DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
Tuesday, January 1, 1985 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP BUILD GOOD COMMUNITY..................... 1 LARGE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AT ROAD JUNCTIONS .......... 2 LITTERBUGS PAY HEAVILY FOR OFFENCE......................................................... ** MORE UC TRACKS TO KEEP JOGGERS GOING .........................
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONTINUES ......................................................... 6 NEW SEWAGE PUMPING STATION FOR MA ON SHaN .................... 7 CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS AT JUBILEE STREET ...................... 8
POLICE STATION TO EE EXPANDED................................. 8 LEAKAGE TESTS IN ABERDEEN .................................... 8
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP BUILD GOOD COMMUNITY
******
IT SHOULD BE THE PURPOSE OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN IN THE EFFORT TO CREATE A SOCIETY WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A FULL AND REWARDING LIFE FOR ALL ITS PEOPLE AND WHICH WOULD CARE FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE, THE SICK AND THE OLD, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
+ IT MUST BE A COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO PROGRESS, TO STABILITY, AND TO THE PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF ITS PROBLEMS,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY) FOR HONG KONG AT THE COLISEUM.
IN DESIGNATING 1985 AS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CHOSEN THE THEMES OF +PARTICIPATI ON, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE*.
+THERE COULD BE NO BETTER WORDS THAN THESE TO DEFINE THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE FUTURE, SIR EDWARD ADDED.
HE SAID THE FUTURE WOULD BE LARGELY IN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE’S HANDS.
♦THE WAY IN WHICH YOU MEET THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES WHICH LIE BEFORE YOU WILL HELP TO DETERMINE THE PROSPECTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY,* HE SAID TO THE YOUNG AUDIENCE.
SIR EDWARD SAID TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS A FITTING WAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PLEDGE THEMSELVES TO SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND TO WHOLEHEARTED PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES WHICH MARKED THIS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR IN HONG KONG.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CENTRAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK IN ORGANISING THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE MANY EVENTS TO BE HELD IN THE COMING YEAR THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
IN HER SPEECH, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CENTRAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE, MRS SELINA CHOW, SAID HONG KONG HAD NOW REACHED 'THE MOST CRITICAL MOMENT’ IN ITS HISTORY.
YOUNG PEOPLE, SHE ADDED, SHOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL REFORMS.
+IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT DURING THIS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, YOUNG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT PLACES MIGHT BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY T INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN RELATIONS FROM PERSONAL ! EVEL TO INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, SO AS TO PROMOTE THEIR MUTUAL "NDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION AND TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF PEACE ,+ SHE SAID.
/ABOUT 8 000
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
2
ABOUT 8 OOO YOUNGSTERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY ATTENDED TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY AND ENJOYED THE PERFORMANCES BY MORE THAN 2 000 YOUTHS FROM SOME 40 ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DESIGNATED 1985 AS THE IYY TO HIGHLIGHT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE IYY PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG WILL BE BASED LARGELY ON ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY A WIDE VARIETY OF LOCAL YOUTH-ORIENTED ORGANISATIONS, WITH ABOUT 300 EVENTS TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
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LARGE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AT ROAD JUNCTIONS *****
A LARGE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS TOOK PLACE AT ROAD JUNCTIONS, ACCORDING TO A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REPORT.
IN 1983, 5 072 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT ROAD JUNCTIONS, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF ALL ROAD ACCIDENTS. OF THESE 65 WERE FATAL WHILE 1 632 RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND 3 375, IN SLIGHT INJURIES.
THE FIGURES ARE REVEALED IN THE +ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS (1983)+, COMPILED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ROAD SAFETY DIVISION.
VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS APPROACH ROAD JUNCTIONS FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND TURNS, AND COULD THUS CREATE CONFLICTS BETWEEN STREAMS OF TRAFFIC AND INCREASE THE RISK OF PEDESTRIANS’ AND DRIVERS’ SAFETY, MR K.S. CHAN, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE ROAD SAFETY DIVISION, EXPLAINED.
♦AND WITH THE RELATIVELY SHORT STREETS AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF ROAD JUNCTIONS IN HONG KONG, THE CHANCES OF JUNCTION ACCIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY HIGH,+ HE SAID.
♦TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES CAN BE INTRODUCED TO REDUCE TRAFFIC CONFLICTS AND ENGINEERING MEASURES IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE ROAD SURFACE AND DRIVER SIGHT LINE, BUT IT DEPENDS LARGELY ON HOW CAREFUL AND PATIENT ROAD USERS ARE TO KEEP ACCIDENTS TO A MINIMUM.
♦MANY PEDESTRIANS START TO CROSS AS SOON AS THEY SEE CARS STOP IN ONE LANE, UNAWARE THAT TRAFFIC IN OTHER LANES OF THE SAME CARRIAGEWAY MAY BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED. SOME CROSS AT THE MOST CONVENIENT ARM OF THE JUNCTION, RATHER THAN TAKING A LONGER BUT SAFER WALK VIA DESIGNATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.
♦OTHERS SIMPLY DO NOT OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND ARE KNOCKED DOWN BY MOTORISTS WHO ARE OFTEN PREOCCUPIED IN LOOKING FOR AN OPENING IN THE TRAFFIC.
/+IT IS ....
TUESDAY, JANUAB: 1, '18=
*IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ROAD USERS APPROACH ROAD JUNCTIONS WITH UTMOST CARE AND OBSERVE TRAFFIC SIGNALS. MOTORISTS MUST WATCH OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHILE PEDESTRIANS '•VST WATCH OUT FOR TRAFFIC,-*- MR CHAN SAID.
THE ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS REPORT SERVES AS A BASIS FOR ALL ASPECTS OF ROAD SAFETY POLICY INCLUDING PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, EDUCATION AMD ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WORK.
THE REPORT ANALYSES THE OVERALL ACCIDENT TREND FROM 1976 * THE ACCIDENT ENVIRONMENT, THE AGE OF DRIVERS AND TYPES
:.E? INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS AND DETAILS OF CASUALTIES.
-EPORT IS COMPLEMENTARY TO THE POLICE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT TAOIST ICS RELEASED QUARTERLY.
’-'RE HAD BEEN A DOWNWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES SINCE EARLY 1982.
IN 1983 THE NUMBERS OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES DECLINED BY eight per cent and 9.2 per cent respectively.
ALTHOUGH THE SAME PERIOD SAW A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF Licensed motor vehicles, road usage, as measured by the number of kilometres which vehicles travelled annually had actually INCREASED.
THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS IN 1983 DROPPED BY 9.2 PER CENT, FROM 8 281 TO 7 520.
IN 1982 THE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT FIGURE ALSO SHOWS A DECREASE GF 5.1 PER CENT OVER 1981.
PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS HAVE SHOWN A MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASE THAN ANY OTHER TYPES OF ACCIDENTS.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE MOST ACCIDENT-PRONE PEDESTRIANS 'WERE BETWEEN FIVE AND 14 YEARS OF AGE AND THOSE OVER 65. IN 1983, 1 943 CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP AND 1 127 ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE INJURED OR KILLED If TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
DESPITE THE DECREASE, PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT FIGURES IN HONG KONG WERE STILL HIGH AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TARGET ITS ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY DRIVE AT PEDESTRIANS, MR CHAN SAID.
THE REPORT ALSO SHOWS THAT MUST ACCIDE’C IN 1983 OCCURRED IN THE DAY TIME, BETWEEN 8 AM AND PM.
THERE HAD BEEN MORE ACCIDENTS IN THE ■•''TTER MONTHS OF 1983, ft WEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER.
A ........
/
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
4
LITTERBUGS PAY HEAVILY FOR OFFENCE * * *
MORE THAN 8 000 PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE BROUGHT TO COURT FOR LITTER OFFENCES LAST YEAR.
THEY WERE, IN ALL, ORDERED TO PAY FINES TOTALLING $1.1 MILLION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
SINCE THE LATEST CLEAN HONG KONG EXERCISE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1981, MORE THAN 43 000 LITTER BUGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE PAID OUT 14.6 MILLION IN FINES.
THEY COULD HAVE MADE BETTER USE OF THE MONEY HAD THEY DISPOSED OF THEIR REFUSE IN A PROPER MANNER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AND BECAUSE OF THEIR LITTERING, THE COST OF CLEANING UP WAS ENORMOUS.
♦MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PUBLIC FUNDS COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN SAVED FOR BETTER COMMUNITY SERVICES,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE HIGHEST FINE PAID LAST YEAR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ANTI-LITTER COURTS WAS $2 000 - IMPOSED SEPARATELY ON TWO PERSONS.
A COMPUTER IS BEING USED TO FIND OUT REPEAT OFFENDERS, OF WHICH THERE WERE 450 SINCE SEPTEMBER 1983.
THESE PEOPLE HAD TO PAY FINES TOTALLING $76 000 FOR THEIR OFFENCES.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT THE ANTI-LITTER DRIVE WOULD CONTINUE, IN THE EFFORT TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND TIDY.
THE PENALTY FOR LITTERING A PUBLIC PLACE OR THROWING WASTE FROM PRIVATE CARS, GOODS VEHICLES OR MOTOR CYCLES, OR DUMPING BUILDING RUBBLE COULD BE A FI NE OF $5 000, AND A POSSIBLE JAIL SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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MORE UC TRACKS TO KEEP JOGGERS GOING * X *
THE NUMBER OF JOGGING TRACKS IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS WILL BE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS - GIVING THE ALREADY POPULAR SPORT OF JOGGING A FURTHER BIG BOOST IN THE PROCESS.
MR JOHN YOUNG, STAFF OFFICER (RECREATION) OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, RECALLED THAT JOGGING BEGAN TO BECOME POPULAR IN HONG KONG IN THE LATE 197OS, WHEN OFFICE WORKERS AND OTHERS WHO LED SEDENTARY LIVES LEARNED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF DAILY PHYSICAL OUTDOOR EXERCISE.
/+PEOPLE ALSO
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
- 5
♦PEOPLE ALSO QUICKLY FOUND OUT THAT AMONG THE MANY SPORTS THAT GENERATE BENEFICIAL AEROBIC EFFECTS - BY TAXING THE MAJOR MUSCLE GROUPS OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, TO IMPROVE THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM - ONE OF THE EASIEST TO TAKE UP AND MOST CONVENIENT AND INEXPENSIVE TO PRACTISE IS JOGGING,* SAID MR YOUNG.
THE URBAN COUNCIL, IN RESPONSE TO THIS AWAKENING INTEREST IN FITNESS AND A GROWING AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS THAT JOGGING COULD BRING, BUILT THE FIRST JOGGING TRACK IN VICTORIA PARK IN DECEMBER 1978.
THE CONSISTENTLY HIGH USAGE OF THIS TRACK SOON CONVINCED THE COUNCIL THAT JOGGING WAS NO FLEETING FAD AND OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS EIGHT MORE TRACKS WERE COMPLETED.
AS WITH THE VICTORIA PARK TRACK, MOST OF THE OTHERS l€RE ALSO BUILT WITHIN EXISTING URBAN COUNCIL SPORTS GROUNDS OR PARKS. THEY CAN BE FOUND IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY SPORTS GROUND, KOWLOON PARK, KING’S PARK REST GARDEN, KOWLOON TSAI PARK, JUNCTION ROAD PARK AND SHEK KIP MEI SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND AND ALONG HARLECH ROAD AND BOWEN ROAD.
SEVEN OF THE JOGGING TRACKS ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH ♦FITNESS STATIONS* AT REGULAR INTERVALS TO HELP JOGGERS TRAIN THEIR UPPER BODIES ON SUCH EQUIPMENT AS CHIN-UP BARS.
♦THE FITNESS STATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO PROMOTE THE ALL-ROUND FITNESS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY THROUGH ENDURANCE, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY EXERCISES,* MR YOUNG EXPLAINED.
OF THE 10 NEW JOGGING TRACKS UNDER PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION, THREE WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1985. THESE WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CHOI HUNG ROAD PLAYGROUND, KOWLOON PARK AND MAGAZINE GAP SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE OTHER SEVEN, WHICH WILL BE IN USE BY 1990 AT THE LATEST. WILL BE AT THE TO KWA WAN RECREATION GROUND, CARPENTER ROAD PARK, CHEUNG SHA WAN SPORTS GROUND, FAT TSEUNG STREET PLAYGROUND, SHEK KIP MEI PARK, MOUNT DAVIS SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND AND ON TOP OF THE SERVICE RESERVOIR AT THE JUNCTION OF YEE KING ROAD AND CLOUDVIEW ROAD.
ASKED ABOUT THE PRESENT TREND OF JOGGING IN HONG KONG, MR YOUNG SAID THAT THE LACK OF A +FUN ELEMENT* - COMPARED WITH OTHER SPORTS-MIGHT HAVE LED TO THE +DESERTION+ OF SOME FORMER JOGGERS TO OTHER FORMS OF EXERCISE.
I
ABUT JOGGING..........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
6
♦ BUT JOGGING IS STILL GAINING NEW CONVERTS EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF ITS MANY ADVANTAGES - EASE OF LEARNING AND THE ■TNIMAL EQUIPMENT AND EXPENSE REQUIRED FOR THE SPORT,+ HE SA ID.
+HOwEVER, ONE WOULD REALLY BE STICKING ONE’S NECK OUT EVEN TO ATTEMPT AN EDUCATED GUESS AT THE NUMBER OF JOGGERS \ HONG KONG.
+FIRST, JOGGING CAN BE PURSUED EITHER AS A SOLITARY OR GROUP SPORT. AND ONE DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO DO IT
_Y ON A PURPOSE-BUILT JOGGING TRACK. FOR A CASUAL JOGGER, .\Y OPEN SPACE OR A FAIRLY UNCONGESTED SIDEWALK WILL SERVE THE PURPOSE JUST AS WELL.+
FOR WOULD-BE JOGGERS, MR YOUNG HAD SOME ADVICE TO ^FER: +WEAR RUBBER-SOLED SHOES THAT WILL CUSHION YOUR FOOTFALLS. WARM UP PROPERLY BEFORE STARTING OUT AT A COMFORTABLE PACE. RUN REGULARLY — SINCE BEING A WEEKEND ATHLETE IN ANY SPORT IS ACTUALLY WORSE THAN NOT EXERCISING AT ALL. AND MAKE USE OF THE FITNESS STATIONS IF THEY ARE AVA ILABLE.+
THESE WORDS COULD WELL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY THE PRECEPTS CF DR ERNST VAN AAKEN, A GERMAN PHYSICIAN WHO HAS TRAINED MANY WORLD-CLASS RUNNERS.
DR AAKEN SUMMARIZED HIS COUNSEL IN ONE SENTENCE: +RUN SLOWLY, RUN DAILY, DRINK (ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE) MODERATELY, AND DON’T EAT LIKE A PIG.*
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HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONTINUES * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN 1985, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
SOME 5 OOO HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
/ABOUT HALF .......
TUE8D*I, JANUARY 1, 1985
- 7 -
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO, WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE. CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WAS BfEW SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR COOPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
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NEW SEWAGE PUMPING STATION FOR MA ON SHAN
M * * *
CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORK HAS STARTED ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE MA ON SHAN SEWAGE PUMPING STAT ION FOLLOW I NG THE AWARD OF THE 139 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST STAGE WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR PUMPING SEWAGE FROM THE NEW DEVELOPMENT FOR 150 000 PEOPLE AT_M*_0^SHAN TO THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS. IT IS PART OF AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO CONTROL POLLUTION IN THE NEW TOWNS.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY PUMPING STATION, ABOUT 2.7 KILOMETRES OF PRESSURE PIPELINES BETWEEN MA ON SHAN AND THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, A PIPE BRIDGE ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER, ASSOCIATED ROADS AND OTHER WORKS.
THE PIPE BRIDGE WILL INCLUDE A FOOTPATH AND CYCLEWAY FORMING AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONNECTING SHA TIN, MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1985
- 8 -
CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS AT JUBILEE STREET * * * *
TEMPORARY CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IN FORCE AT JUBILEE STREET IN CENTRAL OVER THE COMING SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 2 (WEDNESDAY) TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 10 (SUNDAY), CLEARWAY HOURS AT THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF JUBILEE STREET FROM ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY EXTENDED TO COVER THE PERIOD FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY. DURING THE RESTRICTED PERIOD, NO MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE ROAD SECTION.
FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 12 (SATURDAY) TO MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 21 (MONDAY), THE EXISTING DAILY 7 AM - 7 PM URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AT THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF JUBILEE STREET NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE EXTENDED NORTHWARD FOR 45 METRES.
FROM 10 AM ON FEBRUARY 1 (FRIDAY) TO MIDNIGHT ON FEBRUARY 10 (SUNDAY), THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY AT THE EASTERN KERBSIDE CF JUBILEE STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE EXTENDED SOUTHWARD FOR 25 METRES.
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POLICE STATION TO BE EXPANDED
* * * *
WORK HAS STARTED ON A S3.7-MILLI0N EXPANSION PROJECT ON THE SHEK KIP MEI POLICE STATION.
WHEN COMPLETED IN ABOUT ONE YEAR, THE THREE-STOREY ANNEX WILL PROVIDE A FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 1 500 SQUARE METRES FOR DININGRECREATION, LIVING QUARTERS AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE WORK WAS AWARDED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
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LEAKAGE TESTS IN ABERDEEN * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN ABERDEEN WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 4) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
PREMISES ALONG TIN WAN STREET, KA WO STREET, TANG FUNG STREET, AND 53-103 SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AS WELL AS TIN WAN ESTATE WILL BE AFFECTED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NOVEMBER MONETARY STATISTICS RELEASED .................. 1
COMMENTS ON REHABILITATION SCHEME INVITED .............. 5
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL LIFT OPERATORS .................. 6
FOUR SITES TO LET ...................................... 7
TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HK STUDENTS........................ 8
SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR WAN CHAI ............... 9
MORE FACILITIES FOR MEI LAM ESTATE ..................... 9
•
COMPULSORY EXAM OF SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES ............ 10
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATER STREET ...................... 10
SPEED LIMIT IN TAI PO .................................. 10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
1
NOVEMBER MONETARY STATISTICS RELEASED
*****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GREW SHARPLY IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO MONETARY STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PART OF THE INCREASE APPEARED TO REFLECT A SWITCH FROM FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, WHICH DECLINED DURING THE MONTH.
BOTH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY AND THE TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ROSE ON ALL DEFINITIONS.
LENDING REMAINED QUITE WEAK OVERALL, ALTHOUGH FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FOR USE IN HONG KONG, RECORDED A DISTINCT INCREASE.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS CONTINUED TO RISE, FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH. THE INCREASE IN NOVEMBER WAS 4.9 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 2.5 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, THESE DEPOSITS ROSE BY 9.0 PER CENT, AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, BY 26.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, HOWEVER, FELL BY 1.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AGAINST AN INCREASE OF 2.4 PER CENT IN THE MONTH BEFORE. WHILE THESE DEPOSITS SHOWED NO GROWTH OVER THE THREE MONTHS, THEY WERE 23.7 PER CENT HIGHER OVER THE 12 MONTHS.
TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH BANKS REGISTERED THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE MONTHLY INCREASE. RISING BY 2.3 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, COMPARED WITH 3.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES, HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 0.5 PER CENT AFTER A MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.1 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH. OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, DEPOSITS WITH BANKS ROSE BY 6.4 PER CENT WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 2.0 PER CENT. THIS SHIFT IS PROBABLY EXPLAINED, AT LEAST IN PART, BY THE UNUSUALLY NARROW DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES AND HKAB DEPOSIT RATES FOR MUCH OF THIS PERIOD.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS CONTINUED TO RISE.
/WHILE HKJM1 ..........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
2
WHILE HK$M1 (THE NARROWEST DEFINITION) ROSE BY 4.3 PER CENT, THE BROADER DEFINITIONS HK$M2 AND HK$M3 WERE UP BY 6.4 PER CENT AND 4.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN OCTOBER WERE 1.5 PER CENT, 3.7 PER CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, INCREASES OF 11.4 PER CENT, 12.0 PER CENT AND 8.4 PER CENT WERE RECORDED FOR HK$M1, FK$M2 AND HK$M3. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES OVER THE 12 MONTHS WERE 15.7 PER CENT, 23.3 PER CENT AND 24.8 PER CENT.
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ALSO INCREASED ON ALL DEFINITIONS.
TOTAL Ml ROSE BY 4.1 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH A MARGINAL DECREASE OF 0.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. TOTAL M2 GREW FURTHER BY 2.2 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 1.6 PER CENT, FOLLOWING INCREASES CF 2.9 PER CENT AND 2.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN OCTOBER.
THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER WERE 9.7 PER CENT, 6.0 PER CENT AND 4.3 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, 15.2 PER CENT, 20.2 PER CENT AND 24.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES CONTINUED TO GROW ONLY SLOWLY IN TOTAL, BY 1.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER FOLLOWING 0.5 PER CENT IN OCTOBER.
OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER, THESE INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS BY 6.5 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE RECOVERED SLIGHTLY TO GROW BY 0.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER HAVING DECLINED BY 1.1 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. WHILE THEY FELL BY 2.0 PER CENT OVER THE LATEST THREE MONTHS, THEY WERE STILL 13.2 PER CENT HIGHER OVER THE 12 MONTHS.
THE GROWTH RATE OF OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG IN NOVEMBER WAS, AT 1.5 PER CENT, THE STRONGEST FOR MANY MONTHS- IN THE THREE MONTHS TO NOVEMBER THE INCREASE WAS 1.9 PER CENT AND OVER THE 12 MONTHS, 2.6 PER CENT.
THE RISE IN NOVEMBER WAS CONCENTRATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY LENDING, BUT NO PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE CAN BE ATTACHED TO THIS ON THE BASIS OF ONE MONTH'S FIGURES.
/FOREIGN CURRENCY ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 198$
FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
THE SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY POSITION OF THE MONETARY SECTOR SHOWED NET ASSETS OF $2.5 BILLION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, COMPARED WITH NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES OF $3.7 BILLION AT THE END OF OCTOBER. THE LAST TIME WHEN A NET ASSET POSITION WAS RECORDED WAS IN FEBRUARY 1982.
STATISTICS COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOWED SIMILAR MOVEMENTS. THERE WERE $1.2 BILLION OF NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, COMPARED WITH $5.5 BILLION OF NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY LIABILITIES A MONTH EARLIER.
THIS SHIFT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FURTHER REDUCTION IN NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE MONETARY SECTOR FROM $26.5 BILLION TO $21.3 BILLION, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME UNWINDING OF FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS AS INTERBANK MONEY MARKET RATES CONTINUED TO EASE.
LIQUIDITY RATIO
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS IMPROVED TO 51.4 PER CENT FROM 49.9 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S. 24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WAS 43.9 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 45.6 PER CENT IN OCTOBER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF OPERATING LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 3 TO 139, AND THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 1 TO 33. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL TO 312.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1984 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLY MONTHS:
/monetary statistics .......
MONETARY STATISTICS - November 1984
(HKtmn)
Money Supply Nov 1984 Earlier months (% change to November 1984)
Oct 1984 Aug 1984 Nov 1983
Ml - HK$ 31,997 30,668 (+4.3%) 28,721 (+11.4%) 27,661 (+15.7%)
Foreign currency 2,931 2,877 (+1.9%) 3,131 (- 6.4%) 2,665 (+10.0%)
Total 34,928 33,545 (+4.1%) 31,852 (+ 9.7%) 30,326 (+15.2%)
M2 - HK$ 165,138 155,214 (+6.4%) 147,506 (+12.0%) 133,962 (+23.3%)
Foreign currency 135,114 138,687 (-2.6%) 135,732 (- 0.5%) 115,905 (+16.6%)
Total 300,252 293,901 (+2.2%) 283,238 (+ 6.0%) 249,867 (+20.2%)
M3 - HKt 201,649 192,880 (+4.5%) 185,983 (+ 8.4%) 161,529 (+24.8%)
Foreign currency 172,549 175,297 (-1.6%) 172,751 (- 0.1%) 139,760 (+23.5%)
Total 374,199 368,177 (+1.6%) 358,734 (+ 4.3%) 301,289 (+24.2%)
Deposits
Demand deposits 22,194 20,994 (+5.7%) 19,367 (+14.6%) 18,224 (+21.8%)
Savings deposits 75,566 72,503 (+4.2%) 67,334 (+12.2%) 69,166 (+ 9.3%)
Time deposits with banks 184,938 182,820 (+1.2%) 179,065 (+ 3.3%) 145,320 (+27.3%)
Time deposits with dtcs 72,103 72,466 (-0.5%) 73,554 (- 2.0%) 50,363 (+43.2%)
All HK$ deposits 187,085 178,291 (+4.9%) 171,600 (+ 9.0%) 147,448 (+26.9%)
All foreign currency deposits 167,715 170,491 (-1.6%) 167,720 ( = ) 135,626 (+23.7%)
Total 354,801 348,782 (+1.7%) 339,319 (+ 4.6%) 283,073 (+25.3%)
Loans and advances
To finance Hong Kong’s visible 32,709 32,566 (+0.4%) 33,374 (- 2.0%) 28,884 (+13.2%)
trade
To finance merchandising trade 4,555 4,149 (+9.8%) 4,198 (+ 8.5%) 3,010 (+51.3%)
not touching Hong Kong
Other loans for use in Hong Kong 219,442 216,268 (+1.5%) 215,371 (+ 1.9%) 213,939 (+ 2.6%)
Other loans for use outside Hong 142,996 142,444 (+0.4%) 139,642 (+ 2.4%) 129,958 (+10.0%)
Kong
Other loans where the place of use 19,922 20,005 (-0.4%) 19,555 (+ 1.9%) 18,370 (+ 8.4%)
Is not known
All loans In HKt 205,736 204,964 (+0.4%) 204,428 (+ 0.6%) 196,150 (+ 4.9%)
All loans in foreign currencies 213,887 210,468 (+1.6%) 207,712 (+ 3.0%) 198,011 (+ 8.0%)
Total 419,623 415,432 (+1.0%) 412,140 (+ 1.8%) 394,161 (+ 6.5%)
less than 0.05%
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
- 5 -
COMMENTS ON REHABILITATION SCHEME INVITED
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, AND THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR JAMES FINDLAY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INVITED COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC OH A SCHEME DESIGNED TO HELP THE REHABILITATION OF MINOR OFFENDERS.
ANNOUNCING THE PUBLICATION OF +A SPENT CONVICTION SCHEME FOR HONG KONG - A PROPOSAL*, MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE DISCUSSION PAPER FULFILLED AN UNDERTAKING GIVEN TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 1983 TO PRODUCE A SHORT REPORT AND DRAFT BILL FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
MR THOMAS EXPLAINED THAT, IN COMMON WITH SUCH SCHEMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, THE CONVICTED PETTY OFFENDER, AFTER> SPECIFIED NUMBER OF YEARS, WOULD BE AUTHORISED BY LAW TO SAY NOTHING ABOUT HIS CONVICTION IN HIS BUSINESS AND SOCIAL DEALINGS, SUCH AS IN APPLICATIONS FOR JOBS, HIRE PURCHASE, INSURANCE AND THE LIKE.
THE PROPOSAL FOR HONG KONG WOULD, INITIALLY, LIMIT THE OFFENCES CONCERNED TO THOSE FOR WHICH THE OFFENDER WAS NOT SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT OR TO A FINE EXCEEDING $2 OOO AND WOULD BENEFIT AN OFFENDER WHO HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED AGAIN FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
THERE WOULD BE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE IN CERTAIN AREAS WHERE IT IS FELT THAT FULL DISCLOSURE IS NECESSARY. FOR EXAMPLE, IF AN OFFENDER IS CONVICTED AGAIN, THE SENTENCING JUDGE WOULD BE TOLD OF ALL CONVICTIONS, NO MATTER HOW OLD.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT SOME ENTHUSIASTS IN THE CIVIL LIBERTIES LOBBY HAD GIVEN IMPETUS TO HOPES WHICH WOULD NOT BE REALISED BY THE PROPOSALS.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD NOT SMOOTH THE WAY OF THOSE WHO WISHED TO EMIGRATE.
THE REQUIREMENT OF FULL DISCLOSURE OF PAST CONVICTIONS WHEN APPLYING FOR VISAS IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THE APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE VISAS ARE MADE.
♦IF WE WERE TO SEEK TO PREVENT SUCH DISCLOSURE BY OUR LAW,* IE SAID, +WE WOULD NOT MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS. I BELIEVE SUCH A MOVE WOULD, GENERALLY, MAKE EMIGRATION MORE DIFFICULT FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, RATHER THAN EASIER.*
HE BELIEVED THAT MOST COUNTRIES APPLIED COMMON SENSE IN CASES IN WHICH THERE WAS A PAST CONVICTION FOR A MINOR OFFENCE WHICH HAD BEEN LIVED DOWN AND WOULD RESENT ANY ATTEMPT BY HONG KONG TO PREVENT ACCESS BY THEM TO FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION.
MR THOMAS SAID WHILE THE PRESENT PROPOSAL WAS LIMITED TO MINOR OFFENCES IT MIGHT BE THAT THE SCHEME WOULD IN TIME BE EXTENDED TO COVER A WIDER RANGE OF CONVICTIONS.
/THE PROPOSAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
6
THE PROPOSAL CONTAINED IN THE DISCUSSION PAPER WAS, HOWEVER, INTENDED FOR PUBLIC DEBATE AND THE PUBLIC’S VIEWS WERE INVITED.
THOSE WISHING TO COMMENT ON THE SCHEME WERE ASKED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO MR W.R. MARSHALL, ASSISTANT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BY MARCH 31, 1985.
------o-------
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL LIFT OPERATORS "x * * * *
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS NOW BEEN EMPOWERED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONDUCT PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OWNERS OF ILLEGAL LIFTS.
OPERATING LIFTS WITHOUT PERMITS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT IS AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A $5 000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
ONLY TWO TYPES OF LIFTS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THIS LEGAL REQUIREMENTi GOODS LIFTS WITHIN A MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 250 KG AND MAXIMUM DI MENS IONS OF ONE SQUARE METRE IN FLOOR AREA AND 1.2 METRES IN HEIGHT, AND GOODS LIFTS IN FACTORIES GRANTED SPECIAL EXEMPTION BY THE DEPARTMENT.
+ILLEGAL LIFTS ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE USUALLY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INSTALLED OR MAINTAINED BY REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTORS. IN MANY CASES, THEY ARE VIRTUAL DEATH TRAPS,* SAID MR GREGORY CHUI, THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR ENGINEER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS ON LIFTS.
SO FAR ILLEGAL LIFTS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED ONLY IN SHOPS, FIRMS AND FACTORIES WHERE THEY WERE USED FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS.
+HOWEVER, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO USE THEM WITHOUT REALISING THE RISK INVOLVED,* MR CHUI SAID.
STILL FRESH IN MR CHUI’S MIND WAS A FATAL ACCIDENT CAUSED BY AN UNREGISTERED LIFT IN A DRAPERY SHOP IN SHAM SHUI PO A YEAR AGO. TWO OF THE PASSENGERS DIED AND ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE LIFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND FLOOR.
IN 1984 THE DEPARTMENT LOCATED 49 ILLEGAL LIFTS. ONE OF THE OWNERS WAS FINED $1 500 AND THE REST WERE SERVED WITH PROHIBITION ORDERS TO RECONSTRUCT THEIR LIFTS TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS, OR IN THE CASE OF FACTORY LIFTS, TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION.
+IF AN UNREGISTERED LIFT POSES IMMEDIATE DANGER, THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY WILL BE DISCONNECTED AND THE POWER SEALED OFF AT ONCE,* HE SAID.
THE SAME PROCESS WILL APPLY TO THOSE LIFTS WHEN NO RESPONSE FROM THE LIFT OWNERS IS RECEIVED WITHIN 42 DAYS OF THE ISSUE OF THE PROHIBITION ORDER.
/BY LAW .......
WEDiESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
BY LAW A LIFT MUST BE EXAMINED AND TESTED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR BY A REGISTERED LIFT ENGINEER.
TO ENSURE A HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF THESE ENGINEERS, A DISCIPLINARY BOARD HAS BEEN FORMED RECENTLY TO SANCTION THOSE FOUND TO BE NEGLIGENT IN THEIR WORK.
RANDOM CHECKING IS ALSO CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT AND ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF SOME 22 OOO REGISTERED LIFTS ARE CHECKED A YEAR.
-----0------
FOUR SITES TO LET
* * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF FOUR SITES.
THE FIRST THREE SITES ARE AT NOS. 8, 18 AND 20 WING'SING STREET, CENTRAL. THEY HAVE AN AREA OF 70, 5* AND 65 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THESE THREE SITES TO BE USED FOR THE WHOLESALE OF POULTRY EGGS, ARE BEING OFFERED FOR A ONE-YEAR TENANCY, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE FOURTH SITE, MEASURING 3 363 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR THE STORAGE OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
LOCATED NEAR CITY ONE AT SHA TIN, IT IS AVAILABLE FOR A TWO-YEAR TENANCY, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE TENDER DEADLINE IS NOON ON JANUARY 18.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND TENANCY CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND RELATED PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED AT, THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR , GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON ?
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG FOR THE SITES IN HONG KONG ; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE SHA TIN SITE.
- - 0 -
/8
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
8
TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HK STUDENTS
* * * *
TWO SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM TO HONG KONG STUDENTS IN 1985.
ONE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS FOR AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY, AND THE OTHER, FOR A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE COURSE.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE TENABLE FOR THE NORMAL DURATION OF THE DEGREE COURSES FOR WHICH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE ACCEPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY, AND WILL COVER THE TUITION FEES.
BEFORE ADMISSION, THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE COST CF MAINTENANCE FOR THE PERIOD OF THE COURSES.
FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP, APPLICANTS MUST BE HONG KONG CITIZENS NORMALLY HAVING RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEASE SEVEN YEARS PRECEDING OCTOBER 1, 1985, AND SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 25 ON THIS DATE.
THEY SHOULD HAVE, OR EXPECT TO HAVE, HIGH ACADEMIC ATTAINMENTS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION, THE GCE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION OR THEIR EQUIVALENT, AND HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION CF THEIR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
FOR THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP, APPLICANTS MUST BE HONG KONG CITIZENS NORMALLY HAVING RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS PRECEDING OCTOBER 1, 1985, AND SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 22 AND 35 BY THIS DATE.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO THEIR INTENDED COURSE OF STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.
ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE SATISFACTORY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF AN ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1522, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECTION BY JANUARY 31, 1985, AND SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED FOR INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG IN LATE MARCH.
--------o ---------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
9
SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR WAN CHAI
* K *
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $6.6 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF SEWAGE SCREENING EQUIPMENT AT WAN CHAI (WEST) SEWAGE SCREEN PLANT.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR C.R. SAUNDERS, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF G.E.C. (HONG KONG) LTD., MR J.E. WADE.
THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE SCREENING PLANT, LOCATED NEAR LUNG KING STREET IN WAN CHAI, WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR THE DISTRICT.
AFTER UNDERGOING SCREENING AND GRIT REMOVAL, THE SEWAGE WILL BE DISCHARGED INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR THROUGH THE EXISTING SUBMARINE OUTFALL.
-------o----------
MORE FACILITIES FOR MEI LAM ESTATE
* * *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDING COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A TENDER OF OVER $31 MILLION FOR BUILDING MORE RECREATIONAL AND PARKING FACILITIES AT MEI LAM ESTATE IN SHA TIN.
A THREE-STOREY INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, A FIVE-STOREY CAR PARK AND A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE BUILT UNDER THE THIRD, AND FINAL, PHASE OF THE ESTATE.
UPON COMPLETION, THE RECREATION CENTRE WILL PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, A FITNESS TRAINING ROOM, A DANCE ROOM AND TWO SQUASH COURTS.
THE CAR PARK WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 315 PARKING SPACES FOR TENANTS.
MEI LAM ESTATE PROVIDES MODERN HOUSING FOR ABOUT 30 000 PEOPLE UNDER ITS FIRST AND SECOND PHASES.
-----o------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1985
10
COMPULSORY EXAM OF SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES X * * *
'THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS THAT ALL SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1976 MUST BE EXAMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE LICENCES CAN BE RENEWED.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A CERTIFICATE OF ROAD WORTHINESS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS PASSED THE EXAMINATION AT THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT CHEUNG YIP STREET.
THE CERTIFICATE SHOULD BE PRODUCED DURING RELICENSING AND ONLY THOSE ISSUED WITHIN THE FOUR MONTHS PRECEDING THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LICENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 3-7597505.
-------0----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATER STREET
* X *
WATER STREET BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 4) FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO ALLOW ROAD WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC ON QUEEN’S ROAD WEST HEADING FOR DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHIU KWONG STEET.
0
SPEED LIMIT IN TAI PO X * * *
THE SECTION OF TING KOK
Keen andUtai & tux, Ai© the section of
EmF?F?^L ROAD BETWEEN TAI MEI TOK AND LUK KENS IN TAI PO WILL "'sUBJECTTO A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT U.S. AND U.K................................. 1
GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION PROJECT ....................... 1
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DB ELECTIONS ..................... 2
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF OCTOBER EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED ..................................................... 3
PEOPLE MUST GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS - BRAY ................... 7
CEREMONIAL OPENING OF LEGAL YEAR .............................. 9
EXPERT TO EXAMINE RESERVOIRS .................................. 10
EXHIBITIONS ON LABOUR LAW...................................... 11
FIRST-TIME ENTRIES TO EXAM NEED APPROVAL ...................... 11
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL SURVEY SET FOR THIS MONTH ................. 12
ADVANCED LAW COURSE IOR JOURNALISTS ............................ 1?
PROMOTIONS AT URBAN SERVICES DEPT ............................. I1*
CYCLING PROHIBITED ZONE ....................................... 14
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
1
GOVERNOR TO VISIT U.S. AND U.K.
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL VISIT THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM LATER THIS MONTH.
SIR EDWARD WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JANUARY 15 (TUESDAY) FOR NEW YORK, WHERE HE WILL OPEN THE NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAS OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION ON JANUARY 17 (THURSDAY). HE WILL ADDRESS LEADING AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE BANK ON THAT DAY.
SIR EDWARD WILL FLY TO WASHINGTON THE FOLLOWING DAY. HE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR AND- U.S. OFFICIALS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR WILLIAM DORWARD, COMMISSIONER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN NEW YORK.
THE GOVERNOR WILL TRAVEL TO LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND OF JANUARY 19-20. HE WILL GIVE A LECTURE ON THE POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS OF HONG KONG TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE ON JANUARY 22 (TUESDAY).
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD WILL ALSO HAVE CONSULTATIONS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE.
HE WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JANUARY 26 (SATURDAY).
------o-------
GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION PROJECT * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS INFORMED THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED THAT IT HAS NO OBJECTION TO THAT COMPANY PARTICIPATING WITH THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY IN THE JOINT VENTURE TO BUILD, COMMISSION AND OPERATE A NUCLEAR POWER STATION IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ADVISED THAT IT HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED PURCHASING POWER FROM THE PLANNED DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER STATION, FOR ONSALE TO THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE PARTIES INVOLVED.
THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY HAS ALSO BEEN INFORMED TO THIS EFFECT.
o --------
/2
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
2
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DB ELECTIONS
******
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR HONG KONG’S FIRST TERRITORY-WIDE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7 WILL BE FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO JANUARY 31.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY URGED PEOPLE WHO HAVE HONG KONG’S INTEREST AT HEART AND WHO ARE KEEN TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY TO COME FORWARD AS CANDIDATES.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, HE DESCRIBED THE COMING DB ELECTIONS AS A SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
+DI STR I CT BOARDS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR VALUE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE DISTRICTS AND IN TAKING INITIATIVE TO DISCUSS MAJOR POLICY ISSUES OF TERRITORY-WIDE IMPLI CAT IONS,+ HE SAID.
+MOREOVER, PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAVE OUTLINED THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT THE BOARDS WILL PLAY IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+FOR INSTANCE, LATER THIS YEAR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+AND EACH OF THE NEW DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CHAIRED BY AN UNOFFICIAL BOARD MEMBER.+
MR AKERS-JONES BELIEVED THAT THE 237 ELECTED SEATS IN THE
19 DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE KEENLY CONTESTED BY CANDIDATES REPRESENTING MANY SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE ELECTED SEATS WILL BE SPREAD IN THE 145 CONSTITUENCIES — 92 WITH TWO VACANCIES EACH AND THE REMAINING 53 BEING SINGLE-MEMBER ONES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF EACH DISTRICT HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO ACT AS THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR HIS DISTRICT, AND NOMINATION MAY BE MADE DURING OFFICE HOURS ON WEEK DAYS TO THE RETURNING OFFICER CONCERNED.
ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN A RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE NOMINATION DATE CAN QUALIFY AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE ELECTIONS.
WHILE A PERSON CAN BE NOMINATED FOR ANY CONSTITUENCY, HE CANNOT BE NOMINATED TO STAND FOR MORE THAN ONE CONSTITUENCY.
A CANDIDATE WILL NEED TO BE NOMINATED BY 10 ELECTORS, INCLUDING A PROPOSER AND A SECONDER, IN THE CONSTITUENCY IN WHICH HE SEEKS ELECTION.
/BEFORE SUBMITTING .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
5
BEFORE SUBMITTING THE NOMINATION PAPER, A CANDIDATE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO PLACE A $1 OOO DEPOSIT WITH THE TREASURY, WHICH WILL BE RETURNED TO THE CANDIDATE IF HE POLLS MORE THAN ONE-EIGHTH OF THE VOTES CAST, EVEN IF HE IS NOT ELECTED.
IF A CANDIDATE STANDS UNOPPOSED FOR A CONSTITUENCY IN THE ELECTIONS, HE OR SHE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DECLARED AS HAVING BEEN ELECTED AND NO VOTING WILL BE REQUIRED.
TO FAMILIARISE THE CANDIDATES WITH ELECTION PROCEDURES AND THE CONSTITUENCY IN WHICH HE OR SHE IS RUNNING, A SET OF PAPERS ON ELECTORAL LEGISLATION AND RELEVANT PART OF THE FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WILL BE GIVEN TO THEM.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS CONTAINED IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) STANDS AT 1 421 391, OF WHOM 426 070 ARE RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 995 321 IN THE URBAN AREAS.
COMPARED WITH THE 899 440 ELECTORS (198 272 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 701 168 IN THE URBAN AREAS) AT THE START OF THE 1984 REGISTRATION EXERCISE, THE NEW TOTAL REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 58 PER CENT.
------0-------
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF OCTOBER EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED * * *
DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 10 PER CENT AND 24 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1984, COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TOTAL EXPORTS - DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS - INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT. IMPORTS INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES WERE UP BY 10 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1984, COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY THREE 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) ROSE BY SIX PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1983 SHOWS THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 21 PER CENT AND 31 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME TERMS, WHILE IMPORTS GREW BY 16 PER CENT. OVER THE PERIOD, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ROSE BY 14 PER CF^T 15 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/A COMPARISON .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
4
A COMPARISON OF THE 12 MONTHS ENDING IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING IN OCTOBER 1983, SHOWS THAT THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, THUS GIVING A 23 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT. PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE, ON AVERAGE, BY 15 PER CENT WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 14 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 THIS TABLE, THE EXPORT PRICES OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1984, COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1983, WITH THE INCREASES RANGING FROM THREE PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES TO 24 PER CENT FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN EXPORT PRICES WERE REGISTERED FOR METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-19%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-10%), AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-3%).
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST OF THE COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+45%), DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+17%), ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+15%), TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+14%), WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+13%) AND FOOTWEAR (+11%). HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-31%), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-15%). TEXTILE FABRICS (-5%) AS WELL AS METAL MANUFACTURES (-4%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN THIS TABLE, IMPORT PRICES OF MOST OF THE END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED OVER OCTOBER 1983, WITH THE INCREASES RANGING FROM TWO PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO SIX PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FUELS (-7%) AND CAPITAL GOODS (-1%).
MANY OF THE MAJOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS DECLINED IN VOLUME TERMS, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; VEGETABLES; RICE; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; AS WELL AS FRUIT. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR LIVE POULTRY, SUGAR, WHEAT AND FLOUR, TEA AND COFFEE AS WELL AS MEAT AMD MEAT PREPARATIONS.
/THE IMPORT ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
- 5 -
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MAJOR CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED
SIG,, .FfCANTLY, THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ONES BEING RADIOS, TELE? I '"‘J SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS, CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, PASSENGER MOTOR CARS, TOBACCO MANUFACTURES, CLOTHING AS WELL AS HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR WATCHES, MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND FOOTWEAR.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MOST OF THE RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE. AMONG THEM WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; RAW COTTON; THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS; FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; MAN-MADE FIBRES AS WELL AS CLAY, AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND BUILDING MATERIALS, EXCEPT GLASS, INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. HOWEVER, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF IRON AMD STEEL, SILK FABRIC, COTTON YARN AND THREAD, BASE METALS EXCLUDING IRON AND STEEL, CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES AS WELL AS LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 35 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF NEARLY ALL COMMODITIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING OFFICE MACHINES, CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEXTILE MACHINERY WAS RECORDED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN THIS TABLE, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST CF THE END-USE CATEGORIES EXPANDED SUBSTANTIALLY, WITH INCREASES RANGING FROM 21 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS TO 48 PER CENT FOR CAPITAL GOODS. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS AND FOODSTUFFS DROPPED BY 47 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OCTOBER 1984 ISSUE OF THE +HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS*, AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE FROM JANUARY 12 AT HK$2 PER COPY.
TABLE 1 ; CHANGES COMPARING OCTOBER 1984 WITH OCTOBER 1983 OF DOMESTIC E>PORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP
EXPORT EXPORT EXPORT /....UE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
CLOTHING
/TEXTILE FABRICS ..........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
- 6
TEXTILE FABRICS + 9% + 15% - 5%
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -27% + 6% -31%
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES +41% +24% + 14%
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS +15% + 7% + 7%
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS +11% - 3% + 15%
FOOTWEAR +19% + 8% +11%
NETAL MANUFACTURES +10% +15% - 4%
METAL ORES AND SCRAP + 17% -19% +4596
WATCHES AND CLOCKS + 2% -10% + 13%
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES + 3% +21% -15%
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES +21% + 3% + 17%
ALL COMMODITIES +19% + 9% +10%
TABLE 2 1 CHANGES COMPARING OCTOBER 1984 OF IMPORTS BY END-USE WITH OCTOBER CATEGORY 1983
END-USE CATEGORY IMPORT VALUE IMPORT UNIT VALUE IMPORT VOLUME
FOODSTUFFS + 1% + 3% - 2%
CONSUMER GOODS +22% + 2% +20%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES + 11% + 6% + 4%
FUELS -40% - 7% -35%
CAPITAL GOODS +32% - 1% +32%
ALL COMMODITIES + 11% + 3% + 8%
/Table 3 : .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
7
TABLE 3 : CHANGES COMPARING OCTOBER 1984 WITH OCTOBER 1983 OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
RE-EXPORT RE-EXPORT UNIT VALUE RE-EXPORT VOLUME
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE
FOODSTUFFS - 6% + 7% -12%
CONSUMER GOODS +32% +10% +21%
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES +42% + 12% +27%
FUELS -45% + 5% -47%
CAPITAL GOODS +70% +15% +48%
ALL COMMODITIES 0 - - PEOPLE MUST GET INVOLVED % * * M +38% IN POLITI +11% CS - BRAY +24%
IF HONG KONG WAS TO PROSPER, POLITICS MUST BECOME AS SERIOUS A MATTER AS BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND FINANCE, MR DENIS BRAY WHO ^^^STRFTIRED AS SECRETARY eOR HOME AFFAIRS, SAID TODAY (.THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A FAREWELL LUNCH GIVEN FOR HIM BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE PO LEUNG KUK, MR BRAY SAID GOOD MEN MUST STAND FOR ELECTION.
+IF THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT HONG KONG INTO THE PROSPEROUS PLACE IT IS TODAY MAKE NO EFFORT TO PRESERVE THIS PROSPERITY, THEN THERE IS A REAL DANGER THAT THIS PROSPERITY WILL BE DESTROYED BY THOSE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE UNDERLYING REALITIES OF LIFE IN KONG,+ HE SAID.
HONG
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1951, THE UNITED NATIONS IMPOSED AN EMBARGO ON HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA, DESTROYING A WAY OF LIFE HERE ALMOST OVERNIGHT.
BUT HONG KONG CONVERTED FROM TRADE TO INDUSTRY TO STAY ALIVE AND ITS ENTREPRENEURS LEARNED THE SECRETS OF THIS NEW BUSINESS AND EXCELLED IN THEM.
+TODAY WE FACE THE POLITICAL EQUIVALENT OF THE 1951 TRADE EMBARGO. THE TIME SPAN IS LONGER BUT THE CHANGE IS NO LESS PROFOUND.
/+THE DAYS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
- 8 -
+THE DAYS OF BENEVOLENT APPOINTMENT TO POWER IN GOVERNMENT ARE DRAWING TO A CLOSE. THE DAYS OF CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT BY THOSE WHO TAKE POLITICS SERIOUSLY ARE AT HAND.
♦ I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE HONG KONG PROSPEROUS WILL STAND BY AND LET THIS PROSPERITY BE PUT AT RISK THROUGH INDOLENCE,* MR BRAY SAID.
AS TIME WENT BY, THOSE IN POWER IN HONG KONG WOULD INCREASINGLY DERIVE THEIR AUTHORITY NOT FROM APPOINTMENT BUT FROM ELECTION, HE NOTED.
THEY WOULD BE THE MEN WHO WOULD DECIDE WHETHER TO CONTINUE WITH POLICIES THAT LEAVE PEOPLE TO GO ABOUT THEIR OWN AFFAIRS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE, DETERMINE THE RESOURCES TO BE DEVOTED TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND SET THE LEVEL OF TAXATION.
MR BRAY STATED THAT DESPITE THE IMPENDING CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, THE UNDERLYING REALITIES OF THE HONG KONG SITUATION WOULD NOT CHANGE.
IF HONG KONG PEOPLE WANTED TO CONSERVE THE BEST OF THOSE GOVERNMENT POLICIES WHICH HAD CREATED THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE TERRITORY HAD PROSPERED, THEY WOULD HAVE TO WORK VERY HARD AT POLITICS TO DO IT, HE SAID.
♦NOBODY ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU,+ HE STRESSED.
HONG KONG, MR BRAY SAID, WAS UNIQUE IN LIVING WITH A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS NOT ELECTED BUT WHICH PRESERVES SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF CIVIL LIBERTIES.
♦GOVERNMENTS WHICH ARE NOT ELECTED ARE FOUND IN PLENTY OF PLACES. GOVERNMENTS WHICH MAINTAIN CIVIL LIBERTIES ARE ALSO TO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE.
♦THE HONG KONG COMBINATION OF BOTH IN THE SAME PLACE IS NOT FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE. STABILITY IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES CAN ONLY BE MAINTAINED BY NURTURING THE SORT OF SENSITIVITY TO PUBLIC FEELINGS AND ASPIRATIONS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT,+ MR BRAY SAID.
♦TODAY WE ARE ON THE THRESHOLD OF A TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. NEXT OCTOBER THE MAJORITY OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE MEN AND WOMEN ELECTED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE NOT APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
♦THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR EVERYONE IN HONG KONG TO TAKE POi iTICS SERIOUSLY,* HE STATED.
HE REMINISCED ABOUT HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST T* YEARS ON MANY FRONTS, RANGING FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH, PUBLIC HOUSING AND EDUCATION TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
/MR ERAY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
- 9 -
MR BRAY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE PO LEUNG KUK.
+YOUR TWO ORGANISATIONS WERE, LIKE SO MANY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS, STARTED BY MEN WHO FELT A NEED TO GIVE SOME FORM OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVED.
+ORIGINALLY, BOTH WERE FINANCED ENTIRELY BY PRIVATE DONATIONS. TODAY MANY OF THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE ARE RECOGNISED AS BEING AMONG THOSE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FINANCE,* HE SAID.
SERVICE ON THE BOARDS OF THE TWO ORGANISATIONS HAD OFTEN MARKED THE START OF LONG CAREERS OF PUBLIC SERVICE BY DIRECTORS.
MANY WHO HAD SERVED ON THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES AND BOARDS THAT TOOK PART IN THE KONG, HAD COME FROM THE TWO ORGANISATIONS,
COUNCILS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OF HONG MR BRAY SAID.
- - 0 - -
CEREMONIAL OPENING OF LEGAL YEAR * * * *
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE 1985 LEGAL YEAR WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7).
THE CEREMONY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS.
IT WILL BEGIN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT 3.30 PM IN THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, CAINE ROAD.
IN THE SECOND PART OF THE CEREMONY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL INSPECT A MILITARY GUARD OF HONOUR AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE AT 5 PM.
FOLLOWING THIS, THERE WILL BE ADDRESSES IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL, STARTING AT 5.15 PM. THE FOUR SPEAKERS WILL BE THE CHIEF JUSTICE; THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, MR HENRY LITTON ; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR TIMOTHY FRESHWATER.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, A RECEPTION WILL BE HELD IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE CITY HALL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY REMINDED GUESTS ATTENDING THE CHURCH SERVICE THAT PARKING FACILITIES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.
/He uhged .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
10 -
HE URGED THEM TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRY TO ARRIVE THERE BEFORE 3 PM IN VIEW OF THE RESTRICTED VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE CATHEDRAL.
+IF GUESTS COME IN CHAUFFEUR-DRIVEN CARS, THEY SHOULD INSTRUCT THEIR DRIVERS TO RETURN AFTER 4.20 PM,+ HE SAID.
HE ALSO REMINDED THOSE GUESTS ATTENDING THE CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL THAT THE JUDICIARY WILL NOT PROVIDE PARKING FACILITIES, AND GUESTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS.
-------o----------
EXPERT TO EXAMINE RESERVOIRS * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY SIGNED A $6.1 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH A JOINT VENTURE OF TWO CONSULTANT FIRMS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF 46 RESERVOIRS AND LARGE SERVICE RESERVOIRS.
THESE RESERVOIRS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTIONS AT INTERVALS OF FOUR TO FIVE YEARS TO ENSURE THEY ARE MAINTAINED IN A SAFE AND EFFICIENT STATE.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR TOM TOMLINSON, AND THE RESIDENT PRINCIPAL OF THE JOINT VENTURE OF JOHN TAYLOR AND SONS (INTERNATIONAL) AND FREEMAN FOX AND PARTNERS (FAR EAST), MR JOHN WEBB.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE AGREEMENT INVOLVED THE EXAMINATION OF THE RESERVOIRS AND SERVICE RESERVOIRS BY AN ENGINEER FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+BEING A QUALIFIED EXPERT ON DAMS AND RESERVOIRS, THE ENGINEER WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A TEAM OF SPECIALISTS,* HE SAID.
+HE WILL MAKE REFERENCE TO UP-TO-DATE RECORDS OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE DAMS AND RESERVOIRS, CARRY OUT DETAILED SITE INSPECTIONS ON THE DAMS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS, CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS AND ANALYSES ON THE GEOLOGICAL, HYDROLOGICAL AND STRUCTURAL ASPECTS AND PRODUCE REPORTS ON THE SAFETY SITUATION UNDER THE WORST PROBABLE CONDITIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REPORTS WILL ALSO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ANY MEASURES OR REMEDIAL WORKS NECESSARY TO ENSURE SAFETY.
THE WHOLE EXERCISE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE.
/ii ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
11
EXHIBITIONS ON LABOUR LAW X X * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD THREE EXHIBITIONS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION THIS MONTH AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
THE EXHIBITIONS, ORGANISED FOR THE SECOND YEAR BY THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT, WILL CONSIST MAINLY OF DISPLAYS OF PICTURES AND GRAPHICS EXPLAINING THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS SOME GENERAL CONCEPTS OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
EACH EXHIBITION WILL LAST FOR THREE DAYS AND THE FIRST ONE WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE SECOND EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM JANUARY 18 TO 20 AT THE WO CHE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX IN SHA TIN AND THE THIRD, FROM JANUARY 25 TO 27 AT HENNESSY CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID SIMILAR EXHIBITIONS HELD LAST YEAR ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AND HAD BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY WORKERS, EMPLOYERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HE EXPLAINED THAT MANY UNNECESSARY DISPUTES COULD BE AVOIDED IF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES HAD A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF LABOUR LEGISLATION AND REALISED THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ATTACHED MUCH IMPORTANCE TO PROMOTING HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS.
TALKS AND SEMINARS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS HAD BEEN ORGANISED EACH YEAR TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FIRST-TIME ENTRIES TO EXAM NEED APPROVAL * * * *
SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER FORM-MIDDLE 5 CANDIDATES AND •♦ENGLISH ONLY+ CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.
FOR THE 1986 EXAMINATION, THEY MUST APPLY TO THE SECRETARY CF THE AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
/THE bAME
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
12
THE SAME PROCEDURE APPLIES TO SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR CERTAIN PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.
THESE SUBJECTS INCLUDE ART - PAPER 9 (COURSE WORK), BIOLOGY, HUMAN BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, COMPUTER STUDIES, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, DRESS-MAKING, ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICITY, ENGINEERING SCIENCE, HOME ECONOMICS, METALWORK, NEEDLEWORK-DRESS, PHYSICS, POTTERY, PRACTICAL ELECTRICITY, SHORT-HAND, TECHNICAL DRAWING, TYPEWRITING AND WOODWORK.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11/F, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON. APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAME OFFICE.
HANDBOOKS OF REGULATIONS AND SYLLABUSES FOR THE 1986 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS) ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY’S PUBLICATIONS UNIT AT 17 TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALE CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
-------0----------
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL SURVEY SET FOR THIS MONTH *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THIS MONTH A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THIS IS A QUARTERLY SURVEY AND ITS RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 34 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS, DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS. THEY INCLUDE THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADE SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION! FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS services; community, social and personal services) and the INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND THE EXISTING VACANCIES ON DECEMBER 28, 1984 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH ESTABLISHMENT.
/SOME 10 000 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J, 1985
SOME 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE SELECTED FROM THE SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1984.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
RESPONDENTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT 5-436551, 5-444301, 5-455661 OR 5-455668.
THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING OCTOBER -DECEMBER 1984 WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, THE NATURE OF BUSINESS AND THE DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THESE FIELD VISITS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT AT 5-444364.
------0-------
ADVANCED LAW COURSE FOR JOURNALISTS
*****
JOURNALISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR AN ADVANCED LAW COURSE TO BE OFFERED THIS YEAR BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
THE COURSE IS ORGANISED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO GIVE JOURNALISTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LAW.
THE COURSE COMPRISES 16 LECTURES OF TWO HOURS EACH AND WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAYS BETWEEN MARCH 6 AND JUNE 19.
TOPICS WILL INCLUDE COURT PROCEDURE AND REPORTING, LAW OF PRIVACY, CENSORSHIP, DEFAMATION, MEANING OF COPYRIGHT AND CONTEMPT OF COURT.
THE FEE FOR THE COURSE IS $320 PER PERSON. EACH PARTICIPANT WILL PAY $100 ONLY, WITH THE BALANCE TO BE BORNE BY THE COUNCIL.
ENROLMENT IS LIMITED TO 45 AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS FEBRUARY 15 (FRIDAY).
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MR FRANK NG, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, ON 5-8932341, EXT. 283 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-------0-------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1985
PROMOTIONS AT URBAN SERVICES DEPT i « « « 4
THREE CHIEF HEALTH INSPECTORS OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT. THEY ARE MESSRS LEE SHEUNG-YEE, WONG SHIU-KWONG AND HA KAM-KAYE.
MR LEE IS AT PRESENT THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF KWAI CHUNG AND MR WONG, THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF KWUN TONG. MR HA IS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A TRAINING COURSE IN ER I TA IN.
AT A CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, PRESENTED THE PROMOTION LETTERS TO MESSRS LEE AND WONG.
- - 0 - -
CYCLING PROHIBITED ZONE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 4), CYCLING WILL BE PROHIBITED ON THE HILL SIDE OF TING KOK ROAD BETWEEN TAI MEI TUK VILLAGE AND THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT OFFICE.
WITHIN THIS PROHIBITED ZONE, NO RIDING OF BICYCLES WILL BE ALLOWED. HOWEVER, PUSHING OR OTHERWISE TRANSPORTING BICYCLES THROUGH THE ZONE WILL BE PERMITTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP TO RETIRE............................................. 1
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP ............................. 6
NO PLAN TO RETURN ............................................... 6
NOMINATION OF DB CANDIDATES BEGINS .............................. 7
GENERAL HOLIDAYS PUBLISHED ...................................... 7
REGISTRATION OF DEAK-PERERA FINANCE REVOKED .................... 10
PETROL LEAD CONTENT REDUCED .................................. 10
BIG ROAD SYSTEM PLANNED ........................................ 11
LAST SIX RICHLAND GARDENS BLOCKS OFFERED ....................... 12
SHENZHEN GROUP LOOK AT TRAN SPORT HERE ......................... 1J
DRAFT CHAI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED...................... 14
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED ..................................... 15
PHYSICIANS MEET ................................................ 16
SHOW PATIENCE, NEW FIREMEN TOLD....................-............ 16
TAXI DRIVERS GIVE DAY'S TAKE TO ELDERLY ........................ 16
SUNDAY CARNIVAL AIMS AT CRIME .................................. 17
PROMOTING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION .............................. 18
MOTOR BOATS NEEDED............................................ 18
FINAL COVER FOR CONTROLLED TIP ................................. 1S
SECOND STREET ROAD WORK ...................................... 19
BURST MAIN CAUSES TRAFFIC CHANGES .............................. 19
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
1
SIR PHILIP TO RETIRE
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN JUNE 1985 AFTER SERVING AS CHIEF SECRETARY FOR THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS. SIR PHILIP, WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY FROM 1971 TO 1981, WILL BE 60 ON JULY 6.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF W DAVID AKERS-JONES TO SUCCEED SIR PHILIP AS CHIEF SECRETARY. AKERS-JONES HAS SERVED AS SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS.
MR AKERS-JONES WILL BE SUCCEEDED AS SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN EARLY FEBRUARY BY MR DONALD LIAO, WHO HAS BEEN SUCCESSIVELY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND SECRETARY FOR HOUSING FOR THE PAST 11 YEARS. MR LIAO WILL ALSO BE APPOINTED AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A NOMINATED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
MR LIAO WILL BE SUCCEEDED AS SECRETARY FOR HOUSING BY
MR DAVID FORD WHO IS AT PRESENT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING. MR PANG YUK-LING AT PRESENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION) WILL ACT AS DIRECTOR OF HOUSING.
IN ANOTHER SERIES OF POSTINGS THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT W IAN MACPHERSON WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR ALAN SCOTT AS SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN FEBRUARY. MR MACPHERSON HAS BEEN REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. HE SERVED AS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FROM 1974 TO 1978.
MR MACPHERSON WILL BE SUCCEEDED AS REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES BY DR JAMES HAYES, AT PRESENT DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR. HIS SUCCESSOR AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL BE MR DARWIN CHEN, WHO HAS BEEN DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL SERVICES IN THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
AFTER A PERIOD OF LEAVE, MR ALAN SCOTT WILL RETURN AT THE END OF APRIL TO A TEMPORARY POST OF SECRETARY (SPECIAL DUTIES) IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A NEW POST OF DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY WILL BE CREATED IN ABOUT JUNE, AND MR SCOTT APPOINTED TO IT.
/EXPLAINING THE.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
2 -
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THIS NEW POST, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S POST HAD GROWN TO THE POINT WHERE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS NOW REQUIRED BEYOND THAT PROVIDED BY THE EXISTING POLICY AND RESOURCE BRANCHES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AND THESE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL EXPAND FURTHER WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. THE NEW POST OF DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY WOULD RANK EQUALLY WITH THE EXISTING POSTS OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. IT WOULD PROVIDE THE CHIEF SECRETARY WITH SPECIAL ASSISTANCE ON SELECTED ISSUES OF THE DAY, AND COORDINATE THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ON THESE ISSUES WHERE THEY SPAN SEVERAL BRANCHES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT MR AKERS-JONES WILL LEAVE THE POST CF SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN EARLY FEBRUARY. HE WILL ACT AS CHIEF SECRETARY FROM FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 2, WHILE SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TAKES LOCAL LEAVE. MR AKERS-JONES WILL THEN BE ABSENT FROM HONG KONG UNTIL ABOUT MAY 26, FIRST ON LEAVE AND THEN FOR CONSULTATIONS IN LONDON. ON JUNE 5 HE WILL TAKE OVER AS CHIEF SECRETARY FROM SIR PHILIP, WHO WILL DEPART ON PRERETIREMENT LEAVE LATER THAT MONTH.
FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS AND A LIST OF THE SECRETARIES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, KBE, CMG, JP
AGED 59. AFTER SERVICE WITH THE EAST AFRICA HIGH COMMISSION, IN KENYA AND IN SEYCHELLES BETWEEN 1952 AND 1962, SIR PHILIP WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN DECEMBER 1962. HE SERVED INITIALLY IN THE (THEN) COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, BECOMING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY IN 1965. IN 1967 HE WAS POSTED TO THE THEN COLONIAL SECRETARIAT AS DEPUTY ECONOMIC SECRETARY. IN JANUARY 1969 HE BECAME DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY. FOR TEN YEARS, FROM 1971 TO 1981, SIR PHILIP WAS FINANCIAL SECRETARY. HE BECAME CHIEF SECRETARY (DESIGNATE) IN JULY 1981 AND WAS APPOINTED CHIEF SECRETARY IN NOVEMBER 1981. HE HAS ACTED AS GOVERNOR AND AS DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR ON MANY OCCASIONS SINCE THEN.
/MB DAVID........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, CMG, JP
AGED 57. AFTER SERVICE IN MALAYA BETWEEN 1953 AND 1957, MR AKERS-JONES WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A CADET OFFICER CLASS II IN JULY 1957. BETWEEN I960 AND 1969 HE SERVED AS A DISTRICT OFFICER, IN TSUEN WAN, ISLANDS, AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS, AND LATER AS DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. AFTER SERVICE IN THE LANDS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BETWEEN 1969 AND 1973 HE BECAME DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NEW TERRITORIES AND LATER SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IN NOVEMBER 1973. ON THE FORMATION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HE BECAME ITS FIRST SECRETARY IN DECEMBER 1981, THE TITLE OF THE POST BEING CHANGED LATER TO ITS PRESENT DESIGNATION OF SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. MR AKERS-JONES WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN FEBRUARY, 1977.
bR DONALD LIAO, CBE, JP
AGED 55. MR LIAO JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ARCHITECT IN MARCH I960. IN NOVEMBER 1968 HE WAS PROMOTED TO BE COMMISSIONER FOR HOUSING, IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSING DIVISION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WITH THE FORMATION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, FE BECAME DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IN SEPTEMBER 1973, AN APPOINTMENT WHICH HE HELD CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL MARCH 1980. SINCE MAY 1980 bR LIAO HAS BEEN SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, AND HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN APRIL 1981.
MR DAVID FORD, MVO, OBE, JP
AGED 49. MR FORD JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN JUNE 1972, AND WAS APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER 1972. AFTER A SECONDMENT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT COMMENCING IN JANUARY 1977, HE RETURNED TO HONG KONG AS SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION IN JANUARY 1979. HE THEN SERVED AS COMMISSIONER, LONDON OFFICE BETWEEN JULY 1980 AND DECEMBER 1981. HE WAS APPOINTED TO HIS PRESENT POST AS DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IN JULY 1983. MR FORD WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN AUGUST 1981.
MR PANG YUK-LING, ISO, JP
AGED 54. MR PANG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN OCTOBER 1956 AS AN APPRENTICE ARCHITECT IN THE (THEN) PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. FE.WAS APPOINTED ON TRANSFER AS CHIEF ARCHITECT IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN MARCH 1974, AND PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION) IN MARCH 1981. HE HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF HOUSING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
/MR IAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
4 -
MR IAN MACPHERSON, OBE, JP
AGED 55. MR MACPHERSON JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN MAY 1962 AFTER SERVICE IN TANGANYIKA. HE HAS HELD A WIDE VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS BOTH IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND IN DEPARTMENTS. THE MOST SENIOR INCLUDE SERVICE AS DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1971 AND MAY 1974, AS DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES BETWEEN OCTOBER 1978 AND NOVEMBER 1981, AS REGIONAL SECRETARY, NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN DECEMBER 1981 AND JUNE 1984, AND MOST RECENTLY AS COMMISSIONER, ASSESSMENT OFFICE. MR MACPHERSON WAS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FROM DECEMBER 1974 TO OCTOBER 1978. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN AUGUST 1981.
MR ALAN SCOTT, CBE, JP
AGED 50. MR SCOTT JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN SEPTEMBER 1971 AFTER SERVICE IN FIJI. HE SERVED INITIALLY IN THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND WAS SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM SEPTEMBER 1973 TO MAY 1977. FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE YEARS FE WAS SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, AND HE WAS SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION FROM JULY 1980 TO NOVEMBER 1981. HE ASSUMED HIS PRESENT POST AS SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN JANUARY 1982. MR SCOTT WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN FEBRUARY 1977.
DR JAMES HAYES, JP
AGED 54. DR HAYES JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN JULY 1956 AS A CADET OFFICER CLASS II. HE HAS SERVED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS INCLUDING THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. DR HAYES WAS TOWN MANAGER AND DISTRICT OFFICER TSUEN WAN FROM MARCH 1975 TO FEBRUARY 1982 BEFORE TAKING UP HIS PRESENT POST OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN JULY 1983. ■
NR DARWIN CHEN, JP
AGED 52. MR CHEN JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN JULY 1961 AS AN ASSISTANT MANAGER, CITY HALL, AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED TO MANAGER IN AUGUST 1968. FROM MARCH 1973 TO AUGUST 1979 HE'WAS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, SPENDING ALMOST THE WHOLE OF THIS TIME IN THE FIELD OF CULTURAL SERVICES, AND HE WAS THEN PROMOTED TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF CULTURAL SERVICES, A POST WHICH HE HAS HELD EVER SINCE.
/LIST OF .......
Friday, January a, iqc5
5
_ 1ST OF SECRETARIES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
(ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF ROSTS)
..ECETARIES WORKING 'C THE CHIEF SECRETARY
-ECR-TARY c - W tsaT'VE SERVICES -ND INFORMATION
-'TER TSAO, CPC J- (AS FROM APRIL 1985)
SECRET-RY RRR THE CIVIL SERVICE
ARTIN ROWLANDS, CEE, JP
SECRr7ARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
LONALD LIAO, CBE, JP (AS FROM FEBRUARY 1985)
'C-TuRY FOR EDUCAT C . and MANPOWER _ HENDERSON, E , JP 'ETARY FOP GENERAL DUTIES
-TER WILLIAMS, CBE (AS FROM FEBRUARY 1985)
’-RY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE
JOHN CHAMBERS, JP
SET E' ARY FOR HOUSING
lm'/ID FORD, MVC, OBE, JP (AS FROM FEBRUARY 1Q85)
SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND wORKS
NICKY CHAN, CEE, JP
SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES
..RAHAM BARNES, JP (AS FROM APRIL 1°85)
SECRETARY FOR SECUR TY
DAV ID JEAFFRESON, CBE. JP
SECRETARY FOR SPECIAL DU" ES
ALAN SCOTT, CBE, JP (•' FRO* ARM, 1P85)
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
IAN MACPHERSON, OBE, JD (AS FROM -EBRUARY 1985)
SECRETARIES WORKING TO THE Fl NA Cl Al SECRETARY
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SE- 'T PIERS JACOBS, OBE, J'
DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRE’AP
SELWYN ALLEYNE, JR
cRETARY FOR MONETARY A-r IRS
DL-GLAS BLYE, CMC, Dt , J-'
stCRETARY FOR TRADE -'■.’ ... . ’
7 - IC " ■, CBE, J3
c
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 19-5' - 6 -
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILIP
******
THE GOVERNOR THIS AFTERNOON PAID A WARM TRIBUTE TO SIR PHILP -iADJ''J’-CAVE ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS RETIREMENT NEXT JUNE.
HE SAID, +HONG KONG IS IMMENSELY GRATEFUL TO SIR PHILIP FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE OVER MORE THAN A DECADE, FIRST AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND LATER AS CHIEF SECRETARY. IN THESE CAPACITIES, AND aS AN EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HE HAS MADE A _ HI QU- CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S P.LICI-i
IN MANY FIELDS.
+SIR PHILIP’S DEDICATION TO THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG HAVE «... HIM wIDE RESPECT. I PERSONALLY AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR HIS LOYAL SUPPORT AND WISE COUNSEL.+
REFERRING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF MR AKERS-JONES’ APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF SECRETARY TO SUCCEED SIR PHILIP, THE GOVERNOR SAID:
+IN MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, HONG KONG HAS A WORTHY SUCCESSOR AS CHIEF SECRETARY. NO ONE HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF Trit MANY FACETS OF HONG KONG LIFE, AND OF THE CONCERNS AND ASPIRATIONS CF THE COMMUNITY. HE TOO HAS LONG EXPERIENCE OF, AND HAS MADE A DISTINCTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO, GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. IN PARTICULAR, F£ HAS BEEN ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTS OF OUR PLANS FOR MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
♦IT IS FITTING THAT HE SHOULD TAKE OVER AS CHIEF SECRETARY AT A TIME WHEN THESE PLANS ARE BEING PUT INTO EFFECT.*
-------o ----------
NO PLAN TO RETURN * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON HIS RETIREMENT IN JUNE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS EVENING That he WOULD RETURN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.
HE ADDED THAT HE HAD NO PLANS TO SEEK ANY EMPLOYMENT IN K)NG KONG NOR TO RETURN TO THE TERRITORY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
ON THE TIMING ON HIS RETIREMENT, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT HE WAS A CIVIL SERVANT RETIRING IN THE NORMAL WAY AFTER 3A YEARS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. THE NORMAL RETIRING AGE FOR Cl- IL SERVANTS WAS 55. WHERE EXTENSIONS WERE INVOLVED, TwESt WERE NORMALLY DONE ON A TWO-TWO-ONE SAS IS — TWO YEARS TAO YEARS AND ONE YEAR.
/HE AJDED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
HE ADDED THAT IN HIS OWN CASE, HE WAS APPOINTED AS CHIEF SECRETARY FOR FOUR YEARS ON NOVEMBER 11, 1981 AFTER SERVING AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR 10 YEARS. HE WAS RETIRING 5-1/2 MON HS BEFORE HIS FOUR-YEAR APPOINTMENT WAS UP TO FACILITATE MR DAVID AKERS-JONES' APPOINTMENT. SIR PHILIP WILL BE 60 IN JULY 1985 AND MR AKERS-JONES 60 IN APRIL 1987.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHAT HIS TASKS WOULD BE IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, SIR PHILIP SAID IT WOULD BE TO CARRY ON AS USUAL RIGHT UP TO THE DAY HE HANDED OVER TO MR AKERS-JONES.
- - 0 - -
NOMINATION OF DB CANDIDATES BEGINS
******
82 CANDIDATES SUBMITTED THEIR NAMES TODAY -- THE OPENING DAY CF NOMINATION — TO STAND FOR THE FIRST TERRITORY WIDE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
NOMINATIONS CAN BE MADE AT DISTRICT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS ON WEEKDAYS. THE DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, JANUARY 31.
ANY REGISTERED VOTER WHO HAS BEEN A RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR TEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEEDING THE NOMINATION DATE CAN QUALIFY AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE ELECTIONS.
THE NOMINATED CANDIDATE WILL CONTEST FOR 237 SEATS IN THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS.
- - c -
GENERAL HOLIDAYS PUBLISHED * * * *
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR THIS YEAR AND FOR 1986 ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR FOR THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WOULD FALL ON JUNE 15 AND JUNE 17 INSTEAD OF JUNE 8 AND. JUNE 10.
THE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY AND THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY IN 1986 WERE PROVISIONAL ONLY AND MIG-IT BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY CHANGE WOULD BE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE^ AND WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN THE GAZETTE AS SOON AS IT WAS KNOWN, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/HE POINTED
V
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 198?
8 -
. POINTED OUT THAT AN ADDITIONAL GENERAL HOLIDAY HAD BEEN ’POINTED ON JULY 29 THIS YEAR BECAUSE CHING MING FESTIVAL AND OCT -RIDAY, WHICH ARE GENERAL HOLIDAYS UNDER THE HOLIDAYS RD I NANCE, BOTH FALL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 5.
FOLLOWING ARE THE LISTS OF HOLIDAYS:
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1985
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
CHING MING FESTIVAL
GOOD FRIDAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY
EASTER MONDAY
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
MONDAY, APRIL 8
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY MONDAY, JUNE 17
TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JUNE 22
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY DUE TO THE
COINCIDENCE OF CHING MING
FESTIVAL AND GOOD FRIDAY MONDAY, JULY 29
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY
IN AUGUST SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH
SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY MONDAY, AUGUST 26
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
/general holidays
= = = ======= = = = =
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1986
EVERY SUNDAY THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY THE DAY PRECEDING LUNAR NEW YEAR THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR GOOD FRIDAY THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY EASTER MONDAY CHING MING FESTIVAL THEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST
THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST, WHICH SHALL BE LIBERATION DAY
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
THE DAY FOLLOWING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 TUESDAY, .FEBRUARY 11 FRIDAY, MARCH 28 SATURDAY, MARCH 29
MONDAY, MARCH 31
SATURDAY, APRIL 5 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 SATURDAY, JUNE 14
MONDAY, JUNE 16
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26
-----0------
/10........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
10 -
REGISTRATION OF DEAK-PERERA FINANCE REVOKED * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED
TODAY THAT ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 2) HE HAD REVOKED THE REGISTRATION OF DEAK-PERERA FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUND THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY WAS BEING CARRIED ON IN A MANNER DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTERESTS OF ITS DEPOSITORS.
-----o------
PETROL LEAD CONTENT REDUCED
* * * *
THE LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL SOLD IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 0.25 GRAMMES PER LITRE FROM THE PREVIOUS 0.4 GRAMMES PER LITRE FROM JANUARY 1.
THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED FURTHER TO A RECOMMENDATION BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN EARLY 1983, AND A VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT BY THE OIL COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS A FURTHER STEP IN THE PROGRAMME OF PHASED REDUCTIONS INTRODUCED SINCE 1^81 WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THE OIL COMPANIES. THE FIRST STEP TOOK PLACE IN JULY OF THAT YEAR, WHEN THE LEAD CONTENT OF PETROL SOLD IN THE TERRITORY wAS REDUCED FROM 0.84 GRAMMES PER LITRE TO 0.6 GRAMMES PER LITRE. ON JANUARY 1, 1983, A FURTHER REDUCTION TO 0.4 GRAMMES PER LITRE WAS INTRODUCED.
HONG KONG HAS NO REFINING CAPACITY OF ITS OWN, AND IS DEPENDENT UPON EXTERNAL SOURCES FOR ITS FUEL. IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY FOR THE OIL COMPANIES TO NEGOTIATE WITH ITS SUPPLIERS, PRINCIPALLY SINGAPORE AND CHINA, TO ENSURE THAT THE LEAD LEVEL SET FOR FUEL IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG WAS ONE WHICH COULD BE MET WITHOUT EXORBITANT COST ARISING FROM EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTION RUNS AT REFINERIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY CONFIRMED THAT SHIPMENTS OF THE 0.25 GRAMMES PER LITRE LEAD LEVEL PETROL HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN HONG KONG SINCE LATE 1984. THIS PETROL HAS BEEN USED TO FLUSH THROUGH EXISTING STOCK OF PETROL IN STORAGE DEPOTS AND AT FILLING STATIONS, TO ENSURE THAT THE PETROL SOLD AT THE PUMP COULD THEN MEET THE NEW STANDARD OF 0.25 GRAMMES OF LEAD PER LITRE.
MONITORING UNDERTAKEN BY THE EPA SHOWED THAT ATMOSPHERIC LEAD LEVELS IN HONG KONG WERE COMPARABLE TO INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS. NEVERTHELESS, GIVEN THE CROWDED URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE DESIRABILITY OF REDUCING STILL FURTHER THE LEAD IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
11
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPA SAID THAT CHANGES IN LEAD LEVELS WOULD BE MONITORED BY AN EXTENSION OF THE PREVIOUS LEAD-IN-DUST PROGRAMME. IN THIS PROGRAMME, LEAD-IN-DUST LEVELS WERE MEASURED OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM 1982 TO 1983 AT 76 SELECTED ROADSIDE RECREATIONAL AREAS, INCLUDING SOME UNDER FLYOVERS. THE STUDY CONFIRMED THAT LEAD-IN-DUST LEVELS AT THESE SITES WERE LOWER THAN INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED +ACTION+ LEVELS OF 5 OOO PARTS PER MILLION, ALTHOUGH 13 SITES FAILED TO MEET +GUI DEL I NE + LEVELS OF 500 PARTS PER MILLION.
THE REDUCTION TO 0.25 GRAMMES PER LITRE LEAD LEVEL IN PETROL SHOULD SEE A POSITIVE IMPROVEMENT IN LEAD LEVELS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
-----0------
BIG ROAD SYSTEM PLANNED
* * * *
GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A SYSTEM OF ROADS, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS COSTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TO LINK TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
THE PROJECTS, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TO BE KNOWN AS THE SHING MUN SECTION OF ROUTE FIVE, THE SYSTEM WILL FORM PART OF THE OVERALL SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
MAJOR WORKS PROPOSED INCLUDE:
* ABOUT 2.6-KILOMETRE LONG TWIN TUBE TUNNELS, EACH CARRYING TWO TRAFFIC LANES, UNDER SMUGGLERS RIDGE AND NEEDLE HILL AND THE ASSOCIATED TUNNEL PORTALS;
* TWO 100-METRE LONG BRIDGES OVER THE HEADWATER OF LOWER SHING MUN RESERVOIR ;
* A 60-METRE LONG BRIDGE OVER THE DIVERSION OF SHING MUN ROAD;
* APPROACH ROADS IN BOTH TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN; AND
* AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND A TOLL PLAZA IN TSUEN WAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE SAID DRAINAGE WORKS INCLUDING THREE NEW CULVERTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO INTERCEPT AND SAFELY DISCHARGE STORM WATER AWAY FROM THE ROAD.
/■►SUBSTANTIAL
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
12
♦SUBSTANTIAL LANDSCAPING WORKS ARE ALSO PLANNED TO BLEND THE ROADWORKS INTO THE RURAL SURROUNDINGS. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY TREE PLANTING AND CAREFUL SHAPING OF CUT SLOPES SO THAT THEY INTEGRATE WITH THE SURROUNDING TOPOGRAPHY,+ HE SAID.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY;
M SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 6TH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE WORKS SHOULD BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS BY MARCH 5.
------o-------
LAST SIX RICHLAND GARDENS BLOCKS OFFERED * * * * X *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY DECIDED TO OFFER THE LAST SIX BLOCKS AT RICHLAND GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY FOR SALE TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS UNDER PHASE V I B OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
♦THE NEW OFFER IS MADE ON ACCOUNT OF THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT SALE OF 4 272 FLATS ON THE FIRST 16 BLOCKS AT THE LARGEST PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME DEVELOPMENT,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY.
HE SAID ABOUT 2 850 FLATS HAD BEEN SNAPPED UP BY ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IN THE PAST 21 WORKING DAYS.
THE LAST SIX BLOCKS TO BE SOLD TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST 16 BLOCKS ARE BLOCKS 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 AND 17, HAVING A TOTAL OF 1 632 TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM FLATS.
they are priced from 5200 700 to $324 ooo each with gross AREAS BETWEEN 43.7 AND 57.9 SQUARE METRES.
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, JANUARY A, 1985
- 13 -
'-E POKESMAJ SAID: ♦ IN ORDER TO GIVE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANT-JHANCE TO OWN Their HOMES AT RICHLAND GARDENS, FRESH PLICATIONS FOR THE FLATS ON THE SIX BLOCKS WILL BE INVITED
-P. TOMORPOw (SATURDAY).
♦ ^LL HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATE TENANTS MAKING ~ **E I F APPLICATIONS BY USING GREEN FORM WILL BE GIVEN -iguer priority to select their flats as IN THE PREVIOUS SALES EXERCISES,+ HE ADDED.
♦families in the private sector may also apply for the -LATS BY USING WHITE FORM PROVIDED THEY MEET THE PHASE VIB ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
♦ HOWEVER, THEIR TURN WILL BE BEHIND THE 11 OOO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS NOW ON THE PHASE VIB RESERVE LIST.
♦ as fop those phase vib applicants who have not previously MADE THEIR SELECTIONS, ThEY CAN APPROACH THE HOME OWNERSHIP 3ENTRE in HO MAN TIN FOR NEW APPOINTMENTS IF THEY WISH TO BUY A FLAT ON THE SIX BLOCKS.*
APPLICATION FORMS AND BROCHURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE
centre.
THE CENTRE WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM TOMORROW AND BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE FLATS WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 11).
--------c --------
SHENZHEN GROUP LOOK AT TRANSPORT HERE *****
A SEVEN-MEMBER DELEGATION OF SHENZHEN TRANSPORT OFFICIALS, LED BY MR LI X INTING, DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE SHENZHEN MUNICIPALITY GOVERNMENT, VISITED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY.
THE GROUP ARE HERE TO LOOK AT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES AND TO LEARN ABOUT HONG KONG’S TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT EXPER IENCE.
THEY WERE RECEIVED BY MR PETER LEEDS, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, AND MR PANG HAU-CHUNG, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (PLANNING AND RESEARCH) AND BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS N THE LOCAL TRANSPORT SCENE.
THE BRIEFING WAS FOLLOWED BY VISITS TO THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE COMPUTERISED TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY LIMITED.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
14
DRAFT CHAI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS PUBLISHED THREE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT CHAI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT INVOLVES THE EXTENSION OF THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE PLANNING AREA TO COVER THE DEVELOPMENT AT THE MTR CHAI WAN DEPOT SITE (KNOWN AS HENG FA CHUEN DEVELOPMENT) WHICH WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 7 500 FLATS FOR ABOUT 30 000 PERSONS, AND A COMMERCIAL-RETAIL SHOPPING AREA OF ABOUT 26 700 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT-INSTI TUTION-COMMUNITY FACILITIES. ABOUT 4.9 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING A 15-METRE WIDE WATERFRONT PROMENADE.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTENS, COMMUNITY CENTRES, INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, A POST OFFICE AND A MARKET.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROPOSES TO CLASSIFY AN AREA SOUTH-WEST OF MTR CHAI WAN DEPOT SITE FROM ’GREEN BELT’ AND ’ROAD’ TO ’GOVERNMENT-1NSTI TUTION-COMMUNITY’.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT IS TO RESERVE ADDITIONAL AREA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAU KEI WAN HOSPITAL (THE EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL) WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY 1990. THE NORTHERN PART OF THIS AMENDMENT IS RESERVED FOR TWO SERVICE RESERVOIRS FOR THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CHAI WAN.
THE THIRD AMENDMENT CONCERNS THE REVISION OF LAND USE PROPOSALS AT THE SITE ADJOINING THE MTR CHAI WAN STATION (FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHAI WAN SOUTH STATION). THE AREA IS TO BE REZONED FOR COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL, GOVERNMENT-1NSTITUT ION-COMMUNITY AND OPEN SPACE USES.
THE COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL SITE WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 1 250 FLATS FOR ABOUT 5 000 PERSONS. THE GOVERNMENT-INSTI TUT I ON-COMMUNITY SITE IS RESERVED FOR A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING BY JANUARY 24, TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES!
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
/• THE JI ST J- ICT ....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
15
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (EASTERN), 880-886 KING’S ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG > AND
* THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES ARE ALSO ON SALE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG- AND KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
------0-------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED * * * *
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE CLEARED TODAY FROM FOUR PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KWA WAN.
THE OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT BY HOUSING DEPARTMENT WORKERS IN SHIM LUEN STREET, YIN ON STREET, TSUN FAT STREET AND HOK LING STREET. THE STREETS HAD BEEN RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR UNDER A PILOT SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN PRIVATE STREETS.
AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE MR CLEMENT CHEUNG, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF A WORKING GROUP COORDINATING THE RESUMPTION OF THE FOUR PRIVATE STREETS, SAID THAT PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE WOULD BE RESETTLED IN HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY.
ABOUT 17 SHOP OWNERS WHO HAD OPERATED BUSINESSES THERE SINCE JUNE 1982 WOULD BE GIVEN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE, HE SAID.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE WILL LATER START REPAIRING ROAD SURFACES AND OTHER UTILITIES THERE.
TO FACILITATE THE WORKS, WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS, HALF OF SHIM LUEN STREET AND TSUN FAT STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
♦WORK ON YIN ON STREET AND HOK LING STREET WILL BE CARRIED OUT LATER,+ SAID MR CHEUNG.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ANY CANOPIES OR PROJECTIONS IN THE FOUR STREETS.
WHEN THE WHOLE PROGRAMME IS COMPLETED, THESE STREETS WILL Be. WIDENED TO ALLOW FOR ONE-WAY TRAFFIC.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAD ALLOCATED $6 500 FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN SHIM LUEN STREET.
Slower pots will be placed there to beautify the area, AND Ir SUCCESSFUL, SIMILAR PROJECTS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN OTHER RESUMED STREETS IN THE FUTURE,+ HE ADDED.
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/16 .....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
16
PHYSICIANS MEET
* * *
THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH AT THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL AT 4.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6).
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS BEING HELD BY THE COLLEGE OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 300 YEARS.
------0-------
SHOW PATIENCE, NEW FIREMEN TOLD * * *
NEW FIREMEN WERE TOLD TODAY OF THE NEED TO CONTROL THEIR EMOTIONS AND TO SHOW UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENCE TOWARDS VICTIMS OF FIRE OR OTHER CALAMITY.
THESE WORDS OF ADVICE WERE FROM DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER vERRY LAM CHEK-YUEN, AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
MR LAM TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE BOUND + T0 EXPERIENCE EXCITEMENT, AND ON OCCASIONS FRUSTRATION, UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGES*.
HE FURTHER URGED THEM TO ADAPT AND TO REGULATE THEMSELVES TO CHANGES SO THAT THEY COULD GIVE THEIR BEST TO THE COMMUNITY.
+BY YOUR DISCIPLINE, SKILL, BEHAVIOUR AND ABOVE ALL YOUR PERFORMANCE, YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES. wE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT OUR PRIMARY FUNCTION IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WHICH DEMANDS TOTAL COMMITMENT FROM EVERY ONE OF US,+ HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES ENJOYED A GOOD INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION, EARNED BY HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL, HE SAID.
-------o _ . _ _
TAXI DRIVERS GIVE DAY’S TAKE TO ELDERLY * * *
MORE THAN 130 TAXI DRIVERS WILL TAKE PART IN A FUND RAISING DRIVE ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6) AND WILL DONATE THEIR DAY’S TAKE TO THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT’S +RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN*.
THEY WILL DECORATE THEIR TAXIS WITH POSTERS AND STICKERS, AND WILL ASSEMBLE IN THE HONG KONG STADIUM CAR PARK AT 8.30 AM TO BEGIN THE EIGHT-HOUR FUND-RAISING DRIVE.
/PEOPLE TAKING .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY A, 1985
1?
PEOPLE TAKING THE TAXIS WILL BE ASKED TO PUT THEIR FARES, TIPS AND DONATIONS INTO A SPECIAL COLLECTION BOX.
THE +FREE CARRIAGE FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN* IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, THE WAN CHAI YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND THE WAN CHAI PAK HOK GYMNASIUM, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE YAU LUEN TAXI COMPANY AND THE HUNG DI LUEN TAXI COMPANY.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE +RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CAMPAIGN* INCLUDE FILM SHOWS, FREE GIFTS, A HEALTH DAY FOR THE ELDERLY AND A COMPETITION FOR THE HEALTHIEST AND OLDEST PERSONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS TO BRING WARMTH TO THE ELDERLY AND TO URGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOW MORE RESPECT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
+THE ELDERLY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN IN THE DISTRICT AS THERE ARE MORE THAN 32 000 ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60 IN WAN CHAI,* HE SAID.
*THIS REPRESENTS ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF THE 229 000 RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH MEANS WAN CHAI HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST POPULATIONS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG,* HE ADDED.
THE CAMPAIGN IS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT MORE THAN 5 000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE VARIOUS EVENTS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN CAN BE MADE ON 5-745910.
-----0------
SUNDAY CARNIVAL AIMS AT CRIME ******
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES AT A LOCAL FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6).
THE CARNIVAL HIGHLIGHTS THE CURRENT SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN. IT WILL START WITH A LION DANCE FROM MAN NIN STREET TO THE TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A PARACHUTE SHOW BY THE BRITISH ARMY’S RED DEVIL PARACHUTE TEAM, A DONKEY-RIDE FOR CHILDREN, AN ANTI-CRIME-AND-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION, A TRICK CYCLING DEMONSTRATION, AND PERFORMANCES BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE BAND AND THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, DR HO KAM FAI, THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (WONG TAI SIN), MR F.S. KAVANAGH, AND THE COMMANDER HEADQUARTERS GURKHA FIELD FORCE BRIGADAIRE, MR PETER DUFFELL WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CARNIVAL.
----0----
FRIDAY, JANUARY A, 1985
18
PROMOTING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION * * * *
A TELEMATCH GAMES AND CHILDREN’S FUN FAIR WILL BE HELD AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6) TO PROMOTE DISTR ICT ADMINISTRATION.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ARTS, CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
FREE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EVENT.
- - 0 -
MOTOR BOATS NEEDED * * *
TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE SUPPLY ON HIRE OF AT LEAST THREE MOTOR BOATS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FOR 12 MONTHS, FROM APRIL 1.
THE BOATS WILL BE USED FOR CARRYING CUSTOMS AND EXCISE OFFICERS BETWEEN THE SHORE AND SHIPS IN THE HARBOUR AND FOR PATROLS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, 15/F, HONG KONG TRADE CENTRE, 161-167 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
- 0 -
FINAL COVER FOR CONTROLLED TIP
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CONTROLLED TIP AT MA YAU TONG.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE SPREADING AND COMPACTING ABOUT 200 000 TONNES OF REFUSE, AND CONSTRUCTING AN ACCESS ROAD FROM JUNK BAY ROAD TO THE CONTROLLED TIP.
/WORK IS
FBIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1985
- 19 -
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH, AND WHEN COMPLETED IN 16 MONTHS, WILL PROVIDE ABOUT FOUR HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
THE TENDER DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25.
THE WORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE PLANNING (LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES) DIVISION, AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION (LIQUID AND SOLID WASTES) DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
-----0------
SECOND STREET ROAD WORK
* * * *
SECOND STREET, BETWEEN WESTERN STREET AND POK FU LAM ROAD IN WESTERN DISTRICT, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 7 UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 20 TO ALLOW ROAD WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WESTERN STREET AND BONHAM ROAD.
-------0-----------
BURST MAIN CAUSES TRAFFIC CHANGES
* * * * *
EMERGENCY WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT ON A BURST WATER MAIN AT THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PO KONG VILLAGE IN TSZ WAN SHAN.
AS A RESULT, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED:
* THE RIGHT TURN FROM PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD NORTHBOUND TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD HAS BEEN CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, UNTIL 3 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL. 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 19^5
C( MTENTS PAGE NO.
•w
FERRY TERMINAL SITE FETCHES 8389.9 MILLION ..................... 1
ST JOHN'S AMBULANCE BRIGADE PRAISED ............................ 2
FACILITIES SOUGHT FOR TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL ..................... 3
LADY YOUDE OPENS NEW WING FOR CHILDREN'S CHOIR ............... 3
NEW ID CARDS TIME FOR WOMEN. BORN IN 19^9. 50...................
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS FDR LEASE ...........................
LANDING FACILITIES FOR LIGHT BEACON ..........................•• 5
MOVING TO NEW HOME ............................................. 6
UNDERPASS TO BE CLOSED FOR WORK ................................
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR LEGAL YEAR OPENING ............................ 6
TAPS OFF IN KENNEDY TOWN ........................•..............
FIRING PRACTICE
7
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
1
FERRY TERMINAL SITE FETCHES $389.9 MILLION
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED A PRICE OF $389.9 MILLION FOR THE HONG KONG-CHINA FERRY TERMINAL SITE IN CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR THE SITE, ALSO KNOWN AS KIL 10743, WAS MILLION SUCCESS LTD.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE TENDER PRICE RECEIVED.
+THIS CONFIRMS OUR VIEW THAT PROPERTY DEVELOPERS IN HONG KONG ARE AGAIN WILLING TO INVEST SUBSTANTIAL SUMS IN THE PURCHASE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND, AND A BETTER RESPONSE FROM DEVELOPERS IN FUTURE LAND SALES CAN BE EXPECTED,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID FOUR COMPETITIVE TENDERS FOR THE SITE WERE SUBMITTED ON THE CLOSING DATE - DECEMBER 21 - AND THE MILLION SUCCESS LTD.’S BID WAS THE HIGHEST.
THE 2.44—HECTARE SITE, INCLUDING 9 000 SQUARE METRES OF SEABED, ON WHICH THERE IS AN AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTION OF 60.96 t-ETRES, IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY INCLUDE A HOTEL.
THE PURCHASER WILL BE REQUIRED TO BUILD FOR THE GOVERNMENT A FERRY TERMINAL, INCLUDING A PIER, ^OR THE HONG KONG-CHINA VESSEL PASSENGER SERVICES WITH COMPLETION NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1987.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY THE PURCHASER THE CONSTRUCTION COST CF THE TERMINAL ACCORDING TO THE WORK COMPLETED IN STAGES, AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WHICH WILL NOT EXCEED $207.5 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE PURCHASER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A NON-1NDUSTRI AL DEVELOPMENT OF AT LEAST 41 000 SQUARE METRES IN GROSS FLOOR AREA ABOVE THE PODIUM BY THE END OF 1989.
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/2
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
- 5 -
FACILITIES SOUGHT FOR TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL * * * *
OPERATORS EXPERIENCED IN PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR THE DISPOSAL CF TOXIC, HAZARDOUS AND DIFFICULT WASTES ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN A LIST OF PRE-QUALIFIED TENDERERS.
AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTES DISPOSAL ORDINANCE 1980 (CAP. 354), CONTROLS WILL SHORTLY BE ENFORCED ON THE DISPOSAL OF THESE WASTES, WHICH INCLUDE STRONG ACIDS, ALKALIS, HEAVY METAL SALTS, ORGANIC SOLVENTS AND HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS, OILS AND OIL SLUDGES.
THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE RECEPTION, TREATMENT AND SAFE DISPOSAL OF THE WASTES, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 40 000 TONNES A YEAR, IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL.
THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE AN AQUEOUS WASTE TREATMENT PLANT, AN OILY WASTE TREATMENT PLANT AND A HAZARDOUS WASTE INCINERATOR.
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR OIL REPROCESSING MAY ALSO EE PROVIDED IF THEIR INCLUSION WILL HELP TO ENHANCE OVERALL VIABILITY.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD EE PREPARED TO PROVIDE ALL CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT AS THE PLANTS WILL BE OPERATED ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.
WRITTEN APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT (ATTENTION CHIEF ENGINEER, POLLUTION CONTROL) AT 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 9TH FLOOR, KOWLOON, BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1985.
- - - - 0-----
LADY YOUDE OPENS NEW WING FOR CHILDREN’S CHOIR * * *
LADY Y0UDE TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED A NEW WING FOR THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR AT 01 MAN ESTATE IN HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
THE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR THE CHOIR HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY
the housing authority in support of cultural activities.
AT A CEREMONY WHICH ALSO COMMEMORATED THE CHOIR’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY, LADY YOUDE UNVEILED A BRONZE PLAQUE TO MARKTHC OPENING OF The NEW PREMISES.
SHE Then TOURED The PREMISES AND WATCHED children SINGING, DANCING AND PLAYING INSTRUMENTS IN CLASSES.
SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CHOIR, MR CHAN HO-CHOI; VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR KIM CHAM? The SECRETARY FOR HOUSING MR DONALD LIAO; HONORARY MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE CHOIR M? DOMING LAM AND MUSi: DIRECTOR, MADAM MARGARET LING.
- - - - 0 -----
/u ......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
NEW ID CARDS TIME FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1949, 50 * * * *
WOMEN BORK IN 1949 AND 1950 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BETWEEN MONDAY (JANUARY 7) AND FEBRUARY 2 THIS YEAR.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR OLD I.D. CARDS AND HAVE THEIR PERSONAL PARTICULARS READY WHEN THEY VISIT THE ISSUE OFF ICES.
THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
+T0 AVOID THE EVENING RUSH, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO COME EEFORE 5 PM,+ AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
A MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO WISH TO GO TO A SPECIFIC ISSUE OFFICE AT A PRE-ARRANGED TIME. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES OR IMMIGRATION OFF ICES.
+COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT NO AMNESTY WOULD BE GRANTED TO ILLEGAL
immigrants.
- o - -
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS FOR LEASE X X * * X
A TOTAL OF 981 STALL SITES AT SEVEN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE PUT UP FOR LEASE AT AUCTIONS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
THE STALLS WILL BE FOR SELLING FLOWERS, DRY GOODS, DRINKS OR ICE CREAM.
THE FAIRS WILL BE HELD IN TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, NORTH DISTRICT, KwAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7), 120 STALL SITES AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE Ta I HING COMMUNITY HALL, TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN.
ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 8), BIDDING FOR 80 SITES AT TAI PO PLAYGROUND *ILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
- 5 -
AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN, 208 SITES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 9) AT THE AUDITORIUM CF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10), 113 SITES AT SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL.
ALL FOUR AUCTIONS WILL START AT 9.30 AM, AND THE UPSET RENTAL WILL BE $100 EACH.
THE REMAINING 460 STALLS FOR THE FAIRS IN KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG WILL BE AUCTIONED ONE WEEK LATER, WITH DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
------0-------
LANDING FACILITIES FOR LIGHT BEACON
* X * X *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT LANDING FACILITIES FOR AN EXISTING LIGHT BEACON IN RAMBLER CHANNEL WITHIN AN AREA CF ABOUT 400 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
THE LANDING FACILITIES WILL BE FOR THE UNLOADING OF EQUIPMENT AND WILL IMPROVE SAFETY CONDITIONS FOR MAINTENANCE WORK.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE UNDER THE PUBLIC RECLAMATIONS AND WORKS ORDINANCE.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN:
* ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE;
* AT LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, FIFTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG 5 AND
* AT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOU WAH CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS IN WRITING WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
/6........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
6
MOVING TO NEW HOME
* * *
THE NEW PREMISES OF THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS ASSOCIATION WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE LAI KOK ESTATE.
LOCATED AT S14-15A LAI FU HOUSE, THE PREMISES WAS ESTABLISHED WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS DORIS HO AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE PREMISES.
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UNDERPASS TO BE * *
CLOSED FOR WORK *
THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHA:-ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 7-9), TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK. T
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WHO WISH TO PROCEED TO HUNG HOM ARE ADVISED TO 'USE CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE? OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
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TRAFFIC PLAN FOR LEGAL YEAR OPENING
* * * *
IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR 1985, EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN HMS TAMAR AND QUEEN’S PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 3 PM AND 9 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 7).
HOWEVER, THE CLOSURE WILL NOT AFFECT MAXICABS REQUIRING ACCESS TO THE STANDS THERE AND VEHICLES ENTERING OR LEAVING HMS TAMAR.
ALSO IN CENTRAL, THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE CAR PARK NEXT TO TOE YWCA BUILDING AT MACDONNELL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 7 UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 23 FOR ROAD RESURFACING.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1985
7
TAPS OFF IN KENNEDY TOWN
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 8) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT POK FU LAM ROAD, 79C-95 BELCHER’S GARDEN, HOK SZ TERRACE, TO LI TERRACE, CHING LIN TERRACE, HEE WONG TERRACE, TAI PAK TERRACE, LI PO LUNG TERRACE, VIOLET TERRACE, 18-2OA BELCHER’S STREET, 14-34 SMITHFIELD AND POKFIELD ROAD.
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F IRING PRACTICE * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RANGE FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY (JANUARY 7 TO 5 PM.
HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK 12) BETWEEN 8 AM AND
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
- - o - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
CQNTWS PAGE NO.
CENTRAL MALARIA LABORATORY SET UP ........................... 1
UW ALLOWS CLOSER CHECK ON INSURANCE FIRMS ................... 2
MORE, BETTER MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED ...................... 4
TAI PO DB IO MEET ON TUESDAY ................................ 5
MORE NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED............................. 6
SEMINAR ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE.................. 7
TIDYING UP GARBAGE DISPOSAL WORK ............................ 7
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP PREVENT CRIME........................... 8
NEW HOMES FOR 5 OOO PEOPLE AT CHEUNG HONG ESTATE............. 9
TENDERS FOR ROADS MAINTENANCE INVITED ....................... 10
ARTS GROUP GETS NEW HOME..................................... 10
SUBMARINE SEWERS PROPOSED FOR SAI KUNG ...................... 11
RESTRICTED ZONES IN TAI KOK TSUI ............................ 12
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
1
CENTRAL MALARIA LABORATORY SET UP
* * * *
HONG KONG HAS JUST SET UP A CENTRAL REFERENCE LABORATORY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF MALARIA, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, SAID TODAY.
SUCH A LABORATORY HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE EXPERTS OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) FOLLOWING THEIR IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE LOCAL SITUATION IN 1983 AND EARLY 1984.
SO FAR, TWO SENIOR LABORATORY TECHNICIANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO MALAYSIA AND THAILAND TO STUDY ADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES ON MALARIA. ON THEIR RETURN, THEY WILL BE POSTED TO THE CENTRAL REFERENCE LABORATORY.
+THE PURPOSE OF THIS LABORATORY IS TO HAVE A CENTRAL UNIT TO COUNTER-CHECK POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SLIDES FROM ALL GOVERNMENT PATHOLOGY INSTITUTES SO AS TO MONITOR THE STANDARD OF LABORATORY WORK,* DR LEE EXPLAINED.
IN ADDITION, IT OFFERS CONSULTATIVE SERVICE TO OTHER LABORATORIES, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ON DOUBTFUL CASES.
+SPEEDY IDENTIFICATION OF THE DISEASE IS MOST IMPORTANT IN CONTROLLING MALARIA IN HONG KONG,* DR LEE SAID.
+EXTENSIVE URBANISATION HAS ELIMINATED MOST CLEAR SLOW-RUNNING STREAMS WHICH ARE THE BREEDING PLACES FOR MALARIA VECTORS IN HONG KONG. AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CASES DROPPED FROM 2 400 IN 1946 TO AN AVERAGE OF 10 CASES A YEAR IN THE EARLY 197OS.+ DR LEE EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, WITH RAPIDLY-EXPANDING TOURISM, MALARIA NOWADAYS CAN BE EASILY IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG BY PEOPLE COMING FROM MALARIA-ENDEMIC REGIONS. WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES, THE DISEASE COULD SPREAD BY MOSQUITO VECTORS EXISTING IN CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+OUR STRATEGY IS TO IDENTIFY THE DISEASE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PROVIDE THOROUGH TREATMENT AND ELIMINATE POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES.
+AFTER EVALUATING THIS STRATEGY, THE WHO EXPERTS GAVE IT THEIR FULL SUPPORT,* DR LEE SAID.
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A NETWORK OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY FOR CASE DETECTION.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 113 REPORTED MALARIA CASES, INCLUDING 96 IMPORTED ONES. WITH ITS EXTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, THE DEPARTMENT DEALT WITH THEM EFFECTIVELY, THEREBY PREVENTING THE DISEASE FROM BECOMING ENDEMIC.
/ALL CONFIRMED........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
2
ALL CONFIRMED CASES ARE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT, WHILE HEALTH STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT THOROUGH INVESTIGATION TO LOCATE THE POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INFECTION AND PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION. OTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES SUCH AS LARVICIDING AND INSECTICIDE SPRAYING BY STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT.
AFTER TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL, PATIENTS WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE REGULAR BLOOD TESTS FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS TO ENSURE THE DISEASE WILL NOT RELAPSE.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES REGULAR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME. TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN THE ANTI-MALARIA FIGHT.
FULLY TRAINED DOCTORS AND NURSES OF THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT GIVE HEALTH TALKS TO VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS. THEY ALSO MAKE USE OF PAMPHLETS, PUPPET SHOWS AND THE MASS MEDIA TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE.
THROUGH MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS, DOCTORS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE ARE REMINDED PERIODICALLY TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF SUSPECTED CASES IMMEDIATELY.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE VHO, TWO MALARIA LABORATORY TECHNIQUE COURSES WERE HELD LAST YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 42 LABORATORY STAFF FROM GOVERNMENT, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
+WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC, INCREASED AWARENESS ON THE PART OF DOCTORS AND LABORATORY TECHNICIANS, AS WELL AS IMPROVES LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES, IT IS HOPED THAT THE BATTLE AGAINST MALARIA WILL EVENTUALLY BE WON.+ DR LEE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONTINUE MAINTAINING VIGILANCE ON THE DISEASE TO PREVENT ITS RESURGENCE IN HONG KONG, AS IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT THE IMPORTATION OF MALARIA.
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LAW ALLOWS CLOSER CHECK ON INSURANCE FIRMS
*****
ALL CLASSES OF INSURANCE BUSINESS CARRIED ON IN OR FROM HONG KONG WERE BROUGHT UNDER REGULATION LAST YEAR BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORD NANCE, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY.
PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE ON JUNE 30, 1933, ONLY COMPANIES CARRYING ON LIFE, FIRE, MARINE AND MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO REGULATION, HE SAID.
/+THL ORDINANCE .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 198$
+ THE ORDINANCE NOW PRESCRIBES REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING THE FITNESS OF DIRECTORS AND CONTROLLERS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDES STRINGENT FINANCIAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
+IT ALSO CONFERS CONSIDERABLE POWERS OF INVESTIGATION AND INTERVENTION BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION GF POLICYHOLDERS AND OTHERS,+ MR GLEESON SAID.
THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION HAD TO BE COMPLIED WITH BEFORE MAY 15 LAST YEAR. SOME COMPANIES HAD FAILED OR PREFERRED NOT TO COMPLY, WITH THE RESULT THAT 46 INSURANCE COMPANIES HAD THEIR AUTHORISATION WITHDRAWN BY THE END OF DECEMBER 1984.
FOUR OF THE WITHDRAWN COMPANIES WERE WOUND UP ON THE PETITION OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY. THE REMAINING 42 WITHDRAWN COMPANIES WERE EITHER DORMANT OR WERE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION. MOST OF THEIR INSURANCE POLICIES HAD BEEN +RUN OFF+ AND THEIR INSURANCE CLAIMS WERE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SETTLED IN AN ORDERLY MANNER.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, HOWEVER, 23 NEW COMPANIES WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION. MOST OF THESE WERE OVERSEAS COMPANIES, INCLUDING THREE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, TWO FROM CANADA, TWO FROM BERMUDA, AND ONE EACH FROM CHINA, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, BAHAMAS, BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG, NEW ZEALAND, SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND.
THIS REFLECTED INCREASING OVERSEAS INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S INSURANCE MARKET, MR GLEESON SAID.
LAST YEAR ALSO SAW THE TIGHTENING OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY’S REGULATION OF AUTHORISED INSURANCE COMPANIES.
MR GLEESON SAID HE HAD EXERCISED HIS POWERS OF INTERVENTION IN RESPECT OF 32 INSURANCE COMPANIES DURING THE YEAR FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF POLICYHOLDERS AND OTHER CLAIMANTS.
THIS INTERVENTIONARY ACTION INCLUDED REQUIRING COMPANIES TO CEASE WRITING NEW INSURANCE BUSINESS, LIMIT THEIR PREMIUM INCOME, MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG, KEEP ASSETS IN THE CUSTODY OF APPROVED TRUSTEES. IT ALSO INVOLVED CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMPANIES’ ACTIVITIES AND THEIR FINANCIAL POSITION.
AS AT DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR, THERE .VERE 284 AUTHORISED IN URANCE COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG.
OF THESE 130 WERE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG. THE REMAINING 154 COMPANIES CAME FROM 26 COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 50 FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, 30 FROM THE UNITED STATES, NINE FROM BERMUDA, EIGHT FROM JAPAN, SEVEN FROM SINGAPORE, SEVEN FROM SWITZERLAND, SIX FROM CANADA AND F iVE FROM FRANCE.
0
/4 .......
SUNDAY, JANUAR -j. 1935
- 4 -
MORE, BETTER MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED * * * *
THERE HAVE BEEN +UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS* HONS KONG’S MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
IN
AND
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH IN HONG
IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN 3OO YEARS THAT BEING HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS
DR THONG TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE BASIC HONG KONG GOVERNMENT POLICY IN THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WAS TO ACHIEVE WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT AND PWOVISION OF THE PREVENTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES^
+1 BELIEVE I AM NOT UNDULY COMPLACENT WHEN I SAY THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHICH IS TO A GREAT DEGREE EFFICIENT, WIDELY ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE AT ALMOST NO COST TO THE MAJORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY WHICH RELIES ON SUBSIDISED MEDICAL CARE,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE MEDICAL SERVICES HERE WERE ALSO UNIQUE IN THAT THEY WERE WIDELY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WHO NEEDED IT WITHOUT THE USUAL MEANS TESTS, SUCH AS CITIZENSHIP AND LEVELS OF INCOME
DR THONG SAID THOSE IN THE COLLEGE WHO MADE THE DECISION TO COME TO HONG KONG AT THIS TIME MUST HAVE A RARE SENSE OF HISTORY AS THESE ARE STIRRING DAYS OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME PART II OF THE MRCP EXAMINATION OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE WOULD BE HELD IN HONG KONG.
♦THIS SURELY MUST BE A LANDMARK IN THE HISTORY OF POSTGRADUATE NEDICAL EDUCATION LOCALLY AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS EVENT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS CATALYST FOR US IN OUR PLANS FOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINING,* HE ADDED.
DR THONG TOLD THE GATHERING THAT SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER ON +THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES* IN 1974, HONG KONG HAD EMBARKED ON AN AMBITIOUS 10-YEAR PLAN FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
SINCE THEN, THE PLAN HAD BEEN ROLLED FORWARD AND UPDATED YEA.- BY YEAR, HE SAID.
’•THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE COMPLETION WITHIN THE LAST DECADE THREE MAJOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OF ABO'.T 1 400 BEDS EACH, AND OUR FIRST DENTAL TEACHING HOSPITAL.*
/AT THE .......
SUNDAY, JANUABY 6, 1985
5
AT THE SAME TIME, EFFECTIVE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN EXPANDING AND IMPROVING EXISTING HOSPITAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE RE-ORGANISATION AND STRENGTHENING OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.
WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD, 16 NEW CLINICS WERE COMPLETED, HE SAID.
+FURTHER, MORE SPECIALIST TREATMENT FOR PSYCHIATRIC CASES AND ELDERLY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, THE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES CONSOLIDATED AND EXPANDED AND MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ADDICTION FURTHER DEVELOPED,+ HE SAID.
DR THONG SAID THE HOSPITAL BUILDING PROGRAMME HAD BOOSTED THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS FROM SOME 17 OOO IN 1974 TO 24 000 IN 1984.
HE ESTIMATED THAT AN ADDITIONAL 16 000 BEDS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY 1994 AT THE END OF THE PRESENT 10-YEAR PLAN.
+THESE GIGANTIC PROJECTS ARE BEING PLANNED AND EXECUTED AT A TIME WHEN MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD ARE IN FACT CUTTING DOWN ON THEIR SERVICES AND EVEN CLOSING HOSPITALS,+ HE SAID.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF EDINBURGH IS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 100 FELLOWS AND MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, INCLUDING 35 LOCAL PARTICIPANTS.
THE FORMAL COLLEGE MEETING UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE PRESIDENT, PROFESSOR RONALD GIRDWOOD, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND THE DAY AFTER.
------0-------
TAI PO DB TO MEET ON TUESDAY * * * *
TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE TAI PO NE* TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT THEIR MEETING ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 8) MORN ING.
THE BRIEFING WILL BE GIVEN BY MR H.K. CHAN, CHIEF TOWN PLANNER CF THE TAI PO AND FANLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO COMMENT ON THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING PILOT SCHEME.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (TRANSPORT SERVICES), MR CHRIS WONG, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (TRANSPORT), MR M J. CLANCY, AND THE ERP CONSULTANT, MR J. DAwSON, WILL BE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN THE SCHEM-AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE TAI PO CENTRAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, REPORTS BY VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS.
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/6.......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
6
MORE NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED
* * * *
A SEVEN-STOREY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY F HONG KONG WAS AMONG 37 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN NOVEMBER 1984.
OTHER PLANS APPROVED INCLUDED A 28-STOREY INDOOR GAMES CENTRE AND APARTMENT BLOCK AT LOWER LASCAR ROW AND LOK KU ROAD FOR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, TWO BLOCKS OF APARTMENTS OVER A SEVEN-STOREY PODIUM AT ROBINSON ROAD, A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION AT THE SHA TIN RACE COURSE, AN EXTENSION TO A FACTORY BUILDING AT THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND TWO TOWER BLOCKS FOR DOMESTIC-COMMERCIAL USES AT TA CHUEN PING STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED, 17 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND 20, IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 34 PROJECTS, 14 OF THEM ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE IN KOWLOON AND 17 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY INCLUDED A RAMP AND TRANSFORMER ROOM AT MOUNT KELLE'T ROAD FOR THE MATILDA AND WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, A COVERED WALKwAY AT INVERNESS ROAD, A HOSTEL BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI, A FLUSHING WATER PUMPING STATION FOR THE HO CHUNG MARINA IN SAI KUNG AND A CHURCH-STAFF QUARTERS AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN SHEUNG SHU I.
THE FLOOR AREA OF THESE 34 PROJECTS TOTALLED 171 093 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 87 614 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR NON-DOMESTIC USF AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
A TOTAL OF 48 OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR NEWLY-COMPLE u BUILDINGS DURING THE MONTH.
THEY INCLUDED A 29-STOREY APARTMENT BLOCK AT SOUTH BAY ROAD, THREE SCHOOL BLOCKS WITH QUARTERS AT BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, A MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTRE AND STAFF QUARTERS AT SANDY BAY, A BANK AND OFFICE BUILDING AT WUHU STREET, A WORKSHOP IN FO TAN, SHA TIN, AND EIGHT APARTMENT-COMMERCIAL BLOCKS AT THE JUNCTION OF CHOI wAN ROAD, KWUN TONG ROAD AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THE NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS 172 459 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 88 804 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR NON-DOMESTIC USE AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL COST OF THESE BUILDINGS WAS ABOUT $663.6 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ISSUED 12 'DEMOLITION ORDERS IN RESPECT OF 18 BUILDINGS.
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/7........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1935
7
SEMINAR ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE * * * *
A SEMINAR ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND CITIBANK, WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 30 (WEDNESDAY) AT 2 PM IN THE ROSE AND PEONY ROOMS OF THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
THE SEMINAR WILL EXPLAIN THE GUARANTEES FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONTAINED IN THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
IT WILL ALSO INDICATE AREAS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE GROWTH, AND DESCRIBE HOW THE ONE-STOP UNIT OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT CAN HELP INDUSTRIALISTS TO EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY THEIR BUSINESS.
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BANKING AND INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR KEVIN LO, CHAIRMAN OF GOLD PEAK INDUSTRIES (HOLDINGS) LTD; MR PAUL WONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY; MR ANTONY LEUNG, VICE PRESIDENT OF CITIBANK? MR MARVIN GIENGER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE FAR EAST OPERATIONS OF SPRAGUE WORLD TRADE CORPORATION; MR DENNIS TING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KADER INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD; AND MR P.K. WONG, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE SEMINAR MAY CONTACT THE ONE-STOP UNIT OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, KOWLOON, OR CALL THE UNIT ON 3-7222434 BEFORE JANUARY 23.
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TIDYING UP GARBAGE DISPOSAL WORK
* * * *
NEWLY-INTRODUCED PLASTIC BAGS HAVE PROVED TO BE NEATER THAN BAMBOO BASKETS FOR GARBAGE HANDLING AT THE TSI NG Yl BARGING POINT.
THIS WAS NOTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, RR DAVID WEEKS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS) OF THE NTS, RR ARTHUR JOHNSON, AND THE URBAN SERVICES OFFICER OF KWAI CHUNG, RR LEE SHEUNG-YEE DURING THEIR VISIT LAST WEEK TO SEE THE NEW SCHEME IN OPERATION.
MR WEEKS SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE CLEANLINESS AT THE BARGING POINT.
THE GARBAGE WAS DELIVERED TO THE TSI NG Yl BARGING POINT FROM CHBUNG CHAU, LAMMA ISLAND, PENG CHAU AND MUI WO ON LANTAU ISLAND FOR TRANSPORT TO THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATION PLANT FOR DISPOSAL. THIS SYSTEM IS AIMED AT PHASING OUT VILLAGE-TYPE INCINERATORS, AND AT IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIERE AT THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
/UNDER THE
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
- 8 -
UNDER THE NEW PLAN, THE CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE DOMESTIC REFUSE WRAPPED IN PLASTIC BAGS AT THE FOUR OUTLYING ISLANDS AND TO HAVE IT EVENTUALLY BROUGHT TO THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATOR FOR DISPOSAL.
THE REFUSE HAS AMOUNTED TO ABOUT 30 TONNES A DAY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE ANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PILOT SCHEME SHOULD CONTACT THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR (CLEANSING) OF THE ISLANDS URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 5-452416.
-----0------
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP PREVENT CRIME * * * *
IN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HELPING THE AUTHORITIES IN PREVENTING CRIME, SAID DR HO KAM-FAI, A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT TODAY'S SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL, WHICH WAS THE GRAND FINALE TO THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIM? CAMPAIGN.
+YOUTHS SHOULD FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF LOVING HONG KONG AND SERVIN.. SOCIETY THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO FIGHT CRIME SO THAT OUR SOCIETY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IN STABILITY, AND EVERYONE CAN LIVE AND WORK IN PEACE AND HARMONY,+ DR HO SAID.
+THERE SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSER RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE POLICE IN COMBATTING CRIME FOR THE SAKE OF SOCIETY,* HE ADDED.
+THE PUBLIC SHOULD TREAT THE POLICE AS THEIR BROTHERS AND, IN TURN, THE POLICE SHOULD ACT UPON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC IN TACKLING CRIME,* HE SAID.
DR HO POINTED OUT THAT THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WAS EVIDENT BETWEEN THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
+THROUGH VARIOUS DISTRICT COMMITTEES, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ABLE TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS, GATHER FIRST-HAND INFORMATION AND LISTEN TO VIEWS ON FIGHTING CRIME,* HE SAID.
DR HO SAID WITH THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE, THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE HAD BEEN SET AT EASE.
+HOWEVER, THE EXISTENCE OF LAW AND ORDER IS THE BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIETY,* HE SAID.
+1 HOPE THAT RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG WILL TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT AND TO REDUCE CRIME IN THE DISTRICT,* DR HO ADDED.
/HUNDREDS OF .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
9
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO TURNED UP AT TODAY’S FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WERE TREATED TO A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES THAT INCLUDED A PARACHUTE SHOW, A DONKEY RIDE FOR CHILDREN, A CYCLING DEMONSTRATION, AN ANTI-CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION, AND PERFORMANCES BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE BAND AND THE SAI KUNG CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
ACTIVITIES ORGANISED DURING THE YEAR-LONG SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN INCLUDED VISITS TO THE 0 PUI SHAN BOY’S HOME, THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY, AND THE PIK UK PRISON. THERE WERE ALSO DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ALSO ORGANISED A FIGHT YOUTH CRIME CAMP, A FIGHT CRIME BOOKMARK COMPETITION AND A SEMINAR ON +COMMUNITY AGAINST CRIME*.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAD CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 422 OOO
Toward the cost of the campaign.
------0 ------
NEW HOMES FOR 5 000 PEOPLE AT CHEUNG HONG ESTATE
* * * *
THREE NEW BLOCKS THAT PROVIDE MODERN PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 5 □□□ PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AT CHEUNG HONG ESTATE ON TSI NG Yl ISLAND AND TENANTS ARE SIGNING UP FOR THEIR NEW HOMES.
+RISING ON A HIGHER LEVEL IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND, THE TOWERING BLOCKS OFFER A MAGNIFICENT VIEW OF THE SEA AND TSUEN WAN,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID THE 26-28-STOREY BLOCKS HAD ALTOGETHER 1 152 SELF-CONTAINED FLATS AND HAD BEEN BUILT UNDER THE THIRD PHASE OF THE ESTATE.
+ ALSO COMPLETED UNDER THIS PHASE ARE A KINDERGARTEN, A NURSERY AND A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, A JOGGING PATH AND A FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER PITCH.
+OTHER AMENITIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, A COMMERCIAL CENTRE, A MARKET, CARPARKS, COOKED FOOD STALLS AND SOCIAL SERVICES ARE ALREADY PROVIDED ON THE ESTATE.*
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 15 000 PEOPLE LIVING IN SIX OTHER BLOCKS COMPLETED AT CHEUNG HONG ESTATE UNDER ITS FIRST TwO PHASES.
+TWO MORE BLOCKS FOR ANOTHER 8 000 PEOPLE ARE APPROACHING COMPLETION UNDER THE FOURTH PHASE. I
+WHEN THE FIFTH, AND THE LAST, PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED IN 1986, CHEUNG HONG ESTATE WILL BECOME A SELF-CONTAINED ENTITY WITH ABOUT 35 000 PEOPLE,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------c-------
/IO........
SUNDAY, JANUARY
TENDERS FOR ROADS MAINTENANCE INVITED * * * *
'-■£ HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INCITING TEi'DEPS FOR FOUR CONTRACTS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION F -O-DS, BRIDGES, DRAINAGE WORKS AND SLOPES FOP THE COMING TWO FINANCIAL YEARS.
THE AREAS TO pc INCLUDED ARE THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS O- HONG KONG ISLAND, THE WESTERN DISTRICTS OF KOWLOON AND NEa KOWLOON, AND MEW TERRITORIES EAST AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.
r •JEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL EE INTRODUCED TO PROCESS PAYMENTS FOR zORKS UNDER THE CONTRACTS.
A ^OKESMAN FOP THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE SAID UNDER THE NEW 3 ZSTE'-', CONTRACTORS aIlL MEASURE THE WORKS THEMSELVES AND SUBMIT THE MEASUREMENTS TO GOVERNMENT FOR PAYMENT.
COMPLETED JOBS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THE COMPUTER IN BATCHES WITH THE GOVERNMENT CHECKING THE ACCURACY OF THE MEASUREMENTS OK RANDOM SAMPLES, HE SAID.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE NEW SYSTEM WILL REDUCE THE AMOU'T OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK, THUS ENABLING THE BILLS TO BE PROCESSED ■ •£ QUICKLY.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1.
- - 0 -
ARTS GROUP GETS NEW HOME * * * *
THE NEW PREMISES OF THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS ASSOCIATION WAS UNVEILED TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE LAI KOK ESTATE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HAD BECOME AN ESSENTIAL MEAN'S OF RELAXATION FROM THE BUSY LIFE STYLE OF MANY PEOPLE.
HE NOTED THAT I\CE THE START OF DISTRICT ADM INISTRATI’Y, SUC ’ ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN SPREA- O'JT EVENLY IN THE COMMUNITY.
+ TO CATER FOR LOCAL NEEDS, THE SHAM SHU I PO ARTS -SSOCIA" ' -.AS ESTABLISHED TO PLAN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, PROMOTE PERF ARTS AND TO PROVIDE HEALTHY R-CREATIC'S.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1985
11
♦FURTHERMORE, IT AIMS AT ENCOURAGING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION I. COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ULTIMATELY ACHIEVING COMMUNITY STABILITY AND PROSPERITY,+ MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID.
THE ARTS ASSOCIATION PREMISES IS LOCATED AT S14-15A LAI FU HOUSE OF LAI KOK ESTATE TO ACCOMMODATE VARIOUS TRAINING CLASSES, EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES.
THE ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD IN JUNE 1983 TO POOL LOCAL RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES UNDER ONE BANNER.
IT HAS FOUR COMMITTEES — PERFORMING ARTS, CHILDREN’S CHOIR, CULTURE AND RECREATION — TO PROMOTE AND ORGANISE ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCES AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
OTHER GUESTS AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS DORIS HO, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
--------0 -
SUBMARINE SEWERS PROPOSED FOR SAI KUNG * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LAY TWO SUBMARINE SEWERS TOTALLING 294 METRES IN LENGTH WITHIN AN AREA OF 1.15 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT SAI KUNG HOI, SAI KUNG.
THE PROPOSAL WILL FORM A PART OF A SEWERAGE SYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF SAI KUNG, TUI MIN HOI, SHA KOK MEI AND PAK KONG.
A NOTICE DESCRIBING THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREA HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN HAVE BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG* AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD EE SUBMITTED IN WRITING T3 THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY march 4.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1’"
12
RESTRICTED ZONES IN TAI KOK TSUI - - * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 8), SEVERAL ROADS IN TAI KOK TSUI wILL BE MADE RESTRICTED ZONES.
THE FOLLOWING WILL HAVE 24 HOURS RESTRICTION:
* EASTBOUND CHERRY STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION w I TH BEECH STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 49 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM EASTBOUND CHERRY CTREE. TO THE UPRAMP TO THE WEST KOwLOON CORRIDOR.
CHERRY STREET BETWEEN TONG MEI ROAD AND TAI KOK TSUI FERRY CONCOURSE WILL BE A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAI-Y.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES, ALL MOTOR VEH ICLES_EXCEPT_____ _
FRANCHISCD BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COM!' lool .■ — r-FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING LOW, PASSENGERS' ND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
- 0 -
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1965
2
ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE PRAISED
*****
MAINTAINING FAITH IN THE CONCEPT OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE SYSTEM OF HELPING OTHERS ARE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL SYSTEM AND LIFESTYLE, WHICH GIVE ITS SOCIETY GREAT STRENGTH.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES.
+WE MUST STRIVE TO PRESERVE THEM IN THE YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE, MAINLAND AREA OFFICERS’ MESS BALL AT THE REGENT HOTEL.
+WITH THE CONTINUING EXPANSION OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA, THE DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES OF THE BRIGADE IS INCREASING, AND THE EXTENSION OF ITS SERVICE TO THE NEW TOWNS HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
THE BRIGADE HAS EMBARKED ON AN EXPANSION PROGRAMME IN THE l€W TERRITORIES AND LAST YEAR, SIX TRAINING CENTRES AND DIVISIONAL FEADQUARTERS WERE ESTABLISHED.
+EXPANSION IN THE URBAN AREA IS ALSO IN PROGRESS, AND TWO NEW DIVISIONS WERE SET UP UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE ROTARY CLUB, KOWLOON WEST AND THE LOK SIN TONG,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+FROM THIS WE CAN SEE HOW GREAT THE CONTRIBUTION ST JOHN’S MAKES TO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES ALSO PRAISED THE ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE FOR ITS SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE PAST 69 YEARS.
+THE BRIGADE IS A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION, ITS MEMBERS RECEIVE NO PAY AND IT IS MOST ENCOURAGING THAT SO MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE COME FORWARD AND ARE CONTINUING TO COME FORWARD TO GIVE THEIR SERVICE TO ST JOHN’S DURING THEIR SPARE TIME,* HE SAID.
- o
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1?85 LEGAL YEAR OP ANS ....................................... 1
NERD FOR 'SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES' PROPOSED .................... 4
S65-MILLION AQUEDUCT TO BE BUILT ............................. 5
JOB, PAYROLL SURVEY GOING ON ................................. 6
NSV RATEABLE VALUES........................................... 6
ALL THEN MUN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES LEASED................. 7
TSUEN WAN DB DISCUSS ERP ..................................... 7
CRAFT TRADE TEST MANUAL PUBLISHED............................. 8
PT.AN TO REMOVE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ........................... 8
SPECIAL DANCE PERFORMANCE AT CITY HALL .......................
PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS WANTED ..................................
TRAFFIC CHANGE ............................................... 10
WATER LEAKAGE TESTS .......................................... 10
WATER FIGURES
11
MONDAY, JANUABY 7, 1985
1985 LEGAL YEAR OPENS M * * *
THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG SHOULD REASSURE LOCAL PEOPLE THAT THE COURTS */ILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE VERY MUCH AS THEY DO TODAY, DURING THE PERIOD OF THE AGREEMENT, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
+AND, THE AGREEMENT ACCEPTS THAT THE ROLE OF THE COURTS IS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PERSONAL FREEDOMS AND STYLE OF LIFE WHICH THEY NOW ENJOY,+ HE SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1985 LEGAL YEAR HELD AT THE CITY HALL.
HE SAID AN ANNEX TO THE AGREEMENT EMPHASISES THAT THE COURTS SHALL EXERCISE THEIR JUDICIAL POWER +INDEPENDENTLY AND FREE FROM ANY INTERFERENCE*.
+THERE IS PROVISION FOR APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION, FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF JUDGES FROM OVERSEAS AND FOR THE DISMISSAL OF JUDGES ONLY FOR INABILITY OR MISBEHAVIOUR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A TRIBUNAL COMPOSED WHOLLY OF JUDGES.*
SIR DENYS SAID ALSO THAT MANY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE JUDICIARY WOULD HAVE TO BE RESOLVED DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, TO PREPARE HONG KONG FOR ITS LONGER FUTURE.
+1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY CAN, AND WILL, BE SOLVED IF THE GOODWILL, WHICH HAS CHARACTERISED THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN, PERSISTS DURING THE NEXT DECADE, AS I BELIEVE IT WILL,* HE SAID.
SIR DENYS SAID ONE OF THE MATTERS TO WHICH HONG KONG MUST GIVE ATTENTION, IS THE BEST METHOD BY WHICH MORE ABLE LOCAL LEGAL PRACTITIONERS CAN BE ATTRACTED INTO THE JUDICIARY.
+THE JUDICIARY IS AT PRESENT NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH IT SERVES, THOUGH THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE WANT IT.*
HE SAID THERE WAS IN GENERAL, LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VOLUME OF WORK OF THE COURTS IN 1984 AND THAT IN 1983.
THE COURT OF APPEAL DEALT WITH 793 APPEALS, INSTEAD OF 819 IN 1983. THE MAJORITY OF APPEALS FROM IT TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL WERE DISMISSED.
IN THE HIGH COURT, THE NUMBER OF INDICTMENTS FILED INCREASED FROM 308 TO 335.
+THIS GROWTH, WHILE SIGNIFICANT STATISTICALLY, DOES NOT ILLUSTRATE PROPERLY THE ADDITIONAL WORK RESULTING FROM A LARGER NUMBER OF VERY LONG TRIALS, WHICH IMPOSE SUCH A STRAIN ON THE SYSTEM AND ON THE JURORS,* HE SAID.
/Di THE.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
2
IN THE HIGH COURT THERE WAS A DECLINE OF NEARLY 30 PER CEI ' THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW CIVIL PROCEEDINGS COMMENCED THIS COU --
MA,NLY T0 THE RAISING OF THE MONETARY LIMITS OF JJRISDICTION BY THE DISTRICT COURT.
ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURT DECLINED FROM 1 277 TO 1 233, ITS CIVIL CASES WENT UP BY 29 PER CENT TO ABOUT 66 000.
HE SAID, +IN SPITE OF THIS, AND OF THE FREQUENT APPOINTMENTS CF DISTRICT JUDGES TO SIT AS DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGES, THE DELAYS IN DISTRICT COURT LISTS REMAINED WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS, BEING LESS THAN THREE MONTHS FOR BOTH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL MATTERS.+
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES DEALT WITH IN THE MAGISTRACIES DECLINED FROM OVER 1 000 000 TO UNDER 900 000.
+HOWEVER,+ HE SAID, +THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT, TO 163 000, IN THE NUMBER OF CHARGE SHEETS ISSUED. THESE CONTAIN THE MORE SERIOUS CASES, WHICH OCCUPY MOST OF THE TIME OF SUCH COURTS.+
TURNING TO THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE JUDICIARY, THE CHIEF JUST■GE SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR MORE HIGH COURT JUDGES.
HE SAID, +IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT CASES COME TO TRIAL SWIFTLY, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO RUN 26 HIGH COURT LISTS, 12 CIVIL AND 14 CRIMINAL. SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIGH COURT JUDGES IS 20, WE HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO APPOINT THROUGHOUT THE PAST YEAR BETWEEN SIX AND 10 DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGES.
+THIS EXPEDIENT DRAWS AWAY THE MOST EXPERIENCED JUDGES FROM THE DISTRICT COURT. TO REPLACE THEM, MAGISTRATES HAVE TO BE APPOINTED TO SIT IN THE DISTRICT COURT, WITH AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE STATE OF THE LISTS IN MAGISTRACIES, WHERE THE WAITING TIME IS NOW LONGER THAN IT HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
+NOR SHOULD WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE DISPLEASURE OF DEFENDANTS AND LITIGANTS, WHO REGARD THEIR CASES AS OF SUFFICIENT IMPORTANCE TO JUSTIFY A SUBSTANTIVE JUDGE AND WHO ARE NOT CONTENT WITH A DEPUTY.
+S0 LONG AS THE EXISTING JURISDICTIONS OF THE VARIOUS COURTS REMAIN UNCHANGED, THE NUMBER OF HIGH COURT JUDGES MUST BE INCREASED IN STEP WITH THE HEAVIER WORK LOAD, UNLESS TRIALS ARE TO BE DELAYED BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS,+ SIR DENYS SAID.
+IF, AS MAY BE THE CASE, THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT ARE INSUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE THE HIGH COURT WITH THE RESOURCES WHICH IT NEEDS, CONSIDERATION MAY HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO ENHANCING THE JURISDICTION OF DISTRICT JUDGES AND PERHAPS OF MAGISTRATES.
/+DJ THE........
MONDAY, JANUANY 7, 1985
*IN THE CIVIL FIELD THE MONETARY LIMITS OF THE DISTRICT COURT JURISDICTION, RAISED TO 360 000 LAST JANUARY, MIGHT BE FURTHER WIDENED. IN THE CRIMINAL FIELD, THE MAXIMUM POWERS OF PUNISHMENT OF THE DISTRICT COURT MIGHT BE RAISED, EITHER GENERALLY OR IN SELECTED TYPES OF CASE, OR THE DISTRICT COURT MIGHT BE EMPOWERED TO COMMIT OFFENDERS FOR SENTENCE TO THE HIGH COURT, WHERE THE DISTRICT JUDGE CONSIDERS THAT HIS POWERS ARE INADEQUATE.*
APART FROM THE NEED FOR MORE HIGH COURT JUDGES, THE JUDICIARY MUST SEARCH ALSO FOR WAYS OF REDUCING THE TIME TAKEN IN TRIALS.
SIR DENYS SAID: +l HOPE THAT WE MAY SOON RE-EXAMINE THE NEED FOR COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS, SINCE ADEQUATE OTHER SAFEGUARDS MAY BE THOUGHT TO EXIST FOR THOSE SENT FOR TRIAL WITHOUT ANY PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY.
♦AND I ASK THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO HELP THE JUDGES TO MAKE THE NEW PRE-TRIAL REVIEW PROCEDURE EFFECTIVE, BY ENSURING THAT MATTERS WHICH ARE NOT IN DISPUTE ARE AGREED BEFORE TRIAL AND NEED NOT BE FORMALLY PROVED.
+WE MUST NEVER FORGET THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM DOES NOT EXIST FOR ITS OWN SAKE. ITS PURPOSE IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, BY PROVIDING A FAIR AND SWIFT METHOD OF SETTLING THE ISSUES PUT BEFORE IT. OUR RECORD FOR SPEED HAS BEEN A GOOD ONE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. WE MUST BE SURE THAT IT IS NOT SPOILED,* HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, NR MICHAEL THOMAS- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, NR HENRY LITTON AND The PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, NR TIMOTHY FRESHWATER.
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 1 200 PEOPLE INCLUDING JUDGES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.
IT BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL AT 3.30 PM, CONDUCTED BY BISHOP JOHN BAPTIST WU.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE INSPECTED A GUARD OF HONOUR PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG GUARD COMPANY OF THE BRITISH FORCES AT EDINBURGH PLACE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE INSPECTION WAS FOLLOWED BY THE ADDRESSES IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL, WHICH ENDED AT ABOUT 6 PM.
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
4
NEED FOR 'SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES’ PROPOSED
* * * *
HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH TECHNOLOGIES THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO MAKE BETTER PRODUCTS, TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION OR TO TACKLE SPECIFIC TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TO ACHIEVE BETTER CONTROL AND BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES IN INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MRS ALICE LAI AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HONG KONG, UNLIKE THE UNITED STATES OR JAPAN, COULD NOT AFFORD TO INDULGE IN, FOR EXAMPLE, BASIC OR FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
IT SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH TECHNOLOGIES THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO SPECIFIC TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TO ACHIEVE BETTER CONTROL AND BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES IN INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS.
SUCH TECHNOLOGIES MIGHT BE TRANSFERRED FROM OVERSEAS, BUT SHOULD BE SUITABLY ADAPTED TO MEET LOCAL REQUIREMENTS BY CONVERSION OF EXISTING MACHINERY OR PRODUCTION LINES, OR THEY MIGHT BE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED LOCALLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, AND PRODUCTION DESIGNS.
♦EITHER WAY, TECHNOLOGIES SHOULD BE AIMED AT EXPANDING PEOPLE’S CAPABILITIES, RATHER THAN DISPLACING THEM,* SHE SAID.
MRS LAI SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATION WAS +RATHER SLOW AND LIMITED IN HONG KONG, COMPARED WITH OTHER INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES*.
SHE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE HIGH COST OF EQUIPMENT, THE LACK CF EXPERIENCED TECHNICAL SUPPORTING STAFF TO RUN AND MAINTAIN THE EQUIPMENT, AND INSUFFICIENT UNDERSTANDING AS REGARDS THE WORKINGS AND BENEFITS OF THE TECHNOLOGIES.
MRS LAI SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS TO PRODUCE GRADUATES WHO WOULD MEET INDUSTRY’S REQUIREMENTS.
+THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC AREAS.
+THREE PROJECTS ARE NOW CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN ON THE FABRICATION AND ANALYSIS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, AND SEMICONDUCTORS, AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN SYSTEMS FOR THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
/+TH£ HONG
MONDAY, JANTTASY 7, 1?8>
5
+THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE IN THE PROMOTION OF TFCHNOLOG IES APPLICATION HAS DEVELOPED FOR THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD^TWO LOW-COST AFFORDABLE COMPUTER-AIDED ■
SYSTEMS,* SHE SAID.
MRS LAI URGED MANUFACTURERS TO WORK OUT PLANS AND TO VENTURE INTO NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
LONG-TERM EXPANSION
THE 80’S AND BEYOND TECHNOLOGIES IN
+THE REASON IS SIMPLE; THE CHALLENGE OF CAN ONLY BE MET BY THE TIMELY APPLICATION OF VARIOUS FORMS TO AUTOMATE PRODUCTION PROCESS, SYSTEMS AND FUNCTIONS CONCERNED W:TH PRODUCT DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING,*
SHE SAID.
- 0
%5-MILLION AQUEDUCT TO BE BUILT X * *
A $65-MILL ON CONTRACT WAS AWARDED CONSTRUCTION OF AN AQUEDUCT TO LINK TAI
TODAY (MONDAY) FOR THE PO TAU AND NGAU TAM MEI.
WORK INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX-KILOMETRE-LONG TUNNEL OF 2.5-METRE DIAMETER AND A ONE-KILOMETRE BURIED STEEL PIPELINE OF TWO-METRE DIAMETER.
THE CONTRACT, FORMING PART OF THE WORKS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUTURE INCREASE OF WATER FROM CHINA, WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES. MR TOM TOMLINSON, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF KUMAGAI GUMI (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
AT NGAU TAM ME1 THE AQUEDUCT JOINS UP WITH THE WESTERN AQUEDUCT NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED UNDER A SEPARATE CONTRACT.
THE AQUEDUCT WILL BE DRIVEN FROM THREE PLACES, ONE FROM A PORTAL AT LAM TSUEN AND THE OTHER TWO FROM A 25-METRE DEEP SHAFT NEAR FAN KAM ROAD.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING ACCESS ROAD, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE, AND LANDSCAPING WORKS. IT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 33 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THE TWO MONTHS OF CHINESE WATER SHUTDOWN EACH YEAR, PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR WATER WILL BE PUMPED TO AU TAU VIA TAI PO TAU PUMPING STATION, THE NEW AQUEDUCT AND PART OF THE WESTERN AQUEDUCT.
AT AU TAU, A LARGE WATER TREATMENT PLANT WILL BE BUILT FOR T SUPPLY OF DRINKING WATER TO NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE NEW AQUEDUCT CAM ALSO BE USED AS PART OF THE LINK IN THE SrSTEM FOR DELIVERING CHINESE kATER TO PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR VIA THE MUK WU PUMPING STATION.
MONDAY, JANUARY /, 1985
- 6 -
JOB, PAYROLL SURVEY GOING ON * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 34 OOO ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS, INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT, RESTAURANT AND HOTELS), THE SERVICES (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES) AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS (MINING AND QUARRYING, MANUFACTURING, ELECTRICITY AND GAS).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF DECEMBER.
REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982, ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON DECEMBER 28 LAST YEAR, FROM EACH ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10 000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM THE SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1984.
RESPONDENTS WHO FIND DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING THE FORMS SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AT TELEPHONE NOS: 5-436551, — 5-444301, 5-455661 AND 5-455668.
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NEW RATEABLE VALUES
* * *
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 99 588 VALID PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OF THIS TOTAL, 27 536 PROPOSALS HAD RESULTED IN A REDUCTION, AND SIX IN AN INCREASE, IN RATEABLE VALUE.
WITH 71 349 PROPOSALS, THE RATEABLE VALUES REMAINED UNCHANGED, WHILE 697 PROPOSALS WERE WITHDRAWN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
ALL TUEN MUN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES LEASED * * * * *
ALL 120 STALL SITES AT THE FORTHCOMING TUEN MUN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY.
THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A STALL FOR SALE OF FLOWERS WAS $1 800, AND THAT FOR SALE OF DRY GOODS WAS $480, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE LOWEST PRICE FOR A WET GOODS STALL WAS $300 AND THAT FOR A DRY GOODS STALL WAS $100. THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH STALL SITE WAS $100.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL IN TUEN MUN, WAS CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE.
THE TUEN MUN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20, TOGETHER WITH OTHER SIX FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TOMORROW (TUESDAY), AUCTIONING OF THE 80 STALLS AT THE TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICE OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO.
BIDDERS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 9.30 AM, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TSUEN WAN DB DISCUSS ERP * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT, WILL BRIEF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENCING AUTHORITY WILL ALSO BRIEF MEMBERS ON ADVERTISING POLICY.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS REPORTS ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE, THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT SCHEME AND THE TSUEN WAN NE* TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
8
CRAFT TRADE TEST MANUAL PUBLISHED * * * *
A MANUAL CONTAINING TRADE TEST GUIDELINES FOR CRAFT APPRENTICES IN THE SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE MANUAL, PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL’S SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, DESCRIBES IN DETAIL THE TEST JOBS AND MARKING SYSTEMS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF FIVE TRADES OF FITTER, MACHINIST, PIPEMAKER, ELECTRICIAN AND JOINER-CARPENTER.
+APPRENTICES ARE EXPECTED TO ACCOMPLISH THESE JOBS UPON THE COMPLETION OF CERTAIN PHASE OF TRAINING PROGRAMME,* EXPLAINED MR EDWARD YOUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
+THE MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO HELP APPRENTICES TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER STANDARD OF CRAFTSMANSHIP THROUGH CAREFUL MONITORING AND GUIDANCE DURING TRAINING.*
EMPLOYERS COULD ALSO USE THE GUIDELINES IN THE MANUAL FOR TERMINAL TEST UR RECRUITMENT OF CRAFTSMEN, HE ADDED.
THE MANUAL IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $13.5 A COPY.
------o-------
PLAN TO REMOVE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES X * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED THAT ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON THE ROOFS OF BUILDINGS AT 4 TAK CHEONG LANE, YAU MA TEI, AND 49-51 COOKE STREET, HUNG HOM IN KOWLOON SHOULD BE CLOSED, SO THAT THEY MAY BE REMOVED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID RECENT INSPECTIONS SHOWED THAT DEMOLITION ORDERS SERVED ON THE OWNERS HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH. IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE STRUCTURES FOR THE WORK.
NOTICES WERE POSTED TODAY OF INTENTION TO APPLY IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 25, AT 9.30 AM FOR CLOSURE OF THE STRUCTURE IN THE BUILDING AT TAK CHEONG LANE, AND ON FEBRUARY 5, AT 9.30 AM FOR CLOSURE OF THE STRUCTURES IN THE BUILDING AT COOKE STREET.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1935
9
SPECIAL DANCE PERFORMANCE AT CITY HALL * * *
WINNERS OF VARIOUS AWARDS IN THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS AT A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12).
ABOUT 150 DANCERS, OUT OF MORE THAN 1 000 PARTICIPANTS, WON AWARDS IN THE CONTEST HELD IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICIATING AT THE WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE ON SATURDAY WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM.
MR AND MRS LAMS THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK; AND THE PRINCIPAL RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR DAVID CHIU, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNING GROUPS.
THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE WILL START AT 2 PM.
THE CAN
TICKETS AT $20, LOWER BLOCK OF C
BE MADE ON 3-416315.
$30 AND $50 WILL BE ON SALE IN THE LOBBY OF ITY HALL FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), AND ENQUIRIES
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PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS WANTED
* * * *
THE SEARCH HAS BEGUN FOR PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS TO SUPPORT THE REGULAR STAFF IN THE COMING SWIMMING SEASON.
SOME 150 PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS WILL BE RECRUITED THIS YEAR FOR SERVICE AT PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
YOUNG PEOPLE HOLDING APPROVED LIFE SAVING QUALIFICATIONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE JOB, WHICH WILL START ON APRIL 1.
ALL PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS WILL BE EMPLOYED EITHER ON SHORT CONTRACT TERMS AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF $2 755, OR ON A DAILY BASIS AT $109.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED FOR DUTY AT GAZETTED BEACHES AND PUBLIC SWI'MMING POOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/applicants should .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1985
10
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER THE AGE OF 35, OF STRONG PHYSIQUE AND GOOD SIGHT, WITHOUT WEARING SPECTACLES, AND SHOULD HOLD AT LEAST A BRONZE MEDALLION AWARDED BY THE ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH HIGHER LIFE-SAVING QUALIFICATIONS AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND PERSONNEL SECTION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN BOTH URBAN AREA AND NEW TERRITORIES.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE) AT 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE PERSONNEL SECTION OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON TELEPHONE 3-689467.
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TRAFFIC CHANGE
* * *
JACKSON ROAD BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD IN CENTRAL, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 9 UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 31 TO ALLOW FOR CONVERSION WORK ON THE OLD SUPREME COURT BUILDING.
- - 0 - -
WATER LEAKAGE TESTS
IIX
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS - FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY - FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES WILL BE ALONG MERLIN STREET, ELECTRIC ROAD, LAU SIN STREET, HING FAT STREET, KING MING ROAD, WATSON ROAD INCLUDING VICTORIA PARK, AND THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED FOR SIMILAR TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND AUSTIN ROAD, INCLUDING PREMISES LOCATED AT HAIPHONG ROAD, LOCK ROAD, ASHLEY ROAD, HANKOW ROAD, KOWLOON PARK DRIVE AND ICHANG STREET.
o - - - -
/11 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1935
- 11 -
WATER FIGURES * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 72.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 423.425 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 524.013 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 89.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
29 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON WHITE PAPER ON GOVERNMENT......... 1
CHINESE VERSION OF HK LAWS NEEDED, AG SAYS .................. 2
HOME SALES OFFER DRAWS BIG RESPONSE.......................... 4
SEMINARS ORGANISED TO IMPROVE LINKS ........................ 5
TRAINING SCHEME EXPANDED .................................... 6
PRESS CONFERENCE............................................. 6
MEET THE MEDIA............................................... 7
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES IN URBAN AREAS UP FOR AUCTION...... 7
ALL TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES SOLD ................... 8
OPSN SPACES FOR SHA TIN ..................................... 9
LUNCHTIME MUSIC ............................................. 9
NEW MAXICAB ROUTES IN KWUN TONG ............................. 10
FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW ..................................... 10
BEACH KIOSK LEASE OFFERED.................................... 11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
1
29 UNOFFICIALS TO SPEAK ON WHITE PAPER ON GOVERNMENT
*****
THERE WILL BE TWO SITTINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TOMORROW AND ON THURSDAY, WHEN 29 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE SPEAKING ON THE MOTION BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, WELCOMING THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS DESCRIBED ON THE +FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.+
FOURTEEN UNOFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK TOMORROW AND FIFTEEN ON THE NEXT DAY.
OTHER MATTERS WILL INCLUDE SIX BILLS ON WHICH DEBATE WILL BE RESUMED, PRIOR TO COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READING, AS WELL AS A MOTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW WELCOMING +HONG KONG’S ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.+
THERE WILL ALSO BE STATEMENTS BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E.P. HO, ON THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION 1983-84 ANNUAL REPORT, AND THE HON LYDIA DUNN ON THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 1983-84.
IN ADDITION, THE JOINT UNITED KINGDOM-CHINA DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG, AND THE TWO ASSOCIATED MEMORANDA, WILL BE TABLED.
TEN QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CONCERNING SUCH MATTERS AS ACTIONS TAKEN WITH REGARD TO THE REQUIRED WEARING OF SAFETY SEAT BELTS IN PRIVATE CARS, CONTROLS ON NOISE POLLUTION, HONG KONG-CHINA AIR SERVICES, AND ACTION TAKEN WITH REGARD TO THE SALE LOCALLY OF UNSAFE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND ACCESSORIES.
THE SIX BILLS DUE FOR FINAL READING AREi ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1984, PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984, TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, AND EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.
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• k ‘ TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
- 2 -
CHINESE VERSION OF HK LAWS NEEDED, AG SAYS *****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN AUTHORITATIVE VERSION OF OUR LEGISLATION IN CHINESE, ALTHOUGH HE BELIEVED ENGLISH MUST REMAIN A LANGUAGE OF LEGISLATION AND OF THE COURTS, IN ORDER THAT HONG KONG MIGHT RETAIN AND INCREASE ITS REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF COMMERCE, MANUFACTURING, BANKING AND THE LAW.
SPEAKING TO THE CONVOCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG THIS EVENING ON THE FUTURE TASKS OF HIS CHAMBERS, MR THOMAS DISCLOSED A PILOT SCHEME TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A LEGAL SYSTEM IN WHICH CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS OF LEGISLATION ARE EQUALLY AUTHOR I TAT IVE.
+1 AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SPECIAL TRAINING TO BE GIVEN BY LAWYERS IN MY CHAMBERS, WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LAW DRAFTING AND ARE EXPERT IN CHINESE, TO A SELECTED CORPS OF FULLY-QUALIFIED TRANSLATORS.
+IT IS HOPED THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL ENABLE US TO MAKE A START ON PRODUCING SELECTED PIECES OF NEW LEGISLATION IN BOTH LANGUAGES IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION 1985-86.
♦THE EXPERIENCE GAINED AT THAT STAGE WILL DETERMINE THE DIRECTION WE WILL TAKE AND THE PACE OF PROGRESS IN THE ENORMOUS JOB OF TRANSLATING THE EXISTING 26 VOLUMES OF ORDINANCES AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION,+ HE SAID.
MR THOMAS POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT IT WAS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR PRUDENT TO LET EXPEDIENCY RULE OUR THINKING.
+IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF THE WORK SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IN THE COURTS AND BE SEEN BY ALL WHO, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, HAVE RECOURSE TO THE CHINESE VERSION, TO BE NO LESS ADEQUATE FOR THESE PURPOSES THAN THE ENGLISH VERSION,+ HE SAID.
ANOTHER TASK WHICH CONFRONTS HIS CHAMBERS IS LOCALISATION OF THE LAW AND CODIFICATION OF SOME PART OF IT, ALTHOUGH IN THE LATTER CASE THE REASON IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE TERMS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT BUT BECAUSE EASIER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW IS ALWAYS DESIRABLE.
MR THOMAS EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO LOCALISE ALL LEGISLATION PROGRESSIVELY BECAUSE AT PRESENT SEVERAL IMPORTANT AREAS OF OUR LAW ARE CONTAINED IN UK ACTS AND ORDERS IN COUNCIL AND EVEN ONCE LOCATED, THEY ARE NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND UNLESS ONE IS A LAWYER WHO KNOWS THE BRITISH STYLE OF LEGISLATION.
/HE gave
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
- 3 -
HE GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF HONG KONG’S MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION, WHICH STEMS FROM THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT OF 1894. HE ESTIMATED HOWEVER THAT THE TASK OF MAKING HONG KONG’S SHIPPING LAWS SELF-SUFFICIENT WOULD TAKE TWO DRAFTSMEN ABOUT FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
MR THOMAS ALSO DESCRIBED THE TASK OF CODIFICATION OF THE ENTIRE LAW AS +MASSIVE+ AND +ALMOST CERTAINLY AN UNREALISTIC AIM*.
+SO WE HAVE IN MIND TO TACKLE INITIALLY A FEW SELECTED AREAS CF THE COMMON LAW WHICH ARE IMPORTANT, WHICH AFFECT INDIVIDUALS, AND WHICH ARE NOT READILY ACCESSIBLE EXCEPT THROUGH THE LAW REPORTS,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SECRETARIAT OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, WHICH IS PART OF HIS CHAMBERS, WERE CONSIDERING THE DESIRABILITY OF SOME CODIFICATION OF THE LAW, THE PRIORITY OF WORK AND THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS.
HOWEVER HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE DISADVANTAGES AS WELL AS ADVANTAGES TO CODIFICATION. BECAUSE OF CODIFICATION, THE COBWEBS WOVEN BY THE SPIDERS OF CASES DECIDED LONG AGO* COULD BE SWEPT AWAY, COMMON LAW RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WHICH MAY NOT BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD BY LAYMEN WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO STATUTORY FORM, AND ATTENTION WOULD BE DRAWN TO NECESSARY REFORMS OR GAPS IN THE LAW. ON THE OTHER HAND, A CODE MIGHT RESTRICT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAW, AND IN ADDITION A NEW BODY OF CASE LAW WOULD QUICKLY BUILD UP ON THE MEANING OF THE CODE ITSELF.
MR THOMAS NOTED THAT THE TASK OF CODIFYING SUBSTANTIAL PARTS CF THE LAW ALONE WOULD TAKE MANY DRAFTSMEN MANY YEARS. +IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A TRIAL RUN WITH A SMALL PART OF THE LAW SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED SOON IN ORDER THAT THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE TIMESCALE AND THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS MAY BE ASSESSED,* HE SAID.
OTHER TASKS FOR HIS CHAMBERS INCLUDED LIKELY CHANGES TO HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF APPEAL COURTS. WORK WITH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF MULTILATERAL TREATIES AND BILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS CURRENTLY APPLYING TO HONG KONG ARE NOT LOST; AND MORE IMMEDIATELY, DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION FOR THc NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND FOLLOW-UP WORK ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TRIAL OF COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CASES AND THE SCHEME TO REHABILITATE MINOR OFFENDERS.
-------0 - - - -
/4........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1935
HOME SALES OFFER DRAWS BIG RESPONSE * * *
A LARGE CROWD OF ASPIRING HOME-OWNERS TODAY QUEUED UP AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN FOR APPLICATION FORMS ON THE FIRST DAY OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 3 776 FLATS OFFERED UNDER PHASE V I IA OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SAID MORE THAN 20 000 APPLICATION FORMS, ABOUT 40 PER CENT WERE GREEN FORMS, WERE PICKED UP BY HOME-SEEKERS ALONE AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE UNTIL 7 PM TODAY.
+THOUSANDS MORE FORMS HAVE ALSO BEEN DISTRIBUTED AT OTHER OUTLETS, INCLUDING THE APPLICATIONS SECTION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATE OFFICES AS WELL AS DISTRICT OFFICES,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID COPIES OF A SALES BROCHURE AND A GUIDE TO THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE SCHEME WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED AT THE CENTRE WHICH WOULD BE OPEN DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD.
MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF PROSPECTIVE HOME-BUYERS TODAY ALSO VISITED AN EXHIBITION STAGED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHERE MODELS AND OTHER DETAILS OF THE THREE PROJECTS WERE ON DISPLAY.
TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS TO SURRENDER THEIR SUBSIDISED RENTAL HOMES AND MOVE INTO HOS FLATS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A SERIES OF MINI EXHIBITIONS ON THE CURRENT HOS SALES WERE BEING STAGED IN A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
♦THEY WILL BE HELD AT THE WONG TAI SIN SHOPPING CENTRE AND SHEK KIP MEI EXHIBITION HALL UNTIL JANUARY 12, AT WO CHE COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND SHEK wAI KOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE FROM JANUARY 13-15 AND AT BUTTERFLY COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND YAU 01 COMMERCIAL CENTRE BETWEEN JANUARY 16 AND 18.
+ THE EXHIBITIONS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM.+
MANY HOME-SEEKERS TODAY ALSO BRAVED THE COLD TO VISIT THE SAMPLE FLATS CURRENTLY OPEN AT THE THREE PHASE VI IA PROJECTS TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE FLAT DESIGNS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
*THE SAMPLE FLATS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION DURING THE application period daily from 9 AM TO 5 PM,+ the spokesman SAID.
THE 3 776 FLATS IN THE CURRENT PHASE ARE AT CHOI PO COURT IN SHEUNG SHUI, FUNG SHING COURT IN SHA TIN AND CHING SHING COURT ON ‘TSI NG Y| ISLAND.
FLAT PRICES RANGE FROM $96 600 TO $186 200 EACH AND GROSS AREA? VARY BETWEEN 41.9 AND 64.5 SQUARE METRES.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE PHASE VIIA FLATS WILL CLOSE ON JANUARY 18 AND A BALLOT TO DECIDE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE HELD BEFORE ThE END OF THE MONTH.
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/5 ......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1935
5
SEMINARS ORGANISED TO IMPROVE LINKS * * * *
A SERIES OF SEMINARS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING ORGANISATIONAL LINKS BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
THEY WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF COMMON INTERESTS WITH VARIOUS BUILDING-BASED ORGANISATIONS.
THE FIRST OF THE SEMINARS, ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE, WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10) AT THE PLAZA HOTEL IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST NOVEMBER THAT A SYSTEM WOULD BE DEVISED FOR PERIODIC MEETINGS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THEIR AREA COMMITTEE.
MR AKERS-JONES AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL ATTEND THIS THURSDAY’S SEMINAR AT THE PLAZA HOTEL.
THE SEMINAR WILL START WITH A SLIDE SHOW ON THE ACTIVITIES CF THE CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE, FOLLOWED BY THE OPENING REMARKS BY MR WIGGHAM AND A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ON MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
THERE WILL ALSO EE DISCUSSIONS ON PROBLEMS AND ACTIVITIES IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING AS WELL AS SQUATTER VILLAGES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO
MR AKERS-JONES WILL MAKE THE
CLOSING REMARKS AT ABOUT 8.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10) AT 7 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 6.45 PM IN THE PEARL ROOM ON the 27TH ^LOOR OF THE PLAZA HOTEL.
/6 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
- 6 -
TRAINING SCHEME EXPANDED
******
THE ENGINEERING GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER THE TRAINING SCHEMES APPROVED BY FOUR MORE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTIONS, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE FOUR ARE THE INSTITUTIONS OF CIVIL ENGINEERS, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, ELECTRONIC AND RADIO ENGINEERS, AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS.
+CORPORATE MEMBERS OF THESE FOUR INSTITUTIONS ARE RECOGNISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ALSO AUTOMATICALLY BECOME CORPORATE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID.
UNTIL DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR, ONLY PERSONS WHO RECEIVED TRAINING UNDER SCHEMES APPROVED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS WERE QUALIFIED TO APPLY FOR THE COUNCIL’S TRAINING SUBSIDY. THE CURRENT RATE OF SUBSIDY IS Si 600 A MONTH FOR A GRADUATE.
ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMITTEE ON TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS UNDER THE COUNCIL, THE SCHEME IS TO HELP ENGINEERING GRADUATES TO OBTAIN PRACTICAL TRAINING, TO ENSURE HONG KONG HAS AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED ENGINEERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 18 MONTHS AND MORE THAN 160 GRADUATES ARE NOW RECEIVING PRACTICAL TRAINING UNDER IT.
EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE NEW FACILITIES AND TO JOIN THE SCHEME ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE SECRETARY, COMMITTEE ON TRAINING OF TECHNOLOGISTS ON 5-3932341 EXT. 274.
--------0 ----------
PRESS CONFERENCE * * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 11 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT GIS TO RELEASE THE FIRST REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AND TO ANNOUNCE THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR Q.W. LEE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, M. NEIL HENDERSON, AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR MICHAEL LEUNG.
‘ COPIES OF THE REPORT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE STUDY ONLY, FROM 9 AM AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, 5TH FLOOR, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
0-------
/7 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
MEET THE MEDIA
* * *
THE CONTROLLER OF GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY, MR JOHN GRAY, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
- - - - 0 ----
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES IN URBAN AREAS UP FOR AUCTION
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO DO SOME THRIVING BUSINESS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE OF THE YEAR OF RAT MAY TRY THEIR LUCK BY RUNNING A STALL AT ONE OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
MORE THAN 1 300 SITES INCLUDING TWO FAST FOOD CENTRES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT VICTORIA PARK, FA HUI PARK, KOWLOON PARK AND KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND WHERE THE FAIRS WILL TAKE PLACE. AUCTIONS FOR THE STALLS WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AS FROM THURSDAY.
DETAILS OF THE AUCTIONING DATES AREi
KOWLOON PARK FA HUI PARK KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND -
VICTORIA PARK
JANUARY 10
JANUARY 14
JANUARY 15
JANUARY 16 AND 17
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT KEEN COMPETITION AMONG BIDDERS IS EXPECTED AT THE AUCTIONS AS ALL THE SITES ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED.
♦IN ADDITION, SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS THIS YEAR WILL BE GRANTED TEN DAYS TO OPERATE THEIR BUSINESS - TWO MORE DAYS THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS,+ HE SAID.
THE UPSET PRICE FOR A STALL RANGES FROM $225 TO $1 013. THE TWO FAST FOOD CENTRES, WHICH WILL BE SET UP AT VICTORIA PARK, WILL EACH CARRY AN UPSET PRICE OF $20 250.
PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE BEFORE 9 A.M. FOR A MORNING AUCTION OR 2 P.M. FOR AN AFTERNOON AUCTION.
THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND TWO PASSPORT SIZE FULL-FACE PHOTOGRAPHS.
/&1CH SUCCESSFUL .......
'HIES DAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
- 8
EACH SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE AMOUNT OF THE BID AND $135 FOR A TEMPORARY LICENCE.
DETAILS OF THE LAYOUT AND LOCATION PLANS OF THESE FAIR SITES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HAWKER RECORDS OFFICE OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
A LIST OF COMMODITIES PERMITTED FOR SALE CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE HAWKER RECORDS OFFICES.
0 --------
ALL TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES SOLD
* * * *
SEVENTY-NINE OF THE 80 STALL SITES FOR THE COMING TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A FLOWER STALL SITE WAS $1 100, WHILE THE LOWEST WAS $250, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DRY GOODS STALL SITES FETCHED PRICE RANGING FROM $100 TO $220.
THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH STALL WAS $100.
TODAY’S AUCTION, CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE, TOOK PLACE AT THE OFFICE OF TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO.
ALL THE STALL SITES WILL AGAIN BE ERECTED AT THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20 TO COINCIDE WITH THE YEAR-END CELEBRATION.
TRADERS WHO WISH TO LEASE THE REMAINING ONE UNSOLD STALL SITE SHOULD CALL AT THE TAI PO URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR CF TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
TOMORROW (WEDNEDAY), 208 STALL SITES AT THE TSUEN WAN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
0
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1985
9
OPEN SPACES FOR SHA TIN * * * *
OPEN SPACES ARE TO BE BUILT IN THE FAST EXPANDING SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THEY WILL BE LOCATED AT TIN SAM TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT IN THAT PART OF SHA TIN WHERE SEVERAL MAJOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE SITUATED.
THE PROJECT WILL COMPRISE TWO SEPARATE OPEN SPACES WITH FACILITIES FOR SOCCER, ROLLER SKATING AND PICNICKING.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH.
LUNCHTIME MUSIC * * * *
FROM TOMORROW, LUNCHTIME CONCERTS WILL BE HELD EACH WEDNESDAY THIS MONTH, BETWEEN 1 PM AND 1.45 PM AT THE WAN CHAI METHODIST COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR THE BENEFIT OF WORKING PEOPLE.
THE CONCERTS ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE WAN CHAI METHODIST COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THERE WILL BE FOLK SINGING, CLASSICAL AND FLAMENCO GUITAR PERFORMANCES AND CHINESE AND WESTERN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.
ADMISSION IS FREE TO THE CONCERTS AT THE WAN CHAI METHODIST COMMUNITY CENTRE, 22 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1935
NEW MAXICAB ROUTES IN KWUN TONG * * *
THREE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL START OPERATION IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT FROM JANUARY 13 (SUNDAY).
THEY ARE: ROUTE 34M FROM LOWER SAU MAU PING TO KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE NEAR YUE MAN SQUARE, ROUTE 35 BETWEEN UPPER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE AND HONG LEE COURT VIA NGAU TAU KOK MTR STATION, AND ROUTE 36 BETWEEN NGOK YUE SHAN AND KWUN TONG FERRY. THEIR FARES WILL BE FROM 80 CENTS TO $1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW ROUTES WOULD STRENGTHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN THE NGAU TAU KOK, NGOk YUE SHAN AND LOWER SAU MAU PING AREAS.
ROUTES 34M AND 35 ARE FEEDER ROUTES PROVIDING CONVENIENT LINKS TO MTR STATIONS AND THE TOWN CENTRE WHILE ROUTE 36 IS TO REPLACE KMB ROUTE NO. 19.
+T0 AVOID WASTEFUL COMPETITION AND TO PROVIDE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICE FOR THE LOCAL COMMUTERS IN THC KWUN TONG DISTRICT, THE EXISTING PLB SERVICES AFFECTED BY THE NEW MAXICAB ROUTES WILL BE REARRANGED AND START OPERATION ON THE SAME DATE.
+THE AGREEMENT TO THE REARRANGEMENT WAS REACHED FOLLOWING PEETINGS BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE PLB OPERATORS CONCERNED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW MAXICAB SERVICES, THE NUMBER OF MAXICAB ROUTES IN KOWLOON WILL BE INCREASED TO 36, INVOLVING A TOTAL OF OVER 200 MAXICABS,+ HE SAID.
- 0 - -
FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW * * * *
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE TO KWA WAN AREA FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10), TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
THEY ARE ;
* LOK SHAN ROAD BETWEEN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND YUK YAT STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
X THE RIGHT-TURN FROM TO KWA WAN ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO LOK SHAN ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
TRAFFIC ON TO KWA WAN ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR LOK SHAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHI KIANG STREET AND YUK Y4T STREET.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1935
11
BEACH KIOSK LEASE OFFERED
* * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR OPERATION OF A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT KADOORIE BEACH ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TUEN MUN.
KADOORIE BEACH, ON THE WESTERN COAST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, DREW MORE THAN 130 000 BEACH-GOERS DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAY LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT TO START FROM APRIL 1, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON OR THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR CF ’TOP COURT’, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN.
FORMS SHOULD THEN BE RETURNED TO THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 1.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OR TELEPHONE 0-820800 EXT. 301, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES • BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL. 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 19^5
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
OBJECTIVES CAN BE MET, SAYS SIH PHILIP ................... 1
UK BILL TO END SOVEREIGNTY JILL BE PUBLISHED HERE......... 6
VOTING RIGHT FOR EVERY REGISTERED DOCTOR - HARRY FANG .... 7
FRANCIS TIEN WARNS OF DTWCRACY GONE ..'RONG............... 8
PRIORITY URGED FOR ADULT CIVIC EDUCATION .................
CONTINUED PUBLIC VIEJS URGED ............................. 1°
DESTRUCTIVE SPLITS MUST Bx. AVOIDED — LYDLi. DUNN......... 11
PEOPLE’S ROLE VITAL FOR SUCCESS - PETER wCNG.............. 13
POINTS MISSING FROM WHITE PAPER, SAYS WONG LaM............ 14
’REVIEW SHOULD MAP OUT REFORMS TO END OF CENTURY* ........
CALL FOR AN EXPANDED LEGCO .........................•..... 1$
+HONG KONG WILL OVERCOME HURDLES*- ....................... 21
VITAL NE»7 ROLE SETN FOR UMELCO ..........................
JOINT COMMUNITY EFFORT URGED ............................. 24
HEAVY BURDEN SShN FOR LEGCO MEMBERS’......................
CALL TO RETAIN SOME UNOFFICIALS ..........................
DANGER OF SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT RAISED................... 2$
/TDC AIMS......
TEG AIMS FOR MORE TRADE WITH JAPAN .......................... 29
MORE DEMAND SEBJ FOR HK-CHINA FLIGHTS ....................... 30
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT URGED FOR PROVISIONAL COUNCIL........ 30
IMPROVING LIFE IN WALLED CITY ............................... 32
CANDIDATES REMINDED ABOUT CAMPAI® PROCEDURES ................ 33
POSITIVE YOUTH ROLE IN SOCIETY URGED......................... 33
SEAT BELT RULE CUTS DOWN CASUALTIES . ....................... 36
NEVI LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSED ' ........ 36
POWER TO BAN UNSAFE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.................... 39
NOISE CONTROL BILL READY SOON ............................... 39
BUSINESS OF EXPORT CREDIT INSUR.1NCE CORP GROWS.............. 41
RECLAMATIONS REDUCE TYPHOON SHELTER SIZE..................... 42
OYSTER FARMING RESEARCH STILL USEFUL ........................ 42
six bills Passed............................................. 42
PLAN TO IMPROVE EDUCaTION QUALITY APPROVED ..................... 43
HE'S ROLE IN SHENZHEN AIRPORT PLAN EXPLAINED.................... 45
BOaRD TO HEaR aBOUT YEAR'S PLaN ................................ 46
PaRK LITTERBUGS FINED........................................... 47
TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR THREE SITES ............................... 47
ALL TSUJN WAN LUNaR NEW YEaR FAIR SITES LEaSED ................. 48
RESTRICTED ZONES ............................................... 48
TRAFFIC BAN LIFTED ............................................. 48
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
OBJECTIVES CAN BE MET, SAYS SIR PHILIP * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD SET HONG KONG FIRMLY ON THE ROAD TOWARDS MEETING THE STATED OBJECTIVES.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE: ROOTING THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY IN HONG KONG AND DEVELOPING AN ACCEPTABLE AND RESPECTED CHANNEL FOR THE AUTHORITATIVE EXPRESSION OF THE VIEW OF THE PEOPLE CF HONG KONG.
SIR PHILIP WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN THE MOTION +THAT THIS COUNCIL WELCOMES THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.+
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WOULD THEREFORE BECOME MORE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE HERE.
+THUS, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WILL BE MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE WHITE PAPER WHICH IS TO PREPARE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE NEW POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FUTURE.
■♦•ACCORDINGLY, SIR, I COMMEND THE WHITE PAPER TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS FOR THEIR APPROVAL,+ HE SAID.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR PHILIP’S SPEECH:
♦ SIR, I RISE TO MOVE THE MOTION STANDING IN MY NAME ON THE ORDER PAPER: +THAT THIS COUNCIL WELCOMES THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.+
+WHEN THE WHITE PAPER WAS LAID ON 21 NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, YOU YOURSELF, SIR, OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO REMIND MEMBERS, AT THE OUTSET OF THIS DEBATE, OF OUR OBJECTIVES AND THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER WERE WORKED UP AND THEN AMENDED WHEN FINALISING THE PLANS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER.
OBJECTIVES
+OUR OBJECTIVES CAN BE STATED QUITE SIMPLY. THEY ARE, FIRST, THAT THE FUTURE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE ROOTED FIRMLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEREBY BE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE SECOND OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE FOR CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF SELECTION OF'THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT IT IS BROADLY BASED, AND WHICH WILL MINIMISE ANY TENDENCY TO FACTIONAL POLITICS AND DIVISIVENESS. THE THIRD OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF SELECTION CF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED.
/PRINCIPLES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
2
PR INCIPLES
♦TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES THE PLANS IN THE WHITE PAPER HAVE BEEN BASED ON FOUR PRINCIPLES. THE FIRST PRINCIPLE BORNE IN MIND WAS THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE BASED, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, ON OUR EXISTING INSTITUTIONS AND SHOULD PRESERVE THEIR BEST FEATURES, INCLUDING THE WELL-ESTABLISHED PRACTICE OF GOVERNMENT BY CONSENSUS. THE SECOND PRINCIPLE BORNE IN MIND WAS THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED GRADUALLY AND PROGRESSIVELY. THE THIRD PRINCIPLE BORNE IN MIND WAS THAT A REASONABLE BALANCE SHOULD BE STRUCK IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BETWEEN ELECTED, APPOINTED AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS. AND THE FOURTH PRINCIPLE BORNE IN MIND - AND VERY MUCH SO - WAS THAT THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT PUT AT RISK THOSE FACTORS WHICH HAVE SECURED THE SOCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
+IN THE RATHER LONGER TERM OF APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES SHOULD ENABLE THREE OTHER OBJECTIVES TO BE REALISED. THAT IS TO SAY, THE APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES SHOULD ASSIST US, FIRST, TO DECIDE UPON THE CHANGES WHICH SHOULD BE MADE IN THE COMPOSITION, METHOD OF SELECTION AND POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL; SECONDLY, TO DEFINE THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR IN RELATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS; AND, THIRDLY, TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO MAKE THE EXECUTIVE ORGANS OF THE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
+THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES IS TO ENSURE THAT A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED DURING THE NEXT 12 YEARS WHICH WILL PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF OUR PRESENT SOCIETY AND WHICH WILL ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR HONG KONG FROM ITS PRESENT STATUS AS A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO THAT OF A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA, WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
+NEEDLESS TO SAY, IN PREPARING THE PLANS STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER, THE PROVISIONS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE CF HONG KONG, WHICH PROVIDE, INTER ALIA, FOR THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS, HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
COMPOSITION OF NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
+OBVIOUSLY, THE FIRST AND SECOND OBJECTIVES OF THE PLANS IN THE WHITE PAPER WHICH I MENTIONED A FEW MOMENTS AGO WILL BE BEST
IIEVED BY ENSURING THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL MAJOR SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. SO THE /.HITE PAPER DEFINES HOw A NEW STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ~>SEMBLED WITH EFFECT FROM THE 1985-86 SESSION.
/♦ELECTIONS WILL ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
+ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD, IN SEPTEMBER 1985, FOR 24 UNOFFICIAL (•EMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WHO WILL HOLD OFFICE FOR THREE YEARS. TWELVE MEMBERS WILL BE ELECTED BY AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE COMPOSED CF ALL MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONA COUNCIL AND TWELVE MEMBERS BY SPECIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
♦WITHIN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS wILL BE GROUPED INTO TEN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES REPRESENTING ROUGHLY 530 000 PEOPLE EACH, WHILE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL FORM TWO SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES. EACH OF THESE CONSTITUENCIES WILL RETURN ONE MEMBER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THUS, THERE WILL BE 12 MEMBERS IN ALL ELECTED BY THESE +POPULIST+ CONSTITUENCIES.
+THERE WILL BE NINE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES REPRESENTING THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, FINANCIAL, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE TEACHING, LEGAL AND MEDICAL AND THE COMBINED ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, PLANNING AND SURVEYING PROFESSIONS.
+THE COMMERCIAL CONSTITUENCY WILL BE REPRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHILE THE INDUSTRIAL CONSTITUENCY WILL BE REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION. EACH OF THESE FOUR ORGANISATIONS WILL RETURN ONE MEMBER EACH TO THE COUNCIL. THE LABOUR CONSTITUENCY, MADE UP OF ALL REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS, WILL RETURN TWO MEMBERS, WHILE THE OTHER CONSTITUENCIES WILL EACH RETURN ONE MEMBER. THUS, 12 MEMBERS IN ALL WILL BE ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THESE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
+AT THE SAME ThME, THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS CF THE COUNCIL WILL BE REDUCED FROM THE PRESENT 30 TO 22; wHILE THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE REDUCED FROM 16 TO 10, INCLUDING THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
♦ IN SUMMARY, THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW SESSION WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT 46 TO 56: THERE WILL BE TWO CATEGORIES OF ELECTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, ’POPULIST’ AND FUNCTIONAL, AND THERE WILL BE TWELVE IN EACH CATEGORY ; THE RATIO OF ELECTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE 24:22; AND THE RATIO OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL BE 46:10, COMPARED WITH 30:16 AT PRESENT. THUS, THE THIRD OBJECTIVE OF BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMPOSITION AND METHOD CF SELECTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS BEEN MET.
THE 1987 REIVEW
♦ THE WHITE PAPER ALSO ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CONDUCT A REVIEW IN 1987 OF OUR EXPERIENCE DURING THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF THE LIFE OF THE NEW COUNCIL. AS PERCEIVED AT THIS TIME, THE REVIEW WILL ADDRESS AT LEAST FOUR QUESTIONS.
/♦FIRST, THE.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 19&5
4
♦FIRST. THE REVIEW WILL CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF SELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 AND BEYOND SHOULD BE CONTEMPLATED INCLUDING WHETHER AND, IF SO, WHEN, AT LEAST A PROPORTION OF THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP SHOULD BE MADE UP OF MEMBERS DIRECTLY, AS OPPOSED TO INDIRECTLY, ELECTED. SECONDLY, THE REVIEW WILL CONSIDER POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE POWERS, COMPOSITION AND bETHOD OF SELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, INCLUDING WAYS AND t-EANS OF DEVISING A LINK - AND THE EXTENT OF THAT LINK - BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY, FOR EXAMPLE, SOME FORM OF MINISTERIAL SYSTEM. THIRDLY, THE REVIEW WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE ANY CHANGES IN THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR IN RELATION TO BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. AND, FOURTHLY, THE REVIEW WILL CONSIDER THE NEED FOR, AND TIMING OF, ANY FURTHER REVIEW OR REVIEWS.
PUBLIC REACTION TO THE WHITE PAPER
♦PUBLIC REACTION TO THE GOVERNMENTS PLANS ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER HAS BEEN GENERALLY FAVOURABLE, AS EVIDENCED BY REPORTS IN THE MEDIA AND COMMENTS MADE BY MANY MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLAIMS FOR REPRESENTATION THROUGH ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, FROM SUCH ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS AS THE HEUNG YEE KUK, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, RELIGIOUS BODIES, THE MEDIA, SOCIAL WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND ETHNIC MINORITIES. THESE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BUT, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO ACCEPT THEM, AT ANY RATE AT THIS STAGE.
♦THERE CLEARLY HAS TO BE SOME LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WHICH CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO START WITH. MOREOVER, HAVING REGARD TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS WHOLE EXERCISE, A CAREFUL BALANCE HAS TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN THt VARIOUS COMPONENT ELEMENTS - ELECTED, APPOINTED, OFFICIAL - THAT WILL MAKE UP THE NEW COUNCIL. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THE CLAIMS OF THESE ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS ARE WITHOUT MERIT, OR THAT THEY ARE UNIMPORTANT, LET ALONE THAT THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY IS NOT RECOGNISED. THE INTEREST^ OF SOME OF THESE ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS WILL NO DOUBT BE REFLECTED THROUGH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE OR APPOINTED BY -YOU, SIR. IN ANY CASE, THE REVIEW IN 1987 WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
/♦SINCE THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
5
+SINCE THE WHITE PAPER WAS PUBLISHED, THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SOME RENEWED DEMANDS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN GENERAL ACCEPTANCE THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE INTRODUCED IMMEDIATELY. I SHOULD MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT IT WOULD BE EITHER TIMELY OR WISE TO INTRODUCE DIRECT ELECTIONS JUST NOW, IT DOES NOT OBJECT IN PRINCIPLE TO THIS PARTICULAR METHOD OF ACQUIRING MEMBERSHIP. AT THIS STAGE, HOWEVER, IT IS ESSENTIAL NOT TO PUT AT RISK THE HARMONY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG BY INTRODUCING TOO MANY MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TOO RAPIDLY, OR TO OVERLOAD THE SYSTEM (INCLUDING THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE ADMINISTRATION) WITH TOO MANY CHANGES SIMULTANEOUSLY.
♦I SHOULD JUST MENTION HERE, SIR, THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. THE PLANS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED IN THIS COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ARE WELL IN HAND. A NEW SUBJECT OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS TO BE INTRODUCED. THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HAS TENDERED ADVICE ON HOW TO STRENGTHEN THE CIVIC EDUCATION ELEMENT IN EXISTING SUBJECTS AND IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF GUIDELINES ON PROMOTING CIVIC AND POLITICAL AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS IS BEING PREPARED.
LEGISLATION
+AS STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER, THE ELECTORAL LEGISLATION wILL BE ALONG THE LINES OF EXISTING ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE, WHICH HAS PROVED TO BE GENERALLY ADEQUATE FOR THE CONDUCT OF DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS. THE LEGISLATION IS NOW BEING DRAFTED AND WILL COVER SUCH MATTERS AS THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A VOTER, THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A CANDIDATE, THE METHODS BY WHICH THE ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES *ILL BE DRAWN UP AND THE PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING THE ELECTIONS. IT WILL ALSO LAY DOWN THE DETAILED COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
+IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNDERTAKING GIVEN IN THE WHITE PAPER, A SERIES OF MEETINGS HAS BEEN HELD DURING THE PAST SIX WEEKS OR SO WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS ON WHICH THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE BASED, IN ORDER TO EXPLAIN THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE LEGISLATION AND THE PROCEDURES WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR CONDUCTING THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER NEXT. VARIOUS POINTS HAVE BEEN RAISED BY THESE ORGANISATIONS WHICH wlLL BE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
♦ THE ELECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL^, I . SIMILAR FASHION TO THAT IN WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ALREADY; AND, OF COURSE, VOTING WILL BE BY SECRET BALLOT.
/♦THE GCV -.RNMSNT........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 6
+THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PUBLISH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) BILL IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION, AND TO INTRODUCE IT INTO THIS COUNCIL FOR DEBATE, WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, SUBJECT, OF COURSE, TO THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
CONCLUSION
+SIR, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE WHITE PAPER WILL SET US FIRMLY ON THE ROAD TOWARDS MEETING OUR STATED OBJECTIVES OF ROOTING THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT CF HONG KONG FIRMLY IN HONG KONG AND OF DEVELOPING AN ACCEPTABLE AND RESPECTED CHANNEL FOR THE AUTHORITATIVE EXPRESSION OF THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WILL THEREBY BECOME MORE DIRECTLY - AND WILL BE SEEN TO BE MORE DIRECTLY - ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THUS, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WILL BE MADE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE WHITE PAPER WHICH IS TO PREPARE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE NEW POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FUTURE.
+ACCORDINGLY, SIR, I COMMEND THE WHITE PAPER TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS FOR THEIR APPROVAL. +
------O ------
UK BILL TO END SOVEREIGNTY WILL BE PUBLISHED HERE
* * * * *
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM BILL TO PROVIDE FOR TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 WOULD BE MADE WIDELY KNOWN IN HONG KONG, ONCE IT IS PUBLISHED THERE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHlulP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JOHN SWAINE, SIR PHILIP QUOTED THE SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, AS HAVING SAID IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON DECEMBER 5 LAST YEAR, WHEN THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT WAS BEING DEBATED, THAT THE UK WOULD BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION EARLY THIS YEAR FOR THE TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE POWERS TO MAKE OTHER CHANGES TO THE LAW, INCLUDING THE NATIONALITY LAW, WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY, SIR GEOFFREY HAD SAID.
AS THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE AN ACT OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, SIR PHILIP SAID, HE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO ANTICIPATE ITS CONTENDS.
♦ BUT I CAN ASSURE MR SWAINE THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL EE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A BILL UPON ITS INTRODUCTION INTO PARLIAMENT.
/+THIL .JILL.......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 7 -
+THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED AFTER AN INTERVAL BY THE NORMAL PROCESS CF PUBLIC DEBATE IN BOTH HOUSES, AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE BY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IF THEY SO WISH.
+ANY SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION WOULD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL PROCEDURE, ALSO BE SUBJECT TO PARLIAMENTARY AND PUBLIC SCRUTINY.
+FOR OUR PART, GIVEN THAT THE BILL WILL BE CONCERNED WITH THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL NATURALLY ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE BILL, ONCE PUBLISHED IN THE UK, ARE MADE WIDELY KNOWN HERE,+ SIR PHILIP SAID.
-------0----------
VOTING RIGHT FOR EVERY REGISTERED DOCTOR - HARRY FANG
*****
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION IN THE MEDICAL CONSTITUENCY SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG NEDICAL ASSOCIATION NOR CONFINED TO REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE PROFESSION, DR THE HON HARRY FANG SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, DR FANG SUGGESTED THAT ALL PRACTITIONERS WHOSE NAMES APPEARED ON THE HONG KONG MEDICAL REGISTER SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES, STAND FOR ELECTION AND VOTE.
+l BELIEVE THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD WHERE PRACTICABLE ELECT THEIR CANDIDATES TO LEGCO DIRECTLY AND IN THIS CASE THE MEDICAL CONSTITUENCY, WHICH IS PERHAPS THE MOST HOMOGENEOUS GROUP, IS PARTICULARLY WELL PLACED TO TEST THE DIRECT ELECTION CONCEPT AND SHOULD DO SO,+ HE SAID.
ON THE WHOLE. DR FANG SAID, THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY CONCEPT WAS AN IMPORTANT INTERIM MEASURE, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HONG KONG HAD A MUCH LARGER LEGISLATURE WITH WIDER REPRESENTATION TO ENABLE CANDIDATES FROM SMALL BUT VITAL PROFESSIONS, SUCH AS LAW, BANKING, ACCOUNTANCY AND MEDICINE TO BE ELECTED BY POPULAR VOTE FROM GENERAL CONSTITUENCIES.
+THE EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONALISM OF COUNCILLORS FROM THESE FIELDS ARE ESSENTIAL, IN MY VIEW, TO THE EFFICIENT AND PROGRESSIVE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS,+ HE SAID.
- 0 ----------
/8........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
8
FRANCIS TIEN WARNS OF DEMOCRACY GONE WRONG * * * *
DEMOCRACY GONE WRONG WAS A DIRE DANGER, THE HON FRANCIS TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+PUT GRAPHICALLY, IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THE ART OF RUNNING THE CIRCUS FROM THE MONKEY CAGE,* HE SAID, ON THE FIRST DAY OF DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
DEMOCRACY GONE WRONG WAS DEFINED AS A SYSTEM IN WHICH THE WHOLE WAS EQUAL TO THE SUM OF THE PARTS, HE SAID.
+ IF A MAJORITY TELLS US THAT TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FI VE= OR IF IT SEEKS TO SPEND MONEY WHICH IT DOES NOT POSSESS, THEN WE ARE CLOSE NOT TO DEMOCRACY, BUT TO DICTATORSHIP.
+MR TIEN SAID HE WAS NO CYNIC, BUT WAS AN ADVOCATE OF BALANCED DEVELOPMENT.
+1 DO BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT WE SHOULD ANTICIPATE A FUTURE FULL OF HOPE AND DEVELOPMENT.
+BUT A WELL THOUGHT OUT FUTURE MUST BE A MEASURED FUTURE - A BALANCED FUTURE.
+CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, BUT CONTINUITY IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT,* HE SAID.
MR TIEN SAID TO INNOVATE WAS NOT ALWAYS TO REFORM.
+INDEED CHAIRMAN DENG XIAOPING INFORMED US THAT WE HAVE A NEED TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND PROSPERITY,* HE SAID.
+DRASTIC CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IS RULED OUT BY COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT GET TOO FAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH REALITY.*
HE SAID THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAFTING CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE SHOULD NOT LISTEN TO SIREN VOICES, EXPRESSED LOCALLY OR ABROAD, WHICH THREATENED HONG KONG’S STABILITY.
+AT ALL COSTS, WE MUST NOT BE DRIVEN HELTER-SKELTER TOWARDS ILL-CONSIDERED ACTION,* HE SAID.
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/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
9
PRIORITY URGED FOR ADULT CIVIC EDUCATION * * * *
ADULT EDUCATION SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER PRIORITY AND WAYS AND PEANS SHOULD BE SOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE HONG KONG’S ADULT CITIZENS TO TAKE CIVIC EDUCATION SERIOUSLY, THE HON ALEX WU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER, MR WU SAID: +1 PUT PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ADULT EDUCATION BECAUSE IT IS MY HOPE THAT ADULTS AND YOUTHS ALIKE WILL LOSE NO TIME IN LEARNING ABOUT THIS NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
+WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT WE DEMOCRACY, WHICH IS LIKE EMBARKING WHICH WE MUST HASTEN TO DIGEST THE CAN MAKE PROPER USE OF IT.*
HAVE JUST BEGUN TO LEARN ABOUT ON A CRASH REMEDIAL COURSE WITH ESSENCE OF DEMOCRACY BEFORE WE
IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW LITTLE ABOUT AND ARE NOT PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED FOR REGISTRATION AS VOTERS, NOT TO PENTION THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF A VOTER, MR WU ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED FOR THE EDUCATION OF VOTERS BY HEIGHTENING THEIR AWARENESS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES WHEN DRAWING UP THE CURRICULUM OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
+1 HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL CLARIFY IF CIVIC EDUCATION PROVIDES, APART FROM GUIDANCE, ANY MEANS OF TESTING THE AVERAGE VOTER’S UNDERSTANDING OF HIS OBLIGATIONS,* HE SAID.
+ARE HONG KONG PEOPLE, WHO ARE ALWAYS HARD PRESSED FOR TIME, WILLING TO RECEIVE THIS KIND OF EDUCATION AND CAN THEY AFFORD THE TIME FOR IT?* HE ASKED.
MR WU BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE +COUNTLESS DIFFICULTIES* IN IMPLEMENTING A NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 1987 REVIEW WHICH COULD HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD WORK WELL.
+1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COOPERATION OF THE PUBLIC, HONG KONG WILL MOVE SUCCESSFULLY TOWARDS ’HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG’,* HE SAID.
MR WU LIKENED HONG KONG’S PRESENT SITUATION TO A BIG COMPANY ABOUT TO BE LISTED.
+IT HOPES NOT ONLY TO MAINTAIN ITS GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT (PROSPERITY), BUT ALSO TO DO EVEN BETTER UNDER THE JOINT ADMINISTRATION OF ITS ABLE DIRECTORS, BOTH OLD AND NEW.
+THE DIRECTORS SHOULD EXERCISE GREATER CAUTION BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE LISTING, TO AVOID CONFUSION AND LOSS TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS.
+ 1 HOPE THAT, WHEN IT GOES PUBLIC, THE LISTING PRICE * ILL NOT BE LOWER THAN THE BOTTOM PRICE AND I WISH IT SMOOTH SAILING AHEAD,* NF WU SAID.
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/1O......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
10
CONTINUED PUBLIC VIEWS URGED
*****
HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE HON S.L. CHEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE URGED PEOPLE TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS, ESPECIALLY ON PROBLEMS ARISING FROM NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND THE FUNCTIONING OF THE FUTURE LEGCO.
+THEY WILL BE USEFUL INPUTS TO THE REVIEW WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN TWO YEARS’ TIME.
+THE GOVERNMENT, ON THE OTHER HAND, SHOULD CAREFULLY MONITOR OPINIONS EXPRESSED THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD LEADING TO THE REVIEW AND SHOULD EXTEND THE CONSULTATION NETWORK AS WIDE AS POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.
IN HIS CAPACITY AS CONVENER OF THE UMELCO CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS PANEL, MR CHEN SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER WERE BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE UMELCO RECOMMENDATIONS.
COMMENTING ON THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSAL ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS, MR CHEN SAID IT HAD IN FACT BROUGHT FORWARD THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL FROM 1988 TO 1985.
+AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT, THE PROPOSED MOVIES, IN MY OPINION, BOTH FAST ENOUGH AND FAR ENOUGH, BUT WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT FURTHER STEPS SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN ON THE BASIS OF SATISFACTORY PROGRESS, WHICH I AM SURE WILL BE REGULARLY MONITORED AND TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE 1987 REVIEW,* HE SAID.
+IN NO WAY SHOULD WE PRE-EMPT THE FINDINGS OF THE REVIEW, OTHERWISE WE WOULD BE DENYING OURSELVES TWO YEARS’ VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WHICH WE CAN ILL AFFORD TO LOSE,* HE SAID.
ON THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE CHOICE OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS, MR CHEN SAID IT SHOULD BE SUCH THAT A BALANCED COMPOSITION OF THE FUTURE LEGCO COULD BE ENSURED, SO THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE TO DISCHARGE ITS FUNCTIONS IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER.
+THE UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY OF ELECTION THROUGH FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WAS THEREFORE TO ENABLE THE VARIOUS ’FUNCTIONS’ TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY, RATHER THAN FOR THE INTERESTS OF THOSE GROUPS TO BE PROTECTED IN LEGCO,* HE SAID.
+HONG KONG IS FACING AN IMPORTANT CHANGE AND WE NEED TO DEMONSTRATE PUBLIC SPIRIT, NOT SELFISHNESS,* HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE WHITE PAPER DID NOT ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT ELECTIONS, NOR THE FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, THE EXECUTIVE AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
+1 AM SURE THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE URGENCY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE MATTERS AND WOULD GIVE SERIOUS THOUGhTo ID THEM IN THE COMING YEARS BEFORE THE REVIEw IN 1987,+ HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1935
11
DESTRUCTIVE SPLITS MUST BE AVOIDED — LYDIA DUNN
*****
WE MUST NOT PUT OUR FUTURE AT RISK IN THE PURSUIT OF SELF-CENTRED GOALS, THE HON MISS LYDIA DUNN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MISS DUNN SAID THOSE IN PUBLIC LIFE NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE, MUST ADHERE TO CERTAIN ETHICAL PRINCIPLES IN THEIR APPROACH TO THEIR DUTIES AND AVOID DESTRUCTIVE DIVISIONS AMONG THEMSELVES.
+WE MUST THINK POSITIVELY AND SET ABOUT MASTERING SITUATIONS IN A PRACTICAL WAY,+ SHE SAID.
+THE GOVERNMENT, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND EVERYO ELSE IN PUBLIC LIFE MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP,* SHE SA
+AND LEADERSHIP DOES NOT JUST MEAN MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS ON COMPLEX ISSUES.
+ IT MEANS HAVING A PERCEPTION OF THE BEST MEANS OF SECURINu THE WELL-BEING OF ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND A COMMITMENT TO THAT PERCEPTION.*
MISS DUNN SPOKE OF FOUR DETERMINANTS OF HONG KONG’S SURVIVAL AND SUCCESS: A COMMITMENT TO A FREE MARKET ECONOMY; THE EXERCISE CF RESTRAINT BY THE GOVERNMENT; AN APPROACH TO THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT WHICH SOUGHT A CONSENSUS AND AVOIDED DISPUTE; AND AN ABSENCE OF DIVISIVE FORCES.
ON THE FREE MARKET ECONOMY, SHE SAID FOR MANY YEARS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY STANCE HAD BEEN CHARACTERISED BY MINIMUM INTERVENTION IN THE ECONOMY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE FISCAL, LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH BUSINESS COULD BE CARRIED ON.
+IF THIS POLICY STANCE IS ERODED, THEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF OUR TURNING IN A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN THE FUTURE WILL BE REMOTE,* SHE WARNED.
ON GOVERNMENT RESTRAINT, MISS DUNN SAID THERE WAS ALWAYS THE DANGER OF EXPECTING TOO MUCH OF THE GOVERNMENT, TO IMAGINE THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD AND SHOULD CURE ALL THE ILLS THAT AFFLICTED SOCIETY AND TO BLAME THE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT FAILED TO DO SO.
+SO, EVEN IN HONG KONG, THERE ARE FAIRLY CONTINUOUS CALLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO FAVOUR SOFT POLICY OPTIONS TO THE POINT OF RELIEVING PEOPLE AND ENTERPRISES OF ALL SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY,+ SHE SAID.
/♦IF SUCH .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9. 1985
12
+ IF SUCH CALLS ARE HEEDED, HONG KONG WILL NOT SURVIVE AS A DYNAMIC AND NON-1NSTI TUT IONALISED CARING SOCIETY,* SAID MISS DUNN.
TURNING TO THE CONSENSUAL APPROACH, MISS DUNN SAID ON THE WHOLE, HONG KONG HAD BEEN GOVERNED ON THIS BASIS.
WE HAD, GENERALLY SPEAKING, AVOIDED ADVERSARIAL POLITICS, THAT WAS TO SAY POLITICS WHICH TENDED EITHER TO PERSONALISE ISSUtS OR TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE POLICY OBJECTIVES IN A WELTER OF ARGUMENT.
WE DID NOT WASTE TIME OR HUMAN EFFORT ON EXTRANEOUS ISSUES AND, BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF ADVERSARIAL POLITICS, WE HAD BEEN FREE TO TACKLE ISSUES HEAD ON AND AVOID THOSE CORRUPTIVE FORCES WHICH HAD PLAGUED THE POLITICAL LIFE OF SO MANY COUNTRIES, EAST AND WEST.
*TO ACHIEVE A TRUE CONSENSUS REQUIRES THE SEEKING OUT OF WILLING AND ABLE REPRESENTATIVES OF A BROAD SPECTRUM OF INTERESTS AND VIEWS.
+IT IS PERHAPS ARGUABLE WHETHER UNDER OUR SYSTEM OF NOMINATED APPOINTMENTS SUCH PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IDENTIFIED.
+ BE THAT AS IT MAY, HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THEMSELVES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, BUT IF ON BEING ELECTED THEY DISCARD THE REALITIES OF OUR ECONOMIC SITUATION, IF THEY CARELESSLY SEEK TO INVOKE THE AID OF GOVERNMENT FOR SECTIONAL INTERESTS, AND IF THEY REJECT THE CONSENSUAL APPROACH, THEN WOE BETIDE THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY OF THIS CITY OF OURS,* SHE SAID.
ON THE ABSENCE OF DIVISIVE FORCES, MISS DUNN SAID HONG KONG HAD A STABLE AND HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY WHICH MATCHED, SHE BELIEVED, THE CONSENSUAL TRADITION IN GOVERNMENT.
THERE WAS A CONVERGENCE HERE OF PEOPLE OF MANY RACES AND BELIEFS WHICH IN PART REFLECTED, AND IN PART HAD CONFERRED UPON, HONG KONG THAT INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION WITHOUT WHICH HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE A MAJOR CENTRE OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND FINANCE.
+OUR FUTURE WOULD INDEED BE IN JEOPARDY IF, BY ONE ROUTE OR ANOTHER, DIVISIVE FORCES BEGIN TO EMERGE,* SHE SAID.
MISS DUNN DESCRIBED THE GOVERNMENT’S STATED INTENTIONS IN THE WHITE PAPER AS TIMELY AND RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES.
♦BUT AS WE CONSIDER THE POLITICAL CHANGE ENVISAGED IN THE
SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT AND AS WE EMBARK UPON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, w'E SHOULD SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEW PHASE IN OUR HISTORY DOES NOT INVOLVE A SHARP BREAK WITH THE PAST.
+THAT IS TO SAY, WHATEVER MAY BE THE ULTIMATE FOR^ AND STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, WE MUST PRESERVE THE HONG KONG STYLE AND THE HONG KONG SYSTEM INTACT,* SHE SAID.
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1905
- U -
PEOPLE’S ROLE VITAL FOR SUCCESS - PETER WONG * * * * *
"HE SUCCESS OF THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD IK THE FINAL ANALYSIS BE LARGELY DEPENDENT UPON THE DEGREE OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AT ALL LE ELS, THE HON PETER C WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
A CONCERTED EFFORT MUST BE MADE FOR THE PEOPLE TO BE POSITIVELY INVOLVED NOT ONLY IN CIVIC AFFAIRS BUT ALSO IN ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
♦ IN THIS WAY AND IN THIS WAY ALONE CAN OUR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY BE MAINTAINED,* MR wONG SAID.
PARAGRAPH SIX OF THE WHITE PAPER CONTAINS WHAT HE CONSIDERED A KEY STATEMENT - THE RECOGNITION OF THE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND TO FRAME PLANS ACCORDINGLY.
+THE FACT IS : HONG KONG IS NOT HEADING FOR INDEPENDENCE BUT WILL BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA,* HE SAID.
* AS LONG AS WE BEAR THIS IN MIND, wE SHOULD PROCEED AS PLANNED.
+THE PRESENT PROPOSALS, ALTHOUGH DEALING MAINLY WITH THIS YEAR’S ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ARE NEVERTHELESS A REALISTIC AND PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
+THEY REPRESENT A CAUTIOUS BUT SOLID STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPING A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SUITED TO THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES CF HONG KONG - A STEP wHICH, I BELIEVE, MOST PEOPLE WOULD ENDORSE.
+SOME WOULD SAY THAT GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO RUSH THROUGH AN IMPORTANT PACKAGE HURRIEDLY PUT TOGETHER.
+ON THE FACE OF IT, THERE MAY SEEM TO BE SOME JUSTIFICATION IN SUCH A STATEMENT, BUT the FACT REMAINS TH T aE HAVE ONLY 12 YEARS TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH IS MORE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE,* MR WONG SAID.
TIME WAS NOT REALLY ON OUR SIDE AND THE NEED TO ACT DECISIVELY AND EXPEDITIOUSLY WAS SELF-EVIDENT, HE ADDED.
HE CONCEDED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHITE °APER WOULD NOT EE EASY, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
♦ MUCH HARD WORK AND CO-ORDINATION REMAINS TO BE DONE.
/-SINCE SO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 14 -
-►SINCE SO MUCH IS AT STAKE, GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO DO A GOOD AND THOROUGH JOB.
►INDEED, THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID IN THE MEANTIME, PUBLIC CONSULTATION SHOULD CONTINUE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS AND EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS, CAREFUL THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FURTHER STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AFTER 1985 AND APPROPRIATE PLANS FORMULATED ACCORDINGLY.
►IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO REMEMBER THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSJBLE TO CREATE A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT UNLESS THE PEOPLE AND THeIR EXISTING INSTITUTIONS ARE READY FOR IT.
►IN THIS CONTEXT, GOVERNMENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF A WIDER RANGE OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN RESPONSE TO POPULAR DEMAND DESERVES OUR UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT,+ HE SAID.
------o-------
POINTS MISSING FROM WHITE PAPER, SAYS WONG LAM * * * *
THE HON WONG LAM SAID TODAY HE FELT TWO POINTS HAD NOT BEEN MENTIONED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
MR WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE WHITE PAPER, APART FROM DEALING WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MADE NO REFERENCE AS TO HOW THE COUNCIL COULD BE BETTER EMPOWERED TO MONITOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
►I DO NOT SEE ANY PARTICULAR REASON FOR DEFERRING THE REVIEW OF THIS QUESTION FOR TWO YEARS AS IT IS AN INDEPENDENT ISSUE,* HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO SAID THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAD NOT MENTIONED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
►IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN MONITORING GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, ITS UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SHOULD NOT AT THE SAME TIME BE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BECAUSE THE LATTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMULATION OF GOVERNMENT POL IC IES,+ HE SAID.
HE FELT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DRAW A LI NE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE - AS wELL AS MONITORING - BODIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, '1985
15 -
COMMENTING ON SPECIFIC PROPOSALS OF THE WHITE PAPER, MR WONG SAID THE ARRANGEMENT OF RETURNING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE -EGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD GIVEN RISE TO CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS.
HE SAID FIRSTLY. THE WHITE PAPER PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE BALANCED COMPOSITION OF THE MEMBERS, LIMITING EACH CATEGORY OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS TO 12.
THIS WOULD RESULT IN SOME MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES i£ I NG KEPT OUT, AND MR WONG SAW A NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER IN ORDER TO ENLARGE REPRESENTATION IN THIS CATEGORY.
SECONDLY, THE WHITE PAPER DID NOT MENTION IN DETAIL THE CRITERIA BY WHICH THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE CHOSEN.
THIRDLY, THE DIRECT ENTRY OF MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES THROUGH INDIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST ARRANGEMENT SINCE MEMBERS NEEDED TO HAVE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY.
IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE SOME SUPPORTIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS APPOINTING MORE REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE BODIES TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS OR MAJOR ADVISORY COMMITTEES, TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE UP ONCE THEY WERE ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL, HE SAID.
FOURTHLY, TO AVOID INCONSISTENCY IN THE METHOD OF ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPECIFY THAT ONLV THOSE CHOSEN BY GENERAL ELECTION WITHIN A CONSTITUENCY COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE COUNCIL.
LASTLY, MR WONG SAID, TO AVOID A GREAT TURNOVER OF THE MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE UPON THEIR MINIMUM TERM OF OFFICE UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR WONG SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO RETAIN APPOINTED MEMBERS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE PRESENT STAGE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID CONSIDERATION.
THERE WERE POINTS HERE WHICH DESERVED
+FIRSTLY, AS THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE (OR BY DIRECT ELECTION) AND BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES INCREASES AND AS THEY GAIN more AND MORE EXPERIENCE, THE NUMBER OF JPDOINTE: -'EMBERS SHOULD Bt --DUCEJ GRADUALLY.
+SECONDLY, THE APPOINTED ^EMBERS SHOULD EE T-E E..TE OF THl. ■■••■CAL COMMUNITY AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND SHOULD HaVE NO BEARING ON THEIR APPOINTMENT,* HE S-IL.
-IN CTH2R .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
16 -
+IN OTHER WORDS, THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE USED TO COMPENSATE THOSE PROFESSIONS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ELIGIBLE FOR RETURNING MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR WONG SAID HE CONSIDERED THE GROUPING OF A DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS WITH POPULATION OF 500 000 aS ONE CONSTITUENCY IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AS RATHER DEMANDING.
HE SAID THE NUMBER SHOULD BE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS SO THAT THE MEMBERS COULD MORE EFFECTIVELY REPRESENT THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES.
CONCERNING THE ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTING UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR wONG SAID HE FULLY SUPPORTED IT AND FELT THAT IT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED INDEFINITELY SIDE BY SIDE WITH DIRECT ELECTIONS IN FUTURE.
HE CONSIDERED AS ARBITRARY THE VIEW THAT UNOFFICIALS ELECTEE IN THIS WAY WOULD ONLY CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THE INTERESTS OF THE GROUPS T0 WHICH THEY BELONGED.
+THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL GROUPS MAY NOT NECESSARILY GO AGAINST THOSE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
+EVEN IF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF CERTAIN GROUPS DO VENTURE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ONLY TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR OWN PROFESSIONS IN TOTAL DISREGARD OF PUBLIC INTERESTS, THERE ARE STILL MANY OTHER MEMBERS IN THE COUNCIL TO KEEP AN EFFECTIVE BALANCE,* HE SAID.
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’REVIE.. SHOULD MAP OUT REFORMS TO END OF CENTURY’ *****
THE 1987 REVIEW PROPOSED IN THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD MAP OUT A PROGRAMME OF REFORMS FOR THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG TO THE END OF THIS CENTURY, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER, DR HO SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE TIMING CF THE REVIEW HAD BEEf BROUGHT "ORaARD TO 1987.
+THERE ARE ONLY 12 YEARS BEFORE 1997 AND AN EARLY REV IE* IS IMPORTANT,* HE SAIL.
DR HO SAID THE REVIEW SHO -D DEAL WITH AT LEAST THREE AREAS OF CONCERN.
/FIRST, IT ........
WEEKBSJMY, JANUaKY
- 17 -
FIRST, IT SHOULD MAP OUT A PROGRAMME OF REFORMS FOR THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG TO THE END OF THE CENTURY.
+THE REFORMS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FUNCTIONS AND COMPOS I TIC CF THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS AND THE POSITION A< ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR,+ HE SAID.
SECOND, SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PHA> OUT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
HOWEVER, THERE SHOULD BE ELECTION FROM EACH OF THE 19 DIS BOARDS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENSURE A GEOGRAPHICAL BA. CF REPRESENTATIVES, DR HO SAID.
THE THIRD AREA WHICH DR HO RECOMMENDED THE REVIEW SHOULD LOOK INTO WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS, BASED ON UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN GRADUALLY THAT THE APPOINTMENTS SYSTEM STILL HAD ITS MERITS DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND COULD EXIST SIDE BY SIDE WITH DIRECT ELECTIONS.
THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE ACCOHPANIl. BY A CONSCIOUS, SUSTAINED AND LARGE-SCALE PROGRAMME OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR HO SAID.
DR HO SAID IT WAS IMPERATIVE FOR HONG KONG TO DEVELOP A . iEM CF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997 TO ENSURE THAT THE PE >LF COULD ADMINISTER THE TERRITORY EFFECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE BELIEVED THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR RAD REFORMS OR POLITICAL EXPERIMENTATION AND THEREFORE ENDORSED • PRINCIPLE THE CAUTIOUS, STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO POLITICAL REFORMS ADVOCATED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
HOWEVER HE SUGGESTED GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ITS ATTENTIO. ON LAYING DOWN CLEAR GUIDELINES ON THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA F'. CANDIDATES AND THE COMPILATION OF ELECTORAL ROLLS AND ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, TO ENSURE THAT MEMB-RS RETURNED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES COULD TRULY REPRESENT THEIR FUNCTIONAL GROUPS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE GROUPING OF THE DISTRICTS INTO 10 GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES DISREGARDED POPULATION DIFFERENCES, DISTRICT IDENTITIES AND LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS.
HE WOULD RATHER SEE EACH OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS RETURN ONE OR TWO REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN PROPOP TO THEIR POPULATION, HE SAID.
DR HO ALSO FELT THAT DUAL MEMBERSHIP ON DIFFERNET BOARDS A* COUNCILS SHOULD BE ALLOWED.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 18 -
HE SAID OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP WOULD FOSTER AN EFFECTIVE LINK BETWEEN THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND ENABLE MEMBERS TO FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY.
ON THE EXISTING OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN, DR HO SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY AN OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+FURTHERMORE, THE EXISTING RULE BARRING MEMBERS OF FOREIGN COUNCILS FROM BEING MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED RIGIDLY TO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS AND THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S POLITICAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE BECAUSE CHINA SHOULD NOT BE TREATED, STRICTLY SPEAKING, AS A FOREIGN STATE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
-------o ---------
CALL FOR AN EXPANDED LEGCO
* * *
A CALL FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO 60 (“EMBERS IN 1988 WAS MADE BY THE HON ALLEN LEE.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE WARNED THAT ANY PRESSURE FROM BRITAIN TO SPEED UP DEMOCRAT I SAT ION AT THIS STAGE COULD HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS.
SPEAKING TODAY AT THE LEGCO DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR LEE COMMENTED ON THE FORMATION OF THIS YEAR’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE 1987 REVIEW, AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IN GENERAL.
ON THE 1985 LEGCO, MR LEE SAID, +1 HAVE ATTENDED QUITE A NUMBER OF FORUMS AND PUBLIC GATHERINGS SINCE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. TO MY RECOLLECTION, NO ONE HAS SERIOUSLY COMMENTED ON THE PROPOSAL OF THE 1985 LEGCO FORMATION.
♦THE DISCUSSIONS WERE CONCENTRATED ON 1988 AND THE FUTURE ALONG WITH COMMENTS ON A SUGGESTED REVIEW IN 1989 AND THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM.
+T0 MY SURPRISE, THE WHITE PAPER HAS PUSHED THE 1988 PROPOSAL TO 1985.+
MR LEE SAID HE HAD TRIED TO FIND REASONS FOR THE SPEEDING-UP CF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. THE ONLY LOGICAL CONCLUSION HE COULD DRAW WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT DUE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE IN HONG KONG NOR THE CHINESE DEMAND TO SPEED-UP THE PROCESS.
/♦IT COULD .......
WEOilJSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 19 -
+ IT COULD BE THE PRODUCT OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TRYING, THROUGH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, TO SPEED-UP THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRAT I SAT ION IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
+IF THIS IS TRUE, MAY I REMIND HMG THAT PRESSURISING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT THIS STAGE ON A WESTMINSTER STYLE OF DEMOCRACY COULD LEAD TO DISASTROUS RESULTS.*
ON THE 1987 REVIEW, MR LEE SAID THERE WAS STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR BRINGING THE REVIEW FORWARD TO 1987 WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE SPEEDING-UP OF DEMOCRATISATION IN 1985. HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED, THE WHITE PAPER WAS LACKING IN LONG TERM VISION AND PLANNING EVEN DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
IT HAD RELIED ON THE REVIEW ITSELF IN 1987. IT DID NOT SAY THAT IN THE 1^87 REVIEW A LONG TERM PLAN OF POLITICAL REFORM AND THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM SHOULD EE CLEARLY STATED UP TO 1997 AND CONTINUITY BEYOND 1997.
MR LEE ADDEDt +THIS LACK OF LONG TERM VISION AND PLANNING BOTHERS ME BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE A RIGHT TO KNO*. ABOUT THE FORMATION OF A GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.
+THEREFORE, I STRONGLY URGE THE GOVERNMENT THAT DURING THE 1987 REVIEW IT SHOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEAR INDICATION AS TO WHERE HONG KONG IS GOING IN ITS GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.*
ON THE QUESTION OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE, MR LEE SAID THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS.
+THE WHITE PAPER BEFORE US TODAY IS TAKING A FIRST STEP TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY ADOPTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS A MATTER OF THE PAST. ELECTIONS ARE INEVITABLE IN THE FUTURE.*
MR LEE CALLED FOR CAREFUL PLANNING ON THE FORMATION OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE.
THE AWARENESS AMONG ALL STRATA OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE CONCERNING ELECTIONS *AS GROWING AND wOULD GROW FURTHER IN THE FUTURE.
SINCE THERE WOULD BE AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE IN THE YEAPS AHEAD, MR LEE BELIEVED T-AT *E MUST EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS NO*. AS TO HOW WE COULD ACHIE E T-I3 ‘ITHOUT ABRUPT CHANGES.
HE SAID: *1 BELIEVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OUGHT TO BE EXPANDED I THE FUTURE W<T* A GREATER NUMBER 'F UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS -RO 4 CROSS-5 ' CT < N OF OUR CC.'-lNITY.
/+THEHEFURE, I
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 20
♦THEREFORE, I PROPOSE THAT IN 1988, THE NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL AMBERS SHOULD EE EXPANDED TO 60 .WITH 20 MEMBERS FROM THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, 20 MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND 20 MEMBERS THROUGH TERRITORY-WIDE ELECTIONS.
♦THERE ARE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG CONCERNED ABOUT DIRECT ELECTIONS BECAUSE OF SO-CALLED ’FREE LUNCHERS’ GETTING INTO THE LEGISLATURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS CONCERN BUT I DISAGREE.
♦ THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST HAVE A RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE I a REPRESENTATIVES DIRECTLY FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND I AM SURE MANY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES FOR THE WELL-BEING CF HONG KONG. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY 'FREE LUNCHERS’.
♦ THE ALLOCATION OF ONE THIRD OF THE SEATING TO A SINGLE L IsT TERRITORY-WIDE ELECTION SHOULD BOOST THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE IN RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVING THE SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG WHICH WAS PROMISED BY CHINESE LEADERS.*
MR LEE SAID THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO HELP HONG KONG IN ESTABLISHING AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE AND WOULD MOST PROBABLY SUCCEED IN THE FORMATION OF A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER. HE BELIEVED IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE CONTINUITY UP TO AND BEYOND 1997.
SPEAKING ON THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM, MR LEE SAID IT WAS ~HE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE FUTURE.
SUPPORTING CALLS FOR A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM, HE SAID: +1 BELIEVE THAT THE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL AND SUPERVISE THE POLIClEo AND OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MOST EFFECTIVE THROUGH A FORM OF MINISTERIAL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.
♦ IT IS A SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. EVEN THOUGH I AGREE WITH THE WHITE PAPER THAT THE WHOLE SUBJECT WILL BE ADDRESSED FURTHER AT A LATER STAGE, I wOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE.*
MR LEE SAID: +1 HAVE EXPRESSED MY RESERVATIONS ON THE 1985 FORMATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND I HAVE SPOKEN ON MY PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE.
♦THE PUBLIC AT LARGE SEEM TO ACCEPT THE FORMATION OF THE 1985 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EVEN THOUGH IT IS LACKING IN LONG TERM ISION AND PLANNING.
+1 AM WILLING TO SUPPORT THE WHITE PAPER AND THE MOTION BEFORE US TODAY PROVIDED THAT IN THE 1987 REVIEW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN THE FUTURE PROPOSALS RUNNING UP TO 19°7.+
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
21
+ HONG KONG WILL OVERCOME HURDLES*
* * * *
HONG KONG WAS COMPARED TO AN ATHLETE BEING TRAINED FOR AN IMPORTANT EVENT BY HER TRAINER, THE BRITISH, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER, THE HON ANDREW SO SAID HE STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THIS ATHLETE WITH POTENTIAL WOULD MAKE DAZZLING ACHIEVEMENTS IN JUMPING OVER THE HURDLES GRACEFULLY.
+1 THINK THE PROGRAMME, THE METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT SUGGESTED IN THE WHITE PAPER ARE SUITABLE FOR THE ATHLETE, HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
+THE WHITE PAPER PRESENTS THE PROGRAMME, METHODS AND COURSE FOR TRAINING. THE COMPOSITION AND PACE OF THE PROGRAMME WILL DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE WHOLE TRAINING PROJECT. IT IS ALSO A ’STARTING BLOCK’ SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ATHLETE, HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT ATHLETIC TRAINING SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN STAGES, FROM THE BASICS TO THE MOST SOPHISTICATED FORM OF TRAINING, AND IT SHOULD BE GEARED TO INDIVIDUAL TRAINEES’ POTENTIAL AND CAPABILITIES.
MR SO POINTED OUT THAT THE TRAINER IN THIS CASE WAS WELL KNOWN TO BE AN +IRON MAN* WHO WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED TECHNIQUES IN TRAINING AND HIS DEMAND WAS EXTREMELY HIGH.
+HE WISHES TO TRAIN UP THIS ATHLETE, HONG KONG, TO BECOME A TOP RUNNER IN THE HURDLE RACE AND AIMS AT HIS FINISHING THE RACE IN A ’WORLD RECORD OF 12.6 SECONDS’,* HE SAID.
+ IT IS HOPED THAT THE TRAINER WILL DEVOTE HIMSELF TO COUNSELLING THE ATHLETE, INSTEAD OF GIVING HIM STIMULANTS WHICH WILL MAKE HIM BREACH THE RULES.
+1 STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS ATHLETE WITH POTENTIAL WILL MAKE DAZZLING ACHIEVEMENTS IN JUMPING OVER THE HURDLES GRACEFULLY AND REACH THE FINISHING LINE WITH FLYING COLOURS EVEN THOUGH THE WORLD RECORD OF 12.6 SECONDS MAY NOT BE CLOCKED,* HE SAID.
/22........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985’
VITAL NEW ROLE SEEN FOR UMELCO
* * * *
UMELCO’S ROLE IN THE NEXT 12-1/2 YEARS WOULD BE +EXTREMELY IMPORTANT*, THE HON F.K. HU SAID TODAY.
IT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE +A NEW CHALLENGING ROLE IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING MUTUAL TRUST, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT,* HE SAID.
IT WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ADVISED OF THE FEELINGS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE CONCERNING CHINESE POLICIES, TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES.
MR HU WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
+FURTHERMORE, UMELCO MUST BE FULLY AWARE OF CHINESE POLICIES, WHETHER DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL, AS FAR AS THEY AFFECT HONG KONG, SO THAT IT MAY ADVISE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHICH, IF NECESSARY, COULD MAKE SUITABLE ADJUSTMENTS IN POLICY ACCORDINGLY.
+A GOOD UNDERSTANDING THROUGH UMELCO AND THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO BE ESTABLISHED CAN ENSURE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ALONG A WORKABLE AND ACCEPTABLE PATH WHICH w ILL LEAD TO A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT WITHOUT SUDDEN AND DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH MIGHT HAVE A DISTURBING EFFECT,* MR HU SAID.
HE ALSO AGREED WITH THE VIEW CONCERNING THE NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC +AT ALL LEVELS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER ALL THE IMPLICATIONS AND COMPLEXITIES OF PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG*.
+THEY WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS MORE OPENLY ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND THE SYSTEM THEY PREFER.
+THEY WILL ALSO BE PLACED IN A BETTER POSITION TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO IN THEIR VIEW UNDERSTAND THE OVERALL COMPLEX SOCIAL PROBLEMS WITHOUT OVER-EMPHASIS ON BENEFIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR SECTOR,* MR HU SAID.
DISCUSSING THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DECIDE THE RIGHT MIX AT THIS STAGE.
+WE MUST TRY AND TEST VARIOUS METHODS BEFORE wE CAN ARRIVE AT A PROPER COMPOSITION OF A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TWO OR THREE YEARS BEFORE 1997.
+BESIDES INDIRECT ELECTION THROUGH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THERE wILL BE DIRECT ELECTION INTRODUCE? AT A LATER STAGE AND THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BE PHASED OUT AND MAY BE REPLACED BY MORE OPEN CONSULTATIVE PROCEDURES IN FUTURE,* HE SAID.
/Mk HU .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9.
*9 HU SAID ONCE the NUMBER OF SEATS TO BE CREATE? tY hNY •cT-< aaS -GREED UPON, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO REDUCE THE Nu-l-, ■* CATEGORIES AND THUS MAKE FUTURE ADJUSTMENT MORc DIFFIC^".
THEREFORE, HE wAS IN FAVOUR OF A CAUTIOUS APPROACH AND FVi_LY SUPPORTED THE GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL OF SIX MEMBEl.o EACH FROM ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
SINCE THERE HAD BEEN NO STRONG EVIDENCE OR PUBLIC OPINION Tc INCREASE THE NUMBER FROM SIX TO 12, MR HU VIEWED THAT BY ALLO*ING THE NUMBER TO DOUBLE IN THE WHITE PAPER IT WOULD MAKE THE REV IE* IN 1987 MORE DIFFICULT AS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE LESS ROOM TC MANOEUVRE.
MR HU ALSO SAID HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF A REASONABLY BALANCED GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTED MEMBERS. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS THE ARRANGEMENT FOR INDIRECT ELECTION BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN 1985, HE FELT THAT THE SAME PRINCIPLE SHOULD APPLY FOR DIRECT ELECTION IN FUTURE.
+THE RATIO OF MEMBERS ELECTED THROUGH INDIRECT ELECTION A DIRECT ELECTION ON THE BASIS OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE DECIDED IN THE FUTURE REVIEW,* HE SAID.
MR HU UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WERE BOUND TO BE NUMEROUS PROFESSIONS AND TRADES WHICH CONSIDERED THEMSELVES QUALIFIED T„ BE ONE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND IT *AS IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY EVERY GROUP.
HE SAID HE APPRECIATED THAT THE PROCEDURE FOR INDIRECT ELECTION MUST BE STANDARDISED THROUGH LEGISLATION AND SUGGESTED THAT IT *3U-_ BE NECESSARY TO GIVE THE BROADEST POSSIBLE EASE OF VOTERS FOR ALL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE ELECTED MEMBER SUFFICIENT BACKING IN HIS REPRESENTATION.
+THEREFORE, ALL THOSE RELATED TO ANY PARTICULAR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AND MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENT AS A REGISTERED VOTER MUST BE ON THE ELECTORAL ROLLS FOR THESE CONSTITUENCIES.
+HOWEVER, THE NOMINEES SHOULD BE LIMITED TO VOTERS WITH ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION OF ANY PARTICULAR CONSTITUENCY,* HE SAID.
MR HU SAID IF THERE WERE TOO MANY NOMINEES IN ANY CONSTITUENCY, AN ELECTION OR ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ELIMINATE TriE NUMBER OF NOMINEES UNTIL ONE NOMINEE OBTAINS OVER 50 PER CENT OF Tri; VOTES CAST.
FOR THE ELECTIONS BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THERE SHOULD BE NO DUPLICATION OF VOTERS AND NOMINEES. ONE CAN ONLY VOTE ONCE OR STAND AS NOMINEE ONCE IN EITHER CONSTITUENCY, HE SAID.
• LASTLY, MR HU SAID, IT *AS LOGICAL TO REVIEW THE DEVELOPMENT IN 1987, ONE YEAR BEFORE THE 1988 ELECTION.
HE FELT THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO BE REVIEWED IN 1993 AND 1993 BEFORE THE 1991 AND 1994 ELECTIONS *ITH A VIE* TO ACHIEVING A FULLY REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN 1994.
0
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY
2A
JOINT COMMUNITY EFFORT URGED * * * *
THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY DEPENDS GN T.-iE SMOOT-OPERATION AND COORDINATION OF ALL SECTORS OF WHICH IT IS MADE Ur, THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, HE SAID THAT DUR I THE FINAL STAGE OF THE REFORM PROCESS, THE GREATEST CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT wAS THAT APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE GRADUALLY REPLACED BY ELECTED ONES.
HE BELIEVED THAT MOST OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS WOULD REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL STRATA, PROFESSIONS AND DISTRICT-.
HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT, IF EVER ANY SECTOR INSISTED ON PROTECTING its OWN INTERESTS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WHOLE COM I- ' , ALL WOULD, TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT, BE ADVERSELY AFFE'Jtl
+HENCE, THE KEY TO SUCCESS OF OUR SOCIETY DEPENDS ON wdET<. ELECTED MEMBERS WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT SOCIAL STRATA wILL PFO-'_ •_ LOOK AFTER THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, RESTRAI >E INTERESTS OF THE SECTORS wHICH THEY REPRESCN'T IF CONDITIONS S REQUIRE AND PUT THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS 0- 'HEIR SECTORS ABOVE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS WHERE APPROPRIATE,* HE SAID.
+IN THE FACE OF ALL KINDS OF CHANGES, THEREFORE, wE MUST mCT CAUTIOUSLY, ADVANCE STEADILY, REVIEW THE EFFECTS AFTtR TAKING EACH STEP OF REFORM AND THEN PROCEED WITH THE NEXT STEP IN ORDER TC ENSURE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY UNDESIRABLE CONSE -uENCE, + ~E ADDED.
MR wONG STRESSED, UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, + AN EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS* ATTITUDE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN IMPLEMENTING AND DEVELOPING THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
+AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, I AM OF THE OPINION THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE WHITE PAPER IN VARIOUS ASPECTS ARE IN LINE wITn THIS SPIRIT,* HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT ALTHOUGH DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG’S PROPOSED POLITICAL SYSTEM WERE NOT BASED ON EXPERIENCE, HE BELIEVED THAT THROUGH CLOSE CONTACTS WITH COUNTRIES ALL OVEP THE WORLD DURING THE POST-WAR DECADES, HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD GAINED CONSIDERABLE KNOWLEDGE AND A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE FER ITS AND DEMERITS OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL SYSTEMS.
+BASED ON THIS, I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM,+ H- SAIL.
0 -------
/25 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY %
25
HEAVY BURDEN SEEN FOR LEGCO MEMBERS * * *
FUTURE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHETHER INDIRECT OR DIRECT, WOULD CARRY A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE PROPERL' REFLECTED IN THE POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL, THE HON w.C.L. BROWN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THOSE WHO ASSUME THIS RESPONSIBILITY WILL ALSO NEED IN DUE COURSE TO SHARE AUTHORITY, AND HAVE GREATER POWERS OF DECISION IF THEY ARE TO SUCCEED,+ HE SAID.
MR BROWN WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT INVOLVES FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES NOT ONLY IN THE MANNER WE CONDUCT OUR AFFAIRS, BUT ALSO IN OUR MENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AS PRACTISED UNDER THE ROYAL INSTRUCTION..’ HE SAID.
REFERRING TO MR EDWARD HEATH’S COMMENT THAT VOUNG CHINESE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE ANXIOUS TO ASSUME MORE RESPONSIBILITY BUT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD CAUTION AGAINST HASTE IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR APPOINTED POSITION, MR BROWN BELIEVcD THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD SPEAK FOR THE MAJORITY, IF NOT ALL THE MEMBERS.
+MUCH HARD WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IN DEVELOPING TH- OLITICAL AWARENESS OF THIS COMMUNITY, AND THEN TRANSLATING IT INTO ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN OUR AFFAIRS,* HE SAID.
+THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR CONTINUING EVOLUTION IS ONLY ONE CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF HO* A HONG KONG SITUATION HAS BEEN TACKLED IN HONG KONG IN A HONG KONG *AY.
+AND HONG KONG’S TRACK RECORD OF GETTING THINGS RIGHT IN MOST OF ITS FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR IS NOT ONLY GOOD, BUT INDEED IS NOT INFREQUENTLY THE CAUSE OF ENVY BY THOSE WHO LIVE IN SO CALLED DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WHOSE OWN PROBLEMS SEEM SO INCAPABLE OF SOLUTION BY THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO LEVY CRITICISM IN OUR DIRECTION, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, WHILE DEVELOPING OUR SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRADUAL AND PROGRESSIVE MANNER wHICH SEEMED GENERALLY TO HAVE FOUND FAVOUR WITH THE PUBLIC, wE MUST ENSURE THAT *E STAY TUNED IN TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
, + IN THE LONGER TERM WE MUST ALSO AVOID ANY OVER-
CONCENTRATION OF POWER IN THE HANDS OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, ..HICH BY DEFINITION ENCOURAGES THE MAN IN THE STREET TO BELIEVE THERE IS LITTLE MERIT IN THINKING THINGS OUT FOR nlMSELF AS OTHERS * ILL IN ANY CASE DECIDE,* HE SAID.
/Hk bHGWN ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
26
MR BROWN NOTED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD ALREADY ENTERED THE ERA OF TRANSITION TOWARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, AND CURING THIS PERIOD OF CHANGE IT WAS IMPORTANT NOT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION BY WORD OR DEED THAT THE COLONIAL ARGUMENT THAT *IT WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER IF THESE PEOPLE LET US GO ON RULING THEM BECAUSE WE DO IT SO MUCH BETTER THAN THEY EVER COULD* HAD ANY VALIDITY TO OUR SITUATION TODAY.
+ l DO NOT THINK THAT WE DO GIVE THAT IMPRESSION, BUT IN ANY CASE THE ARGUMENT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE,* HE SAID.
+ l DO NOT THINK ANYONE HERE DISAGREES WITH THE VIEW THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF MANAGING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS.
+THE WHITE PAPER IS DESIGNED PRECISELY TO TAKE AN IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT STEP IN THAT DIRECTION* A STEP MOREOVER THAT WISELY RECOGNISES THE NEED TO WORK WITHIN THE LONGER TERM OBJECTIVE OF ACHIEVING A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT COMPATIBLE TO THE TERMS OF THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATION IN 1997,+ HE SAID.
+WHOEVER HOLDS THE REINS OF POWER IN HONG KONG Tttt PRIME RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR LEADERSHIP IS TO ENSURE STABILITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
+THIS IS A FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES' IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF CHANGE IT IS DOUBLY DIFFICULT,* MR BROWN ADDED.
HE SAID HE SUPPORTED THE WHITE PAPER BECAUSE WHEN WEIGHING THE REQUIREMENT FOR RAPID PROGRESS WITH THE CAUTIONARY +MORE HASTE LESS SPEED* MESSAGE IN THE WHITE PAPER, HE HAD NO DOUBTS IN HIS MIND THAT THE BALANCE AS REFLECTED IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS RIGHT FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF TODAY.
-------0 ---------
CALL TO RETAIN SOME UNOFFICIALS
*****
THE WISDOM OF RETAINING SOME APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS WAS STRESSED IN LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN.
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR CHAN SAID THE APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS COULD GRADUALLY PASS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THEIR NEW COLLEAGUES.
+THE ARRIVAL OF NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS THROUGH INDIRECT ELECTION INTO THIS COUNCIL WOULD OPEN A NEW CHAPTER,* SAID MR CHAN.
+THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WOULD GLADLY UNLOAD THEIR HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE NEWCOMERS AND GRADUALLY LET THE APPOINTMENT TRADITION OF OVER A CENTURY FADE AWAY.*
/HE ~AID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9. 1985
27
HE SAID THAT THE HONG KONG APPOINTMENT SYSTEM wAS BASED On THE SELECTION OF SUCCESSFUL PERSONS FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
MANY HAD DONE YEARS OF WORK ON HUNDREDS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AN. COUNCILS BEFORE THEIR APPOINTMENT INTO THE COUNCIL.
THIS VOLUNTARY SERVICE DEMANDED MANY WORKING HOURS TO DIGEST AND ANALYSE THE DAILY PILE OF GOVERNMENT PAPERS BEFORE ATTENDING THE VARIOUS MEETINGS.
THIS MEANT A SACRIFICE OF THEIR BUSINESS AND FAMILY LIFE, BUT THIS WAS OFTEN PURPOSELY IGNORED BY PEOPLE WHO WISHED TO UNDERMINE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THEIR POWER STRUGGLE.
♦ IT IS THEREFORE WISE,+ SAID MR CHAN +TO RETAIN SOME OF THESE APPOINTED UNOFFICIALS SO THAT THEY MAY GRADUALLY PASS THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO THEIR NEW COLLEAGUES BEFORE COMPLETELY BOWING OUT.
♦OF COURSE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE AND BELIEVE THESE UNOFFICIALS HAVE NOT DONE ONE BIT OF GOOD AND SHOULD BE GOT
RID OF LIKE WEEDS IMMEDIATELY.*
SPEAKING ON GRASSROOTS AND FUTURE LEADERS, MR CHAN SAID THERE WAS A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE TERM GRASSROOTS WHICH a AS NOT A CHINESE TERM. ACCORDING TO THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY IT MEANT THE VOTERS THEMSELVES.
♦ SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE WRONG CONCEPT THAT THE POORER THE PERSON THE MORE ’GRASSROOT’ HE IS,+ SAID MR CHAN.
+IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN BEGGARS AND THE LIKE SHOULD BE ELECTED INTO THIS COUNCIL.
♦WHAT VOTERS SHOULD ELECT ARE PEOPLE WITH STRONG LEADERSHIP, FORESIGHT, KNOWLEDGE OF PEOPLE’S PROBLEMS AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND TO WITHSTAND POLITICAL PRESSURES IN THE YEARS TO COME.+
MR CHAN SAID THAT CIVIC EDUCATION ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SAFEGUARD OUR FREEDOM.
♦LEGISLATION SHOULD BE MADE FOR COMPULSORY REGISTRATION AND VOTING BY EVERYONE ELIGIBLE AS FULL PARTICIPATION IS THE BEGINNING GF CIVIC EDUCATION.+
MR CHAN ALSO CALLED FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW TO ADJUST THE COURSE CR ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE THE PROGRAMME wH'ICH HE SAID WAS A PRUDENT MOVE.
IP A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM WAS ADOPTED, -AID, THE MINISTERS SHI ULD ONLY BE CHOSEN FROM THE ELECTED MEMBERS AND NOT FROM THE A- 0 INTED UNOFFICIALS AS THEY WERE ADVISEE TC THE GOVERNOR AN) SHOULD NOT SEEK POWER OR AUTHORITY.
/H£ .SAID ...........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
- 26 -
HE SAID HE WAS PERTURBED THAT SOME CANDIDATES HAD PUBLICLY EXPRESSED THEIR WISH TO CHANGE THE RULES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUCH AS CHANGING THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE CROWN AS A -P=>E-CONDITION OF JOINING IT.
+DOES THIS UNDERMINE BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY FROM NOW TO 1997 AND THE CLEAR-CUT RESPONSIBILITY WHICH IS SO VITAL TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG r\ONG? + HE ASKED.
-----0------
DANGER OF SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT RAISED * * *
IN A CALL TO LEGISLATORS TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT PEAR OR FAVOUR, THE HON JOHN SWAINE SAID TODAY THAT SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT BY PRESSURE OR FEAR WERE AMONG HONG KONG’S GREATEST DANGERS.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, RR SWAINE SAID THAT DURING THE DEBATE ON THE DRAFT AGREtMENT LAST OCTOBER, HE HAD SAID WE MUST ENSURE THAT, WHEN THE TIME CAME, THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY PROMISED WAS NOT AN EMPTY PHRASE.
HONG KONG HAD TO PREPARE ITSELF IN THE YEARS AHEAD TO BUILD ITS OWN STRONG REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS SO THAT THE IDEAL OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ADMINISTERING HONG KONG BECAME A REALITY.
+1 SUBSCRIBE THEREFORE TO THE AIM OF MEASURED PROGRESS IMPLICIT IN THE WHITE PAPER, AND TO THE EXPRESS AIM THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE FIRMLY ROOTED IN HONG KONG AND SHOULD PRESERVE THE BEST FEATURES OF EXISTING INSTITUTIONS,* MR SWAINE SAID.
+IN THE PRESENT CLIMATE OF CHANGE, WE MUST NOT BE QUICK TO JETTISON OLD VALUES.
+WE MUST BE JEALOUS AND PROTECTIVE OF THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES WE ENJOY UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, AND NOT YIELD TO PRESSURE OR BE SEDUCED BY HOPE OF GAIN.
+ AS I SAID IN MY EARLIER SPEECH, THE SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT BY PRESSURE OR FEAR ARE AMONG OUR GREATEST DANGERS.
+WE MUST HAVE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE DEVOTED, I WOULD SAY PASSIONATELY DEVOTED, TO THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, AND WHO ARE PREPARED AND ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, WHATEVER MAY BE THE ULTIMATE FORM OF THE LEGISLATIVE OATH.+
THIS WAS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT IN VIEW OF THE PROVISION IN CLAUSE I ANNEX I OF THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, HE SAID.
+1 SUPPORT THE WHITE PAPER AND HENCE THE MOTION FOR ITS ASPIRATIONS AND ITS PROGRAMME OF MEASURED PROGRESS,* HE CONCLUDED.
------0-------
/29 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUAR^-9, 1985 - 29 -
TDC AIMS FOR MORE TRADE WITH JAPAN * * * *
THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PLACED PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON DEVELOPING TRADE WITH JAPAN AND IN NURTURING HONG KONG’S RABIDLY GROWING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, THE HON LYDIA DUNN SAID TODAY.
MISS DUNN, WHO WAS TABLING THE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1983/84 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID THE COUNCIL HAD ALSC ENSURED THE CONTINUITY OF HONG KONG’S STRONG PROMOTIONAL PRESENCE IN ITS TRADITIONAL MAJOR MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE.
SHE SAID DURING THE YEAR, THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE HAD IMPROVED STEADILY, AND HONG KONG HAD ENJOYED A SATISFACTORY RECOVERY IN TRADE WHICH HAD BEEN SUSTAINED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
+AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE TDC HAS MAINTAINED A HIGH LEVEL OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY WORLDWIDE IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND TRADING COMPANIES,* MISS DUNN SAID.
+ IN PARTICULAR, OUR STRATEGY HAS BEEN TO MAXIMISE OUR EFFORTS IN THOSE MARKETS WHERE THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASING T- ADE IS GREATEST AND WHERE TDC SUPPORT IS MOST NEEDED.*
MISS DUNN SAID DURING THE YEAR THE TDC HAD ORGANISED 63 OVERSEAS TRADE PROMOTIONS IN 21 COUNTRIES.
THESE WERE WELL SUPPORTED BY SOME 650 HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS, MAINLY SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED COMPANIES.
IN ADDITION, PRODUCT SAMPLES FROM 1 700 COMPANIES WERE FEATURED IN 18 TRADE FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
IN HONG KONG HIGHLY PUBLICISED EVENTS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG WOOL KNITWEAR SHOW AND THE ANNUAL TOY AND GIFT FAIR REPRESENTED ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THE TDC’S TOTAL ACTIVITY.
MISS DUNN SAID THE TDC’S TRADE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE CONTINUING AT A HIGH LEVEL.
EFFORTS TO PENETRATE THE JAPANESE MARKET HAD BEEN A MAJOR PRIORITY, AND THE RECENT ECONOMIC MISSION AND TOY PROMOTION IN TOKYO COMPLEMENTED THE PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES IN THAT MARKET.
A SECOND PRODUCT EXHIBITION IN CHINA WOULD BE STAGED IN SHANGHAI THIS MAY.
*THE TDC WILL ALSO BE ASSUMING ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES,* SHE SAID.
/♦BY AGREEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 19&5
AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE C»ER ER- THE GOVERNMENT THE HONG KONG SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL AND TriE -ON'- KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE.*
TO BE A
WORK WOULL
APART FROM TRADE PROMOTIONS, THIS YEAR PROMISED
SI GN ’c I CANT, ONE IN OTHER RESPECTS, SAID MISS DUNN. ....
START ON TH- HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE PROJtC WHICH, WHEN COMPLETED IN 1988, WAS EXPECTED TO BE ASIA’S LARGEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED PURPOSE-BUILT EXHIBITION AND CONFERtNCc
COMPLEX.
-----o------
MORE DEMAND SEEN FOR HK-CHINA FLIGHTS * * * *
THE QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE TALKS WITH UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT OFFICIALS TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON
PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG PO-YAN, HE AGREED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A GROWING DEMAND FOR FLIGHTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND A NUMBER OF CHINESE CITIES.
NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO AIR SERVICES TOUCHING HONG KONG, MR JACOBS CONFIRMED, WERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HMG GOVERNMENT.
-----0-----
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT URGED FOR PROVISIONAL COUNCIL
*****
SOME GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WOULD BE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL COULD DISCHARGE ITS DUTIES WELL DURING ITS ONE-YEAR LIFE SPAN, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL 1984 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG SAID THERE ^AS NO DETAILED PROVISION IN THE BILL ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL.
+1 THEREFORE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE THIS POINT DUE CONSIDERATION,* HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS AwARE OF THE RECENT REORGANISATION EXERCISE l< THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
/HE HOPED .......
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9. 1985
HE HOPED THAT THE NEW REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD RENDER FULL EXECUTIVE SUPPORT TO THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL AND THAT ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND HIS STAFF TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES AND TO GIVE ADVICE WHENEVER APPROPRIATE.
♦CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL IS GIVEN THE IMPORTANT TASKS OF BOTH ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PERMANENT REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ALSO ON THE FULL RANGE OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES WHICH AFFECT THE DAILY LIVES OF MILLIONS OF NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS, I THINK THE VALUABLE ADVICE AND SUPPORT OF THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES WOULD HELP TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH INAUGURATION OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL,* MR CHEUNG SAID.
ON THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL CONFERRED THE GOVERNOR WITH A DISCRETION TO SPECIFY THE PERIOD FOR THE CHAIRMAN, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL TO HOLD THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES.
HP ALSO SAID HE BELIEVED THE 12 APPOINTED MEMBERS WOULD TEAM UP AMICABLY WITH THE NINE ELECTED MEMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AMBERS AND THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS FROM THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
THE HON PETER C. WONG ALSO SAID HE SUPPORTED THE BILL, SUBJECT TO AN AMENDMENT TO PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE DISQUALIFICATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS FROM BEING MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES, THANKED MR WONG FOR THE AMENDMENT WHICH, HE SAID, REMOVED ANY POSSIBILITY OF AMBIGUITY IN THE PROVISIONS ON THE DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP ON GROUNDS OF CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
LIKE MR CHEUNG, MR AKERS-JONES ENVISAGED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD HAVE A HEAVY TASK AHEAD OF THEM.
HE SAID HE APPRECIATED MR CHEUNG’S CONCERN OVER THE SHORT TIME MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNC IL.
♦PROVIDED ALL CONCERNED HEED HIS ADVICE, I AM CONFIDENT THAT, GIVEN THE GENERAL EXPERIENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL IN THEIR OWN FIELDS AS wELL AS THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THE RUNNING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL OVER PAST YEARS, AND EFFECTIVE SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE, wE CAN BE READY IN TIME FOR THE_ INSTALLATION OF THE FULL REGIONAL OOUNC'L l\ 1986,+ MR AKERS-JONES SA ID.
-------0
WEDNESDAY, ..JANUARY 9, 1#5
IMPROVING LIFE IN WALLED CITY
* * * *
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND ■AGILITIES TO RESIDENTS OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, HAVING -GARD TO PRIORITIES IN THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHAT PLANS THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE WALLED CITY.
+ IN THE VICINITY OF THE WALLED CITY, THERE ARE SCHOOLS, CLINICS, SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRES AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CFFICE, TO WHICH RESIDENTS HAVE RELATIVELY EASY ACCESS,* AKERS-JONES SAID.
+THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF THE WALLED CITY RESIDENTS IN RECENT ’'EARS BY IMPROVING THE FOOTPATHS AND THE MAIN ALLEYWAYS AND IN PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE WALLED CITY, TREATING IT NO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG.
+THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FOR INSTANCE, COLLECTS REFUSE FROM THE AREA EVERY DAY, A POSTAL SERVICE IS PROVIDED, REGULAR POLICE PATROLS ARE MADE AND A FULL RANGE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, FLOODING AND OTHER EMERGENCIES,* HE SAID.
+THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE HELPS RESIDENTS TO FORM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO PROMOTE THE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILD INGS.
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE ACTIVE WITHIN THE WALLED CITY, OPERATING YOUTH CENTRES, CHILD CARE CENTRES, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, KINDERGARTENS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
PUBLIC UTILITIES, SUCH AS TELEPHONE, GAS, AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES WERE ALSO PROVIDED, WHILE STANDPIPES LOCATED BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY PROVIDE WATER TO RESIDENTS.
+PLANS TO IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ARE BEING STUDIED BY THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
A MAJOR RECREATIONAL AMENITY, THE CARPENTER ROAD PARK, IS ABC'T TO BE BUILT NEXT TO THE WALLED CITY.
+IT WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE SPORTS AS wELL AS RELAXATION FOR THE THOUSANDS OF KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS, AETHER THEY LIVE IN OR OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY,+ HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1935
CANDIDATES REMINDED ABOUT CAMPAIGN PROCEDURES
* * * *
CANDIDATES SEEKING ELECTION TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS ON MARCH 7 WERE REMINDED TODAY THAT THEY MUST OBTAIN PRIOR PERMISSION BEFORc. PUTTING UP CAMPAIGN POSTERS OR BANNERS ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY.
; A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT POSTERS AN2„JANNERS CANNOT BE PUT UP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE RELEVANT
DEPARTMENTS.
♦CANDIDATES SHOULD EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND SELF-DISCIPLINE AND MUST ENSURE THAT NO RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY ARISES FROM THE DISPL«f OF BANNERS AND POSTERS,* HE ADDED.
IN PREPARING CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY, CANDIDATES SHOULD PROVIDE TWO COPIES OF ALL PRINTED ELECTION MATERIALS, INCLUDING ANY ADDRESS BILL, NOTICE, PLACARD OR POSTER, TO THE RETURNING OFFICER NC< La। ER THAN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THEIR PUBLICATION.
-----o-----
POSITIVE YOUTH ROLE IN SOCIETY URGED
* * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD SHAKE OFF THEIR INERTIA TOWARDS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND ASSUME A ROLE OF POSITIVE INVOLVEMENT IN SOCIETY, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, MRS CHOW SAID THE UNITED NATIONS INTENTION IN DESIGNATING 1935 AS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR WAS TO DRAW WORLD ATTENTION TO THE LARGEST SEGMENT OF THE WORLD POPULATION WHICH WOULD SHAPE THE WORLD’ FUTURE.
+0F THE 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, 2.3 MILLION WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 25, AND 3.7 MILLION ARE UNDER 40.
♦IT IS ONLY APPROPRIATE FOR US TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THEM, THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND THEIR PROBLEMS, AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THE BEST WAY THEY COULD PREPARE THEMSELVES TO MEET THE CHALLENGES IMMEDIATELY FACING HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF OUR CHANGE IN CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS IN 1997.
+ THE THREE MAIN THEMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR ARE: PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE.
. +0N THEIR OWN, THEY MAY SOUND LOFTY AND IDEALISTIC.
♦BUT WHEN APPLIED TO PRESENT DAY HONG KONG, THEY ARE APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY.
/♦IN OUR .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
JA
♦ IN OUR HITHERTO APOLITICAL COMMUNITY, MOST ENERGY AND EFFORT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY INVESTED IN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
♦HOWEVER, EVENTS ARE SUCH THAT WE CAN NO LONGER LOOK TOWARDS OTHERS TO ASSUME OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY.
♦TODAY WE NEED TO RELY ON OURSELVES, AND IN PARTICULAR ON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PROVIDE US WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT HONG KONG WILL PERPETUATE ITS STATUS QUO THROUGH THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF POwtR AND RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT FROM THE EXISTING ADMINISTRATION TO A REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM.
♦AS A FIRST STEP, THEREFORE, A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE MUST TAKE PLACE, SO THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL SHAKE OFF THEIR INERTIA TOWARDS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND ASSUME A ROLE OF POSITIVE INVOLVEMENT IN OUR SOCIETY.
♦PARTICIPATION IS ESSENTIAL SO AS TO FURNISH THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BEFORE THEY CAN BE READY TO TAKE ON FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHOR ITY.+
MRS CHOW SAID IT WAS WITH A CONTINUING PROCESS OF LEARNING THROUGH PARTICIPATION THAT WE COULD FURTHER DEVELOP WORTHWHILE AND EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THE VALUE OF SOCIAL STABILITY AS A PREREQUISITE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR PRESENT LIFE STYLE COULD NOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH, SHE CONTINUED.
AT THIS JUNCTURE, HONG KONG NEEDED TO BE EXTRA-SENSITIVE TO THIS ASPECT OF ITS DEVELOPMENT, AS BOTH THE INTERNAL EVOLUTION TOWARDS A MORE ADVERSARIAL STYLE OF POLITICS, AND THE INNOVATIVE EXPERIMENTATION OF +ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS+ WERE LIKELY TO DISTURB THE HITHERTO PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE OF MANY DIFFERENT AND PERHAPS CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND BELIEFS.
CARE THEREFORE NEEDED TO BE EXERCISED TO MAINTAIN THE STATE CF PEACE IN HONG KONG IN THE MICRO, MACRO AS WELL AS WORLD CONTEXT.
MRS CHOW URGED EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATION TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE OCCASION BY INITIATING AND SUPPORTING AS MANY MEANINGFUL PROJECTS FOR AND BY YOUTHS AS POSSIBLE, FOR THE SAKE OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
ALSO SPEAKING ON INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID: +IN MY MAIDEN SPEECH IN THIS COUNCIL THREE YEARS AGO, I BEGAN BY SAYING, ’THE CHILDREN OF OUR SOCIETY TODAY, THE PILLARS OF OUR SOCIETY TOMORROW’.
• +WHEREAS IN 1973, 33.7 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION WAS UNDER 15, NOW AFTER 12 YEARS THIS GROUP OF CHILDREN HAVE BECOME OUR YOUTHS.
/+IT MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUAHY 9, 19&5
- 55 -
+ IT MAY NOW BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO SAY ’THE CHILDREN OF OUR SOCIETY YESTERDAY, THE YOUTHS OF OUR SOCIETY TODAY, THE PILLARS OF OUR SOCIETY TOMORROW’.*
DR IP SAID JUST AS SHE STRESSED THE RIGHTS AND THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, LIKEWISE SHE SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF MEETING THE RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF YOUTHS.
WE MUST NURTURE YOUTHS TO GROW UP INTO MATURE, CARING AND RESPONSIBLE ADULTS WHO HAD A BALANCED APPROACH TOWARDS WORK AND LEISURE.
THEY NEEDED TO BE KEPT NOT JUST HEALTHY, BUT PHYSICALLY FIT WITH PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS SO AS TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES OF A MODERN SOCIETY- THEY NEEDED TO BE EDUCATED TO THE EXTENT OF BE I
INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE, SHE SAID.
THEY MUST BE CONVINCED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AN ADEQUATE FAMILY AND A HEALTHY SEX RELATIONSHIP.
WE MUST LEAD THEM TOWARDS GOALS IN LIFE, WHICH NOT ONLY BENEFITED THEMSELVES BUT THE SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY LIVED, aO THAT IN FUTURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CREATE FOR US AN EVEN BETTER HONG KONG.
+IT IS INDEED REASSURING THAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY PROMOTING THIS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR AND THE THEMES, PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, NO DOUBT WILL MEET OUR OBJECTIVES IN FULFILLING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR YOUTHS,+
DR IP SAID.
THE HON DAVID AKERS-JONES THANKED MRS CHOW FOR MOVING, AND DR IP FOR SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
HE SAID MRS CHOW HAD +QUITE RIGHTLY* UNDERLINED SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AT THIS TIME IN OUR OF CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR WITH ITS OF +PART ICI PAT I ON, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE*.
THE
HISTORY
MESSAGE
ENTHUSIASM
HE SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE CHARACTERISTIC
AND DEDICATION WITH WHICH HONG KONG AGENCIES AND ORGANISATIONS WERE TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY THE CONCEPT OF THE
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
+WE SHALL GAIN MUCH BY THIS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE wITH THESE IN THE YEARS AHEAD,* HE SAID.
INVOLVEMENT AND IT WILL BE EFFORTS WITH THE SAME VIGOUR .♦
/56........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
56
SEAT BELT RULE CUTS DOWN * * * *
CASUALTIES
AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION
THE WEARING OF SEAT BELTS WAS MAKING ..... -
TO REDUCING THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF FRONT SEAT CASUALTIES IN ACCIDENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCO 1T, SAID
TODAY.
THERE HAD BEEN 14 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASUALTIES, WHICH INCLUDED A 15 PER CENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER CF FATAL OR SERIOUS INJURIES, IN THE SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS, COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING SIX MONTHS, HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED, MR SCOTT SAID, THAT THESE FIGURES INDICATED A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF ENFORCEMENT BY THE POLICE, AND THAT IT WAS HELP ING TO ENSURE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE StAT BtLT WEARING LEGISLATION.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON F.K. HU, HE ALSO SAID THAT BETWEEN THE OCTOBER 1, 1983 AND THE NOVEMBER 30, 1984, THcRE HAD Bc-H 12 237 PROSECUTIONS FOR THE OFFENCES OF DRIVING A PRIVATE CAR WITHOUT WEARING A SEAT BELT OR DRIVING A PRIVATE CAR WITHOUT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WEARING A SEAT BELT.
♦SEVEN OF THESE PROSECUTIONS WERE BY WAY OF ARREST* 2 512 BY SUMMONS ACTION; AND 9 718 BY FIXED PENALTY TICKETS. OF THE FIXED PENALTY PROSECUTIONS, 4 454 WERE FOR THE DRIVERS PERSONALLY NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND 5 264 WERE FOR DRIVING WITHOUT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WEARING A SEAT BELT,* HE SAID.
-------0----------
NEW LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROPOSED * * * *
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY (SCLS) AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BDAC) COULD BE COMBINED AND EXPANDED AND A MORE PERMANENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE SET UP, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO FORM A NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE, TO EE KNOWN AS THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LBAC), WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED AND APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MRS WONG, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF VICTORIA, SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS PART OF AN EXERCISE +T0 RATIONALISE A NETWORK OF COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES DEALING WITH LANDS AND WORKS MATTERS.*
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
SHE SAID THE AIM OF THE LBAC WOULD BE TO KEEP UNDER REVIE-THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS FOR LAND- THE PLANNED PROVISION, THE TAKE-UP AND UTILISATION OF LAND- AND THE ADEQUACY CF uAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
ITS OBJECTIVE WOULD ALSO BE TO MONITOR AND ASSESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN RELATION TO PLANNING, BUILDINGS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THE CURRENT ROLE OF THE BDAC, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOF LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF ALL MATTERS AFFECTING CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, TO EXAMINE AND KEEP UNDER REVIEW ALL POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND TO RECOMMEND TO GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS WHERE THESE ARE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
AS FOR THE SCLS, ITS CURRENT FUNCTION IS TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS FOR NEW LAND, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE STRATEGIC AND SUB-REGIONAL PLANNING BACKGROUND, AND, TO THIS END, TO REPORT AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON TARGETS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND FOR THE SALE OF LAND- AND THE ADEQUACY OF THE SUPPLY OF LAND.
THE SCLS HAS CONFIRMED THERE IS SUFFICIENT LAND FOR FIVE YEARS’ PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND STEPS ARE TAKEN A CONTINUATION OF LAND SUPPLY TO THE END OF THE DECADE.
THE NEXT TO ENSURE
IN THEIR REPORT LAST YEAR, IT WAS STATED THAT: +THE COMMITTEE HAS NOW FULFILLED THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS ORIGINALLY CORMED .... AND CONSIDERATION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO WHETHER THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE DISBANDED OR ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE CHANGED TO GIVE IT AN ALTERNATIVE FUNCTION*.
♦GIVEN THAT THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCLS HAVE NOW °ASSED, AND TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF ADVICE FROM EXPERTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF SCLS AND BDAC SHOULD BE COMBINED AND EXPANDED AND A MORE PERMANENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BE SET U° IN LIEU, WHICH WILL BE KNOWN AS THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LBAC),+ SHE SAID.
♦IN LINE WITH OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE PROPOSED LBAC SHOULD BE CHAINED BY AN UNOFFICIAL, AND AN ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO REDUCE OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP.*
MRS WONG SAID THREE SUB-COMMITTEES wILL ALSO BE PROPOSED. THEY ARE:
* REAL ESTATE SUB-COMMITTEE, TO CONSIDER LAND AND BUILDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS THEY AFFECT REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION AND TO REPORT ON THESE MATTERS TO THE LBAC:
LAND SUPPLY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
38 -
* LAND SUPPLY SUB-COMMITTEE, TO IDENTIFY CROWN LAND WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE! WITHIN AN AGREED OVERALL LIMIT, TO FORMULATE BIANNUALLY A PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME AND A LAND SALES FORECAST EXTENDING FOR A FURTHER 12 MONTHS J AND TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAMME AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NECESSARY, AND
X LEGISLATION SUB-COMMITTEE, TO CONSIDER THE RATIONALISATION OF BUILDING AND PLANNING LEGISLATION AND TO CONSIDER SPECIFIC ASPECT OF THE LEGISLATION AND TO MONITOR THEIR WORK.
ON THE ROLE OF THE BRANCH ITSELF, MRS WONG SAID IT WAS A POLICY BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING, POLICY AND LEGISLATION OF ALL AREAS CONCERNING THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS UNDER ITS AEGIS.
IN ADDITION, THE BRANCH HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS AND ALSO RESIDUAL CO-ORDINATION FUNCTIONS. IT IS NOW OPERATED CHIEFLY THROUGH TWO DIVISIONS -- THE PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING DIVISION AND THE POLICIES AND LEGISLATION DIVISION, EACH HEADED BY A DEPUTY SECRETARY WORKING TO THE SECRETARY.
THE PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING DIVISION, HEADED BY MR T. EASON, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND CO-ORDINATION OF THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING LAND PRODUCTION AND LAND-USE PLANNING AND THE PREPARATION OF A TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE CAPITAL WORKS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES.
+THE POLICIES AND LEGISLATION DIVISION IS HEADED BY ME AND IT IS CHIEFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICIES AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS,+ SHE SAID.
+THE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE REVIEW OF MANPOWER RESOURCES FOR LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS, AND RELATED TRAINING MATTERS! PROCEDURES AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS PERTAINING TO THOSE AREAS FALLING WITHIN THE POLICY RESPONSIBILITY OF LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, FOR EXAMPLE, BUILDING RELATED LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT POLICY, PROCESSING OF LEGISLATION RELATING TO LAND, POLICY ON COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES, PROCESSING OF OBJECTIONS LODGED UNDER VARIOUS ORDINANCES.
+THE WORK OF THE TWO DIVISIONS, THOUGH EACH DISTINCT WITH ITS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY, IS NOT COMPARTMENTALISED, BUT DOVETAILED INTO EACH OTHER. IT IS A RATIONALISATION O’7 A COMPLEX SCHEDULE, + SHE ADDED.
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/39........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
39
POWER TO BAN UNSAFE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES *****
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES WILL BE EMPOWERED TO BAN THE USE OR SALE OF ANY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE IF HE HAS REASON TO BELIEVE IT WILL PRESENT A DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY.
STATING THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID, +WE HOPE TO HAVE THE ENABLING BILL READY FOR CONSIDERATION BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR.+
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER POON, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS PLANNED THAT REGULATIONS WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ENABLE STANDARDS TO BE IMPOSED FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF ELECTRICAL FITTING AND APPLIANCES.
♦THE REGULATIONS WILL BE PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE SAFE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG.
♦WITH REGARD TO ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, IT IS INTENDED THAT A NEW ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE AND REGULATION MADE THEREUNDER WILL ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES TO SPECIFY CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF APPLIANCES, INCLUDING PLUGS AND CHAFING DISHES, WHICH WILL HAVE TO MEET PRESCRIBED MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS BEFORE THEY ARE PLACED ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC,* HE SAID.
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NOISE CONTROL BILL READY SOON * * * *
A COMPREHENSIVE NOISE CONTROL BILL WAS BEING PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS SAID TODAY.
BUT LEGISLATION COULD NOT PROVIDE THE COMPLETE ANSWER TO ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE PROBLEMS, HE STRESSED.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT EXISTING LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS WERE REASONABLY EFFECTIVE IN DEALING WITH THE NOISE PROBLEMS TO WHICH THEY APPLIED.
GIVING AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT THE BAN ON PILING WORK AT NIGHT WAS GENERALLY EFFECTIVE, AS WERE THE PERMIT CONTROLS ON N01SE ON CONSTRUCTION WORK BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE.
/The control .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
40
THE CONTROL OF VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING NOISE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE WAS ALSO EFFECTIVE, HE SAID.
BUT THERE WERE OTHER NOISY ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG WHICH NEEDED TO BE CONTROLLED. SOME IMPROVEMENTS AND RATIONALISATIONS WERE ALSO NEEDED IN THE EXISTING RATHER FRAGMENTED LEGISLATION DEALING WITH NOISE. THE NOISE CONTROL BILL WOULD BE AIMED AT DEALING WITH ALL THESE.
MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS AS IMPORTANT TO TAKE STEPS AT THE PLANNING STAGE OF PROJECTS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY NOISE.
+TO THIS END, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADVISES GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE ACOUSTICAL DESIGN OF SUCH PROJECTS AS NEW HOUSING ESTATES, SCHOOLS AND ROADS, + HE SAID.
AS FOR EXCESSIVE EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES, HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN 10 581 PROSECUTIONS FOR THIS OFFENCE DURING THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF 1984. FIGURES FOR DECEMBER WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
DEALING WITH ANOTHER POINT, HE SAID IT WAS NOT AN OFFENCE IN LAW FOR DRIVERS TO USE RADIO NETWORKS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS CF POLICE ROAD BLOCKS.
♦THE POLICE ARE, HOWEVER, AWARE OF THIS PRACTICE AND TAKE INSURES TO LIMIT ITS EFFECTIVENESS, MAINLY BY SHIFTING THE LOCATION OF KERBSIDE CHECKING POINTS,* HE SAID.
TURNING TO MR YEUNG’S FINAL QUESTION, HE SAID INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATERS WERE IN GENERAL TREATED AND DISPOSED OF TOGETHER WITH MUNICIPAL SEWAGE. THE CURRENT PROGRAMME FOR THE PROVISION CF TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR THESE COMBINED WASTE WATERS INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOTAL OF 34 SCREENING PLANTS WITH SUBMARINE OUTFALLS AND TREATMENT PLANTS BETWEEN 1983 AND 1993 AT A COST OF ABOUT $3 200 MILLION.
+IN ADDITION, WE ARE PLANNING TO INTRODUCE SHORTLY LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ON THE COMPOSITION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATERS IN SPECIFIC WATER CONTROL ZONES BY MEANS OF REGULATIONS TO BE ENACTED UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE. SPECIFIC CONTROLS ON TOXIC WASTES ARE ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION,* MR CHAMBERS SAID.
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/41 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY
U1
BUSINESS OF EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORP GROWS
■’’-iE OC-’INUING RECOVERY IN GLOBAL DEMANDS FOR HONG KONG’ iNuPACTURES DURING 1984-85 HAD LED TO A RAD ID GROwTH I N THE -USINESS VOLUME 0- THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE -'IRPORATI'-N, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON E. . .AID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
+AT THE SAME TIME THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP DECLINE IN THE NCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF CLAIMS MADE ON THE CORPORATION, A ~-\'D WHICH IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR,* nE SAID.
BUT -OR 1983-84, MR HO REPORTED MODERATE GROWTH IN THE C?PPORAT I ON’S BUSINESS. A NET INCREASE OF 133 POLICIES ISSUED RAISED THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POLICIES TO 1 493.
IN TABLING THE CORPORATION’S 1983-8A REPORT AND ACCOUNTS,
■R HO SAID THE VALUE OF TOTAL INSURED EXPORTS ALSO GREw z ABOUT 23 PER CENT T^> $4 6^3 MILLION, 63 PER CENT OF WHICH
AS TO THE EUROPEAN MARKETS, ACCOUNTING FOR $2 778 MILLION.
INSURED EXPORTS TO NORTH AMERICA, ACCOUNTING FOR $994 ’ILL 13.-;
-R 21 PER CENT OF TOTAL INSURED EXPORTS, GREW BY 52 PER CENT.
THE PRODUCTS COVERED REMAINED CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL PATTERN OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS, wITH TEXTILES AND CLOTHING ACCOUNTING FOR 38 PER CENT, RADIOS AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENT-- FOr 13 PER CENT AND TOYS FOR NINE PER CENT, MR HO SAID.
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY A YEAR OF RECOVERY, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CORPORATION HAD UNDERTAKEN A CRITICAL APPRAISAL Or ITS ACTIVITIES AND OF THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF RISKS ASSUMED IN RECENT YEARS.
+AS A RESULT, HE HAS DRAWN UP A THREE-YEAR PLAN CONTAINING FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES TO SECURE THEM WHICn, IF ACHIEVED, wILL RESTORE THE CORPORATION TO A BETTER STATE OF FINANCIAL HEALTH,+ MR HO SAID.
+THIS PLAN HAS RECEIVED THE BENEFIT OF THE ADVICE OF THE CORPORATION’S ADVISORY BOARD, AND IS NC* BEING IMPLEMENTED,* SAID.
MR HO ADDED THAT REINSURANCE COVER, WHICH «AS LOS" TO THE CORPORATION SINCE SEPTEMBER 1933, AND wHlCH PLmYED A VITAL PART IN -EDUCING ITS LOSSES, HAD NO* BEE’. CRESHLY ACQUIRED.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1Q85
U2 -
reclamations reduce typhoon shelter size
* * * *
RECLAMATION WORKS at CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN AND ABERDEEN HAD MARC INALLY REDUCED THE SIZE OF THE TYPHOON SHELTERS AT THEbc~ LOCATIONS, the SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHAN,
SAID TODAY.
ANSWERING A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG IN THE ।pp । ci at।wc COUNCIL HE SAID THAT THIS HAD NOT AGGRAVATED LEGISLATIVE C0^§^MS SUCH AS 0VERCft0WD,NG> P00P SANITATION OR
ENVIRONMENTAL FIRE HAZARDS.
H- ADDED THAT IN FACT, AS BOAT-SQUATTERS HAD BEEN CLEARED AND RESETTLED IN THE PROCESS, THE SITUATION HAD IMPROVED.
- 0 -
OYSTER FARMING RESEARCH STILL USEFUL * * * *
TECHNICAL ADVICE OFFERED TO OYSTER FARMERS AS A RESULT OF RESEARCH BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN THE EARLY 1970’S WAS STILL CONSIDERED PRACTICABLE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS SAID TODAY.
THE RESEARCH RELATED TO THE FARMING OF OYSTERS SUSPENDED WELL CLEAR OF THE SEA BOTTOM, HE EXPLAINED.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR JACOBS SAiD ALSO THAT, WITH REGARD TO THE MATTER OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, OYSTER FARMERS WERE +REGRETTABLY, NOT ELIGIBLE FOR LOw INTEREST LOANS OR OTHER FINANCIAL HELP FROM ANY OF THE FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
HOWEVER, IN CASES OF GENUINE FAMILY HARDSHIP AND IN THE EVENT OF NEED FOR PERSONAL RELIEF AS A RESULT OF NATURAL DISASTERS, +IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT OYSTER FARMERS MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR ASSISTANCE FROM THE VARIOUS TRUST FUNDS MAINTAINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE,+ MR JACOBS SAID.
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SIX BILLS PASSED
fc * *
SIX BILLS WERE PASSEL IK THE LEGk AT IVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THEY WERE: ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (!•.?. c ILL 1984;
x- ■> [SIGNAL REGIONAL COUNCIL BILL l3k ; TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) 1984 ■ FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) = li_L EL I C HE ALTr AND
' N SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL ■'ND EDUCA’IO- (-k.DMENT)
L 1°84.
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A3 ....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
43
PLAN TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY APPROVED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND TO ABOLISH THE JSEA IN 1991 SO AS TO PROVIDE A SUBSIDISED FULL-TIME PLACE FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO WISHES TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION AFTER FORM 3.
SUBJECT TO THE RESULTS OF LANGUAGE RESEARCHES NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDS TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVELY THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. BUT IT AGREES WITH THE COMMISSION THAT THE CHOICE OF THE MEDIUM SHOULD NOT BE FORCED ON INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.
AT LAST YEAR’S PRICES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO SPEND SOMEf$431 MILLION IN NON-RECURRENT COSTS, AND $301“MILL ION EACH YEAR’IN RECURRENT COSTS ON FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR Q.W. LEE, ARE SET OUT IN THEIR FIRST REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, PUBLISHED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION TODAY.
THEY INCLUDEi
* THE PHASING OUT OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) IN 1991 THROUGH A PROGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF SUBSIDISED FULL-TIME POST-FORM 3 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. BY 1991 A SUBSIDISED PLACE IN ONE OF THE TWO STREAMS OF EDUCATION -GENERAL OR VOCATIONAL - WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY FORM 3 STUDENT WHO WISHES TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION. THIS TARGET WILL BE ACHIEVED BY BUILDING 24 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IN ADDITION TO THE 11 SCHOOLS WHICH ARE TO COME ON STREAM IN 1987 AND 1988j MODIFYING THE STRUCTURE OF EXISTING SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE MORE FORM 4-5 PLACES! AND BUYING FORM 4 PLACES IN THOSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHICH ARE REGARDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO BE OF SATISFACTORY STANDARD. THIS FURTHER EXPANSION OF SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY CURRICULUM AND EXAMINATION REFORMS.
* THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STANDARD OF LANGUAGES - CHINESE AND ENGLISH - IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE PROVISION OF MORE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF MORE NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS WITH TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS.
/« THE PHOMOTION.........
* THE PROMOTION OF CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSIRUCTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT RESEARCH EFFORTS SUBSTANTIATE THE POPULAR BELFEF" THAT ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL. TEACHING AND LEARNING WOULD GENERALLY BE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WERE THE MOTHER TONGUE. ALTHOUGH THE DECISION ON WHAT MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION TO USE WILL REMAIN WITH SCHOOLS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENCOURAGE THE MORE PREVALENT USE OF CHINESE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS AND THE RE-ORIENTATION OF PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHINESE MEDIUM EDUCATION. IN PARTICULAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS WHICH ADOPT CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND OTHER RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE DOES NOT FALL AS A RESULT OF A VOLUNTARY '••CHANGE OF THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
THE QUALITATIVE-IMPROVEMENT AND QUANTITATIVE EXPANSION OF THE TEACHING SERVICE IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE PROVISION OF A NEW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE IMAGE AND STATUS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION THROUGH VARIOUS MEASURES. THESE INCLUDE MORE ACTIVE TEACHER INVOLVEMENT IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT! MORE TEACHER PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL ORGANISATION, IN ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS AND IN THE PLANNING OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, THE DRAWING UP OF A ’CODE OF PRACTICE’ FOR TEACHERS AND THE SETTING UP OF TEACHERS CENTRES ON A REGIONAL BASIS. THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION TO INTRODUCE A BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE COURSE FOR SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADS AND EXPERIENCED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL IS STILL BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
* THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN EDUCATION AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND IN DIFFERENT FORMS WHICH THE COMMISSION WILL BE STUDYING IN DETAIL IN THE COMING MONTHS. HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION AGREED WITH THE CONCLUSIONS OF A UPGC REPORT THAT AN OPEN UNIVERSITY MODELLED ON THE UK OPEN UNIVERSITY WAS UNSUITED TO HONG KONG BECAUSE MOST STUDENTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE STUDY ENVIRONMENT AT HOME AND BECAUSE MOST OF THE NECESSARY ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO STAFF AN OPEN UNIVERSITY WOULD NOT BE FOUND IN HONG KONG, YET A KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY IN EDUCATIONAL TERMS WOULD BE ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS.
* THE IMPROVED CO-ORDINATION OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES WITH THE • .PLANNING AND FORMULATION OF EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND THE ‘ • CONTINUATION OF EXISTING EFFORTS DEVOTED TO EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH.
COPIES OF THE COMMISSION REPORT ARE BEING SENT TO ALL SCHOOLS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GROUPS AND INTERESTED PARTIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE REPORT MAY WRITE TO THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 3/F, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG OR TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
HK’S ROLE IN SHENZHEN AIRPORT PLAN EXPLAINED * * * *
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SOME OF THE RECENT PRESS REPORTS ON THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT WITH THE MOOTED SHENZHEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAD BEEN MISLEADING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ANY DECISION TO BUILD AN AIRPORT ON THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE BORDER WAS ENTIRELY A MATTER FOR THE RELEVANT CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, IN RESPONSE TO AN INVITATION FROM CAAC GUANGZHOU, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAD VISITED SHENZHEN ON NOVEMBER 6 AND 7 LAST TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THE PLANNING OF A SHENZHEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE DISCUSSIONS HAD DEALT WITH A NUMBER OF IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG OF THE SITING AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH AN AIRPORT, IN PARTICULAR THE OPERATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF AN AIRPORT LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
IN THE COURSE OF THIS MEETING, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WERE ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE FEASIBILITY OF POSSIBLE SITES AND ALSO WHETHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT COULD ASSIST IN THE SELECTION AND BRIEFING OF SUITABLE CONSULTANTS FOR THIS PROJECT. THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES UNDERTOOK TO CONVEY-THESE REQUESTS TO THEIR HEADQUARTERS. HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AIRPORT WAS NOT INVITED.
ON NOVEMBER 22, FOLLOWING DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE REQUESTS, CAAC GUANGZHOU WERE INFORMED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN SELECTING AND INSTRUCTING CONSULTANTS. COMMENTS ON A POSSIBLE DEEP BAY SITE WERE ALSO GIVEN.
AS IS WELL-KNOWN, THIS IS A TIME OF FINANCIAL STRINGENCY FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ADDITIONALLY, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OFFICIALS OF THE CAD CONCERNED WITH AIRPORT PLANNING MATTERS, WHO WOULD BE BEST QUALIFIED TO LEND ASSISTANCE TO CAAC, ARE TULLY OCCUPIED WITH WORK ON THE EXTENSION OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING AT KAI TAK. AND WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENTS TO EXPAND HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CAPACITY OVERALL TO MEET PROJECTED TRAFFIC DEMANDS.
. IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MAJOR DIFFICULTIES ABOUT THE DEEP BAY SITE. IT WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND WOULD ALSO GIVE RISE TO UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF AIRCRAFT NOISE. IT MIGHT CONFLICT WITH PROPOSALS FOR FLOOD AND POLLUTION CONTROL IN THE SHENZHEN RIVER WHICH WERE UNDER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES. THERE WOULD ALSO BE SEVERE PROBLEMS OF BIRD STRIKE FROM THE LARGE WILDFOWL POPULATION OF THE MAI PO MARSHES.
/HSPB£bi32TkTIVE8 OF
WHM3SIUY, JANUAKY 9, 1965
REPERESENTATIVES OF CAAC AND THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES HAVE PAID SEVERAL VISITS TO KAI TAK TO OBSERVE FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS THERE ’HE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS WELCOMED SUCH VISITS, WHICH ARE NORMAL BETWEEN AVIATION AUTHORITIES, AND BOTH CAAC GUANGZHOU AND THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT FURTHER VISITS WOULD BE WELCOMED.
IF A DECISION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT I' SHENZHEN, THERE WOULD BE NEED FOR FURTHER DIALOGUE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND CAAC ON SPECIFIC MATTERS, SUCH AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL.
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BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT YEAR’S PLAN * * * *
YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW.
PROPOSALS IN THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF YUEN LONG NEW TOWN, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, THE TIN SHU I WAI DEVELOPMENT AND THE NORTH WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
PROJECTS IN THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, PROVIDING COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACES TOGETHER WITH A FORECAST OF POPULATION, LAND SALES AND FUNDS REQUIRED.
THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT WILL AGAIN BE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL, SO THAT BOARD MEMBERS CAN HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE BENEFITS AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THE SYSTEM WILL BRING.
OTHER ITEMS IN THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT RAISED BY BOARD hEMBERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS!
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE VUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 2, KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER N TSIM SHA TSUI AT 1 PM SHARP TO TAKE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES TO YUEN LONG.
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/47 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985
47
PARK LITTERBUGS FINED
* * * *
MORE THAN 2OO PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR LITTERING IN OR NEAR THE COUNTRY PARKS IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT 18 OTHERS WERE FINED FOR USING FIRE AND FIVE FOR CAMPING IN NON-DESIGNATED SITES WHILE FOUR PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR POLLUTING STREAM COURSES.
RECORDS SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER OF OFFENCES IN COUNTRY PARKS WAS DROPPING, HE SAID.
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TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR THREE SITES * * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF THREE SITES, ONE AT KWAI CHUNG AND TWO AT CHAI WAN.
THE KWAI CHUNG SITE AT HING SHING ROAD, MEASURING 4 700 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR GOODS VEHICLES EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY FOR THE SITE IS ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SITES AT CHAI WAN ARE AT KA YIP STREET, WITH EACH MEASURING ABOUT 2 000 SQUARE METRES. THEY ARE FOR CONCRETE BATCHING INCLUDING THE HANDLING OF AGGREGATE AND CEMENT, BUT EXCLUDING ROCK CRUSHING PURPOSES.
THE TENANCY FOR THE TWO SITES IS THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 25.
TENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND PLANS INSPECTED AT:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES FOR THE KWAI CHUNG SITE; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG NORTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG FOR THE CHAI WAN SITES.
/4B .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1935 .
ALL TSUEN WAN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES LEASED
XXX
ALL 208 STALL SITES AT THE FORTHCOMING TSUEN WAN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED ABOVE THE UPSET RENTS AT A PUBLIC BIDDING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TODAY’S BIDDING WAS CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20.
THE REMAINING SIX LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL ALSO BE HELD IN THE SAME PERIOD.
TOMORROW (THURSDAY), 113 STALL SITES AT THE SHEUNG SHU I FAIR WILL BE PUT UP FOR LEASE AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
------o-------
RESTRICTED ZONES
XXX
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 11), THE SECTION OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN ROAD 2502 AND A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
MOTORISTS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, AND LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS WITH Hi THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
FROM THE SAME DAY, A NUMBER OF ROADS AND LOCATIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE PROHIBITED 24 HOURS DAILY TO ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
THEY AREi TAK WO STREET, HONG LEE ROAD, THE SCHEDULED SERVICE STANDS EAST OF THE KWUN TONG FERRY BUS TERMINUS, AND THE CUL-DE-SAC CF ON TAK ROAD NORTH OF BLOCK 9 OF UPPER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE.
ALSO FROM FRIDAY, THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE IN FORCE AT THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING FROM SAU LAI STREET TO BLOCK 16 OF SAU MAU PING ESTATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY.
-----0------
TRAFFIC BAN LIFTED XXX
IN
A TRAFFIC BAN
A TRAFFIC BAN IN ABERDEEN WILL BE LIFTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY f AMUARY 11) UNDER THIS BAN, VEHICLES EXCEPT PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING FROM ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREEi.
--------0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
CONTRITE PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETDIG:
HEARTENING VIEWS OS WHITE PAPER - SIR PHILIP ............. 1
GRADUAL APPROACH FAVOURED, AG SAYS ....................... 6
DOUBTS ABOUT DIRECTLY-ELECTED LEGCO....................... 8
LEGCO SEAT URGED FOR HEUNG YEE KUK........................ 10
LEGCO MEMBERS REMINDED OF OBLIGATION TO PERFORM........... 12
EXPANDED LEGCO CALLED FOR ................................ 14
REFORM, POWER TRANSFER SEEN AS MAJOR TASKS ............... 15
NEED TO PRESERVE GOOD SYSTEMS STRESSED ................... 17
AVOID UNDUE HASTE, SAYS PAULINE NG........................ 18
1987 REVIEW CRUCIAL, SAYS PETER POON ..................... 20
CHINA-HK TIES MUST BE STRENGTHENED........................ 21
TWO-STAGE VOTING PROCEDURE PROPOSED ...................... 22
MOST PEOPLE SUPPORT GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT - KEITH LAM....... 23
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED - CARL TONG 26 MANY KEY QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED - SELINA CHOW ............ 27
NEED TO PRESERVE PROSPERITY, STABILITY STRESSED........... 29
FAITH IN HK WILL BE REWARDED - SIR EDWARD.................... 31
GOVERNOR TO QPHJ POST OFFICE 100 ............................ 32
BRIEFING ON EDUCATION REPORT ................................ 32
LADY YOUDE TOURS KOWLOON CITY ............................... 32
CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN COMMUNITY GROUPS URGED.................. 33
SAI KUNG DB TO MEET TOMORROW ................................ 34
OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS TO MEET HERE............................ 34
NEW TAI PO CLINIC BRINGS MORE SERVICES ...................... 35
SEMINAR ON YOUTH FESTIVAL ................................... 36
MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION .................................... 36
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE MOVES ................................. 37
INDOOR GAMES HALL BEING BUILT ............................... 37
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 1
HEARTENING VIEWS ON WHITE PAPER - SIR PHILIP * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF CHIEF SECRETARY SIR PHILIP ON-CAVE’S WINDING-UP SPEECH IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON The FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG:-
••SIR, I AM HEARTENED BY MOST OF THE VIEWS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS DURING THIS DEBATE ON THE WHITE APER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
+AND I AM PLEASED THAT ALL WITH ONE EXCEPTION, AND I RESPECT CF COURSE MRS CHOW’S STANDPOINT, ALL HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY INTEND TO SUPPORT THE MOTION.
+AS I SAID IN MY OPENING SPEECH THE PLANS IN THE WHITE PAPER HA.'E BEEN BASED ON FOUR PRINCIPLES! AND THOSE FOUR PRINCIPLES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND REEMPHASISED BY MANY OF THE SPEAKERS IN THIS DEBATE, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE, DR HARRY FANG, MR PETER WONG, DR HO KAM-FAI, AND MANY OTHERS.
+AND INDEED, AS THE AG HAS JUST SAID, MOST MEMBERS GENERALLY ENDORSED THE STEP BY STEP APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE WHITE PAPER, ALTHOUGH I FEAR THAT MRS CHOW ARGUED THAT THE STEPS SHOULD BE • , BUILT BEFORE THEY HAD BEEN TRODDEN UPON.
+MISS DUNN HAS ALSO STRESSED, AND VERY RIGHTLY, THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE FOUR DETERMINANTS, WHICH SHE PERCEIVES TO BE THE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL DETERMINANTS, OF HONG KONG’S SURVIVAL AND SUCCESS ARE NEITHER FORGOTTEN NOR UNDERMINED IN THE COURSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
+MR STEPHEN CHEONG PUT IN A FURTHER PLEA FOR A CONTINUING EMPHASIS ON PRAGMATISM.
+MR BILL BROWN AND MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AS WELL AS OTHER MEMBERS, HAVE UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH CANDIDATES AND VOTERS DEVELOPING A PROPER SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
+THESE ARE ALL SENTIMENTS WITH WHICH I AM SURE WE CAN ALL AGREE.
•►ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN BY MR P.K. YEUNG, MR PETER C. WONG, 0 KAM-FAI, MR ALLEN LEE, MR FRANCIS TIEN AND SEVERAL OTHERS TO NEED TO KEEP IN MIND THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE ,.,-c .F HONG KONG IN FRAMING OUR PLANS FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL
l iENT OF HONG KONG AND NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT
•j. IG WILL ULTIMATELY BECOME UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CHINA.
iESE ARE VALID POINTS, AND THE PLANS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN FRAMED ACCORDINGLY. AT THE SAV" TIME WE MUST ENSURE THAT AS A NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AT TH LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE LEVELS IS DEVELOPED, WE MUST ENSURE TH r IT IS SUITED TO HONG KONG’S PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES, AND Wt SHOULD NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO TRY TO THINK TOO FAR AHEAD, AND PERHAPS THEREBY BE UNDULY INFLUENCED BY THOUGHTS OF WHAT THE POSITION MIGHT BE AFTER 1997.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
2
♦ WE MUST ALSO STAY TUNED IN, AS IT WERE, TO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AS MR BILL BROWN HAS SAID, AND NOT BE CAUGHT WITHOUT A PAIR OF MR TIEN’S TROUSERS ON, SECURELY FASTENED.
♦ I ALSO WISH TO ENDORSE MR BILL BROWN’S COMMENTS ON MR EDWARD HEATH’S REMARKS ABOUT THE WHITE PAPER AND THE ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG. THE TONE OF THE WHITE PAPER DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE DOING THIS GRUDGINGLY, AND THE SPEECHES MADE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS IN THIS DEBATE GIVE THE LIE TO ANY ACCUSATION THAT THEY DO NOT SUPPORT WHOLEHEARTEDLY, AT LEAST THE OBJECTIVES, OF THE WHITE PAPER.
♦ TO BE CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL IN OUR APPROACH, TO ACHIEVING THESE OBJECTIVES, IS SENSIBLE AND WISE. IT IS NOT GRUDGING.
♦WE ARE, AFTER ALL, MAKING HISTORY, CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, AND WE HAVE, TO BE, THEREFORE, DELIBERATE IN OUR APPROACH. AND AS W F.K. HU HAS POINTED OUT, AND AS MISS TAM AGREED, THE ROLE TO BE PLAYED BY UMELCO DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, SIR, DURING THE NEXT 12 YEARS, WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
+SOME MEMBERS, IN PARTICULAR MRS SELINA CHOW AND MR ALLEN LEE, AND MISS TAM AND MR CHAN YING-LUN TO SOME EXTENT, HAVE EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE WHITE PAPER DOES NOT TAKE A SUFFICIENTLY STRATEGIC VIEW, THAT IS TO SAY THEY ARE NONE TOO HAPPY THAT THE WHITE PAPER DOES NOT CONTAIN OVERALL PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG UP TO 1997, AND THAT IT DOES NOT DEAL WITH SUCH QUESTIONS AS THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN THE PROCESS OF ASSEMBLING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE FUTURE, THE POSSIBILITY OF A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM SEEN AS ONE WAY OF BRIDGE-BUILDING BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE, THE FUTURE COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THE FUTURE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR.
♦OTHER MEMBERS UNDERSTOOD, PARTICULARLY MRS RITA FAN IN HER THOUGHTFUL SPEECH, AND AS I EXPLAINED IN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY, ALL THESE INTER-CONNECTED QUESTIONS WOULD BE CONSIDERED, WILL BE CONSIDERED, IN THE REVIEW IN 1987. I AM SURE MR CHAN YING-LUN WOULD AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG FOR ME TO ATTEMPT TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THAT REVIEW AT THIS TIME, AND AS DR HO KAM-FAI STRESSED, WE DO NEED A PHASED PROGRAMME WITH A FLEXIBLE TIME FRAME.
♦THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE WHITE PAPER WE HAVE BEEN DEBATING IS TO SET OUT THE PLANS FOR THE FIRST STAGE IN THE PROCESS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. I WOULD NOT GO QUITE AS FAR AS DR KIM CHAM AS TO DESCRIBE THIS FIRST STAGE AS MERELY AN EXPERIMENTAL STAGE. IT IS MORE THAN THAT.
♦HOW MANY MORE STAGES THERE WILL BE, AND WITHIN WHAT TIME FRAME, WE SHOULD NOT SEEK TO ANTICIPATE BEFORE THE 1987 REVIEW.
/♦MB F.K. YBUNG .......
THUHSBIY, JANUARY 10, 1985
3
+MR K.K. YEUNG WILL BE PLEASED TO HEAR THAT PERSONALLY I CAN FORESEE THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERAL MORE GREEN PAPERS AND WHITE PAPERS HAVING TO BE WRITTEN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, BY SOMEONE, BUT AT EACH STAGE, WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO TRY TO DO TOO MUCH AT ONCE.
+AS MR FRANCIS TIEN SO APTLY POINTED OUT, A DIET WHICH IS TOO RICH CAUSES INDIGESTION, OBESITY AND HEART ATTACKS.
+ MR ALLEN LEE EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE SPEEDING UP OF THE PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN 1985 SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER AND SUGGESTED THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE RESULT OF PRESSURE FOR DEMOCRAT I SAT I ON FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. HE THEN WENT ON TO PROPOSE A VERY RAPID DEVELOPMENT INDEED IN THE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF SELECTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE . INTRODUCTION OF 20 DIRECTLY ELECTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF ALL THE APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
+1 FIND MR LEE’S SUSPICIONS AND HIS PROPOSAL DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE. FURTHERMORE, I CAN ASSURE HIM THAT THE MODIFICATIONS WHICH WERE MADE TO THE ORIGINAL GREEN PAPER PROPOSALS WERE BASED ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, AND ON THE PRACTICAL, ONE MIGHT ALMOST SAY THE ARITHMETIC, REALITIES OF THE SITUATION.
+SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE PLANS FOR ELECTIONS BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
+ALTHOUGH JUDGING FROM VARIOUS COMMENTS, FOR EXAMPLE BY P.K. YEUNG, I DETECTED A GENERAL CONSENSUS, WITH MAY BE ONE OR TWO DISSENTING VOICES SUCH AS MR CARL TONG, I DETECTED A GENERAL CONCENSUS THAT THE PROPOSED MIX OF ELECTED, APPOINTED AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS — 24:22:10 — WAS ABOUT RIGHT FOR THE TIME BEING. AND THE VALUE OF RETAINING THE EXPERIENCE OF APPOINTED NEMBERS WAS RECOGNISED, I WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR, WAS RECOGNISED BY FOR EXAMPLE MR CHAN YING-LUN AND MR KEITH LAM.
+ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ALREADY DEALT WITH A NUMBER OF THE MORE LEGALISTIC POINTS RELATING TO THE ELECTIONS BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND SO I WILL CONFINE MY COMMENTS TO THOSE OF A MORE GENERAL NATURE.
+MR F.K. HU THOUGHT THAT THE NUMBERS OF MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ORIGINALLY PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER — NAMELY SIX OF EACH — WAS SUFFICIENT.
+0N THE OTHER HAND MR WONG LAM THOUGHT THAT THE INCREASED NUMBER OF 12 MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES PROVIDED FOR IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS TOO SMALL.
+MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SUGGESTED THAT AN ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SHOULD BE CREATED FOR THE PROFESSION OF ACCOUNTANCY, AND AN ADDITIONAL CONSTITUENCY SHOULD BE CREATED IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR THE HEUNG YEE KUK. MR PETER POON, AND DR KAM CHAM SUPPORTED THE CLAIMS OF THE ACCOUNTANTS, AND SO DID MR CARL TONG, FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEAT FOR THEM.
/+MH CHEUNG YAN-LUNG........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 4 -
+ MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG ALSO ENQUIRIED WHY THE KOWLOON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED AS REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS IN THE COMMERCIAL CONSTITUENCY, AND HE MENTIONED THE TOURIST TRADE AND NURSES AS OTHER POSSIBLE CONTENDERS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SEATS.
+DR HO KAM-FAI SAID THAT HE IS NOT IN FAVOUR OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ANYWAY, AND SUGGESTED THEY SHOULD BE PHASED OUT BEFORE THEY HAVE BEEN PHASED IN.
+MR S.L. CHEN ALSO REMINDED US, AND QUITE RIGHTLY, THAT THE UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IS TO ENABLE THE VARIOUS GROUPS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY, RATHER THAN TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS IN DOING SO.,
+AS REGARDS THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR THE POPULACE MEMBERS, DR HO KAM-FAI, MR WONG LAM QUERIED THE GROUPINGS OF THE DISTRICT OARDS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST NEW TERRITORIES CONSTITUENCIES, AND f-RS PAULINE NG AND MR PETER POON AND DR HO KAM-FAI ALL SUGGESTED THAT IN THE FUTURE EACH DISTRICT BOARD ELECT ONE OR MORE MEMBERS CF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
♦AND MR KEITH LAM AND MR CARL TONG HAD CERTAIN ARITHMETIC IDEAS CF THE IR OWN AS WELL.
♦DR KIM CHAM AND MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, I SHOULD JUST NOTE IN PASSING, SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS AND COMPULSORY VOTING.
♦ALL THESE MANY AND VARIED COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS EITHER HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. AND DR HENRIETTA IP’S COMPREHENSIVE BLUE-PRINT FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF 1988 AND BEYOND WILL BE STUDIED WITH LOVING CARE.
♦HOWEVER, AS MR F.K. HU SAID WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SATISFY EVERY GROUP, AND AS I SAID IN MY OPENING SPEECH, THERE HAS TO BE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WHICH CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE INITIALLY ASSEMBLED.
♦THE REVIEW IN 1987 WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, AND IF SO, WHICH GROUPS THEY SHOULD REPRESENT. I AM SURE THAT THE ACCOUNTANTS WILL HAVE A STRONG CLAIM FOR INCLUSION AND THAT WE SHALL BE REMINDED OF THAT CLAIM. IN THE MEANTIME I HAVE NO DOUBTS, SIR, WITH RESPECT, THAT THE PROFESSION WILL 'or NUE TO BE ABLY REPRESENTED ON THIS COUNCIL BY MEMBERS APPOINTED BY YOU SIR.
/♦AS REGARDS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 5 -
+AS REGARDS THE POSITION OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, I SHOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT BY NOT PROVIDING A SEPARATE CONSTITUENCY FOR THE KUK THERE IS NO INTENTION IN ANY wAY TO DIMINISH ITS ROLE, NOR TO IGNORE THE VALUABLE PART THAT IT HAS PLAYED IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE YEARS. ON THE CONTRARY, SPECIAL CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT WEIGHT AND SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE KUK SO THAT THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION IT HAS MADE TO PUBLIC LIFE IS FULLY RECOGNISED. THE KUK WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL REPRESENTATION IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WHICH MEMBERSHIP WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS FROM THAT BODY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THUS THE KUK W.ILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THROUGH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY.
+AS FOR THE GROUPINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES, THESE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST REALISTIC AND PRACTICAL WHICH CAN BE ACHIEVED AT THE PRESENT TIME. BUT I HAVE NOTED MRS PAULINE NG’S AND MR PETER POON’S VIEWS AS TO NUMBERS LATER ON. FINALLY WE SHALL GIVE CONSIDERATION IN THE LONGER TERM TO THE SUGGESTION PUT FORWARD CONCERNING AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION AND COMPULSORY VOTING. HOWEVER, I SHOULD JUST MENTION NOW THAT THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE IDEAS ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY CONSIDERABLE.
♦IN MY SPEECH MOVING THIS MOTION, I MENTIONED THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO SCHOOLS. MANY MEMBERS INCLUDING MR ALEX WU, MRS RITA FAN, MR P.K. YEUNG, AND OTHERS, HAVE ALSO REFERRED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN THEIR SPEECHES. I NOTED MR ALEX WU, MR P.K. YEUNG AND MR KEITH LAM BY IMPLICATION, AND SOME OTHER MEMBERS, WHILE FULLY ENDORSING THESE EFFORTS, HAVE STRESSED THAT CIVIC EDUCATION SHOULD ALSO BE PROMOTED AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT ALL LEVELS, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ADULT EDUCATION. THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE GOVERNMENT AND BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WHICH, IN ITS FIRST REPORT PUBLISHED ONLY YESTERDAY, HAS INDICATED ITS INTENTION TO PURSUE THE MATTER IN THE SECOND PHASE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS. THE COMMISSION IS NOW CONSULTING THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THEIR TERMS CF REFERENCE, HAVING ALREADY RECEIVED THE BOARD OF EDUCATION’S ENDORSEMENT OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION PLAN FOR SCHOOLS. THIS PLAN IS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AND THOSE RUN BY SUBVENTED VOLUNTARY BODIES.
/♦AS REGARDS .......
THUHSDAY, JAN U ABY 10, 1985
6 -
+AS REGARDS CIVIL EDUCATION AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND THE NEED FOR INTENSIVE CAMPAIGNS TO PREPARE THE PUBLIC FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, IN CONJUNCTION wITH THE DIRECTOR OF • INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, HAS ALREADY ARRANGED A FULL PROGRAMME DURING THE NEXT EIGHT WEEKS. DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL BE PROVIDING PUBLICITY MATERIAL AND ORGANISING FORUMS FOR CANDIDATES TO MEET MEMBERS OF THEIR CONSTITUENCIES. AT THE SAME TIME STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL GIVE DETAILS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND AREA COMMITTEES, AND URGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VOTE. THEREAFTER FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO PUBLICISE FULLY THE PROCEDURES FOR THE INDIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.
+IN CONCLUSION SIR, MAY I REITERATE THAT WE SHALL REFLECT UPON THE MANY USEFUL POINTS MEMBERS HAVE MADE IN THIS DEBATE, ON THE PLANS AND INTENTIONS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER. AND WE SHALL BEAR THEM IN MIND IN PREPARING LATER ON FOR THE 1987 REVIEW.
AND I CAN ASSURE MRS CHOW THAT THE REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER ON A STRUCTURED BASIS. TO THE EXTENT THAT SOME OF THE POINTS MADE IN THIS DEBATE ARE OF MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN, WE SHALL TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WHEN PREPARING FOR THE ELECTIONS LATER THIS YEAR.
♦THERE WILL OF COURSE BE FURTHER OPPORTUNITY, AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SAID, FOR DEBATE ON THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE ELECTIONS WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) BILL IS INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL.+
SIR, I BEG TO MOVE.
-----o-----
GRADUAL APPROACH FAVOURED, AG SAYS *****
THE APPROACH OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES HAD BEEN GENERALLY WELCOMED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE WHITE PAPER DEBATE, MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAD REITERATED THE NEED FOR A GRADUAL, STEP BY STEP ADVANCE ALONG THE ROAD TOWARDS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+OUR PLAN FOR 19&5 TO 1988 IS NOW ESTABLISHED AND RELATED LEGISLATION WILL SOON BE BROUGHT FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION BY THIS COUNCIL.
/♦BUT AT.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
♦ BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE COMMITTED TO TAKE STOCK OF OUR PROGRESS IN 1987 - TO SEE TO WHAT EXTENT THE FIRST STEPS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, TO OBTAIN THE REACTION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. TO THE INDIRECT ELECTORAL PROCESS, AND TO SEE WHETHER THE NEW-STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS LIVED UP TO OUR EXPECTATIONS OF IT,+ HE SAID.
HE STATED IT WOULD BE NEITHER WISE NOR REALISTIC NOW TO PLAN BEYOND 1988.
+THE DESIRE BY MR ALLEN LEE AND MRS SELINA CHOW FOR A CLEAR VISION OF THE SHAPE OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE THROUGH TO 1997 AND BEYOND IS UNDERSTANDABLE BUT THEIR CALL FOR AN OVERALL PLAN IS PREMATURE.
+IT IS TOO SOON TO DECIDE WHAT WOULD SUIT THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S OR TO CHART THE COURSE THAT WILL TAKE US THERE,+ HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THERE WAS NO GENERAL AGREEMENT UPON THE RIGHT FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR HONG KONG.
+1 AM SURE CLEARER IDEAS WILL HAVE EMERGED IN THREE YEARS’ TIME. WE SHOULD THEN PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE TENDERED TO GOVERNMENT JUST THIS ADVICE,+ NR THOI AS SAID.
MR PETER WONG, HE SAID, HAD MENTIONED THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO RUSH THROUGH AN IMPORTANT PACKAGE HURRIEDLY PUT TOGETHER.
IN REPLY, MR THOMAS SAID, +IT IS TRUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS FACED WITH A V RY TIGHT TIME-TABLE AND THAT THE DRAFTING OF THE LEGISLATION IS A COMPLEX TASK.
■••NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT, WITH THE HELP OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, A SOLID, WORKABLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WIL B' PRODUCED AND SERVE THE PURPOSE OF THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS RI >Rl ENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+THE LEGISLATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN 1987 AND THIS COUNCIL WILL THEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOLVE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF THE KIND THAT ARE INEVITABLY THROWN UP BY ANY PIECE OF COMPLICATED LEGISLATION IN A NOVEL FIELD.+
REFERRING TO DR HO KAM FAI’S EXPRESSED VIEW THAT THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN SHOULD BE REPLACED BY AN OATH TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, MR THOMAS POINTED OUT THAT IN TERMS OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, HONG KONG IS TO REMAIN UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UNTIL 1997.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, IT WOULD BE ENTIRELY INAPPROPRIATE TO ABOLISH THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN.
/+AT THE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 8
+AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WISH TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE wHO DO NOT SEE THEMSELVES AS OWING ANY SPECIAL ALLEGIANCE TO THE CROWN FROM BECOMING MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, AND IS CONSIDERING AN OPTIONAL ALTERNATIVE FORM OF OATH FOR MEMBERS . TAKING THEIR SEATS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR,* MR THOMAS SAID.
HE SAID THAT DR HO HAD ALSO FELT THAT MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S POLITICAL CONSULTATIVE CONFERENCE (CPPCC) SHOULD NOT BE BARRED FROM BEING MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ON THIS POINT, MR THOMAS SAID THAT A CPPCC MEMBER HERE HAD RECENTLY SUBMITTED A CANDIDATURE FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
+ l UNDERSTAND THAT HIS NOMINATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER AND THE GOVERNMENT SEES NO BAR TO THAT CANDIDATURE,* HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE BILL TO IMPLEMENT THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS WOULD BE READY FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH (FEBRUARY).
HE DESCRIBED THIS BILL AS +THE FIRST MILESTONE FOR HONG KONG* IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+WHEN ENACTED, IT WILL OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAW AND POLICY IN THIS TERRITORY AND TO CALL TO ACCOUNT THOSE WHO PRESENTLY ADMINISTER IT.
+l AM CONFIDENT THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL ENTHUSIASTICALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW ELECTORAL PROCESSES,* MR THOMAS SAID.
0 --------
DOUBTS ABOUT DIRECTLY-ELECTED LEGCO *****
SERIOUS DOUBTS ON WHETHER THE FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY CF THE TERRITORY COULD BE MAINTAINED SIMPLY BY HAVING A TOTALLY DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE HERE BEFORE 1997 WERE EXPRESSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.
SPEAKING DURING THE FINAL DAY OF THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR CHEONG SAID IT SEEMED TO HIM THAT THERE HAD BEEN +A CONCERTED EFFORT BY A RELATIVE FEW TO PUSH AND HARD SELL* TO THE PUBLIC THE IDEA THAT TOTAL DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG WAS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE MEANS OF GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE LEADING UP TO 1997.
/+THE ADMINISTBATION........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
9
♦THE ADMINISTRATION MUST NOT BE MISLED BY SUCH WELL-ORGANISED TACTICS AND MISREAD THE REAL IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS TO OUR FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY,* HE SAID.
♦QUITE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT REALLY MIND WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE WE HAVE IN FUTURE, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE CHANCE OF MAKING A REASONABLE LIVING TOGETHER WITH REASONABLE RETENTION CF THEIR PRESENT FREEDOMS.
♦IF TOTAL DEMOCRACY CAN REALLY BRING THEM THAT, SO BE IT, BUT WILL IT?+ MR CHEONG ASKED.
♦WILL TOTAL DEMOCRACY BE SUITABLE IN HONG KONG?
♦SHOULD WE REALLY TRANSPLANT LOCK STOCK AND BARREL TO HONG KONG WHAT SEEMS TO WORK WELL IN THE WEST WITHOUT DUE CONSIDERATION OF OUR OWN UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES?
♦SHOULD TOTAL DEMOCRACY BE SOLD TO HONG KONG AS AN END IN ITSELF WITHOUT DUE REGARD FOR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY?
♦THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, ACCORDING TO MY OBSERVATIONS, IS A RESOUNDING ’N0’,+ SAID MR CHEONG.
WE MUST THEREFORE APPROACH THIS ISSUE IN FUTURE WITH DUE CAUTION, HE SAID.
THERE MAY BE A CASE FOR AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION TO OUR LEGISLATURE TO BE INTRODUCED IN FUTURE YEARS, BUT THE CASE FOR TOTAL WESTERN STYLE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG WAS CERTAINLY FAR FROM PROVEN, LET ALONE WIDELY ACCEPTED.
MR CHEONG SAID SHORTLY AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND IN THE MIDST OF THE RETURN OF SOME DEGREE CF CONFIDENCE TO HONG KONG, SOME INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AS WELL AS LOCAL PROFESSIONALS HAD SAID TO HIM THEY WERE NOT AFRAID THAT CHINA WOULD NOT HONOUR THE AGREEMENT* THEY WERE NOT AFRAID OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EROSION OF THE BRITISH RESOLVE IN GOVERNING HONG KONG EFFECTIVELY FOR THE NEXT 12 YEARS” THEY WERE NOT EVEN WORRIED THAT THE EXTERNAL LINKS OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997 WOULD DEVELOP INTO ANY UNSOLVABLE PROBLEMS.
WHAT THEY WERE MOST AFRAID OF WAS THE FACT THAT THE CRY OF TOTAL DEMOCRACY WOULD BE BLINDLY ACCEPTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THEREBY SERIOUSLY AFFECTING HONG KONG’S OWN CHANCES CF SURVIVAL AND PROGRESS, MR CHEONG SAID.
SUCH WERE THE PREVAILING SENTIMENTS AMONG PEOPLE WHO CONSTITUTED AN IMPORTANT SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY, AND IT WOULD EE EXTREMELY FOOLHARDY TO BRUSH THOSE SENTIMENTS ASIDE.
/THE SUCCESS........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
10 -
THE SUCCESS STORY OF HONG KONG TO-DATE WAS THE RESULT OF A COMBINATION OF MANY FACTORS, YET IT MUST BE RIGHT TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS LAY IN THE PRAGMATIC ATTITUDE THAT HK PEOPLE HAD ADOPTED THROUGHOUT THEIR STRUGGLE' FOR PROGRESS.
IDEALISM NEVER SEEMED TO BE PART OF SOCIETY AND IDEALISM WOULD BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO BECOME THE CORNER STONE OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
INDEED, THE ONLY HOPE OF SURVIVAL AND FUTURE PROGRESS LAY TOTALLY IN CONTINUING TO ADOPT REALISTIC AND PRAGMATIC ATTITUDES IN THE QUEST FOR SOLUTIONS TO FUTURE PROBLEMS.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WAS CERTAINLY NO EXCEPTION.
WITH REGARD TO THE PACE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, MR CHEONG SAID THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER WERE JUST ABOUT RIGHT.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE FUTILE TO PUSH AND SHOVE FOR DRASTIC CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES WITHOUT AT LEAST REACHING SOME SORT OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CHINA.
+THUS, BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER IN 1987, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT RAPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING IS DEVELOPED WITH CHINA.
+OTHERWISE, WHATEVER CHANGES ARE SO UNDERTAKEN MAY WELL PROVE TO BE INEFFECTIVE TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE OF MAINTAINING LONG TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG.+ CHEONG SAID.
- - 0 ---------
LEGCO SEAT URGED FOR HEUNG YEE KUK
*****
A STRONG CALL FOR THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS MADE BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER, HE EXPRESSED DISMAY THAT THE HEUNG YEE KUK HAD NOT BEEN NOMINATED FOR A SEAT ON THE NEW COUNCIL.
+AS AN INSTITUTION THAT HAS FORMALLY EXISTED FOR ALMOST ffl YEARS, IT IS FIRMLY ROOTED IN A POPULATION THAT IS SPREAD OVER 92 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY AND HAS LONG REPRESENTED THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF THAT AREA.+ HE SAID.
♦THE POPULATION IT SERVES TODAY IS SOME HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE WHITE PAPER, SHOULD FORM A SINGLE DISTRICT, NOMINATING THEM FOR A SEAT ON THE NEW COUNCIL.
/+SINCE, HOWEVER, ........
THUBSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
11 -
+SINCE, HOWEVER, THE PEOPLE REPRESENTED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK ARE SCATTERED OVER A VERY WIDE AREA, THEY CANNOT FORM A oE PAR ATE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRICT. MAY I, THEREFORE, BOLDLY PROPOSE THAT, IN ALL FAIRNESS, THE HEUNG YEE KUK BE GIVEN A SEAT AS A SEPARATE CONSTITUENCY IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SO THAT IT CAN PROPERLY REPRESENT THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES?*
HE SAID THAT A FEW SEATS ON THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL COUNCIL WERE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE HEUNG YEE KUK’S FORMER ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY IN ADMINISTRATION ON MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE.
+OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS, I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE RISE OF THESE COMPLEX PROBLEMS FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES: THE INROADS ON PRIVATELY-OWNED, FERTILE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESUMED FOR RAILWAYS AND ROADS, FOR RESERVOIRS AND CATCHMENTS, FOR POLICE-STATIONS AND MILITARY CAMPS, FOR CEMETERIES AND A CONTAINER PORT.
+ 1 HAVE SEEN ENTIRE VALLEYS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN TAKEN OVER FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SATELLITE TOWNS AND HOUSING ESTATES ON A SCALE UNKNOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, EVEN WHERE RURAL LAND IS GOING ABEGGING, AND THE END OF LAND-RESUMPTION IS NOT YET IN SIGHT.
♦IT IS THE HEUNG YEE KUK THAT HAS REPRESENTED THE NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGERS, FOUGHT THEIR BATTLES FOR FAIR COMPENSATION AND STRIVEN TO LESSEN THE SHOCK TO FARMERS- AND VILLAGERS OF DISPLACEMENT AND DISORIENTATION.
MANY OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD ON THE LAND AND HAVE BEEN FORCED, WITHOUT PREPARATION, INTO URBAN LIFE.
+MANY OF THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FORCED TO GO OVERSEAS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER CATERING SERVICES AND HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE BREAKDOWN OF FAMILY TIES AND FAMILY TRADITIONS.
+ IT HAS BEEN AND STILL IS THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH BEST UNDERSTANDS THEIR PROBLEMS AND IT ALONE CAN REPRESENT THEIR NEEDS FAIRLY AND AUTHORITATIVELY TO THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION. TO DO THIS PROPERLY IT MUST HAVE A VOICE ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* SAID MR CHEUNG.
HE ALSO QUESTIONED WHY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL GT ?S, ACCOUNTANTS, WOULD HAVE NO REPRESENTATIVE.
+THIS, I HOPE, IS ONLY AN OVERSIGHT,* HE SAID.
Astnck HCHG......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 12 -
+SINCE HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE YEARS TO COME WILL DEPEND LARGELY ON THE SUCCESS OF ITS BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS AND ITS PRESENT POSITION AS THE THIRD GREATEST FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE WORLD IS DUE TO THE RESPECT AND REPUTATION IT HAS ACQUIRED OVER THE YEARS FOR SOUND AND TRUSTWORTHY ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ITS SUCCESS OWES MUCH TO THESE PROFESSIONALS.
+THIS SHOULD BE SUITABLY ACKNOWLEDGED AND THE FUTURE GOOD DEPUTATION OF THIS TERRITORY BE MAINTAINED BY GIVING THEM AND THEIR EXPERTISE DUE WEIGHT IN THE NEW COUNCIL.+
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE INCLUSION - OTHER IMPORTANT GROUPS IN HONG KONG WHICH WERE EQUALLY WORTHY OF REPRESENTATION OR HOW PROPOSED GROUPS MIGHT BE MORE EQUITABLY REPRESENTED.
♦WOULD IT NOT BE BETTER THAT ALL REGISTERED PROFESSIONALS IN THE NOMINATED PROFESSIONS SHOULD HAVE AN EQUAL RIGHT TO V0TE7+ HE ASKED.
♦ARE THERE, PERHAPS, OTHER IMPORTANT GROUPS IN HONG KONG THAT MAY BE WORTHY OF INCLUSION? SHOULD, FOR EXAMPLE, THE VERY FLOURISHING TOURIST TRADE NOT HAVE A SEPARATE REPRESENTATION?
+WOULD, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NURSES HAVE A MORE DEDICATED CONCERN FOR HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE THAN SOME OF THE OTHER PROFESSIONAL GROUPS WHOSE MEMBERS CAN MORE EASILY SETTLE DOWN ELSEWHERE?
♦WOULD THEY NOT EVEN SERVE TO REDRESS SOMEWHAT THE LIKELY MALE PREDOMINANCE OF THIS PROPOSED COUNCIL?
♦SUCH QUESTIONS AND MANY OTHERS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND ANSWERED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE SO THAT HONG KONG MAY SECURE THE VERY BEST REPRESENTATIVES TO GUIDE ITS FUTURE DESTINY,+ HE SAID.
-----o-----
LEGCO MEMBERS REMINDED OF OBLIGATION TO PERFORM
* * * *
ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE YEARS TO COME ‘SAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE CONTENTS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER, MISS TAM SAID THOSE WHO ASPIRED TO < WHO WERE IN GOVERNMENT MUST BE TOTALLY AWARE OF THE OBJECTIVES a HE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH SHE LISTED OUT IN DETAIL:
* BOTH CHINA AND BRITAIN WISH TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG:
/♦ THE UK.......
THUBSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 13 -
* THE UK GOVERNMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG RIGHT UP TO JUNE 30, 1997, AND CHINA WILL GIVE UK HER CO-OPERATIONj
* THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS EXCEPT IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCEj AND
* ITS TASK IS TO MAINTAIN THE LIFE STYLE, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS UNDER THE LAW IN HONG KONG, TO KEEP IT AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE UNDER A FREE ECONOMY, TO HAVE AN’ INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY ETC, AND ENSURE THAT THIS WILL BE A PLACE WHERE OVER 5.4 MILLION (AND BY 1997 OVER 7 MILLION) PEOPLE CAN BUILD A COMPUTABLE HOME, WHATEVER IS THE COLOUR OR DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PASSPORTS, AND WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THEIR RIGHT OF ABODE IS ONLY IN
+ 1 BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTED
IN THE YEARS TO COME MUST HAVE A _______________ _______________
FIRST THREE OBJECTIVES THAT I HAVE MENTIONED, AND PLEDGE THEIR EFFORTS IN ACHIEVING THE LIFE STYLE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIBED UNDER THE FOURTH,+ SHE SAID.
HONG KONG
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCll
+THEY COME INTO POWER UNDER ITEM 1 DECLARATION- THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO
OF ANNEXE 1 OF THE JOINT
---------- .. PERFORM THEIR DUTIES UNDER
THE REST OF THE CONTENTS OF THE DOCUMENT AND MAKE HONG KONG
A CONTINUED SUCCESS,+ MISS TAM SAID.
ON THE 1987 REVIEW, SHE SAID IT WOULD BE MADE ON OUR EXPERIENCE DURING THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF LIFE OF THE NEW COUNCIL.
+THIS BRIEF MUST COVER THE GOVERNMENT’S, UMELCO’S AND THE COMMUNITY’S EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL CHANGES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE NEW COUNCIL,* SHE ADDED.
ELABORATING, MISS TAM SAID THE 1987 REVIEW MUST INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF OUR EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, I.E. OUTSIDE THE NEW COUNCIL, BEFORE GOVERNMENT CAN COME TO A DECISION ON HAVING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWER AND BILLjt Mlss TAM BELIEVED COUNCILLORS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS FROM ABUSING SUCH PRIVILEGES.
♦ALSO, I SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL IN THE GREEN PAPER THAT EVENTUALLY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SO AS TO MAKE THEM ’ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE’,* SHE SAID.
FINALLY, MISS TAM SUGGESTED THE UMELCO CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS PANEL SHOULD FORMULATE VIEWS OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE GF THE 1987 REVIEW.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985’
- 14 -
EXPANDED LEGCO CALLED FOR * * *
DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP TODAY CALLED FOR AN EXPANDED LEGISLATURE wITH MORE MEMBERS FROM DISTRICT BOARDS AND MORE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER,DR IP SAID THAT HONG KONG SHOULD NOT HAVE A COMPLICATED ELECTION SYSTEM.
SHE SAID: +THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD EXPAND TO BETWEEN 60 TO 70 MEMBERS (I BELIEVE THE NEW CHAMBERS AT THE OLD SUPREME COURT SITE CAN SEAT THIS NUMBER).
+THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING REPRESENTATION FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
♦THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AS THEY SERVE AS A LINK WITH THE PEOPLE IN GENERAL.
+THEIR NUMBER SHOULD BE DOUBLED TO 24 AND THE DELINEATION OF THE DISTRICTS SHOULD BE SUCH THAT IN EFFECT THERE WOULD BE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER FROM EACH DISTRICT REPRESENTING A POPULATION OF AROUND 250 000.
+THIS IS BECAUSE IN THE LONG RUN, IT IS NOT IDEAL TO EXPECT ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH OTHER DISTRICTS.
+THE ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WITH THE HIGHEST VOTE FROM HIS DISTRICT BECOMES AUTOMATICALLY THE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, UNLESS BY DISSENT OR DEFAULT, IN WHICH CASE THE NEXT IN LINE WOULD TAKE HIS PLACE.
+THIS WOULD INTRODUCE AN ELEMENT OF DIRECT ELECTION WITHIN OUR EXISTING FRAMEWORK AND WOULD OFFSET THE NEED FOR A BY-ELECTION IF A SEAT FALLS VACANT, AND YET ENSURE A LINK WITH ALL DISTRICTS AT ANY TIME.
+A DISTRICT CAN FORESEEABLY HAVE A POPULATION OF HALF
A MILLION- IF SO IT SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE TWO REPRESENTATIVES.*
+THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD LIKEWISE HAVE DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE DIRECT METHOD MAKING THOSE WITH THE MOST DIRECT VOTES FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AUTOMATICALLY A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD ALSO BE ADOPTED.*
THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, DR IP ALSO SAID, WERE VERY IMPORTANT AS THEY WOULD ENSURE REPRESENTATION AND INPUT FROM A SPECTRUM OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE ALL VITALLY NECESSARY FOR THE RUNNING OF HONG KONG.
/THE NUMBER ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 15 -
THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD ALSO BE DOUBLED, AS NOT ALL PROFESSIONS WERE REPRESENTED IN THE PROPOSED 12 SEATS. DOUBLING THIS NUMBER WOULD ENSURE THAT RPOFESSIONS SUCH AS THE RELIGIOUS GROUPS, THE ACCOUNTANTS, THE PARAMEDICALS, THE SOCIAL WORKERS, THE ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS, COULD ALL BE REPRESENTED.
WHILE ALL PROFESSIONS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED, THERE MUST BE A GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE LEGAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCIES.
♦SOME INITIAL ADJUSTMENTS OF THE YEAR OF ELECTION MUST BE MADE SO THAT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ALL FALL IN LINE IN 1988, WHEN THERE WILL BE ONE BIG ELECTION ONLY.
♦SINCE THE ELECTED MEMBERS WITH THE MOST VOTES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY MADE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR A SECONDARY INDIRECT ELECTION FROM THESE ELECTORAL COLLEGES,+ SHE SAID.
-----0------
REFORM,
POWER TRANSFER SEEN AS MAJOR TASKS * * * *
REFORMING THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND TRANSFER OF POWER WERE THE TWO MAJOR TASKS HONG KONG HAD TO COMPLETE BEFORE 1997 THE HON CHAN YING-LUN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER, MR CHAN SAID THAT A STABLE GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK HAD TO BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE 1997, CONSISTING MAINLY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THAT THERE MUST BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF POWER FROM A BRITISH COLONY TO THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG.
ALTHOUGH THESE TASKS MUST NOT BE DONE IN HASTE, TIME WAS REALLY VERY PRESSING, HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO GOVERNMENT REFORM, MR CHAN SAID THE WHITE PAPER HAD PROVIDED A FEASIBLE SOLUTION TO THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE.
♦THIS IS BECAUSE THE FUTURE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL CONSIST CF MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AS WELL AS APPOINTED AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS, AND WILL BE OF AN EVEN MORE REPRESENTATIVE NATURE THAN THE PRESENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,+ HE SAID.
/referring to........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
16
REFERRING TO CONCERN ThAT SOME SECTORS WERE LEFT OUT IN THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER, MR CHAN SAID THAT THIS WOULD IN NO aAY UNDERMINE THE REPRESENTATIVE NATURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT WE SHOULD ASK THESE REPRESENTATIVES, WHEN DECIDING POLICIES AFFECTING THE GENERAL PUBLIC, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE OVERALL INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG INSTEAD OF JUST THE INTERESTS OF THE VOTERS AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES THEY REPRESENT, AS THIS PHENOMENON WILL LEAD TO SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION AND IMBALANCE.
+THEREFORE I THINK THE SO-CALLED REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MEAN THAT THE VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD DISCUSS JOINTLY THE SOCIAL ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES AND FROM THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE POSITIONS WHEN DECIDING ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST,+ HE SAID.
AS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING DIRECT ELECTION, MR CHAN SAID HIS EXPERIENCE WITH DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SHOWED THAT ELECTION WAS AN IDEAL POLITICAL SYSTEM.
HE BELIEVED THAT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, UNDER THE PRESENT POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES, DIRECT ELECTIONS MUST NOT TAKE PLACE IN A HURRY.
ON THE TRANSFER OF POWER, MR CHAN WARNED THAT GOOD TIMING WAS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.
+A TOTAL TRANSFER OF POWER BEFORE THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS WELL DEVELOPED MAY RESULT IN AN UNMANAGEABLE SITUATION,+ HE SAID.
+THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS THE LOCOMOTIVE WHICH BRINGS ALONG THE TRANSFER OF POWER, SO THAT THE TWO MUST BE LINKED TOGETHER AND ARE INSEPARABLE.
+ACCORDING TO THIS PACE, THE REFORM OF THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG WILL PROCEED UPWARDS PROGRESSIVELY, STARTING WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION UP TO THE REFORM IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,* HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE TIME FACTOR, HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT EMPHASIS SHOULD NOW BE PLACED NOT ONLY ON THE REFORM WORKING UPWARDS BUT ALSO IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION AS WELL, THAT IS, TO START WITH THE REFORM OF THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT’S INTERNAL POLICY-MAKING MACHINERY.
MR CHAN SAID THAT IF THE MINISTERIAL SYSTEM WAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED, IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/+AS THE .......
THUHSMY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 17 -
+ AS THE MINISTERIAL SYSTEM MAY GIVE RISE TO A CABINET, AND THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COORDINATION BETwEEN THE CABINET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IS IMPORTANT IN THE PROPER RUNNING OF THE GOVERNMENT, IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION TS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE TRANSFER OF POWER AT THE HIGH LEVEL,+ HE SA ID.
MR CHAN SAID HE SUPPORTED A GREEN PAPER PROPOSAL THAT FOUR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ELECTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1988 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY, AND HE REGRETTED THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WHITE PAPER.
-----o-----
NEED TO PRESERVE GOOD SYSTEMS STRESSED * * *
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR STRESSED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE MERITS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEMS MUST BE PRESERVED.
SPEAKING ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE HON MRS RITA FAN SAID OUR ACHIEVEMENT TODAY WAS DUE, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, TO THE GOOD SYSTEMS EXISTING.
♦IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE MERITS OF THESE SYSTEMS MUST BE PRESERVED,+ SHE SAID.
+IF FOR ANY REASONS, SUCH AS POLITICAL REASONS, THE MERITS OF OUR EXISTING SYSTEMS ARE UNDERMINED, OR THERE IS A LOSS OF BALANCE, THEN AN OUTFLOW OF CAPITAL AND A BRAIN DRAIN MAY OCCUR WHICH WOULD THEN PUT THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AT RISK,
+1 AM SURE THIS IS NOT WHAT CHINA AND BRITAIN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO WITNESS,+ SHE SAID.
MRS FAN EMPHASISED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM UST BE DEVELOPED FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND SHE BELIEVED IT COULD BE DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY.
MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG POSSESSED A HIGH DEGREE OF ADAPTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY.
THEY WORKED CONSCIENTIOUSLY, THEY WERE REALISTIC AND PRAGIATIC AND NOT AFRAID OF HARDSHIPS.
+1 STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE THC ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG,+ MRS FAN SAID.
/I? TUB .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD IMPLEMENT CIVIC EDUCATION EFFECTIVELY, THE LEVEL OF PEOPLE’S POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS COULD BE RAISED WITHIN A SHORT TIME.
ON THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, ■'RS FAN SAID CIRCUMSTANCES HAD ALREADY IMPOSED A TIME LIMIT, SO WE HAD TO COMPLETE OUR TASK BEFORE THE TIME LIMIT AND WE HAD TO SUCCEED BECAUSE WE SIMPLY COULD NOT AFFORD THE PRICE OF FAILURE.
SHE ADMITTED THAT THE FIRST STEP SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER WAS A RATHER BIG STEP. YET, GIVEN THE TIME LIMIT, THIS WAS REALLY A FEASIBLE AND PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE IF NOT THE IDEAL AND PERFECT WAY.
+WITH1N THE NEXT THREE YEARS, HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED A MORE MATURE POLITICAL SENSE AND THE FUTURE PROSPECTS OF HONG KONG CAN BE PERCEIVED EVEN CLEARER,+ SHE SAID.
+S0 IT MAY NOT BE A WISE MOVE TO LAY DOWN NOW AN OVERALL PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT,* SHE SAID.
MRS FAN SAID WE HAD TO LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED BY THE WHITE PAPER ON THE ONE HAND, AND TO GIVE MORE CONSIDERATION TO THE OBJECTIVE CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEW INFORMATION THAT BECAME AVAILABLE ON THE OTHER.
+T0 WAIT TILL 1987 TO MAKE THESE IMPORTANT DECISION IS INDEED A CAUTIOUS AND SAFE APPROACH,* SHE SAID.
- 0 - -
AVOID UNDUE HASTE, SAYS PAULINE NG * * * *
DIRECT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED ONLY WHEN THE POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD REACHED A CERTAIN DEGREE OF MATURITY, THE HON PAULINE NG SAiD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MRS NG SAID: +AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR HISTORY, wE CA’TOT AFFORD TO PUT THE STABILITY OF OUR SOCIETY AT RISK BY IN -.‘ODUCING POLITICAL REFORMS WITH UNDUE HASTE.
+WE HAVE COME TO AN AGE WHEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD S' <ND ON THEIR OWN FEET, TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO UNDERSTAND AND .IVE FOP THE RIGHTS DUE TO THEM, AND BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY WITH JOINT EFFORTS.
/+IN AN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 19«5
- 19 -
+ IN AN AGE OF RAPID CHANGE, IF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN FACE CHANGE WITH CONFIDENCE AND AN UNDAUNTED SPIRIT, PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY AND WORK HARD, HONG KONG WILL SURELY HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE,+ SHE SAID.
MRS NG BELIEVED WITH THE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE PEOPLE, HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BECOME A SOURCE OF ADMIRATION TO OTHERS AND +THIS SMALL PIECE OF LAND WE LIVED ON WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.*
COMMENTING ON SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER, MRS NG SUGGESTED THAT WHEN CARRYING OUT THE 1987 REVIEW, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER ALLOWING EACH OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS TO RETURN A MEMBER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER ALLOWING KWUN TONG, EAST ISLAND, WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON CITY AND SHAM SHUI PO TO EACH RETURN TWO MEMBERS, SHE ADDED.
+IN OTHER WORDS, THE DISTRICT BOARDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ELECT 24 MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
+SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT CAN HELP TO ELIMINATE THE UNDESIRABLE SITUATION OF UNFAIR ALLOCATION OF SEATS ACCORDING TO GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION,* SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MRS NG SAID IN DUE COURSE HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE GOALS OF THE SYSTEM AND THE WAY IT OPERATED.
+THEY MUST BE CLEAR ABOUT THEIR DUTIES AND THEIR RIGHTS.
+THOSE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE SHOULD REALISE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS ELECTED MEMBERS.
+THE ELECTORATE MUST BE AWARE OF HOW TO GET TO KNOW, SELECT AND MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES THEY SUPPORT,* SHE SAID.
MRS NG COMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT CF THE REVIEW TO 1987 AND INCREASING BE RETURNED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FROM SIX TO 12.
FOR BRINGING FORWARD THE DATE THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS Tj AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
-----o------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
20
1987 REVIEW CRUCIAL, SAYS PETER POON
* * * *
THE 1987 REVIEW WILL BE CRUCIAL AS THE WHITE PAPER GIVES. NO FURTHER IDEA AS TO HOW REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL BE DEVELOPED AFTER 1988, THE HON PETER POON SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE WHITE PAPER MOTION, MR POON SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THERE WERE PROBABLY GOOD REASONS FOR THAT AND EACH STEP SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND TESTED CAREFULLY.
+ BUT WE ARE LEFT WITH THREE YEARS TO FEEL OUR WAY INTO UNFATHOMED WATERS FOR HONG KONG’S POLITICAL FUTURE, NOT KNOWING WHICH ULTIMATE GOAL SHOULD OR COULD BE ATTAINED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+NEVERTHELESS, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO DEVELOP A ’HONG KONG TYPE OF DEMOCRACY’, WHICH MUST WORK TO KEEP HONG KONG NOT ONLY AS A STABLE, VIBRANT AND PROSPEROUS CITY BUT ALSO AS A JUST AND FREE SOCIETY,+ HE SAID.
ON CIVIC EDUCATION, MR POON SAID THIS DESERVED UTMOST AND URGENT ATTENTION.
♦THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST BE EDUCATED QUICKLY ABOUT BASIC GOVERNMENT POLITICAL STRUCTURES AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS IN ELECTIONS,* HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS THINKING OF COMPILING A ROSTER OF ELECTORS WHICH WOULD ENABLE ALL REGISTERED VOTERS TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS EVEN IF THEY HAD NOT REGISTERED VOLUNTARILY.
HE FELT THAT MUCH MORE SHOULD BE DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF AND SUGGESTED LAUNCHING AN INTENSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ON THE ELECTION ASPECT OF CIVIC EDUCATION BY MEANS OF SIMPLE PAMPHLETS, RADIO AND TV PROGRAMMES AND DOCUMENTARIES.
+WHILE I AGREE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE SEEN TO BE TELLING THE PEOPLE WHAT TO DO, SUCH A CAMPAIGN CAN BE MADE INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL FOR THE PUBLIC AS OTHER SUCCESSFUL DOCUMENTARIES HAVE BEEN.
+SINCE THE NEXT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE IN MARCH 1985, WE SHOULD ACT SOON,* HE SAID.
ON THE LIST OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR POON SAID IT WAS HIGHLY REGRETTABLE THAT THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION WAS MISSING, AS ACCOUNTANTS MADE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE.
+1 WOULD URGE THAT, IN THE REVIEW IN 1987, IF IT IS DECIDED THAT THERE WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED TO BE A DESIGNATED FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY,* HE SAID.
/AS KiEARJS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
AS REGARDS THE 12 MEMBERS TO BE ELECTED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, MR POON SAID THIS WOULD GO A CONSIDERABLE WAY TO MEETING THOSE WHO WANTED TO SEE MORE ELECTED MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
ON THE ELECTION OF 10 MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY TIE DISTRICT BOARDS ON BALANCED GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, HE SUGGESTED THAT IN THE 1987 REVIEW CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN TO ONE MEMBER FOR EACH DISTRICT BOARD.
------o-------
CHINA-HK TIES MUST BE STRENGTHENED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM TO BE IMPLEMENTED WILL EXTEND BEYOND 1997, THE HON YEUNG PO—KWAN STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO HELP THE PEOPLE MAINTAIN FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH CHINA SO AS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
+WE SHOULD APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT, IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, ALL POLITICAL REFORMS IN HONG KONG MUST BE IN KEEPING WITH THE FUTURE BASIC LAW AND THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION,* HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE PRESENT WHITE PAPER COULD ONLY BE TAKEN AS THE FIRST WHITE PAPER, TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE SECOND AFTER THE REVIEW IN 1987 AND THE THIRD AFTER THE SECOND REVIEW.
+ IT IS VITAL THAT AT THE PRELIMINARY STAGE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADOPT A CAUTIOUS APPROACH BY PROGRESSING STEP BY STEP.
+BUT AS EXPERIENCE ACCUMULATES AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IS ACQUIRED, A MORE OPEN AND FAR-SIGHTED APPROACH SHOULD BE TAKEN IN DRAFTING THE SECOND OR EVEN THE THIRD WHITE PAPER TO ENSURE AN EARLY REALISATION OF THE ULTIMATE AIMS OF THE GREEN PAPER,* HE STRESSED.
AS REGARDS ELECTION, HE DESCRIBED THE PROPOSAL IN THE WHITE PAPER AS +A SENSIBLE AND PROGRESSIVE wAY OF DOING THINGS*.
HE SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTED BY ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES MUST BE TIOUS AND OBJECTIVE. THEY MUST BE PERFECTLY IMPARTIAL AND ’- .SURE THAT ALL THE REASONABLE POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT COULD KEEP A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT WITH DUE REGARD TO ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY.
/MR YEUNG .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 22
MR YEUNG ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WHERE NECESSARY, ORGANISE SUITABLE ACTIVITIES TO ACQUAINT THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILLORS wITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MEANING OF THE REFORM TO THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, THE OPERATION OF THE VARIOUS . GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND THEIR OwN RIGHTS AND DUTIES.
TURNING TO CIVIC EDUCATION, HE SAID IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE CONFINED TO REGULAR EDUCATIONAL BODIES AND SCHOOLS.
REGIONAL CIVIC EDUCATION SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR ADULTS THROUGH EFFECTIVE CHANNELS SUCH AS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND COMMUNITY CENTRES, HE SAID.
--------0----------
TWO-STAGE VOTING PROCEDURE PROPOSED * * * * *
A MORE ELABORATE ELECTION PROCESS THAN THE COMMON +F IRST-PAST the-POST* TYPE METHOD SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE ELECTIONS FOR THE 12 SEATS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, DR THE HON KIM CHAM SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SECOND-DAY DEBATE ON THE whITE PAPER, DR CHAM URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER A TWO-STAGE VOTING PROCEDURE, WHICH WOULD ENABLE ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO FOCUS ON FEWER CANDIDATES FOR A BETTER DIRECT COMPARISON.
+ IN A PRELIMINARY ROUND OF VOTING, CANDIDATES WITH LOWER THAN A PERCENTAGE OF VOTES ARE ELIMINATED, LEAVING CANDIDATES *ITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SECONDARY ROUND OF VOTING.
+IN THE SECONDARY VOTE, ELIGIBLE VOTERS OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES CAN FOCUS THEIR ASSESSMENT ON FEWER CAMPAIGNING PERSONALITIES BEFORE A FINAL DECISION IS TAKEN TO ELECT THEM TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,+ HE EXPLAINED.
DR CHAM ADMITTED THAT THIS PROCESS wAS MORE COSTLY AS THERE -ERE TWO ROUNDS OF VOTING INSTEAD OF ONE.
YET, GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ELECTION AND THE IMPORTANC TO GENERATE APPROPRIATE AND WELL CHOSEN CANDIDATES, THIS IS w TH SERIOUS CONSIDERATION,* HE SAID.
ON THE COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, DR CHAM SAID . ACCOUNTING PROFESSION SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED.
♦ACCOUNTANTS SERVE A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE OF REPORTING TO Ai_L SHAREHOLDERS THE FINANCIAL STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF THEIR COMPANIES, THUS SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF I '/ESTOPS.
/♦THIS IS........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
+THIS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS IN OUR FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY, BY KEEPING SHAREHOLDERS ABREAST OF COMPANIES THEY HAVE INVESTED IN,+ HE SAID.
♦ THUS, ACCOUNTANTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMIC STATUS OF HONG KONG IS BASED ON A FIRST-HAND WORKING KNOWLEDGE AND NOT SIMPLY ON A THEORETICAL OR CONCEPTUAL LEVEL,+ HE ADDED.
DR CHAM EXPRESSED REGRET OVER THIS OMISSION, AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED WAYS TO ENSURE THAT VOTING RIGHTS WOULD BE EXERCISED, PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION’OF DIRECT ELECTIONS.
♦ FIRST, NOT ALL QUALIFIED VOTERS WILL REGISTER. IN VIEW OF THIS, I SUGGEST THAT ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS SHOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED,+ HE SAID.
♦ SECOND, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXAMINE THE PRACTICABILITY CF COMPULSORY VOTING IN DIRECT ELECTIONS, THIS IS, TO REQUIRE THAT ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, EVEN IF THEY CAST A VOTE OF ABSTENTION,+ HE SAID.
GIVEN THE LACK OF VOTING TRADITION IN HONG KONG, DR CHAM BELIEVED THAT COMPULSORY VOTING MIGHT BE A STEP TO INDUCE PEOPLE TO TAKE AN INTEREST WHEN DIRECT ELECTIONS WERE INTRODUCED.
FINALLY, TURNING TO THE ELECTED PORTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR CHAM POINTED OUT THAT THE WHITE PAPER DID NOT HAVE A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE VOTE ENTITLEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS WITH DIFFERENT CAPACITIES IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE OR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, OR BOTH.
♦ I SUGGEST THAT DUAL-ROLES OR MULTI-CAPACITIES WITH VARIOUS PERMUTATIONS SHOULD BE CLARIFIED,* HE SAID.
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MOST PEOPLE SUPPORT GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT - KEITH LAM
* * * *
THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SUPPORTED THE ♦PROGRESSIVE+ DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE HON KEITH LAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
HE SAID HE BASED THIS ON PUBLIC OPINION AS REFLECTED BY THE MASS MEDIA AND AS OBTAINED BY HIMSELF.
♦TAKING ANY ACTION WITH UNDUE HASTE WILL RESULT IN THE TRAGIC EFFECT OF SPOILING THINGS BY EXCESSIVE ENTHUSIASM,+ HE SAID.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10,
MR LAM CONSIDERtJ AS UNREALISTIC SOME PEOPLE'S PROPOSALS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SHOULD BE OPEN FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
HE WARNED AGAINST EXCESSIVE EMPTY THEORIES ON DEMOCRACY WITH NO REGARD FOR THE ACTUAL SITUATION.
+AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT, REFORMS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE PROGRESSIVELY INTRODUCED AND CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL TAKE PLACE AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME AFTER EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN OBTAINED,* MR LAM SAID.
HE SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF CULTIVATING ADM INI STRAT IVt PERSONNEL ON THE BASIC LEVEL.
+IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY AND CULTIVATE A GREAT NUMBER OF POLITICAL TALENTS TO FACILITATE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RETURNING OF POWER TO THE PEOPLE, ALL MEMBERS OF THE 'GEOGRAPHICAL COUNCILS’, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SHOULD BE RETURNED BY DIRECT ELECTIONS FROM 1988 ONWARDS.
+THROUGH ACTUAL PARTICIPATION IN THEY WILL BECOME MORE FAR-SIGHTED AND A STRONG RESERVE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE THE FUTURE,* HE SAID.
VARIOUS POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, ABLE PERSONNEL WHO WILL FORM ADMINISTERING HONG KONG IN
MR LAM DESCRIBED THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE FUTURE LEGCO AS THE COUNCIL’S +TRUNK+ AND +BRANCHES+.
HE SAID THE +GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATIVES* SHOULD BE THE +TRUNK+, AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE THAT ONLY 10 SEATS WERE GIVEN TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
HE HOPED THAT IN THE 1987 REVIEW THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SEATS FORMED ON THE BASIS OF DISTRICT ELECTIONS SO THAT ALL 19 DISTRICT BOARDS COULD HAVE ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS REPRESENTING THEIR OWN
DISTR ICTS.
MR LAM REGARDED THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AS THE +BRANCHES+ OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE THOUGHT THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE UP TOO LARGE A PROPORTION OF SEATS.
HE FELT THAT MEMBERS RETURNED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES^ WOULD INEVITABLY BE RESTRICTED BY THE INTERESTS OF THE ORGAN I SAT I uno WHICH THEY REPRESENTED WHEN MAKING RESOLUTIONS IN THE DEBATES.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE A PRACTICABLE MEASURE TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SEATS RETURNED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO PREVENT II FROM BECOMING TOO LARGE.
/♦WHERE NECESSARY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
+WHERE NECESSARY, THE GOVERNMENT CAN SET UP VARIOUS KINDS OF Ab HOC COMMITTEES UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL I.’, S~Zr. 7C PROFESSIONAL ADVICE MORE FREQUENTLY, INTENSIVELY AND COMPREHENSIVELY,* HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
MR LAM SAID APPOINTED AND DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS SHOULD ALoO BE THE +BRANCHES+.
HE SUGGESTED THAT AS AN EXPERIMENT ON AN EVEN MORE OPEN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN IN THE 1987 REVIEw TO SETTING UP THREE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, ONE EACH FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEw TERRITORIES.
ON THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAM SAID HE FAVOURED THE WHITE PAPER’S PROPOSED NUMBER (A TOTAL CF 56) AND FELT THERE SHOULD BE NO CHANGE BY 1988.
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT SEATS RETURNED BY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE COULD BE INCREASED TO 21 WITH 19 MEMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND ONE EACH FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
A SEAT FOR ACCOUNTANTS COULD BE ADDED TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER TO 13.
+THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS CAN THEN BE REDUCED TO 12,+ HE SAID.
+IF THREE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS ARE PROVIDED, THEN THE NUMBER MAY BE FURTHER REDUCED TO NINE.
+ACCORDING TO THIS DISTRIBUTION PLAN, THERE ARE 46 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS AND 10 OFFICIAL MEMBERS,* MR LAM SAID.
SINCE MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WOULD HAVE FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH ONE ANOTHER ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS, IT WAS EASIER FOR THEM TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE AND THERE WAS A GREATER CHANCE OF RETURNING SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAM SAID.
FURTHERMORE, AS MEMBERS OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL COUNCILS ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY LOCAL PEOPLE, THEY HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS AND ARE UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION, HE ADDED.
+THUS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR ELECTED IN THIS WAY CAN AUTHORITATIVELY REPRESENT HIS DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTION OF MEMBERS FROM THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR LAM BELIEVED THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE ACCORDING TO THE STRUCTURES OF THE RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS OR PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
MR LAM SAID HE HOPED THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WOULD KEEP IN VIEW THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG SO THAT IT WOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE FUTURE BASIC LAW.
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/26 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
2b
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED - CARL TONG ******
THE IDEA OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE ABOLISHED ALTOGETHER AND REPLACED BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF ELECTORAL. COLLEGE SEATS FROM THE PRESENT 12 TO 22, THE HON CARL TONG SUGGESTED TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE WHITE PAPER, MS TONG SAID THESE SEATS SHOULD INCLUDE 18 DISTRICT BOARD SEATS, TWO URBAN COUNCIL SEATS AND TWO REGIONAL COUNCIL SEATS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEATS BY APPOINTMENT SHOULD REMAIN AT 22.
+THIS ARRANGEMENT LEAVES TWO SEATS WHICH COULD BE NOMINATED BY APPROPRIATE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
+1 SHARE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND ALLEN LEE’S BELIEF THAT TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF GOVERNMENT IN 1997, WHATEVER CHANGES WE MAKE IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE THE TACIT APPROVAL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA,+ HE SAID.
♦ THE PROPOSAL TO GIVE THE PRC THE RIGHT TO NOMINATE TWO LEGCO SEATS CAN ONLY HELP THE SMOOTH TRANSITION.
+1 MAY WELL BE CRITICISED FOR SUGGESTING THIS - MY ARGUMENT WILL BE THAT WE MUST FACE UP TO REALITY AND ACCEPT THAT WE, WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PRC AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, MUST WORK TOGETHER TO THIS END.
+IN ANY CASE, THE RESULT OF THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSAL IS THAT AT LEAST TWO LEGCO SEATS WILL GO TO ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE EITHER CONTROLLED BY THE PRC OR HAVE STRONG TIES WITH IT AS A RESULT OF THEIR INCLUSION IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES -E.G. THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND POSSIBLY ONE OF THE TWO LABOUR SEATS,+ HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID WE MUST BE REALISTIC, WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE COMMON GOAL OF MAINTAINING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY AND NOT BE HAMPERED BY ADVERSARIAL POLITICS IN THE HEADY STRIDE FOR DEMOCRACY.
THE STATUS QUO COULD ONLY BE ASSURED WITH OUR CONTINUAL ECONOMIC SUCCESS. WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THIS, HE STRESSED.
MR TONG SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CONCEPT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WAS PRACTICABLE.
+1 CANNOT SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN JUSTIFIABLY PREFER SOME FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO OTHERS WITHOUT CRITICISM.
+FOR ONE, WHY SHOULD ACCOUNTANTS BE EXCLUDED AND DOCTORS INCLUDED?* HE ASKED.
THUHSMY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 27 -
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROBABLY ARGUE AWAY ANY GROUP’S COMPLAINT, SUCH AS THE ACCOUNTANTS’ NON-1NCLUSI ON IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, BY SAYING THAT THEY WOULD MAKE GOOD ANY IMBALANCE BY THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM.
ON THE °OLITICAL APATHY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MR TONG SAID THERE WAS THE NEED FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
HE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN CLEARLY AND CANDIDLY ITS THINKING BEHIND ITS POLICIES.
--------o - - - -
MANY KEY QUESTIONS NOT ANSWERED - SELINA CHOW *******
THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT LEFT MANY KEY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT, M?S CHOW SAID THE WHITE PAPER HAD RETROGRESSED FROM THE EARLIER GREEN PAPER.
SHE SAID: +IT IS TRUE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RESPONDED TO POPULAR REQUEST BY EXTENDING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS FOR BOTH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND BY ADVANCING THE DATE OF REVIEW TO 1987.
+IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT IF WE ARE TO TAKE A STEP BY STEP APPROACH, WE KNOW AT LEAST WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.
+BUT SURELY WHAT THE WHITE PAPER FAILS TO DO IS TO GIVE US A COMPLETE VIEW OF THE OVERALL THINKING TO THE PROGRESSION AND DESTINATION OF OUR GOVERNMENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
+IT FAILS TO SEE BEYOND THE NEXT STEP. THE WHITE PAPER APPEARS TO ME TO HAVE RETROGRESSED FROM THE GREEN PAPER, FOR THE LATTER WAS LOOKING AS FAR AHEAD AS 1991, WHEREAS THE FORMER DOES NOT PROCEED BEYOND 1987. THE ONLY CERTAINTY BEYOND 1987 IS WHAT WE FIND IN SECTION 1 OF ANNEX 1 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
+THERE IS A 10 YEAR GAP BETWEEN 1987 AND ’97, WHEN, STILL AT THIS STAGE, WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN. KEY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN LEFT UNRESOLVED. FOR INSTANCE:
1) WILL THERE BE A MINISTERIAL SYSTEM?
2) HOW WILL THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BE CHANGED?
3) WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM?
/4) HOW WILL........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 28
4) HOw mILL THE GOVERNOR BE SELECTED?
5) HOI* WILL THE ULTIMATE FORM OF ELECTION BE DETERMINED?*
MRS CHOw SAID THAT IN FACT ALL THESE ISSUES HAD BEEN TOUCHED UPON IN THE WHITE PAPER. WHAT WAS WORRYING WAS THAT NO ANSWERS WERE ATTEMPTED, AND WORSE STILL, THE DELIBERATION OF SUCH IMPORTANT AND URGENT QUESTIONS HAD NOT BEEN ASSIGNED ANY SPECIFIC SCHEDULE OR FORM. THE REPETITION OF THE PHRASE + AT A LATER STAGE* WAS NEITHER SATISFACTORY NOR REASSURING.
+WE HAVE NO TIME FOR PROCRASTINATION,* SHE SAID. +WE NEED AN OVERALL PLAN.*
+IT HAS BEEN ARGUED THAT TO INCLUDE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE WHITE PAPER WOULD ALLOW US ROOM TO MANOEUVRE, AS WE ARE STILL EXPERIMENTING WITH VARIOUS IDEAS IN ORDER TO FIND THE UNIQUE SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG.
+l CANNOT AGREE WITH THIS LINE OF ARGUMENT. IN FACT, I THINK THE VERY EXPERIMENTAL NATURE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT CALLS FOR VERY CLEAR AND DEFINITE THINKING SO THAT WE DO NOT STRAY TOO FAR FROM A CHARTED COURSE, THE DESTINATION OF WHICH IS ALREADY MARKED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION. WITHOUT THE PATH LAID OUT, HOW ARE WE TO BE SURE THAT WE WILL REACH OUR TARGET WITHIN THE TIME AVAILABLE?
+MANY LIKE MYSELF ARE GREATLY CONCERNED THAT THE WHITE PAPER ON THE ONE HAND TAKES A VERY BIG STEP FORWARD WITHOUT PROJECTING AND ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, WHILE ON THE OTHER FAILS TO PROVIDE AN OVERALL PLAN, OR EVEN AN INSTRUMENT TO FORMULATE AN OVERALL PLAN.
+THIS IS NO DOUBT A HIGHLY UNDESIRABLE AND UNSATISFACTORY STATE OF AFFAIRS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE HAVE TO WORK WITHIN THE VERY LIMITED TIME FRAME OF 12 YEARS. IN VIEW OF THE GREAT LRGENCY OF THIS MATTER, I ADVOCATE THAT A STANDING FORUM BE FORMED, WITH BOTH OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, TO ENABLE MORE STRUCTURED DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION WITH THE AIM TO PROPOSE THE MOST ACCEPTABLE AND WORKABLE SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.*
MRS CHOW CONCLUDED: +WITH MY GRAVE RESERVATIONS, I FIND MYSELF UNABLE TO VOTE FOR THE VERY EUPHORIC MOTION BEFORE COUNCIL, WHEN THE WHITE PAPER DOES NOT EVEN POINT TO A CLEAR WAY AHEAD. I WILL NOT HOWEVER VOTE AGAINST IT LEST IT BE MISUNDERSTOOD AS MY OBJECTION TO THE PRINCIPLE OF MOVING TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
+1 AM THEREFORE ABSTAINING, WHILE I URGE THAT IMMEDIATE ACTION BE TAKEN TO FORMULATE AN OVERALL PLAN. AFTER ALL, IN 12-1/2 YEARS, WE ARE TO ADMINISTER OURSELVES. WE HAD BETTER KNOW, WELL BEFORE THAT TIME, HOw WE CAN BEST DO IT.*
/29........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 29 -
NEED TO PRESERVE PROSPERITY, STABILITY STRESSED *****
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES wHO TAKE THEIR SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MUST ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND THAT THEIR OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE AND MANDATE IS TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, SIR ROGER LOBO SAID TODAY.
WINDING UP THE TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID: +SHOULD THEY FAIL TO APPRECIATE THIS, AND TO ACT ACCORDINGLY, PROGRESS TOWARDS A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE IS BOUND TO BE DELAYED OR, INDEED, MAY BE FRUSTRATED ALTOGETHER.+
HE SAID ANNEX I TO THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT PRESCRIBED THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS.
+MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES AND I, AND I AM SURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WARMLY WELCOME AND INDEED LOOK FORWARD TO THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND SEE THE PLANS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER AS A SENSIBLE FIRST STEP IN THAT DIRECTION,+ SIR ROGER SAID.
+ IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT A GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE CONSISTING LARGELY OF LOCAL PEOPLE IS IN PLACE AND IN PROPER WORKING ORDER WELL BEFORE 1997. +
+T0 THIS END IT IS NECESSARY THEREFORE TO MOVE TO A MORE REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT, TRANSFERRING THE POWERS OF THE PRESENT COLONIAL GOVERNMENT TO THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
+BUT THERE ARE FEARS IN THE MINDS OF MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS PROCESS OF POWER TRANSFER IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT OF DECOLONISATION AND THAT DRASTIC AND RADICAL CHANGES OVER THE NEXT 12 YEARS MAY JEOPARDISE THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG.+
SIR ROGER SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AN UNDERTAKING TO RETURN HONG KONG TO CHINA ON JUNE 30, 1997, IN A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE CONDITION, OTHERWISE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT COULD BE CONSIDERED AS FAILING TO HONOUR ARTICLE IV OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
+IN THAT EVENT, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT MIGHT THEN SAY THEY WERE NO LONGER UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO HONOUR ARTICLE I I I OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND TO GIVE HONG KONG THE SPECIAL STATUS OF A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR 50 YEARS BEYOND 1997,+ SAID SIR ROGER.
/+WHILE, THEH3P0HE, .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
+WHILE, THEREFORE, AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO RUN HONG KONG MAY BE DELEGATED TO THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - AND THE WHITE PAPER BEFORE US IS ABOUT THIS - THE ^2TJ.?^.$?YERNMENT WILL REMAIN ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY.*
ON THE WHITE PAPER ON REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, SIR ROGER SAID K BELIEVED THE ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED MUST BE GIVEN A FAIR TRIAL.
J?°UBT WE SHOULD ALL LEARN A GREAT DEAL IN THE TWO YEARS TO THE 1987 REVIEW,* HE SAID.
HE CALLED ON ALL WHO REGARD HONG KONG AS THEIR HOME AND HAVE THE INTERESTS OF THIS COMMUNITY AT HEART +T0 CONTRIBUTE ACTIVELY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND TO GIVE TRUE MEANING TO THE PROMISE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.*
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
31
FAITH IN HK WILL BE REGARDED - SIR EDWARD
* * * *
THE FAITH DEMONSTRATED BY THE THOMAS DE LA RUE COMPANY IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE WELL REWARDED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS WHEN HE OPENED THE COMPANY’S BANKNOTE PRINTING PLANT AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE COMPANY SHOWED THIS FAITH BY BRINGING TO THE TERRITORY THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT, HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID HE HAD GREAT PLEASURE TO BE PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW PLANT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WHICH MARKED THE COMPANY’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY.
+THE DE LA RUE COMPANY HAS A LONG AND IMPRESSIVE HISTORY DATING BACK TO 1835 WHEN ITS FOUNDER, THOMAS DE LA RUE, SET UP HIS FIRST FACTORY IN THE CITY OF LONDON.
+SINCE THEN, THE COMPANY HAS BECOME THE WORLD’S LARGEST SECURITY PRINTER, AND PRINTS BANKNOTES FOR OVER 70 COUNTRIES,* SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT.
+ YOU BRING TO HONG KONG THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT, AND BY THIS YOU DEMONSTRATE YOUR FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
+1 HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ALL WHO WORK FOR YOU AND WITH YOU IN HONG KONG WILL DO THEIR UTMOST TO ENSURE THAT THE CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE SHOWN IS WELL REWARDED,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID THE OPENING OF THE PLANT IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WAS ALSO AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, WHOSE OBJECTIVES ARE THE PROVISION OF WELL SERVICED SITES FOR THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT CANNOT BE OPERATED IN ORDINARY MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS.
+IN THIS RESPECT THE CORPORATION HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN DIVERSIFYING AND BROADENING HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE,* FE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID THE CORPORATION WAS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF OTHER SERIOUS ENQUIRIES. HE HOPED THAT THESE WOULD LEAD TO MORE FACTORIES TAKING UP SITES.
HE CONGRATULATED THE COMPANY AND ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT AND WISHED THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
-----0------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
32
GOVERNOR TO OPEN POST OFFICE 100
XXX
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL OPEN HONG KONG’S 100TH POST OFFICE AT UNITS 121-122 TIP SUM HOUSE, GROUND FLOOR, BUTTERFLY ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, AT 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12).
IT WILL BE THE FOURTH POST OFFICE IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, AND WILL PROVIDE THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES, EXCEPT LETTER INSURANCE.
TO MARK THE OPENING, THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL ACCEPT UNREGISTERED +FIRST DAY+ COVERS BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS FOR DATESTAMPING, BEFORE HANDING THEM BACK TO CUSTOMERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE POST OFFICE. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD CONTACT MR WONG KING-MAN, ASSISTANT CONTROLLER OF POSTS, AT 9.15 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12) AT THE EASTERN MAIN GATE OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
- - 0 - -
BRIEFING ON EDUCATION REPORT
XXX
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES AND THE GENERAL INTEREST SHOWN ON THE RECENTLY-ISSUED EDUCATION COMMISSION FIRST REPORT, A MEDIA BRIEFING WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, 3/F.
THE BRIEFING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MR Y.T. LI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
-----o-----
LADY YOUDE TOURS KOWLOON CITY
LADY YOUDE, TODAY (THURSDAY) TOURED THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS PROJECTS AND VISITED A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS RUN BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES, AND SEVERAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, LADY YOUDE FIRST TOURED THE SAI TAU VILLAGE AND THE SITE FOR THE FUTURE CARPENTER ROAD PARK AND THE KOWLOON CITY TEMPORARY MARKET.
/the pahty
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
- 33 -
THE PARTY NEXT *ENT TO THE LOK SIN TONG TO SEE THE PRIMARY SCHOOL AND CLINIC THERE.
LADY YOUDE ALSO VISITED THE CHUN SEEN MEI CHUEN, A NURSERY RUN BY THE KOwLOON WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUE IN SHING TAK STREET AND THE HOLY CARPENTER COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HUNG HOM.
THE PARTY THEN VISITED A NUMBER OF PRIVATE STREETS IN TO KwA wAN WHERE wORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA.
--------0 - - - -
CLOSER LINKS BETWEEN COMMUNITY GROUPS URGED ******
AS BASIC COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS PLAY A VITAL PART IN REFLtCTING THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE TO THE AUTHORITIES, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S WISH THERE SHOULD BE GREATER CO-OPERATION AND BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
HE wAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY SOUTH AREA COMMITTEE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE SEMINAR IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO IMPROVE ORGANISATIONAL LINKS BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OwNERS CORPORATIONS COULD HELP REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC THROUGH The AREA COMMITTEES, SOME OF WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ALSO DISTRICT BOARD ’•EMBERS.
+THUS, AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY BE ABLE TO HELP MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND VICE VERSA,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE SEMINAR THERE ARE MORE THAN 5 000 BUILDING-BASED MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE TERRITORY, COVERING ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THESE ORGANISATIONS WERE ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED FOR SPECIFIC AND FAIRLY NARROw PURPOSE:., THEY HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A NETWORK REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTS ON A WIDER BASIS.
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/34.......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
34
SAI KUNG DB TO MEET TOMORROW XXX
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE JUNK BAY AND SAI KUNG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) .MORN ING.
THE BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SAI KUNG TOWN PLANNING STUDY FINAL REPORT WHICH HAS MADE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION, RECREATION, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED ABOUT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AREA LOCATED BETWEEN SAI KUNG OLD TOWN AND TUI MIN HOI WITHIN A NARROW INLET OF INNER PORT SHELTER. THE INLET IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF SQUATTER HOUSEBOATS, TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND FISHING VESSELS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LAYOUT PLANS FOR SHEUNG YEUNG AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWN* THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM* A BRIEF ON A HALF-WAY HOME, MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND A REPORT ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, 2ND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SAI KUNG.
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OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS TO MEET HERE
* * * *
THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS IN CHARGE OF THE FOUR OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICES OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR THEIR WEEK-LONG ANNUAL LIAISON CONFERENCE, STARTING ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14).
IT WILL BE THE THIRD ANNUAL MEETING BETWEEN THE OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS COLLEAGUES SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1982 OF THE OVERSEAS OFFICES IN TOKYO, LONDON, STUTTGART AND SAN FRANCISCO.
AT A MEETING ON MONDAY, TO BE CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR JOHN YAXLEY, THE OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS WILL REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION IN THEIR AREAS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION.
/THE OFFICERS .......
THUBSDAY, JANUARY 1U,
35
THE OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE MEETING OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HONG KONG. THEY WILL ALSO VISIT FACTORIES, AND HOLD BRIEFING SESSION FOR MEMBERS OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
THE FOUR OVERSEAS CONSULTANTS ARE: MR MICHAEL KIKUCHI (JAPAN), bfi DONALD FLETCHER (UK AND NORDICS), MR JOHN WHITE (CONTINENTAL EUROPE) AND MR ROBERT ASHWORTH (NORTH AMERICA).
- - - _ 0 - -
NEW TAI PO CLINIC BRINGS MORE SERVICES
* * * *
MORE AND BETTER MEDICAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR TAI PO RESIDENTS WHEN THE NEW WONG SIU CHING CLINIC OPENS ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE NEW TWO-STOREY CLINIC WILL BE THE SECOND GENERAL CLINIC IN TAI PO.
LOCATED AT PLOVER COVE ROAD IN THE HEART OF THE TAI PO NEW TOWN, IT WILL PROVIDE FULL-TIME GENERAL OUT-PATIENT AS WELL AS FAMILY HEALTH, CHEST, SOCIAL HYGIENE AND OPHTHALMIC SERVICES.
THE CHEST SERVICE, WILL BE AVAILABLE EVERY TUESDAY BEGINNING ON JANUARY 15. THE SOCIAL HYGIENE SERVICE, WHICH WILL OPERATE EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 1, WHILE THE OPHTHALMIC SERVICE, DUE TO START ON FEBRUARY 25, WILL OPERATE EVERY MONDAY AFTERNOON.
FROM FEBRUARY 4, THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE IN THE CLINIC WILL OPERATE FULL-TIME, AND WILL PROVIDE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES.
THE WONG SIU CHING CLINIC OCCUPIES 2 400 SQUARE METRES AND HAS SIX CONSULTING ROOMS. IT WILL BE OPEN FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM. IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
WHEN THE NEW CLINIC BECOMES FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE FAMILY HEALTH, CHEST, SOCIAL HYGIENE AND OPHTHALMIC SERVICES NOW PROVIDED IN THE TAI PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC WILL BE SUSPENDED.
-----o------
/36 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985 *
36
SEMINAR ON YOUTH FESTIVAL
* * * * *
LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR, MISS MARIA TAM, WILL SPEAK TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON THE ROLE OF YOUTH LEADERS AMIDST CHANGING TIMES IN HONG KONG AT A +MEET THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL SEMINAR+.
DETAILS OF THE MORE THAN 30 ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL WILL ALSO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE SEMINAR.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT A COST OF $150 000, THE FESTIVAL IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AMONG 18 DISTRICTS AND WILL START JANUARY 20 (SUNDAY).
PRESENT AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE .PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR EDDIE LAMB; THE CHAIRMAN CF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR TONG PO-KWAI; AND AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDRA LEE.
THE +MEET THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL* WILL START AT 8 PM IN THE TELFORD GARDENS COMMUNITY HALL AND YOUTHS IN THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE +MEET THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL SEMINAR*.
-----0------
MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION * * * *
AN EXHIBITION TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS WILL BE OPEN AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12) AT 10 AM.
-m z- ™E THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, OPENING TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM Sa TIN TplXOr^NISED BY THE S0CIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S On A I I IM D Io In IC I Or r ICc,
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR NEIL HENDERSON; A CHINESE UNIVERSITY PSYCHIATRIST, PROFESSOR C.N. CHEN, AND THREE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MESSRS NG CHAN-LAM, WAI HON-LEUNG AND WONG PO-MING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH wILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA EXHIBITION HALL, 4TH FLOOR, SHA TIN.
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/ 37 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1985
37
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE MOVES * * * *
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE wILL MOVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO A NEW OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AT THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT, AND WILL START OPERATION THERE FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE $8 MILLION NEW OFFICE CONSISTS OF FIVE TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS, EACH HAVING A FLOOR AREA OF 500 SQUARE METRES. THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE TAKES UP ONE AND A HALF BLOCKS INCLUDING A CONFERENCE ROOM FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS.
THE OLD NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING AT TAI PO MARKET WILL EE HANDED OVER TO THE POLICE AND WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A CULTURAL MUSEUM.
ENQUIRIES TO THE NEW OFFICE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE CAN BE MADE ON 0-900444.
- - 0 - -
INDOOR GAMES HALL BEING BUILT * * *
WORK HAS STARTED ON BUILDING AN INDOOR GAMES HALL ON AN 8 OOO-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF HIP WO STREET AND HIU KWONG STREET, KWUN TONG.
■n1n/-r-T!^E HALL W,LL HAVE A GAMES AREA OF 36 SQUARE METRES Ki^??ceS!?u^RTS’ A STAND F0R 400 SPECTATORS, CHANGIN& FACILITIES AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND REST GARDEN.
A 513.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL TAKE «rircTne 1° C0MPLETE» HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
mcToTcT IND00R GAMES HALL WILL BE THE THIRD IN KWUN TONG UI o I K I U I •
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
CiKTffiTS PAGE NO.
SHAW FOUNDATION DONATES $106 MILLION ........................ 1
SEPTEMBER JOB, PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ..................... 3
SCOTT OUTLINES WAYS TO EASE TRAFFIC ........................ 10
CONCERN FELT OVER UNPAID TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS ........... 11
HK PRAISED FOR ANTI-DRUG EFFORT ............................ 12
DRAFT WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED.................. 13
FIVE LAND LOTS OFFERED ..................................... 14
ALL APPLICANTS GET GOLD COINS ............................. ’15
FIRST BATCH OF PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS IN 1985 SIGNED.... 16
SEAWALL PLANNED ............................................ 16
HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE STAYING OPEN IN WEEKEND............... 17
YOUTH YEAR EVENTS .......................................... 18
MACROECONOMICS FOR THE PRESS ............................... 18
LEARNING ABOUT IMPORT, EXPORT .............................. 19
SEIZED ENDANGERED BIRDS SET FREE............................ 20
DRIVE TO KEEP PLACE CLEAN .................................. 20
YOUTH CAMP ORGANISED ....................................... 21
FIRE PREVENTION DAY ........................................ 21
TREAT FOR KWUN TONG YOUTHS ................................. 21
WINNING DANCERS TO PERFORM.................................. 22
COLISEUM A ' SUPERB VENUE,' SAYS LORD MAYOR OF SYDNEY..... 23
TSIM SHA TSUI PORT HEALTH OFFICE MOVING..................... 23
ALL SHEUNG SHUI FAIR SITES TAKEN UP ........................ 24
HK TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR SUNDAY WALK.......................... 25
RESTRICTED ZONE ............................................ 26
NO LORRY PARKING HERE....................................... 27
7-HOUR CENTRAL WATER GUT ................................... 27
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
1
SHAW FOUNDATION DONATES $106 MILLION
*****
+ AS THIS NEW YEAR OPENS, THERE IS A RENEWED AIR BOTH OF • ACHIEVEMENT AND OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG,* THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE REFLECTED IN FULL MEASURE IN THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF THE MANY CIVIC-MINDED INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SOCIETY.
SPEAKING AT A TEA RECEPTION AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE TO MARK THE DONATION OF $106 MILLION BY THE SHAW FOUNDATION TO VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS, SIR EDWARD THANKED THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION, SIR RUN RUN SHAW, FOR HIS GENEROSITY.
THE BULK OF THE DONATIONS - $73 MILLION - WAS GIVEN TO 11 EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG. THE OTHER $33 MILLION WENT TO SIX OVERSEAS ORGANISATIONS.
IN HIS ADDRESS, SIR RUN RUN DESCRIBED THE DONATIONS AS *A SIMULTANEOUS EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AT THIS MOMENTOUS STAGE IN THE TERRITORY’S HISTORY, FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT*.
+WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY OVERWHELMED BY THE SPIRIT AND COURAGE OF THE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE MADE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY.
+ NOT ONLY HAVE THEY BUILT A PROSPEROUS PLACE, BUT THEY •4VE DONE THIS WITHOUT LOSING SIGHT OF THE HUMAN VALUES INHERITED FROM BOTH EAST AND WEST,* HE SAID.
SIR RUN RUN COMMENDED THE BENEFICIARIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY, AND SAID HONG KONG WAS INDEBTED TO THE PERSONAL GENEROSITY OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND THESE ORGANISATIONS.
+THEIR UNSTINTING GUIDANCE HAS ENSURED OUR PRIDE IN A PLACE WE LOVE,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD LATER PRESENTED THE CHEQUES TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BENEFICIARIES IN HONG KONG.
THE SHAW FOUNDATION HONG KONG LIMITED WAS ESTABLISHED SOME YEARS AGO TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE NEEDY AND TO ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF HUMAN LIFE AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING THROUGH VARIOUS WAYS.
/following is .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 2 -
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF DONATIONS* HONGKONG BENEFICIARIES .
UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL HKS3OM
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG . HK$1OM
UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HKS1OM
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HK$1OM
HONG KONG BAPTIST HOSPITAL HK$ 3M
SAI KUNG CLINIC HK$ 3M
SHUE YAN COLLEGE HK$ 2M
HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE HK$ 2M
HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE HK$ IM
HONG KONG HEART FOUNDATION LTD HK$ IM
HONG KONG KIDNEY FOUNDATION LTD HK$ IM
HKS73M
OVERSEAS BENEFICIARIES
ZHE JIANG UNIVERSITY (CHINA) HKS1OM
NATIONAL ART COLLEGE OF TAIWAN HK$1OM
UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE HK$1OM
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA (MACAU) HK$ IM
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX (U.K.) HK$ IM
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (U.S.A.) HK$ IM
HKS33M
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/3
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
3
SEPTEMBER JOB, PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED *****
THERE WERE 904 700 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING . SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 4.6 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN SEPTEMBER 1984, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 555 800, WAS 5.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1983.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 167 700, WAS UP BY 3.1 PER CENT.
BUT EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES DROPPED BY 4.8 PER CENT RELATIVE TO THE SEPTEMBER 1983 LEVEL.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 1984 WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT, COVERING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 AND JUNE 1984, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED PERCENTAGE
(EMPLOYMENT) IN CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 83 JUN 84 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83 St 34 ON JUN 84
MANUFACTURING 865 100 922 400 904 700 +4.6 -1. 9
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 71 200 67 000 67 700 -4.8 +1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 527 000 548 600 555 800 ♦5.5 + 1.3
//DUNCE, Di SU HANCE, ..
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REA ESTATE A!BUSINESS SERV ICES
162 600 167 300 167 700 +3.1 '+0.2
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1984, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SHOWED A SEASONAL DROP OF 1.9 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES SECTOR, BY 0.2 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE MAJOR SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH TFE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1983 AND JUNE 1984, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN PERCENTAGE CHANGEM
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 83 JUN 84 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83 SEPT 84 ON JUN 84
MANUFACTURING 41 130 39 420 37 740 -8.3 -4.3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 4 050 5 540 6 450 +59.5 +16.6
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 1 540 2 140 2 230 +45.1 +4.3
* BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 8.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1984. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES INCREASED BY 59.5 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND BY 45.1 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
/RELATIVE TO .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 5 -
RELATIVE TO JUNE 1984, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES DECREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES OF 16.6 PER CENT AND 4.3 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, ' INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
% CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 3RD QTR. 1983 3RD QTR. 1984 3RD QTR. 1984 ON 3RD QTR. 1983
MANUFACTURING HK$ MN 5 819 HKS MN 7 038 +21.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 3 580 4 283 +19.6
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 1 956 2 284 +16.8
* BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984 INCREASED BY 21.0 PER CENT, 19.6 PER CENT AND 16.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL PAYROLL OUTLAYS ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX CF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED. TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
/VALUES OF .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 6 -
VALUES OF THESE TWO INDICES ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOWs
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100) • % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 83 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83
MANUFACTURING 153.1 • 176.8 +15.5
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 150.0 169.6 +13-1
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 156.2 176.4 +12.9
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 - 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 83 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83
MANUFACTUR ING 105.8 114.1 +7.8
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 103.7 109.4 ♦5.5
FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 107.9 113.8 +5.5
/COMPARED WITH .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1?85
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1983, INCREASES OF 15.5 PER CENT, 13.1 PER CENT AND 12.9 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED SHOWED INCREASES OF 7.8 PER CENT, 5.5 PER CENT AND 5.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE ABOVE SECTORS.
EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SELECTED INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE FOUR SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES:
I. MANUFACTURING SECTOR
PERSONS ENGAGED
INDUSTRY GROUP SEPT 83 (EMPLOYMENT) IN SEPT 84 M PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83 SEPT 84 ON JUN 84
JUN 84
WEARING APPAREL (EXCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 256 400 262 400 265 400 + 3.5 +1.1
TEXTILE ( INCLUDING KNITWEAR FROM YARN) 111 800 115 700 115 400 + 3.3 -0.3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 131 300 147 800 143 900 + 9.6 -2.6
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 82 700 101 000 92 400 +11.6 -8.5
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 66 500 70 900 67 600 + 1.7 -4.7
* BASED ON UNROUNDED FIGURES.
/ll. BUILDING AKD........
FEXDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 8
II. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
CONTRACTING PARTY (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY)
EMPLOYMENT IN SEPT 84 * PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SEPT 83 JUN 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83 SEPT 84 ON JUN 84
HOUSING DEPARTMENT 15 500 11 600 11 300 -27.2 -• 2.7
OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT 1/ 19 000 16 600 18 000 - 5.5 + 8.4
RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION 2/ 6 200 5 100 4 300 -29.9 -14.8
PRIVATE SECTOR 3/ 30 400 33 700 34 100 +12.1 + 1.1
1/ ALL SITES UNDER THE CHARGE OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT- ALSO INCLUDING KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION SITES NOT REGISTERED WITH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, FOR WHICH CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS COMMITTED, CONTRACTED OR STARTED BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1983.
2/ CONSTRUCTION SITES CONTRACTED OUT BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION THAT ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE. IN THE CASE CF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION SITES, ONLY THOSE CONTRACTED OUT AFTER FEBRUARY 1, 1983 ARE INCLUDED. THOSE CONTRACTED OUT BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1983 ARE INCLUDED UNDER OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
3/ INCLUDING THOSE SUPER-STRUCTURES ON SITES ABOVE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS OR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATIONS WHICH WERE REGISTERED WITH THE BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE, E.G. THOSE REAL-ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS DEVELOPED JOINTLY WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS.
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
/III. WHOLESALE AKD ......
FHIMY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 9 -
III. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
INDUSTRY GROUP (BEFORE INCORPORATING RESULTS OF THE INDUSTRY UPDATING SURVEY + ) JUN 84 (AFTER INCORPORATING RESULTS OF THE INDUSTRY UPDATING SURVEY + ) JUN 84 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON JUN 84
WHOLESALE TRADE 62 200 56 500 57 200 +1.1
RETAIL TRADE 165 300 161 000 161 700 +0.4
IMPORT-EXPORT BUSINESS 148 600 158 100 162 100 +2.6
RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS 150 000 150 500 151 600 ♦0.8
HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES 22 600 22 600 23 200 *2.8
+ CONCURRENT WITH THE JUNE 1983 ROUND OF THE SURVEY, AN INDUSTRY
UPDATING SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR (I.E. ISIC MAJOR DIVISION 6). RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY HAVE BEEN USED TO UPDATE INFORMATION ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF EACH AND EVERY ESTABLISHMENT IN THIS SECTOR AS FROM THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984. STATISTICS SINCE THIS QUARTER ANALYSED BY INDUSTRY ARE, THEREFORE, NOT STRICTLY COMPARABLE WITH THOSE IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTERS. TO ENABLE USERS TO ANALYSE THE EFFECT OF THIS SURVEY ON THE STATISTICAL SERIES, TWO SETS OF FIGURES, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER NCORPORATI NG THE RESULTS OF THIS INDUSTRY SURVEY, ARE GIVEN IN f.-iE ABOVE TABLE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984.
X BASED ON UNROUNDED FIGURES.
/IV. ZKaNCB, DiSOHANCE, ....
FRIDAY, JANUABY 11, 1985
10 -
IV. FINANCE, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR
PERSONS ENGAGED
(EMPLOYMENT) IN PERCENTAGE * CHANGE
INDUSTRY GROUP SEPT 83 JUN 84 SEPT 84 SEPT 84 ON SEPT 83 SEPT 84 ON JUN 84
MONETARY INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING BANKS 50 200 50 900 51 100 + 1.8 +0.3
REAL ESTATE COMPANIES 27 300 28 300 27 700 + 1.6 -2.2
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 23 400 24 100 24 100 + 3.2 -0.1
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING FIRMS 6 800 7 300 7 700 +12.1 +5.3
ENGINEER ING, ARCHITECTURAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 10 000 9 400 9 400 - 6.4 -0.5
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS CF THE DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION: W NG KUNG-TAK (5-434185), MR LO WING-LEUNG (5-434185), MR CHOI FUN-TAI (5-455668), OR MR CHIU FOOK-CHING (5-446720).
0
SCOTT OUTLINES WAYS TO EASE TRAFFIC
* * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN SCOTT TODAY SET OUT THE ' ANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE VARIOUS POSSIBLE METHODS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
ADDRESSING THE LIONS CLUB OF KOWLOON AT THEIR LUNCHEON MEETING, MR SCOTT SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEING LOOKED AT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A MORE SETTLED AND CONFIDENT HONG KONG.
/+A HONG........
PBIMY, JANUARY 11, 1985
♦A HONG KONG WHICH LOOKS SET FOR A PERIOD OF INCREASING PROSPERITYj A HONG KONG WHOSE PEOPLE HAVE INCREASINGLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ALL ITS PROGRAMMES. THESE FACTORS, wITH THE TREND TO SMALLER HOUSEHOLDS AND THE DISPERSION TO THE NEW TOWNS, ALL POINT TO A CONTINUING INCREASE IN TRAFFIC DEMAND,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SITUATION HAD TO BE LOOKED AT IN THE LIGHT OF THE ELL-ESTABLISHED POLICY THAT, FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REASONS, PUBLIC FANSPORT AND GOODS VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE FIRST PRIORITY IN THE USE
OF THE ROAD NETWORK.
+BY ONE MEANS OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE TO RESTRAIN THE DEGREE OF USE OF THE ROAD NETWORK BY PRIVATE VEHICLES IN CERTAIN PLACES at CERTAIN TIMES. THIS IS NO EASY MATTER BECAUSE THE OWNERSHIP AND USE OF A PRIVATE VEHICLE IS NOT ONLY CONVENIENT, IT IS ALSO AN EVIDENT REFLECTION OF FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL STANDING; TO SAY NOTHING OF ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE,* HE SAID. •
HE SAID THAT THE TWO PRINCIPAL SOLUTIONS - HIGH TAXATION OR ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING - SHOULD BE EXAMINED ON THEIR RELATIVE MERITS AND IN FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR IMPLICATIONS, *SO THAT DURING 1985 THE DECISION WILL BE REACHED WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRD ROUND OF DISTRICT BOARD CONSULTATIONS IN MAY AND THE CONTINUING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN.*
-----o------
CONCERN FELT OVER UNPAID TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS
* X *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED WITH THE PLIGHT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED COMPENSATION BY A COURT BUT ARE UNABLE TO RECOVER THAT COMPENSATION DUE TO THE INSOLVENCY OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVOLVED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN TAKING PLACE FOR SOME TIME, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDS AND TO DEVISE A SCHEME TO MEET THE CLAIMS OF SOME THIRD PARTY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS WHOSE CLAIMS AVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED. THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT WHILE i'HE OVERNMENT WAS DOING ALL IT COULD TO ACHIEVE A QUICK AND AT; FACTORY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, THE PROPOSALS WERE STILL FORMATIVE STAGE, AND WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE xECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. IT WAS INTENDED TO DEAL WITH CASES ARISING FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WHICH _ BECOME INSOLVENT DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
/ON the
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 198$
ON THE SUBJECT OF PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FUTURE INSOLVENCIES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A BROAD MEASURE OF AGREEMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN REACHED WITH THE MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU ON THE OSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING FUND OPERATED BY THE MIB . TO COVER CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE INSOLVENCY OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY. AT PRESENT, HE POINTED OUT, THE MOTOR INSURERS’ BUREAU FUND WILL ONLY SATISFY CLAIMS WHERE THE DRIVERS’ INSURANCE .-.AS NOT VALID, OR THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IS UNTRACEABLE.
HE ADDED THAT SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN 1983, WHICH IMPOSED SPECIFIC CAPITAL AND SOLVENCY REQUIREMENTS ON COMPANIES WISHING TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WHICH EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED FINANCIALLY UNSOUND COMPANIES FROM OPERATING AND SO REDUCED THE LIKELIHOOD CF INSURANCE COMPANIES BEING FORCED INTO LIQUIDATION.
- - 0 -
HK PRAISED FOR ANTI-DRUG EFFORT * * * * *
HONG KONG WAS PRAISED TODAY BY AN OVERSEAS CONSULTANT FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.
THE PRAISE CAME FROM DR R.G. NEWMAN, CONSULTANT TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE 55TH MEETING OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS TODAY (FRIDAY), DR NEWMAN SAID THAT HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HONG KONG IN CONTAINING THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM. THE MULTI-MODAL ITY APPROACH TO TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE, HE SAID.
DR NEWMAN, WHO IS HERE ON HIS FIFTH CONSULTANCY VISIT, SAID THAT HONG KONG’S CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE WAS UNIQUE IN THE WORLD.
THE SYSTEM HELPED TO ANALYSE TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE, AND SERVED AS A YARDSTICK OF THE DRUG PROBLEM AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMMES FOR COMBATING IT, HE SAID.
HE WAS ALSO VERY IMPRESSED WITH HONG KONG’S ANTI-NARCOTICS ITIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, WHICH INCLUDE iCT ANT I-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS, DRUG EDUCATION FOR THE YOUNGER ... ATION, MEDIA PUBLICITY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME WAS DESCRIBED BY DR NEWMAN +BEING OUTSTAND ING+.
/there were
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 13 -
THERE WERE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD WHICH OFFERED INSTANT DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITIES TO ALL THOSE NEEDING HELP, HE SAID.
OVER 7 OOO PEOPLE ATTEND DAILY AT THE 24 TREATMENT CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
HONG KONG HAD TO CONTINUE ITS ANTI-NARCOTICS EFFORTS, HE SAID.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY PROF. G.H. CHOA, ACAN CHAIRMAN.
------0 ------
DRAFT WAN CHAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR WAN CHAI.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT INVOLVES THE REZONING OF THE SITE TO THE NORTH OF HARBOUR ROAD ON THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION FROM OPEN SPACE* AND +GOVERNMENT-1NSTI TUTION-COMMUNITY+ TO +OPEN SPACE* AND +OTHER SPECIFIED USES* AND NOTED AS +EXHIBITION CENTRE*.
THIS IS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXHIBITION CENTRE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE EXHIBITION HALLS, CONFERENCE HALLS, HOTELS, OFFICES, RESIDENTIAL FLATS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED USES. THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1989.
THE AMENDMENT ALSO INCLUDES THE INCORPORATION OF A PROPOSED SEAFRONT ROAD TO THE NORTH OF THE +EXHI BIT ION CENTRE* SITE, LINKING FENWICK PIER STREET AND HUNG HING ROAD.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT RE-CLASS IF IES THE SITE FOR THE ACADEMY CF THE PERFORMING ARTS ON THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION FROM +OPEN SPACE* TO +GOVERNMENT-INSTITUTION-COMMUNITY+.
THE THIRD AMENDMENT ADJUSTS THE WESTERN BOUNDARIES OF THE PLANNING AREA BY EXCLUDING THE AREA TO THE NORTH AND THE WEST OF FENWICK PIER STREET.
OTHER AMENDMENTS MAINLY RELATE TO NEW ROAD PROPOSALS IN THE AREA, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF FLYOVERS AT FENWICK PIER STREET, TONNOCHY ROAD AND HUNG HING ROAD, AIMED AT IMPROVING VEF CULAR ACCESS TO AND FROM THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION.
WORK ON THE PROPOSED FLYOVERS IS EXPECTED TO START BY EARLY •NEXT YEAR, AND BE COMPLETED IN 1987.
TWO OTHER AMENDMENTS INVOLVE THE DELETION OF THE PROPOSED ELEVATED ROAD ALONG GLOUCESTER ROAD AND DELETION OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER ON THE RECLAMATION AREA.
/the amesded........
FRIDAY, JAXVABY 11, 1985
- 14 -
THE AMENDED PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 201 HENNESSY ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONGl PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG K0NG1 AND THE TOWN PLANNING DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, • FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/0 LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT I^LANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY DIVISION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR,.MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AT $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND 360 FOR A COLOURED ONE.
--------o ---------
FIVE LAND LOTS OFFERED * * * *
FIVE LOTS OF LAND ARE TO BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 4
AT 2.30 PM IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF THE FURAMA HOTEL, IT IS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE FIRST SITE, ON WHICH THERE IS A BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTION CF 45.72 METRES, IS AT YEE KUK STREET, KOWLOON. THE LOWEST THREE LEVELS OF THE DEVELOPMENT (INCLUDING ANY BASEMENT LEVEL OR LEVELS) ARE FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL EXCLUDING HOTEL, GODOWN AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USES, AND THE REMAINING LEVELS ARE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 52 000 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE 1 278-SQUARE-METRE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1988.
THE SECOND SITE, MEASURING 690 SQUARE METRES, IS AT 547 - 555 NATHAN ROAD, AND IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER WILL HAVE TO COMPLET NOT LESS THAN 3 900 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1989. THE BUT DING HEIGHT RESTRICTION IS 91 44 METRES.
THE DEVELOPER WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO DEMOLISH THE EXISTING 5 CTURE ON THE SITE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE WITHIN SIX MONTHS.
THE NEXT SITE IS AT THE JUNCTION OF ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD AND QENGTU ROAD. IT IS A NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 537 SQUARE METRES.
/THE LAST ......
Friday, January n, 1985
- 15 -
THE LAST TWO AT SUI WO ROAD IS WHILE THE SITE AT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL
SITES ARE AT SHA TIN. THE 1 875-SQUARE-METRE SITE TO BE USED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, OCCUPYING 3 834 SQUARE METRES, AND-OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
AND
FULL PARTICULARS AND SALES CONDITIONS MAY RELATED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION
BE OBTAINED FROM, ATi
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG;
M DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK
BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN. YUEN LONG,
TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
-----0------
ALL APPLICANTS GET GOLD COINS * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ALL APPLICATIONS FOR THE +0X+ GOLD COIN ISSUE WOULD BE MET.
SOME 16 900 APPLICATIONS - ABOUT 7 300 FOR THE PROOF VERSION AND 9 600 FOR THE UNCIRCULATED VERSION - HAD BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE ISSUE.
THE SMALLER NUMBER OF +0X+ GOLD COINS IN CIRCULATION SHOULD ENHANCE THE NUMISMATIC VALUE OF THE COIN AND SHOULD LEAD TO A MUCH MORE HEALTHY SECONDARY MARKET, HE SAID.
APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY REGISTERED MAIL AROUND JANUARY 25, AND DISTRIBUTION OF COINS WILL START ON JANUARY 28.
0 ---------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
FIRST BATCH OF PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS IN 1985 SIGNED
******
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED 12 PUBLIC HOUSING CONTRACTS TOTALLING OVER $67 MILLION — THE FIRST BATCH IN THE YEAR 1985.
SIGNED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CONSTRUCTION), MR FRED PANG, THE CONTRACTS COVER A VARIETY OF WORKS INCLUDING LIFT INSTALLATION, SLOPE IMPROVEMENT, PILING AND LANDSCAPING.
SIX CONTRACTS, VALUED AT 549.9 MILLION, ARE FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF 104 PASSENGER LIFTS AND TWO ESCALATORS AT HANG ON, LONG PING, WAN TSUI AND TAI HANG TUNG ESTATES, AND IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP CHING WAH COURT.
ANOTHER CONTRACT WORTH OVER $12 MILLION IS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SLOPES AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
IN TWO CONTRACTS TOTALLING $2 MILLION, LANDSCAPING WORKS Wlu«-BE CARRIED OUT TO ADD MORE GREENERY IN CHEUNG KWAI AND TAI WO HAU ESTATES.
A CONTRACT OF $2.9 MILLION IS FOR PILING WORKS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF A FOUR-STOREY COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND A CARPARK, PLUS AN ELEVATED WALKWAY, AT TSING Yl ESTATE.
THE LAST TWO CONTRACTS, VALUED AT OVER $782 000, ARE FOR FITTING-OUT WORKS FOR COMPUTER ROOMS AS WELL AS SITE INVESTIGATION WORK AT SHAU KEI WAN.
- - 0 - -
SEAWALL PLANNED * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM ABOUT 3.53 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE PROPOSED NEW KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL SITE.
THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY SEAWALL AND THE ULTIMATE REALIGNMENT OF THE LAI CHI KOK NULLAH.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY. *
/PLANS CAN
FftHUlf, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 17 -
PLANS CAN BE SEEN:
* ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITEj
* AT LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONGj AND
* AT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL AND - OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS IN WRITING WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
-----o------
HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE STAYING OPEN IN WEEKEND
******
(H^TUmY)SjND ONODIS CJaKuARY ' 13) ‘TO SIcE iV™ APPLICATIONS FROM ASPIRING HOME-OWNERS FOR THF ? 77A ri atc unw ON SALE UNDER PHASE VI IA OF THE SomeE OWNERSHIP SCHEME S ““
FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY. ’ SPOKESMAN
HE SAID TWO MINI EXHIBITIONS ON THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE SCHEME WOULD ALSO BE HELD IN THE WEEKEND AT THE WONG TA I SIN SHOPPING CENTRE AND THE SHEK KIP MEI EXHIBITION HALL ON SATURDAY AND AT WO CHE AND SHEK WAI KOK COMMERCIAL CENTRES ON SUNDAY.
THE THREE PROJECTS FOR SALE ARE AT CHOI PO COURT IN SHEUNG SHUI, FUNG SHING COURT IN SHA TIN AND CHING SHING COURT ON TSING Yl ISLAND.
+SAMPLE FLATS ON SITES WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN THROUGH THE WEEKEND DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM FOR INSPECTION BY INTERESTED HOME-SEEKERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+FLATS AT THE THREE PROJECTS ARE SOLD FROM $96 600 TO $186 200 EACH, WITH GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 41.9 AND 64.5 SQUARE METRES.
/♦THE 3 248 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 18 -
+THE 3 248 OPEN-PLAN FLATS ON THE TRIDENT BLOCKS AT FUNG SHING COURT AND CHING SHING COURT WILL FIRST BE SOLD TO GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ENQUIRIES ON THE CERTIFICATE OF GREEN FORM STATUS ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY TO FAMILIES ON THE WAITING LIST, CLEAREES AND DISASTER VICTIMS, AND JUNIOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO ENABLE THEM TO APPLY BY USING THE GREEN FORM SHOULD BE MADE BY TELEPHONE ON 3-7144477.
APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE ON JANUARY 18 AND A BALLOT TO DECIDE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.
------0-------
YOUTH YEAR EVENTS * * * *
TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY), THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE STARTING OFF A SERIES OF EVENTS TOMORROW (SATURDAY), SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE.
SOME 240 EVENTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO ENCOURAGE YOUTHS TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, PROMOTE THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND HELP THEM CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY.
THE EVENTS INCLUDE CAMPS, FORUMS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, RESEARCH AND STUDIES, EXHIBITIONS, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMMES, AS WELL AS ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,. A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
YOUTHS WISHING TO TAKE PART MAY CONTACT THEIR DISTRICT’S YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE AT TEL: 5-762057.
-----o------
MACROECONOMICS FOR THE PRESS
k r x
FINANCIAL JOURNALISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON +UNDERSTANDI NG AND REPORTING MACROECONOMICS* TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE BANK OF AMERICA.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 4 FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE BANK OF AMERICA TOWER, 12 HARCOURT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
Abased <jn ....
TODAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
19 -
+BASED ON A SIMILAR PROGRAMME DEVELOPED BY BANK OF AMERICA AND CONDUCTED FOR JOURNALISTS IN MAJOR U.S. CITIES, THE SEMINAR IS AN INTENSIVE SURVEY OF MACROECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS,+ EXPLAINED DR KENNETH LEUNG, SEMINAR LECTURER.
AN ECONOMIST IN THE BANK’S ASIA DIVISION, DR LEUNG WILL TEACH PARTICIPANTS HOW TO RECOGNISE AND INTERPRET ECONOMIC TRENDS AND THE EFFECTS OF FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY.
DISCUSSION WILL CENTRE ON THEORY, AS WELL AS ASIAN CASE STUDIES, INCLUDING HONG KONG, DR LEUNG SAID.
THE SEMINAR IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB AND THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE SEMINAR CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR FRANK NG, SECRETARY OF THE JOURNALISM TRAINING BOARD ON 5-8932341 EXT. 283.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD ALSO ADDRESS TO MR NG AT 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE JANUARY 15, 1985.
-----o-----
LEARNING ABOUT IMPORT, EXPORT
* M * *
A COURSE ON BASIC PROCEDURES AND TERMINOLOGY IN THE IMPORTEXPORT TRADE IS BEING OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE FROM JANUARY 28 TO FEBRUARY 13.
ORGANISED AT THE REQUEST OF THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE COURSE COVERS - IMPORT-EXPORT TRADE TERMINOLOGY, CIF CALCULATION, IMPORT/EXPORT PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION, AND EXPORT FINANCE AND INSURANCE.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND SIX OF THE TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR LECTURES, ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS.
COURSE FEE IS $400, BUT PARTICIPANTS WHO ATTEND AT LEAST 80 PER CENT OF THE COURSE AND PASS THE FINAL EXAMINATION WILL BE REIMBURSED HALF THE SUM, FROM A SUBSIDY PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD, MR H. HUNG ON 5-8932341 EXT. 261.
0---------
/20........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 20 -
SEIZED ENDANGERED BIRDS SET FREE
*****
TWENTY-FOUR BIRDS OF DIFFERENT ENDANGERED SPECIES WERE SET FREE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOODS BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THIS AFTERNOON.
MOST OF THE BIRDS — 22 KESTRELS, AN OWL AND A VULTURE — HAD BEEN SEIZED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT ENTRY POINTS AT THE BORDER FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM CHINA DURING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
FIVE PANGOLINS AND FOUR LEOPARD CATS HAD ALSO BEEN SEIZED DURING THE SAME PERIOD AT THE BORDER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE PANGOLINS HAD ALREADY BEEN RELEASED IN THE WILD, AND EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO FIND A NEW HOME FOR THE LEOPARD CATS, HE SAID.
THERE HAD BEEN REPEATED APPEALS TO PEOPLE LEAVING FOR-THE HOLIDAYS NOT TO BRING IN ANY OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES, BUT THESE APPEALS HAD BEEN IGNORED, HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 50 PERSONS HAD BEEN PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS BANNED BY LAW, HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S LAW ON THIS, GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES), PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 ON CONVICTION FOR A FIRST OFFENCE, AND $10 000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE.
-------Q---------
DRIVE TO KEEP PLACE CLEAN
* * *
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO LAUNCH THE YAU MA TEI ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.
THE CAMPAIGN, ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AIMS AT IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS.ENCOURAGI NG MORE INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION BY RESIDENTS IN KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BOWEN LEUNG AND MR LAI SZE-NUEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU MA TEI ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
/21 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 21 -
YOUTH CAMP ORGANISED K * *
A TWO-DAY +YOUTH CAMP* HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR YOUTHS IN MONG KOK DISTRICT TO TIE IN WITH THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH-YEAR.
SPONSORED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, THE +YOUTH CAMP+ WILL BE HELD OVER THE WEEKEND IN THE FORM OF LECTURES AND SEMINARS.
THE FIRST +CAMP+ WILL BE HELD IN THE HONG KONG CITY POLYTECHNIC TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND THE SECOND WILL BE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13).
-----0------
FIRE PREVENTION DAY
* * *
A FIRE PREVENTION DAY WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13) AT WONG TAI SIN FIRE STATION.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN FIRE WATCH TEAM, AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION OF RECENT FIRES.
DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF KOWLOON FIRE COMMAND, MR WOO KWAN-KUEN WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR OF THE CEREMONY.
-----o------
TREAT FOR KWUN TONG YOUTHS lil
YOUTHS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TREATED TO A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF YOUTH STARTING
ON JANUARY 20.
THE TWO-WEEK KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AMONG THE 18 DISTRICTS, AIMS AT DRIVING HOME THE IYY MESSAGE -♦PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT, PEACE*.
+OUR THEME WILL BE TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A HARMONIOUS AND PEACEFUL LIFE,* THE PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR EDDIE LAMB EXPLAINED.
/SPEAKING AT........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
22
SPEAKING AT THE +MEET THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL SEMINAR* THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING, MR LAMB SAIDs +THE FESTIVAL WILL KICK OFF WITH A MASS PARADE OF YOUTHS AND A VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20).
♦AND THE GRAND FINALE WILL BE A CARNIVAL ON FEBRUARY 3 WHERE 1 000 YOUTHS WILL BE DANCING AND SINGING IN AN OPEN PLAYGROUND,* uc ca in 9
MORE THAN 30 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR THE FESTIVAL INCLUDING SEMINARS, CAMPS AND EXHIBITIONS TO EDUCATE YOUTHS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR ROLE IN IT.
+THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISCO PARTY, OUTWARD-BOUND TRAINING COURSES, HORSE-RIDING, WIND-SURFING, BASKETBALL COMPETITIONS AND VARIETY SHOWS,* MR LAMB SAID.
+ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF THE YOUTH FESTIVAL IS THAT MANY CF THE PROGRAMMES WERE INITIATED AND ORGANISED BY LOCAL YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, MAKING THE FESTIVAL A TRULY COMMUNITY EVENT,* HE ADDED.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOAiD AT A COST OF $150 000, THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO AN +EXAMPLE OF THE COMBINED EFFORT OF THE BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS*, MR LAMB SAID.
DETAILS 0F THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL ARE NOW AVAILABLE CAInTBHEE MADE 0NN3 416315CT ICE AND ITS SUB-off •CES- AND ENQUIRIES
-----o------
WINNING DANCERS TO PERFORM * * * *
MORE THAN 150 WINNERS A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AT 2 CONCERT HALL.
OF THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL STAGE PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE CITY HALL
ORGANISED BY THE KWUN
ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE and recreation promotion association and the RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WAS HELD LAST NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WITH MORE THAN 1 000 TAKING । An I •
OFFICIATING AT THE WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM AND gg? LAW T^L^.T0Ne DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK I AND THE PRINCIPAL RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, MR DAVID CHIU, WILL ALSO PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS. ’
-------- o
/23
EiUDAY, JANUAHY 11, 1965
COLISEUM A ’SUPERB VENUE,’ SAYS LORD MAYOR OF SYDNEY
XX X
THE LORD MAYOR OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST CITY, SYDNEY, BELIEVES THAT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM IS AN +ABSOLUTELY SUPERB VENUE+.
MR DOUG SUTHERLAND, PRESENTLY VISITING HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVERAL YEARS, SAID HE +COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE IMPRESSED+ WHEN SHOWN AROUND THE 12 5OO-SEAT COLISEUM.
HE BELIEVES IT COMPARES MORE THAN FAVOURABLY WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE IN SYDNEY, WHICH ALSO SEATS 12 500.
♦BESIDES BEING A MAGNIFICENT VENUE, IT IS ALSO A COMMANDING BUILDING THAT MAKES A VERY REAL CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S SPECTACULAR WATERFRONT,+ HE ADDED.
DISCUSSING CIVIC PROBLEMS WITH URBAN COUNCIL VICE CHAIRMAN, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, AND MR KENNETH T.C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR SUTHERLAND SAID THAT SYDNEY’S POLICY OF IMPOSING ♦FIXED-PENALTY* LITTERING TICKETS ON LITTERERS HAD GREATLY FELPED CURB THE LITTERBUG HABIT.
♦YOUR CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN IS MOST COMMENDABLE, BUT THE FINES MUST BE HIGHER — CONSIDERABLY HIGHER,+ HE OPINED.
MR SUTHERLAND SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF KEEPING UP CONTACTS WITH CITIES AROUND THE PACIFIC RIM, RANGING FROM SINGAPORE IN THE WEST TO SAN FRANCISCO IF? TRE" EAST, ♦BECAUSE BY COMPARING NOTES AND DISCUSSING PROBLEMS WE CAN HELP ONE ANOTHER TO ACHIEVE CLEANER, GREENER AND HAPPIER CITIES.+
TSIM SHA TSUI PORT HEALTH OFFICE MOVING * * * *
THE PORT HEALTH OFFICE AT NEW WORLD CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL MOVE TO ITS NEW ADDRESS AT ROOMS 903 AND 905 CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NINTH FLOOR, FROM JANUARY 21.
THE PORT HEALTH OFFICE ACCOMMODATES THE VACCINATION CENTRE, THE DEATH REGISTRY OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/the telephone
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 24 -
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE THREE OFFICES WILL BE THE SAME, I.E.:
VACCINATION CENTRE
DEATH REGISTRY CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA
OFF ICE
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OFFICE HOURS
3-683361
3-684706
3-684850
MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 9 AM TO 1 PM
2 PM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY: 9 AM TO 1 PM
MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 9 AM TO 12.30 PM
2 PM TO 4.30 PM
SATURDAY:
9 AM TO 12.30 PM
-----o------
ALL SHEUNG SHU I FAIR SITES TAKEN UP
*****
ALL 113 STALL SITES FOR THE SHEUNG SHU I LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT ABOVE THE UPSET PRICE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION HELD YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AT THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY HALL AND TOWN HALL IN SHEUNG SHU I.
THE HIGHEST PRICE FETCHED FOR ONE OF THE 108 FLOWER STALLS WAS $1 900, AND THE LOWEST PRICE $300, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
FIVE DRY GOODS STALLS WERE LEASED FOR BETWEEN $900 AND $150, AGAINST THE UPSET PRICE OF $100.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD AT THE SHEK WU HUI PLAYGROUND IN SHEUNG SHU I BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20.
THE SIX OTHER LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS IN NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE HELD IN TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG, OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
-----o------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 25 -
HK TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR SUNDAY WALK * * * *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ISLAND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13) FOR WALK FOR MILLIONS.
WILL BE IN FORCE ON HONG KONG THE COMMUNITY CHEST’S
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE FOLLOWING REROUTING MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 5.30 PMt
* EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN HONG KONG STADIUM AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. •
* CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN HOI PING ROAD AND HONG KONG STADIUM WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE NORTHERN LANE.
* BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN TAI HANG ROAD AND LINK ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY UPHILL, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE EASTERN LANE.
* TRAFFIC ENTERING TAI HANG ROAD FROM STUBBS ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED NORTH DOWN BLUE POOL ROAD.
* LEFT TURNS FROM BLUE POOL ROAD INTO TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
* TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN BROADWOOD ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND AND TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE SOUTHERN LANE.
*
MOUNT BUTLER ROAD BETWEEN TAI HANG ROAD AND HENDERSON ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY UPHILL AND TRAFFIC WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THE NORTHERN LANE.
* THE UPHILL SECTION OF WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD BETWEEN THE URBAN COUNCIL TENNIS COURTS AND THE ENTRANCE TO THE HONG KONG CRICKET CLUB WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE TRAFFIC.
* LINK ROAD BETWEEN BROADWOOD ROAD AND CAROLINE HILL ROAD WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY DOWNHILL, TRAFFIC BEING RESTRICTED TO THE WESTERN LANE. THE ROAD SECTION WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8.45 AM AND 9.30 AM.
FROM 9.30 AM TO 5.30 PM, DOWNHILL TRAFFIC ON MOUNT BUTLER ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED NORTH VIA PERKINS ROAD.
/A KUMBEH.......
FBIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
- 26 -
A
*
*
*
*
*
NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFICi
BLUE POOL ROAD SOUTH OF TAI HANG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED
BETWEEN 8 AM AND NOON.
TAI TAM RESERVOIR ROAD, EXCEPT A SHORT SECTION AT ITS WESTERN END, WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE OF RESIDENTS FROM 8 AM TO 3 PM.
LINK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8.45 AM AND
9.30 AM.
MOUNT BUTLER DRIVE AND PRICE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE OF RESIDENTS FROM 9.30 AM UNTIL ABOUT 5.30 PM.
MOUNT PARKER ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH
KING’S ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM UNTIL
ABOUT 2.30 PM.
All PARKING SPACES ON HONG KONG STADIUM SLIP ROAD, TA! FAM RESERVOIR ROAD, PRICE ROAD AND MOUNT BUTLER DRIVE WILL BE SUSPENDED BETWEEN 6 AM AND 6 PM.
RllSPS ON CMB ROUTES 11. 41 AND 62 AND MAXICABS ON ROUTES 24 WILL BE DIVERTED AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE ROAD
5, 14 AND REROUTING
AND CLOSURE MEASURES.
--------o----------
RESTRICTED ZONE * * *
FROM
10 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13), THE SOUTHBOUND CARR I AGEWAY ff LAI STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HIU KWONG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES NORTH OF ™E SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 12 MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WITHIN THE ABOVE RESTRICTED ZONE ALL. PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
-------0 ---------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
27
NO LORRY PARKING HERE * * *
LORRY PARKING SPACES IN SAN FUNG AVENUE AT SHEK WU HUI WILL EE SUSPENDED FROM 5 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13) TO 8 AM ON JANUARY 18, TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DURING THIS PERIOD, DRIVERS MAY USE THE LORRY PARKING SPACES AT LUNG SUM AVENUE OR SAN SHING AVENUE.
- - 0 - -
7-HOUR CENTRAL WATER CUT * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA WILL BE ALONG ICE HOUSE STREET, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, JACKSON ROAD AND QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
THE HONG KONG BILL * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE HONG KONG BILL WAS PUBLISHED IN LONDON A SHORT WHILE AGO, FOLLOWING ITS FIRST READING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: + THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO ENABLE THE UK TO IMPLEMENT THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WHICH WAS SIGNED BY THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER AND THE CHINESE PREMIER, MR ZHAO ZIYANG IN PEKING ON DECEMBER 19, 1984. BOTH SIDES WILL NOW MOVE TO BRING THE AGREEMENT INTO FORCE. AS PART OF THAT PROCESS THE BRITISH SIDE NEEDS TO ENACT LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT BEFORE JUNE 30, 1985, AS PROVIDED FOR IN PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
+THE HONG KONG BILL PROVIDES FOR THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AND OF BRITISH JURISDICTION WITH EFFECT FROb JULY 1, 1997.
♦THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES A PROVISION SEEKING AUTHORITY FOR HMG TO INTRODUCE AN ORDER OR ORDERS IN COUNCIL TO CREATE THE NEW FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY REFERRED TO IN THE UK MEMORANDUM ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGREEMENT, AND TO TAKE OTHER MEASURES CONSEQUENTIAL UPON OR CONNECTED WITH THIS. THESE INCLUDE THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN STATUS FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO ON JUNE 30, 1997 POSSESS IT BY VIRTUE OF ThEIR CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG AND MEASURES TO PREVENT PEOPLE BECOMING STATELESS AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES.*
THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED: +THE BIlL ALSO ENABLES ORDERS IN council to modify united kingdom Enactments in preparation for OR CONSEQUENT UPON TERMINATION OF u I TED KIlGDOM SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION. THIS WmL ENABl . ThE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO MAKE TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS TO UK LEGI -LATIJ., APPLICABLE Tg HDNG KONG. IT WILL AlSO EMPOWER THE HONG KO'iG LEGISLATURE TO MAKE LAWS HAVING EXTRA TERRITORIAL OPERATIC + .
/THE wUKLwKhN’ ...
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1985
2 -
Tht SPOKESMAN ADDED: + THE BILL ALSO ACCORDS DIPLOMATIC JRI ■ I LtGES AND IMMUNITIES TO CHINESE MEMBERS OF T hE JOI NT LIAISON GROUP WHO ATTEND MEETINGS IN LONDON. THIS IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT PARAGRAPH 10 TO ANNEX II OF THE JOINT DE CLAR AT ION.
+THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL IN DUE COURSE AND IN ADVANCE OF RATIFICATION ENACT SIMILAR PROVISIONS FOR CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISION GROUP WHEN THEY ATTEND MEETINGS IN HONG KONG.*
ASKED WHY NATIONALITY PROVISIONS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BILL THE SPOKESMAN SAID, + IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET OUT IN THE BILL THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONALITY PROVISIONS IN.THE UK MEMORANDUM ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGREEMENT. ALTHOUGH THE MEMORANDUM IS NOT PART OF THE AGREEMENT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONSIDER IT TO REPRESENT AN UNDERTAKING THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO CARRYING OUT. BOTH
PARLIAMENT AND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL EXPECT TO BE TOLD, I ■
THE CONTEXT OF THE HONG KONG BILL, HOW THIS WILL BE DONE. SUCH
AN EXPLANATION WILL HELP TO DISPEL ANY REMAINING UNCERTAINTY
THERE MAY BE ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE UK MEMORANDUM.*
REFERRING TO THE PROVISION FOR AN ORDER IN COUNCIL ON NATIONALITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: + N0 DATE HAS YET BEEN FIXED FOR THE MAKING OF THE ORDER IN COUNCIL. IT WILL CONTAIN A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE TIME AVAILABLE DURING PASSAGE OF THE BILL TO CONSIDER AND PUT FORWARD FOR DEBATE ALL THE DETAILED AMENDMENTS TO NATIONALITY LEGISLATION THAT WILL BE REQUIRED. FOR Th|S REASON THE BILL ONLY CONTAINS AN ENABLING POWER FOR A SUBSEQUENT ORDER OR ORDERS IN COUNCIL IN WHICH THESE AMENDMENTS WILL BE MADE.
+A DRAFT ORDER IN COUNCIL WILL BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT AND MADE PUBLIC IN TIME FOR CONSIDERATION BEFORE ITS PROVISIONS ARE DEBATED. ORDERS IN COUNCIL RELATING TO NATIONALITY WILL BE SUBJECT TO AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES AND THEY WILL THEREFORE BE THE SUBJECT OF A DEBATE, EITHER BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AS A WHOLE OR BY A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE. THAT DEBATE WILL OF COURSE BE OPEN TO THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECORD OF THE DEBATE WILL BE PUBLISHED. THE ORDER WOULD THEN BE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. PROCEDURES WILL BE BASICALLY THE SAME FOR THE SUBSEQUENT CONSIDERATION BY THE HOUSE OP LORDS*.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THE PRESENT POSITION OF HONG KONG BDTCS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED UNTIL 1997.
+THE BILL PROVIDES AN ENABLING POWER FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE A SUBSEQUENT ORDER In COUNCIL. SUBJECT Ti PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL THIS ORDER WILL GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE UK MEMORANDUM. BUT EVEN THEN nONc KONG BDTCS WILL RETAIN THE STATUS OF BDTC, WHICH WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IN WAY, UNTIL JULY 1, 1997. THEY WILL ALSO BE ELIGIBLE TC RET^I ANOTHER FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY FOR THE R-EST OF ’HEI- UVES.*
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FR I DAY, J Ah U A-< Y
I 985
- 3 -
TEXT OF THE HONG KONG BILL * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE HONG KONG BILL:
DRAFT OF A BILL TO MAKE PROVISION FOR AND IX CONNECTION WITH THE ENDING OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION OVER HONG KONG. BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, BY AND WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE LORDS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL, AND COMMONS, IN THIS PRESENT PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED, AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SAME, AS FOLLOWS:-
1 .(1) AS FROM 1ST JULY 1997 HER MAJESTY SHALL NO LONGER HAVE SOVEREIGNTY OR JURISDICTION OVER ANY PART OF HONG KONG.
(?) THIS SECTION SHALL COME INTO FORCE ON THE EXCHANGE OF INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG WHICH WAS SIGNED IN PEKING ON 19TH DECEMBER 1984: AND NOTICE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THOSE INSTRUMENTS ARE EXCHANGED SHALL BE GIVEN IN THE LONDON GAZETTE.
2 .(1) THIS ACT MAY BE CITED AS THE HONG KONG ACT 1985.
(2) THE SCHEDULE TO THIS ACT SHALL HAVE EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS THERE MENTIONED, BEING MATTERS CONSEQUENTIAL ON OR CONNECTED WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1 ABOVE OR THE DECLARATION MENTIONED IN THAT SECTION.
SCHEDULE
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
PRELIMINARY
1 . IN THIS SCHEDULE ’THE RELEVANT DATE’ MEANS 1ST JULY 1997 AND ’ENACTMENT’ MEANS ANY PROVISION OF AN ACT, OTHER THAN THIS ACT, PASSED BEFORE THE RELEVANT DATE AND ANY PROVISION OF AN INSTRUMENT MADE BEFORE THAT DATE UNDER ANY SUCH ACT.
NATIONALITY
2 .(1) HER MAJESTY MAY BY ORDER IN COUNCIL MAKE PROVISION WHEREBY-
(A) BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP CANNOT BE RETAINED OR ACQUIRED ON OR AFTER THE RELEVA.T DATE BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG: AND
(B) PERSONS WHO ARE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZE.S BY VIRTUE OF ANY SUCH CONNECTION MAY BEF RE THAT DATE (OR BEFORE THE END OF 1997 IF BORN IN THAT /EAR BEFORE THE RELEVENT DATE) ACQUIRE SUCH nEW FORF OF BRITISH NATIONALITY AS IS SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER.
/(2) AN ORDER ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 'I985
- 4 ~ \
(2) AN ORDER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY REQUIRE APPLICATIONS I. \ RESPECT OF THE NEW STATUS MENTIONED IN SUB-PARAGRAPh (1)(o) ABOVE TO BE MADE BEFORE SUCH TIME OR TIMES AS ARE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER AND MAY MAKE PROVISION WHEREBY THAT STATUS I TO BE HELD ON AND AFTER THE RELEVANT DATE ONLY BY PERSONS WHO ARE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THAT DATE.
(3) AN ORDER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY MAKE PROVISION FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF STATELESSNESS AND MAY CONTAIN SUCH SUPPLEMENTARY, TRANSITIONAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS AS APPEAR TO HER MAJESTY TO BE NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ORDER, INCLUDING PROVISIONS AMENDING THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 AND ANY OTHER ENACTMENT.
(A) NO ORDER SHALL BE MADE UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH UNLESS A DRAFT OF IT HAS BEEN LAID BEFORE AND APPROVED BY A RESOLUTION OF EACH HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.
ADAPTATION OF LAW
3(1) HER MAJESTY MAY BEFORE THE RELEVANT DATE BY ORDER IN COUNCIL MAKE SUCH PROVISION AS APPEARS TO HER MAJESTY TO BE NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT IN CONSEQUENCE OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1(1) OF THIS ACT-
(A) FOR REPEALING OR AMENDING ANY ENACTMENT SO FAR AS IT IS PART OF THE LAW OF HONG KONG: AND
(B) FOR ENABLING THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG TO REPEAL OR AMEND ANY ENACTMENT SO FAR AS IT IS PART OF THAT LAW AND TO MAKE LAWS HAVING EXTRA-TERRITORIAL OPERATION.
(2) HER MAJESTY MAY BEFORE, ON OR AFTER THE RELEVANT DATE BY ORDER IN COUNCIL MAKE SUCH PROVISION AS APPEARS TO HER MAJESTY TO BE NECESSARY OR EXPEDIENT IN CONSEQUENCE OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1(1) OF THIS ACT FOR REPEALING OR AMENDING, SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO HONG KONG, ANY ENACTMENT FORMING PART OF THE LAW OF, OR OF ANY PART OF, THE UNITED KINGDOM OR OF A BRITISH POSSESSION OTHER THAN HONG KONG, AND ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN NORTHERN IRELAND LEGISLATION.
(3) AN ORDER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH MAY BE MADE SO AS TO HAVE EFFECT FROM THE RELEVANT DATE OR AS RESPECTS ANY TIME BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DATE.
(4) A STATUTORY INSTRUMENT CONTAINING AN ORDER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANNULMENT IN PURSUANCE OF a RESOLUTION OF EITHER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.
DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES
4. THE DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ACT 1964 SHALL HAVE EFFECT AS IF IN SCHEDULE 1 TO THAT ACT REFERENCES TO A DIPLOMATIC AGEnT INCLUDED REFERENCES TO ANY PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AS A MEMBER OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SET UP UNDER PARAGRAPH 5 OF HE DECLARATION MENTIONED IN SECTION 1(2) OF THIS ACT.
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/5......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 19^5
5
THE PROCEDURAL STAGES OF THE HONG KONG BILL
* * * * *
EDITORS MAY WISH TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF THE STAGES
THROUGH WHICH THE BILL WILL PASS:
HOUSE OF COMMONS:
(A) FIRST READING. FORMAL INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL, WITHOUT DEBATE, FOLLOWED BY PUBLICATION OF THE BILL. (THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED).
(B) SECOND READING. THE OCCASION FOR FULL DEBATE ON THE BILL’S GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THE CONVENTION IS FOR TWO WEEKENDS TO BE ALLOWED BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
(C) COMMITTEE STAGE. THE OCCASION FOR DETAILED SCRUTINY OF THE BILL AND ANY AMENDMENTS WHICH MAY BE PROPOSED EITHER BY HMG OR BY ANY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
(D) REPORT STAGE. CONSIDERATION OF ANY AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
(E) THIRD READING. THIS IS USUALLY TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPORT STAGE.
AT THIS STAGE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS THE BILL IS REFERRED TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS WHERE THE PROCEDURE IS:
(A) FIRST READING.
(B) SECOND READING. A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKENDS IS USUALLY OBSERVED BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
(C) COMMITTEE STAGE. THERE IS USUALLY A MINIMUM OF 14 DAYS BETWEEN THE SECOND READING AND THE START OF THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
(D) REPORT STAGE. THERE IS USUALLY AN INTERVAL OF ONE WEEK BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE AND REPORT STAGES.
(E) THIRD READING. THERE IS USUALLY AN INTERVAL OF THREE SITTING DAYS BETWEEN THE END OF THE REPORT STAGE AND THE THIRD READING.
(F) IF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AMEND THE BILL IT IS REFERRED BACK to the house of commons for further consideration, royal ASSENT IS THEN SECURED.
THE TIMING OF THESE STAGES WILL DEPEND ON THE DECISIONS OF THOSE WHO ARRANGE PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS, IN THE LIGHT OF SUCH FACTORS AS THE PARLIAMENTARY TIME-TABLE AND MINISTERIAL AVAILABILITY.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK BILL GIVES EFFECT TO PACT: GOVERNOR....................... 1
GOVERNOR OPENS 1OOTH POST OFFICE ............................ 2
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CULTURAL CENTRE FOR KWUN TONG........... 3
MORE SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE MENTALLY ILL................... **
YACHT CLUB TO GET LAND FOR BUILDING JETTY.................... 5
FIRST REFUGEE BROWNIE PACK AT CHI MA WAN ................... 6
+WORKERS NIGHT+ FOR AWARD-WINNING WORKERS.................... 6
HYGIINE COURSE FOR YUEN LUNG FOOD OPERATORS ................. 7
BORDER AREA ROAD TC BE IMPROVED.............................. 7
BRIDGE CLOSURE............................................... 8
PLB CLEARWAY IN ABERDEEN ..................................... 8
FIRING PRACTICE ............................................. 8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1°35
1
UK BILL GIVES EFFECT TO PACT: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE HONG KONG BILL IS DESIGNED TO CARRY OUT WHAT WAS IN THE AGREEMENT AND WHAT WAS IN THE EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
+IF YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU WILL SEE THAT WHAT WAS AGREED SHOULD BE DONE IS NOW BEING DONE IN THE BILL,* HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD WAS TALKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE POST OFFICE IN TUEN MUN.
+BY COINCIDENCE I SHALL BE IN LONDON AT THE TIME OF THE DEBATE, HE SAID.
+IT WAS A COINCIDENCE BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR THE DEBATE WHILE I AM THERE,+ HE SAID.
+ | SHALL BE SITTING UP IN THE GALLERY LISTENING.*
ASKED WHETHER THE HONG KONG BILL APPLIES TO ECONOMIC TREATIES, SIR EDWARD SAID, + IT IS OF LIMITED EFFECT — ONLY THE THINGS THA■ NEED TO BE DONE UNDER THE AGREEMENT.+
ON HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE IN NEW YORK FOR TWO DAYS.
+AND THEN I GO UP TO WASHINGTON FOR A QUICK VISIT TO SEE THE AMBASSADOR AND SENIOR US OFFICIALS. I SHALL BE GOING BACK TC NE* YORK THAT SAME EVENING AND THEN FLYING TO LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD ADDED THAT THE MAIN PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT TO LONDON WAS TO GIVE A LECTURE TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
+ THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE BUT NOW IT IS PROVING TO BE QUITE A CONVENIENT DATE TO BE THERE.
+l WILL BE SEEING MINISTERS, AND I WILL SEE THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND OTHER FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS AT THE TIME AS WELL AS TALKING TO OUR NEW COMMISSIONER, MR HAYE, WHO BY THEN WILL BE WELL ESTABLISHED,* HE SAID.
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/2
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1985
2
GOVERNOR OPENS 1OOTH POST OFFICE
X * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, TODAY (SATURDAY) DECLARED THE OPENING OF HONG KONG’S 1OOTH POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT BUTTERFLY ESTATE IN TUEN MUN.
BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST DEPARTMENTS, SIR EDWARD SAID, THE POST OFFICE RENDERED A FIRST-CLASS POSTAL SERVICE WHICH WAS DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, AND FORMED VERY MUCH PART OF THE PEOPLE’S LIFE HERE.
♦POSTAL STAFF ARE IN CLOSE DAILY CONTACT WITH CUSTOMERS AT BRANCHES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
♦EVERY WEEKDAY DELIVERY POSTMEN VISIT HOMES, OFFICES AND FACTORIES ALL OVER THE TERRITORY - AND INDEED SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE POST OFFICE HAD PAID INCREASING ATTENTION TO THE MORE REMOTE PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, DAILY DOOR-TO-DOOR MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE HAD BEEN EXTENDED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM 31 VILLAGES TO OVER 600 VILLAGES AND COMMUNITIES.
♦THIS HAS DONE MUCH TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE RURAL AREAS,+ HE SAID.
SIR EDWARD SAID THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE POST OFFICE WAS SMALL BUT IMPORTANT. LOCATED IN A HOUSING ESTATE AND IN A NEW TOWN, ITS SERVICE WOULD BE OF A GREAT HELP TO THE PEOPLE THERE.
♦ I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THEY ’WILL SOON REGARD IT AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY FACILITIES,+ HE SAID.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE' POST OFFICE FOR PROVIDING A FAST AND CHEAP AIR MAIL SERVICE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
♦IT HAS IN RECENT YEARS PROMOTED MANY NEW SERVICES, SUCH AS SPEEDPOST AND INTELPOST WHICH CATER PARTICULARLY FOR THE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE FAST DELIVERY OF TIMESENSITIVE MAIL AND MESSAGES TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES,* HE SAI?.
SIR EDWARD SAID LOCAL POSTAL WORKERS WOULD BE PROUD 0-THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDED.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1965
5 -
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CULTURAL CENTRE FOR KWUN TONG
******
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WOULD SOON COMPLETE A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A CULTURAL CENTRE FOR THE DISTRICT AND ON THE ACTUAL LOCAL DEMAND FOR IT, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF TH. 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE, MR LAM SAID HE HOPED THE STUDY WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPER VENUE FOR FUTURE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
♦PROPER VENUES AND FACILITIES FOR TRAINING, REHEARSA. PERFORMANCE ARE AS IMPORTANT AS PERSONNEL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN PROMOTING SUCH ACTIVITIES,* MR LAM SAID.
+IN THE CASE OF A STANDARD SPORTS GROUND, THE SHORTAGc PROBLEM IS BEING SOLVED WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE KOWLOON BAY RECREATION GROUND PROJECT, WHICH IS THE RESULT OF EFFORTS BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,* HE ADDED.
+SO THE BOARD CAN NOW CONCENTRATE ITS EFFORTS ON SECURING A CULTURAL CENTRE FOR THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
MR LAM STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN PROMOTING CULTURAL ■ ' L RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND HE QUOTED THE OPEN DANCE CONTEST AS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
+THE CONTEST, APART FROM PROMOTING THE INTEREST IN DANCING, ALSO FACILITATED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS,* HE SAID.
MORE THAN 150 WINNERS OF THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST STAGED A JOINT PERFORMANCE AT THE CONCERT HALL OF THE CITY HALL AFTER RECEIVING THEIR PRIZES FROM MR AND MRS LAM’ THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK’ AND THE PRINCIPAL RECREATION AND SPORT OFF ICER, MR DAVID CHIU.
THERE WERE MORE THAN 1 300 PARTICIPANTS IN THE 14TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST HELD IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.
THE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
o
/* .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 198r
4
MORE SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE MENTALLY ILL ******
THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING MORE SOCIAL CENTRES, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND HALF-WAY HOUSES FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR NEIL HENDERCj SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CENTRES WOULD PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES DESIGNED TO RE-INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT A MENTAL HEALTH EXHIBITION AT THE SHA TIN NEa TOWN PLAZA, HE SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS.
+THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH ON ONE HAND, AND ON THE OTHER, TO CREATE A CARING COMMUNITY WHICH NOT ONLY ACCEPTS BUT OFFERS ACTIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE IN OUR SOCIETY,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT WHILE THE MENTALLY ILL WERE UNDERGOING A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF TREATMENT, THEY WERE VERY MUCH IN NEED OF UNDERSTANDING, SUPPORT AND CARE FROM THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY. '
+SUCH SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TO RE-ESTABLISH THEIR SELFCONFIDENCE, INDEPENDENCE AND ENTHUSIASM FOR LIFE,* HE STRESSED.
HE SAID THE EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE AND THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, WOULD PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LOCAL RESIDE:/' TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH.
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, 4TH FLOOR.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE A CHINESE UNIVERSITY PSYCHIATRIST, PROFESSOR C.N. CHEN, AND THREE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR NG CHAN-LAM, MR WAI HON-LEUNG AND MR WONG PO-MING.
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/5........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 193!
5
YACHT CLUB TO GET LAND FOR BUILDING JETTY * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LEASE, BY PRIVATE TREATY GRANT, ABOUT 600 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE NORTHERN COAST OF MIDDLE ISLAND, OFF DEEP WATER BAY, TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JETTY.
THE LEASE, WHICH IS FOR 21 YEARS, WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE GRANT OF ABOUT 1 510 SQUARE METRES OF THE ADJOINING CROWN LAND TO PERMIT THE LESSEE TO USE IT FOR THE PROVISION OF ASSOCIATED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
AS A CONDITION OF THE GRANT, THE LESSEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERMIT OUTSIDE BODIES TO USE ITS GROUNDS AND FACILITIES FOR UP TO THREE WEEKLY SESSIONS OF THREE HOURS EACH WHEN ASKED TO DO SO BY A COMPETENT AUTHORITY.
THESE OUTSIDE BODIES INCLUDE SCHOOLS, WELFARE AGENCIES, AND GOVERNMENT-RUN RECREATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO ALLOW BOATS TO PASS
THROUGH A SMALL CHANNEL WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE SOUTH-WEST PORTION CF THE WORKS AREA SO THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS MAY GAIN ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED JETTY FOR LANDING.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
PLANS CAN BE SEEN:
* ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE 5
* AT LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* AT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE-HONG KONG SOUTH, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; AND
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, SECOND FLOOR, ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSAL OR CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS IN WRITING WITHIN TWO MONTHS.
C -
/6 .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
1 Of.
6
FIRST REFUGEE BROWNIE PACK AT CHI MA WAN * * * *
THE FIRST BROWNIE PACK FOR CLOSED CENTRE VIETNAMESE GIRLS 'AS FORMED AT CHI MA WAN TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE 202ND NEW TERRITORIES PACK (VIETNAMESE UNIT) HAS
2Q REFUGEE GIRLS BETWEEN SEVEN AND 13 YEARS OF AGE. THEY A.RE LED ■Y A GUIDER, AND FOUR ASSISTANT GUIDERS WHO ARE ADULT REFUGEES AT THE CLOSED CENTRE.
THE NEW PACK, LIKE THE OTHER UNITS IN HONG KONG, WILL BE SELF-GOVERNING AND SELF-SUPPORTING, WITH EXPENSES SPONSORED BY THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION.
THE FORMATION OF THE PACK AIMS TO FOSTER SELF-RELIANCE AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP AMONG ITS MEMBERS.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER= THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR ADOLF HSU= AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES OUTLYING ISLANDS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION, MR YOUNG WING-YAU AND ITS CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG.
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY, THE OFFICIATING GUESTS CUT A RIBBON TO OPEN THE GAMES STALLS SET UP AT THE CLOSED CENTRE FOR THE REFUGEE CHILDREN THERE.
------------.0--------------
+WORKERS NIGHT* FOR AWARD-WINNING WORKERS
* > *
A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING POPULAR SINGERS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) NIGHT AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, TO MARK THE END OF TH-TSUEN WAN’S MODEL WORKERS AWARD SCHEME.
TEN MODEL WORKERS SELECTED FROM THE DISTRICT WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE +WORKERS NIGHT* EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN A> 7.30 PM. THEY WILL BE VISITING FACTORIES LATER THIS MONTH AS GOOD-WILL AMBASSADORS.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAb DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE AND THE'FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES IN TSUEN WAN.
/WINNERS OF .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, ' :-
7
WINNERS OF A CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION, WHICH FORMS = THE SCHEME, WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES THAT EVENING.
THE KWAI CHUNG AND WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES
TSI NG Yl DISTRICT OFFICER, AT THE CEREMONY.
MR TAM w ING—PO .
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COVER THE +WORKERS NIGHT+ AND
r
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE +WORKERS NIGHT+ and _PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE TSUEN WAN TO. HALL.
HYGIENE COURSE FOR YUEN LONG FOOD OPERATORS
* * * *
A FOUR-SESSION FOOD HYGIENE COURSE IS BEING HELD BY THE NEw TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR FOOD BUSINESS OPERATORS.
SOME 40 FOOD OPERATORS IN YUEN LONG ARE ATTENDING THE COURSE AT THE REHEARSAL ROOM OF LUT SAU HALL IN YUEN LONG. THE FIRST SESSION WAS GIVEN YESTERDAY, WITH THE REST TO BE HELD ON THE NEXT THREE CONSECUTIVE FRIDAYS'.
A CULTURE MEDIUM SHOWING THE ACTUAL GROWTH OF BACTERIA, ALONG WITH FILMS AND SLIDES, WILL BE USED FOR ILLUSTRATION. THERE WILL BE A FORUM FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS PRACTICAL ASPECTS O'7 FOOD HYGIENE WITH HEALTH, INSPECTORS OF THE DISTRICT.
THIS COURSE IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES TO BE HELD IN THE NEw TERRITORIES THIS YEAR. SIMILAR LECTURES WOULD BE HELD LATER IN OTHER DISTRICTS, THE NTSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
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BORDER AREA ROAD TO BE IMPROVED * * * *
MAN KAM TO ROAD, BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND THE CROSS-BORDER CONTROL FACILITIES AT MAN KAM TO, WILL BE IMPROVED.
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE VEHICULAR BORDER LINK AT MAN KAM TO.
IT INCLUDES int RtHLlbNMENT AND WIDENING OF THE EXISTING MAN KAM TO ROAD FROM LIN MA HANG ROAD TO THE MUK WU PUMPING STATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 300 METRES LONG CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN LIN MA HANG ROAD AND THE NEW BORDER CONTROL BUILDING AT MAN KAM TO.
THE HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORK wHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH 1985 AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/8......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1
BRIDGE CLOSURE * * *
FROM 9 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14) TO 6 PM ON FEBRUARY 9, BRIDGE N166 ON THE ACCESS ROAD OFF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AT TIN PING SHAN IN SHEUNG SHU I WILL BE CLOSED FOR ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE ACCESS ROAD OFF FU TEI AU ROAD FOR JOURNEYS TO SHEUNG SHU I WAH SHAN.
MEANWHILE, ONE OF THE CARRIAGEWAYS OF TSING Yl BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5.30 AM FROM JANUARY 14 (MONDAY) TO 17 (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE INVESTIGATION WORK BY CONSULTANT.'.
THE SAME MEASURE WILL BE REPEATED FROM JANUARY 21 TO 24, AND FROM JANUARY 28 TO 31.
- - 0 - -
PLB CLEARWAY IN ABERDEEN K X X
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD BETWEEN ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH YUE KWONG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 115 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YUE KWONG ROAD BETWEEN ITS EASTERN JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE ROAD SECTIONS, NO PLB’S WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY.
FIRING PRACTICE X H *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY (JANUARY 14 TO 19) BETWEEN 8 AM ANv 5 PM.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE UC VENUES AVAILABLE FOR DB ELECTIONS .............. 1
INTERCHANGE FOR NT CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM PROPOSED........ 3
BETTER LIVING FOR ESTATE HOME OWNERS.................... 4
OLDER ESTATE BLOCKS GET MORE ATTENTION ................. 6
NOVEMBER EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED ............ 7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SET UP IN EASTERN ..................... 15
FU SHAN CREMATORIUM READY .............................. 15
URBCO HOLDS ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE ................. 16
FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE SKILLED WORKERS ........... 17
FEWER SQUATTER FIRES IN WONG TAI SIN ................... 18
PHOTO CONTEST FOR WAN CHAI ............................. 18
SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR YOUTH YEAR........................ 19
TENDERS INVITED FOR CROW LAND MAINTENANCE............... 19
MORE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALL SITES FOR LEASE.......... 40
MAINS WORK IN CAUSEWAY BAY, NORTH POINT ................ 20
LEAKAGE TESTS IN NORTH POINT
20
Sunday, January 13, 1935
1
MORE UC VENUES AVAILABLE FOR DB ELECTIONS ¥ ¥ ¥
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO MAKE AVAILABLE 4g OF ITS VENUES TO CANDIDATES FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 19 OVER THE NUMBER OF VENUES DESIGNATED IN THE 1982 ELECTION.
HE SAID THE VENUES ARE LOCATED AT VARIOUS PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND GARDENS THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS.
+CANDIDATES WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THESE VENUES BETWEEN NOW AND THE ELECTION DATE SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICE,* HE SAID.
+ IF THE VENUES CONCERNED ARE BALL GAMES PITCHES, ONLY ONE SESSION WOULD BE ALLOWED FOR ANY ONE CANDIDATE IN RESPECT OF ANY ONE VENUE.*
BANNERS, PLACARDS AND POSTERS DISPLAYED IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN MUST BE REMOVED BY THE CAMPAIGNING PARTIES AND SHOULD NOT BE HUNG ON TREES AND PLANTS.
THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR FOLLOWERS SHOULD ALSO OBSERVE ALL LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE PROPER USE OF, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER, IN THESE VENUES.
IN THE EVENT THAT MORE THAN ONE CANDIDATE APPLY FOR THE USE OF THE SAME VENUE AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE THE REGULATING BODY WITH RESPECT TO THE ALLOCATION OF THE VENUE AND THE ALLOTMENT OF DATE AND TIME TO THE CANDIDATES.
THE FOLLOWING IS A FULL LIST OF THE 49 UC VENUES:
CENTRAL AND WESTERN:
KAU U FONG CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND
KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK
FORBES STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND
CHATER GARDEN
BLAKE GARDEN
WAN CHAI:
MORETON TERRACE TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND
SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND
/SOUTHERN:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
2
SOUTHERN:
STANLEY PLAYGROUND
SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE PLAYGROUND NO. 1 AP LEI CHAU PLAYGROUND
EASTERN:
HEALTHY VILLAGE PLAYGROUND
FACTORY STREET PLAYGROUND
FOOTBALL PITCH AT HING WAH ESTATE STAGE I MINI-SOCCER PITCH AT TIN CHIU STREET PLAYGROUND ALDRICH STREET PLAYGROUND
KOWLOON CITY:
MA TAU WAI PLAYGROUND
WUHU STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND HOI SHAM PARK ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND PAVILION AT KOWLOON TSAI PARK HUNGHOM ESTATE PLAYGROUND FAT KWONG STREET PLAYGROUND TSING CHAU STREET PLAYGROUND JUNCTION ROAD PARK KO SHAN ROAD PARK SUNG WONG TOI PARK
KWUN TONG:
LOWER NGAU TAU KOK ESTATE PLAYGROUND NO. 8 FOOTBALL PITCH NO. 1 AT HONG NING ROAD RECREATION GROUND
TWO HARD-SURFACE FOOTBALL PITCHES AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND
SAU MAU PING ESTATE (STAGE II) PLAYGROUND NO. 10 BASKETBALL COURT AT SAU MAU PING ESTATE
(STAGE II) PLAYGROUND NO. 23
HARD-SURFACE FOOTBALL PITCH AT LAM TIN ESTATE (AREA B) PLAYGROUND NO. 6
LEI YUE MUN ROAD PLAYGROUND YAU TONG PLAYGROUND
MONG KOK:
MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND ANCHOR STREET PLAYGROUND THISTLE STREET REST GARDEN WILLOW STREET PLAYGROUND
/SHIM SHUI PO: ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
SHAM SHU I PO:
HARD-SURFACE FOOTBALL PITCH AT
PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND
basketball COURT AND VOLLEYBALL COURT AT
SHEK KIP MEI CENTRAL PLAYGROUND
MINI-SOCCER PITCHES AT FA HUI PARK
MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND
UN CHAU STREET ESTATE PLAYGROUND NO. 2
CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAYGROUND
WONG TAI SIN:
TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE CENTRAL PLAYGROUND
TUNG TAU ESTATE PLAYGROUND NO. 2
YAU MA TEI:
HARD-SURFACE MIN I-SOCCER PITCH AT KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK
URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN (SITE 10)
HARD-SURFACE MINI-SOCCER PITCH AT KOWLOON PARK
------o-------
INTERCHANGE FOR NT CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM PROPOSED * * * *
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO PROVIDE A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE AT THE EXISTING JUNCTION OF LOK MA CHAU ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE INTERCHANGE IS TO CONNECT TWO TRUNK ROADS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AS PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM.
ONE OF THE PROPOSED TRUNK ROADS WILL FORM A SECTION OF THE JEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD. IT WILL STRETCH FOR ABOUT 12 KILOMETRES FROM AU TAU TO FAN KAM ROAD AND PASS THROUGH MAI PO, SAN TIN AND KWU TUNG.
INITIALLY, THIS WILL BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH SERVICE ROADS. ADDITIONAL LANES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE CENTRAL RESERVATION IF THERE IS A NEED AT A LATER DATE TO WIDEN THE CARRIAGEWAY TO DUAL THREE LANES.
WITH THE RECENT PROPOSAL FOR A VEHICULAR BORDER LINK AT LOK MA CHAU, THE SOUTHERN END OF WHICH WILL JOIN THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AT THE JUNCTION OF LOK MA CHAU ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, IT IS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE AUTHORISED PLAN AND SCHEME FOR THE FIRST PROJECT TO INCLUDE A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE FOR CONNECTING THE TWO TRUNK ROADS.
/THE PROPOSED.......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 19&5
THE PROPOSED INTERCHANGE WILL CONSIST OF AN ELEVATED ROUNDABOUT ABOVE THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AND WILL CONNECT TO THE TRUNK ROAD AND SERVICE ROADS BY MEANS OF SLIP ROADS AND RAMPS.
THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE PROPOSED VEHICULAR BORDER LINK WILL ALSO BE RAISED TO CONNECT TO THE ROUNDABOUT.
THE INCLUSION OF THE INTERCHANGE WILL NOT AFFECT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, BUT WILL REQUIRE AMENDMENTS TO THE SERVICE ROADS, PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
ADDITIONAL RESUMPTION OF LAND WILL ALSO BE NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE THE INTERCHANGE.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AUTHORISED PLAN AND SCHEME ARE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NINTH FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY OFFICE, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 1985.
------o--------
BETTER LIVING
FOR ESTATE HOME OWNERS * * *
A PLEASANT AND TRANQUIL
ENVIRONMENT, SPACIOUS LANDSCAPED
SITTING-OUT AREAS PLUS A VARIETY OF MODERN RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES ARE' ALL ESSENTIAL FACTORS FOR AN IDEAL LIVING THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY MOST RESIDENTS IN TODAY’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES.
IN FACT MANY OF THE LATEST HOS DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS THE THREE PROJECTS CURRENTLY ON SALE UNDER PHASE VIIA OF THE SCHEME, HAVE INCORPORATED ALL THESE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF COMFORTABLE LIVING.
■ • OF THE THREE PHASE VI IA PROJECTS, FUNG SHING COURT IN SHA TIN IS THE LARGEST AND IS LOCATED IN T^E SCENIC SHA TIN VALLEY AMIDST A green and TRANQUIL SETTING.
/its three ......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1?E5
ITS THREE 35-STOREY TRIDENT 3L0CKS, WHICH HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLETED, PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 2 448 OPEN-PLAN FLATS WITH ALL NECESSARY BUILT-IN FACILITIES. FLAT OWNERS CAN PARTITION ThEIR FLATS INTO TWO-BEDROOM OR THREE-BEDROOM UNITS ACCORDING TO T«EIR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.
DAILY NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS WILL BE WELL CATERED FOR, WITH TWO COMMERCIAL CENTRES AND A NUMBER OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE ADJOINING CHUN SHEK AND SUN TIN WAI ESTATES.
IN TERMS OF SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, FUNG SHING COURT WILL HAVE A SOCCER PITCH, VOLLEY-BALL COURTS, BADMINTON COURTS AND CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS, AS WELL AS A FOUNTAIN BEING PROVIDED IN THE HEART OF the ESTATE.
IT ALSO ENJOYS ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF BEING CONVENIENTLY PLACED ALONGSIDE THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD WHERE BUS ROUTES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE READILY AVAILABLE. ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT ITS DOORSTEP AND IN THE NEIGHBOURING ESTATES, WHILE THE TAI WAI RAILWAY STATION IS JUST wlTHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE.
BEING DEVELOPED AS THE FIRST HOS PROJECT ON TSI NG vl ISLAND, CHING SHING COURT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF AN IDEAL HOME CAPITALISING ON A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT AND A FULL RANGE OF EXISTING AMENITIEo.
ITS 35-STOREY TRIDENT BLOCK RISES ON AN ELEVATED LEVEL OVERLOOKING THE RAMBLER CHANNEL AND CONTAINS 800 OPEN-PLAN FLA SIMILAR TO THOSE AT FUNG SHING COURT.
AS PART OF THE FULLY SELF-CONTAINED CHEUNG HONG ESTATE, CHING SHING WILL BE WELL SERVED BY A COMPREHENS IVE RANGE OF EXISTING FACILITIES. THEY INCLUDE THREE MODERN COMMERCIAL CENTREo, ONE OF WHICH TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR, AND AS MANY AS SIX PRIMARY AND TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN CHEUNG HONG AND THE NEIGHBOURING
CHEUNG CHING ESTATES.
FROM CHEUNG CHING ESTATE JUST WITHIN A FEW MINUTES’ WALK, RESIDENTS CAN TRAVEL BY BUS OR MAXI-CAB TO THE KWAI FONG MTR STATION, TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER, AND VARIOUS PARTS OF URBAN KOWLOON.
THE THIRD PHASE VI IA PROJECT, CHOI PO COURT IN ShEUNG S Ht I, HAS ALREADY CAUGHT THE EYE OF MANY HOME-SEEKERS.
LOCATED ON A PRIME SITE OPPOSITE THE SHEUNG SHU I RAILWAY STATION WITH GREEN AND QUIET SURROUNDINGS, ChOI PO FORMS A SELF-CONTAINED ENTITY TOGETHER WITH ITS ADJOINING CHOI YUEN ESTATE AND HOS YUK PO COURT.
the three blocks in its first phase, which are all completed, have proved popular with home-purchasers in the previous sales. ANOTHER 34-STOREY TOWER BLOCK IN TmE LAS’ PHASE, NOW ON SALE, HAVE 528 ONE-BEDROOM AND TWO-BEDROOM JNITS.
/APART FROM........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13. 1985
apart from a COMMERCIAL CENTRE, SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL.:, KINDERGARTENS AND A COVERED GAMES AREA PROVIDED IN THE NEIGHBOURING PSTATES CHOI PO WILL ALSO HAVE A VARIETY Op SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDING AN IMPRESSIVE FOUNTAIN SURROUNDED BY FLOWER BEDS IN THE MIDDLE OF ThE ESTATE’S MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
THROUGH A NETWORK OF COVERED WALKwAYS, RESIDENTS CAN HAVE EASY ACCESS TO ALL MAJOR FACILITIES, INCLUDING A BUS TERMINUS, IN ThE NEIGHBOURING ESTATES AND TO THE RAILWAY STATION, FROM WHICH IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO TRAVEL TO KOWLOON.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOw INVITED FOR THE 3 776 PLATS AT The Three HOS PROJECTS which ARE PRICED FROM *96 600 to «186 200 EACH AND HAVE GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 41.9 AND 64.5 SQUARE METRES.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 18.
OLDER ESTATE BLOCKS GET ■■ORE ATTENTION
* * * * *
MAINTENANCE AND IMPRCVE-E'T WORKS AT KWAI FONG ESTATE ARE PART OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S LONG-TERM, ON-GOING PROGRAMMES TO MODERNISE AND IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF THE OLDER ESTATES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID INSPECTION CARRIED OUT ON THE 11 BLOCKS IN THE ESTATE CONFIRMED THEY WERE ALL STRUCTURALLY SAFE, BUT SOME OF THE BLOCKS REQUIRED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS.
+THESE ARE BLOCK 6 WHERE MAJOR REPAIRS ARE NEARING COMPLETION, AS WELL AS BLOCKS 5 AND 10. +
HE SAID IN ESTATE BLOCKS WHICH REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIR, OPPORTUNITY WAS NORMALLY TAKEN TO INCORPORATE FACILITIES COMPARABLE TO NEW ESTATES.
+FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE BLOCK 6 INCLUDE REWIRING AND REINFORCEMENT OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES, INSTALLATION OF COMMUNAL AERIAL BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, IMPROVEMENT TO WATER SUPPLIES AND SANITARY SERVICES, PROVISION OF GAS SUPPLY AND THE INSTALLATION OF AN ADDITIONAL LIFT TO SERVE EVERY FLOOR.+
THE TYPES OF MAINTENANCE WORKS THAT NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT VARY ON THE BASIS OF COST EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCORDING TO EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM PREVIOUS WORKS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND IMPROVE BLOCK 5 IN THE SAME WAY AS TC BLOCK 6 AND THEREFORE IT IS CONSIDERED MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO REDEVELOP IT IN ORDER TO MEET THE PRESENT STANDARD OF ESTATE LIVING.*
/HE SAID .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13. 19&5
HE SAID TENANTS AFFECTED .ERE BEING OFFERED NEW FLATS OR FLAT' IN ESTATES OF THEIR OWN CHOICE WHERE SUITABLE VACANCIES WERE AVAILABLE.
♦MORE THAN HALF OF THE 777 FAMILIES OF 3 800 PEOPLE IN BLOCK 5 HAVE ALREADY MOVED TO ESTATES ACCORDING TO THEIR PREFERENC .
+EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ASSIST THE REMAINING 300 FAMILIES COMPRISING ABOUT 1 500 PEOPLE 1'1 THEIR REHOUSING. THEY CAN CHOOSu TO MOVE TO SUITABLE FLATS I' THE SAME ESTATE OR ESTATES IN OTHER DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FLATS.+
HE SAID TENANTS WERE ENTITLED TO DOMESTIC REMOVAL ALLOWANCE, OF WHICH THE EXISTING RATES WERE 3800 FOR HOUSEHOLDS OF ONE TO TWO PERSONS, SI 000 FOR FAMILIES OF THREE TO FIVE PERSONS, AND $1 200 FOR FAMILIES OF SIX PERSONS OR MORE.
+A SPECIAL EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO COVER TELEPHONE REMOVAL CHARGE IS UNDER CONSIDERATION T0R AFFECTED TENANTS.*
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY PLACED PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ESTATE BLOCKS AND REGULAR INSPECTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT TO ENSURE THEY /-ERE KEPT IN GOOD SHAPE AT ALL TIMES.
+THIS YEAR, THE AUTHORITY IS SPENDING 3473 MILLION IN MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS OF VARIOUS TYPES ON 500 BLOCKS IN 80 ESTATES.
+ESTATE BLOCKS COMPLETED I RECENT VEARS ARE BUILT TO HIGHER STANDARDS OF DESIGN AND J'ALl~v :. T; FETTER FACILITIES AND LCwE MAINTENANCE COSTS, BUT WITH VEARS TEARS THERE IS A NEED p0 INCREASED ATTENTION TO THE OLDER ESTATES.
+AS THE BUIlDINGS CONTINUE TO AGE, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR CONDITION,* THE SPOK: SAID.
------o-------
NOVEMBER EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS RELEASED * * * *
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FOR JANUARY - NOVEMBER 1Q84, VALUED AT 3402 988 MILLION, INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIO., IN 1983, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS "’ELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 35-PER CENT TO 3126 063 MILLION, IMPORTS BY 29 PER CENT TO $202 440 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS BY 49 PEP CENT TO 374 484 MILLION. DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER INCREASED BY 40 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/a comparison .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
- 8 -
A COMPARISON OF THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1983 SHOWS THAT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY 44 PER CENT IN VALUE. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $7 122 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT), PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS (BY $2 118 MILLION OR 78 DER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY 31 777 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSISTORS AND DIODES (BY 321 MILLION OR 21 DER CENT) AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCA, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY 39 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT).
MOST COMMODITIES EXPORTED TO CHINA INCREASED IN VALUE, INCLUDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 31 081 MILLION OR 162 PER CENT), TEXTILES (BY 3422 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THERE/ (BY 3331 MILLION OR 128 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS (BY $94 MILLION OP 58 PER CENT), AND OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY 322 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT).
INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY 3957 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY 3801 MILLION OR 313 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $101 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $334 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT) AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF (BY 38 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY OF CLOTHING (BY »926 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT) AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY 3249 MILLION OR 111 PER CENT)= AND IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN OF CLOTHING (BY ‘,726 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
THE CHANGES IN TABLE 3.
IN IMPORTS FROM THE IQ MAJOR SOURCES ARE SUMMARISE
DEMAND FOR IMPORTED GOODS FROM CHINA REMAINED STRONG. INCREASES WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN TEXTILES (BY >4 269 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), CLOTHING (BY 32 783 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT), TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1 141 MILLION OR 172 PER CENT), TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 6713 MILLIO, OR 115 PER CENT) AND BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY 3645 MILLION OR 176 PER CENT).
/AS FOR .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
- 9 -
AS FOR IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2 340 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 51 602 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT). HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD AND AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $30 MILLION OR 86 PER CENT) AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCA, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $16 MILLION OR FOUR PER CENT).
INCREASES IN IMPORTS FROM THE U.S.A. WERE MOSTLY OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1 409 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT), OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY 3959 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT), AND TEXTILE FIBRES (OTHER THAN WOOL TOPS) AND THEIR WASTES (BY $436 MILLION OR 192 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $249 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT), AND COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (BY $100 MILLION OR 100 PER CENT).
MEANWHILE, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN OF OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES (BY $30 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT) AND IN IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $185 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT). HOWEVER, IMPORTS OF TEXTILES FROM TAIWAN INCREASED (BY $1 695 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), AS DID IMPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS FROM SINGAPORE (BY $631 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 5.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES wERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA (BY $13 508 MILLION OR 130 PER CENT), U.S.A. (BY $3 920 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT), TAIWAN (BY $1 409 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), JAPAN (BY $1 300 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) (BY $979 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (BY $478 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT), MACAU (BY $420 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND THE FEDE-RAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $311 MILLION CR 48 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLINES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS TO NIGERIA (BY $322 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT) AND PHILIPPINES (BY $187 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 6.
/most commodities .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
10
MOST COMMODITIES RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG EXHIBITED STRONG GROWTH, THE MORE SIGNIFICANT ONES BEING TEXTILES (BY $4 447 MILLkON OR 64 PER CENT), ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3 197 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT),’MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2 018 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY SI 774 MILLION OR 90 PER CENT). DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN RE-EXPORTS OF OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $143 MILLION CR 48 PER CENT), TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD AND AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $69 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS (BY $28 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
THE NOVEMBER 1984 ISSUE OF THE + HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS -SUMMARY* WILL BE AVAILABLE AROUND JANUARY 20 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $5 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, +HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE*, «IT-ADETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1984, WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY FEBRUARY AT THE CENTRE AT $12 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT BASKERVILLE HOUSE, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-214375). ENQUIRIES CONCERNING TRADE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5-444436).
TABLE 1 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS 2SS=Kaata8E=sssBS3 = =a«9 = = s: = □= = = = = = = = = = =
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-NOV. 1984 (S MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE (3 MN) PERCENTA CHANGE
U.S.A. 56 933 39 495 +17 438 +44
CHINA 9 836 5 501 * 4 334 +79
U.K. 9 480 7 542 + 1 939 +26
F.R. OF GERMANY 8 450 6 969 + 1 481 +21
JAPAN 4 765 3 510 + 1 255 +36
CANADA 4 103 3 381 + 722 +21
AUSTRAL 1A 3 522 2 588 + 934 +36
SINGAPORE 2 419 2 009 + 410 +23
NETHERLANDS 2 152 1 710 + 442 +26
SWITZERLAND 1 797 1 479 + 319 + 22
/TABLE 2 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
11
TABLE 2 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY D IV IS IONS JAN.-NOV. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSOR IES 42 372 30 594 + 11 778 +38
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY PLASTIC TOYS AND DOLLS, JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND PLASTIC ARTICLES) 20 206 15 062 + 5 144 +34
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES (MAINLY HOUSEHOLD-TYPE APPLIANCES AND SEMI-CONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS) 10 594 7 358 + 3 237 +44
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 10 120 7 568 + 2 552 +34
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPL IES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 9 578 8 530 + 1 □48 + 12
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS • 7 944 6 316 + 1 627 +26
/TABLE 3 : .......
12
TABLE 3 : IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SOURCES
MAJOR SOURCES JAN.-NOV. 1984 ($ MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 (5 MN) INCREASE ($ MN) percentage CHANGE
CHINA 50 636 37 626 +13 010 +35
JAPAN 47 386 36 060 +11 326 +31
U.S.A. 22 080 17 233 + 4 848 +28
TAIWAN 15 562 11 024 + 4 538 +41
SINGAPORE 11 203 9 354 + 1 849 +20
U.K. 7 991 6 775 ♦ 1 217 +18
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) 6 466 4 479 + 1 987 +44
F.R. OF GERMANY 4 969 4 197 + 772 +18
AUSTRAL I A 3 088 2 488 + 600 +24
SWITZERLAND 3 047 2 870 + 176 + 6
TABLE 4 • IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY SECTIONS
COMMODITY SECTIONS JAN.-NOV. 1984 (S MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 U MN) INCREASE ($ MN)_ PERCENTAGE CHANGE
MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL (MAINLY TEXTILE PRODUCTS, DIAMONDS, IRON AND STEEL, AND PAPER) 58 346 43 973 +14 374 +33
MACHINERY AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 51 590 35 341 +16 249 +46
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED........
SUNDAY, JANUABY 13, 1985
- 13 -
MISCELLANEOUS
MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY WATCHES AND CLOCKS, ARTICLES OF APPAREL) 35 916 28 308 + 7 608 +27
FOOD AND LIVE ANIMALS CHIEFLY FOR FOOD 18 280 16 864 + 1 416 + 8
CHEMICALS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 14 175 11 564 + 2 611 +23
MINERALS FUELS, LUBRICANTS AND RELATED MATERIALS 11 225 10 482 + 743 ♦ 7
TABLE 5 : RE- EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKETS JAN.-NOV. 1984 (5 MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE/ DECREASE ($ MN) PERCENTAL-CHANGE
CHINA 23 920 10 413 +13 508 + 130
U.S.A. 11 044 7 124 + 3 920 + 55
TA IWAN 4 477 3 069 ♦ 1 409 + 46
SINGAPORE 4 185 4 079 + 107 + 3
JAPAN 4 136 2 836 + 1 300 + 46
INDONESIA 3 380 3 562 182 - 5
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA) . 3 177 2 198 + 979 + 45
MACAU 2 113 1 693 + 420 + 25
PHILIPPINES 1 336 1 523 — 187 - 12
AUSTRALIA 1 314 835 + 478 + 57
/TABLE 6 t
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1?85
14 -
TABLE 6 : RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
X3X - = 3! = B = = 3t = « = X = XS = ar = = XB«E = = = = 3»>,= = 3:r’C
COMMODITY DIVISIONS JAN.-NOV. 1984 (S MN) JAN.-NOV. 1983 ($ MN) INCREASE (S MN) PERCENTA CHANGE
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 11 401 6 954 +4 447 +64
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES 7 549 4 352 +3 197 +73
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSOR IES 5 684 4 038 + 1 646 +41
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES 4 841 2 823 +2 018 +71
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, BATCHES AND CLOCKS 4 617 3 779 + 838 +22
TELECOMMUN(CATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3 741 1 966 +1 774 +99
-----0------
/15 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1985
- 15 -
SCHOOL COMMIT EE SET JP IN EASTERN * * *
A SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT TO PROMOTE In IDER PARTICIPATION BY SCHOOLS IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND TO STRENGTHEN THE LINKS BETWEEN LOCAL SCHOOLS, THE DISTRICT BOARD, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE DISTRICT, WAS SET UP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, AND MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ALL REGISTERED KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
TWO SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, MRS JEANNIE CHOW SUN FONG-CHUNG, AND MR LEUNG SAU-CHI, HAVE BEEN ELECTED CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRMAN RESPECTIVELY OF THE FIRST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISES 14 HEADS FROM KINDERGARTENS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HONORARY ADVISORS IN THE COMMITTEE WHILE AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL BE A REGULAR MEMBER AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETINGS.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR T?IE FIRST TERM OF OFFICE OP THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT 3 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 15) AT THE oCHOOL HALL OF KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NORTH POINT.
THE WINNERS OF AN ESSAY COMPETITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION WILL ALSO BE AWARDED PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY. THE COMPETITION, HELD LAST MONTH, WAS ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE EASTERN DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE CONTEST, WHICH WERE CHOSEN FROM MORE THAN 300 SUBMISSIONS BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, WILL ALSO BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT THE VENUE.
-----o------
FU SHAN CREMATORIUM READY
* * *
THE NEWLY BUILT FU SHAN CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM WITH TWO CEREMONIAL HALLS WILL BE IN OPERATION FROM WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16), AND ADVANCE BOOKING FOR CREMATION SERVICES THERE WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM THE SAME DAY.
THIS THIRD PUBLIC CREMATORIUM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OCCUPIES 2.5 HECTARES OF LAND AT LOWER SHING MUN ROAD IN SHA TIN.
ITS FOUR COMPUTERISED CREMATORS, THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND IN HONG KONG, CAN HANDLE 12 CREMATIONS A DAY.
/THESE CREMATORS........
SUNDAY, JAUNARY 13, 1985
- 16
THESE CREMATORS ARE GAS-OPERATED TO c:HSURE THAT NO SMOKE, ODOUR OR DUST WILL BE GENERATED, A SPOKES:';..N FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE COLUMBARIUM IS A SEVEN-STOREY BUILDING WITH THE PROVISION CF 9 700 PERMANENT CINERARY NICHES.
THE CHARGE IS $1 300 FOR EACH STANDARD NICHE, CAPABLE OF HOLDING TWO CINERARY URNS, AND $5 200 FOR EACH FAMILY NICHE WITH FOUR URNS.
ANOTHER $50 WILL BE CHARGED FOR A COMMEMORATIVE TABLET.
THERE IS A GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE WITH ARBOURS WHERE ASHES OF THE DECEASED MAY BE SCATTERED. NO FEE IS CHARGED.
HOWEVER, $50 WILL BE LEVIED IF A TREE IS PLANTED IN THE GARDEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PEOPLE WHO WISH TO USE THE CREMATION SERVICE ARE ADVISED TO:
M OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF DEATH FROM THE DEATH REGISTRY OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT;
* OBTAIN A CREMATION PERMIT, PRESCRIBING THE PARTICULAR PLACE WHERE THE CREMATION wILL TAKE PLACE, FROM THE PO^T HEALTH OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT; AND
* MAKE BOOKING OF CREMATION AT THE CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE JOINT OFFICE OF THE THREE DEPARTMENTS WILL BE LOCATED AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 21).
------o ------
URBCO HOLDS ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE
* * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE OVER TWO DAYS THIS WEEK AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS IN EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE TWO MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY.
THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL MOVE A MOTION ON TUESDAY TO ENDORSE THE COUNCIL’S STATEMENT OF AIK 3 FOR THIS YEAR. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A DEBATE DURING WHICH 14 COUNCILLORS WILL SPEAK ON THE MOTION.
THE MEETING WILL THEN BE ADJOURNED TO THURSDAY WHEN ANOTHER 14 COUNCILLORS WILL SPEAK.
------o -
/17
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1935
- 17 -
FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY :EDS MORE SKILLED WORKERS * * * H
MANUFACTURERS HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY.
THIS AMONG THE FINDINGS CONTAINED IN A MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT JUST PUBLISHED BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD Or THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
IF THIS SITUATION COULD NOT BE RECTIFIED IN TIME, THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY WOULD BE FACED WITH A MORE SEVERE SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MANPOWER WHEN The PRESENT OLDER WORKERS RETIRE, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.
+THEREFORE, THE PROVISION OF PROPER MANPOWER TRAINING IS TIMELY AND VITAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY,+ SAID MR FRANCIS TIEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CLOTHING INDUSiRY TRAINING BOARD.
AND EMPLOYERS SHOULD START IMMEDIATELY TO ORGANISE TRAINING SCHEMES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES OR TO SPONSOR THEM TO ATTEND RELATED TRAINING COURSES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, HE SAID.
AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY, THE INDUSTRY EMPLOYED ABOUT 8 743 WORKERS AND 50 TRAINEES OR APPRENTICES.
SOME 7 307 OF THEM WERE EMPLOYED IN THE SHOE AND SOFT-SOLE ERANCHES, REPRESENTING ABOUT 83.5 PER CENT OF THE INDUSTRY’S TOTAL WORK FORCE WHILE THE REMAINING 16.5 PER CENT, NUMBERING ABOUT 1 446 WORKERS, WERE WITH THE RUBBER SHOE BRANCH.
IT IS FORECAST THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE FOR THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER WILL BE ONE PER CENT AT THE TECHNICIAN, 1.1 PER CENT AT THE CRAFTSMAN AND 1.1 PER CENT AT THE OPERATIVE LEVEL.
BUT AT THE TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL, IT IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STABLE, THE REPORT SAYS.
TO COPE WITH FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, THE BOARD SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL FROM THE HONG KONG RUBBER AND FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURERo ASSOCIATION FOR SETTING UP TWO OPERATIVE TRAINING COURSES AT THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY.
THE LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OFFERS COURSES AT TECHNICIAN AND CRAFT LEVELS FOR THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY. THE REPORT URGES EMPLOYERS TO USE THE FACILITIES IN THIS INSTITUTE BY SPONSORING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THESE COURSES.
THE PROPOSED METHODS FOR TRAINING THE MANPOWER REQUIRED, STATISTICAL DATA ON THE MANPOWtR SITUATION OF THE INDUSTRY AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TRAINING BOARD ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IS NOW ON SALE AT TnE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT >11.50 A COPY.
0--------
/16 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, i^3c
FEWER SQUATTER FIRES IN WONG TAI SIN * * *
THE NUMBER OF SQUATTER FIRES IN WONG TAI SIN HAS DRODPED IN RECENT YEARS AS A RESULT OF BETTER FIRE PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE AMONG SQUATTER DWELLERS AND THE FORMATION OF MORE FIRE WATCH TEAMS THERE.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF KOWLOON COMMAND, MR wOO KWAN-KUEN, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW FIRE WATCH TEAM FOR THE DISTRICT.
MR WOO SAID 50 SQUATTER FIRES IN WONG TAI SIN RENDERED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HOMELESS LAST YEAR.
■•-EVERY MAJOR FIRE STARTS AS A SMALL FIRE. THEREFORE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH A FIRE IN ITS INITIAL STAGE,+ HE SAID.
PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT FIRE WATCH TEAMS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFj IN EDUCATING RESIDENTS ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND IN GETTING THEM TO REPORT FIRES TO THE FIRE SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, MR WOO SAID.
PHOTO CONTEST FOR WAN CHAI
*****
PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN WAN CHAI ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTO COMPETITION TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT AND TO PROMOTE THE MARCH 7 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION.
THE +WAN CHAI AND 1+ PHOTO COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ARTS, CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
PARTICIPANTS, WHO MAY JOIN EITHER THE ’OPEN GROUP’ OR THE ’STUDENT GROUP’, SHOULD SEND IN THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE FEBRUARY 6.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION AND AN EXHIBITION OF WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE HELD AT THE HENNESSY CENTRE DISPLAY AREA ON MARCH 1.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES' WILL COMPRISE MR RAYMOND YOUNG, AN ASSISTANT WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER; MR WATER POON, MR POON KAN, PR CHAN HOI AND MR WU SAI-KONG, PHOTOGRAPHERS; AND REPRESENTATIVES CF THE FUJI FILM AND PHOTO COMPANY.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND THE FUJI FILM AND PHOTO, WITH THE LATTER DONATING ATTRACTIVE PRIZES.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND VARIOUS YOUTH CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT, AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-752477 AND 5-742281.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1085
19 -
SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR YOUTH YEAR * * * * *
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A VARIETY OF YOUTH PROGRAMMES IN RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR (IYY).
MORE THAN 20 PROGRAMMES IN ATHLETICS, WATER SPORTS, DANCING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
ABOUT 6 000 STUDENTS AND WORKING YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 30 ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THESE EVENTS.
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE IYY’S THEME +PARTICIPATION+, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE ACTIVITIES MAY OBTAIN DETAIL.! AT THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF WING ON CENTRE, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL OR BY DI ALL 1'^ 5-458511.
TENDERS INVITED FOR CROWN LAND MAINTENANCE
* * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING CONTRACTORS BY TENDER TO CARRY OUT WORK WHICH INCLUDES CLEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF CROWN LAND.
THE WORK IS TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER TWO SEPARATE CONTRACTS, ONE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND INCLUDING AP LEI CHAU, AND THE OTHER FOR KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON.
THE CONTRACTS ARE FOR ONE YEAR, STARTING IN APRIL.
THE CONTRACTORS wILL EE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT DEMOLITION OF SMALL BUILDINGS AND CLEARANCE OF SITES OF VARIOUS MATERIALS, GOODb AND RUBBISH AS WELL,AS THEIR REMOVAL TO DUMPS, INCINERATORS OR OTHER LOCATIONS FOI^|fiPOSAL, LEVELLING OR GRADING.
TENDERS 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 OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON FEBRUARY 8.
/2C .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
1985
20 -
MORE LUNAR NEW YEAR FA IR STALL SITES FOR LEASE * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 460 STALL SITES FOR SELLING FLOWERS, DRY GOODS AND SOFT DRINKS AT THE FORTHCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS I <WAI CHUNG, SHA TIN AND YUEN LONG WILL BE PUT UP FOR LEASt a, PUBLIC AUCTIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THESE FAIRS TOGETHER WITH THOSE IN TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN AND NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 2,, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENi SAID.
ON MONDAY, 112 STALL SITES AT THE KWAI CHUNG FAIR WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL, LAI FONG STREET, KWAI CHUNG.
ON WEDNESDAY, 148 SITES AT YUEN WO ROAD SHA TIN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING AT LEK HALL, LEK YUEN ESTATE.
PLAYGROUND IN
YUEN COMMUNITY
TWO HUNDRED SITES AT AT YUEN LONG TOWN HALL ON
THE YUEN LONG FAIR WILL BE AUCTIONED FRIDAY (JANUARY 18).
ALL THREE AUCTIONS WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM, AND THE UPSET RENT WILL BE $100 EACH.
--------o-----------
MAINS WORK IN CAUSEWAY BAY, NORTH POINT * * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN CAUStWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM P.33 AN TO 2 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16) TO FACILITATE MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY HING FAT STREET, THE SEA FRONT, MODEL LANE AND KING’S ROAD.
PREMISES ALONG FORTRESS HILL ROAD WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.'
-------0----------
LEAKAGE TESTS IN NORTH POINT * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POIN'. aILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY ' JANUARY 16) TO t? aM THe FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY BRAEMAR HILL ROAD, CLOUD VIEW ROAD AND 193-216 TIN . T. 'RLE ROAD, INCLUDING Yet KING ROAD AND 6-74 KAI YUEN STREET.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
Monday, January 14, 1985
CONTglTS PAGE NO.
SIR PHILIP CHECKS ON FINAL REGISTER...................... 1
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR U.S. AND U.K........................ 1
SALES ACTIVITY ON FLATS RISES ........................... 2
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND MAKES GRANTS ......... 4
ECIC EXPECTS 'MODEST SURPLUS' ........................... 5
CLOSURE OF BUILDING SOUGHT .............................. 6
NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1984 ................. 7
QUARTERLY UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES ......... 11
BOARD TO DISCUSS FESTIVAL PLAN .......................... 13
BOARD VISITS LANGUAGE INSTITUTE ......................... 1?
YOUTHS HELP +CLEAN AND GREEN+ PLAN ...................... 14
FURTHER JURY LIST DUE ................................... 14
TOILET FOR KWUN TONG .................................... 15
REPAIR WORK NEEDED ...................................... 15
HING FAT STREET CLOSED FOR WORK ......................... 16
ROAD CLOSURE............................................. 16
FRESH WATER LEAKAGE TEST ................................ 16
WATER STORAGE
16
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
1
SIR PHILIP CHECKS ON FINAL REGISTER *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH TO INSPECT THE FINAL REGISTER FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE FINAL REGISTER WAS PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 4, 1985 AND CONTAINS SOME 1.4 MILLION ENTRIES OF PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION ON MARCH 7.
ON HAND TO RECEIVE THE CHIEF SECRETARY WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR LEE LAP-SUN AND THE REGISTRATION CFFICER, MR LAI KWAN-TAT. THEY BRIEFED SIR PHILIP ON THE DIVISION’S ROLE IN THE FORTHCOMING MARCH ELECTIONS. SIR PHILIP ALSO RECEIVED AN UP-TO-DATE REPORT ON THE PROGRESS RELATING TO NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES.
SO FAR SOME 240 PERSONS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO STAND FOR ELECTION. THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS JANUARY 31.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT SOME 5 800 CIVIL SERVANTS AND CIVIL AID SERVICES MEMBERS HAD BEEN ENLISTED TO MAN THE 322 POLLING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND TO COUNT THE VOTES IMMEDIATELY AFTER POLLING IS OVER.
THE INSPECTION OF THE FINAL REGISTER BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (REGISTRATION CF ELECTORS) REGULATIONS.
-------o----------
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR U.S. AND U.K. * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDE, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THEY WILL BE TRAVELLING ON FLIGHT PA022 TO NEW YORK, ETD 1 PM.
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
2
SALES ACTIVITY ON FLATS RISES * * * * *
THE NUMBER OF SALE AGREEMENTS ON FLATS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 20 PER CENT LAST YEAR, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, REPORTED TODAY.
IN ALL, 29 959 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED, AN INCREASE OF 22.6 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, HE SAID.
DURING THE YEAR, 52 358 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 48 264 IN 1983. A TOTAL OF 9 932 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE LAND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 8 847 IN 1983.
THERE WERE 418 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 6.7 PER CENT LESS THAN IN 1983. THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS DECLINED BY 54.5 PER CENT FRO? #4.782 BILLION IN 1983 TO $2,174 BILLION LAST YEAR, WHILE THAT FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF FLATS DROPPED BY 6.6 PER CENT FROM $23,956 BILLION TO $22,379 BILLION.
FORTY-SIX BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 43 857 OTHER MORTGAGES wERE REGISTERED, DOWN FROM 54 AND UP FROM 41 022 RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR FELL BY 53 PER CENT, FROM $0,608 BILLION TO $0,286 BILLION. THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES FELL BY 62.2 PER CENT, FROM $40,615 BILLION TO $15,363 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, WERE UP BY 19 PER CENT, FROM $12,255 BILLION IN 1983 TO $14,586 BILLION IN 1984.
SEARCHES IN THE LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 714 657, UP BY 11.5 PER CENT.
BUT MR GLEESON CAUTIONED THAT THE VARIOUS FIGURES CITED DID NOT INCLUDE TRANSACTIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THUS DID NOT COVER THE TOTAL PROPERTY MARKET.
OF THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES, FOUR HAD BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT. IT wAS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE OVER THE REST BY STAGES, HE SAID.
/SIGNIFICANT .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
(1) THE GRANT OF A 16-HECTARE SITE AT KORNHILL TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION THROUGH LAND EXCHANGE AT A PREMIUM OF $292 015 000 FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
(2) THE SALE OF THE ADMIRALTY II SITE AT QUEENSWAY TO FIRST PROFIT INVESTMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $380 000 000 FOR COMMERCIAL/HOTEL PURPOSES.
(3) THE GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY OF A SITE AT QUEENSWAY TO THE BANK OF CHINA AT A PREMIUM OF $1 BILLION.
(4) THE SAME BY PUBLIC AUCTION OF A SITE IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST TO QU INNOLEX LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $190 000 000 FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES INCLUDING A HOTEL.
(5) THE GRANT OF A 19-HECTARE SITE AT HUNG HOM WATERFRONT TO HONGKONG AND WHAMPOA DOCK COMPANY LIMITED BY *AY OF EXCHANGE FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL PURPOSES AT A PREMIUM OF $390 015 000.
THE NUMBER OF LAND GRANTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF LEASE CONDITIONS COMPLETED LAST YEAR DECREASED TO 226 FROM 245 IN 1983, WHILE THE TOTAL PREMIUM INVOLVED ROSE BY 151 PER CENT TO $2,998 BILLION, FROM $1,194 BILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND DROPPED BY 42.5 PER CENT FROM 327 TO 188, WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION DECREASING BY 60.5 PER CENT FROM $376 MILLION TO $148.5 MILLION.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ROSE BY 7.6 PER CENT FROM 653 422 IN 1982 TO 702 787 IN 1983 AND AGAIN BY 7.2 PER CENT TO 753 015 IN 1984.
IN MAY 1984, THE LAND OFFICE OBTAINED APPROVAL OF FUNDS FOR THE COMPUTERISATION OF ALL LAND OFFICE REGISTER CARDS. PLANS WERE IN HAND TO START COMPUTERISATION IN MID-1986.
THE COMPUTERISED SYSTEM WOULD REDUCE MUCH OF THE TIME REQUIRED FOR MAKING A SEARCH AND CONSEQUENTLY WOULD REDUCE THE WAITING TIME OF A SEARCHER FROM ABOUT 20 MINUTES AT PRESENT TO ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, HE SAID.
-------o---------
/4........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 198?
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND MAKES GRANTS ******
GRANTS TOTALLING ABOUT $11.6 MILLION FROM THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND HAVE BEEN MADE RECENTLY TO 92 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY MR T.H. CHAU, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON THE GRANTS.
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG. IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY A BEQUEST BY SIR ROBERT HO TUNG ON HIS DEATH IN 1956. THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
MR CHAU SAID THAT MAJOR GRANTS THIS YEAR INCLUDED $2 047 500 TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, LARGELY FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL AND THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL, AND FOR SETTING UP THE TUNG WAH GROUPS OF HOSPITALS CENTENARY HOME FOR THE AGED.
CARITAS, HONG KONG, GOT $1 299 900, OF WHICH $1 072 200 WILL BE USED BY THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE TO BUY AN ECHO-CARDIOGRAM ULTRASOUND SCANNING SYSTEM, A SEMI-AUTOMATIC CELL COUNTING SYSTEM AND A TRINOCULAR MICROSCOPE, AND $227 700 FOR EQUIPMENT FOR CARITAS’ NURSERIES, CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, HOSTELS, SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND CLINICS.
THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL RECEIVED $861 800, THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION RECEIVED $667 300, AND THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL GOT $522 000.
THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL RECEIVED $586 100 AND THE HONG KONG RED CROSS GOT $522 800.
THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION WAS GIVEN $500 000 AND THE ALICE HO MIU LING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL, $460 200.
A SUM OF $379 300 WAS GIVEN TO PROVIDE MILK FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN 55 SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND TO ALLOW THEM TO GO ON OUTINGS AND EDUCATIONAL VISITS. ANOTHER $262 100 WAS GIVEN TO SUBSIDIZE --------------------------------------- CHILDREN TO ATTEND OUTDOOR
HANDICAPPED AND UNDERPRIVILEDGED SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL CAMPS.
OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $353 000, AND THE NAM LONG HOSPITAL $347 000.
A SUM OF $287 400 WAS GIVEN TO THE PO LEUNG KUK, AND $264 100 TO THE EVANGEL CHILDREN’S HOME.
. OTHER GRANTS WERE MADE TOs THE POK 01 HOSPITAL ($225 100), AND THE EVANGEL HOSPITAL ($205 200), THE ST. JOHN COUNCIL ($174 700), THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG ($150 000), AND THE SALVATION ARMY ($140 400).
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
- 5 -
EC IC EXPECTS 'MODEST SURPLUS’ * * *
THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION EXPECTED A +MODEST SURPLUS* AT THE END OF THE 1984-85 FINANCIAL YEAR, ITS COMMISSIONER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY.
THIS WAS DUE TO THE RECOVERY IN EXTERNAL DEMAND FOR HONG KONG GOODS, LEADING TO RAPID GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF THE CORPORATION’S BUSINESS, AND TO THE MARKED DECLINE IN THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF THE CLAIMS MADE ON THE CORPORATION, HE SAID.
THE WORST WAS NOW OVER, MR YEUNG SAID, IN A TALK ENTITLED •♦EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE -- HOW IT FACILITATES EXPORTS,* TO THE BANKING SYMPOSIUM '85, AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
THE CORPORATION, MR YEUNG SAID, HAD UNDERTAKEN A COMPREHENSIVE AND CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF ITS ACTIVITIES, AND OF THE NATURE AND LEVEL OF RISKS ASSUMED IN RECENT YEARS. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE CORPORATION HAD DRAWN UP A THREE-YEAR CORPORATE PLAN CONTAINING FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES WHICH, IF ACHIEVED, WOULD RESTORE IT TO A BETTER STATE OF FINANCIAL HEALTH.
THIS PLAN, HE SAID, HAD RECEIVED THE FULL BLESSING OF THE CORPORATION’S ADVISORY BOARD AND THE GOVERNMENT.
+THE CORPORATION IS NOW ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PREPARING AND LAUNCHING MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS OF MARKETING ITS SERVICES, OF REFORMING ITS PREMIUM STRUCTURE, OF IMPROVING THE SPEED OF ITS UNDERWRITING, CLAIMS AND RECOVERIES OPERATIONS, OF MAINTAINING TIGHT CONTROL OVER OPERATING EXPENDITURE AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, OF DIVERSIFYING OUT OF ITS STANDARD INSURANCE POLICIES IN A PRUDENT AND ORDERLY MANNER, HAVING REGARD TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EXPORTING COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THERE WAS NEED TO INTENSIFY MARKETING EFFORTS, AND, +MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY,* TO IMPROVE THE SPEED OF UNDERWRITING RESPONSE TO POLICYHOLDERS’ APPLICATIONS FOR LARGER CREDIT LIMITS.
+IF ANY JUSTIFIED CRITICISM OF THE CORPORATION’S PERFORMANCE HAD TO BE SINGLED OUT FOR COMMENT, IT WAS THE SLOWNESS OF RESPONSE.
+CAREFUL RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT WHILE NEARLY 86 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CLAIMS STEM FRC> CREDIT LIMITS OF UNDER MILLION, THEY ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN 29 PER CENT OF OUR CLAIMS EXPENDITURE,* HE SAID.
/TO IMPROVE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
6
TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, MR YEUNG SAID A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM WOULD BE INTRODUCED SOME TIME THIS YEAR BY WHICH UNDERWRITERS WOULD SET A MAXIMUM COMMITMENT LEVEL AGAINST CERTAIN ACTIVE OVERSEAS BUYERS, SO THAT APPLICATIONS TO INCREASE CREDIT LIMITS UP TO THE LEVEL OF THE MAXIMUM COMMITMENT MIGHT BE APPROVED SPEEDILY, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS BEING MET.
EXPLAINING THE ROLE OF EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, MR YEUNG SAID THAT EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CONSISTED OF THE CARRYING OUT OF CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE TO COVER THE INSURED EXPORTER AGAINST RISKS OF MONETARY LOSS, ARISING FROM HIS FAILURE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM THE OVERSEAS BUYER.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE CORPORATION PROVIDED A BASIC INSURANCE COVER FOR EXPORTS, AGAINST THE RISK OF MONETARY LOSS TO THE EXPORTER ARISING FROM HIS FAILURE TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR GOODS EXPORTED ON CREDIT TERMS.
AND BECAUSE OUR EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE GEARED TO SUPPLYING WORLD MARKETS WITH CONSUMER GOODS, THE MAXIMUM CREDIT PERIOD OFFERED UNDER OUR BASIC INSURANCE POLICY IS 180 DAYS. IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS THE POLICYHOLDER IS INDEMNIFIED UP TO 90 PER CENT OF THE GROSS INVOICE VALUE OF THE TRANSACTIONS INVOLVED, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG STRESSED THE NEED FOR DIVERSIFICATION AS IT RELIED ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SHIPMENTS POLICY FOR ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF TURNOVER AND PREMIUM INCOME.
+MY BASIC AIMS IN DIVERSIFICATION ARE TWOFOLD. I AM AIMING, FIRST, TO ACHIEVE FOR THE CORPORATION A MORE BALANCED PORTFOLIO. SECONDLY, IT IS EQUALLY IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT WHATEVER NEW EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE FACILITIES WE MUST DEVISE MANIFESTLY MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EXPORT SECTOR, + HE SAID.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF BUILDING SOUGHT * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY DECLARED THIS (MONDAY) MORNING THAT THE FOUR STOREY BUILDING AT NOS. 62-64 CAMERON ROAD, KOWLOON WAS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE CLOSED.
IT HAD THEREFORE POSTED A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JANUARY 28, AN AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BUILDING, BUILT IN 1^50, HAD BEEN DESIGNED AND CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, Ht SAID.
/HOWEVER, .......
Monday, January i4, 1985
HOWEVER, RECENT INVESTIGATIONS BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SHOWED THAT THE BUILDING HAD BEEN CONVERTED WITHOUT APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL USE, PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR TWO RESTAURANTS.
EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS AND OTHER WORK HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE BUILDING, AND DESPITE ORDERS FOR SUCH ILLEGAL WORK TO CEASE AND TO BE RECTIFIED, THE WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
HE SAID THAT TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ORIGINAL DESIGN jF THE BUILDING AND THE EFFECT OF THE ILLEGAL WORKS, THE CONTINUED USE OF THE BUILDING AS RESTAURANTS WOULD RENDER IT STRUCTURALLY DANGEROUS. IN ADDITION, THE MEANS OF ESCAPE WAS INADEQUATE, AWE WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC.
THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF THE BUILDING WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE SHOP ON PART OF THE GROUND -LOOR, KNOWN AS ’ARC DE TRIUMPH ONE HOUR PHOTO COMPANY’, «HICH HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR USE AS A SHOP.
--------0 ---------
NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1984 * * * *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR
INCREASED BY 8.7 PER BY 1.3 PER CENT WHEN STATISTICS PUBLISHED
CENT WHEN COMPARED
SEPTEMBER 1984, AT 120.4 WITH SEPTEMBER 1983 AND 1984, ACCORDING TO
COMPARED WITH JUNE
TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1984 WITH SEPTEMBER 1983 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 8.9 PER CENT, FOP THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 6.9 PER CENT, FOR THc TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 11.5 PER CENT, FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 9.1 PER CENT, AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES
SECTOR BY 4.9 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE SEPTEMBER 1984 AND JUNE 1984 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1 2 PER CENT, FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPOPT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND*HOTELS SECTOR BY 1.6 PER CENT, FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.2 PER CEN। AND FOR THt BUSINESS SERVICES ocu - ---- pERS0NAL SEPVICES SECTOR
SECTOR BY 0.1 PER CENT WHILE T 'AT SHOWS NO CHANGE.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES SEPTEMBER 1984 FOR SELECTEE ’ '
T, LE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS - ' EN IN TABLE 2.
tie -E’lOD SEPTEMBER 1983 TO ECONOMIC SECTORS -RE GIVEN IN THE -'ANUFACTUF ING SECTOR ARE
. •••••••
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 97.2 IN SEPTEMBER 1984, „AS 1.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1^83 AND 0.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN JUNE 1984.
BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1984 AND SEPTEMBER 1983, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT, FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 4.1 PER CENT AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.9 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, THOSE FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE. AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICE^ SECTOR DECLINED BY 0.1 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1984 WITH JUNE 1984, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT, FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 0.8 PER CENT AND FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.3 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR EACH DECREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1983 TO SEPTEMBER 1984 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT COVERING BOTrt MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1932, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDE) MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF WAGES (ALTHOUGH THE SAME DEFLATuh IS USED FOR EACH INDUSTRY TO DERIVE THE REAL WAGE INDEX FROM ITo NOMINAL COUNTERPART, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MOVEMENTS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX AND THE REAL WAGE .XDEX BETWEEN ANY TwO TIME PERIODS MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM INDUST- TO INDUSTRY DUE TO ROUNDING.)
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN T-£ WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED -HIGH ARE AL.O PUBLISHED A" QUARTERLV INTERV.LS.
/HE POINTED
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
9
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSIONS AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, SEPTEMBER 1934 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTR&.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 1985.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NOS. 5-455774 OR 5-416062.
TABLE 1 t NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 » 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMICS ---------------------------
SECTORS SEPT DEC MAR JUN SEPT
1983 1983 1984 1984 1984
MANUFACTURING 110.5 111.6 116.7 118.9 120.3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 108.1 109.7 113.6 113.8 115.6
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
/TRANSPORT........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
10
TRANSPORT SERVICES 118.9 119.8 125.3 129.7 132.6
BUSINESS SERVICES 110.4 110.6 116.5 120.3 120.4
PERSONAL SERVICES 110.7 110.5 113.4 116.1 116.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 110.8 111.9 116.8 118.8 120.4
TABLE 2 s NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN THE
INDUSTRY INDEXES (MARCH 1982 «= 100)
SEPT 1983 DEC 1983 MAR 1984 JUN 1984 SEPT 1984
GARMENTS 108.7 109.5 113.0 114.7 115.4
GLOVES 107.3 109.6 117.6 124.7 130.2
HANDBAGS 106.7 107.4 112.9 114.6 115.6
COTTON SPI NN ING/WEAV I NG 111.1 111.3 118.9 120.0 120.3
KNITTING 112.5 114.5 120.1 123.4 123.7
BLEACHING AND DYEING 110.8 111.7 117.1 119.8 121.2
PR INTING 113.2 112.3 115.7 122.0 123.4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 111.1 111.9 118.5 121.3 123.3
METAL PRODUCTS 113.0 113.4 118.9 120.1 121.1
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 112.6 115.2 126.1 127.8 129.4
ELECTRONICS 111.5 113.2 119.9 120.9 123.9
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 113.0 113.2 121.2 123.5 124.6
MANUFACTURING 110.5 111.6 116.7 118.9 120.3
/TABLE J :
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
TABLE 3 : REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 - 130)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMICS ---------------------------
SECTORS SEPT 1983 DEC 1983 MAR 1984 JUN 1984 SEPT 1984
MANUFACTURING 95.5 94.4 96.6 96.8 97.1
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 93.4 92.8 94.0 92.6 93.3
TRANSPORT SERVICES 102.8 131.4 103.8 105.6 107. J
BUSINESS SERVICES 95.4 93.6 96.5 98.0 97.2
PERSONAL SERVICES 95.7 93.5 93.9 94.5 93.7
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 95.8 94.7 96.7 96.7 97.2
--------0----------
QUARTERLY UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES * * * * *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION DETERIORATED SLIGHTLY IN THE QUARTER SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION REMAINED STABLE, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 1984 WAS 3.8 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 3.4 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1984. THE INCREASE OF 0.4 PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WAS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT - THAT IS, IT IS GREATER THAN MIGHT BE EXPECTED TO ARISE FROM SAMPLING ERROR - BUT ONLY MARGINALLY. THE RATE FOR SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 1983 WAS 4.1 PER CENT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1984 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 99 800, AS COMPARED WITH 90 800 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1984 AND 106 300 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983.
/THE UN JEHJMPLOYMENT ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
12 -
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 WAS 1.0 PER CENT, AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE OF 0.9 PER CENT FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. THE RATE FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983 WAS 1.6 PER CENT. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS AT 24 900 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING NOVEMBER 1984, WAS ROUGHLY THE SAME AS THE 24 500 FOR THE QUARTER ENDING AUGUST 1984, BUT WAS MUCH LOWER THAN THE 40 000 FOR THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983.
THE DECREASES IN THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE AND IN THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS OVER THE YEAR WERE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE SEEKING MORE WORK OR WERE NOT SEEKING MORE WORK BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED MORE WORK WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
COMMENTING UPON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIED FROM MONTH TO MONTH, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES WHICH HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED FOR THE VARIATION IN FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
HE ADDED THAT BASED ON A SYSTEM OF MANUAL EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION FROM SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES FOR THE LATEST MONTH, PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST MOVING THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLEvWITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THE PROVISIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED) FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1984 WAS 4.0 PER CENT, AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 PER CENT. THE UNADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 WAS 4.2 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14 000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 53 000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-1NSTI TUT I ON AL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLD SAMPLED.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1984 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE LATE IN MARCH.
0 -
/13........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1
BOARD TO DISCUSS FESTIVAL PLAN * * *■*
THE FIRST EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD LATER THIS MONTH, FEATURING A PROGRAMME THAT INCLUDES SONG AND DRAMA SHOWS, TALKS AND DEMONSTRATION ON CHINESE OPERA, AND ORIENTAL AND WESTERN DANCES.
AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16), THE BOARD’S ENDORSEMENT WILL BE SOUGHT FOR THE ALLOCATION OF $90 000 TO ORGANISE THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL BEGINNING ON JANUARY 27.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE ANOTHER $35 030 FOR PUTTING UP LUNAR NEW YEAR LIGHTING DECORATIONS IN ’HE DISTRICT.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS *ILL DISCUSS THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM, A REPORT ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES, AND PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAoc PROBLEM ON SHAU KEI .'.AN MAIN STREET EAST AND TO PLANT TREES IN THE DISTRICT TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICES OF BOARD MEMBERS.
THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL ACCEPT A CHEQUE FOR $15 000 ON BEHALF OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CH.'IR. DONATED BY A ROTARY CLUE, THE MONEY I FOR THE PURCHASE OF :E*. WINTER UNIFORMS FOR CHOIR MEMBERS.
TEN MEMBERS OF THE +ALL CHINA STUDENTS’ FEDERATION* ILL ALS. ATTEND THE BOARD. MEET I NG.
- 0 -
BOARD VISITS LANGUAGE INSTITUTE M * * *
EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS (MONDAY) MORNING VISITED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION IN KOWLOON.
THE MEMBERS WERE MR PETER WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, l*R TAM MAN-KWAN, MR TIMOTHY HA, REV JOSEPH G. FOLEY, MRS ELEANOR C.M. LING, PROFESSOR B.L. COOKE, MR B.TISDALL AND PROFESSOR C.Y. TO.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO SEE THE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES C- THE INSTITUTE.
THE VISITORS WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE, DR VERNER BICKLEY.
DURING THE TOUR, MEMBERS SHOWED A KEEN INTEREST IN THE DISPLAY OF THE FIFTH REFRESHER COURSE EXHIBITION 0" .ANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING MATERIALS.
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1935
14
YOUTHS HELP +CLEAN AND GREEN* PLAN it***
ABOUT 200 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB SUPPORTED THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME BY HELPING TO PICK LITTER AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK TODAY (MONDAY).
THEY WERE JOINED BY MEMBERS OF THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME WORKING GROUP.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR HOWARD YOUNG SAID, THE SCHEME WAS ATTRACTIVE IN THAT THE PARTICIPANTS COULD HAVE FUN, AND AT THE SAME TIME LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT LOVING AND CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE.
HE SAID SINCE LAST MONTH, OVER 1 700 PEOPLE HAD TAKEN PART AND COMPLETED THE FIRST STAGE OF ACTIVITIES - LITTER PICKING.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE SECOND YEAR BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES - LITTER PICKING AND TREE PLANTING.
AFTER COMPLETING BOTH STAGES, PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE INVITEE TO TAKE PART IN A LUCKY DRAW IN WHICH 250 ENTRANTS WOULD BE SELECTED TO ATTEND A PICNIC AT CHEUNG SHEUNG IN SAI KUNG ON APRIL 28 THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
+THE LITTER PICKING STAGE WILL END ON FEBRUARY 28. ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 12 IS WELCOME TO JOIN AND WILL STAND A CHANCE OF WINNING A DAY’S FREE EXCURSION,* HE SAID.
EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS ON THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - - - -
FURTHER JURY LIST DUE * * *
A FURTHER LIST OF COMMON JURORS WOULD BE POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AT NO. 38, QUEENSWAY HONG KONG ON JANUARY 21, THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT, MR JULIAN BETTS, ANNOUNCED TODAY.
-►THIS LIST WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 14 DAYS DURING WHICH
PERIOD ANY PERSON MAY APPLY BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE
REGISTRAR REQUIRING THAT HIS NAME OR THE NAME OF SOME OTHER
PERSON BE POSTED OR REMOVED UPON CAUSE DULY ASSIGNED IN
SUCH NOTICE. THE REGISTRAR SHALL IN HIS DISCRETION, POST OR REMOVE SUCH NAME ACCORDINGLY AND SHALL IF NECESSARY ALTER THE LIST,* HE SAID.
------o--------
/15........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1985
- 15 -
TOILET FOR KWUN TONG
A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT-AND-PUBLIC TOILET BUILDING IS TO BE BUILT ON A 590-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KE I YIP STREET, KWUN TONG.
THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS HANDCART WASHING SPACE, A UNISEX COMPARTMENT FOR THE DISABLED AND A STOREROOM. IT wILL BE EQUIPPED WITH CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM.
THE MEZZANINE FLOOR WILL BE A ROLL-CALL OFFICE AND THE FIRST FLOOR WILL BE FOR TOILETS, A STOREROOM AND AN ATTENDANT ROOM.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
----0------
REPAIR WORK NEEDED
* * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR REPAIR OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, STARTING FROM APRIL 1.
REPAIR WORK ON WOODEN BENCHES AND NOTICE BOARDS AT THE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, GARDENS AND PARKS WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID.
TENDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION OF THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE), 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING). LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY).
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION OF NTSD HEADQUARTERS OR TELEPHONE 3-678675.
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/16......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1935,
16
HING FAT STREET CLOSED FOR WORK
* * * *
HING FAT STREET BETWEEN CAUSEWAY ROAD AND ELECTRIC ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 11.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16) AND 5.30 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WORK ON THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING’S ROAD, NGAN MOK STREET, LAU LI STREET, ELECTRIC ROAD AND HING FAT STREET.
BUSES ON ROUTES 102 AND 106 BOUND FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING’S ROAD AND TSI NG FUNG STREET FLYOVER.
------o-------
ROAD CLOSURE
* * *
THE YUEN LONG BOUND SECTION OF ROAD D9 BETWEEN ROAD ION AND ROAD 10M IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 13 Al< ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16), FOR ABOUT TwO WEEKS, TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS REPAIR WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, GENERAL TRAFFIC AND KMB ROUTES 53 AND 67M ON ROAD D9 NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD ION, YAN 01 TO'G CIRCUIT AND ROAD 10M.
-------0---------
FRESH WATER LEAKAGE TEST
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 17) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, HEREFORD ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD AND LANCASHIRE ROAD, INCLUDING PREMISES AT CAMBRIDGE ROAD, OXFORD ROAD, WILTSHIRE ROAD, DURHAM ROAD, HAMPSHIRE ROAD, SELKIRK ROAD AND MORAY ROAD.
-------o---------
WATER STORAGE
* * X
• STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 71.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY, OR 418.373 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 518.511 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 88.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------o-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR U.S. AND U.K.............................. 1
HK PEOPLE WILL MAKE ACCORD WORK — POLITICAL ADVISER .......... 1
REPORT ON KCRC INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE ...................... 3
TAE ACTS ON NEW U.S. TEXTILE MOVE............................. 3
3 248 TRIDENT FLATS OFFERED .................................. 4
TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED ............................. 4
QUOTA PAPER BRINGS IN 56 REPLIES ............................. 6
NEW LOOK FOR POPULAR GUIDE MAP ............................... 7
GROUP HELPS COMMUNITY WORK ................................... 8
STUDENTS URGED TO JOIN POSTER CONTEST ........................ 8
AUDIO VISUAL AIDS FOR BANKING TRAINERS ....................... 9
NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR SHA TIN ................................. 10
KWAI CHUNG LUNAR FAIR SITES LEASED ........................... 10
ROAD CLOSURE FOR MTR WORK .................................... 11
TAPS OFF IN TWO AREAS ........................................ 11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1935
1
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR U.S. AND U.K.
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY YOUDE, LEFT FOR NEW YORK THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, ON A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE.
IN NEW YORK, ON JANUARY 17 (THURSDAY), SIR EDWARD WILL OPEN THE NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAS OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION. HE WILL ADDRESS LEADING AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE BANK ON THAT DAY.
SIR EDWARD WILL FLY TO WASHINGTON THE FOLLOWING DAY. HE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR AND U.S. OFFICIALS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR WILLIAh DORWARD, COMMISSIONER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS IN NEW YOn*.
THE GOVERNOR WILL TRAVEL TO LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND OF JANUARY 19-20. HE WILL GIVE A LECTURE ON THE POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS OF HONG KONG TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE ON JANUARY 22 (TUESDAY).
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR EDWARD WILL ALSO HAVE CONSULTATIONS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CFF ICE.
HE WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JANUARY 26 (SATURDAY).
--------0 ---------
HK PEOPLE WILL MAKE ACCORD WORK — POLITICAL ADVISER * * * * *
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD THE ENERGY, THE GOOD SENSE AND THc DETERMINATION TO MAKE THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WORK, THE OUTGOING POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, SAID TODAY.
HAVING TAKEN PART IN THE NEGOTIATIONS THROUGHOUT THEIR COURSE, Hi MCLAREN SAID, HE WAS QUITE SURE THAT THE TWO GOVERNMENTS -INTEND TO CARRY OUT THE AGREEMENT WHICH THEY REACHED WITH SUCH EFFORT, IN THE LETTER AND IN THE SPIRIT.
+1 FEEL THAT THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG, VIBRANT AND SUCCESSFUL SOCIETY ARE VERY BRIGHT TOLD THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG TODAY.
AND FOR ITS FREE, INDEED,+ MR MCLAREN
/SPEAKING ON .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 19$5
2
SPEAKING ON THE ROLE OF THE POLITICAL ADVISER IN HONG KO G, HE SAID THAT THE POLITICAL ADVISER AND HIS STAFF WERE SECONDED PPOM THE BRITISH DIPLOMATIC SERVICE, BUT OWED THEIR LOYALTIES TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHILE THEY WORKED HERE.
♦ THE POLITICAL ADVISER WILL HAVE WORKED IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE AT VARIOUS STAGES IN HIS CAREER AND WILL BE FULLY FAMILIAR wlTH_ ITS STRUCTURE, THE WAY IT OPERATES AND THE PERSONALITIES INVOLVED. SO HE IS IN A GOOD POSITION TO BRING HONG KONG’S CONCERNS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FCO AND TO ADVISE OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE FCO AND WHITEHALL. HE CAN ALSO EXPLAIN WHY THE FOREIGN OFFICE THINKS AND ACTS AS IT DOES C PARTICULAR ISSUES TO HIS HONG KONG COLLEAGUES,* MR MCLAREN SAIu.
OTHER THAN EXTERNAL TRADE AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS, AN AREA IN WHICH HONG KONG HAS BEEN GIVEN AN INCREASING DEGREE OF PRACTIv _ AUTONOMY, THE POLITICAL ADVISER’S WORK INVOLVES OFFERING ADVICt T. DEPARTMENTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON SUBJECTS WHICH HavE EXTERNAL DIMENSION, HE SAID.
+THE POLITICAL ADVISER IS ALSO THE POINT OF CONTACT ON POLiTIC<-ISSUES BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE REPRESENTATIVES CF FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENTS RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
♦ AND HIS OFFICE AND THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS STAFF OF THE XINHUA AGENCY TOGETHER PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETwEcH DEPARTMENTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND NEIGHBOURING CHINESt AUTHORITIES,* HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, HE SAID, WERE DOMINATED BY THE TERRITORY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, AND THAT THE BULK OF THE WOR OF HIS OFFICE WAS CONCERNED IN ONE wAY OR ANOTHER WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT RELATIONSHIP.
REFERRING TO THE TALKS ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS, MR MCLAREN ESTIMATED THAT THERE WERE NEARLY 3Q9 HOURS CF DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATION, IN ADDITION TO THE DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES AND INFORMAL CONTACTS AND THE DISCUSSIONS HELD DURING THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S VISITS TO PEKING IN APRIL AND JULY LAST YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE 22 PLENARY ROUNDS LASTED ABOUT THREE HOURS EACH, WHILE OVER 80 SEPARATE MEETINGS, EACH LASTING ON AVERAGE AT LEAST FOUR HOURS, WERE HELD BY THE WORKING GROUPS.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1985
REPORT ON KCRC INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE
* * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY CONSIDERED THE REPORT OF THE ENQUIRY CONDUCTED BY THE KCRC INTO INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE OVEr THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS.
THE COUNCIL NOTED THAT IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM REMEDIAL ACTIO HAD BEEN TAKEN OR WAS BEING PLANNED, AS REQUIRED, BY THE CORPORATION, AND THAT IN NO INCIDENT WAS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AT ANY TIME COMPROMISED.
IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE REPORT OF THE ENQUIRY HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND ACCEPTED BY THE BOARD OF THE KCRC AND BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT CONCERNED.
THE COUNCIL WAS THEREFORE SATISFIED THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR A PUBLIC ENQUIRY. A FULL STATEMENT AND PRESS CONFERENCE IS BEING HELD BY THE CORPORATION TODAY (JANUARY 15).
-----0-----
TAB ACTS ON NEW U.S. TEXTILE MOVE
XX*
THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD (TAB) AT ITS MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON DISCUSSED A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING PROPOSED CHANGE PUBLISHED IN THE DECEMBER 7, 1984 ISSUE OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL REGISTER TO THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
THE CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES CONCERNED THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR EXPORTERS TO SUBMIT DECLARATIONS UPON REQUEST BY U.S. CUSTOMS AND THE REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL CERTIFICATION OF FORM A’S. THEY ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL U.S. GSP BENEFICIARIES.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS WERE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE BOARD. AFTER LISTENING TO THEIR VIEWS, AND CONSIDERING A DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE ISSUE, THE TAB ADVISED THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SHOULD, IN RESPONSE TO A U.S. INVITATION TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES, MAKE A WITTEN REPRESENTATION STATING THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THESE PROPOSALS. THE PARTICULAR CONCERN WAS THAT PREVENTION OF FRAUD WOULD BE LESS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM. A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES DO NOT AFFECT THE ELIGIBILITY OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS FOR U.S. PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS.
-----o------
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1985
4
3 248 TRIDENT FLATS OFFERED * * *
THE 3 248 FLATS ON THE TRIDENT BLOCKS BEING OFFERED ^OR SALE UNDER PHASE VIIA OF ThE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WILL BE SOLD FIRST TO the GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS TO ACQUIRE HOMES OF THEIR OWN.
♦HOWEVER, ANY OF THE REMAINING FLATS ON THE TRIDENT BLOCKS AFTER THE GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS HAVE MADE THEIR SELECTION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR (WHITE FORM) APPLICANTS,* SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
THE TRIDENT BLOCKS ARE LOCATED AT CHING SHING COURT IN TSING Yl AND FUNG SHING COURT IN SHA TIN, WITH FLAT PRICES RANGING FROM $96 600 TO $186 200 EACH.
THE FLATS ARE ALL OF OPEN PLAN DESIGN, WITH GROSS 'REAS BETWEEN 50.1 AND 64.5 SQUARE METRES.
FLAT OWNERS MAY PARTITION THEIR FLATS INTO TWO-BEDROOM OR THREE-BEDROOM UNITS ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.
ALSO ON SALE IN THE CURRENT PHASE ARE THE 528 FLATS AT CHOI PO COURT PHASE II IN SHEUNG S HU I WHICH ARE PRICED FROM $99 400 TO $183 400 EACH.
DESIGNED WITH ONE BEDROOM AND TWO BEDROOMS, FLATS AT CHOI PO COURT HAVE GROSS AREAS BETWEEN 41.9 AND 54.3 SQUARE METRES.
♦THEY WILL BE SOLD EQUALLY BETWEEN THE TWO CATEGORIES OF WHITE-FORM AND GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 3 776 PHASE VIIA FLATS WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18), TO BE FOLLOWED BY A BALLOT TO DECIDE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.
0---------
TAX CERTIFICATE INTEREST REDUCED * * *
AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 6.60 PER CENT (TAX FREc) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.08 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
NOTICE OF THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.55 PER MONTH PER 5100. INTERcST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/INTEREST IS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1965
5 -
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE, HE SAID.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 16 JANUARY 1985.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED BEFORE 16 JANUARY 1985 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
12% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 28 OCTOBER 1983 AND BEFORE 7 NOVEMBER 1983?
9.6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR A^TER 7 NOVEMBER 1983 AND BEFORE 10 FEBRUARY 1984 ;
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 10 FEBRUARY 1984 AND BEFORE 23 MARCH 1934;
5.16% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 23 MARCH 1984 AND BEFORE 18 MAY 1984 ;
8.4% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 18 MAY 1984 AND BEFORE 6 JULY 1984 ;
10.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTEn 6 JULY 1984 AND BEFORE 13 JULY 1984;
12 84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 13 JULY 1984 AND BEFORE 10 AUGUST 1984;
10 8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 10 AUGUST 1984 AND BEFORE 31 AUGUST 1984 ;
9 6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 31 AUGUST 1984 AND EEFORE 5 OCTOBER 1984 ;
8 52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 5 OCTOBER 1984 AND BEFORE 31 OCTOBER 1984;
8 04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 31 OCTOBER 1984 AND BEFORE 28 NOVEMBER 1984;
7 56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
28 NOVEMBER 1934 AND BEFORE 28 DECEMBE0 984i
AND
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON 0^ AFTcR
28 DECEMBER '934 AND BEFORE 16 JANUARY 085
/BUT ALWAYS
Tuesday, January 15, "0&5
6 -
BUt Al wAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES aCC* . AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER ^OR PAYMEN
CF TAX.
c. ,1 -100 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON 16 JANUARY 1935, 16 FEBRUARY 1985 AND 16 MARCH 1985 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON 15 APRIL 1985 wILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON SI 000, 16 JANUARY 1985 TO 15 APRIL 1985 3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT S5.5O PER MONTH
316.50
ON $1 000, 16 FEBRUARY 1985 TO 15 A°RIL 1935
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT 35.50 DER MONTH
311.00
ON SI 000, 16 MARCH 1985 TO 15 APRIL 1985 1 COMPLETE MONTH AT 35.50 PER MONTH
S 5.50
333.0 j
-------C ---------
QUOTA PAPER BRINGS IN 56 REPLIES
* * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED 56 RESPONSES TO THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO TEXTILE QUOTA TRANSFER RULES UP TO 5 PM YESTERDAY (MONDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR CHARLES CHEUNG SAID TODAY.
+IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER RESPONSES ARE ON THE WAY TO THE DEPARTMENT,* HE SAID.
+THERE IS A WIDE RANGE Or COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS IN THESE RESPONSES.
+ALL RESPONSES RECEIVED ARE BEING STUDIED BY THE DEPARTMENT with A VIEW TO THE FORMULATION PROPOSALS - )R THE ADVICE THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD lb DUE COURSE.*
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, ID-
7
NEW LOOK FOR POPULAR GUIDE MAP
*****
A COMPLETELY RE-DESIGNED OFFICIAL GUIDE MAP OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN PUT OUT BY THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE NEW PUBLICATION IS MORE ATTRACTIVE IN DESIGN AND COMPREHENSIVE IN COVERAGE THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE. IT CONTAINS A MAP OF THE WHOLE TERRITORY AT 1:125 OOO SCALE AND A LARGER SCALE MAP SHOWING KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND AT 1:30 000.
IT IS ON SALE AT $10 A COPY.
THERE ARE ALSO FIVE INSET MAPS OF THE MORE CONGESTED BUSINESS CR SHOPPING AREAS AT 1:10 000 SCALE, SHOWING CENTRAL DISTRICT, WAN CHAI-CAUSEWAY BAY, ABERDEEN AND STANLEY ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND TSIM SHA TSUI-YAU MA TEI IN KOWLOON.
APPEARING IN A NEW FORMAT, THE LATEST EDITION - THE SEVENTH SINCE THE MAP WAS FIRST PRODUCED IN 1972 - HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR THE GENERAL NEEDS OF MAP USERS, PARTICULARLY NEW RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
IT INCORPORATES A DIRECTORY WITH LISTINGS OF GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES, STREETS AND ROADS, BUILDINGS, HOTELS AND IMPORTANT FACILITIES. A NEW AND MORE SPECIFIC LOCATION GRID REFERENCE SYSTEM IS DEVISED FOR THE DIRECTORY WHICH SHOULD ENABLE QUICK AND EASY IDENTIFICATION OF THE FEATURES ON THE MAP.
THE HONG KONG OFFICIAL GUIDE MAP HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL RECEIVED. MORE THAN 120 000 COPIES HAVE BEEN SOLD SINCE THE FIRST PUBLICATION.
THE SURVEY DIVISION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS ENQUIRIES SINCE THE SIXTH EDITION WENT OUT OF STOCK LAST AUGUST.
THE NEW EDITION MAY BE BOUGHT AT THE MAP SALE SECTIONS CF THE SURVEY DIVISION, 5TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOONt THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE.
IT IS ALSO ON SALE AT LEADING BOCKSTORES.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, z:~
- 8 -
GROUP HELPS COMMUNITY WORK X X X X
THE SETTING UP OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMM ITT COMPLETED THE CYCLE OF ESTABLISHING USEFUL COMMUNITY ORGAN I SA" I C '.S IN THE DISTRICT, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN,
SAID TODAY.
APART FROM HELPING TO PROMOTE SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS, THE COMMITTEE SERVED AS A LINK BETWEEN SCHOOLS, THE DISTRICT BOARD, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
HE wAS SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY.
MR LUI SAID A NUMBER OF OTHER COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGAN ISATI ? •: HAD BEEN SET UP SINCE LAST YEAR, SUCH AS THE EASTERN DI STR■C" -• COUNCIL AND AN ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE EASTERN DISTR IT" INDUSTRIALISTS ASSOCIATION.
THESE ORGANISATIONS COULD CONTRIBUTE EFFECTIVELY IN COMMUFI■ • BUILDING WORK.
THEY COULD PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, AND HELP ORGANISE THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES RELA .. THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, HE SAID.
THE CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE CHEKIANG AND KIANGSU PRIMARY SCHOOL.
STUDENTS URGED TO JOIN POSTER CONTEST x x x x x *
ENTRIES ARE SOUGHT FOR THE 17TH ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, WHICH IS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS BETWEEN 14 AND 22 YEARS OF AGE.
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AT WORK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT EFFECTIVELY DESIGNED POSTERS FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT-PREVENTION PLAN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
THE POSTERS SHOULD GENERATE AND SUSTAIN SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS IN EVERYONE’S BEHAVIOUR, HE SAID.
ENTRIES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO DIVISIONS: DIVISION +A+ FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND DIVISION +B+ FOR POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES.
/DESIGNS SHOULD........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1985
9
DESIGNS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED ON A SHEET OF DRAWING °APEF 'S INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANISATION, A2 SIZE (420 MM X 5-'4 CR 16-1/2 INCHES X 23-3/4 INCHES).
THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR +A+ DIVISION MAY ALSO SUBMIT ENTRIES FOP THE +B+ DIVISION, BUT SHOULD NOT SEND SIMILAR POSTERS TO BOT-DIVISIONS. HOWEVER, ANY NUMBER OF DESIGNS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY ONE STUDENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE JUDGING PANEL OF JUDGES WILL BE MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN OF LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, CREATIVE SUB-DIV ISI O' OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE MARCH 6, 1985.
JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE IN MID-MARCH.
LITERATURE ON THE COMPETITION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AND CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, 5TH FLOOR, 'ORTH POINT.
AUDIO VISUAL AIDS FOR BANKING TRAINERS * * * *
AN AUDIO VISUAL AIDS WORKSHOP FOR TRAINING OFFICERS FROM BANKS, IS BEING OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD ON THREE FRIDAYS, FROM FEBRUARY_1 TO FEBRUARY 15, AT THE REQUEST OF THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
THE FEE OF THE THREE FULL-DAY LECTURES IS S383 AND ENROLMENT
IS LIMITED TO 12.
+TRAINING OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN
THE WORKSHOP TO EFFECTIVE
LEARN ABOUT THE USE OF AUDIO VISUAL AIDS AS AN COMMUNICATION AND TEACHING TOOL.+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRAINING
BOARD SAID.
PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE VARIOUS AUDIO VISUAL AIDS A TRAINER IS LIKELY TO COME ACROaS AND TO DEVELOP BASIC SKILLS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TRAINING MATERIALS.
DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE BANKING TRAINING BOARD, MR S.M. WOO, AT 5-8032341 EXT. 255 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
-------0----------
/1O........
TUESDAV, JANUARY 15, 1=»?5
10 -
NEW ROAD PLANNED FOR SHA TIN * * * *
TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, WHICH HAS BEEN PARTIALLY BUIL” IN AR AREA TO THE EAST OF SIU LEK YUEN NULLAH IN SHA TIN, IS TO BE EXTENDED FOR ABOUT A KILOMETRE FROM NEAR SHA TIN CITY ONE TO Ari KUNG KOK.
THE NEW ROAD WILL BE PARTLY DUAL TWO-LANE AND PARTLY DUAL SINGLE LANE.
IT IS PART OF ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMEN" OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE COMPLETION OF DRAINAGE AND LOCAL ROADS FOR FUTURE RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING "NLL-FOR WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL TH' _ YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
KWAI CHUNG LUNAR FAIR SITES LEASED * * *
ONE-HUNDRED-AND-TWO OUT OF 112 STALL SITES FOR THE KwAI CHUNG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED AT A PUBLIC AUCTION YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
THE HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR ONE OF THE 84 WET GOODS STALL SITES WAS $1 550, AND THE LOWEST WAS $250, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
EIGHTEEN OUT OF 28 DRY GOODS STALL PRICES RANGING FROM $100 TO $450.
SITES WERE LEASED AT
THE UPSET PRICE FOR EACH STALL WAS $100.
ALL THE STALL SITES WILL BE SET UP AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20.
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) 148 STALLS FOR THE SHA TIN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE AUCTIONED AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL
AT LEK YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN.
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/11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1335
11
ROAD CLOSURE FOR MTR WORK * * * *
LOCKHART ROAD BETWEEN CANNON STREET AND EAST POINT ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 17) FOR WORK ON THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
0 - -
TAPS OFF IN TWO AREAS * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POINT wILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY KING’S ROAD, TIN CHIU STREET AND JAVA ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI LAM CHUNG WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED - FROM 9 PM TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE LOCATED ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD, FROM PUI TO ROAD TO TAI LAM CHUNG, INCLUDING THOSE AT PEARL ISLAND, TAI LAM CHUNG, SO KWUN WAT AND PART OF TUEN MUN.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
CONTENTS rags no.
INTEREST IN DB ELECTIONS GROWS ................................. 1
COURSES TO HELP TEACHERS QUALIFY ............................... 2
PLAN TO TACKLE FLOATING REFUSE ENDORSED......................... 3
DECEMBER CLOUDIER 'THAN USUjiL ................................. 4
HUT FOR MOTHER TERESA'S MISSION ................................ 6
PRESS CONFERENCE................................................ 7
MEET THE PRESS ................................................. 7
COUNTRY STUDY WALKS DRAW MANY .................................. 7
ARTS FESTIVAL MAIL BOOKINGS START .............................. 8
ALL SHA TIN FAIR SITES TAKEN UP ................................ 8
50 KPH SPEED LIMIT SEP ......................................... 9
CLEARWAY AND ROAD WORK.......................................... 9
BURST MAIN CAUSES TRAFFIC CHANGE................................ 9
CaSTLE PEAK WATER WORK......................................... 10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
1 -
INTEREST IN DB ELECTIONS GROWS ******
MORE THAN 270 CANDIDATES HAVE SO FAR REGISTERED TO STAND FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS SHOWED THE PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HE SAID IN WELCOMING 10 MEMBERS OF THE ALL-CHINA STUDENTS’ FEDERATION WHO ATTENDED THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.
MR LAM SAID THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 1.5 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS, AND NEW DISTRICT BOARDS WITH A TENURE OF THREE YEARS WOULD EMERGE AFTER THE MARCH ELECTIONS.
THE NEW BOARDS WOULD COMPRISE ELECTED AND GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED MEMBERS ONLY.
♦THE CHAIRMAN WILL BE ELECTED FROM AMONG ALL THE DB MEMBERS THEMSELVES.
♦GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEND MEETINGS AND GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
♦THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL STRUCTURE AND SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR LAM SAID THAT WITH THE EXPERIENCE GAINED IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY FORMULATED PLANS TO DEVELOP FURTHER THE SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES.
♦ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE SYSTEM IS THE ADDITION CF ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THIS IS A BIG STEP FORWARD IN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS,* HE SAID.
MR LAM ALSO SPOKE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, AND THE WORK OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT BOARD.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
- 2 -
COURSES TO HELP TEACHERS QUALIFY *****
PART-TIME IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO HELP PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTAIN PROFESSIONAL TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS.
THE COURSES WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR FOR TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO, ALTHOUGH ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED, DO NOT POSSESS THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS TO MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE FOR CLASSIFICATION AS +QUALIFIED TEACHERS+.
PART-TIME TEACHERS, SUPPLY TEACHERS, KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AND EVENING CLASS TEACHERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COURSES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE COURSE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS IS A THREE-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE.
AS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, THERE WILL BE TWO TYPES OF COURSES - A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE AND A THREE-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING COURSE. THERE WILL BE CHINESE AND ENGLISH SECTIONS FOR EACH COURSE.
NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE COURSES. CONTENTS WILL INCLUDE LECTURES, TUTORIALS AND SUPERVISION OF TEACHING OVER THE PERIOD OF TRAINING. CERTIFICATES ACCORDING QUALIFIED TEACHERS STATUS WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE COURSE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE FULL-TIME PERMITTED OR REGISTERED TEACHERS IN AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, OR GRADUATES OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE FROM 1970 ONWARDS, HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE FROM 1976 ONWARDS, LINGNAN COLLEGE FROM 1979 ONWARDS, OR HOLDERS CF A HIGHER DIPLOMA AWARDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF THE THREE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF APPLICANTS WISHING TO TAKE THREE-YEAR EVENING COURSES ARE FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE E OR ABOVE, INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE RELEVANT TO THE COURSE MEDIUM CF INSTRUCTION, IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE TWO-YEAR EVENING COURSES MUST BE GRADUATES OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (FROM 1970), HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE (FROM 1976), OR LINGNAN COLLEGE (FROM 1979), OR FINAL YEAR STUDENTS IN ANY OF THESE COLLEGES. HOLDERS OF A HIGHER DIPLOMA AWARDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
THE ELECTIVES ART AND DESIGN, MUSIC AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ARE OFFERED ONLY ON THE THREE-YEAR COURSES, AND THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED APPLICANTS INTERESTED IN TAKING ANY OF THESE THREE SUBJECTS THAT THEY MUST APPLY FOR THE THREE-YEAR EVENING COURSES.
/THB PHIMAKY ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
THE PRIMARY COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE CF EDUCATION AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WHILE THE SECONDARY COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES FOR ALL COURSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG, AND ITS KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6/F, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SECONDARY COURSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AND THAT FOR THE PRIMARY COURSES AT GRANTHAM AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
COMPLETED FORMS IN DUPLICATE SHOULD BE DELIVERED BY REGISTERED POST, IN PERSON, OR BY MESSENGER TO THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD C/0 THE COLLEGE OFFERING THE COURSE FOR WHICH THE APPLICATION IS MADE BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 25, 1985.
TEACHERS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR FORMS THROUGH HEADS OF SCHOOLS, AND FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF THE THREE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES THROUGH THEIR COLLEGE PRESIDENTS.
GRADUATES OF THE THREE COLLEGES AND HOLDERS OF DIPLOMA AWARDED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC SHOULD IN PERSON OR BY REGISTERED POST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A HIGHER
SUBMIT THE FORMS
♦APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE INCOMPLETED OR ARRIVE LATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED,* HE ADDED.
-----0------
PLAN TO TACKLE FLOATING REFUSE ENDORSED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY ENDORSED AN ACTION PLAN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF FLOATING REFUSE IN THE HARBOUR.
THE PLAN, DRAWN UP BY A WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY MR T.H. CHAU, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, AND COMPRISING GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND MR WALTER SULKE IN HIS PRIVATE CAPACITY, WILL REQUIRE THE SPENDING OF $2 MILLION ON CAPITAL OUTLAY AND $10.5 MILLION IN ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
THE WORKING GROUP FELT THAT A REFUSE-FREE HARBOUR WOULD BE MORE P!. EASANT TO LOOK AT, AND ITS WATER WOULD NOT ENDANGER PUBLIC HEALTH AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO BOAT ENGINES. WITHOUT DRIFTING FLOATING REFUSE, THE BEACHES, WHICH WERE OFTEN AT THE RECEIVING END OF THE POLLUTION, WOULD ALSO BE CLEANED.
/the working .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
THE WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED THAT NULLAHS AND STORMWATER OUTFALLS WERE A MAJOR SOURCE OF FLOATING REFUSE AND THAT OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES, VESSELS, AND THE TYPHOON SHELTERS. THE ACTION PLAN THEREFORE INCLUDES PROPOSALS WHICH ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS PREVENTION OF LITTERING AT SOURCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE COLLECTION AND SCAVENGING SERVICES. IN VIEW OF THE ORIGIN OF THE FLOATING REFUSE AND THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARBOUR CLEANSING OPERATIONS AND LAND-BASED SERVICES, THE WORKING GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED IN PRINCIPLE THAT EXISTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MARINE REFUSE COLLECTION AND SCAVENGING SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM MARINE DEPARTMENT TO CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
AT THEIR REGULAR MEETING TODAY, EPCOM ALSO STUDIED IN DETAIL THE CURRENT EFFORTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULA AND THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ECOLOGY AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROVIDED AT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE ALSO REVIEWED.
MEMBERS GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON HOW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, WHEN PREPARING THEIR TEACHING MATERIAL, COULD BE MADE MORE AWARE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND DISCUSSED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL. THE SUBJECT WILL BE FURTHER DISCUSSED AT A LATER MEETING.
THEY ALSO RECEIVED A QUARTERLY REPORT ON POLLUTION LEVELS AT MONITORING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND WERE KEPT UP-TO-DATE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO STRENGTHEN ITS ORGANISATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, WHICH THEY PREVIOUSLY ENDORSED.
-----o------
DECEMBER CLOUDIER THAN USUAL * * * *
DECEMBER 1984 WAS CLOUDIER THAN USUAL, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTED.
THE TOTAL DURATION OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE DURING THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 111.9 HOURS, THE EIGHTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR DECEMBER AND WAS 67.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL.
THE MONTH’S 10.7 MM OF RAINFALL WAS 14.6 MM BELOW NORMAL.
THE WEATHER WAS FINE ON THE FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN ANTICYCLONE CENTRED OVER CENTRAL CHINA. AS THE ANTICYCLONE MOVED EAST ACROSS THE EAST CHINA COAST, IT BROUGHT .MOIST EASTERLY WINDS TO HONG KONG AND THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY *iTH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN ON DECEMBER 2 AND 3.
/ON DECEMBER .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUAKY 16, 1985
5
FSTARi°^2™EAr*V Tc^i°^nNENTAL ANTICYCLONE OVER CHINA BECAME OI^kJSHED A?A'^4 F,NE AND SUNNY WEATHER PREVAILED UP TO TEXASES 16» APART FROM SOME CLOUDY PERIODS ON DECEMBER 12 AND 13 MA?iMu2Ent 9RT1RncrocceDrrEoBER U* THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A °F 25,1 DEeREES CELSIUS ON DECEMBER 15, THE MONTH’S
nIGHEST.
CL0UDY WITH LIGHT RAIN ON DECEMBER 17. A COLD FRONT oo^fw0NG EARLY ON DECEMBER 18j THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO FALL PROGRESSIVELY. CLOUDY WEATHER PERSISTED UP TO DECEMBER 23 AND THERE WAS A TRACE OF RAIN ON DECEMBER 19.
AFTER TWO SUNNY DAYS ON DECEMBER AGAIN BUT SLIGHTLY MILDER ON DECEMBER PERSISTED UP TO DECEMBER 31.
24 AND 25, 26 AND 27.
IT BECAME CLOUDY CLOUDY CONDITIONS
Trunri.^U?rE 0F THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED ON DECEMBER 28 AND THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 7.7 DEGREES CELSIUS, THE
THE M0NTH» ,N THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 29 WHEN STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS AFFECTED HONG KONG. ON THE SAME DAY, MINIMUM TEMPERATURES OF -2.0 DEGREES CELSIUS WERE RECORDED ON TAI MO SHAN AND 1.1 DEGREES CELSIUS AT TATE’S CAIRN, BUT NO REPORTS OF HOAR FROST WERE RECEIVED.
AN ESTIMATED 30 TONNES OF TILAPIA, A COMMON KIND OF FISH REARED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, DIED IN THE COLD WEATHER. WINDS MODERATED ON DECEMBER 30 AND TEMPERATURES GRADUALLY ROSE ON THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH.
TYPHOON +DOYLE+ WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH. IT DEVELOPED NEAR YAP ON DECEMBER 5, RECURVED ABOUT 430 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF LUZON ON DECEMBER 9 AND MOVED NORTH-EASTWARDS. IT DISSIPATED OVER THE PACIFIC SOUTH OF JAPAN TWO DAYS LATER.
DURING THE MONTH NO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1, 2 AND 23 TO 31 WHILST THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 2, 3,
9, 16, 22, 23 AND 31.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM
WINTER MONSOON
WINTER MONSOON
WINTER MONSOON
SIGNAL
STRONG MONSOON
STRONG MONSOON
STRONG MONSOON A,
DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING
DECEMBER 21 5.30 PM
DECEMBER 23 5.10 AM
DECEMBER 28 11.15 PM
DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
DECEMBER 22 8.00 AM
DECEMBER 23 9.05 AM
DECEMBER 29 10.35 AM
/THE MONTH'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUABY 16, 1985
- 6 -
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
SUNSHINE 111.9 HOURS’ 67.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
RAINFALL 10.7 MM- 14.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
CLOUDINESS 68%- 16% MORE THAN NORMAL
RELATIVELY HUMIDITY 68%- 1% LOWER THAN NORMAL
PEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 19.0 DEGREES C- 1.8 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL
MEAN TEMPERATURE 17.0 DEGREES C- 0.7 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL
hEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 15.3 DEGREES C- 0.1 DEGREES C ABOVE NORMAL
f'EAN DEW POINT 10.8 DEGREES C- 0.6 DEGREES C BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 80.9 MM- 39.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 25.1 DEGREES C WAS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 15
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 7.7 DEGREES C WAS RECORDED ON DECEMBER 29.
---------o----------
HUT FOR MOTHER TERESA’S MISSION * * * *
MOTHER TERESA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SIGNED A +HANDOVER CERTIFICATE* ACKNOWLEDGING POSSESSION OF A HUT INSIDE THE FORMER SHAM SHU I PO ARMY CAMP ON BEHALF OF THE +MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY*.
TENANCY OF HUT 291 WAS GRANTED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT TO THE *MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY* AT A NOMINAL RENT OF $1 PER ANNUM. THE PREMISES WILL BE USED TO RUN A NON-PROFIT MAKING CENTRE FOR DESTITUTES AND STREET-SLEEPERS AND FOR OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
HUT 291 IS A SINGLE-STOREY CONCRETE STRUCTURE, OCCUPYING ABOUT 480 SQUARE METRES.
♦MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY* WAS FOUNDED BY MOTHER TERESA IN CALCUTTA IN 1950. FOUR SISTERS AND THREE BROTHERS BEGAN MISSIONARY WORK IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY 1983 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG.
SIGNING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS MR ALBERT SO, CHIEF ESTATE SURVEYOR/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT, LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ALSO PRESENT WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE RQMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
\ - 7 -
PRESS CONFERENCE * * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 11.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM TO ANNOUNCE A REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ORGANISATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL.
IT WILL BE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, MR T.H. CHAU, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR S.B. REED.
-----o------
MEET THE PRESS' * * *
THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANTS IN CHARGE OF THE FOUR OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION OFFICES OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL MEET THE PRESS TO TALK ABOUT THEM* INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION WORK DURING THE PAST YEAR AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18) IN THE DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE MR MICHAEL KIKUCHI, MR DONALD FLETCHER, MR JOHN WHITE AND MR ROBERT ASHWORTH.
----o------
COUNTRY STUDY WALKS DRAW MANY * * *
GOOD RESPONSE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S +EDUCATIONAL WALKS IN COUNTRY PARKS+ SCHEME.
MORE THAN 100 SCHOOLS, AND ORGANISED GROUPS TOTALLING 4 000 PEOPLE, HAD BEEN MAKING THE ROUNDS SINCE LAST NOVEMBER 1, WHEN THE SCHEME BEGAN, UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE TWO-HOUR WALKS, VISITORS ARE SHOWN AND TAUGHT ABOUT TREES, PLANTATIONS AND THEIR PROTECTION, AND TREE NURSERY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY GO.
THE WALKS ARE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO BRING ABOUT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION.
k
SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR K.C. IU, SAID THAT WHEN THE SIX-MONTH SCHEME ENDS IN APRIL, MORE THAN 280 SCHOOLS AND GROUPS WILL HAVE TAKEN THE WALKS.
------0-------
/8 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARYM.6, 1985
8
ARTS FESTIVAL MAIL BOOKINGS START X * X X X
A WIDE VARIETY OF FIRST CLASS PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS WILL EE OFFERED IN THE 18-DAY FIFTH YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL WHICH BEGINS LATE NEXT MONTH.
THERE WILL BE MUSIC, DRAMA, DANCE AND EXHIBITION IN THE DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED FESTIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THEIR BOOKINGS THROUGH THE MAIL ORDER SYSTEM, WHICH WILL START TOMORROW (THURSDAY), SO AS NOT TO MISS THE SHOWS.
MAIL ORDER FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND THE YUEN LONG BRANCH OF THE STANDARD CHARTERED BANK.
THE FORMS ALSO PROVIDE FESTIVAL DETAILS.
THE ORDER FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BY MAIL, BEFORE JANUARY 31, TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL BOOKING OFFICE ON THE 13TH FLOOR OF THE YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KIU LOK SQUARE, OR BY HAND TO THE COLLECTION BOX AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, AT 4 TAI YUK ROAD.
ALL SHA TIN FAIR SITES TAKEN UP
X X X
ALL 148 STALL SITES FOR THE COMING SHA TIN LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED BY AUCTION TODAY.
THE HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR ONE OF THE 100 WET GOODS STALLS WAS |2 100 AND THE LOWEST WAS $880, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE 48 DRY GOODS STALLS WERE LEASED AT PRICES RANGING FROM $180 TO $700, AGAINST THE UPSET PRICE OF $100.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY SHA TIN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE STAFF, AT THE LEK YUEN COMMUNITY HALL IN SHA TIN.
THE STALLS WILL BE PUT UP AT THE YUEN WO ROAD PLAYGROUND, BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20, AT THE SAME TIME AS SIX OTHER FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18), 200 STALL SITES AT THE YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION, AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, TAI YUK RQAD, STARTING AT 9.30 AM.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1935
9
50 KPH SPEED LIMIT SET * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 16), MA WANG ROAD, ON LOK ROAD, YIP STREET IN YUEN LONG SHALL BE SUBJECT
WANG TAT ROAD AND LONG TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 50
KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
-----o------
CLEARWAY AND ROAD WORK * * * *
THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF SUGAR STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18).
WITHIN THE ROAD SECTION, NO VEHICLE OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AND IN CENTRAL, ABERDEEN STREET BETWEEN GOUGH STREET AND WELLINGTON STREET, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 10 AM ON JANUARY 19 UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 27 FOR ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC IN ABERDEEN STREET HEADING FOR WELLINGTON STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET.
-----o------
BURST MAIN CAUSES TRAFFIC CHANGE
*****
DUE TO A BURST WATERMAIN IN WAN WAH STREET, EMERGENCY ROAD WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AND THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF WAN WAH STREET BETWEEN WAI WAH STREET AND SHEUNG FUNG STREET IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFF IC.
* WAN WAH STREET BETWEEN SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND YUK WAH STREET IS CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.
* SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IS DIVERTED EITHER VIA TS2 WAN SHAN ROAD AND SHAT IN PASS ROAD OR TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
/* K/.® ROUTE.......
UZENESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1985
10
*
*
*
ZmB ROUTE NOS. 3A, 3B, 15A FROM TSZ WAN SHAN ZlS DIVERTEO/VIA TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND PO KONG VILLAGE ^AD.
KMB ROUTE NO. 5C FROM TSZ WAN SHAN IS DIVERTED VIA" YUK WAH STREET, TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD AND PO Kong/vllage ROAD.
x<TaXICAB ROUTE NOS. 20 AND 37M TO SAN PO KONG ARE DIVERTED VIA TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, YUK WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET.
--------0 ----------
CASTLE PEAK WATER WORK
K * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN CASTLE PEAK WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 12 NOON ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 19) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD FROM TSI NG WUN ROAD TO TAP SHEK KOK, INCLUDING BUTTERFLY ESTATE, WU KING ESTATE, SIU SHAN COURT, MELODY GARDEN, TUEN MUN AREA 44, WU KING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, PAK KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME, CASTLE PEAK (TAP SHEK KOK) POWER STATION, CHINA CEMENT CO. (HK) LTD., AND ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE AFFECTED AREA.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES CLOSE TRADE LINKS WITH U.S................. 1
HK HOPES FOR FAVOURABLE U.S. REPLY ON TEXTILES, GOVERNOR SAYS AT HK BANK N.Y. OFFICE OPENING................................. 2
LADY YOUDE RECEIVES PLACJJE FOR CHARITY WORK................. 4
UMELCO MOTIVE FOR UK VISIT UNDERSTOOD - SIR PHILIP .......... 5
PROSPECTS IN CIVIL SERVICE STILL GOOD ....................... 6
GROUP TO LOOK INTO POLLUTION CONTROL WORK.................... 8
FOUR NON-TECHNICAL QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW BOARD ............... 10
CHILD CARE STRATEGY EXPLAINED................................ 11
STRADDLE CARRIERS COMMISSIONED .............................. 13
ELECTION EFFORT URGED ....................................... 14
DB ELECTIONS EXPLAINED....................................... ' 14
COMPUTER CONTEST ORGANISED FOR SCHOOLS ...................... 15
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA FOR RESIDENTS .......................... 16
YOUTH PROBLEMS STUDIED ...................................... 17
ANTI-DRUG DRIVE ON MOVE...................................... 17
ARTS FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN .................................. 17
WRECK INSPECTION COMPLETED................................... 18
PUBLIC TOILET FOR YUEN LONG.................................. 18
Thursday, January i-», i?R5
1
GOVERNOR STRESSES CLOSE TRADE LINKS WITH U.S.
* * * *
THE NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAS OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IS a FURTHER SYMBOL OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG'S CLOSE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL LINKS WITH THE UNITED STATES.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE. SAID THIS AT CEREMONY IN NEW YORK THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OPENING OF THE +FINE UNDERLINED THE CONTINUING DYNAMIC ROLE WHICH HONG PLAY IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THE OPENING
NEW HEADQUARTERS*
KONG EXPECTED TO
IT WAS A DISTINGUISHED GROUP WHICH GATHERED OUTSIDE THE BUILDING WITH EVERYONE COOPERATING EXCEPT THE WEATHER. SNOW COVERED THE GROUND AND CONTINUED TO FALL HEAVILY DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY, WITH THE TEMPERATURE AROUND FIVE DEGREES BELOW ZERO (CELSIUS).
A BRIGHT RED RIBBON WAS STRETCHED TIGHTLY. BETWEEN TWO STANCHIONS AT THE DOORWAY, WITH RED BUNTING DECORATI NGtXAR I OUS SURROUNDING WALLS. U
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE, WHO WERE ELEGANTLY DRESSED . FOR THE OCCASION, WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR MICHAEL SANDBERG, AND INTRODUCED TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BANK’S PARTY.
THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY NEW YORK MAYOR ED KOCH. THE MAYOR THEN SPOKE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NEW YORK CITY, STATING THAT THEY WERE VERY MUCH ALIKE, BOTH BEING MULTI-ETHNIC AND BOOMING. BOTH CITIES, HE SAID, DO A THRIVING BUSINESS IN TEXTILES, FASHION AND PRINTING.
THE GOVERNOR THEN DELIVERED HIS SPEECH, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE. SIR EDWARD DOTTED ONE EYE OF THE LION WHILE MAYOR KOCH DOTTED THE OTHER AND THE MULTI-COLOURED LION CAME TO LIFE AMID THE DIN OF EXPLODING STRINGS OF FIRECRACKERS. THE BRIGHT YELLOW AND RED LION WAS BROUGHT IN FROM NEW YORK’S BUSTLING CHINATOWN WITH EIGHT CHINESE YOUNGSTERS.
AFTER THE LION DANCE, SIR EDWARD CUT THE RIBBON TO DECLARE THE BANK OPEN. THE CEREMONY ENDED WITH A RECEPTION.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR EDWARD’S ADDRESS AT THE OPENING:
V-
+MR SANDBERG, MAYOR KOCH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
+THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS OF WELCOME.
+1 TOO AM GLAD TO BE HERE TODAY FOR THE OPENING OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION’S NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR ThE AMERICAS. X
/♦THIS IS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1",
♦THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OCCASION. IT DOES REFLECT THE GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEW YORK AND HONG KONG AS TWO OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST FINANCIAL CENTRES AND AS SUPPORTERS OF FREE ENTERPRISE. HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL LINKS WITH THE UNITED STATES ARE CLOSE AND OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO US. I WARMLY WELCOME THIS FURTHER SYMBOL OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE LINKS.
♦IT IS JUST A YEAR AGO THAT I AND A NUMBER OF MY HONG KONG COLLEAGUES VISITED NEW YORK TO PROMOTE FURTHER THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US AND ASSURE YOU OF OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. THE OPENING OF THESE FINE NEW HEADQUARTERS UNDERLINES THE CONTINUING DYNAMIC ROLE WHICH HONG KONG EXPECTS TO PLAY IN THE YEARS TO COME.
♦I CONGRATULATE YOU, MR SANDBERG, THE BANK AND ALL THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPENING TODAY AND WISH THE BANK CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ITS OPERATIONS.+
HK HOPES FOR FAVOURABLE U.S. REPLY ON TEXTILES, GOVERNOR SAYS AT HK BANK N.Y. OFFICE OPENING
X * * *
HONG KONG WAS HOPING FOR A FAVOURABLE REPLY BEFORE LONG TO REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING THE UNITED STATES COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS FOR TEXTILE IMPORTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN NEW YORK TODAY.
THE REGULATIONS, SIR EDWARD SAID, HAD DISRUPTED LEGITIMATE TRADE UNDER THE BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND HAD CAUSED MUCH HARDSHIP TO HONG KONG’S KNITWEAR INDUSTRY.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AT THE PIERRE HOTEL, NEW YORK, TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE BANK’S HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAS.
POINTING OUT +THE WELL KNOWN FACT THAT HONG KONG FIRMLY BELIEVES IN, AND ACTIVELY PREACHES, FREE TRADE,+ SIR EDWARD SAID HONG KONG WAS +WIDE OPEN TO U.S. IMPORTS.+
♦AND ALL MAY COMPETE IN OUR MARKET PLACE WHETHER WITH GOODS, OR FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES. WE ADHERE STRICTLY TO THE DISCIPLINES OF THE WORLD’S TRADING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT.
♦ONE RECENT PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS FOR TEXTILE IMPORTS INTRODUCED LAST AUGUST BY THE UNITED STATES,+
’ SAID.
/HONG KON
THUBSW, JANUARY 17, 1985
3 -
HONG KONG HOPED, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THAT THE UNITED STA’ES wOULD RESPOND FAVOURABLY BEFORE LONG TO HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIONS WITHIN THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER 0^ OUR BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND THE MFA.+
IN THIS CONTEXT, SIR EDWARD SAID, HONG KONG WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO CONTINUE TO ACCEPT HONG KONG AS A BENEFICIARY OF THE U.S. GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES UNDER THE RECENTLY ENACTED TRADE AND TARIFF ACT.
+THIS STATUS IS IMPORTANT TO US,+ THE GOVERNOR SAID.
+IN 1983 ABOUT U.S.51.1 BILLION WORTH OF IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG BENEFITED FROM THE GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THE ACT REQUIRING THE U.S. PRESIDENT TO REVIEW THE PRODUCTS AND IMPORTS FROM BENEFICIARY TERRITORIES UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, AND SAID HONG KONG WOULD GIVE ITS FULL COOPERATION TO ANY SUCH REVIEW.
SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THE U.S. WAS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, ACCOUNTING FOR 54 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.
THERE WERE 130 FACTORIES IN HONG KONG WHOLLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY U.S. INTERESTS, EMPLOYING 39 700 WORKERS, OR OVER FOUR PER CENT CF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE. THEIR SALES IN 1983 AMOUNTED TO U.S.fl.68 BILLION, NEARLY 10 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE YEAR, SIR EDWARD SAID.
BY ANY STANDARDS, HE SAID, HONG KONG WAS ABLE TO OFFER A STRONG PROSPECTUS TO THOSE SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS HERE.
REFERRING TO THE SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT DURING THAT PERIOD, + THE WORLD SAW A QUESTION MARK OVER OUR FUTURE AFTER 1997.+
IT TOOK TWO YEARS OF NEGOTIATION, OFTEN DIFFICULT AND ALWAYS INTENSIVE, BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM TO PRODUCE THE ANSWER. AND DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, CONDUCTED IN CONFIDENCE, HONG KONG PASSED THROUGH SOME ROUGH WATER, HE SAID.
THROUGHOUT, THE HONG KONG POPULATION AND THE REST OF THE WORLD COULD ONLY GUESS AT THE OUTCOME.
♦WHEN IT EMERGED, THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT PROVED A TRIBUTE TO GOOD SENSE. IT OWED MUCH TO THE IMAGINATION OF CHINESE LEADERS WHO RECOGNISED THAT, IF THE CONFIDENCE ON WHICH THE STABILITY AND PROGRESS OF HONG KONG DEPENDS IS TO BE MAINTAINED, HONG KONG NEEDS TO CONTINUE WITH ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM,+ SIR EDWARD SAID.
/giving some........
THUHSDA.Y, JANUARY V, 1?$5
- 4
GIVING SOME DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT, SIR EDWARD POINTED OUT Ti->T IT PROBABLY HAD NO PRECEDENT IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THUS THAT THERE WERE QUESTIONS ASKED AS TO WHETHER IT WOULD WORK.
+ NO ONE CAN GIVE CAST-IRON GUARANTEES ABOUT THE FUTURE. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL, BECAUSE IT IS FREELY ACCEPTED BY BOTH GOVERNMENTS AS A LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, BECAUoc THE WORD AND PRESTIGE OF BOTH COUNTRIES ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO IT, AND BECAUSE IT IS IN THEIR JOINT AND INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTEREST THAT IT SHOULD BE A SUCCESS,* HE SAID.
QUOTING THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET IN HONG KONG LAST DECEMBER THAT +HONG KONG IS A FUTURE STRETCHING INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AND GOVERNOR SAID HE SHARED THAT CONVICTION.
THATCHER, AS SAYING A GOING CONCERN WITH BEYOND,* THE
+IN CONSEQUENCE, I BELIEVE HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A WORTHY MEMBER OF THE WORLD TRADING COMMUNITY AND A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNER IN OUR MUCH VALUED TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH the U.S.,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THERE WAS A RENEWED AIR BOTH OF ACHIEVEMENT AND OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG, AND THIS WOULD BE REFLECTED IN FUTURE OPERATIONS FROM THE BANK’S AMERICAS HEADQUARTERS, SIR EDWARD SAID.
0
LADY YOUDE RECEIVES PLAQUE * * * *
FOR CHARITY WORK
IN NEW YORK CITY, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, LADY YOUDE, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION IN HER HONOUR IN HER CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG.
THE RECEPTION WAS GIVEN BY THE UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY AND THE TRISTATE AREA, (NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT) AT THE ESSES HOUSE FACING CENTRAL PARK. MORE THAN 200 GUESTS ATTENDED, INCLUDING MR. CHUNG KING FAI AND THE GROUP OF ARTISTS FROM HONG KONG WHO WILL BE GIVING TwO CANTONESE DRAMA PERFORMANCES ON BROADWAY TO HELP THE UNITED WAY TO RAISE FUNDS.
IN HIS WELCOMING REMARKS, MR. JOSEPH CALABRESE OF THE UNITED WAY SAID THAT THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF ONG KONG FOUNDED IN 1968, HAS BEEN RATED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD. HE THEN PRESENTED A PLAQUE TO LADY YOUDE WITH THE INSCRIPTION OF : ’’UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO LADY PAMELA YOUDE, PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG FOR EXTENDING HER VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP TO THE PEOPLE OF NEw YORK C TY ” .
/LADY YOUDjE..........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 19? 5
- 5 -
LADY YOUDE RESPONDED BY THANKING THE UNITED WAY FOR PROVIDING A FRIENDLY OPPORTUNITY FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE UNITED WAY AND THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG TO COME TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN THE COMMON CAUSE OF SERVING THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES. SHE CONGRATULATED ALL WHO WORKED SO HARD FOR THE UNITED WAY AND CONVEYED TO THEM THE BEST WISHES FROM THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG. SHE ALSO WISHED MR. CHUNG KING FAI AND HIS GROUP OF ARTISTS FROM HONG KONG SUCCESS IN THEIR DRAMA PERFORMANCES ON BROADWAY.
ON HER FIRST DAY HERE, LADY YOUDE ACCOMPANIED BY HONG KONG BANK OFFICIALS WIVES, VISITED THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, WHICH HOUSES FAMOUS COLLECTIONS OF MEDEVIAL, EGYPTIAN AND ORIENTAL ART. SHE SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE DR. SACKLER’S FAMOUS COLLECTION OF ORIENTAL ART. LADY YOUDE HAS A DEEP INTEREST IN THINGS CHINESE AS SHE NOT ONLY SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE BUT IS THE AUTHOR OF A BOOK ON CHINA.
0---------
UMELCO MOTIVE FOR UK VISIT UNDERSTOOD - SIR PHILIP * * * * *
MEMBERS OF UMELCO HAD EVERY RIGHT TO GO TO LONDON TO ATTEND THE DEBATE ON THE HONG KONG BILL, AND THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTOOD THEIR MOTIVES, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
♦I THINK THE UMELCO PRESS STATEMENT MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SEE MINISTERS AND TO LISTEN TO THE DEBATE. THE PROCEDURE THAT THE HONG KONG BILL WILL FOLLOW THROUGH PARLIAMENT IS WELL UNDERSTOOD BY MEMBERS OF UMELCO AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF THE BILL,* HE SAID.
SIR PHILIP WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON MR ENOCH POWELL’S MOTION THAT THE HONG KONG BILL SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A SECOND READING, SIR PHILIP SAID HE IEARD ON THE RADIO THIS MORNING THAT SIR PETER BLAKER THOUGHT THAT THE CHANCE OF IT SUCCEEDING WAS REMOTE.
♦AND I SHOULD THINK SIR PETER BLAKER IS RIGHT,+ HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD REOPEN VOTER REGISTRATION, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE HAD REGISTERED AS VOTERS AND THAT WAS ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CONSTITUENCY.
+HOW MANY POTENTIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY VOTERS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT 1.4 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS, । DON’T
*?HU3o~*nY, oANuaAY * , "-c-
+WE VADE IT VERY CLEAR I'-! THE GREEN PAPER AND THE aHITE PAPER, -ND IN SUBSEQUENT PUBLICITY, THAT TO 3E A VOTER IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ONE HAD TO EE A REGISTERED VOTER FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
+NOW OBVIOUSLY THAT PUBLICITY DID NOT, SHALL WE SAY, REACH ALl THOSE IT SHOULD HAVE REACHED. I DON’T THINK THAT WAS OU: ‘AULT.
+BUT IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE WHOLE PROCESS OF ASSEMBLIN--VEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IS LIKELY TO BE FRUSTRATED IN ANY WAY BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT ~hAT ■ANY MEMBERS OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, ’HEN OBVIOUSLY WE SHALL HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT T, E SOME DEVICE OR ANOTHER,* HE SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON REPORTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING E-AXING REGULATIONS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO TAKE PART IN POLITICS, SIR PHILIP SAID, +1 READ THAT STORY. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, ~ IS TOTALLY SPECULATIVE.*
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE WALLED-CITY, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR SAID, +THE WALLED CITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF HONG KONG.*
ASKED WHY HE WAS LEAVING HONG KONG ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS RETIREMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, SIR PHILIP SAID, +1 HAVE KEN A CIVIL SERVANT FOR 34 YEARS. I THINK IT’S TIME THAT I RETInc AND REJOIN MY FAMILY IN ENGLAND.*
ASKED ON WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, HE SAID, +LIKE ALL ELDERLY CIVIL SERVANTS, I ALWAYS LEAVE THAT FOR THE LAST MINUTE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM GOING TO DO.*
PROSPECTS IN CIVIL SERVICE STILL GOOD XXX
THERE WERE STILL GOOD OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CIVIL. SERVICl. THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY.
NOTING THE CONCERN OR SOME STUDENTS ABOUT FUTURE CHANCED OF JOINING THE CIVIL SERVICE. SIR PHILIP ADDED:
+LET ME MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS, FOR THE TIME BEING, SEEKING TO .TAE'LISE THE Si UE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE DOES NC MEAN A MORATORIU-- , RECRUITMENT IN 1985-86. FAR FRO'-
SIR PHILIP WAS SPEAKING ’ THE OPENING OF < SERVICE
CAREERS EXHIBITION THIS MORNIc-.- I- THE FONG SK -HUEN HALL, HONG NG POLYTECHNIC.
OCVSrKMSJT .......
THUHSDA* JANUAKY 4 7» 4 *
’HE GOVERNMENT WAS THE LARGEST SINGLE EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG, ACCOUNTING FOR 6.8 PER CENT OF THE EMPLOYED LABOUR ^ORCE. II ---PED A WIDE VARIETY OF JOBS, MANY OF WHICH WERE APPROPRIA’E
--Z EDUCATION AND TRAINING OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, SIR °HILIP SAID.
THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY INTAKE OF POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES INTO IV IL SERVICE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
+IN 1984, FOR EXAMPLE, SOME 220 GRADUATES FROM THE POLYTECHNIC JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE? THAT IS TO SAY, NEARLV N- OUT OF EVERY 12 GRADUATES FROM THE POLYTECHNIC THAT YEAR ~30K UP EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, A NOT INSIGNIFICANT RATI SAID.
SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT, GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE 170 302 CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT, AND AN ANNUAL WASTAGE RATE OF ABOUT FOUR PER CENT, SOME 7 000 RECRUITS AT ALL LEVELS AND IN ALL GRADES HAD TO BE TAKEN ON EACH YEAR JUST TO REPLACE WASTAGE.
IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE PROVISION, EVEN IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR NEXT YEAR, 1985-86, FOR 2 500 NEW POSTS IN KEY AREAS OF ACTIVITY LARGELY OFFSET BY COMPENSATING SAVINGS IN OTHER AREAS OF ACTIVITY.
ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD REMAIN LARGELY UNCHANGED AND THE INTAKE OF NEw RECRUITS WOULD NOT MATCH THE HIGH NUMBERS OF THE 197O’S AND EARLY 1980’S, JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 10 000 IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, HE SAID.
+THIS MEANS THAT THERE ARE STILL GOOD OPPORTUNITIES, THEREFORE, FOR GRADUATES OF THIS POLYTECHNIC IN THE CIVIL SERVICE,* SIR PHILIP SAID.
ANOTHER QUESTION IN THE MINDS OF MANY PEOPLE WAS THE KIND CF GOVERNMENT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE IN THE FUTURE, AND WHETHER RECRUITS COULD ANTICIPATE A WORTHWHILE AND CONTINUING CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, HE SAID.
THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, SIR PHILIP SAID, WAS TO BE FOUND IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON ’HE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
+THERE IT IS CLEARLY STATED THAT THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT 0- THE HONG 2'-.... SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION wILL BE DEDICATED TC "HE 'EJECTIVE CF MAINTAINING THE SOCIAL AND POL > ICAL S’A? - ■ <
■_ OMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG ' £- "HE NEXT <-.2 YEARS, _EA>T,+ SIR PHILP SAID.
ONLY WITH AN INDEPENDENT CIV IL SERVICE COULD DE ACHIEVED, HE SAID.
THESE OBJECTIVES
/THE IMPORTANCE.......
THURSDAV, JACTAR'f
-j- IMPORTANCE oc THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS recognise? ey The
■•ELUSION OF A SPECIFIC SECTION IN ANNEX I OF THE JO I MT
■-JLARATION WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CONTINUATION BEYOND '.?°7
-.PLOYMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS ICE NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN BEFORE, AND FOR THE MAINTENANCE
- EXISTING SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE.
SIR PHILIP ALSO SAID:
+THE PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND THE TOTAL COMMITMENT, PUBLICLY DECLARED, OF BOTH THE BR I'r 13H AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO ITS FULL IMPLEMENTATION, PROVIDE THOSE OF US *HO PRESENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE wITH r-E 4FIDENCE TO PLAN AND RECRUIT FOR THE FUTURE.
+ THEY ALSO PROVIDE A FIRM ASSURANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE THINKH.G aBDUT A CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.*
THE EXHIBITION, THE SEVENTH Op ITS KIND TO BE ORGANISED O’NTLY Bv THE STUDENT AFFAIRS UNIT OF THE HON. KONG POLYTECH >D AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH 0“ THE GOVERNMEN■ SECRET^rl^T, REPRESENTED MUCH HARD WORK AND CONCERTED EFFOR ’ C PROVIDE STUDENTS OF THE POLYTECHNIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE wIDE RANGE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE I’' ! ~'E C 1 _ SERVI.'E.
-£ EAID.
-------0----------
GROUP TO LOOK INTO POLLUTION CONTROL WORK
*****
THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE ENDORSE*'_WT OF EPCOM, HAS SET LiP A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE HOv ITS POLLUTION CONTROu. EFFORTS COULD BE GIVEN MORE IMPETUS AND BE MADE MORE EFFECTIVE.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOP_ HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU AND CONSISTING BASICALLY Or REPRESENTATIVES 0- THE RESOURCE BRANCHES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE ENVIRONMEN AL PROTECTION AGENT'-. :L.. DRA* UP THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE NEXT SIX TO N I: - -'0*.T- IN CONSULTATION WITH THE POLLUTION CONTROL AND MON‘TORIES DEPARTMENTS.
THP EXECUTIVE COUNCI.. wILl tp-:k BE ASKED TO MA?-. E -. DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS, whlCH -ILL '■ T RATICNAl ■ S IIK-G AND CENTRALISING THE GOVERNMENT’S ORGANISATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HEL: ~jD'.Y, MR JOHN DHA/-E- 3E?<TA FOI HEALTH AND WELFARE, EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, THE ON-THE-GROUN v ' K OF POLLUTION CONTROL A'". E ./ i ■'ON*’ENTA - -1' <Ev
Ol BY AT LEAST EIGHT DEPAR"ME<TS ■ - T OF ■ - >'
- -PONSIBILITIES.
. ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
9 -
FOR EXAMPLE, THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT DEAL WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION, WHILE THE LATTER AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROLLING DIFFERENT FORMS OF AIR POLLUTION NUISANCES. SIMILARLY, MONITORING OF WATER QUALITY IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS ENGAGED FULL-TIME IN CO-ORDINATING PROGRAMME PLANS AND HELPING TO FORMULATE POLLUTION CONTROL POLICY AND LEGISLATION, BUT HAS NO EXECUTIVE CONTROL OR ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
A REAPPRAISAL OF THE PRESENT ORGANISATION STRUCTURE HAS SHOWN THREE MAIN DEFECTS:
* IT IS UNDULY COMPLEX AND FRAGMENTED, MAKING MORE DIFFICULT THE EPA’S COORDINATING FUNCTIONS, ESPECIALLY IF DIFFERENCES OF VIEW CANNOT BE RESOLVED;
* WITHOUT EXECUTIVE OR STATUTORY FUNCTIONS, THE EPA DOES NOT HAVE THE FIRST-HAND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO ITS POLICY ADVISORY ROLE; AND
* SINCE SO MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN POLLUTION CONTROL ACTIVITIES, THIS CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO PROLONGED DEBATE AND HENCE DELAY IN TAKING ACTION.
MR CHAMBERS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THIS COMPLICATED SYSTEM COULD BE CONFUSING TO INDUSTRIALISTS, WHO NEED TO KNOW HOW TO COMPLY WITH POLLUTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS, AND WHICH DEPARTMENT CR DEPARTMENTS ARE CHARGED WITH ENFORCING THE CONTROLS WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED TO MEET. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO BE CONFUSED WHEN THEY WISH TO REPORT INSTANCES OF POLLUTION TO THE RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT.
ANOTHER DRAWBACK IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE DUAL ROLES OF SOME DEPARTMENTS WHICH ARE INVOLVED IN POLLUTION CONTROL AT THE SAME TIME AS THEY OPERATE PLANT AND FACILITIES WHICH ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF POLLUTION. THEY HAVE TO OBSERVE THE LAW, AND ARE SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS, BUT IT IS MORE APPROPRIATE THAT THEY SHOULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO EXTERNAL CONTROL, SURVEILLANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.
THE WORKING GROUP NOW SET UP WILL LOOK INTO ALL THE IMPLICATIONS OF GIVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AN ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE AND OPERATIONAL ROLE. THIS WOULD INVOLVE TRANSFERRING TO THE EPA THE STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF THE CONTROL AUTHORITIES UNDER THE MAIN POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION, WHILE LEAVING WITH DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF ANT I-POLLUTI ON FACILITIES.
/♦IN OTHER........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
10 -
+IN OTHER WORDS, THE INTENTION IS THAT THE EPA WOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF LICENSING AND PERMIT SYSTEMS, THE POLICING OF POLLUTION OFFENCES, THE INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AND THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS.
+IT WOULD ALSO ASSUME PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR CONTROL LEGISLATION TO HELP IN STRENGTHENING GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO COMBAT POLLUTION,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID.
-----o------
FOUR NON-TECHNICAL QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW BOARD *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO TODAY SET OUT FOUR QUESTIONS WHICH HE THOUGHT WERE THE CRUCIAL NON-TECHNICAL ISSUES WHICH THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD HAD TO ADDRESS.
THEY WERE WHETHER THE PUBLIC WERE GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY FOR THE BROADCASTING SERVICES? IF THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION WAS NO OR A QUALIFIED YES, WHAT WAS THE BEST MEANS FOR IMPROVING THE PROGRAMMES; WHAT RESOURCES COULD BE AFFORDED; AND LASTLY WHAT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE.
MR TSAO WAS SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON LUNCH TODAY.
ON THE QUESTION OF VALUE FOR MONEY, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG PAID FOR THE VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT FED INTO PEOPLE’S HOMES, ALBEIT INDIRECTLY, THROUGH THE COST OF ADVERTISING IN THE PRODUCTS THEY BOUGHT.
IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE TV LICENSEES PUTTING BACK SUFFICIENT OF THEIR PROFITS INTO THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMES, THE NEXT THING TO CONSIDER WAS THE BEST MEANS FOR IMPROVING THE TYPE, QUALITY AND BALANCE OF THE PROGRAMMES.
FURTHERMORE, IT COULD BE ASKED WHETHER IMPROVEMENT SHOULD BE DONE BY GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND SUPERVISION, BY ADJUSTING THE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE LICENCES, OR BY GOVERNMENT TAKING A LEAD THROUGH THE DIVERSION OF RESOURCES INTO MORE PUBLIC TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF RESOURCES COULD NOT BE IGNORED.
+RESOURCES ARE LIMITED WHETHER THEY BE CALCULATED AS THE SIZE OF THE ADVERTISING MARKET FROM WHICH THE LICENSEES AND GOVERNMENT DERIVE REVENUE, OR AS THE WILLINGNESS OF TAXPAYERS TO SEE PART OF THEIR TAXES DIRECTED TOWARDS GOVERNMENT FUNDED ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION MEDIA,+ HE SAID.
/THIS QJJ3STI0N .........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1965
11
THIS QUESTION WAS FUNDAMENTAL NOT ONLY IN GENERAL TERMS BUT ALSO IN THE CONSIDERATION OF PARTICULAR ISSUES, SUCH AS RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN TYPES OR TIMES OF ADVERTISING AND THE REPERCUSSIONS THESE MIGHT HAVE ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE LICENSEES, W TSAO ADDED, QUOTING THE EXAMPLE OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING.
AS REGARDS THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN BROADCASTING, HE SAID THE REVIEW BOARD HAD TO EXAMINE IT WITH A CRITICAL EYE. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, IN THE FORM OF RTHK, WAS THE FIRST BROADCASTER IN HONG KONG AND RTHK HAD GROWN AND HAD ACHIEVED SOME NOTABLE SUCCESSES.
BUT THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER THERE WAS ANYTHING IN THE MODERN WORLD WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DID WHICH COULD NOT BE DONE AS WELL OR BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID.
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THE REVIEW BOARD WOULD PRESENT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN JULY THIS YEAR, WHILE THE EXISTING TELEVISION BROADCASTING LICENCES WOULD EXPIRE IN 1988.
+THIS LEAVES US WITH PLENTY OF TIME FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, AND WE INTEND TO MAKE FULL USE OF IT BEFORE SUBMITTING FINAL PROPOSALS IN SUMMER, 1986,+ HE SAID.
--------q ---------
CHILD CARE STRATEGY EXPLAINED * * *
A BALANCED PROVISION OF DIFFERENT SERVICES MUST CONTINUE TO BE THE STRATEGY IN PLANNING FOR RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE DIOCESE OF HONG KONG AND MACAU TODAY (THURSDAY).
SHE SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO DEVELOP THE PRESENT FOUR MAIN RESOURCES - ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE, CHILDREN’S HOMES AND SMALL GROUP HOMES - AS THE CORNERSTONES OF SUCH SERVICES.
ADOPTION SERVICE, SHE SAID, WAS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IN THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF CHILD CARE SERVICES, PROVIDING THE MOST SATISFACTORY FORM OF LONG TERM PLACEMENT FOR CHILDREN ORPHANED OR GIVEN UP BY THEIR NATURAL PARENTS.
REFERRING TO PUBLIC CONCERN OVER ADOPTION PROCEDURES, MRS CHAN SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PLACED THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ON PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT ADOPTION SERVICE, BECAUSE THIS WAS CLEARLY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN CONCERNED.
/THE DEPAHTMEKT,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
12 -
THE DEPARTMENT, SHE ADDED, WAS UNDERTAKING A COMPLETE REEXAMINATION OF THE PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING ADOPTION PLACEMENT, TO TRY TO SHORTEN THE TIME TAKEN TO PLACE CHILDREN WITH THEIR FUTURE ADOPTIVE PARENTS.
SPEAKING OF FOSTER CARE, SHE SAID, IT PROVIDED SUBSTITUTE CARE FOR CHILDREN IN A NORMAL FAMILY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER.
THIS WAS A PARTICULARLY DESIRABLE FORM OF PLACEMENT FOR BABlEo AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAD NEED FOR INDIVIDUAL LOVE AND ATTENTION, AND PHYSICAL CARE.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL FOSTER CARE UNIT ENABLED THE CENTRALISING OF PUBLICITY FOR THE SERVICE AND PROVIDED ♦NEW IMPETUS* TO THE RECRUITMENT OF FOSTER HOMES, SHE SAID.
SINCE 1983 THE UNIT HAD RECEIVED SOME 800 ENQUIRIES FROM PEOPLE INTERESTED IN BECOMING FOSTER PARENTS.
SOME 200 HOMES HAD BEEN STUDIED TO ASSESS THEIR SUITABILITY TO RECEIVE FOSTER CHILDREN, AND 90 NEW HOMES HAD BEEN GIVEN APPROVAL TO RECEIVE CHILDREN. THERE WERE NOW 96 CHILDREN PLACED IN FOSTER HOMES.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE PLANNING TARGET OF 120 PLACES WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE SERVICE, SHE SAID, DEPENDED ON THE ABILITY TO RECRUIT SUFFICIENT FOSTER PARENTS.
WITH REGARD TO SMALL GROUP HOMES, SHE SAID THEY CATERED FOR GROUPS OF EIGHT CHILDREN, OF DIFFERENT AGES, LIVING TOGETHER IN THE CARE OF HOUSE-PARENTS IN ORDINARY PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOMMODATION.
THIS TYPE OF CARE HELPED MINIMISE FEELINGS OF ISOLATION FROM THE GENERAL COMMUNITY AND ENABLED SIBLINGS TO REMAIN TOGETHER OR FOR SINGLE CHILDREN TO DRAW COMFORT AND SUPPORT FROM NEWLY ACQUIRED +BROTHERS+ AND +SISTERS+ IN A HOME-LIKE ATMOSPHERE, SHE SAID.
MARKED IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN NOTICED IN THE WELL-BEING AND BEHAVIOUR OF CHILDREN TRANSFERRED TO THE HOMES FROM LARGER INSTITUTIONS, MRS CHAN SAID.
THE NUMBER OF SMALL GROUP HOMES WOULD BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT FIVE WITH 40 PLACES TO EIGHT WITH 64 PLACES THIS YEAR, AND THE DEPARTMENT AIMED AT OPENING AN ADDITIONAL THREE NEW HOMES EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CHILD CARE SERVICES HAD NOT IGNORED THE LARGER CHILDREN’S HOMES.
+WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE STAFFING STANDARDS CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST YEAR AND BY PROVIDING MORE CHILD CARE STAFF, HAVE ENSURED THAT THE CHILDREN IN CARE RECEIVE MORE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION,* SHE SAID.
/MAJOR N3.V.......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
13 -
MAJOR NEW PROJECTS UNDER PLANNING INCLUDE THE REPROVISIONING CF THE RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SECTION OF ST CHRISTOPHER’S HOME, AND THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S CENTRE IN KOWLOON.
IN ADDITION, THE SHA KOK CHILDREN’S HOME, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 40 YOUNG CHILDREN, WAS DUE TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.
THE DEPARTMENT AND SUBVENTED WELFARE AGENCIES FACED FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
+BUT I BELIEVE WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,+ SHE SAID.
--------o -
STRADDLE CARRIERS COMMISSIONED
* * * *
THE DELIVERY OF THREE VAST MOBILE STRADDLE CARRIERS TODAY (THURSDAY) DEMONSTRATED THE DETERMINATION IN KEEPING OUR CONTAINER PORT AT THE FOREFRONT OF EFFICIENCY, WITHOUT WHICH OUR COMMERCE CANNOT FLOUR ISH.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, NR ERIC HO, AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE STRADDLE CARRIERS.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EFFICIENT PORT, MR HO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG CAME INTO BEING AS AN ENTREPOT AND, WITH INDUSTRIALISATION, QUICKLY CLIMBED WITHIN THE TOP 20 IN THE WORLD TABLE OF TRADING ENTITIES.
+NOW WE ARE RE-EMERGING AS AN ENTREPOT FOR THE REGION IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING OUR OWN COMMERCE.
+NEEDLESS TO SAY, MODERN TRADE MEANS CONTAINERS, AND OUR CONTAINER PORT IS RIGHTLY RENOWNED FOR THE GROWTH AND SPEED OF ITS THROUGHPUT,+ HE SAID.
MR HO PRAISED THE FORESIGHT OF MODERN TERMINAL’S MANAGEMENT IN PLACING THE ORDERS FOR THE STRADDLE CARRIERS +WHEN FAINTER HEARTS MAY HAVE THOUGHT THE FUTURE UNCERTAIN*.
HE SAID HE WAS ALSO PLEASED THAT +THESE MARVELS OF MODERN ENGINEERING* HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN PEINER AND HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARD, REPRESENTING A FIRST FOR BOTH PARTNERS - AND FOR HONG KONG IN THIS FIELD.
+LOCATED AS WE ARE AT THE CENTRE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DYNAMIC AREA OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, THIS SUCCESS MUST AUGUR WELL FOR THE FUTURE FOR ALL CONCERNED - NOT LEAST BECAUSE OF THE WORK ALREADY UNDER WAY ON THE RECLAMATION OF THE ADJACENT CREEK FOR TERMINAL 6 CF THIS CONTAINER PORT, TO CATER FOR THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN OUR CONTAINER THROUGHPUT.*
- 0 ----------
/14........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1935
- 14 -
ELECTION EFFORT URGED
* * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED PEOPLE WHO ARE KEEN TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7 BY REGISTERING THEMSELVES AS CANDIDATES AND ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
MR HSU MADE THE APPEAL AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE TAOIST CHING CHUNG CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN YUEN LONG.
+HONG KONG IS NOW FACING A BRIGHT FUTURE AND WE SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BUILD A MORE DEMOCRATIC AND BETTER SOCIETY,+ HE SAID.
♦TAKING PART IN DISTRICT BOARD ACTIVITIES WILL ENABLE THE EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND A MORE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.+
MR HSU ALSO PRAISED THE TAOIST CHING CHUNG KOON FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THE CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AT SHA CHAU LEI, YUEN LONG, IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
-----0------
DB ELECTIONS EXPLAINED * * K
MR C.M. LEUNG, A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND MR LEE LAP-SUN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (ELECTORAL SERVICES) OF THE COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH, WILL GIVE A BACKGROUND BRIEFING TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THEY WILL SPEAK ON THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES, CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
/15........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1935
- 15 -
COMPUTER CONTEST ORGANISED FOR SCHOOLS * * * *
THREE WINNERS OF A +COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING SOFTWARE CONTEST* ORGANISED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE SINGAPORE YOUTH SCIENCE FORTNIGHT 1985.
THE SINGAPORE YOUTH SCIENCE FORTNIGHT IS HELD EACH SUMMER TO STIMULATE THE IMAGINATION AND TO DEVELOP CREATIVITY IN YOUNG PEOPLE, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THAT SCIENCE IS A VITALLY IMPORTANT FIELD OF STUDY.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF A LOCAL COMPANY.
IT AIMS AT PROMOTING COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION, FOSTERING THE ENJOYMENT OF LEARNING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS, AND ENHANCING UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS CF COMPUTER APPLICATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
CONTESTANTS SHOULD BE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN HONG KONG, AND AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 20 ON JANUARY 1, 1985.
THE COMPUTER-BASED SOFTWARE ENTERED FOR THE CONTEST SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN THE LEARNING OF SCIENCE SUBJECTS OR MATHEMATICS.
AN ENTRY MAY BE AN ILLUSTRATION OR SIMULATION OF A SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLE, A USEFUL TOOL FOR PROBLEM SOLVING, A GAME WHICH ENCOURAGES APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, OR AN ELECTRONIC TUTOR.
A MINIMAL HARDWARE CONFIGURATION OF A MICROCOMPUTER WITH EITHER A CASSETTE RECORDER OR A FLOPPY DISK DRIVE AS BACKING STORAGE AND A PRINTER IS ASSUMED TO BE USED FOR EACH ENTRY.
IF OTHER PERIPHERALS ARE EMPLOYED, THE CONTESTANT MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEM FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES TO THE PANEL OF JUDGES.
EACH ENTRY SHOULD INCLUDE THE PROGRAM STORED ON FLOPPY DISK OR TAPE, A USER GUIDE, A SET OF ALL OTHER MATERIALS WHICH SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE USERS OF THE SOFTWARE, AND A FULL DOCUMENTATION CF THE PROGRAM.
ALL WRITTEN MATERIALS SHOULD BE TYPEWRITTEN ON A-4 PAPER OR IN THE FORM OF COMPUTER PRINTOUTS.
ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH SCHOOL HEADS BY MARCH 15 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (PHYSICS), SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
/+&ACH ENTHY........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
- 16 -
+EACH ENTRY WILL BE JUDGED ON ITS SCIENTIFIC CONTENT, ITS USER-FRIENDLINESS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT CAN PROVIDE FOR AN INTERESTING AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING PROCESS FOR THE USER AND HOW WELL IT HAS EXPLOITED THE POTENTIALS OF THE MICROCOMPUTER IN ITS DESIGN,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APART FROM THE TRIP TO SINGAPORE, THE FIRST PRIZE WILL INCLUDE A $1 OOO BOOK COUPON, THE SECOND PRIZE A $500 BOOK COUPON AND THE THIRD PRIZE A $200 BOOK COUPON. THERE WILL ALSO BE FIVE CONSOLATION PRIZES OF A $200 BOOK COUPON EACH.
FOR ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE COMPETITION, STUDENTS CAN TELEPHONE THE SCIENCE SUBJECTS SECTION ON 5-8392470 OR 5-8392474.
- 0 ----------
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA FOR RESIDENTS
* * * X
A LONG TIME EYESORE ON KING LAM STREET IN SHAM SHU I PO — 121 SQUATTER HUTS -- WAS REMOVED TODAY (THURSDAY) AND THE SITE WILL BE TURNED INTO A SITTING-OUT AND AMENITY AREA.
AND THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $150 000 FOR REPAVING THE SITE, TREE PLANTING AND OTHER CIVIL WORKS FOR THIS MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
WORK WILL START SHORTLY AND THE SITTING-OUT AREA IS EXPECTED TO BE READY IN ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES WERE DEMOLISHED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING AND LANDS DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE.
NINETY-FOUR FAMILIES WITH 221 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE CLEARANCE HAVE BEEN RESETTLED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE FLATS OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA UNITS IN THE URBAN AREA.
IN ADDITION, OPERATORS OF 28 INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE GIVEN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TOTALLING $500 000.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, MAINLY USED AS DOMESTIC UNITS, WORKSHOPS AND GARAGES, HAD BEEN A SUBJECT OF FREQUENT COMPLAINTS FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.
AT A MEETING IN AUGUST 1933, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO CLEAR THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND OTHER RELATED NUISANCE.
- - 0-------------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
YOUTH PROBLEMS STUDIED * * * *
A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE FINDINGS OF A STUDY ON YOUTH PROBLEMS IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY)
AT 11 AM IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, ON THE
1ST FLOOR OF FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
BOARD.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING GROUP, MRS CHONG YUK TAK-FUN.
0 - -
ANTI-DRUG DRIVE ON MOVE XXX
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR G.L. MORTIMER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) AT 11.30 AM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
ARTS FESTIVAL TRAFFIC PLAN * X X *
EDINBURGH PLACE EAST BETWEEN THE EASTERN END OF THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 19) UNTIL 11 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1935 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1985
18
WRECK INSPECTION COMPLETED * * * *
CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN CANTON HAVE JUST COMPLETED INSPECTION OF A WRECK, SUSPECTED TO BE THAT OF THE BARQUENTINE OSPREY, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
UPON RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REPORT FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER ITS CONTENTS, PRIOR TO FORWARDING IT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC TOILET FOR YUEN LONG * * *
A PUBLIC TOILET WILL BE BUILT ON HONG KING STREET IN YUEN LONG TOWN.
IT WILL HAVE SEPARATE CUBICLES FOR THE DISABLED AND A STOREROOM.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY, PEOPLE URGED............................. 1
CHANGE OF GROUP POLICIES LAW SOUGHT ............................. 3
SALARY INDEXES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ........ 3
TWO SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HELD........................... 10
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN ..................................... 11
FACTS, FIGURES IN A NUTSHELL ................................... 11
COST-SAVING FLOATING BOOM WINS AWARD............................ 12
SHA TIN PROMOTES CIVIC INTEREST ................................ 12
VARIETY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS CRIME FIGHT ............................ 13
KWUN TONG HOLDING YOUTH FESTIVAL................................ 14
HISTORICAL building to be PRESERVED ............................ 14
CAREERS DISPLAYS EXPECT 20 000 STUDENTS ........................ 15
FEES FOR DENTISTS RAISED........................................ 17
RIVER DREDGING WORK NEEDED............................ ...... 17
TAI PO LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER...........................v ... 18
SEMINAR ON SPORTS FOR DISABLED.................................. 18
SEWAGE DISPOSAL TENDERS INVITED ................................ 19
DRIVE DRAWS TO END.............................................. 19
ALL YUEN LONG FAIR SITES LEASED ................................ 20
WAN CHAI TAPS OFF
20
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1935
1
PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY, PEOPLE URGED * * *
EXPERIENCE SHOWED THE NEED TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND GRADUALLY FOR HONG KONG TO ENJOY A RELATIVELY STABLE INTERNAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, HE SAID: +CERTAINLY WE HAVE TO DEVISE A SYSTEM WHICH WILL PROPERLY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.
+BUT IT WOULD BE EXPECTING TOO MUCH AT THE START OF THIS NEW YEAR AND THIS NEW CHAPTER IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY IF WE TRIED TO DEFINE IN TOO MUCH DETAIL THE STEPS WHICH WILL NEED TO BE TAKEN IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
♦WHEN WE HAVE LIVED THROUGH THESE NEXT ONE OR TWO YEARS THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME WILL BEGIN TO EMERGE FROM THE MISTS OF THE FUTURE.*
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT MOST OF HONG KONG’S PEOPLE WOULD LIVE HERE ALL THEIR LIVES AND THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF DEPARTURE.
+THEIR HOMES ARE HERE. THEIR FUTURE IS HERE. AND THEREFORE WE MUST NOT FALTER IN OUR &ESOLVE — AS A GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE — FULL AND HAPPY LIFE FOR OUR PEOPLE, BY
TO CONTINUE TO BUILD A USING THE IMAGINATION,
ENTERPRISE AND DETERMINATION.*
HE SAID HONG KONG UNTIL THE YEAR 2047.
HAS A GUARANTEED AND DISTINCT EXISTENCE
THE PEOPLE CAN NOW TAKE A MUCH MORE POSITIVE HOLD ON THE FUTURE THAN AT ANY TIME IN THE TERRITORY’S HISTORY.
+YET WE MUST NOT ALLOW THIS GREATER CERTAINTY, THIS GREATER ASSURANCE, TO ENDANGER, BY BECOMING OVER-CONFIDENT, WHAT HAS BEEN CREATED DURING THE LONG PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY,* HE SAID.
♦FOR THIS IS A PARADOX THAT THE LACK OF CERTAINTY HAS STIMULATED CONCENTRATION ON ESSENTIALS AND PRACTICAL AFFAIRS, «WD THIS HAS HELPED CREATE THE PROSPERITY WHICH WE ENJOY TODAY.
+AND, BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY AND BY CONSENSUS, WE HAVE ENJOYED A RELATIVELY STABLE INTERNAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.*
/MR AKERS-JONES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
- 2
MR AKERS-JONES ALSO LISTED SOME OF THE QUALITIES AND FEATURES WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CREATION OF + THIS REMARKABLE CITY+.
THESE INCLUDE TOLERATION OF RACE AND RELIGION, FREEDOM OF SPEECH, A MIXING OF CULTURES AND LANGUAGE, THE USE OF A WORLD LANGUAGE TO GAIN ACCESS TO IDEAS AND LEARNING FROM AROUND THE WORLD, SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT AND POLITICAL REFORM, A RAPID EXPANSION OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FACILITIES, AND OTHERS.
HE STRESSED THAT IT IS IMPORTANT AT THIS TURNING POINT IN OUR HISTORY THAT WE VALUE AND PRESERVE THOSE ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY WHICH ARE THE VERY BASIS OF OUR SUCCESS.
♦ WE MUST NOT LOSE THEM WHILE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SHIFTING THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE.+
MEANWHILE, HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS AHEAD OF US. IN PARTICULAR THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD CHARTED THE COURSE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF EDUCATION.
♦ WE MUST CONTINUE WITH OUR PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PROVIDE THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND SERVICES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OUR PRESENT SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES, AND BUILD THE ROADS, WATER AND POWER SUPPLIES AND ALL THE FACILITIES NEEDED TO SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH,+ HE SAID.
+WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO FIND SOLUTIONS. BUT THEY MUST BE OUR OWN SOLUTIONS. WE MUST NOT FORGET HOW WE REACHED THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT IN HISTORY.
♦ IT IS A TIME WHICH FIRES THE IMAGINATION AND UPLIFTS THE SPIRIT. IT IS A TIME FOR US TO CONSIDER THE PART WE HAVE TO PLAY IN BUILDING THE FUTURE HONG KONG.+
MR AKERS-JONES ALSO REMINDED THE STUDENTS OF THE THEME OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR -- PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE — AND URGED THEM TO PARTICIPATE ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE AND ABILITY.
♦ IF YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY, THEN USE THIS OPPORTUNITY WHILE YOU ARE STUDYING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT HONG KONG AND MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION THAT OF UNDERSTANDING THE REAL NATURE, AND I EMPHASISE, THE REAL NATURE OF THE QUESTIONS WHICH WE FACE,+ HE ADDED.
0 -------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 198$
3
CHANGE OF GROUP POLICIES LAW SOUGHT * X *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO VALIDATE INSURANCE POLICIES TAKEN OUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF GROUPS OF UNNAMED BUT IDENTIFIABLE PERSONS WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, AN EMPLOYER WHO TAKES OUT A GROUP LIFE ASSURANCE POLICY TO COVER ALL HIS EMPLOYEES IS REQUIRED TO NAME ALL THE EMPLOYEES IN THE POLICY.
THIS IS INCONVENIENT AND OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE REALITY CF COMMON MARKET PRACTICE, HE SAID.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) PROVIDES THAT THE LAW DOES NOT INVALIDATE A POLICY OF INSURANCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNNAMED PERSONS WITHIN A SPECIFIED CLASS OR DESCRIPTION, IF THE CLASS OR DESCRIPTION IS STATED IN THE POLICY AND ALL PERSONS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BENEFIT AT ANY GIVEN TIME ARE IDENTIFIABLE.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITEE, THE HONG KONG LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL AND THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO HAVE ITS FIRST READING ON JANUARY 23 AND ITS SECOND AND THIRD READINGS ON FEBRUARY 6.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, CENTRAL OR THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 6TH FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
-----o------
SALARY INDEXES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A), MEASUR I NG CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS FOR THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE^, AVLKAbt bALAKT LC g |N
LAST YEAR TO 111.8.
THIS IS SHOWN FROM THE FINDINGS OF A NEW SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEES BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES -EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) CONDUCTED BY CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT.
/THE OVERALL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1Q85
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B>. WHICH MEASURES THE CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS ONLY FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME JOB AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN 1983 AND 1984 .AS 113.2 IN JUNE 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 13.2 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983, WHEN THE INDEX WAS TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARING JUNE 1984 WITH JUNE 1983, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR INCREASED BY 14.1 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/ EXPORT TRADES SECTOR BY 14.0 PER CENT; FOR THE MANUFACTURING/ ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR BY 13.8 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR BY 10.9 PER CENT; AND FOR THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES SECTOR BY 5.6 PER CENT.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR INCREASED BY 14.1 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR BY 15.3 PER CENT ; FOR THE MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR BY 13.9 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR BY 13.3 PER CENT; AND FOR THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES SECTOR BY 10.3 PER CENT.
BETWEEN JUNE 1983 AND JUNE 1984, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES INCREASED BY 10.0 PER CENT AND THAT FOR MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES BY 12.3 PER CENT. AS REGARDS THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 11.8 PER CENT AND 13.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. FOR DEFINITIONS OF LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES, PLEASE SEE THE FOOTNOTE OF TABLE 1.
THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR JUNE 1984 FOR MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ANALYSED BY SIZE OF COMPANY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 BELOW.
MEANWHILE, THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (A) STOOD AT 101.5 IN JUNE 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1.5 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983. THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (B), ON THE OTHER HAND, STOOD AT 102.7 IN JUNE 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1983.
COMPARING JUNE 1984 WITH JUNE 1983, THE REAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR AND FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR INCREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT EACH; FOR THE MANUFACTURING/ELECTRI CITY, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR BY 3.3 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR BY 0.6 PER CENT WHILE THAT FOR THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES SECTOR DECREASED BY 4.2 PER CENT.
/DURING THE .......
Friday, January 18, 1985
- 5 -
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR INCREASED BY 3.6 PER CENTU FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR BY 4.6 PER CENT; FOR THE MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR BY 3.4 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR BY 2.9 PER CENT AND FOR THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES SECTOR BY 0.1 PER CENT.
BETWEEN JUNE 1983 AND JUNE 1984, THE REAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES DECREASED BY 0.1 PER CENT BUT THAT FOR MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT. THE REAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE REAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND REAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR JUNE 1984 FOR THE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ANALYSED BY SIZE OF COMPANY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3 AND TABLE 4.
AMONG THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE SURVEY, IT WAS FOUND THAT 58 PER CENT OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO PROFIT-SHARING BONUS, 38 PER CENT WERE ENTITLED TO HOUSING BENEFITS OF SOME KIND AND 70 PER CENT TO PROVIDENT/RETIREMENT FUND OR PENSION.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS SINCE MARCH 1982 CONDUCTED A QUARTERLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE AND SALARY RATES FOR MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS. EMPLOYEES AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS ARE HOWEVER EXCLUDED. IN ORDER TO COVER THESE TYPES OF EMPLOYEES, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED THE SURVEY CF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES - EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) IN SEPTEMBER 1984 TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES FOR THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 1983 TO JUNE 1984. EMPLOYEES OCCUPYING TOP POSITIONS IN MANAGEMENT ARE STILL NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING SUCH DATA.
IN THE NEW SURVEY, ONLY EMPLOYEES WORKING IN COMMON OCCUPATIONS CF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS IN THE MANUFACTURING/ ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM SECTOR; BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES SECTOR; WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES SECTOR; TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR ARE COVERED. BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE STAFF EMPLOYED IN LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ARE COVERED IN THE SURVEY. A SAMPLE OF 200 COMPANIES WAS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY. ALL THE LARGE COMPANIES IN THE ABOVE FIVE ECONOMIC SECTORS WERE ENUMERATED IN FULL WHEREAS RANDOM SAMPLES CF MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES WERE SELECTED FROM EACH ECONOMIC SECTOR.
/DATA WERE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
6
DATA WERE COLLECTED BY PERSONAL INTERVIEW. A LETTER TOGETHER WITH A SET OF EXPLANATORY NOTES AND JOB SPECIFICATIONS WERE SENT TO THE SAMPLED COMPANIES. AN APPOINTMENT WAS THEN MADE AFTER WHICH AN OFFICER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CALLED ON THE COMPANY TO GIVE ASSISTANCE IN JOB MATCHING AND COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE NEW SURVEY, A NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND A NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) WERE COMPILED. THESE SALARY INDEXES ARE DESIGNED TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES BY HOLDING THE OCCUPATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES THE SAME AS THAT IN JUNE 1983, WHICH IS TAKEN AS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE INDEXES. THE SALARY INDEX (A) IS COMPILED BY COMPARING THE AVERAGE OF THE SALARY LEVELS OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES IN JUNE 1984 WITH THAT IN JUNE 1983. IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE OF CHANGE IN SALARY LEVELS AND TAKES INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN SALARY LEVEL RESULTING FROM MOVEMENTS ' ACROSS COMPANIES AND IN AND OUT OF OCCUPATIONS AS WELL AS
CHANGES IN SALARIES FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH YEARS. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SALARY INDEX (B) MEASURES THE CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH YEARS. IT THEREFORE ACCOUNTS ONLY FOR CHANGES DUE TO A GENERAL INCREMENT, MERITORIOUS INCREASE AND GAIN IN SENIORITY. THIS INDEX SHOULD BE USEFUL TO PERSONNEL MANAGERS IN DECIDING ON SALARY ADJUSTMENTS. WHILE THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEXES MEASURE THE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL SALARY INDEXES, WHICH ARE OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEXES BY THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, MEASURE THE CHANGES IN THE SALARY RATES IN REAL TERMS. APART FROM BASIC SALARIES, THE SALARY RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ALSO COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, GUARANTEED YEAR-END BONUS, COMMISSION AND TIPS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES. OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE TOTAL PAY PACKAGE OF EMPLOYEES AT THIS LEVEL SUCH AS PROFIT-SHARING BONUS AND HOUSING ALLOWANCE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF SALARY RATE. HOWEVER, STATISTICS ON THESE FRINGE BENEFITS ITEMS ARE SEPARATELY COMPILED. THEY ARE EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY ENTITLED TO THEM.
DETAILS OF THE SALARY MOVEMENT, AVERAGE SALARY RATES FOR MAJOR OCCUPATIONS AND STATISTICS ON EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENT TO VARIOUS FRINGE BENEFITS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A +REPORT OF SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES - EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT)*. COPIES OF THIS REPORT WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE AT |15 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SALARY INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 5-455774 OR 5-416062.
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
- 7
TABLE 1 i NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1984 (JUNE 1983 - 1OO)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES*
LARGE COMPANIES MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ALL COMPANIES
MANUFACTUR1NG/ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM 110.0 114.8 113.8
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES 98.1 106.6 105.6
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 112.7 114.3 114.0
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 112.0 109.9 110.9
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE 111.6 114.9 114.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 110.0 112.3 111.8
* ALL INDEXES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
NOTE: LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ARE INDICATED AS BELOW:
NO. OF PERSONS ENGAGED
LARGE MEDIUM-SIZED
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS COMPANIES COMPANIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, 2 000 200 - 1 999
GAS AND STEAM
/BUILDING AND.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
- 8
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 500 50 - 499
AND RELATED TRADES
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND 500 100 - 499
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND 500 100 - 499
COMMUNICATION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 1 000 100 - 999
AND INSURANCE
TABLE 2 : NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1984 (JUNE 1983 - 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES*
LARGE COMPANIES MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ALL COMPANIES
MANUFACTUR1NG/ELECTR1C1TY, GAS AND STEAM 112.1 114.4 113.9
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES 108.0 110.6 110.3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 112.4 115.9 115.3
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 112.5 114.2 113.3
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE 112.3 114.7 114.1
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 111.8 113.6 113.2
M ALL INDEXES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
/Table 5 : .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
- 9 -
TABLE 3 i REAL SALARY INDEX (A) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1984 (JUNE 1983 - 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES*
LARGE COMPANIES MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES ALL COMPANIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, GAS AND STEAM 99.8 104.2 103.3
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES 89.0 96.8 95.8
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 102.3 103.7 103.5
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 101.6 99.7 100.6
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE 101.3 104.3 103.5
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 99.9 101.9 101.5
* ALL INDEXES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
TABLE 4 t REAL SALARY INDEX (B) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR BY SIZE OF COMPANY FOR JUNE 1984 (JUNE 1983 - 100)
INDEXES*
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS --------------------------------------
LARGE MEDIUM-SIZED ALL
COMPANIES COMPANIES COMPANIES
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, 101.7 103.8 103.4
GAS AND STEAM
/BUILDING AND ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 198?
10
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 98.0 100.3 100.1
AND RELATED TRADES
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND 102.0 105.2 104.6
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND 102.1 103.6 102.9
COMMUNICATION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 102.0 104.1 103.6
AND INSURANCE
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 101.4 103.1 102.7
* ALL INDEXES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
-----o----------
TWO SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HELD
* * * *•
TWO MEN SUSPECTED OF BEING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA WERE ARRESTED IN YUEN LONG IN A SPECIAL OPERATION CARRIED OUT BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
THE TWO, AGED 30 AND 36 WERE BEING DETAINED FOR A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
QUESTIONING,
NINE FAILED
OF THE 1 400 PERSONS CHECKED FOR IDENTIFICATION, TO CARRY PROOF OF IDENTITY. THE NINE WERE BEING INVESTIGATED WITH A VIEW TO PROSECUTION, HE SAID.
FORTY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS HAD TAKEN PART IN YESTERDAY’S OPERATION ON 88 ESTABLISHMENTS, INCLUDING FACTORIES, RESTAURANTS SHOPS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/11 ........
FR(DAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN * * * *
WOMEN BORN IN 1949 AND 1950 ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR NEW I.D. CARDS BEFORE FEBRUARY 2.
♦SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THIS PHASE, 43 800 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED BY THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES AND WE EXPECT 38 600 MORE TO COME IN THE REMAINING TWO WEEKS,* AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
APPLICANTS CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE ISSUE OFFICES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
THOSE WHO ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG AND WILL NOT BE BACK BEFORE THE END OF THE PHASE SHOULD APPLY WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR RETURN.
-------0 --------
FACTS, FIGURES IN A NUTSHELL * * * *
THE 1984 EDITION OF THE ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, IS NOW ON SALE AT $93 A COPY.
THE PUBLICATION IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS.
IT BRINGS TOGETHER IN ONE VOLUME UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
IT COVERS STATISTICS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, INCLUDING POPULATION, VITAL STATISTICS, LABOUR FORCE, INDUSTRY, TRADE, SERVICES, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, PUBLIC FINANCE, MONEY AND BANKING, CONSUMER PRICES, FOOD SUPPLIES, TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM, CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AS WELL AS LAW AND ORDER.
THE 1984 ISSUE PROVIDES 280 TABLES AND COVERS, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE TEN-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1974 TO 1983.
IT IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, G.P.O. BUILDING, G/F, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
-----0------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
12
COST-SAVING FLOATING BOOM WINS AWARD * * *
A MARINE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR WAS COMMENDED BY THE SECRETARY -OR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MARTIN ROWLANDS, TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR HIS INNOVATIVE DESIGN OF A FLOATING BOOM WHICH WON AN AWARD UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME.
LAST AUGUST, MR LEUNG CHUN-MING PUT FORWARD A SUGGESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FLOATING BOOM TO PROTECT SWIMMING AREAS FROM POLLUTION. THE BOOM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY INSTALLED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT REPULSE BAY BEACH AND MAY BE INTRODUCED AT OTHER BEACHES.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, ROWLANDS PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION. MR LEUNG HAD ALREADY RECEIVED A CASH AWARD OF $1 500.
+MR LEUNG HAS DEMONSTRATED CONSIDERABLE INVENTIVENESS IN AN AREA OF WORK IN WHICH HE IS NOT EMPLOYED. HE HAS DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF HIS OWN TIME TO DEVELOPING HIS IDEA AND I CONGRATULATE HIM.+ SAID MR ROWLANDS.
MR ROWLANDS STRESSED THAT IN THE PRESENT FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS ON CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH, THE GOVERNMENT’S STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME TOOK ON AN EVEN GREATER SIGNIFICANCE AND HE HOPED THAT STAFF IN ALL DEPARTMENTS WOULD SUPPORT IT.
THE CIVIL SERVICE SUGGESTIONS SCHEME PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO CIVIL SERVICE STAFF TO PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS TO METHODS OF WORK AND TO SUGGEST WAYS BY WHICH SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED. IT ALSO ENCOURAGES STAFF TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICE CUTSIDE THE LIMITS OF THEIR NORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
PRESENT AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR CHAN YUE-YAN, SENIOR OFFICERS AND STAFF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS COMMITTEE.
------o-------
SHA TIN PROMOTES CIVIC INTEREST * * * *
A THREE-SESSION TRAINING COURSE HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR UPCOMING COMMUNITY LEADERS IN SHA FIN, AS -’ART OF THE DISTRICi BOARD’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS.
PARTICIPANTS MAINLY MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTtES AND VIN NCAI SOCIETIES WILL ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) AND THE OTHER TWO
ON JANUARY 23 AND 27.
/THE SUBJECTS .......
I
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
- 13 -
THE SUBJECTS WILL INCLUDE THE FUNCTION OF DISTRICT BOARD, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF LEADERS, THE HONG KONG POLITICAL STRUCTURE, THE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF SHA TIN, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE GROUP WILL ALSO GO TO THE LIONS PAVILION FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF SHA TIN, AND A BRIEFING ON THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG.
SIX UNOFFICIAL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKERS AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM WOON-KWONG, *ILL TALK ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE COURSE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S EDUCATION ON CIVIC-MINDEDNESS ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
-------0 ---------
VARIETY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS CRIME FIGHT
X * * *
A FUN-PACKED VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING WILL HIGHLIGHT THE CURRENT CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR EVENT AT THE DR SEAKER CHAN’S bEMORIAL HALL WILL FEATURE AN ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS, FOLK DANCES, DRAMA, SONGS AND OTHER PERFORMANCES BY MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL, AND THREE POPULAR SINGERS.
THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN LAST NOVEMBER, TO PUBLICISE THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE IN COMBATING AND PREVENTING CR IMES.
WINNERS OF A FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN CONTEST HELD LAST MONTH WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TOMORROW’S SHOW, AT 7.30 PM. ABOUT 300 ENTRIES WERE SUBMITTED FOR THE CONTEST WHICH WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO AGE GROUPS.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT COMMANDER OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR E.J. LOCKEYEAR, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE VARIETY SHOW IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
- - 0 - -
/14
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1935
14
KWUN TONG HOLDING YOUTH FESTIVAL * * * *
A PARADE BY 500 MEMBERS OF YOUTH GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES * ILL MARK THE OPENING OF A TWO-WEEK +KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL* ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20).
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL INSPECT THE LINE UP AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE SEVEN YOUTH GROUPS TAKING PART ARE: CIVIL AID SERVICES, ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE, AIR CADET CORPS, THE JUNIOR LEADERS CORPS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES AND THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAM OF DELIA MEMORIAL SCHOOL.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE BAND MARCHING, CYCLING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES, AND A BODY-BUILDING DEMONSTRATION BY A VITALITY TEAM FROM A TELEVISION STATION.
THE FESTIVAL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL HAVE THE THEME: +YOUTHS OF KWUN TONG ANSWER EVERY CALL, DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY AND PEACE FOR ALL*.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AT il50 000, IT WILL HAVE 30 EVENTS, ORGANISED THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE BOARD AND LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS.
THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME IS AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-416315.
THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING ON SUNDAY WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-------o - -
HISTORICAL BUILDING TO BE PRESERVED * * X *
A 230-YEAR-OLD ANCESTRAL HALL TERRITORIES, WAS GAZETTED TODAY AS UNDER LEGAL PROTECTION.
IN SHEUNG SHU I, NEW A HISTORI CAL BUILDING
THE BUILDING, KNOWN AS MAN SHEK TONG, WAS BUILT IN 1751 DURING THE QING DYNASTY.
+IT IS A THREE-HALL TYPE BUILDING FRONTED WITH A *2nEbL£2rRIYARD GARDEN,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT SA ID.
/♦ITS BEAUTIFULLY .......
TOI DAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
15
-ITS BEAUTIFULLY CARVED WOODEN DECORATIONS, EXQUISITE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MURALS AND SHEK WAN POTTERY ARTWORK ON THE hIDGE OF THE ROOF CAN SELDOM BE SEEN AT OTHER ANCESTRAL HALLS N THE TERRITORY.+
HE SAID HALL FOR LIU
MAN SHEK TONG SERVED AS THE MAIN ANCESTRAL CLANSMEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WAS ONCE CONVERTED INTO A PRIMARY SCHOOL BACK IN 1932.
WITH THE MOVE OF THE SCHOOL INTO NEW PREMISES, THE ANCESTRAL HALL WILL BE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION.
RESTORATION WORK ON THE BUILDING STARTED LAST DECEMBER AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION LATER THIS YEAR.
+THE COST OF THE RESTORATION IS SHARED BETWEEN THE LIU CLAN AND THE GOVERNMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID. +THIS ONCE AGAIN PROVES THAT BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS ARE *ELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HONG KONG.+
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CAREERS DISPLAYS EXPECT 20 000 STUDENTS
* X * *
ABOUT 20 000 STUDENTS FROM SOME 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SIX REGIONAL CAREERS CONVENTIONS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS.
THE CONVENTIONS ARE BEING STAGED FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) TO EARLY MARCH, IN DIFFERENT REGIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
EACH CONVENTION WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS, AND WILL FEATURE MAINLY A CAREERS DISPLAY PREPARED BY STUDENTS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND A SERIES OF TALKS ON SELECTED CAREERS GIVEN BY SPECIALISTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CONVENTIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CAREERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM.
IN PREPARING DISPLAY PROJECTS, STUDENTS FROM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WOULD BE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN OBTAINING AND PRESENTING CAREERS INFORMATION, HE ADDED.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
Friday, January 18, 1985
- 16
cct ™E SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICES Jhe='SonventIon^3 AS WELL AS gover,,me,,t departments are THEY WILL BE SENDING REPRESENTATIVES TO GIVE CAREERS TALKS ON TOPICS INCLUDING HOTEL AND TOURISM, ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, BROADCASTING, ACCOUNTANCY, JOURNALISM, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTER, NURSING, CIVIL SERVICE OPENINGS AND FURTHER STUDIES.
SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN VISITING THE CONVENTIONS MAY CONTACT THE YEAS AT TELEPHONE 5-7956212.
DETAILS OF THE CONVENTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
REG ION DATE VENUE
KOWLOON EAST JAN. 18-19 HO LAP COLLEGE 15 TSEUK LUK STREET SAN PO KONG
NEW TERRITORIES WEST FEB. 1-2 CNEC CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 6 LEI PUI STREET KWAI CHUNG
HONG KONG WEST FEB. 5-6 YU CHUN KEUNG MEM. COLLEGE NO. 2 CHI FU CLOSE CHI FU FA YUEN
HONG KONG EAST FEB. 8-9 ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL 140 LEIGHTON ROAD CAUSEWAY BAY
NEW TERRITORIES EAST FEB. 15-16 SHA TIN GOVT. SEC. SCHOOL 11-17 MAN LAI ROAD SHA TIN
KOWLOON WEST MARCH 8-9 ST. TERESA SECONDARY SCHOOL 21 SHEUNG SHING STREET HO MAN TIN
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1985
17
FEES FOR DENTISTS RAISED * * * *
UNDER THE DENTISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1985 GAZETTED TODAY, CHARGES FOR PRACTISING CERTIFICATES WILL BE RAISED FROM $10 TO $25 FOR DENTISTS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, AND FROM $10 TO $40 FOR DENTISTS RESIDENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG. FEES FOR MAKING ALTERATIONS TO THE REGISTER WILL ALSO BE INCREASED FROM $20 TO $40.
THE REGULATIONS WILL ALSO PLACE THE FULL-TIME TEACHING STAFF CF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH DENTISTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN REGARD TO THE PAYMENT OF FEES FOR PRACTIING CERTIFICATES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE FEES FOR DENTAL REGISTRATION SERVICES WERE LAST INCREASED IN 1977 AND THAT THE CURRENT REVISION WOULD BRING THE FEES PAYABLE BY DENTISTS BACK INTO LINE WITH THOSE PAID BY DOCTORS.
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RIVER DREDGING WORK NEEDED
* * *
GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE THE UPPER REACHES OF THE SHING MUN RIVER TO IMPROVE ITS FLOW.
THROUGH REMOVAL OF SILT WHICH HAS BUILT-UP IN THE SECTION BETWEEN KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY BRIDGE IN TAI WAI AND SAND MARTIN ER IDGE AT LEK YUEN, THE RIVER BED WILL REMAIN SUBMERGED EVEN AT LOW TIDAL LEVELS.
THE REMOVAL OF THE RIVER SEDIMENTS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT AND WILL BENEFIT USERS CF THE RIVER, WHICH IS A MAJOR AQUATIC FACILITY FOR THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDER FOR THIS PROJECT. DREDGING WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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/18........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 193:
18
TAI PO LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER *****
"OUR LOTS Or CROWN LAND IN TAI PO ARE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE "ENDER BV the LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE SITES ARE TAI PO TOWN LOT NOS. 38, 41, 43 AND 47, AND ‘EASURE 728.8, 742 683.3 AND 1 360 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE FIRST THREE LOTS ARE TO BE USED FOR BOAT BUILDING OR BOAT REPAIRING OR BOTH, WHILE THE LAST LOT IS FOR ICE-MAKING AND NC.LLARY COLD STORAGE PURPOSES.
"HE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERING IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 15.
"ENDER FORMS, NOTICES AND CONDITIONS AND TENDER PLANS MAY EE OBTAINED AND INSPECTED AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE .. jTR LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARKING BUILDING, lOTn FuOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
"ENDER FORMS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
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SEMINAR ON SPORTS FOR DISABLED * * *
A SEMINAR ON SPORTS FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED WILL BE HELD AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SHA TIN ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) FROM 9 AM UNTIL NOON.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE (R3S) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, Io INTENDED TO HELP ATTENDANTS UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICApPED AND TO LEARN HOW TO ORGANISE ATHLETIo
MEETINGS FOR THEM.
SPEAKERS WILL EE MR AND MRS RAYMOND MAK, COACHES OfHONG KONG’S DELEGATES TO BOTH 1.984 INTERNATIONAL &AMES FOR THE DISABLED AND THE WORLD wHEELCHAIR GAMES.
"HERE WILL THEN BE AN OPEN FORUM AND DEMONSTRATION.
-ERSONS INTERESTED IN TAKING PART SHOULD CONTACT MISS CHAN CF THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE ON TEL. 5-415037 FOR DETA ILS.
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/19........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18,
1985
•'9
SEWAGE DISPOSAL TENDERS INVITED
* * * *
■ ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING - -z3 C-; -HE ,|Lv DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE AND SOLID WASTE
R ■ - SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS OVER THE TERRITORY FOR A PERIOD CF TWO YEARS.
•OR •'LL INVOLVE MINOR REPAIRS TO THE PLANTS (EXCLUDING THOSE MAINTAINED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE MAINTENANCE BRANCH F ■-E BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT), ALTERATIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS WHEN REQUIRED.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE LANDS AND WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST I IN GROUPS B AND C FOR ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS OR SITE FORMATION wORKS ARE ELIGIBLE TO TENDER.
’ENDER CORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONTRACTS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEwAY BAY, HONG KONG.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER GROUND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BY FEBRUARY 8.
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DRIVE DRAWS TO END * * *
THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE +RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY* CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, WAN CHAI YIN NGA I SOCIETY AND PAK HOK GYMNASIUM WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 1.30 PM IN THE METHODIST S AND S YOUTH CENTRE, 22 HENNESSY ROAD.
RESULTS Or COMPETITIONS HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN
will also be announced at the function.
OFF ICl-.TING WILL BE MRS PEGGY LAM, A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER PS ANNA LEE, CHAIRPERSON OF WAN CHAI YIN NGA I SOCIETY? MRS FANNY lAw, A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF CITY AND NEW teppi’ORIES ADMINISTRATION; AND MR RAYMOND YOUNG, WAN CHAI ASSISTANT DIS”: ICT OFFICER.
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/20........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1^85
- 20 -
ALL YUEN LONG FAIR SITES LEASED
* * * *
ALL 200 STALL SITES FOR THE COMING YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WERE LEASED OVER THE UPSET PRICE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY.
THE HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR ONE OF THE 180 WET GOODS STALL SITES WAS S3 200, WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $770. THE UPSET PRICE WAS AT $100 FOR EACH STALL.
EIGHTEEN DRY GOODS STALL SITES WERE LEASED AT PRICES RANGING FROM $180 TO $400. TWO STALLS FOR SALE OF BOTTLED DRINKS WERE LET OUT AT $800 AND $300.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL.
ALL STALL SITES WILL BE SET UP AT THE PEDESTRIAN MALL, OPPOSITE THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AT TAI YUK ROAD IN THE TOWN CENTRE.
THE YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 13 AND 20, AT THE SAME TIME AS SIX FAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN TUEN MUN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, SHEUNG SHUI, KWAI CHUNG AND SHA TIN.
A TOTAL OF 781 STALL SITES HAD EARLIER BEEN LEASED FOR THE SIX OTHER FAIRS.
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WAN CHAI TAPS OFF
KO
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVEN HOURS FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21) TO THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY FENWICK STREET, JOHNSTON ROAD, FLEMING ROAD, AND LOCKHART ROAD INCLUDING NO. 1-13 AND 93-14$ THOMSON RCAD AS WELL AS NO. 25-61 AND 183-211 JOHNSTON ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN — SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
EMBARGO NOTE:
The following is embargoed until 2 am on Friday,
January 18, 1985 to coincide with its release in New York.
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OP HONG KONG SIR EDWARD YOUDE GCMG MBE AT THE LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AT THE
PIERRE HOTEL, EIFTH AVENUE & 61ST STREET NEW YORK ON THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 1985 TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE BANK'S HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAS
Mr Sandberg, Ladies & Gentlemen,
I AM HONOURED TO BE INVITED TO ADDRESS THIS
distinguished gathering, to mark the opening of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation s Headquarters for the Americas.
2. HONGKONGBANK - AS THE CORPORATION IS MORE
FAMILIARLY KNOWN - IS THE 20TH LARGEST BANKING GROUP IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF DEPOSITS. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST STRONGLY CAPITALISED. THE GROUP IS INTERNATIONAL IN ITS SCOPE OF OPERATIONS, HAVING OVER 1,000 OFFICES IN 5R COUNTRIES. HONGKONGBANK IS ALSO ONE OF THE OLDEST
/FOREIGN
- 2 -
FOREIGN BANKS IN THE UNITED STATES. ITS FIRST OFFICE WAS SET UP HERE IN 1875 - JUST TEN YEARS AFTER THE BANK WAS FOUNDED IN HONG KONG. UNTIL THE MID-1970S, THE BANK'S US OFFICES EXISTED MAINLY TO SERVICE REGIONAL BUSINESS GENERATED FROM HONG KONG. WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE AMERICAS IN 1979, ITS US OPERATIONS HAVE GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY. IT NOW HAS ITS OWN BANKING OFFICES IN EIGHT MAJOR REGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
3, The OPENING OF THE NEW HEADQUARTERS TODAY NOT
ONLY REFLECTS THE GROWTH OF THE BANK ITSELF. 1T IS SYMBOLIC OF THE THRIVING ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL LINKS BETWEEN THE US AND HONG KONG. IT PROVIDES IN CONSEQUENCE AN APPROPRIATE OCCASION FOR ME TO SPEAK TO YOU BRIEFLY ABOUT HONG KONG ITSELF, ABOUT ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS, AND ON THE ADVANTAGES OF HONG KONG AS A PLACE FOR US COMPANIES TO DO BUSINESS, BOTH IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND AS A CENTRE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
4, THE LAST 35 YEARS HAVE SEEN HONG KONG'S
TRANSFORMATION FROM A RELATIVELY SMALL TRADING PORT ON the China coast into a thriving industrial economy and INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
/5.....
3
5. Manufacturing industry which was tiny in 1950 NOW EMPLOYS SOME 35% OF HONG KONG'S WORK FORCE AND ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 22% OF ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. Some 90% of its manufacturing output is exported, for Hong Kong has always had to earn its living by INTERNATIONAL TRADE. TODAY, HONG KONG RANKS 20TH IN THE WORLD AS AN EXPORTER, AND 18TH IN TOTAL TRADE. In VALUE TERMS, WE ARE THE WORLD'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF GARMENTS, TOYS AND OF SOME PLASTIC PRODUCTS; AND IN QUANTITY TERMS, THE WORLD'S LARGEST EXPORTER OF
| WATCHES, CLOCKS AND RADIOS. OUR MANUFACTURERS HAVE STEADILY UPGRADED THE QUALITY AND RANGE OF THEIR PRODUCTS, IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN MARKET CONDITIONS AND DEMAND.
6. The 1970s saw Hong Kong's emergence as an INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. THE FINANCIAL SECTOR NOW PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF HONG Kong's own economy, and conducts an impressive and INCREASING VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. THERE ARE 140 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, THREE QUARTERS OF THEM FROM OVERSEAS. AS MANY OF YOU HERE TOOAY WILL KNOW, Hong Kong is the third largest financial centre in the WORLD, AFTER NEWt YORK AND LONDON.
/7.....
4
7. In the last few years Hong Kong's traditional
ROLE AS A TRADING CENTRE HAS ALSO REVIVED STRONGLY, AS A RESULT OF THE OPENING OF CHINA'S ECONOMY SINCE 1978 and China's policy of modernisation. Many Chinese CORPORATIONS AND BANKS ARE ACTIVE IN HONG KONG. CHINA IS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF OUR IMPORTS, AND HONG KONG'S SECOND LARGEST MARKET. HOPEFULLY CHINA'S PROGRAMME OF OIL EXPLORATION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEAS WILL OFFER A NEW AND ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS RELATIONSHIP.
1 ' .
8. Hong Kong has therefore a substantial economy OF ITS OWN. It has also much to offer as a regional CENTRE FOR THE FAST GROWING PACIFIC BASIN. 1 NEED NOT TELL THIS AUDIENCE OF THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE Pacific Basin as a market for the United States. In 1982, the value of US trade with the region surpassed that with Western Europe by US$2 billion.
In 1983, this gap widened to US$29 billion; and the TREND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE. GIVEN ITS LOCATION AND THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS, HONG KONG FORMS A NATURAL POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC AREA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD - AND PARTICULARLY THE UNITED States. This geographical advantage has long been EXPLOITED BY HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN WHO ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DEAL, TRADE AND THINK INTERNATIONALLY.
/9
5
9. We have also in Hong Kong the kind of economy WHICH IS FAMILIAR TO US BUSINESSMEN AND IN WHICH THEY CAN FEEL AT HOME PERSONALLY AND IN THEIR BUSINESS activities. This economy is open and market oriented. The Government seeks to intervene only where prudent regulation and the good name of Hong Kong so require. But it also seeks to ensure the provision of AN EFFICIENT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE. THESE INCLUDE GOOD COMMUNICATIONS. AN EFFICIENT PORT AND AIRPORT, A STABLE CURRENCY FREE FROM EXCHANGE CONTROLS, A LOW TAX REGIME AND AN ESTABLISHED LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
10. Hong Kong has a well understood law of CONTRACT IN WHICH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS CONFIDENCE. And there will be established in HON.G Kong IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION Centre, the first of its kind in the region. This Centre should enhance the standing of Hong Kong as a REGIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.
11. Another developing arm of Hong Kong's SERVICES SECTOR IS INSURANCE. UNTIL RECENTLY. HONG Kong's potential as an insurance and reinsurance centre HAD BEEN LIMITED BY THE RELATIVELY LOW-LEVEL REGULATION OF THE MARKET. HOWEVER. RECENT LEGISLATION, ENACTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, HAS LED TO
/THE....
6
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRY OF A QUALITY WHICH COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THAT IN OTHER MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES. OF THE 282 AUTHORISED COMPANIES NOW OPERATING in Hong Kong, well over half are from overseas.
12. Looking at the picture from the other side, the United States has always been an important market for Hong Kong. It is Hong Kong's principal trading PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FOR 21 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S trade with all markets. It is also our LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, ACCOUNTING FOR 42 PER CENT OF OUR EXPORTS; AND Hong Kong's third largest supplier, accounting for 11 PER CENT OF OUR IMPORTS.
13. It is a well known fact that Hong Kong firmly BELIEVES IN, AND ACTIVELY PREACHES, FREE TRADE. WE ARE WIDE OPEN TO US IMPORTS AND ALL MAY COMPETE IN OUR MARKET PLACE WHETHER WITH GOODS, OR FINANCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES. WE ADHERE STRICTLY TO THE DISCIPLINES OF THE WORLD'S TRADING SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR THE GENERAL Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Multi-Fibre Arrangement. Against this background, Hong Kong is sometimes surprised, and always hurt, when protectionist measures are taken by our trading partners. One recent problem has been the Country of Origin Regulations for Textile Imports introduced last August by the United States. I do not wish to dwell on
/teis ...
7
THIS POINT TODAY, OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT THE REGULATIONS HAVE DISRUPTED LEGITIMATE TRADE UNDER OUR BILATERAL AGREEMENT, AND HAVE CAUSED MUCH HARDSHIP TO OUR KNITWEAR INDUSTRY. WE HOPE THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL RESPOND FAVOURABLY BEFORE LONG TO OUR REPRESENTATIONS WITHIN THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF OUR BILATERAL AGREEMENT AND THE MFA.
14. IN THIS CONTEXT, WE WERE ENCOURAGED BY THE US
Government's decision to continue to accept Hong Kong AS A BENEFICIARY OF THE UNITED STATES GENERALISED System of Preferences under the recently enacted Trade and Tariff Act. This status is important to us. In 1983 ABOUT US$1.1 BILLION WORTH OF IMPORTS FROM HONG Kong benefitted from the Generalised System of Preferences. There are provisions in the Act requiring the President of the United States to make a COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS AND IMPORTS FROM BENEFICIARY TERRITORIES UNDER THIS NEW SYSTEM. HONG Kong will give its full cooperation to any such review.
15. The United States is also the largest source of overseas investment in Hong Kong's manufacturing INDUSTRY, ACCOUNTING FOR 54 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL. There are 130 factories in hong Kong wholly or partly OWNED BY US INTERESTS. THESE FACTORIES EMPLOY 39,700 WORKERS, REPRESENTING OVER 4% OF OUR INDUSTRIAI
/WORKFORCE ..
8
workforce. Their sales in 1983 amounted to US$1.68 BILLION, REPRESENTING NEARLY 10 PERCENT OF HONG KONG'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THAT YEAR. WE WELCOME OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, RECOGNISING THAT IT MAKES A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR PROSPERITY AND COMPETITIVENESS. JN PARTICULAR, THE DIRECT SPREAD OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN HONG Kong through the participation of US companies in our MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS IMPORTANT TO US IN OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF OUR PRODUCTS. For our part we offer an environment in WHICH THERE IS A FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL AND OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT WITHOUT EXCHANGE CONTROL.
16 By any standards Hong Kong is thus able to OFFER A STRONG PROSPECTUS TO THOSE SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS WITH US. BUT DURING THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS THE WORLD SAW A QUESTION MARK OVER OUR FUTURE AFTER '1997. TT TOCK TWO YEARS OF NEGOTIATION, OFTEN DIFFICUIT AND ALWAYS INTENSIVE, BETWEEN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE UNITED Kingdom to produce the answer. The issues were not easy ones. They posed complex political, CONSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS FOR BOTH SIDES WHICH HAD GROWN OUT OF OVER 150 YEARS OF CHEQUERED HISTORY AND SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT. A SOLUTION WHICH RECONCILED THE NEEDS OF TWO VERY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS HAD. TO BE FOUND. DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS HONG Kong passed through some rough water. We began the
/NEGOTIATIONS ...
NEGOTIATIONS IN THE RECESSION YEAR OF 1982 WHICH IMPOSED A SHARP BRAKE ON THE GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY. In THE AUTUMN OF 1983 THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS SEVERELY AFFECTED BY POLITICAL OOuBTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. THROUGHOUT THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG AND THE REST OF THE WORLD COULD ONLY GUESS Al WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS MIGHT BE BECAUSE THEY HAD PERFORCE TO BE CONDUCTED IN CONFIDENCE IF THEY WERE TO HAVE ANY CHANCE OF SUCCESS
17. When it emerged, the Sino-British agreement PROVED A TRIBUTE TO GOOD SENSE. IT OWED MUCH TO THE IMAGINATION OF CHINESE LEADERS WHO RECOGNISED THAT, IF THE CONFIDENCE ON WHICH THE STABILITY AND PROGRESS OF Hong Kong depends is to be maintained, hong Kong needs TO continue with its own distinctive economic and SOCIAL SYSTEM.
18. The essence of the agreement is that it PROVIDES FOR THE CONTINUATION OF ALL THOSE ELEMENTS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG'S SUCCESS IN THE PAST. AS SUCH IT REMOVES MUCH OF THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE, AND ENABLES THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ONCE MORE TO TAKE COMMERCIAL DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN MERITS. For those who are considering Hong Kong as an offshore BASIS TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS, THE AGREEMENT SPELIS OUT MANY OF THE GUARANTEES FOR INVESTMENT WHICH I formal Investment Proteciion Agreements normally seek
to cover.
10
19. When, in 1997, China resumes sovereignty over Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region comes into being, it will enjoy a high degree of AUTONOMY. It WILL CONTINUE TO DETERMINE ITS OWN FINANCIAL POLICY AND MANAGE ITS OWN FINANCIAL RESOURCES. IT WILL DETERMINE ITS ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICIES TAILORED TO ITS OWN NEEDS. THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, FREE TRADE POLICIES AND FREE PORT WILL REMAIN; INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN ECONOMIC MATTERS, SUCH AS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL, THE RIGHT TO OWN AND DISPOSE OF PROPERTY, AND THE RIGHT TO FULL AND PROMPT COMPENSATION FOR LAWFUL DEPRIVATION OF PROPERTY, ARE PROTECTED. THE CONTINUITY OF EXISTING (EASES AND RIGHTS IN LAND WILL ALSO BE ASSURED AFTER 1997. HONG KONG WILL RETAIN ITS OWN SYSTEM OF LAW AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
20. Equally important, the Hong Kong SAR will be RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OWN EXTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS, AND MAINTAIN ITS STATUS, AS A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY UNDER THE GATT, AND UNDER OTHER INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE AND REMAIN FREELY CONVERTIBLE; THERE WILL BE NO EXCHANGE CONTROL.
/F1
11
21. The agreement probably has no precedent in INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. IT IS THUS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE QUESTION SHOULD BE ASKED "WILL IT WORK?". NO ONE CAN GIVE CAST-IRON GUARANTEES ABOUT THE FUTURE. But I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL, BECAUSE IT IS FREELY ACCEPTED BY BOTH GOVERNMENTS AS A LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT, BECAUSE THE WORD AND PRESTIGE OF BOTH COUNTRIES ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO IT, AND BECAUSE IT IS IN THEIR JOINT AND INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTEREST THAT IT SHOULD BE A SUCCESS. THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL ALSO IN THE WIDER INTERNATIONAL INTEREST. A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF DISPUTE AND INSTABILITY HAS BEEN REMOVED BY PEACEFUL NEGOTIATION FROM THE ALL TOO FULL AGENDA OF WORLD PROBLEMS. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE EXAMPLES OF THAT KINO
22. SO THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG ARE GOOD. ITS
ECONOMY IS HEALTHY, AND ITS EXPORT PERFORMANCE IS STRONG: THE GROWTH OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN 138M IS LIKELY TO BE EIGHT PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. Inflation is under 7% and falling, thanks in part to THE STABILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW A PRUDENT BUDGETARY POLICY. Our deficit is low; and we are now in sight of RETURNING TO A BALANCED BUDGET. WHILST WE ARE DETERMINED TO KEEP PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WITHIN OUR REVENUE RESOURCES, WE ARE INVESTING VIGOROUSLY IN THE
FUTURE .
12
25. The British Prime Minister herself said this in her speech to a joint session of the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong on December 20th last year - "I can assure Hong Kong's partners around the WORLD THAT THE FREE AND DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHICH HAS ATTRACTED THEM IN SUCH LARGE NUMBERS FOR SO MANY YEARS WILL CONTINUE TO FLOURISH. HONG KONG IS A GOING CONCERN WITH A FUTURE STRETCHING INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AND BEYOND". I SHARE THAT CONVICTION. IN CONSEQUENCE, 1 BELIEVE HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A WORTHY MEMBER OF THE WORLD TRADING COMMUNITY AND A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNER IN OUR MUCH VALUED TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE US.
2M. In conclusion, I should like again to thank the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation warmly FOR INVITING ME TO NEW YORK TO OPEN THEIR HEADQUARTERS for the Americas and for giving me this opportunity to ADDRESS YOU. AS THIS NEW YEAR OPENS THERE IS A RENEWED AIR BOTH OF ACHIEVEMENT AND OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG. IT WILL, I AM SURE, BE REFLECTED IN FUTURE OPERATIONS FROM THESE HEADQUARTERS. I CONGRATULATE YOU, MR SANDBERG. your Bank, and all those associated with the opening TODAY AND WISH THE BANK CONTINUED SUCCESS-
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 19^5
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SIR PHILIP PRAISES HK YOUTH ................................... 1
VALUE OF GOOD YOUTH SERVICES STRESSED ......................... 2
CARNIVAL TO START OFF ROAD SAFETY DRIVE ....................... 3
10 MORE YOUTH CENTRES NEXT YEAR ............................... 3
•BORN TO LIVE’ FOR UK SCREENS ................................. 4
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR AP LEI CHAU .................. . 5
SECURITY SERVICE WANTED ....................................... 5
TSING YI SOCCER PITCHES OPEN .................................. 6
JINAN AIR CRASH ............................................... 6
WATER WORKS ................................................... 7
AMENITY AREAS ................................................. 7
TRAFFIC DIVERSION ............................................. 8
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1985
1
SIR PHILIP PRAISES HK YOUTH
*****
THE VAST MAJORITY OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DECENT, LAw-AEIDING AND FUN-LOVING BOYS AND GIRLS WHO TAKE A HEALTHY INTEREST IN WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THEM; PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED, THE OLD AND THE HANDICAPPED.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, WHEN HE WAS GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL 1OTH ANNIVERSARY KA WAH BANK AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE FUR AMA HOTEL.
SIR PHILIP SAID THAT DURING THE PAST TEN YEARS JUNIOR POLICE CALL HAD PROVED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FROM ALL WALKS CF LIFE WOULD RESPOND SENSIBLY, RESPONSIBLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY IF THEY WERE GIVEN THE PROPER GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
HE SAID: ’’FAR TOO OFTEN THE VOICES OF DOOM WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE MATERIALISTIC ...... THAT
THEY HAVE NO SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY OR PRIDE ...... THAT THEY ARE
CONSUMED WITH SELF INTEREST ...... THAT THEY ARE TAKING DRUGS .....
THAT THEY ARE RUSHING OUT TO JOIN TRIAD SOCIETIES OR OTHER GANGS. THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
’’WHILE WE MUST NEVER BE BLIND, OR COMPLACENT ABOUT THE DANGERS POSED BY CRIMES INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE, WE MUST MAINTAIN A SENSE OF PROPORTION ABOUT WHAT THOSE DANGERS ARE. IN 1984, LESS THAN 1 IN 125, OR 0.8 PER CENT, OF THE ONE MILLION PLUS YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 7 AND 20 WERE PROSECUTED FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCES. LAST YEAR, HONG KONG WAS VISITED BY TWO OF THE MOST SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, BOTH OF WHOM REMARKED THAT OUR YOUTH CRIME LEVELS WERE A DROP IN THE OCEAN WHEN COMPARED WITH THE LEVELS THERE.
’’BUT THERE IS ONE FACT THAT HAS EMERGED FROM OUR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF CRIMES AND CRIMINALS AND THAT IS OVER 80 PER CENT OF YOUNG OFFENDERS WERE LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS AT THE TIME THEIR CRIMES WERE COMMITTED. SURELY, THIS WOULD INDICATE A NEED FOR PARENTS TO TAKE A GREATER INTEREST IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR CHILDREN AND FOR THEM TO BE PREPARED TO EXERCISE MUCH MORE PARENTAL CONTROL AND GUIDANCE.
”1 HAVE NO DOUBT JPC HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN INSTILLING INTO MANY BOYS AND GIRLS A CLEAR SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY AND PRIDE AND HAS PROVIDED THE NECESSARY GUIDANCE FOR THEM TO STEER WELL CLEAR OF PATHS THAT MIGHT LEAD THEM TO A LIFE OF CRIME.
/"THE FACT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1985
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"THE FACT THAT 400 000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE JOINED JPC SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1974 AND, EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THE FACT THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO AT AN AVERAGE OF OVER 3 000 NEW MEMBERS AND 250 JPC LEADERS EACH MONTH, SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
AT THE CEREMONY AwARDS WERE PRESENTED TO 34 JPC MEMBERS
AND LEADERS AND 6 JPC DISTRICT COUNCILS BY SIR PHILIP- DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE-NR RAYMAN ANNING, ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND MR ERIC Blackburn, deputy commissioner of police/management.
MR LI KWAN-HA, ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POL ICE/OPERATIONS PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THE JUDGING PANEL, WHICH INCLUDED UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON. MRS PAULINE NG, AND MR ANDREW RENNIE,
CHIEF STAFF OFFICER/PUBLIC RELATIONS PRESENTED A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE TO DR DANIEL LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE KA WAH BANK WHO HAS SPONSORED THE JPC AWARDS SCHEME FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
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VALUE OF GOOD YOUTH SERVICES STRESSED * * * *
APART FROM BEING WELL-DESIGNED, YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE IMAGINATIVE AND WELL-ORGANISED SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY.
OPENING THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION’S CHILDREN'S CENTRE AT LAM TIN, SHE SAID:
♦ULTIMATELY THE SUCCESS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES MUST BE MEASURED IN THE DEGREE OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT BY MEMBERS IN THEIR WILLINGNESS TO DRAW SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF OF THE CENTRES AND FROM THE FRIENDS WHICH THEY MAKE THERE, DURING THE YEARS THEY ARE GROWING UP.+
THE NEW CHILDREN’S CENTRE ALSO PROVIDES AN OFFICE BASE FOR OUTREACH I NG SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES. IT WAS DEVELOPED WITH A GRANT OF $456 000 FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND.
+BY PROVIDING A COMBINATION OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE,
WITHIN ONE CENTRE, THE ASSOCIATION IS ALSO RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO MEETING THE SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND WELFARE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE,+ MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID SHE WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE ASSOCIATION WAS CONTINUING TO ANTICIPATE THE CHANGING NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO BE WILLING TO DEVELOP NEW APPROACHES TO MEET THESE NEEDS.
THE ASSOCIATION HAD TAKEN A LEAD IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. IT ALSO RENDERED SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUTREACH I NG PROGRAMMES, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, SHE SAID.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1985
3
CARNIVAL TO START OFF ROAD SAFETY DRIVE * * *
A BIG CARNIVAL WILL BE STAGED AT THE PO ON ROAD PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO START OFF THE FIVE-WEEK ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHU I PO.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE POLICE, THE EVENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS CL T-E ELDERLY AND CYCLISTS.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE= THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHUI PO ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR STEPHEN CrENG- THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (SHAM SHUI PO), MR PETER LEE= AND ’HE POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER (TRAFFIC KOWLOON), MR MICHAEL CARPER w ILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
TOMORROW’S PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE CIVIL AID SERVICES BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES, A REMOTE CONTROL CAR COMPETITION, VIDEO GAMES AND GAMES STALLS.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE TREATED TO A RIDE ON THE +TAMAR BELLE+ LOCOMOTIVE, BICYCLE-RIDING IN ROAD SAFETY TOWN, A SEATBELT CONVINCER DEMONSTRATION AND A DISC-JOCKEY SHOW.
THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE A TWO-WEEK STREET EDUCATION PROGRAMME BY THE POLICE AND ANOTHER TWO WEEKS’ ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST JAYWALKERS IN THE DISTRICT.
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10 MORE YOUTH CENTRES NEXT YEAR * * *
TEN YOUTH CENTRES PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE ESTABLISHED NEXT YEAR, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZION YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE.
♦THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO PROVIDE ONE YOUTH CENTRE IN AN AREA WITH 20 000 PEOPLE,* HE SAID.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT 188 SUCH CENTRES OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
SERVICE COMMITTEES ARE FORMED IN DISTRICTS TO CO-ORDINATE SERVICES PROVIDED BY BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE, MR LAW SAID.
/Mr law
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19. 1985
U
- A* CALLED ON YOUNG DEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS
•;ES ORGANISED Bs SERVICE UNITS, IN SUPPORT OF THE
sT=RNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, SUCH mCTIVITY WOULD ALSO HELP TO
_ THEM FOR A BETTER FUTURE.
= 2!0N YOUTH SERVICE CENTRE, LOCATED IN KO CHIU ROAD ESTATE, 'I^lOON, has BEEN SERVING 'OUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN THE ESTATE AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREAS.
IT ENCOURAGES THEN* TO UTILISE LEISURE TIME CONSTRUCTIVELY TA" = ART IN ACTIVITIES AND TO DEVELOP INTERESTS, AND A SENSE ' -SPONSIBILITY TO THE SOCIETY.
MR LAW PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CENTRE FOR ITS VALUABLE SERVICES JR the LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, AND TO THE ■li DENTS THERE r0R THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT.
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’30RN TO LIVE’ FOR UK SCREENS
*
'BORN TO LIVE’, THE RTHK TELEVISION PROGRAMME ABOUT THE LIVtS AND CRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TWO SEVERELY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, HAS BEEN BOUGHT BY THE BBC AND WILL BE TRANSMITTED IN FEBRUARY.
THE DRAMA-DOCUMENTARY, DIRECTED BY RACHEL ZEN, RUNS 90 MINUTES IT WON SILVER AWARDS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM AND TV FESTIVAL
OF NEW YORK IN NOVEMBER AND THE CHICAGO FILM FESTIVAL LATER THAT
MONTH, TWO OF THE SEVEN AWARDS WON BY RTHK TELEVISION THIS SEASON.
♦ BORN TO LIVE* WAS SHOWN WITH ENGLISH SUB-TITLES IN HONG KONG
AFTER FIRST BEING SEEN BY CHINESE VIEWERS. THE BBC ALSO INTENDS TO TRANSMIT IT WITH ENGLISH SUB-TiTLES.
THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR STUART WILKINSON, SAID THAT < BElIEVED THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH RTHK HAD MADE SUCH - SIGNIFICANT SALE.
THE AGREED PRICE wAS POUNDS 5 000, PLUS THE COSTS OF PROVIDING A RECORDING, HE SAID.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 19$5
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REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR AP LEI CHAU * X * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT ON AP LEI CHAU TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE TWO-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT RCP ON THIS TINY ISLAND, IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF AP LEI CHAU MAIN STREET AND SHAN MING STREET ON LAND WHICH IS NOW BEING USED AS A TEMPORARY CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY THAT WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START AS SOON AS A NEW CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND OPPOSITE THE SITE IS COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE NEW REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL BE FITTED WITH A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM TO ELIMINATE THE UNPLEASANT ODOUR. IT WILL ALSO HAVE SEPARATE INGRESS AND EGRESS FOR REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES, AN ANCILLARY STOREROOM, AN OFFICE AND PLANTERS ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE ROOFTOP OF THE BUILDING TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE SCREEN FROM ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD.
THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $1.1 MILLION AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID 1986.
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SECURITY SERVICE WANTED * * *
SECURITY GUARDS WILL BE HIRED TO LOOK AFTER 270 OPEN OR FENCED CROWN LAND SITES IN KONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON.
TENDERS FOR THE PROVISION OF THIS SERVICE, AS WELL AS A MOBILE PATROL SURVEILLANCE SERVICE FOR 140 ADDITIONAL SITES, ARE BEING INVITED BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE ONE-YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH IS TO BEGIN ON APRIL 1, CALLS FOR THE SUPPLY OF MOBILE PATROLS, GUARDS ON 12-HOUR P^TY BAS IS, GUARDS ON 24-HOUR DUTY BASIS, SUPERVISORS AND MONTHLY REPORTS IN RESPECT
OF EACH CROWN LAND SITE.
TENDERS MUST BE SEALED AND ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND MARKED +TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF SECURITY GUARDS FOR MAINTENANCE OF CROWN LAND - HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON*. THEY MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX MARKED +GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX* IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1985.
A COPY OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENT MAY BE INSPECTED DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE CONTROL SECTION, LANDS DEPARTMENT, ASIAN HOUSE, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, 12TH FLOOR, HONG KONG.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1935
TSING Yl SOCCER PITCHES OPEN O *
NEWLY BUILT ^INI-SOCCER PITCHES WERE OPENED TODAY ON TSI NG
SPOKESMAN COR THE NEW ’ERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID T-- HARD SURFACE MINI-SOCCER PITCHES FORM PART OF THE PHASE ONE -vE; OPMENT OF THE TSING HONG ROAD PLAYGROUND.
BUILT ON A 7 5OO-SQUARE-METRE SITE, ADJACENT TO TSING Yl EAST ERV ICE PESEPVOIR, THE TS I NG HONG ROAD PLAYGROUND IS LOCATED NEXT " THE CHEUNG CHING AND CHEUNG HONG PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
PHASE ONE OF THE PLAYGROUND INCLUDES A SINGLE-STOREY SERVICE ■GILDING, wITH THE PROVISION Op CHANGING ROOMS AND TOILETS, AND
I SHYING.
THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE C- THE BUKDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND MANAGED BY THE NTSD.
PHASE TWO OF THE PLAYGROUND WILL CONSIST OF A REST GARDEN w'TH LANDSCAPED AREAS, BENCHES AND PARK LIGHTINGS.
wORK ON THESE FACILITIES SHOULD START LATER THIS YEAR.
JIMA'! AIR CRASH * * *
AT THE PEQUEST OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING HAS GOT r TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF -'TFIGN AFFAIRS AND THE CIVIL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CHINA (CAAC) AND IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED FOUR HONG KONG ■=ES!"'ENTS WERE ON BOARD THE '_AME HICH CRASHED AT JINAN Uocad’ VESTERDAY 'JANUARY IS).
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1985
7
WATER WORKS * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KENNEDY TOWN, ABERDEEN AND YUEN LONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 22) FOR WATER WORKS.
IN KENNEDY TOWN, THE SUPPLY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT 79C-95 POK FU LAM ROAD, BELCHER’S GARDEN, HOK SZ TERRACE, TO LI TERRACE, CHING LIN TERRACE, HEE WONG TERRACE, TAI PAK TERRACE, LI PO LUNG TERRACE, VIOLET TERRACE, 18-2OA BELCHER’S STREET, 14-34 SMITHFIELD AND POKFIELD ROAD.
IN ABERDEEN, SUPPLY TO PREMISES BOUNDED BY ABERDEEN OLD MAIN STREET AND 112-178 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY.
IN YUEN LONG, SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY • TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM KIK YEUNG ROAD TO AU TAU, INCLUDING POK 01 HOSPITAL AND ALL PREMISES AND VILLAGES ALONG TAI TONG AREA.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 22) TO ID AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY THE EAST SIDE OF CHUNG ON STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD AND MA TAU PA ROAD INCLUDING BLOCK 1-19, TAI WO HAU ESTATE, KWAI SHING EAST AND KWAI SHING WEST ESTATES AND PREMISES ALONG KWAI HOP STREET.
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AMENITY AREAS
* * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADSIDE AMENITY AREAS AND HIGHWAY PLANTING WORKS ALONG A NEW ROAD IN FANLING, FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1.2 KILOMETRES.
IT WILL FORM PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING NEW TOWN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MARCH AND TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1935
8
TRAFFIC DIVERSION * * *
notice for road works.
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO A NEW ROAD RUNNING PARALLEL
TZ. THE CLOSED ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
CONTjNTS PAGE NO.
ARTS SUPPORT COULD BENEFIT BUSINESS - SIR PHILIP ............... 1
1985 IS YEAR OF ACTION, AKERS-JONES SAYS ....................... 2
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT .... 3
NEW RECREATION CENTRE FOR KWAI CHUNG............................ 6
PEDESTRIANS BLAMED FOR ACCIDENTS ............................... 7
ANTI-DRUGS VAN HITS THE ROAD ................................... 8
A MILLION HEALTH EDUCATORS ..................................... 9
EYE CARE DRIVE FOR ELDERLY ..................................... 12
FACTORIES GET BOILER WARNING ................................... 12
POSTER CONTEST TO BOOST YOUTH YEAR.............................. 13
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG LEADERS ................................. 14
YOUTH FESTIVAL OPENS ........................................... 15
+MUCH CHANCBf FOR MUSIC ........................................ 16
SPORTS TRAINING FOR MORE DISABLED URGED ........................ 16
SPORTS DAY HELD ................................................ 17
LITTERBUGS TCP OFFENDER LIST ................................... 17
OFFICES MOVE.................................................... 18
ROAD WORK....................................................... 18
TRAFFIC CHANGE.................................................. 18
FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS .......................................... 19
WATER MAINS VZORK............................................... 19
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
1
ARTS SUPPORT COULD BENEFIT BUSINESS - SIR PHILIP * * * * *
SUPPORT OF THE ARTS THROUGH SPONSORSHIP CAN BE AS BENEFICIAL TO THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS CONCERNED AS IT IS TO THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
+ IT IS IMAGE BUILDING IN THAT IT ASSOCIATES THE CORPORATION WITH THE CULTURAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY^ AND YET, AT THE SAME TIME, IT HELPS THE LESS WELL-OFF TO ENJOY WHAT OTHERWISE MIGHT BE RESTRICTED TO THE MORE AFFLUENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE GALA OPENING OF THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL 1985, SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT THAT IN MANY COUNTRIES PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS PLAYED A VERY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS.
+THIS IS A TREND, I AM HAPPY TO SAY, THAT IS NOW GATHERING MOMENTUM HERE, ALONGSIDE THE MORE TRADITIONAL SUPPORT FORTHCOMING FROM INDIVIDUAL PHILANTHROPISTS AND SUCH INSTITUTIONS AS THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB,* HE NOTED.
SIR PHILIP DESCRIBED AS +MOST ENCOURAGING* THAT CORPORATIONS WERE COMING TO RECOGNISE THE BENEFITS OF SUCH SPONSORSHIP.
+CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY FOR TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN GENERATING THIS FORM OF SUPPORT AND I KNOW THAT MANY EVENTS THIS YEAR ARE BEING WELL SPONSORED BY BUSINESS CORPORATIONS - MORE SO THAN LAST YEAR.
+CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP WILL BE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE PUBLIC PURSE TO FINANCE THE SORT OF EXPANSION OF THE ARTS WE HAVE WITNESSED IN RECENT YEARS,* HE SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR BEING +THE PRIME MOVER IN BRINGING THE ARTS TO THE PEOPLE BY EXPANDING THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE*-
HE SAID THE PUBLIC AUDITORIA IN HONG KONG HAD ONLY SOME 4 000 SEATS IN 1979, AND WERE EXPANDED TO ALMOST 27 000 SEATS. BY 1990 THERE WOULD LIKELY BE MORE THAN 40 000.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS BY THE JOCKEY CLUB AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PRODUCE HOME GROWN TALENT TO MEET OUR CULTURAL NEEDS, SIR PHILIP ADDED.
HE ALSO DWELT ON THE THRIVING LOCAL ARTS SCENE WITH THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, CANTONESE OPERA AND MANY OTHER LOCAL GROUPS, THAT BROUGHT +ENJOYMENT AND PROFESSIONALISM TO THE ARTS*.
+THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL TO INSPIRE THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG, AND WE ALL OWE A CONSIDERABLE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO SIR RUN RUN SHAW AND HIS COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO THIS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS,* HE SAID.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
2
1985 IS YEAR OF ACTION, AKERS-JONES SAYS * * * *
THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE GOVERNING HONG KONG WITHIN THE NEXT 12 YEARS MUST BE TO REVIEW EACH STEP TAKEN, HAVING REGARD TO THE PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES AT THAT TIME, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
IN DRAWING UP ANY PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, HE SAID, WE MUST REMEMBER THAT UNLESS WE CONTINUE WITH SOUND POLICIES TO SUSTAIN AND MAINTAIN THE ECONOMY WE SHALL UNDERMINE THE PROSPERITY WHICH LIES AT THE BASE OF ANY SYSTEM WE DEVISE.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF MEETING POINT.
+ IF 1984 WAS A YEAR OF DEBATE, THEN 1985 IS A YEAR OF ACT I ON,+ HE SAID.
IN 1985, MANY CHANGES HAD TO BE MADE TO A LONG ESTABLISHED STRUCTURE, HE SAID.
+GIVEN THEIR COMPLICATED NATURE, WE MUST SET THE RIGHT PACE SO AS TO MINIMISE RISK AND MAXIMISE PROGRESS,+ HE SAID.
THE CHANGES WERE COMPLICATED, HE SAID, BECAUSE THE LIFE AND LIVELIHOOD OF MANY PEOPLE DEPENDED UPON THEM AND BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EXACT MODEL OR PATTERN TO FOLLOW.
+OUR APPROACH THEREFORE MUST BE BOTH GRADUAL, BUT POSITIVE AND PROGRESS IVE.+
MR AKERS-JONES SAID HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ITS OWN IDEAS WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF WHAT WAS REALISTIC AND REASONABLE, AND LEARN FROM, BUT NOT NECESSARILY COPY THE FORM AND THE SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENTS ELSEWHERE.
HE NOTED THAT LAST YEAR THERE HAD BEEN WIDE-RANGING, CRITICAL AND POSITIVE DISCUSSION AT ALL LEVELS OF SOCIETY ON GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE AT THE DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND CENTRAL LEVELS.
AS A RESULT, WE WERE SURE WHEN WE INTRODUCED CHANGES THAT THEY COMMANDED GENERAL SUPPORT. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAD LEARNED OF THt CRITICISMS OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN STRUCTURE AND, IN THE PROCESS, ACQUIRED NEW INSIGHT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE EMERGENCE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OF A NUMBER OF GROUPS LIKE MEETING POINT WAS A VERY HEALTHY AND wELCOMc. DEVELOPMENT.
DISCUSSION OF HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN OPEN FORUMS AS A RESULT OF THE FORMATION OF THESE GROUPS HAD DEVELOPED AS A PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HONG KONG POLITICAL SCENE, HE SAID.
/+IT HAS........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
- T HAS ENABLED US TO TALK AND DEBATE, DISCUSS AND ARGUE WITHOUT FORMING OURSELVES INTO POLITICAL PARTIES AND PLATFORMS.
- A FLEXIBLE SYSTEM OF DISCUSSION HAS EMERGED WHICH SEEMS TO SUIT HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND FROM WHICH A CONTINUOUS CONSENSUS HAS EMERGED,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR, HE ADDED, HONG KONG WOULD BE ENTERING A NEW ERA OF INVOLVEMENT BY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.
* IN TURN THESE REPRESENTATIVES WILL MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION AND DECISIONS WHICH WILL NEED TO BE MADE IN THE "UTURE.+
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NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES OUT * * * *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN TERMS OF MONTHS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN NOVEMBER 1984 WAS SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WHILE INCREASES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND WERE REPORTED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, SOME DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE DECREASED, COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH’S FIGURES.
THE DECLINES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE MORE SIGNIFICANT IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. IN THE CASE OF THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, INCREASED AUTOMATION WAS QUOTED AS A MAJOR CAUSE.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED SLIGHTLY DUE TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF SOME NEW PROJECTS. THIS IS THE FIRST INCREASE RECORDED SINCE JUNE, 1984.
IN THE SERVICES SECTORS, EMPLOYMENT REMAINED UNCHANGED COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
DECREASES IN PAYROLL AND IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE REPORTED V MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BECAUSE Oc A DROP IN THE PAYMENT CF OVERTIME ALLOWANCES.
/PAYROLL and
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICES SECTORS ALSO .ECL’-.ED, "OLLOWING THE PAYMENTS OF BONUSES AND GRATUITIES IN OCTOBER BY SOME FIRMS.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING CC-’°ANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1983.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT RESULTS ON MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE MIGHT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, ALTHOUGH THEY -HOULL GIVE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A !CK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1984 WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE GILDING, AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SAlES COUNTER, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, AT 31.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 3-7212768.
A. ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY (% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH) ORDERS-ON-HAND ( IN TERMS OF MONTHS) FOR NOV 1984
SEPT 1984 OCT 1984 NOV 1984
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR -2 -1 -1 4.74
TEXTILES, EXCEPT WEAR ING APPAREL -1 X -2 2.26
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 -5 * 4.08
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -1 -8 1 3.27
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 2 -2 2 5.56
OTHERS -1 X — i X 4.32
Ai_L ABOVE INDUSTRIES * -2 * 4.53
—— — —■ ——■—'
/B. EMPLOYMENT........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
- 5 -
B. EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/ SERV ICES PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED PER CAPITA EARNINGS PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR NOV 1984 HK$
SEPT 1984 (% CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH)
OCT 1984 NOV 1984 SEPT 1984 OCT 1984 NOV 1984
MANUFACTURI NG -4 * -2 -2 2 -1 2 730
FOOD AND -4 -2 -1 4 -5 -4 3 466
DR INKS WEAR ING -2 * -1 "A- 4 -1 2 417
APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR TEXTILES, -2 1 * -6 4 -1 2 714
EXCEPT WEAR ING APPAREL PLASTIC -12 2 -2 3 1 -3 2 567
PRODUCTS FABRICATED -3 -2 -5 2 -2 1 2 363
METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL -5 -3 -1 3 * 2 564
AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS -3 * * -2 2 * 3 756
** CONSTRUCTION -1 -1 1 -3 4 * 4 048
—- —— — —- — — ■■ — —
SERVICES * * * 3 -3 -2 4 938
■ — ■■ ———— — — — — - -
BANKS * * * -1 * * 4 413
HOTELS 1 1 * * * * 3 183
/PUBLIC utilities.......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
- 6
PUBLIC * * *
.TIL IT IES
OTHERS *11
CHANGES WITHIN +0.5 PER CENT
10 -5 -3 5 139
-4 -2 -1 5 986
**
PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS NOT INCLUDED.
-----o------
NEW RECREATION CENTRE FOR KWAI CHUNG * * * *
A NEWLY-BUILT INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE 2°ENED ON JANUARY 28.
IT IS THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG TANG SHIU KIN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, LOCATED AT A 3 200-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT WO Yl HOP ROAD NEXT TO THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AND THE WO Yl HOP ROAD SPORTS GROUND.
BUILT AT A COST OF $16 MILLION, THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND SIR SHIU—KIN TANG, WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED $10 MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT.
IT IS THE SECOND INDOOR RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS VENUE IN KWAI CHUNG, AND WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. IT IS NOW UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL BE THE THIRD SPORT FACILITY BUILT WITH A DONATION FROM SIR SHIU-KIN TANG AND MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE NEw TERRITORIES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD.
THE OTHER TWO FACILITIES ARE TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND AND SAI KUNG TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND.
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE NEW INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IS A 36 METRES X 36 METRES MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES ARENA OF GRANWOOD FLOOR ING.
IT CAN ALTERNATIVELY BE TURNED INTO TWO BASKET-BALL COURTS, TWO VOLLEY-BALL COURTS OR EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS.
THE ARENA CAN ALSO BE USED FOR FENCING, GYMNASTICS, JUDO, TABLE—TEMN IS, TRAMPOLINE AND wEIGHT-LIFTI NG FOR TRAINING AS WELL ao COMO-’I’ ONS, ’HE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THERE IS .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
THERE IS A CONCRETE STAND FOR 400 PEOPLE AT ONE END OF THE MAIN GAMES ARENA, AND A FURTHER 350 RETRACTABLE SEATS AT THE OTHER END OF THE HALL.
OTHER FACILITIES AT THE RECREATION CENTRE ARE THREE AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS, ONE GAMES ROOM FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS COURSES, DANCING OR OTHER LEISURE ACTIVITIES, A TRAINING-LECTURE ROOM, OFFICES AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
PURPOSE-BUILT RAMPS LEADING TO THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AND SPECIAL CHANGING FACILITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED.
TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING, ON JANUARY 28, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY AT THE FACILITY.
SIR SHIU-KIN TANG, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY.
-----o-----
PEDESTRIANS BLAMED FOR ACCIDENTS
* * * *
NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF PEDESTRIANS ACCOUNTED FOR A PROPORTION OF THE 1 546 ROAD ACCIDENTS IN SHAM SHU I PO LAST YEAR.
PEDESTRIANS WERE INVOLVED IN 632 AND CYCLISTS IN 50 OF THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE STATISTICS WERE REVEALED AT THE OPENING OF THE SHAM SHU I PO ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR STEPHEN CHENG.
OF THE ACCIDENT CASES, HE POINTED OUT 22 WERE FATAL, 504 RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND 1 020 IN MINOR INJURIES.
DURING THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR, 116 PEOPLE AGED 60 AND ABOVE SUSTAINED INJURIES IN ACCIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
+1 FIRMLY BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED IF PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS WOULD EXERCISE MORE CARE AND OBSERVE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS WHEN USING THE ROADS,+ SAID MR CHENG.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, PR SYLVESTER TSEI THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (SHAM SHU I PO), PR PETER LEE} AND THE POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER (TRAFFIC KOWLOON), MR MICHAEL HARPER.
PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL COMPETITIONS HELD IN SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING A CROSS WORD PUZZLE AND A STALL DECORATION CONTESTS.
/FOLLOTING THE........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
8
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY WAS A TWO-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT-PACKED CARNIVAL, FEATURING BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES, REMOTE CONTROL MODEL CAR COMPETITIONS, VIDEO GAMES, A DISC JOCKEY SHOW AND VARIOUS GAMES STALLS.
THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD AND THE POLICE.
IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE AN ON-STREET EDUCATION PROGRAMME, TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER TWO WEEKS’ INTENSIFIED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST JAYWALKERS IN THE DISTRICT.
--------o-----------
ANTI-DRUGS VAN HITS THE ROAD *****
PUBLICITY FOR THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WILL BE STRENGTHENED FOLLOWING THE LAUNCHING TODAY (SUNDAY) OF THE MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN CF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
THE MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN WILL VISIT ALL PARTS OF HONG KONG TO SPREAD THE ANTl-NARCOTICS MESSAGE AND TO ENCOURAGE DRUG ADDICTS TO SEEK TREATMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE +ACAN MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN* AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT, MR G.L. MORTIMER, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, SAID THAT HONG KONG COULD BE PROUD OF ITS DRUG PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES AND ITS DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT PROGRAMMES.
♦ THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES ARE PROBABLY UNIQUE IN THE WORLD TODAY AND ARE THE SUBJECT OF GREAT INTEREST TO MANY COUNTRIES FACED WITH THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE,* HE SAID.
THE EYE-CATCHING MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN WAS CONVERTED FROM A GOVERNMENT PARCELS VAN. IT IS PAINTED IN BRIGHT YELLOW AND GREEN COLOURS WITH THE ACAN LOGO AND SLOGANS. IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A BUILT-IN COLLAPSIBLE EXHIBITION UNIT, AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT, PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM AND POSTER FRAMES, ALL DESIGNED TO CONVEY THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE.
THE VAN WILL TOUR THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE DENSELY POPULATED AREAS WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE. THE VAN WILL SERVE AS AN INFORMATION CENTRE AND DISTRIBUTION POINT FOR ANTI-NARCOTICS MATERIALS, SUCH AS LEAFLETS AND POSTERS.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SUPPORT OF ALL DISTRICT AND OTHER ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN FUNCTIONS, TO INCREASE THE PUBLICITY IMPACT AND WILL SUPPORT THE DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOL TALKS GIVEN BY STAFF OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION.
THE PROGRAMME FOR TODAY’S EVENT INCLUDES AN ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITION, MUSIC BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) AND A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SKILLS OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS DOGS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.
-------Q----------
/9........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
- 9 -
A MILLION HEALTH EDUCATORS
******
THE CAUSE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN HONG KONG HAS AT LEAST A MILLION POTENTIAL YOUNG CHAMPIONS - MEANING THE ENTIRE SCHOOL-GOING POPULATION. THESE STUDENTS START LEARNING ABOUT THE SUBJECT AS PART OF THEIR CURRICULUM AT PRIMARY LEVEL AND THROUGHOUT THEIR SCHOOL CAREERS THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN HEALTH EDUCATION CONTESTS AND EXHIBITIONS PROMOTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
MR STEPHEN TAM, HEAD OF THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHICH IMPLEMENTS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE POLICIES OF THE COUNCIL, DESCRIBES THE STUDENTS AS THE SECTION’S +MOST IMPORTANT TARGET GROUP+.
♦THEY ARE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF HEALTH EDUCATION NOT ONLY THROUGH THEIR SHEER NUMBERS - THEY AMOUNT TO 20 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION - BUT BECAUSE THEY CAN ALSO BECOME OUR MOST EFFECTIVE ’AGENTS OF CHANGE’. THROUGH THEM, THE MESSAGE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IS SPREAD TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO PEOPLE THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH WHEN THEY GROW UP.+
MR TAM POINTS OUT THAT TO RAISE PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS REQUIRES A CHANGE IN HABITS AND ATTITUDES. BUT CHANGE CANNOT BE ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT.
♦ THE BEST WAY TO PROMOTE IT IS THROUGH MESSAGE REPETITION, WITH FREQUENT IMAGE EXPOSURE, TO THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TARGET GROUP -- OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN,* HE SAID.
+THUS EVERY YEAR, THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION INVITES ALL SCHOOLS TO TAKE PART IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION SPEECH AND SONG CONTESTS AS WELL AS THE HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITION PROJECT COMPETITION.
♦ THROUGH THESE CONTESTS THE STUDENTS ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE ON ENVIRONMENTAL, PERSONAL AND FOOD HYGIENE.+
THIS YEAR, 158 FINALISTS FROM 110 SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE SPEECH CONTEST, 520 INDIVIDUAL CONTESTANTS FROM 10 SCHOOL CHOIRS IN THE SONG CONTEST AND 30 SCHOOLS IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION. THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WERE LATER DISPLAYED IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL WHERE THEY WERE SEEN BY THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, THUS SPREADING THE MESSAGE EVEN MORE WIDELY.
THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION HAS ACCESS TO A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE THROUGH THE CONSULTANCY SERVICE IT PROVIDES IN HELPING TO DESIGN AND REVISE THE HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS. IT ALSO ADVISES ON THE PRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.
/IN ADDITION, .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
10 -
IN ADDITION, STAFF OF THE SECTION REGULARLY RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TALKS ON ENVIRONMENTAL, PERSONAL AND FOOD HYGIENE TO STUDENT GROUPS.
BUT THE WORK OF THE SECTION DOES NOT END AT THE SCHOOL GATES. IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1984, A RECORD TOTAL OF 9 100 ADULTS ATTENDED THE HUNDREDS OF TALKS, SEMINARS, LECTURES AND DISCUSSION GROUPS ORGANISED BY THE SECTION TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS. MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING 2 775 CAME FROM RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, WERE GROUP LEADERS IN THEIR TRADES OR PROFESSIONS.
SAYS MR TAM: +WE REGARD THE FOOD INDUSTRY AS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT TARGET GROUP IN OUR CAMPAIGN TO PROPAGATE HEALTH EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL HARM THAT CAN BE DONE IF FOOD OPERATORS ARE NOT BRIEFED ON PROPER HYGIENIC PRACTICES.
+WE HOLD REGULAR SEMINARS ON SUCH SUBJECTS AS FOOD POISONING, CLEAN FOOD PRODUCTION, THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF PREMISES, AND PERSONAL HYGIENE. FOOD INDUSTRY WORKERS CAN ATTEND AT NO COST. UP TO NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, 30 OF THESE SEMINARS WERE HELD.+
TODAY THERE ARE SOME 7 500 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS REGISTERED IN THE URBAN DISTRICTS ALONE, SERVING A MASSIVE DAILY CLIENTELE. THUS, IMPROPER FOOD HANDLING IN THESE PLACES COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS PROBLEMS CAUSED BY EATING UNWHOLESOME FOOD.
THE TALKS, SEMINARS AND LECTURES THE SECTION REGULARLY ORGANISES FOR SCHOOLS AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY AND SERVICE GROUPS ARE DESCRIBED BY MR TAM AS PART OF THE +PERSUASIVE APPROACH+.
HE ADDS THAT HIS STAFF OF 20 WELCOME THE BACKING OF SOME 700 DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTORS WHO IMPLEMENT THE +ENGINEERING APPROACH* BY CORRECTING UNHYGIENIC PRACTICES AND REPORTING ON UNSANITARY CONDITIONS THEY DISCOVER IN THEIR INSPECTIONS OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE GENERAL ENV IRONMENT.
♦THE DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTORS ARE VERY MUCH THE WATCHDOGS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AS THEY ARE CONCERNED NOT ONLY WITH FOOD HYGIENE BUT ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AS WELL,* MR TAM POINTS OUT.
+AND THEY DON’T JUST ENFORCE THE LAW -- THEY SPREAD THE SAME MESSAGE AS OURSELVES IN THE ADVICE THEY GIVE TO CATERERS, TRADERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.*
/CLOSELY LINKED .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1?85
11
CLOSELY LINKED TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE ARE THE ANNUAL ANTI-RAT AND ANTI-MOSQUITO PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION. THE SECTION ALSO PLAYS A VITAL SUPPORTING ROLE IN THE RECURRENT ANTI-LITTER DRIVES AND THE CLEAN HOUSE AND CLEAN BEACH CAMPAIGNS WHICH ARE PART OF THE OVERALL CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN.
ASKED ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY HIS SECTION, MR TAM SAID: +HEALTH EDUCATION IS A LONG-TERM PROCESS AND ITS RESULTS, ALTHOUGH MOST IMPORTANT, MAY NOT EVER BE QUANTIFIABLE OR EVIDENT UNTIL YEARS LATER.
+THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR WORK IS SEEN IN THE MUCH BETTER OVERALL SANITARY CONDITION OF OUR GENERAL SURROUNDINGS AND THE IMPROVED HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE. BUT MORE SCIENTIFICALLY ACCEPTABLE INDICATORS ARE THE LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY AND LOWER INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES.+
LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HONG KONG HAS STEADILY INCREASED — FROM 63.6 YEARS AND 70.5 YEARS FOR MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTIVELY IN 1961, TO 68.0 AND 75.6 IN 1971 AND 72.4 AND 78.1 IN 1981.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE HAS DECLINED FROM 21 PER 1 000 LIVE BIRTHS IN 1961, TO 12.6 IN 1971 AND 6.6 IN 1981.
SAYS DR R.A. PERRY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HYGIENE) OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT: +THIS IMPROVEMENT, NO DOUBT, IS ATTRIBUTABLE IN PART TO THE BETTER MEDICAL FACILITIES AND NUTRITION AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE.
+BUT IT IS STILL THROUGH PROPER HEALTH EDUCATION THAT THE PUBLIC ARE MADE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE fEDICINE, OF SEEKING EARLY MEDICAL TREATMENT WHEN NECESSARY, EATING THE RIGHT FOOD AND MAINTAINING PERSONAL AND DOMESTIC HYGIENE.+
DR PERRY EXPLAINS THAT GIVING TALKS AND SEMINARS, WHILE EFFECTIVE, IS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE AND CAN COVER ONLY A LIMITED TARGET GROUP. MASS COMMUNICATION, THROUGH THE MODERN MEDIA, MUST ALSO BE USED.
+OUR MESSAGES ARE NOW BEING PUT OUT REGULARLY ON RADIO AND TELEVISION, IN THE PRESS AND THROUGH THE THREE BROADCASTING VANS THAT WE OPERATE. THE MESSAGES ARE REPEATED AT SUITABLE INTERVALS DURING OUR ANNUAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS.
+WE EVEN MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO REACH SOME MINORITY GROUPS SUCH AS VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, RECENT CHINESE IMMIGRANTS, FIL IP INA MAIDS AND THE ELDERLY.
♦ AND IF ANYONE IS STILL LEFT OUT, WE ARE ON CALL (TEL: 5-729361) TO PROVIDE TALKS WHICH CAN BE GEARED TO CLIENTS’ SPECIAL NEEDS,+ DR PERRY ADDED.
------o-------
/12......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
12
EYE CARE DRIVE FOR ELDERLY * * * *
DETAILS OF THE +EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT* WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT .30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WITH ASSISTANCE BY ’HE HONG KONG OPTIOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND SEVEN CENTRES FOR ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG- THE CHAIRMAN CF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR CHRISTOPHER MOK- AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG OPTIOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, MR JAMES TANG.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF WILLIE BUILDING, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL.
--------0 ----------
FACTORIES GET BOILER WARNING
X A X
FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO FAIL TO REGISTER THEIR ELECTRIC BOILERS WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED AND ORDERED TO CEASE THE OPERATION AND USE OF THEIR BOILERS.
THE WARNING WAS ISSUED TODAY (SUNDAY) FOLLOWING RECENT FACTORY INSPECTIONS DURING WHICH BOILERS WERE DISCOVERED TO BE OPERATING WITHOUT REGISTRATION WITH THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT SOME IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICES OF THESE UNREGISTERED BOILERS WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT AND MIGHT CAUSE RISKS TO HUMAN LIVES AND PROPERTIES.
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE, NO SUCH BOILER SHOULD BE OPERATED WITHOUT PRIOR REGISTRATION AND STATUTORY EXAMINATION. THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR BREACH OF THIS STATUTORY REQUIREMENT IS $30 000.
HE ADDED THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD BOILERS BE REGISTERED AND APPROVED, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE OPERATED UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION CF COMPETENT PERSONS. FAILURE TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IS LIABLE TO FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30 000.
FACTORY PROPRIETORS WHO DO NOT HAVE COMPETENT PERSONS OPERATING THEIR BOILERS ARE URGED TO SEND THEIR EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND A HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE CONDUCTED BY THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION FREE OF CHARGE.
/CANDIDATES ARE........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
CANDIDATES ARE THEN GIVEN A MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST, AND THOSE WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL MAY ATTEND TO SUCH BOILERS FOR A PERIOD OF 14 MONTHS UNDER AN EXEMPTION ORDER ISSUED BY THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR.
DURING THIS PERIOD, A CANDIDATE SHOULD OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE BY PASSING THE NORMAL EXAMINATION AT THE DIVISION.
OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF FACTORIES USING SUCH BOILERS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-688111 EXT. 352 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
-----0------
POSTER CONTEST TO BOOST YOUTH YEAR * * * *
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A POSTER DESIGN CONTEST IN SAI KUNG TO PUBLICISE THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CONTEST IS BEING HELD FOR PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 25 TO PROMOTE THE IYY THEME -PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, SAID THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CARRIE CHENG.
+WE ALSO HOPE TO DEVELOP YOUNG PEOPLE’S POTENTIAL IN DESIGN,* SHE ADDED.
THE POSTER DESIGNS SHOULD REFLECT THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SAI KUNG AND, AT THE SAME TIME, ILLUSTRATE THE THEME OF PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE.
THE WINNING DESIGN WILL BE USED IN PUBLICITY POSTERS OF IYY ACTIVITIES IN SAI KUNG.
ALL ENTRIES, WHICH MUST ALSO BEAR THE WORDS OF +SA I KUNG DISTRICT 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR*, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY JANUARY 31.
THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES BY EACH PARTICIPANT, BUT EVERY POSTER SHOULD MEASURE 57 X 43 CENTIMETRES AND CONTAIN NOT MORE THAN FOUR COLOURS.
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS WORTH $530 $300 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY. SOUVENIRS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO FIVE OUTSTANDING ENTRIES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
--------o----------
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1933
- 14 -
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG LEADERS
* * * *
THREE YOUTH LEADERS HAVE BEEN AWARDED OUTWARD BOUND DIPLOMA COURSES SCHOLARSHIPS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE 1984 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE THREE WERE CHOSEN FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FROM A TOTAL OF 22 NOMINATIONS BY THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MISS KATHLEEN WONG, A 22-YEAR-OLD ESTATE AGENT, WAS GIVEN THE HIGHEST MARK BY THE SELECTION PANEL FOR ORGANISING NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
MR KWOK WING-CHOW, A 25-YEAR-OLD FIREMAN, WAS AWARDED THE SCHOLARSHIP FOR ORGANISING AN EXPEDITION COURSE FOR YOUNG MEMBERS OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME.
THE THIRD WINNER, MR TANG SAI-PUN, A 2Q-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, wAS CHOSEN FOR HIS EFFORTS IN ORGANISING A MAJOR CAMPING EXPEDITION IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE TRIO WILL UNDERGO AN 18-DAY OUTWARD BOUND DIPLOMA COURSE, WHICH INCLUDES A SAILING TRIP ON THE JI FUNG. OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE COURSE INCLUDE NAVIGATION, SMALL BOAT SAILING EXPEDITIONS, CANOEING, SWIMMING, INITIATIVE GAMES, FIRST AID TRAINING AND WALKING AND CAMPING EXPEDITIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A CEREMONY FOR THE AWARD OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE THREE YOUTH LEADERS WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 24 (THURSDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF THE WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN CF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME POLICY COMMITTEE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
15
YOUTH FESTIVAL OPENS
* * * *
KWUN TONG’S HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND WAS FILLED WITH THE VITALITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
MORE THAN 500 MEMBERS FROM 25 UNIFORMED YOUTH GROUPS, SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PARADED AT THE PLAYGROUND TO MARK THE OPENING GF THE TWO-WEEK KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE FESTIVAL, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOwLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, ENCOURAGED Trit YOUTHS TO TAKE PART IN DISTRICT MATTERS EITHER AT SCHOOLS, YOUTH ORGANISATIONS OR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS AND POTENTIALS.
+AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE QUALIFIED, THE DISTRICT BOARD IS A PLACE FOR THEM TO MAKE THEIR FIRST STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.
+IT IS THROUGH EVERYONE’S CONTRIBUTION THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE DEVELOPMENT, AND WHEN EVERYONE ATTAINS A WILLINGNESS TO SERVE OTHERS, WE SHALL ACHIEVE STABILITY AND PEACE. +
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS ENTERING A NEW PHASE OF CHANGE AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE WIDE-RANGING EFFECTS ON THE SOCIAL FABRIC.
+IN THIS PROCESS, WE REQUIRE THE DYNAMISM OF THE YOUNG, AND THE FORTITUDE OF THE EXPERIENCED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD. WE MUST EACH PLAY OUR PART TO BRING ABOUT THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULT,+ MR WIGGHAM SAID.
TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY ALSO FEATURED A VARIETY PERFORMANCE INCLUDING A MARCHING BAND, CYCLING AND DANCING, AND A BODY-BUILDING DRILL DEMONSTRATION BY TVB’S VITALITY TEAM.
SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD, THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
MORE THAN 30 PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED ALONG THE LINES CF THE FESTIVAL’S THEME +YOUTHS OF KWUN TONG ANSWER EVERY CALL, DEVELOP THE COMMUNITY AND PEACE FOR ALL+.
DETAILED FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 3-416315.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
- 16 -
+MUCH CHANCE* FOR MUSIC
* * * *
THERE WAS MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSIC APPRECIATION IN HONG KONG, ITH CONCERTS BEING HELD ALMOST EVERY DAY, MADAM ANITA CHAN LAI-LING, AN EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A HONG KONG REGION STUDENT CONCERT PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
MADAM CHAN SAID THAT THE SETTING UP OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IN 1977 HAD BROUGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING TO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH A COMMENDABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE.
+INTEREST IN THIS AREA IS GROWING ALL THE TIME AS WITNESSED BY THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS EACH YEAR TO THE MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUMENTAL HJSIC TRAINING SCHEME,* MADAM CHAN ADDED.
SHE SAID SHE WAS MOST IMPRESSED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRAINEES.
+1 KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT AND DISCIPLINE IN THEIR PRACTICE, BOTH OF WHICH ARE VITAL INGREDIENTS IN THE MAKING OF A GOOD MUSICIAN,* SHE SAID.
MR K.C. YEUNG, ACTING MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR THANKED ALL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT WHICH MADE THE MUSIC OFFICE’S INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME A SUCCESS.
- - 0 -----------
SPORTS TRAINING FOR MORE DISABLED URGED
* K *
A SEMINAR ON SPORTS FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED WAS HELD THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING AT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, SHA TIN.
THE SEMINAR, ON +HOW TO ORGANISE AN ATHLETIC MEET FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED*, WAS ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT.
MRS POLLY LAI, A SENIOR RECREATION AND SPORT OFFICER, SAID THAT HONG KONG’S DISABLED ATHLETES HAD BEEN DOING WELL IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS, SUCH AS THE 1984 INTERNATIONAL GAMES FOR THE DISABLED AND WORLD WHEELCHAIR GAMES.
+THERE IS A NEED TO TRAIN MORE SPORT ORGANISERS TO PROMOTE SPORTS AMONG A LARGER NUMBER OF PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE,* SHE ADDED.
/MR rakjbud........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
MR RAYMOND MAK, AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD, SPOKE ON THE CONCEPT S" ORGANISING AN ATHLETIC MEET AND EXPLAINED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GAMES FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE aHEELCHAIR-BOUND.
ABOUT 100 TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS, SECONDARY STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS IN ATHLETICS ATTENDED THE SEMINAR.
SPORTS DAY HELD * * * *
ABOUT 400 STAFF OF LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS TOOK PART IN TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS AT TODAY’S (SUNDAY) ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL SPORTS DAY HELD AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. MRS CHAN AND MISS HONG KONG, JOYCE MINA GODENZI, WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY. LATER, MR CHAN PRESENTED PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS TO THE WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS.
LITTERBUGS TOP OFFENDER LIST
K X X
LITTERING TOPPED THE LIST OF OFFENCES BY COUNTRY PARK VISITORS LAST YEAR.
DURING THE YEAR, SOME 1 700 PEOPLE WERE FINED FOR THE OFFENCE COMMITTED INSIDE AND NEAR COUNTRY PARKS.
IN ADDITION, ALMOST 300 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR TAKING THEIR CARS INTO COUNTRY PARKS.
OTHER OFFENCES INCLUDED 46 CASES OF POLLUTING STREAMS, 56 OF USING FIRE IN NON-DESIGNATED SITES OR PROHIBITED AREAS, 31 OF CAMPING IN NON-DESIGNATED SITES, 18 OF DAMAGING PLANTS, 11 OF POSSESSING PROTECTED PLANTS AND FOUR OF POSSESSING PROTECTED ANIMALS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT APPEALED TODAY TO COUNTRY PARK VISITORS TO HELP KEEP THE COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN.
- 0 -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1935
- 18 -
OFF ICES MOVE
* * *
THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE OF NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE OPERATING IN NEW PREMISES FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THEY WERE FORMERLY LOCATED IN CONGESTED PREMISES IN TAI PO’S CLD DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING AND THE TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE MOVE WILL ALLOW BETTER SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT.
THE TWO OFFICES WILL BE SHARING ABOUT 25 000 SQUARE METRES FLOOR SPACE IN FIVE BLOCKS OF TWO-STOREYED PREFABRICATED STRUCTURES LOCATED ON JOCKEY CLUB ROAD NEAR THE FANLING ROUNDABOUT.
THESE ARE TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS AS NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN FANLING WITHIN A FEW YEARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE MORTH ON TELEPHONE 0-902644 AND THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE NORTH ON 0-901978 CONCERNING LAND MATTERS.
--------0 ---------
ROAD WORK * * *
ROAD D4 NEAR SHEUNG SHU I MINI-ROUNDABOUT WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK FROM 12.45 AM TO 5 AM BETWEEN JANUARY 22 AND 26.
TRAFFIC FROM MAN KAM TO HEADING FOR YUEN LONG AND SHEK KONG WILL BE DIVERTED VIA JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, ROAD L2 AND TA I PO ROAD.
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC FROM TAI PO WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FANLING ROUNDABOUT, ROAD L2 AND TAI PO ROAD.
--------o-----------
TRAFFIC CHANGE * * *
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 22), VEHICLES ON BOWRING STREET WESTBOUND WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND, SO AS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 19 -
FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS * * *
TO FACILITATE WORK ON A FLYOVER, TRAFFIC ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD
■EAR ~S JUNCTION * I TH CHAI WAN ROAD, WILL BE STOPPED AT FIVE-■'JUTE INTERVALS BETWEEN 1.4-5 AM AND 4.30 AM DAILY FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (JANUARY 24 TO 26).
WATER MAINS WORK
* * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO FIVE AREAS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE TURNED CFF FROM 9 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE FIVE AREAS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM LAM TEI PUMPING STATION TO AU TAU, INCLUDING WANG CHAU INDUSTRIAL ESTATE;
* CASTLE PEAK ROAD (SAN TIN SECTION) FROM AU TAU TO SAN TIN, INCLUDING FAIRVIEW PARK;
* KAM TIN ROAD FROM AU TAU TO SHEUNG TSUEN;
* KAM SHEUNG ROAD FROM KAM TIN ROAD TO SHEUNG TSUEN; AND
* FAN KAM ROAD FROM KAM TIN ROAD TO PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, INCLUDING SHEK KONG CAMP AND ALL ADJACENT VILLAGES.
- - 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PEOPLE WANT +GOOD INFLUENCER- FROM TV, RADIO................. 1
HK TEAM HEADING FOR U.S. ORIGIN TALKS ....................... 3
CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE OPERATORS NEEDED ................... 4
JOB AGENCIES REMINDED ABOUT LAWS ............................ 5
CHINESE VISITORS SEE HK WORKS PROJECTS ...................... 6
VIEWS SOUGHT ON COMMUNITY NEEDS ............................. 6
ID CARD SERVICE ON THE MOVE.................................. 7
FREE EYE CARE FOR ELDERLY ................................... 8
THIRD QUARTER RESTAURANT SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ............ 9
TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTIN TEACHERS .......................... 10
SEMINAR TO BRING GROUPS TOGETHER ............................ 12
MUCH IN COMMON .............................................. 12
RELIGIOUS RITES AT CREMATORIUM .............................. 13
INTERIM WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR JUNK BAY..................... 13
RESTAURANT OPERATOR WANTED .................................. 1^
NORTH POINT TRAFFIC CHANGE................................... 1*+
PUBLIC TOILET TO BE REBUILT ................................. 15
IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW ...................................... 15
WATER LEAKAGE TESTS IN TWO AREAS ............................ 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURES
16
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
PEOPLE WANT +GOOD INFLUENCE* FROM TV, RADIO * * * * *
MOST PEOPLE POLLED FOR THEIR VIEWS ON TV AND RADIO BROADCASTING BELIEVED THAT THE TWO COMMERCIAL TV STATIONS HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT THEIR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES ALSO HAD A GOOD INFLUENCE ON SOCIETY.
THIRTY ONE PER CENT OF THE VIEWERS WANTED MORE DOCUMENTARIES, 26 PER CENT ASKED FOR MORE NEWS AND 39 PER CENT PREFERRED LESS HORSE RACING.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD AND THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY, COVERED A SAMPLE OF 5 047 RESPONDENTS RANDOMLY SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE ENTIRE POPULATION FROM 15 YEARS OF AGE AND ABOVE, A SPOKESMAN FOR TELA SAID TODAY.
ITS PURPOSE WAS TO COLLECT PUBLIC OPINION ON THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF TV AND SOUND BROADCASTING AND THE PEOPLE’S DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS IN THIS AREA.
IT SHOWED THAT 94 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION HAD WATCHED TELEVISION, AND 62 PER CENT HAD LISTENED TO RADIO BROADCASTS DURING THE FORTNIGHT BEFORE THE SURVEY BEGAN.
TELEVISION
WITH REGARD TO TELEVISION, ABOUT ONE FIFTH OF THE VIEWERS ALSO DEMANDED MORE DRAMA SERIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES.
MOST VIEWERS SAW A NEED FOR TEENAGER PROGRAMMES. ALMOST HALF OF THE STUDENTS AND TEENAGERS SAID THEY WANTED TO WATCH MORE YOUTH PROGRAMMES ON KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN SOCIETY, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PRACTICAL SKILLS AND SPORTS.
THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT 72 PER CENT OF THE VIEWERS WOULD WATCH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IF PROVIDED. HOWEVER, ONE FIFTH OF THE PROSPECTIVE VIEWERS COULD NOT NAME ANY TOPIC FOR INCLUSION IN SUCH PROGRAMMES WHICH WERE PREFERRED BY MOST, TO BE SHOWN IN THE EVENINGo.
VIEWERS IN DIFFERENT AGE AND OCCUPATION GROUPS HAD DIFFERENT PROGRAMME NEEDS, THE REPORT POINTED OUT.
WHILE TEENAGERS EXPRESSED STRONG NEEDS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMES, ONLY VERY FEW ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY SHOWED INTEREST FOR MORE. ON THE OTHER HAND, NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS WHICH WERE MUCH WANTED BY THE 25-34 AND 65 AND OVER AGE GROUPS WERE OF RELATIVELY LOW PRIORITY FOR THE YOUNG.
/THE SURVEY
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
2
THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND THAT DRAMA SERIES WAS POPULAR AMONG PRODUCTION WORKERS AND HOMEMAKERS WHILE PROFESSIONALS AND ADMINISTRATORS EXPRESSED NEED FOR MORE ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES,
BUT THERE WAS GENERAL SATISFACTION OVER THE DURATION AND COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE NEWS BULLETINS.
THE MAJORITY, 68 PER CENT OF THE VIEWERS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE EXISTING NUMBER OF CHINESE CHANNELS AND VIEWERS WERE IN THE MAIN CONTENTED WITH THE PRESENT BALANCE OF THE TYPES OF TV PROGRAMMES.
IT WAS FOUND THAT LOCAL PRODUCERS WERE THE PREFERRED SOURCE OF PRODUCTION. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION, 44 PER CENT OF THE VIEWERS CF CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES DEMANDED MORE LOCALLY PRODUCED CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES.
OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE
ON OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE USED IN TV PROGRAMMES, OVER HALF CF THE VIEWERS RECALLED HEARING TRIAD LANGUAGE, JOKES WITH SEXUAL CONNOTATION OR CATCH PHRASES, WHILE 39 PER CENT HAD HEARD VULGAR LANGUAGE. CATCH PHRASES AND SEXUAL JOKES WERE FOUND TO BE ACCEPTABLE BY MOST BUT NOT SO FOR TRIAD AND VULGAR LANGUAGE.
ABOUT TWO FIFTHS OF THE VIEWERS HAD COME ACROSS CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMES WITH OBJECTIONABLE CONTENT SUCH AS TOO MUCH VIOLENCE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS AND GLAMOURISING MATERIAL COMFORTS. ANU A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE COULD NOT ACCEPT THE SHOWING OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL PROMISCUITY AND THE ’GO-AND-DO-IT’ ATTITUDE IN TV' DRAMA SERIES.
RADIO BROADCASTS
AS FOR RADIO BROADCASTS, THE SURVEY SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR MORE POPULAR-LIGHT MUSIC PROGRAMMES, ESPECIALLY AMONG LISTENERS IN THE 15-19 AGE GROUP.
SOME SUPPORT FOR MORE PUBLIC AFFAIRS, DRAMA AND NEW PROGRAMMES WAS ALSO NOTED.
SHARING SIMILAR ATTITUDE WITH TV VIEWERS, 40 PER CENT OF RADIO LISTENERS ALSO PREFERRED LESS HORSE RACING PROGRAMMES WHILE MOST NEWS LISTENERS WERE CONTENTED WITH THE DURATION AND COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE NEWS BULLETIN.
ON THE QUESTION OF DISC-JOCKEY PERFORMANCE, ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE AUDIENCE OF THEIR PROGRAMMES REPORTED THAT THERE WAS MISINFORMATION BUT NOT TOO MUCH OF IT. BUT 24 PER CENT OF THE LISTENERS CRITICISED THEM FOR TALKING TOO FRIVOLOUSLY AND OVER A QUARTER HAD NOTICED OBJECTIONABLE CONNOTATIONS IN THEIR CHIT-CHATS.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF VULGAR LANGUAGE, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO HAD HEARD OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE ON RADIO PROGRAMMES FOUND IT TO BE ACCEPTABLE. HOWEVER, OVER A QUARTER OF THE LISTENERS DID NOT ACCEPT THIS.
/government .......
MONDAY, JANUAfiY 21, 198$
3 -
GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING
THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED PUBLIC VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING. JUST OVER HALF OF TV-RADIO AUDIENCES THOUGHT THAT RTHK (AND RHK) HAD BEEN DOING ENOUGH, THROUGH ITS RADIO AND TV PROGRAMMES, TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND TO HELP THE PUBLIC TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED ABOUT SOCIETY AND THE GOVERNMENT, AND ABOUT A THIRD THOUGHT OTHERWISE.
VIEWERS GENERALLY CONSIDERED THAT THE RTHK TV PROGRAMMES HAD MORE EDUCATIONAL VALUE THAN THOSE OF COMMERCIAL STATIONS. OVER HALF 0- THE VIEWERS WANTED TO WATCH MORE CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES AND DOCUMENTARIES, DRAMA SERIES, AND INFORMATION AND SERVICING PROGRAMMES.
THE QUANTITATIVE NEEDS OF RHK LISTENERS IN THE RADIO PROGRAMMES WERE FOUND TO BE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL AUDIENCE AT LARGE.
USEFUL REFERENCE
THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WERE EXPECTED ALSO TO BE USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR THE WORK OF THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD AND TELA.
------0-------
HK TEAM HEADING FOR U.S. ORIGIN TALKS * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG NEXT WEEK FOR WASHINGTON FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS ON THE NEW AMERICAN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN RULES ON KNITWEAR TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 4.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION INCLUDE MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR THOMAS YIU AND MR H.P. LEE, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICERS.
THE TRIP FOLLOWS A RECOMMENDATION BY THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY IN GENEVA THAT HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CONFER, WITH A VIEW TO RESTORING THE BALANCE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT, AND THAT THE PARTIES SHOULD, REANWHILE, CO-OPERATE TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE ORDERLY AND EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE.
THE DELEGATION WILL BE ACCOM°ANIED BY TWO INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS, MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE IE TILES ADVISORY BOARD.
MR CHEONG AND MR FANG WILL ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON ON FEBRUARY 2.
- 0 -
/A
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICE OPERATORS NEEDED * * * #
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE OPERATION OF CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THE NEW SERVICES WOULD OPERATE VIA THE SHA TAU KOK CROSSING, WHERE A NEW VEHICULAR BRIDGE WOULD OPEN TO TRAFFIC, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING, GIVING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION!
* APPLICANT’S PERSONAL PARTICULARS, INCLUDING NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, ADDRESS AND CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER. IN THE CASE OF a COMPANY, CONTACT PERSONS AND INFORMATION ON COMPANY REGISTRATION SHOULD BE GIVEN.
* DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE OF THE SERVICE, GIVING DETAILS SUCH AS THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF VEHICLES AND SEATING CAPACITIES, CROSSING TIMES AT THE SHA TAU KOK BRIDGE AND NUMBER OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN EACH CROSSING, AND AVAILABILITY OF TERMINAL AND OVERNIGHT PARKING FACILITIES.
M DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF APPROVAL FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO PROVIDE CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICES.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLE SECTION AT ROOM 906-909, 9/F, HUTCHISON HOUSE, 10 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 28.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED WITH CLOSED ROAD PERMITS BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE CARS WOULD ALSO BE ALLOWED TO USE THE NEW CROSSING, BUT THEY WOULD REQUIRE CLOSED ROAD PERMITS.
PERSONS WITH BUSINESS INTERESTS IN THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE MAY APPLY TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR GOODS VEHICLE AND PRIVATE CAR CLOSED ROAD PERMITS. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 61 MODY ROAD, KOWLOON.
HOWEVER, APPLICATIONS FOR PRIVATE CAR CLOSED ROAD PERMITS MUST BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15.
ENQUIRIES ON CROSS-BORDER BUS SERVICES MAY BE MADE WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON 5-249418. THOSE ON GOODS VEHICLE AND PRIVATE CAR CLOSED ROAD PERMITS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 3-7333111-
------0-------
/5........
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
5
JOB AGENCIES REMINDED ABOUT LAWS * * * * *
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MUST COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT 11 EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS HAD BEEN CINED LAST YEAR FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
THE OFFENCES INCLUDED OPERATING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE. CHARGING JOB-SEEKERS MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEE AND COMMISSION, FAILING TO SUBMIT QUARTERLY RETURNS WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME AND FAILING TO MAINTAIN THE PRESCRIBED REGISTERS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY IS DEFINED AS AN ESTABLISHMENT WHICH AIMS AT OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT FOR ANOTHER PERSON OR SUPPLYING PERSONNEL TO AN EMPLOYER, BOTH WITHIN OR OUTSIDt HONG KONG, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE EMPLOYMENT IS OF PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME NATURE.
THE LICENCE FEE FOR SUCH AN AGENCY IS $300 A YEAR.
THE FEE AND COMMISSION THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ARE PRESCRIBED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
THE FEE TO BE PAID BY JOB-SEEKERS FOR FIRST REGISTRATION AND SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS IS LIMITED TO $3, AND THE COMMISSION FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENT TO 10 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH’S RECEIVED SALARY.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY AN AGENCY TO AN EMPLOYER TO $10 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED ON FIRST REGISTRATION, AND $5 PER RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION AFTER THREE MONTHS. THE COMMISSION TO BE PAID BY AN EMPLOYER ON SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING FOR HIM AN EMPLOYEE BY AN AGENCY IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AN OPERATOR MUST DISPLAY THE FEE SCHEDULES AND HIS LICENCE IN HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS AND MUST SUBMIT QUARTERLY RETURNS WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME AND MAINTAIN THE PRESCRIBED REGISTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE AND THE REGULATIONS.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MAY EE MADE TO THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF THE '.ABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS 5-767420 AND 5-767311.
- - 0-----------
/6.......
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1935
6
CHINESE VISITORS SEE HK WORKS PROJECTS
* * * *
SIXTY MEMBERS OF VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS FROM 14 CHINESE COASTAL CITIES WENT TODAY (MONDAY) TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT AT TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
THEY ARE HERE IN THE COURSE OF A STUDY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC AND TRADE MATTERS.
AT THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, THE GROUP WERE MET BY THE CHIEF TOWN PLANNER, MR CHENG SAU-YIN, AND BRIEFED ON THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE GROUP WERE ALSO TAKEN ONTO THE ROOF OF A BUILDING FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE NEW TOWN.
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INCLUDING CULTURAL COMPLEX, THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND THE TUEN MUN TOWN PARK, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
------0-------
VIEWS SOUGHT ON COMMUNITY NEEDS
* * X *
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL LAUNCH A SURVEY TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO FIND OUT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE DISTRICT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WHICH IS CO-ORDINATING THE SURVEY, SAID THE STUDY AIMS AT FINDING OUT WHETHER THE PRESENT STANDARDS OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION CAN REALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
+THE SURVEY WILL ALSO EXAMINE WHETHER THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES IN MONG KOK ARE COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN NEW TOWNS,+ HE SAID.
ABOUT 800 LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL BE SELECTED AT RANDOM FOR THE SURVEY AND SOME 20 VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST IN THE SURVEY.
EACH VOLUNTEER WILL CARRY AN IDENTITY CARD, WITH PHOTOGRAPH, ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION DURING THEIR HOUSEHOLD VISITS.
OFFICIALS OF RELEVANT COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO COMMENT.
0--------
/7........
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
- 7 -
ID CARD SERVICE ON THE MOVE
*****
A VISITING SERVICE FOR THE ISSUE OF NEW ID CARDS WILL BE PROVIDED IN LANTAU ISLAND, LAMMA ISLAND, CHEUNG CHAU AND SAI KUNG FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 16 THIS YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
THE SERVICE WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1947 AND 1954 WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THESE AREAS.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUCH A SERVICE WAS TWO-FOLD, IT SAVED THOSE AFFECTED IN THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE SCHEME THE TROUBLE OF TRAVELLING TO TOWN FOR THE RE-NEWAL, AND IT OFFERED THOSE WHO MISSED THEIR TURN A LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR NEW CARDS.
♦ IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN BORN BETWEEN 1970 AND 1972 WHO ARE HOLDING THE OLD TYPE OF JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, THEY ARE ALSO 'WELCOME TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN ALONG TO HAVE THEIR NEW CARDS PROCESSED,+ HE ADDED.
FOUR MOBILE TEAMS WILL BE OPERATING FROM THE FOLLOWING VENUES AT DIFFERENT PERIODS:
FEBRUARY 4 TO 16
FEBRUARY 4 TO 16
FEBRUARY 4 TO 9
FEBRUARY 11 TO 16
THESE OFFICES WILL SATURDAY.
CHEUNG CHAU FIELD OFFICE, KWAN YAM WAN ROAD, CHEUNG CHAU
SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
2ND FLOOR, SAI KUNG
MUI WO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICES,
SOUTH LANTAU ROAD,
MUI WO,
LANTAU ISLAND
NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, YUNG SHU WAN MAIN STREET,
NORTH LAMMA
BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM, MONDAY TO
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/8........
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
8
FREE EYE CARE FOR ELDERLY
* * * *
SENIOR CITIZENS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FREE EYE CHECK-UPS DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
STARTING FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 25), PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 55 CAN OBTAIN THE SERVICE FROM TUNG WAH HOSPITAL AT PO YAN STREET, OR SEVEN CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
MORE THAN 3 OOO PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICE, THANKS TO THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED $10 000 TOWARDS THE +EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT+.
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG.
APART FROM OFFERING THIS FREE EYE EXAMINATION SERVICE TO THE • ELDERLY, HE SAID THE CAMPAIGN ALSO AIMED AT AROUSING THEIR AWARENESS ON EYE CARE.
THE CAMPAIGN MAINLY CONSISTS OF THREE PARTS — AN EXHIBITION, THE EYE CHECK-UP SERVICE AND FOLLOW-UP REFERRALS OR TREATMENT.
THE EXHIBITION AND CHECK-UPS WILL BE HELD ON A ROTATION BASIS AT TUNG WAH HOSPITAL AND THE SEVEN ELDERLY CENTRES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
SUSPECTED CASES OF EYE DISEASES DETECTED DURING THE CHECK-UPS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION CR TREATMENT.
FREE SPECTACLES WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH DEFECTIVE VISION.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG OPTIOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND THE SEVEN ELDERLY CENTRES.
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/9
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
9
THIRD QUARTER RESTAURANT SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED * * * *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984, ESTIMATED AT $4 522 MILLION, WAS 11 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1983, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS THREE PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1984 ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS WENT UP BY SEVEN PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL RESTAURANT PURCHASES IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984 WAS Si 964 MILLION, WHICH WAS NINE PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983 AND THREE PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984. THE TOTAL VALUE OF RESTAURANT PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1984 INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1983.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS, AT 17 PER CENT AND EIGHT PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983. THOSE OF OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES (COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY, ETC.) ROSE BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND FIVE PER CENT IN VOLUME. WHILE THE RESPECTIVE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR FAST FOOD SHOPS AND BARS WERE 12 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN VOLUME TERMS WERE THREE PER CENT AND SEVEN PER CENT. TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS ALSO INCREASED, BY NINE PER CENT IN VALUE AND TWO PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, CHINESE RESTAURANTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS, AT 15 PER CENT, FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (14 PER CENT), FAST FOOD SHOPS (13 PER CENT), OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES (12 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT). IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME OF RECEIPTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AGAIN SHOWED THE LARGEST INCREASE, AT SEVEN PER CENT, FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (6 PER CENT), BARS (3 PER CENT), AND FAST FOOD SHOPS AND OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES (EACH OF 2 PER CENT).
/NON-CHINESE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
10
NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN TOTAL RECEIPTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984 COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984, AT 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME. WHILE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS ROSE BY NINE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME, THOSE OF BARS INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME. BOTH CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES RECORDED AN INCREASE OF SIX PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS. THEIR RESPECTIVE INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF RECEIPTS WERE FIVE PER CENT AND SIX PER CENT.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984 WILL SOON BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CENTRAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 3-7216024).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TWO TABLES ARE BEING SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK. THEY MAY ALSO BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS NEWS ROOM.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984, AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1984.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF THE THIRD QUARTER 1984 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1984 AND FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1983, AND COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS CF 1984 WITH THOSE FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
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TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS * * * * *
SERVING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY UNTRAINED ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR TWO TWO-YEAR IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES TO EE CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSES, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED THE STATUS OF +QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS+ AND WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S REGISTER OF TEACHERS.
/ONE OF
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
11
ONE OF THE COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE, AND THE OTHER IN ENGLISH. HOWEVER, THE ENGLISH COURSE WILL ONLY BE STARTED IF THERE ARE SUFFICIENT SUITABLE APPLICANTS.
EACH TEACHER CAN APPLY FOR ONLY ONE COURSE.
NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED, AND PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO ATTEND TWO THREE-HOUR SESSIONS A WEEK.
THE COURSE CONTENTS WILL INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL, CURRICULUM AND GENERAL STUDIES PRESENTED THROUGH LECTURES, TUTORIALS, VISITS, WORKSHOPS AND SUPERVISION OF PRACTICAL TEACHING.
APPLICANTS FOR THE CHINESE COURSE SHOULD BE FULL-TIME PERMITTED TEACHERS IN REGISTERED KINDERGARTENS WHO HAVE A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS' TEACHING EXPERIENCE AS AT SEPTEMBER 1, 1985. THEY MUST ALSO HAVE ATTAINED GRADE E OR ABOVE IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS, ONE OF WHICH SHOULD PREFERABLY BE CHINESE, AT THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) LEVEL, OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
APPLICANTS FOR THE ENGLISH COURSE SHOULD BE FULL-TIME PERMITTED TEACHERS IN REGISTERED ENGLISH KINDERGARTENS OR KINDERGARTENS WITH AN ENGLISH SECTION AND HAVE A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS’ TEACHING EXPERIENCE AS AT SEPTEMBER 1, 1985.
THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE ATTAINED GRADE E OR ABOVE IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS, ONE OF WHICH MUST BE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B), AT THE HKCEE LEVEL- OR GRADE E OR ABOVE IN AT LEAST ONE SUBJECT AND GRADE C OR ABOVE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS A) AT THE HKCEE LEVEL- OR GRADE C OR ABOVE IN AT LEAST TWO +0+ LEVEL SUBJECTS IN GCE, ONE OF WHICH MUST BE ENGLISH LANGUAGE- OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, LEE GARDENS, 3/F, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG- GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON- AND THE COLLEGE ANNEXE AT 9/F, ARGYLE CENTRE, PHASE I, 688 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED FORMS IN DUPLICATE SHOULD BE SENT EITHER BY REGISTERED POST OR DELIVERED BY MESSENGER TO THE JOINT SELECTION BOARD C/0 THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEXE BY 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 28.
INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
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/12.......
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
12
SEMINAR TO BRING GROUPS TOGETHER * * *
SEVERAL SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN KWAI CHUNG TO IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS INCORPORATIONS.
THE FIRST OF THE SEMINARS, ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE KWAI CHUNG CENTRAL DISTRICT, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) NIGHT IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 1OTH FLOOR OF KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI CHUNG.
THE MEETINGS ARE TO ENABLE AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST WITH OFFICIALS OF BUILDINGBASED ORGANISATIONS.
MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT THE MEETINGS WILL HELP ESTABLISH A BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
- - 0 - -
MUCH IN COMMON * * *
THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB AND THE URBAN COUNCIL HAVE MUCH IN COMMON IN THAT THE CLUB’S MAIN AIM IS TO TRAIN AND PROVIDE QUALIFIED LIFEGUARDS FOR THE COMMUNITY WHILE THE COUNCIL’S LONG-TIME POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE SWIMMING AS A SPORT AND TO PROMOTE WATER SAFETY, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE CLUB’S WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID A TOTAL OF 12 736 SERVICES WERE PERFORMED BY THE HONORARY LIFEGUARDS FROM THE CLUB LAST YEAR WITH 777 SUCCESSFUL RESCUES MADE BY ITS PROFESSIONAL TEAM.
FURTHERMORE, DURING LAST YEAR’S WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN THE CLUB MOBILISED ALMOST 600 MEMBERS EVERY SUNDAY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC, ADDED MR CHEONG-LEEN.
+OUR FINE RECORD OF LIFE-SAVING MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AS IMPRESSIVE AS IT IS TODAY BUT FOR THIS HIGHLY VALUABLE SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE,+ HE SAID.
+YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNCIL’S LIFEGUARD SERVICE IS MOST WARMLY APPRECIATED AND HIGHLY REGARDED, AND EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR CLUB SHOULD FEEL VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SUCH A WORTHY CAUSE.-
- 0 - -
15
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1935
RELIGIOUS RITES AT CREMATORIUM
* * * *
THE NEWLY COMPLETED FU SHAN CREMATORIUM WILL BE OPENED ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23).
TO MARK THE OPENING, A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY WAS HELD THIS AFTERNOON (MONDAY) AT THE CREMATORIUM.
TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WERE THE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD OF THE HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH OF SHA TIN, THE REV FATHER CARLO TEI OF ST. ALFRED’S CHURCH OF SHA TIN, AND THE REV SHIK CHI-WAI OF PO '. . . MONASTERY AT LANTAU.
ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, NR GRAHAM BARNES, AND THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (OPERATIONS) OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR ARTHUR JOHNSON.
-----o------
INTERIM WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR JUNK BAY
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION AND FOR MAINS LAYING AT EAST KOWLOON TO FACILITATE THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO JUNK BAY.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION AT SHUM WAN SHAN NEAR JORDAN VALLEY AND LAYING OF ABOUT 3 650 METRES CF 600 MILLIMETRE DIAMETER DUCTILE IRON PIPES ALONG SAU MAU PING ROAD ACROSS MA YAU TONG.
THESE WILL FORM THE FIRST PORTION OF THE INTERIM WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR THE INITIAL STAGE OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
14
RESTAURANT OPERATOR WANTED * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR OPERATION OF A GENERAL RESTAURANT AT THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
LAST SUMMER, 260 000 PERSONS USED THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE OFFER IS FOR THREE YEARS STARTING FROM APRIL 1. TENDER FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR CF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE) 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON OR THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE AT ROOM 201 OF YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE 9 AM ON FEBRUARY 15.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE YUEN LONG URBAN SERVICES OFFICE OR TELEPHONE 0-753433.
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NORTH POINT TRAFFIC CHANGE
* * M *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH POINT FOR ROAD WORK.
THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN NORTH POINT ROAD AND TONG SHU I ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23) UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NORTH POINT ROAD AND JAVA ROAD.
THE MEASURES WILL BE REPEATED ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28) EVENING.
ALSO IN NORTH POINT, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN SHU KUK STREET AND TIN CHIU STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24) UNTIL 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CLOSURE WILL BE REPEATED ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29) EVENING.
DURING THE CLOSURE, BUSES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHU KUK STREET AND JAVA ROAD.
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/15......
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1985
15
PUBLIC TOILET TO BE REBUILT * * * *
AN OLD PUBLIC TOILET, THE EXISTING TOILET BUILDING OCCUPYING A 140-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT LUNG KONG ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY, WILL BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR A THREE-STOREY NEW TOILET BUILDING.
THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS HANDCART WASHING SPACE, AN OFFICE AND A CUBICLE FOR THE DISABLED.
THE FIRST FLOOR WILL BE THE TOILETS AND A STOREROOM AND THE SECOND FLOOR ARE QUARTERS FOR THE ATTENDANTS.
THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONSTREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT FUK LO CHUEN ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.
THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE IS NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- 0 -
IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW M X * *
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAU KEI WAN FROM ID AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FACTORY STREET BETWEEN TAI TAK STREET AND ALDRICH STREET WILL BE MADE AN URBAN CLEARWAY.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING THERE FOR PASSENGERS BETWEEN 7 AM AND MIDNIGHT DAILY, WHILE ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
ALSO IN SHAU KEI WAN, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL TEMPORARILY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING FACTORY STREET WITH NAM ON LANE NORTH OF NAM ON STREET FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS FROM ID AM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23), BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP THERE FOR PASSENGERS.
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1935
16
WATER LEAKAGE TESTS IN TWO AREAS * * *
CRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CAUSEWAY BAY AND MONG KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN CAUSEWAY BAY, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY GLOUCESTER ROAD, HOUSE NO. 11-19 OF GREAT GEORGE STREET, PATERSON STREET AND VICTORIA PARK ROAD, INCLUDING KINGSTON STREET, HOUSTON STREET AND CLEVELAND STREET.
IN MONG KOK, THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, SOARES AVENUE, WATERLOO ROAD AND PUI CHING ROAD INCLUDING JULIA AVENUE, EMMA AVENUE, MAN FUK ROAD, MAN WAN ROAD AND HOK YU LANE.
- 0 - -
WATER STORAGE F IGURES * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 70.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 413.478 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 511.510 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 87.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1?85
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW AIR OF CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG, GOVERNOR TELLS LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE.......................................... 1
TAI PO WILL BE HOME FOR 200 OOO ............................. 5
NEW ANTI-TRIAD STRATEGIES EFFECTIVE ......................... 6
U.S. ORIGIN RULES OF TOP CONCERN ............................ 7
LEGCO TO DEBATE EDUCATION REPORT ............................ 8
U.C. LOOKS INTO FUTURE FINANCES ............................. 9
BOARD TO DISCUSS AWARD SCHEME................................ 10
TWO NEW, 100-YEAR WEATHER RECORDS SET IN 1984 ............... 10
SEMINAR FOR INDUSTRIALISTS IN SHA TIN ....................... 13
PORTUGUESE AWARD FOR HK FIRE SERVICES........................ 13
EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL .............................. 14
AMATEURS TO SHOW DANCING SKILL .............................. 15
RECLAMATION AT TELEGRAPH BAY................................. 15
SKATING RINK FOR YAU MA TEI ................................. 16
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR AUCTION ............................. 16
D'AGUILAR STREET ROAD WORK
17
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
1
NEW AIR OF CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG, GOVERNOR TELLS LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE *****
THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG HAD ENGENDERED A NEW AIR OF CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISM IN THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, SAID IN A LECTURE TO THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE TODAY.
IT HAD ALSO REINFORCED THE CONFIDENCE OF MANY OVERSEAS INVESTORS, SIR EDWARD SAID IN HIS LECTURE ON +THE POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG+.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY HAD PICKED UP, REFLECTING BOTH A LAGGED RESPONSE TO THE EXPORT RECOVERY AND GREATER INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. AND EVEN IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, SIGNS WERE BETTER THAN THEY HAD BEEN FOR SOME YEARS.
CONFIDENCE THAT AN ACCEPTABLE SETTLEMENT WOULD BE ACHIEVED HAD ALWAYS BEEN STRONG AMONG A NUMBER OF FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN, PARTICULARLY FROM THE UNITED STATES, HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT ABOUT 500 FACTORIES HERE WERE EITHER FULLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY OVERSEAS INTERESTS, SIR EDWARD SAID ALSO THAT THE UNITED STATES ACCOUNTED FOR OVER HALF OF THE TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, WITH JAPAN ACCOUNTING FOR ANOTHER FIFTH.
UNITED STATES INVESTMENT HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY STRONG IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, INCREASING BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY 80 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THAT INDUSTRY.
JAPANESE BANKS, THE GOVERNOR SAID, HAD SHOWN STRONG INTEREST IN THE FINANCIAL SECTORS. OF THE 14 OVERSEAS BANKS LICENSED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, 10 OF THEM WERE FROM JAPAN.
SPEAKING OF THE ’GREAT OPPORTUNITIES’ OPEN TO THE UK BUSINESS COMMUNITY, SIR EDWARD NOTED THAT MANY UK COMPANIES, SOME OF THEM HOUSEHOLD NAMES, HAD BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY AND PROFITABLY IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS.
MORE THAN 50 WERE INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, WITH A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF ABOUT 88 MILLION POUNDS STERLING.
BUT THIS INVESTMENT PALED IN COMPARISON WITH THAT OF THE U.S., CHINA AND JAPAN, HE SAID.
UNITED KINGDOM INVESTMENT REPRESENTED LESS THAN SEVEN PER CENT CF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG INDUSTRY, AND IN TRADING TERMS, THE UK PROVIDED ONLY FOUR PER CENT OF HONG KONG IMPORTS.
THIS LOW LEVEL OF UK INVOLVEMENT WAS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.
THERE WAS NO REASON WHY UK COMPANIES SHOULD NOT BE MORE INVOLVED IN HONG KONG, NOR WHY UK EXPORTS SHOULD NOT COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE HONG KONG MARKET.
A ECONOMICALLY I .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 19&5
2
+ECONOMICALLY I SEE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK COMPANIES AS FOR THOSE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, AND I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR TWO OR THREE OF THE UK’S LEADING COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN THE SAME VIEW,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THERE WAS A GROWING TENDENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES TO USE HONG KONG AS A SPRING BOARD TO EXPAND IN THE REGION IN GENERAL AND INTO CHINA IN PARTICULAR. MANY HAD DONE SO WITH GREAT SUCCESS.
+AS CHINA’S MODERNISATION PROGRAMME PROGRESSES, OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR THOSE IN HONG KONG WITH THE ABILITY TO OFFER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES APPROPRIATE TO HER NEEDS,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
THERE WAS NO REASON WHY UK COMPANIES SHOULD NOT SHARE IN THIS GROWTH IN A MORE SIGNIFICANT WAY THAN AT PRESENT.
THERE WAS, NOW, SIR EDWARD SAID, *A FUND OF GOODWILL TOWARDS THE UNITED KINGDOM IN CHINA AND THE REGION GENERALLY.*
SPEAKING OF THE AGREEMENT, SIR EDWARD SAID IT PROVIDED AN encouraging example of how a complex international issue, which had raised important and deeply felt points of principle for both sides, could be tackled and successfully resolved.
IT WAS IN THE WIDER INTEREST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAI THE AGREEMENT SHOULD SUCCEED, AND THAT HONG KONG SHOULD PROSPER, HE SAID.
*WE IN HONG KONG ARE MUCH ENCOURAGED THAT THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, OF JAPAN, AND OF OUR OTHER MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, HAVE RECOGNISED THIS, AND HAVE STATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE AGREEMENT,* HE SAID.
GIVING A BACKGROUND TO THE NEGOTIATIONS, SIR EDWARD SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN, AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DECADE, A GROWING SHADOW OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN 1997.
WHEN HE ARRIVED IN MAY 1982, THE SHORTENING OF THE NEW-TERR ITOR IES LEASE HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO CAUSE ANXIETY AND DOUBTS AMONG THE COMMUNITY AND INVESTORS ALIKE.
+THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAD, THEREFORE LITTLE CHOICE ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
*WITH SUCH LARGE ISSUES AT STAKE, WHOSE RESOLUTION WOULD AFFECT THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE AND THEIR CHILDREN, wE COULD NOT LEAVE THOSE PEOPLE IN DOUBT ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
*WE COULD NOT SIT BACK AND WATCH BUSINESS CONFIDENCE ERODE AS 1997 GOT CLOSER. AN EARLY START HAD TO BE MADE, AND THAT START HAD TO BE MADE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT IN SEPTEMBER 1982 PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY,* THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/OTHER REASONS........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
OTHER REASONS FOR LOOKING FOR A SETTLEMENT WERE THE COLLAPSE IN LAND AND PROPERTY PRICES IN THE SUMMER OF 1982, AND THE EFFECT OF THE VERY SHARP RECESSION OF 1982 IN THE UNITED STATES.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS CONFIDENCE OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY, THERE WAS ALSO NEED TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, SO AS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
POINTING OUT THAT NOT ONLY ECONOMIC FACTORS AFFECTED BUSINESS DECISIONS, SIR EDWARD SAID THE CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WHICH HAD COME TO A HEAD IN THE AUTUMN OF 1983, AT A PARTICULARLY DELICATE STAGE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, HAD BEEN LARGELY THE RESULT OF POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY.
TO RESTORE A STABLE CURRENCY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REVISED THE FRAMEWORK OF ITS MONETARY POLICY — SPECIFICALLY THE NOTE-ISSUE ARRANGEMENTS — WITH THE AIM OF LINKING THE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR TO THAT OF THE U.S. DOLLAR. WITH THE COOPERATION OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR BANKS, THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ACHIEVED THAT AIM, HE SAID.
+THUS.+ SIR EDWARD SAID, *WE WERE ABLE TO CONDUCT THE CRUCIAL CONCLUDING STAGES OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IN 1984 AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF RISING EXPORTS, A STABLE CURRENCY, AND A CONSEQUENT STRONG STIMULUS TO GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMY, FULL EMPLOYMENT AND STEADILY FALLING RATE OF INFLATION.*
EVEN THEN, THE KEY TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE HAD YET TO BE FOUND.
+ IF OUR ENTREPRENEURS, AND OUR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE, WERE TO BE CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AN ACCEPTABLE HOME, THEY HAD TO BE CONVINCED THAT ITS ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND FAMILIAR LIFE-STYLE WOULD SURVIVE,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
IF THIS GROWTH WAS TO CONTINUE, THERE HAD TO BE REINVESTMENT AND NEW INVESTMENT. FOR ALL THAT, THERE HAD TO BE POLITICAL CONFIDENCE? AND THE KEY TO THAT POLITICAL CONFIDENCE WAS A SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE SINO-BRITISH NEGOTIATIONS, HE SAID.
+THAT KEY WAS PROVIDED BY THE INITIALLING IN PEKING ON 26TH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR OF THE DRAFT SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT.
+THE AGREEMENT RECEIVED AN IMMEDIATE WELCOME, AND I HAD NO DIFFICULTY IN COMMENDING IT T HE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
*THE CONCLUSION THAT THE AGREEMENT IS A GOOD ONE HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, AND BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY,* SIR EDWARD SAID.
/SIfi SDUKtQ.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
SIR EDWARD SAID HE DID NOT PRETEND THAT THE FUTURE HAD NO UNCERTAINTIES.
GIVEN ITS DEPENDENCE ON EXPORTS AND THE OPENNESS OF ITS TRADING AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, HONG KONG WAS VULNERABLE TO CHANGES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE.
♦ THE AGREEMENT HAS NOT REMOVED THE CONCERNS OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE FUTURE. THERE ARE THOSE WHO STILL PLAN TO WAIT AND SEE.
♦ BUT I WILL MAINTAIN THAT, IF YOU WEIGH THOSE UNCERTAINTIES AGAINST THOSE WHICH AFFECT ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, THEN HONG KONG HAS A MORE ASSURED FUTURE THAN MOST,+ HE SAID.
ALL THE FACTORS WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPERITV IN THE PAST WERE STILL PRESENT.
♦ OUR ECONOMY IS HEALTHY. OUR COMMITMENT TO FREE ENTERPRISE HAS ENABLED OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, OUR EXPORTS AND OUR SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING FINANCIAL SERVICES, TO ACHIEVE ENVIABLE RATES OF GROWTH.
+OUR CURRENCY, NOW LINKED TO THE U.S. DOLLAR, IS STABLE, AND INFLATION IS FALLING.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING ITS PROGRAMME OF INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.
♦ WE SHALL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL STABILITY.
♦ AT THE SAME TIME WE SHALL MAINTAIN PRUDENT FINANCIAL POLICIES,* HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE AGREEMENT CONSTITUTED A BINDING COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS TO FOSTER THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, SIR EDWARD SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THEY WOULD FULFIL THAT COMMITMENT.
♦ NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE PLEDGED TO MAKE THE AGREEMENT WORK, BUT BECAUSE IT IS SELF-EVIDENTLY IN THEIR INTEREST TO DO SO,+ HE SAID.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1935
- 5 -
TAI PO WILL BE HOME FOR 2OO 000 * * * *
TA’ PO DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A JUIET MARKET TOWN INTO A BUSTLING NEW TOWN WHICH WILL BE HOME FOR 200 000 PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, 'R DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
-IE WAS SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY OF AN ESTATE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME AT TAI PO TOWN, WHICH IS A PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE PUBLIC HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROVIDING 1 460 FLATS IN AN ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPE.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID TAI PO WAS A TOWN WHICH HAD BEEN DESIGNED TO MAKE THE MOST OF ITS SETTING BY THE SEA AND AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.
+IT IS A TOWN, NOT ONLY OF FACTORIES AND HOUSING ESTATES, RAILWAYS AND ROADS, BUT A TOWN WHICH WILL BE HOME FOR 200 300 PEODLE,* HE SAID.
+A PLACE, OF WHICH ITS RESIDENTS CAN BE PROUD, WITH PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, RIVERSIDE-WALKS AND A FULL RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES NOTED THAT THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE TOwN AND ITS PEOPLE, AND TO REFLECT TO THE GOVERNMENT THE VIEWS OF ITS RESIDENTS ON THE WIDER ISSUES OF THE DAY.
+IN 1082, MORE THAN 8 000 PEOPLE VOTED IN ELECTION OF TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS,* HE SAID.
+THIS YEAR, THERE ARE 28 030 REGISTERED ELECTORS AND FIVE CANDIDATES HAVE ALREADY BEEN NOMINATED,* HE ADDED.
+1 HOPE THAT EVERYONE WITH THE RIGHT TO VOTE, WILL VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7 AND CREATE A REAL BOND OF BELONGING TO THE NEW TAI P0,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
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/o
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
- 6
NEW ANTI-TRIAD STRATEGIES EFFECTIVE * * * *
POLICE HAVE REVISED THEIR STRATEGIES TO COUNTER TRIAD AND GANG ACTIVITIES AND THEY ARE PROVING EFFECTIVE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CRIME, MR BRIAN WEBSTER, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WEBSTER SAID AT A KIWAN IS CLUB OF HONG KONG LUNCH MEETING THAT FIVE TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS WERE MOUNTED IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1984 AS PART OF THE COUNTER MEASURES.
HF SAID 47 769 PEOPLE WERE QUESTIONED, 4 405 PREMISES SEARCHED, 674 PEOPLE ARRESTED AND 17 MISSING PERSONS FOUND AS A RESULT.
’’OUR CONCERN IS REAL AND OUR ACTION WHEN SUCCESSFUL - AND I SAY WHEN NOT IF - MUST AND WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG,’’ HE SAID.
MR WEBSTER SAID THERE WERE NO LONGER ANY LOFTY IDEALS ABOUT TRIADS - "THEY ARE CRIMINAL GANGS WHO USE SOME OF THE MYSTICISM OF TRIAD RITUAL TO FURTHER THEIR OWN NEFARIOUS MOTIVES.”
THE INCIDENCE OF TRIAD GANGS DID GIVE CAUSE FOR SERIOUS CONCERN WITH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANISED CRIME, VICE, ILLEGAL BOOKMAKING MONOPOLIES AND SUCH LIKE, HE SAID.
’’THE GANGS ARE WELL ORGANISED AND HAVE BECOME MUCH AND BUSINESS-LIKE THAN WAS EVIDENT IN DAYS OF YORE,” HE
MORE EXPERT SAID.
ON TRIADS AND DRUGS, MR WEBSTER SAID TRIADS HAVE A RANK STRUCTURE WHICH LENT ITSELF TO SYNDICATED DRUG TRAFFICKING, AS IT DID FOR ALL OTHER TYPES OF ORGANISED CRIME.
’’SENIOR OFFICIALS FINANCE, MIDDLE RANKS ORGANISE, WHILE THE LOWER RANKS TAKE THE GREATEST RISKS AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE APPREHENDED - BE IT IN IMPORTATION, CONVERSION OF HEROIN BASE TO USABLE NO. 3 HEROIN IN THE MANUFACTURE PROCESS OR STREET LEVEL TRAFFICKING, ” HE SAID.
MR WEBSTER POINTED OUT THAT INDIVIDUAL TRIAD SOCIETIES OR GROUPS DID NOT OPERATE IN TOTAL ISOLATION OR IN COMPETITION WITH ONE ANOTHER.
’’THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT WHERE MONEY - BIG MONEY -IS TO BE MADE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TRIAD SOCIETY TAKES A BACK SEAT. NOR IS IT TRUE T0 SAY THAT ALL DRUG SYNDICATES ARE TRIAD-CONTROLLED.
’’IT IS RECOGNISED THAT NON-TRIAD CRIMINAL GROUPS CAN ENTER THF LOCAL DRUG SCENE. IT MUST ALSO BE RECOGNISED THAT TRIADS PROVIDE A READY SOURCE OF MANPOWER TO PROTECT A SHIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTE IT LOCALLY.’’
/MB WEBSTER .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
MR WEBSTER SAID CERTAIN FACTIONS OF THE VARIOUS TRIAD SOCIETIES AND SPLINTER GROUPS KNOWN TO EXIST IN HONG KONG HAD AN ADVANTAGE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG BUSINESS.
THESE, HE SAID, WOULD BE THE CHIU CHOW SPEAKING CRIMINALS.
’’THE CHIU CHOW DIALECT IS COMMON TO THAILAND AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE WHICH ARE SOURCES OF THE DRUGS BROUGHT INTO HONG KONG,” l€ SAID.
MR WEBSTER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT TRIAD GROUPS WERE REPORTED TO BE INVOLVED IN DRUGS IN THE CHINESE COMMUNITIES OF HOLLAND, THE UK AND AUSTRALIA.
HE ADDED THAT CONTRARY TO CERTAIN OPINIONS TRIADS OVERSEAS DID NOT AS A MATTER OF COURSE ALL EMANATED FROM HONG KONG. THIS WAS A COMMON FALLACY IN CERTAIN AREAS.
MR WEBSTER ALSO SPOKE ON COMMERCIAL CRIME, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND COMPARED CRIME FIGURES WITH OTHER CITIES.
ON CREDIT CARDS HE SAID THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPEN TO ABUSE.
’’AS HONG KONG BECOMES MORE ORIENTATED TOWARDS THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS, CREDIT CARD SWINDLES BECOME MORE AND MORE PREVALENTS, ” HE SAID.
BUT HE SAID THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND IS GEARED TO MEET THIS PROBLEM.
OUTLINING THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WEBSTER STRESSED THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS INVALUABLE IN HELPING POLICE MEET THE EVER CHANGING CRIME SITUATION.
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U.S. ORIGIN RULES OF TOP CONCERN M * * *
THE TRADE
THE UNITED STATES’ COUNTRY OF ORIGIN RULES REMAINED DEPARTMENT’S FOREMOST CURRENT CONCERN, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, NR HAMISH MACLEOD, TOLD THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF
PENINSULA TODAY.
+WE SHALL BE MAKING CLEAR OUR DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE FORTHCOMING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. IN WASHINGTON ON FEBRUARY 4 THAT DISRUPTION OF OUR TRADE, IN THE FORM OF SHARPLY REDUCED ORDERS FOR 1985 KNITWEAR, HAS CONTINUED,* MR MACLEOD SAID.
WHAT IN
HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FORECAST THE OUTCOME ON THE U.S. ORIGIN RULES ISSUE. IT SEEMED THAT THE ARGUMENTS STILL RAGED BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION, ON PRECISELY TO CONCLUDE IN THEIR REVIEWS OF THE REGULATIONS
QUESTION.
/+HOWEVER, AT
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
8
♦HOWEVER, AT LEAST WE CAN BE SURE THAT AMONG THE FACTORS EXERTING A SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE ON THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME ARE THE CRITICISM IN MULTILATERAL FORA, AND THE FINDINGS OF THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY, IN GENEVA, WHICH WERE FAVOURABLE TO HONG KONG,* HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN SOME CATEGORIES IN WHICH THE U.S. HAD ARGUED FOR RESTRAINT IN 1984, THEIR DOMESTIC INDUSTRY HAD OVER 95 PER CENT OF THE MARKET.
REFERRING TO SOME U.S. PRESS ARTICLES WHICH QUOTED END-OF-YEAR STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, HE oAlD: ♦CERTAINLY THERE HAS BEEN A VERY CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN APPAREL Imports INTO THE US A. IN 1984. BUT THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THAT U.S: TEXT LE MILL PRODUCTION, U.S. APPAREL PRODUCTION AND U.S. EMPLOYMENT IN BOTH THESE SECTORS WERE ALL UP, REPEAT UP, IN 1984 OVER 1983.+
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LEGCO TO DEBATE EDUCATION REPORT * * * *
EIGHT UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW, IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ♦EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1,+ WHICH WILL BE RAISED BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI.
THERE WILL ALSO BE 12 QUESTIONS BY UNOFFICIALS, DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF MATTERS, INCLUDING PUBLICITY CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION OF IRON-GRILLES, REGULATIONS ON THE HANDLING AND TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES, FIRE DETECTION AND PREVENTION IN HIGH RISE HOTELS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, AND THE CHECKS ON PRIVATE TUTORIAL SCHOOLS.
IN ADDITION, A NEW BILL, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, WILL BE READ A SECOND TIME.
AND STATEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON: THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (1985 PILOT CENSUS) ORDER 1985, PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 7, AND THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL ANNUAL REPORT.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
9
U.C. LOOKS INTO FUTURE FINANCES * * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS TO CONSIDER SETTING UP A WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW THE MEMORANDUM OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR CONCERNING THE COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS DECIDED AT TODAY’S MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL AT WHICH THE QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL’S FUTURE FINANCIAL SITUATION WAS EXTENSIVELY DISCUSSED.
THE M.A.A. IS THE AGREEMENT DRAWN UP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNCIL WHICH WENT INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1, 1973 AND WHICH LAYS DOWN THE POWERS OF THE COUNCIL, IN PARTICULAR THE EXTENT OF ITS FINANCIAL AUTONOMY.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID AFTER THE MEETING: +IT MUST BE MADE CLEAR THAT WHAT THE COUNCIL IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS ITS FINANCIAL SITUATION AFTER THE 1985-86 FINANCIAL YEAR - IN OTHER WORDS, FROM 1986-87 ONWARDS.
♦ THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR ANY INCREASE IN THE COUNCIL’S SHARE OF THE RATE IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, FOR 1985-86.
♦ BUT, WITH OUR RESERVES ABOUT TO BE EXHAUSTED, WE MUST TAKE A REALISTIC LOOK AT OUR LIKELY FINANCIAL POSITION FROM 1986-87 ONWARDS.+
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE, TO BE CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE WHO IS ALSO THE COUNCIL VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE A WELL ATTENDED AND LENGTHY MEETING SINCE ALL COUNCILLORS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COUNCIL’S FUTURE FINANCIAL SITUATION WILL BE ATTENDING, WHETHER MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE OR NOT.
THE FINDINGS OF THE FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE WILL GO BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL, TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5. THIS MEETING IS TO BE ATTENDED BY ALL COUNCILLORS AND CHAIRED BY THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, AND FOLLOWING AN ALMOST CERTAIN LENGTHY DISCUSSION ITSELF WILL THEN DECIDE THE NEXT STEPS TO BE TAKEN ON THE SUBJECT.
♦ THIS MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DECIDE WHETHER AN OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ON THE COUNCIL’S FUTURE FINANCIAL SITUATION IS WARRANTED,* SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+IF SUCH AN OPEN DEBATE IS AGREED ON, IT WOULD BE HELD SOME TIME LATER IN THE MONTH - BUT IT WOULD BE PREMATURE AT THIS EARLY STAGE TO SPECULATE ON WHETHER SUCH A DEBATE WILL BE AGREED ON OR NOT.+
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/10........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985 '
10
BOARD TO DISCUSS AWARD SCHEME * * * *
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1984-85 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT AWARD SCHEME AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING SYSTEM AND PROGRESS REPORTS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
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TWO NEW, 100-YEAR WEATHER RECORDS SET IN 1984 *****
TWO NEW EXTREMES OF WEATHER WERE RECORDED LAST YEAR IN THE ■TO YEARS SINCE RECORDS BEGAN TO BE KEPT IN 1884.
WHILE, AS A WHOLE, 1984 WAS A YEAR WITH THE LEAST SUNSHINE, THE MONTH OF JULY, ITSELF, WAS THE SUNNIEST MONTH EVER, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY REPORTS.
IN ITS SUMMARY OF THE YEAR’S WEATHER, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY R£PORTS THAT THERE WERE ONLY 1 701.9 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE, COMPARED WITH AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 2 011.6 HOURS.
TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE YEAR RECORDED AT THE OBSERVATORY WAS 2017 MM, NINE PER CENT BELOW NORMAL. BUT THE ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 22.5 DEGREES CELSIUS WAS CLOSE TO THE NORMAL VALUE OF 22.8 DEGREES C.
THE GALE OR STORM SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ONLY ONCE, DURING THE APPROACH OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM WYNNE IN JUNE. NO SEVERE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY TROPICAL CYCLONES IN HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR.
THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY WAS GENERALLY FINE AND SUNNY, BUT WAS CLOUDY WITH LIGHT RAIN AT TIMES, DURING THE REST OF THE MONTH. ONLY 3.5 MM OF RAIN, REPRESENTING 13 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT, WAS RECORDED IN THE MONTH. JANUARY WAS ALSO DRIER AND COOLER THAN USUAL WITH EIGHT DAYS HAVING MINIMUM TEMPERATURES BELOW 10 DEGREES C. THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF THE MONTH, 8.0 DEGREES C, WAS RECORDED ON JANUARY 22. DURING THE SAME MORNING, MINIMUM TEMPERATURES OF -0.5 DEGREES AND 0.9 DEGREES C WERE REGISTERED AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE'S CAIRN RESPECTIVELY, BUT THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF HOAR FROST.
FEBRUARY WAS EXTREMELY DRY, WITH ONLY 2.7 MM OF RAIN, OR ONLY SIX PER CENT OF THE NORMAL VALUE. THE CUMULATIVE RAINFALL FT )M NOVEMBER 1983 TO FEBRUARY 1984, 13.6 MM, WAS THE LOWEST ON RECORD FOR ANY FOUR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. THE MONTH WAS ALSO CLOUDIER AnD COOLER THAN USUAL WITH THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 7.0 DEGREES C RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 7.
/MINIaUM TEMPERATURES.......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
MINIMUM TEMPERATURES OF -2.0 DEGREES C AND 0 DEGREES C WERE RECORDED ON THE SAME DAY AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN RESPECTIVELY, BUT THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF HOAR FROST. WIDESPREAD FOG ON FEBRUARY 22 AND 23 RESULTED IN THE DIVERSION OF NINE IN-COMING AIRCRAFT AND THE DISRUPTION OF FERRY SERVICES.
IT WAS CLOUDY IN MARCH. THE MEAN CLOUDINESS OF 91 PER CENT WAS 15 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE, WHILE THE TOTAL 52.4 HOURS OF SUNSHINE WAS ONLY 52 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT.
RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 13.6 MM, ONLY A QUARTER CF THE AVERAGE FIGURE.
THE MONTH WAS ALSO CHARACTERISED BY THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE CF FOG.
FROM MARCH 12 TO MARCH 20, FOG WAS REPORTED EVERY DAY AT WAGLAN ISLAND. THE NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE FOG DAYS IN MARCH 1984 EQUALLED THE RECORD SET IN MARCH 1980.
THE FOGGY WEATHER CAUSED THE DIVERSION OF 21 AIRCRAFT AND SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AT SEA.
APRIL WAS EXTREMELY CLOUDY. THE MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD, AT 94 PER CENT, EQUALLED THE RECORD ESTABLISHED IN APRIL 1934. ONLY 38.6 HOURS OF SUNSHINE WERE RECORDED DURING THE MONTH AND THIS WAS THE SHORTEST DURATION OF SUNSHINE EVER RECORDED FOR APRIL. RAIN WAS RECORDED ON 20 DAYS OF THE MONTH. THE NUMBER OF RAIN DAYS IN APRIL 1984 EQUALLED THAT IN APRIL 1926, THE SECOND HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH AFTER THE RECORD SET IN APRIL 1906.
FOG OCCURRED FROM TIME TO TIME DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE MONTH, RESULTING IN TWO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AT SEA.
THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS WERE REPORTED OCCASIONALLY FROM MID-APRIL ONWARDS, BRINGING THE MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL TO 215.0 MM, WHICH WAS 54 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE.
THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED ON APRIL 17 DURING WHICH A 27-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS CARRIED AWAY BY TORRENTS AT TUEN MUN AND A 59-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS BURIED BY A MUDSLIP AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN TAI PO.
MAY WAS WETTER THAN NORMAL. THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH WAS 468.2 MM, WHICH WAS 57 PER CENT ABOVE AVERAGE. MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE RAIN FELL ON MAY 30 WHEN WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY SHOWERS OCCURRED, CAUSING SERIOUS FLOODING AND NUMEROUS LANDSLIPS OVER VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG.
THE TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL IN JUNE WERE NORMAL.
WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ON JUNE 16 CAUSED SERIOUS FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS IN MANY PLACES. THE WORSE-HIT AREA WAS SAI TAU TSUEN IN KOWLOON CITY WHERE FLOOD WATER WAS REPORTED TO BE NEARLY 2-METRE DEEP.
/A WATERSPOUT........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
12
A WATERSPOUT WAS SIGHTED OVER THE WEST LAMMA CHANNEL AROUND 2.30 PM ON JUNE 24. TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE DISPLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE YEAR DURING THE APPROACH CF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM WYNNE WHICH BROUGHT ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE TO HONG KONG.
WITH 301.4 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE, JULY WAS THE SUNNIEST MONTH EVER SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884. THE MONTH WAS DRY AND THE 125.9 MM OF RAINFALL RANKED JULY 1984 AS THE FOURTH DRIEST JULY ON RECORD.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE AGAIN DISPLAYED DURING THE APPROACH OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM BETTY WHICH CAUSED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE TO CROPS IN HONG KONG.
AUGUST WAS LESS SUNNY THAN AVERAGE, WITH ONLY 162.7 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE, 43.3 HOURS SHORT OF THE NORMAL VALUE. TWO SPELLS CF WIDESPREAD THUNDERY SHOWERS CAUSED LANDSLIPS AND FLOODING IN MANY PLACES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH AND TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE DISPLAYED ON TWO OCCASIONS DURING SEVERE TROPICAL STORM GERALD AND SEVERE TROPICAL STORM JUNE. NO SEVERE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY GERALD AND JUNE IN HONG KONG.
SEPTEMBER WAS DRIER THAN USUAL WITH A TOTAL RAINFALL OF 211.3 MM, ABOUT 34 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL. MORE THAN HALF OF THE MONTH’S RAINFALL FELL ON SEPTEMBER 1 AND 2 DUE TO A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE LYING CLOSE TO THE SOUTH CHINA COAST.
ONE GURKHA SOLDIER WAS KILLED AND THREE OTHERS WERE INJURED BY LIGHTNING ON SEPTEMBER 18 WHILE THEY WERE ON AN EXERCISE NEAR PAf SIN RANGE. TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON IKE WHICH BROUGHT ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE TO HONG KONG.
FINE WEATHER PREVAILED DURING OCTOBER. HOWEVER, THE MONTH’S TOTAL RAINFALL OF 167.1 MM WAS 38 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL. MOST OF THE RAIN WAS RECORDED ON OCTOBER 10 AND 11 WHEN HEAVY SHOWERS OCCURRED. AN HOURLY RAINFALL OF 67.2 MM WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FROM 11 PM TO MIDNIGHT ON OCTOBER 10. THIS RAINFALL WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR OCTOBER.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED IN NOVEMBER WAS ONLY 4.5 MM, REPRESENTING A MERE 13 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL VALUE OF 34.7 MM. UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE WINTER MONSOON, THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH WAS RATHER DRY AND THE DAILY MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY FROM NOVEMBER 18 TO 30 WAS 70 PER CENT OR LESS EVERY DAY.
DECEMBER WAS CLOUDIER THAN USUAL. THE TOTAL DURATION OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE AMOUNTED TO ONLY 111.9 HOURS, 67.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL. TEMPERATURES FELL AS THE WINTER MONSOON INTENSIFIED AND THE MONTH’S MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 7.7 DEGREES C WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON DECEMBER 29.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURES OF -2.0 DEGREES C AND 1.1 DEGREES C WERE RECORDED AT TAI MO SHAN AND TATE’S CAIRN RESPECTIVELY ON THE SAME DAY BUT NO REPORTS OF HOAR FROST WERE RECEIVED. AN ESTIMATE OF 30 TONNES OF TILAPIA, A COMMON FISH REARED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, DIED IN THE COLD WEATHER.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
13
SEMINAR FOR INDUSTRIALISTS IN SHA TIN
X X X
A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 25) TO FAMILIARISE INDUSTRIALISTS IN SHA TIN WITH THE DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS, EMPLOYMENT AND THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY LAWS.
ABOUT 200 PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANUFACTURERS, MEMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND DB UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE SEMINAR.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE LABOUR OFFICER, MR LAI KUI—SHING, SENIOR STATION OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, M? LO PAK-CHEUNG, AND AN COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, MISS CECILIA CHAN.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION DURING THE SEMINAR, CHAIRED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, MR FRANKLIN SHAM.
ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN LUCKY PLAZA RESTAURANT IN WANG POK STREET, SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON JANUARY 25 (FRIDAY) AT 3 PM IN THE LUCKY PLAZA RESTAURANT IN WANG POK STREET, SHA TIN.
*
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PORTUGUESE AWARD FOR HK FIRE SERVICES * * * * *
THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES HAS BEEN AWARDED THE HIGHEST HONOUR BY THE LEAGUE OF PORTUGUESE FIREMEN IN PORTUGAL - THE GOLD MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICES.
A PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES SENIOR OFFICERS’ MESS AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION AT CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 25) AT 3.30 PM.
THE COMMANDANT OF THE MACAU FIRE BRIGADE, MR ROGERIO FRANCISCO DE PAULA DE ASSIS WILL PRESENT THE MEDAL TO THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR ROBERT HOLMES. THE PORTUGUESE CONSUL GENERAL AND VICE CONSUL WILL ALSO BE PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE PRESENTATION SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION AT CANTON ROAD BEFORE 3.15 PM. THE SERVICE INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE MEDIA.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
14
EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL * * * *
A SERIES OF CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THE FIRST EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH AIMS AT ENHANCING LOCAL RESIDENTS’ APPRECIATION OF ARTS AND CULTURE AND TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE DISTRICT, WILL BE HELD FROM JANUARY 27 TO FEBRUARY 3.
+A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO CATER FOR THE DIFFERENT ARTISTIC TASTES AND INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC,* THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE FESTIVAL, MR STEPHEN NG SAID TODAY.
+EVENTS IN THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE CANTONESE OPERA, BALLET, ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE, DANCES, LECTURES ON FLOWER ARRANGEMENT, DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS, A YOUTH POP CONCERT, AND VARIETY SHOWS,* HE SAID.
+THERE WILL ALSO BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON WINNING ENTRIES OF VARIOUS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS, AND AN EXHIBITION ON CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND CHINESE PAINTING BY VARIOUS FAMOUS LOCAL ARTISTS.
♦IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH ALL THESE ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE CAN HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF BOTH OR'ENTAL AND WESTERN ARTS,+ HE ADDED.
ADMISSION TO ALL THE EVENTS ARE FREE, AND A LIMITED NUMBER CF TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ARTS FESTIVAL AND ITS PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE ON 5-641547.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL, EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, MUSIC OFFICE, AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT A COST OF ABOUT $100 000; OF WHICH $90 000 IS CONTRIBUTED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST IS SPONSORED BY THE BRAEMAR HILL LIONS CLUB.
AN OPENING CEREMONY AT WHICH THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM WILL OFFICIATE, WILL BE h£LD AT 7.30 PM ON JANUARY 27 (SUNDAY) AT DR SEAKER CHAN’S MEMORIAL HALL IN NORTH POINT.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
AMATEURS TO SHOW DANCING SKILL * * * *
ABOUT 200 PERSONS WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE 1985 BALLROOM DANCE CONTEST AT MACPHERSON STADIUM, MONG KOK ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27), FROM 7 PM TO 10 PM.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONGH DANCE FEDERATION, THE EVENT HAS BEEN HELD ANNUALLY TO GIVE AMATEURb THE CHANCE TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENT.
THERE WILL BE MODERN DANCES, INCLUDING THE WALTZ, FOXTROT, QUICK STEP, TANGO AND VIENNESE WALTZ, AND LATIN DANCES INCLUDING RUMBA, CHA CHA, SAMBA, AND PASO DOBLE.
TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF EACH CATEGORY.
NOTE TC EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT BETWEEN 7 PM AND ID PM ON SUNDAY.
A RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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RECLAMATION AT TELEGRAPH BAY X * *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY AWARDED A 331.89 MILLION CONTRACT TO GAMMON (HONG KONG) LIMITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION WORK AT TELEGRAPH BAY IN WESTERN.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES BUILDING A 900-METRE RUBBLE-PITCHED SLOPE SEAWALL, RECLAMATION AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORK ON THE CONTRACT COMMENCED LAST WEEK AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY MID-1987.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1^85 16
SKATING RINK FOR YAU MA TEI * * *
AN OVAL-SHAPED ROLLER SKATING RINK IS TO BE BUILT ON A SITE FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY THE YAU MA TEI KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION. ON COMPLETION IT WILL FORM PART OF THE SAIGON STREET “LAYGROUND.
*ORK ON THE 580-SQUARE METRE RINK INCLUDES THE PROVISION CF SPEC" TOR STANDS, BENCHES, PLANTERS, AN ARBOUR AND FLOODLIGHTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT aHICH IS E; rECTED TO START IN MARCH 1985 AND TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS FOR AUCTION
X K X
ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
THIRTY-FIVE SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING, BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE:
DD 9Q0 DD 7 DD1954 DD8878 BT 862
AS 559 DD4448 DD6608 AP 501 DD2689
DD 3 DD 866 DD 500 AK1888 DD6628
DD6333 DD3866 DD5224 AB 80 DC8888
DD 930 DD 11 DD3338 BL 108 AL7774
DD1963 DD3898 DD3339 CL 888 AC6868
DD 770 DC 5 XX 18 DD4001 AR3112
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED BIDDERS THAT PAYMENT MUST BE IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING, aNL' THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN ■ ' MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT L; “TER IES FUND.
THE AUCTION WILL BE THE «5TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
Tuesday, January 22, n 5
17 -
D*AGUILAR STREET ROAD WORK
* H *
• C-UILAR STREET IN CENTRAL, FROM HOUSE NO. 30 TO 56,
- .i_OSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 13 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 24) FOR 7 -OUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
DUR 7HE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LAN KWAI FONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1985
SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS AT SECOND READING OF HONG KONG BILL IN PARLIAMENT ******
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG BILL IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21) AFTERNOON IN LONDON:
I BEG TO MOVE, THAT THE BILL BE NOW READ A SECOND TIME. I HAVE IT IN COMMAND FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TO ACQUAINT THE HOUSE THAT HER MAJESTY, HAVING BEEN INFORMED OF THE PURPOSE OF Th£ HONG KONG BILL, HAS CONSENTED TO PLACE HER PREROGATIVE AND INTERESTS SO FAR AS THEY ARE AFFECTED BY THE BILL, AT THE DISPOSAL OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BILL.
MR SPEAKER, THE BILL THAT IS BEFORE US TODAY IS SHORT, BUT NEVERTHELESS OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE.
THE HOUSE HAD A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON the FUTURE OF HONG KONG on 5 DECEMBER. I WAS HEARTENED BY THE WARMTH AND UNANIMITY OF THE SUPPORT WITH WHICH MEMBERS APPROVED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO SIGN IT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT PROVIDES SATISFACTORILY FOR THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG INTO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. AS THE HOUSE KNOWS, IT WAS SIGNED BY MY RT HON FRIEND, THE PRIME MINISTER AND HER CHINESE COUNTERPART PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG IN PEKING ON 19 DECEMBER.
IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE DEBATE IN DECEMBER THAT THE HOUSE SAW THE AGREEMENT AS A GOOD ONE AND ONE THAT MET THE NEEDS OF ThE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. A NUMBER OF HON AND RT HON MEMBERS RAISED THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG ABOUT CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE agreement, these concerns have also been fully documented in the REPORT OF the ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
/WE HAVE
*E HAVE HAD A FULL .DISCUSSION OF THESE MATTERS. FOR THE MOST RAFT, They DO NOT DIRECTIFY.CONCERN THE BILL. IT IS NOT THEREFORE NECESSARY TO GO OVER THIS'^ROUND AGAIN IN TODAY’S DEBATE. BUT I CAN ASSURE THE HOUSE THAT THE- GOVERNMENT HAD THE CONCERNS RAISED IN THIS HOUSE AND IN HONG KONG FIRMLY IN VIEW. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO BEAR THEM IN MIND IN DUR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE, PARTICULARLY IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
A NUMBER OF HON MEMBERS SUGGESTED DURING THE DEBATE THAT The GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE AN ANNUALX.REPORT ON HONG kong TO THE house and that there should be a debate-.on it. i entirely accept That the house will wish to be informed about developments in hong kong FULLY AND SPEEDILY WHEN THEY OCCUR. .1 ASSURE HON MEMBERS That the GOVERNMENT will take care to report, to the house whenever There is anything significant TO REPORT. THERE is no reluctance on OUR PART. BUT I FRANKLY DOUBT THE VALUE OF INSTITUTIONALISING AN ANNUAL REPORT AND DEBATE. IT IS MY FEAR THAT COULD WELL HAVE THE UNINTENDED EFFECT THAT IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS WER£\NOT PROPERLY DEBATED AS AND WHEN THEY OCCURRED. THIS IS NOT WHA'T WE WANT.
MR RUSSEL JOHNSTON, (LIBERAL): (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS OVER THE QUESTION)
SIR GEOFFREY: I AM SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY WELL AWARE OF THE NEED TO KEEP The HOUSE INFORMED OF CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG. IT CERTAINLY DOESN’T WISH TO AVOID DEBATE ON THOSE MATTERS AS AND WHEN APPROPRIATE. IT IS MY IMPRESSION, HOWEVER, THAT IF ONE PROVIDES EXPRESSLY FOR AN ANNUAL REPORT AND AN ANNUAL DEBATE THAT TENDS ACTUALLY TO ACT AS A CONCENTRATOR AND A MEANS PERHAPS OF DIMINISHING THE PROSPECTS OF SENSIBLE REPORTS AND DEBATES WHEN IT IS IMPORTANT. I AM WARY OF THE INSTITUTIONALISATION OF ANYTHING OF THAT KIND BECAUSE THE REPORT TENDS TO BE A REPETITION OF THE PREVIOUS REPORT IN FORM AND SO ON. AND I THINK THAT THEY VARY OFTEN, ALTHOUGH DESIGNED WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS, THEY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT TO THAT INTENDED.
MR DENIS HEALEY (LABOUR): I AM A LITTLE (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) BECAUSE WE DO HAVE ANNUAL REPORTS ABOUT THE ARMY, THE NAVY AND THE AIR FORCE, WHICH ARE DEBATED IN THIS HOUSE AND PRODUCE VERY USEFUL DEBATES BUT THEY DON’T PREVENT THE HOUSE FROM RAISING ANY MATTER CONCERNING THE ARMY, NAVY OR AIR FORCE, IN BETWEEN TIME IF THAT SEEMS APPROPRIATE. AND, INDEED, THERE ARE REGULAR REPORTS MADE TO THIS HOUSE BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY ON VARIOUS DIFFERENT ASPECTS WHICH AGAIN DON’T PREVENT US FROM DEBATING OTHER MATTERS WHEN THAT SEEMS SUITABLE. THAT SEEMS TO BE A VERY TRANSPARENT REASON FOR, A VERY OPAQUE REASON, FOR OPPOSING A RECOMMENDATION WHICH HAS BEEN VERY WIDELY SUPPORTED BOTH IN THIS HOUSE AND IN ANOTHER PLACE.
/SIR GEOFFREY:
Si'-f GEOFFREYS THAT MAY 3E ThE RIGHT HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN’S OPINION -N? OF COURSE There IS ROOM tor differences of judgement about
IS NOT my JUDGEMENT. MY OWN INSTINCTIVE REACTION TO THE ANNUALISATION OF REPORTS IS TO REGARD THAT AS OFTEN DIMINISHING Tu- importance and value of those institutions, but the matter CAN BE -JOKED AT HEREAFTER - NO DOUBT WILL BE LOOKED AT HEREAFTER many times, the point that i am making to the house is that we S-L_ CERTAINLY REPORT TO THE HOUSE ON THESE MATTERS. WE SHALL CERTAINLY RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR THE HOUSE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY DEBASING THEM. I AM JUST NOT PERSUADED, DESPITE THE OVERWHELMING JJALITY OF The RIGHT HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN’S RHETORIC AND THE -readth of support for the proposition in the earlier debate '■ vOULD BE RIGHT TO INSTITUTIONALISE AN ANNUAL REPORT IN ’HIS WAY.
aS HAVE SAID, SINCE THE DEBATE IN WHICH THOSE MATTERS WERE -AlSE . , my RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND AND I HAVE, AS I HAVE SAID, VISITED PEKING FOR THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT AND WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE WITH CHINESE LEADERS A NUMBER OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WEfct TOUCHED ON IN THAT DEBATE. THE HOUSE WILL NOT EXPECT ME TO GO INTO DETAILS OF OUR DISCUSSIONS, BUT CHINESE LEADERS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL GAVE US SOLEMN ASSURANCES OF CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO FULL IMPLEMENTATION THE AGREEMENT AND OF THEIR INTENTION TO CONSULT HONG KONG OPINION ON THE DRAFTING OF ThE BASIC LAW ON A WIDE BASIS.
FOLLOWING SIGNATURE, WE AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BOTH HAVE TO SATISFY OUR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT. THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL BEFORE US TODAY IS TO ENABLE HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT.
The BILL ITSELF PROVIDES FOR THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION OVER HONG KONG AS FROM 1 JULY 1997. I SHALL BRIEFLY DESCRIBE ITS MAIN FEATURES.
The CENTRAL PROVISION of the bill IS CLAUSE one. this PROVIDES FOR THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE CEDED PARTS OF HONG KONG AND THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH JURISDICTION OVER THE WHOLE TERRITORY WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997. THIS SECTION OF THE BILL WILL ENTER INTO FORCE ON THE EXCHANGE OF INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION.
this clause will enable the government to meet its obligation UNDER PARAGRAPH TwO OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM DECLARES THAT IT WILL RESTORE HONG KONG TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997.
IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BECOME THE INVARIABLE PRACTICE WHEN THE UK DIVESTS ITSELF OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER TERRITORY TO DO SO UPON THE AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT. THE SITUATION OF HONG KONG IS OF COURSE SUI GENERIS. IN THIS CASE WE ARE ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT wITH ANOTHER POWER TO TERMINATE SOVEREIGNTY AS FROM A CERTAIN SPECIFIED DATE. NEVERTHELESS THE NEED FOR PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY FOR THE TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY REMAINS THE SAME: IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THIS AUTHORITY SHOULD EXIST BEFORE ThE GOVERNMENT RATIFIES THE AGREEMENT AND THUS CREATES AN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION.
/THE SCHEDULE
the schedule to the BILL deals with three aspects related ~O '< AGREEMENT AND The TERMINATION OF SOVEREIGNTY. they ARE: - the changes in British nationality laws necessary as a C?' -EOUENCE OF the AGREEMENT AND THE ASSOCIATED EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
- AMENDMENTS TO BRITISH LAWS IN PREPARATION FOR OR CONSEQUENT UPON The tERMINAT10N of uk sovereignty and JURISDICTION.
- AND The PROVISION OF DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO T-E c|vE CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
I TJRN NOW TO NATIONALITY, AND IN THIS CONTEXT I SHALL MENTION ’HE REASONED AMENDMENT TABLED BY THE RT HON MEMBER - - SOUTH DOWN. I MADE PLAIN IN THE HOUSE ON 5 DECEMBER THAT "-E LEGISLATION wE PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE WOULD PROVIDE POWERS T< MAKE THE AMENDMENTS TO NATIONALITY LEGISLATION THAT ARE NECESSARY AS a RESULT OF The AGREEMENT AND THE UK MEMORANDUM.
THESE provisions are contained IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF the schedule WHICH ENABLES a SUBSEQUENT ORDER OR ORDERS IN COUNCIL TO BE MADE TO ENSURE That BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP CANNOT BE RETAINED OR ACQUIRED ON OR AFTER 1 JULY 1997 BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG AND TO CREATE A NEW FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY THAT MAY BE ACQUIRED BY PERSONS WHO ARE BDTC’S BY VIRTUE OF SUCH A CONNECTION.
FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE TITLE OF THE NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY SHOULD BE 'BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)’. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY TO DEVISE A TITLE WHICH MEETS ALL THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS. ON THE ONE HAND IT NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY. NOTHING LESS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IN HONG KONG. ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE TITLE WE CHOOSE CAN CONTINUE TO BE USED AFTER 1997. FOR THIS TO BE POSSIBLE, THE TITLE MUST CLEARLY CARRY NO IMPLICATION OF A CONTINUING CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG AFTER 1997. I BELIEVE THAT THE TITLE WE HAVE CHOSEN MEETS THESE NEEDS. IT HAS NECESSARILY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CAREFUL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THE COMPLETION OF THESE CONSULTATIONS HAS ENABLED ME TO ANNOUNCE THE TITLE TO THE HOUSE TODAY.
SIR PAUL BRYAN, (CONSERVATIVE): COULD HE PERHAPS REPEAT THE TITLE ONCE AGAIN?
SIR GEOFFREY: THE TITLE IS BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS). THE FACT THAT MY HONOURABLE FRIEND HAS INTERVENED FOR THAT REPETITION OF THE POINT UNDERLINES THE POINT THAT I WAS MAKING: THAT THERE DOES NOW NEED TO BE ADEQUATE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE CHOICE OF ThE NEW TITLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. (INTERUPTI ON)
MR RUSSELL JOHNSTON: (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... HAS BEEN AGREED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. MY UNDERSTANDING IN TALKING TO SOME OF THEM IS THAT IT IS ABOUT SEVENTH ON THE LIST OF POSSIBLE TITLES. I AM NOT QUITE SURE THAT IT IS TRUE WHAT HE SAYS - THAT THE ABSENCE OF ANY REFERENCE TO HONG KONG IN THE TITLE IS wholly acceptable.
/SIR GEOFFREY: ........
5
SIR GEOFFREY: I THINK THAT ThE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN IS RIGHT TO SAY that the suggestion that the title should include a reference TO HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT HAS BEEN CANVASSED, FOR UNDERSTANDABLE REASONS, BUT FOR THE REASONS THAT I HAVE GIVEN IT WOULD NOT, IN OUR JUDGEMENT, WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE AFTER DISCUSSION TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, FOR THE TITLE TO CARRY THE IMPLICATION which that would do of a continuing constitutional RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS COUNTRY AND HONG KONG. I READILY ACCEPT THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN A MATTER OF SWIFT AND EASY DELIBERATIONS TO COME TO A CONCLUSION ABOUT THIS. AND THAT IS ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH WE HAD IN MIND.
CONSERVATIVE BACKBENCHER: (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... IN THIS SCHEDULE, THE USE OF THE WORD 'MAY' BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THIS IS CAUSING CONSIDERABLE CONCERN IN HONG KONG BECAUSE OF THE USE OF ’MAY’ RATHER THAN THE WORD ’SHALL’. AND HE HAS JUST DESCRIBED TO US WHAT THIS NEW FORM OF CITIZENSHIP IS GOING TO BE CALLED - COULD HE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE CITIZENSHIP AND DOCUMENTATION THAT WILL RESULT FROM SUCH A TITLE.
SIR GEOFFREY: WELL, I HESTITATE TO ANSWER ANY POINT ABOUT THE PRECISE DRAFTING OF A SUB-PARAGRAPH OF A SUB-PARAGRAPH OF A PARAGRAPH OF A SCHEDULE UNPROMPTED, AND I THINK THAT (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS IDENTIFYING THE QUESTIONER AS MR PETER BRUINVELS, CONSERVATIVE)
MR BRUINVELS: YOU HAVE JUST MENTIONED THE CONSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE AND POINTS OF THIS BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS). WHAT I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN, AND I AM SURE THE HOUSE IS - IS WHAT RIGHTS WILL THEY HAVE, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AFTER THAT DATE IN 1937 (SIC)? WILL THEY BE ABLE TO COME OVER TO THIS COUNTRY TO SETTLE PERMANENTLY?
SIR GEOFFREY: I THINK THAT WE HAVE NOW REACHED THAT POINT IN INTERVENTIONS WHEN I MAY CONCLUDE AT LEAST FOR A TIME THAT THE INTERVENTION IS LIKELY TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE REST OF MY SPEECH. I WILL THEREFORE PROCEED TO THE NEXT SECTION. AS WAS SAYING IF AN AMENDMENT IS TO BE INTRODUCED INCORPORATING THE TITLE INTO THE BILL, AND I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT MIGHT BE ARGUED THAT THAT COULD BE DESIRABLE, THEN THERE SHOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DOING THAT AFTER THE FURTHER EXPLANATION I HAVE DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER PLACE.
I INDICATED ON 5 DECEMBER THAT THE SCHEDULE INCLUDES A SPECIFIC PROVISION THAT THE ORDERS MAY INCLUDE ANY MEASURES THAT ARE NECESSARY, AND THIS IS A SEPARATE POINT, TO ENSURE THAT NO BRITISH NATIONAL, NOR ANY CHILD BORN AFTER THE FIRST OF JULY 1997 TO A BRITISH NATIONAL, IS MADE STATELESS AS A RESULT OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS.
VMR ENOCH POWELL, (OUP): (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... BUT DID HE SAY THAT IF AN AMENDMENT WAS DESIRED TO BE DEBATED THAT COULD HAPPEN IN ANOTHER PLACE. IS HE IMPLYING That There WILL BE NO OPPORTUNITY ON The COMMITTEE STAGES OF THIS BILL?
/SIR GEOFFREY: ........
6
S. F- GEOFFREY: I AM SURE THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS ON COMMITTEE STAGE IN This HOUSE AS IN The OTHER PLACE FOR THAT POINT TO BE DEBATED. | wAS INDICATING, HOWEVER, THAT, IN MY JUDGEMENT, IF ’Hr. MATTER IS TO BE FURTHER EXPLAINED AND APPRECIATED IN HONG KONG BEFORE IT IS INCORPORATED IN THE BILL, IF IT IS TO BE INCORPORATED T HE BILl, THEN IT MIGHT BE MORE SUITABLE FOR RATHER MORE TIME
TO ELAPSE WHICH IS WHY I IDENTIFIED THE OTHER PLACE. BUT I AM su^e that nothing that i can say would have the effect of INHIBITING the right honourable gentleman if he wished to debate I’ IN THIS HOUSE. I AM indicating, however, the likely response TO it (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... BUT ALL THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONALITY LEGISLATION COULD, IT IS POSSIBLE, BE ARRANGED B* ONE ORDER IN COUNCIL ALTHOUGH, AS HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL SEE, THE BILL would ALLOW ADJUSTMENT OR ADDITION BY FURTHER ORDERS IN COUNCIL IF THAT BECAME NECESSARY.
I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT THESE POWERS TO ALTER THE NATIONALITY LAWS BY WAY OF AN ORDER IN COUNCIL COULD ONLY BE USED 'N CONNECTION WITH THE PURPOSES I HAVE DESCRIBED. THEY WOULDN’T PERMIT ALTERATIONS TO BE MADE FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OR IN RESPECT OF ANY OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE NOT CONNECTED WITH HONG KONG.
wE WOULD INTEND TO MAKE THE ORDER AT AN EARLY DATE AND AT THE LATEST WITHIN A YEAR OF THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL. THE BILL PROVIDES, AGAIN AS THE HOUSE WILL HAVE SEEN, THAT SUCH ORDERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AFFIRMATIVE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. AND I WOULD EMPHASISE ON THAT POINT THAT MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES WILL HAVE A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER AND DEBATE THE PROPOSALS IN THAT ORDER IN COUNCIL.
I DON’T AGREE, IF I MAY ANTICIPATE THE POINT THAT IS LIKELY TO BE MADE FROM THE BENCHES OPPOSITE, WITH THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR SOUTH DOWN’S VIEW, THAT THIS WILL GIVE INADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE MEASURES PROPOSED. IT WAS PRECISELY BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THE HOUSE WOULD WANT TO GIVE DETAILED CONSIDERATION TO THE ORDERS THAT WE PROPOSE TO MAKE THEM SUBJECT TO AFFIRMATIVE PROCEDURE. AND THE GOVERNMENT, OBVIOUSLY, WOULD CLEARLY TAKE CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF POINTS WHICH ENJOYED WIDESPREAD SUPPORT AMONG MEMBERS WHICH MAY INDEED ARISE IN THE COURSE OF TODAY’S DEBATE.
MR DENIS HEALEY (LAB) (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... THIS, I THINK, MAY PROVE TO BE THE NUB OF ANY DISAGREEMENT ON THE MAJOR PROCEDURE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS. WILL IT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING MADE AN ORDER FOR DISCUSSION IN BOTH HOUSES, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF STRONG OBJECTIONS TO SOME ELEMENT IN ThE ORDER AND, WITHOUT SEEKING AFFIRMATION OF THE ORDER BY THE HOUSES, TO REVISE THE ORDER AND BRING IT BACK FOR LATER VOTING? BECAUSE this, i think, is what most concerns us - that it would be possible UNDER THE PROCEDURE ENVISAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT FORWARD AN ORDER TO WHICH THERE TURNED OUT TO BE VERY STRONG AND VALID OBJECTIONS IN HONG KONG AND IN THIS HOUSE AND IN ANOTHER PLACE AND YET THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEK EVEN IF IT WISHES TO VARY THE TERMS OF ThE ORDER BEFORE A VOTE WAS TAKEN.
/SIR GEOFFREY:
7
SiR GEOFFREY: WELL I UNDERSTAND THE POINT THAT PROMPTS THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN TO INTERVENE AS HE DOES. HE WILL APPRECIATE That it is not customary for an order that has BEEN debated under AFFIRMATIVE PROCEDURE TO BE THE SUBJECT OF AMENDMENT, INDEED IT can’t be done on the debate then and there taking place, and the design of a procedure that would meet his point is something that ’AKES ONE INTO TERRITORY RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AND I WOULD NEED TO discuss that point further before giving a firm answer to it.
CAN I JUST BE allowed TO ANSWER ONE QUESTION BEFORE MOVING TO The NEXT ONE? THAT IS WHY I AM ANXIOUS THAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY TODAY’S DEBATE AND THE COMMITTEE STAGE DEBATE IN BOTH HOUSES TO REGISTER THE POINTS ABOUT WHICH they might well be concerned.
MRS ELAINE KELLETT-BOWMAN (CONSERVATIVE): (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ...
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE MET THIS POINT (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... WERE CONCERNED AND THEN BRINGING FORWARD THE SUBSTANTIVE ORDERS AT A LATER DATE SO THAT THE ACTUAL ORDERS WERE GONE INTO IN DETAIL AND THE FINAL ORDER ON WHICH THE VOTING TOOK PLACE LATER.
SIR GEOFFREY: YES, I DIDN’T IMMEDIATELY HAVE IN MIND EVERY
ASPECT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF MY RIGHT HONOURABLE FRIEND THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. I AM GRATEFUL TO MY HONOURABLE FRIEND FOR CALLING ATTENTION TO THAT EXAMPLE AND I COULD, I THINK, EXPRESS OTritR EXAMPLES REMOTELY IN MY RECOLLECTION. BUT THE POSITION AT THE MOMENT IS THAT THERE IS NO UNDERTAKING IN THAT RESPECT. I HOPE THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN WILL ALLOW ME TO GET ON.
MR JOHN MORRIS (LABOUR) (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... TO DESIGN NEW PROCEDURE IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO GIVE AN INDICATION THAT IN INTRODUCING THEIR DRAFT REGULATIONS, AS THEY ARE CALLED, THEY WOULD DO SO ON A TENTATIVE BASIS AND NOT SEEK TO ROLL THEM THROUGH THE HOUSE REGARDLESS OF OPINION AND TO MAKE IT QUITE SURE THERE WILL BE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR VIEWS FROM HONG KONG TO BE EXPRESSED AND THERE WILL BE NO LOSS OF FACE OF THE GOVERNMENT IF STRONG REPRESENTATIONS WERE MADE TO THE HOUSE IF THEY WERE TO WITHDRAW THEM, TEMPORARILY PERHAPS, TO RECONSIDER THE MATTER IN THE COURSE OF THE DEBATE.
SIR GEOFFREY (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... MAKES THE POINT WITH HlS CUSTOMARY ELEGANCE. I AM NOT NOW GOING TO GIVE ANY UNDERTAKING IN RESPECT OF THE MATTER. BUT OF COURSE I HEAR WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOUT THIS AND MIGHT, PERHAPS, BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF MY SPEECH AND LEAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR MY HONOURABLE FRIEND TO ANSWER AT THE END OF THIS DEBATE (LAUGHTER). AS I WAS SAYING, THE BILL DOESN’T ITSELF INCLUDE ThE FULL AND FINAL PROVISIONS ON THIS SUBJECT AND I CAN GIVE SOME REASONS FOR THAT.
THE AGREEMENT SETS A TIME LIMIT FOR RATIFI ATION, AND THAT MUST TAKE PLACE BY THE 3OTH OF JUNE THIS YEAR. BY THAT TIME THE BILL MUST HAVE PASSED THROUGH BOTH HOUSES AND RECEIVED ThE ROYAL ASSENT. THAT IS WHY THE BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED SO SOON AFTER THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT.
/ALTHOUGH THE
d
ALTHOUGH THE UK MEMORANDUM LAYS DOWN THE MAIN LINES OF WHAT IS NECESSARY. THERE IS STILL DETAILED WORK TO BE DONE IN FRAMING LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO IT. AS I HAVE SAID, THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH REQUIRE CAREFUL THOUGHT AND CONSULTATION, NOT LEAST IN HONG KONG. THERE MUST BE ADEQUATE TIME FOR THAT CONSULTATION TO TAKE PLACE.
HON MEMBERS WILL NEED NO REMINDING THAT THIS IS A SUBJECT OF GREAT INTEREST IN HONG KONG. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THE LEGISLATION IS ACCEPTABLE THERE. WORK ON THIS IS IN HAND, AND DISCUSSIONS ARE TAKING PLACE WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG. HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WISE - AND IN FACT IS NOT NECESSARY - TO ATTEMPT TO CARRY THROUGH DETAILED PROVISIONS IN THE TIMESCALE WHICH THE DATE OF RATIFICATION IMPOSES ON THIS LEGISLATION.
NEVERTHELESS THE MEASURES CONCERNED ARISE DIRECTLY OUT OF THE AGREEMENT AND MEMORANDUM. IT IS, THEREFORE, APPROPRIATE THAT ALL SUCH MATTERS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN THIS BILL.
IT MAY HELP IF I GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF THE SORT OF DETAIL THAT IS LIKELY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ORDER. IT WILL OF COURSE MAKE PROVISION FOR THE REMOVAL OF HONG KONG FROM THE LIST OF DEPENDENT TERRITORIES IN SCHEDULE 6 TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, 1981 WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1997, AND FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY. FOR TECHNICAL REASONS IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RELY ON THE WORDS ’BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG’.
THE ORDER WILL THEREFORE DETAIL WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ACQUIRE THIS NEW FORM. IT IS HMG’S INTENTION THAT THE NEW FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY SHOULD CARRY BROADLY THE SAME BENEFITS AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP, EXCEPT THAT IT WILL NOT BE TRANSMISSIBLE BY DESCENT. HOLDERS OF THE NEW STATUS WILL BE ABLE TO USE BRITISH PASSPORTS. THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR BRITISH CONSULAR PROTECTION IN THIRD COUNTRIES. THEY WILL BE COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS AND WILL HAVE A RIGHT TO REGISTRATION AS BRITISH CITIZENS ON THE SAME TERMS AS BDTC’S. IN SHORT, THE ORDER WILL IN EFFECT REDEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 TO COVER THE NEW STATUS WHERE IT IS APPROPRIATE.
THE ORDER WILL ALSO SET OUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH PERSONS WHO MIGHT BECOME STATELESS AS A RESULT OF THESE PROVISIONS, AND THE CHILDREN BORN AFTER JULY 1, 1997 TO HOLDERS OF THE NEW STATUS, IF THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE STATELESS, MAY ACQUIRE A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY, WHICH WILL BE BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP.
THE ORDER WILL ALSO MAKE PROVISION FOR HOLDERS OF THE NEW STATUS TO BE DESCRIBED AS COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS, AND TO BE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION AS BRITISH CITIZENS, ON THE SAME TERMS AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS.
/I URGE .......
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I URGE THE HOUSE, FOR THE REASONS I HAVE OUTLINED, TO REJECT THE REASONED AMENDMENT STANDING IN THE NAMES OF THE RT HON MEMBERS FOR SOUTH DOWN AND ORPINGTON.
ADAPTATION OF LAW
PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE SCHEDULE GIVES THE NECESSARY POWERS TO MAKE CHANGES IN BRITISH LAW IN CONSEQUENCE OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENDING OF SOVEREIGNTY. IT ENABLES ORDERS IN COUNCIL TO BE MADE:
- TO REPEAL OR AMEND UK LEGISLATION IN SO FAR AS IT IS PART OF THE LAW OF HONG KONG.
- TO ENABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG TO REPEAL OR AMEND UK LEGISLATION IN SO FAR AS IT IS PART OF THE LAW OF HONG KONG AND TO LEGISLATE WITH EXTRA-TERRITORIAL EFFECT.
- AND TO REPEAL OR AMEND BRITISH LEGISLATION WHICH RELATES TO HONG KONG.
THESE ARE NORMAL PROVISIONS WHEN THIS COUNTRY CEASES TO HAVE SOVEREIGNTY OVER A TERRITORY. THEY ARE WRITTEN IN INDEPENDENCE ACTS, AND ALTHOUGH THIS BILL IS OF COURSE DIFFERENT FROM AN INDEPENDENCE BILL A SIMILAR PROVISION IS NECESSARY IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG. IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO CONTINUE AFTER 1997 TO HAVE REFERENCES IN THE LAWS IMPLYING THE CONTINUATION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS COUNTRY.
THIS CLAUSE PARAGRAPH 3 WILL ALSO ALLOW HONG KONG IN THE YEARS UP TO 1997 TO ADOPT LOCAL LAWS TO REPLACE THOSE UK ENACTMENTS WHICH CURRENTLY FORM PART OF THE LAW OF HONG KONG, FOR INSTANCE IN THE CIVIL AVIATION AND SHIPPING FIELDS. IT IS PRIMARILY IN THESE FIELDS THAT LEGISLATION WILL BE NECESSARY WITH EXTRATERRITORIAL EFFECT, FOR INSTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH AIR PIRACY, AND REGULATIONS FOR SHIPPING. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROVISION SINCE IT IS CLEARLY ESSENTIAL THAT BY 1997 HONG KONG’S LAW CAN BE SELF-CONTAINED SINCE IT IS TO FORM THE GENERAL CORPUS OF LAW OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION UNDER THE AGREEMENT.
MR ANDREW FAULDS (LABOUR) ... (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... ASSURANCE HE HAS JUST GIVEN WOULD COVER NON-CHINESE HONG KONGERS WHO LIVE ABROAD - IN OTHER WORDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA SOMEWHERE AND WHO WOULD BE IN A GHASTLY LIMBO OF LOSTNESS IF THEY WERE NOT COVERED BY WHAT I UNDERSTAND OF THE ASSURANCES THAT HE IS NOW GIVING.
SIR GEOFFREY: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MUST FORGIVE ME IF I DON’T INSTANTLY RESPOND TO THAT BECAUSE ALMOST EVERY WORD IN THE SENTENCE HE PUTS TO ME MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE SOME SPECIAL MEANING THAT I THINK WOULD NEED CONSIDERATION. I SEE THE POINT, IT IS CONSIDERED, IF POSSIBLE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND WILL DEAL WITH IT IN HIS SPEECH AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE.
/mr peter
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MR PETER BRUINVELS: (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS) ... I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION OVER THE STATELESSNESS OF PEOPLE, THAT IS OBVIOUSLY SHOEING A CARING GOVERNMENT. WHAT I AM STILL WORRIED ABOUT IS - ARE THOSE BRITISH NATIONALS OVERSEAS TO HAVE A PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER PEOPLE FROM ABROAD IN THEIR WISH AND DESIRE TO COME OVER TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR SETTLEMENT?
SIR GEOFFREY: MO, THERE IS NO INTENTION TO EFFECT OR IMPLY ANY CHANGE OF THAT KIND. WHAT IS INTENDED IS SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS AS ATTACH TO A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZEN UNDER THE EXISTING STATE OF THE LAW WITH THE PRINCIPAL CHANGE OF WITHDRAWING THE RIGHT OF TRANSMi IS I BI L I TY FOR ONE GENERATION. BUT THERE IS NO CHANGE IMPLIED ALONG THE LINES MY HONOURABLE FRIEND IS SUGGESTING.
FINALLY PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE SCHEDULE ACCORDS DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE FIVE CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WHO WILL ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS OF THE GROUP WHICH TAKE PLACE IN LONDON. WE NEED TO DO THIS TO FULFIL OUR OBLIGATION UNDER ANNEX II TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A JOINT LIAISON GROUP OF FIVE BRITISH AND FIVE CHINESE MEMBERS TO MEET IN LONDON, PEKING AND HONG KONG. THE ANNEX PROVIDES THAT MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL ENJOY DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES AS APPROPRIATE WHEN THE GROUP MEETS IN THE THREE LOCATIONS. EXISTING LEGISLATION WOULD NOT COVER THIS RATHER UNUSUAL CATEGORY OF REPRESENTATIVE, AND IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO LEGISLATE SPECIFICALLY. HONG KONG WILL NEED TO LEGISLATE SEPARATELY TO PROVIDE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG FOR THE CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP UNTIL 1997. APPROPRIATE MEASURES WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN FOR THE BRITISH MEMBERS OF THE GROUP THEREAFTER. IT WILL BE FOR THE CHINESE TO PROVIDE SIMILAR PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE BRITISH MEMBERS WHEN THE GROUP MEETS IN PEKING.
MR SPEAKER, BEFORE CONCLUDING, LET ME SAY A WORD ABOUT THE FUTURE. THE SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT, AND - I HOPE -THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL, LEADING TO RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT, REPRESENT THE BEGINNING OF A PROCESS, NOT THE END. THERE IS MUCH TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. IT WILL REQUIRE THE CLOSEST COOPERATION BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE THE CLOSEST CONSULTATION THROUGHOUT WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION, WHICH HAS WORKED SO WELL THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATION OF THE AGREEMENT, WILL BE FURTHER ASSISTED BY THE PROGRESSIVE STRENGTHENING OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. AS THE HOUSE KNOWS, THE FIRST ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, AND THERE WILL BE A FURTHER PUBLIC REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE IN TWO YEARS’ TIME.
/THE MUST .......
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HE MOST IMMEDIATE TAS W ILL BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE vOINT LIAISON GROUP PROVIDED FOR IN THE AGREEMENT. WE ARE !-.OW ACTIVELY WORKING ON THIS: THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IS uO'DON THIS WEEK, AND .’Y DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM WILL INCLUDE THIS ’’'PORTANT SUBJECT. vE SHALL ALSO THEREAFTER NEED TO DISCUSS PRACT CALITIES FURTHER WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. I SHALL INFORM THE HOUSE IN DUE COURSE OF PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE.
vE HAVE NEGOTIATED A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF FONG KONG. WE HAVE HAD AMPLE DEMONSTRATION THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE
'S HOUSE AND TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. WE NOW NEED TO MOVE PAP'DLY t-' RATIFY AND IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT SO THAT THE RENEWED CONFIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE TERRITORY WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND ITS SIGNATURE CAN BE SECURED AND STRENGTHENED.
AS I HAVE EXPLAINED TO THE HOUSE, PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION SHALL BE EXCHANGED BEFORE 30 JUNE 1985. IT IS VERY MUCH IN THE INTERESTS OR THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD MAKE AS RAPID PROGRESS AS POSSIBLE WITH THIS BILL TO ENABLE US TO MEET THAT DATE.
THE BILL IS SHORT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD. I STRONGLY COMMEND IT TO THE HOUSE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 19$5
EMBARGO NOTE:
The following is embargoed until 2.30 am on Wednesday, January 23, 1985 to coincide with its release in London.
LECTURE TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE
BY SIR EDWARD YOUDE GCMG MBE, GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
THE POLITICx-ju AND COMMERCIAL PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG
Introduction
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very grateful to The Stock Exchange for giving me an opportunity to talk before such a representative audience about the future prospects for Hong Kong. The timing is particularly opportune. Just one month has passed since the Prime Minister signed in Peking the Sino-British agreement on the future of Hong Kong.
2. For Hong Kcng itself, the agreement marks a new stage in our
history. It has removed much of the uncertainty of the last three years, and has set a course for Hong Kong for the next half century or more. It presents Hong Kong with both new opportunities and new challenges.
3, The agreement also marks a new stage in Anglo-Chinese relations.
It has removed an issue which could have caused immense difficulty in the relations between the two countries. A prolonged dispute would have had a highly damaging effect on Hong Kong itself.
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4. In the wider sense, the agreement is of major international
significance. It provides an encouraging example of how a complex international issue, which raised important and deeply felt points of principle for both sides, can be tackled and successfully resolved. In a world where problems between nations often prove so intractable, and international disputes lead to immense problems and suffering, not oily for the nations involved, but in many cases their neighbours too, it is an example of what can be achieved by negotiation when there is the will to work with determination and patience in search of the right solution. This is one reason v/hy it is in the wider interest of the international community that the agreement should be a success, and that Hong Kong should prosper. We in Hong Kong are much encouraged that the governments of the United Statesy- of the countries of the European Economic Community, of Japan, and of our other major trading partners, have recognised this, and have stated their support for the agreement.
5. Against that background, it is the aim of this lecture to set
out, as I see them, the future prospects for Hong Kong. Before I come to that, however, I will dwell a little on the recent history of Hong Kong, for an understanding of the political, social and economic background is essential to a full appreciation of the significance of the agreement and our prospects for the future.
Development of Present Da.y Hong Kong
6. When the Portuguese first settled in Macau, they regarded
Hong Kong as a barren island whose only redeeming feature was a good supply of clear water which supplied small fishing villages and, much later, European merchant ships. What the Portuguese missed, and the British saw, was the superb harbour at the entrance to the Pearl River and Canton. For the past 150 years, that harbour has been Hong Kong’s -p-nA-eminent physical asset, around which much of its history has been written. It has made Hong Kong one of the great ports of the world, and its facilities continue tc grow.
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7- While the harbour may be Hong Kong’s main physical asset,
its greatest resource has been its people. Just about^ everything in and about Hong Kong is man-made. There will be about,40 square miles more of flat land in Hong Kong in 1997 than there were in 1898. All that land from Queen’s Road to the waterfront, which comprises the central business area, has been reclaimed from the sea. So has the land on which the airport stands-. Hong Kong’s industries, including its growing service industries, have grown up, not on the basis of physical resources, but as a result of the vision, imagination, determination and hard work of its people.
8. The forty years since the end of the Second World War have
seen the most spectacular development of Hong Kong’s industrial economy, against all the odds. Hong Kong finished the war a devastated city with a population of somewhat under 600,000. The population, by the end of 1950, had risen, largely through immigration from China, to 2.4 million. Today, the population numbers nearly five and a half million. The newcomers first created an immense social problem with their homes on roof tops, in stairways and in crude shanty towns. But their willingness to work for their own future, in partnership with the long term residents of the territory, has over the years provided Hong Kong with an efficient workforce and a source of professional and technical skills. In 1947, we had just over 1,000 industrial undertakings employing 64,000 people. Today, we have over 47,000 industrial undertakings employing over'900,000 people. This expansion of, and revolution in, Hong Kong’s industry have been essential to its survival.
• 1 • . •
9. Light. manufacturing retains today its vitally important role
; in Hong Kong’s economy. It employs about 35% of the work force and accounts for approximately 22% of the gross domestic product. Our manufacturers have over the years constantly upgraded the quality of their goods. You can find them not only in the chain stores, but also in the prestige and high fashion shops of London and New York. Our industrialists have moved into new areas, such as toys, electrical goods,
/watches, .....
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watches, plastics, cameras and electronics, in response to changes in market demand. Some 90% of Hong Kong’s manufacturing output is eventually exported; and the value of its total trade in goods amounts to over 180% of the value-‘of its gross domestic product. Its economy must, therefore, adjust constantly to the changing world trading environment. Its success in doing so is clearly shown by the high rate of economic growth which it has achieved - one of the highest in the world. In the five years 197$ to 1981, Hong Kong achieved an average real growth rate of 13^% per year in its gross domestic product. Even in the last five years, including the 1982 recession, Hong Kong’s GDP has grown by an average of 7% per year in real terms; per capita GDP has grown by an average of 5% per year over the same period.
10. In recent years Hong Kong has added a new string to its bow
in the shape of a financial centre of world standing, third after London and New York. We now have about 140 licensed banks of which 35 are local companies; over 100 other foreign banks maintain representative offices in Hong Kong. The financial and ancillary services sector employs about 170,000 people. Our claim to be a major international financial centre is well founded.
11. Hong Kong’s development as a major manufacturing and trading economy, and as an international financial centre, has been assisted in part by our favourable geographic position. The Pacific basin is the most dynamic of the world’s markets. During the years 1970-1982, the average annual real GDP growth rate of the developed industrial economies was 2.8%, whilst in East Asia, which includes Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore among others, the rate was 7*&%« The base figure may have been low at the beginning. It is not so now. In addition, China, Once regarded economically as a sleeping giant, is now showing signs of developing its vast economic potential. In 1983, China registered a real GDP growth rate of 9«1%*
/12.
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12. Hong Kong’s impressive economic growth owes much to the open
nature of its economy. The Hong Kong Government is, and will remain, non-interventionist by nature. Its characteristic economic policy has been deliberately to leave the industrial, commercial and financial sectors free and unfettered to compete in domestic and world markets. The Government has sought to regulate only where the orderly conduct of business, fair treatment of the work force and the good name of Hong Kong so require. ----------- “
13. At the same time, we have invested heavily in the physical infrastructure necessary to complement and support the natural and man-made advantages of Hong Kong. A major programme for the building of six new towns, .which will eventually house some three million people, was started in the 1970s; it should be largely complete by the end of the present decade, but we are already well ahead with the planning of the next stage. We have some of the most modem and efficient communications in' the world, the world’s third largest container port and one of the most efficient air cargo terminals.
14. We have also invested, and will continue to invest heavily in the development of our human resources - in housing, education, health and social services. Our housing policy for example can hardly be described as laissez faire. More than 44 per cent of Hong Kong’s population lives in public housing; about one third of capital public expenditure is allocated to public housing development. For, just as we believe in a market-oriented economy, so we also believe in facing up to, and solving, our own problems. Another of our priorities is education, including technical education and industrial training, for we are conscious that a well educated working population, possessing the latest professional, industrial and technical skills, is essential to our continued prosperity in an increasingly competitive world. It is this .concern to respond to the rising expectations of the people which has given Hong Kong the social stability so essential to its economic progress.
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15. I recall these facts, not because they will be new to many of you, but as a reminder of the conditions which have contributed to Hong Kong’s success, to the resilience of its economy, and hence its ability to rebound successfully from the set-backs which affect all economies from time to time.
Background to the Negotiations
16. But, at the beginning of this decade, there was a growing shadow over that scene - the shadow of uncertainty about the future of Hong Kong in 1997- When I arrived in May 1982, the shortening of the period of the New Territories lease had already begun to cause anxiety and doubts among the community and investors alike.
17. The British and Hong Kong Governments had, therefore, little choice about the timing of negotiations. With such large issues at stake, whose resolution would affect the lives of so many people and their children, we could not leave those people in doubt about their future. We could not sit back and watch business confidence erode as 1997 got closer. An early start had to be made, and that start had to be made at the highest level. The Prime Minister’s visit in September 1982 provided the opportunity.
18. There were other reasons too for looking for a settlement. The Hong Kong property market had reached its peak in late 1981. The signs of an over-supply, became apparent by early 1982, and the collapse in land and property prices was only tpo obvious by the summer.
19« This would have been difficult enough in itself, given the
amount of bank lending associated directly with property, but at the same time we felt the effects of the very sharp recession of 1982 in the* United States. We were confident that recovery would come, but if Hong Kong was to take advantage of it, confidence in its future had to be restored.
/20.......
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20. Hong Kong began its own recovery quickly as it had done before. In the second quarter of 1983 there was an encouraging ris’e in exports. Strong economic growth in the United States - Hong Kong's largest export market - and improvements in the economies of our other markets resulted in very rapid, growth rates in domestic exports to those markets.
21. But, as I hardly need to remind you, it is not only economic factors which affect business decisions. The crisis of confidence in the Hong Kong dollar, which came to a head in the autumn of 1983, at a particularly delicate stage of the negotiations, was largely the result of political uncertainty. In order to restore a stable exchange rate, the Hong Kong Government revised the framework of its monetary policy -specifically the note-issue arrangements - with the aim of linking the value of the Hong Kong dollar to that of the US dollar. With the cooperation of our major banks, the new arrangements achieved that aim.
22. Thus, we were able to conduct the crucial concluding stages of the negotiations in 1984 against the background of rising exports, a stable currency, and a consequent strong stimulus to growth in our economy, full employment and a steadily falling rate cf inflation. In retrospect, our economic problems in the early stages of the negotiations, although they gave us no cause for comfort at the time, were a lesson to everyone how vitally important to the health of our economy was confidence, on what foundations confidence was built, and how easily it could be undermined.
23. Even then, the key to Hong Kong’s future had yet to be found. If our entrepreneurs, and our professional and technically qualified people, were to be convinced that Hong Kong could continue to offer them and their families an acceptable home, they had to be convinced, that its economic system and familiar life-style would survive. Our manufacturing and export record in 1983/84 was achieved by optimum use of existing assets. If this growth was to continue, there had to be reinvestment and new investment. For all that, there had to be political confidence; and the key to that political confidence was a satisfactory completion of the Sino-British negotiations.
/24.......
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The Agreement
24. That key was provided by the initialling in Peking on the 26th of September last year of the draft Sino-British agreement. The agreement received an immediate welcome, ancLI had no difficulty in commanding it to the people of Hong Kong. The • conclusion that the? agreement is a good one has been endorsed by the people of Hong Kong, by both Houses of Parliament, and by the international community.
25. • The agreement came as an agreeable surprise to most people for
a number of reasons. Not only did it provide for the continuation of the essentials of Hong.Kong’s life-style and economic: systems; it set them out in specific terms, and in binding form.
26. The terms of the agreement are already widely known. But I should like to remind you of some of its provisions which are of particular importance to the business community. In 1997, Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China; but the socialist policies adopted in the People.’s Republic will not be applied in Kong Kong. The agreement provides that the economic and financial systems in Hong Kong will, in all essential respects remain for fifty years after 1997* Hong Kong will maintain its own familiar system of law. As an SAR it will .continue to determine its own financial policy and manage its own financial resources. It will decide on its own economic and trade policies in the light of its own needs. The free enterprise system, free trade policies and free port will continue; so will individual rights and freedoms including those in economic matters, such as freedom of movement of capital, the right to own and dispose of property, and the right to full and pron^t compensation for lawful deprivation of property. ‘The Hong Kong dollar will reamin freely convertible, and Hong Kong will retain the right to manage the Exchange Fund. Hong Kong will retain the authority to conduct its own external’affairs in economic’, trade, financial, monetary and shipping matters, and will retain a large degree of autonomy in civil aviation. Existing leases and rights in land will continue after 1997? renewable leases can be extended up to the year 2047, and new leases can be granted extending up to the same date.
/27.......
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Future Prospects
27. The conclusion of the agreement'has engendered a new air of confidence and optimist in the territory. ’ Investment in plant and machinery has picked up. This 'reflects both d lagged response to the export recovery and greater investor confidence in the future. Even in the property market signs are better than they have been for some years. Hopefully we are through the worst of the strains which the collapse oj^ property prices in 1982 imposed on some of cur financial institutions. Our new unified stock exchange should open at the end of the year.
28. The agreement has also reinforced the confidence of many overseas investors. Confidence that an acceptable settlement would be achieved was always strong among a number of foreign businessmen, particularly from the United States. About 500 factories in Hong Kong are either fully or partly owned by overseas interests. The United States accounts for over half the total overseas investment, with Japan accounting for another fifth. United States investment has been particularly strong in recent years in our electronics industry, recording a more than fifty percent increase in the last tnree years. It now accounts for nearly eighty percent of total overseas investment in that industry. Japanese banks have shown a strong interest in our financial sectors. 14 overseas banks have been licensed in the last two years, 10 of them from Japan.
29. Our public finances are also looking healthier. With the property collapse of 1982 came a sharp reduction in government revenue from land sales. We have, nevertheless, within the limits of prudent budgetary policy, maintained, our development programmes. Plans are now well advanced for long-term development in the 1990s and beyond, including major improvements to Hong Kong’s r°ad and rail networks, port facilities and the airport. Our plans will ensure that there is an adequate supply of land coming on stream to meet the needs of our ambitious housing programmes, and to provide for commercial and industrial expansion.
• • ** . •Ji • .1 . . ' . . ? •
/We .....
We do not expect the provisions of the Sino-British agreement on land to inhibit these programmes. We have sought to moderate the growth rate of Government expenditure, stabilized the size of the public service, and we have carefully adjusted taxes so as to increase our tax revenue Whilst not damaging the incentives of a low tax economy.
30. After three difficult budgets, the Financial Secretary is in sight of restoring a balance between revenue and expenditure, assisted, of course, by the considerable upturn in the economy. Our revenues are now substantially less dependent on land sales. Faster economic growth has not, however been accompanied by a resurgence of inflation. Indeed, Hong Kong’s inflation rate has been falling steadily, from a year-on-year rate of just under 11% for the first three months of last year to under 7% for the three months ending in October last year. The continuing stability of the Hong Kong dollar, in terms of its link with the US dollar, remains a favourable factor. We intend to retain that link.
31. The outlook for Hong Kong is thus a fair one; and here I would
draw your attention to another provision of the agreement. Article 4 lays on the United Kingdom the responsibility of administering Hong Kong up to 30 June 1997 with the aim of preserving its economic prosperity; and states that the Government of the People’s Republic of China will cooperate in this. Both countries have thus stated a common interest in maintaining the economic health of the territory. Chinese investment in Hong Kong has in fact increased dramatically in recent years, in parallel with the emergence of China as an export market for Hong Kong products. While the United States remains by far our largest trading partner, China is in second place. The Bank of China has already started work on a new building which, when tempieted, will be a major headquarters for its operations.
32. At the outset of my lecture I spoke not only of opportunities but of challenges. One of those challenges lies in the development of more representative government. It is my own view that, whether or not the question of 1997 had existed, there would have been a need to provide a more visible means of community participation in the process of
11
government. Progress in education, the growth of a young and highly professional middle class, and the effects of ever-increasing contacts with the developed world, were bound to strengthen the call for a more direct say. That call has been reinforced by the prospect of 1997, which brings with it a wish on the part of Hong Kong people to play a more direct role in government.
33. Even when the negotiations were in progress, the Hong Kong Government was not idle on this front. We announced last spring that in this year’s elections the number of elected members of District Boards would be doubled, and that a new Regional Council would be established to provide for the needs of those areas not now covered by the Urban Council. With the rapid growth in population in the Nev; Territories - over 40 percent of our population will live there in the 1990s - the need for such a Council had become pressing. After oommunity-wide consultation through the medium of a Green Paper, we also announced that nearly half of the membership of the Legislative Council will be chosen through a process of indirect election later this year.
34- But with the need to develop more representative government goes the need not to prejudice the stability and community consensus which have been essential to Hong Kong’s success. This is widely recognised in Hong Kong, not least by the Government. We have chosen to build on existing well-tried structures, rather than take over-ambitious leaps in the dark. We have tried to choose methods which will preserve the political consensus and reduce the risk of sharply adversarial politics. Critics of our pace of change ignore the fact that Hong Kong will accomplish in years changes which it took decades to achieve in the United Kingdom.
35. We are seeking to create a system tailored to Hong Kong’s own special needs and circumstances. Later this year we shall have 24 members indirectly elected to a Legislative Council of 5$* Twelve of them will be chosen by functional constituencies representing conmerce, industry, the financial sector, labour, social services, education, and the legal, medical, and engineering and associated professions. This
■ ' ' • /is......
12
is a reflection of the vital importance of the part these sectors play in the economic life of Hong Kong, and will ensure that their interests are appropriately represented. We shall test the success of these steps before moving to a further review in 1987*
36. In that review we shall need to consider other important
issues such as the compcsiticn of the Executive Council, its relationship with the legislature, and the role of the Governor in each. In .each step we take we shall take fully into account the need for stability, both political and economic. We shall keep in mind the fact that the Chinese Government will be considering the future Basic Lav; for Hong Kong, and the provisions of the Sino-British agreement, which provides for an elected legislature by 1997 and an executive accountable to it. There will be nothing in our plans inconsistent with those aims.
37• Against this background, what will be the role of the United Kingdom? As regards the administration of Hong Kong, the obligations of the United Kingdom are clear, - the British Government, through the Hong Kong Government, will remain responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 1997- Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary, of State have given unequivocal undertakings that Her Majesty’s Government will do its utmost to ensure that the agreement works, that Hong Kong will continue to have a stable and responsive Government, and that the territory will be administ erred in accordance with the interests and wishes of its people.
38. There will also be great opportunities for the UK business community. Many UK companies, some of them household names, have been operating successfully and profitably in Hong Kong for many years. More than 50 are involved in manufacturing in Hong Kong, with a total investment of around £88 million. But this investment pales in comparison with that of the US, China and Japan. UK investment represents less than 7/^ of total overseas investment in Hong Kong industry. In trading terms, the UK provides only some 4 percent of our imports. This low level of UK involvement is difficult to explain.
/39.
13
39 • There is no reason why UK companies should not be more involved in Hong Kong, nor why UK exports should not compete successfully in our markets. Economically I see the same opportunities for UK companies as for those from other countries, and I am glad to say that over the last year two or three of the UK’s leading companies have'taken•the same view. As China’s modernisation programme progresses, opportunities abound for those in Hong Kong with the ability to offer advanced technology and services appropriate to her needs; There is a growing tendency for international companies to use Hong Kong as a spring board to expand in the region in general and into China in particular. Many have done so with great success. There is no reason why UK companies should not share in this growth in a more significant way than at present. I need hardly remind you that-there is now a fund of goodwill towards the United Kingdom in China and the region generally.
Conclusion
40. I trust that what I have said will convince you that Hong Kong has successfully navigated some choppy waters and now has every prospect of a successful future. I do not pretend that that future has no uncertainties. Given its dependence on exports and the openness of its trading and financial systems, Hong Kong is vulnerable to changes in the international economic climate. The agreement has not removed the concerns of everyone in Hong Kong about the future. There are those who still plan to wait and see. But I will maintain that, if you weigh those uncertainties against those which affect all other parts of the world, then Hong Kong has a more assured future than most.
41. All the factors which have contributed to Hong Kong’s economic prosperity in the past are still present. Our economy is healthy. Our commitment to free enterprise has enabled bur manufacturing industry, our exports and our service industries, including financial services, to achieve enviable rates of growth. Our currency, now linked to the US dollar, is stable, and inflation is falling. The Government is continuing its programme of investment in the future. We shall continue to respond to the needs of our community in order to maintain a firm foundation for social stability. At the same time we shall maintain prudent financial policies.
/42.......
14
42. The new and-vitally inportant factor is the agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China on the future of Hong Kong. That agreement has removed much of the uncertainty which has affected confidence and investment in the last three years. It constitutes a binding commitment on the part of both governments to foster the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. I have no doubt that they will fulfill that commitment, not only because they are pledged to make the agreement work, but because it is self-evidently in their interest to do. The reaction of the people of Hong Kong to the agreement has indicated that they accept it as a basis on which they can build a successful future. I am confident that they will do so, and that Hong Kong will continue to be the vibrant and exciting city that it is today.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES . BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, J ANUABY 23, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
NESf NATIONALITY TITLE APPROPRIATE, AG SAYS .............. 1
BETTER EDUCATION QUALITY,' ’QUANTITY SOUGHT ...........
PRACTICABLE AND CONGRUENT, K.F. HO SAYS .................. 5
NEED ALSO FOR ARTS EDUCATION STRESSED .................... 6
MEASURES TO BRING ABOUT EARLY ABOLITION OF JSEA .......
NO BENEFIT FROM BUYING FORM 4 PLACES - MARIA TAM......... 10
COMMISSION'S APPROACH WELCOMED .......................... 12
+COMMDN SENSE*- SEEN IN'EDUCATION REPORT ................ 13
ffPEan UP SCHOOL BUILDING, PAULINE NG SAYS'............. 14
EARLIER PHASING'OUT OF JSEA URGED .................. i. 15
FINANCE COURSES FOR TOP’OFFICERS PROPOSED ............... 1$
NEED sum' FOR ’ MORE DENTISTS .............. ............ 18
PILOT CENSUS IN MARCH.................................... 18
INSURANCE LAW +OUTDATED*- ............................... 19
FIRE WATCH TEAMS PRAISED FOR +USEFUL ROLE*- ............. 19
KWAI FONG ESTATE BLOCKS + STRUCTURALLY SAFE*- ........... 20
FEWER REPORTS OF THEFTS FROM INSIDE CARS ................ 22
PUBLICITY ON IRON GRILLE GATES ADEQUATE.................. 22
/+LAW ALONE......
+LAW ALONE WON'T STOP CRANE ACCIDENTS*- ..................... 23
SCHOOL NOISE ABATEMENT REPORT ON THE WAY .................... 23
CONTROLS ON RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS ADEQUATE.................... 24
FIRST-AID TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS SUFFICIENT ................... 25
"+FIRETDETBCTICN MEASURES SATISFACTORY+ ...................... 25
'BUGS LIKELY' IN COMPUTER TOLL SYSTEM ....................... 26
JOB FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT.................................... 27
MANY TUTORIAL CLASSES • OUTSIDE ORDINANCE.................... 28
EDUCATION COMMITMENT 'GLADLY ACCEPTED' ......................... 29
SATURDAY BALLOT FOR 3' 776 HOS FLATS ........................... 29
CANDIDATES ASKED NOT 'TO DESPOIL COUNCIL VENUES ................ 30
BOARD TO LOOK INTO LINKS WITH GROUPS ........................... 31
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH-LEADERS ................................. 32
CUSTOMS WORK ................................................... 32
MEET THE MEDIA ................................................. 32
LUNCH TIME MUSIC FOR WORKERS ................................... 33
MAIL TO URUGUAY SUSPENDED....................................... 33
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
1
NEW NATIONALITY TITLE APPROPRI ATE- AG SAYS * * * * *
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HAVING CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT ♦BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)+ WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE TITLE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE WAS EXPLAINING TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH HAD INFLUENCED THE CHOICE OF THE NEW NATIONALITY TITLE.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF MR THOMAS’ STATEMENT!
♦WITH YOUR PERMISSION, SIR, I WISH TO REPORT TO THE COUNCIL THAT THE HONG KONG BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT ON JANUARY 10, PASSED ITS SECOND READING IN THE HOUSE CF COMMONS ON JANUARY 21.
♦IN OPENING THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE REFERRED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM MEMORANDUM ASSOCIATED WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PROVIDED FOR BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS OF HONG KONG TO RETAIN AN APPROPRIATE STATUS WHICH WILL ENTITLE THEM TO CONTINUE TO USE PASSPORTS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. SIR GEOFFREY SAID, AND I QUOTE:
♦FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE TITLE OF THE NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY SHOULD BE ’BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)’. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY TO DEVISE A TITLE WHICH MEETS ALL THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS. ON THE ONE HAND IT NEEDS TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY. NOTHING LESS THAN THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IN HONG KONG. ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE TITLE WE CHOOSE CAN CONTINUE TO BE USED AFTER 1997. FOR THIS TO BE POSSIBLE, THE TITLE MUST CLEARLY CARRY NO IMPLICATION OF A CONTINUING CONSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND HONG KONG AFTER 1997. I BELIEVE THAT THE TITLE WE HAVE CHOSEN MEETS THESE NEEDS. IT HAS NECESSARILY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CAREFUL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THE COMPLETION OF THESE CONSULTATIONS HAS ENABLED ME TO ANNOUNCE THE TITLE TO THE HOUSE TODAY. THERE SHOULD NOW BE ADEQUATE TIME TO EXPLAIN THE CHOICE OF THE NEW TITLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.+
♦I WISH TO EXPLAIN TO THE COUNCIL THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH HA E INFLUENCED THE CHOICE OF TITLE. FIRST, THE MINISTER OF STATE, MR RICHARD LUCE, TOLD THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON DECEMBER 5, 1934 THAT THE STATUS TO BE ACQUIRED AND REGAINED UNDER THE TERMS CF THE UK MEMORANDUM WOULD BE A NEW FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY. THE TITLE MUST, THEREFORE, BE DIFFERENT FROM ANY OF THOSE CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981. THESE EXISTING TITLES ARE: BRITISH CITIZEN, BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN, BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN, BRITISH SUBJECT AND BRITISH PROTECTED PERSON-
/+SECONDLY, THE.........
WEBiESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
2
♦SECONDLY, THE TITLE MUST BE UNIQUE SO THAT IT CAN BE READILY IDENTIFIED WITH PERSONS WHO ON JUNE 30, 1997 ARE BDTC’S BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO FACILITATE ACCEPTANCE BY THIRD COUNTRIES OF THE NEW STATUS AND THE FUTURE PASSPORTS CARRYING THAT STATUS.
♦THIRDLY, THE TITLE MUST CLEARLY STIPULATE THAT THE STATUS TO WHICH IT CORRESPONDS IS A FORM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY.
♦FOURTHLY, HOWEVER, THE CHOICE OF TITLE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED AFTER 1997, WHEN HONG KONG WILL HAVE CEASED TO BE BRITISH TERRITORY. IN THIS CONNECTION, ANY TITLE WHICH CONTAINS BOTH THE WORD ’BRITISH’ AND THE NAME ’HONG KONG’ WOULD NOT MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
♦FINALLY, I SHOULD ALSO PUT ON RECORD THE FACT THAT, A NUMBER OF OPTIONS HAVING BEEN CONSIDERED, AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT 'BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS)’ WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.+
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BETTER EDUCATION QUALITY, QUANTITY SOUGHT *****
THE APPROACH OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TO THE PROBLEM OF THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT WAS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE SECONDARY EDUCATION SYSTEM AS A WHOLE IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID TODAY.
♦THE JSEA ITSELF HAS BEEN SEEN AS THE SYMPTOM NOT THE CAUSE OF THE PRESENT DEFICIENCIES IN THE SYSTEM,+ MR HENDERSON SAID.
CONTRARY TO THE IMPRESSION CREATED BY THE REACTION OF VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD NOT RECOMMENDED AS SUCH THE ABOLITION OF THE JSEA IN 1991, OR IN ANY OTHER YEAR, BUT AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR PROPOSALS THAT IT SHOULD BE PHASED OUT IN THAT YEAR, MR HENDERSON SAID.
IN OTHER WORDS THE REMOVAL OF THE JSEA FROM THE EDUCATIONAL SCENE WAS A BY-PRODUCT OF THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION ON POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION RATHER THAN THE OBJECTIVE BEHIND THEM, HE SAID.
MR HENDERSON WAS SPEAKING IN SUMMING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ON THE "IRST REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
HE SAID THAT THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS INVOLVED!
/* THE CONSTRUCTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
3
* THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FURTHER 35 SECONDARY SCHOOLS (INCLUDING THE 11 APPROVED FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF PASSING OUT FORMS 1 TO 3 BOUGHT PLACES IN THE LESS SATISFACTORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS),
# THE INTRODUCTION OF A MORE SYMMETRICAL CLASS STRUCTURE IN EXISTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ENABLE FORM 3 LEAVERS TO PROCEED TO FORMS 4 AND 5 WITHOUT HAVING TO CHANGE SCHOOL,
* THE USE OF BOUGHT PLACES IN FORMS 4 AND 5 OF THOSE PRIVATE PROFIT-MAKING SCHOOLS WHICH CAN OFFER A SATISFACTORY STANDARD OF EDUCATION, THE PROVISION’ OF ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME CRAFT PLACES, AND
* A BROADENING OF THE CURRICULUM TO CATER FOR THE FULL RANGE OF STUDENT ABILITY, HE SAID.
X
BECAUSE THERE WAS A PHYSICAL LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS THAT COULD BE BUILT ANNUALLY, THE FULL EFFECTS OF THIS EXPANSION PROGRAMME WOULD NOT BE FELT UNTIL 1991 AT WHICH TIME THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW JSEA TO BE PHASED OUT, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, DURING THE PERIOD UP TO 1991, THE PROVISION OF FORM 3 PUBLIC SECTOR PLACES WOULD SHOW A STEADY EXPANSION, AND •DIE PRESSURE WHICH THE JSEA PUT ON STUDENTS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WOULD STEADILY LESSEN, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, CONDUCT A FORMAL OPERATIONAL REVIEW OF THE JSEA WITH A VIEW TO LIGHTENING THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN OF JSEA ON THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
ON THE QUESTION OF VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, FE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO PROVIDE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AT THE POST-FORM 3 LEVEL TO MEET DIFFERENT STUDENT APTITUDES AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS FOR DIFFERENT EDUCATED TALENTS, AND TO MAKE THESE TWO EQUALLY IMPORTANT FORMS OF EDUCATION ATTRACTIVE TO FORM 3 LEAVERS.
SPEAKING OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS.
THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY STRENGTHENING THE TEACHING STAFF CF CHINESE IN SECORNFFTLCHOOLS AND BY PROVIDING MORE TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND OTHER RESOURCES TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, HE SAID.
SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE SETTING UP OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION WHICH WOULD BE SOUGHT VERY SHORTLY, HE HOPED A START COULD BE MADE THIS YEAR TO THE PREPARATION OF TEXTBOOKS AND TEACHING MATERIALS WRITTEN IN CHINESE FOR USE BY SCHOOLS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, l£ SAID.
/♦THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 4 -
+THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT, AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, INDIFFERENT TO THE QUESTION OF THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, NOR IS IT RELUCTANT TO PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR THE FUTURE,+ HE SAID.
ON SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE TEACHING OF PUTONGHUA IN SCHOOLS, FE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ENCOURAGE THIS, BUT, IN LINE WITH TRADITIONAL POLICY OF CURRICULUM FREEDOM, WOULD LEAVE THE DECISION TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.
+FURTHER STUDY IS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN ON THE TEACHING OF PUTONGHUA AS AN INDEPENDENT AND OPTIONAL SUBJECT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS,* MR HENDERSON SAID.
CONCERNING THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION THAT IT WAS INADVISABLE TO SET UP AN OPEN UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG MODELLED ON THE UK OPEN UNIVERSITY, HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE OF THIS FINDING SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS REJECTION CF THE IDEA OF OPEN EDUCATION.
+THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS OPEN EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS TO BE AN IMPORTANT FACET OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND EVIDENCE CF THIS MUST SURELY BE THE VARIETY OF OPEN EDUCATION COURSES PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS, THE TRAINING CENTRES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND BY A LARGE NUMBER OF SUBSIDISED BODIES,* HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION WAS CURRENTLY EMBARKING ON A VERY RIGOROUS ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR OPEN EDUCATION WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING DEFINITIVE VIEW ON HOW THE DEMAND SHOULD BEST BE MET, HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF CIVIC EDUCATION, HE SAID THIS MATTER WAS TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, WHICH HAD INDICATED ITS INTENTION TO PURSUE THE MATTER IN THE SECOND PHASE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS.
POINTING OUT THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS’ SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSION FOR CONSIDERATION, MR HENDERSON SAID THAT NO ONE WAS MORE CONSCIOUS THAT MORE REMAINED TO BE DONE, BUT THE FIRST TASK HAD TO BE DISCHARGED.
+THE ’GREAT EDUCATIONAL DEBATE’ CANNOT REMAIN A DEBATE INDEFINITELY. AT SOME STAGE PRACTICAL PLANNING MEASURES MUST BE DECIDED ON WITHIN THE 'DESIRABLE DIRECTIONS’ THAT HAVE BEEN SIGN-POSTED,* HE SAID.
EMPHASISING THAT THE COMMISSION WAS A STANDING COMMISSION, l£ SAID THAT IT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF ITS CONTINUING ROLE AND THE VAST AMOUNT OF WORK THAT REMAINED TO BE DONE IN FURTHER REFINING ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS, IF ACCEPTED, AND TACKLING A LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS NOT COVERED IN THE FIRST REPORT, hfi HENDERSON SAID.
-----o------
/5 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 5 -
PRACTICABLE AND CONGRUENT, K.F. HO SAYS * * * * *
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1 ARE PRACTICABLE AND CONGRUENT WITH THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REALITIES OF HONG KONG, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
DR HO EXPRESSED HIS VIEWS ON TWO ASPECTS OF THE REPORTi OPEN EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.
HE SAID HE ACCEPTED THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AGAINST AN OPEN UNIVERSITY MODELLED ON THE UK OPEN UNIVERSITY.
HE AGREED WITH THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION TO DEVELOP OPEN EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS TO PROVIDE SECOND-CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE BEYOND SCHOOL AGE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE STANDARD OF OPEN EDUCATION COURSES SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF COMPARABLE FULL-TIME COURSES IN ORDER TO MATCH EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYERS.
+AS OPEN EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND FAMILY COMMITMENTS, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PROGRESS AT THEIR OWN PACE,+ DR HO SAID.
♦THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A WIDE RANGE OF COURSES TO CATER FOR THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS,* HE ADDED.
DR HO SAID THAT, IN ORDER TO KEEP THE COURSES COST-EFFECTIVE, THE DROP-OUT RATE SHOULD BE LOWERED TO A MINIMUM.
HE FELT THAT FOR PLANNING AND COLLABORATION PURPOSES, THERE SHOULD BE A CO-ORDINATING BODY TO BRING TOGETHER INSTITUTIONS ORGANISING OPEN EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AT PRESENT.
ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION, DR HO SAID HE WAS GLAD THE COMMISSION HAD ACCORDED A HIGH PRIORITY TO THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDISED POST-FORM 3 PLACES IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TRAINING CENTRES.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE LINK BETWEEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND THE TWO POLYTECHNICS SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL EDUCATION MORE ATTRACTIVE TO FORK 3 LEAVERS AND THEIR PARENTS.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
6
NEED ALSO FOR ARTS EDUCATION STRESSED *****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS +STRONGLY URGED* TO FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON ARTS EDUCATION.
HON ALEX WU, SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S NO. 1 REPORT, SAID HE NOTED WITH CONCERN AND REGRET THE ABSENCE OF ANY REFERENCE TO THE ARTS IN EDUCATION IN THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMMISSION’S WORK.
■iTHE ARTS MUST NOT BE OVERLOOKED! THEY MUST NOT BE RELEGATED TO SCHOOL EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLUBS,* HE SAID.
+THEY ARE NOT PERIPHERAL TO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, BUT RATHER ARE CENTRAL TO EDUCATION, IF WE STILL HOLD TO THE CONCEPT OF EDUCATION AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE MAN.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ITSELF HAD AFFIRMED ITS BELIEF IN EDUCATION AS +THE MEANS WHEREBY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN STRIVE FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, SOCIAL WELL-BEING AS WELL AS PERSONAL FULFILMENT.*
*1 APPLAUD THIS SENTIMENT,* MR WU SAID.
+BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT EDUCATION WILL FULFIL THIS VITAL ROLE ONLY IF IT IS EDUCATION IN THE BROADEST AND FULLEST SENSE OF THE WORD.'
+SURELY, THE ARTS MUST BE RECOGNISED AS AN INTEGRAL PART CF ANY SUCH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
+1 THEREFORE, STRONGLY URGE THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON THIS BASIC ISSUE, THE ARTS IN EDUCATION.*
ON LANGUAGE, MR WU NOTED THE RECOMMENDATION IN THE REPORT FOR A PROGRESSIVE SHIFT FROM MOTHER-TONGUE EDUCATION IN KINDERGARTENS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO GENUINELY BI-LINGUAL PROGRAMMES IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS.
+1 AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ENDORSES TH IS VIEW,* MR WU SAID, QUOTING A PARAGRAPH FROM THE REPORT WHICH STATED: +FOR HONG KONG TO RETAIN ITS POSITION AS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF FINANCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WE ARE CONVINCED THAT Bl-LINGUALISM IS ESSENTIAL.*
HE FULLY SUPPORTED THIS VIEW.
HONG KONG’S NEXT GENERATION MUST BE COMPETENT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, BUT HE WAS CONCERNED, TAKING THE PRESENT SITUATION INTO CONSIDERATION, WHETHER HONG KONG WAS READY FOR THE INTRODUCTION CF BI-LINGUAL EDUCATION.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
THE GOVERNOR HAD, IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, REFERRED TO THE LACK OF SUITABLE MATERIAL FOR TEACHING CHINESE LANGUAGE AND THAT THE NEED TO PRODUCE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR THE USE OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS A LONG FELT NEED.
+l AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH SYLLABUSES SHOULD BE REDESIGNED AND THAT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE ’FOR THE PUBLICATION OF TEXTBOOKS IN BOTH LANGUAGES SO THAT THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS REGARDLESS OF THE LANGUAGE MODE CHOSEN’,+ t-R WU SAID.
HE WISHED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE REMARKS HE MADE AT THE LAST POLICY DEBATE ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON THE CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION.
THE WORKING PARTY SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN MARCH, 1982.
+IT HAS BECOME A MATTER OF GROWING CONCERN TO ME THAT, AFTER A LAPSE OF ALMOST THREE FULL YEARS, THERE IS STILL NO INDICATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS TO HOW AND WHEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED,+ MR WU SAID.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD NOTED THAT CONSIDERATION WAS STILL BEING GIVEN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHINESE LANGUAGE FOUNDATION.
+1 URGE THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO DRAG ITS FEET ON THIS ISSUE ANY LONGER,+ HE SAID.
HE SAID ON TEACHING PUTONGHUA IN SCHOOLS, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TEACH IT DURING SCHOOL HOURS OR AS AN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY.
+1 AGREE THAT, CONSIDERING THE POLITICAL CHANGE WHICH IS TO TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG IN THE NEXT DECADE, PUTONGHUA WILL BE USED MORE EXTENSIVELY THAN BEFORE.
+1 THINK THE RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE IS TIMELY AND APPROPRI ATE,+ HE SAID.
/8 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1935
- 8 -
MEASURES TO BRING ABOUT EARLY ABOLITION OF JSEA * * * *
NOT ENOUGH URGENCY IS BEING ATTACHED TO THE PHASING OUT OF JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA), A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1, THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW SAID SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE PHASING OUT PROCESS SHOULD TAKE AS LONG AS SIX YEARS.
SHE SUPPORTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON THE ISSUE AS +THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM+ BUT FELT THAT OTHER MEASURES COULD BE TAKEN TO BRING ABOUT ITS EARLY PHASING OUT.
+AFTER ALL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 75 OOO 15-YEAR-OLDS BEING SUBJECT TO PRESSURES OF PUBLIC EXAMINATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RATHER THAN EDUCATIONAL REASONS FOR ANOTHER SIX YEARS.
+IT IS CERTAINLY WORTH OUR EXPLORING OTHER WAYS, AND EVEN TO PAY A SMALL PRICE, IN ORDER THAT WE ARE RID OF THIS UNWANTED HURDLE IN THE SCHOOL CAREER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,* MRS CHOW SAID.
DEDUCING FROM PUBLISHED FIGURES, MRS CHOW SAID THE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL SUBSIDISED FORM IV PLACES REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE THE ESTIMATED 70 000 THIRD FORMERS CONTINUING TO FORM IV WAS NO MORE THAN 15 000 IF THE JSEA WERE TO END IMMEDIATELY.
+AS THE 1985 JSEA HAS ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED, THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE FOR ITS PHASING OUT IS FROM 1986 ONWARDS, WHICH MEANS THAT 15 000 SUBSIDISED PLACES ARE NEEDED FROM THE 1986-87 ACADEMIC YEAR,* SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT IF STAGE V AND VI OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME WERE TO BE MAINTAINED AT THE RATE RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION, M?S CHOW SAID THE ONLY OTHER WAY OPEN TO GOVERNMENT WOULD BE TO BUY IN THE INTERIM 15 000 PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, SOME OF WHICH MIGHT BE UNSATISFACTORY ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT STANDARDS, BUT WERE NEVERTHELESS ALREADY PROVIDING AT THE MOMENT UNSUBSIDISED PLACES TO FOURTH FORMERS WHO HAD HITHERTO FAILED THE JSEA.
♦ASSUMING SUCH PLACES ARE BOUGHT IN FORM IV STARTING IN THE 1986-87 ACADEMIC YEAR, THE FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THE FIRST YEAR WILL BE >33 MILLION (AT $220 PER PLACE FOR 15 000 PLACES) FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND $66 MILLION FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
+STARTING 1989 AS THE NEWLY BUILT SCHOOLS COME ON STREAM, THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL BE PHASED DOWN, LEADING TO A DROP IN EXPENDITURE,* SHE SAID.
+THIS ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE CAN BE PARTLY OFFSET BY AN ADJUSTMENT FEE STUDENTS PAY TO FORM IV AND V SUBSIDISED PLACES WHJ£H IS NOW $60 PER MONTH,* SHE ADDED.
/MRS CHOW .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
9
MRS CHOW BELIEVED IT WOULD NOT BE UNREASONABLE TO INCREASE THIS FEE TO $90 PER MONTH, AS ONE WAS AT THE MOMENT PAYING AT LEAST TWICE THAT FOR KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION AND THIS INCREASE WOULD BRING IN AN ADDITIONAL $21 MILLION A YEAR TO PARTIALLY OFFSET THE ABOVE EXPENDITURE.
MRS CHOW ALSO COMMENDED ON GOVERNMENT’S ARGUMENT AGAINST THE MOVE OF BUYING FORM IV AND V PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
+0N THE QUESTION OF QUALITY, WE ARE PRESENTLY BUYING A TOTAL CF 70 000 FORM I TO FORM III PLACES FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
+ IF WE COULD BUY FOR FORM I TO III AS AN INTERIM MEASURE WHILE THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED, WE CAN EQUALLY BUY FOR FORM IV AND V AS AN INTERIM MEASURE,* SHE SAID.
AS FOR THE QUESTION OF PROFITS, MRS CHOW SAID GOVERNMENT COULD EXERCISE STRICTER CONTROL AND SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT SUBSIDIES WOULD BE USED IN SERVICE AND FACILITIES.
+THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO SPEED UP THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME SO THAT THE INTERIM MEASURE OF BUYING PLACES IN FORM IV AND V IS REDUCED TO A THREE-YEAR PERIOD RATHER THAN FOUR, THEREBY SAVING ONE YEAR OF EXPENDITURE,* SHE SUGGESTED.
+IF THE GOVERNMENT FINDS DIFFICULTY IN BUYING PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR FORM IV AND V, THEN THE ENTIRE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME SHOULD BE RESCHEDULED TO ENABLE THE PHASING OUT OF THE JSEA IN 1988,+ SHE SAID.
+THERE ARE 3-3/4 YEARS BETWEEN NOW AND THE OPENING OF THE 1988 SCHOOL TERM, I CANNOT BE CONVINCED THAT WITH TYPICAL HONG KONG EFFICIENCY WE CANNOT MEET THE DEADLINE,* SHE STRESSED.
TURNING TO OTHER POINTS OF THE REPORT, MRS CHOW SAID SHE CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATION ON LANGUAGE AS PARTICULARLY SENSIBLE.
+WHILE THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE MOTHER TONGUE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED AND ASSISTED, I AGREE THAT THE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE CHOICE, GIVING DUE CONSIDERATION AND EMPHASIS TO TRADITION AND ACHIEVEMENT,* SHE SAID.
ON THE ISSUE OF OPEN EDUCATION, MRS CHOW SAID SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MUCH MORE THOUGHT AND ACTION ON EXPANDING THE EDUCATION FUNCTION OF THE MASS MEDIA.
CITING THE JOINT VENTURE ON INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION BETWEEN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND COMMERCIAL TELEVISION AS AN EXAMPLE, SHE SAID THE BROADCASTING MEDIA SHOULD BE DEVELOPED MUCH FURTHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPEN AND EXTENDED EDUCATION.
+APART FROM THE FACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA ENJOYS MAXIMUM ACCEPTANCE AND PENETRATION, IT OFFERS COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND ECONOMY OF SCALE AND SPACE, WHILE OUR COMPACT GEOGRAPHY PROVIDES THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTACT BETWEEN STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS AS AND WHEN THE NEED ARISES FOR DIALOGUE AND COMMUNICATION.
+THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE ASPECT THAT DESERVES A CLOSER LOOK BY THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD,* SHE SAID.
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/10 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
10
NO BENEFIT FROM BUYING FORM 4 PLACES - MARIA TAM * * * *
THE APPROACH RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN PHASING OUT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT WAS SOUND BOTH IN EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC TERMS, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT NO. 1 TODAY, SHE HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE MAJOR CRITICISMS ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE PHASING OUT OF THE JSEA AND PUT THEM +IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE+.
REFERRING TO THE POINT THAT THE JSEA SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY BUYING FORM 4 PLACES FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MISS TAM SAID IF PLACES WERE TO BE PURCHASED FROM BOTH THE SATISFACTORY AND UNSATISFACTORY PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS NOW, THE ONLY BENEFIT WOULD BE THAT STUDENTS IN THESE SCHOOLS WOULD HAVE THEIR FEES PAID BY TAX-PAYERS.
+THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, HOWEVER, WILL NOT BENEFIT? NOR WILL THERE BE ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION,+ SHE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THIS, THE COMMISSION HAD RECOMMENDED THAT FUNDS SHOULD BE USED TO BUILD MORE GOOD QUALITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IMPROVE TEACHER QUALITY AND THE QUALITY OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
BETWEEN NOW AND 1991, WHEN THE JSEA WAS TO BE PHASED OUT, THERE WOULD BE IMPROVEMENTS BOTH IN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF POST-FORM-3 EDUCATION YEAR BY YEAR AND MORE AND MORE STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO BENEFIT.
♦THE PHASING OUT OF THE JSEA IN 1991 IS RELATED TO THE COMPLETION DATES OF THE 35 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS WHICH ARE DRAWN UP HAVING REGARD TO THE NORMAL LEAD-TIME REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, TRAINING OF PROPERLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO TEACH IN THEM AND THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS IN THE URBAN AREA AND IN PARTICULAR THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THERE ARE HARDLY ANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FOR BOUGHT PLACES,+ MISS TAM SAID.
SHE SAID ANOTHER POINT OF CRITICISM WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BUY MORE PLACES FROM THESE (PRIVATE) SCHOOLS SO THAT THEIR STANDARDS COULD BE IMPROVED.
THE LLEWELLYN REPORT RECOMMENDED ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, BUT THE COMMISSION’S REPORT MADE NO REFERENCE TO THIS POINT.
+THE FACT IS THAT THE PURCHASE OF FORM 4 AND 5 PLACES FROM THE UNSATISFACTORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION IN THESE SCHOOLS,+ SHE SAID.
/this was .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
11 -
THIS WAS EVIDENCED IN JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION WHERE THE PURCHASE SCHEME HAD NOT LED TO A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE STANDARD OF FORM 1-3 EDUCATION IN UNSATISFACTORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITH BOUGHT PLACES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SATISFACTORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS WERE AT LIBERTY TO APPLY AND BECOME SUBSIDISED ONES.
+1 THINK THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE UP THIS OPTION,* MISS TAM SAID.
A POINT ALSO RAISED WAS THAT THE COST REQUIRED TO PURCHASE PLACES FROM PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS ESTIMATED AT $70 MILLION PER YEAR, AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT COMPARED WITH THE CURRENT ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION, MISS TAM FELT.
SHE SAID SOME HAD SAID INTRODUCTION OF ANOTHER MEANS TO ALLOCATE CHILDREN TO FORM 4 CRAFT PLACES UPON ABOLITION OF THE JSEA WOULD CAUSE UNNECESSARY STRAIN TO STUDENTS.
+THE FACT IS SOME MEANS OF ALLOCATION IS NEEDED IF ONLY TO ENSURE EDUCATIONAL COMPATIBILITY,* MISS TAM SAID.
A WORKING GROUP, CONSISTING OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF, SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS AND EDUCATORS, WOULD BE SET UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO STUDY WHAT MEANS OF ALLOCATION TO ADOPT IN 1991 AND HOW TO LIGHTEN THE BURDEN OF THE JSEA.
WHATEVER THE OUTCOME, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO STRESS THAT THE NEW MEANS OF ALLOCATION IN 1991 WOULD NOT BE LIKE THE JSEA.
SINCE SUBSIDISED PLACES WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL WHO WISHED TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, PARENTS AND STUDENTS NEED NOT WORRY ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF FURTHER STUDY.
THE LLEWELLYN REPORT ALSO ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR SOME KIND OF ASSESSMENT UPON PHASING OUT OF THE JSEA, MISS TAM SAID.
SHE SAID THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO BE LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING MORE INTERESTING AND LESS ACADEMIC STUDIES IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
*FINALLY,+ SHE SAID, +THERE MAY BE DOUBTS ABOUT THE COMPLETION CF THE 35 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS ON SCHEDULE, AS SLIPPAGE ALWAYS OCCURS IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME.
+T0 THIS END I UNDERSTAND THAT SITES FOR 11 OF THE 35 SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL COMMENCE WITHIN THE YEAR.*
CONCLUDING, MISS TAM SAID IT WAS A DEEP PASSION IN THE CHINESE TRADITION TO EDUCATE OUR YOUNGER GENERATION THE BEST WE COULD, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD VERY MUCH IN MIND THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
+1 BELIEVE THE APPROACH RECOMMENDED IS SOUND BOTH IN EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC TERMS AND I HOPE THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME WILL BE SUPPORTED BY MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS COUNCIL,* SHE SAID.
------o-------
/12 .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
12
COMMISSION’S APPROACH WELCOMED
* * * *
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S +RATIONAL AND COST EFFECTIVE* APPROACH IN PHASING OUT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) WAS HAILED BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID SHE WELCOMED THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT AND SUPPORTED THE PROPOSALS MADE.
SHE SAID SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE INCREASE IN SUBSIDISED POST-FORM III EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COMPRISING VOCATIONAL AND GENERAL EDUCATION FOR SOME 95.2 PER CENT OF THE 15-YEAR-OLD POPULATION SO THAT JSEA COULD EFFECTIVELY BE PHASED OUT IN 1991.
DR IP POINTED OUT THAT BUYING FORM IV PLACES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS IRRESPECTIVE OF THE QUALITY MAY BRING FORWARD THAT DATE, BUT SHE PREFERRED THE COMMISSION’S STEADY QUALITY, LONG TERM APPROACH.
+WE MUST CONVINCE PARENTS THAT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS COMPARABLE AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND MEANINGFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS,* SHE ADDED.
SHE BELIEVED IT COULD BE OUTRIGHT HARMFUL AND A WASTE CF TIME TO PRESSURISE A CHILD TO PURSUE A GENERAL STREAM WHEN HIS inclination AND ABILITY WAS TOWARDS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
+WITHOUT SUCH ACTIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION, WHATEVER NEW MEANS CF PLACEMENT IS TO BE DEVISED TO SUBSTITUTE JSEA WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PATHOLOGICALLY COMPETITIVE,* SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE OPEN UNIVERSITY, DR IP SAID ALTHOUGH SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE COMMISSION, SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS OF OPEN EDUCATION WOULD SATISFY THE ASPIRATIONS OF THOSE WHO WANTED TO LEARN BUT HAD MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY.
SHE FELT THAT THE LARGE NUMBER OF CURRENT OPEN EDUCATION PROGRAMMES THAT EXIST IN HONG KONG NOW NEEDED CO-ORDINATION AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THE COMMISSION’S FUTURE PROPOSAL OF A CO-ORDINATING BODY.
+LOGICALLY IT SHOULD ALSO SERVE AS AN ACCREDITING BODY FOR COURSES IT CO-ORDINATES,* SHE SAID.
IN PARTICULAR, SHE ADDED, THERE SHOULD BE A UNIFIED PUBLICATION EACH TERM GIVING INFORMATION ON OPEN EDUCATION AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
+IT MUST ALSO BE MADE POSSIBLE FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ACCREDITED COURSES TO RESULT IN THE GRANT OF SOME RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS OR THE LIKE,* DR IP SAID.
------o-------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
13
♦COMMON SENSE+ SEEN IN EDUCATION REPORT * * * *
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1 HAD DEMONSTRATED AN EXCEPTIONAL AMOUNT OF COMMON SENSE AND REALISM IN RESOLVING PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING EDUCATION SYSTEM.
THE HON MRS RITA FAN WAS SPEAKING DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE REPORT, WHICH SHE WELCOMED.
HOWEVER, ON THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA) SYSTEM, MRS FAN SAID 1991 SHOULD BE SET AS THE LATEST POSSIBLE DATE FOR PHASING OUT OF JSEA AND SHE WOULD WELCOME AN EARLIER DATE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
♦INDEED, I WOULD WELCOME A FIRM COMMITMENT BY GOVERNMENT THAT THE JSEA WILL DISAPPEAR BY 1991 AT THE LATEST.
♦FURTHERMORE, I HOPE THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES WOULD MAKE EVERY CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO REDUCE PRESSURE FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS DURING THE INTERIM PERIOD LEADING UP TO 1991,+ SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO HOPED TO SEE PUTONGHUA BEING WIDELY USED AND UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD IN HONG KONG BY THE END OF THE NEXT DECADE.
SHE SAID THAT OUR NEXT GENERATION SHOULD BE EQUIPPED TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHINESE ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH THOSE RESIDING IN CHINA, HENCE, TO MASTER THE COMMON LANGUAGE, PUTONGHUA WAS A NECESSITY.
♦IN ORDER TO GIVE EVERY STUDENT A FAIR CHANCE TO LEARN PUTONGHUA, I SUGGEST THAT THERE SHOULD BE PUTONGHUA LESSONS IN EVERY SCHOOL AS PART OF THE FORMAL CURRICULUM,+ SHE SAID.
SHE SAID TEACHERS OF CRAFT AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON THE LATEST TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT.
♦INDEED I WOULD VENTURE A STEP FURTHER TO SUGGEST CONSIDERATION EE GIVEN TO SYSTEMATIC UPDATING OF THE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW OF TECHNICAL TEACHERS BY PLACEMENT IN INDUSTRY OR OTHER MEANS.
♦THIS CAN ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY.
♦THE LATTER IS NECESSARY BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING IN A WORLD OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS,+ SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE DISCOURAGING THAN TO WITNESS A DISINTERESTED TEACHER MECHANICALLY PLODDING ON WITH HIS LESSONS, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE HAD TO EARN A LIVING.
THE WAY TO COUNTERACT THIS WAS TO FIND APPROPRIATE METHODS OF AROUSING AND PRESERVING TEACHER’S ZEAL AND DEVOTION TOWARDS HIS WORK.
/+THE EDUCATION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 14 -
+THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT RECOMMENDED MORE TEACHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING IN THE SCHOOL, IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, THE SETTING UP OF A REGIONAL TEACHERS’ CENTRE, ETC.
+l SUPPORT THESE PROPOSALS,* SAID MRS FAN.
TURNING TO OPEN EDUCATION, MRS FAN REITERATED MADE ON OCTOBER 27, 1983, IN THE SAME CHAMBER THAT GIVEN TO THE POSSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISING STUDENTS ON +APPROVED+ TRAINING COURSES.
A SUGGESTION SHE CONSIDERATION BE SUITABLY QUALIFIED
+THE SUBSIDY SHOULD GO TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS RATHER THAN TO THE ORGANISATIONS IN THE FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT OF A CERTAIN PORTION CF THE FEES AFTER A STUDENT HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN ’APPROVED’ COURSE.
+THIS METHOD OF SUBSIDY MAY PROVE TO BE LESS COSTLY THAN OTHER ALTERNATIVES IN THE SHORT TERM, AND GOVERNMENT HAS THE FLEXIBILITY CF GEARING ITS SUPPORT TO SPECIFIC AREAS OF NEED FOR ECONOMICAL PURPOSES,* SHE SAID.
-----o------
SPEED UP SCHOOL BUILDING, PAULINE NG SAYS XXX*
THE BUILDING OF NEW SECONDARY AND PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM MEASURE TO PHASE OUT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION ASSESSMENT (JSEA), THE HON MRS PAULINE NG SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS NG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP THE BUILDING OF THE 24 SCHOOLS PROPOSED IN THE REPORT, AND TO BRING FORWARD THE DATE OF COMPLETION OF THE 10 SCHOOLS UNDER STAGE V (PHASE II) OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS BUILDING PROGRAMME TO 1989, TO EASE THE PRESSURE IMPOSED ON THE PUPILS BY THE JSEA.
SHE SAID THE IDEA OF PHASING OUT THE JSEA IN 1991 THROUGH THE BUILDING OF MORE THAN 30 NEW SECONDARY AND PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, THE MODIFICATION OF CLASS PATTERNS OF EXISTING SCHOOLS AND THE PURCHASE OF FORM 4 PLACES IN THE SATISFACTORY PRIVATE SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS WAS SOUND IN PRINCIPLE, BUT SLIGHTLY SLOW IN PACE.
+IN VIEW OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS THAT JSEA WOULD HAVE ON STUDENTS AND THE NEED FOR SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN OUR SOCIETY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE MADE LONG-TERM ARRANGEMENTS YEARS AGO, FOR INSTANCE, ADOPTING CORRESPONDING MEASURES IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMME.
+THE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO DO SO INDICATES THAT IT HAS NOT TAKEN PUBLIC OPINION INTO CONSIDERATION PROPERLY ON THE ONE HAND= AND ON THE OTHER HAND IT LACKS LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR SUBSIDISING SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION,* MRS NG SAID.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 15 -
SHE SAID SHE FULLY ENDORSED THE VIEW OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AS STATED IN REPORT NO. 1 THAT EDUCATION WAS TO PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
+IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT 'HUMAN RESOURCES’ IS HONG KONG’S PRINCIPAL ASSET ’INVESTMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES’ IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE,* SHE SAID.
ON CIVIC EDUCATION, SHE SAID IT WAS A MATTER OF FOREMOST IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION SHOULD BE PROPERLY INSTILLED WITH A SENSE OF CIVIC AWARENESS.
+1 HOPE THE COMMISSION WOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO THIS ISSUE AND DRAW UP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT IT WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE-LINE FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS,+ MRS NG SAID.
-----o------
EARLIER PHASING OUT OF JSEA URGED * * * *
TO PUT THE FINGER ON 1991 AS THE YEAR WHEN PHASING OUT OF THE JSEA WOULD BE ACHIEVED SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE MOVE, THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1, MR YEUNG SAID THAT HE HOPED THE PHASING OUT OF THE SYSTEM MIGHT BE ADVANCED TO AN EARLIER DATE, IF CONDITIONS BECAME MORE FAVOURABLE IN THE FUTURE.
+IN DECIDING WHETHER TO OPT FOR GRADUAL ABOLITION OF THE JSEA OR IMMEDIATE ABOLITION OF THE SYSTEM, WE SHOULD CONSIDER WHICH APPROACH WOULD GO IN LINE WITH OTHER PROGRAMMES OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
IT WOULD BE IDEAL, OF COURSE, TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME WITH THE GREATEST EFFICIENCY, HE SAID.
+BUT WOULD IT REALLY BE POSSIBLE TO DO S0?+ HE ASKED.
+WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHETHER WE HAVE ASSESSED THE QUESTION HONESTLY AND IMPARTIALLY,* MR YEUNG SAID.
TO COPE WITH HONG KONG’S POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MR YEUNG SAID, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM SHOULD AIM TO EDUCATE THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO BE COMPETENT IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
+IF HONG KONG IS TO MAINTAIN ITS INTERNATIONAL POSITION AS A LEADING TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, BILINGUALISM IS ESSENTIAL,* HE SAID.
/HOWEVER, PHE ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 16 -
HOWEVER, THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIME CONSIDERATION AND SCHOOLS SHOULD MAKE A REALISTIC AND SENSIBLE DECISION ON THE QUESTION OF TEACHING MEDIUM AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TEACHERS’ LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE CLASSROOM, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO KEEP UP APPEARANCES, HE SAID.
AS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SCHOOLS SHOULD, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHANGING THE PUBLIC’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS USING CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, MR YEUNG SAID.
+HOWEVER, THE POLICY OF PROMOTING THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE TEACHING MEDIUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS CAN ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROVISION OF HIGH-STANDARD TEXTBOOKS WRITTEN IN CHINESE, SUFFICIENT LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS, THE PROVISION OF TEACHING RESOURCES IN ENGLISH AND AN APPROPRIATE SYSTEM OF BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EXAM I NATIONS,+ HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ALSO STRESSED THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER TRAINING TO ACHIEVE BETTER RESULTS IN THE LEARNING PROCESS.
HE SAID: +1985 MARKS THE FIRST YEAR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG.
+THE NEW SITUATION CALLS FOR THE TRAINING OF SUITABLE LEADERS IN LINE WITH THE FUTURE POLICY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE GOVERNING HONG KONG.
+BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC HAVE THE DUTY TO REFORM HONG KONG’S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.
-----0------
FINANCE COURSES FOR TOP OFFICERS PROPOSED
X * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON TO INTRODUCE A COURSE IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS RISING TO DIRECTORATE RANK.
THE SUGGESTION WAS PUT BY THE HON S.L. CHEN WHEN TABLING THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 7 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR CHEN, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO INCULCATE A GREATER SENSE OF FINANCIAL AWARENESS IN MANAGERS IN THE GOVERNMENT.
ALL OFFICERS RISING TO DIRECTORATE RANK IN THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH A COURSE IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WHICH OUTLINED THE ESSENTIALS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY SYSTEM, TAUGHT THEM THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF COST ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING, AND GAVE THEM A FIRM GRASP OF THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL CONTROL, FINANCIAL FORECASTING AND EVEN FINANCIAL MODELLING, HE SAID.
/+! DO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 17 -
♦ I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH TO ASK EITHER OF THE ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAS SUCH TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS OUR GOVERNMENT, OR OF THE OFFICERS WHO CARRY THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC MONEYS,+ HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID THE COMMITTEE HEARD WITH PLEASURE THIS YEAR OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH WERE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE INTRODUCTION OF THOROUGHLY MODERN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND IN PARTICULAR THAT THIS NEW SCHEME HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PROMOTING THAT GREATER SENSE OF FINANCIAL AWARENESS AND BUDGET CONSCIOUSNESS IN MANAGERS.
+BUT I AM AWARE THAT THE LEDGER ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL TAKE TIME TO EXTEND TO EVERY CORNER OF THIS LARGE ADMINISTRATION.
* NOR DO I THINK THAT IT IS THE SOLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WHICH I SEE.
♦ FINANCIAL AWARENESS CANNOT BEGIN AND END WITH ONE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,* MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THIS HAD BEEN A NOTABLE YEAR IN THE SHORT HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE, WHICH FOR THE FIRST TIME HAD HELD ITS MEETINGS IN PUBLIC TO HEAR THE EVIDENCE GIVEN BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS.
♦ I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY STRAIGHTAWAY THAT I CONSIDER THIS WAS A MOST SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT, AND ITS SUCCESS WAS DUE NOT LEAST TO THE VERY FORTHCOMING AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE ADOPTED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.*
THE UNOFFICIALS, HE SAID, FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THIS WOULD HELP THE PUBLIC TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY IN WHICH ITS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS CARRIED OUT THEIR DUTIES.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ACTED AS A STIMULUS NOT ONLY FOR THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS BUT FOR THE COMMITTEE ITSELF TO EXAMINE AND DISCUSS THOROUGHLY THE ISSUES PRESENTED IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT.
+ 1 AM CONVINCED THAT PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ARE HERE TO STAY, AND IF ANY OF MY UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES FEEL APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE INTENTION TO COMMENCE PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN MARCH, I WOULD REASSURE THEM THAT THE EXTRA EFFORT AND TENSION INVOLVED IS WELL WORTHWHILE,* HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
18
NEED SEEN FOR MORE DENTISTS * * *
THE POTENTIAL OF THE DENTAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY HAD YET TO BE REALISED, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS, THE HON LYDIA DUNN SAID TODAY.
TABLING THE REPORT ON THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1983 - MARCH 31, 1984 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY), SHE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAD SAID THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN SATISFIED ALREADY AND THAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GRADUATES WOULD BE SCARCE, SHE HERSELF DID NOT THINK SO.
+THERE IS SCOPE FOR GREATER AWARENESS OF PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY, FOR THE SPREAD OF KNOWLEDGE OF ORAL HYGIENE AND DENTAL HEALTH CARE.
♦DENTISTS WILL BE NEEDED IN GREATER NUMBERS, NOT ONLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EDUCATIVE PROCESS, BUT IN RESPONDING TO THE MORE EXACTING STANDARDS OF DENTAL FITNESS THAT WILL COME FROM A BETTER EDUCATED COMMUNITY,* SHE SAID.
MISS DUNN SAID, DURING THE YEAR, THE HOSPITAL HAD CONTINUED TO_ FULFIL ITS ROLE IN PROVIDING TRAINING FACILITIES FOR DENTAL GRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND ALSO FOR DENTAL ANCILLARY STAFF.
SHE SAID THE YEAR WAS AN IMPORTANT ONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOSPITAL.
+FOR THE FIRST TIME, A FOURTH YEAR OF DENTAL STUDENTS CONTINUED IN THEIR STUDIES LEADING TO THE FIFTH AND FINAL YEAR CF THE DENTAL CURRICULUM.
+MOST OF THESE STUDENTS HAVE NOW COMPLETED THEIR STUDIES, AND THE PRINCE PHILIP DENTAL HOSPITAL SHARES WITH THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY A DEEP SENSE OF PRIDE IN PRODUCING THE VERY FIRST GROUP CF 59 LOCALLY-TRAINED DENTISTS,* MISS DUNN SAID.
+OVERSEAS EXAMINERS HAVE SPOKEN OF THEIR IMPRESSIVE QUALITIES,* SHE ADDED.
------o-------
PILOT CENSUS IN MARCH
* * *
A PILOT CENSUS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN MARCH 1985 TO TEST THE ORGANISATION AND PROCEDURE FOR THE BY-CENSUS IN 1986, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE PILOT CENSUS, +DRESS REHEARSAL* FOR THE MAIN OPERATION, WOULD COVER A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 12 000 LAND-BASED HOUSEHOLDS.
+ALL ASPECTS OF THE PLANNED SYSTEM FOR THE 1986 BY-CENSUS, INCLUDING THE CENSUS CONTENT, FIELD ORGANISATION AND DATA PROCESSING, WILL BE TESTED,* HE SAID.
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/19......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
19
INSURANCE LAW +OUTDATED+
*****
THE NEED TO STATE THE NAMES OF ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED IN AN INSURANCE POLICY WAS NOW OUT OF TUNE WITH MARKET PRACTICE IN RELATION TO GROUP LIFE ASSURANCE POLICIES.
IT WAS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO RELAX THE PRESENT LAW WHICH INVALIDATES ANY POLICY IN WHICH THE NAME OR NAMES OF THE INSURED AND ANY BENEFICIARIES ARE NOT INSERTED, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985, HE SAID HONG KONG’S LAW IN THIS RESPECT DERIVED FROM A SECTION IN THE LIFE ASSURANCE ACT 1774 (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE GAMBLING ACT 1774) WHICH WAS DIRECTED PRIMARILY AT PREVENTING A ♦MISCHIEVOUS KIND OF GAMING*.
+AT THAT TIME A PERSON COULD EFFECT INSURANCE ON A HUMAN LIFE OR LIVES IN WHICH HE HAD NO GENUINE INTEREST.
+IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE ACT PROVIDED THAT THE NAMES OF ALL THE INSURED PERSONS AND THE BENEFICIARIES SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED IN THE POLICY, SO AS TO DEMONSTRATE A RECOGNISED PECUNIARY INTEREST IN THE LIFE INSURED ON THE PART OF THE POLICY HOLDER AND BENEFICIARY,* MR JACOBS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN LEGISLATION WAS IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT LAW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
+THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE HONG KONG LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL, AND THE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG HAVE ALL BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT,* HE SAID.
--------0----------
■ FIRE WATCH TEAMS PRAISED FOR +USEFUL ROLE*
XXX
FIRE WATCH TEAMS PLAY A USEFUL ROLE IN RAISING THE ALARM AND EVACUATING RESIDENTS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE IN SQUATTER VILLAGES, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
♦HAVING RAISED THE ALARM, IT IS THEN LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO TAKE OVER THE JOB OF FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE,* HE ADDED.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY UNOFFICIAL COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN YING-LUN ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE WATCH TEAMS AND WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH ITS OPERATIONS.
/♦THE ADMIN I STRATI ON .....
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
20
+THE ADMINISTRATION IS PLEASED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE EXISTING FIRE WATCH TEAMS,* MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+THEY HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN EDUCATING AND ADVISING LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY HILLSIDE SQUATTERS, ON FIRE PREVENTION AND ON WAYS AND MEANS OF REDUCING POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS IN THEIR HOMES,* HE ADDED.
THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT PROVIDED TO A NEWLY FORMED FIRE WATCH TEAM INCLUDES FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, SAND BUCKETS, ALARM GONGS, ARM-BANDS AND HANDBOOKS.
+THE FUNDS FOR PURCHASING EQUIPMENT FOR FIRE WATCH TEAMS AND THEIR REPLENISHMENT ARE PROVIDED BY DISTRICT OFFICES, ON THE ADVICE OF THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARD,+ MR AKERS-JONES SAID.
+EACH BOARD EXAMINES THE MERITS OF EACH APPLICATION AGAINST OTHER COMPETING CLAIMS, AND RECOMMENDS AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF GRANT,* HE ADDED.
------0-------
KWAI FONG ESTATE BLOCKS +STRUCTURALLY SAFE* * * * * *
NONE OF THE 11 BLOCKS AT KWAI FONG ESTATE WERE STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE, ALTHOUGH SOME NEEDED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THAT INVESTIGATIONS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT ON ALL BLOCKS IN THE ESTATE AND A PHASED PROGRAMME HAD BEEN DRAWN UP TO RENOVATE THOSE BLOCKS IN NEED OF REPAIR.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI, HE SAID:
+1 CAN ASSURE TENANTS IN KWAI FONG ESTATE THAT NONE OF THE BLOCKS THEY ARE OCCUPYING ARE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
+ IN A FEW CASES WHERE IT IS MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO REDEVELOP RATHER THAN TO RENOVATE BLOCKS, THIS WILL BE DONE.*
MR LIAO SAID BLOCKS 1, 2 AND 3 WOULD REQUIRE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED IN BUILDINGS OF THAT AGE. WORK HAD ALREADY STARTED ON THIS.
+BLOCKS 4, 7 AND 8 REQUIRE MORE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS WHICH ARE ALREADY IN HAND, WHILE BLOCK 6 WAS IN NEED OF MAJOR RENOVATION AND REPAIRS WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED BY MAY THIS YEAR.
+THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN TO BRING THE BLOCK UP TO PRESENT DAY STANDARDS WITH UPGRADED SERVICES INCLUDING COMPLETE REWIRING, IMPROVED DRAINAGE AND A COMMUNAL TV AERIAL SYSTEM,* HE SAID.
/FBOM EXPERIJUCE.......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 21 -
FROM EXPERIENCE OF REPAIRING BLOCK 6, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WORKS INVOLVED A GREAT DEAL OF INCONVENIENCE TO TENANTS AND WAS ALSO VERY COSTLY AND TIME-CONSUMING, HE SAID.
+IN THE LIGHT OF THIS, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO REDEVELOP SOME BLOCKS, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO REPAIR THEM.
♦ BLOCKS 9, 10 AND 11 ARE SITUATED IN ONE CORNER OF THE ESTATE, JOINED TOGETHER AND FORM A VERY SUITABLE AREA FOR REDEVELOPMENT. THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO USE THE LATEST DESIGN OF BLOCKS AND TO IMPROVE THE LAYOUT AND FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
♦ ON THE GROUNDS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND FOR THE CONVENIENCE CF TENANTS, IT IS ALSO A BETTER SOLUTION TO REDEVELOP RATHER THAN REPAIR BLOCK 5.
♦ A PHASED PROGRAMME OF REDEVELOPMENT WILL THEREFORE BE UNDERTAKEN OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO REPLACE BLOCKS 5, 9, 10 AND 11. +
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT FOR MANY YEARS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF REDEVELOPMENT, INVOLVING THE REHOUSING OF A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE.
SOME RESIDENTS AT KWAI FONG WOULD HAVE TO MOVE OUT DURING THE RENOVATION PERIOD, BUT GREAT CARE WAS TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT DISRUPTION AND INCONVENIENCE WERE KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
♦ THE- EXPERIENCE WE HAVE GAINED DURING THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME HAS PROVIDED A BASIS FOR THE WAY IN WHICH WE HAVE CONSULTED RESIDENTS AT KWAI FONG AND HAVE DONE OUR VERY BEST TO MEET THEIR WISHES.
♦ SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE RENOVATION WORK STARTED ON BLOCK 6 AT KWAI FONG, TENANTS THERE WERE OFFERED ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN THE NEARBY SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE IN TSUEN WAN AND 78 PER CENT OF THE 928 FAMILIES AFFECTED HAD MOVED THERE. THE REMAINDER EITHER MOVED TO OTHER ESTATES OF THEIR CHOICE OR TO OTHER FLATS AVAILABLE IN KWAI FONG.
♦DISCUSSIONS WILL NOW BE HELD WITH RESIDENTS OF OTHER BLOCKS TO BE REDEVELOPED AND OFFERS OF ALTERNATIVE NEW ACCOMMODATION IN TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN OR NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE MADE TO THEM.+
MR LIAO SAID THAT WHEN BLOCK 6 IS COMPLETED IN MAY THIS YEAR, OVER 900 NEW AND UPGRADED FLATS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE IN KWAI FONG.
♦ALL RESIDENTS WHO MOVE AWAY FROM THE ESTATE, WILL BE GIVEN THE CHOICE OF MOVING BACK TO THE NEW FLATS IN THE REDEVELOPED BLOCKS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
♦FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TENANTS AFFECTED IS GIVEN BY WAY OF REMOVAL ALLOWANCES WHICH ARE PRESENTLY UNDER REVIEW BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING AUTHOR ITY.+
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/22........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1935
22
FEWER REPORTS OF THEFTS FROM INSIDE CARS * * * M
THERE WERE 3 448 REPORTED CASES OF THEFT FROM INSIDE VEHICLES LAST YEAR, AS AGAINST 4 230 IN 1983, A DECLINE OF 18.5 PER CENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALEX WU, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THAT FIGURES OF THEFTS FROM INSIDE CARS (AS OPPOSED TO THEFTS OF SUCH EXTERNAL PARTS OF ACCESSORIES AS HEADLAMPS AND TYRES), WERE THE ONLY BREAKDOWN FIGURES AVAILABLE FROM STATISTICS COVERING THEFT OF ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY FROM VEHICLES.
THERE WERE NO STATISTICS BY TYPE OF PROPERTY STOLEN FROM PARKED CARS, HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF DETECTION AND CONVICTION, HE SAID STATISTICS REFERRED ONLY’TO ALL CASES OF THEFT FROM VEHICLES.
+IN 1983, THE DETECTION RATE FOR ALL THEFTS FROM VEHICLES WAS 2D.8 PER CENT. IN 1984 IT WAS 13.7 PER CENT.
♦DISCOUNTING THOSE CASES NOT BROUGHT TO TRIAL BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, THE PERCENTAGE OF DETECTED CASES LEADING TO CONVICTION WAS 78.4 PER CENT IN 1983 AND 78.7 PER CENT IN 1984,+ HE SAID.
------o-------
PUBLICITY ON IRON GRILLE GATES ADEQUATE
* X X X
ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLICISING THE PROVISIONS OF REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF IRON GRILLE GATES WERE ADEQUATE, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, HE SAID THAT, AS A RESULT OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S ACTION AT NEW KWAI FONG GARDENS IN KWAI CHUNG, SPECIFIC PUBLICITY HAD BEEN GIVEN.
MR CHAN SAID THAT SINCE 1976 A SERIES OF SMALL POSTERS ILLUSTRATING VARIOUS TYPES OF ILLEGAL BUILDING ACTIVITY HAD BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND IN DISTRICT OFFICES. ONE OF THESE SHOWED THE ILLEGAL TYPE CF IRON GRILLE GATE.
BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE STAFF HAD ARRANGED FOR THESE POSTERS TO BE DISPLAYED IN BUILDINGS COMPLETED SINCE JANUARY 1, 1984, MR CHAN SAID.
+THERE HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME OVER THE YEARS BEEN SEVERAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS AIMED AT CONVEYING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC THE MESSAGE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT CARRY OUT ANY BUILDING WORKS WITHOUT CONSULTING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OR AN AUTHORISED PERSON REGISTERED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE,+ HE ADDED.
------o-------
/23........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1935
- 13 -
+LAw ALONE WON’T STOP CRANE ACCIDENTS* * * * *
GOOD SUPERVISION OF THE USE OF LIFTING CRANES WAS ALSO NECESSARY IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CARL TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BRIDGE STRESSED THAT LEGISLATION ALONE COULD NOT PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
♦WHAT IS ALSO NEEDED IS GOOD SUPERVISION AND A RECOGNITION BY TOP MANAGEMENT THAT THEY MUST MAKE ACCIDENT PREVENTION A MAJOR PART OF THEIR POLICIES,* HE SAID.
THE OPERATIONAL SAFETY OF LIFTING CRANES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, HE SAID, WAS GOVERNED BY PART II OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS. THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR THE STRENGTH, STABILITY, TESTING, MAINTENANCE AND FREQUENT INSPECTION OF ALL SUCH CRANES. ENFORCEMENT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE REGULATIONS WERE DRAFTED IN SOME DETAIL AND HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THEY WERE ADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE.
------o-------
SCHOOL NOISE ABATEMENT REPORT ON THE WAY
*****
RECOMMENDATIONS ON A MAXIMUM TOLERABLE NOISE EXPOSURE LEVEL FOR CLASSROOMS, AND PROPOSED MEASURES TO ABATE NOISE IN EXCESS OF THIS LIMIT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE NEXT FEw WEEKS.
IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CONSULT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON NEIL HENDERSON, SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION EY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG TODAY.
INFORMING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE PROGRESS IN THE FIELD, HE SAID THE STEERING COMMITTEE WAS NOW FINALISING ITS REPORT BASED ON DATA FROM THE PILOT STUDY CONDUCTED IN 1981-82 AND TWO BROAD SURVEYS SUBSEQUENTLY UNDERTAKEN.
+IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ARE ALSO BEING AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE NOISE FACTOR TO BE TAKE* INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE LOCATION OF FUTURE SCHOOL SITES.
+WHERE SCHOOLS MUST BE BUILT IN NOISY LOCATIONS TO SUIT THE DEMANDS OF ACCESSIBILITY OR PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE SCHOOL BUILDING WILL EE ORIENTED TO SHIELD CLASSROOMS FROM NOISE OR APPROPRIATE NOISE INSULATION MEASURES WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN,* HE DISCLOSED.
/24.......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1935
24
CONTROLS ON RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS ADEQUATE *****
EXISTING EXTENSIVE CONTROLS ON THE HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ARE EFFECTIVE IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AS FOR CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEAL WITH LEAKS OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND CONTAMINATION, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRE SERVICES AND POLICE, WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS, WOULD RESPOND TO ANY DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT.
FURTHERMORE, SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR TACKLING INCIDENTS INVOLVING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES HAD BEEN ISSUED AND DECONTAMINATION FAC’LITIES WERE AVAILABLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR, HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON ANDREW SO ON THE SUBJECT.
HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT CONTROLS ON THE HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES WERE SET OUT IN THE RADIATION ORDINANCE.
+THESE CONTROLS ARE EXERCISED THROUGH THE RADIATION BOARD, WHICH GRANTS LICENCES, SUBJECT TO SUCH CONDITIONS AS IT THINKS FIT, FOR THE MANUFACTURE, SALE, POSSESSION OR USE OF ANY RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE.
♦ THE BOARD HAS MADE REGULATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS SAFETY ASPECTS, INCLUDING THE PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKE-. BY LICENSEES WHEN MOVING ANY RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE WITHIN THE TERRITORY,+ HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SUCH SUBSTANCES MAY ONLY BE TRANSPORTED AFTER THE ISSUE OF A WRITTEN PERMIT BY EITHER THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES OR THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE SUBSTANCE WAS TO BE USED FOR MEDICAL OR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
TECHNICAL ADVICE ON PARTICULAR OPERATIONS COULD BE GIVEN BY STAFF OF THE RADIATION HEALTH UNIT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH UNIT OF THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS IF NECESSARY, HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1935
2?
FIRST-AID TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS SUFFICIENT X XX
F IRST-AID KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WERE BEING PROVIDED THROUGH SOCIAL STUDIES AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, AND IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE FURTHER TRAINING WITHIN THE FORMAL CURRICULUM, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
TOPICS IN THE FORMS I TO III SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS INCLUDED THE VALUE OF FIRST-AID AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACQUIRING BASIC LIFE-SAVING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUERY FROM THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, HE SAID THAT ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION PERSONNEL GAVE REGULAR FIRST-AID TRAINING TO STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHN CADETS, THE SCOUTS AND GUIDES, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUBS. IN ADDITION, OFFICERS FROM THE HONG KONG RED CROSS PROVIDED TRAINING FOR RED CROSS YOUTH MEMBERS.
+THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN ONE OR MORE OF THESE EXTRA-CURRICULA^ ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN FIRST-AID AND FURTHER TRAINING WITHIN THE FORMAL CURRICULUM 13 NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY,+ MR LEUNG SAID.
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+FIRE DETECTION MEASURES SATISFACTORY* X X X X
THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS IN HOTELS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WERE ADEQUATE, AND THAT FIRE PREVENTION ARRANGEMENTS SATISFACTORY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY. otLUKIIY,
^PLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS
’ETECTI0N SVSTEHS’ IN Baldings was pressed L! th; DUILLHNbo ORDINANCE.
. *THE EIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXAMINES PLANS FOR ALL NEw ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS Aht INCLUDED.
+ON COMPLETION, THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTS THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS
EACH BUILDING TO ENSURE
HAVE BEEN MET.
+THEREAFTER, IT IS Ar. PROPERLY MAINTAINED METALLATION CONTRACTOR ACE A YEAR,* HE SAID.
REQUIRED BY LAW THAT THESE INSTALLATIONS AND THAT A REGISTERED FIRE SERVICE Certifies them to be in good working order
/HE HCTNTED........
WEDN3SDAY, JANUARY 23, 1'985.
- 26 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT EXCEPT THE VERY OLD ONES BUILT BEFORE 1964 WHEN SUCH REQUIREMENTS CAME INTO EFFECT, FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS I' HOTELS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WERE SATISFACTORY.
TURNING TO FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES, MR JEAFFRESON SAID TRAINING COURSES WERE REGULARLY CONDUCTED BY THE FIRE SERVICEo DEPARTMENT FOR HOTEL MANAGEMENT STAFF.
+IN 1984, A TOTAL OF 890 PERSONS VOLUNTARILY TOOK PART IN THESE COURSES,* HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT INSPECTS HOTELS AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, ADVISES THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE BUILDINGS ON THE REMOVAL OF FIRE HAZARDS AND ON FIRE PREVENTION.
THE SMALL HUMBERS OF FIRES WHICH OCCURRED IN HOTELS AND COMMERCIAL BLOCKS SUPPORTS THE VIEW THAT FIRE PREVENTION ARRANGEMENTS ARE SATISFACTORY, HE SAID.
----0------
’BUGS LIKELY’ IN COMPUTER TOLL SYSTEM * K X * * *
ALTHOUGH THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL’S TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM WAS OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY FOR 98 PER CENT OF THE TIME, IT HAD NOT MEASURED UP FULLY TO REQUIREMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AS A RESULT, HE SAID, GOVERNMENT HAD NOT ACCEPTED AND PAID FOR THE EQUIPMENT CONCERNED, ALTHOUGH IN MOST RESPECTS SUCH AS CONTROLLING TOLL LANES, THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING SATISFACTORILY.
IN REPLY TO A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS BY THE HON KEITH LAM, RR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE TWO COMPUTER SYSTEMS USED IN THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, ONE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL, CONTROLLING WARNING SIGNS AND TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS, AND THE OTHER FOR TOLL COLLECTION, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY FOR ACCOUNTING AND STATISTICS GATHERING PURPOSES.
+THE TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY FOP. MORE THAN A YEAR AND HAS BEEN FORMALLY TAKEN OVER AND PAID FOR,* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT FAULTS IN THE TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM WHICH ,-,ERE C. 'PARAT IVELY SMALL WHEN COMPARE ', TO THE WHOLE SYSTEM wERE PROBABL Y CAUSED BY *BUGS+ IN THE SOFTWARE AND A GREAT DEAL OF tcFOFT HAD AL EADY BEEN PUT INTO LOCATING THEM AND Fl .DING THE REASONS FOR TH . MALFUNCTIONING.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 27 -
THE CONTRACTOR FULLY APPRECIATED THE NEED TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF ERROR AND HAD BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED THROUGHOUT IN SEEKING TO RECTIFY THE POSITION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AS IT WAS THE MUTUAL AIM OF THE CONTRACTOR AND GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A FULLY SATISFACTORY OPERATIONAL SYSTEM, IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO SEEK FURTHER COMPENSATION IN ADDITION TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES OF S2.25 MILLION ALREADY WITHHELD FROM PAYMENTS UNDER THE CONTRACT, MR CHAN SAID.
•‘■FURTHERMORE, GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO WITHHELD PAYMENT FOR THE TOLL COLLECTION COMPUTER EQUIPMENT, ALTHOUGH IT IS OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY FOR ALL BUT A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME,* F£ ADDED.
- - 0 - -
JOB FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAD GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THF COLLECTION OF SEABORNE REFUSE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG THE SECRETARY ™ HEAL™ AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY? HE WAS RtjPONDING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, THE DEPARTMENT WAS A- ,RESENT ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE A SCAVENGING SERVICE IN VICTORIA wnoirS FIV£ MAJ0R TYPHOON SHELTERS: ABERDEEN, YAU MA TEI ALDRICH BAY, CAUSEWAY BAY AND CHEUNG CHAU. ’
। J2LA2?,!T*ON* A SHIP-TO-SHIP REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE WAS F$R OCEAN-GOING VESSELS MOORED IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AND ™c°rToI2“p0AT REFL'SE COLLECTION SERVICE FOR DWELLING BOATS IN THE FIRST FOUR OF THE SAID TYPHOON SHELTERS, MR CHAMBERS SAID?
™ *™EURBAN SERV,CES DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “os|CIi°?HE NES?T^EU17IE,^TTE1> BEACHES. INCLUD ,NG
/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
28
MANY TUTORIAL CLASSES OUTSIDE ORDINANCE *****
COMPLAINTS INVOLVING PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASSES HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM TIME TO TIME BUT MOST OF THEM FELL OUTSIDE THE AMBIT OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ALL REGISTERED SCHOOLS WERE SUPERVISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THROUGH REGULAR INSPECTIONS, AND ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THESE SCHOOLS WERE INVESTIGATED AND REMEDIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN.
+PRIVATE TUTORIAL CLASSES ARE INCLUDED IF THEY FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF A SCHOOL IN THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS AN INSTITUTION, ORGANISATION OR ESTABLISHMENT WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATION FOR 20 OR MORE PERSONS DURING ANY ONE DAY, WHETHER OR NOT AT THE SAME TIME.+ MR LEUNG SAID.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUERY FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN WHETHER ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN TO MONITOR PRIVATE TUTORIAL SCHOOLS AND WHETHER COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC ON MALPRACTICES INVOLVING THESE INSTITUTIONS.
-------o----------
/2?........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
29
EDUCATION COMMITMENT ’GLADLY ACCEPTED’
X X X * X
PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICE WAS A COSTLY BUSINESS, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAD GLADLY ACCEPTED THIS COMMITMENT, AS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, BARRIE WIGGHAM SAID TODAY.
♦WE ARE GLAD ALSO THAT WE ARE SUPPORTED BY AGENCIES LIKE THE SALVATION ARMY, WHOSE EXPERTISE AND UNDERSTANDING ENHANCE THE SERVICE THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES,* HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SALVATION ARMY CHAN KWAN TUNG KINDERGARTEN IN YAU MA TEI THIS AFTERNOON.
MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT THE REASON FOR THE HIGH STANDARD CF LITERACY IN HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION, WAS BECAUSE EDUCATION WAS BOTH COMPULSORY AND FREE.
♦IT ALSO HELPS EXPLAIN WHY SO MANY OF THE BRIGHTEST PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD ARE HONG KONG CHINESE, ALL OF WHOM MADE THEIR EDUCATION START IN A KINDERGARTEN SOMEWHERE IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM ALSO PRAISED THE EDUCATION NEEDS IN YAU MA TEI AS TO MAKE SPACE AVAILABLE IN THEIR
SALVATION ARMY FOR RECOGNISING A PRIORITY AND FOR BEING WILLING NEW COMMAND HEADQUARTERS.
0 --------
SATURDAY BALLOT FOR 3 776 HOS FLATS * X X X
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL HOLD A BALLOT ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) TO DECIDE THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR THE 3 776 FLATS BE,NG 0FFERED FOR SALE UNDER PHASE VIIA OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID TODAY THAT OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 6 709 WERE FROM VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS AND 10 180 FROM WHITE-FORM PRIVATE SECTOR APPLICANTS.
HE ADDED THAT THOSE APPLICANTS WHO STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECEIPT SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE ON HE FIRST FLOOR OF THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL CENTRE OR TELEPHONE 3-.119147.
MR HU FA-KUANG, MEMBER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ALSO ITS HOME OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE BALLOT WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY.
/a computes .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 30 -
A COMPUTER WILL BE USED ON MONDAY TO DECIDE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS’ PRIORITY IN THE SELECTION OF FLATS.
THE 3 776 FLATS IN THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE SCHEME ARE LOCATED AT CHOI PO COURT IN SHEUNG SHUI, FUNG SHING COURT IN SHA TIN AND CHING SHING COURT IN TSING Yl, OF WHICH 3 248 ARE ON TRIDENT BLOCKS TO BE SOLD FIRST TO GREEN-FORM APPLICANTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BALLOT TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY icANUARY 26) AT 11 AM AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN HO MAN TIN.
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CANDIDATES ASKED NOT TO DESPOIL COUNCIL VENUES
******
CANDIDATES FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WHO WISH TO PUT UP PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AT URBAN COUNCIL VENUES ARE ADVISED TO APPLY TO THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR PERMISSION FIRST.
AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S DISTRICT RELATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE, MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT POSTERS, PLACARDS AND BANNERS IN SUPPORT OF THE ELECTIONS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED BY INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES AT VARIOUS UC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
THESE PUBLICITY MATERIALS, DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, OFTEN BECOME UNSIGHTLY AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS.
WHILE APPRECIATING THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY HELP TO MAKE THE DB ELECTIONS A SUCCESS, COUNCILLORS FELT THAT THESE MATERIALS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN UN ORDERLY FORM WITHOUT RENDERING AN UNSIGHTLY APPEARANCE TO THE SURROUNDING AREA.
AFTER DISCUSSIONS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT AS FROM FEBRUARY 1, ANY CANDIDATE WHO WISHES TO DISPLAY SUCH PUBLICITY MATERIALS SHOULD APPLY TO THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT THROUGH ITS LOCAL DISTRICT OFFICES.
/THE CANDIDATE.......
WEBNESMY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 31 -
THE CANDIDATE WILL THEN BE ALLOWED TO PUT UP ONE BANNER OUTSIDE EACH OF THE UC VENUES WITHIN THE CONSTITUENCY IN WHICH HE OR SHE IS SEEKING ELECTION.
THE BANNER SHOULD NOT EXCEED 7 METRES BY 1 METRE IN SIZE AND SHOULD BE REMOVED BY THE CANDIDATE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION DATE AT THE LATEST.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN ADOPTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN RESPECT OF VENUES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- - - - 0 ----------
BOARD TO LOOK INTO LINKS WITH GROUPS * * * *
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A REPORT CONTAINING AREAS COMMITTEES’ VIEWS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS, AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS PREPARED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP.
AT THE MEETING, THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY COMPANY, MR MARTIN EVAN-JONES WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE MTR ISLAND LINE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF VACANT CROWN LAND SITES AT SAI WOO LANE AND TSUNG SAU LANE WEST.
THEY WILL ALSO REVIEW THE +MEET-THE-PUBLIC+ SCHEME FOR 1984.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF WILLIE BUILDING, 222-224 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL.
0
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 32 -
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH LEADERS * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES WILL PRESENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO THREE YOUTH LEADERS, WHO CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE 1984 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME, AT A RECEPTION TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, KOWLOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION AND ATTEND THE RECEPTION.
-----o-----
CUSTOMS WORK
KM*
MR JOHN HOWARD, PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY OFFICER OF THE TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION BRANCH OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A PRESS BRIEFING TOMORROW (THURSDAY), TO TALK ABOUT THE BRANCH’S EFFORTS AGAINST COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENT. THE BRIEFING WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW AT THE TCIB, 5TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
------0 ------
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEET THE MEDIA X X X
THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES (DESIGNATE), MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL MEET THE MEDIA TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
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/33........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1985
- 33 -
LUNCH TIME MUSIC FOR WORKERS
* * *
FACTORY WORKERS AND RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE TREATED TO FREE MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT IN FOUR +LUNCH TIME CONCERTS* ON SUCCESSIVE THURSDAYS, FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE ONE-HOUR CONCERTS WILL BE HELD AT SOCCER PITCH NO. 3, ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND AT 12.30 PM EACH THURSDAY.
THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT GUEST SINGERS AND GROUPS PERFORMING WESTERN OR CHINESE MUSIC AT EACH CONCERT.
APART FROM PROMOTING MUSIC APPRECIATION AND A BETTER COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG WORKERS AND RESIDENTS, THE ORGANISERS ALSO HOPE TO PUBLICISE THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO SUPPORT THE FORTHCOMING SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE CONCERTS ARE BEING STAGED BECAUSE OF POPULAR DEMAND, FOLLOWING FOUR OTHER SUCCESSFUL CONCERTS IN THE WONG CHUK HANG INDUSTRIAL AREA HELD LATE LAST YEAR, WHICH ATTRACTED AN AVERAGE AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 1 500 PEOPLE.
-----o------
MAIL TO URUGUAY SUSPENDED * * *
ALL POSTAL SERVICES BETWEEN URUGUAY AND HONG KONG HAD BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED THIS AFTERNOON.
THIS WAS BEING DONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE POSTAL AUTHORITIES IN URUGUAY, WHICH CITED +EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES* AS THE REASON, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG'S MAJOR SHIPPING ROLE STRESSED ................ 1
HK-TRAINED SEAMEN GET PANAMA EXEMPTION .................. 3
BUSY YEAR AGAINST COUNTERFEITERS ........................ 4
YOUTH LEADERS SET GOOD EXaMPLE........................... 4
STUDENTS URGED +T0 PREPARE FOR FUTURE* .................. 5
JUNK BAY WORK GOES ON ................................... 6
SHORT TERM TENANCY SOUGHT ............................... 7
INTELPOST REACHES IRISH REPUBLIC ........................ 7
WATER COMPLAINTS : CALL 5-757789 ........................
CAREERS SEMINARS TO OPEN................................. 8
PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS NEEDED ............................ 8
'EYE CARE FOR ELDERLY' DRIVE STARTING.................... 9
900 SIGN UP FOR BUILDING CARE TALKS ..................... 9
TELEMATCH GAMES INTER SEMI-FINALS ....................... 10
PERFORMERS MEET ......................................... 11
SHA TIN HOLDS FESTIVE LIGHTING PHOTO CONTEST ............ 11
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE AT UPSET' PRICES.... 11
YUK WAH STREET BUS SERVICE............................... 12
TEMPORARY VEHICLE RESTRICTION ........................... 13
ROAD EXTIN SI® TO OPIN .................................. 13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
1
HONG KONG’S MAJOR SHIPPING ROLE STRESSED * * * *
HONG KONG BASED SHIPOWNERS NOW CONTROL ABOUT 60 MILLION DEADWEIGHT TONS OR NEARLY 12 PER CENT OF THE WORLD MERCHANT FLEET, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR MICHAEL THOMAS SAID TODAY.
+ALTHOUGH PRESENTLY THEY REGISTER THEIR SHIPS UNDER MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT FLAGS, THEY PROBABLY CONTROL THE SECOND BIGGEST MERCHANT FLEET IN THE WORLD, AFTER JAPAN,+ MR THOMAS TOLD THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS AT A LUNCH MEETING TODAY.
POINTING OUT THAT UNDER THE ANNEX TO THE SI NO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, THE POSITION OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR SHIPPING CENTRE WOULD BE MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
+THE SYSTEMS OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND SHIPPING REGULATION WILL CONTINUE. PRIVATE SHIPPING BUSINESSES AND SHIPPING-RELATED BUSINESS INCLUDING CONTAINER TERMINALS MAY CONTINUE TO OPERATE FREELY IN THE PROPOSED HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
+IT WILL HAVE ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER AND WILL ISSUE CERTIFICATES IN THE NAME OF ’HONG KONG, CHINA’. MERCHANT SHIPPING WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THE PORTS OF HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS, MR THOMAS SAID, PRESENTED FORMIDABLE TASKS IN THE FUTURE FOR THOSE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
+CLEARLY THE PROVISIONS OF THE ANNEX WILL DEMAND THAT CHANGES BE MADE TO THE PRESENT SET UP. AT THE PRESENT, HONG KONG OPERATES AS A BRITISH PORT OF REGISTRY. THIS CANNOT CONTINUE BEYOND 1997. SO HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO HAVE, INDEPENDENTLY OF UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION, ITS OWN LAWS GOVERNING MERCHANT SHIPPING.
+THESE WILL HAVE TO HAVE EXTRA-TERRITORIAL EFFECT. FOR THIS LAWS OF THE FLAG MUST FOLLOW THE SHIP WHEREVER SHE SAILS,+ l£ SAID.
HONG KONG’S LEGISLATION AT PRESENT HAD NO POWER TO LEGISLATE EXTRA-TERR I TOR I ALLY, BUT THE PARLIAMENTARY BILL GIVEN A SECOND READING IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LAST MONDAY PROVIDED FOR ORDERS IN COUNCIL TO BE MADE TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO MAKE SUCH LAWS, HE SAID.
IN 1984, MR THOMAS SAID, SOME 11 883 OCEAN GOING VESSELS CALLED HERE, NEARLY FOUR PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND TRADED AND DISCHARGED MORE THAN 41.5 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO, A 12 PER CENT INCREASE. IN ADDITION MORE THAN 8.79 MILLION PASSENGERS WERE CARRIED BY JET FOILS, HYDROFOILS AND IN FERRIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU, 10 PER CENT UP IN 1983.
ANOTHER 689 827 PASSENGERS WERE CARRIED TO AND FROM GUANGZHOU — 6.5 PER CENT UP. AND IN 1984, THE PORT OF HONG KONG HANDLED A TOTAL OF 2.1 MILLION TEU’S (20 FT EQUIVALENT UNITS).
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1?85
2
HONG KONG RANKED AMONG THE TOP THREE CONTAINER PORTS IN THE WORLD, AND THERE WERE PLANS FOR FURTHER EXPANSION. RECLAMATION WORK AT KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT WOULD INCREASE THE WORKING CAPACITY OF THE TERMINAL TO OVER TWO MILLION TEU’S A YEAR.
HONG KONG LIVED ITS TRADING CAPACITY AND HAD ALWAYS DONE SO, HE SAID.
+WE HAVE TO MAKE THE FULLEST USE OF OUR DEEP WATER PORT IN AID OF TRADE AND COMMERCE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED OUR CAPACITY TO HANDLE CARGOES BY UP-TO-DATE METHODS IN RECENT YEARS. AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO MODERNISE OUR PORT FACILITIES AND KEEP HONG KONG IN THE FOREFRONT OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE DRAFTING OF AN UP-TO-DATE CODE TO COVER THE OWNERSHIP AND REGISTRATION OF SHIPS IN HONG KONG, AND TO DEVISE AND ENFORCE STANDARDS OF CERTIFICATION FOR THEIR SEAWORTHINESS AND SAFE OPERATION PROVIDED THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LAW DRAFTSMEN WITH A DAUNTING BUT CHALLENGING TASK.
+GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY BEGUN A DIALOGUE WITH THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO DEFINE THE SCOPE OF THE TASK AND THE BEST WAY FORWARD,* MR THOMAS SAID.
IF SUITABLE LEGISLATIVE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH MODERN AND EFFICIENT FACILITIES FOR REGISTRATION, HE COULD SEE A FUTURE FOR HONG KONG AS A SHIPPING CENTRE THAT WOULD DEMONSTRATE THE REALITY OF ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SEA TRANSPORT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
MR THOMAS SAID THAT HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WOULD TAKE FIVE YEARS FOR THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE DRAFTSMEN TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG COULD ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION AND STANDING AS A SEPARATE SHIPPING REGISTER.
REFERRING TO ANOTHER TOPIC OF INTEREST, MR THOMAS RECALLED THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE FOR COMPULSORY PILOTAGE OF CERTAIN VESSELS IN HONG KONG WATERS.
ALTHOUGH PILOTAGE SERVICES WERE AT PRESENT EMPLOYED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS BY A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OCEAN GOING VESSELS, COMPULSORY PILOTAGE WAS NOW NECESSARY TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY IN SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ALL SHIPS, HE SAID.
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A MAJOR SHIPPING CENTRE WAS A BRIGHT ONE, MR THOMAS SAID.
+WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION CLEARLY POINTING THE WAY TO INCREASED AUTONOMY IN THE SHIPPING FIELD TO THE MIDDLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY THERE SEEMS AMPLE SCOPE FOR THE CREATION OF A SUCCESSFUL HONG KONG FLEET OF SHIPS.
+THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO PLAY ITS PART IN THE WAY I HAVE DISCUSSED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES,* NR THOMAS SAID.
- 0 ---------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
- 3 -
HK-TRAINED SEAMEN GET PANAMA EXEMPTION * * X *
11J < D z
EXEMPTION FROM CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION IS TO BE GRANTED BY TH PANAMANIAN AUTHORITIES TO LOCAL RATINGS WHO HAVE COMPLETED TRAIN IN AT THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINI COUNCIL.
MR FRANK CHAO, CHAIRMAN OF THE MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING BOARD, SAID THAT THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA WOULD FORMALLY APPROVE THE TRAINING OFFERED AT THE CENTRE.
RATINGS WHO HAD COMPLETED THE FULL ^STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEP ING+ TRAINING COURSE THERE WOULD E EXEMPTED FROM THE PANAMANIAN CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION AND WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY QUALIFIED TO SERVE ON SHIPS FLYING THE PANAMANIAN FLAG, HE ADDED.
DR HUGO TORR I JOS, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CONSULAR AND SHIPPING AFFAIRS IN PANAMA, WHO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHAO ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE CENTRE THIS MORNING (THURSDAY) SAID THAT HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE TRAINING FACILITIES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE CENTRE.
THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA WAS SETTING UP AN EXAMINATION SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF CREWS MANNING THE PANAMANIAN-REGISTERED FLEET.
DR TORR I JOS SAID THAT PANAMA WOULD ALSO BECOME A SIGNATORY STATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS 1978 (STCW).
LIKEWISE, THE PANAMANIAN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS ALSO HAD TO BE EXTENDED TO COMPLY WITH THE STCW.
DR TORR I JOS IS VISITING VARIOUS TRAINING CENTRES AROUND THE WORLD TO ASSESS THEIR STANDARD WITH A VIEW TO APPROVING THE TRAINING OF THOSE CENTRES WHICH CAN MEET THEIR EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.
HE ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL SHIPOWNERS REGARDING THE NEW PANAMANIAN CERTIFICATION SCHEME AND ON MARITIME AFFAIRS GENERALLY.
THE SEAMEN’S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE, SITUATED IN LITTLE SAI WAN, CHAI WAN, WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO HONG KONG SEAMEN TO MEET STCW STANDARDS, TO ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY CERTIFICATES AND IMPROVE THEIR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS.
THE CENTRE CAN TURN OUT ABOUT 1 900 TRAINED RATINGS EVERY YEAR.
- - - - 0 ------------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
BUSY YEAR AGAINST COUNTERFEITERS K K X
OFFICERS OF THE TRADE CONTROLS INVESTIGATION BRANCH (TCIB) OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAD ANOTHER BUSY YEAR FIGHTING AGAINST THE MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS, THE PRINCIPAL INDUSTRY OFFICER OF THE BRANCH, MR JOHN HOWARD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
REVIEWING THE BRANCH’S WORK OVER 1984 AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, MR HOWARD SAID THAT HIS BRANCH HAD COMPLETED 752 INVESTIGATIONS, REPRESENTING A 13 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1983. THE SEIZURES OF OFFENDING GOODS IN 1984 ROSE TO 731 FROM 603 IN 1983, AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT.
+ IN TERMS OF VALUE, $32.2 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS WERE SEIZED AS COMPARED WITH $20.8 MILLION IN 1983, AN INCREASE CF 55 PER CENT.
+A TOTAL OF 469 PERSONS OR FIRMS WERE PROSECUTED RESULTING IN FINES OF $2.2 MILLION AND SEVEN OFFENDERS WERE GIVEN JAIL SENTENCES,+ HE SAID.
COPIED GOODS SEIZED MAINLY WERE FASHIONWARE, WATCHES, CHINESE MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, FOODSTUFFS AND COMPUTERS AND THEIR ACCESSORIES.
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SEIZURES, MR HOWARD SAID THIS COULD BE MAINLY ATTRIBUTED TO INCREASED AWARENESS BY TRADEMARK OWNERS, INCREASED VIGILANCE AT THE CUSTOMS ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS AS WELL AS CLOSER LIAISON WITH THE POLICE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE WATCH INDUSTRY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN FIGHTING COUNTERFEITING.
+TRADING IN COUNTERFEIT GOODS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES,* MR HOWARD WARNED.
YOUTH LEADERS SET GOOD EXAMPLE X X *
YOUTH LEADERS CF THE 198A SIMMER YOUTH “ROGRAMME HAD SET VERY GOOD EXAMPLES OF HOW TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, NR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR AKERS-JONES. WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THF SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME POLICE COMMTi c , SAID HE HOPED THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMME WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW THE i h EXAM:';.;- TO MA*E THE 1985 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ANOTHER SUCCESS.
/+THE THEMES
THUkiLDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
- 5 -
+ THE THEMES FOR THIS YEAR WILL BE ’PARTICIPATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE’ WHICH ARE ALSO THE THEMES FOR THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR,* HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE JOCKEY CLUB OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 1984 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME. THREE YOUTH LEADERS WERE AWARDED THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE PROGRAMME.
+THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SUMMER TO JOIN IN SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES,* SAID MR AKERS-JONES.
+THE PROGRAMME OWES ITS SUCCESS TO THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE REMARKABLE EFFORTS OF VARIOUS YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND COMMUNITY-SPIRITED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED ACTIVELY IN THE PLANNING AND RUNNING VARIOUS EVENTS,* HE ADDED.
+THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOLARSHIP IS TO SHOW APPRECIATION OF THE INVALUABLE SERVICES DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS HAVE RENDERED TO THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME,* HE SAID.
THE RECIPIENTS OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE MISS KATHLEEN WONG, A 22-YEAR-OLD ESTATE AGENT, MR KWOK WING-CHOW, A 25-YEAR-OLD FIREMAN, AND MR TANG SAI-PUN, A 20-YEAR-0LD STUDENT.
THEY WILL TAKE AN 18-DAY OUTWARD BOUND DIPLOMA COURSE, WHICH INCLUDES SAILING ON THE JI FUNG TO LEARN ABOUT SAILING. OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE NAVIGATION, SMALL BOAT SAILING EXPEDITIONS, CANOEING, SWIMMING, INITIATIVE GAMES, FIRST AID TRAINING AND WALKING AND CAMPING EXPEDITIONS.
0 --------
STUDENTS URGED +TC PREPARE FOR FUTURE* * X *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TOLD 182 SCHOOL LEAVERS TODAY THAT CHOOSING A SPOKESMAN TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS AND TO MANAGE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ON THEIR BEHALF WAS NOT A TASK TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
SPEAKING AT THE 3^TH SPEECH DAY Op THE YUFN LONG DUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL, MR HSU SAID: +IF YOU ARE TO FULFIL YOUR PROPER RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY, YOU **UST PREPARE YOURSELF IN <‘?VANCF ?Y STUDYING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OF EVERY-DAY LIFE.* HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT ALL YOUNG PEOPl E SHOULD SHARE A COMMON RESPONSIBILITY - TO SOCIt ' ■' \ OF J'MMUNITY
AFFAIRS.
u.'.. 7 ‘‘V.. . aAi'ICIPANTS •••••••
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
REMINDING PARTICIPANTS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS, MR HSU SAID: +ON MARCH 7, THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD FOR THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS, INCLUDING YUEN LONG.+
ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR IT WILL BE THE STUDENTS’ PARENTS AND THEIR ELDER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WOULD CAST THEIR VOTES, MR HSU URGED THE STUDENTS TO MAKE USE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE TIME WHEN THEY WOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.
THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS PLANNING TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE SCHOOL’S PREMISES TO PROVIDE MORE FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT INCLUDES BUILDING AN EXTENSION OF 12 CLASSROOMS, A BIOLOGY LABORATORY, A CHEMISTRY LABORATORY, A WOODWORK ROOM, A NEW LIBRARY AND RENOVATING THE ASSEMBLY HALL.
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JUNK BAY WORK GOES ON X * * *
WORK WILL START NEXT MONTH ON A $34.2 MILLION CONTRACT FOR RECLAMATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK IN JUNK BAY.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN. IT COVERS LAND FORMATION AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT YAU YUE WAN IN NORTHERN JUNK BAY, FOR NEW HOMES FOR YAU YUE WAN VILLAGERS AND FOR USE BY GOVERNMENT.
WORK WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE FORMATION OF ABOUT TWO HECTARES CF PLATFORMS WITH RETAINING WALLS, THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT SIX HECTARES OF LAND, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 800 METRES CF ACCESS ROADS WITH TWO ASSOCIATED SUBWAYS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLI STS.
THE WORK, WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE, WAS AWARDED TO GAMMON (HK) LIMITED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
- 7 -
SHORT TERM TENANCY SOUGHT
* * * *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO SITES, TOTALLING 5 874 SQUARE METRES, IN YUEN LONG.
THE SITES ARE AT MA TIN ROAD, AND AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI YUK ROAD AND MA TIN ROAD. THEY ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE, INCLUDING THE PARKING OF CARS, OR FOR USE AS A MOTOR VEHICLE TRADING CENTRE OR BOTH.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 8.
TENDER FORM, NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED AT:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION, MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
------o-------
INTELPOST REACHES IRISH REPUBLIC
* * * *
THE INTELPOST NETWORK FROM HONG KONG WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SERVICES TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC FROM JANUARY 28, A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
INTELPOST ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE DELIVERED THE SAME DAY IN DUBLIN CITY, DUBLIN COUNTY AND CORK CITY AND IN CTqER AREAS IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC THE NEXT DAY.
THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC WILL BE :
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET $65
OF PAPER
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT
TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME $30
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT INTELPOST WAS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, DENMARK, FRANCE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, LUXEMBOURG, MACAU, MALAYSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, QATAR, SINGAPORE AND SWEDEN.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
- 0 -
/6 .......
WATER CL ’PLAINTS ; CALL 5-757789
•.* * *
■-> DIRECT TELEPHONE LINE FOR TECHNICAL COMPLAINTS C\ .-AT:.« ' '.a’TERS FOR HONG KONG ISLAND WILL COME INTO USE AT THE
. • -R SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT'S HONG KONG TECHNICAL COMPLAI .T Ct TRE
-7 <ULLO> LANE DEPOT, WAN CHAI, FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE NEW NUMBER IS 5-757789.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE NE* TELEPHONE LINE WOULD EASE THE LOAD ON THE CURRENT MAIN EXCHANGE, AND IMPROVE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
HOW-" VER, ALL TECHNICAL COMPLAINTS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 7 AM, THE NEXT DAY SHOULD STILL BE DIRECTED TO THE EXISTING EXCHANGE —726311.
--------o----------
CAREERS SEMINARS TO OPEN * * * *
THE CAREERS SEMINARS AND WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME WILL :>■ OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT KEI CHI MIDDLE SCHOOL, 20 SHU I ■ ING STREET, KWUN TONG, AT 9.40 AM.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ■- 7! TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE PROGRAMME io AMONG ACTIVITIES LAUNCHED TO MARK INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER COR LABOUR, MR DAVID LIN AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR EDDIE LAMB, WILL OFFICIATE AT the CEREMONY.
PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS NEEDED * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING PART-TIME LIFE GUARDS COR THE CITY SERVICES AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
THE LIFE GUARDS WOULD EE REQUIRED FOR DUTY AT GAZETTED BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOto, SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS, PREFERABLY AGED OR UNDER, SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST iMARY a EDUCATION AND HOLD A "ONZE'MEDALLION CERTIFICATE ISSUE: THE POVAL LIFE GUARD SOCIETY, A ,D a VALID FIRST Alb CErTrFIC-
THE JOB, WHICH OFFERS A MONTHLY SALARY OF '52 755, OR
DAILY WAGE OF S109, IS OPEN tq BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. •
PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE POST MAY APPROACH ANY BRANC- OFFICE (V TH .. OCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
। 5 CAN BE MADE AT TELEPHONES : 3-666615, 3~69552r, >265123, 3-4201OR 5-270622.
------0 ------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
- 9 -
’EYE CARE FOR ELDERLY’ DRIVE STARTING M * K * M
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENIN OF THE +EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT* TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG OPTIOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND SEVEN CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONGt THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR CHRISTOPHER MOK; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPAIGN’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG; AND EIGHT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
-----o------
900 SIGN UP FOR BUILDING CARE TALKS * * *
ABOUT 900 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, AREA COMMITTEES AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) NIGHT.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION CF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS AND SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND THE POLICE WILL GIVE TALKS ON HOME SAFETY, FIRE AND CRIME PREVENTION, AND THE SAFE INSTALLATION OF GATES IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 7.30 PM IN THE DR SEAKER CHAN’S MEMORIAL HALL IN JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TWO-HOUR VARIETY SHOW PRODUCED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
TELEMATCH GAMES ENTER SEMI-FINALS * * * * *
THE INTER-DISTRICT TELEMATCH GAMES ORGANISED TO PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ENTERS THE SEMI-FINALS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) AFTERNOON.
TEAMS FROM 18 DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HAVE BEEN COMPETING IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE GAMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, NINE TEAMS HAVE ADVANCED TO THE SEMI-FINALS.
THE TELEMATCH GAMES ARE PART OF A TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY SERIES ENTITLED +INTER-DISTRICT GAMES SHOW+ JOINTLY PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE 18 DISTRICT OFFICES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY THAT THE GAMES AIM AT PROMOTING DISTRICT SPIRIT AND PUBLICISING THE DISTRICT BOARDS WORK.
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH COMPRISE THE TELEMATCH GAMES, DISTRICT PERFORMANCES AND DOCUMENTARIES ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH DISTRICT, IS BEING SCREENED ON TVB JADE EVERY SUNDAY AT 12 NOON. THE TV PROGRAMME HAS PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR AMONG YOUTHS AND HAS RECEIVED VERY GOOD RATINGS.
IN THE SEMI-FINALS, THREE TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN A TELEMATCH GAME. THEY WILL BE JOINED BY WELL-KNOWN ARTISTES.
THE DOCUMENTARIES TO BE SCREENED OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS WILL INTRODUCE THE CHANGING ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE COMPETITION SCHEDULE FOR THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE INTERDISTRICT GAMES SHOW ARE AS FOLLOWSs-
DATE PARTICIPATING DISTRICT VENUE
JAN. 26 TSUEN WAN, TAI PO AND WONG JUNCTION ROAD
TAI SIN
SPORTS GROUND
FEB. 2
ISLANDS, KWUN TONG AND YAU MA TEI
KO SHAN ROAD PARK
FEB. 9 EASTERN, SAI KUNG AND WAN JUNCTION ROAD
CHAI
SPORTS GROUND
THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE GAMES AND CHEER THEIR TEAMS. TICKETS FOR THE TELEMATCH GAMES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES ONE WEEK BEFORE EACH SHOW.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
11 -
PERFORMERS MEET * * * *
PERFORMING ARTISTS IN THE FIRST EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL, MEMBERS OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL WILL GET TOGETHER TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING AT A RECEPTION TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON ARTS AND CULTURE.
--------o - - - -
SHA TIN HOLDS FESTIVE *
LIGHTING PHOTO CONTEST * K
PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN SHA TIN ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT’S FESTIVE LIGHTING PHOTO COMPETITION.
THE FIRST +SHA TIN FESTIVE LIGHTING PHOTO CONTEST* IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FESTIVE LIGHTING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KODAK (FAR EAST) LTD, WHICH WILL DONATE ATTRACTIVE PRIZES.
PARTICIPANTS MAY SUBMIT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RECENT CHRISTMAS FESTIVE LIGHTINGS OR THE FORTHCOMING LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVE LIGHTS.
THEY SHOULD SEND IN THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 26.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL COMPRISE MR CHOY KAN-PUI, THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE SUB-COMM ITTEEI MR PAUL TANG, ASSISTANT SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER! MR LAM HUNG-CHIU, MR YEUNG SIU-WAH AND MR FUNG PUI-LAM, THE CHAIRMEN OF THE AREA COMMITTEES, AND MR MICHAEL HUI, SENIOR REPORTER OF THE COMMUNITY STAR.
INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ON THE PHOTO COMPETITION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6048078 AND 0-6065489.
------0 - - - -
LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR STALLS AVAILABLE AT UPSET PRICES * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO MISSEL ’HE CHANCE IN RECENT PUBLIC AUCTIONS TO BID FOR A STALL IN ONE OF THE FOUR LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR SITES PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR ONE NOW.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID THAT 144 STALLS wILL BE LEASED AT UPSET PRICES ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
/THEY COMPHISE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
- 12
THEY COMPRISE 43 WET GOODS STALLS (AT $1 013 EACH) AT VICTORIA PARK; 23 DRY GOODS STALLS (AT $338 EACH) AT FA HUI PARK; 38 WET GOODS STALLS (AT $500 EACH) AND 40 DRY GOODS STALLS (AT $250 EACH) AT KOWLOON PARK.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD APPROACH THE HAWKER RECORD OFFICES OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT EITHER AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING OR AT THE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN SAI YEE STREET.
THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS, TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS, THE COST OF THE STALLS FOR WHICH THEY INTEND TO BID AS WELL AS A TEMPORARY HAWKER LICENCE FEE OF $135.
THIS YEAR, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS MADE AVAILABLE MORE THAN 1 300 STALLS INCLUDING TWO FAST FOOD CENTRES AT VICTORIA PARK, FA HUI PARK, KOWLOON PARK AND KAI TAK EAST PLAYGROUND WHERE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIRS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 11 AND 20.
THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THESE STALLS HAD BEEN LEASED OUT AT PUBLIC AUCTIONS HELD EARLIER THIS MONTH.
-----0------
YUK WAH STREET BUS SERVICE * X * *
FROM FRIDAY (JANUARY 25), WITH THE PARTIAL COMPLETION OF ROAD WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF YUK WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET, KMB ROUTES 2F AND 5C WILL RESUME THEIR ORIGINAL ROUTEINGS TO OPERATE VIA YUK WAH STREET, WAN WAH STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET AND FUNG TAK ROAD ON THEIR JOURNEYS FROM TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH.
KMB ROUTES 3A, 3B AND 15A WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE VIA TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD, YUK WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET BEFORE RESUMING THEIR ORIGINAL ROUTEINGS ON THEIR JOURNEYS FROM TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH.
YUK WAH STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH WAN WAH STREET AND YUK WAH CRESCENT WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
0 --------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1985
13
TEMPORARY VEHICLE RESTRICTION
Hi
ALL VEHICLES OVER 5.5 TONNES GROSS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CENTRE STREET IN SAI YING PUN, BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) UNTIL 6 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORK.
ROAD EXTENSION TO OPEN * * K *
THE NEW EXTENSION OF MONG LUNG STREET, LINKING PO MAN STREET WITH THE SHIPYARDS AT ALDRICH BAY IN SHAU KEI WAN, WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TEMPORARY ROAD LEADING FROM NAM ON STREET TO THE SHIPYARDS VIA THE MTR WORK AREA WILL BE CLOSED.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
CONTENTS RAGS NO.
'GOOD NEIGHBOURS' URGED TO STAND FOR ELECTION .............. 1
VITAL LIAISON ROLE SEEN IK DISTRICT BOARD .................. 1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984 ................ 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1984 ................... 5
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST CRIME.................................. 8
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW ................................ 8
SALARIES COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS ........................... 9
APPOINTMENT TO KCRC BOARD .................................. 9
EYE CARE FOR 3 000 ELDERLY FOLK............................ 10
NO DECISION ............................................... 10
STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT CAREER PROSPECTS ...................... 11
FAREWELL DINNER............................................ 11
TWO LOTS FOR AUCTION ...................................... 12
ELECTION DRIVE ON WHEELS .................................. 12
ID CARD DATE FOR WOMEN .................................... 13
PORTUGUESE GOLD MEDAL FOR FIREMEN ......................... 13
YOUTH YEAR SINGING CONTEST HELD ........................... 14
SINGERS HELP IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE.................-.......... 15
HIGH NOTES IN FIGHT CRIME EFFORT .......................... 15
CHINESE PAINTINGS ON SHOW ................................. 16
CENTRAL FOOTBRIDGE 'WORK STARTS MAY........................ 16
SHA TIN TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR MARATHON ...................... 17
TSING YI BRIDGE TRAFFIC ................................... 17
FRESH, SALT WATER TAPS OFF ................................ 18
O'BRIEN ROAD TO BE CLOSED.................................. 18
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
’GOOD NEIGHBOURS’ URGED TO STAND FOR ELECTION ******
PEOPLE CONSIDERED BY OTHERS AS GOOD NEIGHBOURS SHOULD STAND FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH AND CONTRIBUTE TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY).
+WE NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE THOSE INTERESTED TO STAND FOR ELECTION, BUT ALSO APPEAL TO ALL OF YOU TO CAST YOUR VOTES SO AS TO ELECT SOME GOOD NEIGHBOURS, WHO CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY, TO BE YOUR GOOD DB MEMBERS,+ MR WIGGHAM SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE MODEL NEIGHBOUR AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ORGANISED BY THE NEIGHBOUR ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL, AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE THIS EVENING.
♦IT IS HOPED THAT ALL THOSE DEDICATED TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL REGISTER AS CANDIDATES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND THE REGISTERED VOTERS WILL VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7,+ MR WIGGHAM SAID.
THE AIMS OF THE MODEL NEIGHBOUR AWARD ARE TO SELECT GOOD NEIGHBOURS WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP EACH OTHER, PARTICULARLY IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY, AND TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF NEIGHBOURLINESS.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE RESULTS OF THE AWARD SCHEME PROVED THAT GOOD NEIGHBOURS WHO SHOWED CONCERN FOR OTHERS AND WERE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL BE DULY COMMENDED.
♦IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS MODEL NEIGHBOUR AWARD, MORE CITIZENS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, SO AS TO MAKE HONG KONG MORE PROSPEROUS AND MORE STABLE,♦ HE SAID.
-----o------
VITAL LIAISON ROLE SEEN IN DISTRICT BOARD * * * *
THE DISTRICT BOARD PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BREAKING DOWN TRADITIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFF I~ER (EASTERN), DR SIMON VICKERS SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SINCE ITS INCEPTION THREE YEARS AGO, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS LESS EVIDENT CONSULTATION OVER LOCAL AND TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES, HE SAID.
♦ONE OF ITS ROLES IS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC.
/♦AND THE........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
2
♦AND THE BOARD HAS DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH SPONSORED DISTRICT NEWSPAPERS, ’MEET-THE-PUELIC SCHEME’ FOR PEOPLE TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AND COMPLAINTS ON LOCAL MATTERS TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AND CONSULTATIONS THROUGH AREA COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS,* MR VICKERS SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUBLICISED THE DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM IN GENERAL THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS, INCLUDING TELEVISION.
DR VICKERS WAS COMMENTING ON THE REPORT OF A SURVEY RECENTLY CONDUCTED BY A +COMMITTEE TO SURVEY THE OPINIONS OF SHAU KEI WAN VILLAGERS TOWARDS THE DISTRICT BOARD*.
HE SAID THAT THOUGH THE SURVEY ITSELF WAS CONDUCTED SCIENTIFICALLY AND WAS VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL, ITS FINDINGS WERE OPEN TO ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETATIONS.
REFERRING TO REMARKS IN THE REPORT THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE PUBLIC, HE POINTED OUT THAT SURVEYS DONE IN THE UK AND USA SHOWED AN EXTRAORDINARILY LARGE PROPORTION OF THE ELECTORATE NOT EVEN KNOWING THE NAMES OF PARTY LEADERS, LET ALONE THEIR POLICIES, WHICH WERE MORE IMPORTANT.
+SO IN MANY COUNTRIES WITH A LONGER EXPERIENCE OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, A SIMILAR SURVEY AS THIS MIGHT PRODUCE A SIMILAR RESULT AS REGARDS KNOWLEDGE OF INTERNAL DETAILS OF THE LOCAL BOARD.*
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THOUGH PUBLICITY AND IMAGE WERE IMPORTANT, WHAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED AND DONE BY THE BOARD WAS MORE SO.
+ACCOUNTABILITY UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM LIES IN THE VOTE ITSELF,* HE SAID, +AND ONE COULD NOT CONCLUDE THAT MERELY BECAUSE 95 PER CENT OF THE INTERVIEWEES HAD NOT APPROACHED THE DB MEMBERS, THERE WAS DEFINITELY A LACK OF COMMUNICATION.
+BESIDES, MANY PROBLEMS MIGHT HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHERS, WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.*
HE SAID ALSO THAT, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, MANY MORE PEOPLE HAD SHOWN INTEREST IN THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS THAN THE FIRST TIME, WHICH REFLECTED AN INCREASING INTEREST AND FAITH IN THE NEW DISTRICT BOARD SYSTEM.
-----0------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
3
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984 * * * *
THE TOTAL VALUE OF EXTERNAL TRADE (COMPRISING DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS) EXPANDED RAPIDLY IN 1984 COMPARED WITH 1983, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984 PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR 1984 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT, OR $33 545 MILLION, TO REACH $137 950 MILLION. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 48 PER CENT, OR $27 210 MILLION, TO $83 504 MILLION. TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $221 454 MILLION, WAS 38 PER CENT OR $60 755 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN 1983.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS REACHED $223 346 MILLION IN 1984, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT OR $47 904 MILLION OVER 1983. THE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT FOR 1984, AT $1 892 MILLION, WAS MUCH SMALLER THAN THAT RECORDED IN 1983, AT $14 743 MILLION.
AS THE GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS HIGHER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, THE VISIBLE TRADE GAP, THAT IS THE PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS NOT COVERED BY THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, NARROWED SIGNIFICANTLY TO 0.9 PER CENT IN 1984, FROM 8.4 PER CENT IN 1983.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1984 FIGURES WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1983, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS 22 PER CENT OR $3 766 MILLION HIGHER. THIS OVERALL INCREASE WAS MADE UP OF AN INCREASE OF 9 . PER CENT OR $965 MILLION FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND AN INCREASE OF 45 PER CENT OR $2 801 MILLION FOR RE-EXPORTS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS 11 PER CENT OR $1 981 MILLION HIGHER. AS A RESULT, THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT RECORDED A SURPLUS OF $1 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1984, COMPARED WITH A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1 784 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1983.
COMMENTING ON THESE COMPARATIVE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW VERY RAPIDLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1984, BY 45 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1983. HOWEVER, REFLECTING THE SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY SINCE MID-YEAR AND THE APPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE CURRENCIES OF MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SLOWED DOWN TO 23 PER CENT IN THE SECOND HALF.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984s
/TRADE FIGURES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 4 -
TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984
THE FOLLOWING ARE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER:-
MERCHANDISE! DOMESTIC EXPORTS $11 887 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS $ 9 020 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS 820 907 MILLION
IMPORTS 820 906 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE $ 1 MILLION (IN SURPLUS)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
OCT-DEC OCT-DEC INCREASE OR
LATEST 3 MONTHS 1984 1983 __DECREASE
$ MN. 8 MN. 8 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 36 061 31 770 4- 4 291 + 13.5
RE-EXPORTS 24 922 17 679 4- 7 243 ♦41.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 60 983 49 449 LI 534 +23.3
IMPORTS 60 274 53 572 4- 6 702 +12.5
TRADE BALANCE + 709 - 4 123 4- 4 832
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR DECEMBER 1984 DECEMBER 1983 INCREASE OR DECREASE
8 MN. 8 MN. 8 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 11 887 (56.9%) 10 922 (63.7%) 4- 965 + 8.8
RE-EXPORTS 9 020 6 219 4- 2 801 *45.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 907 17 141 4- 3 766 +22.0
IMPORTS 20 906 18 925 4- 1 981 +10.5
TRADE BALANCE + 1 - 1 784 4- 1 785
/LAST MONTH
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 5 -
•J..' . ' '( - DECEMBER-. NOVEMBER INCREASE OR
LAST MONTH 1984 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11 887 11 702 ♦ 185 ♦ 1.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (56.9%) (59.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 O2O 8 008 ♦ 1 012 +12.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 907 19 710 ♦ 1 197 +6.1
IMPORTS 20 906 19 747 ♦ 1 159 ♦ 5.9
TRADE BALANCE ♦ 1 37 ♦ 38
JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS 1984 1983 DECREASE
S MN. $ MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 137 950 104 405 +33 545 +32.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.3%) (65.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 83 504 56 294 +27 210 +48.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 221 454 160 699 +60 755 +37.8
IMPORTS 223 346 175 442 +47 904 +27.3
TRADE BALANCE - 1 892 - 14 743 +12 851
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1984
M * M * *
THE AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1984 WERE 154.9 AND 154.7 RESPECTIVELY. BEING 8.1 PER CENT AND 8.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AVERAGE RATES OF INCREASE IN 1984 REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT SLOWING DOWN WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE RECORDED IN 1983, WHICH WERE AT 9.9 PER CENT BOTH FOR CPI (A) AND FOR CPI (B). HE POINTED OUT THa7 THE STABILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR.
/TH3 CPI (a) .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
6
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) FOR DECEMBER 1984 WERE 156.7 AND 157.0 RESPECTIVELY. COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1983, CPI (A) ROSE BY 7.0 POINTS OR 4.6 PER CENT AND CPI (B), BY 7.6 POINTS OR 5.1 PER CENT. COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1984, CPI (A) INCREASED BY 0.5 POINT OR 0.3 PER CENT AND CPI (B), BY 0.4 POINT OR 0.3 PER CENT.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 1984, ,THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATt^OF 0.3 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (B), AT 0.4 PER CENT.
DURING DECEMBER, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND RENTALS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DWELLINGS WERE HIGHER.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 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 CPI (B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1984 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1984 AND DECEMBER 1983.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION DEC 83 NOV 84 DEC 84 DEC 83 NOV 84 DEC 84
FOODSTUFFS 150.1 153.8 153.9 150.7 154.6 154.6
HOUSING 139.8 150.2 152.7 139.6 150.2 152.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 151.2 146.9 146.8 151.1 146.8 146.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 206.8 208.6 208.3 199.0 201.1 200.8
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 150.1 164.7 165.3 151.1 166.3 167.3
DURABLE GOODS 123.5 124.6 124.1 126.5 128.9 128. 5
/MISCELLANEOUS GOODS .......
FHDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 5 -
• I ’ • ■ •' ■ ‘f, - ■ DECEMBER •. NOVEMBER INCREASE OR
LAST MONTH 1984 1984 DECREASE
$ MN. S MN. S MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11 887 11 702 ♦ 185 ♦ 1.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (56.9%) (59.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 9 020 8 008 ♦ 1 012 +12.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 20 907 19 710 + 1 197 +6.1
IMPORTS 20 906 19 747 ♦ 1 159 ♦ 5.9
TRADE BALANCE ♦ 1 37 ♦ 38
JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE OR
LAST 12 MONTHS 1984 1983 DECREASE
S MN. $ MN. $ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 137 950 104 405 +33 545 +32.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (62.3%) (65.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 83 504 56 294 ♦27 210 +48.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 221 454 160 699 +60 755 +37.8
IMPORTS 223 346 175 442 +47 904 +27.3
TRADE BALANCE - 1 892 - 14 743 ♦12 851
0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1984 *****
THE AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND AVERAGE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1984 WERE 154.9 AND 154.7 RESPECTIVELY, BEING 8.1 PER CENT AND 8.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGES FOR 1983, ACCORDING TO FIGURES PUBLISHED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AVERAGE RATES OF INCREASE IN 1984 REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT SLOWING DOWN WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE RECORDED IN 1983, WHICH WERE AT 9.9 PER CENT BOTH FOR CPI (A) AND FOR CPI (B). HE POINTED OUT THAT i'HE STABILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOlLAR UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR.
/TK3 CPI (a) ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
6
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) FOR DECEMBER 1984 WERE 156.7 AND 157.0 RESPECTIVELY. COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1983, CPI (A) ROSE BY 7.0 POINTS OR 4.6 PER CENT AND CPI (B), BY 7.6 POINTS. OR 5.1 PER CENT. COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1984, CPI (A) INCREASED BY 0.5 POINT OR 0.3 PER CENT AND CPI (B), BY 0.4 POINT OR 0.3 PER CENT.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 1984,.JHE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.3 PER CENT EACH MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (B), AT 0.4 PER CENT.
DURING DECEMBER, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND RENTALS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DWELLINGS WERE HIGHER.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 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 CPI (B) TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN S3 500 AND $6 499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME.
THE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1984 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE GIVEN BELOW, TOGETHER WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1984 AND DECEMBER 1983.
(OCTOBER 1979 TO SEPTEMBER 1980 AVERAGE - 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION DEC 83 NOV 84 DEC 84 DEC 83 NOV 84 DEC 84
FOODSTUFFS 150.1 153.8 153.9 150.7 154.6 154.6
HOUSING 139.8 150.2 152.7 139.6 150.2 152.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 151.2 146.9 146.8 151.1 146.8 146.7
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 206.8 208.6 208.3 199.0 201.1 200.8
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 150.1 164.7 165.3 151.1 166.3 167.3
DURABLE GOODS 123.5 124.6 124.1 126.5 128.9 128.5
/MISCELLANaJUS GOODS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 145.5 150.9 150.3 143.0 147.6 146.7
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 158.9 172.5 172.6 161.9 175.0 175.1
SERVICES 162.7 177.8 178.6 161.1 173.9 174.8
ALL ITEMS 149.7 156.2 156.7 149.4 156.6 157.0
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1984, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 0.1 POINT IN CPI (A) BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED IN CPI (B). THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES WENT UP, WHILE THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF PORK AND SALT-WATER FISH DECREASED. THE EFFECT OF MOVEMENTS IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS ON THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS WAS INSIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING ROSE BY 2.5 POINTS IN CP I (A) AMD 2.0 POINTS IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 0.6 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 1.0 POINT IN CPI (B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS DECREASED BY 0.5 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 0.4 POINT IN CPI (B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF TELEVISION AND SOUND EQUIPMENT.
LOWER PRICES OF JEWELLERY, MEDICINES AND SOFT FURNISHINGS CAUSED THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO DROP BY 0.6 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 0.9 POINT IN CPI (B).
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY 0.8 POINT IN CPI (A) AND 0.9 POINT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIR-DRESSING AND FOR ADMISSION TO NIGHT CLUBS AND DISCOTHEQUES AROUND CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.
(FIGURES PRESENTED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. Abt* PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TO 2 DECIMAL PLACES.)
DETAILS OF THESE PRICE MOVEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE +CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT* FOR DECEMBER 1984, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1904, 19TH FLOOR, KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 317 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NO. 3-7216512.
/8 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1935
’ 8. -
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST CRIME
* * * *
THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO THE PUBLIC IN TWO DISTRICTS TOMORROW WITH SEPARATE EVENTS ORGANISED IN WONG TAI SIN AND SHAM SHU I PO.
IN WONG TAI SIN, A SEMINAR ON THE INFLUENCE OF TRIADS ON STUDENTS WILL BE HELD TO BRIEF SOME 700 STUDENTS ON THE PATTERNS CF TRIAD ACTIVITIES AND THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS THEY HAVE ON SOCIETY.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DI STR I CT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, WILL ALSO DEAL WITH SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PREVENT THE INFLUENCE OF TRIAD ELEMENTS IN SCHOOLS.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE MEETING, TO BE HELD IN THE LOK SIN TONG WONG CHUNG MING MIDDLE SCHOOL, INCLUDE A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, DR HO KAM-FAI AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FORCE.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, AN EXHIBITION ON HOME SECURITY AND VEHICLE CRIME PREVENTION WILL BE STAGED AT THE UN CHAU STREET ESTATE IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE EXHIBITION IS A CONCERTED EFFORT OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE POLICE WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND SELF-VIGILANCE AMONG RESIDENTS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF CRIME PREVENTION DEVICES INCLUDING VARIOUS ANT I-BURGLARY INSTALLATIONS, ALARM SYSTEMS, ANTI-CAR-THEFT EQUIPMENT AND SAMPLES OF THE LATEST LOCKS AND SAFES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SYLVESTER TSE- THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (SHAM SHUI PO) MR PETER LEE AND MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TWO-HOUR VARIETY SHOW FEATURING POPULAR MUSIC, DANCES, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS.
------o ------
GOVERNOR RETURNING TOMORROW * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL RETURN FROM LONDON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING, AFTER A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SIR EDWARD WILL BE ARRIVING ON FLIGHT BA 003, ETA 11.20 AM.
- - - - 0 --------------
/9 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 9 -
SALARIES COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
* * * X
MR ANDREW K.W. SO AND MR GORDON M. MACWHINNIE HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE REAPPOINTMENTS ARE FOR TWO YEARS, FROM JANUARY 24.
MR SUNNY CHOI SHUN-SHING HAS BEEN APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR THE SAME TWO-YEAR PERIOD. MR CHOI IS THE PROJECT MANAGER/LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, AND A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT MR S.L. CHEN, HAD RETIRED FROM THE STANDING COMMISSION ON JANUARY 23, AFTER HAVING SERVED FOR SIX YEARS. THE REV G.L. SPEAK, HAD ALSO RETIRED, AFTER HAVING SERVED FOR TWO YEARS.
IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WOULD BE LEAVING HONG KONG IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS UPON RETIREMENT FROM THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION.
--------o - -
APPOINTMENT TO KCRC BOARD K H * K
MR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI, A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE APPOINTMENT, ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, IS FOR TWO YEARS FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD IS MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR J.A. RICHARDSON, MR DAVID K.P. LI, MR ALFRED TSO SHIU-WAI, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CORPORATION.
--------o-----------
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1935
10 -
EYE CARE FOR 3 000 ELDERLY FOLK
* * * *
MORE THAN 3 000 ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM A MAJOR +EYE CARE+ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND SEVEN CENTRES AND CLUBS, FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM PRAISED THE ORGANISERS OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR PUTTING SO MUCH EFFORT INTO THE PROJECT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EYE CARE CAMPAIGN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE CAMPAIGN WOULD TEACH THEM ABOUT CARE OF THEIR EYES, AND GIVE THEM THE CHANCE FOR AN EYE CHECK-UP.
THE CARING CAMPAIGN WAS JUST ONE OF THE MANY COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD WHICH PROVIDED FOR A SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
+GIVEN THE FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF DISTRICT BOARDS, AND THAT THE TERM OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT BOARD IS EXPIRING, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THE ELECTIONS IN MARCH,+ HE ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM CALLED ON ELECTORS TO EXERCISE THEIR JUDGEMENT IN SELECTING QUALITY CANDIDATES WHO WOULD VOICE THEIR OPINION AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE DISTRICT.
------q ------
NO DECISION
* * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SAID TODAY THAT NO DECISION HAD BEEN MADE ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN URBAN RENEWAL WORK.
HE WAS COMMENTING ON A STORY CONCERNING URBAN RENEWAL WHICH APPEARED IN SEVERAL CHINESE NEWSPAPERS TODAY. A SIMILAR REPORT HAD BEEN BROADCAST BY A RADIO STATION YESTERDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +A WORKING GROUP HAS COMPLETED A STUDY ON THE FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND ORGANISATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CONCEPT OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
+THE TIMING OF ANY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS WILL BE MADE UPON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND SUPPLY, LAND DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.+
--------0
/11 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
11
STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT CAREER PROSPECTS XXX
MORE THAN 1 OOO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KWUN TONG THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING ATTENDED THE FIRST SESSION OF A FOUR-DAY CAREER ORIENTATION PROGRAMME.
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS, PROSPECTS, AND THE ACTUAL WORK OF TWO +POPULAR+ CAREERS - HOTEL AND TOURISM, AND ADVERTISING.
THE PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW WITH TALKS ON THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT, AND WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SITE VISITS TO SIX INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
THE CAREER ORIENTATION PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED AS PART OF THE TWO-WEEK KWUN TONG DISTRICT YOUTH FESTIVAL, BY THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR EDDIE LAMB, SAID THAT THE PROGRAMME WAS TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCE TO YOUTHS SO THAT THEY WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR CAREERS.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DAVID LIN, SAID HE HOPED THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
HE SAID THAT ON THE LINES OF THIS CAREER ORIENTATION PROGRAMME, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD SOON LAUNCH A LARGE SCALE TERRITORY-WIDE PROGRAMME TO MARK INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FEBRUARY 3.
-----o------
FAREWELL DINNER
MX*
OFFICERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) l£LD A FAREWELL DINNER FOR MR LEWIS DAVIES. AT THEIR MESS IN BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
MR DAVIES WAS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY IN 1979 WHEN THE VOLUNTEERS WERE CALLED UPON TO ASSIST IN CURBING THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
MR DAVIES, WHO IS RETIRING FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS SECRETARY, GENERAL DUTIES, WAS PRESENTED WITH A MOMENTO OF HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THE VOLUNTEERS BY COLONEL JOHN HEYWOOD, HONOURARY COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT.
------0--------
/12 .....
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
12
TWO LOTS FOR AUCTION
* X *
TWO CROWN LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF THE FURAMA HOTEL ON MARCH 1 AT 2.30 PM.
ONE OF THE SITES, KNOWN AS STANLEY INLAND LOT NO. 75, IS AT STANLEY MARKET ROAD, HONG KONG. IT IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRI AL EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 1 890 SQUARE t-ETRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA ON THE 570 SQUARE-METRE SITE BEFORE MARCH 31, 1988.
THE OTHER SITE, MEASURING 2 843 SQUARE METRES, IS AT THE JUNCTION OF WATERLOO, LANCASHIRE AND CAMBRIDGE ROADS, KOWLOON. IT IS KNOWN AS NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 6 004.
UNDER THE SALES CONDITIONS, THE DEVELOPER WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE NOT LESS THAN 2 814.57 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1988.
FULL PARTICULARS AND SALES CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND RELATED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT:
* LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY DIVISION,
MURRAY BUILDING, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
X PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE,
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG;
X DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON,
YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR,
250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN,
TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
--------0 ----------
ELECTION DRIVE ON WHEELS
* * * *
A DOUBLE-DECKER BUS, DECORATED WITH COLOURFUL BANNERS WILL TOUR EASTERN DISTRICT TOMORROW MORNING TO URGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BUS TOUR IS PART OF ACTIVITIES TO PUBLICISE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND THE ELECTIONS.
TEN TV ARTISTES TRAVELLING ON THE BUS, WILL STOP AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY MATERIAL TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1935
- 13 -
ID CARD DATE FOR WOMEN
* * *
WOMEN BORN IN 1947 AND 1948 MUST APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 4 AND MARCH 9 THIS YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.
+IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 70 000 WOMEN IN THESE IWO AGE GROUPS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
♦THEY SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES DURING THE FIVE-WEEK PERIOD BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,+ HE SAID.
HE REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED OVER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 22.
♦THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO SPEND THEIR HOLIDAYS ABROAD SHOULD APPLY BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE,* HE SAID.
HE EXPECTED THE ISSUE OFFICES TO BE BUSIER THAN USUAL WHEN THEY RE-OPEN ON FEBRUARY 23.
♦TO AVOID THE FIRST DAY RUSH, APPLICANTS SHOULD VISIT THE OFFICES EITHER BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS OR A FEW DAYS AFTER,+ HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT NO AMNESTY WOULD BE GRANTED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WHO WOULD BE REPATRIATED ONCE DETECTED.
-----o------
PORTUGUESE GOLD MEDAL FOR FIREMEN
X X *
THE PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES WAS HIGHLY PRAISED TODAY BY THE COMMANDANT OF THE MACAU FIRE BRIGADE, MR ROGERIO FRANCISCO DE PAULA DE ASSIS.
MR ASSIS WAS SPEAKING WHEN PRESENTING THE LEAGUE OF PORTUGUESE FIREMEN’S GOLD MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES.
♦THE MEDAL IS THE GREATEST HONOUR THE LEAGUE CAN BESTOW AND THE LEAGUE OF PORTUGUESE FIREMEN HAVE ENTRUSTED ME WITH THE HONOUR OF PRESENTING THE MEDAL,+ MR ASSIS SAID.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES’ HIGH STANDARD OF WORK IN GUARDING THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE HAD BEEN WELL RECOGNISED FOR MANY YEARS BY FIRE AUTHORITIES ROUND THE WORLD.
♦QUITE NATURALLY, THE MACAU FIRE BRIGADE HAS THEREFORE LOOKED ADVANTAGEOUSLY AT THE EXPERIENCES GAINED BY THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FROM EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND PROVISION OF FACILITIES,+ MR ASSIS SAID.
/HE SAIB........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 14 -
HE SAID THAT MACAU NOW HAD AN EFFICIENT AND MODERN FIRE SERVICE BUT THAT THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE EXPERT CO-OPERATION OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES.
MR ROBERT HOLMES, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, RECEIVED THE AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
IN HIS REPLY, HE SAID RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO BRIGADES HAD BEEN CLOSE FOR MANY YEARS.
♦HOWEVER, IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OUR BRIGADES SEEM TO BECOME CLOSER THAN EVER AND WE BOTH HAVE REAPED MANY BENEFITS SUCH A CLOSE ALLIANCE,* HE SAID.
HAVE
FROM
ALSO AT THE PRESENTATION. HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS MESS AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION, WERE THE PORTUGUESE CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG MR NUNO DA CUNHA E TAVORA LORENA AND VICE-CONSUL MR ANTONIO JOSE PEREIRA.
--------0 ----------
YOUTH YEAR SINGING CONTEST HELD
* * * X
A SINGING CONTEST IN SUPPORT OF 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR WILL BE HELD FOR PEOPLE BETWEEN 15 AND 30 WHO ARE LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THE 3RD CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST COMPRISES TWO CATEGORIES - SOLO AND GROUP SINGING.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN).
PRELIMINARIES WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, FROM FEBRUARY 9 TO 10 AND THE FINALS AT HONG KONG CARITAS CENTRE ON MARCH 23 AT 8 PM.
THE FINALS WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE PROGRAMMES FOR THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ARTS FORTNIGHT IN MARCH.
A CASH PRIZE OF $1 000 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNER. THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP WILL GET $500 AND $300.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE CF THE MUSIC OFFICE, ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES WILL BE FEBRUARY 1.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 5-283257.
0
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
15
SINGERS HELP IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE X K K
WELL-KNOWN SINGERS AND MUSIC BANDS WILL HELP SPREAD THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE TO YOUTHS IN KWUN TONG AT A SPECIAL CONCERT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) AFTERNOON.
SINGERS TERESA CARPIO, ELIZA CHAN, DOMINIC CHOW AND MUSICAL GROUPS, THE CHYNA, THE TOP NOTES AND THE TRINITY WILL PERFORM AT THE TWO-HOUR CONCERT, WHICH WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO.
THE +KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS POP FESTIVAL+ IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, AND PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO.
LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE CONCERT WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM AT THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND. ALL ADMISSION IS FREE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR MAU KEI-ON.' THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK; CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR K.L. STUMPF; AND THE POLICE DISTRICT DEPUTY COMMANDER, MR S.C. WU.
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HIGH NOTES IN FIGHT CRIME EFFORT *****
AN INTER-SCHOOL SINGING CONTEST WITH A HEALTH THEME, WILL HGHT CR IME^AMPaIgN ACT,VIT,ES ORGANISED FOR THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT
THE CONTEST AND THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING AT THE ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND THE HONG KONG BALLET GROUP.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-KWONG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE SINGING CONTEST, AND THE WINNERS OF A COMPETITION FOR THE MOST SECURITY CONSCIOUS BUILDINGS IN THE DISTR ICT.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1935
- 16 -
CHINESE PAINTINGS ON SHOW * * * *
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION OF CHINESE PAINTING, CALLIGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE OPENED AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL IN SHEUNG SHU I TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ON DISPLAY WILL BE WORKS OF ABOUT 120 FAMOUS LOCAL ARTISTS AND OF MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING AT 3 PM TOMORROW.
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CENTRAL FOOTBRIDGE WORK STARTS MAY
* * *
WORK WILL START IN MAY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AT RUMSEY STREET, AND THE EXTENSION CF THE EXISTING ELEVATED WALKWAY FROM GILMAN STREET TO RUMSEY STREET.
THE FOOTBRIDGE WILL SERVE MTR COMMUTERS EXPECTED TO CROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO THE FEEDER BUS TERMINUS AND FERRY PIERS, AFTER THE OPENING OF THE MTR ISLAND LINE TO SHEUNG WAN STATION IN MID-1986.
THE ELEVATED WALKWAY WILL PROVIDE A SHELTERED AND CONTINUOUS PEDESTRIAN PASSAGEWAY ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL FROM PEDDER STREET TO MORRISON STREET THROUGH THE NEW MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
THE FOOTBRIDGE SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY MID-1986, TO TIE IN * I TH THE OPENING OF MTR SHEUNG WAN STATION, WHILE THE ELEVATED WALKWAY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1986.
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/17 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 17 -
SHA TIN TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR MARATHON
* * *
TRAFFIC WILL BE REARRANGED IN SHA TIN BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 1.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27), FOR THE RUNNING OF THE 8TH HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL MARATHON.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC EXCEPT BUSES, MAXICABS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES :-
* THE SLIP ROAD J7 FROM TAI PO ROAD SOUTH-BOUND ONTO YUEN WO ROAD.
* THE WEST-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF YUEN WO ROAD BETWEEN J7 AND FO TAN ROAD.
* THE ACCESS TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
* BANYON BRIDGE.
* TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD BETWEEN SHA TIN WAI ROAD AND BANYON BRIDGE.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR YUEN WO ROAD FROM TAI PO ROAD SHOULD USE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD.
TRAFFIC HEADING EAST ON TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO SAND MARTIN BRIDGE OR SHA TIN WAI ROAD.
MOTORISTS ON SHA TIN ROAD HEADING FOR FO TAN YUEK SHOULD USE SHA TIN WAI ROAD.
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TSING Yl BRIDGE TRAFFIC
* * *
FOR THREE ONE-HOUR PERIODS ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27), TSING Yl BRIDGE WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC AT INTERVALS OF FIVE MINUTES ONLY, TO ALLOW INVESTIGATION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT BY CONSULTANTS.
THESE ONE-HOUR PERIODS WILL START FROM 12 MIDNIGHT, 6.30 AM AND 3 PM.
FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 7, THE BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12 MIDNIGHT AND 5.30 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
IT WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN, ALSO FROM MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 AM FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO 14, AND FROM FEBRUARY 25 TO 28.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1985
- 18 -
FRESH, SALT WATER TAPS OFF
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WAN CHAI AND KAU WA KENG WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS BETWEEN MONDAY (JANUARY 28) AND TUESDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
SUPPLY TO WAN CHAI WILL BE STOPPED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES ARE BOUNDED BY 57-271 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, CHUK KUI TERRACE, SHAN PIN LANE, TIK LUNG LANE, 1-5 WAN CHAI GAP ROAD, 62-90 STONE NULLAH LANE, LUNG ON STREET, KAT ON STREET, HING WAN STREET, KING SING STREET AND KENNEDY STREET, INCLUDING RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM.
SUPPLY TO CHEUNG HANG VILLAGE AND TAI CHING CHEUNG (SHUI HAU) IN KAU WA KENG WILL BE INTERRUPTED BETWEEN 8 AM AND 4 PM ON MONDAY.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY TO 10 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE WHOLE AREA OF SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, KWAI CHUNG, HA KWAI CHUNG, INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI HING ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, SHEK LEI ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE, LO WAI AND CONTAINER TERMINAL.
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O’BRIEN ROAD TO BE CLOSED * * * *
O’BRIEN ROAD BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD IN WAN CHAI WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
WORK WILL START THERE ON A FOOTBRIDGE, AND THE ROAD SECTION WILL THEN BECOME A PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENCOURAGING INTEREST IN HONG KONG............................ 1
PEOPLE URGED TO STAND FOR ELECTIONS ......................... 2
CANDIDATE TURNOUT +ENCOURAGING+ ............................. 2
SAFETY AND PEACE DEPENDS ON POLICE, CLARKE SAYS ............. 3
STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE POPULAR ....................... 4
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED .................................. 4
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP FIGHT DRUG CRIME........................ 5
FIGHT-CRIME CARNIVAL ........................................ 5
19 REWARDED FOR FIGHT-CRIME EFFORT .......................... 6
TUEN MUN PLANS MAGISTRACY BUILDING .......................... 6
POLICE UNIT TO GET INTERIM DEPOT ............................ 7
NEW INDOOR CENTRE FOR NORTH KWAI CHUNG....................... 7
NEED FOR CULTURAL PURSUITS STRESSED ......................... 8
ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR YUEN LONG RUN ............................ 9
CAR NO. XX18 FETCHES TOP PRICE............................... 9
KING'S PARK TENNIS COURTS TO BE FLOODLIT .................... 10
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR ROAD WORK ............................... 11
BUS LANE OPEN TO ALL ........................................ 11
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING ..................................... 11
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
1 ENCOURAGING INTEREST IN HONG KONG * * * *
SENIOR BUSINESSMEN BOTH IN NEW YORK AND IN LONDON HAVE A VERY ENCOURAGING INTEREST IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD 'OUDE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID THIS WHEN HE RETURNED FROM LONDON THIS MORNING. HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE-SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG-AND SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR ROGER LOBO.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF SIR EDWARD’S REMARKS TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT:
-‘•GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WELL, THE MAIN PURPOSE (F THIS TRIP WAS TO EXPLAIN TO INFLUENTIAL AUDIENCES IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN LONDON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGREEMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESSMEN THERE TO THINK OF HONG KONG AS A GOOD PLACE IN WHICH TO INVEST AND WITH WHICH TO TRADE. THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG BANK’S HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAS AND MY VISIT TC THE STOCK EXCHANGE GAVE ME SOME EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT, AND i FOUND A VERY ENCOURAGING INTEREST ON THE PART OF SENIOR businessmen both in new york and in London in hong kong.
♦WHEN I WAS THERE IN NEW YORK, I WENT UP TO WASHINGTON, AND THERE I SAW THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHULTZ AND WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AGREEMENT TO THEM Aa.S0, ALTHOUGH THEY ALREADY HAD A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF IT. AMD I TALKED ABOUT TRADE MATTERS WITH THE SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE, SECRETARY BALDRIDGE AND THE SPECIAL TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR BROCK. WITH THEM, OF COURSE, I RAISED THE QUESTION OF THE RULES OF ORIGIN AND WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN HONG KONG’S CONCERN ON THAT ISSUE. WHILE I WAS THERE, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE CONSULTATIONS WOULD BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 4 WHEN OUR NEGOTIATORS WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO PUT OUR CASE.
♦FINALLY I WENT ON TO LONDON WHERE THE BIG EVENT WAS, AS YOU KNOW, THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG BILL, AND THERE SIR S.Y. WAS WITH ME. AND WITH SIR S.Y., MISS MARIA TAM AND PETER WONG, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE MINISTERS AND DISCUSSED VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BILL WITH THEM. AND THEN, I HAD FURTHER MEETINGS WITH THEM TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG.
♦ SO ALL IN ALL, IT WAS QUITE A BUSY TRIP. I AM VERY GLAD TO BE BACK IN HONG KONG.+
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE TALKS WITH THE FOREIGN OFFICE ABOUT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HF SAID: +WE HAD FURTHER TALK ON THF COMPOSITION OF THE GROUP ANU ON THE WAY IN WHICH IT MIGHT OPERATE AND THE KIND OF THINGS WITH WHICH iT MIGHT DEAL. TH-RE IS STILL SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION AND CONSULTATION TO BE DONE ON TnAT. AND THE COMPOSITION AND OTHER DETAILS ,OULD BE ANNOUNCED \ .ul COURSE.+
<-THE POINT IS THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP COMES INTO BEING AFTER THE AGREEMENT IS RATIFIED AND COMES INTO FORCE, AND THAT A FEW MORE STAGES FOR THE HONG KONG BILL TO GO THROUGH IN PARI IAMENT. THAT WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME BEFORE THAT HAPPENS,* HE ADDED.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26,
2
PEOPLE URGED TO STAND FOR ELECTIONS
*****
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN MAK, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT - PARTICULARLY WORKERS AND PROFESSIONAL - TO STAND FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
+AS MORE THAN HALF THE POPULATION IN KWUN TONG ARE WORKERS, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE BOARD SHOULD HAVE REPRESENTATIVES wHO CAN PROVIDE SOUND ADVICE ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE WORKERS,* MR MAK SAID.
♦THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF THE WORKERS ARE, THEREFORE, THE IDEAL CHOICE TO REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS,* HE ADDED.
MR MAK SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING COMPANY DIRECTORS, DRIVERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND A CONSTRUCTION WORKER, AMONG THE 30 WHO SIGNED UP TO CONTEST THE 20 ELECTED SEATS IN THE LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD.
♦ HOWEVER, PEOPLE LIKE HOUSEWIVES, DOCTORS, LAWYERS HAVE YET TO PUT THEIR NAMES ON THE L'FS-T.;* MR MAK CONTINUED.
♦ I HOPE THEY WOULD GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO STANDING AS Db CANDIDATES AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.+
♦ AS THE PERIOD FOR THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES IS DRAWING TO AN END, THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY, SHOULD NOT MISS THE CHANCE,* HE URGED.
---------o - - - -
CANDIDATE TURNOUT +ENCOURAGING+ * * * *
♦ ABOUT 40 PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY HAD SIGNED UP TO RUN FOR THE 18 ELECTED SEATS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT,* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THIS WAS +VERY ENCOURAGING*, HE SAID.
+THESE CANDIDATES COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, RANGING FROM PEOPLE IN THE LEGAL, EDUCATION, COMMERCIAL, MEDICAL, ENGINEERING AND JOURNALISTIC PROFESSIONS, TO HOUSEWIVES AND THE MAN IN THE STREET,* HE SAID.
+SOME OF THE CANDIDATES ARE LONG TIME RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT, WHILE A FEW ARE WELL KNOWN KAIFONG AND LOCAL LEADERS, OR MEMBERS OF 'UTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.*
MR LUI ALSO URGED OTHERS INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE ELECTIONS TO SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/3........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2?, 1985
HE SAID ’•IN SUCH A LARGE DISTRICT AS KWUN TONG, WITH A POPULATION OF 700 000, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION EXISTS TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO MAINTAIN STABILITY.
"THE WILLINGNESS TO REPORT CRIME, TO PROMOTE PREVENTION MEASURES, AND TO ORGANISE HEALTHY RECREATION FOR YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ONLY SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU ARE ASSISTING THE POLICE IN THEIR TASK.
’’THAT THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN KWUN TONG HAS WITHSTOOD AN INCREASING POPULATION AND A DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY OVER THE FUTURE, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RESOLVED, INDICATES THAT THIS SUPPORT IS THERE AND ; AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW,” HE SAID.
/\
MR ANN ING APPEALED TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE WAR AGAINST CRIME INCLUDING THE POLICE, THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, THE DISTRICT "IGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL LEADERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS.
THE ’’MEET THE POLICE CARNIVAL” WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY KWUN TONG POLICE AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT JPC COUNCIL. IT IS AIMED AT DEPICTING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR PUBLICS ROLE IN COMBATTING CRIME. ALSO IT FORMS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1985 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR AND THE KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL.
JOINING THE COMMISSIONER AT TODAY’S RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY WERE THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF KWUN TONG, MR BOB STEELE, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (KWUN TONG), MISS LEE SUK-YEE, THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT JPC, MR WONG WAH-SANG AND OTHER VICE-PRESIDENTS.
EVENTS OF THE CARNIVAL INCLUDED PERFORMANCES BY WELL-KNOWN CHINESE OPERA SINGERS, ARTISTES AND KWUN TONG JPC MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES BY VARIOUS POLICE FORMATIONS. THESE INCLUDED SILENT DRILL BY POLICE CADETS, THE POLICE PIPE BAND PERFORMANCE, POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION, IDENTIKIT DEMONSTRATION STAGED BY CRIMINAL RECORD BUREAU AND CRIME PREVENTION DISPLAY.
A ROAD SAFETY BUS AND A SARACEN WERE ALSO DISPLAYED DURING THE CARNIVAL.
ON A TOUR OF THE POLICE STATION, VISITORS WERE SHOWN SLIDES POLICE WORKS, CRIME PREVENTION AS WELL AS THE FIGHT AGAINST JV .N ILE CRIME.
/4........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1935
- 4 -
NT TRAFFIC CASUALTIES STILL TOO HIGH
******
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CONTINUED TO DROP IN 1984 BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED OR INJURED WERE STILL MUCH TOO HIGH, SAID MR RICHARD SMALLSHAW, POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER, NEW TERRITORIES.
SPEAKING AT THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL INSPECTION AT YUEN LONG STADIUM THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING, MR SMALLSHAW SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EIGHT PER CENT FALL IN FATAL AND INJURY ACCIDENTS AND THIS FOLLOWED A 10 PER CENT FALL IN 1983 OVER 1982.
"HOWEVER, WITH OVER 140 PEOPLE KILLED, AND OVER 5 500 INJURED, THE NUMBERS ARE STILL MUCH TOO HIGH," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT OVER 50 PER CENT OF THOSE KILLED WERE PEDESTRIANS, MR SMALLSHAW STRESSED THAT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY MUST BE GIVEN TO THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN ON OUR ROADS.
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF NEW ROADS TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR SMALLSHAW SAID THAT IN 1985 WE WILL SEE THE OPENING OF THE SHATIN TO TAlPO COASTAL ROAD AND FURTHER PARTS OF THE NT CIRCULAR ROAD IN THE EAST AND THE SECOND STAGE OF THE TSUEN WAN BY-PASS IN THE WEST.
HE SAID, "HOPEFULLY WE SHALL SEE A DROP IN ACCIDENTS ON THE 01 D ROADS AS TRAFFIC DECREASES BUT THE EASING OF CONGESTION AND THE PROVISION OF FASTER HIGHWAYS OREN BRINGS PROBLEMS IN THEMSELVES.
"WHILE POLICE HAVE A DUTY TO CONTROL TRAFFIC ON ROADS AND PREVENT INJUREY TO LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND PARTICULAR REGARD WILL BE PAID TO THE NEW HIGHWAYS, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL THOSE WHO USE THE ROADS DO SO CAREFULLY AND TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SAFETY OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.
"THERE ARE NOW MANY MORE GRADE SEPARATED CROSSINGS SUCH AS PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND BRIDGES, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TOWNS. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PEOPLE USE THEM EVEN IF IT DOES MEAN A . IONGER ROUTE. THE SHORTER ROUTE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WILL ONLY LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH," HE SAID.
MR SMALLSHAW PRAISED THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS FOR BEING AN IMPORTANT P£RT OF THE WORK IN PROMOTING SAFETY ON OUR ROADS.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
- 5 -
BURGLARY AND CAR CRIME WARRANTS CONCERN ******
BURGLARIES AND VEHICLE CRIME MUST BE THE SUBJECT OF PARTICULAR ATTENTION WHEN CONSIDERING CRIME PREVENTION, MR MARTIN BROWN, POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF TUEN MUN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE TUEN MUN CRIME PREVENTION CARNIVAL HELD AT TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON, MR BROWN SAID THAT THE TWO CRIMES HAD PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TO THE DISTRICT.
DURING 1984 THERE WERE 529 REPORTED CASES OF BURGLARY IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT. THIS COMPARES WITH 472 CASES IN 1983, AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT AND IT ALSO REPRESENTS 19 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REPORTED CRIME FOR THE YEAR.
"TYPICALLY COMMERCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES ARE THE TARGET FOR NIGHT-TIME BURGLARIES WHILST RESIDENTIAL PREMISES ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE DURING THE DAY WHEN THE OCCUPANTS ARE AWAY FROM HOME," MR BROWN SAID.
ON THE NUMBER OF THEFT FROM AND THEFT OF VEHICLE IN TUEN MUN MR BROWN SAID THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 569 CASES IN 1984, A DECREASE OF 12 PER CENT FROM PREVIOUS YEAR. BUT, IT STILL REMAINED THE SUBJECT OF CONCERN AS IT REPRESENTED 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REPORTED CRIME FOR THE YEAR.
HE SAID,"IN MANY OF THESE CASES SIMPLE, COMMON SENSE, MEASURES COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE CRIME. A KITCHEN WINDOW LEFT OPEN AT NIGHT NEXT TO A DRAINPIPE OR WHEN THE BUILDING IS UNDER REDECORATION AND SCAFFOLDING IS ERECTED. VALUABLE PROPERTY LEFT VISIBLE ON THE BACK SEAT OF A CAR WHICH IS THEN LEFT UNATTENDED.
"TO BRING HOME THE CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGE A TOTAL OF ONE MILLION CRIME PREVENTION WALLET CARDS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. THESE CARDS CONTAIN ADVICE ON PERSONAL SECURITY, HOME SECURITY AND CAR SECURITY.
"THEY ALSO CONTAIN INFORMATION ON HOW MOST QUICKLY TO OBTAIN HELP FROM THE POLICE AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE LOCAL CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER WHO IS IN A POSITION TO GIVE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AS TO HOW YOU SHOULD PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY," HE SAID.
EMPHASISING THE THEME OF THE PREVE.T CRIME CAMPAIGN 'POLICE AND THE PEOPLE FIGHTING CRIME TOGETHER’, MR BROWN STRESSED THAT IT 'AS EVERY INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THREATS TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY.
PROVISIONAL FIGURES SHOW A TOTAL OF 2 720 REPORTED CRIMES N 1984, A DECREASE OF 7.4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 1983.
/MR BROW.....
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2?, 1985
6 -
MR BROWN SAID THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT WHEN BEARING IN MIND THAT NEW POPULATION WAS STILL MOVING INTO TUEN MUN AND THAT THE TERRITORY-WE FIGURE SHOWED A DECREASE IN REPORTED CRIME OF 2.9 PER CENT.
TODAY’S CRIME PREVENTION CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED MR CHARLES YEUNG, UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR FUNG CHOI-CHEUNG, DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, MR LAU WONG-FAT OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR CHEUNG KAM-HUNG, CHAIRMAN OF TUEN MUN DFCC, AND MR LAU CHI-YUEN, TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
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WARNING ABOUT ILLEGAL USE OF CROWN LAND *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY ISSUED A WARNING AGAINST THE UNAUTHORISED USE OF UNLEASED CROWN LAND.
THE WARNING FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A BUILDING CONTRACTOR WAS FINED MORE THAN $7 700 BY A MAGISTRATE FOR ILLEGALLY STORING BUILDING MATERIALS ON AN UNLEASED CROWN LAND NEXT TO A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT IN SHA TIN.
THE CONTRACTOR HAD ADMITTED THE OFFENCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE DESCRIBED THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE HEAVY FINE AS +VERY ENCOURAGING*, AND EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT TOLERATE CROWN LAND BEING UNLAWFULLY OCCUPIED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR BUILDING MATERIALS WERE ALWAYS STORED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF LEASED LAND AND THAT PEDESTRIAN PAVEMENTS AROUND DEVELOPING LOTS WERE FREE OF OBSTRUCTION.
UNDER THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO OCCUPIES UNLEASED LAND WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE GOVERNMENT AND WHO FAILS TO CEASE SUCH OCCUPATION UPON WARNINGS IS GUILTY OF AN CFFENCE.
THE OFFENDER, UPON CONVICTION, IS LIABLE T0 A MAXIMUM PENALTY Q SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF £10 000.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
7
ISLANDERS URGED TO VOTE * * * *
RESIDENTS IN THE OUTLYING ISLANDS WERE URGED TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SO AS TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES WHO WOULD WORK FOR THEIR WELFARE.
ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, MADE THE APPEAL TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY CF THE CHEUNG CHAU PAK SHE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.
MR YAP SAID IF RESIDENTS WANTED TO BUILD A +FUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY*, THEY SHOULD EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS AND TAKE PART IN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
+THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD HAS STRENGTHENED THE LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC EFFECTIVELY, AND HELPED PROMOTE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
+THE BOARD ALSO CARRIED OUT MANY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
MR YAP PRAISED THE PAK SHE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION FOR ITS PROMOTION OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA, AND WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HE WAS ALSO CONFIDENT THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
- - o -
ARTS AND CULTURE FOR RESIDENTS * * * *
THE FIRST EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO APPRECIATE ARTS AND CULTURE, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, NR BARRIE WIGGHAM SAID TONIGHT (SUNDAY).
IT ALSO ENCOURAGED DISTRICT PARTICIPATION AND CULTIVATED LOCAL TALENT, HE SAID.
+EASTERN DISTRICT IS A FAST GROWING DISTRICT, BOTH IN TERMS OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL, MR WIGGHAM SAID: +AN ARTS FESTIVAL SUCH AS THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC, WHICH ARE BASIC TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.*
/MR WIGGHAM
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
MR WIGGHAM SAID HE HOPED RESIDENTS RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTICIPATION AS A MEANS OF STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND DEVELOPING A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY AND PRIDE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A TWO-HOUR PROGRAMME WHICH FEATURED CHINESE MUSIC, A CHOIR PERFORMANCE, DANCES AND WIND ENSEMBLE.
THE EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL, WITH A MIXTURE OF EVENTS ON ORIENTAL AND WESTERN ARTS, WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 3.
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POP SINGERS HELP IN ANTI-DRUG FIGHT * * * *
A POP CONCERT WAS HELD IN THE TSUI PING ROAD PLAYGROUND THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG.
WELL-KNOWN SINGERS, TERESA CARPIO, ELIZA CHAN, DOMINIC CHOW, AND POP GROUPS, THE CHYNA, THE TOP NOTES AND THE TRINITY, ENTERTAINED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DURING THE TWO-HOUR SHOW.
THE CONCERT, ENTITLED +KWUN TONG ANTI-NARCOTICS POP FESTIVAL*, WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, NR KEVIN MAK SAID: +ALTHOUGH DRUG CASES IN KWUN TONG REPRESENTS ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S FIGURE, WE CANNOT RELAX OUR EFFORTS IN THIS ASPECT OF CRIME.
+THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL CONTINUE COLLABORATING WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY YOUTHS,* HE SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DFCC, MR MAU KEI-ON, ALSO WARNED THE YOUNG AUDIENCE OF THE DANGERS OF DRUGS AND THE HARMFUL EFFECTS IT CAN HAVE ON THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE POP CONCERT WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY SUB-COMM ITTE, MR K.L. STUMPF, AND THE POLICE DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR S.C. WU.
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, J AKU.
?o, 1985
SAFETY h ? ^EACE DEPENDS ON POLICE, CLARKE SAYS
THE POLICE FORCE 'WILL BE REQUIRED TO PLAY ITS °ART ’ .
■ii GAINING STABILITY AND CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE Or K/.G REGIONAL COMMANDER, MARINE, MR PETER CLARKE SAID (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAP HG SCHOOL, MR CLARKE STRESSED THAT EVERY ASPECT OF SAFETY AND R-JQUILLlTY THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DEPENDS TO A LARGER EXTENT jn police than any other body.
’’OVER THE YEARS THE FORCE HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO ANTICIPATE AND REACT TO MANY CHANGES AND PROBLEMS’ THAT IT HAS DONE SO SU SUCCESSFULLY GIVES IT GREAT CREDIT.”
WITH THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE LAST MONTH, THE FORCE, NOW ESTEEMED AS BEING COMPETENT AND EFFICIENT WILL HAVE TO FACE MORE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES.
TURNING TO POLICE WORK, MR CLARKE SAID THEIR PRIMARY CONCERNS WERE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF CRIME AND PRESERVATION OF i_ IFE AND PROSPERITY, AND THE SECOND WAS EXCELLENT POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS.
’’WHEN ALL IS SERENE AND CALM, THE SECONDARY CONCERN CAN TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE PRIMARY ONE,” HE SAID.
TO ACHIEVE THIS, HE ADVISED POLICE-OFFICERS TO APPLY THREE. RULES TO EVERYTHING THEY DO — TO BE FAIR, BE FIRM AND BE KIND.
TO BE FAIR IS TO MAKE SURE AN OFFENCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED, HE SAID. THEN TO GO FIRMLY AHEAD WITH WHAT HAS TO BE DONE AND TO HANDLE PEOPLE WITH POLITENESS, TACT AND CONSIDERATION.
MR CLARKE SAID THE WAY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TREAT CRIMINALS WILL HAVE A BEARING ON THEIR FUTURE ATTITUDE TO LIFE.
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE FORCE TO BE MORE UNDERSTANDING, HOPING THAT THE CRIMINALS WILL CHANGE THEIR WAYS.
”IT IS NOT OUR PREROGATIVE TO JUDGE THE GUILT OR OTHERWISE OF THOSE APPREHENDED. LEAVE THAT STRICTLY TO THE LEARNED JUDICIARY. EVIDENCE AND FACTS MUST BE HONESTLY PRESENTED. SOMETIMES YOUR FEELING WILL RUN HIGH, BUT YOU MUST AT ALL COSTS REMAIN UNBIASED AND SHOW NO PREJUDICE.’’
”IT IS BETTER THAT A GUILTY PERSON GOES FREE, THAN AN INNOCENT PERSON IS PUNISHED FoR SOMETHING HE DID NOT DO,” MR CLARKE SAID.
DESPITE THEIR TRAINING RECEIVED, A POLICEMAN WILL ALWAYS NEED TO KEEP HIMSELF U° TO DATE WITH LAW AND PROCEDURES, AND N CASE OF COMPLEX SITUATION, MR CLARKE REMINDED 'HEI- TO STEP E ,CK AND THINK, USE THEIP COMMON SENSE AND DO T-1IP BEST.
A TOTAL OF 19 INSPECTORS AND 174 CONSTABLES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING PASSED OUT FROM THE POLICE TRAINING XHOOL T CAY.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1935
4
STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE POPULAR
* * * *
MORE THAN 330 000 STATUTORY DECLARATIONS WERE MADE AT ' E PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRES IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1984, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY.
MOST POPULAR WERE DECLARATIONS OF TRUE COPIES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS, AND EDUCATION AND EXAMINATIONS.
HE SAID THAT MAKING A STATUTORY DECLARATION WAS SIMPLE AND COST NOTHING TO ANYONE WISHING TO USE THE SERVICE.
THE SERVICE WAS AVAILABLE IN ALL 63 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A DECLARATION COULD BE MADE, TAKEN OR RECEIVED IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE, AND THE DECLARANT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT IN A STATUTORY DECLARATION FORM AVAILABLE AT ALL PESCS.
AFTER FILLING IN THE FORM, THE DECLARANT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SWEAR IN FRONT OF A COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS.
THE ONLY DOCUMENT REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED WAS THE DECLARANT’S IDENTITY CARD, OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT WHICH COULD PROVE IDENTITY.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY
CF THE 63 PESCS OR FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, OR CALL 3-692255.
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LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS FINED * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK OUT 346 PROSECUTIONS FOR BREACHES CF LABOUR LAWS LAST (DECEMBER) MONTH.
OF THESE, 329 CASES RESULTED IN CONVICTION, WITH FINES TOTALLING $623 350.
MOST OF THE CASES RELATED TO BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS.
THERE WERE 123 CASES CONCERNING VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, WITH $388 000 IN FINES.
INCLUDED WERE 58 CASES (WITH $145 800 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND 35 CASES («ITH $9'1 900 IN FINES) FOR BREACH OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN REGISTRABLE WORKPLACES) REGULATIONS.
OF THE OTHER PROSECUTIONS, 146 CASES WERE RELATED TO BREACHES CF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, LEADING TO $136 900 IN FINES.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
5
YOUTHS URGED TO HELP FIGHT DRUG CRIME
* * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE WERE THIS EVENING (SATURDAY) URGED TO JOIN HANDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN CONTINUING THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY MR GORDON MORTIMER, COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, AT THE OPENING OF THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CONCERT 1985, AT KO SHAN THEATRE.
♦THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TODAY HOLD THEIR FUTURE IN THEIR HANDS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO THE ONES MOST VULNERABLE TO THE RISK CF DRUG ABUSE,♦ MR MORTIMER SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS FITTING FOR ANT I-NARCOTICS FUNCTIONS TO BE ORGANISED BY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, TO SHOW THEIR DETERMINATION TO COUNTER DRUG ABUSE.
TONIGHT’S CONCERT WAS ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF ACAN +TO HEIGHTEN THE AWARENESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG TRAFFICKING+.
MR MORTIMER PRAISED THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN SPREADING THE ANT I-NARCOTICS MESSAGE TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE ACAN YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP’S MAIN FUNCTION IS TO ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY ACAN.
FORMED IN 1981, IT HAS 50 MEMBERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE -INCLUDING TEACHERS, CLERKS, ENGINEERS, SURVEYORS AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE OFFICERS.
AMONG THOSE PERFORMING BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF 3 OOO AT 1ME CONCERT WERE ELIZA CHAN, TERENCE CHOI AND WONG NGA-MAN.
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FIGHT-CRIME CARNIVAL * ft ft ft ft
THE CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGE WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO TUEN MUN RESIDENTS THROUGH AN ENTERTAINING CARNIVAL AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE SINGING AND DANCING BY POPULAR ARTISTS, A CRIME PREVENTION EXHIBITION AND A VARIETY SHOW.
HUNDREDS OF TUEN MUN RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE SPECTACULAR CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RICKY FUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND WILL ALSO PRESENT THE MODEL CITIZEN AWARD TO A TUEN MUN RESIDENT.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
19 REWARDED FOR FIGHT-CRIME EFFORT
* * * *
NINETEEN KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WILL BE REWARDED FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN HELPING TO FIGHT CRIME.
THEY WILL RECEIVE THE FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AND CITIZENS AWARD FROM THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THEY HAD BEEN NOMINATED BY THE POLICE AND THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT. THEY WILL, IN ADDITION, RECEIVE PRIZES DONATED BY THE LIONS AND LIONESS CLUB OF LION ROCK.
AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY, PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME POSTCARD DESIGN COMPETITION.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GORDON JONES? THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR R.C. LIDSTERj THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WONG SIK-KONG AND CHAIRMEN OF THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES.
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TUEN MUN PLANS MAGISTRACY BUILDING * * * *
WORK WILL START IN APRIL ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NINE-STOREY MAGISTRACY BUILDING IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
THE BUILDING WILL OCCUPY 15 820 SQUARE METRES AT THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER OF TUEN MUN CULTURAL COMPLEX, AND HAS EIGHT COURT ROOMS.
ON COMPLETION, IN ABOUT TWO YEARS’ TIME, THE BUILDING WILL FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CULTURAL COMPLEX.
CLOSING DAY FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 15.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, 13TH FLOOR, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/7 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
- 7 -
POLICE UNIT TO GET INTERIM DEPOT * * * *
AN INTERIM DEPOT WILL BE BUILT FOR THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT AT FANLING.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE EXISTING DEPOT AT PAK FUK TSUEN ROAD WILL HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PTU DEPOT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY 1988.
THE INTERIM DEPOT WILL BE BUILT ON A 20 000 SQUARE-METRE SITE OFF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, NEAR THE FAN GARDENS CAMP OF THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL.
THE WORK WILL INCLUDE:
* CONVERSION OF AN EXISTING MAIN BLOCK INTO BARRACK ACCOMMODATION AND MESS FACILITIES:
* PROVISION OF A NEW BLOCK CONSISTING OF OFFICES AND STORES J
* PROVISION OF EIGHT CLASSROOMS, OFFICES, STORES AND BARRACK-LOCKER ROOMS IN TWO BLOCKS’
* PROVISION OF A GYMNASIUM,
* PROVISION OF PARKING SPACES FOR POLICE VEHICLES, AND A DOM I TORY BLOCK FOR USE BY INSPECTORS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 1985.
TENDERS FOR THE WORK IS BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
- - - - 0 -----------------------
NEW INDOOR CENTRE FOR NORTH KWAI CHUNG XXI
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAV ID AKERS-JONES, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE $16~MILLI0N NORTH KWAI CHUNG TANG SHIU KIN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
LOCATED ON A 3 200-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT WO Yl HOP ROAD, THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE IS THE SECOND INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX TO BE BUILT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSUEN WAN NEW TOWNS, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE FACILITY WAS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND SIR SHIU-KIN TANG, WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED $10 MILLION TOWARDS THE PROJECT.
/THE MAIN .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
8
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE COMPLEX IS A 36 X 36 METRE MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES ARENA PAVED WITH GRANWOOD FLOORING, WHICH CAN BE TURNED INTO TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, TWO VOLLEYBALL COURTS CR EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS.
THE ARENA CAN ALSO BE USED FOR FENCING, GYMNASTICS, JUDO, TABLE-TENNIS, TRAMPOLINE AND WEIGHT-LIFTING FOR TRAINING AS WELL AS COMPETITIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT HAS A CONCRETE STAND FOR 400 PEOPLE, AND 350 RETRACTABLE SEATS.
OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDE THREE AIR-CONDITIONED SQUASH COURTS, ONE GAMES ROOM FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS COURSES, DANCING CR OTHER LECTURES, A TRAINING-LECTURE ROOM, CHANGING ROOMS AND AN OFFICE.
PURPOSE-BUILT RAMPS LEADING TO THE COMPLEX AND SPECIAL CHANGING FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR AKERS-JONES AND SIR SHIU-KIN TANG WILL JOINTLY PLANT A YOUNG TREE AT THE SLOPE, JUST BEHIND THE SPORTS COMPLEX.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, AND THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
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NEED FOR CULTURAL PURSUITS STRESSED
* X X X X X
CULTURAL PURSUITS WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF A BALANCED AND STABLE COMMUNITY, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SIXTH CHINESE PAINTING CALLIGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION AT NORTH DISTRICT TOWN
THE EXHIBITION INCLUDES WORKS OF ABOUT 120 WELL-KNOWN LOCAL ARTISTS, MAINLY FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT, AND MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
+AT A TIME OF RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH DISTRICT, IT IS MOST ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE CULTURAL TREND OF THE COMMUNITY IS EXPANDING AND FLOURISHING,* MR HSU SAID.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
r
ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR YUEN LONG RUN * * * * *
ENTRIES ARE YEAR DISTANCE RUN AT 9 AM.
NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE 1OTH YUEN LONG LUNAR NEW , TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 24 (SUNDAY; STARTING
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORT ASSOCIATION, RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE OF RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT -------
SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
YUEN
LONG TOWN HALL AND NEW TERRITORIES
IT IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE FOR WOMEN - AND WILL BE OVER TO 8.5 KM. ALL PARTICIPANTS
SECTIONS - THREE FOR MEN AND TWO DISTANCES VARYING FROM THREE KILOMETRES MUST BE 12 YEARS OLD OR OVER.
THE EVENT WILL START AND FINISH AT TAM MEI CAMP IN SHA TIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YUEN LONG OFFICE OF RSS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, OFFICES CF YUEN LONG STADIUM, YUEN LONG TOWN HALL AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORT ASSOCIATION.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO YUEN LONG OFFICE OF THE RSS BEFORE WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30), THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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CAR NO. XX18 FETCHES TOP PRICE * * * K
THIRTY-FOUR SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE SOLD BY AUCTION THIS MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $356 500, WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY.
AT THE AUCTION HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, STH FLOOR, THE REGISTRATION NUMBER XX18 FETCHED THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $50 000.'
NUMBER CL888 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $40 000, THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1 000 FOR AS 559, DD930, DD1963, DD1954, DD2689, DD5224, AL7774, AND AP501.
/OTHER SPECIAL ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
10 -
OTHER SPECIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER SALES WERE AS FOLLOWS:
$ $ $
DD99O 14 000 DD3898 4 000 AB 80 8 000
DC 5 15 000 BL 108 8 000 DD6333 18 000
DD6608 3 500 DD4001 1 500 DD 500 20 000
BT 862 4 000 DD 770 1 800 DD3338 6 500
DD6628 8 000 DD 7 30 000 DD3339 4 000
DC8888 25 000 DD4448 1 800 DD 866 5 500
DD8878 5 000 DD3866 1 800 DD 11 30 000
AK1888 9 300 AR3H2 1 800 DD 3 32 000
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS, 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION. TO , w VEHICLES ITHIN
TODAY’S SALE, THE 95TH ORGAN! SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL FAR TO $32 949 832. SED BY SUM OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT MONEY FOR CHARITY SO
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KING’S PARK TENNIS COURTS TO BE FLOODLIT
******
FLOODLIGHTS WILL SOON BE PROVIDED AT THE SIX TENNIS COURTS IN KING’S PARK SPORTS GROUND.
THE COURTS, BUILT IN 1971, HAVE PROVED TO BE VERY POPULAR AMONG TENNIS PLAYERS IN THE DISTRICT. IN ORDER TO EXTEND THEIR USAGE IN THE EVENINGS, THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INSTALLATION OF A FLOODLIGHTING SYSTEM THERE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $450 OOQ.
INSTALLATION WORK IS NOW UNDERWAY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
MEANWHILE, THE FIVE SQUASH COURTS AT KOWLOON TSAI PARK HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE RENOVATION WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT THERE.
THE SQUASH COURTS WERE BUILT BETWEEN 1979 AND 1982 AND BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, ALL OF THEM ARE NOW DUE FOR RENOVATION.
WORK HAS ALREADY STARTED AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF APRIL.
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/11 .....
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1985
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR ROAD WORK * X *
DUE TO ROAD WORKS CONNECTED WITH THE FANLING BY-PASS, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
THEY ARE:
* TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN CHOI YUEN ESTATE AND SHEUNG SHU I MINI-ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED. AT THE SAME TIME, A NEW ROAD SLIP ROAD E WHICH RUNS PARALLEL TO THIS SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE SLIP ROAD E.
* ON THE SAME DAY, A NEW MINI-ROUNDABOUT WHICH IS WEST OF THE EXISTING SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT WILL BE OPEN. TRAFFIC FROM TAI PO ROAD HEADING FOR SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE NEW MINI-ROUNDABOUT. TRAFFIC HEADING FOR YUEN LONG FROM TAI PO ROAD WILL CONTINUE TO USE THE EXISTING ROUNDABOUT.
BUS LANE OPEN TO ALL * * * * *
THE EXISTING BUS-ONLY LANE AT POK FU LAM ROAD NORTHBOUND FROM 310 METRES SOUTH TO 180 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION WITH MOUNT DAVIS ROAD WILL BE OPENED TO ALL VEHICLES FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JANUARY 28).
THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE CABLE WORK AT AN OUTER LANE.
0 - -
FIRING PRACTICE WARNING * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 28) TO FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM.
THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 5-233191
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SIGN-UP FOR ELECTIONS CALL .................................. 1
VALUE OF PUBLIC1S ANTI-CRIME EFFORT STRESSED ................ 2
PUBLIC CONFIDENCE GROWS WITH GREATER AWARENESS, POLICE CHIEF SAYS.......................................................... 2
NT TRAFFIC CASUALTIES STILL TOO HIGH ........................ 4
BURGLARY AND CAR CRIME WARRANTS CONCERN ..................... 5
WARNING ABOUT ILLEGAL USE OF CROWN LAND...................... 6
ISLANDERS URGED TO VOTE...................................... 7
ARTS AND CULTURE FOR RESIDENTS .............................. 7
POP SINGERS HELP IN ANTI-DRUG FIGHT ......................... 8
FOREST TRAIL BOOKLET ON SALE................................. 9
LITTERBUGS ON WHEELS BETTER WATCH OUT ....................... 9
RESIDENTS PRAISED FOR CLEAN-UP JOB .......................... 11
RETIREMENT FOR 13 AT DOCKYARD................................ 11
230 SHOW DANCING TALENT ..................................... 12
WORK TO START ON SPORTS CENTRE............................... 12
NEW ROAD FOR TSUEN WAN ...................................... 13
SIGNBOARDS TO BE REMOVED .................................... 13
LUNAR NEW YEAR RUN .......................................... 13
MODEL CARS TO COT TEST ...................................... 14
SUNDAY FOLK CONCERT TREAT ................................... 15
SPEED LIMIT
15
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1935
1 -
SIGN-UP FOR ELECTIONS CALL M * * * *
PEOPLE WHO HAVE SET THEIR HEARTS ON SERVING THE COMMUNITY SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE LAST FOUR DAYS TO GET THEMSELVES NOMINATED AS CANDIDATES FOR THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE +KNOW OUR DISTRICT BOARD* EXHIBITION IN KWUN TONG THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR ALBERT LAM, REMINDED ALL CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE DB CANDIDATE NOMINATIONS IS JANUARY 31 (THURSDAY).
+SINCE JANUARY 4, 409 PEOPLE, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, HAVE BEEN NOMINATED, AND IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT SO MANY RESIDENTS ARE WILLING TO DEVOTE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT TO HELP IMPROVE LIFE IN THEIR COMMUNITY,* HE SAID.
TAKING KWUN TONG’S 30 CANDIDATES AS AN EXAMPLE, MR LAM SAID : ♦THE EXTENSIVE SCOPE OF THEIR PROFESSION AND EDUCATION BACKGROUND WILL MAKE THE NEXT DB A MORE REPRESENTATIVE AND DYNAMIC BOARD.*
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTIONS WOULD BE TO PROMPT VOTERS TO TURN UP ON THE POLLING DAY, MR LAM POINTED OUT.
+FROM NOW ON UNTIL MARCH 7, WE MUST TRY OUR BEST TO HELP VOTERS APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND DB, ANT TO IMPRESS UPON THEM THAT VOTING IS THEIR CIVIC RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY, SO THEY WILL TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO CAST THEIR VOTE,* MR LAM SAID.
FORUMS WILL BE HELD FOR THE CONSTITUENCIES IN KWUN TONG TO HELP VOTERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POLITICAL PLATFORMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE CANDIDATES, HE ADDED.
MR LAM ASSURED VOTERS THAT VOTING WAS A SIMPLE PROCEDURE WHICH WOULD ONLY TAKE A FEW MINUTES.
TODAY’S EXHIBITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND SPONSORED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE CURRENT KWUN TONG YOUTH FESTIVAL.
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/2 .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
2
VALUE OF PUBLIC’S ANTI-CRIME EFFORT STRESSED * * * *
PUBLIC SUPPORT HELPS THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME AND TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IN SOCIETY, SAID THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WONG SIK-KONG TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FRIENDS OF THE POLICE AND CITIZENS AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR WONG SAID THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAD HELPED THE COMBINED EFFORTS CF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC IN FIGHTING CRIME.
NINETEEN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RESIDENTS, RECOMMENDED BY THE POLICE AND THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT, WERE PRESENTED WITH AWARDS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
THE AWARD SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN 1978.
♦THROUGH SUCH AWARDS, PEOPLE WOULD BE ASSURED THAT THEIR EFFORTS AND BRAVE DEEDS WOULD BE DULY RECOGNISED BY THE POLICE, THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,+ HE ADDED.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, WINNERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME POSTCARD DESIGN COMPETITION ALSO RECEIVED PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS.
THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE REPRODUCED IN THREE TYPES OF POSTCARDS FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE DISTRICT.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC CONFIDENCE GROWS WITH GREATER AWARENESS, POLICE CHIEF SAYS *****
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY BECOME MORE AWARE OF HOW THE POLICE FORCE OPERATES, SAID THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANN ING TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWUN TONG MEET THE POLICE CARNIVAL AT KWUN TONG POLICE STATION, MR ANN ING NOTED THAT WITH GREATER AWARENESS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE WOULD GROW.
’’THIS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CRIME,” HE SAID.
ENCOURAGED BY THE IMPROVEMENT IN POLICE COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION, THE COMMISSIONER WAS ALSO “LEASED TO KNOW THAT IN KWUN TONG THERE EXISTED A HEALTHY ON-GOING LIAISON BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE-
/HS SAID,
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
- 9 -
FOREST TRAIL BOOKLET ON SALE * * *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A BOOKLET ON KAP LUNG FOREST TRAIL IN TAI MO SHAN.
THE 32-PAGE BOOKLET CONSISTS OF AN INTRODUCTION ON THE TRAIL WHICH IS THE FIRST IN HONG KONG WITH MORE THAN 40 DIFFERENT KINDS CF TREES.
OTHER CHAPTERS CONCERN THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, FOREST ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT, CARRYING DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOGRAPHS CF VARIOUS PLANTS THAT CAN BE SEEN ALONG THE 4.5-KILOMETRE TRIAL.
THERE IS ALSO A MAP SHOWING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE TRAIL WHICH IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT TREES FLANKING THE TRAIL ARE LABELLED FOR VISITORS’ EASY IDENTIFICATION.
+THE TRAIL OFFERS STUDENTS AND NATURE-LOVERS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND ENJOY THE WOODLAND VEGETATION,+ HE SAID.
THE BOOKLET IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE AT $12 A COPY. IT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
0 --------
LITTERBUGS ON WHEELS BETTER WATCH OUT X * * *
MANY SELFISH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS LIKE TO KEEP THEIR VEHICLES CLEAN BUT FOUL PUBLIC AREAS BY THROWING RUBBISH, CIGARETTE ENDS AND EMPTY SOFT DRINK CANS FROM THEIR VEHICLES, LEAVING A TRAIL OF LITTER BEHIND THEM.
AND MANY OF THEM MAY ASSUME THAT THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW CANNOT REACH THEM SINCE THEIR VEHICLES MOVE FASTER THAN THE LEGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
BUT STATISTICS PROVE THAT THEY CANNOT BE MORE WRONG AS A TOTAL OF 162 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED TO VEHICLE OWNERS OR DRIVERS LAST YEAR FOR LITTERING OFFENCES RESULTING IN FINES TOTALLING SOME $40 000.
AMONG THE OFFENDERS, ONE LORRY DRIVER WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF DUMPING REFUSE ON A HILLSIDE AT CAPE COLLISON ROAD IN CHAI WAN WAS FINED $1 000.
/THE chief .......
SUNDAY, JANUAHY 27, 1?85
10 -
THE CHIEF HEALTH INSPECTOR (CAMPAIGN) OF THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR NG WAI-LAM, TODAY WARNED DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE URBAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE FOR ANYONE TO DISCARD RUBBISH FROM VEHICLES. UPON CONVICTION, THEY ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
HE SAID MANY PEOPLE HAD THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT ONLY GOODS LORRIES DUMPING REFUSE COULD BE CHARGED UNDER THE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
+IN FACT, THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED IN MARCH 1983 TO INCLUDE ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD,+ EXPLAINED MR NG.
COMMENTING ON THE LITTERING OFFENCES REPORTED LAST YEAR, MR NG SAID MOST OF THEM TOOK PLACE AT KWUN TONG AND KOWLOON BAY WHERE MANY LORRIES WERE FOUND DUMPING DEBRIS IN FLB1IC PLACES WHILE GOODS VEHICLES LITTERED THE ROADS BY NOT COVERING THEIR GOODS COMPARTMENTS PROPERLY.
+IF THE LITTERING OFFENCES ARE COMMITTED WHILE THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION ARE STATIONARY, SUMMONSES WILL BE ISSUED TO THE DRIVERS RIGHT AT THE SPOT,+ SAID MR NG. +BUT WHEN THE OFFENCES ARE BEING COMMITTED FROM MOVING VEHICLES, KF CAN ONLY TRACE DOWN THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ACCORDING TO THEIR REGISTRATION NUMBERSr+ HE SAID.
AT THIS POINT, MR NG CAUTIONED ALL VEHICLE OWNERS THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH OFFENCES UNLESS THEY CAN PROVE THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS EITHER STOLEN OR DRIVEN AWAY WITHOUT AUTHORISATION AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENCES.
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO REPORT LITTERING ON WHEELS BY DIALLING THE LITTER HOTLINE, 5-95555.
+WE NEED EVERY CITIZEN’S SUPPORT IN MAKING HONG KONG A CLEANER PLACE, AND THEIR REPORTS ON LITTERING OFFENCES WILL CERTAINLY BE A GREAT HELP IN MATERIALISING THIS AIM FASTER,+ SAID MR NG.
---------------f) -------------------
/11 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1935
11
RESIDENTS PRAISED FOR CLEAN-UP JOB K < X
THE SPIRIT AND ENTHUSIASM OF RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN IN KEEPING THEIR BUILDINGS CLEAN HAD HELPED GREATLY TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, MR CHRIS GODWIN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
♦THE CLEAN TUEN MUN CAMPAIGN SUB-COMMITTEE HAS ALSO BEEN VERY ENTHUSIASTIC IN ORGANISING VARIOUS CLEANSING CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT,* HE SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS FROM THREE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR ASSIGNMENTS IN THE +CLEAN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE WEEK*.
RESIDENTS OF ON TING-YAU 01, TAI HING AND SAN FAT ESTATES HAD, IN THE WEEK BEFORE, COMPLETED THEIR YEAR-END CLEANSING EXERCISES IN PREPARATION FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
TWO OTHER ESTATES, SAM SHING AND WU KING-BUTTERFLY, WILL CARRY OUT THEIR CLEANSING EXERCISES IN THE COMING WEEKS.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, VARIOUS COMPETITIONS WERE HELD TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR TIME AND EFFORT IN CLEANING THE ESTATES.
MR GODWIN ALSO REMINDED RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE THREE HOUSING ESTATES TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
MT WILL BE VERY CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE TO CAST THEIR VOTES BECAUSE A POLLING STATION CAN BE FOUND NEAR EACH OF THE HOUSING ESTATES.
*T0 WIDELY PUBLICISE THE ELECTIONS IN TUEN MUN, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE OPEN FORUMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS SO THAT CANDIDATES IN EACH CONSTITUENCY CAN BE INTRODUCED TO ELECTORS,* HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
RETIREMENT FOR 13 AT DOCKYARD * * * * *
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE RETIREMENT OF 13 STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD, WHO HAVE HAD ROM 16 TO 38 /EARS’ SERVICE WIL. BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR B. TANG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AND PRESENT GIFTS TO THEM.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE FIFTH FLOOR CANTEEN OF THE DOCKYAR. IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
2
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1335
12
230 SHOW DANCING TALENT K * * *
MORE THAN 230 MEN AND WOMEN SHOWED THEIR TALENT IN BALLROOM DANCING IN AN OPEN CONTEST AT MACPHERSON STADIUM, MONG KOK, THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
THE BALLROOM DANCE CONTEST 1985 WAS A MAJOR ANNUAL EVENT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SERVICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND HONG KONG DANCING ASSOCIATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS MABEL HAYES, SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS HAD GROWN EACH YEAR SINCE THE CONTEST STARTED IN 1982.
+IT HAS BEEN ORGANISED WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING A CLEAR CONCEPT OF SOCIAL DANCE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE,* SAID MRS HAYES.
+THE EVENT GIVES TRAINEES OF DANCING CLASSES ORGANISED BY RSS_ AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS A CHANCE TO PERFORM AND EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE.,* SHE ADDED.
ENTRANTS WERE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS, ONE FOR NOVICES.
THEY DANCED THE WALTZ, FOXTROT, TANGO AND QUICK STEP, RUMBA, CHA CHA, JIVE AND SAMBA.
WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WERE AWARDED TROPHIES AND PRIZES AFTER THE CONTEST.
------0-------
WORK TO START ON SPORTS CENTRE
* * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR FORMATION WORK FOR THE TSO KUNG TAM RECREATION AND SPORTS CENTRE STAGE I.
THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL, SPORTS COURTS, SWIMMING POOL AND VARIOUS ACTIVITY AREAS AND A DORMITORY WING. CAMPING FACILITIES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED FOR WITHIN THE PARK, TOGETHER WITH OTHER AMENITIES FOR RECREATION.
THE SITE FORMATION AREA OF ABOUT 5.7 HECTARES IS LOCATED IN THE TSO KUNG TAM VALLEY TO THE NORTH-WEST OF THE URBAN AREA, WITH ACCESS OFF ROUTE TWISK.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF THE SITE AND CONSTRUCTION CF CAISSON FOUNDATIONS FOR THE BUILDING, RETAINING WALLS, SLOPE REATMENT AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MINOR ACCESS ROAD.
THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE MAIN BUILDING CONTRACT TO START IN EARLY 1986.
- 0
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
- 13 -
NEW ROAD FOR TSUEN WAN X * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR WORK ON A ROAD PROJECT IN TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS WILL ENTAIL THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GROUND LEVEL DUAL CARRIAGEWAY OVER CHUNG HANG NULLAH BETWEEN THE NEW RECLAMATION IN TSUEN WAN BAY AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND A SYSTEM OF NEW FOOTBRIDGES.
THE PROJECT IS TO START SHORTLY AND TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
--------0 - - - -
SIGNBOARDS TO BE REMOVED
KU
AN OPERATION TO REMOVE 12 UNAUTHORISED SIGNBOARDS WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT 544-550 SHANGHAI STREET ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29) AT 9 AM.
THE UNAUTHORISED SIGNBOARDS ARE SITUATED OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE COMMON PARTS OF THE BUILDING.
INITIATED BY THE OWNERS CORPORATION AND ASSISTED BY THE MONGKOK DISTRICT OFFICE, THE OPERATION AIMS AT IMPROVING THE Bl LDlNG’S APPEARANCE, ELIMINATING OBSTRUCTION AND REDUCING OTHER NUISANCES CAUSED.
NOTE TO EDITORSj
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPERATION.
------o-------
LUNAR NEW YEAR RUN * * * *
LOCAL AND FOREIGN LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE LUNAR NEW YEAR RACE ON FEBRUARY 24 (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT IS PART OF THE ANNUAL SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL WH'-uH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 23 AND MARCH 3 AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THERE WILL BE A SIX KILOMETRE RACE FOR MEN AND A THREE KILOMETRE RUN FOR WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 14.
/THE MSN 1 S......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2j, 1985
THE MEN’S DIVISION WILL START FROM THE NAI CHUNG BUS TERMINUS VIA SHAP SZE HEUNG, KEI LING HA, ALONG TAI MONG TSAI ROAD TO THE TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND WHILE THE WOMEN’S DIVISION WILL BEGIN AT THE BUS TERMINUS OF KEI LING HA.
ENTRIES WILL BE LIMITED TO 300 MEN AND 100 WOMEN ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 8.
APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE (SAI KUNG) OF THE ’ECREATION AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND RENNIE’S MILL SERVICE CENTRE. ENQUIRES CAN BE MADE AT 3-2814149.
- - 0 - -
MODEL CARS TO CONTEST * * * *
THE 1985 RADIO CONTROLLED ELECTRIC RACING CAR COMPETITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG RACING MODEL ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN PLAYGROUND BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON FEBRUARY 10 (SUNDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NTSD SAID THE COMPETITION WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS, AND SOUVENIR CUPS AND MEDALS WOULD BE AWARDED TO THE BEST THREE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF +TOP COURT+, 60-70 TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN, AND THE HONG KONG RACING MODEL ASSOCIATION ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NO. 7 TUNG FONG STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON.
ENROLMENT CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 5.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SECTION OF THE TUEN MUN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-820800 EXT. 421.
THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1985
15
SUNDAY FOLK CONCERT TREAT * * *
HUNDREDS OF KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS WERE TREATED TO A FOLK CONCERT THIS AFTERNOON (SUNDAY) AT THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED CHINESE AND WESTERN FOLK SONGS PERFORMED BY MUSIC GROUPS FORMED BY YOUNGSTERS OF THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES BY A PERCUSSION BAND FROM THE MUSIC CFFICE.
THE EVENT IS ONE OF A SERIES OF THREE OUTDOOR CONCERTS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
SIMILAR CONCERTS WILL BE HELD AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY PIER CONCOURSE AND THE MA TAU WEI ROAD PLAYGROUND THE FOLLOWING TWO SUNDAY AFTERNOONS.
- o - -
SPEED LIMIT * * *
A SPEED LIMIT OF 70 KILOMETRES AN HOUR WILL BE IMPOSED ON KAI FUK ROAD, AND ON THE FLYOVER LINKING KAI FUK ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 29).
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE SECTION OF KAI FUK ROAD BETWEEN THE EASTERN PORTAL OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL AND A POINT ABOUT 235 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE TEMPORARY ACCESS TO SHEUNG YEE ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR RESTRICTED ZONE.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS 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
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CURBS NEEDED ON ABUSES OF SPEECH FREEDOM - TSAO ........... 1
LAW TRANSLATION WORK GOING AHEAD .......................... 2
HK HET.PS FOUND TEXTILE BODY ...........................
S19M MA ON SHAN PROJECT 'TO START ......................... 5
PROPOSALS MADE ON PAY TREND SURVEYS ....................... 5
SPORTS' VALUE STRESSED AT CENTRE OPENING .................. 6
PRESS VISIT ............................................... 8
TEACHING WORKERS ABOUT FAMILY LIFE ...................... 8
BUS CHANGES FOR CENTRAL STATION WORK....................... 9
TAI PO TRAFFIC SCHEME CHANGE PLANNED ..................... 11
OVERNIGHT ROAD WORK ...................................... 12
PLAYGROUND KIOSK OFFERED ................................. 12
WATER STORAGE............................................. 15
MONDAY, JANUA'Y 23, LV35
1
CURBS NEEDED ON ABUSES OF SPEECH * * * *
FREEDOM - TSAO
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THE PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND SPEECH, BUT HAS TO PROVIDE SOME FORM OF SANCTION TO PREVENT ABUSES OF THIS FREEDOM.
SNEAKING AT A HIGH TABLE DINNER AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY’S LADY HC ’ ,v G HALL THIS EVENING (JANUARY 28), THE SECRETARY FOR I DME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO SAID THAT IDEALLY A FREE SOCIETY SHOULD BE FREED FROM CENSORSHIP OF ANY KIND. HOWEVER, EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT T ERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WOULD ABUSE THIS FREEDOM AND ENCROACH UPON - RIGHTS AND SENSIBILITIES OF OTHERS.
+THE DIFFICULT QUESTION THEN IS WHERE DOES GOVERNMENT DRAW . - LINE BETWEEN PROVIDING SUFFICIENT SANCTIONS TO GUARD AGAINST ABUSES AND YET ENSURING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO EXPRESS IS MAINTAINED. THIS IS A FINE LINE WHICH GOVERNMENT HAS TO TREAD CAUTIOUSLY,* MR TSAO SAID.
♦IN ADDRESSING THIS QUESTION, WE MUST INVARIABLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR CONTEXT OF HONG KONG, WHICH IS STILL A PREDOMINANTLY CHINESE SOCIETY WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE MORES AND CUSTOMS BUT CONSTANTLY OPEN TO INFLUENCES IN VALUES AND LIFE STYLES FROM OUR WESTERN TRADING PARTNERS,+ MR TSAO SAID.
WHEN DETERMINING WHICH MODE OF COMMUNICATION REQUIRES ISORSHIP, THE GOVERNMENT’S BASIC CONSIDERATION IS THE IMPACT THE PARTICULAR MODE HAS ON THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE.
FOR THE WRITTEN OR PICTORIAL MEDIA, THE GOVERNMENT ADOPTS RETROSPECTIVE MEASURES.
♦THEY ARE ONLY CURATIVE AND CANNOT BE REGARDED AS CENSORSHIP. FURTHERMORE, THESE MEASURES ARE INVOKED ONLY WHERE THERE IS A CLEAR CASE THAT OVERALL PUBLIC INTEREST IS AT STAKE OR PUBLIC SENSITIVITIES HAVE BEEN OFFENDED.
♦WHAT DOES OR DOES NOT GIVE OFFENCE IS DETERMINED BY THE COURTS, ALTHOUGH THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH DOES GIVE ADVICE TO PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS ON WHERE, IN OUR VIEW, THE LIMIT MIGHT BE,* MR TSAO SAID.
AS REGARDS FILMS FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AND TELEVISION, MR TSAO TRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT DECIDE ON ITS OWN ACCORD WHAT OPLE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT SEE. ^WHATEVER CENSORSHIP STANDARDS OVERNMENT APPLIES IN THESE AREAS ARE DERIVED FROM WHAT WE PERCEIVE ;'O BE WHAT THE COMMUNITY ITSELF AT uARGE CONSIDERS TO BE ACCEPTABLE OR NOT,* HE SAID.
/THE CGhMISSIOhJR........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 19&5
2
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENCING EASES HIS FILM CENSORSHIP STANDARDS ON PERIODIC SURVEYS CARRIED OUT TO GAUGE PUBLIC OPINION, AND THERE IS REGULAR ADVICE FROM A 100 STRONG PUBLIC ADVISORY GROUP WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INVITED TO ATTEND ALL FILM CENSORSHIP SESSIONS, AND GENERAL FEEDBACK VIA THE MEDIA AND LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC.
IN CENSORING FILMS, PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS PAID TO SCENES OF VIOLENCE AND SEX AND WHETHER THE THEME DEPICTED IS LIKELY TO LEAD IMPRESSIONABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
• I~ IS IN FACT WITH THIS LAST POINT IN MIND THAT WE ARE NOW PROPOSING A NEW FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WHICH INTENDS TO CREATE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A CATEGORY OF FILMS WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER T-ic AGE OF 18 WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM VIEWING.
♦THE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SCHEME IS THAT WHILE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN £ EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED FROM SEEING FILMS WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED AS UNDESIRABLE FOR NOT FULLY MATURE MINDS, STANDARDS CAN BE LIBERALISED SOMEWHAT FOR A DISCERNING ADULT AUDIENCE,+ MR TSAO SAID.
AS REGARDS TELEVISION, BECAUSE OF ITS EASY ACCESSIBILITY, MONITORING OF TV PROGRAMMES IS MORE STRINGENT.
ALL PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISEMENTS ARE PREVIEWED OR MONITORED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODES OF PRACTICE FOR PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS PRODUCED BY THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING IS <N TURN ASSISTED BY 18 TV HOME VIEWING PANELS WHICH COMPRISE NEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADVISE HIM ON STANDARDS OF TELEVISION.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD WAS NOW LOOKING INTO THE STANDARDS OF TELEVISION PROGRAMME.
♦ IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE BOARD HAS TO SAY ON CENSORSHIP STANDARDS,+ HE SAID.
LAW TRANSLATION WORK GOING AHEAD * * * * *
WITH MORE STAFF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIV I SION COULD TR-'.NSLA • TiC ENTIRE SET OF HONG KONG’S STATUTE L.-< .■ . I r. . . Jr. : ; •
TO SEVEN YEARS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CHiNc;. La.v;maw>L, h 1 SA ID.
AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING GRANTING LEGAL EFFECT TO THE CHINESE VERSION, HE SAID.
/RiiVizMlt.G ."HE
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
- 5 -
REVIEWING THE SHORT HISTORY OF LAW TRANSLATION IN HONG KONG, MR TING NOTED THAT THE MAIN PROBLEM IN THE PAST WAS ONE OF RESOURCE MOBILISATION.
THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS, SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1973, BEEN GIVEN THE JOB OF TRANSLATING INTO CHINESE THOSE LAWS CONSIDERED TO BE OF WIDE PUBLIC INTEREST.
FROM 1973 TO 1983, 39 PIECES OF LEGISLATION WERE TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE, LARGELY IN RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC REQUESTS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE WERE AMONG THE LAWS GIVEN PRIORITY AS THEY CONCERN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
AND THE PACE OF THE TRANSLATION WORK HAS QUICKENED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONj.
SINCE MID-1983, ANOTHER 31 PIECES OF LEGISLATION HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE.
♦ IT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO HANDLE THE JOB PROMPTLY,* MR TING SAID.
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED WORK LOAD, A LAW UNIT WAS FORMED WITHIN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION LAST JUNE, COMPRISING NINc CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS.
THE LAW UNIT KEEPS IN TOUCH WITH UMELCC, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND THE MASS MEDIA TO IDENTIFY PRIORITY ORDINANCES FOR TRANSLATION.
+OUR STAFF WILL THEN DRAFT THE CHINESE VERSIONS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT,* MR TING SAID.
TRANSLATED LAWS WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED FOR VETTING. THE FINAL VERSIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED INDIVIDUALLY.
♦ DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE WORK, INEVITABLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DISCREPANCIES IN THE CHINESE TRANSLATION, ESPECIALLY *I TH REGARD TO TERMS WHOSE NUANCES HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY GRASPED EY THE CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS,* MR TING EXPLAINED.
♦ THE TASK IS FORMIDABLE. VT" Y OFTEN, W'E WORK UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURE TO MEET DEADLINES,* MR TING SAID.
FOR THE TRANSLATED CHINESE VERSION TO HAVE IJEGAL EFFECT, IT MUST BE PASSED BY THE Lr-'SLATIVE COUNCIL.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1985
MR TING SAW THE NEED TO FURTHER UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF HIS DIVISION’S TRANSLATION WORK TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
HE ALSO CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO HAVE BILINGUAL EXPERTS TO MAKE FINAL VETTING OF THE TRANSLATED WORKS.
THIS WOULD INVOLVE STRENGTHENING THE STAFFING OF BOTH THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
MR TING SAID IDEALLY, THE LAW UNIT SHOULD HAVE 30 CHINESE LANGUAGE OFFICERS.
♦WITH THIS STAFF STRENGTH, WE ARE CONFIDENT THE TASK OF TRANSLATING THE WHOLE SET OF STATUTE LAWS CAN BE COMPLETED IN SIX TO SEVEN YEARS’ TIME,+ HE ADDED.
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HK HELPS FOUND TEXTILE BODY * M * *
AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL BODY, WHOSE MAIN FUNCTION IS TO PRESERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE TEXTILE TRADE, HAS BEEN FORMED, WITH HONG KONG AS A FOUNDING MEMBER.
KNOWN AS THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB), iT WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN GENEVA, ON JANUARY 12.
OTHER FOUNDING MEMBERS ARE CHINA, COLOMBIA, EGYPT, S. KOREA, INDIA, MACAU, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, AND PERU.
AND A NUMBER OF OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, WHICH ARE EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO JOIN THE ITCB IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE BUREAU WILL CONDUCT STUDIES ON TRADE POLICIES AS THEY AFFECT EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, AND WILL SPONSOR SEMINARS, CONFERENCES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE COSTS OF PROTECTIONISM.
IT WILL DEVELOP AN EXTENSIVf DATA BANK AND INFORMATION 31 TEM, AND WILL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOPING Cv NTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE IR TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS AND CO .SULTATIONS.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1^85
5
S19M MA ON SHAN PROJECT TO START
* * *
wORK IS EXPECTED TO START ON A $19 MILLION PACKAGE OF PROJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MA ON SHAN IN SHA TIN NEw TOWN.
IT REQUIRES CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.25~KILOMETRE DUAL SINGLELANE CARRIAGEWAY THAT WILL PROVIDE A PORTION OF THE FUTURE ROUTE LINKING THE PROPOSED MA ON SHAN DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EXISTING ROAD NETWORK IN SHA TIN.
IT ALSO INVOLVES FORMATION OF A SITE BEING CONSIDERED AS A POSSIBLE LOCATION FOR AN INFIRMARY AND CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL.
AT A LATER STAGE, ANOTHER CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE BUILT TO CONVERT THE ROUTE INTO A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE NEw DEPARTMENT AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 18 MONTHS
TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT TO COMPLETE.
PROPOSALS MADE ON PAY TREND SURVEYS * * *
THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIO.. OF SERVICE MADE PROPOSALS LAST YEAR FOR THE FURTHER REFINEMENT < -THE METHODOLOGY USED IN PAY TREND SURVEYS.
DURING THE YEAR, IT ALSO COMPLETED THE FIRST STAGE OF A REVIc CF THE JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCE SYSTEM, COVERING THE PRINCIPLES wHlcn SHOULD GOVERN ELIGIBILITY FOR ALLOWANCES AND THE wAY IN WHICH THEY SHOULD BE PAID.
DISCLOSING THIS IN ITS GENERAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR 1984, WHICH IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, THE COMMISSION SAID ALSO THAT IT HAD ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT ON A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO MODIFY THE PAY AND STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL GRADES.
AT THE SAME TIME, ITS PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE MONITORS^ THE CONDUCT OF THE 1983-84 PAY TREND SURVEY AND GAVE ThE CO IoSI_ . ADVICE ON IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY.
THE REPORT ALSO STATES THAT THE COMMISSION’S PAY RESFARC-ADVISORY COMMITTEE BEGAN A STUDY OF THE PRINCIPLES AND METHCD.LOGY TO BE USED FOR THE VALUATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS IN THE Cl . IL SERVlCc AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/AN A
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
- 6
AND IT INCLUDES AN ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, WHICH IS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION. DURING THE YEAR, THIS FACT-FINDING AND DATA ANALYSIS UNIT CONDUCTED A NUMBER OF SURVEYS, INCLUDING THE 1983-84 PAY TREND SURVEY, AND A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF FINDING PRIVATE SECTOR ANALOGUES FOR JOBS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE 1984 GENERAL PROGRESS REPORT IS THE FOURTH PUT OUT SINCE THE COMMISSION’S ESTABLISHMENT IN 1979, THE OTHERS HAVING BEEN PUBLISHED IN 1980-81, 1982 AND 1983.
-----o------
SPORTS’ VALUE STRESSED AT CENTRE OPENING
******
SPORT AND RECREATION WERE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NEW TOWNS, AS THE POPULATION THERE WAS VERY YOUNG, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG TANG SHIU KIN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, MR BARNES SAID FACILITIES FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE OF +A VERY HIGH PRIORITY*.
THESE DAYS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT DOING TOO BADLY, AND IN THIS PROGRESS BOTH SIR SHIU—KIN TANG AND THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, HAD PLAYED THEIR PART.
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE NEW INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WAS BUILT LARGELY WITH A $13 MILLION DONATION FROM SIR SHIU-K IN.
IT WAS A BIG CENTRE, WITH VERY GOOD FACILITIES, AND WAS +A VERY BIG GIFT*.
+WHAT IS MORE, IT IS A GIFT FROM SOMEONE WHOSE GENEROSITY HAS ALREADY BENEFITED ENORMOUS NUMBERS OF PEOPLE,* HE CONTINUED.
+1 WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF YOU CAN FIND ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BENEFITED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER FROM ONE OR OTHER PROJECTS TO WHICH SIR SHIU—KIN HAS GIVEN MONEY,* HE ADDED.
/Mk 3AHNES........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
MR BARNES ALSO THANKED MR AKERS-JONES FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE PROJECT.
♦IT HAS BEEN PERHAPS LESS OVERT, BUT NO ONE HAS BATTLED SO HARD BEHIND THE SCENES FOR SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER SO LONG A PERIOD,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF THE NORTH KWAI CHUNG TANG SHIU KIN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, MR BARNES SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND TO BE BUILT IN KWAI CHUNG.
+ IT IS IN THE MIDST OF A GROUP OF SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, OF WHICH THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS JUSTLY PROUD, AND WILL BE PROUD TO DELIVER TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WHEN IT OPENS FOR BUSINESS ON APRIL 1,+ HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, MR BARNES EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE BUILT UP USAGE SO THAT IT WAS GIVING THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
+ IN THIS, WE WILL BE HELPED BY OUR COLLEAGUES FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE WITH WHOM THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE JOINING IN A SINGLE DEPARTMENTAL TEAM IN A FEW WEEKS’ TIME,* HE CONCLUDED.
UNVEILING A PLAQUE AT THE FOYER OF THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE INDOOR FACILITY, MR AKERS-JONES SAID THE TWO INDOOR CENTRES IN KWAI CHUNG PROVIDED IMPORTANT VENUES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING USABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR REGARDLESS CF WEATHER CONDITION.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID IT SHOULD BE THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD THEM IN ALL MAJOR CENTRES OF POPULATION.
THANKING SIR SHIU-KIN FOR HIS CONTINUED GENEROSITY IN HELPING TO FUND WORTHWHILE COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUCH AS THIS INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT THE PEOPLE CF KWAI CHUNG WOULD BE GRATEFUL TO HIM.
+SO WILL THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO WHOM HE HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH IN RECENT YEARS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS FACILITIES,* HE SAID.
EARLIER MR AKERS-JONES AND SIR SHIU-KIN JOINTLY PLANTED A TREE AT THE COMPOUND OF THE CENTRE TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING CF THE INDOOR RECREATION VENUE.
--------0
/8........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1Q35
8
PRESS VISIT * * *
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE MEDIA TO VISIT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30) TO SEE VARIOUS BACK-UP SERVICES THE DIVISION PROVIDES FOR THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE VISIT WILL START WITH A TOUR OF THE DIVISION’S OFFICE IN HARBOUR CENTRE, WHERE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN A KIEF ING ON ITS WORK. THE MEDIA WILL THEN BE TAKEN TO THE DIVISION’S CENTRAL STORE AT 8 ME I FONG STREET, 1ST FLOOR, HA KWAI CHUNG WHERE POLLING BOOTHS, BALLOT BOXES AND ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR RUNNING THE ELECTIONS ARE STORED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ASSIGNED TO THE VISIT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CARPARK AT 2 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30). GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
TEACHING WORKERS ABOUT FAMILY LIFE * * * *
A SEMINAR TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AMONG PEOPLE IN INDUSTRIAL SECTOR OF KWUN TONG WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY
THE THREE MAIN TOPICS AT THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT AMBASSADOR HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE ABOUT THE MEANING OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, THE BENEFITS OF PROMOTING FAMILY PLANNING AMONG THE WORKERS, AND WAYS OF ENCOURAGING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IN FACTOR IES.
THE 1).
THE
THE THREE TALKS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION.
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT YOUTH FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE AS PART OF THE CURRENT TWO-WEEK YOUTH FESTIVAL.
/PERSONS INTERESTED .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE SEMINAR MAY NOW OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT ROOM 313 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET, OR CALL 3-416315 (EXTENSION 421) FOR ENQUIRIES.
THE SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, AND THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, NR NGAI SHIU-KIT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE SEMINAR IS CO-SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
- - 0 -
BUS CHANGES FOR CENTRAL STATION WORK
******
A NUMBER OF CMB SERVICES NOW OPERATING FROM THE CENTRAL BUS STATION WILL BE RELOCATED FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1), AS WORK STARTS ON THE STATION’S REDEVELOPMENT.
SOME OF THE SERVICES WILL BE ACCOMMODATED AT THE NEW EXCHANGE SQUARE BUS TERMINUS, A PART OF WHICH IS TO OPEN FROM THE SAME DAY.
OTHER ROUTES WILL BE RESITED TO OTHER PARTS IN CENTRAL, WHILE A FEW ROUTES WILL REMAIN IN CENTRAL BUS STATION.
THE DETAILS ARE;
* ROUTE 7 WILL TERMINATE OUTSIDE CENTRAL VEHICULAR FERRY
PIER;
* ROUTE 12 WILL TERMINATE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, NORTH OF CONNAUGHT CENTRE;
* ROUTE 12A WILL TERMINATE AT EDINBURGH PLACE, OUTSIDE THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE ;
* ROUTE 17 WILL TERMINATE AT EDINBURGH PLACE, WEST OF CITY
HALL
/EXCHANGE SQUARE
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
10
EXCHANGE SQUARE BUS TERMINUS
* ROUTES 6, 15, 61, 260 AND 262 WILL MOVE TO THE NEW COVERED BUS TERMINUS AT EXCHANGE SQUARE.
CENTRAL BUS STATION
* ROUTES 3A, 11, 25, 70, 75 AND 721 WILL REMAIN IN CENTRAL BUS STATION.
RELOCATION AND CANCELLATION OF BUS STOPS
M AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE TERMINAL REARRANGEMENTS, THE BUS STOP FOR ROUTES 260 AND 262 IN EDINBURGH PLACE OUTSIDE STAR FERRY PIER WILL BE RESITED TO THE SOUTHERNMOST BAY THERE. THE STOP WILL ALSO BE OBSERVED BY ROUTE 15“
* THE EXISTING BUS STOP FOR ROUTES 12A AND 15 IN EDINBURGH PLACE WILL BE CANCELLED.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABOVE RELOCATIONS, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1):
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE SOUTHBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METERS NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HARBOUR VIEW STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONES.
IN ADDITION, THE METERED PARKING SPACES OUTSIDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE WILL BE CANCELLED TO ENABLE SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW. MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO PARK THEIR CARS IN THE MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS NEARBY OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN GOING TO THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
o
/11 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
TAI PO TRAFFIC SCHEME CHANGE PLANNED
******
THERE ARE PLANS TO REVISE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE TAI PO CENTRAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME BY LUNAR NEW YEAR, INCLUDING REINSTATING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ALONG TAI PO MARKET’S MAIN ROAD — PO HEUNG STREET.
+THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO VIEWS EXPRESSED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT A RECENT BOARD MEETING TO REVIEW THE SCHEME WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED IN OCTOBER,* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN GENERAL TERMS THE SCHEME WAS SUPPORTED BY THE BOARD BUT THERE wERE RECOMMENDATIONS TO AMEND CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE SCHEME.
+ THIS INCLUDED ALLOWING VEHICLES ENTERING TAI PO MARKET FROM PO HEUNG BRIDGE, SEEKING ACCESS TO PUN CHUNG OR TO THE TEMPORARY MARKET, TO BE ABLE TO PROCEED ALONG PO HEUNG STREET INSTEAD OF HAVING TO MAKE A DETOUR AROUND WAN TAU STREET AND FEUNG SZE WUI STREET,* HE SAID.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD WAS THAT THE NUMBER OF PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS BE REDUCED.
+ALL THESE PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS WERE IMPLEMENTED, AS PART OF THE WHOLE SCHEME ON OCTOBER 5,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE GIVEN CONSIDERATION TO EACH STREET INDIVIDUALLY, BEARING IN MIND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRAFFIC FLOWING SMOOTHLY AND TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
+AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IT WAS THAT THE PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET AND ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF WAI YAN STREET WILL BE LIFTED.*
+HOWEVER, THE PEAK-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY ALONG PO HEUNG STREET WILL NOT BE LIFTED, AS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DISRUPTION TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, PARTICULARLY AT THE JUNCTION OF PO HEUNG STREET AND NAM SHING STREET WHICH IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST ROAD JUNCTIONS AND PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINTS IN TAI PO MARKET,* THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/12
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1935
12
OVERNIGHT ROAD WORK
* * * *
THE SECTION OF THE TUEN MUN-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROa^, BETWEEN SIU LAM INTERCHANGE AND ROAD D8, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10.39 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30) TO 5 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING, FOR ROAD WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
KMB ROUTES NO. 59A, 59M, 60, 60M, 66, 66M, 67M, 68 AND 68M WILL BE ALSO DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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PLAYGROUND KIOSK OFFERED
* * * * *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR OPERATION OF A LIGHT REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND IN TSUEN WAN.
THE TSUEN KING CIRCUIT PLAYGROUND, WHICH INCLUDES FOUR FLOODLIT TENNIS COURTS, A REST GARDEN WITH A FOUNTAIN AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WITH MODERN PLAY EQUIPMENT, IS A POPULAR AMENITY AND RECREATION VENUE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 30 000 PERSONS USED THE TENNIS COURTS.
THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT STARTS FROM APRIL 1.
TENDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FAR EAST BANK BUILDING AT 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN.
THEY MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX LOCATED AT THE NTSD HEADQUARTERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF SWIRE AND MACLAINE HOUSE (AUSTIN CENTRE) AT 19-23 AUSTIN AVENUE BEFORE 9 AM ON MARCH 1.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE TENDERS CAN BE MADE AT THE TSUEN WAN URBAN SERVICES OFFICE ON TELEPHONE 0-444281.
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/13........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1985
13
WATER STORAGE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 69.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 408.890 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 505.484 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 86.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-233191
Tuesday, January 29, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG AT LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE LECTURE .............................................. 1
TWO DAYS LEFT TO ENTER DB POLLS ................................. 6
SENIOR POLICE APPOINTMENTS ...................................... 7
YOUTHS BENEFIT FROM AWARD SCHEME ................................ 8
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ............................ 8
from catties to kilos ........................................... 10
BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT MTR WORK ................................... 11
DTC SUSPENDED .................................................. 11
MEET MEDIA ..................................................... 11
EXPERT TO TELL ALOUT OPEN LEARNING ........................... 12
SEMINAR ON MANUFACTURING ....................................... 12
TWO MORE REFUSE BOOMS TO BE INSTALLED .......................... 15
TWO MORE SQUASH COURTS FOR YUEN LONG ........................... 14
MORE PARKING METERS............................................. 14
ISLANDS CLEARANCE WORK GOES ON ................................. 14
BUS-ONLY LANE IN CENTRAL ....................................... 15
TIPPING WORK BEGINS ............................................ 15
CHURCH STREET TO CLOSE ......................................... 16
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1935
1
GOVERNOR ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG AT LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE LECTURE *****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS THAT "OLLOWED THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE’S LECTURE TO THE LONDON ;TOCK EXCHANGE GN JANUARY 22:
SIR NICHOLAS GOODISON (CHAIRMAN OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE) : SIR EDwARD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR THOSE WORDS. I KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE MANY PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS. COULD I REPEAT, PLEASE, THE REQUEST THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE YOUR NAME WHEN ASKING THE QUESTIONS, SO THAT SIR EDWARD KNOWS WHO HE IS COPING WITH. WHO WOULD LIKE TO START?
SIR ROEIN DAY, (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION) : COULD YOU REMIND US, BECAUSE THE DETAIL HAS LEFT SOME OF US NOT AS WELL INFORMED AS WE WOULD LIKE TO BE, IF ONE IS A HONG KONG PERSON WITHOUT A BRITISH PASSPORT, AND WITHOUT FULL BRITISH CITIZENSHIP, WILL ONE BE ABLE TO LEAVE HONG KONG (A) BEFORE 1997 AND (3) AFTER 1997, AND GO WHERE ONE WANTS?
SIR EDWARD YOUDE : +TO GO WHERE ONE WANTS* DEPENDS VERY OFTEN ON THE COUNTRY TO WHICH YOU ARE GOING, RATHER THAN THE COUNTRY YOU ARE LEAVING. BUT AS REGARDS LEAVING HONG KONG THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT YOU MAY LEAVE HONG KONG WITHOUT SPECIAL AUTHORISATION.
AS REGARDS PASSPORTS THERE IS AN EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA ATTACHED TO THE AGREEMENT, UNDER WHICH THOSE WHO ARE NOW BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS, WHICH IS BASICALLY THOSE BORN IN HONG KONG, WILL HAVE A NEW STATUS WHICH WILL ENTITLE THEM TO TRAVEL ON A BRITISH PASSPORT. IT WAS PART OF THE PURPOSE OF THE HONG KONG BILL, DEBATED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LAST NIGHT, TO PROVIDE FOR THAT NEW STATUS. THE PROPOSAL IS THAT THEY SHOULD BECOME BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS), AND WOULD THEN HAVE BRITISH PASSPORTS ON WHICH THEY COULD TRAVEL AND RECEIVE CONSULAR PROTECTION IN THIRD COUNTRIES.
SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS THE ARE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS UP TO 1997, AND FREE TO COME AND GO. IF THEY WISH TO BECOME SO, AND THEY WILL HAVE TO APPLY, THEY CAN BECOME DP‘TISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS), AND HAVE BRITISH PASSPORTS TO TRAVE OU' FROM HONG KONG, AND ROUND THE WORLD, AFTER 1997.
SIR ROBIN DAY : AND WILL THEY HAVE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THIS COUNTRY?
/SIR EDWARD : •••••••
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
2 -
SIR EDWARD : IT DOES NOT AFFECT THEIR RIGHT OF ABODE, NO. THE POSITION ON RIGHT OF ABODE - THEY HAVE NOT HAD THE RIGHT OF ABODE -OR MANY YEARS - THE POSITION ON RIGHT OF ABODE REMAINS UNCHANGED.
SIR ROBIN DAY : THANK YOU.
SIR LESLIE PORTER, (TESCO PUBLIC LIMITED CO.) : SIR EDWARD, WHAT IS THF POSITION WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE CROWN PROPERTY IN HONG KONG OR KOWLOON, WITH A 99-YEAR LEASE?
SIR EDWARD : THE RIGHTS OF EXISTING LEASES ARE ASSURED BY THE AGREEMENT.
SIR LESLI* PORTER s THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SIR EDWARD s THERE IS QUITE A COMPLICATED LAND ANNEX TO THE AGREEMENT THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED IN HONG KONG WILL KNOW THAT LAND IS A HIGHLY COMPLICATED SUBJECT ON WHICH, I THINK, THERE ARE 5 300 000 EXPERTS THERE : I AM NOT SURE THAT I AM ONE OF THEM. THERE ARE VARIOUS LENGTHS OF LEASES, DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY WERE GRANTED, BUT BASICALLY THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES EXISTING CROWN LEASES WILL BE RECOGNISED. AND THAT NEW LEASES CAN EE GRANTED WHICH WILL RUN UP TO 2047.
SIR LESLIE PORTER : THANK YOU.
MS SUE SELWYN, (DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE) » FOLLOWING ON FROM THE QUESTION BY SIR ROBIN DAY, ONF GAINS THE IMPRESSION THAT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLASSES OF THE WORLD PROJECTS AND THE WORLD ECONOMIES ARE, IN FACT, ASSURING THEMSELVES OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS SO THAT AT A CERTAIN DATE THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES MAY LEAVE. AM I CORRECT? AND HOW DOES THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT VIEW THIS?
SIR EDWARD t THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IS THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING AND ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN THE UK, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA, FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY FOR MANY YEARS PAST. IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH, BECAUSE THESE STATISTICS WOULD BE HELD BY OTHER COUNTRIES RATHER THAN BY US, WHETHER THAT THE NUMBER HAS INCREASED, OR NOT. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE WERE RATHER MORE NOW THAN THERE WERE BEFORE, BUT YOU ALSO FIND IHAT THE REVERSE PROCESS IS BEGINNING; THAT SOME OF THOSE WHO WE T ABROAD DURING THE PERIOD OR UNCERTAINTY, ARE BEGINNING TO COME BACK.
/I THINK
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
I THINK THE SECOND THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG REGARD HONG KONG AS THEIR HOME, AND THEY LIKE IT. THEY DO NOT ONLY LIKE THE LOW TAX RATE, ALTHOUGH THAT IS VERY “OPULAo, I MAY SAY, BUT THEY LIKE THE LIFE-STYLE AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE THERE. SO THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO LEAVE UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO. AND THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE AGREEMENT IS THAT IT PROVIDES THAT THEIR LIFE-STYLE WILL CONTINUE. THE LAW WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE LAW OF HONG KONG. THE COURTS WILL STILL BE ABIE 70 GIVE THEM PROTECTION, AS THEY DO NOW. AND MANY OF THEM, I THI •, HAVE FOUND THIS A SUFFICIENT REASON TO SAY, +WELL, IF THE L r-E-STYLE CONTINUES WHY SHOULD I LEAVE7+ BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE ALWAYS THOSE WHO WILL DOUBT. SOME WILL GO BUT, EQUALLY. SOME ARE ALREADY, I THINK, COMING BACK.
THE RT HON THE EARL OF LIMERICK, (KLEINWORT BENSON LIMITED) s CAN YOU J. ’MENT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES, AND THE WAY IN WHICH THE PRC LOOKS AT HONG KONG ACROSS THIS ZONE, WHETHER HONG KONG IS LOOKING AT A ZONE BEYOND THE PRC. WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE THE MOST EFFECT ON WHAT?
SIR EDWARD s I WOULD THINK THAT BOTH WOULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON EACH OTHER. THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE HAS DEVELOPED VERY RAPIDLY; THERE IS A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT GOING ON UP THERE; AND THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HONG KONG INVESTMENT IN IT.
I THINK THE RELATIONSHIP ACROSS THE BORDER WILL GROW, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, AFTER ALL, IS NOW UNDER THE AGREEMENT COMMITTED TO THE POLICY OF CO-OPERATION AND MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AN; STABILITY OF HONG KONG. SO THEY WILL WANT TO DO THAT, AND THEY WILL NOT BE LOOKING FOR THE SHENZHEN ECONOMIC ZONE DOING ANY HARM. I AM ALWAYS A BELIEVER THAT IT IS MUCH BETTER TO HAVE TWO THRIVING COMMUNITIES SIDE-BY-S IDE'• BOTH BENEFIT, EVEN IF THEY COMPETE. SO I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE SOME DEGREE OF COMPETITION, THOUGH NOT A GREAT DEAL, AND I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE A MUTUALLY VALUABLE RELATIONSHIP GROWING BETWEEN THE TWO.
ON THE POLICY OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS ECONOMIC ZONES, WE HAVE A BIGGER EXPERT THAN ME HERE IN THE AMBASSADOR. BUT I DO NOT THINK HE WOULD CONTRADICT ME WHEN I SAY THAT IT IS A POLICY WHICH THE CHINESE, HAVING ESTABLISHED THE ORIGINAL THREE ZONES ARE NOW EXPANDING IN THE 14 CITIES WHICH THEY HAVE OPENED, NOT IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, BUT SIMILARLY; AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN ENOUGH OF A SUCCESS IN THE BEGINNING TO EXPAND IT TO THE NEW PHASE. LORD GEDDES, (HOUSE OF LORDS) s AS A NON-STOCK BROKER, PERHAPS I COULD ASK A STOCK BROKING TYPE QUESTION. SIR EDWARD, wHAT BE -FITS DO YOU ANTICIPATE FROM THE COMBINED HONG KONG STOCK EX- HANGE, AND DO YOU EXPECT THAT COMBINED EXCHANGE TO CONTINUE THAT GUISE BEYOND 1997?
/SIK EDwARD :
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
4
S'- EDWARD : WELL, AS A NON-STOCK BROKER I WOULD PROBABLY GIVE YOU THE WRONG ANSWER.
SIR NICHOLAS GOODISON : STOCK BROKERS ALWAYS GIVE THE WRONG ANSWERS!
SIR EDWARD : I THINK THE BENEFITS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE IN
THE GREATER EFFICIENCY OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE. THE NEW ONE WILL B- VERY MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED THAN THE OLD ONE. FROM THE DEALING ’NT OF VIEW IT WILL BE, I SUPPOSE, THE BENEFITS WHICH COME cr-OM THE CENTRALISATION OF THE OPERATION.
THE SECOND BIT IS EASIER TO ANSWER: DO I EXPECT IT TO ,'TlfwT AFTER 1997? YES, I DO, PROVIDING THE STOCK BROKERS 'ADE A SUCCESS OF IT. BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT AGAIN PROVIDES - THE SYSTEMS WHICH ARE THERE IN HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE.
■HCHO! AS GOODISON : DO WE NOT, SIR EDWARD, ALWAYS ALL LIVE . HOPE OF OTHER STOCK EXCHANGES IN SHANGHAI, AND IN OTHER CENTRES?
I -WARD ! YES, I THINK IT MIGHT BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL, AND < ,'LD DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIOS.
MR J. BURNETT-STUART, (ROBERT FLEMING AND CO LTD) : WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE COMING OUT OF HONG KONG AND GOING AND : ".-ING ELSEWHERE. wHAT ABOUT THE POSITION IN RELATION TO
WANTING TO COME AND WORK IN HONG KONG FROM OUTSIDE?
THE MOMENT IT IS A VERY FREE AND EASY LABOUR MARKET, AND < ON IS THAT SITUATION LIKELY TO CHANGE?
RD : I DO NOT THINK SO. I THINK ONE THING WHICH IS HAPPENING, OF COURSE, IN HONG KONG, IS THE GROWTH OF THE PROFESSIONAL CLASS TRAINED IN HONG KONG ITSELF, AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFY.NG THERE. EVEN IF YOU TAKE THE NUMBER WHO DEPART, AS A RESULT OF THE EDUCATION POLICY THAT WAS ESTABLISHED N THE 1970’S WE ARE NOW BEGINNING TO SEE FURTHER OUTPUT 'POM THAT. THEN YOU HAVE THE LARGE NUMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN IRA I NED ABROAD, HONG KONG CHINESE, WHO COME BACK AND DO VERY WELL. SO HONG KONG CAN PROVIDE QUITE A LARGE PROPORTION OF ITS OWN PROFESSIONAL CLASSES. BUT IT IS NEVER GOING TO BE BIG ENOUGH, I BELIEVE, TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT. NOR WOULD IT BE SENSIBLE FOR IT TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT. THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG IS THAT IT HAS BEEN SO OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY AND THE LIKE. IT DRAWS 0.. THE CONSULTANCY OF TH WORLD FOR ITS OWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND I To OWN i- JANCIAL INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PROCESSES. SO I WOULD SEE INCREASING GROWTH OF THE PROFESSIONAL CLASSES TRAINED IN . !G KONG. BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE TO SEE A CONTINUING )W OF EXPERTISE OF ALL SORTS COMING INTO HONG KONG, BECAUSc THINK THAT IS ITS STRENGTH, THE INTERNATIONAL MIXTURE. I TH'NK THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE ROLES IN WHICH, OF COURSE, IT CA’'1 'I SO HELP IN ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, BECAL'-' ’T IS A VERY EASY PLACE TO COME DOWN TO AND MEET YOUR OPPOS TE NUMBER, AND A VE?Y EASY PLACE TO COME DOWN TO AND SEu INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES ESTABLISHED THERE AND TALK TO THEF.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, ">985
5
MR H.L.C. GREIG, (BALTIC EXCHANGE) : YOU SAID THAT THE LAW WILL REMAIN THE SAME LAw AFTER 1997. DOES THAT ALSO APPLY TO THE CRIMINAL LAw, BECAUSE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, QUITE DIFFERENT ACTIONS APPLY FOR OFFENCES IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC, THAT ARE NOT OFFENCES IN HONG KONG. THE PENALTIES ARE QUITE DIFFERENT IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC FOR THE ACTUAL OFFENCES, THAN THEY ARE IN HONG KONG.
SIR EDWARD : BASICALLY, YES. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION MADE IN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. BUT THE AGREEMENT SAYS THAT UNLESS THE LAW CONFLICTS WITH THE BASIC LAW IT WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT. THIS IS A SLIGHTLY CIRCULAR ARGUMENT, IN THAT THE AGREEMENT ALSO SPECIFIES THAT WHAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE IN THE BASIC LAW. SO YOU START WITH WHAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT, THAT GOES INTO THE BASIC LAW AND, PROVIDING THt LAw OF HONG KONG DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH IT, HONG KONG LAW REMAINS IN EFFECT. INDEED, THE REFERENCE TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS IS LARGELY TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL POINTS, RATHER THAN TO THE SUBSTANCE OF THE LAW. THE COMMON LAw REMAINS. SO I WOULD NOT EXPECT TO SEE ANY MAJOR CHANGES IN THE CRIMINAL LAW OF HONG KONG. THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG, OF COURSE, WILL BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE. SO IF THEY DECIDE, AS A LEGISLATURE, TO AMEND, THEY WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO. BUT THERE IS A FAIRLY STRONG ATTACHMENT TO THE SYSTEM OF LAW WHICH IS THERE NOW, WHICH I WOULD EXPECT TO REMAIN.
SIR NICHOLAS GOODISON : ANYONE ELSE? (NO REPLY) I THINK THEY HAVE RUN OUT, SIR EDWARD. I THINK WE WILL ALL AGREE THAT WE HAVE HAD A VERY STIMULATING EVENING, AND I THINK MY THANKS ARE DUE TO YOU ALL FOR COMING THIS EVENING. WE SHOULD PARTICULARLY THANK HIS EXCELLENCY THE AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND LORD MACLEHOSE, SIR EDWARD’S PREDECESSOR, WHO ARE BOTH HERE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME. I KNOW THAT BOTH OF THEM WILL - AT LEAST I HOPE THEY WILL - BE WILLING TO TALK TO YOU AFTERWARDS OVER THE INFORMAL SUPPER THAT wE ARE NOW INVITING YOU TO.
I AM SURE SIR EDWARD WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONTINUE ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE DURING SUPPER.
I THINK IT ONLY REMAINS FOR ME TO THANK SIR EDWARD, BOTH FOR THE CONFIDENCE WHICH HE EXPRESSES IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND FOR THE CLARITY WITH WHICH HE TOLD US ABOUT HONG KONG, AND WITH WHICH HE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR EDWARD.
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/6........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
6
TWO DAYS LEFT TO ENTER DB POLLS
* * * *
THERE ARE ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER AS CANDIDATES FOR THE MARCH 7 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY REMINDED POTENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT NOMINATIONS WOULD CLOSE AT 5.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 31).
ANYONE WHO IS A REGISTERED VOTER AND HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER AS A CANDIDATE.
UP TO 5 PM TODAY (TUESDAY), 454 CANDIDATES, COMPRISING 426 *€N AND 28 WOMEN, HAD SUBMITTED THEIR NOMINATIONS WITH 256 FROM HONG KONG AND KOWLOON AND 198 FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED SO FAR IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON
CENTRAL AND WESTERN 16 YAU MA TEI 15
WAN CHAI 19 WONG TAI SIN 38
SOUTHERN 23 SHAM SHUI PO 27
EASTERN 39 KOWLOON CITY 28
MONG KOK 17 KWUN TONG 34
NEW TERRITORIES
ISLANDS 16 NORTH 19
KWAI CHUNG AND TS1 NG Y1 37 TAI PO 14
TSUEN WAN 15 SHA TIN 26
TUEN MUN 33 SAI KUNG 9
YUEN LONG 29
-----0------
/7........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
SENIOR POLICE APPOINTMENTS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS:
TODAY THE FOLLOWING SENIOR
MR LI KWAN-HA TO SUCCEED MR RAY ANNING AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER -------------- OF POLICE ON THE LATTER’S PROMOTION AS
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN APRIL 1985.
MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH TO BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SENIOR
------------------- ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN
APRIL 1985.
MR KEITH LOMAS TO BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SENIOR ASSISTANT -------------- COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN APRIL 1985.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THE OFFICERS FOLLOW:
MR LI KWAN-HA, QPM, CPM
AGED 47. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN OCTOBER 1957 AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN JUNE 1984. SINCE NOVEMBER 1983, HE HAS HELD THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS.
MR G. HINDHAUGH, QPM, CPM
AGED 50. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN MARCH 1975 AS A SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK Or ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN APRIL 1980. SINCE JANUARY 1985 HE HAS HELD THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL STAFF DUTIES.
MR K.H. LOMAS, QPM, CPM
AGED 48. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1957 AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR. PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN JANUARY 1982. SINCE NOVEMBER 1984, HE HAS HELD THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING.
-----0------
/8 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1965
8
YOUTHS BENEFIT FROM AWARD SCHEME * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME FOR PROVIDING A CONTINUING BASIS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEEK HIGHER LEVELS OF PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND TO WORK FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
+OVER THE YEARS, MANY THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE PASSED THROUGH ITS DOORS, ENJOYING NOT ONLY A VARIED PROGRAMME OF LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY ACHIEVING PERSONAL GROWTH BY LEARNING HOW TO USE THEIR INITIATIVE, TO COPE WITH CHALLENGES AND TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE,+ SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE SCHEME’S 39TH SILVER AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MRS CHAN SAID ITS IDEALS HAD MUCH IN COMMON WITH THE THEMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR: +PARTICI PAT I ON, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE+.
SHE TOLD THE 150 RECIPIENTS: +WHILE YOU CAN TAKE JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE IN YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL NOT REST ON YOUR LAURELS BUT THAT YOU WILL ASPIRE TO THE GOLD AWARD.+
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE REGIONALISATION OF THE SCHEME SINCE LAST YEAR HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A CLOSER LIAISON WITH OPERATING AUTHORITIES, USER UNITS AND VOLUNTEERS.
MORE ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ORGANISED AS A RESULT, SHE ADDED.
SHE THANKED ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHEME FOR THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND HARD WORK, AND THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SHARE THEIR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.
- - 0 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES * * * *
FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 5.52 PER CENT AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 6.60 PER CENT, TAX FREE.
NOTICE OF THIS WAS PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
AN INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WAS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WOULD BE $0.46 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WOULD BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETED MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
/+INTEREST IS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
- 9 -
+ INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE,+ HE SAID.
THE NEW RATE WOULD APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 30, 1985.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1985 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
9.6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 7, 1983 AND BEFORE FEBRURARY 10, 1984?
7.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 10, 1984 AND BEFORE MARCH 23, 1984?
5.16% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 23, 1984 AND BEFORE MAY 18, 1984?
8.4% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 18, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 6, 1984?
-3.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 6, 1984 AND BEFORE JULY 13, 1984 ?
12.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 13, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 10, 1984?
10.8% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 10, 1984 AND BEFORE AUGUST 31, 1984?
9.6% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 31, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 5, 1984;
8.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 5, 1984 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 1984;
8.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 31, 1984 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 28, 1984?
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 28, 1984 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 28, 1984 ?
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 28, 1984 AND BEFORE JANUARY 16, 1985? AND
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 16, 1985 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1Q85
/BUT ALWAYS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
10
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETED MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE : $1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON 1 FEB. 1985, 1 MAR. 1985 AND 1 APR. 1985 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON 30 APR. 1985 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1 000, 1 FEB. 1985 TO 30 APR. 1985
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.60 PER MONTH = $13.80
ON $1 000, 1 MAR. 1985 TO 30 APR. 1985
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $4.60 PER MONTH = $ 9.20
ON 51 000, 1 APR. 1985 TO 30 APR. 1985
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $4.60 PER MONTH = $ 4.60
$27.60
-------0---------
FROM CATTIES TO KILOS
* * *
VEGETABLE WHOLESALERS FROM FANLING LUEN WO HUI AND SHEUNG SHUI MARKETS ATTENDED A METRICATION SEMINAR AT THE FANLING DISTR ICT OFF ICE TODAY.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE METRIC SCALE IN THE VEGETABLE TRADE.
THE SEMINAR CHAIRMAN, MR IP YEUK-LAM SAID, +IN THE NEAR FUTURE, KILOGRAMS WILL BE USED IN VEGETABLE SALES INSTEAD OF CATTIES AND TAELS.+
ONE KILOGRAM IS EQUAL TO 1.65 CATTIES OR 26.5 TAELS.
HE SAID THAT THE METRICATION OF THE VEGETABLE TRADE WOULD EE THE BEGINNING OF A THREE-PHASED METRICATION PROGRAMME IN MARKETS, WITH THE MEAT AND DRY GOODS TRADES FOLLOWING.
THE VEGETABLE TRADE WAS CHOSEN FIRST BECAUSE TRANSACTIONS WERE USUALLY CONDUCTED IN BULK, AND VEGETABLES IMPORTED FROM CHINA WERE ALREADY IN METRIC UNITS, HE SAID.
+WHOLESALERS WILL, THEREFORE, FIND THE CHANGE-OVER BOTH FEASIBLE AND CONVENIENT,+ HE SAID.
HE FELT THAT ONCE WHOLESALERS ADOPTED THE METRIC SYSTEM, RETAILERS WOULD FOLLOW.
0 -
/11
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
11
BOARD TO HEAR ABOUT MTR WORK * * *
WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON WORK PROGRESS ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING PILOT SCHEME AND THE WHITE PAPER ON +THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG+.
A REPORT ON VICE-ASSOCIATED ESTABLISHMENTS PREPARED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DISTRICT’S WATER SUPPLY AND CHARGES, AND ABOUT FERRY SERVICES WILL BE RAISED.
- o - -
DTC SUSPENDED * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS TODAY SUSPENDED THE REGISTRATION OF DOMINICAN FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, ON THE GROUND THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY IS BEING CARRIED ON IN A MANNER DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTERESTS OF ITS DEPOSITORS.
- - 0 - -
NOTE TO EDITORS
MEET MEDIA * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 31) AT 4 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
- - o -
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
12
EXPERT TO TELL ABOUT OPEN LEARNING * * *
AT THE REQUEST OF THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR STUART DALZIEL, AN AUTHORITY ON OPEN LEARNING METHODS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT OF MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT BY OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), 10 AM AT ’HE CONFERENCE ROOM, MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, 17TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
A 15-MINUTE FILM ON OPEN LEARNING WILL BE SHOWN AND MR DALZIEL WILL ALSO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS.
- 0 - -
SEMINAR ON MANUFACTURING * * *
MR DAVID CHEUNG, THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, WILL SPEAK AT A SEMINAR JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIBANK ON +HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE* TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 2 PM IN THE FANLING ROOM OF THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
OTHER SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE MR KEVIN LO, CHAIRMAN OF GOLD PEAK INDUSTRIES (HOLDINGS) LTD., MR ANTONY LEUNG, VICE PRESIDENT CF CITIBANK, MR MARVIN GIENGER, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE FAR EAST OPERATIONS OF SPRAGUE WORLD TRADE CORPORATION, MR DENNIS TING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KADER INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD. AND MR P.K. WONG, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
TWO MORE REFUSE BOOMS TO BE INSTALLED
* * * *
MORE BEACH-GOERS CAN ENJOY A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT THIS SUMMER WHEN TWO MORE REFUSE BOOMS WILL BE INSTALLED AT DEEP WATER BAY AND STANLEY MAIN BEACH.
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO INSTALL REFUSE BOOMS AT THESE BEACHES AROUND APRIL “
THE ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF AN LAST YEAR.
OR MAY THIS YEAR FOLLOWING EXPERIMENT AT REPULSE BAY
THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST $700 000.
A REFUSE BOOM, STRETCHING ABOUT 800 METRES, WAS INSTALLED AT REPULSE BAY LAST JUNE AS A TRIAL TO STOP FLOATING RUBBISH, SUCH AS PLASTIC BAGS AND OTHER REFUSE, FROM ENTERING THE SWIMMING AREA.
THE BOOM COMPRISES A CLOSELY PACKED STRING OF BUOYS BOUNDED BY MESH NETTING THAT IS WEIGHTED DOWN TO ABOUT 1.5 HETRES BELOW THE SURFACE.
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR AMENITIES CFFICER (SWIMMING), MR PAUL CHEUNG, SAID THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL SHOWED THAT REPULSE BAY WAS MUCH CLEANER WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE NET.
+THE BOOM CAN RETAIN FLOATING REFUSE IN A SPECIFIC AREA ON BOTH SIDES OF IT THUS MAKING CLEANSING A LITTLE EASIER,+ HE SAID.
+ALSO, SINCE THE BOOM IS LAID WITHIN THE GAZETTED BOUNDARIES OF THE BEACH AND BEYOND THE DEMARCATED SWIMMING AREA, IT CAN PROVIDE A VERY CLEAR AND VISIBLE BARRIER BETWEEN THE BOATING AND SWIMMING AREAS.*
THE BOOM IS LAID IN THE WATERS ALL YEAR ROUND, EXCEPT DURING TYPHOON, AND IS MANUALLY CLEARED OF REFUSE BY BEACH STAFF ONCE OR TWICE A DAY USING A SMALL CATAMARAN. TO PROTECT THE NET FROM STORM DAMAGE, IT WILL BE WITHDRAWN WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 3 IS HOISTED.
MR CHEUNG ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE REMOVAL EXERCISE IS TIME CONSUMING, IT DOES PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE MARINE GROWTH AND REPAIR MINOR DAMAGE BEFORE PUTTING IT BACK IN THE WATER.
--------o ---------
/V*........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1935
14
TWO MORE SQUASH COURTS FOR YUEN LONG
K * * *
YUEN LONG DISTRICT SQUASH ENTHUSIASTS WILL SOON HAVE TWO MORE SQUASH COURTS WITHIN EASY REACH.
THE NEW COURTS LOCATED ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF TAI KIU MARKET COMPLEX AT KIU LOK SQUARE IN THE TOWN CENTRE, WILL BE OPENED ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1).
OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 11 PM DAILY AND ADVANCE BOOKING CAN BE MADE IN PERSON, UP TO SEVEN DAYS IN ADVANCE, FROM FRIDAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SA ID.
THE HIRING CHARGES ARE IN LINE WITH OTHER PUBLIC SQUASH COURTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND WILL BE $8 FOR HALF-AN-HOUR DURING THE BUSY PERIODS AND $6 FOR OTHER PERIODS.
THE TAI KIU MARKET SQUASH COURTS WERE DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ARE MANAGED BY THE NTSD.
MORE PARKING METERS * * *
FIFTY-THREE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS FOR PRIVATE CARS WILL BE INSTALLED AT SHEK LEI STREET AND AT THE CAR PARK OFF TAI LOONG STREET IN KWAI CHUNG.
THEY WILL START TO OPERATE FROM THURSDAY (JANUARY 31), AT A CHARGE OF ONE DOLLAR FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES.
--------0----------
ISLANDS CLEARANCE WORK GOES ON * * * *
THE THIRD PHASE OF AN OVERALL CLEANSING OPERATION ON OUTLYING ISLANDS WAS LAUNCHED TODAY, AT MUI WO ON LANTAU.
CHUNG HAU STREET WAS CLEARED OF DEBRIS, RUBBISH AND DISCARDED ARTICLES DURING A JOINT OPERATION CONDUCTED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICc, THE POLICE, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/THE ON-GOING .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
THE ON-GOING CLEANSING WORK WAS INITIATED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT STREET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND ENDORSED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE OPERATION HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT ON CHEUNG CHAU IN NOVEMBER 1983, AND THE SECOND PHASE ON PENG CHAU l\ MAY LAST YEAR.
SHOP OWNERS AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN URGED TO COOPERATE BY REMOVING ALL OBSTRUCTING GOODS.
------0 ------
BUS-ONLY LANE IN CENTRAL * * * *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1), A 140-METRE SECTION OF THt KERBSIDE LANE ON CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL EASTBOUND, EAST OF HARBOUR VIEW STREET, WILL BE MARKED OUT FOR FRANCHISED BUSES ONLY, BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 AM AND 4 PM AND 7 PM DAILY.
NO OTHER VEHICLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC LANE DURING THOSE HOURS.
-----o------
TIPPING WORK BEGINS * * * *
A $40 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONTROLLED TIPPING AT JUNK BAY WAS AWARDED TODAY BY THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO GAMMON (HK) LTD.
WORK ON THE PHASE III PROJECT, CONSISTING OF SITE PREPARATION AND CONTROLLED TIPPING, BEGAN LAST WEEK, AND WILL LAST FOR TWO YEARS.
THE WORK WILL PROVIDE 56 HECTARES OF O^EN SPACE FOR RECREATIO’..
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/16........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1985
16
CHURCH STREET TO CLOSE
*****
CHURCH STREET BETWEEN CHURCH LANE AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) TC MAKE WAY FOR A FOOTBRIDGE.
HOWEVER, THE SAME STREET BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND CHURCH LANE WILL BE REOPENED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THE SAME DAY, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORK.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-233191
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE BUILDING DEMAND EXPECTED AS PROPERTY VACANCY RATES FALL 1
PROPERTY MARKET VACANCY RATES FALL ...................... 2
NEV POLICY FOR RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING IN THAS............ 6
SHA TIN GETS +TIMELY+ NEW TOWN PLAZA..................... 7
‘ACCORD HELPS INVESTMENT DECISIONS’ ..................... 8
MAIN TASKS TO HELP DISABLED OUTLINED..................... 9
EPGOM INSPECTS EPA WORK ................................. 10
’LAST DAY’ ELECTION REMINDER............................. 10
YAU MA TEI FACELIFT IN FULL SWING........................ 11
HUGS MAP SHOWS WAN CHAI CONSTITUENCIES................... 12
♦OPEN LEARNING*- SPREADING WORLD WIDE.................... 13
THREE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HELD IN RAID.................... 14
TALKS FOR TEACHERS....................................... 14
MORE TIME FOR POSTER DESI® ENTRIES....................... 15
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS COMPLETE SPECIAL COURSE............ 15
SAFETY DISPLAY TO BE OPINED.............................. 16
OLD TOILET BEING REDEVELOPED............................. 16
TRAFFIC CHANGE........................................... 17
ROAD CLOSURE............................................. 17
HUNG HOM SALT WATER MAINS WORK
17
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
MORE BUILDING DEMAND EXPECTED AS PROPERTY VACANCY RATES FALL X X X X X X
WITH THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT, ALL THE CURRENT PERFORMANCE INDICATORS POINT TO AN EXPANDING BUILDING DEMAND IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS TODAY WHILE OFFICIATING AT AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE + HONG KONG INTERBUILD 85+ AT T "' HONG KONG EXHIBITION CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
HE SAID THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE 1985 PROPERTY REVIEW, PUBLISHED LAT-R IN THE DAY, SHOWED THAT IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, THE VACANCY RATES HAD FALLEN.
+ IN 'HE TOTAL PRIVATE DOMESTIC SECTOR VACANCIES FELL BY FOUR PER CENT AND AS FAR AS LARGER UNITS ARE CONCERNED, THE POSITION I.- EVEN BETTER, WITH A REDUCTION IN VACANCIES FROM 9.9 PER CENT Ol The total STOCK AT THE END OF 1983 TO 6.4 PER CENT AT ThE END OF 1984,
+IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, SUPPLY IN 1984 WAS WELL ABOVE FORECAST, BUT TAKE-UP CONTINUED AT A HIGH LEVEL.+
SPEAKING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, M’ FORD POINTED OUT THAT THE AUTHORITY WAS NOT ONLY CONCERNED WITH NUMBFRS OF FLATS BUT WAS ALSO DETERMINED TO CREATE A GOOD S HOARD OF LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS RESIDENTS. HENCE IT FOR S E '-T HAD BEEN STIMULATING THE USE OF MOPE MECHANISED METHODS CF CONSTRUCTION ON ITS CONTRACTS BY SPECIAL TENDER PROCEDURES.
THIS HAD ATTRACTED A VERY POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM A NUMBER OF LOCAL IND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS. MORE PROGRESS COULD YET BE MADE IN THIS AREA AND FURTHER INITIATIVES WERE CURRENTLY BEING PLANNED BY THE AUTHORITY.
+WE REMAIN CONVINCED THAT AS GOOD AS THE INDUSTRY IS, THERE IS YET STILL ROOM FOR THE ADOPTION OF FURTHER IMPROVED TECHNIQUES. THE SAME PHILOSOPHY APPLIES TO OUR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO ARF CONSTANTLY STRIVING FOR MORE EFFICIENT DESIGNS, AND THE CREATION OF BETTER TOTAL LIVING ENVIRONMENTS,* MR FORD NOTED.
APART FROM DECENT FLATS, PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS ALSO EXPECTED AN EQUALLY GOOD STANDARD OF SUPPORTING FACILITIES AND PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS, MR FORD CONTINUED.
THE QUALITY OF THESE AMENITIES AND THE EXTERNAL SPACE, AS MUCH A> THE FLATS THEMSELVES, DISTINGUISHED THE DESIGN OF TODAY’S HOUSING ESTATES FROM THEIR OLDER COUNTERPARTS.
NEITHER WAS THE AUTHORITY FOREGETTING the OLDER ESTATES, AND IT HAJ"'MBARKED UPON A VERY POSITIVE PROGRAMME OF REDEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTED BY THE PROJECT TO RENEW THE CENTRAL KOWLOON ESTATES.
THIS .
WEDNESDAY, JANUABY 30, 1985
2
ALL THIS ACTIVITY IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, MR FORD OBSERVED, REQUIRED A BUILDING INDUSTRY WHICH COMBINED SOLID PERFORMANCE WITH A SPIRIT OF INNOVATIVENESS AND A WILLINGNESS TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
HONG KONG NEEDED AN INDUSTRY WHICH CONTINUED TO BUILD ON ITS UNDOUBTED PROVEN ABILITY BY ABSORBING NEW IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES, AND BUILDING PROFESSIONS WHICH WERE CONCERNED WITH ENRICHING THE ENVIRONMENT.
* BELIEVE THIS EXHIBITION WILL ASSIST IN ACHIEVING THESE GOALS AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE BODIES REPRESENTING THE INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONS ARE AFFIRMING THIS BY THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP,* MR FORD CONCLUDED.
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PROPERTY MARKET VACANCY RATES FALL K # X K
VACANCY RATES IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET FELL LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE LATEST PROPERTY REVIEW.
THE DECLINE WAS DUE TO A GOOD TAKE-UP OF ALL KINDS OF PREMISES INC UDI NG PRIVATE DOMESTIC UNITS, COMMERCIAL SPACE, FLATTED FACTORIES AND OFFICES.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT STRESSED THAT THE FIGURES QUOTED WERE PRELIMINARY AND FULL DETAILS WOULD BE PRESENTED IN THE +PROPERTY REVIEW 1985+ EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN APRIL.
WITH REGARD TO THE OVERALL FIGURE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL UNITS ESTIMATED VACANCIES HAD DECREASED FROM 24 400 AT THE END OF 1983 TO 22 400 AT THE END OF 1984, HE SAID.
WITH OVER 30 000 UNITS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1985, IT APPEARED THAT A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND WOULD BE MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
AS FOR THE LARGER PRIVATE UNITS, THERE HAD BEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE TAKE-UP OF LARGER (100 SQUARE METRES AND OVER) DO' -STIC FLATS, FROM 1 800 IN 1983 TO 2 800 IN 1984. WITH w 3LETIONS DOWN ON FORECAST THE VACANCY RATE HAD FALLEN S■ >NIFICANTLY, FROM 9.9 PER CENT AT THE END OF 1Q83 TO 6.4 PER CENT AT THE END OF 1984.
ABOUT 2 200 NEW LARGE FLATS WERE EXPECTED TO EE COMPLETED IN 1985. •’ 1984’S LEVEL OF DEMAND IS SUSTAINED IT IS THEREFORE
LIKELY THAT VACANCIES WILL CONTINUE TO FALL,* HE SAID.
/SUPPLY CF........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
- 3 -
SUPPLY OF COMMERCIAL UNITS IN 1984 HAD BEEN WELL ABOVE FORECAST AND SLIGHTLY EXCEEDED TAKE-UP. AS A RESULT THERE HAD BEEN LITTLE CHANGE IN VACANCIES BETWEEN THE END OF 1983 AND THE END OF 1984.
THE SUPPLY OF NEW COMMERCIAL SPACE IN 1985 WAS FORECAST TO BE MUCH THE SAME AS 1984.
DEALING WITH FLATTED FACTORIES, HE SAID COMPLETIONS IN 1984 HAD BEEN BELOW FORECAST AND LOW FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN SUCCESSION.
♦ABOUT 18 PER CENT MORE SPACE WAS TAKEN UP IN 1984 THAN IN 1983. AT 857 000 SQUARE METRES THE TAKE-UP WAS ALMOST DOUBLE THE SUPPLY OF NEW FACTORY SPACE AND AS A RESULT VACANCIES FELL SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM 1 089 000 SQUARE METRES AT THE END OF 1983 TO 657 000 SQUARE METRES AT THE END OF 1984.
♦WIT ONLY 559 000 SQUARE METRES FORECAST FOR COMPLETION IN I<v85, IF DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL SPACE IS SUSTAINED IT IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN A FURTHER DECREASE IN VACANCIES,+ HE SAID.
TURNING TO OFFICES, HE SAID TAKE-UP IN 1984, AT 449 000 S< IARE METRES WAS OVER 20 PER CENT ON 1983’S RECORD FIGURE AND MORE THAN DOUBLE THE SUPPLY OF NEW OFFICE SPACE. AS A RESULT VACANCIES, HAD FALLEN FROM 793 003 SQUARE METRES AT THE END OF 1983 TO 561 000 SQUARE METRES AT THE END OF 1984 (I.E. 13.8 PER CENT OF TOTAL STOCK).
♦WITH 332 000 SQUARE METRES FORECAST TO BE COMPLETED IN 1985 TA.: OVERALL PICTURE REMAINS ONE OF OVERSUPPLY, ALTHOUGH THERE IS
CONSIDERABLE VARIATION WITHIN SECTORS,+ HE SAID.
FOR CENTRAL, GRADE A OFFICES (SECTION 1), VACANCIES HAD FALLEN ONLY SLIGHTLY. WITH A RECORD SUPPLY FORECAST THE TOTAL SPACE AVAILABLE IN 1985 WOULD BE MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THE AVERAGE ANNUAL TAKE-UP OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
IN CONTRAST, VACANCIES IN GRADE A OFFICES IN OTHER ESTABLISHED CENTRES HAD FALLEN DRAMATICALLY, AS SUPPLY HAD DRIED UP IN THE FACE OF SUSTAINED DEMAND, HE SAID.
A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, TAKE-UP AND VACANCY IN THE MAIN SECTORS FOLLOWS:
/PRIVATE DONESTIJ .......
tfECNESDAY, JANUARY 30 > 1985
- 4 -
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (ALL PREMISES)
(NO. OF UNITS)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY
1982 23 19 300 31 200 6.0
1983 21 600 26 200 24 403 4.5
1984 22 300 23 500 22 400 4.9
1985 (30 200)
♦PRIVATE DOMESTIC* EXCLUDES FLATS BUILT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
* VACANCY AT THE END OF THE YEAR AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL STOCK.
2
PRIVATE DOMESTIC (LARGER UNITS - 100 M AND OVER)
(NO. OF UNITS)
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1982 2 500 1 200 3 800 9.1
1933 2 600 1 800 4 400 9.9
1984 1 400 2 800 2 900 6.4
1985 (2 200)
COMMERCIAL .....................................2
SUPPLY (’000 M ) TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1982 368 198 545 10.7
1983 270 243 541 10.1
1984 1985 255 (243) 229 550 9.9
FLATTED FACTORIES 2 (’030 M ) TAKE-UP VACANCY %
SUPPLY
1982 1 041 571 1 219 10.5
1983 621 727 1 089 8.9
1984 429 857 657 5.2
1985 (559)
/offices (all)
V?S2N£SDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
OFFICES (ALL)
(’000 M )
SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
1982 546 253 573 17.6
1983 591 371 793 20.6
1984 219 449 561 13.8
1985 (332)
OFFICES (SECTORAL ANALYSIS) (’000 M ) SUPPLY TAKE-UP VACANCY %
SECTOR 1 CENTRAL, GRADE A OFFICES
1982 93 66 98 14.5
1983 40 44 94 13.2
1984 30 33 1985 (168) 91 12.2
SECTOR II SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, CAUSEWAY BAY AND TSIM SHA TSUI,
GRADE A ♦ CENTRAL, GRADE B OFFICES
1982 179 133 119 12.4
1983 234 118 235 19.7
1984 11 139 107 8.9
1985 (93)
SECTOR 111 REMAINDER
1982 274 54 356 22.0
1983 317 209 464 23.9
1984 178 277 363 17.2
1985 (71)
FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THIS RELEASE SHOULD, IN FIRST INSTANCE, BE DIRECTED TO EITHER OF TH" FOLLOWING:
MR KENNETH PANG TSAN-WING (5)7957604
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
MR M.J. WILLIAMS (5)7957613
TECHNICAL SECRETARY
A ...
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
6
NEW POLICY FOR RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING IN THAS * * * *
MORE THAN 600 FAMILIES AT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS HAVE SO FAR BENEFITED FROM A NEW MEASURE DESIGNED FOR THE RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING IM THAS.
♦UNDER THIS MEASURE INTRODUCED LAST YEAR, CASUAL VACANT THA UNITS NOT LARGER THAN 7.43 SQUARE METRES MAY BE ALLOCATED
I T|f\ALLY TO FAMILIES LIVING AT A DENSITY OF LESS THAN 1.86 ST-RE METRES PER PERSON,+ SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TODAY.
HE SAID THE SUPPLY OF SUCH VACANT UNITS WERE EXPECTED TO increase significantly in the near future when single persons and i WO—PERSON FAMILIES IN THAS BEGAN TO BE ALLOCATED PUBLIC HOUSING.
+0N T'E OTHER HAND, THA RESIDENTS ARE BEING MORE QUICKLY REHOUSED T( PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. FOR EXAMPLE, 16 000 THA RFSiD^NTS WERE ALLOCATED PUBLIC HOUSING IN 1983-84.
+ THE DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED A PROGRAMME TO CLEAR OLD EXISTING THAS IN ADDITION TO THOSE THAT ARE BEING CLEARED FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES THIS WILL INCREASE THE RATE OF REHOUSING OF THA FAMILIES.
♦WITH AN INCREASED SUPPLY OF SMALL VACANT UNITS AND A MUCH ’-ASWFR RATE OF REHOUSING TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN THAS WILL SOON BE FURTHER REDUCED TO A VERY LARGE extent.
+ w’~0RE THEN, HOWEVER, IT WOULD EE IMPRACTICAL TO CONSIDER RELAXING THE DENSITY OF 1.86 SQUARE METPES SINCE IT WOULD CREATE AN UNFAIR SITUATION IN WHICH MORE NEEDY FAMILIES WOULD HAVE TO COMPETE VITH THE LESS NEEDY ONES.
+ALL FAMILIES ADMITTED INTO THAS SINCE OCTOBER 1983 HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SPACES AT THE PRESENT STANDARD OF AN AVERAGE OF 3.4 SQUARE METRES PER PERSON. THIS WILL MINIMISE THE DEGREE OR OVERCROWDING AMONG NEW FAMILIES.+
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF LAND FOR BUILDING THAS, VACANT THA UNITS LARGER THAN 7.43 SQUARE METRES HAD BEEN RESERVED FOR REHOUSING NEW FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE AMD NATURAL DISASTERS.
HR POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THERE WERE ABOUT 1 000 SUCH VACANT U'TS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 3 000 PERSONS, OVER 2 000 NA' ’RAL DISASTER VICTIMS WERE WAITING ’0 BE ALLOCATED THA SPACES.
+IT IS ESTIMATED THAT OVER THE COMING SiX MONTHS, ’HERE IS A DEMAND "OR 10 000 THA 3~ACES ARISING FROM CLEARANCE ALONE, NOT 5FNTI0M DEMAND FRO'- POSSIBLE NATURAL DISASTERS OVER THS PERIOD.
+! " O THE PRESENT VERY TIGHT SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION, IT WOULD DE ^(REALISTIC TO CONSIDER MAKING USE OF THESE LARGER UNITS FOR RELIEF GF OVERCROWDING WITHOUT AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE AND REHOUSING OF VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS.+
0
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1935
- 7 -
SHA TIN GETS +TIMELY+ NEW TOWN PLAZA * * * * I
THE COMPLETION OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA WAS A TIMELY ADDITION TO THE DISTRICT, WHICH HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A BOOMING NEW TOWN OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS, AND WAS STILL GROWING, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
+THE PLAZA HAS PROVEN TO BE A MAJOR ATTRACTION FOR SHOPPERS NOT ONLY FROM SHA TIN, BUT ALSO FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AS WELL AS KOWLOON,* HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA, NR AKERS-JONES SA IDi +THE COMPLETION OF THE PLAZA MARKS A MAJOR STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE.*
+STANDING IN THIS MODERN AND IMPRESSIVE SHOPPING COMPLEX, IT IS NOT EASY TO RECOLLECT THAT LESS THAN A DECADE AGO, ON THIS VERY SITE, STOOD THE OLD SHA TIN MARKET,* HE SAID.
*THE OLD MARKET COMPRISED OF ROWS OF SIMPLE STRUCTURES AND WAS THEN THE HEART OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES FOR THE RURAL MARKET TOWN OF SHA TIN, SERVING A SMALL SCATTERED POPULATION OF LESS THAN 30 000 IN 40 ODD VILLAGES,* HE SAID.
MR AKERS-JONES SAID THAT IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE POPULATION IN SHA TIN HAD INCREASED TENFOLD TO 300 000 RESIDENTS AND WAS STILL GROWING.
THE PLAZA, HE SAID, FORMED AN INTEGRAL AND IMPORTANT PART OF THE SHA TIN TOWN CENTRE AND WAS THE BIGGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
+ITS ARCADES, UNIQUE MUSICAL FOUNTAIN, COLOURFUL SHOPS AND DEPARTMENT STORE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RECREATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES ALL ADD TO THE COLOUR AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN SHA TIN,* HE SAID.
OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE TOWN CENTRE AREA INCLUDED THE CENTRAL TOWN PARK SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, AND THE CULTURAL COMPLEX DUE FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1986.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
8
’ACCORD HELPS INVESTMENT DECISIONS' * * * *
THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT HAD REMOVED UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT HONG KONG’S POLITICAL FUTURE, THUS BENEFITING THE MAKING OF INVESTMENT DECISIONS, THE PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR DAVID CHEUNG, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AT A SEMINAR ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE AND JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIBANK ON +HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING FUTURE+.
THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TRADE POLICIES, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND TRADE AGREEMENTS SUCH AS THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE. IN SHORT, THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED ADEQUATELY FOR A CONTINUATION OF LIFE IN HONG KONG AND OF ALL THOSE FACTORS WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG A SUCCESS, HE SAID.
ON OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WOULD INCREASE.
THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICES
RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERSEAS WAS ALSO INCREASING.
MR CHEUNG STRESSED THE NEED TO INTRODUCE MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO UPGRADE AND WIDEN THE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, SO AS TO MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN QVERSEAS MARKETS.
+THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS AWARE OF THE NEED OF HONG KONG’o MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND HAS A +ONE-STOP+ UNIT TO ASSIST INDUSTRIALISTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN INVESTING HERE,* MR CHEUNG SAIL.
THE UNIT ASSISTS INVESTORS BY INTRODUCING LOCAL INVESTORS TO THOSE FROM OVERSEAS wHO WANT TO ESTABLISH MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS HERE IN JOINT VENTURES, PROVIDING QUICK AND COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG FOR INVESTORS, GUIDING AND FACILITATING INVESTORS DEALING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISING INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION MISSIONS FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT EACH YEAR THE DEPARTMENT ORGANISED INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION MISSIONS OVERSEAS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN HONG KONG.
ON INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION AND TRADE WITH CHINA, MR CHEUNG SAID HONG KONG AND CHINA COULD CO-OPERATE IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANY LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS HAD ALREADY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS TO EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY THEIR BUSINESSES.
0
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
- 9 -
MAIN TASKS TO HELP DISABLED OUTLINED
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE MAIN REHABILITATION TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG’S HALF MILLION DISABLED PEOPLE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR MARTIN LEWIS AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND EAST.
MR LEWIS SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN PROVIDING TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED, THERE WAS STILL A NEED FOR A CONSCIOUS TRANSPORT POLICY FOR THE DISABLED EMBODIED IN THE OVERALL TERRITORY-WIDE POLICY.
THE TRANSPORT POLICY FOR THE DISABLED WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH DISABILITY, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THOSE PERSONS INCAPABLE OF USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
+IT IS OUR 1985 RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH HOW THESE NEEDS CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND MET, THROUGH A WORKING PARTY THAT HAS JUST BEEN SET UP,+ MR LEWIS SAID.
ANOTHER TASK TO BE TACKLED, HE SAID, WAS THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED. MR LEWIS CALLED UPON THE MEDIA TO SUPPORT THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION WHICH WILL TAKE THE INITIATIVE THIS YEAR.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO RTHK FOR PRODUCING ITS AWARD-WINNING FILM ♦BORN TO LIVE+, AND GAVE EXAMPLES OF OVERSEAS TV PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS +IRONSIDE+ WHICH BROUGHT DISABLED PEOPLE INTO PROGRAMMES.
HE FELT, PARTICULARLY, THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE EDUCATED MORE ON THE PROBLEMS OF THE MENTALLY ILL AND THEIR NEED FOR REHABILITATION.
♦ONE IN NINE OF US ARE THOUGHT TO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS AT SOME STAGE DURING OUR LIVES, SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THbRE IS SOME UNDERSTANDING AS TO HOW BEST PEOPLE CAN REINTEGRATE INTO NORMAL LIFE.+
HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS MUCH IGNORANCE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS. IT WAS ALSO NOT MUCH KNOWN THAT, COMPARATIVELY, MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE WERE NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN OTHERS.
+WE MUST GET ACROSS THE MESSAGE THAT THE MENTALLY ILL, AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN TREATED IN HOSPITAL, MUST SOMEHOW ADJUST TO THE COMMUNITY AGAIN, AND THE HALF-WAY HOUSES ACT AS A BRIDGE BETwEEN HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY LIFE,+ HE SAID.
ANOTHER 1985 RESOLUTION, SAID MR LEWIS, WAS TO ADVANCE THE ARGUMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPEECH THERAPY COURSE IK HONG KONG. +THE SHORTAGE OF SPEECH THERAPISTS IS PERHAPS THE SINGLE BIGGEST SHORTFALL IN REHABILITATION SERVICES IN H NG KONG. WE NEED ABOUT 130 AND AT THE LAST COUNT WE HAD ONLY 12 WORKING I TH THE CHINESE POPULATION,+ HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 33, 1985
10 -
EPCOM INSPECTS EPA WORK ?. n X
MEMBERS OP THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR GERALD FORSGATE TODAY VISITED THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE WORK CF THE OFFICE.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE COMMISSIONER, DR STUART REED AND THE HEADS OF THE FOUR DIVISIONS SET UP TO TACKLE THE '•/APIOUS ASPECTS OF POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG.
THEY WERE GIVEN DETAILS OF SOME OF THE MORE OBVIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ENVIRONMENT IN OUR DAILY LIFE, INCLUDING : REDUCTION IN THE LEVEL OF PILING NOISE, A MORE ACCEPTABLE LEVEL :■ MR POLLUTION IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS, AND STRICTER CONTROL CF .'.ATER QUALITY IN OUR HARBOUR AND BEACHES TO PREVENT FUNGI AND BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION.
THEY v'ERE INFORMED OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE AGENCY, INCLUDING A MEANS TO TEST THE LIKELY ■•/ISE POLLUTION LEVELS IN NOISE SENSITIVE BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS, SU'H AS SCHOOLS AND HOUSING ESTATES, BY THE USE OF LARGE-SCALE MODELS.
MR JOHN CHAMBERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FORMULATING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY WITH THE HELP OF THE EPA, ALSO TOOK PART IN THE V i S i T.
THE WORK OF THE EPA INVOLVES DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL PF GRAMMES ESTABLISHING QUALITY OBJECTIVES, MONITORING LONG-TERM POLLUTION TRENDS, ASSESSING AND ADVISING ON THE IMPACT OF MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
0 --------
’LAST DAY’ ELECTION REMINDER
X K * M
TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE MARCH 7 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION REMINDED POTENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT NOMINATIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED -v A RECEIPT FOR $1 000 DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURY IN RESPECT OF T ' 'R CANDIDACY.
ALTHOUGH THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS AT ' FRICT OFFICES IS 5.30 PM TOMORROW, THE DAILY CLOSING TIME OF TREASURY OFFICES IS 4 PM, HE SAID.
■■POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WHO WISH TO SIGN UP TOMORROW APE
THEREF r.L ADVISED TO ARRANGE TO PAY THE ®1 000 DEPOSIT BEFORE 4 PM.
+THE DEPOSIT IS REFUNDABLE IF A NOMINATION 13 TOT ACCEPTED,* HE SAID.
0
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1^35
11
YAU MA TEI FACELIFT IN FULL SWING * # it
YAU MA TEI DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN GOES TO FULL SWING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WITH A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A MAJOR YEAR-END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE, THE DEMOLITION OF OBSOLETE SIGNBOARDS AND INITIATION OF AREA PATROLS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS.
TP2 CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS MONTH WITH A SEMINAR Cl, BUIlDING AGcMENT, WHICH WAS *ELL RECEIVED BY MEMBERS OF hUTUaL ID CO :TTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
FRO TOMORROW, AREA PATROLS, COMPRISING YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD At. AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERN1’-F'.'T DEPARTMENTS, WILL SET OUT ON INSPECTIONS OF FOUR AREAS TO IDE\*IFY MINOR STREET MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
THE -AMS WILL LIST THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE AREAS AND PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS. THE LIST WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE lB-Cl-' :TTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
CJ.V ITT.-. AND BE FORWARDED TO GOVERNMENT FOR ACTION.
A ,JjR YEAR-END CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT DURING T.-E SIX DAYS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, BEGINNING ON FEBRUARY 14.
“HE EXERCISE, JOINTLY CARRIED OUT WITH THE CITY SERV IC£S ■'-‘3ARTMEWT, WILL INCLUDE THE CLEANING OF STREETS AN. BACKLA ,£5 AWR A MAJOR INSPECTION OF THE COMMON AREAS OF 16 i.lTI-STOREY KILD INGS.
DURING THE CLEAN-UP, RESIDENTS SHOULD USE C.-F-S"-EET
REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WHICH ..ILL BE OPENED FROM 7 -r,_ 11 ph
DAILY. FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE LOCATIONS OF 7-E • I'-’S, RESIDENTS MAY CALL THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE ON 3-3237^1 OR THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S YAU MA TEI CLEANSING OFFICE ON 3-884111 EXTENSION: 304.
AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, THE DISTRICT BOARD, TOGETHE? . ITH VARIOUS OWNERS CORPORATIONS, WILL TEAR DOWN SIGNBOARDS .vr.lCH „ERt IDENTIFIED IN A SURVEY LAST NOVEMBER AS BEING OBSOLETE 0 . AICC' -
IN ADDITION, A LARGE NUMBER OF SIGNBOARDS IDENTIFY. . T E BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPART-'E’iT AS BE G DANGER O' S, .ILL ' TOE.. DOWN 1'1 PHASES.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
- 12 -
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IS FUNDED BY THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD AND CO-ORDINATED BY A SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CAMPAIGN’S AREA PATROLS. A LIST OF THE AREAS AND TIME OF THE PATROLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
AREA DATE TIME ASSEMBLE PLACE
TSIM SHA TSUI JANUARY 31 10.30 AM TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE
EAST AREA FEBRUARY 2 10 AM YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE
NORTH AREA FEBRUARY 7 2.30 PM YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE
SOUTH AREA FEBRUARY 13 9.30 AM YAU MA TEI DISTRICT OFFICE
o- •
HUGE MAP SHOWS WAN CHAI CONSTITUENCIES
A MAP OF THE FIVE CONSTITUENCIES OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT BEEN PAINTED ON A HUGE BOARD AND HUNG ON A WALL IN
P HILL ROAD.
ABOUT 10 VOLUNTEERS SPENT LAST SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) PAINTING THE F E AREAS ON THE MAP, WHICH MEASURES 1.83 METRES BY
6.1 METRES.
ALSO PAINTED ON THE MAP IS THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD LOGO AND THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SLOGAN.
SHOWN CLEARLY IN DIFFERENT COLOURS ARE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE FIVE CONSTITUENCIES -- WAN CHAI WEST, WAN CHAI EAST, CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL, HAPPY VALLEY, AND TAI HANG AND SO KON PO.
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LAM KAM-K'JONG AND AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOM"' YOUNG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED MORRISON HILL ROAD TO INSPECT THE MAP.
MR LAM SAID THE MAP WILL PROVIDE RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TH AN IDEA OF HOW THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ARE DIVIDED.
+ AS FART OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S PUBLICnY PROJECT, I HOPE HE MAP WILL SERVE AS A REMINDER TO REGISTERED . 01: I T-.E
L.SiRICT TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO CAbT 7.-... ;• E. _L " I’. THE MARCH 7 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS,♦ LAM SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 33, 1235
13
+OPEN LEARNING* SPREADING WORLD WIDE * * * *
+OPEN LEARNING* WAS RAPIDLY EXPANDING ROUND THE WORLD, l*R STUART DALZIEL, A VISITING EXPERT IN THIS FIELD, TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.
THIS ENABLED PEOPLE TO LEARN WHAT THEY NEEDED, AT A TIME AND PLACE, AND IN A FORM WHICH SUITED THEM BEST, HE EXPLAINED.
FORMERLY DIRECTOR OF THE MANPOWER SERVICES COMMISSION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HE HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TO ADVISE ITS MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE — MDC — ON THE PROMOTION OF NEW MANAGEMENT TEACHING PROGRAMMES. HE HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG TWICE BEFORE, TO HELP THE MDC IDENTIFY THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES BY OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING IN HONG KONG.
IN BRITAIN, HE SAID, THERE WAS A BIG DEMAND FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMES GEARED TO THE TRAINING OF TECHNICAL AND SUPERVISORY SKILLS.
SPEAKING ABOUT THE +OPEN TECH PROGRAMME* LAUNCHED BY THE MANPOWER SERVICES COMMISSION’S +OLD TECH UNIT,* IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HE SAID THAT IT WAS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 130 333 WORKING ADULTS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
HE HAD COME +T0 FIND OUT THE REAL NEEDS IN HONG KONG+, AND STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING +WOULD PRESENT BOTH A CHALLENGE AND A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGEMENT TRAINING HERE,* HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING, THE DIRECTOR OF THE MDC, DR ROBERT TRICKER, SAID THAT LESS THAN EIGHT PER CENT OF THE 200 000 MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS FROM HONG KONG’S MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS RECEIVE MANAGEMENT TRAINING OF ANY KIND.
+THEREFORE, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO STEP UP MANAGEMENT TRAINING TO ENSURE THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IS PROVIDED WITH EFFECTIVE AND ADAPTABLE MANAGEMENT AT EVERY LEVEL,* DR TRICKER SAID.
+THE COUNCIL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A REPORT BY MR DALZIEL A FEW MONTHS LATER ON HOW OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING CAN BE PROMOTED TO CATER FOR THE NEED OF HONG KONG.
LATER IN THE DAY, MR DALZIEL ALSO CONDUCTED A WORKSHOP ON MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT BY OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING FOR 130 MANAGEMENT TEACHERS, TRAINERS AND EXECUTIVES CONCERNED WITH EDUCATIONAL POLICY IN THIS FIELD.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
- 14 -
THREE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HELD IN RAID * * * *
THREE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS IN A RAID ON A CLEANING SERVICE COMPANY IN TAI PO LAST (TUESDAY) NIGHT.
THE THREE MEN, AGED BETWEEN 20 AND 30, WERE BEING DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY IN TA I YUEN ESTATE IS ALSO UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SUSPECTED OFFENCES INCLUDING HARBOURING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND EMPLOYING PERSONS WHO ARE NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE.
TWELVE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS HAD TAKEN PART IN YESTERDAY’S OPERATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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TALKS FOR TEACHERS
* * *
FOUR TALKS ON THE TEACHING OF CHINESE LITERATURE WILL BE GIVEN IN MARCH FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
THE TALKS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON FOUR SATURDAY MORNINGS.
MR H.L. LO OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL SPEAK ON +THE APPRECIATION OF CHINESE DRAMA+, AND NR CHENG MAN-LEUNG OF NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK SOUTH DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL WILL SPEAK ON THE ORGANISATION OF TEACHING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH CHINESE LITERATURE.
MR K.C. YU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE, CHINESE UNIVERSITY CF HONG KONG, WILL SPEAK ON +THE APPRECIATION OF MODERN CHINESE POETRY+, AND MR LO KUEN-PO OF CHEN ZAO MEN COLLEGE WILL SPEAK ON +THE TEACHING OF THE HISTORY OF CHINESE LITERATURE+.
SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE TALKo SHOULD APPLY TO THE SENIOR INSPECTOR, CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE, 9A BONHAM ROAD, 1/F, BEFORE FEBRUARY 15.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE CENTRE ON 5-488230.
/IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
- 15 -
MORE TIME FOR POSTER DESIGN ENTRIES * * *
THE DEADLINE FOR THE METRICATION COMMITTEE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ON THE USE OF METRIC WEIGHING MACHINES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MARCH 6.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE MANY STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO TAKE THEIR MID-TERM EXAMINATIONS IN FEBRUARY, EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES BY THE EARLIER DEADLINE DATE.
THE POSTPONEMENT WAS TO ENABLE AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITION.
HE REMINDED PARTICIPANTS THAT ALL ENTRIES MUST BE OF A2 SIZE (420 MM X 594 MM) AND SHOULD BE SENT TO THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT AT 31/F, UNITED CENTRE, 95 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THERE WAS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES FROM EACH PARTICIPANT.
TOP PRIZE WILL BE A $2 000 SCHOLARSHIP, AND FIRST AND SECOND PRIZES WILL BE BOOK OR STATIONERY TOKENS WORTH $1 500 AND $1 000.
THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 MERIT PRIZES IN THE FORM OF BOOK OR STATIONERY TOKENS, EACH WORTH $200.
THE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE THE USE OF METRIC WEIGHING MACHINES AMONG HAWKERS, MARKET-GOERS AND HOUSEWIVES.
THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT EXHIBITIONS, MARKETS AND HOUSING ESTATES.
-----o------
CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS COMPLETE SPECIAL COURSE *****
THIRTY-THREE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES TODAY ON COMPLETION OF AN INTENSIVE COURSE ON ANTIDISTURBANCE AND RIOT CONTROL IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS.
EIGHT OF THEM ARE PRISON OFFICERS FROM SRI LANKA, ON ATTACHMENT TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR TRAINING.
/THE PHESSiTATICti ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
THE PRESENTATION WAS MADE BY MR PI WING-LEE, PRINCIPAL OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, IN STANLEY.
IT WAS ONE OF MANY DEVELOPMENT COURSES RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT ID TRAIN ITS OFFICERS IN VARIOUS SPECIALISED AREAS OF WORK, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
OTHER TRAINING COURSES COVER SUCH SUBJECTS AS MANAGEMENT, CASE AND GROUP WORK, COUNSELLING AND SECURITY.
SAFETY DISPLAY TO BE OPENED * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH EXH IBITI J .. ♦SAFETY EXTRAVAGANZA*, WILL BE OPENED IN THE FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY, LEVEL 3, OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA, ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1), AT 3 PM.
MR DARWIN CHEN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR LAM W00N-KWONG, DISTRICT OFFICER, SHA TIN AND MR K.M. CHAN, PROJECT DIRECTOR CF SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL COMPRISE A 15-MINUTE SOUND-ON-SLIDE SHOW, SAFETY FILMS, STATIC DISPLAYS AS WELL AS SIX SPECIALISED AUDIO-VISUAL SERIES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
- - 0 - -
OLD TOILET BEING REDEVELOPED * * * *
AN OLD TOILET AT SAI YEE STREET IS BEING REDEVELOPED.
A $836 000—CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE JOB OF DEMOLISHING THE OLD TOILET AND CONSTRUCTING A NEW TWO-STOREY BUILDING THERE.
THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS HANDCART WASHING SPACE, AN OFFICE, A CUBICLE FOR THE DISABLED AND A STOREROOM.
THE FIRST FLOOR WILL HAVE TOILETS, A STOREROOM AND AN ATTENDANT’S ROOM.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 33, 1985
- 17 -
TRAFFIC CHANGE * * * *
TRAFFIC ON SAI CHEUNG STREET IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) TO FACILITATE SLOPE WORK AT BELCHER’S STREET.
ROAD CLOSURE * * *
THE TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING BETWEEN BUTTERFLY ESTATE AND SAM SHING ESTATE SHOULD USE ROAD D8 AND PUI TO ROAD.
-----o------
HUNG HOM SALT WATER MAINS WORK * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HUNG HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF FOR FIVE DAYS FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO 10 AM ----------------------- —) FACILITATE WATER MAINS REPAIR WORK.
ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 5) TO
AFFECTED PREMISES ARE ROAD NORTH, AND HONG CHONG
THOSE ALONG HOK YUEN STREET, CHATHAM ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG- TEL: 5-233191
THURSDAY, JANUARY , 1985
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
503 VIE FOR DB SEATS .......................................... 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1984 ......................... 3
NOVEMBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ................. 6
SIR PHILIP VISITS LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH ...................... 8
TAXI AD APPROVAL STARTS TOMORROW .............................. 9
YOUTH LEADERS TO GET CERTIFICATES ............................. 9
REFLECTIVE PLATE DEADLINE - JUNE............................... 10
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CAS CAMP .................................... 11
BIDS SOUGHT FOR FERRY SERVICE ................................. 11
HOUSING (TRAFFIC) BY-LAW CHANGES START TOMORROW ............... 12
SAFETY DRIVE ABIS AT YOUTHS ................................... 12
REGISTRATIONS REVOKED ......................................... 13
CANDIDATES TO MEET THE PRESS ................... -............ 13
INTELPOST GOES TO ISRAEL....................................... 13
ENGLISH COURSE TOR PRIMARY TEACHERS............................ 14
TRAFFIC CHANGE FOR CLEAN-UP JOB ............................... 15
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK ....................................... 1?
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985
1
503 VIE FOR DB SEATS
* * *
A TOTAL OF 503 PEOPLE FROM A WIDE RANGE OF OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED AS CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE FROM CANDIDATES AND NOTED THAT THE ELECTORS HAD A WIDE CHOICE.
♦I.AM HAPPY THAT SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE COME FORWARD AND ARE WILLING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY,* •r, SAID.
*IT IS UP TO THE VOTERS NOW OARCH 7.
+THE MORE PEOPLE THAT VOTE, OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES,*
TO DO THEIR PART BY VOTING ON
THE STRONGER WILL BE THE VOICE HE SAID.
SOME 1.4 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS WHICH ARE TO FILL 237 VACANT SEATS ON IP DISTRICT BOARDS.
IF THE FINAL DAY OF NOMINATIONS, 24 CANDIDATES FILED IN THEIR DOMINATIONS, BRINGING TO 503 THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES.
THESE INCLUDE 472 MEN AND 31 WOMEN FROM A WIDE BACKGROUND, INCLUDING EXECUTIVES, TEACHERS, DOCTORS, ENGINEERS, FACTORY WORKERS, BUSINESSMEN AND HOUSEWIVES.
THE LARGEST GROUP COMES FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR, REPRESENTING 41 PER CENT? FOLLOWED BY EXECUTIVES (16 PER CENT) ; EDUCATIONALISTS (12 PER CENT); AND PROFESSIONALS (7 PER CENT).
AGES OF CANDIDATES RANGE FROM 21, THE MINIMUM LEGAL AGE REQUIREMENT, TO 75.
THE 31-40 AGE GROUP IS THE LARGEST, WITH 156 CANDIDATES IN THIS GROUP. THERE ARE 115 BETWEEN ‘mE AGES OF 41 AND 50, AND 115 AGED BETWEEN 51 AND 60.
AMONGST THE 503 CANDIDATES ARE 120 SERVING MEMBERS SEEKING L. TION FOR A NEW TERM.
FOURTEEN OF THE 145 CONSTITUENCIES ARE UNCONTESTED AND THE 22 CANDIDATES IN THESE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE RETURNED UNOPPOSED.
/THE MOST........
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
THE MOST KEENLY CONTESTED CONSTITUENCY IS TAI PO SOUTH WHERE FIVE CANDIDATES ARE COMPETING FOR THE ONE VACANT SEAT.
IN EACH OF THE SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES OF LAM TIN NORTH, PENG CHAU, HANG HAU, AND YUEN LONG RURAL NORTH, FOUR CANDIDATES ARE BIDDING FOR THE SEAT, WHILE IN KWAI CHUNG EAST EIGHT CANDIDATES ARE VYING FOR TWO SEATS.
h- TWO-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES OF WAH FU, NORTH POINT WEST, KxAl CHUNG WEST, YUEN LONG TOwN NORTH, YUEN LONG RURAL WEST, AND YUtN LONG RURAL SOUTH, WILL EACH BE CONTESTED BY SEVEN CANDIDATES.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED IN EACH CF THE 19 DISTRICTS*
HONG KONG AND KOWLOON
EASTERN 43 SOUTHERN 23
WONG TAI SIN 39 MONG KOK 22
KWUN TONG 38 WAN CHAI 21
KOWLOON CITY 30 CENTRAL AND WESTERN 19
SHAM SHUI PO 28 YAU MA TEI 17
NEW TERRITORIES
KWAI CHUNG AND
TSI NG Y! 38 TSUEN WAN 18
TUEN MUN 35 ISLANDS 17
YUEN LONG 32 TAI PO 17
SHA TIN 32 S' ’ KUNG 12
NORTH 22
--------c-----------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3' 1985
- 3 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1984 * * * *
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY IN DECEMBER, ACCORDING TO MONETARY STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE INCREASE DURING THE MONTH WAS NEVERTHELESS AT LEAST IN PART i.ZASONAL, ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CREDITING OF HALF-YEARLY INTEREST TO SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AT YEAR-END. THE PAYMENT OF YEAR-END K ‘USES MAY ALSO ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THE RISE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS DURING THE MONTH.
THERE WAS ALSO A SEASONAL INCREASE DURING THE MONTH IN HONG KONG DOLL.- < CASH DEMAND, AS REPRESENTED BY LEGAL TENDER NOTES ANu COIN HELD BY THE PUBLIC.
REFLECTING THE CHANGES IN HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS IN THE MONTH, BOTH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE. FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENTS OF THE MONEY SUPPLY ROSE, ON ALL DEPINITIONS.
DEMAND FOR LOANS REMAINED WEAK. WHILE LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KO*'O REGISTERED A SMALL INCREASE, LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE FELL IN DECEMBER.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1984 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TAELE 2 SETS OUT FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
(NOTE: THESE TWO TABLES ARE BEING SENT BY FACSIMILE NETWORK, AND WILL ALSO BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.)
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE FURTHER, BY 3.3 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 4.9 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1984 THE INCREASE WAS 11.1 PER CENT BRINGING THE GROWTH RATE FOR 1984 AS A WHOLE TO 25.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ALSO ROSE, BY 4.5 PER CENT IN
DE EMBER, AGAINST A FALL OF 1.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. IN THE THR M THS TO DECEMBER, THEY ROSE BY 5.3 PER CENT AND OVER THE YEAR A WHOLE BY 26.2 PER CENT.
g* m
/TOTAL DEPOSITS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH BANKS CONTINUED TO GROW FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH, RISING BY 4.7 PER CENT FOLLOWING 2.3 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. TOTAL DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW ONLY MARGINALLY BY 0.2 PER CENT, AFTER HAVING FALLEN BY 0.5 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH. WHILE DEPOSITS WITH BANKS ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY BY 10.5 PER CENT OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, ^HOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 0.2 PER CENT. THERE aAS THUS A SHIFT OF DEPOSITS IN FAVOUR OF BANKS, WHICH COULD BE tXPLA AT LEAST IN PART BY THE NARROWING DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN MONEY 'ARKET INTEREST RATES AND HKAB DEPOSIT RATES DURING MOST CF THIS PERIOD.
c0R tHE FIRST TIME STATISTICS ON SWAP DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FROM BANKS ON A FORMAL BASIS. THESE INDICATE THAT AT EfJ’j OF DECEMBER SOME $20 BILLION OR 14.6 PER CENT OF FOREIGN : RE?. ‘Y D'POSITS WITH BANKS WERE IN FACT HELD ON A SWAP BASIS, WHERE fHE CUSTOMER HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE BANK TO PURCHASE ONG KONG DOLLARS AT A PRE-DETERMINED RATE WITH THE PROCEEDS OF ■HE FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT AT MATURITY. AN INFORMAL SURVEY ,..0 " D IN THE SUMMER OF 1983 SUGGESTED THAT SWAP DEPOSITS
..!C:T THEM HAVE TOTALLED SOME $45 BILLION. THE RELATIVE ATTRACTION OF SWAP DEPOSITS WAS REDUCED BY THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS IN OCTOBER 1^83, BUT CLEARLY THERE CONTINUE TO BE OCCASIONS WHEN THF *»PGIN BETWEEN MARKET INTEREST RATES AND THE MAXIMUM DEPOSIT RATES PERMITTED BY HKAB RULES CREATES A SIGNIFICANT INCENTIVE 10 rLACE FUNDS ON A SWAP BASIS. IT HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNISED TH-. THE EXISTENCE OF SWAP DEPOSITS MAY DISTORT THE UNDERLYING IrtLND . -■ THE MONETARY STATISTICS AND HENCE RENDER INTERPRETATION DIFFiC!THIS DIFFICULTY IS NOT RESOLVED BY THE POSSESSION CF JUS: ONE MONTH’S FIGURES ON SWAP DEPOSITS, BUT THE AVAILABILITY OF SWAP STATISTICS SHOULD AID INTERPRETATION FROM NOW ON.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY IN DECEMBER. WHILE HKSM1 (THE NARROWEST DEFINITION) ROSC BY 4.2 PER CENT, THE BROADER DEFINITIONS HKSM2 AND HK$M3 WERE UP BY 4.5 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE CORRESPOND I 4 GROWTH PATES IN NOVEMBER WERE 4.3 PER C NT, 6.4 PER CENT AND 4.5 °EP CENT.
IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, HK$M1 ROSE BY 1 4 PEr CENT, Hh M2 BY 15.3 PER CENT AND HK','M3 £Y 10.5 PER CENT. O'* ER THE YEAR, RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES WERE 17.9 PER CEN", 24.3 PER CENT AND 24.0 PER CENT.
/TOTAL money ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY
TOTAL MONEY SUPPLY ALSO ROSE ON ALL DEFINITIONS. TOTAL Ml ROSE BY 5.3 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 4.6 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 3.8 PER CENT, FASTER THAN THE RESPECTIVE GROWTH RATES OF 4.1 PER CENT, 2.2 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. THE
-.RESPONDING GROWTH RATES OVER THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER ..PE 9.6 PER CENT, 10.0 PER CENT AND 7.9 PER CENT, AND OVER THE •<ELVF MONTHS WERE 19.1 PER CENT, 21.9 PER CENT AND 24.8 PER CENT.
OANS AND ADVANCES
LOAN' '-D ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOS IT-TAK I NG ..■I7UTIC CONTINUED TO GROW ONLY SLOWLY, BY 0.3 PER CENT IN CEMBER FOLLOWING 1.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. OVER THE THREE
SHS TO DECEMBER, THESE GREW BY 1.8 PER CENT AND OVER THE , C. 7F vOa.t j$ BY 7.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE FELL BY 0.7 PER CENT IN DECEMBER, AFTER A MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. ■HILE THEY FELL BY 1.4 PER CENT OVER THE LATEST THREE MONTHS, V W.;F;L l;.LL 10.1 PER CENT HIGHER OVER THE TWELVE MONTHS.
' ii-R I O'NS FOR USE IN HONG KONG SHOWED A SMALL INCREASE OF - EF CENT FOLLOWING A RELATIVELY STRONGER RISE OF 1.5 PER ' NOVEMBER. IN THE THREE MONTHS TO DECEMBER, THEY ROSE v oro CENT AND 0VER THE TWELVE MONTHS BY 5.7 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS Or OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG
LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL BY 4.5 PER CENT DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER, AGAINST AN INCREASE OF 3.2 PER CENT DURING THE THIRD QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR SUCH LOANS SHOWED A MARGINAL INCREASE OF ONLY 0.7 PER CENT. THE IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXTERNAL TRADE SECTOR APPEARS TO HAVE PROVIDED MANUFACTURERS WITH AMPLE LIQUIDITY. LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES WERE 10.2 PER CENT HIGHER, IN CONTRAST TO A FALL OF 2.9 PER CENT DURING THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THE INCREASE WAS 7.5 PER CENT. lOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR FELL BY 0.7 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, Ar RR INCREASING RAPIDLY BY 6.1 P CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER. Ur. HE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE O'" 2.1 =>ER CEN 1.
3 TO INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE RlSIDENTIAL PROPERTY OTHER THAN
S IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PR I VAT" S-CTOR PARTICIPATION .SrlEME ROSE FURTHER BY 3.8 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 2.3 PER T t DURING THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR THESE INCREASED BY 16.3 PEP CENT.
/FC SIGN CURRENCY ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY , 1985
6
FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE MONETARY SECTOR ROSE TO $4.6 BILLION AT THE END OF DECEMBER, COMPARED WITH $2.5 BILLION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, STATISTICS COLLECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOWED SIMILAR MOVEMENTS, RECORDING $3.3 BILLION OF NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS AT THE END OF DECEMBER, COMPARED WITH $1.2 BILLION A MONTH cARLIER. THE RISE IN NET SPOT FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A DECREASE IN NET FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE MONETARY SECTOR FROM $21.3 BILLION TO $20.5 BILLION. niESE CHANGES PROBABLY REFLECTED SOME FURTHER REDUCTION IN FOREIGN '\JRRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS AS INTERBANK MONEY MARKET RATES REMAINED RELATIVELY LOW.
LIQUIDITY RATIO
THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S.18 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE) FOR ALL BANKS FELL SLIGHTLY TO 49.6 PER CENT FROM 51.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. THE AVERAGE LIQUIDITY RATIO (AS DEFINED IN S.24A OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE) FOR ALL DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED, AT 43.8 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 43.9 PER CENT A MONTH EARLIER.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF OPERATING LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 1 TO 140, WHILE THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 33. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL TO 310.
-----0-----
NOVEMBER RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, ESTIMATED AT 5 630 MILLION, WAS NINE PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN NOVEMBER 1983, THE VOLUME WAS SEVEN PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL JL VEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STAiISTICS ::: artment.
RETAIL SALES FOR THE PERIOD compare) with the same period in and FIVE 9-R CENT IN VOLUME.
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984, WHEN 1983, ROSE BY NINE »ER CELT IN VALU-
/A COMPARISON
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985
A COMPARISON OF NOVEMBER 1984 SALES WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1984, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, SHOWS RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY ONE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
IN NOVEMBER 1984, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT IN VALUE AND SEVEN PER CENT IN VOLUME WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1983. CONSUMER DURABLE SALES ALSO INCREASED - BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VALUE AND SEVEN PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE CF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS, INCREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT IN VALUE AND FIVE PER CENT IN VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, FUELS DECREASED BY THREE PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND ONE PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
A COMPARISON OF SALES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 WITH THOSE FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, SHOWS RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS, AT 26 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. CONSUMER DURABLES ALSO REGISTERED INCREASES OF 17 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY NINE PER CENT IN VALUE AND SEVEN PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED LESS RAPIDLY, BY FIVE PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND TWO PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. HOWEVER, FUELS RECORDED A DROP OF TWO PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1984 FIGURES, RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS RECORDED AN INCREASE OF FIVE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS. ON THE OTHER HAND, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS, WHICH SHOWED NO CHANGE IN SALES VALUE, REGISTERED A DECREASE OF FOUR PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES, AND FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ALSO DECREASED, EACH BY TWO PER CENT IN VALUE AND ONE PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF FUELS DROPPED BY THREE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1983. SUPERMARKETS ALSO SHOWED LARGE INCREASES WHILE CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND DEPARTMENT STORES RECORDED MODERATE INCREASES IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
/COMPARISON OF .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
8
COMPARISON OF THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1984 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1983, SHOWS RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS, WHILE THOSE OF SUPERMARKETS, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND DEPARTMENT STORES SHOWED LARGE INCREASES IN VALUE BUT SMALLER INCREASES IN VOLUME. WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1984, APART FROM DEPARTMENT STORES, RETAIL SALES OF ALL OTHER SELECTED TRADES DECREASED IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEMBER 1984 SURVEY RESULTS WILL SHORTLY BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT 31 PER COPY.
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).
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SIR PHILIP VISITS LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH
******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY INSPECTED THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH AND TWO OF THE SIX DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE BRANCH HOUSED IN MURRAY BUILDING.
HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE WORK OF THE OFFICES AT FIRST HAND AND TO MEET THE STAFF INFORMALLY AT THE END OF THE VISIT.
THE TOUR BEGAN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WHERE SIR PHILIP WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR, MR JOHN TODD ON THE LATEST STATE OF THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME AND THE PROGRESS BEING MADE TOWARDS URBAN RENEWAL.
AT THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR, MR CHAMSON CHAU EXPLAINED IN DETAIL THE WORK OF THE ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, WITH THE HELP OF MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF MAJOR CULTURAL AND CIVIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. ALSO ON DISPLAY WERE VARIOUS EQUIPMENT USED TO TEST THE QUALITY OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND SAMPLES OF THE MATERIALS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS LATER BRIEFED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN AND THE GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY ENGINEER, ER Y.L. CHOI, ON DETAILS OF THE LUTO (LAND USE AND TRANSPORT OPTIMISATION) STUDIES, WHICH MAKE PROJECTIONS ON FUTURE LAND USE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
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/9........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985
9
TAXI AD APPROVAL STARTS TOMORROW
* * * *
AUTHORISATION FOR TAXIS TO CARRY ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1), A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW.
INTERESTED TAXI OWNERS SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING FOR THE AUTHORISATION, TO THE PUBLIC VEHICLE SECTION, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, ROOMS 906-909, HUTCHISON HOUSE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG. THERE WILL EE A CHARGE OF $100.
A LETTER OF AUTHORISATION WILL BE ISSUED TO EACH VEHICLE, AND IT WILL BE VALID UNTIL THE SPECIFIED VEHICLE IS RECLASSIFIED, SCRAPPED OR SUCH PERMISSION IS WITHDRAWN IN WRITING.
ADVERTISEMENTS MAY BE DISPLAYED ON BOTH FRONT DOOR PANELS BELOW THE WINDOW BY PAINTING OR BY STICKERS. LUMINOUS OR REFLECTING MATERIAL IS NOT PERMITTED.
ALL ADVERTISING MATTER MUST COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF HONG KONG AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
SIMPLIFIED ADVERTISING GUIDELINES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAXI CWNERS, FREE OF CHARGE, AT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, THE KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE AND ALL LICENSING OFFICES.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A BREACH OF CONDITIONS IMPOSED WILL BE $10 DOO FINE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE ADVERTISING SCHEME MIGHT BE EXTENDED TO PLBS AND MAX I CABS IF SUCCESSFUL.
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YOUTH LEADERS TO GET CERTIFICATES
******
EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME PARTICIPANT^ WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES AT A PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
ABOUT 110 YOUTHS TOOK PART IN THE SCHEME HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND JANUARY, WHICH FOCUSED ON TRAINING YOUTHS IN LEADERSHIP SKILL, COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE, TEAM WORK AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
/THE WINNERS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY VI, 1985
THE WINNERS OF A MODEL-MAKING CONTEST AND A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ENTITLED 'EASTERN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE* WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
ABOUT 130 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION, WHICH HAD THEMES OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT, SUCH AS THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE.
ABOUT 30 PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN THE MODEL-MAKING CONTEST, WITH SOME INTERESTING CONCEPTS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, A MUSEUM, AND THE SECOND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE COMPETITIONS AND THE TRAINING SCHEME WERE SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN HOUR-LONG LASER SHOW, FEATURING MODERN AND ORIENTAL DANCES, PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR ENTERTAINERS.
THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC AND MODEL-MAKING CONTESTS, AS WELL AS A PHOTO EXHIBITION ON THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED LAST YEAR BY THE COMMITTEE, WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY AT THE VENUE.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR LUI HAU-TUEN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
- - 0 -
REFLECTIVE PLATE DEADLINE - JUNE * * # *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS TO FIT REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES TO THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE JUNE 1.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, ALL VEHICLES MUST BE FITTED WITH A FRONT WHITE REFLECTIVE AND A REAR YELLOW REFLECTIVE PLATE BY THAT DATE.
HOWEVER, MOTOR CYCLES AND TRAILERS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO FIT FRONT NUMBER PLATES.
/+CAR OWNERS
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
11
a *C*R 0WNERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR REFLECTIVE NUMBER PLATES ARE OF AN APPROVED TYPE, WHICH BEARS THE SPECIFICATION
MDJLNA"E 0R trademark of the manufacturer.
EACH RETAIL OUTLET FOR THESE NUMBER PLATES SHOULD HOLD A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT. PROSPECTIVE BUYERS SHOULD CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-259494 WHEN IN DOUBT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IS A FINE OF $2 OOO. +
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GOVERNOR TO VISIT CAS CAMP
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, WILL VISIT THE CIVIL AID SERVICES YUEN TUN CAMP AT TSING LUNG TAU, TSUEN WAN, ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2) MORNING.
HE WILL FIRST TOUR THE SITE FACILITIES AND THEN VISIT THE 25O-YEAR-OLD YUEN TUN VILLAGE WITHIN THE CAMP SITE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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BIDS SOUGHT FOR FERRY SERVICE
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO OPERATE PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES FROM MA LIU SHU I TO WU KAI SHA AND MA LIU SHU I TO MA ON SHAN.
BIDS MAY BE MADE FOR ONE OR BOTH ROUTES, TO START FROM APRIL 1, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, SIXTH FLOOR, GUARDIAN HOUSE, 32 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHA I.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS SHOULD BE IN DUPLICATE AND IN SEALED ENVELOPES, MARKED +TENDER FOR PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND WU KAI SHA+ OR +TENDER FOR PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND MA ON SHAN+ AND ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD.
THE FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1985.
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/12........
Thursday, January 31, 1035
12
HOUSING (TRAFFIC) BY-LAW CHANGES START TOMORROW
■X X * *
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT CHANGES TO THE TRAFFIC BY-LAWS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WOULD COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
+ THIS FOLLOWS AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE HOUSING (TRAFFIC) BY-LAWS, BRINGING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE NEW PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS,* SAID A HOUSING SPOKESMAN.
HE SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROVIDED FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, INCREASED CHARGES FOR THE IMPOUNDING, REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES ILLEGALLY PARKED ON RESTRICTED ROADS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
^EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THE PRESENT CHARGES ARE TOO LOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO OFFENDING MOTORISTS.
+NEW CHARGES FOR IMPOUNDING A VEHICLE WILL BE $140; FOR REMOVING A VEHICLE, $200; AND FOR STORING A VEHICLE, $50 FOR EACH DAY AFTER THE FIRST DAY DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DETAINED.*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN AMENDMENTS INCLUDED THE ABANDONING OF THE CONCEPT OF +N0 WAITING* AND REPLACING IT WITH +N0 PARKING*, AS WELL AS THE ADOPTION OF NEW SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS.
+ALSO INCLUDED ARE THE INCREASING OF THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES FROM $500 TO $2 000, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME DEFINITIONS, OFFENCES AND OTHER PROVISIONS BASED ON THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS.*
------o-------
SAFETY DRIVE AIMS AT YOUTHS
* X X
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE THE TARGET OF A CAMPAIGN WHICH STARTS TOMORROW, TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND HOME SAFETY IN THE SHEUNG SHU I TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN IS PART OF THE THREE-MONTH +ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY PROJECT* LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS MONTH.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TALKS, FORUMS AND FILM SHOWS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
PAMPHLETS CONTAINING INFORMATION ON HOME SAFETY WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, AND MAJOR YEAR-END CLEAN-UP WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE THA ON FEBRUARY 15.
THE PROJECT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT.
------o-------
/13......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985
13
REGISTRATIONS REVOKED
* * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES AS DEPOSIT-TAKI NG COMPANIES HAS BEEN REVOKED TODAY AT THEIR OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 14(2) OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ORDINANCE:
ESTATE FINANCE LIMITED
DB FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED
-----0------
CANDIDATES TO MEET THE PRESS X X * X
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL INTRODUCE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE FORTHCOMING SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO THE MEDIA, AT A +MEET THE PRESS* SESSION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 3.30 PM IN THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE, ABERDEEN.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN, WILL INTRODUCE EACH OF THE CANDIDATES, WHO WILL SPEAK ON THEIR ELECTORAL PLATFORMS.
THERE WILL BE A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION AFTERWARDS.
----0------
INTELPOST GOES TO ISRAEL * * * *
THE INTELPOST NETWORK FROM HONG KONG WILL BE EXTENDED TO ISRAEL FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 4), THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
INTELPOST ITEMS POSTED IN HONG KONG BEFORE 6 PM WILL BE DELIVERED THE SAME DAY IN JERUSALEM, HAIFA AND TEL AVIV AND OTHER AREAS IN ISRAEL THE NEXT DAY, A SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE TO ISRAEL WILL BE:
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SHEET OF PAPER S65
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIDE SENT TO THE SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME &30
/INTELPOST WAS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY J1, 1985
14 -
INTELPOST WAS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, DENMARK, FRANCE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE IRISH REPUBLIC, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, LUXEMBOURG, MACAU, MALAYSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, QATAR, SINGAPORE AND SWEDEN, HE SAID.
PEOPLE USING THE SERVICE SHOULD HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT EITHER THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD, QUEEN’S ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET POST OFFICES ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND OR THE TSIM SHA TSUI, GRANVILLE ROAD, INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE, KOWLOON CENTRAL, KWUN TONG AND MONG KOK POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTELPOST REPRESENTATIVE ON TELEPHONE 5-2671148.
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ENGLISH COURSE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS
X * * X
A REFRESHER COURSE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD AT THE BRITISH COUNCIL, AT 253-261 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI FROM MARCH 11 TO JUNE 6.
COMMISSIONED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE COURSE AIMS TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH THE REVISED PRIMARY ENGLISH SYLLABUS, TO INTRODUCE THEM TO COMMUNICATIVE TEACHING TECHNIQUES, AND TO IMPROVE THEIR FLUENCY AND ACCURACY IN SPOKEN ENGLISH.
CLASSES WILL BE HELD ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM.
THERE WILL BE PLACES FOR 25 IN THE COURSE.
A THREE-MONTH FOLLOW-UP COURSE ON ORAL PROFICIENCY IN
ENGLISH WILL THEN BE HELD FOR THOSE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE REFRESHER COURSE.
THIS COURSE WILL BE FREE.
SCHOOL HEADS WISHING TO SEND TEACHERS TO THE COURSE
SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR NOMINATIONS BY FEBRUARY 28 TO THE PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (ENGLISH), EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, 5/F, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8392442.
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/15
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1985
15
TRAFFIC CHANGE FOR CLEAN-UP JOB * * * *
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES WILL BE PUT INTO EFFECT IN SHAM SHU I PO ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2) FOR THE PEI HO STREET YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON THAT DAYs
* TAI NAN STREET, BETWEEN KWEILIN STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET.
* KI LUNG STREET, BETWEEN KWEILIN STREET AND PEI HO STREET.
* PEI HO STREET, BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND YU CHAU STREET.
DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE, THERE WILL BE NO LEFT TURN FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD SOUTHBOUND ONTO PEI HO STREET EASTBOUND, AND NO LEFT TURN FROM NAM CHEONG STREET EASTBOUND ONTO TAI NAN STREET NORTHBOUND.
- - 0
EARLY MORNING ROAD WORK * * * *
THE KOWLOON BOUND SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (SAN HUI SECTION) BETWEEN PUI TO ROAD AND ROAD D9 ROUNDABOUT, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 5.30 AM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 2-3), FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, GENERAL TRAFFIC AND KMB ROUTES 68 AND 68M CASTLE PEAK ROAD HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN OR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD D9, ROAD D8 AND PROCEED ONTO TUEN MUN ROAD.
- - 0 -