港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1976 - MAR

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS DEADLINE FOR REMOVAL OF SHEUNG SHUI TANNERIES.......................................... 1

EPCOM BACKS GOVERNMENT ON REMOVAL OF TANNERIES................. 2

MORE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES............. 3

FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO EXPLAIN BUDGET ON T.V................... 3

2,000 STUDENTS TO ATTEND CAREERS SEMINAR....................... 4

CLINTON UNABLE TO TAKE UP PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION POST... 4

WATER INTERRUPTION IN WONG TAI SIN............................. 5

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

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1976

1 ■-

TANNERS MUST MOVE BY JULY 31 - N.T.A. ******

THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS AGAIN AFFIRMED THAT SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING TANNERS MUST MOVE FROM THEIR PRESENT LOCATIONS BY JULY 31, THIS YEAR.

THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 55 TANNERS IN SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING. THE REASON FOR REMOVAL IS THAT THEIR OPERATIONS CAUSE HEAVY POLLUTION OF RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE AREA.

IN A LETTER HANDED TO THE TANNERY OPERATORS TODAY (MONDAY) BY STAFF OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, STATES THAT FAILURE TO MOVE BY THIS DATE WILL RESULT IN THE CLEARANCE OF THEIR PREMISES.

MR. CHAMBERS WAS REPLYING TO A LETTER FROM THE TANNERS DATED FEBRUARY 17, WHICH CONTAINED THREE PROPOSALS. THESE WERE x (A) TO CONTINUE OPERATION AT THE PRESENT SITE- (B) TO MOVE TO KWAI CHUNG BUT SUFFICIENT WORKING SPACE SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE AND THE MOVE SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE TO THE OPERATORS- AND (C) TO FIND OTHER SITES CONVENIENTLY LOCATED WITH WATER AND ELECTRICITY WITHIN THE OPERATORS’ MEANS.

HE POINTS OUT THAT THE JULY 31 DEADLINE WAS FIRST NOTIFIED TO THE TANNERY OPERATORS ON DECEMBER 5, 1973 AND THIS WAS REITERATED IN TWO FURTHER LETTERS DATED JULY 8, 1975 AND JANUARY 6 THIS YEAR. IN ADDITION THE REMOVAL DATE HAS BEEN REAFFIRMED IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TAI PO, MR. CLIVE OXLEY, HAS HAD OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WITH THE TANNERS.

+IT WAS MADE CLEAR TO YOU IN 1972 THAT YOU WOULD ONLY BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON YOUR PRESENT SITES ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ACQUIRE SITES FOR NEW TANNERIES IN THE OFFENSIVE TRADES AREA AT KWAI CHUNG AND THAT YOU MOVE TO THE NEW PREMISES BY THE GIVEN DATE WHICH WAS LATER FIXED AS JULY 31, 1976,+ THE LETTER STATES.

IT GOES ON i +YOU ACCEPTED THESE TERMS AND SIGNED CONDITIONS OF GRANT FOR THE FIVE LOTS AT KWAI CHUNG IN JANUARY 1974. POSSESSION OF THE LOTS WAS GIVEN TO YOU IN MAY, 1974. AT THAT TIME YOU WERE AWARE OF THE AREA AND LOCATION OF THESE SITES AND THE PREMIUM PAYABLE AND SINCE THEN YOU HAVE PAID THE INSTALMENTS OF PREMIUM ON THE DUE DATES AND HAVE OBTAINED APPROVAL FOR YOUR BUILDING PLANS AND CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORK FROM THE BUILDING AUTHORITY. THERE IS NO REASON THEREFORE WHY BUILDING WORK SHOULD NOT HAVE BEGUN.*

/Hr. chambers .....

MONDAY, MABCH 1, 1976

MR. CHAMBERS POINTS OUT THAT THE TANNERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INFORMED BY MR. OXLEY THAT IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR SMALL ADDITIONAL AREAS OF LAND ADJOINING THEIR SITES AT KWAI CHUNG TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TANNERIES. HE UNDERSTANDS THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE TANNERY GROUPS HAS TAKEN THIS UP WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN.

MR. CHAMBERS ADDS : + IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS LATE STAGE TO CONSIDER ANY ALTERNATIVE SITES.*

IN CONCLUSION, MR. CHAMBERS SAYS TWO MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED SINCE HIS PREVIOUS LETTER AND THERE ARE NOW ONLY FIVE MONTHS REMAINING BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF JULY 31.

+1 MUST THEREFORE URGE YOU ONCE AGAIN TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO MAKE POSSIBLE A MOVE BY THAT DATE. THE DISTRICT OFFICER, TAI PO, IS PREPARED TO GIVE ALL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THIS END.*

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EPCOM BACKS GOVERNMENT ON REMOVAL OF TANNERIES

M * * *

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (EPCOM) HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROCEED WITH THE CLEARANCE OF THE TANNERIES AT SHEUNG SHU I IF THE OPERATORS HAVE NOT MOVED TO THEIR NEW SITES BY JULY 31, 1976.

AT A RECENT MEETING, MEMBERS OF EPCOM STRONGLY ENDORSED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REMOVE THE TANNERIES NOTING THAT THE OWNERS OF THE TANNERIES HAD BEEN GIVEN EVERY ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR NEW SITES AT KWAI CHUNG.

THESE SITES HAD BEEN GRANTED EARLY IN 1974 ON FAVOURABLE TERMS, BUT NOT ONE OF THE OPERATORS HAD YET STARTED WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACTORY BUILDINGS, A SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

+IT IS NEARLY FOUR YEARS SINCE THE OWNERS WERE WARNED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE TO KWAI CHUNG OR FACE CLOSURE. THEY HAVE HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY THEREFORE TO AVOID THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND REDUNDANCIES WHICH FORCEABLE CLEARANCE WOULD ENTAIL.

+THE APPALLING POLLUTION AT SHEUNG SHU I CAN NO LONGER BE TOLERATED AND CONSEQUENTLY MEMBERS OF EPCOM HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROCEED WITH CLEARANCE OF THE TANNERIES WHEN THE DEADLINE EXPIRES,* HE SAID.

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MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1976

EMPLOYMENT UP IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES

*****

A TOTAL OF 253,990 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES IN DECEMBER 1975, ACCORDING TO AN EMPLOYMENT SURVEY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED RECENTLY.

THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 2,648 PERSONS OR 1.1 PERCENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1975.

OF THE TOTAL NUMBER ENGAGED, 123,970 WERE IN THE RETAIL SECTOR, 72,146 IN IMPORT/EXPORT BUSINESSES AND 21,319 IN THE WHOLESALE SECTOR.

THE OTHER 36,555 PERSONS WERE ENGAGED IN A COMBINATION OF IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ACTIVITIES.

THE SURVEY ALSO RECORDED 99,771 PERSONS BEING ENGAGED IN RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THE FIGURE WAS HIGHER BY 6,151 PERSONS OR 6.6 PERCENT.

OF THESE 99,771 PERSONS, 83,302 WORKED IN RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS AND 16,469 IN HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.

DETAILED FIGURES OF EMPLOYMENT BROKEN DOWN BY COMMODITY GROUPS OR NATURE OF BUSINESS ARE OBTAINABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

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F.S. TO EXPLAIN BUDGET ON T.V.

*****

JHE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WILL UVE TELEV!SION CHANNELS IN HONG KONG ON TUESDAY EVEN,NG To EXPLAIN THE BUDGET PROPOSALS HE MADE SIX DAYS AGO.

TT. ru 2A.HA!;F“H0UR PROGRAMME RECORDED IN THE RADIO HONG KONG TELEVISION STUDIO, HE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM TWO LEADING HONG KONG JOURNALISTS, MR. KYATANG WOO OF THE SING TAO NEWSPAPERS LIMITED AND MR. DEREK DAVIES, EDITOR OF THE FAR EASTERN EcKlC Kt V f t w •

+A QUESTI0N 0F PRIORITIES*, WILL BE DUBBED INTO CANTONESE FOR SHOWING ON THE THREE CHINESE CHANNELS.’

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MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1976

2,000 STUDENTS TO ATTEND CAREERS SEMINAR ft ft ft ft ft

A CAREERS SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT HO LAP COLLEGE IN san PO KONG ON FRIDAY (MARCH 5) AND SATURDAY (MARCH 6).

THE SEMINAR WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR FRIDAY ONLY. IT IS NOW EXTENDED FOR ONE DAY TO COPE WITH THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM STUDENTS.

MORE THAN 2,000 SENIOR FORM STUDENTS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN WONG TAI SIN, SAN PO KONG, KWUN TONG AND SAI KUNG WILL ATTEND.

ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE SEMINAR WILL BE -OPENED BY DR. Y.K. CHING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, ON FRIDAY.

IT WILL FEATURE TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS ON HOTEL W*ORK, APPRENTICESHIP, JOURNALISM, SOCIAL WORK, THE POLICE FORCE AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SEMINAR, THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE WILL STAGE A MINI MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITION ON THESE TWO DAYS AT THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS SITUATED AT 15, TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR AND THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 A.M.

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CLINTON TO GIVE UP P.S.C. APPOINTMENT ft ft ft ft ft

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE SAID TODAY THAT HE WAS SORRY TO ANNOUNCE THAT INFORMATION HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM ENGLAND THAT MR. M.D.A. CLINTON, CMC, GM, WILL, WITH GREAT REGRET, BE UNABLE FOR MEDICAL REASONS TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TO TAKE UP THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSI ON.

SIR RONALD HOLMES HAS AGREED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN FOR A FURTHER YEAR.

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MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1976 - 5 -

WATER CUT

* * M

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TA I SIN WILL ‘RTERRHPIE? F0R FIVE H0URS THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 4) BETWEEN i1e*J?AeATBeTeA*M* WHEN THE WATERWORKS OFFICE WILL CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY TAI SHING STREET. TUNG TAU TSUEN R0AD> SHEUNG TAK STREET, SHA TIN PASS ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD, INCLUDING LOWER WONG VaI SIN ESTATE BLOCKS 1 TO 2 AND 20 TO 25 AND KAI MING LAU.

PRH

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

1 •

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1976

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CONTENTS PAGE NO.

> ' ’ -i-

CALL FOR IMPROVED AND EXPANDED CAMPING FACILITIES ............. 1

EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE USE OF SAFETY COURSES ON ABRASIVE WHEELS ............................................... 2

WATER INTERRUPTION IN KWUN TONG ON FRIDAY .................... 2

GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPENS ON SUNDAY FOR ’’FLOWER LOVERS” ... 3

LAND SALE IN SHA TIN NETS MORE THAN $6 MILLION ................ 3

RETIRING REGISTRAR GENERAL HONOURED ........................... 4

I ■

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1976

BRAYj IMPROVED AND EXPANDED CAMPING FACILITIES NEEDED O M H

IME StCRt IaRY, FOrf HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY/ SAID TODAY THAT WITH THE FORMATION OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE AND ITS INVOLVEMENT IN DISTRICT CAMPING PROGRAMMES, +IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT THAT NEW FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED AND OLD FACILITIES ARE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED*.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT WHICH HE UNVEILED A PLAGUE TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE CARITAS YOUTH HOLIDAY CAMP, KNOWN AS 01 FAI, ON CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.

MR. BRAY SAID CAMPING HAD PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DURING SCHOOL TERM, AT WEEKENDS FOR OTHERS. THROUGH THE EMPHASIS BEING PLACED ON THIS ACTIVITY BY THE EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS A TREMENDOUS DEMAND HAD BEEN FOSTERED.

MR. BRAY RECALLED THAT SINCE THE OPENING OF THE OTHER CAMP, KNOWN AS MING FAI CAMP, IN 1964, MORE THAN 108,000 CAMPERS HAD STAYED OVERNIGHT AND THERE HAD ALSO BEEN ABOUT 100,000 DAY-CAMPERS. MANY HAD TO BE TURNED AWAY TO THEIR REAL DISAPPOINTMENT.

HE SAID THE NEW CAMP WAS CONVERTED FROM A MISSIONARY LANGUAGE SCHOOL WHICH WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR BY TYPHOON ROSE IN 1971.

THE COST OF CONVERSION WAS MET BY TWO SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS — A $450,000 ALLOCATION FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND A SUM OF $750,000 OUT OF AN ANONYMOUS DONATION OF $10 MILLION.

THE NEW CAMP, MR. BRAY SAID, WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING FACILITIES OF THE OTHER CAMP.

+THESE ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL BE COMING TO ENJOY SUCH BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS,* HE SAID.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1976

EMPLOYERS URGED TO USE COURSES ON ABRASIVE WHEELS * * * * *

IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT ABRASIVE WHEELS - USED IN HUNDREDS OF HONG KONG FACTORIES - CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO WORKERS, FEW EMPLOYERS WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SAFETY TRAINING COURSES RUN BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FEATURING THESE POTENTIALLY LETHAL TOOLS.

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING OFFICER. MR. T.K. CHAN, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD SENT LETTERS TO FACTORIES EMPLOYING MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE ENCOURAGING EMPLOYERS TO SEND WORKERS TO THE COURSE, BUT THE RESPONSE HAD BEEN SO POOR THAT SOME PLANNED COURSES HAD TO BE CANCELLED.

HE WENT ON : +0F THE 60i WHO* DID ATTEND, MOST WERE FROM LARGE FIRMS SUCH AS THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY.

♦UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ABRASIVE WHEELS) REGULATIONS WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, EMPLOYERS ARE OBLIGED TO ENSURE THAT WORKERS WHO HAVE TO USE ABRASIVE WHEELS ARE COMPETENT TO DO SO. OUR COURSES - WHICH ARE FREE - ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM MEET THAT OBLIGATION AND THEY ARE UNWISE NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM.+

THE NEXT COURSE IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 10. NINE MORE COURSES HAVE ALSO BEEN ARRANGED FOR THIS MONTH AND THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

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WATER STOPPAGE ******

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 5) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHU I NING STREET, KA LOK STREET, HIP WO STREET AND YUET WAH STREET, INCLUDING WO LOK ESTATE BLOCKS 1 TO 11.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1976

GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPEN DAY . * * * *

FLOWERS ARE AGAIN IN BLOOM AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND AZALEAS IN PARTICULAR ARE AT THEIR COLOURFUL BEST.

TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ONE MORE PLACE TO GO TO SEE THE FLOWERS, THE GARDENS AND GROUNDS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. ON SUNDAY (MARCH 7).

LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 82,000 PEOPLE VISITED THE GARDENS AND LARGE CROWDS ARE EXPECTED THIS YEAR.

VISITORS ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS. THEY ARE ALSO REQUESTED NOT TO ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF, WHICH WILL NOT BE OPEN.

SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.

LAND SALE AT SHA TIN NETS OVER $6 M ******

A 21,320 SQ. FT. LOT OF CROWN LAND AT FO TAN, SHA TIN, TO BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, WAS SOLD FOB »6.65 MILLION IN AN AUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY). THIS IS ALMOST $312 PER SQ. FT.

ABOUT 150 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 20-MINUTE AUCTION, HELD IN THE SHA TIN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WAS MR. K.H. CHUNG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TAI KONG SHAN REALTY LTD.

BIDDING WAS OPENED AT $3.5 MILLION. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF TEN BIDDERS.

THE PURCHASER WAS REQUIRED TO PUT DOWN A DEPOSIT OF $200,000 AND TO PAY THE BALANCE BY TEN EQUAL INSTALMENTS, INCLUDING INTEREST AT 5 PER CENT. THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $3.2 MILLION IN 30 MONTHS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 1976

RETIRING REGISTRAR GENERAL HONOURED

* M M * * *

A RECEPTION WAS HELD THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING TO MARK THE RETIREMENT OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. WALTER HUME, AT THE END OF FEBRUARY AFTER 18 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

THE NEW REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR. P. JACOBS, PRESENTED MR. HUME WITH A SILVER TRAY AS A RETIREMENT PRESENT FROM HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.

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HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Tuesday, March 2, 1976

HOUSING BLOCKS FOR TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE TENANTS

*******

The Housing Authority is to build two more housing blocks adjoining Tai Hang Tung Estate for rehousing tenants of the old estate.

To prepare the site, a clearance was carried out today by the Housing Department and about 160 huts in the Kowloon Tsai squatter area were demolished.

A total of 315 people affected have been rehoused to Kwai Shing and Lai King Estates and another 120 people offered licensed area sites on Kowloon Bay reclamation. Nine factories or workshops have been duly compensated.

The Tai Hang Tung Rehousing project launched in late 197^+» was aimed at giving a greatly improved living environment to the 33,000 tenants of the old estate.

A reception estate with five housing blocks is being built to take in about 10,000 people from Tai Hang Tung.

Construction of three blocks is already up to third floor level and site formation for the other two blocks should begin next month.

Residents of Tai Hang Tung Estate will move to the new estate as soon as the first blocks are completed aild demolition of the vacated blocks will follow immediately afterwards.

All 14 existing Mark I blocks in the estate will be demolished and replaced by 12-storey blocks of self-contained flats with a private balcony, kitchen, toilet and shower.

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W Jfe & £ fl? b? - < li| to I 4- HI -<. - nJ

§ M * M' * J«. M 1 to 11 4- <

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR JANUARY ROSE BY NEARLY 60 PER CENT IN VALUE ......................................... 1

RISE IN DIESEL FUEL PRICES SHOULD NOT PUSH UP TAXI FARES ................................................ 3

SURVEY ON TRAINING NEEDS AND PROBLEMS IN COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS ...................................... 4

GOVERNOR TO ATTEND HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT’S SPRING RECEPTION ........................................ 5

ALDRICH BAY FIRE VICTIMS ASKED TO COLLECT DONATIONS BEFORE MARCH 12 ................................. 5

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1976

EXPORTS UP BY NEARLY 60 PER CENT IN JANUARY ******

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR JANUARY 1976 ROSE BY $948 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT TO $2,582 MILLION COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1975.

ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 34.5 PER CENT AND THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS BY 41.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1975.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, COMMENTING ON THE TRADE FIGURES, SAID THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT CONSIDER THAT THESE FIGURES REPRESENTED A TRUE GROWTH RATE.

LUNAR NEW YEAR BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 1976 AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUSTOM, MANY FACTORIES WOULD HAVE RUSHED TO COMPLETE OUTSTANDING ORDERS BEFORE THE ONSET OF THIS TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY PERIOD.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PENALTY CHARGES FOR LATE SUBMISSION OF TRADE DECLARATIONS WERE DOUBLED IN JANUARY AND SOME OF THE INCREASE IN RECORDED TRADE FOR JANUARY NO DOUBT REFLECTED MANUFACTURERS*ATTEMPTS TO AVOID SUBMITTING LATE DECLARATIONS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT BECAUSE OF THESE FACTORS IT WAS NOT EXPECTED THAT THE SAME HIGH GROWTH RATE WOULD BE MAINTAINED IN FEBRUARY.

THE FIGURES FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 1975 TO JANUARY 1976 COMPARED WITH THOSE OF THE PREVIOUS 12-MONTH PERIOD SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 5.1 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 0.6 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS AND 1.8 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE FOLLOWING TABLE WITH COMPARATIVE FIGURES IS GIVEN FOR YOUR REFERENCE: -

DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $2,582 MILLION

IMPORTS : $3,236 MILLION

RE-EXPORTS : $ 730 MILLION

/COMPARATIVE .....

WEDNESDAY, MAECH 3, 1976

COMPARATIVE FIGURES JANUARY 1976 JANUARY 1975 INCREASE OR DECREASE

DOMESTIC EXPORTS $ MN. . 2,582 $ MN. 1,635 S MN. % + 948 + 58.0

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (78.0%) (76.0%)

IMPORTS 3,236 2,406 + 830 + 34.5

RE-EXPORTS 730 515 + 215 + 41.8

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (22.0%) (24.0%)

DOMESTIC EXPORTS NOV. 1975 TO JAN. 1976 $ MN. 7,130 NOV. 1974 TO JAN. 1975 $ MN. 5,177 INCREASE OR DECREASE $ MN. % + 1,953 + 37.7

IMPORTS 9,774 7,522 + 2,252 + 29.9

RE-EXPORTS 2,012 1,608 + 404 + 25.1

DOMESTIC EXPORTS FEB. 1975 TO JAN. 1976 $ MN. 23,806 FEB. 1974 TO JAN. 1975 8 MN. 22,651 INCREASE OR DECREASE $ MN. % + 1,156 + 5.1

IMPORTS 34,302 34,093 + 208 + 0.6

RE-EXPORTS 7,188 7,064 + 124 + 1.8

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1976

NO INCREASE IN TAXI FARES * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS REACTED SHARPLY TO REPORTS IN SEVERAL CHINESE AND ENGLISH NEWSPAPERS THAT TAXI FARES MIGHT BE INCREASED FOLLOWING THE RECENT RISE IN DIESEL FUEL PRICES.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF A TAXI AND LORRY OWNERS ASSOCIATION HAD CALLED FOR AN INCREASE IN TAXI FARES AND WAS WIDELY QUOTED AS SAYING THAT BUS FARES HAD GONE UP TWICE IN THREE MONTHS.

+THIS IS NOT SO,+ HE SAID. +FARES ON TRAMS AND THE STAR FERRY WERE INCREASED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND CMB BUS FARES ON MARCH 1.+

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE EXTRA 30 CENTS A GALLON ON DIESEL FUEL ANNOUNCED IN LAST WEEK’S BUDGET WOULD HAVE +ONLY A FRACTIONAL EFFECT ON OPERATING COSTS.+ HE SAID THIS WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY A CHANGE IN TAXI FARES.

HE ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PERMITTED TAXIS, AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, TO DISPLAY INTERNAL ADVERTISING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

+THIS WILL'BRING IN ABOUT $2,500 A YEAR EXTRA INCOME FOR EACH OF THE 4,754 TAX IS,+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, WHEN METRICATION IS INTRODUCED IN 1977, TAXI FARES WILL BE BASED ON KILOMETRE DISTANCES. THE PRESENT CHARGES WILL HAVE TO BE REVIEWED THEN.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PROPOSALS ON THE NEW RATES WILL BE CONSIDERED LATER IN THE YEAR.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1976

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EMPLOYERS URGED TO SUPPORT TRAINING SURVEY

* * * ft

A LARGE-SCALE SURVEY ON THE TRAINING NEEDS AND PROBLEMS IN COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS IN HONG KONG WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 4 AND MARCH 18.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE BY MR. RAYMOND NEALE, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON TRAINING IN COMMERCE AND SERVICES.

HE SAID THAT QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS, WHICH ARE BI-LINGUAL IN MOST CASES, WILL BE SENT TO EMPLOYERS AT NEARLY 2,000 SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS COVERED BY THE SURVEY - THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THESE SECTORS.

THE SURVEY WILL ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO ASSESS THE TRAINING NEEDS AND PROBLEMS IN SUCH SPHERES AS JOURNALISM, HOTEL WORK, TOURISM, BANKING, INSURANCE, ACCOUNTANCY AND ALLIED FIELDS, AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT IN RESPECT OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

IN THE QUESTIONNAIRES, EMPLOYERS ARE ASKED TO SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION s

ft THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AND TRAINEES IN CERTAIN SPECIFIC JOBS,

ft THE TRAINING AVAILABLE TO TRAINEES,

ft THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES, IN THESE JOBS, AND

ft A FORECAST OF NEW EMPLOYEES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WHERE POSSIBLE.

MR. NEALE CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO EXTEND FULL SUPPORT TO THE SURVEY BY COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.

HE ASSURED THEM THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE ANSWERS WOULD IN NO WAY COMMIT THE EMPLOYERS.

DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, INTERVIEWING OFFICERS WILL VISIT ALL SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS OTHER THAN HOTELS AND BANKS TO COLLECT COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES.

THEY CAN BE CALLED UPON TO ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES, IF SUCH SERVICE IS NEEDED.

THE MANAGEMENT OF HOTELS AND BANKS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN THEIR COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES BY POST.

THE SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE .OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1976

- 5 -GOVERNOR TO ATTEND SPRING RECEPTION K * M * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL ATTEND THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT’S SPRING RECEPTION ON FRIDAY (MARCH 5) AT THE CITY HALL RESTAURANT.

THE GUESTS INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND URBAN COUNCILS, REPRESENTATIVES OF VOLUNTARY BODIES, CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS KAIFONG LEADERS.

DURING THE RECEPTION, SIR MURRAY WILL PROPOSE A TOAST FOR THE OCCASION.

MR. JOHN WALDEN, DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFA IRS, AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THE GUESTS.

THE RECEPTION WILL START AT 5.30 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE RECEPTION.

-------o -

FIRE VICTIMS ASKED TO COLLECT DONATIONS ******

VICTIMS OF THE ALDRICH BAY FIRE WHO HAVE NOT PICKED UP THEIR SHARE OF PUBLIC DONATIONS ARE ASKED TO DO SO BEFORE 5 P.M. ON KARCH 12 (FRIDAY).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID : +THESE ARE THE VICTIMS WHO DID NOT TURN UP ON FEBRUARY 13 AND 20 TO COLLECT A CHEQUE FOR $628 FROM MONEY RAISED BY HK-TVB AND $110 FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND.

♦THEY ARE NOW ADVISED TO CALL AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS ANY TIME DURING OFFICE HOURS BEFORE MARCH 12. THEY SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR REGISTRATION CARDS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES. +

IF THEY FAILED TO TURN UP BY THEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THEIR SHARES, TOGETHER WITH THE BALANCE OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED, WOULD BE EVENLY DISTRIBUTED TO THE OTHER VICTIMS ON A DAY TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

0 -------

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Wednesday f haroh J-t—1£7&

fcJSM EXTENSION TO WAH FU ESTATE

******

Two more huge housing blocks and a commercial centre will be added to the Housing Authority’s popular Wah Fu Estate to meet the need for public housing in the Aberdeen area.

A i>J5-8 million contract was today awarded to a local construction firm for the building works.

The Director of Housing, Mr. Donald P.H. Liao, signed the contract on behalf of the Housing Authority.

The two new twin-tower blocks will be built on a nine-acre site opposite Wah Hing and Wan Sang House. Together, tney will provide 1,4j4 self-contained flats for about 10,700 people.

The six-storey commercial complex, planned to meet the additional shopping and marketing demand of the increased population, will accommodate a restaurant, some JO shops and a number of market stalls, a car park and premises for service trades.

Architects responsible for the project have devised a system of linked elevated pedestrian decks joining the two 22 and 24 storeyed blocks with the bus terminus and the commercial block.

Construction is expected to begin later this month and be completed in about 24 months.

The population of Wah Fu Estate will increase to about 55,000 when fully developed in mid-1978-

- - 0

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

VALUATION LISTS FOR SEVEN AREAS IN N.T. DECLARED ............ 1

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXPLAINS QUOTA SYSTEM .. 3

REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES .................... 4

APPLICATIONS FOR DUMPING PERMITS INVITED................... 5

CHIEF WATERWORKS ENGINEER RETIRES............................ 6

S.W.D. TEAM JOINS +WALK FOR A MILLION+...................... 6

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

NEW RATING AREAS IN N.T. I VALUATION LISTS DECLARED KHOO

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, TODAY DECLARED THE VALUATION LISTS FOR SEVEN NEW RATING AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND HANDED THEM OVER TO MR. DOUGLAS BLYE, THE COLLECTOR OF RATES (THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL). RATES WILL BE CHARGED BY THE COLLECTOR BASED ON THESE VALUATION LISTS EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1976.

THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. DAVID JEAFFRESON, AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, ATTENDED THE DECLARATION CEREMONY AT THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AT 1 GARDEN ROAD.

IN ANNOUNCING THE DECLARATION OF THE VALUATIONSISTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS WAS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF EXTENDING RATING TO DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH HAD BEEN MENTIONED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO.

. PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO RATE FURTHER AREAS ON A PHASED PROGRAMME OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THE LISTS DECLARED BY THE COMMISSIONER TODAY ARE FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS »-

AREA Fl THE MAJOR PART OF THE TOWN OF YUEN LONG.

AREAS G1 - 4 THE MAJOR PART OF THE TOWN OF TAI PO MARKET ------------ (AREA Gl) AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF TAI PO KAU (AREAS G2 - 4).

AREAS Hl - 2 THE TOWNSHIP OF LUEN WO MARKET (AREA Hl) AND ------------ THE DISTRICT KNOWN AS ON LOK TSUEN (AREA H2).

AREA JI THE TOWNSHIP OF SHEK WU HUI.

AREA KI

THE MAJOR PART OF THE NEW TOWN OF TUEN MUN.

AREAS LI - 3 THE MAJOR PART OF THE NEW TOWN OF SHA TIN.

AREAS Ml - 3 THE DEVELOPED AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF, AND ------------ ADJOINING, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

/THE .SPOKESMAN

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET PROPOSALS, THE PERCENTAGE HATES CHARGE ON THE RATEABLE VALUES FOR ASSESSED PREMISES IN THESE NEW AREAS WILL BE NINE PER CENT, THAT IS HALF THE PROPOSED NEW CHARGE OF 18 PER CENT FOR THE URBAN AREAS (PROPERTIES WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT WATER SUPPLY OR WITH ONLY AN UNFILTERED SUPPLY WILL PAY AT THE LESSER RATE OF SEVEN PER CENT AND EIGHT PER CENT RESPECTIVELY).

HOWEVER, BECAUSE ASSESSED RATEABLE VALUES ARE GENERALLY LOWER IN THESE AREAS, RATEPAYERS WILL BE PAYING, IN RESPECT OF AN AVERAGE TENEMENT FLOOR, ONLY A QUARTER TO A THIRD OF WHAT IS PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF SIMILAR FLOORS IN THE URBAN AREAS.

IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS RATES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS 1

1977/78 60 PER CENT OF THE FULL URBAN RATE

1978/79 70 PER CENT OF THE FULL URBAN RATE

1979/80 80 PER CENT OF THE FULL URBAN RATE

1980/81 ’ 90 PER CENT OF THE FULL URBAN RATE

SO THAT NOT UNTIL APRIL 1, 1981 WILL THE FULL URBAN RATE BE CHARGED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT SMALL VILLAGE HOUSES ARE NOW, FOR THE MOST PART, EXEMPT FOR ASSESSMENT TO RATES AND SO HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE VALUATION LISTS.

THE VALUATION LISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC AT THE TREASURY (CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, 2ND FLOOR, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG) FOR 21 DAYS FROM SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976. THERE WILL ALSO BE COPIES OF THE RELEVANT LISTS AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LIST FOR YUEN LONG WILL BE AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE.

ANYONE AGGRIEVED ON ANY OF THE GROUNDS LAID DOWN IN THE RATING ORDINANCE MAY, DURING THE 21 DAYS, SERVE A PROPOSAL IN THE SPECIFIED FORM ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE ALTERATION OF THE CONCERNED VALUATION LIST.

THE VALUATION LISTS CONTAIN SOME 14,700 ASSESSMENTS WITH A TOTAL RATEABLE VALUE OF NEARLY $115 MILLION.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

- 3 -

JORDAN COMMENTS ON QUOTA ALLEGATIONS ****** «

THE BASIC FACT ABOUT HONG KONG’S TEXTILE QUOTA PROBLEM IS THAT IN MANY CATEGORIES,' THE DEMAND FOR HONG KONG TEXTILE GARMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN WESTERN EUROPE IS GREATER THAN THE TOTAL QUOTA AVAILABLE, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID IN A TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEW TONIGHT.

MR. JORDAN WAS ASKED ABOUT NEWSPAPER REPORTS WHICH SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS +LOSING MILLIONS THROUGH ITS TEXTILES QUOTA SYSTEM,+ AND ALLEGED THAT THERE WAS +CONFUSION OVER THE QUOTA SITUATION-* AND THAT HONG KONG WAS PRICING ITESELF OUT OF THE MARKET BECAUSE OF HIGH QUOTA PRICES.

MR. JORDAN SAID THE DIFFICULTIES AROSE NOT FROM THE QUOTA SYSTEM BUT FROM THE FACT THAT DEMAND WAS MUCH GREATER.

HE ADDED: +TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, IT WOULDN’T MATTER REALLY WHAT SYSTEM WE HAVE FOR DISTRIBUTING QUOTA- IF ITS NOT ENOUGH TO ENABLE ALL THE BUYERS TO BUY WHAT THEY WANT TO BUY, THERE ARE BOUND TO BE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT GET WHAT THEY WANT.*

ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG PRICING ITSELF OUT OF THE MARKET, HE SAID THIS COULDN’T HAPPEN. +OF COURSE, IF DEMAND IS GREATER THAN SUPPLY, AND SUPPLY IS LIMITED, THE PRICE WILL GO UP IN A FREE ECONOMY LIKE OURS,+ HE SAID.

+BUT IF IT GOES UP TO THE POINT WHERE DEMAND FALLS OFF, THEN THE PRICE WILL COME DOWN AGAIN. THESE ARE THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT THIS BUSINESS.*

ASKED WHETHER A NEW QUOTA SYSTEM COULD HELP MATTERS, MR. JORDAN REPLIED THAT HE THOUGHT THE SYSTEM COULD BE IMPROVED, AND THAT WAS WHY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A REVIEW OF IT. BUT HE WARNED THAT REVISING THE SYSTEM WOULDN’T PRODUCE MORE QUOTA.

HE CONTINUED: +THE AGREEMENTS THAT WE’VE MADE ARE MADE UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR TEXTILES WHICH PROVIDES FOR A MINIMUM LEVEL. ABOVE THAT MINIMUM, WE HAVE NEGOTIATED THE HIGHEST LEVEL JHAT WE CAN GET IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT, AND WE ARE STUCK WITH THOSE LIMITS.

+BUT, AT PRESENT, DEMAND IS MUCH HIGHER- SO WHATEVER CHANGES WE MIGHT MAKE TO THAT SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALTER THE BASIC FACT THAT AT PRESENT DEMAND IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE QUANTITY WE ARE ALLOWED TO SUPPLY IN TOTAL UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS.*

ON THE QUESTION OF THE SELLING OF QUOTAS , HE SAID: +IT IS ALLEGED THAT SOME QUOTA HOLDERS DO SELL THEM. BUT WE VERY RARELY GET ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. WE ARE AT PRESENT INVESTIGATING ONLY ONE ALLEGATION ABOUT THIS.*

/IN THE PAST .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

- 4 -

IN THE PAST WHENEVER WE HAVE MOUNTED AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH PEOPLE ARE JUST SELLING QUOTA WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AT ALL — JUST SELLING IT — WE’VE ALWAYS FOUND THAT THE PERCENTAGE, THE PROPORTION, OF QUOTA THAT’S BEING DEALT WITH IN THIS WAY IS ALWAYS VERY SMALL.

HE ADDED: +OVER THE YEARS MOST OF THE QUOTA HAS BEEN USED TO EXPORT BY THE MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS TO WHOM IT’S BEEN ISSUED. QUITE A LOT GETS TRANSFERRED, BUT IT GETS TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT.*

- - 0 - -

REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES

******

THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TODAY DREW ATTENTION TO LAST FRIDAY’S GAZETTE IN WHICH IT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED APRIL 1, 1976 AS THE DAY ON WHICH THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE 1976 SHALL COME INTO OPERATION. THE ORDINANCE ITSELF WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE GAZETTE OF JANUARY 9 THIS YEAR.

APPLICATION FORMS ON WHICH COMPANIES MAY APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE RECEPTIONIST OF THE BANKING COMMISSION AT 1604 HANG CHONG BUILDING, 5 QUEEN’S'ROAD CENTRAL.

ADVICE ON THEIR COMPLETION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MR. WINSTON KWONG AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-263261. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE DATED NOT EARLIER THAN APRIL 1 AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ON OR AFTER THAT DATE.

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

- 5 -

NEW PUBLIC DUMP KOK

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR DUMPING PERMITS FOR A NEW PUBLIC DUMP WHICH WILL OPEN ON MARCH 15 THIS YEAR NEAR SIU LEK YUEN IN SHAT IN.

PERMITS FOR DUMPING AT THIS SITE MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON WRITTEN APPLICATION TO THE PROJECT MANAGER (SHATIN), SHATJN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL, SHATIN, NEW TERRITORIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHATIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID TODAY THE PERMITS WOULD BE IN RESPECT OF APPROVED SOFT EARTH, BUILDING DEBRIS, AND STONE UP TO 225 MM IN SIZE PROVIDING IT WAS WELL MIXED WITH EARTH.

APPLICANTS, HE SAID, SHOULD SUPPLY THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLES THEY WOULD BE USING FOR TRANSPORTING APPROVED MATERIALS TO THE DUMP.

THEY SHOULD ALSO STATE THE ORIGIN, TYPE AND APPROXIMATE QUANTITY OF MATERIALS TO BE DUMPED, AND THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR JOB.

ACCESS TO THE DUMP WILL BE FROM SIU LEK YUEN ROAD WHICH IS OFF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.

THE HOURS FOR DUMPING WILL BE FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DAILY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR.

PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED THAT ALL DUMPING AT THE NEW DUMP MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISOR, AND THE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING PERMITS AT ANY TIME OR TO CLOSE THE DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

0 - - - -

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1976

RETIREMENT OF CHIEF ENGINEER OF WATERWORKS OFFICE K * * * *

MR. JOHN MCDERMONT, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE WATERWORKS OFFICE, IS RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER 16 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT. THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. BILL KNIGHT, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PRESENT HIM WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.

MR. MCDERMONT JOINED THE WATERWORKS OFFICE AS AN ENGINEER IN APRIL 1960 WHEN HE FIRST ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AND IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED DUTIES ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FILTER STATION FOR ABERDEEN.

HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAND* BAY PUMPING STATION, MT. DAVIS SERVICE RESERVOIR AND VARIOUS CATCHMENT CHANNELS, TUNNELS AND ACCESS ROAD ON LANTAU ISLAND, ALL OF WHICH ARE VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE SHEK PIK WATER SCHEME — THE THEN LARGEST WATER SCHEME IN HONG KONG.

HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ENGINEER IN FEBRUARY 1967 AND TO HIS PRESENT POST OF CHIEF ENGINEER IN NOVEMBER 1973.

AS CHIEF ENGINEER, MR. MCDERMONT WAS IN CHARGE OF WORKS FORMING PART OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ALL NEW WATERWORKS INSTALLATIONS FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN, AS WELL AS THE MARKET TOWNS IN SHEUNG SHU I AND TAI PO.

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

S.W.D. TEAM IN 'WALK FOR A MILLION’ * * K * K *

MORE THAN 700 SOCIAL WORKERS WILL BECOME +SOCIAL WALKERS+ THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 7) WHEN THEY TAKE PART IN THE KOWLOON +WALK FOR A MILLION* IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL LEAD THE S.W.D. TEAM .WHICH COMPRISES ABOUT 150 STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND 500 MEMBERS OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION.

ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE WALK WILL BE A GROUP OF 36 PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY DISABLED TRAINEES FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S KAI YIN TRAINING CENTRE, SAU MAU PING DEAF CLUB AND WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE. THEY WILL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF SIX STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE CENTRES.

ANOTHER 63 RESIDENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG HOSTEL WILL TAKE PART IN THIS WALK.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

WORK ON CROSS HARBOUR SECTION OF METRO TO START NEXT MONTH .................................................. 1

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR DECEMBER 1975 ....................... 2

ABORTION FOR THERAPEUTIC REASONS TO BE LEGALIZED ............ 3

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ’WALK FOR A MILLION’ ............... 4

HONG KONG ANNUAL YEARBOOK A BEST SELLER ..................... 5

STUDENTS URGED TO MAKE USE OF CAREERS INFORMATION ........... 6

SIX PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS .................... 7

1976-77 VALUATION LISTS AVAILABLE OF INSPECTION ............. 8

TWO YAU MA TEI BUILDINGS TO BE RESUMED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF METRO .................................................. 9

» ’ t * ‘ .

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

. , . FR IDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

- 1 -CONSTRUCTION OF METRO CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ****** r

WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL SECTION OF THE METRO.

THE TUNNEL, WHICH IS ABOUT 1,400 METRES LONG, WILL CROSS THE HARBOUR BETWEEN.THE EXISTING SEA WALL AT WAN CHAI AND A NEW SEA WALL AT TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE TUNNEL WILL BE BUfLT BY SINKING AND JOINING TOGETHER 14 PRE-FABRICATED TUNNEL SEGMENTS, IN A SIMILAR METHOD TO THAT USED ON THE CROSS HARBOUR ROAD TUNNEL.

AN AREA FOR FABRICATING THE UNITS HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AT CHAI WAN, FROM WHERE THE TUNNEL UNITS WILL BE TOWED THROUGH THE HARBOUR READY FOR SINKING ONTO A SPECIALLY PREPARED BASE ON THE BED OF THE HARBOUR.

' TWO VENTILATION BUILDINGS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ABOVE THE ENDS OF THE TUNNEL SITED DIRECTLY BEHIND THE SEA WALLS AT WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI.

IT IS PROPOSED TO LAY THE FIRST TUNNEL UNIT AT THE WAN CHAI END OF THE TUNNEL WITH CONSTRUCTION PROCEEDING ACROSS THE HARBOUR TO JOIN UP WITH OTHER METRO WORKS AT TSIM SHA TSU I,.

DREDGING AND TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WILL, BE CONFINED TO A WORKS AREA OF ABOUT 700 METRES LONG AND 200 METRES WIDE REFERRED TO AS THE ’OCCUPIED PART’, THE OUTER LIMITS OF WHICH WILL BE MARKED BY MARINE BUOYS.

NO SHIPPING WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THIS AREA DURING CONSTRUCTION, AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL. NOTIFY SHIPPING OF THE LOCATION AND SUBSEQUENT CHANGES IN POSITION OF THE WORKING AREA AS CONSTRUCTION OF THE IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL PROGRESSES ACROSS THE HARBOUR.

IN ADDITION, A FIXED WORKS AREA APPROXIMATELY 150 METRES LONG AND 300 METRES WIDE MARKED BY PILE BEACONS WILL BE SITED ADJACENT TO THE WAN CHAI SEA WALL.

RESTRICTIONS WILL BE PLACED 0* SHIPPING AT PRESENT USING THE HUNG HOM FAIRWAY, AND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE HARBOUR, THE PORT WORI^ DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS WIDENING AND DEEPENING THE CENTRAL

FAIRWAY...

/WHEN THIS

FBIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

- 2 -

WHEN THIS IS COMPLETED IN JULY THIS YEAR, THIS WILL PERMIT SHIPPING UNRESTRICTED ENTRY TO THE HARBOUR FROM THE WESTERN APPROACHES, THEREBY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SHIPS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE PASS CLOSE TO TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE, DURING WHICH TIME THE SECTION OF HARBOUR OCCUPIED BY THE CONTRACTORS’ WORKS AREA WILL BE CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC.

GAZETTE NOTIFICATIONS DESCRIBING THESE WORKS AND CLAIMS PROCEDURE APPEAR IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

o - - -

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS- FOR DECEMBER 1975 ******

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 1975 SHOW A SURPLUS OF $72 MILLION COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $133 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1974.

THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATED DEFICIT OF $285 MILLION (EXCLUDING LOANS) FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $673 MILLION FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1974.

TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE MONTH AT $545 MILLION WAS $101 MILLION LESS THAN IN DECEMBER 1974 DUE MAINLY TO DECREASED RECEIPTS IN INTERNAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THE INTRODUCTION IN 1975-76 OF THE PAYMENT OF SALARIES AND PROFITS TAX BY TWO INSTALMENTS, WITH THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF 25 PER CENT FALLING DUE TOWARDS THE END OF 1975-76 OR THE BEGINNING OF 1976-77.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE AT $473 MILLION WAS $40 MILLION LESS THAN THE SAME MONTH IN 1974, MAINLY BECAUSE OF DECREASED SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS DUE LARGELY TO THE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN CONTRACT PRICES AND ALSO TO THE EXCEPTIONALLY RAINY SUMMER IN 1975.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

- 3 -

LEGAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR THERAPEUTIC REASONS *****

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE A SECTION OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE LEGAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR THERAPEUTIC REASONS A PERMANENT PART OF THE LAW.

A BILL TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. ENTITLED THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, IT IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER FURTHER CHANGES TO THE EXISTING LEGISLATION AND PROCEDURES ARE REQUIRED.

THE SECTION IN QUESTION WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1972 TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WHO MAY BE CALLED UPON TO PERFORM A THERAPEUTIC ABORTION.

WHEN THE DRAFT BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SOME MISGIVINGS WERE EXPRESSED THAT THE BILL MIGHT LEAD TO RAMPANT ABUSE.

AS A RESULT, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE WORKING OF THE BILL WOULD BE REVIEWED AT THE END OF A TRIAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, THAT IS IN MARCH 1974.

AS THE NUMBER OF PREGNANCIES TERMINATED UNDER THIS PROVISION DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD PROVED TO BE INSUFFICIENT FOR MAKING ADEQUATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OR FOR DRAWING FIRM CONCLUSIONS, THE TRIAL PERIOD WAS EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, UP TO THE END OF THIS MONTH.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT BETWEEN THE ENACTMENT OF THE NECESSARY REGULATIONS IN JANUARY 1973 AND DECEMB" A TOTAL OF 1,771 CASES OF PREGNANCY HAD BEEN TERMINATED REGISTERED PRACTITIONERS.

OF THESE, 1,738 CASES OF PREGNANCY WERE TERMINATED GROUND THAT THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PREGNANCY WOULD HAVE GREATER RISK OF INJURY TO THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PREGNANT WOMEN THAN IF THE PREGNANCY WERE TERMINATED.

A FURTHER 30 CASES WERE TERMINATED ON THE GROUND THAT THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PREGNANCY WOULD HAVE INVOLVED GREATER RISK TO THE LIFE OF THE PREGNANT WOMEN THAN IF THE PREGNANCY WERE TERMINATED.

'IN THE REMAINING THREE CASES, TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY WAS CARRIED OUT UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES.

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAIDi +WHILE THE NUMBER OF CASES MAY BE CONSIDERED SMALL OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, IT WOULD APPEAR REASONABLE TO CONCLUDE THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ABUSE OF THE LEGISLATION.*

THEREFORE, HE SAID, IT APPEARED THAT THE RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE TO INCORPORATE THE SECTION PERMANENTLY INTO THE ORDINANCE.

' “------------- A..................

ON THE INVOLVED OF THE

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE BIG WALK ***»»*

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE +WALK FOR A MILLION* IN KOWLOON ON SUNDAY (MARCH 7).

THE ROAD CLOSURES INCLUDE THE SECTION OF JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND FU MEI STREET, WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES FROM 7.45 A.M. UNTIL ABOUT 10.45 A.M., APART FROM THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES IN THE BROADCAST DRIVE AREA.

FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL ABOUT 2 P.M. THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC i RENFREW ROAD- THE UNNAMED ROAD IN FRONT OF LUNG CHEUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL- SHA TIN PASS ROAD BETWEEN LUNG FUNG STREET AND JET’S INCLINE- JET’S INCLINE- AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD FROM THE START OF THE +ONE WAY+ SECTION TO JET’S INCLINE.

OTHER ROADS THAT WILL BE CLOSED ARE WAN WAH STREET FROM THE JUNCTION WITH TSZ WAN SHAN PLAYGROUND TO TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD-ON FU ROAD FROM THE ON FU CENTRE TO THE JUNCTION WITH CHUK YUEN ROAD- AND CHUK YUEN ROAD FROM THE JUNCTION WITH ON FU ROAD TO ITS JUNCTION WITH AN UNNAMED ROAD NEAR SHA TIN PASS ROAD.

ALL PARKING SPACES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL

2 P.M. IN BROADCAST DRIVE BETWEEN JUNCTION ROAD AND THE HK-TVB STUDIOS- AND ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE UNNAMED STREET BETWEEN BLOCKS 7 AND 15 OF UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE.

MOTORISTS ARE WARNED THAT THE POLICE WILL TOW AWAY ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES.

A NUMBER OF BUS SERVICES WILL BE RE-ROUTED BETWEEN 7 A.M.

AND 11 A.M.

KMB ROUTE 2F TO TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED AFTER NAM CHEONG STREET TO GO VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND SHA TIN PASS ROAD. TO CHEUNG SHA WAN IT WILL BE RE-ROUTED AFTER PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD TO GO VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND NAM CHEONG STREET.

ROUTE 3C TO TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED AFTER TUNG CHOI STREET TO GO BY WAY OF ARGYLE STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET, JUNCTION ROAD AND FU MEI STREET. TO JORDAN ROAD FERRY IT WILL BE RE-ROUTED AFTER FU MEI STREET, LEFT ON TO JUNCTION ROAD AND THEN tO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.

/BOOTS 7A

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

ROUTE 7A WILL TERMINATE AT THE ROUTE 7 TERMINUS IN

DORSET CRESCENTi ROUTE 70 TO SHA TIN WILL OPERATE BY WAY OF WATERLOO ROAD DIRECT TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL- ROUTE 204 TO AND FROM NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD- AND ROUTES 3A AND 15A TO TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM WAN WAH STREET TO GO BY WAY OF WAI WAH STREET AND TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH UTMOST CAR? IN THE VICINITY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD. TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AND TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED.

SALES OF ’HONG KONG 1976’ HEADING FOR NEW RECORD KOK*

ALWAYS A BEST SELLER, THIS YEAR’S GOVERNMENT YEARBOOK — ’HONG KONG 1976’ — LOOKS LIKE SETTING ANOTHER NEW RECORD. MORE THAN 5,000 COPIES IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE HAVE BEEN SOLD SINCE THE BOOK WENT ON SALE ON MONDAY.

THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, MR. HANDRICK NG, SAID TODAY: +INITIAL SALES HAVE NEVER BEEN SO GOOD. IF THIS CONTINUES WE SHALL HAVE TO REPRINT AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE HAVE ALREADY PRINTED MORE THAN 31,000 COPIES OF THIS EDITION — WHICH IS 30 TIMES AS MANY AS WERE PRINTED OF THE YEARBOOK’S FIRST EDITION, 30 YEARS AGO.+

MR. NG SAID THE CONSISTENTLY HIGH SALES FIGURES WERE DUE TO THE FACT THAT READERS WERE GETTING NOT ONLY A WORK OF REFERENCE BUT ALSO A HIGH-QUALITY BOOK — A HARDBACK WITH MORE THAN 70 FULL-PAGE COLOUR PICTURES — AT AN ATTRACTIVE PRICE OF $15. HE FELT THAT THE SPECIAL RESPONSE TO THIS YEAR'S. EDITION HAD RESULTED FROM THE INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER BEING WRITTEN BY THE WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST, RICHARD HUGHES, AND ALSO FROM EFFORTS TO MAKE THE WHOLE BOOK GENERALLY READABLE.

+HONG KONG 1976+ IS THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE WORK OF ALL ITS DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT 1975, BUT IT ALSO COVERS VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG. THIS YEAR THE BOOK IS BEING SOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME THROUGH THE 19 CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AS WELL AS AT ALL LEADING BOOKSTORES AND AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE ON HONG KONG ISLAND. ’

+WE HOPE THAT WE SHALL SOON HAVE SIMILAR OUTLETS THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES,* SAID MR. NG. +THE IDEA IS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS MORE EASILY AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IN ALL AREAS, AND .THE WAY THE YEARBOOK IS SELLING AT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES SHOWS THAT THIS WOULD BE WELCOME.+ • . ■ ■

/6....

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

- 6 -

USE CAREERS INFORMATION TO YOUR ADVANTAGE, STUDENTS TOLD

M * * * * M *

YOUNG PEOPLE FACED WITH THE NEED TO PLAN THEIR FUTURE COURSE IN LIFE SHOULD KNOW HOW TO USE CAREERS INFORMATION TO THEIR ADVANTAGE, SAID DR. Y.K. CHING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TODAY (FRIDAY). .

OPENING A CAREERS SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT THE HO LAP COLLEGE, SAN PO KONG, HE TOLD MORE THAN 1,000 SENIOR STUDENTS THAT IF JOBS WERE TAKEN UP AS THEY CAME BY, ONLY A LUCKY FEW WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE JOBS THEY LANDED.

THE MAJORITY, HE SAID, WOULD EITHER FIND THAT THEY WERE SQUANDERING THEIR TIME OR FEEL FRUSTRATED.

DR. CHING DISCLOSED THAT THE EFFORTS OF THE POLYTECHNIC TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WITH THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND TO SUPPLY THE TRADES AND INDUSTRY WITH SKILLED MANPOWER WOULD BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED BY SEPTEMBER - 1978 WHEN PLACES FOR FULL-TIME DAY COURSES, PART-TIME-DAY-RELEASE-COURSES AND EVENING CLASSES WOULD BE INCREASED TO 6,800, 3,000 AND 20,000 RESPECTIVELY.

THE SEMINAR, WHICH FEATURES TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS BY GUEST SPEAKERS ON CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES’ IN HOTELS, JOURNALISM, THE POLICE FORCE, SOCIAL WORK, CIVIL SERVICE AND APPRENTICE TRAINING, WILL BE REPEATED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR ANOTHER 1,000 STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED THE FIRST DAY.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SEMINAR, 'A MINI CAREERS EXHIBITION IS ALSO BEING STAGED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE AT THE SCHOOL.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

- 7 -

SIX PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONDEMNED

* * * M *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FOR SIX PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WHICH ARE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION OR LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

AFFECTED ARE NOS. 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 AND 28 NEW MARKET STREET, HONG KONG. THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED NO. 26 TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THE OTHER FIVE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DPEARTMENT SAID THIS GROUP OF ISOLATED THREE-STOREY BUILDINGS WAS ALMOST ALL THAT REMAINED OF AN ORIGINAL BLOCK OF 34 BUILDINGS, OF WHICH 17 HAD BEEN CLOSED AS DANGEROUS AND DEMOLISHED WITHIN THE PAST TEN YEARS. MOST OF THE OTHER PROPERTIES, HE ADDED, HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED VOLUNTARILY TO MAKE WAY FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

ALL SIX BUILDINGS, HE SAID, SHOWED INDICATIONS OF SERIOUS STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS IN LOAD-BEARING BRICK EXTERNAL AND PARTY WALLS. +IN ADDITION, THE MAIN TIMBER ROOF AND THE REINFORCED CONCRETE KITCHEN BLOCK ROOF OF NO. 26 IS CLOSE TO FAILURE AND COLLAPSE.*

ALTHOUGH THE MOST CRITICAL SITUATION EXISTED AT NO. 26, HE SAID, ALL SIX BUILDINGS WERE MUTUALLY DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER FOR SUPPORT AND STABILITY AND PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE COULD OCCUR-AS A RESULT OF PARTIAL DEMOLITION.

ACCORDINGLY, IT IS INTENDED TO CLOSE ALL SIX BUILDINGS AND SUBSEQUENTLY DEMOLISH THEM.

APPLICATIONS FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF NO. 26 NEW MARKET STREET WILL BE HEARD AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 2, 1976, IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT. FOR THE GROUND FLOOR OF NO. 26 AND THE WHOLE OF NOS. 18, 20, 22, 24 AND 28, THE HEARING WILL BE AT 9.30 A.M. ON JUNE 4, 1976.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976

VALUATION LISTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION *****

THE VALUATION LISTS FOR 1976/77 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON, NEW KOWLOON AND THE ASSESSED PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THIS IS OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

THE LISTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS FOR A PERIOD OF 21 DAYS ENDING MARCH 26, 1976 AT THE OFFICES OF THE COLLECTOR OF RATES IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, SECOND FLOOR, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.

COMMENTING ON THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THIS PERIOD OF 21 DAYS, ANY PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH THE ENTRY OR OMISSION OF A TENEMENT IN OR FROM A LIST, OR THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED, MAY SERVE ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE LIST.

FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES AT 1 GARDEN ROAD (TEL. NO. 5-249021) AND NEW MERCURY HOUSE, 17TH FLOOR, 22 FENWICK STREET, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-281424)

THERE IS A FURTHER RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL SHOULD THE COMMISSIONER NOT AGREE TO A PROPOSAL SERVED ON HIM.

HE ADDED THAT PERSONS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND INTENDING TO LODGE A PROPOSAL ARE INVITED TO GET IN TOUCH FIRST WITH THE VALUER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE SITUATED. ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN.

GENERALLY, ENQUIRIES IN THIS RESPECT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO NEW MERCURY HOUSE BUT THOSE IN RESPECT OF PREMISES SITUATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE MADE AT 1 GARDEN ROAD.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1976.

- 9 -

GOV'T TO RESUME TWO BUILDINGS IN YAU MA TEI REQUIRED FOR METRO CONSTRUCTION K M M *

THE TENANTS OF 221 D AND E NATHAN ROAD ARE BEING ADVISED TODAY THAT GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE INSTITUTING STATUTORY ’ RESUMPTION PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE LAND ON WHICH THEIR BUILDINGS STAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE METRO.

STAFF OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, YAU MA TEI, ARE NOW VISITING THE OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDINGS TO PERSONALLY HAND OVER THE ADVISORY NOTICES TO THEM.

THE ADVISORY NOTICE WARNS THAT STATUTORY RESUMPTION NOTICES, SIGNIFYING THE BEGINNING OF RESUMPTION PROCEEDINGS,, WILL BE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS ON APRIL 2, 1976, AND THAT / ON JUNE 1, 1976, THAT IS, TWO MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING OF THESE NOTICES, THE PROPERTIES WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE OCCUPANTS ARE BEING ADVISED THAT UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, ANYONE WHO HAS ANY CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION CAN FILE THIS CLAIM DIRECT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, WHO MAY SETTLE IT ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.

HOWEVER, IF AT THE END OF FOUR MONTHS FROM THE RECEIPT OF A CLAIM BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO SETTLE THE CLAIM, THE CLAIMANT CAN SEEK SETTLEMENT THROUGH PROCEEDINGS WITH THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.

THE TENANTS ARE ALSO BEING ADVISED THAT IN ORDER TO ASSIST ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, MEETINGS WILL BE ARRANGED BY STAFF OF THE MASS TRANSIT STUDIES OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN TO THEM CLAIMS PROCEDURES AND THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS. THESE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD SHORTLY.

DOMESTIC TENANTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INFORMED THAT IF THEY ARE HOMELESS AT THE TIME OF CLEARANCE THEY WILL BE OFFERED REHOUSING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AFTER REVERSION.

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

Mik

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

1 I SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

WORK ON NEW MENTAL HOSPITAL AT LAI CHI KOK TO START NEXT MONTH .................................................. 1

KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TO HAVE 3OOTH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE ........ 2

REPORT ON EVALUATION OF WELFARE SERVICES PUBLISHED .............. 3

TRAFFIC DIVERSION ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD...................... 4

CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL AT RENNIE'S MILL .......................... 5

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976

SECOND RENTAL HOSPITAL

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC-WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION WORK ON A SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL AT LAI CHI KOK NEXT MONTH.

ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $64 MILLION, THE NEW HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,304 HOSPITAL BEDS WHICH SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS EASING THE PRESSURE ON EXISTING FACILITIES AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.

THE HOSPITAL WILL BE BUILT ON THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL SITE AND WILL CATER MAINLY FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS WHOSE CONDITION IS AMENABLE TO TREATMENT, AND FOR VOLUNTARY AND INFIRMARY PATIENTS (I.E. .PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISEASES).

MR. EDWIN WONG, PWD ARCHITECT, SAID TODAY THE NEW HOSPITAL HAD BEEN DESIGNED AS A MULTI-LEVEL DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO LEAVE AS MUCH SPACE AS POSSIBLE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

+IN- A MENTAL HOSPITAL,* HE SAID, +GREATER PROVISION HAS TO BE MADE FOR RECREATIONAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND PHYSIOTHERAPIC ACTIVITIES THAN IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS.

♦ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR THIS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE DESIGN AND TOGETHER WITH GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE THE INSTITUTIONAL CHARACTER OF THE BUILDING COMPLEX, A LARGE GARDEN AS WELL AS A ROOF GARDEN WILL BE PROVIDED.+

OTHER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, HE ADDED, WOULD INCLUDE A THEATRE FOR FILM SHOWS, CONCERTS OR INDOOR SPORTS, SHOP AND SOFT DRINK BAR, HAIRDRESSING SALOON, A LIBRARY AND READING ROOM AS AIDS TO REHABILITATION.

A FOOTBALL PITCH AND A BASKETBALL COURT ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE TO SERVE BOTH THE NEW LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AND THE SECOND MENTAL HOSPITAL.

THE MENTAL HOSPITAL, MR..WONG SAID, WOULD OCCUPY ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF THE 10.8 HECTARE (27.15-ACRE) SITE AND WOULD COMPRISE ONE 11-STOREY WARD BLOCK FOR MALE PATIENTS AND ONE EIGHT-STOREY WARD BLOCK FOR FEMALE PATIENTS.

♦BOTH BLOCKS WILL BE LINKED WITH A FOUR-STOREY CLINICAL AND SERVICE BLOCK BY A SYSTEM OF SUBWAYS, THUS LEAVING AS MUCH GROUND AS POSSIBLE TO BE LANDSCAPED AS RECREATIONAL GARDENS SUPPLEMENTED BY ALL AVAILABLE ROOF AREAS' WHICH WILL ALSO BE DEVELOPED FOR. RELATIONAL PURPOSES.+ ..HE ADDED. _____?.

/Provision .....

SATUBDAY, MARCH 6, 19?6

- 2 -

PROVISION HAD ALSO BEEN MADE, HE SAID, TO INCLUDE A COVERED I INK WITH THE ADJACENT NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS tJ WILITATE siAFF CIRCULATION IN BAD WEATHER.

THF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY INVITED TENDERS FOR THE FOUNDATION WORK AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MALE AND FEMALE WARD PHASE ONE OF THE PROJECT.

BLOCKS UNDER

WORK ON THIS PHASE WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN YEAR. PWD ARCHITECTS EXPECT THE HOSPITAL TO BE BY SEPTEMBER 1979.

WORK ON THE IN OCTOBER NEXT FULLY COMPLETED

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

3OOTH M.A.C. IN KOWLOON CITY

******

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. AUGUSTINE KAM CHUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 3OOTH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 P.M. AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF TANG KANG PO MIDDLE SCHOOL, FARM ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.

THE M.A.C., SITUATED IN KAR MAN HOUSE, 01 MAN HOUSE, IS FORMED WITH THE HELP OF C.D.O. (KOWLOON CITY) TO STRENGTHEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDING.

KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF MACS AMONG THE 10 CITY DISTRICTS. THEY ARE SET UP IN BOTH THE PRIVATE MULTISTOREY BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.

BESIDES BEING INVOLVED IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF SECURITY AND SANITARY CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS, MANY OF THE M.A.C,S ALSO ATTEMPT TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AMONG RESIDENTS SO AS TO FURTHER PROMOTE A SENSE OF UNITY AND CO-OPERATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS* MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

. . - . o -----

/3 .....

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976

NEED FOR EVALUATION - SELF-EVIDENT ******

EVALUATION ENSURE NOT ONLY DEVELOP IN LINE

OF WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG IS NECESSARY TO VALUE FOR MONEY BUT ALSO THAT WELFARE SERVICES WITH CHANGING COMMUNITY NEEDS.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON GROUP DISCUSSIONS AT THE SEMINAR ON EVALUATION HELD IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, OF WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, IS CHAIRMAN.

THE SEMINAR WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 150 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES OF VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AND A NUMBER OF SERVICE CONSUMERS WHO ARE RECIPIENTS OF WELFARE SERVICES.

IT WAS TO REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INITIAL EVALUATION EXERCISE THAT WAS CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW EVALUATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FUTURE.

ALL DISCUSSION GROUPS CONSIDERED THE NEED FOR EVALUATION TO BE SELF-EVIDENT. +MOST GROUPS ACCEPTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES EXPENDED ON AGENCY SERVICES ARE PROPERLY UTILIZED AND THAT AGENCIES, FOR THEIR PART. HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCOUNT FOR FUNDS RECEIVED FROM SUBVENTION.+

AS TO THE USES OF EVALUATION, THE REPORT NOTED THAT MOST DISCUSSION GROUPS WERE STRONGLY IN FAVOUR THAT EVALUATION SHOULD LOOK AT AN AREA OF SERVICE AS A WHOLE BESIDES INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES.

♦THE MAJORITY OPINION WAS THAT EVALUATION SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY NEEDS, CLASSIFYING THESE NEEDS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY AND ASSESSING THE EXTENT TO WHICH EXISTING SERVICES CONFORM TO AN AGREED CONCEPT OF NEED.+

IN REGARD TO FUTURE EVALUATION EXERCISES, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE JOINT RESPONSIBILITY AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT SUFFICIENT RESOURCES BE COMMITTED TO EVALUATION TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY AND THAT CARE BE TAKEN TO SELECT PERSONNEL OF SUITABLE CALIBRE AND EXPERIENCE FOR THIS WORK.

IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT THE VIEWS*OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS

SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE REPORT CONTINUED.

ON THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF EVALUATION, THE REPORT SAIDi ♦EVALUATION WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN THE EXPANSION OF SOME AREAS OF SERVICE AND THE CURTAILMENT OF OTHERS- AND IN SOME REDISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THROUGH SUBVENTION FUNDS.+

/TURNING TO

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976

TURNING TO THE INITIAL EVALUATION EXERCISE, THE DISCUSSION GROUPS ENDORSED THE REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT AGENCY-BASED EVALUATION HAD PROVED TO BE UNSATISFACTORY AS THIS APPROACH DID NOT ENABLE A SUFFICIENTLY BROAD VIEW TO BE TAKEN OF THE SERVICES RENDERED BY A PARTICULAR AGENCY IN RELATION TO THE AREA OF SERVICE AS A WHOLE AND, EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IN RELATION TO COMMUNITY NEEDS.

THIS EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED BY TEAMS COMPRISING STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE AGENCIES BEING EVALUATED.

THE CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE D4SCUSSION COUNCIL OF SOCIAL

GROUPS, SERVICES

TOGETHER WITH THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG nv -rue

AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL NOW BE CONSIDERED BY THE

SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THEN PREPARE DETAILED PROPOSALS ON FUTURE EVALUATION

EVALUATION WHICH WILL STUDIES.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD ******

ALL EASTBOUND TRAFFIC USING THE EXISTING CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD NEAR THE HOME FOR THE AGED WILL BE DIVERTED ONTO THE NEW ROAD TO THE SOUTH FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 9) TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.

I >

WITH EFFECT FROM 10 A.M. ON THAT DAY, THERE WILL BE TWO-WAY OPERATION OVER THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE DIVERSION WITH A SUBSTANTIAL SECTION OF DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AVAILABLE.

THE EXISTING CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN THE HOME FOR THE AGED AND THE EAST END OF THE DIVERSION WILL BECOME A CUL-DE-SAC WITH ENTRANCE AND EXIT AT THE EAST END.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1976 - 5 -

CHILDREN CARNIVAL IN RENNIE’S MILL * * * * *

ABOUT 1,000 CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS IN RENNIE’S MILL WILL HAVE AN AFTERNOON FULL OF FUN AND JOY TOMORROW (MARCH 7) WHEN THEY ATTEND A CARNIVAL SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR THEM.

THE CARNIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE.AT THE BASKETBALL COURT OF QUEEN MAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL IN RENNIE’S MILL FROM 2 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

SPONSORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE FOR KWUN TONG, THE CARNIVAL IS AIMED AT PROMOTING AND PROVIDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YOUNGSTERS WHO ARE LIVING IN THIS REMOTE AREA.

MEANWHILE, A +ROUND NEW TERRITORIES. TOUR+ HAS ALSO BEEN organised FOR ABOUT 100 MEMBERS OF THE SAU MAU PING CENTRAL ESTATE OLD PEOPLE’S CLUB TOMORROW.

THE TOUR IS SPONSORED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE FOR KWUN TONG AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SAU MAU PING ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE (CENTRAL).

IT WILL PROVIDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE OLD PEOPLE AND TO GIVE MEMBERS OF A YOUTH GROUP AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENDER SERVICES TO THE AGED.

THE YOUTH GROUP, LOK YEE CLUB, IS A SELF-PROGRAMMING ONE SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICE.

DURING THE DAY, THE OLD PEOPLE WILL TOUR AROUND CHING CHUNG KOON AND LUNCH AT THIS WELL-KNOWN MONASTERY IN CASTLE PEAK. THE PROGRAMME WILL ALSO INCLUDE GROUP GAMES AND A LUCKY DRAW.

- - 0 - -

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Saturday, March 6, 1976

Following is the full text of the Governor’s speech at the American Chambers of Commerce Conference:

"Mr. President, Mr. Consul General, Mr. Miller, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed an honour for Hong Kong to be chosen as the location for this meeting of the Asian Pacific Council of Chambers of Commerce in this, the bicentennial year of your great Republic.

"But it is also perhaps appropriate. Hong Kong’s links with the United States go back to the early years of its foundation more than 130 years ago and they reflect the close links that have always existed between the Americans and the British.

"Today the United States is Hong Kong’s biggest export market and our third biggest source of imports after China and Japan. It is our largest source of foreign investment in industry, commerce and Banking. And the U.S. dollar is the yardstick by which we measure the Hong Kong dollar, as well as the intervention unit for regulating it. Numbers of

/our people •••.•

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

our people have been trained in your colleges and universities and many have relatives in the United States. The American Chamber in Hong Kong is one of our strongest and most active business groups who play an essential role in our links with the United States, and I would wish to pay a tribute here to their enthusiasm and their contribution to our community.

"There is no doubt that Hong Kong has witnessed far greater development in the past twenty-five years than in the previous hundred years of its existence. It was established as a port for the China trade and fitted its position as an entrepot* But since the fifties its own industry has grown at a rapid pace exporting to all parts of the world but especially to the large consumer markets of North America and Western > *

Europe•

"Despite our small size and population of only W million, no developing country exports more manufactured goods than Hong Kong. We are the largest exporter of clothing and of toys in the world and have expanded rapidly in such other fields as electronic products, radios, watches and clocks, cameras*optical goods and so on.

Hong Kong is also the biggest tourist destination in South East Asia, the largest financial centre in the region outside Japan and a focal point for telecommunications and air and sea transport. It is a large market for China products and a significant source of foreign exchange earnings.

Hong Kong has thus been transformed from a small trading outpost to a modern metropolitan centre in the space of 25 years. This has been achieved'through free enterprise and the business acumen of our traders under the spur of somehow having to find a living and the material resources for a population that has quadrupled in 25 years.

/The free .....

The free port philosophy has not been changed. There are no protective tariffs and our industry is forced to sink or swim, not in a small protected home market, but in the markets of the world. More than 80 per cent of all production is exported. There is also no exchange control; and money can be remitted freely in and out in all currencies. Testation is relatively low and business can operate with the minimum interference from government controls. In particular, no restriction is placed on the establishment of foreign owned businesses or on the repatriation of their profits. For it is well understood that the investment necessary for- economic growth must come essentially from profits.

"There is a popular misconception that Hong Kong is a laissez-faire, uncaring, society. This cannot be sustained. Although, as I have said, we accept free enterprise as the generating force in our economy, our economic growth has also rested very heavily on the development of the essential infrastructure of a modern society, much of it through public expenditure. Large investments have been undertaken in roads, waterworks, hospitals, schools, public transport facilities, electricity supplies, telecommunications and recreational facilities. Two-fifths of the population are already accommodated in subsidised public housing and within four years we will be accommodating 200,000 more people. Plans are now under way to develop three new satellite towns.

”An underground railway is being built through the densest parts of the urban area, the first stage of which will be completed by 19^0 at a cost of as much as 1 billion US dollars. Plans are also being carried out to expand secondary and tertiary education, particularly technical and vocational training, through a Polytechnic and new technical colleges. A social welfare net to support the old and the needy has been established. All this has been possible, while maintaining our relatively low tax structure, because of economic growth.

/Of course .....

"Of course, like all countries in the world that depend on trade, Hong Kong has been hit by the recession. But, despite some difficulties in the latter half of 1974 and early 19751 we have weathered the storm better than most and are now definitely on the upturn again.

"One consequence of the recession was that we virtually eliminated inflation in Hong Kong last year, with the cost of living index increasing as little as 2 per cent. Our balance of payments has also remained in good shape throughout this experience and we have, for. example, managed to absorb a three-fold increase in the cost of our imports of oil products. 1976 should see a continuation of the recovery, helped by the upturn which is already apparent in the United States and to a lesser extent in Western Europe.

"I should like to say a word about the nature of the Government here and of our society. By force of circumstances which are well understood, Hong Kong cannot have an elected Government. Yet I-ong Kong is in most ways the freest society in Asia, with complete freedom of expression in the press, radio and television and an independent judiciary. The way in which, as a substitute for democracy, we try to achieve a consensus for our policies and seek to be responsive to the wishes of the people is a fascinating and constantly evolving story.

"An essential element for Hong Kong’s future prosperity is the relationship with China. Relations between Britain and China are good. They have been developing steadily since the exchange of Ambassadors between London and Peking in 1972 and, in particular, the friendly and practical way in which it has been possible to deal with matters affecting Hong Kong has made a considerable contribution to stability and also to business confidence here.

/So, in the end.......

”So, in the end, we must in Hong Kong always come back to economics. And there we derive considerable strength from our geographical position. We are well placed as a centre of communications and trade in the Pacific basin, which looks set to be the new growth area in the world over the next decade and more.

”In common with other parts of the region, we in Hong Kong have no intention of standing still and we are anxious to expand and upgrade our industrial structure. In particular, we feel that we are well placed to break into the area of higher technology industries involving greater skills and more capital investment per worker, particularly in light and medium engineering and other precision industries.

Already an American firm, the Outboard Marine Corporation, has pioneered the way and is constructing and exporting its engines from its new Hong Kong factory. The Dow Chemical Corporation is also manufacturing polystyrenes for our growing plastics industry. We want more of these sort of industries and are now starting to construct industrial estates to attract them.

”0f course, because of Hong Kong’s small size and the moountainous and steep nature of its terrain, land here is expensive to form and it can never be as cheap as in some other locations. But we have a lot else going for us. The freedom of our society, the low tax structure and the absence of unnecessary controls over business I have already mentioned. Next there is the intelligence, diligence, commonsens.and adaptability of our labour force, which is now being augmented by the skills imparted by our expanding technical education programme.

/’•Our local........

’’Our local businessmen also are highly skilled entrepreneurs with whom joint ventures could be a rewarding and profitable possibility for an overseas firm. Finally, Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan society that combines the best of the East and the West, where EnLlish is spoken widely and is an official language, and which utilises the British legal system. We are not in the business of giving tax holidays, artifical incentives and other gimmicks, but prefer to treat all businesses, both indigenous and of overseas origin, equally and fairly.

”In our view any business considering expanding its manufacturing or commerical operations by investing in the Pacific basin region would do well to look at the advantages Hong Kong has to offer. For I am sure that many of them, having looked, would act and, having acted, would be well satisfied with their investment.

”1 should add here that having, so to speak, hidden our light under a bushel for so long, we are now beginning to do more to publicise the advantages Hong Kong has to offer to overseas investor. Some of t .is is being done by the Government, through our Commerce and Industry Department, which has a wealth of experience of Hong Kong business and industry and of assisting potential investors from overseas and by the Trade Development Council. But a unique feature of our effort is the way private business is also playing a part of its own initiative. Under the auspices of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, a fund has been established for the promotion of overseas investmen' in Hong ICong, which has been entirely subscribed by local businesses.

/One of the •••••

•*One of the first results of this initiative was a successful mission to the United States in the autumn of last year which was jointly undertaken by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce. The fact that the American Chamber in Hong Kong enthusiastically supported this initiative to sell Hong Kong to the American investor has undoubtedly added a powerful and positive element to the campaign.

••So the message I leave with you is that Hong Kong is a dynamic and vital society that welcomes the contribution the overseas investor can make to its further development.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to wish all those here today an enjoyable stay in Hong Kong and to express the hope that you all have a most successful Conference in this bicentennial year."

- 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION'MON

45 MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEXT FOUR YEARS M * M * * * M

HONG KONG’S SECONDARY EDUCATION EXPANSION PROGRAMME PROVIDES FOR. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BUILDING OF 33 NEW SCHOOLS DURING THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AND 12 MORE TO BE CREATED BY CONVERTING A NUMBER OF UNDER-UTILISED GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS BY SEPTEMBER

THE NEXT

1978.

THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1976-77 PROVIDE FOR A START ON 21 NEW PROJECTS.

EIGHT OF THE NEW SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING THIS COMING SEPTEMBER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TO-DAY.

TWO OF THESE PROJECTS ARE AT SHEK KIP MEI, ONE EACH AT KWUN TONG, KWAI CHUNG AND TAI HANG TUNG AND THE REMAINING THREE ON HONG KONG ISLAND. 9

ANOTHER TEN ARE PLANNED FOR COMPLETION BY SEPTEMBER 1977, 13 BY SEPTEMBER 1978 AND TWO BY SEPTEMBER 1979.

ULTIMATELY, THESE SCHOOLS WILL ACCOMMODATE 27,990 PUPILS IN FORMS 1-3, 2,880 IN FORMS 4-5 AND 960 IN FORM 6, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ADDITIONALLY 18 UNDER-UTILISED PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDINGS WILL BE CONVERTED TO PROVIDE 13,300 FORMS 1-6 PLACES EQUIVALENT TO 12 STANDARD 24-CLASSR00M SECONDARY SCHOOLS. OF THESE PLACES, IT IS PLANNED THAT 8,880 WILL BE IN FORMS 1 TO 3, 4,000 IN FORMS 4 AND 5 AND 420 IN FORM 6.

CONVERSION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING IN 1978, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE BUILDING AND CONVERSION COSTS INVOLVE AN ESTIMATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF MORE THAN $156 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR FINANCIAL YEARS.

THE BUDGET PROVIDES FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SOME $34,300,000 AS FEE SUBSIDIES TO 76,273 STUDENTS WHO ARE LIKELY TO OCCUPY BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY MARCH 31, 1977.

OF THE 76,273 BOUGHT PLACES, 70,510 ARE THREE-YEAR AND 5,763 ARE FIVE-YEAR PLACES.

BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE NUMBER OF THREE-YEAR BOUGHT PLACES IS LIKELY TO TOTAL 61,910 AND ANOTHER 8,600 WILL BE ADDED FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1976, THE ' SPOKESMAN SAID.

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/2....

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1976

SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION

X * * X * X *

DRAFT PLANS FOR THE TOWN CENTRE OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN WILL BE PUT ON PUBLIC SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME NEXT WEEKEND AT- THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION IN LEK YUEN ESTATE.

THE EXHIBITION - THE FIRST EVER ON THE NEW TOWN - IS BEING STAGED BY THE P.W.D.’.S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, SET UP IN 1973 TO BUILD HONG KONG’S THREE NEW TOWNS AT SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN.

IT WILL OPEN ON SATURDAY (MARCH 13) AT THE SITE OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AT LEK YUEN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, NOW NEARING COMPLETION BY THE P.W.D. ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

THE FIRST WORKING MODEL OF THE NEW TOWN CENTRE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION.

THE P.W.D.’S SHA TIN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. JOHN DON, SAID TODAY THE TOWN CENTRE WOULD BE THE +HEART+ OF THE NEW TOWN, PROVIDING IT WITH SOCIAL, CULTURAL, COMMUNITY, COMMERCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, t

IT WOULD CONTAIN A MAJOR CIVIC CENTRE COMPLEX, WITH A TOWN HALL, CENTRAL LIBRARY, AUDITORIUM AND RESTAURANTS.

THE CENTRE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE SOME 2.8 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE, AND HOUSE MANY GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS — POSSIBLY INCLUDING A NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES' ADMINISTRATION.

MR. ALAN CROSBY, THE N.T.D.D.’S CHEIF PLANNING OFFICER FOR THE SHA TIN PROJECT, SAID THE SHA TTN NEW TOWN CENTRE WAS BEING SPECIALLY PLANNED TO SEGREGATE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM PEDESTRIANS, WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE TOWN CENTRE, SPEED UP TRAFFIC FLOW AND ENSURE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE.

HE SAID THAT AT GROUND LEVEL IN THE TOWN CENTRE, TRAFFIC WOULD FLOW SWIFTLY ALONG ONE-WAY STREETS UNINTERRUPTED BY TRAFFIC LIGHTS. BUSES WOULD MOVE ALONG BUS-ONLY LANES, BY-PASSING NORMAL TRAFFIC BUILD-UP AND CUTTING TRAVELLING TIMES TO A MINIMUM.

ONLY SERVICE-TYPE SHOPS-- SUCH AS REPAIR SHOPS — WOULD BE ALLOWED AT GROUND LEVEL, AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC USING THEM WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH OFF-STREET PARKING TO PREVENT CONGESTION.

MR. CROSBY SAID THERE WOULD BE MAJOR PARKING STATIONS IN THE OUTER’AREAS OF THE TOWN CENTRE, SO MOTORISTS COULD LEAVE THEIR CARS AND STILL BE WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE OF EVERYTHING IN THE TOWN CENTRE..

/THE TOWN .....

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1976

- 3 -

• f

THE TOWN CENTRE WOULD HAVE LARGE +PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTS+ — BIG PLAZAS — LINKED BY STEPS AND WHEEL-CHAIR RAMPS TO AN UPPER LEVEL OF SHOPPING AREAS, LINKED BY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES ACROSS THE STREETS AND THE TRAFFIC BELOW.

+THIS UPPER LEVEL WILL INCORPORATE SITTING-OUT AREAS, RESTAURANTS AND SO FORTH,+ SAID MR. CROSBY.

+IN FACT, WITH THE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTS AT GROUND LEVEL AND THE SHOPPING AREAS ON THE UPPER LEVEL, PEDESTRIANS NEED NEVER COME INTO CONTACT WITH TRAFFIC IN THE TOWN CENTRE.*

HE SAID MAJOR' ROADS WOULD BY-PASS THE TOWN CENTRE — ANOTHER MEASURE AIMED AT ELIMINATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

THE TOWN CENTRE WOULD ALSO HOUSE THE HUB OF THE NEW TOWN’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE NEW SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION AND A MAJOR BUS TERMINAL. TO MAKE TRAVELLING EASY ALL THE AREA’S BUS AND TRAIN SERVICES WOULD INTER-CONNECT IN THIS TRANSPORT COMPLEX.

MR. CROSBY SAID THAT P.W.D. PLANNERS WERE NOW WORKING ON A MASTER PLAN WHICH WOULD GOVERN THE LANDSCAPE OF THE TOWN CENTRE, TO ENSURE THAT DETAILED DESIGN OF INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS IN THE TOWN CENTRE BLENDED INTO THE GENERAL DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE TOWN CENTRE ITSELF, AND THE NEW TOWN AS A WHOLE.

+SHA TIN NEW TOWN CENTRE WILL BE PARTICULARLY FORTUNATE IN HAVING AN ABUNDANCE OF OPEN SPACE.

+THERE WILL BE SOME 1.3 HECTARES (3.3 ACRES) IN THE TOWN CENTRE ITSELF. AND ALONGSIDE THE TOWN CENTRE THERE’LL BE ANOTHER TEN HECTARES (25 ACRES) OF PARKLANDS BORDERING THE REALIGNED SHING MUN RIVER.

+THE OVERALL RESULT WILL BE A TOWN CENTRE WHICH IS CONVENIENT, FUNCTIONAL AND VISUALLY APPEALING*, HE SAID.

- 0 -

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 1976

4 -

NEW TSUEN WAN FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE MEETING

* K * H X K

A RE-ORGANISED FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP IN TSUEN WAN AND IS TO HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 9).

IT HAS NINE MEMBERS CONSISTING OF A PROMINENT INDUSTRIALIST AS ADVISOR, TWO POLICE OFFICERS, TWO HOUSING MANAGERS, A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CHAR IMAN, A SOCIAL WORKER AND A SCHOOL HEADMASTER. THE DEPUTY DISTRICT OFFICER, TSUEN WAN, MR. HAROLD KWOK WAI-HONG, IS CHAIRMAN.

MEMBERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN THE COMMITTED FOR TWO YEARS INITIALLY.

IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 20 TO THE CHARIMEN OF EXISTING N.T. FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THAT THE COMMITTEES SHOULD BE REACTIVATED AND STRENGTHENED +IN CONSIDERATION OF THEIR IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME CAMPAIGN.+

HE WROTE, +1 WISH THE DISTRICT FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES TO CONCENTRATE ON THE WORK OF COMBATTING CRIME.*

CRIME, HE ADDED, WAS PERHAPS THE BIGGEST SINGLE PROBLEM

HONG KONG FACED. +T0 COMBAT CRIME SUCCESSFULLY REQUIRES THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC AND THEREFORE THE PART YOUR COMMITTEES WILL PLAY IN THIS RESPECT WILL BE MOST VITAL.*

MR. AKERS-JONES STRESSED THE NEED TO REVITALIZE THE COMMITTEES, TO STUDY LOCAL CRIME SITUATION AND TO STRENGTHEN THE LIAISON BETWEEN POLICE, CIVIC BODIES, ORGANISATIONS, AND CITIZENS +WHO ARE TAKING AN INTEREST IN FIGHTING CRIME, PARTICULARLY VILLAGE GUARDS.*

THE LETTER WAS ALSO SENT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, THE HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMEN AS WELL AS TO 27 RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN.

THERE ARE ANTI-CRIME- COMMITTEES IN THREE DISTRICTS OF TSUEN WAN WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 24. THEY ARE MAINLY INVOLVED WITH PUBLICITY ASPECTS OF THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME CAMPAIGN AND WILL CONTINUE TO FULFIL THIS ROLE. THE NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEE WILL CONCERN ITSELF LARGELY WITH PLANNING MATTERS.

REORGANISING OF OTHER NEW TERRITORIES FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES IS IN PROGRESS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1976

CONTENTS PAGENO.

HONG KONG TO NEGOTIATE ANOTHER ADB LOAN ...............

WIDE-RANGING QUESTIONS AT WEDNESDAY’S LEGCO MEETING .. WATER INTERRUPTION IN WONG TAI SIN ....................

DANGEROUS GOODS LORRIES MUST BE LICENSED AFTER APRIL 1 $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR G.C.E. STUDY IN BRITAIN ...............................................

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

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1976

H.K. HOPES TO ASK FOR A FURTHER ADB LOAN *****

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY THAT HE HOPED TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS FOR ANOTHER BANK LOAN WHICH WOULD BE USED TO ASSIST IN + IMPROV ING THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THOSE IN NEED IN HONG KONG.+

HE WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN MANILA IN WHICH HE SIGNED THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR A US $20 MILLION LOAN FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TOWARDS THE COST OF THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AT SHA TIN.

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT BORROWERS SUCH AS HONG KONG WERE SEEN BY THE BANK AS BOTH SOUND CREDIT RISKS AND USEFUL ASSOCIATES IN THE BANK’S GROWING ROLE IN THE REGION.

FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF REMARKS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE CEREMONYi

♦ IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO SIGN THIS LOAN AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND TO THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT FOR YOUR GOOD WISHES.

♦THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG HAS BORROWED FROM THE BANK. PERHAPS I MIGHT BE PERMITTED TO STRESS ONLY THE SECOND TIME AND, AT 9-1/2 PER CENT, THE INTEREST CHARGES ON THIS LOAN WILL MAKE A HELPFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE BANK’S INCOME. ON THE LAST OCCASION, IN 1972, WE BORROWED US$ 21.5 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF ESTABLISHING A SEA WATER DESALTING PLANT.

+THE PROCEEDS OF THIS NEW LOAN, FOR US$ 20 MILLION, WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN SHA TIN. SHA TIN IS ONE OF THE THREE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH WILL HOUSE EVENTUALLY 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OVER ABOUT 6,500 ACRES OF LAND. IT IS IN THESE NEW TOWNS THAT WE ARE PUTTING OUR MAIN PUBLIC HOUSING EFFORT THOUGH ESTATES ARE STILL BEING BUILT IN THE URBAN AREAS.

♦HONG KONG’S POPULATION, WHICH IS 4.4 MILLION AT PRESENT, HAS GROWN BY 800,000 DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS AND OF THIS INCREASE NO LESS THAN 150,000 REPRESENTED NET MIGRATION. SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT OUR MASSIVE HOUSING PROGRAMME WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE UNTIL WELL INTO THE 1980'S IN ORDER THAT ALL IN NEED OF PUBLIC HOUSING ARE SATISFACTORILY CATERED FOR.

♦SHORTLY I HOPE TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS FOR ANOTHER BANK LOAN WHICH WILL ALSO BE USED TO ASSIST MY GOVERNMENT IN IMPROVING THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THOSE IN NEED IN HONG KONG AND I HOPE BORROWERS SUCH AS HONG KONG ARE SEEN BY THE BANK AS BOTH SOUND CREDIT RISKS -AS WE OBVIOUSLY ARE - AND USEFUL ASSOCIATES IN THE BANK’S GROWING ROLE IN THE REG ION.♦

o - - - -

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1976

WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS COMES UP IN LEGCO

* M * * *

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT A WIDE RANGE OF QUESTIONS WHEN THE COUNCIL MEETS ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 10).

DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL STEP IN TO HELP THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SERVICES FOLLOWING THE. RECENT RESIGNATION OF A NUMBER OF DOCTORS.

THE HON. ROGER LOBO WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE EARLY STEPS TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF IMITATION FIREARMS AND ^CONVERTIBLE* TOY GUNS. .

OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CONCERN THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES ON WHETHER TO PROSECUTE OFFENDERS FOR THOSE VIOLENT CRIMES WHICH CARRY LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN THE MAGISTRACIES OR IN THE DISTRICT COURTS, THE PRESENT POSITION ON THE PROPOSED MOTOR NO-FAULT INSURANCE SCHEME, STEPS TO CONTROL FIRE HAZARDS IN THE SO-CALLED MUSIC PARLOURS AND SECURITY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE METRO.

AMONG THE BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, WHICH IS AIMED AT MAKING THE TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR THERAPEUTIC REASON A PERMANENT PART OF THE LAW.

DEBATE WILL BE RESUMED ON FOUR BILLS. THEY ARE THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE COUNTRY PARKS BILL 1976 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976.

WATER CUT HO

WATER SUPPLY

TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL rf INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (MARCH 11) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS. E

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY TAI SHING STREET TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD, SHA TIN PASS ROAD AND SHEUNG TAK STREET AND llEUfIu'°WER W°NG TA‘ S'N ESTATE BL0CKS 3 TO 5, J, 18TANDTkJ|D

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MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1976

- 3

APPLY FOR DANGEROUS GOODS LICENCE, OPERATORS TOLD K M M M M

OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY CARRY OUT INTENSIVE CHECKS ON VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN WARNED ALL OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS LORRIES THAT THEY WOULD FACE LEGAL ACTION IF THEIR VEHICLES WERE FOUND TO BE CARRYING SUCH GOODS AFTER APRIL 1, 1976 WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THE PENALTY FOR CARRYING THESE TWO CATEGORIES OF DANGEROUS GOODS WITHOUT A LICENCE, UPON CONVICTION, COULD BE $8,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.

ANNUAL LICENSING OF THESE VEHICLES BECAME LAW IN 1973 AND HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY ENFORCED SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR. ’

ALL KNOWN OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER, WITH APPLICATION FORMS ATTACHED, SEVERAL MONTHS IN ADVANCE ADVISING THEM OF THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE NEW LAW AND REQUESTING THEM TO APPLY TO THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU FOR LICENCES. IN ADDITION, THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WERE ALSO WIDELY PUBLICISED IN THE LOCAL PRESS FROM TIME TO TIME.

+NEVERTHELESS, THE MAJORITY HAVE NOT BOTHERED TO TAKE ANY ACTION WHATSOEVER,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, POINTING OUT AT THE SAME TIME THAT OF THE 2,000 SUCH VEHICLES ON RECORD, ONLY ABOUT 500 HAD SO FAR BEEN LICENSED AND INSPECTED.

+THE LICENCE FEE IS $50 A YEAR AND OPERATORS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED OR SENT IN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS ARE URGED TO WRITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE FIRE PREVSNTION BUREAU,’ 11TH FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD,+ HE ADDED.

THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE BUREAU FOR INSPECTION, EITHER BY LETTER OR BY TELEPHONE (5-281122 EXTENSION 44) BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 10 A.M. DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.

A CENTRE HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO EXAMINE UP TO 40 VEHICLES A DAY. A CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN RESPECT OF EACH VEHICLE MUST BE PRODUCED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE PURPOSE OF ANNUAL LICENSING WAS TO ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS ON THESE VEHICLES IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1976

SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDY IN U.K.

* * * * *•

A $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP IS TO BE DONATED BY THE CHINESE BRITISH-RETURNED STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR A HONG KONG STUDENT WISHING TO TAKE A TWO-YEAR GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION ADVANCED LEVEL COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

THE SCHOLARSHIP IS FOR THE YEAR 1976-77 AND 1977-78, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF A SUITABLE PLACE IN A SCHOOL.

A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT WILL BE HANDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR. EDDIE AU-YEUNG, ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 10).

APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 17 ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1976, AND SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED VERY GOOD RESULTS IN THE 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.

SELECTION WILL BE BASED MAINLY ON THE RESULTS IN THE EXAMINATION BUT ALSO ON A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL IN-WHICH THE STUDENT COMPLETED FORM 5, AND, IF NECESSARY, AN INTERVIEW.

IT IS EMPHASISED THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL THE EXPENSES FOR A TWO-YEAR COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. APPLICANTS SHOULD THEREFORE HAVE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO MAKE UP THE BALANCE OF SCHOOL FEES, THE COST OF RETURN AIR PASSAGES AND SO ON.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS REQUIRED BUT THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT SHOULD BE PREPARED TO PAY SOME $15,000 FROM HIS OWN RESOURCES TO FINANCE HIMSELF OVER THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SCHOLARSHIP AND WHO ARE CONFIDENT OF OBTAINING VERY GOOD RESULTS IN THE 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, INCLUDING GOOD RESULTS IN ENGLISH, MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS’ AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HONG KONG BRANCH OFFICE, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD, 2ND FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, FROM JUNE 1 TO 30, 1976.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS i

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF THE $25,000 CHEQUE TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 9.30 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976 ■

CONTENTS , PAGE NO.

■». .. '• r

LEASE FOR. FACTORY SITE AT TUEN MUN SIGNED..................1

ESTABLISHMENT OF TEXTILE TRANSFER PRINTING

PLANT IN H.K. WELCOMED......................................2

EXHIBITION ON DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN OPENS ON SATURDAY ............................................... 3

DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED....................................4

ANOTHER BATCH OF ’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBERS TO BE AUCTIONED ...... 5

WATER INTERRUPTION ............../......................... 5

RESULTS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION ..... 6

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976

LEASE FOR BIG NEW FACTORY SITE AT TUEN MUN SIGNED BY OVERSEAS COMPANY ******

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE WORLDWIDE SUBLISTATIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, MR. GEORGES DRIZENKO, TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED A LEASE FOR A 92,600 SQ. FT. INDUSTRIAL SITE AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WHICH THE COMPANY HAS PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD A FACTORY TO PRODUCE HEAT TRANSFER PAPER FOR PRINTING FABRICS.

THE GOVERNMENT WAS REPRESENTED AT TODAY’S CEREMONY IN THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR. ROY PORTER, AND MR. J.D. JOHNSTON, GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. THREE OTHER DIRECTORS OF SUBLISTATIC WERE ALSO PRESENT.

THE COMPANY HAS BEEN SELLING ITS PRODUCTS IN THE FAR EAST FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT IT DECIDED TO MANUFACTURE HERE. v

• . I

PHASE I OF THE COMPANY’S OPERATION WILL INCLUDE COMPLETION OF A FACTORY AND ADMINISTRATION AREA TOTALLING 70,000 SQ. FT., WITH PRODUCTION DUE TO COMMENCE IN EARLY OCTOBER. PILING WORK ON THE SITE HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

THE COMPANY STARTED LOOKING FOR A FACTORY SITE LAST OCTOBER AND EVENTUALLY PURCHASED LAND, BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT UNDER GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF ATTRACTING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG, AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN’S INDUSTRIAL AREA FOR $50 PER SQ. FT. THE PREMIUM IS PAYABLE OVER TEN YEARS AT TEN PER CENT INTEREST. SUBLISTATIC’S INITIAL INVESTMENT IS IN EXCESS OF $50 MILLION.

THE WORK FORCE AT TUEN MUN WILL BE ABOUT 300 TO BEGIN WITH AND WILL GROW TO 500-PLUS ON COMPLETION OF STAGE II OF THE OPERATION, WHICH IS DUE TO GET UNDER WAY IN THREE TO.FOUR YEARS FROM NOW. TUEN MUN IS INCREASINGLY ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF INDUSTRIALISTS WISHING TO SET UP FACTORIES HERE, LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT COMPARATIVELY LOW COST OF LAND THERE.

MR. ERIC ZURCHER, THE COMPANY’S FAR EAST GENERAL CONTROLLER, PRAISED WHAT HE TERMED +THE TREMENDOUS HELP* HE HAS RECEIVED FROM BOTH THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

' DEPARTMENT AND ESTATE STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976

TIMELY NEW MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR TEXTILE PRINTING PLANT ******

' THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ROY PORTER, SAID TODAY THAT THE DECISION BY SUBL(PRINT FAR EAST LIMITED TO SET UP A $50 MILLION FACTORY IN HONG KONG TO MANUFACTURE HEAT TRANSFER PRINTING PAPER'FOR THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WAS BOTH WELCOME AND TIMELY.

HE SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, THERE WAS A CONSTANT NEED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES TO THE INDUSTRY IF HONG KONG WAS TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION IN WORLD MARKETS. THIS PLANT WILL ENABLE LOCAL TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF THEIR PRODUCTS.

MR. PORTER WAS SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING OF THE LEASE FOR A 92,600 SQ. FT. SITE AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN FOR THE FACTORY.

SUBLIPRINT IS A SUBSIDIARY OF SUBLISTATIC S.A., OF SWITZERLAND, WHICH COMMANDS MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S TEXTILE TRANSFER PRINTING MARKET.

MR, PORTER SAID THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE GOING ON WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES WHICH ARE INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG= +AND IN MAY THIS YEAR,+ HE ADDED, +1 WILL BE GOING TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY, TO TELL INDUSTRIALISTS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES HERE.+

HE EXPLAINED THAT HIGH TECHNOLOGY, RELATIVELY HEAVY INDUSTRIES CAN BUY LAND FROM THE GOVERNMENT BY PRIVATE TREATY.

THE HEAT TRANSFER PRINTING PROCESS IS PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR KNITWEAR FABRICS. IT INVOLVES EXTREMELY HIGH PRECISION PRINTING OF PATTERNS AND DESIGNS ON TO SPECIAL PAPER WITH SUBLIMATE DYES, WHICH ARE TRANSFERRED TO FABRIC WHEN THE PAPER IS IN CONTACT AND HEATED. IT IS A NEW INDUSTRIAL PROCESS TO HONG KONG AND INTRODUCES VERY HIGH TECHNOLOGY, MR. PORTER POINTED OUT.

HE SAID THAT THE FACTORY WOULD EMPLOY MORE THAN 300 LOCAL SKILLED WORKERS INITIALLY, AND THAT SOME OF THEM WOULD BE TRAINED IN EUROPE. THE WORK FORCE WILL EXPAND TO OVER 500 WHEN THE FACTORY IS IN FULL PRODUCTION SOME TIME IN 1979.

THE COMPANY HOPES TO START ITS FIRST PHASE OF PRODUCTION BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR TO CATER FOR THE 1977 DESIGNS. WHEN IN FULL PRODUCTION THE FACTORY WILL PRODUCE MORE THAN 80 MILLION SQUARE METRES OF PAPER A YEAR.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976

- 5 -

SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION OPENS ON SATURDAY M * * * * ,

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE AN EXHIBITION FROM MARCH 13 TO 18 SHOWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MULT I-MILL I ON-DOLLAR SHA TIN NEW TOWN NOW UNDERWAY.

THE EXHIBITION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE SPONSORED BY THE P W.D.. WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX OF LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN AND WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 7 P.M. EACH DAY. ■ . '

IT IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE LEK YUEN BUS TERMINAL AND IS A FEW MINUTES’ WALK ACROSS FROM THE SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION. . y - < ' • /

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 11 A.M. THIS SATURDAY BY MR. NG CHAN-LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD.

THE AIM OF THE EXHIBITION — PRESENTED BY THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT — IS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEAR VIEW OF THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN WHICH WILL PROVIDE NEW HOMES AND GOOD LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME 500,000 PEOPLE IN A COMPLETE AND PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT.

THE EXHIBITION WILL TRACE THE EVOLUTION OF THE NEW TOWN — FROM ITS PLANNING STAGE, THROUGH THE VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION STAGES UP TO ITS COMPLETION.

IT WILL FEATURE A SERIES OF MODELS, SKETCH PLANS, PHOTOGRAPHS, SLIDES AND MAPS OUTLINING THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN VALLEY, ITS GENERAL LAND USE, PROPOSED LEISURE AREAS, ROAD NETWORKS AND THE SETTING FOR A MODERN TOWN CENTRE — THE CITY’S CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL HEART.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE USED TO ILLUSTRATE THE CHANGES IN THE FACE OF THE VALLEY OVER THE LAST DECADE, AND THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE NEW TOWN WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY A SLIDE SHOW.

VISITORS WILL ALSO SEE THE PROVISIONS BEING MADE FOR CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TRANSPORT WITHIN THE NEW TOWN, AND ROAD AND RAIL LINKS WITH THE REST OF HONG KONG.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON THE NEW TOWN WILL TOTAL MORE THAN $4,000 MILLION, AND WILL BE MATCHED BY PRIVATE INVESTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OCCASION. A SPECIAL PRESS BRIEFING ON THE PROJECT WILL BE GIVEN BY MR. ALAN CROSBY, CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER, AND MR. GEORGE CHIEN, CHIEF ENGINEER, AT 9.30 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 13) AT SHA TIN HEIGHTS' HOTEL. PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY.

/OFFICIAL

TUESDAY, MABCH 9, 1976

- 4

OFFICIAL TRANSPORT (BUS GARDEN ROAD, AT 9 A.M. SHARP SHA TIN AND BACK. MR. CROSBY TO POINT OUT AND EXPLAIN THE

AM5OO5) WILL LEAVE MURRAY BUILDING, TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO AND MR. CHIEN WILL ALSO BE ON THE BUS VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE WAY.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE TRANSPORT FACILITY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT MURRAY BUILDING CARPARK BY 3.45 A.M. ON SATURDAY. THOSE MAKING THEIR OWN TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS MAY JOIN THE MAIN PRESS PARTY FOR THE BRIEFING AT SHA TIN HEIGHTS HOTEL BY 9.20 A.M. AT THE HOTEL.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE PRESS ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE P.W.D. PUBLICITY UNIT, MURRAY BUILDING, TELEPHONES 5-262527 OR 5-251111 EXT. 2116 OR 2701.

0 --------

DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED X K UK X X

Tlir. GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF TH- EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON FOUR MEN LAST YEAR SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

LAW SHUN-WAN AND HUNG KWAI-LAN, WHO WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF SIN TUNG, WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH ON JULY 11 1975 WHILE CHUNG TAK-FAI AND LAI KIM-HUNG, WHO WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THc MURDER OF LAM KO-SHING, WERE GIVEN THE DEATH SENTENCE ON AUGUST 7, 1975.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976

- 5 -

’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBERS FOR SALE

* * * M * *

MOTORISTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE OF BUYING +SPECIAL+ NUMBERS FOR THEIR CARS AT THE WEEKEND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING LOCAL CHARITIES.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS 28TH AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 13). THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM (NORTH) OF THE CITY HALL HIGH BLOCK.

A TOTAL OF 15 NUMBERS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE:.

AP 800 AD 666 BJ 1 AC 383 AE 1000

BG 55 AF 8 AB 73 AH 11 AE 18

AS 2222 BE 7777 AK 23 AB 1188 AF '3300

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSE OF BIDDING.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.

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

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

WATER CUT , * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES ON.HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 12) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

ON THE ISLAND, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE ON QUEENSWAY, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO ICE HOUSE STREET, MURRAY ROAD, LAMBETH PATH, AND HARCOURT ROAD TO ARSENAL STREET, AND INCLUDE FENWICK STREET PIER AND THE ANNE BLACK HONG KONG RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS.

IN KOWLOON, THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE IN SHAM SHU I PO AND ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET AND POPLAR STREET.

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1976 - 6 -

SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION CHAMPION ******

A RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOL HAS BECOME THIS YEAR’S SECTION CHAMPION OF THE NINTH ANNUAL URBAN COUNCIL FLOWER SHOW.

THE GRENHAM CUP AND A $100 CASH PRIZE ARE TO BE AWARDED TO TSUNG HIM SCHOOL WHICH ALSO CAPTURED THE $50 FIRST PRIZE FOR ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

. THE SECOND PRIZE OF $30 GOES TO LEUNG TIN VILLAGE

W«-PUBLIC SCHOOL WHILE THE $20 THIRD PRIZE HAS BEEN WON BY FUNG KAI PUBLIC SCHOOL.

FIFTEEN OTHER RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE JUDGING PANEL WHO VISITED 56 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE $50 FIRST PRIZE FOR ENTRIES SUBMITTED. BY URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS GOES TO TUNG KOON DISTRICT SOCIETY FONG SHU CHUEN SCHOOL, THE SECOND PRIZE OF $30 TO KWONG YUET TONG LO PUN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE $20 THIRD PRIZE TO TAI KOO CHINESE SCHOOL-. -

EIGHT OTHER URBAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THEIR ENTRIES IN THE SCHOOL CHILDREN FLOWER GROWING COMPETITION 1976, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FLOWER SHOW.

A SPECIAL PRIZE FOR THE MOST DISTINGUISHED GARDEN PLAN • AND FOR OUTSTANDING EFFORT IS AWARDED TO LEUNG TIN VILLAGE PUBLIC SCHOOL. THIS PRIZE IS GIVEN BY THE JUDGING PANEL.

MRS. PETER C.K. CHAN, WIFE OF THE URBAN COUNCILLOR, WILL DISTRIBUTE PRIZES TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WINNING SCHOOLS AT 5.30 P.M. ON FRIDAY IN THE EXHIBITION HALL, i LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ICAC AMENDMENT BILLS TO BE REVISED ............................. 1

REPRESENTATIONS ON THERAPEUTIC ABORTION LAW WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ................................................... 3

COUNTRY PARKS BILL RECEIVES LEGCO SUPPORT ....................... 4

REGULATIONS ADOPTED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE ........................................ 6

FULL SUPPORT FOR KWONG WAH HOSPITAL OVER DOCTOR SHORTAGE PROBLEM ........................................................ 8

FIRE RISKS IN MUSIC PARLOUR ................................... 9

UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER INTRODUCTION OF A PHARMACY COURSE'FOR HONG KONG ................. 9

ETV PROGRAMMES CONTINUALLY IMPROVED ............................ 10

LEGISLATION FOR THE PROPOSED NO-FAULT INSURANCE SCHEME BEING DRAFTED ........................................................ 1°

MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENCES INVOLVING CONSULAR OFFICERS ............. 11

OVER 120 FIREMEN RECOGNISED FOR LONG SERVICE .................. 12

ALLOCATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION EXPLAINED .............. 13

MAXIMUM LOAN GUARANTEES FOR METRO WORKS INCREASED .............. 14

SAFETY REGULATIONS INTRODUCED FOR SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ...................................................... 15

POLICE WILL HELP ON SECURITY MATTERS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF METRO .......................................................... 16

BILLS PASSED ................................................... 16

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

AG TO MOVE AMENDMENTS TO ICAC BILL ******

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, SAID TODAY HE WOULD PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 TO +PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUED EFFECTIVE INDEPENDENT OPERATION.*

HE WAS REPLYING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT POTENTIAL ABUSE OF POWER DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL.

REFERRING TO THE POWER TO SEARCH PREMISES IN WHICH A PERSON IS ARRESTED, MR. HOBLEY ASSURED THE UNOFFICIALS THAT ICAC OFFICERS WOULD ACT UNDER A SEARCH WARRANT WHEREVER PRACTICABLE.

HE CONFIRMED THAT A SEARCH OF PREMISES WITH WHICH AN ARRESTED PERSON WAS NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WOULD BE CONDUCTED IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE OCCUPIER, UNLESS THE OFFICERS HAD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE OCCUPIER MIGHT BE ACTING IN CONCERT WITH THE ARRESTED PERSON.

THE RIGHT TO SEARCH, HE ADDED, WAS LIMITED TO A SEARCH FOR THE PERSON TO BE ARRESTED AND AN AMENDMENT WOULD BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO CONFIRM THE INTENTION THAT THE SEARCH WAS ALSO TO BE LIMITED TO EVIDENCE OF OFFENCES FOR WHICH ICAC OFFICERS HAD POWER TO ARREST.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STRESSED THAT AN ARREST IN PREMISES WITH WHICH A PERSON WAS NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WOULD BE BY CHANCE, AND NOT DESIGN, UNLESS THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES LEFT NO ALTERNATIVE, AS COULD BE THE CASE WHERE A PERSON WAS DELIBERATELY EVADING ARREST. . ’

MR. HOBLEY SAID THAT AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. HE THOUGHT A WAY HAD BEEN FOUND OF CONFERRING A WIDER POWER OF ARREST ON COMMISSION OFFICERS WHICH WAS ♦NEITHER UNNECESSARILY WIDE NOR UNACCEPTABLY RESTRICTIVE.*

HE SAID AN AMENDMENT WOULD BE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO CONFIRM THAT THE COMMISSION WAS NOT A SECOND POLICE FORCE.

+AN AMENDMENT WILL ALSO BE MOVED TO REQUIRE A COMMISSION OFFICER SEEKING ENTRY TO PREMISES FOR THE PURPOSE OF EFFECTING AN ARREST TO STATE HIS PURPOSE,* HE ADDED.

REFERRING TO ANOTHER POINT ABOUT THE TERMS WHICH MIGHT BE STIPULATED BY ICAC OFFICERS FOLLOWING THE RELEASE ON BAIL OF AN ARRESTED PERSON AND THE ABSENCE OF ANY RESTRICTION ON THE PERIOD FOR WHICH A PERSON MIGHT BE KEPT ON BAIL, MR. HOBLEY SAID THE MATTER WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

/EABLXEB, .....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 2 -

EARLIER, DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLE APPREHENSION IN THE MINDS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE BILL WOULD CONFER ON THE COMMISSION THE POWERS OF A SECOND POLICE FORCE IN HONG KONG.

+l HOPE THAT GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE STEPS TO MAKE IT CLEAR BY COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS THAT THIS IS NOT THE INTENTION,* HE SAID

HE REMINDED THE COMMISSIONER OF ICAC THAT CONTINUOUS VIGILANCE AND CAUTION WAS AT ALL TIMES NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE POWERS GIVEN UNDER THE AMENDED BILL WOULD NOT BE ABUSED.

ALTHOUGH ONLY 22 CASES OF IMPERSONATION OF ICAC OFFICERS WERE REPORTED SINCE MAY 1974, HE SUGGESTED +WATERTIGHT PROCEDURES* SHOULD BE DEVISED TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPERSONATION.

THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS REFERRED TO THE POWER OF SEARCH BY ICAC OFFICERS.

SHE SAID THAT +SINCE THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE HAS POWERS TO ARREST AND SEARCH SMUGGLERS, AND KINDRED FOLK, SURELY THE ICAC MUST ALSO HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS.*

HOWEVER, SHE SAID THAT IF ICAC OFFICERS WERE TO ARREST A SUSPECT IN PREMISES OTHER THAN HIS OWN HOME OR PLACE OF WORK, +THE INCONVENIENCE AND SLIGHT EMBARRASSMENT SO CAUSED TO THE INNOCENT OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF THE PREMISES MUST BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.*

MRS. SYMONS HOPED THAT SUCH SEARCHING +WOULD NOT BE MADE LIGHTLY, THROUGH LAZINESS OR LACK OF CONCERN. OR AN UNSAVOURY DESIRE TO SEARCH PROPERTY WITH A WRONG MOTIVE.*

ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL WHO SPOKE ON THE BILL WAS THE HON. LO' TAK-SHING.

0 - -

A WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 3 -LAW ON THERAPEUTIC ABORTION TO BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW . * * M M M *

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REVIEW THE SECTION OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE RELATING TO TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR THERAPEUTIC REASONS AND WILL CONSIDER CAREFULLY ANY REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, WHICH IS AIMED AT MAKING THE SECTION A PERMANENT PART OF THE LAW.

THE SECTION IN QUESTION PRESCRIBES THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH DOCTORS MAY PERFORM A THERAPEUTIC ABORTION IN THE INTEREST OF A PATIENT.

+ IT HAS BEEN ON THE STATUTE BOOK IN TEMPORARY FORM FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS,+ MR. HOBLEY SAID. +THIS HAS PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF ITS EFFECT WHICH THE COUNCIL THOUGHT NECESSARY WHEN PASSING THE LEGISLATION IN 1972. THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSE WAS THEN A CAUSE OF SOME CONCERN.+

HE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE LAW HAD BEEN ABUSED AND IT WAS NOW CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO MAKE IT PART OF THE PERMANENT LAW.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REVIEW THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECTION.

♦SOME REPRESENTATIONS ADVOCATING MODIFICATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED AND THESE, AND ANY FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS, WILL NATURALLY BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.* MR. HOBLEY SAID.

SPEAKING AGAINST THE BILL, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, SAID THAT THIS SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ENACTED IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE +IT IS LEGALLY AMBIGUOUS, MEDICALLY UNSOUND, ETHICALLY QUESTIONABLE AND SOCIALLY UNWISE.*

HE RECALLED THAT WHEN THE SECTION WAS FIRST ADDED TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE IN 1972, THE THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT ITS PURPOSE WAS SIMPLY TO PROTECT MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS FROM LEGAL ACTION WHERE ABORTION WAS PERFORMED TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER OR TO PREVENT HER FROM BEING REDUCED TO A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL WRECK.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE LEGISLATION AS ENACTED SEEMED TO HAVE GONE FURTHER THAN WAS INTENDED AND DID IN FACT LEGALISE ABORTION GENERALLY.

DR. FANG URGED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MOST SERIOUSLY THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL.

♦IF I CANNOT PERSUADE MEMBERS TO ABANDON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION ALTOGETHER, LET US AT THE VERY LEAST EXTEND THE PRESENT TRI AL’PERIOD OF SECTION 47 A SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW THE WHOLE QUESTION OF ABORTION MORE CAREFULLY,* HE SAID.

SHOULD THE COUNCIL DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE BILL, DR. FANG SAID HE WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 4

UNOFFICIALS SUPPORT COUNTRY PARKS BILL

******

.UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY SUPPORTED THE COUNTRY PARKS BILL WHICH AFFORDS COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION TO HONG KONG’S COUNTRYSIDE AND ENABLES ITS DEVELOPMENT FOR OPEN AIR RECREATION.

WELCOMING THE LEGISLATION, THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG SAID THE UNOFFICIALS HAD MADE THREE MAIN PROPOSALS.

FIRSTLY, HE SAID THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD SHOULD BE AUTHORISED, AND REQUIRED, TO CONSIDER THE POLICY AND PROGRAMMES PREPARED BY THE AUTHORITY IN RESPECT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS.

SECONDLY, THE UNOFFICIALS THOUGHT IT DESIRABLE THAT WHERE A DRAFT MAP HAD BEEN PREPARED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, SUCH PUBLICITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO IT AS WAS GIVEN TO AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.

HE SAID THE PROPOSAL CONTAINED IN THE BILL TO MAKE AVAILABLE A DRAFT MAP FOR INSPECTION IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES WAS INADEQUATE, UNLESS THE NOTICE, WHICH THE BILL REQUIRES TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, SHOULD ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER AND TWO CHINESE DAILY NEWSPAPERS. +IT IS NOTORIOUS THAT HARDLY ANYONE OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT READS THE GAZETTE.+

THIRDLY, PEOPLE WHOSE LEASED LAND WAS AFFECTED BY COUNTRY PARK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE OBJECTIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD, OR APPEAL AGAINST ITS DECISIONS.

THESE PROCEDURES, MR. CHEUNG ADDED, SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.

IN CONCLUSION. MR. CHEUNG ACKNOWLEDGED THE STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PRESERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE AND TO IMPROVE ITS AMENITIES.

♦MEMBERS MAY BE GRATIFIED TO HEAR THAT BENCHES AND TABLES IN PICNIC AREAS HAVE BEEN MADE BY PRISONERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, AND VERY STURDY AND HANDSOME THEY ARE,+ HE ADDED.

AMENDMENTS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE UNOFFICIALS’ PROPOSALS WERE MADE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.

/ALSO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1??6

- 5

ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL WAS THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN WHO SAID THAT THE SPECIAL AREAS WOULD IN TIME BE MOST VALUABLE TO NATURE EDUCATION CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, AND SPECIALIST .VOLUNTARY SOCIETIES.

HE HOPED THAT THE FINANCE BRANCH WOULD RESPOND WITH . ENTHUSIASM TO REQUESTS FOR PROVISION FOR A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCES, INCLUDING QUALIFIED STAFF AND SUFFICIENT FUNDS.

HE SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF PROJECTS WHICH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT COULD UNDERTAKE, INCLUDING DEER PARKS, +WHERE THE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF LOCAL DEER WHICH HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED AWAY BY URBAN ENCROACHMENT CAN BE COAXED OUT ONCE AGAIN INTO ' THE OPEN AND BE SEEN AT CLOSE QUARTERS BY THE PUBLIC.*

AS TO THE EGRET SANCTUARY NEAR SHA TAU KOK, +PERHAPS VIEWING STANDS AT RESPECTABLE DISTANCE COULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE PUBLIC TO WATCH AND LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THESE ANNUAL ‘VISITORS TO OUR SHORES,* HE SAID.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A YOUTH LODGE OR HOSTEL IN ONE OR MORE OF THE LARGER COUNTRY PARKS, AND IMAGINATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPECIAL AREAS, +BY WAY OF PLANNED SELECTION OF THEIR FLORISTIC CONTENT AND THEIR CAPACITY FOR WILD BIRDS AND ANIMALS.*

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS ADOPTED ******

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED REGULATIONS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE 1976.

IN MOVING THE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS 1976, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID THEY PROVIDED FOR MATTERS WHICH NEEDED TO BE PRESCRIBED TO4 ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDINANCE.

HE SAIDi +IN RESPECT OF APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACTS, THEY PROVIDE FOR THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WHICH MUST BE SET OUT IN THE CONTRACTS.+

INCLUDED IN THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS MUST BE DETAILS OF APPRENTICESHIP AND PROBATION PERIODS- WAGES- SICK ALLOWANCE, SICK LEAVE AND PAID HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT- AND THE GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OF APPRENTICESHIP OR TERMINATION OF A CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP.

THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MAXIMUM HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT INCLUDING OVERTIME, THE KEEPING OF A REGISTER OF APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACTS BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND THE KEEPING OF RECORDS BY EMPLOYERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR APPRENTICES.

MR. PRICE SAID THAT THE REGULATIONS HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEE ON APPRENTICESHIP.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG DESCRIBED THE APPRENTICESHIP REGULATIONS AS +GENERALLY SPEAKING, REASONABLE AND FAIR.+

HE DREW ATTENTION HOWEVER TO TOO +IMPORTANT BUT NOT NECESSARILY URGENT* POINTS.

THE FIRST CONCERNS THE SEX OF APPRENTICES. HE BELIEVED THE REGULATIONS WERE DRAFTED ON-THE ASSUMPTION THAT ALL APPRENTICES WERE MALE.

DR. CHUNG’S SECOND POINT RELATES TO A REGULATION STIPULATING THAT THE PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP IN A DESIGNATED TRADE SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN THREE YEARS.

HE NOTED THAT MANY TRADES DID NOT NEED A MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE YEARS FOR TRAINING, AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS PROVISION IN THE REGULATIONS FOR THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO REDUCE THE PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP IN ANY CASE OR CLASS OF CASES, WE DOUBTED WHETHER IT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE HE MENTIONED.

/HE DID .....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 7 -

HE DID NOT THINK THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER ALONE.

WHEN THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL RECOMMENDS THAT A PARTICULAR TRADE SHOULD BE DESIGNATED, +THE TRAINING COUNCIL ITSELF SHOULD ALSO RECOMMEND THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP FOR THAT PARTICULAR TRADE,+ DR. CHUNG SAID.

IN REPLY, MR. PRICE SAID THE REGULATIONS AND INDEED THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE ITSELF APPLIED EQUALLY TO MALE AND FEMALE APPRENTICES.

REFERRING TO DR. CHUNG’S SECOND POINT. HE SAID THAT FROM ALL THE JOB STANDARDS PREPARED BY THE TEN TRAINING BOARDS, HE WAS AWARE OF NO SKILLED CRAFT LIKELY TO BE A DESIGNATED TRADE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ORDINANCE AND WHICH REQUIRED LESS THAN A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS APPRENTICESHIP.

+SHOULD ANY PROBLEMS ARISE LATER I SHALL CERTAINLY RECONSIDER THE MATTER,* MR. PRICE SAID.

' HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HE HAD +N0 INTENTION OF TAKING ANY IMPORTANT DECISION REGARDING APPRENTICESHIP WITHOUT THE ADVICE OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL.*

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

FULL SUPPORT TO KWONG WAH OVER STAFF

* M * * K

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. GERALD CHOA, TODAY GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD +GIVE EVERY SUPPORT TO THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL* TO TIDE OVER ITS CURRENT DOCTOR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.

DR. CHOA WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STEP IN TO HELP THE HOSPITAL MAINTAIN ADEQUATE SERVICES FOLLOWING THE RECENT RESIGNATION OF A NUMBER OF DOCTORS.

DR. CHOA SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WAS INFORMED LAST WEEK THAT 10 MEDICAL OFFICERS IN THE MEDICAL UNIT OF THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL HAD RESIGNED.

SINCE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE REMAINING STAFF TO DEAL WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 420 BEDS IN THE UNIT, IT WAS DECIDED THAT 120 BEDS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR CASES TRANSFERRED FROM MEDICAL UNITS OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, WHICH WOULD REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR TREATMENT AND CARE.

DR. CHOA STRESSED THAT THIS WOULD +MAINTAIN MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF THE BEDS* IN THE MEDICAL UNIT OF KWONG WAH.

IN ADDITION, MEDICAL EMERGENCY CASES WERE DIVERTED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 10 P.M. BECAUSE THE DEPLETED MEDICAL STAFF IN THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL COULD NOT DEAL WITH A 24-HOUR SERVICE. THESE ARRANGEMENTS TOOK EFFECT FROM MARCH 2.

TO COPE WITH THE EXTRA LOAD ON QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, THE MEDICAL UNITS HAD BEEN AUGMENTED BY THREE MEDICAL OFFICERS, HE SAID.

+ADEQUATE SERVICES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED IN THE MEDICAL UNIT OF THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL IN THE WAY I HAVE DESCRIBED AND OTHER UNITS HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED.

+IT IS HOPED THAT THE SITUATION IN THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL WILL RETURN TO NORMAL SOON WHEN THE VACANCIES ARE FILLED BY RECRUITMENT,* DR. CHOA SAID.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

FIRE RISKS IN MUSIC PARLOURS ******

STATISTICS SUGGEST THAT THE USE OF PREMISES AS A MUSIC PARLOUR DOES NOTREPRESENT A GREATER FIRE RISK THAN ITS USE FOR OTHER PURPOSES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ALEX WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+ACCORDING TO FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STATISTICS, THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 12 FIRES REPORTED IN MUSIC PARLOURS IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 29,600 FIRES REPORTED IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, IN WHICH MUSIC PARLOURS ARE GENERALLY ESTABLISHED,+ HE SAID.

APART FROM THE RECENT FIRE IN MONG KOK IN WHICH FIVE DIED AND 20 OTHERS WERE INJURED, THE TOTAL CASUALTIES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN MUSIC PARLOURS WAS NINE INJURIES.

MR. DAVIES SAID: +THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A NEED FOR SPECIAL EFFORTS BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IN ADDITION TO ITS NORMAL COVERAGE OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, WHERE MOST MUSIC PARLOURS ARE TO BE FOUND.

+0F COURSE, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES WILL INVESTIGATE ANY COMPLAINT THAT A FIRE RISK EXISTS IN ANY PREMISES AND WILL TAKE ACTION TO ABATE IT, IF NECESSARY.+

0 - -

A COURSE IN PHARMACY FOR H.K.

******

THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A COURSE 'IN PHARMACY AT AN EARLY DATE, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. LI WAS ANSWERING A QUESTION BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ESTABLISH A RECOGNISED PHARMACY COURSE WHICH COULD BE TAKEN LOCALLY.

MR. LI SAID HE BELIEVED THAT +IT WOULD BE DES I'RABLE TO HAVE A COURSE IN PHARMACY LOCALLY, IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE POISONS REGULATIONS.+

ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID HE WOULD ASK THE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH A COURSE COULD BE INTRODUCED AT AN EARLY DATE IN VIEW OF OTHER PRIORITIES AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN ONE OF THE UNIVERSITIES OR THE POLYTECHNIC.

0--------

/10......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

ETV PROGRAMMES CONTINUALLY IMPROVED

* * * * K

EDUCATION TELEVISION PROGRAMMES ARE BEING CONTINUALLY IMPROVED IN THE LIGHT OF FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS AND THEIR WIDE COVERAGE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CO-OPERATION OF THE COMMERCIAL TV STATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WHO ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO MAKE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION MORE INTERESTING AND TO ENCOURAGE AND FOLLOW A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TOGETHER WITH THE TV STATIONS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN VIEWERS.

MR. TOPLEY SAID HE HAD BEEN ASSURED THAT ETV WAS STILL BEING , ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED. HE EMPHATICALLY DENIED THAT IT WAS DULL.

+HOWEVER, fF THE QUESTION MEANS THAT A VERY GOOD ETV SERVICE CAN BE IMPROVED, THEN I DO AGREE,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID EACH YEAR ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE PROGRAMMES WERE RE-MADE, AND THIS YEAR THERE WAS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF ALL THE FIRST-YEAR PROGRAMMES.

HE DISCLOSED THAT ETV, WHICH HAS BEEN OPERATING SINCE 1971, NOW COVERED MORE THAN 400,000 CHILDREN IN PRIMARY THREE TO SIX. THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS EACH PROVIDE FOUR HOURS AIR-TIME DAILY DURING A 32-WEEK BROADCAST YEAR.

HE ADDED THAT FROM TIME TO TIME HE WAS APPROACHED BY THE" COMMERCIAL COMPANIES FOR VIEWS ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES LIKE +SESAME STREET+, AND THE +BIG BLUE MARBLE+. +THESE VIEWS I AM HAPPY TO GIVE,* HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

DRAFT BILL ON NO-FAULT INSURANCE SCHEME

******

LEGISLATION FOR THE PROPOSED NO-FAULT SCHEME FOR COMPENSATING VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IS UNDER PREPARATION AND IS EXPECTED TO BE PLACED BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. J.H. BREMRIDGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. ROBSON SAID THE COST OF THE SCHEME HAD BEEN REASSESSED AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS ANALYSED. ' ’

THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE KNOWN AS THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (COMPENSATION FUND) BILL.

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/11

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENCES INVOLVING CONSULAR OFFICERS * * H * * *

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE.HON. JOHN HOBLEY, TODAY APOLOGISED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE CONSULAR CORPS IN HONG KONG OVER CERTAIN INACCURACIES IN THE NUMBER OF ALLEGED MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENCES INVOLVING CONSULAR OFFICERS AND OFFICERS OF COMMISSIONS.

IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. HOBLEY RECALLED HE ANSWERED A QUESTION LAST MONTH ABOUT THE NUMBER OF CASES IN WHICH PROCEEDINGS WERE NOT BROUGHT AGAINST THESE OFFICERS FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES.

PRIOR TO ANSWERING THAT QUESTION, HE TABLED A DETAILED LIST OF THE CASES AND THOSE INVOLVED.

+UNFORTUNATELY THE LIST WAS SERIOUSLY INACCURATE IN A NUMBER OF CASES AND WAS INACCURATE IN OTHERS.

+ALTHOUGH THE COLONIAL SECRETARY HAD ALREADY WRITTEN TO THE DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS EXPRESSING THE GOVERNMENT’S DEEP REGRET, IT IS RIGHT THAT I SHOULD BRING THE MATTER BEFORE THE COUNCIL AGAIN AND AT THE SAME TIME SAY PUBLICLY HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT REGRETS THE ANNOYANCE AND EMBARRASSMENT WHICH THE INACCURATE INFORMATION HAS NATURALLY CAUSED MEMBERS OF THE CORPS,+ HE SAID.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADDED THAT A CORRECT LIST HAD BEEN LAID ON THE TABLE TODAY AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO ENSURE ITS WIDE DISTRIBUTION.

HE EXPLAINED THAT +THE ERROR AROSE FROM A COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPEATED.+

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/12 •

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

OVER 120 FIREMEN RECOGNISED FOR LONG SERVICE *****

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR. L.M. DAVIES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED COLONIAL FIRE BRIGADES LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO OVER 120 SERVING AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WAS HELD AT THE HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION, MR. DAVIES NOTED THAT A DAY NEVER WENT BY WITHOUT MANY CALLS FOR HELP TO THE FIRE SERVICES.

HE TOLD THE FIREMEN s +YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO THESE IMMEDIATELY AND BE READY TO MEET ALL SORTS OF SITUATIONS, ALMOST ALL OF WHICH ARE UNNERVING AND MANY OF THEM DANGEROUS. YOU ARE JUDGED BY THE PUBLIC FOR THE SPEED WITH WHICH YOU ARRIVE ON THE SCENE, THE EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH YOU COPE WITH ALL MANNER OF ACCIDENTS AND SITUATIONS, THE COMPASSION WHICH YOU SHOW TO THE VICTIMS AND FOR THE WAY IN WHICH EACH OF YOU REACTS TO THE DEMANDS MADE ON YOU.+

+T00 OFTEN BY OUR OWN CARELESSNESS WE PUT YOU AT RISK AND IT IS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE TO SEE YOU ON PARADE, SO SMARTLY TURNED OUT, SO WELL DISCIPLINED AND OBVIOUSLY SO READY TO DO YOUR DUTY,+ HE ADDED.

HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR DEVOTED AND LOYAL SERVICE.

AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION, 77 OF THE MEN WERE AWARDED LONG SERVICE MEDALS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR 18 YEARS OF SERVICE WHILE THE OTHER 48 RECEIVED FIRST CLASPS TO THEIR MEDALS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDED SIX DIVISIONAL OFFICERS, FIVE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICERS, 35 PRINCIPAL FIREMEN, 57 SENIOR FIREMEN, 16 FIREMEN, A PRINCIPAL AMBULANCEMAN, A SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN AND FOUR AMBULANCEMEN.

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/13

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION ALLOCATION.

M * * * * *

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES WERE ALL AWARE OF HOW THE AMOUNTS OF SUBVENTION WERE ARRIVED AT.

HE WAS COMMENTING ON PRESS REPORTS THIS MORNING ABOUT THE LACK OF CRITERIA BY WHICH SUBVENTIONS ARE ALLOCATED TO VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES.

+IN FACT, THEY HAVE BEEN SHOWN COPIES OF THE PAPERS CONTAINING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH DETERMINES THE AMOUNTS TO BE ALLOCATED.+

+IN ABOUT JUNE EACH YEAR,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID, AGENCIES ARE INVITED TO PUT IN THEIR REQUESTS FOR SUBVENTION FOR THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR. AFTER THEY HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR APPLICATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE SUGGESTS A WORKING FIGURE AS A TENTATIVE PROVISION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION.+

THE WORKING FIGURE FOR 1976-77 HAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE APPROVED SUBVENTION FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO COVER SALARY INCREMENTS, INCREASED RENT AND RATES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND THE REDUCTION IN OVERSEAS AID.

+APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES, WHEN RECEIVED, ARE THEN PROCESSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND PRESENTED TO THE SUBVENTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH IN TURN ADVISES THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE ON THE AMOUNT OF SUBVENTION TO BE ALLOCATED,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IF THE AGENCIES ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION, THEY MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS TO THE SUBVENTION SUB-COMMITTEE WHICH WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER THEIR APPEAL.

+IF REQUESTS FOR MORE FUNDS CAN BE JUSTIFIED, ADDITIONAL SUBVENTION WILL BE RECOMMENDED.*

TURNING TO THE SUBVENTION ALLOCATED TO THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR 1976-77, THE SPOKESMAN SAIDt +THE PROVISION OF $52 MILLION ALLOWS ABOUT $50 MILLION TO COVER THE COST OF MAINTAINING EXISTING SUBVERTED SERVICES, SALARY INCREMENT AND INCREASED RENT AND RATE FOR ACCOMMODATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. IT ALSO MAKES PROVISIONS FOR REDUCTION IN AID FROM OVERSEAS AND FOR EXTRA HELP IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONTINGENCIES.

+AN ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION IS PROVIDED TO COVER NEW SERVICES IN PRIORITY AREAS INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE.

+0N THIS BASIS, THE OVERALL AMOUNT IS ADEQUATE IN MEETING THE IMMEDIATE NEED.*

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/14....

WtDNtODAT, MARCH 1U, 17 f <5

MAXIMUM LOAN GUARANTEES FOR MTR INCREASED

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION OF OCTOBER 23, 1975 DEALING WITH LOAN ARRANGEMENTS TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HOM. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THAT ON MARCH 1, THE METRO LET A FURTHER SEVEN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS WORTH ALMOST |2,000 MILLION.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONTRACTS JUST LET WAS WITHIN THE ESTIMATE ASSUMED LAST AUTUMN FOR THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM.

THE AMENDMENTS HE PROPOSED SIMPLY SOUGHT +TO COVER THE RELATED BORROWINGS THAT WILL BE MADE BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IN THE CURRENCIES OF THE COUNTRIES WHOSE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE CONTRACTS.+

TO THIS END, HE SAID THE MOTION SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF THE VALUE OF EXPORT CREDITS TO FINANCE CONTRACTS PLACED IN i-

* JAPAN FROM 10,000 MILLION-YEN TO 34,000 MILLION YEN,

* IN WEST GERMANY FROM 20.5 MILLION DEUTSCHE MARKS TO 41.5 MILLION DEUTSCHE MARKS,

M IN SWEDEN FROM 24 MILLION SWEDISH KRONER TO 56 MILLION SWEDISH KRONER, AS WELL AS

* TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SUMS WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY GUARANTEE UNDER LOANS ARRANGED BY WARDLEY LIMITED, TO FINANCE LOCAL CONTRACTS, FROM HKS470 MILLION TO HK$57O MILLION.

HE ADDED THAT NO AMENDMENTS WERE REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AS, OF COURSE, THESE WERE LINES OF BUYERS’ CREDITS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT ADDITIONAL GUARANTEES WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED FOR THE REMAINING SIX LOCAL CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTS STILL REMAINING TO BE LET. +IT IS EXPECTED THAT ALL BUT ONE OF THESE WILL BE LET BY JUNE.*

, THE CORPORATION AT THE END OF JUNE, INTENDS ; TO LET ALL TEN CONTRACTS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PART OF THE WORKS.

IN THIS CONNECTION, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE INTENDED TO INTRODUCE ON JULY 7 A FURTHER AND FINAL MOTION TO COVER ANY FURTHER MODIFICATIONS TO THE GUARANTEES THAT WOULD BE NECESSITATED BY THESE CONTRACTS.

+IT WILL, OF COURSE, STILL BE NECESSARY TO COME BACK FROM TIME TO TIME FOR GUARANTEES IN RESPECT OF RESIDUAL FINANCE SUCH AS BOND ISSUES,* HE SAID.

------o - - - . /15....

WEBNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 15 -

NEW REGULATIONS ON SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ******

NEW REGULATIONS TO CONTROL THE SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN WORK PLACES WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.

IN MOVING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS) REGULATIONS 1976 TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID THE CONTROLS SET OUT IN THEM WOULD HELP PROVIDE A SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE WORKERS.

HE SAID THAT THE REGULATIONS COVERED NOT ONLY THE SPRAYING OF PAINT BUT ALSO THE SPRAYING OF OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS THINNERS, VARNISHES, LACQUERS, SEALING COMPOUNDS AND PETROLEUM BASED ADHESIVES.

t I

MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT THE RAPID VAPOURISATION OF A FLAMMABLE LIQUID IN THE SPRAYING PROCESS COULD CREATE A CONCENTRATION OF GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE WHICH WAS POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE.

MR. PRICE SAID THAT UNCONTROLLED SPRAYING OF SUCH LIQUIDS CAUSED ABOUT 300 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING EXPLOSIONS OR FIRES DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS. TWENTY-TWO OF THEM WERE FATAL.

♦ IN ADDITION, THERE WERE FIVE LARGE FIRES RESULTI NG FROM SPRAYING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS DURING THE LAST FIVE MONTHS OF 1975,+ HE SAID.

MR. PRICE SAID CONTROLS INCLUDED t

* THE SEGREGATION OF THE SPRAYING AREA FROM OTHER PARTS OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING"

* THE PROVISION OF AN EFFICIENT VENTILATION SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE CONCENTRATION OF FLAMMABLE VAPOURS IN THE SPRAYING AREA-

* THE PROHIBITION OF SMOKING OR THE USE OF A NAKED FLAME WITHIN 20 FEET OF ANY SPRAYING AREA- AND

* THE IMPOSITION OF STANDARDS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT TO AVOID SPARKS IGNITING A FLAMMABLE ATMOSPHERE.

THERE WERE ALSO PROVISIONS GOVERNING CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS COULD BE STORED.

MR. PRICE SAID THE PRINCIPLES OF THESE REGULATIONS WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND WERE SUPPORTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES. HE HAD ALSO CONSULTED WITH THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.

AN EXPLANATORY BOOKLET WILL SOON BE MADE AVAILABLE FREE TO AFFECTED PROPRIETORS TO ASSIST THEM TO MEET THEIR NEW OBLIGATIONS.

THEY COULD ALSO SEEK ADVICE FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE, HE SAID.

/16....

_ _ 0 - -

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976

- 16

SECURITY PROBLEMS DURING METRO WORKS : POLICE TO HELP

HMM***

PROPRIETORS OF PREMISES AFFECTED BY HOARDINGS DURING THE • CONSTRUCTION OF THE METRO WILL BE VISITED BY THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS IN THEIR DISTRICTS WHO WILL GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON SECURITY MATTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE HON. Q.W. LEE HAD ASKED WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF PROPERTY AND PERSONS IN BUILDINGS WHICH HAD TO BE BOARDED UP, AND THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE MOVEMENT OF VALUABLES IN AREAS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE EXACT SITING AND DESIGN OF HOARDINGS WAS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT DEPENDENT ON THE CONTRACTORS AND THE PRECISE DETAILS WOULD NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THEY HAD SUBMITTED THEIR PLANS.

AS PLANS BECAME AVAILABLE, HE SAID, THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS IN EACH POLICE DIVISION WOULD CONTACT THE PROPRIETORS AND THE ASSISTANCE OF THE POLICE SPECIALIST UNITS SUCH AS THE CID CRIME PREVENTION OFFICE WOULD BE CALLED ON TO DEAL WITH SECURITY PROBLEMS AS THEY AROSE.

+WITH REGARD TO THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF THE MOVEMENT OF VALUABLES IN AREAS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS, THE POLICE WILL, WHENEVER NECESSARY, TRY TO MAKE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THOSE CONCERNED TO REDUCE RISK TO THE MINIMUM,+ HE SAID.

+THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RECOGNISES THE POTENTIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS INVOLVED DURING THE PERIOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY,* MR. DAVIES SAID.

-__-0----

BILLS PASSED

M * * *

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 AND THE COUNTRY PARKS BILL PASSED THEIR COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED i THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976, THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 AND THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976. DEBATE ON THEIR SECOND READING WAS ADJOURNED.

DEBATE RESUMED ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976 AND THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

CONTENTS . PAGE NO.

THREE NEW BUS ROUTES TO BEGIN SERVICE NEXT MONDAY ........... 1

FEES FOR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS REVISED ...................... 2

TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN LAI CHI KOK ROAD DECLARED UNSAFE 3 SIR MURRAY TO OPEN SECOND INDOOR DRIVING SCHOOL.............. 3

TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE TO HOLD FIRST SPEECH DAY ........ 4

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY .. 5

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO OPEN NEW OFFICE OF FEDERATION OF THE BLIND ................................................ 5

SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND HELPS PROMOTE.STANDARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS .................................................... 6

REGISTRATION FORMS FOR NEXT TOEFL NOW AVAILABLE ............. 7

PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION .......'................................ 7

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

THREE MORE BUS ROUTES

******

TWO NEW KMB URBAN COACH ROUTES, NOS. 209 AND 210, WILL BEGIN SERVICE ON MONDAY, MARCH 15, AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND A NEW CMB ROUTE 17 WILL BE INTRODUCED.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT KMB ROUTE 209 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN THE STAR FERRY AND CHOI HUNG EVERY 15 MINUTES DURING PEAK PERIODS.

THE ROUTE WILL BE VIA SALISBURY ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, SHANGHAI STREET,- MONG KOK ROAD, TUNG CHOI STREET, ARGYLE STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD.

FROM CHOI HUNG ROUTE. 209 WILL GO BY WAY OF CHOI HUNG ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, NATHAN ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FARE WILL BE $1 FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY.

THE OTHER ROUTE, NO. 210, WILL RUN EVERY HOUR BETWEEN STAR FERRY AND PIPER’S HILL VIA SALISBURY ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, SHANGHAI STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, PORTLAND STREET, YU CHAU STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, TAI PO ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO ROAD AND CALDECOTT ROAD.

THE RETURN JOURNEY WILL BE BY WAY OF CALDECOTT ROAD, TAI PO ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, BERWICK STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, TAI PO ROAD, NATHAN ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD. THE FARE ON ROUTE 210 WILL ALSO BE $1 FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE NEW CMB ROUTE 17 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN THE CENTRAL BUS STATION AND SOO KUN PO VIA KENNEDY ROAD.

IT WILL RUN EVERY 20 MINUTES FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. BY WAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, POTTINGER STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, CHATER ROAD, MURRAY ROAD, COTTON TREE DRIVE, GARDEN ROAD, MACDONNELL ROAD, KENNEDY ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, MORRISON HILL ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, HENNESSY ROAD, YEE WOO STREET, TUNG LO WAN ROAD AND EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD.

THE RETURN JOURNEY WILL BE VIA CAROLINE HILL ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, PENNINGTON STREET, YEE WOO STREET, HENNESSY ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, KENNEDY ROAD, GARDEN ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, PEDDER STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SINGLE JOURNEY FARE WOULD BE 50 CENTS FOR ADULTS AND 30 CENTS FOR CHILDREN.

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/2......

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976 - 2 -

REVISED FEES FOR IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS * * * * *

REVISED FEES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COME JNTO FORCE TOMORROW (FRIDAY, MARCH 12).

DETAILS OF THE REVISED FEES WILL BE SET OUT IN TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES ARE AS FOLLOWS

FOLLOWS

(THE OLD

FEES ARE IN BRACKETS) I

NEW FEE

10-YEAR BRITISH PASSPORT $120

10-YEAR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY $ 80

5-YEAR SEAMAN’S IDENTITY BOOK $ 30

SINGLE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMIT $ 3

5-YEAR MULTIPLE HONG KONG

RE-ENTRY PERMIT $ 15

EXTENSION OF STAY $ 65

(160) ($50) ($15) ($ 2)

($10) ($30)

AS LOW AS FOR

THE POSSIBLE JOURNEYS

THE

NEW FEES FOR RE-ENTRY PERMITS HAVE BEEN KEPT SINCE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE USED BY MANY PEOPLE TO CHINA AND MACAU.

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S FEES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED

SINCE 1970, AND REVENUE NOW COVERS BARELY HALF THE COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC.

COMMENTING ON THE INCREASES, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID s +1 REGRET THAT THESE INCREASES ARE NECESSARY, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT THAT THE COST OF THESE SERVICES SHOULD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BE BORNE BY THOSE WHO USE THEM.+

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

- 5 -

BUILDINGS DECLARED UNSAFE * * * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED NO. 94

LAI CHI KOK ROAD TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NO. 96 --------------------------- BECOME DANGEROUS, AND ORDERED

LAI CHI KOK ROAD LIABLE TO THEIR DEMOLITION.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BUILDING SURVEYOR, P.W.D.,

THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT SAID THAT THESE TWO FOUR-STOREY UNDER GENERAL OBSERVATION SINCE

PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN ----- ------

1973 WHEN SOME REPAIRS TO STRUCTURAL TIMBERS AND REINFORCED CONCRETE ELEMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT UNDER ORDER BY THE BUILDING

AUTHORITY.

RE-INSPECT I ON FOLLOWING A RECENT COMPLAINT REVEALED FRESH SETTLEMENT AND MOVEMENT OF THE LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS OF NO. 94 LAI CHI KOK ROAD. STRUCTURAL TIMBERS WERE ALSO DECAYED AND THERE WAS DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

NO. 96 LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL BE RENDERED DANGEROUS BY THE REMOVAL OF THE COMMON STAIRCASE WHICH IT SHARES WITH NO. 94.

ACCORDINGLY, NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 8 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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

GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW INDOOR DRIVING SCHOOL

******

NOTE TO EDITORS :

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL INAUGURATE HONG KONG’S SECOND INDOOR DRIVING SCHOOL LOCATED ON A SITE UNDER THE MARSH ROAD FLYOVER THIS SATURDAY (MARCH 13).

SIMILAR TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S INDOOR DRIVING SCHOOL IN KOWLOON, THE NEW SCHOOL IS OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION AND EQUIPPED WITH 16 DRIVING SIMULATORS AND A COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM.

THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHOOL WILL START AT 11.45 A.M.

THE GOVERNOR, PATRON OF THE ASSOCIATION, WILL ARRIVE AT 12.15 P.M.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE HOLDS FIRST SPEECH DAY

* * # * M

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE GRADUATES OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES FROM MR. JOHN MARDEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHEELOCK MARDEN AND CO. LTD., AT THE COLLEGE’S FIRST SPEECH DAY TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

MR. MARDEN WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE GATHERING, i

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL FROM 3.00 P.M. THE OPENING REMARKS WILL BE MADE BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL.

THE COLLEGE, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1974, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OF TEACHERS REQUIRED BY THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND FOR TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY GRAMMAR, SECONDARY TECHNICAL, SECONDARY MODERN AND PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AS WELL AS FOR THE TRAINING OF INSTRUCTORS IN INDUSTRY.

SEVERAL TYPES OF COURSES ARE OFFERED BY THE COLLEGE, INCLUDING A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE FOR MATURE AND SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO TAKE UP TECHNICAL TEACHING AS A CAREER.

ADDITIONALLY, THE COLLEGE PROVIDES TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSES FOR SUITABLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO MAKE TEACHING THEIR CAREER.

IT ALSO OFFERS TWO-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSES FOR IN-SERVICE TECHNICAL TEACHERS AND DEVELOPS RETRAINING, IMPROVEMENT AND CONVERSION COURSES FOR SERVING TEACHERS.

THE COLLEGE ALSO RUNS A SPECIALISED THIRD-YEAR COURSE FOR TWO-YEAR TRAINED TEACHERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS I

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPEECH DAY.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

- 5 -

EMPLOYMENT SURVEY ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY *****

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT IN PRIVATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK SITES BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 17.

THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRST ATTEMPT TO COLLECT AND COMPILE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

THE SURVEY COVERS ALL PRIVATE WORK SITES RECORDED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE. ITS SCOPE IS HOWEVER LIMITED TO THE NUMBER OF SITE WORKERS- THIS INCLUDES SITE FOREMEN AND ALL PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN MANUAL WORK AT THE SITE. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL WORK SUCH AS ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACT MANAGERS AND SURVEYORS, ARE NOT INCLUDED.

CIRCULAR LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO INDIVIDUAL WORK SITES AS WELL AS THE CONTRACTORS CONCERNED. SITE REPRESENTATIVES ARE BEING ASKED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF SITE WORKERS BY SEX AS AT MARCH 15, 1976, BY COMPLETING A COPY OF THE SURVEY FORM.

SURVEY OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL THEN VISIT THE RESPECTIVE SITES TO COLLECT THE COMPLETED SURVEY FORMS AND RENDER ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS AND SITE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN SUPPLYING THE INFORMATION REQUIRED. HE EMPHASISES THAT THE INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL ONLY BE RELEASED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES.

- 0

D.S.W. TO OPEN NEW FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OFFICE ******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF THE BLIND AT 3 P.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 13).

THE NEW OFFICE IS SITUATED AT 137, MEI TUNG ESTATE, BLOCK 6, GROUND FLOOR ON TUNG TAU CHUEN ROAD, KOWLOON.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

GRANTS FROM TRAINING FUND FOR FIVE ******

THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND PROVIDED GRANTS FOR FIVE PEOPLE LAST YEAR TO ATTEND SOCIAL WORK COURSES AT VARIOUS ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS EITHER LOCALLY OR ABROAD.

ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN TO FOUR OF THEM TO OBTAIN FURTHER SOCIAL WORK TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA AND U.S.A. WHILE ONE TOOK THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE COURSE ON -SOCIAL WORK AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY. 1 ' '

IN THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1974/75 BY THE TRUSTEE OF THE FUND, IT WAS STATED THAT REPRESENTATIVES WERE SELECTED FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE PART IN SEVERAL SOCIAL WELFARE CONFERENCES ABROAD.

THESE INCLUDED A SEMINAR ON DEAFNESS AT SUSSEX UNIVERSITY IN U.K.- A STUDY TOUR OF THS PHILIPPINES FOR ELEVEN YOUTH WORKERS- AND ANOTHER STUDY TOUR OF SEOUL AND TOKYO FOR 26 SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS AND STAFF OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

OTHER ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING LAST YEAR INCLUDED BURSARIES FOR STUDENTS AT THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, THE PUBLICATION OF SOCIAL WORK JOURNALS AND INVITATION OF EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS TO HONG KONG.

THE SOCIAL WORK TRAINING FUND WAS SET UP IN 1964 WITH A SUM OF $2.2 MILLION GIVEN BY THE UNITED KINGDOM COMMITTEE FOR WORLD REFUGEE YEAR IN 1961 AND SUBSEQUENT DONATIONS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

THE FUND IS MANAGED BY A COMMITTEE OF WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS THE CHAIRMAN. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THREE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1976

- 7

TOEFL REGISTRATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE

X * * M M *

REGISTRATION FORMS AND COPIES OF THE BULLETIN OF INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE) TO BE HELD ON MAY 17 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

THEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S EXAMINATIONS DIVISION (CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR), THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP SECTION (BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 91 LEIGHTON ROAD) OR AT THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (408 J. HOTUNG HOUSE, 4TH FLOOR, HANKOW ROAD).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE IN MAY, ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES WHO URGENTLY NEEDED TOEFL SCORES WOULD BE ACCEPTED.

♦ONLY CANDIDATES WHO CAN PRODUCE WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS FROM AN OVERSEAS COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY TO TAKE THE TEST WILL THEREFORE BE REGISTERED.+ HE SAID.

ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER MARCH 19.

WINNERS

----0------

OF POSTER COMPETITION TO RECEIVE PRIZES

*****

NOTE TO EDITORS «

WINNERS OF THE ENGLISH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON,

MR. WONG PO-YAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COMMITTEE OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES AT THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3RD FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3.30 P.M.

-----------O'--------------

CHAI WAN DJVELOPMgrn? EXHIBITION TO OPEN

A public exhibition showing the past, present and future

development of Chai Wan will be opened tomorrow (Friday) at the district’s Community Centre by Mr. B.A. Bernacchi, a member of the Hong Kong Housing Authority.

The exhibition 5’The Changing Face of Chai Wan“ has been organised by the Housing Authority and the City District Office (Eastern), and includes sections on the present Chai V.’an, Chai /an in the future, work of the Social Welfare Department, Medical and Health Department, Police,Fire Services and the Housing Department’s redevelopment programme in Hong Kong.

A special feature of the exhi ition will be a life-sized Umock-up:: model of a typical seven-person fl t in the recently completed Hing Wah Estate (Stage II), which now towers over the old Chai Wan. The model will be fully furnished and will give prospective tenants an idea of living conditions at Hing Wah (Stage II).

Also at the exhibition will be video-tape film shows of various problems in Hong Kong, including housing, social welfare, crime and pollution.

For lighter entertainment during the M4-day exhibition there will be a junior police call variety show, a karate demonstration, the Cape Collinson Band and several other displays.

At the opening ceremony Mr. ».V. Williams, Deputy Director (Operations), Housing Department will present prizes to the winners of a school-children’s painting competition which has been run in conjunction with the exhi ition.

Note to Editors: The opening ceremony will start at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 12. You are invited to send a photographer and/or a reporter.

_______0 --------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

CONTENTS ■ PAGE N0*

62 BEDS AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL TO BE SET ASIDE FOR CIVILIAN USE .........................................

FIVE MORE H.K. PRODUCTS QUALIFY FOR DUTY-FREE ENTRY INTO U.S.......................................................

TENDER DOCUMENTS FOR 20-ACRE SITE IN SHA TIN NOW AVAILABLE ................................................

FIFTH WARMEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD ........................

TECHNICAL EDUCATION MUST KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGING TECHNIQUES ................................................ 5

FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ....................... 7

GOVERNOR RETURNS TO U.K. FOR ROUTINE CONSULTATIONS ......... 7

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR CIVILIAN USE * * * *

MEDICAL FACILITIES AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR CIVILIAN USE FROM NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 15. .

THIS FOLLOWS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH MILITARY AUTHORITY ON A SCHEME UNDER WHICH GOVERNMENT DOCTORS COULD REFER PATIENTS TO THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE MILITARY AUTHORITY IS TO SET ASIDE 62 BEDS FOR PATIENTS REFERRED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT! THE COST TO THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ELEVEN POUNDS STERLING PER BED PER DAY. THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO COST THE GOVERNMENT SOME HK$2 MILLION A YEAR ON THE BASIS OF 75 PER CENT OCCUPANCY OF THE 62 BEDS.

THE BEDS BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CUTS IN THE GARRISON. THE AGREEMENT ENABLES THE 2OO-BED BMH

-*TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE FULL FACILITIES FOR WHICH IT WAS --DESIGNED AT AN ECONOMICAL COST, AT THE SAME TIME MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S HEALTH SERVICE.

NO SPECIFIC BEDS ARE TO BE ALLOTTED FOR CIVILIAN PATIENTS, WHO WILL BE FITTED INTO WARDS ACCORDING TO MEDICAL NEEDS: ALL PA I TENTS IN THE HOSPITAL WILL BE TREATED BY SERVICE MEDICAL OFFICERS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF WARDS IN THE BMH, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO USE THE 62 BEDS AS 1ST AND 2ND CLASS BEDS.

AS PART OF THE DEAL, THE HOSPITAL’S LABORATORY ACCOMMODATION WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THE EXISTJNG CLINICAL PATHOLOGY UNIT AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IS CRAMPED AND EXTRA SPACE IS NEEDED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE UNIT.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES PLANS TO USE THE ACCOMMODATION AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL TO ESTABLISH A BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT BY TRANSFERRING PART OF THE EQUIPMENT AND STAFF OF THE BIOCHEMISTRY UNIT AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

- 2

FIVE MORE H.K. PRODUCTS GET DUTY-FREE ENTRY INTO U.S. ******

FIVE MORE HONG KONG PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST OF LOCALLY-MADE GOODS WHICH QUALIFY FOR DUTY-FREE ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THAT COUNTRY’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES.

THESE ARE a

* MARCASITES, CUT BUT NOT SET AND SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF JEWELRY"

* THUMB TACKS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPEC IF IED-

* COPPER CHAINS AND PARTS THEREOF, OF BASE METAL, NOT COATED OR PLATED WITH PRECIOUS METAL"

* ARTICLES OF BASE METAL, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED, COATED OR PLATED WITH PLATINUM-

* TOOTH BRUSHES

A COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE PRODUCTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE LIST BECAUSE THEIR 1974 EXPORT LEVELS WERE OVER THE LIMITS WHICH QUALIFY THEM FOR DUTY-FREE STATUS.

THE TSUSA (TARIFF SCHEDULE U.S. ANOTATED) NUMBERS OF THE FIVE PRODUCTS CONCERNED AREi 520.37- 646.06- 652.36- 656.20-750.40.

DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN D C AND I CIRCULAR NO. 3/76 WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SENT 0UT YESTERDAY (MARCH 11, 1976.)

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ACCEPTING, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, APPLICATIONS FOR FORMS A IN RESPECT OF THE FIVE PRODUCTS.

----0----

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

- J -

SHA TIN LAND SALE: TENDER DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ******

COPIES OF A TENDER DOCUMENT OUTLINING THE CONDITIONS OF SALE OF AN AREA OF SEABED TOTALLING 20 ACRES TO BE RECLAIMED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

THEY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SHA TIN AT S5q A COPY.

THE DOCUMENT INCLUDES A TECHNICAL SCHEDULE AND DRAWINGS.

THE SITE IS AT YUEN CHAU KOK, A WELL-KNOWN LANDMARK IN SHA TIN COVE. KEEN INTEREST IS EXPECTED TO BE SHOWN IN IT, A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY, DESPITE A BUILDING COVENANT OF $65 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED BY THE END OF DECEMBER, 1982 AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR A CHEQUE FOR $10 MILLION TO ACCOMPANY EACH TENDER.

THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE LOT IN FULL ON DEMAND OR BY NINE ANNUAL INSTALMENTS, INCLUDING INTEREST AT TEN PER CENT PER ANNUM.

HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO RECLAIM-ABOUT 20 ACRES WITHIN 30 MONTHS, HANDING BACK NINE ACRES TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR BUILDING ROADS AND PROVIDING OPEN SPACES. HE WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO BUILD ROADS, SEWERS, A SEAWALL AND DRAINS.

TENDERS ARE TO BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE MAIN WING OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND THE CLOSING DATE IS MAY 7.

- - - - a-

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

5TH WARMEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD * * ft *

LAST MONTH WAS THE FIFTH WARMEST FEBRUARY SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

LIKE JANUARY, FEBRUARY HAD MEAN TEMPERATURES ABOVE NORMAL AND THE WARM AND SUNNY WEATHER OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH CONTINUED UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH WHEN A COLD FRONT PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG.

THE MEAN TEMPERATURE WAS 17.6 DEGREES CELSIUS AND THE MEAN MAXIMUM WAS 20.7 DEGREES. TAKEN TOGETHER, THE MEAN TEMPERATURE FOR THE TWO MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY WAS 1.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL.

HOWEVER BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY COLD SPELL IN MID-DECEMBER, THE MEAN TEMPERATURE FOR THE THREE WINTER MONTHS WAS 15.9 DEGREES CELSIUS, WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO THE NORMAL OF 16 DEGREES CELSIUS.

AGAIN LIKE JANUARY, FEBRUARY WAS MUCH DRIER THAN USUAL AND FIRE DANGER WARNINGS WERE IN FORCE FOR 22 DAYS.

THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED FIVE TIMES AND THIS IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IN ANY FEBRUARY SINCE 1957.

WIDESPREAD FOG WAS REPORTED OVER HONG KONG AND ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COAST BETWEEN FEBRUARY 14 AND 18. DURING THIS PERIOD, VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED TO 100 METRES AT WAGLAN ISLAND AND 150 METRES AT CHEUNG CHAU. ONE SHIP WENT AGROUND AT LEI YUE MUN CHANNEL AND FOUR OTHER SHIPS WERE INVOLVED IN COLLISIONS.

AN UNUSUAL PHENOMENON OCCURRED DURING THE MONTH. +YELLOW RAIN+ WAS REPORTED OVER HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 25 AND 26. THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE POLLEN FROM PINE TREES WASHED DOWN BY THE RAIN.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

- 5 -

TECHNICAL COURSES TO SUIT INDUSTRY’S NEEDS ******

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM PROVIDES COURSES SUITED TO MEET THE CURRENT NEEDS OF INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, MR. JOHN MARDEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHEELOCK MARDEN AND CO. LTD., SAID TODAY.

THE SYSTEM, HE SAID, MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO +KEEP ABREAST OF THE RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNIQUES REQUIRED FOR NEW PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO KEEP ITS LEAD IN THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS WORLD.+

MR. MARDEN WAS ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE FIRST SPEECH DAY OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL.

+WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS, WHICH IS ONLY JUST GETTING INTO ITS STRIDE IN HONG KONG, THERE CAN BE LITTLE DOUBT THAT THERE IS AN ON-GOING AND CONTINUING NEED FOR A TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE,* HE SAID.

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSTRUCTING A NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NEAR TAI PO FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING ENGINEERING BASED INDUSTRIES TO HONG KONG.

MR. MARDEN SAID i +THESE ARE THE FACTORIES THAT YOU AT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL BE TRAINING THE WORKERS FOR AT ALL LEVELS, WHO WILL HAVE BEEN DRAWN FROM ALL THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS IN THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION SYSTEM.*

THE COLLEGE, ESTABLISHED IN 1974, IS OPERATING IN TEMPORARY PREMISES IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST. IT WILL TAKE OVER THE BUILDINGS OF THE VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL WHEN THE SCHOOL IS REHOUSED. •

MR. MARDEN SAID THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WOULD THEN HAVE MUCH BETTER AND ENLARGED FACILITIES FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK OF TRAINING TECHNICAL TEACHERS.

HE CONGRATULATED THE 165 GRADUATES, WHO LEFT THE COLLEGE TO TAKE UP THEIR CAREERS LAST JUNE.

MR. MARDEN POINTED OUT THAT OVER 300 NEW TECHNICAL TEACHERS WOULD BE NEEDED BY 1978.

IN HIS OPENING REMARKS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION . (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL, SAID : +THE QUALITY OF THE GRADUATES OF THIS COLLEGE WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE SKILL OF OUR FUTURE TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN.

/♦SKILLED .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 197$

- 6 -

+SKILLED CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY GOODS. IT IS UPON THE QUALITY OF OUR MERCHANDISE THAT THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. WILL PROGRESS.*

MR. KINGWELL STRESSED THAT THE MAIN THRUST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS TAKING PLACE IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

HE SAID THAT A TEN-YEAR TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME, WHICH WAS BEING PROPOSED, WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE MUST BE SOMETHING MORE THAN A PLACE WHERE NEW TEACHERS WERE PROCESSED. IT SHOULD ALSO BE A TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ CENTRE — A PLACE OF INSPIRATION, INNOVATION AND INTEGRATION, FOR ALL SERVING AND ASPIRING TECHNICAL TEACHERS.

MR. KINGWELL EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR A PERMANENT HOME FOR THE COLLEGE SINCE IT WAS ALREADY OUTGROWING ITS PRESENT TEMPORARY PREMISES.

IN HIS REPORT, THE PR IN.CIPAL OF THE COLLEGE, MR. PETER SMITH, SAID s +THE COLLEGE EXISTS TO TRAIN TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS AND TO TRAIN INSTRUCTORS FOR INDUSTRY.*

HE SAID THE COLLEGE ASSISTED THE POLYTECHNIC TO MOUNT ITS FIRST STAFF TRAINING COURSE LAST AUGUST.

THE COLLEGE ALSO RAN AN IN-PLANT COURSE FOR THE INSTRUCTORS OF THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1976

- 7 -

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 10 DAYS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS MONTH.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

THE PRACTICE TIMES ARE: A

MARCH 16 (TUESDAY)

MARCH 17 (WEDNESDAY) 9.00 A.M. - 4 P.M.f AND 8.00 P.M. - 10 P.M.

MARCH 18 (THURSDAY)

MARCH 22 (MONDAY)

MARCH 23 (TUESDAY)

MARCH 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 5 P.M.

MARCH 25 (THURSDAY)

MARCH 26 (FRIDAY)

MARCH 29 (MONDAY) 8.00 A.M. - 4 P.M.

MARCH 30 (TUESDAY)

------0 - - - -

GOVERNOR TO RETURN TO U.K. FOR CONSULTATIONS ft ft ft ft ft

tup fiOVFRNOR SIT MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL RETURN TO U.K. ON 27TH MARCH FOR ROUTINE CONSULTATIONS WITH MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS. Whilst sir Murray is in London he will take the opportunity of briefing the secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth AFFAIRS PRIOR TO HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG IN MAY.

THE GOVERNOR WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON 4TH APRIL.

- - 0 - -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Friday, March 12, 1976

HAMiJER HILL ROAD ESTATE BUILDING WORK TO STzkRT IN MAY *******

Building work on the Hammer Hill Road Estate* which will eventually provide homes for 10,000 people, is to start in May, The Housing Authority is today (Friday) inviting tenders for the building of three domestic blocks and a commercial complex. Piling work on these structures have already been completed. Two of the domestic blocks will be of 20 storeys and the other of seven storeys while the commercial complex will be three storeys high.

There will be about 1,580 flats of the current Housing Authority type, each with its own private balcony, kitchen and toilet with shower. Flat sizes will range from 171 square feet to 356 square feet.

The estate will have a number of shops, market stalls and workshops, a kindergarten with six classrooms and a 24-classroom primary school.

There will be car parks and an estate garage for over 200 vehicles as well as ample open space, totalling 1.5 acres, for recreational purposes.

- - 0 -

RBDEVELOPMENT PHOGRAMME ANNOUNCED

********

The Hong Kong Housing Authority is to begin redevelopment of overcrowded housing estates in the Chai Wan district this year.

This was announced today by Mr. Brook Bernacchi, a member of the Housing Authority, at the official opening of a public exhibition ’’The Changing Face of Chai Wan”, at the district’s community centre.

Mr. Bernacchi said: ’’The Housing Authority proposes this year to commence the redevelopment of the Chai Wan (West) Estate as part of its comprehensive * long-term programme for the modernisation., of all Mark I and Mark’ll estates in Hong Kong. Details of this particular scheme will be announced shortly by the Housing Department.”

' Mr. Bernacchi also said: ”As a reflection of the growth of Chai Wan it is worth noting that between 19&& and 1976 the population of the district increased from 68,000 to 10^,000 persons and that nearly 80 per cent of the population now lives in public housing.

”It must be admitted that the first public housing in the form of cottage areas and six storey Mark I & II resettlement blocks is, by modern standards, now most unsatisfactory. It must also be acknowledged that overcrowding is a problem of significant proportions.

”It must be recognised that step by step there has been a progression towards the creation of a better environment in Chai Wan brought about by the concerted efforts of the Housing Authority, the Urban Council, various Government departments, local community associations, welfare agencies and private developers. Symbolic of this progress is the recently completed Hing Wah estate which is now being occupied by families for whom

/the hope .....

- 3 -

the hope of decent accommodation has been a long-cherished ambition. Such families came from squalid squatter areas, tenement buildings, overcrowded public housing estates, licensed areas, old resettlement blocks and the like,” he said.

The exhibition has been organised by the Housing Department and the City District Office (Eastern), and includes sections on the present Chai Wan, Chai Wan in the future, work of the Social 'Welfare Department, Medical and Health Department, Police, Fire Services and the housing Department’s redevelopment programme in Hong Kong.

A special feature of the exhibition is a life-size ’’mock-up” model of a typical seven-person flat in the recently completed Hing Wah Estate (Stage II), which now towers over the old Chai Wan. The model is fully furnished and gives prospective tenants an idea of living conditions at Hing Wah (Stage II).

Also at the exhibition are video-tape film shows of various problems in Hong Kong, including housing, social welfare, crime and pollution

For lighter entertainment during the 4# - day exhibition there will be a junior police call variety show, a karate demonstration, the Cape Collinson Band and several other displays.

At the opening ceremony Mr. Bernard Williams, Deputy Director (Operations), Hong Kong Housing Department, presented prizes to the winners of a school-children’s painting competition which has been run in conjunction with the exhibition.

- - 0 -

RRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1976

• ' • ■

9 CONTENTS PAGE NO.

---------------------------------- f, • ■----------------------------------------• ■ ••

SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION OPENS ........................ 1

’LUCKY’ CAR NUMBERS FETCHED 1200,000 FOR CHARITY ........... 4

FORTY-FIVE DISABLED FOUND JOBS THROUGH THE SWD LAST MONTH ................................................. 5

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1976

- 1 -

P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION OPENS MAJOR ADVANCES IN SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT PREDICTED *****

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, TODAY (SATURDAY) PREDICTED MAJOR ADVANCES IN WORK ON SHA TIN NEW TOWN THIS YEAR, AND ESTIMATED THAT SOME $400 MILLION OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FUNDS WOULD BE POURED INTO THE PROJECT IN THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS.

MR. MCDONALD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION IN THE SHOPPING COMPLEX OF THE NEW LEK YUEN ESTATE AT SHA TIN. THE EXHIBITION — THE FIRST OF ITS KIND — IS BEING STAGED BY THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. EACH DAY UNTIL NEXT THURSDAY (MARCH 18).

MR. MCDONALD SAIDi +THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PROJECT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT INTO PREPARATORY PLANNING WORKS FOR THE NEW TOWN.

+NOW IT IS AT THE STAGE WHEN MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE.

♦THESE WILL INCLUDE MAJOR LAND RECLAMATION AND DRAINAGE, TRUNK ROADS, A SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, SERVICE RESERVOIRS, RAILWAY TRACK WIDENING AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING, AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.*

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR. NG CHAN-LAM, OFFICIALLY OPENING THE SIX-DAY EXHIBITION, SAIDi +T LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW TOWN’S COMPLETION WITH A FEELING OF EXCITEMENT.*

MR. NG PLEDGED THE SUPPORT OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN, AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR CONTINUING CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF SHA TIN AS THE NEW TOWN GREW.

HE SAID: +THE PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION SPONSORED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEAR VIEW OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN, AND THEREBY TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST.

+THE PLANS AND MODELS DISPLAYED IN THIS EXHIBITION HAVE GROWN OUT OF CAREFUL RESEARCH AND DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS, AND ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MODERN IDEAS OF TOWN PLANNING.

+IT IS EVIDENT THAT TO DEVELOP AN AREA SO THAT ITS INHABITANTS CAN SHARE IN THE BENEFITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT IS A TASK WHICH NEEDS A DOUBLE-SIDED APPROACH.

+IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY THAT THERE SHOULD BE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC, SO THAT DEVELOPMENT WORKS MAY PROCEED SMOOTHLY.*

/HE AGREED

SATUBDAI, MARCH 13, 1976

- 2 -

HE AGREED WITH MR. MCDONALD THAT IT WAS PARTICULARLY FITTING THAT THE EXHIBITION SHOULD BE HELD IN THE LEK YUEN HOUSING ESTATE — NOW NEARING COMPLETION BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE P.W.D.

LEK YUEN IS THE FIRST OF ELEVEN HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES WHICH WILL HOUSE 300,000 OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN’S PROJECTED POPULATION OF 500,000 PEOPLE BY 1985.

+THE ESTATE HAS A PRIORITY QUOTA RESERVATION OF FLATS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS,+ SAID MR. NG. +IT OCCUPIES AN ENORMOUS AREA, AND HAS ALL KINDS OF MODERN FACILITIES TO MAKE IT AS SELF-CONTAINED AS POSSIBLE.+

IN HIS INTRODUCTORY SPEECH AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT WITH THE RECENT GENERAL REVIVAL OF INTEREST AND ACTIVITY IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, IT WAS ALSO HOPED THAT THE EXHIBITION WOULD PUBLICISE THE GOVERNMENT’S DESIRE TO INVOLVE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN THE NEW TOWN — INCLUDING THOSE WHO MIGHT NOW BE CONTEMPLATING TENDERING FOR THE AREA 48 SHA TIN DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR THE COMMERCIAL PREMISES IN THE LEK YUEN ESTATE.

+THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PROJECT IS OF THE ORDER OF $4,000 MILLION, AND MAJOR PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT HAS ALREADY COMMENCED WITH SUCH PROJECTS AS THE $400 MILLION PARAMATTA INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT IN AREA 14, AND THE $200 MILLION WORLD-WIDE PROPERTIES SCHEME AT HUNG MUI KOK.+

. HE ALSO NOTED THAT CONSTRUCTION WAS NOW WELL ADVANCED ON THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S INTERNATIONAL STANDARD RACECOURSE AT SHA TIN, DUE TO OPEN IN 1978.

SPECIFICALLY, MR. MCDONALD SAID, THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS WOULD SEEt

* THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY TRUNK ROAD FROM THE SECOND LION ROCK TUNNEL THROUGH SHA TIN TO HO TUNG LAU, WITH FIVE MAJOR ROAD INTERCHANGES PROVIDING CONNECTIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS, AND TO THE NEW RACECOURSE-

M THE START OF WORK ON THE WO CHE HOUSING ESTATE, WHICH WOULD HOUSE ANOTHER 34,000 PEOPLE-

* THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTERIM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE TRUNK MAINS FOR A MAJOR SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR THE NEW TOWN- AND

* THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHA TIN (NORTH) FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, AND THE LAYING OF FRESH WATER AND SALT WATER TRUNK MAINS.

/♦WORK WILL .....

SATURDAY, MARCH 1J, 1976

- 3 -

♦WORK WILL ALSO BEGIN ON THE NEW SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION, AND WIDENING OF THE RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND SHA TIN WILL CONTINUE,* SAID MR. MCDONALD. +FURTHER RECLAMATION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY TO PROVIDE NEW SITES FOR DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS HOUSING ESTATES, A PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT, INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES LIKE SCHOOLS, POLICE STATIONS AND CLINICS.

♦ALTOGETHER, THEY REPRESENT SPENDING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SOME t2OO MILLION DURING THE 1976/77 FINANCIAL YEAR. AND A SIMILAR AMOUNT IS EXPECTED TO BE SPENT BY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS.

+WHAT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ABOUT ALL THESE WORKS IS THAT THEY. ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CREATION OF A BALANCED NEW TOWN WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE.

♦DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY AND A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES ARE PLANNED NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT, BUT ALSO TO ATTRACT AND HOLD NEW RESIDENTS.

♦THE CREATION OF SUCH A BALANCED COMMUNITY IS CONSIDERED TO BE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE IN THE FUTURE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SATISFY THEIR ASPIRATIONS FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

♦THE EXHIBITION SETS OUT TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO ACHIEVE THESE AIMS.+

THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. EACH DAY. THE LEK YUEN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, SITE OF THE EXHIBITION, IS NEXT TO THE ESTATE’S BUS TERMINUS, AND A FEW MINUTES’ WALK FROM SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1976 - 4 -

SALES OF LUCKY CAR NUMBERS FETCH NEARLY *200,000 *****

AT AN AUCTION AT THE CITY HALL TODAY (SATURDAY), 15 SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS FETCHED A TOTAL OF *197,200 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY.

THE AUCTION,' HELD AT THE CITY HALL LECTURE ROOM, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AF 8 GO FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE OF *35,000.

ANOTHER NUMBER, BJ 1, WAS SOLD FOR THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF *30,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS *3,000 FOR AB 73.

THE OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING PR ICESi ’

AS 2222 - *26,000 AE 1000 - *8,000

BE 7777 - *19,000 BG 55 - *8,000

AE 18 - *14,000 AC 383 - *7,200

AD 666 - *12,000 AB 1188 - *7,000

AH 11 - *11,200 AP 800 - *6,000

AF 3300 - *5,800

AK 23 - *5,000

THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.

TODAY’S SALE, THE 28TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO ABOUT *4.5 MILLION.

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

" • - /5

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 197$

’ - 5 -

45 DISABLED PLACED TO WORK * * * * * *

THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOUND JOBS FOR 45 DISABLED PEOPLE LAST MONTH. THIRTY OF THEM WERE ABSORBED BY THE GARMENT INDUSTRY.

COMMENTING ON THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID i +WE HOPE THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT THE ECONOMY IS PICKING UP AND THAT THE GARMENT INDUSTRY IS THRIVING AGAIN.+

OF THE 30 PLACED IN GARMENT FACTORIES, 17 WERE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND TEN DEAF. MOST OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED AS MACHINE-SEWING AND MACHINE-KNITTING OPERATORS.

IN ORDER TO MEET THE UPSURGE IN DEMAND, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REHABILITATION DIVISION HAD BEEN ORGANISING CRASH COURSES FOR TRAINEES ON INDUSTRIAL MACHINE-SEWING AT THE VARIOUS VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

•

ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DISABLED PEOPLE PLACED TO WORK LAST MONTH WERE EMPLOYED ON A PIECE-RATE BASIS AND 19 ON DAILY RATES RANGING FROM $12 TO $20. THE OTHERS RECEIVED PAY RANGING FROM $250 TO $480 A MONTH.

♦IT IS INDEED ENCOURAGING TO SEE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED IMPROVING AND MORE EMPLOYERS BECOMING PROGRESSIVE ENOUGH TO EMPLOY DISABLED WORKERS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

[FKlpiM] IgisI kafel

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH.14, 1976

HK ON THE WHOLE UNAFFECTED BY EARTHQUAKES ******

FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE LARGEST KILLER ' EARTHQUAKE IN HISTORY STRUCK THE WE I HO VALLEY IN SHENSI PROVINCE WREAKING HAVOC AND BRINGING DEATH TO 830,000 PEOPLE.

CLOSER TO US AND NEARER OUR TIME IN HISTORY, IN 1918, A TREMOR REGISTERING 7.0 ON THE OPEN-ENDED RICHTER SCALE OCCURRED IN SWATOW AND RIPPLED ACROSS 300 KILOMETRES TO HONG KONG.

ONE HOUSE ON.THE PEAK HAD TO BE VACATED, PENDULUM CLOCKS STOPPED AND GLASSES OVERTURNED. NO ONE HOWEVER WAS REPORTED TO BE INJURED.

IT WAS APPARENTLY THE MOST SEVERE EARTHQUAKE EVER EXPERIENCED HERE.

♦HONG KONG IS NOT ON THE CIRCUMPACIF IC SEISMIC BELT, WHICH IS A CIRCLE OF EARTHQUAKE AREAS SURROUNDING THE PACIFIC OCEAN,+ EXPLAINED MR. LAM HUNG-KWAN, SCIENTIFIC OFFICER IN CHARGE OF ^HE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S SEISMOLOGY SECTION, +AND THERE IS LITTLE LIKELIHOOD THAT HONG KONG WILL BE AFFECTED BY A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE.*

ON AVERAGE ABOUT 600 TREMORS ARE RECORDED EACH YEAR BUT MOST OF THEM ARE NOT FELT IN HONG KONG. AS FOR THOSE FELT IN HONG KONG, NEARLY ALL OF THEM ARE ONLY OF INTENSITY 1 TO 3 ON THE MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE AND SELDOM REACH INTENSITY 5.

THE MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE, HE POINTED OUT, IS A MEASURE OF HOW AN EARTHQUAKE IS FELT AT THE RECEIVING END. ABSOLUTE MEASUREMENT OF ITS ENERGY RELEASED AT THE EPICENTRE IS MADE ON THE RICHTER SCALE.

WHEREAS THE MAGNITUDE OF AN EARTHQUAKE ON THE RICHTER SCALE DEPENDS ONLY ON THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY RELEASED BY THE EARTHQUAKE, ITS INTENSITY IN HONG KONG ON THE MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE ALSO DEPENDS ON THE DISTANCE OF THE EPICENTRE FROM HONG KONG AND THE INTERVENING EARTH STRUCTURE. A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF MAGNITUDE 7 ON THE RICHTER SCALE COULD HAVE LOW INTENSITY IN HONG KONG ON THE MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE AND COULD HARDLY BE FELT.

ON THE MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE, TREMORS OF INTENSITY 3 MAY BE FELT INDOORS AND CAUSE VIBRATIONS LIKE THE PASSING OF A LIGHT TRUCK, THOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE RECOGNISED AS THOSE OF AN EARTHQUAKE.

VIBRATIONS OF INTENSITY 7, AS DURING THE 1918 SWATOW EARTHQUAKE, CAN BE NOTICED BY CAR DRIVERS, BREAK FURNITURE AND MAKE'STAND I NG DIFFICULT.

+ALTHOUGH WE ARE ON THE WHOLE UNAFFECTED BY EARTHQUAKES, HONG KONG IS FULLY EQUIPPED TO REGISTER THEM,* MR. LAM CONTINUED.

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

/ALL DATA .........

SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 1976

ALL DATA COLLECTED ARE SENT TO THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION SERVICE IN WASHINGTON DAILY BY TELEGRAMS AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL SEISMOLOGICAL CENTRE IN EDINBURGH EVERY THREE MONTHS FOR PROCESSING.

+RECORDS DATING BACK TO 1921 ARE ALSO BEING KEPT LOCALLY AND WILL BE MICROFILMED FOR BETTER STORAGE,* HE SAID.

THE SENSORS OF THE SEISMOGRAPHS AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY — COMPARABLE TO THE FEELERS OF INSECTS — ARE PERHAPS THE MOST HIGHLY PROTECTED INSTRUMENTS KEPT THERE.

THEY ARE PLACED WITHIN A DOUBLE-WALLED UNDERGROUND ROOM AT A CONSTANT TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AND ARE PLACED ON PILLARS STRUCK DEEP IN THE GROUND.

+THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 12 SENSORS,* MR. LAM SAID, +THREE FOR EACH OF FOUR SETS OF SEISMOGRAPHS WHICH ARE SENSITIVE TO TREMORS ORIGINATING FROM DIFFERENT DISTANCES FROM HONG KONG.

+EACH OF THE THREE SENSORS IN EACH SET IS IN TURN SENSITIVE TO TREMORS COMING FROM ONE DIRECTION ALIGNMENT — NORTH/SOUTH, EAST/WEST, OR THE VERTICAL.*

EARTH MOVEMENTS, NORMALLY LASTING BETWEEN SEVERAL MINUTES TO SEVERAL HOURS, ARE DETECTED BY THE SENSOR AND CONVERTED TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY WHICH ACTIVATES A MIRROR GALVANOMETER.

A LIGHT BEAM REFLECTED BY THE MIRROR IS IN TURN DIRECTED ONTO A ROLL OF ROTATING PHOTO-SENSITIVE PAPER.

THE DIRECTION, DISTANCE, AND TIME OF THE EARTHQUAKE CAN THEN BE ESTIMATED FROM THE RECORDINGS ON THE PAPER.

+THE RECORDS ARE NORMALLY TAKEN OFF FOR INSPECTION EVERY 24 HOURS,* MR. LAM SAID.

+ INTERPRETAT ION OF THE READINGS REQUIRES SPECIAL TRAINING,* MR. LAM ADDED, +BECAUSE INDICATIONS OF EARTH MOVEMENTS ON THE SEISMOGRAMS COULD BE CAUSED BY THE FORCE OF SEAWAVES AGAINST THE SHORE, OR QUITE OFTEN BY PILING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES CLOSE TO THE OBSERVATORY OR BY THE RUNNING OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN ITS VICINITY.*

IF, HOWEVER, A GENUINE INTENSE EARTHQUAKE IS RECORDED THE OBSERVATORY WOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTRES

IN HONOLULU AND TOKYO ASKING FOR LOCATION OF THE EPICENTRE OF THE

HONOLULU, BEING THE CONTROL TSUNAMI NETWORK, WILL ALSO ALERT TSUNAMI (AN EARTHQUAKE-GENERATED

THE MAGNITUDE OF A TSUNAMI, THE SEA FLOOR IS AFFECTED BY THE EPICENTRE AND ITS DISTANCE AWAY.

MORE PRECISE INFORMATION ON THE EARTHQUAKE AND ITS MAGNITUDE.

CENTRE OF THE 56-STATION PACIFIC HONG KONG TO ANY POSSIBLE TIDAL WAVE).

IF THERE IS ANY, DEPENDS ON HOW EARTHQUAKE, THE LOCATION OF ITS

+WE ARE AGAIN FORTUNATE IN BEING RELATIVELY UNAFFECTED,* MR. LAM SAID, +THE STRONGEST EVER REACHING HERE BEING ONLY ABOUT ONE THIRD OF A METRE HIGH. THERE CAN BE NO REAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN IN HONG KONG.*

0 - - - -

SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 1976

HOME AFFAIRS DIRECTOR TO OPEN NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING ******

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE CENTENARY BUILDING OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AT 12 NOON ON TUESDAY (MARCH 16).

THE CENTENARY BUILDING IS LOCATED AT PO YAN STREET AT THE SITE OF THE FORMER JUBILEE BLOCK WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED IN 1970 TO MAKE WAY FOR THIS MEDICAL HOSPITAL.

IT HAS 13 STOREYS WITH A TOTAL OF 431 BEDS. ITS MEDICAL UNITS INCLUDE A CASUALTY DEPARTMENT, AN X-RAY DEPARTMENT, A PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT, AN OPERATING THEATRE, AND GYNAECOLOGY, PAEDIATRICS, MEDICAL AND SURGICAL WARDS.

THE CONSTRUCTION COST AMOUNTED TO OVER $16 MILLION. HALF OF WHICH WAS SUBVENTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ABOUT $5 MILLION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND $3 MILLION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.

BECAUSE REMEDIAL WORK ON THE NEARBY SLOPE IS STILL IN PROGRESS, ONLY THE 6TH, 8TH AND 9TH FLOORS WITH A TOTAL OF 160 BEDS CAN BE USED FOR THE TIME BEING.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REMEDIAL WORK ON THE SLOPE WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE COMING YEAR AND THE CENTENARY BUILDING WILL THEN BE FULLY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

NOTE TO EDITORS! MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED --------------- To CovER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

0 -------

SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 1976

SURVEY ON PRINTING INDUSTRY GETS UNDERWAY K K K * * X

A MANPOWER SURVEY ON THE PRINTING INDUSTRY WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (MONDAY) WHEN INTERVIEWING OFFICERS WILL CALL ON SOME 400 ESTABLISHMENTS TO GATHER THE LATEST STATISTICAL INFORMATION.

THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL ENABLE THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MANPOWER TRAINING FOR THE INDUSTRY.

THE SURVEY IS THE THIRD OF ITS KIND AND IS TO BE CONDUCTED UNTIL APRIL 5 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO EMPLOYERS OF THE 400 ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, MR. ALEX WU, HAS ASSURED THE EMPLOYERS THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.

EMPLOYERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY:

* THE NUMBER OF WORKERS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED"

* THE NUMBER OF WORKERS CURRENTLY UNDER TRAINING-

* THE NUMBER OF EXISTING VACANCIES" AND

* A FORECAST OF THE ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF WORKERS REQUIRED BY APRIL 1977.

THE INTERVIEWING OFFICERS WILL ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

—— ——1 — »

CANADIAN YOUTH TEAM VISITS INSTITUTIONS RUN BY SWD AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES .................................. 1

BOYS’ HOME INMATES TO BUILD STORAGE RESERVOIR FOR VILLAGERS ................................................ 2

WATER CUT .............................................. 2

REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE PARKING SPACES IN CERTAIN AREAS CHANGED................................................... 3

FACTORY OWNERS URGED TO GUARD DANGEROUS MACHINES .......... 4

COMPENSATION TERMS SPELLED OUT TO SHOPKEEPERS IN SHA TIN MARKET ............................................... 5

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

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976

- 1 -

CANADIAN YOUTH TEAM VIS ITS'HONG KONG * * * M 4

FIVE YOUNG CANADIANS WHO ARE WINNERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARD ARE AT PRESENT IN HONG KONG VISITING VARIOUS OFFICES AND INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIA COOL-AID TEAM WHICH WON THE AWARD IN 1974. THE AWARD TAKES THE FORM OF A TEAM VISIT TO ANOTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY FOR MEMBERS TO STUDY COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND TO EXCHANGE IDEAS.

• I • ' ■ J

THE GROUP ARE,NOW ON THEIR WAY BACK TO CANADA AFTER A • TOUR OF AUSTRALIA SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME.

THEY SPENT YESTERDAY VISITING THE WU KWAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE RUN BY THE CHINESE Y.M.C.A. ,

TODAY, THEY VISITED OFFICES OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. THEY ALSO TOURED THE YOUTH CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS. r

TOMORROW, THEY WILL VISIT THE OFFICE OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME AND TOUR THE HO MAN TIN DISTRICT AND THE 01 MAN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE. LATER, THEY WILL VISIT THE CHILDREN’S CENTRE OF THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION.

THE TEAM WILL ROUND OFF THEIR VISIT TO HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY WITH A TOUR TO THE SHAM SHU I PO YOUTH CENTRE AND THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, BOTH RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

> THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARD IS GIVEN TO A YOUTH PROJECT THAT HAS MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.

VICTORIA COOL-AID WAS FORMED IN 1968 AND ITS FIRST PROJECT WAS TO ORGANISE A YOUTH HOSTEL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO +TAKE TO THE ROADS IN THE SUMMER+. IT HAS SINCE GROWN INTO A YOUTH-RUN, YOUTH-ORIENTED MULTI-PURPOSE HELPING ORGANISATION.

THE PROJECT IS RUN BY VOLUNTEERS AND PAID STAFF WITH AN AVERAGE AGE OF 23. IT NOW PROVIDES A RANGE OF URBAN SER.VICES, INCLUDING A COUNTRY FARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE URBAN ACTIVITIES OF COOL-AID, A HOME FOR HOMELESS TEENAGERS, A DAY-CARE CENTRE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, A THEATRE AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, A DENTAL AND MEDICAL CLINIC, A 24-HOUR COUNSELLING SERVICE, AND AN INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE.

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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976'

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BOYS’ HOME INMATES TO SERVE COMMUNITY \ ******

VILLAGERS OF FU KWAI HA CHUEN, a’tINY VILLAGE BETWEEN SHEK 0 AND STANLEY, WILL SOON HAVE THEIR OWN STORAGE RESERVOIR TOGETHER WITH A FILTER BED.

THE CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY INMATES OF THE 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME AND A GROUP OF VOLUNTEER YOUTH WORKERS.

THE PROJECT, INITIATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (SOUTHERN), IS AIMED AT PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INMATES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

AS A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE'COMMUNITY. A BARBECUE PICNIC WILL BE ORGANISED AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.

THE COST OF BOTH THE CONSTRUCTION WORK AND THE BARBECUE PICNIC WILL BE BORNE BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG (SOUTH).

THE SITE HAS BEEN CLEARED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE FILTER BED WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 20).

WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RESERVOIR IS SCHEDULED TO START ON SUNDAY (MARCH 21). ON THAT DAY THE ----

THE SITE TO BOOST THE SP4RIT OF THE INMATES WORKERS.

ROTARIANS WILL VISIT AND THE VOLUNTEER

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WATER CUT * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M.THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 18) WHEN THE WATERWORKS OFFICE WILL CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS IN THE AREA.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY LOK ,SHAN ROAD TO KWA WAN ROAD, MA HANG CHUNG ROAD, KOWLOON CITY ROAD. MA TAU KOK ROAD, TAM KUNG ROAD, SAN SHAN ROAD AND PAU CHUNG STREET.

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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976

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PARKING STANDARD IN DENSITY ZONE II AREAS ******

THE BASIS ON WHICH DEVELOPERS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PARKING SPACES IN CERTAIN AREAS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PROVIDE MORE FLEXIBILITY. <

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, SAID TODAY THAT FROM NOW ON THE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES THE DEVELOPERS WAS OBLIGED TO PROVIDE UNDER THE LEASE OF CERTAIN LOTS WOULD BE BASED ON A RATIO OF ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF SPACE PER FLAT, OR PER 1,200 SQ.FT. OF GROSS FLOOR AREA, WHICHEVER WAS LESS.

THE NEW RATIO, SET BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, APPLIES TO AREAS DESIGNATED AS DENSITY ZONE II AREAS, WHICH INCLUDE SUBURBAN AREAS COMPRISING THE MID-LEVELS ON THE ISLAND, AND AREAS ALONG PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, BOUNDARY STREET, AND BROADCAST DRIVE IN KOWLOON.

PREVIOUSLY, THE PARKING REQUIREMENT RATIO FOR THESE AREAS WAS ONE-AND-A-HALF SPACE PER FLAT. •

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PARKING REQUIREMENT WAS ONE OF THE CONDIT IONS STIPULATED IN THE LEASE OF CROWN LAND SOLD IN DENSITY ZONE II AREAS.

+SITES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLD WITH GREATER PARKING REQUIREMENTS,* HE SAID, +MAY BE MODIFIED TO THE PRESENT STANDARD SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS AS MAY BE IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE PAYMENT OF A PREMIUM.*

MAPS OUTLINING THE DENSITY ZONE II AREAS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE ON THE 18TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG, AND ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NATHAN ROAD.

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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976

FACTORY OWNERS URGED TO GUARD DANGEROUS MACHINES

* * * H *

PROPRIETORS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT ALL DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY IN THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS ARE SECURELY FENCED, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.

HE STRESSED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS DETERMINED TO SEE THAT THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CONTAINED IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS WERE COMPLIED WITH.

HE WAS COMMENTING ON A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE PROPRIETOR OF A METAL WORKS IN SAN PO KONG WAS SENTENCED TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF' $5,000 PRESCRIBED BY THE REGULATIONS.

IN THE CASE WHICH WAS HEARD IN THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, THE MAGISTRATE, MR. R.S. SANDERS, WAS TOLD THAT THE PROPRIETOR OF THE METAL WORKS - THE WING TAT METAL WORKS -FAILED TO SECURELY FENCE TOOL-AND-DIE PARTS OF 14 POWER PRESSES AND THREE HYDRAULIC PRESSES IN HIS FACTORY.

THE OFFENCE WAS DISCOVERED DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FACTORY BY AN OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE.

THE FACTORY HAD HAD TWO SIMILAR CONVICTIONS AND 22 ACCIDENTS RELATING TO POWER PRESSES SINCE 1972, THE SPOKESMAN DISCLOSED.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, COMMENTING, SAID: +FOR SOME TIME NOW I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON NEW AND MORE PRECISE REGULATIONS FOR THE GUARDING OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY AND I AM THIS WEEK STARTING MY USUAL CONSULTATIONS WITH INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS.+

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MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976

COMPENSATION TERMS SPELLED OUT TO SHOPKEEPERS *****

THE OPERATORS OF BUSINESS PREMISES IN SHA TIN MARKET DUE TO BE CLEARED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD, HAVE BEEN GIVEN DETAILS OF THE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION WHICH THEY ARE TO RECEIVE.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN, MR. MICHAEL SUEN, IN LETTERS SENT TO ALL OPERATORS, HAS CONFIRMED'THAT THE AMOUNT WILL BE BASED ON THE AREA THE BUSINESSES OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF A SURVEY CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR.

IT IS CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF $120 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE FIRST 50 SQ. FT. AND $30 PER SQUARE FOOT THEREAFTER.

MR. SUEN HAS ALSO PROVIDED DETAILS OF THE RESTRICTED TENDER FOR SHOPS IN LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, IN WHICH THE 28 OPERATORS ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR LONGSTANDING AS A COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY, THE OPERATORS ARE BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF CONTINUING TO DO BUSINESS IN SHA TIN, IN THE NEARLY COMPLETED LEK YUEN ESTATE.

THE SHOPKEEPERS MAY EITHER TAKE PART THEMSELVES OR PUT FORWARD A NOMINEE. SUCCESFUL TENDERERS ARE BEING PERMITTED TO ASSIGN THEIR RIGHT ONCE BEFORE THE TENANCY AGREEMENT IS EXECUTED. THE TENDER EXERCISE WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 30.

IN SETTING ASIDE 28 SHOPS FOR THE SHOPKEEPERS WHO ARE TO BE CLEARED, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS STIPULATED THAT THE MINIMUM TENDER PRICE IS TO BE SET AT HALF THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE UNITS HAD BEEN PUT OUT TO OPEN TENDER.

THE 28 SHOPS,' WHICH ARE SITUATED IN THREE BLOCKS OF THE ESTATE, VARY IN SIZE FROM 360 SQ. FT. TO 659 SQ. FT. MONTHLY INCLUSIVE RENTS RANGE FROM $950 TO $1,600. A VARIETY OF TRADES IS OFFERED, SUCH AS PROVISIONS, RICE AND GROCERY, HARDWARE, BOOKS AND STATIONERY AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

LEK YUEN ESTATE NOW HAS ABOUT 5,000 RESIDENTS AND THIS WILL GROW TO 15,000 BY THE END OF 1976. THE ULTIMATE POPULATION OF THE ESTATE WILL BE 22,000.

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IgisI lorfel

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976 f ' . ’

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

• > > • • - * •

SHA TIN NEW TOWN TO HAVE COMPREHENSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ...................................... 1

CHINESE UNIVERSITY URGED TO PLAN VIGOROUSLY AHEAD.. 3

FACTORY OWNERS MUST CO-OPERATE WITH LABOUR INSPECTORS DOING THEIR DUTIES ............................... 4

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ......................... 4

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG............. 5

$3.85 MILLION RAISED IN N.T. LAND AUCTIONS ....... 6

TURNING RESTRICTIONS ON VEHICLES IN YAU MA TEI ... 6

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 1$, 1976

9 I - 1 -

MASSIVE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR SHA TIN ******

SHA TIN, LONG A POPULAR HOLIDAY SPOT WITH CITY DWELLERS, IS TO GET VAST NEW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE 500,000 PEOPLE WHO WILL LIVE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN BY ' 1985.

UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE NEW TOWN, MILES OF NATURE TRAILS AND HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF NATURAL RESERVES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE NEWCOMERS, TOGETHER WITH MODERN SPORTS GROUNDS, SWIMMING POOLS AND A NETWORK OF SPECIAL CYCLE PATHS.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE BEING MADE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME AS PART OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION NOW BEING HELD AT THE LEK YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN BY THE P.W.D.’S NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (N.T.D.D.).

THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. UNTIL THURSDAY IN THE LEK YUEN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.

MR. JOHN DON, THE N.T.D.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN PROJECT’ MANAGER, SAID TODAY THE SECTION ON RECREATION WAS PROVING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FEATURES OF THE EXHIBITION.

HE SAID > +SINCE THE EXHIBITION OPENED LAST SATURDAY WE’VE HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMING TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW THE NEW TOWN WILL DEVELOP AS A PLEASANT AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY. AT THE WEEKEND THEY WERE COMING THROUGH AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 1,500 AN HOUR.

+IT HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY GRATIFYING TO SEE THAT NOT ONLY HAVE PEOPLE FROM SHA TIN AND THE SURROUNDING AREA BEEN COMING, BUT ALSO BUSLOAD AFTER BUSLOAD FROM VARIOUS AREAS OF KOWLOON FROM WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT TO DRAW MUCH OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN’S POPULATION GROWTH. EVEN THE EXTRA BUSES LAID ON BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY ON ITS NO. 89 KWUN TONG-SHA TIN ROUTE WERE PACKED, AND WE’VE BEEN SELLING OUT STOCKS OF MAPS ON SHA TIN SO QUICKLY WE’VE HAD TO BRING IN EXTRA SUPPLIES.*

MR. DON SAID THAT SHA TIN, WITH ITS BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SETTING, OFFERED IMMENSE POTENTIAL AS A RECREATIONAL AREA, AND P.W.D. PLANNERS HAD LAID GREAT STRESS ON CONSERVING ITS NATURAL ASSETS OR ENHANCING THEM.

ONE NOVEL FEATURE OF THE NEW TOWN, HE SAID, WOULD BE A NETWORK OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PATHS, WHICH HAD BEEN DESIGNED AS A RECREATIONAL AMENITY AS WELL AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

+THESE FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS WILL BE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN ROADS, AND WILL LINK MOST OF THE MAJOR LEISURE AREAS WITHIN THE TOWN AND THE NATURAL RESERVES ON THE OUTSKIRTS.* HE SAID.

/♦THE CYCLE

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976

+THE CYCLE PATHS WILL ALSO SERVE AS A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND WE EXPECT THE BICYCLE TO BECOME A MAJOR FORM OF SAFE, POLLUTION-FREE TRANSPORT IN THE NEW TOWN.+

MR. DON SAID THAT MANY OF THE SHA TIN VALLEY’S TREE-COVERED RIDGES AND NATURAL SKYLINES WOULD BE RETAINED UNDER THE NEW TOWN PLAN. +IN OTHER AREAS AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT WORKS. THERE WILL BE A MAJOR PROGRAMME OF TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING AND OF LANDSCAPING GENERALLY TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.

CERTAIN AREAS AROUND THE VALLEY’S PERIMETER HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS ’GREEN BELT’ AND SET ASIDE FOR HIKING, PICNICKING AND GENERAL RECREATION.

A TOTAL OF 113 HECTARES (280 ACRES) OF VERDANT SLOPE SOUTH OF LION ROCK TUNNEL WOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE ADJOINING LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK.

MR. DON SAID THE P.W.D. PLANNERS HAD ALSO RESERVED 47 HECTARES (118 ACRES) OF LAND SURROUNDING THE NEW TOWN AS OPEN SPACE, TO PROVIDE PARKS, SPORTS GROUNDS, NATURAL RESERVES,. SWIMMING POOLS AND PICNIC AREAS.

ONE OF THE MAJOR RECREATIONAL FEATURES OF THE NEW TOWN WOULD BE A GIANT SPORTS STADIUM CAPABLE OF HOLDING 28,000 SPECTATORS. THE STADIUM WOULD BE LOCATED NEAR THE SHA TIN WAI ROAD JUNCTION, EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM KOWLOON AND AREAS NORTH OF SHA TIN.

♦APART FROM THE MAIN RECREATIONAL AREAS, THERE WILL BE OPEN SPACE TO SERVE EACH HOUSING ESTATE IN THE NEW TOWN AND EACH ESTATE WILL HAVE ITS OWN PLAYGROUNDS,* SAID MR. DON. +A TOTAL OF 14 HECTARES (35 ACRES) HAVE BEEN EXPRESSLY RESERVED FOR THIS PURPOSE.*

MR. DON SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO NORMAL OPEN SPACE, THE SHING MUN RIVER, WHICH WOULD FLOW THROUGH THE CENTRE OF THE NEW TOWN, ALSO PROVIDED GREAT POTENTIAL FOR RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE RIVER WOULD BE REALIGNED, DREDGED AND CLEANED, AND WOULD PROVIDE A PLEASANT VENUE FOR BOATING. THE RIVER’S . BANKS WOULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO 10 HECTARES (25 ACRES) OF SCENIC PARKLANDS AND PROMENADES.

THE CALM WATERS OF SHA TIN HOI (TIDE COVE), TO THE WEST OF THE NEW TOWN, WOULD ALSO PROVIDE ANOTHER OUTLET FOR BOATING ENTHUSIASTS.

♦AND WHEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S INTERNATIONAL CLASS RACE TRACK IN SHA TIN OPENS IN OCTOBER 1978, RACING ENTHUSIASTS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO HONG KONG ISLAND FOR THIS POPULAR SPORT,+ HE SAID.

♦THE EIGHT HECTARES (20 ACRES) OF PARKLANDS IN THE CENTRE OF THE RACE-COURSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON NON-RACE DAYS TO PROVIDE ANOTHER PLEASANT RECREATIONAL OUTLET FOR THE NEW TOWN’S RES IDENTS.+

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TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976

3 -

PLAN VIGOROUSLY FOR FUTURE, CHINESE U. URGED * * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID TODAY THAT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY +SHOULD, AS IT IS DOING, TAKE STOCK OF THE PAST AND PLAN VIGOROUSLY FOR THE FUTURE SO THAT BOTH TECHNICALLY AND ORGANISATIONALLY IT MAY BE EQUIPPED FOR THE TASKS AHEAD.*

IN VIEW OF THE CHANGES IN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS, HE ADDED THAT NEW EFFORTS WOULD BE REQUIRED +TO MEET THE HEAVY DEMANDS OF OUR RAPIDLY DEVELOPING CITY AND TO ENABLE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO MAKE, AS THEY WISH, AN EVER INCREASING CONTRIBUTION TO IT.+

THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE UNIVERSITY’S POSTGRADUATE HALL, WHICH HE SAID MARKED A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THE POSTGRADUATE HALL, SIR MURRAY SAID, WAS THE FIRST RESIDENCE FOR STUDENTS WHERE GRADUATES AND UNDERGRADUATES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR COLLEGE OR FACULTY AFFILIATIONS MIGHT MIX TOGETHER FREELY. IT WAS A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT FROM THE COMING TOGETHER OF ALL THREE<FOUNDATION COLLEGES ON ONE CAMPUS.

HE SAID THAT TOGETHER WITH THE COLLEGE HOSTELS, THE HALL WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE AMONG STUDENTS AND SERVE AS A COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE BETWEEN LOCAL AND VISITING SCHOLARS.

SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT: +A GOOD UNIVERSITY IS NOT JUST A KNOWLEDGE MACHINE BUT A GROUPING OF PEOPLE.*

HE SAID THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH TEACHER AND STUDENTS' COULD BOTH GIVE OF THEIR BEST COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF +ALL FEEL THEY BELONG TO A COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY TAKE PRIDE, A 'COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS DEDICATED TO LEARNING.*

DESPITE ITS RELATIVELY SHORT HISTORY AND ITS TRIPARTITE ORIGINS. SIR MURRAY NOTED, THE UNIVERSITY HAD ACHIEVED THE CORPORATE SENSE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT AS THE UNIVERSITY STEADILY EXPANDED IN SIZE, THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG WHICH IT SERVED HAD ALSO BECOME BIGGER AND INTERNATIONALLY MORE IMPORTANT. IT HAD ALSO CHANGED ITS ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS, OFFERING EVER WIDER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AS WELL AS MANAGERIAL SKILLS OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

HE SAID THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY WOULD INCLUDE A SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL. SUCH A SCHOOL, HE SAID, WOULD MEET BOTH THE OBVIOUS NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO WISH OF THE UNIVERSITY TO GIVE A HEAVIER WEIGHTING TO THE PROFESSIONAL FACULTIES. \

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TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976 - 4 - '

LABOUR INSPECTORS CAN ENTER FACTORIES UNDER LAW *****

PROPRIETORS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REMINDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY AND LABOUR INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE AUTHORISED BY LAW TO ENTER, INSPECT AND EXAMINE AT ALL REASONABLE TIMES, DAY OR NIGHT, ALL FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SA ID TODAY: +ANYONE WHO OBSTRUCTS OR DELAYS ANY OFFICER IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS DUTIES IS LIABLE TO A HEAVY PENALTY UPON CONVICTION UNDER EITHER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE OR THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE*.

HE WAS COMMENTING ON A CASE IN THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY YESTERDAY (MONDAY) MORNING IN WHICH THE MAGISTRATE, MR. W.J. MCCLEALLAND,, SENTENCED A MAN, YEUNG SHIK PO, TO A FINE OF 11,000 OR THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR OBSTRUCTING A PUBLIC OFFICER IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY.

I 1 1 1 •

THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT YEUNG OF THE HOI TAK GARMENT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. IN CHEUNG SHA WAN PREVENTED A LABOUR INSPECTOR WHO VISITED THE FACTORY LAST FRIDAY (MARCH 12) MORNING FROM TAKING DOWN INFORMATION IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTY.

THE INSPECTOR, WHO WAS FROM THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNIT. FOUND FEMALE WORKERS AT WORK IN THE PREMISES AT 8.30 A.M. DURING THE VISIT. ’ »

PASSING SENTENCE, MR. MCCLEALLAND URGED PEOPLE TO BE POLITE TO CIVIL SERVANTS WHO WERE PERFORMING OFFICIAL DUTIES.

DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON AUGUST 8, 1975 ON LAM TIN-YAU SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A TERM OF 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.

HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF YEUNG KWAI-YIN.

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. TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976

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NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG M M M

TRAFFIC IN SEVERAL STREETS WILL BE RE-ROUTED AND RESTRICTIONS' ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG AND NGAU TAU KOK FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 19).

THE TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING WILL AFFECT THE FOLLOWING STREETS I TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN KUNG LOK ROAD AND YEE ON STREET WILL BECOME ONE-WAY"SOUTHBOUND- HANG ON STREET WILL BE ONE-WAY EASTBOUND YEE ON STREET BETWEEN TUNG MING STREET AND LUEN ON STREET WILL BE ONE-WAY WESTBOUND- LUEN ON STREET WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HANG ON STREET AND YEE ON STREET, AND TWO-WAY BETWEEN YEE ON STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD- AND HORSE SHOE LAND WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY ANT I-CLOCKWISE. •

THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTIONS WILL PROHIBIT STOPPING TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS IN THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON FRIDAY 8

* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HONG NING ROAD BETWEEN

NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND YEE ON STREET AND THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN MUT WAH STREET AND KWUN TONG ROAD DURING THE HOURS 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT DAILY-

* NGAU TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN TUNG MING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 25 YARDS WEST OF LUEN ON STREET AND BETWEEN THE LINK ROAD WITH KWUN TONG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 YARDS TO THE NORTH OF THE BUS TERMINUS FROM 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.

* ON TAK ROAD FOR ABOUT 135 YARDS FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAU KOK ROAD FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. DAILY.

AT THE SAME TIME AS THESE PLB RESTRICTIONS COME INTO EFFECT THREE NEW PLB STANDS WILL BE INTRODUCED. THEY ARE AT THE EAST END OF HORSE SHOE LANE- ON YEE ON STREET- AND OUTSIDE BLOCK 9 OF THE UPPER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE. THE EXISTING STAND ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD NEAR HONG NING ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED.

THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NGAU TAU KOK ROAD,'ESPEC I ALLY NEAR TUNG MING STREET, THE LUTHERAN SCHOOL AND THE BUS TERMINUS. TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUDE MOTORISTS AND PLB DRIVERS.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1976

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LAND SALES IN N.T. RAISE $3.8M * * *

TWO LOTS OF CROWN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $3.85 MILLION AT SEPARATE AUCTIONS TODAY.

, THE FIRST SALE, OF 5,500 SQ. FT. OF LAND IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF YUEN LONG, REALISED $1.49 MILLION. IT WAS SOLD TO SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LIMITED AT A PRICE OF $271 PER SQ. FT. THE LAND IS TO BE USED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ONLY.

THE AUCTION TOOK PLACE AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND WAS CONDUCTED BY MR. BOB POPE, SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE.

IN THE SECOND'AUCTION, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, AN AREA TOTALLING 7,770 SQ. FT. ON THE SAI KUNG RECLAMATION WENT FOR $2.36 MILLION. THE LAND, FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ONLY, WAS BOUGHT BY JUBILEE INVESTMENT LIMITED AT $303 PER SQ. FT. 1

BUILDINGS ON THE LAND ARE NOT TO EXCEED 65 FEET IN1 HEIGHT.

THERE WERE TEN BIDDERS AT THE AUCTION, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY MR. VINCENT CHU KAI-YUEN, SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE.

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TURNING RESTRICTIONS IN YAU MA TEI * * * *

A NUMBER OF TURNING MOVEMENTS FOR VEHICLES WILL BE RESTRICTED IN YAU MA TEI FROM TOMORROW AND FRIDAY MORNING TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE METRO IN NATHAN ROAD.

THE TURNING MOVEMENTS THAT WILL BE RESTRICTED FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW ARE THE LEFT TURN FROM WING SING LANE INTO NATHAN ROAD NORTHBOUND AND THE LEFT TURN FROM CHANG SHA STREET INTO NATHAN

ROAD NORTHBOUND.

ON FRIDAY MORNING, THE FOLLOWING TURNING MOVEMENTS WILL BE RESTRICTEDt THE RIGHT TURN FROM JORDAN ROAD INTO NATHAN ROAD SOUTHBOUND- THE RIGHT TURN FROM NATHAN ROAD INTO JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND- AND THE RIGHT TURN FROM NATHAN ROAD INTO JORDAN ROAD WESTBOUND.

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PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Tuesday, March 16, 1976

PLAN VIGOROUSLY FOR THE FUTURE, CHINESE U URGED

The following is the text of the Governor’s speech at the opening of the Postgraduate Hall of the Chinese University:

Mr. Vice-Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are here today to thank our benefactors who have made possible the construction of this Postgraduate Hall complex to celebrate its opening, and I think also to reaffirm our confidence in the future of our University.

It is normal for universities to start with a partnership of private benefactors and government, with the public purse playing progressively predominent role as it comes to be accepted that higher education for ever-increasing numbers is essential to the social and economic health of the community.

So it has been with our University which is so deeply rooted in all that is best in the hopes and ambitions of Hong Kong, and many buildings like this have been erected wholly or in part through the public spirit of dedicated individuals.

/This is the .....

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

This is the first residence for students from all the University where graduates and undergraduates irrespective of their college of faculty affiliations may mix together freely. This marks a new era in the history of the University, and is a natural development from the coming together of all three Foundation Colleges on one campus. Together with the College hostels, it will play an important role in the development of corporate and intellectual life among students and serve as a communications centre between local and visiting scholars.

I feel sure this new concept accords with both the needs of the University and the intentions of the benefactors. And I would like to add my thanks to those of the Vice-Chancellor to those who have contributed to this building. The Ho Tung family which has done so much for Hong Kong, and those who subscribed to commemorate Sir Cho-yu Kwan, who played such a decisive part in the formation and direction of this University during its first 8 years, and who died as he had lived in the service of Hong Kong.

A good university is not just a knowledge machine but a grouping of people. And the right atmosphere in which teachers and students can both give of their best can only be achieved if all feel they belong to a community in which they take pride, a community of scholars dedicated to learning. This sense of community can best be created through common purpose and common corporate life. And this in turn presupposes an organization in which teaching and learning and. living and working and playing together are facilitated through the proper full and complementary functioning of all its many parts.

It has not been easy for this University to achieve this corporate sense because its history is relatively short and because of its tripartite origins. But it has achieved it, and this says much for the enthusiasm and vision of all concerned.

/There have .....

There have been great changes since this University was founded. The University itself has steadily expanded in size, the community of Hong Kong which it serves has also not only become bigger and internationally more important, it has also changed its economic characteristics, offering ever wider opportunities for the application of the professional and social sciences as well as managerial skills of the highest order.

Though it has not yet been decided what the rate of expansion of this University will be in the next quadrennium, further expansion there will certainly be and this will include a second medical school. Such a school will meet both the obvious needs of the community, and also the wish of the University to give a heavier weighting to the professional farm!tips. These developments have been and will be great indeed, but even the environment of the University will also change and within a measurable time it will be on the edge of a new township of 500,000 in which will be its own teaching hospital.

The University has now existed for more than a decade, and with changes of such a scale in the University itself and in the community having already taken place, and with the prospect of more change to come, it is right and natural that the University should, as it is doing, take stock of the past and plan vigorously for the future so that both technically and organizationally it may be equipped for the tasks ahead.

New efforts will be required to meet the heavy demands of our rapidly developing city and to enable our young people to make, as they wish, an ever increasing contribution to it. In these efforts both the existing staff, who have already done so much, and those yet to come in the future, will have many great opportunities. I am confident that our University will rise to these new challenges in the way its benefactors and the whole community expect.

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EIS

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976

contents PAGE NO.

SIR MURRAY BRIEFED ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO DURING VISIT............................’.....i

aga!nstMpollut?onTARY SEES NEED F0R T0UGH LE6ISLATI0N

SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION EXTENDED TILL SUNDAY ........ 5

BUILDING STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY ........................ 6

WATER INTERRUPTION IN CHAI WAN AND KENNEDY TOWN ......... 7

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO VISIT ZUNG FU SERVICE CENTRE. 7

ADDITIONAL FREE TEXTILE QUOTA FOR EEC AVAILABLE........... 8

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976

GOVERNOR TOURS TAI PO AND SHA TIN *****

MRS. WONG TONG YUK-NGUN AND HER SON HAD A V. I.P. VISITOR THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING WHEN THE GOVERNOR. SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, DROPPED IN TO VISIT THEM AT THEIR HOME IN SAU CRUEN HOUSE AT THE LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN.

SIR MURRAY’S VISIT TO MRS. WONG’S FAMILY CAME TOWARDS THE END OF HIS TOUR OF TAI PO AND SHA TIN THIS MORNING TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE DISTRICTS. THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.

MRS. WONG, A WIDOW, HAS LIVED IN THE ESTATE WITH HER FIVE CHILDREN SINCE JULY WHEN HER HUT NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO LION ROCK TUNNEL WAS DECLARED DANGEROUS FOLLOWING HEAVY RAIN LAST APRIL. SHE HAS A SON AND A DAUGHTER WHO ARE WORKING IN A KOWLOON HOTEL AND HER OTHER CHILDREN ARE STUDYING.

SIR MURRAY CHATTED WITH HRS. WONG OVER A CUP OF TEA. ASKED WHETHER SHE WAS PLEASED WITH HER FLAT, MRS. WONG TOLD THE GOVERNOR SHE LIKED IT VERY MUCH AND WAS MOST COMFORTABLE. SIR MURRAY COMPLIMENTED HER ON THE WAY SHE HAD HAD THE FLAT DECORATED. HE ALSO SPOKE TO MRS. WONG’S TEN-YEAR-OLD SON, A STUDENT OF AN AFTERNOON SCHOOL.

AT MRS. WONG’S REQUEST THE GOVERNOR SIGNED HER FAMILY ALBUM.

WHILE IN THE ESTATE, SIR MURRAY VISITED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S REGISTRATION OFFICE AND WATCHED PEOPLE HAVING THEIR APPLICATION FORMS FOR FLATS BEING PROCESSED. ,

THE GOVERNOR VISITED THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION BEING STAGED IN THE ESTATE’S COMMERCIAL COMPLEX BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

HE MET THE PROJECT MANAGER, MR. JOHN DON, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN, MR. MICHAEL SUEN.

SIR MURRAY SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE SECTIONS ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, THE ENVIRONMENT, THE TOWN CENTRE PLAN AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

HE ASKED ABOUT MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO AVOID POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR, AND WAS ASSURED BY MR. DON THAT THE GIANT MODERN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT TO BE BUILT FOR THE NEW TOWN WOULD KEEP TOLO HARBOUR POLLUTION FREE, AND GREATLY INCREASE ITS POTENTIAL AS A RECREATIONAL AREA FOR BOATING.

/HR. DON ......

WEDNESDAY, MABCH 17, 1976

MR. DON ADDED THAT PLANS FOR THE DREDGING AND REALIGNMENT OF THE SHING MUN RIVER THROUGH THE CENTRE OF THE NEW TOWN WOULD TRANSFORM IT FROM ITS PRESENT POLLUTED STATE INTO A BROAD AND PLEASANT WATERWAY AND RECREATION AREA BORDERED BY PARKLANDS.

MR. DON TOLD SIR MURRAY THAT AS A FURTHER STEP TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE NEWCOMERS TO THE TOWN, LARGE AREAS OF OPEN SPACE BOTH WITHIN THE TOWN ITSELF AND IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WERE BEING RESERVED TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. ■

IN THE SECTION OF THE EXHIBITION TITLED +A PLACE TO WORK+, THE GOVERNOR QUESTIONED MR. DON ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW TOWN, AND WAS TOLD THAT PWD PLANNERS HAD ALLOWED FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND AND COMMERCIAL GROWTH ON A SCALE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE JOBS FOR ALL BY THE TIME THE NEW TOWN WAS COMPLETED IN 1985.

AT THE END OF THE TOUR, SIR MURRAY MET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR. NG CHAN-LAM, AND THE TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR. LAM PING-SANG AND MR. TSANG TAK-HING.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS TOUR OF THE ESTATE BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR. D. I. MCINTOSH, AND THE CHIEF ARCHITECT, P.W.D., MR. JOSEPH LEI.

DURING HIS VISIT TO SHA TIN, THE GOVERNOR WAS INTRODUCED TO MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR. BARRIE WIGGHAM, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES (DEVELOPMENT).

EARLIER, AT TAI PO, SIR MURRAY MET THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES (GENERAL), MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. CLIVE OXLEY, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SCHEME, DEVELOPMENTS IN TAI PO TOWN ITSELF AND ON THE SHEK WU HUI/FANLING LAY-OUT PLAN. PRESENT AT THE BRIEFING WERE THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, P.W.D., MR. J.R. WHITAKER AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE P.W.D. AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 197*

ROBSON i STRONG LAWS NEEDED TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. JAMES ROBSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED FOR STRONG LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.

ADDRESSING A TWO-DAY POLICE SEMINAR, HE SAID THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION TO CONTROL POLLUTION WAS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR MODERN CONDITIONS AS +IT HAS GROWN UP PIECEMEAL OVER THE YEARS AND IS GENERALLY OUTDATED*.

MR. ROBSON SAID THAT CONSULTANTS HAD BEEN ENGAGED TO ADVISE ON THE PRINCIPLES TO BE INCORPORATED IN A GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDINANCE COVERING ALL ASPECTS OF POLLUTION ON LAND AND WATER AND IN THE AIR AND ARISING FROM EXCESSIVE NOISE.

+THE CONSULTANTS,* HE ADDED, +WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO ADVISE ON THE PROPER ORGANISATION REQUIRED FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE ORGANS IAT I ON FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING ALL THE MANY FORMS OF POLLUTION AND THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF THE NECESSARY STAFF.*

MR. ROBSON STRESSED THAT IT WAS THE FIRM AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE RELATIVELY UNPOLLUTED STATE THAT EXISTED AT PRESENT AND TO IMPROVE UPON THIS AS FAR AS AVAILABLE RESOURCES WOULD PERMIT.

TO THIS END, HE ADDED, STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO MONITOR EXISTING AND POTENTIAL SOURCES OF POLLUTION, AND TO DEVISE WAYS OF DEALING WITH ANY POLLUTION THAT MIGHT ARISE.

IN THE URBAN AREA, HE SAID, THE BIGGEST POLLUTION PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY EVERYDAY DOMESTIC REFUSE AND LITTER, ALBEIT AGGRAVATED BY THE WASTES FROM THE OPERATION OF FACTORIES IN RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS WITH NO PROPERLY ORGANISED SYSTEM OF WASTE DISPOSAL.

HOWEVER, IN THIS RESPECT THE +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN* ACHIEVED +REMARKABLE SUCCESS* WITH THE HELP OF LEGISLATION ENABLING VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF PENALTIES UPON LITTERBUGS.

REFERRING TO REFUSE DISPOSAL IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. ROBSON SAID THE PROBLEM WAS NOW BEING SOLVED.

HE SAID THAT A THREE-YEAR CLEANSING PROGRAMME OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH CALLED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 304 REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AND 305 INCINERATORS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

ON FARM WASTES, MR. ROBSON SAID THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY SET UP AN AGRICULTURAL WASTE TREATMENT UNIT TO ADVISE FARMERS ON WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL PROBLEMS.

/♦THE UNIT .....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1?, 1976

♦THE UNIT WILL ALSO CARRY OUT PILOT STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE MOST SUITABLE METHODS FOR LOCAL USE AND WHERE NECESSARY, WILL TRY TO ORGANISE COMMUNAL OR CO-OPERATIVE SERVICES WHERE THESE ARE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS,* HE SAID.

MR. ROBSON EMPHASISED. HOWEVER, THAT THE GREATEST POLLUTION DANGER CAME FROM MAN HIMSELF.

IN THE URBAN AREA, MOST OF THE DOMESTIC SEWAGE WAS SCREENED TO REMOVE THE OFFENSIVE SOLIDS AND THEN DISCHARGED TO THE SEA VIA SUBMARINE OUTFALLS TO ACHIEVE ADEQUATE DILUTION AND DISPERSION OF THE SEWAGE.

+THIS IS PRIMITIVE BUT EFFICIENT AND, APART FROM A FEW BLACK SPOTS, THERE IS LITTLE VISIBLE POLLUTION FROM THIS SOURCE,* HE SAID.

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN POPULATION, HE SAID, MONITORING OF THE LOCAL WATER HAD BEEN STARTED TO OBTAIN LONG-TERM DATA FOR THE DESIGN OF NEW FACILITIES FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL, AND TO ESTABLISH POLLUTION LEVELS AND TRENDS.

AT THE SAME TIME, CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO A MARINE DEPARTMENT PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE SCAVENGING SERVICE IN THE EXISTING AREAS OF COLLECTION AND EXTEND IT TO CHAI WAN AND JUNK BAY.

TURNING TO INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS, MR. ROBSON SAID THAT AT PRESENT LITTLE OR NO TREATMENT OF THE EFFLUENTS WAS CARRIED OUT BY FACTORIES ENGAGED IN BLEACHING AND DYEING OR INDUSTRIES WHICH USED CHEMICALS IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

TO CONTROL INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS SUCH AS THESE, HE SAID, SUITABLE LEGISLATION WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED WITHIN TWO YEARS.

ON VEHICLE EXHAUSTS, HE SAID LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED SETTING STANDARDS FOR VISIBLE SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES.

IN CONCLUSION, MR. ROBSON SAID THAT +HONG KONG IS NOT BADLY POLLUTED AND THAT, IN FACT, CONSIDERING OUR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. OUR CONDITIONS WILL STAND COMPARISON WITH THOSE EXISTING elsewhere. +

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976

SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION EXTENDED ******

THE P.W.D.’S SHA TIN NEW TOWN PROJECT MANAGER, MR. JOHN DON, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD DECIDED TO EXTEND ITS SHA TIN NEW TOWN EXHIBITION UNTIL THIS WEEKEND TO MEET THE KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST IT HAD GENERATED.

THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WAS TODAY VISITED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IS BEING HELD BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE P.W.D. IN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX OF THE NEW LEK YUEN HOUSING ESTATE, NOW NEARING COMPLETION BY THE P.W.D.’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE.

THE EXHIBITION, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO CLOSE TOMORROW, WILL NOW BE OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M. EACH DAY UNTIL SUNDAY.

MR. DON SAID TODAY t +WE ARE DELIGHTED AT THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST BEING SHOWN IN THE EXHIBITION.

♦THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE EXHIBITION FROM THROUGHOUT HONG KONG AS WELL AS FROM WITHIN THE SHA TIN VALLEY ITSELF SHOWS THAT THERE IS A GROWING AWARENESS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MORE CONGESTED AREAS OF HONG KONG THAT THERE IS A VAST POTENTIAL FOR A BETTER WAY OF LIFE IN THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

♦ IT IS PARTICULARLY GRATIFYING TO SEE THE INTEREST BEING GENERATED AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. A LARGE PROPORTION OF VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION HAVE BEEN YOUNG PEOPLE.

♦ AND WE’RE GETTING A STREAM OF ENQUIRIES FROM SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO MAKE VISITS TO THE EXHIBITION.

♦ WE HOPE THAT BY KEEPING THE EXHIBITION OPEN ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE. PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO MAKE THESE VISITS.

♦ AS A RESULT OF THE QUESTIONS BEING ASKED BY MANY OF THE VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION, WE HAVE INSTALLED A SUGGESTIONS BOX AT THE EXIT — WHICH IS PROVING QUITE INTERESTING IN GETTING PEOPLE’S REACTIONS TO OUR PLANS FOR THE NEW TOWN.+

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976 '

6 -

BUILDING FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1976 * * * *

THE TOTAL DECLARED COSTS OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH AMOUNTED TO $128.61 MILLION, ACCORDING TO FIGURES ISSUED TODAY BY THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THIS COMPARES WITH A TOTAL DECLARED COST OF $95.23 MILLION FOR FEBRUARY 1975, AND $99.38 MILLION FOR JANUARY THIS YEAR.

THE TOTAL USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO 1,171,835 SQ. FT., COMPRISING 423,502 SQ. FT. OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 748,333 SQ. FT. OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFF I CEL APPROVED 46 NEW BUILDING PLANS, COMPARED WITH 35 FOR FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.

THESE INCLUDED PLANS FOR AN OIL STORAGE DEPOT AT FO TAN, SHA TIN, FOUR 24-STOREY BLOCKS OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS AT CLOUD VIEW ROAD, FIVE 16-STOREY BLOCKS OF CINEMA AND APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDINGS AT THE JUNCTION OF DOCK STREET AND DYER AVENUE, AND A CHINA LIGHT AND POWER SUB-STATION AT PAK TIN.

CONSENT WAS GIVEN FOR WORK TO BEGIN ON 60 NEW BUILDINGS, INCLUDING FOUR MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS FOR A HOUSING ESTATE AT LAI CHI KOK TERRACE ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, AND A HOTEL BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND KIMBERLEY ROAD.

A TOTAL OF 51 COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING FEBRUARY. THESE INCLUDED A 16-STOREY SCHOOL AT SOUTH BAY CLOSE, A YOUTH CENTRE AT BEDFORD ROAD AND A HOSTEL ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THE B.0.0. ALSO CONSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 50 BUILDINGS.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976

- 7

WATER CUT * * *

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CHAI WAN AND KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER THIS FRIDAY (MARCH 19).

IN CHAI WAN, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE ON LIN SHING ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD FROM BLOCK 27, CHAI WAN ESTATE, TO LIN SHING ROAD, INCLUDING BLOCKS 16-27 OF THE ESTATE.

IN KENNEDY TOWN, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. ON FRIDAY TO 6 A.M. THE NEXT DAY (SATURDAY) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CONNECT A FRESH WATER MAIN.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE 10-24 SMITHFIELD ROAD, INCLUDING THE GAS AND TELEPHONE COMPANY PREMISES AND A.I.L. 3940, 4894 AND 5971.

OTHER PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED INCLUDE THE KENNEDY TOWN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND STAFF QUARTERS, 40 POKFIELD ROAD, AND THE MOUNT DAVIS AMBULANCE DEPOT.

LABOUR COMMISSIONER TO VISIT ZUNG FU

# M * * *

NOTE TO EDITORS i

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, WILL VISIT THE ZUNG FU COMPANY LIMITED SERVICE CENTRE AT QUARRY BAY ON FRIDAY (MARCH 19) AFTERNOON. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT.

MR. PRICE WILL ARRIVE AT THE SERVICE CENTRE AT SHIPYARD LANE, KING’S ROAD, QUARRY BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND AT 2.40 P.M.

THE PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR. KEITH ROBINSON, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1976

- 8 -

FREE QUOTA FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS TO EEC

******

ADDITIONAL FREE QUOTA FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE EEC IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE TRADE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

COMPANIES WITH CONFIRMED ORDERS MAY APPLY FOR THE FREE QUOTA STARTING TODAY. DETAILS ARE SET OUT IN A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THE D C AND I SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FREE QUOTAS HAD BECOME AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE ALLOCATION OF FINAL QUOTAS FOR 1976 TO COMPANIES WHICH QUALIFIED FOR THEM BY HAVING PERFORMED IN 1975. THE FINAL QUOTAS WERE ALLOCATED IN IWO STAGES

(1) IN MID—FEBRUARY, TO COMPANIES WHICH QUALIFIED FOR THIS YEAR’S QUOTA BY HAVING USED ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THEIR 1975 QUOTA ALLOCATION - AND

(2) IN EARLY MARCH, TO COMPANIES WHICH QUALIFIED BY HAVING PERFORMED AGAINST FREE QUOTA IN 1975.

THE QUANTITIES ALLOCATED UNDER THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES REPRESENT ROUGHLY 69 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE OVERALL QUOTA FOR THE EEC FOR 1976.

THE FREE QUOTA NOW BEING MADE AVAILABLE REPRESENT 22 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL QUOTA FOR THE EEC FOR THIS YEAR.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

OVER $4 MILLION EARMARKED FOR RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRYSIDE .......................................... 1

GREEN LIGHT FOR FARE INCREASE ON CENTRAL/TSUEN WAN FERRY ROUTE ............................................. 3

LOOP ROADS TO KCR FREIGHT TERMINUS TO OPEN TOMORROW .. 4

WATER INTERRUPTION IN REPULSE BAY ROAD .................. 4

VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS TO DISPLAY WORK PROJECTS ............................................... 5

MANPOWER SURVEY ON COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS TO CLOSE ................................................... 6

FOUR PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WESTERN DECLARED UNSAFE .... 7

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN WEST KOWLOON ...................... 7

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN COUNTRYSIDE ******

CONTINUED EMPHASIS WILL BE LAID BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR TO EXTEND COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INTO NEW AREAS AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHICH IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH THE URBAN POPULATION.

ABOUT $4.2 MILLION HAS BEEN EAR-MARKED FOR THIS PROJECT FROM THE $45.2 MILLION ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.

THIS MONEY WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE AND EXTEND THE TERRITORIAL SCOPE OF ITS PRESENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE AGAINST FIRE AND LITTERING AND TO DEVELOP ITS POTENTIAL AS A RECREATIONAL RESOURCE.

PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE SERVICES INTO THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA WHERE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS IS INCREASING RAPIDLY.

OUTLINING DETAILS OF THE PROJECT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN THE HEART OF THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE OF SAI KUNG TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC TOILETS AND REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT SHING MUN, ABERDEEN AND BRIDE’S POOL, THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES AND FURTHER WORK ON A NEW ACCESS ROAD FOR SERVICING VEHICLES ALONG THE EASTERN SIDE OF JUBILEE RESERVOIR.

SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND, FUNDS AND STAFF, HE SAID TEN NEW INTENSIVE BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE SAME STYLE AS THE POPULAR AREAS NEAR BRIDE’S POOL AND PLOVER COVE.

THESE PLACES WOULD HAVE TABLES AND BENCHES, SHELTERS, LITTER BINS. BARBECUE GRILLES, INFORMATION BOARDS, SHADE TREE PLANTING AND A WARDEN PATROL SERVICE.

THE NEW ACCESS ROAD WOULD ENABLE SERVICING AND FIRE FIGHTING VEHICLES TO REACH SCENIC AREAS ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF JUBILEE RESERVOIR SO THAT THESE, TOO , MIGHT BE MANAGED FOR RECREATION USE IN THE SAME WAY AS THE IMMENSELY POPULAR AREAS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR WHICH IS NOW VISITED BY UP TO 50,000 PEOPLE PER MONTH.

IN ADDITION TO ITS TRADITIONAL WORK OF TREE PLANTING AND MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS, THE CONSERVATION AND FORESTS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OPENED UP 38 NEW BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL OF SUCH RECREATIONAL PROJECTS TO 183.

/FURTHERMORE

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

- 2 -

FURTHERMORE, 1.1 KILOMETRES OF NEW ACCESS ROAD WERE CONSTRUCTED AND 1.2 KILOMETRES OF EXISTING ROAD MAINTAINED. SIMILARLY 1.5 KILOMETRES OF NEW FOOTPATHS WERE CONSTRUCTED,AND 15.7 KILOMETRES MAINTAINED.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED ALL PEOPLE WHO VISIT OR WORK IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF THE NEED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF HILL FIRE.

+SUCH FIRES DO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT DESTROYING TREES AND VEGETATION, AND REDUCING TO ASHES A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY AND EFFORT INVESTED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

+APPROPRIATE SIGNS AND INFORMATION NOTICES ARE PUT UP IN ALL BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MAKING IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR WHERE VISITORS MAY OR MAY NOT LIGHT FIRES.+

ON THE SUBJECT OF LITTER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT, ON AVERAGE, VISITORS SEEMED TO LEAVE ABOUT 8 OZ. OF LITTER AFTER EACH VISIT, ADDING UP TO VERY LARGE QUANTITIES INDEED.

HE URGED VISITORS TO CONSIDER TAKING THEIR LITTER HOME AS A MATTER OF COURSE, OR AT THE VERY LEAST PLACING IT IN ONE OF THE MANY LITTER BINS PROVIDED FOR THEIR USE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

FARE INCREASE ON ONE HYF ROUTE

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY TO INCREASE THE FARE ON ONE OF ITS FERRY ROUTES. THE INCREASE, OF 50 CENTS ON THE CENTRAL TO TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl ROUTE, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1.

THE COMPANY’S APPLICATION WAS PUT TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR. THE TAC, WHICH INCLUDES UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY AND ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL MAJOR TRANSPORT POLICY MATTERS, SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL FOR A $1 FLAT FARE, BRINGING IT IN LINE WITH FERRY ROUTES OF A SIMILAR DISTANCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TAC HAD FELT THAT THE SERVICE USING FAST AIR-CONDITIONED VESSELS COULD NOT REMAIN FINANCIALLY VIABLE IF FARES WERE TO REMAIN AT 50 CENTS. +THE COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THAT COMMUTERS HAVE SEVERAL CHEAPER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO CENTRAL.+

COMMUTERS CAN TRAVEL TO CENTRAL IN 60 MINUTES FOR EITHER 50 CENTS OR 60 CENTS BY USING BOTH BUS AND FERRY, OR A COMBINED JOURNEY BY PLB AND FERRY WHICH TAKES 45 MINUTES AND COSTS $1.20.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HYF TSUEN WAN SERVICE WERE SPEED, COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE AND IT HAD PROVED VERY POPULAR WITH COMMUTERS. +IT WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED THAT A STANDARD $1 FARE WAS REASONABLE FOR A 30-MINUTE JOURNEY TIME.+

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl HAD MUCH IMPROVED. THE NUMBER OF DAILY SAILINGS HAS INCREASED BY 66 PER CENT AND THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED DAILY BY 129 PER CENT — WITH THE FREQUENCY OF SAILINGS NOW RUNNING AT ONE EVERY 10 MINUTES.

+OLDER FERRIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY TWO 650-SEATER MAN YUET MODERN IWO-DECK VESSELS, THREE NEW 265-SEATER WATERBUSES AND FOUR 65-SEATER SIDEWALL HOVERFERRIES+, HE SAID.

WATER TAXIS WERE AT ONE TIME USED BUT THESE WERE WITHDRAWN WHEN THE HOVERFERRIES WERE INTRODUCED. SINCE 1972, IN CONNECTION WITH THE TSUEN WAN SERVICES, HYF HAS CARRIED OUT IMPROVEMENTS TO PIERS FACILITIES COSTING ALMOST $800,000 WHILE INVESTMENT IN NEW FERRIES HAS BEEN ABOUT $15 MILLION.

THE FARES ON THE CENTRAL TO TSUEN WAN AND TSI NG Yl ROUTE WERE LAST REVISED THREE YEARS AGO. BEFORE MAY 1973 THE FARES FOR CENTRAL TO TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OR VIA TSI NG Yl WERE 60 CENTS FIRST CLASS AND 40 CENTS THIRD CLASS.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS THE FARES HAVE BEEN 50 CENTS BY WATER BUS OR MAN YUET CLASS, $1 BY WATER TAXI AND $2 BY HOVERFERRY. THE WATERBUSES AND MAN YUET CLASS WILL NOW BE A FLAT FARE OF $1 BUT HOVERFERRY FARES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

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A...

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

LOOP ROADS AT AUSTIN ROAD EXTENSION TO OPEN TOMORROW

X * M K

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN THE GROUND-LEVEL LOOP ROADS OF THE AUSTIN ROAD EXTENSION TO GENERAL TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE LOOP ROADS WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO AND FROM THE RAIL FREIGHT TERMINUS AT HUNG HOM, AND SERVE AS AN EXIT FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE KOWLOON MORTUARY, THE CHATHAM ROAD DETENTION CENTRE, AND THE FUNERAL PARLOURS IN THE AREA.

PENDING THE OPENING OF THE AUSTIN ROAD EXTENSION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE ROAD LAYOUT WILL ALSO ENABLE TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE HUNG HOM ENTRANCE OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL BUT NOT REQUIRING TO CROSS TO HONG KONG ISLAND, TO GO ROUND THE TUNNEL ENTRANCE AND BACK TO THE MAIN ROADS.

EVENTUALLY, THE LOOP ROADS WILL FORM PART OF THE SALISBURY ROAD EXTENSION.

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WATER STOPPAGE

* * H K

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN REPULSE BAY ROAD WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 20).

THE STOPPAGE IS TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS IN THE AREA.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE NOS. 12, 16, 20, 24, 37, 41, 43 AND 45 REPULSE BAY ROAD.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

- 5 -

TECHNICAL STUDENTS TO DISPLAY WORK ******

A 12-F00T SAILING DINGHY BUILT BY FORMS 4 AND 5 STUDENTS WILL BE AMONG THE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY IN THE HALL OF THE VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL AT ITS OPEN DAY TOMORROW.

THE DINGHY IS MADE OF MARINE PLYWOOD.

OTHER PROJECTS WHICH VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE INCLUDE FOLDING TABLES, ELECTRIC LAMPS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES, CHESS SETS WITH BOXES, CASETTE HOLDERS AND CARVINGS.

ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.

PARENTS OF PUPILS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE SCHOOL BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DURING ITS OPEN DAY.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL), MR. ANDREW KINGWELL, WILL VISIT THE SCHOOL TOMORROW MORNING.

THE SCHOOL HAS AN ENROLMENT OF ABOUT 800 PUPILS IN FORMS 1 TO 6. EIGHT CLASSES OF FORMS 1 AND 2 ARE IN THE ADJACENT JOCKEY CLUB GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, WHICH IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO BE CONVERTED INTO . SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

• . I

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPEN DAY.

MR. KINGWELL WILL ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW AND HE WILL BE PLEASED TO MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.

THE PRINCIPAL OF THE VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, MR. ALAN MARTIN, WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976 - 6 -

MANPOWER SURVEY ON COMMERCIAL SECTORS ENDS ******

THE FIRST MANPOWER SURVEY ON HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS, WHICH BEGAN ON MARCH 4, ENDS TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON TRAINING IN COMMERCE AND SERVICES, WHICH ORGANISED THE SURVEY, SAID INTERVIEWING OFFICERS WERE VISITING ESTABLISHMENTS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY TODAY AND TOMORROW TO COLLECT COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES.

THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TWO WEEKS AGO TO EMPLOYERS OF NEARLY 2,000 ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING BANKS AND HOTELS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON MANPOWER TRAINING FOR THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS EMPLOYING PEOPLE IN SUCH SPHERES AS JOURNALISM, HOTEL WORK, TOURISM, BANKING, INSURANCE, ACCOUNTANCY AND ALLIED FIELDS, AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT.

HE ASSURED EMPLOYERS THAT THE INFORMATION WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF ' STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT.

+THE ANSWERS WOULD IN NO WAY COMMIT THE EMPLOYERS, + HE ADDED.

THE SURVEY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE HELP OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE two UNIVERSITIES AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

_ _ 0 - -

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

7 -

FOUR PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WESTERN UNSAFE

KO*

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FOR FOUR PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WHICH ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED BECAUSE OF THEIR DANGEROUS CONDITION.

THE AFFECTED BUILDINGS ARE NOS. 129 AND 133 WING LOK STREET, WHICH HAVE BEEN DECLARED TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION, AND NOS. 127 AND 131 WING LOK STREET, WHICH ARE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS

THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THESE FOUR-STOREY BUILDINGS GAVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

♦NUMBER 133,+ HE SAID, +HAS FRACTURES IN THE LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS, AND THE WHOLE BUILDING HAS MOVED IN THE DIRECTION OF AN ADJACENT VACANT SITE. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS NOW A DANGER OF COLLAPSE.*

HE SAID THAT THE REAR MAIN WALL OF NO. 129 WAS SEVERELY FRACTURED AND BULGING OUTWARDS AND WAS CLOSE TO COLLAPSE.

♦NUMBERS 127 AND 131 ALSO EXHIBIT STRUCTURAL WEAKNESSES AND WILL BE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE COLLAPSE OR INDEPENDENT DEMOLITION OF NOS. 129 AND 133,+ HE SAID.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.

THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE HEARD IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON APRIL 15.

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS IN WEST KOWLOON

*****

A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN WEST KOWLOON ON SUNDAY MORNING IN PREPARATION FOR THE START OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IN NATHAN ROAD.

THE STREETS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED ARE NELSON STREET, MAN MING LANE, ARTHUR STREET, BOWRING STREET AND FIFE STREET.

NELSON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC AT ITS EAST-SIDE JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD AND WILL BE ROUTED TWO-WAY BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.

MAN MING LANE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND ARTHUR STREET.

ARTHUR STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED TO A SINGLE TRAFFIC LANE AT ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN MING LANE.

BOWRING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND PILKEM STREET.

FIFE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC AT ITS EAST-SIDE JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD AND WILL BECOME TWO-WAY BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Thursday, March 18, 197$

CHAI WAN EXHIBITION ENDS

An estimated 15,000 people visited the public exhibition ”The Changing Face of Chai Wan”, which closed today (Thursday), two days later than originally planned.

The exhibition, showing the past, present and future development of Chai Wan, was extended for two days to enable an extra 4,000 schoolchildren to attend at the district’s Community Centre.

Organised by the Housing Authority and the City District Office (Eastern), the exhibition included sections on the present Chai Wan, Chai Wan in the future, work of the Social Welfare Department, Medical and Health Department, Police, Fire Services and the Housing Department’s redevelopment programme in Hong Kong.

A special feature of the exhibition was a life-size ’’mock-up” model of a typical seven-person flat in the recently completed Hing Wah Estate (Stage II), which now towers over the old Chai Wan. The model was fully furnished and gave prospective tenants an idea of living conditions at Hing Wali (Stage II).

Also at the exhibition were video-tape film shows of various problems in Hong Kong, including housing, social welfare, crime and pollution.

For lighter entertainment during the 614-day exhibition there was a Junior Police Call variety show, a karate demonstration, the Cape Collinson Band and several other displays.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO BE SET UP ..................................................... 1

SIR MURRAY PRAISED ENGINEERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG ................................................... 2

SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR TO HOST TEA PARTY FOR RELIEF WORK VOLUNTEERS ....................................... 3

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TOURED AUTOMOBILE SERVICE CENTRE ................................................. 4

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1976

- 1 -

PROPOSAL TO SET UP INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO ESTABLISH AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY.

THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WILL BE SET UP AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF A STEERING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, PENDING THE CREATION LATER THIS YEAR OF A STATUTORY CORPORATION WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTING AND MANAGING INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN HONG KONG. THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THIS IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BILL 1976 PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.

THE BILL EMPOWERS THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND TO DEVELOP IT FOR LETTING FOR USE BY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS. THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO APPOINT THE NECESSARY STAFF TO CARRY OUT THE FUNCTIONS.

THE FUNDS OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT FOR THE STAGE ONE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WORK HAD BEGUN ON RECLAIMING 60 ACRES OF LAND FROM THE SEA, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL AREA PLANNED.

SITES MIGHT, HOWEVER, BEGIN TO BECOME AVAILABLE FOR DISPOSAL AS EARLY AS AUGUST THIS YEAR, AND OCCUPATION SHOULD BE POSSIBLE AS FROM THE END OF THIS YEAR OR THE BEGINNING OF 1977. EARLY OCCUPANTS MIGHT HAVE PLANTS OPERATING BY THE SECOND HALF OF 1977.

MEANWHILE, SITE INVESTIGATIONS FOR ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT YUEN LONG ARE NEARING COMPLETION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUBJECT TO EARLY APPROVAL OF FUNDS AND DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDING AS ANTICIPATED, THIS ESTATE COULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1980, WITH THE FIRST SITES BECOMING AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF 1978.

WHEN FULLY DEVELOPED, BOTH THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES WILL HAVE A GROSS AREA OF ABOUT 185 ACRES.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1976

- 2 -

H.K. WILL PROSPER BY WORK OF ENGINEERS ******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TONIGHT SAID THAT BY THE WORK OF ENGINEERS, HONG KONG +IS GROWING AND WILL PROSPER.+

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL.

SIR MURRAY SAID IN HONG KONG THERE WAS +A CONJUNCTURE OF TERRAIN, PROFITABILITY AND SHEER THRUST OF DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EVEN WITHIN SUCH A COMPARATIVELY SMALL AREA, THIS OFFERS A COMBINATION OF CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY TO THE ENGINEER WHICH MUST BE UNIQUE.*

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH:

+MR. PRESIDENT, GENTLEMEN, MAY I SAY HOW HONOURED I WAS TO BE INVITED TO THIS INAUGURAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS. I CONGRATULATE YOU ON GAINING STATUTORY RECOGNITION, AND ON THE SPEED AND RESOLUTION WITH WHICH THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.

+1 UNDERSTAND YOUR NEXT OBJECTIVE IS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE INSTITUTION TO BE RECOGNISED AS A QUALIFICATION TO PRACTISE. I HEARTILY WISH YOU SUCCESS SINCE IT COULD SAVE graduates OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC FROM HAVING FIRST TO SEEK MEMBERSHIP OF OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.

+1 WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT YOUR STUDENTS SECTION GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH. THIS AUGURS WELL, NOT ONLY FOR THE INSTITUTION BUT ALSO FOR HONG KONG, WHICH WILL RELY SO HEAVILY ON THESE YOUNG MEN IN THE COMING YEARS.

+1 DO AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF ENGINEERS IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS. THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CONTRACT LAW, ACCOUNTING, LABOUR RELATIONS, ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND SO ON FITS THEM VERY WELL FOR INVOLVEMENT IN WHAT YOU DESCRIBE AS THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

+YOU HAVE HIGH AUTHORITY FOR YOUR VIEW. SOME YEARS AGO AT A CONFERENCE ARRANGED BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY AND THE JOINT ENGINEERING COUNCIL, PRINCE PHILIP SAID:

’I BELIEVE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE PROGRESSIVELY MORE DIFFICULT FOR INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT OR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TO BE CONDUCTED BY PEOPLE WITHOUT TECHNOLOGICAL TRAINING. IN THIS EVENT THESE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL FALL UPON TECHNOLOGISTS AND UNLESS THEY HAVE LEARNT TO APPRECIATE THE EXTENT AND SCOPE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN EXISTENCE, THEIR DECISION CANNOT HELP THE PROGRESS OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION’.

/♦SHORTLY .....

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1976

♦SHORTLY AFTER THIS ADVICE BY PRINCE PHILIP, THE COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING INSTITUTIONS INTRODUCED A COMPULSORY EXAMINATION FOR CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP ENTITLED 'THE ENGINEER IN SOCIETY’. AMONGST OTHER SUBJECTS, THIS COVERS TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROBLEMS, MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS , AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. THE INSTITUTION OF

' CIVIL ENGINEERS HAS TAKEN THIS A STAGE FURTHER AND ALSO REQUIRE CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP TO BE PREPARED TO ANSWER AT THEIR PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWS, A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUN ITY-AND MANAGEMENT TOPICS. SO IT SEEMS THAT WHILE IT IS RECOGNISED THAT ENGINEERS MUST PLAY A WIDER ROLE IN THE FUTURE, THE COROLLARY IS ALSO ACCEPTED THAT IN THIS CASE THEIR TRAINING MUST BE CORRESPONDINGLY WIDENED.

+l REALISE, NONE BETTER, THE CONTRIBUTION THAT ENGINEERS HAVE MADE, ARE MAKING, AND WILL MAKE TO HONG KONG. SO IT HAS BEEN EVER SINCE SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO CHINESE ENGINEERS MADE POSSIBLE THE SETTLEMENT OF THE VALLEYS OF THE SAI KUNG AND SHA TAU KOK PENINSULAS BY BUILDING THOSE GREAT SELF-DRAINING DYKES. SO IT WILL ALWAYS BE. IN HONG KONG THERE IS A CONJUNCTURE OF TERRAIN, ^PROFITABILITY AND SHEER THRUST OF DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EVEN WITHIN SUCH A COMPARATIVELY SMALL AREA, THIS OFFERS A COMBINATION OF CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY TO THE ENGINEER WHICH MUST BE UNIQUE. THEIR WORKS ARE ALL ABOUT US, AND BY THEIR WORKS HONG KONG IS GROWING AND WILL PROSPER. AND SO I ASK YOU ALL TO RISE AND DRINK A TOAST TO THE ENGINEERS OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS.+

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TEA PARTY FOR VOLUNTEERS M H M * K

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL HOST A TEA PARTY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR 500 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSISTED IN THE RELIEF WORK FOR THE ALDRICH BAY FIRE VICTIMS.

THE PARTY HAS BEEN ORGANISED AS A GESTURE OF APPRECIATION FOR THE GENUINE CONCERN AND PUBLIC SPIRIT SHOWN BY THESE YOUNGSTERS.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PARTY, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE SALES I AN SCHOOL IN CHA IWAN ROAD AT 3 P.M.

FRIDAY,. MARCH 19, 1976

PRICE TOURS ZUNG FU SERVICE CENTRE *****

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE QUARRY BAY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE ZUNG FU COMPANY LTD. AS PART OF HIS PROGRAMME TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG.

MR. PRICE SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE EFFORTS DEVOTED BY THE MANAGEMENT TO THEIR APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMME.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 58 APPRENTICES UNDER TRAINING AT THE COMPANY’S THREE REPAIR AND SERVICE CENTRES AT QUARRY BAY, KWUN TONG AND ABERDEEN.

APPRENTICE TRAINING STARTED IN JULY 1970 ALONG THE LINES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSED APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME.

MR. PRICE SAID THAT A MANPOWER SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 19TA-INDICATED THAT THE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR AND SERVICING INDUSTRY NEEDED TO TRAIN ABOUT 600 ADDITIONAL CRAFTSMEN ANNUALLY TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY.

+THE BEST WAY FOR A FIRM TO ENSURE IT HAS A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN IS TO TRAIN ITS OWN,+ HE ADDED.

MR. PRICE SAID THIS SORT OF INVESTMENT LED TO BETTER SERVICE, INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, COMPETITIVENESS AND PROFITABILITY

TURNING TO THE NEED FOR APPRENTICES TO UNDERTAKE RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR. PRICE SAID: +THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AVAILABLE THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. IT IS NOW UP TO EMPLOYERS TO USE, FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES PROVIDED.+

MR. PRICE SAID: +EMPLOYERS OUGHT TO BE THOROUGHLY AWARE OF THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AND WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT LATER THIS YEAR. IF THEY HAVE QUERIES, THEY SHOULD APPROACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION.

+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE IS TO ENSURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGE OF 14 AND 18 WORKING IN CERTAIN DESIGNATED TRADES WILL BE PROPERLY TRAINED FOR THE BENEFIT NOT ONLY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES BUT ALSO OF THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THEY WORK

MR. PRICE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY MR. HORACE KNIGHT, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING), MR. C.P. MORRE, MR. R.G. LEE, BOTH DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND MR. D.E. YOUNG. SERVICE MANAGER.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MMKH 20, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

PWD DRAWING UP $1,000 MILLION FLYOVERS CONSTRUCTION

PROGRAMME ............................................ 1

YOUNG RELIEF WORK VOLUNTEERS AT ALDRICH BAY FIRE COMMENDED ............................................ 3

OVER 1,600 TO PARTICIPATE IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET ........................................ 4

CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCTING EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES SURVEY ....................... 5

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1976

FLYOVERS * *

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ROAD PLANNERS ARE DRAWING UP A $1,000 MILLION PLUS FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME AS PART OF A MAJOR LONG TERM EFFORT TO BEAT CONGESTION IN HONG KONG.

ACCORDING TO MR. GORDON SAPSTEAD, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D., A SERIES OF 34 OF THESE ’HIGHWAYS IN THE SKY’ ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING — 10 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 IN KOWLOON AND NINE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THESE INCLUDE A PROPOSED $260 MILLION COMPLEX ALONG THE WATERFRONT BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT- A $250 MILLION PRIMARY DISTRIBUTOR ROAD (INCORPORATING SIX MAJOR INTERCHANGES) LINKING THE CROWDED YAU MA TEI DISTRICT WITH LAI CHI KOK- AND A $35 MILLION BY-PASS AT TSUEN WAN WITH THREE SEPARATE I.NTERCHANGES . CONNECTING KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD.

+A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE NEW FLYOVER COMPLEXES,+ SAID MR. SAPSTEAD, +WILL BE THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROADS IN SAFETY.

+THESE WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF FOOTBRIDGES — EITHER ATTACHED TO THE FLYOVERS OR AS A SEPARATE ENTITY — AND SUBWAYS.+

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ALREADY 92 FOOTBRIDGES OR SUBWAYS IN USE. WORK IS EITHER UNDERWAY OR DUE TO START ON ANOTHER 65 INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, AND 13 MORE ARE BEING CONSIDERED.

MEANWHILE, 21 ADDITIONAL FLYOVERS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC THIS YEAR AND IN 1977, INCLUDING THOSE ON THE NEW TUEN MUN ROAD.

THEY WILL BRING TO 61 THE NUMBER OF FLYOVERS BUILT IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST 17 YEARS AT A TOTAL CAPITAL OUTLAY OF SOME $815 MILLION, AND TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, SHOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SLASHING TRAFFIC QUEUES AND TRAVELLING TIMES.

THE PROBLEMS WHICH LED TO +OPERATION FLYOVER+ ARE, IF NOT ENTIRELY UNIQUE BY WORLD STANDARDS, CERTAINLY HIGHLIGHTED IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAS ONE OF THE WORLD’S HIGHEST TRAFFIC DENSITIES.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, HONG KONG HAD 805 KILOMETRES OF ROAD (500 MILES) CARRYING 40,000 VEHICLES. TODAY, IT HAS NEARLY 1,126 KM (700 MILES) OF ROAD SUPPORTING 190,000 VEHICLES.

MUCH OF THE LAND AREA IS MOUNTAINOUS — A CONSTANT HEADACHE FOR TRANSPORT PLANNERS — AND THE AREA IN CONSTANT USE IS IN EFFECT REDUCED TO 104 SQUARE KILOMETRES (40 SQUARE MILES) CONCENTRATED IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG.

DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES, HOWEVER, TRANSPORT PLANNERS HAVE SO FAR MANAGED TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING IN PEAK HOURS AT AN AVERAGE 16 KILOMETRES AN HOUR (10 MPH) — A SPEED THAT WOULD BE ENVIED BY MANY OTHER LARGE CITY CENTRES.

/NOW THE .....

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1976

NOW THE IDEA IS TO RAISE THIS RATE TO 20 KPH (OVER 12 MPH) AND A THREE-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE AMERICAN CONSULTANCY FIRM WILBUR SMITH AND ASSOCIATES IS PRESENTLY BEING STUDIED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE SURVEY CONTAINS DIVERSE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WILL BE MADE PUBLIC IN A WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT SCHEDULED TO BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR.

EVEN BEFORE THE SURVEY WAS STARTED, HOWEVER, EARLIER STUDIES AND PLAIN COMMONSENSE HAD INDICATED THE IMPERATIVE NEED FOR TRAFFIC SEPARATION LANES, ROUTE AND QUANTITY CONTROL OF EXISTING FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT (ON WHICH 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S FIVE MILLION DAILY JOURNEYS ARE MADE), USE OF MORE ROAD TUNNELS THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, AND THE BUILDING OF A METRO. , .

THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT CAME UP WITH TWO BASIC INTERIM MOVES :

X THE BUILDING OF A MOTORWAY TYPE ROUTE NETWORK WITHIN HONG KONG, NO MEAN FEAT CONSIDERING THE MAZE OF WINDING ROADS AND SKYSCRAPER BUILDINGS THROUGH WHICH SUCH CONCRETE SWATHES HAD TO BE CUT, AND

* GRADE SEPARATION (FLYOVERS) AT AS MANY MAJOR INTERSECTIONS AS POSSIBLE.

OPERATION FLYOVER WAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT AND THE P.W.D. IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE FLYOVER SYSTEMS.

BASICALLY, GRADE SEPARATION AT MOST INTERSECTIONS IS A TWO-LEVEL AFFAIR — THE SIMPLE EXPEDIENT OF DIRECTING TRAFFIC IN ONE DIRECTION ALONG ITS NORMAL PATH, WHILE VEHICLES CROSSING ARE ELEVATED VIA A FLYOVER.

HOWEVER, IN SOME CASES A THIRD TUNNEL-LEVEL HAS BEEN ADDED, COMBINED WITH THE USUAL OCTOPUS-LOOKING APPROACH-ROAD AND LEADOFF TENTACLES.

NEARLY ALL OF THE FLYOVERS NOW BEING BUILT BY THE P.W.D. ARE OF PRESTRESSED CONSTRUCTION, A TECHNIQUE WHICH ENABLES LONGER SPANS TO BE UTILISED AND THUS REDUCES THE NUMBER OF SUPPORTING COLUMNS REQUIRED.

OVERALL, GRADE SEPARATION BY TUNNEL, FLYOVER, FOOTBRIDGE AND SUBWAY HAS BECOME A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR ENDEAVOUR IN HONG KONG, AND HAS BECOME A CORNERSTONE OF A TRAFFIC POLICY WHICH IS GRADUALLY BEATING THE CONGESTION THAT AFFLICTS MANY OTHER CITIES.

COMMENTED MR. SAPSTEAD: +THE SHEER COMPLICATION OF ERECTING FLYOVERS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALREADY CONGESTED TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR NUISANCE TO BUILDER AND MOTORISTS ALIKE, BUT NOW AT LEAST SOME OF THE REWARDS OF PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION ARE BEGINNING TO BE REAPED.+

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/3.....

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1976 - 3 -

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS PRAISED FOR DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE * M M *

THE GENUINE CONCERN AND PUBLIC SPIRIT OF THE 500 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSISTED IN THE RELIEF WORK FOR THE ALDRICH BAY FIRE HAVE WON NOT ONLY THE APPRECIATION OF THE VICTIMS BUT ALSO THE ADMIRATION OF ALL THE KA I FONGS.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT THE TEA PARTY GIVEN TO THE VOLUNTEERS AS A GESTURE OF THANKS AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

MR. LEE HOPED THAT THEIR +QUICK RESPONSE, CIVIC-MINDEDNESS, ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE* WOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID THAT VOLUNTEER WORK COULD HELP THE MIND AND CHARACTER OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO MATURE. IT COULD ALSO MAKE THEM MORE AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.

+THROUGH INVOLVEMENT IN VOLUNTEER WORK, YOUNG PARTICIPANTS, APART FROM HAVING A GOOD TIME, WILL ALSO ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS,* MR. LEE SAID.

AFTER THE FIRE BROKE OUT LAST MONTH, THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER (EASTERN) IMMEDIATELY MOBILISED THE VOLUNTEERS TO LOOK AFTER THE VICTIMS. HE ALSO CO-ORDINATED AND DISTRIBUTED WORK TO THEM, INCLUDING THE SORTING OUT OF USED CLOTHES DONATED BY THE PUBLIC AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND RELIEF MONEY.

THE YOUNGSTERS ALSO HELPED TO LOCATE SCHOOL PLACES FOR STUDENTS AND ORGANISED GAMES FOR CHILDREN BRINGING THEM SOME LIGHT MOMENTS IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL AND DISTURBANCES.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS 12 COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICERS POSTED TO VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN THE URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL SUPPORT, NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDLINESS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.

0 ----

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1976

- 4

KOWLOON CITY ATHLETIC MEET M O * M *

THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON), MR. MICHAEL SZE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2ND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 9.00 A.M. AT THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE ATHLETIC MEET IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE C.D.O. (KOWLOON CITY), THE KOWLOON CITY YOUTH COUNCIL AND THE RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

MORE THAN 1,600 PARTICIPANTS WILL COMPETE IN ABOUT 80 EVENTS.

THE ATHLETIC MEET WILL CONTINUE ON THE TWO FOLLOWING SUNDAYS, MARCH 28 AND APRIL 4.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND ADMISSION IS FREE.

ALSO SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IS THE FINAL OF THE WING ON CUP MINI-SOCCER TOURNAMENT.

THE MATCH WILL BEGIN AT 3.00 P.M. AT THE SOUTH0RN PLAYGROUND, WANCHAI.

THE TOURNAMENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE C.D.O. (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE CENTRAL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE WING ON COMPANY.

AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTERESTS OF YOUTHS IN SPORTS, THE TOURNAMENT HAS ATTRACTED A TOTAL OF 25 TEAMS MADE UP MOSTLY OF OFFICE WORKERS AND STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

MR. CHENG KAM-CHING, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 5.30 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENTS.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1976

SURVEY ON EMPLOYMENT SITUATION H O * if X

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES IN INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS SECTORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

THE SURVEY COVERS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING, IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, BANKING AND INSURANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER SELECTED TRADES AND SERVICES.

RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL INDICATE CHANGES IN THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR.

SURVEY CARDS HAVE BEEN SENT TO SOME 40,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES. WHILE LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE SURVEYED FULLY, SMALL CONCERNS IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENGAGED, WILL BE SELECTED ON A RANDOM SAMPLING BASIS.

ON RECEIPT OF SURVEY CARDS, MANAGEMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS ARE ASKED TO FILL IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES, AND TO RETURN THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPE ATTACHED. THE FIGURES SHOULD RELATE TO THE DATE INDICATED ON THE SURVEY CARD.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.

HE EMPHASIZED THAT THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, AND WOULD BE USED SOLELY FOR COMPILATION OF STATISTICAL TABLES.

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PRH 7

IfkKIw] Igisi |w|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 1976.

DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS * * * * *

HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO RECRUIT DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS ARE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT PREPARED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.

COPIES OF THE FORM ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE ENQUIRIES SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON THE 15TH FLOOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT), MR. YEUNG CHI-KIN, SAID TODAY, THAT THE STANDARD EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FORM WAS INTRODUCED THREE MONTHS AGO TO PREVENT ATTEMPTS BY UNSCRUPULOUS ELEMENTS TO BRING PEOPLE INTO HONG KONG UNDER FALSE PRETENCES AND TO PROVIDE BONA-FIDE EMPLOYERS WITH A STREAMLINED PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM OVERSEAS.

UNDER THE PROCEDURE:-

* FIVE COPIES OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED BY THE POTENTIAL EMPLOYER AND THE PERSON RECRUITED.

* ALL COPIES MUST BE PRESENTED FOR ATTESTATION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AT THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY.

* THE EMPLOYER TAKES THE FOUR REMAINING COPIES FOR NOTARISATION IN HONG KONG BY THE CONSULAR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE OF THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE.

* TWO COPIES OF THE CONTRACT SHOULD BE SENT BY THE EMPLOYER TO THE EMPLOYEE WHO MUST THEN APPROACH THE BRITISH CONSUL IN HER COUNTRY FOR VISA ENDORSEMENT.

* THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT THE EMPLOYER AS SOON AS THE EMPLOYEE’S VISA APPLICATION AND A COPY OF THE CONTRACT ARE RECEIVED FROM THE BRITISH CONSUL CONCERNED.

/ THE .........

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

* THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL THEN SEND THE EMPLOYER A SPONSORSHIP FORM FOR COMPLETION AND INVITE HIM TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW WHERE HE CONFIRMS THAT HE IS AWARE OF THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT AND WILL ABIDE BY THEM.

AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ANY AMENDMENT TO A CONTRACT, MUST BE AUTHENTICATED BY EITHER AN IMMIGRATION OR LABOUR DEPARTMENTAL STAMP AND AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE RELEVANT CONSULATE.

HE ALSO SAID THAT A DOMESTIC HELPER FROM OVERSEAS MUST GO HOME AT THE END OF A TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF STAY IN HONG KONG AT THE EMPLOYER’S EXPENSE.

IF A DOMESTIC HELPER WHO IS ALREADY IN HONG KONG WANTS TO RETURN TO CONTINUE WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER AFTER HER TRIP HOME, A NEW CONTRACT IS REQUIRED, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE A DOMESTIC HELPER CAN CHANGE TO A NEW EMPLOYER.

THIS IS BECAUSE DOMESTIC EMPLOYMENT WAS APPROVED FOR A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER ONLY, HE EXPLAINED. BUT APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE WOULD BE TREATED WITH FLEXIBILITY, HE SAID.

APPLICANTS FOR CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT MUST PRODUCE A LETTER OF RELEASE FROM THE PREVIOUS EMPLOYER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PERMISSION FOR A CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT WOULD NORMALLY BE REFUSED IF THE APPLICANT’S PERIOD OF STAY IN HONG KONG WAS UNDER ONE-YEAR, BUT MAY BE GRANTED IF IT WAS MORE THAN A YEAR. IN ANY EVENT THE EMPLOYEE MUST RETURN TO HER COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AFTER TWO YEARS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE ORIGINAL EMPLOYER UNLESS A PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT IS REACHED WITH THE NEW EMPLOYER.

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FROM A WORKER STILL IN HONG KONG TO RETURN AFTER A HOLIDAY. IF APPROVAL IS GIVEN, RE-ENTRY VISA WILL BE ISSUED.

0 -

WATER CUT

* * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR EIGHT HOURS, STARTING FROM 10 P.M. ON TUESDAY (MARCH 23).

THE STOPPAGE WILL ENABLE WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE VALVE AT QUEEN’S ROAD WEST NEAR FRENCH STREET AND WESTERN STREET.

THE AFFECTED BUILDINGS WILL BE 230-358 QUEEN’S ROAD

WEST.

SUNDAY, March 21, 1976

- 3 -

COMMUNITY CENTRE TO CELEBRATE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY *****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TAI HANG TUNG WILL CELEBRATE ITS 1OTH ANNIVERSARY ON TUESDAY (MARCH 23) WITH A DAY OF ENTERTAINMENT ORGANISED FOR CHILDREN AND RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

TO MARK THE OCCASION, MR. FRED CLARK, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE HALL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 3.30 P.M.

THE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A CARTOON SHOW AND GAMES FOR CHILDREN AND AN EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICES ACCOMMODATED IN THE CENTRE.

THE CELEBRATIONS WILL CONTINUE WITH A CARNIVAL SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING EVENING AND A CONCERT TO BE GIVEN BY THE TIN LUN CHOIR ON MARCH 26. BOTH FUNCTIONS WILL START AT 8 P.M.

THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE WAS OPENED IN 1966. APART FROM OFFICES OF THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK DIVISION UNDER WHICH IT OPERATES, THE CENTRE PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION FOR OTHER TYPES OF SOCIAL WELFARE WORK. ONE OF THESE IS A DEAF CLUB RUN BY THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ANOTHER IS THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE DAY CARE CENTRE.

IT ALSO HOUSES THE SOCIAL SECURITY DIVISION’S FIELD UNIT FOR SHEK KIP MEI AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LIBRARY AND RURAL MOBILE SERVICES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORIDALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY MARKING THE START OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ON TUESDAY (MARCH 23) AT 3.30 P.M. IN THE HALL OF THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT TONG YAM STREET.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Sunday, March 21, 1976

REDEVELOP^iENT OF CHAI WAN (WEST) ESTATE «»****»

Note to Editors:

Chai Wan (West) Estate is to be redeveloped and details of the redevelopment programme will be announced by Dr. E.G. Pryor, Assistant Director, Housing Department, tomorrow (Monday).

Representatives from the news media are cordially invited to attend a press conference in the Chai Wan (West) Estate office on the ground floor of Block 4 at 2.30 p.m.

This estate, built between 1959 and 1963, comprises four Mark I blocks and eight Mark II blocks. It houses about 27,000 people.

The Housing Authority’s redevelopment programme is aimed at improving the environment of tenants who are presently living in congested conditions and sharing communal facilities in the earliest public housing estates. A head start has already been made at Shek Kip Mei and Tai Hang Tung estates.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MORE EMPLOYERS ARE ASKED TO TAKE ON DISABLED WORKERS ....... 1

UNOFFICIALS TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS AT RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE ..................................................... 2

MORE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES SET UP IN TSUEN WAN ............. 3

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

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1976

MORE AND MORE EMPLOYERS TAKE ON DISABLED ******

MORE AND MORE DISABLED PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEMSELVES LESS DEPENDENT ON SOCIETY WITH THE HELP OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

A WIDE RANGE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES - MACHINE-SEWING, CARPENTRY, ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, PRINTING, METAL WORK, GARDENING AND SHOE-MAKING - IS OFFERED BY THE DIVISION TO THOSE DISABLED PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BETTER THEMSELVES.

THE MAIN TRAINING CENTRES ARE THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE, THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE AND THE KAI NANG TRAINING CENTRE.

MR. KHOO TAI-PIN, HEAD OF THE DIVISION SAID t +THE DISABLED LEARN HOW TO MAKE THE FULLEST USE OF THEIR SKILL THROUGH TRAINING AND THUS IMPROVE THEIR CHANCES OF FINDING EMPLOYMENT IN THE OPEN MARKET.+

IN 1975, 200 DISABLED WORKERS WERE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN VARIOUS TYPES OF WORK, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR.

MR. KHOO POINTED OUT THAT EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED BEGAN TO PICK UP IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR WITH JOBS FOUND FOR AN AVERAGE OF 33 PEOPLE EACH MONTH.

+WE ARE PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THIS PROMISING TREND CONTINUES IN THE NEW YEAR,+ HE ADDED. +JANUARY’S FIGURE WAS AS HIGH AS 44.+

AS IN THE PAST YEARS, THE DISABLED WERE MAINLY EMPLOYED AS MACHINE-SEWING WORKERS, GENERAL WORKERS, PRESS MACHINE OPERATORS AND ASSEMBLERS.

THEY WERE PAID AT A DAILY RATE OF $15 TO $20 OR AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF $300 TO $600 WHICH ARE STRICTLY ON A PAR WITH THE ABLE-BODIED WORKERS.

MR. KHOO BELIEVED THAT EMPLOYERS WERE BEGINNING TO REALISE THAT THEY HAD NOTHING TO LOSE BY EMPLOYING HANDICAPPED WORKERS.

+THE DISABLED ARE CAREFUL, STABLE AND THEY CONCENTRATE IN THEIR WORK,* HE POINTED OUT.

AT THE SAME TIME. THE REHABILITATION DIVISION IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO HELP EMPLOYERS TO ACCOMMODATE HANDICAPPED STAFF IN THEIR ORGANISATIONS.

♦ONE OF THE IDEAS WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE IS TO HAVE ONE SMALL UNIT IN A FACTORY TO BE MANNED ENTIRELY BY DISABLED WORKERS,+ MR. KHOO SAID. +IT IS ALL PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO HELP EMPLOYERS WHO ARE PROGRESSIVE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON DISABLED PEOPLE.*

/AN ADVANTAGE .....

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1976

AN ADVANTAGE OF HAVING SUCH A UNIT IS THAT IT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED TO HAVE A PERSON SPECIALLY DESIGNATED TO LOOK AFTER ONE OR TWO DISABLED STAFF AND THUS REDUCE EXPENSES SO INCURRED.

+ALL THE EMPLOYER HAS TO DO IS TO PROVIDE AN INSTRUCTOR AND OUR DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FACILITIES AT OUR CENTRES AND MEET ALL THE TRAINING EXPENSES,+ MR. KHOO EXPLAINED.

THE DIVISION HAD TRIED OUT THE IDEA WITH TWO EMPLOYERS AND THE RESULTS TURNED OUT TO BE SATISFACTORY TO BOTH PARTIES.

MR. KHOO APPEALED TO MORE EMPLOYERS TO ACCEPT DISABLED WORKERS.

THOSE WISHING TO DO SO ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE JOB PLACEMENT UNIT OF THE REHABILITATION DIVISION EITHER BY WRITING TO THE WORLD REHABILITATION FUND DAY CENTRE, KWUN TONG ROAD, OR BY TELEPHONING 3-419221.

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BUDGET DEBATE * *

RESUMES ON WEDNESDAY * * * *

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATE OF HONG KONG AND THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1976 AT 2.30 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

THERE WILL BE 14 SPEAKERS. ON WEDNESDAY, SEVEN OF THEM WILL SPEAK IN THE FOLLOWING ORDERi DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, THE HON. ROGER LOBO. THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS. THE HON. JAMES WU, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN AND THE HON. LI FOOK-WO.

SEVEN OTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THE FOLLOWING DAY (THURSDAY). THEY ARE THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE, DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, THE HON. MISS KO SIU-WAH, THE HON. T.S. LO, THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN, THE HON. ALEX WU AND THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWO-DAY DEBATE WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RHK 2 (CHINESE) AND RHK 4 (ENGLISH).

OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON APRIL 7.

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1976

- 3 -

MORE MACS FORMED IN TSUEN WAN *****

SIX MORE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED IN TSUEN WAN SINCE THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY BY THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE PROMOTION UNIT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE. THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF MACS IN THE TOWN TO 113.

A FURTHER EIGHT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ARE IN THE PIPELINE.

IN ADDITION TO MACS, THERE ARE 18 OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, EIGHT OF WHICH ARE IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.

NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY PATROLS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN EIGHT BLOCKS OF THE KWAI HING AND KWAI SHING ESTATES.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Monday, March 22, 1976

S72 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR CHAI WAN (WEST) ESTATE «»*««***

The Housing Authority is to extend its redevelopment programme to embrace Chai Wan (West) Estate which has a population of about 27,0C0 Announcing this today (Monday). Dr. E.G. Pryor, Assistant Director (kedevelopment), Housing Department, said that blocks 24 and 25 will be demolished in the initial stage of the programme..

These two blocks house about 8p0 families totalling some 5,000 tenants.

The affected families will be offered new flats in Hing Wah Estate, Stage II. However, applications for accommodation in estates elsewhere will also be considered if flats are available.

’•Letters together with information leaflets explaining the scheme have been delivered today to all tenants of the estate.. Tenants of blocks 24 and 25, which are to be demolished, have been given a guide on rehousing procedure. Housing Department staff will be calling on them witnin the next few days to provide further information and to answer any queries,” Dr. Pryor said.

/An enquiry .

An enquiry office will also be opened in the estate office for the benefit of tenants.

"Needy families will be given every assistance throught the co-ordinated efforts of various Government departments. Genuine hardship cases will be offered removal and decoration allowance," Dr. Pryor gave an assurance.

Chai Wan (West) Estate, built between 1959 and 1965* has four Mark I blocks and eight Mark II blocks.

The Authority’s aim in redeveloping this and similar old estates is to improve the environment of tenants who are presently living in congested conditions and sharing communal facilities. A head start has already been made at Shek Kip Mei and Tai Hang Tung.

The first phase -of the Chai Wan (West) Scheme will comprise a 28-storey building, scheduled for completion in the latter part of 1978. It will contain about 670 flats of various sizes. The flats will all be self-contained, each with its own balcony, toilet with shower and kitchen.

The initial phase of the Chai Wan (West) Estate redevelopment programme will involve a massive decantation programme - homes for about 850 families have to be provided so that the two blocks could be vacated for demolition.

Mr. Pang Yuk-ling, Chief architect of the Housing Department, envisages that the estate on full redevelopment the population would be reduced from the existing 27,000 to 20,000 giving a density of about 1,000 per acre. The estimated capital cost of the project is in the order of 372 million. Development works will be in several phases.

/Eventually .....

5 -

’’Eventually, the department proposes to demolish 12 vintage blocks which are lacking in private facilities and replace, them with six domestic hui]dings ranging from 12 to 28 storeys.

’’One of the features of this redevelopment scheme is the incorporation of a commdrcial complex along Chai Wan Road and Wan Tsui Road where the existing blocks 17, 18, 26 and 27 stand,” Mr. Pang said.

The complex will include shops, market stalls, restaurants, a supermarket, a bank, welfare premises, nurseries, kindergartens and a carpark.

There will also be two primary schools and a secondary school included in the new layout of the estate.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

INFORMATION ON UTILISATION OF TEXTILE QUOTAS TO BE PUBLICISED REGULARLY ...................................... 1

EMPLOYERS URGED TO SUPPORT SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME .................................................... 3

CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR LAST MONTH REMAIN STABLE ....... 4

RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1976 ANNOUNCED ... 4

SWD COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTRES TO HOLD COMPETITIONS ...... 5

HONG KONG DELEGATION FOR ESCAP MEETING .................... 5

TEMPORARY SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ... 6

WATER INTERRUPTION IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WESTERN ........... 6

BILL DORWARD TAKES UP NEW POST AS D C AND I DEPUTY DIRECTOR .................................................. 7

GOVERNMENT TO OPEN ITS FIRST LORRY PARK NEXT WEEK ......... 7

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

INFORMATION ON QUOTA UTILISATION ******

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY ISSUED INFORMATION ON THE UTILISATION OF QUOTA IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR TEXTILE MARKETS, THE UNITED STATES AND THE EEC.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT PUBLICATION OF THIS INFORMATION MIGHT HELP TO DISPEL SOME OF THE DOUBTS AMONG PEOPLE IN THE TRADE AS TO THE AMOUNTS OF QUOTA STILL UNUSED IN QUOTA HOLDERS’ HANDS. IT WAS INTENDED THAT DATA ON QUOTA UTILISATION IN RESPECT OF ALL RESTRAINT MARKETS WOULD IN FUTURE BE ISSUED ON A REGULAR BASIS. DETAILS OF HOW THIS INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE QUOTA POSITION FOR THE UNITED STATES AND THE EEC AS AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.

USA

THE CURRENT 12-MONTH US TEXTILE RESTRAINT PERIOD BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 1975. IN THE FIVE MONTHS UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY 1976, A TOTAL OF 310 MILLION EQUIVALENT SQ. YDS. REPRESENTING 35 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL QUOTA FOR THE US HAD BEEN USED. THE RATES OF UTILISATION OF THE MORE POPULAR CATEGORIES ARE SET OUT BELOW i-

CATEGORY NO. DESCRIPTION

UTILISATION RATE

41/42 COTTON KNIT T-SHIRTS 72%

22/23 COTTON TWILL AND SATEEN (INCLUDING DRILLS, JEANS AND DENIM) 61%

43/62(2) OTHER COTTON KNIT SHIRTS AND BLOUSES 61%

50/51 COTTON WOVEN TROUSERS, SLACKS AND SHORTS 60%

219 MAN-MADE FIBRE KNIT SHIRTS (OTHER THAN T-SHIRTS) AND BLOUSES 51%

TUESDAY, MARCH 2J, 1976

EEC

THE TWELVE-MONTH RESTRAINT PERIOD FOR THE EEC BEGAN ON JANUARY 1, 1976. IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS TOTAL QUOTA USED REPRESENTED 16 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL MEMBER STATE LIMITS IN THE CASE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND DENMARK, 14 PER CENT IN THE CASE OF THE UK AND EIGHT PER CENT IN THE CASE OF THE BENELUX. FOLLOWING ARE FIGURES SHOWING RATES OF QUOTA UTILISATION IN RESPECT OF THE POPULAR CATEGORIES i-

CATEGORY NO. DESCRIPTION UTILISATION RATE

FRG UK BENELUX DENMARK

3 KNIT SHIRTS 24% 34% 20% 14%

4 KNIT SWEATERS 16% 19% 10% 25%

8 WOVEN TROUSERS 26% 22% 17% 25%

10 WOVEN DRESSES AND SKIRTS 27% 13% 21% 23%

11 WOVEN BLOUSES 18% 31% 17% 25%

12 WOVEN SHIRTS 15% 23% 13% 24%

13 WOVEN PYJAMAS 28% 14% 10% 4%

THE OVERALL QUOTA UTILISATIONS FOR THE OTHER MEMBER STATES OF THE EEC NAMELY FRANCE, ITALY AND THE IRISH REPUBLIC WERE LOW, WITH NONE OF THE CATEGORIES EXCEEDING 10 PER CENT OF THE LIMITS AS AT END FEBRUARY 1976.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME FOR STUDENTS

M * X X * X

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS SUPPORTING THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS IN ORGANISING ANOTHER SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS.

MISS ROSE LAU, THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS OFFICER, SAID TODAY THAT THE RESPONSE FROM FIRMS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WAS MOST ENCOURAGING INDEED.

IN 1974 WHEN THE SCHEME WAS FIRST STARTED, 58 PUPILS BENEFITTED. LAST YEAR ANOTHER 78 PUPILS WORKED IN HOSPITALS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, ACCOUNTING FIRMS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS.

MISS LAU, WHO IS SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS, SAID* +1 AM MOST WILLING TO CALL ON MANAGERS OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS TO GIVE THEM DETAILS OF THE SCHEME.+ MISS LAU CAN BE CONTACTED AT TEL. 5-778311 EXT. 157.

BASICALLY THE SCHEME INVOLVES FORM 5 STUDENTS BEING ATTACHED TO A PLACE OF WORK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE +FEEL+ OF THE WORK PLACE, TO REALISE THEIR POTENTIALS AND THUS TO BRING PURPOSEFUL DIRECTION TO THEIR STUDIES AND CAREER AMBITIONS.

IN A CIRCULAR LETTER TO THE MANAGEMENT OF MORE THAN 50 INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS, MR. JACLAND LAI, APPEALED TO THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION SINCE THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON THEIR RESPONSE.

MR. LAI SAID* +WE REALISE THAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DEVOTE BOTH TIME AND ENERGY TO THIS PROJECT, BUT WE FEEL THAT, WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, A SCHEME OF THIS NATURE WILL BE INVALUABLE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE HOPE THAT YOU, AS WELL, MAY BENEFIT FROM THIS EXPERIMENT.*

MR. LAI, WHO IS THE CAREERS MASTER OF THE DIOCESAN BOYS’ SCHOOL, ASKED THE MANAGEMENTS TO COMPLETE AND RETURN BY THE END OF THIS MONTH THE FORMS WHICH HE SENT TO THEM.

HE ENVISAGED THAT THIS SUMMER’S SCHEME WOULD COMMENCE IN JULY.

+WE FEEL THAT IF THE STUDENTS ARE TO BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME, A PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES CONSISTING OF AN INDUCTION PERIOD OF SPECIAL INTRODUCTION AND A PERIOD OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE DRAWN UP IN ADVANCE,* MR. LAI SAID.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX STABLE LAST MONTH ******

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR FEBRUARY 1976 WAS 108, THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS FELL BY ONE POINT. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED WHILE THOSE OF PORK AND MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ADVANCED.

A FALL OF TWO POINTS WAS ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR SERVICES, DUE MAINLY TO REDUCED CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR FEBRUARY WAS 109, THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE PRECEDING MONTH.

A FALL OF ONE POINT WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS. THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED WHILE THAT OF PORK ADVANCED.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ALSO DROPPED BY ONE POINT, DUE MAINLY TO REDUCED CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 AND $1,499 A MONTH IN THE 1973/74 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) COVERS HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,999 A MONTH IN THE SAME SURVEY.

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D C AND I ANNOUNCES RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR SECOND QUARTER *****

THE RICE IMPORT QUOTA FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1976 HAS BEEN FIXED AT 91,696.5 METRIC TONS, A COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT SAID TODAY.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (TRADE), MR. PAUL WONG, EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW QUOTA - LARGER THAN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S QUOTA BY 11,182.5 METRIC TONS - TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE AMOUNT OF RICE STOCKS IN HONG KONG AND THE OVERSEAS SUPPLY POSITION.

HONG KONG IMPORTED A TOTAL OF 61,082 METRIC TONS OF RICE SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR. OF THIS AMOUNT, CHINA SUPPLIED 32,431 METRIC TONS AND THAILAND 21,702 METRIC TONS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

S.W.D. INTER-CENTRE COMPETITIONS * * * * *

MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY AND YOUTH CENTRES RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL SHOW OFF THEIR TALENTS IN FOLK-SONG AND DRESS-MAKING COMPETITIONS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 27) NIGHT.

THE COMPETITIONS ARE PART OF A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRES TO STIMULATE MEMBERS’ INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING PROMOTED.

THE CONTESTS ON SATURDAY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL AT 7 P.M.

MISS ANNIE CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (SOCIAL WORK), WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY PERFORMANCES BY THE WINNERS.

IN THE PAST WEEKS, COMPETITIONS HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE ON JUDO, COOKING, FOLK DANCING AND CAMPING. ABOUT 80 BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES AND RED CROSS CADETS PARTICIPATED.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE COMPETITIONS AND PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY.

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H.K. AT ESCAP MEETING

* * * *

A FOUR-MEMBER DELEGATION LEFT HONG KONG THIS MORNING TO ATTEND THE EIGHT-DAY PLENARY SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) IN BANGKOK.

THE DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR. Q.W. LEE, A LOCAL PROMINENT BANKER. OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE MR. D.C. JONES, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES- MR. M.K. COURTNEY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ECONOMIC SERVICES) •AND MISS ANNIE YAU, ECONOMIST OF THE ECONOMIC BRANCH OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT.

THE GROUP WILL BE JOINED LATER THIS WEEK BY MR. PETER TSAO, DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COMMERCIAL RELATIONS) OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 3.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1976

TEACHERS FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES

M * M *

A LIST OF TEACHERS WHO CAN STAND IN FOR DAY STAFF OF THE THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES DURING THEIR TEMPORARY ABSENCE IS NOW BEING COMPILED BY THE TECHNICAL BRANCH OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WHO WISH TO PLACE THEIR NAMES ON THE LIST.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TECHNICAL BRANCH, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, BONAVENTURE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR, 85-91 LEIGHTON ROAD.

THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES — MORRISON HILL, KWUN TONG AND KWAI CHUNG - OFFER COURSES IN CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, CONSTRUCTION, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND MOTOR VEHICLE WORK, PRINTING AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES.

GENERAL SUBJECTS TEACHERS IN TECHNICAL ENGLISH, COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ARE ALSO INVITED TO APPLY.

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WATER STOPPAGE

H * K H

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL TURNED OFF BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (MARCH 25) ALLOW THE WATER WORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KIMBERLEY ROAD, OBSERVATORY ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, CAMERON ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, A NUMBER OF PREMISES WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 26).

THE PREMISES ARE IN AN AREA BOUNDED BY HILL ROAD, DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, FRENCH STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.

THE INTERRUPTION IS TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1973

DORWARD TAKES UP NEW POST ******

MR. BILL DORWARD HAS RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO TAKE UP HIS NEW POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDUSTRY AND ADMINISTRATION) AND CONCURRENTLY OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF PREVENTIVE SERVICE.

HE HAS BEEN IN GENEVA SINCE JULY 1974 AS COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN THE BRITISH MISSION DURING WHICH TIME HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE EIGHT-MAN TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY (TSB) WHICH OVERSEES THE WORKINGS OF THE GATT ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES.

PRIOR TO SERVICE IN GENEVA, MR. DORWARD HELD THE POST OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COMMERCIAL RELATIONS). HIS NEW POST WAS VACATED LAST SEPTEMBER BY THE FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR, WHO LEFT THE DEPARTMENT ON RETIREMENT AND HAS SINCE JOINED THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS ITS DIRECTOR.

MR. ROY PORTER WHO ACTED IN THE POST IN THE INTERIM, IS NOW ON HOME LEAVE, IN THE COURSE OF WHICH HE WILL BE LEADING AN INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION MISSION TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY IN MAY TO TRY AND ATTRACT OVERSEAS INDUSTRIALISTS TO HONG KONG.

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GOVERNMENT’S FIRST LORRY PARK * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT WILL OPEN ITS FIRST LORRY PARK NEXT WEEK IN KOWLOON.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE LORRY PARK, AT HO MAN TIN, WILL BE OPEN FROM 8 A.M. NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 29). IT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF CARMEL VILLAGE STREET AND CHUNG HAU STREET, WITH THE ENTRANCE ON CARMEL VILLAGE STREET.

THE LORRY PARK WILL BE OPEN TO UNLADEN GOODS VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES. ON WEEKDAYS THE CHARGES WILL BE $5 FROM 8 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AND $5 FROM 1 P.M. TO 7 P.M. OR $10 FROM 8 A.M. TO 7 P.M. A MONTHLY PASS IS AVAILABLE AT $400.

THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE FOR PARKING ON WEEKDAYS FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 A.M. AND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG’S TAX SYSTEM SHOULD BE INDUCIVE TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT............................................ •• 1

EMPLOYERS ENCOURAGED TO RESERVE SMALL QUOTA IN THEIR WORKFORCE FOR DISABLED ...................................... 5

GOVERNMENT URGED TO EXTEND COOPERATION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN EXPANDING SECONDARY EDUCATION .............................. 8

ADVISORY BOARD ON PRISON INDUSTRIES PROPOSED ................. 10

GOVERNMENT URGED TO INVOLVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME ... 12

CALL TO REVIEW EXISTING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS ................ 14

PROPOSAL TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE ON DECENTRALISATION OF REVENUE-EARNING DEPARTMENTS .................................. 16

THREE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO SHOW STUDENTS’ WORK THIS WEEK .................................................... 18

EX-NAVAL DOCKYARD CAR PARK TO MAKE WAY FOR MTR WORKS ......... 19

WATER INTERRUPTION IN TSIM SHA TSUI ........................ ’ 19

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 1 -

APPOINTMENT OF THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE WELCOMED * * * * * *

THE TAX SYSTEM IN HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE INDUCIVE TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT, BE SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE, INEXPENSIVE TO OPERATE, NOT UNREASONABLY UNFAIR AND EASY TO ADMINISTER, DR. THE HON. CHUNG SZE-YUEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN OPENING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, DR. CHUNG SAID THIS WAS THE VIEW OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

HE RECALLED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD REVEALED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH BOTH THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES AND THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED DIVIDENDS WITHHOLDING TAX AND THE , UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS TAX.

+IT IS TRUE THAT THE MAJORITY OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS DO OBJECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THESE PARTICULAR TYPES OF TAXATION, BUT TO BE FAIR TO THEM, I AND, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THEY ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF RAISING MORE TAXES, IF SUCH A COURSE IS NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE,* HE SAID.

DR. CHUNG WELCOMED THE APPOINTMENT OF THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE, BUT HE HAD DOUBTS ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE.

HE FELT THAT THE AMOUNT OF TAX REQUIRED TO BE RAISED EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE OR TEN YEARS WAS OF UTMOST IMPCJTANCE IN CONSIDERING AND REVIEWING THE PRESENT HONG KONG TAX SYSTEM OF PROFITS AND OTHER FORMS OF INCOME, AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE.

r. . .

UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPECIFY THE RANGE OF TE PROJECTED AMOUNTS OF EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX REQUIRED ,J EACH OF THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS, DR. CHUNG SAID HE WOULD F'ND IT DIFFICULT, IF HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, TO ASS-SS THE NEED AND PRIORITY FOR OTHER FORMS OF EARNINGS AND PROI'TS TAX TO BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF THE 200,000 BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG MADE EXTENSIVE USE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT PRACTICALLY PAID NO TAXES.

+SOM,'. OF THESE BUSINESS FIRMS MAKE NO PROFIT NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAKE MONEY BUT SIMPLY THEY DON’T WANT TO MAKE ANY PROFIT. SINCE OUR INDIRECT TAXATION IS MINIMAL, THESE FIRM' ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX-PAYERS IN HONG KONG.v

ON T/E QUESTION OF FINANCING CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, HE SAID IT WAS II iVITABLE THAT HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ITS INFRASTRI ;TURE SUCH AS TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATION, WATER AND POWER SO >S TO IMPROVE BOTH THE COMMffiCIAI /INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY AND THE I "A7DARDS OF LIVING.

/UNTIL......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

UNTIL RECENT YEARS, ALL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES CAME FROM THE REVENUE, BE IT RECURRENT OR CAPITAL. APART FROM THE FACT THAT IT WAS USUALLY DIFFICULT TO FINANCE MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FROM REVENUE WITHOUT THE SACRIFICE OF SOME DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICES, DR. CHUNG SAID HE ALWAYS FELT THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SOCIAL INJUSTICE IN THAT APPROACH.

+IT IS REALLY NOT EASY TO DEFEND THE PHILOSOPHY THAT THE PRESENT GENERATION SHOULD PAY FOR ALL THE COST OF A CAPITAL PROJECT WHICH IS TO BE ENJOYED ALSO BY THE NEXT GENERATION.+

HE SUBSCRIBED TO THE BUDGETARY STRATEGY THAT LOAN FINANCING WAS, TO CERTAIN EXTENT, DESIRABLE FOR THOSE CAPITAL PROJECTS WHICH WERE, GENERALLY SPEAKING, REVENUE GENERATING SUCH AS AIRPORT, WATER RESERVOIR AND RAILWAYS.

DR. CHUNG CONTINUED THAT THOSE WHO HAD THE GOOD OF HONG KONG AT HEART WOULD FULLY RECOGNISE THE URGENT NEED TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES AND RAISE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THE LESS-PRIVILEGED RESIDENTS.

+l KNOW ALL THE UNOFFICIALS ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERIM INCREASE OF CORPORATION PROFITS TAX TO 17 PER CENT. IN FACT, SOME OF MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES FEEL THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX TO THE SAME LEVEL OF 17 PER CENT.+

DR. CHUNG WENT ON TO SAY THAT WHILE HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THE UPTURN OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, HE WISHED TO SOUND A NOTE OF CAUTION. HE FELT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S FORECAST ON THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN 1976 — A NINE PER CENT GROWTH RATE OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN REAL TERMS — WAS SOMEWHAT OPTIMISTIC.

HE POINTED OUT THAT FROM 1965 TO 1975 INCLUSIVE, THERE WERE ONLY THREE YEARS IN WHICH HONG KONG WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE ANNUAL GROWTH RATES OF GDP AT CONSTANT MARKET PRICES HIGHER THAN NINE PER CENT.

HE SA ID IT WAS DOUBTFUL THAT THE MOMENTUM OF HONG KONG’S GROWTH COULD BE MAINTAINED TOWARDS THE SECOND HALF AND IN PARTICULAR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1976.

AS LONG AS THE TREND OF REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH WAS RISING, HE CONTINUED, ONE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING, THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD BE SURPLUS IN A PROSPEROUS YEAR AND DEFICIT IN A LEAN YEAR.

+IT IS OF COURSE NECESSARY THAT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE SURPLUSES IN THE GOOD YEARS SHOULD BALANCE THE DEFICITS IN THE BAD ONES,+ DR. CHUNG SAID.

THE RATHER SMALL SURPLUS OR DEFICIT EACH YEAR WAS NOT REALLY IMPORTANT, HE SAID. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO WHEN A CASH ACCOUNTING SYSTEM WAS USED IN THE GOVERNMENT.

/♦THIS MEANS .....

- 3 -

♦THIS MEANS THAT, UNLIKE THE NORMAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THERE ARE NO ACCOUNTS PAYABLE NOR ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE IN THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING PROCESS. AS A RESULT, ANY SURPLUS OR DEFICIT AT YEAR END DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE TRUE DIFFERENTIAL POSITION OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE DURING THE YEAR.+

TO TAKE THE 1975-76 ACCOUNT AS A CASE IN POINT, DR. CHUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ESTIMATED A MONTH AGO THAT THERE WOULD BE A DEFICIT OF $50 MILLION WHICH WAS LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

+IF A PROPER ACCOUNTING SYSTEM SHOWING BOTH ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND RECEIVABLE WERE USED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THIS $50 MILLION DEFICIT COULD QUITE POSSIBLY BECOME $50 MILLION SURPLUS.

♦THEREFORE, WE SHOULD NOT PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE SWING OF A SMALL SURPLUS OR DEFICIT FROM YEAR TO YEAR. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THERE WERE CONSISTENTLY TO BE A LARGE SURPLUS OR DEFICIT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE TREND CANNOT BE IGNORED,♦ HE ADDED.

TOUCHING ON BUDGETARY STRATEGY, DR. CHUNG REFERRED TO A GRAPH HE HAD PREPARED, SHOWING THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FROM 1965-66 TO 1975-76.

FROM THE GRAPH, HE OBSERVED THAT THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATES FOR BOTH TOTAL EXPENDITURE AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WERE PRACTICALLY EQUAL — ONE WAS 16.4 PER CENT AND THE OTHER 16.9 PER CENT — AND THEREFORE THE TWO TREND LINES WERE ALMOST PARALLEL.

HE EXPLAINED THAT AS THE GRAPH WAS PLOTTED ON SEMI-LOGARITHMIC PAPER, THE PARALLEL TREND LINES MEANT THAT, ON THE AVERAGE, THE RATIO OF CAPITAL TO RECURRENT EXPENDITURES HAD BEEN CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE PAST 11 YEARS AT ABOUT 42 PER CENT. -

OR, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE DURING THE PAST 10 TO 12 YEARS WAS ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE. HENCE, THE PROPOSED 1976-77 BUDGET GIVING A RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF $5,289 MILLION AND A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $7,212 MILLION — A RATIO OF 73 PER CENT — WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE 70 PER CENT AS REVEALED BY THE TWO TREND LINES ON THE GRAPH.

HOWEVER, FOR THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE DURING THE FORECAST PERIOD FROM 1977-78 TO 1979-80, DR. CHUNG SAID THE RANGE OF TOTAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURES TENDED TO DEVIATE FROM THE TREND LINES.

IN OTHER WORDS, THERE WAS INDICATION THAT THE GROWTH IN EXPENDITURE DURING THE FORECAST PERIOD WOULD BE SLOWER THAN THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE.

♦NEVERTHELESS, ON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE, AS ALL FIGURES FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD ARE NET PRESENT VALUES (THAT IS, AT APRIL 1976 PRICES) AND IT IS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THEM FOR PRICE INFLAT ION.+

/IF AN .....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

IF AN ANNUAL INFLATION RATE OF SEVEN PER CENT WAS ASSUMED, THE MID-RANGE OF THE TOTAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURES FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD WOULD BE VERY CLOSE TO THE TWO RESPECTIVE TREND LINES, AND WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE HISTORICAL GROWTH RATES.

♦IN THIS RESPECT, I SEE NO REASON TO TRY TO PICK HOLES IN MY HONOURABLE FRIEND’S FORECAST OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE THREE YEARS FOLLOWING THE BUDGET YEAR AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY GENERAL AGREEMENT WITH HIM,+ DR. CHUNG SAID.

COMPARING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REVENUE FORECAST WITH HISTORICAL TREND. DR. CHUNG OBSERVED THE CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDE TAKEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. AS AN EXAMPLE, RECURRENT REVENUE IN THE BUDGET COULD BE NEARER TO $7,000 AlLLION THAN $6,000 MILLION. +NEVERTHELESS,+ DR. CHUNG SAID, +IN THE WORLD WHERE THE ONLY CERTAINTY IS UNCERTAINTY, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE REVENUE FORECASTING^"™* T° ™E * P*UDENT APPR0ACH ,N

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

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MORE MEANINGFUL LIFE FOR-THE DISABLED

* * M * *

THE HON. ROGER LOBO TODAY CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO SET ASIDE A SMALL QUOTA IN THEIR WORKFORCE FOR THE LESS DISABLED WHO FALL OUTSIDE THE DISABILITY SCHEME, SO THAT THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE COULD +HELP SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND BRING MORE MEANING INTO THEIR LIVES.*

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID HE SHOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME PROGRAMME DEVISED IN THIS DIRECTION.

THIS WOULD INVOLVE SOME EXTRA COST TO EMPLOYERS IN ADAPTING THEIR FACILITIES TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, MR. LOBO SAID. BUT, IN RETURN FOR A QUOTA, IT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE FOR SOME TAX CONCESSION TO BE LINKED TO THE NUMBER OF DISABLED PEOPLE EMPLOYED.

+THERE WOULD, OF COURSE, BE A SAVING TO GOVERNMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT NEWLY EMPLOYED DISABLED PEOPLE WOULD FLOAT OFF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CASELOAD BECAUSE OF THEIR EARNINGS AND THIS COULD HELP TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE,* HE ADDED.

MR. LOBO REITERATED A SUGGESTION ON SOCIAL WELFARE WHICH HE MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR THAT WHERE POSSIBLE, WELFARE ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE MERGED WITH THE VIEW TO RAISING STANDARDS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, REDUCING COSTS.

HE STRESSED THAT NO DOUBT THERE WAS MUCH OVER-LAPPING AND DUPLICATION OF EFFORT BY AGENCIES, AND EVALUATION WORK WAS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE.

ON TOURISM, MR. LOBO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMON COURTESY TO BE DISPLAYED BY ALL THOSE HAVING DEALINGS WITH TOURISTS.

HE WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF THE ATTITUDE AND MANNER OF SOME SHOPKEEPERS AND TAXI DRIVERS TOWARDS TOURISTS AS WELL AS LOCAL RESIDENTS.

PEOPLE WORKING BEHIND THE PORT HEALTH AND IMMIGRATION COUNTERS AT THE AIRPORT SHOULD ALSO BE COURTEOUS.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS WERE IMPORTANT, HE SAID. AN OCCASIONAL SMILE AND A CHEERFUL WORD OF WELCOME OR GREETING FROM THOSE B£ 31 ND THESE COUNTERS COULD MAKE A VISITOR'S STAY + JUST. THAT L TTLE BIT MORE PLEASANT FROM THE VERY START*

/MR. LOBO SAID :

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

6 -

MR. LOBO SAID* *l APPtECIAIt THAT GREAT EFFORTS

BEEN AND ARE BEING MADE BY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED TO IMPROVE ATTITUDES, BUT MUCH STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO OUR SHORES.+

HE FELT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL SUBVENTION TO THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION WAS NOT ENOUGH IN ITSELF TO PROMOTE TOURISM. HE REITERATED* +THIS INDUSTRY, WHICH IS OF SUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, IS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS. IF WE WISH TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO HONG KONG AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY LONGER, BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR MUST PLAY THEIR COMPLEMENTARY ROLES MORE EFFECTIVELY.*

MR. LOBO PROPOSED THAT LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATION AND TAXI COMPANIES AND THE TRADE UNIONS CONCERNED SHOULD TRY TO BRIEF THEIR MEMBERS ON THE PART WHICH COMMON COURTESY COULD PLAY IN CONTRIBUTION TO *THE FURTHER GROWTH OF OUR TOURIST INDUSTRY AND, IN THE PROCESS, THEIR OWN STANDARD OF LIVING.*

HE ADDED THAT WHILE THERE WERE MAJOR AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVED, IT MUST ALSO REMAIN A MAJOR SOURCE OF CONCERN THAT THE PRESENT AIRPORT MAY PROVE INSUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH POSSIBLE DEMANDS BY 1987/1990.

ON MOTOR-CYCLING, MR. LOBO WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL MEASURE OF FISCAL CONTROL TO CONTAIN THE NUMBER OF MOTOR-CYCLES ON THE ROADS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT OVER 22,000 SUCH VEHICLES WERE REGISTERED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, OF WHICH +A FAIRLY LARGE PROPORTION APPEARS TO BE IN THE HANDS OF SUICIDAL MANIACS, WHO NOT ONLY ENDANGER THEIR OWN LIVES BUT, WHAT IS MORE, THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF OTHERS.*

DURING 1975, MOTOR-CYCLES WERE INVOLVED IN 2,271 REPORTED ACCIDENTS — NEARLY 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH AND INJURY.

BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT PUBLIC SERVICES SHOULD BE SELF-FINANCING WHEREVER POSSIBLE, HE THOUGHT THAT, IN RELATION TO REVENUE FROM REGISTRATION AND LICENCE FEES, A CONSIDERABLE LOSS WAS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING THE NUMEROUS SERVICES REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH THESE 2,271 ACCIDENTS.

♦THIS THEREFORE LEADS ME TO QUESTION WHETHER THERE IS NOT A CASE FOR INCREASING THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR A MOTOR-CYCLE FROM $175 TO A MORE REALISTIC FIGURE. LET US REMEMBER THAT MOTOR-CYCLISTS ENJOY FREE ON-STREET PARKING THROUGHOUT THE COLONY.*

MR. LOBO CALLEDFOR THE LEGALISATION OF THE *MOTOR.-CYCLE FOR HIRE* BUS)MESS, THUS BRINGING ITS OPERATORS INTO THE T/X NET.

/POINTING......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

POINTING OUT THAT 3,500 PROVISIONAL LICENCES FOR MOTOR-CYCLES WERE ISSUED LAST YEAR AND PLUS THOSE CARRIED FORWARD FROM 1974, HE SAID IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT THERE WAS A THRIVING ILLEGAL BUSINESS IN THIS FIELD.

ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH, MR. LOBO NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH MENTIONED THAT THE PROVISION FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES REPRESENTED 8.7 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN 1976/77, COMPARED WITH 9.5 PER CENT OF THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1975/76.

HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS LOWERING OF THE PRIORITY WOULD MEAN FURTHER DELAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN SHELVED FOR A YEAR.

HE ALSO ASKED THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO REVIEW THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY HIS DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, AND THE PROGRESS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

8 -

CALL FOR TRUST TOWARDS PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH WILL PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN SECONDARY EDUCATION M M M M M

THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS TODAY APPEALED FOR TRUST AND RESPECT TOWARDS THOSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH WILL, IN THE NEXT IWO TO THREE YEARS, PLAY A MAJOR PART IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME OF EXPANDING SECONDARY EDUCATION.

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, SHE HOPED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD HAVE +BRAVE AND NEW IDEAS* FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE STRONG LINKS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS TO SUCH PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

FURTHERMORE, SHE STRESSED THAT IT MUST BE THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPREME DUTY +TO FOSTER THE FLEXIBILITY OF SCHOOLS, TO ENCOURAGE THE OLDER SCHOOLS TO HELP THE NEW, RESPECTING THE INDIVIDUALITY AND INTEGRITY OF EACH SCHOOL.*

MRS. SYMONS COMPLIMENTED THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS INTENTION TO PROVIDE 18,741 MORE SECONDARY PLACES THIS COMING ACADEMIC YEAR, AND SHE SUSPECTED THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF EXPANSION WOULD BE THROUGH BOUGHT PLACES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS.

WELCOMING THE HINT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WOULD PAY GREATER ATTENTION TO THE VAST SUMS OF MONEY SPENT BY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS, SHE SAID ACCOUNTABILITY COULD NOT BE EQUATED WITH THE MERE SUBMISSION OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS.

+SUBVENTED BODIES MUST, AND IN THE MAIN, DO USE GOVERNMENT MONEY AS CAREFULLY AS THEIR OWN- IF ANYTHING TWICE AS CAREFULLY NO ONE SHOULD TAKE UMBRAGE AT THIS.

+IT FOLLOWS THEREFORE THAT THOSE RECEIVING A NEW FORM OF SUBSIDY AS IN THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS THROUGH THE BUYING OF PLACES OR PER CAPITA GRANTS MUST BE IN THE AUDIT NET, TOO.*

JUST AS THERE WAS ACCOUNTABILITY OF MONEY. MRS. SYMONS SAID, SO THERE WAS THE MORE IMPORTANT ACCOUNTABILITY OF MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT.

FOR A VERY LONG TIME, SHE WENT ON, THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AIDED SCHOOLS HAD ENABLED BOTH, IN HARNESS, TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND SERVED IT WELL WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF FINANCE.

♦NOW IN CO-OPERATION THERE WILL BE A TROIKA THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN RECEIPT OF GOVERNMENT AID THROUGH THE BUYING OF PLACES OR SPECIAL GRANT.*

SHE HOPED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD HAVE ♦BRAVE AND NEW IDEAS FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE STRONG LINKS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS TO EXTEND TO SUCH PRIVATE SCHOOLS AS MAY BE PLEASED TO CO-OPERATE.+

♦SUCH SHARING OF EXPERTISE AT ADMINISTRATION, STAFF AND STUDENT LEVEL SHOULD DO NO HARM AND COULD DO SOME GOOD,* SHE ADDED.

/ON THE SUBJECT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

ON THE SUBJECT OF BOUGHT PLACES, MRS. SYMONS SAID SHE SHARED THE CONCERN OF THOSE WHO WERE WORRIED ABOUT QUALITY. BUT SHE DID NOT AGREE WITH SOME CRITICS WHO WOULD RATHER CHILDREN BE UNSCHOOLED THAN THAT THEY SHOULD BE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS., ...

SHE ESTIMATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TEN YEARS BEFORE THERE WOULD BE GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PLACES IN +NORMAL+ SCHOOLS, NOT EXTENDED DAY, FLOTATION AND BOUGHT PLACE IMPROVISATIONS. +ANOTHER GENERATION WILL HAVE GROWN UP, AND ONE CAN ONLY SAY THAT THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL TYPES OF SCHOOLS HELPED SUCH CHILDREN THROUGH THE INTERREGNUM.*

SHE CONTINUED THAT IF STRENUOUS EFFORTS WERE MADE TO IMPROVE QUALITY DESPITE THE MAXIMISATION OF QUANTITY, THERE WAS SOME HOPE THAT AFTER A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION HONG KONG WOULD SEE EVOLVE EDUCATION FOR ITS YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THE YOUTH OF TOMORROW, WHEREVER THEY MAY GO, WHATEVER THEY MAY DO.

MRS. SYMONS WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE IDEA THAT +CLEVER+ TEACHERS TEACH THE SIXTH FORM AND NOT ELSEWHERE WAS ♦A DETERRENT TO A HEALTHY ATTITUDE TO WORK.*

♦UNWITTINGLY PERHAPS WE HAVE ENGENDERED THIS. TO SAY HOWEVER SINCERELY TO A YOUNG PERSON ’YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE TO BE A HUMAN BEING’ BORDERS ON THE VERGE OF LUNACY TO THE INCREDULOUS LISTENER.

♦THE DAYS OF UNQUESTIONING ARE MERCIFULLY OVER - OUR YOUNG WILL WANT TO DISCOVER DREAMS AND REALITIES FOR THEMSELVES, THEY WILL NOT BE CONTENT TO STUDY FACTS AND REGURGITATE THEM IN EXAMINATIONS, THEY WILL WANT TO ASSESS AND EVALUATE, AND ALL CONCERNED WITH EDUCATION WILL HAVE TO RE-EQUIP THEMSELVES TO CONTINUE AS GUIDES, PHILOSOPHERS AND FRIENDS.*

MRS. SYMONS CONCLUDED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SET ASIDE THE MONEY — IT NOW REST WITH THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO USE IT VERY JUDICIOUSLY TO MARK A NEW ERA IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WHETHER THIS WOULD PROVE TO BE MEANINGFUL OR NOT WOULD DEPEND ON ALL INVOLVED IN THIS FIELD. IT MUST REMAIN THE SUPREME DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO FOSTER THE FLEXIBILITY OF SCHOOLS, TO ENCOURAGE OLD SCHOOLS TO HELP NEW ONES, RESPECTING THE INDIVIDUALITY AND INTEGRITY OF EACH SCHOOL.

THAT WAS WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY MEANT IN THE LONG RUN, ♦AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT GIVEN GOODWILL WE WILL DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF EDUCATION USEFUL TO ALL STUDENTS WHO IN OUR CITY WILL BE ENABLED THROUGH ITS PROVISION TO SERVE HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE.

+IF WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE WE WILL NOT FAIL THE YOUNG” IF WE DO, WE WILL FALL TO ASHES — CAN WE BE SURE THEN A PHOENIX WILL ARISE? LET US BE ON SOLID ROCK AND BUILD WISELY — WITH ACCOUNTABILITY TO ALL,* SHE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

/1O

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 10 -ADVISORY BOARD ON PRISON INDUSTRIES PROPOSED *****

THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS TODAY PROPOSED THE SETTING UP OF A BOARD TO ADVISE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT ON TAKING THE BEST ADVANTAGE OF PRISON LABOUR BOTH TO THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY AND OF THE PRISONERS THEMSELVES.

ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, HE SAID THAT THE BOARD SHOULD CONSIST LARGELY OF ACTIVE BUSINESSMEN WHO COULD ADVISE AND GIVE TO THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT +THE BUSINESS ACUMEN THEY LACK.*

MR. WILLIAMS FELT SURE THERE WERE MANY CITIZENS WHO WOULD WELCOME THIS CHALLENGE AND COULD PROCURE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IF IT WAS NEEDED.

IF HIS IDEA WAS ACCEPTED, HE SAID, IT MIGHT REQUIRE SOME CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES AND A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH.

+FOR EXAMPLE, IF PRISON LABOUR WAS SOLD OUTSIDE IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO CHARGE THE FULL COST OF SUPERVISORY STAFF WHO WOULD BE NEEDED WHETHER THE PRISONERS WERE EMPLOYED OR NOT,+ HE POINTED OUT.

MR. WILLIAMS WAS PLEASED TO SEE IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH THE REFERENCE TO INCREASED EXPENDITURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRISON INDUSTRIES.

WITH THE PUBLIC SCREAM FOR LONGER SENTENCES. HE SAID, HONG KONG WOULD HAVE A BIGGER PRISON POPULATION AND IT WAS EXPENSIVE.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT WITH IMAGINATION AND INNOVATION, +WE CAN ACHIEVE CONSIDERABLE RETURNS.*

MR. WILLIAMS SAID THAT HIS OWN VIEWS ON PUNISHMENT WERE THAT +THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAVIOUR OF INDIVIDUALS.*

+ INDEED, IT IS SAD TO SAY THAT WITH SO MANY PRISONERS WE ARE TRYING TO MEND BROKEN TOYS,* HE WENT ON. +BUT THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND EVEN IF THEY ARE AGAINST SOCIETY MANY MUST WORRY ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY HAVE CAUSED TO THEIR FAMILIES.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT IF, IN SOME WAY, A PART OF THE RESULT OF THEIR INDUSTRY COULD BENEFIT THEIR FAMILIES, THERE WOULD BE A BIG RESPONSE.

/CW THE ••••••

WEDNESDAY, KARCH 24, 1976

- 11 -

ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. WILLIAMS SUGGESTED THAT SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR TIME AS SOLICITORS, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL MEN DID.

HE RECALLED THAT SOMETIME AGO HE SUGGESTED IN THE COUNCIL THAT THE LENGTH OF MEETINGS COULD BE RECORDED SO THAT BUSINESS DONE THIS WAY SHOULD BE EXPEDITED. HOWEVER. HE ADDED THAT THE SUGGESTION WAS PARRIED WITH +URBANE CHARM+.

MR. WILLIAMS POINTED OUT THAT +PRODUCTIVITY IS THE PARRY TO INCREASING COSTS, AND IF SENIOR PUBLIC SERVANTS HAD AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF THEIR OWN COSTS AND HOW THESE ARE DEPLOYED IN TIME, THIS WOULD PENETRATE DOWN THROUGH THE LOWER LEVELS AND PRODUCTIVITY WOULD INCREASE THROUGHOUT.+

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 12 -

CALL TO INVOLVE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME K * M *

THE HON. JAMES WU TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO INVOLVE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN ITS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND TO START A HOUS ING-FOR-SALE SCHEME TO ACCELERATE THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND TO SAVE PUBLIC FUNDS FOR OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES.

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO SPEED UP ITS HOUSING PROGRAMME AND GENERATE INWARD CASH-FLOW IT COULD SELL LAND AT ONE-THIRD ITS MARKET PRICE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS WHO WOULD BUILD THE FLATS FOR SALE TO EXISTING TENANTS AND THOSE ELIGIBLE AT A RESTRICTED PROFIT MARGIN.

HE ESTIMATED THE PRICE OF A FLAT BUILT UNDER THIS SCHEME AT ABOUT $100 PER SQ. FT. — A FIGURE WELL WITHIN THE REACH OF MANY ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF HOME MORTGAGES.

THE NEW SCHEME WOULD ALSO ENABLE TENANTS OF EARLIER ESTATES WHO HAVE BECOME MORE AFFLUENT THROUGH YEARS OF DILIGENCE, THRIFT AND SAVINGS IN RENT, TO BUY A NEW FLAT AND VACATE THE OLD ONE FOR A NEW-COMER WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE RENT IN A NEW ESTATE, HE SAID.

THESE NEW PUBLIC HOUSES COULD ALSO BE SOLD TO PEOPLE NOT ELIGIBLE UNDER THE PRESENT HOUSING DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS IF THEY COULD BE ASKED TO PAY TO THE GOVERNMENT THE BALANCE OF THE FULL LAND VALUE.

+THIS AGAIN ALSO HELPS TO BRING BETTER HOUSING TO WITHIN THE MEANS OF THE DESERVING MIDDLE CLASS, WHO MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN PAYING DIRECT TAXATION BUT, UP TO THIS MOMENT, DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING, AND HAVE TO GO FOR FULL MARKET PRICE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHICH AGAIN HAVE BEEN BUYING LAND AT INFLATED PRICES IN LAND AUCTIONS,* HE SAID.

ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, MR. WU REITERATED THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRY MUST MOVE UP THE TECHNOLOGICAL SCALE WITH INCREASED AND ACCELERATED VIGOUR.

LIGHT AND HEAVY ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES, HE SAID, MUST BE PROMOTED AND NURTURED BECAUSE BESIDES HAVING TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL BY ITSELF IN ITS MANY BRANCHES, IT WOULD ALSO GIVE STRONG BACK-UP SERVICES TO THE ESTABLISHED AND GROWING INDUSTRIES IN PLASTICS, TOYS AND ELECTRONICS.

WITH PROPER ENCOURAGEMENT AND FACILITATION, HONG KONG COULD CREATE, WITHIN A DECADE OR SO, A +SWITZERLAND OF THE ORIENT* FOR QUALITY PRODUCTS RANGING FROM TEXTILE TO PRECISION MACHINES, HE SAID.

HE FELT THAT THERE WAS ALSO A VERY REAL AND URGENT NEED TO SET UP MORE TECHNOLOGICAL OR ENGINEERING ORIENTED INDUSTRIES TO PROVIDE MORE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE NOW BEING TRAINED IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE UNIVERSITIES, AND IN PARTICULAR, FOR THE MALE WORK FORCE WHICH AT THE MOMENT WAS OUT-NUMBERED BY THE FEMALE, DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAINLY LIGHT INDUSTRIES.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

HE EXPRESSED SATISFACTION THAT THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SCHEME WAS FINALLY BECOMING A REALITY AND HOPED THAT LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS PLANNING TO SET UP SUPPORT INDUST I RES WOULD ALSO RECEIVE THE FULLEST CONSIDERATION.

SPEAKING ON TAXATION POLICY, MR. WU BELIEVED THAT +SHORT OF ANY SERIOUS DOWN-TURN IN THE ECONOMY OF THE DEVELOPED NATIONS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO FINANCE THE SOCIAL SERVICES INTENDED WITH REVENUE ENCHANCED BY OUR CONTINUING ECONOMIC GROWTH UNDER THE PRESENT TAX SYSTEM AND WITH MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES IN PRIVATE SECTOR FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT, GIVING THE CONFIDENCE IN OUR VIABILITY AND STABILITY.

♦I DO AGREE HOWEVER THAT WAYS AND MEANS SHOULD BE DEVISED TO TAX NON-RESIDENT CORPORATIONS WHICH BENEFIT FROM HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICES, AND TO COUNTER ACCUSATION OF BEING A TAX HAVEN, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF A WELL-TRIED AND MIRACULOUSLY SUCCESSFUL TAX-SYSTEM, WHICH, HOWEVER OUTDATED, IS STILL THE ENVY OF MANY PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENTS,* HE SAID.

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE MAJOR TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID, OBJECTED STRONGLY TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX AND AN UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS TAX BECAUSE IT INVOLVED DOUBLE TAXATION WHICH WAS UNFAIR TO SMALL SHAREHOLDERS- IT CONSTITUTED A RADICAL CHANGE IN HONG KONG’S SIMPLE TAX STRUCTURE AND WOULD DISCOURAGE NEW INVESTMENT- IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH PROPER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN DETERRING RE-INVESTMENT- AND IT WAS NOT IN LINE WITH THE WELL KNOWN STRATEGY OF LIMITING DIVIDEND PAYMENTS AND WAGE INCREASES TO FIGHT INFLATION.

+ IN GENERAL, TAXES THAT BEAR ON SAVINGS AND RETURNS ON INVESTMENT WILL DISCOURAGE GROWTH COMPARED TO TAXES THAT FALL ON CONSUMPTION,* HE SAID. +ALSO, LOW TAXES THAT DO NOT DETER OR REDUCE THE INCENTIVE TO LONGER AND HARDER WORK, VENTURE INVESTMENT AND FORMATION OF RISK CAPITAL, DO STIMULATE RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH, AS IS THE CASE IN HONG KONG WHERE WE PLACE THESE CONSIDERATIONS UPPERMOST.*

HE SAID IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT SUCH CONSIDERATIONS CONFLICTED WITH COMMONLY HELD IDEAS OF WHAT IS AN EQUITABLE TAX STRUCTURE. MANY WELL-MEANING AND IDEALISTIC PEOPLE THEN WENT FOR TAX SYSTEMS THAT TENDED TO EMPHASISE ON DISTRIBUTION RATHER THAN ON THE PRODUCTION OF WEALTH.

+IN THE PROCESS ONCE GREAT NATIONS BEGIN TO GO DOWN-HILL AND STRONG INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES BECOME RUINS. POOR NATIONS BECOME POORER. ALL BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF DIRECTION AND MOTIVATION FOR PRODUCTIVE LABOUR AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT, PLUS THE COSTLY PROVISION OF EASY-GOING SOCIAL BENEFITS THAT ARE OPEN TO ABUSE.*

MR. WU STRESSED THAT HONG KONG, WITH NO ENDOWMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BUT ONLY WITH INDUSTRIOUS LABOUR AND RISK CAPITAL, COULD LEAST AFFORD TO TREAD ON SUCH A TREACHEROUS ROAD.

-------o -

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 14 -

GOVERNMENT URGED TO REVIEW EXISTING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS M M MM

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TODAY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ALL THE EXISTING COMMITTEES AND BOARDS SO AS +TO ELIMINATE THOSE WHICH ARE NO LONGER NEEDED AND TO MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER NEW COMMITTEES WHICH CAN RELATE TO THE CHANGING TIMES.+

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID SINCE A CASE HAD BEEN MADE OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT BY ITS VERY NATURE HAD TO RULE BY CONSULTATION, BY CONSENT AND BY CONSENSUS, THERE HAD BEEN SET UP A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMITTEES OF ALL SORTS AND DESCRIPTION.

HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SOME COMMITTEES WHICH HAD ALREADY MORE THAN FULFILLED THEIR PURPOSE WERE STILL UNPRODUCT IVELY LINGERING ON, THUS TAKING UP VALUABLE TIME OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

ON SERVICES FOR THE YOUTH, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO KEEP ON STRENGTHENING THE CO-ORDINATION OF SUCH SERVICES AND TO GIVE IT A MORE LONG-RANGE APPROACH.

HE REFERRED TO THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR YOUTH, WHICH HAD MET ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE IT WAS FORMED.

HE SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT THOUGHT IT ADVISABLE TO ALLOW NON-GOVERNMENTAL PARTICIPATION IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF THIS COMMITTEE ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR YOUTH SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND EXPANDED TO GIVE IT A MORE LONG-TERM APPROACH, AND ITS MEMBERSHIP ENLARGED TO INCLUDE KNOWLEDGEABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE HAD RICH EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA OF SOCIAL WORK.

TURNING TO LAW AND ORDER, MR. CHEONG-LEEN URGED THAT THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IN PARTICULAR BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO EXPAND ITS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE LIAISON STAFF.

THIS, HE SAID, WOULD ENABLE THE M.A.C. MOVEMENT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO FIGHT CRIME AS WELL AS TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL LIVING ENVIRONMENT.

WHILE NOTING THE RECENT IMPROVEMENT IN THE CRIME SITUATION, HE SAID THE GENERAL LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF NEW RECRUITS SHOULD BE FURTHER UPGRADED AND POLICE TERMS OF SERVICE SHOULD BE REGULARLY REVIEWED.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW SHOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT TO SEE IF ALL THE YOUTH SERVICES WERE EFFECTIVELY MEETING THE REAL NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 15 -

HE SAID THAT SINCE 1975, 50.5 PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR CRIME WERE FIRST OFFENDERS, AND OF THE FIRST OFFENDERS 46 PER CENT WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS.

ON NARCOTICS AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE PRISON, HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO STRENGTHEN THE INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND OTMERilf REVENT IVE MEASURES. , I'

ON HOUSING, MR. CHEONG-LEEN WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.

HE SAID : +IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO TAKE, PROVIDING THE SCHEME IS CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND PROPERLY PLANNED FOR IN ADVANCE.+

HOWEVER, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL LICENSED AREAS, PARTICULARLY THE OLDER AND SUB-STANDARD ONES, FINISHED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

IN REGARD TO THE OLDER MARK I AND I I ESTATES, MR. CHEONG-LEEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP THE REDESIGNING AND REBUILDING OF ALL THESE SUB-STANDARD ESTATES.

ON GOVERNMENT’S ACTION PROGRAMME AGAINST INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, HE SAID THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN AREA BETWEEN THE FACTORIES IN INDUSTRIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.

IF THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO PROCEED WITH ITS PLAN, HE SAID, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR IT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO COOPERATE TOGETHER TO PLAN AND TO CONSTRUCT INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WITH UNITS VARYING IN SIZE FROM 1,000 SQ. FT. TO 2,000 SQ. FT. TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE 22,000 FACTORIES IN NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.

TURNING TO THE DEPENDENT PARENTS ALLOWANCE, WHICH WAS ABOLISHED IN APRIL 1973, MR. CHEONG-LEEN REITERATED THAT +LOOKING AFTER ONE’S DEPENDENT PARENTS IS A TRADITIONAL CHINESE VIRTUE, ESPECIALLY IN A CITY LIKE HONG KONG WHERE THERE ARE HARDLY ANY OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES.+

DESPITE THE ARGUMENTS HE PUT FORWARD LAST YEAR, HE SAID HE FOUND IT HARD TC UNDERSTAND WHY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS NOT PREPARED TO REINSTATE IT THIS YEAR.

0 - - - -

/16......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 16 -

DECENTRALISATION OF REVENUE-EARNING DEPARTMENTS *******

THE HON. LI FOOK-WO TODAY STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO APPOINT A HIGH-POWERED COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND BUSINESSMEN, TO MAKE A FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY OF DECENTRALISATION OF REVENUE-EARNING DEPARTMENTS.

THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL MEASURES MR.' LI ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT TO IMPROVE COST-EFFICIENCY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEN HE SPOKE IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

MR. LI SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIONS TO DECENTRALISATION HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPOKE ON IT IN THE 1973 BUDGET DEBATE.

♦SURELY, AT THIS JUNCTURE, WHEN WAYS AND MEANS OF INCREASING REVENUE ARE OF SUCH UTMOST IMPORTANCE. IT IS MOST TIMELY FOR GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE THIS DOGMATIC ATTITUDE AND REVIEW THE SITUATION,+ HE SAID.

WHILE HE AGREED THAT STRONG CENTRAL CONTROL WAS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN THE USE OF RESOURCES AND KEEPING OVERHEAD LOW, HE DID NOT FEEL THE OVERALL PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AUTONOMOUS BODIES.

CITING THE MASS TRANSIT AUTHORITY, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AS EXAMPLES, MR. LI SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT STILL MAINTAINED A STRONG BUT DETACHED CONTROL OVER THESE THREE BODIES.

ANOTHER MEASURE MR. LI SUGGESTED TO ENSURE THERE WAS NO EXTRAVAGANCE OR WASTAGE IN THE SPENDING OF PUBLIC FUNDS WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TEAM TO MONITOR DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURE AFTER APPROVAL IN THE ESTIMATES.

AT PRESENT, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS ARE +VIRTUALLY FREE* TO SPEND THE FUNDS, PROVIDED THE MONEY IS SPENT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS NOT EXCEEDED.

MR. LI STRESSED THE NEED TO IMPRESS ON THEM AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS THAT THEY BORE THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THE MONEY VOTED TO THEIR DEPARTMENT WAS PROPERLY SPENT.

♦ A DEPARTMENT HEAD IS NOT MERELY RESPONSIBLE TO SOMEONE IN THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT- HE IS ALSO ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TAXPAYERS,+ HE SAID.

AS A COMPLEMENTARY STEP, MR. LI PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL INTERNAL MONITORING TEAMS WITHIN THE HEADQUARTERS OF EACH DEPARTMENT, WHICH WOULD BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD HIMSELF.

/♦IT oHOULD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

- 17

+IT SHOULD SATISFY ITSELF THAT THE NEED TO SPEND MONEY VOTED FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE HAS NOT BEEN DIMINISHED BY CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES OCCURRING AFTER THE DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES ARE

, APPROVED.*

ON A POSSIBLE SALARIES REVISION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR.

LI SAID BESIDES THE TWO CONDITIONS MENTIONED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY — CONSISTENCY WITH THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND ABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S GENERAL FINANCIAL SITUATION •TO PAY — HE WOULD SUGGEST A THIRD CONDITION, I.E. CIVIL SERVANTS .MUST ACCEPT THE PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO EXPECT +MORE PAY FOR A JOB BETTER DONE*.

HE SAID THE TAXPAYERS WOULD NOT NECESSARILY AGREE THAT A SALARY REVISION WAS JUSTIFIED +UNLESS THERE IS A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY*.

+TO MY MIND, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE CONDITIONS ,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE TOTAL ARREARS OF REVENUE, A QUESTION HE RAISED DURING THE 1974 BUDGET, MR. LI SAID THE SITUATION SEEMED TO HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL ARREARS AT THE END OF JUNE 1975, EXCLUDING NEW ARREARS ACCUMULATED DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, WAS $136 MILLION, WHICH IRONICALLY REPRESENTED +EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT* WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPECTED TO GAIN AS ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM HIS TAX INCREASE PROPOSALS FOR 1976/77.

♦ YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE READ WITH GROWING DISMAY AND FRUSTRATION, THE TALES OF MISMANAGEMENT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION, UNCOORDINATED PLANNING AND OUTRIGHT NEGLIGENCE. IT IS DISCOURAGING INDEED TO SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH WASTAGE IN SO MANY DEPARTMENTS IN SO MANY WAYS.

+TWO YEARS AGO, MY HONOURABLE FRIEND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SAID THAT HE WELCOMED MY OBSERVATIONS. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT SHOULD DESERVE MORE ATTENTION.

♦ OBVIOUSLY, MERE ATTENTION HAS PROVEN INADEQUATE- POSITIVE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NECESSARY,* HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

/18 ....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

PUBLIC INVITED TO SEE PUPILS’ WORK AT GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS * M * * * *

PARENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEE SAMPLES OF PUPILS’ WORK AT THREE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS DURING THEIR OPEN DAYS THIS WEEK.

VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE GOING TOMORROW TO THE SHA TAU KOK GOVERNMENT SCHOOL WHICH HAS 300 PUPILS IN EIGHT FORMS 1 TO 5 CLASSES.

EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY IN THE SCHOOL’S COVERED PLAYGROUND INCLUDE VARIOUS TYPES OF ROCK COLLECTED BY THE PUPILS AND FURNITURE MADE BY SENIOR PUPILS.

AT KING’S COLLEGE, WHICH IS ALSO OPENING ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW, A NEWLY BUILT MODEL OF THE SCHOOL BY MEMBERS OF THE WOODWORK CLUB WILL BE AMONG THE ITEMS ON EXHIBITION IN THE HALL. THERE WILL ALSO BE MODELS OF THE COUNTRYSIDE, A SMALL BOAT, A TRAIN AND A CHURCH.

PAINTINGS, BATIK AND SCULPTURE BY MEMBERS OF THE ART CLUB WILL BE AMONG ITEMS TO BE DISPLAYED BY MEMBERS OF THE GEOGRAPHY SOCIETY, CIVICS CLUB, PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB, SCOUTS, RED CROSS GROUP AND OTHERS.

KING’S COLLEGE, WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE, HAS 1,040 PUPILS IN 28 FORMS 1 TO 6 CLASSES.

ON FRIDAY, THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL WILL SHOW WORK DONE BY PUPILS OF THE VARIOUS CLUBS IN THE SCHOOL HALL.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN, THE FLYOVER SYSTEM IN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT AND THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE GEOGRAPHY SOCIETY WHILE THE SCOUTS WILL DEMONSTRATE FIRST AID AND EXPERIMENTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE LABORATORY.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A SECTION ON SOCIAL SERVICE WORK' AND A HISTORY OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL HAS 910 STUDENTS IN 24 FORMS 1 TO 6 CLASSES. IN THE EVENING, THE SCHOOL IS USED AS A CENTRE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR ITS EVENING INSTITUTE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE. IT IS ALSO AN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE.

NOTE TO EDITORS! YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPEN DAYS AT THE THREE SCHOOLS.

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

/19......

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1976

CAR PARK TO MAKE WAY FOR M.T.R.

* * * * *

THE EX-NAVAL DOCKYARD OPEN-AIR CAR PARK IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ON MONDAY, APRIL 5, AS A WORKS AREA.

THE CAR PARK WILL CLOSE PERMANENTLY FROM 8 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 26). ALTERNATIVE PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT THE NEARBY MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AT 2 MURRAY ROAD.

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

WATER CUT

* * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON FRIDAY (MARCH 26) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD, AUSTIN AVENUE, KIMBERLEY ROAD AND OBSERVATORY ROAD AND INCLUDE THOSE ON HILLWOOD ROAD.

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

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MANPOWER ........................................... 1

CALL FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME........ 4

WARNING AGAINST IMPORTING COMPLICATED TAXATION SYSTEM ........................................................ 6

QUOTAS PUSH UP PRICES OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS ................... 8

CENTRALISED SUBSIDY ENTITLEMENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM PROPOSED ..................................................... 1°

GOVERNMENT URGED TO SPEND MORE ON PREVENTIVE SOCIAL SERVICES ..................................................... 12

POLICE PRAISED FOR THEIR SUCCESS IN BREAKING UP DRUG SYNDICATES ........................'..................... 15

LAW ON THERAPEUTIC TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY MADE PERMANENT..................................................... 17

WATER CUT..................................................... 18

RETIREMENT OF SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER .................... 19

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADVOCATED * * * * *

THE HON. ALEX S.C. WU TODAY STRONGLY URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MANPOWER, FOR +THE PLAIN FACT IS THAT WITHOUT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WE SHALL NEVER HAVE ADQUATE RESOURCES TO MEET THE CONTINUING CHALLENGE WE SHALL HAVE TO FACE.+

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR. WU SAID THE 1.74 MILLION WORKING POPULATION ESTIMATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY COMPRISED ALMOST ENTIRELY OF PEOPLE WHO HAD NOTHING BUT A PRIMARY EDUCATION AND HONG KONG’S PAST SUCCESSES HAD BEEN DUE TO THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN ON THE JOB.

♦BUT THE DEMANDS OF THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE CALL FOR A FAR MORE CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH,+ HE SAID.

QUOTING THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, HE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY 2,500 CRAFT APPRENTICES AND 500 TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES WERE UNDERGOING +ADEQUATE TRAINING* COMPARED WITH 15,000 APPRENTICES OR TRAINEES AT CRAFT LEVEL AND 2,000 AT TECHNICIAN LEVEL WHO WERE NOT. THE COMMISSIONER HAD ALSO SA IDs +THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO TO MEET INDUSTRY’S NEEDS FOR ADEQUATELY AND PROPERLY TRAINED APPRENTICES.*

TO MEET THE NEEDS, THE TRAINING COUNCIL WAS ASKED TO RECOMMEND SPECIFIC TRADES TO BE DESIGNATED. AS A RESULT, THE TRAINING BOARDS NOMINATED NO LESS THAN 36.

MR. WU SAID, HOWEVER. THE TRAINING COUNCIL WAS INFORMED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR THAT THE DECISION ON THE TRADES TO BE DESIGNATED COULD NOT BE TAKEN UNTIL HE KNEW WHAT STAFF HE WOULD GET UNDER THE ESTIMATES FOR 1976-77.

HE DOUBTED IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS SERIOUS ABOUT ADMINISTERING THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE SINCE THE COMMISSIONER HAD ONLY ASKED FOR A SMALL VOTE OF $251,000.

AS A FURTHER STEP, HE BELIEVED THAT THE TRAINING COUNCIL SHOULD BE GIVEN STATUTORY POWERS TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF TRAINED INDUSTRIAL MANPOWER.

TURNING TO THE RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POSITION, MR. WU SAIDt +THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE BEEN COMPLACENT FOR FAR TOO LONG.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT +0N COUNTLESS OCCASIONS OVER MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS WE HAVE CONGRATULATED OURSELVES ON A DILIGENT, ADAPTABLE AND DEXTROUS WORK FORCE, ALLIED TO A POLICY OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE.*

THIS CONSTANT REFERENCE TO THE NATURAL DILIGENCE OF THE WORK FORCE,। HE SAID, WAS BECOMING A DANGEROUS PLATITUDE.

/+WE MUST .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

+WE MUST BE CAREFUL THAT WE ARE NOT MESMERISED BY OUR OWN RHETORIC OR BY PRIDE IN AN ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENT BASED UPON ONLY ONE NATURAL RESOURCE: PEOPLE,* HE SAID.

ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MR. WU SAID +DOUBT HAS NOW BEEN CAST UPON THE ROLE OF THE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS*, POINTING OUT THAT THE 1974 WHITE PAPER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION HAD SAID THE PREVOCATIONAL CONCEPT WAS NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST APPROPRIATE ANSWER TO THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG.

HE SAID HOWEVER THAT THE ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR PLACES IN SUCH SCHOOLS COULD NOT BE DENIED.

+UNTIL IT IS CLEAR BEYOND ANY DOUBT THAT WE HAVE, IN BEING, A BETTER ALTERNATIVE WHICH IS DOING THE JOB BETTER, WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE THOSE PREVOCATION SCHOOLS WHICH ARE WORKING,* HE SAID.

+IF EVENTUALLY THEY ARE REPLACED BY SOMETHING DEMONSTRABLY BETTER IT WILL BE A NATURAL AND ACCEPTABLE PROCESS.*

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S MEASURES TO MAKE THE FULL USE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS — FLOTATION AND THE EXTENDED DAY — BE APPLIED TO PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, THUS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PLACES BY 20 PER CENT.

MR. WU EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE SUCH INITIATIVE AND SEE THAT +THE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS GET THE HELP THEY NEED, BUT THAT MORE WILL BE BUILT.*

REFERRING TO EDUCATION IN GENERAL, HE WELCOMED THE $1,376 MILLION BUDGET ALLOCATION BUT HOPED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD EXPLAIN HOW TO STAFF +THIS MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF EXPANSION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION* AND GIVE HIS OBSERVATIONS ON THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS WHO WERE TO TAKE UP THEIR NEW RESPONSIBILITIES.

MR. WU URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE IN HONG KONG, WITH +OPPORTUNIT IES FOR ALL, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE LEVEL OF THEIR FORMAL EDUCATION.*

HE SAID THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE ONLY +A HANDFUL OF PROJECTS*, OTHER THAN THOSE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, BY WHICH GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT COULD BE MEASURED.

MR. WU POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, WHICH TOOK A LONG TIME TO SET UP, WAS NOW PERFORMING A VALUABLE FUNCTION.

HE DID NOT THINK IT UNREASONABLE, THEREFORE, TO SUGGEST THAT THE +CO-ORDI NAT ION AND DEPLOYMENT OF OUR RESOURCES FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BE MADE THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY OF A BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT.*

MR. WU WAS PLEASED TO SEE FROM THE ESTIMATES THAT +WE ARE REALLY GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT .OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.*

/+IT IS

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 19?6

- 3 -

+IT IS A CONCRETE SIGN OF OUR OWN CONFIDENCE THAT NEXT YEAR MORE TtiAN 26 PER CENT OF PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE WILL BE ON PROJECTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+WHAT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT OVER $500 MILLION OF THAT EXPENDITURE IS TO BE DEVOTED TO WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE THREE NEW TOWNS, AND THIS FIGURE EXCLUDES ANY EXPENDITURE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. FOR HONG KONG THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY,+ HE SAID.

MR. WU CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH BY SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST POLICY FOR HONG KONG NOT TO BORROW WHEN IT WAS IN ITS INTERESTS TO DO SO. /

IN FACT, HE SAID, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HONG KONG MAKING MORE USE OF ITS CREDIT-WORTHINESS IN WORLD MARKETS.

♦IN THIS WAY, GOVERNMENT COULD PROVIDE GUARANTEES IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE THE COMPLETION OF PROJECTS THAT ARE WAITING TO BE UPGRADED BECAUSE OF LACK OF READY CASH,+ HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WELCOMED M M M M

DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG TODAY WELCOMED THE PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH FOR THE PROMOTION OF HOME OWNERSHIP, STRESSING THAT +THE SCHEME HAS FAR REACHING SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND MUST BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT DELAY.+

HE BELIEVED THAT THE SCHEME,.IF LAUNCHED ON A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE SCALE AND WITH THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, WOULD PROVIDE THE SOLUTION TO HONG KONG’S HOUSING PROBLEM.

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR. FANG WAS DOUBTFUL THAT MUCH MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION, OR 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE, WERE REALLY IN NEED OF PUBLIC HOUSING AT SUBSIDIZED RENTALS.

♦MANY WHO ARE PRESENTLY OCCUPYING PUBLIC HOUSING MUST HAVE PROSPERED OVER THE YEARS TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IF ASSESSED ON CURRENT INCOME LIMITS,+ HE SAID.

+THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY THEREFORE LIES IN ENSURING THAT SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF LOW AND MEDIUM PRICED FLATS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET AND THAT LOAN FINANCING IS PROVIDED WITHIN THE REACH OF BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR WORKERS. ‘

+THUS ALL THOSE WISH TO PURCHASE THEIR FLATS CAN BE GIVEN THE MEANS TO DO SO, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY ACCOMMODATED IN PUBLIC HOUSING, THOSE WHO ARE STILL ON THE WAITING LIST, AND THOSE CIV IL/SERVANTS WHOSE INCOME RENDERS THEM NEITHER ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING NOR FOR A HOUSING ALLOWANCE.+

DR. FANG POINTED OUT THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE HOME-OWNERSHIP SCHEME DEPENDED TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT ON ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.

THEREFORE, HE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE PREPARED TO MAKE LAND AVAILABLE AT CONCESSIONARY PRICES WITH BUILDING RESTRICTIONS AND TO AGREE TO GUARANTEE LOAN FINANCING FOR PROSPECTIVE HOMEMAKERS OVER A PERIOD OF 15 TO 20 YEARS.

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD TAKE OUT , AN OPTION TO DISPOSE OF A NUMBER OF UNITS IN APPROVED PRIVATE HOUSING SCHEMES.

IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, PRIVATE DEVELOPERS MIGHT WELL CONSIDER OFFERING THE GOVERNMENT A VOLUME DISCOUNT WHICH WOULD DIRECTLY BENEFIT BUYERS.

TURNING TO THE STAFF PROBLEMS IN KWONG WAH HOSPITAL AND THE RECENT RESIGNATION OF A NUMBER OF SENIOR MEDICAL STAFF AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, DR. FANG SAID, +THE SITUATION IS GRAVE AND CALLS FOR CONCERTED GOVERNMENT ACTION.*

/+IF THIS

+IF THIS PARTICULAR NETTLE IS NOT GRASPED NOW, THE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SERVICE WILL BE REDUCED TO WELL BELOW PAR WITH THE STAFF OVERWORKED, DISGRUNTLED, AND DISILLUSIONED,* HE WARNED.

AS THE MONETARY REWARD OF PRIVATE PRACTICE NORMALLY COULD NOT BE MATCHED IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OFFER OTHER ATTRACTIONS — THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH IN INDIVIDUAL SPECIALITIES AND THE FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE ONE’S OWN ACADEMIC PREFERENCE.

SINCE MANY OF THE IMPROVEMENTS COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED - BECAUSE OF A LIMITED BUDGET, DR. FANG SUGGESTED AS A SOLUTION THAT PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS BE EMPLOYED ON AN +ASSIGNMENT BASIS*.

THE GOVERNMENT COULD MAKE USE OF THEIR EXPERTISE AND EFFICIENCY BY ASSIGNING THEM SPECIFIC DUTIES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR CLINICS IN RETURN FOR A FEE, BUT WITHOUT FRINGE BENEFITS SUCH AS QUARTERS, STUDY LEAVE, PENSION ETC,* HE PROPOSED.

HE BELIEVED THAT SUCH A SCHEME WOULD ENABLE THE PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS TO KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THEIR OWN FIELD, GIVING THEM CONSIDERABLE JOB SATISFACTION AS WELL AS MORE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

+THE ACCURED SAVINGS COULD THEN BE USED TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF FULL-TIME STAFF AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES FOR RESEARCH AND OVERSEAS TRAINING,* DR. FANG POINTED OUT.

ON DENTAL CARE, DR. FANG CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR LACK OF ACTION.

DESCRIBING DENTAL CARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS A SERIOUS AND SEVERELY IGNORED PROBLEM FOR DECADES, HE STRESSED THAT THE PROVISION OF A DENTAL SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE PRIORITY OVER THE SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL.

REFERRING TO COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN URGED FOR YEARS TO CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A COMMUNITY NURSING SCHEME TO COMPLEMENT HOSPITAL CARE. HOWEVER, SO FAR THIS SCHEME HAD NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITHIN GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

DR. FANG POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME HAD PROVED TO BE MORE THAN WORTHWHILE AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT FIVE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE ALREADY ENGAGED IN THIS FIELD.

SUCH SERVICE, HE SAID, NOT ONLY WOULD RELIEVE THE STRAIN ON HOSPITAL FACILITIES BUT ALSO EXTEND NURSING CARE TO THE HOME.

HE SUGGESTED THAT FUNDS BE ALLOCATED TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE.

ON THE QUESTIONS OF SUBVENTIONS IN GENERAL, DR. FANG POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO RETAIN AN INCENTIVE FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THEIR EXISTING SERVICES AND TO EXPLORE NEW NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

+THE AMOUNT OF $52 MILLION IN TOTAL FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE VCr.UNTARY SECTOR CANNOT BE SAID TO BE EXTRAVAGANT WHEN ONE CONSIDER'; THAT THE GOVERNMENT SPENT NO LESS THAN $22 MILLION ALONE LAS' YEAR IN SUBSIDIZING STUDENT BUS FARES,* HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

WARNING AGAINST IMPORTING COMPLICATED TAXATION SYSTEM M * M *

THE HON. JOHN BREMRIDGE, WHILE WELCOMING THE INLAND REVENUE REVIEW COMMITTEE, TODAY GAVE A WARNING AGAINST IMPORTING +THE WHOLE BAG OF COMPLICATED TAXATION MEASURES WHICH PLAGUE OTHER COUNTRIES+.

HE SAID HONG KONG’S PRESENT TAX SYSTEM +AT LEAST WORKS AND IS EASILY COMPREHENSIBLE.+

SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN,THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID +WE SHOULD NOT THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER. THE RICH CAN ALWAYS PAY FOR TECHNICAL ADVICE AND LEGAL DEFENCE. THE POOR CANNOT.+

MR. BREMRIDGE AGREED THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS, INTERESTS, AND COMPANIES RESIDENT IN HONG KONG CONTRIBUTED NOTHING TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF TAXATION.

IF TAXES COULD BE LEVIED ON THEM, THEN TO THAT EXTENT THE BURDEN OF TAXATION ON THE REST OF US COULD BE REDUCED AND EQUITY WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE SERVED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, MR. BREMRIDGE SAID, IT WAS GENERALLY AND WISELY ACCEPTED THAT HONG KONG MUST REMAIN A LOW-TAX AREA- THAT TAXATION MUST BE SIMPLE AND CHEAP TO COLLECT- THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH MUST NOT BE IMPEDED- AND THAT USEFUL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT MUST NOT BE DISCOURAGED.

REFERRING TO THE PROPOSED DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX, MR. BREMRIDGE SAID ITS IMPLEMENTATION SEEMED CERTAIN TO INVOLVE THE INTRODUCTION OF AN UNDISTRIBUTED PROFITS TAX, RESTRICTIONS ON DIRECTORS’ FEES, NEW RULES ON COMPANIES’ RESIDENCE, APPRECIABLE DISINCENTIVES TO OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AND MUCH MORE.

+IT THEREFORE APPEARS THAT ACCOMPANYING LEGISLATION WOULD BE BOTH CONTENTIOUS AND COMPLICATED,* HE SAID. +NOR WILL THE LEGAL POSITION NECESSARILY BE KNOWN UNTIL PRECEDENTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN'THE COURTS.*

HE SAID IT WAS RIGHT TO BE CAUTIOUS IN VIEW OF +WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER LESS FORTUNATE PLACES WHERE PROGRESSIVE REFORM HAS LED TO FEARFUL AND TOTALLY UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS.*

HE ADDED 1 +TAXATION’S PURPOSE IN HONG KONG IS TO RAISE REVENUE SIMPLY AND CHEAPLY. NOTHING ELSE.*

REFERRING TO THE WORK OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, MR. BREMRIDGE SUGGESTED THAT SOME ACCOUNTANTS’ FACILE REPORTS ACCOMPANYING NEW ISSUES +SHOULD BE EYED VERY MUCH MORE COLDLY THAT THEY WERE IN THE LAST STOCK EXCHANGE BOOM.*

/+THE LINE

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

+THE LINE BETWEEN FACT AND FICTION WAS FREQUENTLY CROSSED, AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGA IN,+ HE SAID.

ON THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. BREMRIDGE SAID THE TIME HAD NOW COME FOR A GENERAL, BUT CERTAINLY NOT RETROACTIVE, PAY INCREASE FOR THOSE CIVIL SERVICE GRADES WHO DID NOT GET AUTOMATIC COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES, PROVIDED IT COULD BE SHOWN THAT COMPARABLE GOOD EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD ACTED SIMILARLY.

REFERRING TO THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPARABILITY, HE SAID +IT IS VERY DIFFICULT INDEED TO SET LIKE AGAINST LIKE IN SUCH COMPLICATED AFFAIRS.*

HE SAID THAT REAL SACRIFICES HAD RECENTLY MADE IN THE COMMUNITY INTEREST BY CIVIL SERVANTS AND THAT AT THE HIGHER LEVELS THERE WAS LITTLE IF ANY COMPARABILITY.

IT WAS NOW TIME +TO ENSURE THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK FOR US ARE TREATED AT LEAST FAIRL? IF NOT GENEROUSLY.*

MR. BREMRIDGE SAID THAT NOW THAT HONG KONG WAS OVER THE HUMP FINANCIALLY, THE AIM MUST BE TO +PRODUCE QUICKLY A FAIR SETTLEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO ALL.*

■Xs

ON THE MCKINSEY RECOMMENDATIONS, MR. BREMRIDGE SAID HIS PARTICULAR CONCERN WAS WITH THE INTRODUCTION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MODERN BUDGETARY SYSTEMS OF FINANCIAL CONTROL, AND OF MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES.

HE SAID IN ALL GOVERNMENT, ONLY QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL HAD AN EFFECTIVE FULL-SCALE ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN.

+CAN WE HOPE FOR FURTHER MOVEMENT IN THIS IMPORTANT FIELD?* HE ASKED.

MR. BREMRIDGE REFERRED TO +THE SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND THE CONSEQUENT DIFFICULTY OF DISCERNING TRUE COSTS.*

HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WERE REAL PROBLEMS TO BE FACED AND THAT NO QUICK OUTCOME WAS LIKELY- +BUT PROGRESS SEEMS DESPERATELY SLOW.*

ON RECREATION, MR. BREMRIDGE CALLED FOR A +FRESH LOOK* AT AlS SUGGESTION OF MAKING AVAILABLE SOME OF OUR RESERVOIRS FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

HE NOTED THAT MANY RESERVOIRS IN THE U.K. WERE OPEN TO BOATING. IN SINGAPORE, WHEN SELETAR RESERVOIR WAS OPENED IT WAS THOUGHT APPROPRIATE TO STAGE A WATER CARNIVAL.

+THE SAME SENSIBLE OUTLOOK (WHICH IS DENIED TO US) PREVAILS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES,* HE SAID.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

QUOTAS RESULT IN HIGHER PRICES ******

THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN SAID TODAY THAT IF OVERSEAS IMPORTERS WANTED THE PRICES OF QUOTA-CONTROLLED HONG KONG PRODUCTS TO BE REDUCED, THEY SHOULD URGE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS TO INCREASE OR TO REMOVE THE QUOTAS.

ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF THE TEXTILE QUOTA CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH HAD ALWAYS BEEN FOLLOWED WAS TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM USE OF EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES, BY SELLING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO THE FULL RESTRAINT LIMITS IMPOSED ON HONG KONG.

THE SYTEM FOR TRANSFERRING QUOTAS FROM ONE COMPANY TO ANOTHER WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS EASIER TO ACHIEVE, HE SAID.

MR. TIEN THOUGHT IT WAS WRONG TO TALK IN TERMS OF THE PRICE OF QUOTAS, OR ’QUOTA PREMIUM’ AS IT WAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN.

HE EXPLAINED THAT ANYTHING WHICH WAS SCARCE IN RELATION TO DEMAND WOULD NATURALLY PUSH ITS PRICE HIGHER.

+IF IMPORTING COUNTRIES CHOOSE TO LIMIT SUPPLY TO A LEVEL LOWER THAN THAT OF DEMAND, THEY MUST EXPECT TO PAY MORE,+ MR. TIEN SAID. + THIS INCREASE IN PRICE IS CAUSED BY THE SCARCITY OF THE GOODS IN QUESTION, BY THE RESTRAINT LIMITS THEMSELVES, NOT BY THE QUOTA SYSTEM, WHICH IS MERELY A METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION BUT CANNOT INCREASE THE QUANTITY AVAILABLE. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY.*

HE STRESSED s +IF THE IMPORTERS WISH TO SEE PRICES REDUCED, THE BEST WAY THEY CAN DO THIS IS TO PERSUADE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE QUOTAS HONG KONG IS PERMITTED TO EXPORT, OR EVEN BETTER TO REMOVE THEM ALTOGETHER,*

HE ADDED THAT THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD, OF WHICH HE WAS A MEMBER, WOULD SOON BE LOOKING INTO THE WHOLE TEXTILE QUOTA SYSTEM WHERE HE WAS SURE IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE, BUT ANY CHANGES WOULD NEED TO FOLLOW THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE HE MENTIONED.

MR. TIEN SOUNDED A WARNING ON POSSIBLE OVERLOADING OF

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. 1

HE SAID HONG KONG WAS BEGINNING TO PASS OUT OF THE PERIOD IN WHICH PLENTY OF CAPACITY WAS AVAILABLE IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, INTO A STAGE WHEN A STEEP INCREASE IN THE DEMAND MADE ON IT, INCLUDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, WAS LIKELY TO COINCIDE WITH A REVIVAL OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT.

/+THE LAST .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

9 -

+THE LAST THING WE WANT IS TO GO BACK TO A SITUATION OF SPIRALLING COSTS, PRICES AND WAGES IN THE BUILDING SECTOR,+ HE SAID.

HE URGED THAT THE SITUATION BE MONITORED REGULARLY SO AS TO AVOID GETTING INTO AN OVER-HEATED CONDITION.

MR. TIEN ALSO MENTIONED ANOTHER AREA WHERE THE SITUATION HAD TO BE WATCHED — THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE GARMENT SECTOR.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE INCENTIVES TO HAWKING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED TO EASE UNEMPLOYMENT SHOULD BEFORE LONG BE REMOVED SO THAT ESSENTIAL MANPOWER COULD BE DIVERTED BACK TO THE MORE PRODUCTIVE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

MR. TIEN FULLY SUPPORTED THE MEASURES ANNOUNCED TO EXPAND SECONDARY EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY TECHNICAL EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE POLYTECHNIC.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE URGED THAT THE CLOTHING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES TRAINING SCHEMES BE EXPANDED TO OTHER INDUSTRIES.

HE WELCOMED THE EMPHASIS PUT ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROJECTS.

+THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BASIC INFRA-STRUCTURE, SUCH AS ROADS, WATER SUPPLIES, AIRPORT FACILITIES AND PORT WORKS AND SO ON IS VITAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR WHOLE ECONOMY,* MR. TIEN SAID.

HE THOUGHT THE NINE PER CENT GDP GROWTH IN REAL TERMS FORECAST BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR 1976 WAS SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE.

♦BUT I AGREE THAT AS REVENUE FORECAST IS BASED ON THE FORECAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY, IT IS BETTER TO BE PRUDENT IN FORECASTING THE GROWTH OF THE GDP,* HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

/1O......

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

CENTRALISED SUBSIDY ENTITLEMENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM PROPOSED

*****

A SINGLE CENTRALISED SYSTEM OF MEANS TESTS FOR PERSONS RECEIVING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES WAS ADVOCATED BY THE HON. T.S. LO IN HIS SPEECH BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NET ABOUT $85 MILLION BY PERMITTING HIRE CARS TO OBTAIN TAXI LICENCES AT A COST OF $66,000 EACH.

SPEAKING ABOUT SUBSIDY ENTITLEMENT, MR. LO SAID THAT THERE WERE NO LESS THAN FIVE DIFFERENT FORMULAS FOR MEANS TESTS NOW BEING USED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND THIS WAS +SOCIALLY UNJUST AND POLITICALLY UNWISE.*.

HE ASKED IF IT WERE SOCIAL JUSTICES FOR THE RICH TO PAY THE SAME AS THE POOR FOR, SAY, UNIVERSITY EDUCATION. HE ALSO SAID IT WAS POLITICALLY UNWISE FOR HOUSING PROGRAMMES TO BE DELAYED BY RENTS NOT COVERING COSTS AND BEING TOO HIGH FOR THE POOR AND TOO LOW FOR THE BETTER OFF.

HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A CENTRALISED AND GRADED SUBSIDY ENTITLEMENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM. THE INITIAL COST OF SUCH A SYSTEM,MIGHT BE +QUITE HIGH*, BUT THE ANNUAL RUNNING COST WOULD BE +COMPARATIVELY LOW.*

TURNING TO HIRE CARS, MR. LO SAID THEY LOOK LIKE TAXIS, HAVE METERS LIKE TAXIS, PICK CUSTOMERS OFF THE STREETS LIKE TAXIS AND +FOR ALL PRACTICAL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THEY ARE TAXIS+. +THE ONLY DIFFERENCE,* HE WENT ON, +IS THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS ILLEGAL.*

HE SUGGESTED THAT THEY BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO TURN LEGAL BY BEING OFFERED TAXI LICENCES AT A COST OF, SAY, $66,000 EACH. AS TAXI LICENCES WERE NOW CHANGING HANDS UNOFFICIALLY AT $158,000, HIRE CAR OWNERS +WOULD NOT OBJECT UNDULY TO THE CONVERSION FEE*, AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GAIN $85 MILLION ♦WITHOUT ANYONE SHEDDING ANY TEARS AT ALL.*

MR. LO BEGAN HIS ADDRESS BY SAYING THAT ALL THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SAID, IF ONE STRIPPED HIS SPEECH OF ITS METHODOLOGY, WAS THAT +WHILST THE GOVERNMENT IS MINDFUL OF ITS DUTY TO FORGE AHEAD WITH ITS STATED SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, IT CANNOT EXCEED THE NATURAL LIMITS OF HONG KONG’S FISCAL POTENTIAL ..... IT CANNOT GO OUTSIDE OUR NATURAL EQUATION.*

THIS WAS +OBVIOUSLY RIGHT* AND IT WAS THEREFORE +CLEARLY VITAL* TO ENSURE THAT OUR RESOURCES WERE PUT TO BEST USE.

/REFERRING .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

REFERRING TO HIS BUDGET ADDRESS LAST YEAR, IN WHICH HE URGED TfE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO TAKE +A TOTAL VIEW IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT* AND SET UP A +HIGH-POWERED AND FULL TIME CENTRAL BODY* TO MEASURE RELATIVE PRIORITIES, MR. LO SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOW CONSIDERS THAT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE SUBJECT DEPARTMENTS DE6REE PUBL,C ACCOUNTABILITY AS GOVERNMENT

HE NOTED WITH REGRET, HOWEVER, THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD NOT YET CONSIDERED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FULL-TIME COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PRIORITIES PROPERLY, AND THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT HAD NOT YET COMMITTED HIMSELF TO EXAMINING THE ACCOUNTS OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED STATUTORY BODIES.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

- ’ 12

GOV’T URGED TO SPEND MORE ON PREVENTIVE SOCIAL SERVICES ******

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER SPENDING MORE ON PREVENTIVE AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENTAL SOCIAL SERVICES IF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION DURING THE COMING YEAR SHOULD IMPROVE, THE HON.

MISS KO SIU-WAH SAID TODAY. ,

SPEAKING IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MISS KO SAID THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES ALONE WERE +NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE RAPIDLY CHANGING HUMAN NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED COMMUNITY.*

WHILE THEY SHOULD REMAIN AS FUNDAMENTAL SERVICES, SHE SAID, +OTHER SERVICES NEED TO BE DEVELOPED TO ENABLE THE PEOPLE TO COPE WITH PERSONAL AND FAMILY DIFFICULTIES.*

THESE INCLUDED SERVICES FOR PROBLEM CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SCHOOL DROP-OUTS, WORKING MOTHERS, BROKEN FAMILIES, HOMELESS OLD PEOPLE AND THE DISABLED, SHE SAID.

THERE WAS ALSO A GREAT NEED FOR OTHER PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE SERVICES, MISS KO ADDED, +TO HELP BUILD A STABLE AND HAPPY COMMUNITY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.*

THESE SERVICES, MAINLY PREVENTIVE, INCLUDED FAMILY SERVICE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SERVICE, REHABILITATION SERVICE AND PROBATION AND CORRECTIVE SERVICE.

+ALL THESE ARE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES OTHER THAN CASH PAYMENTS,* SHE SAID.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN WHEN THE SUBVENTION VOTE OF $52 MILLION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE WAS ADDED, THE TOTAL FOR ALL WELFARE SERVICES APART FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES WAS ONLY $56.5 MILLION, OR ABOUT 13.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES COMPARED WITH THE 73 PER CENT SHARE OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES.

ON THE SUBJECT OF SUBVENTION .FOR WELFARE AGENCIES, MISS KO ASKED TO BE ASSURED THAT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS WOULD BE CAREFULLY AND FAVOURABLY CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AS LONG AS THERE WAS A REAL NEED FOR THE SERVICE AND THE AGENCY ENDEAVOURED TO PLAY ITS PART EFFECTIVELY IN THE PROVISION OF SUCH A SERVICE.

+IN THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG, THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE BEEN AND ARE STILL PLAYING A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE INCLUDING THE PIONEERING OF NEW SERVICES AS WELL AS CO-OPERATING CLOSELY WITH GOVERNMENT IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS.

/♦VOLUNlxPV

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

♦VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES HAVE STRONG INCENTIVES TO PLAY THEIR PART AND ARE EAGER TO EXPERIMENT WITH INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AND METHODS IN THEIR WORK.

♦IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT THEY ARE MORE FLEXIBLE AND ARE BETTER ABLE TO TEST PILOT PROGRAMMES PLANNED AND DESIGNED TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS,+ SHE SAID.

SHE ADDED THAT MOST OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES OTHER THAN CASH IN KIND WERE PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND SOME ESSENTIAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED SOLELY BY THEM.

♦HOWEVER, QUITE A LARGE PART OF THE SUBVENTION ALLOCATION IS USED TO MEET RENTS AND RATES, OFTEN PAYABLE TO GOVERNMENT ITSELF FOR PREMISES IN ITS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.+

SHE FORECAST THAT OVERSEAS CONTRIBUTIONS PREVIOUSLY A MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME FOR MANY OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WERE EXPECTED TO DROP FROM |1.1 MILLION THIS FINANCIAL YEAR TO BELOW <1 MILLION IN THE COMING YEAR, AND WOULD COMPLETELY DRY UP TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

♦I HOPE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE SITUATION OF THE SUBVERTED AGENCIES DURING THE YEAR, AND IF NECESSARY CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTARY SUBVENTION ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE AGENCIES IN DIFFICULTIES,+ SHE SAID. ,

MISS KO WAS PLEASED THAT AT A SEMINAR RECENTLY SPONSORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THE DISCUSSION GROUPS CONSIDERED EVALUATION TO BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE BOTH VALUE FOR MONEY AND THAT AGENCY SERVICES SHOULD DEVELOP IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING COMMUNITY NEEDS.

♦I THINK WE SHOULD ENSURE HOWEVER THAT MONEY IS NOT THE MAIN CRITERION FOR EVALUATING SERVICES, BUT THE REAL NEEDS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND EMPHASISED IN THE EVALUATION PROGRAMMES. PRIORITIES WOULD ALSO BE SET THROUGH EVALUATION EXERCISES.+

EVALUATION SHOULD BE INTEGRATED WITH THE REVIEWING PROCESS, INCLUDING THE REVIEW OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, SHE CONTINUED.

♦EVALUATION SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT EACH PARTICULAR AREA OF SERVICE AS A WHOLE AND AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO EACH AREA OF SERVICE IS DESIRABLE TO AVOID UNHEALTHY COMPETITION.

♦THE INDIVIDUAL WELFARE AGENCIES CONTINUOUSLY THUS HELPING THE OVERALL

SHOULD CONDUCT SELF-STUDY EVALUATION PROGRAMME.

♦WITH THE EVALUATION PROGRAMMES, IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT A BROAD RANGE OF ACCEPTABLE AND REALISTIC STANDARDS WILL BE ESTABLISHED, AND THESE WILL THEMSELVES FACILITATE MORE OBJECTIVE EVALUATION.^

SHE ADDED THAT AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT,’ GUIDELINES OR MINIMUM STANDARDS SHOULD BE SET TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF THAT SERVICE.

/►(QUANTITY.......

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

♦QUANTITY IS IMPORTANT WHEN THE NEED FOR SERVICE IS VERY GREAT, BUT QUALITY SHOULD BE IMPROVED GRADUALLY TO MAKE THE SERVICE MORE EFFECTIVE,+ SHE SAID.

WITH EFFECTIVE EVALUATION AND PLANNING PROGRAMMES, SHE ADDED, THE SERVICES CONSIDERED AND PROVED OUT-DATED OR UNDESIRABLE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

EQUALLY +IT IS IMPORTANT TO PLAN AND TEST NEW APPROACHES TO MEET THE IDENTIFIED NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY MORE EFFICIENTLY.*

AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE DIRECTION AND EMPHASIS OF THE SERVICES MAY CHANGE, SHE SAID: +INCREASING ATTENTION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO THOSE WHO NEED YOUTH SERVICES BUT DO NOT BENEFIT FROM THOSE ALREADY OFFERED. INCREASING EMPHASIS IS BEING PUT ON THE EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE. NOW EMPHASIS IS BEGINNING TO BE PLACED ON THE PREVENTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL CONCEPT OF YOUTH SERVICE.*

SHE STRESSED THAT WITH PROPER REVIEWS AND JOINT PLANNING, +WE CAN ENSURE THAT WE GET OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT AND OBTAIN AN EFFICIENT END-RESULT.*

♦IT IS WASTEFUL TO ALLOW INDIVIDUAL SERVICES TO JUST ’GROW LIKE TOPSY’ AND AN OVERALL PICTURE MUST BE OBTAINED,+ SHE SAID.

MISS KO WELCOMED THE INCREASED PROVISION FOR EDUCATION FOR THE COMING YEAR.

THIS WOULD ENABLE THE AIM OF THE WHITE PAPER TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES TO ALLOW ALL CHILDREN TO ATTEND FORM I (AND SUBSEQUENTLY FORMS II AND III) TO BE ACHIEVED BY 1978 — ONE YEAR AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL TARGET DATE.

MISS KO ALSO WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE WOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.

SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT, WITH ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, THE STANDARDS IN CHILD CARE CENTRE AND NURSERIES WOULD IMPROVE WITHIN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

- 15 -

POLICE ACHIEVEMENTS GIVE GENERAL PUBLIC SATISFACTION X M MM*

THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG TODAY PRAISED THE POLICE FOR THEIR SUCCESS IN BREAKING UP DRUG SYNDICATES AND LEVELLING OFF THE INCIDENCE OF REPORTED VIOLENT CRIME.

WINDING UP THE BUDGET DEBATE FOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THESE TWO ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE POLICE FORCE HAD GIVEN GENERAL PUBLIC SATISFACTION.

MR. CHEUNG SAID ALTHOUGH HE HAD TWICE BEEN ASSURED IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT ENOUGH PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE IN THE BUDGET FOR REWARD MONEY TO INFORMERS ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, HE BELIEVED THAT MORE MONEY WOULD ATTRACT MORE INFORMATION.

HE WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF PERSONAL RADIO FOR POLICE ON BEAT PORTROL IN THE COMING YEARS.

MR. CHEUNG SUPPORTED THE VIEWS OF HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES, THE HON. LOBO AND THE HON. WILLIAMS, ON THE MENACING BEHAVIOUR OF MOTOR CYCLISTS.

HE SAID NOW THAT THE POLICE STRENGTH WOULD COME UP TO ESTABLISHMENT, A LONG AND HARD LOOK SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THEM TO STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS, TOWARDS NOT ONLY MOTOR CYCLISTS, BUT OTHER CLASSES OF VIOLATORS AGAINST THE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

MR. CHEUNG STRONGLY URGED THAT PROPOSALS BY THE HON. T.S. LO THAT PUBLIC VEHICLES BE CONVERTED INTO TAXIS BE SYMPATHETICALLY CONSIDERED.

+ l KNOW THERE IS A NEED AND A PLACE FOR HIRE CARS WITH PUBLIC VEHICLE LICENCE PLATES: HOTELS, TOUR OPERATORS AND AT LEAST ONE LARGE AND WELL KNOWN COMPANY KEEP TO THE RULES OF THE GAME, BUT TOO MANY LICENCES HAVE GOT INTO THE HANDS OF THE WRONG PEOPLE,* HE SAID.

STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF LAW AND ORDER, MR. CHEUNG SUPPORTED PROPOSALS BY THE HON. WILLIAMS TO PUT TO USEFUL AND PROFITABLE LABOUR THE LARGE AND GROWING PRISON POPULATION AND TO PROVIDE BUSINESS EXPERTISE TO FURTHER SUCH A SCHEME.

ON MEDICAL SERVICES, MR. CHEUNG THOUGHT THAT THE NEW DENTAL SCHOOL SHOULD BE GIVEN A HIGHER PRIORITY,* SO THAT AT AN EARLY DATE ITS DESIGN AND CONTRACT DRAWINGS MAY BE FINALISED.*

HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THE FORMATION THIS YEAR OF A STEERING GROUP FOR THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.

/WHILE .....

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

16 -

WHILE THERE MAY BE EARLY DAYS. HE SAID, HE HOPED TO HEAR FROM THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT HAD BEEN ENGENDERED FOR THE RAILWAY.

REFERRING TO HOME OWNERSHIP, HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TWO OBSERVATIONS: (A) THAT HE WAS GRATIFIED THAT A CONCEPT ADVOCATED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS FOR SOME TIME HAD FOUND ACCEPTANCE IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND (B) THAT FROM WHAT HE HAD HEARD IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, IT APPEARED THERE WERE MORE WAYS THAN ONE OF SKINNING THE CAT.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE MATTER SHOULD BE DEALT WITH CAUTION.

TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF A SALARY REVISION FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE SAID IT WOULD APPEAR THAT A GOOD CASE COULD BE MADE OUT FOR IT, AND THAT THERE MIGHT WELL BE THE MONEY TO MEET IT.

HOWEVER, HE AGREED WITH HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUE, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO WASTE AND HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY.

/17

,• * , r* \ • . . : • 4 ’ . m 4 -T ’• x * • *. • z ’ ' p * • • * •

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976.

- 17 -

LAW ON THERAPEUTIC TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY MADE PERMANENT if « >4 if « . ~

THE GOVERNMENT, IN SEEKING TO MAKE THE LAW ON THERAPEUTIC TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY PERMANENT, BELIEVES IT IS DOING WHAT \ IS NECESSARY AT THE PRESENT TIME AND ALSO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY.

I • • ■

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. GARTH THORNTON, STRESSED THIS TODAY IN THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (AMENDMENT) BILL 1976. f

HE ASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT ALL REPRESENTATIONS WHICH MIGHT BE MADE CONCERNING THIS +DEEPLY- FELT AND IMPORTANT ISSUE* WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.

HE DISAGREED WITH DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG’S ARGUMENT THAT SECTION 47A OF THE PRINCIPAL ORD INANCE ,+LEGAL ISES ABORTION GENERALLY*. + IT IS A LONG STEP FROM THE PRESENT PROVISIONS OF OUR LAW TO THAT POSITION,* HE ADDED. I

EARLIER, THE HON. ROGER LOBO WHO WAS OPPOSED TO THE MOTION I

SAID HE, LIKE DR. FANS, WOULD ASK THE COUNCIL TO SERIOUSLY I

RECONSIDER THE INTENTION OF MAKING THIS SECTION A PERMANENT I

FEATURE OF THE HONG KOHS LAW. I

HE SAID DR. FANG HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO CERTAIN LOOPHOLES

IN SECTION 47A WHICH hI .FEEL OUGHT TO BE PLUGGED BEFORE WE I

OPT FOR PERMANENCY.* I

I I

HE URGED THE COUNCIL TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND EXTEND THE I

TRIAL PERIOD OF THE LEGISLATION FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS TO I

ALLOW MORE TIME FOR A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE WHOLE QUESTION OF ABORTION IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG. , I

+IN THE COURSE OF THIS EXAMINATION WE COULD AND, INDEED,

SHOULD TAKE A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT THE EXTENT TO WHICH SOCIAL ,

PROBLEMS HAVE GIVEN RISE TO THE CALL FOR LEGAL ABORTION, WITH . A VIEW TO SEEKING MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS,*, HE ADDED.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

HE REFERRED TO A STATEMENT DY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE I

. LAST COUNCIL MEETING THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REVIEW LATER

ON THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, AND WOULD BE PREPARED TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS ADVOCATING MODIFICATIONS TO THE DILL. ‘

+1 EXPECT THAT SUCH REPRESENTATIONS WILL COVER A WIDE ' - ■

SPECTRUM OF PUBLIC OPINION, RANGING FROM A DEMAND FOR MORE LIBERALISATION TO MORE RIGID CONTROL OF THE ABORTION PROVISIONS,* MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAiD. I

/IN THE

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

18 -

IN THE LIGHT OF REPRESENTATIONS ALREADY PUT FORWARD, HE ANTICIPATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVIEW THE BILL TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS WOULD NOT BE ABUSED OR MISUSED, OR MISINTERPRETED- BUT WOULD IN ACTUAL PRACTICE BE REASONABLE AND HUMANE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEEDS AND MORES OF AN ENLIGHTENED, CIVILISED AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG CITIZENS. .

AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, DR. FANG SAID SECTION 47A SHOULD NOT BE A PART OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE SINCE IT AFFORDED LITTLE OR NO PROTECTION TO THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR AND NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER TO THE UNBORN CHILD.

+IF, THEREFORE, IT HAS TO BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF THE LAW, SHOULD THIS COUNCIL NOT CALL A SPADE A SPADE AND INCORPORATE ITS PROVISIONS IN A COMPLETELY SEPARATE ABORTION BILL7+ HE ASKED.

IN REPLY, MR. THORNTON SAID HE COULD NOT ACCEPT DR. FANG’S ARGUMENT THAT THIS SECTION WAS MISPLACED IN THE ORDINANCE.

+SECTIONS 46 AND 47 OF THAT ORDINANCE ARE CONCERNED WITH UNLAWFUL ABORTION AND THESE ARE SURELY PROPERLY CLASSIFIED AS OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON. SECTION 47A IS ESSENTIALLY A STATEMENT OF WHAT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THESE SECT IONS.+

HE REITERATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR SECTION WAS SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW, AND SHOULD THIS REVIEW RESULT IN LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, THEN WHAT DR. FANG HAD SAID WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

THE BILL WAS PASSED.

-------------0------- WATER INTERRUPTION

* * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (MARCH 27) TO ALLOW THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WING WO STREET TO MORRISON STREET AND BONHAM STRAND TO THE SEAFRONT.

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

/1'9........

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1976

SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER RETIRES K * M K M

MR. HO PENG, SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, IS RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER 21 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

MR. HO FIRST JOINED THE P.W.D. IN APRIL 1955 AS AN ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE. IN MAY 1961 HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AS AN ASSISTANT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER. HE WAS PROMOTED TO STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN AUGUST 1962 AND TO HIS PRESENT POST OF SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN APRIL 1972. HE ALSO ACTED AS CHIEF STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ON TWO OCCASIONS IN 1974 AND 1975.

DURING HIS 15 YEARS WITH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR. HO WAS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THE CHECKING OF STRUCTURAL PLANS SUBMITTED BY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS. WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, HE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDER STAFF OF THE MASS TRANSIT UNIT ESTABLISHED IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO ENSURE THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ROUTE.

TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR. EDWARD KENNARD WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PRESENT HIM WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE WILL BE HELD AT 3.30 P.M. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) OFFICES, 8TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN

PRESENTATION. IT IN THE B.0.0. ROAD, HONG KONG.

o -------

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROPOSED LAW ON SAFETY OF CABLE CAR SYSTEM GAZETTED .......... 1

GREAT DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND IN NEW TOWNS ................ 2

CASUALTY SERVICE IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BEGINS NEXT MONDAY ....................................................... 3

PAY YOUR TAX BY POST.......................................... 4

AMENDED ZONING PLAN FOR WANG TAU HOM PUBLISHED................ 4

MOBILE CAREERS EXHIBITION IN KWAI FONG ESTATE ................ 5

CAREERS SEMINAR FOR SENIOR FORM STUDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ............................................ 6

FIRING PRACTICE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON APRIL 1 AND 2 .... 6

SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HEADS ........................................................ 7

TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE STARTS IN SEPTEMBER .............. 8

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PRESENTS PRICES TO INTER-SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONS ......................................... 8

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

- 1 -

LEGISLATION TO ENSURE SAFETY OF CABLE CAR SYSTEMS ******

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF AERIAL ROPEWAYS AS WELL AS THEIR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.

THE LEGISLATION IS CONTAINED IN THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) BILL 1976 WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE AND WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE PUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

AN AERIAL ROPEWAY IS DEFINED AS ANY APPARATUS FOR THE OVERHEAD TRANSPORT OF PASSENGERS OR GOODS IN CARRIERS RUNNING ALONG OR DRAWN BY OVERHEAD CABLES SUPPORTED BY TOWERS, PYLONS OR OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES. ALSO COVERED ARE ANY MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT OR PLANT USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPARATUS.

UNDER THE BILL, PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AERIAL ROPEWAY MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR APPROVAL AND NO AERIAL ROPEWAY MAY COMMENCE OPERATION WITHOUT HIS AUTHORITY.

ONE OF THE CLAUSES IN THE BILL PROHIBITS THE PASSAGE OF AN AERIAL ROPEWAY OVER ANY BUILDING WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR AND ANOTHER MAKES THE PERSON INSTALLING AN AERIAL ROPEWAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK DOES NOT CAUSE UNDUE OBSTRUCTION OF ANY ROAD, SHIPPING CHANNEL OR RAILWAY OR CAUSE ANY HAZARD TO AIR NAVIGATION.

OTHER CLAUSES IN THE BILL DEAL WITH ASPECTS RELATED TO REPAIRS OR ALTERATIONS- PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES FOR THE CONTROL AND SAFETY OF PEOPLE USING THE ROPEWAY- THE AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR TO ORDER THE CLOSURE OF AN AERIAL ROPEWAY IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY- AND THE KEEPING OF RECORDS.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS IS ALSO EMPOWERED TO PUBLISH A CODE OF PRACTICE GOVERNING THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF AERIAL ROPEWAYS.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE LEGISLATION WILL APPLY TO ANY AERIAL ROPEWAY IN EXISTENCE WHEN THE BILL IS ENACTED.

COMMENTING ON THE LEGISLATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) BILL 1976 HAS BEEN DRAWN UP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORGAN IZZAZIONE INTERNATIONAL DEI TRANSPORTIA FUNE (OITAF), WHICH IS THE INTERNATIONAL BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF CABLE CAR SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

+IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF DESIGN AND OPERATION SHOULD BE CONTAINED IN REGULATIONS AND IN A CODE OF PRACTICE PRESCRIBED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZZETTE.

♦AMENDMENTS TO THIS CODE WILL BE MADE BY THE DIRECTOR ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OITAF, OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON WHICH HE CONSIDERS TO REQUIRE SUCH AMENDMENTS FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF AERIAL ROPEWAYS IN HONG KONG+, HE SAID.

------0 - - /2.....

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

GENERAL INDUSTRIAL LAND IN NEW TOWNS IN DEMAND

*****

IN FUTURE, THE BULK OF GENERAL INDUSTRIAL LAND IN KWAI CHUNG AND TUEN MUN WILL BE DISPOSED OF THROUGH TENDER TO HOLDERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS, KNOWN AS LETTERS ”A” AND ”B”, WITH PRIORITY BEING GIVEN TO THOSE HOLDING THE OLDEST LETTERS.

SO MANY APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR GENERAL INDUSTRIAL LAND IN THESE TWO NEW TOWNS THAT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD TO CANCEL ALL TENTATIVE RESERVATIONS OR OFFERS MADE IN RESPECT OF SUCH APPLICATIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT FOR THE N.T.A., MR. DAVID WILKINSON, COMMENTED s +THIS ACTION HAS HAD TO BE TAKEN BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF LAND WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DISPOSAL IN KWAI CHUNG AND TUEN MUN IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VARIOUS APPLICANTS.*

A LETTER NOTIFYING APPLICANTS OF THIS DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN SENT OUT.

MR. WILKINSON SAID SITES TO BE DISPOSED OF BY TENDER WOULD BE ADVERTISED IN THE PRESS AND ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

+THIS IS IN ORDER THAT ALL PREVIOUS APPLICANTS FOR EXCHANGES TOGETHER WITH OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TENDERING FOR THIS TYPE OF INDUSTRIAL LAND,* HE SAID.

THE LAND BEING SOUGHT BY DEVELOPERS IS FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

- 3 -

PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL STARTS ADMITTING CASUALTIES # IU O

THE HEAVY PRESSURE ON QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL’S CASUALTY DEPARTMENT WILL BE GREATLY RELIEVED WHEN THE NEW PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BEGINS ITS CASUALTY SERVICE NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 29).

INITIALLY, THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL OPERATE DURING DAYTIME ONLY -- FROM 9 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. IT WILL GO INTO 24-HOUR SERVICE WHEN THE HOSPITAL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL LATER THIS YEAR*

IT IS INTENDED THAT EMERGENCY CASES FROM NORTHWEST KOWLOON AND THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TAKEN TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THUS LESSENING THE CASE LOAD ON Q.E.H.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT, THE FIRST STAGE OF THE HOSPITAL’S PHASED OPENING PROGRAMME HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE.

THE HOSPITAL HAS A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1,300 BEDS, OF WHICH SOME 900 BEDS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO USE SINCE IT WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 20, 1975.

CASUALTY CASES SEEN AT THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ROSE DRAMATICALLY FROM 112,500 IN 1964 TO 242,478 IN 1975. THE ATTENDANCE LAST YEAR REPRESENTED AN AVERAGE OF 700 A DAY, OR ONE PATIENT EVERY TWO MINUTES.

/4.......

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

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 AND MANY MORE ARE DOING SO THIS YEAR.

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 A FEW DAYS.+ REMINDERS WOULD NOT BE ISSUED, HE ADDED.

CROSSED CHEQUES SHOULD BE SENT TO i-

+COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, CENTRAL MAIL OFFICE, CLUB LUS I TANO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.+

- - 0 - -

AMENDED ZONING PLAN FOR WANG TAU HOM * * * * M

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS PUBLISHED AN AMENDED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE WANG TAU HOM AND TUNG TAU AREAS.

THERE ARE TWO REASONS FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS PLAN.

FIRSTLY, THE UPHOLDING OF A NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS TO THE ORIGINAL PLAN REQUIRES AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE.

SECONDLY, THERE IS A NEED TO INCLUDE A NEW FORM OF NOTES ON THE PLAN WHICH ALLOWS, IN CERTAIN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE MADE TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO DEPART FROM SOME OF THE ZONING PROPOSALS SHOWN ON THE PLAN.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

- 5 -

LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO STAGE MOBILE EXHIBITION

* * * M *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE EXHIBITION UNIT WILL MOVE INTO KWAI FONG ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO ' BRING CAREERS INFORMATION TO RESIDENTS THERE.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS IN THE ESTATE, WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF OVER 34,000, ARE URGED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION.

MRS. ANGELA HO, LABOUR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE , WHICH ORGANISED THE EXHIBITION, SAID: +IT IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF CAREERS EXHIBITIONS ON WHEELS PLANNED FOR RESIDENTS OF.POPULOUS HOUSING ESTATES.*

SHE WENT ON: +THESE EXHIBITIONS WILL PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GOVERNMENT, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS- DETAILS OF THE WORK INVOLVED, THE REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRY, PAY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS. THEY WILL ALSO SPOTLIGHT APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEMES.*

ON SHOW AT THE EXHIBITION WILL BE A DISPLAY OF CAREERS LITERATURE, PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND CARTOONS. IN ADDITION, FILMS ON VARIOUS CAREERS WILL BE SHOWN.

STAFF OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM VISITORS.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976

- 6 -

CAREERS SEMINAR FOR SENIOR STUDENTS

* M K * K

INFORMATION ON CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES IN VARIOUS FIELDS WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH TALKS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND FILM SHOWS TO SENIOR FORM STUDENTS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS AT A ONE-DAY CAREERS SEMINAR ON TUESDAY (MARCH 30).

THE SEMINAR AT ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT APART FROM ORGANISING SEMINARS ON A REGIONAL BASIS, THE YEAS PROVIDED CAREERS GUIDANCE IN OTHER FORMS RANGING FROM PAMPHLETS AND NEWSLETTERS TO EXHIBITIONS.

IN THE FORTHCOMING SEMINAR, FOUR CAREERS TALKS COVERING INSURANCE, TELEVISION BROADCASTING, DATA PROCESSING AND THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A PANEL DISCUSSION ON CAREERS IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY AND A FILM ON +CHOOSING A CAREER* WILL BE SHOWN.

MR. Y.F. HUI, DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, WILL OPEN THE SEMINAR.

NOTE TO ED I TORSi

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL RUN FROM 10 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M.

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

FIRING PRACTICE

* * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON APRIL 1 AND 2 (THURSDAY AND FRIDAY).

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACTICE.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1976 - 7 -

SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION *****

SOME 60 TEACHERS AND TEN HEADS OF SCHOOLS WILL BE PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION AT ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE IN STANLEY ON MONDAY MORNING.

THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR. ALEC REEVE, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING.

THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE EXHIBITION - ORGANISED BY ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS OF SOCIAL STUDIES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER BY SHARING EXPERIENCES.

ST. STEPHEN’S IS ONE OF THE 15 MONITORED SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES ON A TRIAL BASIS.

THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS +KNOWING YOURSELF AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT* - A MAJOR AREA OF STUDY IN THE FORM 1 PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES.

THE EXHIBITION, MOUNTED BY FORM 1 PUPILS OF THE SCHOOL, WILL INCLUDE MODELS, CHARTS, PICTURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS.

ON MONDAY AFTERNOON, ANOTHER GROUP OF ABOUT 60 TEACHERS WILL VISIT THE EXHIBITION.

PUPILS IN NEIGHBOURING SCHOOLS IN STANLEY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SEE THE EXHIBITION ON TUESDAY.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SEE THE EXHIBITION FROM 12 NOON ON MONDAY UNTIL 5 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONY COVERED ON MONDAY AT 10.30 A.M. AT ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE, STANLEY.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 197.6

- 8 -

TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE STARTS IN SEPTEMBER ******

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.

THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TEACHING IN TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

INDUCEMENT GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS ON THIS COURSE AT THE MINIMUM OF $1,070 A MONTH UP TO THE MAXIMUM OF $1,640 A MONTH, CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POSTQUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME DIPLOMA COURSE AT THE POLYTECHNIC, A TECHNICAL COLLEGE OR A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DISCIPLINES s-MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, TEXTILES, CLOTHING, BUILDING, MARINE ENGINEERING, HOTEL AND CATERING, INSTITUTIONAL HOUSEKEEPING.

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.

ALL COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGE BY APRIL 10.

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INTER-SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

******

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, THIS AFTERNOON PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE FIRST DIVISION WINNERS OF THE ATHLETICS COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

T0PLEY watCHED SOME OF THE EVENTS AT THE HONG KONG STADI UM,

SPEAKING AS PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT THIS YEAR 330 TEAMS PARTICIPATED IN THE INTER-SCHOOLS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS COMPARED WITH 47 TEAMS IN 1951.

THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH WAS CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY COULD LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE ON ITS EXPANSION DURING THIS PERIOD. ’

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT +THIS EXPANSION IS REFLECTED IN ALL SPORTS - NOT JUST IN ATHLETICS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A TOTAL 25.000 STUDENTS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES EACH YEAR.

”AVE IMPR0VED TO THE EXTENT THAT HONG KONG 0V£RSEAS’ AND H0L0 THEIR °WM

l"fi-Ti0PtA£SYTP^DWET^BAUSTETHT§S^LiH?HSE^HEH^^GDK.ASS0C,AT-

- - 0 - -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

»r mt

Friday, March 26, 197^

DISASTER IMPOSTORS WARNED

«**«»»«

The Housing Department today issued a strong warning against impostors at the scenes of natural disasters. Mr. 2.R.L. Pogue.Assistant Director (Clearance).said that in future the department would de everything possible to prosecute offenders.

Hie warning follows a case on Wednesday at Tsuen flan Court when a 34-year-old factory worker was fined 51,000 or two months' imprisonment for making a false statement after the Aldrich Bay s-uatter fire on Pebru.r" 1

At the court, Lai Kann tin admitted making a false declaration stating that he and his family were not included on any housing tenancy.

• The court was told that a check of Housing Department records showed that the defendant, his wife, child and 69-yeai^old mother ■ a ooen living at Kwai Chung estate since 19^4.

The magistrate, Mr. F.W. Blackwell, described the incident as "scandalous” and a despicable act, and said Lai had tried to make capital out of a disaster.

Earlier this month the same court imposed a fine of .‘750 on a 5lt_yeS.r-old man who admitted making a false statement concerning public housing following a fire at Luk Yuen Tsuen, Tuen Mun.

Mr. Pogue said today that he was pleased to see the courts taking a serious view of these matters. He said that imposters at disaster scenes ma.de relief work more difficult and could prevent aid and housing assistance reaching the genuinely needy.

0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

■ — — — —

OPENING OF MOUNT DAVIS AMBULANCE DEPOT ....................... 1

’’COMMUNITY HEALTH DAY” FOR YAU TONG RESIDENTS................ 2

CLEAN-UP FOR CHAI WAN KOK VILLAGE ............................ 3

MORE INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY FIRE SERVICES ................ 4

CROWN LAND SALES ............................................. 5

INAUGURATION OF YOUTH SERVICE COUNCIL ........................ 5

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT OPENED M M *

MR. CHAN LING-FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF KENNEDY TOWN AND WESTERN DISTRICT AREA COMMITTEE, OFFICIALLY OPENED THE MOUNT DAVIS AMBULANCE DEPOT AT LUNG WAH STREET, WESTERN, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.

HE WAS WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. FRED WATSON, AND THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR. BILL DOORE.

IN A SHORT SPEECH, HE SAID THE OCCASION MARKED A FURTHER STEP FORWARD IN PROVIDING A MODERN AND EFFICIENT AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

+THIS NEW DEPOT, BUILT AT A COST OF $2.8 MILLION AND CLOSE TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED ACCOMMODATION FOR AMBULANCES SERVING THE WESTERN AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND,+ MR. CHAN SAID.

HE SAID AT PRESENT THE AMBULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED UPON TO DEAL WITH ABOUT 400 CALLS EVERY DAY.

AFTER UNVEILING A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE, MR. CHAN SWITCHED ON THE DEPOT’S ALARM BELL TO TURN OUT AN AMBULANCE TO DEAL WITH A +NON-EMERGENCY CASE+.

THE DEPOT, WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR EIGHT AMBULANCES AND A STAFF OF ABOUT 50, OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 16,000 SQ. FT. THE BUILDING IS OF ELEVEN FLOORS AND HAS QUARTERS FOR OFFICERS AND THE RANK AND FILE.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

’’COMMUNITY HEALTH DAY” IN YAU TONG * * * * *

A ’’COMMUNITY HEALTH DAY” WILL BE HELD FOR RESIDENTS OF YAU TONG AT THE ST. ANTONIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 5 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE IN YAU TONG UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE FOR KWUN TONG AND THE YAU TONG KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, THE PROJECT AIMS TO AROUSE THE RESIDENTS’ CONCERN AND PARTICIPATION IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY HEALTH.

IT FEATURES AN EXHIBITION ON COMMUNITY HEALTH, FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS, FILM AND SLIDE SHOWS AND AN ENQUIRY SERVICE MANNED BY THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION.

THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS ARE ST. ANTONIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE ANTI-NARCOTICS UNIT OF THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT, THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE KWUN TONG YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, AND THE YAU TONG HEALTH PROMOTION ASSOCIATION.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE JOINTLY OFFICIATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, DR. EDWARD PATTERSON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU TONG KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR. MAU KEI-ON, AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR KWUN TONG, MR. KWOK NAI-SIK.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH BEGINS AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW AT THE ST. ANTONIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL, 100 YAN WING STREET, YAU TONG ESTATE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

- 3 -

CLEAN-UP FOR CHAI WAN KOK VILLAGE ******

INMATES OF THE KWUN TONG HOSTEL WILL HELP RESIDENTS OF CHAI WAN KOK IN TSUEN WAN CLEAN UP THE VILLAGE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO MAKE IT A MORE PLEASANT PLACE TO LIVE IN.

THE JOINT VENTURE — +CLEAN THE VILLAGE DAY+ — HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO AROUSE THE INTERESTS AND CONCERN OF THE VILLAGERS ABOUT CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE IN THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, AND TO BRING ABOUT BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THEM.

IT ALSO AIMS TO GIVE THE PROBATIONERS' OF THE HOSTEL, WHICH IS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BETTER AND MORE MEANINGFUL USE OF THEIR LEISURE HOURS, AND TO CONTRIBUTE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE CLEAN-UP PROJECT IS INITIATED BY TWO STUDENTS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, MISS CHAN WAH-YING AND MR. TO SZE-KWONG, WHO HAVE ENGAGED THEMSELVES IN A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE CHAI WAN KOK VILLAGE.

FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS, THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING VILLAGERS IN THE AREA TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES, ORGANISING VILLAGE COMMITTEES TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND SETTING UP TUITION CLASSES FOR PRIMARY PUPILS.

TWO VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES, MR. IP WONG AND MR. LAW SHING, AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE KWUN TONG HOSTEL, MR. K.K. LIU, WILL LEAD THE RESIDENTS AND PROBATIONERS IN THE CLEANING OPERATION.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

- 4

FIRE SERVICES STEP UP INSPECTIONS OOH

THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED STEADILY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY.

DURING FEBRUARY, FIRE OFFICERS CONDUCTED 16,862 INSPECTIONS ON BUILDINGS COMPARED WITH THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 13,350 IN 1975.

MORE THAN HALF OF FEBRUARY’S TOTAL (11,366) WERE PROMPTED

BY COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND 8,911 RELATED TO OBSTRUCTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE.

THERE WERE 780 ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF MEANS OF ESCAPE AND 2,280 VISITS TO FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

INSPECTIONS RELATED TO THE STORAGE OR MANUFACTURE OF DANGEROUS GOODS TOTALLED 598. THERE WERE CLOSE TO 1,130 INSPECTIONS OF SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS, NIGHTCLUBS, OTHER PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

A TOTAL OF 134 VEHICLES WERE EXAMINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL LICENSING OF LORRIES USED TO CONVEY COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

DURING THE MONTH, ALMOST 1,000 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED AND 81 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT.

FIRE OFFICERS INVESTIGATED 21 FIRES IN DEPTH.

IN ADDITON, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO FINALISED 501 NEW BUILDING PLANS, ISSUED OR RENEWED 296 DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER YARDS STORAGE LICENCES AND TESTED MORE THAN 800 ITEMS OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND QUARTERS.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1976

CROWN LAND SALES KO*

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION ON APRIL 23 (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 P.M. IN THE LECTURE ROOM, 8TH FLOOR, CITY HALL.

ONE LOT, SITUATED BETWEEN UPPER LASCAR ROW AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD, IS EARMARKED FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES. ITS AREA IS 4,090 SQ. FT.

ANOTHER LOT, MEASURING 20,500 SQ. FT., IS AT WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, ABERDEEN. IT IS SET ASIDE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

THE THIRD LOT, ALSO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, IS AT CHO YUEN STREET, SAM KA TSUEN AND MEASURES 25,070 SQ. FT.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE 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, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

SALE PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES'.

----0------

YOUTH SERVICES COUNCIL TO BE INAUGURATED

######

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT YOUTH SERVICE COUNCIL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 7 P.M. AT DOR CHEUK RESTAURANT, 402, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON CITY.

THE COUNCIL WAS FORMED IN 1974 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, KOWLOON CITY, TO ORGANISE AND CO-ORDINATE YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT ON A LONG-TERM BASIS. IT RECEIVES WIDE SUPPORT FROM MANY PUBLIC-SPIRITED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, CIVIC LEADERS AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR.

THE COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY BEEN GRANTED REGISTRATION BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL UNDER THE SOCIETY ORDINANCE.

DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, VARIOUS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED AND THEY PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT. THESE INCLUDED SUMMER YOUTH RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES, SPORTS EVENTS AND SKILL TRAINING CLASSES.

NOTE TO ED I TORSt

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY CEREMONY.

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INVITED TO COVER THE

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1976

CHING MING A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR WORKERS *****

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, TODAY REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT APRIL 4, 1976, THE DAY OF THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, IS ONE OF THE SIX STATUTORY HOLIDAYS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

THIS YEAR THE HOLIDAY FALLS ON A SUNDAY WHICH IS LIKELY ALSO TO BE A REST DAY FOR MANY EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.

+IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES,+ SAID MR. PRICE, +AN EMPLOYER MUST GRANT HIS EMPLOYEES ANOTHER REST DAY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A REST DAY SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO ANY STATUTORY HOLIDAY.*

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ALL NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING NOT

MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH AND ALL MANUAL EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISTINCTION AND INCLUDING DOMESTIC SERVANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY. 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.

+AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT EMPLOYED ON A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT — FOR EXAMPLE, ONE WHO WORKS FOR LESS THAN SIX HOURS A DAY OR HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR LESS THAN THREE MONTHS — IS STILL ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY, BUT HAS NO LEGAL ENTITLEMENT TO BE PAID,* MR. PRICE SAID.

IF THE EMPLOYER REQUIRES AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A STATUTORY 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 HIS EMPLOYEE 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THAT ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY. AND IF AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY IS TO BE 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 WITHIN 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- YUEN LONG 12-760261 EXT. 82- AND HONG KONG ISLAND 5-282523 EXT. 60.

Issued by Government Information Servicers, Beatonsfieldllouse, Hong Kong.Tel: 5-233191

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1976

- 2 -

ELECTRICITY FOR SQUATTER AREAS

******

NOTE TO EDITORS!

MRS. ELAINE CHIA, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING AND CHAIRMAN OF A WORKING PARTY ON ELECTRIFICATION 0F SQUATTER AREAS, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 P.M. ON TUESDAY (MARCH 30) IN THE G. I.S. THEATRE.

SHE WILL BE INTRODUCING A PILOT SCHEME TO EXTEND ELECTRIFICATION TO A NUMBER OF SQUATTER AREAS ON THE SLOPE OF LION ROCK HILL.

ALSO AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE MR

LAU CHAU-WA, CITY DI STR I

OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN) AND MR DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER AND MR.

R.A

PEDDER

C. STEELE

CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED.

TRANSMISSION AND

COMMERCIAL ENGINEER OF

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1976

- 3 -

WATER STOPPAGE a *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHU I PO WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 31) TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG FAT STREET, KWONG LEE ROAD AND PRATAS STREET. THE AFFECTED PREMISES INCLUDE BLOCKS 3 TO 8 AND 16 TO 19, LI CHENG UK ESTATE.

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

CHINA TRAVELLERS ADVISED TO GET RE-ENTRY PERMITS EARLY *****

IN ORDER TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH, LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO NEED RE-ENTRY PERMITS TO TRAVEL TO CHINA AND MACAO DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS NOW.

AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO FACILITATE IMMIGRATION EXAMINATION, HOLDERS OF RE-ENTRY PERMITS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY CARRY THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WITH THEM WHEN THEY TRAVEL.

- - 0 -

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

Sunday, March 28, 1976

NEfl REriTS FOR .GROUP '■B:l ESTATE SHOPS

To Be Effected From April 1

The Housing Department stated today (Sunday) that it will accept only the new rents from Group B tenants as from April 1.

A very small rent increase on all shops and restaurants in Group B public housing estates that are let on month-to-month tenancies was announced by the Housing Authority in early February.

A spokesman for the department advised that tenants should pay the rent in person to the Housing Department staff or by post to their respective estaife offices.

Notices to tenants reminding them of the procedure for rent payments will be delivered tomorrow (Monday).

It will point out to tenants th t in their own interest, they should pay their rents at the new rate on due date as failure would constitute a'breach of their tenancy conditions which could place their tbnancy and its attendant privileges at risk.

Commenting on newspaper reports that certain persons have been persuading shop fenants not to pay their rents direct to the Housing Department but through an agent? the spokesman warned:

"The department has never authorised any agent, other than its own staff,* to collect rents, and payments through unauthorised persons or organisations will not be accepted.”

Turning to the new rents, the spokesman said they only represented 1/8 to 1/4 of the normal commercial rents.

/"Over 6,000 ......

- 2 -

“Over 6,000 shop premises have a monthly rent of 3100 or less and the rent increase for over 92 per cent of the 11,000-odd shop premises is only between S9«5O and SJ1.50 a month, or an increase of 50/ to 31 a day,” he said.

The spokesman went on: “Most of the Group B shop premieses were let on month-to*month terms at very low rents many years ago to former squatters whose illegal temporary structures were demolished to make way for development to help them to continue to make a living.

’There is no justification for asking the tax-payers to continue indefinitely the substantial subsidy that is now necessary, and it is essential that the tenants themselves should now make a greater contribution towards the running fosts of these estates where they are in such a privileged position.”

The following is the full text of the Housing Department notice: “There have been reports that a few persons on some estates have been trying to collect rents from shop tenants, with the alleged purpose of paying them to the Housing Department on tenants’ behalf.

“For the benefit of estate shop tenants, the Department wishes to explain the correct procedures for paying rents in order +0 prevent tenants from being misled in this matter.

“As you know, the rent for your shop will be slightly increase-, as from April 1, 197$» and you have been notified, by a formal notice dated February 18, 1976, of the amount payable.

/’’You are

,fYou are strongly advised to pay the new rent in full either by cash or by cheque on the rent day. Payment must be made in the usual wanner, i.e., in person to the Housing Department staff or by post to your estate office where an official receipt will be issued immediately. Under no circumstances should rents be paid through unauthorised persons.

"The Housing Department will not accept rents at the old level, and will not accept rent paymeats through other organisations, nor be responsible for payments made to unauthorized agents.

"In your own interest, you should pay your rents at the new rate in full to the Housing Department staff on the day due. Failure to do so would constitute a breach of your tenancy conditions which could place your tenancy, and all the privileges that go with • • it, at risk."

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

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

HONG KONG’S FISCAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES DESIGNED TO SECURE HIGHEST ECONOMIC GROWTH .......................... 1

APPOINTMENT OF TWO URBAN COUNCIL MEMBERS .................. 2

OPENING OF NEW AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL ..................... 3

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT GARMENT FACTORY................... 4

ELEVEN ADDITIONAL TRAINS TO RUN DURING CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD........................................... 5

BANKING STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY...................’.........6

TEACHERS URGED TO DESIGN WORTHWHILE SYLLABUSES FOR LOWER FORMS ............................•.................. 7

THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON COMMUNITY HEALTH TO BE HELD AT LAM TIN ........................................... 8

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

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES EXPLAINED * * * * M

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY STRONGLY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES WERE DESIGNED TO SECURE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

+TO THIS END,* HE ADDED, +OUR FOCUS IS ON THE RATE OF INVESTMENT GENERALLY IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS SOURCE.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION.

IN RESPONSE TO INTRODUCTORY REMARKS MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN

OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE ACCEPTED THAT THE PRICES AT WHICH IMPORTED YARNS WERE OFFERED BY OVERSEAS SUPPLIERS WERE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.

BUT HE DID NOT THINK THAT HONG KONG SHOULD ABANDON ITS FREE TRADE POLICY IN THE FACE OF SUCH COMPETITIVE PRICES AND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE EXTERNAL COMPETITIVE POSITION OF ITS PIECEGOODS AND GARMENTS. \

MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE HONG KONG SPINNING INDUSTRY WITH ITS WELL PROVEN CAPACITY FOR SURVIVAL WOULD NOT REACT POSITIVELY TO SUCH COMPETITION BY PIONEERING NEW COST EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES.

REFERRING TO THE FACTORS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN DESCRIBED AS HAVING +AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON INDUSTRY,* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CHAIRMAN DID NOT BALANCE HIS ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE MANY FAVOURABLE FACTORS PRESENT HERE OF WHICH THE GOVERNMENT’S 1976 BUDGET IS ONLY ONE.+

HE SAID HE COULD NOT ACCEPT THAT THEY WERE ALL THAT ADVERSE.

CITING ELECTRICITY CHARGES FOR EXAMPLE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT FOR MEDIUM SIZE INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS ALTHOUGH THE CHARGES WERE LOWER IN MALAYSIA THAN IN HONG KONG, THEY WERE HIGHER IN SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

+AND, WHILST FOR LARGE SIZE UNDERTAKINGS, ELECTRICITY CHARGES ARE ALSO LOWER IN MALAYSIA THAN IN HONG KONG, THEY ARE ABOUT THE SAME IN HONG KONG AS IN SINGAPORE AND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ARE LOWER HERE THAN IN AUSTRALIA.*

TURNING TO A CLAIM BY THE CHAIRMAN THAT WATER CHARGES WERE +ESCALATING,* MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THEY HAD NOT BEEN RAISED SINCE THE TWO-STAGE INCREASE TO $4 PER 1,000 GALLONS ANNOUNCED IN THE 1971 BUDGET SPEECH.

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

- - 2 -

ON THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HONG KONG MUST FACE UP TO THE IMMEDIATE REALITY WHICH WAS THAT THE PROSPECT OF A RETURN TO A GENERAL SYSTEM OF FIXED EXCHANGE RATES REMAINED REMOTE.

+IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, ALL TRADE ORIENTED ECONOMIES — AND PARTICULARLY HONG KONG’S — MUST ADAPT, AND ADAPT CONTINUOUSLY, TO AN EVER SHIFTING COMPLEX OF EXCHANGE RATE AND, IN THE MEDIUM AND LONGER TERM, I IMAGINE NO ONE WOULD ARGUE AGAINST A RELATIVELY STRONG HONG KON6 DOLLAR,* HE SAID.

HE CONTINUED THAT THIS WAS NOT TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT, OR RATHER THE EXCHANGE FUND, WOULD STAND BY.PASSIVELY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

♦THERE ARE SOME MOVEMENTS WHICH CAN BE IDENTIFIED AS QUITE WAYWARD AND OTHERS WHICH ARE UNNECESSARILY ERRATIC. WITHIN LIMITS, THESE WE SHALL SEEK TO CORRECT AND IN SUCH A WAY AS NOT TO WORK AGAINST UNDERLYING MARKET FORCES, ON THE OUE HAND, AND NOT TO PROVIDE SPECULATORS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO FRUSTRATE OUR EFFORTS TO THEIR PROFIT, ON THE OTHER,* HE SAID.

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

TWO NEW URBAN COUNCILLORS APPOINTED

X * * * M

TWO NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO SERVE ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THEY ARE MR. KIM CHAM YAU-SUM, A UNIVERSITY LECTURER AND MR. LAWRENCE FUNG, A BUSINESSMAN. THEIR APPOINTMENTS WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1976 TO MARCH 31, 1980.

THEY WILL REPLACE MR. ALEX S.C. WU AND MR. PETER P.K. NG WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. BOTH MR. WU AND MR. NG HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO BE REAPPOINTED.

MR. CHAM, 29, IS A LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL CITY DISTRICT OFFICE’S SOUTHWEST AREA COMMITTEE AND IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. HE IS SINGLE.

MR. FUNG, 42, IS A DIRECTOR OF FUNG PING FAN AND CO. HE IS MARRIED AND HAS THREE CHILDREN. MR. FUNG WAS PREVIOUSLY , CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF. HE IS A STAFF OFFICER IN THE ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.

FOUR OTHER MEMBERS, WHOSE TERMS ALSO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1976 TO MARCH 31, 1980. THEY ARE MR. PETER CHAN PO-FUN, MR. JOHN MACKENZIE, MR. HU FA-KUANG AND MRS. GRACE HO.

- 0

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

TOPLEY OPENS $5.5 MILLION AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL H M *

THE YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE, WHICH COST $5,500,000 TO PUT UP, WAS OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS AFTERNOON.

THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE COST — ABOUT $4,500,000 — BY WAY OF CAPITAL SUBSIDY WHILE THE LATE MR. YU CHUN KEUNG MADE A GENEROUS DONATION.

THE COLLEGE, A 24-CLASSR00M GRAMMAR SCHOOL WITH NINE SPECIAL ROOMS AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES, IS THE SEVENTH AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL SPONSORED BY THE CATHOLIC MISSION IN HONG KONG.

IN HIS SPEECH AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR. TOPLEY EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS MADE BY THE CATHOLIC MISSION.

+THESE WORTHY EFFORTS DATE BACK. TO THE EARLY FIFTIES WHEN THE MISSION STARTED OPERATING PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS.

+FOR MANY YEARS THE MISSION HAS MADE A SIGNAL CONTRIBUTION IN HELPING THE GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE AIDED PRIMARY EDUCATION.

+IN RECENT YEARS, WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION, IT HAS DIVERTED ITS ENERGY TOWARDS THE BUILDING OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS — SOME AIDED, SOME PRIVATE,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHOOLS UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE MISSION WERE NOT SIMPLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF CATHOLIC CHILDREN, BUT PRIMARILY ESTABLISHED TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE MISSION WOULD KEEP UP ITS EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL WORK AND CONTINUE TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE GOVERNMENT BY PROVIDING MORE SCHOOL PLACES.

THE DIRECTOR THEN SPOKE ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ON SCHOOL CHILDREN.

+VIEWING THEIR WORK AS A WHOLE, TEACHERS WILL NATURALLY MAKE USE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR BRINGING ABOUT AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOL, HOME AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.

►THEY AND ALL OTHERS CONNECTED WITH EDUCATION SHOULD DO THEIR BEST TO DISPEL THE HARMFUL NOTION THAT THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL IS A MYSTERY NOT TO BE PENETRATED EXCEPT BY THE .INITIATED.

+THE GREAT INTEREST WHICH HAS BEEN AROUSED BY EXHIBITIONS OF SC-'OOL WORK AND BY DISPLAYS OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS KINDS S'/jWS THAT THE PUBLIC IS EAGER TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE S.'HOOL. BUT OF ALL THE OUTSIDE PUBLIC THE PARENTS CLEARLY HAVE '/HE BEST RIGHT TO BE INFORMED AS TO WHAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING ;-0R THEIR CHILDREN,* MR. TOPLEY SAID.

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

/h.....

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

- 4

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS LADIES’ GARMENT FACTORY ******

LADY MACLEHOSE, CONTINUING HER SERIES OF VISITS TO HONG KONG FACTORIES, WILL BE MAKING A SHOP FLOOR TOUR OF A LADIES’ GARMENT COMPANY IN.KING’S ROAD TOMORROW MORNING (TUESDAY).

LIKE THE GOVERNOR, LADY MACLEHOSE IS GREATLY INTERESTED IN HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL WELLBEING- AND TO KEEP HERSELF UP TO DATE WITH INDUSTRY’S PROGRESS, HAS BEEN MAKING VISITS TO FACTORIES REGULARLY OVER THE YEARS.

TOMORROW’S VISIT IS TO THE DORCE FASHION LIMITED AT NO. 743 KING’S ROAD. SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ALEX PURVES.

DORCE FASHION IS A LEADING PRODUCER OF QUALITY LADIES’ KNITTED JACKETS, SUITS, SHIRTS, PANTS AND COATS.

THE COMPANY’S MAIN MARKETS ARE THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.

THE COMPANY OPERATES TWO FACTORIES AND EMPLOYS MORE THAN 7DO WORKERS.

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS*

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE VISIT. LADY MACLEHOSE WILL ARRIVE AT THE FACTORY AT 10.20 A.M. AND WILL SPEND OVER AN HOUR THERE. YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS ASKED TO BE AT THE FACTORY BEFORE HER ARRIVAL.

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

- 5 -

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL *****

ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL BE RUN THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY (APRIL 4 AND 5) DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD TO FACILITATE VISITORS TO CEMETERIES IN WO HOP SHEK.

ELEVEN SPECIAL TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION (HUNG HOM) BETWEEN 6.13 A.M. AND 4.55 P.M. ON EACH OF THESE TWO DAYS, AND THE SAME NUMBER OF SPECIAL TRAINS WILL DEPART FROM WO HOP SHEK FOR KOWLOON BETWEEN 7.30 A.M. AND 6.20 P.M.

THERE IS NO ADVANCE BOOKING OF TICKETS BUT CONCESSION TICKETS VALID FOR THE DAY OF ISSUE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT KOWLOON STATION AT THE FOLLOWING. CHARGES:

' ! 1 ORDINARY CLASS ORDINARY CLASS RETURN SINGLE

KOWLOON TO WO HOP SHEK ADULT CHILD KOWLOON TO LQ WU ADULT (FOR SANDY D,IDGE) CHILD WO HOP SHEK TO KOWLOON ADULT CHILD $2.60 $1.30 y S3.20 $1.60 • $1.30 $0.65

AS PART OF THESE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE ADDITIONAL TRAINS WILL NOT STOP AT MONG KOK STATION TO PICK UP PASSENGERS AND NO REGULAR NORTHBOUND PASSENGER TRAIN WILL STOP AT THE STATION BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 1.30 P.M. TICKETS FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAINS WILL ALSO NOT BE AVAILABLE THERE.

MONG KOK PASSENGERS ARE REQUESTED TO GO TO KOWLOON STATION TO BOARD TRAINS AND MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS WILL BE PERMITTED TO DO SO WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SAID TODAY THAT TRAINS FROM KOWLOON TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL PROBABLY BE FULL BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 3 P.M. AND TRAINS TO KOWLOON BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 9 P.M.

HE ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT MORE TRAINS MAY RUN IN THE LATE EVENING IF DEMAND WARRANTS AND THE LOCAL STATION MASTERS WILL GIVE ADVICE ON THE TIMING OF THESE TRAINS.

TRAINS AND TIMING MAY BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION AND CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PASSENGERS ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF RAILWAY STAFF AND THE POLICE IN FORMING ORDERLY QUEUES, AND TO READ CAREFULLY NOTICES EXHIBITEDsAT KOWLOON STATION.

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

- 6

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

FEBRUARY BANKING STATISTICS * * * *

BANKING DEPOSITS AS AT THE END OF FEBRUARY STOOD AT $37,575 MILLION, COMPRISING $9,860 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $14,412 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $13,303 IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS.

AS AT FEBRUARY 29, THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE DISCLOSED TODAY BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING GIVES A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF BANK LIABILITIES AND ASSETS

FOR THE MONTH i-

LIABILITIES $ MILLION

1. DEPOSITS 37,575

2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 21,782

3. OTHER LIABILITIES 7,933

TOTAL LIABILITIES 67,290

ASSETS - --1 2 3-

1. CASH 796

2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD :

(I) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM

CLAIMS 18,823

(II) TIME DEPOSITS 1,563 20,386

LOANS AND ADVANCES (I) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD

25,936

10,481

36,417

INVESTMENT i

(I) HONG KONG

(II) ABROAD

2,923

2,979

OTHER ASSETS s (I) HONG KONG (II) ABROAD

3,661

3,051

6,712

TOTAL ASSETS

67,290

AVERAGE LIQUIDITY DURING MOUTH

50.24 PER CENT

-------o

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976

- 7 -

WORTHWHILE SYLLABUSES FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS ******

THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR. ALEC REEVE SAID TODAY THAT IT WAS VITAL THAT TEACHERS AND HEADS OF SCHOOLS AS WELL AS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE DESIGNING OF WORTHWHILE SYLLABUSES FOR FORMS 1 TO 3 NOW THAT HONG KONG WAS ON THE VERGE OF PROVIDING AIDED SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL.

MR. REEVE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT EXHIBITION AT ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE IN STANLEY.

THE PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION WAS TO SHARE WITH OTHER TEACHERS THE EXPERIENCE OF MISS KITTY CHIANG, A TEACHER OF SOCIAL STUDIES, AND HER PUPILS AND TO STIMULATE OTHER TEACHERS IN OTHER SCHOOLS TO MOUNT SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS.

+ANOTHER PURPOSE BEHIND THE EXHIBITION IS TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO HELP SHAPE THE SYLLABUS AND CURRICULUM OF FORMS 1 TO 3 IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS,+ MR. REEVE SAID.

ALTHOUGH MISS CHIANG AND HER PRINCIPAL, MR. LUKE YIP HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE NEW SYLLABUS, THEY HAD THE INITIATIVE AND COURAGE TO ADOPT IT.

WITH NO TEXTBOOK OF SOCIAL STUDIES AVAILABLE AND WITH THE SYLLABUS ATTEMPTING TO INTEGRATE TO SOME EXTENT FOUR SUBJECTS -HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND HEALTH EDUCATION - MISS CHIANG QUICKLY GOT THE MAIN MESSAGE OF THE NEW SYLLABUS WHICH WAS THE ADOPTION OF A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN THE TEACHING OF THE MAIN AREA OF THE FORM 1 SYLLABUS, MR. REEVE SAID.

• ST. STEPHEN’S IS ONE OF THE 15 MONITORED SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES ON A TF. I AL BASIS.

THE EXHIBITION’S THEME IS +KNOWING YOURSELF AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT* - A MAJOR AREA OF STUDY IN THE FORM 1 PROVISIONAL SY.-ABUS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES.

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 1976.

- 8 -

EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR ON COMMUNITY HEALTH

X * * X * X

A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON COMMUNITY HEALTH WILL BE HELD AT THE HALL OF THE LAM TIN ESTATE WELFARE BUILDING (WEST) KAI TIN ROAD, ON APRIL 1 (THURSDAY) AT 3 P.M.

THE EXHIBITION WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 3 AT 8 P.M. TO BE FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY A SEMINAR IN WHICH ABOUT 150 RESIDENTS IN LAM TIN WILL PARTICIPATE.

AT THE SEMINAR, MR. LEE YUNG-WONG, ASSOCIATED DIRECTOR OF KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT, WILL SPEAK ON +WHAT IS COMMUNITY HEALTH?*- AND DR. CHAN KAI-MING, CHAIRMAN OF THE VOLUNTARY WORK UNIT OF KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT, WILL SPEAK ON +ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH DEVELOPMENT*.

THE PROJECT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LAM TIN ESTATE (EAST AND WEST) COMMUNITY OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL.

THE FUNCTION IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC IN COMMUNITING HEALTH.

PR 33

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Monday, March 29, 1976

GOVERNMENT'S FISCAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES EXPLAINED .

*******

The following is the full text of the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr. Philip Haddon-Cave, at the Hong Kong Cotton Spinner's Association lunch:

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last time I had the pleasure of lunching with you - in late 1972 I think it was - I spoke about the role, as I saw it, of the press in the process of government in Hong Kong. I had intended to revert to this subject’ today for the role of the press in developing an understanding of the many issues facing us and in providing a critical, but objective, stream of commentary on the Government’s management of our affairs, based on conscientious homework, is more important today than ever before. But, instead, Mr. Chairman, I feel constrained to respond to your introductory remarks.

I assume you were specifically referring to cotton spinning as such although your Association’s articles were amended in 1967 to provide that cotton shall be deemed to include man-made fibres. Now, admittedly, imports of grey cotton yarns have bedn rising steadily from 21 million pounds in 1965 to 189 million pounds in 1975» or from of apparent consumption of 278 million pounds in 1965 to 5^% of apparent consumption of 557 million pounds in 1975•

• • .

/In fact, .....

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

In fact, the share of retained imports in apparent consumption seems to have reached a peak in the last four years. Retained imports captured 36% of the market in 1972, declined to 34% in 1973, fell sharply to 24% in 1974 and then recovered to 34% in 1973 when apparent consumption was at an all time record level of 357 million pounds, an increase of no less than 30% on the previous high of 427 million pounds in 1975-

I accept that the prices at which imported yarns are offered by overseas suppliers are highly competitive, but are you seriously suggesting that we should abandon our free trade policy in the face of such competitive prices and at the expense of the external competitive position of our piece-goods and garments? Surely not, for a protected market for the spinning industry in Hong Kong which damaged the external competitive position of our textile industry generally would quickly destroy demand for your yarns. In any case, I do not believe that the Hong Kong spinning industry with its well proven capacity for survival will not react positively to such competition by pioneering new cost effective production techniques. The Hong Kong spinning industry has lived through, and survived, many changes in the past 10 years (and the industry*s production in 1975 at 3^2 million pounds was nearly 100 million pounds up on 19&5); and there are more changes to come. These you must likewise survive, but in the certain knowledge that the Government will not offer you any form of special assistance which is contrary to the general thrust of our fiscal and economic policies. These policies, which would be put generally at risk were we to start making exceptions, should in themselves provide you with a perfectly adequate climate for survival, if survival is

/consistent

- 5 -

consistent with economic reality. This is not to say, thrt the Director of Commerce and Industry will not listen to any well documented case you mey be able to assemble which indicates that particular suppliers are indulging in unfair trading practices - and I mean unfair in terms of GATT rules and not in the sense th-xt they are simply price competitive. Even then, the Government would have to consider, very carefully, whether it was in the interests of Hong Kong as a whole to seek to protect one sector of one industry.

I must confess I am disappointed that you did not, Mr. Chairman, bal. nee your analysis of the factors having what you described as “an adverse impact on industry” with an analysis of the many favourable factors present here, of which the Government’s 1976 budget is only one. You made a generous reference to the budget, for which I am grateful, though I would like to stress - and stress forcibly - that the Government’s fiscal and economic policies are designed to secure the highest possible growth rate of the economy as a whole nd, to this end, our focus is on the rate of investment generally irrespective of its source. But returning for a moment to your ‘‘•adverse factors'5 Mr. Chairman: I cannot accept that they are all that adverse. Take electricity charges for example: for medium size industrial/ commercial undertakings, electricity charges are lower in Malaysia than in Hong Kong, but they are higher in Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom; nd, whilst for large size undent kings, electricity charges are also lower in Mrlaysia than in Heng Kong, they are about the same in Hong Kong as in Singapore and in the United Kingdom and ere lower here than in Australia. Agrin, you said, Mr. Chairman, that water charges are ’’escalating”, but they have not been raised since the two stage increase to per 1,000 gallons /announced in ......................................................................

announced in the 1971 Budget Speech. And when I raised charges for domestic consumers only last ye r, I made it abundetntly clear that the introduction of a differential pricing system for water consumed by industry would be designed with care. But the plain fact is that the Water Undertaking, like all the Government’s public utility type undertakings, must be operated on at least a quasi-commercial basis, given our benevolent tax system.

But on the foreign exchange market, and leaving aside the strengthening of tne Hong Kong dollar in the past few days, the outcome of which is far from clear at the moment, I will say .this: we must face up to the immediate reality which is that the prospect of a return to a general system of fixed exchange rates remains remote. In these circumstances, all trade oriented economics -and particularly Hong Kong’s - must adapt, and adapt continuously, to an ever shifting complex of exheange rates and, in the medium and longer term, I imagine no one would argue against a relatively strong Hong Kong dollar. This is not to say, that the Government, or rather the Exchange Fund, will stand by passively in all circumstances. There are some movements which can be identified as quite wayward cJid others which are unnecessarily erratic, within limits, these we shall seek to correct . nd in such a way as not to work against underlying market forces, on the one hand, and not to provide speculators with an opportunity to frustrate our el forts to their profit, on the other.

This speech, if it can be called that, has not been as short as I intended. So I must bring it now abruptly to a close, but not before thanking you all, most sincerely, for your hospitality and for this opportunity of a frank exchange of views.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

CONTENTS PAGE NOS.

PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO SQUATTER AREAS .......................................................... 1

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT NEW LIFE FARM........................... 2

LATEST EDITION OF HONG KONG’S YEARBOOK ....................... 3

CAREERS SEMINAR ORGANISED FOR 800 SENIOR STUDENTS .............. 4

LADY MACLEHOSE TOURED LADIES’ FASHION FACTORY .................. 5

PAMPHLET PUBLISHED TO EXPLAIN ACTION AGAINST FACTORIES IN NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS .................................... 6

SHAM SHUI PO YOUTH CENTRE ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT ..................................... 6

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

PILOT SCHEME TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO SQUATTER AREAS ******

RESIDENTS OF SIX SQUATTER AREAS ON THE SLOPES OF LION ROCK HILL WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE IN GREATER COMFORT UNDER A PILOT ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME. t

THIS SCHEME IS RECOMMENDED BY A WORKING PARTY ON ELECTRIFICATION OF SQUATTER AREAS, CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD.

IT WILL EVENTUALLY BENEFIT AN ESTIMATED 8,500 PEOPLE OF 1,700 FAMILIES NOW LIVING IN THE SPRAWLING SQUATTER. AREAS IN WONG TAI SIN KNOWN INDIVIDUALLY AS MA CHAI HANG, YAN 01, YAN YEE, TAI YUEN AND UPPER AND LOWER LION ROCK HILL VILLAGES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS IS THE BIGGEST ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT UNDERTAKEN IN A SQUATTER AREA BY ANY POWER SUPPLY COMPANY IN HONG KONG.

AT PRESENT, RESIDENTS IN THESE AREAS HAVE TO DEPEND ON PRIVATE GENERATORS OR ILLEGALLY TAPPING OFF PUBLIC LIGHTING FOR THEIR SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.

THE UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION HAS BEEN A SUBJECT OF G^AVE CONCERN TO GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD. ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL SOURCE OF POWER HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PAST BUT HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED BY A HOST OF PROBLEMS WHICH HAD TO BE SOLVED.

THE WORKING PARTY ON ELECTRIFICATION OF SQUATTER AREAS WAS SET UP LAST NOVEMBER BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING WITH THE JOB OF SELECTING A PILOT AREA FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A LEGAL POWER SUPPLY AND TO OVERCOME PRACTICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED.

MRS. ELAINE CHIA, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, WAS APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN. MEMBERS INCLUDE MR. COLIN STEELE, COMMERCIAL ENGINEER AND MR. R.A. PEDDER, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION ENGINEER OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD., MR. MICHAEL SZE, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON) AND MR. R.R.L. POGUE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING.

UNDER THE SCHEME NOW PROPOSED, ELECTRICITY FROM POWER STATIONS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE PILOT AREA VIA OVERHEAD LINES AND FED INTO METER ROOMS AND DISTRIBUTION PILLARS FROM WHERE RESIDENTS CAN ARRANGE TO MAKE THEIR OWN MAINS CONNECTIONS.

ENGINEERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND CHINA LIGHT HAVE ADVISED REPRESENTATIVES ON THE SAFEST AND MOST EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF INSTALLATION.

THEtlW DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE RESIDENTS, AND IN ORGANISING THEM THROUGH MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.

TUESDAY, MAUCH JO, 1976

IS SETTINi

HANDLING

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE MACS WILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME. CHINA LIGHT “IG UP TEMPORARY OFFICES IN THE AREA TO FACILITATE THE OF APPLICATIONS.

BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES.

PILOT AREA, INSTALLATION WORK

THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

UPPER LION ROCK HILL VILLAGE, WHICH IS THE FIRST AREA TO BENEFIT, SHOULD OBTAIN THEIR SUPPLY BY EARLY. JUNE. THE OTHER AREAS WILL BE SWITCHED ON IN TURN.

MRS. CHIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY, EXPECTED THAT MORE SQUATTER AREAS WILL BE COVERED BY THE SCHEME SHOULD THE PILOT PROJECT PROVE SUCCESSFUL.

—------- ------------------------O - - - ■>/_________________

LADY MACLEHOSE TO VISIT NEW LIFE FARM

*****

LADY MACLEHOSE WILL BE VISITING THE NEW LIFE FARM IN CASTLE PEAK TOMORROW (MARCH 31) IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG.

SHE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON HER VISIT BY MISS JILL BROMLEY, SOCIAL SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND MR. G.A. HENDERSON, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY CHEST.

THE NEW LIFE FARM, RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, IS IN SIU HANG VILLAGE, CASTLE PEAK. IT OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT TWO ACRES, ADJACENT TO CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.

THERE ARE TWO DORMITORIES FOR 40 RESIDENTS AND A RECREATIONAL HALL IN THE FARM.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE FARM IS TO HELP EX-MENTAL PATIENTS TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY AGAIN. APART FROM CARRYING OUT THE ROUTINE WORK OF FARMING, PATIENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS AT A SMALL MARKET NEAR THE FARM, TO DO THEIR OWN SHOPPING, TO MANAGE THEIR OWN MONEY AND TO ATTEND THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE IN TOWN BY THEMSELVES.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A NINE-SEATER VAN (AM 2157) WILL BE LEAVING THE KOWLOON TRANSPORT SUB-POOL, BEHIND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, AT 9 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

LADY MACLEHOSE IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AT THE FARM AT 10 A.M.

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/J .....

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

- 3 -

REVENUE IS 26,700 TIMES WHAT THE FIRST GOVERNOR REPORTED ******

IT’S 130 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG OFFICIALLY REPORTED ON THE TERRITORY’S FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATION. IT WAS 1845 AND THE TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE YEAR WAS 22,242 POUNDS STERLING 8 SHILLINGS AND 1 PENNY — ROUGHLY $220,000 AT TODAY’S RATE OF EXCHANGE.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR JOHN DAVIS, WROTE* +UPON THE WHOLE THERE IS FAIR REASON TO ANTICIPATE THAT THE FIXED REVENUE MAY BE RAISED TO ABOUT 30,000 POUNDS STERLING PER ANNUM.+

THIS APPARENTLY SATISFACTORY FINANC IAL POSITION WAS ACHIEVED DESPITE PIRACY — +WHICH INFESTS THE APPROACHES FROM EAST AND WEST+ — AND SIR JOHN WAS ALSO ABLE TO REPORT THAT THERE WAS A GOOD ROAD ROUND HONG KONG ISLAND, 18 OF THE 23 MILES HAVING BEEN COMPLETED. THE POPULATION WAS 23,748.

TODAY HONG KONG’S POPULATION IS MORE THAN 4.3 MILLION. THE TOTAL REVENUE IS ABOUT $6,000 MILLION. AND THE MODERN COUNTERPART TO THAT 1845 REPORT — THE ILLUSTRATED YEARBOOK HONG KONG 1976, WHICH HAS JUST GONE ON SALE — REPORTS THAT MORE THAN 1,073 KILOMETRES OR MORE THAN 660 MILES OF ROADS ARE NOW MAINTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

ALTHOUGH THE LOOK OF THE YEARBOOK — WITH ITS 70 FULL-PAGE COLOUR PICTURES — IS AS REMOTE FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT AS THE FIGURES ARE, IT STILL FOLLOWS THE PATTERN SET BY SIR JOHN IN REPORTING ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.

NO GENERAL INFORMATION IS OVERLOOKED — WHETHER IT’S THE AMOUNT OF REFUSE COLLECTED DAILY, THE NUMBER OF GOATS SLAUGHTERED AT THE ABATTOIRS, THE NUMBER OF TREES DAMAGED BY COUNTRYSIDE FIRES, OR THE NUMBER OF MINI SOCCER PITCHES. ALL THIS IS GIVEN ALONG WITH DETAILS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, EDUCATION, HEALTH, HOUSING AND FINANCE.

HONG KONG 1976 IS THE 30TH EDITION OF THE MODERN YEARBOOK — THE FIRST ILLUSTRATED VERSION HAVING APPEARED IN 1946. IT CONTAINED 26 BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES. SOME 300 COPIES WERE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC AT $10 EACH — A PRICE WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN INCREASED BY ONLY $5 IN 30 YEARS. TODAY’S PRICE OF $15 IS THE SAME AS LAST YEAR, AND THE PRINT ORDER HAS BEEN INCREASED TO MORE THAN 31,000 COPIES — IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE — BECAUSE OF PUBLIC DEMAND.

THE BOOK HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THIS YEAR IT IS BEING SOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME THROUGH THE 19 CITY DISTRICT OFFICES. THIS IS PART OF A NEW ARRANGEMENT TO MAKE THE YEARBOOK — AND OTHER GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST — MORE EASILY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. HONG KONG 1976 IS ALSO ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.’STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, HONG KONG- THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION OFFICE AT STAR FERRY IN TSIM SHA TSUI- THE INFORMATION COUNTER IN OCEAN TERMINAL- AND ALL LEADING BOOKSTORES. BULK ORDERS — AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES — ARE HANDLED AT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF CIS AT 1A, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.

- 0 -

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

- 4 -

OVER 800 SENIOR STUDENTS ATTEND CAREERS SEMINAR ******

THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE MR Y F HUI, SAID CAREERS GUIDANCE BROUGHT A STUDENT INTO CONTACT WITH ocnmocic2TcAB0UT NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND OCCUPATIONAL KtwuIRtMcNTS.

A CAREERS SEMINAR ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE TODAY (TUESDAY), MR. HUI SAID THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN THE PAST TWO DECADES HAD MADE A GREATER VARIETY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL LEAVERS.

+IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE HOW BEWILDERED A SCHOOL LEAVER IS IF HE IS TOTALLY UNPREPARED TO FACE A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS,* HE ADDED.

MR. HUI SAID CAREERS GUIDANCE HELPED A STUDENT TO FIND HIS OWN WAY BY EXAMINING ALTERNATIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM HIS CHOICE.

BUT HE HOPED SCHOOL LEAVERS WOULD BE EDUCATED TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES AND THEIR POTENTIAL SO THEY COULD MAKE INTELLIGENT DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.

TODAY’S SEMINAR, WHICH WERE ATTENDED BY OVER 800 SENIOR FORM STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FEATURED TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN INSURANCE WORK, TELEVISION BROADCASTING, DATA PROCESSING WORK, TOURIST INDUSTRY AND THE CIVIL SERVICE.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE STUDENTS WERE SHOWN FILMS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF CHOOSING A CAREER, AND HOW TO ATTEND JOB INTERVIEWS.

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

- 5 -

LADY MACLEHOSE TOURS GARMENT FACTORY *****

LADY MACLEHOSE SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION PROCESS OF QUALITY LADY GARMENTS WHEN SHE VISITED THE DORCE FASHION LIMITED IN NORTH POINT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.

SHE TOURED SEVERAL SHOP FLOORS OF THE FACTORY AND SAW FOR HERSELF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF LADIES’ WEAR, INCLUDING KNITTED JACKETS, SUITS, SKIRTS, PANTS AND COATS.

DURING HER HOUR-LONG TOUR OF THE VARIOUS PRODUCTION DIVISIONS OF THE FACTORY, LADY MACLEHOSE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE SKILL AND EFFICIENCY OF THE WORKERS AND SHE SPOKE TO SEVERAL OF THEM.

LADY MACLEHOSE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ALEX PURVES. SHE WAS SHOWN ROUND THE FACTORY BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR. PETER SIMON LEE, AND TWO DIRECTORS, MR. HE IL I LEE AND MISS JOYCE YUNG.

THE FIRM’S MAIN MARKETS ARE THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA.

I .

TODAY’S VISIT WAS ONE OF LADY MACLEHOSE’S CONTINUING SERIES OF CALLS TO FACTORIES TO KEEP HERSELF UP TO DATE WITH HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.

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I /6

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1976

INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-INDUSTRI AL BUILDINGS PAMPHLET ON RULES AND DEFINITIONS PUBLISHED ******

A PAMPHLET HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO PUBLICISE THE GOVERNMENT’S STAGED PROGRAMME OF ACTION AGAINST CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.

THE PAMPHLET CONTAINS THE RULES AND DEFINITIONS TO WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE WORKING DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH BEGAN ON MARCH 1.

COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET, WHICH IS IN CHINESE ONLY, ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BETWEEN 200 AND 350 EXISTING DANGEROUS OR OBNOXIOUS INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL BE AFFECTED DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME.

OPERATORS OF UNDERTAKINGS WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THIS PAMPHLET AND TO CONSULT THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IF^ THEY ARE NOT CLEAR ON ANY POINTS.

- - 0 - -

ACTIVITIES FOR SHAM SHUI PO YOUNGSTERS * * * *

THE SHAM SHUI PO YOUTH CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT WITH AN AIM TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SOME MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES DURING THEIR LEISURE HOURS.

THE PROGRAMMES INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHY, JUDO, GUITAR, FASHION DESIGN AND FIRST AID CLASSES.

IN ADDITION, TWO CAMPS WILL BE HELD IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH — ONE AT TAI LONG SAI WAN AND THE OTHER AT TSUEN WAN.

YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAMMES SHOULD CONTACT THE SHAM SHUI PO YOUTH CENTRE AT 88 YU CHAU STREET, KOWLOON.

_ _ 0 - -

GIS| |f Bfel

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RHKTV AND ETV TO MERGE ............................. 1

REGULATIONS TO PROTECT WORKERS OPERATING IN AN ENVIRONMENT

OF COMPRESSED AIR EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW .......... 2

SWD RAISED $31,000 FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S WALK FOR A

MILLION ............................................ 3

GOVERNOR TOLD OF MAC SUCCESS IN TSZ WAN SHAN ....... 4

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE FOR REPORTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AFTER OFFICE HOURS ............ 5

WATER INTERRUPTION IN LAM TIN ESTATE ............... 5

OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES ALLOWED MORE TIME TO GET LICENCE ..................................... 6

COMPANIES ESTABLISHED BUT NOT DOING BUSINESS ALSO NEED TO

BE REGISTERED ...................................... 7

SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (CULTURAL CRAFTS), NR. MIKE GRIFFITH, RETIRING ........................ 8

SIR MURRAY TO START STUDENT SAILING RACE ........... 9

THREE SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO ATTEND TRAINING COURSE IN U.K....................................... 10

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

GOVERNMENT’S TELEVISION SERVICES TO MERGE ******

GOVERNMENT’S TWO TELEVISION PRODUCTION ORGANISATIONS ARE TO BE COMBINED INTO A SINGLE UNIT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COLONIAL SECRETARIAT SAID THAT THE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION SERVICE (ETV) WHICH IS NOW PART OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL MERGE WITH RADIO HONG KONG TELEVISION (RHKTV) TO ENABLE THE BEST USE TO BE MADE OF THE CREATIVE TELEVISION TALENT AND PRODUCTION RESOURCES OF THE TWO UNITS.

THE MERGER WILL COMMENCE NEXT MONTH (APRIL) AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1, 1976. ALTHOUGH THE MERGED UNIT WILL BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR. JAMES HAWTHORNE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF ALL ETV PROGRAMMES AND EVALUATING ETV PROGRAMMES TRANSMITTED TO CLASSROOMS. ETV PRODUCERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE EMPLOYED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

ETV AT PRESENT PRODUCES PROGRAMMES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS COVERING CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS AND SOCIAL STUDIES. THE PROGRAMMES ARE CURRICULUM-BASED AND ARE TRANSMITTED BY ALL THREE TELEVISION STATIONS OVER EIGHT HOURS DAILY FOR A 32 WEEK SCHOOL BROADCAST YEAR.

RHKTV, WHICH CAME ON AIR IN 1971, PRODUCES A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMMES FOR TRANSMISSION BY THE COMMERCIAL STATIONS’. AMONG ITS POPULAR PRODUCTIONS IS ’BELOW LION ROCK’ WHICH DRAWS A COMBINED AUDIENCE OF OVER 2 MILLION.

WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY, THE ENGLISH NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING STATION WILL ALSO BE CHANGED FROM RADIO HONG KONG TO RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE STATION’S ACTIVITIES. THE COMMISSIONER FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE HAS ADVISED THAT THE PRESENT CHINESE NAME FOR THE STATION REMAINS APPROPRIATE AND THIS WILL NOT BE CHANGED. CHANNEL IDENTIFICATION SIGNALS RHK3 AND RHK4 WILL BE REPLACED BY THE ’RADIO 3’ AND ’RADIO 4’ RESPECTIVELY.

- - 0 --------

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

WORKERS OPERATING IN COMPRESSED AIR CONDITIONS PROTECTED UNDER NEW REGULATIONS ******

NEW REGULATIONS LAYING DOWN SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS OPERATING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF COMPRESSED AIR WILL COME INTO FORCE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR) REGULATIONS, 1975 WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER 1975.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, AT THAT TIME POINTED OUT THAT WORKING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF COMPRESSED AIR COULD BE HAZARDOUS, AND COULD CAUSE DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS.

HOWEVER, BY OBSERVING THESE REGULATIONS AND ADOPTING THE CORRECT PROCEDURES, THESE HAZARDS COULD BE AVOIDED, HE SAID.

MR. PRICE SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD BE USING COMPRESSED AIR FOR THE MASS TRANSIT PROJECT WERE AWARE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE REGULATIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE BASED ON INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS.

+COMPRESSED AIR, WHICH IS AIR MECHANICALLY RAISED TO A PRESSURE HIGHER THAN THE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, IS REQUIRED TO KEEP OUT EXCESS WATER WHICH MAY BE ENCOUNTERED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TUNNELLING THROUGH POROUS ROCK OR SOIL.+ MR. PRICE WENT ON.

+UNLESS A PERSON LEAVING THE WORKING AREA ENTERS A MAN LOCK AND IS BROUGHT BACK BY CAREFULLY CONTROLLED STAGES TO THE NORMAL PRESSURE, 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,+ HE SAID.

+THIS COULD CAUSE PAIN, PARTICULARLY IN THE JOINTS AND LIMBS, RANGING FROM RELATIVELY MILD DISCOMFORT TO REALLY INTENSE SUFFERING, LEADING TO COLLAPSE.*

THE REGULATIONS COVER FOUR BROAD AREAS :

* THE PROVISION OF PROPER EQUIPMENT, CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BY TRAINED AND RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE-

* DETAILED PROCEDURE FOR DECOMPRESSION-

* PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH EDUCATION-

* THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND FACILITIES ON SITE IN THE EVENT OF SICKNESS.

/MR. PRICE .....

WEDNESDAY, KARCH J1, 1976

MR. PRICE STRESSED THAT EACH WORKER MUST BE INFORMED OF

THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING ALL THE PROCEDURES IN THE REGULATIONS.

HE SAID 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.

+THE SYMPTOMS MAY BE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF DRUNKENESS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY SO. OR THE WORKER MAY COLLAPSE. IT IS VITAL THAT HE IS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST MEDICAL LOCK WITHOUT DELAY.+

MR. PRICE SAID MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, HOSPITALS AND THE POLICE HAD BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS BADGE THROUGH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FORCE.

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S.W.D. TO PRESENT CHEQUE TO COMMUNITY CHEST UK H H K

SOME $31,000 WAS RAISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TEAM BY TAKING PART IN THE +WALK FOR A MILLION* IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL PRESENT A CHEQUE FOR THAT AMOUNT TO MRS. SIU HON-SUM, BOARD MEMBER OF COMMUNITY CHEST AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF WALK FOR A MILLION COMMITTEE 75/76, TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 3.30 P.M.

THE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, 4TH FLOOR.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

- 4 -

MAC MOVEMENT A BIG SUCCESS - GOVERNOR TOLD

******

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. WAS TOLD THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE MAC MOVEMENT IN TSZ WAN SHAN HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS IN REDUCING CRIME IN THE AREA AND IN PROMOTI NG BETTER RELATIONS, UNDERSTANDING AND CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE.

THE CHAIRMAN OF 11 MACS IN DIFFERENT BLOCKS OF THE TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE TOLD SIR MURRAY ABOUT THE IMPROVED LAW AND ORDER SITUATION DURING AN INFORMAL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED ON THE MAC OFFICIALS AND DISCUSSED WITH THEM THE WORK AND PROBLEMS OF THE MACS IN THIS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.

THEY SAID SINCE THE MAC MOVEMENT STARTED IN 1973, THERE ARE NOW ABOUT TWO DOZENS OF MACS IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE CRIME RATE HAD BEEN REDUCED BY AS MUCH AS 60 TO 70 PER CENT.

IN ADDITION, THEY SAID, THE CRIME DETECTION RATE HAD BEEN VERY HIGH MAINLY DUE TO THE BETTER RELATIONS AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE.

SIR MURRAY CONGRATULATED THE CHAIRMAN FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS, ADDING I +CARRY ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING WHICH IS VERY GOOD WORK.+

EARLIER, THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI, AND THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. LAU CHAU-WA, VISITED THE WORK SITE OF THE MTR WONG TAI SIN STATION.

THE RESIDENT ENGINEER OF THE PROJECT, MR. TOM MUIR, BRIEFED SIR MURRAY ON DETAILS OF THE SCHEME AND THE WORK PROGRESS.

THE GOVERNOR LATER TOURED BLOCK 7 AND THE LOWER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND SPOKE TO SEVERAL SHOPKEEPERS.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

- 5

LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE TO RECORD REPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ****** r

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS UNIT WILL PUT INTO OPERATION AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE TOMORROW (APRIL 1) TO RECEIVE REPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AFTER OFFICE HOURS.

ANNOUNCING THIS, A SPOKESMAN OF THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS UNIT TODAY SAID A NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER - 3-688756 - WOULD BE USED FOR THIS SERVICE WHICH WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECORD INCOMING CALLS.

PROPRIETORS OF FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WHO HAVE TO MAKE IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCUR AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS SHOULD DIAL THIS NEW NUMBER.

WHEN MAKING A REPORT, THE CALLER SHOULD GIVE THE FOLLOWING PARTICULARS:

* NAME AND ADDRESS OF FACTORY OR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAK INGS-

* NAME OF PROPRIETOR AND FACTORY TELEPHONE NUMBER-

* NAME(S) OF INJURED PERSON(S)» AND

* A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE WAS A FURTHER EFFORT OF THE DEPARTMENT TO HELP PROPRIETORS TO REPORT ACCIDENTS PROMPTLY.

HE SAID THE TWO RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS 3-013360 AND 5-444418 WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED FOR THE SAME PURPOSE WOULD BE CANCELLED AS FROM TOMORROW.

- - 0 -------

WATER CUT * * *

THE WHOLE OF LAM TIN ESTATE WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR FIVE HOURS FROM 1 A.M. ON FRIDAY.

THE TEMPORARY STOPPAGE IS TO ENABLE THE WATERWORKS OFFICE TO CARRY OUT A LEAKAGE TEST IN THE AREA.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, i976

- 6 -

OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES GIVEN

MORE TIME TO APPLY FOR LICENCE

******

THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES HAS DEFERRED FOR SIX MONTHS (OR UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30) THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1973 WHICH REQUIRE THE ANNUAL LICENSING OF ALL VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

OPERATORS OF SUCH VEHICLES WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR LICENCES SHOULD WRITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, 11TH FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD.

ANNUAL LICENSING OF THESE VEHICLES BECAME LAW IN 1973 AND HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY ENFORCED SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR.

EARLY THIS MONTH THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A WARNING TO ALL OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES THAT THEY WOULD FACE LEGAL ACTION IF THEIR VEHICLES WERE FOUND TO BE CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS AFTER APRIL 1, 1976, WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY t +THE DECISION TO GRANT THE SIX MONTHS OF GRACE WAS TAKEN FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL OIL COMPANIES AND THEIR MAIN AGENTS.♦

HE SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE COMPANIES HAD EXPRESSED DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING THEIR VEHICLES BROUGHT UP TO THE FIRE SERVICES AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S STANDARDS IN TIME DUE TO THE HEAVY WORK LOAD BEING EXPERIENCED IN GARAGES AND WORKSHOPS.

+IN VIEW OF THIS ,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID, +THE DIRECTOR HAS AGREED TO DEFER ENFORCEMENT OF THE REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO GIVE THE OPERATORS MORE TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.*

HOWEVER HE STRESSED THAT THIS PERIOD OF GRACE APPLIED ONLY TO THOSE VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AUTHORISED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.

+ANY OTHER VEHICLES NOT ALREADY AUTHORISED TO CARRY SUCH GOODS SHOULD BE LICENSED BEFORE BEING PUT INTO USE,+ HE WARNED.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

. - 7 -

CHANGE IN BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE ******

CERTAIN COMPANIES WHICH ARE AT PRESENT NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE AND TO PAY THE ANNUAL FEE OF $150 WILL HAVE TO DO SO FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 1).

THIS CHANGE WAS PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST MONTH.

THE AFFECTED COMPANIES ARE THOSE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG WHICH DO NOT CARRY ON BUSINESS HERE, AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES COMING UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WHICH HAVE ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG BUT DO NOT CARRY ON BUSINESS HERE.

COMPANIES WHICH ARE EXEMPT AS CHARITIES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE.

FORMS ON WHICH APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION MUST BE MADE MAY BE OBTAINED BY POST OR IN PERSON FROM THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICES OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AT:

HONG KONG i 1ST FLOOR, CAXTON HOUSE, DUDDELL STREET-

KOWLOON s 1ST FLOOR, REAR PORTION, +OLD+ HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANK BUILDING, 664 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOKAND

TSUEN WAN s ON YUE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 132 TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

- 8 -

SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER RETIRES ******

MR. MIKE GRIFFITH, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (CULTURAL CRAFTS) IS RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER MORE THAN 23 YEARS’ SERVICE.

ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION), MR. COLVYN HAYE WILL PRESENT MR. GRIFFITH WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT ON FRIDAY.

MR. GRIFFITH JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST 1952 AS AN EDUCATION OFFICER.

HE FIRST TAUGHT AT KING GEORGE V SCHOOL AND WAS LATER MADE INSPECTOR OF ART IN CHARGE OF THE SUBJECT IN SEPTEMBER 1955.

MR. GRIFFITH WAS APPOINTED SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER ON APRIL 1, 1969.

DURING HIS LONG SERVICE, MR. GRIFFITH RAISED THE STANDARD OF ART AND THE TEACHING OF ART IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS.

HIS INFLUENCE IN ESTABLISHING RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE DESIGN PLAYS IN MODERN LIFE RESULTED IN A STRONG DESIGN ELEMENT BEING INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

MR. GRIFFITH’S PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE THE 27-FOOT-HIGH +FOUR ANGELS+ ON THE WALLS OF ST. FRANCIS CANOSSIAN CONVENT SCHOOL- THE DESIGN OF THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL CENTENARY POSTAGE STAMP- THE DESIGN OF THE COAT OF ARMS AND MACE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND DRAWINGS THAT ARE PART OF THE CITY HALL COLLECTION.

NOTE TO EDITORSi YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 11.30 A.M. ON FRIDAY COVERED. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR,' CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

- 9 -

SCHOOLS CANOEING AND SAILING FINALS

******

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE BOYS AND 69 GIRLS FROM 21 SCHOOLS HAVE ENTERED FOR THE HEATS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS CANOEING CHAMPIONSHIPS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THE HEATS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON APRIL 10 AT TAI MEI TUK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHILE THE FINALS WILL BE HELD FOUR DAYS LATER AT THE SAME PLACE.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT FOLLOWING THE HEATS ABOUT 100 BOYS AND GIRLS WILL BE LEFT JO COMPETE IN FINAL EVENTS.

♦I AM QUITE HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE FROM SCHOOLS. AS THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ANNUAL CANOEING CHAMPIONSHIPS, I EXPECT MORE PARTICIPANTS NEXT YEAR,+ SAID THE ORGANISER, MR. FRANCIS CHIU, INSPECTOR (-PHYSICAL EDUCATION).

THE CANOEING CHAMPIONSHIPS COINCIDE WITH THE FINALS OF THE INTER-SCHOOLS SAILING EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SAILING ASSOCIATION AT TAI MEI TUK ON APRIL 14.

BOYS FROM SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE TAKING PART IN THE FINALS OF THE SAILING EVENTS.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE WILL START THE FINAL RACE OF THE SAILING EVENTS AT 3.25 P.M. ON THAT DAY,

FIFTEEN MINUTES^LATER SIR MURRAY WILL WATCH SOME OF THE CANOEING ACTIVITIES BEFORE GOING ASHORE TO OPEN THE SCHOOLS SAILING AND CANOE I NG CENTRE WHERE HE WILL BE WELCOMED BY A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. MR. POON WAI-TONG, WHO IS SENIOR MASTER OF VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN PRESENT THE WINNERS CUP FOR SAILING AND THE LOSERS SHIELD tO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED. SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO PRESENT TO THE WINNERS OF THE CANOEING CHAMPIONSHIPS THE CHALLENGE SHIELD FOR BOYS AND THE CHALLENGE CUP FOR GIRLS.

-BEFORE SIR MURRAY LEAVES THE CENTRE, ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR. TONG KAI-HONG, AN EDUCATION OFFICER, WILL MAKE A SPEECH OF THANKS. MR. TONG IS CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SAILING ASSOCIATION.

NO I E TO EDITORSi

/ YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE SAILING AND CANOEING EVENTS COVERED ON APRIL 14. THE GOVERNOR WILL ARRIVE AT TAI MEI TUK, NEW TERRITORIES, AT 3.15 P.M. ON THAT DAY.

" 0 /-IO....

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

- 10 -

IMMIGRATION OFFICERS OFF TO U.K.

******

THREE SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG BY AIR THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM WHERE THEY WILL ATTEND A THREE-MONTH TRAINING COURSE ON IMMIGRATION AND MANAGEMENT.

THEY ARE MR. J.S. RAMSAY, MR. WONG TSUN-YIN.AND MR. LEUNG MING-YIN.

THE TRIP WILL ENABLE THE OFFICERS TO HAVE A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS OF FOREIGNERS WHOM THEY OFTEN HAVE TO CONTACT IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK.

DURING THEIR STAY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THEY WILL ALSO BE ATTACHED TO THE HOME OFFICE WHERE THEY WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTERESTS.

Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1976 - MAR - ENG