAILORED To OUR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND SPECIFIC NEEDS,* HE SAID.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

3 -

PROTECTION FOR WORKERS IN COMPRESSED AIR CONDITIONS

* * M H M

NEW REGULATIONS APPROVED BY PROTECT PEOPLE FROM SICKNESS AND AN ENVIRONMENT OF COMPRESSED AIR

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WILL ILL HEALTH CAUSED BY WORKING IN

MOVING A RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THESE COMPLEX REGULATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE. SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD BE USING COMPRESSED AIR FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PROJECT WERE AWARE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE REGULATIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE BASED ON INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT WORKING IN COMPRESSED AIR COULD BE HAZARDOUS. IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS WERE NOT TAKEN, AND IF THE CORRECT PROCEDURES WERE NEGLECTED DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS COULD RESULT.

HE EXPLAINED THAT COMPRESSED AIR WAS REQUIRED TO KEEP OUT EXCESS WATER WHICH MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TUNNELLING THROUGH POROUS ROCK OR SOIL. +THE PRESSURE OF THE COMPRESSED AIR DEPENDS, TO SOME EXTENT, UPON THE DEPTH BELOW GROUND AND THE POROUSNESS OF THE SOIL IN WHICH THE WORK IS BEING PERFORMED.+

THE ILLNESS — DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS — WHICH MAY RESULT FROM WORKING IN COMPRESSED AIR IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT WHEN A PERSON LEAVES THE WORK ING.AREA HE MUST ENTER A MAN LOCK AND BE BROUGHT BACK BY CAREFULLY CONTROLLED STAGES TO THE NORMAL PRESSURE.

+UNLESS THIS IS DONE WITH METICULOUS REGARD FOR THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN DECOMPRESSION TABLES (WHICH ARE PART OF THE REGULATIONS). THE COMPRESSED AIR WHICH HAS BEEN ABSORBED IN THE BLOOD, OR TISSUE FLUIDS, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE, WITH THE RESULT THAT BUBBLES OF GAS FORM IN THE BODY,+ MR. PRICE SAID.,

THIS COULD CAUSE PAIN, PARTICULARLY IN THE JOINTS AND LIMBS, RANGING FROM RELATIVELY MILD DISCOMFORT TO REALLY INTENSE SUFFERING, LEADING TO COLLAPSE. OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDED HEADACHES, GIDDINESS, CONVULSIONS, VOMITTING AND NUMBNESS OF THE LIMBS.

THE ONSET OF DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS, MR. PRICE SAID, COULD OCCUR HOURS AFTER THE WORKER HAD LEFT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE.

+THE SYMPTOMS MAY BE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF DRUNKENESS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY SO. OR THE WORKER MAY COLLAPSE. IT IS VITAL THAT HE BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MEDICAL LOCK WITHOUT DELAY.

+THEREFORE THOSE WORKING IN COMPRESSED AIR EXCEEDING 14 P.S.I. MUST WEAR, NEXT TO THE SKIN, A WARNING BADGE SUPPLIED BY THE EMPLOYER GIVING THE ADDRESS OF THE MEDICAL LOCK TO WHICH HE MUST BE SENT IF TAKEN ILL.+

/MR. PRICE......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

MR. PRICE SAID HE HAD TAKEN STEPS TO ENSURE THAT MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, HOSPITALS AND THE POLICE WOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS BADGE.

THE MAIN EMPHASIS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LARK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS WAS THE PROVISION OF SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR BRINGING BACK A PERSON FROM THE WORKING PRESSURE TO NC :MAL ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID.

THE REGULATIONS COVERED FOUR BROAD AREAS

if THE PROVISION OF PROPER EQUIPMENT, CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BV TRAINED AND RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE.

if DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR DECOMPRESSION.

if PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH EDUCATION.

if THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND FACILITIES ON SITE IN THE EVENT OF SICKNESS.

MR. PRICE STRESSED THAT EACH WORKER MUST BE INFORMED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING ALL THE PROCEDURES IN THE REGULATIONS.

AN ADVISORY LEAFLET WILL BE ISSUED, AND EXPLAINED, TO EACH WOi;KER= IT WILL GIVE SIMPLE AND CLEAR ADVICE TO HIM ON WHAT TO DO IF HE FEELS ILL AFTER LEAVING THE SITE.

MR. PRICE SAID REGULATIONS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN FORCE IN MANY COUNTRIES. +THEY ARE DERIVED FROM U.K. REGULATIONS, AS UPDATED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES RESEARCH'AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION, BUT HAVE BEEN TAILORED TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS. CONSULTATIONS WERE ALSO HELD WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF Tile U.K. MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS PANEL.+

+THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION HAD ENDORSED THE REGULATIONS*, HE ADDED.

-------0 ---------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

FIRE DANGER: PUBLIC URGED TO DE ALERT it it k it n

A FIKE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED ME 1BERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HEED THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING NO./ IN FORCE FOLLOWING A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES DURING THE PAST TWO DAYS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE 44 FIRES YESTERDAY, AND 34 ON MONDAY. ON THE PREVIOUS SIX DAYS THE AVERAGE NUMBER Or FIRES WAS 14.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE HUi iiDITY LEVEL, IT TOOK ONLY A SIMPLE ACT OF CARELESSNESS TO START A FIRE.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED ALL VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO PUT OUT CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES DEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM.

+GROUPS PLANNING BARBECUE PARTIES SHOULD USE AREAS SET ASIDE FOR THIS PURPOSE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT,+ HE SAID.

IN THE HOME, RUBBISH SHOULD DE CLEARED REGULARLY AND GREAT CARE SHOULD EE EXERCISED WHEN HANDLING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES SUCH AS HEATERS. MATCHES OR LIGHTERS SHOULD HOT BE LLFT WiiHIN REACH OF CHILDREN.

THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON FACTORY MANAGEMENTS TO HAVE THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS CHECKED BY QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS, PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE WIRING.

+WE URGE THE PUBLIC TO CALL US IMMEDIATELY THEY SEE A Fl.'E AND NEVER TO ASSUME THAT OTHERS HAVE ALREADY DONE SO,+ HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

WATER INTERRUPTION it -X -X it it it

A HUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM 10 P.M. ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 19) TO 8 A.M. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY TO ALLOW WATERWORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

AFFECTED WILL EE PREMISES IM 165-189 WAI YIP STREET, 30-'.6 AND 31-47 HUNG TO ROAD, 66-68 AND 94-96 HOW MING STREET, AUD 41-51 TSUN YIP STREET.

IN TSIM SHA TSUI, SUPPLY TO THE AREA BOUNDED DY AUST IN AVENUE, CHATHAM ROAD, OBSERVATORY ROAD, KIMBERLEY ROAD AND RATHAN ROAD, INCLUDING THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, UILl LE INTERRUPTED BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. Oil FRIDAY.

WEDNESDAY, DECE-1BER 17, 1975

JUNIOR CAREER SOCIETIES PROPOSED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE n n u n

THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, DR. KEITH LEGG TODAY CALLED FOR THE FORMATION OF JUNIOR CAREER SOCIETIES BASED IN CONVENIENT CENTRES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AUD HELP YOUNG FcOPLE IN THE CHOICE OF CAREERS.

HE PROPOSED THIS IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREER □RllDJTIOii— CAREERS ’76 --AT THE CITY HALL.

THE EXHIBITION IU OPEN DAILY FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 7 P.M. AND CLOSES AT *j P.M. ON DECEMBER 23.

DR. LEGG SAID HE HAD DEEN INVOLVED WITH CAREERS INFORMATION IN A VARIETY OF WAYS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND HE OFTEN OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS MUCH UNTAPPED ADVICE WHICH COULD BE HARNESSED IF PROPERLY COORDINATED.

SOME COUNTRIES EMPLOYED JUNIOR SOCIETIES BASED ON EDUCATIONAL OR INDUSTRIAL CENTRES Hl CONVENIENT LOCATIONS.

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, ORGANISER OF CAREERS ’76, WAS SHOWING THE WAY ARD +WE MIGHT HOW /SK THE QUESTION WHETHER IT IS TIME TO INSTITUTE A GREATER DEGREE <F PARTICIPATION,HE SAID.

DR. LEGG NOTED THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRY ARD COMMERCE WERE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED AND IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN ARD INCREASE ITS COMPETITIVENESS.

+HOHG KONG IS ALSO BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE SOCIAL NEEDS Or THE COMMUNITY -- HELP FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, FOR THE /GFD AI;D FOR THE PHYSICALLY HAND I CAPPED. THERE IS ALSO THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, FOR LESS NOISE, AND LESS ATMOSPHERIC /.HD WATER POLLUTION.

+ALL OF THESE FACTORS ARE OPENING UP HEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR f’MPl OYMFIJT AMD THERE ARE MANY EODH-.S IN HONG KONG THAT POSSESS, <,R COULD DEVISE, CAREERS INFORMATION OH ALL OF THESE AREAS AS '.JELL AS OH EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES,* HE SAID.

SUCH BODIES INCLUDED THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS, EDUCATIONAL UNITS, TRAINING DODIES, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND HANY ASSOCIATIONS Ai.D SOCIETIES.

/+! SUGGEST .......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1?, 1975

- 7 -

+l SUGGEST THAT THESE COULD BE HARNESSED TO FORM A COORDINATED PATTERN OF JUNIOR CAREER SOCIETIES BASED ON THE MOST CONVENIENT CENTRES IN HONG KONG INCLUDING THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+l WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO OFFER THE POLYTECHNIC AS ONE OF THESE CENTRES NOW. TOGETHER WITH THE ADVISORY SERVICE. WE MIGHT EMBARK ON A PIONEERING VENTURE IN THIS DIRECTION.*

HOPING THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HIS PROPOSAL, DR. LEGG ADDED: +l AM SURE THAT SUCH MEASURES ARE ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO PROVIDE THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE REQUIRE AND INDEED DESERVE IF THEY ARE TO CHOOSE THEIR CAREERS WISELY AND CORRECTLY BOTH FOR THE GOOD OF THEMSELVES AND HONG KONG.*

ON CAREERS '76, HE SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS EXHIBITION IN THE ANNUAL CALENDAR COULD NOT BE OVER-RATED. +THE ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON THE STAFF OF THE ADVISORY SERVICE AND I AM SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE GREATLY APPRECIATES THE EFFORT.+

HE SAID IT SEEMED TO DE AXIOMATIC IN MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CHOSE AND ENTERED A CAREER IN A VERY CASUAL WAY AND WITH A CONSIDERABLE LACK OF INITIAL INFORMATION. YET THERE COULD BE FEW MORE IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN LIFE THAN THAT OF CHOOSING A CAREER.

THE DECISION ON CAREER CHOICE WAS NOT ONLY THE CONCERN OF YOUNG PEOPLE BUT ALSO OF THE POPULATION GENERALLY AND PARENTS’ IN PARTICULAR. +IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT PARENTS ALSO ACQJ IRE ACCURATE CAREERS INFORMATION AND I URGE ALL PARENTS OF CHILDREN FACING A CAREER CHOICE TO ATTEND THIS EXHIBITION IF THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

+l AM SURE THAT THE EXHIBITION WILL NOT GIVE THE ANSWER TO EVERY SPECIFIC CAREER QUESTION IN SPITE OF THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION PROVIDED. HOWEVER, EVEN IF THIS IS SO, A VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION WILL STILL PROVIDE SOURCES AND CONTACTS WHICH CAN BE FOLLOWED UP TO YIELD AN ANSWER TO ANY CAREER QUEST I ON.+

TOUCHING ON BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR WORK, DR. LEGG SAID THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURE AND PRODUCTION TO THE PRESENT OR FUTURE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.

+THUS THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THESE AREAS ARE NOT ONLY GREAT BUT THEY ARE VERY SATISFYING AND REWARDING. WHAT MATTERS THEN IF PEOPLE GET THEIR ’HAND DIRTY’ IN THE PROCESS?*

/ON CAREERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 6 -

ON CAREERS FOR GIRLS, HE SAID: +THE EMPHASIS ON FEMALE REPETITIVE LABOUR MUST REDUCE AS AUTOMATION ADVANCES. WE THEREFORE HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE GIRLS TO LOOK TO NEW HORIZONS IN THEIR CAREERS AND SPECIFIC CONCENTRATION ON THIS AREA IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT.*

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, INTRODUCING DR. LEGG WHO WAS AN ENGINEERING APPRENTICE FROM 1940 TO 1945, COMMENDED HIM AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT APPRENTICES COULD ACHIEVE.

+1 STRESS THIS POINT BECAUSE IN HONG KONG THERE IS STILL PREJUDICE ON THE PART OF PARENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE AGAINST DOING WORK WHICH DIRTIES ONE’S HANDS,+ MR. PRICE SAID.

-----o------

TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER EXPECTED IN DECEMBER 1976 ft ft ft ft ft ft

A WHITE PAPER ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR ACCORDING TO PRESENT PLANS.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, SAID SEVEN OUT OF NINE TESTS TO BE CONDUCTED BY CONSULTANTS WITHIN A COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE FINAL TWO TESTS WOULD BE COMPLETED +WITHIN A MONTH OR SO.*

+THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE SUBMITTING A REPORT ON THE CONCLUSIONS TO BE DRAWN FROM THEIR RESEARCHES ON SUCH MATTERS AS THE FUTURE ROLE FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, FOR THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND FOR THE FRANCHISED BUSES,+ HE SAID.

THERE WOULD ALSO BE INDICATIONS OF THE REQUIRED ROAD EXPENDITURE AND, ANY NECESSARY LIMITATIONS ON ROAD USE SUCH AS RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF PRIVATE CARS, IF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE TO BE PROVIDED AT ACCEPTABLE SPEEDS OVER THE YEARS AHEAD.

+THE POLICY RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER WILL BE BASED BOTH ON THIS REPORT AND ON FURTHER TESTS TO BE CARRIED OUT DY A BACK-UP TEAM OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS,* MR. ROBSON SAID.

- - 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 9 -

TRAINING LEVY ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS W H « « ii « K

BUILDING CONTRACTORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A LEVY OF 0.25 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF WORKS WORTH MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS TO FINANCE A MAJOR TRAINING SCHEME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

THE RATE OF LEVY, WHICH HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, WAS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING ON THE MOTION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE, SAID THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY WAS CURRENTLY ESTABLISHING A TEMPORARY OFFICE AND RECRUITING STAFF, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS‘FOR COLLECTING THE LEVY WOULD BE READY BY EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE LEVY WILL COME INTO EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THE RESOLUTION IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.

THE TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE TRADE IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN APRIL, 1977 IN TAI YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY.

MR. PRICE EXPLAINED THAT CONSTRUCTION WORKS VALUED BELOW $250,000 WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE LEVY BECAUSE THEY +UOULD BE MAINLY OF A DECORATIVE NATURE OR MAINTENANCE* AND IT WOULD BE +EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY* TO COLLECT THE LEVY ON SUCH WORKS.

INCOME FROM THE LEVY ON THE ESTIMATED $3,000 MILLION WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE LEVY NEXT YEAR WILL YIELD $7.5 MILLION.

THE TOTAL CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF THE AUTHORITY IS ESTIMATED AT $7.1 MILLION. THE REMAINING $0.4 MILLION WOULD Ph-OVIDE FOR A SMALL RESERVE.

MR. PRICE SAID THAT THE AUTHORITY’S CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AT $6.5 MILLION, COMPRISED PROFESSIONAL FEES AND PAYMENTS FOR TliE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRAINING CENTRE AND FOR ITS EQUIPMENT.

$0.4 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WILL BE REQUIRED

FOR STAFF SALARIES AND OFFICE RENT. ABOUT $0.2 MILLION MIGHT HAVE TO BE PAID AS INTEREST ON THE PART OF A LOAN FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE USED TO MEET CAPITAL COSTS DURING THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR.

MR. PRICE SAID THE AUTHORITY HAD DECIDED TO FINANCE THE PROJECT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THE LEVY ONLY AND THAT IT WOULD DRAW UPON THE LOAN ONLY IF IT WAS NECESSARY.

+THIS WILL NOT ONLY REDUCE TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST TO BE PAID, BUT ALSO SHOULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO BE QUICKLY SELF-SUPPORTING, THUS ALLOWING GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE LOAN AT SOME DATE FOR SOME OTHER IMPORTANT PURPOSE,* HE ADDED.

------o ------ /10 ..........

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 10 -

SOLUTION SUGGESTED TO STOP MALPRACTICES OF TAXI-DRIVERS H M M

THE ONLY EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO STOP MALPRACTICES OF TAXIDRIVERS IS PROBABLY +T0 INCREASE COMPETITION WITHIN THE TRADE TO THE EXTENT THAT DRIVERS WILL RISK LOSING MONEY IF THEY REFUSE PASSENGERS OR DEMAND HIGHER FARES,+ THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES .ROBSON, SAID TODAY.

HE DISCLOSED THAT PROPOSALS FOR INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF TAXIS WOULD BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.

MR. ROBSON WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS ON MEASURES TO PREVENT MALPRACTICES OF TAXI-DRIVERS BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SOME OF THE MALPRACTICES POINTED OUT BY MR. LOBO ARE REFUSING TO ACCEPT PASSENGERS, CARRYING PASSENGERS WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE METERS, DEMANDING HIGHER PAYMENTS FOR CERTAIN JOURNEYS, AND TAKING ON ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS DURING A JOURNEY.

MR. ROBSON STRESSED THAT ONLY AN +IRRESPONSIBLE MINORITY* OF DRIVERS BEHAVED BADLY AND THE EVIDENCE WAS THAT THE MAJORITY GAVE AN HONEST SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

HE SAID HE WOULD DISCUSS THE SUBJECT WITH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOMORROW AND WOULD INFORM MR. LOBO OF THE COMMITTEE’S VIEWS.

MR. ROBSON POINTED OUT THAT EXISTING LAW HAD ADEQUATE PENALTIES FOR MALPRACTICES BUT NOT MANY AGGRIEVED PASSENGERS WOULD COME FORWARD TO COMPLAIN TO THE POLICE AND GIVE EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A PROSECUTION.

+DUT EVEN SO, DURING THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 170 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT IN RESPECT OF THIS KIND OF OFFENCE AND OUT OF THESE 170 CASES 142 HAD SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROCEED FURTHER,* HE SAID.

APART FROM THESE PROSECUTIONS, MR. ROBSON SAID, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ALSO SOUGHT THE SUPPORT OF THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS IN DISCIPLINING THEIR MEMBERS, BUT NOT ALL TAXI DRIVERS BELONGED TO AN ASSOCIATION.

-----o------

/" ......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 11 -GOVERNMENT’S OFFICE SPACE NEEDS BEING LOOKED INTO iAAii J

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID TODAY A STUDY WAS BEING MADE INTO THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHODS OF MEETING THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM OFFICE ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS.

HE SAID THE STUDY WAS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WITH THE ADVICE OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE.

MR. MCDONALD WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE HON. LO TAK-SHING WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO REBUILD THE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING IN CENTRAL, OLD MURRAY BUILDING OR NEW RODNEY BLOCK.

+IT IS NOT UNLIKELY,* THE DIRECTOR SAID, +THAT SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS ACCOMMODATED IN THE THREE BUILDINGS NAMED MAY IN THE REASONABLY NEAR FUTURE BE MOVED ELSEWHERE TO MEET THEIR OWN OR PUBLIC NEEDS.*

THERE WERE NO PLANS TO REBUILD ON THE FIRE BUILDING SITE. HE SAID, AND THE INTENTION WAS TO RELEASE THE SITE FOR SALE.

+A STUDY IS IN HAND TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A MULTI-USER BUILDING ON THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL FIRE STATION TOGETHER WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

+IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE ONLY OTHER OCCUPANT OF THE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING, WILL BE ACCOMMODATED EITHER IN A CUSTOM-DESIGNED BUILDING ON THE WANCHAI RECLAMATION OR IN LEASED ACCOMMODATION,* HE ADDED.

THE DIRECTOR NOTED THAT THE SITE OF OLD MURRAY HOUSE WAS PART OF A LARGE SITE EARMARKED FOR A COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT TO ACCOMMODATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A PUBLIC CAR PARK AND A NEW SUPREME COURT BUILDING.

+THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH IS STUDYING THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THIS LOCATION AND COULD CONCEIVABLY ADVISE AGAINST PROCEEDING WITH THE SCHEME AS PLANNED.

+IF SUCH ADVICE IS TENDERED AND ACCEPTED,* HE SAID, +THE SITE, EITHER WHOLLY OR IN PART, WOULD BE OFFERED FOR SALE.*

ON NEW RODNEY BLOCK, MR. MCDONALD SAID THIS WAS SITUATED IN AN AREA PLANNED FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, AND ALTHOUGH NO DECISION HAD YET BEEN TAKEN ON ITS FUTURE, THE BUILDING WOULD BE RETAINED.

------o-------

• /12.......

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 12 -

MORE POSTS FOR FORENSIC LABORATORY

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE HON. GERALD CHOA, WILL SEEK APPROVAL FOR THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS FOR THE NEW FORENSIC LABORATORY STAFF TO PROVIDE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AS REQUIRED BY THE COURTS AND TO MEET THEIR MANY OTHER COMMITMENTS.

REPLYING TO THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, HE DESCRIBED THE PRESENT SITUATION AS +EXCEPTIONAL+ AND SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS +NOT JUST ONE OF INSUFFICIENT STAFF FOR THE NARCOTICS SECTION BUT ONE OF INSUFFICIENT STAFF FOR THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY.+

DR. CHOA SAID THE SECTION WAS NORMALLY CAPABLE OF HANDLING ROUTINE INVESTIGATIONS AND THE WORK INVOLVED WHEN A CLANDESTINE FACTORY WAS UNCOVERED. +BUT,+ HE SAID, +IT CANNOT COPE WHEN SEVERAL CASES OCCUR TOGETHER.+

' TO HANDLE THIS KIND OF SITUATION, STAFF WAS PREVIOUSLY BORROWED FROM OTHER SECTIONS OF THE LABORATORY. +AS OTHER SECTIONS ARE NOW MORE THAN FULLY OCCUPIED NO STAFF CAN BE DEPLOYED,* DR. CHOA SAID.

THE DIRECTOR SAID IN JULY THIS YEAR, HE ASKED FOR THE CREATION OF FIVE ADDITIONAL POSTS AND THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS NOW PREPARING A PAPER FOR SUBMISSION TO FINANCE COMMITTEE.

HE SAID IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN SUITABLE STAFF AND THESE ADDITIONAL-POSTS WOULD THEREFORE MAKE LITTLE IMPACT IN THE SHORT TERM.

HE GAVE A WARNING THAT THERE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE +DELAYS IN PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IF THE NUMBER OF CASES REQUIRING SUCH EVIDENCE CONTINUES AT THE PRESENT HIGH LEVEL.*

-------0 --------

REPORT ON TEACHERS : POINTS TO BE FURTHER EXAMINED If * H « ft * »

SEVERAL POINTS IN THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON CERTIFICATED MASTERS ARE NOW BEING FURTHER EXAMINED, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO THE HON. LI FOOK-WO WHO HAD ASKED WHEN THE REPORT WOULD BE PUBLISHED.

THE SECRETARY SAID THE REPORT WAS CONSIDERED”BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH, FOLLOWING WHICH SEVERAL POINTS WERE ORDERED TO BE FURTHER EXAMINED.

- - O.-

/13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

13 -

EARLY START EXPECTED ON TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE BLIND ******

A PROJECT TO BUILD A TRAINING CENTRE FOR MENTALLY RETARDED FL I ND CHILDREN AND A VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR BLIND ADULTS SHOULD SOON MATERIALISE, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK KOW, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MISS KO SIU WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MR. LI SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS INCLUDED AS A POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT FOR NEXT YEAR IN THE 1975 REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE-YEAR PLAN.

THE VOLUNTARY AGENCY SPONSORING THE PROJECT HOWEVER HAS RECEIVED A GENEROUS OFFER OF MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM THE CHRISTOFFEL BL INDENMISSION OF WEST GERMANY TO MEET THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS.

+IN VIEW OF THE DONOR’S DESIRE TO MOVE QUICKLY, THIS MATTER WAS DISCUSSED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT THE RELEVANT SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE SUB-COMMITTEE ADVISED THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

+IF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONCURS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT A START CAN SOON BE MADE ON THIS PROJECT,* HE SAID.

------0-------

MTR-KCR LINK UNDER STUDY * * * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO BUILD AN INTERCHANGE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AT KOWLOON TONG, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE SAID A STEERING GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE RAILWAY TO EXAMINE THE PROPOSAL.

THERE WERE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGES, MR. ROBSON SAID, AS +THIS INTERCHANGE WOULD PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO HONG KONG AND URBAN KOWLOON FOR RAILWAY PASSENGERS AND ACCESS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR MASS TRANSIT PASSENGERS.*

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT +IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER IT IS FEASIBLE.*

------0------

/14.....

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 14 -

YOUNG PEOPLE NEEDED AS VOLUNTEERS

M * K K *

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, TODAY URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO DIRECT THEIR TALENTS AND ENERGY TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY BY HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE.

MR. MORGAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL ATHLETICS MEETING OF THE JU CHING CHU ENGLISH COLLEGE HELD TODAY AT THE TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND.

HE NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS, HONG KONG HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MANY NEW SERVICES AND FACILITIES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE OVER THE PAST DECADE HAD INCREASED MORE THAN TEN-FOLD.

+HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL ROOM IN MANY AREAS FOR ADDITIONAL HELP, AND NOT NECESSARILY FINANCIAL,+ HE SAID.

VOLUNTEERS COULD MAKE A VERY REAL CONTRIBUTION IN MANY SERVICES IN THEIR SPARE TIME, HE POINTED OUT.

MR. MORGAN SAIDi +EXPERIENCE BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, WHERE THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEERS IS INCREASINGLY RECOGNISED, HAS SHOWN THAT THEIR USE IS MOST EFFECTIVE IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH GROUPS, WITH THE ELDERLY IN THEIR HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS AND WITH THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DISABLED.*

• f • ' ,

+THERE IS THUS PLENTY OF SCOPE FOR VOLUNTEERS, OF WHOM MORE AND MORE ARE NEEDED AND ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.*

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, HE SAID, WOULD BE MOST HAPPY TO PUT YOUNG PEOPLE, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS, IN TOUCH WITH THE RIGHT ORGANISATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE FULL TEXT OF MR. MORRIS MORGAN’S SPEECH IS DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE G.I.S. PRESS ROOM FOR COLLECTION.

------0 - - - -

/15.......

WEDIJESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1975

- 15 -

SALARY RISES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS: POLICY RESTATED # x- h n n «

THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE REGARD TO +GENERAL PUBLIC POLICY AS WELL AS ITS NORMAL PAY POLICY+ WHEN CONSIDERING SALARY INCREASES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. J.H. BIffiMRIDOE HE SAID +THE GOVERNMENT MUST DECIDE THE PRIORITY TO BE GIVEN TO ITS DUTY TO BEHAVE AS A REASONABLY GOOD EMPLOYER, AS AGAINST ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES AND OTHER COMPETING CLAIMS ON ITS LIMITED RESOURCES.+

THE MAIN PRINCIPLE, MR. JONES SAID, WAS THAT CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE REMUNERATED AT LEVELS WHICH THEY MIGHT EXPECT TO OBTAIN IN COMPARABLE EMPLOYMENT WITH REASONABLY GOOD EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WITHIN THIS PRINCIPLE, IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD A REASONABLE CLAIM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF REAL INCOME PROVIDED THAT THIS WAS ALSO THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER EuPLOYEES, HE SAID.

HE SAID CIVIL SERVANTS DID NOT HAVE +AN AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO HAVE THE REAL VALUE OF THEIR SALARIES PROTECTED.+

MR. JONES SAID WHEN CONSIDERING SALARY INCREASES, THE GOVERNMENT LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYER, MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ITS ABILITY TO PAY IN THE LICHT OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILING AT THE TIME.

-------0--------

BILLS PASSED X X

THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION)(AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1975 AND FOUR OTHER BILLS PASSED THROUGH THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE OTHER BILLS WERE THE TRUSTEE (AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION) BILL 1975, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (RECRUITING OF SEAMEN) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1975, THE SUPREME COURT BILL 1975 AND THE CHEERO CLUB INCORPORATION (REPEAL) BILL 1975.

THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 AND THE PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL. DEBATE ON THEIR SECOND READING WAS ADJOURNED.

A MOTION SETTING A 0.25 PER CENT LEVY ON THE VALUE OF ALL CONSTRUCTION WORKS OVER ($250,000 WAS ADOPTED.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1D75

CONTENTS PAG£ N°:.

HONG KONG TO INTRODUCE UNILATERAL RESTRAINTS ON GARMENT EXHORTS TO NORWAY .......................................... 1

GUIDE-BOOK ON PINEAPPLE DAM NATURE TRAIL NOW ON SALE ...... 2

MANUFACTURERS URGED TO HELP EMPLOYMENT SURVEY .............. 3

NEW EXTENSION TO KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE TO

BE OPENED .................................................. 4

BUSY TIME FOR FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU ...................... 5

CHRISTMAS PARTY ORGANISED FOR THE HANDICAPPED .............. 6

+CARNIVAL FOR CHILDREN* ON PING CHAU ....................... 6

CHILDREN IN FIVE TAI PO PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL TAK17 UP THE BROOM FOR +CLEAN HONG KONG* ................................ 7

TEMPORARY WATER INTERRUPTION IN MORTH POINT AND SHATIN . .7

SECTIONS OF ARGYLE STREET AND FLYOVER CLOSED ............... 8

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CHESTER ROAD AREA .......... 8

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong KongrTel: 5'233191

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

- 1 -

UNILATERAL RESTRAINTS ON GARMENT EXPORTS TO NORWAY if if ?f if if if

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT HONG KONG WOULD UNILATERALLY INTRODUCE RESTRAINTS ON EXPORTS OF A NUMBER OF -GARMENTS TO NORWAY WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT FOLLOWING A THIRD ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS WITH NORWEGIAN OFFICIALS WHICH WAS HELD IN OSLO FROM DECEMBER 8 TO 12, 1975.

IT BECAME CLEAR AT THESE CONSULTATIONS THAT NO FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARDS AGREEMENT COULD BE MADE FOR THE TIME BEING, AND THE CONSULTATIONS WERE ADJOURNED IN ORDER THAT THE NORWEGIAN AUTHORITIES MIGHT CONSIDER THEIR POSITION FURTHER.

IN ORDER TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE TRADE, AND AFTER CONSULTING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE UNILATERAL RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL SUCH,TIMES AS A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT CAN BE FINALISED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY.

THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS INVOLVE THE CONTINUATION OF EXPORT RESTRAINT ON SIX OF THE CATEGORIES UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS COVERING SUCH ITEMS AS BRIEFS AND PANTIES, SHIRTS, BLOUSES AND TROUSERS. ADDITIONALLY, HONG KONG WILL VOLUNTARILY RESTRAIN EXPORTS OF CERTAIN OTHER JACKETS, SWEATERS, STOCKINGS AND SOCKS WHICH NORWAY WAS ABLE TO SHOW DURING THE CONSULTATIONS WERE CAUSING MARKET DISRUPTION.

THE PRESENT EXPORT REGISTRATION SCHEME WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1976 BUT MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THREE NEW ITEMS AND EXCLUDE SOME OF THE NEW ITEMS NOW BEING PLACED UNDER RESTRAINT.

DETAILS OF THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1976 TO DECEMBER 1976 ARE ANNOUNCED IN NOTICE TO EXPORTERS SERIES 3 NO. 30/75.

-----0-----

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

- 2 -

GUIDE BOOK ON NATURE TRAIL ON SALE

M H H H H

A NEW GUIDE-DOOK ON THE PINEAPPLE DAM NATURE TRAIL, ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF JUBILEE RESERVOIR, IS NOW ON SALE AT 31.50 EACH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.

THE TRAIL IS THE SECOND COUNTRY PATH OPENED UP BY

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S COUNTRY PARK PROGRAMME FOR RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.

THE FIRST NATURE TRAIL — THE DRAGON’S BACK — ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS OPENED LAST YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE PINEAPPLE DAM TRAIL IS A PATH THROUGH AN AR,EA OF PLEASANT COUNTRYSIDE.

+ALONG THE PATH, NUMBERED MARKER-POSTS ARE PLACED AT STRATEGIC POINTS TO DRAW THE VISITOR’S ATTENTION TO SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST.*

EACH MARKER-POST REFERS TO A PARAGRAPH IN THE GUIDEBOOK WHICH ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE SCENERY, GEOLOGY, WILDLIFE, VEGETATION AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE AREA.

BESIDES ENHANCING THE INTEREST OF NATURE-LOVERS, THE BOOK COULD ALSO LE USED AS A TEACHING AID TO STUDENTS WHO WANT TO OBSERVE THE THINGS THEY HAVE LEARNT IN SCHOOL.

THE WALK WOULD LAST HALF AN HOUR TO TWO HOURS, DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN AT EACH STOP.

SCHOOL PARTIES WISHING TO VISIT THE TRAIL ARE ADVISED TO REACH JUBILEE RESERVOIR BY SCHOOL BUS. SMALLER PARTIES CAN USE THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICE FROM TSUEN WAN.

+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTED NOT TO COLLECT OR DAMAGE THE VEGETATION ALONG THE TRAIL,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

VISITORS ARE ALSO STRONGLY URGED TO KEEP THE TRAIL CLEAN BY USING THE LITTER BINS PROVIDED, AND BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO START ANY FIRE.

_-----0------- , n

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

- 3 -

MANUFACTURERS URGED TO RETURN SURVEY CARDS EARLY H M K * K

THE CENSUS AND STATISTIC DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH HAVE NOT YET RETURNED THE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY CARDS SENT TO THEM EARLIER THIS MONTH TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID, +IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A COMPLETE COVERAGE IN ORDER TO UP-DATE THE DIRECTORY OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THE SAMPLE SURVEYS IN THE FOLLOWING THREE QUARTERS.+

HE STRESSED THAT INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION SUPPLIED TO THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND WOULD BE USED ONLY FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.

SOME 35,000 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS ARE COVERED BY THE FULL-SCALE SURVEY. OF THESE SEVERAL THOUSAND HAVE NOT RETURNED THEIR CARDS AND REMINDERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THEM.

MANAGEMENTS WERE ASKED TO COMPLETE THE CARDS WITH THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND VACANCIES AS AT DECEMBER 4.

A SURVEY IS ALSO BE I NG-MADE ON EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCY SITUATIONS IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE, AND RETAIL TRADES, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES.

MANAGEMENTS OF SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS SURVEY.

PROMPT RETURN OF COMPLETED SURVEY CARDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, WOULD SAVE THE DEPARTMENT FROM THE UNNECESSARY BURDEN OF INDIVIDUAL FOLLOW-UPS, AND WOULD ENABLE THE SURVEY RESULTS TO BE RELEASED EARLIER.

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

OFFICIAL OPENING OF AN EXTENSION TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

******

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. MORRIS MORGAN, WILL MELT A CHAIN WITH OXY-ACETYLENE - THE TECHNICAL VERSION OF CUTTING THE RIBBON - AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A NEW EXTENSION TO THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE TRAINING CENTRE WAS FOUNDED IN 1965 BY THE LUTHERAN WORLD SERVICE TO PROVIDE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAINING TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

IN RECENT YEARS, ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP SPACE WAS NEEDED TO MEET DEMAND FOR THE EXPANDING TRAINING PROGRAMMES.

TWO NEW FLOORS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY ADDED TO THE EXISTING PREMISES WITH A $51.9 MILLION GOVERNMENT GRANT AND A $)2OO,OOO DONATION FROM THE LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION IN GENEVA.

THE NEW WORKSHOPS HAVE FAC ILITlES FOR TRAINING IN AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION MAINTENANCE, GENERAL ELECTRICAL MECHANICS, TELEVISION REPAIR, CARPENTRY, MACHINE SHOP PRACTICE AND AUTOMOBILE REPAIR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 11 A.M. AT THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, 5, TSUI PING ROAD, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON.

-----0------

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

- 5 -MORE DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES INSPECTED # M K M M K

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH INSPECTED 124 VEHICLES USED TO CARRY INFLAM-1ABLE LIQUIDS AND COMPRESSED GASES.

THIS BRINGS TO 460, THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE INSPECTION SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR WHEN NEW REGULATIONS INVOLVING ANNUAL LICENSING OF SUCH VEHICLES WERE INTRODUCED.

DURING NOVEMBER, A TOTAL OF 7,149 COMPLAINTS WAS INVESTIGATED, OF WHICH 5,925 RELATED TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE. INSPECTIONS ON MEANS OF ESCAPE NOT ARISING FROM COMPLAINTS NUMBERED 907.

THERE WERE 2,652 INSPECTIONS ON FACTORIES AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL PREMISES, 601 ON PREMISES USED FOR STORING OR MANUFACTURING DANGEROUS GOODS, AND 313 ON BUILDING VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

OTHER INSPECTIONS INCLUDED; SCHOOLS (232), FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS (31'1), RESTAURANTS AND NIGHTCLUBS (260), PLACI S OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY (113), NEON SIGNS (5), TIMBER YARDS AND STORAGE (16) AND MISCELLANEOUS (142).

ELEVEN FIRES WERE INVESTIGATED BY OFFICERS FROM THE BUREAU. IN ADDITION, 496 PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING PROJECTS SUBMITTED TO THE BUREAU FOR PROCESSING WERE FINALISED- 608 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED- AND Z9 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT FOR V'RI OUS OFFENCES RESULTING IN THE IMPOSITION OF FINES AMOUNTING TO OVER $23,500.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

-6-

CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR 400 # # n n k h

THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED AND THE KAI CHI CHILDREN’S CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED WILL HOST A JOINT CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR 400 OF THEIR TRAINEES AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL ATTEND THE PARTY AND MR. MORRIS MORGAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO VOLUNTEER WORKERS.

IN THE PARTY, THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY TV ARTISTES, AN OPEN-AIR ACROBATIC SHOW, A CONCERT BY BLIND MUSICIANS AND A WHEELCHAIR DANCE.

NOTE TO ED I TORS

YOU ARE CORDIALLY' INVITED TO COVER THE PARTY AT THE ABERDEEN REHADILITATION CENTRE, WELFARE ROAD, WONG CHUK HANG, HONG KONG.

----------0 - - - -

CARNIVAL FOR PING CHAU CHILDREN « K « H « H

ABOUT 1,000 YOUNGSTERS IN PING CHAU WILL BE ENTERTAINED THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 21) IN A +CARNIVAL FOR CHILDREN*.

THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PLAYGROUND OF CHI YAN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN PING CHAU BETWEEN 1 AND 5 P.M.

THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE LAM TIN ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE TO PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN IN PING CHAL'= TO AROUSE INTEREST AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WELFARE AND TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE THERE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

------o------

/ 7.....

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

- 7 -

BEACH.CLEANING AT SHUEN WAN * « « If * H

CHILDREN ATTENDING FIVE PRIMARY

SCHOOLS IN TAI PO WILL

SPEND SATURDAY MORNING (DECEMBER 20).......... „ S.IUEN WAN (TOLO HARBOUR) AS PART OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.

CLEANING BEACHES AT

THE CLEANING OPERATION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TJ PO RURAL COMMITTEE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CLEAN TAI PO COMMITTEE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.

THE OPERATION WILL BEGIN WITH A CEREMONY AT WHICH ’LAP SAP CHUNG’ AND VARIOUS T.V. PERSONALITIES WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. A VEHICLE (REGISTRATION NO. AM 3274) WILL LEAVE TSIM SHA TSUI SUE-POOL BEHIND THE POST OFFICE AT 10.30 A.H. TO TAKE PRESS REPRESEI NATIVES TO SHUEN UAH.

-------o _ _

WATER CUT

X • \t M « t

WATER SUPPLY fO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE INTERRUPT!".) FROM < A.M. TO 6 A.fl. Oil SATURDAY (DECEMBER 20) TO i-ACILI TATE A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CAR.; I ED OU i'.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE NORTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM TIN CHIU STREET TO MANSION STREET, JAVA RO YD FROM TIJ CHIU STREET TO KING’S ROAD, MARBLE ROAD FROM TIN CHIU STREET TO HEALTHY STREET : EST AND TIN CHIU STREET.

IN SHATIN, WATER SUP. LY TO SHATIN SCHOOL, HEUNG FAN LIU VILLAGE, SHATIN li!N AND UIOI YUEIJ (LUNG YUEN) VILLAGE WILL EE INTERRUPTED ON i’HE SAM?. DAY FROM 1 P.M. TO 5 P.M. TO ENABLE WATERWORKS TO EE C .RR I ED OUT.

-----0------

/ 0.......

- a -

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET FLYOVER AND ARGYLE STREET CLOSED if if if if if if

mE MeW

li KOWLOON HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC: ARGYLE STREET FLYOVER — TiiE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN KAI TAK ROAD AND HOUSE NO.250 ARGYLE STREET13 AND ARGYLE STREET -- THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN THE WESTERN EDGE OF KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT AND HOUSE NO.250 ARGYLE STREET.

AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL TRAFFIC BY WAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND LOMOND ROAD. \

THE EXISTING BUS STOPS IN ARGYLE STREET OPPOSITE THE PRINCE HOTEL ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. BUS SERVICES N0.2A, 6B, 9, 10, 13D. 16 AND 212 ARE FOLLOWING THE ABOVE RE-ROUTING AND ARE USING THE EXISTING BUS STOPS IN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD OUTSIDE THE PRINCE HOTEL.

DRAINAGE AND ROAD-REPAIR WORK IN THE ARGYLE STREET AND FLYOVER AREA IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ONE MONTH. TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE ELEN ERECTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

_ _ 0

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS if if if if if if

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE CHESTER ROAD AREA OF KOWLOON TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

STARTING FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (DECEMBER 19), THE SECTION OF DERBY ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND CHESTER ROAD WILL DE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND WHILE CHESTER ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND WITH INTERNAL TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. THE SECTION OF FLH F ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND CHESTER ROAD WILL DE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FIVE NON-GOVERNHENT ORGANISATIONS AUTHORISED TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN .................................... i

NEW RENT CONTROL EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS AND FORMS TO BE AVAILABLE ............................................... 2

SPECIAL DIB SUPPLEMENT ON NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT .. 3

TRAINING COURSE FOR TOOL AND DIE MAKERS .................. 'i

. MAIL DELIVERY DURING X’MAS HOLIDAY ....................... 4

IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY EMPHASISED AT EXHIBITION 5

LAND TO DE RECLAIMED AT LAI CHI KOK FOR PUBLIC PARK .... 6

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SPEAKS ON NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE

IN ALL ASPECTS ...................................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975.

NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN KO#*#

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FROM JANUARY 1, 1976, FIVE NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS WILL BE AUTHORISED TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN (FORM A) FOR GOODS SHIPPED UNDER GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES TO JAPAN AND SWITZERLAND.

THE GOVERNMENTS OF AUSTRIA AND CANADA HAVE ALSO BEEN REQUESTED TO ACCEPT FORMS A CERTIFIED BY THESE ORGANISATIONS.

UP TO NOW, ONLY THE COMMERCE AND THESE CERTIFICATES.

INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ISSUED

THE FIVE ORGANISATIONS ARE : THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES- THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE STAFF OF THE FIVE ORGANISATIONS HAVE UNDERGONE TRAINING IN THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND ARE FULLY COMPETENT TO DEAL WITH FORM A APPLICATIONS.

A D C AND I SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FIVE ORGANISATIONS WOULD APPLY THE SAME RULES AND PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THAT CLOSE CO-ORDINATION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THROUGH A +CERTIFI CAT I ON CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE+ WHICH COMPRISES SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE ORGANISATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT.

MOST GOODS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO EXPORT LICENSING IN HONG KONG. FOR THOSE THAT ARE, THE D C AND I, IN ANOTHER MOVE TO ASSIST HONG KONG TRADERS, INTRODUCED TWO MONTHS AGO AN.ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSSHIPMENT CARGO WHEREBY AN EXPORTER COULD SHIP AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF CONSIGNMENTS UNDER ONE LICENCE VALID FOR THREE MONTHS, a

HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSTANTLY SEEKING WAYS OF REDUCING TRADE FORMALITIES TO A MINIMUM, A POLICY WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO HON: KONG’S TRADE SUCCESS.

-------o---------

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19,1975

NEW FORMS FOR USE UNDER RENT CONTROL LAW K M M

SPECIFIED FORMS FOR USE UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANTS (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) ORDINANCE 1975 AND SIMPLE EXPLANATORY BOOKLETS WILL SHORTLY BE AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICES OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS AND DISTRICT OFFICES.

THE AMENDED ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED ON WEDNESDAY BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ALLOWS FOR INCREASED RENTS TO BE CHARGED FOR PRE-WAR PREMISES, BOTH DOMESTIC AND BUSINESS, BUT ONLY WHERE THE CURRENT RENT BEING PAID IS BELOW THE NEW PERMITTED LEVEL.

WHERE THE CURRENT RENT IS EQUAL TO OR MORE THAN THE NEW PERMITTED RENT, A TENANT WILL NOT BE OBLIGED TO PAY ANY INCREASE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, COMMENTING ON THE AMENDED ORDINANCE, SAID TODAY THAT THE ACTUAL INCREASES, IN MONEY TERMS, WOULD BE COMPARATIVELY SMALL.

IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN INCREASE IN RENT, A LANDLORD WILL HAVE TO SERVE ON HIS TENANT A NOTICE OF INCREASE AND A COPY OF THE NOTICE MUST BE SENT TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION FOR ENDORSEMENT.

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS CAN ALSO APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR HIS ASSESSMENT OF STANDARD RENT WHICH IS THE BASE FIGURE UPON WHICH THE PERMITTED INCREASES ARE CALCULATED.

FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE NEW ORDINANCE REMOVES PROTECTION FROM FRESH LEASES FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE AND ALSO FROM LETTINGS HELD IN THE NAMES OF GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS AND SO ON.

THE MAJOR CHANGE, HOWEVER, IS THE ALTERATION OF THE FACTOR, FROM FIVE TO FOUR, WHICH IS USED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF INCREASE IN RENT PERMITTED FOR POST-WAR PREMISES.

+THIS CHANGE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PROGRESS, AT AN ACCEPTABLE PACE, TOWARDS EVENTUAL DECONTROL.+

HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT FOR PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE NOT EXCEEDING 330,000.

/THE PROPOSAL .....

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975

THE.PROPOSAL TO ALLOW INCREASE IN RENT FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WHERE THE LANDLORD HAS SPENT MONEY ON IMPROVEMENTS WAS OMITTED FROM THE ORDINANCE PASSED ON WEDNESDAY.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING PUBLICATION OF THE BILL CONTAINING THIS PROPOSAL, A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT. THESE WERE CONCERNED MAINLY WITH THE DIFFICULTY OF APPLICATION OF THE PROVISIONS AND THE MINIMUM AMOUNT TO BE SPENT.

IT WAS AGREED THAT THIS PROPOSAL REQUIRED FURTHER STUDY AND IT WAS THEREFORE WITHDRAWN. +HOWEVER, IT IS INTENDED TO RE-INTRODUCE IT, SUITABLY AMENDED, EARLY NEXT YEAR,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

- - 0 - -

STATEMENT ON NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT

NOTE TO EDITORS:

FULL TEXT OF A JOINT STATEMENT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT . AND THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ON THE NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO THE ISSUE ARE CONTAINED IN A SUPPLEMENT TO TODAY’S DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN.

- - 0

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975.

COURSE ON TOOL AND DIE MAKING

*****. J ;

TWO EXPERTS IN TOOL AND DIE MAKING FROM BRITAIN HAVE BEEN INVITED TO CONDUCT A PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE COURSE FOR THE TRAINING OF TOOL AND DIE INSTRUCTORS IN HONG KONG.

1 ' V

THE COURSE, TO BE RUN BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, IS ORGANISED TO MEET THE NEED OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES FOR TOOL AND DIE MAKERS.,

IT WILL BE HELD FROM 9 A.M. TO 7 P.M. EVERY THURSDAY FOR 34 WEEKS STARTING FROM JANUARY 15.

THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WILL BE ENGLISH, BUT WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY CHINESE INTERPRETATION.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR PEACES ON THE COURSE. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE TOOL AND DIE MAKERS OR SHOULD EXPECT TO BE EMPLOYED AS ONE. THEIR EMPLOYERS WILL BE ASKED TO RECOMMEND THEM FOR THE COURSE.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND MUST BE RETURNED BY JANUARY 3.

------0-------

ONE LETTER DELIVERY ON BOXING DAY ******

LETTER DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS AND COUNTER BUSINESS FACILITIES FOR THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE GENERAL POST OFFICE TODAY.

THERE WILL BE TWO DELIVERIES ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 21) AND ONE ON BOXING DAY, BUT THERE WILL BE NO DELIVERY ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.

ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.

ON BOXING DAY, 32 POST OFFICES, INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON. ALL OTHER POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.

-----0------

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975 - 5 -

ELECTRICITY CAN BE AN INVISIBLE DANGER

* K ft ft * ft

ELECTRICITY CAN BE A HIDDEN OR INVISIBLE MENACE IF NOT HANDLED WITH CARE.

THIS IS THE MESSAGE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AIMS TO PUT ACROSS TO PEOPLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THROUGH A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY EXHIBITIONS STAGED ON BOARD A MOBILE VAN AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.

OPENING THE FIRST OF THESE EXHIBITIONS TODAY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, MR. HO SAI-CHU, SAID THAT THE TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICITY WAS THAT IT COULD NOT BE SEEN BUT IT COULD BE FELT.

+AND WHEN IT IS FELT, IT IS ALWAYS TOO LATE TO REGRET. THIS INVISIBLE DANGER IS PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITES WHERE DARK CORNERS, WET SPOTS, AND CRAMPED AREAS ARE COMMON,+ HE SAID..

MR. HO POINTED OUT THAT IN 1974, 50 PER CENT OF THE FATAL AND 30 PER CENT OF THE NON-FATAL ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS REPORTED TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OCCURRED IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

+THIS INDEED IS A SAD PICTURE AND IT DEMANDS GREAT ATTENTION AND EFFORT FROM EVERYONE INVOLVED TO REDUCE SUCH ACCIDENTS.+

BECAUSE OF THE TEMPORARY NATURE OF MANY OF THE WORKS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, HE SAID ELECTRICIANS OR FITTERS TENDED TO USE HOME-MADE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AND SUBSTANDARD INSTALLATIONS AND FITTINGS THAT MIGHT COME HANDY. +THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS.+

MR. HO WENT ON TO SAY THAT QUITE OFTEN MANAGEMENTS WERE INCLINED TO THINK THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCIDENT PREVENTION RESTED SOLELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

+MAY I POINT OUT HERE THAT THIS THINKING IS UNFAIR AND COULD ONLY LEAD TO MISCONCEPTION. SAFETY IS IN FACT EVERYONE’S BUSINESS. THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REQUIRES WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT FOR WORKERS AND MANAGEMENTS ALIKE.

+0N BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION, I WOULD LIKE TO APPEAL TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE EXHIBITIONS SO THAT THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE EDUCATIONAL FUNCTIONS OFFERED BY THESE SAFETY EXHIBITIONS AND APPLY THE ACCIDENT PREVENTION TECHNIQUE SO LEARNT TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHER FELLOW WORKERS.+

+/HE ALSO......

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975

- 6 -

HE ALSO URGED SITE WORKING PERSONNEL TO PASS ON THE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THE EXHIBITION TO FELLOW COLLEAGUES AND TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

MR. HO FURTHER ENCOURAGED EMPLOYERS AND MANAGERIAL STAFF TO CONTACT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ARRANGEMENT OF SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS TO DE STAGED AT THEIR SITES.

TODAY’S EXHIBITION, HELD AT THE GAMMON (HK) LTD. SITE FOR THE NEW CAMPUS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN YUK CHOI ROAD, HUNG HOM, WAS WELL ATTENDED BY GAMMON WORKERS AND POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS. IT WILL CLOSE AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE SECOND IN THE SERIES OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT THE SITE OF THE HIP HING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR THE NEW A.I.A. BUILDING IN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL OIJ TUESDAY (DECEMBER 23).

------0-------

LAND TO BE RECLAIMED FOR A PARK

M H H

LAND WILL BE RECLAIMED AT LAI CHI KOK BAY FOR A PUBLIC PARK.

THE PARK WILL HAVE SITTING-OUT AREAS, GAMES PITCHES, A SWIMMING POOL AND POSSIBLY A GAMES HALL.

THERE ARE ALSO PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FERRY PIER AND CONCOURSE.

MOST OF THE DUMPING MATERIAL FOR THE 27-ACRE SITE WILL BE EXCAVATED MATERIALS FROM MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WORKS.

THE EXTENT OF THE AREA INVOLVED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

ANYONE WHO HAS OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR HAS ANY CLAIM OF PRIVATE RIGHT SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.

CAN ALSO BE SEEN

------- 0 -----------

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1975

CONCEPT OF MODERN EDUCATORS TOWARDS THE CHILD it it k H n

EDUCATION SHOULD EMBRACE THE WHOLE OF MAN’S DEVELOPMENT -PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL - SO THAT HE MAY REALISE ALL HIS INNATE POWERS AND POSSIBILITIES THAT MAY BE OF VALUE TO HIMSELF AND TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID THIS EVENING.

+THE MAN WHO IS EDUCATED IS HOT JUST A LEARNED MAN, BUT A MAN OF BALANCED PERSONAL ITY,+ MR. TOPLEY TOLD THE GATHERING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL.

THIS IDEA HAD COMPLETELY ALTERED THE CONCEPT OF MODERN EDUCATORS TOWARDS THE CHILD, WHATEVER HIS AGE.

+THEY REALISE THAT THE HABITS OF THOUGHT, FEELING AND ACTION, WHICH HE IS FORMING FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF LIFE AND THROUGHOUT CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH, ARE AS MUCH A PART OF HIS EDUCATION AS THE SUBJECTS HE LEARNS AT SCHOOL.

+THE HOME AND THE SCHOOL ARE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE KIND OF MAN OR WOMAN THE CHILD WILL BE. THEY SHARE EQUALLY IN HIS EDUCATION WHICH WILL DECIDE WHETHER HE FINDS SOME MEASURE OF SELF-REALISATION AND DEVELOPS THE POWER TO ADJUST HIMSELF TO THE DEMANDS OF LIFE.

+FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW IT IS EDUCATION THAT DETERMINES ALSO WHETHER THE CHILD BECOMES AN ADULT WITH A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE LIVES, OR, LACKING MORAL STANDARDS, MAKES THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-AGGRANDISEMENT AND THE ACQUISITION OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS NO MATTER WHAT THE COST TO OTHERS,* THE DIRECTOR SAID.

MR. TOPLEY EMPHASISED THAT CHILDREN SHOULD EE ENCOURAGED IN THE HOME AND IN THE SCHOOL TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AMD TO USE THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE LIFE MORE INTERESTING AND WORTHWHILE.

HE ALSO REFERRED TO THE SPEECH BY THE PRINCIPAL OF DIOCESAN LOYS’ SCHOOL, MR. JAMES LOWCOCK, WHO COMMENTED ON A NUMBER OF FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT ONE SUCH ISSUE CONCERNED THE CLAIMS GF THE INDIVIDUAL VERSUS THOSE OF SOCIETY.

+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE SCHOOL MUST ACCEPT THAT ITS FIRST DUTY IS TO ITS PUPILS AS INDIVIDUALS. EACH PUPIL MUST BE REGARDED AS A UNIQUE PERSONALITY WITH HIS OWN NEEDS AND ABILITIES.

+AS AN INDIVIDUAL HE MUST BE RESPECTED= HE MUST BE GIVEN . THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SELF-REALISATION AND SELF-EXPRESSION. IF THIS IS NOT DONE AT ALL STAGES OF HIS DEVELOPMENT, HE WILL SUFFER FROM A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION OF WHICH HE WILL BE MORE OR LESS CONSCIOUS ALL HIS LIFE.*

/THE DIRECTOR .....

FRIDAY, DECZCMBER 19, 1979

- 8 -

THE DIRECTOR CAUTIONED AGAINST GIVING THE CHILD ONE-SIDED DEVELOPMENT, THAT IS CONSIDERING HIM ONLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND NOT CONSIDERING HIM ALSO AS A MEMBER OP A COMMUNITY.

+THERE IS A REAL DANGER THAT WHILE DEVELOPING HIS OWN NATURAL POWERS, HE WILL NOT EE AWARE OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

+THE GENERAL AIM SHOULD THEREFORE BE TO OFFER THE FULLEST SCOPE TO INDIVIDUALITY WHILE KEEPING STEADILY IN VIEW THE CLAIMS OF SOCIETY,* HE SAID.'

ON MR. LOWCOCK’S REFERENCE TO EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +IN THIS FIELD AS IN MANY OTHER FIELDS INCLUDING MORAL EDUCATION, I FULLY AGREE THAT EMPHASIS SHOULD EE LAID ON EVERYDAY APPLICATION RATHER THAN MERE PRECEPT - ON PRACTICE BOTH IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL RATHER THAN ABSTRACT CLASSROOM TEACHING.*

THE DIRECTOR PRAISED D.B.S. FOR OFFERING A LIBERAL EDUCATION WITH CONSTANT EMPHASIS ON ALL-ROUND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

HE SAID: +NOT OHLY DO THE PUPILS SHINE IN THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, BUT THEY ALSO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES IN MANY SPHERES OF.EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SPORT AND GAMES, MUSIC AND SPEECH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.*

-------Q----------

WOOO35 P.R. 33.

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

NFORMATION

SERVICES

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Friday, December 19, 1975

DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT

JOINT STATEMENT

United Kingdom Government and the Hong Kong Government have agreed on the size and the division of the cost of the British garrison in Hong Kong. This agreement will succeed the present 5-year agreement which expires on 31st March, 1976.

The new agreement reaffirms Her Majesty’s Government’s commitment to the security and integrity of Hong Kong and stipulates the size of the agreed garrison, which will be smaller than in the past, but which will be reinforced should circumstances so require. The garrison will in future include 4 Infantry Battalions (3 of them Gurkha), a Gurkha Engineering Squadron, 5 Naval patrol craft and an R/iF helicopter squadron. At current prices the cost will be £42)£m. a year which is some £20m. less than the present garrison. The Hong Kong Government will meet 50% of the cost of the garrison in the first year of the new agreement (1976/77), 62/;% in the second year and 75% in the 3rd and succeeding years, compared with a contribution in this financial year of about &11m. under the present agreement. The new agreement will run for 7 years initially and will be renewed for further period of 5 years on the same terms unless either Government wishes to vary them.

/An important .....

An important feature of the new agreement which was not included in earlier agreements, is that Hong Kong’s payments to the United Kingdom will be adjusted for changes in price levels. The greater part of the cost is incurred in Hong Kong and is thereby subject to price movements in Hong Kong rather than in the United Kingdom. The agreement makes provision for reviews of any aspect of the costs or composition of the garrison including the costs of the support elements, with any savings being shared in the same proportion as' the contributions.

Her Majesty’s Government has undertaken to release land currently occupied by the Services at Kai Tak (about 120 acres) and at Victoria Barracks (43 acres) in the years in which the Hong Kong contribution increases to 62## and 75% (1977/78 and 1978/79 respectively) subject to the reprovision elsewhere of essential service facilities by the Hong Kong Government. These two areas are already the property of the Hong Kong Government, which will bear the full cost of reprovisioning. The agreement also makes provision for t*he release for civil use of other land and buildings no longer required by the British Services.

The new agreement assures Hong Kong of a continuing British commitment, backed by a British garrison, for which Her Majesty’s Government will continue to pay a proportion of the cost. This will ensure that the stability and confidence which are so essential to Hong Kong’s prosperity are maintained in the future.

/3.......

- 3 -

COMMENT ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT BY _________THE ACTING GOVERNOR______________

The new Defence Costs Agreement has been concluded today between the Governments of Hong Kong and the United Kingdom - after very tough negotiations which have lasted for more than a year.

Understandably, the progress of these negotiations has aroused considerable public interest - and much anxiety lest the agreement should place on Hong Kong financial burdens which we should find it difficult to carry.

In the course of public debate and discussion, some have even questioned the need for there to be any garrison at all. Let me make it abundantly clear that the Government has no doubt whatsoever that a substantial British garrison is essential for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

It is the primary responsibility of any Government to maintain security. Unless this is assured, confidence in Hong Kong and its future would be shaken - with dire economic and social consequences.

Some of the critics, while accepting that a garrison of some kind is required, have asserted that it could be provided more effectively and cheaply by an enlarged and re-equipped police force, or by an augmented Hong Kong Regiment.

This possibility has been carefully e^Camined - by sol'iers, civilians and police. The clear conclusion is that such an alternative would give us a second-class army, lacking the professional skills traditions and spirit which make the superb British and Gurkha soldiers, sailors and airmen such an effective garrison. Furthermore, a local force would have to be larger, because we would not be able to rely on reinforcements from Britain, as we shall be able to do while we have a British garrison.

/A local ........

- 4 -

A local force would also be much more expensive, because the United Kingdom would not contribute anything towards its upkeep. Naval vessels, helicopters, vehicles, arms and armaments would have to be purchased by the Hong Kong Government and stockpiles of equipment, stores and ammunition would have to be maintained to provide the necessary support. All this would be very costly indeed«

Having accepted that a British garrison is essential, the Government has investigated in great detail the composition of the present garrison, in order to ensure that its strength and make-up are adequate and appropriate to our present needs, and that it contains nothing which is unnecessary. I believe that this has been achieved, with the willing co-operation of the Services themselves.

The overall cost of the forces stationed in Hong Kong in the next financial year will not exceed 3450 million - though it would have been 3700 million if we had continued .to maintain the same garrison which was here at the beginning of this year.

Throughout the negotiations with the British Government, we have argued strongly that Hong Kong’s contribution should be kept to a level which would affect other essential calls on our public resources as little as possible.

At an early stage, we were faced with the suggestion that we should meet the whole cost of whatever forces were stationed here. But our arguments have been successful to the extent that we shall now contribute half of the cost in the next financial year, rising to 62/^ in 1977/78 and 75% from April 1978 onwards.

/This will .......

- 5 -

This will involve a substantial increase over our present expenditure on defence, which is about 3110 million in this financial year. Nevertheless, we must keep this expenditure in proportion. In 1971/72, when the current cost sharing agreement came into force, we were paying for defence about 3*3% of our total expenditure. In 1976/77 under the new agreement, our contribution will be less than 3%, and by the third year of the agreement (when we reach our maximum contribution) it will still be less than 4%. These percentages must be compared with the 18% of our total expenditure which is set aside for education in the present financial year, the 8% spent on medical services and the 11% allocated to housing.

The additional charge on our finances oomes at a time when we are only beginning to recover from the world recession. However, taking into account the grave economic difficulties from which Britain is suffering , it would have been unrealistic to expect that we should not be called upon to make a larger contribution to such an important commitment as security.

And when we are trying to assess the reasonableness of the agreement, we should not overlook the areas of very valuable land which are to be returned to the Government. These will become available for redevelopment and will be of great benefit to the community, both financially and in terms of the amenities which they will make available.

Of course, the agreement is not as favourable to Hong Kong as we would have liked. Such agreements are seldom wholly satisfactory to either of the parties to them. Nevertheless the vital factor is that it guarantees that we shall continue to have an effective British garrison of the highest quality.

/Most important

-6 -

Most important of all, the British commitment to the integrity and security of Hong Kong is reinforced and restated by its terms. And the presence of a British garrison will ensure that confidence and stability which are so essential for Hong Kong’s prosperity are maintained in the future

LARGE AREAS OF LAND TO BE RETURNED TO _________HONG KONG GOVERNMENT_________

Seven valuable areas of land, including Victoria Barracks and R.A.F. Kai Tak, will be returned to the Hong Kong Government over the next four years under the new defence costs agreement announced today. The first land will be handed back before the end of next April.

The sites to be returned are Dodwell’s Ridge Camp (10 acres), Sai Kung Camp (24 acres), Sham Shui Po Camp (33 acres), two camps in Argyle Street (13.6 acres), R.A.F. Kai Tak (about 120 acres) and Victoria Barracks (43.4 acres).

In each case, no compensation will be paid by Hong Kong as was the practice in some instances in the past. This provision is clearly stated in the new agreement. It will apply also to any future releases of land that is no longer required for the garrison.

The Kai Tak site, which includes the whole of the old aerodrome and the officers’ mess on the opposite side of Kwun Tong Road is scheduled to be released by March 31, 1978.

/The R.A.F,

The R.A.F. units affected by the move will be repositioned at Sek Kong within the area already occupied by the Army. Technical accommodation for the helicopter squadron will be built at Sek Kong airstrip. Quarters for R.A.F. personnel will be.constructed nearby.

All but four acres of the Victoria Barracks site is scheduled to be returned to the Government by March J1, 1979* The headquarters and other units now in the barracks will be rehoused in a new complex to be built inside H.M.S. Tamar.

The four-acre site which is being retained by the Army is in one comer of the barracks and contains a newly-built multi-storey block; further quarters will be constructed on the site, ds part of the reprovisioning of the barracks.

The cost of repositioning the R.A.F. at Sek Kong and the Army and Joint Services/at^Hqs; HMS Tamar will be borne by the Hong Kong Government, at an estimated cost of 3175 million.

A Government spokesman said that the revenue to be realised as a result of developing R.A.F. Kai Tak and Victoria Barracks, after they have been vacated, will obviously depend on the decisions taken for their eventual use.

’•The revenue is, however, likely t^ be substantial and the return from the sale of only a part of these large areas will more than cover the cost of reprovisioning.”

The spokesman emphasised that the increase in Hong Kong’s contribution to the defence' costs to over 50 per cent is tied to the release dates of these two most valuable sites.

/Any delay

Any delay on the part of the Services in vacating the land would affect Hong Kong’s contribution under the terms of the agreement.

If, for instance, the Kai Tak land is not ready for release on the date stipulated (J1.J.78), in circumstances which are the responsibility of the British Government, then the contribution will remain at 50 per cent until the land is vacated.

Unite from the camps in Sham Shui Po and Argyle Street will be reprovisioned in existing army camps and this cost will be included in the normal services works programme which is part of the agreement, the spokesman added.

The Dodwell’s Ridge and Sai Kung camps will both be released within the first month of the new agreement.

The Sham Shui Po camp will be returned in two stages. The first covering about five acres will be released by November 1 next year and the remainder of the camp (28 acres) will be handed back by December 3% 1977.

The first of the two camps in Argyle .Street, covering some

4.5 acres will be returned by March J1, 1977; and the second (9.1 acres) by December }1, 1979*

Under the new agreement, about #59 million a year (out of the total cost of $4-50 million a year) will be spent on capital works, maintenance and minor works for the Services.

The spokesman pointed out that it has always been the policy of the garrison to hand back to the Government any land which is no longer required. .•

/”In future ••••.••

”In future all such land and buildings will revert to the Hong Kong Government, free of charge,” he said.

A recent example of this was the return in June, this year, of the Shouson Hill site (16.6 acres). Chatham Road camp (7.8 acres) will be handed back on the 31st December (1975). A large part of one of the biggest pieces of land, formerly held by the garrison - the old Lyemun Barracks - covering some 130 acres ‘is currently being prepared for handover to the Government..

/10

NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT CONCLUDED * * * * * *

Under the defence agreement signed in London today, Hong Kong’s contribution to the total annual cost of the garrison will be based on a sliding scale beginning at 50% and reaching 75% in the third year.

The total annual cost of the garrison, at September 1975 prices, is $450 million. In the first year of the new agreement -April 1, 1976 to March J1, 1977 - Hong Kong’s contribution will be 4225 million. This will rise to $281 million in the second year -April 1, 1977 to March J1, 1978 - and to $337 million from April 1, 1978 onwards.

idinouncing this tonight, a( Government spokesman said that the Hong Kong Government is satisfied that1the‘agreement, is a f$irLone and in the interest of Hong Kong.. It will run for a period of seven yea^s/in the first instance. It will be renewed on the same terms for further periods of five years unless either government gives notice, a year before the end of any such period, that it wishes to vary the terms.

The agreement contains a clause which allows either government to seek information, at any time, relating to any part of the garrison’s cost with a view to making further savings.

Any economies that are found in this way will be shared in the same proportions as the contributions to the cost of the garrison, the spokesman said.

Provision is made for the cost of the garrison to be varied by changes in price levels in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. The revised cost will be shared by both governments in the appropriate proportions. These changes will be determined in respect of each component part of the garrison’s cost.

/Giving ......

Giving an example, the spokesman said that, in the case of equipment, it has been agreed that the Hong Kong Consumer Price Index

should be used to measure changes in cost. This applies even to equipment manufactured in the United Kingdom, where inflation could continue at a higher rate than in Hong Kong.

”In this Way," the spokesman stressed, "there is no question of Hong Kong paying more, in respect of the cost as a whole, simply because there is a high rate of inflation in Britain♦ "

Commenting on the budgetary implications of the agreement, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr. David Jeaffreson, said: ’’/llthough the actual amounts of our contributions over the next seven years are substantial, they represent small- percentages of the likely total government expenditure during the period."

’Hinder the existing agreement, which expires in March 1976, our contribution represented 3»3 per cent of total expenditure in 1971-72. It then fell to 1.7 per cent in 1975-76, largely because the agreement contained virtually no provision for adjusting the size of the contribution as costs increased.

"In 1976-77 the contribution of 3225 million is likely to represent no more than three per cent of estimated total expenditure.

This expenditure is likely to rise to 3.8 per cent by the third year of the agreement," the Deputy Financial Secretary explained.

Putting the contributions under the new agreement into perspective, Mr. Jeaffreson added: "These percentages compare with 18 per cent of total government expenditure which has been set aside for education during 1975-76, eight per cent on medical services and 11 per cent on Housing.

/"The .......

”T e agreement accords with the ability of Hong Kong to pay a larger contribution toward a garrison than in the past.” . *

He said that in planning government expenditure for the next year, it had been estimated that $205 million would be required for Hong Kong’s defence contribution. This figure was arrived at before the terms of the new agreement were negotiated.

”If the economy continues to pick up there is no reason why the Government cannot absorb the additional contributions without i seriously affecting the long-term planning of our social services . <. ...

programme,” Mr. Jeaffreson said.

/1J.......

-.15 -

COMMENT ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT BY ________COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES_________

I am very pleased that the new Defence Costs Agreement has been concluded which ensures that a first class professional garrison will continue to serve Hong Kong. The new garrison, with elements of all three Services in it, and containing both British and Gurkha troops, will be tailor-made to meet Hong Kong’s ‘security needs and will be fully capable of carrying out its main roles of supporting the Royal Hong Kong Police Force along the border, in coastal waters and in any possible internal security situation* And of course its presence emphasizes<: Britain’s continuing commitment to Hong King in the future•

In some ways, this has not been an e£sy time for the Armed Forces. The negotiations have been tough and protracted. At a time when money is short, people in Hong Kong understandably have been dismayed at the prospect of having to pay more for defence. In these circumstances it is only natural that the whole question of the need for a British garrison has been raised. In the course of argument the British Forces have come in for a good deal of comment, some of which lias been quite unconnected with the immediate issues under discussion.

The major issue - the need for the garrison - has in fact been the subject of a most detailed and comprehensive examination by the British and Hong Kong Governments,and I am sure that the community here will now confidently accept the decision, embodied in this agreement, that there is a continuing need for a viable British garrison.

/Moreover ••••••

- 14

Moreover now that agreement has been reached I am sure that people will continue to give the support and encouragement to the Services which has been so marked in the past.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SAM SHING HUI RESIDENTS MAKING WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN NEW TOWN .................................................... 1

REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES WILL CLOSE EARLY FOR HOLIDAY ..................................................... 2

CIVIL AID SERVICES CADETS ANNUAL CAMP TO BE HELD NEXT WEEKEND .................................................... 2

PARTIES FOR YOUNG AND OLD AT SWD COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTRES ..................................................... 3

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5'233191

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1975

1 -

SAM SHING HUI RESIDENTS MOVING TO MAKE WAY FOR HIGHWAY % # k k ): ft

RESIDENTS OF SAM SHING HUI, TUEN MUN HAVE BEGUN VACATING THEIR SHOPS AND HOMES TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCT IOt! OF THE TUEN MUN — TSUEN WAN HIGHWAY AND OTHER PROJECTS.

SOME HAVE ALREADY BEGUN RE-ESTABLISHING THEIR BUSINESSES AND TRADES IN A RESITE AREA ON MOUSE ISLAND^OTHERS WILL OCCUPY AN ADJACENT RESITc AREA SET ASIDE FOR BOATYARDS: AND SOME ARE MOVING INTO NEARBY PUBLIC HOUSING.

THE MAJOR PART OF THE MOVE IS TO MOUSE ISLAND (FORMERLY AN ISLAND, BUT NOW JOINED TO RECLAIMED LAND) WHERE ABOUT 150 SITES RANGING IN AREAS FROM 100 SQ. FT. TO 4,000 SO. FT. HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED. BALLOTING TOOK PLACE ON DECEMBER 1.

BESIDES MAKING WAY FOR THE HIGHWAY, THE VACATED SITE WILL BE USED TO BUILD A RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. A TYPHOON SHELTER WILL ALSO EE CONSTRUCTED.

ALTHOUGH THE 3,000-STRONG SAM SHING HUI COMMUNITY WILL EE DISPERSED INITIALLY, ITS MEMBERS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY LATER TO GET TOGETHER AGAIN WHEN HIE SITE THEY ARE NOW VACATING IS DEVELOPED. THEY WILL EE ABLE iG PARTICIPATE IN A RESTRICTED TENDER FOR THE SHOPS WHICH ARE TO DE BUILT.

SAM SHING HUI RESIDENTS, INCLUDING MR. AU KUK-MING, THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE, HAVE VISITED MOUSE I. I AND TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THEIR SITE: AND fCH THE: BEING HARK ID OUT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ' STAFF. THEY WERE A DOME AN I I'D BY I’.R. iwllY BENNETT, DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN.

COMPENSATION ip TO A MAXIMUM Or 20,000 PER ELIGIBLE BUSINESS WILL BE PAID TO Th-. DEPARTING VILLAGERS BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE PRE:.ISES Hi.Y HAD , ;EN OCCUPYING. A FIRST PAYMENT OF ^2,000 TO COVER REMOVAL EXPENSES AND HIE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING NEW PREMISES IS TO BE MADE NEXT WEEK.

BUSINESS OPERATORS ARE ALLOWED TO CONSTRUCT THEIR BUILDINGS OF BRICK IN VIEW OF ’HIE LENG'hl OF TIME THEY ARE LIKELY TO OCCUPY THE RESITE AREA. A HEIGHT RESTRICTION OF 13-1/2 FEET HAS DEEN WAIVED AND PREMISES CAN ID-. BUILT HP TO 16 FEET TO INCLUDE COCKLOFTS FOR BUSINESSMEN AND TH JR FAMILIES TO LIVE IN.

MR. BENNETT SAID MAN'.' MEETINGS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN CONNECTION Will! THE CLEARANCE AND HE i RAISED THE CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT WHICH HA DEVELC. r.D BETWEEN 1HE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, t

+THE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL BY WAY OF PRACTICAL PROPOSALS AND illlS HAS DEEL A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN OVt. (COMING ANY DIFi ICULTIt;j,+ HE STATED.

THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR CLEARANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUILDING OF THE NE.. TOWN GF TUEN HUN, BETTER KNOWN, PERHAPS, DY ITS FORMER NAME CASTLE : EAK vnlOSE PRESENT POPULATION OF 40,000 IS EXPECTED TO GRO TO 400,000 DY 1935. THE Tu.K uILL tE BUILT LARGELY OH LAND |; CLAIMED FROM CASTLE PEAK BAY.

o - -

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1975

- 2 -

HOLIDAY BREAK FOR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES KOKH )

THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS DEPARTMENT’S HEAD OFFICE. BR NCH OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES WILL LE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS ,AT 1 P.M. CM CHRISTMAS EVE (WEDNESDAY).

THE OFFICES WILL RE-OPEN AT 9 A.ri. ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 27).

------o-------

CAS CADETS’ ANNUAL CAMP

H k OK

FOUR HUNDRED CADETS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICE WILL HOLD THEIR ANNUAL CAMP AT THE DCDWELL’S RIDGE CAMP IN FALLING BETWEEN DECEMBER 27 AND 30.

THE PARTICIPANTS ARE FROM 20 UNITS OF THE CAS CADET CORPS IN BOTH THE URBAN AND RURAL AREAS.

THE ANNUAL CAMP IS ONE OF THE FEW OCCASIONS IN THE YEAR WHEN REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH UNIT MEET EACH OTHER IN FRIENDLY COMPETITIONS AND AROUND CAMP FIRES. •

THE CAMP WILL ALSO PR WIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CADETS TO POLISH THEIR SKILLS IN LEADERSHIP AND TO DEVELOP THEIR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP THROUGH ORGANISED SPORTS AND REC,’(EAT IONAL ACT I V IT IES.

OH SUNDAY (DECEMBER 28) AT 10.30 A.M., THE CAS COMMISSIONER, MR. P.C. WOO, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE CAMP.

HE WILL BE HET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, NR. J.A. FORTUNE- THE COMMANDANT, CADET CORPS, MR. HENRY KU HONG-CHEONG, AND THE SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER (CADETS), MR. LAM SUI-FAN.

MR. WOO WILL INSPECT A GUARD OF HONOUR ARD LATER PERFORM A RIBBON-CUTTI NG CEREMONY.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A MOTOR-CYCLE DEMONSTRATION DY MEMBERS OF THE CAS AND A BICYCLE SHOW DY THE CADETS.

BEFORE LEAVING, MR. WOO AND GUESTS WILL TOUR THE CAMP.

N01 I TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE WELCOME TO CG-ER THE EVENT.

-------o -------

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1975 - 3 -

• X’I'IAS PARTIES FOR THE YOUNG AND OLD H H H K H

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTRES HAVE LINED UP A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNG AND THE OLD IN THEIR DISTRICTS DURING THE CHRIST.IAS HOLIDAY.

THE SHAM SHU I PO YOUTH CENTRE WILL HOLD A +CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL+ TOMORROW (SUNDAY) BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5 P.M. AT THE WONG CHUK STREET PLAYGROUND. A CHINESE BILLIARD CHESS COMPETITION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CENTRE ON JANUARY 3, 1976. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AND A GREETING CARD DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE +YEAR OF THE DRAGON+.

IN SHEK WU HUI, THE NEW TERRITORIES, ABOUT 500 CHILDREN WILL HAVE AN EVENING FULL GF FUN IN A PARTY TO EE HELD ON CHRISTMAS DAY ; ETWEEN 7 P.M. AND 9 P.M. THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHU I SOCIAL CENTRE. OTHER PROGRAMMES LINED UP FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE DURING TH!. FESTIVE SEASON INCLUDE A PICNIC FOR CHILDREN, A VISIT TO A T.V. STATION AND A FUN FAIR.

THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL HOLD A SERIES OF CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN THE CENTRE FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA. THEY INCLUDE A PARTY FOR THE BLIND AND THEIR CHILDREN BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 6 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY)” A PARTY FOR 16* J CHILDREN ON DECEMBER 23 FROM 7.30 P.M. TO 9.30 P.M.= AND A FUN FAIR FEATURING A LION DANCE AND GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES ON DECEMBER 28 FROM 2 P.M. TO 9 P.M.

THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL HOLD A PARTY IN ITS PREMISES FOR 100 CHILDREN LIVING IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE THERE ON DECEMBER 23 FROM 8 P.M. TO 9.30 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS.

-------0---------

•PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1975'

MEW DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS APPOINTED it 7t x & K

THE APPOINTMENT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY OF MR. JOHN WALDEN AS DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS. HE JILL TAKE UP HIS HEW POST EARLY IN THE NEV; YEAR.

MR. WALDEN, 50, SU CEEDS MR. E.P. HO, WHO IS TO ATTEND A-YEAR-LOilG ROYAL COLLEGE GF DEFENCE STUDIES COURSE IN LONDON. THE COURSE HEGINS ON JAHUAl, ’ 13.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM OXFORD UI! I VERS ITY, MR. WALDEN JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS A CADET OFFICER IN 1951. I.E SPENT A YEAR STUDYING CANTONESE AT T ,E UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AUD SINCE THEN HAS HELD A NUMBER OF PC TS INCLUDING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CHIKJL AFFAIRS, ASSISTANT DIRE.TOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR THE NE TERRITORIES.

IN 1972 Ht WAS APP IHTED COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT AND TIP FOLLOWING YEAR JAS MALE LPUTY LIRr.CTOR OF HOUSING, A POST HE HAS HELD 3 INCE.

MR. HO IS ONE OF 0 TO ATTEND THE PRESTIGIO

Y A HANDFUL OF ROYAL COLLEGE

SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL .

GF DEFEflCr.

.HE COURSE EMBRACES MOS ASPECTS OF MODERN PULL It

•UCH SUJ.'ECTS AS INTERN. TIOIJAL RELATION ..:!D SOCIAL AND TECHNOLO I CAL PROBLE..S.

STUDIES COURSE OLICY, i'.CLUDI

ECONOMICS, i)ANAG,.iEllT

SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM A NUI-li.ER GF COUNTRIES ART INVITED TO ATTEND.THE COURSE EACH YEAR.

THE GOVERN;1 NT CON' IDERS THE COURSE PROVIDES VALUABLE TRAIN INC FOR SENIOR OFFICIALS TO .IVE THEM AW INSIGHT INTO THE MUCH IDER FIELD OF INTERNAT IONAL . . LATIONS.

MR. HO, 43, WAS EDI ’ATED AT ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE AND THE HONG LONG UNIVERSITY. ON GR. UATING II! 1950, HE WAS SELECTED FOR TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM U ER THE COLONIAL WELFARE AND

EVELOP;.. ,!T SCHEME. HE RETURNED TO HONG KONG IN 1954 TO JOIN THE INLAND REVENUE EEPARTMEHi.

IN 1957, HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, AND ■ ERVED WITH THE FINANCE RANCH OF THE SECRETARIAT, THE AGRICULTURAL /ND FISH.RIES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMERCE AMD INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT .EFORE JEUOMIHG DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS IN OCTOBER 1973.

I.OTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH OF MR. WALDEN ARE AVAILALL-FOR COLLECTION FRCi. THE G.I.S. PRESS ROOF. Oil THE SIXTH F! OOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beasonsfield-House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1975

CAR LICENSING OFFICES CLOSE EARLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE

If ii It U it

VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSING EARLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

THE TWO LICENSING OFFICES, AT 2 MURRAY ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND PUI CHING ROAD IN KOWLOON, WILL CLOSE AT 2 P.M. OK WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 24). AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY THE OFFICES WILL RE-OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 27) AT 9 A. 1-1.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED CAR OWNERS NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AT CHRISTI-,AS, OR ANY OTHER TIME. AND IF YOU ARE WALKING, TAKE EXTRA CARE IN CROSSING ROADS, ESPECIAILY AFTER AN OFFICE PARTY. +YOU MIGHT HELP PREVENT AN ACC I DENY — YOUR OWN+ — SOUND ADVICE AT THIS OR ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PICNICKERS AND HIKERS URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES ........... 1

SECRETARY OF STATE SENDS HONG KONG NEW YEAR GREETINGS .... 2

CHEAPER FOOD BROUGHT DOWN CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES LAST MONTH ....................................................... 3

CAREERS EXHIBITION VERY POPULAR ............................. *

NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS ................ 5

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

- 1 -

HELP PREVENT HILL FIRES •

******

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO PREVENT HILL FIRES WHEN THEY GO PICNICKING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

+HILL FIRES NOT ONLY DAMAGE OUR LANDSCAPE AND GREENERY, BUT ARE ALSO VERY COSTLY ,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

OVER THE PAST WEEKEND, THERE WERE 33 FIRES IN THE VARIOUS AFFORESTATION AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TREES WERE DESTROYED AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PUBLIC MONEY WENT DOWN THE DRAIN.

IN THE TAI LAM CHUNG CATCHMENT AREAS, A FIRE YESTERDAY DESTROYED SOME 300,000 TREES ON 300 ACRES OF PLANTATIONS. ANOTHER FIRE AT TAI PO KAU SPREAD OVER SOME 25 ACRES OF LAND, BURNING , . DOWN SOME 20,000 TREES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TREES DESTROYED OVER THE WEEKEND MIGHT WELL BE OVER HALF A MILLION AT A FINAL COUNT.

+IT IS REALLY A SAD THING. THE COST OF REPLANTING THE BURNT AREAS IS $3 MILLION, AND IT WILL TAKE YEARS TO RESTORE THE LANDSCAPE,+ HE SAID.

HILL FIRES WOULD, AND INDEED COULD, HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE PICNICKERS TAKEN SOME SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY VISITOR TO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO PROTECT THE GREENERY FROM FIRES. HE GAVE THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE GUIDELINES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRES.

PREVENTING HILL FIRES

* BE CAREFUL WITH MATCHES AND CIGARETTE ENDS.

* WHEN GOING OUT FOR PICNIC, BRING PRE-COOKED FOOD INSTEAD OF BARBECUING.

* REPORT ANY OUTBREAK OF FIRE TO FOREST FIRE CONTROL CENTRE OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (DURING OFFICE HOURS: 3-688523= AFTER OFFICE HOURS: 3-’781211) OR FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (DIAL 999).

* HELP TO PUT OUT FIRE WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

/FIGHTING ....

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

- 2 -

FIGHTING GRASS FIRES

M IF A GRASS FIRE STARTS, DON’T PANIC, BUT ACT QUICKLY.

M STAMP ON THE FLAMES WHILE THEY ARE STILL SMALL.

M BEAT THE FLAMES WITH A LEAFY BRANCH FROM A TREE OR SHRUB. WORK AT THE SIDE OF THE FIRE, NOT WITH IT BLOWING INTO YOUR FACE. WORK IN THE SAME,DI RECT ION AS THE WIND.

M ASK OTHER PARTIES OF VISITORS TO HELP.

* GO TO NEAREST FORESTRY POST OR FIRE LOOKOUT CABIN, OR TELEPHONE THE CONSERVATION AND FORESTS DIVISION, (DURING OFFICE HOURS: 3-688523, AFTER OFFICE HOURS: 3-781211).

-----0------

NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM SECRETARY OF STATE

M M M «

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR. JAMES CALLAGHAN, HAS SENT HIS NEW YEAR GREETINGS TO THE ACTING GOVERNOR AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

HIS MESSAGE READS: +1 SEND TO YOU AND TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MY WARM GOOD WISHES FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN 1976. MY MINISTERIAL COLLEAGUES AND MEMBERS OF MY STAFF JOIN WITH ME IN ASSURING YOU THAT THE PROGRESS AND WELLBEING OF HONG KONG REMAINS OUR CONSTANT CONCERN. THE WORLDWIDE DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY BROUGHT US ALL MANY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS DURING 1975. I HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR WE SHALL BE WELL ON OUR WAY TO SOLVING THEM.+

-------0---------

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR NOVEMBER ft ft ft ft ft

CHEAPER FISH AND VEGETABLES LAST MONTH HELPED TO BRING DOWN THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) BY THREE POINTS TO 108, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MOUTH.

INDEX (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 TO $1,499 A MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS FELL BY FOUR POINTS.

THIS WAS ACCOUNTED FOR BY A DROP IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUITS, ALTHOUGH THE PRICES OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ROSE.

THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS FELL ONE POINT WHILE THAT FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES ALSO FELL AS MUCH FOLLOWING A REDUCTION IN MACAU FERRY AND HYDROFOIL FARES.

ON THE OTHER HAND, AS PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS WERE RAISED AUD CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY INCREASED, THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ROSE BY FOUR POINTS.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B), WHICH IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1,500 TO $2,9*99 A MONTH, FELL BY ONE POINT TO 109 DURING THE SAME MONTH. [

AS IN THE (A) INDEX, THERE WAS A DROP OF FOUR POINTS IN THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, DUE MAINLY TO CHEAPER FISH, VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.

THERE WAS SIMILARLY A DROP BY ONE POINT IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES, FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF LOWER MACAU FERRY AND HYDROFOIL FARES.

THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ADVANCED BY THREE POINTS AND THAT FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR BY TWO POINTS.

INCREASES OF ONE POINT WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AND THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS IN DOTH INDEX (A) AND INDEX (B).

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

-------o --------

MOWDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

- 4 -

CAREERS '76 DRAWS LARGE CROWDS # n « « if #

MORE THAN 45,000 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED CAREERS ’76 IN THE FIRST FIVE DAYS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S 12-DAY CAREERS EXHIBITION WHICH CONTINUES TO DE A CENTRE GF ATTRACTION TO STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPl E.

DURING THE WEEK-END ALONE, A RECORD OF OVER 25,000 VISITORS ATTENDED THE EXHIBITION, WHICH, ACCORDING TO SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER. MR. JAMES YEUNG, HAD DEFINITELY AROUSED THE INTEREST AND CONCERN OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN THEIR CHOICE OF CAREERS.

HE OBSERVED A BETTER AND MORE NOTICEABLE RESPONSE FROM ALL QUARTERS — STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS AS WELL AS EXHIBITORS — THAN THE PREVIOUS YEARS.

MR. YEUNG SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THIS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT DESPITE THE COLD WEATHER. +THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT MORE STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GIVING SERIOUS THOUGHTS TO THEIR CAREERS AND FUTURE.*

HOWEVER, HE ADVISED THEM NOT TO BE COMPLACENT BECAUSE JUST SEEING THE EXHIBITION WOULD NOT SOLVE THEIR CAREER PROBLEM.

♦CAREERS '76 MERELY PROVIDES SOME ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND GUIDANCE OH HOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER WISELY. STUDENTS STILL NEED TO, BESIDES SCORING GOOD ACADEMIC RESULTS, SPEND MORE EFFORT IN GATHERING RELEVANT INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

+IN THIS CONNECTION,* MR. YEUNG ADDED, +STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO CONSULT THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS, OR CALL ON THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE WHICH ORGANISED THE EXHIBITION FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.*

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF VISITORS TO CAREERS ’76 — THE DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION -- WERE STUDENTS ARD YOUNG PEOPLE.

MANY KEEN STUDENTS WERE SEEN TAKING NOTES WHEN EXHIBITORS PATIENTLY ANSWERED THEIR QUERIES.

A FORM FIVE GIRL STUDENT SAID THE HAND-OUTS DISTRIBUTED BY THE EXHIBITORS WERE EXCELLENT REFERENCE MATERIAL AND SHE WOULD KEEP THEM FOR FUTURE USE. *THE DISCUSSIONS I HAD WITH THE EXHIBITOR BENEFIT ME EVEN LORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE DIRECT RELEVANCE TO MY OWN CIRCUMSTANCES,* SHE SAID.

ANOTHER BOY STUDENT REMARKED THAT CAREERS ’76 HAD WIDELY BROADENED HIS VISION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES. +BEFORE SEEING THE EXHIBITION, I ALWAYS HAD THE IDEA THAT I WAS ONLY SUITABLE TO BECOME A CLERK IN THE CIVIL SERVICE OR AN OFFICE WORKER IN SOME COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.

+HOWEVER, THE EXHIBITION REVEALED TO ME THAT I COULD ALSO FIND A REWARDING JOB IN MANY OTHER FIELDS SUCH AS SEAFARING OR SOCIAL WORK,* HE ADDED.

THE EXHIBITION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 5 P.M. ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 28).

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1975

- 5 -

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AT NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS if if it M if *

STAFF OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY WILL-BE SPENDING THEIR FIRST CHRISTMAS AT THEIR NEW HUNG HOM HOME.

AN 1O-FOOT CHRISTMAS TREE, GLITTERING WITH TRADITIONAL LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS, HAS DEEN PUT UP AT THE MAIN TERMINAL CONCOURSE.

+1 HAVE DEEN TOLD IT IS POSSIBLY THE TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN HONG KONG,+ MR. REG GREGORY, THE GENERAL MANAGER, SAID.

IT IS FITTING THAT THE TREE, SYMBOLIC OF COMMUNAL AMITY AND FESTIVITY SHOULD BE HOUSED IN THE NEW TERMINUS, WHICH HAS BECOME NOT ONLY AN ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERCHANGE BUT A MEETING PLACE FOR RESIDENTS OF HUNG HOM AND 01 MAN ESTATE.

♦ WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO PEOPLE FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL TREE. WE ARE ALSO HOPING THAT RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD C0.1E TO HUNG HOM TO PARTAKE OF THE WARMTH AND FR IEUDSH IP,+ MR. GREGORY SAID.

HE ASSURED HOLIDAY-MAKERS THAT MORE TRAINS WOULD BE RUN DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS AND THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE FLEXIBLE TO COPE WITH UNEXPECTED NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS. •

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY NOW HAD POSSIBLY THE BEST RECORD OF PUNCTUALITY EVEN THOUGH SOME 20 PER CENT MORE TRAINS WERE DE I NG RUN, HE SAID.

THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY A NEW TIME-TABLE AND A NEW METHOD OF TRAFFIC CONTROL WHICH PROVIDE BETTER CO-ORDINATION OF TRAIN SCHEDULES.

♦ THE NEW TERMINUS IS THE NICEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT THE KCR HAS HAD FOR A LONG TIME,+ MR. GREGORY SAID.

♦ WE ONLY WISH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD COME TO SHARE THIS AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE WITH US DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON,+ HE ADDED.

--------o --------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

X CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HOLIDAY-MAKERS URGED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE........................................................... 1

RE-ROUTING AT JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE ..................... 2

TSIM SHA TSUI PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT EXPERIMENT TO END ........... 3

ORGANISATIONS INVITED TO SPONSOR PARTICIPANTS IN NEW TERRITORIES WALK .............................................. 4

SECRETARY FOR N.T. EXPLAINS WHY SHAT IN SHOPOWNERS HAVE TO MOVE........................................................... 5

t ■

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kopg.Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

FIRE DANGER 1 EVERYONE MUST PLAY HIS PART OVER HOLIDAYS n n n n n n

A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA FIRE PRECAUTIONS DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

HE SAID THAT SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD DE PAID TO ALL FESTIVE DECORATIONS.

♦CHECK CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING SETS, ELECTRIC CANDLES AS WELL AS EXTENSION CORDS FOR FRAYED WIRES, LOOSE CONNECTIONS AND BROKEN SOCKETS,+ HE URGED.

♦ALL ILLUMINATIONS SHOULD BE TURNED OFF BEFORE GOING OUT OR TURNING IN.+

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THE USE OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE DECORATING MATERIALS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE. USING WAX CANDLES TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS, HE STRESSED.

SMALL CHILDREN PLAYING NEAR CHRISTMAS TREES SHOULD BE SUPERVISED AND MATCHES, LIGHTERS AND CANDLES SHOULD DE KEPT WELL OUT OF THEIR REACH.

MEANWHILE, PICNICKERS ARE WARNED NOT TO LIGHT FIRES ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE EXCEPT IN PROPER DARBECUE GRILLS PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO START A FIRE CARELESSLY ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF 32,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.

DURING THE WEEKEND, MORE THAN 360 ACRES OF 20 TO 30-YEAR-0LD PINE AND HARDWOOD PLANTATIONS WERE DESTROYED IN THREE MAJOR FIRES IN TAI LAM CHUNG AND TAI PO KAU. SOME 100 FORESTRY FIREFIGHTERS BRAVED RUGGED TERRAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO BATTLE THE FIRES, BUT BEFORE THEY SUCCEEDED, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CURRENT DRY SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECORDED OVER 300 HILL FIRES, OF WHICH 55 WERE IN THE FORESTED AREAS. SOME FOUR SQUARE MILES OF HILL LAND WERE AFFECTED AND OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION TREES WERE DAMAGED.

♦THE REPLANTING OF THESE AREAS REQUIRES LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, EFFORT AND TIME,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/HE GAVE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

HE GAVE THREE SIMPLE RULES FOR PICNICKERS TO HELP PREVENT HILL FIRES i-

ft ALWAYS HOLD MATCHES TILL COLD BEFORE DISCARDING THEM.

ft ALWAYS CRUSH CIGARETTE ENDS BEFORE THROWING THEM AWAY.

ft .HOLD DARDECUE PARTIES ONLY IN DESIGNATED PLACES AND BE SURE TO EXTINGUISH ALL PICNIC FIRES PROPERLY BEFORE LEAVING.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA WHO WISH TO GET INTERVIEWS ON THE SUBJECT OR TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THE FOLLOWING FORESTRY OFFICERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT s-

MR. J.W. WHOLEY (TEL. 3-680111 EXT. 153)

MR. K.C. IU • (TEL. 3-688111 EXT. 154)

- - o

ONE-WAY STREET ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE UNNAMED ROAD ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE P.L.B. TERMINUS IN THE JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE WILL BE MADE ONE-WAY FROM MAN SING STREET TO THE WAITING AREA FOR THE VEHICULAR FERRY FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE DRIVERS.

- - o -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

TSIM SHA TSUI PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT SCHEME TO END AS SCHEDULED

« it ft k ft ft

THE SIX-MONTH EXPERIMENTAL PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT SCHEME IN HANOI ROAD AND CORNWALL AVENUE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO END ON DECEMBER 31, 1975, WILL NOT DE EXTENDED, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE STREETS WILL BE OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC AT ALL TIMES WITH EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, 1975.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME PROVED • SUCCESSFUL IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA FOR PEDESTRIANS AND RESIDENTS, THE DECLINE IN BUSINESS EXPERIENCED BY SHOPKEEPERS IN THE TWO STREETS AT THE OUTSET OF THE SCHEME WAS NOT REVERSED.

SOME RECOVERY DY MOST DUS I NESSES WAS REPORTED FOLLOWING THE MODIFICATION 0.- THE SCHEME IN SEPTEMBER WHEN TAXIS AND BUSES, INCLUDING TOURIST COACHES, WERE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE STREETS AT ALL TIMES.

0THER COUNTRIES HAS BEEN THAT AFTER AN

® BUSINESS AFTER CONVERSION TO A PFDFSTRIAM

tup cAcr'neUS,tJEyS 1WS AS PEOPLE HAVE COME TO APPRECIATF

THE EASE CF MOVEMENT, AND HAS IN MANY CASES IMPROVED. APPRECIATE

+THIS UNFORTUNATELY HAS NOT DEEN THE CASE IN HANOI ROAD AND CORNWALL AVENUE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PEDESTRIANS INTERVIEWED IN THE PRECINCTS DURING THE EXPERIMENT DECLARED THEMSELVES TO BE GENERALLY IN FAVOUR OF PEDESTIRN PRECINCTS. THE SPOKESMAN SAID: •{-ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME HAS NOT BEEN A COMPLETE SUCCESS IN THE TWO STREETS IN TSIM SHA TSUI AS FAR AS THE BUSINESSES ARE CONCERNED, IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY FOLLOW THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SHOPPING PRECINCTS IN OTHER CAREFULLY SELECTED AREAS WOULD NOT SUCCEED.

*A GREAT DEAL OF USEFUL INFORMATION HAS BEEN GATHERED FROM THE EXPERIMENT AND IT IS THE INTENTION TO ESTABLISH SUCH SHOPPING PRECINCTS IN OTHER AREAS OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHERE THE DESIRED BENEFITS FOR DOTH PEDESTRIANS AND SHOPKEEPERS WILL DE REALISED.*

- - 0 - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

N.T. WALK» SPONSORSHIP ENCOURAGED n n n « n h

ORGANISATIONS IN TSUEN WAN WHO WISH TO SPONSOR PARTICIPANTS IN NEXT MONTH’S NEW TERRITORIES WALK BUT WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY MAY DO SO, HAVE DEEN INVITED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN.

THE INVITATION HAS DEEN EXTENDED DY MR. JIMMY HAYES, DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE N.T. WALK.

MR. HAYES SAID DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WOULD BE HAPPY TO ACT AS +MIDDLEMEN+ DY PUTTING SPONSORS IN TOUCH WITH GROUPS OF WALKERS AND VICE VERSA.

HE HOPED THAT THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE BOTH SPONSORS AND WALKERS TO COME FORWARD.

HE STRESSED HOWEVER THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH SPONSORSHIP.

. *WE WOULD NOT LIKE POTENTIAL SPONSORS TO BE LEFT OUT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THEY SHOULD DO,+ MR. HAYES SAID. ♦WE INVITE THEM TO CONTACT US AS SOON AS POSS IDLE.+

HE ADDED THAT THROUGH SPONSORSHIP IT HAS HOPED THAT LAST YEAR’S FIGURE OF 3422,000 RAISED FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST BY 31,000 WALKERS WOULD BE +WELL AND TRULY BEATEN.♦

MR. HAYES HAS WRITTEN TO OTHER DISTRICT OFFICES SUGGESTING SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE SPONSORS AND GROUPS OF WALKERS.

THE WALK WILL TAKE PLACE OH SUNDAY (JANUARY 18), STARTING AND ENDING AT TAI WO HAU PARK, TSUEN UAH. THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE START AND ALSO TAKE PART.

TODAY (TUESDAY), STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, COMMUNITY CHEST OFFICIALS ARD POLICE OFFICERS WILL GO OVER THE ROUTE TO SEE WHERE IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT BE MADE. A CONTRACTOR HAS AGREED TO CARRY OUT THE IMPROVEMENTS FREE OF CHARGE.

_ _ w _ 0 --------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

SNT REPLIES TO SHA TIN SHOPOV/NERS INVOLVED IN CLEARANCE n h « n n n

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT PEOPLE LIVING IN +VERY POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS*, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, HR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, HAS TOLD REPRESENTATIVES OF SHA TIN MARKET SHOP PROPRIETORS INVOLVED III A CLEARANCE OPERATION TO DE CARRIED OUT IN JUNE NEXT YEAR. ,

THE CLEARANCE, WHICH AFFECTS 28 SHOPS, IS TO FACILITATE THE WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD AUD SHA TIN’S CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT INTO A LARGE MODERN TOWN WHERE CLOSE TO HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WILL DE LIVING AND WORKING EVENTUALLY. THE ROAD WIDENING WILL IMPROVE LINKS DETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI PO.

MR. AKERS-JONES, IN A LETTER SENT TODAY (TUESDAY), SA IDs +1 HAVE TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE I ATTACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BRING BENEFIT TO A GREAT MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN VERY POOR HOUSING CONDITIONS. THAT SOME 28 SHOPS WILL HOW HAVE TO DE CLEARED TO ALLOW THIS DEVELOPMENT TO PROCEED WITHOUT DELAY IS UNAVOIDABLE.*

THE NEW TERRITORIES SECRETARY WAS REPLYING TO A LETTER FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES DATED DECEMBER 1 IN WHICH AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD — THE WIDENING OF SHA TIN DY-PASS ROAD — WAS SUGGESTED. POINTING OUT THAT SHA TIN DY-PASS ROAD WAS ALREADY DUE TO DE WIDENED, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THIS IMPROVEMENT ALONE *WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED VOLUME OF TRAFFIC ENVISAGED IN TWO YEARS TIME.*

THE WIDENING HAD TO START AS SCHEDULED IN EARLY 1976 IN ORDER TO FIT IN WITH THE TIMING OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. ANY DELAY WOULD CREATE DELAYS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PLAN AND BE DETRIMENTAL TO SHA TIN’S GROWTH INTO A NEW TOWN.

THE REPRESENTATIVES’ LETTER ALSO RAISED THE SUBJECT OF LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD, BUT MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THIS WOULD BE MINIMISED DUE TO +SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS* WHEREBY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD AGREED TO A RESTRICTED TENDER FOR SHOPS AT LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN. BESIDES ELIGIBILITY FOR THE RESTRICTED TENDER, COMPENSATION WILL ALSO BE PAID TO THE GHOPOtUNERS.

THE SHOPKEEPERS’ LETTER SUGGESTED THAT THE LANDOWNER BE GRANTED LAUD FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. MR, AKERS-JONES’ REPLY HOWEVER STATED THAT LAND FOR PRIVATE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS;DISPOSED OF DY PUBLIC AUCTION, OPEN TENDER OR EXCHANGE.

/+LAND IS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1975

+LAND IS EXCHANGED ACCORDING TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THE OFFER OF AN EXCHANGE HAD BEEN OUTSTANDING” IN SITU EXCHANGE IS NOT PERMITTED SINCE THIS WOULD GRANT SOME OWNERS MORE FAVOURABLE TREATMENT THAN OTHERS.*

MR. AKERS-JONES ENDED HIS LETTER BY STATING THAT THE CLEARANCE ARRANGEMENTS WERE +A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE EFFORT MADE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND VAR IOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO ASSIST SO FAR AS IS POSSIBLE IN THE MOVE TO LEK YUEN. THESE ARRANGEMENTS COMPARE VERY FAVOURABLY WITH MANY OTHER SIMILAR CLEARANCES FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG FOR WHICH MANY SHOPS HAVE HAD TO MOVE.*

-----------o ----------------

ft ft ft ft ftftft ftftftftftftilftftftft ftftft ft ft ft

ft ft

□

THE DIRECTORS EDITORS AND ALL THE STAFF OF i

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES EXTEND TO ALL READERS OF THE DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN THE WARMEST GREETINGS OF THE SEASON AND EVERY GOOD WISH FOR THE COMING YEAR ftftftftftiyftftftftftftftftftftftftftftftft^^^

c:::::::::t::::: it:::::11I aaa a a aaaa a aaaa a a a a a a a a a

00000000000 00000000000

i i i i i i i i i i

ooooo iwnti o o o o o

c::i J

NEWSNEWSNEV/SNEWSN EWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNE WSNEWSIJEWSNEW SNEWSNEUSNE WSNEWSNEWSN EWSNEWSNEWSNE WSNEWSHEWSNEWSN

GGGGGGGG 1 1 1 1 1 SSSSSSSS

GGGGGGGGGG I 1 1 ssssssssss

GGG GG 1 1 1 sss ss

GG 1 1 1 ss

GG GGGG 1 1 1 ssssssssss

GG GG 1 1 1 ss

GGG GGG 1 1 1 ss sss

GGGGGGGGGG 1 1 1 ssssssssss

GGGGGGGG 1 1 1 1 1 SSSSSSSS

FRM 7

n-Kira™

IgisI |«s|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW MOVE TO SET UP COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG ................ 1

SWD RUN ORIENTATION COURSE FOR YOUTH LEADERS ................. 3

BURMESE PYTHON IS TO BE PLACED UNDER PROTECTION .............. 3

EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO SWEDEN : START OF PHASE II OF SWING SCHEME ANNOUNCED ................................. 4

DUTY FREE BRANDY FROM MACAU .................................. 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5'233191

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975

- 1 -

PROTECTION OF COUNTRYSIDE FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT if if if if if if

AREAS OF HONG KONG COUNTRYSIDE CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT ARE TO BE MADE INTO COUNTRY PARKS AND THEIR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, VEGETATION AND WILD-LIFE PROTECTED, IF A BILL, PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COUNTRY PARKS BILL 1976 ALSO PROVIDES FOR ANY AREA OF CROWN LAND, WHETHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE A COUNTRY PARK, TO BE SET ASIDE AS A SPECIAL AREA, AGAIN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

ALSO TO BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BILL IS A COUNTRY PARKS BOARD. THE BOARD WILL CONSIST OF NO FEWER THAN TEN MEMBERS, AT LEAST FIVE OF WHOM WILL BE OFFICIAL. THE OTHERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE BOARD WILL REPLACE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE CONSERVATION.

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL BE THE AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS. HE WILL CHAIR THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD.

IT WILL BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR THE AREAS TO BE DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS OR SPECIAL AREAS. IN ADDITION, IT WILL BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE VEGETATION AND WILD-LIFE INSIDE THE PARKS OR AREAS AND TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN BUILDINGS AND SITES OF HISTORICAL OR CULTURAL INTEREST. HE WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THE USE AND .DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM AND PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.

IF AN AREA IS TO BE DESIGNATED AS A COUNTRY PARK, THE AUTHORITY MAY PREPARE A DRAFT MAP OF THE PROPOSED AREA. AT THE SAME TIME A NOTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE GIVING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA AND DETAILS OF WHERE THE MAP MAY BE INSPECTED DY THE PUBLIC TOGETHER WITH THE TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH OBJECTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE BOARD.

ONCE THE NOTICE HAS DEEN PUBLISHED, NO NEW DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS BUILDING, ENGINEERING, MINING OR OTHER SIMILAR OPERATIONS, WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE PROPOSED AREA WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE AUTHORITY, APART FROM THOSE FOR WHICH APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN BEFORE THE NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED. MAINTENANCE WORKS, REPAIR WORKS AND THE USE OF LAND FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, WILL HOWEVER, BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

/ ALSO, IF IT

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975

- 2 -

ALSO, IF IT APPEARS THAT THE USE OR PROPOSED USE OF LEASED LAND WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK WOULD REDUCE THE ENJOYMENT AND AMENITIES OF THE COUNTRY PARK, THE AUTHORITY MAY REQUEST THE LAND AUTHORITY TO HAVE IT STOPPED OR MODIFIED.

OWNERS OR DEVELOPERS OF THE LAND CONCERNED, WHO ARE

REFUSED PERMISSION TO CARRY OUT NEW DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD t

OTHERWISE HAVE DEEN ALLOWED OR WHO ARE ORDERED TO STOP OR ’

MODIFY THE PROPOSED USE OF THE LAND, WILL DE ADLE TO CLAIM COMPENSATION.

UNDER THE DILL THE GOVERNOR IS EMPOWERED TO EXCLUDE FROM ANY COUNTRY PARK OR SPECIAL AREA CERTAIN AREAS AND DU ILDINGS SUCH AS TRADITIONAL DURIAL GROUNDS, TEMPLES AND MONUMENTS.

COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SA IDs *THE INTENSE PRESSURE THAT IS BEING PUT ON THE COUNTRYSIDE HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE INADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT PURPOSES. IT WAS ORIGINALLY ENACTED-IN 1937 GEARED TO A SITUATION WHERE A POPULATION OF LESS THAN ONE MILLION INCLUDED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEASANT FARMERS WHO RELIED ON WOOD FOR FUEL, TIMBER FOR BUILDING PURPOSES AND HILLSIDE GRAZING FOR THEIR CATTLE.

+CLEARLY THIS SITUATION NO LONGER APPLIES WITH A POPULATION OF 4.3 MILLION WHO ARE PREDOMINANTLY URBAN DWELLERS LOOKING UPON THE COUNTRYSIDE PRINCIPALLY AS A RECREATIONAL OUTLET. THIS NEW LEGISLATION WILL INCLUDE FORESTED AREAS AND THE TRACTS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE WHICH ARE UNDER HEAVY PRESSURE FROM VISITORS. THE SPECIAL AREAS WILL COMPRISE SUCH THINGS AS FORESTS, BARBECUE AND PICNIC SPOTS AND SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST.+

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975

-3-

ORIENTATION COURSE FOR YOUTH LEADERS H H K K M M

SIXTY-THREE POTENTIAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF GROUPS AND CLUBS WILL ATTEND AN ORIENTATION COURSE LATER THIS WEEK ORGANISED BY STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH AND SOCIAL CENTRES.

THE TWO-AND-A-HALF-DAY COURSE, RUNNING FROM FRIDAY (DECEMBER 26) TO SUNDAY (DECEMBER 28), WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE DIOCESAN YOUTH CENTRE IN POK FU LAM.

THE PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO HELP ORGANISE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES IN THEIR CENTRES IN THE FUTURE.

THE COURSE WILL INCLUDE TALKS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS.

MR. LAM KWOK-WAN, PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON FRIDAY IN THE YOUTH CENTRE AT 10 A.M. *

-------o - - _ _ i

BURMESE PYTHON * * *

TO BE PROTECTED

M * *

THE BURMESE PYTHON IS TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST OF PROTECTED ANIMALS UNDER THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION BILL 1976 PUBLISHED TODAY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BURMESE PYTHON WAS BEING PLACED ON THE SCHEDULE OF PROTECTED ANIMALS TO PREVENT IT BEING WANTONLY CAPTURED AND KILLED.

♦WITHOUT SUCH PROTECTION, THIS RELATIVELY HARMLESS SNAKE WILL BE IN DANGER OF BECOMING EXTINCT,* HE SAID.

IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION BILL 1976 WILL ALSO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE WILD BIRDS AND WILD MAMMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 170).

A .......

-----0------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975

- 4 -

DUTY FREE BRANDY FROM MACAU K O * * M

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ANNOUNCED TODAY

THAT PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM MACAU DURING THE TWO DAYS FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS (DECEMBER 26 AND 27) MAY BRING INTO HONG KONG FREE OF DUTY ONE BOTTLE OF PORTUGUESE BRANDY CONTAINING NOT MORE THAN ONE LITRE.

THIS IS IN LIEU OF THE CUSTOMARY ONE QUART BOTTLE OF

GRAPE WINE AT PRESENT ALLOWED. '

-------o----------

EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO SWEDEN UK » H *

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY HAS ANNOUNCED THE COMMENCEMENT OF PHASE II OF THE SWING SCHEME FOR 1975/76 IN RESPECT OF EXPORT OF RESTRAINED TEXTILES TO SWEDEN.

DETAILS OF THE ABOVE ARRANGEMENT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 3, NO. 31/75 DATED DECEMBER 24, 1975.

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND COMPANIES ON THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S MAILING LIST FOR NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 3, WILL RECEIVE COPIES OF THE ABOVE NOTICE SHORTLY. COPIES OF THIS NOTICE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.

INTERESTED PARTIES WHO WISH TO SEEK FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT :

MR. C.H. POON - INDUSTRY ASSISTANT TEL. NO. 5-247315

MRS. A.M.K. CHEUNG - CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANT (SWING AND TRANSFER) TEL. NO. 5-223219

-----0-----

DAILY INFORMATldOTOW

SALE OF CONFISCATED GOODS RAISES MILLIONS

M K K K K M

MORE THAN 3,700 KILOGRAMMES OF RAW OPIUM, WHICH COULD HAVE DONE UNTOLD HARM TO THOUSANDS, ARE NOW TO BE USED TO HEAL PEOPLE.

THE OPIUM, TOGETHER WITH SOME 240 KILOGRAMMES OF MORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE, WERE SEIZED BY THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE AND POLICE AND WERE SOLD EARLIER THIS YEAR TO OVERSEAS PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS LICENSED TO TURN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS INTO MEDICINES.

THEIR SALE, WHICH WAS HANDLED BY THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, FETCHED NEARLY $2.23 MILLION.

NOT ALL CONFISCATED GOODS SOLD BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT HOWEVER WERE ON SUCH A LARGE SCALE.

ACCORDING TO MR. JOHN CHAO, SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES (GENERAL DIVISION), THE LARGER PROPORTION OF CONFISCATED GOODS SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR DISPOSAL WERE PICKED UP DURING GAMBLING RAIDS CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE OR RAIDS CONDUCTED BY INSPECTORS OF THE PREVENTIVE SERVICES’S COPYRIGHT UNIT.

WATCHES AUD JEWELLERY, SURETIES PLEDGED FOR STAKES, AND EVEN RADIOS AND ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS TURN UP FOR SALE FROM TIME TO TIME GAMBLING EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS DOMINOES AND SLOT MACHINES, ARE USUALLY DESTROYED.

FROM THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE COME FAKE WATCHES, PIRATED TAPES AND RECORDS, AND RECORDING INSTRUMENTS.

+THE INGENUITY OF THE IMITATORS IS SUCH THAT THE WATCHES CAN EASILY DECEIVE AN UNWARY CUSTOMER,* MR. CHAO SAID.

+YET, EVEN THOUGH THE IMITATIONS HAVE A VALUE OF THEIR OWN, ALL ARE DESTROYED.

♦THIS MAY SEEM WASTEFUL, BUT IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT THE LAWFUL INTERESTS OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE PROTECTED,* MR. CHAO ADDED.

CONFISCATED SPIRITS AND TOBACCO, WHICH ARE DUTIABLE, ARE KEPT AND SOLD SEPARATELY BY THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

VEHICLES OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONFISCATED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, ARE DEALT WITH BY THE SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND ARE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, 990 OF THEM WERE DISPOSED OF, BRINGING IN A TOTAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $179,800, OR ON AVERAGE ABOUT $180 A CAR. >

+OCCASIONALLY, SMALL VESSELS WHICH WERE USED FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ARE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY,* MR. CHAO CONTINUED.

/♦THESE VESSELS,

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1975

- 2 -

+THESE VESSELS, IF SUBSEQUENTLY CONFISCATED AND FOUND TO BE SEA-WORTHY, MAY BE HANDED OVER TO TRAINING ORGANISATIONS OR TO WELFARE GROUPS WHICH NEED SEA TRANSPORT,+ HE SAID.

VESSELS WHICH CANNOT BE ECONOMICALLY REPAIRED ARE HANDED TO THE SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SO THAT ENGINES AND OTHER FITTINGS WHICH ARE STILL OF SOME VALUE CAN BE RETRIEVED.

OTHER THAN CONFISCATED GOODS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO THE TASK OF DISPOSING UNCLAIMED GOODS, ESPECIALLY UNDELIVERED PARCELS WHICH CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE SENDERS BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT OR INCORRECT ADDRESS.

THE NUMBER OF THESE ITEMS DEALT WITH IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR WAS 5,804, OR ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT OF THE 11,608 ITEMS OF CONFISCATED GOODS HANDLED.

THE MAJORITY OF THE UNCLAIMED PARCELS CONTAIN CLOTHING OR FOODSTUFFS, BUT THERE ARE ALSO TOYS, MEDICINES, COMMERCIAL SAMPLES AND BOOKS.

+INEVITABLY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE THE UNDELIVERED PARCELS WERE FIRST PACKED. PERISHABLE ITEMS WHICH COULD PRESENT HEALTH HAZARDSARE IN ALL CASES DESTROYED.

+THE CLOTHING AND TOYS AND SUITABLE BOOKS ARE GIVEN TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, WHILE THE LENGTHS OF CLOTH ARE USED BY HOSPITAL LINEN ROOMS,+ MR. CHAO ’SAID.

THERE IS A LIST OF THE CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND THEY ARE INVITED BY TURNS TO VISIT THE UNCLAIMED GOODS STORE TO CHOOSE WHATEVER THEY NEED.

ITEMS WHICH ARE OF NO USE TO THESE ORGANISATIONS ARE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, ABOUT ONCE EVERY FORTNIGHT.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT RECOVERED NEARLY $20,500 FROM THE SALE OF THESE PARCELS AND ANOTHER $12,000 FROM OTHER UNCLAIMED GOODS.

+THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS KNOWN TO MOST PEOPLE AS A SUPPLIER AND BUYER OF MATERIALS FOR ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS,+ MR. CHAO SAID.

+NOT MANY HOWEVER KNOW THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO A SELLER OF GOODS.

+ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT HANDLED IS COMPARATIVELY SMALL, SELLING, JUST AS BUYING, REQUIRES CAREFUL SUPERVISION AND KNOWLEDGE OF MARKET CONDITIONS IN ORDER THAT THE BEST PRICE CAN BE OBTAINED FOR THE TRANSACTIONS,* HE ADDED.

------0-------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1975

NEW YEAR’S DAY A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR WORKERS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THURSDAY (JANUARY 1, 1976) IS ONE OF THE SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

MR. PRICE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED NOT ONLY TO INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO TO EMPLOYEES IN THE ENTIRE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND CATERING TRADES.

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH AND ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. AND THEY MUST ALSO BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON THE STATURORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST GIVE HIM AT LEAST 48 HOURS’ NOTICE, AND HE MUST GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE EMPLOYER INTENDS TO GIVE HIS EMPLOYEE AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST NOTIFY HIM 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE BEFORE GIVING HIM AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. AND IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO DE GIVEN AFTER THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY, THE EMPLOYER MUST INFORM HIS EMPLOYEE OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.

IF THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE AGREE, ANY DAY WITH 30 DAYS OF A STATUTORY HOLIDAY OR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY MAY BE TAKEN BY THE EMPLOYEE AS A SUBSTITUTED HOLIDAY.

COMPLAINTS OR ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: FOR KOWLOON EAST 3-205638= KOWLOON WEST 3-201652= KWUN TONG 3-898520= TSUEN WAN 12-422096= AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

FRIDAY,DECEMBER 26, 1975

- 2 -

DOG-OWNERS URGED TO HAVE PETS INOCULATED

DOG-OWNERS MUST HAVE THEIR PETS INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AND MUST RENEW THE DOG LICENCES EVERY YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT DOGS OVER THE AGE OF THREE MONTHS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED, AND WHILE IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE DOGS MUST BE PERIODICALLY INOCULATED AGAIN, THEY MUST ALSO BE RE-LICENSED EACH YEAR.

THIS CAN BE DONE AT ANY OF THE FOUR GOVERNMENT KENNELS AT VICTORIA ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND, AT SUNG WONG TOI ROAD IN KOWLOON AND AT SHA TIN AND SHEK WU HUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF FIFTEEN LICENSING AND INOCULATION CENTRES ARE RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF DOG-OWNERS SEVEN OF THEM ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FOUR IN KOWLOON AND FOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

♦LICENSING AND INOCULATION FACILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED ON SPECIFIED DAYS AT A NUMBER OF PLACES SUCH AS KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS IN URBAN AREAS, AND RURAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

INOCULATION IS PROVIDED FREE. THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES ARE $15 FOR A DOG IN THE URBAN AREAS OR ON A LOCAL VESSEL AND $5 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED DOG-OWNERS THAT THEY MUST REPORT TO THE POLICE IF THEIR DOGS BITE ANYONE.

THIS IS REQUIRED TO ASSIST IN THE DETECTION OF ANY RABIES OUTBREAK SO THAT EARLY PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT AND THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE DOGS INOCULATED AND LICENSED MAY RESULT ON CONVICTION IN A FINE OF UP TO $1,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

------0--------

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1975

- 3 -

PAY YOUR TAXES BY POST

*»*«««

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO PAY THEIR TAXES BY POST.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE SETTLING THEIR TAX BILLS.

+BY PAYING THROUGH THE POST, YOU CAN SAVE A TRIP TO ONE OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES AND AVOID THE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUING UP THERE,+ HE SAID.

LAST YEAR ABOUT 60,000 PEOPLE MADE USE OF THE POST TO PAY THEIR TAXES.

THE SPOKESMAN SA IDs +THERE IS NO SURCHARGE IF THE PAYMENTS ARE RECEIVED LATE SO LONG AS THE ENVELOPE IS POSTMARKED NOT LATER THAN THE DUE DATE SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.

+CHEQUES MUST BE SENT WITH THE DEMAND NOTES, WHICH WILL BE RECEIPTED AND POSTED BACK TO THE TAXPAYER WITHIN TWO TO THREE DAYS.+

REMINDERS WOULD NOT BE ISSUED, HE ADDED.

CROSSED CHEQUES SHOULD BE SENT TOs

COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE,

CENTRAL MAIL OFFICE,

CLUB LUS I TANO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR,

HONG KONG.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1975

FIRE SERVICES GET NEW ENGINE

******

THE FIRE-FIGHTING CAPABILITIES OF HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY THE ADDITION OF FIRE ENGINE.

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT A NEW HALF-A-MILL ION-DOLLAR

THE APPLIANCE, WHICH ARRIVED BY SHIP FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM LAST WEEK, IS FITTED WITH A 91 FT. SNORKEL (ELEVATED HYDRAULIC

THE HIGHEST OF ITS TYPE IN HONG KONG SO FAR AND 85 FK AND N INE^FT^ONES?1 °F SN0RKELS T0 13’ INCLUDING THREE i act vcad°RDER’ COSTING MORE THAN $500,000, WAS PLACED IN JANUARY LAo I YuAne

aw pMsmsj!"0 “ith FuLLy automat,c tr4nsm|ss|on

OTHER FEATURES INCLUDE A CAGE WITH A STEEL CANOPY FOR PROTECTION AGAINST FALLING OBJECTS, A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM JONE HORNS, AN il-'NCH SEARCHLIGHT AND A 500-GALL0N-PER-MINUTE WATER PUMP SUPPLYING WATER TO AN OUTLET FIXED TO THE SNORKEL caglthlrf ,s also an intercommunication system between cage AND BASE TO KEEP FIRE FIGHTERS AND OPERATOR IN CONSTANT TOUCH.

1,1J.^..A.FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY s +SNORKELS WR’CH ARE EXTREMELY VERSATILE, ARE RECOGNISED AS BEING AMONG THE* MOST EFFECTIVE FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT.

CAN MANOEUVRE FROM SIDE TO SIDE OR UP AND DOWN AND CAN BE USED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AT A FIRE SCENE.+ unoucJnn NEW MACHINE WH-L BE PUT INTO SERVICE AFTER CHECKING IN WUKKonUr•

-----0------

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1975

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO HOLD JOINT PARTY

RESIDENTS OF THE FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A JOINT PARTY AT THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 30) TO CELEBRATE THE FESTIVE SEASON.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MISS ANNIE CHAN SUET-MAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AND PRESENT BRONZE MEDALS TO THE 62 WINNERS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME. THE WINNERS ARE FROM THE FIVE INSTITUTIONS - THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME, THE KWUN TONG HOSTEL, THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME AND THE 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME.

SANTA CLAUS WILL DISTRIBUTE GIFTS TO CHILDREN ATTENDING THE PARTY.

NOTE TO ED I TORSs

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION TO BE HELD AT THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, 62 BEGONIA ROAD, YAU YAT CHUEN, KOWLOON ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 30) AT 2.30 P.M.

- _ 0 - -

WATER INTERRUPTION # H K K

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE INTERRUPTED BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 30) TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE IN AN AREA BOUNDED BY BELCHER’S STREET, PRAYA, NEW PRAYA, COLLINSON STREET, SAI CHEUNG STREET, SAI HONG LANE, HOLLAND STREET, SANDS STREET, NORTH STREET, SMITHFIELD ROAD AND ROCK HILL STREET.

- - 0 - -

f*RH

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

‘ SUNDAY, DECEMBER »A, 1^75

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

100,000 VISITED CAREERS »7« ................................ 1

YUEN LONG TO HAVE ITS OWN LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE .......... °

LAST TRY TO RETAIN AIRPORT RUS..................... ••• 3

RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR NEXT QUARTER ANNOUNCED ............... 4

TEST PILING TO START IN SHAM TSENG FOR TUEN MUN HIGHWAY 5 ' .

NEED FOR MATERNAL CARE TO PREVENT DEAFNESS STRESSED .... 6

APPLICATIONS FOR YEAR OF THE DRAGON GOLD COINS NOW OPEN 7 HIGH ENROLMENT AT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES .....................................

' I

Issued by Government Information Serviqes, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975

RECORD ATTENDANCE AT CAREERS ’76

« H K K

AN ALL-TIME ATTENDANCE RECORD OF NEARLY 100,000 VISITORS WAS SET BY CAREERS ’76, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION WHICH CLOSED AT 5 P.M. AT THE CITY HALL TODAY.

COMMENTING ON THE RECORD, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI, SAID THE LARGE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE 12-DAY EXHIBITION INDICATED THAT SERVICES OF THIS KIND WERE POPULAR AND VERY MUCH IN DEMAND BY STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) ORGANISED THE FIRST CAREERS EXHIBITION IN 1972 AS A PILOT SCHEME IT ATTRACTED MORE THAN 28,000 PEOPLE WITHIN THREE DAYS AND HAD ' PROVED TO BE A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.

SINCE THEN, THE EVENT HAD BECOME AN ANNUAL FUNCTION OF THE YEAS WHOSE SUBSEQUENT EXHIBITIONS IN 1973 AND 1974 DREW 48 500 AND 93,000 VISITORS RESPECTIVELY.

+UNTIL RECENTLY, ONE COULD HARDLY SAY FOR SURE THAT THE CAREERS ' EXHIBITION IS SOMETHING OF A FEATURE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. BUT WITH THE REPEATED SUCCESSES, ANOTHER EXHIBITION WILL MOST PROBABLY BE HELD NEXT YEAR,* MR. LAO SAID.

A TOTAL OF 15 EXHIBITORS FROM DIFFERENT TRADES AND INDUSTRIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE CURRENT EXHIBITION WHICH AIMED AT PROVIDING CAREERS INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO FACILITATE THEM IN THEIR CHOICE OF CAREERS.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, CAREERS ’76 WAS FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY STUDENTS, PARENTS, CAREER MAS IERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AS WELL AS THE EXHIBITORS THEMSELVES.

AN EXHIBITOR SAID THE STAFF MANNING HIS COMPANY’S STAND WERE PROUD OF THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN CARRYING OUT A WORTHWHILE COMMUNITY PROJECT ALTHOUGH THEY HAD TO WORK OVERTIME, PARTICULARLY DURING WEEKENDS AND THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

HE ADDED s +WE APPRECIATE THAT WE TOOK PART IN THE EXHIBITION MORE AS A SOCIAL SERVICE TO OUR YOUNGER GENERATION THAN AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS EXERCISE.*

NOTE TO EDITORS s

COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING A GROUP OF STUDENTS AT THE STAND OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE NOV/ AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

------o--------

/2.....

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975 - 2 -,

NEW LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE TO OPEN IN YUEN LONG H X « It

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OPENS A NEW OFFICE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 2) TO PROMOTE BETTER LABOUR RELATIONS IN YUEN LONG AND ITS NEIGHBOURING AREAS.

THE LRS OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE IN YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI, SAID THE NEW OFFICE MARKED YET ANOTHER STEP FORWARD BY THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE ITS LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICES IN THE INTEREST OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.

THE SERVICES PROVIDED THERE WILL INCLUDE THE PROMOTION OF HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, CONCILIATION IN LABOUR DISPUTES, INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AND THE OFFER OF ADVICE OF ALL MATTERS RELATING TO LABOUR RELATIONS.

+WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW OFF ICE,+ MR. LAO SAID, +EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN YUEN LONG AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS WHO WISH TO SEEK OUR ASSISTANCE NO LONGER NEED TO TRAVEL TO TSUEN WAN AS THEY HAD TO IN THE PAST. THEY CAN NOW CALL AT THE NEW YUEN LONG OFFICE OR TELEPHONE 12-760261 EXTENSION 82.

+THIS OFFICE ALSO CATERS FOR TUEN MUN AND ITS ADJACENT AREAS WHERE INDUSTRY IS GROWING AT A SIGNIFICANT PACE. PEOPLE IN THESE DISTRICTS ARE WELCOME TO USE THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE NEW UNIT FOR THEIR OWN CONVENIENCE,+ HE SAID.

ALTHOUGH THE NEW OFFICE IS INITIALLY MANNED BY A LABOUR OFFICER AND AN ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER ON A PART-TIME BASIS, A CLERICAL OFFICER WILL BE ON DUTY FULL-TIME DURING OFFICE HOURS TO ANSWER ENQUIHIES AND ARRANGE APPOINTMENTS FOR CALLERS.

MR. LAO ADDED THAT AS SOON AS ADEQUATE OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE IT WOULD BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A FULL-TIME SERVICE.

0 -------

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975 3 -

HELP SAVE YOUR AIRPORT BUS

* H # # K

THE AIRPORT BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 200, IS BEING MODIFIED AND THE FARES REDUCED FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS IN A FINAL ATTEMPT BY KMB TO ATTRACT MORE PASSENGERS. IF THESE LATEST MOVES FAIL, THE COMPANY WILL STOP THE SERVICE FROM JANUARY 16.

STARTING FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), FARES WILL BE REDUCED FROM THE PREVIOUS S3 TO $2 BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND HONG KONG ISLAND^ A $1 FARE WILL APPLY ON ALL JOURNEYS AFTER LEAVING THE CROSSHARBOUR TUNNEL.

IN KOWLOON THE ROUTE HAS BEEN MODIFIED SO AS TO OPERATE ALONG CHATHAM ROAD, MA TAU WAI ROAD, CHI KIANG STREET AND TO KWA WAN ROAD. ON HONG KONG ISLAND THE ROUTE REMAINS UNCHANGED.

ROUTE 200 BEGAN IN MARCH 1975 BUT DESPITE MUCH PUBLICITY BY KMB, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE USED THE LUXURY COACH SERVICE. MANY IMPROVEMENTS HAVE SINCE BEEN MADE, INCLUDING LUGGAGE COMPARTMENTS ON BUSES, BETTER SIGN POSTING AND EVEN AN INFORMATION AND TICKET COUNTER IN THE ARRIVAL HALL WHICH ALSO ACCEPTS FOREIGN CURRENCY.

BUT EVEN THESE LATEST MOVES ARE SEEN BY MANY AS NOT HAVING MUCH MORE CHANCE THAN THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO ATTRACT PASSENGERS. SOME TIME AGO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD HOPED THAT THE BUSES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE MAIN ARRIVAL LOUNGE BUT THIS PROVED IMPRACTICABLE. INSTEAD THE AIRPORT PICK-UP IS A FEW YARDS TO THE WEST.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS NOW UP TO THE PUBLIC TO USE THE SERVICE IF THEY WANTED TO SEE IT CONTINUE. +IT’S ALL VERY WELL TO WRITE LETTERS TO THE PRESS MOANING AT THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE SERVICE, BUT THE HARD FACTS ARE THAT AN AVERAGE OF ONLY SIX PEOPLE ARE CARRIED ON EACH TRIP. SO HOW CAN ANYONE EXPECT KMB TO GO ON PROVIDING AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY COACH SERVICE ON SUCH AN UNPROFITABLE BAS IS.+ THIS REPRESENTS A LOSS TO KMB OF $1,200 A DAY.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHICH HAD ENCOURAGED KMB TO START THE AIRPORT SERVICE. +WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO HELP MAKE IT A SUCCESS. THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERVICE WILL BE A LOSS NOT ONLY TO LOCAL PEOPLE BUT ALSO TO VISITORS AND OUR GOOD IMAGE OVERSEAS.+

THE SPOKESMAN URGED ANYONE TRAVELLING TO OR FROM THE VICINITY OF KAI TAK TO GIVE THE COACH A TRY AND HOPEFULLY +PLAY A PART IN KEEPING THE SERVICE GOING.+

- - o-------------

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975

RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR 1ST QUARTER OF 1976

* ft * K

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1976 HAS BEEN FIXED AT 80,514 METRIC TONS.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE.AND INDUSTRY (TRADE). MR. PAUL WONG, EXPLAINED THAT THE NEV/ QUOTA — SMALLER THAN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S QUOTA BY 5,286 METRIC TONS, TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE SATISFACTORY STOCK LEVEL AT PRESENT (62,000 METRIC TONS, NOT INCLUDING 11,900 METRIC TONS YET TO BE IMPORTED DURING THIS QUARTER) AND THE VERY FAVOURABLE OVERSEAS SUPPLY POSITION.

DURING°1975/76DY PR0DUCT,0N IS expecTED TO INCREASE BY FOUR PER CENT

SINCE JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, HONG KONG HAS IMPORTED A TOTAL OF 323,204 METRIC TONS OF RICE. OF THIS AMOUNT, CHINA SUPPLIED 177.321 METRIC TONS AND THAILAND 112,180 METRIC TONS. THE BALANCE WAS MAINLY FROM AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES.

o - -

4 ’J

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975

- 5 -

TEST PILING TO START IN SHAM TSENG TOMORROW

KOK#

TEST PILING IN CONNECTION WITH A VIADUCT TO BE BUILT IN FRONT OF SHAM TSENG VILLAGE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES, IS TO START TOMORROW (MONDAY).

THE VIADUCT IS A CRUCIAL STAGE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR HIGHWAY WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LINK TUEN MUN WITH TSUEN WAN.

THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, HAS DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 200 COPIES OF A LETTER TO THE VILLAGERS INFORMING THEM OF THE START OF TEST PILING.

THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD IN THE LETTER THAT THEIR "UNDERSTANDABLE” CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOUSES AND FAMILIES ’’HAS LONG BEEN APPRECIATED AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE ENGINEERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE."

+AS YOU ARE AWARE,+ THE LETTER SAYS, +A PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY AND DESCRIPTIVE REPORT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FOR EACH HOUSE NEAR THE PILING AREA, TO SERVE AS A CHECK AGAINST ANY REPORTED DAMAGE. ALSO, THE PILING WILL BE MONITORED BY THE ENGINEERS, WHO WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE EQUIPMENT AT THE SITE TO CHECK NOISE AND VIBRATION.

+FURTHER, SHOULD ANY DAMAGE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE WORK BE CAUSED IT WILL BE MADE GOOD BY THE CONTRACTOR.+

DISTRICT OFFICER STAFF WILL BE AT THE SITE DURING TEST PILING, AS WILL RESIDENT ENGINEERS AND THE CONTRACTOR’S ENGINEERS, TO SUPERVISE THE WORK. ♦

+YOU NEED THEREFORE NOT HAVE ANY UNDUE FEARS OVER THIS MATTER AND YOUR CO-OPERATION IS REQUESTED,+ THE LETTER CONCLUDES.

THE VIADUCT, ABOUT 1,100 FT. LONG, WILL CARRY THE HIGHWAY OVER A NULLAH DIVIDING THE VILLAGE.

TWO WEEKS AGO, VILLAGERS IN SAM SHING HUi, WHICH IS CLOSE TO TUEN MUN, BEGAN MOVING OUT OF THEIR HOMES TO ENABLE ANOTHER STAGE OF THE FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY TO GO AHEAD.

ULTIMATELY A TOTAL OF 1 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE HOUSED IN THE NEW TOWNS OF TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.

o -------

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975

GOOD MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE VITAL TO PREVENTION OF DEAFNESS — DR. CHOA * « » «

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, ADVISED TODAY THAT MANY POTENTIAL CASES OF DEAFNESS COULD BE REMEDIED BY GOOD MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "VOICE OF THE UNVOICED" EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE JAYCEETTES AT STATUE SQUARE THIS MORNING, DR. CHOA SAID MANY CHILDHOOD INFECTIONS COULD BE PREVENTED BY IMMUNISATIONS SUCH AS B.C.G. AND MEASLES.

HE NOTED THAT THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN ITS IMMUNISATION PROGRAMMES.

STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION OF DEAFNESS, THE DIRECTOR SAID EAR HYGIENE SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, AND ADVISED THAT EAR INFECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY AND MUST BE TREATED EARLY BY DOCTORS.

+WITH GOOD MATERNAL AND CHILD CARE MANY POTENTIAL CASES CAN BE RECTIFIED AND REMEDIED,* HE SAID.

ACCORDING TO DR. CHOA, A NUMBER OF CONGENITAL CASES WITH UNKNOWN FACTORS ARE THE ONES WHICH CAUSE MOST CONCERN.

HE ADVISED THAT DRUGS KNOWN TO GIVE RISE TO TOXICITY SHOULD BE GIVEN ONLY UNDER CONSTANT MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND SUBSTITUTED WITH OTHERS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

NOISE IN THE SOCIAL AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE ABATED BY LEGISLATION TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR PROLONGED EXPOSURE, HE SUGGESTED.

DR. CHOA WENT ON TO SAY THAT PREVENTION OF THE RESULTANT DISABILITY WOULD RELY ON THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF THE CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF LIFE.

+LANGUAGE AND SPEECH SKILLS DO NOT COME NATURALLY FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY LACK THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT MENTAL DEVELOPMENT TENDS TO BE HELD BACK,* HE SAID.

IF ACTION WAS TAKEN EARLY ENOUGH, SAID DR. CHOA, THESE CHILDREN WOULD GROW UP AS INDIVIDUALS RELYING LESS FOR SUPPORT ON THEIR FAMILIES AND ON WELFARE PROVISIONS.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THERE WERE NO ACCURATE STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON THE OVERALL PREVALENCE OF DEAFNESS IN HONG KONG. THE 1971 CENSUS ENUMERATED ONLY FEWER THAN 2,000 PEOPLE BUT THIS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED THE DEAF POPULATION.

/OK. CHOA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER ?8, 1975

7 -

DR. CHOA SAID DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING TESTS ON CHILDREN WERE CARRIED OUT IN THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH AIMED AT IDENTIFYING DISABILITIES AT AN EARLY AGE.

SINCE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY IMPAIRMENT OF HEARING IN INFANCY, A GREAT DEAL WOULD RELY ON THE MOTHER’S OWN CLOSE OBSERVATION OF THE CHILD AND REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT THE CHILD HEALTH CENTRES, HE SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF DR. CHOA’S SPEECH ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT GIS PRESS ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

-------0----------

HONG KONG GOLD COINS : APPLICATIONS INVITED

« X H X «

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR THE GOLD COINS TO BE ISSUED TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

THE COINS MAY BE BOUGHT IN BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION AT $1,000 OR IN PROOF QUALITY AT $1,500 EACH.

NOT MORE THAN 30,000, INCLUDING 10,000 PROOFS, WILL BE ISSUED.

THE COINS ARE MADE OF 22 CARAT GOLD AND HAS A STANDARD WEIGHT OF 15.976 GRAMMES AND A DIAMETER OF 28.4 MM. (1.118 INCHES).

APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT ANY OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK AND MUST BE RETURNED BY JANUARY 7.

EACH APPLICATION IS RESTRICTED TO ONE COIN AND IN CASE THE ISSUE IS OVERSUBSCRIBED, THE COINS WILL BE ALLOCATED BY BALLOT AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.

THE COINS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BEFORE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

--------0----------

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975 8 -

THOUSANDS ATTEND EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE ’ * M * M H

MORE THAN 3,200 PUPILS, MANY OF WHOM WORK DURING THE DAY, ARE ATTENDING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EVENING INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE.

WHEN THE COURSE WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1959 THERE WERE ONLY THREE LEVELS - YEARS 1 TO 3. THE COURSE, WHICH LEADS TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, HAS PROGRESSIVELY EXTENDED TO SIX LEVELS.

AT PRESENT THERE ARE SEVEN CENTRES, TWO ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND FIVE IN KOWLOON. CHINESE IS USED AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AT THREE OF THE CENTRES WHILE THE REMAINING FOUR USE ENGLISH.

ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE APPLICANTS THIS YEAR SELECTED TO JOIN THE CENTRES WHICH USE ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. ALSO MOST OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WERE FOR CENTRES IN KOWLOON.

OF THE 3,200 PUPILS ENROLLED, SOME 1,200 ARE ATTENDING THE COURSE OF THE KOWLOON ENGLISH SECTION AT THREE CENTRES - QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND THE CHEUNG SHA WAN POLICE PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE LAST TWO OF WHICH ARE ANNEXES TO THE FIRST CENTRE.

THE STUDENTS AT THESE THREE CENTRES WEAR SCHOOL UNIFORM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT COMPELLED TO DO SO. THE IDEA OF A SCHOOL UNIFORM BEGAN IN 1961. EVER SINCE THEN THE PUPILS AT THESE CENTRES HAVE BEEN PROUD OF THEIR UNIFORM. SOME OF THEM CHANGE INTO THEIR UNIFORM AFTER WORK OR ON ARRIVAL AT THE CENTRES.

RECENTLY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY PAID A VISIT TO THE CENTRE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL. HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE PUPILS’ ATTITUDE AND THE HIGH STANDARD OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE.

MR. TOPLEY REMAINED AT THE CENTRE FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AND TALKED TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS AND STAFF. HE THEN WENT TO THE MA TAU CHUNG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, A CENTRE FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE - A THREE-YEAR EVENING POST-PRIMARY COURSE WITH A PRACTICAL BIAS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS WHO DO NOT ANTICIPATE FURTHER EDUCATION AT THE GRAMMAR SECONDARY LEVEL. MORE THAN 4,000 TEENAGERS ARE ATTENDING THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE WHICH LEADS TO A CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

/EARLIER THE SAME .....

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1975' 9 -

EARLIER THE SAME EVENING, THE DIRECTOR VISITED THE HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL, A CENTRE FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS. THIS COURSE, WHICH LEADS TO THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, HAS AN ENROLMENT OF MORE THAN 2,000 PUPILS. ABOUT HALF OF WHOM ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 20.

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE FOR ADULTS AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S COURSE ARE CONDUCTED BY THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING MR. TOPLEY AT THE CENTRE IN QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL AND AT THE CENTRE IN THE MA TAU CHUNG GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN THE PRESS ROOM, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR.

THE KOWLOON ENGLISH SECTION OF THE EVENING INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE WILL BE HOLDING ITS ANNUAL SPEECH DAY IN QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL NEXT TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, AT 7 P.M. WHEN THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), MR. WILLIAM FISHERSHORT WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND MRS. FISHER-SHORT WILL DISTRIBUTE CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES. YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SPEECH DAY COVERED.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

REGULATIONS TO PROTECT ABRASIVE WHEEL WORKERS EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1 ............................................ 1

PUBLIC WARNED OF FIRE DANGER DURING DRY SPELL ............. 2

1,000 TSUEN WAN CHILDREN TO BE ENTERTAINED AT FUN FAIR ...................................................... 3

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BEING INTRODUCED INTO'SCHOOLS .. 4

SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON NEW CHEMISTRY SYLLABUS............... 6

MORE DISABLED PEOPLE FOUND JOBS LAST MONTH ................ 7

WATER INTERRUPTION IN KOWLOON CITY......................... 7

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

l.FWFOAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

- 1 -

NEW RULES TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION OF ABRASIVE WHEELS if if if if if if

NEU REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST ABRASIVE WHEEL * ACCIDENTS WILL COME INTO FORCE GN THURSDAY (JANUARY 1).

THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ABRASIVE WHEELS) REGULATIONS, WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM iL.E OF G5,OOO, GOVERN HIE PROPER ALD SAFE MAUi.uR OF i.OUNTlLG A..) USING ABRASIVE WHEELS.

THESE REGULATIONS ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CUT DOWN THE RISING TOLL 0.’ ABRASIVE WHEEL ACCIDENTS VHICil, III THE 1G-M0HTH PERIOD ENDING LAST SLPTEl.bUl, KILLED A L( D.KEK ALD SERIOUSLY INJURED 265 OTHERS.

REM I HD I LG PROPRIETORS ALD WORKERS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REGULATIONS, THE ASSISTANT COIL'II SSI ONER FOR LABOUR, NITS. SOO MOA SAU-RA, TO; \7 STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LEGISLATION FOR THE PROTECTION CF WORKERS.

+BY VIRTUE OF ITS CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIAL, SUCH A WHEEL IS BRITTLE AND CAN SHATTER IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY.+

+BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SPEED AT WHICH THESE WHEELS ROTATE, FRAGMENTS FROM DURST MACHIHuS FLY OFF ’WITH THE FORCE OF A PROJECTILE AcD CAN INCAPACITATE OR EVEN KILL,+ SHE SAID.

UNDER THESE REGULATIONS, WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Gil APRIL 23 THIS YEAR, PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO ELJUuEs

THAT PERMISSIBLE SPEEDS OF ABRASIVE WHEELS AND SPINDLES ARE HOT EXCEL: lD=

« THAT NOTICES INDICATING THESE SPEEDS ARE DISPLAYED3

if THAT THE WHEELS ARE PROPERL Y MOUNT D DY COMPETENT ! EGPLE;- ALD

if THAT ADEQUATE SAFETY MEASURES SUCH AS GUARDS, PROTECTION FIANCES AND MACHINE CONTROLS, EE PROVIDED.

IN ADDITION, THE REGULATIONS SET OUT Ci EARLY THE RESPOND IBIL I TIES OF W..l.-Ru 'WHICH IN LUDE THE PROPER UE OF GUARDS, FLANGES, MACHINE COLTR LS, AND OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICES. THEY ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE i 0.1 REI JRTIL - ANY DEFECT TO THE PROPRIETOR.

MRS. SCO SAID A GUIDE EXPLAINING THE REGULATIONS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE HAD BEEN PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION GIVING PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS A Tl'ER UH ■ ..(STAND I NG OF THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS A;..) n EiR OBLIGATIONS Ui.Lcl THE L AW.

AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE GUIDE, A SEPARATE EXPLANATORY BOOKLET CONTAINING PRACTICAL ADVICE ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF TC_.SE I.ACHI S WAS LEINS PREPARED AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY, S u. A ED.

- o

/2......

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

BE DOUBLY CAREFUL WITH FIRES DURING DRY SPELL if if if if if

A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY AGAIN WARNED THE PUBLIC OF THE +GREATLY INCREASED* CHANCES OF FIRE DURING THE CURRENT DRY SPELL.

HE SAID THAT SINCE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS BEGAN LAST THURSDAY, THERE HAD BEEN 276 FIRES, OF WHICH 173 WERE GRASS FIRES. OF THE 93 FIRES REPORTED IN A SINGLE DAY YESTERDAY, 66 WERE GRASS FIRES.

+THIS SITUATION IS MOST DISAPPOINTING,* HE SAID, +AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL BECAUSE OF THE DRIER WEATHER.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT THROUGH CARELESSNESS ON THE PART OF PICNICKERS AND HIKERS, THOUSANDS OF TREES WERE DESTROYED AND LARGE AREAS OF COUNTRYSIDE LAID TO WASTE.

+THROWING LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES AWAY WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT, AND CARELESSNESS WITH BARBECUE FIRES ARE TWO MAJOR CAUSES OF RURAL FIRES, +THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE APPEALED TO PICNICKERS AND OTHER V-ISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO BE CAREFUL PARTICULARLY IF THEY HELD BARBECUE PARTIES.

♦CHOOSE AN AREA SET ASIDE FOR THIS PURPOSE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT . SOMEONE IS WATCHING THE FIRE ALL THE TIME. WHEN YOU LEAVE, PUT IT OUT WITH WATER AND EARTH.*

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THE FIRES WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE BURNING OF RUBBISH BY VILLAGERS ON OPEN GROUND. HE SAID: +AT A TIME WHEN THE HUMIDITY IS SO LOW THIS IS MOST DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SMALLEST SPARK COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.* *

♦UNLESS THE PUBLIC IS ON ITS GUARD AND IS PREPARED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS THERE WILL BE MORE FIRES.*

♦FURTHERMORE,* HE SAID, +THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GRASS FIRES WILL SERIOUSLY HAMPER THE FIRE FIGHTING CAPABILITIES OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SHOULD FIRES OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WHERE LIVES ARE AT STAKE.*

/HE REITERATED .....

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

HE REITERATED THAT THE RED FIRE WARNING, WHICH HAD BEEN IN FORCE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, MEANT THAT EVERYTHING WHICH WOULD BURN BOTH INDOORS AND OUTDOORS DRIED OUT.

+IF THE PUBLIC IN THEIR OWN AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS’ INTEREST RESPOND TO THIS WARNING BY TAKING PRECAUTIONS AND AVOID ALL ACTS OF CARELESSNESS, LIVES AND PROPERTIES WILL BE PROTECTED.+

MEANWHILE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT CALLED ON VISITORS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AND RESIDENTS IN RURAL AREAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH FIRES.

IN PARTICULAR, HE SAID, VILLAGERS WHO INTENDED TO BURN ' WEEDS OR OTHER WASTE MATERIALS MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO CAUSE ANY GRASS FIRE.

A NUMBER OF FIRES OVER THE WEEKEND WERE STARTED IN THIS WAY. ANYONE SETTING FIRE DELIBERATELY, WHETHER IN BUILT-UP AREAS OR ON OPEN GROUND, COULD BE PROSECUTED FOR ARSON.

VILLAGERS WISHING TO START FIRES ON THEIR GROUND SHOULD CONSULT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION AND FORESTS DIVISION BEFORE DOING SO.

-------o - - - -

FUN FAIR FOR 1,000 CHILDREN K if K if if if

ABOUT 1,000 CHILDREN IN, TSUEN WAN WILL ATTEND A FUN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY.

THE FAIR WILL BE HELD IN THE BASKETBALL PITCH OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE BETWEEN 2,P.M. AND 5 P.M.

THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY A BAND AND A LUCKY DRAW.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG

X * M X * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS MAKING DETERMINED ATTEMPTS TO INTRODUCE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS IN HONG KONG, MR. LAI KA-KUI, SCIENCE INSPECTOR OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, TOLD THE ASIAN YOUTH COURSE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT MORRISON HOUSE TODAY.

THIS IS BEING DONE IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE HONG KONG CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AND VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

+ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN BOTH EXAMINATION AND TEACHING SYLLABUSES,* MR. LAI SAID.

IN HONG KONG EDUCATIONAL INTEREST IN THE ENVIRONMENT, FROM BOTH INTRA-CURRICULAR AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR POINTS OF VIEW, THOUGH COMPARATIVELY NEW, HAS BEEN EXTREMELY KEEN AND GATHERING TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM BOTH WITHIN SCHOOLS AND OUTSIDE DURING THE LAST DECADE.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH INTRA-CURRICULAR AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DATES BACK TO THE MID-FIFTIES WHEN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STARTED ORGANISING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THESE STUDIES.

SINCE THEN, MR. LAI SAID, ACTIVITIES .OF THIS KIND HAD BECOME MORE VARIED AND THE POPULARITY AMONG PUPILS AND TEACHERS IN BOTH SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAD INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY.

+ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES AIM AT MAKING BOTH THE TEACHERS AND THE PUPILS AWARE OF THEIR ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,* THE SCIENCE INSPECTOR SAID.

HONG KONG PUPILS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THEIR FORMAL SCHOOL LIVES -PRIMARY ONE.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY IS NOT TREATED AS AN INDEPENDENT SUBJECT IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM. THE PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS CONTINUOUSLY FROM PRIMARY ONE TO UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE STANDARD AND WITHIN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES SUCH AS THE SCIENCES, SOCIAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY.

MR. LAI SPOKE ABOUT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH’AS TREE-PLANTING, FLOWER-GROWING, VEGETABLE-PLANTING, TRAINING CAMPS FOR STUDENT CONSERVATION LEADERS AND SCHOOLS’ CONTRIBUTION AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN* CAMPAIGN.

HE ALSO MENTIONED CONSERVATION FIELD DAYS FOR STUDENT TEACHERS AT THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION TOURS FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS.

/ON SCHOOL .....

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

ON SCHOOL PROGRAMMES FOR MEASURING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, MR. LAI RECALLED THAT 18,440 PUPILS TOOK PART IN A CLEAN WATER SURVEY IN MID-1973 WHEN ABOUT 100 FRESH WATER STREAMS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEU TERRITORIES WERE INVESTIGATED.

THE SURVEY RESULTS WERE SENT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (EPCOM) IN SEPTEMBER 1974. THE REPORT WAS FAVOURABLY RECEIVED AND IT WAS LATER REPORTED THAT THIS SURVEY WOULD BE USED AS A MODEL FOR SIMILAR SURVEYS IN EUROPE.

AS PART OF THE PURE AIR SURVEY, +PROJECT WINDSHIFT,+ WHICH AIMED AT SURVEYING AIR FLOW CARRYING POLLUTANTS, WAS LAUNCHED IN MARCH 1975. (

IN MID-APRIL 1975 THE ACID RAIN SURVEY WAS LAUNCHED AND THE FINDINGS SHOWED THAT HONG KONG’S RAIN WAS INDEED ACID. SINCE THIS SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT AT A TIME OF QUITE HEAVY RAIN WITH SOME THUNDERSTORMS, IT IS PLANNED TO REPEAT THE MEASUREMENTS IN EARLY FEBRUARY 1976 WHEN THE RAIN IS MORE GENTLE.

ANOTHER PROJECT - ESTIMATING PARTICLES IN THE AIR AND STUDYING PLANTS AND AIR POLLUTION - WAS LAUNCHED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ACID RAIN SURVEY.

MR. LAI SAID THAT BEFORE THE END OF THE 1975/76 ACADEMIC YEAR +IT IS PROPOSED TO HAVE YET ANOTHER PROJECT CALLED SHORELINE ECOLOGY, WHICH IS BEING PLANNED BY A COMMITTEE WITH MEMBERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND BIOLOGY TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS.+

THIS PROJECT WILL INVOLVE A STUDY OF THE SHORELINE OF HONG KONG AND THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE LIVING ORGANISMS FOUND THERE.

MR. LAI IS ONE OF THE GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE TEN-DAY COURSE WHICH IS BEING ATTENDED BY DELEGATES FROM HONG KONG AND A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE NETHERLANDS, INDIA, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, BORNEO, MALAYSIA, THAILAND, NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. THE COURSE ENDS TOMORROW.

OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE PROFESSOR L.B. THROWER AND DR. M.H. WONG OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND MR. CHRIS REIJ, THE INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FEDERATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND CONSERVATION, ONE OF THE ORGANISERS OF THE COURSE. THE OTHER ORGANISERS ARE THE INDIAN ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AND THE YOUTH ENVIRONMENT ACTION GROUP.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975.

6 -

SEMINAR ON NEW SYLLABUS FOR CHEMISTRY « XK « X if

A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON THE +NEW SYLLABUS FOR CHEMISTRY (FORMS IV-V)+, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SCIENCE INSPECTORATE AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, WILL BE HELD AT DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL TOMORROW.

THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR IS TO INTRODUCE TO CHEMISTRY TEACHERS OF THOSE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTING THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE CURRICULUM, IDEAS AND CONCEPTS ON THE APPROACH AND METHOD OF TEACHING THE NEW SYLLABUS FOR CHEMISTRY IN FORMS IV AND V.

THE SPIRIT OF INQUIRY IS STRONLY ADVOCATED IN THE NEW SYLLABUS, WHICH IS A CONTINUATION OF THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE CURRICULUM AT FORMS l-lI I LEVEL.

MRS. LOUISE MOK, PRINCIPAL CURRICULUM PLANNING OFFICER (SECONDARY), WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR.

BECAUSE OF LIMITED PLACES, ONLY 90 CHEMISTRY TEACHERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.

PARTICIPATING TEACHERS, APART FROM ATTENDING LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND FILM SHOWS, WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO CARRY OUT SOME OF THE EXPERIMENTS SUGGESTED IN THE NEW SYLLABUS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF REFERENCE BOOKS, HOME-MADE APPARATUS AND MODELS AT THE SEMINAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SEMINAR

COVERED. IT WILL START AT 9.15 A.M. IN THE SCIENCE DEMONSTRATION ROOM AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, MONGKOK, KOWLOON.

! , MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1975

- 7- ' .

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED IMPROVE ****** , EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PEOPLE CONTINUED TO PICK UP LAST MONTH AND THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE!DEPARTMENT FOUND WORK FOR 36, THE HIGHEST FOR A MONTH SO FAR THIS YEAR.

’ ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED BY THE CATHAY CLOTHING INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AS MACHINE-SEWING OPERATORS. THEY INCLUDED SIX WHO WERE CRIPPLED, FIVE DEAF AND TWO MENTALLY ILL.

I I

THE OTHERS ARE WORKING AS CARETAKERS, PRESS MACHINE OPERATORS AND LABOURERS.

THIRTEEN WERE EMPLOYED ON A PIECE-RATE BASIS AND ELEVEN ON DAILY RATES RANGING FROM $12 TO $16. THE PAY FOR THE OTHERS VARIES BETWEEN $300 AND $600 A MONTH'.

MR. CHAN SHIU-WING, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT, SAIDt +IT IS INDEED ENCOURAGING TO FIND THAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED IMPROVED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IT IS ALSO COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT EMPLOYERS ARE NOW MORE WILLING TO TAKE ON DISABLED PEOPLE.+

-----o------

WATER STOPPAGE IN KOWLOON CITY

KOK#

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE INTERRUPTED ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 31) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

1 ■ ,

PREMISES BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD, TUNG TAU TSUEN, TUNG LUNG ROAD AND TUNG WOR ROAD, INCLUDING MEI TUNG ESTATE, WILL 6E AFFECTED.

PRH

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

AIRPORT’S EXTENDED RUNWAY TO BE FULLY OPEN TOMORROW ......... 1

SHORTER OVERTIME FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS FROM JANUARY 1 ........................................................... 2

MORE PASSENGERS JOIN BID TO SAVE AIRPORT COACH SERVICE ... 3

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL INSPECTORS AWARDED DIPLOMAS ........... 3

MORE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES TO 3E PROVIDED FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN .......................•........................ 4

ACHIEVEMENTS OF SECONDARY EVENING INSTITUTE COMMENDED .... 5

NEW ACCESS ROAD TO AIRPORT DEPARTURES LEVEL ................. 6

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

FULL LENGTH OF EXTENDED AIRPORT RUNWAY TO OPEN TOMORROW « n a a a a

THE EXTENDED RUNWAY AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMES INTO FULL USE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE ENTIRE 11,130-FOOT STRIP WILL BECOME AVAILABLE FOR INCOMING AND OUTGOING AIRCRAFT.

THIS HAS NOW BECOME POSSIBLE WITH THE COMPLETION OF A ROAD TUNNEL -- A VITAL LINK IN A MAJOR ROAD SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR THE AREA BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT — UNDER THE NORTH-WESTERN END OF THE RUNWAY.

MR. FONG CHUN-NAM, GOVERNMENT CIVIL ENGINEER, P.W.D., SAID TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH THE RUNWAY EXTENSION WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE 1974, A SECTION OF ABOUT 900 FEET AT THE NORTHWEST END HAD TO BE CLOSED TO AIR TRAFFIC ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE TUNNEL.

+THE CONTRACT FOR THE WORKS, AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $56 MILLION, WAS AWARDED TO GAMMON (HONG KONG) LTD. WHICH HAVE NOW COMPLETED THE WORKS.

+RESURFACING OF THE CLOSED SECTION OF THE RUNWAY IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED TODAY, AND THE BLAST FENCE WHICH SHIELDED CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FROM THE EFFECTS OF JET TAKE-OFFS WILL BE REMOVED TO ENABLE AIRCRAFT TO UTILISE THE FULL STRETCH OF THE ' RUNWAY,+ HE SAID.

THE OPENING OF THE FULL LENGTH OF THE EXTENDED RUNWAY WILL MEAN lHAT AIRCRAFT WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE OFF WITH HEAVIER PAYLOADS ON LONG SECTORS.

THE TUNNEL BENEATH THE RUNWAY, MR. FONG SAID, WAS ABOUT 420 FEET LONG RUNNING DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE RUNWAY, +AND WILL FORM A CRUCIAL PART GF THE FUTURE HIGHWAY LINKING THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF KWUN TONG AND HUNG HOM.+

PLANNING WAS ALREADY IN HAND, HE ADDED, ON CONNECTING ROADS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE TUNNEL.

+WHEN FULLY COMPLETED, THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE A FAST ROAD LINK DElWEEN KWUN TONG AND HUNG HOM AND SHOULD HELP CONSIDERABLY IN EASING CONGESTION IN THE AREA,+ HE SAID.

-------0---------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

- 2 -

FURTHER STEP TO CUT PERMITTED OVERTIME FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS

H KM « K «

THE FINAL STAGE OF THE PHASED PROGRAMME TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OVERTIME HOURS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY COMES INTO EFFECT ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 1).

FROM THAT DATE, THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE OVERTIME FOR THESE WORKERS WILL BE 200 HOURS A YEAR.

THE PROGRAMME BEGAN A, YEAR AGO WHEN THE PERMITTED OVERTIME WAS CUT FROM 300 TO 250 HOURS UNDER THE THEN AMENDED FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS, WHICH ALSO PROVIDED FOR A FURTHER REDUCTION FROM 250 TO 200 HOURS FROM JANUARY 1976.

THE LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT, MR. ALFRED CHAN, ADVISED FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THIS FURTHER REDUCTION OF OVERTIME WHEN PLANNING THEIR PRODUCTION SCHEDULES.

♦OVERTIME EMPLOYMENT SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO COPE WITH SUDDEN PRESSURE OF WORK AND SHOULD NOT BE USED PRIMARILY TO PROLONG THE DAILY WORKING HOURS.

+A FACTORY WHICH CANNOT COPE WITH THE NORMAL PRODUCTION SCHEDULE SHOULD CONSIDER MORE EFFECTIVE METHODS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION, SUCH AS INCREASING THE LABOUR FORCE, OPERATING A SHIFT SCHEME OR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY.

♦LONG WORKING HOURS- AND CONSTANT OVERTIME WORK TEND TO AFFECT WORKERS’ MORALE, EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY. THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS MAY ALSO BE AFFECTED,+ HE SAID.

MR., CHAN ADDED THAT HIS UNIT WOULD BE PLEASED TO HELP PROPRIETORS TO FIND WAYS TO COPE WITH THIS FURTHER REDUCTION OF OVERTIME.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 33, 1975

- 3 -

MORE PEOPLE USING AIRPORT COACH SERVICE ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING THE AIRPORT COACH SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT YESTERDAY (MONDAY) WAS 1,512, A 135 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE AVERAGE OF RECENT WEEKS.

IN A LAST BID TO SAVE THE SERVICE FROM WITHDRAWAL. THE FARE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 32 FOR THE WHOLE JOURNEY AND ONLY Si AFTER PASSING THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT AT LEAST 1,500 PASSENGERS A DAY (ABOUT 15 ON EACH TRIP) WERE NEEDED TO MAKE THE SERVICE BREAK EVEN. +BUT IF THE HUMBER OF PASSENGERS DOES NOT CONTINUE AT THIS LEVEL UNTIL JANUARY 15 THEN THE SERVICE WILL CEASE.+

-------0--------

DIPLOMAS FOR AIR POLLUTION CONTROL INSPECTORS ft ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF HEALTH HAS AWARDED DIPLOMAS IN AIR POLLUTION CONTROL TO SIX LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.

THEY ARE SMOKE INSPECTOR LAI PING-NAM AND ASSISTANT SMOKE INSPECTORS CHOW KWOK-CHOI, CHU CHI-MI NG, LAM CHI-YIN, LEUNG PAK-MING AND TONG CHO-YAU.

THEIR SUCCESS MEANS THAT ALL INSPECTORS IN THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT ARE NOW HOLDING THE INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED DIPLOMA.

+THE DIPLOMA IS ACCEPTED AS A HALLMARK OF THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL COMPETENCE IN AIR POLLUTION CONTROL,+ MR. DAVID NEWBURY, HEAD OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT, SAID.

+TOGETHER WITH FIELD TRAINING, ATTAINMENT OF THE DIPLOMA IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICERS,* HE ADDED.

THE SIX OFFICERS SAT FOR A SPECIAL TWO-DAY ORAL AND WRITTEN EXAMINATION IN NOVEMBER CONDUCTED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF AIR POLLUTION.

THE EXAMINERS WERE MR. EDGAR LAUFER, OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER (TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT), AND DR. A.J. NUTTEN, GOVERNMENT CHEMIST.

- - 0---------

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

- 4 -

TEMPORARY SEWAGE PLANT FOR SHAT IN NEW TOWN ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE EXTRA SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN AS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT IN THE AREA.

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PLANT FOR THE INTERIM TREATMENT WORKS WHICH WILL SERVE ABOUT 60,000 PEOPLE. THE PLANT TO BE SUPPLIED INCLUDES FLOATING AERATORS FOR INTRODUCING AIR INTO THE SEWAGE, PUMPING STATION EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY FOR DEWATERING THE SLUDGE.

MR. WONG KWOK-CHOY, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, EXPLAINED TODAY THAT THE INlERIM TREATMENT WORKS WAS REQUIRED TO SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING TEMPORARY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT FO TAN UNTIL THE PROPOSED PERMANENT PLANT IS BUILT.

+IT IS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT THE PERMANENT PLANT WILL BE READY UNTIL MID-1979 BUT IN THE MEANTIME ADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES MUST BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN POPULATION AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN PROGRESSES-*-, HE SAID.

THE PRESENT TEMPORARY PLANT, WHICH HAS A SERVING CAPACITY FOR SOME 33,000 PEOPLE, HE SAID, WOUlD DE ABLE TO COPE FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SO BUT THEREAFTER ADDITIONAL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES WOULD BE NEEDED.

+THE NEW INTERIM TREATMENT WORKS IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY MID-1977 AND WILL FILL THE GAP UNTIL THE PERMANENT PLANT IS SET UP,+ HE ADDED.

MR. WONG SAID THE NEW WORKS WOULD INCORPORATE A COMPLETE SEWAGE PURIFICATION SYSTEM CONSISTING OF PRELIMINARY UNITS FOR REMOVING LARGE FLOATING SOLIDS, BIOLOGICAL TANKS WHERE ORGANIC POLLUTANTS WILL BE REMOVED, AND EQUIPMENT FOR DEWATERING THE SLUDGE.

THE CLARIFIED EFFLUENT WOULD BE DISCHARGED INTO FO TAN NULLAH WHILE THE DEWATERED SLUDGE WOULD DE DISPOSED OF AS LANDFILL IN TIPS.

THE WORKS HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY WATSON (U.K.) CHARTERED CIVIL ENGINEERS, CONSULTANTS TO THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, P.W.D.

- _ 0 - -

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

- 5 -

GRADUATES URGED TO PLAY ADULT EDUCATION RCLE « « n a « «

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (FURTHER), MR. WILLIAM FISHER-SHORT, THIS EVENING CALLED ON GRADUAlES OF THE EVENING INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE, KOWLOON ENGLISH SECTION, TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS IN A WIDE RANGE OF ADULT EDUCATION ENTERPRISES.

SPEAKING AT THE SECTION’S SPEECH DAY IN QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, MR. FISHER-SHORT TOLD THE GRADUATES TO REMEMBER THAT HAVING ENJOYED AUD BENEFITED FROM A SERVICE WHICH WAS BASED TO A LARGE EXTENT ON VOLUNTARY EFFORT, THEY IN TURN SHOULD MAKE A CONTRIBUTION.

+ IN THIS WAY, YOUR EDUCATION HERE WILL NOT JUST BE LIMITED TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT, BUT WILL SPREAD TO BENEFIT A FAR WIDER COMMUNITY,* THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.

HE RECALLED THAT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE OF THE KOWLOON ENGLISH SECTION HAD EXPANDED PROGRESSIVELY TO THE PRESENT ENROLMENT OF SOME 1,200 STUDENTS FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS IN 1959.

MR. FISHER-SHORT SAID: +WHAT IS PARTICULARLY PLEASING TO ME IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LAY DOWN THE FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER GROWTH WITH THE OPENING OF TWO NEU CENTRES. I REFER, OF COURSE, TO THE KOWLOON TECHNICAL SCHOOL AUD THE CHEUNG SHA WAN POLICE PRIMARY SCHOOL.*

HE PAID'TRIBUTE TO THE 67 TEACHERS AND THE SUPERVISOR WHO HAD GIVEN THEIR TIME AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL TO MAKE THIS EVENING SCHOOL POSSIBLE.

+ALL ARE FULL-TIME TEACHERS DURING THE DAY, AND THEY SERVE THIS SCHOOL ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS FOR VERY MODEST FINANCIAL REWARD, ALTHOUGH I AM SURE THAT THE REWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION MUST DE VERY GREAT INDEED,* MR. FISHER-SHORT SAID.

AMONG ALL THE MANY PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION FOR 1974/75, 63 STUDENTS PASSED WITH FIVE OR MORE SUBJECTS AT GRADE E OR ABOVE AND THESE INCLUDED 92 CREDITS AND ONE DISTINCTION.

+RESULTS LIKE THIS MUST GIVE GREAT SATISFACTION TO YOUR TEACHERS, AND ARE A GREAT TRIBUTE TO YOUR OWN HARD WORK AND ABILITY,* THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SAID.

-------0---------

/6........

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1975

- 6 -

NEW ACCESS ROAD TO AIRPORT DEPARTURES LEVEL W ft ft ft ft ft

AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT WORK AT THE AIRPORT, A NEW ROAD SYSTEM WILL BE PROVIDED LEADING TO THE DEPARTURES LEVEL.

THE NEW SYSTEM WILL COME INTO OPERATION AT 7 A.M. ON JANUARY 2. 1976. THIS WILL INVOLVE A NEU VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE DEPARTURES LEVEL, WHILST THE EXISTING RAMP IS DEMOLISHED AND FURTHER CONSTRUCTION WORK TAKES PLACE.

NEW DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED AND POLICE WILL BE ON DUTY TO HELP DIRECT TRAFFIC DURING THE CHANGEOVER PERIOD.

-------0---------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

UPWARD TREND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUES ................. 1

NEW YEAR HONOURS TO BE PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 1 .............. 2

MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES . 3

MARKERS NEEDED FOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION .. 3

NEW POSTAL CHARGES TO BE EFFECTIVE ON NEW YEAR’S DAY ....... 4

WATER INTERRUPTION IN SHAM SHU I PO AND KENNEDY TOWN ...... 4

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1975

HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE KOKO

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER CONTINUED TO SHOW AN INCREASE FOR THE THIRD MONTH RUNNING AFTER ELEVEN MONTHS OF DECLINE.

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER WENT UP BY $445 MILLION OR 24.6 PER CENT BY VALUE COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1974. TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE MONTH WERE VALUED AT $2,255 MILLION.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 20.4 PER CENT TO $3,100 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS WENT UP IN VALUE BY 15.8 PER CENT TO $656 MILLION COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER SHOWED DECREASES BY VALUE OF 2.9 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 4.9 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 3.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THE VALUE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1974 TO NOVEMBER 1975 SHOWED DECREASES OF 3.6 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 5.9 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 4.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE COMPARATIVE FIGURES:

NOVEMBER 1975 NOVEMBER 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 2,255 (77.5%) 1,811 (76.2%) + 445 + 24.6

IMPORTS 3,100 2,574 + 525 + 20.4

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 656 (22.5%) 567 (23.8%) + 89 + 15.8

SEPT.-NOV. 1975 SEPT.-NOV. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE

• $ MN. $ MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 6,636 5,416 +1 ,220 + 22.5

IMPORTS 9,476 7,707 +1 ,769 + 23.0

RE-EXPORTS 1,893 ■ 1,686 + 208 + 12.3

/JAN. - NOV........

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER J1, 1975

JAN.-NOV. 1975 JAN.-NOV. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE.

$ MN. 5 MN. $ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 20,567 (76.4%) 21,180 (76.2%) - 613 - 2.9

IMPORTS 30,034 31,578 -1,545 - 4.9

RE-EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 6,347 (23.6%) 6,598 . (23.8%) - 251 - 3.8

DEC. 1974 TO NOV. 1975 DEC. 1973 TO NOV. 1974 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. $ MN. 5 MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 22,293 23,139 - 841 - 3.6

IMPORTS 32,575 34,636 -2,060 - 5.9

RE-EXPORTS 6,874 7,219 - 345 - 4.8

• - o

MEW YEAR HONOURS LIST % # Jr «

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST WILL EE PUBLISHED IN TOMORROW’S DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN.

THIS ISSUE OF THE DIB, TOGETHER WITH THE MILITARY HONOURS LIST, WILL EE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION TOMORROW AFTERNOON AT THE G. l.S. PRESS ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 6TH FLOOR.

YOU ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE THE EMBARGO PLACED ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE LISTS.

-------0----------

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1975

3 -

SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES THANKS RESIDENTS IHf M

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, HAS THANKED THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WHO HAVE CO-OPERATED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.

IN A NEW YEAR MESSAGE, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY: +IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 1 ESPECIALLY THANK ALL WHO HAVE CO-OPERATED IN THE SURRENDER OF LAND AND PROPERTY IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WHICH ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL IN HONG KONG.+

HE SAID THAT ANY VISITOR TO THE NEW TERRITORIES COULD NOT FAIL TO NOTICE THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE. +HOWEVER,+ HE ADDS, +THIS IS ONLY A BEGINNING. WORK IS PROGRESSING ON SO MANY HUGE ENGINEERING WORKS WHICH IN THEIR CONSTRUCTION WILL PROVIDE WORK FOR OUR PEOPLE AND EVENTUALLY LAND FOR INDUSTRY AND HOUSING AND THE NECESSARY SEA, ROAD AND RAIL COMMUNICATION.*

MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO EXPRESSED HIS ADMIRATION AND THANKS +TO FARMERS, FISHERMEN, WORKERS AND HOUSEWIVES WHO HAVE BORNE THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE LAST TWO YEARS WITHOUT COMPLAINT.*

MR. AKERS-JONES CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT HE LOOKED FORWARD TO 1976 WITH EXCITEMENT AND HOPE +AS WE CROSS THE THRESHHOLD OF GREAT DEVELOPMENTS.*

- - o - -

CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION : MARKERS NEEDED ft ft ft ft ft

THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD IS INVITING SERVING TEACHERS AND OTHER SUITABLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO APPLY TO SERVE AS MARKERS OF WRITTEN PAPERS AND AS ORAL ENGLISH EXAMINERS FOR THE 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.

APPLICATION FORMS AND DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11TH FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE CLOSING DATE IS JANUARY 24, 1976.

o —

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1975

PUBLIC REMINDED GF HEW POSTAL CHARGES iU K If

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THE NEW CHARGES FOR CERTAIN POSTAL SERVICES WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW (JANUARY 1).

THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES ARE INCREASES IN THE AEROGRAMME RATE FROM 50 TO 60 CENTS, IN THE FIRST-CLASS AIRMAIL RATE TO ZONE 1 DESTINATIONS (MAINLY SOUTH EAST ASIA) FROM 50 TO 80 CENTS AND INCREASES IN THE SECOND-CLASS AIRMAIL RATES TO ALL DESTINATIONS EXCEPT NORTH AMERICA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE ADVISED-THE PUBLIC THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO PREPAY THE CORRECT POSTAGE.

THIS WOULD AVOID DELAYS BY POSSIBLE DIVERSION OF THE AIRMAIL ITEM TO SURFACE MAIL OR THE IMPOSITION OF SURCHARGES ON THE ADDRESSEES.

- 0 - -

WATER INTERRUPTION « K ft if K if

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO IN KOWLOON AND IN KENNEDY TOWN ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 3).

DURING THIS PERIOD THE WATERWORKS OFFICE WILL CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS IN THE TWO AREAS.

THE AFFECTED PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE BOUNDED BY BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, YU CHAU STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK STREET AND KING LAM STREET.

IN KENNEDY TOWN, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE IN VICTORIA ROAD (HOUSE NUMBERS 1 TO 405), LUNG WAH STREET, SMITHFIELD ROAD (UP TO HOUSE NUMBER 12), FORBES STREET, KWUN LUNG STREET, CADOGAN STREET, KA WAI MAN ROAD, INCLUDING THE POLICE QUARTERS, AND EAST, SOUTH, WEST, NORTH AND CENTRE TERRACES.

- - 0 - -

Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1975 - DEC - ENG