港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - NOV

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HK NEXT FEBRUARY .................. 1

GOVERNMENT IN ALL DAY MEETING WITH NURSING STAFF................... 1

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO HK’S PROSPECTS FOR STABILITY ..................................................... 2

EMPHASIS ON GOVERNMENT NETWORK OF ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE BODIES WELCOMED ...................................... 5

SUGGESTIONS TO SPEED UP PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME .................. 6

GOVERNMENT URGED TO BE ACTIVE IN SOLICITING VIEWS FROM PUBLIC ....................................................... 7

PLEA FOR EARLY EXPANSION OF FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES ......... 9

PROPOSAL TO ENLIST ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ORGANISED VOLUNTEER SERVICES ................................................ 11

CALL FOR OIL REFINERY REVIVED...................................... 12

UNOFFICIAL WANTS EXEMPTION FROM INTEREST TaX FOR CREDIT UNIONS ..................................................... 14

COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SCHEME URGENTLY REQUIRED ........ 16

PROMOTION OF THE USE OF MANDARIN AND SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS URGED................................................... 17

SCHOOLS PARITY OF SUBSIDY REVIEW COMMITTEE APPOINTED .............. 18

LIMITED SIZE FOR GRAVE MONUMENTS .................................. 18

SNT TO OPEN FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL IN NT ........................... 19

PRISONS DEPARTMENT TO HOLD AUTUMN FAIR............................. 20

NEW DATES FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET ..... 21

TRAFFIC CHANGE AT JACKSON ROAD AND CLUB STREET

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA TO VISIT HK NEXT FEBRUARY ft * * * *

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND THE HON. ANGUS OGILVY ARE TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG FROM FEBRUARY 6 TO 13 NEXT YEAR.

DURING HER VISIT, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL OPEN THE FINAL SECTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY LINKING IT TO HONG KONG ISLAND. SHE WILL ALSO OPEN THE NEW TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND CARRY OUT OTHER ENGAGEMENTS.

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GOVERNMENT IN ALL DAY MEETING WITH NURSING STAFF M M M X M

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. MARTIN ROWLANDS, TODAY (THURSDAY) MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT NURSING STAFF FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD IN A FRANK AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE. AS A RESULT, BOTH SIDES HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S POINTS OF VIEW.

IN EXPLAINING THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH CIRCULAR NO. 26/79 CONCERNING THE PROCESSING OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMISSdON ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE CONFIRMED THAT IF THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT NURSING STAFF SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO HIM BEFORE NOVEMBER 17, THEY WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT NURSING STAFF PLANS TO REVIEW THEIR PLANNED INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN THE LIGHT OF TODAY’S DISCUSSION.

GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO MEET THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES AGAIN ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5).

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/2......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO HK’S PROSPECTS FOR STABILITY

******

A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS OF RECENT MONTHS, PARTICULARLY IN HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS, HAVE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO ITS PROSPECTS FOR STABILITY AND THESE DEVELOPMENTS SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD TAKE A LONGER TERM VIEW OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE THAN HAS BEEN POSSIBLE IN THE PAST, THE HON. DAVID NEWBIGGING SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

WITHOUT ATTEMPTING AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST, HE SINGLED OUT THAT EXCELLENT TRIANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONDON, HONG KONG AND PEKING AND ALSO THE EXTENSION OF THE GOVERNOR’S TERM.

♦DESPITE MANY DAUNTING PROBLEMS, I SUGGEST THAT HONG KONG WILL ACHIEVE ITS MASSIVE SOCIAL OBJECTIVES, PARTICULARLY IN HOUSING AND THE CREATION OF NEW TOWNS, WHILE CONTINUING TO MAKE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS,♦ HE SAID.

HE WARNED HOWEVER THAT TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE CANNOT BE FACED WITH PERIODIC AND UNPREDICTABLE POPULATION EXPLOSIONS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL, AS WAS EMPHASISED BY THE GOVERNOR.

WE MUST ALSO CONSIDER WHAT KIND OF HONG KONG WE WANT TO SEE ONCE THESE PRIMARY, BASIC OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.

♦IN PARTICULAR WE MUST CONSIDER THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THE PEOPLE WILL THEN BE ABLE TO ENJOY WITHOUT, HOPEFULLY, DESTROYING THEIR WILL TO WORK.+ HE SAID.

THERE WAS ALSO THE DANGER OF NULLIFYING OUR MASSIVE EFFORT IN ♦LIFTING THE LIFE OF HONG KONG ON TO A PLATEAU+ - IN THE GOVERNOR’S WORDS, IF THAT LIFE IS ONE OF INDUSTRIAL SQUALOR AND POLLUTION.

HE RECOGNISED HOWEVER THAT THE PROBLEM IS HIGHLY COMPLEX i ON THE ONE HAND THE ’ENVIRONMENTAL RED TAPE’ THAT OBSTRUCTS SENSIBLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD MUST BE AVOI DEDON THE OTHER THE AUTHORITIES MUST COME DOWN SHARPLY ON THE MINDLESS ABUSE. OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

♦THIS ABUSE WOULD APPEAR TO REFLECT A HERE-TODAY-GONE-TOMORROW MENTALITY WHICH IS QUITE INCONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTRUCTIVE VIEW OF HONG KONG’S LONG TERM FUTURE WHICH I FEEL ALL STRATA OF OUR POPULATION SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO ADOPT,+ HE SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT FASTER PROGRESS IN IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT IS POSSIBLE, EVEN WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. IN PARTICULAR, HE BELIEVED THAT IN OUR EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS, WE HAVE RELIED TOO MUCH ON THE CARROT, IN THE FORM OF ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS, AND TOO LITTLE ON THE STICK, IN THE FORM OF STIFFER FINES AND OTHER SANCTIONS WHICH COULD BE ADMINISTERED WITH MINIMUM INVOLVEMENT CF THE COURTS.

♦WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO AVOID SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THAT COULD UNDERMINE THE HEALTH OF THE GOOSE THAT LAYS OUR GOLDEN EGG.

/+TH1.’ su: .i ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 19"^

♦THIS SURELY IS THE PERSPECTIVE IN WHICH WE SHOULD SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG INTO A HIGH WAGE, HIGH TECHNOLOGY ECONOMY AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROCESS OF TRADING UP TOGETHER WITH ALL THAT THIS IMPLIES FOR EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL TRAINING.

♦THIS PROCESS WILL INVOLVE THE GRADUAL REPLACEMENT OF OUR BASIC, TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES WITH GENERALLY CLEANER ’KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE’ UNDERTAKINGS, AND ALSO THE FREEING-UP OF VALUABLE RESOURCES BY SO DOING.

♦FURTHERMORE, WE CAN EXPECT, IN TIM&, A MIGRATION OF SOME OF THIS ’SECOND GENERATION’ INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA THUS FURTHER ENHANCING THE ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE WHICH HAS PROVED SO MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL,+ HE SAID.

MR. NEWBIGGING ALSO COMMENTED BRIEFLY ON THREE ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY - INFLATION, OUR MARKET PROSPECTS IN THE US AND OUR INVISIBLE TRADE.

HE SAID INFLATION REMAINS OUR ’PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE’ AND HAS INTENSIFIED, WITH MUCH OF IT BEING IMPORTED. ALTHOUGH HE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES TO THOSE BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HE WARNED THAT ANY SOCIETY WITH INFLATION OF 10 PER CENT OR MORE IS A SOCIETY AT RISK.

ON THE UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS OF OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKET IN THE US AND THE RECESSION BEING PREDICTED THERE, MR. NEWBIGGING COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH THAT COUNTRY APPEARS TO FACE COULD BE DESCRIBED AS PSYCHOLOGICAL - WHICH CREATE A LACK OF CONFIDENCE - WHEREAS THEIR OWN BALANCE OF PAYMENTS HAS IN FACT BEEN IMPROVED QUITE SIGNIFICANTLY THIS YEAR.

AS TO THE QUESTION OF OUR INVISIBLE TRADE, THE IMPORTANCE OF WHICH IS INCREASING WITH THE GROWING SOPHISTICATION OF OUR ECONOMY, MR. NEWBIGGING REGRETTED THE APPARENT LACK OF PROGRESS IN HAVING IT QUANTIFIED IN STATISTICAL TERMS, DESPITE ASSURANCES TO THE CONTRARY. HE CONSIDERED THIS KNOWLEDGE GAP, CONCERNING WHAT IS PROBABLY A LARGE SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY, A WEAKNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

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EMPHASIS ON GOVT NETWORK OF ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE BODIES WELCOMED * * * * *

DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG WELCOMED THE EMPHASIS THE GOVERNOR PLACED ON THE INCREASINGLY COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF ADVISORY AND CONSULTATIVE BODIES AND AVENUES OF APPROACH TO THE GOVERNMENT IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SPEAKING IN THE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, DR. HUANG POINTED OUT THAT WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE NOW CONCERNED WITH COMMUNITY PROBLEMS AND EXPECT TO BE INFORMED AND CONSULTED ON GENERAL ISSUES WHICH AFFECT THEM.

/ X BtfL. S .

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1-

TO BRING ABOUT A CLIMATE OF TRUST BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY, BOTH GOVERNMENT DECISIONS AND GOVERNMENT DECISIONMAKING PROCESSES SHOULD BE OPEN TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ONLY LISTEN TO THE ADVICE IT RECEIVES FROM THE PUBLIC BUT SHOULD ALSO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF ITS REASONS WHEN IT DOES NOT TAKE THAT ADVICE, HE SAID.

HE FELT THAT IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, ALTHOUGH VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC, SUCH AS FOLLOWING THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, HAVE BEEN SEEN TO AFFECT DECISIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT, THERE HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT CONSULTATION ABOUT THE METHODS IN WHICH THESE DECISIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED AND ABOUT CONSEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

♦THE COMMUNITY, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY WELCOME A REVIEW OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN ITS ENTIRETY, RATHER THAN ON A PIECEMEAL BASIS, AND NOW, RATHER THAN WHEN WE HAVE BEEN OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS,♦ HE SAID.

HE LISTED SOME OF THE ISSUES WHICH HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCESi TEACHER TRAINING, CURRICULA, AND THE PUBLIC EXAMINATION SYSTEM, ALL OF WHICH ARE INTERRELATED.

HE COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT IT HAS GIVEN TO THE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN PROVIDED WITH A SOUND FINANCIAL BASIS AND WILL AFFORD FURTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIFTH AND SIXTH FORM LEAVERS.

HE SUGGESTED THAT AT THIS STAGE WHAT IS NEEDED IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYSTEM OF PERIODIC REVIEW OF REGISTRATION: TO SCRUTINISE STANDARDS, TO ENSURE THAT THESE ARE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED BY COLLEGES ALREADY REGISTERED, AND POSSIBLY ALSO TO EXAMINE THE CLAIMS WHICH OTHER INSTITUTIONS MIGHT MAKE FROM TIME TO TIME FOR SIMILAR RECOGNITION.

HE NOTED THAT THE NEW SCHEME FOR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ALSO PROVIDES THAT THEY MAY OFFER THEIR ABLER STUDENTS UP TO FIVE YEARS CF FULL-TIME EDUCATION BEYOND THE O-LEVEL STAGE.

THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S MOUNTING A LIMITED DEGREE PROGRAMME IN AREAS NOT ALREADY COVERED IN HONG KONG, WILL MEAN INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION UP TO DEGREE LEVEL, HE SAID.

IN ORDER THAT STUDENTS IN THESE INSTITUTIONS CAN BE ASSURED CF THE STANDARD OF THEIR EDUCATION AND FULL RECOGNITION OF THE EDUCATION LEVEL THEY WILL ATTAIN, GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW BE LOOKING INTO THE INTRODUCTION OF A SYSTEM OF VALIDATION FOR THE COURSES AND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH DEGREES MAY BE CONFERRED, HE SAID. WHATEVER BODY THAT MAY BE SET UP FOR THESE PURPOSES MUST HAVE COMPLETE COMPETENCE, INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT WITH THE INCREASING GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE ECONOMY, MORE OPEN CONTACT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND AVENUES OF INFORMED OPINION SUCH AS THE UNIVERSITIES, SO THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC POLICIES CAN BE EVALUATED AS THOROUGHLY AS POSSIBLE.

/TURNING TC ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBCH 1

TURNING TO OUR MANPOWER SITUATION, DR. HUANG THOUGHT THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN WELCOME MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF WORKERS, THE TIME IS NOW RIPE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, FLEXIBILITY AND UTILISATION OF OUR LABOUR FORCE.

♦THERE APPEARS TO BE NO OVERALL MANPOWER POLICY AIMED AT BALANCING THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LABOUR AT A GIVEN TIME.

♦BETTER UTILISATION OF MANPOWER CAN OFTEN BE ACHIEVED BY TRAINING IN ADVANCE THOSE WORKERS LIKELY TO BE IN GREAT DEMAND,+ HE SAID.

ON THE QUESTION OF HOUSING, DR. HUANG WAS WORRIED THAT WITH RENTS CONTINUING TO ROCKET AND HOUSING PASSING MORE AND MORE INTO THE HANDS OF SPECULATORS, IT HAS BECOME A PROBLEM OF FEARSOME DIMENSIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO RESOLVE THIS BY IMMEDIATE AS WELL AS LONG-TERM MEASURES, HE SAID. ONE POSSIBLE IMMEDIATE MEASURE HE SUGGESTED IS THE CONTROL OF RENTS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY EXTENDED THE PRESENT RENT INCREASES CONTROL LEGISLATION FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS, NO HOUSING COMPLETED AFTER DECEMBER 15, 1973, IS SUBJECT TO CONTROL.

HE URGED THAT CONSIDERATION BE NOW GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE COVERAGE OF PROTECTION STEP BY STEP. SPECIFICALLY, THE PRESENT REGULATION COULD BE EXTENDED AS FROM JANUARY 1980 TO ALL HOUSING COMPLETED BETWEEN DECEMBER 1973 AND DECEMBER 1974, AND AS FROM JANUARY 1981 TO ALL HOUSING COMPLETED BETWEEN DECEMBER 1974 AND DECEMBER 1975, AND SO ON.

♦THIS WOULD AT LEAST HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TENANTS UNDER PROTECTION AND AT THE SAME TIME FULFIL THE GOVERNMENT’S PROMISE THAT ALL NEW HOUSING WOULD HAVE FIVE YEARS OF FREEDOM FROM ANY RENT CONTROLS.

♦THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE PRESENT RENT CONTROLS TO FRESH-LETTING MIGHT ALSO BE EXPLORED.

♦HOWEVER, RENT CONTROL CAN ONLY BE A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO COMBAT THE PROBLEMS AT HAND- FOR THE LONG-TERM THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO AN INCREASED PRODUCTION OF HOUSING AND TO THIS THE GOVERNMENT MUST WITHOUT DELAY ADDRESS ITSELF,* HE SAID.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

SUGGESTIONS To SPEED UP PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME *****

THE HON. F.K. HU, IN HIS FIRST SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, SUGGESTED SEVERAL WAYS TO SPEED UP THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES WE HAVE TO ACCEPT CUTTING THE ANNUAL PUBLIC HOUSING TARGET IN ORDER TO AVOID OVERHEATING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, BUT SHOULD THERE BE ANY SIGN OF A SLOW DOWN IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THIS TARGET HAS TO BE INCREASED SO THAT A CONSTANT HOUSING PRODUCTION CAN BE MAINTAINED.

JUDGING FROM THE RATIO OF RENTED AND HOME OWNERSHIP ACCOMMODATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, AND THE FACT THAT 70 PER CENT OF NEW PRIVATE FLATS BOUGHT IN HONG KONG ARE FOR OWNER-OCCUPATION, OUR RATIO OF HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS SHOULD BE HIGHER, AND SHOULD BE INCREASED GRADUALLY FROM THE PRESENT 15 PER CENT TO 50 OR EVEN 70 PER CENT, HE SAID.

HE SUGGESTED THAT THE PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK COULD BE INCREASED THROUGH ENCOURAGING MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, AND RELEASING MORE SITES TO THEM FOR TENDER, WITH EMPHASIS ON SOLVING THE HOUSING PROBLEM RATHER THAN FINANCIAL GAIN.

THE PROPORTION OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES TO LETTER B HOLDERS SHOULD ALSO BE INCREASED SO THAT ITS EXCHANGE COMMITMENT COULD BE CLEARED AT AN EARLIER DATE.

THE ADDITIONAL SITES COULD BE DEVELOPED WITH THE CONDITION THAT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE FLATS TO BE BUILT SHOULD BE SOLD ON THE SAME TERMS AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, HE SUGGESTED.

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO ENSURE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF THE SITES ALLOCATED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH REQUIRE USE OF THE GROUND FLOORS ONLY. THE SPACE ABOVE COULD BE USED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS, HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, MR. HU SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL MUST CO-ORDINATE CLOSER TO ACHIEVE EFFECTIVE RESULTS. ^DIRECT CONTACT AND DISCUSSION IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE BETTER CO-ORDINATION, UNDERSTANDING AND MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS WITHOUT UNDUE DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS,+ HE STRESSED.

THIS CO-ORDINATION IS REQUIRED *IN PROMOTING AND TRAINING POTENTIAL TALENTS, TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTARY INVOLVEMENT AND SPONSORSHIR, TO PROMOTE APPRECIATION AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, TO PROVIDE VENUES FOR THESE ARTS AND TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST LOCAL TALENTS.*

HE SUGGESTED THAT IT IS MORE DESIRABLE TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM AND FULL-TIME SCHOLARSHIPS, TO TRAIN OUTSTANDING LOCAL TALENT IN THE MAJOR CONSERVATORIES IN THE WORLD. PERFORMING ARTS OTHER THAN MUSIC SHOULD ALSO BE DEVELOPED AND EITHER OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES SHOULD SET UP A DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA AND THEATRE, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO A THEATRE CONSERVATORY IN HONG KONG.

/FURTHERRORS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

FURTHERMORE, THE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION OF ART SHOULD BE SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY AND ADMINISTRATIVELY BY THE GOVERNMENT. AMATEUR GROUPS WILL SOONER OR LATER LEAD TO PROFESSIONAL GROUPS AND IF FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS REQUIRED, THE GOVERNMENT MUST EXERT CONTROL IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PURPOSE, ORGANISATION AND DETAILS WILL FIT INTO AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN, HE SAID.

IN THE AREA OF SPORT PROMOTION, MR. HU COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT SCHEME WHICH OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO GOVERNING SPORT BODIES TO HELP THEM ENGAGE SECRETARIES AND MEET LIMITED OFFICE EXPENSES. HE URGED THAT IT BE EXPANDED TO OFFER MORE ASSISTANCE AND TO INCLUDE OTHER BODIES, WHILE THE SMALLER BODIES SHOULD BE HELPED BY A CENTRAL SECRETARIAT.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE RUNNING OF THEIR BUSINESS AS THEIR INDEPENDENCE MUST BE MAINTAINED AND RESPECTED. THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE REQUIRES THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF THE RELEVANT SPORT, SINCE IT APPEARS THAT ITS PRESENT EMPHASIS IS ON MASS PARTICIPATION RATHER THAN QUALITY, HE ADDED.

MR. HU WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH HE SAID IS STILL LAGGING BEHIND THE URBAN AREAS.

HE SUGGESTED THAT PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE FACILITIES, SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

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GOVT URGED TO BE ACTIVE IN SOLICITING VIEWS FROM PUBLIC X * I M » I

THE HON. WONG LAM URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE ACTIVE WHEN IT SOLICITS THE VIEWS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR. WONG ACKNOWLEDGED THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN PROVIDING CHANNELS FOR THE PUBLIC TO MAKE KNOWN THEIR VIEWS BUT POINTED OUT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS, TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT, WERE +PASSIVE AND DEPENDENT ON THE PEOPLE TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO LODGE COMPLAINTS OR EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.*

♦ONLY TO A VERY SMALL EXTENT DOES THE GOVERNMENT TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO SOLICIT VIEWS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THE SILENT MAJORITY, AND EVEN WHEN THIS IS DONE IT IS GENERALLY ISSUE OR PROGRAMME ORIENTATED,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN LEAVING ASIDE STRICT STATISTICAL REQUIREMENTS, SUCH SURVEYS AT BEST WILL ONLY BRING FORTH THE OPINION OF SOME OUTSPOKEN PEOPLE ON CERTAIN TOPICS.

♦THEY WILL NOT ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO KNOW OR FULLY APPRECIATE THE REAL CONCERNS AND VIEWS OF THE GREAT MAJORITY AT A GIVEN TIME,* HE SAID.

/WHILE HL ...

WHILE HE AGREED WITH THE PROPOSAL FOR CREATING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES IN CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, HE BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THEIR ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION.

ALTHOUGH REGIONALISATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF SOME GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL HELP THEM GAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL PROBLEMS AND MAKE THEM FEEL MORE CONCERNED FOR THEIR SOLUTION, THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS WITH REGARD TO HUMAN, FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES. IF THE LEVEL OF THE OFFICERS IS TOO LOW THEY MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY EXPERIENCED AND MAY LACK ADEQUATE AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS. IF THEY ARE AT TOO HIGH A LEVEL, MANPOWER MAY BE WASTED AND PARKINSON’S LAW MAY TAKE EFFECT, LEADING TO THE BUILDING UP OF A PYRAMID OF REDUNDANT STAFF, HE SAID.

HE THOUGHT THAT FOR ANY CO-ORDINATION WORK, THE KEY TO SUCCESS LIES IN THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND SINCERE CO-OPERATION OF STAFF FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, AND NOT IN SUBSERVIENCE TO A CO-ORDINATOR OF A HIGHER RANK, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE IS NOT THEIR DIRECT SUPERIOR.

NEVERTHELESS, MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE GOVERNOR’S VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVOLVE +A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF RESPONSIBLE LEADERS IN THE PROCESS OF ADVISING, WARNING AND STIMULATING THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT ADMINISTRATION IN THEIR OWN AREA.+

HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM NOW IN FORCE IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS, EXTEND ITS REPRESENTATION AND GIVE IT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF POWER, EVEN IN FINANCIAL MATTERS IF NECESSARY.

IN THE FIELD OF HOUSING, MR. WONG SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO LOOK INTO WAYS TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH INCOME ABOVE S5 OOO A MONTH. HE WAS HOWEVER DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REDUCTION IN THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT PROBLEMS IN OTHER FIELDS ARE BEING ADEQUATELY DEALT WITH BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT HOUSING IS CONTINUING TO DISTURB A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE. HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HANDLE THE PROBLEM WITH COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE AS IT HAD HANDLED THE MTR.

HE SUGGESTED THAT IF POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW ALL PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES AND POSTPONE THE LESS IMPORTANT ONES SO AS TO REDIRECT MANPOWER AND RESOURCES TO PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS.

ON THE QUESTION OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. WONG SAID BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC TEND TO HAVE THE MISCONCEPTION THAT AN UPWARD REVISION OF SALARIES IS A PANACEA FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS.

IN FACT, THROUGH HIS PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH SOME CIVIL SERVANTS, HIS IMPRESSIONS WERE THAT DISCONTENT AROSE FROM MISMANAGEMENT ON THE PART OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICERS, LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING, AND UNFRIENDLY ATTITUDE OF SOME SENIOR OFFICERS.

HE HOPED THESE WOULD BE RECTIFIED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS CF SERVICE AND THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

PLEA FOR EARLY EXPANSION OF FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES *****

THE HON. PETER C. WONG MADE TWO PLEAS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), ONE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR EARLY EXPANSION OF THE TWO NEW FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES, AND ANOTHER TO THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES FOR SPEEDY RESETTLEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.

MR. WONG’S FIRST PLEA AROSE FROM HIS CONCERN FOR THE GROWING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE OF THE SCHEMES, ONE OF WHICH AT PRESENT SERVED BY ABOUT 100 PRACTISING LAWYERS OFFERS FREE ASSISTANCE TO ALL DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH SCHEDULED OFFENCES AT THE MAGISTRACIES AT CAUSEWAY BAY, SAN PO KONG AND NORTH KOWLOON.

ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED AS LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SERVICE IS UNAVAILABLE AND CLIENTS ARE NEITHER MEANS TESTED NOR MERIT TESTED.

FROM JANUARY TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE LAWYERS PROVIDED HELP TO 3 036 DEFENDANTS IN A TOTAL OF 2 821 CASES. THE ACQUITTAL RATE AT 54 PER CENT WAS HIGH AND HEADING THE LIST OF CHARGES WERE ’POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS’ (44 PER CENT) AND ’LOITERING’ (24 PER CENT).

♦THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS SERVICE BECOMES MORE APPARENT WHEN ONE REALISES THAT MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF OUR CRIMINAL CASES ARE TRIED IN THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, WHICH ARE EMPOWERED TO ORDER CUSTODIAL SENTENCES OF UP TO THREE YEARS. AND THE PEOPLE TRIED IN THESE COURTS ARE THE ONES LEAST ABLE TO AFFORD LEGAL REPRESENTATION,♦ HE SAID.

THE OTHER LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH MR. WONG SAID WAS PROVIDING A MUCH-NEEDED AND LONG-OVERDUE SERVICE WAS THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME ON CIVIL MATTERS OPERATING AT THE EASTERN AND MONG KOK CITY DISTRICT OFFICES.

♦IT IS ENTIRELY FLEXIBLE WITH THE MINIMUM OF FORMALITIES. EMERGENCY CASES ARE DEALT WITH BY THE ADMINISTRATOR WHO IS LEGALLY QUALIFIED. IN ALL CASES SOME FOLLOW UP ACTION IS AVAILABLE AND IF FURTHER APPOINTMENTS ARE NECESSARY THEY ARE ARRANGED,♦ MR. WONG SAID. OVER 1 500 PEOPLE WERE HELPED UNDER THE SCHEME SINCE THIS JANUARY.

THE TWO SCHEMES ARE CHEAP TO RUN, EFFICIENT AND HAVE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES IN THE FORM OF 170 TRAINED LEGAL MINDS AT THE PUBLIC’S DISPOSAL. THE LAWYERS PROVIDE THEIR SERVICE FREE AT THE CDO’S AND ONLY RECEIVE A VERY LOW FEE FROM THE SCHEME FUND FOR TAKING UP CASES AT THE MAGISTRACIES.

MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT WITH A FURTHER $2.8 MILLION THE TWO SCHEMES COULD BE EXPANDED SO THAT LEGAL REPRESENTATION WOULD BE OFFERED AT THE REMAINING FIVE MAGISTRACIES AT WESTERN, SOUTH KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN, KWUN TONG AND FANLING, AND A LEGAL ADVICE BUREAU WOULD BE SET UP IN EVERY MAJOR AREA OF POPULATION CONCENTRATION - TWO MORE ON THE ISLAND AND FOUR MORE IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING ONE TO BE OPENED THIS MONTH IN WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFF ICE.

/+i:: OTHiR..

THURSDAY, NOVO®TH 1,

10 -

♦IN OTHER WORDS, FOR 16 MILLION AT CURRENT PRICES, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO RUN EIGHT LEGAL ADVICE BUREAUS AND OFFER LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN ALL THE EIGHT MAGISTRACIES IN HONG KONG TO ALL PEOPLE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH SCHEDULED OFFENCES. MANPOWER IS AVAILABLE AND THE ADMINISTRATOR IS CONFIDENT THAT HE HAS SUFFICIENT HUMAN RESOURCES AT HIS DISPOSAL TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION,* HE SAID.

HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT AT A LATER STAGE, THE RANGE OF FREE LEGAL ADVICE SHOULD BE BROADENED AND THE LIST OF SCHEDULED OFFENCES WHICH COULD BE TAKEN UP AT MAGISTRACIES LENGTHENED TO INCLUDE ALL OFFENCES OF DISHONESTY AND ALL OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON.

♦ONLY THEN WILL GOVERNMENT BE ABLE TO CLAIM THE PROVISION OF AN INDEPENDENT AND COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES IN THE MAGISTRACIES,+ HE SAID.

REFERRING TO HIS OTHER PLEA FOR SPEEDY RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES, MR. WONG REPORTED THAT AT THE 15TH AUSTRALASIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION WHICH HE RECENTLY ATTENDED AT PERTH, A MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO CONGRATULATE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THE MAGNIFICENT HUMANITARIAN JOB IT WAS DOING.

♦WHILE WE ARE PLEASED TO RECEIVE SUCH CONGRATULATIONS, THE MAIN REQUIREMENT FOR HONG KONG IS AN INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT PLACES. HONG KONG NOW HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BOAT REFUGEES IN THE WHOLE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, WHILST ITS RATE OF RESETTLEMENT IS STILL AMONGST THE LOWEST,♦ HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED DEPARTURES FROM HONG KONG AS A PERCENTAGE OF ARRIVALS IN 1979 WAS 18 PER CENT, YET IN THE CASE OF MALAYSIA FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS 100 PER CENT. EVEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT MALAYSIA HAD NEARLY 50 000 BOAT PEOPLE AND HONG KONG ONLY 5 400 AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, DEPARTURES IN 1979 SHOW THAT ONLY 17 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ARRIVED HAVE DEPARTED FROM HONG KONG COMPARED WITH 54 PER CENT IN MALAYSIA AND 36 PER CENT IN THE PHILIPPINES.

MR. WONG THEREFORE CALLED UPON THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE COMMONWEALTH, TO OFFER MORE PLACES TO THOSE IN HONG KONG.

WORLD LEADERS MUST ACCEPT THAT THE REFUGEE PROBLEM IS A WORLD PROBLEM AND ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SPEEDY RESETTLEMENT.

♦IT IS THE ACCEPTING OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY THAT WILL GIVE CREDENCE TO THEIR PROFESSED CONCERN. IF THEY DID, AND INDEED THEY MUST, IT WOULD GO DOWN IN HI STROY AS ONE OF THE FINEST MANIFESTATIONS OF HUMANITY,♦ HE SAID.

- - o - -

/11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

PROPOSAL TO ENLIST ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ORGANISED VOLUNTEER SERVICES

******

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENLIST HONG KONG’S ELDERLY PEOPLE, A GOOD PROPORTION OF WHOM ARE PHYSICALLY FIT AND MENTALLY ALERT, TO TAKE PART IN ORGANISED VOLUNTEER SERVICES, DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE BENEFITS TO THE ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS ARE MULTIPLE, HE SAID i ♦THEY ACQUIRE A NEW SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE AND SATISFACTION, THUS FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM, AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE AGEING PROCESS AS A RESULT OF HELPING OTHERS TO OVERCOME THEIR PROBLEMS.

♦MORE IMPORTANT, THEY ATTAIN A FEELING OF SOCIAL USEFULNESS AND PERSONAL WORTH. THE VERY FACT THAT THEY PROVIDE A USEFUL AND MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IS THE MOST POTENT INSTRUMENT THERE IS TO SHATTER THE PREJUDICE THAT THEY ARE A BURDEN RATHER THAN A RESOURCE TO THE SOCIETY.*

DR. HO POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, THOUGH ESSENTIAL FOR KEEPING THEM IN THE COMMUNITY, HAVE THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THEM INTO *P ASS IVE RECIPIENTS OF SERVICES, CONSUMERS OF RESOURCES AND DEPENDENTS OF OUR SOCIAL SYSTEM.*

♦MODERN MEDICINE ADDS YEARS TO LIFE- BUT A CARING GOVERNMENT ADDS LIFE TO YEARS,* HE OBSERVED.

HE SUGGESTED THREE AREAS IN WHICH THE ELDERLY CAN PARTICIPATE IN PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES. FIRSTLY, THEY COULD WORK WITH CHILDREN IN A VARIETY OF INSTITUTIONS. +THEY CAN ATTEND TO CHILDREN IN DAY CARE CENTRES, COMFORT THE SICK IN THE PAEDIATRIC WARDS, TEACH CHILDREN WITH SPEECH DEFECTS TO SPEAK AND HELP THE BLIND CHILDREN WALK WITH CANES. THEY CAN ALSO HELP TO FEED THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, BATHE AND DRESS THE MENTALLY RETARDED AND TELL STORIES TO THE ABANDONED AND NEGLECTED.

SECONDLY, THEY COULD RUN A VARIETY OF ERRANDS FOR OTHER ADULTS WHO ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING THE CHORES THEMSELVES.

♦FOR INSTANCE, THEY COULD TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE MEALS-ON-WHEELS SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY CRIPPLED, GO SHOPPING FOR THEIR AILING COUNTERPARTS, SEW AND MEND, READ AND WRITE LETTERS FOR THE ILLITERATE, OR ASSIST YOUNG MOTHERS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR NEW-BORN BABIES.*

♦THIRDLY, THEY COULD VISIT THE SICK IN HOSPITALS AND HOMES, CHEER UP THE DEPRESSED, ENCOURAGE THE INTROVERTED TO SOCIALISE OR SIMPLY PROVIDE COMPANIONSHIP TO THE ELDERLY, DETACHED PERSONS,♦ DR. HO SAID.

SOME FORM OF MACHINERY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECRUIT THEM, PROVIDE THEM WITH SOME BASIC SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE, MATCH THE PARTICULAR ASSIGNMENT WITH THEIR APTITUDE, AND PROVIDE SUPERVISION WHEREVER NECESSARY.

/HE CALLED ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

HE CALLED UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS POSSIBILITY SO AS TO TURN THE ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS INTO PROVIDERS OF SERVICE AND PROMOTE THEIR INDEPENDENCE. AS THE CHINESE SAYING GOES 1 +TO BE AGED, AND YET TO BE USEFUL.♦

DR. HO ALSO COMMENTED ON THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED MANPOWER FOR CARRYING OUT SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND

URGED THE GOVERNMENT THE SOCIAL WELFARE

TO EXTEND ITS REVIEW OF THE WELFARE CLASS IN DEPARTMENT TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR.

HE POINTED OUT THAT BEFORE ANY MANPOWER MEASURE CAN BEGIN TO TAKE EFFECT IN TURNING OUT MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO RETAIN ALL EXISTING QUALIFIED PERSONNEL IN THE SERVICE.

THE REVIEW, INVOLVING A RESTRUCTURING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND CERTAIN POSTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A TWO-YEAR CADETSHIP TRAINING SCHEME AIMED AT IMPROVING THE CAREER STRUCTURE OF HOLDERS OF THE SOCIAL WORK DIPLOMA IN THE DEPARTMENT, COULD HAVE DISTURBING EFFECTS ON THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WHICH CURRENTLY ENGAGES ALMOST 60 PER CENT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE WORKFORCE, HE SAID.

HOLDERS OF THE DIPLOMA WILL INEVITABLY BE ATTRACTED TO JOIN THE PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE ADVANTAGES OT THE SCHEME. AND BECAUSE OF SALARY DISPARITIES THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECRUIT OR RETAIN THEM. THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO SWITCH OVER WILL BE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE PAY DIFFERENCES AND WILL SUFFER IN MORALE AND EFFICIENCY.

♦ULTIMATELY, THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A DISPROPORTIONATE DISTRIBUTION OF TRAINED MANPOWER BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTORS, JEOPARDISING THE COMPLEMENTARY ROLE OF THE LATTER AS A PARTNER IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES,♦ HE EXPLAINED. ’

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

CALL FOR OIL REFINERY REVIVED ******

NEWLY APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON. WONG PO-YAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REVIVED THE SUGGESTION OF BUILDING A PETROLEUM REFINERY IN HONG KONG.

IN HIS MAIDEN SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. WONG SAID IT APPEARED RIDICULOUS TO HIM THAT HONG KONG, WITH ITS POPULATION AND SCALE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, SHOULD NOT HAVE A SINGLE REFINERY.

WITHOUT A REFINERY HERE TO PROCESS CRUDE OIL PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AT A FIXED PRICE, WE ARE UNABLE TO ENJOY RELATIVELY STABLE PRICES. AS OIL PRODUCT PRICES ARE RAISED AS MANY AS FIVE TO SIX TIMES A YEAR AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES ARE CHANGED EVERY MONTH, THERE IS NO WAY IN WHICH PRODUCTION COSTS CAN BE PREDICTED OR FIXED, EVEN WITHIN A REASONABLY SHORT PERIOD, HE SAID.

/HE POINTED......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXCESSIVE PRICE WE ARE PAYING COULD IN THE LONG RUN TURN OUT TO BE MANY TIMES THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING A REFINERY, WITHOUT MENTIONING THE BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING OUR OWN DOWN-STREAM PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE SO VITAL TO OUR CLOTHING, TEXTILE AND PLASTIC INDUSTRIES.

AS TO THE DIFFICULTIES THAT CAN BE EXPECTED TO ARISE, MR. WONG SAID OUR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITY TO HANDLE SUCH A PROJECT HAS ALREADY BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN THE MTR.

POLLUTION IS NOT AN INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEM UNDER PRESENT TECHNOLOGY AND AS REGARDS A SUITABLE SITE, HE REPORTED THAT AN EXPERT FROM A JAPANESE CONSULTING FIRM HAD INITIALLY FOUND THE AREA AROUND TAP SHEK KOK SUITABLE.

+THE RECENT OIL FIND IN FRONT OF OUR DOOR STEP CAN BE A CONSIDERABLE, AND INDEED DECISIVE, INFLUENCE IN THE CONSIDERATION OF SUCH AN IDEA. THE MODERNISATION PLANS OF CHINA MAY ALSO CREATE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF RELATED PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, I SUGGEST WE CAN HARDLY IGNORE SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY,♦ HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT PROMOTION, MR. WONG SAID THAT THE OVERALL APPROACH ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WAS TOO PASSIVE, AND HE HOPED TO SEE MORE DIRECT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT MEASURES.

HE THOUGHT WE SHOULD NOT BE DETERRED BY THE GENERAL STAGNANCY IN THE WORLD MARKET BUT INSTEAD SHOULD AIM TO IMPROVE OUR PERFORMANCE SO AS TO OUTPERFORM THE GENERAL TREND.

IN PURSUING THIS, MR. WONG POINTED OUT THAT SOME NEIGHBOURING COMPETITORS HAVE ADOPTED AGGRESSIVE AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MEASURES TO INCREASE THEIR EXPORTS, OFTEN AT HONG KONG’S EXPENSE.

HE ASKED THEREFORE THAT WHEN TAKING MEASURES TO COOL DOWN THE ECONOMY WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE CAREFUL TO AVOID DAMAGING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. HE APPRECIATED THE MOVE BY SOME BANKS IN OFFERING CONCESSIONARY INTEREST RATES FOR THE IMPORT OF MACHINERY AND RAW MATERIALS.

HE ALSO ASKED FOR INJECTION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INTO TRADE PROMOTION ASENCIES SUCH AS THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND MORE EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF THE EFFORTS BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE TDC WILL OPEN ITS 18TH OVERSEAS OFFICE IN PANAMA SOON, SOUTH KOREA'S TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATION ’KOTRA’ ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 70 OVERSEAS OFFICES.

MR. WONG ALSO SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL FOR A FACTORY OWNERSHIP SCHEME. +WHILST WE NEED A REINFORCED AND MORE CONCERTED EFFORT IN PROMOTING OUR EXPORTS, WE MUST AT THE SAME TIME MAKE MORE RATIONAL USE OF OUR LOCAL RESOURCES TO HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR,♦ HE SAID.

HE SAID SMALL MANUFACTURERS WERE HAVING DIFFICULTY IN FINDING SMALL SIZE FACTORY UNITS AND WERE INEVITABLY SHOULDERED OUT OF THE MARKET BY LAND SPECULATORS.

THURSDAY, NOVEMB.J< 1, 1979

14 -

UNDER THE SCHEME HE SUGGESTED, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SELL INDUSTRIAL LAND ASSESSED AT FAIR MARKET VALUE DIRECT TO THE SMALL MANUFACTURERS, WITH SPECIFICATIONS THAT THE LAND CANNOT BE RESOLD AND MUST BE USED BY THE BUYERS THEMSELVES.

THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE FLOOR AREA OF EACH FACTORY UNIT AND THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS TO BE BUILT SHOULD ALSO BE SPECIFIED AND A CONDITION LAID DOWN THAT THE UNITS CANNOT BE RESOLD WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF COMPLETION UNLESS TO THE GOVERNMENT.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITES SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE MANUFACTURERS THEMSELVES, SO AS TO RELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AND YET GIVE THE MANUFACTURERS FLEXIBILITY TO DESIGN ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN NEEDS.

SMALL MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO FORM THEMSELVES INTO STATUTORY CO-OPERATIVES, PREFERABLY BY TRADE, TO BID FOR THE SITES. IF ONLY ONE GROUP IS BIDDING, THE SITE SHOULD BE GRANTED AT FAIR MARKET VALUE AND IF MORE GROUPS BID, THE SITE CAN BE OFFERED IN A RESTRICTED TENDER, SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM PREMIUM. ALL GROUPS SHOULD BE VETTED BEFOREHAND TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE GENUINE SMALL MANUFACTURERS.

MR. WONG SAID THAT THE SCHEME IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL, +IN THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE INDUSTRIAL LAND ON A NON-SUBSIDY BASIS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO EXPORT, AND SMALL MANUFACTURERS CAN BE PROTECTED FROM SPECULATIVE FORCES.+

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

UNOFFICIAL WANTS EXEMPTION FROM INTEREST TAX FOR CREDIT UNIONS ******

THE HON. ANDREW SO PLEADED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) ON BEHALF OF THE CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG FOR THEIR EXEMPTION FROM INTEREST TAX.

HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS DEMANDING IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF INTEREST TAX BY ALL THE 51 CREDIT UNIONS, NOT FOR THIS YEAR ONLY, BUT DATING BACK TO 1973.

IF THIS IS INSISTED UPON, ALL OF THEM MIGHT HAVE TO GO INTO LIQUIDATION AND THIS WOULD CAUSE PANIC, HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN MOST COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA, THE USA AND IRELAND, CREDIT UNIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM TAXATION, AND SECTION 25 OF THE NEW CREDIT UNIONS ACT, PASSED IN THE UK LAST MAY EXPLICITLY EXEMPTS CREDIT UNIONS FROM INTEREST TAX.

HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IN HONG KONG, THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE MUST CHARGE THE TAX IF THE ORDINANCE WHICH HE ADMINISTERS LEAVES HIM NO OPTION. HE WOULD HOWEVER REQUEST THAT IMMEDIATE AND URGENT CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO AMENDING THE ORDINANCE AND IN THE MEANTIME A MORATORIUM BE PLACED ON THE DEMAND FOR SUCH TAX.

/MR. SC .....

THURSDAY, .'COVJNBER 1, 19^9

MR. SO GAVE FURTHER REASONS WHY CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED THE TAX.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CREDIT UNIONS WERE GIVEN LEGAL STATUS WHEN THE CREDIT UNIONS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN 1968. WHEN INTRODUCING THE BILL, THE THEN ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD SAID HE HOPED THEY WOULD PROVIDE +A READY SOURCE OF CREDIT, WITH A MINIMUM OF INCONVENIENCE, FOR THE LOW SALARIED WORKER WHO FINDS IT DIFFICULT OR EVEN IMPOSSIBLE TO BORROW OTHERWISE THAN AT VERY HIGH RATES OF INTERESTS.*

IT WAS ALSO NOTED BY HIM AT THAT TIME THAT YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY BENEFITTED, SINCE ONE OF THE MAIN AIMS OF THE CREDIT UNION IS TO INCULCATE THRIFT AND TO TEACH MEMBERS THE WISE USE OF MONEY.

IN HONG KONG TODAY, MR. SO SAID, THERE ARE 51 CREDIT UNIONS WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF NEARLY 12 QOO DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE. MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES CIVIL SERVANTS, RESIDENTS IN HOUSING ESTATES, COMPANY EMPLOYEES, HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, HOSPITAL STAFF AND SMALL FACTORY OWNERS.

THEY HAVE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY SAVED A TOTAL OF $12 MILLION TO HELP THEIR FELLOW MEMBERS IN NEED. THEY DO NOT ASK FOR OR RECEIVE ANY SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. EVERY CENT WHICH THEY LEND TO THEIR MEMBERS COMES FROM THEIR OWN VOLUNTARY SAVINGS. A SMALL INTEREST OF ONE PER CENT OR LESS ON THE REDUCING BALANCE OF THE LOAN IS CHARGED TO THE BORROWERS, TO DEFRAY THE RUNNING COST, AND THE BALANCE IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE MEMBERS AT THE END OF THE YEAR. RUNNING COSTS ARE KEPT LOW BECAUSE ALL THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AND IN FACT ABOUT 900 MEMBERS SACRIFICE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY AFTER WORK TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR FELLOW-MEMBERS.

HE SAID IF THESE CREDIT UNIONS HAVE TO GO INTO LIQUIDATION, THE 12 000 MEMBERS AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE PREPARING TO FORM CREDIT UNIONS AND THOSE SETTLING IN THE NEW TOWNS WHERE THERE ARE AS YET NO CREDIT UNION WILL NO LONGER FIND READY CREDIT AND MAY BE THROWN BACK INTO THE HANDS OF LOAN-SHARKS.

IN FACT, HE POINTED OUT, STATISTICS SHOW THAT LOAN-SHARKS AND MONEY-LENDERS ARE STEADILY EXPANDING THEIR ACTIVITIES.

IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED MONEY-LENDERS WAS 1 295. IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF ANNUAL REGISTRATIONS HAD ALREADY REACHED 765, AND ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, MANY OF THE RECENTLY REGISTERED MONEYLENDERS WERE IN FACT LOAN-SHARKS, USING THE SAME METHODS AS BEFORE AND CHARGING SIMILAR HIGH RATES OF INTEREST.

THE 12 000 EXISTING MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND MANY OTHERS WILL HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S SINCERITY IN ITS REPEATED STATEMENTS ABOUT ENCOURAGING SELF-HELP PROJECTS.

♦THEY WILL ALSO ASK WHY IS IT THAT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS SPENDING SO MUCH ENERGY IN HOUNDING A LOW INCOME GROUP WHEN ALL THE WORLD SUSPECTS THAT MANY RICH PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO EVADE TAX IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER,♦ HE SAID.

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

/16....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SCHEME URGENTLY REQUIRED ******

A COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SCHEME MUST BE IMPLEMENTED RAPIDLY, TO KEEP PACE WITH AND TO MAKE UP FOR GROUND LOST DUE TO GROWING COMPETITION FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, THE HON. ALLEN LEE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.

♦ IT CANNOT BE EMPHASISED STRONGLY ENOUGH THAT WE MUST RAISE THE LEVEL OF SKILL OF OUR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS QUICKLY, IF WE ARE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE YEARS TO COME.

♦LOW-END PRODUCTS WILL BE OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE,♦ HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ON THE ONE HAND, WE HAVE GROWING COMPETITION FROM COUNTRIES SUCH AS INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES, MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE, ON THE OTHER, OUR EXPORT PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN OUTSTRIPPED IN RECENT YEARS BY COMPETITORS LIKE TAIWAN AND SOUTH KOREA. IN ADDITION, THE MODERNISATION OF CHINA REPRESENTS INTENSE COMPETITION FOR OUR LOW-END PRODUCTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HE WAS THEREFORE EAGER TO KNOW THE VIEWS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION ON HOW TO FINANCE A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING SCHEME WHICH HE SAID MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ON LABOUR LEGISLATION, MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRIALISTS HERE ACCEPT AND WELCOME SUCH LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WORKERS AND IMPROVE THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS. +INDEED WITHOUT SKILLED LABOUR, THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY WOULD BE IMPEDED.+ HE SAID.

HE SAID IT WAS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT SUCH LEGISLATION MUST BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG, TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF ITS INDUSTRY- AND THE PROCESS CF CONSULTATION SO WELL APPLIED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CONTINUED.

MR. LEE COMMENTED ON FOUR ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY. HE SAID IT CANNOT BE DENIED THAT THE MONETARY MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MARKED RISE IN EXPORT PERFORMANCE, ALTHOUGH THERE IS ALSO THE FACT THAT THIS IS TRADITIONALLY A HIGH SEASON.

HE STRESSED THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED TO CURB INFLATION, CURRENTLY RUNNING AT ABOUT 11 PER CENT. A STRONG HONG KONG DOLLAR, TO BE ACHIEVED BY INCREASED EXPORT-EARNINGS, SHOULD HELP TOWARDS CONTROLLING IMPORTED INFLATION, AND DOMESTIC INFLATION COULD BE EASED BY DISCOURAGING SPECULATION.

SINCE THE OIL SITUATION PLAYS A DOMINANT ROLE IN OUR ECONOMY, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO FORMULATE AN ENERGY POLICY, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE USE OF OIL BY PUBLIC UTILITIES, THEN INDUSTRY, AND THIRDLY TO DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS. HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE ENERGY SAVING MEASURES AND EXPAND OIL STORAGE FACILITIES THROUGH AN ENERGY POLICY COMMITTEE, WORKING IN CONSULTATION WITH ESTABLISHED INSTITUTES.

/AS TO ...

THURSDAY, NCVEMB^K 1, 1079

AS TO OUR STRATEGY TOWARDS THE WORLD ECONOMY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO DECLINE, MR. LEE AGREED THAT WE SHOULD TRADE UP AND SEEK NEW MARKETS.

HE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING POLICY AND SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT PRODUCTION OF FLATS THIS YEAR WOULD BE 35 000 UNITS AND NOT THE PLANNED 45 000 UNITS.

MR. LEE SAID REGARDLESS OF THE REASON FOR THIS REDUCTION, IT IS THE LESS PRIVILEGED FAMILIES WHO SUFFER. HE FURTHER URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND RAISE THE MAXIMUM INCOME QUALIFICATION TO $8 000.

+ IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO BUY THEIR OWN 600 TO 700 SQUARE FEET FLAT WHICH CURRENTLY COSTS SOME $400 000 TO $500 000,+ HE SAID. +1 REGARD HOUSING AS ONE OF OUR MOST CRITICAL DOMESTIC PROBLEMS AND IT CERTAINLY DESERVES FURTHER CONSIDERATION.*

- - 0 -

PROMOTION OF THE USE OF MANDARIN AND SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS URGED * * * * *

THE HON. CHARLES YEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE USE OF MANDARIN AS SPOKEN CHINESE AND THE SIMPLIFIED SCRIPT OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE BE PROMOTED IN HONG KONG.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, HE POINTED OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS, MANDARIN IS THE MOST COMMON LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD, BEING SPOKEN BY ABOUT ONE-SEVENTH OF THE WORLD POPULATION.

HOWEVER, CANTONESE IS THE MOST COMMONLY USED CHINESE DIALECT IN HONG KONG AND NOT MANY PEOPLE HERE KNOW HOW TO SPEAK MANDARIN PROPERLY.

AS FOR THE WRITTEN FORM OF THE LANGUAGE, THE MOST COMMONLY USED AND ACCEPTED IN HONG KONG IS THE NEW VERSION, AS OPPOSED TO THE LITERARY VERSION, BASED ON THE TRADITIONAL SCRIPT. THE SIMPLIFIED SCRIPT IS USED AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA.

MR. YEUNG THOUGHT IT IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE OUR CHOICE OF THE FORM OF CHINESE WE WANT PROMOTED IN HONG KONG. +IN SETTING OUR AIMS WE MUST BE FAR-SIGHTED, RATIONAL AND UNBIASED AND OUR CHOICE MUST BE BOLD AND PRACTICAL. THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND OUR YOUNG GENERATION MUST OUTWEIGH ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS,* HE SAID.

HE OBSERVED THAT AT PRESENT, ENGLISH IS STILL THE DOMINANT LANGUAGE USED HERE AS THE MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION BY BOTH THE COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC SECTORS, AND PARTICULARLY IN TRADING WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

♦IT IS THE SECOND COMMONEST LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD USED BY 10 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE WORLD POPULATION IN 34 SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES.

/♦IF HONG

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 197?.

+IF HONG KONG IS TO PLAY AND EFFECTIVELY, THE STANDARD SHOULD NOT ONLY BE MAINTAINED

ITS INTERNATIONAL ROLE EFFICIENTLY OF ENGLISH OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BUT SHOULD BE IMPROVED.*

IN PARALLEL WITH ITS USE, THE USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE MUST BE PROMOTED SO THAT HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE TO OFFER ITS SECONDARY AND TERTIARY INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES, AS WELL AS SERVING SUCCESSFULLY AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

♦THIS FACTOR HAS GAINED PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE NOW THAT CHINA HAS LAUNCHED HERSELF INTO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF WORLD ACTIVITIES AND WILL REMAIN IN ALL PROBABILITY AS A PROMINENT FIGURE IN THE WORLD SCENE,♦ HE SAID.

- - 0 - -

SCHOOLS PARITY OF SUBSIDY REVIEW COMMITTEE APPOINTED * * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION OF THE PARITY OF SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE TO THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. Q.W. LEE.

THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AREi MR. ROGER LOBO- MR. CHARLES YEUNG-MRS. KATHERINE YAU- MR. D.R.Y. BLUCK- MR. C.M. GUILFORD- THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. HO- THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. D.B.M. BOARD- AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY, SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, MR. CLIVE OXLEY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE COMMITTEE HELD ITS FIRST MEETING YESTERDAY, AND IT HOPED THAT ITS REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR EARLY NEXT YEAR.

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

LIMITED SIZE FOR GRAVE MONUMENTS

* * * *

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT GRAVE MONUMENTS IN PUBLIC CEMETERIES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 900 MM IN LENGTH OR WIDTH AND A HEIGHT CF 1 500 MM.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 61 URN GRAVE MONUMENTS IN WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY WERE FOUND TO BE OVER-SIZED.

♦TO MAINTAIN UNIFORMITY OF GRAVE MONUMENT SIZES IN PUBLIC CEMETERIES, A REGULATION WAS GAZETTED ON MARCH 31 THIS YEAR TO LIMIT THE SIZES OF GRAVE MONUMENTS,+ HE SAID.

THERE ARE ALTOGETHER FOUR PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY, CHEUNG CHAU CEMETERY, SANDY RIDGE CEMETERY AND TAI 0 CEMETERY.

/+HOWEVER.....

THURSDAY, N0V3XE , 197

♦HOWEVER, OVER-SIZED URN GRAVE MONUMENTS ARE FOUND IN WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY ONLY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦APART FROM PUTTING UP NOTICES ON THE GRAVE MONUMENTS IN QUESTION, WARNING LETTERS WERE ALSO POSTED ON OCTOBER 25 TO THE NEXT OF KIN NAMED IN OUR REGISTER OF THE DECEASED.

♦THE OVER-SIZED MONUMENTS SHOULD BE MODIFIED WITHIN ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF THE LETTER TO CONFORM WITH THE REGULATION. OTHERWISE THE MONUMENTS WILL BE REMOVED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE,+ HE ADDED.

FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD CALL THE WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY OFFICE AT TELEPHONE NO. i 12-902296.

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

SNT TO OPEN FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL IN NT * * * *

THE FIRST EVER SPORTS FESTIVAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED IN TSUEN WAN ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3).

SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL PERFORM THE CEREMONY AT TSUEN WAN’S YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTS GROUND AT 3 P.M.

ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR. HARNAM GREWAL, THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER,- MR. JAMES HAYES, OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND AMBERS OF THE FESTIVAL’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HEADED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR. CHOW HAU-CHEN.

THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE DRAGON, LION AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES BY LOCAL GROUPS, AFTER WHICH THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND HAPPY VALLEY.

THE FESTIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR STAFF TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SPORTS FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3). TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE PROVIDED. IT WILL LEAVE FROM THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1.45 P.M.

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/20......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

PRISONS DEPARTMENT TO HOLD AUTUMN FAIR

******

MRS. M. DAVIES, WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, WILL OPEN THE 27TH AUTUMN FAIR OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AT NOON ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3), ON THE SPORTS FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON.

ALL PROCEEDS OF THE FAIR, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WILL GO TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT’S WELFARE SERVICES.

IN THE FAIR THERE WILL BE OVER 30 STALLS SELLING A WIDE RANGE OF PRISON INDUSTRIAL AND HOBBY CLASSES PRODUCTS.

THE FAIR WILL ALSO FEATURE A ’FREE-FALL’ PARACHUTE DISPLAY BY MEMBERS OF THE JOINT SERVICE PARACHUTE CENTRE, A BICYCLE DEMONSTRATION BY THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION’S BICYCLE TEAM AND A MARCHING DISPLAY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND.

THE POPULAR FIGURE OF THE REDIFFUSION TELEVISION LIMITED’S +WHIZ KID* PROGRAMME, MO MO THE PANDA, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO ENTERTAIN THE CHILDREN. REFRESHMENT STALLS AND A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.

ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT A FEE OF $2 WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE SOUVENIR PROGRAMME.

LIMITED PARKING SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE OPEN SPACE OUTSIDE STANLEY PRISON’S MAIN GATE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

THE FAIR WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AFTER THE OPENING BY MRS. DAVIES. IT WILL BE CLOSED AT 6 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CF THE 27TH AUTUMN FAIR OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT BY MRS. M. DAVIES WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AT NOON ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3 AT THE SPORTS FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON.

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/21

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1979

NEW DATES FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET

* * * *

THE TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET FROM YIM PO FONG STREET TO PEACE AVENUE BETWEEN OCTOBER 31 AND NOVEMBER 6 HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

THIS SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET WILL NOW BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN NOVEMBER 4 AND 10 FROM 1 A.M. TO 5 A.M. TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY BRIDGE.

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE FROM THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE ARGYLE STREET FLYOVER VIA WATERLOO ROAD, RIGHT TURN INTO YIM PO FONG STREET AND LEFT TURN INTO ARGYLE STREET.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN RIGHT INTO YIM PO FONG STREET, LEFT TURN ONTO WATERLOO ROAD TO REJOIN ARGYLE STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- 0 - -

TRAFFIC CHANGE AT JACKSON ROAD AND CLUB STREET ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4) JACKSON ROAD AND CLUB STREET JUNCTIONS WITH CHATER ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE WORK ON CHATER ROAD.

DURING THE PERIOD. BOTH JACKSON ROAD AND CLUB STREET WILL BECOME A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC.

ALSO, KMB AIRPORT COACH ROUTE 200 ON THE OUTWARD JOURNEY FROM THE AIRPORT WILL BE DIVERTED TO MURRAY ROAD NORTHBOUND AND REJOIN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, TERMINATING AT ICE HOUSE STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS ............................. 1

AMBITIOUS MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR HK ................... 2

SHA TIN MARKET SHOP OPERATORS OFFERED FAIREST TERMS ......... 5

SIR MURRAY PRAISES ESTABLISHMENT OF HaNG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE .......................................... 4

GRAVEYARD VISITORS WARNED OF HIGH RISK OF FIRE OUTBREAKS .............................................. 5

ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARKS INFORMATION CENTRE OPENS ............. 6

DSW CALLS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY ............. 6

TEACHERS WANTED TO ORGANISE EDUCATION AND RECREATION EVENTS ...................................................... 7

THIRD PHASE OF SIU LANG SHUT CONTROLLED TIPPING WORKS TO START SOON ......................................... 8

STUDENT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS GRADUATE ........................... 9

REZONING PLAN OF WONG NAI CHUNG PUBLISHED ................... 9

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACECOURSE STATION............ .. 10

CT,EARWAY RESTRICTION AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD................... 10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS ft ft ft ft ft

'' THE FIRE SERVICES DEALT WITH A TOTAL OF 10 026 FIRE CALLS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THE YEAR — 1 254 MORE THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, W LAM LOK-BUN, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.

MR LAM SAID THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, A WORKING BODY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HAD CHOSEN THIS TIME OF THE YEAR TO MOUNT A PUBLICITY DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT FIRE DANGER POSITION CAUSED BY CONTINUING LOW HUMIDITY.

HE SAID THAT OF THE 10 000 FIRE CALLS, ABOUT 50 PER CENT WERE CAUSED BY CARELESS HANDLING OR DISPOSAL OF SMOKING MATERIALS AND ELECTRICAL FAULTS.

THE DIRECT FIRE LOSSES REPORTED BY LOCAL INSURANCE COMPANIES AMOUNTED TO $113.1 MILLION IN 1978, HE ADDED. THIS DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EXTREMELY LARGE FIRE LOSSES ON UNINSURED PREMISES AND GOODS.

SPEAKING ON POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS, MR LAM SAID* +HONG KONG FACES A UNIQUE PROBLEM OWING TO ITS CROWDED ENVIRONMENT, VARIOUS INDUSTRIES OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND THE GENERAL APATHETIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE PROTECTION.+

DURING THE DRY SEASON, HE SAID, MANY SUBSTANCES EASILY CATCH FIRE WHICH SPREADS RAPIDLY.

+IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE RISKS SHOULD BE TAKEN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC BE MADE AWARE OF THE COMMON CAUSES OF FIRES AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM.+ MR LAM STRESSED.

THE TOPICS IN THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRES OF COMMON CAUSES AND AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PUBLICITY MATERIAL WILL FOLLOW THE FORMS OF SHORT FILMS, POSTERS, STICKERS, LEAFLETS AND PAMPHLETS.

ONE OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE CAMPAIGN IS THE FORMATION OF FIRE WATCH TEAMS IN VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS. THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED LAST YEAR AND THE NUMBER OF TEAMS HAS NOW BEEN INCREASED TO 44.

THEIR PRIMARY FUNCTIONS ARE TWOFOLD i TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DANGER OF FIRE AND TO ACT AS +FIRST-AIDERS+ TO TACKLE A FIRE IN ITS EARLY STAGES BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF FIREMEN.

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VISITS TO FIRE STATIONS, SCHOOL CHILDREN’S QUIZ COMPETITIONS AND FIRE SAFETY HINTS FOR FACTORY OPERATORS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

AMBITIOUS MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR HK ft ft ft ft

THE NEXT DECADE WILL SEE AN AMBITIOUS PLAN OF MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG WITH A NUMBER OF MAJOR HOSPITALS AND CLINICS TO BE CONSTRUCTED.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG. AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

HE SAID IT WAS MOST OPPORTUNE FOR SUCH A SPECIAL EXHIBITION TO BE HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE MEETING OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS IN HONG KONG.

♦WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING AND UPDATING THE SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT IN OUR EXISTING MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS EXPANDING FURTHER OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FROM A GROWING POPULATION,♦ DR. THONG SAID.

HE OUTLINED THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF NO LESS THAN SIX HOSPITALS OF OVER 1 000 BEDS EACH AND MORE THAN 20 CLINICS AND POLYCLINICS IN THE NEW TOWNS AND POPULATION CENTRES.

♦INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME IS THE NEW TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR THE SECOND MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, TWO ADDITIONAL GENERAL NURSES TRAINING SCHOOLS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

DR THONG POINTED OUT THAT GOOD DOCTORS MUST BE GIVEN THE BEST MEANS TO CARRY OUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL WORK EFFICIENTLY.

♦IN PARALLEL WITH THE ADVANCES IN MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND METHODS CF TREATMENT, THERE MUST ALSO BE IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT IN BOTH MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL FIELDS SO THAT MEDICAL SERVICES AND TECHNIQUES MAY BE BROUGHT UP TO THE MOST ADVANCED AND SOPHISTICATED LEVEL,♦ HE SAID.

HE SAID HE WAS NOT SURPRISED THAT HONG KONG WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE VENUE OF THIS YEAR'S BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION.

♦HONG KONG NOT ONLY HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF OVERSEAS MEMBERS

CF THE BMA IN THE WORLD, BUT IS ALSO ONE OF THE FOREMOST IMPORTERS

OF BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, APPLIANCES AND

PHARMACEUTICALS,+ HE SAID.

THE DIRECTOR CONGRATULATED BMA AND THEIR ORGANISERS FOR THEIR INSPIRED PLANNING IN PRODUCING THE PHARMACEUTICAL EXHIBITION, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER STAGED IN ASIA.

IN THE FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, VISITORS WILL SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE FROM INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIERS.

AT THE SAME TIME, PICTURES ILLUSTRATING THE MANY FACETS OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE ALSO DISPLAYED.

- - - - 0 - - - - /3.....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

SHA TIN MARKET SHOP FAIREST * * M

OPERATORS OFFERED TERMS

SHOP OPERATORS IN SHA TIN MARKET, WHICH IS TO BE CLEARED AFTER LUNAR NEW YEAR TO MAKE WAY FOR FURTHER MAJOR NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS, HAVE BEEN OFFERED THE FAIREST POSSIBLE TERMS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SERRY HIGGINSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IN DECIDING THE TERMS AFTER

IWO YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OPERATORS, HAD GIVEN DUE RECOGNITION TO THE FACT THAT THE MARKET’S EXISTENCE IN SHA TIN DATED BACK TO THE EARLY 195OS, AND WAS SET UP WITH GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGEMENT.

+BECAUSE OF THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED THAT THE OPERATORS ARE IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY FROM NORMAL SQUATTER SHOPKEEPERS OR OTHER PEOPLE ON CROWN LAND LEASES,* HE SAID.

♦THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS OFFERED DOUBLE THE NORMAL RATE OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND HAS ALSO RESERVED SHOPS AND STALLS IN WO CHE ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX FOR THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.♦

MR HIGGINSON SAID THE OPERATORS WOULD RECEIVE $240 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE FIRST 75 SQUARE FEET, $60 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR THE NEXT 425 SQUARE FEET AND $40 PER SQUARE FOOT FOR ANY REMAINING AREA.

HE SAID UNDER THIS +ONE OFF+ ARRANGEMENT AN OPERATOR OF A 400 SQUARE FEET BUSINESS WOULD RECEIVE A TOTAL PAYMENT OF $37 500, WHICH AVERAGED ALMOST $94 PER SQUARE FOOT. +THIS IS HIGHER THAN HAS BEEN PAID IN SOME STATUTORY AWARDS,+ HE SAID.

THE TOTAL PAY OUT IN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WOULD BE $4.9 MILLION.

MR HIGGINSON SAID A TOTAL OF 159 PREMISES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE WHICH, HE POINTED OUT, WAS BEING TIMED TO GIVE ELIGIBLE OPERATORS AMPLE TIME IN WHICH TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN BUSINESSES IN WO CHE ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. THEY COULD MOVE INTO THESE FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEXT MONTH.

HE SAID 91 OPERATORS QUALIFIED FOR THE +SPECIAL TREATMENT+ AS THEIR PREMISES HAD BEEN RECORDED DURING A SQUATTER CONTROL SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 1965 BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THE REMAINDER, WHO ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES AFTER THE SURVEY, WOULD BE OFFERED NORMAL RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE. LICENSED HAWKERS WOULD GET PLACES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT MARKET NEAR LEK YUEN ESTATE.

MR HIGGINSON SAID ALL THOSE LIVING IN DOMESTIC STRUCTURES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC OR TEMPORARY HOUSING IN SHA TIN.

/HE SAID .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

HE SAID THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING THE WO CHE SHOPS AND STALLS WAS THAT THEY HAD BEEN OFFERED BY RESTRICTED TENDER TO THE 91 ELIGIBLE OPERATORS AT 90 PER CENT OF THE UPSET TENDER RENT WHICH HAD BEEN DETERMINED THROUGH AN OPEN TENDER EXERCISE HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR.

+BY TAKING UP THIS ATTRACTIVE OFFER THE SHA TIN MARKET SHOPKEEPERS WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GROWING PROSPERITY OF THE NEW TOWN,* MR HIGGINSON SAID.

HE SAID THE OPEN TENDER WAS HEAVILY OVER-SUBSCRIBED, WHICH HE PUT DOWN TO RECOGNITION OF THE EXCELLENT BUSINESS POTENTIAL OF SHOPS IN THE WO CHE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.

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SIR MURRAY PRAISES ESTABLISHMENT OF HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE

******

THE GOVERNOR. SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THAT THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE WOULD MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION IN A FIELD WHICH IS MOST BADLY NEEDED IN HONG KONG.

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY AT THE SCHOOL’S SITE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE GROWTH, SPECIALISATION AND SOPHISTICATION OF HONG KONG’S BANKING AND COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH PROVIDED INDISPENSABLE SUPPORT TO THE EXTRAORDINARY EXPANSION OF OUR INDUSTRY AND TRADE, REQUIRED AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECHi

♦TODAY’S CEREMONY MARKS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROJECT LONG CHERISHED BY THE HANG SENG BANK AND ITS SENIOR BOARD MEMBERS.

♦IT IS TYPICAL THAT THE CAPITAL COST AND EQUIPMENT OF THE SCHOOL IS TO BE BORNE ENTIRELY BY THE SPONSORING BODY, WHILE RECURRENT COSTS WILL BE MET FROM THE TRUST FUND ESTABLISHED FOR THIS PURPOSE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE BANK, THE S.H. HO FOUNDATION LIMITED, THE BANK’S FOUNDING SHAREHOLDERS AND THE HANG CHEONG INVESTMENT CO. ON THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY A PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO TWO MEN- DR S.H. HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HANG SENG BANK, WHOSE IDEA THE SCHOOL IS AND WHOSE CONTRIBUTION IN BOTH FINANCIAL TERMS AND PERSONAL ENTHUSIASM HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE, AND MR Q.W. LEE, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BANK, FOR THE BOUNDLESS ENERGY AND SINGLENESS OF PURPOSE WITHOUT WHICH THE PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN REALISED.

/+HONG KONG'S .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

♦HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. A GREAT PART OF THIS SUCCESS WAS DUE TO THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE RESPONSIBLE AND IMAGINATIVE FINANICAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS.

TOUR INDUSTRY HAS GROWN AND OUR TRADE HAS REACHED ALL CORNERS CF THE WORLD. THIS EXTRAORDINARY EXPANSION HAS BEEN GIVEN INDISPENSABLE SUPPORT BY THE GROWTH, SPECIALISATION AND SOPHISTICATION OF OUR BANKING AND COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

♦THIS REQUIRES AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF AND IT IS EXTREMELY GRATIFYING TO SEE AN ENLIGHTENED BANK LIKE THE HANG SENG RECOGNISING THIS REQUIREMENT AND MEETING IT THROUGH ITS OWN ENDEAVOURS.

♦THE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE WILL MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION IN A FIELD IN WHICH IT IS MOST BADLY NEEDED.

♦ I WISH THE SCHOOL, ITS FOUNDERS, TEACHERS AND FUTURE STUDENTS EVERY SUCCESS.*

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GRAVEYARD VISITORS WARNED OF HIGH RISK OF FIRE OUTBREAKS X X X * X

THE RISK OF FIRE OUTBREAKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE ESPECIALLY AROUND GRAVEYARDS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH AS THERE HAD BEEN NO RAIN FOR THE PAST 36 DAYS, THE COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR CHONG SING-LAI, WARNED TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE URGED VISITORS TO GRAVEYARDS AND THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE WEEKEND TO EXERCISE UTMOST CAUTION TO PREVENT FIRE BREAKING OUT.

DURING OCTOBER THIS YEAR, SOME 200 000 TREES WERE DESTROYED AND OVER 1 600 HECTARES OF VEGETATION WERE DAMAGED BY FIRE, MR CHONG SAID.

+ALL THE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS,* HE ADDED.

♦PAST APPEALS TO WORSHIPPERS TO BE CAREFUL WHEN BURNING JOSS-STICKS AND PAPERS AT GRAVEYARDS SEEMED TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT,* MR CHONG SAID.

♦THESE CARELESS PEOPLE DON’T SEEM TO REALISE THAT THE BURIAL GROUND IS A PLACE OF BEAUTY AND PEACE, AND THE FIRES AROUND THE GRAVES CAN ONLY SCAR THE TRANQUILITY OF THOSE WHO PASSED AWAY+.

♦IT TAKES YEARS FOR THE VEGETATION TO BE RESTORED TO ITS NATURAL STATE AND DURING THAT TIME THE AREA IS BLACK AND UGLY,+ MR CHONG SAID.

♦THE REAL RESPONSIBILITY IN FIRE PREVENTION GREATLY LIES WITH THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE COUNTRYSIDE^ HE ADDED.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARKS INFORMATION CENTRE OPENS *****

A SECOND VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE FOR HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AT ABERDEEN TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, MR C.M. LEUNG, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE CENTRE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK ABOVE THE ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AT 11 A.M.

THE ABERDEEN AND ITS NEIGHBOURING TAI TAM COUNTRY PARKS LAST YEAR ATTRACTED SOME 340 000 VISITORS, AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE FIRST VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE WAS OPENED AT TAI MEI TUK IN PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK TWO WEEKS AGO.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE AT ITS ENTRANCE ABOVE ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD, AT 11 A.M. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE QUEEN’S PIER, EDINBURGH PLACE AT 10 A.M. SHARP. SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR MARK PINKSTONE, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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DSW CALLS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY

******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR THOMAS LEE, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO FOSTER THE CHINESE TRADITION OF CARING AND RESPECTING THE ELDERLY.

ADDRESSING A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, MR LEE SAID MANY PEOPLE. WHILE REGARDING THE REARING OF CHILDREN AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, OFTEN NEGLECTED THE NEED TO LOOK AFTER THEIR AGED PARENTS AS WELL.

HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING THEIR YOUNGER DAYS, OLD PEOPLE HAD DEFINITE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY OF WHICH THEY WERE PART.

♦WHEN THEY BECOME OLD AND FRAGILE, WE MUST THEREFORE NOT IGNORE THEM BUT SHOULD GIVE THEM OUR SPIRITUAL SUPPORT SO THAT THEY MAY NOT FEEL LONELY AND NEGLECTED,* HE SAID.

/THE YOUNGER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

THE YOUNGER GENERATION OUGHT TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE ELDERLY, AND ENABLE THEM AS BEST AS THEY COULD TO ENJOY AFTER THE MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK, HE ADDED.

MR LEE SAID THE PROBLEM OF OLD PEOPLE HAD BEEN A CONCERN OF THE GOVERNMENT.

TOGETHER WITH THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED VARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE, COMMUNITY FACILITIES, HOME HELP, RECREATION AND PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

TO AROUSE PUBLIC ATTENTION TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF OLD PEOPLE, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THE CURRENT OLD PEOPLE’S FESTIVAL IS HELD, HE SAID.

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TEACHERS WANTED TO ORGANISE EDUCATION AND RECREATION EVENTS * * *

THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATION FROM QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO HELP ORGANISE THE SECTION’S EDUCATION, SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND GROUP WORK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAIDi +WE WISH TO EMPLOY A NUMBER OF PART-TIME ASSISTANT ORGANISERS TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.

♦AN INTEREST IN MUSIC. DANCE, SPORTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS OR OTHER CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.♦

THE CURRENT RATE OF PAY FOR PART-TIME ASSISTANT ORGANISERS IS 1560 A MONTH.

THERE ARE 16 ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. INCLUDING CHEUNG CHAU. THEY OPERATE IN THE EVENING. AND MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ALL OVER THE AGE OF 18. NO FEES ARE CHARGED.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE NOVEMBER 16 TO THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO AN INITIAL PART-TIME TRAINING COURSE, COMPLETION OF WHICH WILL BE REGARDED AS A NECESSARY QUALIFICATION FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT ORGANISER.

THE TRAINING COURSE WILL BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 9 TO JULY 6, 1980 ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AND FOR ONE OR TWO SESSIONS A WEEK IN THE EVENINGS. NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.

IT WILL BE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION. JORDAN ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

THERE WILL BE LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS ON ADULT EDUCATION AND THE ROLE OF ORGANISERS, VISITS TO THE CENTRES, SPECIALISED SKILL TRAINING. PRACTICAL FIELD WORK AND ATTENDANCE AT THE ANNUAL ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE.

------0 ------ /8....................

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

- 8 -

THIRD PHASE OF SIU LANG SHU I CONTROLLED TIPPING WORKS TO START SOON *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED TENDERS FOR THE THIRD PHASE OF CONTROLLED TIPPING WORKS AT THE EXISTING SIU LANG SHU I CONTROLLED TIP OFF PILLAR POINT ROAD IN TUEN MUN.

THE FIRST PHASE, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAY FROM PILLAR POINT TO SIU LANG SHU I, STARTED IN MARCH 1976 AND WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 1977. THE SECOND PHASE COMMENCED IN MAY LAST YEAR AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

IN THE THIRD PHASE, FILLING OF THE SIU LANG SHU I CONTROLLED TIP WILL CONTINUE TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.

+WHEN THE TIP IS FILLED TO ITS DESIGNED CAPACITY BY SANITARY LANDFILL METHOD IN LATE 1982, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 2.4 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY USES,+ A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID.

+SANITARY LANDFILL CONSISTS OF THE SPREADING OF REFUSE IN LAYERS, COVERING EACH LAYER WITH INERT EARTH AS TIPPING PROCEEDS, AND SEALING OFF ALL WORKING FACES AT THE CONCLUSION OF EACH DAY’S WORK TO OBVIATE NOXIOUS SMELLS, CONTROL VERMIN AND ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS,* HE EXPLAINED.

COVERING MATERIAL FOR THE SIU LANG SHU I TIP WOULD BE OBTAINED FROM ON-SITE EXCAVATION WITHIN THE TIP BOUNDARIES AND FROM AN ADJACENT BORROW AREA WHERE ABOUT 0.2 HECTARE OF LAND WOULD BE FORMED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY 1981.

THE PWD CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION HAS DESIGNED THE WORKS AND WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

STUDENT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS GRADUATE ft ft ft ft

FIFTEEN STUDENT PHYSIOTHERAPISTS HAVE COMPLETED A THREE-YEAR TRAINING COURSE IN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.F. LAM WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY TO BE l£LD AT THE PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6). THE CERTIFICATES TO THE GRADUATES WILL BE PRESENTED BY MRS LAM.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 15 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6) AT 3.15 P.M. IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST DEPARTMENT’S GYMNASIUM BLOCK DI.

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REZONING PLAN OF WONG NAI CHUNG PUBLISHED ft ft ft ft ft

THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE WONG NAI CHUNG AREA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE BOUNDARIES OF SITES ZONED FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USE, HAD BEEN ADJUSTED.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ALSO INCLUDED THE REZONING OF SEVERAL SITES AND THE INCORPORATION OF AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR EROADWOOD ROAD.

PROPOSALS WERE ALSO MADE TO REVISE THE SCHEDULE OF NOTES.

THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, 17TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD- THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE- AND THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI), TUNG WAH MANSION, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, GROUND FLOOR.

COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ALSO ON SALE AT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AT $5 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY.

ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG.

OBJECTIONS AND SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS TO THE PLAN SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY BEFORE NOVEMBER 22, 1979.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACECOURSE STATION

******

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO AND FROM SHA TIN RACECOURSE STATION THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4) BECAUSE OF THE RACE MEETING.

THESE NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION AT HUNG HOM AT 12.32 P.M., 12.53 P.M. AND 1.14 P.M.

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY FROM SHA TIN RACECOURSE TO KOWLOON, THE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS WILL START AT 5.47 P.M., 6.03 P.M. AND 6.39 P.M.

CLEARWAY RESTRICTION AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD

******

A SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG MO STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN PASS ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A CLEARWAY RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5).

THIS MEANS THAT ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 7 P.M. DAILY WITHIN THE CLEARWAY ZONE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE MO.

GOVERNOR OPENS BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS .......... 1

BIRST TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL OPENS ........................ 3

DRIEST OCTOBER ON RECORD ......................................

71 PEOPLE TO RECEIVE INSIGNIA .................................

PRIMARY PUPILS GET HELP FROM STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS ....... 5

WOMAN OFFICER APPOINTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR........................................................ 6

P-VD ENGINEERING TRAINEES BUILD SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM ......... 6

UMELCO MEMBERS TO VISIT SHA TIN ............................. 7

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ATTEND METROLOGY i-.EETING IN NEW ZEALAND ...................................................... 8

FIRING PRACTICE .............................................. 8

WATER CUT IN CENTRAL

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

GOVERNOR OPENS BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS * * * * ft *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, SAID THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, THROUGH GROWTH IN WEALTH AND PRODUCTION, WAS DUE TO THE RESILIENCE, INGENUITY AND CAPACITY FOR HARD WORK OF ITS PEOPLE.

SIR MURRAY WAS SPEAKING TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS HELD IN THE FAR EAST.

♦THIS GROWTH OWES MUCH TO THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA,* HE ADDED.

SIR MURRAY SAID THE STORY OF HONG KONG IS THE RESPONSE OF ITS PEOPLE TO THE CHALLENGE OF A POPULATION INCREASE FROM 600 000 AFTER THE WAR TO NEARLY FIVE MILLION TODAY - *A CHALLENGE WHICH HAS HAD TO BE MET WITH NO NATURAL RESOURCES EXCEPT A HARBOUR AND WITHOUT A SCRAP OF AID.*

♦NATURALLY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAS OVERWHELMED, AND NATURALLY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES STILL MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE,* HE POINTED OUT.

SIR MURRAY SAID HONG KONG’S HISTORY HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE CONDITIONS CREATED BY AN INFLUX OF POPULATION INTO A TERRITORY WHICH IS VERY SMALL AND HAS SO LITTLE BUILDING LAND.

♦SHEER DETERMINATION TO SURVIVE PRODUCED INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND TRADE, AND ON THE ECONOMY SO CREATED THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRADUALLY, AND LATTERLY MORE RAPIDLY, BUILT THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS LACK ING,♦ HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR MURRAY’S SPEECHg

♦IT GIVES ME PARTICULAR PLEASURE TO OPEN THIS BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CONGRESS. IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE ASSOCIATION HAS MET IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, OR IN HONG KONG, AND HONG KONG IS THE HOME OF THE ASSOCIATION’S LARGEST OVERSEAS BRANCH.

♦IT IS A GREAT HONOUR FOR HONG KONG, AND FOR THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, TO HOST SUCH DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES AND OVERSEAS VISITORS REPRESENTING SO PRESTIGIOUS AN ASSOCIATION OF SUCH AN ANCIENT AND RESPECTED PROFESSION.

♦IN DECIDING TO MEET IN HONG KONG YOU HAVE COME TO ONE OF THE MOST THRIVING AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD. AND I DO NOT ONLY MEAN THAT ON ARRIVAL YOU MAY HAVE HAD TO FIGHT FOR YOUR BAGGAGE, OR WERE THRUST OFF THE PAVEMENT - QUITE UNINTENTIONALLY -BY A PREOCCUPIED CITIZEN GOING URGENTLY ABOUT HIS BUSINESS. I MEAN THAT IT IS A COMMUNITY THAT IN THE LAST TEN YEARS HAS INCREASED ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY 130 PER CENT AND ITS TRADE BY 148 PER CENT AND THESE FIGURES ARE IN REAL NOT MONEY TERMS. IT IS PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE THAT DURING THE SAME PERIOD HONG KONG HAS INCREASED ITS PUBLIC EXPENDITURE BY 170 PER CENT - AGAIN IN REAL TERMS - AND HAS DONE SO BROADLY SPEAKING THROUGH GROWTH IN WEALTH AND PRODUCTION RATHER THAN THROUGH THE GROWTH IN TAXATION AND CONTROLS WHICH IS SO OFTEN SELF-DEFEATING.

/+I MIGHT ...

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER J, 1979

+l MIGHT ADD THAT THIS GROWTH OWES MUCH TO THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE FRIENDSHIP AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT THERE ARE SUCH DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES FROM BOTH COUNTRIES AT THIS CONGRESS.

♦HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS ALSO DUE TO THE RESILIENCE, INGENUITY AND CAPACITY FOR HARD WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

♦FOR ITS STORY IS THE RESPONSE OF ITS PEOPLE TO THE CHALLENGE OF A POPULATION INCREASE FROM 600 000 AFTER THE WAR TO NEARLY FIVE MILLION TODAY - A CHALLENGE WHICH HAS HAD TO BE MET WITH NO NATURAL RESOURCES EXCEPT A HARBOUR AND WITHOUT A SCRAP OF AID. NATURALLY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAS OVERWHELMED, AND NATURALLY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES STILL MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE, AND YOU MAY WELL SEE CONDITIONS THAT OFFEND YOU. BUT ALSO IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PROUD OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED TO LIFT THE COMMUNITY OUT OF THE CONDITIONS THRUST UPON IT BY MASSIVE IMMIGRATION.

♦THUS OUR HISTORY HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE CONDITIONS CREATED BY AN INFLUX OF POPULATION INTO A TERRITORY WHICH IS VERY SMALL AND WHICH HAS SO LITTLE BUILDING LAND. SHEER DETERMINATION TO SURVIVE PRODUCED INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND TRADE, AND ON THE ECONOMY SO CREATED THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRADUALLY, AND LATTERLY MORE RAPIDLY, BUILT THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS LACKING. I HOPE THAT DURING YOUR VISIT YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING OF WHAT WE ARE DOING TO ESCAPE FROM THE CROWDED CONDITIONS OF THE OLD TOWN BY BUILDING NEW TOWNS LITERALLY FROM THE SEA- I HOPE YOU WILL SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING TO PROVIDE FREE AND UNIVERSAL EDUCATION, AND HEAR ABOUT THE SORT OF SAFETY NET OF SOCIAL SECURITY DEVISED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO FAIL IN THIS COMPETITIVE SOCIETY OBTAIN SUPPORT AND CARE IF THEY NEED IT.

♦BUT YOU ARE DOCTORS, SO YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT IN PUBLIC HEALTH THE SAME ADVANCES HAVE BEEN MADE AS IN THE ECONOMY. FOR INSTANCE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS INFANT MORTALITY PER 1 000 LIVE BIRTHS HAS DROPPED FROM 33 TO 11.8. THE TB DEATH RATE PER 100 000 HAS DROPPED FROM 41.1 TO 11.8, AND WITH BCG VACCINATION COVERING 98 PER CENT OF ALL BABIES, TUBERCULOSIS IS NOW VERY RARE AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 15. EXPECTATION OF LIFE ITSELF HAS INCREASED FROM 65 - 70 FOR MEN AND 72-77 FOR WOMEN, AND SPEAKING AS A 62 YEAR OLD THIS SEEMS TO ME A PARTICULARLY PRAISEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT.

♦I HOPE YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING OF OUR VERY LARGE AND ESTABLISHED MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, AND HEAR OF THE PLANS FOR A NEW SCHOOL TO BE OPENED SHORTLY IN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.

♦THERE ARE FIELDS OF MEDICINE IN WHICH I BELIEVE THAT THE PROFESSION IN HONG KONG EXCELS AND OTHERS IN WHICH NO DOUBT THERE ARE DELEGATES WITH MUCH TO TEACH US. YOUR COLLEAGUES FROM CHINA I AM SURE WILL HAVE A FRESH AND INTERESTING CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE CONSIDERING THE VAST ADVANCE THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN THE HEALTH OF THEIR ENORMOUS COUNTRY.

/+YCU HAVE ...

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

+YOU HAVE A FULL PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, AND I HOPE THAT PROFESSIONAL INTEREST WILL NOT EXCLUDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TASTE WHAT HONG KONG HAS TO OFFER THE ARTIST, THE SYBARITE OR THE SHOPPER - PARTICULARLY THE SHOPPER.

♦IN CONCLUSION I WISH YOU A SUCCESSFUL CONGRESS AND A STAY IN HONG KONG FROM WHICH YOU WILL TAKE AWAY PLEASANT MEMORIES. BELIEVE NE YOU ARE ALL EXTREMELY WELCOME. I NOW DECLARE OPEN THE 1979 CONGRESS OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.♦

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FIRST TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL OPENS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE FIRST TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL WOULD BRING ENJOYMENT TO THOUSANDS OF COMPETITORS AND SPECTATORS, BUT IT MUST NOT SIMPLY BE A FLASH IN THE PAN, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, M? DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL, THE FIRST EVER TO BE HELD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE SAID DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWO WEEKS THE FESTIVAL WOULD EMPHASISE THE PLEASURE THAT PHYSICAL RECREATION COULD GIVE.

♦IT WILL STRENGTHEN LOCAL SPORTING ORGANISATIONS AND WILL PROMOTE GREATER USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION ON WHAT MORE CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE REGULARLY AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO BRING SPORTS AND RECREATION TO THE PEOPLE,+ NR AKERS-JONES SAID.

THIS FOLLOW-UP WOULD BE AS IMPORTANT AS THE FESTIVAL ITSELF, HE POINTED OUT.

MORE THAN 4 000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY AT YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTSGROUND WHICH INCLUDED DRAGON, LIONS AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES BY LOCAL GROUPS. AFTERWARDS,TO KICK OFF THE FIRST EVENT OF THE FESTIVAL, AN EXHIBITION FOOTBALL MATCH BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND HAPPY VALLEY TOOK PLACE.

A SECOND EXHIBITION FOOTBALL MATCH, BETWEEN KU I TAN AND CAROLINE HILL, WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 10 ALSO AT YEUNG UK ROAD SPORTSGROUND WHILE A TENNIS EXHIBITION MATCH, FEATURING PLAYERS CURRENTLY IN HONG KONG FOR THE TENNIS CLASSIC, WILL BE PLAYED AT SHA TSUI ROAD TENNIS COURTS ON NOVEMBER 9.

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BASKETBALL, BADMINTON, BOXING, VOLLEYBALL, BASEBALL, HANDBALL AND TABLE TENNIS. THERE WILL ALSO BE ATHLETICS AND AQUATIC EVENTS, GYMNASTIC AND MARTIAL ARTS DISPLAYS, AS WELL AS AN ARCHERY DEMONSTRATION.

THE FESTIVAL WILL END WITH A BASKETABLL GAMES DAY ON NOVEMBER 17 AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

DRIEST OCTOBER ON RECORD

*****

LAST MONTH WAS THE DRIEST OCTOBER ON RECORD WITH NO RAINFALL REGISTERED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

THE NEXT DRIEST OCTOBER MONTHS WERE IN 1890 AND 1912 IN EACH OF WHICH 0.4 MM OF RAIN WAS RECORDED.

LAST MONTH WAS ALSO THE SUNNIEST, LEAST HUMID AND LEAST CLOUDY OCTOBER ON RECORD.

TOTAL SUNSHINE AMOUNTED TO 297.4 HOURS, AN AVERAGE OF 9.59 HOURS EACH DAY. CLOUDINESS WAS 20.4 PER CENT AND THE MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 60.6 PER CENT. TEMPERATURES WERE NEAR NORMAL.

THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR GORDON BELL SAID : ♦ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO RAIN FOR 36 DAYS, THIS IS NOT SO UNUSUAL. THERE WERE 60 DAYS WITH NO MEASURABLE RAIN BETWEEN NOVEMBER 13, 1909 - JANUARY 11, 1910 AND 59 DAYS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 20, 1884 -JANUARY 17, 1885."

TOTAL ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FROM JANUARY 1 TO OCTOBER 31 THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO 2 603.3 MM WHICH IS 19 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.

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71 PEOPLE TO RECEIVE INSIGNIA ******

SEVENTY-ONE PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5) EVENING.

THE INSIGNIA TO BE PRESENTED INCLUDE ONE CMG, ONE CBE, SEVEN OBE’S, 12 MBE’S, ONE QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL AND 19 BEM’S.

SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING THE CEREMONY.

ALL CARS CARRYING GUESTS MAY ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE. AFTER THEY HAVE ALIGHTED, VEHICLES BEARING G.H. LABELS MAY PARK IN THE FORECOURT AS DIRECTED, OR, IF CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN, RETURN AT 6.50 P.M.

VEHICLES BEARING BLUE LABELS MUST EXIT BY THE EAST GATE AND THEN PARK AT UPPER ALBERT ROAD, LOWER ALBERT ROAD NEAR CENTRAL HOSPITAL AND THE SLIP ROAD TO THE SOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE BUILDING, THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD AND THE CAR PARK AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LOWER ALBERT ROAD.

ALL VEHICLES PARKED INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE EAST GATE. OTHER GUESTS ARE REQUESTED TO WALK TO THEIR CARS AFTER THE CEREMONY.

/PARKING FACILITIES..

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER J, 1979

PARKING FACILITIES IN METERED SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 3 P.M. TO 7.30 P.M. ON THAT DAY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

COPIES OF A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS NEWS ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, AT 4 P.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5).

ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE NOT LATER THAN 5.30 P.M.

NEWSPAPERS NOT RECEIVING SUCH PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS WITH GOLDEN STUDIO AT 527 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, TELEPHONE 5-777940.

PRIMARY PUPILS GET HELP FROM STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS ft ft * ft * *

STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS HELPED MORE THAN 4 000 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH THEIR PROBLEMS IN THE 1978/79 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS JOINT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS’ SEMINAR AT LEE CHING DEA MEMORIAL COLLEGE AT CLOUDVIEW ROAD, NORTH POINT.

THE RESULT OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICER SERVICE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IS VERY ENCOURAGING, MR TOPLEY SAID.

♦I CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SCHEME TO BE AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, COMPLEMENTARY TO THE TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHO ARE PROVIDING A MUCH APPRECIATED SERVICE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS,* HE SAID.

ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO HELP TEACHERS IDENTIFY THE LEARNING PROBLEMS OF THEIR PUPILS AND TO OVERCOME THEM.

MR. TOPLEY POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER COULD ALSO HELP IN THIS RESPECT BUT HE WOULD NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF SCHOOL HEADS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PUPILS.

♦WITHOUT THEM THE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER, HOWEVER PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT HE MAY BE, CAN NEVER BE ENTIRELY EFFECTUAL,* HE SAID.

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/6.....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

WOMAN OFFICER APPOINTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR

* * * *

A WOMAN OFFICER HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

SHE IS MRS SOO MOK SAU-HA WHO SUCCEEDS MR LAO MOU-CHI, NOW RETIRING AFTER 28 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

IN HER NEW POST, MRS SOO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MATTERS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND LABOUR RELATIONS.

SHE JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1953, AND WAS APPOINTED LABOUR OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 1956. MRS SOO WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER IN JANUARY 1969, AND HAS ACTED AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS.

MR LAO, WHO PROCEEDS ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT TOMORROW (SUNDAY), JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER IN DECEMBER 1951. HE WAS PROMOTED TO LABOUR OFFICER IN MARCH 1962, SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER IN JUNE 1967 AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN JANUARY 1973. HE HAS ACTED AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ON MANY OCCASIONS.

______0-------

PWD ENGINEERING TRAINEES BUILD SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM *****

A GROUP OF 15 UNIVERSITY GRADUATES, NOW UNDERGOING A TWO-YEAR ENGINEERING TRAINING PROGRAMME IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, HAS SUCCESSFULLY BUILT A SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM.

THE TRAINEES, CONSISTING OF EIGHT MECHANICAL AND SEVEN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATES, WERE GIVEN THE ASSIGNMENT DURING THEIR FIRST THREE MONTHS OF TRAINING IN THE APPRENTICE TRAINING CENTRE OF THE E AND M OFFICE.

ACTING PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MR MICHAEL HUTTON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE TRAINEES HAD SPENT ABOUT $1 400 ON EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH TOOK THEM 20 WORKING DAYS TO COMPLETE.

HE SA IDi +THE PROJECT AIMS TO ENCOURAGE THE TRAINEES TO THINK ABOUT USING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY INSTEAD OF OIL ON WHICH HONG KONG IS SO DEPENDENT. AT THE SAME TIME, THE TRAINEES WILL GAIN PRACTICAL ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE OF DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT.*

/MR HUTTOM ..

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

MR HUTTON ADDED THAT THE PROJECT WAS PURELY AN EXPERIMENTAL ONE AND, ALTHOUGH NO DIFFERENT IN CONCEPT FROM COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS, HAD ENABLED THE STUDENTS TO WORK TOGETHER AS A PROJECT TEAM IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THE SYSTEM FROM BASIC COMPONENTS SOME OF WHICH WERE RECLAIMED FROM SCRAP.

ACCORDING TO THE GROUP LEADER, MR CHAN YUET-KEUNG, ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE SOLAR ENERGY CAN BE ABSORBED BY THE SYSTEM. +THIS IS NOT A BAD EFFICIENCY RATE,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TEMPERATURE OF THE HEATED WATER WAS AS HIGH AS 50-60 DEGREES CELCIUS.

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UMELCO MEMBERS TO VISIT SHA TIN

*****

NINE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS WILL VISIT SHA TIN ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5) TO SEE THE LATEST NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS.

THEY ARE SIR SIDNEY GORDON. THE REV. JOYCE BENNETT. MR. LEUNG TAT-SHING, FATHER PATRICK MCGOVERN, MR. WONG LAM, MR. CHARLES YEUNG, DR. HO KAM-FAI, MR. F.K. HU AND MR. WONG PO-YAN.

THE PARTY WILL BE BRIEFED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, W. GERRY HIGGINSON, ON THE TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT, AND WILL VISIT TIN SUM VALLEY, WO CHE ESTATE AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AND FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA.

THEY WILL ALSO MEET THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD. THE VISIT WILL LAST THE WHOLE MORNING.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE VISIT TO SHA TIN BY UMELCO MEMBERS ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5). PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 3214, WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER FOR SHA TIN AT 9.45 A.M.

-----0------ /8

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

GOVT OFFICIALS ATTEND METROLOGY MEETING IN NEW ZEALAND ******

TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE REPRESENTATI NG HONG KONG AT THE COMMONWEALTH REGIONAL (AS IA/PACIF IC) METROLOGY MEETING BEING HELD IN WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND.

THEY ARE THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE AND THE SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS) OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR LAM HUNG-KWAN.

THE 12-DAY MEETING, AIMED AT REVIEWING THE PROGRESS OF THE REGIONAL METROLOGY PROGRAMME, WILL END ON NOVEMBER 9.

THE OBJECT OF THIS PROGRAMME, SET UP BY THE COMMONWEALTH SCIENCE COUNCIL, IS TO IMPROVE. AND EXTEND/EX 1ST I NG NATIONAL MEASUREMENT SERVICES AND TO PROMOTE COLLABORATION BETWEEN BOTH COMMONWEALTH AND NON-COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES IN THE AREA.

THE CURRENT MEETING CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF FORMAL LECTURES AND ASSOCIATED WORKSHOP SESSIONS.

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

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON THREE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THE PRACTISING TIMES AREi

DATE TIME

NOVEMBER 5 (MONDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 6 (TUESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

NOVEMBER 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8 A.M. - 5 P.M.

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

/9 ....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1979

WATER CUT IN CENTRAL * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY THE NORTH SIDE OF BONHAM STRAND, WEST SIDE OF HILLIER STREET, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND EAST SIDE OF MORRISON STREET INCLUDING WING LOK STREET, 233-321 AND 254-320 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND THE MACAU FERRY WHARF HYDROFOIL TERMINAL.

-----0-----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT SCON ON APPROVED PCST SECONDARY COLLEGES COURSES.................................. 1

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN VETTER THAN NORMAL....................... 1

ELEVATED 7/ALK7AY ACROSS COTTON TREE DRIVE TAKING SHAPE........................................................ 2

AMENDED WONG NAI C -UNG ZCNING PLAN TO BE EXPLAINED...........3

INTEREST PAYlxENT TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ............ 3

TENDERS INVITED R'R SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF BUILDING SERVICES ........................................... 4

ROAD TO BRIDGE FO TAN ADD KCR DEPOT AT SHA TIN .............. 4

SHAM SHUT PC DUMP OPENS NEXT TUESDAY ........................ 5

RETIR2I3NT OF SjNIOR OFFICER OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ........................................ 6

SPEED LIMIT IilPCS.ED ON PCK FU LAi ROAD..................... 6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT SOON ON APPROVED POST SECONDARY COLLEGES COURSES ******

AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE STANDARDS OF COURSES OPERATED BY THE APPROVED POST SECONDARY COLLEGES WILL SOON BE CARRIED OUT, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR KENNETH TOPLEY SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SHUE YAN COLLEGE HELD AT THE CITY HALL.

APART FROM THE STANDARDS OF THE COURSES, THE ASSESSMENT WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE DIPLOMAS AWARDED BY THE COLLEGES, MR TOPLEY SAID.

THE ASSESSMENT WAS ONE OF THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, WITH THE AIM TO FORM A BASIS FOR COMPARISON WITH COURSES AND DIPLOMAS OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

♦ I AM SURE THERE IS NO FAIRER WAY TO REACH AN OBJECTIVE EVALUATION,* MR TOPLEY SAID.

SPEAKING TO THE GRADUATES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, THE DIRECTOR CAUTIONED THAT THERE WAS NO SHORT-CUT TO FAME, WEALTH OR A SUCCESSFUL AND WORTHWHILE LIFE.

+ IT IS OUR RESOURCEFULNESS, INGENUITY AND INDUSTRY THAT MAKE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY AND THE ENVY OF MANY IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD,* HE SAID.

♦ I AM CERTAIN THAT IN SHUE YAN YOU ARE WELL PREPARED BOTH INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY TO ANSWER WHATEVER CHALLENGES YOU HAVE TO FACE IN FUTURE- TO TAKE UP THE TASKS OUR COMMUNITY WILL REQUIRE OF YOU,* MR TOPLEY SAID.

- - 0 - -

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN WETTER THAN NORMAL *****

THE RAINFALL BETWEEN MAY AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR AMOUNTS TO 2 242.4 MM. THIS IS 17 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL AND LIES NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE RANGE OF 2 100-2 500 MM WHICH WAS FORECAST BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY LAST FEBRUARY.

THE MAY TO OCTOBER RAINFALL AMOUNTS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS 1976, 77, 78 WERE SIX PER CENT ABOVE, 17 PER CENT BELOW AND NINE PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL RESPECTIVELY.

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WERE EXCEPTIONALLY WET WITH RAINFALL 68 PER CENT AND 53 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL, BRINGING A TOTAL OF 1 213.2 MM OF RAIN.

/rainfall recorded

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1970

RAINFALL RECORDED IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TOTAL 2 603.3 MM BEING 421 MM ABOVE THE NORMAL FIGURE FOR THE 10 MONTH PERIOD AND 356.9 MM HIGHER THAN THE NORMAL YEARLY AMOUNT.

THE WET WEATHER HAS BOOSTED HONG KONG’S RESERVOIR STORAGE, THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, SAID.

AT 9 A.M. ON OCTOBER 31, THE TOTAL STORAGE STOOD AT 452 MILLION CUBIC METRES, REPRESENTING 78.2 PER CENT CF THE TOTAL CAPACITY. THE COMPARABLE FIGURE LAST YEAR WAS 388 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR 67.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL CAPACITY.

♦ RAINFALL WAS PLENTIFUL THROUGHOUT THE 7O’S WHICH HAD THE HIGHEST RAINFALL OF ANY DECADE SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1853, DESPITE A SLIGHT DROP BELOW NORMAL IN THE YEARS 1971, 1976 AND 1977,* MR. BELL SAID

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RAINFALL FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1970 TO 1979, SO FAR, IS 24 553 MM. THE DRIEST DECADE WAS 1960 TO 1969 WITH 20 049 MM AND THE SECOND WETTEST WAS 1380 TO 1889 WITH 24 033 MM.

ELEVATED WALKWAY ACROSS COTTON TREE DRIVE TAKING SHAPE

******

AN ELEVATED WALKWAY BEING CONSTRUCTED ACROSS COTTON TREE DRIVE LINKING THE ADMIRALTY STATION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK IS GRADUALLY TAKING SHAPE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY): +THE WALKWAY FORMS PART OF A $25 MILLION PLAN TO PROVIDE COVERED ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION ROUTES BETWEEN THE FOUR MTR ENTRANCES, VARIOUS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE EASTERN BUS TERMINUS AT THE MTR STATION.+

THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE WALKWAY AND A SHOPPING PRECINCT WERE BEING BUILT ON TWO LEVELS ABOVE THE VEHICULAR ACCESS.

♦THE FIRST LEVEL WILL HAVE SHOPS ALONGSIDE THE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ROUTES WHILE THE TOP LEVEL WILL BE LANDSCAPED WITH TREES AND SHRUBS, SEATS AND PAGODAS FOR SHADE.

♦THE MAIN TRAFFIC ROUTES ON THE TOP LEVEL WILL ALSO BE COVERED,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO WALK FROM THE NEW RODNEY BLOCK TO CHATER GARDEN WITHOUT HAVING TO TOUCH A ROAD.

CONSTRUCTION IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY A MTRC CONTRACTOR FOR THE PWD.

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

/J .....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

AMENDED WONG NAI CHUNG ZONING PLAN TO BE EXPLAINED * * * *

A SENIOR TOWN PLANNER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR H.K. CHAN, WILL EXPLAIN TO RESIDENTS ABOUT THE AMENDED DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE WONG NAI CHUNG AREA PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 2).

THE BRIEFING, ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6) AT 3.30 P.M. AT THE HAPPY VALLEY AND CANAL ROAD DISTRICT KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION PRIMARY SCHOOL, 14-16 KING KWONG STREET, GROUND FLOOR, HAPPY VALLEY.

RESIDENTS OF THE AREA CONCERNED ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

- - 0 - -

INTEREST PAYMENT TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ft * ft * *

THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT INTEREST AT SIX-AND-A-HALF PER CENT PER ANNUM WILL BE PAID TO HOLDERS OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ON NOVEMBER 24.

PAYMENT WILL BE MADE ON THE SURRENDER OF INTEREST COUPONS AT THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AT 1 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

THE GOVERNMENT BONDS, WHICH WERE ISSUED IN 1975, ARE DUE FOR REPAYMENT IN 1980.

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF BUILDING SERVICES ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF BUILDING SERVICES FOR STAGE 1 OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PERMANENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE AIR CONDITIONING, VENTILATION, IN-HOUSE COLD AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS, WASHWATER SYSTEMS, LABORATORY SERVICES FOR PLANT BUILDINGS, ACCOMMODATION BLOCKS, LABORATORIES, OFFICES AND OTHER STRUCTURES IN THE PLANT.

PART OF THE PROJECT IS BEING FINANCED BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS FROM CONTRACTORS IN MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.

WHEN COMPLETED IN 1981, THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL SERVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 230 000 IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

AT THE MOMENT, SEWAGE FROM SHA TIN IS BEING TREATED AT THE TEMPORARY AND INTERIM SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY WATSON (HONG KONG) CONSULTING ENGINEERS, WHO ARE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THIS PROJECT UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WATSON (HONG KONG) ARE ALSO SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION WORK, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT.

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

ROAD TO BRIDGE FO TAN AND KCR DEPOT AT SHA TIN ******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED ROAD BETWEEN FO TAN NULLAH AND THE PODIUM OVER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DEPOT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT SHA TIN.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THIS CONTRACT FORMED PART OF A ROAD PROJECT WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY LINK THE RAILWAY PODIUM WITH A PRIMARY DISTRIBUTOR ROAD KNOWN AS P6.

HE SAID THAT DEVELOPMENT OVER THE PODIUM WOULD PROVIDE PRIVATE HOUSING FOR 7 000 TO 10 000 PEOPLE.

♦INITIALLY THIS SECTION OF ROAD WILL ONLY PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE LINK BETWEEN THE PODIUM AND CENTRAL SHA TIN,* HE SAID.

/+HOWEVEK, .THEN..

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

♦HOWEVER, WHEN THE REMAINING SECTION OF THIS ROAD BETWEEN FO TAN NULLAH AND ROAD P6 IS BUILT, IT WILL PROVIDE DIRECT VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PODIUM FROM ROAD P6 WHICH IS CONNECTED WITH THE TRUNK ROAD NETWORK THROUGH SHA TIN.+

WORK OF THIS CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A GROUND LEVEL ROAD WITHIN THE KCR DEPOT AND SEWER AND STORM WATER DRAINS TO SERVICE THE DEPOT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT WORK WILL START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION OF IT WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

SHAM SHU I PO DUMP OPENS NEXT TUESDAY * * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT SHAM SHU I PO RECLAMATION, STAGE II OFF TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE OPENED FROM TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6).

DUMPING MAY BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DAILY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, PWD AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 14TH FLOOR.

HOLDERS OF VALID DUMPING LICENCE FOR PUBLIC DUMPS IN KOWLOON WILL BE PERMITTED TO DISCARD APPROVED SOFT EARTH, BUILDING DEBRIS AND CERTAIN SIZE OF STONES PROVIDED THEY ARE WELL MIXED WITH EARTH.

DUMPING MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISORS.

THE PWD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL DUMPING LICENCES AT ANY TIME OR TO CLOSE THE DUMP WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

MEANWHILE, THE CURRENT PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT GIN DRINKERS BAY WILL BE CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 10.

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1979

RETIREMENT OF SENIOR OFFICER OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ******

THE SENIOR ECONOMICS AND MARKETING OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR N.K. LEE HAS RETIRED AFTER 29 YEARS SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS.

MR LEE JOINED THE FISH AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATIONS IN 1950 AS A TRANSLATOR AND IN 1973 BECAME FEAD OF THE ECONOMICS AND MARKETING DIVISION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

PAYING TRIBUTE TO MR LEE AT A FAREWELL DINNER ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 2), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR TED NICHOLS, SAID MR LEE +PLAYED A PROMINENT PART IN ADVANCING OUR PLANS TO THE PRESENT STAGE WHERE DETAILED ARCHITECTURAL WORK MAY NOW COMMENCE ON NEW MARKET COMPLEXES TO BE OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.*

♦THIS WORK HAS INVOLVED THE ANALYSIS OF STATISTICS TO ESTABLISH ECONOMIC TRENDS, DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TRADERS CONCERNED, THE OPENING AND RUNNING OF TEMPORARY WHOLESALE MARKETS FOR CERTAIN PRODUCE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHEDULES OF ACCOMMODATION AND INITIATING THE REQUIREMENT AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION,♦ SAID MR NICHOLS.

- - 0 - -

SPEED LIMIT IMPOSED ON POK FU LAM ROAD *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 6), A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SECTION OF POK FU LAM ROAD BETWEEN POKFIELD ROAD AND QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

i .UNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA ....................................... 1

GOVERNMEP-T OFFERS FURTHER DIALOGUE ..'ITH NURSES .............. 3

PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT CN SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM.............................................. 21

MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ..................... A

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS MAKE MAJOR CONTRIBUTION ................ 8

SAFETY AT SEA CONVENTION PROVISIONS AVAILABLE .................. 9

AffTTER FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEM FUR HUNG KONG STADIUM ............. 9

FLUSHING .'/ATER CUT IN EAST KC..LOON

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

- 1

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA

******

SEVENTY-ONE PEOPLE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS I

CMG (COMPANION OF THE ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE)

MR. DOUGLAS WILLIAM ALFRED BLYE

CBE (COMMANDER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. KEITH OWEN SHIPLEY

OBE (OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. GERALD ARTHUR HARKNETT

DR. FREDERICK ONG YONG-KOON

THE HONOURABLE LEUNG TAT-SHING

THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL GRAHAM RUDDOCK SANDBERG

MR. WALTER MARTIN SULKE

MR. JOHN JOSEPH SWA I NE

THE HONOURABLE PETER C. WONG

MBE (MEMBER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. CHEN TSUNG-HAN THE REV. JOHN COLLINS MR. LAI SZE-NUEN MR. LAU SAI-YAN MISS ZARINA MINU MRS. NOREEN PATRICIA REES MR. VICTOR SO YUN-LAM MR. WONG CHUNG-CHUEN MR. YUEN KWOK-LEUNG MR. PETER YEUNG MR. DAVID YIP YUK-PUI

MBE (MEMBER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (MILITARY)

CAPTAIN R.F. PYE

QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL

S/SGT. A. SHOEMAKER

/35M (BRITISH

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (CIVIL)

MR. AU KIM-HUNG

MR. WILLIAM CHAN WAI-LAM

MR. GORDON CHENG KWOK-DUNG

MR. IU MUK

MR. KWAN TONG

MR. KWOK KA-LAI

MR. LAM NIN

MR. KENNETH LAW

MR. LAW SUI-WING

MR. LEUNG CHUN

MR. LOO CHI-MI NG

MR. MAK PUI

MR. MAN CHAK-WAN

MR. POON LA I-CHIU

MR. TANG SHIU-SHUN

MR. TSE CHI

MR. WONG KONG

MR. WONG SOU-HIM

BEM (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY)

SERGEANT A.G. COWDREY

CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (POLICE)

MR. CHEUNG MAN-PAN

MR. DENNIS JOHN COLLINS

MR. MICHAEL GEORGE HAMMETT

MR. HUI KI-ON MR. LEE KWONG-MING MR. LI KAM-PO MR. LUI CHING-PO MR. LUK KA-KWONG MR. ROBERT LEWIS JOHN MACDONALD MR. BRIAN LEONARD MERRITT MRS. CATHERINE ROPER MR. TSANG FAT-HUNG MR. BRIAN WEBSTER MR. WONG CHEUNG

CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL) (FIRE SERVICES)

MR. KENNETH AYLWARD MR. KONG HOI-FUNG MR. LEUNG KING-CHI MR. ROY ALBERT WHEATLEY

/BADGE OF .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

BADGE OF HONOUR

MR. CHAN TAK-YUEN MR. CHANG SHU-YAN MR. CHAU CHEUK-MING MR. ENG SOON-CHAO MR. KWONG PING-YAU MR. LEUNG CH IK MR. LEUNG SIU-HUNG MR. LIAO JIH-HSING MR. TANG TUNG-CHIU MR. TSANG LIN MRS. YANG SHU CHENG-SUN MR. YIP WAH

_______0__________

GOVT OFFERS6FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH NURSES

* M K * MM

A CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THIS (MONDAY) EVENING THAT A FURTHER MEETING CONDUCTED IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE WAS HELD TODAY BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT NURSING STAFF AND SENIOR BRANCH OFFICIALS.

THE OFFICIALS LISTENED TO THE POINTS MADE BY THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES. IT WAS MADE CLEAR AT THE MEETING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT PREPARED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE CHANGED.

THE OFFICIAL POSITION REMAINED THE SAME AS ON LAST THURSDAY. IT WAS PROPOSED TO SUBMIT THE REPORT OF THE STANDING SALARIES COMMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS IT STOOD.

IT WOULD ALSO BE RECOMMENDED THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION SHOULD BE ASKED TO INCLUDE IN ITS FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK ANY MATTERS WHICH STAFF OR MANAGEMENT CONSIDERED MERITED RECONSIDERATION.

THE OFFICIALS ALSO INDICATED THAT IF THE ASSOCIATION WISHED TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE, THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO CONSIDER ANY SUCH SUGGESTION.

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM *****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, SCHOOLS AND INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES.

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM, WHICH REPLACED THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION IN 1978, IS SCHEDULED TO BE REVIEWED IN 1980.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID A WORKING PARTY WAS BEING FORMED TO REVIEW THIS SYSTEM AND IT WOULD MEET EARLY NEXT YEAR.

+ALL INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS OR SUGGESTIONS IN WRITING TO THE WORKING PARTY BEFORE DECEMBER 15,+ HE'SAID.

SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT BLOCK AA, SECOND FLOOR, VICTORIA BARRACKS, HONG KONG.

UNDER THE SYSTEM SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ARE DIVIDED INTO 24 +SCHOOL NETS,* AND EACH NET HAS ITS OWN DISTRICT COUNCIL COMPOSED OF ELECTED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS.

THESE DISTRICT COUNCILS IN TURN ARE RESPONSIBLE TO A CENTRAL COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF THE CHAIRMEN OF ALL THE DISTRICT COUNCILS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

+THE 24 DISTRICT COUNCILS HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, AND THE COMMITTEE HAS RECENTLY MET TO DECIDE ON RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR CONSIDERATION,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

- - o - -

MONEY AND BANKING STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER ******

THE MONEY SUPPLY AND BANKING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR ARE PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY).

THEY SHOW THAT WHILE THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF THE MONEY SUPPLY CONTINUED TO FALL, THE LONGER-TERM GROWTH RATE OF CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY WAS HIGHER THAN THAT IN AUGUST. THIS MAY REFLECT THE VERY ACTIVE STOCK AND GOLD MARKETS IN THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER.

/MONEY SUPPLY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

MONEY SUPPLY

Ml ROSE BY 3.5 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, WITH MOST OF THE INCREASE BEING IN DEMAND DEPOSITS (THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH FUNDS HELD AVAILABLE FOR STOCK AND GOLD MARKETS INVESTMENT). M2 ROSE BY 2.3 PER CENT AND IQ BY 2.7 PER CENT.

IN THE LATEST,THREE MONTHS M2 HAS RISEN AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 27 PER CENT, AND M3 AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 28 PER CENT. THIS INDICATES THAT THE MONEY SUPPLY IS NOW GROWING CONSISTENTLY WITH THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. THE REVISED FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN 1979 OF GDP AT CURRENT PRICES IS ABOUT 27 PER CENT.

CREDIT TO THE ECONOMY

LENDING IN HONG KONG BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TOGETHER ROSE BY 2.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER. IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THIS MEASURE, WHICH IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE FIGURE FOR CREDIT MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ECONOMY, HAS RISEN AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 30 PER CENT, A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE COMPARABLE FIGURES FOR THE MONEY SUPPLY.

LENDING IN HONG KONG BY BANKS ALONE ROSE IN SEPTEMBER BY 3.8 PER CENT, AND IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS BY 7.8 PER CENT.

LENDING IN HONG KONG BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE IN SEPTEMBER BY 3.9 PER CENT, AND BY 9.3 PER CENT IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

LOANS ABROAD

THE TOTAL OF LOANS ABROAD BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TOGETHER FELL SLIGHTLY, WITH BANK LENDING UP BY $77 MILLION TO $20 134 MILLION, AND LENDING BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DOWN BY $134 MILLION TO $22 603 MILLION.

BALANCE SHEET RATIOS

THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR BANKS ROSE DURING SEPTEMBER TO 49.2 PER CENT, FROM 48.7 PER CENT IN AUGUST. THEIR LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO ALSO ROSE, FROM 83.8 PER CENT AT THE END OF AUGUST TO 85.0 PER CENT AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THE LOAN/DEPOSIT RATIO FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL SLIGHTLY TO 55.8 PER CENT, FROM 56.4 PER CENT AT THE END CF AUGUST.

ANALYSIS OF LENDING BY SECTORS

THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES SHOWS THAT ADVANCES BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TOGETHER TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ROSE DURING THE QUARTER BY 3.1 PER CENT, WHILE LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR WERE UP BY 10.7 PER CENT.

/LOANS TO ...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ROSE BY 11.9 PER CENT, AND LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES ROSE BY 4.9 PER CENT.

THE DETAILED FIGURES, AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS, ARE AS FOLLOWS «

INCREASE OVER

IN (MILLION EARLIER MONTHSi

SEPT. 1979 AUG. 1979 JUNE 1979 SEPT. 1978

Ml 26 062 + 893 (3.5%) +1 759 (7.2%) ♦ 4 037 (18.3%)

M2 85 904 +1 965 (2.3%) +4 976 (6.1%) +15 035 (21.1%)

M3 90 840 +2 376 (2.7%) +5 484 (6.4%) %

BANKS

DEPOSITS 79 029 +1 794 (2.3%) +4 857 (6.5%) +14 424 (22.3%)

LOANS AND 67 191 +2 472 (3.8%) +4 833 (7.8%) +20 715 (44.6%)

ADVANCES IN HONG KONG

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES

DEPOSITS 21 422 +1 008 (4.9%) +3 567 (20.0%) K

LOANS AND 11 964 ♦ 449 (3.9%) +1 019 (9.3%) *

ADVANCES IN HONG KONG

BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES

LOANS AND 68 526 +1 893 (2.8%) +4 297 (6.7%) *

ADVANCES IN HONG KONG

(THE ASTERISK DENOTES THAT FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 1978).

/DETAILS FROM ...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

DETAILS FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES ARE AS FOLLOWS :

$ MILLION

CATEGORY OF LOANS AND ADVANCES LOANS AND ADVANCES

BORROWER BY BANKS BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES

SEPT. 1979 JUNE 1979 SEPT. 1979 JUNE 1979

MANUFACTURING OF WHICHi TEXTILES 7 1 686 ( + 3.1%) 864 (- 1.2%) 7 453 917 239 (♦ 2.8%) (+ 6.2%) 892 225

1 887

TRANSPORT AND 4 407 (- 1.5%) 4 473 2 585 (+ 3.6%) 2 496

TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT BUILDING AND 6 650 (♦ 6.0%) 6 272 2 136 (+28.5%) 1 662

CONSTRUCTION GENERAL 18 393 (♦ 6.8%) 17 215 2 076 (+ 5.7%) 1 964

COMMERCE FINANCIAL 12 468* (+17.0%) 10 656* 688 (+15.8%) 594

CONCERNS INDIVIDUALS* 6 812 (+12.4%) 6 060 949 (+ 8.7%) 873

TO PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OTHER PURP0SES4 852 (+ 2.6%) 4 729 998 (+17.4%) 850

OTHERS 5 923 (+ 7.7%) 5 500 1 615 (♦ 0.1%) 1 614

TOTAL 67 191 (♦ 7.8%) 62 358 11 964 (+ 9.3%) 10 945

(THE ASTERISK DENOTES THAT THE FIGURE INCLUDES FUNDS ADVANCED BY BANKS TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES).

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS MAKE MAJOR CONTRIBUTION

*****

THE STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS OF HONG KONG SOCIETY DEPEND ON CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND ALL CITIZENS, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, E.P. HO SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, HONG KONG SYNOD FORTNIGHT AND THE DEDICATION OF THE LUI MING CHOI LUTHERAN COLLEGE, MR HO PRAISED THE CHURCH FOR ITS ENTHUSIASM IN ASSISTING THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AND ITS ENDEAVOURS IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES.

HE SAID THAT THE CHURCH WAS NOW OPERATING 21 SCHOOLS FOR BOTH NORMAL AND HANDICAPPED STUDENTS, WITH 580 TEACHERS EDUCATING 16 000 PUPILS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LUI MING CHOI LUTHERAN COLLEGE IS THE NEWEST AMONG THESE SCHOOLS AND IS PARTICIPATING IN THE PHASED CONVERSION SCHEME OF PER CAPUT GRANT SCHOOLS INTO AIDED SCHOOLS, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1982.

♦THESE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVING GOVERNMENT AID IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND THE CHURCH IS APPLYING TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR ONE ADDITIONAL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL, TWO MORE AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR EXPANDING AN EXISTING SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF,+ HE ADDED.

IN THE FIELD OF OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES, HE CONTINUED, THE CHURCH IS OPERATING EIGHT CENTRES, CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE BLIND, THE DEAF, THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY. IT IS EXPECTING TO OPEN THREE MORE CENTRES DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

♦THE CHURCH HAS PIONEERED A SCHOOL HEALTH NURSING PROGRAMME AND HAS RECENTLY BEGUN PROGRAMMES OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, WELFARE RELIEF, UNITED YOUTH FELLOWSHIP AND LUTHERAN BAND. THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THESE MULTI-FACETED SERVICES ARE WELL-RECEIVED BY THE COMMON ITY.+

MR HO SAID THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHURCH WERE WORKING TOGETHER ON THE HO MAN TIN DISTRICT MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT WHICH, UPON COMPLETION, WOULD PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING GROUP AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, FAMILY SERVICES, AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES.

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

SAFETY AT SEA CONVENTION PROVISIONS AVAILABLE * * * * *

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS ATTACHED TO THE 1974 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, WHICH WILL COME INTO FORCE ON MAY 25 NEXT YEAR, MAY BE OBTAINED BY APPLYING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE SHIP SAFETY DIVISION AT 102 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL.

THE PROVISIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ALLOW CONTRACTING GOVERNMENTS TO INSPECT SHIPS OF OTHER CONTRACTING STATES IF THERE ARE REASONS FOR BELIEVING THAT THE SHIP DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAIDi +FLAG STATES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT SHIPS UNDER THEIR FLAG COMPLY WITH ITS REQUIREMENTS AND A NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES ARE PRESCRIBED IN THE CONVENTION AS PROOF THAT THIS HAS BEEN DONE.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE 1974 CONVENTION WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA CONVENTION ADOPTED BY THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MARITIME CONSULTATIVE ORGANISATION IN I960. IT INCLUDES MANY TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS.

♦THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SOLAS CONVENTION IS TO SPECIFY MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF SHIPS COMPATIBLE WITH THEIR SAFETY,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

BETTER FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG STADIUM ******

THE HONG KONG STADIUM WILL HAVE A MORE EFFICIENT AND BETTER FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEM IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GENERATOR HOUSE, AN UNDERGROUND OIL TANK, FLOODLIGHT KIOSKS AND CABLE TRENCHES ARE BEING INVITED BY THE PWD.

WORK ON THIS CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW FLOODLIGHTS WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT.

THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL BE JOINTLY SUPERVISED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PWD. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE START OF THE NEXT FOOTBALL SEASON.

-------0 -

/10......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1979

FLUSHING WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON

M * * *

FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO MOST AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7) TO 10 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE RENEWAL OF A SALT WATER MAIN VALVE

THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE JORDAN VALLEY, SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, NGAU TAU KOK LOWER AND UPPER ESTATES, AND PING SHEK AND CHOI HUNG ESTATES.

-------b --------

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NG.

COMBINED EFFORTS OF PHD AND POLYTECH PAY OFF................ 1

LORD GEORGE-BRO.TN VISITS SHA TIN .......................... 2

LOCAL ROUND FOR COMKGiMEADTH ESSAY COMPETITION ............. 2

TEMPORARY TENANCY iF CRC.fN LAND ........................... 3

JUNK BAY TIP OPENS NEXT 7E.EK............................... 4

FIRE SERVICES ANNUAL CROSS-MOUNTAIN RUN IN NT .............. 4

CANGE RACES TO BE HELD IN TCLO HARBOUR...................... 5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979

COMBINED EFFORTS OF MHD AND POLYTECH PAY OFF

******

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR S.F. LAM TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED GRADUATES OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SCHOOL TO APPLY THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED SKILL IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF A HIGHLY REGARDED PROFESSION.

ADDRESSING 15 GRADUATES WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A THREE-YEAR TRAINING COURSE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, DR LAM SAIDi +GOVERNMENT WILL BE CALLING ON YOUR EXPERTISE AND TIME WHEN LOOKING FOR SUITABLE PEOPLE TO SIT ON THE VARIOUS SUB-COMMITTEES, BOARD AND EVEN THE PARAMEDICAL COUNCIL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH STANDARD OF YOUR PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.+

♦I KNOW THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES WE CAN CALL ON YOU ALL TO PLAY YOUR PART FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR PROFESSION IN GENERAL AND YOUR OWN PERSONAL INTEREST IN PARTICULAR,* HE ADDED.

THE BATCH OF 15- GRADUATES IS THE FIRST CLASS OF A COMBINED EFFORT BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE OF THE POLYTECHNIC STARTED TAKING THEIR FIRST CLASS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS. AT THE SAME TIME THOSE STUDENTS WHO WERE ALREADY UNDERGOING TRAINING IN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUED WITH THEIR TRAINING IN THE INSTITUTE.

THOUGH THE ADMINISTRATION AND ACADEMIC TEACHING HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE POLYTECHNIC, GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, BOTH ITS STAFF AND FACILITIES, ARE STILL VERY CLOSELY LINKED WITH THEIR TRAINING.

IT IS IN THE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS THAT THE STUDENTS WILL GET THE GREATER PART OF THEIR PRACTICAL CLINICAL TRAINING.

DR LAM SAID THAT THE COMBINED EFFORTS BETWEEN THE POLYTECHNIC AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE PAID OFF AND WILL CONTINUE TO PAY DIVIDENDS IN THE FUTURE.

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979 2 -

LORD GEORGE-BROWN VISITS SHA TIN ft ft ft ft ft

LORD GEORGE-BROWN, WHO IS ON A PRIVATE VISIT TO HONG KONG, VISITED SHA TIN NEW TOWN THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE.

DURING THE VISIT LORD GEORGE-BROWN WAS BRIEFED BY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GERRY HIGGINSON, AND THE PROJECT MANAGER, SHA TIN, MR FONG CHUN-NAM. LATER, FROM A VANTAGE POINT, HE SAW THE LARGE NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS NOW GOING ON IN THE MEW TOWN.

EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON LORD GEORGE-BROWN VISITED WANG TAU HOM ESTATE AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, AS WELL AS LEK YUEN ESTATE.

LORD GEORGE-BROWN, TO WHOM THE GOVERNOR WAS PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY FROM 1965-67, AND LADY GEORGE—BROW ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY. THEY ARE DUE TO LEAVE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11)

-----0-----

LOCAL ROUND OF COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION ft ft ft ft ft ft

STUDENTS AGED 19 AND UNDER ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE PRELIMINARY LOCAL ESSAY COMPETITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION 1979/80.

PRIZE WINNING AND OUTSTANDING ESSAYS IN THE LOCAL ROUND WILL BE SENT TO LONDON FOR THE MAIN COMPETITION.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ADMINISTERING THE COMPETITION IN HONG KONG ON BEHALF OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY IN HONG KONG, SIR DOUGLAS CLAQUE.

THE LOCAL ROUND IS SPONSORED BY SIR DOUGLAS AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. BOOK PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS.

♦THE ESSAY COMPETITION IS HELD ANNUALLY BY THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY WITH A VIEW TO ENCOURAGE COMMONWEALTH STUDIES IN SCHOOLS,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE COMPETITION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CLASSES ACCORDING TO AGE GROUPS — CLASS A FOR STUDENTS BETWEEN 16 AND 19- CLASS B FOR STUDENTS AGED 14 AND BELOW 16- AND CLASS C FOR STUDENTS UNDER 14.

♦THE SUCCESS ACHIEVED BY HONG KONG STUDENTS IN THIS ESSAY COMPETITION IN THE PAST YEARS REFLECTS THE HIGH ACADEMIC ABILITY OF LOCAL STUDENTS IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

/+SUCH ACHIEVEMENTS .

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979

♦SUCH ACHIEVEMENTS SHOULD SERVE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAINTAIN THIS EXCELLENT RECORD,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AWARDS TO THE WINNERS OF THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION WILL INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL, CASH AND BOOK PRIZES. CERTIFICATES ARE AWARDED IN ALL CLASSES FOR HIGHLY COMMENDED AND COMMENDED ESSAYS.

THE ESSAYS FOR THE LOCAL ROUND MUST BE SENT THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS TO THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 9, 1980.

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

TEMPORARY TENANCY OF CROWN LAND

*****

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS BY WAY OF ANNUAL RENTAL FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND AT HING CHEUNG ROAD. TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 1 530 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS. VEHICLES, MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, AND CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE TENANCY WAS FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AND, THEREAFTER, QUARTERLY.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD AND IN THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, TENTH FLOOR.

THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE TWO OFFICES.

CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 23.

-----o-----

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979

JUNK BAY TIP OPENS NEXT WEEK *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW CONTROLLED TIP AT JUNK BAY WILL BE OPENED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12).

WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW TIP, THERE WILL BE FIVE CONTROLLED TIPS OPERATING IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT STARTING FROM THAT DAY. THE TIPS AT MA YAU TONG AND SAI TSO WAN IN KOWLOON WOULD ONLY ACCEPT SOLID WASTES COLLECTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE REMAINING TWO TIPS AT SHUEN WAN AND SIU LANG SHU I WILL TAKE SOLID WASTES COLLECTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE DAILY OPENING HOURS OF THE TIPS ARE l

SAI TSO WAN 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M., MA YAU TONG 8 A.M. TO 11 P.M., JUNK BAY 8 A.M. TO 11 P.M., SHUEN WAN 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND SIU LANG SHUI 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES AT THESE CONTROLLED TIPS WAS COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE.

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

FIRE SERVICES ANNUAL CROSS-MOUNTAIN RUN IN NT ******

THE ANNUAL CROS$*«OUNTAIN RUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.

THE 13~KILOMETRE RUN WILL START FROM ROUTE 1 (LAM KAM ROAD) OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE TO THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL FARM, PASS THROUGH TAI TO YAN AND CORPS RIDGE AND FINISH AT FAN LING FIRE STATION.

MORE THAN 300 FIREMEN AND CIVILIAN STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE RACE.

COMPETITORS WILL SET OUT IN FOUR GROUPS. THE WOMAN AND THOSE COMPETITORS OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE WILL START AT 10.30 A.M. WHILE THE REST AT 11 A.M., 11.05 A.M. AND 11.15 A.M.

/THE OVERALL ,

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1979

THE OVERALL WINNER OF THE RACE WILL BE AWARDED THE LANE TROPHY DONATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, Mi MAURICE LANE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CROSS-MOUNTAIN RUN OF THE FIRE SERVICES WHICH WILL START AT ROUTE 1 (LAM KAM ROAD) OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE TO THE KADOORIE EXPERIMENTAL FARM AT 10.30 A.M. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A FIRE SERVICES COACH (F153) WILL LEAVE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION ON CANTON ROAD FOR THE STARTING POINT AT 9 A.M. SHARP AND IS DUE TO RETURN TO THE STATION ABOUT 2 P.M.

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

CANOE RACES TO BE HELD IN TOLO HARBOUR ******

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED MASTERS OF FERRIES AND PERSONS NAVIGATING SMALL CRAFT IN TOLO HARBOUR TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) WHEN CANOE RACES ARE IN PROGRESS IN THAT AREA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT LONG DISTANCE CANOE RACES OVER EXTENSIVE COURSES IN TOLO HARBOUR WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M.

♦DURING THIS PERIOD, CANOES ENGAGED IN VARIOUS RACES MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED IN THE AREA BETWEEN TAI PO AND TAP MUN CHAU.+

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

DPW PRAISES HK’S BUSTLING INDUSTRIOUS COMMUNITY ............ 1

GOVERNMENT HOLDS FRIENDLY TALKS WITH HKCCSA NURSES UNITS ...................................................... 2

NEW NORTH POINT FERRY PIER NEARING COMPLETION............... 2

TWO PRISONS AND CAS OFFICERS COMr ENDED..................... 3

APPLICATIONS INVITED FCR EVENING COMMERCIAL COURSES.........3

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES ON SALE NEXT MONDAY ..................

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGES COLLECTION C TITRES IN FAN LING AND SHEUNG SHUI ...................................... **

WATER CUT IN WESTERN ....................................... 5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1979

DPW PRAISES NX'S BUSTLING INDUSTRIOUS COMMUNITY * * * M * *

HONG KONG'S +BUSTLING INDUSTRIOUS COMMUNITY* CAME IN FOR PRAISE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

NOT ONLY WAS THE POPULATION INCREASING RAPIDLY ANNUALLY, BUT THE COMMUNITY +STRIVES FOR THE URGENT ATTAINMENT OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT,* MR MCDONALD SAID.

THE DIRECTOR MADE THE REMARKS DURING HIS ADDRESS AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH ENGINEERS* COUNCIL.

DELEGATES FROM 13 COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES WERE REPRESENTED AT THE GATHERING. THESE COUNTRIES ARE AUSTRALIA, BANGLEDESH, CANADA, THE CARR I BEAN. GHANA, HONG KONG, INDIA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND. SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SRI LANKA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

MR MCDONALD SAIDl +HONG KONG IS QUITE UNLIKE OTHER PARTS CF THE COMMONWEALTH IN MANY RESPECTS I IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 1 050 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF TERRITORY CONSISTING OF 236 ISLANDS AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF ITS POPULATION, NUMBERING ABOUT FIVE MILLION, LIVE IN LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF THE TOTAL AREA.

♦NOT ONLY IS OUR POPULATION INCREASING RAPIDLY YEAR BY YEAR, AT THE SAME TIME OUR BUSTLING INDUSTRIOUS COMMUNITY STRIVES FOR THE URGENT ATTAINMENT OF FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT.*

HE SAID THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS LED TO SOME CHALLENGING ENGINEERING PROBLEMS.

♦I HOPE THAT, DURING YOUR SHORT STAY^ YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE ARE CONSTRUCTING TO OVERCOME THEM,* HE SAID.

MR MCDONALD ALSO SAID THAT THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS — PERHAPS THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL — WAS GROWING RAPIDLY AND THAT THE DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE TO ITS MEMBERS.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1979

GOVT HOUSES FRIENDLY TALKS WITH HKCCSA NURSES UNITS U X * X

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS ASSOCIATION NURSES UNITS AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OFFICIALS MET FOR OVER FOUR HOURS THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE FIRST REPORT ON PAY ISSUED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.

MR ROWLANDS SAID THE TALKS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN A FRANK AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

HE SAID THERE WILL BE A FURTHER MEETING ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 13).

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

NEW NORTH POINT FERRY PIER NEARING COMPLETION * * * *

THE $10.5 MILLION NEW NORTH POINT PASSENGER FERRY PIER, BEING BUILT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, IS NEARING COMPLETION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CONTRACTOR IS PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THE TWIN-DECK PIER.

♦IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE FERRY COMPANY NEXT WEEK,+ HE SAID.

THE NEW PIER HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ALLOW FOR AN EXTRA DECK TO CATER FOR FUTURE USES.

WHEN IT COMES INTO USE, ALL FERRY SERVICES OPERATING FROM THE EXISTING NORTH POINT FERRY PIER WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW ONE. THE EXISTING PIER WILL BE REBUILT.

0 -------

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1979

- 3 -

TWO PRISONS AND CAS OFFICERS COMMENDED

*****

THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T.G. GARNER, WILL PRESENT HIS COMMENDATION TO TWO OFFICERS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICES ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9) FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN HANDLING A DISTURBANCE IN THE KAI TAK DETENTION CAMP ON JUNE 27 THIS YEAR.

THE TWO OFFICERS ARE PRINCIPAL PRISONS OFFICER LUK YUNG-SUM AND CAS OFFICER AU PO-NAM.

THE PRESENTATION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AT 2 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESENTATION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS’ COMMENDATION TO TWO OFFICERS OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL AID SERVICES AT 2 P.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9), AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENTHEADQUARTER5, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 10TH FLOOR, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.

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

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR EVENING COMMERCIAL COURSES *****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR THREE PART-TIME EVENING COMMERCIAL COURSES TO BE HELD FROM MID-JANUARY TO MAY NEXT YEAR IN THREE GOVERNMENT-RUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

THE COURSES ARE AUDIO-TYPING, PITMAN’S SHORTHAND AND TYPEWRITING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

THEY WILL BE HELD AT THE MORRISON HILL, KWAI CHUNG AND LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

THE TUITION FEES RANGE FROM $150 TO $175.

APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE THREE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12), AND COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE INSTITUTE APPLIED FOR ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 23.

THE ADDRESS OF THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS 6 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI. THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS LOCATED AT HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG- AND THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT RENFREW ROAD, KOWLOON TONG.

OFFICE HOURS OF THE INSTITUTES ARE FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS- AND FROM 9 A.M. TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.

/THERE are .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1979

4 -

THERE ARE AT PRESENT FIVE GOVERNMENT-RUN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN HONG KONG WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF OVER 16 000 STUDENTS IN VARIOUS FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COURSES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE OTHER TWO INSTITUTES ARE THE KWUN TONG AND HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, HE ADDED.

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

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES ON SALE NEXT MONDAY

******

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT CHRISTMAS PICTORIAL AEROGRAMMES WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12).

THE DESIGN OF THE AEROGRAMME, WHICH DEPICTS ONE OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, WAS PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAIDi +THE CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES. TO BE SOLD AT 20 CENTS EACH, ARE A CONVENIENT WAY OF SENDING CHRISTMAS GREETINGS ABROAD.*

♦THEY COMBINE BOTH A PERSONAL LETTER AND A GREETING, AND CAN BE POSTED TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD AS FIRST CLASS AIRMAIL FOR ONLY 60 CENTS,♦ HE ADDED.

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

TEMPORARY WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES IN FAN UNG AND SHEUNG SHU I

* * * *

THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE IS TO OPEN TWO TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRES IN FAN LING AND SHEUNG SHU I FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS IN PAYING WATER CHARGES FOR THE JULY TO OCTOBER PERIOD.

THE TWO CENTRES WILL BE AT THE FAN LING RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE IN LUEN WO HUI AND THE SHEUNG SHU I PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE IN SHEK WU HUI.

THE FAN LING COLLECTION CENTRE WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 12 AND 13, WHILE THE SHEUNG SHU I CENTRE WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 14, 15 AND 16. COLLECTION HOURS IN BOTH CENTRES WILL BE FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

PAYMENTS CAN ALSO BE MADE IN THE NORMAL WAY TO THE DISTRICT’S ACCOUNTING OFFICE.

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

/5.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1979

- 5 -WATER CUT IN WESTERN

* M M *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY 17-106 HILL ROAD, 71A, B AND C POK FU LAM ROAD, PO TUCK STREET, CLARENCE TERRACE, CHUN SING STREET AND 450-496 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FOURTH ROUND US/HK TEXTILE TALKS IN WASHINGTON .................. 1

FOREST RANGERS MAKE FIRST ARREST ................................ 1

QE STADIUM READY FOR USE IN MID-1980 ............................ 2

SIR MURRAY TO LEAVE HK ON SATURDAY............................... 4

GOVERNOR'S SENIOR COXSWAIN RETIRES .............................. 4

PRISONS DEPARTMENT GETS PAT ON THE BACK ......................... 5

LORD GEORGE-BROWN VISITS FACTORIES .............................. 6

SPEECH DAY OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL ............. 7

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR SHA TIN RACE ON SATURDAY ..................... 7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 197?

4TH ROUND US/HK TEXTILE TALKS IN WASHINGTON

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR WILLIAM DORWARD, WILL MEET THE UNITED STATES SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRADE, MR REUBEN ASKEW, IN WASHINGTON NEXT THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 15).

THIS MOVE FOLLOWS A FURTHER INCONCLUSIVE ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND U S DELEGATIONS IN GENEVA LAST WEEK ON THE CURRENT H K /U S TEXTILE AGREEMENT.

♦BOTH MR ASKEW AND I CAME INDEPENDENTLY TO THE VIEW THAT THE MEETING WOULD BE USEFUL TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND A FRAMEWORK IN WHICH THE CONSULTATIONS COULD BE RESUMED,+ SAID MR DORWARD.

AT A MEETING OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO REPORTED THAT DESPITE THE INCONCLUSIVE OUTCOME OF THE GENEVA TALKS, BOTH SIDES HAD INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO MEET AT A FUTURE DATE.

THE FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT TOOK EFFECT FROM THE BEGINNING OF 1978, BUT LATER THAT YEAR THE UNITED STATES ASKED FOR, AND HONG KONG AGREED TOtCERTAIN SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1979.

THIS YEAR THE UNITED STATES SOUGHT FURTHER UNDERSTANDINGS RELATING TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1980. SO FAR, THREE ROUNDS OF CONSULTATIONS HAD BEEN HELD IN MANILA, HONG KONG AND GENEVA.

- - 0 - -

FOREST RANGERS MAKE FIRST ARREST. ******

THE NEWLY-FORMED FOREST RANGER TEAMS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAVE ARRESTED A TOTAL OF 15 YOUTHS FOR ILLEGALLY STARTING FIRES AND CARRYING FIRE ARMS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.

THE ARRESTS, THE FIRST BY THE FOREST RANGERS, WERE MADE DURING THE WEEKEND IN THE TAI LAM CHUNG COUNTRY PARK.

A GROUP OF 13 YOUTHS WERE ARRESTED BY THE RANGERS AT YUEN TUN, NEAR TSING LUNG TAU, FOR LIGHTING A BARBECUE FIRE OUTSIDE A DESIGNATED SITE.

AND ANOTHER TWO YOUTHS WERE ARRESTED FOR CARRYING AIR GUNS ALONG THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER.

ALL WERE SUMMONED TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR CONTRAVENING THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE.

/ CHIEF FOREST

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

CHIEF FOREST RANGER, MR C.C. LEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEW SQUAD OF RANGERS WAS ESTABLISHED RECENTLY TO CLAMP DOWN ON OFFENDERS OF THE COUNTRY CODE.

HE SAID THAT WITH THE RECENT SPATE OF HILL FIRES IT WAS NECESSARY TO BRING A PLANNED PROGRAMME FORWARD TO CURB ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.

THE INITIAL 16 RANGERS WERE DIVIDED IN TWO GROUPS TO PATROL THE PAT HEUNG AND TAI LAM CHUNG PLANTATIONS WHERE THE RISK OF FIRE IS GREAT.

HOWEVER, THE PATROLS WILL NOT BE CONFINED ONLY IN THE TAI LAM CHUNG COUNTRY PARK. OTHER COUNTRY PARKS IN SAI KUNG, PLOVER COVE, LION ROCK, HONG KONG ISLAND AND LANTAU WILL ALSO BE COVERED BY THE RANGERS.

PREVIOUSLY COUNTRY PARK OFFENDERS COULD ONLY BE CHARGED BY POLICE WITH FOREST GUARDS GIVING EVIDENCE. UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, SUMMONSES ARE ISSUED BY THE RANGERS AND PROSECUTION IS HANDLED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’8 PROSECUTION UNIT.

_ o _ _

QE STADIUM READY FOR USE MID-1980 ft ft ft ft

THE 143.5 MILLION QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT MORRISON HILL, WILL BE READY FOR USE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.

THE STADIUM, BEING BUILT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, IS THE FINEST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE STADIUM WOULD BE A MAJOR SPORTING CENTRE FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN.

THE COMPLEX WILL HAVE FACILITIES FOR ALMOST EVERY INDOOR SPORT, FROM TABLE TENNIS AND BADMINTON TO ATHLETICS AND GYMNASTICS.

THE NEW STADIUM WAS ONE OF THE MANY MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS VISITED TODAY BY MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S PUBLIC WORK SUB-COMMITTEE.

ALSO ON THE VISIT WERE A NUMBER OF UMELCO MEMBERS.

THE VISIT, LED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WAS ARRANGED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

IT BEGAN WITH A VISIT TO THE DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL AT THE CORNER OF EASTERN STREET AND HOSPITAL ROAD IN SAI YING PUN.

THE $140 MILLION HOSPITAL IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

/THE PARTY

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

THE PARTY ALSO SAW SOME OF THE PWD’S HIGHWAYS PROJECTS, SUCH AS AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EXTENSION AND THE HILL ROAD FLYOVER.

WORK ON THE $60 MILLION AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, WHICH LINKS THE SMALL ISLAND WITH ABERDEEN, IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT THE END OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

AT THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE PARTY DROVE ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES INTO THE TUNNEL FROM THE NORTH PORTAL AT HAPPY VALLEY.

THE VISITORS SHOWED KEEN INTEREST IN THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1981.

TODAY’S VISIT IS AIMED TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AT FIRST HAND PROGRESS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

♦EACH YEAR THE SUB-COMMITTEE HOLDS TWO MEETINGS TO REVIEW PROGRESS ON PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, AND TO CONSIDER NEW ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PROGRAMME,+ HE ADDED.

THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE COMPRISES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE (CHAIRMAN), MR ROGER LOBO, MR LI FOOK-WO, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, MR FRANCIS TIEN, MR CHEN SHOU-LUM, MISS LYDIA DUNN, DR HENRY HU, MR LEUNG TAT-SHING, THE REV. PATRICK MCGOVERN, MR PETER C. WONG, MR HU FA-KUANG, MR WONG PO-YAN AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD. THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMITTEE IS MR C.K. TAYLOR OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.

THE UMELCO MEMBERS TAKING PART IN THE TOUR TODAY WERE W ALEX WU, MR WONG LAM AND DR HO KAM-FAI.

ACCOMPANYING MEMBERS OF THE PWSC AND UMELCO ON THE VISIT WERE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR WILLIAM BELL- THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT, MR DAVID STEAD- THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT, MR JOHN AITKEN, AND THE PWD’S TECHNICAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN MARSHALL.

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

SIR MURRAY TO LEAVE HK ON SATURDAY *****

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10) TO OPEN THE NEW OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN PANAMA CITY ON NOVEMBER 13.

SIR MURRAY, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY MACLEHOSE, WILL THEN FLY ON TO LONDON ON NOVEMBER 15 FOR ANNUAL LEAVE. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ABOUT THE END OF JANUARY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA. PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WISHING TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF SIR MURRAY AND LADY MACLEHOSE ON FLIGHT PA 6, ETD 1215 HOURS, ARE ADVISED TO ASSEMBLE IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT LEAST 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE. 6 IS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO ADVISED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT’S RESTRICTED AREA. '

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

GOVERNOR’S SENIOR COXSWAIN RETIRES

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID FAREWELL TO MR LAM KAU, THE SENIOR COXSWAIN ON BOARD THE LADY MAUR I NE AND PRESENTED HIM WITH A SILVER PLATE TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT.

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

AS A TEENAGER IN THE EARLY AO’S COXSWAIN LAM HAS WORKED ON BOARD +COAL-BURNERS+ TOWING CARGO SHIPS UP THE RIVERS IN CHINA.

HE ENTERED GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1945 AND +GRADUATED+ INTO WORKING ON BOARD MORE MODERN HARBOUR LAUNCHES.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER MR LAM TOOK OVER THE HELM OF THE GOVERNOR’S LAUNCH, THE LADY MAUR INE.

AS COXSWAIN OF THE LADY MAUR I NE HE HAS HAD, AS HIS PASSENGERS HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, PRINCESS ANNE, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, FORMER U S SECRETARY OF STATE, MR HENRY KISSINGER AND MANY OTHER ROYAL VISITORS AND DIGNITARIES.

AND NOW AT 56, MR LAM IS RETIRING FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

/Mb lam ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8. 1979

MR LAM HAS SERVED IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 33 YEARS, ENTERING FIRST AS A SEAMAN IN 1945. HE WAS PROMOTED TO COXSWAIN CLASS II TWO YEARS LATER AND IN 1974 BECAME SENIOR COXSWAIN.

HE HAD TAKEN COMMAND OF VARIOUS LAUNCHES AND HAS BEEN COMPLIMENTED ON MANY OCCASIONS REGARDING HIS EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AND HIS EFFICIENT HANDLING OF BOTH VESSELS AND CREWS UNDER HIM.

IN 1975 HE WAS AWARDED THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL FOR LOYAL AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT.

HIS FAMILY HAS NEVER BEEN LINKED WITH THE SEA. +1 BECAME A SEAMAN SIMPLY BECAUSE THE JOB WAS THERE... YOU KNOW IT WAS HARD TO FIND A JOB IN THE EARLY 1940’S,+ HE SAID. BUT HE SOON FOUND IT WAS A LABOUR OF LOVE, RATHER THAN JUST A JOB.

WHEN HE JOINED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN 1945 HE SAID HIS SALARY WAS $60 A MONTH. HIS SALARY, AS SENIOR COXSWAIN, IS MORE THAN $2 400.

MR LAM IS MARRIED AND HAS SIX CHILDREN - FIVE BOYS AND A GIRL.

♦TWO OF MY SONS ARE WITH GOVERNMENT. ONE OF THEM HAS FOLLOWED MY FOOTSTEPS AND HAS JOINED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND THE OTHER IS WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION,+ MR LAM SAID.

AS MR LAM LEFT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MANY FRIENDS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR JACK CATER, WISHED HIM GOOD LUCK.

- - 0 - -

PRISONS DEPARTMENT GETS PAT ON THE BACK * * * *

REPRESENTATIVES OF TWO VILLAGES IN SAI KUNG THANKED THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR HELPING THEM TO CONSTRUCT A FOOTBRIDGE AND CONVERT A FOOTBALL PITCH INTO A SPORTS FIELD.

TO MARK THEIR APPRECIATION THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TUM WAT VILLAGE, MR WONG YUEN-LEUNG, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE, MR WON SHU-PUI, PRESENTED BANNERS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT CF PIK UK PRISON, MR CHUN CHAK-LAM.

A SOPKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SAID THE NINE-METRE-LONG CONCRETE FOOTBRIDGE WAS BUILT BY PRISONERS FROM PIK UK PRISON FOR VILLAGERS IN TUM WAT TO FACILITATE THEIR CROSSING A MOUNTAIN TORRENT. +BEFORE, THE VILLAGERS HAD TO RISK THEIR LIVES BY CROSSING THE TORRENT ON STEPPING STONES.+

♦THE CONVERSION OF A FOOTBALL PITCH INTO A SPORTS FIELD IN TAI PO TSAI PROVIDES THE VILLAGERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS FIELD IN THE AREA. IT WAS ALSO DONE BY PRISONERS FROM PIK UK PR ISON,+ HE SAID.

/THE spokesman

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT BOTH PROJECTS ARE REGARDED AS PART OF THE PRISON INDUSTRIES’ CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY. OTHER COMMUNITY PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS, BEACH CLEANING, BUILDING WORK, GRASS CUTTING AND AFFORESTATION.

SINCE 1976, PRISONERS FROM PIK UK PRISON HAD COMPLETED 72 LOCAL WORKS PROJECTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. THESE PROJECTS, WHICH COVERED 50 VILLAGES, RANGED FROM GRASS CUTTING TO BUILDING OF RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE.

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

LORD GEORGE-BROWN VISITS FACTORIES

******

LORD GEORGE-BROWN, WHO IS CURRENTLY ON A PRIVATE VISIT TO HONG KONG, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TWO FACTORIES IN KWUN TONG.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISITS BY HIS HOST, CHAIRMAN OF G.T. MANAGEMENT (ASIA) LTD, MR J. THORNTON- AND THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, MR LAURENCE MILLS.

LORD GEORGE-BROWN SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR AT CROCODILE GARMENTS LTD IN HOI YUEN ROAD.

HE LATER VISITED A MOULD AND DIE-MAKING FACTORY - KRAS ASIA LTD - AT HUTCHISON-BOAG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING.

THE FACTORY, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF KRAS CORP AND KRAS/WEST CORP OF USA, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1973 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AS PART OF ITS EFFORT TO PROMOTE OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THE GARMENT INDUSTRY EMPLOYED 256 154 PEOPLE IN 8 684 FACTORIES, OR 31 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF GARMENTS WAS ABOUT HKI15 700 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR, REPRESENTING A 13 PER CENT INCREASE AS COMPARED WITH 1977, HE SAID.

♦IN PARALLEL WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE PLASTICS AND LIGHT METAL INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, THE MOULD AND DIE-MAKING INDUSTRY PLAYS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE BY PROVIDING AN ESSENTIAL SUPPORT SERVICE TO THESE TWO INDUSTRIES,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

/7.....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORSi

SPEECH DAY OF TSUEN WAN GOVT SECONDARY SCHOOL ft * * *

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING OFFICIATE AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.

MRS CHAN WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO THE GRADUATES.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7 P.M. AT THE SCHOOL AT 70 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN.

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

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR SHA TIN RACE ON SATURDAY ft ft ft ft

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACECOURSE STATION ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF THE RACE MEETING.

PASSENGER 10)

JH^Eo«N0S“r0P.IRA‘NS W,LL LEAVE ™E KOWLOON STATION AT HUNG HOM AT 12.32 P.M., 12.53 P.M. AND 1.14 P.M.

ON THE RETURN JOURNEY THERE WILL BE FIVE TRAINS, THREE OF THEM SPECIAL, LEAVING SHA TIN RACECOURSE FOR KOWLOON AT 4 40 P.M., 5.38 P.M., 5.56 P.M., 6.11 P.M. AND 6.37 P.M.

A *CR JP°KESMAN T0DAY (THURSDAY) URGED RACEGOERS TO MAKE USE

convenience^ *L trains» WH,CH HAVE BEEN LAID 0N F0R THE,R

---0-______

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979. /

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

R31EMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES................................ 1

PUBLIC SUPPORT IiJCRTANT FOR COiC :Ul!ITY BUILDING ........ 2

SNT OPENS NEW SCHOOL IM SHA TIN............................ 3

NEW BOOK EXPLORES HONG KOIJG'S HISTORICAL RURAL ARCHITECTURE...............................................

SIR JACK TO PRESENT PRIZES AT CANGE RACE................... 5

RTHK GOES OFF THE AIR ON MONDAY ........................... 5

COLOURFUL PROCESSION TO' HIGHLIGHT TSU EM 'JAN ANTIDRUG CAMPAIGN ............................................. 6

AIR SERVICES INQUIRY TO START ON MONDAY ................... 6

NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROBINSON ROAD AND GLENEALY ............... 7

ROAD RE-ALIGNrUIT IN KO'TLOCN TONG ........................ 7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES M * * *

SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

THE WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH WILL BE SIMPLIFIED WITH NO RELIGIOUS SERVICE, BAND, OR GUARD OF HONOUR DUE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

IT IS INTENDED TO RESUME THE TRADITIONAL SERVICE AT THE CENOTAPH IN FUTURE YEARS AS SOON AS CONDITIONS PERMIT.

AMONG THOSE LAYING WREATHS AT THE CENOTAPH WILL BE SIR

JACK CATER- THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS- THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL SIR ROY REDGRAVE- THE DEPUTY COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, THE CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE HONG KONG, THE COMMANDER RAF, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMANDING OFFICERS’ COMMITTEE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MERCHANT NAVY, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, SERVICE UNITS AND EX-SERVICMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS.

SIR JACK WILL LAY HIS WREATH AT 10.20 A.M. THE CEREMONY IS EXPECTED TO END BY 10.35 A.M. BY WHICH TIME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND SERVICE OFFICERS WHO WISH TO LAY WREATHS AT THE CENOTAPH MAY DO SO.

AT 10.58 A.M. SIR JACK WILL ATTEND A REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL IN THE COURSE OF WHICH THE TRADITIONAL TWO-MINUTE SILENCE WILL BE OBSERVED.

EARLIER ON THE SAME DAY, A BRIEF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 A.M. AT THE CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS.

SIR JACK, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES AND THE SERVICE COMMANDERS WILL LAY WREATHS THERE. THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, CHINESE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES WILL ALSO BE HELD AT ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH, SEK KONG, NEW TERRITORIES AND AT ST. BARBARA’S GARRISON CHURCH, STANLEY, AT 10.50 A.M. AND 11 A.M. RESPECTIVELY.

THERE WILL BE A REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE ON THE BULL’S NOSE AT HMS TAMAR AT 10.45 A.M. THE SERVICE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

AT THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL IN KING’S PARK, AN ECUMENICAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE WILL BE HELD ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AT 6 P.M. MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT AT THE SERVICE WILL BE BY THE BAND OF THE FIRST BATTALION ROYAL GREEN JACKETS.

/NOTE TO ..

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORS!

CENOTAPH CEREMONY

THERE WILL BE A PRESS POSITION AT THE SOUTH-EASTERN CORNER OF THE CENOTAPH IN FRONT OF THE COVERED WALKWAY ON CHATER ROAD. FEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO HAVE WITH THEM IDENTIFICATION CARDS OR VISITING CARDS. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TV CAMERAMEN ARE ALSO ADVISED TO USE TELE-LENSES. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.

ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL SERVICE

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE CATHEDRAL BEFORE THE CHURCH SERVICE BEGINS. NO PHOTOGRAPHING WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL.

CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL CEREMONY

EDITORS ARE ADVISED THAT REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE A CORDON AROUND THE CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS. THEY CAN STAND ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE CORDON, BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF THE MEMORIAL ARCH.

GIS OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT SEK KONG, STANLEY, HMS TAMAR AND BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL

THE PRESS ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SERVICES.

-----0-----

PUBLIC SUPPORT IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING ******

THE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE GOVERNMENT PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON COMMUNITY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT BUT COULD ONLY SUCCEED WITH THE ACTIVE

SUPPORT OF EVERY CITIZEN.

MRS CHAN WAS SPEAKING ON ONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY, THE FAMILY AND ONESELF AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL THIS EVENING.

SHE SAID THERE WERE INCREASING SIGNS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, SHOWING GREATER SOCIAL AWARENESS AND APPRECIATING THE NEED TO HELP OTHERS WHO WERE LESS FORTUNATE.

/SHE DESCRIBED ...

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

SHE DESCRIBED VOLUNTARY WORK AS AN ADMIRABLE WAY OF PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY LIFE AND URGED THE GRADUATES TO GIVE GENEROUSLY OF THEIR TIME AND EFFORT IN THIS WORTHWHILE DIRECTION.

WITH REGARD TO THE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS PARENTS AND FAMILY. MRS CHAN SAID FAMILY TIES STILL REMAINED RELATIVELY STRONG IN HONG KONG DESPITE INCREASING URBANISATION, OUTSIDE INFLUENCES AND LIMITED SPACE.

MOST FAMILIES. SHE SAID, RETAIN THE ADMIRABLE CHINESE VIRTUES OF FILIAL PIETY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO LOOK AFTER ONE’S FAMILY MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE SICK OR GROWING OLD.

♦THESE VIRTUES ARE WELL WORTH PRESERVING, FOR STRONG FAMILY TIES AND COHESION PROVIDE THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR A CARING AND PROSPERING COMMUNITY,+ SHE SAID.

THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTS ITS SOCIAL SERVICES TOWARDS PRESERVING THE FAMILY AS A UNIT AND PROVIDES HELP TO THOSE FAMILIES UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN, SHE ADDED.

AS REGARDS ONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ONESELF, MRS CHAN SAID IT MEANT NOT ONLY THE DUTY TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE EDUCATION RECEIVED BUT ALSO A RESPONSIBILITY TO REALISE AND ACCEPT ONE’S LIMITATIONS.

SHE POINTED OUT IT WAS JUST AS BAD TO PERFROM BENEATH ONE’S ABILITY AS IT WAS TO EXCEED ONE’S POTENTIALS.

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SNT OPENS NEW SCHOOL IN SHA TIN *****

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES. TODAY (FRIDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED A NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN WHICH +HAS ALREADY MADE A MAJOR IMPACT BY INVOLVEMENT IN CHRISTIAN AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW TOWN.*

THE SCHOOL, THE BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, IS IN LEK YUEN ESTATE AND HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR 14 MONTHS. MR AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED IT AS +THE LATEST ADDITION TO A VERY IMPRESSIVE LIST OF SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS RUN BY THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF HONG KONG.*

HE STRESSED THE ROLE THE SCHOOL CAN PLAY IN DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY LIFE IN SHA TIN.

♦IT IS INEVITABLE FOR A FEW YEARS THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN WILL NOT HAVE ALL THE FACILITIES WHICH WILL BE HERE WHEN THE POPULATION REACHES HALF A MILLION,♦ HE SAID.

THERE WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, AT PRESENT NO THEATRE, NO CINEMA, AND NO CONCERT HALL.

THESE WOULD BE BUILT IN DUE COURSE BUT, UNTIL THEY BECAME A REALITY, OTHER ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE.

/THE INSTITUTIONAL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED, MR AKERS-JONES SAID, WERE FIRSTLY FOR THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD GENERALLY TO OVERSEE AND PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SECONDLY TO FORM A PUBLIC ARTS ASSOCIATION ACTUALLY TO PLAN AND ORGANISE ACTIVITIES.

♦I AM SURE YOU WILL JOIN IN THIS EFFORT AND THAT THIS MAGNIFICIENT HALL WILL BE SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND WILL HELP TO BREATHE LIFE INTO THE NEW COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

THE SIX-STOREY SCHOOL WAS BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A COST OF ABOUT $4.4 MILLION.

IT STARTED OPERATING IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR WITH 20 CLASSES FOR 850 STUDENTS. THERE ARE PLANS TO OPEN CLASSES FOR A FURTHER 450 STUDENTS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

SHA TIN NOW HAS 16 KINDERGARTENS.

SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS, 20 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND

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NEW BOOK EXPLORES HONG KONG’S HISTORICAL RURAL ARCHITECTURE * * X * *

HONG KONG’S RICH HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE RURAL ARCHITECTURE IS CAPTURED IN FASCINATING DETAIL IN AN EXTENSIVELY-ILLUSTRATED NEW BOOK NOW ON SALE.

ENTITLED ’RURAL ARCHITECTURE IN HONG KONG,’ THE BOOK HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.

♦THIS WILL BE A VALUABLE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR THE MANY PEOPLE, BOTH LIVING IN AND VISITING HONG KONG, WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE FINE EXAMPLES OF VILLAGE ARCHITECTURE WHICH PROVIDE A LINK WITH THE TERRITORY’S PAST,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

♦WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT ON SALE THIS LATEST ADDITION TO OUR GROWING RANGE OF NEW PUBLICATIONS IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS BOOK HUNTERS.♦

COSTING $38 A COPY, IT IS BEING SOLD AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION OFFICES AND LEADING BOOKSTORES. IT WILL ALSO BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREAS AND AT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG AND SHEUN6 SHU I.

BASED ON A SURVEY CONDUCTED FOR THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION BY A GROUP OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS, THE BOOK EXPLORES MANY FINE EXAMPLES OF HISTORICAL RURAL ARCHITECTURE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, RECORDS THEIR HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. AND EXPLAINS INTERESTING FEATURES. IT INCLUDES MAPS SHOWING HOW TO FIND WALLED VILLAGES, ANCESTRAL HALLS, PAGODAS, TEMPLES, STUDY HALLS, AND VENERABLE HOUSES.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

SIR JACK TO PRESENT PRIZES AT CANOE RACE

M * * *

SIR JACK CATER AND LADY CATER WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A CANOE RACE TO BE HELD IN TOLO HARBOUR, TAI PO, THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11).

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES WILL ALSO ATTEND THE RACE WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5 P.M.

THE RACE, NOW IN ITS SIXTH YEAR, IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE OUTWARD BOUND (ALUMNI) ASSOCIATION WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.

OVER 300 PARTICIPANTS HAVE ENTERED IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS. J.

THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4 P.M. AT THE ISLAND HOUSE COMPOUND IN TAI PO KAU.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CANOE RACE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN TOLO HARBOUR, TAI PO, ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) STARTING AT 9 A.M. AND THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY AT THE ISLAND HOUSE COMPOUND IN TAI PO KAU AT 4 P.M.

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RTHK GOES OFF THE AIR ON MONDAY M M M M

RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG'S MAIN ENGLISH AND CHINESE SERVICES WILL BE OFF THE AIR FOR A BRIEF PERIOD ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12) MORNING.

A SPOKESMAN FOR RTHK SAID TODAY ^FRIDAY) THE CLOSEDOWN. WAS TO ENABLE ENGINEERS TO CARRY OUT A REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK ON THE TRANSMITTER MAST AT GOLDEN HILL.

TRANSMISSION ON RADIO 1 AND RADIO 3. THE TWO AM CHANNELS, WILL CEASE AT 11.30 A.M. ON MONDAY. BROADCASTING WILL BE RESUMED WITH THE MAIN MIDDAY NEWS AT 1 P.M.

♦AS IT IS NECESSARY TO TURN OFF THE POWER AT THE MAST SITE IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RELAY OTHER CHANNELS ON THE AM WAVEBAND DURING THE PERIOD OF INSPECT ION,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

COLOURFUL PROCESSION TO HIGHLIGHT TSUEN WAN ANT I-DRUG CAMPAIGN *****

SIR JACK CATER WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN ON NOVEMBER

SIR JACK WILL INSPECT A COLOURFUL PROCESSION OOO PEOPLE, STARTING AT YEUNG UK ROAD STADIUM,

OF THE MONTH-LONG 18.

OF MORE THAN

TSUEN WAN.

THE PROCESSION WILL INCLUDE MORE THAN 20 SPECTACULAR FLOATS AND +CHIU CHOW GONG AND DRUM* * PERFORMANCES.

A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE OPENING AND THE PROGRAMMES OF THE TSUEN WAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT THE SHERATON HOTEL, KOWLOON ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12) AT 3 P.M.

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR PETER LEE- THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR JAMES HAYES- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR KARL STUMPF AND THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANtl-DRUG CAMPAIGN, MR HO CHI-PING, WILL ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD AT THE MING ROOM, SHERATON HOTEL ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12) AT 3 P.M.

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AIR SERVICES INQUIRY TO START ON MONDAY

* * * *

THE PUBLIC INQUIRY TO HEAR OBJECTIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS ARISING FROM BIDS BY THREE AIRLINES TO OPERATE SCHEDULED AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE INQUIRY WILL BE HELD AT THE WING ON CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, ROOM 13-14, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG. IT WILL START AT 9.30 A.M. EACH DAY AND CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 16.

REPRESENTATIVES OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS, LAKER AIRWAYS, BRITISH AIRWAYS AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO MAKE SUBMISSIONS WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICAT IONS.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE INQUIRY.

SINCE ACCOMMODATION ARE LIMITED, SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

- 0 - -

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1979

NIGHT CLOSURE OF ROBINSON ROAD AND GLENEALY *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT SECTIONS CF ROBINSON ROAD AND GLENEALY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL NIGHTS NEXT WEEK TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF GLENEALY AND ALBANY FLYOVERS.

A SECTION OF ROBINSON ROAD BETWEEN OLD PEAK ROAD AND GLENEALY WILL BE CLOSED FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 10 P.M. TO 6 A.M. ON THREE NIGHTS STARTING FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) UNTIL WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 14) MORNING.

MOTORISTS TRAVELLING WESTWARDS ALONG ROBINSON ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA OLD PEAK ROAD AND HORNSEY ROAD.

HOWEVER FOR THE THREE NIGHTS BETWEEN 10 P.M. AND 6 A.M. FROM NOVEMBER 14 UNTIL NOVEMBER 17. GLENEALY BETWEEN ROBINSON ROAD AND CONDUIT ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.

TRAFFIC TRAVELLING WESTWARDS ALONG ROBINSON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO OLD PEAK ROAD AND HORNSEY ROAD BEFORE REJOINING CONDUIT ROAD. WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON CONDUIT ROAD CAN ALSO TURN INTO ROBINSON ROAD VIA CASTLE ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

_ _ 0 - -

ROAD RE-ALIGNMENT IN KOWLOON TONG * * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RE-ALIGN THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF TRUE LIGHT LANE IN KOWLOON TONG AS PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK ON A NEW STATION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

AS A RESULT OF THE RE-ALIGNMENT, THE ROAD WILL FORM A JUNCTION WITH KENT ROAD, ABOUT 40 METRES NORTH OF THE EXISTING JUNCTION.

DURING CONSTRUCTION, TRAFFIC WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE EXISTING ROAD, AND EXISTING ACCESSES TO ANY OF THE ADJACENT PROPERTIES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKING WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS IN WRITING BEFORE DECEMBER 9 THIS YEAR AND CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE JANUARY 9 NEXT YEAR.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NC.

TEXTILE TALKS WITH AUSTRIA BEGIN ON MONDAY................... 1

HK TC HOST ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP............................ 1

BOCK OF LETTERS BY HK’S FIRST ADMINISTRATOR RESTORED......... 2

SCHOOLS NEED A BALANCED CURRICULUM .......................... 3

RESULTS CF EMPLOYMENT SURVEY ................................ 4

NET ROADS FOR KCWLOCN BAY ................................... 5

"/ATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS .................................... 5

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1979

TEXTILE TALKS WITH AUSTRIA BEGIN ON MONDAY ft ft ft ft ft

CONSULTATIONS WILL START ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12) AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS WITH AN AUSTRIAN DELEGATION ON THE TWO CURRENT ONE-YEAR TEXTILE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA, DUE TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY, 1980.

THE FIRST AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR EXPORT RESTRAINT ON WOVEN SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, AND THE SECOND CONSISTS OF AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT COVERING 16 ITEMS.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT, HONG KONG SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER FOR SLACKS, SHIRTS, JEANS, TROUSERS AND DIVIDED SKIRTS, NOT KNITTED AND CROCHETED, WHOLLY OR MAINLY OF COTTON OR OF MAN-MADE FIBRES.

THE AUSTRIAN DELEGATION WHICH IS EXPECTED TO SPEND TWO DAYS IN HONG KONG, IS LED BY DR GOTTFRIED DINZL REPRESENTING THE AUSTRIAN FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TRADE, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. HONG KONG’S DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, M? PETER TSAO.

- - o - -

HK TO HOST ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ft ft ft ft

HONG KONG WILL HOST THE THIRD ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD AT WU KEI SHA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN DECEMBER 1 AND 15 THIS YEAR.

THE CAMP IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE ASIAN YOUTH MUS.IC CAMP ASSOCIATION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.

♦ OVER 150 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM 12 COUNTRIES IN THE AUSTRAL-ASI AN REGION WILL TAKE PART IN THE CAMP,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

♦ HONG KONG WILL BE REPRESENTED BY 100 YOUNG MUSICIANS IN THE CAMP,* HE ADDED.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE CAMP WILL BE TRAINED BY RENOWNED INSTRUCTORS FROM THE AUSTRAL-ASI AN REGION AND SIX PUBLIC CONCERTS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE GIS THEATRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AT 3 P.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 13) TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE THIRD ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP.

/PRESENT AT

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1979

PRESENT AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF THE CAMP, MR K.C. SIU- THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS ELIZABETH WONG- AND THE MUSIC CONSULTANT, MR DAVID STONE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.

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BOOK OF LETTERS BY HK’S FIRST ADMINISTRATOR RESTORED *****

THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE HAS RESTORED A VALUABLE BOOK OF LETTERS WRITTEN BY HONG KONG’S FIRST ADMINISTRATOR, MR ALEXANDER R. JOHNSTON.

THE BOOK, CONTAINING MR JOHNSTON’S PERSONAL AND OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1831 AND DECEMBER 1852, IS THE OLDEST DOCUMENT KEPT AT THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE.

THE ARCHIVIST, MR IAN DIAMOND, SAID THE BOOK, CONTAINING ABOUT 200 LETTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS, WAS PRESENTED TO HIS OFFICE BY M? JAMES T. RUTNAM OF SRI LANKA, A PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN AND COLLECTOR OF HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS.

+THE 140-YEAR-OLD LETTERS,* HE SAID, ♦PROVIDE VALUABLE DETAILS ABOUT LIFE AND EVENTS IN HONG KONG AND CANTON DURING M? JOHNSTON’S SERVICE AT THESE PLACES.♦

MR JOHNSTON BEGAN HIS CAREER IN MAURITIUS AS A WRITER AND LATER AS A CLERK IN THE COLONIAL SECRETARY’S OFFICE, MR DIAMOND SAID.

♦ HE WENT TO CHINA IN 1833 AS PRIVATE SECRETARY TO LORD NAPIER AND THROUGH VARIOUS PROMOTIONS HE BECAME THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF TRADE UNDER CAPTAIN CHARLES ELLIOT.

♦IN 1841, HE TOOK OFFICE AS HONG KONG’S FIRST ADMINISTRATOR^ HE SAID.

♦THE CORRESPONDENCE, THEREFORE, ALLOWS THE READER TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF HONG KONG’S EARLY YEARS AND TO GAIN AN INSIGHT INTO POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EVENTS IN THE FOREIGN TRADING ENCLAVE IN CANTON IN THE LATE 183OS+.

MR DIAMOND SAID WHEN HE FIRST TOOK DELIVERY OF THE BOOK, IT WAS DAMAGED AND THE PAGES +STUCK TOGETHER SO THAT THE VOLUME WAS LIKE A PAPER BRICK.♦

♦AFTER WEEKS OF CAREFUL WORK BY OUR REPAIR TECHNICIANS, THE BOOK WAS RESTORED AND RE-BOUND,♦ HE SAID.

♦THE ’REJUVENATED’ VOLUME IS NOW AS STRONG AS ANY NEW BOOK,+ IE SAID.

____ > 0 - -

/5....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1979

SCHOOLS NEED A BALANCED CURRICULUM X X * *

SCHOOLS MUST HAVE A BALANCED CURRICULUM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL PUPILS, MR KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING IN CANTONESE AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

SCHOOLS HAVE A DUAL FUNCTION, MR TOPLEY SAID, IN THAT THEY ATTEMPT TO ENSURE PUPILS ARE PROPERLY PREPARED TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE ONE HAND, AND ON THE OTHER TO PREPARE THEM TO LIVE FULL LIVES AND EARN A LIVING.

♦ IT IS IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL PUPILS THAT THE TEACHERS HAVE THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE,* HE SAID.

TEACHERS ARE IN DAILY CONTACT WITH THE PUPILS, AND KNOW WHAT MOTIVATES THEM AND SPARKS THEIR INTEREST, MR TOPLEY SAID. THIS MEANS THAT THE TEACHERS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO TELL WHETHER OR NOT A SYLLABUS IS WORKING.

♦IT IS, THEREFORE, ESSENTIAL THAT IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN CREATING A CURRICULUM WHICH MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR PUPILS AND WE MUST ENSURE THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE ENGAGEMENT OF PRACTISING TEACHERS IN THE TASK OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT,♦ HE SAID.

TEACHERS ARE WELL REPRESENTED ON THE MAIN COMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE SYLLABUS CONSTRUCTION THROUGH THEIR INPUT TO THE SUBJECT COMMITTEES.

MR TOPLEY CONGRATULATED THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION FOR ORGANISING THE CONFERENCE WHICH PROVIDED A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE THEIR VIEWS AND UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

IT ALSO PROVIDED +A PARTICULARLY VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TO GET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS CURRENT PROBLEMS AND FOR BOTH TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH OTHER LEADING LOCAL EDUCATION I STS,+ HE SAID.

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[This page is blank in the original document]

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1979

NEW ROADS FOR KOWLOON BAY *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE KOWLOON BAY DEVELOPMENT AREA ADJACENT TO THE FORMER RAF KAI TAK.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONTRACT WOULD COVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX-LANE ROAD LINKING THE AIRPORT TUNNEL WITH WAI YIP STREET.

A 14.6—METRE WIDE FOUR-LANE ROAD WILL ALSO BE BUILT TO LINK THE PROPOSED KAI TAK HOUSING ESTATE WITH THE SIX-LANE ROAD.

THE ROADS AND FIRST PHASE OF THE ESTATE ARE BOTH DUE FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1981.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE HOUSING ESTATE, THESE NEW ROADS AND DRAINS WILL ENABLE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADJACENT LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREA TO COMMENCE.

THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS CFFICE, PWD.

- - o - -

WATER CUT IN MID-LEVELS * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MID-LEVELS WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY 5-49 AND 2-62 ROBINSON ROAD, 15-31 SHELLEY STREET, 18-102 CAINE ROAD, 3-11 AND 18-22 CASTLE ROAD, CASTLE LANE, 1-13 SEYMOUR ROAD INCLUDING ST. JOSEPH’S TERRACE, MOSQUE JUNCTION, MOSQUE STREET, PRINCE’S TERRACE, YING FAI TERRACE, LEUNG FAI TERRACE AND WOODLANDS TERRACE.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

QUOTA DODGERS ARE PENALISED................................ 1

SIR JACK CATER ACTING GOVERNOR ............................ 1

ACTING GOVERNOR CALLS ON PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROMOTE RECREATION AT SEA ......................................... 2

HONG KONG TO ATTJW PO'TER CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE..........3

CONTRACT FOR SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW .................................................. 3

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR MA CHAI KANG FIRE VICTIMS............ 4

NE.7 SCHOOLS URGED TO FORM LIFE SAVING CLUBS............... 4

NEW IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE IN CAUSE/AY BAY ............. 5

STREET CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1949

QUOTA DODGERS ARE PENALISED ft * ft ft *

AT LEAST 33 HONG KONG TEXTILE TRADERS WHO TRIED TO CIRCUMVENT THE QUOTA SYSTEM WILL PERMANENTLY LOSE THEIR QUOTAS EQUIVALENT TO THE QUANTITY OF GOODS THEY SHIPPED ILLEGALLY.

AND IF THEY DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT QUOTA IN THE CATEGORIES •THEY SHIPPED, THEY WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN THROUGH PERMANENT TRANSFERS THE APPROPRIATE QUANTITY AND THEN SURRENDER THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS.

IF THE COMPANIES FAIL TO DO SO, THEY WILL BE BARRED FROM APPLYING FOR LICENCES, AND MAKING TRANSFERS OF QUOTAS IN RESPECT OF THE ENTIRE EEC MARKET FOR THE YEARS 1980 TO 1982.

+WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TOUGH ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO DEMONSTRATE CLEARLY THAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO STAMP OUT THESE MALPRACTICES, WHICH JEOPARDISE- HONG KONG'S INTEGRITY IN THE EYES OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS,+ SAID THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, Ml. PETER TSAO.

♦OUR ACTION IS ALSO INTENDED TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF MOST PEOPLE IN THE’INDUSTRY - THE LAW-ABIDING EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS WHOSE FUTURE COULD BE AFFECTED IF, BECAUSE OF THE OFFENCES COMMITTED BY A FEW, OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IMPORTING COUNTRIES WERE IMPERILLED,♦ HE SAID.

AS A RESULT OF A MASSIVE INVESTIGATION MOUNTED BY THE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE UNITED KINGDOM CUSTOMS SUPPLIED INFORMATION TO HONG KONG, SEVEN COMPANIES WERE PROSECUTED AND FINED A TOTAL OF 1343 000. ANOTHER 26 COMPANIES WERE GIVEN 14 DAYS TO APPEAL AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSALS TO PERMANENTLY REMOVE THEIR QUOTAS. NONE OF THE FEW REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT ^RE FOUND TO BE JUSTIFIED.

LAST WEEK LETTERS WENT TO ANOTHER SIX COMPANIES SAYING THAT THEY ALSO HAD 14 DAYS TO APPEAL AGAINST SIMILAR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, AND A SEVENTH COMPANY IS TO BE PROSECUTED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

MOST OF THE OFFENDERS WERE INVOLVED IN SHIPPING GARMENTS TO BRITAIN EITHER THROUGH ANOTHER ASIAN COUNTRY NOT SUBJECT TO QUOTA RESTRAINT, OR DIRECT TO THE U.K. WITH FALSE DOCUMENTS.

♦WE SHALL NOT HESITATE TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE INFORMATION GIVEN TO US BY ANY COUNTRY AND, IF THE EVIDENT JUSTIFIES IT, TAKE EQUALLY DRASTIC ACTION AGAINST ANY COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES,♦ SAID MR. TSAO.

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SIR JACK CATER ACTING GOVERNOR ft ft ft ft ft ft

SIR JACK CATER HAS ASSUMED THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR FOLLOWING THE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1979

ACTING GOVERNOR CALLS ON PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROMOTE RECREATION AT SEA

ft ft ft ft ft

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS TO HELP PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION AT SEA.

SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION OF THE TOLO HABOUR CANOE RACE ORGANISED BY THE OUTWARD BOUND (ALUMNI) ASSOCIATION, SIR JACK SAIDt +DESPITE ITS SMALL TOTAL AREA, HONG KONG HAS HUNDREDS OF MILES OF COASTLINE AND THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL TO EXPAND OUR USE OF THE SEA FOR RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT.♦

THE GOVERNMENT, WITH ITS HEAVY COMMITMENT TO ESSENTIAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON BASIC SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS, WOULD HAVE SCANT RESOURCES TO DEVOTE TO DEVELOPING THESE FACILITIES FROM PUBLIC FUNDS, HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK’S SPEECHI

♦MY WIFE AND I ARE DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU ALL TODAY. I AM PARTICULARLY GLAD TO ATTEND TODAY’S FUNCTION BECAUSE, DESPITE ITS SMALL TOTAL AREA, HONG KONG HAS HUNDREDS OF MILES OF COASTLINE AND THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL TO EXPAND OUR USE OF THE SEA FOR RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT. I AM SURE WE ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THESE ACTIVITIES, AND IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND FOR SHORE BASES, FOR BOATSHEDS, SLIPWAYS AND MOORINGS MOREOVER THE GOVERNMENT WITH TTS HEAVY COMMITMENT TO ESSENTIAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON BASIC SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS WILL, I AM AFRAID, HAVE SCANT RESOURCES TO DEVOTE TO DEVELOPING THESE FACILITIES FROM PUBLIC FUNDS. I HOPE THEREFORE THAT INDIVIDUALS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS YOURS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PROMOTE THIS VERY WORTHWHILE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION AT SEA.

♦THERE IS A CHINESE SAYING ’BELITTLE THE MOUNTAINS BUT NEVER THE WATER’. DEVELOPMENT OF WATER SPORTS MUST GO TOGETHER WITH THE SKILL AND RESPECT FOR THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS OF THE SEA. THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF ’PLAYING SAFE’, AND I AM GLAD TODAY TO SEE THAT THESE SIMPLE RULES FOR PLAYING SAFE AT SEA ARE BEING OBSERVED.

♦I CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND ON YOUR SUCCESS IN ORGANISING THE &1XTH TOLO HARBOUR CANOE RACE TODAY. MAY I ALSO CONGRATULATE ALL THE WINNERS IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS AND INDEED ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN MAKING THIS SUCH AN ENJOYABLE OCCASION.^

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1979

HK TO ATTEND POWER CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE

* » M *

A SEVEN-MAN DELEGATION, COMPRISING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND POWER COMPANIES’ REPRESENTATIVES, LEFT FOR SINGAPORE TODAY (SUNDAY) TO ATTEND THE BRITISH ELECTRICAL AND ALLIED MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (BEAMA) POWER CONFERENCE.

THE CONFERENCE, ORGANISED BY BEAMA IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BRITISH OVERSEAS TRADE BOARD, WILL OPEN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND WILL LAST FOUR DAYS.

IT WILL BE ATTENDED BY DELEGATES FROM PUBLIC UTILITY ORGANISATIONS AND POWER GENERATION COMPANIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST.

REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE DR. S. REED, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISER OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT- MR. GRAHAM OSBORNE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND MR. MIAO CHI, CHIEF ENGINEER, BOTH FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD. AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO. LTD. HAVE EACH-SENT TWO REPRESENTATIVES.

COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE MALAYSIA, SRI LANKA, BURMA, THE PHILIPPINES, THAILAND AND SOUTH KOREA.

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

CONTRACT FOR SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL TO BE SIGNED TOMORROW

* * * *

THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR THE SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (MONDAY).

IT WILL BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRACTS LET BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN RECENT YEARS.

THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE PWD, MURRAY BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, AT 12 NOON.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

TV CREWS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE EARLY SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

™E PWD’S PUBL,C,TY UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO AuOIOI IHC rKCOOe

0 •

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1979

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR MA CHAI HANG FIRE VICTIMS * * * *

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF OVER 300 JOB VACANCIES FOR MA CHAI HANG FIRE VICTIMS LIVING IN FANLING AND TAI PO.

NOTIFICATIONS OF THE VACANCIES, ABOUT 200 IN TAI PO AND THE REST IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU I. HAVE BEEN PASSED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TWO TEMPORARY OFFICES SPECIALLY SET UP LAST MONTH TO HELP THESE VICTIMS TO FIND JOBS.

♦THESE OFFICES ARE OPERATING VIRTUALLY AT THEIR DOORSTEPS — ONE AT THE FANLING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND THE OTHER AT YUE KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA. ANYONE LOOKING FOR A JOB IS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE OFFICES,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE FANLING OFFICE OPENS ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY, WHILE THE TAI PO OFFICE ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY, AND THEIR OFFICE HOURS ARE 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

------0 - - - _

NEW SCHOOLS URGED TO FORM LIFE SAVING CLUBS *****

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. MR KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT WITH THE EXPANSION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION HE HOPED NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD FORM LIFE SAVING CLUBS TO TRAIN STUDENTS AS QUALIFIED LIFE GUARDS.

MR TOPLEY WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION OF A LONG-DISTANCE SWIMMING RACE FROM SILVER ISLAND TO REPULSE BAY. ABOUT 1 000 COMPETITORS TOOK PART IN THE 2 400-METRE RACE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB.

♦WATER RECREATION ACTIVITIES ARE RAPIDLY EXPANDING IN HONG KONG AND WE NEED A CONTINUING SUPPLY OF COMPETENT LIFE SAVERS TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY STANDARDS ARE ALWAYS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED WHEN ORGANISING WATER BASED ACT IV IT IES,+ MR TOPLEY SAID.

HE CONGRATULATED THE CLUB FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING LIFE SAVING AWARENESS. TO THE COMPETITORS MR TOPLEY SAIDi +T0 SWIM 2 400 METRES WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME LIMIT IS NOT AN EASY TASK AT ALL. BUT AS A LIFE SAVER THIS RACE SERVES AS VERY APPROPRIATE BASIC TRAINING IN STAMINA AND SWIMMING TECHNIQUE IN THE OPEN SEA.

♦THOSE WHO COMPLETE THIS RACE ARE COMPETENT SWIMMERS AND AS SUCH THEY SHOULD BE READY TO PARTICIPATE IN ADVANCED LIFE SAVING TRAINING AND ULTIMATELY TO USE THEIR SKILLS IN LIFE SAVING TECHNIQUES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.♦

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1979

NEW IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE IN CAUSEWAY BAY * * ft * ft

THE TOMORROW

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A NEW BRANCH OFFICE (MONDAY) IN CAUSEWAY BAY.

THE BUILDING

NEW OFFICE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF IMMIGRATION THE ISSUE OF HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS.

SERVICES

EXCEPT

IT IS OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 1 P.M. ON SATURDAYS.

THE EXISTING BRANCH OFFICE AT LAN FONG ROAD CONTINUE ITS BUSINESS AS AT PRESENT.

CAUSEWAY BAY WILL

----0------

STREET CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A NUMBER OF STREETS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR FIVE HOURS IN THE EARLY MORNING OF TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AND WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.

BETWEEN 12.30 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. ON THESE TWO DAYS, SIU YIP STREET, SHUN YIP STREET AND A SECTION OF WAI YIP STREET BETWEEN KWUN TONG ROAD AND LAI YIP STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONTRACT FOR SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL SIGNED ............. 1

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN.... 2

RATEPAYERS URGED TO RETURN FORMS .......................... 2

THINKING IS NECESSARY TO MEET SOCIAL CHANGES .............. 3

TICD DIRECTOR GOES TO vVASHINOTOT AND TOKYO................ 4

NEW SHA TIN POST OFFICE OPENS NEXT MONDAY.................. 4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979

- 1 -

CONTRACT FOR SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL SIGNED ft * ft ft ft *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $326 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL ON A RECLAIMED LAND IN THE EASTERN PART OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE CONTRACT WHICH WENT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST LET BY

TO TECHNIC CONSTRUCTION CO. PWD IN RECENT YEARS.

LTD.

IT WAS FORMALLY SIGNED BY MR. S.C. KWAN, CHIEF ARCHITECT OF PWD’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, AND MR. CHIU SZE-DUEN OF TECHNIC CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD.

MR. KWAN SAID THE CONTRACT FORMED THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HOSPITAL PROJECT.

♦WORK ON PHASE I, COMPRISING SITE PREPARATION AND CAISSON FOUNDATION WORK, COSTING ABOUT $41 MILLION, HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED,* HE SAID.

♦WORK ON THE NEW CONTRACT WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.♦

MR. KWAN SAID THE CONTRACT COVERED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY SPECIALIST CLINIC BLOCK, A MAIN WARD BLOCK, A SPECIAL WARD BLOCK AND A CLINICAL SCIENCE BLOCK ALL OF WHICH ARE 12 STOREYS HIGH. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA IS ABOUT 110 000 SQUARE METRES.

RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS FOR ABOUT 2 000 MEDICAL STAFF AND STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE BUILT, BUT UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT TO BE LET BY PWD IN MAY NEXT YEAR.

THE DESIGN FOR THE HOSPITAL WAS BASED ON THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL STANDARD WARD PLAN AND IT WAS PREPARED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WHEN FULLY COMPLETED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1982, MR. KWAN SAID, THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL WOULD HAVE 1 400 BEDS AND SERVE 700 000 PEOPLE IN THE EASTERN AREA OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH FACILITIES FOR BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIALIST SERVICES INCLUDING OUT-PATIENTS AND CASUALTY SERVICES AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER HOSPITALISATION.

IT WILL ALSO BE THE TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR THE MEDICAL FACULTY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROVIDING CLINICAL TRAINING FOR 300 MEDICAL STUDENTS.

THE TOTAL BUILDING COST FOR THIS HOSPITAL IS $425 MILLION, EXCLUDING THE COST OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE, AND IS PARTLY FINANCED BY THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN *****

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN AT THE YEUNG UK ROAD PLAYGROUND THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18).

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR. HO CHI-PING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT SHERATON HOTEL TODAY (MONDAY).

MR. HO SA IDi +SIR JACK WILL INSPECT A COLOURFUL PROCESSION COMPRISING MORE THAN 2 000 PEOPLE AS PART OF THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE PROCESSION WILL FEATURE FLOATS, WELL-KNOWN ’CHIU-CHOW GONG AND DRUM PERFORMANCES’, BAND PERFORMANCES, DRAGON AND LION DANCES AND CHINESE FOLK DANCES.

♦MORE THAN 50 000 RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO WATCH THE THREE-HOUR PROCESSION STARTING FROM THE YEUNG UK ROAD PLAYGROUND.♦

TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE- THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. JAMES HAYES AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS’ (ACAN) PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR. KARL STUMPF.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO ABOUT 600 000 RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT THROUGH 90 ENTERTAINMENT AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES.

THE TSUEN WAN ANT I-DRUG DRIVE IS THE LAST OF THREE INTENSIVE ACAN DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS TO BE ORGANISED THIS YEAR, THE FIRST TWO WERE HELD IN WAN CHAI (SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER) AND IN MONG KOK (OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER).

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RATEPAYERS URGED TO RETURN FORMS

*****

A LARGE NUMBER OF RATEPAYERS HAVE ALREADY RETURNED TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT THE FORM RIA SENT TO THEM LAST MONTH SEEKING INFORMATION ON RENTS AND OTHER PARTICULARS OF PROPERTY.

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED THEIR FORMS WITHIN THE STIPULATED TIME WILL SHORTLY BE RECEIVING A REMINDER FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE FORM RIA IS A STATUTORY FORM ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND THAT IT IS IN THE RATEPAYER’S INTEREST TO RETURN IT FULLY AND CORRECTLY COMPLETED WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.

ANY PERSON WHO REFUSES OR NEGLECTS TO FURNISH ANY OF THE PARTICULARS REQUIRED AND ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY FURNISHES FALSE OR INCORRECT PARTICULARS MAY BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE AND COULD BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE.

/ANYONE WHO ..

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979

ANYONE WHO IS IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM MAY CALL ON, OR TELEPHONE. THE DEPARTMENT AT 1 GARDEN ROAD (TEL. 5-249021)- 22 FENWICK STREET, NEW MERCURY HOUSE (TEL. 5-281424)- OR 24-34 HENNESSY ROAD, TAI SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING (TEL. 5-284037) WHERE ASSISTANCE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN. ASSISTANCE MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED AT ANY OF THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES OR DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING AN EXTENSION OF TIME IN WHICH TO COMPLETE THE FORM SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN 28 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

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

THINKING IS NECESSARY TO MEET SOCIAL CHANGES * * * * *

YOUNG PEOPLE MUST LEARN TO THINK IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIETY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF LINGNAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND LINGNAN COLLEGE AT THE CITY HALL, HE SAIDi ♦THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LEARNED TO THINK WILL FIND THAT THEY HAVE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE MAJOR PROBLEMS OF SOCIETY, THAT THEY WILL NOT BE LIVING THEIR LIVES BUT MERELY WORKING OUT AN INSIGNIFICANT EXISTENCE.♦

♦IF YOU ARE EQUIPPED WITH THIS ABILITY TO THINK CREATIVELY, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELVES WELL PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIETY,♦ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

EDUCATION IS NO LONGER TRAINING THE YOUNG TO LIVE IN A CERTAIN SOCIETY, BUT TRAINING THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR MENTAL POWER TO THE FULL AND TO ADAPT TO THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT WHICH EMERGES IN THE FUTURE, HE SAID.

MR. TOPLEY SAID IF WE ARE UNCERTAIN OF THE SHAPE OF THE FUTURE. WE SHOULD HELP THE PUPILS TO REALISE THAT EDUCATION IS AN ON-GOING PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT AND THAT LEARNING WILL CONTINUE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

♦ IF WE CONSIDER THAT EDUCATION HAS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOCIAL TRAINING, PUPILS MUST BE TAUGHT TO SEE THE BEARING OLD IDEAS HAVE ON NEW PROBLEMS. THEY WILL NEED TO DISCOVER ANSWERS ON THEIR OWN.+ HE SAID.

MR. TOPLEY FELT THAT BOTH SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN TRAINING PUPILS HOW TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

♦ WE MUST HAVE THINKING TEACHERS BEFORE WE CAN TRAIN THINKING PUPILS,♦ HE SAID.

TRAINING CHILDREN TO THINK IS DIFFICULT AND TIME-CONSUMING, W. TOPLEY SAID, AND TEACHERS MUST FIRST BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN THE ABILITY TO THINK ORIGINALLY EVEN AMONG PUPILS OF THE SAME STREAM.

♦ THE FIRST STEP IS TO APPRECIATE THIS, TO FEEL IT PERSONALLY AND TO TREAT EACH PUPIL AS AN INDIVIDUAL RATHER THAN AS PART OF A GROUP,♦ HE SAID.

/4.....

- 0 -

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1979

TICD DIRECTOR GOES TO WASHINGTON AND TOKYO M KM

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILLIAM DORWARD, LEFT TODAY (MONDAY) FOR TALKS IN WASHINGTON ON THE HK/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT WITH THE USA SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRADE, MR. REUBEN ASKEW.

HE WILL LEAVE WASHINGTON ON NOVEMBER 17 FOR TOKYO WHERE HE WILL ATTEND THE SECOND MEETING OF THE HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19 AND 20.

MR. DORWARD IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 22 DURING HIS ABSENCE THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, WILL BE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS.

- - o - -

NEW SHA TIN POST OFFICE OPENS NEXT MONDAY * * * *

A NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE OPENED IN LEK YUEN ESTATE NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE IN SHA TIN.

THE NEW POST OFFICE, IN SHA TIN BY-PASS ROAD OPPOSITE BLOCK 7 CF LEK YUEN ESTATE,IS LARGER THAN THE EXISTING ONE IN THIRD STREET WHICH WILL CEASE OPERATING AFTER BUSINESS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17).

THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL OFFER A FULL RANGE OF POSTAL SERVICE AND IT WILL HAVE 194 MORE POST OFFICE BOXES TO MEET GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID.

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER AND HOURS OF WORK OF THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

THE EXISTING SHA TIN POST OFFICE IS LOCATED IN AN AREA DUE FOR CLEARANCE NEXT MONTH TO MAKE WAY FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE. IT WAS FIRST OPENED IN OCTOBER, 1955.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ANNUAL DEBATE IN LEGCO RESUMES TOMORROW .................. 1

SNT VISITS OLD PEOPLE’S HOME ............................. 1

APPLY NOW FOR STUDIES IN UK NEXT YEAR..................... 2

EIGHT BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ....................... 3

NEW SEWERS TO BE BUILT IN TSIM SHA TSUI .................. 3

PHOTOGRAPHS OF DEPARTMENT HEADS .......................... 4

USE NEW CONTROLLED TIP FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL........ 4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY AND TAI WAI....... 5

WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT ................................. 3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1979

ANNUAL DEBATE IN LEGCO RESUMES TOMORROW M M M

THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WILL RESUME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN SEVEN OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES.

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT WILL START OFF THE RESUMED DEBATE. HE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES- THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES- THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD- THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE- THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE flON. DAVID JEAFFRESON AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS.

ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 15), EIGHT OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK. THEY ARE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN GRIFFITHS-THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO- THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG- THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN- THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIS- THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS- THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.

DURING THURSDAY’S SITTING. THREE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL. THEY ARE THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE (REPEAL) BILL 1979 AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.

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

SNT VISITS OLD PEOPLE’S HOME M M * *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THERE WAS A GREAT NEED FOR HOSTELS, SOCIAL CENTRES AND HOME CARE FOR OLD PEOPLE TO BE PROVIDED BY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.

HE MADE SUCH REMARKS DURING A VISIT TO THE PO CHING HOME FOR THE AGED IN FANLING. MR. AKERS-JONES SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WERE PLANS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SOME OF THESE FACILITIES IN SHEUNG SHU I, BUT THERE WOULD REMAIN A GREAT NEED FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES BY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, NORTH, MR. PETER JOHNSON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOME, REV. KOK KWONG, MR. AKERS-JONES TOURED THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME WHICH HAS AN EXTENSION BUILT TWO YEARS AGO WITH PRIVATE DONATIONS.

MR. AKERS-JONES DESCRIBED THE EXTENSION AS +A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE TASK OF PROVIDING OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS WITH MUCH NEEDED AND PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS IN WHICH TO SPEND THEIR OLD AGE.+

/HE SAID ...

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1979

HE SA ID 1 + l HOPE MANY OTHERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED BY YOUR FINE EXAMPLE.*

THE PO CHING HOME FOR THE AGED, RUN BY THE BUDDHIST HONG HOI CHING KOK LIN SHE SINCE 1966, IS A MEMBER-ORGANISATION OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG AND RECEIVES REGULAR SUBSIDIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT. AT PRESENT, IT CARES FOR 225 OLD PEOPLE.

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

APPLY NOW FOR STUDIES IN UK NEXT YEAR

******

STUDENTS WISHING TO FURTHER THEIR STUDY IN POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES OF FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOULD APPLY NOW FOR ADMISSION IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER NEXT YEAR.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID 1 ♦APPLICATIONS TO THE POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION.

♦ALL DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE SECTION BY JUNE 30, 1980.♦

HE ALSO REMINDED STUDENTS INTENDING TO ATTEND PREUNIVERSITY, SECRETARIAL OR TECHNICAL COURSES IN INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS NOT TO MAKE APPLICATIONS ON THEIR OWN TOO HASTILY.

♦THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IF THE PROCEEDINGS INVOLVE THE PAYMENT OF A LARGE SUM OF MONEY AS REGISTRATION OR TUITION FEES,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OR NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED REGARDING THE STANDING OF THE INSTITUTIONS IN WHICH THEY WISH TO ATTEND BEFORE MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSIONS.

THEY CAN EITHER CONSULT THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT THE LEIGHTON CENTRE, 15TH FLOOR- THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION, THE ARTS CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR- THE EDUCATION ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE HANG SENG BANK LTD., 77 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, 17TH FLOOR- OR THE CONSULATES OR COMMISSIONS CONCERNED.

♦STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY WILL BE AT LIBERTY TO MOVE TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION IN THE SAME COUNTRY SHOULD THEY SO WISH, AND IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES FEES PAID WOULD BE REFUNDABLE,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ONLY ORGANISATIONS AUTHORISED TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION FACILITIES TO ENTER OVERSEAS COUNTRIES ARE THE RESPECTIVE IMMIGRATION SERVICES OR CONSULATES IN HONG KONG.

♦STUDENTS, WHO MAKE PAYMENTS TO TRAVEL AGENCIES OR OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE HOPE THAT THEIR ENTRY INTO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR FURTHER EDUCATION WILL BE FACILITATED, DO SO AT THE RISK OF BEING DECEIVED BY THE AGENCIES AND EVEN BEING DISQUALIFIED BY THE PROPER AUTHORITIES,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1979

EIGHT BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS *****

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED EIGHT BUILDINGS, SEVEN IN TAI PO AND ONE IN KOWLOON, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

THEY ARE THE BUILDINGS AT 15, 17, 19, 37, 39, 41 AND 43 TSI NG YUEN STREET, TAI PO, AND A TWO-STOREY BUILDING AT S.D.4, LOT NO. 2940, OLD SO UK VILLAGE, KOWLOON.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE.

HE SAID: +THE BUILDINGS AT 15, 17 AND 19 TSI NG YUEN STREET WERE FOUND TO BE IN AN EXTREMELY DILAPIDATED CONDITION. RECENT OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE LOAD-BEARING WALLS WAS EVIDENT AND MANY OF THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS WERE FOUND TO BE DECAYED.*

ON THE BUILDINGS AT 37, 39, 41 AND 43 IN TSI NG YUEN STREET, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +THEY WERE FOUND TO BE IN A VERY POOR CONDITION. THE LOAD-BEARING WALLS CONTAIN MANY FRACTURES AND OPEN JOINTS CLEARLY INDICATING OUTWARD MOVEMENT.*

HE ADDED THAT ALL THESE SEVEN BUILDINGS WERE TWO-STOREY HIGH AND HAD BEEN RECENTLY INSPECTED DURING A SURVEY OF PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN THE AREA.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUILDING IN OLD SO UK VILLAGE, KOWLOON WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY FIRE.

ACCORDINGLY, NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT FOR THESE EIGHT BUILDINGS WERE POSTED TODAY. THE APPLICATION FOR CLOSURE IN CONNECTION WITH BUILDINGS AT 15, 17 AND 19 TSI NG YUEN STREET AND THE ONE IN OLD SO UK VILLAGE WILL BE HEARD AT 9.30 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 27, WHEREAS THAT FOR THE REMAINING FOUR BUILDINGS IN TSI NG YUEN STREET WILL BE HEARD AT 9.30 A.M. ON DECEMBER 11, 1979.

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NEW SEWERS TO BE BUILT IN TSIM SHA TSUI *****

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF INTERCEPTING SEWERS IN EAST TSIM SHA TSUI.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SEWERS. 1 200 MM IN DIAMETER, FORM PART OF THE OVERALL SEWAGE SYSTEM CONNECTING WITH KOWLOON SOUTH SCREENING PLANT.

THEY WILL SERVE THE NEEDS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT NOW UNDERWAY IN THE AREA BETWEEN SALISBURY ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD.

____,W0RK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. ’

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1J, 1979

PHOTOGRAPHS OF DEPARTMENT HEADS ft ft ft ft

COPIES OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, WHO IS NOW

OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUSTRY, ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DURING THE ABSENCE OF MR. WILLIAM DORWARD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. PETER TSAO HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN 6 IS PRESS BOXES TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR YOUR RECORD AND EDITORIAL USE.

uucu !Lw2^?o?LM9!L^PRECIATED ,F YOU W0ULD USE these photographs WHEN THE OCCASION ARISES.

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USE NEW CONTROLLED TIP FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO USE THE NEW CONTROLLED TIP AT JUNK BAY FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE TIP YESTERDAY (MONDAY), THE SAI TSO WAN AND MA YAU TONG CONTROLLED TIPS IN KOWLOON NOW ONLY ACCEPT SOLID WASTES COLLECTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

DESPITE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT LAST WEEK, HE SAID, MANY LORRIES LOADED WITH SOLID WASTES CONTINUED TO GO TO THESE TWO TIPS.

♦THIS RESULTED IN THEM MAKING ANOTHER JOURNEY TO JUNK BAY,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF FIVE CONTROLLED TIPS ARE IN OPERATION IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY ARE SITUATED AT SAI TSO WAN, MA YAU TONG, JUNK BAY, SHUEN WAN AND SIU LANG SHU I.

THE TIPS AT SHUEN WAN AND SIU LANG SHUI, NEW TERRITORIES, ACCEPT SOLID WASTES COLLECTED BY BOTH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE DAILY OPENING HOURS OF THE TIPS ARE AS FOLLOWS!

JUNK BAY

8 A.M. TO 11 P.M.

SHUEN WAN - 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

SIU LANG SHUI - 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

SAI TSO WAN - 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

(FOR USD ONLY)

MA YAU TONG - 8 A.M. TO 11 P.M.

(FOR USD ONLY)

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR DISPOSING SOLID WASTES AT THESE CONTROLLED TIPS.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1979

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY AND TAI WAI X * M * KM

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE FLYOVER ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH NGA TSIN LONG ROAD, TO SHORT STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 12.30 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 15) FOR MAINTENANCE WORK.

DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL WESTBOUND MOTORISTS ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WILL HAVE TO USE THE GROUND-LEVEL CARRIAGEWAY.

MEANWHILE NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN TAI WAI FROM 11 A.M. TODAY (TUESDAY) FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE TAI WAI FLYOVER TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.

UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN TAI WAI ROAD AND SHING HO ROAD IS RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND AND CH IK CHUEN STREET RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON TAI PO ROAD CAN REACH TAI WAI VIA THE SLIP ROAD AT THE END OF THE FLYOVER.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS IN THESE TWO AREAS.

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WATER CUT IN NORTH POINT * * M X X I

FRESH WATER

... SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE CUT OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

cTDCeJHEe1Ae^T0 BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY FOOK YUM ROAD, OIL FR0M B0AT STREET T0 JAVA R0AD. NORTH POINT ROAD AND NORTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM BOAT STREET TO TONG SHU I ROAD.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.WNG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

WORKING PARTY SET UP TO LOCK INTO HOUSING FOR FAMILIES JUST ABOVE OOO LIMIT.............................. 1

TALKS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES .................... 3

GOVERNMENT TO SET UP WORKING PARTY TO STUDY SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER.............................. 6

OIL PCLICY COMMITTEE FOCUSING ATTENTION ON STRATEGIC RESERVES ..................................... 8

PACE OF NT DEVELOPMENT HAS NOT FALTERED ................... 9

NEW PWD OFFICE TO CO-ORDINATE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS ..................................... 11

GOVERNMENT SHARES LOCAL MANUFACTURERS’ CONCERN ABOUT USA MARKET ......................................... 13

HK/AUSTRIA TEXTILE TALKS TO RESUME IN EUROPE NEXT MONTH................................................ 14

DOCUMENT GF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ................... 14

SCHEME TO HELP DEPENDANTS OF FIREMEN KILLED IN ACTION.... 14

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT AT SHA TIN RACE COURSE............... 15

SUSPENSION OF TRAM SERVICES IN HAPPY VALLEY .............. 15

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

WORKING PARTY SET UP TO LOOK INTO HOUSING FOR FAMILIES JUST ABOVE 15 OOO LIMIT ******

A* GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY HAS BEEN SET UP WITH THE AIM OF ARRANGING AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF FLATS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS IMMEDIATELY ABOVE *5 000 A MONTH.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. ALAN SCOTT, DURING A LENGTHY REVIEW OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING.

MR. SCOTT IS CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY.

HE SA IDi +WE ARE WORKING TO IDENTIFY THE TARGET GROUP OF HOUSEHOLDS, AND THE PRESENT AND FORECAST PRODUCTION LEVEL OF THE TYPE OF FLATS WHICH APPROXIMATELY MATCH THE TARGET GROUP IN TERMS OF INCOME AND AFFORDABILITY- AND, MOST IMPORTANT, HOW PRODUCTION CAN BE INCREASED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

♦WE SHALL AIM TO ARRANGE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF FLATS AT REASONABLE PRICES — PERHAPS ALONG THE LINES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME — MANAGED BY AN APPROPRIATE AGENCY.♦

MR. SCOTT SAID THAT THE LEVEL OF PRODUCTION +MUST BE SUCH AS TO HAVE A REAL IMPACT ON DEMAND,♦ BUT POINTED OUT THAT THIS DEMAND WOULD BE RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED WITH THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMMES.

MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE LEFT TO INDIVIDUAL PURCHASERS. THE WORKING PARTY’S PROPOSALS, WHEN FINALISED, WOULD BE PUT TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, BUT ALREADY SOME SITES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED SUITABLE FOR FLATS BETWEEN 70 AND 100 SQ. METRES IN SIZE, HE SAID.

MR. SCOTT ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF RE-DEVELOPING 17 OF ITS OWN SITES USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THESE RE-DEVELOPMENTS WOULD BE DONE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITH THE PROVISO THAT PARTS OF THE RE-DEVELOPED BUILDINGS WOULD BE TURNED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS OWN HOUSING PURPOSES.

BY THIS MEANS, 1 600 EXTRA GOVERNMENT QUARTERS MIGHT BE PROVIDED, THEREBY CONSIDERABLY REDUCING THE PRESSURE OF GOVERNMENT LEASING REQUIREMENTS ON EXISTING HOUSING STOCK.

ON OTHER HOUSING TOPICS MR. SCOTT SAIDi

PUBLIC HOUSING!

THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME WILL THIS YEAR REACH ITS HIGHEST EVER OUTPUT OF 35 000 FLATS, AND IS ^SETTLING INTO TOP GEAR FOR WHAT WILL BE A LONG RUN.*

/MB. SCOTT .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

MR. SCOTT REPEATED THAT THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN LEAST AFFECTED BY THE CUTS IN PUBLIC SPENDING ANNOUNCED IN THE BUDGET, AND THAT WHEN ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE CAPACITY CF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PERMITTED, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HOPED TO INCREASE OUTPUT.

HOWEVER HE WARNED THAT ABOUT 250 000 PEOPLE HAD ENTERED HONG KONG LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY SINCE JANUARY LAST YEAR. THAT MANY WOULD BRING RELATIVES FROM CHINA OR MARRY HERE, AND THAT BY THE MIDDLE OR LATE 1980’S THE REAL IMPACT MIGHT BE AROUND HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING UNDER PRESENT POLICIES.

ON THE SUBJECT OF BETTER-OFF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS CONTINUING TO ENJOY SUBSIDISED HOUSING, MR. SCOTT REVEALED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY RECENTLY DECIDED THAT TENANTS OF MARK I AND MARK II RESETTLEMENT UNITS WOULD NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE TO TRANSFER VOLUNTARILY TO BETTER FLATS IN OTHER ESTATES IF THEIR INCOME WAS DOUBLE THE CURRENT INCOME LIMIT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS)t

ON A SUGGESTION THAT THE PROPORTION OF HOS FLATS TO RENTAL FLATS BE RAISED TO 50 OR 70 PER CENT, MR. SCOTT SAID HE AGREED THAT THE PROPORTION SHOULD BE RAISED, BUT NOT BY SUCH A GREAT AMOUNT, SINCE *THE BULK OF OUR EFFORT MUST CONTINUE TO GO TOWARDS THE LOWEST INCOME GROUP, WHO ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION.*

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, PLANS ARE NOW WELL ADVANCED TO TRANSFER TO THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME A NUMBER OF FLATS IN RENTAL ESTATES WHICH ARE UP TO HOS STANDARDS.

PRIVATE-SECTOR RENTSi

AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, HE SAID, THERE WERE ABOUT 863 000 DOMESTIC PREMISES IN HONG KONG, 422 000 [N'THE'PUBLIC SECTOR Al© 441 000 IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

OF THE 441 000 ^PRIVATE* PREMISES, ONLY 43 000 ARE NOT OWNER-OCCUPIED OR UNDER RENT CONTROL — THAT IS, LESS THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.

A GROUP UNDER MR. SCOTT RECENTLY HAD LOOKED AGAIN AT THE COMPLICATED QUESTION OF AN EXTENSION OF RENT CONTROL — AND LOOKED SYMPATHETICALLY AND THOROUGHLY AT IT -- BUT CONCLUDED THAT WHAT MIGHT BE DONE WOULD NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT BENEFICIAL EFFECT TO OUTWEIGH THE DAMAGE THAT IT MIGHT DO.

ELABORATING, MR. SCOTT SAIDi *THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE RESPONSIVE AND SYMPATHETIC, BUT IT MUST ALSO BE SURE THAT ANY PROPOSED IMMEDIATE PALLIATIVE IS EFFECTIVE AND OPERATES EQUITABLY, AND THAT THE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS WILL NOT OUTWEIGH ITS SHORT-TERM VALUE.*

/SUMMING UP.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

- 3 -

SUMMING UP, HE AGREED WITH THE STATEMENT OF DR. RAYSON HUANG THAT +RENT CONTROL CAN ONLY BE A TEMPORARY MEASURE, AND FOR THE LONG TERM THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO AN INCREASED PRODUCTION OF HOUSING, AND TO THIS GOVERNMENT MUST WITHOUT DELAY ADDRESS ITSELF.*

LAND SPECULATORS!

MR. SCOTT SAID THAT *AS STRONG AS OUR FEELINGS ARE ABOUT THEM, WE HAVE TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN THE FREEDOM OF COMMERCIAL ACTION WHICH HAS ALLOWED HONG KONG TO DEVELOP OVER THE YEARS, AND THE EXCESSIVE DEGREE OF CONTROL WITH WHICH OTHER GOVERNMENTS HAVE STIFLED THEIR ECONOMIES AND LIMITED DEVELOPMENT.*

AFTER REVIEWING VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS — AND POINTING TO THE LOOPHOLES IN EACH — MR. SCOTT SAID THAT WITH +ENORMOUS RELUCTANCE* NO SCHEME WAS PRESENTLY BEING INTRODUCED TO CURB SPECULATION, BUT ADDEDi +l WOULD BE VERY GLAD TO HEAR FROM ANYONE IN THIS COUNCIL OR OUTSIDE IT WHO HAS PRACTICAL, EFFECTIVE PROPOSALS WHICH WILL BE EXAMINED AT ONCE.*

SUMMING UP, HE SAID THAT THE +BASIC AND DURABLE LONG-TERM ANSWER IS TO INCREASE THE HOUSING STOCK.*

TO HELP ACHIEVE THIS THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESSING ON WITH THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMMES, LOOKING AT WAYS TO HELP HOUSE PEOPLE JUST ABOVE THE $5 OOO-A-MONTH BRACKET, WORKING ON RE-DEVELOPING 17 OF ITS OWN RESIDENTIAL SITES AND ADDITIONALLY HAD SPEEDED UP THE DEVELOPMENT OF SITES FOR HIGH-CLASS HOUSING, 13 MORE OF WHICH HAD NOW BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH A POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL 2 400 LARGE FLATS.

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TALKS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE BUS SERVICES X X * X

THE GOVERNMENT IS HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MANAGEMENTS OF KMB AND CMB ON THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF BUS SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. JONES SAID THE TALKS COVERED FIVE MAIN AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT. THEY ARE THE PURCHASE OF MORE NEW BUSES- IMPROVEMENTS IN MAINTENANCE AND THE ORDERING OF SPARE PARTS- THE RECRUITMENT OF DRIVERS AND MECHANICS- THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DEPOT FACILITIES-AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE IN THE TWO COMPANIES.

SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED ANNUAL DEBATE, HE SAIDi *THE COMPANIES HAVE RESPONDED BY AGREEING ORDERING PROGRAMMES FOR AS MANY AS 874 NEW BUSES BETWEEN NOW AND MID-1981, AND BY EXAMINING WITH US THEIR PLANS IN THE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN.*

/HOWEVER .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979 .

HOWEVER, MR. JONES WARNED THAT IF THE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IN BUS SERVICES WERE TO BE INTRODUCED, SOME INCREASES IN BUS FARES WOULD BE INEVITABLE. BUT HE WAS SURE THAT +THE PUBLIC WILL ACCEPT THIS PROVIDED THAT THEY OBTAIN A BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE SERVICE.*

MR. JONES ALSO NOTED THAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC SITUATION ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.

♦HERE THERE IS NO EASY PANACEA FOR IMPROVEMENT. WE MUST WORK WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS MUST TAKE TIME,* HE SAID.

IN THE SHORT TERM, MR. JONES SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET UP AN ACTION GROUP TO RECOMMEND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND OTHER MEASURES TO BRING SOME RELIEF.

IN THE MEDIUM TERM, THE FEASIBILITY OF A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM TO REPLACE THE TRAMS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE PUT FORWARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, HE SAID.

♦THEREAFTER, THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ROAD WILL BE ANOTHER EXPENSIVE NECESSITY AND FURTHER ROAD WORKS ARE ALSO BEING PLANNED,♦ HE SAID.

♦ALL THIS AND MORE IS BEING TIED TOGETHER IN AN ISLAND CORRIDOR STRATEGY WHICH WILL BE KEPT UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW,+ HE ADDED.

REPLYING TO THE HON. LI FOOK-WO’S COMMENT ON LAND PRODUCTION, fR. JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING THE NECESSARY PLANNING NOW BOTH TO SUSTAIN AND TO INCREASE ITS LAND PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES.

♦THIS WILL NOW NEED TO BE ENCOMPASSED IN FLEXIBLE LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING TO LINK TOGETHER, NOT ONLY THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF LAND PRODUCTION, BUT ALSO THE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES WHICH WILL GO WITH IT TO PRODUCE THE MAXIMUM ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFIT WITHIN THE LIMITS OF OUR RESOURCES,♦ HE SAID.

MR. JONES SAID A NEW STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT WOULD SHORTLY BE SET UP IN THE LANDS DIVISION OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH TO LOOK AFTER THIS ASPECT OF THE WORKS.

HE ALSO ASSURED MR. LI THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR OPPORTUNITIES OF SELLING UNFORMED LAND TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT.

♦THERE ARE TWO PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES IN SHA TIN WHICH WERE DEVELOPED BY THIS METHOD,♦ MR. JONES SAID.

♦THE GREATER PART OF THE LAND IN SOUTH AND WEST TSI NG Yl HAS ALSO BEEN FORMED BY THE OWNERS OF THE LOTS. AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE WE EXPECT TO LET EARLY NEXT YEAR A TENDER FOR A RECLAMATION ON AP LEI CHAU FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,* HE ADDED.

/MR. JONES .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

- 5 -

MR. JONES ALSO AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LESS URBANISED AREAS. SUCH AS THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE SIZEABLE PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE SAI KUNG AREA.

COMMENTING ON THE HON. WONG PO-YAN’S SUGGESTION FOR CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, MR. JONES NOTED THAT SOME FLATTED FACTORY DEVELOPERS HAD ALREADY SHOWN CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNITS SUITABLE FOR SMALLER FACTORIES

HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO RECENTLY BEEN SELLING' SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WITH A CONDITION THAT 20 PER CENT OF THE FLOOR SPACE MUST BE CONSTRUCTED IN UNITS OF LESS THAN 75 SQUARE METRES.

♦THIS HAS GENERALLY BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY DEVELOPERS AND IT SHOULD CERTAINLY RESULT IN CONSIDERABLY BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SMALL INDUSTRIALIST WHEN THESE UNITS COME ON THE MARKET,* MR. JONES SAID.

ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR. JONES AGREED WITH THE HON. DAVID NEWBIGGING THAT UNLESS REMEDIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AT A RELATIVELY EARLY STAGE, THE DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT FROM COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT COULD BUILD UP TO A POINT WHERE +WE EITHER HAVE TO ACCEPT SERIOUS DETERIORATION OR TAKE REALLY DRASTIC ACTIONS TO COUNTER IT.+

♦ALL MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS NOW ARE REQUIRED TO AGREE DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT (EPU) AND DETAILS CAN BE WRITTEN INTO LEASE AND OTHER CONDITIONS,♦ HE SAID.

MR. JONES POINTED OUT THAT FIVE NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ARE BEING PREPARED. THE WASTE DISPOSAL BILL HAD ALREADY BEEN PRESENTED BEFORE THE COUNCIL WHILE THE OTHER FOUR - THE WATER AND AIR POLLUTION BILLS, THE NOISE AND VIBRATION BILL AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BILLS - WERE EXPECTED TO BE PRESENTED THIS SESSION.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE BILLS, BEFORE PRESENTATION, WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED NOT ONLY BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) BUT ALSO THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS.

♦THE BILLS ARE LARGELY ENABLING BILLS AND THE DETAILED REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THEM, WHICH WILL LAY DOWN STANDARDS, WILL NOT BE DRAFTED UNTIL DETAILED MONITORING AND MEASURING WORK ON THE STATE OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN,♦ MR. JONES SAID.

♦THIS WILL BE THE JOB OF THE EPU WHICH WILL BE GRADUALLY EXPANDED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO UNDERTAKE THIS TASK. DEPARTMENTAL CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT UNITS WILL ALSO BE STRENGTHENED,♦ HE SAID.

♦AS A RESULT OF THIS WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO FINE TUNE OUR CONTROLS SO AS TO HAVE THE LEAST DAMAGING EFFECT UPON INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC LIFE GENERALLY,♦ HE ADDED.

/MR. JONES SAID ....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

- 6 -

MR. JONES SAID IT WAS ALSO PROBABLE THAT THE WORK OF THE EPU WOULD LEAD TO MORE ECONOMICAL MEANS OF CARRYING OUT CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONS FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE.

♦AS A WATCHDOG OVER ALL THIS ACTIVITY, THE EPCOM HAS RECENTLY BEEN STRENGTHENED AND INDUSTRIAL REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE COMMITTEE,* HE SAID.

♦SPECIAL COMMITTEES ARE ALSO NOW BEING APPOINTED UNDER THE MAIN COMMITTEE TO HELP KEEP UNDER REVIEW ALL THE MAJOR ASPECTS OF POLLUTION,* HE ADDED.

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GOVERNMENT TO SET UP WORKING PARTY TO STUDY SOCIAL WELFARE MANPOWER *****

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MANPOWER SITUATION IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE ANNUAL DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. LEE SAID THE AIM WOULD BE TO DEVISE A LONGER TERM STRATEGY IN PROVIDING MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS.

THE WORKING PARTY WILL QUANTIFY AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE THE PRESENT MANPOWER SHORTAGE, THE EXTRA DEMANDS OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND THE NUMBER OF TRAINED STAFF TO BE PROVIDED BY VARIOUS MEANS, HE SAID.

MR. LEE POINTED OUT THAT IN SPITE OF THE EFFORTS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE, THE SUPPLY OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS WAS AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE LIMITED.

HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT THE EXERCISE MUST BE CARRIED OUT TO BOOST TRAINED MANPOWER AND ALL OTHER POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES MUST BE LOOKED INTO.

♦ IF WE ARE TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMANDS FOR SOCIAL WORK SERVICES ARISING FROM THE GROWING EXPECTATION OF OUR SOCIETY, WE MUST BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER ALL POSSIBILITIES, EVEN IF THEY ARE LESS THAN IDEAL.

♦ THE TIME WILL SOON COME WHEN WE MUST CONSCIENTIOUSLY CHOOSE BETWEEN ACCEPTING THE LESS IDEAL AND DELAYING OR FOREGOING PROJECTS OR SERVICES WHICH HAVE BEEN ON OUR PLAN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.♦ HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID THERE WERE THREE MAIN WAYS TO BOOST TRAINED MANPOWER AND STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN THESE DIRECTIONS.

THE FIRST, HE SAID, IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS BEING TRAINED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES IN INTAKES OVER THE PAST YEARS IN VARIOUS TRAINING INSTITUTIONS.

/HE SAID .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

HE SAID HE INTENDED TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE SUPPLY FURTHER WITHIN APPROVED STUDENT TARGET LEVELS FOR THE COMING TRIENN I UM.

HOWEVER, HE SOUNDED A NOTE OF WARNING, POINTING OUT THAT SOCIAL WORK TRAINING WAS INTENSIVE AND THAT THERE WAS A LIMIT TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE SUPPLY OF STUDENTS COULD BE INCREASED.

THE SECOND WAY, MR. LEE SAID, IS TO MAKE BETTER USE OF EXISTING MANPOWER AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN THIS BY IMPLEMENTING A REVIEW OF WELFARE GRADES TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF TRAINED STAFF.

♦ BY THIS MEANS, A TOTAL OF 96 POSTS PREVIOUSLY FILLED BY GRADUATE SOCIAL WORKERS WILL EVENTUALLY BE FILLED BY STAFF NOT REQUIRING SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, AND A FURTHER 87 BY TRAINED NON-GRADUATES,♦ HE SAID.

THE THIRD WAY IS TO REDUCE THE RATE OF WASTAGE IN THE SOCIAL WORK FIELD, WHICH CAN BE ACHIEVED BY IMPROVING CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE SUGGESTION BY DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI TO EXTEND THE PROVISIONS OF THE WELFARE CLASS REVIEW TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, MR. LEE EXPLAINED THAT THE REVIEW BASICALLY INVOLVED THREE CHANGES, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS TO SPLIT DEPARTMENTAL STAFF INTO SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL SECURITY STREAMS.

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR BECAUSE SOCIAL SECURITY IS ENTIRELY A GOVERNMENT PROVISION, HE SAID.

THE SECOND CHANGE INVOLVED, HE SAID, IS A REVISION OF SALARY SCALES FOR CERTAIN RANKS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN DUTIES.

♦ THE GOVERNMENT AGREES IN PRINCIPLE THAT WHERE STAFF IN SUBVERTED AGENCIES ARE DOING SIMILAR DUTIES WITH SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS, THE REVISED PAY SCALES SHOULD APPLY,♦ HE SAID.

SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS, IT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUBVENTION TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN 1980-81 TO ENABLE THEM TO DO SO, HE SAID.

THE THIRD CHANGE INVOLVES A NEW GRADE OF SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT TO BE FILLED BY NON-GRADUATE TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS, AND HE INTENDS TO CONSIDER IT IN GREATER DETAIL IN THE COMING REVIEW OF THE FIVE YEAR SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMMES LAID DOWN IN THE WHITE PAPERS ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND REHABILITATION, MR. LEE SAID THE TARGET COULD BE MET.

HE SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN THE FIELDS OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, REHABILITATION FACILITIES AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

/ON THE ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

ON THE VALUE OF INVOLVING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN VOLUNTARY WORK, MR. LEE SAID HE ENTIRELY AGREED WITH DR. HO, POINTING OUT THAT THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS INVOLVING ALL AGE GROUPS WAS WIDELY PRACTISED IN MANY FIELDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, BOTH BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

♦ I DO NOT MYSELF THINK THAT A CENTRAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY IS REQUIRED ALTHOUGH, IF ONE IS DESIRED, THE ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES SEEMS WELL PLACED TO CARRY OUT THE TASK,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID SOME VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE ALREADY MAKING USE OF THE NETWORK OF OLD PEOPLE’S CENTRES TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT CF ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS.

♦ I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MANY MORE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAPPING THIS VALUABLE SOURCE OF VOLUNTEERS,* HE SAID.

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

OIL POLICY COMMITTEE FOCUSING ATTENTION ON STRATEGIC RESERVES * ft * ft * *

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE OIL POLICY COMMITTEE HAS NOW TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO THE QUESTION OF STRATEGIC RESERVES AS PHYSICAL SHORTAGE OF OIL IS OVER.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY THE HON. ALLEN LEE AT THE ANNUAL DEBATE, MR. JEAFFRESON PROPOSED THAT ONCE THE COMMITTEE HAD DEALT WITH THAT ISSUE IT SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF PROPAGATING PERMANENT WAYS OF SAVING FUEL, SUCH AS BETTER INSULATED BUILDINGS AND MORE EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD EARLIER BEEN MAINLY CONCERNED WITH THE WORLD SHORTAGE OF OIL PRODUCTS AND HAD ADOPTED PRIORITIES FOR MAINTAINING SUPPLIES C.E.’ ELECTRICITY FOR INDUSTRY, OIL FOR INDUSTRY AND ELECTRICITY FOR DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS.

ON THE PROPOSALS BY THE HON. S.L. CHEN AND THE HON. P.Y. WONG ON THE SETTING UP OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AND A REFINERY AS LONG TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE ENERGY PROBLEM, MR. JEAFFRESON ASSURED THAT ♦THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY MUCH ALIVE TO BOTH POSSIBILITIES AT THE PRESENT TIME.*

TURNING TO STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S INVISIBLE TRADE RAISED BY THE HON. DAVID NEWBIGGING, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS HAD COMPLETED THE FIRST SURVEY OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF SERVICES AND THE RESULT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

♦HE IS ALSO TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY OF ANOTHER SURVEY TO COLLECT STATISTICS ON EXPENDITURE BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS TOURING ABROAD,♦ HE SAID.

/HOWEVER ....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

HOWEVER, HE SAID, WHETHER OR NOT THE RESULTS OF THESE SURVEYS WOULD BE PUBLISHED* DEPEND ON HOW CONFIDENT WE ARE OF THEIR RELIABILITY, GIVEN THAT THEY REPRESENT OUR FIRST DIRECT EFFORTS TO ENTER INTO WHAT IS IN STATISTICAL TERMS A VERY DIFFICULT AND SENSITIVE AREA.*

IN REPLY TO THE HON. ALLEN LEE ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING TO THE CONTINUING CAPABILITY OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MR. JEAFFRESON FULLY AGREED WITH HIM AND SAIDi ♦THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION WILL BE DEVOTING A FULL CHAPTER TO THE SUBJECT IN ITS REPORT.+

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

PACE OF NT DEVELOPMENT HAS NOT FALTERED * * ft * ft

THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAS NOT FALTERED AS THE EVIDENCE IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID IN A FEW YEARS THE NEW TOWNS WITH THEIR VASTLY IMPROVED SURROUNDINGS WOULD BE AN ACCOMPLISHED FACT AND IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT +THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TOWNS ARE BEGINNING TO UNITE TOGETHER TO TACKLE THE BESETTING PROBLEMS OF OUR SOCIETY AND TO BUILD A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES.♦

HE WAS REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

REVIEWING THE SUPPLY OF LAND AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID PROPOSALS FOR EXPENDITURE ON DETAILED SITE INVESTIGATION AND DESIGN WORK FOR AN EXTENSION OF SHA TIN UP THE EASTERN SIDE OF TIDE COVE TO WU KWAI SHA AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY WOULD BE PUT TO THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS WEEK.

♦ THESE TWO AREAS COVER SOME 460 HECTARES - OVER A THOUSAND ACRES - WITH A POTENTIAL POPULATION OF OVER 350 000,+ HE SAID.

♦ IF ALL GOES WELL, AND I CAN SEE NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT, FORMED LAND WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 1983-84 ONWARDS, SOME TWO YEARS BEFORE THE TIME ENVISAGED BY MR. LI FOOK-WO, AND AT A TIME WHEN THE SUPPLY OF LAND IN PRESENT DEVELOPMENT AREAS IS BEGINNING TO DRY UP.+

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID +THE PROPOSITION THAT WE ARE SHORT OF LAND IS AN OVER SIMPLIFICATION.+

THERE WAS A VAST POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT IN MANY PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF THE PRESENT PROGRAMME.

♦ WE HAVE BEGUN A DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF THE PLAINS AROUND YUEN LONG, BUT THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBILITIES- FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THERE IS SCOPE TO EXTEND TUEN MUN NEW TOWN NOT ONLY EASTWARDS TOWARDS TAI LAM, BUT ALSO WESTWARDS BEYOND TAP SHEK KOK- AND, TO MY MIND, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO THINK OF EXTENDING SHA TIN AROUND THE NORTH OF MA ON SHAN TOWARDS THREE FATHOMS COVE.

/♦IN SHORT ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1L, 1979 •

♦ IN SHORT WE ARE NOT RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS OR LAND,* MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, WHEREVER PRACTICABLE, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED PRIVATE INITIATIVE IN TAKING PART IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. BECAUSE OF THIS A NUMBER OF LARGE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES THAT HAD BEEN APPROVED DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS AT VARIOUS PLACES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD LEAD TO THE PRODUCTION OF SOME 9 000 HOUSES AND FLATS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

SOME OF THESE PROJECTS WOULD HELP TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE AT THE UPPER END OF THE HOUSING MARKET.

MR. AKERS-JONES ALSO TOUCHED ON THE LETTER B EXCHANGE SCHEME.

WHILE HE AGREED WITH MR. HU FAT-KUANG THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF COMBINING THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WITH A LETTER B EXCHANGE, HE NEVERTHELESS POINTED OUT THAT IT MIGHT JUST BE TOO COMPLICATED TO MIX THE TWO OBJECTIVES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXPLORING ALL POSSIBLE MEANS TO REDUCE ITS LETTER B COMMITMENT AND ADDEDt +AS WE MOVE INTO THE 1980S, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER GREAT DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES AHEAD OF US, WE SHOULD NOW EXAMINE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM IN RELATION TO THOSE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE EXPECTATIONS OF PRESENT LAND OWNERS AND THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS NOW WORKING.*

ON THE SUGGESTION BY THE HON. S.L. CHEN TO DEVELOP NEW TOWNS INTO SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITIES WITH SUFFICIENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND ADEQUATE AMENITIES, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID NO MATTER HOW EVEN THE BALANCE WAS THE NEED TO EXPAND THE EXISTING TRANSPORT NETWORK BETWEEN THE TOWNS, AS THE POPULATION, INDUSTRY AND GENERAL SOCIAL ACTIVITY INCREASED WAS INESCAPABLE.*

HE SAIDi +OUR DEVELOPMENT PLANS PROVIDE SUFFICIENT EMPLOYMENT FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE EXPECT IN EACH PLACE, BUT LOCAL SUPPLY AND DEMAND DO NOT ALWAYS MATCH THE WIDER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DYNAMICS OF THE SITUATION.

♦ I BELIEVE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WE ARE FOLLOWING THE CORRECT DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE BY TRYING TO KEEP DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS SOMEWHAT AHEAD OF THE GROWTH OF POPULATION IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.*

TURNING TO THE SUGGESTION THAT PRIVATE NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. AKERS-JONES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS CERTAINLY NO LACK OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND THAT THE RESPONSE HAD BEEN MAGNIFICENT.

HE CITED AS EXAMPLES A NUMBER OF PROJECTS WHICH HAD BEEN OR WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

♦ IF DONORS COME FORWARD WITH PRIVATE FUNDS, THEY CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPOND, HAPPILY AND QUICKLY, IN FINDING A SUITABLE SITE OR PROJECT,* HE SAID.

/ON THE ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

ON THE SUBJECT OF PRIVATE INTEREST AND DONATIONS FOR NEW BUILDINGS, HE SAID HE WISHED THERE WERE MORE INTEREST IN PRESERVING SOME OF THE OLD - THE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE THAT WAS ALL TOO QUICKLY DISAPPEARING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

i-SPEAKING FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND EXPRESSING A SOMEWHAT PAROCHIAL VIEW, THIS SEEMS TO ME FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN MAINTAINING THE OCCASIONAL RELICS OF NINETEENTH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE IN THE URBAN AREA,* HE SAID.

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

NEW PWD OFFICE TO CO-ORDINATE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WILL SHORTLY BE RECOMMENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NORTH EAST KOWLOON DEVELOPMENT OFFICE TO EXAMINE THE NEED FOR CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR WORKS IN THE AREA.

HE WILL ALSO RECOMMEND THE SETTING UP OF A SMALL UNIT TO EXAMINE THE NEED TO CO-ORDINATE THESE WORKS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE URBAN AREA.

THE MOVE FOLLOWS THE COMPLETION OF A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT BY A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE PWD WHO WAS APPOINTED IN FEBRUARY ON A TEMPORARY BASIS TO RESEARCH A PROPOSAL TO ASSESS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A CO-ORDINATION TEAM TO SERVE THE NORTH EAST KOWLOON AREA.

MR. MCDONALD WAS SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED ANNUAL DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

REPLYING TO A POINT RAISED BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO, HE SAID 1 ♦THE PWD'S PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAMS, OPERATING ON A SYSTEM OF PACKAGED DEVELOPMENT, HAVE BEEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATING ACTIVITIES IN THE NEW TOWNS BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE ASSUMED THAT THIS TYPE OF ORGANISATION IS NECESSARILY THE BEST ARRANGEMENT FOR EVERY SITUATION.♦

ON THE SUGGESTION BY THE HON. LI FOOK-WO THAT AS THERE HAS BEEN AN EASING OF PRESSURE ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FOLLOWING THE SLOW-DOWN IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN 1979 INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON LAND PRODUCTION AND ALL RELATED INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS IS UNLIKELY TO OVER-EXTEND THE INDUSTRY, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT TO-DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO APPARENT EASING OF PRESSURE.

♦ADMITTEDLY FEWER CONSENTS FOR PRIVATE BUILDING WORKS OF ALL TYPES WERE GIVEN DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR THAN WERE GIVEN DURING THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATION OF SOME LESSENING OF PRESSURE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE FUTURE — PROBABLY DURING NEXT YEAR,* HE SAID.

♦HOWEVER, THE INDUSTRY HAS STILL TO CONTEND WITH THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY GENERATED BY THE CONSENTS GIVEN OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

/+AS FAR ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

- 12 -

♦AS FAR AS GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON CONSTRUCTION IS CONCERNED THERE HAS BEEN NO REDUCTION IN LEVEL. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A RE-PHASING OF PROJECTS IN THE PROGRAMME THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS NON-RECURRENT ITEMS WILL REACH AN ALL-TIME RECORD IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.*

MR. MCDONALD REITERATED THAT SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO EASING OF PRESSURE AND ♦EMPLOYMENT IN THE INDUSTRY HAS INCREASED OVER LAST YEAR’S LEVEL AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE.+

REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION BY THE HON. F.K. HU THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CONSTRUCTING PUBLIC HOUSING ON GOVERNMENT SITES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE ONLY GROUND FLOOR USE, HE SAID 1 ♦IN FACT, COMPARATIVELY FEW SITES ALLOCATED TO DEPARTMENTS ARE DEVELOPED FOR GROUND FLOOR USE ONLY AS, AT LEAST IN RECENT YEARS, CONSIDERATION IS ALWAYS GIVEN TO JOINT-USER ARRANGEMENTS TO TRY TO MAXIMISE SITE UTILISATION.

♦HOUSING, EITHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, IS ONE POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL USE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL ALTHOUGH OF COURSE SOME SITES ARE TOO SMALL TO SUPPORT HOUSING OR ARE IN AREAS WHERE HOUSING OR ADDITIONAL HOUSING WOULD BE UNSUITABLE OR UNDESIRABLE.*

MR. MCDONALD EXPLAINED THAT HOUSING CANNOT SIMPLY BE PUT INTO EVERY AVAILABLE AREA AS THE INFRA-STRUCTURE AND NECESSARY AMENITIES IN MANY AREAS ARE ALREADY FULLY UTILISED AND THE INTRODUCTION OF FURTHER RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION WOULD OVERLOAD THEM.

HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THERE ARE SITES WHERE A COMBINATION OF HOUSING WITH GOVERNMENT USES HAS PROVED VIABLE.

♦ONE EXAMPLE IS THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY DEPOT SITE AT SHA TIN WHERE FLATS AND A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE ON A PODIUM OVER THE DEPOT,♦ HE SAID.

♦IN THE URBAN AREA, A SITE IN 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, IS BEING DEVELOPED WITH GOVERNMENT AND URBAN COUNCIL OFFICES ON THE LOWER FLOORS WITH HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FLATS ABOVE. THE HOUSING SOCIETY IS ALSO CONSTRUCTING BLOCKS OF FLATS OVER A MARKET IN THE SAI YING PUN AREA.+

HE REASSURED MR. HU THAT CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO INCLUDING HOUSING TO OBTAIN MAXIMUM USE OF GOVERNMENT SITES WHEREVER IT IS POSSIBLE AND SUITABLE.

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

/13

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

GOVERNMENT SHARES LOCAL MANUFACTURERS’ CONCERN ABOUT USA MARKET

******

THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES MARKET, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO TEXTILES AND APPAREL EXPORTS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON. LAWRENCE MILLS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AT THE ANNUAL DEBATE, MR. MILLS SAID THE CONCERN HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION AND ♦DESPITE THREE ROUNDS OF CONSULTATIONS ON OUR EXPORTS OF APPAREL TO THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE AS YET BEEN UNABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND.*

♦OUR EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING, AND THIS COUNCIL WILL BE AWARE THAT MR. DORWARD IS NOW IN WASHINGTON WHERE TOMORROW HE WILL SEE THE UNITED STATES SPECIAL TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, W. REUBEN ASKEW, TO REITERATE OUR CONCERN AND SEEK A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TALKS WITH THE USA MIGHT BE RESUMED,♦ HE SAID.

COMMENTING ON PROPOSALS BY THE HON. WONG PO-YAN ON EXPORT PROMOTION, MR. MILLS SAID THAT WHILST HE DOUBTED THE NEED TO INCREASE RESOURCES, HE AGREED WITH THE NEED FOR MEASURES TO ENHANCE OUR EXPORT CAPABILITY.

♦THE GOVERNMENT AND TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS ARE ALREADY ACTIVE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ATTRACT NEW EXPORT CAPABILITIES TO HONG KONG THROUGH INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION, BY SEEKING NEW SKILLS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES FROM OVERSEAS, AND THROUGH SUCH BODIES AS THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.

♦BUT MORE COULD BE DONE AND THERE IS A NEED FOR GREATER CO-ORDINATION OF OUR EFFORTS. WHEN THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION IS COMPLETED, I WOULD EXPECT THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROVIDE US WITH GUIDANCE ON HOW BEST TO PROCEED IN THIS FIELD,+ MR. MILLS SAID.

REPLYING TO THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN’S REMARKS ON THE NEED FOR MANUFACTURERS TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THEIR PRESENT PATTERN OF PURCHASING RAW MATERIALS, MR. MILLS SAID A SELLING MISSION FROM THE US TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN OFFERED EVERY ASSISTANCE DURING ITS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO HONG KONG.

♦SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S HEAD OFFICE HAS RECEIVED OR ASSISTED 51 INCOMING MISSIONS FROM OVERSEAS INTERESTED IN SELLING RAW MATERIALS TO US.

♦IN ADDITION, MANY HONG KONG PARTICIPANTS IN THE MORE THAN 50 PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE TDC THIS YEAR, HAVE INTERESTS IN THE PURCHASE OF RAW MATERIALS.

♦THE TDC ALSO OFFERS A TRADE ENQUIRIES SERVICE TO ASSIST IN LOCATING SOURCES OF RAW MATERIALS OVERSEAS. THIS IMPORTANT WORK OF THE TDC WILL CONTINUE, AND THE TRADE,INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO ASS 1ST,♦ HE SAID.

----0---- /14 .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 19 79

14 -

HK/AUSTRIA TEXTILE TALKS TO RESUME IN EUROPE NEXT MONTH MMX*

CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA ON THE FUTURE OF THE BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS WERE ADJOURNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOLLOWING THREE DAYS OF INCONCLUSIVE TALKS IN HONG KONG.

CONSULTATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME IN EUROPE NEXT MONTH.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SAID THE CURRENT AGREEMENTS WOULD RUN UNTIL JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR.

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

DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES * * X *

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL START ISSUING FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) A NEW TRAVEL DOCUMENT CALLED +DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES*. TO REPLACE THE PRIVATELY ISSUED ^DECLARATION OF IDENTITY* SWORN BEFORE A NOTARY WHICH IS WIDELY USED BY RECENT IMMIGRANTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID EXISTING DECLARATIONS OF IDENTITY ENDORSED WITH A HONG KONG VISA WILL REMAIN VALID UNTIL THE VISA EXPIRES.

HE STRESSED THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR HOLDERS OF DECLARATIONS OF IDENTITY TO SWITCH TO THE NEW DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY, UNTIL THEY REQUIRE A NEW RE-ENTRY VISA.

THE FEE FOR THE DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES IS $60 FOR 44 PAGES AND $120 FOR 92 PAGES.

THE RE-ENTRY VISA FEE, WHICH IS PAYABLE IN ADDITION IF THE HOLDER INTENDS TO RETURN TO HONG KONG, REMAINS UNCHANGED AT $32.

- - 0 - -

SCHEME TO HELP DEPENDANTS OF FIREMEN KILLED IN ACTION M M M M

THE FIRE SERVICES HAS INTRODUCED A SCHEME TO HELP WIDOWS AND g" J ACT“"A!TSOTHER'c6.uSinESHAVE BEEN K'LLED W"'LE FISHTING FIBE

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SINCE THE DEATH OF SENIOR FIREMAN HUI YAU FUK LAST SEPTEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS HAVE DONATED A TofAL OF $180 000 TO THE WELFARE FUND, APART FROM DIRECT DONATIONS TO THE WIDOW WHO HAS ALSO RECEIVED FINANCIAL BENEFITS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND FIRE SERVICES FOLLOWING HER HUSBAND’S DEATH.

♦THIS SUM OF MONEY HAS BEEN PLACED ON DEPOSIT IN A SUB-ACCOUNT OF THE FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND AND THE INTEREST EARNED WILL BE USED TO PAY WIDOWS OR DEPENDANTS A REGULAR MONTHLY GRANT TO SUBSIDISE THEIR OTHER INCOME,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/THE WIDOWS .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1979

THE WIDOWS OF SENIOR FIREMAN HUI YAU FUK AND FIREMAN WONG PONG 5?«*™LD BE THE F,RST T0 BENEF,T FR0M ™E SCHEME COMMENCING OCTOBER 1, 1979.

SENIOR FIREMAN HUI DIED FROM INJURY RECEIVED WHILE FIGHTING A DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN FIRE IN KING LAM STREET ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1979

FIREMAN WONG WAS KILLED IN A GAS EXPLOSION IN DA.1MARU DEPARTMENT STORE IN CAUSEWAY BAY IN 1972. ~

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

NOTE TO EDITORSi

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT AT SHA TIN RACE COURSE ft * ft * * *

DETAILS OF A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME AT THE SHA TIN RACE COURSE WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE GIS THEATRE ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16) AT 11 A.M.

PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. BARRIE WIGGHAM- THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, GENERAL R.B. PENFOLD- THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC, MR. JOHN DUFFUS, AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS. ELIZABETH WONG.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONFERENCE.

----0----

SUSPENSION OF TRAM SERVICES IN HAPPY VALLEY ft ft ft ft ft ft

TRAM SERVICES FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN AND SHAUKIWAN WILL BE SUSPENDED AT 11.30 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 17 (SATURDAY) AND NOVEMBER 24 (SUNDAY) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE CANAL ROAD EXTENSION.

ON BOTH DAYS THE LAST TRAM FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO SHAUKIWAN WILL BE AT 11.24 P.M. AND THAT TO KENNEDY TOWN WILL LEAVE WITHIN SECONDS.

THE LAST TRAM FROM SHAUKIWAN TO HAPPY VALLEY WILL LEAVE AT 10.26 P.M. AND THAT FROM KENNEDY TOWN AT 10.46 P.M.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH STABILITY IS ONE OF GOVERNMENT'S TCP PRIORITY OBJECTIVES - SAYS FS ................................ 1

CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS PAY REPORT ....................................................... j

RATE OF VR RESETTLEMENT IS STILL LOW ............................. 5

PROPOSALS TO AMEND LAW ON PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE BEING FINALISED .............................................. 7

SHA OUTLINES PLANS TO BUILD UP UNDERSTANDING WITH THE PUBLIC .................................................. 9

REGIONALISATION SCHEME RELIEVES OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS .................................................... 11

GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE DEPARTMENTAL CO-ORDINATION AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION ........................... 13

FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT PRESENT ............. 14

CHANGES IN HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL SCENE ......................... 18

IMPORT AND EXPORT ( AMENDMENT ) BILL 1979 ....................... 20

SEMINAR TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF AIR POLLUTION SURVEY .............. 21

DSW TO OFFICIATE AT SCHOOL'S GRADUATION CEREMONY ................ 22

BILL TO UPDATE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE ................. 22

HAWKER CONTROL FORCE (REPEAL) BILL 1979 ......................... 2J

BILLS PASSED .................................................... 2J

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE ON SATURDAY ............... 2J

MAXICAB SERVICES TO SAI KUNG .................................... 24

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH STABILITY IS ONE OF GOVERNMENT’S TOP PRIORITY OBJECTIVES - SAYS FS ******

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) ASSURED THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH STABILITY IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOP PRIORITY OBJECTIVES AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE 198OS AND BEYOND.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE ECONOMY IS ADJUSTING IN RESPONSE TO MARKET FORCES AND +WE ARE IN SIGHT OF STABILITY.*

HE NOTED THAT THE GROWTH MOMENTUM ACHIEVED IN THE FOUR POST-RECESSION YEARS WHICH HAS INCREASED REAL G.D.P. BY 61 PER CENT SINCE 1975 AND REAL G.D.P. PER CAPITA BY 44 PER CENT, HAS INEVITABLY PUT PRESSURE ON THE INTERNAL PRICE LEVEL.

♦UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE NOW ALSO IMPORTING INFLATION AGAINi IMPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE 16 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHEREAS THE C.P.I. INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT ONLY.

♦ALTHOUGH IT TAKES TIME FOR INCREASES IN IMPORT PRICES TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH TO RETAIL PRICES, THE EVIDENCE IS THERE THAT IMPORTED INFLATION IS NOW MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION- AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IMPORTED INFLATION IS CAUSED BY FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL,+ HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE STRENGTHENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SINCE END CF JULY BY 7.3 PER CENT IS HELPFUL.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID NO MATTER HOW SIGNIFICANT IMPORTED INFLATION MAY PRESENTLY BE, THE TASK OF EASING BACK THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND ON DOMESTIC RESOURCES IS LIKELY TO REMAIN WITH US FOR SOME TIME YET.

♦AND, IF THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORTS EASES OFF NEXT YEAR, WE MUST BE ON OUR GUARD TO ENSURE THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC DEMAND ALSO EASES OFF IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE COST/PRICE STRUCTURE ADJUSTS APPROPRIATELY.+

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN REAL TERMS ACTUALLY ACCELERATED IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND HE REVISED HIS FORECAST FOR THE GROWTH RATE FROM 13 TO 16 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

THIS PERFORMANCE IS DUE NOT ONLY TO MAGNIFICENT EFFORTS OF OUR MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS, BUT ALSO TO THE DEPRECIATION CF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR AND THE BUOYANCY OF OVERSEAS DEMAND WHICH HAS FIRMED UP EXPORT PRICES.

ON THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS IN REAL TERMS, HE SAID SO FAR THIS YEAR, IT IS RATHER HIGHER THAN HIS REVISED FORECAST FOR THE YEAR OF 15 PER CENT, ♦BUT THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THE BETTER THAN EXPECTED EXPORT PERFORMANCE.♦

/ON THE ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

ON THE DEMAND FOR, AND SUPPLY OF LABOUR, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID A BETTER BALANCE APPEARS TO BE DEVELOPING IN THE LABOUR MARKET AS A WHOLE, INASMUCH AS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER, ADJUSTED FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS, WAS AROUND THREE PER CENT COMPARED WITH 2.3 PER CENT IN MARCH.

+BUT THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS STILL SUCH THAT WAGE RATES ARE STILL INCREASING AT A FAST PACE AND FASTER THAN IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

TURNING TO PRICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID REAL INCOMES GENERALLY HAVE INCREASED RAPIDLY IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ARE CONTINUING TO DO SO.

HE POINTED OUT THAT REAL G.D.P. PER CAPITA HAS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT IN THE FOUR POST-RECESSION YEARS AND REAL WAGE RATES IN THAT SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY WHICH EMPLOYS TWO-FIFTHS CF THE LABOUR FORCE HAVE INCREASED BY 45 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.

+SO LET US NOT ALLOW THE MANY IRRITATIONS AND FRUSTRATIONS CAUSED BY ’INFLATION’ TO OBSCURE THE UNDENIABLE FACT THAT THIS COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IS PROSPERING, ONE MANIFESTATION OF THIS BEING, AS THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING SAID YESTERDAY, A PENT-UP DEMAND FOR HOUSING.*

IN REPLY TO A CALL BY DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG FOR MORE PUBLIC DEBATE ON ECONOMIC POLICY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID BESIDES THE READILY AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONTACT BETWEEN OFFICIALS AND UNOFFICIALS AND INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IT IS THE PRACTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPOSE ITS THINKING IN BUDGETARY, FISCAL, ECONOMIC AND MONETARY FIELDS AT SOME LENGTH IN BOTH THE ’WRITTEN AND SPOKEN WORD’.

HE SAIDi +WE DO THIS NOT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO EXPLAIN OUR THINKING IN THESE ALL IMPORTANT FIELDS.......

BUT ALSO WITH A VIEW TO PROVOKING COMMENTARY.

♦SUCH COMMENTARY, NO MATTER HOW IT IS PUBLICISED IS ALWAYS STUDIED BY MY COLLEAGUES AND ME WITH INTEREST ALBEIT, SOMETIMES, INTEREST MIXED WITH IRR ITAT ION.♦

HE NOTED THAT COMMENTARY IS NEVER IGNORED AND OCCASIONALLY LEADS TO A VISIBLE RESPONSE.

TURNING TO THE CALL BY THE HON. LYDIA DUNN FOR AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF GOVERNMENT’S TOP MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, MR. HADDON-CAVE THOUGHT THAT +OUR MANAGEMENT OVERHEADS NEED STRENGTHENING RATHER THAN RE-ORGANISING SUCH HAS BEEN THE PACE OF GROWTH AND CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO DEFENDED THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT FOR TAXING THE CREDIT UNIONS. ♦THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE MUST ADMINISTER THE LAW AS IT STANDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO HOUNDING OR HARASSMENT.*

/BUT HE....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

BUT HE UNDERTOOK TO EXAMINE, FROM A POLICY POINT OF VIEW, THE QUESTION OF THE LIABILITY OF CREDIT UNIONS TO INTEREST TAX, ♦NOT THAT I BELIEVE THEIR PRESENT LIABILITY UNDER THE LAW INVOLVES A THREAT TO THEIR VERY EXISTENCE.*

MR. HADDON-CAVE DENIED THAT THE BUDGET STRATEGY FOR A CUT-BACK IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN THE MIDDLE OF RECESSION IN 1974-75 WAS ♦SHORT-SIGHTED AND UNNECESSARY* AS DESCRIBED BY THE HON. LI FOOK-WO IN THE DEBATE.

HE SAID FROM LATE 1975 ONWARDS, THE 1975-76 BUDGET CAN CLAIM SOME CREDIT FOR THE SPEED AND DURATION OF HONG KONG’S RECOVERY CITING THE LAND PRODUCTION RATE IN RECENT YEARS, THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. HE SAID OUR FREE FISCAL RESERVES ARE NOW AT A LEVEL WHICH SAFEGUARDS OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A GIVEN LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE AS AND WHEN A PURELY FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT EMERGES.

IN HIS SPEECH WINDING UP THE ANNUAL DEBATE, MR. HADDON-CAVE ALSO AGREED THAT THE WIDER THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BRI TA IN — THE WIDER IT IS SEEN TO BE — THE MORE EASILY H.M.G.’S OBLIGATION TO HONG KONG WOULD BE UNDERSTOOD.

HE SAID WITHOUT COMPROMISING HONG KONG’S FREE TRADE PHILOSOPHY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE BRITISH FIRMS ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN THIS MARKET. *TO THIS END, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR COMMISSIONER IN LONDON IS TIRELESS IN HIS ENDEAVOURS TO PUBLICISE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE FOUND HERE.*

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

CIVIL SERVANTS URGED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS PAY REPORT

X X X X N

THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED CIVIL SERVANTS WHO HAVE RESERVATIONS ON THE FIRST REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY TO ACT RESPONSIBLY AND PUT THEIR ------------------------------------- ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES

CASES BACK TO THE STANDING COMMISSION AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, W. ROWLANDS REITERATED THAT +THIS IS A STANDING COMMISSION AND, AS THE COMMISSION ITSELF RECOGNISES, ITS FIRST REPORT DOES NOT PRETEND TO SOLVE ALL PAY PROBLEMS OR MEET ALL CIVIL SERVANTS’ EXPECTATIONS.*

♦THUS THE COMMISSION REMAINS READY TO REVIEW PAY SCALES AS NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS FROM BOTH STAFF AND MANAGEMENT,♦ HE ADDED.

MR. ROWLANDS SAID DURING THE FIRST YEAR, THE COMMISSION HAS FOCUSSED VERY MUCH ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY. IN FACT, IT ALSO HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE IN RELATION TO HOUSING AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AS WELL AS IN IMPROVING CONSULTATIVE

PROCEDURES.

/+IN ALL .....

THUBSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

♦IN ALL THIS I SEE MUCH SCOPE FOR DEVELOPING A GREATER STAFF CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE COMM I SSION,♦ HE SAID.

HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT + IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EVERYONE — STAFF, MANAGEMENT AND THE PUBLIC ALIKE, THAT WE SHOULD NOW DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE COMMISSION, SO THAT IT MAY SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT ITS FUTURE ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF WORK.+

TURNING TO THE FIRST REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY, MR. ROWLANDS SAID THE RESULT OF THE REPORT IS A CLOSELY INTERLOCKING AND MORE UP-TO-DATE SALARY STRUCTURE FOR THE WHOLE SERVICE.

THE COMMISSION HAS MADE IT CLEAR IN THE REPORT THAT IT HAS CONSIDERED CAREFULLY ALL REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY BOTH STAFF AND MANAGEMENT, AND THAT IT HAS TAKEN ACCOUNT OF THE PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED IN ITS EARLIER REPORT, HE SAID.

♦BECAUSE THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INTERLOCK I NG,+ ROWLANDS SAID, +ANY ALTERATION NOW TO THE PAY SCALES RECOMMENDED FOR A PARTICULAR GRADE WOULD CALL FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECONSIDERATION OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON OTHER GRADES.♦

♦THIS WOULD REQUIRE REFERENCE BACK TO THE COMMISSION, AND WOULD DELAY SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR MANY MONTHS,+ HE ADDED.

HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOOK THE VIEW THAT SUCH A DELAY WOULD NOT BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EITHER THE CIVIL SERVICE OR THE COMMUNITY.

ACCORDINGLY, HE ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 27 THAT IT WAS PROPOSED TO SUBMIT THE REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REVISED PAY SCALES SHOULD BE GENERALLY APPROVED, AND ALSO THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION SHOULD BE ASKED TO INCLUDE IN ITS FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK THOSE MATTERS IN THE REPORT WHICH STAFF OR MANAGEMENT CONSIDER MERIT RE-EXAM I NAT ION.+

DISAGREEMENT WITH SOME OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS WAS EXPECTED, PARTICULARLY FROM GROUPS WHOSE REPRESENTATIONS'WERE NOT ACCEPTED BY THE COMMISSION, MR. ROWLANDS SAID.

IT WAS ALSO EXPECTED THAT PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD FOCUS ON THOSE GROUPS WHO HAVE THREATENED OR TAKEN DISRUPTIVE ACTION, HE SAID.

♦BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO SEE THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE,♦ MR. ROWLANDS SAID. ♦THE NUMBER OF GRADES WHO HAVE THREATENED OR TAKEN DISRUPTIVE ACTION IS A SMALL MINORITY.+

♦MANY OTHERS, ALTHOUGH DISAPPOINTED WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE REPORT, HAVE ACTED RESPONSIBLY AND DECIDED TO PURSUE THEIR CASE FURTHER BY MAKING FRESH REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION,♦ HE SAID.

♦THEY INCLUDE THE VARIOUS STAFF ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE THREE MAIN STAFF ASSOCIATIONS WHICH COMPRISE THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL.^

/BECAUSE OF ..

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

BECAUSE OF THE INTERLOCKING NATURE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAY SCALES AND IN THE INTEREST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE, THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL HAS RECOMMENDED THE REPORT BE FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITH A REQUEST THAT ALL MATTERS IN DISPUTE SHOULD BE REFERRED BACK TO THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MR. ROWLANDS SAID.

♦WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE THERE IS WITHOUT DOUBT A LARGE BODY OR RESPONSIBLE OPINION WHICH DOES NOT SUPPORT THE ATTEMPTS BEING MADE BY SOME GROUPS OF STAFF TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO MODIFY THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THEIR FAVOUR,♦ HE SAID

♦THESE PRESSURES MUST BE RESISTED IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO COMMAND THE RESPECT OF THE MODERATE MAJORITY AMONG ITS EMPLOYEES,♦ HE ADDED.

MR. ROWLANDS SAIDi +IT REMAINS THEREFORE THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PUT THE STANDING COMMISSION’S FIRST REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR DECISION WITHOUT DELAY, SO AS NOT TO DEPRIVE STAFF OF THE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS WHICH WILL RESULT IF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ACCEPTED.♦

♦MOREOVER,♦ HE ADDED,♦ THERE ARE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT WHICH WILL HELP RECRUITMENT, ASSIST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENTS, AND GENERALLY LEAD TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.*

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

RATE OF VR RESETTLEMENT IS STILL LOW M M X X

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT HONG KONG STILL HAS OVER 61 000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES DESPITE THE EFFORTS AT DIPLOMATIC LEVEL AND THE MANY BRIEFINGS AND REPRESENTATIONS GIVEN AND MADE

LOCALLY AND ABROAD.

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. DAVIES SAID HONG KONG SHALL CONTINUE TO URGE UPON THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES AND POTENTIAL RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES THE NEED TO INCREASE THE RATE OF RESETTLEMENT.

♦HONG KONG IS GRATEFUL FOR THE HELP IT HAS RECEIVED, NOTABLY FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,♦ HE SAID.

BUT, HE ADDED, ITS TREATMENT OVERALL BY COUNTRIES OFFERING RESETTLEMENT PLACE§ HAS BEEN LESS GENEROUS THAN FOR OTHER PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM AS REGIONAL RESETTLEMENT FIGURES SHOW.

MR. DAVIES SAID THAT IF ONE TOOK THE BOAT REFUGEE POPULATION AT THE END OF 1978 AND ADDED TO IT ARRIVALS TO THE END OF OCTOBER 1979, HONG KONG HAD 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, MALAYSIA 38 PER CENT AND INDONESIA 19 PER CENT.

Abut so....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979 '

♦BUT SO FAR THIS YEAR HONG KONG HAS RECEIVED ONLY 17 PER CENT OF ALL RESETTLEMENT PLACES IN THE REGION FOR BOAT REFUGEES COMPARED WITH 61 PER CENT FOR MALAYSIA AND 10 PER CENT FOR INDONESIA,+ MR. DAVIES POINTED OUT.

HE SAID THAT AS A RESULT, AT THE END OF OCTOBER HONG KONG HAD 38 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REGIONAL BURDEN OF BOAT REFUGEES COMPARED WITH 26 PER CENT IN MALAYSIA AND 25 PER CENT IN INDONESIA.

+AT PRESENT WORLD CONCERN IS UNDERSTANDABLY FOCUSSED ON THE TRAGEDY OF THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA. STARVATION AND SUFFERING ON AN APPALLING SCALE IS OCCURRING,* HE SAID.

+THEIR SITUATION, WHETHER IN CAMBODIA OR IN THE CAMPS IN THAILAND, IS GHASTLY AND A PROBLEM OF COMPELLING MAGNITUDE CALLING FOR MASSIVE RELIEF SUPPLIES OF FOOD AND MEDICINE.

♦HOWEVER THIS ADDED DIMENSION TO THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE CF INDOCHINA DOES NOT LESSEN HONG KONG’S NEED TO MAKE GREATER AND MUCH FASTER PROGRESS WITH RESETTLEMENT OF ITS BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM.*

HE SAID THAT THE HON. P.C. WONG HAD ALREADY REMINDED RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES THAT +ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS.*

♦ I THEREFORE REINFORCE HIS CALL FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF RESETTLEMENT PLACES BEING OFFERED TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG,* MR. DAVIES SAID.

HE SAID THAT THE RATE OF RESETTLEMENT IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS HAS AVERAGED 3 300 PER MONTH WHICH WAS LESS THAN THE TARGET FIGURE WE HAD HOPED TO ACHIEVE.

HE SAIDi +WE STILL HOPE TO REACH 4 000 A MONTH AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BUT EVEN AT THIS RATE, AND WITHOUT ANY NEW ARRIVALS, IT WOULD TAKE UNTIL SPRING 1981 TO RESETTLE ALL THE BOAT REFUGEES.

♦ WITH THE EFFECT OF THE SHADOW CAST ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST CHINA SEA BY THE POSSIBILITY OF RENEWAL OF OUTFLOW FROM VIETNAM, THIS IS PRETTY COLD COMFORT.

♦ IT IS ALSO MEAGRE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF WHAT HONG KONG HAS DONE FOR BOAT REFUGEES.♦

ON IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA, MR. DAVIES SAID THE RESPONSE OF THE SECURITY FORCES AND THOSE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED HAS BEEN IMPRESSIVE.

♦ TO THIS LIST I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE VOLUNTARY SERVICES, AGENCIES AND, IF I MAY, MY OWN BRANCH. THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN COUNTERED WITH RESOURCEFULNESS, DEDICATION AND INGENUITY. OVER A LONG PERIOD, NOW ENTERING ITS SECOND YEAR, ALL HAVE DONE THEIR UTMOST TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEMS. I KNOW THEY WILL GO ON DOING S0,+ HE SAID.

MR. DAVIES SAID THE STRATEGY TO KEEP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TO THE MINIMUM WAS TO MAKE THE LAND BORDER AND THE FLANKS OF HONG KONG SO SECURE THAT A HIGH RATE OF APPREHENSION WAS ACHIEVED.

/+NOT ONLY ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

♦NOT ONLY DO WE WISH TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM THE NUMBER CF THOSE WHO SLIP THROUGH THE NET, WE ALSO WANT A HIGH ARREST RATE TO BE A DETERRENT TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKING OF TRYING TO COME HERE ILLEGALLY,♦ HE EXPLAINED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEEN HARD PRESSED TO ACHIEVE THIS STRATEGY BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THE COASTLINE AND THE ATTRACTION WHICH HONG KONG APPEARED TO REPRESENT TO PEOPLE LIVING IN GUANGDONG.

TO MEET THIS COMMITMENT, HER MAJESTY FORCES HAVE BEEN REINFORCED, MORE GURKHA SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED, ADDITIONAL VESSELS ORDERED, MORE FENCING, OBSERVATION TOWERS AND LIGHTING ON THE BORDER HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED. SMALL BOAT UNITS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND PLANS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OUR SECURITY FORCES ARE PROVIDED WITH THE MANPOWER AND OTHER RESOURCES TO CONTAIN AND REDUCE THE FLOW, HE SAID.

♦ WE ARE MAINTAINING AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A HIGH DEGREE OF VIGILANCE AND PATROLL I NG,♦ MR. DAVIES ADDED.

HE ALSO SAIDi +THE ASSURANCES GIVEN RECENTLY BY CHINESE LEADERS THAT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ARE VERY WELCOME. EFFECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN IN JUNE AND JULY WITH THE RESULT THAT NUMBERS DROPPED SHARPLY.

♦UNFORTUNATELY THIS TREND WAS NOT MAINTAINED. IN OCTOBER THE SECURITY FORCES WERE ARRESTING AN AVERAGE OF 374 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS A DAY, A VERY HIGH FIGURE WHICH WAS MORE THAN TWICE THE DAILY RATE FOR SEPTEMBER.

♦ SO FAR THIS MONTH THE FIGURE IS LOWER, AT AN AVERAGE OF 220 A DAY. BUT ALTHOUGH THE TREND IS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, LITTLE COMFORT CAN BE DERIVED FROM SUCH A FIGURE.

♦ BY ALL HISTORICAL MEASURES IT IS STILL ABNORMALLY HIGH. IT SHOWS THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL FAR FROM BEING BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.♦

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

PROPOSALS TO AMEND LAW ON PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE BEING FINALISED ft * * * ft ft

PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE-CONTROL OF MEETINGS AND PUBLIC GATHERINGS ARE BEING FINALISED AND WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.

THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN GRIFFITHS IN THE ANNUAL-LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE.

HE SAID THE PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE

WERE AGREED AMONGST MEMBERS OF A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, AND THEIR GENERAL NATURE IS AS FOLLOWSi

/• A NARROWER ..

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

— 8 -

ft A NARROWER DEFINITION OF +MEETING+ — THE BASIS OF THE PRESENT DEFINITION, NAMELY A SIMPLE PHYSICAL COMING TOGETHER OF PEOPLE IS CONSIDERED TO BE TOO BROAD, AND IT IS INTENDED THAT GATHERINGS FOR SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND OTHER DEFINED PURPOSES SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION AND FROM CONTROL.

ft AT PRESENT, THE PROVISIONS FOR +PRIOR CONTROL* BY THE POLICE IN THE FORM OF APPLICATIONS TO AND THE ISSUE OF LICENCES BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE EXTEND, BY VIRTUE OF THE WAY ♦PUBLIC PLACE* IS DEFINED, TO PRIVATE PREMISES. THE PROPOSAL IS THAT +PRIOR CONTROL* SHOULD NOT ENCOMPASS PRIVATE PREMISES SAVE WHERE ATTENDANCE EXCEEDS A CERTAIN NUMBER. LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MAY BRING PROBLEMS IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, AND SO ON, SO THAT EVEN IN PRIVATE PREMISES SOME CONTROL MAY BE APPROPRIATE ONCE THE NUMBER EXCEEDS A GIVEN LIMIT.

ft THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF LICENSING FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE. THE MEETING MAY BE HELD UPON PROPER NOTIFICATION UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY THE POLICE BY WRITTEN NOTICE ON SPECIFIED STATUTORY GROUNDS.

ft WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC PROCESSIONS PRESENTLY DEFINED AS ANY PROCESSION ♦IN, TO OR FROM A PUBLIC PLACE*, A NEW AND MORE PRECISE DEFINITION WILL BE INTRODUCED. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF REQUIRING PUBLIC PROCESSIONS TO BE LICENSED SHOULD BE CONTINUED, WITH AN EXCEPTION IN THE CASE OF A PROCESSION OF LESS THAN, SAY, 15 PEOPLE OR SO.

HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT HE HAS MERELY DEALT WITH THE GIST OF THE MAIN PROPOSALS OF THE WORKING GROUP AND THAT IT IS NOT INTENDED TO RELAX PROVISIONS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THOSE MEETINGS AND PROCESSIONS WHICH ARE IN FACT HELD ARE CONDUCTED PEACEFULLY AND LAWFULLY.

COMMENTING ON THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE HON. PETER C. WONG ABOUT THE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE SCHEMES, MR. GRIFFITHS SAID +BOTH THE SCHEMES ARE WORKING WELL, PROGRESS WILL BE EAGERLY FOLLOWED, AND PROPOSALS FOR EXPANSION WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.*

HE ALSO SAID THAT VOLUNTEERS TO THE SCHEMES DESERVE THE THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR PROVIDING A VALUABLE FREE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNTIY.

COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG THAT IN FUTURE OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD EXPOUND, IN MORE DETAIL THAN IS POSSIBLE IN THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, UPON TOPICS OUTLINED BY HIM, AND THAT THEIR SPEECHES SHOULD PRECEDE THOSE CF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE DEBATE. HE SAID IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROCEDURE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REQUIRES AMENDMENT OF THE STANDING ORDERS.

♦ACCORDINGLY, THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION IS TO DISCUSS WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HOW MR. CHEUNG’S ATTRACTIVE SUGGESTION COULD BEST BE CARRIED OUT WITH A VIEW TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION PRIOR TO THIS DEBATE NEXT YEAR,+ HE ADDED.

/9 ....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

- 9 -

SHA OUTLINES PLANS TO BUILD UP UNDERSTANDING WITH THE PUBLIC

******

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI TODAY (THURSDAY) OUTLINED THE PLANS TO BUILD UP BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND TRUST BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING IN THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE, MR. LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SET UP A SPECIAL UNIT IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO IMPROVE ITS EFFORT IN GATHERING PUBLIC OPINION.

THE UNIT WOULD INCLUDE A PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY RESEARCH OFFICER AND ITS TASK WOULD BE TO DEVELOP A WIDER NETWORK OF OPINION GATHERING THROUGH DEPARTMENTAL CONTACTS, BUILDING ON EXISTING CHANNELS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BUT ALSO MAKING GREATER USE OF PROFESSIONAL OPINION SURVEYS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALREADY THE PRACTICE FOR MAJOR POLICY PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO CONTAIN A SEPARATE PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY REACTION CONDUCTED BY APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS OR SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AND CROSS-CHECKED WITH THE HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.

IN ADDITION TO CONSULTATION ON SPECIFIC ISSUES THROUGH GREEN PAPERS AND SPECIAL SURVEYS, MR. LI NOTED, LIAISON STAFF OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ALSO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY SO THAT PREVAILING SPONTANEOUS PUBLIC FEELINGS ON MATTERS OF CONCERN ARE CLOSELY MONITORED AND REGULARLY RELAYED TO DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.

THROUGH THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPINION OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT JUST THAT OF OUTSPOKEN INDIVIDUALS OR AFFECTED GROUPS, HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES, HE SAID.

MR. LI ALSO STRESSED THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY BOTH TO LISTEN AND TO EXPLAIN, AND TO ENSURE THAT ITS ’FEEDOUT’ MACHINERY WOULD RESPOND ACCORDINGLY WITH WHAT IS GATHERED THROUGH ITS ’FEEDBACK’ SYSTEM.

+IN OUR ENDEAVOUR TO IMPROVE THE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC, WE DO PAY AS MUCH ATTENTION TO EXPLAINING GOVERNMENT POLICIES AS TO GATHERING PUBLIC OPINION,* HE SAID.

LARGELY FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID, THE INFORMATION BRANCH, UNDER THE SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION, WAS RE-ESTABLISHED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR TO BETTER CO-ORDINATE GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN THIS DIRECTION.

REPLYING TO A POINT BY THE HON. LYDIA DUNN ON GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, MR. LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS EVALUATING INFORMATION COLLATED FROM THE IN-DEPTH STUDIES BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP LAST YEAR TO REVIEW THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION ON GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

THE GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR STREAMLINING PROCEDURES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS AND THE SCOUTING OF NEW TALENT, HE SAID.

/+WE ARE ..

THURSDAY, NOVBffiER 15, 1979

♦WE ARE, AS A RESULT. IMPROVING THE REGISTER OF SERVING AND POTENTIAL UNOFFICIALS, KEPT IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH- AND PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO ENLISTING THE SERVICES OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION,* HE SAID.

♦IN THIS REGARD, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND SECRETARIES HAVE BEEN REMINDED TO LOOK OUT FOR NEW TALENT IN THE AGE GROUP OF 30 TO 40,+ HE SAID.

MR. LI SAID THE GROUP’S STUDY REVEALED THAT HALF OF THE 300 GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ARE CHAIRED BY UNOFFICIALS AND THAT OVER 75 PER CENT OF THAT MEMBERSHIP ARE ALSO UNOFFICIALS.

♦THESE FACTS INDICATE THAT EFFECTIVE USE IS BEING MADE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF UNOFFICIALS,+ HE SAID.

♦THE GROUP’S STUDY IS CONTINUING AND THE ULTIMATE AIM BEING TO STRENGTHEN OUR NETWORK OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND TO ENSURE MORE MEANINGFUL PART ICIPATION BY EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS,♦ HE SAID.

MR. LI ALSO SAID THAT THE GROUP WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS MIGHT BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL AS WELL AS COLLECTIVE ADVICE OF UNOFFICIALS SHOULD BE ACTIVELY SOUGHT ON MAJOR POLICY ISSUES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF PARTICULAR BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

COMMENTING ON THE TRANSFER OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE TO THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, MR. LI SAID THIS WOULD ♦ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE DEPLOYED TO THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EFFECT AND THAT PLANNING, MONITORING AND CONTROLLING OF GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN THESE FIELDS ARE EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT.+

HE ASSURED THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT THAT THE TRANSFER CF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT AFFECT GENERAL MUSIC EDUCATION AND MUSIC CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS.

COMMENTING ON REMARKS BY THE HON. F.K. HU ON THE PROMOTION OF CULTURE IN HONG KONG, MR. LI SAID A NEW DIVISION OF RECREATION AND CULTURE IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS BEEN SET UP AS A FIRM STEP TOWARDS EVEN CLOSER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

MR. LI ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE NEED TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN MUSIC AND OTHER FORMS OF PERFORMING ARTS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL WOULD BE LOOKED AT +ONCE WE HAVE DRAWN UP A DEFINITE POLICY ON THE LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AND ART IN HONG KONG.+

♦ IN THIS CONNECTION,* HE SAID, +A PLANNING TEAM COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE MAY THIS YEAR ON SUCH A LONG TERM PROGRAMME PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH MUSIC AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.+

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/11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

REGIONALISATION SCHEME RELIEVES * * * *

OVERCROWDING IN HOSPITALS ft ft

THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN THE RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING AND THE BETTER USE OF HOSPITAL BEDS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

IN HIS REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, DR. THONG SAID IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, A TWO-PRONG STRATEGY WAS ADOPTEDi BY REPROVISIONING AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING SERVICES ON THE ONE HAND AND THE PROVISION OF NEW FACILITIES AND AREAS OF SERVICES ON THE OTHER.

CITING AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF 1977, THERE WAS ..AN AVERAGE ‘OF 90 -AND 120 CAMP BEDS IN'USE DAILY IN QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITALS RESPECTIVELY. THESE HAVE BEEN REDUCED 70 ONLY THREE AND 28 LAST MONTH.

♦THIS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IS DUE MAINLY TO THE MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF BEDS IN THE SUBVERTED HOSPITALS AS A RESULT OF THE REGIONALISATION SCHEME,+ HE SAID, ADDING THAT ON THE AVERAGE, THE OCCUPANCY RATES FOR BEDS IMPROVED FROM 75 PER CENT TO 89 PER CENT IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.

DR. THONG SAID HE HOPED THAT WITH BETTER CO-ORDINATION AND CO-OPERATION AMONG THE MANAGEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE REST OF THE SUBSIDISED HOSPITALS, MORE BEDS IN THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WOULD BE OCCUPIED.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE IS ALMOST 100 PER CENT INCREASE IN BEDS IN QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITALS DURING THE LAST DECADE, AND THIS HAS BEEN REASONABLY MATCHED BY CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN STAFF AND FACILITIES.

+DURING THE PAST YEARS, VARIOUS MAJOR AND MINOR EXTENSIONS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THESE TWO REGIONAL HOSPITALS. FURTHER, THE NUMBERS OF MEDICAL, NURSING AND PARAMEDICAL STAFF HAVE ALSO INCREASED BY FOURFOLD AND DOUBLED IN QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITALS RESPECTIVELY.*

IN THE SUBVENTED SECTORS, DR. THONG SAID THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN GIVEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO OBTAIN EXTRA EQUIPMENT AND POSTS AND TO RECRUIT SUITABLE STAFF.

HE STRESSED THAT SUBSIDISED HOSPITALS WERE NOT INFERIOR TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.

♦BECAUSE OF ITS VERY NATURE, THE LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION IN THE FIELDS OF SERVICES OFFERED AT THE REGIONAL HOSPITALS MUST PERFORCE BE OF A HIGHER ORDER AND THE RANGE OF SERVICES MORE COMPREHENSIVE,♦ IE SAID.

/+IN FACT ...

THUBSDAY, NOVIMBER 15, 1979

♦IN FACT, MOST OF THE ASSISTED HOSPITALS ARE NOW BEING SUBSIDISED ON A DEFICIENCY BASIS, WHICH MEANS THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION MEETS IN FULL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOTAL APPROVED EXPENDITURE AND THE INCOME OF THE HOSPITALS, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF MEDICAL CARE IN THE SUBVERTED HOSPITALS BE QUITE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS,+ HE ADDED.

DR. THONG REVEALED THAT A MASTER INVENTORY OF HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS IN ALL HOSPITALS WITH A VIEW TO PRODUCING A CO-ORDINATED SCHEDULE FOR ONGOING REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT AT APPROPRIATE TIMES WOULD SOON BE ESTABLISHED.

♦SUCH A SCHEDULE WOULD ENSURE THE REPLACEMENT OF WORN-OUT AND OUT-DATED EQUIPMENT AND THE MAXIMAL POSSIBLE USE OF ALL RESOURCES,+ HE SAID.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, CONCRETE STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND FACILITIES AND ACCOMMODATION IN MAJOR HOSPITALS.

IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL. A NEW PROJECT CONSISTING OF AN EIGHT-STOREY EXTENSION INCORPORATING A NEW PAEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT, CORONARY CARE FACILITIES AND A NEW PATHOLOGY BUILDING IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMMISSIONED BY 1983.

IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, PLANS ARE IN THE PIPELINE TO BUILD A NEW SEPARATE 6OO-BED ANNEX INCORPORATING OPERATING THEATRES, HAEMODIALYSIS, ORAL SURGERY AND A BURNS UNIT.

DR. THONG REASSURED THAT THE SUBSIDISED SECTOR WAS NOT NEGLECTED IN THIS RESPECT.

THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, RECENTLY APPROVED FUNDS FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AT TSUEN WAN, REPROVISIONING OF OPERATING THEATRES AND OTHER SUPPORT FACILITIES OF THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE, CONVERSION OF THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL INTO A CARD 10-THORACIC CENTRE, AND EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE POK 01 HOSPITAL AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.

ON NEW FACILITIES, DR. THONG SAID A 1 300-BED PSYCHIATRIC WING OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL BE COMPLETED AND BROUGHT INTO USE NEXT YEAR AND WORK ON THE 1 400-BED SHA TIN TEACHING HOSPITAL WILL BEGIN SHORTLY.

IN ADDITION TO A 1 300-BED HOSPITAL IN TUEN MUN AND ANOTHER MAJOR HOSPITAL IN EAST KOWLOON, THERE WERE ALSO PLANS TO BUILD AT LEAST 15 CL INICS/HEALTH CENTRES DURING THE '80S, HE ADDED.

♦GIVEN THE RESOURCES, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES, THE PROGRAMMES WHICH I HAVE MENTIONED FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXISTING SERVICES AS WELL AS FOR NEW FACILITIES, SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF OUR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WOULD NOT ONLY BE MAINTAINED, BUT ALSO IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE YEARS TO COME,+ HE SAID.

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

/13.....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE DEPARTMENTAL CO-ORDINATION AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE DEPARTMENTAL CO-ORDINATION AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN THE URBAN AREAS, THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN SAID IN THE RESUMED ANNUAL DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR. WALDEN SAID A CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE WAS APPOINTED ON NOVEMBER 1 AS THE FIRST STEP TO STRENGTHEN THE CDO IN THE DISTRICT.

♦THE NEW COMMISSIONER AND THE PRESENT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER AND HIS STAFF WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKING OUT MEANS, IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, TO ENSURE THAT THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EFFORT IN THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT IS BETTER CO-ORDINATED AND DIRECTED TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO LIVE THERE,♦ HE SAID.

FURTHERMORE, HE NOTED A DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

THE DEPARTMENTS PRINCIPALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT WOULD BE REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEE, HE ADDED.

MR. WALDEN SAIDi +THIS TEAM WILL STUDY THE WHOLE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMMES THAT EXIST OR ARE PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT.

♦IT WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHAT ADDITIONAL CO-ORDINATING MACHINERY IS NEEDED TO ENSURE A QUICK GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS ARISING IN THE DISTRICT.♦

MR. WALDEN SAID IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO CHANGE IMMEDIATELY THE EXISTING SYSTEM FOR LOCAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THIS VITAL ASPECT OF THE RE-ORGANISATION WOULD BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY WITH THE AIM OF BRINGING RESPONSIBLE LOCAL OPINION TO BEAR UPON AND PARTICIPATE MORE IN THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT AN EARLY DATE.

♦THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE STEADY RATHER THAN SPECTACULAR PROGRESS TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT BY PROVED MEASURES THAT WILL LEND THEMSELVES TO ADOPTION IN OTHER URBAN DISTRICTS WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT TO DO SO,+ HE NOTED.

MR. WALDEN ASSURED THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT THAT THESE PROPOSALS DO HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND STATUTORY BODIES CONCERNED.

/HE ALSO ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

— 14 -

HE ALSO ASSURED THAT HER CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE DEFICIENCIES IN THE DISTRICT WOULD RECEIVE EARLY ATTENTION OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THAT ♦PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.♦

IN REPLY TO A POINT BY THE HON. WONG LAM THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE MORE IN SEEKING OPINIONS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MR. WALDEN SAID EVERY EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE TO SOLICIT THE VIEWS OF THE SILENT MAJORITY.

REFERRING TO MR. WONG’S WARNING ABOUT PROLIFERATION OF STAFF BY THE OPERATION OF PARKINSON’S LAW. MR. WALDEN SIADt +THE POINT IS WELL TAKEN AND AS A FURTHER REASSURANCE TO HIM ON THIS POINT I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHERS IN THIS CHAMBER WHO WILL SEE TO IT THAT THE KWUN TONG GRIFFIN DOES NOT EASILY EVADE THE BEECHER’S BROOK OF BUDGETARY STRATEGY.♦

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

FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT PRESENT X * * M * M

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALWAYS WILLING TO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING WORKERS’ CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, BUT IN THE PRESENT STATE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, IT WILL NOT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE TO INTRODUCE A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK GENERALLY, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. E.P. HO SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. HO SAID AT PRESENT, IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, MOST OFFICE WORKERS WORK FEWER HOURS A DAY AND FEWER DAYS A WEEK THAN INDUSTRIAL WORKERS.

♦TO INTRODUCE A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK FOR OFFICE WORKERS ONLY WOULD ACCENTUATE THE EXISTING DISPARITY IN WORKING HOURS BETWEEN OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL WORKERS AND GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ANXIOUS NOT TO WIDEN THESE DIFFERENCES 1 ON THE CONTRARY, OUR ULTIMATE AIM MUST BE TO NARROW THE GAP,+ HE SAID.

AS REGARDS THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR. HO SAID ONE OF ITS PRIMARY ROLES IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC. +IT IS THUS EVIDENT THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICES MUST REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAYS AS LONG AS THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES CONTINUES TO WORK THOSE HOURS.♦

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ONLY A VERY SMALL PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COULD SWITCH OVER TO A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK WITHOUT SOME CURTAILMENT OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

HE SAID A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK IS NOT AT ALL COMMON AMONG OUR NEIGHBOURS IN ASIA EXCEPT PERHAPS IN JAPAN WHERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS MORE ADVANCED THAN ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION INCLUDING HONG KONG.

/+EVEM SO ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

♦EVEN SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT A FAIR NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL EMPLOYEES IN JAPAN, INCLUDING BANK STAFF, STILL WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK.+

REFERRING TO THE REMARKS THAT A SATURDAY SYNDROME IS ANOTHER REASON FOR STOPPING SATURDAY WORK, MR. HO BELIEVED THAT IN CERTAIN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WITH A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK, THERE IS A FRIDAY SYNDROME WHERE TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE POUR OUT OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS FROM EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO TAKE FULLER ADVANTAGE OF THE WEEKEND.

♦FOR THESE REASONS, I FEEL THAT IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT THE PRESENT TIME, FOR GOVERNMENT TO CONTEMPLATE THE INTRODUCTION OF A FIVE-DAY WORKING WEEK IN HONG KONG EITHER GENERALLY OR FOR OFFICE WORKERS ONLY, OR FOR A SMALL SECTION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.♦

HOWEVER, HE SAID INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT FEEL INHIBITED FROM INTRODUCING A FIVE-DAY WEEK FOR THEIR WORKERS IF THEY THINK THIS WOULD BE PRACTICAL AND BENEFICIAL.

ON SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED, MR. HO SAID A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SPECIAL TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SHORTLY.

MR. HO ALSO SAID THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WAS CONSIDERING WHETHER THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED TO BUILDINGS SHOULD BE GIVEN STATUTORY EFFECT, AT LEAST IN PART.

HE NOTED THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED MANPOWER FOR REHABILITATION WORK WAS A MATTER FOR CONCERN, PARTICULAR IN RESPECT OF SPEECH THERAPISTS, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.

HE SAID FULL TIME THREE-YEAR COURSE WERE STARTED AT THE POLYTECHNIC IN SEPTEMBER 1978 ON PHYSIOTHERAPY AND EDUCATIONAL THERAPY.

ON EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, HE SAID IT WAS HOPED A MASTERS PROGRAMME WILL SOON BE ESTABLISHED THERE.

♦I SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE TRAINING OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.^ MR. HO SAID.

HE SAID THE POLYTECHNIC IS NOW PROVIDING FOR ABOUT 40 PLACES EACH YEAR BUT, THE SMALL NUMBER OF PRACTITIONERS IN THIS PROFESSION CURRENTLY AT WORK IN HONG KONG CANNOT POSSIBLY PROVIDE SUFFICIENT PRACTICAL CLINICAL TRAINING WITH ADEQUATE SUPERVISION FOR THIS NUMBER OF FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

♦ACCORDINGLY, WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF THE POLYTECHNIC, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROACHED THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION TO ASSIST WITH OVERSEAS PLACEMENTS FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE ENTIRE FINAL YEAR CLASS,♦ MR. HO SAID.

/HE ADDED .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO DO THIS FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

THIS, HE SAID, COULD ADD TO THE INITIAL TRAINING COSTS, BUT ONCE A WIDER BASE OF PRACTISING PROFESSIONALS HAS BEEN BUILT UP IN THIS FIELD, FUTURE PRACTICAL CLINICAL TRAINING SHOULD CEASE TO BE A CONSTRAINT ON MANPOWER TRAINING.

+THE STEPS WE PROPOSE TO TAKE HERE INDICATE OUR DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED IN MEETING THE TARGETS IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME PLAN — THE ULTIMATE AIM OF WHICH IS INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.

MR. HO SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN AND THAT APART FROM DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD, EXPANSION IN THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL IMPROVE HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED.

THE CODES OF AID FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION HAVE BEEN REVISED TO PROVIDE FOR PARA-MEDICAL STAFF AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS SO THAT A COMPREHENSIVE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN REHABILITATING DISABLED SCHOOL CHILDREN CAN BE CARRIED OUT MORE EFFECTIVELY, HE SAID.

THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL PLACES NEXT YEAR FOR DISABLED CHILDREN WILL GROW FROM 23 000 TO 26 000 WITH A MAJOR EFFORT BEING MADE TO INCREASE THE PROVISION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.

HE SAID VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE WILL BE BROUGHT WITHIN THE AEGIS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND SUBJECT TO THE VOTING OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS THESE FACILITIES WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.

♦PHYSICAL ACCESS IS BEING IMPROVED TO ENABLE MORE DISABLED STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND GAIN ADMISSION INTO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS- THESE MEASURES WILL NATURALLY FACILITATE THE FULLER PARTICIPATION OF THE DISABLED IN THE NORMAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY,♦ MR. HO SAID.

ON EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED, MR. HO SAID THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL. SERVICE HAD GIVEN A LEAD BY INSTRUCTING HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO ACCORD SOME DEGREE OF PREFERENCE TO QUALIFIED DISABLED CANDIDATES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

A CENTRALISED SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT EARLY IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.

ON EDUCATION, MR. HO SAID THIS WAS ALWAYS A SUBJECT OF CONCERN TO PARENTS FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CHILDREN. +THE GOVERNMENT FULLY SHARES THIS CONCERN,♦ HE ADDED.

ON THE TEACHING OF CHINESE THROUGH THE USE OF SIMPLIFIED CHARACTERS IN WRITING, MR. HO QUOTED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WHO SPOKE ON THE SAME SUBJECT IN 1978 WHEN HE SAID IT WOULD BE +MOST UNWISE+ AND A +GREAT DISSERVICE+ TO PUPILS TO STOP TEACHING THE TRADITIONAL SCRIPT IN THE SCHOOLS.

/COMMENTING ON ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION THAT HONG KONG SHOULD NOW SWITCH TO THE TEACHING OF PUTUNGHUA HE SAID THE USE OF THIS AS THE SPEECH OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS WAS AN OPTION OPEN TO SCHOOL SPONSORS AND THAT AT LEAST-ONE AIDES M+MARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPLEX HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SOME TIME*

♦THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL CERTAINLY NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF OTHER SCHOOLS WISHING TO FOLLOW SUIT,* HE SAID.

♦HOWEVER, I MUST OBSERVE THAT WITH NORMAL SPEECH IN THE HOME, AT PLAY, AT WORK AND IN THE MARKET PLACE REMAINING CANTONESE, THE USE OF PUTUNGHUA AT SCHOOL IS NOT LIKELY TO INCREASE OUR STUDENTS’ FLUENCY IN COMMUNICATION,* HE ADDED.

SPEAKING ON THE ABSENCE OF PROVISION FOR AN ADMINISTRATION ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO SPONSORING BODIES, MR. HO SAID THIS WAS DUE TO TWO BASIC CONSIDERATION. THESE ARE I

* THE CODES OF AID ARE GROUND RULES FOR THE PAYMENT OF GRANTS TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS 1 THE GRANTS ARE NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPONSORING BODIES, AND

M WHEN THESE RULES WERE FIRST DRAWN UP THE PRIVATE FUNDS OF SPONSORS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY, OR AUDIT BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.

♦ AS THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT NOW HAS THIS RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE SPONSORS, TO THIS EXTENT THERE IS SOME MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE POSITION WHICH MAY MERIT A RECONSIDERATION OF THE OVERALL COST OF ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLS,♦ HE SAID.

♦ IN SAYING THIS,+ HE ADDED, +1 MUST STRESS THAT WHAT REMAINS UNCHANGED IS THAT OUR GRANTS ARE CALCULATED FOR THE SUPPORT OF, AND SHOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR, THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.♦

ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID, WHAT MAY BE NEEDED WAS AN ARRANGEMENT PERMITTING THE ADMINISTRATION GRANT FOR EACH OF THE SCHOOLS WITHIN A GROUP TO BE CHANNELED INTO A COMMON POOL.

THIS AND OTHER MATTERS WILL BE CAREFULLY LOOKED INTO IN THE CURRENT REVIEW OF THE CODES OF AID BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HE POINTED OUT.

ON THE SUGGESTION TO ADAPT THE OPEN UNIVERSITY IDEA IN HONG KONG, MR. HO QUOTED A CONCLUSION IN THE 1977 GREEN PAPER WHICH STATED THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL WOULD BE BEYOND OUR CAPACITY TO SUPPLY AND, +THIS REMAINS THE PRESENT POSITION.♦

REGARDING PART TIME DEGREE COURSES, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TO INVITE THE UNIVERSITIES TO PREPARE PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGED THESE COURSES TO BE DESIGNED MAINLY FOR MATURE STUDENTS WITH A COMBINED TOTAL OF ABOUT 1 OOO STUDENTS ENROLLED BY THE MID-1980’S.

/He also

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO EXTEND THE CONCEPT OF MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT TO THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND THAT THE STEPS TAKEN HAVE INCLUDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN 1973, WITH SUCCESSIVE FURTHER WIDENING OF ITS SPECTRUM OF PARTICIPATION SINCE THEN.

+ ITS MEMBERSHIP NOW TOTALS 21 CITIZENS RANGING FROM THE GRASS ROOTS TO THE LEADING LIGHTS IN ACADEMIA,* HE SAID.

TURNING TO THE REMARKS BY DR. THE HON. RAYSON HUANG ON MANPOWER PLANNING AND TRAINING, HE SAID AS FAR BACK AS 1965 GOVERNMENT INITIATED ACTION BY SETTING UP THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

AND IN 1973, THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO DEVELOP THIS WORK FURTHER.

MR. HO SAID THE COUNCIL HAS RECOMMENDED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTRODUCE A SCHEME WHICH WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE TRAINING CENTRES FOR TRAINING MANPOWER NOT ONLY SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES BUT COMMON TO ALL INDUSTRIES, AS WELL AS HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY NEEDED TO RESPOND TO RAPIDLY CHANGING MANPOWER DEMAND.

+THIS RECOMMENDATION IS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENT, AND I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR SWIFT ACTION TO BE TAKEN AS SOON AS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION HAS COMPLETED ITS WORK,* HE SAID.

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

CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL SCENE * * * ft *

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. ROY PORTER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE PAST HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY HAS ADAPTED TO MARKET DEMANDS FAR MORE QUICKLY THAN ITS COMPETITORS, BUT THE ABILITY TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES QUICKLY IS DIMINISHING.

MR. PORTER, WHO

IS DUE TO RETIRE NEXT MONTH AFTER 23 YEARS GOVERNMENT SERVICE, WAS REVIEWING THE ENORMOUS CHANGES IN HONG KONG HE HAD SEEN OVER THAT PERIOD, IN A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG HARBOUR.

+TEN YEARS AGO IT WAS NOT TOO DIFFICULT FOR AN ENTREPRENEUR MANUFACTURER TO CHANGE OVERNIGHT FROM THE PRODUCTION OF TOOTH BRUSHES TO THE PRODUCTION OF CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS- OR FROM THE PRODUCTION OF WIGS TO THE ASSEMBLY OF TRANSISTOR RADIOS. NO GREAT TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WAS REQUIRED AND NO GREAT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE,* UE Q A t Tt 9

+BUT NOW WE ARE BEING FORCED BY RISING COSTS AND INCREASED COMPETITION TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY, MORE SOPHISTICATED GOODS. MORE KNOWLEDGE OF TECHNOLOGY, BETTER MANAGEMENT, HIGHER CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND MORE ADVANCED MARKETING METHODS ARE NEEDED. THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM IT, WE ARE BEING FORCED UP THE MARKET AND WE HAVE TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL IN OUR APPROACH.*

/MR. PORTER ...

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

MR. PORTER SAID THAT HONG KONG IS NOW EDUCATING AND TRAINING GOOD YOUNG ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS AND MANAGERS, AND THAT THE OLDER MANAGERS MUST BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THEM TO PUT THEIR TRAINING TO GOOD EFFECT.

♦THE TRADITIONAL, THIN MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES BASED UPON THE FAMILY HAVE STOOD HONG KONG COMPANIES IN GOOD STEAD, FOR THEY ENABLE QUICK DECISION-MAKING AND INVOLVE LOW OVERHEADS,BUT THEY ARE TOO UNSOPHISTICATED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN TODAY’S CIRCUMSTANCES.

♦IN MANY CASES I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE WRONG TO SIMPLY IMPORT MANAGEMENT THEORIES AND SYSTEMS FROM THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SOME OF THE NEW TECHNIQUES MUST BE ADOPTED,♦ HE SAID.

♦THERE IS A NEED FOR A HONG KONG MANAGEMENT STYLE WHICH IS AN AMALGAM OF THE TWO APPROACHES, RETAINING THE BEST FEATURES OF THE OLD HONG KONG STYLE AND SUPER-IMPOSING UPON IT THE MOST SENSIBLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE FEATURES OF THE NEW TECHNIQUES.

♦ I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT FOR SERIOUS STUDY BY, SAY, THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE UNIVERSITIES OR THE POLYTECHNIC. IF WE CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEVISE SUCH AN APPROACH WE WILL TEACH THE WORLD A FEW NEW TRICKS,+ SAID MR. PORTER.

TO CONTINUE THEIR SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT HONG KONG COMPANIES ALSO NEEDED TO ADOPT A NEW APPROACH TO MARKETING.

♦ IN THE PAST, AND TO A VERY LARGE DEGREE STILL AT PRESENT, MOST HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS PLACE A FEW ADVERTISEMENTS, ATTEND A FEW TRADE FAIRS, MAKE A NUMBER OF CONTACTS AND THEN WAIT FOR THE ORDERS TO ARRIVE. THERE IS INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMPETITION, OR OF WHAT THE END USERS OF THE PRODUCTS REALLY WANT. THERE IS NO PROPER PROMOTION OF THE PRODUCTS, AND THERE IS NO MARKETING PLAN UPON WHICH TO BASE A PRODUCTION SCHEDULE,* HE SAID.

♦THIS MEANS NOT ONLY THAT SALES ARE LOWER THAN THEY NEED BE, BUT ALSO THAT PROFITS ARE LOWER THAN THEY SHOULD BE, FOR IT IS AN OBVIOUS FACT THAT NO SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT WAS EVER SOLD AT TOO HIGH A PRICE, WHILE A GREAT MANY ARE SOLD AT TOO LOW A PRICE. INVESTMENT IN PROFESSIONAL MARKETING IS NOW EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS IN PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION,* HE ADDED.

MR. PORTER SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL DEVELOP THE NEW SKILLS, THE NEW MARKETS AND THE NEW PRODUCTS WHICH THEY WILL NEED NOT ONLY TO SURVIVE, BUT TO CONTINUE THE DRAMATIC GROWTH THAT HE HAD WITNESSED OVER THE LAST 23 YEARS.

♦ THE FUTURE WILL BE AS EXCITING, AS DIFFICULT, AS DRAMATIC AND AS PROFITABLE FOR HONG KONG AS IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST,+ HE SAID.

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/2O

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 * * I * I

THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 WHICH AIMS TO EXEMPT FROM INCLUSION IN CARGO MANIFESTS ANY ARTICLE CONTAINED IN THE PERSONAL BAGGAGE OF, OR CARRIED BY, PASSENGERS ENTER I NG OR LEAVING HONG KONG, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, THE HON. LAWRENCE MILLS SAIDi +AS THE LAW STANDS AT PRESENT, ONLY ITEMS REQUIRED FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF PASSENGERS NEED NOT BE LISTED IN CARGO MANIFESTS.

+IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER, MANY PASSENGERS BRING IN GOODS WHICH ARE NOT FOR THEIR PERSONAL USE BUT WHICH ARE RARELY, IF EVER, MANIFESTED. CONSEQUENTLY, EVEN THOUGH THEY ORALLY DECLARE SUCH GOODS AND PAY WHATEVER FEES MAY BE APPROPRIATE, THEY ARE, IN EFFECT, IMPORTING UNMANIFESTED CARGO AND ARE TECHNICALLY IN BREACH OF THE LAW.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO CLEAR THIS POINT, AND MR. MILLS SAID THE CONTROLS PROVIDED IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE WERE INTENDED TO PROTECT THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AND HELP SAFEGUARD THOSE OF THE SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES.

♦ IN FACT, HOWEVER, SUCH INTERESTS ARE IN NO WAY JEOPARDISED AS A RESULT OF GOODS, PROPERLY DECLARED, BEING IMPORTED AND EXPORTED BY PASSENGERS. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT SEEMS UNREASONABLE THAT A PERSON SHOULD RENDER HIMSELF LIABLE TO PROSECUTION BY OPENLY DECLARING THAT HE IS CARRYING GOODS SOLELY BECAUSE THOSE GOODS ARE NOT LISTED ON A MANIFEST,* HE SAID.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD EXCLUDE FROM THE DEFINITION OF ♦CARGO* ANY ARTICLE WHICH A PASSENGER MAY CARRY OR HAVE IN HIS PERSONAL BAGGAGE. THIS IN TURN WOULD REMOVE THE NEED FOR SUCH ARTICLES TO BE LISTED IN CARGO MANIFESTS AND, PROVIDED PASSENGERS PROPERLY DECLARE THE GOODS AND PAY THE APPROPRIATE FEES, THEY WILL NO LONGER BE IN BREACH OF THE LAW.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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/21

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

SEMINAR TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF AIR POLLUTION SURVEY / ******

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS OF 69 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO PARTICIPATED IN A +CLEAN AIR AND LICHENS* SURVEY LAST YEAR ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17) TO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY.

DR. S.L. THROWER OF DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL GIVE A TALK ON +LICHENS GROWTH AND AIR POLLUTION* DURING THE SEMINAR, AND GIVE HER COMMENTS ON THE RESULT OF THE SURVEY.

THE SURVEY WAS ORGANISED BY THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IN CO-OPERATION WITH DR. THROWER.

IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES.

♦THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

APART FROM LEARNING THE RESULT OF THE SURVEY, HE SAID, PARTICIPANTS AT THE SEMINAR WOULD DISCUSS POINTS OF INTEREST ARISING FROM THE COLLATION OF INFORMATION FROM THE STUDENT REPORTS.

SURVEY REPORTS AND MAPS SENT IN BY PARTICIPANTS HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CHECKED, VALIDATED AND PROCESSED BY DR. THROWER AND HER ASSISTANTS. AND SUBSEQUENTLY A SUMMARY MAP SHOWING ZONES OF LICHEN GROWTH AND AIR POLLUTION TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATORY REPORT HAVE BEEN PREPARED.

COPIES OF THE SUMMARY MAP, TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT WRITTEN IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY.

MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, WILL GIVE AN OPENING ADDRESS AT THE SEMINAR- AND MR. ERIC WAI, PRESIDENT OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF NEW TERRITORIES WILL PRESENT THE MAPS AND REPORTS TO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.

MR. JOHN TAAM, PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (SCIENCE) WILL CHAIR THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 A.M. SATURDAY AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, 54A WATERLOO ROAD, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON THE +CLEAN AIR AND LICHENS* SURVEY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17) AT THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE, 54A WATERLOO ROAD, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON.

------0 ------ /22........................

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979’

NOTE TO EDITORSi

DSW TO OFFICIATE AT SCHOOL’S GRADUATION CEREMONY ******

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) OFFICIATE AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL AT THE CITY HALL.

MR. LEE WILL GIVE A SPEECH ON SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE WHICH HELPS STUDENTS SOLVE FAMILY, STUDY OR PERSONAL PROBLEMS.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 4.30 P.M. TOMORROW HALL CONCERT HALL.

COVER THE AT THE CITY

BILL TO UPDATE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE *****

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO UPDATE THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO AMEND SOME SECTIONS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR A MAGISTRATE’S COURT TO REFER A CASE TO A HIGHER COURT FOR ACTION CONCERNING THE ORIGINAL OFFENCE BEFORE PASSING SENTENCE ON THE SECOND OFFENCE.

UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, A PERSON WHO IS CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF A PROBATION ORDER IMPOSED BY THE HIGH COURT OR THE DISTRICT COURT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE MAGISTRATE’S COURT IF HE IS CONVICTED OF A FURTHER OFFENCE.

♦THIS HAS GIVEN RISE TO A SITUATION WHERE THE MAGISTRATE HAS TO PASS SENTENCE ON THE SECOND OFFENCE WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE HIGHER COURT REGARDING THE ORIGINAL OFFENCE,* MR. LEE SAID.

♦THIS UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION, RESULTING OCCASIONALLY IN INCONSISTENT SENTENCES BEING PASSED, HAS RECENTLY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF JUDICIAL CRITIC ISM,♦ HE ADDED.

FURTHER AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED IN THE BILL TO ENABLE THE HIGHER COURT TO REFER THE OFFENDER BACK TO THE MAGISTRATE’S COURT AFTER HE HAS BEEN DEALT WITH IN RESPECT OF THE ORIGINAL OFFENCE, OR TO DEAL WITH ALSO THE SECOND OFFENCE ITSELF.

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR BREACHING A PROBATION ORDER AND TO DELETE TWO SUB-SECTIONS WHICH ARE REDUNDANT.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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/23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

HAWKER CONTROL FORCE (REPEAL) BILL 1979 ******

A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO REPEAL THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE ORDINANCE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE WELFARE FUND WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE (REPEAL) BILL 1979, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE WAS DISBANDED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR DUE TO DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITMENT OF STAFF AND THE LIMITED AREA WITHIN WHICH THE FORCE OPERATED.

+IN ITS PLACE, AN INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER HAWKERS IS BEING ACHIEVED THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE POLICE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS+, HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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

BILLS PASSED * * * *

todayS(thursday)ERE passed into law IN THE legislative council

THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 7) BILL 1979. THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 AND THE PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.

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SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE ON SATURDAY ******

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE STATION ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17).

THESE NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 12.32 P.M., 12.53 P.M. AND 1.14 P.M.

THERE WILL BE SIX TRAINS INCLUDING THREE SPECIALS TO CARRY PASSENGERS BACK FROM RACE COURSE STATION DEPARTING AT 4.40 P.M., 5.47 P.M., 6 P.M., 6.11 P.M., 6.30 P.M. AND 7.15 P.M.

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/24......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979

MAX I CAB SERVICES TO SAI KUNG ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT FOUR NEW TERRITORIES MAX I CAB ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SAI KUNG FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18).

THEY ARE ROUTE NO.l FROM SAI KUNG TO KOWLOON BAY (TELFORD GARDENS)- NO.2 SAI KUNG TO HO CHUNG- NO.3 SAI KUNG TO NAM SHAN AND NO.4 SAI KUNG TO TUI MIN HOI.

THE FARE FOR ROUTE NO.l IS $2 WITH A SECTIONAL FARE OF $1.5 FOR THE JOURNEY BETWEEN SAI KUNG AND CHOI HUNG MTR STATION. THE FARE FOR ROUTE NO.2 IS $1 WHILE THAT FOR ROUTE NOS.3 AND 4 ARE BOTH AT 50 CENTS.

THE HOURS OF OPERATION AND BASIC FREQUENCY OF THE FOUR NEW ROUTES ARE AS FOLLOWS I

ROUTE NO.

HOURS OF OPERATION

BASIC FREQUENCY

1 6.30 A.M. TO 12.30 A.M. 10 MINUTES

NEXT MORNING

2 6.40 A.M. TO 10.40 P.M. 20 MINUTES

3 5.40 A.M. TO 10.10 P.M. 10 MINUTES

4 5.36 A.M. TO 10.21 P.M. 6 MINUTES

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW MAXICAB SERVICES, A NUMBER OF STREETS IN SAI KUNG AND KOWLOON BAY WILL BE PROHIBITED TO USE BY NORMAL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

THE BAN, EFFECTIVE FROM SUNDAY, IS IMPOSED ON MAN NIN STREET EAST OF THE SAI KUNG BUS TERMINUS- THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO HO CHUNG- PO LO CHE ROAD, AND TUI MIN HOI SAI KUNG CAMP ROAD. IN KOWLOON BAY PLBS ARE PROHIBITED TO USE SIU YIP STREET- HONG TAK ROAD AND TAI YIP STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE PLB DRIVERS.

_ _ 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CARRYING OF ID CARDS IN FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND MAI PC BIRD SANCTUARY IS COMPULSORY FROM NEXT FRIDAY......... 1

HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS CONTINUING IN WASHINGTON................ 2

REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY PUBLISHED ............... 2

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN........................................... 4

NEW EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR FORM/ MIDDLE III FIRST SCALING TEST IN 1981 ....................... 4

1 700 FULL-TIME PLACES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR FORM 5 LEAVERS .............................................. 6

CROWN LAND FOR SALE ......................................... 7

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK HELPS STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS ............. 7

LAND SPORTS PLAY SAFE DAY.................................... 8

VALUE CF VOLUNTARY LIFEGUARDS STRESSED....................... 9

USD PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT MOVES TO NEW OFFICES ............ 9

AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM TO RESUME NEXT MONDAY ......... 10

THREE BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS .............. 11

NEW PUBLIC DUMP TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN......................... 11

TWO GOVERNMENT QUARRY WORKERS RETIRING ..................... 12

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER...................... 12

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN ON SUNDAY ........ 1J

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

CARRYING OF ID CARDS IN FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY IS COMPULSORY FROM NEXT FRIDAY ******

THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS MADE AN ORDER, EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) DESIGNATING THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND MAI PO BIRD SANCTUARY AS AREAS IN WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS ORDINANCE, MUST CARRY IDENTITY CARDS AND PRODUCE THEM FOR INSPECTION ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES. ' .

THE ORDER WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS AND PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA.

THE REGULATIONS AMENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1979, STATE THAT THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY, BY ORDER PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, REQUIRE THAT EVERY PERSON, OR PERSONS OF SUCH CLASS SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER, SHALL CARRY HIS IDENTITY CARD IN AN AREA DESIGNATED IN THE ORDER.

THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE THAT ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES, A PERSON SHOULD PRODUCE HIS IDENTITY CARD FOR INSPECTION IN A DESIGNATED AREA.

FAILURE TO CARRY AN IDENTITY CARD IN A DESIGNATED AREA OR TO PRODUCE IT FOR INSPECTION ON DEMAND BY SECURITY FORCES WOULD CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMPULSORY CARRYING OF IDENTITY CARDS IN DESIGNATED AREAS IS TO HELP SECURITY FORCES IDENTIFY THOSE WHO HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG ILLEGALLY.

HE ASSURED THAT AT THIS JUNCTURE THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO DESIGNATE LARGE AREAS OF POPULATION AS PLACES IN WHICH PEOPLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CARRY IDENTITY CARDS.

PING CHAU IN MIRS BAY IS THE FIRST AREA SO DESIGNATED BY THE ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON JULY 16, THIS YEAR.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

- 2 -

HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS CONTINUING IN WASHINGTON * ft ft ft *

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILLIAM DORWARD, AND USA TRADE OFFICIALS ARE CONTINUING IN WASHINGTON.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, W. PETER TSAO, SAID A NEWS AGENCY REPORT HAD GIVEN THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DISCUSSIONS HAD ENDED INCONCLUSIVELY.

♦YESTERDAY MR. DORWARD HAD A MEETING WITH THE USA SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRADE, MR. REUBEN ASKEW, ON A POSSIBLE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH CONSULTATIONS ON THE CURRENT HONG KONG/US TEXTILE AGREEMENT COULD BE RESUMED,♦ SAID MR. TSAO.

♦FOLLOWING THIS MEETING MR. DORWARD IS HAVING FURTHER TALKS WITH USA TRADE OFFICIALS,* HE SAID.

MR. DORWARD IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG NEXT WEEK.

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REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY PUBLISHED ft ft ft ft ft

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS COMPILED A REPORT ON A QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY HELD IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.

IN THE SURVEY ABOUT 820 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, REPRESENTING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER THIS YEAR, AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT IN THE THIRD QUARTER HONG KONG’S BUSINESS PERFORMANCE WAS BETTER THAN HAD EARLIER BEEN EXPECTED AND FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE ACHIEVED.

♦LOOKING INTO THE FOURTH QUARTER, FURTHER ADVANCES ARE EXPECTED BY ALL FIRMS WITH OPTIMISM MAINLY FROM THE SERVICES SECTOR,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, ’WATCHES AND CLOCKS’ INDUSTRY DID VERY WELL IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND IS REMARKABLY CONFIDENT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE ’ELECTRONICS’ AND ’MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ ALSO HAD A GOOD THIRD QUARTER, AND THEY PREDICT A STEADY FOURTH QUARTER.

’WEARING APPAREL’, ’TEXTILES’, ’PRINTING’ AND ’FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS’ EXPERIENCED MODERATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND EXPECT BUSINESS TO STAY AT THE SAME LEVEL IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

/'PLASTICS' ...

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

- 3 -

’PLASTICS’ AND ’ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ HAD A GOOD THIRD QUARTER BUT EXPECTED A DOWNTURN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ACHIEVED MILD ADVANCES DESPITE EARLIER EXPECTATIONS TO THE CONTRARY. IT HOLDS THE VIEW THAT IMPROVEMENTS WILL COME IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, AFTER PREDICTING PESSIMISTICALLY IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS.

FOR THE SERVICES SECTOR, THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’, ’RESTAURANTS’, ’HOTELS’ AND ’TRANSPORTATION’ REPORTED MODERATE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND EXPRESSED MUCH CONFIDENCE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

BANKING REPORTED A STEADY THIRD QUARTER AND LOOKED FORWARD ALSO TO A STEADY FOURTH QUARTER. THE ’MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES’ REPORTED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THERE WILL BE YET FURTHER ADVANCES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DATA, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED TO FACILITATE A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION IN HONG KONG.

APART FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, FIRMS WERE ASKED TO COMPARE THE QUARTER JUST PAST WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND SIMILARLY FOR THE FORTHCOMING ONE. THEY ONLY HAD TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, A CERTAIN VARIABLE WAS ’UP’, ’SAME’ OR ’DOWN’.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS, AS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE RESPONDENTS’ PRECEPT ION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS, AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE PROBABLY AFFECTED CONSIDERABLY BY SEASONS.

COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF AND STATISTICAL TABLES ON VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN ******

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN AT THE YEUNG UK ROAD PLAYGROUND THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AT 3 PM.

SIR JACK WILL ALSO INSPECT A COLOURFUL PROCESSION FEATURING FLOATS, FOOT-PARADE, BANDS, DRAGON AND LION DANCES AND THE FAMOUS CHIU CHOW GONG AND DRUM DANCE.

MORE THAN 2 OOO STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION TO LAUNCH THE MONTH-LONG ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN. IT IS EXPECTED ABOUT 100 000 PEOPLE WILL WATCH THE THREE-HOUR COLOURFUL PROCESSION.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, AT THE YEUNG UK ROAD PLAYGROUND AT 3 PM. THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AND THE GRAND PROCESSION.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE YEUNG UK ROAD PLAYGROUND NOT LATER THAN 2.30 PM. INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM.

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NEW EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR FORM/MIDDLE III FIRST SCALING TEST IN 1981

* M * *

AS FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR, FORM/MIDDLE III STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL HAVE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDISED FORM/MIDDLE IV PLACES DETERMINED BY INTERNAL ASSESSMENT.

THIS MEANS THAT STUDENTS WISHING TO BE ALLOCATED A SUBSIDISED PLACE WILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN A GOOD ACADEMIC STANDARD IN SCHOOL.

TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ITS FIRST SCALING TEST UNDER THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (JSEA) FOR THESE STUDENTS IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1981.

THE JSEA SCALING TEST, AS ITS NAME IMPLIES, WILL BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCALING SCHOOLS’ INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS SO THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL RESULTS CAN BE FAIRLY COMPARED. IT WILL CONSIST OF TEST PAPERS IN THE BASIC SUBJECTS OF ENGLISH, CHINESE AND MATHEMATICS.

/+THOUGH ONLY ..

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

♦THOUGH ONLY SCALED INTERNAL ASSESSMENT WILL BE COUNTED IN THE ALLOCATION OF SCHOOL PLACES, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT INDIVIDUAL PUPIL’S RESULTS IN THE SCALING TEST ARE NOT IMPORTANT SINCE THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL IN PLACING ITS PUPILS IN FORM/MIDDLE IV WILL DEPEND ON THEM,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE SCALING TEST IS CURRICULUM ORIENTED AND THE FACT'THAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE ALLOCATION PROCESS IS MAINLY TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BALANCED CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS.

INVITATIONS TO SCHOOLS TO TAKE PART IN THE JSEA SCALING TEST WILL BE MADE ABOUT A YEAR IN ADVANCE - AROUND FEBRUARY EACH YEAR FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

♦ALL GOVERNMENT, AIDED, PRIVATE NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS WITH BOUGHT PLACES IN FORM/MIDDLE l-lll MUST PARTICIPATE.

♦PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS NOT IN THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WHICH DO NOT PARTICIPATE MUST INFORM PARENTS THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALLOCATION TO SUBSIDISED FORM/MIDDLE IV PLACES,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ISSUE TO ALL PARTICIPATING PUPILS A RECORD OF THEIR GRADES ACHIEVED IN EACH SCALED AND UNSCALED SUBJECT AS WELL AS THEIR ATTAINMENT IN SCHOOL.

KNOWN AS THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION, IT WILL CONSIST OF TWO PARTS, FIRSTLY THE STANDARD ACHIEVED BY THE PUPIL IN EACH SUBJECT TAKEN IN THE SCHOOL AND SECONDLY, AN ASSESSMENT BY THE SCHOOL OF THE PUPIL’S PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ACTIVITIES. THE STANDARD ACHIEVED IN EACH SUBJECT WILL BE RECORDED BY COMPUTER AS ONE OF EIGHT GRADES OF WHICH A IS THE HIGHEST AND H THE LOWEST.

SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO ISSUE THESE CERTIFICATES TO STUDENTS NOT LATER THAN MID-OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR.

PARTICIPANTS, HOWEVER, WILL KNOW OF THEIR RESULTS IN JULY AND PUPILS ALLOCATED AN AIDED FORM IV PLACE WILL BE ISSUED WITH REGISTRATION FORMS AT THE SAME TIME.

♦SCHOOL CIRCULARS OUTLINING DETAILS OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT SYSTEM WERE ISSUED TODAY AND SHOULD REACH ALL SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

1 700 FULL-TIME PLACES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR F5 LEAVERS ft ft ft ft ft

THE FIVE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 1 700 FIRST YEAR PLACES FOR FORM FIVE LEAVERS ON FULL-TIME COURSES NEXT SEPTEMBER, MR. DAN WATERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE CHAN’S EDUCATIONAL ORGANS IAT ION HELD AT THE CHAN SHU KU I HALL IN NORTH POINT.

♦ IN SEPTEMBER, 1979 THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 10 QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR EVERY AVAILABLE FULL-TIME POST-FORM FIVE PLACE.* W. WATERS SAID.

SOME 1 500 FIRST YEAR PLACES WERE PROVIDED FOR FORM FIVE LEAVERS LAST SEPTEMBER.

IN A ♦TRACER STUDY* CONDUCTED THIS YEAR BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AMONG STUDENTS WHO LEFT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SIX YEARS AGO, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN (POST-FROM FIVE) COURSES IN 1973 WERE NOW EARNING MORE THAN |2 700 A MONTH.

EVEN ON COMPLETION OF A FULL-TIME COURSE. MR. WATERS SAID, IT WOULD STILL BE NECESSARY FOR A STUDENT TO TAKE UP A JOB AND TO GAIN INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE, POSSIBLY AT THE SAME TIME TAKING UP PART-TIME STUDIES.

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS WISHING TO PURSUE TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS TO CONTACT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO BECOME REGISTERED TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES, SO THAT THEY WILL BE INDENTURED WITH A FIRM WHICH WILL SEND THEM FOR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDIES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.

♦ THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID FOR PART-TIME DAY STUDIES BECAUSE IN THIS WAY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE THAT IS GAINED ON THE JOB CAN BE MARRIED WITH THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION YOU RECEIVED IN AN INSTITUTE,♦ MR. WATERS SAID.

SCHOOL LEAVERS CAN ALSO JOIN AN INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRE SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE OR CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE.

♦ THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS A PANEL OF SPEAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO GO TO SCHOOLS TO GIVE CAREER TALKS.♦ HE SAID.

SCHOOLS WISHING TO HOLD THESE TALKS SHOULD CONTACT THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION OR THE CAREERS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, OR A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE DIRECT.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

CROWN LAND FOR SALE

* * * *

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER FOR SALE BY AUCTION THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.

ONE OF THE SITES, MEASURING 1 500 SQUARE METRES, IS AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.

THE OTHER TWO ARE LOCATED AT HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND BONHAM STRAND, HONG KONG, AND MEASURE 63.5 AND 42.7 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.

THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 2.30 P.M. ON DECEMBER 12, 1979.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG AND AT THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, 10TH FLOOR.

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SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK HELPS STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS ft ft ft ft ft

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (FRIDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK IN GUIDING AND HELPING STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.

SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG AND t KOWLOON CHIU CHOW SCHOOL AT THE CITY HALL, MR. LEE SAID THAT APART FROM IMPARTING ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE, SCHOOLS SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF ANY FACTORS WHICH MIGHT AFFECT STUDENTS’ LEARNING.

HE POINTED OUT THAT FROM TIME TO TIME, SCHOOL CHILDREN MIGHT HAVE PERSONAL MALADJUSTMENT, LEARNING DIFFICULTIES OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THEMSELVES.

♦SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK IS AN APPLICATION OF SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES AND METHODS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND HELP IN OVERCOMING THESE PROBLEMS,♦ HE SAID.

MR. LEE SAID SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH TEACHERS AND PARENTS, HELPED STUDENTS THROUGH INTERVIEWS, COUNSELLING OR FAMILY VISITS.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED NOT ONLY THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING GENERAL YOUTH SERVICES BUT ALSO THE NEED TO REACH THOSE WITH PROBLEMS AT SCHOOLS.

THE LATEST WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INDICATES THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO EXTEND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK TO COVER ALL SCHOOLS, HE ADDED.

/AT PRESENT .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

AT PRESENT, HE SAID, SOME 200 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE BEING SERVED BY FULL-flME SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICER SCHEME COVERS MORE THAN 300 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, HE SAID.

MR. LEE CALLED ON STUDENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THIS SERVICE IN SCHOOLS.

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

LAND SPORTS PLAY SAFE DAY IM*

SAFETY MEASURES FOR VARIOUS POPULAR LAND SPORTS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED IN A ’PLAY SAFE DAY’ ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AT VICTORIA PARK BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 5 P.M.

THE LAND SPORTS PLAY SAFE DAY, ORGANISED BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, AIMS AT PROMOTING SAFETY RULES IN SPORTS.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SAFETY MEASURES FOR CYCLING, MOTORCYCLING, CAMPING, ARCHERY, SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLER SKATING. SPECTATORS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THE SPORTS SUCH AS CYCLING AND ARCHERY.

IN ADDITON, EQUIPMENT FOR HILL-WALKING, KITE-FLYING AND CYCLING WILL BE DISPLAYED. THERE WILL ALSO BE PUPPET SHOWS AND FILM SHOWS ON SPORTS.

THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE HONG KONG CYCLING ASSOCIATION, THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG ARCHERY ASSOCIATION AND THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION WILL BE PARTICIPATING.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LAND SPORTS PLAY SAFE DAY IN VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18). MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE QUEEN VICTORIA STATUE IN VICTORIA PARK AT 1.50 P.M. WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY GIS REPRESENTATIVES. COPIES OF PROGRAMME OF THE LAND SPORTS PLAY SAFE DAY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN GIS PRESS BOXES, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, THIS EVENING.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

VALUE OF VOLUNTARY LIFEGUARDS STRESSED * ft ft ft

THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB FOR PROVIDING HONORARY LIFE GUARDS DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING BEACHES.

MR. WILSON WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE SUMMER YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB AT REPULSE BAY.

HE SAID THAT NO FEWER THAN 3 263 HONORARY LIFE GUARDS WERE PROVIDED THIS SUMMER AT SWIMMING POOLS AND BEACHES MANAGED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON- AND 2 686 HONORARY LIFE GUARDS AT NEW TERRITORIES BEACHES.

♦ORGANISING SUCH A PROGRAMME IS NOT SOME MINOR FUN THING,* NR. WILSON SAID.

HE ALSO SAID THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE PROBABLY UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SCOPE AND THE VALUE OF THE SUMMER YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE ANNUALLY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

♦THIS PROGRAMME IS A QUITE REMARKABLE EFFORT ON THE PART OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO PROVIDE A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES ON USEFUL WATER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LIFE SAVING, SWIMMING, DIVING, CANOEING, FIRST AID, AND ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION,* HE SAID.

- 0 - -

USD PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT MOVES TO NEW OFFICES ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT, ACCOUNTS SECTION AND SUPPLIES SECTION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO NEW OFFICES IN THE CLUB LUS ITANO BUILDING, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE NEW OFFICES WILL START OPERATING ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AND THE ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-214113.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

THE PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO THE FIRST FLOOR OF CLUB LUS I TANO BUILDING, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

FOLLOWING ARE THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR YOUR REFERENCE s

/CHIEF

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, 5-214113 EXT. 40

MR. J.G. MARSHALL

PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER, EXT. 41

MR. PETER ILIFFE-MOON

SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER (NEWS), EXT. 45

MR. PAUL WAI

INFORMATION OFFICER (NEWS), EXT. 46

MR. CHAN SHING-YEE

LIAISON OFFICER (TV), EXT. 47

MISS HOLLY LAU

ASSISTANT INFORMATION OFFICER (TV), EXT. 48

MISS WINNIE PONG

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AIR MAIL SERVICES TO VIETNAM TO RESUME NEXT MONDAY ******

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO VIETNAM WHICH WERE SUSPENDED SINCE AUGUST RESUME ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19).

THAT AIR MAIL SERVICES 10 THIS YEAR WILL

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID AT THE MOMENT ONLY ONE AIR MAIL OUTLET TO VIETNAM PER WEEK WOULD BE AVAILABLE.

♦AND THIS WILL BE ON EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR WHICH THE LATEST TIME OF POSTING AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES WILL BE AT 11 A.M. ON THAT DAY,* HE SAID.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

THREE BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL DECLARED DANGEROUS * * * *

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED BUILDINGS AT 32 AND 30 TUNG STREET, CENTRAL TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THAT AT 28 TUNG STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THESE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER REGULAR SURVEILLANCE SINCE 1965.

HE SAIDj +THESE BUILDINGS ARE IN VERY POOR CONDITION, IN PARTICULAR THE LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS ARE BADLY ERODED AND FRACTURED.

♦RECENTLY NEW MOVEMENT HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE PARTY WALL BETWEEN THE BUILDINGS AT 32 AND 30 TUNG STREET. AS THERE IS NOW A SERIOUS RISK OF COLLAPSE IT IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE TWO BUILDINGS.*

♦ALTHOUGH THE BUILDING AT 28 TUNG STREET IS NOT IN SUCH A SERIOUS CONDITION IT WOULD BE LEFT TOTALLY ISOLATED BY THE COLLAPSE OR DEMOLITION OF THE ADJOINING BUILDINGS AND CONSEQUENTLY MUST BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS IT IS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS,♦ HE ADDED.

NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON DECEMBER 14 WERE POSTED TODAY.

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NEW PUBLIC DUMP TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN *****

A NEW PUBLIC DUMP IN AREA 18, TUEN MUN WILL BE OPENED ON

DECEMBER 1 TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE IN THE AREA WHICH WILL BE

CLOSED ON THE SAME DAY.

THE NEW DUMP IS ABOUT ONE AND A HALF KILOMETRES SOUTH OF THE

PRESENT DUMP IN AREA 17S, TUEN MUN KAU HUI.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID ACCESS TO THE NEW DUMP WILL BE FROM LUNG MUN ROAD, AND VEHICLES WITHOUT DUMPING PERMITS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DUMP MATERIAL IN AREA 18.

DUMPING PERMITS FOR AREA 18 MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE ON WRITTEN APPLICATION TO THE PROJECT MANAGER (TUEN MUN), TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 91-93 HOI PA STREET, TC I IC hl U A Al ' '

ONLY APPROVED STONE AND DEBRIS UP TO 225 MM IN SIZE. PROVIDING IT IS WELL MIXED WITH EARTH, WILL BE ACCEPTED.

/APPROVED SOFT .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

APPROVED SOFT MATERIAL, EXCLUDING HOUSEHOLD REFUSE AND VEGETABLE MATTER, WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED.

EACH APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER, THE ORIGIN, TYPE AND APPROXIMATE QUANTITY OF MATERIALS TO BE DUMPED AND THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR A PARTICULAR JOB.

DUMPING WILL BE ALLOWED BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 6 P.M. DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND LUNAR NEW YEAR'PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

ALL DUMPING MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DUMP SUPERVISOR.

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TWO GOVERNMENT QUARRY WORKERS RETIRING * * X * ft *

TWO GOVERNMENT QUARRY WORKERS ARE RETIRING AFTER EACH SERVING MORE THAN 28 YEARS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE MR. WONG KWAI-YE, 56, AND MR. KWAN WAH-SUN, 59.

THEY BOTH JOINED THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN 1951. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE WORKED IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT QUARRIES AND OFFICES OF THE PWD, INCLUDING THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE.

AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE PWD THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, MR. WU LEUNG, ACTING CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER. ON BEHALF OF HIS COLLEAGUES, PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THEM.

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

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER ft ft ft

THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER FROM

TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 2 P«M. T0 10 TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 PM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY (SUNDAY) FOR MAINTENANCE WORK.

MAueuIc! W,LL BE CL0SED AGAIN FROM 2 P.M. TO 10 P.M. ON

NOVEMBER 24 AND FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

from V£HICLES PROCEEDING NORTHWARDS

Sound level route? he said? road SH0ULD USE THE alternative

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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/13

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1979

- U -

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TSUEN WAN ON SUNDAY * * *

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TSUEN WAN BETWEEN 3 P.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) FOR THE GRAND PROCESSION OF THE TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN.

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS THE FOLLOWING STREETS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC DURING THAT PERIODi

* WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF YEUNG UK ROAD BETWEEN MA TAU PA STREET AND CHUNG ON STREET - WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED EITHER VIA MA TAU PA STREET, TEXACO ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD, OR VIA KWU HANG ROAD, SHA TSUI ROAD, TEXACO ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

M SECTION OF CHUNG ON STREET BETWEEN SHA TSUI ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD - SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HAM TIN STREET TO YEUNG UK ROAD.

* WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TSUI ROAD BETWEEN CHUNG ON STREET AND TAI HO ROAD - WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HAM TIN STREET, YEUNG UK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

M EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TSUI ROAD BETWEEN TSO KUNG STREET AND TAI HO ROAD - EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSO KUNG STREET, HOI PA STREET TO TAI HO ROAD.

IN ADDITION THE TAI HO ROAD ROUNDABOUT MAY BE CLOSED FOR A SHORT PERIOD TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSION.

ALL PARKING FACILITIES IN CHUNG ON STREET, TSO KUNG STREET AND HOI PA STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED DURING THE PROCESSION.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID GOING TO THE AREA BETWEEN 2 P.M. AND 5.30 P.M. ON THAT DAY WHEN TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO BE CONGESTED.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NC.

SNT SPEAKS OF GROWING FEELING OF IDENTITY ...................... 1

HK-US TEXTILE TALKS COMPLETED .................................. 2

MORE OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO STUDY ENVIRONMENT .............................................. 3

LADY CATER OPENS FLOWER FESTIVAL AT OCEAN PARK ................. J

INAUGURATION OF NEW FIRE WATCH PATROLS ......................... 5

72 CITIZENS TO JOIN SWD'S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS ............................................... 5

FIRE SERVICES LAUNCHING MONTH-LONG RECRUITING EXERCISE ......... 6

CHATHAM RCAD-WUHU STREET FOOTBRIDGE TC BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR................................................. 7

SPEED LIMITS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI PC ROAD................ 7

WATER CUT ...................................................... 7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

SNT SPEAKS OF GROWING FEELING OF IDENTITY * * * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THERE WAS A GROWING FEELING OF IDENTITY AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR MORE THAN THE IMMEDIATE ENVIRONMENT OF THE HOME AND THE FAMILY.

SPEAKING AT THE 2OTH COMMENCEMENT OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, MR. AKERS-JONES SAID OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OR SO, ATTEMPTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR A MORE DELIBERATE ATTACK ON SOME OF OUR MORE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS — CLEAN HONG KONG, FIGHT CRIME AND CORRUPTION AND DRUGS.

GOVERNMENT HAD TRIED TO EXPLAIN ITSELF MORE TO THE PEOPLE AND TO MAKE ITSELF MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INVOLVED AT A LOCAL LEVEL-MUCH MORE USE HAD BEEN MADE OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ON SUCH THINGS AS SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES, AND A PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR A VAST HOUSING PROGRAMME HAD BEEN APPOINTED, HE SAID.

+WE HAVE ESTABLISHED CLEAR POLICY OBJECTIVES IN A GREAT NUMBER CF MATTERS WHICH AFFECT THE DAILY LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE THEMSELVES HAVE BECOME INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES THROUGH MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES AND THROUGH DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS.

♦IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THESE MANY FACTORS HAVE BEGUN TO KNIT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND TO BUILD UP MORE COHERENT AND INTEGRATED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ITS VARIOUS SEPARATE ELEMENTS, FACING OUR PROBLEMS TOGETHER, DEVELOP.ING OUR OWN PARTICULAR POPULAR SOLUTIONS TO THEM AND CREATING A FULLER AND RICHER LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

HE TOLD THE STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CEREMONY THAT THIS WAS WHERE THOSE WHO WERE FORTUNATE TO BE MEMBERS OF THIS ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HAD A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY THAN OTHERS, BECAUSE, WITH THEIR TRAINED MINDS, THEY MUST BE ABLE TO PERCEIVE WHERE OUR SOCIETY WAS WEAK AND WHERE ITS STRENGTHS LAY.

♦YOU HAVE THE VISION TO SEE THE NEED TO PARTICIPATE AND TO RESPOND SENSIBLY TO THE WEAKNESSES OF OUR SOCIETY,♦ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

SOME OF THESE WEAKNESSES WERE QUITE MUNDANE AND ORDINARY, BUT THEY WERE THE OUTWARD SIGNS OF A PEOPLE WHO CARED FOR ONE ANOTHER.

HE CITED CORRUPTION, DIRT, CRIME, CARELESSNESS, DISCOURTESY AND UNCONCERN AS SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF A DIVIDED SOCIETY.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID: +YOUR ATTENTION TO, AND YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN C-OMBATING THESE EVILS THAT-BESET US IS IMPORTANT.

♦YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO STAND ASIDE SECURE IN THE SMALL WORLD CF FAMILY AND FRIENDS BECAUSE, IF YOU DO, WE WILL BE OVERWHELMED BY THE NEGATIVE FORCES WHICH ARE EVER-PRESENT INSIDE OUR SOCIETY AND WE WILL BE UNABLE TO FACE THE UNDOUBTED CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD.

/+THERE ARE ..

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

+THERE ARE OPPORTUN(TIES OPEN TO YOU ALL TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WIDER SPHERE OF ACTIVITY AND THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE INCREASING AS MORE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS ARE CREATED AT A LOCAL LEVEL -AND THEY ARE BEING CREATED.+

ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID THAT HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSITION THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG COULD NOT DEVELOP A COMMON SENSE OF PURPOSE TO BUILD A HEALTHY AND HAPPY SOCIETY HERE, THAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE A PRIDE IN THE PLACE AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS, THAT THEY COULD NOT DEVELOP A REAL SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CONDUCT OF THE PEOPLE.

+IT IS A COMMON ESCAPIST EXCUSE THAT THIS CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED UNTIL WE HAVE AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT.

+IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE WORLD, THIS IS CLEARLY AN ABSURD AND QUICK EVASION OF THE TRUTH.

+WE ARE JUST AS CAPABLE OF WORKING OUT OUR OWN HONG KONG SOLUTIONS TO LIFE IN THE WORLD OF TODAY, AND WE LOOK TO PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELVES TO COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEARCH FOR THESE SOLUTIONS,*- MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

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HK-US TEXTILE TALKS COMPLETED M M X K

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILLIAM DORWARD HAS COMPLETED HIS TALKS IN WASHINGTON WITH UNITED STATES OFFICIALS ON A POSSIBLE FRAMEWORK FOR RESUMING CONSULTATIONS ON THE CURRENT BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. PETER TSAO ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR. TSAO SAID MR. DORWARD WOULD REPORT TO THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD NEXT WEEK AND THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS WILL BE REVIEWED.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

MORE OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED FOR STUDENTS TO STUDY ENVIRONMENT ******

MORE JOINT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE BY THE ADVOCATES OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO DO FIELD WORK, MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR ON +LICHEN GROWTH AND AIR POLLUTION* AT WHICH THE RESULTS OF AN AIR POLLUTION SURVEY BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE ANNOUNCED.

MRS. MOK TOLD THE GATHERING THAT ALL THE AVAILABLE PERIODS FOR FIELD STUDIES BY SCHOOL GROUPS IN THE 1979-80 SESSION AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S FIELD STUDIES CENTRE IN SAI KUNG HAD BEEN FULLY BOOKED.

♦THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THE INTEREST IN FIELD STUDIES AMONG HONG KONG STUDENTS IS TREMENDOUS,♦ SHE SAID.

OVER THE YEARS DETERMINED EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS IN THE SCHOOLS.

♦THE PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS AT EVERY LEVEL FROM PRIMARY 1 TO UPPER VI AND IN VARIOUS SUBJECT DISCIPLINES INCLUDING THE SCIENCES, SOCIAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY,♦ MRS. MOK SAID.

THE SEMINAR WAS HELD IN THE SCHOOL HALL OF THE TRUE LIGHT GIRLS’ COLLEGE IN WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.

- - 0 - -

LADY CATER OPENS FLOWER FESTIVAL AT OCEAN PARK *****

LADY CATER, WIFE OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, TODAY (SATURDAY) OPENED THE FLOWER FESTIVAL AT OCEAN PARK.

IN HER SPEECH, LADY CATER TOLD THE LARGE GATHERING SHE HAD A PARTICULAR PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE OCEAN PARK.

SHE RECALLED I +MANY YEARS AGO, A MAN CALLED DEREK BROMHALL JOINED MY HUSBAND IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S FISHERIES RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS HE WHO FIRST TOLD US OF THE ’WARM SPRING’ WHICH IS TO BE FOUND ON THIS COAST JUST BELOW THE COUNTRY CLUB.

♦ IT WAS ALSO HE WHO FIRST HAD THE DREAM OF MAKING THIS AREA INTO A PLACE FOR THE SORT OF OCEAN PARK TO BE FOUND IN FLORIDA AND VANCOUVER AND, TO THIS END WORKED HARD AND LONG TO HAVE THIS GREAT ENTERPRISE COME ABOUT.+

LADY CATER SAID DR. BROMHALL LEFT HONG KONG ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO AND SADLY HAS NOT YET BEEN BACK TO SEE HIS DREAM COME TRUE.

/THE FOLLOWING

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF LADY CATER’S SPEECHi

♦ | HAVE A PARTICULARLY PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE OCEAN PARK.

MANY YEARS AGO, A MAN CALLED DEREK BROMHALL JOINED MY HUSBAND IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S FISHERIES RESEARCH DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS HE WHO FIRST TOLD US CF THE ’WARM SPRING’ WHICH IS TO BE FOUND ON THIS COAST JUST BELOW THE COUNTRY CLUB.

♦ IT WAS ALSO HE WHO FIRST HAD THE DREAM OF MAKING THIS AREA INTO A PLACE FOR THE SORT OF OCEAN PARK TO BE FOUND IN FLORIDA OR VANCOUVER AND, TO THIS END WORKED HARD AND LONG TO HAVE THIS GREAT ENTERPRISE COME ABOUT.

♦ DR. BROMHALL LEFT HONG KONG ABOUT 13 YEARS AGO AND SADLY HAS NOT YET BEEN BACK TO SEE HIS DREAM COME TRUE.

♦ IT WAS LEFT TO ’PRIVATE ENTERPRISE’ IN THE SHAPE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, AND IN PARTICULAR MY DEAR AND LONG-TIME FRIEND SIR KENNETH FUNG PING-FAN TO GET THE PROJECT FINALLY OFF THE GROUND - OR SHOULD I SAY INTO THE WATER - FINANCIALLY.

♦AND TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS OF WHAT I STILL CALL ’THE OLD DEPARTMENT’, AS WELL AS MANY, MANY OTHERS, THE STRUCTURE OF THIS SUPERB AREA OF GREAT PUBLIC, TOURIST AND SCIENTIFIC INTEREST HAS COME TO BE AND COME TO MATURITY - MOST BEAUTIFULLY.

♦I AM TOLD THAT SINCE ITS PEOPLE HAVE VISITED IT.

OPENING IN 1977 OVER FIVE MILLION

♦THIS YEAR WE ARE PLEASED AND PROUD TO HAVE A PAIR OF GOLDEN MONKEYS WHICH ARE ON LOAN HERE FROM THE ZOO IN PEKING - A VERY RARE AND UNUSUAL PAIR OF VISITORS WHICH I DO HOPE WILL BE ABLE TO STAY WITH US AT LEAST UNTIL CHINESE NEW YEAR TO GIVE A SPECIAL FILLIP TO THE UP-COMING YEAR OF THE MONKEY. NO MONKEYS ANYWHERE, I AM CERTAIN, WILL BE ATTENDED TO AND LOOKED AFTER MORE LOVINGLY AND CAREFULLY.

♦ WE ARE HERE TODAY TO INAUGURATE THE FLOWER FESTIVAL - ANOTHER DELIGHTFUL AND VERY INTERESTING FEATURE INTRODUCED AT THE OCEAN PARK.

♦ AS YOU CAN ALL SEE, THIS YEAR’S DISPLAY IS BREATHTAKINGLY LOVELY AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BE HERE TODAY SO THAT I CAN THANK, ON YOUR BEHALF AND MY OWN, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PUT IN THE TREMENDOUS EFFORT IT TAKES TO ORGANISE SUCH AN OUTSTANDING AND GORGEOUS SHOW OF FLOWERS FROM ALL OVER ASIA.

♦ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FRIENDSt TODAY I HAVE VERY GREAT PLEASURE TO DECLARE THIS FLOWER FESTIVAL OPEN FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT.♦

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

- 5 -

INAUGURATION OF NEW FIRE WATCH PATROLS

* * * * *

TWENTY-FIVE NEW PATROLS HAVE JOINED THE FIRE WATCH SCHEME IN VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS, INCREASING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATROLS TO 51.

THE SCHEME, LAUNCHED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DANGER OF FIRE AND ENLISTING COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN FIRE PREVENTION.

THE FIRE WATCH PATROLS ARE TRAINED BY THE FIRE SERVICES IN THE OPERATION OF FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT SO THAT THEY CAN ACT AS +F IRST-AIDERS+ TO TACKLE A FIRE IN ITS EARLY STAGES BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF FIREMEN.

THEY ARE ALSO TAUGHT ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRE OUTBREAKS.

THE NEW PATROLS WILL BE INAUGURATED AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT 3 P.M.

OFFICIATING WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FIRE WATCH PATROL INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT 3 P.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION, 333 CANTON ROAD (NEAR AUSTIN ROAD), KOWLOON.

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72 CITIZENS TO JOIN SWD’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS *****

SEVENTY-TWO CITIZENS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WILL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) REGISTER WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO JOIN ITS VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.

THEY WILL BE GIVEN AN ORIENTATION COURSE ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROBATION WORK.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS. EVELYN DOE, WILL ADDRESS THE NEW RECRUITS AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH SHE WILL WELCOME THEM TO THE SCHEME.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, ROOMS 204/6 AT 15 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979 6 -

FIRE SERVICES LAUNCHING MONTH-LONG RECRUITING EXERCISE ******

A MONTH-LONG RECRUITING EXERCISE FOR ASSISTANT STATION OFFICERS WILL BE LAUNCHED FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19), A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).

♦WE ARE OFFERING A CAREER FULL OF VARIETY, INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY TO THOSE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT AND PREFERABLY BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. THE NEW RECRUITS WILL BE TRAINED FOR GENERAL FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE WORK BUT THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PERFORM SUPERVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES.

THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AN APPLICANT MUST POSSESS THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E.

THE STARTING SALARY FOR AN ASSISTANT STATION OFFICER VARIES FROM $2 750 TO $3 045 DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATION AND RISES TO $3 390.

THE OFFICER IS ON PROBATION FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS AFTER WHICH, PROVIDED HE HAS CARRIED OUT ALL HIS DUTIES SATISFACTORILY AND PASSED THE REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS, HE WILL BE CONFIRMED TO THE PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT AND ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF STATION OFFICER AUTOMATICALLY. THE PRESENT SALARY SCALE FOR A STATION OFFICER IS $4 135 TO $6 295.

APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 6 P.M. ON ANY DAY (EXCEPT SUNDAY) BETWEEN NOVEMBER 19 AND DECEMBER 15 AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RECRUITING CENTRES:

HONG KONG

HARBOUR ROAD FIRE STATION, HARBOUR ROAD, ABOUT 500 YARDS WEST OF THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER.

KOWLOON

TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION, CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI

NEW TERRITORIES

FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, FAN KAM ROAD, PAT HEUNG TSUEN WAN FIRE STATION, TAI CHUNG ROAD, TSUEN WAN.

APPLICANTS CALLING AT THE CENTRES SHOULD TAKE ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS, ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS AND A DULY COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (G.F. 340) OBTAINABLE FROM ANY CITY DISTRICT OFFICE OR FIRE STATIONS/AMBULANCE DEPOTS. THEY ARE FURTHER REQUIRED TO BRING ALONG RUBBER GYMNASTIC SHOES AND SHORTS FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST.

----------------------------------0--------------------------/7.....

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1979

CHATHAM ROAD-WUHU STREET FOOTBRIDGE TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR * * * ft

THE FOOTBRIDGE BEING BUILT AT THE BUSY JUNCTION OF CHATHAM ROAD AND WUHU STREET IN HUNG HOM IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

♦THE FOOTBRIDGE FORMS PART OF THE WUHU INTERCHANGE,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

MEANWHILE, WORK ON THE WUHU INTERCHANGE IS ABOUT 80 PER CENT COMPLETE. IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.

TOGETHER WITH THE EAST KOWLOON BAY AND THE SAN SHAN INTERCHANGE, BOTH OF WHICH ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THEY FORM THE WESTERN APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT TUNNEL.

- - o - -

SPEED LIMITS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT SPEED LIMITS WILL BE IMPOSED ON SECTIONS OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19).

A SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SECTION OF CHING CHEUNG ROAD FROM THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE EXISTING 40 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT ZONE TO PIPER’S HILL INTERCHANGE, AND THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD FROM PIPER’S HILL INTERCHANGE TO TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE.

A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE EAST-BOUND SLIP ROAD OF TAI PO ROAD FROM PIPER’S HILL INTERCHANGE TO TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE INCREASED TO 40 MILES PER HOUR ON THE SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD FROM TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE TO A POINT APPROXIMATELY 25 METRES TO THE WEST OF A LAMP POST.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO INDICATE THE EXACT BOUNDARIES OF THE SPEED LIMIT ZONES.

- o - -

WATER CUT ft ft ft

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 P.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE SOUTH SIDE OF KING’S ROAD FROM SHU KUK STREET TO NORTH VIEW STREET INCLUDING 243-299 KING’S ROAD, KIN WAH STREET, FORT STREET, MING YUEN WEST STREET AND PEACOCK ROAD.

_ o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

CONTENTS PaGE NO,

SIR JACK OPENS TSUZN WAN aNTI-NARCOTICS C/JiPAIGN .................. 1

SUCCESS GF TICD EXHIBITION IN TOKYO ................................ 2

72 CITIZENS JOIN VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS ................. J

TWO BLIND GIRLS AMONG TOP 10 IN THEIR CL,SS IN ORDINARY SCHOOL ................................................. 4

WARNING ON ANIMAL SOUVENIRS ........................................ 5

NORTH KWAI CHUNG TO GET NEW TYPE OF URBAN CLINIC ................... 5

BEWARE OF BOGUS LABOUR OFFICERS .................................... 6

FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION GN TSING YI ............................. 6

FIRING PRACTICE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

- 1 -

SIR JACK OPENS TSUEN WAN ANTI-NARCOTI CS CAMPAIGN * * * M X

THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES IN THE ANTI-NARCOTICS FIELD ARE CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL — TO STOP THE IMPORT OF ILLICIT DRUGS AND TO ELIMINATE DRUG ABUSE FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, SAID TODAY(SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, SIR JACK SAID SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THIS LONG BATTLE IS BEING MADE, THROUGH THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF THOSE INVOLVED AT THE OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL AND COMMUNITY LEVELS.

♦BUT AN ENORMOUS TASK STILL LIES AHEAD — WE STILL HAVE BETWEEN 35 OOO AND 50 000 ADDICTS- THIS IS, THEREFORE NO TIME TO RELAX OUR ENDEAVOURS,* HE SAID.

SIR JACK SAID DRUG ABUSE HAS BEEN A MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS NOT ONLY DESTRUCTIVE TO THE MINCT HIMSELF, BUT IS OF ENORMOUS POTENTIAL DANGER TO HIS FAMILY AND TO THE COMMUNITY OF WHICH HE IS PART.

**E„REC0GNI SED TH,S THREAT MANY YEARS AGO, AND HAVE TAKEN £ ACTION TO DEAL WITH IT, THROUGH CAREFULLY COORDINATED PROGRAMMES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND INTERNATIONAL ACTION,* HE SAI D«

+THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS, ACHIEVED AFTER UNREMITTING WORK AND THE EXPENDITURE OF CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES, IS EVIDENCED TODAY BY THE RECORD PRICES OF DRUGS ON THE STREETS, THE VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF ADDICTS IN TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND AFTERCARE THE DECLINING INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DRUG SCENE AND THE GREATLY REDUCED NUMBER OF THOSE CONVICTED OF MINOR DRUG* OFFENCES.

HOWEVER, SIR JACK SAID, IN A WORLD IN WHICH DRUG ABUSE IS INCREASING DRAMATICALLY AND IS PRODUCING ENORMOUS PROFITS FOR THE TRAFFICKERS, THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX ITS EFFORTS IN ANY WAY.

ALSO, THE SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. F£ STRESSED.

*IT IS JUST AS MUCH FOR THEIR BENEFIT THAT WE STRIVE, AS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY ADDICTED TO DRUGS, OR FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK OF BEING ENTICED INTO ADDICTION,* HE SAID.

SIR JACK ALSO NOTED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE STRENUOUS AND DEVOTED EFFORTS BY A GREAT MANY PEOPLE WORKING IN ANTI-DRUG COMPAIGNS, THERE IS SOLID EVIDENCE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE NOW MORE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSES, AND BETTER INFORMED ABOUT THEM, THAN EVER BEFORE.

ALSO ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY TODAY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE- THE TSUEN WAN TOWN MANAGER, MR. JAMES HAYES- THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN, MR. HO CHI-PI NG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR. KARL STUMPF.

/AFTEP THE .....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR JACK INSPECTED A COLOURFUL PROCESSION OF FLOATS, BANDS, DRAGON AND LION DANCE TEAMS AND THE FAMOUS CHIU CHOW GONG AND DRUM FOLK DANCE TEAM.

OVER 2 OOO STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS FROM TSUEN WAN TOOK PART IN THE PROCESSION WHICH TOOK TO THE STREETS WHERE MORE THAN 100 000 RESIDENTS WATCHED THE COLOURFUL LAUNCHING OF THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN.

ABOUT 100 ANTI-DRUG PREVENTIVE AND PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN LINED UP FOR THE 600 000 RESIDENTS OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WHICH COVERS TSUEN WAN PROPER, KWAI CHUNG, MA WAN AND TSING Yl ISLAND DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.

THESE INCLUDE A SEMINAR, AN EXHIBITION, VISITS TO ANTI-DRUG INSTITUTIONS, WALKATHON, CHILDREN GAMES DAY, OPEN-AIR PAINTING COMPETITION, TREASURE HUNTING, VARIETY AND FILM SHOWS, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, SPEECH, DRAMA, PHOTOGRAPHY, POSTER AND SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITIONS.

THE TSUEN WAN CAMPAIGN IS THE LAST AND THE BIGGEST OF THE THREE DISTRICT CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS THIS YEAR.

THE THREE CAMPAIGNS WERE TARGETED AT MORE THAN ONE MILLION RESIDENTS LIVING IN WAN CHAI, MONG KOK AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICTS.

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

SUCCESS OF TICD EXHIBITION K X * X

VISITORS TO THE TECHNO ’79 FAIR IN TOKYO HAVE BEEN FLOCKING TO THE EXHIBITION STAND MOUNTED BY THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.

♦THE FIVE-DAY FAIR, WHICH CLOSED YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) ATTRACTED OVER 12 000 VISITORS, AND IT SEEMED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION WAS- INTERESTED IN OUR DI SPLAY,+ SAID MR. C.G. BERNARD THE LEADER OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION MISSION.

+WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH A NUMBER OF COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES ON POSSIBLE JOINT VENTURES WITH HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND OF THE TRANSFER OF JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG.+ HE SAID. '

♦PARTICULAR INTEREST WAS DISPLAYED BY THE JAPANESE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY, AND INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH A NUMBER OF ELECTRONIC COMPANIES.

♦INTERESTING PROPOSALS FOR NEW PRODUCTS WERE ALSO DEMONSTRATED BY AUSTRIAN AND ITALIAN EXHIBITORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE COMPANIES WILL MEET TICD OFFICERS IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (MONDAY),+ SAID MR. BERNARD.

/A NEW......

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

A NEW PROMOTIONAL BROCHURE WITH A JAPANESE TEXT WAS PREPARED FOR THE FAIR, AND A FEATURE ON THE TICD STAND WAS A VIDEO-TAPE PRODUCTION WITH A JAPANESE COMMENTARY GIVING INFORMATION ON THE OPPORTUNITIES HONG KONG OFFERS TO JAPANESE INDUSTRIES.

THIS WAS REINFORCED BY A PAPER DELIVERED BY MR. BERNARD TO THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE LICENSING EXECUTIVES SOCIETY OF JAPAN, IN WHICH HE DETAILED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES FOR ATTRACTING OVERSEAS TECHNOLOGY.

FOLLOWING THE FAIR MR. BERNARD IS REMAINING IN JAPAN UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH TO COMPLETE A FULL PROGRAMME OF APPOINTMENTS WITH LEADING COMPANIES ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS, MAINLY IN THE METAL AND ELECTRONIC FIELDS.

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

72 CITIZENS JOIN VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS * * * * *

SEVENTY-TWO CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO JOIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.

THEY WERE GIVEN AN ORIENTATION COURSE TODAY (SUNDAY) TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S PROBATION OFFICERS IN PROVIDING AFTER-CARE SERVICES TO YOUNG OFFENDERS.

THEY WILL SOON TAKE UP THE ROLE OF HELPING TO SOLVE THE OFFENDERS’ SOCIAL PROBLEMS THROUGH CARE AND UNDERSTANDING WHILE PROBATION OFFICERS ASSUME. THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF GUIDING THEM IN BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT^

_ AT THIS AFTERNOON’S ORIENTATION COURSE, THE VOLUNTEERS WERE GIVEN AN INSIGHT INTO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROBATION SERVICE BEFORE THEY ARE ASSIGNED LATER TO SUITABLE CASES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR AREAS OF INTEREST AND ABILITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, VOLUNTEERS MAY HELP PROBATIONERS DEVELOP MEANINGFUL HOBBIES BY JOINING THEM IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS PICNICKING, SWIMMING OR PHOTOGRAPHY. OTHERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALS MAY PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE IN THEIR OWN FIELD.

AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS. EVELYN DOE, WELCOMED THE NEW RECRUITS AND THANKED THEM FOR GIVING GENEROUSLY OF THEIR TIME TO JOIN THE SCHEME.

MRS. DOE SAID MANY PEOPLE HAD THE MISCONCEPTION THAT PROBATION WORK WAS A LENIENT MEASURE FOR OFFENDERS.

♦IT IS IN FACT A POSITIVE MEANS BY WHICH OFFENDERS ARE REFORMED AND HELPED TO BE REINTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY,* SHE SAID.

SHE STRESSED THAT SUCCESSFUL PROBATION WORK CALLED FOR BOTH EFFORTS BY PROBATION OFFICERS AND SUPPORT FROM PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.

THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME, SHE SAID, IS ONE WAY OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WHEREBY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ABLE TO HAVE DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN UNDERSTANDING OFFENDERS AND HELPING TO REFORM THEM.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

- 4 _

TWO BLIND GIRLS AMONG TOP 10 IN THEIR CLASS IN ORDINARY SCHOOL

* * * *

IN A KENNEDY ROAD SECONDARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM THE STUDENTS ARE BUSY READING TEXTBOOKS. BUT TWO OF THE GIRLS, INSTEAD OF READING, ARE SLIDING THEIR HANDS ALONG PATTERNS OF DOTS JUTTING OUT OF THE PAGES FROM A RELATIVELY LARGE BOOK.

THESE TWO GIRLS, LUIGIA LIP AND EDITH YEUNG, ARE NOT PLAYING, BUT READING BRAILLE — THE METHOD USED BY THE BLIND TO READ.

ALTHOUGH VISUALLY DISABLED, BOTH LUIGIA AND EDITH ARE JUST AS COMPETENT AS THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS. IN FACT THEY ARE RATED AMONG THE TOP 10 IN THEIR CLASS.

EVER SINCE THEY ENROLLED AT ST. FRANCIS CANOSSIAN COLLEGE FROM A NEARBY SPECIAL SCHOOL, LUIGIA AND EDITH HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR CAPABILITY OF STUDYING IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL.

♦ I WAS EXCITED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AT ST. FRANCIS,* LUIGIA RECALLED.

AS FOR EDITH HER COMMENT WASi +SCHOOL LIFE IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL IS A NEW AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.*

* 1 CAN NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND ME THROUGH MAKING MORE NEW FRIENDS,* SHE ADDED.

LUIGIA AND EDITH ARE AMONG THE 24 BLIND STUDENTS NOW ATTENDING ORDINARY CLASSES IN SIX ORDINARY SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER AN INTEGRATING SCHEME LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT EARLY THIS YEAR. THEY ARE ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE, ST. STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE, LA SALLE COLLEGE, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S COLLEGE, ST. FRANCIS CANOSSIAN COLLEGE AND CANOSSIAN CONVENT SCHOOL.

THE SCHEME. ADVOCATED BY SEVERAL SPECIAL INSTITUTES IN THE EARLY 6O’S, AIMS AT INTEGRATING THE BLIND INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION.

MISS TERESA WONG, SENIOR INSPECTOR (SPECIAL EDUCATION) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAIDi *IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WHITE PAPER ON INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXPANDED THE SCHEME FURTHER BY SUBSIDISING SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF RESOURCE TEACHERS.-

SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEME STIPULATED THAT BLIND STUDENTS, WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN A SPECIAL SCHOOL. CAN SEEK ENROLMENT IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES.

♦ IN SOME CASES, APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT IN LOWER FORMS ARE ALSO CONSIDERED,* SHE SAID.

♦ HOWEVER, EACH BLIND STUDENT SHOULD REGISTER PREFERABLY AT A SPECIAL SCHOOL BEFORE SEEKING ADMISSION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SPECIAL SERVICE,* SHE ADDED.

SHE NOTED THAT ONCE A STUDENT IS INTEGRATED, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION AND THE SCHOOL CONCERNED FOR THE PROVISION OF TEXTBOOKS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNED STUDYING AND TEACHING AIDS.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1919

- 5 -

WARNING ON ANIMAL SOUVENIRS * * * *

RESIDENTS RETURNING TO HONG KONG FROM OVERSEAS AND CHINA ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK SOUVENIRS OF LIVE OR PRESERVED ANIMAL SPECIMENS LISTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.

THE WARNING WAS ISSUED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHICH NOTED THERE HAD BEEN MANY CASES RECENTLY THAT RETURNING RESIDENTS HAD BROUGHT BACK WITH THEM SOUVENIRS SUCH AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND CROCODILES, TIGER AND LEOPARD SKINS, A LIVE PANGOLIN AND A SCALEY ANT EATER.

ALL OF THESE ANIMALS AND SOME RARE PLANTS SUCH AS WILD ORCHIDS, CACTUS AND WILD AMERICAN GINSENG ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE TO IMPORT OR BE IN POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

HE ADDED THAT DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS THERE HAD BEEN ABOUT 80 CASES OF THIS TYPE, MOST OF WHICH INVOLVED STUFFED SEA TURTLES BROUGHT IN FROM INDONESIA, THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.

♦ANY OF THESE ARTICLES BROUGHT IN WITHOUT A LICENCE IS SEIZED BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE OFFENDERS PROSECUTED.

♦THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR A FIRST OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE IS $5 000 AND THE SEIZED SPECIMENS ARE FORFEITED TO THE CROWN,+ HE SAID.

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

NORTH KWAI CHUNG TO GET NEW TYPE OF URBAN CLINIC ******

A NEW TYPE OF STANDARD URBAN CLINIC WILL BE BUILT SHORTLY IN NORTH KWAI CHUNG TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE FOUR-STOREY CLINIC, AT THE JUNCTION OF WO Yl HOP ROAD AND LEI SHU ROAD OPPOSITE LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, WILL CONSIST OF A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, A FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE, A 24-BED MATERNITY HOME AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS A STAFF CANTEEN, KITCHEN AND STAFF CHANGING ROOMS.

♦THE CLINIC IS SO DESIGNED THAT DAY-BEDS AND THERAPY FACILITIES CAN BE ADDED AT A LATER DATE IF THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME AT NGAU TAU KOK PROVES TO BE SUCCESSFUL,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

MR. YEE-SUN WU AND HIS BROTHER MR. JIEH-YEE WU OF WING LUNG BANK HAVE JOINTLY PLEDGED A DONATION OF $2 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE CLINIC WHICH WILL BE NAMED AFTER THEIR MOTHER, MRS. WU YORK-YU.

WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 11 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

WARNING ON BOGUS LABOUR OFFICERS KOO*

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED EMPLOYERS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST PEOPLE SOLICITING MONEY BY IMPERSONATING OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED REPORTS THAT A MAN CLAIMING TO BE AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN SOLICITING MONEY FROM FACTORY PROPRIETORS FOR THE PUBLICATION OF A PURPORTED DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATION.

+NO OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AUTHORISED TO SOLICIT OR ACCEPT MONEY FOR ANY PURPOSE WHATSOEVER,* HE STRESSED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE FREE, AND FROM TIME TO TIME, THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED PAMPHLETS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WHICH WERE ALSO FREE TO THE THE PUBLIC.

HE REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT ALL LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS CARRIED WITH THEM GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND WARRANTS BEARING THE PHOTOGRAPH AND NAME OF THE HOLDER.

MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY AND LABOUR INSPECTORATES ARE UNDER INSTRUCTIONS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY PRODUCING THEIR WARRANTS WHEN VISITING FACTORIES, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CHECK ON THE IDENTITY OF VISITORS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AND TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION IF THEY WERE IN ANY DOUBT.

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

FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION * * X X

A ONE-WEEK FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IS TO BE HELD ON TSING Yl ISLAND.

THE EXHIBITION, STARTING TOMORROW (MONDAY), AIMS TO BRING HOME TO PEOPLE LIVING AT TSING Yl LAGOON THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF FIRES IN SQUATTER AREAS AND THE NEED TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.

ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FIRE SERVICES WD THE lS’NG Yl LAGOON MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE PREMISES OF THE M.A.C.

BE P,CTURES TAKEN DURING RECENT BIG SQUATTER AREA FIRES WHICH MADE THOUSANDS HOMELESS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICES SAID THE LOCAL FIRE SERVICES AND THE FIRE WATCH COMMITTEE WERE ANXIOUS THAT EVERYBODY AWARE ™AT CARELESS acts LIKE THROWING AWAY LIGHTED Smn < C0ULD RESULT in a fire ,n which LILIES

lajulu LUoc Inti K HOMto.

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979

FIRING PRACTICE * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 5 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 21).

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

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PR 33*

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY H.E. THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, KBE JP AT THE OPENING OF THE TSUEN WAN ANTI-NARCOTICS _______CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1979 AT 3PM________

Since the first ACAN Campaign was held here in 1973, Tsuen Wan New Town’s population has increased by over 50 per cent (from ^00 000 to 630 000). It has achieved increasing importance as an industrial and commercial centre, and its container terminal ranks as one of the top four in the world. A quarter of its population consists of school-children, and its 150 000 industrial workers are mostly young, in the 18 to JO years age range. It illustrates, in short, the fast growth, vitality, hardwork and enterprise which have distinguished Hong Kong’s development.

But in all mobile societies, the very process of rapid change is often accompanied by considerable stress both on the individual and on the family, when old habits, attitudes and routines have to be adapted to the new surroundings and circumstances. The great majority of Hong Kong’s people have shown their capacity to overcome the undoubted strains and frustrations of living and working in high-density and quick-moving conditions, but there are others who are not so fortunate, who find themselves unable to cope and who turn to drugs or crime or to both.

We have had in our midst for many years a major social problem of drug abuse, which is not only destructive to the addict himself, but is of enormous potential danger to his family and to the community of which he is part. We recognised this threat many years ago, and have taken energetic action to deal with it, through carefully coordinated programmes of law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education and publicity, and international action. The success of our efforts, achieved

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

after unremitting work and the expenditure of considerable resources, is evidenced today by the record prices of drugs on the streets, the very large numbers of addicts in treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare, the declining involvement of young people in the drug scene, and the greatly reduced number of those convicted of minor drug offences.

Nevertheless, in a world in which drug-abuse is increasing dramatically, producing profits for the trafficking criminals which are so enormous that, in a number of countries, they dwarf legitimate trade, we cannot afford to relax our efforts in any way. We must continue to rely on the skill and commitment of our law enforcement authorities who have played a large part in our current successes, of all those in government departments and voluntary agencies who look after the large numbers in treatment and after-care, and of those responsible for the work of prevention, education and publicity. But of equal importance is the support of our efforts by the general public: it is just as much for their benefit that we strive, as for those who are already addicted to drugs, or for those who are at risk of being enticed into addiction. We are well aware that, once drug abuse becomes established in a society, it is difficult to control, let alone eradicate. Fortunately, as a result of strenuous and devoted efforts by a great many people working in campaigns such as this, there is solid evidence that the people of Hong Kong are now more acutely aware of the problems and dangers of drug abuse, and better informed about them, than ever before.

Over the next four weeks, Mr. Ho Chi-ping and his Committee, with the active collaboration of the Action Committee Against Narcotics and a large number of local organisations, have organised one of the biggest campaigns ever to take place in Tsuen Wan. There will be 89 separate events, including recreational programmes, visits, competitions, exhibitions, seminars, and film shows; all have been designed to entertain as well as to inform, and all will carry an anti-narcotics message. The objectives will be to advise young people never to experiment with drugs, even once; to develop a more sympathetic and understanding attitude amongst residents towards those who have, unfortunately, become drug abusers; and to encourage the public to report any drug trafficking activities. Particular emphasis will be laid on young people, to encourage their participation in healthy recreational activities in their spare time through the 28 member bodies of the very active District Sports Association, and to enlist their further support for future campaigns and other anti-drug voluntary efforts.

/The Government’s.....

- 3 -

The Government's own objectives in the anti-narcotics field are clear and unequivocal; to stop the import of illicit drugs into Hong Kong and to eliminate drug abuse from the community. We are making significant progress in this long battle, through the dedicated efforts of those involved, at the official, unofficial and community levels. But an enormous task still lies ahead - we still have between 35 000 and 50 000 addicts; this is, therefore, no time to relax our endeavours.

I wish to thank Mr. Ho, his three Vice Chairmen and all who have participated in organising this Campaign. Hong Kong owes much to the public spirit of its community leaders from all walks of life, who devote a considerable amount of their time, ability and enthusiasm to ensure the success of campaigns such as this. Social evils such as drug trafficking and abuse are a stigma on the good name of Hong Kong, and it is encouraging to see such well-led and well-supported efforts being made to remove them. I wish all of you the success in your efforts which you so richly deserve.

0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

UK’S EXTERNAL TRADE FCR JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1979 ............... 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR LEAVES FCR PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE.................................................... 5

SITE FORMATION FCR PUBLIC HOUSING IN SHA TIN ..................6

FIRE WATCH PATROL MEiBERS PRAISED FOR SERVICE TO COMMUNITY .................................................... 6

SCHOOLS INVITED TO JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR.............. 8

OVERSEAS PHYSICIANS VISIT VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CENTRE.........9

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HUNG HOM AND ABERDEEN ................ 9

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1979 ******

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS THIS YEAR WAS $39 680 MILLION, IMPORTS WERE WORTH $61 019 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS $14 336 MILLION, ACCORDING TO TRADE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).

COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE STATISTICS SHOWED INCREASES, BY VALUE, OF 38 PER CENT IN BOTH EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, AND 54 PER CENT IN RE-EXPORTS. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT.

THE TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE VALUE FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WAS $115 035 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 40 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE:

JAN-SEPT 79 (HK$ MN) JAN-SEPT 78 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

USA 13 461 11 060 + 2 401 + 22

FR OF GERMANY 4 450 3 012 + 1 438 ♦ 48

UK 4 261 2 636 ♦ 1 625 ♦ 62

JAPAN 2 008 1 223 + 785 ♦ 64

AUSTRALIA 1 266 1 044 + 222 + 21

CANADA 1 167 911 + 256 + 28

SINGAPORE 1 023 750 + 273 + 36

NETHERLANDS 972 634 + 338 + 53

SWEDEN 696 393 + 303 + 77

FRANCE 653 366 + 287 + 78

GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO USA REMAINED FAIRLY STEADY, WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $366 MILLION OR 52%), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $329 MILLION OR 36%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $172 MILLION OR 32%) AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $150 MILLION OR 27%).

HOWEVER, DELIVERIES OF PLASTIC ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS DECLINED BY $33 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT AND $15 MILLION OR FOUR PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

/DOMESTIC EXPORTS......

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FR OF GERMANY STAYED FIRM. PROMINENT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $783 MILLION OR 43%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $217 MILLION OR 174%), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $155 MILLION OR 49%).

INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO UK WERE VERY REMARKABLE, PARTICULARLY, IN CLOTHING (BY $756 MILLION OR 56%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $167 MILLION OR 117%). TEXTILES (BY $139 MILLION OR 48%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $94 MILLION OR 59%).

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE ALSO REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING (BY $274 MILLION OR 79%) TO JAPAN, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY (BY $55 MILLION OR 82%) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $47 MILLION OR 121%) TO SINGAPORE, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $46 MILLION OR 120%) TO CANADA.

AN ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION IS AS FOLLOWSj-

JAN-SEPT 79 (HK$ MN) JAN-SEPT 78 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 14 603 11 243 + 3 360 + 30

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS) 6 732 4 725 + 2 007 ♦ 42

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3 453 2 138 + 1 315 + 62

TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2 849 1 963 ♦ 886 ♦ 45

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2 769 2 003 + 766 ♦ 38

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE APPLIANCES) 2 294 1 510 + 784 ♦ 52

Aarked INCREASES ....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

MARKED INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1 142 MILLION OR 65%), RADIO BROADCAST RECEIVERS (BY $314 MILLION OR 29%), MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL AND NONELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD TYPE EQUIPMENT (BY $294 MILLION OR 53%), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $237 MILLION OR 30%), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $227 MILLION OR 35%), AND TRANSISTORS AND DIODES (BY $128 MILLION OR 42%).

HOWEVER, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS (BY $25 MILLION OR 27%).

THE CHANGES IN AS FOLLOWSi-

IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISED

JAN-SEPT 79 (HK$ MN) JAN-SEPT 78 (HK$ MN) INCREASE (HK$ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE

JAPAN 13 873 10 117 + 3 756 + 37

CHINA 10 345 7 312 ♦ 3 033 + 41

USA 7 482 5 460 + 2 022 + 37

TAIWAN 4 218 2 919 + 1 299 + 45

SINGAPORE 3 467 2 317 + 1 150 ♦ 50

UK 3 192 2 002 + 1 190 * 59

FR OF GERMANY 2 019 1 457 ♦ 562 ♦ 39

SWITZERLAND 1 845 1 388 ♦ 457 ♦ 33

REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 807 1 251 + 556 ♦ 44

AUSTRALIA 1 133 917 ♦ 216 + 24

INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM JAPAN WERE MAINLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE RISE IN DEMAND FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $525 MILLION OR 61%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $447 MILLION OR 60%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $362 MILLION OR 41%), TEXTILES (BY $356 MILLION OR 21%), IRON AND STEEL (BY $219 MILLION OR 34%), AND ROAD VEHICLES (BY $217 MILLION OR 35%).

THE INCREASE IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $511 MILLION OR 97%) FROM CHINA WAS REMARKABLE. INCREASES IN OTHER MAJOR CHINESE IMPORTS WERE TEXTILES (BY $641 MILLION OR 45%). CLOTHING (BY $260 MILLION OR 64%), AND VEGETABLES AND FRUITS (BY $125 MILLION OR 24%).

/IMPORTS FROM ...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

IMPORTS FROM USA ALSO SHOWED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES, PARTICULARLY IN ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $276 MILLION OR 177%), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $237 MILLION OR 54%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $195 MILLION OR 43%), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (BY $106 MILLION OR 20%), AND VEGETABLES AND FRUITS (BY $84 MILLION OR 21%).

THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY COMMODITY SECTION i-

JAN-SEPT 79 JAN-SEPT 78 INCREASE PERCENTAGE (HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) (HK$ MN) CHANGE

MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND DIAMONDS) 19 089 14 216 4- 4 873 ♦ 34

MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 13 433 8 606 4- 4 827 4- 56

MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 8 722 5 983 4- 2 739 4- 46

FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 6 858 5 897 ♦ 961 4- 16

CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 842 3 287 4- 1 555 ♦ 47

MINERAL FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 3 588 2 311 4- 1 277 4- 55

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF TEXTILE FABRICS (BY $1 630 MILLION OR 43%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (BY $1 451 MILLION OR 54%), PETROLEUM AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $1 246 MILLION OR 56%), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $948 MILLION OR 70%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $926 MILLION OR 44%), AND IRON AND STEEL (BY $626 MILLION OR 44%).

RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN INCREASED BY $341 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT,

TO USA BY $597 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT, TO SINGAPORE BY $300 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT, TO TAIWAN BY $443 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT AND TO INDONESIA BY $286 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT.

/DEMAND CONTINUED

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

- 5 -

DEMAND CONTINUED ACTIVE FOR RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES (A RISE OF $780 MILLION OR 65%), PEARLS, PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES (A RISE OF $442 MILLION OR 34%), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (A RISE OF $390 MILLION OR 85%), CLOTHING (A RISE OF $331 MILLION OR 100%), AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (A RISE OF $227 MILLION OR 35%).

THE TRADE INDEXES FOR AUGUST 1979 (1973-100) WERE AS FOLLOWS:-

VALUE INDEX UNIT VALUE INDEX QUANTUM INDEX

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 358 169 212

IMPORTS 304 174 175

THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX FOR AUGUST 1979 WAS 97.

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR LEAVES FOR PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE X X X X X

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR. CHARLES YEUNG, FLEW TO NEW ZEALAND LAST WEEKEND TO ATTEND THE 25TH PLENARY CONFERENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION.

THE 1979 CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT WELLINGTON AND MORE THAN 200 PARLIAMENTARIANS INCLUDING SPEAKERS AND MINISTERS FROM ALMOST ALL COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES WILL ATTEND.

TO BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 26 AND DECEMBER 1, 1979 THE CONFERENCE WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND, SIR KEITH HOLYOAKE.

THE CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS PARTICULAR ATTENTION ON THE ENERGY CRISIS, THE REFUGEE PROBLEM AND AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA.

TWO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE REPRESENTED THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION AT SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES ABROAD SO FAR THIS YEAR.

MR. FRANCIS TIEN WENT TO LONDON IN MAY ON A COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY VISIT AND MR. PETER C. WONG ATTENDED THE AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN PERTH LAST SEPTEMBER.

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

/6....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

SITE FORMATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN SHA TIN *****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $9.6 MILLION CONTRACT TO LINGKING CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR SITE FORMATION WORK WHICH WILL PRODUCE 13.2 HECTARES OF LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE RAPIDLY GROWING SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE LAND FORMED WOULD ENABLE ACCOMMODATION TO BE PROVIDED FOR ABOUT 28 OOO PEOPLE.

IN ADDITION, ANOTHER 2.6 HECTARES OF LAND FORMED WILL BE FOR OPEN SPACE, 1.1 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY USES AND HALF A HECTARE FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

THE SITE FORMATION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN AREAS ADJACENT TO THE VILLAGES OF TIN SAM AND TAI WAI.

THE CONTRACT WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE BOX CULVERTS AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE WAS RECENTLY SIGNED BY MR. K.T. KUO, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, AND MR. PANG TIN-TZE OF LINGKING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, CONSULTING ENGINEERS FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF PWD.

- - 0 - -

FIRE WATCH PATROL MEMBERS PRAISED FOR SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

******

MEMBERS OF 25 NEWLY FORMED FIRE WATCH PATROLS WERE TODAY (MONDAY) COMMENDED FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THEIR OWN LEISURE TIME IN SUPPORT OF THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.

SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW PATROLS AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION TODAY, THE ACTING CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF KOWLOON, MR. MIKE KINGDOM, SAID THE MAIN DUTIES OF THE PATROLS FORMED BY RESIDENTS IN SQUATTER AREAS AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WERE PREVENTION, NOTIFICATION AND POSSIBLE EXTINGUISHING OF FIRE.

MR. KINGDOM SAID FIRE PREVENTION COULD BE DONE THROUGH CONTINUOUS SURVEILLANCE AND BY DRAWING RESIDENTS’ ATTENTION TO POSSIBLE RISKS, AND ADVISING THEM ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE A FIRE RISK.

HE SAID WITH CONSTANT VIGILANCE, FIRES WOULD BE DETECTED IN AN EARLY STAGE. AND, WITH PROMPTNESS IN RAISING THE ALARM, NOTIFICATION TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES, AIDING OTHER PEOPLE TO EVACUATE THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY AND TACKLING THE FIRE WITH AVAILABLE RESOURCES, FIRE WATCH PATROLS WOULD HELP MINIMISE THE LOSS OF PROPERTY AND POSSIBLY SAVE LIVES.

/AT THE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, EACH OF THE 25 FIRE WATCH PATROLS WAS PRESENTED WITH A SOUVENIR PLAQUE. THE PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE BY MR. HAROLD KWOK, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, KOWLOON EAST- MRS. SHELLEY LAU, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES- MR. GEORGE YUEN, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, PUBLICITY AND MARKETING SUB-DIVISION OF INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT- MR. KAN HON SANG, DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND MR. KINGDOM.

STAFF OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT GAVE A DEMONSTRATION OF FIRE FIGHTING AFTER THE CEREMONY.

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT AN EXERCISE TO UPDATE THE REGISTER OF CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS.

THE EXERCISE WHICH BEGAN TODAY (MONDAY) WILL COVER ALL CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS REGISTERED WITH THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.

FIELD OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, EACH CARRYING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL VISIT THESE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT NOVEMBER 1, 1979, AND THE NATURE OF ACTIVITY UNDERTAKEN IN 1979.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAIDt +THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE IS TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN AN UP-TO-DATE REGISTER OF CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH SERVES AS A SAMPLING FRAME FOR VARIOUS ECONOMIC CENSUSES OR SURVEYS.

HE APPEALED TO MANAGEMENTS TO CO-OPERATE IN THE EXERCISE. ♦INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO bfi. CHIU FOOK-CHING, STATISTICIAN AT TEL« 5-444938.

0 - -

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

SCHOOLS INVITED TO JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR * X ft X X

ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 16TH SCHOOLS’ DANCE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 26 AND MARCH 14, 1980.

HANDICAPPED STUDENTS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE DANCE FESTIVAL JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

ITEMS IN THE FESTIVAL INCLUDE WESTERN FOLK OR NATIONAL DANCE, ORIENTAL DANCE AND CREATIVE DANCE.

PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS: A LOWER PRIMARY SECTION FOR PRIMARY 1 TO 3- AN UPPER PRIMARY SECTION FOR PRIMARY 4 TO 6- A SECONDARY SECTION FOR FORM 1 AND ABOVE- AND A SECTION FOR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS.

EACH SCHOOL WILL HAVE TO PAY S20 ENTRY FEE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT JOINS IN ONE OR MORE PERFORMANCES.

AN AWARDS SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED, AND THERE WILL BE NO CHAMPIONSHIP OR RUNNERS-UP, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

UNDER THE AWARDS SYSTEM, SCHOOLS WHICH OBTAIN 88 MARKS OR ABOVE WILL BE GIVEN AN HONOURS AWARD- SCHOOLS WHICH OBTAIN 81 TO 87 MARKS WILL BE GIVEN A HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD- WHILE THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH OBTAIN 74 TO 80 MARKS WILL BE GIVEN A COMMENDED AWARD CERTIFICATE.

AN AWARD CERTIFICATE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE BEST PIECE OF CHOREOGRAPHY IN EACH DANCE ITEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+THIS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN ONLY IF THE NUMBER OF PARTI ClPATING TEAMS IN EACH DANCE ITEM EXCEEDS 10,+ HE SAID.

A CERTIFICATE WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO EACH PERFORMING STUDENT OF A SCHOOL WHICH ACHIEVES A COMMENDED STANDARD OR ABOVE.

EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL BE GIVEN A SOUVENIR PENNANT.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD AT

CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL AT FORTRESS HILL ROAD, NORTH POINT- IN KOWLOON THE VENUE IS THE HONG KONG SZE YAP COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE AT NAM CHEONG STREET-AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IT WILL BE TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, 70 HOI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN.

ENTRY FORMS AND FEES MUST BE FORWARDED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 15.

______ 0 -----

/9.....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1979

OVERSEAS PHYSICIANS VISIT VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CENTRE * * * *

TWENTY-FIVE PHYSICIANS, WHO ARE ATTENDING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANS I AT I ON’S (WHO) FIRST INTER-REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE ON THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS IN HONG KONG, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CLINIC IN WAN CHAI.

THEY WERE BRIEFED ON HONG KONG’S METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (NARCOTICS), DR. K.F. CHAN.

DR. CHAN ALSO TOLD THE PHYSICIANS THAT MORE THAN 7 5OO ADDICTS ARE ATTENDING TREATMENT EVERYDAY IN THE 20 METHADONE CENTRES STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE TRAINING COURSE, WHICH OPENED ON OCTOBER 30 WITH THE AIM CF PROVIDING AN IN-DEPTH STUDY INTO THE LATEST ANTI-NARCOTICS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION POLICIES AND METHODS IN HONG KONG, WILL END ON NOVEMBER 28.

THE 25 DOCTORS ARE FROM EGYPT, AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, BURMA, THAILAND, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES.

- - 0 - -

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HUNG HOM AND ABERDEEN *****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF MA TAU WAI ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD BETWEEN CHI KIANG STREET AND SAN LAU STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 A.M. AND 5.30 A.M. DAILY FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 21).

THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE WORK ON THE NEW ELEVATED ROADWAY IN THE AREA.

DURING THE CLOSURE, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON MA TAU WAI ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHI KIANG STREET, TO KWA WAN ROAD, MA TAU WAI ROAD, GILLIES AVENUE AND SAN LAU STREET TO CHATHAM ROAD.

MOTORISTS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT IN ABERDEEN THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE NEW ROAD LINKING SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE TWO AREAS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

CONTENTS PaGE NG.

BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL USE OF FACTORY CAR PARKS IN TSUEN WAN IS A SUCCESS ........................... 1

TRAINING QUALITY IN METAL WORK INDUSTRY SHOULD BE IMPROVED......................................... 2

LARGEST LIBRARY IN NT OPENS ON THURSDAY.................... 3

TOPLEY TOURS NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ...................... 3

ACTING DHA TO VISIT WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.................... 4

WORK AND PLAY ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT ....................... 4

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER..................... 5

WATER CUT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL USE OF FACTORY CAR PARKS IN TSUEN WAN IS A SUCCESS

* * * *

A BLITZ BY THE LEASE ENFORCEMENT SECTION OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AGAINST UNAUTHORISED CONVERSIONS OF CAR PARKS AND LOADING AND UNLOADING BA.YS IN FACTORY BUILDINGS IN THE AREA IS PROVING EFFECTIVE.

SINCE MAY THIS YEAR, WHEN ACTION STARTED FOLLOWING WARNING LETTERS, ABOUT 400 CAR PARKS AND BAYS USED MAINLY FOR STORAGE OR WORKSHOP PURPOSES IN BREACH OF LEASE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED

OF THESE, MORE THAN HALF HAVE REVERTED TO THEIR PROPER USAGE AFTER THE OWNERS OR OPERATORS WERE WARNED. SHORT EXTENSIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO A FURTHER 75 OPERATORS ON PAYMENT OF FEES, ALTHOUGH ACTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THEY USE THE CAR PARKS AND BAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS. THE REMAINDER OF THE CASES ARE AT AN INITIAL STAGE.

THE ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN THE TAI LIN PA ROAD AND KWAI CHEONG ROAD AREA AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR WHEN ANOTHER AREA WILL BE SELECTED FOR ACTION.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID SUCH UNAUTHORISED USAGE OFTEN RESULTED IN VEHICLES CARRYING OUT LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES ON STREETS AND PAVEMENTS, AS WELL AS INDISCRIMINATE PARKING. +THIS CAUSES SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND DISRUPTION,* HE SAID.

SOME CASES OF UNAUTHORISED USE OF CAR PARKS AND BAYS HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY THE LABOUR AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS-AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. HE SAID PRIOR TO ENFORCEMENT ACTION BEING TAKEN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PUBLICITY HAD BEEN GIVEN AND ADVISORY LETTERS SENT TO THE OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF FACTORY BUILDINGS.

HE ESTIMATED IN THE WHOLE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ABOUT 1 500 CAR PARKS AND BAYS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WERE BEING USED IN AN UNAUTHORISED MANNER. +IN DUE COURSE WE WILL VISIT THEM ALL AND WE WILL ALSO GO BACK TO THE FACTORIES PREVIOUSLY VISITED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE NOT REVERTED TO THEIR FORMER PRACTICES,* HE SAID. HE WAS CONFIDENT IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAFFIC FLOW COULD BE ACHIEVED IF ALL THE CAR PARKS AND BAYS WERE BEING PROPERLY USED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN EXTENSION PERIOD WAS ONLY GRANTED IN CASES WHERE A FACTORY OPERATOR HAD TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS TO COMPLY WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS. HE SAID IN THE EVENTS OF SUCH STEPS NOT BEING TAKEN VESTING OR RE-ENTRY WOULD BE RECOMMENDED.

HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS WHO HAD BEEN VISITED SO FAR HAD BEEN CO-OPERATIVE.

IN THE CURRENT BLITZ CASES OF STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS TO CAR PARKS HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED AND OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEM BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATE.

HE SAID THERE WAS A GOOD SUPPLY OF FACTORY UNITS IN TSUEN WAN AND OCCUPIERS WHO HAD BEEN USING CAR PARKS AND BAYS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES SHOULD HAVE LITTLE DIFFICULTY FINDING ALTERNATIVE SPACE.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

TRAINING QUALITY IN METAL WORK INDUSTRY SHOULD BE IMPROVED *****

EMPLOYERS OF MACHINE SHOPS AND METAL WORK INDUSTRY SHOULD NOT ONLY INCREASE THE VOLUME OF TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN BUT ALSO IMPROVE THE QUALITY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL IN THEIR REPORT ON THE FIFTH MANPOWER SURVEY OF THE INDUSTRY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRAINING COUNCIL SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE REPORT CONTAINED STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE EMPLOYMENT STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY, A FORECAST OF THE FUTURE MANPOWER DEMAND AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEASURES TO COPE WITH SUCH NEEDS.

THE REPORT, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AT $23 A COPY ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23).

IN THE REPORT, THE BOARD SAYS THAT DESPITE INTERNATIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND SEVERE COMPETITION FROM OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, THE INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN BOTH SIZE AND SOPHISTICATION. DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THIS GROWTH INCLUDESi

* ESTABLISHMENT OF A LARGE MACHINERY PLANT IN TSI NG Yl-

* DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES-

* EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO TSUEN WAN AND

* DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN NEW TOWNS.

TO COVER BOTH GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY AND WASTAGE OF MANPOWER, ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGISTS, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN WOULD BE REQUIRED IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS FROM 1980 TO 1985, THE BOARD SAID.

AGAINST THIS THE SURVEY CLEARLY INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF TECHNOLOGIST TRAINEES, TECHNICIAN TRAINEES AND CRAFTSMAN TRAINEES PRESENLTY UNDER TRAINING LAG FAR BEHIND THE FUTURE DEMAND FOR WORKERS AT THESE THREE LEVELS.

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

/3....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORSi

LARGEST LIBRARY IN NT OPENS ON THURSDAY ft ft ft ft

THE LARGEST LIBRARY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE KWAI CHUNG PUBLIC LIBRARY, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY MR. CHAN PO-FONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD, ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22) AT 10.30 AM.

THE LIBRARY OPERATED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF MAI CHUNG/MAI KWAI MANSIONS AT 87-89 WO TONG TSUI STREET IN KWAI CHUNG.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE OPENING OF KWAI CHUNG PUBLIC LIBRARY. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE PRESS. A GOVERNMENT MINIBUS WILL LEAVE FROM MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI (BEHIND PENINSULA HOTEL) AT 9.30 AM. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22).

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

TOPLEY TOURS NEW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ft ft ft ft ft

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING VISITED THE RECENTLY-OPENED LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN KOWLOON TONG AND SAW SOME OF THE CLASSES IN SESSION.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. DAN WATERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) AND MR. HUGH CAMERON, PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, HE TOURED THE PREMISES AND VISITED A DESIGN CLASS AND A TYPING CLASS.

MR. TOPLEY TALKED TO THE STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR STUDY AND THE TYPES OF JOBS THEY PREFER AFTER GRADUATION.

THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE FIFTH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, OPENED LAST MONTH.

AT PRESENT THE INSTITUTE IS ONLY OPERATING IN THE CLASSROOM BLOCK AND THE ADMINISTRATION BLOCK.

THE OTHER BLOCKS ACCOMMODATING THE WORKSHOPS, LABORATORIES AND HALLS WITH FACILITIES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS ARE DUE TO BE COMPLETED AND HANDED OVER NEXT APRIL TO THE INSTITUTE SCHEDULED TO BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 400 FULL-TIME STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE FIVE DEPARTMENTS OPERATED BY THE INSTITUTE WHICH ALSO HAS OVER 800 PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE STUDENTS AND 2 700 EVENING STUDENTS.

/THE FIVE ..

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

THE FIVE DEPARTMENTS ARE COMMERCIAL STUDIES, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN, OF WHICH THE LAST TWO ARE NEW TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN HONG KONG.

NEW COURSES OFFERED BY THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE INCLUDE THOSE ON AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING, HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLE WORK (INCLUDING LORRIES AND BUSES), GRAPHIC DESIGN, THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN, OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY, WATCH AND CLOCK REPAIR, AND FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY.

NOTE TO EDITORS’

ACTING DHA TO VISIT WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE ******

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. MICHAEL LEUNG MAN-KIN WILL PAY AN INSPECTION VISIT TO WONG TAI SIN NEW TEMPLE (SIK SIK YUEN) TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 2.45 PM.

MR. LEUNG WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY MR. WONG WAN-TIN, CHAIRMAN OF WONG TAI SIN NEW TEMPLE- MR. CHAN HON-KWONG, CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND MR. LAU KWONG-TO, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, WONG TAI SIN.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE VISIT.

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

WORK AND PLAY ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT

*****

WORK AND PLAY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT IN LIFE AND WE SHOULD ENJOY BOTH, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MR. COLVYN HAYE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK NO. 1 COLLEGE l£ SAIDi +1 HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT HARD WORK FOR THE FUTURE IS A SPLENDID THING BUT THAT IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE CANNOT ENJOY LIFE

MR. HAYE CONGRATULATED THE COLLEGE ON ITS IMPRESSIVE RESULTS AND WIDE VARIETY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. HE TOLD THE STUDENTSi + IF YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES YOUR COLLEGE GIVES YOU FOR WORK AND FOR PLAY YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.*

DURING THE CEREMONY MRS. HAYE DISTRIBUTED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE STUDENTS.

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1979

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER MM I *

THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF GARDEN ROAD FLYOVER FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 2 PM. TO 10 PM. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AND FROM 7 AM. TO 7 PM. THE FOLLOWING DAY (SUNDAY) FOR MAINTENANCE WORK.

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, VEHICLES PROCEEDING NORTHWARDS FROM MAGAZINE GAP ROAD TO GARDEN ROAD SHOULD USE THE ALTERNATIVE GROUND LEVEL ROUTE.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT M M M

WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN 15-50 STUBBS ROAD, 2-14 WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD INCLUDING SHIU FAI TERRACE AND TUNG SHAN TERRACE, AND 94-122 KENNEDY ROAD WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) TO 6 AM. THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THE STOPPAGE IS TO FACILITATE A LEAKAGE TEST.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCTOBER......................... 1

FIRST CREMATORIUM IN NT OPENS SOON ........................ 2

ANOTHER CONTRACT FOR TUEN NUN TOWN CENTRE SIGNED....... 3

GOVERNOR UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL HIP OPERATION IN UK............................................ 3

. 54 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LaST MONTH .................... 4

SHAM SHUI PC FORTNIGHT TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ............................................... 4

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF SHAM SHUI PO FORTNIGHT .............................................. 5

PRICE LISTS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN SCHOOLS ................ 6

CHILDREN’S CHOIR FORMED IN SHA TIN ....................... 6

SUSPENSION OF TRAM SERVICES IN HAPPY VALLEY................ 7

RE-OPENING OF TAI KOK TSUI RCaD............................ 7

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCTOBER *****

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH (OCTOBER) WERE BOTH 146, EACH BEING ONE POINT HIGHER THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR APRIL 1979, I.E. THE SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE TWO MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGES ENDING SEPTEMBER 1979 AND OCTOBER 1979 RESPECTIVELY, WAS 135.3 FOR C.P.I. (A) AND 135.4 FOR C.P.I. (B), EACH BEING 1.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH. COMPARED WITH THE CENTRED 12-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE FOR APRIL A YEAR AGO, THE INCREASES WERE 10.3 PER CENT AND 10.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400-$l 499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I.(B), BETWEEN $1 5OO-S2 999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 1973/74.

THE SECTION INDICES FOR OCTOBER 1979, MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1978, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS ARE AS FOLLOWSi

SECTION C.P. I.(A) OCT.79 C.P.1.(B)

OCT. 79 SEP.79 OCT. 78 SEP. 79 OCT. 78

FOODSTUFFS 142 141 128 144 143 128

HOUS 1 NG 146 146 132 146 146 131

FUEL AND LIGHT 199 193 134 194 187 133

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 167 167 146 162 162 142

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 112 112 104 110 110 103

DURABLE GOODS 130 129 118 127 126 115

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 148 147 136 147 145 133

TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 159 159 124 165 165 128

SERVICES 155 148 138 158 151 140

ALL ITEMS 146 145 129 146 145 129

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B). RISES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUITS, LIVE POULTRY, RICE AND SALT-WATER FISH.

/THS COSTS....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

THE COSTS OF MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO WENT UP AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES. ON THE OTHER HAND THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED. MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT ADVANCED BY SIX POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY SEVEN POINTS IN C.P.I. (B).

THE ONE-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, HARDWARE, IRONMONGERY, CUTLERY AND OPTICAL GOODS.

THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS ROSE BY ONE POINT IN

C.P.I. (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN C.P.I. (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR MEDICINES, SOFT FURNISHINGS, TOILET REQUISITES AND PHOTOGRAPH PROCESSING AND PRINTING CHARGES.

HIGHER SCHOOL FEES AND TEXT-BOOK PRICES PUSHED THE INDEX FOR SERVICES UP BY SEVEN POINTS IN BOTH C.P.I. (A) AND C.P.I. (B).

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

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

FIRST CREMATORIUM IN NT OPENS SOON

* * * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL START ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PRIVATE CREMATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES’ FIRST CREMATORIUM AT KWAI CHUNG ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).

SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR OF THE CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIUM SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR. LEE SHEUNG-YEE SAID BOOKING FOR THE SERVICE MUST BE MADE BY APPLICANTS IN PERSON AT THE HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL PARLOUR AT 6 CHEUNG HANG ROAD.

THE $8.3 MILLION KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM, WHICH WAS HANDED OVER TO THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, IS THE FIRST OF THREE TO BE BUILT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IT IS EXPECTED TO HANDLE 4 000 CREMATIONS A YEAR.

■♦•BEFORE IT WAS BUILT, PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD TO MAKE USE OF EITHER THE DIAMOND HILL OR CAPE COLLINSON CREMATORIUM IN THE URBAN AREAS FOR CREMATION,+ MR. LEE SAID.

TO PROVIDE AN EVEN MORE CONVENIENT SERVICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLANS TO BUILD TWO MORE CREMATORIA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AT SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN.

APPLICATIONS FROM URBAN AREAS WILL ALSO BE ACCEPTED. BUT Ml. LEE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT BEFORE APPLYING FOR A CREMATION SERVICE IN KWAI CHUNG CREMATORIUM, A CREMATION PERMIT MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT (NT REGION) AT SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, KOWLOON.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON BOOKING PROCEDURES CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING THE HUNG HOM PUBLIC FUNERAL PARLOUR 3-655321 EXT. 261 OR 271.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

ANOTHER CONTRACT FOR TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SIGNED * ft * ft *

A 112.8 MILLION CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS TO SERVE TUEN MUN’S NEW TOWN CENTRE.

THE WORK WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 1 400 METRES OF ROADS AND A STORMWATER AND FOUL WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO SANG LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE TOWN CENTRE OCCUPIES SOME 16 ICCTARES OF LAND, AND IT COMPRISES SOME 23 RESIDENTIAL TOWERS, EACH ABOUT 28 STOREYS HIGH, WITH SHOPPING AND PARKING FACILITIES ON PODIUM FLOORS.*

HE SAID THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN CENTRE WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

ON COMPLETION, IT WILL HAVE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A BUS TERMINUS, DEPARTMENT STORES, A CINEMA, A MARKET, A CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX, A MAGISTRACY AND A POLYCLINIC.

UNDER THE CONTRACT, AN EXISTING TEMPORARY STEEL FOOT-BRIDGE ACROSS TUEN MUN ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED TO A NEW POSITION TO ENABLE PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS THE ROAD IN SAFETY.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND WORK WILL BE SUPERVISED BY SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, ON BEHALF OF THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE.

- - 0 - -

GOVERNOR UNDEROOE-ST SUCCESSFUL HIP OPERATION IN UK ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, NOW ON LEAVE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAS UNDERGONE A SUCCESSFUL HIP OPERATION.

THE OPERATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT HIP TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) MORNING AND WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS.

HIS CONDITION IS DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY.

THE OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT IN A SPECIAL HIP UNIT AT KING EDWARD VII HOSPITAL, MIDHURST, SUSSEX.

- - o -

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

54 BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH *******

A TOTAL OF 54 NEW BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED LAST MONTH (OCTOBER) BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, COMPARED WITH 98 IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

OF THESE, 19 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, EIGHT IN KOWLOON AND 27 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THEY INCLUDED A HOTEL IN HAPPY VALLEY, A HOME FOR THE AGED AT SHUEN WAN, TAI PO, AND A PASSENGER FERRY PIER AT DISCOVERY BAY, LANTAU.

THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS $351.43 MILLION, COMPARED WITH $179.37 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THE USABLE FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED LAST MONTH TOTALLED 210 958.1 SQUARE METRES, COMPRISING 64 405.7 SQUARE f€TRES OF DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 146 552.4 SQUARE METRES OF NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 55 NEW PROJECTS, INCLUDING A CAR PARK AT DOCK STREET, HUNG HOM, A HOTEL AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, A PETROL FILLING STATION AT LEI YUE MUN ROAD, AND A MEDICAL SCIENCE BUILDING AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

A TOTAL OF 41 NEWLY COMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION DURING THE MONTH, INCLUDING A STAFF QUARTER AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND A CHURCH/KINDERGARTEN IN TAI PO.

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ALSO ASSENTED TO THE DEMOLITION OF 73 BUILDINGS.

_----0-----

SHAM SHU I PO FORTNIGHT TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

A SHAM SHU I PO FORTNIGHT IN THE DISTRICT WILL BEGIN ON

TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23).

THE FORTNIGHT. JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (SHAM SHU I PO) AND OVER 80 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND COMMUNITY ttSSlSAT ONS WILL BE LAUNCHED WITH A GRAND PROCESSION ALONG STREETS IN THE DISTRICT ON FRIDAY EVENING. THE PROCESS ION, WHICH INCi UDES FLOATS, BANDS, CHIU CHOW FOLK DANCE, DRAG2N cItatc DANCES AND A TAEKWANDO DISPLAY, WILL START FROM NAM SHAN ESTATE AT 7 PM. FOR FA HUI PARK.

M1 ' /THE DIRECTOR ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS' OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. WONG LAM AND DR. HO KAM FAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FORTNIGHT AT 8.30 PM. IN FA HUI PARK.

ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON WEST), MRS. MABEL HAYES- CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. STEPHEN IP AND OTHER ORGANISERS AND PATRONS OF THE EVENT.

DURING THE FORTNIGHT, MORE THAN 20 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN LINED UP FOR 540 000 RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

THESE INCLUDE CAMPING, CONCERTS, A CARNIVAL, EXHIBITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS AND A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS.

NOTE TO ED ITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SHAM SHU I PO FORTNIGHT AND THE GRAND PROCESSION ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23). DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 8.30 PM. IN FA HUI PARK.

CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO), MR. STEPHEN IP AND OTHER ORGANISERS WILL DOT THE DRAGON’S AND LIONS’ EYES AT 6.30 PM. BEFORE THE PROCESSION BEGINS.

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF SHAM SHUI PO FORTNIGHT ******

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI HANG TUNG ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY AND GRAND PROCESSION OF THE SHAM SHUI PO FORTNIGHT.

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE FOLLOWING STREETS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 6 PM. AND 9 PM.

* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI HANG SAI STREET BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND WOH CHAI STREET-

* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI HANG TUNG ROAD BETWEEN WOH CHAI STREET AND TAT CHEE AVENUE-

* SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI PO ROAD TO BOUNDARY STREET DURING THE CLOSURE OF TAI HANG SAI STREET AND TAI HANG TUNG ROAD-

* EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON WOH CHAI STREET WILL BE REQUIRED TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI HANG SAI STREET- AND

* NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON TONG YAM STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT ONTO TAI HANG TUNG ROAD.

/ALL PARKING ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

ALL PARKING FACILITIES ON THE EAST SIDE OF TAI HANG TUNG ROAD AND TONG YAM STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM. ON THAT DAY.

A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS FOR KMB ROUTES 2C AND 4A WILL BE SET UP IN TONG YAM STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

PRICE LISTS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN SCHOOLS * * * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED ALL SCHOOLS TO DISPLAY PROMINENTLY AND PERMANENTLY COMPREHENSIVE PRICE LISTS OF ALL ITEMS FOR SALE TO PUPILS, INCLUDING *TUCK SHOP* ITEMS.

THE ACTION COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES OF THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED THE REMINDER IN ORDER TO PRECLUDE ANY POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT.

♦A CIRCULAR HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL HEADS OF SCHOOLS ADVISING THEM ON THE ISSUE,* AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

SCHOOL HEADS ARE ALSO REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS CF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WHO MAY WISH TO VISIT SCHOOLS BY APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE DISPLAYED PRICE LISTS AND OBSERVE THE OPERATION OF MISCELLANEOUS SALES TO PUPILS, HE SAID.

- - o - -

CHILDREN'S CHOIR FORMED IN SHA TIN *****

THE NEWLY FORMED SHA TIN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL HAVE ITS FIRST TRAINING SESSION ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).

SIXTY CHILDREN, AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 10, WHO LIVE IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART.

THEY WERE SELECTED FROM A TOTAL OF 170 APPLICANTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE CHOIR HAD BEEN FORMED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, AS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN.

THREE INSTRUCTORS, INCLUDING ONE FROM THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE HAD BEEN RECRUITED TO TRAIN THE CHOIR.

TRAINING WILL BE HELD EVERY SATURDAY IN A LOCAL SCHOOL AND LAST TWO HOURS.

/+THE CHOIR

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1979

♦THE CHOIR IS EXPECTED TO GIVE ITS FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE IN MARCH NEXT YEAR,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

NOTE TO ED ITORSi

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE FIRST TRAINING SESSION OF CHILDREN’S CHOIR IN SHA TIN WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE, WO CHE ESTATE, AT 2.30 P.

P.M.

ON SATURDAY.

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

SUSPENSION OF TRAM SERVICES IN HAPPY VALLEY

******

TRAM SERVICES FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO KENNEDY TOWN AND SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED AT 11.30 P.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT THE CANAL ROAD EXTENSION.

ON THAT DAY THE LAST TRAM FROM HAPPY VALLEY TO SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE AT 11.24 P.M. AND THAT TO KENNEDY TOWN WILL LEAVE WITHIN SECONDS.

THE LAST TRAM FROM SHAU KEI WAN TO HAPPY VALLEY WILL LEAVE AT 10.26 P.M. AND THAT FROM KENNEDY TOWN AT 10.46 P.M.

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

RE-OPENING OF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD * * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD BETWEEN BEDFORD ROAD AND FUK TSUN STREET WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23).

WITH THE RE-OPENING OF THE ROAD, BEDFORD ROAD BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND MAPLE STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTH-WESTBOUND- AND FUK TSUN STREET BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND WALNUT STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTH-EASTBOUND.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

_ o - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BAN ON BARBECUING IN THREE FORESTRY AREAS ....................... 1

FERRY SERVICES TO CHAI WAN UNDER CONSIDERATION .................. 2

CHIEF JUSTICE'S WORKING PARTY SEEKS PUBLIC ADVICE ............... 2

LARGEST LIBRARY IN NT OPENS IN KWAI CHUNG ....................... 3

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE CHILD CARE ............ 4

ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION OPENS IN TSUEN WAN ......................... 4

WORLD FAMOUS VIOLINIST TO PLAY WITH ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA ................................................. 5

SITE FORMATION FOR NEW HOUSING ESTATE IN FaNLING ................ 6

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN THEN MUN ................................ 6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ................................. 7

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE ........................... 7

TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN KWaI CHUNG ................................. 8

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ........................................... 8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

BAN ON BARBEQUING IN THREE FORESTRY AREAS * * * *

A TOTAL BAN ON BARBEQUING IS BEING ENFORCED IN THREE MAJOR FORESTRY PLANTATION AREAS IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT COUNTRYSIDE FIRES.

WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE WHOLE OF THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA, THE SHING MUN FOREST WITHIN THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK AND THE WHOLE OF THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK (EXCEPT ALONG THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER) HAVE BEEN DECLARED BARBEQUE-PROHIBITED AREAS BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY.

THIS WILL MEAN A CLOSURE OF ABOUT 50 DESIGNATED BARBEQUE SITES AND CAMPSITES.

VEHICULAR ACCESS IN KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK AND ALONG THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER WILL ALSO BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NOTICES WILL BE POSTED AT EACH OF THE SITES ADVISING OF THE CLOSURE ACTION.

THE STERN MEASURES WERE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. MARTIN LEWIS.

+IF IT BECOMES NECESSARY IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO TAKE STRICTER MEASURES SUCH AS CLOSING PARTS OF SOME COUNTRY PARKS WE WILL NOT HESTITATE TO DO S0+, HE SAID.

SINCE OCTOBER 1 MORE THAN 500 000 TREES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND SOME 2 000 HECTARES OF GRASSLAND HAVE BEEN RAZED BY HILL FIRES, ALL OF WHICH WERE STARTED BY CARELESS GRAVE WORSHIPPERS, FARMERS AND PICNICKERS IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE INCLUDING THE COUNTRY PARKS.

+ IT IS UNFORTUNATE WE HAVE TO LIMIT THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN THESE THREE AREAS, BUT VISITORS ARE REMINDED THAT THERE ARE 21 COUNTRY PARKS IN HONG KONG FOR RECREATIONAL USE, SO WITH PROPER FORWARD PLANNING THEY CAN GO ELSEWHERE.

♦THE NEW CONTROLS ARE NECESSARY TO CURB ANY FURTHER DESTRUCTION OF THE HEAVILY WOODED AREAS.

♦ANY PERSON FOUND LIGHTING A FIRE WITHIN THE PROHIBITED AREAS IS LIABLE TO FINE OF $5 000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT. THIS PENALTY ALSO APPLIES TO ANY FIRE OUTSIDE A DESIGNATED BARBEQUE SITE WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK. THE PENALTY FOR LIGHTING FIRES IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE IS J2000 FINE AND A YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT,* SAID MR. LEWIS.

HE SAID A CAMPAIGN TO ADVISE FARMERS ON PROPER PROCEDURES BURNING OFF THEIR CROPS HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS FIRE RISK.

♦AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND FOREST GUARDS WILL BE VISITING INDIVIDUAL FARMERS IN THE PAT HEUNG AND LAM TSUEN AREAS ADVISING THEM OF THE DO’S AND DON’TS IN BURNING OFF THEIR CROPS.

♦POSTERS DEPICTING THE CORRECT METHOD WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE PROBLEM AREAS. AND AGAIN, ANY FARMER WHO ALLOWS HIS CROP FIRE TO GET OUT OF CONTROL IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE FACES A FINE OF $2 000 AND A YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT,*

SAID MR. LEWIS.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

FERRY SERVICES TO CHAI WAN UNDER CONSIDERATION ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IS ACTIVELY EXAMINING A PROPOSAL OF PROVIDING FERRY SERVICES TO CHAI WAN WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF A SUITABLE SITE IN THE AREA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY)i +THE MERITS OF THE PROPOSAL IN MEETING THE NEED OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AND IN RELIEVING THE HEAVY PRESSURE ON LAND TRANSPORT DURING PEAK HOURS ARE GENERALLY RECOGNISED.*

THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED THROUGH THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE/EASTERN, A REQUEST IN A LETTER SIGNED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF 42 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN FOR THE PROVISION OF FERRY SERVICES TO CHAI WAN.

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CHIEF JUSTICE’S WORKING PARTY SEEKS PUBLIC ADVICE *****

MR. JUSTICE T.L. YANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY SET UP BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO STUDY METHODS BY WHICH SUSPECTS’ CONFESSION STATEMENTS ARE TAKEN BY THE POLICE AND THE COURTS’ PROCEDURE FOR DECIDING ON THEIR ADMISSIBILITY AS EVIDENCE, IS SEEKING ADVICE AND IDEAS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

IN ADDITION, VIEWS ARE BEING SOUGHT FROM A NUMBER OF PERSONS AND BODIES INCLUDING URBAN COUNCILLORS, THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY, THE JUDICIARY, AND CERTAIN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

THE PARTY WHICH WOULD RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES IT DEEM DESIRABLE HELD ITS FIRST MEETING LAST SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17).

THE CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS OF THE WORKING PARTY ISs CHIEF JUSTICE’S WORKING PARTY ON VOIR DIRE PROCEEDINGS AND JUDGES’S RULES, SUPREME COURT, BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG- AND ITS SECRETARY IS MR. W.L. YIP AT THE SAME ADDRESS, TEL: 5-236535.

0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

LARGEST LIBRARY IN NT OPENS IN KWAI CHUNG

******

THE LARGEST LIBRARY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE KWAI CHUNG PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENED TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.

THE NEW LIBRARY OCCUPYING MORE THAN 1 100 SQUARE METRES IN FLOOR AREA IN MAI CHUNG/MAI KWAI MANSIONS AT 87-89 WO TONG TSUI STREET HAS AN INITIAL STOCK OF 24 000 BOOKS IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH.

ITS FACILITIES INCLUDE A LENDING LIBRARY FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN, A NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL READING SECTION, A SMALL REFERENCE SECTION AND A STUDENT STUDY ROOM WITH 120 SEATS.

THE LIBRARY WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD,MR. CHAN PO-FONG.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES, MR. BRIAN WILSON ALSO ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY AND SPOKE. HE SAID ANOTHER SIMILAR-SIZED LIBRARY NOW UNDER ACTIVE PLANNING, WILL BE BUILT IN THE NEW SHEK YAM ROAD MARKET COMPLEX IN TSUEN WAN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS OPENED LIBRARIES IN TAI PO, SHA TIN, SHEUNG SHU I, TUEN MUN, CHEUNG CHAU AND YUEN LONG.

+THE KWAI CHUNG LIBRARY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE, AND A SMALL LIBRARY AT TAI 0, AND, EVENTUALLY, THERE WILL BE PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN ALL PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES,* MR. WILSON SAID.

LIKE ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE KWAI CHUNG LIBRARY WILL ORGANISE A VARIETY OF LIBRARY EXTENSION ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS MUSIC AND ART APPRECIATION SESSIONS, TALKS ON MANY SUBJECTS, STORY HOURS FOR CHILDREN, FILM SHOWS, AND ART AND BOOK EXHIBITIONS.

THE FIRST EXTENSION ACTIVITY FOR THE KWAI CHUNG LIBRARY WILL BE A POPULAR SCIENCE LECTURE TO BE GIVEN BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S ECOLOGIST, MR. FRANK LAU SIN-PANG, THIS SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AT 3.30 PM. IN THE LIBRARY’S EXTENSION ACTIVITY ROOM.

THE THEME OF THE TALK IS +HONG KONG WILD LIFE* AND ADMISSION IS FREE.

A .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE CHILD CARE * ft * ft *

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS. EVELYN DOE, WILL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) CHAIR A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE TRE LAUNCHING OF THE THIRD PHASE OF A COMMUNITY-WIDE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

MRS. DOE WILL SPEAK ON THE THEME OF THE CAMPAIGN, +THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY,* WHICH AIMS AT EDUCATING FAMILY MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY PARENTS, ON THE NEED FOR PROPER CHILD CARE.

SHE WILL ALSO GIVE DETAILS OF A NEWLY-FORMED CENTRAL GUIDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE MR. WILFRED TSUI, CHAIRMAN OF THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MRS. MARIA KONG, REPRESENTATIVE OF VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, AND MRS. PATRICIA CHU, REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 PM. TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN.-THE THEATRE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ON FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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

ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION OPENS IN TSUEN WAN ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS. MR. PETER LEE AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. H.T. LUI TODAY (THURSDAY) OPENED AN ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSUEN WAN.

THE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL HEALTH SERVICE IN THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH OF THAILAND, PROFESSOR PRASOP RATANAKORN, ALSO ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE EXHIBITION WHICH IS PART OF THE CURRENT TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG DISTRICT CAMPAIGN AIMS AT MAKING THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE, STIMULATING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND PREVENTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS.

IN THE NEXT FORTNIGHT THE EXHIBITION WILL MOVE FROM PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE TO KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL- LADY MACLEHOSE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN SHEK LEI AND LEI MUK SHUE COMMUNITY HALL.

/PARTICIPANTS OF ..

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

PARTICIPANTS OF THE EXHIBITION INCLUDE THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND ITS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY CENTRES IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT.

THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS OPENED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER LAST SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18), FEATURES MORE THAN 90 ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES FOR THE 600 000 RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG, MA WAN AND TSI NG Yl ISLANDS.

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

WORLD FAMOUS VIOLINIST TO PLAY WITH ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA * * * * ft ft

WORLD FAMOUS VIOLINIST AND MUSIC EDUCATIONALIST, MAESTRO YEHUDI hENUHIN WILL GIVE A CONCERT WITH THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA ON DECEMBER 9 (SUNDAY) AT 3 PM. IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL AS PART OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE MUSIC CAMP.

THE ORCHESTRA WILL ALSO PLAY CHABRIER’S ESPANA - RHAPSODY AND HATTORI’S TWO MOVEMENTS FOR STRINGS.

THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

TICKETS AT $10, >15 AND >20 ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE CITY HALL BOX OFFICE.

IN ADDITION, THE ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA SEPARATELY ON DECEMBER 7 AND 14 IN THE CITY ON DECEMBER 15 IN THE HONG KONG STADIUM.

WILL GIVE THREE CONCERTS HALL CONCERT HALL AND

IN THE LAST CONCERT THE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM TCHAIKOVSKY’S 1812 OVERTURE WITH 1 000 HONG KONG MUSICIANS.

ADMISSION TO THESE THREE CONCERTS IS FREE AND TICKETS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE CITY HALL BOX OFFICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.

--------0---------- /6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

SITE FORMATION FOR NEW HOUSING ESTATE IN FANLING

* * * *

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $9.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HOUSING ESTATE AT FANLING FOR 20 000 PEOPLE.

THE CONTRACT WHICH WENT TO GAMMON (HK) LTD INVOLVES THE FORMATION OF 9.4 HECTARES OF LAND TO THE SOUTH OF FANLING ROUNDABOUT AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRUNK DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO SERVE THE AREA.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDj +THE FORMED SITE WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 20 000 PEOPLE BY 1983/84.♦

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MESSRS. MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA, FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF THE PWD.

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

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TUEN MUN *****

TUEN MUN IS TO HOLD TWO SEPARATE ROAD SAFETY DAYS DURING THE *XT TWO SATURDAYS EMPHASISING THE NEED FOR SAFE CYCLING AND ROAD CROSSING IN THE NEW TOWN. miw iwau

THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT COMMUNITY ^-ORDINATfNG COMMITTEE, AND THE FIRST ROAD SAFETY DAY WILL TAKE

*J TUEN MUN playGrOUND THIS SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) STARTING AT 11 AM.

IT WILL BE OPENED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER. MR. PETER THE TUEN MUN DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT, MR. S.J. MCDERMOTT; THE ^AIRMAN 0F TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR. LAU WONG-FAT; AND THE COMMISSIONER OF ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, MR. CECIL CHAN.

Ii?LDAY’S EVENTS WILL INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SAFE CYCLING AND ROAD CROSSING AS WELL AS ROAD SAFETY COMPETITIONS IN WHICH 20 ITEMS FROM SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL TAKE । An I .

NOTE TO EDITORSi

_ Y0U ARE ’NVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TUEN MUN ROAD SAFETY DAY AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND AT 11 AM. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24). PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED ON A FIRST-COME-PUBLIC RieRDAT49.'*5 aS.^HARp""1 "'LU LE‘VE ■<°*LMN

- - o -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL IN THE EARLY MORNING OF SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25) AND MONDAY TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.

FROM 1.15 AM. TO 5.30 AM. ON SUNDAY AND FROM 1.15 AM. TO 3 AM. ON MONDAY, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN GILMAN STREET AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET WILL BE CLOSED AND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GILMAN STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET.

THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN JUBILEE STREET AND GILMAN STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 3 AM. TO 5.30 AM. ON MONDAY AND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JUBILEE STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND RUMSEY STREET.

ALSO ON MONDAY, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY IN GILMAN STREET BETWEEN PIER ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1.15 AM. TO 3 AM. WHILE THE NORTHBOUND SECTION WILL OPEN TO TWO-WAY SINGLE LANE TRAFFIC.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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

SPECIAL TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE *****

THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY WILL OPERATE THREE SPECIAL PASSENGER TRAINS TO SHA TIN RACE COURSE ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).

THESE NON-STOP TRAINS WILL LEAVE KOWLOON STATION IN HUNG HOM AT 12.32 PM., 12.53 PM. AND 1.14 PM.

THERE WILL BE SIX TRAINS INCLUDING THREE SPECIALS TO CARRY PASSENGERS BACK FROM RACE COURSE STATION AT 4.40 PM., 5.47 PM., 6 PM., 6.11 PM., 6.30 PM. AND 7.15 PM.

------0--------- /8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1979

TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN KWAI CHUNG ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE INTERSECTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND KWAI ON ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM. AND 5 AM. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) TO FACILITATE THE PAINTING OF ROAD MARKINGS.

DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI FOO ROAD, HING FONG ROAD AND KWAI ON ROAD TO REJOIN KWAI CHUNG ROAD.

SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI LIN PAI ROAD TO REJOIN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AT THE KWAI FOO ROAD JUNCTION.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ft ft ft ft ft

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR EIGHT HOURS FROM 9.30 AM. TO 5.30 PM. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS DIVERSION WORKS.

THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE THOSE ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN A KUNG WAN AND HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, INCLUDING TAI PO TSAI VILLAGE- AND THOSE ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY BETWEEN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND PO TUNG ROAD INCLUDING HOUSES IN TUI MIN HOI AND SAI KUNG MARKET AREAS.

_ _ 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

CAMPAIGN ON NEED OF CHILD CARE BEGINS ........................ 1

ACHIEVEMENTS OF SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN PRAISED ...................................................... 2

DIRECTOR OF TRADE LEAVES FOR MEETINGS IN BANGKOK AND GENEVA ................................................... 3

NEW RULES FOR MAILING ARTICLES TO CHINA ...................... 4

ACTING GOVERNOR TO TAKE SALUTE AT SJAB ANNUAL PARADE ......... 5

ANOTHER SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ........ 5

HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS MAY RESUME .............................. 6

FIRING PRACTICE .............................................. 6

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

CAMPAIGN ON NEED OF CHILD CARE BEGINS

******

A COMMUNITY-WIDE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO MAKE FAMILIES MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE AND NEED OF PROPER CHILD CARE.

IT FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AIMED AT STRENGTHENING FAMILY TIES AND FORESTALLING FAMILY BREAKDOWN.

THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN WITH THE THEME OF +THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY* IS INTENDED TO DRAW PUBLIC’S ATTENTION TO THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS A FAMILY CAN GIVE TOWARDS THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD.

THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND PUBLICITY MEANS, FAMILIES WILL BE EDUCATED ON THE NEED FOR A HAPPY CHILDHOOD WHICH IS THE BEST START IN LIFE THEY CAN GIVE A CHILD.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS. EVELYN DOE SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION HAD LONG BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET UP A CENTRAL GUIDING COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT ITS POLICIES AND PLANS ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION LAID DOWN IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE.

THE NEWLY-FORMED COMMITTEE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION, OVERALL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND REVIEWING THE SERVICES AGAINST CHANGING NEEDS.

THE COMMITTEE, SHE SAID, WILL BE REPRESENTED BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

MRS. DOE STRESSED THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS AND THE FORTHCOMING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WAS THE THIRD OF ITS KIND.

♦TWO PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS, EMPHASISING THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIFFERENT (•EMBERS OF THE FAMILY, HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED,+ SHE SAID.

SHE SAID THE FORTHCOMING CAMPAIGN WOULD IDENTIFY CHILDREN AS A TARGET GROUP AND WOULD PINPOINT THREE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT.

MRS. DOE SAID THE FIRST WAS THAT EVERY ONE HAD A PART TO PLAY IN THE CHILD'S NORMAL AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT.

♦THE SECOND ELEMENT RELATES TO THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH AND THE DIFFERENT NEEDS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.+ SHE SAID.

THE THIRD, SHE SAID, WAS THAT THE CHILD PLAYED A PART TOO IN HIS OWN DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH INSTEAD OF ALWAYS BEING AT THE RECEIVING END.

/MR. WILFRED ..

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

MR. WILFRED TSUI, CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, SAID THE MESSAGES OF THE CAMPAIGN WOULD BE PUT ACROSS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS BY BOTH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

MR. TSUI SAID THE HIGHLIGHT WOULD BE A +HAPPY FAMILY CARNIVAL* TO BE HELD IN MID-DECEMBER AT KOWLOON WAH YAN COLLEGE FOR AN ESTIMATED 10 000 CHILDREN AND PARENTS.

THE MAMMOTH CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY HOPSCOTCH AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES’ MOBILE THEATRE, GAMES STALLS, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION DISPLAY, AND BOOK AND TOY EXHIBITIONS, HE SAID.

MR. TSUI SAID VARIOUS PUBLICITY MEANS WOULD BE USED IN THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDING TELEVISION BRIEFS, POSTERS, SPECIAL FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CALENDER, AND RELATED PROGRAMMES ON TELEVISION AND RADIOS.

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ACHIEVEMENTS OF SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN PRAISED

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THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN STARTED OFF 50 YEARS AGO WITH ONLY TWO DAY CLINICS AND TODAY IT OPERATES NINE DAY CRECHES, TWO DAY NURSERIES, A RESIDENTIAL HOME AND A SCHOOL FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TO BENEFIT SOME 800 CHILDREN AT ANY ONE TIME.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER WHEN HE ATTENDED THE SOCIETY’S GOLDEN JUBILEE BALL AT THE REPULSE BAY HOTEL TONIGHT.

SIR JACK SAID THIS VAST EXPANSION HAS COME ABOUT PARTLY WITH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION BUT OVERWHELMINGLY BECAUSE OF THE SELFLESS AND UNTIRING EFFORTS AND DEDICATION OF THE WOMEN’S AUXILIARY, THE FUNDRAISING ARM OF THE SOCIETY.

+THEIR PERSUASIVE CHARM — WHICH IS BEING DEMONSTRATED FOR US ALL TO SEE TONIGHT — HAS OVER THE YEARS ENSURED THAT THE SOCIETY’S TARGETS ARE MET.

♦VERY APTLY TOO, THE SOCIETY CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN THIS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD,* HE SAID.

SIR JACK ALSO SAID THE SOCIETY’S PATRON, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE IS ABSENT FROM HONG KONG BUT *HAS ASKED ME TO COMMEND YOUR SOCIETY FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, TO WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY OWN.*

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF SIR JACK CATER’S SPEECHt

+MY WIFE AND I ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED TO BE HERE TONIGHT ON THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION IN THE GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN.

/+YCUR S0CI3TY .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2J, 1979

♦YOUR SOCIETY WAS BORN IN 1929t A HARD YEAR BY ANY STANDARDS. IT WAS A YEAR OF DROUGHT FOR HONG KONG AND THE START OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION WHICH GRIPPED THE WORLD. BUT THE SOCIETY’S FIRST TWO CHAIRMEN WERE TWO OF HONG KONG’S FAMOUS SONS, THE LATE SIR SHOUSON CHOW AND THE LATE SIR ROBERT KOTEWALL. WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IT IS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT A VERY SOUND FOUNDATION WAS LAID FOR THE SOCIETY. NEVERTHELESS YOU STARTED OFF PRAGMATICALLY, PERHAPS HUMBL., WITH ONLY TWO DAY CLINICS, PROVIDING THE PARENTS WHO CAME TO YOU WITH ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON CHILD CARE, TOGETHER WITH FREE MILK AND ORANGE JUICE FOR THEIR BABIES. AFTER THE PACIFIC WAR, AND NOW UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. FRANKLIN, THE SOCIETY STARTED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF ITS WORK MANIFOLD. TODAY YOU OPERATE NINE DAY CRECHES, TWO DAY NURSERIES, A RESIDENTIAL HOME AND A SCHOOL FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, TO BENEFIT A TOTAL OF SOME 800 NEEDY CHILDREN AT ANY ONE TIME.

♦THIS VAST EXPANSION HAS COME ABOUT PARTLY WITH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION BUT OVERWHELMINGLY BECAUSE OF THE SELFLESS AND UNTIRING EFFORTS AND DEDICATION OF THE WOMEN’S AUXILIARY, THE FUND-RAISING ARM OF YOUR SOCIETY WHICH HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE 1933. THEIR PERSUASIVE CHARM (WHICH IS BEING DEMONSTRATED FOR US ALL TO SEE TONIGHT) HAS OVER THE YEARS ENSURED THAT THE SOCIETY’S TARGETS FOR EXPANSION ARE MET. PERHAPS I MAY DESCRIBE YOUR WOMEN’S AUXILIARY AS THE FORE-RUNNERS TO WOMEN’S LIBi LIBERATING FUNDS FROM THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO NEED HELP. AND IN THE PROCESS, SETTING AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A HAPPIER HONG KONG.

♦VERY APTLY TOO, THE SOCIETY CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN JUBILEE IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN THIS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD. THE UNITED NATIONS COULD NOT HAVE PICKED ON A MORE APPROPRIATE YEAR TO DEDICATE TO THIS CAUSE, AND I AM SURE THAT THIS COINCIDENCE WILL SPUR YOU TO STILL GREATER EFFORTS IN YOUR SECOND HALF CENTURY.

♦YOUR PATRON, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, IS ABSENT FROM HONG KONG ON A WELL EARNED LEAVE, BUT HE IS SORRY THAT HE AND LADY MACLEHOSE CANNOT BE WITH YOU TONIGHT. HOWEVER, HE HAS ASKED ME TO COMMEND YOUR SOCIETY FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 50 YEARS, TO WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY OWN.

♦MAY I WISH THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ITS FUTURE ENDEAVOURS TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.+

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DIRECTOR OF TRADE LEAVES FOR MEETINGS IN BANGKOK AND GENEVA X X X X X X

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. PETER TSAO LEAVES HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR BANGKOK TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ESCAP COMMITTEE ON TRADE FOR ASEAN COUNTRIES AND NATIONS IN THE PACIFIC REGION.

/the one-week......

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

THE ONE-WEEK MEETING, WHICH STARTS NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26), WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TRADE ISSUES. IN PARTICULAR THE COMMITTEE WILL COVER INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES- AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), INCLUDING THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS CONCLUDED UNDER IT.

MR. TSAO WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG AFFAIRS) IN GENEVA, MR. BRIAN CHAU.

FOLLOWING THE ESCAP MEETING HE WILL TRAVEL TO GENEVA WHERE, ON DECEMBER 3, CONSULTATIONS WILL RESUME ON THE FUTURE OF THE CURRENT ONE-YEAR TEXTILE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA.

THE CONSULTATIONS WERE ADJOURNED ON NOVEMBER 14 FOLLOWING THREE DAYS OF INCONCLUSIVE TALKS IN HONG KONG ON THE TWO AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY, 1980.

ONE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR EXPORT RESTRAINT ON WOOLLEN SHIRTS AND BLOUSES, AND A SECOND CONSISTS OF AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION ARRANGEMENT COVERING 16 ITEMS.

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NEW RULES FOR MAILING ARTICLES TO CHINA * * * M « I

THE POST OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT CERTAIN CHANGES IN RULES GOVERNING THE MAILING OF ARTICLES BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN CHINA HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE CHINESE CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID FROM NOW ON ARTICLES SENT BY POST TO CHINA "MUST BE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND THE VALUE OF EACH POSTAL PACKAGE SHOULD NOT EXCEED 30 JMP NOR THE TOTAL VALUE OF ARTICLES SENT ANNUALLY TO ANY ONE FAMILY EXCEED 300 JMP.

ALL ARTICLES ARE SUBJECT TO CUSTOMS DUTY WHICH WILL BE ASSESSED ON THE PREVAILING VALUE IN CHINA.

CHANGES HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE QUANTITIES OR VALUES OF POSTAL ARTICLES. IN PARTICULAR, THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF CLOTH WHICH MAY BE SENT HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM THREE METRES TO FIVE METRES- AND THE MAXIMUM VALUE OF MEDICINE IS 20 JMP. IN ADDITION THREE CASSETTE TAPES, 50 STAMPS FOR PHILATELIC PURPOSES AND ONE SMALL ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR MAY ALSO BE SENT EACH YEAR.

HOWEVER, COMMODITIES SUCH AS TELEVISION SETS, TAPE RECORDERS, RADIOS, ELECTRIC FANS, USED CLOTHING, WATCHES, CAMERAS AND MANY OTHER ITEMS ARE STILL RESTRICTED TO BE SENT BY POST TO CHINA, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

5 -

ACTING GOVERNOR TO TAKE SALUTE AT SJAB ANNUAL PARADE * * * *

THE ACTING GOVERNOR SIR JACK CATER WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE’S ANNUAL PARADE AND PRESENT LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 60 RECIPIENTS IN THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STADIUM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25).

ABOUT 1 800 MEMBERS OF THE BRIGADE WILL TAKE PART IN THE PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.

GUESTS OF HONOUR INVITED TO ATTEND INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AS WELL AS THE URBAN COUNCIL, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUfj OF HOSPITALS AND THE PO LEUNG k6k, MEMBERS OF THE CONSULAR CORPS AND TRADE COMMISSIONERS, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE’S ANNUAL PARADE IN THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STADIUM, CAROLINE HILL AT 10 AM. ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE PARADE STARTS. THEY CAN ENTER THE WOUND VIA THE MAIN GATE. THE BRIGADE’S EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, MRS. JOSEPHINE WONG, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

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ANOTHER SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ft ft ft * ft

THE SECTION OF CLEARWATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN CLEARWATER BAY APARTMENTS AND ANDERSON ROAD WILL BE IMPROVED SHORTLY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE WORK FORMED PART OF THE SECOND STAGE OF AN OVERALL SCHEME TO RELIEVE THE PRESENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN CLEARWATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN ANDERSON ROAD AND HANG HAU ROAD.

IT WILL INVOLVE THE WIDENING OF ABOUT 1.4 KILOMETRES OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY TO DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD WITH FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBWAY AT TSANG LAN SHUE FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.

CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE, PUBLIC WORK& DEPARTMENT.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1979

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HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS MAY RESUME * X X *

cni i nwI NG DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILL I AM DORWARD, AND Sue Xc ii REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRADE NEGOTIATIONS,

R*Ub!nEASKEWREMr!SDORWARD SAID AFTER TODAY’S (FRIDAY) MEETING re'tuc tcytii r ADVISORY BOARD 1 +WE ARE ADVISING THE USA THAT WE fff^HTHATXA reasonable basisnow exists for further consultations SELTH™lRRENTASHM“AETmlLE AGREEMENT AND NAVE OFFERED TO MEET A USA DELEGATION IN LONDON IN MID-DECEMBER.+

IF THE USA AGREES, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR. PETER TSAO WILL LEAD THE HONG KONG SIDE.

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FIRING PRACTICE * * * * *

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 12 DAYS NEXT MONTH (DECEMBER).

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

THE PRACTISING TIMES ARE:

DATE TIME

DECEMBER 3 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM. — 4 PM.

DECEMBER 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 6 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 7 (FR IDAY) 8.30 AM. — 4 PM.

DECEMBER 10 (MONDAY) 9 AM. 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 11 (TUESDAY) 9 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 12 (WEDNESDAY) 9 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 13 (THURSDAY) 9 AM. — 4.30 PM.

DECEMBER 19 (WEDNESDAY) 9 AM. — 6 PM.

DECEMBER 20 (THURSDAY) 9 AM. — 6 PM.

DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY) 9 AM. — 4 PM.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NG.

KEEP FIRE RISK DOWN ........................................ 1

APPOINTMENT OF HIGH COURT JUDGE ............................ 1

BELL LEAVES FOR CONFERENCE ON CYCLONES IN AUSTRALIA .................................................. 2

ROLE OF AUDIO-VISUAL CC-CRDINATOR IN SCHOOL ................ 2

NEW ROAD TO BE BUILT IN WONG TAI SIN ....................... J

PIANO WORKSHOP BY AUSTRALIAN PIANIST ....................... J

SWD’S YOUTH CENTRE TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY....... 4

CARNIVAL FOR WONG TAI SIN CHILDREN ......................... 4

URBAN CLEARWAY IN NGAU TAU KOK RGAD......................... 5

FIRING PRACTICE ............................................ 5

'WATER CUT IN CHaI WAN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

KEEP FIRE RISK DOWN ft ft ft ft

FOREST GUARDS AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL STEP UP PATROLLING THE COUNTRY PARKS THIS WEEKEND TO ENSURE VISITORS HEED THEIR ADVICEi KEEP THE FIRE RISK DOWN.

AND IF THE ADVICE IS NOT TAKEN THEN THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY MAY BE FORCED TO CLOSE SOME OR PART OF THE PARKS AT SHORT NOTICE.

THE WARNING WAS MADE TODAY (SATURDAY) BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR. JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN, AFTER THE AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THREE OF THE HEAVILY WOODED AREAS — THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA, THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK (EXCEPT ALONG THE PAT HEUNG CATCHWATER) AND THE SHING MUN FOREST IN THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK — HAVE BEEN DECLARED BARBECUE FREE AREAS.

MR. RIDDELL-SWAN SAID, THE NEWLY FORMED COUNTRY PARKS RANGER SQUADS WILL ALSO BE PATROLLING THE COUNTRYSIDE TO ENSURE PICNICKERS CONFINE THEIR FIRES TO DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES.

FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RENDER THE CULPRIT TO A S5 000 FINE AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.

♦THE RISK OF FIRE CAN BE GREATLY MINIMISED IF PEOPLE PLANNING TO SPEND A DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE TAKE WITH THEM PRECOOKED MEALS AND SANDWICHES.

♦TO CLOSE PART OR SOME OF THE COUNTRY PARKS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD NOT LIKE TO ENFORCE, BUT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OUR SCENIC ATTRACTIONS AND FOREST AREAS IT MAY BE NECESSARY, IF VISITORS DO NOT HEED OUR ADVICE,♦ SAID MR. RIDDELL-SWAN.

APPOINTMENT OF HIGH COURT JUDGE ft ft ft ft

THE QUEEN HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. DENNIS ALBERT BARKER, Q.C., TO BE A HIGH COURT JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF i HONG KONG.

MR. JUSTICE BARKER WAS BORN IN ENGLAND ON JUNE 9, 1926. HE WAS EDUCATED AT NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL AND QUEEN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD, WHERE HE WAS A JODRELL SCHOLAR. HE GRADUATED WITH A FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN CLASSICS IN 1949. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR OF MIDDLE TEMPLE IN 1950 AND BECAME A MEMBER OF THE MIDLAND CIRCUIT.

BETWEEN 1963 AND 1971 HE WAS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS. SINCE 1972 HE HAS BEEN A RECORDER OF THE CROWN COURT. HE TOOK SILK IN 1968 AND BECAME A BENCHER OF HIS INN IN 1975. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD.

MR. JUSTICE BARKER IS THE FIRST APPOINTMENT IN RECENT TIMES OF AN ENGLISH PRACTISING BARRISTER TO THE HONG KONG BENCH. IT IS EXPECTED THAT HE WILL COMMENCE SITTING EARLY IN 1980.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

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BELL LEAVES FOR CONFERENCE ON CYCLONES IN AUSTRALIA * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR. GORDON BELL, LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY) TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TROPICAL CYCLONES TO BE HELD IN PERTH, AUSTRALIA.

MR. BELL HAS BEEN INVITED TO GIVE THE LEAD PAPER ON TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECASTING AND OTHER TALKS. THE CONFERENCE WILL LAST FIVE DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 25 TO 29.

AFTER THE CONFERENCE MR. BELL AND THREE AMERICAN SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO VISIT AUTHORITIES IN THE STATE GOVERNMENTS, WITH TWO AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS, FOR LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS ON DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS IN TROPICAL CYCLONE AREAS.

LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD ON SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES WITH STAFF FROM THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES.

MEETINGS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED AT PORT HEDLAND, DARWIN, TOWNSVILLE, BRISBANE AND MELBOURNE. MR. BELL WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON DECEMBER 14.

ROLE OF AUDIO-VISUAL CO-ORDINATOR IN SCHOOL * * * *

A TOTAL OF 160 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE EACH APPOINTED A FULL TIME TEACHER THIS ACADEMIC YEAR TO ACT AS AUDIO-VISUAL CO-ORDINATOR IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL’S AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCES.

THIS WAS STATED BY MRS. LOUISE MOK, DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN SHE SPOKE TO A GROUP OF AUDIO-VISUAL CO-ORDINATORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.

SHE SAID A SCHOOL AUDIO-VISUAL CO-ORDINATOR MUST BE AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER WITH THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS IN WHICH EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CAN BE APPLIED TO ENHANCE THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND TEACHING, AND TO RELATE WELL WITH HIS COLLEAGUES.

♦HE MUST BE A PERSON WITH AN OPEN MIND AND IS WILLING TO KEEP ABREAST OF NEW CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES.♦

_ T.HE AUDIO-VISUAL CO-ORDINATOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL CONTROL, CIRCULATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS.

HE ALSO ASSISTS THE TEACHING STAFF IN THE SELECTION AND USE OF THESE MATERIALS, AND MAINTAINS LIAISON WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S VISUAL EDUCATION CENTRE AND OUTSIDE BODIES WHICH PROVIDE AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCES, MRS. MOK SAID.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

NEW ROAD TO BE BUILT IN WONG TAI SIN

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON.

THE NEW ROAD WILL BE AN EXTENSION OF WONG TAI SIN ROAD TO THE JUNCTION OF CHUK YUEN ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING ON FU ROAD WILL BE REALIGNED.

ON COMPLETION, THE ROAD WILL PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO THE UPPER WONG TAI SIN HOUSING ESTATE AND THE NEW CHUK YUEN ESTATE. A PWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE CONTRACT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 33O-METRE-LONG AND 11-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS AND UTILITY DIVERSIONS, HE SAID.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) DIVISION OF PWD’S HIGHWAYS OFFICE.

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PIANO WORKSHOP BY AUSTRALIAN PIANIST

******

FAMOUS AUSTRALIAN PIANIST, MURRAY SHARP, WILL CONDUCT A PIANO WORKSHOP ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26) BETWEEN 5 PM. AND 7 PM. IN THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF THE ARTS CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.

THE WORKSHOP IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. ADMISSION IS FREE.

DURING THE WORKSHOP, STUDENTS WILL PLAY UNDER INSTRUCTIONS OF MR. SHARP FOUR PIECES OF MUSIC - TWO BY CHOPIN, ONE EACH BY BEETHOVEN AND BACH.

MR. SHARP FIRST VISITED HONG KONG IN 1977 DURING AN ASIAN CONCERT TOUR WHEN HE GAVE A PIANO RECITAL SPONSORED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, AS WELL AS RECORDING FOR RADIO HONG KONG.

BORN IN MELBOURNE, MR. SHARP STUDIED PIANO AND BASSOON AT THE MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY CONSERVATOR I UM AS A SCHOLARSHIP HOLDER, GRADUATING WITH FIRST-CLASS HONOURS IN THE PERFORMERS’ COURSE.

HE HAS HAD A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN ALL FORMS OF PERFORMANCE - AS SOLOIST, RECORDING ARTIST, CHAMBER MUSICIAN AND ACCOMPANIST. HIS NUMEROUS AND VARIED RECITAL PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN WIDELY ACCLAIMED, WHILE IN THE CHAMBER MUSIC FIELD HE HAS GIVEN MANY PERFORMANCES WITH LEADING STRING, WOODWIND AND BRASS PLAYERS. HE IS PRESIDENT OF A CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY IN MELBOURNE.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

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SWD’S YOUTH CENTRE TO CELEBRATE 15TH ANNIVERSARY * * * *

THE SHAM SHU I PO YOUTH CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY TOMORROW (SUNDAY) WITH A CARNIVAL FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE CARNIVAL FEATURING GAMES STALLS, MERRY-GO-ROUND, LION DANCE AND MARCHBAND MUSIC, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MAPLE STREET FOOTBALL PITCH.

IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 2 PM. BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS NANCY CHOW, THE DIVISIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (SHAM SHUI PO), MR. HUI KI-ON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, MR. ENG SOONG-CHAO.

THE SHAM SHUI PO YOUTH CENTRE HAS SERVED IN THE PAST 15 YEARS AS A FOCAL POINT FOR REGULAR CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CARNIVAL TO MARK THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHUI PO YOUTH CENTRE. THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM. TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MAPLE STREET FOOTBALL PITCH, SHAM SHUI PO.

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CARNIVAL FOR WONG TAI SIN CHILDREN ON SUNDAY * M * *

A CARNIVAL FOR 5 000 CHILDREN IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE HELD IN MORSE PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE ♦INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD*.

THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHUK YUEN AREA COMMITTEE, CHUK YUEN COTTAGE AREA KAIFONG WELFARE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND WONG TAI SIN ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

DURING THE CARNIVAL, FIRE PREVENTION AND ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT THROUGH SPECIALLY DESIGNED GAME STALLS SET UP BY LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES, A FIRE DRILL DEMONSTRATION AND DISPLAYS IN A MOBILE ROAD SAFETY BUS.

THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. K.K. LAM WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL AT 2.30 PM.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN CHILDREN CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD IN MORSE PARK, KOWLOON AT 2.30 PM. TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

URBAN CLEARWAY IN NGAU TAU KOK ROAD ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26) URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION WILL BE IMPOSED ON SEVERAL SECTIONS OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD IN KOWLOON FROM 7 AM. TO 10 AM., AND 4 PM. TO 7 PM. DAILY.

THE SECTIONS OF THE ROAD TO BE AFFECTED ARE AS FOLLOWS i-

ft THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS FROM A POINT JUST SOUTH OF THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT ITS JUNCTION WITH NGAU TAU KOK FIFTH STREET TO A POINT 80 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ON TAK ROAD-

ft THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT 100 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ELEGANCE ROAD TO A POINT JUST EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN ON STREET, AND THEN FROM A POINT 70 METRES FURTHER EAST UNTIL ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG NING ROAD- AND

ft THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT 100 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ELEGANCE ROAD TO A POINT JUST WEST OF ORCHID HOUSE, AND THEN FROM A POINT 30 METRES FURTHER EAST UP TO ITS JUNCTION WITH HONG NING ROAD.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID.

WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION, THE EXISTING 7 AM. TO MIDNIGHT PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ON THE SECTION OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN HONG NING ROAD AND SHING SHUN ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.

FIRING PRACTICE ft ft ft ft

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE BETWEEN 8 AM. AND 5 PM. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26).

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF PRACTICE.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1979

WATER CUT IN CHAI WAN * * * *

eneeu WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN CHAI WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26) TO 6 AM? THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HONG MAN STREET, KUT SHING STREET? CHEUNG LEE STREET, LEE CHUNG STREET, NING FOO STREET AND HING WAH ROAD.

- - o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE FOR TUEN MUN............... 1

800 MORE INSTITUTIONAL PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY ......... 2

ACTING GOVERNOR PRAISES ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE ..... 3

YOUNG ASIAN MUSICIANS TO GIVE CONCERTS ................ 4

CONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE HOUSES IN TUEN MUN............. 4

TENDERS INVITED TO OPERATE TSUEN WAN TOWN

HALL COFFEE LOUNGE .................................... 5

ROAD CLOSURE IN REPULSE BAY............................ 5

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979

COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE FOR TUEN MUN

******

THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY A 4 359 SQUARE METRE SITE TO THE YAN 01 TONG TO BUILD A COMMUNITY AND SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.

THE EIGHT-STOREY CENTRE WILL HAVE A ROLLER SKATING RINK, AN INDOOR SWIMMING POOL. A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL, A GYMNASIUM, A BOWLING CENTRE, A GAMES AREA, BILLIARDS AND TABLE TENNIS ROOMS, SQUASH COURTS, A RESTAURANT FOR 80 PERSONS AND FIVE SHOPS. OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A LIBRARY, A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, A GALLERY, MEETING AND STUDY ROOMS, A CRECHE AND PLAY AREA, YOUTH AND ADULT ACTIVITY ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE.

IT WILL HAVE A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF MORE THAN 152 000 SQUARE FEET AND IS EXPECTED TO BE READY TOWARDS THE END OF 1982.

THE ESTIMATED CAPITAL COST OF THE CENTRE IS $27.2 MILLION, PLUS A FURTHER $2.8 MILLION FOR FURNITURE AND FITTINGS. OF THIS TOTAL, $8 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE PROJECT BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, $6 MILLION WILL COME FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND $7 MILLION WILL BE RAISED FROM THE SALE OF PROPERTY BY THE YAN 01 TONG, FORMED 50 YEARS AGO BY COMMUNITY LEADERS IN TUEN MUN AS A CHARITABLE BODY DEVOTED TO PROVIDING WELFARE SERVICES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE BALANCE OF $9 MILLION IS EXPECTED TO COME FROM CONTRIBUTIONS BY INDIVIDUAL DONORS AND THE PROCEEDS OF FUND RAISING DRIVES.

TERMS OF THE GRANT INCLUDE A $27 MILLION BUILDING COVENANT TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 48 MONTHS.

A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF THE CENTRE’S SPORTS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ITS EFFICIENT RUNNING WILL BE SET UP WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE YAN 01 TONG.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID LIMITED COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WERE ALLOWED IN THE CENTRE AND THIS HAD BEEN AGREED AS THE YAN 01 TONG WAS A REPUTABLE BODY WHOSE PRIMARY INTENTION WAS TO SUBSIDISE EXISTING OR PLANNED NON-PROFIT MAKING FACILITIES. THE COMMERCIAL FACILITIES WOULD BE RELATED TO THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE GRANT WAS MADE, AND SO FAR AS OTHER APPLICATIONS WERE CONCERNED THESE WOULD BE ENTERTAINED ON THEIR OWN MERITS.

HE ADDEDi ♦UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL OFFICE ACCOMMODATION OR COMMERCIAL SHOP SPACE ON LAND GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY BE PERMITTED AND THE BAN ON LETTING OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING RIGHTS WILL BE MAINTAINED.*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SHOPS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TUEN MUN SPORTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE WOULD BE CLOSELY CONTROLLED AND RESTRICTED TO USES SUPPORTING THE OBJECTS OF THE CENTRE.

/■♦■ACCESS TO........

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979

♦ACCESS TO COMMERCIAL PREMISES WOULD BE POSSIBLE ONLY FROM WITHIN THE CENTRE AND SHOP FRONTS WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO FACE OUTWARDS INTO ADJACENT STREETS OR LANES. ALL FRANCHISES FOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE BOWLING ALLEY, RESTAURANT AND ROLLER SKATING RINK , WOULD BE LET BY OPEN TENDER,♦ HE SAID.

0 - -

800 MORE INSTITUTIONAL PLACES FOR ******

THE ELDERLY

OVER 800 ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS.

OF THESE, ABOUT 500 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED NEXT MONTH WITH THE OPENING OF ONE NEW HOME, TWO NEW HOSTELS AND THE EXPANSION OF ANOTHER HOSTEL. THEY ARE THE KWONG YAM HOME FOR THE AGED IN KWUN TONG, THE YU WAN HOSTEL IN CHAI WAN. THE NAM SHAN HOSTEL IN SHAM SHU I PO AND THE YAU TONG HOSTEL EXTENSION.

ANOTHER 340 PLACES WILL BE AVAILABLE BY TRE El® OF NEXT MARCH WHEN THREE OTHER NEW HOSTELS FOR THE AGED ARE READY FOR OCCUPATION.

ALL THESE NEW INSTITUTIONS FOR THE AGED ARE RUN BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES WITH SUBSIDIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND ARE PART OF THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

BY THE END OF NEXT MARCH THERE WILL BE 40 INSTITUTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY PROVIDING 4 550 PLACES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE GOVERNMENT, APART FROM PROVIDING MORE RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR OLD PEOPLE, IS ALSO WORKING TOWARDS THE EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE AGED.

♦THREE NEW MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES PROVIDING HOME HELP, bEALS, LAUNDRY AND SPECIAL TRANSPORT SERVICES AND TWO DAY CARE CENTRES HAVE BEEN SET UP SO FAR THIS YEAR.+ HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, ABOUT 20 SOCIAL CENTRES HAVE COME INTO OPERATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE AGED. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SOCIAL CENTRES BY THE END OF NEXT MARCH WILL BE 39.

♦ALL THESE ARE GEARED TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID. '

-----0------ /3

- 5 -

ACTING GOVERNOR PRAISES ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

*****

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAISED MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO WORK.

SPEAKING AT THE BRIGADE’S ANNUAL PARADE IN THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STADIUM, SIR JACK SAIDi SINCE THE BRIGADE STARTED ITS WORK FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY IN 1915, IT HAS SERVED HONG KONG IN +FAIR AS WELL AS FOUL WEATHER, IN PEACE AS WELL AS IN WARj A MOST NOTEWORTHY RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT.*

HE SAID IT IS ESPECIALLY GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE BRIGADE IS INCREASING AND THAT THE SCOPE OF SERVICES IS BEING EXPANDED.

♦THIS GROWTH, TOGETHER WITH THE REGULAR TRAINING WHICH YOU CARRY OUT ANNUALLY, WILL THEREFORE ENSURE THAT THE BRIGADE IS ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE FIRST AID TO ALL WHO NEED THESE SERVICES, +HE ADDED.

DURING THE PARADE, SIR JACK ALSO PRESENTED LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 60 MEMBERS OF THE BRIGADE.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR’S SPEECHj

+IT IS A GREAT HONOUR FOR ME TO REVIEW TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE- I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR EXCELLENT TURN OUT AND BEARING.

♦ ST. JOHN IS A VERY ANCIENT ORDER DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF MANKIND AND EVEN IN HONG KONG THE BRIGADE STARTED ITS WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY AS FAR BACK AS 1915. SINCE THAT TIME THE BRIGADE HAS SERVED HONG KONG IN FAIR AS WELL AS FOUL WEATHER, IN PEACE AS WELL AS IN WAR: A MOST NOTEWORTHY RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT.

♦ I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE BRIGADE SPENT OVER 110 400 HOURS ATTENDING PUBLIC FUNCTIONS, COURSES OF INSTRUCTION AND PARADES. HONG KONG IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE DOCTORS, DENTISTS, NURSES AND FIRST AIDERS, WHO ARE PREPARED TO DEVOTE SO MUCH OF THEIR FREE TIME TO SERVE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

♦ IT IS ESPECIALLY GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE BRIGADE IS INCREASING AND THAT THE SCOPE OF THE SERVICES IS BEING EXPANDED. THIS GROWTH, TOGETHER WITH THE REGULAR TRAINING WHICH YOU CARRY OUT ANNUALLY, WILL THEREFORE ENSURE THAT THE BRIGADE IS ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE FIRST AID TO ALL WHO NEED THESE SERVICES.

♦EVEN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLIMENTARY FORMS OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND INDIVIDUAL ENDEAVOUR BY OTHER ORGANISED BODIES, THE DEMAND FOR THE VARIOUS SERVICES WHICH THE BRIGADE PROVIDES SO ABLY TO THE PUBLIC IS BOUND TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS HONG KONG GROWS AND DEVELOPS, AND OUR PEOPLE HAVE MORE TIME TO SPEND ON RECREATION AND LEISURE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE BRIGADE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A USEFUL ROLE TO PLAY IN CONTINUING TO PROVIDE ON A REGULAR BASIS THE SERVICES WHICH ARE CLEARLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE.

♦ I KNOW THAT THE WORK YOU DO IS MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE COMMUNITY. I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR DEDICATION TO THE IDEALS OF ST. JOHN AND I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.+

------o ------ /4.....................

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979

YOUNG ASIAN MUSICIANS TO GIVE CONCERTS

* * * *

PARTICIPANTS IN THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL GIVE A SERIES OF CONCERTS NEXT MONTH.

THE FIRST OF THE CONCERTS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND URBAN COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL AT 8 PM. ON DECEMBER 7.

IT IS A JOINT CONCERT BY THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA, THE SINGAPORE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA. THE WORLD FAMOUS DOUBLE BASS MASTER, GARY KARR WILL ALSO PERFORM IN THE CONCERT.

TICKETS AT $3 (FOR STUDENTS), $5 AND $7 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL BOX OFFICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE.

ON DECEMBER 9, THE WORLD FAMOUS VIOLINIST, YEHUDI MENUHIN WILL JOIN THE ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO GIVE A PERFORMANCE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL AND ON DECEMBER 13, YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM VARIOUS ASIAN COUNTRIES WILL GIVE A CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.

THE ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A GRAND FINALE PERFORMANCE WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND AND THE BAND AND BUGLE OF THE FIRST BATTALION OF THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM ON DECEMBER 15.

FREE TICKETS FOR THE GRAND FINALE PERFORMANCE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, TOM LEE PIANO CO. LTD, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES (SOUTHERN, SHAM SHUI PO, WONG TAI SIN. KWUN TONG AND KOWLOON CITY) AND COMMERCIAL RADIO.

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

CONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE HOUSES IN TUEN MUN

******

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 82 VILLAGE HOUSES NEAR TSENG TAU CHUNG TSUEN IN TUEN MUN.

THE HOUSES ARE TO REPLACE SOME OF THE EXISTING ONES IN SAN HUI VILLAGE WHICH WILL BE PULLED DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDt +SITE FORMATION FOR THE NEW HOUSES IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH, AND ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1980 FOR COMPLETION IN MAY 1981.

THE HOUSES WILL BE THREE STOREYS HIGH SIMILAR TO THOSE IN TSI NG Yl AND SHAM TSENG.

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1979

TENDERS INVITED TO OPERATE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL COFFEE LOUNGE

* * X *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO OPERATE A COFFEE LOUNGE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WHICH WILL BE OPENED IN EARLY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.

THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, SITUATED IN TSUEN WAN TOWN

CENTRE, IS THE FIRST CULTURAL COMPLEX IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH AN AUDITORIUM, AN EXHIBITION GALLERY, A CULTURAL ACTIVITY HALL, A CONFERENCE ROOM, A LECTURE ROOM, A MUSIC BOOK SHOP AND A COFFEE LOUNGE.

ITS CONSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN IS BASED ON THAT OF THE CITY HALL LOW BLOCK AND ITS FUNCTION WILL ALSO BE IDENTICAL.

THE COFFEE LOUNGE, WHICH IS TO SELL DRINKS AND LIGHT REFRESHMENT TO CONCERT GOERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IS SITUATED IN THE MAIN FOYER OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL. IT OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 93 SQUARE METRES.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE OVER 1 OOO PERSONS MAKING USE OF THE COFFEE LOUNGE EACH DAY.

MOREOVER, THE SECOND TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL, TO START ON FEBRUARY 23, 1980, WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.

TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF AUSTIN CENTRE, 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.

THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING THE COFFEE LOUNGE MUST PUT THEIR TENDERS INTO THE TENDER BOX AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON DECEMBER 14 (FRIDAY).

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

ROAD CLOSURE IN REPULSE BAY

*****

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FROM 10 AM. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 27), THE ACCESS ROAD READING TO 73-91'REPULSE BAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR VEHICLES GAINING ACCESS TO THE PREMISES ALONG THE ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

-------o -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER ....................... 1

NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS .................. 5

NARCOTICS REPORT 1978 ON SALE .............................. *+

CLOSING CEREMONY OF WHO TRAINING COURSE ..................... 5

LAND SALE RESULTS ........................................... 6

DHA TO VISIT HOLIDAY CAMP ................................... 6

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY BRIDGE IN SHA TIN ................... 7

SAFETY COMPETITION FOR FORK LIFT OPERATORS .................. 7

WATER CUT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER *****

THE VALUE OF HONG KONG'S TOTAL EXPORTS FOR LAST MONTH (OCTOBER) WAS S7 118 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF S5 322 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF »1 796 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL T-ADE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).

WITH IMPORTS AT 18 299 MILLION, THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR OCTOBER WAS Si 181 MILLION.

FOR THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, TOTAL EXPORTS WERE VALUED AT *61 134 MILLION AND IMPORTS AT S69 318 MILLION, GIVING A TOTAL VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF 18 184 MILLION.

COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF LAST MONTH’S TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 41 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS UP BY 40 PER CENT, RE-EXPORTS BY 45 PER CENT AND IMPORTS BY 48 PER CENT.

COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PEAK SEASON FOR IMPORTS USUALLY OCCURRED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR IN PREPARATION FOR THE INCREASED RETAIL SALES AROUND THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND AS MANUFACTURERS BOUGHT IN RAW MATERIALS FOR THEIR SPRING ORDERS.

+S0, INCREASED MONTHLY VISIBLE TRADE DEFICITS ARE NORMAL AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. BUT THE INCREASE THIS YEAR SEEMS TO HAVE STARTED SLIGHTLY EARLIER THAN IT DID LAST YEAR.+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT, ON THE BASIS OF THE FIRST TEN MONTHS TAKEN TOGETHER, THE TRENDS EMERGING FOR THIS YEAR AS A WHOLE CONTINUED TO BE ENCOURAGING ON TWO COUNTS.

FIRSTLY, THE GROWTH RATE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS. THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS, IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 42 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 39 PER CENT FOR THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.

SECONDLY, THE SIGNIFICANT FIGURE WAS NOT THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT AS SUCH BUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH IMPORTS WERE NOT BEING PAID FOR BY EXPORTS, THE SO-CALLED VISIBLE TRADE GAP. THE GAP NARROWED FROM 13.2 PER CENT IN THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF 1978 TO 11.8 PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD THIS YEAR.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE YEAR TO DATE WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE FORECASTS FOR THE YEAR, INDICATING THAT THE ECONOMY WAS STILL ON THE COURSE PREDICTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.

HE SAID DETAILED FIGURES FOR OCTOBER WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE, BUT THOSE UP TO SEPTEMBER SHOWED THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS HAD SLOWED DOWN, INDICATING THAT DOMESTIC DEMAND WAS BEING DAMPENED DOWN.

/+IN '’ACT .........

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

+ IN FACT THE GROWTH IN IMPORTS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE MAINLY TO RAPID INCREASES IN IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS, SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND CAPITAL GOODS. IN OTHER WORDS THE INCREASES HAD DERIVED FROM GOOD EXPORT PROSPECTS RATHER THAN FROM GROWING DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION,+ HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPARATIVE TRADE FIGURES!-

AUG-OCT LATEST 3 MONTHS 1979 AUG-OCT 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE

S MN. $ MN. « MN. %

DOMESTI C EXPORTS 16 425 11 590 + 4 836 + 41.7

RE-EXPORTS 5 283 3 658 + 1 625 + 44.4

TOTAL EXPORTS 21 709 15 248 + 6 461 + 42.4

IMPORTS 23 266 16 434 + 6 832 + 41.6

TRADE BALANCE - 1 557 - 1 186 - 371

SAME MONTH LAST YEAR OCTOBER 1979 OCTOBER 1978 INCREASE OR DECREASE

S MN. t MN. 5 MN. %

DOMESTI C EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5 322 (74.8%) 3 806 (75.4%) ♦ 1 517 + 39.8

RE-EXPORTS 1 796 1 238 + 558 + 45.0

TOTAL EXPORTS 7 118 5 044 ♦ 2 074 + 41.1

IMPORTS 8 299 5 605 + 2 694 + 48.1

TRADE BALANCE -1 181 - 561 - 620

LAST MONTH OCTOBER 1979 SEPTEMBER 1979 INCREASE OR DECREASE

$ MN. S MN. S MN. %

DOMESTI C EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 5 322 (74.8%) 5 316 (75.4%) + 6 + 0.1

RE-EXPORTS 1 796 1 734 + 62 * 3.6

TOTAL EXPORTS 7 118 7 051 + 68 + 1.0

/IMPORTS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 3 299 -1 181 7 648 - 597 + 651 + 8.5 - 584

CALENDAR YEAR JAN-OCT JAN-OCT INCREASE OR

TO-DATE 1979 1978 r>r- a er

S MN. $ MN*. « MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 45 002 32 582 +12 420 +38.1

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (73.6%) (75.5%)

RE-EXPORTS 16 132 10 572 + 5 560 +52.6

TOTAL EXPORTS 61 134 43 154 +17 980 +41.7

IMPORTS •69 318 49 740 +19 579 +39.4

TRADE BALANCE -8 184 -6 586 -1 598

LAST 12 MONTHS NOV 1978 NOV 1977 INCREASE OR

————————————— TO TO DECREASE

OCT 1979 OCT 1978

S MN. « MN. S MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS 53 131 39 214 +13 917 +35.5

RE-EXPORTS 18 757 12 415 + 6 342 +51.1

TOTAL EXPORTS 71 888 51 630 +20 259 +39.2

IMPORTS 82 634 58 981 ♦23 653 +40.1

TRADE BALANCE -10 746 -7 351 - 3 395

— o

NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS *****

NEW ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE THREE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID TODAY (MONDAY) UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, ANY OF THE THREE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS WILL NOW ACCEPT A CLAIM LODGED WITH IT WHETHER OR NOT THE DEFENDANT LIVES OR OPERATES A BUSINESS WITHIN THE AREA OF THE JURISDICTION OF THAT TRIBUNAL.

THE THREE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS ARE IN VICTORIA DISTRICT COURT, POK MUM ROAD- THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT, GASCOIGNE ROAD AND THE TSUtN WAN DISTRICT COURT, SHA TSUI ROAD.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE TO REDUCE FORMALITY AND MEET THE CONVENIENCE OF THE CLAIMANTS.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

HE SAIDi *IN THE PAST PROCEEDINGS HAVE HAD TO. BE TAKEN IN THE TRIBUNAL WHICH HAS JURISDICTION IN THE AREA WHERE THE DEFENDANT RESIDES OR HAS HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS.

♦BUT WITH THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, A CLAIMANT CAN USE WHICHEVER TRIBUNAL SUITS HIM BEST.*

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRIBUNAL STILL RETAINS THE POWER TO TRANSFER A CLAIM TO ANOTHER TRIBUNAL IF IT THINKS DESIRABLE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INTEREST OF THE PARTIES CONCERNED AND THE NEED FQR SPEEDY DESPATCH OF BUSINESS.

- - - - 0 ----

NARCOTICS REPORT 1978 ON SALE ******

THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, WITH ITS COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS AND OTHER INDICATORS, NOW HAS A SOPHISTICATED MECHANISM ON WHICH TO BASE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES, STATED THIS IN THE FOREWORD OF THE HONG KONG NARCOTICS REPORT 1978, OF WHICH THE ENGLISH EDITION IS ON SALE TODAY (MONDAY) AT «2O A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE. THE CHINESE VERSION IS BEING PRODUCED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.

SIR ALBERT SAID SINCE THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ADDICTS BECAME FULLY COMPUTERISED IN SEPTEMBER 1976 OVER 76 OOO REPORTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED ON 29 000 ADDICTS AT THE END OF 1978.

HE SAID i +THIS NEW FACILITY GIVES US, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A MEANS OF CHECKING AT VERY FREQUENT INTERVALS ANY CHANGES OF TRENDS IN, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF, OUR ADDICT POPULATION, AND MARKS A MAJOR ADVANCE IN OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE DATA BASE ON WHICH REALISTIC ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICIES CAN BE FORMULATED.*

IN OTHER FIELDS OF ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK, SIR ALBERT SAID, STEADY PROGRESS HAS ALSO BEEN MADE.

♦THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES (THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE) HAVE SUCCEEDED, THROUGH THEIR EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO LIMIT IMPORTS OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS, IN KEEPING THE RETAIL PRICE OF DRUGS ON THE STREET AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.

♦THIS, IN TURN, HAS INDUCED MANY ADDICTS TO CONTINUE IN TREATMENT IN OUR VARIOUS PROGRAMMES.

♦THE CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES (RUN BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS) HAVE ALSO HAD, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS FULL EMPLOYMENT, IMPROVEMENTS IN LIVING STANDARDS, THE SUCCESS OF THE ANTICORRUPTION DRIVE, PROVISION OF FREE UNIVERSAL EDUCATION UP TO FORM 3 LEVEL, THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, AND PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON CRIME AND ON THE PRISON POPULATION,* SIR ALBERT SAID.

/HE ALSC ...

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

HE ALSO SAID • +WITH SUCH A FERMENT OF PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY, WE CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT PROGRESS IN OUR ANTI-NARCOTICS STRUGGLE IS BEING WELL-MAINTAINED, AND THAT WE NOW HAVE A MORE ADEQUATE AND EFFICIENT MEANS OF MONITORING THE EFFECTS OF OUR WORK.+

THE HONG KONG NARCOTICS REPORT 1978, PUBLISHED IN FULL-COLOUR WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, IS COMPILED BY ACAN.

THE 127-PAGE REPORT GIVES A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG’S NARCOTIC SCENE AS WELL AS ALL IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE VARIOUS MAJOR ACTION PROGRAMMES BEING CARRIED OUT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR ACAN SAID THE REPORT IS AN INFORMATIVE AND HIGHLY READABLE DOCUMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE SERIOUS LONG-STANDING SOCIAL PROBLEM OF NARCOTICS ADDICTION IN HONG KONG.

IT IS PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED TO TEACHERS, STUDENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PEOPLE OF OTHER PROFESSIONS WHOSE WORK MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NARCOTIC ISSUE, HE SAID.

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

CLOSING CEREMONY OF WHO TRAINING COURSE * * * *

um 0F MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG

e THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISAT<ON’S

^§fIJJ!JER‘REGI0NAL TRAINING course for physicians on the TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS AND ADDRESS

AM- 0N WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 28) IN THE GISES THEATRE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.

nrnJHE E”A,RMAN 0F THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE CLOSING CEREMONY.

THE COURSE STARTED ON OCTOBER 30 WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING ANU’N-DEPTH STUDY INTO THE LATEST ANTI-NARCOTICS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION POLICIES AND METHODS OF HONG KONG.

TWENTY-FIVE PHYSICIANS FROM AFGHANISTAN, BURMA, EGYPT, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PAKISTAN, THE PHILIPPINES AND THAILAND TOOK PART IN THE COURSE.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WHO TRAINING COURSE FOR PHYSICIANS ON THE TREATMENT AND REHAB ILITAION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS AT q.^O AM. ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 28) IN THE GIS THEATRE, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

TV CREWS ARE ADVISED TO USE HAND-HELD CINE CAMERAS BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATION.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26. 1979

_ 6 -

LAND SALE RESULTS

X * * *

A 1 400-SQUARE METRE SITE IN SUN YIP STREET, CHAI WAN, WAS SOLD FOR $32 MILLION AT AN AUCTION CONDUCTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN THE CITY HALL TODAY (MONDAY).

THE SITE, FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODWON PURPOSES, WAS BOUGHT BY HYALINE REALTY LTD AT $22 357.14 PER SQUARE METRE.

ANOTHER LOT, IN KUT SHING STREET, CHAI WAN, WAS SOLD TO HONG FOK LAND CO LTD FOR $14 MILLION OR $29 227.50 PER SQUARE METRE. IT IS ALSO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.

A LOT LOCATED AT 43 STATION LANE, HUNG HOM, FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, WAS SOLD TO PERFECT ENTERPRISES LTD WITH AN AREA OF 75 SQUARE METRES. THE SITE WAS SOLD FOR $1.7 MILLION OR $22 666.67 PER SQUARE METRE.

AT THE SAME AUCTION, A LOT AT 2A NEW STREET, HONG KONG, MEASURING 95.5 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO HON CHOR CO LTD FOR $2.7 MILLION, OR $29 189.19 PER SQUARE METRE.

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DHA TO VISIT HOLIDAY CAMP X X * X *

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN WILL VISIT THE PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG AT 2.30 PM. TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

MR. WALDEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE CHAIRMAN CF PO LEUNG KUK, MRS. KITTY SIU HON-SUM AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, W. C.B. CHIU.

THE CAMP. OPERATED ON A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BASIS, PROVIDES LODGING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC.

PHASE I OF THE CAMP WHICH WAS OPENED IN APRIL THIS YEAR COMPRISES SEVEN TWO-STOREY HOSTELS FOR 130 PEOPLE.

FACILITIES IN THE CAMP, INCLUDE RECREATION ROOMS, VOLLEY BALL/BASKETBALL COURTS BADMINTON COURTS, AN ARCHERY YARD AND A CHILDREN PLAYGROUND.

THE ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED AND MORE FACILITIES BE PROVIDED WHEN PHASE II DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAMP COMPLETES EARLY NEXT YEAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE VISIT BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. JOHN WALDEN TO THE PO LEUNG KUK HOLIDAY CAMP AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 2.30 PM. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOMED TO USE ThE TRANSPORT LEAVING PO LEUNG KUK IN LEIGHTON ROAD FOR THE CAMP AT 12.15 PM.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY BRIDGE IN SHA TIN

*****

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A S5 MILLION CONTRACT TO GAMMON (HONG KONG) LTD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER FO TAN NULLAH IN SHA TIN.

THE BRIDGE WILL CARRY THE NEW RACECOURSE LOOP LINES AND DEPOT ACCESS LINES OVER THE NULLAH.

WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE MODERNISATION AND ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY, IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH (DECEMBER) FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER 1980.

THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA FOR TRANSMARK (TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND MARKET RESEARCH LTD) ON BEHALF OF CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

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SAFETY COMPETITION FOR FORK LIFT OPERATORS

******

A COMPETITION TO PROMOTE GREATER SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG FORK LIFT OPERATORS WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2).

THE COMPETITION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LTD WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS, ONE FOR TEAMS AND ONE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WILL BE SELECTED BY A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CENTRAL CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY COMMITTEE, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WILLIAM HUNT AND CO INTERNATIONAL LTD AND CLARK INTERNATIONAL MARKETING S.A.

CASH PRIZES TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES OF MERIT WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP OF BOTH SECTIONS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SAFETY COMPETITION FOR FORK LIFT OPERATORS TO BE HELD IN THE TRUCK PARK OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINA.S LTD OPPOSITE THE GOVERNMENT CARGO OFFICE BLOCK NEAR THE EAST GATE OF THE AIRPORT.

MOKDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1979

- 8 -

WATER CUT * * *

WRTER^pti!?^!?^. IS T0 F4C'LITATE ESSENTUL WORK ON THE

- 0 -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS STANDING COMMISSION'S REPORT ON PAY .................................................. 1

DORWARD SPEAKS ON HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS .................. 2

CAREER '80 EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY ................... 3

ACTING GOVERNOR ATTENDS ROUND TABLE'S SILVER JUBILEE DINNER ..........................................

EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR LAST QUARTER ............................................ 6

PURCHASE OF ITEMS IN SCHOOLS SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY ........ 6

PASSING OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS .............. 7

CROWN LAND FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY ....................... 8

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN TEXACO ROAD ....................... 8

WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI ................................... 8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS STANDING COMMISSION’S REPORT ON PAY * * * N * *

SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE RECOMMENDATIONS

IN THE ♦FIRST REPORT ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY* BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WERE TODAY ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE ADVICE OF THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

IT WAS NOTED THAT OVER 300 REPRESENTATIONS ON THE REPORT HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM STAFF AND DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT. THE INTERLOCKING NATURE OF THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS. WHICH MEANT THAT ANY ALTERATION TO A PARTICULAR RECOMMENDATION WOULD IN MOST CASES CALL FOR RECONSIDERATION OF MANY OTHER RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WOULD INEVITABLY CAUSE MANY MONTHS DELAY, WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT SUCH A WIDE-RANGING REPORT COULD NOT HOPE TO SATISFY THE ASPIRATIONS OF ALL GRADES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IN ONE REPORT. BUT AS THE COMMISSION WAS A STANDING ONE THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROUPS WHICH WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMISSION. ACCORDINGLY, THE COUNCIL ADVISED THAT ALL THE REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE REFERRED FORTHWITH TO THE COMMISSION.

REPRESENTATIONS THAT THE NEW PAY SCALES SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1979. INSTEAD OF OCTOBER 1, 1979 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION WERE ALSO CONSIDERED.

IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REVISED PAY SCALES RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION WERE DIFFERENT IN NATURE FROM OVERALL PAY INCREASES BASED ON COST OF LIVING INCREASES OR ON TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THEREFORE, WHEN THE NEXT OVERALL PAY REVIEW COMES TO BE CONSIDERED, THERE WOULD BE NO INTENTION OF DEDUCTING FROM ANY SUCH ADJUSTMENT THE INCREASES EFFECTIVE FROM OCTOBER 1, 1979.

IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE COMMISSION’S REPORT SHOULD BE OCTOBER 1, 1979, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION.

THE PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN DECEMBER AND IT IS HOPED TO HAVE PAYMENT MADE BEFORE CHINESE IEW YEAR.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

_ 2 -

DORWARD SPEAKS ON HK/USA TEXTILE TALKS ft ft ft ft *

THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. WILLIAM DORWARD TODAY (TUESDAY) HOPED THE RESUMED CONSULTATIONS NEXT MONTH ON THE HK/USA TEXTILE AGREEMENT WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL.

HE SAID HIS WISH WAS NOT ONLY BECAUSE ^UNSOLVED PROBLEMS CREATED UNCERTAINTY, WHICH IS THE WORST THING FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS, BUT ALSO BECAUSE WE NEED TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE IN TEXTILE TRADE RELATIONS BEFORE THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MULT I-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT GET DOWN TO CONSIDERING ITS FUTURE.+

SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG COTTON SPINNERS' ASSOCIATION, MR. DORWARD SAID THERE WAS WIDESPREAD DISILLUSIONMENT AMONG THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES OVER THE WAY THE CURRENT MFA HAD BEEN USED, AND SOMETIMES ABUSED.

♦THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT THE GROWTH IN PROTECTIONIST FORCES IN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND THE PRESSURES THEY ARE PUTTING ON THEIR GOVERNMENTS. THE COMBINATION OF THESE TWO ELEMENTS IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT EASY TO COME TO AN ACCEPTABLE COMPROMISE ON FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS,+ HE SAID.

♦THE PRESENT MFA DOES NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE END OF 1981, BUT ALREADY THE LINES ARE BEING DRAWN AND ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN A BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WHICH MIGHT TEND TO MAKE THE POSITION OF EITHER SIDE MORE RIGID CAN ONLY ADD TO THE DIFFICULTIES.+

OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO THE DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO BE MUCH CONCERNED WITH THE FUTURE BILATERAL AND MULTI-LATERAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL AFFECT HONG KONG'S TEXTILE TRADE- AND WITH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION.

♦ DESPITE THE FORMIDABLE GROWTH IN THE NON-TEXTILE SECTOR OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, YOU HAVE VIRTUALLY MAINTAINED YOUR POSITION IN THE FACE OF SEVERE COMPETITION, RISING RAW MATERIAL COSTS AND TRADE RESTR ICT IONS,♦ SAID MR. DORWARD.

♦ TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PROPHESYING THE DECLINE OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY FOR ALL THESE YEARS, I WOULD SIMPLY STATE MY CONVICTION THAT IT IS ALIVE AND WELL, AND IS GOING TO BE THE MAINSTAY OF OUR ECONOMY FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.+

REFERRING TO THE REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, MR. DORWARD SAID THAT AS FAR AS HIS DEPARTMENT WAS CONCERNED, THE REPORT WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION.

♦ I HAVE SEEN THIS SIDE OF OUR ACTIVITIES GROW FROM AN INSIGNIFICANT UNIT, DOING LITTLE MORE THAN OPERATE ON THE FRINGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY, TO A FULLY FLEDGED DEPARTMENT. OUR ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION HAVE BEEN IMPROVED, BOTH IN SCOPE AND IN PROFESSIONALISM.

/♦IN INDUSTRIAL .....

TUESDAY, NOVHIBER 27, 1979

- 3 -

♦IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, THAT IS TO SAY, THOSE ACTIVITIES WHICH RELATE TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE ALSO IMPROVED OUR RESOURCES AND OUR CAPABILITIES,* HE SAID.

♦I SEE US BUILDING ON THIS FOUNDATION, IN THE LIGHT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S REPORT, IN ORDER TO STIMULATE THE PACE AND TECHNOLOGICAL SOPHISTICATION OF FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,♦ b£ SAID.

CAREERS '80 EXHIBITION OPENS ON FRIDAY ft * ft ft ft ft

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ’80 EXHIBITION WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY SIR YUE-KONG PAO, CHAIRMAN OF WORLDWIDE SHIPPING GROUP AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) IN THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS, HUNG HOM.

THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION, THE EIGHTH ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE SINCE 1972. WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 10.

VISITORS TO THE SHOW WILL RECEIVE A LOT OF CAREER INFORMATION AND THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 25 EXHIBITORS, COMPRISING SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 19 PRIVATE FIRMS, INSTITUTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, WILL BE TAKING PART.

THE EXHIBITORS FROM PRIVATE SECTOR COME FROM MANY FIELDS, INCLUDING INDUSTRY, HOTEL SERVICES, ENGINEERING, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL SERVICES, BANKING, MEDICAL SERVICES, SHIPPING AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, EACH EXHIBITOR WILL HAVE A DISPLAY STAND TO ILLUSTRATE, BY MEANS OF CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS AND OTHER AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, THE NATURE OF THE JOBS, ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING, PROMOTION PROSPECTS AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION IN ITS OWN SPHERE OF WORK.

LEAFLETS AND PAMPHLETS PREPARED BY THE EXHIBITORS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS.

A NOTABLE FEATURE OF THE EXHIBITION WILL AGAIN BE A COMPUTER PROJECT ON CAREERS INFORMATION, WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR WITH STUDENTS IN PREVIOUS YEARS. NO LESS THAN 14 000 STUDENTS FROM 100 SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT.

, GROUP VISITS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

GROUP VISITS FROM SCHOOLS TO THE EXHIBITION ARE WELCOME AND ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE BY CONTACTING MR. NG CHUN-YUEN OF THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE ON TELEPHONE 1 3-022702.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS *00 EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY SIR YUE-KONG PAO, CHAIRMAN OF WORLDWIDE SHIPPING GROUP, IN THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS, HUNG HOM, AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

THERE WILL BE A PRESS PREVIEW OF THE DISPLAY STALLS AT 2.45 PM PRIOR TO THE OPENING CEREMONY.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PREVIEW AND THE OPENING CEREMONY.

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ACTING GOVERNOR ATTENDS ROUND TABLE’S SILVER JUBILEE DINNER

ft ft ft ft

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER TONIGHT COMMENDED ROUND TABLERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY BY GIVING THEIR TIME, ENERGY AND HARD-EARNED CASH IN CARING FOR THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED.

SPEAKING AT THE ROUND TABLE’S SILVER JUBILEE DINNER AT THE HONG KONG CLUB, SIR JACK SAID +OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS YOU HAVE EXPANDED AND HAVE ACHIEVED AN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE HOSTING OF THE COUNCIL OF YOUNG MEN’S SERVICE CLUBS IN HONG KONG IN 1975.

+YOUR REPUTATION RESTS ON THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT AND IT IS ON THESE THAT YOU MUST CONTINUE TO BUILD,♦ HE SAID.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY SIR JACK CATER 1

♦TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO ON A DAY IN NOVEMBER WHICH, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, WAS NOT PRECISELY RECORDED, THE HONG KONG ROUND TABLE NO. 1 RECEIVED ITS CHARTER. THE COMING INTO BEING OF ROUND TABLE NO. 1 IN FACT RESULTED FROM THE CHANCE MEETING OF THREE YOUNG MEN WHO ALL HAD PREVIOUS TABLE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE UK, AND IT TOOK PLACE IN THAT NOW LONG DEMOLISHED BUT THEN MUCH CHERISHED EDIFICE, THE HOTEL CECIL. FROM THAT SOMEWHAT CASUAL BEGINNING HAS SPRUNG A STRONG AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY-WIDE ASSOCIATION COMPRISING IN ALL 10 TABLES, WHOSE MEMBERS INCLUDE A SCORE OF NATIONALITIES AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT CREEDS, UNITED BY A COMMON DESIRE TO GIVE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY AND HARD-EARNED CASH IN CARING FOR THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED IN THE COMMUNITY.

/+0N SUCH ..

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2?, 1979

- 5

♦ON SUCH AN OCCASION AS THIS I SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO RECOUNT SOME OF THE RECORDED AND AUTHENTICATED HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR FIRST QUARTER CENTURY. I HAVE JUST MENTIONED THE FOUNDING TRIO WHO MET AT THE HOTEL CECIL ON THAT DATE UNKNOWN - BUT LET US NOT DOUBT THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THIS EVENING’S PROCEED INGSi IT WAS SOME TIME IN NOVEMBER. AND IT IS CERTAINLY WELL-KNOWN THAT PROPER, IF NOT ENTIRELY SOBER, CELEBRATION FOLLOWED THAT DECISION-MAKING MEETING.

♦THEN AGAIN THERE IS THE QUESTION OF YOUR FIRST AGM WHICH WAS HELD IN MACAO. IT IS UNCLEAR WHY THIS EXPERIMENT WAS NEVER REPEATED- BUT I AM ASSURED THAT IT IS QUITE CERTAIN THAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WAS HELD IN THE SAME SPIRIT MANIFESTED BY THE FOUNDING TABLERS.

♦BE THAT AS IT MAY ..........

♦OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS YOU HAVE EXPANDED AND HAVE ACHIEVED AN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE HOSTING OF THE COUNCIL OF YOUNG MEN’S SERVICE CLUBS IN HONG KONG IN 1975. YOUR REPUTATION RESTS ON THE SOLID FOUNDATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT AND IT IS ON THESE THAT YOU MUST CONTINUE TO BUILD.

♦BY FAR THE MOST IMAGINATIVE OF YOUR UNDERTAKINGS HAS BEEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOUR FISHERMEN’S VILLAGES AT CHEUNG CHAU AND LANTAU. THIS WAS STARTED IN 1959 IN RESPONSE TO THE WORLD REFUGEE YEAR AND HAS BEEN CONTINUED AS YOUR CENTRAL PROJECT. IN THIS MR. CHAIRMAN, AS YOU MAY KNOW, I HAVE A DEEP PERSONAL ASSOCIATION! AS THE FIRST REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AND LATER DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES I HAD A VERY CLOSE AND VERY EARLY INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT.

♦THROUGHOUT YOUR BRIEF HISTORY YOU HAVE LIVED UP TO THE TABLERS MOTTO - ADOPT, ADAPT AND IMPROVE - AND THIS IS NOWHERE MORE EVIDENT THAN IN THE IMAGINATIVE WAYS IN WHICH YOU HAVE SOUGHT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PROJECTS. THE EASTER FAIR, THE WALKATHON AND THE BOXING SMOKERS ARE ALREADY INSTITUTIONS AND LAST JUNE’S ORGANISED CHAOS ON THE STAR FERRY IN WHICH |1OO OOO WAS RAISED MAY WELL BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT - REPAIR WORK ON THE PIERS PERMITTING. YOUR SUPPORT OF THE SANDY BAY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, THE HOME FOR THE BLIND AND ST. CHRISTOPHER’S HOME AND NUMEROUS OTHER CHARITIES, HAS BECOME A QUIET AND UNPUBLICISED TRADITION.

♦SINCE ITS FOUNDATION, HONG KONG HAS HAD ITS SHARE OF DIFFICULTIES AND PROBLEMS! SOME MIGHT SAY, WITH TRUTH, MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE. THE EVENTS OF THE LAST YEAR OR SO WOULD SEEM TO UNDERLINE THIS FACT. THAT WE HAVE MANAGED TO OVERCOME OUR DIFFICULTIES AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, IS A TRIBUTE TO THE RESILIENCE, HARD WORK AND GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONGi IT IS A TRIBUTE TOO TO THE TYPE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND THE IDEAL OF SERVICE WHICH IS FOSTERED BY THE TABLE AND BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS OF SIMILAR IDEALS.

♦IT REMAINS ONLY FOR ME TO PLACE ON RECORD THE GRATITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT, INDEED OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY FOR THE SELFLESS CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH YOU HAVE ALL MADE OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS. TABLERS OF HONG KONG, I SALUTE YOU - AND IN DOING SO I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN THE NEXT QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

♦GENTLEMEN, I GIVE YOU ROUND TABLE NO. 1 AND THE ROUND TABLE MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG.+

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR LAST QUARTER ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1979.

FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE FIVE INDUSTRY GROUPS HAVING THE HIGHEST CONTRIBUTIONS WERE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT. ALTOGETHER, THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 81 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF ALL DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1979.

LARGER INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1978 INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRY GROUPSi MACHINERY (98%), TOBACCO (90%). TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (77%), NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (70%), LEATHER PRODUCTS (65%), AND PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (65%). BUT A FIVE PER CENT DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR MINING AND QUARRYING PRODUCTS.

FOR IMPORTS, TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, METAL PRODUCTS, FOOD, PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS TOOK UP 57% OF THE VALUE OF ALL IMPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER CF 1979. THE LARGER INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE FOUND IN MINING AND QUARRYING PRODUCTS (212%), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (131%), FORESTRY AND LOGGING PRODUCTS (118%), PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (100%), AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (82%).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THE FIGURES WERE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT COMMODITY ITEMS UNDER THE PRESENT EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE COMMODITY ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.

DETAILS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TELi 5-274203.

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PURCHASE OF ITEMS IN SCHOOLS SHOULD BE VOLUNTARY ft ft ft ft ft ft

SCHOOLS INVOLVED IN THE SALE OF ITEMS TO STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT NO PURCHASE SHOULD BE MADE COMPULSORY AND PARENTS BE INFORMED ACCORDINGLY TO AVOID ANY CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) ACCORDING TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE, AN ADEQUATE DESCRIPTION OF AN ITEM SHOULD BE GIVEN SO THAT PARENTS AND STUDENTS CAN PURCHASE SUCH AN ITEM ELSEWHERE IF THEY WISH TO DO SO.

IF ITEMS ARE FOR SALE IN PACKAGES, EACH ITEM SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE SEPARATELY WITH INDIVIDUAL PRICES CLEARLY SHOWN.

/SCHOOLS SHOULD .....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT DERIVE ANY ADVANTAGE FROM THE SALE OF TEXTBOOKS, EXERCISE BOOKS, EQUIPMENT OR OTHER ITEMS TO STUDENTS, AND PROPER BOOKS OF ACCOUNTS MUST BE KEPT.

♦A SCHOOL WHICH BUYS TEXTBOOKS AND EXERCISE BOOKS ON BULK PURCHASE TERMS AND SELLS THEM TO STUDENTS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS IS DOING A USEFUL SERVICE FOR THE STUDENTS ESPECIALLY IF ANY DISCOUNT OBTAINED IS PASSED ON TO THEM,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN THE CASE OF TEXTBOOKS, ALL BOOKS SHOULD BE FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKLIST, AND PARENTS BE INFORMED THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THE TEXTBOOKS WHERE THEY WISH, HE SAID.

ALSO, STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE COMPELLED TO PURCHASE A PACKAGE CF EXERCISE BOOKS, AND EACH TYPE OF EXERCISE BOOKS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE SEPARATELY.

♦SCHOOLS WHICH USE EXERCISE BOOKS WITH SCHOOL NAMES AND CRESTS ON THEM SHOULD PERMIT THEIR STUDENTS TO USE EXERCISE BOOKS OF COMPARABLE SIZE, QUALITY AND LAYOUT ON SALE AT STATIONERS IF THEY ARE CHEAPER,♦ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

WITH REGARD TO UNIFORMS, SCHOOLS SHOULD NOT COMPEL STUDENTS TO PURCHASE THEIR UNIFORMS FROM THE SCHOOL TAILOR, AND SHOULD ENSURE THAT MATERIAL SELECTED FOR THE UNIFORMS IS OF A TYPE AND QUALITY GENERALLY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS OF THE UNIFORM AND SPECIMENS OF THE MATERIAL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY STUDENTS OR PARENTS WHO DO NOT WISH TO BUY THE UNIFORM FROM THE SCHOOL TAILOR.

PASSING OUT PARADE OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS * * ft ft *

A TOTAL OF 79 ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND SEVEN IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING WILL TAKE PART IN A PASSING OUT PARADE THIS FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

TAKING THE SALUTE WILL BE AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. WONG PO-YAN.

THE PARADE, WHICH WILL START AT 9.30 AM , WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND IN HAPPY VALLEY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 79 ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND SEVEN IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS WILL BE HELD AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND, SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY AT 9.30 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30). YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PARADE.

------0------ /8....................

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1979

CROWN LAND FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY ft * * ft *

THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF CROWN LAND IN KO CHIU ROAD, YAU TONG.

THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 770 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE TENANCY WAS FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AND, THEREAFTER, QUARTERLY.

TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS OF THE TENANCY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE IN MURRAY BUILDING, 19TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD OR THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON DECEMBER 14.

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING IN TEXACO ROAD * * * *

TRAFFIC IN A SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD BETWEEN KWAI FUK ROAD AND MA TAU PA ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.

AT THE SAME TIME, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN LUNG TAK STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING LEFT TO TEXACO ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI * ft ft

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL EE SUSPENDED FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NORTH SIDE OF JOHNSTON ROAD, WEST SIDE OF FLEMING ROAD, GLOUCESTER ROAD, EAST SIDE OF O’BRIEN ROAD INCLUDING JAFFE ROAD, LOCKHART ROAD AND THOMSON ROAD, NOS. 149-267 AND 156-258 HENNESSY ROAD AND VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

.WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

LEGCC APPROVES PROPOSAL TO RAISE FIXED PENhLTY RhTE ............. 1

UNHCR TRIES ITS BEST TO RESETTLE VIETNAliESE REFUGEES ........... 3

DEBATE CN LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKS A ND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ........................................ 5

GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME .................... 5

WORK ON JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE TO START SOON ..................... 6

NEW OFFICE TO PROMOTE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ...... 7

SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION RECEIVES A 315 MILLION BOOST .............................................. 8

BENEFITS FOR EX-PRISONERS CF WAR............................... 9

BILL TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM PYRAMID SELLING .................... 10

REPORT ON FINANCING CF OLD PEOPLE'S HOMES ...................... 10

SAI KUNG DEVELOPMENTS OUTLINED BY DISTRICT OFFICER ............. 11

WHC TRAINING COURSE ON TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS ENDS ................................. 12

CHECKS ON FACTORIES AGAINST EXCESSIVE SMOKE EMISSION ........... 1?

LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL .................. 14-

HK'S IMAGE OVERSEAS PROJECTED IN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUES .... 15

FUNDS FOR CDu TO CARRY OUT URGENT LOCmL PUBLIC WORKS ........... 16

FIVE BILLS Passed .............................................. 16

176 DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES INSPECTED IN NT ................... 17

GRANT GF YUEN LONG SITE TO POK 01 HOSPITAL ..................... 18

KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE MOVES TO NEW PREMISES ......... 18

SPEED LIMIT IN ABERDEEN ........................................ 19

WATER CUT ...................................................... 19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

LEGCO APPROVES PROPOSAL TO RAISE FIXED PENALTY RATE ******

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE PROPOSALS TO RAISE THE FIXED PENALTIES FOR PARKING AND MOVING TRAFFIC OFFENCES IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE PENALTIES WHICH HAS BEEN ERODED OVER THE YEARS BY THE GENERAL INCREASE OF PRICES AND INCOMES.

THE REVISION OF PENALTY WILL BE FROM $30 TO 170 FOR PARKING OFFENCES WHILE THAT FOR MOVING OFFENCES WILL BE DOUBLED SO THAT THE $50 PENALTY WOULD BE INCREASED TO $100 AND THE $100 PENALTY TO $200.

MOVING THE RELEVANT MOTIONS IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES SAID THE MOTIONS PROVIDED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW FIXED PENALTY RATE ON A DATE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND NOTIFIED IN THE GAZETTE AS THE REVISION OF THE PENALTY WOULD REQUIRE THE MODIFICATION OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMES AND THE PRINTING OF NEW FORMS AND THIS WOULD TAKE A FEW MONTHS.

MR. JONES SAID THE FIXED PENALTY OF $30 FOR PARKING OFFENCES HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1971 AND IN RECENT YEARS, THE NUMBER OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS ISSUED HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING.

♦WELL OVER 100 000 PARKING TICKETS ARE BEING ISSUED EACH MONTH THIS YEAR.+ HE SAID. ♦INDEED, MANY DRIVERS NO LONGER MAKE ANY SERIOUS EFFORT TO FIND LEGAL PARKING SPACES, PERHAPS BECAUSE THE PENALTY IS NOW LITTLE GREATER THAN LEGAL PARKING CHARGES.*

♦VEHICLES WHICH ARE ILLEGALLY PARKED VERY OFTEN CONTRIBUTE TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND THUS HELP TO DELAY OTHER TRAFFIC, INCLUDING THE MAJORITY OF TRAVELLERS WHO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT,+ HE STRESSED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE INTENDED TO DISCOURAGE ILLEGAL PARKING BY RESTORING THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE PENALTIES AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO BETTER DRIVING HABITS ON HONG KONG’S CROWDED ROADS.

ON FIXED PENALTY FOR MOVING OFFENCES, HE SAID THE PRESENT LEVEL OF PENALTIES WAS INTRODUCED WHEN THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN NOVEMBER 1976 BUT THE AMOUNTS OF PENALTY WERE FIXED FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT.

♦THE LAPSE OF SEVEN YEARS IS CONSIDERED SUFFICIENTLY LONG TO frER IT A REVIEW IN THE INTEREST, AGAIN, OF MAINTAINING THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT IN THE FACE OF RISING PRICES AND INCOMES.

♦MOREOVER, IT IS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE RELATIVITY BETWEEN THE PENALTIES FOR PARKING AND MOVING OFFENCES, ESPECIALLY AS THE LATTER ARE, IN GENERAL, MORE SERIOUS AND CAN AT TIMES BE POSITIVELY DANGEROUS.+

A NUMBER OF OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS AND CORRECTIONS TO THE SCHEDULE TO THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE ARE ALSO PROPOSED, HE SAID.

/THSS-L AS JNDH3NT3 ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

THESE AMENDMENTS AREi

* TO DELETE THE OFFENCES ON +NOT GIVING CORRECT NAME/ ADDRESS+ AND +NOT IDENTIFYING DRIVER* FROM THE SCHEDULE IN PURSUANCE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S ADVICE THAT A FIXED PENALTY IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THESE SERIOUS OFFENCES WHICH SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN COURTS-

* TO DELETE TWO OFFENCES AND AMEND ANOTHER ONE ON PUBLIC CARS WHICH HAVE CEASED TO EXIST AS A SEPARATE CATEGORY OF VEHICLE-

* TO REPLACE THE OFFENCE +DRIVING AN UNLICENSED VEHICLE+ AS A NEW ITEM IN THE SCHEDULE- AND

M TO DELETE TWO TAX I-RELATED OFFENCES IN THE SCHEDULE BUT REPLACE WITH SEVEN RELATED OFFENCES IN THE SCHEDULE. THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THESE SEVEN OFFENCES, MAINLY FOR +NOT DRIVING TO DESTINATION REQUIRED BY HIRER* AND ♦REFUSING PASSENGERS* IS $200.

SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTIONS, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER THE HON. ANDREW SO SAID INCREASING FIXED PENALTY FINES TO DETER ILLEGAL PARKING IS ONLY A SUPERFICIAL REMEDY AND CANNOT REMOVE THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN HONG KONG THERE ARE LESS THAN 16 000 ON-STREET PARKING SPACES, 6 103 SPACES IN GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS AND ONLY SOME 9 000 SPACES IN PRIVATELY-RUN PUBLIC CAR PARKS.

HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VEHICLES TOTALLED 233 150 AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND THIS FIGURE WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THIS YEAR.

♦AS LONG AS THE SHORTAGE OF PARKING SPACES CONTINUES, THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE THOROUGHLY SOLVED BY SIMPLY IMPOSING FINES AS A DETERRENT,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT LIMIT THE REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES, IT MUST TRY TO PROVIDE AND ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PROVIDE MORE PARKING SPACES. WHEN PARKING SPACES ARE TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY CANCELLED, IT SHOULD TRY TO PROVIDE OTHER SPACES NEARBY.

SPECIAL ATTENTION MUST ALSO BE PAID TO THE UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION OR PROLONGED OCCUPATION OF PARKING SPACES BY ABANDONED CARS AND CARS AWAITING REPAIRS, HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

UNHCR TRIES ITS BEST TO RESETTLE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES * * * *

THE UNHCR HAS GIVEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AN ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL USE ITS BEST ENDEAVOURS TO RESETTLE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES OVERSEAS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN, MR. DAVIES SAID IN IMPLEMENTING THIS ASSURANCE, THE UNHCR REGISTERED ALL REFUGEES, PROVIDED CONSULATES OF POTENTIAL RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WITH DETAILS AND ALLOCATED STAFF TO CARRY OUT A LIAISON ROLE BETWEEN CONSULATES, REFUGEE CAMP MANAGEMENTS AND INDIVIDUAL REFUGEES AND FAMILY GROUPS.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE UNHCR IS INCREASING ITS STAFF ALLOCATED TO RESETTLEMENT DUTIES AND THE FACILITIES IN CAMPS FOR LIAISCS AND INTERVIEWS.

♦CLOSER CO-ORDINATION IS ALSO BEING DEVELOPED BETWEEN THE UNHCR, CAMP MANAGEMENTS, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND MY BRANCH TO ENSURE THAT THE MACHINERY OF RESETTLEMENT WORKS AS EFFICIENTLY AND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.*

MR. DAVIES POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH FROM TIME TO TIME THERE WERE EXCEPTIONS, THE MAJORITY OF INTERVIEWS, DISCUSSIONS, MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND PREPARATIONS FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT HAD PROCEEDED AS PLANNED.

HE SAID THE EXTENT OF 'NO SHOWS’ WAS RELATIVELY SMALL WHEN ONE CONSIDERED THE SCALE OF THE OPERATION, THE EXTENT OF NECESSARY TRANSFER OF REFUGEES BETWEEN CAMPS AND SOMETIMES THE SHORT NOTICES GIVEN BY RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES. +WHERE THEY DO OCCUR THEY ARE QUICKLY FOLLOWED UP,+ HE ADDED.

- - 0 - -

DEBATE ON LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES *****

THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AGREED THAT IT IS UNDESIRABLE FOR BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO REPAY TIME DEPOSITS IN ADVANCE OF THEIR MATURITY DATES AND SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW THAT SUCH DEPOSITS SHOULD BE TREATED AS SHORTTERM FUNDS, THE HON. LI FOOK-WO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. LI WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1979 AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1979.

MR. LI NOTED THAT THERE MAY BE DIFFICULTY IN ASCERTAINING THE DETAILS OF TRANSACTIONS WHERE THERE WAS ONLY AN ORAL AGREEMENT. HOWEVER SINCE THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WAS CONFIDENT THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO MONITOR THE POSITION FAIRLY CLOSELY, THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE THE PROPOSAL A TRY, HE SAID.

/ON THE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

ON THE SPLIT-LEVEL LIQUIDITY RATIO NOW PROPOSED FOR DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES, MR. LI SAID THE UNOFFICIALS AT FIRST HAD SOME MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE PRUDENCE OF ADOPTING SUCH A TWO-TIER LIQUIDITY RATIO. THEY LATER AGREED TO IT AFTER HAVING CAREFULLY STUDIED THE MATURITY PATTERN OF THE DEPOSIT LIABILITIES OF LICENSED BANKS AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.

REFERRING TO THE EXTENDED LIST OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS WHICH CAN BE HELD AGAINST DEPOSIT LIABILITIES, MR. LI SAID THE UNOFFICIALS WELCOMED THE EXTENSION BUT WERE SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED THAT HONG KONG DOLLAR DENOMINATED CERTIFICATES WERE OMITTED FROM THE LIST AT THE FIRST STAGE.

MR. LI SAID IT WAS MOST DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN A MARKET HAS MOVED FROM IMMATURITY TO MATURITY AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS PREFERABLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SEIZE THE INITIATIVE AND SPECIFY SUCH CERTIFICATES AS LIQUID ASSETS WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.

HE EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THE ACTUAL VOLUME OF TURNOVER IS RESTRAINED BY THE NUMBER OF ISSUES AVAILABLE FOR TRADING, AS MORE ISSUES COME TO THE MARKETS, THE VOLUME WILL INCREASE TO A HIGHER LEVEL THUS PROVIDING A MORE ADEQUATE SECONDARY MARKET.

AS THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN TO REVIEW THIS *CHICKEN-AND-EGG+ SITUATION WITHIN A YEAR, THE UNOFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO LET THIS PASS TOO WITHOUT AMENDMENT.

IN REPLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ONLY PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE A SPLIT-LEVEL LIQUIDITY RATIO FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.

+IT IS ONLY A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY THAT CAN OBTAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE BY, AS IT WERE, SURREPTITIOUSLY REPAYING TIME DEPOSITS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.*

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IS SATISFIED THAT HE CAN, IN THE COURSE OF HIS REGULAR EXAMINATION OF EVERY REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY MONITOR THE EXTENT TO WHICH TIME DEPOSITS ARE REPAID EARLY. THE COMMISSIONER IS ALSO SATISFIED THAT HE CAN MATCH THAT INFORMATION AGAINST THE TIME DEPOSITS WHICH EACH COMPANY HAS DECLARED AS SHORT-TERM FOR THE PURPOSES OF CALCULATING THE MINIMUM HOLDING OF SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSETS.

ON LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS FOR BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, MR. HADDON-CAVE AGREED WITH MR. LI THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL WHEN A MARKET IN INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS HONG KONG DENOMINATED CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, HAS MOVED FROM IMMATURITY TO MATURITY.

HE SAID THE ESSENCE OF A SPECIFIED LIQUID ASSET IS THAT THE BANK OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HOLDING THAT ASSET MUST BE ABLE TO REALISE IT, IN REASONABLE VOLUME AND AT AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE, IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

HE WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT THE SECONDARY MARKET IN THESE CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT YET MEETS THAT CRITERION. HOWEVER, HE ASSURED THAT THE MARKET POSITION WOULD BE CLOSELY WATCHED AND THE SITUATION BE REVIEWED WITHIN 12 MONTHS.

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/5 ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME ******

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME TO THE POLICE.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI, ML DAVIES SAID, APART FROM SIMPLIFYING REPORTING PROCEDURES, THERE WAS A SUSTAINED PROGRAMME AIMED AT SECURING INCREASED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE AND THERE WERE STEPS AIMED DIRECTLY AT ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME.

MR. DAVIES POINTED OUT THIS WAS REFLECTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICERS IN EACH DIVISION, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL SCHEME, THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS, LOCAL ANTI-CRIME FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY MAC, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES AND POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.

FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, ACTUAL STEPS TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME INCLUDED:

* WIDE RANGING PUBLICITY INCLUDING A SPECIAL TV SERIES, POSTERS, AND A FORTHCOMING ^COMMUNITY AGAINST CRIME* CAMPAIGN-

* IMPROVED TECHNIQUES AND FACILITIES SUCH AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICE REPORTING CENTRES, ♦HOTLINES^ FOR REPORTING CRIME AND THE EXPANSION OF THE BEAT RADIO SCHEME TO COVER WIDER AREAS-

* NEW DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS A SCHEME WHEREBY MINOR CRIMES CAN BE INVESTIGATED BY UNIFORMED CONSTABLES- AND AN EXPERIMENT WHEREBY CRIMES MAY ALSO BE REPORTED BY POSTAGE-PAID LETTER- AND

* THE EXPANSION OF THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU.

♦ IN ADDITION, A CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY HAS RECENTLY BEEN CONDUCTED IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEFINE THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF CRIME AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT IS REPORTED.

♦ THE SURVEY PROVIDES A BASELINE AGAINST WHICH TO MEASURE FLUCTUATIONS IN FUTURE LEVELS OF CRIME AND REPORTING BEHAVIOUR. IT IS ALSO OF ASSISTANCE TO THE POLICE IN DEPLOYING THEIR MANPOWER TO THE BEST EFFECT,+ MR. DAVIES SAID.

-----O----- /6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

- 6 -WORK ON JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE TO START SOON * * * *

WORK ON THE FIRST PHASE OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE IN SHA TIN IS EXPECTED TO START SOON.

UPON COM°LETION IN MAY 1982, THE FACILITIES IN THE CENTRE MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE USE OF THE FAR EAST AND SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES FOR THE DISABLED (FESPIC GAMES), TO BE HOSTED BY HONG KONG IN OCTOBER 1982.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON. LI FOOK-WO WHEN HE TABLED THE 2ND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BOARD FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1979, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE BOARD, MR. LI SAID, HAD RECEIVED SOME $12.6 MILLION DURING THE YEAR FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE QUEEN’S SILVER JUBILEE APPEAL IN HONG KONG.

+IN ADDITION TO MATCHING THIS SUM, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS RECENTLY AGREED UPON A SECOND GENEROUS DONATION OF $70 MILLION.

♦TOGETHER WITH THE $25 MILLION TO BE CONTRIBUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $120 MILLION AVAILABLE TO START THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.♦

MR. LI RECALLED THAT WHEN AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE CENTRE WAS HELD LAST YEAR, NO LESS THAN 73 ENTRIES AND 52 SETS OF PLANS AND DRAWINGS WERE RECEIVED.

HE NOTED THE PANEL OF JUDGES, HEADED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES, DID NOT HAVE AN EASY TASK IN DECIDING ON THE WINNING ENTRY, +SINCE THE SITE COVERS SOME 41 ACRES AND THE COMPETITORS WERE REQUIRED TO DESIGN A GROUP OF BUILDINGS AIMED AT PROVIDING ADEQUATE AND UP-TO-DATE FACILITIES FOR TRAINING THE TALENTED ATHLETE.+

MR. LI SAID MUCH HAD BEEN DONE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NUCLEUS OF THE COACHING STAFF.

A CHIEF COACH WAS APPOINTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND SINCE THEN FIVE SPECIALIST COACHES HAVE ALSO BEEN RECRUITED, RESPONSIBLE RESPECTIVELY FOR TABLE TENNIS, SOCCER, SQUASH, BADMINTON AND FENCING.

♦WITH THESE COACHES NOW AVAILABLE TO TEACH AT GRASS ROOTS LEVEL, THE CENTRE HAS AN IDENTITY AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO PROVIDE TOP LEVEL COACHING FOR LOCAL ATHLETES AND SPORTS MEN AT THE MODERN SPORTS COMPLEX OF LA SALLE COLLEGE.

♦IT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE PUPILS OF LA SALLE COLLEGE FOR TWO EVENINGS IN EVERY WEEK, BUT MORE IMPORTANT, WILL SERVE AS A TEMPORARY VENUE FOR THE PROGRAMME OF TRAINING TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE COACHES OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE UNTIL THE FACILITIES AT SHA TIN ARE READY FOR USE.+

BUT MR. LI POINTED OUT THAT MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE BEFORE THE CENTRE WOULD PLAY ITS COMPREHENSIVE ROLE IN THE GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARDS IN SPORTS. +WITH THE HELP C- THE LOCAL SPORTS COMMUNITY WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT FURTHER PROGRESS WILL BE MADE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD,+ HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

NEW OFFICE TO PROMOTE CULTURAL * * * *

AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES * *

A NEW DIVISION WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH UNDER THE PROPOSED REORGANISATION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE AND CO-ORDINATE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALEX WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI SAID THE RESTRUCTURING IS AIMED AT IMPROVING CO-ORDINATION, PLANNING, MONITORING AND CONTROL OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES- AND SHORTENING THE LINE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POLICY BRANCH AND THE EXECUTIVE ARMS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING SUCH ACTIVITIES.

THE NEW DIVISION WILL BE HEADED BY AN OFFICER AT THE DEPUTY SECRETARY LEVEL AND WILL REQUIRE A SMALL ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT SERVICES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW DIVISION DOES NOT HAVE IMMEDIATE POLICY IMPLICATIONS AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS WILL SHORTLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL.

♦HOWEVER, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT, BY BRINGING TOGETHER ALL POLICY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CULTURE AND RECREATION AS WELL AS EXECUTIVE CONTROL OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURSUE OUR POLICIES EVEN MORE VIGOROUSLY THAN HITHERTO,* MR. LI SAID.

♦THIS NEW DIVISION WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STEERING THE PROGRAMME PLAN FOR THE LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH MUSIC AND THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN MAY OF COURSE INVOLVE NEW POLICIES AND THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ARISING THEREFROM WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN A SEPARATE CHAPTER OF THE PLAN,+ HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

- 8 -

SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION RECEIVES A $15 MILLION BOOST ******

THE GOVERNOR HAS APPROVED THE GRANTING OF $15 MILLION FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND TO ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL, SPORTING, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. F.K. LI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. F.K. HU, MR. LI SAID THE ENLARGED CAPITAL OF THE FUND SHOULD ENHANCE FUTURE INCOME TO AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $2 MILLION A YEAR.

HE SAID AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, IT WAS AGREED THAT ABOUT $500 000 OF THIS FUTURE INCOME SHOULD BE EARMARKED FOR PURCHASES OF RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND THE OCCASIONAL EXPENSES OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHILE THE REMAINDER OF $1.5 MILLION SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE RECREATION FIELD.

♦THIS PROPORTION IS, OF COURSE, SUBJECT TO REVIEW FROM TIME TO TIME,* HE SAID.

MR. LI RECALLED THAT THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION WAS A STATUTORY FUND ESTABLISHED IN 1970 BY PRIVATE DONATIONS AMOUNTING TO $3 MILLION AND IT IS STIPULATED BY LAW THAT ONLY THE INTEREST FROM THE FUND SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED AND THAT THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE EACH YEAR IS IN THE REGION OF $400 000.

+AS THIS SUM IS RELATIVELY SMALL IN RELATION TO TOTAL DEMAND, THE FUND HAS SO FAR CONCENTRATED ON ALLOCATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE PURCHASING OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT.

♦HOWEVER, A PRIVATE DONATION OF $10 MILLION WAS MADE IN 1974 MAINLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TOWARDS THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS,♦ MR. LI SAID.

THE AVERAGE SUM ALLOCATED, ON THE ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, HAS BEEN IN THE REGION OF $1.8 MILLION A YEAR DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR SO.

♦IN ANTICIPATION OF THE EXHAUSTION OF THIS SUBSTANTIAL PRIVATE DONATION, I SOUGHT ADVICE FROM THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES ON THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTS FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR RECREATIONAL PROJECTS,+ MR. LI SAID.

THIS PROPOSAL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONSIDERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH RECOMMENDED THE GRANT OF $15 MILLION FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND TO THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN JULY THIS YEAR.

APART FROM FUNDS ALLOCATED BY THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND, ffi. LI NOTED THAT THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN PROVIDING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ALSO RELIED ON THEIR OWN FUND-RAISING EFFORTS AND ON PRIVATE DONATIONS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

BENEFITS FOR EX-PRISONERS OF WAR * * * *

FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR ARE ENTITLED TO ALL PUBLIC SERVICES, AND TO THE S*ME SOCIAL SECURITY, HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS, AS ANY OTHER RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON. E.P. HO, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LYDIA DUNN.

MR. HO SAID VOLUNTEER PRISONERS OF WAR WHO HAD BEEN DISABLED IN ACTION OR CAPTIVITY, AND THE DEPENDANTS OF THOSE WHO DIED IN CAPTIVITY OR SUBSEQUENTLY BECAUSE OF THEIR INJURIES, ARE ENTITLED TO PENSIONS UNDER THE ROYAL WARRANTS BY VIRTUE OF THE PROVISIONS CF THE VOLUNTEER AND NAVAL VOLUNTEER PENSIONS ORDINANCE.

♦THE CURRENT RATE OF PENSION TO A WIDOW OR TO A VOLUNTEER WHO IS CLASSIFIED AS 100 PER CENT DISABLED IS 25.30 POUND STERLING A WEEK. THERE IS ALSO PROVISION FOR AGE, DEPENDANTS, RENT AND EDUCATION ALLOWANCES. THE AVERAGE CURRENT RATE OF PAYMENT IS ABOUT 25 POUND STERLING A WEEK.+

MR. HO SAID PRISONERS OF WAR WHO CAME WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE AND ARE IN NEED, INCLUDING THOSE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PENSIONS UNDER THE ROYAL WARRANTS, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THIS FUND. +THE CURRENT RATE OF GRANT APPROVED BY THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE IS UP TO $870 A MONTH FOR EACH ELIGIBLE ADULT. CHILDREN’S AND EDUCATION ALLOWANCES ARE ALSO PAYABLE WHERE DUE,+ HE ADDED.

MR. HO POINTED OUT THAT SINCE JULY 1977 PRISONERS OF WAR WHO COME WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE, AND ARE RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND HOSPITALS.

A SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THIS SCHEME IS THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE TREATMENT IN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, WHEN AVAILABLE, AT AN INCLUSIVE MAINTENANCE CHARGE OF $35 A DAY AND $25 A DAY, RESPECTIVELY.

MR. HO SAID OTHER FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WAR MAY APPLY TO THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FAR EASTERN RELIEF FUND, EVEN THOUGH THE INITIAL 3 □□□ POUND STERLING GRANT FROM THE LORD MAYOR’S FUND AND SUBSEQUENT ALLOCATIONS THERETO FROM LOCAL SOURCES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED.

♦THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL HAS VOTED THE NECESSARY MONEYS TO KEEP THE FUND IN BEING. ACCORDINGLY, IF A NEW CASE COMES TO NOTICE, INCLUDING THAT OF A FORMER PRISONER OF WAR, AND THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE CONSIDERS HIM WORTHY OF ASSISTANCE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER INVITING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO VOTE THE APPROPRIATE GRANTS ON A CASE BY CASE BAS IS,+ MR. HO SAID.

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/-io....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

BILL TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM PYRAMID SELLING * * * *

A BILL TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM PYRAMID SELLING SCHEMES WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE CURRENT SESSION, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ROGER LOBO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND IS NOW WITH TWO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED FOR COMMENTS.

THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DUE TO REPLY, IF THEY HAVE ANY COMMENTS, BY DECEMBER 3, HE SAID. IF THEY RAISE NO OBJECTIONS, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE SENT TO INTERESTED BODIES OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT FOR COMMENTS.

IF THERE ARE NO SERIOUS OBJECTIONS, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID: +1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL IN THE CURRENT SESSION.*

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REPORT ON FINANCING OF OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WORKING PARTY ON SUBVENTION ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO GIVE A REPORT ON THE FINANCING OF OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES SHORTLY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT, MR. LEE SAID EARLIER THIS YEAR THE PLANNING AND EVALUATION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A REPORT SUBMITTED BY A WORKING GROUP WHICH HAD BEEN EXAMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FINANCING CF OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES.

♦HOWEVER, THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WORKING PARTY ON SUBVENTION ADMINISTRATION HAVE RATHER OVERTAKEN THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND IT WAS DECIDED TO DEFER FURTHER CONSIDERATION PENDING THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT WHICH IS EXPECTED SHORTLY,+ SAID MR. LEE.

MEANWHILE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ADVISING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES OPERATING OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES TO CHARGE FEES WITHIN THE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS RECEIVED BY THE CLIENTS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL, SAID MR. LEE.

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/11

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

SAI KUNG DEVELOPMENTS OUTLINED BY DISTRICT OFFICER # * * K K

SAI KUNG IS NOW PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BOOSTING THE HOUSING STOCK WITH LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. COLIN BOSHER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE VICTORIA LIONS CLUB, HE SAID THAT SAI KUNG HAD PROVIDED LARGE UNIT HOUSING - THE TYPE WHICH HAD SUFFERED THE GREATEST INFLATION IN PRICES AND RENTS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS. THE STRONG DEMAND FOR HOUSING AND PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT WHICH HE HAD DESCRIBED IN 1978 HAD BEEN UNABATED IN 1979.

MR. BOSHER SAIDi +THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS RELEASED AS MUCH LAND AS POSSIBLE TO TRY TO MEET THE DEMAND, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO NEXT YEAR.*

IN MARCH A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE OF 2 600 SQUARE METRES (28 000 SQUARE FEET) WITH A PLOT RATIO OF 0.3 AT TAI MONG TSAI WOULD BE SOLD BY AUCTION. IN SUMMER THREE SITES AVERAGING 1 860 SQUARE METRES (20 000 SQUARE FEET) IN AREA WITH PLOT RATIOS OF 0.6, AT SHA HA WOULD BE PUT UP FOR LETTER B TENDER. ALSO IN THE SUMMER, THE SHAW BROTHERS STUDIO DORMITORY COMPRISING 30 FLATS CF 37 TO 93 SQUARE METRES (400 TO 1 000 SQUARE FEET) WOULD BE SOLD AT AUCTION BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE.

MR. BOSHER SAID THAT COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LAND WOULD ALSO BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INCLUDED A 740 SQUARE METRES (8 000 SQUARE FEET) NON-INDUSTRIAL SITE WITH A PLOT RATIO OF ONE, AT RAZOR HILL AND TWO INDUSTRIAL LOTS TOTALLING 4 830 SQUARE METRES (52 000 SQUARE FEET) AT TUI MIN HOI, WITH PLOT RATIOS OF FOUR, TO BE AUCTIONED IN MARCH.

♦DURING THIS’YEAR A SITE OF 61.3 ACRES (24.8 HECTARES) WAS EXCHANGED AT HO CHUNG FOR A $300 MILLION RESIDENTIAL AND MARINA COMPLEX. THE DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 400 THREE-STOREY LUXURY HOME UNITS, LIKELY TO HOUSE OVER 2 000 PEOPLE,+ HE SAID.

LOOKING FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD PLANS TO EXTEND THE SAI KUNG TOWN LAYOUT TO THE NORTH AND WEST, AND TO OPEN UP AT LEAST TWO MORE COMPLETELY NEW MINOR RESIDENTIAL LAYOUTS FOR THE SALE OF MORE CROWN LAND FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

+IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE THAT TRAVELLING IS NO LONGER A SERIOUS DISINCENTIVE TO LIVING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. MANY PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING THE LIFE OF A SUBURBANITE, AND FINDING THAT IT HAS MANY COMPENSATING FACTORS.

♦SAI KUNG IS THE ONLY NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT WHICH WILL BENEFIT DIRECTLY FROM THE MTR MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM. TOGETHER WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MAXI-CAB FEEDER ROUTES TO THE MTR STATIONS AT CHOI HUNG AND DIAMOND HILL,+ HE SAID.

/t-'.R. BOSHER ..

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

MR. BOSHER SAID SAI KUNG HAD CONTINUED ITS REGIONAL ROLE IN HONG KONG AS +A CENTRE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION.*

THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAD SEEN THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE COUNTRY PARKS PROGRAMME IN SAI KUNG. MORE LAND HAD BEEN GAZETTED IN THE NAMES OF THE MA ON SHAN AND CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARKS, BRINGING ALL THE MOST SCENIC PARTS OF THE DISTRICT UNDER EXPERT MANAGEMENT.

THE PO LEUNG KUK’S HOLIDAY CAMP AT PAK TAM CHUNG WAS NOW OPEN AND TAKING LARGE NUMBERS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS, YOUNG AND OLD. ENCOURAGED BY THE KUK’S EXAMPLE OTHER ORGANISATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG YOUTH CLUB, THE CANOE UNION AND THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION HAD PUT IN APPLICATIONS FOR LAND.

MR. BOSHER SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS GIVING EVERY ASSISTANCE IT COULD.

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

WHO TRAINING COURSE ON TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS ENDS ******

THE RAVAGES OF THE INSIDIOUS PLAGUE — NARCOTIC ADDICTION — HAVE ATTAINED PANDEMIC PROPORTIONS WORLDWIDE, SAPPING THE ENERGIES OF YOUTH AND THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF NATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. THONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S FIRST INTER-REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE FOR PHYSICIANS ON THE TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG DEPENDENT PERSONS IN HONG KONG.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR. PETER LEE, ALSO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY.

DR. THONG SAID» +THE GROWING CONCERN OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS OVER THIS RAPIDLY SPREADING CANCER IS REFLECTED IN AN INCREASING INVOLVEMENT AT HIGH POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEVELS, IN GREATER EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION AND EXPERTISE, AND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN ALL FIELDS OF ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK.*

HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT IN HONG KONG THERE WERE REAL INDICATIONS OF CONTAINMENT OF THE NARCOTICS ABUSE, AND +IN A WORLD OF ESCALATING PROBLEMS, CONTAINMENT IS PROGRESS.*

HONG KONG’S APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAVE BESET US OVER THE DECADES, HAD BEEN PRAGMATIC, AND IN THIS RESPECT NARCOTICS ADDICTION HAD BEEN NO EXCEPTION, DR. THONG POINTED OUT.

+WE HAVE LEARNT FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THERE IS NO SINGLE SOLUTION, THAT THERE IS NO ACCEPTABLE PANACEA, AND THAT WE MUST PERFORCE ADOPT A MULTI-MODAL ITY APPROACH,* HE EXPLAINED.

/HS SAID ...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

HE SAID DRUG ABUSE WAS AFFECTING NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE MAJOR CITIES AND GREAT URBAN CONNURBATIONS, NOT ONLY INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, BUT IMPOVERISHED FARMERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO WHOM, OPIUM, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS NOT MERELY A SIMPLE MEDICINE, BUT A MEANS OF EXISTENCE AT SUBSISTENCE LEVEL.

♦ NO NATION CAN INNOCULATE ITSELF AGAINST THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE AND iT IS ONLY BY INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND ACTION, AND BY PREVENTIVE MEASURES, IN THE LAST RESORT, THAT IT WILL BE OVERCOME,♦ DR. THONG SAID.

HE ADDED +WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE PATTERNS OF ABUSE VARY FROM REGION TO REGION, AND FROM TIME TO TIME WITHIN THE SAME REGION. WE HAVE NOTED THAT THE CONDITION RESPECTS NO BOUNDARIES, NO CLASS, NO RACE, NO BELIEF.

♦ WE HAVE SEEN THAT NO MAN IS IMMUNE TO THIS DREADFUL SCOURGE GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCE AND OPPORTUNITY.♦

DR. THONG SAID DRUG ABUSE WAS NOT A DISEASE ENTITY IN ITSELF, IT WAS A SYMPTOM OF AN UNDERLYING CONDITION WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY CONCERNED WITH THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND HIS ENVIRONMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

♦ IN THIS RESPECT IT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THE MANY OTHER DISEASE PROCESSES WITH WHICH THE MODERN PHYSICIAN MUST CONCERN HIMSELF.

♦ IN SUCH CASES, IT IS AXIOMATIC THAT SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT ALONE WILL NOT SUFFICE, AND THAT WE MUST DIRECT OUR ATTENTION TO THE ROOT CAUSES,+ HE SAID.

THE MONTH-LONG TRAINING COURSE, WHICH WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 30 BY SIR ALBERT RODRIGUES, WAS PARTICIPATED BY 25 PHYSICIANS FROM AFGHANISTAN, BURMA, EGYPT, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PAKISTAN, THE PHILIPPINES AND THAILAND.

IT WAS AIMED AT PROVIDING AN IN-DEPTH STUDY INTO THE LATEST ANT I-NARCOTICS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION POLICIES AND METHODS IN HONG KONG.

THE INTENSIVE COURSE ALSO PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATING PHYSICIANS TO TAKE A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG’S MULTI-MODAL ITY TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES AND TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF OF THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED.

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CHECKS ON FACTORIES AGAINST EXCESSIVE SMOKE EMISSION X X X X * X

SINCE 1976, OFFICERS FROM THE SMOKE INSPECTORATE AND THE INDUSTRIAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE CARRIED OUT MORE THAN 100 INVESTIGATIONS TO FACTORIES NEAR THE BOARDING SCHOOL OVERLOOKING DIAMOND HILL TO ENSURE THAT SMOKE EMISSION IN THE AREA IS KEPT WITHIN LEGAL LIMITS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT.

/MR. HENDERSON .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

MR. HENDERSON SAID THE OFFICERS HAD ALSO GIVEN TECHNICAL ADVICE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BLEACHING AND DYEING FACTORIES ON HOW TO ABATE OR AVOID DARK SMOKE EMISSION. ONE OF THE FACTORIES WHICH FAILED TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE WAS PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED ON TWO OCCASIONS.

+IN GENERAL, FACTORY MANAGEMENTS HAVE NOW CONTROLLED THE EMISSIONS TO BE WITHIN THE STATUTORY LIMITS UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE,* HE ADDED.

MR. HENDERSON SAID OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION WOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FACTORIES IN THE AREA UNDER SURVEILLANCE TO ENSURE THE SMOKE EMISSION WOULD NOT EXCEED THE LEGAL LIMITS AS SET DOWN IN THE CLEAN AIR ORDINANCE.

+ l AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT SINCE MISS BENNETT LAST ASKED A QUESTION IN THIS COUNCIL ON ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECRUIT A FURTHER SEVEN INSPECTORS,* HE POINTED OUT.

- - o - _

LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL ft ft ft ft ft

THE LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1979 WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES AND SOME SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, THE HON. GERALD NAZARETH OUTLINED THE VARIOUS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AS FOLLOWSi

ft TO AMEND SECTION 5 OF THE JURY ORDINANCE BY DELETING REFERENCES TO THE FORMER DESIGNATION AND REPLACE THEM WITH REFERENCES TO THE NEW DESIGNATION OF THOSE OFFICES CHANGED IN THE RE-CONSTITUTION OF THE SUPREME COURT. THIS SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE CONFERS UPON THE WIVES OF HOLDERS OF CERTAIN JUDICIAL OFFICES EXEMPTION FROM SERVICE AS JURORS.

ft TO REPLACE AN INACCURATE REFERENCE IN THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE TO A SPECIALLY ENDORSED WRIT WITH A REFERENCE TO A WRIT ENDORSED WITH A STATEMENT OF CLAIM WHICH IS ACTUALLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE SUPREME COURT RULES.

ft ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO DETERMINE THE RATE OF INTEREST BY ORDERS. SUCH ORDERS WILL AS USUAL HAVE TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

ft TO PROVIDE FOR THE NECESSARY DELETIONS AND AMENDMENTS OF CERTAIN FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP RULES FOLLOWING THE REPEAL OF SECTION 10 OF THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ORDINANCE.

/•TO INCLUDE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

* TO INCLUDE IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE THE DEFINITION OF +MORTGAGE+ WHICH WAS FORMERLY DEFINED BUT RECENTLY DELETED IN THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE, SUBJECT TO MINOR MODIFICATION.

* TO PROVIDE FOR AMENDMENTS THAT ARE CONSEQUENTIAL UPON THE TRANSFER OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES FROM THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.

* TO AMEND THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY INCORPORATION ORDINANCE BY SUBSTITUTING THE DESIGNATION +SECRETARY+ WITH ^EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR* WHICH HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE SOCIETY.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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HK’S IMAGE OVERSEAS PROJECTED IN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUES ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS PAYING GREATER ATTENTION TO HONG KONG’S IMAGE OVERSEAS IN THE ISSUE OF COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS AND FIRST DAY COVERS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALEX WU, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID FOR THE LAST TWO COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ISSUES THIS YEAR, THE ENVELOPES HAVE CONTAINED A CARD ELABORATING ON THE THEME OF THE STAMP.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT ONE OF THE OBJECTS OF COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES IS TO PROJECT HONG KONG’S IMAGE ABROAD.

OF THE THREE THEMES CHOSEN FOR THIS YEAR, +HONG KONG INDUSTRIES* AND +THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY* WERE CLEARLY PICKED WITH HONG KONG’S IMAGE OVERSEAS IN MIND, HE SAID. AND THE THIRD, ♦HONG KONG BUTTERFLIES*, WHILE PERHAPS OF GREATER APPEAL TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG MUST HAVE CREATED SOME INTEREST ABROAD.

HOWEVER, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID *ORD INARY STAMPS* ARE THE DEFINITIVE ISSUE OF STAMPS IN NORMAL USE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND IT IS NOT DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO PROJECT HONG KONG’S IMAGE ABROAD.

+BUT ONE OF OUR OBJECTS, WITH HONG KONG’S IMAGE AT LEAST IN MIND, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS DESIGNED TASTEFULLY,* HE ADDED.

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/16.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

FUNDS FOR CDO TO CARRY OUT * * * *

URGENT LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS * *

THE STRENGTHENING OF THE CITY INCLUDE THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO WORKS.

DISTRICT OFFICE SCHEME WILL CARRY OUT URCENT LOCAL PUBLIC

IT WILL BE SIMILAR TO THOSE ALLOWED TO THE DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS.

THIS WAS STATED BY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIR , THE HON. JOHN WALDEN IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

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FIVE BILLS PASSED * * *

FIVE BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEG SLAT IVE CUTOIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY WERE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1979- THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1979- THE PROBATION OF OFFENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979- THE HAWKER CONTROL FORCE (REPEAL) BILL 1979 AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

- 17

176 DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES INSPECTED IN NT

******

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OFFICERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CARRIED OUT A FULL-SCALE CHECK ON DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE OFFICERS CONCENTRATED THEIR CHECK ON VEHICLES CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS BUT NOT LICENSED TO DO SO AND VEHICLES CARRYING KEROSENE IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.

DURING THE FOUR-HOUR OPERATION LED BY ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICERS MR. CHEUNG CHI-WAH AND MR. CHIU WIN-PO, A TOTAL OF 176 DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED OF WHICH SIX WERE FOUND TO BE UNLICENSED- 12 CONVEYING MIXED STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS WITHOUT THE NECESSARY ENDORSEMENTS ON THEIR LICENCES TO ALLOW THEM TO DO SO AND 13 REQUIRED RE-INSPECTION BY FPB OFFICERS CONCERNING MINOR DEFECTS IN THEIR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. ONE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE UNATTENDED TO.

IN THE OPERATION, FPB OFFICERS DIVIDED INTO TEN TEAMS BEGAN THEIR CHECKS FROM 8.30 AM IN TSUEN WAN, YUEN LONG, KAM TIN, SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, SHEUNG SHU I, TAI PO, FANLING, TAI LAM CHUNG AND KWAI CHUNG.

IN KAM TIN, TWO UNLICENSED DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES WERE DISCOVERED OF WHICH ONE WAS FOUND USING 17 FOUR-GALLON PLASTIC CONTAINERS TO CONVEY KEROSENE. THE REMAINING FOUR UNLICENSED VEHICLES WERE FOUND IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY UPON CONVICTION FOR USING AN UNLICENSED VEHICLES TO CONVEY DANGEROUS GOODS WAS A FINE OF $8 000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

HE ADDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR USING PLASTIC CONTAINERS TO CONVEY KEROSENE WAS A FINE OF |5 000 AND TWO MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

♦THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONVEYING MIXED STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND UNATTENDED DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLE IS A FINE OF $1 000,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

COMMENTING ON TODAY’S OPERATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RESULTS WERE QUITE SATISFACTORY BSCAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES INSPECTED WERE LICENSED AND ALL THEIR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WERE COMPLIED WITH.

♦WE SENT LETTERS TO VARIOUS OIL COMPANIES AND AGENTS IN SEPTEMBER REMINDING THEM OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS, SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND PARTICULARLY THAT FOUR-GALLON PLASTIC CONTAINERS MUST NOT BE USED TO CONVEY KEROSENE.

♦THE FACT THAT ONLY A FEW PLASTIC CONTAINERS WERE SEIZED TODAY SHOWS THAT GENERALLY ALL OIL COMPANIES AND AGENTS ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO CO-OPERATE,♦ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

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

/18 ....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

- 18

NOTE TO EDITORSi

GRANT OF YUEN LONG SITE TO POK Ol HOSPITAL

* * * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GRANT A SITE IN YUEN LONG TO THE POK Ol HOSPITAL TO BUILD STAFF QUARTERS AS PART OF THE HOSPITAL’S EXPANSION PROGRAMME.

THE GRANT, BY PRIVATE TREATY, WILL BE SIGNED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 4 PM.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SIGNING CEREMONY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING BEFORE 3.45 PM WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY INFORMATION OFFICERS OF NTA.

-----0-----

KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE MOVES TO NEW PREMISES

******

THE KWAI CHUNG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PRESENTLY IN CHARTERED BANK BUILDING, TAI PO ROAD, TSUEN WAN, WILL MOVE TO ITS NEW OFFICE IN SHING WAH BUILDING, 31 SHING FONG STREET, THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS, KWAI CHUNG THIS FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

TO FACILITATE THE REMOVAL, THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY. IT WILL RESUME OPERATION ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) WHEN ALL ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE NEW OFFICE AT TELEPHONE 12-209204.

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/19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1979

SPEED LIMIT IN ABERDEEN ******

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A SPEED LIMIT OF 30 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE IMPOSED IN NEW SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND A SECTION OF SHEK PAI WAN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH TIN WAN HILL ROAD AND NEW SHEK PAI WAN ROAD IN ABERDEEN FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

- - 0 - -

WATER CUT * * *

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR NINE HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) TO FACILITATE ESSENTIAL WORK ON THE SUPPLY SYSTEM.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HEUNG YIP ROAD, YIP FAT STREET, WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AND WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979.

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

WALLA-WALLA FARE INCREASES.................................... 1

NEW RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE IN KO /LOON ....................... 2

INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT MOVES TO WINDSOR HOUSE.............. 2

MOST NT SWIMMING FACILITIES TO CLUSE FOR WINTER................3

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ............... 4

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND INDUSTRY ............ 4

GOVERNMENT GRANTS LAND TO POK 01 HOSPITAL..................... 5

PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE SALE CF FIRST TUSN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE.............................................. 6

DSW VISITS NON-PROFIT MAKING NURSERY ......................... 6

CAS TO HOLD ANNUAL SPORTS DAY ................................ 7

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHAU KEI .VAN ......................... 8

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ....................................Q

. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

WALLA-WALLA FARE INCREASES

* ft * *

THE HIRE CHARGES FOR WALLA-WALLAS WILL BE INCREASED WITH EFFECT FROM SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1).

THE INCREASES WILL BE 100 PER CENT FOR MOST OF THE HIRINGS BOTH ON TIME AND JOURNEY BASIS.

THE FARE FOR THE LATE NIGHT WALLA-WALLA SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AND QUEEN'S PIER WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.50 TO $3.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW RATES WERE AGREED FOLLOWING LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONGKONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR BOATS ASSOCIATION AND A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE FUTURE VIABILITY OF THE OPERATION OF WALLA-WALLA SERVICES AGAINST THE RISING OPERATION COSTS, PARTICULARLY FOR CREWS AND FUEL.

DETAILS OF THE NEW CHARGES WILL BE DISPLAYED BOTH IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH IN EVERY BOAT AND AT THE WALLA-WALLA BOOKING OFFICES.

THE LAST INCREASE FOR WALLA-WALLA CHARGES WAS IN APRIL 1977.

THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE FOR WALLA-WALLAS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1 IS AS FOLLOWS i

PERIOD OF HIRE

BOATS LICENSED BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY BETWEEN TO CARRY MORE 30 AND 50 THAN 50

PASSENGERS PASSENGERS

(1) ANY PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 40 MINUTES

(2) ANY PERIOD BETWEEN 40 MINUTES AND 1 HOUR

(3) EACH SUBSEQUENT PERIOD OF

20 MINUTES OR PART THEREOF

$34

$50

$16

$40

$60

$20

BOATS LICENSED BOATS LICENSED CROSS

TO CARRY TO CARRY MORE HARBOUR

BETWEEN 30 AND THAN 50 (PER

JOURNEY CATEGORY 50 PASSENGERS PASSENGERS HEAD)

(4) SHORT DISTANCE (UP TO AO MINUTES) $30 $40 S3

(5) MEDIUM DISTANCE (UP TO 1 HOUR) $50 $60

(6) LONG DISTANCE (OVER ONE HOUR) $66 $80 —

-----o-----

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

NEW RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE IN KOWLOON ******

THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A NEW RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE IN YAU MA TEI ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) TO COPE WITH THE GROWING DEMAND FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS BY LOCAL RESIDENTS TRAVELLING TO CHINA AND MACAU.

THE NEW OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES IS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING TEMPORARY OFFICE IN MORRISON STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID WITH THE OPENING OF THIS OFFICE, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE WORKLOAD OF OTHER BRANCH OFFICES WILL BE CONSIDERABLY EASED.

THE CANTON ROAD OFFICE TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE IN RUMSEY STREET, CENTRAL ONLY DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF RE-ENTRY PERMITS TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING TO AND FROM CHINA AND MACAU.

LIKE OTHER BRANCH OFFICES, THE NEW OFFICE WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS- AND 9 AM TO 12.30 PM ON SATURDAYS.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TRAVEL DURING THE COMING CHRISTMAS AND LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS TO APPLY EARLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO AVOID LAST MINUTE RUSH.

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

INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT MOVES TO WINDSOR HOUSE

* * * *

SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE MOVING TO WINDSOR HOUSE AT 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY DURING THE NEXT FORTNIGHT.

THE MOVE TO THE NEW ADDRESS IS THE DEPARTMENT’S STAGE II REMOVAL. THE FIRST STAGE ALREADY TOOK PLACE IN JUNE THIS YEAR.

IN THE CURRENT STAGE OF REMOVAL, THE PROFITS TAX SECTION (UNIT 1) IN PERMANENT COMFORT BUILDING AND WORLD TRADE CENTRE WILL MOVE TO 21ST TO 25TH FLOORS WINDSOR HOUSE ON DECEMBER 1, 2, 8 AND 9.

THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE AND THE HEADQUARTERS UNIT IN BASKERVILLE HOUSE WILL MOVE TO 26TH FLOOR WINDSOR HOUSE ON DECEMBER 15 AND 16 WHILE THE INVESTIGATION SECTION (UNIT 4) IN BASKERVILLE HOUSE IS SCHEDULED TO MOVE TO 20TH FLOOR ON DECEMBER 16.

SECTIONS NOW OPERATING IN WINDSOR HOUSE INCLUDE THE INSPECTORATE, DEFAULT, COLLECTIONS, STAMP DUTY, BUSINESS REGISTRATION AND ESTATE DUTY, COMPUTER, TRAINING, PROPERTY TAX, INTEREST TAX, PERSONAL ASSESSMENT AND SALARIES TAX.

/A SPOKESMAN ..

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): +ON COMPLETION OF THE STAGE II REMOVAL, ALL SECTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE ABLE TO WORK UNDER ONE ROOF, AND THIS IS BENEFICIAL BOTH TO THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS TO THE PUBLIC.*

♦MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE ANY QUERIES CONCERNING THE SERVICES OF THE UNITS DURING THE COURSE OF THE REMOVAL OPERATION ARE ADVISED TO CALL 5-7959-1111,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE MOVE.

- - 0 - -

MOST NT SWIMMING FACILITIES TO CLOSE FOR WINTER * * * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSE THE KWAI CHUNG SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND FACILITIES AT ALL GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) UNTIL THE END OF NEXT FEBRUARY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) +IN VIEW OF THE COLD WINTER WEATHER WHEN FEWER PEOPLE GO SWIMMING, WE SHALL BE CLOSING THE KWAI CHUNG SWIMMING POOL FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR+.

+THIS WINTER, THE WORK WILL INCLUDE CLEARING REFUSE FROM INSIDE THE FILTRATION PLANT, REPLACING THE DAMAGED MOSAIC TILES AND CHECKING THE CHLORINATOR AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF THE SWIMMING POOLS.+

♦HOWEVER,♦ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, +SWIMMERS IN THE FANLING AREA WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE HEATED POOL OF THE FANLING SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WHICH WILL OPERATE THREE SESSIONS A DAY DURING THIS PERIOD FROM 9.45 AM TO 12 NOON, 1 PM - 4 PM AND 4.30 PM - 6.45 PM.+

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP

*****

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR JACK CATER, WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO BE HELD AT THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH CAMP ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 4).

THE CAMP, THE THIRD OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN ASIA, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AND THE ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ASSOCIATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY PARTICIPANTS FROM 11 COUNTRIES. THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA, THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WILL PERFORM DURING THE CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE 1979 ASIAN YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 4). PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. A VAN WILL LEAVE THE'KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 1.20 PM FOR THE UNIVERSITY STATION WHERE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE TAKEN TO THE CAMP BY A LAUNCH. THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THIS FACILITY SHOULD CONTACT MR. CHARLES FOO OF THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE AT TELt 5-283257.

- - 0 - -

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND INDUSTRY * * * *

A PAPER WILL SHORTLY BE CIRCULATED AMONG INDUSTRIALISTS AND EDUCATIONAL GROUPS PROPOSING A FRAMEWORK OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THE SCHOOL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE 7TH SPEECH DAY CUM 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ISLAMIC COLLEGE IN ITS SCHOOL HALL IN CLOUDVIEW ROAD, NORTH POINT.

♦THERE SHOULD BE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN SCHOOLS TOWARDS THE WORLD OF WORK AND AN EQUALLY POSITIVE ATTITUDE IN INDUSTRY TOWARDS THE SCHOOLS FROM WHICH THE FUTURE WORKERS AND MANAGERS WILL BE COM I NG,+ MR. TOPLEY SAID.

THEREFORE, HE FELT IT WAS NOW TIME FOR THE TWO PARTIES TO FORM A COMMON PURPOSE AND A COMMON PLAN OF CO-OPERATION.

♦MY DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY BE CIRCULATING IN INDUSTRIAL AND EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES A PAPER WHICH MAKES PROPOSALS -OR A FRAMEWORK OF CO-OPERATION AND SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHEN AND HOw TO START,+ THE DIRECTOR SAID.

THE PAPER WOULD PROPOSE WAYS AND MEANS ON HOW THE WORLD OF WORK AND THE WORLD OF LEARNING COULD MOVE TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.

/MJ. /op:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

MR. TOPLEY SAID CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND INDUSTRY WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE PREPARATION FOR THE WORKING WORLD WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF SCHOOL LIFE.

♦IT IS POSSIBLE TO RECEIVE JUST AS NASTY A CULTURAL SHOCK EY ENTERING THE WORKING WORLD AS BY GOING TO LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

♦BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT INDUSTRY, THE WORLD OF WORK, AND I INCLUDE COMMERCE AND SERVICES, CREATES THE WEALTH THAT SUPPORTS OUR STANDARDS OF LIFE AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREIN,* HE SAID.

MR. TOPLEY COMMENDED THE SCHOOL AND ITS SPONSOR, THE CHINESE MUSLIM CULTURAL AND FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL WORK IN THE PAST DECADE.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE COLLEGE’S CONVERSION TO FULLY AIDED STATUS WHICH WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY 1982.

- - 0 - -

GOVERNMENT GRANTS LAND TO POK 01 HOSPITAL ft ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED A SITE BY PRIVATE TREATY TO POK 01 HOSPITAL IN YUEN LONG TO BUILD A STAFF QUARTERS AS PART OF ITS EXPANSION PROGRAMME.

THE LEASE FOR A 2 192 SQUARE METRE SITE AT AU TAU NEAR YUEN LONG WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN MR. JOHN TODD, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND MR. SIMON YEUNG CHUN-POI, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE CONSTRUCTED CONTAINING QUARTERS FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES WHO ARE REQUIRED TO RESIDE AT THE HOSPITAL ON OPERATIONAL GROUNDS. SIX OF THE QUARTERS WILL BE FOR MARRIED PERSONNEL, TWO FOR SENIOR NURSING STAFF AND THE REMAINING 14 FOR OTHER NURSING STAFF.

COST OF THE QUARTERS WILL BE $7.42 MILLION, OF WHICH GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE $5.57 MILLION. THE BUILDING COVENANT IS $1.54 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 36 MONTHS.

THE HOSPITAL IS TO EXPAND IN FIVE PHASES UP TO 1984/65, AT A COST OF ALMOST $41 MILLION. THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME INCLUDES VARIOUS EXTENSIONS, MORE STAFF QUARTERS, THE WIDENING OF AN ACCESS ROAD AND NEW OUT-PATIENT AND CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS. THE NUMBER CF BEDS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 218 AT PRESENT TO 290.

- - 0 -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE SALE OF FIRST TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE

* * * *

A PUBLIC AUCTION FOR A 1.068 HECTARE SITE, THE FIRST TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE, WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 22 NEXT YEAR.

A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE AUCTION AND DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN WHICH WILL BECOME A MAJOR CITY OF 580 000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-1980’S WILL BE HELD AT THE CHIEF RESIDENT ENGINEER’S OFFICE, TUEN MUN AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE PROJECT MANAGER, TUEN MUN, MR. STAN BARDEN, AND THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. L.Y. LEUNG TO OUTLINE THE DEVELOPMENTS AND ANSWER PRESS QUESTIONS.

RADIO AND TELEVISION BE ARRANGED.

INTERVIEWS IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH WILL

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CONFERENCE. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. TWO GOVERNMENT VANS (AM 2088 AND AM 3214), WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER FOR TUEN MUN AT 1.45 PM AND RETURN MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES BACK TO KOWLOON AFTER THE CONFERENCE.

THOSE WISHING TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY SHOULD USE THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, AND TURN RIGHT AT THE TUEN MUN ROUNDABOUT ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD. THE CHIEF RESIDENT ENGINEER’S OFFICE IS SITUATED ON THE LEFT OF THE CHI LOK FA YUEN DEVELOPMENT SITE.

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

DSW VISITS NON-PROFIT MAKING NURSERY * * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE CHIU YANG DAY NURSERY IN SHEUNG WAN, WHICH IS A NON-PROFIT MAKING AND SELF-SUPPORTING CHILD-CARE CENTRE.

WAS PART 0F A SERIES BY MR. LEE TO INSTITUTIONS AND CENTRES RUN BY VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES TO KEEP HIMSELF INFORMED OF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

HE CALLED ON THE NURSERY THIS AFTERNOON AND WAS GREETED BY OFFICIALS OF THE CHIU YANG RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.

THE SETTING UP OF NON-PROFIT MAKING AND SELF-SUPPORTING NURSERIES HAS BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CATER FOR MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES WHO CAN NEITHER AFFORD HIGH CHARGES BY PRIVATE NURSERIES NOR BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDISED CHILD-CARE PLACES.

/OPERATED BY

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

OPERATED BY THE ASSOCIATION AND OPENED IN MARCH LAST YEAR, THE C.ilU VANG DAY NURSERY IS THE SECOND SUCH NURSERY SET UP IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S APPEAL.

W ITH A CAPACITY FOR 60, THE NURSERY PROVIDES CHILD-CARE OF HIGH STANDARD TO CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX AT A REASONABLE CHARGE OF $250 A MONTH TO MEET THE NEED OF WORKING PARENTS FROM THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP.

DURING THE VISIT, MR. LEE INSPECTED THE FACILITIES AT THE NURSERY AND DISCUSSED WITH THE NURSERY STAFF ABOUT ITS DAILY OPERATIONS.

APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION CAN BE MADE AT THE NURSERY WHICH IS ON THE SECOND .FLOOR OF FUNG LOK COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN 157-163 «ING LOK STREET, SHEUNG WAN.

- - 0 - -

CAS TO HOLD ANNUAL SPORTS DAY * * * X

THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL SPORTS DAY AT THE PERTH STREET SPORTS GROUND IN KOWLOON CITY ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2).

THE ATHLETIC MEET, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8.30 AM, WILL INCLUDE TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AND AN INVITATION RELAY WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TAKING PART.

THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR. ROGER LOBO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AFTER THE EVENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CAS SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET IS ONE OF THE MANY RECREATIONAL FUNCTIONS ORGANISED FOR CAS MEMBERS OTHER THAN THEIR NORMAL TRAINING IN FIRST AID, MOUNTAIN SEARCH AND RESCUE, COMMUNICATION AND OTHER OPERATIONAL DUTIES.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CAS ANNUA SPORTS DAY T0 BE HELD AT THE PERTH STREET SPORTS GROUND, KOWLOON CITY ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 5.30 PM.

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1979

PLB PROHIBITED ZONE IN SHAU KEI WAN

* * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A SECTION OF NAM HONG STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND NAM ON STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PROHIBITED ZONE FROM SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1).

ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE AREA EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED’ IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP IN THE AREA TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITED ZONE.

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

WATER CUT IN TSIM SHA TSUI

* * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SIX HOURS FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY (DECEMBER 1) FOR A LEAKAGE TEST.

THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD, INCLUDING HANKOW ROAD, MIDDLE ROAD, ASHLEY ROAD, THE STAR FERRY PIER AND NEW WORLD HOTEL.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1979

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE FOR SALE ........................ 1

ELEVATED HIGHWAY IN NORTH POINT PROPOSED .................. 2

CAREERS ’8O EXHIBITION OPENS .............................. J

NEW HEALTH CENTRE IN LEI MUK SHUE.......................... 4

COLLECTION OF CROWN REFT IN NT AND NEW KOWLOON............. J

YUEN LONG GETS SQUASH COURTS .............................. 5

NE'/ DETENTION CENTRE FOR PRISONS DEPARTMENT............... 6

LEGCO COUNCILLOR TAKES SALUTE AT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PASSING-OUT PARADE ............................... 6

NEW SWD DISTRICT OFFICE IN SHAN SHUI PO.................... 7

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG ISLAND’S ’WALKS FOR MILLIONS’ ON SUNDAY ............................ 7

16 ASSISTANT FIRE OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING .............. 8

STREET CLOSURES FOR MTR TSUEN WAN DEPOT ................... 9

CHIEF TECHNICIAN OF WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT RETIRING ............................................... 9

PERMANENT CLOSURE OF MARKET STREET TO TRAFFIC PROPOSED.................................................. 10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITE FOR SALE ******

THE PLAN TO DEVELOP TUEN MUN INTO A MAJOR TOWN CENTRE OF 580 000 PEOPLE BY THE MID-1980S WILL MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY WHEN THE FIRST SITE AT ITS NEW TOWN CENTRE WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON JANUARY 22.

MEASURING 1.068 HECTARES, THE LOT HAS A BUILDING COVENANT OF $202 MILLION TO BE FULFILLED WITHIN 56 MONTHS. THE PLOT RATIO IS FIVE FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES AND AN ADDITIONAL 1.22 FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES.

UNDER THE SALE CONDITIONS THE PURCHASER WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A FOUR-LEVEL PODIUM.

ON LEVELS 1 (GROUND) AND 2, A RANGE OF FACILITIES, INCLUDING OPEN ARCADES, COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONES AND PARKING AND SERVICE AREAS, WILL BE PROVIDED. LEVEL 3 WILL BE AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL ZONE, WHILE LEVEL 4 WILL BE LANDSCAPED AND ALSO HAVE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND. TWO-WAY ESCALATORS WILL SERVE LEVELS 1-3.

OUTSIDE THE PODIUM AREA AT LEVEL 1 THERE WILL BE EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING AND A PEDESTRIAN WAY.

THERE WILL BE TWO DOUBLE AND ONE SINGLE CRUCIFORM STYLE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS CONTAINING 1 128 FLATS.

THE SENIOR ESTATE SURVEYOR, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, MR. L.Y. LEUNG, SAID A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN THE SALE FROM BIG DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS WAS EXPECTED. HE SAID BIDDING WAS LIKELY TO BE VERY KEEN.

HE SAID WHEN FULLY COMPLETED THE TOWN CENTRE WOULD BECOME A FOCAL POINT WITH FACILITIES SERVING BOTH THE TOWN ITSELF AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY WOULD PASS THROUGH THE TOWN CENTRE.

HE SAID THERE WOULD BE SIX MORE TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE SITES TOTALLING FIVE HECTARES TO BE SOLD IN PACKAGE DEALS OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS. ALL WOULD CONSIST OF A PODIUM STRUCTURE AND WOULD BE DEVELOPED BY PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.

IN THE TOWN CENTRE, THERE WILL BE EIGHT DOUBLE AND SEVEN SINGLE CRUCIFORM STYLE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS OF UP TO 29 STOREYS EACH. THESE WOULD HOUSE 26 000 PEOPLE IN 5 000 UNITS.

A CIVIC AND CULTURAL CENTRE WILL BE BUILT IN THE TOWN CENTRE, TO INCLUDE AN AUDITORIUM, A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A LIBRARY, A POST OFFICE, A MAGISTRACY AND A BUS STATION.

/A POLYCLINIC .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1979

- 2 -

A POLYCLINIC AND A PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE TOWN CENTRE.

AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE TOWN CENTRE WILL BE DEVELOPED AS THE TOWN PARK.

CAR PARKS WILL BE BUILT TO PROVIDE 2 OOO PARKING SPACES FOR VISITORS AND 500 SPACES FOR RESIDENTS.

MR. LEUNG SAID CAREFULLY DEVISED CONTROL DRAWINGS AND LEASE CONDITIONS WOULD ENSURE HIGH AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT.

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

ELEVATED HIGHWAY IN NORTH POINT PROPOSED M * M M

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO BUILD AN ELEVATED HIGHWAY TO FORM PART OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND’S EASTERN CORRIDOR IN AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEA BED EAST OF HEALTHY STREET WEST IN NORTH POINT.

THE AREA GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) IS A STRIP OF LAND MEASURING ABOUT FIVE HECTARES AND IS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY AND ANCILLARY WORKS.

A PWD SPOKESMAN SAIDi +THE SPACE TO BE OCCUPIED AFTER CONSTRUCTION WILL BE CONSIDERABLY LESS, TAKEN UP ONLY BY COLUMNS SUPPORTING THE DECK OF THE ELEVATED HIGHWAY AND CERTAIN PIER EXTENSIONS WITHIN THIS AREA.+

MAR,NE ACCESS WILL STILL BE POSSIBLE BETWEEN THE PILE CAPS•

COPIES OF A NOTICE IN BOTH CHINESE RELATED PLAN HAVE BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE

AND ENGLISH WITH ITS BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.

THE PLAN MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT PWD’S PORT W0RK9 cidct

MURRAY BUILDING, OR THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE

19TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUlLDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. °FF'CE'

0--------

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

- 3 -

CAREERS *80 EXHIBITION OPENS ft * ft ft ft ft

THE CHAIRMAN OF WORLD-WIDE SHIPPING GROUP, SIR YUE-KONG PAO, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE FOR HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE OF CAREER.'

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EIGHTH ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE KOWLOON RAIL TERMINUS, SIR YUE-KONG SAID THAT SINCE 1968 THE SERVICE HAD BEEN HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE TO DO THIS.

STRESSING THAT ONE MUST PREPARE BEFORE CHOOSING A CAREER, SIR YUE-KONG OFFERED THE FOLLOWING ADVICE TO JOB-SEEKERS.

♦ONE GOOD WAY TO START IS BY ANALYSING OURSELVES, BY FINDING OUT WHAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES EXIST AND IN WHAT FIELDS, WHAT THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE JOBS ARE AND WHAT JOB OPENINGS WOULD BE WORTH TRYING FOR, GIVEN OUR OWN EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, OUR APTITUDE, ABILITY AND INTEREST.

♦WHILE WE WOULD LIKE TO CHOOSE A ’GOOD’ JOB, WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER TO INDUCE A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER TO CHOOSE US FROM AMONG THE MANY OTHER APPLICANTS.*

SIR YUE-KONG POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICE HAD DONE MUCH TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BY OFFER I NGi

ft GROUP GUIDANCE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOOL TALKS, CAREERS PROGRAMMES, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS"

ft A CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF UP-TO-DATE CAREERS MATERIALS AND INFORMATION IN EITHER WRITTEN OR AUDIO-VISUAL FORM"

ft CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES, EACH CONTAINING A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT AND AN ENQUIRY SERVICE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN SEEK CAREERS ADVICE- AND

ft TRAINING SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES FOR CAREERS TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

IN ADDITION, SIR YUE-KONG SAID, THE SERVICE MOUNTED AN ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION.

♦THIS EVENT HAS, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, ATTRACTED OVER A HUNDRED THOUSAND VISITORS ANNUALLY. CONSIDERABLE EFFORT HAS BEEN PUT INTO IT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EXHIBITORS IN ORDER TO PRESENT AS MUCH CAREERS INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE AND PRESENT IT ATTRACTIVELY TOO.

♦I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE, TEACHERS AND PARENTS WILL VISIT THIS EXHIBITION TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE WIDE RANGE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, FOR THESE JOBS WILL ENABLE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S FURTHER PROSPERITY,* SAID SIR YUE-KONG.

/EARLIER, .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1979

EARLIER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD PAID INCREASING ATTENTION TO THE CHOICE OF CAREERS BY YOUNG PEOPLE. AND EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE BY ALL CONCERNED TO HELP THE YOUNG TO OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK AND ASSIST THEM IN MAKING A START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE CAREERS ’80 WILL OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) UNTIL DECEMBER 10.

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

NEW HEALTH CENTRE IN LEI MUK SHUE ft ft ft ft ft

A NEW HEALTH CENTRE

WILL BE BUILT

----------- IN LEI MUK SHUE

TERRITORIES WITH DONATIONS FROM TWO BROTHERS, MR. WU YEE-SUN AND MR. WU JIEH-YEE IN MEMORY OF THEIR LATE AoTHER YU.

THE NEW

MRS. WU YORK

THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW HEALTH CENTRE LAID BY MR. WU YEE-SUN AT 11 AM ON MONDAY (DECEMBER

WILL BE 3).

THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, MR. E.P. DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. K.L. ATTEND THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY.

HO AND THE

THONG WILL ALSO

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED COVER THE FOUNDATION CENTRE WHICH WILL BE

TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER STONE LAYING CEREMONY FOR A NEW HEALTH HELD AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE IN WO YI e?4?<n2P?OS,TE LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE AND ADJACENT TO THE FIRE qiATION THERE.

HOP

uh. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM

b^VL.^E.^UNCTION 0F SALISBURY ROAD AND HANKOW ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI AT 9.45 AM ON MONDAY.

2366)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

COLLECTION OF CROWN RENT IN NT AND NEW KOWLOON

*****

CROWN RENTS FOR LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OR NEW KOWLOON TOTALLING LESS THAN $100 PER ANNUM WILL IN FUTURE BE COLLECTED EVERY FIVE YEARS IN ARREARS, INSTEAD OF ANNUALLY AS AT PRESENT.

A NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN BECAUSE COLLECTING SUCH AMOUNTS EVERY YEAR WAS UNECONOMICAL. CROWN RENT EXCEEDING 3100 PER ANNUM WOULD CONTINUE TO BE COLLECTED ANNUALLY.

HE SAID THE NEW MEASURE, IN SO FAR AS IT AFFECTED NEW KOWLOON, RELATED TO LOTS OTHER THAN THOSE REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT RESERVED THE RIGHT, HOWEVER, TO DEMAND PAYMENT OF CROWN RENTS AT ANY TIME AND, IN CASES OF DEFAULT, TO RE-ENTER THE LAND.

THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

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

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YUEN LONG GETS SQUASH COURTS * * * *

FOUR SQUASH COURTS BUILT WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY SIR SHIU-KIN TANG WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED IN YUEN LONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 11 AM.

SIR SHIU-KIN WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY, TOGETHER WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AFTER WHOM THE COURTS HAVE BEEN NAMED.

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. F.K. LI AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL ALSO ATTEND.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY. PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A GOVERNMENT VAN (AM 2088) WILL LEAVE FROM KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 9.30 AM AND RETURN PRESS REPRESENTATIVES THERE AFTER THE CEREMONY. FOR THOSE WISHING TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAYS, THE COURTS ARE SITUATED NEAR ON NING ROAD.

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

NEW DETENTION CENTRE FOR * * *

PRISONS DEPARTMENT *

NE I KWU CHAU DETENTION CENTRE OF PR ISONS DEPARTMENT ON HEI LING CHAU WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE

ITS THE

CENTRE WITH AN ACCOMMODATION FOR 112 INMATES HAS RECEIVED FIRST ADMISSIONS. IT WAS FORMERLY USED BY YOUNG INMATES AT HEI LING CHAU DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE. THESE INMATES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO SEPARATE ACCOMMODATION AT TAI LAM DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE WHERE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW A SPECIALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMME GEARED TO THEIR REQUIREMENTS.

A PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S SPOKESMAN SAIDi ♦THE REASON FOR THE NEED OF A SECOND DETENTION CENTRE IS TO AVOID OVERCROWDING AT SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE FOR DETAINEES UNDER THE AGE OF 21 DUE

TO INCREASED ADMISSIONS.

♦THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AGO AND THEREFORE ACTION WAS FOR THE 14 TO 16 AGE GROUP,+

ANTICIPATED THIS PROBLEM SOME TIME TAKEN TO PLAN A SECOND CENTRE TO CATER HE SAID.

THE PROGRAMME AT NE I KWU CHAU DETENTION CENTRE FOR THIS GROUP OF DETAINEES WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT AT SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE.

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

LEGCO COUNCILLOR TAKES SALUTE AT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS PASSING-OUT PARADE * * * X

AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. WONG PO-YAN TODAY (FRIDAY) TOLD A GROUP OF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING THAT THEY WILL NEED PATIENCE, FAIRNESS AND GOOD HUMOUR IN ADDITION TO EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 79 ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND SEVEN IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PARADE GROUND IN HAPPY VALLEY. MR. WONG TOOK THE SALUTE AT THE PARADE.

MR. WONG SA IDt +EACH DAY, IN THE COURSE OF YOUR WORK YOU WILL BE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE. THESE WILL INCLUDE LEGAL AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WEALTHY BUSINESSMEN AND REFUGEES-PEOPLE FROM MANY COUNTRIES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE.+

TO DEAL PATIENTLY WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR PROBLEMS, TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME PROTECT THE COMMUNITY BY ENFORCING THE IMMIGRATION LAW IS INDEED A REAL CHALLENGE, HE NOTED.

♦LIKE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, I AM SURE YOU HAVE THE DETERMINATION, THE ENTHUSIASM AND THE DEDICATION TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE,♦ MR. WONG SAID.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

NEW SWD DISTRICT OFFICE IN SHAM SHU I PO * * * *

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL OPEN A NEW DISTRICT OFFICE IN SHAM SHU I PO TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO SERVE AS A FOCAL POINT FOR WELFARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.

THE NEW OFFICE ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF SUI SING BUILDING, 202-204 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD WILL ACCOMMODATE THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE IN SHAM SHU I PO WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY LOCATED SEPARATELY ELSEWHERE.

MR. JUSTICE T.L. YANG, HIGH COURT JUDGE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND LOCAL KAIFONG LEADERS WILL PERFORM A RIBBON-CUTTING.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE NEW SWD DISTRICT OFFICE IN SHAM SHU I PO ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF SUI SING BUILDING, 202-204 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

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

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG ISLAND’S ’WALKS FOR MILLIONS’ ON SUNDAY

*****

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S ’WALKS FOR MILLIONS’.

FROM 7.30 AM TO 5.30 PM ON THAT DAY, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING WILL BE IMPLEMENTEDi

* CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM-

* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY FROM THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD-

* LINK ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY FROM BROADWOOD ROAD TO CAROLINE HILL ROAD-

* EASTBOUND TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ALONG TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO BLUE POOL ROAD- AND

* BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM LINK ROAD TO TAI HANG ROAD.

TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BLUE POOL ROAD AND BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL EASTBOUND TRAFFIC EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND MAXICABS FROM 7.30 AM TO 5 PM.

/MOUNT AUSTIN .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER JO, 1979

- 8 -

MOUNT AUSTIN ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES ALONG THE ROAD FROM 7.30 AM TO 3.30 PM.

ALL PARKING SPACES IN LINK ROAD, AND THE CAR PARKS AT WAN CHAI GAP PLAYGROUND, BOWEN ROAD PLAYGROUND AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR THE PETROL STATION WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY.

UNDER THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS, A TEMPORARY TERMINUS WILL BE SET UP FOR CMB ROUTE 11 AT THE JUNCTION OF PERKINS ROAD AND HENDERSON ROAD IN JARDINE’S LOOKOUT. BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND NOON ON SUNDAY BUSES WILL TRAVEL TO CENTRAL VIA PERKINS ROAD INSTEAD CF MOUNT BUTLER ROAD.

THE BUS STOPS FOR EASTBOUND JOURNEYS IN LEIGHTON ROAD OPPOSITE PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 7 AM TO 5.30 PM.

ON THAT DAY. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH CARE IN THE VICINITY OF THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM, STUBBS ROAD ROUNDABOUT, WAN CHAI GAP AND THE PEAK.

TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE ON HAND AND APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS. VEHICLES ILLEGALLY PARKED IN THE AREA WILL BE TOWED AWAY BY POLICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

16 ASSISTANT FIRE OFFICERS COMPLETE TRAINING *****

THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF KOWLOON, MR. FRED JACKSON TODAY (FRIDAY) TOOK THE SALUTE FROM 16 ASSISTANT STATION OFFICERS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED 26 WEEKS BASIC TRAINING AT THE PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL.

SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THESE OFFICERS, MR. JACKSON SAIDt +AS A FIREMAN AND FIRE OFFICER OF MANY YEARS STANDING I FIRMLY BELIEVE YOU HAVE WISELY CHOSEN YOUR FUTURE PROFESSION AND THE MORE YOU PROGRESS AND LEARN THE MORE FASCINATING THE JOB BECOMES-

+IN THE PERIOD SPENT HERE AT PAT HEUNG YOU HAVE LEARNED THE BASIC RUDIMENTS WHICH ARE SO IMPORTANT IF ONE IS TO BUILD A FIRM FOUNDATION,* HE NOTED.

HE TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG LOOKED TO THEM AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, DANGER AND CALAMITY AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD NOT FAIL THEM.

MEANWHILE, THE FIRE SERVICES IS LAUNCHING A MONTH LONG CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT RESPONSIBLE, INTELLIGENT YOUNG MEN TO FILL POSTS OF ASSISTANT STATION OFFICER.

o -------

__________________________/9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

STREET CLOSURES FOR MTR TSUEN WAN DEPOT *****

A NUMBER OF STREETS IN MUK MIN HA WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY FROM JANUARY 1, 1980, TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION CF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY’S TSUEN WAN DEPOT, ACCORDING TO A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO PROVIDE ACCESS FROM ROUTE TWISK TO THE REMAINING PART OF MUK MIN HA VILLAGE.

PLANS SHOWING THE AFFECTED AREAS MAY BE INSPECTED DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AT THE FU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN- CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL- AND THE CROWN LANDS AND SURVEY OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 405 NATHAN ROAD.

THE NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY STIPULATED THAT CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

CLAIMS MUST REACH THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF CLOSURE OF THE STREET OR FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION WHICH IS ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED PECUNIARY LOSS OR DAMAGE.

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

CHIEF TECHNICIAN OF WATER *

SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT RETIRING * * *

THE CHIEF TECHNICIAN OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, M?. DAI BA-KAN IS RETIRING AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. DAI STARTED HIS CAREER IN 1949 AS A DAILY RATED FITTER AT THE LOWEST LEVEL IN THE TECHNICAL GRADE, AND WORKED HIS WAY UP IN THE DEPARTMENT TO CHIEF TECHNICIAN.

AT A CEREMONY IN THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES IN LEIGHTON CENTRE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR. W.D.A. TUCKER, PRESENTED MR. DAI WITH A CASSETTE RADIO RECORDER AS A RETIREMENT GIFT ON BEHALF OF HIS FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

0 - -

/10

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1979

PERMANENT CLOSURE OF MARKET STREET TO TRAFFIC PROPOSED *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT PERMANENT THE EXISTING TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MARKET STREET IN YAU MA TEI TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO AND FROM NATHAN ROAD.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IN VIEW OF THE HEAVY PEDESTRIAN FLOW ON THE WEST SIDE OF NATHAN ROAD AT THIS LOCATION AND ALTERNATIVE VEHICULAR ACCESS BEING AVAILABLE THROUGH PUBLIC SQUARE STREET NEARBY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MARKET STREET SHOULD BE PERMANENT.

♦THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE SAFE OPERATION OF BUS SERVICE IN THE AREA WITHOUT THE CONFLICT OF TRAFFIC THROUGH

MARKET STREET AT THIS JUNCTION.*

MARKET STREET IS NOW TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN NATHAN ROAD FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.

ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE SAID ORDER MUST SEND HIS IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 30, 1979.

ANY PERSON MAKING A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION MUST SEND CLAIM IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SO AS TO REACH HIS OFFICE NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 30, 1980.

THE

OBJECTION THE

HIS

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

Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1979 - NOV - ENG