港史文本 - HK In Texts: Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1984 - FEB

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1983 ...................................................................... 1

SEVERANCE PAY IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED ............................................................................. 9

STRIKE OUT POWER SOUGHT FOR TRIBUNAL .......................................................................... 9

LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED ................................................................................................... 10

TAXPAYERS REMINDED TO PAY IN TIME................................................................................... 11

BIG MARKET-BUILDING PLAN UNDERWAY................................................................................... 13

PEAK TRAMWAY PERMIT FEE.................................................................................................................. 14

LUNAR NEW YEAR TRANSPORT HOURS EXTENDED................................................................ 14

TWO-WAY PEAK ROAD REOPENS FRIDAY...................................................................................... 15

LANTAU TAXI LIMIT - 20 .................................................................................................................. 1$

JOSS STICKS ........................................................................................................................................................ 16

CHE KUNG FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN ............................................................................................... 17

BULLETIN HOLIDAYS .......................................................................................................................... 17

WEDNESDAY, FIB RU ARY 1, 1964

Monetary Statistics for December 1983

Monetary statistics for December 1983 are

published today. The Hong Kong dollar deposit base

expanded for the third consecutive month, as

confidence returned to the Hong Kong dollar. Part of

the Increase nevertheless was probably seasonal as

year-end bonuses were given and interest was credited

to savings accounts. There was during the month also

a seasonal increase in Hong Kong dollar cash held by

the public.

Foreign currency deposits increased again in

December following declines in October and November.

Part of the increase was probably attributable to the

relatively high interbank money market Interest rates

for the Hong Kong dollar prevailing during the month,

which were an attraction for the placing of swap

foreign currency deposits.

/Reflecting ...............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

- 2 -

Reflecting these changes, the money supply on

all definitions grew in December, with the Hong Kong

dollar components recording more rapid increases than

the foreign currency components.

With the exception of loans to finance

visible trade of Hong Kong, loans for use in Hong Kong

fell in December.

Table 1 attached sets out summary figures for

December 1983 and comparisons with earlier months.

Table 2 sets out figures from the quarterly analysis

of loans for use in Hong Kong by sector.

Deposits

6‧ Hong Kong dollar deposits rose further, by

4.02 in December, following an increase of 6.22 in

November. In the three months to December, that is

the last quarter of 1983, these rose by 14.82. By

contrast, there had been a net decrease in the first

three quarters of the year, so that for the year as a

whole the increase, at 13.32, was less than that In

the fourth quarter alone. Foreign currency deposits

rose by 2.42 in December, against a decline of 1.22 in

November. In the thrive months to December, they fell

/ by...............

’WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 19&4

- 3 -

by 5.42, the first quarterly decline since the

abolition of interest withholding tax on foreign

currency deposits in February 1982. For the year as a

whole, however, foreign currency deposits increased by

40.72.

Hong Kong Dollar Money Supply

Hong Kong dollar money supply on all

definitions rose significantly in December. HK$M1

rose by 2.22, reversing the decline of 0.52 in

November. HKjM2 and HK$M3 grew by 3.62 and 4.02

respectively. The corresponding rates of increase in

November were 4.62 and 5.52.

In the three months to December, HK$M1 rose

by 2.52, HKtM2 by 9.42 and HKJM3 by 13.12. Over the

year, the corresponding growth rates were 8.42, 14.82

and 12.62.

Total Money Supply

Total Ml rose by 1.92 after remaining

unchanged in November. Total M2 rose by 3.12 and

total M3 by 3.32 in December, faster than the

respective growth rates of 1.22 and 2.32 in November.

In the three months to December, total Ml rose by

3.02, total M2 by 1.72 and total M3 by 3.92. Over the

year, the corresponding growth rates were 12.42, 24.72

and 23.72.

/Loans .....

Wednesday, febhuahy 1, 1984

Loans and Advances

Loans to finance Hong Kong’s visible trade

increased by 2.1% in December, more than offsetting

the decreases recorded in the previous two months.

Thus,in the last quarter of 1983 these loans grew by

0.7Z and for the year as a whole a growth of 11.9% was

recorded. Other loans for use in Hong Kong fell by

2.3% in December, leading to a fall of 1.82 in the

fourth quarter, but for the year as a whole there was

an increase of 11.5%.

Quarterly Analysis of Other Loans for Use in Hong Kong

The quarterly breakdown of loans for use in

Hong Kong, other than those for financing visible

trade, shows a contraction of 8.6% in loans to the

building, construction and property development sector

in the fourth quarter of 1983. This contrasts with an

Increase of 4.6% in the third quarter and probably

reflects some writing-off of bad debts at the

year-end. The contraction more than offset Increases

in the previous quarters so that for the year as a

whole, there was a decrease of 4.9%. Loans to

individuals to purchase residential property including

flats of the Home Ownership Scheme and Private Sector

/Participation.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 19b4

Participation Scheme recorded further increase, of

3.OX against 5.8% in the third quarter. Over the year

these Increased by 29.9%. Loans to the manufacturing

sector fell by 0.2X compared with an increase in the

third quarter of 2.0%; given the impressive

performance of domestic exports, this slow-down

probably indicated an improvement in the cash flow

position of manufacturers. Over the year such loans

showed an Increase of 10.2%. Loans to the wholesale

and retail trades rose by 7.8% following an increase

of 15.6% in the third quarter. For the year as a whole

the Increase was 29.0%. This possibly reflected the

revival of consumer demand.

Foreign Currency Position

The spot foreign currency position of the

monetary sector showed net foreign currency

liabilities of J14.5 billion at the end of December

compared with J17.8 billion at the end of November.

Banks and depos1t-taking companies recorded net spot

foreign currency liabilities of til.2 billion and t3.3

billion respectively. Statistics collected (on the

basis of slightly different definitions) by the

Commissioner for Banking and Deposit-taking Companies

showed that at the end of December, the monetary

sector had net spot foreign currency liabilities of

tl7.0 billion which was more than covered by the net

forward assets of |41.8 billion. In the last quarter,

/these............

WEDNESDAY, FEBHUaHY 1, 1984

- 6 -

these positions showed parallel contractions of 413.6

billion and J14.3 billion respectively- The falls were

probably associated with decrease in foreign currency

swap deposits as interest withholding tax on Hong Kong

dollar deposits - one of the principal Incentives to

making swap deposits - was removed in October. Over

the year there was a contraction of 12.5 billion in

net spot liabilities but an increase of 14.2 billion

in net forward assets.

Liquidity Ratios

The average liquidity ratio (as defined in

S.18 of the Banking Ordinance) for all banks fell to

51.1Z from 51.8Z in November. The average liquidity

ratio (as defined in S.24A of the Deposit-taking

Companies Ordinance) for all deposit-taking companies

fell to 60.1Z from 61.7Z in November.

Number of Reporting Institutions

The number of licensed banks in operation was

unchanged at 134. One deposit-taking company licence

was revoked on request by the company itself and so

the number of deposit-takIng companies fell by 1 to

The number of registered deposit-taking companies

increased by 1 to 319.

/TABLE 1: ................

.VsSJNESJJAY, FEBHUaH;' 1, 1^84

TABLE 1: HunMARY STATISTICS - December 19H3

Money Supply

Ml - Hh$

Foreign currency

Total

M2 - HKj

Foreign currency

Total

M3 - HK$

Foreign currency

Total

Deposits

Demand deposits

Savings deposits

Time deposits with banks

Time deposits with dtcs

All HK$ deposits

All foreign currency deposits

Total

Loans and advances

To finance Hong Kong’s visible

trade

To finance merchandising trade

not touching Hong Kong

Other loans for use in Hong Kong

Other loans for use outside Hong

Kong

Other loans where the place of use

Is not known

All loans in HF’S

All loans in foreign currencies

Tota 1

i.arl ie

(1 change t

Dec 19b 3

Nov 1983

2E.Z77

27,661 (+2.2X)

2,619

2,665 (-1.7X)

30,896

30,326 (+1.92)

13h,H18

133,962 (+3.6X)

UB.bh7

115,905 (+2.6X)

257,605

249,867 (+3.IX)

163,020

161,529 (+4.02)

143,125

139,760 (+2.4X)

311,146

301,289 (+3.31)

lb,182

18,224 (-0.22)

71,156

69,166 (+2.92)

150,535

145,320 (+3.62)

52,377

50,363 (+4.02)

153,401

147,448 (+4.02)

138,849

135,626 (+2.42)

292,250

283,073 (+3.22)

29,482

28,884 (+2.12)

2,887

3,010 (-4.12)

208,931

213,939 (-2.3.1)

131,497

129,958 (+1.22)

18,555

18,370 (+1.02)

197,175

196,150 (+0.51)

194 , 177

198,0)1 (-1.92)

391,352

394,161 (-0.7+)

(HKimn)

months

December 19H3)

Sep 1983

Dec 1982

27,591 (+ 2.52)

26,086 (+ 8.42)

2,417 (+ 8.42)

1,399 (+87.22)

30,008 (+ 3.01)

27,485 (+12.42)

126,938 (+ 9.42)

120,956 (+14.82)

126,446 (- 6.02)

85,732 (+38.62)

253,384 (+ 1.72)

206,688 (+24.72)

148,528 (+13.12)

149,254 (+12.62)

150,922 (- 5.22)

102,293 (+39.92)

299,450 (+ 3.92)

251,547 (+23.72)

17,544 (+ 3.62)

16,043 (+13.32)

71,150 ( - )

69,590 (+ 2.32)

146,941 (+ 2.42)

104,626 (+43.92)

44,776 (+17.02)

43,813 (+19.52)

133,627 (+14.82)

135,384 (+13.32)

146,785 (- 5.42)

98,688 (+40.72)

280,412 (+ 4.22)

234,072 (+24.92)

29,276 (+ 0.72)

26,339 (+11.927

3,073 (- 6.12)

2,292 (+26.02)

212,802 (- 1.82)

187,321 (+11.52)

127,339 (+ 3.32)

100,951 (+30.32)

21,818 (-15.02)

14,330 (+29.52)

197.05:, (+ 0.12)

182,095 (+ 8.32)

197,253 (- 1.62)

149,138 (+30.22)

394,308 (- 0.72)

331,233 (+18.22)

“ less than 0.0.

/TABLE 2: ...............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

(IIKinm)

Earlier quarters

(t chans? to Dec 1983)

TABLE 2: QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOAN'S FOK USE IN HONG KONG BY M-.CTOR - DECEMBER 1983

Ending Dec 1983

Ending Sep 1983

Ending Jun 1983

Ending Dec 1982

Manufacturing

18,667

18,698 (- 0.2)

18,340 ( + 1.8)

16,935 (+10.2)

Transport and transport equipment

20,778

20,408 ( + 1.8)

17,979 (+15.6)

15,643 (+32.8)

Building, construction and property

47,120

51,536 (- 8.6)

49,271 (- 4.4)

49.536 (- 4.9)

development

Wholesale and retail trade

26,2b4

24,364 (+ 7.8)

21,071 (+24.6)

20,356 (+29.0)

Financial concerns *

17,217

14,151 (+21.7)

13,553 (+27.0)

12,159 (+41.6)

Individuals:

to purchase flats in the Home

3,211

3,038 (+ 5.7)

2.968 (+ 8.2)

2.263 (+41.91

Ownership Scheme and Private

Sector Participation Scheme

to purchase other residential

2],884

21,331 (+ 2.6)

20,068 (+ 9.0)

16.842 (+29.9)

property

other purposes

21,054

25,524 (-17.5)

24,642 (-14.6)

24,052 (-12.5)

Others

32,737

33,752 (- 3.0)

32,203 (+ .1.7)

29,535 (+10.8)

Total

208,931

212,802 (- 1.8)

200,096 (+ 4.4)

187,321 (+11.5)

* This excludes funds advanced to bank*; ind dcposl l-t ;ik i nu (nri|nni.”?

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

/9 ............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

SEVERANCE PAY IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED

ft ft ft ft

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROPOSES IMPROVING THE SEVERANCE PAY

PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.

DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT

(AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THE RATES OF SEVERANCE PAY

FROM THE PRESENT HALF A MONTH’S PAY TO TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH’S

PAY FOR EVERY YEAR OF SERVICE IN THE CASE OF MONTHLY PAID

EMPLOYEES, AND FROM 13 DAYS’ WAGES TO 18 DAYS’ WAGES FOR DAILY

RATED EMPLOYEES.

IT ALSO SEEKS TO EXTEND THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH CLAIMS FOR

SEVERANCE PAY MUST BE MADE, FROM THE PRESENT ONE MONTH TO

THREE MONTHS.

THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON MARCH 14. THE THIRD READING

IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO

UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE

SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES,

LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

STRIKE OUT POWER SOUGHT FOR TRIBUNAL

ft * ft ft ft

THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO PROVIDE THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WITH

POWER TO SET ASIDE AN AWARD OR ORDER MADE IN THE ABSENCE OF A

DEFENDANT, AND TO DISPOSE OF CLAIMS WHERE THE CLAIMANT FAILS TO

APPEAR AT THE HEARING.

THESE PROPOSALS WERE INITIATED BY THE JUDICIARY AND ARE BASED

ON SIMILAR PROVISIONS IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE AND IN

THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT.

UNDER THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 GAZETTED TODAY,

THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE ABLE TO SET ASIDE AN AWARD OR ORDER MADE BY

IT IN THE ABSENCE OF A DEFENDANT, IF THE DEFENDANT APPLIES W THIN

SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE HEARING OR WITHIN THE PERIOD WHICH MAY BE

ALLOWED BY THE TRIBUNAL.

/ths Tai bun.

WN35DAY, FHBAUARY ‘ “84

THE TRIBUNAL WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO STRIKE OUT A CLAIM WHERE THE

CLAIMANT FAILS TO APPEAR, AND RESTORE IT ON THE APPLICATION OF THE

CLAIMANT.

IN EITHER CASE THE DEFENDANT OR THE CLAIMANT WILL HAVE TO SHOW

THAT IT IS REASONABLE FOR THE TRIBUNAL TO GRANT THE APPLICATION.

THE BILL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON

FEBRUARY 15 AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON MARCH 14.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON ITS PROVISIONS MAY WRITE

TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE ATTORNEY

GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT

ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED

* M *

THE ALLOWANCES FOR CALCULATING THE DISPOSABLE CAPITAL AND INCOME

OF LEGAL AID APPLICANTS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM

TODAY (WEDNESDAY), TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE LATEST INCREASE

IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES.

THE NEW RATES OF ALLOWANCES UNDER THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF

CONTRIBUTIONS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1984 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE

TODAY ARE AS FOLLOWS 1

AMOUNTS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

IN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE CAPITAL

OLD RATE NEW RATE

(I) PERSON WITH NO DEPENDANT

(II) PERSON WITH DEPENDANTS -

(A) IN RESPECT OF THE PERSON

HIMSELF

(B) IN RESPECT OF EACH

DEPENDENT CHILD AND EACH

OTHER DEPENDENT RELATIVE

WHOLLY MAINTAINED BY HIM

$5 700

$6 450

$3 8D0

$4 300

$3 800 EACH

$4 300 EACH

IN ADDITION

TO (A)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY

'9t..

AMOUNTS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN

COMPUTING MONTHLY DISPOSABLE INCOME

OLD RATE

NEW RATE

(1) PERSON WITH NO DEPENDANT

S 450

$ 510

(II) PERSON AND FIRST TWO DEPENDANTS

S 325 EACH

S 370 EACH

(III) THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH

$ 280 EACH

S 315 EACH

DEPENDANTS

IN ADDITION

TO (II)

(IV) SIXTH, AND ADDITIONAL DEPENDANTS

$ 215 EACH

S 245 EACH

IN ADDITION

TO (II) AND

(HI)

(HI).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SAID THE FINANCIAL

CRITERIA FOR RECEIVING LEGAL AID ARE A MAXIMUM OF $15 OOO DISPOSABLE

CAPITAL AND $1 500 DISPOSABLE INCOME PER MONTH. THE DISPOSABLE

CAPITAL AND DISPOSABLE INCOME ARE CALCULATED BY DEDUCTING FROM THE

GROSS CAPITAL AND INCOME THE PRESCRIBED PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND OTHER

DEDUCTIONS. THE ABOVE REGULATIONS HAVE INCREASED THESE PERSONAL

ALLOWANCES BY 13 PER CENT.

.THESE INCREASES ARE DESIGNED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION SO

THAT THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE DISPOSABLE

CAPITAL AND INCOME LIMITS FOR LEGAL AID WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO,

NOTWITHSTANDING INCREASES IN THEIR EARNINGS DUE TO INCREASES IN THE

COST OF LIVING.

.IT WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT AN APPLICANT WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY

LIABLE TO PAY A CONTRIBUTION FROM INCOME OR CAPITAL WILL NOT HAVE TO

PAY MORE, AND ANY APPLICANT WHO WAS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE LEGAL AID WILL

CONTINUE TO BE SO ELIGIBLE,+ HE SAID.

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

TAXPAYERS REMINDED TO PAY IN TIME

* * * *

TAXPAYERS ARE URGED BY THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO

CHECK THEIR DEMAND NOTES TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRST INSTALMENT

OF THE TAX DUE IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED DUE DATE.

IF THE FIRST INSTALMENT IS NOT SO PAID, THE SECOND INSTALMENT

WILL AUTOMATICALLY BECOME DUE IMMEDIATELY. THIS WILL BE

STRICTLY APPLIED AND PLEAS FOR OVERSIGHT WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED,

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

/Ei nJDITIv. .... . .

TOKESDnY, FEEHUaXY 1

IN ADDITION TO BOTH INSTALMENTS BECOMING IMMEDIATELY PAYABLE

TOGETHER, WHERE TAX IS NOT PAID BY THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE

NOTICE THE COMMISSIONER MAY ORDER A SUM NOT EXCEEDING FIVE PER

CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX BE ADDED. THIS SURCHARGE WILL ALSO BE

IMMEDIATELY DUE FOR PAYMENT.

THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATE HOW THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL

OPERATEi

EXAMPLE 1

TOTAL TAX DUE 18.1.84

PAYABLE ON 18.1.84

PAYABLE 18.4.84

$22 000

$17 000

$ 5 000

IF $17 000 IS PAID ON 18.1.84, THE SECOND INSTALMENT OF

$5 000 IS PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE 18.4.84.

EXAMPLE 2

TOTAL TAX PAYABLE

PAYABLE ON 18.1.84

PAYABLE ON 18.4.84

$22 000

$17 000

$ 5 000

IF $17 000 IS NOT PAID BY 18.1.84, THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF

$22 000 PLUS SURCHARGE $1 100, TOTAL $23 100 IS IN

DEFAULT AND ACTION TO RECOVER THE TOTAL AMOUNT WILL BE

TAKEN SHORTLY AFTER 18.1.84.

IT IS EMPHASISED THEREFORE THAT TAXPAYERS WHO WISH TO TAKE

ADVANTAGE OF THE TWO INSTALMENTS SHOWN ON THE NOTE MUST ENSURE

THAT THE FIRST PAYMENT IS MADE ON OR BEFORE THE DUE DATE

SHOWN ON THEIR DEMAND NOTES. PAYMENT MAY BE MADE AS FOLLOWS:

AT COLLECTION OFFICES:

HONG KONG - WINDSOR HOUSE, 3RD FLOOR, 311 GLOUCESTER

ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

KOWLOON - PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 12TH FLOOR,

56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.

TSUEN WAN - FOU WAH CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,

210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, N.T.

OR PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY POST BY SENDING A CROSSED CHEQUE,

PAYABLE TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ATTACHED TO YOUR DEMAND NOTE.

TO: COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE,

WINDSOR HOUSE,

311 GLOUCESTER ROAD,

HONG KONG.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

- 13 -

BIG MARKET-BUILDING PLAN UNDERWAY

* * *

THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION IS EMBARKING ON AN AMBITIOUS

PROGRAMME OF BUILDING NEW MARKETS.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR JOHN RIDDELL-SWAN WHILE OFFICIATING

AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE F.M.O. IN THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE

FISH MARKET.

PLANS ARE WELL ADVANCED FOR A NEW MARKET IN KWUN TONG WHICH

WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED MARKETING FACILITIES FOR EAST KOWLOON BY

THE END OF NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.

.THE OLD FISH MARKET AT TAI PO, WHICH HAS BEEN CUT OFF FROM

THE SEA BY THE TAI PO RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT. WILL BE

REPROVISIONED ON A MUCH MORE SUITABLE SITE WITH BETTER SEA ACCESS

AND IT IS HOPED THAT, TOO, WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1985,+ DR RIDDELL-

SWAN SAID.

FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FISHERMEN, TWO NEW TEMPORARY MARKETS

ARE BEING BUILT AT CHEUNG SHA WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN WHERE THE EXISTING

MARKETS HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

THESE WILL BE REPLACED WHEN PERMANENT MARKETS CAN BE BUILT ON

BETTER SITES.

IN ADDITION, THE TEMPORARY MARKET AT CASTLE PEAK WILL BE

REPLACED BY A NEW PERMANENT MARKET AND DESIGN WORK ON THIS WILL

START THIS YEAR.

DR RIDDELL-SWAN SAID ALTHOUGH LAST YEAR WAS MARKED BY A

SUCCESSION OF STORMS AND TYPHOONS, THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET CATCH

INCREASED IN BOTH WEIGHT AND VALUE COMPARED WITH 1982.

THE NUMBER OF LOANS TO FISHERMEN FOR PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES IN THE

YEAR INCREASED TO 129 WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF MORE THAN $11 MILLION.

DR RIDDELL-SWAN PRESENTED PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES TO NINE

FISHERMEN WHO HAD SAVED A TOTAL OF 77 LIVES AT SEA.

HE ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO GRADUATES OF THE FISHERMEN

NAVIGATION TRAINING CLASS AND LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO FIVE MEMBERS

OF THE F.M.O. WHO HAVE EACH COMPLETED 25 YEARS’ SERVICE.

MRS RIDDELL-SWAN PRESENTED PRIZES TO 28 CHAMPION FISHERMEN WHO

HAD LANDED THE MOST FISH AT THE F.M.O. MARKETS LAST YEAR.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

- 14 -

PEAK TRAMWAY PERMIT FEE

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CHARGE THE PEAK TRAMWAY COMPANY

A NOMINAL PERMIT FEE OF $1 OOO FOR ITS OPERATIONS IN 1983.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ACCOUNT OF THE

COMPANY WOULD SHOW A LOSS IN 1983 IF IT WAS CHARGED THE FULL

AMOUNT OF THE PERMIT FEE, BASED ON THE TOTAL TOLLS COLLECTED.

THE FEE FOR 1981 AND 1982 WAS ALSO NOMINALLY SET AT $1 000 FOR

SIMILAR REASONS, HE SAID.

A PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, SETTING OUT THE

PROPOSAL IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY AND WILL BE PRESENTED

TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 15. IT IS EXPECTED TO

RECEIVE ITS THIRD READING ON MARCH 14.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE BILL MAY WRITE TO

UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE

SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, AT ST JOHN’S BUILDING, 8TH FLOOR,

GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.

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

LUNAR NEW YEAR TRANSPORT HOURS EXTENDED

1XX

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS WILL EXTEND THEIR SERVICES

DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 5.

KMB WILL OPERATE ADDITIONAL TRIPS ON ROUTES 1A, 2, 2A, 2F,

3A, 3B, 3D, 5, 5C, 5K, 6, 6C, 9, 10, 11, 13A, 13D, 14, 15, 16, 21,

21M, 26M, 27K, 29, 31, 31M, 32, 36B, 37, 37M, 38, 39M, 48, 59,

99 A, 59M, 60, 60M, 61, 63, 64K, 66M, 67M, 68M, 70M, 71, 72, 72B,

72K, 75K, 76K, 77K, 78K, 82M, 84M, 85, 85A, 86K, 87, 87A, 89, 89A,

92, 93R, 94, 101, 102, 106, 112, AND 116.

HOWEVER, SERVICES ON KMB ROUTE 93R WILL BE SUSPENDED ON

FEBRUARY 2 AND 3, AND ON ROUTE 95R FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 4.

KMB ROUTE 32R WILL BE SUSPENDED THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS,

WHILE ROUTE 888 WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 2 AND 4.

SERVICE FREQUENCIES WILL BE STRENGTHENED ON CMB ROUTES 3A, 5,

9, 10A, 10B, 14, 15, 19, 20, 20M, 21M, 22, 22M, 23, 25, 48, 63,

260 AND 262. BUT ROUTE 62 WILL BE SUSPENDED.

HYF’S SERVICE FROM SAI WAN HO TO KOWLOON CITY, WHICH NORMALLY

STOPS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WILL BE OPERATED FROM FEBRUARY 2 TO 4

BETWEEN 9 AM AND 7 PM AT 30-MINUTE INTERVALS.

THE COMPANY’S 8.15 AM SPECIAL TRIP FROM KWUN TONG TO

SILVERMINE BAY VIA CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 2 AND 3.

ADDITIONAL KCR TRAINS WILL BE OPERATED TO LO WU IF THE NEED

ARISES. THERE WILL BE FOUR TRAINS DEPARTING FROM KOWLOON STATION

FOR LO WU EACH HOUR DURING THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD.

- - 0 -

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

TWO-WAY PEAK ROAD REOPENS FRIDAY

* * * *

PEAK ROAD WILL RE-OPEN TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY

(FEBRUARY 3), EIGHT MONTHS AFTER A SECTION OF IT DISAPPEARED

FOLLOWING HEAVY RAIN.

THE FINAL STAGE OF REPAIR, INVOLVING DEMOLITION OF THE

TEMPORARY STEEL BRIDGE AND 3UILDING A PERMANENT STRUCTURE IN

ITS PLACE, HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE

REMOVED ON FRIDAY MORNING.

THE TEMPORARY BRIDGE WAS PUT INTO PLACE WITHIN A WEEK OF

THE LANDSLIDE AND HAS MAINTAINED TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE AREA,

ALTHOUGH THERE HAD TO BE DIVERSIONS.

SHORTLY AFTER CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC WAS DIVERTED FROM THE

STEEL BRIDGE ONTO A NEWLY-BUILT DECK SUPPORTED BY

15 CAISSONS, SOME OF WHICH WERE MORE THAN 37 METRES LONG.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT WAS 17.5 MILLION.

NORMAL TRAFFIC WILL RESUME FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY

(FEBRUARY 3) AS FOLLOWSi

* PEAK ROAD BETWEEN BARKER ROAD AND COOMBE ROAD

WILL SWITCH BACK TO TWO LANES FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.

M THE EXISTING BAN ON ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT BUSES

AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY

OF PEAK ROAD BETWEEN STUBBS ROAD AND MAGAZINE GAP

ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.

M COOMBE ROAD BETWEEN PEAK ROAD AND THE CAR PARK 140

METRES WEST OF WAN CHAI GAP WILL BE PROHIBITED TO

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS. THE

SAME ROAD SECTION WILL BE REROUTED TWO WAYS.

M THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF COOMBE ROAD BETWEEN

PEAK ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO CAROLINA

GARDENS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO VEHICLES AUTHORISED

IN WRITING BY THE AUTHORITY.

M ALL UPHILL VEHICLES ON MAGAZINE GAP ROAD WILL BE

ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT INTO PEAK ROAD. THEY CAN

ALSO ENTER THE WESTERN END OF COOMBE ROAD OR

CONTINUE INTO THE UPPER SECTION OF MAGAZINE GAP

ROAD.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

LANTAU TAXI LIMIT - 20

M M M

THE NUMBER OF TAXIS ON LANTAU WILL REMAIN AT 20 FOR A

FURTHER YEAR, IT IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY

(FEBRUARY 1).

THIS MEANS THAT THE EXISTING LIMIT ON LANTAU TAXIS WHICH

EXPIRES ON FEBRUARY 23 WILL BE EXTENDED FOR A YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT

THE LIMIT WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF INCREASES

IN THE TOTAL DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT ON THE ISLAND.

TWENTY LANTAU TAXI LICENCES WERE ISSUED IN JANUARY LAST YEAR

AND THE FIRST TAXI BEGAN OPERATION IN MARCH.

- - 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORSi

JOSS STICKS

MM*

THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, AND LOCAL

VILLAGE LEADERS WILL LIGHT JOSS STICKS AT THE SHRINE TO CHE KUNG

ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 3) — THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

DRESSED IN THEIR BEST AND ACCOMPANIED BY LION AND UNICORN

DANCING, THE PARTY WILL PROCEED TO THE CHE KUNG TEMPLE TO PAY THEIR

WORSHIP.

ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN, MR TSANG WILL PICK A

FORTUNE-STICK WHICH TELLS THE DISTRICT FATE IN THE COMING YEAR.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THIS TRADITIONAL

CEREMONY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT 8.30 AM AT TAI WAI VILLAGE OFFICE

IN SHING HOI ROAD, TAI WAI.

- - 0 - -

/17

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984

CHE KUNG FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN

* * *

THE SECTION OF CHE KUNG MIU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH

SHA TIN TAU ROAD AND ROAD D5 WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

EXCEPT BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 7 PM ON FRIDAY TO

7 PM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 4) TO FACILITATE THE CHE KUNG

FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS IN SHA TIN.

TRAFFIC HEADING FOR TIN SUM AND HIN TIN WILL BE DIVERTED

ONTO TSUEN NAM ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.

DURING THE FESTIVAL, BUS AND TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE

STRENGTHENED ACCORDING TO DEMAND.

WORSHIPPERS TO CHE KUNG MIU ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC

TRANSPORT AS THE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE IN THE

VICINITY WILL BE VERY LIMITED. VEHICLES PARKED ILLEGALLY WILL

BE TOWED AWAY BY THE POLICE WITHOUT WARNING.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

BULLETIN HOLIDAYS

ft ft ft

NO DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN WILL BE ISSUED OVER THE LUNAR

NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2, 3 AND 4).

SERVICE WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 5).

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 1984

CONTENTS PaGE NO.

SHA TIN FACTORY JOBS RISE SHARPLY ................................................................................... 1

NOVEMBER PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNaL TRADE.................... 3

PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE FIRE PRECAUTIONS ...................................................................... 6

TAXI FARE TABLES — NO NEED FOR RUSH.......................................................................... 7

SIR ROBERT HO TUNG FUND ALLOCATIONS ......................................................................... 7

NT LIITERBUGS PAY S3-5M IN FINES ...................................................................................... 9

NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR WATER CONSUMERS................................................................... 10

SAI KUNG TO HAVE TOWN HALL SOON ......................................................................................... 10

FESTIVE PROGRAMME FOR NORTH DISTRICT ......................................................................... 11

ROLLER SKATING FUN DaY AT FaNLING ................................................................................... 11

band brings cheer to elderly people............................................................................. 12

WONG CHUK HANG ROaD TO BE WIDENED ................................................................................... 12

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1984

SHA TIN FACTORY JOBS RISE SHARPLY

* * *

FACTORY JOBS IN SHA TIN GREW BY 54 PER CENT LAST YEAR

COMPARED WITH 1982 AND THE AMOUNT OF INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SPACE

INCREASED BY 46 PER CENT.

THIS HAS BEEN REVEALED IN AN INDUSTRIAL SURVEY CARRIED

OUT IN JULY AND AUGUST LAST YEAR BY SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

THERE WERE 7 909 JOBS IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN 1982,

BUT THIS FIGURE HAD RISEN TO 12 167 WHEN THE SURVEY WAS

CONDUCTED.

FACTORY FLOOR SPACE ROSE FROM 233 000 SQUARE METRES TO

340 000 SQUARE METRES.

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT CHEAPER RENTS WAS A MAJOR

FACTOR ATTRACTING COMPANIES TO THE NEW TOWN.

ABOUT 42 PER CENT OF EMPLOYERS SAID THEY HAD DECIDED TO

OPERATE IN SHA TIN BECAUSE RENTS WERE CHEAPER THAN IN THE URBAN

AREA. WHILE NEARLY 30 PER CENT SAID THE REASON WAS THAT THEY

HAD &EEN UNABLE TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE URBAN

AREA. ABOUT 14 PER CENT SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN MADE BECAUSE

OF CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION.

ON THE QUESTION OF TRANSPORT, 52 PER CENT COMPLAINED OF

INCONVENIENCE, WHILE 30 PER CENT SAID THEY HAD NO PROBLEMS.

ON EMPLOYING WORKERS, NEARLY 56 PER CENT SAID THEY HAD NO

PROBLEMS.

QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO THE 777 INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

IN THE THREE PLANNING AREAS OF SHA TIN, OF WHOM ALL BUT 18

RESPONDED.

IN ADDITION, 1 084 WORKERS WERE INTERVIEWED.

OF THE 759 FIRMS WHICH RESPONDED, ABOUT 69 PER CENT SAID THEY

HAD MOVED TO SHA TIN FROM OTHER LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY KOWLOON.

ABOUT 80 PER CENT HAD BROUGHT IN ALL OR SOME OF THEIR WORKFORCE.

TO ATTRACT WORKERS, COMPANIES OFFERED VARIOUS INCENTIVES,

INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION, FREE LUNCHES. AWARDS FOR HARD WORK,

KDICAL BENEFITS AND LONG SERVICE AWARDS.

REPLIES FROM WORKERS SHOWED THAT 45 PER CENT LIVED IN

SHA TIN, WHILE ANOTHER 25 PER CENT RESIDED IN KOWLOON. NEARLY

48 PER CENT TRAVELLED TO WORK BY BUS, WHILE 28 PER CENT

TRAVELLED BY COMPANY COACH. OTHERS WALKED, OR USED TRAINS

AND MINI-BUSES.

/DESPITE SOME ....................

SUNDAY, FEBHUABY j, 1984

2 -

DESPITE SOME DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED BY EMPLOYERS ABOUT THE

MOBILITY OF SHA TIN WORKERS, THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT THEY WERE

LESS MOBILE IN COMPARISON WITH THE TERRITORY-WIDE PATTERN,

WITH ALMOST 40 PER CENT SAYING THAT THEY HAD NOT CHANGED THEIR

JOBS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

ON REASONS FOR WORKING IN SHA TIN, 42 PER CENT SAID IT

WAS DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF PLACE OF WORK TO RESIDENCE

AND 23 PER CENT SAID THEY HAD MOVED WHEN THEIR FIRMS HAD DECIDED

TO DO SO. THIRTY EIGHT PER CENT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY

DIFFICULTIES IN WORKING IN SHA TIN.

ON TRANSPORTATION, HOWEVER, 31 PER CENT CLAIMED IT WAS

INCONVENIENT AND 22 PER CENT COMPLAINED ABOUT INADEQUATE

TRANSPORT PROVIDED. OTHER COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT THE INADEQUACY

OF RECREATIONAL AND SHOPPING FACILITIES, MEDICAL SERVICES,

ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES, CANTEEN FACILITIES AND CULTURAL VENUES.

IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WAS SUGGESTED BY 24.2 PER CENT

OF WORKERS, BUT A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT SINCE

THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT, TAI WAI RAILWAY STATION HAD

OPENED AND CONSTRUCTION OF A STATION AT FO TAN HAD STARTED.

ABOUT 42 PER CENT OF WORKERS HAD LUNCH IN THE FACTORY

CANTEEN, THE SURVEY DISCOVERED.

SALARIES OF WORKERS RANGED FROM A LOW OF UNDER $2 000 PER

MONTH TO A HIGH OF OVER 15 000 PER MONTH, WITH MOST IN THE

*1 500 - S2 000 RANGE.

THE SURVEY SAID THE POPULATION OF SHA TIN WAS 237 670

AND THE POTENTIAL INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE, THERFORE, 46 108.

ANOTHER 10 614 INDUSTRIAL JOBS WOULD BE PROVIDED WHEN THE

PRESENT NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WAS FULLY OCCUPIED.

THE GARMENT AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES EMPLOYED THE LARGEST

NUMBER OF WORKERS IN SHA TIN (2 643), FOLLOWED BY ELECTRONICS

(2 277). THERE WERE JUST OVER 1 000 INDUSTRIAL JOB

VACANCIES IN THE NEW TOWN AT THE TIME THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED.

THE REPORT SHOWED THAT THERE WERE 49.28 HECTARES OF

INDUSTRIAL LAND IN SHA TIN OF WHICH ABOUT ONE QUARTER HAD BEEN

DEVELOPED. ABOUT 3.5 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND HAD BEEN

ADDED SINCE THE 1982 SURVEY.

THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF FLOOR SPACE (104 383.20 SQUARE

METRES) WAS TAKEN BY WAREHOUSES, FOLLOWED BY GARMENTS AND

TEXTILES (43 273.44 SQUARE METRES) AND FOOD (37 499.60 SQUARE

FETRES).

THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL SURVEY OF SHA TIN WAS CARRIED OUT IN

APRIL, 1982.

----o----

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1984

NOVEMBER PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE

* * X X

THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE,

BY 17 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY SO THAT, FOR TOTAL

EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY 17 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER 1983 OVER

NOVEMBER 1982, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS

AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

MEANWHILE, THE PRICES OF IMPORTS ALSO ROSE BY 17 PER CENT.

AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF

THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) REMAINED

AT 99.

THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE BY 25

PER CENT, SO THAT THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 25

PER CENT.

MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT.

SINCE THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND OF RE-EXPORTS BOTH

INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT IN THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF 1983 OVER

THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH

GREW BY 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.

AS THE PRICES OF IMPORTS WERE 11 PER CENT HIGHER OVER THE SAME

PERIOD, IMPORTS RECORDED A NINE PER CENT GROWTH IN VOLUME TERMS.

COMPARISON OF THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER EAST YEAR WITH THE

12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1982 SHOWS THAT THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC

EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY EIGHT PER CENT,

NINE PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY

14 PER CENT THUS GIVING A 14 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL

EXPORTS.

MEANWHILE,’ THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT.

PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED.

CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE ARE DERIVED FROM CHANGES IN TRADE

VALUES, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC

EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.

AS SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE EXPORTS PRICES OF ALL COMMODITY GROUPS

INCREASED, FROM FIVE PER CENT FOR RADIOS OF ALL KINDS TO 21 PER CENT

FOR CLOTHING.

DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITY GROUPS

INCREASED, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL

APPLIANCES (+58%), TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+57%) AND

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+52%). HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT

VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-4%), AND METAL ORES

AND SCRAP (-12%).

/THE CHANGES ....................

SUNDAY, FEBBUnHY j, 1$b4

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY

END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.

AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE

CATEGORIES ROSE, WITH INCREASES RANGING FROM 10 PER CENT FOR FUELS

TO 19 PER CENT FOR BOTH CONSUMER GOODS AND RAW MATERIALS AND

SEMI-MANUFACTURES.

MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN VOLUME

TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING SUGAR, MEAT AND MEAT

PREPARATIONS, FRUIT, SWINE, AS WELL AS FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS.

HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES

DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.

IN THE CONSUMER GOODS CATEGORY, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN IMPORT

VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE

MATERIALS, PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, HOUSEHOLD-TYPE ELECTRICAL

APPLIANCES, WATCHES AND CLOTHING. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN

IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES

ROSE. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SILK FABRICS, MANMADE

FIBRES, YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES, CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE

MATERIALS, THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES,

TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS, YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES,

LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS, AND PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS.

HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW COTTON, WATCH AND CLOCK

MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS AND CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS AND BUILDING MATERIALS EXCEPT GLASS, DROPPED MODERATELY.

IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 17 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.

IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL

COMMODITIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE REMARKABLE ONES BEING

TEXTILE MACHINERY, OFFICE MACHINES, SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL,

MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS, AND ELECTRICAL

MACHINERY.

HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT DECREASED

SLIGHTLY.

THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS

BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.

AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE

CATEGORIES ROSE, WITH THE INCREASES RANGING FROM 11 PER CENT FOR

FOODSTUFFS TO 36 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS.

FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE NOVEMBER 1983 ISSUE OF

THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*. COPIES OF THE ISSUE ARE

AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT HK$2 EACH.

/TABLi 1 : ....................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1964

TABLE 1 i CHANGES COMPARING NOVEMBER 1983 WITH NOVEMBER 1982

OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP

COMMODITY GROUP

EXPORT

VALUE

EXPORT

UNIT VALUE

EXPORT

VOLUME

CLOTHING (EXCEPT FUR)

+43%

+21%

+ 18%

TEXTILE FABRICS

+64%

+15%

+43%

TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD

+69%

+18%

+43%

TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND

.88%

+20%

.57%

RADIOS OF ALL KINDS

+33%

+ 5%

+27%

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

+67%

+10%

+ 52%

FOOTWEAR

+38%

+ 15%

+20%

METAL MANUFACTURES

+49%

+12%

+33%

b€TAL ORES AND SCRAP

+ 6%

+19%

-12%

WATCHES AND CLOCKS

+12%

+16%

- 4%

TRAVEL GOODS. HANDBAGS

CATEGORY

DESCRIPTION

314

COTTON POPLIN AND BROADCLOTH

337

COTTON PLAYSUITS, SUNSUITS, WASHSUITS, ETC.

361

COTTON SHEETS

359

OTHER COTTON APPAREL

369

OTHER COTTON MANUFACTURES

649

MAN-MADE FIBRE BRASSIERES, ETC.

459 OTHER WOOL APPAREL

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SEVEN CALLS WERE IN RESPECT

OF 1983 AND THEREFORE IN PRACTICAL TERMS, THEY WERE UNRESTRAINED

EA CATEGORIES IN 1984 UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY WERE CALLED IN 1984.

COMMENTING ON WHETHER CALLS WOULD BE MADE ON THE SEVEN

CATEGORIES THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHETHER

THE UNITED STATES CONSIDERED THAT A CASE FOR DOING SO EXISTED IN

TERMS OF MARKET DISRUPTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE MULTIFIBRE

ARRANGEMENT AND THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG

AND THE UNITED STATES.

ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATION

CURRENTLY IN FORCE FOR THE NINE CATEGORIES ORIGINALLY CALLED,

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD CONTINUE IN OPERATION

FOR THE TIME BEING BUT WOULD BE REVIEWED SHORTLY.

MEANWHILE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS RECEIVED

THE FIRST CALL FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR 1984, THE CALL IS ON CAT.

652 (MAN-MADE FIBRE UNDERWEAR).

PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, THE

DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT

AUTHORISATION IN RESPECT OF THIS CATEGORY.

THE DEPARTMENT WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE

EXPORT LICENCES FOR THIS CATEGORY AGAINST VALID EXPORT

AUTHORISATIONS APPROVED PRIOR TO THE SUSPENSION.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

BORDER CONTROL POINT TO BE BUILT

* * *

A BORDER CONTROL POINT IS TO BE BUILT AT SHA TAU KOK.

AN $8.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE WORK HAS BEEN AWARDED TO

YEU SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE

OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

THE CONTROL POINT WILL OCCUPY A 12 500 SQUARE-METRE SITE

BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND SHA TAU KOK ROAD.

WORK INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF A ONE-STOREY MAIN TERMINAL

BUILDING FOR THE POLICE, AND IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ARRIVAL AND A DEPARTURE HALL, A CARGO

EXAMINATION PLATFORM, A VEHICLE INSPECTION PIT AND A TRANSFORMER

ROOM.

WORK WILL BEGIN TOWARDS THE END OF THIS MONTH AND BE FINISHED

BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE BORDER CONTROL POINT IS BEING BUILT IN CONNECTION WITH

THE VEHICLE BORDER LINK AT SHA TAU KOK NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE 800-METRE LONG, TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER

BORDER CROSSING FACILITY IN ADDITION TO THE ONE AT MAN KAM TO.

STEADY GROWTH SEEN FOR ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

* * M

HONG KONG’S ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE

DEVELOPING IN TERMS OF BOTH SIZE AND SOPHISTICATION, ACCORDING TO

THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPORT ON THE 1983 MANPOWER SURVEY OF

THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY.

THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

TO COPE WITH THIS, THE INDUSTRY WOULD REQUIRE A BETTER

TRAINED WORKFORCE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HIGHER LEVEL PRODUCTS

AND HANDLING COMPLICATED ELECTRICAL PROJECTS, THE REPORT SAYS.

THE INDUSTRY’S WORKFORCE HAS BEEN GROWING STEADILY BY ABOUT

4.2 PER CENT A YEAR IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, REACHING A TOTAL

OF ABOUT 59 000 WORKERS IN MARCH LAST YEAR.

AND TO MEET THIS DEMAND, THE TRAINING BOARD HAS SUGGESTED

THAT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE OF 160-200 TECHNOLOGISTS,

300 - 350 TECHNICIANS AND 1 000 - 1 200 CRAFTSMEN WILL BE REQUIRED

FROM THIS YEAR TO 1988.

/the report

THURSDAY, FSB RU ARY 16, 1984

- 5 -

THE REPORT ALSO NOTES THAT THE BOARD HAS BEEN GIVEN THE JOB

OF ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE.

THE TRAINING CENTRE WILL BE HOUSED IN THE KWAI CHUNG

TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX, AND BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY EARLY

NEXT YEAR. IT WILL PROVIDE ONE YEAR FULL-TIME OFF-THE-JOB

BASIC TRAINING TO 200 TRAINEES IN KEY ELECTRICAL TRADES AND

WILL UPGRADE TRAINING TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR SAFETY PRACTICE IN

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

THE REPORT, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, GIVES A

COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY’S

MANPOWER AND TRAINING. IT IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT

PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT $14 A COPY.

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

SCHOOL HEADS STUDY IMPACT OF COMPUTERS

* * * ft

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPACT OF

COMPUTER SCIENCE ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG,

PARTICULARLY IN INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, COMMUNICATION AND

TELE-COMMUNICATION AND INDUSTRY.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF

EDUCATION (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT), MR Y.T. LI, AT THE OPENING

OF THE SEMINAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPUTER STUDIES.

MORE THAN 300 E.CONDARY SCHOOL HEADS TOOK PART IN THE

SEMINAR WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE MATHEMATICS SECTION OF

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS,

AT THE CLEMENTI MIDDLE SCHOOL.

MR LI SAID THAT THE SYLLABUS FOR THE COMPUTER STUDIES

COURSE WAS DESIGNED’

ft TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONS, THE

USE AND THE LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTERS;

ft TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STUDY OF MODERN

METHODS OF INFORMATION PROCESSING;

ft TO ENCOURAGE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPLICATION OF

COMPUTERS IN THE MODERN WORLD, AND

ft TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FURTHER STUDIES IN COMPUTER

SCIENCE.

NOTING THAT 75 MORE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD JOIN THE 30

SCHOOLS IN THE COMPUTER STUDIES PILOT SCHEME IN THE COMING

ACADEMIC YEAR, MR LI SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HOPED THAT

EVENTUALLY ALL PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WOULD PARTICIPATE

IN THE SCHEME.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS URGED

* * *

FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED THAT DANGEROUS PARTS

OF MACHINES SHOULD BE EFFECTIVELY GUARDED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF

WORKERS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY)

THAT EMPLOYERS FAILING TO FENCE OFF THESE MACHINES MAY FACE A

MAXIMUM FINE OF S3O DOO ON CONVICTION.

HE SAID THAT WORKERS HAVE FREQUENT AND OFTEN INEVITABLE

ACCESS TO POINTS OF OPERATION OF A MACHINE.

INJURIES RESULTING FROM MACHINERY ACCIDENTS ARE OFTEN SERIOUS

AND CAN LEAD TO AMPUTATION OF FINGERS, A HAND OR ARM AND MORE

SERIOUSLY, PERMANENT DISABILITY FOR THE INJURED.

.STATISTICS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 11 483

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MACHINERY LAST YEAR, OF WHICH

19 WERE FATAL CASES,. HE SAID.

WORKERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE HANDLING MACHINES WITH PROJECTIONS

ON REVOLVING PARTS ARE ALSO REMINDED NOT TO WEAR COTTON GLOVES

OR LOOSE CLOTHINGS DURING OPERATION.

THE ENTANGLEMENT OF COTTON GLOVES WITH THE MOVING PARTS MAY

RESULT IN THE LOSS OF A HAND OR AN ENTIRE ARM.

.WHILE FACTORY M\NAGEMENT SHOULD EXERCISE STRICT SUPERVISION

TO ENSURE SAFETY MEASURES, WORKERS SHOULD ON THEIR PART FOLLOW

THE REGULATIONS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

WORKERS WHO WILFULLY AND WITHOUT REASONABLE CAUSE REMOVE THE

SAFETY DEVICES ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10 000 ON

CONVICTION.

- - 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS!

HONOUR FOR GIRL WHO SAVED WORKER

* * *

AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL, CHUI PUI-SHAN, WHO SAVED A WORKER FROM A

FATAL FALL ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 13), WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT

THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S +SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA*

TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

PUI SHAN, A PRIMARY SIX PUPIL, HAS BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND

THE OPENING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, IN

APPRECIATION OF HER PROMPT ACTION IN SAVING THE WORKER.

/GN M0Nj.Y

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

- 7 -

ON MONDAY EVENING, PUI SHAN WAS PLAYING BADMINTON AT THE TZE

MAN ESTATE, TZE WAN SHAN, WHEN HER ATTENTION WAS DRAWN BY SOME WORK

TOOLS FALLING FROM A BUILDING. LOOKING UP, SHE SAW A GONDOLA

TILTING ABOUT 60 DEGREES WITH A WORKER HANGING ON PRECARIOUSLY

OUTSIDE THE BALCONY OF HER 9TH FLOOR FLAT.

PUI SHAN IMMEDIATELY RUSHED BACK TO HER FLAT AND OPENED A

WINDOW TO LET THE WORKER IN.

PUI SHAN, A BADMINTON ENTHUSIAST, WILL BE PRESENTED WITH

A PAIR OF BADMINTON RACQUETS BY MR BRIDGE.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN

TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY, AT 3 PM.

OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE MR BRIDGE, MR KEVIN

I.K. MAK, DISTRICT OFFICER, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, AND

MR EDDIE LAMB, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA

ORGANISING COMMITTEE.

THE EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE

KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, IS AIMED AT MAKING THE RESIDENTS AND

WORKERS IN KWUN TONG MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION.

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

HORT-TERM TENANCY OFFERED

ft ft ft

A 400 SQUARE METRE SITE IN TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA,

YUEN LONG, IS BEING OFFERED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS

DEPARTMENT.

IT IS FOR STORING AND REPAIRING GOODS.

IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE,

INCLUDING PAINT-SPRAYING, OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

THE INITIAL TENANCY OF THE SITE IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE

QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS MARCH 2.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE

LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG

KONGj THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR

PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOONf

AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG.

THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS.

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

/8 .................

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 198*

NOTE TO ED I TORSt

HOSPITAL EXTENSION

ft ft * *

DR K.L. THONG, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL

OFFICIATE AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF THE YAN CHAI

HOSPITAL PHASE III EXTENSION PROGRAMME TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 11 AM.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

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

THREE WELFARE OFFICE UNITS MOVE

ft ft ft ft

THREE UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPERATING

FROM NEW OFFICES ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20).

THE KOWLOON CITY FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE WILL MOVE TO THE TO KWA

WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 7TH FLOOR, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD,

KOWLOON. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBERS WILL BE 3-7601659 AND 3-7601624.

THE KOWLOON CITY SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT WILL BE HOUSED ON

THE 8TH FLOOR OF THE SAME BUILDING. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS WILL BE

3-7150395 AND 3-7601'79.

THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MONG KOK SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT

WILL BE AT THE YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR,

248-250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON. THE TELEPHONE

NUMBERS WILL BE 3-887448 AND 3-327167.

----o----

REFUSE COLLECTION FACILITY FOR MONG KOK

ft ft ft ft

A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT

MONG KOK.

IS TO BE BUILT AT DUNDAS STREET,

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING

DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $600 000 CONTRACT TO

LIMITED TO CARRY OUT THE WORK.

DEVELOPMENT

K-PEAK COMPANY

AN OFFICE AND A STORE WILL ALSO BE BUILT AS PART OF THE

PROJECT.

WORK STARTED RECENTLY AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN MONTHS.

THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, WHICH IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE

THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, WILL OCCUPY A 173 SQUARE METRE SITE

ADJACENT TO KWONG WAH HOSPITAL.

- 0 -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

LANTERN CARNIVAL FOR ISLANDERS

* * *

TWO LARGE-SCALE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES WILL

BE STAGED FOR CHEUNG CHAU RESIDENTS FROM THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.

STARTING AT 8 PM, A LANTERN CARNIVAL WITH SINGING AND

CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS WILL BE HELD AT THE SEASIDE NEAR THE

CHEUNG CHAU FERRY PIER ON THREE NIGHTS UNTIL SATURDAY.

ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19), A FOUR-HOUR CARNIVAL FOR 500 ELDERLY

PEOPLE WILL BE HELD AT THE CHEUNG CHAU PAK DAI RECREATIONAL GROUND

STARTING AT 1 PM.

THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES

BY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND 10 GAMES STALLS WILL BE PUT UP.

RED PACKETS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ELDERLIES.

THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, WILL OFFICIATE

AT THE CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY.

SPONSORED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AT ABOUT $14 400,

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY THE CHEUNG CHAU

RURAL COMMITTEE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.

- 0 -

NOTE TO EDITORS i

ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW

ft ft ft

THE FOURTH YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL WILL START TOMORROW

(FRIDAY) EVENING WITH A FREE PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT LUT SAU HALL.

FOR THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS, MORE THAN 30 PROGRAMMES

FEATURING OPERAS, DRAMAS, DANCES, FILM SHOWS, SEMINARS AND

EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT VARIOUS VENUES IN THE DISTRICT.

PRIOR TO TOMORROW’S CONCERT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR

NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN

OPENING CEREMONY AT 7 PM.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. A GOVERNMENT

VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 5.30 PM SHARP FOR

YUEN LONG.

- - 0 - -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS i

FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW

XXX

A FIGHT CRIME AND AN ANT I-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW, ORGANISED

BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WILL BE HELD AT THE

FANLING SPORTS GROUND ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 18) AT 7 PM.

THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, THE COMMISSIONER

FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER AND THE FRONTIER DISTRICT COMMANDER,

FR G.R. LLOYD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

THE 90-MINUTE SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY TWO LOCAL

SINGERS, MR JOHNNY YIP AND MISS ELIZA CHAN.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SHOW.

- 0 - -

TRAFFIC PLAN FOR SHAM SHUI PO CEREMONY

XXX

ON SATURDAY (FEPnUARY 18), SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS

WILL BE IMPLEMENTED tN SHAM SHUI PO TO FACILITATE THE INAUGURAL

CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOCK TOWER.

UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE SLIP ROAD BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD

AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM

1 PM TO 4 PM.

DURING THE CLOSURE, GENERAL TRAFFIC AND BUSES ON KMB ROUTE

NOS. 72 AND 86 ALONG TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA

TAI PO ROAD, UN CHAU STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE! 110,

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS AMENDED ................................................................... 1

VALUE OF EXEMPT ADVERTISING SAMPLE RAISED .......................................................... 2

MORE THOUGHT NEEDED FOR RIGHT SYSTEM, YOUTHS TOLD ................................ 2

HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT INTEREST EI HONG KONG - HO.......................... 4

GIRL PRAISED FOR HELPING SAVE MAN ................................................................................... 5

REFRESHER COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ............................................. 6

VISITORS IMPRESSED WITH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ............................................. 7

NURSING SCHOOL DJCLUDED IN HOSPITAL GROWTH ....................................................... 8

NEW REGULATIONS ON FILM REVIEWS ......................................................................................... 8

STAMPS TO MARK HONG KONG'S AVIATION HISTORY ................................................... 9

FIRE SERVICES TO HAVE NEW HEADQUARTERS ................................................................... 10

TENDERS SOUGHT FOR POOL, MARKET COMPLEX WORK................................................ 10

REFUSE DISPOSAL GROUP HOLDS 50TH MEETING............................................................. 11

FOOTPATHS TO BE BUILT NEAR HOUSING ARSA ................................................................ 12

HIGHER BIDS FOR URBaN TAXI LICENCES ............................................................................ 12

NEW CLOCK TOWER TO SERVE AS SHAM SHUT PO L^iNDMaRK ................................ 13

YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ................................................................................................ 14

GROWING DEMAND SEEN FOR TRANSLATION SERVICE................................................... 15

ROAD LINK TO COMPLETE TSING Yl COMPLEX ................................................................... 15

ROLLER SKATING RINK OPINING ...................................................................................................... 16

carnival to top activities ......................................................................................................... 17

PROMENADES ALONG SHING MUN RIVER...................................................................................... 17

TAI HANG WATER WORKS ............................................................................................................................ 17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 198*

electri-cfty SUPPLY REGULATIONS AMENDED

. * * *

A REGULATION DATING BACK MORE THAN 70 YEARS, REQUIRING THE

POWER COMPANIES TO CARRY OUT CHECKS ON WIRES AND FITTINGS AT LEAST

ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS, HAS BEEN AMENDED.

UNDER THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984,

PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, THE FIVE-YEAR TESTING REQUIREMENT

WILL NO LONGER APPLY IN CASES WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL

AND MECHANICAL SERVICES (DEMS) IS SATISIFIED THAT A CONSUMER HAS MADE

ADEQUATE TESTING ARRANGEMENTS HIMSELF, IN WHICH CASE A CERTIFICATE

OF SATISFACTION WILL BE ISSUED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE REQUIREMENT FOR TESTING

EVERY FIVE YEARS WAS INTRODUCED IN 1911 WHEN THE ELECTRICITY

SUPPLY ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT.

HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY

OF WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS USED FOR INSTALLATIONS, THE REQUIREMENT

IS NOW REGARDED AS OUT OF DATE.

HE SAID, HOWEVER, BEFORE A CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTION IS

GRANTED, THE CONSUMER CONCERNED WILL HAVE TO SATISFY DEMS THAT

THE INSTALLATION FOR WHICH THE CERTIFICATE IS BEING SOUGHT HAD

BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED, INSPECTED AND TESTED FOR A PERIOD OF

NOT LESS THAN TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BYl

(A) A FULLY QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER EMPLOYED BY

THE CONSUMER APPLYING FOR THE CERTIFICATE?

(B) A CONTRACTOR CURRENTLY ON THE GOVERNMENT LIST FOR

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS? OR

SATISFACTION OF DEMS THE POSSESSION OF SUITABLE

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE IN THE ELECTRICAL

FIELD AND WHO HAD BEEN IN BUSINESS AT LEAST THREE

YEARS PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION.

EACH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY DEMS WILL PROVIDE THAT THE

INSTALLATION FOR WHICH THE CERTIFICATE HAD BEEN GRANTED SHOULD

BE TESTED AT INTERVALS OF NO MORE THAN FIVE YEARS BY THE CONTRACTOR

SPECIFIED BY THE APPLICANT AND ACCEPTED BY DEMS AND THAT CERTIFIED

RECORDS OF EACH TEST CARRIED OUT SHOULD BE FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY

AFTERWARDS TO DEMS.

THE PROVISION NOT TO CARRY OUT THE TESTING WILL APPLY ONLY

AS LONG AS DEMS DOES NOT WITHDRAW HIS CERTIFICATE OF SATISFACTION.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ALSO PROVIDES THAT DEMS IS TO BE

NOTIFIED BY THE RELEVANT POWER COMPANY IF THE COMPANY BECOMES

AWARE THAT A DEFECT MIGHT EXIST IN A CONSUMER'S WIRES AND FITTING

TO WHICH A DEMS CERTIFICATE RELATED.

FURTHERMORE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, DEMS IS TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER

AND THE POWER COMPANY IN WRITING IF HE WITHDRAWS HIS CERTIFICATE

OF SATISFACTION AND IS TO SPECIFY THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH THE

POWER COMPANY MUST TEST THE CONSUMER’S INSTALLATION.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

VALUE OF EXEMPT ADVERTISING SAMPLE RAISED

* * * *

THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (REGISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS

1984 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) INTRODUCE MEASURES TO FACILITATE

THE PROCESSING OF IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS.

THE AMENDED REGULATIONS RAISE FROM $500 TO $1 000 THE VALUE

OF ADVERTISING SAMPLES FOR WHICH AN IMPORT OR EXPORT DECLARATION

IS NOT REQUIRED. THEY ALSO EXEMPT SPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR USE

IN SPORTS COMPETITIONS FROM THE NEED FOR SUCH DECLARATIONS.

THE REGULATIONS ALSO RAISE FROM $200 TO tl 000 THE VALUE

OF CONSIGNMENTS OF IDENTICAL ARTICLES REGULARLY IMPORTED FROM

OR EXPORTED TO THE SAME COUNTRY FOR WHICH MONTHLY DECLARATIONS

ARE PERMITTED.

PROVISION HAS ALSO BEEN MADE FOR OBJECTIONS TO BE MADE TO

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AGAINST HIS ASSESSMENT

OF CHARGES OR IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES IN RESPECT OF LODGEMENT

OF IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS BEFORE ULTIMATE APPEAL

TO THE GOVERNOR.

----o----

MORE THOUGHT NEEDED FOR RIGHT SYSTEM, YOUTHS TOLD

* K * *

THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-

JONES, TODAY URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO GIVE MORE THOUGHT TO THE ANALYSIS

OF THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT HONG KONG SHOULD DEVELOP.

ADDRESSING A STUDENT ASSEMBLY AT THE NEW ASIA COLLEGE,

MR AKERS-JONES SAID THERE HAD BEEN MUCH TALK OF DEMOCRACY AND

CF ELECTIONS, BUT NOT MUCH TALK OF GOVERNMENT OR WHAT SORT OF

INSTITUTION WAS NEEDED TO RUN THE DELICATE MACHINERY GOVERNING

THIS HIGHLY PROSPEROUS AND COMPLEX SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEM.

+CLEARLY MORE THOUGHT NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO THE ANALYSIS OF THE

KIND OF GOVERNMENT WE SHOULD DEVELOP WHICH WOULD AT THE SAME TIME

ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO RECEIVE IN ITS HIGHER

COUNCILS THE REQUISITE ADVICE AND COUNSEL FROM ALL THOSE COMPONENTS

CF OUR SOCIETY WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO ITS CONTINUING PROSPERITY

AND ORDER,* HE SAID.

HE SAID PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITY WERE NEEDED

IN HIGHER COUNCILS — THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE — AND THAT

THE SYSTEM SHOULD CONTAIN THE RIGHT MIXTURE TO DO THE JOB

EFFECTIVELY.

+IN THIS PROCESS WE MUST LOOK AT THE EFFECT INTRODUCING

ELECTIONS HAS HAD ELSEWHERE, EXAMINE THE END RESULTS AND AVOID

IF WE CAN THEIR SHORTCOMINGS.*

/iuft AKcBS-JOL'xiS................

FRIDAY, FJBRUARY 17, 1984

- 3 -

MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE RECENTLY-PROPOSED EXPANSION OF

ELECTED SEATS IN DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE SET UP OF A REGIONAL

COUNCIL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD ENABLE A REASONABLY

SYMMETRICAL STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT

BOTH DISTRICT AND REGIONAL LEVELS.

+ELECTIONS AND THE GENERAL EXPERIENCE GAINED BY THOSE TAKING

PART IN VARIOUS LEVELS IN THESE DISTRICT AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS

WILL HAVE AN INCALCULABLE IMPACT ON THE LIFE OF HONG KONG IN THE

YEARS TO COME.

+ NO DOUBT MANY OF THOSE WHO FIRST GAIN THEIR EXPERIENCE OF

POLITICAL LIFE IN THE DISTRICTS WILL ADVANCE TO HIGHER COUNCILS.

THIS TREND HAS ALREADY BEGUN,* HE SAID.

EVERYONE, HE SAID, COULD PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF

HONG KONG BY CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THESE ELECTIONS.

+A VOTE IS A SMALL THING BUT IT SHOWS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL

VOICE, HOWEVER SMALL IS OF VALUE AND IN THE ACT OF VOTING THE

VOTER HAS COMMITTED HIMSELF TO HONG KONG AND ITS WAY OF

LIFE. IT IS A SMALL GESTURE OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE TO US ALL.*

HE RECALLED THAT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION EVOLVED FROM A

.DISTINGUISHED ANCESTRY* - A SYSTEM APPLIED TO THE FARMING AND

RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE NT BASED ON LOCAL TRADITION AT THE TURN

CF THE CENTURY.

THE ADOPTION OF THIS SYSTEM

. ITS CONTINUITY AND THE STRENGTH

GAVE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

OF A TESTED METHOD.*

+IT ENABLED MODIFICATION TO BE MADE TO IT LATER ON WITH

GREATER CONFIDENCE THAN BY INTRODUCING OTHER MODELS AND METHODS

CF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM EUROPE OR ELSEWHERE,* HE SAID.

THE GRADUAL CREATION OF RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE HEUNG YEE

KUK IN THE NT, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT OFFICERS IN BOTH

RURAL AND URBAN AREAS WERE ALL FORERUNNERS OF DISTRICT

ADMINISTRATION.

+THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CAN BE

TRACED TO SYSTEMS DEVELOPED IN OTHER COLONIAL TERRITORIES, BUT

THE ESSENTIAL ADAPTATIONS OF ITS BUREAUCRATIC ELEMENTS TO SERVE

BOTH A RURAL AND URBAN SITUATION WERE MADE IN HONG KONG.

+THE EVOLUTION OF PARTLY ELECTED DISTRICT BOARDS TO ASSIST

IN SOLVING THE DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS OF MANAGING HONG KONG IS ANOTHER

DEVELOPMENT WITH A GENUINE LOCAL FLAVOUR.

+l KNOW OF NO SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHICH, IN FACT,

CONFERS UPON THE LOCAL COUNCIL THE RIGHT TO ADVISE ON, AND

CRITICISE IF NECESSARY, THE DECISIONS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT,* HE

CONCLUDED.

-------------Q-----------------

/4....................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

- 4 -

HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT INTEREST IN HONG KONG - HO

X X X X X

THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST IN INVESTMENT

IN HONG KONG, WHICH IS BEING INCREASINGLY RECOGNISED AS ONE OF

THE MOST DYNAMIC AND PROFITABLE PLACES IN THE WORLD TO DO BUSINESS,

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR E.P. HO SAID TODAY.

THE NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIAL INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT ENQUIRIES

DEALT WITH BY THE DEPARTMENT WENT UP BY 12 PER CENT IN 1983 AS

AGAINST 1982 — TO 780 FROM 695, MR HO TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF

TRADE COMMISSIONERS REPRESENTING 20 COUNTRIES, IN HONG KONG.

MR HO SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS SOME 440 ACTIVE

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT FILES.

.DECISIONS TO PROCEED WERE MADE IN RESPECT OF 17 PROJECTS IN

1983, AND FAVOURABLE DECISIONS FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 26 PROJECTS

WERE EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS,+ HE SAID.

IN ADDITION, HE SAID, SOME MANUFACTURERS ALREADY ESTABLISHED

HERE ARE CURRENTLY EXPANDING THEIR EXISTING OPERATIONS, AND THESE

INCLUDE SOME WELL-KNOWN INTERNATIONAL NAMES. IN SOME CASES, THE

AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL, HE SAID.

MR HO SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS POSSIBLY UNIQUE IN TODAY’S

REGULATED WORLD IN ITS ADHERENCE +NOT SIMPLY TO THE PRINCIPLES

BUT TO THE PRACTICE OF A FREE MARKET ECONOMY.+

+WE APPLY THIS PHILOSOPHY NOT ONLY TO OUR TRADING PRACTICE

BUT ALSO IN OUR POLICY TOWARDS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY,+ MR HO SAID.

REFERRING TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE FIGURES, MR HO

SAID THAT 1982-83 YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN

REAL TERMS WAS ABOUT 20 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER -- UP FROM

18 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER, 14 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER

AND THREE PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

TAKING 1983 AS A WHOLE, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY 26 PER CENT

IN VALUE TERMS AND BY ABOUT 14 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.

MR HO ALSO SAID THAT THE ESTIMATED GROWTH RATE OF THE GROSS

DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 1983 HAD BEEN RAISED TO NEARLY SIX PER CENT,

FROM AN EARLIER ESTIMATE OF FOUR PER CENT.

. ALL SIGNS ARE THAT THIS RECOVERY WILL CONTINUE.

. IT IS THEREFORE VERY MUCH BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HONG KONG,

MR HO SAID.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

GIRL PRAISED FOR HELPING SAVE MAN

* * * *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, TODAY (FRIDAY)

PRAISED AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOR HER PROMPT ACTION IN SAVING A

WORKER FROM A FATAL FALL OUTSIDE HER 9TH FLOOR FLAT IN KOWLOON.

*1 HOPE THAT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WILL REMIND WORKERS TO BE

ALWAYS CONSCIOUS OF SAFETY WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT,* MR BRIDGE

TOLD CHUI PUI-SHAN BEFORE PRESENTING HER WITH A PAIR OF

BADMINTON RACQUETS AS A SOUVENIR. THE PRESENTATION WAS MADE

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S ^SAFETY

EXTRAVAGANZA* AT THE TELFORD GARDENS COMMUNITY CENTRE, KOWLOON

BAY.

A PRIMARY SIX PUPIL, PUI-SHAN WAS PLAYING BADMINTON AT

TSZ MAN ESTATE, TSZ WAN SHAN, ON MONDAY EVENING WHEN NOTICED

SOME WORK TOOLS FALLING FROM A BUILDING. LOOKING UP, SHE SAW A

TILTING GONDOLA, WITH A WORKER HANGING ON PRECARIOUSLY OUTSIDE

THE BALCONY OF HER 9TH FLOOR FLAT.

SHE RUSHED BACK TO HER FLAT AND LET THE WORKER IN BY

OPENING A WINDOW.

EARLIER, THE SPECTACULAR SOUND-ON-SLIDE PRESENTATION,

JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT

BOARD, WAS OPENED BY MR BRIDGE, MR KEVIN I.K. MAK, KWUN TONG

DISTRICT OFFICER, AND MR EDDIE LAMB, CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG

SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA ORGANISING COMMITTEE.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR BRIDGE URGED RESIDENTS

IN THE DISTRICT, ESPE’IALLY STUDENTS AND WORKERS, TO VISIT THE

SHOW TO GAIN A BETTER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

.I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THIS UNIQUE PRESENTATION,

WHICH COMBINES BOTH ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATION, HAS BEEN WELL

RECEIVED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY WORKERS,*

HE SAID.

HE CALLED ON COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN

THE DISTRICT TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS RESPECTIVELY

TO GO TO SEE THE EXHIBITION.

HR BRIDGE ALSO THANKED THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THE

KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND MEMBERS OF

THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN STAGING THE SHOW.

EARLIER, MR I.K. MAK, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER STRESSED

THAT HONG KONG’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WERE DEVELOPING RAPIDLY AND

MANY INDUSTRIES HAD ABSORBED ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY INTO THEIR

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.

AS A RESULT, HE SAID, THE DEMAND FOR SKILLED WORKERS WAS

GROWING ENORMOUSLY AND VERY OFTEN INDUSTRIALISTS HAD TO SPEND

A PART OF THEIR CAPITAL ON TRAINING THE WORKERS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TON NEGLIGENCE

OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THEN ALL THEIR EFFORTS WOULD BE

IN VAIN.

/MR MAK ....................

FRIDAY, FEBHU ARY 17, 1984

6 -

MR MAK SAID THAT APART FROM THE SHOW, THERE WOULD BE AN

EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND CHARTS, A GAME STALL AS WELL AS

A QUIZ, ALL RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY TELEVISION

ARTISTES AND LOCAL POPULAR SINGERS ON THE GIS MOBILE STREET

THEATRE WOULD BE HELD AT THE MAIN SQUARE IN TELFORD GARDENS

AT 3 PM ON FEBRUARY 26 TO ENTERTAIN RESIDENTS AND TO PROMOTE

WORK SAFETY.

.SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA* IS BEING STAGED OVER TWO WEEKEND

PERIODS, FROM FEBRUARY 17 TO 19 AND FROM FEBRUARY 24 TO 26.

SHOWINGS WILL BE EVERY HALF HOUR FROM 11 AM TO 8.30 PM EXCEPT

ON THE LAST DAY, WHEN IT WILL CLOSE AT 6 PM.

REFRESHER COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

M M M #

FOUR RETRAINING COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BY GRANTHAM COLLEGE

CF EDUCATION AND THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT FOR GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE

1984-85 ACADEMIC YEAR.

HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE UP TO FOUR

TEACHERS TO ATTEND Tl SE EIGHT-WEEK COURSES, WHICH ARE FREE.

TEACHERS NOMINATED FOR THE COURSE MUST HAVE AT LEAST FIVE

YEARS’ TEACHING EXPERIENCE AFTER INITIAL TRAINING, A SPOKESMAN FOR

THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

A REPLACEMENT TEACHER MAY BE EMPLOYED BY THE SCHOOL TO STAND

IN FOR TEACHERS ON RETRAINING COURSES.

THE COURSES ARE TO ACQUAINT SERVING TEACHERS WITH MODERN

bETHODS AND APPROACHES IN TEACHING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, TO PROMOTE

FURTHER UNDERSTANDING IN THE USE OF RESOURCES AND A KNOWLEDGE OF

NEW CONCEPTS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

.EMPHASIS WILL BE ON PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF TEACHING, HELPING

TEACHERS TO DEVELOP MODERN METHODS IN PROGRAMMED LEARNING, TEAM

TEACHING, REMEDIAL TEACHING, MIXED ABILITY GROUPING AND THE

ACTIVITY APPROACH,* HE ADDED.

THE MAJOR PART OF THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF WORKSHOPS,

SEMINARS AND TUTORIALS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS

ENCOUNTERED IN CLASSROOM SITUATIONS, THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN

CF TEACHING AIDS, AND VISITS TO VARIOUS TEACHING CENTRES AND

SCHOOLS USING THE ACTIVITY APPRQACH.

/certificates of.............A

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO PARTICIPANTS

WHO HAVE FOLLOWED THE COURSE REGULARLY.

NOMINATIONS SHOULD REACH THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER

(FURTHER EDUCATION), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 2/F,

HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24.

SCHOOLS WILL BE INFORMED IN MID-APRIL WHETHER THEIR TEACHERS

HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COURSES MAY BE MADE TO GRANTHAM

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON TEL: 3-910012 OR 3-910043, AND ENQUIRIES

REGARDING REPLACEMENT TEACHERS TO THE DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER

CONCERNED.

----o----

VISITORS IMPRESSED WITH CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG IS TIPTOP.

MALAYSIA’S DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PRISONS, DATO* IBRAHIM B.HJ.

MOHAMED, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

DATO* IBRAHIM SAID HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE MODERN

FACILITIES AND EFFIC'ENT MANAGEMENT AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL

INSTITUTIONS AND STA r TRAINING INSTITUTE HE HAD VISITED.

DATO* IBRAHIM IS CURRENTLY LEADING A DELEGATION OF 15 SENIOR

MALAYSIAN PRISON OFFICERS ON A TOUR TO STUDY CORRECTIONAL

INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMMES IN KOREA, HONG KONG AMD THAILAND.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES,

H? THOMAS GARNER, THE DELEGATION TODAY FIRST VISITED THE VARIOUS

TRAINING FACILITIES AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.

NEXT, THEY PROCEEDED TO THE NEARBY MAXIMUM SECURITY STANLEY

PRISON WHERE THEY INSPECTED ITS CELLULAR ACCOMMODATION AND SAW

PRISONERS AT WORK IN VARIOUS WORKSHOPS.

THEY ALSO TOURED THE ADJACENT TUNG TAU CORRECTIONAL

INSTITUTION TO LOOK AT ITS DORMITORIES, CHAPEL, LIBRARY, SICK

BAY AND WORKSHOPS.

THE DELEGATION THEN VISITED THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL

INSTITUTION WHERE THEY SAW SOME YOUNG FEMALE OFFENDERS RECEIVING

VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND OTHERS ATTENDING EDUCATIONAL CLASSES.

TOMORROW, THEY WILL VISIT THE NEWLY BUILT SHEK PIK PRISON,

HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE AND LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL

INSTITUTION.

THE DELEGATION ARRIVED HERE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AND

WILL LEAVE FOR BANGKOK ON MONDAY.

o ----

/8....................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

NURSING SCHOOL INCLUDED IN HOSPITAL GROWTH

ft ft ft

A NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN AS

PART OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME, DR. K.L. THONG,

DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY

OF THE PHASE III EXTENSION PROGRAMME OF THE HOSPITAL.

DR THONG SAID THAT THE SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT TO MEET

THE NEEDS OF THE HOSPITAL’S EXPANDED SERVICES AND TO

FORM PART OF GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR

NURSING STAFF.

WHEN COMPLETED IN 1985, THE SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT

NURSING STAFF FOR THE HOSPITAL’S FUTURE NEEDS.

THE EXTENSION PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE THE REDEVELOPMENT

OF THE MAUR INE GRANTHAM HEALTH CENTRE, TO PROVIDE MATERNAL

AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, FAMILY PLANNING AND CHILD ASSESSMENT

SERVICES.

THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL IS THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF TSUEN

WAN. ITS EXTENSION PROGRAMME IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES WITH

THE AIM OF PROVIDING A FULL-RANGE OF MEDICAL SERVICE FOR

RESIDENTS IN TSUEN WAN AND NEIGHBOURING AREAS.

DURING THE CEREMONY, DR THONG ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO

PAY TRIBUTE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL FOR

THEIR CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY SERVICES,

INCLUDING CARE FOR BO' 1 YOUNG AND OLD.

- - 0 - -

NEW REGULATIONS ON FILM REVIEWS

ft ft ft ft

FILM-MAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE

THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR A REVIEW OF THE CENSOR’S DECISION ON A FILM,

BUT THE FILM WILL NOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM EXHIBITION WHILE THE REVIEW

IS PENDING, UNDER AMENDMENT REGULATIONS PUBLISHED TODAY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE LAW, ANY

PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT A FILM SHOULD NOT BE EXHIBITED ON MORAL,

RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR OTHER GROUNDS CAN REQUEST THE CHIEF

SECRETARY TO REFER THE FILM TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP BOARD OF

REVIEW, IF THE BOARD HAD NOT ALREADY REVIEWED THAT FILM.

PREVIOUSLY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAD DISCRETION TO ORDER THE

WITHDRAWAL OF THE FILM FROM EXHIBITION PENDING THE REVIEW.

UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1984

PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, WITHDRAWAL ORDERS COULD NOW BE MADE

ONLY IF THE. FILM DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TO DELIVER THE FILM TO THE

FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY FOR REVIEW WITHIN 24 HOURS.

THIS WILL AVOID INCONVENIENCE TO THE DISTRIBUTORS AND ALSO

ENSURE THAT A QUICK DECISION COULD BE REACHED ON THE PUBLIC

COMPLAINT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

STAMPS TO MARK HONG KONG’S AVIATION HISTORY

THE POST OFFICE WILL BE ISSUING ON MARCH 7 FOUR STAMPS

DEPICTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AVIATION IN HONG KONG.

DISCLOSING THIS TODAY, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAIDi *HONG

KONG HAS A LONG HISTORY IN THE FIELD OF AVIATION STARTING WITH

THE FIRST BALLOON FLIGHT IN THE TERRITORY IN 1891. KAI TAK WAS

RECLAIMED IN 1927 AND SUBSEQUENTLY DEVELOPED TO THE AIRPORT AS

IT STANDS TODAY.*

THE FOUR STAMPS TO BE ISSUED ARE I

40 - THE ’DORADO’ WAS ONE OF THE IMPERIAL AIRWAYS’ FLEET

CENTS OF TWELVE DH 86A AIRCRAFT. IT WAS THE AIRCRAFT WHICH

STARTED INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG.

ON MARCH 24, 1936 IT ARRIVED AT KAI TAK ON

THE INAUGURAL FLIGHT ESTABLISHING A WEEKLY SERVICE

BETWEEN PENANG AND HONG KONG. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ON

BOARD 16 BAGS OF MAIL AND ONE PASSENGER. THE DH 86A

COULD CARRY TEN PASSENGERS, CRUISED AT 145 MPH AND

HAD A RANGE OF 764 MILES.

11.00 - THE PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS ’HONG KONG’ CLIPPER (S-42 B)

WAS ONE OF THE CLIPPERS USED BY PAN AMERICAN

AIRWAYS WHEN IT STARTED A REGULAR SERVICE IN 1937

TO MANILA. THE S-42 CARRIED 28 PASSENGERS AND A

CRUISING SPEED OF 163 MPH.

11.30 - A CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 747 LANDING AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.

$5.00 - THE BALLOON IN WHICH THE BALDWIN BROTHERS FROM AMERICA

MADE THEIR ASCENT FROM HAPPY VALLEY ON JANUARY 3, 1891.

ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE

AND IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE DAILY FROM FEBRUARY 29

TO MARCH 6 FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.

THE OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PUT ON SALE ON FEBRUARY

22 AT 50 CENTS EACH. THEY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN INSERT CARD

CONTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAMPS. ADVANCE ORDERS FOR

SERVICING FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM FEBRUARY 22-29

AT ALL POST OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A SET OF FOUR ATTRACTIVE POSTCARDS, BEING ENLARGEMENTS OF

THE STAMPS, WILL ALSO BE PUT ON SALE ON FEBRUARY 22 AT $1 EACH.

.THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE POST OFFICE HAS ISSUED

POSTCARDS DEPICTING SPECIAL ISSUE POSTAGE STAMPS,. THE SPOKESMAN

EXPLAINED.

----o----

/IO ....................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

10 -

FIRE SERVICES TO HAVE NEW HEADQUARTERS

* * *

A CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED FOR A NEW FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AND SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AT TSIM

SHA TSUI EAST.

WORK WILL START ON THE |52 MILLION PROJECT NEXT MONTH AND

TAKE A LITTLE UNDER TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WILL BE 14 STOREYS HIGH AND OCCUPY A

2 600-SQUARE METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF HONG CHONG AND SCIENCE

HJSEUM ROADS.

ADJACENT TO THE HEADQUARTERS WILL BE A DRILL YARD.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A LARGE BASEMENT AREA FOR STORE ROOMS

AND FOR PARKING VEHICLES.

THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WILL PROVIDE 16 400 SQUARE METRES

OF OFFICE SPACE.

THE NEW BUILDING WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT HEADQUARTERS IN

JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT, WHICH WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO KWAN LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

LIMITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT.

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

TENDERS SOUGHT FOR POOL, MARKET COMPLEX WORK

* M M

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SITE FORMATION WORK FOR A SWIMMING POOL AND

MARKET COMPLEX AT TSUEN WAN.

THE COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT ON A 9 400-SQUARE METRE SITE AT THE

JUNCTION OF ON YAT STREET AND TSUEN KING CIRCUIT.

THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX WILL CONSIST OF A MAIN POOL, A

PADDLING POOL, A WATER FEATURE POOL, A TEACHING-TRAINING POOL,

CHANGING ROOM FACILITIES AND A PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN.

THE FOUR-STOREY MARKET COMPLEX WILL ACCOMMODATE 4? STALLS

AND 253 MINI-STALLS, TWO RESTAURANTS AND A ROOFTOP GARDEN.

IT WILL BE BUILT ADJACENT TO THE SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY

NOVEMBER.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

REFUSE DISPOSAL GROUP HOLDS 5OTH MEETING

ft ft ft ft

MEMBERS OF THE REFUSE DISPOSAL GROUP (RDG) MARKED THEIR

5OTH MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) BY VISITING KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR

AND GIN DRINKERS BAY PARK.

THE RDG WAS SET UP IN MID-1976 AND REPLACED THE FORMER

CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES.

IT HAS HELD REGULAR MEETINGS EVERY TWO MONTHS SINCE TO

REVIEW THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS DISPOSAL SCHEMES

AND TO RECOMMEND THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GROUP SAID IT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROPER AND EFFICIENT DISPOSAL OF

HONG KONG’S SOLID WASTES WHICH, IN 1976, AMOUNTED TO 4 000 TONNES

A DAY AND WAS NOW APPROACHING 7 000 TONNES.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE RDG COMPRISES THE DIRECTORS OF ENGINEERING

DEVELOPMENT, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, CITY SERVICES

AND NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.

ITS CHAIRMAN IS THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT,

M? EDDIE SHORT.

THE GROUP WAS ACCOMPANIED DURING ITS VISITS BY THE PROJECT

MANAGER OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR NG TECH-SHENG

AT KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY STAFF OF

THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE GENERAL

OPERATION OF THE PLANT.

THE PLANT, COMMISSIONED IN 1979, WAS THE FIRST HERE TO BE

FITTED WITH ELECTROSTATIC DUST PRECIPITATORS AND IS REGARDED AS

HONG KONG’S MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF WASTE DISPOSAL. THE

PRECIPITATORS HELP REMOVE MOST OF THE DUST FROM THE FLUE GAS

PRIOR TO DISCHARGE. RESULTING IN CLEAN EMISSION AND CONSEQUENTIAL

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

THE RDG WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE INCINERATOR IS HANDLING ABOUT

850 TONNES OF REFUSE A DAY, ABOUT TWO THIRDS ITS CAPACITY.

AT GIN DRINKERS BAY PARK, THE GROUP WAS BRIEFED BY THE

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE,

MR RICHARD WHITTAKER, ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK.

HE SAID GIN DRINKERS BAY WAS FOR MANY YEARS THE MAJOR

CONTROLLED TIP IN THE TERRITORY AND WAS FINALLY CLOSED IN EARLY

1979. IT WAS NOW BEING DEVELOPED AS A PARK IN THREE PHASES TO

PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

MR WHITTAKER SAID THE FIRST PHASE WOULD COVER AN AREA OF

ABOUT 23 HECTARES, WORK ON THIS WOULD START NEXT YEAR. THE PARK

WOULD BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FOR USE IN 1987.

FACILITIES WOULD INCLUDE GARDENS, CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS,

A MINI-GOLF COURSE, FAST FOOD SHOPS, A 1 OOO-METRE-LONG

JOGGING TRACK, TOGETHER WITH EXERCISE STATIONS AT VARIOUS

LOCATIONS, AND PUBLIC TOILETS.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

FOOTPATHS TO BE BUILT NEAR HOUSING AREA

XXX

TAI PO AND FANLING NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW

TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT TWO FOOTPATHS

AND THREE VEHICLE PARKING AREAS NEAR A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA TO

BE BUILT AT SHA TAU KOK NEXT YEAR.

THE FOOTPATHS WILL SERVE RESIDENTS OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING

AREA AS WELL AS THOSE OF SHA TAU KOK.

THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BY THE HOUSING

DEPARTMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF 1985.

A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED FOOTPATHS AND VEHICLE PARKING

AREAS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT CENTRAL AND

WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE! THE DISTRICT LANDS

OFFICE NORTH AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, OLD DISTRICT OFFICE

BUILDING, TAI PO MARKET, TAI POJ AND AT NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE,

FANLING SUB-OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.

OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL IN WRITING SHOULD REACH THE

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE APRIL 17.

- - 0 - -

HIGHER BIDS FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES

ft ft ft

SEVEN HUNDRED AND FORTY TENDERS WERE SUBMITTED FOR 300 URBAN

TAXI LICENCES WHICH WERE PUT UP FOR BID RECENTLY.

THE HIGHEST BID ACCEPTED WAS 1144 598 AND THE LOWEST $138 589.

THE AVERAGE PREMIUM OF $140 221.76 REPRESENTED AN INCREASE

OF 4.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE LAST TENDER EXERCISE.

AND 188 TENDERS WERE LODGED FOR THE 150 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI

LICENCES OFFERED.

SUCCESSFUL BIDS RANGED FROM A HIGH OF $30 800 TO A LOW OF

$12 860. THE AVERAGE PREMIUM WAS $21 144.69 REPRESENTING A

DECREASE OF 14.1 PER CENT ON THE PREVIOUS OFFER.

RESULTS OF THE TENDER ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

- u - -

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

NEW CLOCK TOWER TO SERVE AS SHAM SHU I PO LANDMARK

* * *

CONSTRUCTION OF A 10.9-METER HIGH CLOCK TOWER AT THE

JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD HAS JUST BEEN

COMPLETED.

BUILT AT A COST OF <200 000, OF WHICH 1150 000 IS FROM

THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE CLOCK TOWER WILL SERVE AS

A LANDMARK FOR THE DISTRICT.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE, SAID THAT APART FROM

ITS ARCHITECTURAL MERIT, THE CLOCK TOWER ALSO DEMONSTRATED

CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.

THE CLOCK TOWER IS A FOUR-SIDED, LOW-RISE STRUCTURE

DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO.

TOMORROW, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.

* BARRIE WIGGHAM. WILL OFFICIATE AT AN INAUGURAL CEREMONY

OF THE CLOCK TOWER AT 2.15 PM.

AFTER THAT A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE PO ON ROAD

PLAYGROUND AT 3.15 PM TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST SHAM SHUI

PO ARTS FESTIVAL.

MR WIGGHAM WILL BE JOINED THEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE

URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE

FESTIVAL’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR KWOK CHEONG, AT THE CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY

OF THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOCK TOWER AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY)

AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AND

ALSO THE GALA OPENING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS FESTIVAL

AT 3.15 PM AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND.

A COACH WILL TAKE PRESS MEMBERS FROM THE CLOCK TOWER

SITE TO THE PO ON ROAD VENUE AT ABOUT 3 PM.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 198*

- 14 -

YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS

* * *

THE FOURTH YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL, AN ANNUAL FOCUS OF CULTURAL

ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, WAS OPENED THIS

(FRIDAY) EVENING BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES,

HI IAN MACPHERSON.

SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR MACPHERSON SAID IT WAS ALWAYS

DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RIGHT BLEND OF PERFORMANCES TO SUIT A WIDE

RANGE OF AGES AND TASTES, AND YET THE FESTIVAL'S CO-ORDINATING

COMMITTEE WAS ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER AN INTERESTING AND EXCITING

PROGRAMME.

HE NOTED THAT THIS YEAR'S PROGRAMME LAID SPECIAL EMPHASIS

ON YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH MATINEE SHOWS, OUTDOOR PROGRAMMES, FILM

SHOWS AND POPULAR MUSIC CONCERTS.

.AS WELL AS GOING TO SEE SONE OF THE PERFORMANCES WHICH YOU

ARE FAMILIAR WITH, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE TEMPTED TO TRY SOME OF

THE ITEMS WHICH ARE NEW TO YUEN LONG AND WHICH COME HERE WITH GOOD

REVIEWS FROM OTHER PERFORMING VENUES IN HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.

.NO EDUCATION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT AN APPRECIATION OF THE

ARTSi THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH MATURES AND GROWS WITH YOU, GIVING

MANY YEARS OF PLEASURE, AND SOMETHING WHICH HELPS TO DEVELOP

HARMONY OF CHARACTER AND AN INNER SENSE OF PEACE.*

THE 15-DAY FEST'VAL FEATURES 34 ITEMS INCLUDING CONCERTS,

DRAMAS, OPERAS, DANC S, FILMS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS - A

PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AS WELL AS FOR PEOPLE WITH

DIFFERENT ARTISTIC INTERESTS.

OUT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET OF $700 DOO FOR THE FESTIVAL, THE

DISTRICT BOARD IS CONTRIBUTING $300 000, WHILE THE BALANCE WILL

COME FROM TICKET PROCEEDS AND LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.

THE FESTIVAL, WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL MARCH 2, IS JOINTLY

ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT ARTS

COMMITTEE AND THE CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (N.T.).

ADMISSION TO 22 OF THE FESTIVAL'S EVENTS IS FREE, AND

TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE

DISTRICT OFFICE.

TICKETS FOR THE CHOR FUNG MING OPERA TROUPE PERFORMANCES

AT $00, $65, $50 AND $35, THE HONG KONG DANCE COMPANY PERFORMANCE

AT $25, $20, $15, $10 AND $5, TOGETHER WITH OTHER PROGRAMMES

AT $15, $10 AND $5 ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT LUT SAU HALL.

THE OPENING HOURS FOR THE BOX OFFICE ARE BETWEEN 3.30 PM

AND 7.30 PM DAILY.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1984

GROWING DEMAND SEEN FOR TRANSLATION SERVICE

ft ft ft

TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS MUST KEEP ABREAST OF NEW

DEVELOPMENTS BY EQUIPPING THEMSELVES, WELL TO MEET THE CHANGING

NEEDS OF SOCIETY, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS,

MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY.

MRS WONG SAID THAT THE DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES WAS EXPECTED

TO CONTINUE TO GROW, AND IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT TRANSLATORS AND

INTERPRETERS SHOULD LIVE UP TO THE HIGH STANDARD EXPECTED BY THE

PUBLIC, SHE SAID.

SHE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY

OF THE SECOND BASIC TRAINING COURSE FOR NEWLY-RECRUITED CHINESE

LANGUAGE OFFICERS, AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.

ALSO SPEAKING AT THIS CEREMONY WHICH MARKED THE COMPLETION

OF THE COURSE FOR 24 CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS, THE COMMISSIONER

FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE, MR FRED TING, SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE

ENTHUSIASM DEMONSTRATED BY THESE NEW RECRUITS.

HE WAS SURE THAT THEY COULD FULFIL THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC.

MR TING ADDED THAT THE OBJECT OF SIMILAR COURSES CURRENTLY

HELD FOR NEWLY APPOINTED CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS WAS TO DEVELOP

BETTER TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES TO MEET THE

GROWING NEED FOR SUCK SERVICES.

- 0 - -

ROAD LINK TO COMPLETE TSI NG Yl COMPLEX

ft ft ft

ACCESS TO THE INDUSTRIAL AREA ON THE WEST COAST OF TSI NG Yl

WILL IMPROVE WITH THE COMPLETION OF A CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM AROUND

THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE ISLAND.

THE PROJECT INVOLVES BUILDING A ONE-KILOMETRE LONG ROAD TO

LINK TWO EXISTING ROADS.

FIVE 10.3-METRE-WIDE ACCESS ROADS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED

IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA AS PART OF THE PROJECT.

IN ADDITION AN EXISTING ROAD RUNNING THROUGH THE AREA WILL

BE WIDENED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS

TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR AND THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE

ABOUT THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

/IN ANOTHEB

FRIDAY, FJSRUARY 17, 19&4

- 16 -

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS

INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN 11 5OO-CUBIC-METRE FRESH

WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AT SOUTH TSING Yl.

THE RESERVOIR WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AND

THE ROOF WILL BE TOPPED OFF WITH SOIL AND GRASS.

IT WILL BE LANDSCAPED.

THE NEW RESERVOIR IS BEING BUILT TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND FOR

FRESH WATER ARISING FROM THE HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG

THE WESTERN AND SOUTH-WESTERN COASTS OF TSING Yl ISLAND.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS

TO COMPLETE.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS WHICH WERE GAZETTED

TODAY (FRIDAY), CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT

OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

OFFICES (WEST WING), MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY? DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE

(TSUEN WAN), TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING,

1OTH FLOOR, 174-208, CASTLE PEAK ROAD? TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE,

FOU WAH CENTRE (2ND FLOOR), 210, CASTLE PEAK ROAD? AND ITS TSING

Yl SUB-OFFICE, 113, CHING WAI HOUSE, CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, TSING Yl.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE IN WRITING TO THE

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE APRIL 17.

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

NOTE TO EDlTORSi

ROLLER SKATING RINK OPENING

UMM

THE WIFE OF THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION,

HIS JANE AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING OF A

ROLLER SKATING RINK AT THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR

SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN, AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER,

W RICKY FUNG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE,

KR LAU WONG-FAT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAN 01 TONG DIRECTOR BOARD,

W YIP HING-CHUNG, AND THE DISTRICT COMMANDER (TUEN MUN), RHKPF,

V.F.D. CHAPMAN.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 198*

NOTE TO EDITORS!

CARNIVAL TO TOP ACTIVITIES

X X X

A CARNIVAL TO ROUND OFF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES IN

TAI PO WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 19) AT THE TAI PO

PLAYGROUND.

THE PROGRAMME WILL FEATURE GAME STALLS AND TELEMATCH GAMES.

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN

MACPHERSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY AT 12 NOON.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

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

PROMENADES ALONG SHING MUN RIVER

XXX

PROMENADES AND A SERIES OF OPEN SPACES ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED

ALONG THE BANKS OF THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN.

SHA TIN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT |S INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.

THE PROMENADES WILL STRETCH FROM JAT MIN ESTATE TO THE JUBILEE

SPORTS CENTRE ALONG THE RIVER FRONTAGE, A DISTANCE OF 4.3

KILOMETRES, AND WILL FORM PART OF AN EXTENSIVE

TRACK SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE NEW TOWN.

PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE

THE OPEN SPACES WILL HAVE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS, REFRESHMENT

KIOSKS, SEATS AND PUBLIC TOILETS.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND BE

COMPLETED IN A YEAR.

TAI HANG WATER WORKS

* X X

re- .RESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI HANG WILL BE TURNED

PM 0N H0,,DAY (FEBRUARY *0) T° 6 AM THE FO^ot/lSI Ja^FOR

AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES IM JARDINE’S LOOKOUT Rniiunm

MOUNT BUTLER ROAD, PRICE ROAD, AND PERKINS ROAD

INCLUDING MOUNT BUTLER NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS. *

BY TAI

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

BANK OF ENGLAND INVITED TO SEND TEAM TO HK ...................................................... 1

COMMUNITY PRAISED FOR ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT ...................................................... 1

SHAM SHUI PO ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ...................................................................................... 2

DISTRICT LANDMARK FOR SHAM SHUI PO ................................................................................ 3

SHANGHAI TRADE DELEGATION VISITS SHA TIN ............................................................. 4

YAU MA TEI DB TO MEET ON MONDAY ......................................................................................... 5

FIELD VISITS TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTING .......................................................................... 5

FIRST ROLLER SKATING RINK IN NT OPENED ................................................................... 6

TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG WIN COMPETITION ................................................................ 7

SPORT AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS ....................................... 7

ART WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS ......................................................................................................... 8

MAINTENANCE OF LITTER CONTAINERS ...................................................................................... 8

MORE OPEN SPACE FOR KOWLOON PARK ...................................................................................... 9

FIRING PRACTICE AT HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK................................................................ 9

RESURFACING WORK ON PEAK ROAD ................................................................................................ 9

FUN DAY FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE......................................................................................................... 10

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF CAR PARK ...................................................................................................... 10

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ......................................................................................................................... 10

NEW TOILET FOR GARDENS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

- 1 "

BANK OF ENGLAND INVITED TO SEND TEAM TO HK

* * * *

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE BANK OF ENGLAND

HAD BEEN INVITED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO SEND A TWO-MAN

TEAM TO HONG KONG TO EXAMINE HOW WELL THE BANKING AND

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCES HAVE OPERATED SINCE

THEY WERE ENACTED INCLUDING SUPERVISORY PROCEDURES AND

PRACTICES, AND WHETHER IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOW NECESSARY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR OF OUR

ECONOMY IS FAR MORE COMPLEX THAN IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO WHEN THE

BANKING ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED AND THAT SINCE THEN HONG KONG HAS

EVOLVED INTO A FINANCIAL CENTRE OF A SIZE AND IMPORTANCE THAT COULD

NOT HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATED BACK IN 1964. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH

THE TWO ORDINANCES HAD BEEN EXTENSIVELY AMENDED TO MEET ALTERED

CONDITIONS, THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE CHANGES THAT HAVE

TAKEN PLACE IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS ARE

SUCH THAT AN INDEPENDENT OVERALL REVIEW SHOULD NOW BE UNDERTAKEN

BY EXPERTS WHO, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE DAY TO

DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE TWO ORDINANCES, WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A

DETACHED, BUT PROFESSIONAL VIEW OF TODAY’S NEEDS IN THIS VERY

IMPORTANT AREA OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BANK OF ENGLAND HAD RESPONDED

POSITIVELY TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST AND THAT THE

TEAM WERE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE TOWARDS THE END OF FEBRUARY.

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

COMMUNITY PRAISED FOR ANTI-NARCOTICS FIGHT

*****

THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST

DRUGS HAS ACHIEVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION, THE COMMISSIONER

FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE 1983-84 NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME

AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW HELD AT THE FANLING RECREATION

PLAYGROUND.

REFERRING TO THE 1983 REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL

NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD, MR MORTIMER QUOTED, +THE COMMUNITY (IN

HONG KONG) IS COMBINING ITS RESOURCES WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

TO PROVIDE IMAGINATIVE CAMPAIGNS DIRECTED AT SPECIFIC VULNERABLE

GROUPS IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE CENTRAL REGISTRY DATA.+

BUT MR MORTIMER STRESSED THERE COULD BE NO COMPLACENCY UNTIL

THE GRAVE THREAT OF NARCOTICS TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE WELL-BEING

CF HONG KONG WAS ERADICATED.

+WE MUST SUSTAIN OUR EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND

ABUSE, IN ALL FIELDS - LAW ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTIVE EDUCATION,

TREATMENT, AFTERCARE AND REHABILITATION,* HE SAID.

SATURDAY, FEBRUaRY 18, 1?84

HE DESCRIBED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AS A CORNERSTONE OF THE

PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY STRATEGY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST

DRUG ABUSE IN HONG KONG.

+TODAY IN THE NORTH DISTRICT YOU ARE FOCUSSING ATTENTION ON

THE NEED TO MOBILISE THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN

PARTICULAR IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND DRUGS,+ HE ADDED, +l

AM SURE THAT THROUGH YOUR DETERMINED EFFORTS MUCH SUCCESS WILL BE

ACHIEVED.+

MR MORTIMER SAID THAT THE SUPPORT OF FAMILY, PARENTS AND

TEACHERS IN GUIDING YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY FROM DRUGS AND INTO HEALTHY

PURSUITS AS WELL AS IN HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE FIND A WORTHWHILE

PURPOSE IN LIFE WAS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE TO THE YOUTHS OF HONG KONG

AND THEIR FUTURE.

HE ALSO REMINDED ADDICTS THAT TREATMENT, AFTERCARE,

REHABILITATION AND COUNSELLING SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM

THROUGH SARDA AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

HE THANKED THE COMMUNITY FOR ASSISTING FORMER ADDICTS BY

PROVIDING THEM WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

THE VARIETY SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME

COMMITTEE, ATTRACTED SOME 15 OOO PEOPLE.

THE LOCAL SINGERS AND TV STARS, MR JOHNNY IP, MISS ELIZA

CHAN AND MR DAVID LO, PERFORMED IN THE SHOW AND SPREAD ANTINARCOTICS

MESSAGES TO THE AUDIENCE.

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

SHAM SHUI PO ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS

* * * *

THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS FESTIVAL, FEATURING MORE THAN 30 FILM

SHOWS, DRAMAS AND OPERAS, EXHIBITIONS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER

CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PERFORMANCES, OPENED IN A CARNIVAL

ATMOSPHERE AT PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR EARRIE

WIGGHAM, OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.

+THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS FESTIVAL IS ANOTHER LARGE-SCALE

ACTIVITY WHICH COMES AFTER THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL,+ HE SAID.

THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY, HE SAID, WOULD HELP PROMOTE AND

DEVELOP DIFFERENT FORMS OF ART, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO

PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.

IT WOULD ALSO ENHANCE THE SENSE OF BELONGING OF THE RESIDENTS

IN THE DISTRICT AND GIVE THE COMMUNITY A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF

THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, HE ADDED.

HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT LARGE-SCALE ACTIVITIES OF THIS

KIND WOULD BE ORGANISED REGULARLY IN FUTURE FOR THE WELL-BEING

OF LOCAL PEOPLE.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR KWOK CHEONG, SAID THE FESTIVAL WAS AIMED

AT PROVIDING A +COLOURFUL AND HEALTHY* VARIETY OF LOW-COST

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE DISTRICT’S 500 000 PEOPLE AND, AT THE

SAME TIME, FOSTERING YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN ART AND CULTURAL

ACTIVITIES.

THE FESTIVAL, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT

BOARD, THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,

WILL BE PRESENTED AT DIFFERENT VENUES IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

MORE THAN 5 000 SPECTATORS ATTENDED TODAY’S GALA OPENING

PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDED A DRAGON AND A LION DANCE, A POLICE

MARCHING BAND DISPLAY, PIPES AND DRUMS PERFORMANCES AND MASS

DANCES.

ON DISPLAY AT THE PLAYGROUND WAS A 90-SQUARE-METRE GIANT

PAINTING CREATED BY 100 CHILDREN.

TICKETS AND DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES ARE NOW

AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND SUB-OFFICES.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-704251 DURING OFFICE

HOURS.

----0----

DISTRICT LANDMARK FOR SHAM SHUI PO

*****

THE SHAM SHUI PO CLOCK TOWER - A DISTRICT LANDMARK BUILT BY

THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD - WAS OFFICIALLY UNVEILED AT A CEREMONY

THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.

LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI PO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD,

THE CLOCK TOWER HAS SOME UNIQUE FEATURES - THE STRUCTURE SYMBOLISES

THE LOGO OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.

SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG

AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM SAID THE CLOCK TOWER WAS A +GOOD

ILLUSTRATION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT OF HONG KONG, WHERE

GOVERNMENT, DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR wORK

HAND IN HAND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.*

HE ADDED THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT THE SHAM

SHUI PO DISTRICT WOULD HAVE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A DISTINCT

LANDMARK OF ITS OWN, WHICH CLEARLY IDENTIFIED IT FROM MONG KOK

TO THE SOUTH AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TO THE NORTH.

MR WIGGHAM ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE EIGHT KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS

WHICH, TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD, HAD CONTRIBUTED S200 303

FOR THE BUILDING OF THE CLOCK TOWER.

SATUHDAY, 7SBBDA2.” lb, 1?84

- 4 -

+ l NEED HARDLY EMPHASISE THE CONTRIBUTION MADE OVER THE

YEARS BY OUR KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS,* HE SAID.

+THEY HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF COMMUNITY WORK THROUGH GENEROUS

DONATIONS TO THE NEEDY, CARE FOR THE SICK AND AGED, EDUCATION AND

PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.*

+WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM,

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR TRADITIONAL ROLE IN ACTIVE COMMUNITY

INVOLVEMENT, SUCH AS SUPPORT FOR THE SYSTEM ITSELF AND THE

BEAUTIFICATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

+THIS IS A TIMELY AND WELCOME CHANGE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO

THEIR CONTINUING SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE FUTURE,* HE SAID.

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

SHANGHAI TRADE DELEGATION VISITS SHA TIN

* * # *

A SIX-MEMBER ECONOMIC AND TRADE DELEGATION FROM SHANGHAI

HAS EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS.

LED BY MR XIN YUANXI, ADVISOR OF THE SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL

PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT, THE GROUP VISITED SHA TIN EARLIER THIS

WEEK TO SEE THE SUBSTANTIALLY DEVELOPED NEW TOWN.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DONALD TSANG, BRIEFED THEM ON

CHANGES IN SHA TIN OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES.

THEY SHOWED PARTICULAR INTEREST IN TOWN PLANNING AND

PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

MR TSANG ALSO TOLD THE VISITORS ABOUT THE FORMATION OF

THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND

THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLE IN LOCAL AFFAIRS.

THE VISITORS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL

SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG, WHO HAD EARLIER

BRIEFED THEM ON THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NT.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

- 5 -

YAU MA TEI DB TO MEET ON MONDAY

*****

A PROPOSAL TO ARRANGE VISITS FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED

AT THE YAU MA TEI DB MEETING ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20).

THE SCHEME IS TO PROMOTE BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BOARD

MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS,

AND TO ENABLE THEM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR WORK AND POLICIES.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL COMMENT ON THE DESIRABILITY OF

INTRODUCING THE ’HOME-SCHOOL LIAISON OFFICER’ SCHEME TO RALLY

THE SUPPORT OF PARENTS IN EDUCATING THE CHILDREN.

MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED ON PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER

DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, EXTENSION PROJECTS FOR THE

QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, AND THE PROVISION OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION

FOR BEDSPACE LODGERS IN THE DISTRICT.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON LITTER

OFFENDERS, PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN PARKS, GARDENS AND

AMENITY AREAS, AND A REVIEW OF DB FUNDS.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE WELCOME Tr> COVER THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD

MEETING AT 3 PM ON MO JAY (FEBRUARY 20) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF 490-492 NATHAN ROAD.

----o----

FIELD VISITS TO LEARN ABOUT PLANTING

* * * *

OVER 150 STUDENTS OF FIVE SHA TIN SECONDARY AND PRIMARY

SCHOOLS TODAY (SATURDAY) TOURED THE SIU LEK YUEN NURSERY FOR

PLANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANTING.

THE NURSERY IS THE LARGEST MANAGED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES

SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH ORGANISED THE VISIT AS PART OF A LEARN-

TO-PLANT PROGRAMME FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SHA TIN.

THE PROGRAMME AIMS AT ENCOURAGING YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME OF THE

ON-GOING CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.

STUDENTS FROM MORE SCHOOLS WILL BE VISITING THE NURSERY ON

SATURDAYS TO COME, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

LOCATED ON A 3.45-HECTARE SITE, THE NURSERY HAS A TOTAL

OF 200 PLANT SPECIES.

/IT ................

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1c, 1964

IT PRODUCED MORE THAN 190 000 SEEDLINGS LAST YEAR FOR VARIOUS

PLANTING PROJECTS IN SHA TIN.

THE VISITS SHOULD ALSO HELP PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A DISTRICT-

W|DE PLANTING COMPETITION SCHEDULED FOR SUMMER, THE SPOKESMAN

SAI D.

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WHOSE STUDENTS WISH TO VISIT THE NURSERY

ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON

TELEPHONE 0-6065801 DURING OFFICE HOURS.

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

FIRST ROLLER SKATING RINK IN NT OPENED

* * ft

THE FIRST INDOOR ROLLER SKATING RINK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES

WAS OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY MRS JANE AKERS-JONES, WIFE OF THE

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.

LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY

AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN, THE ROLLER SKATING

RINK WITH COMPUTERISED LIGHTING EFFECTS AND DISCO MUSIC COVERS AN

AREA OF 930 SQUARE METRES.

IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS — THE MAIN RINK FOR ADVANCED

PLAYERS AND A SMALLER RINK FOR BEGINNERS.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS AKERS-JONES SAID MANY

PEOPLE FROM TUEN MUN AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS WOULD NOW BE ABLE

TO ENJOY ROLLER SKATING IN BRIGHT AND ATTRACTIVE SURROUNDINGS.

.ROLLER SKATING WILL ADD ONE MORE ACTIVITY TO WHAT IS ALREADY

PROVIDED IN THIS VERY FINE MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL

CENTRE,. SHE SAID.

MRS AKERS-JONES SAID THAT SINCE THE INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE WAS

OFFICIALLY OPENED LAST NOVEMBER BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE,

MANY FACILITIES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

- 0 - -

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18, 1984

TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG WIN COMPETITION

* * *

TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS FROM TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG WON THE

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS IN THIS YEAR’S NEW TERRITORIES

INTER-DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE BY BEATING TEAMS FROM OTHER

DISTRICTS IN THE REGION.

MORE THAN 165 PLAYERS FROM EIGHT NT DISTRICTS TOOK PART IN

THE SERIES OF COMPETITIONS HELD OVER THE PAST FOUR WEEKS.

THE LEAGUE, IN ITS THIRD YEAR, WAS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN

DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT

SPORTS COMPETITION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE THIRD NT

INTER-DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.

THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER NG,

WILL PRESENT MEDALS AND TROPHIES TO THE WINNING TEAMS AT A

CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS

CENTRE AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

BEFORE THE CEREMONY, AN INVITATION MATCH AMONG PLAYERS OF

THE DISTRICTS’ TEAMS WILL BE HELD.

ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT

OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPETITION CO-ORDINATING

COMMITTEE, MR DAVID CHIU; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING

COMMITTEE, MR TANG TUNG-CHIU.

THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $32 000 FOR THE

EVENT.

- - 0 - -

SPORT AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDERS

* * * *

A SERIES OF DISTRICT BOARD-FUNDED ACTIVITIES FOR ISLANDS

DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE TWO-WEEK ACTIVITIES, COSTING ABOUT $44 000, WILL INCLUDE

BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL COMPETITIONS FOR RESIDENTS ON NORTH LAMMA,

PARTIES AND CARNIVALS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AT TUNG CHUNG, MUI WO,

PENG CHAU AND SOUTH LANTAU, AND A GIRL GUIDE CARNIVAL ON CHEUNG

CHAU.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE DISTRICT BOARD ALLOCATED $14 400 FOR A

LARGE-SCALE SPRING CARNIVAL AND A THREE-DAY LANTERN FESTIVAL ON

CHEUNG CHAU, AND ANOTHER $9 000 FOR NEW YEAR CARNIVALS AT TAI 0

AND SOUTH LAMMA.

- C - -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 198*

ART WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS

* * *

THE ART SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD SEVERAL

WORKSHOPS ON PICTURE-MAKING AND FABRIC COLLAGE FROM MARCH TO MAY

FOR TEACHERS OF ART AND CRAFT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

THE WORKSHOPS, TO BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE, WILL BE HELD AT

THE DEPARTMENT’S CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH

POINT, HONG KONG.

PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO NOMINATE ART AND CRAFT

TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT

APPLICATIONS TO THE INSPECTOR (ART) AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ART SECTION, ON

5-621967.

- - 0 - -

MAINTENANCE OF LITTER CONTAINERS

ft ft ft

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SOME 10 000

METAL LITTER CONTAINERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CONTRACT WILL BE FOR 12 MONTHS STARTING FROM APRIL 1,

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL

HYGIENE SECTION ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE

(AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.

TENDERS IN DUPLICATE MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX IN

THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

OFFICE (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE 12 NOON

ON FEBRUARY 24 (FRIDAY).

FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL

HYGIENE SECTION ON 3-678675.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984

MORE OPEN SPACE FOR KOWLOON PARK

* * *

AN ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT AS AN EXTENSION TO

KOWLOON PARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE SITE, COVERING 4 668 SQUARE METRES TO THE WEST OF THE

PARK, IS BOUNDED BY CANTON ROAD, HAIPHONG ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK

DR IVE.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTING A TWO-LEVEL

OPEN SPACE ON THE SITE.

THE UPPER LEVEL, WHICH WILL OCCUPY THE SOUTHERN AND LARGER

PORTION OF THE SITE, WILL BE TURNED INTO A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

WHILE THE LOWER LEVEL WILL BE A REST GARDEN WITH PAVILION, TIMBER

ARBOURS, PLANTS AND RAILINGS.

THE OPEN SPACE WILL BE CONNECTED TO KOWLOON PARK BY AN

ELEVATED wALKWAY ACROSS KOWLOON PARK DRIVE.

WORK WILL START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER.

FIRING PRACTICE AT HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK

*****

FIRING PRACTICE * ILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK

RANGE ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21) FROM 8 AM TO 11 PM AND ON SATURDAY

(FEBRUARY 25) FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS

ARE HOISTED.

- 0 - -

RESURFACING WORK ON PEAK ROAD

* * *

PEAK ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NOS 60 AND 82 WILL BE CONVERTED TO

ONE-LANE FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON MONDAY.

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 20, 21 AND 22).

THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORK.

- 0 - -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

FUN DAY FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

* * M *

AN INDOOR FUN DAY FOR ABOUT 320 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN KOWLOON

CITY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE PARTICIPANTS, ALL AGED OVER 55, WILL BE FROM FIVE

CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.

SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE FUN DAY IS JOINTLY

ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COUNCIL

FOR THE WELFARE AND RECREATION OF THE ELDERLY, AND THE SOCIAL

WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

BESIDES OFFERING ENTERTAINMENT, THE OCCASION WOULD PROVIDE AN

OPPORTUNITY FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT CENTRES TO MEET

ONE ANOTHER, A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.

A CANTONESE OPERA AND MAGIC AND ACROBATIC PERFORMANCES

WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE GATHERING TOMORROW.

THE WINNING GROUP OF THE MODERN DANCE SECTION IN THE 1983

DANCE COMPETITION FOR THE ELDERLY WILL ALSO PERFORM AT THE FUN DAY.

GIFT PACKETS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS.

PARTI'L CLOSURE OF CAR PARK

X X X

THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE ROOF OF THE STAR FERRY MULTI-STOREY

CAR PARK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO

8 AM ON MARCH 20 FOR REPAIR WORK.

WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG

* * X

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE

SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21) FOR MAINS

WORK.

THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY

ROAD BETWEEN HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND MANG KUNG UK. IT WILL ALSO

AFFECT SILVERSTRAND, HANG HAU, SHAW’S STUDIO, BAY SIDE, ALL

VILLAGES ALONG PO LAM ROAD, RENNIE’S MILL, MA YAU TONG, AND ALL

VILLAGES ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, INCLUDING THOSE ALONG ROUTES TO

HO CHUNG.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1984

NEW TOILET FOR GARDENS

* * *

A SINGLE-STOREY PUBLIC TOILET IS TO BE BUILT ON A

65-SQUARE-METRE SITE UNDERNEATH THE GLENEALY FLYOVER FOR USE

BY VISITORS TO THE HONG KONG ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE

ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START IN APRIL AND TAKE FIVE

MONTHS to complete.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO-

NOVEMBER RETAIL SaLES HIT $5 BILLION ......................................................................... 1

TRAMS FREE TO CONTINUE OPERATION ...................................................................................... 3

FIRST GROUP OF SEAMEN ENROLLED AT TRAINING CENTRE................................ 4

AGENCIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION ............................................................. 4

Water supplies department fun fair ................................................................................ 5

GOOD RESPONSE TO MAXICAB PACKAGE...................................................................................... 6

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTING LABORATORY WORK ............................................................. 6

GAMES HALL FOR SAU MAU PING ...................................................................................................... 7

TENDERS INVITED FOR PROVISION OF SECURITY GUaRDS .................................... 7

ANNEX BLOCK FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE............................................................................. 8

HEALTH CONTEST FOR EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN ................................................ 8

MARKET STALLS TO BE PUT UP FOR BIDDING................................................................... 9

TRAFFIC RESTRICTED ZONE TO BE EXTENDED ................................................................... 9

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

NOVEMBER RETAIL SALES HIT S5 BILLION

* * * *

THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES FOR THE RETAIL TRADE SECTOR IN

NOVEMBER 1983 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE S5 089 MILLION, ACCORDING TO

PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS COMPILED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS

DEPARTMENT.

AT 150, THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VALUE INDEX INCREASED BY

ONE POINT OR ONE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE OCTOBER 1983

FIGURE, AND BY 18 POINTS OR 14 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE

NOVEMBER 1982 FIGURE.

THE OVERALL RETAIL SALES VOLUME INDEX, AT 106, WAS THE SAME

AS THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1983 AND NOVEMBER 1982.

COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR

AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, AND

THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS BY TWO PER CENT. THE VALUE OF RETAIL

SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO? FUELS? AND

CONSUMER DURABLES, HOWEVER, DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT, THREE PER

CENT AND THREE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IN VOLUME TERMS, RETAIL

SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO? AND CLOTHING,

FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED, EACH BY TWO PER CENT,

WHILE THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS REMAINED THE SAME. THE VOLUME

OF RETAIL SALES OF FUELS AND CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY TWO

PER CENT AND THREE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1982, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY

33 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AND FOUR PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS, WHILE

THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT AND TWO PER

CENT, AND OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO BY 14 PER

CENT AND ONE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER

DURABLES, ALTHOUGH SHOWING AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN VALUE

TERMS DROPPED BY FOUR PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. RETAIL SALES OF

CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY FIVE PER CENT

IN VALUE TERMS BUT DECLINED BY THREE PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.

ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES

INCREASED IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER

1983 SALES. RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS AND MOTOR VEHICLES,

ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINED IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.

WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1982 SALES, HOWEVER, RETAIL SALES

OF SUPERMARKETS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN VALUE TERMS THOUGH ONLY

SLIGHTLY IN VOLUME TERMS. DEPARTMENT STORES SHOWED A LARGE INCREASE

IN SALES VALUE BUT ONLY A MARGINAL RISE IN SALES VOLUME.

RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN BOTH

VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.

TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1983 AND

THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1983 OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES.

/Ta3L3 - ...............

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES

BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE

RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES

IN 1980 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF THE NOVEMBER RESULTS WITH

THOSE OF THE PRECEDING MONTH AND THE CORRESPONDING MONTH IN 1982

ARE ALSO GIVEN. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED

TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS

AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, TEL. NO. 3-7216024.

TABLE 1 I TOTAL RETAIL SALES

TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER 1983

(PROVISIONAL FIGURE) - HK$5 089 MILLION

FOR OCTOBER 1983

(REVISED FIGURE) - HK*5 057 MILLION

(MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 1980 - 100)

TABLE 2 i VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES

FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1983

ITEM

(A) FOR ALL

retail

TRADES

INDEX OF

RETAIL

SALES

VALUE

VOLUME

OCT

1983

(REVISED

FIGURES)

149

106

NOV

1983

(PROVISION^

FIGURES)

150

106

NOV 1983

COMPARED

OCT 1983

AL POINTS

SAME

NOV 1983

WITH COMPARED WITH

NOV 1982

1 POINTS

SAME

(B) BY MAJOR

TRADE

GROUPS

FOODSTUFFS,

VALUE

150

148

-2

-1

ALCOHOLIC

DRINKS

AND TOBACCO

VOLUME

FUELS

VALUE

198

192

-6

-3

VOLUME

125

122

-3

-2

CLOTHING,

VALUE

158

168

.10

FOOTWEAR

AND ALLIED

PRODUCTS

VOLUME

115

117

-3

CONSUMER

VALUE

126

122

—

-3

DURABLES

VOLUME

-3

—44

OTHER

VALUE

152

155

CONSUMER

GOODS

VOLUME

112

SAME !

SAME

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

3 -

SELECTED

TRADES

SUPERMARKETS

VALUE

VOLUME

229

14?

214

135

-15

-12

-7

-8

MOTOR

VALUE

-6

-10

-16

VEHICLES

VOLUME

-5

-13

-28

DEPARTMENT

VALUE

145

152

STORES

VOLUME

107

110

NOTES ! 1. +FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO* INCLUDES

.SUPERMARKETS*.

2. CONSUMER DURABLES INCLUDES +MOTOR VEHICLES.

***

3. +OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCLUDES +DEPARTMENT STORES.

----o----

TRAMS FREE TO CONTINUE OPERATION

M * * *

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY)

THAT THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS WOULD BE FREE TO CONTINUE OPERATION

AFTER THE OPENING OF HE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR IN 1984 AND

THE MTR ISLAND LINE IN 1985.

+WITH THE TRAMS NOW CARRYING 360 □□□ PASSENGERS EVERYDAY,

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE A USEFUL ROLE IN THE FUTURE,* SAID

THE SPOKESMAN.

+THIS CONCLUSION HAS BEEN REACHED AND CONFIRMED BY A DETAILED

STUDY TO ASSESS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE OPENING OF THE MTR ISLAND

LINE FOR OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.

+THE STUDY HAS FOUND THAT EVEN AFTER THE OPENING OF THE

MTR ISLAND LINE, THE TRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE RELIED ON BY A

SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF COMMUTERS ON THE ISLAND AS AN INEXPENSIVE

AND RELIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE MTR AND BUSES, PARTICULARLY FOR

SHORTER TRIPS.

+OVER THE YEARS, TRAMS HAVE MAINTAINED A VERY GOOD SAFETY

RECORD. SO ESSENTIALLY THE FINDING IS THAT THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS

COMPANY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE ITS OWN COMMERCIAL JUDGEMENT AND

TO CONTINUE ITS OPERATION FOR SO LONG AS THAT REMAINS VIABLE,*

THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE APPROACHING

THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THOSE AREAS SERVED BY THE TRAMS, TO

EXPLAIN THE FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY.

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

/4 ....................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1934

- 4 -

FIRST GROUP OF SEAMEN ENROLLED AT TRAINING CENTRE

* * * *

HONG KONG’S SEAMEN CAN NOW BE TRAINED LOCALLY TO MEET

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WATCH RATINGS.

THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE ESTABLISHED BY THE

VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IN LITTLE SAI WAN HAS JUST TAKEN IN

THE FIRST GROUP OF 48 SEAMEN FOR A 30-DAY RESIDENTIAL COURSE.

+THEY WILL BE GIVEN SPECIALISED TRAINING TO QUALIFY THEM AS

NAVIGATIONAL AND ENGINE ROOM WATCH RATINGS,* SAID MR MORRIS MORGAN,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL.

+TOP ICS SUCH AS FIRE-FIGHTING, FIRST-AID, PERSONAL SAFETY

AND PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE COURSE,*

HE ADDED.

THE CENTRE, WHICH HAS BEEN SET UP FOLLOWING A GOVERNMENT

REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL TO TRAIN AN ESTIMATED 5 OOO LOCAL SEAMEN

IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, HAS A CAPACITY FOR 240 SEAMEN AT ANY ONE

TIME.

ADVICE ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND THE FACILITIES NEEDED

WAS GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL BY ITS MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING BOARD.

CHAIRED BY MR FRANK CHAO, THE BOARD COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES

FROM THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL

ESTABLISHMENTS.

IT IS INTENDED THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE TRAINEES

WILL BE ISSUED WITH A CERTIFICATE BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO

CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON

STANDARD OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS

(1978).

THIS CERTIFICATE WILL, IN FUTURE, BE MANDATORY FOR THOSE

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AS WATCH RATINGS.

- - 0 - - - -

AGENCIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION

* * *

NON-PROFIT-MAKING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH WISH TO RUN ADULT

EDUCATION COURSES OR ACTIVITIES DURING THE 1984-85 SCHOOL YEAR

ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION.

DETAILS OF THE COURSE CATEGORIES ELIGIBLE FOR SUBVENTION ARE

LISTED IN AN INFORMATION SHEET ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION FORMS

NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION

SECTION, ASIAN HOUSE, 12/F, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONo.

SUNDAY, FS3RUARY 19, 1984

THE SUBVENTION WILL MAINLY COVER THE COST OF STAFF, THE

COST OF BASIC TEACHING AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT, SALARIES FOR CENTRE

ADMINISTRATORS, HIRE CHARGES FOR ACCOMMODATION AT THE EXISTING

GOVERNMENT RATE, AND TELEPHONE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY CHARGES ON

A SHARING BASIS.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION NOT

LATER THAN APRIL 30, 1984.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SUBVENTION SCHEME CAN BE MADE TO

H? H.H. WOO AT 5-294603, OR MRS M.W. CHAU AT 5-295729.

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

WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FUN FAIR

* * * *

MORE THAN 4 500 CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ATTENDED THE

WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S 22ND ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CHILDREN'S

FUN FAIR THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.

THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, OFFICIATED

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY HELD AT WAH YAN COLLEGE, KOWLOON.

HE WISHED ALL HIS STAFF AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS A

PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDED A LION DANCE, BAND PERFORMANCES,

ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS, SONGS AND DANCES.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE +CANNON BALL EXPRESS* WAS THERE

TO TAKE CHILDREN ROUND THE FUN FAIR GROUNDS.

THERE WERE 16 GAMES STALLS ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS

OF THE DEPARTMENT.

EACH CHILD WAS GIVEN A GIFT PARCEL AND RED PACKET.

THE AFTERNOON FUN FAIR CONCLUDED WITH A RAFFLE DRAW.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 198A-

- 6 -

GOOD RESPONSE TO MAX I CAB PACKAGE

* * *

MORE THAN 1 OOO APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED FOR

THE OPERATION OF 20 NEW MAXICAB ROUTES IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW

TERRITORIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID

TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S INVITATION HAS BEEN VERY

ENCOURAGING AND THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT THE

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 27 (MONDAY).

COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED POST

TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE,

25TH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

+IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NEW ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER

THIS YEAR.+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTING LABORATORY WORK

M K M

A NEW FULL-COLOUR PUBLICATION ON THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY

HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF ITS CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND SOPHISTICATED

FACILITIES.

THE PUBLICATION S AVAILABLE AT $28 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT

PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.

THE LABORATORY HAS INSTALLED A WIDE RANGE OF MODERN SCIENTIFIC

INSTRUMENTS IN LINE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES, THE INTRODUCTION

OF NEW MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS, THE SOPHISTICATION IN CRIMINAL

ACTIVITY, THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE EXPANSION

OF THE METHADONE TREATMENT FACILITIES.

DURING ITS EARLY YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY WAS ATTACHED

TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

A SEPARATE AGENCY SINCE 1978, IT IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES IN

CHEMISTRY AND ASSOCIATED DISCIPLINES.

AMONG THOSE USING ITS SERVICES ARE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,

THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION

AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.

ADVISORY AND INFORMATION SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE

PRIVATE SECTOR ON A FEE BASIS.

MANY ASPECTS OF THE LABORATORY WORK ARE STATUTORY AND A

LARGE PART OF ITS EFFORT RELATES TO DANGEROUS DRUGS AND GOODS,

DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, PHARMACY AND POISONS, AND PUBLIC HEALTn

AND URBAN SERVICES.

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

/7 ...................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

- 7 -

GAMES HALL FOR SAU MAU PING

* * * * *

A GAMES HALL IS TO BE BUILT AT SAU MAU PING AT THE JUNCTION

CF HIU KWONG STREET AND HIP WO STREET.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

HAS AWARDED A i3.1-MILLION CONTRACT FOR FOUNDATION WORK.

WHEN THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN AUGUST, CONSTRUCTION OF THE

SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL BEGIN.

THE GAMES HALL, MEASURING 1 300 SQUARE METRES, WILL BE SUITABLE

FOR ALL TYPES OF INDOOR BALL GAMES AND SPORTS.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE SQUASH COURTS, A SPECTATOR

STAND FOR 400 PEOPLE AND CHANGING FACILITIES.

A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA WILL BE BUILT OUTSIDE THE HALL.

WHEN IT IS COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1985, IT WILL SERVE AS AN

ADDITIONAL VENUE FOR RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG

PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

----o-----

TENDERS INVITED FOR PROVISION OF SECURITY GUARDS

* * *

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS

FOR THE PROVISION OF SECURITY GUARDS AT NINE LOCATIONS IN THE

NEW TERRITORIES.

THE SERVICES, RANGING FROM SEVEN TO 24 HOURS A DAY, WILL

BE FOR 12 MONTHS, STARTING ON APRIL 1, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE NINE LOCATIONS ARE THE NURSERY AT TSO KUNG TAM IN TSUEN

WAN, TUNG LUNG FORT IN SAI KUNG, SHA TIN TEMPORARY MARKET, TAI PO

TEMPORARY MARKET, TSUEN WAN MARKET, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT VEHICLE

DEPOT, SAI KUNG VEHICLE DEPOT, SHA TIN VEHICLE DEPOT AND TAI PO

VEHICLE DEPOT.

TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ADMINISTRATION SECTION OF

THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE

HOUSE, (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19~23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.

TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT

LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE,

EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 9.

FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S

ADMINISTRATION SECTION DURING OFFICE HOURS ON TELEPHONE 3-677200.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

ANNEX BLOCK FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

* * * *

WORK ON A FIVE-STOREY ANNEX BLOCK FOR THE MAKING WONG TECHNICAL

INSTITUTE AT LAI CHI KOK ROAD WILL START TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND TAKE

A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

HAS AWARDED A J7.6-MILLION CONTRACT TO WANG CHANG CONSTRUCTION CO.

LTD. TO BUILD IT.

THE ANNEX WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR NINE CLASSROOMS,

TWO TECHNICAL DRAWING ROOMS AND A LECTURE THEATRE.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ANNEX WILL BE ELECTRICAL AND WELDING

WORKSHOPS, A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY, A LANGUAGE

LABORATORY AND FACILITIES FOR HOTEL AND CATERING TRAINING COURSES.

THERE WILL BE A SINGLE-STOREY WING TO THE NEW ANNEX TO PROVIDE

STORAGE SPACE FOR VEHICLES WHICH WILL BE USED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES.

- 0 -

HEALTH CONTEST FOR EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN

* * * *

A HEALTH COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT

WILL BE HELD NEXT MOMTH.

SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY

THE MING WAH DAI HA YIN NGAI SOCIETY AND LAI TAK TSUEN YIN NGAI

SOCIETY, THE .HEALTHY CHILDREN COMPETITION* IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING

PARENTS TO GIVE BETTER CARE AND ATTENTION TO THE HEALTH OF THEIR

CHILDREN.

THE CONTEST, TO BE HELD ON MARCH 17, IS DIVIDED INTO THREE

AGE GROUPS! FROM SIX TO 18 MONTHS, 19 TO 36 MONTHS, AND THREE TO

SIX YEARS.

ALL CHILDREN TAKING PART IN THE CONTEST will BE EXAMINED BY

A DOCTOR, AND 15 WILL BE CHOSEN FROM EACH AGE GROUP TO ENTER THE

DISTRICT’S COMPETITION.

WINNERS FROM EACH DISTRICT WILL COMPETE IN A TERRITORY-WIDE

CONTEST ON MOTHER’S DAY (MAY 13).

ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE

AT 884, KING’S ROAD, AND ITS SUB-OFFICE IN CAUSEWAY BAY, SHAU KEI

WAN AND CHAI WAN.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS FEBRUARY 29.

- 0 -

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1984

- 9 -

MARKET STALLS TO BE PUT UP FOR BIDDING

* * *

twenty market stalls at sheung shui in the new territories

WILL BE PUT up FOR PUBLIC BIDDING ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 22).

THE STALLS ARE LOCATED AT SHEK WU HUI MARKET, SHEK WU HUI

TEMPORARY MARKET I AND SHEK WU HUI TEMPORARY MARKET II, A

SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE BIDDING WILL BE HELD AT THE HAWKERS AND MARKETS SECTION

OF THE NORTH URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT FU HING STREET, STARTING

AT 10.30 AM.

THE UPSET MONTHLY RENTALS RANGE FROM 8450 TO 81 000.

SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MAY START BUSINESS ON MARCH 1 ON

A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, AND ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE RENT QUARTERLY.

BIDDERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS

AND FIVE PHOTOGRAPHS.

FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKERS AND

MARKETS SECTION OF THE NORTH URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON 0-6577016.

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

TRAFFIC RESTRICTED ZONE TO BE EXTENDED

KMX

FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21), EXISTING RESTRICTIONS

AT THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAK MAN STREET WILL BE EXTENDED

EASTWARDS FOR ABOUT 25 METRES TO COVER THE NORTH SIDE OF THE

JUNCTION OF MAN TAI STREET AND TAK MAN STREET.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE

AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE

ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS, OR TO LOAD OR UNLOAD

GOODS, FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.

MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM THE SAME DAY, SHEK TONG STREET WILL BE

RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

MOTORISTS ON MA TAU WAI ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR SHEK TONG

STREET ARE ADVISED TO PROCEED VIA MA TAU WAI ROAD, SAN LAU STREET,

CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, MA TAU WAI ROAD, CHI KIANG STREET, KAU PUI

LUNG ROAD, LOK SHAN ROAD, MA TAU WAI ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH

AND SHEK TONG STREET.

THOSE ON SHEK TONG STREET HEADING FOR TSIM SHA TSUI ARE ADVISED

TO TRAVEL VIA MA TAU WAI ROAD, CHI KIANG STREET, YUK YAT STREET,

LOK SHAN ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.

- 0

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING ...................................................................................................... 1

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK FOR MANUFACTURERS ................................................................................ 1

NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EFFORT STRESSED ....................................................... 4

AUXILIARY AIR FORCE GEARED FOR BUSY YEAR............................................................. 5

TUJN MUN TO HAVE PRIMARY SCHOOL 21 ................................................................................ 6

VEHICLE DEPOT TO BE EXPANDED ................................................................................................... 7

'CLEAN AND GREEN' STaGE ONE MDING................................................................................ 7

BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS ACCESS FACILITIES ...................................................... 8

VALUE OF MACS AS TRAINING BASE STRESSED ................................................... 9

BOARD TO SHOW ACHIEVEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 9

OPENING OF CHAI WAN CARGO WORKING AREA ................................................................... 10

ANOTHER CHIT RE OPENING ...................................................................................................................... 10

NEW ADDRESS ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

TEMPORARY GLOUCESTER ROAD TRAFFIC PLAN ................................................................... 11

EARLY MORNING TAPS OFF ...................................................................................................................... 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 198*

note to editors*

GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR PEKING

* * * *

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND

CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE,

FOR PEKING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

SIR EDWARD, ACCOMPANIED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN

MCLAREN, WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT CA102, ETD 12.45 PM.

PLEASE ADVISE THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE DEPARTURE TO ASSEMBLE

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT

TERMINAL BUILDING NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM TOMORROW. GIS OFFICERS

WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

- - 0 - -

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK FOR MANUFACTURERS

XXX

AN ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK FOR MANUFACTURING FIRMS IS SHOWN IN

THE LATEST QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY COMPILED BY THE CENSUS AND

STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE

AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983 -

AND THIS IMPROVEMENT TURNED OUT TO BE GREATER THAN WAS EXPECTED

IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTERLY SURVEY.

ABOUT 90Q FIRMS FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE ECONOMIC

COMMUNITY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THE LAST QUARTER

OF 1983 AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

THE PICTURE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, HOWEVER, WAS STILL

WEAK WITH FIRMS REPORTING THAT THEY EXPECTED FURTHER DETERIORATION

IN BUSINESS.

WITH REGARD TO THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS

AND HOTELS’ SECTOR, SOME IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS WAS REPORTED

WHILE A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS

WAS EXPERIENCED BY FIRMS IN THE ’OTHER SERVICES’ SECTOR (INCLUDING

BANKS, TRANSPORTATION FIRMS ETC.) WHICH LARGELY ACCORDS WITH

EXPECTATIONS RECORDED IN THE LAST SURVEY.

THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK OF THE ’MANUFACTURING’ SECTOR FOR THE

FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR CONTINUES TO BE FAVOURABLE, AS

RESPONDENTS INDICATE THAT ON THE WHOLE THE LEVEL OF BUSINESS

IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983 WILL BE MAINTAINED IN THE FIRST

QUARTER. THIS SHOWS AN UNUSUAL DEGREE OF OPTIMISM BECAUSE THE FIRST

QUARTER IS USUALLY A SEASONAL TROUGH, ACCORDING TO HISTORICAL

EXPERIENCE.

RESPONDENTS IN THE ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS

AND HOTELS’ SECTOR EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN ON

THE WHOLE STABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER WHILE FIRMS IN THE 'OTHER

SERVICES’ SECTOR LOOK FORWARD TO CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN

BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1984

IN CONTRAST TO THE FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATIONS ANTICIPATED

BY FIRMS IN THE ’MANUFACTURING’ AND ’SERVICES’ SECTORS, FIRMS

IN THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTOR STILL HOLD A PESSIMISTIC VIEw

ABOUT THIER IMMEDIATE BUSINESS PROSPECTS. THEY INDICATE THAT

THE DOWNTREND IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE AND NO

SIGNS OF RECOVERY ARE EVIDENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.

IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS WERE REPORTED BY FIRMS IN THE

MAJORITY OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER

CF 1983. FIRMS IN THE ’WEARING APPAREL’ AND 'ELECTRICAL MACHINERY,

APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES’ INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL

IMPROVEMENTS IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND EXPECT THE

FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION TO CONTINUE INTO THE FIRST QUARTER

OF 1984.

FIRMS IN THE ’TEXTILES’, ’ELECTRONICS’ AND ’WATCHES AND

CLOCKS’ INDUSTRIES ALSO EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT UPTURN IN

BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER BUT THEY EXPECT SOME DECLINE IN

BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, DUE MAINLY TO SEASONAL FACTORS.

IN CONTRAST, FIRMS IN THE ’FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO’ INDUSTRY

REPORTED A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WITH

LITTLE PROSPECT OF IMPROVEMENT. FIRMS IN THE ’PLASTICS’ INDUSTRY

ALSO EXPERIENCED NO IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER,

WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER.

AS FOR THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ SECTOR, THE DETERIORATION IN

BUSINESS CONTINUED TO AFFECT FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR IN THE FOURTH

QUARTER AND THIS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FIRST

QUARTER. FIRMS IN ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE’ ACHIEVED SOME

IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND EXPECT THAT

THEIR PERFORMANCE IN ’HE FIRST QUARTER WILL REMAIN LARGELY

UNCHANGED.

RESPONDENTS IN THE ’RESTAURANTS’ SECTOR REPORTED LITTLE

CHANGE IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND EXPECT SOME DECLINE

IN BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST.

SEEN FROM HISTORICAL TRENDS, THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS APPEARED

TO HAVE HAD A RATHER UNFAVOURABLE FOURTH QUARTER. PROBABLY

BECAUSE THE FOURTH QUARTER BUSINESS LEVEL DID NOT ACHIEVE ITS

USUAL IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER, THE SEASONAL DECLINE

FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984 WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SUBSTANTIAL.

FIRMS IN THE ’HOTELS’ SECTOR ACHIEVED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE

IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER BUT EXPECT A SEASONAL DROP

IN BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER.

FIRMS IN THE ’OTHER SERVICES’ SECTOR RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL

IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, AND EXPECT

FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. IN

PARTICULAR, ’BANKS’ EXPERIENCED A SHARP BUSINESS RECOVERY IN

THE FOURTH QUARTER, AND ARE VERY CONFIDENT OF FURTHER ADVANCES

FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS UPTURN WAS ATTAINED

BY THE ’TRANSPORTATION’ BUSINESS AND A STABLE OUTLOOK IS EXPECTED

FOR THE FIRST QUARTER.

/FOR THE ....................

MCNDAY, ZiBHUA?.!' 20, 19&4

FOR THE ’MANUFACTURING’ SECTOR, THE INTENSITY OF THE PROBLEMS

OF UNCERTAINTIES DUE TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS AND HIGH

INTEREST RATES DECLINED CONSIDERABLY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND

ARE EXPECTED TO EASE OFF FURTHER IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.

HOWEVER, HIGH MATERIAL PRICES REMAINED A PROMINENT PROBLEM WITH

LITTLE PROSPECT OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE NEXT QUARTER.

AS REGARDS THE ’CONSTRUCTION’ AND NON-MANUFACTURING SECTORS,

THE PROBLEM OF UNCERTAINTIES DUE TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS

EASED OFF IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. HOWEVER, CONSTRUCTION FIRMS

STILL CONSIDER PRICE COMPETITION FROM FIRMS IN HONG KONG AND

INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS CONTRACTS AS THE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THE

FOURTH QUARTER OF 1983 AND FIRST QUARTER OF 1984.

RESPONDENTS IN BOTH ’RESTAURANTS’ AND ’WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

TRADE’ CONTINUED TO INDICATE PRICE COMPETITION AS THE MOST

SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND EXPECT THIS TO

PERSIST IN THE FIRST QUARTER. ALTHOUGH PARTICIPATING FIRMS IN

THE ’HOTELS’ BUSINESS STILL REGARD PRICE COMPETITION AS THE MAJOR

PROBLEM FOR BOTH THE FOURTH AND FIRST QUARTERS, THE STRAIN OF

THIS PROBLEM EASED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AS COMPARED WITH THE

SITUATION OF THE PREVIOUS SURVEY.

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SURVEY

RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, WERE BASICALLY INTENDED

TO PROVIDE ONE SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT

OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.

PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR

OPINIONS, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY

UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATED’

IN THE IMMEDIATE PASI QUARTER, AS COMPARED WITH THE QUARTER

BEFORE. THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION

WILL ’IMPROVE’, ’REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’ IN THE

FORTHCOMING QUARTER. THE BALANCE OF OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS

WAS TABULATED AND ANALYSED.

THE SURVEY REPORT ALSO CONTAINS A SECTION ON BUSINESS PROBLEMS

EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS

AND A BREAKDOWN OF VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.

THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT FOR A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE,

THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CARE AS IT WAS DIFFICULT

TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ PERCEPTION

OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.

COPIES OF THE REPORT, CONTAINING AN ANALYSIS OF THE SURVEY

FINDINGS AND STATISTICAL TABLES, HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO FIRMS

TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY AND TO OTHER BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT

PUBLICATIONS SALE CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, AT

S3 PER COPY.

FURTHER DETAILS ON THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY EE

OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND

STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-423401.

----o----

/4 ....................

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1934

- 4 -

NEED FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EFFORT STRESSED

* * * *

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDUSTRY-BASED SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEES

IS AIMED AT INDUCING MOTIVATION AND CO-OPERATION FROM ALL PARTIES

CONCERNED WI TH PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR,

DR JAMES HAYES, TODAY (MONDAY), AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE

PETALWARE INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE.

THIS SUB-COMMITTEE IS THE FIFTH ONE FORMED UNDER THE AUSPICES

OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION,

COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EMPLOYERS’

ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE UNIONS AS MEMBERS. SIMILAR SUB-COMMITTEES

FOR THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPREPAIRING, CONSTRUCTION, TEXTILES AND

PLASTICS INDUSTRIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORMED.

EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND FOR FORMING THE NEW SUB-COMMITTEE,

DR HAYES POINTED OUT THAT IN 1983 THERE WERE 3 977 ACCIDENTS IN

THE METALWARE INDUSTRY, LOwER ONLY IN NUMBER TO THE CONSTRUCTION

AND GARMENT INDUSTRIES. IN THE SAME YEAR, THERE WERE NO FEWER

THAN 806 INSTANCES IN WHICH MECHANICAL PRESS OPERATORS HAD THEIR

HANDS OR FINGERS CRUSHED AT WORK.

WHILE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN PROMOTING SAFETY AT

WORK THROUGH ENACTING AND ENFORCING SAFETY LEGISLATION, TAKING

OUT PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES OF THE LEGISLATION, AND PROVIDING

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PUBLICITY, EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS HAD AN

EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN ENSURING SAFETY AT WORK.

WITHOUT GOOD MOT MT ION AND CO-OPERATION FROM ALL SIDES,

ANY EFFORT TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT WORK WAS LIKELY TO BE INEFFECTIVE.

IT WAS FOR THIS REASON THAT INDUSTRY-BASED SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEES

HAD BEEN FORMED.

THE NEW SUB-COMMITTEE’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE TO PRODUCE

A CODE OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICES FOR THE METALWARE INDUSTRY AND

TO PROMOTE AND SUSTAIN A GROWING INTEREST IN IMPROVING SAFETY AT

WORK.

DR HAYES STRESSED THAT THE SUB-COMMITTEE COULD ONLY ACHIEVE

ITS AIMS IF THERE WAS ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT.

NOTING THAT INTEREST AND INPUT FROM ALL ITS MEMBERS WAS VITAL,

HE APPEALED FOR THEIR REGULAR ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION.

HE TOLD THE MEMBERS : +wE PARTICULARLY VALUE YOUR PRACTICAL

ADVICE AND YOUR DEEP KNOWLEDGE IN THIS FIELD IN HELPING TO

ESTABLISH REALISTIC SAFETY STANDARDS AND DRAW UP LEGISLATION

AND CODES OF PRACTICES.

+WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION BY EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND

UNIONS REPRESENTED ON THE SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE, THE SUE-COMMITTEE’i

WORK WOULD LACK SUBSTANCE AND THE MEANS TO PUT ACROSS THE IMPORTANT

PESSAGE OF WORK SAFETY TO ALL CONCERNED.*

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1984

AUXILIARY AIR FORCE GEARED FOR BUSY YEAR

*****

THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE FLEW 481 EMERGENCY

MISSIONS LAST YEAR, NEARLY 60 PER CENT MORE THAN THE 308 FLOWN

IN 1082.

AND IT IS GEARED FOR A GREATER CALL ON ITS SERVICES THIS

YEAR, ITS CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, SQUADRON LEADER J.G. SHAWCROSS,

SAID TODAY.

ONE REASON FOR THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN ACTIVITY IS BECAUSE

MORE LOCAL FISHING VESSELS ARE BEING FITTED WITH RADIO COMMUNICATION

EQUIPMENT.

ANOTHER IS THAT MORE ACCIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR WITH THE

INCREASE IN OIL DRILLING OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, INVOLVING

OIL RIGS AND DRILLING VESSELS, HE EXPLAINED.

OF THE 481 EMERGENCY MISSIONS CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR, 88 WERE

ON SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, MOSTLY FOR LOST VESSELS, HIKERS

AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS. AND IN THESE OPERATIONS, 62 WERE CARRIED

OUT BY HELICOPTERS — AGAINST 9 SUCH FLIGHTS IN 1982, AND 26 WERE

DONE BY FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT, AGAINST 6 THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE OTHER EMERGENCY MISSIONS WERE FOR CASUALTY AND MEDICAL

EVACUATION, WITH 256 CASES, AND FOR FIRE-FIGHTING PURPOSES, COVERING

137 CALLS.

THE RHKAAF HAS Z LEET OF FOUR FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT AND THREE

DAUPHIN HELICOPTERS.

.OWING TO TYPHOONS AND THE INCLEMENT WEATHER, SHIP WRECKS

WERE PARTICULARLY FREQUENT LAST YEAR,+ THE SENIOR OBSERVER

CREWMAN, MR LEN LEUNG SAID.

THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING CREW OF THE BARQUENTINE +OSPREY+

AFTER TYPHOON ELLEN STRUCK HONG KONG IN SEPTEMBER LASTED SIX

DAYS.

.THE SEARCH WAS THE BIGGEST AND THE LONGEST OPERATION CARRIED

OUT BY THE FORCE IN WHICH 32 SORTIES WERE MADE, TOTALLING 82.55

FLYING HOURS. THE ENTIRE FLEET WAS INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH AROUND

THE WAN SHAN CHUN TAO,+ MR LEUNG SAID.

FIRE FIGHTING CALLOUTS WERE ANOTHER MAJOR AREA OF

RESPONSIBILITY.

LAST YEAR THE AUXILIARY FORCE MADE 137 FLIGHTS TO HELP PUT

OUT HILL FIRES, NEARLY DOUBLING THE NUMBER IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR

AND DUMPING ABOUT 2 400 TONS OF WATER.

+THE INCREASE IN THE CALLOUTS REFLECTED NOT ONLY A RISE IN

THE NUMBER OF HILL FIRES LAST YEAR, BUT ALSO THE GROWING PREFERENCE

FOR THE HELICOPTER AS A MEANS FOR BATTLING FIRES IN THE INACCESS IbLt

REGIONS ON HILL TOP AND IN COUNTRY PARK,+ MR LEUNG EXPLAINED.

/+TH￡ I.jJTHUL,

FiBEUARY 20, 19&4

+THE METHOD, WIDELY KNOWN AS ’WATER BOMBING’, IS DONE BY

SIMPLY RELEASING A CASCADE OF WATER ONTO THE FIRE LINES FROM AN

UNDERSLUNG BUCKET FILLED UP WITH WATER IN A NEARBY RESERVOIR.

+A BUCKET CAN HOLD UP TO 220 GALLONS OF WATER AND THE METHOD

HAS PROVED VERY EFFECTIVE TO STOP FIRES FROM SPREADING,* HE ADDED.

ALTHOUGH HILL FIRE AND RESCUE CALLOUTS ROSE SHARPLY LAST

YEAR CASUALTY AND MEDICAL EVACUATIONS STILL ACCOUNTED FOR THE

BIGGEST SHARE OF EMERGENCY FLIGHTS.

LAST YEAR, THE FORCE HANDLED 256 SUCH CALLS, 14 PER CENT

MORE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. HEART PROBLEMS AND TRAFFIC

ACCIDENTS TOPPED THE LIST REQUIRING EVACUATION, FOLLOWED BY

DIFFICULT CHILDBIRTH, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, SNAKE BITES,

HEAT STROKE AND EXHAUSTION.

THE RHKAAF ALSO PLAYS AN ESSENTIAL, COMPLEMENTARY ROLE TO

THE AMBULANCE SERVICE. WITHOUT ITS HELP, MANY OF THE CASUALTIES IN

THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AND IN THE REMOTE PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES

MIGHT NOT HAVE SURVIVED.

THE FORCE LAST YEAR EVEN EXPANDED ITS SERVICE TO COVER

EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS IN THE CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICTS

IN ORDER TO BEAT TRAFFIC CONGESTION, LIFTING 12 SUCH CASUALTIES.

THE EMERGENCY FLIGHTS FORM A PART OF THE FORCE’S DAILY

ROUTINE, WHICH INCLUDES PROVIDING AIR SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT WORK

AND VISITING VIPS.

.LOOKING AHEAD, E ARE EXPECTING FURTHER GROWTH IN THE

DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE,* SQD LDR SHAWCROSS SAID.

+BUT EVEN WITH THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY FLIGHTS,

WE EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE AND

TO HANDLE THE WORKLOAD IN AN EQUALLY SATISFACTORY MANNER,*

HE ADDED.

----0-----

TUEN MUN TO HAVE PRIMARY SCHOOL 21

* X *

A START WILL BE MADE LATER THIS MONTH ON BUILDING TUEN MUN’S

TWENTY-FIRST PRIMARY SCHOOL.

A PILING CONTRACT VALUED AT $647 000 HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE

ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

IT WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE, FOLLOWING WHICH aORK

ON BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL BEGIN UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT.

THE SCHOOL IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BEFORE SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.

MONDAY, F23RUARY -0, 19&4

IT IS BEING BUILT ON A 5 220-S^UARE-METRE SITE AT CASTLE

PEAK ROAD, WONG KA WAI.

THE SIX-STOREY BUILDING WILl HAVE 24 CLASSROOMSONTHEUPPER

FLOORS, AND A COVERED PLAY AREA AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND

FLOOR.’

TUEN MUN’S POPULATION IS 190 030 AT PRESENT, AND IS FORECAST TO

GROW TO OVER 500 000 BY 1990.

---- o - - - -

VEHICLE DEPOT TO BE EXPANDED

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EXPAND MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING

FACILITIES AT ITS VEHICLE DEPOT IN TUEN MUN.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

HAS AWARDED A $1.5 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANNEX

TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICING AND REPAIR FACILITIES FOR GOVERNMENT

VEHICLES SERVING THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.

WORK UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE BUILDING 12 SERVICING

BAYS, INCLUDING FOUR LUBRICATING PITS.

ALTERATIONS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO EXISTING OFFICES, STOREROOMS

AND WORKSHOPS IN THE DEPOT.

WORK WILL START ATER THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST.

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

’CLEAN AND GREEN’ STAGE ONE ENDING

K * *

PARTICIPANTS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE EDUCATION SCHEME, THE +CLEAN

AND GREEN PROJECT*, ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE ONLY LESS THAN

TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT.

THE PROJECT IS A COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND

FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE A CLEANER AND GREENER COUNTRYSIDE,

PARTICULARLY IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.

UNDER THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT, ENDING ON FEBRUARY 29,

ALL PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO HAND IN THREE BAGS OF LITTER PICKED UP

FROM COUNTRY PARKS TO STAFF AT THE PARKS.

TO MAKE THEMSELVES ELIGIBLE FOR THE SECOND STAGE OF THE

PROJECT, THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS, MOSTLY YOUNGSTERS, HAVE

ALREADY BEEN GOING TO THE COUNTRY PARKS TO COLLECT LITTER.

/LJPTSRS '..1^1 ...................

MQNDnY, FhBRUAriY 20, 1964

LETTERS L BE SENT TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST

STAGE OF THE PROJECT, INVITING THEM TO TAKE PART IN THE SECOND

STAGE NEXT MONTH, INVOLVING TREE PLANTING AND A SPECIAL CONTEST

ON DESIGN.

THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF A TOTAL OF FIVE STAGES LASTING UNTIL

AUTUMN THIS YEAR.

IT CARRIES A GRAND PRIZE OF A CAMPING TRIP TO AUSTRALIA FOR

THE PARTICIPANT WHO SCORES THE MOST POINTS.

THE PROJECT IS SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST.

- - 0 - -

BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS ACCESS FACILITIES

* * * * *

THE PROPOSED ACCESS FACILITIES TO THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION WILL

BE TABLED FOR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION AT THEIR MEETING

TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.

A CHIEF ENGINEER FROM THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR J.A. KESSLER, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE

PROPOSED FACILITIES BASED ON A STUDY CONDUCTED BY A CONSULTANT FIRM

FOR THE OFFICE.

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED LAST MAY TO CATER FOR THE ENVISAGED

TRAFFIC DEMANDS WITH E DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S

REVISED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE TRIAL

SCHEME ON REFUSE DISPOSAL BY PLASTIC BAGS, AN +ANTl-OVERLOADI NG ON

BUSES+ PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, A STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME IN THE

DISTRICT, AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEET I Hu

AT 4 PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 21) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF Th-

DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF TUNG WAH MANSION, 231

HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.

- - 0

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1984

- 9 -

VALUE OF MACS AS TRAINING EASE STRESSED

* * * *

MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OwNERS' INCORPORATIONS ARE IMPORTANT

BASES FOR NURTURING AND TRAINING UP LEADERS TO PROMOTE DISTRICT

ADMINISTRATION, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE,

SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.

HE NOTED THAT MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS, SUCH AS DISTRICT BOARD

MEMBERS, URBAN COUNCILLORS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, HAD

PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OR OWNERS’

INCORPORATIONS.

MR TSE WAS ADDRESSING A GATHERING OF ABOUT 700 REPRESENTATIVES

FROM THE LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS' INCORPORATIONS AT

A FIRE PREVENTION SEMINAR.

HE SAID SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE

SCHEME IN 1973, MORE THAN 203 SUCH COMMITTEES AND 169 OWNERS’

INCORPORATIONS HAD BEEN FORMED IN SHAM SHUI PO.

WITH THE SETTING UP OF THESE ORGANISATIONS, OWNERS AND

RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDINGS ARE ABLE TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS ON

BUILDING MANAGEMENT, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS,

HE SAID.

THE ORGANISATIONS ALSO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THE PROMOTION

CF A SENSE OF BELONGING AND NEIGHBOURLINESS THROUGH THE

ORGANISATION OF VARIOUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, HE SAID.

u---------

NOTE TO EDITORS:

BOARD TO SHOW ACHIEVEMENTS

* * * *

A WEEK-LONG EXHIBITION ENTITLED +MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD

721+ WILL START AT THE ARGYLE STREET MTR STATION FROM 8 AM

TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

IT WILL INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHS AND A VIDEO TAPE SHOW ON

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES IN THE PAST 721 DAYS

JOINTLY OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE

CHAIRMEN OF MONG KOK’S FIVE AREA COMMITTEES, NAMELY MR LAU CHI- a

(EAST), MR YIP CHI-HOI (SOUTH), MR CHAN HON-CHUNG (WEST).

NR HUNG WAI-MAN (NORTH) AND MR POON CHEUNG (TAI KOK TSU I).

ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE +HONG

KOK DISTRICT BOARD 721+ EXHIBITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW AT 19 Ai-

AT THE ARGYLE STREET MTR STATION.

----o----

/ 1.....................

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 198a

NOTE TO EDITORS:

OPENING OF CHAI wAN CARGO WORKING AREA

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR P.E.J. DAVY, AND MR LI NAN, VICE

CHAIRMAN AND GENERAL MANAGER OF CHU KONG SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED,

wILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW CHAI WAN PUBLIC

CARGO WORKING AREA AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24).

THE CHAI WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA IS LOCATED AT THE

JUNCTION OF SHEUNG ON STREET AND KA YIP STREET, CHAI WAN.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS:

ANOTHER CENTRE OPENING

4 * *

MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

AND MR RON BRIDGE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, WILL OFF IC I ATE AT

THE OPENING OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CAREERS INFORMATION

CENTRE ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF THE TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENi

OFFICES AT 165 MA TAU WEI ROAD AT 4.15 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP THREE CAREERS INFORMATION

CENTRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR, AIMED AT ACQUAINTING YOUNG

PEOPLE WITH THE WORLD OF WORK. EACH CENTRE HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY

AND VARIOUS AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS AND STAFF THERE HANDLE ANY QUESTIONS

OR ENQUIRIES CONCERNING FURTHER STUDIES AND CAREERS.

ANY QUESTIONS

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS:

NEW ADDRESS

* * *

THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S AIR POLLUTION

CONTROL DIVISION ON THE 9TH FLOOR OF THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT

OFFICES IN YAUMATI HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE 9TH FLOOR OF THE

YAUMATI CARPARK BUILDING.

PLANS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

(FURNACES, OVENS AND CHIMNEYS)(INSTALLATION AND ALTERATION)

REGULATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE NEW ADDRESS.

THE NEW OFFICE’S TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES IS 3-304416.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1984

TEMPORARY GLOUCESTER ROAD TRAFFIC PLAN

* * *

FROM 0.30 AM TO 6 AM DAILY ON WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY

(FEBRUARY 22, 23. AND 24), THE WESTBOUND SERVICE ROAD OF GLOUCESTER

ROAD FROM ARSENAL STREET TO 28 METRES WEST OF FENWICK STREET wILL

BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR WORKS.

DURING THE CLOSURE, THE SLIP ROAD CONNECTING THE WESTBOUND

SERVICE ROAD OF GLOUCESTER ROAD WITH THE WESTBOUND MAIN CARRIAGEWAY

CF GLOUCESTER ROAD NEAR FENWICK STREET, WHICH IS RESTRICTED TO

BUSES AT PRESENT, WILL BE TEMPORARILY OPENED TO ALL VEHICLES.

- - 0

EARLY MORNING TAPS OFF

* * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE

TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23) TO 6 AM THE

FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.

THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN wAH

STREET AND SHEUNG FUNG STREET, INCLUDING BLOCK NO. 17 TO 32 OF

TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.

- 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

CONTESTS PAGE NO.

GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING ......................................................................................................... 1

AGREEMENT ON JOINT-VENTURE WEATHER STATION SIGNED................................ 1

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIRPORT RADAR TOWER ............................................................. 3

CENTRES PROMOTING CAREERS EDUCATION ............................................................................. 3

IMPORTANCE OF DAY NURSERIES IN NEW TOWN STRESSED .................................... 4

SPEECH ON ANTI-COUNTERFEITING WORK................................................................................ 5

COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB PLAYING MAJOR ROLE................................................................ 5

OPJN SPACE TO BE BUILT UNDER BRIDGE............................................................................. 6

WATER FIGURES.................................................................................................................................................. 7

KWUN TONG WATER MAINS WORK ......................................................................................................... 7

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WOH CHAI STREET ......................................................................... 7

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1934

GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR PEKING

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, LEFT FOR PEKING THIS

(TUESDAY) AFTERNOON TO CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINO-BRITISH

TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY,

SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL

MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE VICE -

CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR TAN

GAN.

ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR WERE THE POLITICAL ADVISER,

ROBIN MCLAREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INTERPRETER,

NR Y.P. CHENG.

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

AGREEMENT ON JOINT-VENTURE WEATHER STATION SIGNED

XXX

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL

BUREAU HAVE JUST SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO SET UP A JOINT-VENTURE

AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION ON HUANGMAO ZHOU OFF THE PEARL

RIVER ESTUARY ABOUT 70 KILOMETRES SOUTHEAST OF ZHUHAI.

ACCORDING TO THE AGREEMENT, THE GUANGDONG BUREAU WILL

PROVIDE THE SITE AND /LL CIVIL WORKS FOR THE STATION.

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL PROVIDE THE METEOROLOGICAL

SENSORS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A MICROPROCESSOR-BASED SYSTEM

AND DEVELOP THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE. THESE FACILITIES WILL BE

USED TO ACQUIRE AND PROCESS METEOROLOGICAL DATA AT THE SITE AND

TO TRANSMIT THEM BACK TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.

AS THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY ON THE UNINHABITED ISLAND,

THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE POWERED BY SOLAR ENERGY.

THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN GUANGZHOU AT THE END OF A

TWO- DAY VISIT BY A THREE-MAN DELEGATION OF THE ROYAL

OBSERVATORY FROM FEBRUARY 15 TO 17. THE DELEGATION COMPRISED

THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR JOHN PEACOCK, THE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR PETER LI, AND THE SENIOR SCIENTIFIC

OFFICER, MR YEUNG KAI HING.

DURING THE VISIT, THEY HELD TALKS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF

THE GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU, MR XIE GUOTAO, AND THE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR CHANG YIANGSONG ABOUT THE STATION PROJECT.

THE IDEA FOR AN OFFSHORE AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION WAS

CONCEIVED SOME YEARS AGO BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND WAS

LATER PROPOSED TO THE CHINESE METEOROLOGICAL AUTHORITIES AS A

POSSIBLE JOINT VENTURE.

/THE IDEA ....................

TUSSOaY, PEBfflJAHY 21, 1964

THE IDEA WAS DEVELOPED FURTHER WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE

STATE METEOROLOGICAL ADMINISTRATION IN PEKING VISITED THE

ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN NOVEMBER 1982.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE

GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU THEN HELD PRELIMINARY

DISCUSSIONS AND MADE A JOINT SITE VISIT TO THE ISLAND AT THE

END OF 1983.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE VISIT TO GUANGZHOU LAST WEEK WAS TO

HOLD THE LAST ROUND OF TALKS AND SIGN THE AGREEMENT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STATION WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL BY

MID-1985.

BY THEN THE STATION WILL TRANSMIT PROCESSED METEOROLOGICAL

DATA, SUCH AS WIND, TEMPERATURE AND AIR PRESSURE, EVERY 30

MINUTES BY UHF RADIO TO A CENTRAL COMPUTER AT THE ROYAL

OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS WHERE THE DATA WILL BE STORED AND ALSO

DISPLAYED IN REAL-TIME.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE DATA WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY INJECTED INTO

THE HONG KONG-GUANGZHOU-PEKING METEOROLOGICAL COMMUNICATION

CIRCUIT FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO THE STATE METEOROLOGICAL

ADMINISTRATION IN PEKING AND THE GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL

BUREAU.

THE DATA WILL BE USED BY BOTH SIDES FOR FORECASTING THE

WEATHER OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND FOR

MONITORING TROPICAL CYCLONES AND OTHER SEVERE WEATHER SYSTEMS

APPROACHING SOUTH CHINA FROM THE SOUTH.

DURING THE TWO-DAY VISIT, BOTH PARTIES ALSO DISCUSSED

TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN MARINE METEOROLOGY.

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR TECHNICAL STAFF FROM THE

GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU TO COME TO HONG KONG TO

LEARN THE METHODS THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY EMPLOYS TO PROCESS

MARINE METEOROLOGICAL DATA BY COMPUTER.

ON THE SAME DAY THAT THE DELEGATION ARRIVED IN GUANGZHOU,

TWO TECHNICAL STAFF OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ALSO WENT TO

GUANGZHOU WITH UPPER-AIR SOUNDING EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM

AN INTER-COMPARISON ON RADIOSONDES.

THE INTER-COMPARISON WILL LAST TWO WEEKS AND IS BEING

CARRIED OUT JOINTLY WITH THE GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL BUREAU

IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS LAID DOWN BY THE WORLD

NETEOROLOGI CAL ORGANISATION.

THE PURPOSE IS TO FIND OUT THE INSTRUMENTAL AND

OBSERVATIONAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES OF RADIOSONDES

USED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GUANGDONG METEOROLOGICAL

BUREAU.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

- 3 -

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR AIRPORT RADAR

* * *

A CONTRACT VALUED AT S4.1 MILLION HAS BEEN

TOWER AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

TO*ER

AWARDED FOR A RADAR

CONSTRUCTION

UNDER THE CONTRACT. AWARDED TO CHUNG SHING ----- - .

COMPANY LIMITED. A 40-METRE HIGH TOWER WILL BE BUILT TO HOUSE A

SHORT-RANGE RADAR SYSTEM WITH SIGNAL PROCESSING AND DISPLAY

FACILITIES.

IT WILL BE USED TO CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR AND SHOW THE POSITION

AND MOVEMENTS OF ALL AIRCRAFT, VEHICLES AND OTHER POTENTIAL

OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE AIRFIELD AND OF SHIPS IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN

APPROACHES TO HONG KONG.

OTHER FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT INCLUDE A

DANGEROUS GOODS STORE, AN OIL TANK, A STANDBY GENERATOR ROOM, A

RADAR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ROOM, AN AIR-CONDITIONING PLANT

ROOM, A CARBON DIOXIDE ROOM AND BATTERY SWITCH ROOMS.

WORK ON THE CONTRACT WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND TAKE

ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

0 -

CENTRES PROMOTING CAREERS EDUCATION

* * *

IN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING ITS BEST IN

PROMOTING CAREERS EDUCATION TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE THE

RIGHT JOBS, AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

W YEUNG PO-KWAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

+THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES SET UP ON BOTH SIDES

CF THE HARBOUR BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE AIMED AT ACQUAINTING

YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE WORLD OF WORK,+ HE ADDED.

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CAREERS

INFORMATION CENTRE IN THE TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT

OFFICES, MR YEUNG SAID THAT EACH CENTRE HAD A REFERENCE LIBRARY

AND VARIOUS AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, WITH STAFF TO HANDLE ANY

QUESTIONS CONCERNING FURTHER STUDIES AND CAREERS.

HE SAID THAT ANOTHER EFFECTIVE WAY OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE

WAS BY PROVIDING THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT INFORMATION

DIRECTLY FROM DIFFERENT TRADES.

TO THIS END, THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE

AND THE HONG KONG CAREERS MASTERS ASSOCIATION JOINTLY ORGANISE

REGIONAL CAREERS CONVENTIONS ANNUALLY.

EACH CONVENTION FEATURES A CAREERS EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY

LOCAL STUDENTS AND TALKS BY EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS TRADES.

/+JUDGED PHCIJ...................

TUESDAY, FEBHUaAY 21, 19&4

- 4 -

.JUDGED FROM THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE BY BOTH SCHOOLS

AND STUDENTS AND FROM THE ACTIVE SUPPORT GIVEN BY CAREERS TEACHtRo,

THIS FUNCTION HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED NECESSARY.+

.GIVEN SUPPORT AND MOTIVATION BY THE PEOPLE CONCERNED,

I AM CONVINCED THAT OUR YOUNG WILL BE PROVIDED WITH BETTER CAREEko

EDUCATION,+ HE ADDED.

IN THIS OPENING SPEECH EARLIER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR

LABOUR, MR RON BRIDGE, SAID THAT EDUCATION FOR THE OFFSPRING

NOWADAYS DID NOT FALL ON PARENTS AND FAMILIES ONLY.

BOTH SCHOOLS AND SOCIETY PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS

RESPECT, HE ADDED.

YOUNG PEOPLE, HE SAID, HAD TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZON, TO

HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THEIR OWN APTITUDE AND ABILITY AND TO

ACQUIRE AS MUCH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AS POSSIBLE.

THE COPE OF LEARNING SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO BOOKS

BUT SHOULD ALSO EXTEND TO VARIOUS TRADES, HE ADDED.

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

IMPORTANCE OF DAY NURSERIES IN NEW TOWN STRESSED

X X * *

DAY NURSERIES ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AMONG WELFARE

SERVICES IN NEW HOUSING AREAS AS MANY PEOPLE LIVING THERE ARE

YOUNG WORKING COUPLES WITH SMALL CHILDREN.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS

TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE SALVATION ARMY’S TAI YUEN

NURSERY AT TAI YUEN ESTATE IN TAI PO.

THE NURSERY CATERS FOR 100 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF TWO

AND SIX.

.I AM SURE THAT THE NURSERY WILL PROVIDE NOT ONLY A HAPPY

AND SAFER PLACE FOR CHILDREN WHILE THEIR PARENTS ARE AT WORK,

BUT ALSO A STIMULATING AND IMAGINATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY

CAN BEGIN TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITIES,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE THREE NURSERIES IN TAI PO PROVIDING

270 PLACES.

.WE EXPECT ANOTHER 300 PLACES TO BE ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR,

AND THIS SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEED FOR SUCH PLACES IN

TAI P0,+ HE SAID.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENSURE

THAT WHEN NEW HOUSING ESTATES ARE COMPLETED AND BEGIN TO TAKE IN

NEW TENANTS, ALL THE NECESSARY FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED AS SOON AS

POSSIBLE SO THAT THE NEEDS OF THE NEW RESIDENTS CAN BE MET AND A

PROPER COMMUNITY CAN DEVELOP.

.WELFARE SERVICES ARE AN

REQUIRED IN ANY NEW TOWN.+ HE

IMPORTANT PART OF THE SERVICES

ADDED.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS

SPEECH ON ANTI-COUNTERFEITING WORK

* * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN,

WILL ADDRESS THE DINNER MEETING OF THE KIWANIS CLUB OF KOWLOON

AT FIVE CONTINENTS RESTAURANT, 14/F., REGAL MERIDIEN AIRPORT

HOTEL, KOWLOON, ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 23).

MR JORDAN’S SPEECH ON GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-COUNTERFEITING WORK

WILL BE DELIVERED AT ABOUT 8.15 PM.

- - 0 -

COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB PLAYING MAJOR ROLE

* * * *

THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS

ASSUMED A MAJOR ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE PERSONALITY AND LEADERSHIP

POTENTIAL OF YOUTHS IN HONG KONG.

ESTABLISHED IN 1978, THE CLUB STARTED AS A +CLEAN YOUR CITY+

TEAM TO LEND SUPPORT TO THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN, RECALLED

THE CLUB’S SENIOR INSDECTOR, MR C.B. LAU.

+THE INITIAL SCHEME WAS SO WELL RECEIVED BY SCHOOLS AND

STUDENTS THAT IT WAS STEADILY EXPANDED TO COVER A BROAD RANGE

OF ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO TAP THE POTENTIAL OF OUR YOUTHS,+

HE SAID.

IN LINE WITH ITS NEW ROLE, THE TEAM WAS REORGANISED IN 1978

AND RENAMED THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC).

AFTER STEADY EXPANSION OVER THE YEARS, THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES

NOW INCLUDE SEMINARS, DEBATES, FIELD STUDIES, EXHIBITIONS, TRAINING

CAMPS AND VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS COVERING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FUND

RAISING, FIRE PREVENTION, CONSUMER EDUCATION, ANT I-CORRUPT I ON AND

ROAD SAFETY.

THE ACTIVITIES HAVE PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND THE CLUB’S

t-EMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM 16 OOO STUDENTS IN 1978 TO ABOUT 100 090

TODAY.

+CYC MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO INITIATE AND ORGANISE THEIR

OWN ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SCHOOL UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A TEACHER,

WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CYC SECTION PROVIDING THE NECESSARY

FUNDS,* MR LAU SAID.

THEY ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CYC

DISTRICT COMMITTEE SCHEME.

/at p.tesj:?,

TU3SDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 12 SUCH COMMITTEES COMPRISING MAINLY

PRINCIPALS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.

THE SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER ALL OF THE 18 DISTRICTS

IN THE TERRITORY BY 1986.

TERRITORY-WIDE, THERE IS THE CYC ANNUAL PARADE HIGHLIGHTING

THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES OF THE YEAR.

+MORAL EDUCATION AND THE INCULCATION OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

ARE THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CYC MOVEMENT,* MR LAU POINTED OUT.

TO ENCOURAGE GOOD PERFORMANCES, THE CLUB HAS DEVELOPED A MERIT

AWARD SCHEME.

UNDER THE SCHEME, MEMBERS WILL BE GIVEN POINTS ACCORDING TO

THE DURATION AND NATURE OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

+IN ADDITION, OVERSEAS STUDY TOURS ARE OFFERED PERIODICALLY

TO MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR PERFORMANCES,* MR LAU SAID.

- - 0 -

OPEN SPACE TO BE BUILT UNDER BRIDGE

* * *

THE SPACE UNDER AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE IS TO BE DEVELOPED TO

PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

HAS AWARDED A $635 OOO CONTRACT TO BUILD AN OPEN SPACE THERE.

IT WILL OCCUPY A 2 500-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT ABERDEEN MAIN

ROAD ADJACENT TO ABERDEEN TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE SIX MONTHS TO

COMPLETE.

A FEATURE OF THE OPEN SPACE WILL BE A 22-METRE DIAMETER

FLOWER POT.

OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE PLANTS, BENCHES, CONCRETE CHESS

TABLES AND FLOWER POTS.

THE AREA WILL BE LANDSCAPED TO INTEGRATE WITH THE PAVING

PATTERNS.

- - 0

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

WATER FIGURES

* * *

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM YESTERDAY (MONDAY)

STOOD AT 83.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 490.687 MILLION CUBIC

METRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 415.301 MILLION

CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 70.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.

KWUN TONG WATER MAINS WORK

# * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE CUT OFF

FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR

MAINS WORK.

THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE : PREMISES ALONG CHA KWO uI NG ROAD

BETWEEN LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND CHA KWO LING TSUEN- WAI YIP STREET

BETWEEN KING YIP STREET AND CHA KWO LING ROAD INCLUDING THE TEMPORARY

HOUSING AREA AND SHELL OIL DEPOT.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WOH CHAI STREET

XXX

FROM FEBRUARY 23 (THURSDAY) TO MARCH 2, THE SECTION OF

WOH CHAI STREET BETWEEN PAK TIN STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET

WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM TO FACILITATE WORK

ON THE SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS IN WOH CHAI STREET HEADING

FOR PAK TIN STREET ARE ADVISED TO USE NAM CHEONG STREET AND

WAI CHI STREET.

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAKD FOR

DECEMBER 1983.................................................................................................................................................. 1

JANUARY CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RISE ............................................................................. 3

VOTERS VITAL DISTRICT ROLE STRESSED ............................................................................. 5

BOARD TO DISCUSS FANLING DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................... 7

MORE SCHOOLS OFFER INFORMAL ACTIVITIES ................................................................... 8

PRINTING INDUSTRY MANPOWER TO BE SURVEYED.......................................................... 9

THRE1E SAI KUNG SITES OFFERED................................................................................................... 9

SPORTS FESTIVAL PRESS CONFERENCE ...................................................................................... 10

FUN DAY FOR 1 500 CHILDREN ......................................................................................................... 10

MUI WO TO BE BEAUTIFIED .................................................................................................................. 11

TRAFFIC ROUTE CHANGE............................................................................................................................ 11

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 1 -

MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND

ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR DECEMBER 1983

* * * *

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY RELEASED STATISTICS

FROM THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND

FOR DECEMBER 1983.

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND

(IN TERMS OF MONTHS) IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES INCREASED IN

DECEMBER 1983 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH. INCREASES WERE

RECORDED FOR ALL MAJOR INDUSTRIES. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE

WAS REPORTED BY MANUFACTURERS IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, FOLLOWED

BY THE WEARING APPAREL, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL

PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. THE OTHER INDUSTRIES ALSO REPORTED SMALL

INCREASES.

THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS STABLE

FOR MOST INDUSTRIES. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN

THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHILE THE ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY RECORDED A SLIGHT DECLINE. EMPLOYMENT

IN THE SERVICES SECTOR REMAINED UNCHANGED. IN THE CONSTRUCTION

COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES CONTINUED TO FALL ON

COMPLETION OF SOME PROJECTS.

PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED IN THE MANUFACTURING,

CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES SECTORS DUE TO THE PAYMENT OF YEAR-END

BONUS AND DOUBLE PAY. THE BANKS SURVEYED REPORTED THE MOST

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER

CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE

ACCOMPANYING TABLES.

WHEN RELEASING THE SURVEY RESULTS, THE DEPARTMENT POINTED O"T

THAT THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING

COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND

SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMEN 1

IN MARCH 1983. AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE

DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT NOT

REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY

SHOULD GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A

QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT

TERM.

THE SURVEY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 1983 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, AT Si.5 PER

COPY. ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL

PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS

DEPARTMENT (AT 3-7212832).

/a. orders-on-eand in

WEDNESDAY, FESRUAHY 22, 19&4

A. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING

INDUSTRY

CHANGE OVER THE

PRECEDING MONTH)

OCT. NOV. DEC.

1983 1983 1983

ORDERS-ON-HAND

( IN TERMS OF

MONTHS) FOR

DECEMBER 1983

WEARING APPAREL,

EXCEPT FOOTWEAR

5.08

TEXTILES, except

WEARING APPAREL

2.54

plastic PRODUCTS

-5

3.70

FABRICATED METAL

PRODUCTS

■1

3-19

ELECTRICAL AND

ELECTRONIC

PRODUCTS

-2

5.37

OTHERS

4.12

ALL ABOVE INDUSTRIES -1

4.52

B. EMPLOYMENT AND

EARNINGS

PERSONS ENGAGED BY

THE COMPANIES SURVEYED

PER CAPI

TA EARNINGS

PER CAPI1-.

EARN 1 N 5

INDUSTRY/ OCT.

SERVICE 1983

(% CHANGE

NOV.

1983

OVER

DEC.

1983

THE

PRECEDING MONTH)

OCT. NOV. DEC.

1983 1983 1983

FOR

DEC. 1 3

( HK$)

MANUFACTURING 1

2 622

food AND

DRINKS *

-3

-7

-3

3 870

WEARING APPAREL,

EXCEPT

FOOTWEAR *

2 421

TEXTILES,

EXCEPT

WEAR ING

APPAREL *

2 780

/PLASTIC PRODUCTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1?84

PLASTIC

271

PRODUCTS

-1

-3

FABRICATED

METAL

PRODUCTS

130

ELECTRICAL

AND

ELECTRONIC

PRODUCTS

3/0

others

“1

-1

4 ?1

CONSTRUCTION

-2

7 1

-1

13 7

SERVICES

-4

-3

BANKS

67 7

HOTELS

62 3

PUBLIC

utilities

-7

-5

83/

OTHERS

-1

571

* CHANGES WITHIN + 0.5%

KM PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY5 SITE WORKERS

EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.

----0----

JANUARY CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES RISE

M X * X M

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR

JANUARY WERE 152 AND 151 RESPECTIVELY, EACH BEING TWO POINTS OR

1.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES

PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1983, CP I (A) ROSE BY 17 POINTS OR

12.6 PER CENT AND CP 1(B), 16 POINTS OR 11.9 PER CENT.

DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JANUARY THIS YEAR, BOTH

THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CP 1(A) AND CPl(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE

RATE OF 0.6 PER CENT A MONTH.

/DURING JANUARY, ....................

WEDNESDAY, FS3H0AHY 22, 1?c4

- 4 -

DURING JANUARY , FOOD PRICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF FRESH

VEGETABLES AND LIVE POULTRY, WERE HIGHER. PRIVATE DWELLING RENTALS,

HAIRDRESSING CHARGES, BUS AND FERRY FARES ALSO WENT UP.

THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS

CF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS

IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1979/80 HOUSEHOLD

EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CPI(A) REFERRED TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING

BETWEEN $1 000 AND $3 499 A MONTH, AND THE CP 1(B) TO HOUSEHOLDS

SPENDING BETWEEN $3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.

THE INDEXES FOR JANUARY 1984 FOR THE NINE COMMODITY-SERVICE

SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW,

TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1983 AND JANUARY 1983.

(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)

SECTION

CPI(A)

CP 1(B)

JAN.83

DEC.83

JAN.84

JAN.83

DEC.83

JAN.84

FOODSTUFFS

137

150

152

137

151

153

HOUSING

133

140

142

132

140

142

FUEL AND LIGHT

145

151

146

151

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

AND TOBACCO (FOR

HOME CONSUMPTION)

130

207

129

199

200

CLOTHING AND

FOOTWEAR

135

150

149

136

151

150

DURABLE GOODS

107

123

110

127

126

MISCELLANEOUS

GOODS

128

146

127

143

TRANSPORT AND

VEHICLES

145

159

165

147

162

166

SERVICES

144

163

165

142

161

164

ALL ITEMS

135

150

152

135

149

151

COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1983, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED

BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL

PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY, PORK, SHRIMPS AND CRABS

WENT UP DUE TO INCREASED DEMAND ON THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR

NEW YEAR. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER

FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.

THE TWO-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR HOUSING IN BOTH CP I(A)

AND CP 1(B) WAS DUE TO INCREASED RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS.

/THE INDEX....................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 5 -

THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME

CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN CPl(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES

CF CHINESE AND FOREIGN WINES.

LOWER PRICES OF MEN’S AND WOMEN’S OUTERCLOTHING CAUSED THE

INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR TO DECREASE BY ONE POINT IN BOTH

CPI(A) AND CPI(B).

THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS DROPPED BY ONE POINT IN CP 1(B)

AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF ELECTRICAL CONSUMER GOODS, TRAVEL

AND SPORTS GOODS.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY SIX POINTS

IN CPI(A) AND FOUR POINTS IN CP 1(B) DUE TO HIGHER BUS AND FERRY

FARES.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY TWO POINTS IN CP I (A) AND THREE

POINTS IN CP 1(B) DUE TO HIGHER HAIRDRESSING CHARGES BEFORE THE

LUNAR NEW YEAR AS WELL AS HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES

NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED.

DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER

PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR JANUARY 1984, AVAILABLE AT $3 A COPY FROM

THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING,

GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE DIRECTOR

CF INFORMATION SERVICES, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT,

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.

FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES MAY BE

OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE

NO.3-7216512.

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

VOTERS VITAL DISTRICT ROLE STRESSED

* * M *

COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT WERE URGED TODAY

(WEDNESDAY) TO EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERING AS A

VOTER FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.

THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN

WOTHERSPOON, AT THE DISTRICT’S SPRING RECEPTION.

+ IF YOU DON’T REGISTER, YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO VOTE, AND

IF YOU CANNOT VOTE, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE EXISTING

PROCESS OF DEVELOPING, CHANGING AND IMPROVING OUR DISTRICT,*

HE SAID.

/MR WOTHERSPOON ....................

WEDNESDAY, FJSdKJARY 22, 1984

- 6 -

MR WOTHERSPOON SAID THE DISTRICT WAS NOTABLE FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE, AND FOR THE CONCERN OF COMMUNITY

LEADERS TO BLEND THE BEST OF THE OLD AND THE NEW AND TO MAKE

THE DISTRICT A CARING SOCIETY AND A HAPPY PLACE TO LIVE.

+THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES IN THE PAST YEAR AND THERE

WILL BE FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS THIS YEAR, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD

TO HOUSING AND ROADS,+ HE STRESSED.

HE SAID. THE NEW CHEUNG WAH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WILL START

THE FIRST INTAKE OF RESIDENTS IN APRIL THIS YEAR WHILE A NEW

TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT FANLING SOUTH WILL BE CONSTRUCTED

DURING THE YEAR AND OPENED EARLY IN 1985.

PILING WORK ON THE THIRD PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE - TIN PING

ESTATE - HAD ALREADY STARTED.

A SECTION OF THE SHA TAU KOK DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AT LUEN WO HUI,

THE JOCKEY CLUB ROAD DUAL CARRIAGEWAY EXTENSION, AND THE NEW D5

DUAL CARRIAGEWAY FROM TAI PO ROAD PAST THE FANLING PLAYGROUND

ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE COMING YEAR.

THE FANLING BYPASS SECTOR OF THE NT CIRCULAR ROAD IS NEARING

COMPLETION, AND WORK ON THE SECTION FROM FAN KAM TO KWU TUNG WILL

SOON BEGIN.

DISCUSSING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES,

NR WOTHERSPOON SAID THE SITUATION WOULD IMPROVE WITH THE SECOND

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AT ON LOK TSUEN.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SHA TAU KOK ROAD WILL START LATER THIS

YEAR AND A RURAL CENTR IN TA KWU LING HAS BEEN PROPOSED.

PROJECTS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO RURAL

ROADS AND DRAINAGE AND THE PROVISION OF VILLAGE LIGHTING AND

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

+THE BUDGET FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS IS CURRENTLY .5 MILLION

AND I EXPECT THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE SAME LEVEL OF

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMING YEAR,+ HE SAID.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT WERE KEPT UNDER

REGULAR REVIEW BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND A RECENTLY-COMPLETED

SURVEY OF TRANSPORT NEEDS WOULD BE USED WHEN MAKING FUTURE PLANNING,

HE ADDED.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSPORT BEING PLANNED INCLUDE THE

INTRODUCTION OF FIVE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES AND BUS SERVICES TO CHEUNG

WAH ESTATE.

+IN ALL OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD

HAS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE, AS IT HAS DONE IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY

BUILDING,+ HE SAID.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 7 -

BOARD TO DISCUSS FANLING DEVELOPMENT

KK * M *

THE FANLING NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE TABLED

FOR MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION AT TOMORROW’S (THURSDAY) NORTH DISTRICT

BOARD MEETING AT 9.30 AM.

THE PROGRAMME IS TO PROVIDE, AS FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE, A

BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, JOB

OPPORTUNITIES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.

AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS' ATTENTION WILL BE DRAWN TO THE

VARIOUS PROJECTS TO BE CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR, INCLUDING A PUBLIC

HOUSING ESTATE IN SHEK WU HUI, THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, PUBLIC

AMENITIES AND LAND DEVELOPMENT.

MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS WAYS TO ASSIST SMALL INDUSTRY

IN THE DISTRICT.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON A

DISTRICT HANDBOOK AND A DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND PROGRESS REPORTS

OF THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD

MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A SOCIAL SERVICES

COMMITTEE AT THEIR MEETING.

MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS HAWKING IN THE DISTRICT AND BE

BRIEFED ON THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REVISED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME

FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER: (A) THE NORTH

DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE

CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE

THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN KWONG FUK ROADj AND

(B) THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING AT 4 PM IN

THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR

CF WILLY BUILDING, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.

A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT

8.30 AM FOR TAI PO.

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

/8 ....................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

MORE SCHOOLS OFFER INFORMAL ACTIVITIES

* * * *

THERE HAS IN RECENT YEARS BEEN GREATER APPRECIATION OF THE

VALUE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL PROGRAMMES, THE

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING CEREMONY OF

RHENISH CHURCH COLLEGE, MR HAYE SAID ACTIVITIES KNOWN ALSO AS THE

INFORMAL CURRICULUM, WERE NOW WIDELY ACCEPTED - ESPECIALLY BY

SECONDARY SCHOOLS - AS NECESSARY COMPLEMENTS TO THE MORE FORMAL

CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOMS.

. IT IS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR

ACTIVITIES OF A SCHOOL THAT WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO ACQUIRE

SUCH QUALITIES AS SOCIAL AWARENESS, LEADERSHIP, CO-OPERATION,

TOLERANCE AND APPRECIATION OF THE VIEWS AND BELIEFS OF OTHERS,

AS WELL AS ACQUIRING, HOPEFULLY, LIFELONG INTERESTS AND PURSUITS,

HE NOTED.

HE COMMENDED THE RHENISH CHURCH COLLEGE FOR SETTING UP A

STUDENTS EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE WHICH ENSURED

FULL CO-OPERATION AND INPUT FROM THE SCHOOL’S MANAGEMENT,

TEACHING STAFF, SOCIAL WORKERS AND STUDENTS.

HE SAID: +1 CONGRATULATE THE SCHOOL ON ITS WISDOM AND

FORESIGHT IN INTRODUCING SUCH A SYSTEM WHICH MUST ENSURE THAT

THE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL HAVE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN

EXPERIENCE IN CO-OPERATING WITH OTHERS, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

AND PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES INVOLVING COMMUNITY SERVICE.

. THE SYSTEM MUST ALSO ALLOW THE TEACHING STAFF AND THE

STUDENTS TO MAINTAIN REGULAR CONTACT AND, THEREFORE, A GREATER

AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF BOTH IN THE EDUCATION

PROCESS.+

MR HAYE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT SCHOOLS FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE

THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS.

. IF ANY SCHOOL IS TO PROVIDE SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE ALL-ROUND

NEEDS OF ITS STUDENTS, IT CANNOT DO SO WITHOUT MAKING CONTACT

WITH THE PARENTS, AND THIS CONTACT SHOULD BE AS FREQUENT AS

POSSIBLE,+ HE SAID.

SCHOOLS MIGHT LIKE TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THEIR OPEN DAYS TO

INCLUDE OPEN EVENINGS SO THAT MORE PARENTS COULD MEET THEIR

CHILDREN’S TEACHERS AFTER WORK, HE SAID.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 9 -

PRI NT I NG INDUSTRY MANPOWER TO BE SURVEYED

* M *

A SURVEY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER SITUATION

&MT) TRAINING NEEDS OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT

IETWEEN MARCH 7 AND 23 BY THE PRINTING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD

CF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

rcnu TUP information RECEIVED. PROPOSALS WILL BE MADE ON

MANPOWER TRAINING FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY, MR ALEX WU, CHAIRMAN

CF THE TRAINING BOARD SAID.

QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY NOTES IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE

HAVE BEEN SENT TO SOME 700 EMPLOYERS COVERED IN THE SURVEY, AND

ryrioFRS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT .OSE

FACTOR IES'TO COLLECT THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND HELP COMPLETE THE FORMS.

MR WU CALLED FOR THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL THE PEOPLE BEING

SURVEYED, AND STRESSED THAT THE DATA COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED

IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, AND PUBLISHED ONLY AS STATISTICAL SUMMARIES

WITHOUT REFERENCE TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT

AND THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY ARE HELPING WITH THE

SURVEY.

- - 0 - -

THR

SAI KUNG SITES OFFERED

* * * *

THREE PIECES OF CROWN LAND AT SAI KUNG ARE BEING OFFERED ON

SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.

THE SITES, LOCATED AT SAI KUNG TUK, ARE OF 195, 210 AND 235

SQUARE METRES, AND ARE FOR USE AS CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS.

THREE-YEAR TENANCIES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY, WHICH MAY

BE RENEWED FOR THREE MONTHLY PERIODS AFTERWARDS.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS MARCH 9.

TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING. 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD,

HONG KONGJ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KOWLOON WEST), YAU MA TEI

CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOONt

AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG.

TENDER PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS.

/10................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 10 -

NOTE TO EDITORS:

SPORTS FESTIVAL PRESS CONFERENCE

* * * *

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE

DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL OF SPORTS TO BE LAUNCHED AT THE QUEEN

ELIZABETH STADIUM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).

THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC

COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, MR A. DE 0.SALES WILL CHAIR THE CONFERENCE.

THE FESTIVAL, HELD ANNUALLY AND ORGANISED BY THE ASFOC, IS

SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE

DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING DOZENS OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD

THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY NEXT MONTH, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE

FESTIVAL.

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE HELD

AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS’ MESS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE AT 3 PM TODAY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

FUN DAY FOR 1 500 CHILDREN

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PARTY FOR MORE

THAN 1 500 CHILDREN OF ITS STAFF ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26), IN THE

COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN OIL STREET, NORTH

POINT.

THE PARTY WILL START OFF WITH THE DOTTING OF A LION’S EYES BY

THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR ROY KILVERT, FOLLOWED BY A

LION DANCE PERFORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.

OTHER ITEMS WILL INCLUDE SIDE-SHOWS, GAME STALLS, CHILDREN’S

TRAIN RIDES, AN AIR-RIFLE SHOOTING RANGE AND A MAGIC AND ACROBATIC

SHOW. THERE WILL ALSO BE A POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION AND A TUG-

OF-WAR COMPETITION.

MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE BAND

AND THE TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM.

MR KILVERT WILL LATER OFFICIATE AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION

CEREMONY AND CONDUCT A LUCKY DRAW.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PARTY.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

- 11 -

MUI WO TO BE BEAUTIFIED

*****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED AN $800 000 CONTRACT TO BEAUTIFY

MUI WO.

UNDER THE CONTRACT 12 000 TREES AND SHRUBS WILL BE PLANTED

ON THE NEW RECLAMATION WEST OF MUI WO FERRY CONCOURSE, ALONG

THE SOUTH BANK OF THE MAIN RIVER CHANNEL AND ON PROMENADES AT

THE WATERFRONT.

THE NEW RECLAMATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED

NEXT MONTH UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT, WILL BE USED FOR PRIVATE

AND PUBLIC HOUSING, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A CLINIC, A FIRE

STATION AND A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION.

THE PLANTING PROJECT WILL INCLUDE PROVISION OF FLOWER BEDS

AND PERGOLA AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

DUE TO THE EXPOSURE OF THE RECLAMATION TO THE SEA, PLANTS

WHICH CAN WITHSTAND SALT-LADEN WINDS WILL BE SELECTED.

WORK WILL START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY JULY.

THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT

BRANCH OF THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

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

TRAFFIC ROUTE CHANGE

* * *

TRAFFIC ON HARBOUR VIEW STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT PLACE AND

THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS ENTRANCE WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY

EASTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 24) FOR ABOUT A MONTH.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MINISTER OF STATE TO VISIT HK................................................................................................ 1

AMBASSADOR EVANS ARRIVING ............................................................................................................ 1

GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW......................................................................................................

SIR PHILIP TOURS YAU MA TEI ...................................................................................................... 2

STUDENTS TOLD TO PREPARE FOR ROLE IN SOCIETY................................................ 3

STRATEGIC STUDY RESULTS READY THIS YEAR................................................................ 3

MOST HK BUSINESSMEN ARE HONEST - JORDAN ................................................................ 4

DISTRICT BOARDS HELP SHAPE TRANSPORT POLICY................................................... 6

HONG KONG RACING TO THE TOP IN CONTAINER TRADE.......................................... 7

VALUE OF RECREATION STRESSED................................................................................................... 8

PRESS CONFERENCE.........................................................................................................................................

MATHS WHIZ KIDS TO COMPETE.........................................................................................................

PRIZES FOR YOUTH PROJECT WINNERS ...................................................................................... 10

OPEN DAY AT YUEN LONG MUSIC CENTRE ............................................................................... 10

NEW BRANCH OFFICE..................................................................................................................................... 11

FIRE EQUIPMENT FOR SAI KUNG MARKET ................................................................................ 11

+ACTIVITY APPROACH+ WORK BEING REVIEWED ................................................................ 12

PRIZES FOR POSTER DESIGN WINNERS ...................................................................................... 12

CLEARWAYS FOR CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI ................................................................ 12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

MINISTER OF STATE TO VISIT HK

M * * *

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS,

M? RICHARD LUCE, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM FEBRUARY 25 TO 28.

THIS WILL BE MR LUCE’S SECOND VISIT TO HONG KONG SINCE TAKING

UP HIS APPOINTMENT AS MINISTER OF STATE. HE LAST VISITED THE

TERRITORY IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

WHILE IN HONG KONG, MR LUCE WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD

YOUDE, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, SIR RICHARD EVANS, AND

OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.

ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27), MR LUCE WILL MEET UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS

CF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS

AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS.

ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) MORNING, HE WILL VISIT TAI KOO SHING

AND LAI TAK TSUEN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED

BY A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE GIS THEATRE AT NOON, BEFORE HIS

DEPARTURE FOR KUALA LUMPUR AT 3.30 PM ON THE SAME DAY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A FACILITY HAS BE .N ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN

TO COVER MR LUCE’S ARRIVAL ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25. HE WILL BE

TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT SQ 2, ETA 6.55 PM.

PLEASE ADVISE THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT TO ASSEMBLE

AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5.45 PM.

GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

AMBASSADOR EVANS ARRIVING

* * * *

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN

TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING.

SIR RICHARD EVANS, IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25).

SIR RICHARD WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 101, ETA 11.45 aM.

PLEASE ADVISE THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT TO ASSEMBLE

AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 10.45 AM ON

SATURDAY. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

- - 0 -

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS:

GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW

* * * *

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM PEKING

TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTER ATTENDING ANOTHER TWO DAYS OF SINO-

BRITISH TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

HE WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CA 103, ETA 1.55 PM.

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND

CAMERAMEN TO COVER SIR EDWARD’S RETURN. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

WISHING TO USE THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS

CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 1 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE

ON HAND TO ASSIST.

----o - - - -

SIR PHILIP TOURS YAU MA TEI

* * *

THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THIS

AFTERNOON TOURED YAU MA TEI TO SEE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT

WORKS THERE.

AT EAST TSIM SHA TSUI, SIR PHILIP WAS BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT

OFFICER, MR WILFRED WONG, ON A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME BEING

IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE AND REGULATE TRAFFIC FLOW.

PROJECTS IN THE SCHEME INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF LAY-BYS

TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT MAJOR ROAD JUNCTIONS.

SIR PHILIP WAS ALSO SHOWN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CENTENARY

GARDEN WHICH HAS BECOME A POPULAR AMENITY AREA.

EIGHT OTHER AREAS OF OPEN SPACE AND REST GARDENS ARE DUE TO

BE COMPLETED IN EAST TSIM SHA TSUI BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG

AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, SIR PHILIP VISITED CHUNG KING MANSION

ON NATHAN ROAD AND LEE SHING MANSION ON JORDAN ROAD.

THE TWO BUILDINGS, COMPLETED IN THE EARLY 1960’S, HAVE FOR

MANY YEARS SUFFERED FROM A LACK OF PROPER MANAGEMENT AND

MAINTENANCE AND POOR SANITARY CONDITIONS.

THEY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TARGET BUILDINGS IN THE YAU MA

TEI BUILDING MANAGEMENT PILOT SCHEME, AND AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL

OPERATION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN TO CLEAR REFUSE AND REMOVE

OBSTRUCTIONS ON STAIRCASES AND COMMON AREAS.

HOUSEHOLD VISITS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TO BRIEF TENANTS AND

OWNERS ON THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME.

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

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

EfcSlDENTS TOLD TO PREPARE FOR ROLE IN SOCIETY

* * * *

WITH INITIATIVE AND IMAGINATION, STUDENTS WILL BE READY TO

TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE THE PILLARS OF SOCIETY, THE

SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BUDDHIST WONG WAN

TIN COLLEGE IN SHA TIN, MR BRAY SAID THAT FREEDOM CARRIED

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FELLOW CITIZENS.

+HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY IS BUILT ON FREEDOM AND YOU WILL BE

EXPECTED TO MAKE HONG KONG MORE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE,* HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT SHA TIN DISTRICT HAS A POPULATION OF

260 000 PEOPLE, ONE THIRD OF THEM UNDER THE AGE OF 15.

THE OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL, HE ADDED, WOULD MAKE A +VALUABLE

CONTRIBUTION* TOWARDS MEETING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IN THE DISTRICT.

HE SAID THAT THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY

INTEREST IN SPORTS, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PURSUITS.

THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS DEVELOPMENT PLANS HAS INCLUDED FIVE NEW

FACILITIES IN SHA TIN TO MEET RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS.

+IN ADDITION TO THE RECENT OPENING OF A SPORT GROUND, OTHER

PROJECTS NOW UNDER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE AN ARTIFICIAL

TURF FOOTBALL PITCH, A TOWN PARK, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND A

MAJOR CULTURAL COMPLEX WITH AUDITORIUM.*

HE SAID THESE FACILITIES WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO YOUNG

PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IN COMPLEMENTING THEIR MENTAL,

PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

- - 0 - -

STRATEGIC STUDY RESULTS READY THIS YEAR

* * * *

THE RESULTS OF GOVERNMENT’S DELIBERATIONS ON THE STRATEGIC

DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN THIS YEAR, THE

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY

(THURSDAY).

MR CHAN, WHO WAS BRIEFING MEMBERS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN

DISTRICT BOARD ON THE WORK OF THE SIX DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE LANDS

AND WORKS BRANCH, SAID IF THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH

LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE URBAN AREA, IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY

TO EXPAND THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION OR EVEN TURN IT

INTO A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT AND ENLARGE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.

HE SAID THAT, AS SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, IT WAS HIS

DUTY TO ENSURE THAT ALL WORKS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN EACH

DISTRICT WERE PROPERLY CARRIED OUT AND THAT ALL SUGGESTIONS ON

LANDS AND WORKS MATTERS WHICH AFFECTED THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF

RESIDENTS WERE REFERRED TO DISTRICT BOARDS FOR DISCUSSION AND

THEIR ADVICE.

/14S CHAN

THURSDAY, F MU ARY 23, 1964

- 4 -

MR CHAN SAID THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAD IN

THE PAST BEEN GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON VARIOUS

ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MEETING WOULD BE BRIEFED LATER ON

THE CENTRAL AND MID-LEVELS TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS STUDY AND

CONSULTATION TOOK PLACE ON VARIOUS OTHER LARGE DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

AFFECTING THE DISTRICT SUCH AS THOSE ON HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS AND

URBAN GROWTH, URBAN RENEWAL AND LAND DEVELOPMENT.

ON THE HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS AND URBAN GROWTH STUDY, MR CHAN

SAID IT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE URBAN AREA.

+IT WOULD HAVE MANY FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON CENTRAL AND

WESTERN DISTRICT AND FORM AN ESSENTIAL PART OF FUTURE STRATEGIC

PLANNING IF IMPLEMENTED.

+THEREFORE, THERE MUST BE CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD TO

ENSURE THAT LOCAL VIEWS ARE HEARD ON THE PROPOSALS BEFORE FINAL

DECISIONS ARE REACHED ON THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN,+ HE SAID.

MOREOVER, HE SAID, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS COULD ALWAYS

EXPRESS VIEWS THROUGH THEIR OWN PLANS AND WORKS COMMITTEE ON

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AND THEIR PRIORITY, AND ALSO ON STATUTORY

PLANS AND OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

MR CHAN SAID THE TIMING OF CONSULTING THE DISTRICT BOARDS WAS

IMPORTANT. BUT IT MIGHT BE PREMATURE TO DO THIS BEFORE PROJECTS HAD

RECEIVED PRIOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN INTERESTED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD NOT, THEREFORE, FEEL DISAPPOINTED AT

NOT HAVING A CHANCE TC KNOW ABOUT PROJECTS AT THEIR VERY EARLY

STAGE OF PLANNING.

HE TOLD BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF

DEPARTMENTS HAD ALREADY ESTABLISHED AN ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING

THE ENVIRONMENT IN DISTRICTS, AS WELL AS FOR CO-ORDINATING

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, BUT THE VALUABLE AND CONSTRUCTIVE VIEWS

CF DISTRICT BOARDS’ MEMBERS WOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BEFORE

ANY DECISIONS WERE MADE.

----0 - - - -

MOST HK BUSINESSMEN ARE HONEST - JORDAN

* * * *

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR DOUGLAS JORDAN,

TODAY (THURSDAY) DENIED ALLEGATIONS THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF

THE TERRITORIES MANUFACTURING FAKE COMPONENTS FOR CARS AND

AIRCRAFT.

ADDRESSING THE DINNER MEETING OF THE K IWAN IS CLUB, MR JORDAN

STRESSED THERE WAS +ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE* THAT SUCH PARTS wERE

MADE IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF HONG KONG’S BUSINESSMEN

WERE HONEST AND WERE NOT INVOLVED IN COUNTERFEITING OPERATIONS.

About our...............

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

+BUT OUR HONEST BUSINESSMEN RECEIVE NO PUBLICITY. THERE

IS NEITHER NEWS VALUE NOR POLITICAL CAPITAL TO BE MADE OF

LEGITIMATE TRANSACT IONS,+ HE ADDED.

HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG TENDENCY AMONG HONG KONG’S

TRADING PARTNERS TO GROUP THE TERRITORY WITH OTHERS, PARTICULARLY

SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, WITH REGARD TO COUNTERFEITING

ACTIVITIES.

HE SAID THAT SOME OF THE MISREPRESENTATIONS AROSE BECAUSE

HONG KONG WAS AN ENTREPOT THROUGH WHICH COUNTERFEIT GOODS FROM

OTHER PLACES WERE TRANSHIPPED.

+SUCH GOODS ARE INVARIABLY DESCRIBED BY OUR OVERSEAS CRITICS

AS FROM HONG KONG EVEN THOUGH GIVEN THE NATURE OF TRANSHIPMENTS,

WE CAN HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR BEING COUNTERFEITS AS THEY

PASS THROUGH OUR PORT.

+WHERE IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WE DO HAVE SUCH KNOWLEDGE

WE DEAL WITH THEM SUITABLY BY SEIZURE. BUT OUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR

KNOWING ABOUT AND DEALING WITH SUCH TRANSHIPMENTS ARE RARE,+

JORDAN SAID. .

ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD STRONG AND

EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION TO COUNTER THE ILLICIT ACTIVITIES.

HE EXPLAINED THAT IN MANY PLACES AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING

THE UNITED KINGDOM, PROSECUTION OF THOSE ENGAGED IN COUNTERFEITING

TRADE MARKS RESTS LARGELY ON CIVIL LEGAL ACTION AND CIVIL

JURISDICTION, AND SUCH AVENUES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO TRADE MARK

OWNERS IN HONG KONG.

BUT UNLIKE MANY OTHER PLACES, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

CONSIDERS COUNTERFEITING A CRIMINAL ACT, MR JORDAN SAID.

IT HAS PROVIDED LEGISLATION IN THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS

ORDINANCE TO COUNTER FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS, FALSE TRADE MARKS,

AND MISREPRESENTATION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE GOODS ARE MADE

LOCALLY, IMPORTED OR EXPORTED.

OUTLINING THE SUCCESSES OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT

IN SUPPRESSING COUNTERFEITING, MR JORDAN SAID THAT IN 1978 THE

DEPARTMENT HANDLED 213 INVESTIGATIONS, TAKING 56 CASES TO COURT

AND SEIZING $1-MILLION WORTH OF GOODS.

IN 1983, THERE WERE 213 INVESTIGATIONS, 421 CASES PROSECUTED

AND SEIZED S21-MILLION WORTH OF GOODS.

+SADLY SOMETIMES OUR OVERSEAS CRITICS MISINTERPRET OUR

SUCCESS. THEY MISCONSTRUE OUR DETECTION FIGURES AND MISREPRESENT

THEM AS AN INDICATION OF THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTERFEIT PROBLEM

IN HONG KONG. .

+NO-ONE KNOWS THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG

OR ANYWHERE ELSE WITH COMPLETE ACCURACY - NEITHER OUR CRITICS NOR

OURSELVES.

+BUT CERTAINLY IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WE HAVE

VARIOUS AVENUES OF INTELLIGENCE OPEN TO US WHICH ENABLE US TO

ASSESS THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM TO A REASONABLE DEGREE.

+AND FROM THIS INTELLIGENCE WE KNOW WE ARE MAKING NOT

INCONSIDERABLE INROADS INTO THE PROBLEM,+ MR JORDAN SAID.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

DISTRICT BOARDS HELP SHAPE TRANSPORT POLICY

* * * *

< DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE MUCH INFLUENCE OVER THE WAYS TRANSPORT

POLICIES AND MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG, MR JAMES SO,

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, SAID TODAY (FEBRUARY 23).

ADDRESSING THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG ON +TRANSPORT

ADMINISTRATION*, MR SO SAID THAT DISTRICT BOARDS WERE ALSO

CONSULTED ON NEW POLICY PROPOSALS, AND COULD CHALLENGE THE

APPROPRIATENESS OF EXISTING POLICIES AND REQUEST CHANGES.

HE STRESSED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS ORGANISED ON A

REGIONAL BASIS TO ENABLE IT TO RESPOND MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY

TO DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

+SENIOR OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT SIT ON ALL 18 DISTRICT

BOARDS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES,*

MR SO SAID.

+THROUGH THESE FORUMS, DISTRICT NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS ON

TRANSPORT MATTERS ARE BEING FED BACK THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT TO

THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, THUS HELPING TO INFLUENCE AND SHAPE POLICY

FORMULATION BY THE BRANCH.*

THIS ENABLES THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS

TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN NEW POLICY

HE ADDED.

OF THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET

MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED,

MR SO SAID THAT 1 STRICT BOARDS ARE ONE OF THE CHECKS AND

BALANCES TO WHICH THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORT

POLICIES AND MEASURES IN HONG KONG ARE SUBJECT. ANOTHER BODY

WHICH SERVES AS A CHECK IS THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE,

CHAIRED BY AN UNOFFICIAL WITH NINE OTHER APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS

AND SIX OFFICIAL MEMBERS, WHICH ADVISES THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL

ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES OF TRANSPORT POLICY.

THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL TOO HAS POWERS TO REVIEW THE DECISIONS

OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT ON MOST LICENSING MATTERS. IT

IS CHAIRED BY AN UNOFFICIAL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND HAS TwO

OTHER MEMBERS, ONE OFFICIAL AND ONE UNOFFICIAL, SITTING wITH HIM.

MR SO ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE PROCESS AND MECHANISM BY WHICH

TRANSPORT POLICY PROPOSAL IS FORMULATED BY THE TRANSPORT BRANCH

FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL. HE EXPLAINED

THAT AFTER A DECISION IS TAKEN, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS

RESPONSIBLE FOR EXECUTING THE POLICY.

HE ALSO SAID THAT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, IN FORMULATING TRANSPORT

POLICY, WORKS WITHIN BROAD GUIDELINES LAID DOWN IN THE WHITt PAPEk

ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY, +KEEPING HONG KONG MOVING*. APPROVED

BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IN 1979, THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SUCH

POLICY IS TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE MOBILITY OF BOTH PEOPLE

AND GOODS THROUGH AN INTEGRATED, MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM,

HE ADDED.

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

/7 ....................

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

HONG KONG RACING TO THE TOP IN CONTAINER TRADE

* * * *

■ IN THE RACE FOR SUPREMACY IN GLOBAL CONTAINER TRADE, HONG KONG

IS FAST CLOSING THE GAP WITH NEW YORK, THE WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST

CONTAINER PORT AFTER ROTTERDAM.

WITH THE RESURGENCE OF ITS EXTERNAL TRADE, HONG KONG HANDLED

1.84 MILLION TWENTY EQUIVALENT UNITS (TEU’S) OF CONTAINER CARGO LAST

YEAR, UP 10.7 PER CENT ON 1982, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED

TODAY BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.

.WHILE 1983 FIGURES FOR NEW YORK ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET,

A CHART PLOTTING THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATES FOR THE TWO PORTS

SHOWS THAT HONG KONG COULD OVERTAKE NEW YORK IN A MATTER OF

MONTHS,+ THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR T.J. FRAWLEY,

SAID.

A RECENT PUBLICATION BY CONTAINERISATION INTERNATIONAL IN

LONDON POINTS OUT THAT OF THE WORLD’S TOP 10 CONTAINER PORTS, HONG

KONG HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THE HIGHEST TRAFFIC GROWTH RATES OVER

THE PAST 10 YEARS.

IN 1978, HONG KONG WITH A THROUGHPUT OF 1.22 MILLION TEU’S

STlLL TRAILED FAR BEHIND NEW YORK WITH 1.78 MILLION TEU’S, HE

RECALLED.

BUT SINCE THEN, FOLLOWING MAJOR EXPANSION OF ITS KWAI CHUNG

CONTAINER PORT IN THE 1ID-1970’S, HONG KONG HAS KEPT UP ITS GROWTH

MOMENTUM WHILE NEW YC K HAS SHOWN SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN. FROM

THAT YEAR TO 1982, HONG KONG’S AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE WAS ABOVE

EIGHT PER CENT, AGAINST NEW YORK’S AVERAGE RATE OF LESS THAN 1.9'

PER CENT.

DESPITE THE SPREADING GLOBAL RECESSION, HONG KONG NOTCHED A

6.9 PER CENT INCREASE IN CONTAINER TRAFFIC IN 1981 WHILE NEW YORK’S

THROUGHPUT WAS DOWN BY 4.6 PER CENT.

HONG KONG’S MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH CAME IN 1980 WHEN IT OVERTOOK

KOBE AS THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST CONTAINER PORT BY A PAPER-THIN

MARGIN -- 1.46 MILLION TEU’S AGAINST KOBE’S 1.45 MILLION TEU’S.

OVER THE YEARS HONG KONG IN ITS RAPID ASCENT TO THE TOP HAS

LEFT KOBE FAR BEHIND.

THE NEW RANKING WILL BE OF MORE THAN SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE.

.INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING GIANTS OFTEN SET THEIR SIGHTS ON PORTo

WITH LARGE AND GROWING TRAFFIC TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ECONOMIES

OF SCALE. AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HONG KONG IS OFFERING,*

W FRAWLEY SAID.

SHIPS, INCLUDING THE THIRD-GENERATION TYPES OF 59 000 GROSS

TONS, UNLOADED EMPTY CONTAINERS TOTALLING 217 562 TEU’S LAST YEAR,

4.5 PER CENT MORE THAN IN 1982.

/.MORE IMPORTANTLY,

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

- 8 -

+MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE NUMBER OF EMPTY CONTAINERS DISCHARGED

CLIMBED FROM MONTH TO MONTH, INDICATING THAT THE SHIPPING COMPANIES

EXPECT TO PICK UP STILL MORE CONTAINER CARGO IN THE MONTHS AHEAD,+

HE SAID.

ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S CONTAINER CARGO IS

HANDLED AT THE THREE GIANT TERMINALS IN KWAI CHUNG, WITH THE REST

ACCOMMODATED ELSEWHERE IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG.

BESIDES SERVING ITS OWN GROWING EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, HONG

KONG IS ALSO THE LARGEST TRANSHIPMENT CENTRE IN ASIA FOR CONTAINER

CARGO WITH ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF ITS TRAFFIC REPRESENTING

TRANSHIPMENT THROUGHPUTS.

A THREE-phaSE EXPANSION PROGRAMME FOR KWAI CHUNG WILL POSITION

HONG KONG TO MEET THE RISING NEEDS FOR CONTAINER SERVICES FOR THE

REST OF THIS DECADE AND INTO THE NEXT, MR FRAWLEY SAID.

UNDER THE FIRST PHASE, 25.5 HECTARES OF SEABED IN THE KWAI

CHUNG CREEK WILL BE RECLAIMED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AT A

COST OF OVER $655 MILLION TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BACK-UP AREAS FOR

THE EXISTING TERMINALS.

.BESIDES IMPROVING EXISTING KWAI CHUNG TRAFFIC, THE RECLAMATION

WILL RAISE THE CONTAINER PORT’S EFFICIENT WORKING CAPACITY BY

40 PER CENT TO 2.2 MILLION TEU’S,+ MR FRAWLEY SAID.

IN THE SECOND PHASE, A NEW TERMINAL WITH THREE BERTHS WILL

BE BUILT TO THE SOUTH OF THE RECLAMATION, RAISING THE CAPACITY

BY ANOTHER 45 PER CENT UPON ITS COMPLETION BY 1988.

TWO ADDITIONAL TERMINALS ARE PLANNED AS A THIRD PHASE OF THE

EXPANSION.

----0----

VALUE OF RECREATION STRESSED

, * * * *

THE GROWING AFFLUENCE AND INCREASED LEISURE TIME OF THE

COMMUNITY HAS LED TO UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR MORE RECREATION

AND SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR

RECREATION AND SPORTS, MR DICKEN YUNG SAID THIS EVENING (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RECREATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT

OF A PERSON, MR YUNG SAID IT IS GOVERNMENT’S ACCEPTED POLICY TO

ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE RECREATION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

MR YUNG, WHO WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH

DAY OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE IN CAUSEWAY BAY EXHORTED STUDENTS TO TAKE

UP RECREATION AND SPORT ACTIVITIES WHICH HE SAID WOULD BENEFIT

THEM PHYSICALLY, INTELLECTUALLY AND SOCIALLY.

.SPORTS AND GAMES ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED A USEFUL MEANS

TO OVERCOME STRESS AND RELIEVE TENSION,+ HE SAID.

/+THESE ACTIVITIES, ....................

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1964

- 9 -

.THESE ACTIVITIES, TOO, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR INTELLECTUAL

AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT.

.IN FACT, INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE VIEWED

AS INSEPARABLE PROCESSES AND THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF PHYSICAL

ACTIVITIES AND GAMES IN INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT HAS

LONG BEEN RECOGNISED BY MANY PSYCHOLOGISTS AND EDUCATORS.*

MR YUNG SAID A SURVEY OF 17 OOO UNIVERSITY GRADUATES OVER

A 15-YEAR PERIOD SHOWED THAT FEWER OF THOSE WHO ENGAGED IN SOME

FORM OF PHYSICAL RECREATION SUFFERED HEART ATTACKS THAN THOSE

WHO DID NOT.

RESEARCH HAD ALSO SHOWN, THAT INACTIVE PERSONS WERE TWO-

AND-HALF-TIMES MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEART DISEASES, HE ADDED.

----0 - - - -

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS CONFERENCE

* X *

MRS SHIRLEY WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC

PARTY, CURRENTLY VISITING HONG KONG, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE

IN THE GIS THEATRE AT 10 AM ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27.

YOU ARE INVITED ATTEND.

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

MATHS WHIZ KIDS TO COMPETE

* * *

STUDENTS FROM 40 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE IN THE FINAL

CF THE HONG KONG MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE

CF EDUCATION IN SASSOON ROAD, HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25)

AT 9.30 AM.

THE COMPETITION IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF

EDUCATION TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE AND SUSTAIN STUDENTS’ INTEREST

IN MATHEMATICS.

A TOTAL OF 122 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD ORGINALLY TAKEN PART

IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE COMPETITION ON DECEMBER 10 LAST

YEAR.

/AFTER TEE ................

THURSDAY, FSBaUAxtY 1>C4

10 -

AFTER THE FINAL ROUND TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, THE ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, AND THE PRINCIPAL OF

NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MR S.L. HO, WILL PRESENT PRIZES

TO THE WINNERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS s

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FINAL OF THE HONG KONG MATHEMATICS

OLYMPIAD AT THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, SASSOON ROAD,

HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25,) STARTING AT 9.30 AM, AND

THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION AT 12 NOON.

----o----

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRIZES FOR YOUTH PROJECT WINNERS

* * * *

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS),

WS EVELYN DOE, WILL PRESENT PRIZES ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25)

TO WINNERS OF A YOUTH PROJECTS AWARD SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION OF THE

DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED LAST SEPTEMBER AS PART OF THE

DEPARTMENT’S 1983-84 I jBLICITY PROGRAMME ON PUBLIC EDUCATION

IN REHABILITATION AND 16 YOUTH GROUPS TOOK PART IN THE SCHEME.

IT AIMS TO ENCOURAGE ABLED AND DISABLED PEOPLE TO WORK

TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT, WHICH WILL START AT

ID.30 AM AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT

60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.

----o----

OPEN DAY AT YUEN LONG MUSIC CENTRE

* * *

THE YUEN LONG MUSIC CENTRE WILL HOLD ITS OPEN DAY TOMORROW

(FRIDAY) AND ON SATURDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM.

THE OPEN DAY WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION OF WESTERN AND CHINESE

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, VISUAL-AID DEMONSTRATIONS AND PERFORMANCES

BY MUSICIANS AND TRAINEES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, RECREATION AND

CULTURE DEPARTMENT.

LOCATED ON THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS OF YUEN LONG CENTRE

AT SAU FU STREET, THE MUSIC CENTRE CONSISTS OF SIX PRACTICE

ROOMS, ONE REHEARSAL ROOM FOR BAND AND ORCHESTRA, A LIBRARYCONFERENCE

ROOM, GENERAL OFFICE AND A TEACHING STAFF COMMON

ROOM.

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

/11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS

NEW BRANCH OFFICE

* * *

THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT

HAS SET UP A NEW BRANCH OFFICE IN SHA TIN TO SERVE THE AREAS OF

SHA TIN, TAI PO, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI.

SITUATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY

(KCR) HOUSE, SHATIN STATION, THE NEW OFFICE WILL START OPERATIONS

TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION CASES OCCURRING AFTER JANUARY 1 IN

THE AREAS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE NEW DISTRICT OFFICE.

THE NEW OFFICE’S TELEPHONES FOR ENQUIRIES ARE 0-6065539 AND

0-6065571.

- - 0 - -

FIRE EQUIPMENT FOR SAI KUNG MARKET

X X X

FIRE SERVICE EQI PMENT COSTING $381 000 WILL BE INSTALLED AT

SAI KUNG MARKET BAZAak, WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE CONTRACT FOR THE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF HOSE

REEL, AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS, FIRE BOOSTER PUMPS, AND A FIRE ALARM

AND DETECTION SYSTEM, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO FORTRESS LIMITED BY THE

ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN

MONTHS.

THE TWO-STOREY MARKET IS BEING BUILT ON A 2 200 SQUARE-METRE

SITE AT Yl CHUN STREET. IT WILL HAVE 220 STALLS AS WELL AS AN

ESCALATOR, REFUSE COLLECTION CHAMBER AND ICE STOREROOM.

RAMPS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED SO THAT THE DISABLED CAN USE THE

MARKET. THERE WILL ALSO BE A LIFT FOR USE BY THE HANDICAPPED.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE MARKET BAZAAR, WHICH WILL BE READY IN

OCTOBER, IS $6.6 MILLION.

-‧-ACTIVITY APPROACH* WORK BEING REVIEWED

* * * *

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 1983-84 PRIMARY TEACHER RETRAINING

COURSE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT

A SEMINAR AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE AT ARGYLE

CENTRE, MONG KOK, ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25) MORNING.

+THE SEMINAR ALSO HOPES TO IDENTIFY THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES

CF OPERATING THE ACTIVITY APPROACH CLASSES AND TO EXPLORE WAYS

CF COPING WITH THEM,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

IT WILL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 80 PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS OR

THEIR DEPUTIES.

THE PRINCIPAL OF GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, DR KONG

YUN-FUN, WILL SPEAK AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AT 9.15 AM.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRIZES FOR POSTER DESIGN WINNERS

X X * *

WINNERS OF THE 16TH ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN

COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE

PRIZES AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE,

TELFORD GARDENS, IN KOWLOON BAY.

THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE MADE BY MR K.Y. TONGSON, MEMBER

OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFcTY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION COMMITTEE.

THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE COMMUNITY

CENTRE WHERE A +SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA* IS BEING STAGED.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FUNCTION.

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

CLEARWAYS FOR CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI

X X X X

A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN CAUSEWAY BAY AND WAN CHAI WILL

BE DESIGNATED CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 25).

THESE SECTIONS ARE:

X KINGSTON STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND PATERSON

STREET.

X THE EASTERN SIDE OF PATERSON STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION

WITH KINGSTON STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH

OF THE JUNCTION.

X FLEMING ROAD BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN

FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS

BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MINISTER TO HEAR FIRST HAND ABOUT HK.......................................................................... 1

PLAN TO PROMOTE HK AS ARBITRATION CENTRE............................................................. 1

SEEKING VIEWS ON RURAL DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................. 2

NT SITES AVAILABLE FOR EXCHANGE......................................................................................... 3

CUSTOMS THANKED FOR ACTION ON FAKE GOODS ............................................................. 4

FINNS TOLD TO DEVELOP HK MARKET ......................................................................................... 4

NEW MAINS TO IMPROVE NORTH POINT WATER SUPPLY ............................................. 5

NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR SHA TIN TERMINAL ...................................................................... 6

TSUEN WAN BYPASS TO HAVE NEW ROADS ................................................................................ 6

LOCAL SPEEDPOST SPREADS ................................................................................................................... 7

A BETTER PICTURE OF CPI MOVEMENTS ................................................................................... 7

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC TO BE EXTENDED ............................................................................. 8

POSTER DESIGN CONTEST WINNERS GET PRIZES ............................................................. 8

LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED ......................................................................................................... 9

HONG KONG CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES OFFERED FREE................................................ 10

NOTED RECORDER PLAYER HOLDING WORKSHOPS ................................................................ 10

NEW FIRE STATION FOR KOWLOON BAY ...................................................................................... 11

VARIETY SHOW FOR RESIDENTS, WORKERS ............................................................................. 11

YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN ’WIN TENNIS COMPETITION ............................................. 12

CERTIFICATES FOR VOLUNTEER WORKERS ................................................................................ 13

+CLEAN FOR CHARITY+ IN TSUEN WAN ...................................................................................... 13

BOWLING CENTRE FOR TUEN MUN ...................................................................................................... 14

YOUNG PAINTERS WIN PRIZES ............................................................................................................ 14

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE...................................................................................................................... 15

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

- 1 -

MINISTER TO HEAR FIRST HAND ABOUT HK

ft * *

THE FORTHCOMING VISIT BY MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER OF STATE

FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, WILL GIVE HIM A CHANCE OF

HEARING AT FIRST HAND THE PRESENT STATE OF OPINION IN HONG KONG,

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM PEKING

AFTER ATTENDING ANOTHER TWO DAYS OF SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD SAID HE WOULD BE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS

WITH MR LUCE OVER THE WEEKEND.

.HE WILL BE MEETING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT TWO

DAYS,* HE SAID.

.SIR RICHARD EVANS, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, IS COMING

DOWN TOMORROW, AND HE*S NOW GOING TO STAY UNTIL MONDAY.

.SO HE WILL BE WITH US AT THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

.THIS WILL GIVE ME, AND THE OTHER PEOPLE HERE, AND MR LUCE

A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE POSITION,. HE SAID.

ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE INTENTION TO INTRODUCE A MOTION IN THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR A DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BEFORE

ANY FINAL AGREEMENT IS REACHED, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE UNOFFICIALS

HAD SPOKEN TO HIM ABOUT IT.

.I MUST LEAVE IT !O THEM TO COMMENT ON THEIR MOTION,. HE SAID.

SIR EDWARD WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY,

SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG, THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL

KMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ROGER LOBO, AND THE

VICE CHIEF EDITOR OF THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY (HONG KONG BRANCH),

M? TAN GAN.

PLAN TO PROMOTE HK

AS ARBITRATION CENTRE

ft ft ft

LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT AIMED

AT PROMOTING HONG KONG AS AN ARBITRATION CENTRE AND ENABLING ITS

ARBITRAL PROCESS TO MEET COMMERCIAL EXPECTATIONS.

ONE OF THE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE PRESENT LAW IS THE ABSENCE OF

A PROVISION TO APPOINT AN ARBITRATOR IN DEFAULT OF AN APPOINTMENT,

OR A CONCURRENCE IN AN APPOINTMENT, BY ONE OF THE PARTIES OR AN

ARBITRATOR.

IN SOME SITUATIONS, AN ARBITRATION MAY BE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE

OF THE LACK OF SUCH POWER.

/UNDKB THE ................

FRIDAY, FJBRUW 24, 1964

- 2 -

UNDER THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 GAZETTED TODAY,

A PARTY MAY SERVE A NOTICE TO APPOINT OR CONCUR AND, IN DEFAULT

CF COMPLIANCE, ASK THE COURT TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT, THEREBY

RECTIFYING THE PRESENT SITUATION.

ANOTHER DEFICIENCY IN THE EXISTING ARBITRATION PROCESS RELATES

TO THE LIMITATIONS UPON THE POWER pF THE ARBITRATOR TO AWARD

INTEREST. ' 4

ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT LAW, INTEREST IS PAYABLE ON SUMS

AWARDED IN ARBITRATION ONLY FROM THE DATE OF THE AWARD, AND NO

MATTER HOW OVERDUE THE PAYMENT, THE ARBITRATOR HAS NO POWER TO

AWARD INTEREST ON THE WHOLE OR PART OF THE SUMS DUE BEFORE THAT

DATE.

THIS INADEQUACY IS SERIOUS SINCE ARBITRATION IS PARTICULARLY

SUITABLE FOR DETERMINATION OF COMMERCIAL DISPUTES IN WHICH LARGE

SUMS OF MONEY ARE OFTEN INVOLVED.

ALONG THE LINES OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ACT 1982

WHICH AMENDED THE ARBITRATION ACT 1950 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THIS

BILL SEEKS TO CONFER ON AN ARBITRATOR THE POWER TO AWARD INTEREST,

AT THE APPROPRIATE RATES FOR THE APPROPRIATE PERIOD, BOTH ON SUMS

PAID BEFORE THE AWARD AS WELL AS ON SUMS FOUND DUE UNDER THE AWARD.

THE BILL WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON

MARCH 14 AND IS EXPECTED TO GO THROUGH ITS REMAINING LEGISLATIVE

STAGES ON MAY 16.

ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMMENT ON THE CONTENTS OF THE BILL MAY

WRITE TO UMELCO AT SV RE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, OR TO THE ATTORNEY

GENERAL'S CHAMBERS A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD,

HONG KONG.

SEEKLNG VIEWS ON RURAL DEVELOPMENTS

M * * M

THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR IAN MACPHERSON,

EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES OF SHA TAU KOK AND

TA KWU LING ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DURING A VISIT TO NORTH DISTRICT

TODAY (FRIDAY).

ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON,

H? MACPHERSON FIRST WENT TO SEE A NEW CROSS-BORDER ROAD IN SHA TAU

KOK, WHERE CONSTRUCTION WORK HAS STARTED AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY

THE END OF THE YEAR.

AFTER A MEETING WITH VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS VARIOUS

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, HE SAW THE FUTURE SITE FOR A TEMPORARY HOUSING

AREA AND A SPORTING GROUND.

WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN AUGUST AND IS SCHEDULED FOR

COMPLETION IN 18 MONTHS’ TIME. THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WILL

ACCOMMODATE THE HUT-DWELLERS AT YIM LIU HA.

/AFTER SHA ................

FRLDA.Y, FEBBJJW 24, 19&4

- 3 -

AFTER SHA TAU KOK, MR MACPHERSON CALLED AT TA KWU LING RURAL

COMMITTEE OFFICE AND HELD A BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH THE VILLAGE

REPRESENTATIVES.

HE ASSURED THE MEMBERS THAT DESPITE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS IN

NEW TOWNS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD NEVER FORGOTTEN THE REQUIREMENTS OF

THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

HE LATER INSPECTED TWO

PROPOSED RURAL CENTRE.

POSSIBLE SITES AT TA KWU LING FOR A

THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS NOW CONSULTING OTHER GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENTS ON THE TYPES OF FACILITIES TO BE INCORPORATED IN

THE RURAL CENTRE.

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

NT SITES AVAILABLE FOR EXCHANGE

* * * *

THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED

OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A AND B) FOR EIGHT

SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

FOUR OF THE SITES ARE IN YUEN LONG NEW TOWN AND OCCUPY AREAS

CF ABOUT 999, 332, 806 AND 1 140 SQUARE METRES.

ALL ARE FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN, DEVELOPMENT.

THREE SITES ARE IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

THE LARGEST, ME UR ING ABOUT 6 690 SQUARE METRES, IS ALSO FOR

NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN, DEVELOPMENT. ANOTHER, WITH AN

AREA OF 2 670 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT.

X, THE THIRD, WHICH IS 5 588 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, IS FOR

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE REMAINING SITE IS IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN. IT MEASURES

5 188 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL, EXCLUDING GODOWN,

DEVELOPMENT.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 12 NOON ON MARCH 23.

APPLICATION FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS OF GRANT MAY BE

OBTAINED FROMi

M THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN

ROAD, HONG KONG)

* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK

BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON) AND

* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG,

TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.

SALE PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THESE LOCATIONS.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

- 4 -

CUSTOMS THANKED FOR ACTION ON FAKE GOODS

* * * *

THE OWNER OF TWO WELL-KNOWN FASHIONWARE BRAND NAMES TODAY

(FRIDAY) PRESENTED A SHIELD TO THE TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION

BRANCH (TCIB) OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, IN APPRECIATION

CF ITS SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS AGAINST COUNTERFEIT GOODS BEARING THE

COMPANY’S TRADE MARKS.

AT A CEREMONY AT THE TCIB HEADQUARTERS IN WAN CHAI, MR JOHN

HOWARD, HEAD OF THE BRANCH, RECEIVED THE SOUVENIR FROM MR TOM CHAN,

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CROCODILE GARMENTS LTD.

MR HOWARD THANKED MR CHAN ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND

APPEALED TO TRADE MARK OWNERS TO GIVE TCIB CONTINUOUS SUPPORT IN

THE FIGHT AGAINST COUNTERFEITING ACTIVITIES.

SINCE 1982 THE DEPARTMENT HAD ON 58 OCCASIONS SEIZED ABOUT

$416 500 WORTH OF GARMENTS BEARING THE FORGED BRAND NAME OF THE

COMPANY, MR HOWARD SAID.

FIFTY-FOUR CASES HAD BEEN PROSECUTED, FINES TOTALLING $245 900

IMPOSED AND $176 556 WORTH OF GOODS FORFEITED.

THERE ARE STILL OUTSTANDING CASES PENDING PROSECUTION AND

FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS.

LAST YEAR, TCIB CARRIED OUT 234 OPERATIONS AGAINST

COUNTERFEITERS OF FASHIONWARE AND SEIZED GOODS VALUED AT

$11.8 MILLION.

PROSECUTIONS WEF ' TAKEN AGAINST 188 OF THESE CASES AND FINES

TOTALLING $1.2 MILLION WERE IMPOSED. WITH ONE IMPRISONMENT SENTENCE

SUSPENDED. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION WORTH OF THE SEIZED

GOODS WERE FORFEITED.

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

FINNS TOLD TO DEVELOP HK MARKET

* * A *

FINNISH TRADERS WERE URGED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE.

. HAMISH MACLEOD TO DEVELOP FURTHER THE MARKET IN HONG KONG.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FINLANDIA SHOWROOM,

THE FIRST SHOWROOM OF FINNISH PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG.

.IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FINLAND

INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM HK$179 MILLION IN 1979 TO HK$433

MILLION IN 1983,* SAID MR MACLEOD.

/he told .........

ranur, rmauw 24, 1984

HE TOLD A VISITING FINNISH TRADE MISSION HEADED BY AMBASSADOR

PAULI OPAS, DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FOREIGN

MINISTRY OF FINLAND THAT HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM FINLAND

INCREASED BY 305 PER CENT FROM HKS41 MILLION IN 1979 TO HK$166

MILLION IN 1983.

MR MACLEOD REITERATED THAT HONG KONG BEING A MAJOR MARKET

WAS OPEN TO ALL WITHOUT TARIFFS, QUOTAS, OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL

BARRIERS. *WE ARE DEPENDENT ON TRADE, AND WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY

OUR INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL

AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE,* MR MACLEOD REMARKED.

0 - -

NEW MAINS TO IMPROVE NORTH POINT WATER SUPPLY

M * * * *

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO AREAS OF NORTH POINT WILL BE IMPROVED

WHEN MAINS LAYING WORK IS COMPLETED NEXT YEAR.

THE WORK INVOLVES LAYING ABOUT 1 100 METRES OF 450 MM AND

fflO MM DIAMETER FRESH WATER MAINS ALONG TIN HAU TEMPLE AND FORTRESS

HILL ROADS.

IT IS PART OF A SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY SITUATION IN

LOW-LEVEL AREAS OF NORTH POINT DISTRICT.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS

TO COMPLETE.

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE

PROJECT. TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL

TENDER BOARD. AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE

LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES,

EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1984.

TENDER FORMS, SPECIFICATIONS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE

OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE WATER AUTHORITY, LEIGHTON CENTRE,

11TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.

ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKSi

BUILDING, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND WATER WORKS LIST 1 IN GROUPS A, B,

OR C WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.

- - 0 - -

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR SHA TIN TERMINAL

*****

THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO

BUILD A 60J-METRE-LONG ROAD AT SHA TIN TO CONNECT WITH THE

TEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL FERRY TERMINAL BUILDING WHICH IS NOW

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE ROAD WILL RUN FROM THE EXISTING TAI PO ROAD NEAR SHA

TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO THE FERRY TERMINAL AT MA LIU SHUI.

IT WILL BE BUILT LARGELY ON RECLAIMED LAND.

BESIDES THE ROAD, THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A BUS TERMINUS

TO BE BUILT CLOSE TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING.

THE FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE CROSS-

BORDER FACILITIES AND WILL INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE CUSTOMS AND

IMMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO VISIT THE MIRS BAY

RESORTS AT DAI MEI SHA AND XIAO MEI SHA, SHENZHEN.

IT WILL COST 14.2 MILLION AND BE READY BY THE MIDDLE OF

THIS YEAR.

THE ROAD AND TERMINUS PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL

ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,

tENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, WEST WINGs

AT SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2, TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD,

SHA TINi OR AT SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 6TH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE,

SHA TIN STATION, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY

AND 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.

OBJECTIONS SHOULD ,E SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY

FOR LANDS AND WORKS B\ APRIL 24.

TSUEN WAN BYPASS TO HAVE NEW ROADS

* * * *

NEW ROADS TOTALLING 1.5 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH WILL BE BUILT

ON RECENTLY-RECLAIMED LAND IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN NEAR THE CARGO

WORKING AREA.

THEY WILL SERVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND

PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL LINK WITH STAGE II OF THE TSUEN WAN BYPASS

PROJECT AND THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK.

THE SECOND STAGE OF TSUEN WAN BYPASS, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION,

IS AN ELEVATED ROAD RUNNING FROM TEXACO ROAD TO TUEN MUN ROAD.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT

YEAR AND TO PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED THROUGH ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC TO

TUEN MUN AND THE NORTH-WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.

/the peeshjt..........

raiDAY, FEBHDABY ^4, 1964

- 7 -

THE PRESENT PROJECT, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF

DRAINAGE WORKS, WILL START IN MAY.

IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN READINESS FOR THE BYPASS OPENING.

A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL

AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBYi DISTRICT LANDS

OFFICE (TSUEN WAN), TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK 1OTH

FLOOR 174-208, CASTLE PEAK ROADi AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE,

FOU WAH CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL MUST BE IN WRITING TO THE

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BEFORE APRIL 24.

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

LOCAL SPEEDPOST SPREADS

ft * ft *

FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 1), THE SPEEDPOST PICK-UP SERVICE

PREVIOUSLY ONLY AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN

PARTS OF THE ISLAND AND SOUTH OF JORDAN ROAD ON KOWLOON PENINSULA,

WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE ENTIRE AREA OF HONG KONG ISLAND,

KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN.

TO USE THE SERVICE, CUSTOMERS HAVE ONLY TO MAINTAIN A DEPOSIT

ACCOUNT WITH THE POST OFFICE FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF POSTAGE. THEY

CAN THEN TELEPHONE THE POST OFFICE TO HAVE THEIR SPEEDPOST ITEM

PICKED UP FROM THEIR DEMISES AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.

FURTHER INFORMA. ON ON THIS FACILITY AND THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE

MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-2671108.

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

A BETTER PICTURE OF CPI MOVEMENTS

ft ft ft ft

COMPARISON OF THE AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR THE 12

MONTHS ENDED JANUARY THIS YEAR WITH THOSE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED

JANUARY 1983, SHOWS INCREASES OF 10.4 PER CENT FOR THE A INDEX

AND 9.9 PER CENT FOR THE B INDEX, SAID THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS

DEPARTMENT TODAY.

REPORTS THIS WEEK HAVE QUOTED FIGURES SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE

CHANGE FOR THE TWO INDEXES, BUT COMPARING THE SINGLE MONTH OF

JANUARY 1984 WITH JANUARY 1983. THIS APPROACH GIVES FIGURES OF

12.6 PER CENT AND 11.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.

HOWEVER, SAID A SPOKESMAN, COMPARISON OF THE 12-MONTH

AVERAGE FIGURES WAS MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE IN ASSESSING LONGER

TERM MOVEMENTS IN THE TWO INDEXES THAN COMPARISON OF TWO

PARTICULAR MONTHS.

/8................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC TO BE EXTENDED

M * *

THE SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC AT ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON,

WILL BE EXTENDED TO DOUBLE EXISTING SERVICES THERE.

fHE PROJECT INVOLVES CONSTRUCTING ON THE EXISTING BUILDING

TH?*E ADDITIONAL FLOORS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 3 300 SQUARE METRES.

THESE WILL PROVIDE A FURTHER 30 TREATMENT SPACES, TWO DENTAL

SUITES RND AN X-RAY SECTION.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AN ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WITH

LECTURE ROOM, AN EXHIBITION HALL, A DEMONSTRATION ROOM AND AN ORAL

.ALTH CLINIC.

WORK ON THE EXTENSION WILL START IN APRIL AND TAKE 14 MONTHS

TO COMPLETE.

THE EXISTING CLINIC, WHICH IS A TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE, WAS

COMPLETED TWO YEARS AGO.

WHILE THE EXTENSION IS BEING BUILT, IT WILL REMAIN OPEN TO

AVOID INTERRUPTIONS TO SERVICES.

TENDERS FOR BUILDING THE EXTENSION ARE BEING INVITED BY THE

ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

- - 0 - -

POSTER DI IGN CONTEST WINNERS GET PRIZES

* * *

A TOTAL OF $13 500 IN CASH PRIZES WAS AWARDED TODAY TO WINNERS

OF THE 16TH ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION

ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

STUDENTS FROM THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE

FEW METHOD COLLEGE WON TOP HONOURS IN THE CONTEST.

TAM WAI-YIP OF NEW METHOD COLLEGE, WINNER OF SECTION +A+,

WAS AWARDED A CASH COUPON OF $1 500 WHILE CHEUNG SEK-KIN OF LEE

WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, WINNER OF SECTION WAS AWARDED

A CASH COUPON OF S3 000.

THE PRIZES WERE PRESENTED BY MR K.Y. TONGSON, A MEMBER OF

THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ACCIDENT PREVENTION COMMITTEE, AT A

CEREMONY HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE OF TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON

BAY, TODAY (FRIDAY).

IN ADDITION TO THE WINNERS, 10 ENTRIES EACH FROM *A+ AND

.B+ SECTIONS WERE AWARDED CONSOLATION PRIZES OF CASH COUPONS OF

$300 AND $600 RESPECTIVELY.

/the competition

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS — *A* SECTION

FOR STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, AND

.B+ SECTION FOR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES.

MORE THAN 600 ENTRIES FROM 71 SCHOOLS WERE SUBMITTED AND

THE ADJUDICATION WAS HELD LAST WEEK.

THE PANEL OF JUDGES INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE

DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CULTURAL

CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT

CF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, THE CREATIVE SUB-DIVISION

OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

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

LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED

* * * *

A TOTAL OF 585 PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LAWS

TAKEN OUT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS BY THE

COURTS LAST (JANUARY) MONTH, WITH FINES IMPOSED AMOUNTING TO MORE

THAN $569 000.

MOST OF THE CASES CONCERNED BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND

INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY

REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG

PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.

CASES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS TOTALLED

163, WITH $289 800 IN FINES. THESE INCLUDED 64 CASES (WITH

‧98 500 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL

UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS

AND 44 CASES (WITH $122 450 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE CONSTRUCTION

SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.

CASES RELATING TO BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS

(INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 333, WITH $197 350 IN FINES.

OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, 5 CASES WERE RELATED TO FAILURE

TO KEEP RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES, LEADING TO $3 150 IN FINES.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

HONG KONG CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES OFFERED FREE

*****

A SET OF TABLES GIVING INFORMATION ON CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

IN HONG KONG IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO INTERESTED MEMBERS

CF THE PUBLIC, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY.

MEAN AND EXTREME VALUES OF PRESSURE. TEMPERATURE, WIND,

RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND RAINFALL ARE TABULATED. INFORMATION IS

ALSO GIVEN ON THUNDERSTORMS, FOG, SOLAR RADIATION, EVAPORATION,

SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE, TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON

SIGNALS. THESE TABLES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN CHINESE FOR THE

FIRST TIME.

THE TABLES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY

HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY, 134A NATHAN ROAD EITHER IN PERSON OR BY

WRITTEN REQUEST WITH SELF-ADDRESSED RETURN ENVELOPE (WITH

40-CENT STAMP FOR LOCAL MAIL), HE SAID.

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

NOTED RECORDER PLAYER HOLDING WORKSHOPS

* * * *

PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOLS MUSIC TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO

APPLY TO ATTEND TWO WORKSHOPS ON RECORDER PLAYING TO BE HELD BETWEEN

APRIL 9 AND 12.

THE WORKSHOPS ARE JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC SECTION OF THE

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS MUSIC AND SPEECH

ASSOCIATION.

THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MR STEVE ROSENBERG, AN INTERNATIONALLY

RENOWNED RECORDER PLAYER WHO HAS BEEN INVITED TO ADJUDICATE RECORDER

CLASSES OF THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL.

THE WORKSHOPS, WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH, AND WILL BE HELD

AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS MUSIC AND SPEECH ASSOCIATION AT 54 JAFFE

ROAD, 4TH FLOOR, KAM CHUNG BUILDING, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.

TEACHERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS SHOULD SUBMIT

APPLICATION FORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG

SCHOOLS MUSIC AND SPEECH ASSOCIATION AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS ON OR

BEFORE MARCH 9.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE MUSIC SECTION, ADVISORY

INSPECTORATE, ON TEL. 5-8392430.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

NEW FIRE STATION FOR KOWLOON BAY

M M M M

A FIRE STATION WILL BE BUILT ON A 3 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT

KOWLOON BAY.

IT WILL HAVE AN APPLIANCE ROOM FOR 10 ENGINES, DUTY AND

SERVICE ROOMS, A COMMUNICATIONS ROOM, OFFICES, LECTURE ROOMS,

A CANTEEN, A RECREATION ROOM AND A BARRACKS.

A DRILL YARD AND DRILL TOWER WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.

THE FIRE STATION WHICH WILL BE THREE STOREYS HIGH WILL PROVIDE

COVER TO EAST KOWLOON, PARTICULARLY TO THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL

OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND TAKE 10 MONTHS TO

COMPLETE.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS*

VARIETY SHOW FOR RESIDENTS, WORKERS

M * M M

RESIDENTS AND WORKERS OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT WILL BE ENTERTAINED

TO A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING LOCAL SINGERS AND ARTISTES TANG YING-MAN,

HAPPY CHAN HOI-SUM, PANG KIN-SUN, LEE LUNG-KEI, YEUNG SIU-CHING, RITA

CARPIO, LUI FONG AND CHIANG HING-LUNG.

THE SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE MAIN SQUARE OF TELFORD GARDENS,

KOWLOON BAY, AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).

THE SHOW WILL BE STAGED BY THE GIS MOBILE STREET THEATRE TO

MARK THE CLOSING OF +SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA*. AN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

EXHIBITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE KWUN

TONG DISTRICT BOARD.

.SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA*, A 15-MINUTE SLIDE SHOW WHICH IS A MAJOR

ITEM OF THE EXHIBITION, HAS ATTRACTED MANY STUDENTS FROM NEARBY

SCHOOLS AND WORKERS FROM THE DISTRICT WHILE A SPECIAL COMPUTERISED

GAME BOOTH WAS PARTICULARLY POPULAR WHICH CHILDREN.

VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A

DRAW WITH ATTRACTIVE PRIZES. THE LUCKY NUMBERS WILL BE DRAWN BY

DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THE VARIETY SHOW.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

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

/12 ................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

- 12 -

YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN WIN TENNIS COMPETITION

* * * M

PLAYERS FROM YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN WON THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S

SECTIONS IN THIS YEAR'S NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT TENNIS

LEAGUE,

THE LEAGUE, IN ITS THIRD YEAR, WAS SPONSORED BY THE TSUEN WAN

DISTRICT BOARD AND ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES INTER-DISTRICT

SPORTS COMPETITION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE NT INTER-DISTRICT

TENNIS LEAGUE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.

MORE THAN 1OO PLAYERS FROM THE EIGHT NT DISTRICTS TOOK PART IN

A SERIES OF MATCHES HELD OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR PETER

NG, WILL PRESENT MEDALS AND TROPHIES TO THE WINNING TEAMS AT A

CEREMONY AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AT THE TSUEN KING

CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND.

AN INVITATION MATCH BETWEEN PLAYERS FROM VARIOUS NT DISTRICTS

WILL PRECEED THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, MR ADOLF HSU) THE

CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPETITION'S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR DAVID

CH IUI AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHAU HOW-

CHEN, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE

PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD NT INTER-DISTRICT TENNIS LEAGUE

AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AT THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT

PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS*

CERTIFICATES FOR VOLUNTEER WORKERS

* * M *

THIRTY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S

PROBATION STAFF IN REHABILITATING PROBATIONERS WILL BE THANKED FOR

THEIR VOLUNTARY EFFORTS AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL

WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WILL PRESENT EACH VOLUNTEER WITH A

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AT THE CEREMONY.

THE VOLUNTEERS HAVE ALL COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH ASSIGNMENT TO

HELP PEOPLE ON PROBATION UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME

FOR PROBATIONERS.

ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE A NUMBER OF JUDGES AND

MAGISTRATES.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, WHICH

WILL BE HELD AT THE MING ROOM, AMBASSADOR HOTEL, 16TH FLOOR,

TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.30 PM.

----o - - - -

.CLEAN FOR CHARITY* IN TSUEN WAN

MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS FROM 17 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, MUTUAL

AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS IN TSUEN WAN WILL TAKE

PART IN A .CLEAN FOR CHARITY* OPERATION AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY

PARK ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) MORNING.

THEY WILL HELP CLEAN THE PARK AND AT THE SAME TIME RAISE FUNDS

FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.

THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, WILL

OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM.

THE OPERATION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT

OFFICE, THE +CLEAN FOR CHARITY* ORGANISING COMMITTEE, AND THE

COMMUNITY CHEST.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE +CLEAN FOR

CHARITY* OPERATION STARTING AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) AT

THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK IN TSUEN WAN.

A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE, AM 2415, WILL LEAVE THE CAR PARK OUTSIDE

FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN AT 9.30 AM SHARP

FOR THE COUNTRY PARK.

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

/14................

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORSi

BOWLING CENTRE FOR TUEN MUN

M * * *

THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-

JONES, WILL OPEN A BOWLING CENTRE AT THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY

AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN TUEN MUN AT 6.30 PM TOMORROW

(SATURDAY).

ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER,

W RICKY FUNGj THE CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LAU WONG-FAT;

CHAIRMAN OF YAN 01 TONG, MR YIP HING-CHUNG; AND A MEMBER OF THE

YAN 01 TONG ADVISORY BOARD, MR CHAN YAT-SUN.

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

YOUNG PAINTERS WIN PRIZES

* * M *

WINNERS OF AN EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN PAINTING COMPETITION

WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26).

SOME 370 PAINTINGS WERE RECEIVED FROM 32 LOCAL SCHOOLS WHICH

TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION HELD EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE AGE GROUPS; FOR FOUR

TO SEVEN, EIGHT TO 11, AND 12 TO 1$.

NINE WINNERS - THREE FROM EACH GROUP - WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES

AND THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES FOR EACH GROUP.

THE EASTERN DISTR ICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, AND DISTRICT

BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES’ MEMBERS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.

THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY KAIFONG

WELFARE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION, AND SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL

DISTRICT BOARD.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION OF THE

EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN PAINTING COMPETITION AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY

(FEBRUARY 26) IN THE VICTORIA KINDERGARTEN AT 32-36 HING FAT

STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1984

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

* * * *

TSI NG WUN ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN

1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO FACILITATE

CONSTRUCTION WORK.

DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PUI TO ROAD,

TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND STAGE 1 OF ROAD P3.

----o----

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

VISIT TO HK VERY IMPORTANT - LUCE................................................................................... 1

SIR RICHARD EVANS ARRIVES ............................................................................................................ 1

MORE VOLUNTEER HELP SOUGHT FOR PROBATIONERS ................................................... 2

CHINA WATER PIPELINE WORK STARTS NOVEMBER .......................................................... 3

TRANSFER OF PRISONERS PLAN SUPPORTED .......................................................................... 3

RIMINDER ABOUT NEW I.D. CARDS ................................................................................................ 5

RESIDENTS TO GET AWARDS FOR FIGHTING CRIME....................................................... 6

CHILDREN'S CHOIR STAGES FIRST PUBLIC CONCERT ................................................ 7

RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN UNDERWAY ....................................................... 7

PROJECT SEEKS MORE CHANCE FOR DISABLED ................................................................... 8

KEEPING CHEUNG CHaU FREE FROM REFUSE .......................................................................... 9

SCHEME TO KEEP BUILDINGS CLEAN ............................................................................................. 9

SEMINAR ON THE USE OF LANGUAGE TEACHING AID.................................................... 10

BUS TERMINUS TO GET PUBLIC TOILET ................................................................................... 11

SECTION OF DEEP WAT. JR BAY ROaD BEING IMPROVED ............................................. 11

TUNNEL SLOW LANE TO BE REPAIRED ......................................................................................... 12

RESTRICTED HEADROOM ............................................................................................................................... 12

CLEaRWAY RESTRICTION........................................................................................................................... 12

SALT WaTER WORKS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

VISIT TO HK VERY IMPORTANT - LUCE

* * * *

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS,

ffi RICHARD LUCE, SAID TODAY THAT THE PRIME MINISTER,

WS MARGARET THATCHER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE,

THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND HE HIMSELF VALUE PERSONAL

CONTACT AND THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE CONSULTATION WITH THE LEADERS OF

THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS ARRIVAL, MR LUCE

SAID HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF HIS TRIP

TO THE FAR EAST.

HE POINTED OUT THAT AS MINISTER OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR

HONG KONG, HE LIKES TO PAY REGULAR VISITS TO THE TERRITORY.

. I'VE JUST COME THIS MORNING FROM BRUNEI, WHERE I'VE BEEN

ACCOMPANYING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WHO JOINED

THE CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FIRST NATIONAL DAY IN BRUNEI, HE SAID.

MR LUCE SAID HE HAS COME TO HONG KONG AT A VERY IMPORTANT

TIME IN ITS HISTORY.

. I AM VERY GLAD INDEED TO JOIN THE GOVERNOR, AND INDEED THE

PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ONCE AGAIN.

. AND I AM VERY GLAD THAT LIKE LAST TIME, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

IN PEKING IS COMING DOWN SO THAT WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSIONS.

. I SHALL LOOK FC WARD TO HAVING CONTACT WITH A CROSS SECTION

CF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.

MR LUCE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR,

SIR EDWARD YOUDE.

- - 0 - -

SIR RICHARD EVANS ARRIVES

* * *

THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, SIR RICHARD EVANS, ARRIVED

IN HONG KONG TODAY FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH MR RICHARD LUCE. MINIST

^DSIn^on05J25E,GM AMD COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, AND THE GOVERNOR, 51K tuwAKU YOUDE‧

SIR RICHARD WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR’S AIDE-

DE-CAMP, MR PAUL CROFT.

- - 0 - -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25/ 1984

MORE VOLUNTEER HELP SOUGHT FOR PROBATIONERS

M M *

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING

TO REHABILITATE OFFENDERS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN

CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE

DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS, HE SAID THE SOCIAL

WORKERS COULD NOT OPERATE IN A VACUUM AND CALLED ON MEMBERS OF

THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST PROBATION OFFICERS BY BEFRIENDING, HELPING

AND ADVISING PROBATIONERS ON A PERSONAL BASIS.

BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE MATCHING OF A VOLUNTEER AND A

PROBATIONER +SHOULD BE DONE WITH CARE TO ENSURE SUCCESS.+

THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED A PROGRAMME OF SERVICES FOR THE

OFFENDERS CONSISTING OF PROBATION, RESIDENTIAL TRAINING AND

AFTER-CARE SERVICES.

HE SAID THE PROBATION ARRANGEMENT SEEMED TO WORK WELL. LAST

YEAR ABOUT 86 PER CENT OF THE PROBATIONERS COMPLETED THEIR PERIODS

OF SUPERVISION WITHOUT COMMITTING ANY BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OR

COMMITTING FRESH OFFENCES.

.OVER THE YEARS SINCE THE SCHEME STARTED, SOME 140 VOLUNTEERS

HAVE TAKEN PART IN IT.+

RECORDS SHOW THAT A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE SERVED MORE THAN ONE

TIME, WITH A FEW MORE HAN TWO TIMES.

MR CHAMBERS SAID HIS DEPARTMENT PROVIDED TWO MAIN TYPES OF

SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL.

THE FIRST TYPE IS TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP INTO

MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY BY FOSTERING THE

DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PERSONALITY, CHARACTER AND SENSE OF CIVIC

RESPONSIBILITY.

THE SECOND TYPE WHICH IS AIMED AT THE OFFENDERS, IS INTENDED

TO RE-INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.

MR CHAMBERS THANKED THE 30 VOLUNTEERS WHO RECEIVED CERTIFICATES

OF APPRECIATION TODAY FOR THEIR WORK, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS +AN

IMPORTANT JOB*.

HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THEY DERIVED SATISFACTION FROM BEING

ABLE TO HELP SOME OF THE LESS FORTUNATE FELLOW-CITIZENS.

.YOUR CONTRIBUTION DOES HELP US TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUR

LIMITED RESOURCES OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS,. HE SAID.

TO THOSE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY, INCLUDING JUDGES AND

MAGISTRATES. HE SAIDt .WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR OUR

PROBATION SERVICE TO PLAY A SMALL PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF

JUSTICE IN HONG KONG, AND WE MAINTAIN A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP

WITH THE JUDICIARY IN CONNECTION WITH OUR STATUTORY AND OTHER

RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS AREA.+

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

/ /?................

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

CHINA WATER PIPELINE WORK STARTS NOVEMBER

ft ft ft

A SUBMARINE PIPELINE IS TO BE LAID ACROSS TOLO CHANNEL IN

CONNECTION WITH THE $1.75 BILLION SCHEME TO INCREASE WATER

SUPPLY FROM CHINA.

THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING PRE-QUALIFIED

CONTRACTORS TO TENDER FOR THE WORK, WHICH WILL START IN NOVEMBER

AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

THE TWO-METRE DIAMETER PIPELINE WILL BE LAID FROM HARBOUR

ISLAND TO SAI 0, A DISTANCE OF 2.4 KILOMETRES.

THE SCHEME TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA IS BEING

CARRIED OUT IN THREE STAGES UP TO 1992.

THE SUBMARINE PIPELINE PROJECT IS IN STAGE II, WHICH,

AT $725 MILLION IS THE MOST COSTLY.

OTHER PROJECTS IN THIS STAGE INCLUDE CONSTRUCTING NEW PUMPING

STATIONS AT PLOVER COVE AND AN AQUEDUCT BETWEEN PLOVER COVE

RESERVOIR AND PAK KONG WHICH WILL SUPPLY ADDITIONAL WATER TO JUNK

BAY NEW TOWN, SAI KUNG AND EASTERN AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG.

TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FROM A LIST OF PRE-QUALIFIED

CONTRACTORS.

CONTRACTORS ON TIE LISTS WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD WRITE TO

THE CHIEF ENGINEER, .-.SOURCES DEVELOPMENT, WATER SUPPLIES

DEPARTMENT, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 12/F., 77 LEIGHTON ROAD. HONG KONG,

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR DETAILS SO THAT THEY CAN SUBMIT THEIR

APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST OF SELECTED TENDERERS.

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

TRANSFER OF PRISONERS PLAN SUPPORTED

ft ft ft

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO PARTICIPATE

IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONVENTION ON THE TRANSFER OF SENTENCED

PERSONS AND ANY SIMILAR BILATERAL AGREEMENTS TO WHICH THE BRITISH

GOVERNMENT MAY BECOME A PARTY.

THE CONVENTION WAS SIGNED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN AUGUST

LAST YEAR.

THIS MEANS THAT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES PRISONERS OF FOREIGN

NATIONALITY SENTENCED IN HONG KONG MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO THEIR HOME

COUNTRIES TO SERVE THEIR SENTENCES AND THAT HONG KONG RESIDENTS

SERVING SENTENCES ABROAD MAY BE RETURNED TO HONG KONG.

/A SECURITY ................

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984 -

A SECURITY BRANCH SPOKESMAN STRESSED TODAY THAT THE CONSENT OF

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY TRANSFERS

COULD TAKE PLACE. EACH CASE WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS BY

THE GOVERNOR, WHO WOULD CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS NECESSARY.

LEGISLATION IS NOW BEING INTRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO

ENABLE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION AND TO

CONCLUDE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DETAILS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING WORKED OUT IN CONSULTATION WITH

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. THIS IS LIKELY TO TAKE SOME TIME AND IT

IS NOT EXPECTED THAT ANY TRANSFERS WILL BE EFFECTED UNTIL THE END

OF THE YEAR AT THE EARLIEST.

THE CONVENTION IS BASED ON HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS AND

TAKES ACCOUNT OF MODERN TRENDS IN CRIME AND PENAL POLICY. IN ASIA,

AS IN EUROPE, IMPROVED MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION HAVE LED

TO A GREATER MOBILITY OF PERSONS AND INCREASED INTERNATIONALISATION

OF CRIME.

EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES IN FOREIGN

COUNTRIES SUFFER PSYCHOLOGICALLY AS A RESULT OF LANGUAGE BARRIERS,

ALIENATION FROM LOCAL CULTURE AND CUSTOMS AND FROM THE ABSENCE OF

CONTACT WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. TRANSFERS TO THEIR HOME

COUNTRIES WILL, THEREFORE, ENHANCE THEIR REHABILITATION.

ONE RESULT WOULD BE THAT THE MONEY AND EFFORTS BEING EXPENDED BY

THE HONG KONG GOVERN TNT ON THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS WOULD

BE SPENT ON HONG KON RESIDENTS. WHO WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE

LOCAL COMMUNITY ON C PLETION OF THEIR SENTENCES, AND NOT ON FOREIGN

NATIONALS WHO WILL BE DEPORTED.

AT THE END OF LAST YEAR THERE WERE 154 FOREIGN NATIONALS

SERVING SENTENCES IN HONG KONG AND AN ESTIMATED 90 HONG KONG

RESIDENTS SERVING SENTENCES ABROAD, WHO MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE TO

PARTICIPATE IN TRANSFER SCHEMES.

UNDER THE CONVENTION, TRANSFERS MAY BE EFFECTED ONLY IFi

(A) THE TWO STATES CONCERNED AGREED TO THE TRANSFER,

(B) THE PRISONER CONSENTS TO THE TRANSFER;

HE IS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SERVE HIS SENTENCE;

(D) ALL CHANNELS OF APPEAL AVAILABLE TO THE PRISONER

HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED;

(E) AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER, THE PRISONER

STILL HAS AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF HIS SENTENCE TO

SERVE; AND

(F) THE ACTS CONSTITUTING THE OFFENCE FOR WHICH THE

SENTENCE HAS BEEN IMPOSED ALSO CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE

IN THE STATE TO WHICH THE PRISONER IS TO BE TRANSFERRED.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

- 5 -

REMINDER ABOUT NEW I.D. CARDS

ft ft ft

MEN BORN IN 1950 AND 1951 ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D.

CARDS BEFORE MARCH 10.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY

(SATURDAY) THAT 53 000 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE

CURRENT PHASE STARTED ON FEBRUARY 13.

.ABOUT 47 000 MORE ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS,.

HE ADDED.

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED ARE ADVISED TO CALL AT ANY

OF THE EIGHT I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID

A LAST-MINUTE RUSH.

THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO

SATURDAYS.

A MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO PREFER

TO VISIT AN ISSUE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE AT A PRE-ARRANGED TIME.

APPOINTMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR ANY TIME BETWEEN 10 AM AND

5.30 PM ON ANY WORKING DAY OTHER THAN MONDAY.

APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE

OR IMMIGRATION OFFICE.

COMPLETED FORMS MUST REACH THE ISSUE OFFICE AT LEAST 10 DAYS

BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE.

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

/6................

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

- 6 -

RESIDENTS TO GET AWARDS FOR FIGHTING CRIME

* * * * *

NINETEEN KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR THEIR

CIVIC-MINDEDNESS, BRAVERY AND HELP IN FIGHTING CRIME AT THE

FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AND CITIZENS’ AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY

TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.

THE AWARD SCHEME HAS BEEN HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 1978 BY THE

KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISES

OFFICIALS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE, DISTRICT BOARD

MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

THIS YEAR’S NOMINEES, WHO ARE ALL MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF

23 AND 62, HAVE ASSISTED IN CASES OF THEFT, ROBBERIES, POSSESSION

OF OFFENSIVE WEAPONS OR INDECENT ASSAULT, LEADING TO ARRESTS AND

PROSECUTIONS.

COMMENTING ON THE SCHEME, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON

JONES, SAID IT PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DISTRICT’S

CONTINUING CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRIME.

.IT IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY

AND THE POLICE FORCE BY RECOGNISING THE PUBLIC’S EFFORTS AND

CONTRIBUTIONS IN COMBATTING CRIME.

.THOSE WHO ARE NOMINATED FOR THE SCHEME WILL SET A GOOD

EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS,. HE SAID.

.THROUGH THESE, Wc WOULD BE ABLE TO SOLICIT RESIDENTS’

VIEWS ON THE CRIME SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT, THEREBY SUPPLYING

INFORMATION TO THE POLICE,. MR JONES SAID.

OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY WILL BE MR JONES MR WONG

SIK-KONG,.CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE AND MR RICHARD LIDSTER,

DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AND

CITIZENS’ AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY)

AT THE HO MAN TIN POLICE STATION.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

- 7 -

CHILDREN'S CHOIR STAGES FIRST PUBLIC CONCERT

M * * M

THE 120-MEMBER KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHORUS GAVE

ITS FIRST PUBLIC CONCERT AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE THIS (SATURDAY)

EVENING.

DURING THE 90-MINUTE CONCERT, THE CHORUS SANG CHINESE AND

WESTERN FOLK SONGS WITH DANCE AND ORCHESTRAL ACCOMPANIMENT.

PERFORMANCES WERE ALSO STAGED BY STUDENTS FROM THE HOLY

TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL AND BY THE TUN HUANG CHINESE ORCHESTRA.

SPEAKING AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY BEFORE THE CONCERT,

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, SAIDi +THE CHORUS IS THE

FIRST PERFORMING GROUP TO REPRESENT KOWLOON CITY SINCE THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION*.

.SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JUNE 1982, THE CHORUS HAS BEEN

RECEIVING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, ADMINISTRATIVE

BACKUP FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FROM

THE MUSIC OFFICE,* HE SAID.

.TONIGHT’S CONCERT IS AIMED AT PUBLICISING THE CHORUS AND

ENHANCING RECRUITMENT, INCREASING MEMBERS' EXPERIENCE AND

CONFIDENCE, AND PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS

DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVE PERIOD.*

MR JONES SAID TF T THE CHORUS HAD GIVEN MANY PERFORMANCES

IN COMMUNITY CONCERTS AND ON TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.

LAST YEAR, A MUSIC CAMP AND A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE WERE

ALSO HELD.

* 1 HOPE THE CHORUS WILL KEEP UP ITS GOOD WORK AND HELP

PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, MR JONES SAID.

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

RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN TUEN MUN UNDERWAY

M N M M

AN EXTENSIVE BUILDING PROGRAMME IS UNDERWAY IN TUEN MUN TO

COPE WITH THE RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS,

THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES,

SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

PROJECTS COMPLETED OR COMING UP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS INCLUDE

THE TUEN MUN TRAIL, A LEISURE POOL, A CIVIC AND CULTURAL COMPLEX,

A GAMES HALL, A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AND A TOWN PARK.

MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT A FEW YEARS BACK, FACILITIES AND

AMENITIES IN TUEN MUN WERE FEW AND FAR APART, AND MOST RESIDENTS

HAD TO LEAVE THE NEW TOWN FOR RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.

/NOW WE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

. NOW WE HAVE AHEAD OF US AN EXTENSIVE BUILDING PROGRAMME TO

ENSURE THAT SUCH NEEDS CAN BE LOCALLY MET, HE SAID.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A BOWLING CENTRE AT THE

YAN Ol TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE.

HE SAID RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN EVERY NEW TOWN WERE

ESSENTIAL FOR ITS GROWING POPULATION.

. I AM GLAD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ALONE IN TRYING TO

KET THE RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF THE YOUNG POPULATION IN TUEN MUN,

hE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THE BOWLING CENTRE WOULD BE CONTRIBUTING THEIR

IMPORTANT AND USEFUL SHARE.

- - 0 -

PROJECT SEEKS MORE CHANCE FOR DISABLED

*****

THE DISABLED AND THE ABLE-BODIED WILL HAVE MORE CHANCES TO

WORK TOGETHER IF BARRIERS BETWEEN THEM ARE REMOVED, THE ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (OPERATIONS), MRS EVELYN DOE, SAID TODAY

(SATURDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE

DEPARTMENT’S +WORKING WITH THE DISABLED PROJECTS AWARD SCHEME*,

SHE SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH GROUPS

AND THE DISABLED TO WORK TOGETHER IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

.BESIDES EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL

DISABILITIES, THE SCHEME ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE

DISABLED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY TOO CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE

COMMUNITY WITHOUT RELYING ENTIRELY ON OTHERS,* SHE SAID.

MRS DOE THANKED THE 16 PARTICIPATING GROUPS FOR THEIR

INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND ASKED THEM TO HELP PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION

ON REHABILITATION.

MORE THAN 2 700 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM ELDERLY AND DISABLED,

HAVE BENEFITED FROM THESE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDED CAMPING,

PICNICS, VARIETY SHOWS, SEMINARS AND FUN DAYS.

A COMMITTEE WAS FORMED WITHIN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE THIS WORK AND THE AWARD SCHEME IS PART OF THE

1983-84 PUBLICITY PROGRAMME.

PREVIOUS EVENTS INCLUDED OPEN DAYS ORGANISED BY

REHABILITATION CENTRES AND A SEMINAR.

- - 0 - -

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

- 9 -

KEEPING CHEUNG CHAU FREE FROM REFUSE

ft ft ft ft

THE JOB OF KEEPING CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND CLEAN AND GREEN AND

FREE FROM REFUSE FOR ITS 40 000 RESIDENTS HAS GROWN FROM A SMALL

PROBLEM TO A BIG ONE.

THE TINY ISLAND WAS ONCE ABLE TO GET RID OF ITS DOMESTIC

REFUSE BY BURNING IT IN THE SMALL, TRADITIONAL AND VILLAGE-TYPE

INCINERATORS.

HOWEVER THE AVERAGE REFUSE YIELD HAS SINCE GROWN TO SOME

16 TONNES A DAY, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS

HAD TO RESORT TO A DAILY SERVICE TO REMOVE THE RUBBISH BY BARGE

TO THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR.

THE SMALL VILLAGE-TYPE INCINERATORS WERE NOT ONLY FAILING

TO COPE WITH THE GROWING VOLUME OF REFUSE, BUT WERE ALSO ADDING

CONSIDERABLY TO AIR POLLUTION.

CHECKING ON REMOVAL WORK TODAY WERE MR KWONG PING-YAU, A

NEW UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN'S NEW

TERRITORIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. WITH HIM WERE THE DIRECTOR

CF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR JOHN HEYWOOD, AND THE

ISLANDS URBAN SERVICES OFFICER, MR STEPHEN IP KI—TIT.

.THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND THE HILLY TERRAIN COMBINE

TO MAKE THE JOB OF KEEPING CHEUNG CHAU CLEAN AN EXPENSIVE AND

LABOUR-INTENSIVE OPERATION,+ MR KWONG SAID.

HE CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC - RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

ALIKE - TO COOPERATE BY DISCARDING THEIR REFUSE ONLY IN THE BINS

AND RECEPTACLES PROVIDED.

THE GROUP WERE LATER TOLD ABOUT THE LONG-TERM PLANS FOR THE

BUILDING OF A MODERN INCINERATOR AT TAI KWAI WAN TO DEAL WITH THE

REFUSE.

THEY THEN VISITED THE NEWLY COMPLETED SITTING-OUT AREA AT

TONG KOON SUN TSUEN TO SEE SOME OF THE HORTICULTURAL WORK OF THE

DEPARTMENT.

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

SCHEME TO KEEP BUILDINGS CLEAN

ft ft ft ft

PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN

AWARDS FOR KEEPING THE BUILDINGS CLEAN AND TIDY.

A CLEAN PUBLIC HOUSING COMPETITION AMONG THE DISTRICT’S

56 HOUSING BLOCKS, IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT

BOARD’S CLEAN HONG KONG WORKING GROUP.

IT IS AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS ABOUT KEEPING

THEIR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.

/EARLIER THIS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 19&* ‧

10 -

EARLIER THIS MONTH, 15 BLOCKS FROM AMONG THE 56 WERE NOMINATED

TO ENTER THE CONTEST.

TODAY. A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS, COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE

WORKING GROUP, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOUSING AND CITY SERVICES

DEPARTMENTS, INSPECTED SIX BLOCKS IN TIN WAN AND AP LEI CHAU

ESTATES.

VISITS TO THE OTHER NINE BLOCKS IN WONG CHUK HANG, SHEK PAI

WAN AND WAH FU ESTATES WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.

THE ADJUDICATION IS BASED ON THE CLEANLINESS AND TIDINESS

CF THE BUILDINGS' LIFT LOBBIES, MAIN ENTRANCES, STAIRCASES,

CORRIDORS AND SURROUNDINGS.

MEDALS AND CASH COUPONS WILL BE AWARDED TO THE THREE

CLEANEST BUILDINGS.

THE COMPETITION IS THE LAST OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES

ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

OTHER FUNCTIONS HELD EARLIER INCLUDE BEACH-CLEANSING

OPERATIONS. A CLEAN HARBOUR PUBLICITY DRIVE, AND A CLEAN MARKET

STALLS COMPETITION.

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

SEMINAR ON THE USE OF LANGUAGE TEACHING AID

*****

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE WILL

ORGANISE 11 IDENTICAL SEMINARS ON THE USE OF THE WI REFREE INDUCTION

LOOP SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

THESE SEMINARS, EACH LASTING TWO HOURS, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN

MARCH 19 AND APRIL 12 AT THE CENTRE’S HONG KONG AND KOWLOON OFFICES.

THERE WILL BE TALKS ON THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING THE SYSTEM

TO PROMOTE LISTENING SKILLS, AS WELL AS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF THE

EQUIPMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF A TAPED PROGRAMME IN AN ENGLISH

LESSON.

SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO SEND TEACHERS TO THE SEMINARS ARE

REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR,

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, HONG KONG BY

MARCH 9.

THERE WILL BE 40 PLACES AT EACH SEMINAR AND APPLICATIONS WILL

BE TREATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SEMINARS CAN BE MADE WITH THE TEACHING

CENTRE ON 5-482537.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

- 11 -

BUS TERMINUS TO SET PUBLIC TOILET

* * * ft

A PUBLIC TOILET IS TO BE BUILT AT THE SHAM SHUI PO BUS AND

FERRY CONCOURSE.

IT WILL BE A SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE OCCUPYING AN AREA OF

138 SQUARE METRES.

A TOTAL OF 20 TOILET CUBICLES WILL BE PROVIDED, INCLUDING

ONE FOR THE DISABLED.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.

WORK WILL START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.

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

SECTION OF DEEP WATER BAY ROAD BEING IMPROVED

ft ft ft .

THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS TO SURFACE A STRETCH OF

DEEP WATER BAY ROAD, SHOUSON HILL, WHICH HAS BEEN WIDENED AND

STRAIGHTENED.

THE 32O-METRE-LONG SECTION, INCORPORATING PARTS OF THE

EXISTING ROAD, HAS BEEN FORMED BY A PROPERTY DEVELOPER IN THE

AREA AS PART OF THE LEASE CONDITIONS.

SURFACING WORK WILL START IN APRIL AND TAKE FIVE MONTHS TO

COMPLETE. IT WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO THE ROAD'S

alignment;

CONTRACTORS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR TENDERS BY NOON ON MARCH 9

TO THE CHAIRMAN. CENTRAL TENDER BOARD. BY PLACING THEM IN THE

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER

GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT

ROAD.

TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, HIGHWAYS (HK) DIVISION, ENGINEERING

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 9TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500, HENNESSY

ROAD, HONG KONG.

ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR

PUBLIC WORKSi BUILDING, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND WATER WORKS LIST I

IN GROUPS A, B AND C FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS WILL BE

PERMITTED TO TENDER.

----o----

/12................

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1984

TUNNEL SLOW LANE TO BE REPAIRED

* * * *

FROM 11.30 PM ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27) TO 6.30 AM ON MARCH 2,

THE KOWLOON-BOUND ’SLOW LANE’ OF LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED

TO ALL TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORKS.

SOUTHBOUND MOTORISTS FROM SHA TIN TO KOWLOON ARE ADVISED

TO USE TAI PO ROAD.

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

RESTRICTED HEADROOM

* * M

A PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE IS BEING BUILT ACROSS KWUN TONG ROAD

AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE UNNAMED ROAD NEAR BLOCK 1 OF LOWER NGAU

TAU KOK ESTATE.

TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION. A RESTRICTED HEIGHT OF A.75 METRES

WILL BE APPLIED UNDER THE FOOTBRIDGE FALSEWORKS FOR ABOUT FOUR

MONTHS, STARTING FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 27).

DURING THIS PERIOD HEAVY VEHICLES EXCEEDING 4.75 METRES HIGH

WILL BE DIVERTED TO WAI YIP STREET OR NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.

----o----

CLEARWAY RESTRICTION

Ml*

FROM 10 AM MONDAY,(FEBRUARY 27), THE FOLLOWING STREETS IN

KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM

DAILY i-

M TUNG YAN STREET.

* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF YUE MAN SQUARE FROM

ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET TO A POINT

ABOUT 25 METRES WEST OF THE JUNCTION.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT

FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE AUTHORISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS,

OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.

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

SALT WATER WORKS

M M M

SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE ENTIRE TUEN MUN AREA WILL BE

SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) TO 3 PM ON THURSDAY

(MARCH 1) FOR WATER MAINS WORK,

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE THIRD

QUARTER OF 1983 ............................................................................................................................................ 1

BOARD TO DISCUSS LOCAL ADMINISTRATION PLAN ....................................................... 2

AMBASSADOR EVANS LEAVING HK...................................................................................................... 3

NEW SYSTEM FOR FACTORY REGISTRATIONS .......................................................................... 3

GRANTS AWARDED FOR RECREATION FACILITIES ............................................................. 4

+CLEAN FOR CHARITY+ RAISES $50 000 ................................................................................ 5

NT SWIMMING POOLS TO RE-OPEN SHORTLY......................................................................... 5

NEW PEDESTRIAN ROAD MARKING TO BE TESTED ............................................................. 6

JOINT TEACHER-PARENT EFFORT URGED ................................................................................... 7

BATHING SHEDS AT NT BEACHES FOR HIRE.......................................................................... 7

TWO PARKS TO BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN ................................................................................ 8

REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR LEI YUE MUN ................................................................ 9

SUBWAYS TO BE BUILT UNDER CHATHAM ROAD ................................................................... 9

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF CENTRE STREET ...................................................................................... 10

WATER MAINS WORKS IN TWO AREAS ............................................................................................ 10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

- 1 -

HONG KONG SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS

FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983

* ft * ft *

THE THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT ON +HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS*,

PREPARED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, AND COVERING THE

PERIOD JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1983 IS ON SALE TODAY. IT CONTAINS AN

INTRODUCTION TO THE HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS SYSTEM, TERMS

AND CLASSIFICATIONS, A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE IN THE

THIRD QUARTER OF 1983, AND 13 STATISTICAL TABLES ON SHIPPING, PORT

AND CARGO STATISTICS.

IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983, 2 821 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL

CAPACITY OF 17 388 THOUSAND NRT (NET REGISTERED TONNAGE) ARRIVED

IN HONG KONG. OF THESE, 20 PER CENT SET OUT FROM CHINA, 41 PER

CENT WERE CONFERENCE LINERS, AND 30 PER CENT WERE OF PANAMANIAN

FLAG. OVER 60 PER CENT OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG WAS

CARRIED BY SHIPS COMING FROM SINGAPORE, CHINA, JAPAN AND THE

U.S.A.. 40 PER CENT BY TRAMPS, AND 27 PER CENT BY CONTAINER

SHIPS. IN THE SAME PERIOD, DEPARTING SHIPS NUMBERED 2 809

WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 17 204 THOUSAND NRT. OF THESE, 20 PER

CENT LEFT FOR TAIWAN, CARRYING 18 PER CENT OF THE CARGO LOADED

IN HONG KONG. AS REGARDS TYPE OF SHIPPING SERVICE, ABOUT 95 PER

CENT OF CARGO LOADED IN HONG KONG WAS CARRIED BY LINERS, WHILE

BY TYPE OF SHIP 69 PER CENT WAS CARRIED BY CONTAINER SHIPS.

ABOUT 52 PER CENT OF DEPARTING VESSELS HAD STAYED IN HONG KONG

FOR LESS THAN 1-1/2 DAYS.

IN TERMS OF GROSS WEIGHT, 91 PER CENT OF INWARD SEABORNE CARGO

WAS SEABORNE IMPORTS, AND 9 PER CENT WAS FOR TRANSHIPMENT. FOR

OUTWARD SHIPMENTS, THE PERCENTAGES WERE 63 PER CENT AND 37 PER CENT,

RESPECTIVELY. THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE

IMPORTS WERE JAPAN (21 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (19 PER CENT) AND

CHINA (14 PER CENT), AND THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR

SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE U.S.A. (22 PER CENT), TAIWAN (17 PER CENT)

AND SINGAPORE (9 PER CENT). TRANSHIPMENT CARGOES WERE MAINLY

LOADED FROM CHINA AND THE U.S.A. FOR TRANSHIPMENT TO U.S.A.,

PHILIPPINES, THAILAND AND SINGAPORE.

THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG BY SEA WERE

PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (25 PER CENT IN TERMS OF GROSS

WEIGHT), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (15 PER CENT). AND MISCELLANEOUS

MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS (INCLUDING

CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER) (13 PER CENT). SEABORNE EXPORTS OF

HONG KONG WERE MORE DIVERSIFIED, THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES BEING

CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (13 PER CENT), TOYS (7

PER CENT), METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (5 PER CENT)

AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (4 PER CENT).

/these statistics ............

SUNDAY, FffiRUARY 26, 1984

THESE STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL

DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS

OR SHIPPING AGENTS, AND FROM CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING

COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A 20 PER CENT SAMPLE OF ALL

CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING

PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. HOWEVER, THE SHIPPING STATISTICS

COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG,

EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT, ON A FULL ENUMERATION BASIS.

MORE DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE +HONG KONG SHIPPING

STATISTICS* QUARTERLY REPORT FOR JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1983, WHICH

IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $12

PER COPY.

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

BOARD TO DISCUSS LOCAL ADMINISTRATION PLAN

KAM

TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE

CHIEF SECRETARY’S PROPOSALS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL

ADMINISTRATION AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28).

AT THE MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE

PROPOSAL TO CLEAR UNLICENSED COOKED FOOD HAWKERS IN 'WAI SAK KAI’

(FOOD STREET) AT TAI PO NEW MARKET.

OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION ON PROGRESS

REPORTS AND PROPOSED MEMBERSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMITTEES,

AND APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS FOR SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND MINOR

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

NOTE TO EDITORS*

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING

AT 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE

DISTRICT BOARD’S SECRETARIAT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO

COMMERCIAL CENTRE ON KWONG FUK ROAD.

A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL LEAVE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AT 8.30 AM

FOR TAI PO.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORSi

AMBASSADOR EVANS LEAVING HK

ft ft * *

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN

TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING,

SIR RICHARD EVANS, TOMORROW (MONDAY).

SIR RICHARD WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT CA 102, ETD 12.45 PM.

THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE

AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM ON MONDAY.* 6IS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

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

NEW SYSTEM FOR FACTORY REGISTRATIONS

ft ft ft ft ft

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FEBRUARY 26) ANNOUNCED THAT ALL

FACTORIES REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES

WILL HAVE TO RENEW THEIR REGISTRATION ANNUALLY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SYSTEM, TO BE

INTRODUCED IN PHASES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, WOULD HELP THE

DEPARTMENT UPDATE RECORDS ON ALL REGISTERED FACTORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FACTORIES MUST REGISTER WITH

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR

CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN.

ON THE REGISTRATION RECORD, THE FACTORY OWNER HAS TO DECLARE

DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE ADDRESS, OWNERSHIP, EQUIPMENT

INSTALLED, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND ITS PRODUCTS.

AFTER REGISTRATION, OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE

DEPARTMENT WILL INSPECT THE FACTORY PERIODICALLY TO CHECK THE

ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION.

AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 20 000 FACTORIES HAVE REGISTERED WITH

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.

.ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OBLIGED TO REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT IN

CASE OF CHANGES IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION PARTICULARS, YET MANY

OF THEM DO NOT COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT. SOME FACTORIES EVEN

DO NOT INFORM THE DEPARTMENT AFTER THEY HAVE MOVED TO A NEW

ADDRESS OR HAVE CEASED OPERATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, EACH REGISTERED FACTORY WILL HAVE TO

COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE EVERY YEAR TO DECLARE WHETHER IT WISHES

TO REMAIN REGISTERED. IF SO, IT IS REQUIRED TO DECLARE ANY CHANGES

IN PARTICULARS SINCE THE LAST REGISTRATION.

/+IF THE................

SUNDAY, FEBEUARY 26, 1984

- 4 -

.IF THE QUESTIONNAIRE IS NOT COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE

TRADE DEPARTMENT WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD, THE REGISTRATION OF

THE FACTORY CONCERNED WILL BE CANCELLED AND THE FACTORY WILL THEN

EE INELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, UNLESS AND

UNTIL IT IS REGISTERED AGAIN,. THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE FIRST PHASE, COVERING THE FIRST 5 000 REGISTERED FACTORIES,

IS BEING IMPLEMENTED.

DETAILED INFORMATION REGARDING THE SCHEME IS SET OUT IN

CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN CIRCULAR NO. 2/84 OF FEBRUARY 25, 1984.

COPIES OF THE CIRCULAR ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER,

G/F AND THE ENQUIRY DESK, CERTIFICATION BRANCH, 1/F, THE TRADE

DEPARTMENT, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.

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

GRANTS AWARDED FOR RECREATION FACILITIES

ft ft ft ft

FIVE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN

GRANTED SUMS TOTALLING SI.5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND SETTING

UP OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTHS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG

KONG.

THE SI.5 MILLION REPRESENTS THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB’S

1983 CONTRIBUTION IN SUPPORT OF A SCHEME TO ESTABLISH MORE PERMANENT

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.

THE SCHEME WAS STARTED IN 1980 TO COMPLEMENT THE ANNUAL SUMMER

YOUTH PROGRAMME AND HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB.

TO DATE, A TOTAL OF S5 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR OVER 20

PROJECTS.

THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL SOON ANNOUNCE ITS CONTRIBUTION FOR 1984.

ONE THIRD OF THE 1983 TOTAL WENT TO THE YOUNG WOMEN’S

CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 50-BED HOSTEL

IN SHAN SHEK WAN YOUTH CAMP ON LANTAU ISLAND.

THE SECOND HIGHEST AMOUNT OF *420 000 WAS FOR THE BUILDING OF

A SEVEN-A-SIDE MINI-SOCCER PITCH AT PING CHE ROAD, TA KWU LING,

A PROJECT INITIATED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.

THE STANLEY KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION RECEIVED *295 000

FOR REDEVELOPING THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE MA HANG RECREATION

CENTRE.

THE PO LEUNG KUK GOT *185 000 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE

OPEN PLAYGROUND/STADIUM IN PAK TAM CHUNG HOLIDAY CAMP, SAI

KUNG, AND THE SIK KONG WAI VILLAGE OFFICE OBTAINED *100 000 FOR THE

PROVISION OF RECREATION FACILITIES AND COVERED PLAYGROUND.

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS WERE VETTED BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE

COUNCIL FOR-RECREATION AND SPORT.

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

/5................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

.CLEAN FOR CHARITY* RAISES $50 000

* * *

A SUM OF $50 000 WAS RAISED FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST AT THIS

(SUNDAY) MORNING’S +CLEAN FOR CHARITY+ OPERATION HELD AT THE SHING

MUN COUNTRY PARK IN TSUEN WAN.

FROM 10 AM, MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS FROM 17 LOCAL

ORGANISATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS

GROUPED THEMSELVES INTO TEAMS AND BEGAN COLLECTING RUBBISH IN THE

PARK.

THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, SAID THAT THE EVENT

RAISED FUNDS FOR THE CHEST, AND ALSO SPREAD THE CLEAN HONG KONG

MESSAGE.

MISS CHUNG WILL PRESENT THE $50 000 TO THE CHEST EARLY NEXT

MONTH.

TODAY’S EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE,

THE +CLEAN FOR CHARITY+ ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE CHEST.

- 0 - -

NT SWIMMING POOLS TO RE-OPEN SHORTLY

* N * M

THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL COMPLEXES IN KWAI SHING, SHA TIN AND

YUEN LONG WILL BE RE-OPENED ON THURSDAY (MARCH 1), A SPOKESMAN FOR

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

AT THE FANLING COMPLEX, THE HEATED MAIN POOL, WHICH HAS BEEN

IN SERVICE THROUGHOUT, WILL HAVE ITS AIR BUBBLE REMOVED IN EARLY

APRIL, WHILE ITS OTHER POOLS WILL ALSO RE-OPEN ON MARCH 1.

THE DAILY SESSIONS AT’lHE KWAl'SHING AND SHA TIN COMPLEXES

WILL BE: 7 AM TO 9.15 AM, 9.45 AM TO 12 NOON, 1 PM TO 4 PM, AND

4.30 PM TO 6.45 PM.

AT THE FANLING AND YUEN LONG COMPLEXES, THE HOURS WILL BE:

9 AM TO 11.30 AM, 12.30 PM TO 3 PM, AND 3-30 PM TO 6 PM, AN

ADDITIONAL SESSION, FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, WILL BE ARRANGED AT

FANLING.

MEANWHILE, A NEW ADMISSION SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED.

AN ENTRANCE FOR CHILDREN-AND-FAMILY GROUPS WILL REPLACE THE

FORMER CHILDREN-ONLY ENTRANCE SO THAT PARENTS OR GUARDIANS MAY

ENTER THE POOLS TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 14.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

NEW PEDESTRIAN ROAD MARKING TO BE TESTED

* * M *

A NEW TYPE OF YELLOW-STRIPED ROAD MARKING WILL BE PAINTED ON

TEN PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL-CONTROLLED CROSSINGS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON

OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT

DEPARTMENT TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MARKING IN DISCOURAGING

MOTORISTS FROM STOPPING THEIR VEHICLES OVER THE CROSSING AREA WHILE

WAITING FOR LIGHT SIGNALS TO CHANGE.

.THE SCHEME WILL BE TESTED FOR SIX MONTHS. IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL,

THE NEW MARKING WILL BE APPLIED TO OTHER CROSSINGS ON A TERRITORY

WIDE BAS IS,+ A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

TWO TYPES OF ROAD MARKINGS, INCLUDING THE YELLOW-STRIPED MARKING

AND A WHITE HOLLOW BOX MARKING, WERE TESTED TWO YEARS AGO TO

DETERMINE WHICH WAS MORE EFFECTIVE.

THE TEST SHOWED THAT THE YELLOW-STRIPED MARKING WAS MORE

EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES STOPPING IN THE

PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.

.HOWEVER, TO ALLOW THE RESULT TO BE ADEQUATELY ASSESSED, IT IS

CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE YELLOW-STRIPED MARKING TO BE TESTED FOR

A FURTHER SIX MONTHS,. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SITES CHOSEN FOR THE TEST AREi

* KING'S ROAD-TIN CHIU STREET

* KING’S ROAD-PAN HOI STREET

* WANCHAI ROAD-JOHNSTON ROAD-FLEMING ROAD

M CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL-POTTINGER STREET

* QUEEN’S ROAD WEST-CENTRE STREET

* BELCHER’S STREET-NORTH STREET

M WAI YIP STREET-TSUN YIP STREET

* SHANGHAI STREET-JORDAN ROAD

X ARGYLE STREET-FU NING STREET-FORFAR ROAD

M RECLAMATION STREET-ARGYLE STREET

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

- 7 -

JOINT TEACHER-PARENT EFFORT URGED

*****

TEACHERS AND PARENTS SHOULD JOIN HANDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN

SEEING THAT PUPILS LEARN THE VALUE OF BOOKS AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR,

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR COLVYN HAYE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION’S GOLDEN

JUBILEE SPRING DINNER, MR HAYE SAID THAT TEACHERS COULD JOIN

WITH PARENTS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PUPILS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT TEACHERS TOOK THE PLACE OF PARENTS IN

SCHOOLS, AND PARENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OFFSPRING FOR THE

REST OF THE DAY AT HOME.

.TEACHERS COULD LEARN TO UNDERSTAND PUPILS A LOT BETTER IF

THEY COULD FIND OUT FROM PARENTS MORE ABOUT THEIR HOME BACKGROUNDS,.

MR HAYE SAID.

.WE CAN GIVE BETTER CAREER GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING IF WE

KNOW WHAT PARENTS REALLY WANT FROM THEIR CHILDREN.

.WE CAN TAKE MUCH OF THE PAIN OUT OF HOMEWORK BY PERSUADING

PARENTS NOT TO PRESS THEIR CHILDREN TOO HARD, AND WE CAN PROVIDE

BETTER SUPERVISION OF PUPILS’ STUDIES IF WE CAN PERSUADE PARENTS

OF THE NEED FOR REMEDIAL TEACHING,. HE SAID.

PARENTS, MR HAYE SAID, COULD GIVE TEACHERS MUCH MORE SUPPORT

IN SCHOOL OPEN DAYS, SPEECH DAYS, SPORTS DAYS AND PARENTS DAYS.

.PARENTS CAN JOIN PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AND LEARN TO

CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THEIR CHILDREN’S WELFARE BY MORAL AND

FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES,* HE SAID.

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

BATHING SHEDS AT NT BEACHES FOR HIRE

* * * *

TWELVE BATHING SHEDS AT FOUR BEACHES ALONG CASTLE PEAK

ROAD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MAY NOW BE RENTED FOR ONE YEAR,

STARTING ON APRIL 1.

THE SHEDS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO APPLICANTS BY BALLOT TO BE

HELD AT 11 AM ON MARCH 21 IN THE LECTURE ROOM OF THE NEW TERRITORIES

SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF GOLDEN

GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 136-138 AUSTIN ROAD, KOWLOON.

SEVEN OF THE SHEDS ARE AT APPROACH BEACH, THREE AT

LIDO BEACH AND ONE EACH AT HOI MEI BEACH AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACH.

THE ANNUAL RENTS RANGE FROM $2 250 TO $2 700.

ONLY REGISTERED COMPANIES, CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANISED

GROUPS MAY APPLY, AN NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.

/APPLICATION FORMS ................

SUNDAY, PEBHUAHY 26, 1984

APPLICATION FORMS AT $40 EACH ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 3

FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 3 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM

9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY AT THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE OF THE NTSD

HEADQUARTERS, FIFTH FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING.

THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED BY POST FROM THE RECREATION AND

AMENITIES SECTION OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS, THIRD FLOOR, SWIRE

AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.

COMPLETED FORMS MUST REACH THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES

SECTION NOT LATER THAN 1 PM ON MARCH 7.

A COPY OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OR CERTIFICATE

CF REGISTRATION ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES, THE REGISTRAR

CF TRADE UNIONS OR THE COMPANIES REGISTRY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S

OFFICE SHOULD BE ENCLOSED WITH THE COMPLETED FORMS WHICH MUST BE

SIGNED BY THE MANAGER, THE CHAIRMAN OR THE SECRETARY OF THE

ORGANISATION CONCERNED.

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS CURRENTLY HOLDING ANNUALLY RENEWABLE

PERMITS FOR BATHING SHEDS AT ANY PUBLIC BEACH MAY NOT APPLY,

THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE RECREATION AND

AMENITIES SECTION ON TELEPHONE 3-678715.

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

TWO PARKS TO BE BUILT IN TSUEN WAN

ft * ft *

THE ENTRANCES TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION AT TAI WO

HAU, TSUEN WAN, ARE TO BE INCORPORATED INTO A PARK PROJECT.

THE PARK WILL REPLACE THE ONE WHICH EXISTED ON THE SITE

BEFORE THE STATION WAS BUILT.

IT WILL BE EXTENDED AND INCLUDE A WATER FEATURE, PUBLIC

SQUARE, GARDEN AREA, TOILET AND REFRESHMENT KIOSKS.

ANOTHER PARK IS TO BE BUILT AROUND TIN HAU TEMPLE AT SAM TUNG

UK, WHICH IS AT PRESENT BEING RESTORED BY THE TRUSTEES.

IT WILL HAVE A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A GAMES AREA WITH

CHANGING FACILITIES AND GARDENS.

BOTH PARKS WILL BE COMPLETED BY JULY NEXT YEAR.

THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS

FOR THE TWO PARK PROJECTS.

/they should .........

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

- 9 -

THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN. CENTRAL TENDER BOARD,

AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT

LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES EAST

WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1984.

TENDER FORMS, SPECIFICATIONS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY

BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT, YUNCKEN

FREEMAN (HK), ROOM 516, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA

TSUI, KOWLOON.

ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR PUBLIC

WORKSi BUILDING, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND WATER WORKS LIST I IN

GROUP B AND C FOR BUILDING WORKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.

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

REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR LEI YUE MUN

III

WORK HAS STARTED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OFF-STREET REFUSE

COLLECTION POINT AT YAU YUE WAI IN LEI YUE MUN.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT AWARDED A $730 000 CONTRACT TO CHAN SHUM KEE SUM

LEE CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. FOR THE PROJECT.

THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, COVERING AN AREA OF 216 SQUARE

METRES, WILL ALSO INCI UDE A CLEANSING STORE AND OFFICE.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN SEPTEMBER.

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

SUBWAYS TO BE BUILT UNDER CHATHAM ROAD

* * *

TWO SUBWAYS ARE TO BE BUILT UNDER CHATHAM ROAD TO REPLACE

AN EXISTING UNDERPASS.

TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE RAILWAY

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

WORK WILL START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED IN 10 MONTHS.

THE THREE-METRE-WIDE SUBWAYS WILL BE BUILT CLOSE TO THE

UNDERPASS AND CONNECT 01 MAN ESTATE TO WINSLOW STREET, HUNG HOM.

THEY WILL TOTAL 77 METRES IN LENGTH.

THE UNDERPASS WILL BE CLOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION

OF AN ADDITIONAL RAIL TRACK IN CONJUNCTION WITH IMPROVEMENT WORKS

TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION'S KOWLOON STATION GOODS

YARD.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS,

STAIRCASES AND RETAINING WALLS, AND PROVISION OF FLOWER BEDS AND

FENCING.

/1O................

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF CENTRE STREET

M M M

CENTRE STREET BETWEEN SECOND STREET AND HIGH STREET IN SAI

YING PUN WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON

TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 28).

THE SECTION WILL BE USED ONLY AS A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.

- - 0 - -

WATER MAINS WORKS IN TWO AREAS

K K M

FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAU KEI WAN AND

TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN THURSDAY

(MARCH 1) AND FRIDAY FOR MAINS WORK.

IN SHAU KEI WAN, SUPPLY TO PREMISES BOUNDED BY SHING ON

VILLAGE, HOLY CROSS PATH VILLAGE, FA YUEN VILLAGE AND MA SHAN

VILLAGE WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM ON THURSDAY.

IN TSZ WAN SHAN, SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON

THURSDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.

. THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, WAN

WAH' STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET AND SHEUNG FUNG STREET, INCLUDING

BLOCK NO 1 TO 16 OF TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.

- - 0 - -

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1?84

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

VALUE OF PERSONAL CONTACT STRESSED................................................................................ 1

AMBASSADOR SAYS TALKS HERE 'EXTREMELY VALUABLE' ....................................... 1

PRESS CONFERENCE BY MINISTER OF STATE ......................................................................

BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY................................................................................................................... 2

FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN PUBLIC NEXT MONTH.......................................... 4

IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HK — YAXLEY ................................................................ 5

NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION PLAN ANNOUNCED ...................................................................... 7

PRESS CONFERENCE ON REVIEW BOARD ...................................................................................... 7

LANGUAGE INSTITUTE TO OFFER COURSES ............................................................................ 8

TYPE 'A. CAR PARK MONTHLY PASSES ...................................................................................... 9

TRANSLATION WORKSHOP FOR JOURNALISTS .......................................................................... 9

BOARD TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT ......................................................................... 10

EIGHTH REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR MONG KOK ................................................... 10

NT LIFE SAVING SERVICES RESUME THURSDAY ................................................................ 11

KENNEDY TO./N TRAFFIC CHANGE...................................................................................................... 11

FIRING PRACTICE............................................................................................................................................ 12

WATER FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................. 13

RESTRICTED ZONE EXTENDED ............................................................................................................... 13

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

- 1

VALUE OF PERSONAL CONTACT STRESSED

* * * * *

THE VALUE OF PERSONAL CONTACT WAS STRESSED TODAY BY MINISTER

OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR RICHARD LUCE,

AFTER A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

MR LUCE SA IDs + l HAVE SPENT THE MORNING WITH THE GOVERNOR IN

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. I HAVE HAD A VERY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND I MUST SAY THAT I HAVE HAD

VERY VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS.*

+AS I SAID ON MY ARRIVAL, I, MY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN

SECRETARY, ATTACH THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO PERSONAL CONTACT AND

THAT THEREFORE WAS THE VALUE OF THIS MORNING’S MEETING.*

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

AMBASSADOR SAYS TALKS HERE 'EXTREMELY VALUABLE’

* * *

THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, SIR RICHARD EVANS, TODAY

DESCRIBED AS +EXTREMELY VALUABLE* HIS MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE

COUNCIL AND HIS CONSULTATIONS WITH MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER OF

STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, AND THE GOVERNOR,

SIR EDWARD YOUDE.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS SHORTLY BEFORE DEPARTING FOR PEKING,

SIR RICHARD SAID HE COULD NOT AFFORD TO STAY ANY LONGER BECAUSE

HE WOULD BE HOST TO MR PAUL CHANNON, MINISTER OF TRADE, AT A

DINNER PARTY THIS EVENING.

+BUT I SHALL BE BACK SOON,* HE SAID.

+AND AS I SAID IN PEKING A FEW DAYS AGO, ALL THOSE OF YOU

WHO GO THERE FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS ARE VERY WELCOME TO COME

AND HAVE TEA WITH MY WIFE AND MYSELF AT MY HOUSE AT 5 O’CLOCK

ON MARCH 16,+ HE TOLD REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT.

+WE SHALL BE READY FOR YOU.

+BUT DON’T BRING YOUR NOTEBOOKS, AND YOUR CAMERAS, AND YOUR

OTHER ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, BECAUSE THIS IS A GET-TOGETHER SESSION,

A GETTING ACQUAINTED SESSION.

+WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU VERY MUCH THEN,* HE SAID.

SIR RICHARD WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR’S

ASSISTANT PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG.

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

/2....

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS CONFERENCE BY MINISTER OF STATE

* * * * *

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS,

14? RICHARD LUCE, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE GIS THEATRE

AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.

LATER TOMORROW AFTERNOON, THERE WILL BE A FACILITY FOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER MR LUCE’S DEPARTURE FOR

KUALA LUMPUR. MR LUCE WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT CX 721,

ETD. 3.30 PM.

PLEASE ADVISE THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT TO ASSEMBLE

AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 2.15 PM

TOMORROW. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

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

BUDGET DAY ON WEDNESDAY

* * *

HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1984/85 WILL BE

PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29).

THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM WHEN THE FINANCIAL

SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRlDGE MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND

READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1984 AND OUTLINES HONG KONG’S

ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1984-85.

THE ESTIMATED HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WILL BE SET OUT IN THE

SCHEDULE OF THE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE

THE SAME AFTERNOON.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL MARCH 28 AND 29

WHEN UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET

PROPOSALS.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY THEIR

UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES ON APRIL 18. IF NECESSARY, THE DEBATE

WILL CONTINUE THE FOLLOWING DAY.

THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD

READING ON THE BILL ON MAY 2.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE

BROADCAST LIVE OVER RTHK’S RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).

/HTHK WILL ................

MONDAY, FEBHUABY 27, 1984

- 3 -

RTHK WILL ALSO BROADCAST LIVE THE OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS

ON MARCH 28 AND 29, APRIL 18, 19 (IF NECESSARY) AND MAY 2 ON

RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).

THE BUDGET SITTINGS WILL ALSO BE COVERED, IN NORMAL NEWSCASTS

AND BULLETINS OF RTHK, COMMERCIAL RADIO, HK-TVB AND ATV.

NOTE TO EDITORSi

IN ORDER TO AFFORD MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AS MUCH TIME AS

POSSIBLE TO PREPARE STORIES RELATING TO THE BUDGET, ON WEDNESDAY,

FEBRUARY 29, A CLOSED WORKING SESSION WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS

THEATRE, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD, CENTRAL.

THE GROUND RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. NO PART OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH OR RELATED

DOCUMENTS IS TO BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST PRIOR TO

DELIVERY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

2. REPORTERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE CLOSED WORKING SESSION

ARE ASKED TO BE AT THE GIS THEATRE BY 11.15 AM TO

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

AT 12.30 PM, EVENING NEWSPAPER REPORTERS WILL BE ALLOWED

TO LEAVE TO FILE STORIES BASED ON THIS PART OF THE

SPEECH.

OTHER REPORTERS WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

SESSION THAT AFTERNOON WILL ALSO LEAVE AT THIS POINT.

BOTH GROUPS MUST BEAR IN MIND THE EMBARGO STATED IN

PARAGRAPH 1.

3. ONCE THE ABOVE TWO GROUPS HAVE DEPARTED, THE REMAINING

REPORTERS WILL BE GIVEN THE SECOND PART OF THE SPEECH,

CONTAINING THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

NO-ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE THEATRE UNTIL AFTER

THE FS HAS FINISHED SPEAKING. A SANDWICH LUNCH, AND SOFT

DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED.

4. ON COMPLETION OF DELIVERY THE CLOSED SESSION WILL END AND

REPORTERS MAY LEAVE.

NOTE: ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES REGISTERING FOR THE CLOSED

-------- WORKING SESSION WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE ACCEPTED IN FULL

THE ABOVE CONDITIONS.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1984

- 4 -

FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN PUBLIC NEXT MONTH

*****

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT ITS

EXAMINATIONS OF GOVERNMENT BUDGET PROPOSALS IN PUBLIC FOR THE

FIRST TIME AT FOUR SPECIAL MEETINGS NEXT MONTH.

CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL’S STANDING ORDERS WERE MADE LAST JULY

PAVING THE WAY FOR THIS IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IN ITS HISTORY.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE TOP DECISION-MAKING BODY ON PUBLIC

SPENDING, HAS THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS: THE CHIEF SECRETARY THE

FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS. BUT

IT IS ONLY THE LEGCO UNOFFICIALS WHO HAVE VOTING RIGHTS.

THE COUNCIL NOW HAS 29 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE LARGEST NUMBER

EVER, ALL OF THEM SITTING ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS OVERSEERS

OF PUBLIC SPENDING.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS GOING TO PRESENT THE BUDGET ON

WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29), AND GEARING THEMSELVES FOR THE FORMIDABLE

TASK OF SCRUTINISING THE VOLUMINOUS DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE,

THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE FORMED THEMSELVES INTO FOUR STUDY TEAMS

THIS YEAR TO DEAL WITH SOCIAL SERVICES} LAW AND ORDER; ECONOMIC

AND COMMUNITY SERVICES} AND GENERAL SERVICES UNDER THE CONVENERSHIP

OF DR THE HON HARRY FANG, THE HON T.S. LO, THE HON BILL BROWN

AND THE HON S.L. CHEN RESPECTIVELY.

WHEN THE SWITCH FROM IN-CAMERA TO OPEN SESSIONS WAS ANNOUNCED

LAST YEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE STEP WOULD DEMONSTRATE

TO THE PUBLIC THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF OFFICERS ADMINISTERING

GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

EVERY SUCH OFFICER WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE UNOFFICIALS TO

ANSWER QUESTIONS ON HIS DEPARTMENT’S BUDGET PROPOSALS.

IF THE PAST IS ANY GUIDE, CONTROLLING OFFICERS WILL BE BARRAGED

WITH HUNDREDS OF QUESTIONS, VERBAL AND WRITTEN.

LAST YEAR, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS RAISED 366 POINTS OF QUERY

AFTER A SERIES OF MEETINGS AT WHICH EACH OF THE 71 HEADS OF

EXPENDITURE WAS CRITICALLY EXAMINED.

THESE POINTS WERE EITHER ANSWERED IN WRITING OR CLARIFIED BY

CONTROLLING OFFICERS AT FOUR SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE

COMMITTEE. A TOTAL OF 25 CONTROLLING OFFICERS APPEARED BEFORE

THE COMMITTEE AND WERE CLOSELY QUESTIONED BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

+THIS VERBAL GRILLING WILL NOW BE CARRIED OUT IN PUBLIC, A

STEP THAT SHOULD HELP IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPEN

GOVERNMENT,* A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID.

THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED

TO BE HELD ON MARCH 7, 8, 9 AND 12.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HK -- YAXLEY

* * * *

THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY TODAY (MONDAY) TOLD

A DELEGATION OF SWEDISH BUSINESSMEN THAT THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT

HONG KONG WAS VERY MUCH IN BUSINESS AND INTENDED TO STAY THAT WAY.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SWEDISH OIL INDUSTRY SYMPOSIUM JOINTLY

ORGANISED BY THE SWEDISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG AND THE

SWEDISH TRADE COUNCIL IN SWEDEN TO DISCUSS OPPORTUNITIES FOR

COOPERATION BETWEEN SWEDEN AND HONG KONG WHICH MAY RESULT FROM

THE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEAS OFF-SHORE

OIL FIELDS.

.DESPITE, IN THE MINDS OF SOME, PRESENT UNCERTAINTIES, IT IS,

HOWEVER, VERY MUCH BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HONG KONG. WE REMAIN

FORWARD LOOKING AND OPTIMISTIC,* MR YAXLEY SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TRADE WAS BOOMING AS HONG KONG’S MAIN

MARKETS OVERSEAS PULLED OUT OF RECESSION AND ORDER BOOKS WERE FULL.

+THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF DOMESTIC

EXPORTS WAS ABOUT 20 PER CENT IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1983, UP

FROM 18 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND 14 PER CENT IN THE

SECOND QUARTER. DOMESTIC EXPORT PERFORMANCE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN

STRONG FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

*THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR 1983 HAS BEEN REVISED UPWARDS

FROM FOUR PER CENT TO SIX PER CENT, A FIGURE WHICH IN A DIFFICULT

YEAR FOR EVERYBODY, COMPARES WELL WITH GROWTH RATES IN NORTH

AMERICA AND WESTERN EUROPE,* HE SAID.

HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS WERE CONTINUING TO INVEST, PARTLY TO

bEET THE CURRENT UPSURGE IN ORDERS, THOUGH WITH PERHAPS A LITTLE

MORE CAUTION THAN PREVIOUSLY, HE POINTED OUT.

+WE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY KNOW OF 50 MANUFACTURERS

AMONG WHOM ARE A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES CURRENTLY EXPANDING

THEIR OPERATIONS, SOME OF THEM AT A COST RUNNING INTO TENS OF

MILLIONS OF HONG KONG DOLLARS,* HE ADDED.

MR YAXLEY SAID ALTHOUGH FOREIGN INVESTMENT ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY

10 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, IT HAD

BEEN ESPECIALLY VALUABLE IN ASSISTING HONG KONG TO DIVERSIFY AND

UPGRADE ITS PRODUCTS.

.THE LEVEL OF OVERSEAS INTEREST IN HONG KONG REMAINS

ENCOURAGINGLY HIGH. THIS INTEREST HOWEVER COMES LARGELY FROM

NORTH AMERICA AND JAPAN, RATHER THAN FROM EUROPE. HOWEVER, EUROPE

WITH ITS EXPERIENCE IN THE NORTH SEA OFFSHORE OIL INDUSTRY HAS A

GREAT DEAL OF EXPERTISE WHICH WILL BE INVALUABLE FOR THE OFFSHORE

OIL INDUSTRY IN THIS REGION, AND I AM SURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IN

THIS AREA WILL OFFER MANY PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITIES,* MR YAXLEY

SAID.

/on the ...............

MONDAY, FEBHDAKY 27, 1984

ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS

CONTINUING WITH A SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC WORKS ON NEW

TOWN DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING HIGHWAYS AND OTHER FACILITIES, AND WITH

PROGRAMMES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL WELFARE, CULTURAL

DEVELOPMENT AND ALL THE OTHER AREAS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR A

SOPHISTICATED, MODERN AND CARING COMMUNITY.

.ELECTRIFICATION AND MODERNISATION OF THE KOWLOON CANTON

RAILWAY, WHICH RUNS FROM KOWLOON TO OUR BORDER WITH CHINA, HAS

JUST BEEN COMPLETED, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND

LINE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IS WELL UNDERWAY. THE GOVERNMENT

WILL SHORTLY BE ANNOUNCING A MAJOR CO-ORDINATED DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMME FOR THE TERRITORY WHICH WILL TAKE US INTO THE 21 ST

CENTURY,+ HE TOLD THE SYMPOSIUM.

THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT, MAJOR C.G.

BERNARD, ALSO DETAILED FACILITIES AND SERVICES AVAILABLE IN HONG

KONG FOR THE OFFSHORE OIL INDUSTRY.

HE CALLED ON THE SWEDISH DELEGATION TO FURTHER LOOK INTO

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WHICH HONG KONG OFFERS.

+SWEDEN IS VERY POORLY REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL

AND COMMERCIAL SCENE, COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES SUCH AS THE

USA, JAPAN, UK, AUSTRALIA AND HOLLAND,+ HE SAID.

TO ILLUSTRATE THE POTENTIAL, MAJOR BERNARD POINTED OUT THAT

SINGAPORE WHICH HAD AN OLD AND WELL ESTABLISHED OFFSHORE OIL

INDUSTRIAL BASE AND INDUSTRY SERVING OIL FIELDS IN INDONESIA,

MALAYSIA, THAILAND AND THE PHILIPPINES, HAD OVER 110 SERVICE

SUPPLY AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, 33 OIL COMPANIES, 18 CONSULTANTS

AND 15 GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYORS.

HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAD ONLY SOME

60 SUCH COMPANIES IN ALL.

.THE POTENTIAL, THEREFORE, FOR ESTABLISHING SIMILAR BUSINESSES

HERE IN HONG KONG, AS DRILLING ACTIVITIES DEVELOP, WHETHER AS A

WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OR AS A JOINT VENTURE, IS CLEARLY VERY

CONSIDERABLE.

.OF COURSE, MANY OF THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES REQUIRED WILL

BE ESTABLISHED IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA OFFSHORE OIL

BASES NOW BEING DEVELOPED CLOSE TO HONG KONG IN CH IWAN AND

SHEKOU,+ HE SAID.

EVEN SO, HE ADDED, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS

AND INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES WHICH HONG KONG ALONE COULD PROVIDE

IN THE EARLY YEARS WOULD LEAD AT LEAST TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

LIAISON OFFICES FOR COMMUNICATIONS, PERSONNEL MOVEMENTS CONTROL

AND SUPPLIES PROCUREMENT.

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

I^NDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

NEW VEHICLE INSPECTION PLAN ANNOUNCED

XXI

ALL GOODS VEHICLES AND TRAILERS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1975 WILL

HAVE TO BE EXAMINED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BEFORE LICENCES

FOR THESE VEHICLES CAN BE RENEWED.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID

THAT INSPECTION IS REQUIRED IF APPLICATION FOR NEW LICENCES

COMMENCING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1984 IS MADE.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR INSPECTION

CF GOODS VEHICLES AND TRAILERS MANUFACTURED IN 1975. OWNERS MUST

PRESENT THESE VEHICLES FOR EXAMINATION BEFORE APPLICATION FOR

LICENCES COMMENCING ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1984 CAN BE ACCEPTED.

THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS REPLACE PLANS ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 25

AND 26, 1983 CONCERNING COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF GOODS VEHICLES

AND TRAILERS MANUFACTURED IN 1975.

VEHICLES AND TRAILERS WHICH HAVE PASSED EXAMINATION AT THE

DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT CHEUNG YIP STREET,

NGAU TAU KOK, WILL BE ISSUED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS

WHICH SHOULD BE PRODUCED WHEN MAKING APPLICATION FOR RELICENSING.

THE CERTIFICATES WILL BE VALID ONLY IF ISSUED DURING THE FOUR

MONTHS PRECEDING THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LICENCE.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR EXAMINATION ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL

LICENSING OFFICES AND VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES.

VEHICLE OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE EARLY APPOINTMENTS TO

AVOID INCONVENIENCE WHEN THEIR LICENCES EXPIRE.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 3-7597505.

- - 0

NOTE TO EDITORS*

PRESS CONFERENCE ON REVIEW BOARD

* * *

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD AND TO INTRODUCE

ITS MEMBERS.

THE CONFERENCE, TO BE OPENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS,

NR DENIS BRAY, WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM IN THE FURAMA HOTEL JADE

BALLROOM WHERE SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION FACILITIES WILL BE

ARRANGED FOR THE PRESS. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TEA RECEPTION

TO WHICH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED.

/THE board

MONDAY, FBBRUAEY 27, 1984

- 8 -

THE BOARD HAS BEEN SET UP TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REV IE*

CF BROADCASTING AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE START OF ITS CURRENT SESSION.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THE REVIEW WOULD ASSESS LONG-TERM NEEDS FOR

TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE MAJOR

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES WHICH HAD OCCURRED SINCE THE LAST REVIEW,

AND WOULD RECOMMEND A POLICY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF

BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.

0 - - - -

LANGUAGE INSTITUTE TO OFFER COURSES

* * * *

PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE LANGUAGE

TEACHERS TO ATTEND A NUMBER OF FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSES TO

BE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE

OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1984 AND JUNE 1985.

THERE WILL BE FOUR COURSES - TWO FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH

AND TWO FOR TEACHERS OF CHINESE. EACH WILL LAST FOR 16 WEEKS AND

ACCOMMODATE 150 TEACHERS.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSES ARE TO FAMILIARISE

TEACHERS WITH THE MOST RECENT TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN

LANGUAGE EDUCATION, TO ENABLE THEM TO EXTEND AND UPDATE THE

REPERTORY OF THEIR APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING AND TO PROVIDE

THEM WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.

A TEACHER REFRESHER COURSE CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUED TO

ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A COURSE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT PREFERENCE

WILL EE GIVEN TO TEACHERS WHO HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS’ POSTQUALIFICATION

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND WHO HAVE NOT ATTENDED A

FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSE DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS.

PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE SPENT MORE

THAN HALF OF THEIR TEACHING TIME IN THE TEACHING OF CHINESE

OR ENGLISH DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS.

~HE SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOLS MAY NOMINATE PARTICIPANTS FOR

BOTH THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH COURSES.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED, NOMINATIONS MUST BE MADE IN PAIRS -- A

NOMINATION FOR THE FIRST CHINESE COURSE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY

A NOMINATION FOR THE OTHER CHINESE COURSE. THIS ALSO APPLIES

TO THE ENGLISH COURSES.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL

DUTIES TO ATTEND THE REFRESHER COURSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.

THE SCHOOLS CONCERNED WILL BE ALLOWED TO EMPLOY A FULL-TIME

TEACHER FOR THE WHOLE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

/THE REPLACEMENT................

MONDAY, FEBBUAEY 27, 1984

- 9 -

THE REPLACEMENT TEACHER WILL BE EMPLOYED AT THE CERTIFICATED

MASTER/MI STRESS RANK ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS AND THE

SERVICE WILL COUNT FOR PROMOTION AND INCREMENTAL PURPOSES.

SCHOOL HEADS WHO WISH TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND TfclESE

COURSES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

OF EDUCATION, INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION AT PARK-IN

COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 21/F, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON ON OR BRFORE

MARCH 17, 1984.

ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE WITH THE INSTITUTE ON TEL. NO.3-319418.

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

TYPE ’A’ CAR PARK MONTHLY PASSES

* * * *

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FOR

THE MONTH OF MARCH, ITS TYPE ’A’ CAR PARK MONTHLY PASSES ISSUED

AT $1 OOO EACH WILL BE VALID FOR ALL CAR PARKS MANAGED BY THE

DEPARTMENT EXCEPT THE MIDDLE ROAD AND YAU MA TEI MULTI-STOREY CAR

PARKS, WHICH WILL BE PRIVATISED FROM MARCH 1.

THE GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS IN CENTRAL WILL BE

PRIVATISED FROM APRIL 1 AND THE NEW OPERATOR WILL BE ISSUING

NEW TYPE ’A’ MONTHLY PASSES FOR USE AT ALL MULTI-STOREY CAR

PARKS THEN UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT.

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

TRANSLATION WORKSHOP FOR JOURNALISTS

* * * *

WORKING JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A NEWS

TRANSLATION WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION

OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.

THE COURSE IS ORGANISED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JOURNALISM

TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO HELP UPGRADE

THE STANDARD OF JOURNALISM IN HONG KONG.

THE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY MORNING

FROM MARCH 15 TO APRIL 12.

ABOUT 100 SAMPLES OF PUBLISHED TRANSLATIONS OF FOREIGN NE.S

AGENCY STORIES AND ARTICLES WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE MODERATORS

AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE WORKSHOP.

THE COURSE FEE IS $1 000 A PERSON. EACH PARTICIPANT IS

REQUIRED TO PAY A NOMINAL SUM OF $100, AS THE REST OF THE

AMOUNT IS BORNE BY VTC.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1984.

ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE JOURNALISM

TRAINING BOARD, MR FRANK NG AT 5-8932341 EXT. 283.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

BOARD TO DISCUSS BUILDING MANAGEMENT

* * * * *

FINDINGS OF A SEMINAR ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT

WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON

WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29).

THE SEMINAR WAS HELD ON JANUARY 29, WHEN SOME 300 PARTICIPANTS

DISCUSSED MAJOR BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, SUCH AS SECURITY,

VICE-ESTABLISHMENTS, SIGNBOARDS AND ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS.

PARTICIPANTS THEN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED SHOULD

BE CHANNELLED TO RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THAT FURTHER

PUBLICITY BE GIVEN TO THE PROMOTION OF BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT.

AT WEDNESDAY’S MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS WILL STUDY PROPOSALS

TO HELP THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT KEEP DOWN FIRE HAZARDS.

MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RECENT PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER

DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION, VISITS TO GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS, AND A SURVEY ON THE

DISTRICT NEWSPAPER.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING

AT 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE

DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF TUNG PING BUILDING, 157

PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.

0 - -

EIGHTH REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR MONG KOK

*****

A LARGE OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL BE BUILT

AT MONG KOK.

IT WILL OCCUPY A 200-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN NULLAH STREET

AND BE READY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $545 000 CONTRACT TO GAMMON (HONG KONG)

LIMITED TO CARRY OUT THE PILING WORK, WHICH WILL TAKE THREE

MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

WORK ON BUILDING THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WILL THEN BEGIN UNDER

A SEPARATE CONTRACT.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE A REFUSE COLLECTION AREA,

A LOADING BAY, A ROLL-CALL ROOM, AN OFFICE AND STOREROOM.

THE STRUCTURE WILL BE THE EIGHTH OFF-STREET REFUSE COLLECTION

POINT IN MONG KOK.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

NT LIFE SAVING SERVICES RESUME THURSDAY

* * *

* BELCHER’S STREET FROM 55 METRES WEST OF HOLLAND

STREET TO 37 METRES EAST OF SAI CHEUNG STREET WILL

BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAY. NO MOTOR VEHICLES

OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP

THERE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM

DAILY.

LIFE SAVING AND FIRST AID SERVICES WILL BE RESUMED ON

THURSDAY (MARCH 1) AT ALL 27 GAZETTED PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES IN

THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.

LIFEGUARDS WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE BEACHES BETWEEN 9 AM AND

6 PM DAILY, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES

DEPARTMENT.

BUT HE URGED SWIMMERS TO PLAY SAFE BY NOT SWIMMING OUTSIDE

THE AREAS CLEARLY MARKED BY BUOY LINES.

THEY ARE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH

ANGLER’S BEACH AND THE NON-GAZETTED BEACH AT BUTTERFLY BAY

TUEN MUN BECAUSE OF THE UNSUITABLE CONDITION OF THE WATERS

THERE

BEACHGOERS MAY, HOWEVER, SUN BATH OR USE THE BARBECUE PITS

PROVIDED AT THE BEACHES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AND AT CASTLE PEAK BEACH, PLEASURE BOATS MAY BE HIRED BY THE

PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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

KENNEDY TOWN TRAFFIC CHANGE

* * *

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE CHANGED FOR

ABOUT SIX MONTHS FRQM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29) TO

FACILITATE SLOPE WORK AT BELCHER’S STREET.

THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE s

* AN 80-METRE SECTION OF BELCHER’S STREET NEAR SAI

CHEUNG STREET WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE FOR

TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.

* VEHICLES ON SAI CHEUNG STREET WILL BE PROHIBITED

FROM TURNING RIGHT INTO BELCHER’S STREET.

* A YELLOW BOX WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE EASTBOUND

CARRIAGEWAY OF BELCHER’S STREET AT ITS JUNCTION

WITH HOLLAND STREET.

- - 0 - -

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

- 12 -

FIRING PRACTICE

K M * M

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK

RANGE ON 13 DAYS IN MARCH.

THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS

ARE HOISTED.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DAYS AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE*

DATE

TIME

MARCH 1 (THURSDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 2 (FRIDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 5 (MONDAY)

8 AM - 11 PM

MARCH 6 (TUESDAY)

8 AM - 11 PM

MARCH 7 (WEDNESDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 9 (FRIDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 12 (MONDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 15 (THURSDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 20 (TUESDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 22 (THURSDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 27 (TUESDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 28 (WEDNESDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MARCH 29 (THURSDAY)

8 AM - 5 PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1984

- 13 -

WATER FIGURES

* * *

STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY)

STOOD AT 82.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 484.988 MILLION CUBIC

KTRES.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 420.602 MILLION

CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 71.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.

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

RESTRICTED ZONE EXTENDED

* *

FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 29), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO

7 PM RESTRICTION AT THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BULKELEY STREET

WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARDS FOR ABOUT 23 METRES TO ITS JUNCTION

WITH WHAMPOA STREET.

WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE

AUTHORISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM

PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING

GOODS.

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

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

CONTENTS PAGE NO,

MINISTER OF STATE MEETS PRESS................................................................................................ 1

JANUARY EXPORTS RISE SHARPLY................................................................................................... 12

NEW LOOK AT BROADCASTING................................................................................................................ 15

PUBLIC MEETINGS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE......................................................................... 17

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM ADEQUATE FOR ITS PURPOSE - DIRECTOR .. 19

.80 MILLION REALISED AT LAND SALE................................................................................... 22

TRACK AT SPORTS GROUND OPEN TO JOGGERS ................................................................... 23

ENTERTAINMaiT PROGRAMME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE....................................................... 23

BEST BEING DONE FOR CHILD CARE............................................................................................. 24

MORAL EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS .......................................................................... 25

MINISTER OF STATE LEAVES ................................................................................................................ 25

U.S. MAKES AUTHORISATION CALL ON TEXTILE CATEGORY ................................ 25

TUNNEL TRAFFIC ADVICE......................................................................................................................... 26

SOY STREET TRAFFIC CHANGE............................................................................................................. 26

TRAFFIC RESTRICTION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

‧ 1 ‧

MINISTER OF STATE MEETS PRESS

* * * *

FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT BY MR RICHARD LUCE, MINISTER OF

STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE

THIS AFTERNOONi

"FIRSTLY LET ME SAY THAT I AM VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE AGAIN.

THE LAST TIME WAS ONLY FIVE MONTHS AGO, AND, AS YOU KNOW, I ATTACH

GREAT IMPORTANCE TO REGULAR VISITS TO HONG KONG. I EXPLAINED ON

MY ARRIVAL THAT I HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING A FAR EASTERN TOUR. I HAVE

BEEN ATTENDING THE FIRST NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BRUNEI WITH

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND I GO ON TODAY TO MALAYSIA, AND I REGARD

THIS AS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY TOUR. JUST LIKE LAST TIME, IN

SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, I, OF COURSE, HAVE HAD LENGTHY TALKS

WITH THE GOVERNOR AND, INDEED, AS WITH LAST TIME, WITH THE BRITISH

AMBASSADOR IN PEKING, AND I VALUED THAT VERY MUCH. I HAVE ALSO

HAD CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND VERY FULL

DISCUSSIONS TOO, LAST NIGHT WITH UMELCO AND, OF COURSE, THAT

REINFORCES THE POINT THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE REPEATEDLY

MADE ABOUT THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF CONSULTATIONS, WITH THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND WITH THE UNOFFICIALS.

"I HAVE CONTINUED AS WITH LAST TIME TO LISTEN TO A WIDE RANGE

OF VIEWS, AND I THINK THIS ADDS FURTHER TO THE CROSS SECTION OF

VIEWS THAT I ATTEMPTED TO LISTEN TO, THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG, IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF

THE SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.

"I HAVE ALSO HAD THE CHANCE THIS MORNING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT

MORE OF HONG KONG BY VISITING THE EASTERN DISTRICT. AND I CANNOT

STATE ENOUGH TIMES, THE VALUE THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN

SECRETARY AND I PLACE UPON PERSONAL CONTACT AT THIS PERIOD IN THE

HISTORY OF HONG KONG. HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT ARE COMMITTED TO

SEARCH FOR A SETTLEMENT WHICH WILL ENSURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY

IN HONG KONG, A SETTLEMENT WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, WILL BE ACCEPTABLE

TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - THAT IS OUR AIM - TO THE CHINESE

GOVERNMENT AND, OF COURSE, TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

"THE TALKS ARE PROCEEDING - BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THE ATMOSPHERE IN THESE TALKS IS GOOD.

WE ARE COVERING DETAILED GROUND AND, OF COURSE AS YOU KNOW, THE

LAST TALKS WERE LAST WEEK IN PEKING, THE NINTH ROUND. WE ARE

GETTING ON STEADILY WITH THESE TALKS AND WHAT WE, THE BRITISH

GOVERNMENT, WANT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR HONG KONG. AND

I WANT TO STRESS TO YOU THAT I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE TO

ACHIEVE. THESE TALKS WHICH WE ARE HAVING IN PEKING, ARE PROCEEDING

AT A PACE WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE JUST THAT OBJECTIVE. AND

I WANT TO SAY THIS: THAT UPPERMOST IN OUR MIND, THE MIND OF

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, IS YOUR FUTURE, THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE

OF HONG KONG. I HAVE VALUED MY VISIT HERE ENORMOUSLY, AS

I DO EACH TIME. AND I SHALL BE REPORTING OF COURSE ON MY VISIT

TO SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, AND I SHOULD JUST

ADD, PERHAPS, AS A FINAL REMARK THAT SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WILL

HOPE TO VISIT HONG KONG IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

"NOW I AM VERY HAPPY TO TRY AND ANSWER QUESTIONS."

/QUESTION SESSION ....................

TUESDAY, FEBRUAjiY 28, 1984

QUESTION SESSION

Q: CAN I ASK YOU IF YOU THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE 1997 ISSUE? AND, IF SO, HOW

MUCH REAL INFORMATION CAN THE LEGCO COUNCILLORS BE GIVEN ON THE

STATE OF THE 1997 TALKS?

A: WELL, THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.

UNDER THE RULES, THEY ARE PERFECTLY ENTITLED IF THEY WISH TO DO SO,

ID HAVE THIS PARTICULAR DEBATE. AND MY OWN VIEW IS THAT IT IS

PERFECTLY NATURAL AND PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THEY SHOULD

HAVE THIS DEBATE, AND IT WILL BE FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN

VIEWS.

Q: HOW MUCH REAL INFORMATION CAN YOU GIVE THEM?

Ax WELL, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. THAT IS FOR

THEM, IT IS THEIR CHOICE, THEY ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS DEBATE.

THEY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN VIEWS. THAT IS FOR

THEM.

Qx PEKING HAS SET VARIOUS DEADLINES, LIKE SEPTEMBER, OR JUNE, OR

JULY. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO HEAR WHAT THE BRITISH PROPOSALS ARE?

WE HAVE HEARD WHAT PEKING’S PROPOSALS ARE. WHEN CAN WE HEAR WHAT

BRITAIN’S PROPOSALS ARE?

As WELL, AS I SAY, THE TALKS ARE PROCEEDING STEADILY. WHAT REALLY

MATTERS, IT SEEMS TO US, IS TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION, THE RIGHT

SOLUTION, IN OUR JUDGEMENT, FOR HONG KONG. I HAVE SAID BEFORE,

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS SAID BEFORE, MANY A TIME, WE HAVE NO

DEADLINE. BUT WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO PROCEED AS FAST AS IS REASONABLE.

WE ARE PROGRESSING STEADILY. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO JUST THAT.

I THINK THE ONLY WAY I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS - THAT WE DON’T

HAVE A DEADLINE. BUT, OBVIOUSLY, IT IS IN EVERYBODY’S INTERESTS

IO SEE US REACH AN AGREEMENT AS SOON AS IS SENSIBLE AND POSSIBLE.

Qx SO. BY JUNE OR JULY?

As OH. WE CERTAINLY, I CANNOT GIVE A TIME SCALE- IT WOULD BE QUITE

WRONG. BUT WE ARE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS.

Q: JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. YOU SAID THAT THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL WAS ENTITLED TO THIS DEBATE. ARE YOU TALKING THERE ABOUT

DEBATE, ABOUT DEBATE ON MARCH 14, OR ARE YOU SAYING THAT LEGCO IS

ENTITLED TO HAVE AN INFORMED PRIOR DEBATE ON WHATEVER THE PROPOSED

SETTLEMENT IS?

As WELL, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROPOSE OF

THEIR OWN ACCORD TO HAVE A DEBATE, IN MID-MARCH, ON THE SUBJECT

THEY HAVE DETERMINED. IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO EXPRESS THEIR

VIEWS. WHAT I HAVE SAID TO YOU IS THAT, UNDER THE RULES, AS I

UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS DEBATE AND

ALL I AM TELLING YOU IS THAT I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY REASONABLE,

PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE AND PERFECTLY NATURAL.

/q: BUT THAT................

TUESDAY, FEB HUW 28, 1984

Qi BUT THAT IS THE PROCEDURAL STEP. DO YOU THINK THEY ALSO SHOULD

HAVE AN INFORMED DEBATE ...........

A: YOU MEAN AT A LATER STAGE? I AM SO SORRY, I MIS-UNDERSTOOD

YOUR QUESTION. I THINK, MYSELF, THAT THE WHOLE QUESTION OF, WHEN

WE PRODUCE AN AGREEMENT, IT IS MOST IMPORTANT, MOST IMPORTANT,

THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE TIME TO ABSORB THAT AGREEMENT, TO ASSESS

IT, TO REFLECT UPON IT, TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS UPON IT. NOW, IN THAT

CONTEXT, IF THIS IS YOUR QUESTION, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OBVIOUSLY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY. AND IT WILL BE FOR THEM,

OBVIOUSLY, TO DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF DISCUSSIONS THEY HAVE AS WELL.

Qi IF UNOFFICIALS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PARTICIPATE IN A LEGCO

DEBATE, ON 1997, WOULD THAT CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY?

As I THINK THE WHOLE QUESTION OF THE RULES AND PROCEDURES OF THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH ARE ALL CLEARLY LAID OUT, ARE A MATTER

FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AS TO WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN’T DEBATE.

WHAT THEY ARE DEBATING IS A PARTICULAR MOTION, AND IT GIVES THEM,

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. I SEE

NOTHING UNUSUAL OR EXTRAORDINARY IN THIS AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT

I THINK IT IS NATURAL. WHAT THEY ARE NOT DEBATING, IF THAT IS YOUR

QUESTION, IS DETAILED AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN ON THE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG BECAUSE THERE ISN’T, AS YET, A DETAILED

AGREEMENT. BUT THEY CAN, OBVIOUSLY, IN THIS DEBATE, EXPRESS THEIR

VIEWS.

Q: BEFORE A FINAL AGREEMENT IS ACTUALLY ANNOUNCED TO THE BRITISH

PARLIAMENT, I MEAN ....

A: YES. BEFORE IT IS FINAL - WILL THEY HAVE A DEBATE? IS YOUR

QUESTION.

Q: NO. NO. IF THEY DO HAVE A DEBATE ON 1997 BEFORE ANYTHING IS

GIVEN TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT FOR CONSIDERATION, WOULD THAT

CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY.

Ai I SHOULD VERY MUCH DOUBT IT. I HAVEN’T GOT TO THE STAGE OF

CONSIDERING WHAT THE PRECISE DETAILS OF HOW WE TEST THE OBJECTIVE

WE HAVE IN MIND - WHICH IS THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THIS TO THE PEOPLE

OF HONG KONG. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT

ROLE. AND PERHAPS I COULD GO ON TO SAY SOMETHING ELSE; WHICH IS

IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS, WE HAVE SAID THIS AGREEMENT MUST BE

ACCEPTABLE, OBVIOUSLY, NOT ONLY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BUT TO

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. AND, I WILL ASK YOU TO PUT YOURSELVES

IN THE MIND OF ANY BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN. HE WILL, BEFORE HE

VOTES, WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE VIEW OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

BEFORE HE ACTUALLY VOTES. AND SO, THE REFLECTIONS OF THE VIEWS

OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, EXPRESSED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, AND YOU

HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS ONE ELEMENT IN IT, AN

IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN IT, WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR WHEN THE

BRITISH PARLIAMENT COMES TO ASSESS THE OVERALL AGREEMENT.

/Q: CAN I ................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

Q: CAN I THEN TAKE IT THAT YOU ARE ENDORSING THE MOTION PUT

FORWARD BY MR LOBO? AND ARE YOU AFRAID THAT IF THERE IS A

DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHETHER IT WILL ACTUALLY

AFFECT THE PROGRESS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS?

As I CERTAINLY WILL NOT SAY I ENDORSE OR NOT ENDORSE ANY

MEASURES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE. BUT, I HAVE

NOTED, AND YOU WILL NOTE, THAT IN THE QUEEN’S SPEECH OF LAST

SUMMER, WE MADE IT QUITE PLAIN OURSELVES, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S

OBJECTIVE IS THAT ANY AGREEMENT, OUR AIM IS THAT ANY AGREEMENT,

SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. NOW YOU MUST

THEREFORE SEE THAT MOTION, AS I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION TO BE, THIS

IS A MATTER FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG

KONG. I AM NOT GOING TO SEEK TO DICTATE TO THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD

DO AND SAY, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROCEDURES. AND THEY WILL EXPRESS

THEIR OWN VIEWS. AND I SHALL LISTEN AND HEAR WITH VERY GREAT

INTEREST TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

Qs ARE YOU AFRAID IT WILL AFFECT THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS IF

IT IS DEBATED?

A: CAN I, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT; I COULDN’T HEAR?

Q: ARE YOU AFRAID IT WILL AFFECT THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS IF

IT IS DEBATED AND, LET’S SAY, THEY COME OUT AGAINST THE DRAFT

SOLUTION WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED, AND THEN IT IS LIKE

GOING BACK TO STAGE ONE AGAIN?

A: WELL, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IN MID-MARCH YOU ARE ANTICIPATING

THAT THERE IS A DRAFT SOLUTION BY MID-MARCH WHICH THEY ARE GOING

TO DEBATE. THIS IS NOT, I UNDERSTAND, THE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

I THINK YOU ARE, IF I MAY SAY SO, SLIGHTLY MUDDLING THE SET OF

CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THIS DEBATE IS TAKING PLACE. YOU KNOW

WHAT THE MOTION IS, YOU KNOW WHAT THE QUEEN’S SPEECH SAYS-

I DON’T SEE ANY PROBLEM OR ANY DIFFICULTY AND I THINK IT IS

GOOD THAT THEY ARE EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS. LET THEM EXPRESS

THEIR VIEWS.

Qs SINCE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL NOT KNOW WHAT THE AGREEMENT

IS UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REACHED, IF THEY EXPRESS DISLIKE OF ANY

PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF IT, ARE YOU PREPARED TO GO BACK TO PEKING

AND SAY; ’WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE THIS?’

As WELL. LET ME SAY THIS. THAT WE ARE GIVING NOW, OBVIOUSLY,

VERY VERY CAREFUL THOUGHT TO THE BEST WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN GIVE

A CHANCE, THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE, TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THEIR FUTURE. AND WE HAVEN’T REACHED

ANY FINAL DECISIONS ON THIS. THERE ARE VARIOUS THOUGHTS IN OUR

MIND. THERE ARE VARIOUS PROCEDURES THAT WE MAY WANT TO GO THROUGH.

AND, CLEARLY THE QUESTION OF GIVING ADEQUATE TIME TO THE PEOPLE

CF HONG KONG TO ASSESS ALL THIS AND TO GIVE US THEIR VIEWS. AND,

CERTAINLY, THIS IS A MATTER ON WHICH WE ARE GIVING THE HIGHEST

CF PRIORITIES.

/Q: HOW WOULD................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

- 5 -

Qs HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE VIEWS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED

TO YOU SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE? ARE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE?

A: WELL, I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED TO ASSESS THE VIEWS EXPRESSED

TO ME LAST SEPTEMBER AND AGAIN ON MY VISIT THIS TIME. AND IF

I WERE TO TRY AND ENCAPSULATE IT, I WOULD SAY THAT WHAT PEOPLE

HAVE REALLY SAID TO ME THEY MOST WANT IS CONTINUITY OF SYSTEMS,

THEIR WAY OF LIFE, CONTINUATION OF THE GROWTH OF PROSPERITY AND

STABILITY. AND THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT WE ARE AIMING TO ACHIEVE

FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND I THINK THAT THAT REFLECTS,

BROADLY SPEAKING, A CROSS-SECTION OF VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN

EXPRESSED TO ME BOTH LAST TIME AND CERTAINLY THIS TIME.

Q: THE FOREIGN OFFICE APPEARS TO BE STILL SAYING THAT THE TALKS

COULD BE STEPPED UP TO MINISTERIAL LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO THE TIME

CF AN ANNOUNCEMENT. DOES THAT MEAN THAT WHEN WE CAN EXPECT A

BROAD AGREEMENT YOU WILL GO TO PEKING? AND ALSO, YOU SAID EARLIER

THAT YOU PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON PRESENCE HERE. DOES THAT MEAN

YOU WILL BE COMING BACK HERE IN THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS?

A: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THERE IS A LOT I WOULD LIKE TO DO AND

SEE. I ATTACH IMPORTANCE PERSONALLY TO REGULAR VISITS. AS FAR AS

MINISTERIAL PARTICIPATION IS CONCERNED, I THINK THAT WAS THE FIRST

PART OF YOUR QUESTION, IT IS, OF COURSE, TRUE THAT, UP TO NOW,

THERE HAS BEEN NO MINISTERIAL PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTUAL TALKS,

AND, OUR POSITION IS THAT, AS AND WHEN WE FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE

HELPFUL AND USEFUL - I WAS GOING TO SAY ’USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE’

(LAUGHTER) - THEN, CERTAINLY WE WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MINISTERIAL

PARTICIPATION.

Qt LAST OCTOBER, WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER WAS SPEAKING TO A BBC

’PHONE-IN’ PROGRAMME, SHE REFERRED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF A BRITISH

LINK AND, I QUOTES ’WE THINK THAT THE BRITISH LINK IS VERY, VERY

IMPORTANT INDEED BECAUSE IT IS PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KIND OF

SUCCESS THEY HAVE HAD IN HONG KONG’. END OF QUOTE. ARISING FROM

THAT, MAY I ASK: DO YOU THINK THAT THE BRITISH LINK IS STILL

IMPORTANT? AND WOULD YOU SPECIFY WHAT THAT BRITISH LINK COULD

hE AN?

A: WELL. ALL THESE FACTORS ARE BEING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT DURING

THE COURSE OF THESE TALKS. AND WE COME BACK TIME AND AGAIN TO

THE POINT: WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY AND

PROSPERITY AND TO THE CONTINUITY OF SYSTEMS WHICH IS THE GENERAL

OBJECTIVE IN THESE TALKS FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?

I CAN’T COMMENT ON SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE DISCUSSIONS, BECAUSE I

WOULD BE BREAKING THE ONE FACTOR THAT I KNOW IS FRUSTRATING TO

YOU - AND IS FRUSTRATING TO US - BUT IS NECESSARY, AND THAT IS

THAT THE TALKS HAVE TO BE CONFIDENTIAL. AND ALL OUR MINDS ARE

FOCUSSED UPON: WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT WILL BE MOST CONDUCIVE

TO HELPING THIS CRITERIA OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND THE

CONTINUATION OF THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,

WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO THEM? AND THESE ARE ALL ELEMENTS IN

THE DISCUSSION.

/Q: MR LUCE................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

Q: MR LUCE...

A: I SHOULD JUST ADD, SORRY, BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR QUESTION, I HAVE

HAD A WIDE. VARIETY OF VIEWS PUT TO ME AND THESE ARE THE KIND OF

QUESTIONS AND POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT TO ME OVEH THE COURSE OF

BOTH MY VISITS.

Q: MR LUCE, CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION IN CHINESE?

Q. DO. But* | SHALL JUST HAVE TO PUT MY FAMOUS EARPHONES ON.

I HAVEN’T GOT TO THE STAGE OF BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND CHINESE.

Qs (IN CHINESE): WHEN YOU WERE LAST IN HONG KONG, YOU SAID THAT

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD TRY ITS BEST TO FIND A SOLUTION AND

THAT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

AND THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS, BUT IN A SITUATION WHERE

WE DON’T HAVE HAVE ANY REFERENDUM, HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT THE

SOLUTION EVENTUALLY REACHED WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG?

Q: DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT THE QUESTION IN ENGLISH?

A: NO, NO, NO. THE INTERPRETER IS VERY GOOD INDEED. I THINK

I AM THERE. WELL, WE ARE ON, AGAIN, THE ACCEPTABILITY AND HOW

IT IS ACHIEVED. AND I THINK, AS I SAID EARLIER, NO FINAL

DECISIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AS TO THE MECHANICS FOR ACCEPTABILITY.

IT IS A MATTER OF VERY GREAT IMPORTANCE. I WOULD MAKE ONE

OBSERVATION IN ALL THIS, AND THAT IS THAT HONG KONG REALLY HAS,

AND IT STRIKES AN OUTSIDER LIKE ME, IT STRIKES, I HAVE NOTICED,

EVERY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT WHEN HE VISITS HERE, THE RATHER, IN

SOME WAYS UNIQUE, AND SOPHISTICATED RANGE OF INSTITUTIONS THAT

HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED AND ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING

DEVELOPED STILL FURTHER IN HONG KONG. I DON’T JUST MEAN THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, I DON’T JUST MEAN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

YOU HAVE GOT YOUR URBAN DISTRICT COUNCILS, YOUR DISTRICT BOARDS,

YOU HAVE GOT THIS LATEST PROPOSAL, THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS

ANNOUNCED, FOR REGIONAL COUNCILS. THERE ARE OTHER MEANS TOO.

YOU HAVE UMELCO, OF COURSE, AND THE RATHER DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

AND MECHANICS, MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, INVOLVED THERE. AND SO, HONG

KONG HAS, AS I SEE IT, OVER THE YEARS DEVELOPED A HIGHLY

SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM. THEREFORE WE MUST TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT,

THAT VERY FULLY INTO ACCOUNT, WHEN WE ARE ASSESSING HOW WE CAN

TAKE THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. BUT, I MUST STRESS

TO YOU, NO FINAL DECISIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN. IT IS OUR INTENTION

AND OUR OBJECTIVE TO UNDERTAKE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF

OPINIONS, TO GET THEIR OPINIONS, TO GET THEM FED BACK TO US, AND

TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE TIME TO DO JUST THIS. AND,

WE WILL, OBVIOUSLY, BE ABLE TO FORM OUR FINAL JUDGEMENTS ABOUT

HOW THIS IS DONE IN DUE COURSE.

Q: HOW ABOUT IF SOMEONE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PROPOSED

AGREEMENT? WHAT WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DO TO TAKE CARE

OF THIS?

/As WHY DIIB'T................

TUESDAY, FEBHUAHY 28, 1984

- 7 -

As WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK YOUR FIRST QUESTION IN ENGLISH (LAUGHTER)?

OR ARE YOU COMPROMISING, ONE OF EACH? IF IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE DID

YOU SAY? NOW YOU ARE GETTING TO A STAGE WHICH IS FAR AHEAD. WE

ARE AIMING TO PRODUCE A SOLUTION. AND, AS I HAVE SAID, I BELIEVE

IT IS ACHIEVABLE. A SOLUTION WHICH WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE

PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND I MUST REMIND YOU OF SOMETHING THAT I

BELIEVE I SAID LAST TIME: I BELIEVE THERE IS A CONVERGENCE OF

INTEREST BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THERE IS A DESIRE TO SEE STABILITY

AND PROSPERITY. IN WHOSE INTERESTS MIGHT IT BE NOT TO SEE THIS?

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT MUST WANT TO SEE THIS. WE CERTAINLY WANT

TO SEE IT. AND ABOVE ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT TO SEE IT.

NOW WE MUST WORK FOR THAT. WE MUST WORK FOR SUCCESS, THAT IS

WHAT OUR MIND IS ON AT THE PRESENT TIME.

Q: BUT IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT HE IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE

PROPOSED AGREEMENT, WILL YOU TAKE THAT TO THE UK?

A: THERE ARE A LOT OF IFS IN POLITICAL LIFE. THESE ARE ALL

FACTORS WE’LL HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AND, AT THE END OF THE DAY,

DON’T FORGET OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM, IN BRITAIN I AM TALKING

ABOUT. DON’T FORGET THAT IT IS PARLIAMENT THAT FINALLY HAS TO SAY

YES OR NO AND THOSE MEMBERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE AND THEY

WILL ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG

KONG.

Q: I WONDER IF I CAN TAKE IT FURTHER - YOU HAVE EXPRESSED THE

VIEW THAT YOU ARE HOPEFUL OF THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR HONG

KONG AND THAT YOU FEEL THE PRESENT TALKS ARE OF A PACE DESIGNED

TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE. NOW, HONG KONG ITSELF IS A HIGHLY

COMPLEX PLACE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING IT HISTORICALLY AND

GEOPOL ITICALLY ARE ALSO HIGHLY COMPLEX, ARE TALKS WHICH TAKE

PLACE EVERY THREE TO FOUR WEEKS, AND AFTER ALLOWING FOR TRANSLATION

ONLY CONSIST OF SIX HOURS OF EXCHANGES, LIKELY TO PRODUCE A

DETAILED AGREEMENT WHICH WILL BE THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR

HONG KONG? OR IS IT THAT THESE PRESENT TALKS BETWEEN DIPLOMATIC

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN

ARE DESIGNED TO REACH A BASIS OF AGREED PRINCIPLE FOR THE INTENSE

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE’S

REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN ON THE DETAILS OF A COMPLEX

AGREEMENT?

A: WELL. OF COURSE, IT IS REALLY FOR US TO JUDGE, THE REGULARITY

OF THE MEETINGS BETWEEN US AT OFFICIAL LEVEL IN PEKING IN THE

CONTEXT OF US ALL WANTING TO MAKE REASONABLE PROGRESS, AND

PROGRESS AS FAST AS IS REASONABLE - THAT IS THE BEST WAY OF

PUTTING IT. BUT, OF COURSE, IN BETWEEN THE OFFICIAL TALKS

WHICH TAKE PLACE THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF INFORMAL

CONTACT BETWEEN OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS. AND IF YOU COMBINE THE

IWO THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT OURSELVES, ABOUT THE PACE

AND THE RANGE OF DETAIL THAT HAS TO BE DISCUSSED. YOU, I THINK,

USED THE WORD ’COMPLEX’. YES, THERE ARE VERY MANY ISSUES INDEED

TO DISCUSS AND ALL THIS TAKES TIME; IT IS INEVITABLE. AND,

THEREFORE, THE COMBINATION OF THE HOLDING OF OFFICIAL TALKS AND

THE INFORMAL CONTACT THAT WE HAVE, IT IS A MATTER FOR US TO JUDGE

AT WHAT STAGE, AND HOW OFTEN WE MEET, AND WE LOOK AT THIS THE

WHOLE TIME. AND, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, THE DATES HAVE BEEN

FIXED FOR THE NEXT MEETING IN MARCH AT AN OFFICIAL LEVEL.

/Q: BUT IS ................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY,28, 1984

- 8

Q: BUT IS THIS A TWO-STAGE PROCESS IN WHICH THE FIRST STAGE IS

AN AGREEMENT ON PRINCIPAL AND THEN THE NEXT STAGE IS A NEGOTIATION

ON DETAIL?

A: OH WELL, NOW YOU ARE ASKING ME TO SAY 'LOOK HERE. I TOLD YOU

THAT THE TALKS ARE CONFIDENTIAL, NOW YOU ARE SAYING LET’S REVEAL

ALL THE DETAILS.’ THAT’S A GOOD TRY, A VERY GOOD ATTEMPT.

(LAUGHTER). IT IS FOR US TO.. WE ARE LOOKING, OBVIOUSLY, AT EVERY

ASPECT OF THIS AND IN CONSIDERABLE DETAIL AND I DON’T THINK I

HAVE GOT ANYTHING TO ADD TO IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN WE

PRODUCE WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION IT WILL

CONTAIN BOTH THE PRINCIPLES AND THE DETAIL - AND WE ARE WORKING

AT A REASONABLE PACE.

Qt THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS, IN THE PAST, RESISTED MEANINGFUL

SELF-RULE FOR HONG KONG. IS THE GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO ALLOW

GREATER SELF RULE FROM NOW UNTIL 1997. AND CAN THIS INCLUDE,

FOR EXAMPLE, THE FOLLOWING: SOME ELECTED MEMBERS OF LEGCO, AND

POLITICAL PARTIES?

A: WELL, ON THIS WHOLE QUESTION - WHEN YOU SAY ’SELF-RULE’ ARE

YOU TALKING ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION IN HONG KONG? I

TAKE IT THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO. WE AS A GOVERNMENT

FAVOUR PROGRESSIVE, DEMOCRATIC, EVOLUTION, OBVIOUSLY IN KEEPING

WITH THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG. WE HAVE NOTED WITH

GREAT INTEREST THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE FEW MONTHS AND YEARS AT

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF INCREASING THE

DEMOCRATIC ELEMENT IN IT, OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. THE

GOVERNOR HAS NOW ANNOUNCED A FURTHER STAGE IN WHICH HE HAS ASKED

THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THERE ARE NO HARD AND

FAST PLANS, BUT, OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE HAVE IN MIND IS THE LONG-TERM

STABILITY OF HONG KONG, AND THE DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION, ON A

PROGRESSIVE BASIS, IS OBVIOUSLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS.

Q: CAN LONG-TERM STABILITY INCLUDE POLITICAL PARTIES IN HONG KONG?

A: WELL, I THINK THIS HAS TO BE TAKEN STAGE BY STAGE, AND I SHOULD

ADD, THEREFORE, THAT OBVIOUSLY AS WE MOVE FROM ONE STAGE TO ANOTHER

THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AS TO HOW THEY WOULD LIKE

TO SEE IT DEVELOPED IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR. AND THAT IS

WHY THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE OTHER CHANGES

WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED, AS PART OF THIS DEMOCRATIC

EVOLUTION, HE HAS ASKED THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE. AND THERE WILL

BE CLOSE CONSULTATION AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STAGE. I

THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ON A STAGE BY STAGE BASIS.

Qs FOLLOWING ON FROM THAT: YOU MENTIONED EARLIER CONSULTATION

WITH PEOPLE - IS THERE STILL THE POSSIBILITY OF A REFERENDUM

IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE FUTURE?

Ai OBVIOUSLY THAT IS A FACTOR WE HAVE TO CONSIDER. I DID SAY

EARLIER THAT WE HAVE TAKEN NO DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THE PROPOSALS

WHICH WE AIM TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ARE

PUT, AND WHAT THE MECHANICS ARE, WHAT THE PROCEDURES WILL BE.

WE HAVE STILL TO MAKE A DECISION ON THAT.

/ft: SORRY TO................

TUESDAY, FEBBDAHY 28, 1984

Q: SORRY TO LABOUR THIS POINT, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING I WOULD

LIKE TO GET CLEARED UP FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE

AND THAT IS - IF THE UNOFFICIAL COUNCILLORS NEXT MONTH WIN THEIR

DEBATE AND THE MOTION IS ACCEPTED, THEREFORE, THAT BINDS LEGCO

TO DEBATE ANY PROPOSALS BEFORE AN AGREEMENT IS SIGNED. NOW, IF

LEGCO THEN THREW OUT THOSE PROPOSALS, WOULD THAT MEAN YOU WOULD

HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IN PEKING?

As I MUST SAY THAT I AM RATHER INTERESTED BY THE WAY YOU ARE

BUILDING UP ALL THIS. THERE IS THIS DEBATE IN MID-MARCH. THEY

ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS DEBATE. THEY HAVE THEIR MOTION. WE

ALL KNOW WHAT THE MOTION IS. YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THE QUEEN'S

SPEECH SAYS ABOUT ACCEPTABILITY. THAT IS PERFECTLY REASONABLE.

AlilD, I, FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT, WILL MAKE AN ASSUMPTION THAT

WHEN WE GET TO THE NEXT STAGE OF THE MECHANICS OR TESTING THE

OPINION OF HONG KONG, THEN CLEARLY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH

IS A VERY IMPORTANT BODY, WILL HAVE THEIR VIEWS TO MAKE, AND WE

SHALL HAVE TO TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT. THEN WE HAVE TO GET ON TO

THE FINAL STAGE IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS WITH A CHANCE FOR THE

BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

WILL TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AS WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I DON’T THINK I CAN REALLY HELPFULLY

SAY ANY MORE THAN THAT. I KNOW IT IS FRUSTRATING, BUT I DON’T

THINK I CAN SAY ANY MORE THAN THAT.

Q: YOU SAY THAT BRITAIN HAS SET NO DEADLINE. DOES THIS MEAN

THAT YOU ARE IGNORING THE CHINESE DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER?

As NO. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID, THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THE

FACT THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DO NOT HAVE A DEADLINE- WE DO

NOT BELIEVE THAT A DEADLINE IS CONDUCIVE TO PRODUCING THE RIGHT

SETTLEMENT - BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY FAIR ALSO TO SAY THAT THE

CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE REPEATEDLY SINCE 1982 SAID THAT THEY

THEMSELVES WISH TO TAKE SEPTEMBER OF 1984 AS A PERIOD IN WHICH

THEY WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THEIR OWN PROPOSALS. THAT IS A FACTOR

WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. THE QUESTION PUT TO ME WAS ’DO WE

BELIEVE IN DEADLINES?’ AS A GOVERNMENT WE HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID

’NO’. WE DON’T HAVE A DEADLINE. WE DON’T BELIEVE IN A DEADLINE.

WE ARE CONCERNED WITH GETTING THE RIGHT AND THE BEST AGREEMENT -

AS WE BELIEVE IS CHINA, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT - BUT, OF COURSE,

WE TAKE THE SEPTEMBER DEADLINE, AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED,

INTO ACCOUNT.

Qt DOES THIS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT? BECAUSE

THE SUMMER RECESS MEANS, EFFECTIVELY, THAT YOU’LL HAVE TO HAVE AN

AGREEMENT BY MAY?

A: WE HAVE NO DEADLINE. WE HAVE NO DEADLINE. WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

THE CHINESE POSITION, OF COURSE, WE TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT. *E HAVE

NO DEADLINE. AND, WHEN WE REACH AN AGREEMENT WE SHALL THEN PUT

THIS, OBVIOUSLY, FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CONSIDER. THAT

WILL TAKE TIME AND THE LAST STAGE, AS WE SEE IT, THE FINAL STAGE,

AS WE SEE IT, IN THIS PROCESS, WILL BE FOR THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. AND I CANNOT CONCEIVABLY GIVE YOU A DATE

OR A TIME AT THIS STAGE.

/Q: WE HAVE................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

Q: WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMMENTS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT

THE QUESTION OF ELECTIONS. AND IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE FLYING

VARIOUS KITES BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY APPEAR CONTRADICTORY. WE

HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE MIGHT BE ELECTIONS AS LONG AS THE ELECTED

OFFICIALS MEET WITH PEKING’S APPROVAL, OR THAT, THROUGH JI PENG-FEI,

THERE MIGHT BE A THREE-THREE STRUCTURE, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE MET

WITH DISPLEASURE IN THE LEFT-WING PRESS. AND THEN THIS MORNING

WE HAVE A REPORT FROM LONDON THAT, THROUGH FOREIGN OFFICE SOURCES,

PEKING HAD INDICATED THAT AN APPOINTED GOVERNOR WILL BE SOMEONE

ACCEPTABLE TO THE LIFESTYLE AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. NOW,

WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF PEKING’S STAND ON ELECTIONS AND WHAT

WEIGHT SHOULD WE GIVE ALL THESE COMMENTS?

A: WELL, WITHOUT BREAKING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE TALKS, -

AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS ONE OF MANY FACTORS THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN

INTO ACCOUNT LOOKING AT THE PERIOD BEYOND 1997. WHAT THE CHINESE

GOVERNMENT APPEAR TO HAVE SAID - THEY HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF HELPFUL

REMARKS ABOUT THE CONTINUATION OF THE LIFESTYLE OF THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG AND ABOUT STABILITY IN HONG KONG. WE TAKE IT THAT

SOME KIND OF DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE STABILITY

OF HONG KONG. SO, IT WOULD PROBABLY COME AS NO SURPRISE TO YOU

THAT THIS KIND OF ISSUE WILL HAVE TO FEATURE LOOKING BEYOND 1997.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALREADY HAVE A PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIC

EVOLUTION NOW AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE NOTED

THIS WITH INTEREST.

Qt MR LUCE, YOU HAVE REFUSED TO TALK IN TERMS OF DEADLINES,

CHINESE, PARLIAMENTARY OR OTHERWISE, BUT WOULDN’T YOU AGREE WITH

MRS SHIRLEY WILLIAMS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH CANNOT BE RUSHED

THROUGH THE UK PARLIAMENT IN ONE DAY? I AM THINKING NOW OF AN

ANALOGY WITH THE CHANGES IN THE CANADIAN CONSTITUTION *HICH TOOK

A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

At FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ABOUT SHIRLEY WILLIAMS

THAT I FOUGHT HER IN 1970 AND I FAILED TO DEFEAT HER IN 1970,

IN HER CONSTITUENCY AND, FOR THAT REASON, I HAVE A GREAT DEAL

OF RESPECT FOR HER. AND, INDEED, SHE IS AN OLD FRIEND. OF COURSE

IT IS RIGHT THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TIME FOR ASSESSMENT,

AND FOR REFLECTION, FOR ABSORPTION, AND THAT INCLUDES THE BRITISH

PARLIAMENT, BUT WE ARE TALKING A LONG WAY AHEAD AS FAR AS THE

BRITISH PARLIAMENT IS CONCERNED BECAUSE, AS I HAVE TOLD YOU, THEY

WILL HAVE TO VOTE AT THE END OF THE DAY. HOW MANY DAYS IS GIVEN

FOR THEM TO ASSESS THE DEBATE IS A MATTER FOR PARTY MANAGERS AND

FOR THE PRIME MINISTER TO DECIDE, BUT THAT IS A LONG WAY AHEAD.

WE HAVE TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FIRST AND GET THEIR

VIEWS.

Q: THE WAY YOU DESCRIBE THE STAGES OF APPROVAL OF THIS BEST

POSSIBLE AGREEMENT, IT SEEMS THAT BY THE TIME IT GETS TO THE

HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND EVEN TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, IT WILL

BE TOO LATE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES IN IT, THAT IT WILL BE PRESENTED

ON A 'TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT’ SORT OF BASIS. IS THAT THE WAY IT

WILL BE?

/A: WELL, YOU ................

TUESDAY, FEBRUABY 28, 1984

As WELL, YOU HAVE TO THINK OF THIS QUESTION BE AGAINST THE

BACKGROUND OF THE FACT THAT WE ALL WANT THE SOLUTION TO ACCEPTABLE

TO THE PEOPLE. OF HONG KONG - THAT IS OUR DESIRE. AND SO YOU HAVE

TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT ABOUT HOW WE TEST THEIR OPINION AND HOW WE GET

THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, VIEWS, INCIDENTALLY, THAT,

IN ONE SENSE, WE ARE GETTING NOW, BECAUSE THEY ARE EXPRESSING

THEIR VIEWS TO US ABOUT THE FUTURE THEY WANT. AGAINST THAT

BACKGROUND, WHEN WE REACH A SOLUTION WE SHALL WANT IT TO BE ONE

THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - THAT IS OUR COMMON

AIM, COMMON OBJECTIVE. AND THEREFORE IT HAS TO BE SEEN AGAINST

THAT LIGHT, BACKGROUND.

Qt SO YOU FEEL THAT THE INFORMAL CONTACTS YOU ARE HAVING NOW

GIVE YOU ENOUGH OF AN IDEA THAT YOUR FINAL AGREEMENT WILL BE

CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE MARK TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF

HONG KONG?

As I CAN’T SAY THAT, BY SIMPLY TALKING TO PEOPLE NOW WHEN

THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT KIND OF AGREEMENT IT IS GOING TO BE,

IS IN ITSELF A GOOD TEST. THOUGH MY ABILITY TO TALK TO PEOPLE

AND TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS DOES, AT LEAST, GIVE ME A PICTURE AND

CONFIRMS WHAT I HAVE SAID EARLIER, WHAT I THINK THEIR ASPIRATIONS

AND DESIRES ARE. BUT THERE ARE VARIOUS STAGES IN THIS AND,

AS I SAY, I CAN’T DISCLOSE NOW BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T TAKEN

DECISIONS ABOUT HOW WE SOUND OPINION AND GET THE FEEDBACK

CF OPINION WHICH IS GOING TO BE SO IMPORTANT TO US.

Q: SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU MIGHT GET THAT AT A STAGE

EARLY ENOUGH TO GO BACK TO PEKING AND SAY, ’WE WOULD LIKE

TO CHANGE ONE OR TWO ITEMS’?

As WE SHALL HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT AS TIME GOES ALONG.

Q: THIS IS REALLY A POINT OF CLARIFICATION IN THE LIGHT OF

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID - IS IT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION

TO DISCLOSE ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSALS ON THE NEGOTIATIONS

PRIOR TO THE REACHING OF AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THE COMPETENCE

CF THE SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATORS? OR WILL CONFIDENTIALITY

PREVAIL UNTIL AFTER THAT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INITIALLED, IF

YOU LIKE, AND WHILE IT IS AWAITING RATIFICATION?

A: I THINK, ON THIS, PEOPLE, OBVIOUSLY, HERE, AND LET ME

TRY TO PUT MYSELF INTO THE SHOES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE,

THE FIVE MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, ARE NATURALLY, AND

UNDERSTANDABLY, ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. AND, IF THE

OBVIOUS REASON THAT WE HAVE GIVEN - IF WE ARE TO TRY AND

GET THE BEST SOLUTION THE TALKS HAVE TO REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL -

IT IS FRUSTRATING. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN, YOU DON’T

KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING, YOU FEEL MORE ANXIOUS AND WORRIED.

SO ALL THAT IS UNDERSTANDABLE, SO WE MUST, AND ARE, TAKING

THAT VERY, VERY FULLY INTO ACCOUNT. I CAN’T ANSWER YOUR

QUESTION SPECIFICALLY, BUT I CAN ANSWER IT BY SAYING THAT

WE IN LONDON ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO THE ANXIETY OF THE PEOPLE

CF HONG KONG TO KNOW, AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN, WHAT THE

PROSPECTS ARE FOR THEIR FUTURE. AND THAT, THE POINT YOU HAVE

MADE TO ME, IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION, IS ONE THAT WE HAVE

VERY MUCH IN OUR MINDS AT THE PRESENT TIME.

/Qs CHINA HAS................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

Q: CHINA HAS MADE SEVERAL PROPOSALS, A WIDE RANGE OF FREEDOMS

TO HONG KONG BUT HAS MADE NO MENTION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. DO

YOU THINK RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STABILITY AND

THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG?

As I HAVE CERTAINLY HAD THE POINT ABOUT THE DESIRE FOR FREEDOM

OF WORSHIP PUT TO ME WHEN I WAS LAST HERE AND I ACKNOWLEDGE

THAT IS IMPORTANT AS PART OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE WAY OF

LIFE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. YES. I DO AGREE.

Q: YOU SAID THAT SIR GEOFFREY WAS DUE TO VISIT HERE SOON.

IT HAS BEEN RUMOURED IN APRIL. DO YOU THINK THAT, WHEN HE

COMES IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT IN THAT IT WILL BE SHOWING

THAT THE PACE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE THEN BEING STEPPED

UP?

As FIRST OF ALL, NO PRECISE DATE HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE FIXED

YET. IT WILL BE, I AM SURE, IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND I KNOW

THAT SIR GEOFFREY HOWE IS ANXIOUS TO MAKE HIS VISIT. HIS

FIRST VISIT AS FOREIGN SECRETARY TO HONG KONG. HE LOOKS

FORWARD TO THAT AND, OF COURSE, IN THAT CONTEXT, IT WILL BE

SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT.

0 - -

JANUARY EXPORTS RISE SHARPLY

* * * *

THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1984 INCREASED

SUBSTANTIALLY BY 68 PER CENT OR $4 351 MILLION OVER JANUARY 1983,

TO REACH $10 791 MILLION, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES

PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ALSO ROSE RAPIDLY, BY 61 PER CENT OR

$2 258 MILLION TO $5 976 MILLION.

THUS, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE

VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $16 767 MILLION, WAS 65 PER CENT OR

$6 609 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE A YEAR EARLIER.

THE VALUE OF IMPORTS REACHED $15 899 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF

38 PER CENT OR $4 362 MILLION OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.

THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS GREATER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS AND

THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT RECORDED A SURPLUS OF $868 MILLION. THIS

IS THE FIRST SURPLUS SINCE AUGUST 1980, WHEN THE SURPLUS WAS ONLY

$16 MILLION.

PUTTING THE MONTH’S TRADE FIGURES INTO CONTEXT, A GOVERNMENT

SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT COMPARING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING

JANUARY 1984 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1983, OVERALL TRADE

HAD GROWN BY MORE THAN 27 PER CENT. FURTHER, THE GROWTH RATE OF

THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT 31 PER CENT, WAS FASTER THAN THAT OF

THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, AT 25 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE VISIBLE

TRADE GAP (I.E. THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED

BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS) IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1984

NARROWED TO SEVEN PER CENT, FROM 11 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS

12-MONTH PERIOD.

/COMUNTING ON

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984.

- 13 -

COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, THE SPOKESMAN

SAID THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED STRONG AND EXCEEDED THE

$10 000 MILLION MARK FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH.

HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT TRADE FIGURES FOR THE BEGINNING MONTHS

OF THE YEAR ARE, AS USUAL, INFLUENCED BY THE TIMING OF THE CHINESE

NEW YEAR AND THAT SOME OF THE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1984

REFLECT INCREASED SHIPMENTS PRIOR TO THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS

WAS IN PART DUE TO ANTICIPATION OF HIGHER RETAIL SALES DURING THE

CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND

SEMI-MANUFACTURES ALSO CONTINUED TO SHOW INCREASES.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE

FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1984:

TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY, 1984

THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING

PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES

FOR

JANUARY:

MERCHANDISES DOMESTIC EXPORTS

‧

$10

791

MILLION

RE-EXPORTS

‧ ■

$ 5

976

MILL ION

TOTAL EXPORTS

$16

767

MILLION

IMPORTS

‧

$15

899

MILLION

TRADE BALANCE

■ ■

( IN

868 MILLION

SURPLUS)

COMPARATIVE FIGURES

LATEST 3 MONTHS

NOVEMBER 1983

JANUARY 1984

NOVEMBER 1982

JANUARY 1983

INCREASE OR

DECREASE

$ MN.

$ MN. %

DOMESTIC EXPORTS

32 105

21 978

+10 127 +46.1

RE-EXPORTS

17 939

12 154

+ 5 785 +47.6

TOTAL EXPORTS

50 044

34 132

+15 912 +46.6

IMPORTS

51 856

37 781

+14 075 +37.3

TRADE BALANCE

- 1 812

- 3 649

+ 1 837

/SAME_MONTH................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1?84

SAME MONTH LAST

YEAR

JANUARY

1984

JANUARY

1983

INCREASE OR

DECREASE

$ MN.

MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)

10 791

(64.4%)

6 440

(63.4%)

351

+67.6

RE-EXPORTS

5 976

3 718

258

+60.7

TOTAL EXPORTS

16 767

10 158

609

+65.1

IMPORTS

15 899

11 537

362

+37.8

TRADE BALANCE

+ 868

- 1 379

247

LAST MONTH

JANUARY

1984

DECEMBER

1983

INCREASE OR

DECREASE

3 MN.

$ MN.

MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS

(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS)

10 791

(64.4%)

10 922

(63.7%)

—

131

- 1.2

RE-EXPORTS

5 976

6 219

—

243

- 3.9

TOTAL EXPORTS

16 767

17 141

—

374

- 2.2

IMPORTS

15 899

18 925

—

026

-16.0

TRADE BALANCE

+ 868

- 1 784

652

LAST 12 MONTHS

FEBRUARY 1983

JANUARY 1984

FEBRUARY 1982

JANUARY 1983

INCREASE OR

DECREASE

MN.

$ MN.

MN.

DOMESTIC EXPORTS

108

757

83 232

+25

525

+30.7

RE-EXPORTS

‧58

552

44 752

+ 13

800

+30.8

TOTAL EXPORTS

167

309

127 984

+39

325

+30.7

IMPORTS

179

804

144 407

+35

397

+24.5

TRADE BALANCE

- 12

495

- 16 423

928

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

/15................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

NEW LOOK AT BROADCASTING

*****

THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A BOARD TO CONDUCT AN OVERALL

REVIEW OF TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING.

THE 16-MEMBER BOARD IS TO BE CHAIRED BY THE HON MR JUSTICE

POWER, WHO HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON TO EXPLAIN

THE TASK OF THE BOARD.

THE REVIEW WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PREPARE AN OVERALL

POLICY FOR BROADCASTING WHICH WILL BE IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS OF

THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

THE BOARD HAS WIDE-RANGING TERMS OF REFERENCE WHICH WILL

ALLOW IT TO EXAMINE ALL ASPECTS OF BROADCASTING IN THE TERRITORY.

PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO WHETHER CHANGES ARE

NECESSARY IN THE TENDERING PROCEDURES FOR THE NEW LICENCES WHICH

WILL BE AWARDED IN 1988 FOR TELEVISION, AND IN 1989 FOR SOUND

BROADCASTING, SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.

ADVERTISING, CENSORSHIP, FINANCIAL AND MAN-POWER RESOURCES

WILL ALSO BE ASSESSED.

THE BOARD WILL LOOK INTO THE ROLE OF THE TELEVISION AND

ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY, RTHK, GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING

AND EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION. DEVELOPMENTS IN FIELDS SUCH AS

CABLE SYSTEMS, DIRECT SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS AND OFF-AIR

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES WILL ALSO BE STUDIED.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BOARD WILL INVITE REPRESENTATIONS

FROM THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY, INTERESTED BODIES AND MEMBERS

OF THE PUBLIC. THE BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING SHORTLY

AND IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT ITS FINDINGS TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-

COUNCIL BY THE SUMMER OF 1985.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE:

HON MR JUSTICE POWER (CHAIRMAN)

MR A.G. COOPER (SECRETARY)

SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION’S REPRESENTATIVE

ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S REPRESENTATIVE

DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPRESENTATIVE

DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING

COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING

/POSTMASTEH-GaiEHAL................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

POSTMASTER-GENERAL

THE HON ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, OBE, JP

THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, CPM

MRS PAMELA CHAN WONG SHUI

DR LAM YAT-WAH

MR MICHAEL STEVENSON, JP

MR TSIM TAK-LUNG

MRS MAISIE WONG SHIN-U, JP

ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:

TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL ON THE

BROADCASTING POLICIES TO BE ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE

PERIOD FOLLOWING EXPIRY OF THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL TELEVISION

AND RADIO LICENCES, IN 1988 AND 1989; THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO

BE BASED ON:-

(A) ASSESSMENT OF THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE POPULATION

AFTER 1988 FOR BOTH TELEVISION AND SOUND BROADCASTING,

IN TERMS OF QUANTITY, VARIETY AND QUALITY;

(B) EXAMINATION OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATED

FIELDS, SUCH AS CABLE SYSTEMS, DIRECT SATELLITE

TRANSMISSIONS, OFF-AIR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES,

MULTIPLEX, TELETEXT, DATA TRANSMISSION AND TELECOMMUNICATION,

IN RELATION TO COSTS AND WITH REGARD

TO THEIR SUITABILITY FOR HONG KONG IN THE 199O’S

AND BEYOND;

TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCASTS, SUCH AS INDEPENDENT

STATIONS, A SINGLE TRANSMITTING ORGANISATION WITH

PROGRAMME CONTRACTORS, RECEPTION VIA SATELLITE

ETC, HAVING REGARD TO THE BBC RELAY STATION BEING

SET UP IN HONG KONG;

(D) ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES

AVAILABLE TO THE LOCAL BROADCASTING INDUSTRY;

(E) CONSIDERATION OF THE CHANGES REQUIRED IN THE CONDITIONS

OF ADVERTISING CONTROL, WITH A VIEW TO THE POSSIBILITY

OF BANNING CERTAIN TYPES OF ADVERTISEMENT, ON THE ONE

HAND, AND IMPROVING THE SOURCES OF REVENUE AND EARNING

CAPACITY OF FUTURE LICENSEES TO PROVIDE A SOUND BASE

FOR BETTER PROGRAMMES, ON THE OTHER;

/(?) ASSESSMENT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

(F) ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF RTHK AND GOVERNMENT

BROADCASTS, INCLUDING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

TELEVISION AND THE USE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC

INTEREST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION?

(G) ASSESSMENT OF THE FUTURE CENSORSHIP AND MONITORING

REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING CHANGES IN THE ROLE OF THE

TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY;

TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANY

LEGISLATION CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE BOARD’S

RECOMMENDATIONS.

TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MANNER OF CALLING FOR BIDS

AND THE INVITING OF TENDERS FOR BROADCASTING LICENCES.

THE BOARD WILL INVITE REPRESENTATIONS FROM ANY PERSON OR

ORGANISATION WITH AN INTEREST IN BROADCASTING, AND SHALL FORM

SUCH SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS AS IT SEES FIT.

_ _ 0 - -

NOTE TO EDITORS?

PUBLIC MEETINGS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

* * * *

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILL WILL THIS

YEAR BE HOLDING MEETINGS IN PUBLIC TO EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES

OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1984-85.

THERE WILL BE FOUR MEETINGS IN ALL, EACH STARTING AT 2.30 PM

IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER - ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7?

THURSDAY, MARCH 8? FRIDAY, MARCH 9? AND MONDAY, MARCH 12.

EACH YEAR THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE ARE FORMALLY

PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE THIS

YEAR ON BUDGET DAY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), AT THE PRESENTATION

AND SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

THE PRESIDENT THEN REFERS THEM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING

ORDERS. TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR EXAMINATION BEFORE

CONSIDERATION OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL IN COMMITTEE OF THE

WHOLE COUNCIL.

STANDING ORDERS ALSO PROVIDE THAT: +FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY

SUCH EXAMINATION THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SHALL, UNLESS THE COMMITTEE

OTHERWISE ORDER, MEET IN PUBLIC AND MAY CALL BEFORE THEM TO GIVE

EVIDENCE THE PUBLIC OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICE OR

SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER ANY HEAD OF THE ESTIMATES.*

/prior to

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

PRIOR TO THE MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, UNOFFICIAL

MEMBERS, WHO ARE THE ONLY MEMBERS TO HAVE A VOTE, FORM THEMSELVES

INTO WORKING GROUPS TO STUDY THE ESTIMATES AND FORMULATE QUESTIONS

AS TO THEIR CONTENT AS OPPOSED TO THE POLICIES UNDERLINING THEM.

THESE QUESTIONS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES - THOSE

REQUIRING WRITTEN REPLIES FROM CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND THOSE

FOR WHICH THOSE OFFICERS WILL HAVE TO APPEAR IN PERSON BEFORE

THE COMMITTEE TO GIVE ORAL EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISION

SOUGHT.

EACH AFTERNOON’S MEETING WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE EXAMINATION

OF A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND THE AGENDA WILL COMMENCE

WITH A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF THE WRITTEN REPLIES TO THE WRITTEN

QUESTIONS RAISED BEFORE THE MEETING.

IF MEMBERS WISH TO RAISE FURTHER QUESTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH

THESE REPLIES, THEY WILL SIGNIFY THEIR INTENTION TO THE CHAIRMAN

AT THIS STAGE. HE WILL THEN ARRANGE FOR THE RELEVENT CONTROLLING

OFFICER TO ATTEND THE MEETING AFTER ALL THE OTHER CONTROLLING

OFFICERS LISTED IN THE TIMETABLE FOR ORAL EXAMINATION THAT

AFTERNOON HAVE BEEN EXAMINED. IF THE CONTROLLING OFFICER IS

ALREADY ON THE LIST, THE QUESTION WILL BE PUT TO HIM AFTER HE

HAS ANSWERED THOSE QUESTIONS OF WHICH HE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN

NOTIFIED.

EACH CONTROLLING OFFICER CALLED TO APPEAR PERSONALLY FOR

ORAL EXAMINATION WILL SIT NEXT TO THE CHAIRMAN IN THE CHAMBER.

THE CHAIRMAN WILL READ OUT EACH OF THE QUESTIONS TO WHICH MEMBERS

HAVE REQUESTED AN ORAL REPLY, AND THE OFFICER WILL THEN REPLY.

THE CHAIRMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO RULE OUT OF ORDER ANY QUESTIONS

WHICH HE CONSIDERS INAPPROPRIATE TO THE EXAMINATION OF THE

ESTIMATES.

AFTER EACH REPLY, MEMBERS MAY ASK SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS

IN CONNECTION WITH THE SAME SUBJECT. AFTER THE CONTROLLING

OFFICER HAS ANSWERED ALL THE NOTIFIED QUESTIONS AND THE

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS, MEMBERS MAY ASK ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

RELATIVE TO THE HEAD OR SUBHEAD OF EXPENDITURE CONTROLLED BY THE

OFFICER APPEARING BEFORE THEM, INCLUDING QUESTIONS RELATING TO

THE WRITTEN REPLIES.

WHEN ALL CONTROLLING OFFICERS ON THE LIST FOR THE AFTERNOON

HAVE BEEN EXAMINED, THE CHAIRMAN WILL SUMMON IN, ONE BY ONE, ANY

OTHER CONTROLLING OFFICER TO WHOM MEMBERS WISH TO PUT QUESTIONS

AS NOTIFIED AT THE START OF THE MEETING.

THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE ASSISTANT FINANCIAL

SECRETARY OR SECRETARIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROUP OF SERVICES

UNDER EXAMINATION ON ANY GIVEN AFTERNOON WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE

TO PROVIDE FURTHER CLARIFICATION OF THE ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,

AND THE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND

THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, WHO HAVE NO VOTE.

ALL UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE MEMBERS

CF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WITH FULL VOTING POWERS.

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

/19............

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM ADEQUATE FOR ITS PURPOSE - DIRECTOR

* * * * *

HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS ADEQUATE FOR ITS PURPOSE

CF ENSURING THAT EACH FAMILY HAS SUFFICIENT MONEY TO PROVIDE FOR THE

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF FOOD, SHELTER AND OTHER AMENITIES, THE

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG

NORTHWEST, HE SAID: +WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WIDE RANGE OF

SERVICES PROVIDED IN OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE - EDUCATION, HOUSING,

HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE - I SEE NO REASON TO BE APOLOGETIC

ABOUT OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS FIELD.*

MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN

APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE IN RECENT YEARS.

AT THE END OF 1980, THERE WERE ONLY 45 600 FAMILIES RECEIVING

ASSISTANCE. THE 1983 FIGURE OF 54 70Q REPRESENTS ABOUT A 20 PER

CENT INCREASE, HE SAID.

THE ESTIMATED PROVISION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN THE NEXT

FINANCIAL YEAR IS $540 MILLION, AS COMPARED WITH ONLY $222 MILLION

IN TOTAL PAYMENTS IN 1980-81.

+THIS INCREASE IS OF COURSE ONLY PARTLY DUE TO THE INCREASE IN

CASELOAD,+ HE SAID.

+THE REST IS DUE TO THE HIGHER LEVEL OF BENEFITS.*

MR CHAMBERS DESCRIBED THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AS +AN

INCOME MAINTENANCE SCHEME.*

+IN OTHER WORDS,* HE SAID, +THERE ARE PRESCRIBED LEVELS OF

INCOME FOR FAMILIES OF VARIOUS SIZES AND IF THE FAMILY’S TOTAL

INCOME FALLS BELOW THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL, THE DIFFERENCE IS MADE

UP BY MEANS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.*

IN ADDITION TO THE INCOME TEST, THERE IS A SAVINGS LIMIT OF

$6 450 FOR A SINGLE PERSON ON HIS OWN, OR $4 300 FOR EACH MEMBER

OF A FAMILY. IF THE FAMILY’S TOTAL SAVINGS EXCEED THESE LEVELS,

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS NOT PAYABLE.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT A FAMILY OF FOUR WOULD, ON TOP OF A

BASIC INCOME LEVEL OF $1 425, BE ENTITLED TO A RENT ALLOWANCE UP

TO A MAXIMUM OF $953 A MONTH, AS WELL AS DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE CHILDREN, ESSENTIAL TRAVELLING

EXPENSES AND EXTRA DIETARY ALLOWANCES WHERE THESE WERE REQUIRED.

A FAMILY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN 12 MONTHS WOULD

BE ENTITLED TO AN ANNUAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT OF $1 290, WHICH IS

INTENDED TO HELP MEET THE COST OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND DURABLE

GOODS.

/MH chambebs................

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

MR CHAMBERS SAID ALSO THAT A MAN OVER 60 LIVING ON HIS OWN

WOULD BE ENTITLED TO A BASIC RATE OF $510 A MONTH, PLUS A RENT

ALLOWANCE OF $276, AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT OF $255 AND AN ANNUAL

LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT OF $645. ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS FOR SPECIAL

DIETS AND OTHER PURPOSES WOULD BE MADE IF APPROPRIATE.

WHEN THE BASIC SCALE RATES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1971, THEY WERE

FIXED AT A VERY MODEST SUBSISTENCE LEVEL. +BUT THERE HAVE BEEN

QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS SINCE THEN,+ HE SAID.

IN 1972 THE SCALES WERE REVISED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ADDITIONAL

ITEMS OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE NOT PROVIDED IN THE ORIGINAL SCALE

OF ASSISTANCE. PROVISION WAS ALSO ADDED FOR DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS

TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS.

IN 1978, THE LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENTS WERE ADDED, AS WELL.AS

SUPPLEMENTS FOR THOSE OVER 60, AND PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS

DISABILITIES.

+PERHAPS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE PUBLIC

ASSISTANCE SCHEME TOOK PLACE IN JULY 1981 WHEN THERE WAS A REAL

INCREASE (THAT IS, OVER AND ABOVE THE INCREASE JUSTIFIED BY THE

RISE IN THE COST OF LIVING) OF 25 PER CENT ON THE BASIC SCALE,+

CHAMBERS SAID.

+THIS REFLECTED A RISE IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE

POPULATION AS A WHOLE AND ENSURED THAT THE POOREST MEMBERS OF

OUR COMMUNITY WERE ABLE TO HAVE A SHARE IN HONG KONG’S INCREASING

PROSPERITY.+

APART FROM THESE CHANGES IN THE REAL VALUE OF PUBLIC

ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS SINCE 1971, THERE HAVE BEEN NINE REVISIONS

CF THE BASIC RATES DURING THE PERIOD TO REFLECT INCREASES IN

THE COST OF LIVING.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES HAD INCREASED

BY 363 PER CENT SINCE 1972, WHEREAS THE INCREASE IN THE CP 1(A)

WAS ONLY ABOUT 225 PER CENT.

THIS WAS PARTLY THE RESULT OF THE +REAL+ INCREASE IN 1981 AND

PARTLY BECAUSE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX INCLUDES A LARGER

ELEMENT FOR FOOD PRICES THAN THE CP I (A) AND FOOD PRICES HAVE

RISEN FASTER THAN THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES IN

RECENT YEARS.

+CERTAINLY,+ HE SAID, +PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE NO

LONGER AT SUBSISTENCE LEVEL.+

MR CHAMBERS SAID THE ADEQUACY OF THESE PAYMENTS COULD BE

GAUGED BY LOOKING AT THE AVERAGE INDUSTRIAL WAGE, NOW AT ABOUT

$2 100 A MONTH.

A FOUR-PERSON FAMILY ON ASSISTANCE WOULD RECEIVE UP TO $2 378

A MONTH BASIC RATE AND RENT ALLOWANCE, PLUS ANY DISCRETIONARY

PAYMENTS MADE, SO THAT THEY COULD BE SOMEWHAT BETTER OFF THAN

A SIMILAR FAMILY WITH ONE BREADWINNER DRAWING THE AVERAGE

INDUSTRIAL WAGE.

/MR chambers ...............

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 19c4

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT IF PAYMENTS WERE TOO HIGH, THERE WOULD

BE A DANGER THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD PREFER TO LIVE ON SOCIAL

SECURITY PAYMENTS RATHER THAN WORK.

SYSTEMS IN SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAD BEEN CRITICISED ON

THIS ACCOUNT, HE SAID.

+THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING HERE,* MR

CHAMBERS SAID. + IN FACT, ONLY SIX PER CENT OF THE BENEFICIARIES

ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF UNEMPLOYMENT OR LOW EARNINGS.+

+EVEN AT THE TIME WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT WAS CONSIDERABLY

HIGHER THAN IT IS NOW, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT BY NO MEANS ALL

THOSE ELIGIBLE WERE APPLYING FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,+ HE ADDED.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT WITHIN THE SCHEME, THERE WERE ALSO

ARRANGEMENTS TO DISREGARD AT LEAST PART OF THE EARNINGS OF PUBLIC

ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS, SO AS NOT TO DISCOURAGE THEM FROM SEEKING

WORK.

+WE DO HAVE TO KEEP A CAREFUL WATCH FOR ABUSES OF THE SYSTEM

SINCE THIS CAN EASILY BRING THE WHOLE SCHEME INTO DISREPUTE,* HE

SAID. +FROM TIME TO TIME CASES OF FALSE STATEMENTS OR FAILURE TO

REPORT INCOME FULLY DO OCCUR AND WE FEEL THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO

PROSECUTE IN SUCH CASES.*

ALTHOUGH THE SCHEME WAS THE BASIS OF THE

SYSTEM, IT WAS NOT THE ONLY FORM OF FINANCIAL

SOCIAL SECURITY

HELP.

THERE WERE ALSO AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO ANYONE AGED

TO OR OVER, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, AND THE NON-MEANS-TESTED

DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED.

+THE ESTIMATED FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THESE TWO ALLOWANCES NEXT

YEAR AMOUNT TO NEARLY $845 MILLION, WHICH IS CONSIDERABLY MORE

THAN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME ITSELF,* HE SAID.

+TAKEN TOGETHER THE THREE SCHEMES WILL COST THE HONG KONG

TAXPAYER WELL OVER $1 OOO MILLION, IN 1984/85.+

THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER SCHEMES WHICH PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP

FOR PEOPLE IN NEED FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIC REASONS, INCLUDING THE

CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME, THE

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND EMERGENCY RELIEF

FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM TYPHOON, FLOOD OR FIRE, HE SAID.

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

/22

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

- 22 -

$80 MILLION REALISED AT LAND SALE

*****

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND WERE SOLD FOR ALMOST $80 MILLION AT

AN HOUR-LONG AUCTION AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE TODAY

(TUESDAY).

THE SALE OF A 1 579 SQUARE METRE NON-1NDUSTRI AL SITE IN

ABERDEEN WAS POSTPONED FOR +TECHNICAL REASONS+, BUT THE AUCTIONEER,

GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIM MILLS, SAID IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE

RE-OFFERED AT THE NEXT AUCTION ON APRIL 18.

A SITE IN TUEN MUN FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WAS

WITHDRAWN BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BIDS. MR MILLS HAD ASKED FOR

BIDDING TO START AT $11 MILLION ON THE 7 791 SQUARE METRE LOT.

THE FIRST SITE TO BE SOLD WENT TO KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY

LIMITED FOR $36.4 MILLION.

IT IS IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN

DEVELOPMENT OR FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A BUS DEPOT.

IT MEASURES 21 070 SQUARE METRES AND THE PRICE PAID WAS

$1 728 PER SQUARE METRE.

THE BUILDING COVENANT, TO BE FULFILLED IN 48 MONTHS, IS

$50 MILLION.

BIDDING ON THIS SITE OPENED AT $22 MILLION.

A SITE AT ON PONG ROAD, TAI PO NEW TOWN, MEASURING 9 016 SQUARE

PETRES. WAS SOLD FOR $28.2 MILLION ($3 128 PER SQUARE METRE).

BIDDING OPENED AT $20 MILLION. THE BUYER WAS SUN HUNG KAI

PROPERTIES L IMITED.

THE LOT, WHICH IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT, CARRIES

A BUILDING COVENANT OF $60 MILLION TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 48 MONTHS.

PR MILLS SAID IT WAS THE LAST TAI PO TOWN CENTRE SITE FOR SALE

BY AUCTION.

SALE CONDITIONS ALLOW FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TWO DOUBLE AND ONE

SINGLE CRUCIFORM STYLE, PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL TOWER BLOCKS ABOVE

A PODIUM.

THE MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL

BE 30 700 SQUARE METRES AND FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL, EXCLUDING GODOwN,

DEVELOPMENT 2 640 SQUARE METRES.

A 3 642-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT SAI CHING STREET, YUEN LONG,

WAS SOLD TO MORE TREASURE COMPANY LIMITED FOR $15.1 MILLION

($4 146 PER SQUARE METRE).

IT IS A NON-1NDUSTRI AL LOT WITH PLOT RATIOS VARYING FROM

3.3 TO 9.5 DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF BUILDINGS TO BE PUT UP.

/the develop eh...............

TUESDAY, FEBRUAHY 28, 1984

THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO FULFIL A $28 MILLION BUILDING

COVENANT WITHIN 48 MONTHS.

BIDDING OPENED AT $8 MILLION.

MR MILLS SAID HE WAS +VERY PLEASED+ WITH THE RESPONSE, BEARING

IN MIND THAT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WAS BUDGET DAY.

0 - -

TRACK AT SPORTS GROUND OPEN TO JOGGERS

* X * *

THE RUNNING TRACK AT THE NEW SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND WILL BE

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 1).

IT WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM DAILY, EXCEPT WHEN

THE PERIOD HAS BEEN BOOKED FOR EXCLUSIVE USE, A SPOKESMAN FOR

THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.

THE NEW ARRANGEMENT IS TO PROVIDE A PROPER VENUE TO LOCAL

ATHLETES AND JOGGERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

USERS OF THE TRACK ARE ADVISED TO WEAR RUBBER SHOES AND

TO ENTER THE TURFED SOCCER PITCH.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT NO SPIKER SHOES ARE ALLOWED ON

THE TRACK AND NO USERS MAY ENTER ITS INNER TWO LANES.

THOSE WISHING TO USE THE TRACK SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR

IDENTITY CARDS FOR REGISTRATION AT THE ENTRANCE.

0 - -

ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

* X * * *

MORE THAN 300 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TUEN MUN WILL BE TREATED TO

A VEGETARIAN FEAST AND A 90-MINUTE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME

TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.

THE PARTICIPANTS, ALL AGED OVER 65, ARE RESIDENTS OF THE SAM

SHING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE.

THE GATHERING IS ORGANISED BY THREE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF

THE ESTATE AND SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AS AN

EXPRESSION OF RESPECT TO THE AGED. IT IS ALSO AIMED AT PROMOTING

A SENSE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

THE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL START AT 5.30 PM, wILL

FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS, AND A CANTONESE

OPERA SHOW BY ESTATE RESIDENTS.

/A KUNG FU

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

A KUNG FU ACTOR, MR KWAN TAK-HING, WILL DEMONSTRATE

CALLIGRAPHY AND WRITE SPRING FESTIVAL SCROLLS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS

AS SOUVENIRS.

EACH PARTICIPANT WILL ALSO RECEIVE A RED PACKET - ’LAI SEE’ -

AS A NEW YEAR BLESSING.

OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY

FUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU WONG-FAT;

POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR V.F.D. CHAPMAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF TUEN

MUN RESPECT FOR THE AGED ASSOCIATION, MR LAU CHI-YUEN. THE

CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR TANG TUNG-CHUI; SENIOR

HOUSING MANAGER, MR HUI CHI-CHUNG; AND TWO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VEGETARIAN FEAST AND

ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TUEN MUN TO BE

HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT YAU HO RESTAURANT, STARTING

AT 5.30 PM.

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

BEST BEING DONE FOR CHILD CARE

* * * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING ITS BEST TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF

CHILD CARE SERVICES TO ENABLE YOUNG CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE BALANCED

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL

WELFARE (SOCIAL SECURITY), MR STEPHEN LAW, AT THE RE-NAMING CEREMONY

OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ NG SHEUNG LAN MEMORIAL DAY

NURSERY IN WAN CHAI.

THERE WAS A GREAT NEED FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF FAMILIES WITH BOTH PARENTS

WORKING, HE SAID.

AND THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 230 NURSERIES IN THE TERRITORY,

PROVIDING CARE FOR 23 000 CHILDREN, HE SAID.

SEVEN OF THEM ARE RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP, PROVIDING MORE

THAN 700 PLACES.

TUNG WAH IS PLANNING FIVE ADDITIONAL NURSERIES AT TAI PO,

TUEN MUN, DIAMOND HILL, MA TSAI HANG AND FANLING IN THE NEXT FIVE

YEARS.

THE NURSERY WHICH WAS RE-NAMED TODAY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1968.

IT CATERS FOR 84 CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

- 25 -

MORAL EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS

* * * *

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ORGANISING A SEMINAR TO ACQUAINT

SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WITH SOME SUGGESTED APPROACHES TO PROMOTE

ETHICAL AND MORAL EDUCATION THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 12 AT TANG SHIU KIN

VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.

TEACHERS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR SHOULD CONTACT

THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, RELIGIOUS-ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION, ADVISORY

INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 511, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN

AVENUE, HONG KONG, BY MARCH 16.

OWING TO LIMITED ACCOMMODATION, APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED

ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SEMINAR CAN BE MADE ON TEL.

5-8392483.

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

MINISTER OF STATE LEAVES

X * X X

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS,

NR RICHARD LUCE, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON FOR KUALA

LUMPUR. HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD

YOUDE.

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

U.S. MAKES AUTHORISATION CALL ON TEXTILE CATEGORY

X X X X

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE

UNITED STATES HAD MADE AN EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) CALL ON

CATEGORY 637 (MAN-MADE FIBRE PLAYSUITS, SUNSUITS AND WASHSUITS).

I”IS ’,S TH￡ SEC0ND EA CALL BY THE UNITED STATES SO FAR this

YEAR FOLLOWING THE ONE ON CATEGORY 652 (MMF UNDERWEAR) EARLIER’

i n i S MON TH.

PENDING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THE

.￡^TnHAS SUSPENDED THE ISSUE OF FURTHER EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS

FOR CATEGORY 637.

THE DEPARTMENT WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND ISSUE

EXPORT LICENCES .OR THIS CATEGORY AGAINST VALID EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS

APPROVED PRIOR TC THE SUSPENSION.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1984

TUNNEL TRAFFIC ADVICE

* * *

OWING TO THE CLOSURE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL +SLOW LANE+,

MOTORISTS FROM EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES ARE ADVISED TO USE KCR

TRAINS ON FEBRUARY 29 AND MARCH 1 TO AVOID TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

IKCRC WILL BOOST UP THE FREQUENCY OF TRAIN SERVICES, AND

KMB wILL OPERATE ADDITIONAL +K+ TRIPS.

LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL RESUME NORMAL OPERATION FROM 6.30 AM

ON MARCH 2.

1 -----------0--------------

SOY STREET TRAFFIC CHANGE

* * * *

FROM 10 AM ON MARCH 1 (THURSDAY), TRAFFIC ON THE SECTION OF

SOY STREET BETWEEN SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET AND NATHAN ROAD WILL BE

RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO

FACILITATE CIRCULATION.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTION

* X * *

FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 1), THE SECTION OF ABERDEEN

OLD MAIN STREET FROM ITS NORTHERN TIP TO A POINT 130 METRES NORTH

CF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD, WILL BE PROHIBITED TO ALL VEHICLES OVER

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

‧ BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUaRY 29, 1984

‧ ‧ * * . 9 ‧ * ‧ A

CON TINTS PAGE NO.

BUDGET SPEECH:

SIR JOHN SEES 'CLEARER SKIES AHEAD' ................................................................... 1

333-7 BILLION EXPECTED IN TOTAL COLLECTIONS .......................................... 3

53.3 BILLION DEFICIT EXPECTED ...................................................................................... 6

PUBLIC SPENDING SET aT 544 BILLION ...................................................................... 7

537 BILLION TO BE SPliNT ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT.................... 9

NO CUTBACKS IN WORKS PROGRAMME................................................................................... 11

SPENDING ON EDUCATION TO GO UP 18 PER CFNT ............................................. 12

GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE ON MEDICAL AND SOCIaL WELFARE

SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................................ 13

INCREASED FOUR-YEAR HOUSING PLAN FORECAST ................................................ 14

+DISCIPLINED SPENDING+ TO CONTINUE...................................................................... 15

POSITION AS FINANCIAL CENTRE STRENGTHENED ................................................ 19

BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE PROPOSED ...................................................................... 20

NEED FOR PROPER TAX BALANCE STRESSED................................................................ 22

NEW MEASURES PROPOSED TO PROTECT TAX YIELDS .......................................... 24

REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SOUGHT ............................................................................. 25

BETTING DUTY RAISED ...................................................................................................................... 26

LIQUOR TAX POLICY EXPLAINED ............................................................................................. 26

/TWO PER....................

TWO PER CWT TAX RISE PROPOSED................................................................................... 28

PROPOSED CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX +OF TRANSPORT NATURE*- .. 29

TAX PROPOSED ON INTEREST TO BUSINESSES ............................................................. 32

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND ............................................................................................... 34

NEW MEASURES PROPOSED FOR RATE CALCULATIONS .......................................... 35

DEBATE ADJOURNED ............................................................................................................................... 36

SIR JOHN SPEAKS ON TELEVISION ............................................................................................... 37

BUDGET BRIEFING'............................................................................................................................................ 38

TIUDE MINISTER ARRIVING ..................................................................................................................

NEW RATES EXPLAINED ............................................................................................................................... 39

SINGING AND SONG-WRITING CONTEST ...................................................................................... 39

TRAFFIC DIVERSION ..................................................................................................................................... 40

PROHIBITED ZONE............................................................................................................................................ 40

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29,

SIR JOHN SEES 'CLEARER SKIES AHEAD’

*****

THE 1984-85 BUDGET INDICATED CLEARER SKIES AHEAD, THE FINANCIAL

SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATICE COUNCIL

TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SUBJECT TO NO UNFORESEEN SHOCK, SIR JOHN BELIEVED THAT:

* THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT wILL INCREASE BY MORE THAN

SIX PER CENT;

* INFLATION WILL DROP TO SEVEN PER CENT BY THE END OF THE

YEAR;

* CAPITAL INVESTMENT WILL GROW AGAIN;

* REAL WAGES WILL BEGIN TO RISE WITH STABILISED EMPLOYMENT,

AND

* THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL REMAIN STRONG.

IN HIS FORECAST OF THE ECONOMY FOR 1984, SIR JOHN SAID LAST

YEAR ENDED WITH THE ECONOMY ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF STRONG EXPORT

GROWTH AND WITH THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE CONSEQUENT REVIVAL OF

DOMESTIC DEMAND APPARENT.

HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THE ECONOMY’S PERFORMANCE IN 1984 wOULD

AGAIN PRIMARILY BE DETERMINED BY THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPORTS.

THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY, HAVING PERFORMED BETTER THAN

GENERALLY EXPECTED IN 1983 WITH A GROWTH RATE OF 3.5 PER CENT,

IS EXPECTED TO GROW EVEN FASTER IN 1984, WITH A RATE OF GROWTH

CF ABOUT FIVE PER CENT BEING FORECAST BY OECD.

BUT, HE SAID, A NUMBER OF FACTORS SUGGEST THAT HONG KONG

WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO BENEFIT IN PROPORTION TO THIS INCREASE IN

GROWTH.

THE EMPHASIS SEEMED LIKELY TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RE-STOCKING

CF CONSUMER GOODS, WHICH WAS A FACTOR IN THE 26 PER CENT GROWTH

RATE IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG TO THE US IN 1983.

+THE EXHAUSTION OF CLOTHING AND TEXTILES QUOTAS IN 1983

LEAVES LITTLE ROOM FOR FURTHER GROWTH FOR THESE ITEMS I’. 13B4.

FINALLY IN 1983 THE SURGE IN EXPORTS TO THE US WAS UNDOUB’-^’ r

HELPED BY THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE

US DOLLAR,+ HE SAID.

BUT SOME RECOVERY WAS LIKELY IN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG'S

OTHER MAJOR MARKETS AND THIS RECOVERY, PLUS A FURTHER SUBSTANTIAL

GROWTH IN EXPORTS TO THE US, WOULD GIVE A FORECAST FOR DOMESTIC

EXPORTS IN 1984 OF 10 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, COMPARED * I Tri THE

14 PER CENT ACHIEVED IN 1983, HE SAID.

THIS, HE SAID, COMBINED WITH A FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF

RE-EXPORTS OF 16 PER CENT, WOULD GIVE A GROWTH FORECAST FOR TOTAL

EXPORTS OF 12 PER CENT, AGAINST 15 PER CENT IN 1983.

/SIR JCHi;

waWZSTDAY, FSBRUnHY 29, 198A

SIR JOHN SAID THAT GIVEN THE STRONG EXPORT PERFORMANCE

ACHIEVED IN 1983 AND EXPECTED IN 1984, EARNINGS INCLUDING wAGES

SHOULD RISE IN REAL TERMS. THE FORECAST GROWTH FOR PRIVATE

CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IN 1984 WAS SEVEN PER CENT.

.GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS FORECAST TO INCREASE

BY FIVE PER CENT, COMPARED WITH FOUR PER CENT IN 1983,+ HE SAID.

PRIVATE INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE, WHICH FELL BY EIGHT PER CENT

LAST YEAR, WOULD PARTICULARLY BE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST, HE SAID.

BUT THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY, WHICH BEGAN IN 1983 AND wAS EXPECTEu

TO CONTINUE THIS YEAR, SHOULD INDICATE A STRONG RECOVERY IN

PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE, WHICH, HOWEVER, THE CONTINUED

UNCERTAINTY AND THE OVERHANG OF VACANT PREMISES IN THE PROPERTY

SECTOR TENDED TO OFFSET.

HE SAID THAT IN PARTICULAR, PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING INTENTIuna,

WHICH DECLINED BY 24 PER CENT IN 1982, FELL BY ANOTHER 3'3 PER CENT

LAST YEAR, INDICATING LITTLE SCOPE FOR POSITIVE GROWTH IN PRIVATE

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE.

BUT, SIR JOHN ADDED, THERE WERE WELCOME SIGNS OF A REVIVAL

IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY TOWARDS THE END OF

LAST YEAR.

HE SAID THAT PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

WAS THUS FORECAST TO DECLINE BY TWO PER CENT THIS YEAR, AGAINST

A DECLINE OF 13 PER CENT IN 1983.

TAKING THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS TOGETHER, OVERALL

INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE BY

SIX PER CENT, AGAINST MINUS-ONE PER CENT LAST YEAR.

THESE FORECASTS, WHEN COMBINED WITH A FORECAST OF NINE PER

CENT FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

(WITH GROWTH COMING PRIMARILY FROM THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORP)

AND FORECASTS OF SOME OTHER, SMALLER COMPONENTS, WOULD GIVE

A FORECAST GROWTH RATE FOR GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION

FOR 1984 OF THREE PER CENT AGAINST MINUS-SEVEN PER CENT FOR 1983,

HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS

ASSOCIATED WITH THESE FORECASTS OF FINAL DEMAND WAS 11 PER CENT,

ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR’S OUTCOME OF 10 PER CENT.

+NET EXPORTS OF SERVICES ARE FORECAST TO INCREASE AT T*0

PER CENT, COMPARED WITH A DECLINE OF EIGHT PER CENT IN 1983.+

Ht SAID THAT THE COMBINATION OF THESE FORECASTS FOR THE

INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OF EXPENDITURE wOULD GIVE A GROwTh FORxC-ST

FOR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF SLIGHTLY ABOVE SIX PER CENT.

IF THESE FORECASTS WERE BORNE OUT, HE SAID, ECONOMIC GRO-Ti

IN 1°84 WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXPORT-LED, BUT wITh AN INCREASING

CONTRIBUTION FROM DOMESTIC DEMAND. AND, HE ADDED, THE GR%Th

RATE OF TOTAL FINAL DEMAND, EXCLUDING fcc-EXPORTS, aAo ￡a-ECTEl

AT SEVEN PER CENT, TO EXCEED THAT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRCDUC",

SIX PER CENT, BUT NOT SUFFICIENTLY TO GENERATE SIGNIFICANT H TER ,A_

INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.

FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 3 -

HE SAID THAT INFLATION WAS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AT OVER 13 PER

CENT FOR THE EARLY PART OF THE YEAR, BUT TO FALL STEADILY IN THE

LATER MONTHS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE AND

LOw INFLATION RATES ELSEWHERE.

THE RATE OF FALL WOULD BE LARGELY A FUNCTION OF THE LEVEL OF

THIS YEAR’S WAGE AWARDS, HE EXPLAINED.

+THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE OF BOTH THE GDP DEFLATOR AND

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES IS NINE PER CENT. AGAIN THIS MAY EE

CONSERVATIVE, BUT WE SHALL TAKE STOCK IN SIX MONTHS’ TIME,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID IT REFLECTED AN ESTIMATED AVERAGE FOR 1984 AS

A WHOLE — IN THE OPENING MONTHS INFLATION HAD BEEN RUNNING AT

ABOUT 12 PER CENT BUT WAS EXPECTED TO TREND DOWN TO ABOUT SEVEN

PER CENT AT THE END.

+ONCE AGAIN THE TREND IS ALL IMPORTANT. CONSEQUENTLY THE

PROGNOSIS FOR 1985 IS GOOD. AS I HAVE SAID EARLIER, POLICY MUST

BE LONG-TERM AND NOT CONCENTRATED JUST ON ONE YEAR,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE FOR GDP THIS YEAR

IN MONEY TERMS WAS THUS 16 PER CENT, AT CURRENT PRICES, PER

CAPITA GDP IN 1984 SHOULD BE ABOUT 344 700 OR JUST OVER USJ5 730.

THE GDP ITSELF SHOULD BE ABOUT $240 BILLION.

A FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF GDP OF SIX PER CENT MIGHT SEEM

SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING IN HISTORICAL TERMS FOR THE SECOND YEAR

CF AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY BUT, IF ACHIEVED, IT WOULD REPRESENT AN

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE GIVEN THE PRESENT OVERALL SITUATION,

SIR JOHN SAID.

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

$33.7 BILLION EXPECTED IN TOTAL COLLECTIONS

* * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDTE,

ANTICIPATES IN HIS 1984-85 REVENUE ESTIMATES TO COLLECT A TOTAL OF

$33.7 BILLION — $29 BILLION IN RECURRENT REVENUE AND $4.7

BILLION IN CAPITAL REVENUE.

+THIS DEPRESSINGLY LOW IF REALISTIC FORECAST REFLECTS THE

LAGGED EFFECTS OF THE RECENT RECESSION,* SIR JOHN TOLD THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

RECURRENT REVENUE AT $29 BILLION WAS ONLY $1.9 BILLION HIGHER

THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR FISCAL 1983, HE SAID IN EXPLAINING

THE BACKGROUND.

HE SAID THAT EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX SHOULD YIELD JUST OVER

$12.4 BILLION, OR ONLY ABOUT $840 MILLION MORE THAN THE REVISED

1983-84 ESTIMATES.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 19SU

- 4 -

+ l EXPECT A MODERATE INCREASE IN THE YIELD FROM INDIRECT

TAXES, MAINLY FROM IMPORT DUTIES, BETTING DUTY AND RATES. AT

$8.2 BILLION, INDIRECT TAXES ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $858 MILLION

HIGHER,+ HE SAID.

FOR ALL OTHER RECURRENT REVENUE, HE ANTICIPATED A YIELD OF

$8.4 BILLION OR ONLY $182 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE.

WHILE ALL OTHER COMPONENTS SHOULD YIELD $342 MILLION MORE, HE

EXPECTED REVENUE FROM PROPERTIE AND INVESTMENTS TO BE #160

MILLION LOWER, REFLECTING THE DECREASE IN THE GENERAL REVENUE

BALANCE.

SIR JOHN SAID THE ON-GOING EXERCISE TO KEEP FEES AND CHARGES

UP TO DATE WOULD CONTINUE DURING FISCAL 1984 AND WHERE JUSTIFIED

BY RISING COSTS, PROPOSALS FOR INCREASES WOULD BE MADE DURING

THE YEAR.

CONTINUING, HE SAID THE ESTIMATE OF CAPITAL REVENUE FOR

FISCAL 1984 WOULD BE $4.73 BILLION WITH THE MAJOR ELEMENT CONTINUING

TO BE LAND REVENUE ESTIMATED AT $4.23 BILLION AGAINST THE ACTUAL

REVENUE OF $5.05 BILLION IN 1982-83 AND A REVISED ESTIMATE FOR

1983-84 OF $2.27 BILLION.

+LAND REVENUE REMAINS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE,*

HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE REVENUE IN FISCAL 1982 REFLECTED TO SOME

EXTENT LINGERING EFFECTS OF THE PROPERTY BOOM OF 1980 AND 1981.

+AS I EXPLAINED IN MY BUDGET SPEECH LAST YEAR, THIS FIGURE

DEPENDED PRIMARILY ON THE SUCCESSFUL SALE OF A NUMBER OF

RELATIVELY LARGE SITES, AND I WARNED THEN THAT THE MARGINS FOR

ERROR WERE CONSIDERABLE. THE REVISED ESTIMATE IS INDEED $730

MILLION LESS,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THE 1983-84 LAND SALE PROGRAMME BY AUCTION AND

TENDER CONSTITUTED THE SINGLE LARGEST PROSPECTIVE COMPONENT OF

LAND REVENUE ORIGINALLY COMPRISING 96.7 HECTARES AND FROM WHICH

HE HAD EXPECTED REVENUE OF $1.7 BILLION.

IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR THE PROGRAMME WAS CONSIDERABLY

REVISED, TAKING THE FORM OF TWO LISTS -- SITES WHICH SEEMED LIKELY

TO ATTRACT GENERAL BIDDER INTEREST AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE PUT

ON THE MARKET, AND SITES WHICH SHOULD REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR SALE

WHEN READY BUT WOULD ONLY BE OFFERED ON APPLICATION BY DEVELOPERS

READY TO MEET MINIMUM PRICE CRITERIA.

HE SAID THE RESHAPED PROGRAMME CONSISTED OF 53.4 HECTARES,

WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF 1.2 BILLION, EXCLUDING ADMIRALTY II.

SIR JOHN SAID HE MENTIONED LAST YEAR THERE WERE FIVE

WELL-KNOWN, LARGE AND VALUABLE SITES WHICH HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED

IN THE ORIGINAL PROGRAMME AND OF THESE, ADMIRALTY II WAS THE ONLY

ONE IN WHICH SPECIFIC INTEREST WAS SHOWN THE AUCTION ACTUALLY

REALISED $380 MILLION.

+OVER $1 BILLION MORE WILL BE SPENT ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE TnJS

DEMONSTRATING A MAJOR RENEWAL OF DEVELOPMENT INTEREST,* HE ADDED.

WEDNESDAY, FESRUkR”

SIR JOHN SAID REVENUE FROM PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS HAD FALLEN

MARKEDLY BELOw EXPECTATIONS IN FISCAL 1983, PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE

OF THE RESCHEDULING OF THE DATES ON WHICH SITES ON THE ISLAND

LINE WERE TO BE GRANTED TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED TOTAL LAND REVENUE FOR

FISCAL 1084 WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY DISTORTED BY THE FINAL

INSTALMENT PAYMENT DUE OF $1.9 BILLION IN RESPECT OF EXCHANGE

SQUARE.

.OTHERWISE THE TOTAL LAND REVENUE -- WHICH DOES NOT

REPRESENT ONLY LANDS SALES -- SHOULD BE OVER $2 BILLION, MUCH

THE SAME AS I NOW EXPECT TO RECEIVE IN RESPECT OF 1983-84,+

HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THE 1984-85 LAND SALES PROGRAMME WOULD

MAINTAIN THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SITES INTENDED TO BE PUT ON SALE

DURING THE YEAR (33 HECTARES) AND SITES TO BE PUT ON SALE ONLY

IF A DEVELOPER INDICATED A FIRM INTEREST (32.1 HECTARES).

HE ANTICIPATED REVENUE OF $730 MILLION FROM SALES BY AUCTION

OR TENDER, $1 BILLION FROM PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS, AND $573 MILLION

FROM MODIFICATIONS AND REGRANTS.

THE GOVERNMENT, HE EXPLAINED, HAD DECIDED IN 1983 THAT

FROM APRIL 1, 1984, LETTERS B WOULD BE MONETISED AND THEIR USE

EXTENDED TO PAY FOR LAND PURCHASES AT AUCTIONS AND IN TENDERS,

FOR PRIVATE TREATY GRANTS, FOR MODIFICATIONS AND EXCHANGES AND

FOR OTHER LAND-RELATED TRANSACTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HE SAID THAT IT WAS AGREED AT THE SAME TIME THAT,

EXCEPTIONALLY, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO OFFERING CERTAIN

MAJOR SITES IN THE URBAN AREA WHERE PAYMENT BY MONETISED LETTERS

B WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.

+TWO OF THESE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1984-85 PROGRAMME.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT LETTERS B TO THE VALUE OF ROUGHLY $403

MILLION MIGHT BE REDEEMED IN THE COMING YEAR AS A RESULT OF

MONETISATION. THE ESTIMATE OF REVENUE RECEIVABLE HAS BEEN REDUCED

ACCORDINGLY,+ HE SA ID.

THE TOTAL ESTIMATED LAND REVENUE OF $4.2 BILLION IN 1984-85

WOULD UNLIKELY BE REPEATED IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HE SAID.

+BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS ESTIMATE INCLUDES THE EXTRAORDINARY

INSTALMENT PAYMENT OF $1.9 BILLION AND THE PAYMENTS OF PRIVATE

GRANT PREMIA FOR THE ISLAND LINE, LAND REVENUE IN

1985-86 CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE $2 BILLION. THIS

CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION IN PROBABLE REVENUE FOR 1985-86 HAS OBVIOUS

IMPLICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET,* SIR JOHN WARNED.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1934

$3.3 BILLION DEFICIT EXPECTED

MM*

THE BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR IS

EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $3.3 BILLION, COMPARED WITH THE ENVISAGED

DEFICIT OF $3.2 BILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN

BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

BOTH REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE WOULD BE APPRECIABLY LOWER

THAN ORIGINALLY EXPECTED, SIR JOHN EXPLAINED.

THE REVISED ESTIMATES ARE $30.3 BILLION FOR REVENUE AND

$33.6 BILLION FOR EXPENDITURE.

.STATISTICALLY SPEAKING, THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO THE ESTIMATE.

IT REPRESENTS MUCH HARD WORK BY ALL CONCERNED. THE BASIC BUDGETARY

DILEMMA EMERGES FROM THE FACT THAT TOTAL REVENUE IN 1983-84 WILL

ACTUALLY BE LOWER THAN IN BOTH THE PREVIOUS YEARS,* HE POINTED

OUT.

ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, REVENUE IN 1983-84 IS EXPECTED TO BE

$1.56 BILLION LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

THIS SHORTFALL ARISES LARGELY FROM LOWER THAN EXPECTED

YIELDS FROM BOTH DUTIES AND MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION

TAX (WHERE RESISTANCE TO THE NEW RATES WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED),

FROM EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX AND FROM STAMP DUTIES.

HOWEVER, THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IS

ALSO EXPECTED TO BE $528 MILLION LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL

ESTIMATE, REFLECTING THE MODERATE LEVEL OF THE 1983 CIVIL SERVICE

SALARIES ADJUSTMENT AND TIGHT FINANCIAL CONTROL.

+THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING IN WHICH RECURRENT EXPENDITURE

HAS BEEN HELD DOWN BELOW BUDGET,* SIR JOHN POINTED OUT, THANKING

ALL VOTE CONTROLLERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, HE SAID, REVENUE IS EXPECTED TO BE

$427 MILLION LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE OF LESS THAN EXPECTED

REVENUE FROM LAND TRANSACTIONS, OFFSET PARTIALLY BY A TRANSFER

OF $250 MILLION FROM THE EXCHANGE FUND TO COMPENSATE FOR THE

LOSS OF REVENUE RESULTING FROM THE REMOVAL OF THE TAX ON INTEREST

EARNED ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS EXPECTED TO BE

$1.3 BILLION LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

SIR JOHN NOTED THAT THIS RESULTED MAINLY FROM SLOWER THAN

EXPECTED EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS, PLUS AN INCREASE IN

DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND REVENUE, WHICH HAD ENABLED REDUCTIONS

TO BE MADE IN THE TRANSFERS TO FUNDS.

THE INCREASE IN THIS REVENUE, HE ADDED, HAD RESULTED FROM

THE PURCHASE BY THE EXCHANGE FUND OF THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND’S

EQUITY HOLDINGS.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUkRY 29. 1984

THE DEFICIT ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT IS CONSEQUENTLY

EXPECTED TO BE $7.2 BILLION, $930 MILLION LESS THAN ORIGINALLY

EXPECTED, SIR JOHN SAID.

.WITH THE TRANSFER OF THE 1983-84 DEFICIT TO THE GENERAL

REVENUE BALANCE, OUR REASSURING FISCAL RESERVES WILL BE ABOUT

$15.8 BILLION. MOST IS LENT TO THE EXCHANGE FUND AGAINST INTEREST

BEARING DEBT CERTIFICATES.

.AFTER ALLOWING, ON THE BASIS OF THE USUAL GEARING OF THREE,

$7.6 BILLION AS COVER FOR OUR FORMAL CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

(WHICH WILL BE ABOUT $22.7 BILLION BY MARCH 31, 1988, THE LAST

YEAR OF THE NEW FORECAST PERIOD), WE SHOULD HAVE AT APRIL 1, 1984

’FREE’ FISCAL RESERVES OF ABOUT $8.2 BILL ION,+ HE SAID.

WHILE THESE FREE RESERVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN A

.DISCIPLINED AND INTELLIGENT MANNER,+ THE LIMITS ARE OBVIOUS,

HE NOTED.

. AS WE DIP INTO THE WELL WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO

INFLOW,+ SIR JOHN ADDED.

- 0 -

PUBLIC SPENDING SET AT $44 BILLION

*****

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, IN HIS

BUDGET SPEECH TODAY PROPOSED $44 BILLION AS THE TOTAL PUBLIC SECTOR

EXPENDITURE FOR FISCAL 1984-85 ON THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT.

THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 9.5 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS

OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $40.2 BILLION FOR FISCAL 1983-84.

. IN REAL TERMS THIS IS BELOW THE EXPECTED GROWTH RATE OF THE

GDP TO ALLOW FOR SENSIBLE MARGINS,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE REVISED

ESTIMATES WERE NECESSARILY BASED ON ONLY NINE MONTHS’ PERFORMANCE

SO THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE

FINANCIAL YEAR COULD RENDER THE ESTIMATES INACCURATE.

BUT, SIR JOHN SAID THAT THE NEW COMPUTERISED SYSTEM OF UPDATING

THE ACCOUNTS HAD AT LEAST ENABLED HIM TO BASE HIS REVISED ESTIMATES

ON NINE-MONTH, INSTEAD OF SEVEN-MONTH,FIGURES.

. TO THAT EXTENT, I HOPE THEY WILL PROVE MORE PRECISE THAN

IN THE PAST, BUT THEY CAN NEVER BE WHOLLY ACCURATE,+ HE ADDED.

SIR JOHN REAFFIRMED HIS INTENTION TO ENSURE THAT THE GROWTH

RATE IN REAL TERMS IN PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON CONSOLIDATED

ACCOUNT WOULD NOT EXCEED, OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, THE GDP GROWTH

RATE.

THE PUBLIC SECTOR’S SHARE OF THE GDP HAS BEEN COMPLICATED

THIS FINANCIAL YEAR BY THE AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE GDP ESTIMATES.

/ON 7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29,

ON THE BASIS OF THE OLD GDP ESTIMATES, CONSOLIDATED EXPENDITURE

IN 1982-83 REPRESENTED 22.4 PER CENT OF GDP, AND IN 1983-84, IT

WOULD HAVE REPRESENTED 22 PER CENT, SIR JOHN SAID.

ON THE BASIS OF THE NEW GDP FIGURES, THE COMPARISON WOULD

BE 19.4 PER CENT IN 1983-84 AND ONLY 18.3 PER CENT IN 1984-85,

HE ADDED.

+THIS CONTINUING FALL, THE FIRST FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ILLUSTRATES

MY PROMISES TO KEEP PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE UNDER TIGHT CONTROL,

WHILE STILL PROCEEDING STEADILY WITH MAJOR PROGRAMMES. THE TASK

IS NOT EASY,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

EXPLAINING HIS EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS IN BROAD TERMS, HE SAID

THAT THE PROPOSED GROWTH IN GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE,

EXCLUDING TRANSFERS TO FUNDS, BUT INCLUDING A PROVISION OF

$2 BILLION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS, WOULD BE ABOUT 15.5 PER CENT

IN MONEY TERMS.

THE LOWER GROWTH OF 9.5 PER CENT IN EXPENDITURE REFLECTED

THE FACT THAT TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN 1984-85 IS EXPECTED

TO BE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN IN 1983-84, HE POINTED OUT.

+1 MUST STRESS, HOWEVER, THAT THIS REDUCTION DOES NOT REFLECT

ANY CUT BACK IN THE PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL WORKS, AS I WILL DEMONSTRATE

LATER,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE APPARENT SLOWDOWN IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

IN 1984-85 TO TWO MAIN REASONS.

THE FIRST WAS AN INEVITABLE FLATTENING OUT OF ANNUAL EXPENDITURE

FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AS A NUMBER OF LARGE PROJECTS

APPROACH COMPLETION.

SIR JOHN MENTldkED IN PARTICULAR THE MODERNISATION OF THE

KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WHICH IS NEARING THE END, WITH

THE KCR’S CAPITAL EXPENDITURE HAVING NOW FALLEN FROM $650 MILLION

IN 1982-83 TO $340 MILLION IN 1983-84.

THE SECOND REASON WAS THE NEED TO MAKE AN UNEXPECTED PAYMENT

IN 1983-84 OF $388 >IILLI0N FROM THE HOME OWNERSHIP FUND FOR THE

hELODY GARDEN PROJECT, THE SUM REPRESENTING THE DIFFERENCE BETwEEN

THE GUARANTEED SALE PRICE TO THE DEVELOPER AND THE ACTUAL SALES

REVENUE RECEIVED.

e/tPMATED EXPENDITURE FROM ALL THE FUNDS AND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT

BANK LOAHS IN 1984-85 IS EXPECTED TO BE $11.5 BILLION, SIR JOHN SAIJ.

TH I s FIGURE COMPARES WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF ALMOST $11.9

BILLION IN 1983-84, A DECREASE OF $376 MILLION OR 3.2 PER CENT.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 9 -

337 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT

* * * *

the financial secretary, the hon sir john bremridge, this

AFTERNOON ESTIMATED GOVERNMENT GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT

EXPENDITURE FOR 1984-85 AT $37.3 BILLION.

THIS TOTAL, SIR JOHN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN

PRESENTING HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS, WOULD INCLUDE A CONTINGENCY

ALLOWANCE OF $2 BILLION FOR ALL ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS AND

$8.7 BILLION FOR TRANSFERS TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND,

THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND, THE STUDENT LOAN FUND AND THE MASS

TRANSIT FUND.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE NECESSARY INCLUSION OF $2 BILLION FOR

ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS HAD THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE GROWTH

OF GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE, EXCLUDING TRANSFERS TO

THE FUNDS, FROM 7.4 PER CENT TO 15.5 PER CENT.

BUT EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS IN 1984-85 WAS EXPECTED TO

BE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN IN 1983-84, SO THAT TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON

CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT - AT $44 BILLION - WAS EXPECTED TO GROW AT

only 9.5 PER CENT, HE SAID.

*CK The /ITALLf IMPORTANT RECURRENT ACCOUNT THE PROVISION

SOUGHT OF $25.1 BILLION, PLUS $1.8 BILLION FOR ADDITIONAL RECURRENT

COMMITMENTS, REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $3.7 BILLION, OR 15.7 PER

CENT, ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1983-84,+ HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS AT $8.9 BILLION ACCOUNTED

FOR OVER 35 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH AN

AVERAGE OF 37 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

+THIS PROVISION MAKES NO ALLOWANCE FOR ANY SALARY ADJUSTMENT

THAT MAY BE AGREED,+ HE ADDED.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT IF REQUIRED ANY FUNDS

NEEDED WOULD HAVE TO BE FOUND FROM THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTE.

+1 MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS. THE PROVISION OF $1.8 BILLION SOUGHT FOR

THIS VOTE IS FOR ALL UNFORESEEN RECURRENT COMMITMENTS NOT PROVIDED

FOR IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES. CASH LIMITS WILL BE STRICTLY OBSERVED

ONCE AGAIN. THEY HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL.+

CIVIL SERVICE

SIR JOHN SAID THE APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE

POSTS IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES WAS 147 OOO, INCLUDING 4 264 NEW

POSTS CREATED DURING 1983-84, A MARKED REDUCTION OF 2 436 ON THE

6 700 NEW POSTS FOR WHICH PROVISION HAD BEEN ACTUALLY INCLUDED

IN THE 1983-84 ESTIMATES.

THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO RESTRAIN THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL

SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT WILL CONTINUE IN 1984-85 AS THE DRAFT

ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR AN INCREASE OF ONLY 4 000 POSTS, OR 2.7 DER

CENT.

WEHiESDAY, FHBHUkRY 29, 19&u

+ A large number of these are required for the new prince

OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN AND FOR THE POLICE FORCE,* HE SAID

ADDING, +OUR AIM NOW WILL BE TO KEEP ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH

OVERALL TO BELOW 2-1/2 PER CENT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.*

SIR JOHN CONTINUED:-+WHILE WE MUST FIND STAFF FOR NEW

FACILITIES AS THEY COME ON STREAM, WE SHALL SEEK TO PROVIDE THEM

SO FAR AS POSSIBLE BY INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND REDEPLOYMENT.

VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OUT MEANS OF

ACHIEVING THESE AIMS. I ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MEASURES

DESIGNED TO PROMOTE INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY AND VALUE FOR

MONEY. SO DOES THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.*

HE SAID PERSONNEL RELATED EXPENSES AT $2.15 BILLION ACCOUNTED

FOR 8.6 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE COMPARED WITH AN

AVERAGE OF 7.2 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE INCREASE

BEING DUE PRINCIPALLY TO HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCES PAYABLE TO CIVIL

SERVANTS JOINING THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME INTRODUCED IN NOVEMBER

1981 AND TO INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF PENSIONERS AND IN THE COST

OF EDUCATION AND PASSAGE ALLOWANCES.

SIR JOHN SAID $6.66 BILLION FOR SUBVENTIONS REPRESENTED

26.5 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE

OF 26 PER CENT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

+THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE

ON TERTIARY EDUCATION, WHICH I AM SURE THAT MEMBERS WELCOME,*

HE ADDED.

ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, HE SAID THE PROVISION SOUGHT WAS

$10.4 BILLION, INCLUDING $200 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS

AND $8.7 BILLION FOR TRANSFERS TO FOUR OF THE FUNDS, THE LARGEST

PORTION GOING TO THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.

THERE WAS NO NEED THIS YEAR FOR A TRANSFER TO THE HOME

OWNERSHIP FUND, WHICH HAD SUFFICIENT RESERVES AS A RESULT OF

INTERNAL GENERATION OF INCOME. THE TRANFERS TO THE FUNDS PLUS

THE ESTIMATED REVENUE EARNED BY THEM WAS LESS BY $1.1 BILLION

THAN THE EXPECTED EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS.

+THUS THE CONSIDERABLE SURPLUS BALANCES LEFT IN THEM AT

MARCH 31, 1984, WILL BE SERVING PROPERLY AS CUSHION IN DIFFICULT

TIMES. BUT THIS USE OF RESERVES AGAIN IS FINITE,* SIR JOHN

ADDED.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 198*

- 11

NO CUTBACKS IN WORKS PROGRAMME

* * * *

THERE HAVE BEEN NO CUTBACKS IN THE PROGRAMME OF WORKS FOR

1984-85, WHICH ACCOMMODATES AGREED LAND PRODUCTION, TRANSPORT

AND INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO PROCEED, THE FINANCIAL

SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON TRANSPORT

PROJECTS IN THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT HAD FALLEN FROM ITS PEAK OF

JUST OVER $2.5 BILLION IN 1982-83 TO $2.2 BILLION IN 1983-84, AND

AN ESTIMATED $1.9 BILLION IN 1984-85, THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE

COMPLETION OF MANY OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY MODERNISATION

PROJECTS.

ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID, EXPENDITURE ON SOME OF THE LARGER ROAD

PROJECTS HAD PEAKED.

.NEVERTHELESS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON PROJECTS IN THE LAND AND

CIVIL ENGINEERING, WATER SUPPLY, PUBLIC SAFETY, RECREATION AND

CULTURE AND EDUCATION SECTORS HAS INCREASED; IN SOME CASES

SUBSTANT I ALLY,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY CONTINUED TO RECOMMEND

TARGETS FOR LAND PRODUCTION AND TO MONITOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF

THOSE TARGETS.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE, HE SAID, THE

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY HAS BEEN PAYING PARTICULAR

ATTENTION TO:

(A) SETTING TARGETS FOR THE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR ALL CATEGORIES

OF USE (other than for PUBLIC HOUSING, WHICH HAS PiR|QR.^Y

AND FOR WHICH THE SUPPLY IS GEARED TO THE HOUSING.

AUTHORITY’S REQUIREMENTS) ON THE BASIS OF ESTIMATES

OF POTENTIAL DEMAND RATHER THAN ON ESTIMATES OF

PRODUCTION OF NEW LAND ;

■>T ' WT

(B) REVIEWING THE ALTERNATIVE USES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND ‧ IN ‧ '

THE LIGHT OF POSSIBLE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLY OVER REQUIREMENTS

AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

CONTINUING TO BE CONCENTRATED IN THE MAIN URBAN AREAS

AND EXAMINING WAYS IN WHICH DECENTRALISATION COULD BE

ACHIEVED;

URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAMMES; AND

(D) MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON

LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN

COMPLETED.

GOVERNMENT GROSS LAND PRODUCTION IN 1984-85 IS ESTIMATED TO

BE 523 HECTARES AS COMPARED WITH 393 HECTARES IN 1983-8*.

THE REDUCTION IN ESTIMATED LAND PRODUCTION IN 1983-8* FRO'-

THE ORIGINAL FORECAST OF 669 HECTARES FOLLOWED A REVIEW OF THE

WORKS SCHEDULE FOR THE NEW TOWNS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

TOTAL PRODUCTION OVER THE THREE YEARS OF THE NEW FORECAST

PERIOD 1985-85 TO 1987-88 IS EXPECTED TO REACH 1 990 HECTARES,

HE SAID.

- 0 -

12 ...............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

SPENDING ON EDUCATION TO GO UP 18 PER CENT

* * * *

THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION IN 1984-85

WILL BE 57.06 BILLION, NEARLY 18 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID

IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THAT

THIS EXPENDITURE WAS 16 PER CENT OF TOTAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT

EXPENDITURE AND A 17.9 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1983-84.

CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF NEW BUILDINGS wOULD ACCOUNT

FOR 5719 MILLION, wHICH WAS 26 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE REVISED

ESTIMATE FOR 1983-84.

SIR JOHN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE PRIMARY

SCHOOLS WITHIN REASONABLE WALKING DISTANCE FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL

AGE CHILDREN, TO PROVIDE A SUBSIDISED PLACE FOR ALL PRIMARY 6

LEAVERS AND TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SENIOR SECONDARY PLACES

IN SCHOOLS AND PLACES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ADULT EDUCATION

CENTRES TO MEET THE FULL DEMAND FROM FORM I I I LEAVERS wHO wERE

SUITABLE FOR THE COURSES PROVIDED.

TO MEET THESE OBJECTIVES 18 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, PROVIDING 37 803

PLACES MAINLY IN THE NEW TOWNS, AND 15 SECONDARY SCHOOLS PROVIDING

INITIALLY 3 640 FORM I AND 2 320 FORM IV PLACES WOULD BE COMPLETED

IN 1984-85.

SIR JOHN SAID PLANNING FOR TWO NEW VOCATIONAL TRAINING

INSTITUTES - ONE AT SHA TIN AND ONE AT TUEN MUN - wAS AT AN

ADVANCED STAGE. THESE WOULD PROVIDE AN EXTRA 2 735 FULL TIME

AND 13 875 PART TIME PLACES.

IN ADDITION, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD COMPLETE

TWO NEW TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEXES AT KOWLOON BAY AND KWAI CHUNG

IN 1984-85. THESE WOULD PROVIDE 8 080 TRAINING PLACES IN NINE

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES.

TOTAL GRANTS TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WOULD INCREASE

FROM $255 MILLION IN 1983-84 TO $388 MILLION IN 1984-85.

EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION INCLUDED NEW BUILDINGS FOR

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONa,

AND ALSO THE COMMENCEMENT OF COURSES AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC IN

TEMPORARY PREMISES AT THE ARGYLE CENTRE. PLANNING FOR THE CITY

POLYTECHNIC’S PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION AT TAT CHEE AVENUE .AS

PROCEEDING AND SITE FORMATION SHOULD START NEXT YEAR.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNICS

WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT $1.57 BILLION IN 1984-85 COMPARED *ITr!

$1.32 BILLION IN 1983-84.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- -3 -

GOVERNMENT TO SPEND MORE ON MEDICAL AND

SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS TO SPEND $3.55 BILLION ON PUBLIC

AND SUBVENTED MEDICAL SERVICES IN FISCAL 1984-85, AN INCREASE

OF ALMOST 16 PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF THE 1983-84

EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE,

SAID TODAY.

AND, CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE

SERVICES WILL BE ABOUT $2.4 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF ALMOST 19

PER CENT ON THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF THE 1983-84 EXPENDITURE.

THE $645 MILLION PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WITH 1 488 BEDS

WILL START OPERATIONS IN MAY THIS YEAR, SERVING AS THE REGIONAL

HOSPITAL FOR THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES AND AS THE TEACHING

HOSPITAL FOR THE MEDICAL FACULTY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF

HONG KONG, SIR JOHN REPORTED.

WORK WILL CONTINUE ON THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE

QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSION, AND SITE FORMATION WORK WILL

START FOR A NEW HOSPITAL IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG

ISLAND.

IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, SIR JOHN SAID, DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMMES ARE UNDER WAY IN FIVE HOSPITALS TO EXPAND AND UPGRADE

THEIR FACILITIES.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY, SERVICES

FOR OFFENDERS, FAMILY WELFARE, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, COMMUNITY

BUILDINGS, PERSONAL SOCIAL WORK AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE AND

REHABILITATION AS WELL AS SUBVENTIONS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

SIR JOHN POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIC RATES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

AND THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES WERE INCREASED BY 13.3 PER CENT

IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.

THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE FOR A SINGLE PERSON IS NOW $510

A MONTH, WITH THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE BEING PAID AT THE SAME

RATE, AND THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AT HALF THIS RATE.

PROVISION OF $540 MILLION IS INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES

FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF

$497.4 MILLION FOR 1983-84, SIR JOHN SAID.

THERE WERE 54 700 HOUSEHOLDS ON THIS ASSISTANCE SCHEME AT

THE END OF 1983.

FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES, $845.5 MILLION IS PROVIDED

IN THE BUDGET ESTIMATES, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE

CF $713.8 MILLION FOR 1983-84.

THIS ALLOWS FOR AN ESTIMATED MONTHLY CASELOAD OF ABOUT 204 009

FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND 41 000 FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE,

COMPARED WITH 195 000 AND 39 000 RESPECTIVELY AT THE END OF 1983.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984 .

INCREASED FOUR-YEAR HOUSING PLAN FORECAST

* * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY

(WEDNESDAY) PREDICTED HOUSING AUTHORITY PRODUCTION FROM 1984-85

TO 1087-88 TO EXCEED PRODUCTION IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS BY

6.5 PER CENT.

PRESENTING HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE

SAID THAT OF THE TOTAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE ON

HOUSING IN 1984-85, S3.7 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON THE ACTUAL

CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING, INCLUDING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS,

AGAINST A REVISED ESTIMATE OF $3.5 BILLION IN FISCAL 1983.

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY, HE SAID, WAS THAT THE PUBLIC

HOUSING PROGRAMME SHOULD ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF PRODUCTION OF AT

LEAST 35 000 FLATS A YEAR FOR BOTH RENTAL AND SALE BY THE

HOUSING AUTHORITY, WITH A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITION BY THE HOUSING

SOCIETY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENTAL HOUSING AND THE

URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, AND BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR

PARTICIPATION SCHEME.

SIR JOHN SAID TOTAL PRODUCTION IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS,

INCLUDING HOUSING SOCIETY FLATS AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION

SCHEME FLATS WAS ESTIMATED AT 176 000 FLATS, WITH AN AVERAGE

COMPLETION RATE OF 44 000 A YEAR: 39 082 IN 1984-85, 46 047

IN 1985-86, 44 872 IN 1986-87 AND 46 780 IN 1987-88.

+THIS WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON MANY NOW WAITING PATIENTLY

FOR DECENT HOUSING. IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WE SHALL BE PROVIDING

NEW, HIGH CLASS SUBSIDISED HOUSING FOR OVER 700 000 PEOPLE.

WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF THIS PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID 41 623 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS OUT OF

47 010 IN THE FIRST FIVE PHASES WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY

THE END OF FISCAL 1984, AND WORK WAS IN HAND ON THE BALANCE

AS WELL AS 13 610 FLATS IN PHASES VI, VII AND VI I I.

HE ADDED THAT FOLLOWING A REVIEW IN MARCH 1983, THE GOVERNMENT

DECIDED THAT THE MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING PROGRAMME SHOULD BE STOPPED

AS A RESULT OF THE DECLINE IN PROPERTY PRICES.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 15 -

*D ISCIPL INED SPENDING* TO CONTINUE

* K * * K

The GOVERNMENT REMAINS DETERMINED TO BUILD UP HONG KONG’S

GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE EVEN THOUGH IT IS +NOT GUT OF THE WOODS

YET* AFTER THE DIFFICULT ECONOMIC SITUATION EXPERIENCED DURING

1982-83, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE,

SAID IN PRESENTING HIS 1984-85 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPENDING WOULD CONTINUE STEADILY WITHOUT ARBITRARY CUTBACKS

AND IN A DISCIPLINED MANNER ON ALL LONG-TERM PROGRAMMES FOR LAw

AND ORDER, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES, HOUSING, EDUCATION

AND TRANSPORT, SIR JOHN SAID.

SIR JOHN WENT ON: +WE MUST, HOwEVER, FACE THE FACT THAT ALL

THIS HAS TO BE PAID FOR. RAISING OF REVENUE IS A HIGHLY

SUBJECTIVE MATTER. THERE ARE MANY wAYS OF SKINNING A CAT; AND

MY PROPOSALS TODAY REMAIN OPEN TO DEBATE.

+1 FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT ECONOMIC GROwTH MUST PROVIDE ROOM

FOR GROwTH IN wISE PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING. THE COROLLARY IS THAT

ONLY ECONOMIC GROWTH MAKES THIS POSSIBLE, THOUGH A SENSIBLE

GOVERNMENT SETS ITS SIGHTS ON THE LONG-TERM AND IS NOT SIDETRACKED

BY SHORT-TERM DIFFICULTIES.*

THERE WAS A RESURGENCE IN HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE IN 1983,

SAID SIR JOHN, AND THE GROwTH OF 15 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS wAS

IMPRESSIVE, PARTICULARLY AS THE FIRST QUARTER WAS RELATIVELY

FLAT.

.A MAJOR THRUST OF OUR ECONOMIC, MONETARY, FINANCIAL AND

FISCAL POLICIES IS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE PROMOTION OF EXPORTS —

GOODS AND SERVICES AL IKE.

+THIS IS ARGUABLY OUR MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE, FOR WITHOUT

THE EARNINGS AND EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED BY EXPORTS HONG KONG HAS

LITTLE EXCEPT A FINE HARBOUR AND 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE.

.AN OUTCOME WAS A REAL GROWTH IN GDP OF 5.9 PER CENT. IN

DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES OUR POLICIES HAVE THUS MET WITH A DEGREE

CF SUCCESS.*

SIR JOHN SAID THAT WHILE HAPPINESS WAS NOT ENSURED BY

PROSPERITY, AT LEAST GROWING PROSPERITY MUST RESULT IN FEwER

PEOPLE FACING INEVITABLE UNHAPPINESS.

.AT THE SAME TIME THE MAJORITY IN HONG KONG HAVE BY NUw

LEARNED, I BELIEVE, THE LESSONS THAT INCOME MUST BE EARNED

BEFORE IT IS SPENT; THAT INCENTIVES MUST BE OFFERED; THAT

TAXATION SHOULD BE MODERATE, FALLING MORE HEAVILY ON THE

BETTER OFF; THAT THE PROCLIVITIES OF DECENT MEN AND *O**Ei<

TO SPEND HUGELY ON SOCIAL AND OTHER MEASURES CAN BE RESTRAINED

ONLY BY TOUGH BUDGETARY POLICIES; AND ABOVE ALL THAT GRvwTri

OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE MUST EE RELATED TO GROwTH IN GDP.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 19^4

’THOSE WHO COMPARE OUR PROGRAMMES WITH THOSE OF PRESENTLY

FAR RICHER COUNTRIES IN THE WEST DO SO AT THtIR — INDEED OUR —

PERIL. wE MUST NOT IN PARTICULAR GET LOCKED IN TO OVER-GENEROUS

RECURRENT EXPENDITURE wITH THE INEVITABLE OUTCOME OF REALLY

DRASTIC INCREASES IN TAXATION.+

SIR JOHN SAID HE DID NOT HIDE HIS CONCERN AT CERTAIN

WORRYING TRENDS IN GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE —

PARTICULARLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. A RIGOROUS APPROACH

MUST AND wOULD BE MAINTAINED.

+THIS IS PARTICULARLY NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF THE

SUBSTANTIAL FALL IN REVENUE FROM LAND SALES, WHICH HAS REQUIRED

MAJOR CHANGES IN BUDGETARY STRATEGY,* HE SAID.

+THE ISSUE IS CLEAR. THE BUDGETED REVENUE FOR 1982-83

FROM LAND SALES SPECIFICALLY WAS $9.2 BILLION: THE ACTUAL

REVENUE IN 1983-84 WILL BE ABOUT $1.6 BILLION.

.THOUGH NATURALLY WELCOME, REVENUE FROM LAND SALES AT THE

TIME OF THE RELATIVELY SHORT-LIVED PROPERTY BOOM WAS OF A

WINDFALL NATURE. SUBSEQUENTLY IN ONLY TWO YEARS OUR ANNUAL

REVENUE HAS SUFFERED PR IMA FACIE ABOUT A 25 PER CENT DROP.

WE THUS MOVED IN ONE YEAR FROM A LARGE SURPLUS TO A LARGE

DEF IC IT.

.NOR IS RAPID IMPROVEMENT IN LAND PRICES LIKELY. IN

ADDITION THE SECOND PAYMENT OF $1.9 BILLION FOR EXCHANGE SQUARE

DUE IN 1984-85 wILL NOT BE DUPLICATED IN 1985-86 LAND SALES

REVENUE.+

SIR JOHN SAID IT WAS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THERE BE A CALM,

STEADY, CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD AND BALANCED APPROACH TOWARDS

MODERATING THE UNFORESEEN DEFICITS NOW FACING US.

SUCH A MAJOR ADJUSTMENT REQUIRED TIME. HIS PRIME AIM

WAS TO GET BUDGET DEFICITS BELOW ONE PER CENT OF GDP. A DEFICIT

OF THIS ORDER COULD BE HANDLED, PROVIDED THAT RECURRENT

EXPENDITURE WAS AMPLY COVERED.

+1 STARTED ON THIS APPROACH IN AUTUMN 1982 WHEN FACED

WITH AN EXPECTED DEFICIT OF $3.8 BILLION FOR 1982-83 IN PLACE

OF THE BUDGETED SURPLUS OF $2.8 BILLION, AND I MUST CONTINUE IT

IN THIS BUDGET — AND AGAIN WITHOUT DOUBT IN NEXT YEAR’S,*

SIR JOHN SAID.

.WHAT IS REQUIRED CAN ONLY BE A JUDICIOUS MIX OF CONTROLLED

EXPENDITURE AND INCREASED REVENUE. GOVERNMENT BORROWING AND

USE OF FISCAL RESERVES ARE THEN AVAILABLE. THIS APPROACH MAY

SOUND SIMPLE, BUT IT IS NOT. MUCH DEPENDS ON ASSESSMENT OF

INCREASED YIELDS FROM INCREASED PROSPERITY. AND THE NECESSARY

SUBJECTIVE JUDGMENTS MUST BE SUBJECT TO CONSTRUCTIVE OPEN

DEBATE. IN PARTICULAR I wISH TO AVOID SUDDEN SHOCKS.*

HE SAID A MAJOR THEME MUST ALSO BE POLICIES THAT MODERATE

INFLATION, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE BURDEN OF INCREASING

CONSUMER PRICES ON THE LESS WELL OFF. A GOOD BUDGET wAS NOT

JUST A STRING OF FIGURES. +IT IS THE STUFF OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND THE LESS WELL OFF HAVE ABSORBED SEVERAL BLOWS IN THE LAST

TWO YEARS.*

AIR ' ................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, lg84

SIR JOHN SAID THE PROBLEMS OF THOSE COUNTRIES WHOSE

APPETITES HAD EXCEEDED THEIR INCOMES FILLED THE NEWSPAPRES.

DEBT WITHOUT DISCIPLINE HAD SAVAGED THEM.

+HONG KONG, WITH ITS HARD-WORKING AND INTELLIGENT PEOPLE,

MUST CONTINUE TO ILLUSTRATE THE BENEFITS OF COMMONSENSE, wORK

AND THRIFT. WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD

WHERE REAL EARNINGS WILL SOON AGAIN BE RISING.

.THIS IS NOT FORTUITOUS. IT REPRESENTS THE OUTCOME OF

THE GOVERNMENT’S STEADY AND CONSISTENT POLICIES, THOUGH OUR

EXPORTS WILL ALWAYS REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE PURCHASING POWER AND

IMPORT POLICIES OF THOSE WHO BUY OUR PRODUCTS.

+THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CHANGE; BUT WE MUST BE

CAREFUL NOT TO CAST EXPERIENCE AS IDE.+

SIR JOHN NOTED THAT NOT ALL IS GOOD IN THE ECONOMY.

THINGS HAD TAKEN PLACE THAT WERE CLEARLY DISGRACEFUL.

.FURTHER LEGISLATION MAY WELL BE NECESSARY,* HE SAID, + BUT

GREED CANNOT BE CURED ONLY BY NEW LAWS, AND SELF REGULATION IS

PREFERABLE. EQUALLY REQUIRED IS A PROPER SENSE OF SHAME.

I SHARE IN IT.*

SIR JOHN SAID IT WAS GENERALLY USEFUL FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S

ACTIONS OR FAILURES TO ACT TO BE INTELLIGENTLY CRITICISED BY

VARIOUS PRESSURE GROUPS AND THE FREE PRESS. ONE OUTCOME WAS

RECOGNITION OF MISTAKES THAT MAY ARGUABLY HAVE BEEN MADE, THUS

PROVIDING A SPUR TO PROGRESS.

+WE ALL KNOW THAT NO COMMUNITY CAN STAND STILL AND THAT

NO GOVERNMENT IS FREE OF ERROR. NEVERTHELESS THE ESSENTIAL

BALANCING OF SPENDING PRIORITIES AGAINST THE NEED TO CONTROL

PUBLIC SECTOR GROWTH, AND TO LIMIT TAXATION, IS REGARDED BY

SOME AS A SIMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE TASK. WHEN AFFAIRS GO WELL

THERE IS ALSO SOME RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT THAT SENSIBLE GOVERNMENT

POLICIES HAVE PLAYED THEIR PART.

.I EMPHASISE PART, FOR OF COURSE SEVERAL FACTORS ARE

INVOLVED. NOT LEAST A COMPETENT AND LOYAL CIVIL SERVICE.*

EXPANDING ON THE EXPORT-LED RECOVERY EXPERIENCED IN 1983,

SIR JOHN SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN THE LAST THREE

QUARTERS OF THE YEAR, AND FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE THE REAL

GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS 14 PER CENT. THIS LARGELY

REFLECTED THE STRONG ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE UNITED STATES,

WHICH REMAINED HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKET; BUT IT WAS HELPED BY

DEPRECIATION IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.

THE INCREASE IN REAL TERMS OF 49 PER CENT IN DOMESTIC

EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS ALSO MARKED. IMPORTS INCREASED BY NINE

PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. THE BALANCE OF TRADE IMPROVED

ACCORDINGLY.

THERE WAS ALSO A RECOVERY IN PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE

IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, WHICH PROVIDED A GROWTH RmTE

FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE OF NINE PER CENT.

/if H.'V , _xi_ .......

WEDNESDAY, .FEBRUARY 29, 198*

'.EVERTHELESS, THE IMPROVEMENT IN EXPORT DEMAND WAS NOT

MATCHED BY A RECOVERY IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT. THIS *AS

GENERALLY DEPRESSED, ESPECIALLY FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION,

*HERE A RALL OF 13 ?ER CENT IN REAL TERMS OCCURRED.

THERE wERE SIGNS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR THAT THc

SLUMP IN THE PROPERTY MARKET MIGHT BE BOTTOMING OUT AND THAT

INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY HAD BEGUN TO RECOVER IN THE

FOURTH QUARTER. HOWEVER THERE WAS A FALL OF EIGHT PER CENT

IN REAL TERMS IN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE FOR THE

YEAR AS A WHOLE.

SIR JOHN SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE

ON BOTH CONSUMPTION AND CAPITAL ACCOUNT WAS LOWER THAN IN

EARLIER YEARS. IN REAL TERMS IT WAS ONLY FOUR PER CENT

REFLECTING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF BUDGETARY RESTRAINT.

IN NET TERMS THE INCREASES IN THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF

THE EXPENDITURE ON THE GDP GAVE AN OVERALL GROWTH RATE OF

5.9 PER CENT IN 1983, WHICH REPRESENTED A CONSIDERABLE

IMPROVEMENT OVER THE GROWTH RATE FOR 1982 OF ONLY 1.1 PER

CENT BASED ON THE REVISED GDP ESTIMATES.

+ THE RECENT REVISIONS, OR RATHER THE UPDATING OF THE METHOD

OF ESTIMATING EXPENDITURE ON THE GDP, HAVE HAD THE EFFECT OF

CHANGING THE ESTIMATED GROWTH RATES FOR 1982 AND 1983. ON THE

OLD BASIS THEY WERE 2.4 PER CENT AND WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER

EIGHT PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THIS OPTIMISTIC LAST FIGURE

WOULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR (IF MISLEADING) IMPACT.*

THE ACCELERATED GROWTH RATE IN THE ECONOMY IN THE 1983

RESULTED IN MARKED IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND

UNDER-EMPLOYMENT RATES. IN THE FOURTH QUARTER THE SEASONALLY-

ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS FOUR PER CENT AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT

RATE WAS 1.4 PER CENT.

THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE UNDER-EMPLOYMENT RATE MADE A

MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO A NOTICEABLE INCREASE OF 4.9 PER CENT

IN OUTPUT PER EMPLOYED PERSON.

+MEMBERS WELL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE THAT I ATTACH TO

EMPLOYMENT FIGURES,* SIR JOHN SAID. +FULL EMPLOYMENT HERE

IS PROBABLY REPRESENTED BY AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BETWEEN

THREE PER CENT AND 3-1/2 PER CENT.

SIR JOHN SAID AMONG THE UNSATISFACTORY ASPECTS OF THE

ECONOMY IN 1983 WAS THE RATE OF INFLATION. ALTHOUGH LOWER

THAN IN 1982, THIS, IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

AT ABOUT 10 PER CENT, WAS ONE PER CENT ABOVE HIS ESTIMATt.

+IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN WORSE. MANY THOUGHT IT wAS.

ALTHOUGH MOST INFLUENCES ON THE OVERALL PRICE LEVEL, SUCH Ao

PRESSURE OF DEMAND WITHIN THE ECONOMY, MOVEMENTS OF PRICEo

AND RENTALS FOR PROPERTY, AND LOWER INFLATION IN HONG KONG’S

MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, WERE HELPING TO DAMPEN DOwN THE RATE

OF INFLATION, THEY WERE INSUFFICIENT TO OFFSET THE EFFECT

OF THE DEPRECIATION OF THE EXCHANGE RATE.

An: FhRTICUL . ..............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRU^Y 29, 198^

- 19 - v

. IN PARTICULAR, FOLLOWING THE SHARP- DEPRECIATION IN

SEPTEMBER, THE RATE OF INFLATION INCREASED IN THE FOURTH

QUARTER TO 11.<3 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 9.1 PER CENT IN THE

THIRD QUARTER. NOW THAT THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS SUCCESSFULLY

BEEN STABILISED THIS ACCELERATION IN THE RATE OF INFLATION

wlLL SOON REVERSE.*

SIR JOHN SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO TOUCH ON THE COURSE

CF THE DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS NOW UNDER WAY IN PEKING. IT

WAS, HOWEVER, CLEAR THAT SENTIMENTS ABOUT THEM HAD HAD SOME

INFLUENCE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY TRENDS, HE SAID.

.UNCERTAINTY IS POSSIBLY A LARGER THREAT THAN LACK OF

CONFIDENCE. FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION HAS REMAINED LOW THOUGH

THERE ARE RECENT INDICATIONS OF IMPROVEMENT.

.NON-PERFORMING BANK LOANS REMAIN A SOURCE OF CONCERN.

BUT EVEN SO MANY WILL ENVY US. FEW OTHER PLACES IN THE wORLD

CAN OFFER VIRTUALLY NO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT DEBT, LITTLE

UNEMPLOYMENT, BUSTLING INDUSTRY AND SIGNIFICANT REAL GROWTH.

ALL IS ACCOMPLISHED IN FREEDOM. AND THERE IS GOOD REASON

TO BEL IVE IN, AND TO INVEST IN, THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND

STAB ILITY OF HONG KONG.+ : ,

POSITION AS'FINANCIAL CENTRE STRENGTHENED

' * * * * *

DESPITE THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS OF 1983, HONG KONG’S POSITION

AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE HAS STRENGTHENED, THE

FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

SIR JOHN, IN PRESENTING HIS 1984-85 BUDGET PROPOSALS, SAID

ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAS

DECREASED, MORE BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCES HAVE

BEEN GRANTED AND +A FINANCIAL FUTURES MARKET IS ALSO BEING

STUDIED+.

HE ADDED THAT TOTAL DEPOSITS IN ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS

WERE $167 BILLION AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1982 WHEN THE INTEREST

TAX ON FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WAS REMOVED. BUT BY THE END

OF DECEMBER 1983 THE TOTAL WAS $292 BILLION.

HE SAID HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SECTOR HAD EVOLVED IN

MUCH THE SAME FUNDAMENTAL WAY AS HAD OTHER SECTORS OF ITS ECONO-Y .

— THROUGH MARKET FORCES WITH NO SPECIAL STIMULUS FROM THc

GOVERNMENT.

WEDNESDAY, FEBSUaP.Y 29, 1984

. AS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE, THE GOVERNMENT wILL INTERVENE IN

THE FINANCIAL SECTOR WHEN CLEARLY NECESSARY, BUT WILL LIMIT

MEASURES TO THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO ENSURE SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICE

AND A MEASURE OF PROTECTION FOR DEPOSITORS AND INVESTORS. THIS

APPROACH wILL CONT I NUE,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

HE SAID THAT AS ANNOUNCED EARLIER, A TEAM FROM THE BANK OF

ENGLAND WAS HERE TO ASSIST IN A REVIEW OF SYSTEMS OF PRUDENTIAL

SUPERVISION OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.

+THE BANKING ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED IN 1964 WITH THE

ASSISTANCE OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND. AFTER 20 YEARS IT SEEMS SENSIBLE

TO TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK AT WHERE WE STAND. IF SO INDICATED, FURTHER

LEGISLATION CAN BE INTRODUCED. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE NO GOVERNMENT

CAN EVER BE SATISFIED WITH THE STATUS QUO,+ HE ADDED.

SIR JOHN SAID THE EXCHANGE RATE STABILISATION SCHEME,

STARTED IN MID-OCTOBER LAST YEAR, HAD ACHIEVED ITS IMMEDIATE

GOAL OF STABILISING THE EXCHANGE RATE AND RESTORING CONFIDENCE

IN THE HONG KONG CURRENCY.

HE SAID THE HONG KONG DOLLAR 7.80 RATE WAS NOW FAMILIAR,

AND THE LOW OF $9.60 TO THE US DOLLAR WAS HISTORY.

+THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY HAS ADAPTED QUICKLY TO THE NEw

EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM AND HAS THUS CONTRIBUTED TO ITS SUCCESS.

I THANK ALL CONCERNED,+ HE SAID.

SIR JOHN ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSIT BASE HAD

AGAIN INCREASED, THOUGH PART OF THE INCREASE REFLECTED THE

RE-DENOMINATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INTO HONG

KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AFTER THE 10 PER CENT INTEREST WITHHOLDING

RATE WAS REMOVED.

STATISTICS, SIR JOHN SAID, HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY RECENT

EVENTS BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT FUNDS HAD BEEN FLOWING INTO HONG

KONG ON A LARGE SCALE.

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

BILLION DOLLAR EOND ISSUE PROPOSED

* * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID HE WOULD

MOVE A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH TO PROVIDE

THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE AUTHORITY TO RAISE A LOAN OF UP TO

$1 BILLION BY THE ISSUE OF BONDS UNDER THE LOANS (GOVERNMENT BONDS)

ORD INANCE.

THE LOAN WILL BE RAISED IN HONG KONG, IN HONG KONG CURRENCY,

AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL REVENUE.

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH TODAY, SIR JOHN SAID THE PROCEEDS OF THE

BOND ISSUE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL wORKS RESERVE FUND.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1o84

HE SAID THE NATURE OF THE ISSUE WILL PROBABLY BE IDENTICAL TO

THE PREVIOUS ISSUE IN 1975, IN THE FORM OF FIXED RATE HONG KONG

DOLLAR DENOMINATED BEARER BONDS WITH A TERM OF FIVE YEARS, WHICH

a ILL BE SOLD BY TENDER.

.OTHER FORMS OF BORROWING HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED,

BUT THIS SYSTEM, OF wHICH WE HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE, SEEMS WELL

SUITED TO OUR NEEDS AT THIS TIME,+ HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MARKET

COULD EASILY ABSORB A BOND ISSUE OF THE SIZE ENVISAGED, PARTICULARLY

AS THE BONDS WOULD QUALIFY AS LIQUID ASSETS UNDER THE BANKING AND

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE.

EARLIER, HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN HE MENTIONED THE POSSIBILITY

CF GOVERNMENT BORROWING LAST YEAR, HE HAD SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT IT

WOULD HAVE TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CONSIDERABLE EXCESS OF RECURRENT

REVENUE OVER RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, AND BE JUSTIFIABLE AS EARMARKED

FOR PROFITABLE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

.WITHOUT TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE REVENUE PROPOSALS I HAVE JUST

OUTLINED, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR WOULD REPRESENT 93 PcR

CENT OF RECURRENT REVENUE, COMPARED WITH 86 PER CENT IN 1983-84

AND A NOTIONAL GUIDELINE OF NO MORE THAN 85 PER CENT.

+TO BORROW AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND COULD BE CONSIDERED TYPICAL

CF THE WORST PRACTICES PREVALENT ELSEWHERE. I WOULD SO REGARD IT.

IT IS QUITE IRRESPONSIBLE TO BORROw AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXERTING

PROPER DISCIPLINE.

+BUT GIVEN AGREEMENT TO MY REVENUE PROPOSALS AND ACCEPTANCE

CF OUR DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE TIGHT CONTROL ON RECURRENT

EXPENDITURE, THE RATIO SHOULD COME DOWN FROM 93 PER CENT TO

88 PER CENT.

.ALTHOUGH THIS LATTER FIGURE IS STILL HIGHER THAN I LIKE,

TO REDUCE IT FURTHER WOULD INVOLVE EITHER CUTS IN EXPENDITURE OR

EVEN HIGHER TAXATION, OR AN ELEMENT OF BOTH.+

SIR JOHN SAID HE DID NOT CONSIDER THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE

AT THIS POINT IN TIME SO TO BURDEN THE COMMUNITY AND CONSEQUENTLY,

UNDER THE CICUMSTANCES A MODERATE DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING

APPEARED PRUDENT.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1^84

NEED FOR PROPER TAX BALANCE STRESSED

* * *■

HAVING LAST YEAR RESTORED THE PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN INDIRECT

AND DIRECT TAXATION, IT IS CLEARLY NECESSARY TO BEAR THIS

RELATIONSHIP IN MIND WHEN CONSIDERING HOW TO RAISE ADDITIONAL

REVENUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE,

TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SIR JOHN SAID THE POTENTIAL DEFICIT WAS $3.6 BILLION,

AND THE MEANS AVAILABLE TO REDUCE THIS WERE LIMITED.

+AS A GENERALISATION, DIRECT TAXATION DOES NOT ADVERSELY

AFFECT INFLATION TO THE EXTENT THAT INDIRECT TAXATION DOES.

WHILE, THEREFORE, BOTH MUST BE INVOLVED IN THE NEED TO INCREASE

RECURRENT GOVERNMENT REVENUES, INSOFAR AS INDIRECT TAXATION IS

CONCERNED, I MUST ALSO SEEK TO ENSURE THAT ANY ADDITIONAL BURDEN

IS SKEWED AWAY FROM THE LESS WELL OFF,+ HE SAID.

HE SAID HIS GENERAL INTENTION WITH REGARD TO THE POTENTIAL

DEFICIT OF $3.6 BILLION WAS TO INCREASE RECURRENT REVENUE BY

$1.5 BILLION (ONLY HALF OF WHAT WAS NECESSARY LAST YEAR), TO

RAISE $1 BILLION BY SELLING GOVERNMENT BONDS AND TO MAKE UP

THE BALANCE OF $1.1 BILLION BY REDUCING THE FREE FISCAL RESERVES

TO ABOUT $7.1 BILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1985.

+CONSEQUENTLY I AM BUDGETING FOR A TRUE DEFICIT OF $2.1

BILLION. THIS WILL REPRESENT UNDER 0.9 PER CENT OF ESTIMATED

CURRENT PRICE GDP. ASSUMING $1 BILLION FROM THE BOND ISSUE Trie

SHORTFALL WILL BE $1.1 BILLION.

. THE TREND FROM $3.5 BILLION IN 1982-83 AND $3.3 BILLION

IN 1983-84 TO $2.1 BILLION NEXT YEAR IS CLEAR AND WILL BE

REASSURING. I HOPE IT WILL CONTINUE IN 1985-86, THUS AGAIN

HITTING MY TARGET OF BELOW 1 PER CENT OF GDP. BUT THE TREND IS

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE IMPACT OF PARTICULAR YEARS.+

SIR JOHN SAID THAT FACED WITH THE +HIGHLY UNPOPULAR NEED

TO RAISE $1.5 BILLION*, HE HAD DECIDED TO SEEK $900 MILLION

FROM DIRECT TAXATION AND $600 MILLION FROM INDIRECT TAXATION.

FURTHERMORE, HE INTENDED THAT THE INDIRECT TAX MEASURES WOULD

HAVE THE MINIMUM EFFECT ON CONSUMER PRICES AND IN PARTICULAR

ON THE LESS WELL OFF.

HE WENT ON : +1 AM AWARE OF THE UNPLEASANT SHOCK THAT RESULTED

FROM MY EFFORTS TO INCREASE REVENUE LAST YEAR BY S3 BILLION

THROUGH INDIRECT TAXES. THE MOVE WAS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE Oc THE

NEED FOR BUDGETARY STRINGENCY AND BALANCE. I SHALL NEED NEXT

YEAR, FOR THE 1985-86 BUDGET AT LEAST, TO RESTORE THE vI ELDS

IN REAL TERMS IN MOST AREAS, THOUGH WE MUST NOT UNDERESTIMATE

CONSUMER RESISTANCE.*

/SIR JOHN ...............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

SIR JOHN SAID THAT TODAY, AS FAR AS INDIRECT TAXATION WAS

CONCERNED, HE PROPOSED PRACTICALLY NO INCREASES ON THE MOTORIST

AND USER OF TRANSPORT. THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN TAXATION

> TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS (INCLUDING BOTH PETROL AND DIESEL),

DRIVING LICENCES, VEHICLE LICENCES, COMPANY REGISTRATION FEES,

ENTERTAINMENT, HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AND AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURES.

FOR THE ROAD USER HE WAS PROPOSING ONLY INCREASES RELATING TO TwO

TUNNELS.

OTHER INCREASES IN INDIRECT TAXATION WOULD ARISE ON BETTING

DUTY RATES, DUTIES ON IMPORTED WINES AND SPIRITS AND SELECTED

FEES AND CHARGES, INCLUDING FEES FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING

INST ITUTIONS.

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS:

ADDITIONAL REVENUE

BUDGET PROPOSALS

($ MN)

EARNINGS AND PROF ITS TAX

QQ3

DUTIES ON LIQUOR

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE GENERAL RATE

175

BETTING DUTIES

151

CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX

140

FEES AND CHARGES

TOTAL

1 454

PROCEEDS FROM THE ISSUE OF BONDS

1 000

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1954

24 -

NEW MEASURES PROPOSED TO PROTECT TAX YIELDS

*****

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY

(WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TwO NEW MEASURES TO PROTtCT THE YIELD FROM

PROFITS TAX FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF INTEREST TAX ON DEPOSITS,

AND TO BRING WITHIN THE PROFITS TAX NET ALL INTEREST FROM

DEPOSITS, INCLUDING SO-CALLED OFFSHORE DEPOSITS WHERE SUCH

INTEREST IN REALITY ARISES FROM THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN

HONG KONG.

SIR JOHN HOPED THAT THE PROVISIONS WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED

SHORTLY IN BILL FORM, WOULD NOT MEET WITH GENERAL OPPOSITION

FROM RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR. INDEED, HE

BELIEVED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROTECTION

OF REVENUE AND SHOULD DETER TAX AVOIDERS.

+AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO LEAVE AMPLc

SCOPE FOR THE GENUINE BUSINESS BORROWER TO OBTAIN FULL DEDUCTIONS

FOR INTEREST EXPENSES INCURRED. THERE ARE MORE DRACONIAN MEASURES

THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, WHICH I TRUST WILL NOT BE

NECESSARY,* HE ADDED.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT IN OCTOBER LAST, AS PART OF THE PACKAGt

OF PROPOSALS TO STABILISE THE CURRENCY, THE DECISION wAS TAKEN

TO RESTRICT SEVERELY THE AMBIT OF THE INTEREST TAX. ACCORDINGLY,

FROM OCTOBER 17, 1983, INTEREST PAID OR PAYABLE ON DEPOSITS MADE

IN HONG KONG CURRENCY WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CARRYING ON

BUSINESS IN HONG KONG BECAME EXEMPT FROM INTEREST TAX.

FROM FEBRUARY 1982 A SIMILAR EXEMPTION HAD BEEN ACCORDED T-J

FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AS

PART OF THE 1982 BUDGET PROPOSALS.

HE SAID HE HAD REFERRED FREQUENTLY TO THE POSSIBLE EFFECTo

WHICH THE REMOVAL OF THE INTEREST TAX MIGHT HAVE ON THE PROFITS

TAX AND THUS THE FURTHER SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR GOVERNMENT

REVENUE.

SIR JOHN SAID HE DID NOT NEED TO SPELL OUT IN PRECISE TERMS

THE DETAILS OF THE TAX AVOIDANCE DEVICES WHICH WERE NOW AVAILABLE

TO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES BY VIRTUE OF THE REPEAL OF INTEREST TAX

ON DEPOSITS.

+ IN ESSENCE THEY INVOLVE A REDUCTION OF THE LIABILITY TO

PROFITS TAX THROUGH THE USE OF HIGH DEBT TO EQUITY CAP ITAL I SAT I UN

ARRANGEMENTS, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME THE BUSINESS PROPRIETORS

CAN ENJOY TAX-FREE INTEREST INCOME OUTSIDE THE BUSINESS THROUG.-

THE PLACING OF DEPOSITS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THERE WAS ALREADY EVIDENCE THAT BANxERS ANv

TAX AVOIDANCE SPECIALISTS HAD SET ABOUT ADVISING CUSTOMERS .

CLIENTS OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TAX DIMINUTION UNDER THE PRE- T

LAW.

WEW’SDAY, FSBRUARY

V-L

- 25 -

+THE LONGER TERM PROSPECTS ARE THAT HUGE PROFITS TAX REVENUE

COULD BE LOST. IN ALL PRUDENCE IMMEDIATE STEPS MUST BE TAKEN TO

MINIMISE THESE LOSSES, wHILE REMAINING THEMSELVES NEUTRAL IN

EFFECT,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN HAS PROPOSED, FROM APRIL 1, 1984, FOR PROFITS TAX

PUR°OSES, THAT:

* THE DEDUCTION OF INTEREST AND RELATED EXPENSES ON

BORROWINGS FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (OTHER THAN

BORROWINGS BY OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS) WILL BE

PROHIBITED WHERE THE MONEYS BORROWED ARE SECURED OR

GUARANTEED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, AGAINST A DEPOSIT

MADE WITH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (WHETHER THE

LENDING INSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER SUCH INSTITUTION)

BY A CLOSELY CONNECTED PERSON;

* THE DEDUCTION OF INTEREST AND RELATED EXPENSES ON

BORROWINGS WILL BE PROHIBITED WHERE THE MONEYS BORROWED,

IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE INTEREST AND RELATED EXPENSES

ARE PAID, ARE MADE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE HONG KONG;

4 CLOSELY CONNECTED PERSONS WILL BE DEFINED TO INCLUDE

THE PROPRIETORS OF UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES AND THE]R

CLOSE RELATIVES AND ASSOCIATED CORPORATIONS OF LIMITED

LIABILITY ENTERPRISES; AND

* FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PROHIBITIONS OUTLINED ABOVE

THE PRESENT DEFINITION OF +FINANCIAL INSTITUTION*,

WHICH IS LIMITED TO INSTITUTIONS CARRYING ON BUSINESS

IN HONG KONG, wILL BE ENLARGED TO INCLUDE SIMILAR

INSTITUTIONS OPERATING OVERSEAS RATHER THAN IN HONG

KONG.

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

REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SOUGHT

* * * 4

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID HE WOULD BE

SEEKING THE GOVERNOR’S AUTHORITY FOR THE ISSUE OF APPROPRIATE

REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS FOR THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY

AND TAXES.

THE PROPOSALS ARE DESIGNED TO COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, I.>c4.

REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SIGNED TODAY FOh

THE DUTIES IMPOSED ON IMPORTED WINES AND SPIRITS, AND THE Nt. hrtT-

PERCENTAGE.

SIR JOHN SAID THERE WOULD BE FULL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEBATE -FTE*

THE NECESSARY NEW LEGISLATION IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE

CCUNC IL.

------------C--------------

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

BETTING DUTY RAISED

* * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, PROPOSED

INCREASING BETTING DUTY IN 1984-85 TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE

OF 151 MILLION OVER THE YEAR.

DUTY ON STANDARD BETS WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE PRESENT

RATE OF EIGHT AND A HALF PER CENT TO NINE PER CENT, TO BE

BORNE ENTIRELY BY THE JOCKEY CLUB.

DUTY ON EXOTIC BETS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM 13.5 PER CENT TO

15 PER CENT, WITH HALF OF ONE PER CENT TO BE BORNE BY THE JOCKEY

CLUB AND ONE PER CENT BY THE PUNTER. THIS WOULD REDUCE THE POOL OF

PRIZE MONEY MARGINALLY FROM 78.6 PER CENT TO 77.6 PER CENT OF

TOTAL EXOTIC BETS PLACED.

ON LOTTERIES, THE DUTY WOULD BE INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT

FROM THE PRESENT RATE OF 27 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT, WITH TWO

PER CENT COMING FROM THE JOCKEY CLUB AND LOTTERIES FUND SHARE,

AND ONE PER CENT FROM THE PRIZE POOL SHARE.

SIR JOHN SAID THE INCREASES IN BETTING DUTY FOR 1983-84

WERE EXPECTED TO YIELD AN EXTRA $50 MILLION ON THE ESTIMATED

$1.58 BILLION APPROVED FOR THAT YEAR, AS EVIDENCED BY THE

CONTINUED INCREASE IN THE JOCKEY CLUB TOTALISATOR TURNOVER.

HE SAID THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE INCREASES WOULD BE SHOULDERED

BY THE JOCKEY CLUB.

HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND YEAR THE

JOCKEY CLUB WAS REQUIRED TO SHOULDER THE INCREASE RESPONSIBLY, Ai\.

HE EXPECTED THEY WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF DIMINISHING THE CLUB’S

ABILITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO LOOK TO IT

FOR FUNDS FOR PROJECTS WHICH CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY A GOVERNMENT

INTENT ON CONTROLLING PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.

- - 0 - -

LIQUOR TAX POLICY EXPLAINED

IKK

THERE SEEMED TO BE NO REASON IN LOGIC OR EQUITY WHY PURCHAoEno

OF CHEAPER BRANDS IN A CLASS OF DRINKS SHOULD PAY EXACTLY Trit SAM-

DUTY PER BOTTLE AS THAT IMPOSED ON A MORE EXPENSIVE BRAND, THc

FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TC_'-V

(WEDNESDAY) WHEN PROPOSING MODIFICATIONS IN LEVYING DUTY IN -I-

BUDGET SPEECH.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT AFTER FULL CONSIDERATION, HE PROP SEj -

MODIFICATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM BY APPLYING A UMrCR- c I.

CF ABOUT 10 PER CENT TO THE CURRENT SPECIFIC RATES,_C0UjL^j . ■ Tri

IMPOSITION OF A UNIFORM AD VALOREM RATE OF 23 PER CE . i.

/.THIS .'ILL

WEDNESDAY, FEBHDAEY 29, 1984

+ THIS ..ILL RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN DUTY AT THE CHEAPER END

CF THE MARKET wITH INCREASES APPLYING PROGRESSIVELY TO THE MORE

EXPENSIVE TYPE WINES AND SPIRITS.

these changes will not apply to non-european type of wines and

SPIRITS, INDUSTRIAL TYPE ALCOHOL, CIDER OR BEER.

+DUTY ON THESE CATEGORIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED AT THE

EXISTING RATE, AS THE PRICE RANGES ARE NOT GREAT, AND THE INHERENT

PROBLEMS OF APPLYING AD VALOREM DUTIES IN THESE CASES APPEAR TO

OUTWEIGH ANY ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED,* HE EXPLAINED.

SIR JOHN SAID THERE HAD BEEN A DROP IN RELEASES EX-BOND AND

A GENERAL INCREASE IN COST INSURANCE AND FRIEGHT VALUES SINCE

LAST YEAR.

THE REVENUE FIGURES FOR FISCAL 1983 INDICATED THAT THE YIELD

FROM LIQUOR DUTIES wOULD BE SOME $100 MILLION LESS THAN THE

APPROVED ESTIMATE OF $492 MILLION.

+1 HAVE ASSUMED SOME RECOVERY IN 1984-85 AND MY ESTIMATE OF

REVENUE FROM IMPORTED LIQUOR AT CURRENT RATE IS $436 MILLION,*

HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID TODAY’S PROPOSAL WOULD RESULT IN THE MORE

EXPENSIVE BRANDS OF WINES AND SPIRITS BEING CHARGED A HIGHER DUTY

THAN THEIR LESS EXPENSIVE COUNTERPARTS:

* EXPENSIVE WINE -- INCREASE IN DUTY BY ABOUT $8.80 PER

BOTTLE;

CHEAP WINE -- DECREASE BY ABOUT $0.50 PER BOTTLE

EXPENSIVE WHISKY -- INCREASE BY ABOUT $2.30 PER

BOTTLE;

* CHEAP WHISKY — DECREASE BY ABOUT $0.60 PER BOTTLE;

* XO BRANDY -- INCREASE BY ABOUT $29 PER BOTTLE;

* VSOP BRANDY — INCREASE BY ABOUT $3.70 PER BOTTLE; AND

* +THREE STAR BRANDY -- DECREASE BY ABOUT $2.90 PER BOTTLE.

+RETAIL PRICES WILL, OF COURSE, DEPEND ON THE PRICING POLICY

ADOPTED BY THE RETAILERS AND THE TRADE,* SIR JOHN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT THESE PROPOSALS SHOULD BRING IN INCREASED

REVENUE OF ABOUT $50 MILLION NEXT YEAR SO THAT THE OVERALL YIELD

FROM DUTY wOULD AT LEAST REMAIN STABLE IN REAL TERMS.

/28

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

TWO PER CENT TAX RISE PROPOSED

* * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TODAY PROPOSED

RAISING DIRECT TAXATION BY INCREASING THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX

FROM 16 PER CENT TO 17 PER CENT AND THE PROFITS TAX RATE FOR

CORPORATIONS FROM 16.5 PER CENT TO 18.5 PER CENT.

IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR JOHN

SAID THE INCREASES1 WERE INEVITABLE IN THE LIGHT OF BUDGET DEMANDS.

+1 HOPE THAT EVEN MY SEVEREST CRITICS WILL AGREE THAT IN THE

CIRCUMSTANCES THESE INCREASES ARE MODEST AND THAT THE PROPOSED NEW

RATES STILL COMPARE EXTREMELY FAVOURABLY WITH MOST TAX RATES IN

ASIA, AND INDEED, INTERNATIONALLY,* HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT A TYPICAL FAMILY OF HUSBAND, WIFE AND TWO

CHILDREN WOULD NOT ENTER THE 17 PER CENT THRESHOLD UNTIL SALARIES

EXCEEDED $23 300 PER MONTH.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT FOR MANY YEARS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN COMMITTED,

WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS, TO A FISCAL POLICY IN RELATION TO

DIRECT TAXES WHICH DICTATES THAT OUR SYSTEM SHOULD BE AS PRODUCTIVE

OF REVENUE AS POSSIBLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME BE SIMPLE AND

INEXPENSIVE TO ADMINISTER WITH RATES SET AT COMPARATIVELY LOW

LEVELS.

+THESE OBJECTIVES WE HAVE ACHIEVED. HONG KONG IS FAIRLY

UNIQUE IN HAVING NO UNIFIED INCOME TAX,* HE SAID.

+WE HAVE BY ALL NORMAL STANDARDS KEPT OUR EARNINGS AND PROFITS

TAXES LOW. MOREOVER I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO

DO SO.*

+NONETHELESS SOME INCREASES ARE NOW INEVITABLE IN THE LIGHT

OF BUDGET DEMANDS,* HE ADDED.

+ INDEED MOST MEMBERS WILL AGREE THAT MODEST INCREASES NOW

MUST BE PREFERABLE TO SHARPER INCREASE LATER, AND I NEED TO LOOK

MORE THAN ONE YEAR AHEAD.*

SIR JOHN SAID THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX OF 15 PER CENT HAD BEEN

IN FORCE SINCE 1966-67 AND THE CORPORATE RATE OF 16.5 PER CENT

SINCE 1975-76.

+THIS IS TO SAY, OUR STANDARD RATE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR

18 YEARS AND THE CORPORATE SURCHARGE HAS BEEN AT LOW LEVELS FOR

EIGHT YEARS,* HE POINTED OUT.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT LAPSE OF TIME WAS NO ARGUMENT FOR INCREASED

TAXES, BUT STRESSED THAT OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRED THAT

+INCREASES THERE MUST BE*.

/THE NEW

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 29 -

THE NEw STANDARD RATE OF 17 PER CENT WILL APPLY TO

PROVISIONAL AND FINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR 1984-85 IN RESPECT OF PROFITS

TAX ON UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES, SALARIES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX-

AND TO FINAL PERSONAL AND INTEREST TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR THAT YEAR

ALSO.

THE NEw CORPORATE RATE OF 18.5 PER CENT WILL ALSO APPLY TO

CORPORATIONS’ PROVISIONAL AND FINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR 1984-85.

THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE ESTIMATED TO PRODUCE IN 1984-85

AN ADDITIONAL $903 MILLION FROM EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX AFTER

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TWO INSTALMENTS SYSTEM. IN A FULL YEAR,

AT PRESENT LEVELS OF CHARGEABLE INCOME AND PROFITS, THE INCREMENT

TO THE REVENUE SHOULD OF THE ORDER OF $1.32 BILLION, SIR JOHN SAID.

+1 HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THIS SECOND WIND PLUS HIGHER YIELDS

AS THE ECONOMY IMPROVES WILL ENABLE US TO FACE 1985-86 WITHOUT

FURTHER DIRECT TAX INCREASES,* HE ADDED.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT IN THE AREA OF PERSONAL TAXATION, HE

ESTIMATED THE NEW STANDARD RATE WILL AFFECT SOME 30 □□□ SALARIES

TAXPAYERS +WHO ARE ARGUABLY BEST PLACED TO AFFORD IT.+s ABOUT

18 500 WOULD CONTINUE TO PAY AT THE STANDARD RATE BUT AT THE NEW

LEVEL, AND ABOUT 11 500 WOULD PAY MORE TAX AT THE MARGINAL RATES,

BUT AT AN EFFECTIVE RATE OF TAX (ON GROSS INCOME) BELOW THE NEW

STANDARD RATE.

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

PROPOSED CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX +0F TRANSPORT NATURE*

* * * *

A BILL WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL PROPOSING A NEW TAX RANGING FROM $2 TO $5 ON SOME USERS OF

THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE

COUNCIL TODAY WHEN PRESENTING HIS 1984-85 BUDGET, THERE

wOULD ALSO BE INCREASES IN BUOYS AND ANCHORAGE FEES, FEES FOR

DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS, AND TOLLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT-OPERATED

LION ROCK TUNNEL.

HE SAID THE BILL ON THE

INTRODUCED AFTER MEMBERS HAD

CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WOULD BE

SPOKEN IN THE DEBATE ON HIS BUDGET.

+THIS MEASURE STRICTLY SPEAKING IS OF A TRANSPORT NATURE

BECAUSE ITS PRIMARY FUNCTION IS TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION. BECAUSE,

HOweVER, IT ALSO HAS SIGNIFICANT BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS IT IS

APPROPRIATE THAT 4T BE CONSIDERED FIRST AS PART OF MY BUDGETARY

PROPOSALS.*

SIR JOHN SAID A FULL EXPLANATION wOULD BE GIVEN WHEN THE

BILL IS INTRODUCED, AND THERE WOULD THEN BE OPPORTUNITY FOR

FURTHER DEBATE. +BUT IN BRIEF, THERE IS CLEARLY NOw A PERSUASIVE

ARGUMENT FOR USING FISCAL MEANS TO DETER NON-ESSENTIAL USAGE

OF THE TUNNEL ON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GROUNDS.*

/HE SAID

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, ">984

HE SAID THE REAL COST OF USING THE TUNNEL TODAY IS

APPROXIMATELY ONE THIRD OF THE LEVELS CHARGED IN 1972 AND UNCHANGED

SINCE THEN. IF NEW RATES wERE TO BE SET TO OFFSET INFLATION ONLY,

THEY WOULD REQUIRE TO BE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THEY ARE NOW.

.IT wOULD OBVIOUSLY BE IMPROPER IF THESE INCREASED CHARGES

WERE TAKEN BY THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY IN ORDER TO

INCREASE THEIR PROFITS. THE INCREASE SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE

REVENUE AND USED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

. IT IS, HOWEVER, REASONABLE IF THESE NEw MEASURES REDUCE

CROSS-HARBOUR TRAFFIC, WHICH IS THEIR SPECIFIC PURPOSE, THAT

THE COMPANY SHOULD RECEIVE EQUITABLE COMPENSATION FOR REVENUE

LOST.

+BE THAT AS IT MAY, A SEPARATE APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASE

IN THE TOLL CHARGES HAS BEEN RECEIVED WITHIN THE LAST FORTNIGHT

FROM THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY. THIS WILL BE CAREFULLY

EXAMINED, BUT UNTIL THIS HAS BEEN DONE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR

ME TO SAY WHETHER ANY INCREASES THAT MAY BE APPROVED AS A

RESULT OF THIS APPLICATION WILL BE ADDITIONAL TO THE PROPOSED

CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL TAX,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT APART FROM TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT REASONS HE HAD ALSO TO CONSIDER HIS MAJOR THEME: TO

COUNTER INFLATION AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX INCREASES ON THE

LESS WELL OFF.

+IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN AGREED THAT THE NEW TAX SHOULD BE

LOwER THAN IS PR IMA FACIE INDICATED AND SHOULD NOT FALL AT ALL ON

OM'NIBUSES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.

+THE PROPOSED TAXES ARE $2 FOR A MOTORCYCLE, AND $5 FOR

PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, AND ALL GOODS VEHICLES.

TAXIS WILL BE ENTITLED TO IMPOSE A MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL CHARGES OF

20 INSTEAD OF $10 AT PRESENT.+

SIR JOHN SAID THE ADDITIONAL ANNUAL REVENUE WAS EXPECTED TO

AMOUNT TO ABOUT $140 MILLION AFTER TAKING ACCOUNT OF POSSIBLE

REDUCTION IN USAGE — WHICH WAS HOPED.

SIR JOHN EMPHASISED THAT HE WOULD REGARD THIS INCREASED REVENUE

AS ESPECIALLY AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORT PURPOSES.

+IT WOULD BE IMPROPER TO ACCEPT ANY STRICT HYPOTHECATION, BUT

I CONFIRM AGAIN — IF FURTHER CONFIRMATION IS NEEDED — THAT IT IS

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROCEED WITH ALL AGREED PROGRAMMES AND

POLICIES AND ON A JUDICIOUS BASIS TO INTRODUCE NEW ONES.

+THESE INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL TRAFFIC FIELDS. FOR

THIS THE COMMUNITY MUST PAY. IN PARTICULAR WE ALL ACCEPT THAT A

NEW FIXED CROSS-HARBOUR CROSSING IS NEEDED. THIS WILL CLEARLY

INVOLVE CONSIDERABLE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID THE INCREASES IN BUOYS AND ANCHORAGE FEES,

FEES FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS AND TOLLS FOR THE LION ROCK

TUNNEL WOULD YIELD ABOUT $35 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

/HE SAID ................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 31 -

HE SAID LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLLS HAD NOT BEEN REVISED

SINCE 1975, AND PRESENT REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT-OPERATED TUNNELS

DID NOT EVEN COVER OPERATING COSTS.

HE PROPOSED THAT THE CHARGES FOR ALL VEHICLES USING THE

TUNNEL SHOULD BE $2 wI TH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR. THIS

.ILL MEAN THAT CHARGES FOR SMALL LORRIES, LIGHT BUSES AND SINGLEDECKER

BUSES wILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.50 TO $2, FOR PRIVATE CARS

FROM SI TO $2 WITH NO INCREASE FOR DOUBLE-DECKER PUBLIC

OMNIBUSES AND LARGE LORRIES. THE YIELD WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL

514 MILLION.

THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL wAS NOT UTILISED TO FULL CAPACITY AND

ANY INCREASE AT THIS TIME MIGHT POSSIBLY CREATE AN UNACCEPTABLE

RESISTANCE FACTOR. WHEN THE OPERATIONAL PATTERN HAD BEEN FULLY

ESTABLISHED HE WOULD RECONSIDER WHETHER THE EXISTING CHARGES FOR

THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WERE STILL APPROPRIATE.

REFERRING TO DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, SIR JOHN NOTED THAT

IN 1983 THE LICENCE FEES FOR BANKS WERE INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT.

THE FEES FOR REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD NOT BEEN

INCREASED SINCE 1978 AND THOSE FOR LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING

COMPANIES NOT FOR TWO YEARS.

THE SITUATION HAD NOW IMPROVED SUFFICIENTLY FOR THERE TO BE

A REVIEW OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY FEES.

FOR LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, THE INCREASE WILL

BE FROM 5100 000 TO 5150 000, WITH PROPORTIONATE INCREASES FOR

LOCAL BRANCH, OVERSEAS BRANCH AND OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES.

SIR JOHN ALSO PROPOSED THAT LICENCE FEES FOR AN OVERSEAS

BRANCH OR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF A BANK INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.

AND FOR A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF A BANK INCORPORATED

OUTSIDE HONG KONG SHOULD ALSO BE INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT AS THEY

wERE NOT COVERED LAST YEAR.

THE INCREASES WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. SIR JOHN

STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THESE PROPOSALS ONLY PARTLY RECOVERED

THE EROSION THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE LAST REVISIONS

AND THE INCREASING COST OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF

BANKING AND COMMISSIONER OF DTCS.

+ IF THE FULL INDICATED INCREASES HAD BEEN APPLIED, IT WOULD

HAVE BEEN NECESSARY FOR EXAMPLE, TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR REGISTERED

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FROM $30 000 TO $110 000. I RECOGNISE THAT

SUCH INCREASES IN FEES WOULD BE TOO GREAT AT ONE STEP.+

THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN FEES IN 1984-85 WOULD YIELD AN

ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT LAST YEAR AFTER A LAPSE OF FOUR YEARS

HE HAD INCREASED FEES FOR BUOYS AND ANCHORAGES. TO BRING THESE

FEES MORE UP-TO-DATE, HE PROPOSED THAT THE FEE FOR CLASS A

BUOYS BE INCREASED FROM $1 500 TO $2 100 A DAY, CLASS B BUOYS

FROM $1 000 TO $1 400 A DAY, IN-HARBOUR ANCHORAGE FEES FROM $14

TO $28 A DAY AND OTHER ANCHORAGE CHARGES FROM $4 TO $8 A DAY.

/HE ESTIMATED ................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

HE ESTIMATED THE NE* CHARGES, TO TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1,

*OULD YIELD $14 MILLION, BUT ADDED: +WE WILL STILL BE SUBSIDISING

HARBOUR USERS.*

SIR JOHN SAID REVIEWS OF OTHER FEES AND CHARGES WOULD

CONTINUE DURING THE YEAR AND TwO MAJOR AREAS CURRENTLY UNDER

CONSIDERATION wERE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FEES AND WATER CHARGES.

HE RECALLED THAT HIS 1983 BUDGET PROPOSALS INTRODUCED SOME

FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES TO CERTAIN FEES AND CHARGES FOR

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN ADDITION A NUMBER OF

FEES AND CHARGES WERE INCREASED DURING 1983 AS PART OF A REGULAR

REVIEW PROGRAMME OF INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS.

+A COMPUTERISED FEES AND CHARGES REVIEW SYSTEM NOW

ESTABLISHED PROVIDES THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THIS

PROCESS AND THUS ENABLES THE INNUMERABLE FEES AND CHARGES TO BE

REGULARLY REVIEWED.

+WHERE JUSTIFIED BY RISING COSTS, WHICH CANNOT BE OFFSET

TOTALLY OR IN PART BY INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, PROPOSALS FOR

INCREASES FOR FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE MADE DURING THE CURRENT YEAR

— THE ESTIMATE OF TOTAL RECURRENT REVENUE DOES NOT ANTICIPATE

THESE INCREASES,* SIR JOHN SAID.

HE SAID THAT LAST YEAR HE BUDGETTED TO RAISE $1.95 BILLION

FROM UTILITIES AND $2.53 BILLION FROM FEES AND CHARGES AND

INDICATIONS wERE THAT THIS WOULD JUST ABOUT BE ACHIEVED.

----o----

TAX PROPOSED ON INTEREST TO BUSINESSES

* * * 4

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, PROPOSED TODAY

THAT SUMS RECEIVED OR ACCRUING BY WAYS OF INTEREST TO BUSINESSES

CARRIED ON IN HONG KONG WILL BE CHARGEABLE TO PROFITS TAX FROM

APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT THESE SUMS WILL BE TAXED IRRESPECTIVE OF

THE CURRENCY IN WHICH THE TRANSACTION IS DENOMINATED AND

NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE MONEYS FOR WHICH THE INTEREST IS RECEIVED

OR ACCRUES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BORROWER OUTSIDE HONG KONG.

AS IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL APPLY ONLY TO

INTEREST ACCRUING ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, IT WILL HAVE EFFECT FOR

THE FIRST TIME IN RESPECT OF FINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR 1984-85, WHICH

ARE GENERALLY NOT DUE FOR PAYMENT UNTIL AFTER MARCH 31, 1985,

SIR JOHN POINTED OUT.

BUT HE ESTIMATED THAT IF THE PROPOSAL IS ENACTED, THE REVENUE

FROM THIS SOURCE WILL BE SOME $350 MILLION IN 1985-86.'

/+! WOULD ................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

.I WOULD ADD THAT, QUITE APART FROM THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE

YIELDS WHICH wILL ACCRUE FROM THIS PROPOSAL, I SEE IT AS A MINOR

BUT USEFUL SUPPORT MEASURE FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, SINCE THERE

wILL NO LONGER BE A TAX INCENTIVE FOR BUSINESSES TO HOLD DEPOSITS

OFFSHORE,* SIR JOHN SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS COMMONPLACE FOR BUSINESS

PROPRIETORS WITH SURPLUS FUNDS TO PUT THEM TO WORK BY PLACING

THEM wITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHERS TO EARN INTERST.

+FOR MANY YEARS NOW THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, IN

DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT SUCH INTEREST INCOME IS EXIGIBLE TO

PROFITS TAX, HAS APPLIED THE SAME TEST OF LIABILITY AS IS APPLIED

IN DETERMINING THE LIABILITY OF NON-BUSINESS LENDERS TO INTEREST

TAX.

+IN REVENUE JARGON, THAT TEST IS KNOWN AS THE ’PROVISION OF

CREDIT’ TEST: IN LAYMAN’S TERMS, LIABILITY TO HONG KONG TAX HAS

ARISEN ONLY WHERE THE MONEY LOANED IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE

BORROWER IN HONG KONG,* SIR JOHN SAID.

HE ADDED THAT WHILE THIS APPROACH MIGHT BE ALL VERY WELL IN

DETERMINING THE LIABILITY OF PRIVATE DEPOSITORS TO INTEREST TAX,

IT BEGGED THE QUESTION WHERE THE MONIES WERE LOANED AS PART AND

PARCEL OF THE OPERATIONS OF A BUSINESS CARRIED ON IN HONG KONG.

HE RECALLED THAT IN 1976, THE THIRD INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE

REVIEW COMMITTEE EXPRESSED DOUBTS ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF THIS

APPROACH.

+THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE - AND HIS

PREDECESSOR - HAVE LONG HELD THE VIEW THAT THE PROVISION OF

CREDIT TEST IS BOTH ARTIFICIAL AND INAPPROPRIATE IN DETERMINING

THE TRUE TERRITORIAL SOURCE OF INTEREST INCOME ACCRUING TO

BUSINESSES.

.I SHARE THEIR VIEW, PARTICULARLY AS IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL

AGE IN WHICH WE LIVE, THE PLACING OF A DEPOSIT IN A BANK ACCOUNT

IN LONDON OR NEW YORK IS ONLY A QUICK TELEPHONE CALL OR A TELEX

MESSAGE AWAY.

+ALL IN ALL, I BELIEVE THAT A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH IS

TO LOOK AT THE LOCALITY OF THE BUSINESS CARRIED ON, RATHER THAN

THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE MONEYS LOANED, IN ORDER TO DETERMINE

THE SOURCE OF THE RESULTANT INTEREST INCOME,* SIR JOHN SAID.

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

/31*....................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

CAPITAL WORKS

* *

RESERVE FUND

* *

THE 1984-85 EXPENDITURE FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND

IS ESTIMATED AT $7.9 BILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON

SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE SAID THE PROVISION OF $7.3 BILLION SOUGHT FOR TRANSFER TO

THE FUND, AND A SURPLUS OF ABOUT $2.8 BILLION IN THE FUND AT THE

END OF FISCAL 1983, WERE SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE EXPENDITURE AND

TO RETAIN A PRUDENT SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.

+AT LEAST $1.5 BILLION MUST ANYWAY BE RETAINED IN THE FUND

TO OFFSET THE ADVANCE OF $1.45 BILLION TO THE CONSORTIUM FOR

THE DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI,+ HE SAID.

SIR JOHN EXPLAINED THAT THE LIABILITY WOULD REMAIN IN THE

ACCOUNTS FOR THE NEXT 12 YEARS OR SO UNTIL THE LAND WAS FORMED

AND A PORTION HANDED BACK TO THE CONSORTIUM.

+AS SOON AS THE CONSORTIUM STARTS TO SPEND ON BUILDING WORKS

THE ADVANCE CAN BEGIN TO BE CLEARED PROGRESSIVELY AND CHARGED TO

THE FUND. ANY UNDERSPENDING BY THE CONSORTIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT

IS RECOVERABLE UNDER THE AGREEMENT*, HE ADDED.

SIR JOHN SAID THE ESTIMATED 1984-85 EXPENDITURE FROM THE

FUND ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WOULD BE $6.8 BILLION OR ABOUT

THE SAME AS THE REVISED 1983-84 ESTIMATE, BUT LESS IN REAL TERMS.

THE ESTIMATED LAND ACQUISITION EXPENDITURE WOULD BE $1.1

BILLION, ALSO THE SAME AS THE REVISED 1983-84 ESTIMATE, HE SAID.

SIR JOHN SAID: +THE OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT - OR OVERHANG -

IN RESPECT OF PROJECTS IN HAND ON MARCH 31, 1983, WAS ABOUT $21.4

BILLION. THIS WAS INCREASED BY ABOUT $5.1 BILLION AS A RESULT OF

THE INJECTION OF NEW PROJECTS DURING 1983-84, BUT REDUCE! BY

ROUGHLY 7.9 BILLION IN EXPENDITURE. A

.DURING 1984-85 WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START ON NEW PROJECTS

HAVING A TOTAL COMMITMENT VALUE OF ABOUT $4.9 BILLION. THE OVERHANG

ON APRIL 1, 1984, WILL BE ABOUT $23.5 BILLION.+

HE SAID THAT AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

DURING 1984-85 OF $7.9 BILLION, THE OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT AT

MARCH 31, 1985, COULD NOT BE LESS THAN $15.6 BILLION, BUT WOULD

CERTAINLY BE MUCH HIGHER AS FURTHER NEW WORKS WERE APPROVED

DURING THE YEAR.

.THIS REPRESENTS A MAJOR COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE,+ HE ADDED.

/35 .......

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 35 -

NEW MEASURES PROPOSED FOR RATE CALCULATIONS

*****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED ITS REVALUATION OF RATEABLE VALUES

wHICH NOW TOTAL $55 BILLION, COMPARED WITH $15 BILLION IN 1983-84,

AND CONSEQUENTLY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE HAS

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RATE CALCULATIONS FOR THE COMING YEAR.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT GIVEN THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN PROPERTY

VALUES OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE

NEw RATEABLE VALUES WERE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THOSE ON THE

CURRENT VALUATION LISTS ESTABLISHED IN 1976.

THE INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES VARIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT

CLASSES OF PROPERTY, THE AVERAGE BEING ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR

NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES AND ABOUT FOUR TIMES FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES.

+THESE INCREASES IN RATEABLE VALUES DO NOT OF COURSE, DIRECTLY

DETERMINE WHAT THE RATEPAYER MUST PAY. THIS DEPENDS ON THE

PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGE TO BE APPLIED AND, IN MANY CASES, ON THE

EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF RATE RELIEF TO BE AFFORDED,+ SIR JOHN SAID.

THE RATES ACTUALLY PAYABLE FOR SOME TENEMENTS MAY ALSO BE

AFFECTED BY THE ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOR THE LACK OF A POTABLE

WATER SUPPLY.

SIR JOHN PROPOSED THAT:

* THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE FOR THE URBAN AREAS BE

REDUCED FROM 5-1/2 PER CENT TO 3 PER CENT, AND THE

URBAN COUNCIL RATE PERCENTAGE BE REDUCED FROM 8 PER

CENT TO 2-1/2 PER CENT, MAKING A TOTAL OF 5-1/2 PER

CENT, INSTEAD OF THE 13-1/2 PER CENT APPLIED IN

1983-84. THE GENERAL RATE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES

SHOULD SIMILARLY BE REDUCED FROM 13-1/2 PER CENT TO

5-1/2 PER CENT. IN THOSE NEW TERRITORIES AREAS WHERE

RATING IS BEING PHASED IN OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, THE

PERCENTAGE FOR 1984-85 WILL BE REDUCED FROM 12 PER CENT

TO 5 PER CENT.

* THE RATE RELIEF PERCENTAGE POINT BE SET AT 20 PER CENT.

THIS MEANS THAT THE MAXIMUM INCREASE IN ANNUAL RATE

PAYMENTS WILL BE LIMITED TO 20 PER CENT OF THAT PAYABLE

THE YEAR BEFORE. IN 1983-84, RATE RELIEF WAS LIMITED

TO PRE-WAR RENT-CONTROLLED TENEMENTS ONLY, AND THE

MAXIMUM PERMITTED PERCENTAGE INCREASE WAS MUCH GREATER

AT 33-1/3 PER CENT. ‘

* THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE BE SET AT $1 000. TENEMENTS

WITH AN ESTIMATED RATEABLE VALUE BELOW $1 000 WILL THEN

BE EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT TO RATES. . IN 1983-84, THE

MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE WAS $200.

* THE CONCESSION FOR THE FEW TENEMENTS WITHOUT FRESH WATER

BE EFFECTED BY A 15 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE RATES

PAYABLE, AND FOR TENEMENTS wI TH AN UNFILTERED WATER

SUPPLY BY A 7.5 PER CENT REDUCTION.

/+THIS MEANS ................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 36 -

.THIS MEANS THAT IN 1984-85 THE INCREASE IN RATES FOR A

TYPICAL SMALL DOMESTIC FLAT WILL BE ABOUT $18 A MONTH (FROM $90

TO .108) AND FOR A LARGE FLAT ABOUT $80 A MONTH, (FROM $400 TO

$480).

.MOST RATEPAYERS WILL HAVE AN INCREASED RATES BILL, BUT A

Si-ALL PERCENTAGE wILL PAY LESS THAN BEFORE. A NUMBER OF TENEMENTS

WHICH HAVE HITHERTO BEEN ASSESSABLE TO RATES WILL BE EXEMPT,*

SIR JOHN EXPLAINED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT TENANTS OF FLATS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

ESTATES, WHO NOW REPRESENT SOME 43 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL

POPULATION, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IMMEDIATELY BY THE NEW

RATEABLE VALUES.

THE BURDEN, HE SAID, WILL INITIALLY BE BORNE BY THE HOUSING

AUTHORITY WHOSE RENTS, WHICH INCLUDE AN ELEMENT FOR RATES, ARE

ONLY REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INCOME LEVELS.

MOREOVER, RATE PAYMENTS ARE REGARDED AS PART OF THE RENT FOR

THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HE POINTED OUT.

SIR JOHN REPORTED THAT THE REVISED GENERAL RATE YIELD FOR

1983-84 IS $1.05 BILLION.

ALLOWING FOR NATURAL GROWTH, THE ESTIMATED YIELD FOR 1984-85

WOULD HAVE BEEN $1.18 BILLION.

HE SAID THAT WITH THE REVALUATION, THE REDUCTION IN POUNDAGE

AND THE VARIOUS RELIEF MEASURES PROPOSED, THE ESTIMATED YIELD

FOR 1984-85 WILL BE $1.35 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF $175 MILLION.

THE REVISED ESTIMATED YIELD FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR 1983-84

ON THE OLD BASIS IS $1.01 BILLION. ALLOWING FOR NATURAL GROWTH,

THE ESTIMATED YIELD FOR 1984-85 WOULD HAVE BEEN $1.06 BILLION.

WITH THE PROPOSAL, THE ESTIMATED YIELD FOR 1984-85 WILL BE

$1.19 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF $135 MILLION, PROVIDING AN 18 PER

CENT GROWTH FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL, SIR JOHN SAID.

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

DEBATE ADJOURNED

* * *

DEBATE ON THE BUDGET WAS ADJOURNED TO MARCH 28 AND 29 WHEN

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK.

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

/37....................

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 37 -

SIR JOHN SPEAKS ON TELEVISION

*****

FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY,

SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TONIGHT ON TELEVISION.

+1 WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE BUDGET, WHICH I INTRODUCED

INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY. A MAJOR THEME IS THE MODERATION

Or INFLATION AND CONCERN FOR THE BURDENS OF THE LESS WELL OFF.

+THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO MOVING FORWARD STEADILY IN

ALL AREAS. WHILE HONG KONG IS NOT YET RICH, IT IS NOT POOR EITHER,

AND WE CAN PALPABLY AFFORD STEADILY IMPROVING PROGRAMMES FOR EXAMPLE

FOR EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AND HOUSING.

THESE MUST, HOWEVER, BE PAID FOR.

+IN 1983 OUR TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN REAL

TERMS. THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT GREW BY 5.9 PER CENT. THE RATE

CF UNEMPLOYMENT DROPPED. LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE FALL IN VALUE OF

THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, THERE WAS A YEAR ON YEAR INCREASE IN INFLATION

CF 10 PER CENT.

+THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE SHORT-FALL IN GOVERNMENT’S

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. THE DEFICIT WILL BE ABOUT $3.3 BILLION,

WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE FORECAST.

.THE REASSURING +FREE+ FISCAL RESERVES AT THE BEGINNING OF

NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE $8.2 BILLION.

+BY CONTROLLING EXPENDITURE AND INCREASING REVENUE I INTEND

TO CUT BUDGET DEFICITS TO A LEVEL WHICH CAN BE HANDLED BY A MIXTURE

OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING AND USE OF RESERVES. THE LATTER, HOWEVER,

ARE F IN ITE.

+THE DEFICIT OSTENSIBLY FACING US FOR 1984-85 IS $3.6 BILLION.

THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE COMPARATIVE $6.2 BILLION LAST YEAR.

EVEN SO, IT IS TOO HIGH. I PROPOSE TO FINANCE IT BY USING $1.1

BILLION OF OUR FREE FISCAL RESERVES! BY INCREASING TAX REVENUES

BY $1.5 BILLION, WHICH IS ONLY HALF WHAT WAS NECESSARY AT THIS

TIME LAST YEAR! AND BY RAISING $1 BILLION FROM THE SALE OF

GOVERNMENT BONDS.

+T0 MAINTAIN THE EXISTING BALANCE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT

TAXATION I INTEND TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $900 MILLION FROM DIRECT

TAXES AND ONLY $600 MILLION FROM CAREFULLY SELECTED INDIRECT TAXES,

BOTH OF WHICH WILL HAVE THE MINIMUM EFFECT ON PRICE INFLATION.

+THE INCREASES IN INDIRECT TAX WILL COME FROM A RISE IN THE

BETTING LEVY! FROM HIGHER DUTIES ON FOREIGN WINES AND SPIRITS!

FROM RATES, THOUGH NO ONE WILL FACE MORE THAN A 20 PER CENT INCREASE

AND THE 43 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION IN HOUSING ESTATES WILL BE

LITTLE AFFECTED! AND FROM A TRANSPORT MEASURE DESIGNED TO DECREASE

CONGESTION ON THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BY IMPOSING A TAX ON CARS,

TAXIS AND LORRIES - BUT NOT ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND OMNIBUSES.

THERE WILL BE OTHER INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES, INCLUDING A

FLAT $2 TOLL ON THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.

/+AS FOB................

WBUSSDAT, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

.AS FOR DIRECT TAXATION, IT IS NECESSARY NOW TO INCREASE

THE STANDARD RATE FOR PROFITS, SALARIES, PROPERTY AND INTEREST

INCOME BY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS. FOR SALARIES TAX PAYERS A

17 PER CENT MAXIMUM RATE WILL AFFECT ONLY THE MORE COMFORTABLY

OFF. THE INCREASE FROM 16-1/2 PER CENT TO 18-1/2 PER CENT ON

CORPORATION PROFITS TAX, WHILE PAINFUL, CAN I BELIEVE BE BORNE.

MOST PROFITS SHOULD RISE MORE. IF THESE INCREASES WERE NOT IMPOSED

THIS YEAR THERE WOULD have to be HIGHER INCREASES next year.

.I AM ALSO PROPOSING TWO NEW MEASURES CONCERNING BUSINESSES

OPERATING IN HONG KONG. FIRST, TO PROTECT THE YIELD FROM PROFITS

TAX FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF INTEREST TAX ON DEPOSITS! AND SECOND

TO BRING WITHIN THE PROFITS TAX NET ALL INTEREST FROM DEPOSITS,

INCLUDING SO-CALLED OFFSHORE DEPOSITS, WHERE SUCH INTEREST IN

REALITY ARISES FROM THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS HERE.

.AS A RESULT THE FORECAST DEFICIT FOR 1984-85 SHOULD DROP TO

A TOLERABLE $2.1 BILLION.

.SUBJECT TO NO UNFORESEEN SHOCKS, IN 1984 I BELIEVE THAT GDP

WILL INCREASE BY RATHER OVER 6 PER CENT, THAT INFLATION WILL DROP TO

7 PER CENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THUS REDUCING THE YEAR ON YEAR

AVERAGE TO ABOUT 9 PER CENT, THAT CAPITAL INVESTMENT WILL GROW

AGAIN! THAT REAL WAGES WILL BEGIN TO RISE WITH STABILISED

EMPLOYMENT, AND THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL REMAIN STRONG.

GOOD NIGHT.+

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

BUDGET BRIEFING

X X

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, WILL GIVE A

PRESS BRIEFING ON THE BUDGET AT 4.30 PM, TOMORROW (THURSDAY),

AT THE GIS THEATRE.

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

NOTE TO EDITORS,

TRADE MINISTER ARRIVING

X * *

THE MINISTER FOR TRADE, MR PAUL CHANNON, WILL ARRIVE

IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT.

MR CHANNON IS DUE TO ARRIVE ON FLIGHT CA 501, ETA 10.40 AM.

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND

CAMERAMEN TO COVER HIS ARRIVAL. PLEASE ADVISE THOSE COVERING

THE EVENT TO ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT

LATER THAN 9.40 AM.

GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

------------o----------- /39.............

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

- 39 -

NEW RATES EXPLAINED

* * * *

THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED A BILINGUAL

EXPLANATORY PAMPHLET FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND PROPERTY OWNERS,

IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES 0* PROPERTY WHICH BECOME

EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1.

ENTITLED +YOUR RATES IN 1984-85+, THE PAMPHLET IS AVAILABLE

FROM THE DEPARTMENT AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY

ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE

AT CONNAUGHT PLACE AS WELL AS FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.

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

SINGING AND SONG-WRITING CONTEST

M * * *

THE FINAL OF THE SECOND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING

AND SONG-WRITING CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4)

AT HONG KONG CARITAS CENTRE, 2 CAINE ROAD.

SIX FINALISTS EACH WILL COMPETE FOR TOP HONOURS IN THE SOLO-

SINGING, GROUP-SINGING AND SONG-WRITING CATEGORIES.

IN ADDITION, DANNY SUMMER, A POPULAR LOCAL SINGER WHO HAS JUST

ENDED A TOUR WITH THE JAPANESE BAND - ’CREATION’, AND THE VISA BAND,

WILL APPEAR AS GUEST PERFORMERS.

THE CONTEST IS ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, RECREATION AND

CULTURE DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE

DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR THE ARTS AND CULTURE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN

DISTRICT.

FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE FINAL CONTEST ARE NOW

AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE OF THE MUSIC OFFICE,

AND ALL ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT

OFFICE. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE TELEPHONE 5-283257.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1984

TRAFFIC DIVERSION

* * *

JAVA ROAD BETWEEN TIN CHIU STREET AND HEALTHY STREET EAST

wILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TOMORROW (MARCH 1) TO 6 AM THE

FOLLOWING DAY FOR WORK ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.

DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC ON JAVA ROAD HEADING FOR QUARRY

BAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TIN CHIU STREET AND KING’S ROAD.

THE MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 2) NIGHT.

PROHIBITED ZONE

* *

FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 2), THE UNUSED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS

TERMINUS OFF KWAI SHING CIRCUIT NEAR BLOCK 13, KWAI SHING ESTATE

WILL BE DESIGNATED A PROHIBITED ZONE.

ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED BY THE TRANSPORT

DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE UNUSED PUBLIC

LIGHT BUS TERMINUS.

- - 0 - -

Daily Information Bulletin - 1980s - 1984 - FEB - ENG