Daily Information Bulletin - 1970s - 1975 - NOV - ENG





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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

• SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS: JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ............ 1

THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY ON CLOTHING INDUSTRY BEGINS ON MONDAY.................................................     2

CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD DEVELOPMENT........................... 3

RHKAAF TO BROADCAST ANTI-FIRE SLOGANS FROM THE AIR ........ 4

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE ...........................5

APPLICATION FORMS FOR JUNE G.C.E. EXAMS AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK ...................................................... 5

SPECIAL CENTRES IN N.T. FOR COLLECTING WATER CHARGES .... 6

DOG INOCULATION AND LICENSING CENTRE MOVES ................ 6

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1.975

1

HONG KONG DEFENCE COSTS NEGOTIATIONS JOINT PRESS STATEMENT r- a « « a

DURING THE PAST WEEK, NEGOTIATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE BETWEEN DELEGATIONS OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HEADED BY THE RT. HON. WILLIAM RcDGERS, M.P., MINISTER GF STATE FOR DEFENCE, AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HEADED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE. THESE NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWED EXCHANGES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE DURING TH LAST YEAR ON A SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT TO THE PRESENT DEFENCE C STS AGREEMENT WHICH EXPIRES ON MARCH 31, 1976.

THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE BASED ON THE CLEAR ACCEPTANCE DY DOTH SIDES OF THE NEED FOR A GARRISON CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING TRE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG AND DEMONSTRATING HMG’S CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COLONY. SUCH A GARRISON IS ALSO REGARDED DY DOTH GOVERNMENTS AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE.

AS A RESULT OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS AGREEMENT HAS DEEN REACHED ON THE SIZE AND TOTAL COST OF THE GARRISON. THE FUTURE GARRISON WILL DE R DIICED FROM ITS PRESENT LEVEL OF 6-2/3 UNITS TO INCLUDE ONLY FOUR INFANTRY BATTALIONS (ORE OF THEM BRITISH), A GURKHA ENGINEER FIELD SQUADRON, FIVE ROYAL NAVY CRAFT AND A SQUADRON OF EIGHT ROY.'.L AIR FORCE WESSEX HELICOPTERS. THE TOTAL COST AT CURRENT P.JCES IS ESTIMATED AT HK&A5OM (A2-1/2M POUNDS-STEl LI NG) A YFAR, G- ..PARED I TH THE COST OF THE PRESENT GARRISON OF NEARLY HK&7OOM (CRM POUR ".’STERLING). HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO DEAR A SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER PR' PORTION OF THE TOTAL CO-ST OF THE GARRISON THAN IN.THE PAST- BUT THE SIZE OF THE CONTRIBUTION WILL HAVE REALISTIC REGARD TO HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO PAY.

DUR I ' 3 THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK’S NEGOTIATIONS THE BASIS FOR SHARING '(i.E COSTS WAS THE MAJOR POINT UNDER DISCUSSION. OTHER POINTS II HIDED THE RELEASE GF FURTHER LAND AT PRESENT OCCUPIED BY THE GA RISON, THE METHOD OF CALCULATING COSTS ALO THE RATES GF EXCHANGE ’ PED, AND THE FORMULA TO BE EMPL OYED TO R( ELECT A JY IL. I AflOtl (HERE WILL. DE FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THESE MATTERS.

BOTH GOVERNMENTS HOPE FOR Afi EARLY AND SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT SO THAT AH AGREEMENT CAN DE CONCLUDED AUD DETAILS f IDE KNOWN BEFORE TH END OF i'ilE YEAR.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

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THIRD MANPOWER SURVEY ON CLOTHING INDUSTRY KOO#

A MANPOWER SURVEY OF HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 3) TO NOVEMBER 26 TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE DATA ON TRAINING NEEDS.

THE SURVEY, THE THIRD IN THE SERIES, WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WERE SENT TWO WEEKS AGO TO ALL SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.

EMPLOYERS ARE ASKED FOR INFORMATION ON : THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED3 THE NUMBER UNDER TRAINING3 EXISTING VACANCIES3 AND A FORECAST OF THE NUMBER OF WORKERS REQUIRED BY NOVEMBER 1976.

BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO INCLUDE ALL CLOTHING FACTORIES. SO, A RANDOM STRATIFIED SAMPLING METHOD HAS BEEN ADOPTED.

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR (INDUSTRIAL TRAINING). MR. HORACE KNIGHT, STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WOULD BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL FACTORY.

+AS THE INFORMATION IS VITAL TO THE WORK OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD IF IT IS TO DRAW UP MEANINGFUL PLANS TO MEET THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY, EMPLOYERS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY ARE ASKED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONNAIRES SENT TO THEM,+ HE ADDED.

DURING THE SURVEY, ON A DATE TO BE ARRANGED PREVIOUSLY BY APPOINTMENT, A SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT EACH OF THESE FACTORIES. HE WILL, IF REQUIRED, ANSWER QUERIES, ASSIST IN THE COMPLETION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE, AND WILL COLLECT ONE COPY FOR PROCESSING.

THE SECOND SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN NOVEMBER 1972 AND WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. +IT IS SINCERELY HOPED THAT EMPLOYERS IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY WILL CO-OPERATE IN THIS SURVEY AND THUS ASSURE SUCCESS EQUAL TO, IF NOT BETTER THAN, THE SECOND MANPOWER SURVEY,+ MR. KNIGHT SAID.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD DEVELOPMENT

* * * « M X

A NUMBER OF ROAD AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES WILL BE BUILT AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE ROAD TRAFFIC AT THE NGAU CHI WAN SECTION OF THE ROAD AND TO FORM SITES BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR TWO LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES — SHUN LEE TSUEN AND NGAU CHI WAN ESTATE.

THESE TWO ESTATES WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE SOME 11,600 HOMES FOR NEARLY 80,000 PEOPLE.

THE BRIDGES TO BE CONSTRUCTED — FIVE FOR CARS AND ONE FOR PEDESTRIANS -- WILL HAVE A COMBINED LENGTH OF 490 METRES.

ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PRESENT PART OF THE PROJECT ARE 1,370 METRES OF ROADWORKS, 1,500 METRES OF DRAINAGE WORKS AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.

A NEW SECTION OF CLEAR WATER DAY ROAD, FROM NGAU CHI WAN TO ANDERSON ROAD WILL BE BUILT, WHICH WILL BE WIDER AND LESS STEEP THAN THE EXISTING ROAD AND WILL HAVE A BRANCH CONNECTION TO SAU MAU PING ROAD.

ON COMPLETION, A TOTAL OF 40 HECTARES OF LAND, WITH ACCESS ROADS, SEWERS AND STORMWATER DRAINS WILL BE FORMED FOR HOUSING, COMMERCIAL AND COMMUNITY USES.

CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT JANUARY AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO ALO A HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

FIRE PREVENTION SLOGANS FROM THE AIR « H * X K *

THE ROYAL H0NG K0NG AUXILIARY AIR EOkCE is to BROADCAST ANTI-FIkE SLOGANS FROM THE AIR DURING THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.

STARTING TOMORROW (SUNDAY), THE RHKAAF’S ’ISLANDER’ WILL FLY OVER PICNIC SPOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, CHANTING ADVICE SUCH AS s +DRY WEATHER INCREASES FIRE RISKS+ AND +ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT GUARD AGAINST FIRE+.

THESE FLIGHTS WHICH ARE PART OF RHKAAF NORMAL TRAINING, WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MOST SUNDAYS UNTIL THE END OF

DECEMBER.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN WELCOMED THE SUPPORT OF THE AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AND SAID THAT THE OPERATION STARTED AT THE MOST APPROPRIATE TIME WITH THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING AT PRESENT IN FORCE. +WE ARE SURE THE SLOGANS WILL BE OF CONSIDERABLE HELP IN REMINDING VISITORS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE OF THE NEED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRES.+

HE NOTED THAT DESPITE REPEATED APPEALS TO PICNICKERS TO BE CAREFUL, A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTRY FIRES BROKE OUT OVER THE WEEKENDS DURING DRY WEATHER.

+IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO SPEND THE DAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OR OTHER RURAL AREAS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL TO PUT CIGARETTE

ENDS AND MATCHES OUT BEFORE D ISPOS I NG OF THEM. II YOU’RE HOLDING A BARBECUE, KEEP THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL AND MAKE SURE IT IS OUT BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA,+ HE URGED.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

5

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE USES LABORATORY METHOD

******

A LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE USING THE LABORATORY WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN THROUGH EXPERIMENTS WILL LATER THIS MONTH.

METHOD IN BE HELD

THE COURSE IS ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. IT WILL LAST FROM NOVEMBER 24 TO DECEMBER 4, WITH LECTURES EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING BETWEEN 7.30 P.H. AND 9.30 P.M. AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE IN 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI.

THE COURSE WILL END WITH AN OVERNIGHT CAMP AT THE DIOCESAN YOUTH CENTRE IN ROKFULAM ROAD ON DECEMBER 6.

IT IS OPEN TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN 18 AND 25 WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST FORM FIVE LEVEL. THE COST WILL BE $15 PER PERSON.

AS THE COURSE IS LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS, ENROLMENT WILL BE ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE NOVEMBER 14 TO THE YOUTH WORK UNIT’S OFFICES EITHER IN ROOM 908 CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. 5-712467) OR ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AT 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON (TEL. 3-084111 EXT. 331).

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G.C.E. EXAMS REGISTRATION ******

ENTRY FORMS FOR THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON AND THE ASSOCIATED EXAMINING BOARD, TO BE HELD IN JUNE NEXT YEAR, WILL BE AVAILABLE AS FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 3) FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SIT AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES.

FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON BEFORE 4 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 13 TOGETHER WITH FEES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, AT EITHER THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-TREASURY OR YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY.

CANDIDATES ARE REMINDED THAT NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AND THAT THEY ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE RUSH IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1975

WATER CHARGES COLLECTION CENTRES * * » * M *

THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TEMPORARY COLLECTION CENTRES WILL BE SET UP AT SHEUNG SHU I AND FANLING FOR THE COLLECTION WATER CHARGES FOR THE 2ND PERIOD, 1975.

THE SHEUNG'SHUI COLLECTION CENTRE IS LOCATED AT THE SHEUNG SHUI PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT SHEK WU HUI. IT WILL OPERATE ON NOVEMBER 6 AND 7.

THE FANLING COLLECTION CENTRE, OPERATING ON NOVEMBER 11 AND 12, WILL BE AT THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE AT LUEN WO HUI.

THE HOURS OF BUSINESS FOR BOTH CENTRES WILL BE FROM 9 A.M.

TO 1 P.M.

RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICTS ARE ASKED TO USE THESE FACILITIES WHICH ARE SPECIALLY PROVIDED FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE.

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DOG INOCULATION AND LICENSING CENTRE MOVES ft ft ft ft * ft

THE DOG INOCULATION AND LICENSING CENTRE AT CANTON ROAD. KOWLOON, WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES OPPOSITE NO. 30 HOI KING STREET, TAI KOK TSUI, NEAR THE TAI KOK TSUI FERRY, ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 4).

THE NEW CENTRE WILL OPEN ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FROM 8.30 A.M. TO 12 NOON, AND 1. P.M. TO 5 P.M.=> AND ON

SATURDAYS FROM 8.30 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

MEANWHILE, THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE COTTON TREE DRIVE CENTRE NEAR LOWER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS WILL BE CHANGED AS FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 3). THE NEW HOURS WILL BE FROM 8.30 A.M. TO 12 NOON, AND 1 P.M. TO 5 P.M. ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

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PRM 7

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

• I

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1975

TAC CLEARS WAY FOR ADVERTISING IN TAXIS, PLB’S H * * K *

THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ALLOW ADVERTISING INSIDE TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND FRANCHISED BUSES.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS FORM OF ADVERTISING WILL BRING A REGULAR SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL INCOME TO THE OPERATORS ALTHOUGH IT WILL NOT GENERATE EXTRA REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

FOLLOWING THE TAC’S APPROVAL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO DRAW UP DETAILS OF CRITERIA AND SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSES FOR THE THREE MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLES.

AT A MEETING LAST WEEK, THE TAC CONSIDERED THAT, IN THE CASE OF FRANCHISED BUSES, THE ADDITIONAL INCOME EARNED WOULD HELP TO DEFER FARE INCREASES.

WHETHER THE PUBLIC GENERALLY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE EXTRA SOURCE OF INCOME FOR TAXIS WOULD DEPEND ON WHETHER THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE EARNED WOULD DELAY AN APPLICATION FOR REVISED FARES FROM TAXI OPERATORS.

IN THE CASE OF PLBS, IT WOULD DEPEND ON WETHER THE EXTRA INCOME EARNED WOULD ACTUALLY LEAD TO REDUCED FARES ALTHOUGH THIS SEEMS UNLIKELY AS FARES TENDS TO DEPEND ON SUPPLY AND DEMAND RATHER THAN THE INCOME OF OPERATORS.

+ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PUBLIC CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE,+ THE TAC FELT.

UNDER PRESENT LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT ALREADY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE ADVERTISING IN TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND FRANCHISED BUSES.

AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST ABUSES, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE ADVERTISEMENTS TO BE CARRIED INSIDE THE VEHICLES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT .

A BROAD CRITERIA LAYING DOWN THE TYPE OF UNDESIRABLE ADVERTISEMENTS, WHICH ARE BASICALLY CONTRARY TO THE LAW, COULD BE ISSUED FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE OPERATORS.

CONSIDERATION COULD ALSO EE GIVEN TO THE DESIRABILITY OF - INTRODUCING NEW REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD SPECIFICALLY LAY DOWN THE CONDITIONS OF ADVERTISING IN PUBLIC VEHICLES.

/ANOTHER ...

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1975

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ANOTHER SAFEGUARD DISCUSSED WOULD BE PERIODICAL SPOT CHECKS BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE, AS WELL AS REPORTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

THE EXISTING LEGISLATION ALREADY PROVIDES FINES AND IMPRISONMENT PENALTIES FOR ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO ADVERTISING, AND THIS SHOULD HELP AS A DETERRENT.

UNDER THE LAW, OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS ON A FIRST CONVICTION, AND A FINE OF $1,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS IN THE CASE OF A SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.

+IT APPEARS THAT UNLESS THE DISPLAY OF A PARTICULAR UNDESIRABLE ADVERTISEMENT CAN BRING EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD REVENUE, FEW OPERATORS WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK OF DISPLAYING IT,+ THE TAC BELIEVES.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1975

MANY TEACHERS ATTEND COURSES AT CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE * K M K K

MORE THAN 2,000 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS HAVE ATTENDED VARIOUS COURSES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE SINCE IT OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1974.

IN ADDITION, 445 TEACHERS HAVE ATTENDED TWO SEMINARS RUN BY THE CENTRE.

ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE CENTRE IS TO IMPROVE THE METHODS OF TEACHING THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SO AS TO RAISE THE GENERAL STANDARD OF CHINESE LANGUAGE OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS.

ANOTHER AIM OF THE CENTRE IS TO HELP TEACHERS OF CHINESE SOLVE PROBLEMS AND OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES WHICH MAY ARISE DURING TEACHING.

THE CENTRE ALSO HELPS TEACHERS TO KEEP ABREAST OF NEW TRENDS IN TEACHING THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IT DEVISES NEW TEACHING METHODS AND AIDS AND COLLATES TEACHING MATERIALS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO TEACHERS.

THE CENTRE, WHICH IS STILL AT AN EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT, IS OPEN TO ALL TEACHERS DURING OFFICE HOURS ON ALL WORKING DAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

CHARTS AND RECORDS, PRINTED TEXTS, RECORDED TAPES, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND AIDS PRODUCED BY STAFF OF THE CENTRE WILL BE DISPLAYED TOMORROW AND TUESDAY AT'THE HONG KONG UNIT OF THE CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD.

THE AIM OF THIS ’’KNOWING OUR CENTRE’ EVENT IS TO INTRODUCE TEACHERS TO THE WORK OF THE CENTRE AND THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE THERE.

+IT IS HOPED TO MAKE THIS A REGULAR ANNUAL FUNCTION SO AS TO GIVE ALL NEW TEACHERS OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE CENTRE,+ SAID MR. MAK SIK—HON, THE SENIOR INSPECTOR IN CHARGE OF THE CENTRE.

VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE LANGUAGE’LABORATORY WHICH IS SHARED WITH THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE AND THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

NOTE TO EDITORS :

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE ’KNOWING OUR CENTRE’ EVENT TOMORROW AT 10.30 A.M. WHEN THE SENIOR INSPECTOR IN CHARGE WILL BE PLEASED TO MEET THEM AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THE AIMS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTRE.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1975.

APPOINTMENT OF STUDENT ADVISER IN LONDON

* x X M * M *

A FORMER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. JOHN WHITELEY, HAS BEEN APPOINTED STUDENT ADVISER IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S LONDON OFFICE.

HE SUCCEEDS MR. ERIC GORE WHO IS RETIRING AFTER A LONG AND VARIED CAREER AS AN EDUCATIONIST BOTH IN HONG KONG AND BRITAIN.

MR. WHITELEY, WHO SPENT 19 YEARS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG ASA TEACHER, THEN IN THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE AND LATER IN CHARGE OF DEVELOPMENT, WILL TAKE UP HIS DUTIES ON DECEMBER 1.

ERIC GORE, WHO IS 66, TOOK OVER THE LONDON POST IN OCTOBER 1969.

AFTER TEACHING IN BRITAIN FOR EIGHT YEARS AND SERVING IN THE ARMY, MR. GORE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1954 AS AN EDUCATION OFFICER. HE SPENT THE FIRST 12 MONTHS TEACHING AT KING GEORGE V SCHOOL BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS WHERE HE UNDERTOOK A VARIETY OF DUTIES AND BECAME A SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN I960.

FROM 1963 UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1969, MR. GORE WAS PRINCIPAL OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL.

IN THE SIX YEARS THAT HE HAS HELD THE POST, MR. GORE HAS. TRAVELLED FREQUENTLY TO SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ALL OVER BRITAIN TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG WHO RANGE FROM STUDENTS DOING THEIR ”0” LEVELS TO TRAINEE NURSES AND POST-GRADUATES OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

COMMENTING ON MR. GORE’S RETIREMENT, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER. MR. S.T. KIDD, SAID: +WHAT HAS IMPRESSED ME IS THAT THE MANY STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG I HAVE MET NOT ONLY RESPECT ERIC GOf.E AS THEIR ADVISER ON EDUCATION MATTERS, BUT THEY HOLD HIM IN GENUINE AFFECTION AS ONE WHO HAS TAKEN A KEEN PERSONAL INTEREST IN THEIR WELFARE.+

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1975

NEED FOR PROPER VENTILATION IN HEATED BATHROOMS EMPHASISED it * * # *

PEOPLE WHO USE WATER HEATERS IN BATHROOMS WHICH HAVE LITTLE OR NO VENTILATION ARE DICING WITH DEATH, A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN WARNED TODAY.

+EVERY-WINTER, INJURIES AND DEATHS OCCUR BECAUSE PEOPLE USE BATHROOMS WHICH DO NOT HAVE PROPER VENTILATION, + HE SAID, EMPHASISING THE NEED FOR PROPER VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN GAS HEATED BATHROOMS.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ONE DANGER OF USING AN INADEQUATELY VENTILATED BATHROOM WAS THAT THE HEATER COULD BURN UP THE OXYGEN AND CAUSE THE BATHER TO BECOME UNCONSCIOUS. +UNLESS HE OR SHE IS DISCOVERED QUICKLY, IT MIGHT BE FATAL,+ HE ADDED.

ANOTHER DANGER WAS THAT GAS LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR FROM A FAULTY CYLINDER.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COLD WATER SUPPLY IN MANY BATHROOMS AND SHOWER CUBICLES HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO HOT WATER SUPPLY BY THE INSTALLATION OF A HEATER. HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, THE NEED FOR VENTILATION WAS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

+VENTILATION IN BATHROOMS CAN BE MAINTAINED BY HAVING A VENTILATION SLOT OR USING A DOOR WITH LOUVRES, + HE SAID.

+IT IS VITAL NOT TO TAKE A BATH IN A ROOM THAT IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY VENTILATED.*

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HKCEE CERTIFICATES READY FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES

« « H X

PRIVATE CANDIDATES WHO SAT FOR THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION MAY COLLECT THEIR CERTIFICATES AS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) UNTIL FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 7).

THE CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE AT THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLCOR, 393 CANTON ROAD.

CANDIDATES SHOULD CALL IN PERSON AND BRING WITH THEM THEIR ADMISSION FORM OR THEIR H.K. IDENTITY CARD AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL RESULTS NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH THE LETTER OF NOTIFICATION FROM THE EXAMINATION BOARD.

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PRM 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

PROBLEM OF SHRINKING IN-TAKE INTO PRIMARY CLASSES UNDER REVIEW ...................................................  1

ENTRY FORMS FOR 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

EXAMINATION AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES.......... 2

SERVICE RESERVOIR ON SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS OF LION ROCK .... 3

WATER CUT ...............................................   4

CAR-PARK PODIUM AT KAI TAK .......................'........ 4

RESERVOIRS 99.1 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY ................. 5

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

HONDA , NOVEMBER 3, 1>75

1

PRIMARY CLASSES UNDER REVIEW H « M U « ft

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS KEEPING UNDER REVIEW THE PROBLEM OF SHRINKING IN-TAKE INTO PRIMARY 1 CLASSES IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

THE DEPARTMENT WILL DO ITS EST TO HELP ANY TEACHER AFFECTED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT SHOULD THERE DE ANY REDUCTION OF PRIMARY CLASSES IN THE HEXT ACADEMIC YEAR, SAID MR. LAM TAT-LAU, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY), TODAY.

MR. LAM, IN A LETTER DATED OCTOBER 30, 1975 TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION, SAID THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERVICE IN ASSISTING REDUNDANT TEACHERS WAS ENTIRELY THE RESULT OF CO-OPERATION OF THE SPONSORS, MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND THE UNION.

MR. LAM’S LETTER WAS IN REPLY TO THE UNION’S LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1975.

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE SAME SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WOULD BE MAINTAINED IN FUTURE WITH A VIEW TO WORKING TOWARDS THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID THAT WHEN THE TIME WAS OPPORTUNE THE UNION WOULD BE INVITED TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

MR. LAM ALSO THANKED THE UNION FOR THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE EFFORTS OF THE PLACEMENT SERVICE STAFF IN ASSISTING REDUNDANT TEACHERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE JOBS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION THIS YEAR.

THIS APPRECIATION WAS CONTAINED IN THE UNION’S LETTER OF SEPTEMBER 25. THE LETTER SAID THAT THE THREE OFFICERS WHO RAN THE PLACEMENT SERVICE IN GIVING ASSISTANCE TO REDUNDANT TEACHERS HAD SHOWN A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF CO-OPERATION, FAIRNESS, PATIENCE AND FRIENDLINESS WHICH WON THE RESPECT OF THE TEACHERS CONCERNED.

THE UNION’S LETTER ALSO REFERRED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SERVICE AS BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SINCERITY, CLOSE CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT BETWEEN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE UNION.

MR. LAM GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT HE AMD HIS STAFF WOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE SAME DECREE OF F ~FICIENCY AND LIAISON WITH THE UNION AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN FUTURE.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1975

2

1976 H.K.C.E. EXAMINATION M K M M »

PERSONS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 1976 MAY OBTAIN ENTRY FORMS FROM CITY DISTRICT OFFICES OR SUB-OFFICERS IN THE URBAN ARIAS OR FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN PERSON DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 10 TO 21, 1975 BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 12 NOON ON SATURDAY AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-TREASURY OR THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY.

BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS OF ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE. CANDIDATES SHOULD FILL IN EITHER THE ENGLISH OR THE CHINESE FORM. A ’GUIDE TO SUBJECT SELECTION’ IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR GUIDANCE IN THE CHOICE OF SUBJECTS.

A STUDENT MAY ENTER FOR THE EXAMINATION AS A PRIVATE CANDIDATE PROVIDED THAT HE HAS SATISFIED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS :-

* OBTAINED AT LEAST FIVE DIFFERENT SUBJECTS AT GRADE E (5) OR ABOVE TAKEN IN TWO OR MORE PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS.

* OBTAINED AT LEAST FOUR SUBJECTS AT GRADE E (5) OR ABOVE TAKEN IN A PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, OR

H POSSESSES EVIDENCE OF HAVING ACHIEVED A SIMILAR STANDARD.

STUDENTS OVER 23 YEARS OF AGE ON JANUARY 1, 1976 MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE EXAMINATION AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES EVEN IF THEY DO NOT POSSESS THE QUALIFICATION SET OUT ABOVE.

IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY ALSO CONSIDER SPECIAL APPLICATIONS FROM HEADS OF SCHOOLS ON BEHALF OF FORMER STUDENTS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY ENTERED THE EXAMINATION BUT WHO HAVE FAILED TO ACHIEVE THE STANDARDS LISTED ABOVE.

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY ALSO RELAX THE REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FROM HANDICAPPED STUDENTS, IF THEIR CLAIMS CAN BE JUSTIFIED.

PRIVATE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO REGISTER AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO AVOID THE RUSH IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1975

3

LION ROCK SERVICE RESERVOIR

* * * * * • 1 •

A SERVICE RESERVOIR, WITH A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 21 MILLION GALLONS, IS TO BE BUILT ON THE £ 1UTHERN FOOTHILLS OF LION ROCK IN NEW KGWLOON.

WORK ON THE RESERVOIR WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

THE RESERVOIR IS PART OF THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME AND WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL STORAGE TO MEET THE INCREASED OUTPUT FROM THE SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS.

MEANWHILE, THE SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS IS ALSO BEING EXTENDED TO COPE WITH WATER COMING IN FROM THE HIGH ISLAND WATER SCHEME.

INSTALLATION OF TWO NEW CLARIFIER TANKS IS IN PROPRESS. THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL NEXT SUMMER WHEN THE HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIR WILL START TO YIELD WATER.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1975

4

CAR-Ru® PODIUM AT KAI TAK

X X X X X

PART OF THE CAR-PARK PODIUM NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED IN FRONT OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING IS NEARLY COMPLETED AND SHOULD BE READY FOR USE NEXT MONTH.

TOGETHER WITH AN ACCESS RAMP, THIS SECTION OF THE PODIUM WILL EE USED TO CARRY TRAFFIC FROM OLYMPIC AVENUE TO THE DEPARTURE CONCOURSE OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.

THE ELEVATED DRIVEWAY WHICH CARRIES THIS TRAFFIC AT PRESENT WILL BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND PART OF THE PODIUM.

WHEN THE LARGE PODIUM WITH ITS NETWORK OF VEHICULAR RAMPS ARE COMPLETED, TRAFFIC TO THE TERMINAL BUILDING FROM THE ROAD SYSTEM IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED.

THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE AIRPORT’S MODIFICATION WORKS.

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WATER CUT

X « K

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 6) TO ENABLE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY SHA TSUI ROAD, TAI HO ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD AND LUEN YA J STREET.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1°75

RESERVOIRS 99.1 PER CENT FULL

A TOTAL OF 66,687 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 99.1 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 53.473 MILLION GALLONS.

PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 50,473 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 99.8 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE

CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS IT HELD 36,916 MILLION GALLONS.

TIME LAST YEAR

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS (116.61 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS (82.69 IN).

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AT 2,962 MM

YEAR IS 2,100.3 MM

RRM 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

' . CONTENTS PAGE NO.

SIX OFFICIAL MEMBERS REPLY IN LEGCO DEBATE TOMORROW ....... 1

HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION ON FRIDAY........................ 2

SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION 1975-76 ALLOCATION . 3

LEASE SIGNING CEREMONY ON $20 MILLION SHA TIN LOT ......... 3

TRADE MISSION LEADERS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ............ 4

FIRE OFFICER DONATES 50TH PINT OF BLOOD ................... 4

TECHNICAL HANDBOOK FOR BOILER OPERATORS PUBLISHED ......... 5

REMINDER ON CHRISTMAS POSTING ............................. 6

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

1

LEGCO DEBATE: OFFICIALS REPLY TOMORROW

* ft ft ft ft ft &

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE RESUMES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SIX OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED DY THEIR UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE DR. THE HON. K.L? THONG, ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, FOLLOWED BY THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES* THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY, SECRETARY FOR HOUSING* THE HON. IAN PRICE, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR* THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION* AND THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

SIX OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 6). THEY ARE: THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY* THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY* THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT* THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR, HOME AFFAIRS* THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, ATTORNEY GENERAL* AND THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.

ON BOTH DAYS, THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO HONG KONG ON RHK 2 (CHINESE) AND RHK 4 (ENGLISH).

DURING THE SITTING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, WILL MOVE A MOTION TO WAIVE THE STAR FERRY COMPANY’S ROYALTY PAYMENTS FOR THE YEARS 1974, 1975 AND 1976, AND TO INCREASE THE COMPANY’S FARES FROM DECEMBER 1, 1975.

THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASES WILL RAISE FIRST CLASS FARES FROM 25 CENTS TO 30 CENTS FOR ADULTS AND FROM 10 GENTS TO 20 CENTS FOR CHILDREN* AND SECOND CLASS FARES FROM 10 CENTS TO 15 CENTS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SECOND CLASS FARE WILL BE FURTHER RAISED FROM 15 CENTS TO 20 CENTS ON' JANUARY 1, 1977.

THE MOTION ALSO SEEKS TO REVISE THE COST OF stftR FERRY MONTHLY TICKETS FROM $10 TO 312 FOR ADULTS AND FROM 34 TO $6 FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN, AS FROM DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.

MR. ROBSON WILL ALSO TABLE THE TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH INTRODUCES A FLAT 30-CENT FARE FOR HONG KONG TRAMWAYS FROM DECEMBER 1, AND THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH SEEKS TO REDUCE THE RATE OF PERMIT FEE PAYABLE BY THE PEAK TRAMWAY FOR THE YEARS 1974 AND 1975.

ALSO TO BE TABLED FOR FIRST READING ARE THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL, THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, AND THE INLAND REVENUE '(AMENDMENT) (NO. 6) DILL.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE RAILWAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL BILL, AND THE SUPREME COURT BILL.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

HEUNG YEE KUK BY-ELECTION

# * ft *

THE HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTION FOR AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST TERM OF THE KUK WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 7).

THE VACANCY WAS CREATED AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT ELECTION OF THE HA TSUEN RURAL COMMITTEE. THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK OFFICE AT TAI PO.

POLLING WILL BEGIN AT 4 P.M. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE RETURNING OFFICER, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

FIFTY-THREE COUNCILLORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE ELECTION, CONSISTING OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF RURAL COMMITTEES.

THE ELECTORATE IS THE FULL COUNCIL OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WHICH CONSISTS OF 21 SPECIAL COUNCILLORS, 74 RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN AND 17 NEW TERRITORIES UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES CF THE PEACE. FOUR OF FHE JP’S ARE ALSO RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND ONE IS A RURAL COMMITTEE VICE-CHAIRMAN. THE FULL COUNCIL COMPRISES 107 COUNCILLORS.

THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD BY SECRET BALLOT. ADMISSION TO ■ THE ELECTION ROOM WILL BE CONFINED TO ELECTION OFFICIALS, COUNCILLORS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK AND THE PRESS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES To'COVER THE ELECTION.

LAPEL BADGES ENABLING THEM TO ENTER TdE ELECTION ROOM ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT G.I.S. PRESS ROOM.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WILL NOT BE ADMITTED DURING THE POLLING AND THE COUNTING OF VOTES. PHOTOGRAPHS MAY BE TAKEN OUTSIDE THE ELECTION ROOM WHEN THE PROCEEDINGS ARE OVER.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

SIR DAVID.TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION * * * ft K

ALLOCATION

GRANTS TOTALLING JUST OVER $$349,000 ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE

ORGANISATIONS^ ™E ”3,R DAV'D TRENCA FUND F0« RECREA?loJ’’ TO 75

THE GRANTS FOR RECREATION, ALLOCATED TO AS A LARGER NUMBER

WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF FACILITIES SPORT, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND ARE MANY SMALL ORGANISATIONS AS POSSIBLE TO BENEFIT OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.

THOSE ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE APPLIED FOR GRANTS WILL SHORTLY BE INFORMED BY LETTER OF THE OUTCOME OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION WAS SET UP IN 1970 WITH AN ANONYMOUS S3.2 MILLION DONATION.

IT WAS SET UP FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MORE FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND GIVES PARTICULAR ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE.

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LEASE SIGNING OF $20M SHA TIN LOT * K « ft

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A CEREMONY TO MARK THE SIGNING OF THE LEASE CONDITIONS FOR THE 40-ACRE SHA TIN LOT NO. 1 IN SIU LEK YUEN, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT NOON IN ROOM 150, COLONIAL SECRETARIAT (MAIN WING). .

THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE REPRESENTED BY MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES. SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE PARAMATTA INVESTMENT CO. LTD., THE CONGLOMERATE OF LOCAL FIRMS WHICH TENDERED A SUM OF $20 MILLION FOR THE SITE, WILL BE REPRESENTED BY THEIR SENIOR EXECUTIVES.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. MR. AKERS-JONES AND THE PARAMATTA REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AFTER THE CEREMONY.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

TRADE MISSION LEADERS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE * * ft ft ft ft »

NOTE TO EDITORS: t

A PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD BY THE LEADERS OF THE TWO INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION TOURS OF THE UNITED STATES AT THE G.I.S. THEATRE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 11 A.M.

THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. ROY PORTER,'WAS THE LEADER OF ONE OF THE TWO TEAMS WHICH WENT TO THE U.S. LAST MONTH TO TELL INDUSTRIALISTS THERE ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF. SETTING UP FACTORIES IN HONG KONG.

HE VISITED CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO.

THE OTHER MISSION WAS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR. PETER FOXON AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHAMBER, MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR. THEY VISITED NEW YORK, CLEVELAND AND LATER JOINED UP WITH MR. PORTER AT SAN FRANCISCO.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.

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FIRE OFFICER DONATES 5OTH PINT OF BLOOD ft ft ft ft ft

I

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Hl<5 wm CUM? ncCniSSnA £H,EF FIRE OFFICER KOWLOON, WILL DONATE (NOVE^BeZ6rAT^GBA8%Hl%A™^™E%^?';oSE?TC?O^M?N THUI!SDAV s । S, f sABcEMAr । j

nronr-Z9!J^ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT PRFSS Smi^^ATIVES SHOULD MEET MR. DONALD STRANGE FIRr SFRVIPFQ

Se.2Ep".,-0NS office'!’ at ngsu ™ “'“e'wIoStl,

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

5 " n

GUIDE FOR BOILER OPERATORS

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL HANDBOOK FOR BOILER OPERATORS “ WHICH MARKS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE SAFE OPERATION OF STEAM PLANTS. ik ibUFfON

■••A GUIDE FOR BOILER OPERATORS*, ALSO SERVES TEXTBOOK FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING A CERTIFICATE OF THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE RECEIVERS ORDINANCE.

AS A USEFUL COMPETENCY UNDER

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS. SOO MOK SAU-HA POINTED OUT THAT THE HANDBOOK SHOULD BE USEFUL AND HELPFUL FOR POLYTECHNIC ENGINEERING STUDENTS AND FIREMEN AND BOILER ATTENDANTS ON BOARD SHIPS. HiiunwANii

THE 182-PAGE GUIDE WAS INITIATED AND WRITTEN COLACO, THE THEN PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR OF THE LABOUR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT UNIT.

BY MR. RUDOLF DEPARTMENT’S

THE BOOK DEALS WITH THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION

____ AND MAINTENANCF

OF STEAM PLANTS AND CONTAINS A SPECIAL CHAPTER ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICITY AND ONE ON FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

THE TEXT HAS BEEN KEPT SUFFICIENTLY NON-TECHNICAL FOR THE BEGINNER, AND YET CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT WILL BE OF INTEREST AND VALUE TO THE MORE EXPERIENCED BOILER OPERATOR.

NOW AVAILABLE AT $9 A COPY IN GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRES THE'GUIDE IS PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH MORE THAN 50 ILLUSTRATION DIAGRAMS.

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6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1975

REMINDER ON CHRISTMAS POSTING n * « # « h

THE POST OFFICE REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY THAT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 7) IS THE LATEST POSTING DATE FOR CHRISTMAS LETTERS AND PARCELS FOR DESTINATIONS IN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: +DURING THE PAST TEN DAYS, THE POST OFFICE HAS RECEIVED A CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF CHRISTMAS POSTINGS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM. THE LATEST POSTING DATE FOR UNITED KINGDOM WAS OCTOBER 24 AND ANY ITEMS POSTED AFTER THIS DATE ARE UNLIKELY TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE CHRISTMAS.*

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FRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FURTHER PROGRESS IN MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED ......... 1

DROP IN NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED FAMILIES SEEKING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE....................................'.... 3

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FOR LO’ -INCOME GROUPS CONSIDERED

IMPRACTICABLE..........................................    5

LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND SERVICES ..................... 8

DEBATE ON EDUCATION s QUANTITY AND QUALITY ...............11

BOOM-TIME IN NEW TERRITORIES..............................14

PROPSED FARE REVISION FOR STAR FERRY AND TRAMWAYS TABLED IN LEGCO......................................•....16

DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL TABLED IN LEGCO.............18

small claims TRIBUNAL................................,....?O

BILLS PASSED .........................................    Pl

NEW TERRITORIES LAND SALES ...............................Pl

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

1

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

FURTHER PROGRESS IN MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED

X X X X X X

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG, HAS SPOKEN OF THE NEED TO PROCEED WITH DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES EVEN AT TH.IS +PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT PERIOD.+

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, HE SAID EVERY EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY UTILISED WITHOUT AFFECTING THE STANDARD AND QUALITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DIFFICULTIES AHEAD HAD NOT BEEN UNDERESTIMATED.

+WE SHALL KEEP UP OUR EFFORTS BUT WE ARE AWARE OF THE LIMITATIONS WHICH MUST INEVITABLY COME ABOUT IN SPITE OF OUR GOOD INTENTIONS,+ HE SAID.

i »

GIVEN THE RESOURCES FURTHER PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WILL PROCEED AS MENTIONED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE COUNCIL, HE ASSURED.

THE DIRECTOR OUTLINED STEPS HE PROPOSED TO TAKE IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ADDICTION, IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS AND IN THE PROVISION OF DENTAL HEALTH CARE.

ON THE PROBLEM OF NARCOTICS, DR. THONG SAID A NEW DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT PROGRAMME WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT SUBSTITUTE, THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEME.

HE EXPLAINED THAT DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT INVOLVED THE USE OF METHADONE FOR THE DETOXIFICATION OF ADDICTS OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS WHILE THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEME’CALLED FOR DISPENSING OF A CONSTANT DOSE OF METHADONE DAILY WITHOUT HOSPITALISATION TO AN ADDICT AND FOR AN INDETERMINABLE PERIOD.

THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME, HE SAID, WOULD BE ABLE TO ELIMINATE THE ADDICT’S CURRENT DEPENDENCE ON NARCOTICS THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION OF GRADUALLY DECREASING DOSES OF METHADONE.

IT MIGHT EVENTUALLY HELP TO CREATE OR REINFORCE MOTIVATION FOR HIM TO SEEK LONGER TERM TREATMENT SUCH AS OFFERED IN A METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT CLINIC, HE SAID.

ABOVE ALL THE SCHEME, ESSENTIALLY DIRECTED AT A GROUP OF ADDICTS NOT PREPARED FOR LONG TERM METHADONE MAINTENANCE, WOULD PROVIDE YET ANOTHER +SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND LEGAL+ ALTERNATIVE TO THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE TAKE'TO ILLICIT NARCOTICS, HE ADDED.

/ON DENTAL HEALTH, ......

> . WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

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ON DENTAL HEALTH, DR. THONG SAID PLANS WERE IN HAND FOR. THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL FOR THE TRAINING OF DENTAL NURSES AND A SCHOOLCHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC IN MORRISON HILL.

HE RECALLED THAT THE DENTAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG WERE OUTLINED ,

IN THE MEDICAL WHITE PAPER PUiiL I SHED IN 1974, IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. ' -

IN THE PROVISION OF DENTAL HEALTH CARE, THE WHITE PAPER INDICATED THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN TVJO DIRECTIONS — THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SERVICE FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A DENTAL SCHOOL TO PROVIDE MORE DENTISTS FOR HONG KONG.

THE SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SCHEME COULD PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS AT PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL WITH REGULAR EXAMINATION AND SIMPLE CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT.

+THIS IS A MODERN, EFFECTIVE AND ECONOMICAL APPROACH TO THE PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES ON A WIDE SCALE, WHICH HAS VERY MUCH PROVEN ITS WORTH IN OTHER COUNTRIES,* SAID DR. THONG..

SUCH A SCHEME INVOLVING THE USE OF DENTAL NURSES UNDER THE SUPERVISION. OF QUALIFIED DENTISTS WILL HAVE THE ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE OF ENSURING THE MAXIMUM. UTILISATION OF PRECIOUS MANPOWER IN REGARD TO QUALIFIED DENTISTS, WHO WILL BE ABLE TO DEVOTE THEIR TIME TO MORE COMPLICATED DENTAL PROBLEMS, HE SAID.

AT THE SAME TIME, SAID DR. THONG, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE HAD INITIATED PRELIMINARY ACTION FOR THE PLANNING OF THE DENTAL SCHOOL TO PROVIDE QUALIFIED DENTISTS.

TURNING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS, THE DIRECTOR SAID THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAD RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES CONCERNING CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE REGULATIONS. ’

THESE REPRESENTATIONS WERE BEING CONSIDERED IN DETAIL BY THE f BOARD, AND NO DATE HAD BEEN SET FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS, HE ADDED. <

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

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DHOP IN NUlffiE! (F UIICIPLOYED FAMILIES SEEKING 1 UILIC ASSISTANCE

x x x x r.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM UNEMPLOYED FAMILIES SEEKING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAS +FALLEN QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS* DESPITE AN INCREASE IN THE CASELOAD.

JHE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LEE FOOK-KOW, SAID TODAY THAT IN RECENT MONTHS THE CASELOAD HAS BEEN INCREASING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 1,000 CASES MONTHLY. HALF OF THESE ARE SINGLE PEOPLE AND THE BALANCE COMPRISES FAMILIES AVERAGING FIVE MEMBERS.

_ PASIS» A CASELOAD INCREASE OF 1,000 REPRESENTS ABOUT

3,000 ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE PEOPLE BEING ASSISTED EACH MONTH.*

,nni Ll STRESSED» HOWEVER, THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF NEW APPLICATIONS COME FROM THE ELDEFLY, THE SICK AND DISABLED AND WIDOWS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW PAYING OUT ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND IN DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES.

IN 1973, IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE TOO SCHEMES WOULD COST ONLY ABOUT $80 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR. BUT THE ACTUAL COST IS NOW LIKELY TO Be OVER THREE TIMES THIS FIGURE.

MR. LI EMPHASISED THAT THIS, IN PART, ANSWERS CRITICS WHO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT HELPING THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORSE OFF FINANCIALLY AND THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED GREATEST DURING THE PRESENT RECESSION.

+DESPITE THE SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC REVENUE, THESE ASSISTANCE SCHEMES HAVE NOT SUFFERED AND I CONSIDER THAT THIS IS AN ACHIEVEMENT WORTH EMPHASISING,* HE SAID.

ON OTHER TOPICS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES SAID HE WOLLL BE DISCUSSING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE SOME TIME NEXT YEAR. IN THE MEAN TIME, THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN PREPARED AID THE CODE OF PRACTICE IS ALMOST READY.

THE PARTNERSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL'SERVICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO +FLOURISH+. THIS, HE SAID, IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE COMBINED EFFORTS TO PRODUCE THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF LIE FIVE YEAR PLAN AND IN THE SEVERAL JOINT WORKING PARTIES WHICH NOW EXIST TO EXAMINE A WHOLE SPECTRUM OF SOCIAL WELFARE NEEDS.

ON SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, MR. LI SAID THAT THE PILOT PROJECT INAUGURATED BY THE EDUCATION AN) SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS IN FIVE SCHOOLS IN NOVEMBER LAST YiAT, WAS RECENTLY REVIEWED AND EXTENDED TO EMBRACE ON A REFERRAL BASIS 11 SCHOOLS.

/THE EDUCATION

4 -

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CO-ORDINATES THE SCHEME AND REFERRALS FROM SCHOOLS OTHER THAN THE SELECTED 11 ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED. IN ADDITION, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK 'WHICH HELPS TO SPOT POTENTIAL SOCIAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS AT AN EARLY STAGE, IS UNDERTAKEN IN A FURTHER 46 SCHOOLS BY SEVEN VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. BUT THE COVERAGE IS RELATIVELY SMALL AND THE AIM SHOULD BE TO EXPAND THE SERVICE.

A TWO-YEAR EXPERIMENTAL YOUTH GUIDANCE SCHEME DESIGNED TO INCLUDE SCHOOL DROPOUTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 15 AND THOSE-WITH BEHAVIOURAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS WAS LAUNCHED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

IT IS BEING CARRIED OUT EY FOUR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN SAU MAU PING, SHAM SHUI PO, CHAI WAN AND WONG TAI SIN. IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, THE SCHEME MIGHT BE EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS IN DUE COURSE.

MR. LI ALSO SAID THAT A PLAY LEADERSHIP SCHEME PRIMARILY FOR 8 TO 14 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IS OPERATING AT 26 PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND TEHE NEW TERRITORIES.

A SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF OTHER PARKS IN WHICH TO EXTEND THE PROGRAMME WILL BE UNDERTAKEN SOON.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

5

HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FOK LOW-INCOME GROUPS COHSIDE1 ED IMPRACTICABLE X X X X X X

THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON. IAN LIGHTBODY, BELIEVES IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE FOR THE LOW INCOME GROUPS, CURRENTLY CATERED FOR BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, TO BUY THEIR OWN FLATS AS INSURANCE, RATES AND MANAGEMENT CHARGES COULD ADD UP TO 25 PER CENT TO THE MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT.

MR. LIGHTBODY WAS SPEAKING ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AT TODAY’S RESUMED DEBATE AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THE SMALLEST FLAT COSTS ABOUT 3100,000 AND IF A 20 PER CENT DOWNPAYMENT WERE MADE THE MONTHLY OUTGOINGS ON SUCH A FLAT FOR MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS AND OTHER CHARGES WOULD BE ABOUT $1,200.

HE ASSURED DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG, WHO RAISED THIS ISSUE AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL THAT +THE QUESTION OF THE SALE OF FLATS TO SUITABLE FAMILIES WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS VERY MUCH A LIVE ISSUE.+

ONE GROUP, THE SECRETARY SAID WHICH HE WOULD WISH TO SEARCH OUT WAYS OF HELPING ARE THOSE WHO EARN ABOUT $3,000 MONTHLY OR BELOW BUT WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR AUTHORITY’S RENTED FLATS IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND WHOSE FAMILY COMMITMENTS PRECLUDE THEM FROM BUYING A FLAT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

SPEAKING ON DR. FANG’S OTHER SUGGESTION OF DEVISING A SALES SCHEME AIMED AT BETTER-OFF FAMILIES LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING THUS RELEASING PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS FOR RE-ALLOCATION TO LESS WELL-OFF FAMILIES WITHIN THE INCOME-ELIGIBILITY LIMITS, MR. LIGHTBODY SAID:

+DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HELD WITH THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY RECENTLY ON MORTGAGE LOAN TERMS AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT IT MIGHT PROVE POSSIBLE TO DEVISE TERMS FOR SUCH A SCHEME RATHER MORE FAVOURABLE THAN ARE NORMALLY AVAILABLE.*' ' »

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRINCIPAL FACTORS IN ANY SUCH SCHEME - AND THE AUTHORITY IS STUDYING THEM CLOSELY NOW -ARE MORTGAGE LOAN TERMS, THE LAND-VALUE COMPONENT IN ANY SALES PRICE SPECIALLY DETERMINED FOR A GROUP SUCH AS HE HAD DESCRIBED3 AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

THE SECRETARY SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF LAND CHARGE RAISED VERY REAL PROBLEMS SINCE ANY SUBSTANTIAL SUBSIDY GIVEN IN THIS DIRECTION COULD EASILY BE ABUSED UNLESS VERY TIGHT MANAGEMENT CONTROL OVER SUBSEQUENT SALES IS MAINTAINED.

/♦ONE POSSIBILITY

6

WEDNESDAT, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

+ONE POSSIBILITY WOULD BE TO ALLOCATE LAND AT THE RESERVE PRICE, IN WHICH EVENT WE COULD CONTEMPLATE IMPOSING NO RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSEQUENT RESALE* THE JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS WOULD BE THAT A NEW FLAT HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE HOUSING STOCK AND AN OLD FLAT HAS BEEN RECOVERED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR RE-ALLOCAT I ON.+ MR. LIGHTBODY ADDED.

ON DR. FANG’S CONTENTION OF A COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, IN WHICH HE BASED HIS ASSERTION ON THE FACT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF URBAN COUNCIL WARD CASES AS WELL AS CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND UMELCO CASES CONCERN HOUSING MATTERS, MR. LIGHTBODY SAID:

+l WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS DEMONSTRATES NOT A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PART BUT RATHER THE FACT THAT THE GREATEST SINGLE GOOD THAT ANY LOW-INCOME FAMILY CAN HOPE FOR IN HONG KONG IS A PUBLIC HOUSING FLAT, OR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOMMODATION, PARTICULARLY AT THE VERY MODEST RENTS CHARGED.+

HE ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WOULD PURSUE THEIR CLAIM THROUGH ALL AVAILABLE CHANNELS.

MR. LIGHTBODY WENT ON: +IN THIS SITUATION IT IS VERY UNFAIR TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WHICH DOES A MOST DIFFICULT AND THANKLESS JOB WITH MARKED COMPETENCE AND DEDICATION, TO ASSERT THAT COMPLAINTS IMPLY A FAILURE Of SOME SORT ON THEIR PART.+

SPEAKING ON THE PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY'AND MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO SQUATTER AND LICENSED AREAS, THE SECRETARY SAID THAT A WORKING PARTY HAD RECENTLY BEEN SET UP JOINTLY WITH THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY TO STUDY THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.

+THE SITUATION REGARDING ELECTRICITY IN LICENSED AREAS IS WELL IN HAND, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY LAST YEAR SECURED THE PROMISE OF FUNDS FROM GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW A START TO BE MADE ON A PROGRAMME FOR ELECTRIFYING ALL 30 LICENSED AREAS. *

V

+S0 FAR, 19 OF THE 30 HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH ELECTRICITY AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS PROGRAMME IN' THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR. ALL NEW LICENSED AREAS ARE AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDED WITH ELECTRICITY,+ THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED.

AS TO MAINS WATER, MR. LIGHTBODY SAID THIS WAS ALREADY . PROVIDED IN SQUATTER AND OLDER LICENSED AREAS, ON A PUBLIC STANDPIPE BASIS.

HE ADDED THAT ALL NEW LICENSED AREAS HAVE INDIVIDUAL TAP SUPPLIES AND FOR THE OLDER LICENSED AREAS, THE POLICY IS TO INSTAL INDIVIDUAL TAPS AS AND WHEN AN AREA IS CLEARED FOR REALLOCATION AND SO FAR, SEVEN SUCH AREAS HAVE BEEN MODERNISED IN THIS WAY.

FINALLY, MR. LIGHTBODY GAVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHORITY’S REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF ITS HARK I AND II ESTATES, WHICH IS GATHERING MOMENTUM.

/+IN 1974, ......

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

- 7 -

+IN 1974, SHEK KIP MEI WAS THE ONLY ESTATE UNDERGOING MODERNISATION, BUT THIS YEAR WORK IS GOING AHEAD AT SHEK KIP MEI AND THE FIRST PHASE OF TAI HANG TUNG ESTATES,+ MR. LIGHTBODY POINTED OUT.

+NEXT YEAR,+ HE WENT ON, +THE AUTHORITY WILL LET FURTHER CONTRACTS AT TAI HANG TUNG AND WORK WILL START ON THE ACTUAL CLEARANCE OF TENANTS FROM SEVERAL OTHER ESTATES WHICH ARE SCHEDULED FOR REDEVELOPMENT.+

SPEAKING ON THE POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING ASSISTANCE FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES, THE SECRETARY SAID THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE IF THE NEW ACCOMMODATION WERE TO CONCENTRATE IN A REDUCED LAND AREA, THUS RELEASING PART OF THE OLD ESTATE SITE FOR ASSIGNING TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, AT THEIR EXPENSE, OF PART OR WHOLE OF THE NEW ESTATE.

MR. LIGHTBODY SAID THIS, HOWEVER, IS CONTRARY TO THE BASIC CONCEPT OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE NEED TO REDUCE DENSITIES OF THE OLDER ESTATES REQUIRES MORE AND NOT LESS LAND.

HOWEVER, HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND LOOK FOR WAYS OF GAINING THEIR ENDS MORE QUICKLY WITH LESS DEMANDS ON THE PUBLIC PURSE.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

8

LABOUR DEPARTM 2NT TO EXPAND SERVICES

; x x x x x

PLANS FOR FUTURE PROGRAM 1E AND DEVELOPMENT IN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTIENT WERE ANNOUNCED IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE COMMISSI )NIR FOR LABOUR, THE HON. IAN PRICE.

HE SAID THE BASIS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC LIES IN ITS STAFF WHICH HAD INCREASED BY OVER 400 PER CENT IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, COMPARED ‘0 AN INCREASE OF SOME 77 PER CENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE LARGE INCREASE TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF NEV; LABOUR LEGISLATION, THE EXPANSION OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, THE PROVISION OF THE INFRA-STllUCTURE FOR THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, AND THE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REQUIRING A RAPID GROWTH IN THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.

SUCH A RAPID EXPANSION POSED PROBLEMS, AND THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE HAD TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL PAUSE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE USl OF MANPOWER.

HE HAD INITIALLY FOCUSSED ATTENTION ON THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE BECAUSE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEG SIATION COULD ONLY ACHIEVE ITS PURPOSE WHEN ADMINISTERED EFFECTIVELY AUD EFFICIENTLY.

MR. PRICE SAID HE HAD EX; MINED PARTICULARLY THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF INSPECTORS, TIEIR ORGANISATION, STRUCTURE AND WORKING PROCEDURES. HE PROPOSED A RADICAL CHANGE IN THE BASIC TRAINING OF INSPECTORS, WITH MORE EMPHASIS ON THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK.

THE COMMISSIONER HOPED T( EVENTUALLY PRODUCE AN INSPECTION SERVICE FOR INDUSTRY, +WITH OFFICERS WHO WILL NOT ONLY DISCOVER WHERE THINGS ARE GOING WRONG, BUT Wl0 WILL HAVE THE ABILITY, AND THE TIME, TO OFFER PRACTICAL ADVICE ON I OW TO PUT THINGS RIGHT.*

HE ADDED THAT HE PROPOSEI IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO WELD TOGETHER INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION FOR k TOTAL ATTACK ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, THE LABCUR ADVISER’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE FIVE-YEAR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROGRAMME.

TURNING TO THE FUTURE MR. PRICE SAID HE PROPOSED TO IMPROVE LABOUR STANDARDS IN RESPECT OF PAID STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND REDUCING OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. HONG KONG, HE SAID, LAGGED BEHIND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES IN THE PROVISION OF PAID STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.

+AT PRESENT THERE ARE ONLY SIX. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS INCREASED TO TEN, AND THE LABCJR ADVISORY BOARD HAS RECENTLY GIVEN ITS SUPPORT TO THIS.

/+HO.7EVER, .....

0

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

9 -

+HOWEVER, I REALISE THAT THIS MODEST ADVANCE WILL NEED TO BE STUDIED FURTHER IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION,* HE SAID.

ON OVERTIME WORK FOR YOUNG PERSONS AND WOMEN, THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT THE MAXIMUM YEARLY PERMISSIBLE OVERTIME FOR THEM HAD BEEN REDUCED FROM 300 TO 250 HOURS SINCE LAST JANUARY, AND THIS WOULD BE REDUCED AGAIN TO 200 HOURS FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

+HOWEVER, IT IS SOCIALLY UNDESIRABLE FOR YOUNG PERSONS TO WORK OVERTIME BECAUSE MANY OF THEM STRONGLY DESIRE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR SPARE TIME.

+THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORTS THIS VIEW AND INDEED WAS LARGELY INSTRUMENTAL IN PRESSING FOR THE ABOLITION OF ALL OVERTIME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

+BUT BOTH ITS MEMBERS AND I REALISE THAT THIS WILL TAKE SOME TIME IF V.E ARE TO AVOID CAUSING DISRUPTION IN SOME INDUSTRIES. THEREFORE, I AM CONTINUING TO STUDY THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A MOVE,* HE ADDED.

ON EMPLOYMENT, HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE SITUATION THIS YEAR HAD BEEN DOMINATED BY SOME ECONOMIC GLOOM, REDUNDANCIES HAD DROPPED MARKEDLY SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER, AND THE TIMELY ENACTMENT OF THE SEVERANCE PAYMENT AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE HAD GREATLY HELPED REDUNDANT WORKERS OVER THE DIFFICULT PERIOD.

DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS) HAD CONTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THE SETUEMENT AND PROMPT PAYMENT OF SEVERANCE PAY TOTALLING NEARLY $7 MILLION. THE LRS, WITH A STRENGTHENED STAFF, HAD BECOME MORE QUICKLY INVOLVED IN DISPUTES and by Dealing promptly with the 35,000 enquiries received during THE FIRST TEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

THE COMMISSIONER EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WOULD GENERALLY CONT I f.'L E TO EXTEND TO EACH OTHER THEIR TRADITIONAL GOODWILL AND C0NCE.1t: WHICH HAD RESULTED 'l N A VERY LOW RECORD OF WORKING DAYS LOST LAST YEAR THROUGH INDUSTRIAL ACTION.

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE IRS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT WHICH DID MUCH UNHUNG WORK IN HELPING EMPLOYEES SEEK THEIR RIGHTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE PERPLEXING WILDERNESS OF COMPANY BANKRUPTCY OR INSOLVENCY.

+IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE SYMPATHETIC AND CONSIDERATE APPROACH OF THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID AND HIS STAFF THAT MORE AND MORE WORKERS ARE NOW TURNING TO THE.i FOR HELP IN THIS RESPECT,* HE SAID.

ON THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE (YEAS), HE SAID IT COULD EXPAND ONLY BY ENTERING THE LABOUR-INTENSIVE FIELD OF INDIVIDUAL CAREERS GUIDANCE. +SUCH WORK IS COSTLY IN TRAINED STAFF, AND THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED ARE LIKELY, FOR SOME TIME, TO tiE OUTSIDE FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS,* HE SAID.

♦INITIALLY,* HE CONTINUED, +1 PROPOSE TO EXAMINE THE SPARSE RESOURCES ALREADY EXISTING IN THIS FIELD, AND THEN ASSESS WHETHER THE CREATION OF A SMALL TRAINED NUCLEUS WITHIN THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE, COULD HAVE AN IMPACT, BY WORKING THROUGH THE MULTIPLICITY OF AGENCIES IN CONTACT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.*

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 197 s

10

ths-^as W.<S CREATED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMPLEX SOCIFZZ'lO make the right decision in chdosing a career, since SES^^ER, THE METHODS OF DISSEMINATING CAREERS INFORMATION ujZ BEEN IMPROVED BY THE USE IF A SPECIAL VEHICLE DONATED TO THE "DEPARTMENT BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON.

THIS VEHICLE, WHOSE SIDES COULD EE UNFOLDED TO FORM A LARGE ROOFED EXHIBITION AREA, WOULD ENABLE THE YEAS TO STAGE +MINI CAREERS* EXHIBITIONS IN DIFFEIEiT PARTS OF HONG KONG AND BRING THE MESSAGE OF CAREERS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN SCHOOLS AND THOSE LIVING IN THE MORE REMOTE AREAS. •

IN ADDITION, A MAJOR CAREERS EXHIBITION WOULD BE STAGED AT THE CITY HALL NEXT MONTH. +TIIS ANNUAL FUNCTION MUST, I BELIEVE, BE MAINTAINED AS SUCH, BECAUSE EACH YEAR A NEW CROP OF POTENTIAL SCHOOL-LEAVERS NEEDS TO HAVE ITS EYES OPENED TO FUTURE CAREERS POSSIBILITIES,* HE SAID.

• )

ON INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS, MR. PRICE SAID PROGRESS WAS STEADILY BEING MADE IN IMPROVING HONG KONG’S POSITION RELATIVE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE MORE FUNDAMENTAL CONVENTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISA ION.

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE POSITION HAD BEEN IMPROVED IN RESPECT OF TWO CONVENTIONS, Ni S. 12 AND 17, CONCERNING WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.

IN ADDITION, CONVENTION ‘8 DEALING WITH THE RIGHT TO ORGANISE AND COLLECTIVE'BARGAINING AND CONVENTION 124 REGARDING THE PROHIBITION OF YOUNG PERSONS WORKING UNDERGROUND HAD BOTH BEEN APPLIED WITHOUT MODIFICATION.

+REQUESTS HAVE ALREADY BIEI! MADE FOR IMPROVED DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF REST DAYS IN IN1USTRY AND PROTECTION OF WAGES/ AND I SHALL CONTINUE TO SEEK ADDITIONAL IMPROVED DECLARATIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE,* HE SAID.

FROM HIS ATTENDANCE AT TIE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID: +1 AM CERTAIN THAT SUCH IMPROVEMENTS, IF SUSTAINED, CONTRIBUTE CONS I DEF ALLY TO A MORE FAVOURABLE VIEW BEING TAKEN BY OUR TRADING PAFTHERS, BECAUSE AS INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS THEY INDIC/Tt OUR PROGRESS IN IMPROVING LABOUR CONDITIONS.

+THEY ARE IMPORTANT TOO, IN COMBATING THE SCATHING AND UNFOUNDED ATTACKS MADE FROM TIME TO 1IME BY ILL-DISPOSED PERSONS WHO RESENT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS, OR WHO ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR OWN NARROW INTERESTS AGAINST OUR TRADING COMPETITIVENESS.

+HONG KONG HAS NOTHING TC FEAR IN AN OVERALL COMPARISON OF ITS LABOUR STANDARDS IN THE'INTERNATIONAL ARENA IN WHICH WE MUST BE PREPARED TO BE JUDGED. INDEED, HONG KONG IS IN THE TOP HALF OF THE WORLD LEAGUE TABLE WITH 31 CONVENTIONS APPLIED,* HE SAID.

FINALLY, MR. PRICE SAID HE SUPPORTED AND FULLY ENDORSED THE VIEW OF THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN ABOUT THE NEED FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP BILL.

+; AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED YESTERDAY THAT THIS BILL SHOUL ) BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL. I ASSURE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND THAT I SHALL MOVE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE IN THIS MATTER.*

WEDNESDAY,. NOVEMBER 5, 1975

- 11 -

DEBATE ON EDUCATION: QUANTITY AND QUALITY X X X X X X X

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY THIS AFTERNOON SPOKE ABOUT THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH MUST GUIDE THE TACTICAL MOVEMENTS IN DEVELOPING SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PUPILS WITH WHATEVER RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE.

REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE KEY QUESTION ABOUT EDUCATION 'POSED IN THIS DEBATE WAS THAT OF QUANTITY AGAINST QUALITY, BUT IN A FRESH FORM.

PERSONALLY MR. TOPLEY BELIEVED THAT STANDARDS SHOULD BE RELAXED TEMPORARILY SO THAT TEE MAXIMUM HUMBER OF PUPILS COULD BE HELPED WITH THEIR EDUCATION.

HE REFERRED TO THE REAL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT FINANCIAL RESOURCES - READY MONEY - AVAILABLE FOR SPENDING BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

+IF WE CAN EXPECT A LOT RATHER QUICKLY WE SHOULD HARDLY MODIFY OUR EDUCATIONAL PLANS AT ALL BUT WAIT FOR THE REVENUE UPTURN. *

+IF, AT THE OTHER EXTREME, THERE WERE REALLY SOUND REASON FOR PESSIMISM - A LITTLE AND LATE - THEN WE SHOULD THOROUGHLY RESTRUCTURE OUR EXPANSION PLANS TO SUIT OUR ASSUMED RESOURCES.+

THE DIRECTOR STATED THAT HE WAS PLANNING FOR VARIOUS CONTINGENCIES.

HE SAID: +FIRST OF ALL IT WOULD DE QUITE UNJUSTIFIED TO TAKE A PESSIMISTIC VIEW FOR THE MEDIUM TERM, AND IT FOLLOWS FROM THIS THAT WE SHOULD NOT THROW AWAY OR COMPLETELY REVAMP , OUR CONCEPTS AND PLANS FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION EXPANSION ARRIVED AT WITH SO MUCH PAIN AND SWEAT AND ENSHRINED AT LAST IN JHE WHITE PAPER.

+IF THE SITUATION DEVELOPS FAVOURABLY, AS WE ALL bEVOUTLY HOPE, WE MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE A START NEXT YEAR, AS IT STANDS.

+HOWEVER IF THE SITUATION FAILS TO DEVELOP AS FAVOURABLY AS THIS, THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS OF EXPANDING SECONDARY EDUCATION, ALL WITH DIFFERENT PRICE TAGS, ALL WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS CARRYING DIFFERENT DEGREES OF ADVANTAGE DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH COULD DE USED TO KEEP THINGS MOVING UNTIL THE WHITE PAPER CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN FULL. THAT IS TO SAY UNTIL WE CAN AFFORD TO GO FOR EXTENDED DAY IN ALL AIDED AND GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, BUYING AS MANY GOOD PLACES AS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MEANWHILE BUILDING AS HARD AS WE CAN.+

/THE DIRECTOR .....

BEDireSDAT, ROVEffiER $, 1)75

12 -

THE ID I RECTOR STRESSED THAT THE MINIMUM THING TO TACKLE WAS TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST AS HIGH A PROPORTION OF CANDIDATES AS IN FORMER YEARS WOULD RECEIVE AN AIDED PLACE AS A RESULT CF TAKING THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION.

+THIS .AIM REQUIRES AN ADDITION OF SOME 4,000 TO THE NUMBER OF FORM 1 PLACES. THE QUICKEST WAY OF DOING THIS IS, AS MR. Q.W. LEE RIGHTLY POINTS OUT, TO PERMIT A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN CLASS SIZE. THAT'WILL COST PRACTICALLY NOTHING TO THE TREASURY.

+1 CAN HOPE ALSO TO REDEPLOY SOME GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL icACHERS TO ACHIEVE A MEASURE OF FLOTATION - MEANING EXTRA CLASSES - IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.

+THESE TWO MEASURES TOGETHER SHOULD ENABLE ME TO KEEP UP TAE PROPORTION OF S.S.E.E. SUCCESSES SO THAT COMPETITION FOR PLACES IF NOT MADE MILDER AT LEAST BECOMES NO MORE FIERCE.

+AT THE WORST THESE PROPOSALS CAN BE PLACED BEFORE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS EMERGENCY MEASURES WHICH PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PLACES, ALL OF THEM AIDED AND IN GOOD SCHOOLS,+ HE SAID.

THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT MR. TOPLEY BELIEVED IT A GOOD THING TO INCREASE CLASS SIZE, BUT IT WAS BETTER THAN LEAVING CHILDREN WITHOUT A SCHOOL PLACE.

+BUT I AM PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT BY BUDGET TIME WE WILL FIND WE HAVE RESOURCES FOR RATHER MORE THAN THIS.

+ IN THIS CASE A POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL OPTION IS TO IMPROVE AND EXTEND THREE AND FIVE YEAR EVENING SECONDARY COURSES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVERS UNABLE TO FIND A PLACE IN A DAY SCHOOL,* THE DIRECTOR SAID-.

+THESE WOULD BE NEW PLACES,* HE SAID. +THEY J*/OULD ALSO BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A BOUGHT PLACE SO UE SHOULD G£T GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY HERE, BUT UNLESS WE ARE ABLE TO IMPROVE THE PLACES A GREAT DEAL AND UNTIL THEY GAIN SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC APPROVAL IT WOULD NOT DE POSSIBLE TO REGARD THESE AS PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO STUDYING CRITICALLY PLANS TO CONVERT SURPLUS PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR. USE WITHIN SECONDARY EDUCATION.

HE SAID: +1 AM SURE THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAS SET OUT MORE OR LESS THE LINE WE SHOULD FOLLOW, AND IN THE MEDIUM TERM WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW. THE EXPEDIENTS I HAVE-OUTLI NED ABOVE SHOULD ONLY BE ADOPTED IF, AND ONLY IF, IN THE SHORT TERM WE HAVE NOT THE RESOURCES3 WE MUST NOT IGNORE THE CLAIMS OF THE PRESENT GENERATION BECAUSE THEY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME LOST. PLEASE DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME.+

/II3. TOPLEY.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

13

MR. TOPLEY STATED EMPHATICALLY THAT HE DID NOT THINK IT APPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF STRATEGY AND ABANDON THE WHITE PAPER.

HE ADDED: +l SENSE THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THIS IN THIS COUNCIL. WHAT IS MORE WE MUST NOT FORGET THE TEACHERS BOTH SERVING AND IN TRAINING UPON WHOM THE FRONT-LINE WORK OF EDUCATION FALLS AND ON WHOM WE RELY IN THE LAST ANALYSIS TO CARRY ALL CUR PLANS TO FRUITION. WE MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF THEIR REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF A WORKING CAREER AND IT MUST ALWAYS BE A MATTER OF CONCERN THAT THEIR ENTHUSIASM IS NOT BLUNTED BEFORE THEY HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO ER I NG IT FULLY TO BEAR.+

MR. TOPLEY INDICATED SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT WITH POINTS RAISED BY MR. Q.W. LEE.

+AND I WILL NOT DENY OUR DUTY TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN WHICH BOTH MRS. SYMONS AND MISS KO SIU-WAH UNDERSCORE.

+MR. CHEONG-LEEN OFFERS ME AN ECONOMY VERSION OF A SCHEME WHICH HE PRESENTED A FEW MONTHS AGO FOR SUBSIDIZING CHILDREN WHEREVER THEY SIT. HIS ECONOMIES ARE REAL BUT THEY ARE MADE AT THE EXPENSE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLICITY. IT IS OF COURSE STILL A PURELY MONEY TRANSFER. NO EXTRA SCHOOL PLACES WOULD BE CREATED.

+HIS PROPOSALS FOR FINANCING ARE INTERESTING. HE WISHES TO MODIFY THE SCHEME FOR SUBSIDIZING STUDENT FARES IN ORDER TO SUBSIDIZE AN OVERLAPPING POPULATION OF SCHOOL FEE PAYERS. IT IS AS I HAVE INDICATED MORE OF AN INCOME REDISTRIBUTION SCHEME THAN AN EDUCATIONAL ONE.+

ON MR. ALEX WU’S REQUEST TO DEEPEN THE CULTURAL CONTENT OF EDUCATION IN ORDER TO ENRICH AND STABILIZE SOCIETY BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-DIRECTING INDIVIDUALS, MR. TOPLEY SAID: +IT IS A PROFOUND BUSINESS.*

HE ADDED: +LIKE MR. WU I AM CONCERNED THAT WE MAY BE TOO DOMINATED BY SHORT TERM CONCERNS. I AM ANXIOUS LEST WE PRODUCE MANY GOOD ROLE-PLAYERS BUT FEW IF ANY ROLE CREATORS.

+A*ND I WILL ON AN APPROPRIATE OCCASION DISCUSS AT GREATER LENGTH OUR DOINGS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION THROUGH ARTS AND CRAFTS AND HOW WE ARE PREPARING THE TEACHERS OF TOMORROW FOR THEIR ROLE IN THIS.*

0

/14


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

BOOM-TIME IN NEW TERRITORIES , X X X X X

• • • * • •

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON. DAVID AKERS-JONES, TODAY SPOKE ABOUT THE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE RURAL AREAS AND SAID +IT IS CERTAINLY BOC TIME IN THE NEW TERR I TOR IES.+

+THE MAGNITUDE AND VARIETY OF DEVELOPMENT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS RECESSION ELSEWHERE,* HE T LD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, HE SAID, 66 ACRES OF LAND HAVE BEEN SOLD OR GRANTED FOR INDUSTRY, REALISING REVENUE OF $82 MILLION.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RECLAMATION OF ANOTHER 65 ACRES OF SEABED TO EXTEND THE CONTAINER PORT AT KWAI CHUNG, WHICH HE SAID, WAS PROCEEDING AT AN UNBELIEVABLE PACE. %

WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE 120-ACRE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WILL START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1977, HE ADDED.

IN TUEN MUN, SEVEN FLATTED FACTORIES ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND TWO TOY MANUFACTURERS, WHO TOGETHER WILL EMPLOY OVER 2,000 WORKERS, WILL START BUILDING WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN PRODUCTION BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MR. AKERS-JONES CONTINUED :+ A TOTAL OF 340 ACRES OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USE HAVE ALSO BEEN EXCHANGED, GRANTED OR SOLD SINCE NOVEMBER LAST, AT A PREMIUM OF $182 MILLION.

+THIS INCLUDES THE LARGE SITE AT YUEN LONG Of'^85*ACRES TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR 25,000 PEOPLE IN INDIVIDUAL HOUSES.

+IN SHA TIN, THE RECENT SALE OF THE RIGHT TO RECLAIM AND DEVELOP PART OF THE SEABED PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVELOPER TO BUILD HOUSES, SHOPS AND SCHOOLS FOR A COMMUNITY OF 30,000 PEOPLE.’

•+NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL AREA OF SEABED FOR SALE AT SHA TIN, AND I HO.’E THAT 40 ACRES OF LAND IN THE HILLS ABOVE KWAI CHUNG, NOW EFING TERRACED BY THE DEVELOPERS OF THE CONTAINER TERMINALS, WILL ALSO BECOME AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.*

/THE SECRETARY .....

I

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

- 15 -

THE SECRETARY ALSO DISCLOSED THAT NEXT YEAR SOME 400,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL AMD RESIDENTIAL. LAND WOULD BE OFFERED TO HOLDERS OF LAUD EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS, AND IN ADDITION, THERE WERE AREAS OF INDUSTRIAL AND LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL LAND WHICH MAY BE EXCHANGED.

MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT LAST YEAR HIS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN HANDLING PROPOSALS TO BUILD A 40-ST0REY WAREHOUSE, AN AERIAL ROPEWAY, A 200-F00T HIGH BUDDHA AND A SAFARI PARK.

+IF WE CAN FIND A SUITABLE AREA OF LAND, I DO NOT SEE WHY WE CANNOT COPE WITH A .ZOO IF THAT IS THOUGHT TO BE A USEFUL AND INTERESTING ADDITION TO THE SCOPE OF LIFE IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED. p

f •

TURNING TO THE CRIME SITUATION, MR. AKERS-JONES

SAID THAT BY AND LARGE THE NEU TERRITORIES, APART FROM TSUEN WAN, HAD NOT BEEN INFESTED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THE PEOPLE OF THE MARKET TOWNS AND VILLAGES WERE DETERMINED TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

THE SECRETARY DESCRIBED AS UNNECESSARY AND ALARMING PRESS REPORTS WHICH SAID THAT HE WAS ORGANISING ’POSSES OF VIGILANTES’.

HE SAID THE HEUNG YEE KUK, THE DISTRICT FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES, THE POLICE AND THE NTA WERE RE-EXAMINING THE FUNCTION OF THE WELL-ESTABLISHED RURAL SYSTEM OF VILLAGE GUARDS,' WHICH HAD ALL'ALONG BEEN, AND IS STILL MAINTAINED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SEE HOW THE SYSTEM COULD BE ADAPTED AND IMPROVED TO HELP IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

0

+IN TOWN AND COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE ARE ORGANISING THEMSELVES TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO DRIVE OUT THIS THREAT TO OUR SOCIETY AND WE'WILL DO S0,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

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/16

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER .5, 1975'

16 -

PROPOSED FARE EOTD!) FOB JKMl FERRI AIID EW2AIS ’ TJ_ ED TH LEGCO

25 25 25 25

.THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON TODAY INTRODUCED LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT INCREASING THE* FARES .AND WAIVING ROYALTY FCR THE STAR FERRY COMPANY AND THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS COMPANY.

ANOTHER BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CHARGE OHLY A HOMINAL PERMIT FEE FOR THE PEAK TRAMWAYS WAS ALSO INTRODUCED. THE FARE INCREASE FOR THIS COMPANY IS BEING MADE DY AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.

IN THE CASE OF THE HONG KONG TRAMWAYS IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE OF 33 CENTS AND THE WAIVING GF THE ROYALTY FOR THE FUTURE SHOULD BE COUPLED WITH A REQUIREMENT THAT THE COMPANY ESTABLISH A PROFIT EQUALISATION FUND.

MR. ROBSON EXPLAINED THAT PROFITS I fl EXCESS OF 15 PER CCNT PER ANNUM ON THE FIXED ASSETS EMPLOYED WOULD BE PAID INTO THE FUND. WHEN PROFITS FELL BELOW THE PERMITTED LEVEL, FUNDS COULD BE DRAWN, WHEN NECESSARY, TO BRING THE COMPANY’S PROFITS BACK UP TO 15 PER CENT.

HE SAID NEGOTIATIONS WITH HONG KONG TRAMWAYS ON THE FORM OF THE PRCFI I EQUALISATION FUND, THE VALUATION OF THE ASSETS AND OTHER RELATED MA iit.RS WOULD TAKE PLACE IF THE BILL BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE PASSED.

MR. ROBSON INDICATED THAT THE NEU FARE STRUCTURE FOR THE TRAMWAYS COMPANY AND THE WAIVING OF THE ROYALTY SHOULD ’’AVOID FURTHER FARE INCREASES IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE”

IN INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE ROYALTY FOR THE STAR FERRY COMPANY AND TO INCREASE THE FIRST CLASS FARES TO 30 CENTS AND SECOND CLASS TO 15 CENTS, MR. ROBSON SAID IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE IN THE CASE OF THIS COMPANY TO ASSESS A FAIR RETURN BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF FIXED ASSETS.

THIS IS BECAUSE THE COMPANY’S ASSETS ARE BASICALLY THE FERRIES II OWNS AND DUE iO PAST DEPRECIATION THESE HAVE A VERY LOW ASSET VALUE. THIS VALUE IS DIMINISHING RAPIDLY AHO THERE IS NO NEED AT PRESENT FOR FURTHER CAPITAL INVESTMENT AS THE SERVICES PROVIDED DY THE COMPANY ARE ’’PERFECTLY ADEQUATE”.

MR. -ROBSON ADDi.D THAT IF THE RETURN WERE BASED ON A PERCENTAGE ?f,nF.l^D ASSETS ,t L'OULD LIMIT THE ALLOWABLE PROFIT TO LOWER AND LOWER LEVELS HARDLY JUSTIFYING THE MANAGERIAL EFFORT REQUIRED TO RUN THE COMPANY.

”A PROFIT DEARING SOME RELATION OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IS MEANS OF ASSESSING FAIR RETURNS,” HE

TO THE AVERAGE PROFITS PROBABLY A MORE REALISTIC SAID.

/tTJDZn THIS METHOD

UED1ESDAY, COVEffiER J, 1975

I

- 17 -

UNDER THIS METHOD AND ASSUMING THAT THE NEW FARE-STRUCTURE IS AGREED AND THAT NO ROYALTY PAYMENTS ARE MADE, A PROJECTION OF THE PROFITS EXPECTED OVER THE FIVE YEARS 1974-73 INDICATE AN AVERAGE ANNUAL PROFIT OF L SS THAN <300,000. THIS COMPARES WI TH AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF $1,4 MILLION OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS - 1969-73 - AFTER PAYMENT OF ROYALTY.

IN APPLYING FOR A FARE INCREASE, THE COMPANY PROJECTED ON EXISTING FARES I HAT BEFORE THE PAYMENT GF ROYALTY AND TAX IT WOULD LOSE MONEY ON ITS OPERATIONS OVER THE YEARS 1975 TO 1978 AND PROGRESSIVELY AFTER THAI. IN FACT, EVEN WITH THE NEW FARE STRUCTURE AND’ NO ROYALTY, THE COMPANY WILL STILL HAKE A OF SOME 5264,000 IN 1975.

LOSS

SAID

REFERRING TO THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY, MR. ROBSON SAID THAT THE FORECAST RATE OF RETURN FOR 1975 WAS ONLY 3.29 PER CENT IF THE FULL PERMIT FEE WERE PAD.

♦THERE IS NO DOUBT iHAT IF NOTHING WERE DONE TO ASSIST THE COMPANY THIS LOW PROFITABILITY POSITION WOULD DETERIORATE INTO A LOSS EARLY IN 1977. I HE COMPANY HAS ALGO HAD TO EMBARK ON A RELATIVELY COSTLY CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME TO MEET THE -HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRED EOR SUCH A SYSTEM.

THEREFORE, THE COMPANY APPLIED FOR A FARE'INCREASE AND WAIVER OF THE PERMIT FEE TO IMPROVE PROFITABILITY AUD ENABLE IT TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY CASH FOR THE REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME; THE FARE INCREASE HAS DEEN APPROVED AND THE BILL BEFORE TRE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKS TO CHARGE ONLY A HOMINAL 525,000 PERMIT FEE FOR 1974 AND 1975.

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/10

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

18 -

DEPOSIT-T^ina COJJPANIES DILL

t illed in iccco

XJ XX ll XJ X3

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID TODAY THAT WHILE HE DID NOT THINK IT RIGHT AT PRESENT TO ENLARGE THE LICENSED BANKING SECTOR BY ISSUING HEU LICENCES, THE PROPOSAL FOR A FORM OF LIMITED BANKING LICENCE HAS HOT BEEN ABANDONED AND WILL DE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.

HE GAVE THIS ASSURANCE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BILL WHICH AIMS AT PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT ONE IMPORTANT'OUTCOME OF THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WOULD DE THAT INFORMATION WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND THE SCALE OF THEIR ACTIVITIES. AT PRESENT, THIS INFORMATION IS ALMOSI ENTIRELY LACKING. :

+ONCE IT IS AVAILABLE, THE NEED FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE CONTROLS AND SUPERVISION CAN DE ASSESSED,+ HE SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL HAD TWO MAIN PURPOSES - TO ENSURE THAT THE RISKS TO SMALL DEPOSITORS ARE MINIMISED BY REQUIRING THAT SHALL DEPOSITS DE HELD ONLY WITH THOSE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CLOSE SUPERVISION AND CONTROL" AND TO ENSURE- THAT OTHER FINANCIAL INSTIlUTIONS ACCEPTING DEPOSITS FROM THE PUBLIC ARE OF REASONABLE SUBSTANCE, THAT THEIR ANNUAL ACCOUNTS DE OPEN TO THEIR DEPOSITORS, AND THAT THEIR ASSETS BACKING THE DEPOSITS ARE NOT UNDULY CONCENTRATED WITH ANY BORROWER.

HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO ^LEGISLATE FOR THE COMPLETE PROTECTION OF ALL FOOLS.+

THE BILL REQUIRES A COMPANY TO PAY $10,000. ON REGISTRATION AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER. ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION IS THAT COMPANIES MUST HAVE A MINIMUM ISSUED CAPITAL OF $5 MILLION, OF WHICH AT LEAST $2-1/2 MILLION MUST HAVE BEEN PAID FOR.

BUSINESSES ALREADY IN EXISTENCE AT THE•COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ARE TO EE ALLOWED TWO YEARS TO MEET THIS PROVISION.

COMPANIES WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONER ANNUALLY WITH THEIR LATEST ACCOUNTS AND THESE ARE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

THE BILL STIPULATES THAT REGISTERED COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACCEPT DEPOSITS S. ALLER THAN $50,000.

AIIB BILL 'ALSO

REDZIESDAT, IJOVESJEB 5, 1975

- 19 -

THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THE SETTING-UP OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WITH FUNCTION SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.

IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT ONLY LICENSED BANKS AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOULD EE ALLOWED TO ADVERTISE IN HONG KONG FOR DEPOSITS. THIS IS MAINLY DIRECTED AGAINST THE SOLICITING OF DEPOSITS BY OVERSEAS CONCERNS WHICH ARE NOT OTIIERW ISE. SUBJECT TO SUPERVISION HERE.

PROVISIONS ARE ALSO MADE AGAINST THE SOLICITING OF DEPOSITS BY FRAUDULENT, RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT MISINTERPRETATION.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

«■ o • 0 •

I

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

:o

SHALL CI ATI 13 TRIBUIIAL X X X X X X

THE PROPOSED SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL TO HEAR MONETARY CLAIMS OF NOT MORE THAN S3,OOO IS TO BE SET UP FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, IF A SUGGESTION BY THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG IS ACCEPTED.

MR. CHEUNG GAVE NOTICE AT TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING THAT HE WOULD TAELE THIS AMENDMENT, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY HIS UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUES, AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL BILL.

I

MR. CHEUNG TOLD COUNCIL THAT IT WOULD DE WISE TO LIMIT THE LIFE OF THE TRIBUNAL UNTIL IT HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL, IN WHICH CASE ITS LIFE COULD BE EXTENDED.

HE PERSONALLY REGRETTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO CREATE THIS TRIBUNAL, AND HE FELT REASSURED THAT NO FURTHER COURTS OF THIS NATURE WOULD BE CREATED.

ANOTHER UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON. HILTON CIIEONG-LEEN, SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED TRIBUNAL AND SAID IT WOULD ENABLE THOSE WHO DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH TO BRING CLAIMS DEFORE IT WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY.

HE STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT PUBLIC REACTION TO THE TRIBUNAL MUST BE CAREFULLY WATCHED AS IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE TRIBUNAL COULD EASILY BECOME ANOTHER TOOL FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND BUSINESS COMPANIES TO EXTRACT EVERY CENT DUE FROM THE LOWER INCOME SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.

+HOPEFULLY,+ HE ADDED, +THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL SHOULD DE RECOGNISED AS BEING FOR THE DEREFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF AS BEING USED PREDOMINANTLY Ttf OPPRESS THE SMALL MAN.+

MR. CHEONG-LEEN ALSO HOPED THAT THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICES WOULD ASSIST MULTI-STOREY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES TO USE THE TRIBUNAL TO ENFORCE REASONABLE DISCIPLINE AND CO-OPERATION IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL RESIDENTS.

HE ADDED: +1 WOULD EVEN GO FURTHER DY SAYING THAT WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS'BILL THE CDO’S SHOULD NOW REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO HAVE ALL LARGE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WHICH HAVE LITTLE OR HO MANAGEMENT TO SET UP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE DELAY.+

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/21 ....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1975

- 21 -

DILLS PASSED X X X X

TWO BILLS -- THE RAILWAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) DILL -- COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY TO'BECOME LAW.

TWO OTHERS, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL DILL AND THE SUPREME COURT DILL, PASSED THEIR.SECON) READING, WHILE SIX OTHERS WERE INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THESE WEREs THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL, THE DEPOSIT-TAKINO COMPANIES DILL, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT)(N0.2) DILL, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 6) BILL, THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) . ILL, AMD THE TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL.

_ „ „ _ 0----------------

• t

N.T. LAND SALES

>•. x x «» 4% IX

A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT SITUATED AT SILVERSTRAND, CLEARWATER BAY, WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE DY AUCTION LATER THIS MONTH.

THE LOT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 75,700 SQUARE FEET.'

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES ON NOVEMBER 25 STARTING AT 2.30 P.M.

■ FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, NORTH K WLOON MAG ISTRACY, TAI PO ROAD, AND AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF YUEiJ LONG, TUJN MUN, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS. SALES PLANS MAY ALSO DE INSPECTED AT THE VARIOUS OFFICES.

PRM 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

t DEATH PENALTY : HONG KONG MAKES REPRESENTATIONS TO BRITAIN................................................. 1

10-YEAR OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO ASSESS TOTAL NEEDS ' OF HONG KONG FOR LAND, MONEY AND OTHER RESOURCES .......... 3

FIGHT AGAINST CRIME REMAINS TOP PRIORITIES ............... 5

ECONOMIC RECESSION LEVELLING OFF, SAYS DIRECTOR OF C AND 8 ................................................... 9

FILM CLASSIFICATIONS TO BE REVISED ....................... 11

CENTRALISED POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT TO BE SET UP .......... 13

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES .............................   14

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ..................................... 16

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES ON SALE NEXT MONDAY................. 17

WATER CUTS ............................................... .17

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong.Teh 5'233191 •

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

1

DEATH PENALTY: HONG KONG MAKES RH'RESLJTATIONS TO BRITAIN

X X X X X X

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS AGAIN MADE REPRESENTATIONS IN THE STRONGEST TERMS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ABOUT HONG KONG’S WISH FOR A RESTORATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN CASES WHERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRIME LEAVE NO REASONABLE JUSTIFICATION FOR CLEMENCY.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR DENYS ROBERTS, IN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE COUNCIL’S 1975/76 SESSION.

SIR DENYS SAID THE GOVERNOR FULLY RECOGNISED THE FIERCENESS OF CONVICTION WITH WHICH SO MANY RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG HELD THE VIEW THAT, UNLESS THE DEATH PENALTY WAS CARRIED OUT IN APPROPRIATE CASES, THE FLOOD OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TURNED BACK.

THE GOVERNOR, HE ADDED, ALSO ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS ISSUE WAS SO STRONG AND SO UNIVERSAL +THAT A CHANGE TO CURRENT PRACTICE MUST BE MADE IN TERMS WHICH GO SOME WAY TO MEET THE GENUINE FEELINGS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHICH CLEARLY SEES THIS ISSUE AS A TEST OF DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE VIOLENT CRIME WITH DETERMINATION.+

IN FUTURE, SIR DENYS SAID, THE GOVERNOR WOULD, WHENEVER HE COMMUTES A DEATH PENALTY, IMPOSE THE ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENT OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT, UNLESS, IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, HE FEELS ABLE TO ACCEPT ADVICE FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THAT A LESSER SENTENCE SHOULD BE IMPOSED.

HE ADDED THAT THE ONLY EXCEPTION WHICH MIGHT BE MADE TO THIS PRINCIPLE IS WHERE, AFTER ANY LONG PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT. STRONG HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS MIGHT HAVE EMERGED SUCH AS WOULD JUSTIFY THE EARLIER RELEASE OF A PARTICULAR OFFENDER.

SIR DENYS SAID HE WELL UNDERSTOOD THE SENSE OF FRUSTRATION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS — AND THIS WAS SHARED BY THE GOVERNMENT — BUT HE EXPLAINED THAT, WHILE THE REALITIES WERE UNDERSTOOD, THE QUESTION OF THE DEATH PENALTY DID NOT END THERE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ANY PRISONER SENTENCED TO DEATH IN HONG KONG HAD A RIGHT TO PETITION THE QUEEN FOR CLEMENCY. IN REACHING HER DECISION, THE QUEEN WAS ADVISED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WHOSE ADVICE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY REACTION IN THE UK PARLIAMENT TO WHICH HE IS ANSWERABLE.

/♦RECENT SECRETARIES .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

2

+RECENT SECRETARIES OF STATE HAVE BEEN OF THE OPINION

THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IF THEY WERE TO ADVISE THAT DEATH SENTENCES SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID. +MOREOVER, THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT THIS ATTITUDE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IS LIKELY TO CHANGE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.+

HOWEVER, HE APPRECIATED THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT ATTITUDES ON THE DEATH PENALTY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SAID THESE DIFFERENT ATTITUDES MAY SUGGEST THAT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT COULD BE A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT HERE THAN IN OTHER PLACES.

+THEY DEFINITELY DO MEAN THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION ARE CONVINCED THAT THE DEATH PENALTY WOULD SERVE AS A SUBSTANTIAL DETERRENT TO VIOLENT CRIME,* HE ADDED.

ON THE LEVEL OF SENTENCES PASSED BY HONG KONG COURTS, SIR DENYS SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'HAD REPRESENTED HIS CONCERN TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE THAT CURRENT SENTENCES

ARE NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CONTRIBUTE EFFECTIVELY IN HONG KONG’S PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE RESTORATION OF LAW AND ORDER.

THE COURTS, HE SAID, HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TASK IN HOLDING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE INDIVIDUAL, PARTICULARLY IN A PERIOD OF LAWLESSNESS.

+BUT THEY ARE NOT, AND SHOULD NOT BE, INSENSITIVE TO THE FEELINGS AND CONVICTIONS OF THE SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY OPERATE,* HE STRESSED.

HE HAD NO DOUBTS THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY WOULD HAVE TAKEN DUE AND CAREFUL NOTE OF THE STRENGTH OF THE VIEWS PRESSED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

SIR DENYS NOTED THAT THERE WAS WIDESPREAD CONCERN THAT THE COURTS WERE NOT AFFORDING TO INNOCENT CITIZENS THE MEASURE OF PROTECTION AGAINST CRIMINAL CONDUCT WHICH THE PUBLIC EXPECTED.

+THIS RELIEF,* HE SAID, +IS FOUNDED ON THE CONVICTION THAT THE PUBLIC IS PROPERLY PROECTED ONLY IF OFFENDERS ARE PUNISHED IN A MANNER WHICH MANIFESTS THE OUTRAGE OF SOCIETY AT THE GREED AND WICKEDNESS THAT MOTIVATE THE MAJORITY OF CRIMES AND WHICH ACTS AS A REAL DETERRENT TO WRONG-DOERS.*

ON ANOTHER ASPECT, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS NO INDISCRIMINATE RELEASE OF PRISONERS THROUGH THE AGENCY OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW WHICH CONSIDERS ALL LONG-TERM SENTENCES AT SPECIFIED INTERVALS AND HAS POWER TO RECOMMEND EARLY RELEASE TO THE GOVERNOR IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

IN PRACTICE, SIR DENYS SAID, SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS ARE RARE. IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE GOVERNOR HAD ORDERED THE RELEASE OF ONLY FIVE PRISONERS AS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BOARD. THREE OF THOSE RELEASED HAD SHOWN GREAT COURAGE-IN GIVING EVIDENCE AGAINST PRISON WARDERS OR FELLOW PRISONERS IN RELATION TO OFFENCES COMMITTED IN PRISON, ONE WAS SUFFERING FROM A GRAVE ILLNESS AND ONE WAS AN OLD MAN.

0 ------

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

3

10-YEAR OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN X X X X X X

AN OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WHICH WILL ATTEMPT TO ASSESS THE TOTAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG FOR LAND, MONEY AND OTHER RESOURCES DURING A 10-YEAR PERIOD IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.

DISCLOSING THIS TODAY, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. SIR DENYS ROBERTS SAID THAT DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE BETTER USE OF PLANNING PROCESSES.

+PROGRAMME<PLANS COVERING ACTIVITIES WHICH ABSORB ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OR ARE IN THE COURSE OF PREPARATION.+

IN ADDITION TO THE FIRST PLANS FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON PLANS TO COVER LAW AND ORDER, HOUSING, FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWNS AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.

. I

HOWEVER, SIR DENYS SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THESE PLANS ARE COMPREHENSIVE IN THEIR APPROACH TO A GIVEN ACTIVITY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN LINKED TOGETHER.

THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WILL EMBODY THE VARIOUS PROGRAMME PLANS AND ATTEMPT TO ASSESS THE TOTAL NEEDS OF HONG KONG FOR LAND, MONEY AND OTHER RESOURCES. WORK ON THE PLAN HAS JUST BEGUN.

REFERRING TO ONE OF THE'CHANGES INTRODUCED IN 1973 - THE REDEFINITION OF THE RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENTS - THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE WAS THE CREATION OF BRANCHES IN THE SECRETARIAT WHICH ASSUMED GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FORMATION OF POLICY AND ITS EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT.

BASED ON LESSONS LEARNT DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN SECRETARIES HAS BEEN REVISED RECENTLY TO REMOVE OVERLAPPING AND TO ENABLE THEM TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES MORE EFFECTIVELY.

+A REVIEW OF ALL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES IS UNDER WAY, WITH EACH SECRETARY RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING BOTH THE USEFULNESS AND MEMBERSHIP OF THOSE WHICH FALL WITHIN HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY,* HE ADDED.

/REVIEWING .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

- 4 -

REVIEWING PROGRESS ON THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. SIR DENYS SAID THAT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE, AS IN ANY LARGE ORGANIZATION MANY DECISIONS TEND TO BE TAKEN AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN IS JUSTIFIED BY THEIR IMPORTANCE OR DIFFICULTY.

HE NOTED THAT IN GENERAL TERMS DECISIONS TAKEN AT THE LOWES I REASONABLE LEVEL ARE +REACHED MORE QUICKLY AND LESS EXPENSIVELY+.

SIR DENYS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE EARLY TASKS FOR THE NEWLY APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION WILL BE TO CONTINUE THE ASSESSMENTS OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE REFORMS INTRODUCED IN 1973 HAVE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

HE ALSO GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PURSUE VIGOROUSLY THE TASK OF STRENGTHENING AND ADAPTING THE MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT TO MEET HONG KONG’S EVOLVING REQUIREMENTS.

DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF A POPULATION POLICY, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT A WORKING PARTY HAS BEEN STUDYING THE QUESTION IN DETAIL AND ITS CONCLUSIONS WILL BE INCORPORATED IN A PAPER TO BE PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HE ADDED THAT SO FAR THE APPROACH HAS BEEN TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTARY LIMITATION OF FAMILY SIZE RATHER THAN THE MORE COERCIVE METHODS WHICH HAVE BEEN ADOPTED ELSEWHERE, +THOUGH IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT THERE MAY COME A TIME WHEN IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE MEASURES WHICH WILL OPERATE AS A POSITIVE DISCOURAGEMENT TO LARGE FAMILIES.*

IN CONCLUSION, SIR DENYS ASSURED COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN NO WAY DISCOURAGED BY THE SET-BACKS OF THE PAST TWO YEARS OR WEAKENED IN ITS DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE A BETTER STANDARD OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

HE ALSO PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WITHOUT WHOSE KNOWLEDGE, INTEGRITY AND WISE GUIDANCE, THE GOVERNMENT’S TASK OF LEADING HONG KONG SAFELY THROUGH THE MYRIAD TRIALS OF THE DAY WOULD BE FAR MORE DIFFICULT.

-----0------ /5..........................

•f ■ ■ * ' ■■ ... I

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

5

FIGHT AGAINST CHIME XXX

REMAINS TOP PRIORITIES X X X X

THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOP PRIORITIES AND WILL BE PRESSED FORWARD VIGOROUSLY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SOUND PROGRESS WAS ALREADY BEING MADE WITH THE VARIOUS MEASURES ADOPTED, HE SAID, AND FURTHER STEPS WERE PLANNED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT, HE SAID, WERE PLANS TO BRING . THE POLICE FORCE UP TO STRENGTH NEXT YEAR AND TO INCREASE THE ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE INTENTION THAT REPORTED CRIME BE PURSUED EVEN MORE INEXORABLY, AND EVEN STRONGER PREVENTIVE MEASURES IMPLEMENTED.

HE EXPECTED THAT BEAT POLICE OFFICERS IN URBAN STREETS WOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH RADIOS IN LITTLE OVER A YEAR. +NOT ONLY WILL THE SCHEME INSPIRE GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE AND ENGENDER GREATER PUBLIC CO-OPERATION — IT WILL ALSO GREATLY IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FORCE,+ HE SAID.

MR. DAVIES SAID THAT WHILE CRIME APPEARED TO HAVE LEVELLED OFF, THERE WAS NO EASY OR QUICK SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. BUT WITH SUFFICIENT DETERMINATION, HE ADDED, THE TIDE WILL TURN.

THE SECRETARY REJECTED THE ASSERTION THAT THERE WAS MOUNTING RELUCTANCE TO REPORT CRIME. +FAR FROM IT, THERE IS INCREASED WILLINGNESS AND INCREASED OPPORTUNITY.+

CONTACTS AND FEEDBACKS FROM KAIFONGS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND POLICE OFFICERS IN DAY-TO-DAY CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE SAID, INDICATED A GREATER WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF THE PEOPLE TO ACT AGAINST CRIME. THIS RANGED FROM ORGANISED COMMUNITY RESISTANCE TO REPORTING CRIME TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF REPORTING CENTRES, POLICE STATIONS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNITS.

NOR WAS PUBLIC CO-OPERATION CONFINED TO DETERRING CRIMINALS. OUT OF EVERY TEN PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING A CRIME THIS YEAR, HE NOTED, ONE WAS APPREHENDED DY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. LAST YEAR IT WAS ONE IN 12 AND THREE YEARS AGO IT WAS ONE IN 20.

+THESE FIGURES REFLECT A TREND OF INCREASED PUBLIC WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST ACTIVELY IN FIGHTING CRIME. IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT SUGGEST FEAR OR APATHY,+ HE SAID.

ONE AREA WHERE NEW POLICE CONCEPTS APPEARED TO BE PROVING SUCCESSFUL, MR. DAVIES SAID, WAS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING SCHEME WHICH MAINLY AIMED AT HELPING TO REDUCE THE-ABSOLUTE LEVEL OF CRIME THROUGH CLOSER POLICE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

/NEIGHBOURHOOD ......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING UNITS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN POLICING DENSELY POPULATED ESTATES, HE SAID, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS PLANNING TO EXPAND THE UNITS AS FA. AS ESTABLISHMENT WOULD ALLOW.

. DAVIES SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THEIR PRIMARY DUTIES F EL '.BL I SHI NG GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC AND GIVING EFFh” 2NT SERVICE AND ADVICE, CAREFULLY SELECTED OFFICERS VISITED SCHOOLS TO TALK ON ROAD SAFETY AND OTHER POLICE RELATED SUBJECTS, HELPED YOUTH RECREATION, AND TOOK PART IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, ESTATE ■ MANAGEMENTS OR KA I FONGS.

THERE WAS ALSO INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF THE POLICE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND GREATER CO-OPERATION BY THE PUBLIC IN n-le FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WHERE THERE IS A PERMANENT POLICE PRESENCE. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SO WHERE ACTIVE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN MOBILISED.

THE SUCCESS OF THE MAC’S IN ELIMINATING CRIME IN BUILDINGS HAP PRODUCED A DEMAND FOR MORE COMMITTEES, AND ADDITIONAL STAFF :AD BEEN DEPLOYED IN THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO FORM NEW ITTEES AND LIAISON.

HE NOTED THAT THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SCHEME WAS ALSO WORKING WELL AND THERE HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING RESULTS .ROM THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL SCHEME WHICH NOW HAD 130,000 MEMBERS. INFORMATION FROM JPC MEMBERS, HE SAID, HAD LED TO THE ARREST .- । JOBBERS, TO CONVICTIONS FOR DRUG PUSHERS, TO MISSING VEHICLES BEING TRACED AND TO VALUABLE LOST PROPERTY BEING RETURNED.

MR. DAVIES STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT THE DRIVE AGAINST CRIME DID NOT REST SOLELY ON INCREASED PUBLIC SUPPORT OR IMPROVED FRIENDLINESS WITH THE COMMUNITY. OPERATIONAL METHODS WERE AN IMPORTANT PART AND THESE HAD BEEN MODERNISED.

HE NOTED THAT THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE CID HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO ALL URBAN AREAS AND ITS STRENGTH HAD BEEN INCREASED BY 700 MEN. TRAINING FACILITIES HAD ALSO BEEN EXPANDED.

DESPITE THIS, HOWEVER, THE WORKLOAD REMAINED HEAVY AND A FURTHER EXAMINATION WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN TO ASSESS THE PRECISE MANPOWER STRENGTH NEEDED BY THE CID.

THIS REVIEW, HE SAID, WOULD INCLUDE THE NEEDS OF THE SPECIALISED UNITS SET UP TO TACKLE SPECIAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS NARCOTICS, THUGS, SPECIAL CRIMES AND COMMERCIAL CRIMES.

MR. DAVIES SAID THERE WERE DEFINITE INDICATIONS OF IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE RESULTS, PARTICULARLY IN THE PREVENTIVE FIELD, AND DESPITE THE BURDEN THE CID HAD MAINTAINED ITS DETECTION RATE.

ON THE QUESTION OF RECRUITING REDUNDANT ARMY PERSONNEL TO THE POLIC FORCE, MR. DAVIES SAID APPLICATIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL REDUNDANT LOCALLY EMPLOYED SERVICEMEN WOULD BE CONSIDERED. BUT HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ' POST THEM TO COMPANIES OF THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT UNLESS THE PRESENT PRACTICE BY WHICH ALL POLICEMEN ARE REQUIRED TO TRAIN BOTH IN INTERNAL SECURITY AND NORMAL DUTIES WERE MODIFIED. SO FAR, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT PERSUADED THAT THIS WAS DESIRABLE.

EFERRING TO

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

7

REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN TO SET UP FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEES IN ALL CITY DISTRICTS, MR. DAVIES SAID SUCH COMMITTEES ALREADY EXISTED IN A DIFFERENT FORM. THESE ARE THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES CHAIRED BY CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS AND COMPRISING REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LEADING MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE DAY-TO-DAY CO-ORDINATION OF THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, HE SAID, PROPOSALS HAD BEEN EVOLVED FO ENABLE THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES TO APPOINT STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES WITH SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE DETAILED LANNING, CO-ORDINATION AND MONITORING OF DISTRICT FIGHT

VIOLENT CRIME ACTIVITIES.

HE EXPECTED THAT THESE STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES WOULD BE ST UP IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE AND ITS MEMBERS WOULD INCLUDE POLICE REPRESENTATIVES, UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

ON 'THE STANDARD OF LIVING’ IN PRISONS, MR. DAVIES ASSURED COUNCIL THAT THE PRISON AUTHORITIES WERE ALIVE TO THE NECESSITY OF ENSURING THAT INMATES ARE PROPERLY SUPERVISED IN A DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT, WORK HARD AND ARE NOT PROVIDED WITH FACILITIES ABOVE I'HOSE WHICH ARE THE MINIMUM ESSENTIAL.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A VARIETY OF RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON PRISONERS, AND THESE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN COMPARING STANDARDS GENERALLY.

+ANY PERSON WHO HAS VISITED STANLEY WHICH HOUSES 43 PER CENT OF THE PRISON POPULATION, WILL NOT HAVE DEPARTED WITH A FEELING THAT THE STANDARDS ARE UNDULY HIGH,+ HE SAID.

THE AVERAGE CELL IN STANLEY PRISON, HE SAID, WAS 54 SQUARE FEET AND ON MONDAY NIGHT 1,700 OR 68 PER CENT OF THE 2,494 PRISONERS WERE IN CELLS ACCOMMODATING THREE PRISONERS, GIVING AN AVERAGE OF 18 SQUARE FEET PER PRISONER.

THE TOILET FACILITIES THERE, HE ADDED, CONSISTED OF A BUCKET IN A CORNER AND PRISONERS ARE LOCKED UP WITH THESE ’FACILITIES’ FOR TWELVE HOURS A DAY.

IN STANLEY WHERE THE CONDITIONS ARE OVERCROWDED, HE POINTED OUT, THREE OUT OF FOUR PRISONERS RELEASED IN 1971-73 HAVE RETURNED TO SERVE A FURTHER SENTENCE.

IN VICTORIA REMAND CENTRE, HE WENT ON, MORE THAN HALF THOSE IN REMAND ARE THREE TO A CELL, THE DIMENSIONS OF WHICH VARY FROM 40 SQ. FT. TO 60 SQ. FT. IN THE NEU INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE VERY SUCCESSFUL DETENTION CENTRES, THE FLOOR AREAS PER DETAINEE ARE GREATER BUT THE SUCCESS RATE IS ALSO GREATER, HE ADDED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE CASE OF DETENTION CENTRES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, PRISON ROUTINE WAS DELIBERATELY MADE MORE DEMANDING.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

- 8 -

REFERRING TO THE DIET SCALES IN PRISON INSTITUTIONS, MR. DAVIES SAID THESE WERE MONITORED BY THE MEDICAL AND>HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT PRISONERS AND INMATES PERFORM PHYSICAL LABOUR.

+IT IS THIS FACTOR — AND NOT GENEROSITY OR SOFTNESS -- WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE FACT THAT THE BASIC DIET IN PRISONS DEPARTMENT INSTITUTIONS COSTS 36.29 PER DAY COMPARED WITH THE CHEAPEST HOSPITAL DIET OF 34.63,+ HE SAID.

HE ADDED: +IT MUST ALSO BE REMEMBERED THAT THE PRISON SCALE PROVIDES THE SOLE FORM OF NOURISHMENT AND THAT THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY PLACED ON THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT TO KEEP PRISONERS IN GOOD HEALTH.+

IN ADDITION, HE WENT ON, THERE WAS A PUNISHMENT DIET OF 99 CENTS PER DAY AND IN THE LAST 21 MONTHS 660 PRISONERS IN STANLEY PRISON WERE AWARDED 2,959 DAYS DIETARY PUNISHMENT AND 817 PRISONERS IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS WERE AWARDED 3,506 DAYS.

MR. DAVIES ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPANDING THE SCOPE AND COVERAGE OF PRISON INDUSTRIES SO THAT A GREATER NUMBER OF THOSE WHO ARE INCARCERATED CAN BE USEFULLY AND PRODUCTIVELY EMPLOYED AND TRAINED IN A WIDE FOR A LONGER PERIOD A DAY. PLANS TO ACHIEVE

VARIETY OF TASKS

THIS, HE SAID

WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

- 9 -

ECONOMIC RECESSION LEVELLING OFF, SAYS C & I DIRECTOR

xxxxxxxx

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE HON. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY THAT MOST OF THE AVAILABLE ECONOMIC STATISTICS POlt’ TO THE END OF HONG KONG’S RECESSION, AND IT WAS REASONABLE TO HOPE THAT THE IMPROVEMENT WOULD CONTINUE.

MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

+EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT BE SURE OF HOW FAR OR HOW FAST WE SHALL MOVE, THE SIGNS CERTAINLY ARE THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THIS IS REFLECTED IN AN AIR OF CONFIDENCE THAT IS SPREADING AGAIN IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.

MR. JORDAN SAID THE SEPTEMBER FIGURES — UP BY 18 PER CENT ON THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR -- LOOKED VERY GOOD- BUT ADDED THAT THERE.WERE SOME UNUSUAL FACTORS IN THAT MONTH. HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMPORTANT THING WAS THE SLOWING DOWN IN RECENT MONTHS OF THE EXPORT DECLINES WHICH OCCURED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

MR. JORDAN CONTINUED s +AND INDEED THANKS TO THE SURPRISINGLY HIGH SEPTEMBER FIGURE, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THREE MONTHS TO SEPTEMBER WAS UP BY 3 PER CENT ON 1974. IMPORTS, TOO ARE UP AND THIS IS EVEN MORE ENCOURAGING THAN THE EXPORT FIGURES.

+THERE ARE, I AM GLAD TO SAY, SIGNS THAT THE DECLINE IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT HAS STOPPED TOO.+

ON TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS, MR. JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD HAD TO CONDUCT MORE AND MORE NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT THESE HAD TO BE CONDUCTED IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT WAS ’FRANKLY INIMICAL’ TO THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENT REGARDING TRADE IN TEXTILES.

+1 THINK SOME PEOPLE HAVE LOST SIGHT OF THE DECLARED PURPOSE OF THAT ARRANGEMENT ~ ”TO PROMOTE ON A SOUND BASIS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION AND EXPANSION OF TRADE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS AND PROGRESSIVELY TO ACHIEVE THE REDUCTION OF TRADE BARRIERS AND THE LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE IN THESE PRODUCTS’*,* HE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN’S CONCERN ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES D.C. AND I. FACED IN THIS SITUATION, MR. JORDAN ASSURED MR. TIEN THAT THERE WAS NO FEAR THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BECOME UNWIELDY AND LOSE ITS FLEXIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE WORK CONTINUED TO GROW IN VOLUME AND COMPLEXITY. +WHAT WORRIES ME,+ MR. JORDAN SAID, +IS THE PRESSURE OF WORK.*

+MANY MEN AND WOMEN IN THE DEPARTMENT HAVE WORKED VERY LONG HOURS THIS YEAR -- AND WITHOUT EXTRA PAY, SINCE NO ONE ABOVE THE RANK OF CLERICAL OFFICER QUALIFIES FOR OVERTIME PAY — AND I CAN SEE NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL,* HE REMARKED.

/ON THE SUGGESTION

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

10

ON THE SUGGESTION THAT THE D.C. AND I. SHOULD BE SPLIT INK TOO NEW DEPARTMENTS, A TEXTILES DEPARTMENT AND AN OTHER INDUSTf -S DEPARTMENT, TO BE CO-ORDINATED BY A SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR. JORDAN SAID HE RECALLED THAT A SIMILAR SUGGESTION WAS MADE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A YEAR AGO BY MR. Q.W. LEE AND SUPPORTED BY OTHER MEMBERS- BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS MORE A QUESTION FOR THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, AS HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.

BUT THERE WAS ONE ASPECT OF MR. TIEN’S PROPOSALS ON WHICH MR. JORDAN SAID HE DISAGREED WITH MR. TIEN. THIS CONCERNED THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN HIS TWO PROPOSED DEPARTMENTS.

+l DON’T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ONE POLICY AND SERVICE FOR AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY AND A DIFFERENT ONE FOR OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND THIS WOULD UNAVOIDABLY BE THE WAY THINGS WOULD TEND TO G0,+ MR. JORDAN WARNED.

REFERRING TO DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG’S EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXERT EVERY EFFORT TO REMOVE ANY DISCRIMINATORY RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG’S TRADE, MR. JORDAN SAID s +WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN BUT WE HAVE NOT THE RESOURCES TO DO ALL OF IT. FINANCIAL STRINGENCY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE. AS IT IS, WE ARE PRETTY SEVERELY STRETCHED TO DEAL WITH ALL THE MATTERS THAT DEMAND ATTENTION s THOSE THAT CAN WAIT HAVE TO DO S0.+

IN THE FIELD OF GENERALISED SCHEMES OF PREFERENCES, FOR EXAMPLE, MR. JORDAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD CONCENTRATED ITS EFFORTS ON SEEKING IMPROVEMENT IN HONG KONG’S POSITION IN THE EEC AND JAPANESE SCHEMES AND ON SEEKING INCLUSION IN THE US SCHEME.

FIVE OTHER COUNTRIES, HE ADDED, OPERATED SCHEMES FROM WHICH HONG KONG WAS WHOLLY OR PARTLY EXCLUDED AND THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ABLE TO DO VERY LITTLE ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST YEAR.

ON TEXTILES QUOTAS, MR. JORDAN SAID 8 +OUR QUOTA SYSTEM IS NOT PERFECT, WE KNOW, AND WE HAVE LONG INTENDED TO MAKE A THOROUGH-GOING REVIEW OF IT, BUT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE PRESSURE OF IMMEDIATE NEEDS TO KEEP THE SYSTEM WORKING. NEVERTHELESS WE HOPE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO COMPLETE THIS REVIEW, AND WE ARE GIVING EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THEIR VIEWS TO US.+

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

11

FILM CLASSIFICATIONS TO BE REVISED XXX XXX

THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A NEW CLASSIFICATION FOR FILMS CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN EXCEPT WHERE THEY ARE SEEN IN THE COMPANY OF AN ADULT.

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY, SAID HE BELIEVED AN EXTENDED ADVISORY SYSTEM SUCH AS THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL TO CINEMA AUDIENCES GENERALLY AND PARENTS IN PARTICULAR.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE MOVE WAS BEING CONSIDERED BECAUSE ABOUT HALF THE FILMS CLASSIFIED AS ’UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN’ WOULD NOT BE UNSUITABLE FOR THEM PROVIDED THE CHILDREN SAW THEM IN THE COMPANY OF ADULTS WHO COULD TELL THEM ABOUT SEQUENCES WHICH THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE FIND DISTURBING.

MR. BRAY ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS, IN THE PAST, REJECTED FOR PRACTICAL REASONS AND PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT, PROHIBITING THE ADMISSION OF CHILDREN WHEN ADULT FILMS ARE BEING SHOWN.

+IT IS THEREFORE THOUGHT RIGHT THAT PARENTS SHOULD REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIDING WHAT THE IR'CHILDREN MAY OR MAY NOT SEE ON THE SCREEN.+

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ALSO DISCLOSED THAT AMENDMENTS ARE BEING PREPARED TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE, OTHER THAN THE CENSORS, TO BE PRESENT AT CENSORSHIP SESSIONS AND INCREASE THE FILM BOARD OF REVIEW TO INCLUDE TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

DEALING WITH THE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD, MR. BRAY SAID THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP HAD ONLY RECENTLY BEEN INCREASED FROM TWO TO THREE MEMBERS AND IT WAS FELT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR CHANGES AT THE PRESENT.

HE ALSO DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR A CHANGE IN CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE BOARD OR THE MAJOR ALTERATIONS TO THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE WHICH THIS WOULD REQUIRE.

ON THE USE OF HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, MR. BRAY SAID THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT HAD ACCEPTED, WITH EXTREME RELUCTANCE, THAT SUCH USE OF THE RESERVOIRS WOULD LEAD TO COSTLY CAPITAL WORKS TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT HIGH STANDARD OF PURITY OF THE WATER SUPPLY.

+WE COULD NOT JUSTIFY THIS SORT OF SPENDING WHEN SMALLER SUMS SPENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WOULD BE FAR MORE WORTHWHILE.*

/HE EXPLAINED

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

12

HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTRICT TO A SUFFICIENTLY LOW LEVEL THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD SEEK. TO USE THE RESERVOIRS FOR RECREATION.

PART OF HONG KONG’S WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM RELIES ON THE FACT THAT THE RESERVOIRS ARE NOT HEAVILY POLLUTED AND +WE COULD NOT TAKE THE RISK OF HAVING TO CLOSE DOWN A RESERVOIR AND REDUCE OUR WATER SUPPLY BECAUSE OF POLLUTION.+

HOWEVER. HE SAID IT MAY STILL BE POSSIBLE TO ALLOW A STRICTLY LIMITED AMOUNT OF SPORTING USE - AS DISTINCT FROM RECREATIONAL USE - OF ONE RESERVOIR.

THE MATTER WAS STILL BEING EXAMINED, BUT IF IT COULD BE ARRANGED IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THE HONG KONG CANOEISTS TAKING PART IN THE FORTHCOMING MONTREAL GAMES TO GET IN SOME PRACTICE ON FRESH STILL WATER.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

- 13 -

CENTRALISED POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT TO BE SET UP

X X X X X

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SMALL CENTRALISED POLLUTION CONTROL UNIT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE FIRST REPORT OF THE CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON. TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE PROPOSED UNIT WOULD SET ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES, CO-ORDINATE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMMES AND OVERSEE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

+INSTEAD OF A SYSTEM OF RIGID ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE RECOMMENDED A FLEX I ELE-APPROACH TO POLLUTION CONTROL WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL UNIT TO JUDGE THE BEST METHOD OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN EACH AREA, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL NEEDS AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.+ HE SAID.

MR. ROBSON POINTED OUT THAT SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD PROTECT EXISTING INDUSTRIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE ENACTMENT OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND THE SETTING UP OF A CONTROL UNIT SHOULD LEAD TO BETTER CONTROL OF ALL TYPES OF POLLUTION. IT WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH CLEAR BUT PRACTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES WITHIN WHICH INDUSTRY COULD DEVELOP WITHOUT DETRIMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED IN DEPTH BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. IT IS HOPED THAT BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE INA POSITION TO INSTRUCT THE CONSULTANTS TO BEGIN WORK ON THE FINAL STAGE OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH IS TO PREPARE FORMAL DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

ON THE QUESTION OF SUBSIDISING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TRAVELLING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT,'MR. ROBSON CORRECTED THE IMPRESSION THAT THE SCHEME WAS BEING ABUSED AND THAT MORE SEASON TICKETS WERE BEING ISSUED THAN THERE WERE STUDENTS.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEASON TICKET - ANNUAL AND MONTHLY - AND THE STATISTICS WERE EASILY MISUNDERSTOOD. IN THE MONTH OF JUNE, THERE WERE 257,100 STUDENT TICKETS ISSUED COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 370,573 STUDENTS QUOTED BY MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN HAD INDICATED THAT SOME 403,966 SEASO'N TICKETS WERE IN USE BUT, MR. ROBSON SAID, THIS PROBABLY INCLUDED SOME 10 MONTHS OF DOUBLE ACCOUNTING OF THE MONTHLY SEASON TICKETS SOLD BY THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY.

0 - -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

14 -

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES W M W » M »

SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 9) IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE TWO WORLD WARS.

THE MAIN MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CENOTAPH IN STATUE SQUARE.

AMONG THOSE ATTENDING WILL BE THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, SIR DENYS ROBERTS- THE THREE SERVICE COMMANDERS LED BY THE ACTING COMMANDER, BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GEN. R.W.L. MCALISTER- THE CHIEF JUSTICE, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMANDING OFFICERS’ COMMITTEE, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MERCHANT NAVY, COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS, THE DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, SERVICE UNITS AND EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS.

TWO HONOUR GUARDS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) AND THE 1ST BATTATION THE ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.

THE GOVERNOR WILL ARRIVE AT 10.58 A.M. AND, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SERVICE COMMANDERS, WILL TAKE HIS PLACE AT THE CENOTAPH. FOLLOWING THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE SOUNDING OF THE LAST POST, A TWO-MINUTE SILENCE WILL DE OBSERVED AT 11 A.M. THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF WHICH WILL BE MARKED BY THE FIRING OF A GUN IN H.M.S. TAMAR.

DURING THIS PERIOD, ALL SHIPOWNERS, SHIPMASTERS AND PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF SMALL CRAFT ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE IN REDUCING TO THE MINIMUM THE SOUNDING OF WHISTLES, HORNS OR SIRENS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CENOTAPH.

AFTER THE CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH, THE GOVERNOR WILL ATTEND A REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE IN ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND ALL SERVICE OFFICERS, APART FROM THOSE OFFICIALLY INVITED, WHO WISH TO LAY WREATHS AT THE CENOTAPH MAY DO SO AFTER THE GUARDS AND BAND HAVE MOVED OFF AND THE SENTRIES HAVE STOOD DOWN.

PRIOR TO THE CENOTAPH TRIBUTE, A SHORT CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 10 A.M. AT THE CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANIC GARDENS.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE ACTING COMMANDER, BRITISH FORCES, WILL LAY WREATHS THERE. THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, CHINESE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND CHINESE MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.

/AT SEK KONG ...

15


AT SEK KONG, A REMEMBRANCE SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LAND FORCES SCHOOL, SEK KONG NORTH CAMP, AT 10.45 A.M.

UNITS OF THE HEADQUARTERS 48 GURKHA INFANTRY BRIGADE, C SQUADRON ROYAL TANK REGIMENT, 20 LIGHT REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY, 656 SQUADRON ARMY AIR CORPS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OTHER BRIGADES WILL BE TAKING PART.

A CHURCH SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 10.30 A.M. AT ST. BARBARA’S CHURCH IN STANLEY FORT AND A DRUMHEAD SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 12 NOON AT ST. ELIGIUS CHURCH IN THE GUN CLUB BARRACKS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

CENOTAPH CEREMONY

FOR THIS CEREMONY, THERE WILL BE LIMITED ACCOMMODATION FOR NEWSPAPER REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS AT THE WESTERN END OF THE FIRST FLOOR BALCONY OF THE SUPREME COURT.

THERE WILL BE NO SPECIAL PRESS POSITION WITHIN THE STATUE SQUARE PERIMETER.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO OBSERVE THE SOLEMNITY OF THE OCCASION, PARTICULARLY DURING THE TWO-MINUTE SILENCE.

NEWSPAPERS WISHING TO STATION REPRESENTATIVES ON THE SUPREME COURT BALCONY, SHOULD SUPPLY THEIR NAMES TO THE DUTY OFFICERS, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, BY NOON TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ON THE SUPREME COURT BALCONY, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO RESTRICT ACCOMMODATION TO PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY. SPECIAL LAPEL BADGES WILL BE ISSUED ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. G.I.S. OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.

CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL CEREMONY

EDITORS ARE ADVISED THAT PRESS REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE ROPE CORDON AROUND THE CHINESE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANIC GARDENS.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WILL STAND EITHER ON THE EAST OR WEST SIDE OF THE ROPE CORDON. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE MEMORIAL ARCH.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE PARTICULARLY REQUESTED, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED ACCOMMODATION, TO OBSERVE THE DIRECTION OF POLICE OFFICERS ON DUTY.

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT SEK KONG, STANLEY FORT AND GUN CLUB BARRACKS

THE PRESS ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE SERVICES.

______o _______

/16

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

16

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS « k n # n

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT A NEW VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LINKING UAH FU ESTATE WITH THE NEW SHEK PAI WAN ROAD IN ABERDEEN WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 10 A.M.

THE UNDERPASS WILL SERVE TRAFFIC FROM WAN FU ESTATE PROCEEDING SOUTH ALONG SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AS WELL AS SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON SHEK PAI WAN ROAD GOING INTO THE ESTATE.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITS OPENING, THERE WILL BE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS AT POKFUl.AM ROAD, SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND VICTORIA ROAD JUNCTIONS. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

I

IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH FLOORS OF THE MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO PUBLIC PARKING FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 8) TILL 1 P.H. THE NEXT DAY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE PARKING SPACES FOR GUEST VEHICLES IN CONNECTION WITH REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY ON SUNDAY.

MEANWHILE, IN TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ALONG A SECTION OF WAN TAU STREET IN CONNECTION WITH THE +DRIVER OF THE YEAR+ COMPETITION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 9).

THE SECTION OF WAN TAU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HEUNG SZE WUI STREET TO ITS CUL-DE-SAC AT THE RAILWAY WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY UNTIL 6 P.M. THE NEXT DAY.

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/17......

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1975

17

CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES * * * * *

THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT CHRISTMAS PICTORIAL AEROGRAMMES WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 10).

THE DESIGN DEPICTING A SCENE OF VICTORIA HARBOUR WAS DRAWN BY A GOVERNMENT ARTIST.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID: +CHRISTMAS AEROGRAMMES ARE A CONVENIENT AND INEXPENSIVE WAY OF SENDING CHRISTMAS GREETINGS ABROAD. THEY COMBINE BOTH A PERSONAL LETTER AND A GREETING AND CAN BE POSTED TO ANY PART OF THE WORLD AS FIRST CLASS AIRMAIL FOR ONLY 50 CENTS.+

- - 0 -

WATER CUTS * * *

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NORTH POINT ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN YAU MA TEI IN KOWLOON WILL BE INTERUPTED FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 8) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREAS.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE PREMISES AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY JAVA ROAD FROM HEALTHY STREET, EAST TO KING’S ROAD HOUSE NO. 865 TO 971, KING’S ROAD, TONG CHONG STREET, HOI WAN STREET, HOI TAI STREET, HOI KWONG STREET AND FINNIE STREET INCLUDING H.K. AND CHINA GAS CO. LTD.

THE AREA AFFECTED IN KOWLOON IS BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, SEA-FRONT, MAN CHEONG STREET, SAIGON STREET AND CANTON ROAD.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975.

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

RENT CONTROL ON PRE-WAR PREMISES MAY BE RELAXED .. 1

GOVERNMENT APPOINTS DIRECTORS ON THE BOARDS OF TWO BUS

COMPANIES ........................................ 4

S.W.D. SAYS FAREWELL TO RETIRING COOK ............ 4

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR INSIGNIA PRESENTATION

CEREMONY ......................................... 5

FEES ON SHARE PREMIUMS PROPOSED .................. 5

MONTH-LONG CLEAN UP DRIVE IN WONG TAI SIN ........ 6

NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE LOTS TO BE RESUMED FOR MTR STATION. 7

COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK CAMP FOR 50 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS

YOUTHS ........................................... 7

ANNUAL CANOE RACE IN TOLO HARBOUR THIS SUNDAY .... 8

Issued by Government information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kopg.Tel: 5-233191

V

1 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975 REVISIONS OF RENT CONTROL LEGISLATION PROPOSED x x x x x x

PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WILL PERMIT INCREASES IN RENTS OF PRE-WAR PREMISES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 20 YEARS, WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE PROVISION IS CONTAINED IN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, AND IS SCHEDULED TO COME INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR.

ALTHOUGH THE BILL ALLOWS FOR AN INCREASE OF UP TO 40 PER CENT IN RESPECT OF RENTS FOR SHOPS AND NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, IN PRACTICE THE AVERAGE INCREASE WILL AVERAGE ONLY ABOUT 24 PER CENT FOR SHOPS AND NO MORE THAN EIGHT PER CENT FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES.

+THE ACTUAL PERCENTAGE INCREASES WILL GENERALLY BE LOWER BECAUSE THE PRESENT RENTS FOR MANY SUCH PREMISES ARE ALREADY HIGHER THAN THE CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.

+FURTHERMORE, WHERE THE-RENT BEING PAID IS EQUAL TO OR MORE THAN THE NEW PERMITTED RENT, A TENANT WILL NOT BE OBLIGED TO PAY ANY INCREASE WHATSOEVER,+ HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PERMITTED RENTS OF MANY SHOPS AND NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES WERE LESS THAN ONE-EIGHTH OF THE CURRENT FAIR MARKET RENT.

♦NOTWITHSTANDING, THESE PROTECTED SHOPKEEPERS AND BUSINESS FIRMS TRADE ON EQUAL TERMS WITH TENANTS OF POST-WAR PREMISES, AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE BENEFIT OF THEIR HIGHLY PRIVILEGED POSITION IS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER,+ HE SAID.

FOR A TYPICAL SHOP IN A TENEMENT BUILDING HAVING A PERMITTED RENT OF $185 PER MONTH THE INCREASE WOULD BE $74 PER MONTH. HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE RENT KNOWN TO BE PASSING FOR SUCH PREMISES, HE SAID, IS NEARER $300 PER MONTH, WHILE THE ESTIMATED AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENT IS PUT AT ABOUT $1,600 PER MONTH.

THE BILL ALSO PERMITS A SMALLER INCREASE FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES.

IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, THE INCREASE ALLOWED WILL BE 32 PER CENT BUT, AS ACTUAL RENTS TODAY ARE GENERALLY SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER, THE PERMITTED INCREASE WILL BE MUCH' LOWER THAN THIS.

/FOH EXAMPLE .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

2

FOR EXAMPLE, A TYPICAL DOMESTIC TENEMENT FLOOR MIGHT HAVE A PERMITTED RENT OF $70 PER MONTH BUT THE AVERAGE RENT KNOWN TO BE PASSING FOR SUCH PREMISES IS $114 PER MONTH: THUS THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF ABOUT $22.50 PER MONTH IS LESS THAN 20 PER CENT, WHICH, IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, IS IN KEEPING WITH THE STANDARD INCREASE ALLOWED FOR POST-WAR PROTECTED TENANCIES. IN MONEY TERMS, THE AMOUNT OF INCREASE IS CONSIDERABLY SMALLER. AS FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, IF CURRENT RENTS ARE EQUAL TO OR EXCEED THE NEW PERMITTED RENTS .0 ' TEASE WILL BE PAYABLE.

TO ASSIST LANDLORDS AND TENANTS, THE BILL EXTENDS THE POWER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO ASSESS STANDARD RENT, AND LAYS DOWN THE PROCEDURES FOR GIVING EFFECT TO THE PROPOSED INCREASES.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS IN RESPECT OF THE CONTROLS RELATING TO POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROPOSED IS TO REMOVE PROTECTION FROM FRESH LEASES FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE (AND LEASES FOR SHORTER TERMS IN CERTAIN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES) ENTERED INTO AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1975. THIS EXCLUSION WILL AFFECT ONLY NEW LETTINGS, NOT EXISTING LEASES WHICH GENERALLY CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED.

IN ADDITION, HOWEVER, PROTECTION IS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM ALL LETTINGS HELD IN THE NAMES OF GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATIONS AND COMPANIES, AMONG OTHERS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THIS PROTECTION WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN 1973 WHEN LANDLORDS WERE TAKING UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF THEIR BARGAINING POSITION, THE PROPERTY MARKET IS NOW CONSIDERED MORE ORDERLY, AND THERE ARE A FAIR NUMBER OF VACANT FLATS AVAILABLE FOR RENTING.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE PROVISIONS WILL, IN THE MAIN, AFFECT ONLY THE UPPER END OF THE MARKET COVERING MEDIUM AND LARGE FLATS WHERE THE TENANTS ARE MORE CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. MOREOVER, MOST OF THESE TENANTS WILL STILL BE ENTITLED TO THE SIX MONTHS’ NOTICE OF TERMINATION UNDER PART V OF THIS LEGISLATION.

PROVISION IS MADE FOR AN ADDITIONAL RENT TO BE CHARGED WHERE IMPROVEMENTS ARE CARRIED OUT BY A LANDLORD TO POST-WAR PREMISES. +THIS PROPOSAL IS MADE TO ENCOURAGE LANDLORDS TO IMPROVE THEIR PROPERTIES EVEN THOUGH THE RENTS THEY RECEIVE MAY BE RESTRICTED, AND MIGHT COVER SUCH MATTER AS ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES, RECREATION FACILITIES, IMPROVED LIFT SERVICES, AND SO 0N.+

/THE MAJOR .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

- 3 -

THE MAJOR CHANGE FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES RELATES TO THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE FACTOR FROM ’5’ TO ’4’. THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS CHANGE WAS IN KEEPING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF GRADUALLY CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN REGULATED AND MARKET RENTS.

HE EMPHASISED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WAS TO BE NO CHANGE IN THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT.

THE PRESENT FORMULA HE EXPLAINED WAS TO TAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT RENT AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET RENT AND DIVIDE BY ’5*. PROVIDED THE RESULT DOES NOT EXCEED 21 PER CENT THIS IS THEN THE PERMITTED INCREASE UNLESS THE RATEABLE VALUE EXCEEDS $30,000 IN WHICH CASE THE FULL INCREASE APPLIES.

FROM NEXT YEAR THE FACTOR WILL BE ’4’. THE INCREASES WILL THUS BE ONE-FOURTH OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT RENT AND THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET RENT, BUT SUBJECT TO THE 21 PER CENT MAXIMUM.

AS CURRENT RENTS ARE STILL WAY BELOW MARKET RENTS THIS WILL MEAN THAT PERMITTED INCREASES IN RENTS IN 1976 CONTINUE AT AROUND PRESENT LEVELS.

FOR EXAMPLE, A SMALL TENEMENT FLOOR ON A CURRENT REGULATED RENT OF ABOUT $330 PER MONTH, HAVING A FAIR MARKET RENTAL VALUE OF $580 PER MONTH, WOULD PAY AN INCREASE OF $62 PER MONTH OR JUST UNDER 19 PER CENT. FOR A MEDIUM FLAT ON $1,000 PER MONTH HAVING A FAIR MARKET RENT OF $1,800 PER MONTH THE INCREASE WOULD BE $200 PER MONTH OR ABOUT 20 PER CENT.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT INCREASES IN RENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE PERMITTED ONLY EVERY TWO YEARS.

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/4

- 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

GOVERNMENT APPOINTS DIRECTORS ON KMB AND CMB BOARDS ft * ft ft ft

THE APPOINTMENT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DIRECTORS TO SERVE ON THE BOARDS OF HONG KONG’S TWO MAJOR BUS COMPANIES - KMB AND CMB.

THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, MR. JIM ROBSON AND LIE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR. DEREK JONES.

L E POINTMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNOR TAKE uFi- .Cj FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).

IT WAS ANNOUNCED LATE LAST YEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK TO HAVE DIRECTORS ON THE BOARDS OF THE TWO COMPANIES WHEN NEW FRANCHISES FOR KMB AND CMB WERE GRANTED THIS YEAR.

THE MOVE ENABLES THE GOVERNMENT TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN THE DECISION-MAKING OF THE COMPANIES, AND THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS IS TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST RATHER THAN THAT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS.

PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTORS WAS EMBODIED IN THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES BILL WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON AUGUST 13.

IN FACT, IT WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS APPROVED TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT FAR GREATER POWERS OF CONTROL OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUS COMPANIES TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES.

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

S.W.D. COOK RETIRING ft ft ft ft ft

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A COOK, MR. SHAM SHING, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN 18 YEARS WILL RETIRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO MARK THE OCCASION, HE WILL DE PRESENTED WITH A WATCH AS A FAREWELL GIFT FROM HIS COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

THE PRESENTATION WILL BE MADE BY MR. MAK WING-HONG, THE HEAD OF THE PROBATIONS AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION, AT THE 0 PUI SHAN BOYS HOME WHERE MR. SHAM HAS BEEN WORKING.

MR. SHAM JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN 1959 AND HAD WORKED IN THE RELIEF SECTION BEFORE BEING POSTED TO THE PRESENT POSITION FROM WHICH HE IS RETIRING.

0 - -

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

PARKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

ft ft ft X ft ft

SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT AND NEAR GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 10) WHEN THE GOVERNOR. SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, WILL PRESENT INSIGNIA TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

ALL CARS CARRYING GUESTS MAY ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE. AFTER GUESTS HAVE ALIGHTED, VEHICLES BEARING GOVERNMENT HOUSE LABELS MAY PARK IN THE FORECOURT OR TENNIS COURTS AS DIRECTED BY POLICE OR, IF CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN, RETURN AT 11.50 A.M.

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

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

pARKING FACILITIES IN METERED SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND AT THE METERED CAR PARK BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 1 P.M. FACILITATE PARKING FOR INVITED GUESTS TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

P.M

TO

----0------

COMPANIES BILL ft ft ft ft ft

DRAFT LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE REGISTERED COMPANIES IN FUTURE TO PAY FEES ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR CAPITAL IN THE FORM OF SHARE PREMIUMS WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1975, GAZETTED TODAY, PROVIDES THAT PREMIUMS PAID OR PAYABLE ON ANY ISSUE OF SHARES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME AD VALOREM FEE AS IS AT PRESENT PAYABLE ON THE COMPANY’S NOMINAL SHARE CAPITAL AND INCREASES IN SUCH CAPITAL.

TO ENABLE THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TO IDENTIFY CASES WHERE THIS FEE HAS TO BE PAID, COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO NOTIFY HIM IN THEIR RETURNS OF ALLOTMENT AND ANNUAL RETURNS OF THE AMOUNT OF PREMIUM PAID OR PAYABLE ON ANY PARTICULAR SHARES ISSUED.

THERE IS ALSO A PROVISION IN THE AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE THAT WHERE A COMPANY HAS PAID THE PREMIUM FEE, IT WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY A FEE ON AN INCREASE IN HOMINAL CAPITAL MADE SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CAPITALISING THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THAT PREMIUM.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

6 -

'KEEP WONG TAI SIN CLEAN MONTH’ * * * *

A MASSIVE MONTH-LONG DRIVE ENTITLED ’KEEP WONG TAI SIN CLEAN MONTH’ HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT AND TO PROMOTE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THE DRIVE IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, 12 AREA COMMITTEES, WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEE, WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE AND 120 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. IT BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4 AND WILL LAST UNTIL. DECEMBER 5.

DURING THE PERIOD, STAFF Oi' URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT CLEANSING OPERATIONS AND SET UP TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS AT VARIOUS PLACES TO FACILITATE RESIDENTS TO CLEAR RUBBISH AND JUNK FROM THEIR HOMES. MORE THAN 3,000 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE 12 AREA COMMITTEES AND 120 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL ALSO RENDER THE'IR ASSISTANCE.

THREE MAJOR OPERATIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRIED OUT IN LOK FU ESTATE, WANG TAU HOM ESTATE AND WONG TAI SIN LOWER ESTATE. UNDER THE CO-ORDINATION OF WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE THESE OPERATIONS WENT ON SMOOTHLY AND RECEIVED ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FROM THt RESIDENTS, RESULTING IN MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE DISTRICTS.

THE SCHEDULE FOR THE OTHER AS FOLLOWS: MAJOR CLEANSING OPERATIONS IS

SAN PO KONG AREA NOVEMBER 10 TO 12, 1975

TSZ WAN SHAN (SOUTH) AREA NOVEMBER 10 AND 14, 1975

NGAU TSZ WAN AND DIAMOND HILL AREA NOVEMBER 13, 14, 16 AND 17, 1975

TUNG TAU ESTATE AREA NOVEMBER 14 AND 25, 1975

TSZ WAN SHAN (NORTH) AREA NOVEMBER 17 AND 20, 1975

FUNG WONG ESTATE AREA NOVEMBER 18 AND 20, 1975

CHUK YUEN COTTAGE AREA NOVEMBER DECEMBER 21 AND 28= 5, 1975

CHOI HUNG ESTATE AREA NOVEMBER 24, 1975 *

WONG TAI SIN UPPER ESTATE NOVEMBER 26, 1975

A NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED. THEY INCLUDE COMPETITIONS FOR THE BEST VOLUNTEERS AND THE CLEANEST HOUSEHOLD.

VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO STAGE CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATIONS TO STIMULATE SUPPORT FROM RESIDENTS.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

7

VILLAGE LOTS TO BE RESUMED FOR MTR STATION h # « « k a

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY REINSTITUTED RESUMPTION PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINING LOTS BELONGING TO NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGERS WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHOI HUNG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION.

EARLIER RESUMPTION OF THE LOTS WAS CANCELLED ON OCTOBER 10, 1975 TO ENABLE ACQUISITION BY MEANS OF LAND EXCHANGES OR CASH PAYMENTS TO BE DISCUSSED FURTHER W.l TH THE OWNERS.

THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE STILL CONTINUING DUT IT IS NECESSARY TO BEGIN RESUMPTION AGAIN IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT WORKS WILL NOT BE DELAYED.

RESUMPTION NOTICES WERE POSTED ON THE REMAINING 13 LOTS TODAY DUT THERE IS EVERY POSSIBILITY THAT THESE LOTS WILL BE ACQUIRED BY AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNERS BEFORE DECEMBER 7 WHEN THE NOTICES EXPIRE.

A TOTAL OF 39 LOTS IN NGAU CHI WAN VILLAGE ARE REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHOI HUNG STATION. TWENTY-SIX LOTS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ACQUIRED BY AGREEMENT.

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COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT AT MA WAN H H K ft « U n

A GROUP OF MORE THAN 50 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS BEGAN A SEVEN-DAY COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK CAMP AT MA WAN ISLAND TODAY. IT IS PART OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S COMMONWEALTH GOLD AWARD EXPEDITION 1975 NOW BEING HELD IN HONG KONG.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT AMONG THE'BRITISH FORCES’ THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN’ THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE PARTICIPANTS WILL CONSTRUCT A 400-F00T LONG FOOTPATH LEADING TO LIEU MONG HILL IN MA WAN WHICH IS A VERY POPULAR RECREATIONAL SPOT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE. AT PRESENT, ONLY THE BEACH IS ACCESSIBLE OH THE ISLAND AND IT IS USUALLY VERY CROWDED ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. THE FOOTPATH WHEN FINISHED WILL OPEN UP MORE RECREATIONAL AREA INCLUDING LIEW MONG HILL.

THE GROUP SPENT THEIR FIRST DAY ON ORIENTATION OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS, DISCUSSING THE WORK PROJECT AND ROUNDING OFF THEIR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT STUDY PROGRAMME. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTPATH WILL BEGIN TOMORROW AND LAST UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 12).

THE FOOTPATH WILL BE FORMALLY OPENED BY SIR KENNETH FUNG PING-FAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOLD AWARD EXPEDITION 1975.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1975

- 8-

TOLO HARBOUR CANOE RACE O » « «

THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF TAI PO, MR. CLIVE OXLEY, WILL FIRE THE STARTING GUN TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ANNUAL 'TOLO HARBOUR CANOE RACE’ AT ISLAND HOUSE IN YUEN CHAU CHAI ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 9) AT 10.30 A.M.

THE RACE IS ORGANISED BY THE OUTWARD BOUND (ALUMNI) ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND SPONSORED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.

OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS FROM HONG KONG CANOE UNION AFFILIATED CLUBS AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS WILL COMPETE IN THE VARIOUS SINGLES AND DOUBLES EVENTS FOR MEN, LADIES AND JUNIORS.

THERE WILL BE TOO COURSES: THE SHORT DISTANCE COURSE OF 1,000 METRES STARTING AND ENDING AT ISLAND HOUSE- AND THE LONG DISTANCE COURSES OF 7-1/2 MILES AND 12 MILES WITH A TRIANGULAR CIRCUIT BETWEEN ISLAND HOUSE, WU KWAI SHA AND TAI MEI TUK NEAR PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR.

THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE RACES AT ABOUT 3 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT AND FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PRESS MEMBERS TO COVER THE RACES BY LAUNCH. TRANSPORT (VAN AM 3274) WILL LEAVE TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-POOL AT 9.10 A.M. SHARP TO PROCEED TO ISLAND HOUSE, TAI PO.

0

A

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HIGHER SALARIES BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE TAXABLE BRACKET ................................................... 1

43 RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE AWARDS FROM THE GOVERNOR .......... 3

FIRST FIRE EXHIBITION STARTS NEXT WEEK.................... 4

MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR PART-TIME COMMERCIAL COURSES ............................. 4

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1975

1

MORE PEOPLE PAY SALARIES TAX THIS YEAR ft ft ft ft ft

MORE PEOPLE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO HONG KONG’S REVENUE IN THE FORM OF SALARIES TAX IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

THIS IS INDICATED BY THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE FILES FOR

PERSONS LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX WHICH STOOD AT 167,030 ON I

MARCH 31, 1975, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 45 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE INCREASE, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CONTINUED RISING TREND OF SALARIES WHICH HAD BROUGHT MORE PEOPLE INTO THE TAXABLE BRACKET.

THE NUMBER OF CASES WHERE TAX HAD BEEN CHARGED ROSE FROM 63,825 IN 1970-71 TO 144,993 IN 1974-75, AND DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR THE NET TAX ASSESSED AMOUNTED TO A RECORD OF $428.7 MILLION AS COMPARED WITH (5306.2 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR -- AN INCREASE OF 40 PER CENT.

+THE INCREASE IN NET TAX ASSESSED REFLECTS THE CONTINUED RISE IN THE LEVEL OF EMOLUMENTS BEING PAID TO EMPLOYEES AS A RESULT OF INFLATION,* THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE FIGURES WERE NOT STRICTLY COMPARABLE BECAUSE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF A PROVISIONAL TAX SYSTEM. +THE FIGURE FOR 1974-75 INCLUDES BOTH THE PROVISIONAL TAX FOR 1974-75 AND THE ADJUSTMENT IN THE FINAL ASSESSMENT FOR 1973-74, WHEREAS IN THE EARLIER YEAR, WHICH WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE CHANGE, THE IMPACT WAS REDUCED BY THE TRANSITIONAL RELIEF GIVEN IN THAT YEAR,* HE SAID.

DURING THE YEAR 1974-75, THE AMOUNT OF SALARIES TAX COLLECTED WAS $413.4 MILLION COMPARED TO $283.2 MILLION IN 1973-74.

ONE NOTABLE POINT SHOWN BY A BREAKDOWN OF SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1973-74 IS THAT 68.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAXPAYERS, FELL WITHIN THE INCOME RANGE OF $1,000 TO $3,000 PER MONTH.

WHEN CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO MARITAL AND FAMILY STATUS, IT SHOWS THAT SINGLE PERSONS WITHOUT CHILDREN FORM THE LARGEST GROUP OF SALARIES TAXPAYERS. AS A GROUP, THEY PAID OVER $42 MILLION IN 1973-74.

DURING THE SAME YEAR, 6,264 PERSONS PAID THEIR TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT ON TOTAL INCOME LESS CHARITABLE DONATIONS BUT WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTION FOR PERSONAL ALLOWANCES. • W

/+IT IS INTERESTING .....

2

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8. 1975

+IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THIS GROUP WHICH ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 4.8 PER CENT OF SALARIES TAXPAYERS PAID A TOTAL OF 5147.8 MILLION OR ABOUT 47 PER CENT OF THE 1973-74 SALARIES TAX CHARGED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT POINT WAS THAT THE AVERAGE TAX ASSESSED PER SALARIES TAXPAYER, AT 52,438, SHOWED A DECREASE OF 5195 OVER LAST YEAR. THIS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, WAS DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF CASES COMING INTO THE TAX NET AT THE LOWER END OF THE INCOME SCALE.

SALARIES TAX IS CHARGED ON EMOLUMENTS ARISING IN OR DERIVED FROM HONG KONG AND IS CALCULATED ON A SLIDING SCALE WHICH VARIES FROM FIVE PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT ON NET CHARGEABLE INCOME. HOWEVER, THE OVERALL EFFECTIVE TAX RATE IS LIMITED TO 15 PER CENT OF THE INCOME WITHOUT DEDUCTION OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES.

ASSESSMENTS OF SALARIES TAX ARE BASED ON THE ANNUAL RETURNS OF EMPLOYEES’ EMOLUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS, AND THE TAXPAYERS THEMSELVES.

THE PREPARATION AND ISSUE OF ASSESSMENTS ARE HANDLED BY UNIT 2 OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT. DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN SALARIES TAX CASES, THE INSTALLATION OF A MINI-COMPUTER IN JUNE 1974 HAD ENABLE DEMAND NOTES TO BE ISSUED EARLIER THAN USUAL WITHOUT OVERTIME WORK.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1975

3 -

48 LOCAL RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE AWARDS FROM GOVERNOR #***#*

FORTY-EIGHT LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WERE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A CEREMONY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 11.30 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 10).

THE INSIGNIA INCLUDE TWO C.M.G., TWO C.B.E., ONE O.B.E. (MILITARY), THREE O.B.E., ONE O.B.E. (HONORARY), THREE M.B.E. (MILITARY), SEVEN M.B.E. AND THREE M.B.E. (HONORARY).

SPECIAL PARKING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.

TO FACILITATE THESE ARRANGEMENTS THE METERED PARKING SPACES IN UPPER AND LOWER ALBERT ROADS AND BETWEEN KENNEDY ROAD AND GARDEN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS;

COPIES OF A LIST OF RECIPIENTS OF THE INSIGNIA WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE PRESS ROOM, G.I.S., BEACONSFIELD HOUSE 6TH FLOOR, AT 11.30 A.M. ON MONDAY.

ONLY PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE GUARD ROOM OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE NOT LATER THAN 11 A.M. G. I.S. OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM.

NEWSPAPERS NOT RECEIVING PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRINTS IN THE ORDINARY WAY WITH MAINLAND STUDIO AT 44 CARNARVON ROAD, KOWLOON, TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-671755.

A

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. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1975

< - '4 -

j FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT OCEAN TERMINAL

' M M * M * M

A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION, THE FIRST EVER IN HONG KONG, IS TO BE HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL FOR FIVE DAYS STARTING ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 13).

THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES. IT WILL DISPIAY PRODUCTS OF TEN (LOCAL COMPANIES AND AGENTS TRADING IN "?E PROTECTION EQUIf/MENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: +THERE /I' ’ it 16 STANDS, INCLUDING A FIRE SERVICES STAND, OF WHICH THE THEME WILL BE ’ELECTRICAL OVERLOADING STARTS FIRE’.+

THE EXHIBITION, PART OF THE CURRENT FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, AIMS TO SHOW HOUSEHOLDERS AND INDUSTRIALISTS SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG FOR PROTECTING HOMES AND FACTORIES FROM FIRE.

THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. F.M. WATSON, WILL OPEN THE EXHIBITION ON THURSDAY AT 3.30 P.M.

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

PART-TIME COMMERCIAL COURSES

# K # K

A NUMBER OF PART-TIME EVENING COURSES WILL SHORTLY BE OFFERED BY THE COMMERCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENTS AT THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.

,1

COURSES IN AUDIO-TYPING AND BUSINESS MACHINES WILL BE OFFERED BY BOTH INSTITUTES WHILE COURSES AT VARIOUS LEVELS IN SHORTHAND AND TYPING WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE MORRISON HILL INSTITUTE.

THE COURSES WILL BE HELD FROM MID-JANUARY TO MAY NEXT YEAR AND TUITION FEES -RANGE FROM $60 FOR A GENERAL COURSE TO $100 FOR AN ADVANCED COURSE IN PITMAN’S SHORTHAND.

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE TWO TECHNICAL • INSTITUTES FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND FROM 7 P.M. TO 8 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 A.M. TO 12 NOON N SATURDAYS.

COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TWO INSTITUTES BY NOVEMBER 22, 1975.

THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS AT 6, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI AND THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IS IN HING SHING ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.

----0----


IgisI |«d

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1975.

LOAN FUNDS TO HELP FARMERS AND FISHERMEN M * * # K K

HONG KONG FARMERS AND FISHERMEN ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED IN THEIR OPERATIONS WITH THE HELP OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.

APART FROM OFFERING EXPERT TECHNICAL ADVICE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS OVER THE YEARS EXTENDED CASH LOANS, THROUGH A NUMBER OF LOAN FUNDS, TO FARMERS AND FISHERMEN TO HELP THEM OBTAIN MODERN EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVE THEIR TECHNIQUES.

TO DATE, MORE THAN $140 MILLION HAVE BEEN GRANTED FROM THE SIX LOAN FUNDS (FOUR TO ASSIST FISHERMEN AND TWO FOR FARMERS) ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

THE FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S FISHERIES BRANCH ARE: THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION LOAN FUND (SET UP IN 1946), THE CO-OPERATIVE FOR AMERICAN RELIEF EVERYWHERE (CARE) LOAN FUND (ESTABLISHED IN 1957), THE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND (STARTED IN 1959), AND THE WORLD REFUGEE YEAR LOAN FUND (SET UP IN 1964).

THESE FUNDS WERE ESTABLISHED TO HELP FISHERMEN IMPROVE THEIR FISHING OPERATIONS THROUGH BETTER VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, TO HELP THEM MODERNISE EXISTING VESSELS AND DEVELOP OTHER PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES.

THE TOTAL CAPITAL OF THESE FUNDS AT PRESENT AMOUNTS TO $12.79 MILLION. UP TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1975, A TOTAL OF $66.9 MILLION IN LOANS HAD BEEN ISSUED FROM.THE FUNDS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CREDIT SECTION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NO FIXED LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF LOANS APPLIED FOR OR IN THE LENGTH OF PERIOD FOR REPAYMENT. +ALL APPLICATIONS ARE CONSIDERED ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL NATURE OF THE PLANS,+ HE SAID.

ON AVERAGE, HE SAID, ABOUT 300 APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED EACH YEAR FROM FISHERMEN, MOST OF THEM UNDER THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION LOAN FUND.

1 FOR SHORT-TERM LOANS, REPAYMENT IS MADE WITHIN THREE YEARS, WHEREAS REPAYMENT OF BIGGER LOANS USUALLY STRETCHES OVER A TEN-YEAR TO 12-YEAR PERIOD.

/THE Ai'IOOTJT...........

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1975

2

THE AMOUNT OF LOANS ISSUED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, HAD INCREASED YEAR AFTER YEAR AS A RESULT OF INCREASED COST AND A GROWING TENDENCY TO BUILD LARGER VESSELS WITH BIGGER ENGINE POWER. THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF A LOAN ISSUED IN 1974 WAS ABOUT $16,000. THE BIGGEST SINGLE LOAN EVER GRANTED WAS $400,000 AND WAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN TRAWLER.

INTEREST VARIES FROM SIX PER CENT TO 10 PER CENT PER ANNUM. REPAYMENT IS NORMALLY MADE BY DEDUCTIONS OF 15 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SALE OF CATCHES BY THE BORROWER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES LIAISON OFFICES IN TEN FISHING DISTRICTS TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSING OF LOANS.

INDIVIDUAL FISHERMEN AND REGISTERED FISHING COMPANIES CAN APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE LIAISON OFFICER IN THEIR DISTRICT AND DISCUSS DETAILS OF THEIR PROJECTS. MEMBERS OF REGISTERED FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES MAY APPLY THROUGH THEIR SOCIETIES.

NORMALLY, PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS TAKES SEVEN TO TEN DAYS, BUT CAPITAL LOANS WILL TAKE MORE TIME TO PROCESS.

THE TWO AGRICULTURAL LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE THE J.E. JOSEPH TRUST FUND, SET UP IN 1954, AND THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL AID LOAN FUND, SET UP IN 1955.

THE TWO FUNDS HAVE A COMBINED CAPITAL OF $6.5 MILLION. MORE THAN $80 MILLION IN LOANS HAD BEEN GRANTED FROM THE FUNDS UP TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1975.

THESE FUNDS ARE TO HELP FARMERS DEVELOP THEIR FARMING ENTERPRISES BY PURCHASING LIVESTOCK, FEED, FERTILIZER, INSECTICIDE, SEED, PLANTING MATERIAL AND FARM EQUIPMENT-TO BUILD LIVESTOCK HOUSING, AND TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN FISH PONDS.

APPLICATIONS ARE MADE THROUGH THE 11 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICES AND GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTAL FARMS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. PROCESSING TAKES TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

AT PRESENT THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF EACH LOAN ISSUED IS LESS THAN $10,000.

INITIAL LOANS UNDER $1,000 IN THE K.A.A. LOAN FUND ARE GENERALLY INTEREST-FREE, WHILE INTERESTS OF THREE PER CENT AND 4.2 PER CENT PER ANNUM ARE CHARGED ON LOANS OF $1,000 OR ABOVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RUNNING CAPITAL PURPOSES. FOR ANY LOAN OF $10,000 OR ABOVE- AND FOR ANY LOAN WHICH WHEN AGGREGATED WITH ALL LOANS ISSUED TO THE SAME BORROWER AFTER MAY 1, 1974, BRINGS A TOTAL IN EXCESS OF $10,000 -- THE INTEREST IS 4.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM, OR AT THE TRUSTEE’S DISCRETION IF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY.

/THE J.E. JOSEPH .....

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1975

- 3 -

THE J.E. JOSEPH TRUST FUND IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH LOANS TO MEMBERS OF REGISTERED FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. AN INTEREST OF THREE PER CENT PER ANNUM IS CHARGED ON THE LOAN.

+AN AVERAGE OF 2,000 APPLICATIONS FOR THE K.A.A.

LOAN FUND AND 180 APPLICATIONS FOR THE J.E. JOSEPH TRUST FUND ARE RECEIVED EVERY YEAR. MOST OF THE LOAN APPLICATIONS ARE FOR THE PURCHASE OF PIG AND CHICKEN FEED,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

-------0

FLIERS BROADCAST FIRE WARNINGS X « K * * «

AN ISLANDER AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE TODAY FLEW OVER THE SHA TAU KOK PENINSULA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, BROADCASTING FIRE WARNINGS.

THE WARNINGS, CLEARLY AUDIBLE TO HUNDREDS OF PICNICKERS IN THE WU KAU TANG AND BRIDE’S POOL AREAS NEAR PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR, WILL CONTINUE ON A TRIAL BASIS THROUGHOUT THE DRY WINTER, WHEN THE FIRE RISK IN FOREST AREAS INCREASES WI.TH THE INFLUX OF WEEKEND VACATIONERS.

THE BASIC MESSAGE CONVEYED TO PICNICKERS IS +ENJOY YOUR PICNIC, BUT DON’T START FIRES+. BROADCASTS, UTILISING A BATTERY OF LOUDSPEAKERS IN THE ISLANDER’S OPEN DOORWAY, ALSO INCLUDE ADVICE ON HOW TO PREVENT FIRES AND HOW TO PUT THEM OUT.

COMMENTING ON TODAY’S SORTIE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID, +WE CHECKED OUT THE. RECEPTION FROM THE GROUND AND THE MESSAGES CAME OVER LOUD AND CLEAR. THOSE WHO HEARD IT APPEARED TO APPRECIATE THE FRIENDLY TONE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND TO AGREE THAT THEY SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE IN REMINDING VACATIONERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT. THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.+

NOTE TO EDITORS: A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING A LARGE GROUP

OF PICNICKERS, WITH THE ISLANDER FLYING OVERHEAD, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS NEWS ROOM.

0

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1975.

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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT

H If ** X «

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AIMED AT IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE JUNCTION OF PERCIVAL STREET AND HENNESSY ROAD IN WAN CHAI ON NOVEMBER 19 (WEDNESDAY).

STARTING FROM 10.30 A.M. THAT DAY, SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC IN PERCIVAL STREET AT ITS JUNCTION WITH HENNESSY ROAD WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT INTO HENNESSY ROAD AND CAN ONLY PROCEED STRAIGHT TO THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF PERCIVAL STREET.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED TO ADVISE MOTORISTS.

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PRH 7

|gis| lifil

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FORTY-EIGHT HONG KONG RESIDENTS RECEIVED INSIGNIA .. 1

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT REVIEWS QUOTA ALLOCATION AND TRANSFER SYSTEM ................................ 4

MR. CHARLES LOWE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, RETIRING AFTER 28 YEARS’ SERVICE ....................*....... 5

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT GOVERNMENT STADIUM IN CONNECTION WITH DILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE MEETINGS ................. 6

HOME ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS STUDENTS’ SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN SCHOOL ............................................. 7

HONG KONG REPRESENTED AT TYPHOON COMMITTEE MEETING IN BANGKOK ............................................. 8 '

ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND UNIT TRUSTS MUST BE AUTHORISED BY SECURITIES COMMISSION .............................. 9

RHKAAF COMMEMORATIVE POSTAL COVERS STILL AVAILABLE . 9

RESERVOIRS 98 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY ........... 10

>

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

1

PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA X K M # K

FORTNIGHT HONG KONG RESIDENTS DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SLICES TO THE COMMUNITY RECEIVED THEIR INSIGNIA FROM Tt^OVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AT A PRESENTATION Ceremony in government house this (Monday) morning.

THEY WERE DECORATED EITHER IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS OR IN THE NEU YEAR’S HONOURS' LIST.

AMONG THE RECIPIENTS ARE THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR. ERIAN SLEVIN, WHO BOTH RECEIVED THE C.M.G. (COMPANION OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND.ST. GEORGE).

MR. ANN TSE-KAI, LEADING INDUSTRIALIST AND NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND MR. KAN YUET-HING, PROMINENT BANKER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL (NOW SECURITIES COMMISSION), WERE BOTH AWARDED THE C.B.E. (COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE).

OTHER AWARDS PRESENTED WERE:

O.B.E. (MILITARY) (OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF

THE BRITISH EMPIRE). (MILITARY DIVISION)

LT. COLONEL JOHN OSWALD CLAUD ALEXANDER

O.B.E. (OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. JACK RANYARD LEE

MR. KENNETH LO TAK-CHEUNG

MR., CHARLES JOHN GRAFTON LOWE

O.B.E. (HONORARY) (HONORARY OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

MR. DESMOND FRANCIS O’REILLY MAYNE

/li.B.E

- 2 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

M.B.E. (MILITARY) (MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE) (MILITARY DIVISION)

SQ. LEADER DANNY KWONG CHEUNG

CAPTAIN HUGH MCINTOSH DEY

CAPTAIN KESHAV TAMANG

M.B.E. (MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

REV. BROTHER MICHAEL JOSEPH CURTIN

MRS. GLADYS EMMA DONN I THORNE

MRS. BETTY KATHLEEN IBBITSON

MR. KWAN TAI-YAN

MR. ERIC JOHN LIDDELL

DR. KENNETH SEARLE

MR. WILLIAM EWART TINGLE

M.B.E. (HONORARY) (HONORARY MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER

OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

I

MISS LUCY CHING MAN-FAI

MR. ZEELAND KWONG ' "

MR. LIN YU-TANG

BADGE OF HONOUR

MR. HUNG WAI-MAN

MR. KAM KWOK-CHU

MRS. KHO CHEE-SENG

MR. LAU CHI-YUEN

MRS. KITTY LEE YIP SIU-LING

MR. NGAN KI-TIM

MR. SHING TING-BONG

MRS. SIU TSANG FUNG-KWAN

MR. TSE KIT-TO

/fc.E.M

MONDAY, IJOVE2EH 10, 1>75

3

B.E.M. (MILITARY) (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL) (MILITARY)

STAFF SERGEANT JOSEPH FRANCIS FALZON

B.E.M. (BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL)

MR. CHAN CHU-CHIU

MR. KARALI CHARAN CHATTERJEE

MR. CHUNG PO-KWAN

MR. HAU FAT

MR. HUNG PING-KWONG

MR. LAM KAU

MR. LAW SHIU-KEE

MR. LO KAI

MR. MAK MING-SUN

MR. WATT YIU-WAH

C.P.M. (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE)

MISS ANNIE HANNAH CALDERWOOD

MR. GEOFFREY DAVID CARTER

MR. DAI CHUEN

STATION SERGEANT WONG CHUN-MUK

MR. WONG SHIU-FOON

SERGEANT WONG WING-SANG

- - 0 - -

/4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1<\ r:75

4

D C AND I REVIEWS QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM * * * ft * ft

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM, INCLUDING THt QUESTION OF ALLOCATION AND TRANSFER OF TEXTILE QUOTAS.

AS A FIRST STEP, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SENT OUT A BACKGROUND PAPER ON THE EXISTING PRINCIPLES OF ALLOCATION AND TRANSFER OF QUOTAS AND OF THE CONTROL SYSTEM ITSELF TO ALL TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS CONCERNED, AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT.

IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT A THOROUGH REVIEW, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE BACKGROUND PAPER. THESE SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

PEOPLE WISHING TO OBTAIN FURTHER DETAILS, OR OBTAIN A COPY OF THE BACKGROUND PAPER, SHOULD CONTACT EITHER MR. CLEMENT YEUNG (TEL. NO. 5-443144) OR MR. THOMAS WONG (TEL. NO. 5-241635).

THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID TODAY THAT HE WOULD PERSONALLY TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF ALL COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS RECEIVED BEFORE DECIDING ON WHETHER OR NOT CHANGES TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM WERE NECESSARY.

BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT TO PROVIDE CERTAINTY TO THE TRADE, ANY MAJOR CHANGES, IN PARTICULAR ANY CHANGES TO THE EXISTING PRINCIPLES THAT MIGHT AFFECT QUOTA ALLOCATIONS IN A SUBSEQUENT TEXTILE PERIOD, WOULD ONLY BE INTRODUCED AFTER AMPLE NOTICE HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE TRADE.

/5

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

- 5 -

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION RETIRING « M M K «

MR. CHARLES LOWE, 56, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION), IS RETIRING SHORTLY AFTER NEARLY 28 YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

MR. LOWE WILL DE PRESENTED WITH A RETIREMENT GIFT BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 12). THE GIFT IS FROM MR. LOWE’S FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. A CHINESE DINNER WAS HELD IN HIS HONOUR LAST FRIDAY.

HE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG ON MARCH 17, 1948 AND TOOK UP THE POST OF MASTER.

HIS CAREER IN THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD STARTED IN THE CLASSROOM OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL AND LATER AT KING’S COLLEGE.

MR. LOWE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSFERRED TO THE GRANT SCHOOLS SECTION. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN SEPTEMBER 1955 WHEN HE RETURNED TO KING GEORGE V SCHOOL AS PRINCIPAL.

IN MAY 1961 HE WAS APPOINTED PRINCIPAL OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

MR. LOWE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1963 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR ON JUNE 6, 1969.

HE ACTED AS DIRECTOR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND WAS APPOINTED AN OFFICIAL JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IN SEPTEMBER 1967.

MR. LOWE WAS AWARDED THE O.D.E. IN THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS IN JUNE 1975.

NOTE TO ED I TORSs-

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY COVERED. IT WILL BE HELD IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CONFERENCE ROOM, LEE GARDENS, 3RD FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.

THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 11 A.M.

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/6.....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

6

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT GOVERNMENT STADIUM

H « K M *

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED NEAR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STADIUM FROM NOVEMBER 12 TO 16 IN CONNECTION WITH THE BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE MEETINGS.

NO PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ANY OF THE STADIUM CAR PARKS OR IN THE GENERAL VICINITY OF THE STADIUM, AND PEOPLE ATTENDING THE MEETINGS ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

THERE WILL BE TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS BETWEEN 6.30 P.M. AND 10.30 P.M. DAILY FROM NOVEMBER 12 TO 15, AND BETWEEN 1 P.M. AND 5.30 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 16.

UNDER THESE DIVERSIONS, CAROLINE HILL ROAD WEST WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTH TO SOUTH FROM LEIGHTON ROAD TO THE STADIUM, BUT THIS ROUTING WILL BE REVERSED ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF EACH CRUSADE MEETING SO THAT TRAFFIC WILL FLOW FROM THE STADIUM TO LEIGHTON ROAD.

EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD WILL EE ONE-WAY SOUTH TO NORTH FROM THE STADIUM TO ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG LO WAN ROAD.

ALL VEHICLES EXITING FROM SUN WUI ROAD AND SUNNING ROAD INTO LEIGHTON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED LEFT.

CAROLINE HILL ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES ON THE ROAD.

ANY CARS PARKED ILLEGALLY IN THE GENERAL AREA OF THE STADIUM WILL BE TOWED AWAY. TRAFFIC POLICEMEN WILL BE ON HAND AND TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

THERE WILL BE SPECIAL BUS SERVICES AFTER EACH MEETING WHEN ROUTES 2 (TO SHAU KEI WAN), 5(T0 KENNEDY TOWN), 23 (TO POKFIELD ROAD), 101(T0 KWUN TONG) AND 112 (TO SO UK) WILL BE OPERATED FROM EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD, CHARGING NORMAL FARES.

/7

MONDAY, NO'. EMBER 1975

7

FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR STUDENTS’ SUCCESS OR FAILURE K * M * « «

THE HOME ENVIRONMENT HAS AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON THE STUDENT AND IS ONE OF THE FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR IIS SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN SCHOOL, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING, SAID TODAY.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STUDENT AND HIS PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS COULD EITHER BE OF GREAT HELP OR COULD BE A DECIDED DETERRENT TO SUCCESSFUL WORK IN SCHOOL, HE SAID. IT WAS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS BE GIVEN FULL ENCOURAGEMENT AT HOME.

MR. HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE JOINT ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE MADAM CHAN WAI CHOW MEMORIAL SCHOOL, THE HONG KONG CHAN WAI CHOW MEMORIAL COLLEGE AND THE CHAN SHU KU I MEMORIAL SCHOOL.

THE STUDENT’S SUCCESS OR OTHERWISE, HE WENT ON, WERE ALSO INFLUENCED BY HIS BASIC SKILLS AND THE SCHOOL CLIMATE.

CERTAIN BASIC SKILLS - LISTENING, SPEAKING, READING AND WRITING - ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE AT BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STAGES OF EDUCATION, HE STRESSED. +THE ABILITY TO LISTEN WELL, TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE SPOKEN WORD, AND TO READ AND WRITE ACCURATELY AND AT A REASONABLE PACE - THESE ARE SKILLS FUNDAMENTAL TO PROGRESS AND SUCCESS.*

MR. HO EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE FOR PUPILS TO FORM GOOD AND EFFECTIVE WORK HABITS, SUCH AS EARLY RISING, FOLLOWING REASONABLY REGULAR HOURS OF STUDY, AND ADHERING TO ALTERNATE PERIODS OF REST AND ACTIVITY. AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS DESIRABLE FOR PUPILS TO GET ON HARMONIOUSLY WITH OTHERS.

HE ADDED: +ACCEPTANCE BY THEIR PEERS IS A COMPELLING NECESSITY FOR MOST PUPILS AND THE SENSE OF ’BELONGING’ ACCOUNTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE COMPLEX OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS THROUGHOUT THEIR PERIOD OF SCHOOLING.*

ON THE SCHOOL CLIMATE, MR. HO SAID: +THERE IS NO DENY-ING THAT THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE OF A SCHOOL, WHICH IS BOUND TO INFLUENCE THE PUPILS, IS PARTIALLY DETERMINED BY THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES. BESIDES, THE QUALITY OF THE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.*

WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL, MR. HO SAID HE WAS INCLINED TO AGREE THAT THE TEACHER WAS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE FACTOR IN THE ENTIRE SCHOOL LIFE OF A PUPIL.

HE POINTED OUT THAT A DEDICATED, RESOURCEFUL AND WELL-TRAINED TEACHER CAN KINDLE HIS PUPILS’ ENTHUSIASM, FIRE THEIR IMAGINATION AND BRING OUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL QUALITIES.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

8

HONG KONG REPRESENTED AT TYPHOON COMMITTEE MEETING H M «

DR. P.C. CHIN, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY LEFT FOR BANGKOK THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE 8TH SESSION OF THE TYPHOON COMMITTEE SPONSORED BY THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.

THE MEETING STARTS TOMORROW AND WILL CONTINUE UN TIL NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 17).

THE MEETING WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS ACHIEVED DURING THE PAST YEAR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OBSERVATIONAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AND WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO METEOROLOGICAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH, COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER PREVENTION.

IN ADDITION TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN CONNECTION WITH TYPHOON PREDICTION AND WARNING, DR. CHIN WILL ALSO REPORT ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND RELIEF WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DURING TROPICAL CYCLONES.

AS THE COMMITTEE’S RESEARCH CO-ORDINATOR FOR STUDIES ON TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECASTING, DR. CHIN WILL PRESENT PROPOSALS FOR A REGIONAL JOINT-STUDY SCHEME FOR CONSIDERATION BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

9

CLARIFICATION ON MUTUAL FUNDS if « If « H M

THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES EXPLAINED TODAY THAT IN HONG KONG ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND UNIT TRUSTS HAVE TO BE AUTHORISED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION BEFORE THEY CAN BE OFFERED FOR SALE.

o

THE STATEMENT WAS ISSUED FOLLOWING A RECENT REPORT THAT IF AND WHEN A COMMODITY EXCHANGE IS ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, SEATS MIGHT BE PURCHASED ON THE EXCHANGE BY ORGANISATIONS OF MUTUAL FUND-TYPE OPERATIONS. THE REPORT ADDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE BEING INVITED TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUNDING OF THESE OPERATIONS.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT MEMBERSHIP GF THE PROPOSED COMMODITY EXCHANGE WILL BE SUBJECT TO RIGOROUS SCRUTINY BY A COMMITTEE SPECIALLY SET UP BY THE EXCHANGE TO DEAL WITH MEMBERSHIP.

HE EMPHASISED THAT IN HONG KONG ALL MUTUAL FUNDS AND UNIT TRUSTS HAVE TO BE AUTHORISED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND ALTHOUGH HE COULD NOT PRE-JUDGE ANY APPLICATION, +IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT AN APPLICATION WILL BE APPROVED IF IT IS MADE IN RESPECT OF A MUTUAL FUND OR UNIT TRUST DEALING SOLELY WITH INVESTMENT IN COMMODITIES ON THE EXCHANGE IN HONG KONG.+

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RHKAAF COMMEMORATIVE COVERS STILL AVAILABLE if if if if -

THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO OBTAIN SPECIAL POSTAL COVERS COMMEMORATING THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE’S SILVER JUBILEE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SO.

THE COVERS QUICKLY SOLD OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR BUT A NUMBER ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM AT HENDON.

THOSE WISHING TO BUY THEM SHOULD WRITE DIRECT TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM, AERODROME ROAD, HENDON, LONDON, NW9 5LL.

UNSIGNED COVERS ARE 30 PENCE EACH, WHILE THOSE SIGNED BY THE PILOT AND CREWMEN OF THE FLIGHT ARE SELLING AT 40 PENCE EACH.

WHEN SENDING A STERLING DRAFT, AN ADDITIONAL 10 PENCE SHOULD BE INCLUDED TO COVER THE COST OF ORDINARY SEAMAIL FOR UP TO FIVE COVERS.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

10

RESERVOIRS 98 PER CENT FULL * * « ft

A TOTAL OF 66,253 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 98.4 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 54,034 MILLION GALLONS.

PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 50,306 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 99.6 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, IT HELD 37,791 MILLION GALLONS.

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,976.4 MM (117.18 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2,110.3 MM (83.08 IN).

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975

CONTENTS

PAGE NO.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR URGED STUDENTS TO CHOOSE AND PLAN CAREER EARLY ............................ 1

PROJECT LAUNCHED IN WONG TAI SIN TO HELP SCHOOL DROPOUTS .................................................... 2

FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION OPENS ON THURSDAY ........... 3

WATER CUTS............................................... 4

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975

1

STUDENTS URGED TO CHOOSE AND PLAN CAREER EARLY H « ft # « «

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. LAO MOU-CHI, TODAY URGED HONG KONG STUDENTS TO BEGIN CHOOSING AND PLANNING THEIR CAREERS AT AN EARLY STAGE, EVEN PERHAPS WHILE AT SCHOOL.

+SOME OF YOU MAY THINK IT IS A LITTLE EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE CHOICE OF CAREERS BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT FEEL THE NEED AND PRESSURE TO MAKE A DECISION YET.

+THE CHOICE OF A CAREER IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN YOUR LIVES AND IT SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN AFTER CONSIDERABLE THOUGHT. SO THE MORE TIME YOU DEVOTE TO THINKING AND PLANNING IT THE BETTER.*

MR. LAO WAS SPEAKING WHILE OFFICIALLY OPENING A ONE-DAY CAREERS SEMINAR AT THE FUNG KAI PUBLIC SCHOOL IN SHEUNG SHU I.

MORE THAN 600 SENIOR STUDENTS FROM SEVERAL DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TOOK PART IN THE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE.

THE SEMINAR COMPRISED TALKS BY GUEST SPEAKERS ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES, CONDITIONS OF WORK, ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND PROSPECTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, BANKING AND SOCIAL WORK, AND ON THE VARIOUS COURSES OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

THERE WERE ALSO FILM SHOWS ON NURSING AND APPRENTICESHIP, GIVING STUDENTS A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE WORK AND TRAINING IN THESE FIELDS.

IN HIS SPEECH, MR. LAO ADVISED STUDENTS TO TAKE A LONG-TERM VIEW IN CHOOSING A CAREER, EVEN THOUGH IN THE PRESENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IT MAY SEEM FAT I OUS TO TALK ABOUT CAREERS WHEN JOBS THEMSELVES WERE HARD TO COME BY.

HE SAID: +IF YOU FIND A JOB THAT SUITS YOUR PERSONALITY* ABILITY AND INTERESTS, YOU WILL ENJOY WORKING, ATTAIN JOB SATISFACTION AND HEAD TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE.

+BUT SHOULD YOU ACCEPT THE FIRST JOB THAT COMES YOUR WAY WITHOUT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, DISCONTENT AND FRUSTRATION MAY RESULT AND THIS WILL LEAD YOU NOWHERE.*

AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SEMINAR, THE YEAS IS ALSO STAGING A FOUR-DAY MINI-CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE FUNG KAI SCHOOL ON BOARD A SPECIALLY DESIGNED MOBILE EXHIBITION VAN BEGINNING TODAY.

THE EXHIBITION FEATURES DISPLAY MATERIALS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND CHARTS ON VARIOUS JOBS IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES SECTORS. THERE IS ALSO A REGULAR SLIDE SHOW WITH SOUND COMMENTARY ON DIFFERENT APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES.

IT OPENS DAILY FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. FOR STUDENTS-AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975

2

PROJECT TO HELP YOUNG SCHOOL DROP-OUTS it it it it it it

A SPECIAL PROJECT HAS DEEN LAUNCHED IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUNG SCHOOL DROP-OUTS IN THE AREA.

THE AIM IS TO LOCATE CHILDREN DETWEEN 12 AND 13 YEARS OLD WHO ARE NEITHER IN SCHOOL NOR WORKING AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR NATURAL SKILLS AND TO HELP THEM MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME DY TAKING PART IN ORGANISED EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

SO FAR, 221 CHILDREN HAVE DEEN LOCATED WITH THE HELP OF SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAIFONGS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE PROJECT IS RUN BY A SPECIAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, CHAIRED DY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, AND INCLUDES THE DISTRICT’S COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER, THE SPORTS AND RECREATION OFFICER, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ARMY AND THE HOUSING AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE EXPLAINED THAT ONCE A CHILD HAD BEEN LOCATED A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER WOULD CONTACT THE CHILD AND HIS PARENTS TO EXPLAIN THE AIM OF THE PROJECT AND ENCOURAGE THE CHILD TO PARTICIPATE.

PROGRAMMES ORGANISED FOR THESE CHILDREN FOLLOW THE ’LEARN AS YOU PLAY’ CONCEPT AND ARE GEARED TOWARDS SELFDEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN GROUP ACTIVITIES.

THESE INCLUDE VISITS TO FACTORIES, OUTINGS, SPORTS TRAINING COURSES, GROUP COUNSELLING, AND SPECIAL COURSES IN WOODWORK, TAILORING AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

EFFORTS ARE ALSO MADE TO PLACE CHILDREN OF GOOD ACADEMIC STANDARD IN GOVERNMENT EVENING SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND PRE-TECHNICAL CLASSES.

A SIMILAR PROJECT WAS CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR WITH SOME 240 CHILDREN TAKING PART.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO HELP THE COMMITTEE LOCATE MORE OF THESE CHILDREN SO THAT THEY COULD JOIN THE PROGRAMMES.

RESIDENTS MAY CONTACT THE WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE LOCATED AT PARIS BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG (TEL: 3-222261) OR THE CDO SUB-OFFICE AT BLOCK 3, TSE WAN SHAN ESTATE (TEL: 3-241872).

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975


FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION OPENS ON THURSDAY K K «

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL BE OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES. MR. F.M. WATSON, AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 13) AT 3.30 P.M

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY. PRESS REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD MEET MR. DONALD STRANGE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL EXHIBITION HALL AT 3.15 P.M.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY.

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A

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1975

WATER CUTS , K K «

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE WITHOUT WATER BETWEEN 1 A.M. AND 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 13) WHEN A TEST FOR LEAKAGE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE AREA.

AFFECTED WILL BE PREMISES BOUNDED BY NATHAN ROAD, PEKING ROAD, CANTON ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD.

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN NGAU CHI WAN WILL ALSO BE INTERRUPTED BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 4 P.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 14) TO FACILITATE A FRESH WATER MAINS CONNECTION.

ALL PREMISES ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, BETWEEN PIK UK PRISON AND BAYSIDE VILLA, WILL BE AFFECTED INCLUDING THOSE ALONG HANG HAU ROAD, SILVER STRAND BEACH ROAD AND WO KAR ROAD, SAI KUNG.

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Tuesday, November 11, 1975

4,000 GET NEW FLATS IN TSUEN WIN

•«*«•***

More than 800 families from two licensed areas in Cheung Sha Wan will be moving to new Housing Authority flats in Tsuen Wan this month.

These families, totalling nearly 4,000 people, are from Cheung

Sha Wan Area A and C licensed areas. They are being accommodated in new flats in Lei Muk Shue Estate, where another six blocks have been completed recently.

,!Tenants from these two areas are being moved into public housing in the normal course of the Authority’s turnover programme of licensed areas,ff a spokesman for the Housing Department said.

These 800-odd families will be enjoying a complete change of living environment. Where previously they lived in wooden huts, sharing communal toilet facilities and obtaining their water supply from public stand pipes, they will now live in self-contained flats.

The Housing Department is planning to redevelop Area A into a new style licensed area with part-built structures, metered electricity and individual water supply. It will house about 1,000 people.

The Area C site will be handed back to Crown Land and Survey Office.

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RRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

COMMISSION APPOINTED TO ADVISE ON CHINESE UNIVERSITY ....... 1

COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR URGED CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO PROMOTE WORK SAFETY ........................................ 2

CENTRAL-AIRPORT EXPRESS COACH SERVICE TO BE FURTHER PROMOTED .................................................   3

FIRST INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TEN-PIN BOWLING TOURNAMENT TO BE

HELD THIS SUNDAY ........................................... 3

WATER CUT................................................... 5

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

1

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1975

COMMISSION APPOINTED TO ADVISE ON CHINESE UNIVERSITY ft ft ft ft ft ft

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, HAS APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO ADVISE ON WHETHER ANY CHANGES SHOULD EE MADE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS CONSTITUENT COLLEGES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION WILL BE LORD FULTON OF FALMER, WHO IN 1962-63 CHAIRED THE COMMISSION WHOSE REPORT LEO TO THE UNIVERSITY’S INAUGURATION.

THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WILL BE SIR MICHAEL HERR IES, WHO WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE FROM 1965 TO 1973, AND PROFESSOR C.K. YANG, A FORMER VISITING PROFESSOR AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY AND NOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.

THE SECRETARY WILL BE MR. I.C.M. MAXWELL OF THE INTERUNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OVERSEAS, WHO WAS SECRETARY TO THE FIRST FULTON COMMISSION.

THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSION FOLLOWS THE COMPLETION OF A REPORT BY A WORKING PARTY APPOINTED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY WHICH WAS CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH ISSUES AFFECTING THE ACADEMIC FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY.

THE COMMISSION UNDER LORD FULTON WILL UNDERTAKE A WIDER REVIEW OF THE GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT WILL DE OF ASSISTANCE TO THEM IN THE COURSE OF THIS REVIEW.

THE FULL TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMISSION ARE :-

+BEARING IN MIND EXPERIENCE GA I NED IN THE FIRST DECADE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ’FINAL REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE’ :-TO ADVISE ON WHETHER ANY CHANGES ARE NECESSARY IN THE GOVERNANCE, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY, ORDINANCES AND STATUTES OF TFIE UNIVERSITY AND ITS CONSTITUENT COLLEGES.+

THE COMMISSION WILL CONVENE IN HONG KONG EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL SUBMIT ITS REPORT TO THE CHANCELLOR.

LORD FULTON HAS ASKED THAT PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MATTERS RELATING TO THE COMMISSION’S TERMS OF REFERENCE SHOULD SUBMIT EVIDENCE IN WRITING. THIS SHOULD EE ADDRESSED TO MR. GORDON SIU, COLONIAL SECRElAR IA I, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, TO REACH HIM BEFORE DECEMBER 3.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1975

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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY URGED ft ft ft ft

TO PROMOTE WORK SAFETY ft ft

ABOUT ONE SIXTH OF ALL ACCIDENTS AT SITES, SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR,

WORK OCCUR ON CONSTRUCTION MR. IAN PRICE TODAY.

CALLING FOR A MORE CONCERTED EFFORT BY CONTRACTORS, SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO PROMOTE WORK SAFETY, HE SAIDa +WITH THE ADVENT OF LARGE ENGINEERING PROJECTS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS SHOULD STRICTLY APPLY SAFETY MEASURES AND TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN EDUCATING THEIR STAFF IN MODERN ACCIDENT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES.*

MR. PRICE MADE THIS COMMENT AFTER TOURING THE HEADLAND SITE OF THE OCEAN PARK IN WONG CHUK HANG - ONE OF HIS REGULAR +KEEPING UP TO DATE* VISITS.

THE OCEAN PARK PROJECT - A MARINE PARK IN A SCENIC SPOT ALONG THE SEAFRONT OF WONG CHUK HANG - COMPRISES SEVERAL CONTRACTS OF WHICH THE HEADLAND SITE, UNDERTAKEN BY HSIN CHONG CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., IS THE LARGEST.

MR. PRICE SAID THE COMPANY’S EFFORTS IN THE FIELD OF WORK SAFETY HAD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

IN ADDITION TO REGULAR MEETINGS AT MANAGERIAL LEVEL TO DISCUSS SAFETY PROBLEMS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF SAFETY SUPERVISORS, THE COMPANY RUNS FIRST AID TRAINING COURSES, AND SUBSIDIZES THE ATTENDANCE BY STAFF AT SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE.

HE URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYERS TO MAKE GREATER USE OF THE FREE FACILITIES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE WHICH OFFERS BASIC, ADVANCED AND SPECIALISED SAFETY COURSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

+APART FROM THE COMPARATIVELY MINOR COST OF RELEASING THEIR STAFF FROM WORK, THIS IS A REWARDING INVESTMENT BY MANAGEMENT,* HE ADDED.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER.12, 1975

5

CENTRAL - AIRPORT EXPRESS COACH SERVICE H * * # K

WITH FULL BACKING OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE KOWLOON MOTORS BUS COMPANY AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST AND HOTi.LS ASSOCIATIONS ARE TAKING STEPS TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE USE OF THE CENTRAL-AIRPORT EXPRESS COACH SERVICE.

THE SERVICE, ROUTE 200, WAS STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR AT GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST TO PROVIDE RELATIVELY CHEAPER AND YET COMFORTABLE AND DIRECT PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES .i<EEN lHE AIRPORT AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE SERVICE H/D BEEN UNDER-UTILISED DESPITE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO MAKE । AM ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO PRIVATE CARS OR TAXIS FOR AM TRAVELLERS, WELL-WISHERS AND AIRPORT STAFF.

HE SAID THE MOST RECENT INNOVATIONS, INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER, INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF FREE LUGGAGE SPACE ON THE COACHES, REVISED ROUTING AND A SERIES OF SIGNS WITH WHICH INTENDING PASSENGERS COULD READILY IDENTIFY THE SERVICE BOTH AT EACH BUS STOP AND AT THE AIRPORT.

IN RECENT DISCUSSIONS ON WAYS TO FURTHER PROMOTE ROUTE 200, HE SAID, KMB AGREED TO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS TO HOUSEHOLDS RESIDING NEAR THE ROUTE WHO MIGHT BE POTENTIAL PASSENGERS FOR THE COACH SERVICE.

THE LEAFLETS GIVE DETAILS OF THE ROUTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT, FREQUENCY, HOURS OF OPERATION, JOURNEY TIME, FARE AND THE HOTELS COVERED BY THE SERVICE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID BOTH THE HONG KONG TOURIST AND HOTELS ASSOCIATIONS WERE WRITING TO VARIOUS TRAVEL AGENCIES AND HOTELS SEEKING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SERVICE WHICH WAS CONSIDERED A USEFUL ALTERNATIVE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.

KMB, HE SAID, HAS INDICATED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT THAT IT INTENDS TO DISCONTINUE ROUTE 200 BY THE END OF THE YEAR UNLESS THERE ARE ENOUGH PASSENGERS USING THE SERVICE TO MAKE IT VIABLE.

THE COMPANY HAS CLAIMED LOSSES ON THE SERVICE WHICH IS CARRYING ABOUT 600 PASSENGERS A DAY WHILE A DAILY AVERAGE OF AROUND 1,000 WOULD MAKE IT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, HE SAID.

+IT WOULD BE A PITY IF KMB WERE FORCED TO DISCONTINUE ROUTE 200 WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST ABOUT HIGH CHARGING OR OVERCHARGING BY OTHER MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT THE AIRPORT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

/+WE ARE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1975

4 -

+WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT PASSENGERS TO KEEP THE SERVICE RUNNING BEYOND ITS TRIAL PERIOD WHICH LASTS UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR,+ HE SAID.

A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON ROUTE 200 SHOWED THAT 44 PER CENT OF ITS PASSENGERS " EVIOUSLY USED TAXIS, 40 PER CENT TRAVELLED BY ORDINARY h B SERVICES PLUS SHORT WALKS, AND NINE PER CENT BY PRIVATE CARS.

THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT 46 PER CENT OF THE PASSENGERS WERE WELL-WISHERS AND ANOTHER 46 PER CENT WERE PEOPLE USING THE SERVICE TO AND FROM WORK. ONLY THREE PER CENT WERE AIR TRAVELLERS.

+THESE INDICATE THAT ROUTE 200 IS PROVIDING A USEFUL TRANSPORT FACILITY TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT AND IT IS HOPED THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL USE IT,+ HE SAID.

ROUTE 200, USING 30-SEATER LUXURY COACHES WITH NO STANDING PASSENGERS ALLOWED, OPERATES BETWEEN TERMINALS NEXT TO THE AIRPORT BUILDING AND IN ICE HOUSE STREET IN CENTRAL EVERY 15 MINUTES AT A $3 FLAT FARE.

AIRPORT-BOUND JOURNEYS RUN FROM 7 A.M. TO 8.15 P.M. VIA CHATER ROAD, QUEENSWAY, HENNESSY ROAD, GREAT GEORGE STREET, GLOUCESTER ROAD, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, HONG CHONG ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, OLYMPIC AVENUE AND THE AIRPORT ARRIVAL LEVEL.

CENTRAL-BOUND JOURNEYS OPERATE BETWEEN 7.22 A.M. AND 7.37 P.M. VIA OLYMPIC AVENUE, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, FU NING STREET, ARGYLE STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HONG CHONG ROAD, CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, GLOUCESTER ROAD, PATERSON STREET, YEE WO STREET, CAUSEWAY ROAD, IRVING STREET, PENNINGTON STREET, YEE WO STREET, HENNESSY ROAD, QUEENSWAY, JACKSON ROAD, CHATER ROAD, CLUB STREET AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1975

5

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TEN-PIN BOWLING TOURNAMENT « Ulf H K «

THE FIRST INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TEN-PIN BOWLING TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE FOUR SEAS BOWLING CENTRE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 16) STARTING AT 12.30 P.M.

MR. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS AT THE END OF THE TOURNAMENT AT ABOUT 7 P.M. THE PRIZES COMPRISE A SHIELD FOR THE CHAMPIONS Af'.D SILVER-PLATED TRAYS, JUGS AND BOWLS FOR THE WINNING TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS.

THE TOURNAMENT IS ORGANISED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. SO FAR, ABOUT 34 TEAMS HAVE ENTERED AND AS THE ENTRY DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TILL NOON ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT, SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ENTER MORE TEAMS.

+THE RESPONSE TO THE TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN VERY GOOD,AND PLANS ARE IN HAND TO MAKE IT AN ANNUAL EVENT,+ THE ORGANISER SAID.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.

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WATER CUT K ft K

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON, WILL BE INTERRUPTED FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS STARTING FROM 1 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 15) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, TSUEK LUK STREET, TAI YAU STREET, NG FONG STREET, SHEUNG HEI STREET, CHOI HUNG ROAD, YAN 01 STREET AND SHUNG LING STREET.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1975

CONTENTS

SECONDARY SCHOOLS URGED TO MAKE POSITIVE SUGGEST Inwc TO EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT

PROPERTYGFROMTFIRESPONSIBLE T° PR0TECT EMPLOYEES AND

'i' PURPOSE OF SCHOOLS IS TO TEACH PUPILS TO TH INK SAYS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ..... . ™. ™..... PLAY STREET FOR CHILDREN IN WANCHAI ...................

‘5l«E?eR?-EAl«5ALTODtJJ"I> iN3TITUTI°" Of CHARTERED

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

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SECONDARY SCHOOLS URGED TO MAKE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS TO E.D.

H # K * K H

THE RETIRING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION). MR. CHARLES LOWE, TODAY CALLED ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE COMMON CORE COURSE AND MAKE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT.

^WITHOUT FEEDBACK NOTHING CAN SUCCEED OR BE IMPROVED AND THE SCHOOLS MUST SUPPLY IT,+ MR. LOWE TOLD THE GATHERING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL.

THE NEW SYLLABUSES WOULD NEED A GREAT DEAL OF MODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT.

IN STATING THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD AIM AT MORE CURRICULAR AUTONOMY, MR. LOWE SAID : +IT IS THERE FOR THE ASKING, AVAILABLE ON DEMAND. THESE REMARKS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMMON CORE COURSE. THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR BELIEF THAT THE TRADITIONAL THREE-YEAR JUNIOR MIDDLE COURSE AND TWO-YEAR SENIOR MIDDLE COURSE TO WHICH WE HAVE REVERTED MAY NOT EE THE BEST EDUCATIONAL DEC IS ION.+

PERSONALLY, MR. LOWE PREFERRED A TWO-YEAR JUNIOR AND A THREE-YEAR SENIOR COURSE. HE WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT SCHOOLS WHICH PREFERRED TO TAKE THE COMMON CORE FOR TWO YEARS.

BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT +OTHER EDUCATIONISTS WANT A FIVE-YEAR PRIMARY AND A FOUR NOT FIVE-YEAR SECONDARY COURSE FOR ALL. THIS GETS OVER THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION HURDLE.+

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR STATED THAT THE WORKING PARTY ON THE ABOLITION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION HAD COMPLETED ITS REPORT AND HE HOPED IT WOULD GO TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SOON FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL TO PUBLICISE.

+ INFORMED AND COMMON REACTION IS ESSENTIAL TO EVALUATE THE PROPOSALS. IN MY VIEW, IT IS ILLOGICAL TO ABOLISH S.S.E.E. WHICH SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE PRIMARY COURSE IF ONLY TO REPLACE IT WITH J.C.E. WHICH IS LIKELY TO RUIN THREE YEARS OF THE JUNIOR MIDDLE COURSE AND IMPOSE AN INTOLERABLE BURDEN ON CHILDREN AT A CRUCIAL STAGE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

+THE J.C.E. MAY INDEED HAVE A BACKLASH AS DOES MATRICULATION. WHAT THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG RECENTLY SAID WAS ENTIRELY CORRECT. THE PLAIN FACT IS THAT THE 6TH FORMS SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT CATER JUST FOR POTENTIAL UNIVERSITY ENTRANTS.

+THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE 6TH FORMS A KIND -OF ANTE-CHAMBER TO THE FACULTIES NOR SHOULD THE UNIVERSITY EXPECT 6TH FORMS TO CARRY OUT UNIVERSITY LEVEL WORK FOR THEM. IF WE HAD THE IMAGINATION TO DEPART FROM SLAVISHLY COPYING U.K. PRACTICE, WE COULD HAVE MORE GENERAL AND LESS NARROW 6TH FORM COURSES,+ HE SAID.

/Hr. LOWE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1}, 1975

2

MR. LOWE STRESSED THAT THE 6TH FORMS SHOULD BE USED AS PREPARATION FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF FAIRLY GENERALISED CAREER AND TRAINING OPTIONS. THERE SHOULD NOT BE TWO SORTS OF 6TH FORMS.

THE J.C.E. PROPOSAL, HE SAID, IN SPITE OF FREQUENT PROMISES OF OPEN DEBATE HAD NEVER BEEN FAIRLY PUT TO THE PUBLIC.

+IF THE PEOPLE WANT IT, THEY CAN HAVE IT. BUT I THINK ALL THE PEOPLE REALLY WANT ARE MORE SECONDARY PLACES, PROBABLY MORE THAN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND HOUS I NG.+

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE ABSURD AMOUNT OF HOMEWORK CHILDREN WERE GIVEN.

HE EMPHASISED THAT +THE ROLE OF HOMEWORK IS FAIRLY CLEAR -CONSOLIDATION. IT CAN BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. IF SET IN VAST QUANTITIES, CONFUSION AND EXHAUSTION SETS IN. IF A GREAT DEAL OF HOMEWORK IS NECESSARY TO COVER THE SYLLABUS, THE ANSWER IS NOT TO SET MORE AND MORE BUT FOR HEADS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO INSIST ON A SHORTER SYLLABUS.+

MR. LOWE CAUTIONED THAT TOO MUCH HOMEWORK WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL.

SAYING THAT HE WAS A STRONG ADVOCATE OF THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS, MR. LOWE SAID GIRLS NEEDED EDUCATION MORE THAN BOYS BECAUSE THEY AS MOTHERS WERE THE EDUCATORS OF THE FAMILY. THE SCHOOL’S ROLE WAS LESS IMPORTANT EDUCATIONALLY THAN THE FAMILY’S.

+FAMILY EDUCATION IS VITAL FOR COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT,* HE ADDED.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE TEACHERS IN HONG KONG.

+FORMAL EDUCATION,+' HE SAID, +BEGINS AND MAY WELL END WITH THE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM WITH 40 TO 45 PUPILS. IT IS WHAT THE TEACHER DOES, HIS INTERACTION WITH THE PUPILS THAT COUNTS, NOT SO MUCH THE PRECISE TEACHING TECHNIQUES.*

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE VITAL THING WAS THAT ALL CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES MUST BE GIVEN THE ASPIRATION AND EXPECTATION OF DOING REASONABLY WELL.

+GIVEN THAT EXPECTATION THEY WILL DO WELL. FAR TOO MANY CHILDREN ARE WRITTEN OFF IN PRIMARY BECAUSE THEY ARE WEAK IN, SAY MATHS OR WITHOUT EXPLORING AND FOSTERING THEIR OTHER ABILITIES.*

MR. LOWE ALSO CONGRATULATED THE PUPILS OF HONG KONG AND IN PARTICULAR THOSE OF ST. PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL.

HE WISHED THE SENIOR PUPILS OF THE SCHOOL EVERY SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS WHEN THEY VENTURED OUT INTO WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS +THAT STRANGE, ALARMING YET EXCITING OUTSIDE WORLD WHICH IS ADULT LIFE* AND FOR WHICH SCHOOLS EXISTED TO PREPARE THEM.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1975

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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION OPENED BY FIRE CHIEF * * * *

TOP MANAGEMENTS SHOULD PERSONALLY INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN A DETERMINED AND SUSTAINED EFFORT TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE - IN THEIR OWN INTEREST AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE’S.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR. FRED WATSON, WHEN OPENING A FIVE-DAY FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL.

MR. WATSON SAID THAT OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF FACTORIES HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY IN SEEING THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HAS BEEN DONE TO MINIMISE THE CHANCES OF FIRE OCCURRING IN THEIR PREMISES AND THAT, IF FIRE DOES OCCUR, HARM TO PERSONS AND MATERIAL DAM/GE IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM. +IT IS NOT A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE REGARDED AS BOTHERSOME AND OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE AND WHICH CAN BE DELEGATED TO SOME JUNIOR EMPLOYEE,+ MR. WATSON EMPHASISED.

MR. WATSON SAID THAT, LIKE OTHER FIRES, MOST OF THOSE IN INDUSTRY COULD BE AVOIDED BY COMMON SENSE AND BY FOLLOWING GOOD HOUSEKEEPING RULES.

+EXCEPT IN A FEW EXCEPTIONAL CASES,+ HE STATED, +FIRE CAN ONLY OCCUR WHEN A SOURCE OF IGNITION COMES INTO CONTACT WITH MATERIAL WHICH WILL BURN, AND THIS MAY BE EITHER SOLID, LIQUID, GAS OR VAPOUR.

+IF SOURCES OF IGNITION WERE STRICTLY CONTROLLED AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED, THE DANGER OF FIRE OCCURRING WOULD BE LESSENED.+

MR. WATSON SAID REDUCING THE CHANCES OF FIRE SIMPLY INVOLVED KEEPING PREMISES CLEAR OF RUBBISH AND MAINTAINING EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY IN A RELIABLE .AND CLEAN CONDITION.

+A THOROUGH CHECK OF ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING SHOULD BE MADE FROM TIME TO TIME AND NOT JUST LEFT UNTIL IT BREAKS DOWN AND CAUSES A FIRE,+'HE DECLARED. OBSERVATION OF WORK METHODS SOMETIMES REVEALED BAD AND DANGEROUS PRACTICES ADOPTED- OVER MONTHS AND YEARS BY EMPLOYEES WITHOUT THINKING OF THE POSSIBL.E CONSEQUENCES.

+FROM TIME TO TIME, MANAGEMENT SHOULD STAND BACK AND TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE WHOLE OF THEIR FACTORY AND CONSIDER THE CHANGES WHICH ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE YEARS, POSSIBLY IN PRODUCTION METHODS OR IN STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS,* MR. WATSON SUGGESTED. +BECAUSE OF THESE CHANGES,* HE CONTINUED, +FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS WHICH ORIGINALLY APPLIED MAY HAVE BEEN REDUCED AND REQUIRE TO BE REVIEWED.* /

/THE CONSEQUENCES......

THURSDAY, KOVEMBER 1J, 19,3

If

THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FIRE IN A FACTORY WERE USUALLY SERIOUS AND MORE FAR REACHING THAN MOST OWNERS IMAGINED, MR. WATSON WENT ON. +FIRES DESTROY RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED PRODUCTS. THEY DAMAGE MACHINERY OR AFFECT THE VERY STRUCTURE OF BUILDINGS, OFTEN MAKING THEM UNSAFE FOR FUTURE USE.

+WITH NO FACTORY OR PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY - AND POSSIBLY NO GOODS TO SELL - COMPETITORS TAKE YOUR BUSINESS AND THE CHANCES OF GETTING IT BACK ARE REMOTE.

+EMPLOYEES ARE THROWN OUT OF WORK AND THE COMMUNITY SUFFERS Through loss of circulation of their pay. there is almost certain to BE AN EXTRA BURDEN ON WELFARE AGENCIES- BUSINESS TAXES ARE LOST. BUT POSSIBLY THE MOST DAMAGING CONSEQUENCE IS THAT A BUSINESS WHICH SUFFERS A SERIOUS FIRE MAY FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START UP AGAIN, OR IT WILL FAIL WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD.+

MR. WATSON SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH HONG KONG LIVES BY ITS INDUSTRY AND EXPORTS, FIRES COST LOCAL INDUSTRY A HARD EARNED $30 -®40 MILLION IN AN AVERAGE YEAR, +LARGELY BECAUSE OF CARELESSNESS OR NEGLECT AND LACK OF INTEREST BY MANY MANAGEMENTS IN PREVENTION AND PROTECTION FROM FIRE IN THEIR FACTORIES.*

THE EXHIBITION, WHICH IS PART OF THIS YEAR’S WINTER FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT IN THE FUTURE. THERE ARE 16 STANDS TAKEN BY 10 LOCAL FIRMS OR AGENTS DISPLAYING A WIDE RANGE OF DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FIRE FIGHTING AND PROTECTION EQUIPMENT. ONE STAND HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN EACH DAY UNTIL LATE IN THE EVENING. IT CLOSES ON MONDAY.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1975

5

PUPILS URGED TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES * K * M H K

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF A SCHOOL IS TO TEACH ITS PUPILS TO THINK, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SECONDARY), MR. ROBERT CAMERON, SAID THIS EVENING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF ST. BONAVENTURE COLLEGE AMD HIGH SCHOOL.

+THIS, TO ME, IS THE BEST PREPARATION OF ALL FOR ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY. A COMMUNITY CAN ASK FOR NO BETTER SERVICE FROM ITS SCHOOLS THAN THAT THEY PRODUCE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO CAN SEE PROBLEMS CLEARLY, EVALUATE OBJECTIVELY AND MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS - IN OTHER WORDS YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE LEARNED TO TH INK,+ HE SAID.

MP. CAMERON ADVISED PUPILS WHILE STUDYING THEIR VARIOUS SUBJECTS TO KEEP ASKING +WHY?+

HE ADDED : +DON’T TAKE EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED. THINK FCR YOURSELF. THAT IS REALLY WHAT SCHOOL IS ALL ABOUT - NOT TO FILL YOUR MINDS WITH FACTS AND FIGURES, THOUGH THESE HAVE THEIR IMPORTANCE, BUT TO GIVE YOU EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO THINK THINGS OUT FOR YOURSELF.

+YOU’LL BE GIVEN CHANCES TO DO THIS NOT ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM BUT IN THE OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED WITHIN THE SCHOOL. THESE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT - DON’T THINK OF THEM AS JUST AMUSEMENTS, PLAYING GAMES. YOU CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT YOURSELF AND ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE BY JOINING IN AND TAKING PART.*

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SUGGESTED THAT +OLD BOYS+ OF ST. BONAVENTURE MIGHT THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE TYPE OF ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD ATTRACT FORMER STUDENTS TO JOIN A FORMER STUDENTS CLUB OR ASSOCIATION.

+YOU COULD, PERHAPS, TRY TO ORGANISE HOBBIES GROUPS OR EVEN SOME FURTHER EDUCATION OR INTEREST CLASSES. I AM SURE THE SCHOOL WOULD BE PLEASED TO HELP WITH ACCOMMODATION. YOU MIGHT GET THE TEACHING STAFF AND EVEN PARENTS INVOLVED. I AM SURE THAT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL WANT TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.

+WHAT BETTER PLACE TO DO IT THAN THEIR OWN SCHOOL, AND WITH THEIR OLD COLLEAGUES? THIS IS MERELY A SUGGESTION WHICH I OFFER TO YOU TO THINK ABOUT,+ MR. CAMERON SAID.

HE PRAISED THE SCHOOL FOR HAVING ESTABLISHED A FAIR REPUTATION.

ST. BONAVENTURE HAD CERTAINLY MADE ITS MARK EARLY IN THE LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, IN THE +KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN* CAMPAIGN AND IN THE FIELD OF SPORT.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1975

6

PLAY STREET FOR CHILDREN IN WANCHAI ******

STONE NULLAH LANE IN WAN CHAI WILL BECOME A TRAFFIC-FREE PLAY AREA EVERY SUNDAY BEGINNING THIS WEEK.

THE +PLAY STREET+ SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, WANCHAI, THE PLAYGROUNDS ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING CHILDREN IN THE AREA WITH MORE SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

THE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 2.30 P.M. AND 5.30 P.M. EVERY SUNDAY DURING WHICH TIME CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE IN GAMES ARRANGED BY THE PLAYGROUNDS ASSOCIATION.

MR. BOWEN LEUNG, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, WANCHAI, AND MR. CHAM SIU-LEUN, PRESIDENT OF THE WANCHA I CITY DISTRICT RECREATION COUNCIL, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE PLAY STREET AT 2.30 P.M. ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 16).

THE PLAYGROUNDS ASSOCIATION WILL BE THROWING A FUN FAIR FOR CHILDREN AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1975.

ACTING GOVERNOR TO ATTEND RICS ANNUAL DINNER

******

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, WILL EE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE 25TH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG HILTON TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, WILL BE ADDRESSING THE DINNER AND PROPOSING THE TOAST OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION.

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iFKlIiw) |gis| pia|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE N0‘

FENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS INVITED ..................

ACTING GOVERNOR OPENS OUTBOARD MARINE ENGINE PLANT ON

TSI NG Yl .............................................

PROCESSING OF BUILDING PLANS TO BE SPEEDED UP, SAYS

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ..............................

BILL INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE APPRENTICE TRAINING AND

REGULATE EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES ....................

OVERCHARGING BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO BE STOPPED ...... 8

CONVENTION ON ARBITRATION AWARDS TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG ....................................................... 9

NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGE HOUSES TO BE EXEMPTED FROM RATING ..................................................... 9

SCHEME OF THOUGHTFUL AND INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS AMONG

SENIOR SECONDARY PUPILS SUGGESTED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ................................................. 10

’BLITZ’ ON KWUN TONG FACTORIES BY FIRE OFFICERS ........... 11

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

TENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS INVITED K « « X «

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TODAY INVITED TENDERS FOR A MAXIMUM OF $250 MILLION NOMINAL BEARER BONDS IN DENOMINATIONS OF $20,000. INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE .6-1/2 PER CENT PER ANNUM.

FULL DETAILS OF THE TENDER WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE AND WILL APPEAR IN TOMORROW’S ENGLISH AND CHINESE NEWSPAPERS.

TENDERS FOR THE BONDS MUST BE FOR A MINIMUM OF $20,000

-- ' .... OPEN AT 10 A.M.

AND IN MULTIPLES OF $20,000. THE LIST WILL ON NOVEMBER 24 AND CLOSE AT 1 P.M. THE SAME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

DAY. LATE TENDERS

THE TENDERS WILL BE OPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSING TIME.

IN CONSIDERING TENDERS, THOSE WITH THE HIGHEST OFFERED PRICES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE AMOUNT OF BONDS ON OFFER IS ATTAINED. THIS IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT ANY OR ALL TENDERS +IN WHOLE OR IN PART+.

NO TENDER WILL BE CONSIDERED WHERE THE PRICE OFFERED

IS LESS THAN $98 PER $100. THE ISSUE PRICE WILL BE THE PRICE OF THE LOWEST TENDER OR TENDERS ACCEPTED.

IF, AFTER MAKING ALLOTMENTS TO APPLICANTS TENDERING HIGHER PRICES, TENDERS AT THE ISSUE PRICE EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF BONDS THEN AVAILABLE FOR ALLOTMENT, THE RESIDUE WILL BE ALLOTTED +IN SUCH MANNER AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THINKS FIT+.

■ INTEREST WILL BE PAID HALF YEARLY ON MAY 24 AND NOVEMBER 24 ON THE SURRENDER OF COUPONS AT THE HEAD OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.

THE BONDS WILL BE REPAID AT PAR ON NOVEMBER 24, 1980 UNLESS PREVIOUSLY CANCELLED BY PURCHASE ON THE OPEN MARKET OR BY AGREEMENT, OR UNLESS THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THE BONDS ARE ISSUED IS EXTENDED.

AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE TO THE COMMITTEES OF HONG KONG’S FOUR STOCK EXCHANGES FOR PERMISSION TO DEAL IN AND FOR A QUOTATION FOR THE BONDS.

/THE PHINTED .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1U, 1975

2

THE PRINTED APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM:-

(I) THE TREASURY REVENUE BRANCH, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG.

(II) THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-TREASURY, CAUSEWAY BAY MAGISTRACY BUILDING, ELECTRIC ROAD, HONG KONG.

(Ill) THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, 4TH FLOOR, 405, NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON.

(IV) THE- KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY 1ST FLOOR, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 348-352, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE LAST GOVERNMENT BOND ISSUE, THE 3-1/2% REHABILITATION DOLLAR LOAN, WAS MADE IN 1948. IT IS DUE FOR REPAYMENT NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 15, 1978.

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' FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

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ACTING GOVERNOR OPENS OUTBOARD MARINE ENGINE PLANT

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THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID TODAY THAT HONG KONG PROVIDES CONDITIONS WHICH OFFER VERY ATTRACTIVE TERMS TO INVESTORS AND ENABLE THEM TO MANAGE INDUSTRIES WHICH REMAIN Cf PETITIVE AND VIABLE IN ALL CONDITIONS.

SIR DENYS, WHO WAS OPENING THE NEW OUTBOARD MARINE COR.-ORATION FACTORY ON TSING Yl ISLAND, SAID THAT IN PARTICULAR THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S LOW TAX ST JCTURE AND ITS FREE PORT BENEFITS.

+WE WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW FUNDS TO BE IMPORTED AND REMITTED FREELY. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WELCOME ENTERPRISING MEN FROM OVERSEAS WHO WISH TO ESTABLISH WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, JOINT VENTURES OR LOCALLY CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS*.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP TECHNICAL EDUCATION, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, AND THE OTHER SERVICES ON WHICH INDUSTRY RELIES IF IT IS TO IMPROVE ITS PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE.

CHANGES WHICH ARE MADE TO INDUSTRIAL POLICIES WILL BE AIMED AT ASSISTING INDUSTRY AND NOT AT RESTRICTING IT.

SIR DENYS SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMY RESTS HEAVILY ON MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AND IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED AIM TO MAINTAIN CONDITIONS WHICH WILL FOSTER ITS GROWTH AND SUCCESS.

+WE MUST GIVE INDUSTRY CONFIDENCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES WILL NOT BE LIGHTLY ALTERED AND ABOVE ALL THAT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THE MAKING OF PROFITS.

+OUR ECONOMY IS BUILT UPON THEM, OUR REVENUE RELIES HEAVILY ON THEM AND WITHOUT THEM, WE COULD NOT FINANCE THE EXTENSIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE SO ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE,* HE SAID.

*

THE MAKING OF PROFITS, SIR DENYS ADDED, WAS BEST ACHIEVED BY LEAVING BUSINESS TO BUSINESSMEN AND BY IMPOSING THE MINIMUM OF INTERFERENCE WITH FREE COMPETITION.

THE NEW OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION FACTORY ON TSING Yl IS THE FIRST PLANT WHICH THE COMPANY JAS ESTABLISHED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA AND THE FIRST LARGE PLANT OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ITSELF.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

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PROCESSING OF BUILDING PLANS TO BE SPEEDED UP

THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED FOR 9 P.M. TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, ANNOUNCED THIS EVENING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO SLASH THE TIME REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL OF BUILDING Pl. ANS.

HE SAID THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WAS NOW FINALISING A f HEME WHEREBY ALL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE APPROVAL OF WILDING PROJECTS WOULD BE CO-ORDINATED THROUGH THE .it.; INGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE P.W.D., CUTTING THE tl/i flic PROCESS TO 60 DAYS OR LESS.

MR. MCDONALD TOLD THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS THAT HE HOPED TO HAVE THE SYSTEM FINALISED, APPROVED AND PUT INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD BEEN WORKING WELL BELOW ITS APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT FOR SEVERAL YFARS, AND AS A RESULT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROCESS PLANS FOR NEW BUILDINGS AS RAPIDLY AS EITHER IT OR THE DEVELOPERS WOULD HAVE WISHED.

HE SAID: +WE HAD, IN FACT, TO EXTEND THE STATUTORY PERIOD DURING WHICH PLANS OF NEW SUBMISSIONS HAD TO BE PROCESSED FROM 30 DAYS TO 60 DAYS IN ORDER TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OUR BUILDING SURVEYORS, MANY OF WHOM HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY FOR LONG PERIODS FROM THEIR ROUTINE DUTIES IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE URGENT NEED FOR INSPECTIONS OF PROPERTIES AND HILLSIDES AFTER THE 1972 RAINSTORMS.

+WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES THEY FOUND THAT A COLOSSAL BACKLOG OF SUBMISSIONS HAD DEVELOPED AND THE PROCESSING PROBLEM HAD BECOME SOMETHING OF A NIGHTMARE.

+FROM THE DEVELOPERS’ POINT OF VIEW, THE'EXTENSI ON OF THE STATUTORY PERIOD WAS NOT PARTICULARLY WELCOME AND WE SYMPATHIZED WITH THEIR VIEW, AS WE WERE WELL AWARE THAT THIS WAS YET ANOTHER DELAY IN THE LONG DRAWN-OUT PROCESS OF OBTAINING APPROVAL OF SCHEMES.+

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT BEFORE EVEN A FIRST SUBMISSION COULD.BE MADE TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, PREVIOUS APPROVAL HAD TO BE OBTAINED FROM SEVERAL OTHER OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WERE NOT CONTROLLED BY STATUTORY PROCESSING PERIODS AND THIS COULD TAKE MANY MONTHS.

/THIS SITUATION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

5

THIS SITUATION COULD HARDLY BE DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY, AND SO THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING ON WAYS TO REDUCE DRASTICALLY THE TIME REQUIRED TO OBTAIN APPROVALS.

MR. MCDONALD SA IDs +THE PROPOSAL IS BASICALLY A SINGLE SUBMISSION SYSTEM UNDER WHICH THE AUTHORIZED PERSON WILL, WHEN HE HAS COMPLETED HIS PLANS, SUBMIT SEVERAL COPIES DIRECTLY TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHICH WILL ACT AS CO-ORDINATOR, ISSUING DRAWINGS TO ALL THE VARIOUS INTERESTED GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS TO OBTAIN THEIR COMMENTS OR APPROVALS, AND CONCURRENTLY CARRYING OUT ITS OWN CHECKS.

+THE ENTIRE OPERATION WILL THEREFORE BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE STATUTORY 6O-DAY PERIOD.*

MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT AS A SEPARATE BUT LONGER-LASTING EXERCISE, THE PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING SURVEY ADVISER WAS CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO ITS COMPLETE REVISION.

+THE RECENTLY-INTRODUCED BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS 1975 HAVE PROVIDED HONG KONG WITH ITS OWN STRUCTURAL DESIGN STANDARDS, WHICH HAVE BEEN FORMULATED TO SUIT OUR RATHER UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES AND ARE A BIG STEP FORWARD IN UPDATING OUR BUILDING LAW,* HE SAID.

A FURTHER POSITIVE STEP HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN IN DEALING WITH THE VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL WORKS IN OCCUPIED BUILDINGS.

HE SAID, +THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAS EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME OF REGULARLY INSPECTING ALL NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED AFTER 31ST JULY 1975, AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS SURVEILLANCE WILL NOT ONLY PREVENT ILLEGAL WORKS FROM REACHING AN ADVANCED STAGE BUT WILL ALSO ACT AS A DETERRENT TO THOSE WHO MAY BE CONTEMPLATING SIMILAR ILLEGAL WORKS.*

MR. MCDONALD ADDED: +IT IS REALLY TOO EARLY TO REPORT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME BUT I HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT, DESPITE THE MANY OBJECTIONS THAT WILL "ARISE FROM . ENFORCEMENT ACTION, THE SCHEME WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.*

j._____________0 . . . /6.................

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

- 6 -

LEGAL BACKING FOR SKILLED MANPOWER TRAINING K « K

A BILL TO IMPROVE APPRENTICE TRAINING AND TO REGULATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF APPRENTICES IN CERTAIN TRADES IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

COMMENTING ON THE DILL THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID THAT HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELLBEING DEPENDED ON HER INDUSTRIES’ ABILITY TO SURVIVE IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE AND COMPLEX SITUATION. THIS LARGELY DEPENDED ON AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PROPERLY TRAINED SKILLED MANPOWER.

+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO HELP OUR INDUSTRIES REMAIN HEALTHY AND COMPETITIVE,* HE WENT ON +IT DOES THIS BY PROVIDING A LEGAL FRAMEWORK WHICH WILL BRING ORDER TO THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF SKILLED MANPOWER TRAINING AND ENSURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN CERTAIN +DESIGNATED TRADES* RECEIVE CORRECT ON-THE-JOB PRACTICAL TRAINING AND THE NECESSARY RELATED THEORETICAL TRAINING IN A TECHNICAL INSTITUTION.

THE BILL IS THE OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEE ON APPRENTICESHIP ON WHICH ARE REPRESENTED WORKERS AND ALL MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL APPLY TO ALL +YOUNG PERSONS AGED 14-16+ EMPLOYED IN DESIGNATED TRADES AND THEIR EMPLOYERS. THE COMMISSIONER IS EMPOWERED TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS IN CERTAIN CASES.

MR. PRICE SAID: +IT IS NOT THE INTENTION TO DESIGNATE A LARGE NUMBER OF TRADES TO BEGIN WITH. THIS WILL BE A GRADUAL PROCESS AND WILL DEPEND LARGELY ON THE ADVICE TENDERED BY THE TRAINING BOARDS. IN ADDITION THERE IS A PROVISION TO LATER RAISE THE AGE LIMIT TO 21 YEARS AND SO ULTIMATELY . INCLUDE TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES.*

UNDER THE BILL, WHICH, WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL :

(I) ADVISE AND ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF APPRENTICES,

(II) CO-OPERATE WITH TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS IN ENSURING THAT APPRENTICES OBTAIN THE NECESSARY AMOUNT OF RELATED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION,

/(III) GENERALLY .....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

(III) GENERALLY SUPERVISE THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OF APPRENTICES,

(IV) INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS FROM THE ENDEAVOUR TO SETTLE DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICES

TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER TO CARRY OUT HIS FUNCTIONS, THE DILL EMPOWERS HIM TO s -4

(I) REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING,

(II) REQUIRE AN APPRENTICE TO ATTEND A COURSE OF TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION NECESSARY FOR HIS TRAINING,

(III) REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO MAKE RETURNS AND REPORTS, .

(IV) SPECIFY THE PERIODS OF APPRENTICESHIP,

(V) TO LENGTHEN OR SHORTEN THE PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP IN CERTAIN CASES.

CONTRACTS WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ATTESTED BY THE 7fMtheSb?LLRBECO‘',ESDLAW WILL N0T BE required T0 BE re-reg ISTERED

THE BILL REQUIRES AN EMPLOYER TO GIVE A

CERTIFICATE TO A COMPLETED HIS

REGISTERED APPRENTICE WHO HAS SATISFACTORILY TRAINING. IT WILL CONTAIN A RECORD OF PRACTICAL WORK PERFORMED BY THE APPRENTICE AND THE TECHNICAL COURSE HE HAS TAKEN AND WILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PROVIDE EMPLOYERS WITH A YARDSTICK OF A WORKER’S SKILLS. THESE CERlIFICATES WHICH MUST DE COUNTERSIGNED BY THE COMMISSIONER WILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN RAISING THE STATUS

OF DLUE-COLLAR WORK.

nr„MR« PRJCE SAIDs +THERE ARE SOME EMPLOYERS WHO CANNOT ™2VlR,E,r-£A£,L,TIES F0R PR0PER TRAINING, BUT THE COMMISSIONER HAS THE POWER TO GRANT EXCEPTIONS IN CERiAIN CASES. ALL EMPLOYERS n viC?Mi6nCVEyS?lSTANCE’ IF NECESSARY, BY THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.

+l AM CONFIDENT THAT THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL WILL PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT STEP FOR THE GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE SKILLED MANPOWER SCENE IN HONG KONG.+ HE SAID.

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

FRIDAY

TO BE STOPPED

CLAIM FROM A

AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WILL BE ALLOWED TO

NOVEMBER 14, 1975

OVERCHARGING BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES * * * * *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR. IAN PRICE, SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD PREVENT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM OVER-CHARGING JOB-SEEKERS BY WAY OF +EXPENSES+ AND WOULD PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTION TO THEM.

HE POINTED OUT THA'T THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS PRESCRIBE THE FEE AND COMMISSION WHICH CAN BE CHARGED BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY.

+ON FIRST REGISTRATION A JOB SEEKER NEED ONLY PAY TO AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY A MAXIMUM OF S3 AS A FEE,+ HE SAID.

+ON RE-REGISTRATION AFTER 3 MONTHS, UP TO ANOTHER $3 MAY BE PAYABLE. IN ADDITION THE MAXIMUM COMMISSION PAYABLE TO AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY BY A JOB-SEEKER IS 10% OF THE FIRST MONTH’S WAGES AFTER SECURING EMPLOYMENT. NO OTHER CHARGES ARE PAYABLE BY A JOB SEEKER.+

MR. PRICE POINTED OUT THAT AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAY CHARGE A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER A MUTUALLY AGREED COMMISSION.

JOB SEEKER ONLY THE LEGALLY PRESCRIBED FEE AND COMMISSION, IF A BILL GAZETTED TODAY BECOMES LAW.

1

THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975, WHICH SEEKS TO REMEDY A DEFICIENCY A RECENT COURT CASE BROUGHT TO LIGHT, WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

- 9 -

CONVENTION ON ARBITRATION AWARDS TO BE EXTENDED TO H.K.

X X X X X

AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON FOREIGN ARBITRATION AWARDS IS TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG UNDER A BILL PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.1 IF APPROVED IT WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE CONVENTION - THE NEW YORK CONVENTION ON THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN ARBITRAL AWARDS - WILL BE APPLIED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WHEN THE ARBITRATION ACT 1975 COMES INTO EFFECT.

IT WAS ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION IN JUNE 1958. THE CONVENTION PROVIDES FOR THE RECOGNITION OF ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL ELEMENT- THE CONSEQUENT SUSPENSION OF COURT PROCEED INGS CONCERNING DISPUTES WHICH SHOULD BE ARBITRATED- AND THE RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES TO WHICH IT IS EXTENDED, OF ARBITRAL AWARDS MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES PARTY TO THE CONVENTION.

THE BILL PUBLISHED TODAY SEEKS TO AMEND THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ACT. THIS WILL ENABLE THE U.K. TO MAKE A DECLARATION EXTENDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG. /

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

N.T. VILLAGE HOUSES TO BE EXEMPTED FROM RATING

X X X X X X

VILLAGE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM RATING. IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNDERTAKINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, UNDER AN AMENDING BILL PUBLISHED TODAY.

THE RATING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975 ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE EXEMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND DWELLINGS WHICH ARE OCCUPIED IN CONNECTION WITH AGRICULTURAL LAND.

IN CASES WHERE A PERSON OBJECTS TO AN ASSESSMENT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE PREMISES SHOULD NOT BE RATEABLE BECAUSE IT IS A VILLAGE HOUSE, THE BILL REQUIRES THE COMMISSIONER FOR RAT NG AND VALUATION TO CONSULT THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF HIS VIEWS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

10

DISCUSSIONS ON +MAN IN SOCIETY+ SUGGESTED *«*«««

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING, TODAY MADE A SUGGESTION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS THAT THEY SHOULD INTRODUCE A SCHEME OF INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS OF ONE HOUR A WEEK ON +MAN IN SOCIETY+ FOR THEIR SENIOR PUPILS.

MR. HO SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO GIVE GUIDANCE IN APPROACHING THE CHIEF IDEAS OF OUR TIME, TO PROMOTE A THOUGHTFUL INTEREST IN LIFE IN ITS MANY ASPECTS, TO ENCOURAGE THE HABIT OF THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION AMONG THE MEMBERS OF A GROUP AND TO AFFORD SUBJECTS FOR ORAL, AND, AS THE TEACHER SAW FIT, WRITTEN COMPOSITION.

HE WAS ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE YING WA GIRLS’ SCHOOL.

MR. HO GAVE SOME GENERAL HEADINGS ON THE CONTENT OF THIS SCHEME OF DISCUSSIONS - THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG- THE ARTS, OLD AND NEW- THE ART OF LIVINGASPECTS OF DEMOCRACY- SCIENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ALLOWING THE PUPILS SOME FREEDOM IN THEIR CHOICE OF QUESTIONS, SINCE THIS WOULD ENABLE THEM TO COVER MORE GROUND.

MR. HO MADE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO ORGANISE AND CONDUCT DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE SCHEME AND SAID THAT NATURALLY, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A REASONABLE STANDARD, REGULAR TIMES SHOULD BE SET ASIDE.

+IT MIGHT DE POSSIBLE TO DOVETAIL THE DISCUSSION WORK INTO THE COMPOSITION WORK OF THE CLASS. PUPILS SHOULD HAVE AN EXERCISE BOOK IN WHICH THEY ENTER THEIR NOTES AND EXERCISES, OCCASIONAL ASSIGNMENTS BEING WRITTEN OUT MORE FORMALLY IN A SEPARATE BOOK.+

BUT HE CAUTIONED THAT GREAT CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT TO DEVOTE TOO MUCH TIME TO THE TECHNICALITIES OF COMPOSITION OTHERWISE THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS ACTIVITY -.STIMULATING INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS RELATED TO MAN IN SOCIETY -WOULD BE DEFEATED.

MR. HO ALSO OUTLINED SOME SIMPLE DIRECTIONS WHICH SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CLASS REGARDING THE TECHNIQUE OF ADDRESSING AN AUDIENCE AND THE PROCEDURE IN A FORMAL DEBATE.

PUPILS SHOULD BE WARNED AGAINST SUCH MISTAKES AS: NOT KEEPING THEIR EYES ON THE AUDIENCE- LOOKING AT ONE INDIVIDUAL ONLY- TALKING TOO FAST- DROPPING THEIR VOICE TO THE POINT OF INAUDIBILITY.

/IN ADVOCATIEG ......

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1975

- 11

IN ADVOCATING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME OF DISCUSSIONS, MR. HO SAID HE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE HEAVY WORK-LOAD OF THE SENIOR PUPILS OF, SECONDARY SCHOOLS SUCH AS PREPARING FOR THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.

+NEVERTHELESS, WHERE THE PUPILS ARE NOT TOO EXAMINATION-ORIENTED, IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE FOR SCHOOLS TO TRY IT OUT -IF NOT AS PART OF THEIR WEEKLY TIME-TABLE, AT LEAST AS A REGULAR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY,+ HE SAID.

MR. HO WAS SURE THAT IF THE DISCUSSION PROGRAMME WAS WELL PLANNED AND WELL CONDUCTED AND THE PUPILS REGARDED IT AS AN +EYE-OPENER+, SUCCESS COULD EASILY BE ACHIEVED, PARTICULARLY AS NO TESTS OR EXAMINATIONS WERE INVOLVED.

- - 0 - -

’’BLITZ” ON KWUN TONG FACTORIES BY FIRE OFFICERS

* K * *

OFFICERS OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU CARRIED OUT A ’’BLITZ” ON FACTORIES IN WAI YIP STREET, KWUN TONG, YESTERDAY AS PART OF THE CURRENT INDUSTRIAL FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

THE OPERATION WAS LED BY DIVISIONAL OFFICER, A TOTAL OF 310 FACTORIES WAS VISITED AND 108 FIRE NOTICES ISSUED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT NOTICES REQUIRED THE FIRE HAZARDS TO BE PUT RIGHT STIPULATED PERIOD OR COURT ACTION MIGHT RESULT.

KEN HODGKINS.

HAZARD ABATEMENT

SAID THAT THE WITHIN A

+THE FIRE HAZARDS WERE FOUND TO BE RELATED ENTIRELY TO BLOCKAGES OF STAIRCASES AND LIFT LOBBIES. IT'IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE NEED FOR FACTORY MANAGEMENTS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES,+ HE SAID. HE POINTED OUT THAT SUBSTANTIAL FINES COULD BE IMPOSED IN CASES WHERE FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES ARE NOT OBEYED.

MORE ’’BLITZES” ARE PLANNED IN FACTORY AREAS IN THE COMING MONTHS, HE WARNED.

0 - -

4000035 P.R. 33

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

NFORMATION

SERVICES

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE ^CTING GOVERNOR, SIH DENYS ROBERTS

AT THE OPENING OF THE OUTBOiJU) MARINE CORPORATION FACTORY ON 14TH NOVEMBER, 1975

Mr. Evinrude, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Governor has asked me to say how sorry he is that he is unable to be here himself today to offioiate at the opening of this factory, for he regards it as an important occasion.

Of qourse, scores of new factories open every year in Hong Kong.

Most of them are small and many are designed to produce well tried, traditional goods. More and more of them, however, are seeking to break out of the industrial fetters of the past and to move from simple products to those which demand a higher level of technology. The Outboard Marine Corporation is not only a splendid example of this new enterprise, but it represents new policies for Hong Kong and for your distinguished company.

It is the first example of cur special procedure for making land available for selected industries which, by their nature, cannot be located in tall buildings and which depend upon a high level of capital investment per worker and a more skilled labour force.

For the Outboard Marine Corporation, also, this factory involves a major change in policy. It is the first plant which you have established outside the United States, Europe and Australia, and the first large plant outside the United States itself. z*nd it was more than a change in policy, it was an expression of faith, not only in your own judgment but in the future stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Generally speaking, I daresay that both the Hong Kong Government and the Outboard Marine Corporation prefer well-tried and proven policies. We do not believe in introducing changes until the advantages of doing so /have been •••••••

2

have been clearly demonstrated. But once a change of course has been shown to be necessary, we take the new road with vigour and determination. Perhaps it is the principle, more than any other, which has been the mainspring of the success of your company and of this territory.

The Hong Kong economy rests heavily on manufacturing industry. So it is the Government’s declared aim to maintain conditions which will foster its growth and success. We must give industry confidence that the Government’s policies will not be lightly altered and above all that we shall continue to encourage the making of profits.

Let me assure you, and all those who may be minded to launch new enterprises here, that we believe in profits. Our economy is built upon them, our revenue relies heavily on them, and without them we could not finance the extensive social programmes which are so essential to our future. We believe that the making of profits is best achieved by leaving business to businessmen and by imposing the minimum of interference with free competition.

In the past, it followed from these beliefs that industrial land should be sold by auction to the highest bidder. When your company informed us that you were interested in establishing a plant in Hong Kong, but only if you could put it on Tsing Yi Island and only if the price of the land was acceptable, we realized that we could only meet these requirements if our basic methods of land sales were changed, because other companies, able to operate from multi-storey buildings, would almost certainly have outbid you in an open auction, had they been allowed to compete. This involved a major alteration to past policies, which had generally served us well, and the acceptance of new principles which would permit private enterprise to bid for sites on a restricted user basis. It took us a long time to decide in favour of this ►

new system and some times you may have felt that we were taking an inordinately long time to make up our minds. If this was a fair criticism, I nevertheless hope that you may have derived some reassurance from the care with which we considered the matter. This measured pace provides a guarantee that we do

/not lightly .....

5

not lightly change any policy if the results might prejudice free enterprise, free trade and free competition.

We believe that Hong Kong provides conditions which offer very attractive terms to investors and will enable them to manage industries which renain competitive and viable in all conditions. In particular, the Government is determined to maintain our low tax structure and our free port benefits. We will continue to allow funds to be imported and remitted freely, And we will continue to welcome enterprising men from overseas who wish to establish wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures or locally controlled corporations.

Perhaps I should make it clear that our disinclination to interfere with the conduct of business does not mean that we are unwilling to help. We shall continue to develop technical education, industrial training,and those other services on which industry relies, if it is to improve its productivity and performance. In the future, as in the past, changes which are made to our industrial policies will be aimed at assisting industry and not at restricting it.

I have no doubt Mr. Evinrude that your executives will maintain the close and friendly relationships which you have already established with the Government, and particularly with the Commerce and Industry Department. We are ilways ready to provide to industry whatever assistance is within our power. And when you do not need our help we will leave you alone to get on with the business of making marine engines, to our mutual advantage.

Your company is a welcome member of our cosmopolitan community. We will do our best to provide you with the skilled labour and services which you require. Wo shall continue to improve internal communications, technical education and the total environment within which you, and the rest of Hong Kong industry, can operate to the maximum effectiveness. Within such an environment, I am sure that Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines will be produced profitably, and at the same high level of quality which has made them famous throughout the world.

/tie are.........

4

We are delighted and privileged to count O.M.C, as your company has already become affectionately known here, as one of us. We welcome you to our community and hope that you will enjoy your share of the future success and prosperity of this remarkable place.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to declare this building open.

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

4000035 P.R. 33

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

NFORMATION

SERVICES

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIB DENYS ROBERTS .hT THE OPENING OF THE OUTBOikRD FLJUNE CORPORATION FACTORY ON

14?H NOVEMBER, 1975

Mr. Evinrude, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Governor has asked me to say how sorry he is that he is unable to be here himself today to officiate at the opening of this factory, for he regards it as an important occasion.

Of course, scores of new factories open every year in Hong Kong.

Most of them are small and many are designed to produce well tried, traditional goods. More and more of them, however, are seeking to break out of the industrial fetters of the past and to move from simple products to those which demand a higher level of technology. The Outboard Marine Corporation is not only a splendid example of this new enterprise, but it represents new policies for Hong Kong and for your distinguished company.

It is the first example of cur special procedure for making land available for selected industries which, by their nature, cannot be located

in tall buildings and which depend upon a high level of capital investment per worker and a more skilled labour force.

For the Outboard Marine Corporation, also, this factory involves a major change in policy. It is the first plant which you have established outside the United States, Europe and Australia, and the first large plant outside the United States itself, «nd it was more than a change in policy, it was an expression of faith, not only in your own judgment but in the future stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Generally speaking, I daresay that both the Hong Kong Government

and the Outboard Marine Corporation prefer well-tried and proven policies.

We do not believe in introducing changes until the advantages of doing so

have been

2

have been clearly demonstrated. But once a change of course has been shown to be necessary, we take the new road with vigour and determination. Perhaps it is the principle, more than any other, which has been the mainspring of the success of your company and of this territory.

The Hong Kong economy rests heavily on manufacturing industry. So it is the Government’s declared aim to maintain conditions which will foster its growth and success. We must give industry confidence that the Government’s policies will not be lightly altered and above all that we shall continue to encourage the making of profits.

Let me assure you, and all those who may be minded to launch new enterprises here, that we believe in profits. Our economy is built upon them, our revenue relies heavily on them, and without them we could not finance the extensive social programmes which are so essential to our future. We believe that the making of profits is best achieved by leaving business to businessmen and by imposing the minimum of interference with free competition.

In the past, it followed from these beliefs that industrial land should be sold by auction to the highest bidder. When your company informed us that you were interested in establishing a plant in Hong Kong, but only if you could put it on Tsing Yi Island and only if the price of the land was acceptable, we realized that we could only meet these requirements if our basic methods of land sales were changed, because other companies, able to operate from multi-storey buildings, would almost certainly have outbid you in an open auction, had they been allowed to compete. This involved a major alteration to past policies, which had generally served us well, and the acceptance of new principles which would permit private enterprise to bid for sites on a restricted user basis. It took us a long time to decide in favour of this new system and some times you may have felt that we were taking an inordinately long time to make up our minds. If this was a fair criticism, I nevertheless hope that you may have derived some reassurance from the care with which we considered the matter. This measured pace provides a guarantee that we do

/not lightly .....

5

not lightly change any policy if the results might prejudice free enterprise, free trade and free competition.

We believe that Hong Kong provides conditions which offer very attractive terms to investors and will enable them to manage industries which remain competitive and viable in all conditions. In particular, the Government is determined to maintain our low tax structure and our free port benefits. We will continue to allow funds to be imported and remitted freely. And we will continue to welcome enterprising men from overseas who wish to establish wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures or locally controlled corporations.

Perhaps I should make it clear that our disinclination to interfere with the conduct of business does not mean that we are unwilling to help. We shall continue to develop technical education, industrial training,and those other services on which industry relies, if it is to improve its productivity and performance. In the future, as in the past, changes which are made to our industrial policies will be aimed at assisting industry and not at restricting it.

I have no doubt Mr. Evinrude that your executives will maintain the close and friendly relationships which you have already established with the Government, and particularly with the Commerce and Industry Department. We are always ready to provide to industry whatever assistance is within our power, /aid when you do not need our help we will leave you alone to get on with the business of making marine engines, to our mutual advantage.

Your company is a welcome member of our cosmopolitan community. We will do our best to provide you with the skilled labour and services which you require. Wo shall continue to improve internal communications, technical education and the total environment within which you, and the rest of Hong Kong industry, can operate to the maximum effectiveness. Within such an environment, I am sure that Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines will be produced profitably, and at the same high level of quality which has made them famous throughout the world.

/He are .....

4

We are delighted and privileged to count O.M.C, as your company has already become affectionately known here, as one of us. We welcome you to our community and hope that you will enjoy your share of the future success and prosperity of this remarkable place.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to declare this building open.

- - 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

EDUCATION MUST BE FLEXIBLE AND DYNAMIC TO MEET CHANGES 0- PRESENT AGE, SAYS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ...... 1

COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT URGES DRIVERS TO HELP ■ REDUCE ROAD ACCIDENTS .................................. 3

NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS HARCOURT ROAD .................... 4

LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS .................... 5

SECTION OF POKFULAM ROAD TO BE WIDENED...................6

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

4 • - *

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1975

1

FLEXIBLE AND DYNAMIC EDUCATION TO « if if if

MEET CHALLENGES OF PRESENT AGE if if

EDUCATION MUST BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE AND DYNAMIC TO SERVE A CONSTAN ILY CHANGING, COMPLEX AND INTER-DEPENDENT WORLD, AND YET RETAIN THE VALUES WHICH HAVE SURVIVED THE TEST OF CHANGING SOCIAL ORDERS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PROFESSIONAL), MR. HO NGA-MING, TOLD THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION THIS AFTERNOON.

THIS FLEXIBILITY WAS TO MEE I THE CHALLENGES IN THE PRESENT AGE OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL CHANGE.

+THE NUCLEAR AGE, THE WELFARE STATE, NEW FORMS OF MASS COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORT, AND THE EXPLORATIONS OF OUTER SPACE ALL PRESENT CHALLENGES TO ACCEPTED PATTERNS OF LIVING AND BEHAVIOUR,* MR. HO SAID.

AS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRESSIVELY CHANGED THE FORMS OF LIVING AND WORKING IN HOIJG KOIJG, MORE AND MORE CHILDREN WOULD FACE A VOCATIONAL FUTURE INVOLVING THE MONOTONY AND ROUTINE OF MASS PRODUCilON AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED LEISURE.

+ IT IS THEREFORE AN IMPORTANT TASK OF THE SCHOOL TO ENRICH THE CHILD’S AESTHETIC EXPERIENCE BY EXPOSING HIM TO THE FIRST-RATE IN LITERAlURE, MUSIC, ART AND CRAFT AND BY PROMOTING HIS ZESTFUL PARTICIPATION IN A VARIETY OF FORMS OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION,* MR. HO SAID.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR SPOKE ABOUT THE TEACHER’S THREEFOLD DUTY FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL POINT OF VIEW.

HE SAID THE FIRST AND RATHER OBVIOUS DUTY OF THE TEACHER WAS TO EXPLAIN THE CHILD’S ENVIRONMENT. THE CURRICULUM SHOULD BE SO DESIGNED AS lO INTERPRET THE ENVIRONMENT TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS WHO WERE GROWING UP IN IT.,

MR. HO ADDED : +THE TEACHER’S FIRST DUTY IS TO HELP THEM REALISE WHAT LIES AROUND THEM IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT BECOMES AN EFFECHVt PART OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE. BUT THE TEACHER HAS ALSO A SECOND DUTY, PERHAPS LESS OBVIOUS BUT CERTAINLY NO LESS IMPORTANT" THAT IS, TO SUPPLY WHAT IS LACKING IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

+IN MORE POSITIVE TERMS, PARTS OF THE CURRICULUM SHOULD COMPLETE THE ENVIRONMENT SO THAT THE CHILD’S GROWTH AS A WHOLE MAY BE HARMONIOUS AND WELL-BALANCED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHILD BROUGHT UP IN THE CITY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IGNORANT OF THE LIFE AND VALUES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE" NEITHER SHOULD THE VILLAGE CHILD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IGNORANT OF THE LIFE AND VALUES OF THE CITY.

/♦THE Till rd...

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1975

- 2 -

+THE THIRD DUTY, LESS EASY TO RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, BUT IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE WAY OF LIFE OF THE SCHOOL, IS THAT OF HELPING THE PUPILS TO RESIST THOSE INFLUENCES IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH ARE HARMFUL, SUCH AS GAMBLING DRUG ADDICTION, HOOLIGANISM AND OTHER SOCIAL ILLS. WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THIS THREEFOLD DUTY, WE CAN READILY SEE HOW TAXING, YET REWARDING, THE TEACHER’S TASK IS,+ HE SAID.

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR REITERATED THAT TEACHERS WERE THE ' PROPS OF AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

HE WAS STRESSING THIS POINT AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG WAS EMBARKING ON AN IMPORTANT PHASE OF ‘EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WHEN IT WAS FACING A VARIETY OF YOUTH PROBLEMS.

MR. HO EMPHASISED THAT +THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND THE PROPER NURTURE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TO BENEFIT FROM THEM MUST DEPEND LARGELY ON THE PERSONAL QUALITIES OF THE TEACHERS, THEIR PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND THEIR SKILL.

+l MAY GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THAT THE TEACHER IS AN AGENT OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE IS TO CARRY OUT HIS WORK AND THAT THE RIGHT EDUCATION OF THE TEACHER WILL PROVE ONE OF THE MOST FRUITFUL MEANS OF ADJUSTING EDUCATIONAL PROCEDURE TO THE NEEDS OF SOCIETY.*

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5

Saturday, November 15, 1975

DRIVERS URGED TO HELP REDUCE ROAD ACCIDENTS M * « « * *

THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR. IAN MACPHERSON, SAID TODAY MANY OF THE ROAD ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG OCCURRED WHEN A VEHICLE WAS MANOEUVRING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.

MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS, HE SAID, STEM FROM THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER EITHER MISJUDGES HIS WIDTH, DISTANCE OR SPEED, OR THAT HE IS UNAWARE OF THE DANGERS OF DRIVING IN RESTRICTED CONDITIONS.

MR. MACPHERSON WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE . PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE SAFE AND SKILLED DRIVING COMPETITION HELD AT THE SEK KONG AIRSTRIP.

THE COMPETITION, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A +MEANINGFUL AND ENJOYABLE EVENT+, WAS ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH ARMY MOTORING ASSOCIATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS PART OF THE CURRENT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

CONGRATULATING THE WINNERS AND COMPETITORS ON THEIR HIGH STANDARD DISPLAYED, MR. MACPHERSON SAID: +IN TODAY’S COMPETITION, YOU HAV.E BEEN TESTED ON JUDGING WIDTH, DISTANCE AND SPEED WHEN DRIVING IN RESTRICTED CONDITIONS.+

+IF YOU THINK OF THE CONES AND BARRIERS YOU HAVE USED ON THE COMPETITION TODAY AS PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AND REMAIN AWARE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED WITH DRIVING, YOU WILL ALL EE DOING YOUR BIT TOWARDS REDUCING THE ROAD ACCIDENT FIGURES IN HONG KONG,+ HE SAID.

THE PENALTIES FOR ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD, HE ADDED, ARE NOT THE LOSS OF POINTS, BUT MAY BE LOSS OF LIFE.

0

A

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1.5, 1975

4

NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS HARCOURT ROAD

WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE NEXT MONTH ON A NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS HARCOURT ROAD OPPOSITE HUTCHISON HOUSE TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIANS THERE WITH AN IMPROVED AND PERMANENT ELEVATED ROAD

THE NEW BRIDGE, WHICH WILL BE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE, WILL BE LOCATED SLIGHTLY TO THE EAST OF THE EXISTING TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGE BUILT THERE ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

ON COMPLETION OF THE PERMANENT FOOTBRIDGE, FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE PULLED DOWN.

THE TEMPORARY

REGARDING THE NEED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE WITH A PERMANENT ONE, THE CHIEF ENGINEER, CONSULTANTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, MR. C.K. CHOW, SAID TODAY THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIANS WISHING TO CROSS HARCOURT ROAD NEAR THE JUNCTION OF MURRAY ROAD SINCE THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITES BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE.

HE SAID THAT IT WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED DESIRABLE THAT A PERMANENT FOOTBRIDGE BE CONSTRUCTED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF PEDESTRIANS.

THE NEW FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH WILL CONSIST OF TWO SPANS OF APPROXIMATELY 23 METRES EACH, IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1975

LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS

* K H «

TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED NEXT WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 19) IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, KOWLOON, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

EASTBOUND THROUGH TRAFFIC ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, WHICH AT PRESENT HAS TO CROSS TAI PO ROAD, WILL BE DIVERTED INTO A NEW CARRIAGEWAY BEFORE REACHING TAI PO ROAD.

THE SIGNAL-CONTROLLED JUNCTION BETWEEN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND NAM CHEONG STREET IS TO BE RELOCATED 60 YARDS TO THE EAST.

WESTBOUND THROUGH TRAFFIC ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONTO A NEW ALIGNMENT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE NEW SIGNAL-CONTROLLED JUNCTION.

WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD APPROACHING TAI WOR PING ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED DOWN NAM CHEONG STREET TO THE ROUNDABOUT AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CORNWALL STREET FROM WHERE IT MAY RETURN TO NAM CHEONG STREET TO JOIN TAI WOR PING ROAD.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, FROM 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 18), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE AUTHORISED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER NAM FUNG ROAD AND THE SECTION OF DEEP WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN SHOUSON HILL ROAD AND WONG NE I CHUNG GAP ROAD.

THE PROHIBITION IS INTENDED TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC FLOW. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO INDICATE THE PROHIBITION.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1975

- 6 -

SECTION OF POKFULAM ROAD TO BE WIDENED If if « * « «

THE TWO-LANE SECTION OF POKFULAM ROAD BETWEEN MOUNT ROAD AND QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL IS TO BE WIDENED TO IMPROVE FLOW IN THE AREA.

DAVIS

TRAFFIC

MR. S.C. CHEN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE P.W.D.’S HIGHWAYS (H.K.) DIVISION, SAID TODAY THAT THE WIDENING WORK, WHICH FORMED PART OF THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR POKFULAM ROAD, WOULD BEGIN IM JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

OUTLINING THE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT, MR. CHEN SAID THAT THE WIDENED SECTION OF THE ROAD, WHICH WAS ABOUT 800 METRES LONG, WOULD BECOME A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WITH TWO LANES IN EACH DIRECTION.

ON EITHER SIDE THERE WOULD BE A TWO-METRE-WIDE PAVEMENT, AND THERE WOULD ALSO BE A NUMBER OF BUS BAYS AND LAY-BYS ALONG

TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE WIDENED SECTION OF THE ROAD, FLOWER BEDS AND SITTING-OUT BENCHES WOULD BE PROVIDED ALONG THE ROADSIDE, MR. CHEN SAID.

HE PREDICTED THAT THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WOULD NOT ONLY RELIEVE THE PRESENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION, BUT ALSO ENSURE A SMOOTH FLOW OF EMERGENCY TRAFFIC TO AND FROM QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.

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F?RH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1975

NEW BAGGAGE-HANDLING SYSTEM FOR AIRPORT w a « h « »

AN IMPROVED BAGGAGE-HANDLING SYSTEM IS TO BE PROVIDED FOR PASSENGERS ARRIVING AT HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ELIMINATING DELAYu FOR INCOMING PASSENGERS.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW ARRIVAL BAGGAGE-HANDLING SYSTEM II! THE BASEMENT OF THE AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING EXTENSION, THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHICH IS NOW IN AH ADVANCED STAGE. THE EXTENSION CONSISTS OF THREE FLOORS, EACH MEASURING 84,000 SQUARE FEET.

LAST MONTH, THE DEPARTMENT CALLED TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A SEMI-AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO HANDLE AND SORT BAGGAGE FOR DEPARTING AIR PASSENGERS.

MR. JACK WALLACE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ELECTRICAL AND ’ECHAGICAL ENGINEER OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THE INSTALLATION OF THE TWO BAGGAGE SYSTEMS, SAID TODAY THE ARRIVAL SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE THREE-STOREY EXTENSION WOULD EE CAPABLE OF TRANSFERRING BAGGAGE AT THE RATE CF ABOUT 3-000 ITEMS AN HOUR TO THE +RECLAIM HALL+ OU THE GROUND FLOOR FOR COLLECTION DY PASSENGERS.

THE EXISTING SYSTEM IN THE TERMINAL BUILDING PROPER HAS A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 2,500 ITEMS AN HOUR, AND MR. WALLACE SAID THAT TOGETHER THE TWO SYSTEMS SHOULD REMOVE WHAT IS OFT EH A MAJOR CAUSE OF DELAY FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS.

INSTALLATION OF THE NEW ARRIVAL BAGGAGE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR, AT THE SAME TIME AS THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW DEPARTURE BAGGAGE HANDLING AND SORTING SYSTEM.

BOTH SYSTEMS WERE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 1977 TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE $33 MILLION TERMINAL BUILDING EXTENSION.

MR. WALLACE SAID THE SEMI-AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO HANDLE AND SORT BAGGAGE FOR DEPARTING AIR PASSENGERS WOULD INITIALLY BE CAPABLE OF TRANSFERRING 3,000 ITEMS OF BAGGAGE PER HOUR FROM THE CHECK-IN COUNTERS IN THE DEPARTURE HALL TO THE BAGGAGE MARSHALLING AREA IN THE BASEMENT OF THE BUILDING.

LATER, THE HANDLING CAPACITY OF THE SYSTEM WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 6,000 ITEMS OF BAGGAGE PER HOUR -EQUIVALENT TO AH HOURLY THROUGHPUT OF 3,000 PASSENGERS.

THIS WOULD BE ABOUT THREE TIMES THE CAPACITY OF THE PRESENT MANUAL SYSTEM, WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED III 1962 AND WAS NOW OPERATING ABOVE DESIGNED CAPACITY.

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

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1975

2

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU INSPECTIONS IN OCTOBER H IH * M If

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT INSPECTED ANOTHER 112 VEHICLES LICENSED TO CARRY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND COMPRESSED GASES IN OCTOBER AS A MEASURE TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS OF VEHICLES CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS.

THIS BRINGS INSPECTION SINCE ANNUAL LICENSING INTRODUCED.

TO 336 THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE APRIL WHEN NEW REGULATIONS INVOLVING THE OF DANGEROUS GOODS CARRYING VEHICLES WERE

DURING THE MONTH, A TOTAL OF 6,692 COMPLAINTS WERE INVESTIGATED. OF WHICH 5,412 RELATED TO MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM BUILDINGS. ANOTHER 1,106 INSPECTIONS ON MEANS OF ESCAPE WERE CARRIED OUT WHICH DID NOT ARISE FROM COMPLAINTS.

IHERE WERE 718 INSPECTIONS MADE ON PREMISES LICENSED TO STORE OR MANUFACTURE DANGEROUS GOODS= 1,811 INSPECTIONS ON FACTORIES AND 351 INSPECTIONS ON PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY.

BUREAU OFFICERS INVESTIGATED ELEVEN FIRES IN DEPTH.

OTHER INSPECTIONS WERE: FIR^ SERVICES INSTALLATIONS (386) NEON SIGNS (7), SCHOOLS (373), TIMBER YARDS AND STORAGE (29), VENTILATION SYSTEMS (216) AND MISCELLANEOUS (180).

IN ADDITION, BUREAU STAFF FINALISED 441 PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING PROJECTS^ AND ISSUED AND RENEWED A TOTAL OF 277 DANGEROUS GOODS AND TIMBER STORES LICENCES.

MORE THAN 300 FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICES WERE ISSUED, AND 86 PROSECUTIONS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WERE UNDERTAKEN RESULTING IN THE IMPOSITION OF FINES AMOUNTING $28,550.

/3 ....

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1975

3 -

ANOTHER HOUSING ESTATE FOR N.T M K K K K K

WORK WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR ON THE FIRST STAGE OF A NEW UBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AT SHUN LEE TSUEN IN THE CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD/ANDERSON ROAD AREA.

TENDERS FOR THE WORK ARE NOW BEING CALLED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

THE CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE, MR. JOSEPH LEI, SAID TODAY STAGE ONE OF THE PROJECT WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES, THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY. HE SAID IT INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3O-STOREY, CRUCIFORM TYPE OF DOMESTIC BLOCK,TOGETHER WITH TWO ADJOINING LOW BLOCKS, EACH TWO STOREYS HIGH.

DESIGNED TO CATER FOR FAMILIES COMPRISING FOUR TO NINE PEOPLE, THE 33-STOREY HOUSING BLOCK WOULD HAVE NEARLY 1,390 SELF-CONTAINED ' UNITS. ON COMPLETION, IT WOULD PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 8,900 PEOPLE.

MR. LEI SAID THAT THE LOW BLOCKS WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE FACILITIES NECESSARY FOR A BALANCED COMMUNITY IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE. THESE INCLUDED ACCOMMODATION FOR SHOPS, AN ESTATE OFFICE, AND A KINDERGARTEN.

HE SAID THAT PHASE ONE DEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. THE SECOND PHASE OF STAGE ONE WOULD BEGIN IN ABOUT APRIL NEXT YEAR.

WORK IN PHASE TWO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF ANOTHER 30-STOREY CRUCIFORM TYPE DOMESTIC BLOCK WITH 1,390 SELF-CONTAINED UNITS AND A SEVEN-STOREY DOMESTIC BLOCK WITH 228 UNITS.

ALSO TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THIS PHASE WOULD BE A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, A MULTI-STOREY CAR-PARK AND PREMISES FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.

ALTOGETHER, THE TWO CRUCIFORM BLOCKS AND THE SEVEN-STOREY BLOCKS WOULD PROVIDE HOUSING FOR ABOUT 19,400 PEOPLE WHEN COMPLETED.

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PRH 7

l-H CIS

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT URGES THE PUBLIC TO TAKE CARE WHEN USING ROOM HEATERS ........................... 1

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON THIS WEDNESDAY ............... 2

FIFTY-FIVE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED LAST MONTH .......... 2

NEW CANTONESE TEXTBOOK ON SALE AT $40 A COPY ........... 3

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ANNUAL SPORTS AND FETE DAY ON THURSDAY ............................................... 4

RESERVOIRS 97 PER CENT OF FULL CAPACITY ................ 4

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1975

1 -

TAKE CARE WHEN USING ROOM HEATERS a if- a it

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF COOLER, DRIER WEATHER, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING PORTABLE HEATERS IN THEIR HOMES AND PLACES OF WORK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN KEROSENE AND ELECTRIC ROOM HEATERS CAME INTO WIDE USE AN) .HEN FIRES WERE LIKELY TO OCCUR BECAUSE A FEW SIMPLE SAFETY RULES WERE OVERLOOKED.

+A COMMON CAUSE OF FIRES ARISING FROM THE USE OF ROOM HEATERS IS THROUGH PLACING THEM IN UNSUITABLE LOCATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN STATED. THESE INCLUDES AREAS CLOSE TO INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR MATERIALS, OR WHERE CHILDREN PLAY.

+BEFORE TURNING ON ANY TYPE OF HEATER,* HE SAID, +IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THOUGHT BE GIVEN TO WHICH IS THE SAFEST SPOT TO PUT IT. KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM CURTAINS OR BEDDING MATERIALS AND ALSO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT TOO CLOSE TO UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE. SATISFY YOURSELF FULLY THAT IT CANNOT BE KNOCKED OVER BY PLAYING CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PEOPLE.*

HE SAID A NUMBER OF KEROSENE HEATER FIRES WERE CAUSED BY FILLING OR MOVING THEM WHILE STILL BURNING CR OVERFILLING THEM. +THIS CAN BE HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND HAS RESULTED IN DEATHS AND INJURIES,* HE STATED.

HE RECOMMENDED THAT IF POSSIBLE, ALL HEATERS SHOULD BE SCREWED TO THE FLOOR.

AS REGARDS ELECTRIC HEATERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE WERE SOMETIMES TURNED ON BLINDLY WITHOUT FIRST MAKING SURE IHEY WERE WELL AWAY FROM COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS C.l PRODUCTS. ALSO, WIRES WERE OFTEN PLUGGED INTO ADAPTORS OPERATING OlflER ELEClRICAL APPLIANCES, RESULTING IN THE WIRING BECOMING' OVERHEATED.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED THAT BEFORE TURNING ON A ROOM HEATER FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WINTER, IT SHOULD BE GIVEN A THOROUGH INSPECTION TO ENSURE THAT IT IS CLEAN AND I HA I ANY PLUGS, LEADS OR WICKS ARE IN GOOD CONDITIONS. HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT DURING THE CURRENT DRY WEATHER, iHER.E IS A TWO TO FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN THE CHANCES OF FIRE. <

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1975

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON K H K # ft K

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON WILL BE SEEN IN HONG KONG DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 19) MORNING PROVIDED THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FAVOURABLE.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE INITIAL PHASES OF THE ECLIPSE UNTIL SUNRISE ON THE SAME DAY.

+THE ECLIPSE IS BEST OBSERVED FROM HIGH GROUNDS WHERE THERE ARE HO OBSTRUCTIONS TO THE WEST,+ HE POINTED CUT. ’

DETAILS OF THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE LUNAR ECLIPSE ARE AS ■ FOLLOWS:

MOON ENTERS PENUMDRA NOVEMBER 19 3.26 A.M.

MOON ENTERS UMBRA NOVEMBER 19 4.39 A.M.

TOTAL ECLIPSE BEGINS 'NOVEMBER 19 6.03 A.M.

MIDDLE OF THE ECLIPSE NOVEMBER 19 6.23 A.M.

6.33 A.M

NOVEMBER 19

SUNRISE IN HONGKONG

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BUILDING PLANS APPROVED H * H K «

FIFTY-FIVE BUILDING PLANS WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE LAST MONTH — ELEVEN MORE THAN IN SEPTEMBER.

OF THESE, 18 WERE FOR BUILDINGS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 19 FOR KOWLOON AND 18 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THESE INCLUDED ONE FOR A NINE-STOREY LOW-COST HOUSING PROJECT IN TAI HANG SAI AND ONt FOR A SCHOOL ON LANTAU ISLAND. THE OTHER PLANS WERE MOSTLY FOR COMMERCIAL AND APARTMENT BLOCKS.

IN THE SAME MONTH, OCCUPATION PERMITS WERE ISSUED TO 44 BUILDINGS. THE DECLARED VALUE OF THESE BUILDINGS AMOUNTED TO $199 MILLION.

IN ADDITION, APPROVAL WAS GIVEN FOR 56 NEW BUILDING PROJECTS TO BEGIN WORK AND FOR 22 BUILDINGS TO BE DEMOLISHED.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 197

- 3 -

NEW CANTONESE TEXTBOOK ft ft % ft ft

VOLUME I OF THE TWO-VOLUME +ADVANCED CANTONESE+, THE LAST OF A TRILOGY OF CANTONESE TEXTBOOKS WRITTEN BY HR. SIDNEY LAU OF THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION, IS NOW ON SALE AT MO A COPY. VOLUME II WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.

IN THE TWO VOLUMES, THERE ARE SEVEN UNITS WITH 30 LESSONS. THE FOUR UNITS IN VOLUME I DEAL WITH THE SUBJECTS OF +CLOTHING+, +FOOD+, +HOUSING+ AND +TRAVEL+, AND THE THREE OTHER UNITS IN VOLUME II DISCUSS +ECONOMY+, +LAW AND ORDER+ AND +EDUCATION+.

THE +DIALOGUE+ OF EACH LESSON PROGRESSES ALONG THE LINES OF A SITUATION IN WHICH THE CANTONESE LANGUAGE CAN BE’SEEN IN ACTION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EVERYDAY LIFE IN HONG KONG.

STUDENTS CAN TRY TO IMAGINE THEMSELVES AS NO LONGER IN THE CLASSROOM OR LANGUAGE LABORATORY STUDYING SYNTAX AND GRAMMAR, BUT RATHER AS MOVING FREELY AMONG THE RANK AND FILE OF LOCAL CANTONESE PEOPLE, OBSERVING THEIR REACTIONS IN TIMES OF ELATION OR DISAPPOINTMENT, AND SHARING SOME OF THEIR UNIQUE PROBLEMS.

+ADVANCED CANTONESE VOL. 1+ HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED INTO NEW LANGUAGE COURSES, JUST AS THE AUTHOR’S ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE CANTONESE BOOKS HAVE FORMED THE BASIC MATERIAL FOR TRAINING COURSES ORGANISED IN THE GOVERNMENT TRAINING DIVISION.

THE BOOK CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, AND AT LEADING BOOKSELLERS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. ■

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4 -

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1975

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL ANNUAL SPORTS AND FETE DAY H M K K * H

CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL SPORTS AND FETE DAY ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 20).

MORE THAN 1,000 PATIENTS, MEMBERS OF THE STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES AND VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE ONE-DAY EVENT, TO BE HELD IN THE SPORTS FIELD OF THE HOSPITAL BEGINNING AT ID ,A.M.

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A TUG-OF-WAR, WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE AFTERNOON. MORE THAN 100 PATIENTS, DOCTORS

NURSES AND OTHER STAFF HAVE ENTERED FOR VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.

THE BAND OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE WILL PROVIDE

-US IC IN BETWEEN EVENTS FOR THE DAY, WHICH HAS SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC VALUE FOR THE PATIENTS FROM THE STAFF’S POINT OF VIEW.

DR. GERALD CHOA, DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL DISTRIBUTE PRIZES TO WINNERS.

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RESERVOIRS 97 PER CENT FULL K K H # W

A TOTAL OF 65,536 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 97.4 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 54,513 MILLION GALLONS.

PLOVER COVER, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 50,005 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 99 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS. AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, IT HELD 38,730 MILLION GALLONS.

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,977.1 MM (117.21 IN) THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2,123.5 MM (83.6 IN).

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1973

CONTENTS PAGE (JO.

TELEPHONE REPORT TO DE TABLED IN LEGCO TOMORROW ...... 1

OCTOBER WEATHER ROUND-UP  .........................    2

HOMEWORK GUIDANCE SCHEME FOR SHEUNG SHU I STUDENTS .... 3

PRIVATE CANDIDATES FOR CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

EXAillNATION URGED TO REGISTER NOW .................... 4

WA j UR CU| S ... .«...« .... 0..00..0...0080000..0.00.®. 0.0 4

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER IB, 197.5

~ 1 c»

TELEPHONE REPORT TO DE TABLED IM LEGCO x x >j x

THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY L1D.1975 'JILL DE TABLED Hl THE LEGISLATIVE (O' ;U. TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).

THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY WAS APPOINTED IM FEBRUARY WITH SIR AI ASTAIR BLAIR-KERR AS ITS CHAIRMAN TO EXAMINE THE AFFAIRS OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY FOLLOWING ITS APPLICATION FOR A 70 PER CENT INCREASE IN ITS CHARGES.

IN THE SAME SESSION, THE UHOFFICIALS WILL ASK QUESTIONS OH I EGA). AID, TIL- UTII ISATIOH GF MULT L Si GREY CARPARKS, CONTROL OVER MARTIAL ARTS BODIES, All!) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF METRICATION.

COMING UP FOR FIRST nFADTRO ARE TRE COlPAnTES (AMENDMENT) (HO.4) BILL, THE POST OFFICE (AM.JlbM.ElT) BIIL, THE RATING (/.MEI?. LENT) (U0.2) Bill., THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPR .RlATICH (1.974-75) BILL, THE ARBITRATION (A!; -liDI-IEHT) Bill, THE I Al J ORE) AND TENANT (CWHSOLIDA-TIOll) (AM-EhL.TIT) (fJD.4) Bill., THE UNIVERSITY GF HUB) KGL3 (AMEND:.-NT) Bill, AL) THE EMPLOYMENT (A!:EIjdMENT) (110.2) DILI...

DEBATE WILL RESUME OH THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL, THE INLAND REVEHU- (AMEh.-M-IJT) (HO.6) DHL, TLE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) DILL AND 'll;-: TRAMWAY (AlUHDMEIIT) DILL.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

2 °

FOURTH WETTEST OCTOBER OM RECORD x «;$ jj

I AST MONTH WAS THE FOURTH WETTEST OCTOBER OH RECORD.

THE DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY MR. GORDAN DELL SAID TODAY THAT AST.6 MM CF RAIN WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING RI!'-: MONTH. *TI1IS WAS ABOUT THREE AND HALF TINES MORE THAN USUAL AN) PAUSED AS THE FOURTH HIGHEST OH RECORD FOR ANY OCTOBER,<• HE ADDd).

THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 2,962 MM, 41 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.

THE MONTH WAS MUCH CLOUDIER AND LESS SUNNY THAN USUAL AND THE MEAN PRESSURE FOR THE MONTH WAS THE THIRD LOWEST EVER RECORDED.

MR. DELL SAID WEATHER CONDITIONS LAST MONTH WERE QUITE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR AS DOTH MONTHS WERE CHARACTERISED BY A SERIES OF TROPICAL CYCLONES.

+FLSIE* BECAME THE FIRST TYPHOON WHICH NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE HURRICANE SIGNAL HO. 10 SINCE TYPHOON *ROSE* HIT IIGHG KONG IN AUGUST 1971.

SIGNALS WERE ALSO RAISED WHEN SEVERE TROPICAL STORMS +DORIS* AND ^FLOSSIE* MOVED WITHIN <00 MILES • OF HONG KONG.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1975

3 -

HOMEWORK GUIDANCE SCHEME it « K n H K

A HOMEWORK GUIDANCE SCHEME HAS DEEN SET UP TO HELP FORM III TO FORM V STUDENTS IN SHEUNG SHU I TO OVERCOME PROBLEM THAT THEY MAY ENCOUNTER IN THEIR STUDIES.

THE SCHEME, ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHU I SOCIAL CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND ASSISTED BY THE SHEUNG SHU I YOUTH AND RECREATIONAL SERVICE TEAM, BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15 AND WILL LAST UNTIL LATE JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

I

ASSISTANCE TO THE STUDENTS COME IN THE FORM OF COLLECTIVE TUITIONS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 7 P.M. TO 9 P.M.

THERE WILL ALSO BE SESSIONS IN THE FORM OF PANEL AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS, CAREER TALKS, SLIDES AND FILM SHOWS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS EVERY SATURDAY FROM 3 P.M. TO 5 P.M. IT IS HOPED THAT STUDENTS WILL BE ADLE TO ACQUIRE A FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIETY THEY LIVE IN, AND BE PREPARED FOR THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR ADMISSION TO THE SCHEME ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHEUNG SHU I SOCIAL CENTRE.

TUESDAY, HOVEIBER 18, 1975

PRIVATE CANDIDATES FOR EXAMINATION URGED TO REGISTER NOW « n « n k

PRIVATE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION ARE REMINDED THAT THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE 4.00 P.M. ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 21).

THOSE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXAMINATION AS PRIVATE CANDIDATES ARE URGED TO REGISTER HOW. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL HOT BE ACCEPTED.

- - 0

DRY TAPS

-D >'!

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT WILL DE INTERRUPTED CM THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 20) AMD FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 21) RESPECTIVELY FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLOW LEAKAGE TESTS TO DE CARRIED OUT.

IN KWUN TONG, PREMISES AFFECTED ARE KWUN TONG ESTATE BLOCKS 2 - 6 AND 11 - 12.

IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WESTERN STREET UP TO CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, PRAYA, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, SOUTH LAME, HILI. ROAD AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST.

HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1975

OFFICIAL OPENING OF 01 KAN ESTATE

01 MAN ESTATE IN HOMANTIN, WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AT 4 P.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 20).

TO MARK THE OCCASION, SIR DENYS WILL BE INVITED TO UNVEIL A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE 01 MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.

THE ESTATE IS NOW FULLY OCCUPIED AND HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 42,000.

TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING, AN EXHIBITION ON PUBLIC HOUSING WILL ALSO BE HELD IN THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX. THE ACTING GOVERNOR WILL BE. INVITED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, MR. IAN LIGHTBODY, TO VIEW THE EXHIBITION.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM NEWS MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY. THEY SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE 01 MAN ESTATE NOT LATER THAN 3.45 P.M. ON THAT DAY.

RADIO AND TV REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE MUCH EARLIER TO SET UP THEIR EQUIPMENT.

GIS OFFICERS AND STAFF FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION WILL DE ON HAND TO ASSIST PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.

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GIS|

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

\ • .

( WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

MOTION TO REVISE STAR FERRY FARES ADOPTED DY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL .............................. 1

GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS FOR TRAMWAY COMPANY SUGGESTED

BY DR. S.Y. CHUNG................................. 4

GREATER PROTECTION FOR JOB HUNTERS OFFERED BY EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT BILL ........................ 5

DRAFT BILL PREPARED TO GIVE LEGAL BACKING FOR MOVE TOWARDS METRICATION .............................. 6

ANTIQUITIES ORDINANCE TO COME INTO FORCE IN JANUARY ... 7

NO BACKLOG OF LEGAL AID APPLICATIONS, SAYS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ................................. 8

NEW SYSTEM OF PARKING CHARGES TO BE INTRODUCED ... 9

NO DECISION ON CONTROL OVER MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS . 9

FIVE DILLS PASSED ............................... 10

DETOXIFICATION CLINIC MAY BE SET UP NEXT YEAR, SAYS DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH .................. 11

. INTEREST GROUPS FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS.'...... 12

' i

I

I

V

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

- 1 -

MOTION TO REVISE STAR FERRY FARES ADOPTED * iU * « «

A MOTION TO REVISE THE FARES OF THE +STAR+ FERRY AND TO WAIVE THE COMPANY’S ROYALTY PAYMENTS FOR THE THREE YEARS 1974-76 WAS PASSED DY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.

FIRST CLASS FARES WILL BE INCREASED TO 30 CENTS FOR ADULTS AND 20 CENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16, WHILE SECOND CLASS FARES WILL BE 15 CENTS FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN FROM NEXT MONTH.

SECOND CLASS FARES WILL BE FURTHER INCREASED TO 20 CENTS FROM JANUARY 1, 1977.

FROM NEXT MONTH, MONTHLY TICKETS WILL BE $12 FOR ADULTS AND $6 FOR .CHILDREN. ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER THREE WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY'ANY FARES.

SPEAKING ON THE MOTION, DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG SAID THE FIRST CLASS FARE WAS 20 CENTS IN 1946 AND REMAINED SO UNTIL 1966 WHEN IT WAS RAISED BY FIVE CENTS, WHILE THE SECOND CLASS FARE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.

+IT IS A RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF ANY PUBLIC UTILITY WOULD BE PROUD 0F.,+ HE SAID.

DR. CHUNG MADE A FEW OBSERVATIONS HOWEVER ON THE SPEECH MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT WHEN PROPOSING THE MOTION TO REVISE THE SCHEDULE UNDER THE +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE.

MR. ROBSON HAD SAID THAT THE ESTIMATED PROFITS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FIVE YEARS 1974-78 WERE $800,000 PER ANNUM, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF $1.4 MILLION FOR THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS 1969-73.

DR. CHUNG SAID THAT IN ASSESSING PROFITABILITY, PROFITS MUST BE RELATED WITH SHAREHOLDERS INVESTMENT-, AND ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW THE EMPLOYED CAPITAL AND SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS FOR THE COMPANY, HE KNEW THA'T THE AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS FOR THE FIVE YEARS 1974-78 AMOUNTED TO $2.69 MILLION.

+THIS WOULD GIVE A NET RETURN ON AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS OF ALMOST 30 PER CENT PER ANNUM, WHICH IS VERY HIGH INDEED BY ANY STANDARDS,+ HE SAID.

HE ALSO DIFFERED FROM MR. ROBSON’S VIEW THAT IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE TO EASE THE ASSESSMENT OF RETURN ON A PERCENTAGE OF THE FERRY COMPANY’S FAST DIMINISHING FIXED ASSETS, SO AS TO JUSTIFY THE MANAGERIAL EFFORT.

/♦THESE ARE .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, '975

2

+THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES,+ DR. CHUNG SAID. +RETURN ON SHARE-HOLDERS INVESTMENT IS IN THE FORM OF PROFIT MADE FOR THE SHARE-HOLDERS WHEREAS THE RETURN OH MANAGERIAL EFFORT IS IN THE FORM OF JOB SECURITY, SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS PAID OR AWARDED TO THE MANAGERIAL STAFF.+

WHEN ALL THE FIXED ASSETS OF THE COMPANY HAD BEEN WRITTEN DOWN AND THE SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT REPAID, THEY COULD HARDLY CLAIM THAT THEY STILL OWNED THE COMPANY, HE SAID.

. +IT WOULD THEREFORE BE INAPPROPRIATE AND ILLOGICAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC TO ALLOW THE SO-CALLED SHAREHOLDERS, WHO IN FACT HAVE NO INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY, TO PERPETUATE THEIR RIGHT FOR MAKING PROFITS YEAR AFTER YEAR FROM THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC,+ HE STRESSED.

HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SETTLE THIS MATTER OF PRINCIPLE FAIRLY AND JUSTLY BEFORE CONS IDER ING FURTHER FARE INCREASES.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION.

WHILE HE HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE WAIVING OF ROYALTY FOR THE THREE YEARS, HE DID NOT AGREE THAT THE FARE INCREASES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FROM NEXT MONTH.

+INSTEAD I WOULD PREFER THAT SUCH INCREASES BE INTRODUCED AS OF JULY 1, 1976, AT WHICH TIME THE WORLD ECONOMY AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMY COULD Bt REGARDED WITH A BRIGHTER AND CLEARER DEGREE OF HOPE AND ANT ICIPATION,+ HE SAID.

HE ASKED IF IT WAS MORE APPROPRIATE, WHILE ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY HAD TIGHTENED THEIR BELTS TO SURVIVE THE PRESENT DIFFICULT TIMES, THAT THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ALSO ACT SIMILARLY AND BE CONTENT WITH SMALLER RETURNS AND POSTPONE ANY INCREASE TO BETTER TIMES.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN QUOTED A RECENT NEWS REPORT WHICH SAID THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE HAD PREDICTED THAT FOREIGN TRADE IN MOST WEST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WOULD DECLINE MORE STRONGLY THAN ECONOMISTS ANTICIPATED ONLY A SHORT TIME AGO.

HE GRANTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO ENSURING A FAIR RETURN TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY.

HE ASKED HOWEVER WHICH WAS MORE PRESSING : THE INTEREST OF THE MAJORITY WHO WERE CONCERNED WITH RISING COSTS WITHOUT RISING INCOME, OR THE IMMEDIATE CLAIMS FOR FAIR ’ TO THE UTILITIES WHICH HAD A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN KEEPING LIVING COSTS STABLE.

/11R. CHEONG-LEEN.....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

5

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE +STAR+ FERRY WAS ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT IN THE WORLD AND HE DID NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO A BETTER JOB THAN THE PRESENT MANAGEMENT.

+HOWEVER, I QUESTION WHETHER GOVERNMENT HAS CHOSEN THE RIGHT TIME TO INTRODUCE THE FARE INCREASES AS SET OUT,+ HE SAID.

IN HIS REPLY TO DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, SAID HE UNDERSTOOD AND SHARED THE CONCERN FOR FAIRNESS TO THE'PUBLIC IN SETTLING THE LEVEL OF PROFITS TO BE PERMITTED TO THE +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY.

HE THOUGHT HOWEVER THAT IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE NOT TO ALLOW PROFITS BOTH TO REWARD MANAGERIAL EFFORT AND RISK-TAKING AND TO ALLOW SHAREHOLDERS A FAIR RETURN.

HE SAID DR.’ CHUNG’S COMMENTS WOULD BE BORNE VERY MUCH IN MIND DURING FUTURE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMPANY REGARDING ITS PROFITABILITY.

A

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

- 4 -

GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS FOR TRAMWAY COMPANY M * * M M K

DR. THE HON. S.Y. CHUNG SUGGESTED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPOINT ONE OR TWO OFFICIALS TO .THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TRAMWAY COMPANY, AS IN THE CASE OF THE TWO BUS COMPANIES.

HE WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1°75, WHICH SOUGHT TO ABOLISH ROYALTY PAYABLE BY THE COMPANY, RAISE TRAM FARES FROM 20 CENTS TO 30 CENTS FROM NEXT MONTH, AND SET UP THE +PROFIT EQUALIZATION FUND.+

HE SAID THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SINCE IT BECAME A SUBSIDIARY OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY LIMITED, WHILE THE COMPANY WOULD BE VIRTUALLY GUARANTEED A PROFIT AFTER TAX GF 15 PER CENT ON NET FIXED ASSETS WITH THE +PROFIT EQUALIZATION FUND+.

+IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REGULARLY AND FREQUENTLY MONITOR BOTH THE COMPANY’S OPERATING EFFICIENCY AND FINANCIAL POSITION,+ HE SAID.

DR. CHUNG SAID THE PROFIT EQUALIZATION FUND, WHICH TAKES UP PROFITS IN EXCESS OF 15 PER CENT OF THE COMPANY’S AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS FOR A PARTICULAR YEAR, WAS FIRST PROPOSED BY HIM, TOGETHER WITH THE ABOLITION OF ROYALTY, DURING THE DEBATE ON THE LAST TRAM FARE INCREASE IN 1972. HE WAS PLEASED THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACTED ON HIS ADVICE.

THE OPERATION OF THE FUND, TOGETHER WITH THE ABOLITION OF ROYALTY, COULD SIGNIFICANTLY PROLONG THE INTERVAL BETWEEN FARE INCREASES. HE SAID ANOTHER INCREASE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN NECESSARY EARLY IN 1978 BUT IT WAS LIKELY THAT THIS COULD BE DELAYED TO MID-1980.

DR. CHUNG SAID THAT MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE TOTAL FIXED ASSETS OF THE TRAMWAY COMPANY, ON WHICH THE PROFITABILITY OF THE COMPANY WAS ASSESSED, WERE IN HOLDINGS OF LAND AT THE RUSSELL STREET DEPOT.

IF THE PRECEDENT OF REVALUATION OF FIXED-ASSETS WAS TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, DR. CHUNG SAID, THE COMPANY COULD LIKELY REVALUE ITS LAND HOLDINGS IN THE LIGHT OF RISING LAND PRICES SINCE 1965, WHEN THE LAST REVALUATION WAS MADE.

+WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE NET FIXED ASSETS OF THE COMPANY COULD BE DOUBLED OVERNIGHT AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE COULD BE ANOTHER SUBMISSION FROM THE COMPANY FOR’FURTHER FARE INCREASES IN ORDER TO BRING ITS RETURN OR PROFIT ON NET FIXED ASSETS TO THE PERMITTED LEVEL OF 15 PER CENT,+ HE SAID.

/DR. CHUNG SAID .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEHEEB 19, 1975

5

DR. CHUNG SAID HE RECOGNISED HOWEVER THAT THERE WAS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INEXPENSIVE LAND UNDER RESTRICTIVE USE AT THE EXTREME EAST END OF THE TRAMWAY FOR A DEPOT, SHOULD THE COMPANY ULTIMATELY DEVELOP OR SELL ITS PRESENT VALUABLE PIECE OF LAND.

AtSO SPEAKING ON THE BILL, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE INCREASE FROM 20 TO 30 CENTS DE INTRODUCED ON JULY 1, 1976 INSTEAD OF ON DECEMBER 1, 1975 +FOR THE BROADER REASONS IN REGARD TO THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY AND THE PUBLIC CONCERN OVER STABLE LIVING COSTS.+

MR. CHEONG-LEEN WAS PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO WAIVE ALL ROYALTIES FOR 1974 AND 1975. +THIS WOULD BRING THE COMPANY’S RATE OF RETURN FOR EACH OF THESE YEARS TO 13.2 PER CENT AND 10.73 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, ASSUMING THERE IS NO INCREASE ON DECEMBER 1, 1975,+ HE SAID.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN SAID THAT THE COMPANY’S RATE OF RETURN FOR 1976 WOULD BE 32.1 PER CENT IF THE INCREASE WAS TO BE INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 1, 1975 AND HE BELIEVED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO GREAT HARDSHIP IF THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASE WERE TO BE DELAYED UNTIL 1976.

HE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THIS BILL.

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GREATER PROTECTION FOR JOB HUNTERS

' H K W H H

A RECENT COURT CASE REVEALED A LOOPHOLE IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH ORIGINALLY AIMED TO STOP EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM CHARGING JOB SEEKERS EXPENSES OVER AND ABOVE FEES AND COMMISSION ALLOWED BY THE REGULATIONS, MR. IAN PRICE, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, SAID IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. PRICE WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING’OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975.

HE SAID THAT THE NEW AMENDMENT MERELY CLARIFIED THE LAW AND IN NO WAY AFFECTED THE RIGHT OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY RECOUPING EXPENSES FROM POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS.

THE REGULATIONS STATE THAT A JOB-SEEKER NEEDS ONLY PAY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY A MAXIMUM OF $3 AS A FEE WITH ANOTHER $3 PAYABLE ON RE-REGISTRATION. IN ADDITION A JOB-SEEKER MAY BE ASKED TO PAY UP TO A MAXIMUM COMMISSION OF 10 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH’S WAGES TO AN AGENCY AFTER SECURING EMPLOYMENT.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1 ’PS

LEGAL BACKING FOR MOVE TOWARDS METRICATION K # K K H «

A DRAFT BILL HAS BEEN PREPARED TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE METRIC SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF NON-METRIC UNITS IN EXISTING LEGISLATION.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. JAMES WU WHO ENQUIRED ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF METRICATION.

THE BILL WAS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL AS SOON AS A NUMBER OF ISSUES HAD BEEN RESOLVED, MR. MCDONALD SAID.

REFERRING TO THE INTRODUCTION OF METRICATION INTO PUBLIC WORKS, MR. MCDONALD SAID: +AS FROM JUNE 1, 1974, ALL NEW DESIGN PROJECTS IN THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED IN METRIC TERMS AND THE CALLING OF TENDERS HAS PROGRESSIVELY MOVED IN FAVOUR OF METRIC CONTRACTS RATHER THAN IMPERIAL CONTRACTS.

+THE PREPARATION OF MAPS IN METRIC SCALES HAS DEEN INTRODUCED AND THE SALE OF CROWN LAND EXCLUSIVELY IN METRIC TERMS WILL BE CONDUCTED AS FROM JUNE 1976.+

THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, HE NOTED, WAS ABOUT TO ISSUE PRACTICE NOTES AND A SCHEDULE GF METRIC EQUIVALENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE AUTHORISED PERSONS TO SEEK APPROVAL OF PLANS AND DOCUMENTS PREPARED ON THE PRESCRIBED METRIC SYSTEM.

+AUTHORISED PERSONS WILL AS FROM JANUa’rY 1, 1976 HAVE THE OPTION OF MAKING SUBMISSIONS FOR APPROVAL IN EITHER IMPERIAL OR METRIC TERMS, AND IT IS INTENDED THAT AS FROM JANUARY 1977, SUBMISSIONS IN METRIC TERMS WILL BE MANDATORY SUBJECT, OF COURSE, TO THE PASSAGE OF APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.

A WORKING PARTY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR IS NOW ENGAGED IN TRANSLATORY WORKS RELATING TO GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, AND A VERY BASIC ENGLISH/CHINESE GLOSSARY OF SI TERMINOLOGY TOGETHER WITH THE CHINESE VERS-ION OF METRIC INSTRUCTIONS HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR. MCDONALD SAID THAT SECONDARY SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED IN METRIC TERMS SINCE 1974, AND COURSES IN SI TERMINOLOGY WERE NOW BEING RUN AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.

+THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ALSO HAS COMPLETELY METRICATED ITS WORK AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING TOWARDS THIS END,+ HE ADDED.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

7

ANTIQUITIES ORDINANCE TO COME INTO FORCE IN JANUARY ft ft ft * ft ft

ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE WILL RF RROliCHT imth

OPERATION ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR AND REGULATIONS PRESCRIRiSr FORM OF LICENCE FOR EXCAVATING AUD SEARCH ING FOR ANTIQUITIES WOULD HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL BEFORE THEN.

uun IS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION

Tu?'W^TrEPLY NG T0 THE H0N* R0GER LOBO IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TH Ib AFTERNOON, SAID THAT A QUESTION ON THE ENACTMENT DATE OF THE ORDINANCE HAD ALSO BEEN ASKED PREVIOUSLY IN THE COUNCIL.

HE HAD SAID THEN THAT ITS ENACTMENT WAS HELD UP BECAUSE NO SUITABLY QUALIFIED FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE SECRETARY COULD BE RECRUITED.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS HOPED TO APPOINT A SERVING OFFICER, IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED THAT HIS SERVICES WERE URGENTLY REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.

+WE STILL DO NOT HAVE THE STAFF NECESSARY TO UNDERTAKE ANY STUDY OF THE BUILDINGS AND PLACES WHICH MIGHT BE DECLARED AS MONUMENTS,+ MR. BRAY SAID, +NOR DO I EXPECT THAT SUCH STAFF WILL BE PROVIDED SOON.+

+BUT THE ORDINANCE GOES FURTHER THAN PROVIDING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF MONUMENTS AND IT IS WORTH BRINGING IT INTO FORCE TO PRESERVE TO THE GOVERNMENT THE OWNERSHIP OF RELICS WHICH MAY DISCOVERED, AND TO PROHIBIT THE EXCAVATION OF ANTIQUITIES EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE,+ HE SAID.

BE

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

8

NO BACKLOG OF LEGAL AID APPLICATIONS « K ft # «

THE PROCESSING TIME FOR AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID

IN CIVIL CASES DEPENDS ON THE URGENCY AND TYPE OF PROCEEDINGS AND FOR CRIMINAL CASES, THE TIME, NORMALLY BETWEEN TWO TO SIX WEEKS, DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE PURPOSES OF A TRIAL OR AN APPEAL AND ON THE COURT OF TRIAL.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON. JOHN HOBLEY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON.- MISS KO SIU WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, SAID THAT WHERE THERE WAS URGENCY, AS IN THE CASE OF APPLICATIONS FROM WORKERS SEEKING TO PRESENT BANKRUPTCY OR WINDING-UP PETITIONS AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE APPLICATIONS MUST BE, AND WERE DEALT WITH VERY SPEEDILY.

+LIKEWISE, AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID TO CONTINUE A PENDING CIVIL ACTION OR TO DEFEND CIVIL PROCEEDINGS MUST BE, AND IS, DEALT WITH ON AN URGENT BASIS, AND A DECISION IS TAKEN WITHIN A MONTH OR SO,+ HE SAID.

IN NON-URGENT CASES, THE PROCESSING PERIOD VARIED CONSIDERABLY, AND AS THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID MUST SATISFY HIMSELF THAT AN APPLICANT, HAD A REASONABLE CASE, INQUIRIES INEV'TABLY TOOK TIME IN SOME CASES, HE SAID.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THERE WAS NO BACKLOG OF APPLICATIONS WAITING FOR PROCESSING AT THE MOMENT.

AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, 5,745 APPLICATIONS FOR AID IN CIVIL CASES WERE BEING PROCESSED AND 102 APPLICATIONS FOR AID IN CRIMINAL CASES WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

9

NEW SYSTEM OF PARKING CHARGES TO BE INTRODUCED K * ft * K K

A NEW SCALE OF PARKING CHARGES GRADED ACCORDING TO THE POPULARITY OF INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED SOON.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. JAMES ROBSON, WHEN REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON. ALEX WU IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE REVENUE AND OCCUPANCY OF THE CAR PARKS.

+IT IS HOPED THAT THESE NEW CHARGES WILL RESULT IN BETTER PATRONAGE OF THE CAR PARKS WITHOUT ANY LOSS IN TOTAL REVENUE,+ HE SAID.

MR. ROBSON SAID THE FALL IN REVENUE RECEIPTS FOLLOWING THE INCREASE IN CHARGES HAD BEEN MARGINAL. RECEIPTS AMOUNTED TO SI.150 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, AFTER THE INCREASE, COMPARED WITH Si.157 MILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR BEFORE THE INCREASE.

BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 7 P.M., THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF 54 PER CENT IN THE OCCUPANCY RATE IN THE THREE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE INCREASE, AND THE CAR PARKS WERE AT ABOUT CAPACITY USAGE BEFORE THE INCREASE.

MR. ROBSON SAID IT WOULD BE TRUE TO SAY THAT ON AVERAGE, THEY WERE NOW ABOUT HALF FULL BETWEEN THESE HOURS.

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NO DECISION ON CONTROL OVER MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS MOM#

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER-THERE SHOULD BE ANY LEGISLATION TO CONTROL MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES, IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. JAMES WU IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. DAVIES ADDED HOWEVER THAT IT WAS THE INTENTION THAT THE MATTER BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL SHORTLY.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1975

10 -

BILLS PASSED M H H

FIVE DILLS COMPLETED THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY AND BECAME LAW.

THEY WERE THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) BILL 1975, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 6) BILL 1975, THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975, THE TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 AND THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL BILL 1975.

EIGHT NEW BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL! THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1975, THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT)'BILL 1975, THE RATING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1974-75) BILL 1975, THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975, THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1975, THE > UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1975 AND THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1975.

THE SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, DR. S.Y. CHUNG, ALSO INTRODUCED THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS BILL 1975 FOR FIRST READING.

DEBATE ON THE SECOND READI'NG OF THESE NINE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.

THE MOTION TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE TO THE +STAR+ FERRY COMPANY (SERVICES) ORDINANCE TO REVISE THE FEES STRUCTURE WAS PASSED AT TODAY’S SESSION.

THE 1974-75 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED 1975-WERE ALSO LAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

0


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 75

11

DETOXIFICATION CLINIC MAY DE SET UP NEXT < EAR « if K « K ft

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, SAID TODAY STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT PLANS FOR A DETOX IFICAlION PROGRAMME — A METHOD PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS.

HE SAID IT WAS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN THE FIRST DETOXIFICATION CLINIC WOULD COME INTO OPERATION, BUT HE’WAS HOPEFUL THAT IT SHOULD COME ABOUT EARLY HEXT YEAR.

DR. CHOA SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY WHAT HE HAD SEEN DURING HIS RECENT MONTH-LONG TOUR OF DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES IN VARIOUS AMERICAN CITIES.

+1 SEE NO REASON WHY THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME, WHICH HAS DEEN SUCCESSFULLY TRIED OUT IN THE UNITED STATES, CANNOT BE APPLIED IN HONG KONG,* HE SAID.

THE DIRECTOR EMPHASISED THAT DETOXIFICATION WAS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OTHER TREATMENT PROGRAMMES.

+RATHER, IT IS BUT ANOTHER DIFFERENT TYPE OF TREATMENT PROGRAMME THAT SHOULD BE RUN CONCURRENTLY WITH OTHERS IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ADDICTION,* HE SAID.

HE SAID HE HAD ALWAYS BELIEVED IN MULTIPLE APPROACHES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ADDICTION, AND HE WAS WILLING TO TRY ALL REASONABLE METHODS, BEARING IN MIND NOT TO SQUANDER THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY.

DR. CHOA HAS JUST RETURNED FROM THE UNITED STATES WHERE HE ATTENDED A MULT I-REG IONAL DRUG ABUSE REDUCTION SEMINAR AT THE INVITATION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT. REPRESENTATIVES OF 18 COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TOOK PART IN THE SEMINAR, THE OBJECT OF WHICH WAS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE COUNTRIES WITH DRUG ADDICTION PROBLEMS TO SEE HOW SUCH PROBLEMS WERE BEING TACKLED IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SEMINAR ALSO PROVIDED A FORUM FOR THE NARCOTICS FIGHTERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT METHODS.

DR. CHOA SAID THE SEMINAR WAS MOST INFORMATIVE AS EACH PARTICIPANT HAD TO PRESENT AN INFORMATION PAPER ABOUT THE DRUG ADDICTION SITUATION IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES AND HOW THEIR GOVERNMENTS WERE TACKLING THE PROBLEM.

+HONG KONG HAS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF AS FAR AS EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM ARE CONCERNED,* HE SAID.

/TIE DIRECTOR .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 19??

- 12 -

THE DIRECTOR MADE IT CLEAR THAT IF AND WHEN THE PROPOSED DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME WAS SET UP, IT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE EXISTING METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEME.

+THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME WILL BE SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEME,+ HE SAID.

DETOXIFICATION TREATMENT INVOLVES THE USE OF METHADONE FOR THE DETOXIFICATION OF ADDICTS OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS. THE OBJECT IS TO ELIMINATE THE ADDICT’S CURRENT DEPENDENCE ON DRUGS THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION OF GRADUALLY DECREASING DOSES OF METHADONE.

THE METHADONE MAINTENANCE SCHEME, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS

RUN ON A LONGER TERM BASIS. THE SCHEME CALLS FOR THE DISPENSING A CONSTANT DOSE OF METHADONE DAILY WITHOUT HOSPITALISATION AND FOR AN INDETERMINABLE PERIOD.

OF

TO

AN ADDICT

INTEREST GROUPS FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS

A WIDE RANGE OF YOUTH AND GROUP ACTIVITIES ARE BEING HELD AT THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP POTENTIALS, INTEREST PURSUITS AND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE RESIDENTS.

THESE INTEREST GROUPS, ORGANISED BY THE GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDE JUDO, GUITAR, MAKE-UP, MANDARIN, WESTERN FOLK DANCE, SOCIAL DANCE, ELEMENTARY TAILORING, CROCHET, PHOTO, WOODWORK, CHINESE BOXING, CANTONESE OPERA, CANTONESE SINGING, AND CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING.

THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN SHOULD BRING TWO PHOTOS AND THEIR IDENTITY CARD TO THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 17 TSUI PING ROAD FOR REGISTRATION.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

A DECENT HOME FOR EVERYONE, SAYS ACTING GOVERNOR .......... 1

MORE AUSTRALIAN FIRMS SEEK HONG KONG PARTNERS ............. 2

SIX NEW MEMBERS TO STRENGTHEN FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE ................................................. 3

CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ........... 4

ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS METRICATION ..........•............... 6

WATER CUT................................................   7

FOOD PRICES UP LAST MONTH ................................. 8

INTER-INSTITUTIONS SPORT MEET TOMORROW .................... 9

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975. - 1 -

A DECENT HOME FOR EVERYONE, SAYS ACTING GOVERNOR

******

THE STANDARD OF PUBLIC HOUSING WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPROVED TO THE LIMITS OF GOVERNMENT’S RESOURCES, THE ACTING GOVERNOR. SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE Ol MAN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX THIS AFTERNOON.

SIR DENYS ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF A DECENT LIVING PLACE TO THE AVERAGE MAN AND WOULD PURSUE WITH +DETERMINATION AND ENTHUSIASM+ TO PROVIDE EVERYONE WITH DIGNIFIED DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION.

Ol MAN ESTATE, SITUATED AT HO MAN TIN IN KOWLOON, IS NOW FULLY OCCUPIED AND HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 42,000.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE Ol MAN ESTATE WAS IN MANY WAYS DIFFERENT FROM THE EARLIEST FORMS OF PUBLIC HOUSING. THE ESTATE, HE SAID, PROVIDED A STANDARD OF COMFORT AND SPACIOUSNESS FAR BEYOND THAT OF THE SIMPLE BLOCKS OF 15 YEARS AGO.

+EACH OF ITS 6,000 OR SO FLATS IS SELF-CONTAINED, WITH A L IV ING/DINI NG ROOM, A KITCHEN, A TOILET AND A PRIVATE BALCONY. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF FLATS RANGE FROM OVER 350 SQUARE FEET TO ALMOST 600 SQUARE FEET, AT RENTS FAR BELOW WHAT WOULD BE CHARGED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION,* HE SAID.

SIR DENYS SAID THAT PLANNERS OF MODERN ESTATES DID NOT MERELY SEEK TO CONSTRUCT LIVING QUARTERS IN LARGE QUANTITIES. THEY STROVE TO CREATE A VIGOROUS SOCIAL COMMUNITY, WHICH WOULD IN TIME DEVELOP A LOCAL IDENTITY OF ITS OWN.

THE ARCHITECTS OF 01 MAN HAVE THEREFORE INCLUDED SHOPS, MARKETS, RESTAURANTS, A LIBRARY, WELFARE PREMISES, CHILDREN’S PLAY SPACES, BANKS, COOKED FOOD STALLS, CAR PARKS AND A COMMERCIAL CENTRE.

WITHIN THE AIR-CONDITIONED INTERIOR OF THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, THERE ARE 90 SHOPS, THREE BANKS, TWO LARGE RESTAURANTS, A SUPERMARKET, A DEPARTMENT STORE, A CAFE AND THE ESTATE OFFICE.

THE CENTRE, SIR DENYS SAID, WOULD NOT ONLY MEET THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS OF 01 MAN, BUT IT WOULD' ALSO ACT AS A DISTRICT SHOPPING CENTRE FOR THE HO MAN TIN AREA, AN EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING COULD SATISFY BOTH LOCAL NEEDS AND WIDER COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR THEN PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE 01 MAN ESTATE INCLUDING THE PREVIOUS HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH SETTLED ITS BASIC DESIGN IN 1969= THE 22W AUTHORITY AND ITS OFFICERS" THE ARCHITECTS AND ENG I NEE.. 3 OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT" THE CONTRACTORS" THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES.'

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

2

AUSTRALIAN FIRMS SEEK HONG KONG PARTNERS

YET MORE AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR HONG KONG PARTNERS TO SET UP JOINT INDUSTRIAL VENTURES HERE.

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED ENQUIRIES FROM MORE THAN 100 AUSTRALIAN FIRMS WISHING TO CONTACT SUITABLE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS INTERESTED IN ENTERING INTO JOINT VENTURES AND, OR, LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS TO PRODUCE A WIDE RANGE GF PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG.

THESE ENQUIRIES COME IN THE WAKE OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION TOURS CARRIED OUT IN AUSTRALIA EARLY THIS YEAR BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

THINGS WHICH THE AUSTRALIANS WOULD LIKE TO PRODUCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HONG KONG INCLUDE CLOTHING, PLASTICS, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, FURNITURE, CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, FOOD -STUFF, MACHINERY AND ENGINEERING PRODUCTS, METAL FABRICATION, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND WOODEN PRODUCTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE D.C. AND I. SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS IN TOUCH WITH THESE AUSTRALIAN FIRMS AND WAS SEEKING MORE DETAILS FROM THEM REGARDING THEIR PROPOSALS.

IN THE MEAN TIME, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL.

THE SPOKESMAN ASKED INTERESTED HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS TO CONTACT MISS CHARLOTTE CHUNG (5-223481) OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION BRANCH FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WHO WERE INTERESTED IN OVERSEAS PARTICIPATION IN GENERAL ARE ALSO URGED TO CONTACT MISS CHUNG JUST IN CASE THERE MIGHT BE ENQUIRIES WHICH CONCERNED THEIR PARTICULAR LINE OF BUSINESS.

- 0 -

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 197

3

FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE STRENGTHENED * * If K M «

THE GOVERNMENT ’S FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE IS BEING STRENGTHENED WITH THE ADDITION OF SIX NEW MEMBERS TO BRING FRESH IDEAS, INITIATIVE AND IMPETUS TO THE FIGTH AGAINST CRIME IN HONG KONG. THEY WILL ALSO1 GATHER AND PASS ON SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME TO THE PUBLIC.

THE APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNOR WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY. THREE OF THEM, MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MISS KO SIU-WAH AND MR. ALEX WU, ARE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE OTHER THREE ARE MR. CHAN LING-FUNG, MR. WONG LAM AND MRS. SELINA CHOW.

MR. CHAN IS CHAIRMAN OF THE KENNEDY TOWN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND KENNEDY TOWN/MOUNT DAVIS AREA COMMITTEE AND IS A PROMINENT COMMUNITY LEADER IN WESTERN DISTRICT. HE IS ALSO A FORMER CHAR I MAN OF THE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG ASSOCIATION LIMITED.-

MR. WONG STARTED AS A BUS CONDUCTOR AND IS NOW SUPERVISOR OF KMB’S KWUNG TONG BUS DEPOT. HE IS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE WING YING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN BOY SCOUTS, CLANSMEN AND COUNTRYMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS IN ADDITION TO BEING THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE KWUN TONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE HOI TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION.

MRS. SELINA CHOW IS PROGRAMME MANAGER FOR HKTVB AND HAS TAKEN AN INTEREST IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.

THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN MARCH 1973 TO PLAN, ORGANISE AND CO-ORDINATE THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE POLICE TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME.

THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, SAID TODAY THAT UP TO NOW MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO OFFICIALS, WITH HIMSELF AS CHAIRMAN. THE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE THE SECRETARIES FOR SECURITY, THE NEW TERRITORIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS AND THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.

HE SAID THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE COMMITTEE TO BE STRENGTHENED BY THE ADDITION OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO BRING WITH THEM +NEW IDEAS, INITIATIVE AND IMPETUS TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, AND WHO WILL HELP TO SPREAD KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE.+

THE COMMITTEE HAS HELD OVER 50 MEETINGS SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND HAS CONSIDERED A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS INCLUDING SUCH IMPORTANT ISSUES AS THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES, SIMPLIFYING POLICE REPORTING PROCEDURES, THE STUDY OF SOCIAL CAUSE OF CRIME, AND LEGISLATION AND ACTION ON THE CONTROL OF VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.

MR. BRAY SAID THE APPOINTMENTS REFLECT THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO THE WORK AND VALUE OF MUTUAL AID AND AREA COMMITTEES, AND ALSO THE NEED TO HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF THE MEDIA.

-----0----- /A..........

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2G, 1975

4

CONSULTANTS’ REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION » K « « if if

SOLUTIONS TO MANY OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS WILL REQUIRE A +PLANNED AND INTEGRATED APPROACH TAKING ACCOUNT OF A WIDE VARIETY OF SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS.+

THIS OBJECTIVE IS STRESSED THROUGHOUT THE FIRST INTERIM REPORT OF THE CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

THE REPORT BY ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES LIMITED, LONDON, IS BASED ON A YEAR-LONG. ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND CONTAINS OUTLINE RECOMMENDATIONS COVERING WATER, NOISE, AIR AND SOLID WASTE POLLUTION.

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ERL, MRS. FLORENCE FISHER, SAID TODAY HER FIRM BELIEVES THE OBJECTIVES CAN BEST BE MET THROUGH THE CREATION OF A CENTRAL CONTROL AUTHORITY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL AND ASSISTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICERS IN THESE FOUR KEY FIELDS.

SHE SAID THAT HONG KONG’S LEGISLATION RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL HAS GROWN UP PIECEMEAL OVER A PERIOD OF MANY YEARS.

+LIKE THAT OF MOST HIGHLY POPULATED INDUSTRIAL CENTRES, HONG KONG’S REGULATIONS HAVE NOT KEPT ABREAST OF THE CHANGING NATURE OF INDUSTRY, NOR OF THE CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND AMENITY SITING. THE INEVITABLE RESULTS ARE THAT SOME OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE UNSATISFACTORY AND OFTEN IN CONFLICT WITH ONE ANOTHER.+

THEREFORE, MRS. FISHER SAID, THE CONSULTANTS PROPOSED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SINGLE, INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDINANCE WITH SECTIONS ON AIR, WATER, NOISE, SOLID WASTE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF LAND-USE PLANNING.

+OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY ERL, THOSE RELATING TO THE CENTRAL CONTROL UNIT AND THE REPLACEMENT OF HONG KONG’S PATCHWORK OF ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATIONS WITH A SINGLE COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE ARE AMONG THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL,+ MRS. FISHER ADDED.

THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF DISCHARGE INTO INLAND AND COASTAL WATERS- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMME OF NOISE REDUCTION- INCREASED MONITORING OF AIR POLLUTION- STRICTER CONTROLS OVER WASTE DISPOSAL AND EXAMINATION OF POSSIBLE WASTE REDUCTION THROUGH RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING- AND THE INCORPORATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED NEW TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AS A MEANS OF RESOLVING OFTEN CONFLICTING DEMANDS FROM INDUSTRY, TOURISM, RECREATION, AGRICULTURE, HOUSING AND WATER SUPPLY.

/COMMENTING .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

5 -

COMMENTING ON THE CONSULTANTS’ FINDINGS SO FAR. MRS. FISHER SAID THAT HONG KONG’S POLLUTION PROBLEMS ARE LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO UNTREATED WASTES DISCHARGED INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WASTES FROM VARIOUS NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

THE SITUATION, SHE SAID, HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY GROWTH IN INDUSTRY AND POPULATION, INCLUDING GROWTH IN TOURISM.

MRS. FISHER ADDED THAT THE FIRST REPORT HAS BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS PROVIDING THE GOVERNMENT WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO ESTABLISH PRIORITJES FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DUALITY STANDARDS. THIS SHOULD PROVIDE A BASIS FOR DECIDING THE tA TENT TO WHICH RESOURCES CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE AND HOW THESE COULD BE USED MOST EFFECTIVELY.

IT SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK WHICH WILL ENABLE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING TO BECOME A FLEXIBLE AND CONTINUOUS PROCESS, RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, NEW KNOWLEDGE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMAN ASPIRATIONS TOWARDS A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

THE NEXT PHASE OF ERL’S WORK, TO BE COMPLETED IN 1976, WILL INVOLVE PREPARATION OF MORE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONTROL AUTHORITIES AND SYSTEMS, DRAFTING OF SPECIFIC PROPOSED LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ASSISTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT IN INFORMING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME, AND ADVISING ON THE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

TO IMPLEMENT IT.

/6

- 6

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS METRICATION * « « « «

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TODAY TOOK A FURTHER STEP TOWARDS METRICATION WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT FROM JANUARY 1 THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL ACCEPT BUILDING PLANS IN METRIC UNITS.

THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR. EDWARD KENNARD, SAID: +FROM THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR WE WILL ACCEPT PLANS IN EITHER METRIC OR IMPERIAL UNITS. THE NEXT STEP AFTER THAT WILL BE TO MAKE METRIC APPLICATIONS COMPULSORY, AND IT IS HOPED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN ON JANUARY 1, 1977 — DEPENDENT ON THE ENACTMENT OF SUITABLE LEGISLATION.*

MR. KENNARD WENT ON TO SAY THAT TO HELP APPLICANTS PREPARE METRIC PLANS, A SPECIAL SCHEDULE HAD BEEN PREPARED SHOWING EXACT METRIC EQUIVALENTS FOR ALL THE IMPERIAL MEASUREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS.

COPIES OF THE SCHEDULE WERE NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PERSONS AUTHORISED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO SUBMIT PLANS FOR APPROVAL (KNOWN AS AUTHORISED PERSONS).

MR. KENNARD SAID THE EXACT CONVERSIONS IN THE SCHEDULE COULD BE +ROUNDED OFF+ TO SUIT INDIVIDUAL PLANS, PROVIDED THE PLANS REMAINED WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.

+THE ISSUING OF THE SCHEDULE IS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS NEW LEGISLATION CAN BE ENACTED TO REPLACE THE IMPERIAL VALUES IN THE ORDINANCE BY SPECIFIC METRIC VALUES,* MR. KENNARD SAID.

HE URGED ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS WHO WERE NOT ALREADY DOING SO TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TRAIN THEIR STAFF TO WORK IN THE METRIC SYSTEM.

+SEVERAL MAJOR FIRMS IN THIS FIELD HAVE ALREADY GONE METRIC,* HE SAID, +BUT WE SUSPECT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT YET STARTED TO TAKE CONSTRUCTIVE STEPS TOWARDS CHANGING OVER — WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF METRIC EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUCTING STAFF ON THE APPLICATION OF THESE NEW UNITS.

+THESE FIRMS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM OF METRIC OR IMPERIAL APPLICATIONS BEING INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 1 IS ONLY TO APPLY FOR A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD LEADING TO COMPULSORY METRICATION, AND GIVES THEM THEIR FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO ADAPT THEMSELVES TO METRICATION.

/+ALTHOUGH THE .....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

7

+ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO JANUARY 1977 AS THE DATE FOR MANDATORY METRICATION, ANY FIRM WHICH DOES NOT QUICKLY FACE UP TO THE PROBLEMS OF CONVERSION TO METRIC UNITS WILL FIND ITSELF IN DIFFICULTIES WHEN COMPULSORY METRIC SUBMISSIONS BECOME LAW.

+0F COURSE CONSIDERABLE WORK AND RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN DONE WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND IF ANY FIRM HAS ANY PROBLEMS OR NEEDS FURTHER INFORMATION, THE METRICATION OFFICER OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL DE GLAD TO HELP.+

MR. KENNARD ADDED: +REGISTERED CONTRACTORS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH A COPY OF THE SCHEDULE OF METRIC EQUIVALENTS ‘ WHEN THEY ARE APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH PLANS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED USING METRIC UNITS.

+EVERYBODY, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, MUST NOW START TO ’’THINK METRIC”!*

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

WATER CUT # * *

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 22) TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KIU KIANG STREET, PO ON ROAD PRATAS STREET, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TONKIN STREET, FUK WING STREET, CAMP STREET AND CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.

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

/8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

- 8

FOOD PRICES UP LAST MONTH

FOODSTUFFS COST MORE LAST MONTH BECAUSE OF UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE APPROACH OF TYPHOONS. ACCORDING TO THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDICES ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN SUPPLY, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF SALT WATER FISH ADVANCED BY SIX PER CENT WHILE THAT OF FRESH VEGETABLES ROSE BY A SUBSTANTIAL 18 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS DECLINED.

THE INCREASES PUSHED UP THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS BY TWO POINTS IN BOTH THE ’A’ AND ’D’ NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDICES, WHICH COVER HOUSEHOLDS WITH A MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $400 -$1,499 AND $1,500 - $2,999, RESPECTIVELY.

OVERALL, THE ’A’ INDEX ROSE BY TWO POINTS TO 111, WHILE THE *B* INDEX STOOD AT 110 - ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

IN BOTH INDICES, THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ROSE BY THREE POINTS DUE TO AN INCREASE IN SCHOOL FEES AND IN THE PRICES OF TEXTBOOKS.

IN THE ’B’ INDEX, A RISE OF ONE POINT WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT WHILE THAT FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS FELL BY ONE POINT.

OTHER MOVEMENTS IN THE INDICES WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

BY COMPARISON, THE OLD CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR OCTOBER STOOD AT 200, SIX POINTS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

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

/9.....

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1975

- 9 -

SPORTS MEET FOR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS n « n « h

ABOUT 250 BOYS AND GIRLS FROM EIGHT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE 8TH INTER-INST I TUT ION SPORTS MEET TO BE HELD AT THE PERTH STREET SPORTS GROUND TOMORROW (FRIDAY) BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 5.30 P.M.

THE PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS ARE THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME, THE KWUN TONG HOSTEL, THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME AND THE 0 PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND CHAK YAN CENTRE, THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE AND THE SHING TAK CENTRE OPERATED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE FUNCTION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO BOYS AND GIRLS UNDER INSTITUTIONAL CARE SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN FROM IT THE ESSENCE OF SPORTSMANSHIP, FAIR COMPETITION AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING.

THE EVENTS OF THE DAY INCLUDE LONG AND SHORT DISTANCE RACES, RELAY RACES, SHOT-PUT AND TUG-OF-WAR.

THERE WILL ALSO BE INVITATION EVENTS FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE CARE OF PROBATION AND AFTER CARE OFFICERS AND STAFF MEMBERS OF THE PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS.

MR. CHARLES YEUNG, PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTS COMMITTEE, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AFTER THE EVENTS AND MRS. YEUNG WILL PRESENT THE PRIZES.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE SPORTS MEET. THEY ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE AT THE SITE NOT LATER THAN 3.30 P.M. AS ALL THE EVENTS SHOULD BE IN THEIR FINAL STAGES BY THEN. THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY IS TO BE HELD AT 4.45 P.M.

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PR 33 400003S

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUPPLEMENT

Speech by The Acting Governor, Sir Denys Roberts, at the opening of Ci Ilan Commercial Complex _____cn Thur , November 20, 197^_

Mr® Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

During the last three years I have paid several visits to Oi Man and have seen it develop steadily, from an area of bare hillside and rough squatter settlements into the fine estate of which the Housing Authority is so justifiably proud®

Anyone who walks through the handsome blocks which comprise it will realize how far public housing has come, in appearance, in design and in the standard of accommodation which is provided, since the first resettlement blocks, with their communal washing places and latrines and rudimentary social and commercial facilities, were .built almost twenty

years ago.

Our earliest public housing was primarily intended to satisfy the urgent needs of those who had lost their homes as a result of fire or natural disaster, or who had to move in order to make way for essential public projects; and it was successful in achieving these specific and limited objectives. But it was not long before the huge population growth of the nineteen fifties made it imperative for the Government to accept the main responsibility for housing the large numbers who existed in conditions which were an affront to a self respecting community.

For several years, the Government built resettlement estates and low cost housing while the Housing Authority built its own estates. Undoubtedly, substantial progress was made and a heavy debt is owed to those who strove so hard during this period to house those who needed it most.

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House/JIofVf 233*191

2

Nevertheless, it became clear, when the Government reviewed progress about five years ago that we were not doing more than contain the problem and that new programmes and methods were essential if we were to reduce the huge waiting lists for public housing. In 1973, therefore, the new Housing Authority was formed, with enlarged responsibilities. These included the planning, building and managing of all public housing estates throughout Hong Kong, the execution of land clearances and the control and prevention of illegal squatting and the management of permitted areas.

The Government believed that it was essential to centralize in one body the duty of carrying through one ambitious housing programme, which has as its ultimate aim the provision of a decent home for every family in Hong Kong. Such a formidable task demands a unified and determined organisation • equipped with substantial resources and professional skills. This Commercial Centre is one of the first achievements of this new Housing Authority.

In what ways then does Oi Man differ from the earliest forms of public housing? To begin with, each of its 6,000 or so flats is self-contained, with a living/dining room, a kitchen, a toilet and a private balcony. The total floor areas of flats range from over 350 square feet to almost 600 square feet, at rents far below what would be charged in the private sector for similar accommodation. A number of two-bedroom flats have been provided to enable the authority to allocate this accommodation in a more flexible way to meet demand. Fittings and finishings, to which too little attention has been given (even in expensive housing) have been carefully designed.

A modern estate, however, should consist of much more than residential accommodation alone. For planners of imagination do not merely seek to construct living quarters in large quantities, they strive to create a vigorous social community, which will in time develop a local identity of its own.

The architects of Oi Man have therefore included shops, markets,

/restaurants, •••••

5

restaurants, a library, welfare premises, children’s play spaces, banks, cooked food stalls and car parks. In particular, they designed this magnificent Commercial Centre which is being officially opened today. Within its air-conditioned interior are 90 shops, 3 banks, 2 large restaurants, a supermarket, a department store, a cafe and the Estate Office. The Centre will not only meet the needs of residents of Oi Man, but it will also act as a district shopping centre for the Ho Man Tin area, an example of the way in which comprehensive planning can satisfy both local needs and wider community requirements.

Many have contributed to Oi Man Estate, a splendid achievement, which has been so warmly admired by the many visitors, including Her Majesty the Queen, who have come to see it. Among those who deserve recognition for their part in its success are the previous Housing Authority, which in 1969 settled the basic design, which has been developed in detail by the new Authority and its officers. Much credit must be given to the architects and engineers of the Housing Department, to the Contractors, to the Public Works Department and to the public utility companies. Everyone who has been concerned with Oi Man will, I am sure, share our plec.sure at its completion, which is marked by the opening of this Commercial Centre.

Oi Man is a great improvement on its predecessors, providing a standard of comfort and spaciousness far beyond that of the simple blocks of fifteen years ago. I have no doubt that its standards will, in time, be superseded by higher ones, for it is the Government’s objective to continue to improve public housing to the limits of our resources.

For the average man, life centres around his home. It is here that he finds the support and affection which transform a bare existence into a richer life; therefore, for the fulfillment of these basic and unchanging needs, he craves a decent place in which to live. I can assure you that the Government recognises this and will continue to pursue with determination and enthusiasm its ultimate aim which is to provide for all our inhabitants who

/need it, .....

4

need it, domestic accommodation of a standard which will enable them to live dignified lives, with the degree of privacy which is so dear to most of us.

Finally, may I convey my best wishes to the residents of Oi Man, who will now be able to enjoy the amenities of this fine development in peace, free from the noise of further building around them. May they achieve here a full and happy life, of a quality which will, I trust, one day be available to all who have made this remarkable city their home.

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PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

CONTENTS

SuFoTSJ? ™E NEU 8150 HILLI0N RA,L"Ay

REMINDER FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS TENDERERS ................

BACKGROUND REPORT ON TENURE AND RENT CONTROLS ON SALE SCHOOL DROP-OUT FIGURE CLARIFIED .......................

SHAM SHU I PO YOUTH CENTRE CELEBRATES 11TH ANNIVERSARY .. ANNUAL 'UN FAIR F0R MARINE DEPARTMENT STAFF AND THEIR rM ri I L I to

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND IN N.T. TO BE AUCTIONED haiimta?mA1R/a^/GEMENTS F0R NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS AND ROUND

KOWLOON HOSPITAL HOLDS ATHLETIC MEET THIS SUNDAY

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975.

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ACTING GOVERNOR TO OPEN NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS ******

THE NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 24) BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS.

THE $150 MILLION COMPLEX, WHICH OFFERS MORE SPACIOUS AND BETTER FACILITIES FOR TRAIN COMMUTERS, IS THE RESULT OF THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CONSULTANT ENGINEERS, MESSRS. J. ROGER PRESTON AND PARTNERS.

SIR DENYS WILL FORMALLY OPEN THE TERMINUS AT 11 A.M. AND WILL ADDRESS THE 180 GUESTS AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD. DURING THE CEREMONY, MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND, i

THE NEW TERMINUS, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE 65-YEAR-OLD TERMINAL AT TSIM SHA TSUI, WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED BY THE P.W.D. TO COPE WITH THE EVER INCREASING NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT GOODS, AND IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING 10,000 PASSENGERS AN HOUR AND UP TO 5,000 TONS OF GOODS PER DAY.

MR. SIEMA GRUNBERG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, WHO CO-ORDINATED THE ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS, NOTED THAT APART FROM PROVIDING IMPROVED FACILITIES THE NEW TERMINUS WILL ALSO RELEASE A VALUABLE TRACT OF LAND IN TSIM SHA TSUI FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

THE TERMINUS OCCUPIES A 30-ACRE SITE ON THE HUNG HOM RECLAMATION CLOSE TO THE KOWLOON PORTAL OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY FOOT, ROAD AND FERRY.

THE MAIN STRUCTURAL FEATURE OF THE COMPLEX IS A VAST PODIUM WHICH BEARS THE PASSENGER STATION BUILDING, A CAR PARK AND BUS STATION.

BOOKING OFFICES, WAITING ROOMS, A PASSENGER CIRCULATING AREA, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND RAILWAY OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF THE PODIUM WITH THE PASSENGER PLATFORMS BELOW.

PASSENGERS WILL FIND IT CONVENIENT TO MOVE FROM THE CIRCULATING AREA TO THE PLATFORMS BY EITHER THE STAIRS OR ESCALATORS. THERE ARE SPECIAL LIFTS FOR LUGGAGE.

/Mr. grunberg .....

2

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

MR. GRUNBERG POINTED OUT THAT SPECIAL PLANNING HAD BEEN PUT IN TO ELIMINATE OVERCROWDING AT THE TERMINUS ON FESTIVE DAYS, SUCH AS CHING MING, WHEN INVARIABLY MORE PEOPLE TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO THE NEW TERRITORIES. ADEQUATE SPACE HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR THEM BETWEEN THE BOOKING OFFICES AND THE STAIRS AND ESCALATORS, HE SAID.

ACCESS TO THE PODIUM IS BY TWO FLYOVERS, ONE FROM GILLIES AVENUE IN THE NORTH-EAST AND AUSTIN ROAD IN THE WEST AS WELL AS VIA A RAMP FROM HONG CHONG ROAD.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO HAVE THE OPENING CEREMONY COVERED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE IN- POSITION AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE HUNG HOM TERMINUS NOT LATER THAN 10.45 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 24). OFFICERS FROM THE PWD’S INFORMATION UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THEM. COPIES OF SPEECHES TO BE GIVEN BY SIR DENYS AND BY MR. MCDONALD WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TERMINUS.

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TENDERS FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS « H X H M K

THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT TENDERS FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT $5250 MILLION NOMINAL BEARER BONDS HAVE TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE TENDERS BOX AT THE TREASURY REVENUE BRANCH, ICE HOUSE STREET.

THE LIST OF TENDERS WILL OPEN AT 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AND CLOSE AT 1 P.M. THE SAME DAY. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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/3....

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

- 5 -

BACKGROUND RENT REPORT ON SALE « n k %

A BACKGROUND REPORT ON TENURE AND RENT RESTRICTIONS COVERING nOTH PRE-WAR AND POST-WAR PREMISES IN HONG KONG IS NOW ON SALE.

THE REPORT, PREPARED BY THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, PROVIDES A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF RENT CONTROLS, EXPLAINS THE PRESENT POSITION AND INCORPORATES INFORMATION FROM A SURVEY OF PRE-WAR PREMISES CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1974.

THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, EXPLAINED THAT THE REPORT WAS AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE TWO UNPUBLISHED REPORTS PRODUCED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN DETERMINING ITS FUTURE POLICY ON RENT CONTROL.

+THE INFORMATION INCLUDED AND TABULATED, THEREFORE, IS THAT WHICH IT WAS CONSIDERED'ESSENTI AL FOR THIS PURPOSE, BEARING IN MIND THE LIMITATION OF RESOURCES,* HE SAID.

THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE SURVEY ON PRE-WAR PREMISES ARE THAT:

* ONLY 14.5% OF TENEMENT BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE FULLY UP TO POST-WAR STANDARDS OF PLANNING, STRUCTURE, HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND SO ON OR COULD BE BROUGHT UP TO SUCH STANDARD WITH MINIMAL REPAIRS/ALTERATIONS.

K JUST OVER 70% OF THE RENTS BEING PAID FOR TENEMENT FLOORS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CLOSE TO, OR NOT TOO FAR ABOVE, THE LEGALLY PERMITTED RENT.

* THERE IS PROBABLY LESS OVER-CHARGING OF SUB-TENANTS IN DOMESTIC TENEMENT FLOORS AS IS SOMETIMES THOUGHT, THOUGH POSSIBLY MANY SUB-TENANTS PAID KEY MONEY ON ENTRY AND ALSO PAY CERTAIN ADDITIONAL SUMS.

* AVERAGE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET RENTS FOR TENEMENT FLOORS ARE ABOUT EIGHT TIMES ESTIMATED PERMITTED RENT OR ABOUT FIVE TIMES THE AVERAGE CURRENT RENT ACTUALLY BEING PAID.

% OVER 50% OF APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDINGS WERE CONSIDERED GENERALLY OF A FAIR STANDARD OR COULD BE BROUGHT UP TO SUCH STANDARD WITH MINIMAL REPAIRS/ALTERATIONS.

K A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL BUILDINGS ARE NOW EFFECTIVELY EXCLUDED FROM RENT CONTROLS.

% THERE IS A FAIRLY HIGH DEGREE OF OWNER-OCCUPATION IN APARTMENT AND APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL PREMISES.

/SUB-LETTING......

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

- 4 -

« SUB-LETTING WAS FOUND TO OCCUR IN LESS THAN SIX PER CENT OF THESE PREMISES.

M THE ESTIMATED AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENT OF FLATS IS PUT AT ABOUT 11-1/2 TIMES THE PERMITTED RENT BUT ONLY THREE TIMES AVERAGE RENTS ACTUALLY BEING PAID.

X A LARGE PROPORTION OF PRE-WAR HOUSES ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO THESE CONTROLS, OR ARE OCCUPIED BY OWNERS OR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

M IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ESTIMATED AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENTS WERE FOUND TO BE ABOUT 14 TIMES PERMITTED RENTS BUT WAS A LITTLE LESS THAN TWICE THE RENT ACTUALLY PASSING.

ON POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE REPORT MENTIONS s

% THE LIKELY VERY SERIOUS FALL-OFF IN THE COMPLETION OF NEW DOMESTIC BUILDINGS IN 1975 AND 1976.

X THE LARGE NUMBER OF TENANCIES WHERE, ALTHOUGH COVERED BY THE CONTROLS, LANDLORDS AND TENANTS SETTLE TENANCY AND RENTAL MATTERS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE DEPARTMENT.

M THAT MOST OF THOSE TENANCIES BROUGHT INTO CONTROL IN 1970 WERE, ON APPLICATION, AWARDED THE MAXIMUM INCREASE OF 21%, WHEREAS FOR THOSE CONTROLLED IN 1973 THE MAXIMUM INCREASE WAS CERTIFIED IN LESS THAN 30% OF APPLICATIONS.

X AVERAGE CERTIFIED INCREASES FOR ’1970’ CONTROLLED PREMISES RANGED FROM 15.52% FOR LARGE FLATS TO 18.77% FOR SMALL TENEMENT FLOORS WHILE FOR ’1973’ CONTROLLED PREMISES THEY WERE FROM 8.61% FOR MEDIUM FLATS TO 14.2% FOR LARGE TENEMENT FLOORS.

* DESPITE THE INCREASES PERMITTED UNDER THIS LEGISLATION REGULATED RENTS FOR ’1970’ CONTROLLED PREMISES ARE STILL ON AVERAGE NO MORE THAN 50% OF OPEN MARKET RENTS, WHILE ’1973’ CONTROLLED PREMISES ARE AT ABOUT 65%.

X GENERALLY FAIR MARKET RENTS ESTIMATED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION ARE SOME 10-15% BELOW OPEN MARKET RENTS.

X THERE HAD, UP TO THE END OF 1974, BEEN OVER 600 APPLICATIONS .TO THE RENT TRIBUNAL FOR A REVIEW OF CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER..

MR. FRY SAID: +HOPEFULLY IN THE COMING YEAR IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO FURTHER REFINE AND SUPPLEMENT THE STATISTICS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.+

THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, AT A COST OF $20.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

5

ONLY TEN PER CENT OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN NOT AT SCHOOL ft ft ft ft ft ft

ENROLMENT FIGURES SHOW THAT 10 PER CENT OF CHILDREN IN THE 12-14 AGE GROUP ARE NOT AT SCHOOL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON NEWSPAPER REPORTS GN TilE CLAIM MADE BY THE H.K. CHRISTIAN COUNCIL THAT NEARLY 1 >3,000 CHILDREN IN THIS AGE BRACKET ARE WITHOUT EDUCATION.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN MARCH 1975 THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP ATTENDING FULL TIME PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS STOOD AT 290,102 AND ANOTHER 9,301 WERE ATTENDING NIGHT SCHOOLS.

THE ESTIMATED POPULATION IN THE 12-14 AGE GROUP IS 331,900.

+THIS SHOWS THAT SOME 32,500 CHILDREN OF THIS AGE GROUP ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. THEREFORE THE STATEMENT THAT 100,000 CHILDREN AGED 12-14 ARE WITHOUT EDUCATION IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG AND THE STATEMENT THAT 100,000 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT RECEIVING SECONDARY EDUCATION IS DECIDEDLY MISLEADING,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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YOUTH CENTRE’S ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY ft ft X ft ft ft

TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MARKS THE ELEVENTH YEAR IN WHICH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHU I PO YOUTH CENTRE HAS BEEN OPERATING.

TO COMMEMORATE THE OCCASION, AN EXHIBITION ON THE YOUTH CENTRE’S ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF 88 YU CHAU STREET, KOWLOON.

LATER THAT EVENING BEGINNING AT 8 P.M., A FORMAL CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT WHICH THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES, TROPHIES AND SOUVENIRS TO VOLUNTARY INSTRUCTORS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH THE CENTRE.

OFFICIATING WILL BE MR. HENRY AU, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER’ MR. CHAN SUI-JEUNG, C.D.O. SHAM SHU I PO AND MR. CHAN KIM-FOR, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHU I PO KAIFONG ASSOCIATION.

THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW PERFORMED BY VARIOUS GROUPS BELONGING TO THE CENTRE.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL FUN FAIR « * H H »

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S RELIEF AND WELFARE COMMITTEE IS ORGANISING A FUN FAIR FOR ABOUT 600 MEMBERS OF ITS STAFF, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 23).

THE EVENT IS TO TAKE PLACE AT KOWLOON PARK, TSIM SHA TSUI, FROM 1 P.M. TO 5 P.M.

THERE WILL BE ELEVEN GAME STALLS, A ’MERRY-GO-ROUND’ AND A NUMBER OF STALLS SELLING SOFT DRINKS AND SNACKS. .

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FAIR WILL BE A RAFFLE DRAW BY MRS. N.J. ALEXANDER, WIFE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FAIR.

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NT LAND SALES

K If tt « «

THREE LOTS OF CROWN LAND, ALL SITUATED AT 17 MILESTONE, j CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE IN DECEMBER.

TWO OF THE LOTS ARE FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, ONE MEASURING 30,570 SQUARE FEET AND THE OTHER 18,000 SQUARE FEET.

THE THIRD LOT WITH AN AREA OF 21,530 SQUARE FEET IS RESERVED FOR A SUPERMARKET AND A RESTAURANT.

THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE ST. SIMON’S LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, TUEN MUN ON DECEMBER 10 STARTING AT 2.30 P.M.

FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY DE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, TAI PO ROAD AND AT DISTRICT OFFICES OF TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS. SALE PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE VARIOUS OFFICES.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1975

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR HUNG HOM TERMINUS # K H H «

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THREE ACCESS ROADS NEAR THE NEW RAILWAY STATION IN HUNG HOM, KOWLOON, TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THAT AREA.

FROM 10 A.M. ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 24), PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE TWO ACCESS ROADS, ONE FROM HONG CHONG ROAD AND THE OTHER FROM GILLIES AVENUE, LEADING TO THE PODIUM LEVEL OF THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION.

SIMILAR PROHIBITION WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE HUNG-HOM FREIGHT TERMINAL FROM HONG CHONG ROAD.

MEANWHILE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE +ROUND FEI NGOR SHAN WALK FOR THE BLIND+ EVENT ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 23), THE SECTION OF SHAT IN PASS ROAD BETWEEN THE LIONS PAVILION AND FEI NGOR SHAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 A.M. UNTIL 11.30 A.M. ON THAT DAY.

TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

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KOWLOON HOSPITAL ATHLETIC MEET « » 8 K M

THE KOWLOON HOSPITAL WILL HOLD ITS NINTH ANNUAL ATHLETIC MEET ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 23) IN THE HOSPITAL’S SPORTS FIELD.

DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER STAFF WILL COMPETE IN ABOUT 20 EVENTS IN THE WHOLE-DAY AFFAIR, BEGINNING AT 10 A.M.

MEMBERS OF OTHER HOSPITALS AND UNITS OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN SOME OF THE TRACK AND FIELD COMPETITIONS.

THERE WILL DE SOME INTERESTING EVENTS FOR CHILDREN OF THE STAFF FAMILIES.

DR. K.L. THONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE OCCASION COVERED.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2.2, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE ti0-

■ ■■ I I ■ I — BUI ■■

PREPARATORY WORK FOR REVIEW OF RATEABLE VALUES OF PROPERTY UNDER WAY ......................................

FISHERMEN CHILDREN SCHOOLS TO HOLD JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY ................................................

1075 OPEN DANCE CONTEST.................................. 3

WONG TAI. SIN FESTIVAL ................................   4

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PRAISED Y.li.C.A. FOR PROMOTING r

EDUCATION IN HONG KONG .................................. J

Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-333191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1975

1

REVIEW OF RATEABLE VALUES

******

PREPARATORY WORK IS NOW UNDER WAY FOR A REVIEW OF RATEABLE VALUES OF PROPERTY IN HONG KONG.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. RAYMOND FRY, SAID THAT THE REVIEW IS IN PURSUANCE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENT ON THIS IN HIS 1975 BUDGET SPEECH.

MR. FRY SAID THAT SHOULD A REVALUATION BE ORDERED NEXT YEAR THE REVISED FIGURES WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1977.

AS IS THE NORMAL PRACTICE ALL RATEPAYERS WILL, STARTING FROM MONDAY AND OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, BE SENT A STATUTORY FORM (FORM R. 1A), WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WITHIN 28 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

THIS FORM, PRINTED IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, SEEKS INFORMATION AS TO THE USE TO WHICH THE PREMISES ARE PUT’ THE NAME(S) OF THE OCCUPIER(S) OF THE PREMISES’ WHETHER THE PREMISES ARE OCCUPIED BY THE OWNER OR LET AND, IF LET, THE AMOUNT OF RENT RECEIVED.

THE PERSON COMPLETING THE FORM IS INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICE CHARGES, OR PREMIA PAID, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RATES.

REQUIRED TO GIVE CONSTRUCTION FEES REPAIRS AND WHO PAYS

IF THE PREMISES ARE LET OTHER THAN ON MONTH-TO-MONTH TERMS, DETAILS AS TO THE LENGTH OF LEASE ARE TO BE STATED.

THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MAY BE GIVEN IN EITHER CHINESE OR ENGLISH.

ANYONE IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM SHOULD CALL ON, OR TELEPHONE, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AT 1 GARDEN ROAD (TEL. 5-249021) OR AT 22 FENWICK STREET (NEW MERCURY HOUSE, TEL. 5-281424), HONG KONG, WHERE ASSISTANCE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING AN EXTENSION OF TIME IN WHICH TO COMPLETE THE FORM SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING WITHIN 28 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

THE COMMISSIONER DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE FORM R. 1A IS A STATUTORY FORM ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE RATING ORDINANCE, AND THAT IT IS IN THE RATEPAYER’S INTEREST TO RETURN IT FULLY AND CORRECTLY COMPLETED WITHIN THE TIME LAID DOWN.

ANY OWNER OR OCCUPIER WHO REFUSES OR NEGLECTS TO FURNISH THE PARTICULARS REQUIRED AND ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY FURNISHES FALSE OR INCORRECT PARTICULARS COULD BE LIABLE TO THE PENALTIES LAID DOWN IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1975

2

FISHERMEN CHILDREN SCHOOLS

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TO HOLD JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY *

ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN AND 140 TEACHERS FROM 13 SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANIZATION WILL ATTEND A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT 11.30 A.M. ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 25), IN THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS. JOYCE SYMONS, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO GRADUATES FROM PRIMARY VI CLASS, AND TO FORM III STUDENTS OF THE F.M.O.’S SECONDARY PRACTICAL SCHOOL IN ABERDEEN.

PRIZES TO PUPILS FOR +EXCELLENT APPLICATION* WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED BY MRS. SYMONS.

THIS IS THE SIXTH TIME THAT THE F.M.O. HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER PUPILS FROM ALL ITS WIDELY SCATTERED DISTRICT SCHOOLS IN A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY.

FOLLOWING THE SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS, THERE WILL BE FOLK DANCES AND OTHER MUSICAL ITEMS TO BE PERFORMED BY PUPILS OF F.M.O. SCHOOLS.

AFTER THE CEREMONY +DIM SUM+ AND TEA WILL BE SERVED IN THE +CITY HALL RESTAURANT*.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR PRESS REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 11.15 A.M. ON TUESDAY. '

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1975

1975 OPEN DANCE CONTEST K X K *

THE 1975 OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY MR. JAMES WU, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR. MICHAEL SZE, CITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (KOWLOON) AND MISS BETTY MAIR, CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER, AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT 7.30 P.M. AT THE CARITAS CENTRE IN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.

THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY C.D.O. (KWUN TONG), . KWUN TONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND KWUN TONG RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF CLASSICAL, ORIENTAL AND WESTERN DANCING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

MORE THAN 70 TEAMS WILL PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.

THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD OVER THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST DAY AT CARITAS CENTRE, THE EVENTS FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS WILL BE HELD AT LING BOR SECONDARY SCHOOL. THEY WILL START AT 7.30 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 24 AND 10.00 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 25.

THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 1, 1975, AT THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL. MR. AUGUSTINE KAM CHUI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS. A PERFORMANCE BY THE WINNING GROUPS WILL FOLLOW.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO HAVE THE EVENTS COVERED.

SATURDAY, NbVEMBER 22, 1975

- 4 -

WONG TAI SIN FESTIVAL

******

THE WONG TAI SIN FESTIVAL WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT A CEREMONY IN MORSE PARK OPEN THEATRE AT 2.30 P.M. TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

MR. LAU CHAU-'WAH, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), MR. BENNY NG, WONG TAI SIN POLICE RELATIONS OFFICER AND MRS. CHAN CHUNG CHING-HAN, WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.

THE FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY C.D.O. (WONG TAI SIN), WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT COMMITTEE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WONG TAI SIN POLICE STATION, SCHOOLS, AREA COMMITTEES AMD VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

.THE FESTIVAL WILL LAST TILL NOVEMBER-28. DURING THIS PERIOD, MORE THAN 30 EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR THE RESIDENTS.

THEY INCLUDE EXHIBITIONS, SPORTS ACTIVITIES, VARIETY SHOWS, CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AND ROAD SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.

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• • l.f , iH.-

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1975

- 5

Y.W.C.A. PRAISED FOR PROMOTING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG

*****

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY TODAY PRAISED THE Y.W.C.A. FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL WORK IN HONG KONG ARD, IN PARTICULAR, TO THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION.

HE WAS ADDRESSING THE GATHERING AT THE Y.W.C.A. HIOE TJO YOENG COLLEGE, A SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HO MAN TIN.

OF A INCULCATE CHARACTER

SPEAKING IN CANTONESE, MR. TOPLEY SAID THE FUNCTIONS SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE TO DEVELOP PUPILS’ BASIC SKILLS’ TO THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING’ TO STRENGTHEN THEIR AND TO PREPARE THEM ADEQUATELY FOR LIFE.

HE SAID: +EDUCATION IS AN UNENDING PROCESS. SCHOOL LIFE IS MERELY ONE PART OF THE LIFE OF THE PUPIL, AND WHEN SCHOOL-LEAVING AGE IS REACHED EDUCATION WILL NOT CEASE.+

MR TOPLEY STRESSED THAT ON LEAVING SCHOOL EACH PUPIL MUST EE SENT* INTO THE WORLD WITH A SET OF ABIDING INTERESTS AS WELL AS WITH A DETERMINATION TO FURTHER HIS EDUCATION.

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1975'

LAND TO BE RECLAIMED FOR TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE M M K X X

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL RECLAIM ABOUT 25 HECTARES OF LAND FROM THE SEA FOR THE STAGE ONE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TAI PO.

THE RECLAMATION AND SITE FORMATION WORK, SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY, HAS BEEN DESIGNED DY THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF THE PWD WHICH WILL SUPERVISE THE WORK.

MR. NG TECK-SHENG, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, SAID TODAY IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE SITE FOR THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WOULD BE READY IN ABOUT 26 MONTHS.

THE RECLAMATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROADS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.

ABOUT 2.5 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF FILLING MATERIAL WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FORM THE SITE LOCATED ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF THE SECTION OF TING KOK ROAD OFF THE VILLAGE OF HA HANG SITUATED HALFWAY BETWEEN TAI PO MARKET AND SHUEN WAN, MR. NG SAID.

THE FILLING MATERIAL WILL BE EXCAVATED FROM A BORROW AREA NEAR HA HANG AND CONVEYED DY LORRIES TO THE RECLAMATION SITE.

THIS BORROW AREA, HE SAID, WOULD LATER BE FORMED TO PROVIDE SITES FOR FUTURE RESIDENTIAL AND VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT.

MR. NG ASSURED RESIDENTS AND MOTORISTS THAT NORMAL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ALONG TING KOK ROAD WOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED DURING THE WORKS. TO AVOID DISRUPTING TRAFFIC FLOW, A SPECIAL TEMPORARY STEEL BRIDGE WOULD BE BUILT OVER TING KOK ROAD FOR LORRIES CARRYING THE FILLING MATERIAL FROM THE BORROW AREA TO THE RECLAMATION SITE.

COMMENTING ON THE SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT OF RECLAMATION AND SITE FORMATION WORK, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE EARLY START REFLECTED THE HIGH PRIORITY THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED TO THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SCHEME.

HE SAID THE INDUSTRIES EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE ESTATE WOULD TEND TO BE HEAVIER AND MORE CAPITAL-INTENSIVE THAN MOST OF THOSE NOW OPERATING IN HONG KONG. BUT THEY WOULD BE OF DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY GENERALLY AND WOULD PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR MANY OF HONG KONG’S LIGHT INDUSTRIES.

/a .....

-----------------------------------0--------------------------------------•-

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1975

2

SOUVENIR BOOK

COMMEMORATES ROYAL VISIT ******

FOND MEMORIES OF THE ROYAL +THE QUEEN IN HONG KONG,+ WHICH

VISIT ARE REKINDLED IN A NtW BOOK, GOES OH SALE TOMORROW (MONDAY).

THE BO-PAGE BOOK CONTAINS A CAREFULLY-SELECTED RANGE OF 75 PHOTOGRAPHS, HOST OF THEM II! FULL COLOUR, WHICH CAPTURE VIVIDLY THE WARMTH WITH WHICH THE PEOPLE Or HONG KONG GREETED THE <;ULlN AND HER HUSBAND, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, ON THEIR VISIT IN MAY THIS YEAR.

THE BOOK COSTS $10 AND IS PUBLISHED IN A COMBINED ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSION. .IT CAN DE BOUGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, AT STAR FERRY CONCOURSE, AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS.

THE PICTURES IN THE BOOK RETRACE THE PACKED PROGRAMME OF EVENTS WHICH TOOK THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OUT AND ABOUT AMONG PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

WHATEVER THE OCCASION, TH" ROYAL VISITORS DISPLAYED A CHARMING INFORMALITY WHICH ENDEARED THEM TO ALL THEY MET, AND IT IS THIS INSTANT RAPPORT, CAPTURED Ok CAMERA, WHICH THE DOCK HIGHLIGHTS.

A FOREWORD TO THE BOOK RECALLS THE QUEEN’S O'.N IMPRESSIONS OF HER STAY...... +1 FELT TilE WARMTH AND VIGOUR OF HONG KONG’S

LIFE,+ SHE SAID.

+THF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE PRODUCED MODERN HONG KONG ARE UNIOUE AND THERE CANNOT BE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY QUITE LIKE II. FF'J OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD GREATER PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH OR HAVE CONFRONTED THEM WITH GREATER VIGOUR, OR HAVE SURVIVED AND IMPROVED THE LIFE OF THEIR MEMBERS AGAINST GREATER GDDS.+

THE BOOK WILL SERVE AS A PERMANENT SOUVENIR OF THE HISTORIC VISIT, AN OCCASION MADE ALL iHE MORE MEMORABLE IY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME h REIGN ING BRITISH MONARCH HAD SET FOOT ON HONG KONG SOIL.

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/3

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1973

3

WONG TAI SIN ’CIVIL WEEK’

* * H M H

SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR. CHUNG SZE-YUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN ’CIVIL WEEK’ AT NG

WAH COLLEGE, SAN PO KONG TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT 3 P-.M. ■

THE ’CIVIL,WEEK’ IS ORGANISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT WONG TAI SIN FESTIVAL TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF RESIDENTS, STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR, TO THE NEEDS, PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM.

TWO CONTESTS, THE INTER-SCHOOL PROJECT DESIGN COMPETITION AND THE INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE PARTICIPATED BY 11 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD DURING THE WEEK.

FOR THE INTER-SCHOOL PROJECT DESIGN CONTEST, EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL WILL DESIGN A PROJECT UN ONE SOCIAL ASPECT OF HONG KONG, ILLUSTRATED BY MEANS OF GRAPHS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND MODELS. THE DESIGNS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN EXHIBITION IN NG WAH COLLEGE FROM NOVEMBER 24 TO 23.

ACCOMPANIED BY MR. LAU CHAU-WAH, CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (WONG TAI SIN), DR. CHUNG WILL SEE THE DESIGNS ON DISPLAY AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY.

AS FOR THE INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE, IT WILL DE HELD ON NOVEMBER 28 AT HO LAP COLLEGE. TOPICS ON LOCAL ISSUES WILL BE DEBATED BY THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL TEAMS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE EVENT.

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A

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1975

4

FIRE BLITZ * * *

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO CARRY OUT A +DLITZ+ TOMORROW (MONDAY) GN FACTORY BUILDINGS INJiAN PO KONG WHERE THE MEANS OF ESCAPE ARE BLOCKED.

A FIRE SERVICES MOBILE COMMAND UNIT WILL BE SET UP AT CHEUK LUK STREET AND THE OPERATION, COMMENCING AT 9.30 A.M., WILL EE CONDUCTED BY DIVISIONAL OFFICER, MR. KEN HODGKINS. THE BUREAU LAST WEEK CARRIED'OUT A SIMILAR EXERCISE AGAINST FACTORY BUILDINGS IN WAI YIP STREET, KWUN TONG.

PRESS REPRESENTATIVES ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THIS OPERATION. THEY SHOULD CONTACT MR. HODGKINS IN CHEUK LUK STREET ANY TINE BETWEEN 9.30 A.M. AND 12.30 P.f-1. ON MONDAY.

-------0 -


HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY

®T W

Sunday, November 23, 1975

’’Addition” Policy for Group B Estate ________Tenants to be relaxed_______

The Housing Authority is to relax its ’’addition” policy regarding married sons and daughters of tenants in Group B estates.

It will, however, take a firm stand on subletting and unauthorised occupants.

The relaxed policy will enable heads of households to nominate a married son or daughter already living with him to remain on condition that the young couple should apply for separate accommodation through the waiting list when they become eligible.

Such a family will be given the understanding they will not be eligible for relief of overcrowding.

’’Other sons and daughters, once married, should seek their own accommodation elsewhere,” a spokesman for the Housing Authority said today (Sunday)•

Further, he reiterated that no new relatives may be added to existing tenancies, save in certain exceptional circumstances.

On unauthorised occupants, the Authority’s long-standing policy requiring them to move out will remain unchanged.

Any flats found to be occupied entirely by unauthorised occupiers would be recovered.

Any tenants can approach their respective estate office for further information or clarification.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

NEW HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION OFFICIALLY OPENED ........... 1

REVISED CHARGES FOR MULTI-STOREY CARPARKS ................ 3

OUTCOME OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ISSUE ANNOUNCED .............. 5

DECORATIONS FOR ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS .................................................  b

TEMPORARY WATER INTERRUPTION IN SHEUNG WAN ................ 6

SAN HUI BRIDGE TO DE WIDENED FOR FOUR-LANE TRAFFIC ........ 7

RESERVOIRS 96 PER CENT FULL ............................... 7

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1975

1

-NEW RAIL STATION ’A FINE EXAMPLE’ OF BUILDERS’ ABILITY K O « O

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY OFFICIALLY OPENED THE MASSIVE $149 MILLION HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS COMPLEX.

THE COMPLEX — ONE OF THE BIGGEST DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTION JOBS UNDERTAKEN BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT — WILL REPLACE THE 65-YEAR-OLD RAILWAY STATION AT TSIM SHA TSUI AND WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE 10,000 PASSENGERS AN HOUR AND UP TO 5,0.00 TONS OF FREIGHT PER DAY.

IN HIS OPENING- SPEECH, THE ACTING GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE TERMINUS WAS MORE THAN A RAILWAY STATION. IT WOULD BE A FOCAL POINT FOR BOTH TRANSPORT SERVICES IN KOWLOON AND FOR THE SERVICE OF CHINA’S EXPORT TRADE TO HONG KONG.

RAILWAY PASSENGERS, HE SAID, WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEYS FROM THE TERMINUS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS — BY A FERRY SERVICE FROM A NEARBY PIER TO HONG KONG ISLAND, BY BUSES RUNNING FROM AN ADJOINING BUS STATION TO THE ISLAND AND TO ALL PARTS OF KOWLOON AND, IN DUE COURSE, FROM AN UNDERGROUND STATION WITHIN CLOSE REACH.

PROVISION HAD ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THE TRANS-SHIPMENT OF GOODS ARRIVING BY RAIL TO ROAD TRANSPORT OR TO THE NEARBY WHARVES. EXTENSIVE WAREHOUSING FOR BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMERCIAL CONCERNS WERE ALSO AVAILABLE.

+ALL THESE LINKED FACILITIES WILL BE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THE GROWTH IN GOODS AND PASSENGER TRAFFIC WHICH WE BELIEVE WILL BE GENERATED BY FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND BY THE EXPANSION OF OUR ECONOMY,+ HE SAID.

+IN PARTICULAR,+ HE ADDED, +1 HOPE THAT IT WILL NOT BE LONG BEFORE THE PATTERN OF OUR TRADE WITH CHINA WILL MAKE IT ESSENTIAL FOR THE KCR TO BE DOUBLE TRACKED ALL THE WAY TO LO WU.+

I

SIR DENYS DESCRIBED THE COMPLEX AS A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ABILITY OF HONG KONG’S BUILDERS TO DERIVE THE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS FROM A LIMITED SUE AND TO CONSTRUCT IN A WAY WHICH WAS PLEASING TO THE EYE AND PRACTICAL.

HE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS KCR PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAD QUADRUPLED TO A TOTAL OF 14 MILLION A YEAR AND GOODS TRAFFIC GROWN BY ABOUT NINE TIMES TO 1.2 MILLION TONS ANNUALLY. THE LARGER AND BETTER EQUIPPED HUNG HOM TERMINUS, KE SAID, WOULD BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING NOT ONLY THE PRESElH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC BUT ALSO THE GREATER VOLUME EXPECTED II! THE FUTURE.

/SIH DENYS

MONDAY, NOVEKix.3 24, 1975

2

SIR DENYS PAID WARM TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMPLEX. IM PARTICULAR, ' HE COMPLIMENTED THE ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND ITS CONSULTANTS, THE CONTRACTORS, AND THE MANAGER AND STAFF OF THE KCR.

EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, MR. DAVID MCDONALD, GAVE A BRIEF INTRODUCTORY SPEECH IN WHICH HE GAVE AN IDEA OF THE EXTENT OF WORK INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS OF(CONSTRUCT ION.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOUNDATIONS, HE SAID, INVOLVED THE SINKING OF 374 CAISSONS TO A TOTAL LENGTH OF 32,000 FT. AUD THE DRIVING OF 2,200 PILES. THE CONSTRUCTION ALSO INVOLVED THE PREPARATION AND ASSEMBLING OF 14,000 TONS OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT, THE PLACING OF 144,000 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE AND THE LAYING OF 9-1/2 MILES OF RAILWAY TRACK.

+THESE FIGURES WILL SERVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND HARD WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION,* MR. MCDONALD SAID.

THE COMPLEX ITSELF STANDS ALMOST ENTIRELY ON RECLAIMED LAND AND AN IMPORTANT FEATURE IS THAT IT ENABLES BETTER LAND UTILISATION BY RELEASING FOR REDEVELOPMENT A LARGE TRACT OF LAND NOW TAKEN UP BY THE PRESENT ALIGNMENT OF THE RAILWAY ALONG THE CHATHAM ROAD AREA TO THE OLD TSIM SHA TSUI STATION.

THE MAIN STRUCTURAL FEATURE-OF THE TERMINUS IS A MASSIVE PODIUM ON WHICH STAND THE PASSENGER STATION BUILDING, A SEVEN-DECK CAR PARK AND THE BUS STATION. BELOW ARE THE TRACKS AND PLATFORMS. THE CENTRE OF THE PODIUM CONTAINS A PASSENGER CIRCULATING AREA, BOOKING OFFICES, WAITING ROOMS, SHOPS, "RESTAURANTS AND RAILWAY OFFICES.

THE CIRCULATING AREA IS CONNECTED TO THE PLATFORMS BELOW BY ESCALATORS AND STAIRS FOR PASSENGERS AND BY LIFTS FOR LUGGAGE. PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR ESCALATOR CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER STATION AND AN UNDERGROUND RAILWAY PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE.

0 -------

MONDAY, NOVE;,. ER 24, 1975

3

NEW CHARGING SYSTEM FOR GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS

M «

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THE CAR STRUCTURE WHICH WOULD EFFECT AN OVERALL LOWERING OF

'.•If ES AT ALL GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS.

THEY WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 30 (SUNDAY) TO COINCIDE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK a. uUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS COMPLEX, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SA • 3,

'IE OF THE CHANGES, HE SAID, IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW WHEREBY THE CAR PARKS ARE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS DIFFERENTIAL RATES ACCORDING TO THE DEMAND AT THEIR

L,*g iTIONS.

THE OTHERS INCLUDE RE-INTRODUCING A FLAT HOURLY RATE THROUGHOUT THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD, REDUCING THE MONTHLY TICKET FEE. AND DANCING THE START OF THE CHEAP-RATE PERIOD, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CHANGES WERE BEING INTRODUCED iO f; URE GREATER UTILISATION OF THE CAR PARKS WITHOUT LOSS IN TOTAL ■EV, UE WHILE AVOIDING TOO MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT TO USE PRIVATE CARS DUR I Lu PEAK PERIODS.

HE SAID THE LAST REVISION IN PARKING CHARGES INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER 1974 HAD ACHIEVED THE OBJECTIVE OF ENSURING SPACES FOR SHORT-TIME PARKERS BY DETERRING DAY-LONG PARKING AT THE CAR PARKS.

UNDER THE GROUPING SYSTEM, HE SAID, THE STAR FERRY, GARDEN ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD CAR PARKS WILL BE CLASSIFIED INTO GROUP A-THE MURRAY ROAD, RUMSEY STREET, CITY HALL AND YAU MA TEI CAR PARKS INTO GROUP B= AND THE NEW HUNG HOM CAR PARK INTO GROUP C.

A FLAT HOURLY RATE, WHICH VARIES WITH EACH GROUP, WILL BE RE-INTRODUCED FOR THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SLIDING SCALE WHEREBY THE CHARGES INCREASE IN- RATE THE LONGER THE CAR IS PARKED.

IN GROUP A CAR PARKS, THE NEW CHARGE WILL BE A FLAT $2 PER HOUR- IN GROUP B CAR PARKS, A FLAT $1.50 PER HOUR- AND IN GROUP C CAR PARK A FLAT $1 PER HOUR, DURING THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD WHICH IS FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 8 A.M. TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

AT PRESENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE HOURLY CHARGES IN THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD IN ALL GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS ARE $2 FOR THE FIRST FIVE HOURS, $3 FOR THE SIXTH TO EIGHTH HOURS. AND $4 THEREAFTER.

/THE MONTHLY .....

MONDAY, iWhiiBER 24, 1975

4

THE MONTHLY TICKET FEE WILL BE REDUCED BY $100 FROM $500 TO $400, HE SAID.

THE CHEAP-RATE PERIOD WILL START ONE HOUR EARLIER AT 6 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND TWO HOURS EARLIER AT 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS, EXCEPT IN THE GROUP C CAR PARK - THE ONE AT HUNG HOM - WHERE THE CHEAPRATE PERIOD WILL APPLY ALL DAY ON SATURDAYS.

THEREFORE, HE SAID, THE CHEAP-RATE PERIOD AS FROM NOVEMBER 30 WILL BE FROM 6 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS TO 8 A.M. THE NEXT DAY AND FROM 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS UNTIL 8 A.M. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, AS WELL AS ALL DAY ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

THE CHEAP RATE WILL REMAIN AT 50 CENTS AN HOUR WITH A minimum CHARGE OF $1, HE ADDED.

IN ADDITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, IN CASES WHERE A CAR IS PARKED FOR A PERIOD COVERING BOTH THE NORMAL-RATE AND CHEAP-RATE PERIODS, THE NORMAL RATE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THAT HOUR, WHOLLY OR PARTLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE TIME WHEN THE RATE CHANGES FROM NORMAL TO CHEAP OR VICE VERSA.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, IF A CAR IS TAKEN INTO A GROUP A CAR PARK AT 5.30 P.M. AND REMOVED AT 7.30 P.M., THE NORMAL RATE OF $2 AN HOUR WILL BE CHARGED FOR THAT HOUR FROM 5.30 P.M. TO 6.30 P.M. WHICH INCLUDES THE TIME WHEN THE RATE CHANGES AT 6 P.M. THE REMAINING PERIOD FROM 6.30 P.M. TO 7.30 P.M. WILL THEN BE CHARGED AT THE CHEAP RATE OF 50 CENTS AN HOUR. THESE GIVE A TOTAL CHARGE IN THIS CASE OF $2.50.

SIMILARLY, THE CHARGING AT NORMAL RATE FOR THE +BRIDGING HOUR* SPANNING BOTH PERIODS WILL ALSO APPLY IN THE MORNING WHEN THE RATE CHANGES AT 8 A.M., HE ADDED.

+THIS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE EXISTING SYSTEM WHEREBY, IF THE PARKING OF A CAR STARTS IN THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD, IT WILL BE CHARGED AT THE NORMAL RATE FOR AS LONG AS THE CAR IS PARKED,* HE SAID.

THE NEW HUNG HOM CAR PARK, WHICH IS EIGHT-STOREY HIGH,HAS 1,050 PARKING SPACES. ITS OPENING TO PUBLIC USE ON NOVEMBER 30 WILL BRING TO 5,568 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SPACES IN ALL GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS.

0

y

MONDAY, l-.07t.-lEt;.-; . , - 5 -

RESULT OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ISSUE SAIIoj'ACTOiU \ • X X X X X X X

:IHDS FOR BONDS TO A TOTAL HOMINAL VALUE OF $451 MILLION WERE RECEIVED IM RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S $250 MILLION BOND ISSUE. TENDERS OPENED AT 10 A.M. TODAY AND CLOSED AT 1 P.M.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TENDER PRICES RANGED FROM $90 PER $100 (THE MINIMUM PRICE) TO $105 PER $100.

THE ISSUE PRICE WAS FIXED AT $99 PER $100 AND APPLICATIONS AI PRICES ABOVE $99 PER $100 TOTALLING $219,500,000 WILL BE ALLOTED IN FULL.

PPL I CAT IONS TOTALLING $36,200,000 WERE MADE AT THE ISSUE PR’CE CF $99 PER $100. AS ONLY $30,500,000 WORTH OF BONDS REMAINED AVAILABLE, ALLOTMENTS WILL BE MADE ON A SCALED DOWN BASIS AS FOLLOWSI ’ ■

AMOUNTS APPLIED FOR %

I . A

$2,000,030“'and below

$3,000,000

$5,000,000

AMOUNT ALLOTED

IN FULL

$2,500,000

$4,000,000

$10,000,000 $7,900,000

COMMENTING ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS FIRST GOVERNMENT BOND ISSUE SINCE 1948, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THIS EVENING THAT HE WAS VERY SATISFIED INDEED WITH THE WAY IN WHICH THE MARKET HAD RESPONDED BOTH AS REGARDS THE VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS AND THE ISSUE PRICE.

AT AN ISSUE PRICE OF $99 PER $100 THE MATURITY YIELD IS 6.85 PER CENT (FREE OF TAX). + LREGARD THIS AS A FAIR PRICE AT WHICH TO BORROW ON THE HONG KONG MARKET,+ THE-F INAtIC I AL SECRETARY ADDED, +AND IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE PRICE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY. FOR 5-YEAR MONEY WHEN WE WERE PLANNING THE ISSUE*.

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/6 .....

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1975

6 -

MEMBERS OF REGIMENT TO BE DECORATED

KOK

TWENTY-FOUR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT WILL RECEIVE EFFICIENCY DECORATIONS, MEDALS, AND CLASPS FROM THE DEPUTY COMMANDER LAND FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL R.W.L. MCALISTER, ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 26).

THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE REGIMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY, AT 6.45 P.M.

NOTE TO EDITORS!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO HAVE THE EVENT COVERED. CAPTAIN C.F.T. EDWARD-COLLINS, ADJUTANT OF THE REGIMENT, WILL BE PRESENT TO ASSIST THE PRESS.

COPIES OF A LIST OF THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS TO BE DECORATED WILL BE PLACED IN THE PRESS BOXES FOR COLLECTION ON WEDNESDAY EVENING.

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WATER INTERRUPTION

K K K K

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE WITHOUT WATER ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 26) FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. TO ALLO.v A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED DY WING WO STREET TO MORRISON STREET AND BONHAM STRAND TO THE SEAFRONT. t

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I /7

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 197>

7

SAN HUI BRIDGE TO BE WIDENED

* * M H *

THE SAN HUI BRIDGE, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE ROAD SYSTEM FOR TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, WILL BE WIDENED NEXT MONTH.

THIS BRIDGE CARRIES PUI TO ROAD ACROSS SAN HUI RIVER INTO TOO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREAS ON THE LEFT OF THE RIVER CHANNEL.

MR. KWEI SEE-KAN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SAID TODAY THE WIDENING WORK WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THE WORK COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE SPANS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS ALONGISDE THE EXISTING BRIDGE.

CONCRETE PILES FOR SUPPORTING THE NEW BRIDGE DECKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN IN POSITION.

MR. KWEI SAID THAT ON COMPLETION THE WIDENED BRIDGE WOULD PROVIDE A FOUR-LANE ROAD CONNECTION ACROSS THE RIVER CHANNEL TO THE TOO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.

THE EXISTING BRIDGE, HE ADDED, WOULD REMAIN OPEN TO TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION WORK.

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

RESERVOIRS 96 PER CENT FULL

* M H

‘ A TOTAL OF 64,743 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER WERE IN STORE IN ALL RESERVOIRS AS AT 9 A.M. THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, REPRESENTING 96.2 PER CENT OF THE FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 67,300 MILLION GALLONS.

ON THE SAME DAY LAST YEAR THE TOTAL STORAGE WAS ONLY 54,116 MILLION GALLONS.

PLOVER COVE, HONG KONG’S BIGGEST RESERVOIR, HELD 49,689 MILLION GALLONS, REPRESENTING 98.4 PER CENT OF ITS FULL STORAGE CAPACITY OF 50,500 MILLION GALLONS, AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, IT HELD 38,596 MILLION GALLONS.

TOTAL RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 2,979.4 MM (117.3 IN). THE MEAN AVERAGE RAINFALL THIS YEAR IS 2133.6 MM. (84 IN).

- 0 - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG’S INCLUSION IN AMERICAN GSP WELCOMED ........... 1

NEW FERRY AND BUS LINKS WITH RAILWAY TERMINUS TO BE INTRODUCED ............................................... 2

NEW BEACON AT CAPE D’AGUILAR TO BE SWITCHED ON TOMORROW 4

POST OFFICE PREPARED FOR CHRISTMAS MAIL ................. 5

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR OPENING OF CHOI HUNG INTERCHANGE FLYOVER ...................................... 6

AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY .. 7

TWO UMELCO MEMBERS TO VISIT TAI PO ....................... 8

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

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

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2l>, 1975

1

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WELCOMES HONG KONG’S INCLUSION IN US-GSP n n h n n

COMMENTING ON THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT’S DESIGNATION TODAY OF HONG KONG AG A BENEFICIARY OF THEIR GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES (GSP), THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, SAID, +THIS IS VERY GOOD NEUS FOR HONG KONG. UE HAVE DEEN TRYING TO PERSUADE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE US IN THEIR GSP FOR SOME TIME, IN DEED SINCE THE POSSIBILITY C.- illE U.S. ESTABLISHING SUCH A SCHEME FIRST CAME INTO VIEW, AND i AM GLAD THAT OUR EFFORTS HAVE PROVED FRUITFUL.

+1 HOPE OTHER COUNTRIES OPERATING GSPS FROM WHICH, AT THE MOMENT HONG KONG IS EXCLUDED, Will., LIKEWISE, RECOGNISE OUR QUALIFICATION FOR INCLUSION IN THEIR SCHEMES, AND APPRECIATE OUR NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH THOSE GF OUR NEIGHBOURS IN THE REGION WHO MAY ALREADY BE PARTICIPATING IN THEIR SCHEMES. THIS IS ALL UE ASK.+

FHE U.S.-GSP’S STARTING DATE IS JANUARY 1, 1976. IT PROVIDES FOR DUTY-FREE ENTRY OF IMPORTS FROM BENEFICIARIES OF PRODUCTS DETERMINED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AS BEING ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

I HE LIST OF ELIGIBLE PRODUCTS HAS ALSO JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED AND THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EXPECTS TO RECEIVE THE DETAILS SHORTLY. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN KNOWN FOR SOME TIME HOWEVER THAT TEXTILES, FOO'iUEAR, HATCHES AND CERTAIN OTHER PRODUCTS REGARDED BY THE U.S. AS + IMPORT-SENSITIVE+ WILL DE EXCLUDED FROM THE GSP.

THE GSP ALSO CONTAINS A PROVISION WHEREBY A BENEFICIARY MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM RECEIVING DUTY-FREE TREATMENi IN I HOSE ELIGIBLE PRODUCTS IN WHICH IT IS REGARDED AS PARTICULARLY COMPETITIVE ACCORDING TO A SET OF PRE-DETERM I k.D CRITERIA.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN ELIGIBLE PROD''CTS, HONG KONG MAY DE SO DISQUALIFIED. BUT THIS CANNAT DE CONFIRMED UNTIL FURTHER DETAIL.S ABOUT THE GSP HAVE DEEM RECEIVED.

MR. JORDAN SAID THAT UNTIL THEN IT WILL NOT DE POSSIBLE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAl PROPORTION 0;- HONG KONG’S > PORTS TO THE U.S. WILL BE COVERED DY THE GSP.A PREVIL. 3 ROLL. I ESTIMATE DONE BY THE COMMERCE AND IlDUSiRY DLPAR'lhEN I WAS ill A MAXIMUM OF ONLY ABOUT 25 PER CEH'l COULD QUALIFY FUR DUTY-. REE TREATMENT.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1,2,75

2

NEW HUNG HOM-CENTRAL FERRY SERVICE STARTS ON SUNDAY

******

■ -

THE STAR FERRY COMPANY HAS BEEN GRANTED A TEMPORARY LICENCE TO RUN A SCHEDULED PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN HUNG HOM AND EDINBURGH PLACE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

THE SERVICE WILL START ON NOVEMBER 30 (SUNDAY) TO PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN CENTRAL AND HUNG HOM, WHERE TRAINS WILL OPERATE FROM THE NEW RAILWAY STATION ON THE SAME DAY, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE NEW ROUTE, HE SAID, WILL ADD TO THE EXISTING TWO FERRY SERVICES FROM HUNG HOM TO NORTH POINT AND WAN CHAI AS PART OF AN EXTENSIVE SEA AND LAND PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK SERVING HUNG HOM.

WITH THE RAILWAY STATION MOVING TO HUNG HOM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID,IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO HAVE A CENTRAL-HUNG HOM FERRY SERVICE IN ORDER TO ENABLE RAILWAY PASSENGERS TO CROSS DIRECT TO CENTRAL FROM HUNG HOM AS IS THE CASE NOW FROM TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE NEW SERVICE WILL OPERATE 12 HOURS A DAY ON A BASIC 15-MINUTE FREQUENCY WITH SAILINGS AS CLOSELY RELATED AS POSSIBLE TO TRAIN TIMETABLES.

THE FIRST SAILING WILL START AT 7.03 A.M. FROM CENTRAL AND 7.23 A.M. FROM HUNG HOM, WITH THE LAST FERRY LEAVING CENTRAL AT 7.03 P.M. AND LEAVING HUNG HOM AT 7.23 P.M.

THE JOURNEY TIME WILL BE ABOUT 13 MINUTES. THREE VESSELS WILL BE USED, EACH CAPABLE OF CARRYING 560 PASSENGERS. THE FARE WILL BE A FLAT 50 CENTS.

ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE SERVICE IS TO USE THE EAST ARM OF THE +STAR+ FERRY PIERS, WHILE AT HUNG HOM, -IT WILL TERMINATE AT THE WAN CHAI ROUTE PIER OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TEMPORARY LICENCE WOULD BE ISSUED FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS, AFTER WHICH A REVIEW WOULD BE MADE OF THE SERVICE.

HE SAID THE NEW ROUTE WILL STRENGTHEN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES AT HUNG HOM WHERE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO BUS SERVICES FROM NOVEMBER 30 TO MAKE THEM MORE READILY AVAILABLE FOR RAILWAY PASSENGERS.

/APART FROM .....

5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

APART FROM THE VARIOUS THROUGH BUS ROUTES WHICH NOW OPERATE VIA NEARBY WUHU STREET AND TUNNEL LAY-BYES, THREE EXISTING BUS ROUTES OPERATING FROM HUNG HOM TO KWUN TONG FERRY PIER (ROUTE NO. 5B), Ol MAN ESTATE (8) AND SHAM SHU I PO (12A), PLUS A NEW URBAN COACH SERVICE TO BE INTRODUCED FROM HUNG HOM TO LAI CHI KOK (212), WILL TERMINATE AT THE NEW RAILWAY STATION BUS TERMINUS.

TERMINATING AT THE ADJACENT HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE WILL EE THREE OTHER EXISTING BUS ROUTES WHICH RUN FROM HUNG HOM TO TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH (3B), WANG TAU HOM (7B) AND LAM TIN (15).

IN ADDITION, TWO EXISTING BUS ROUTES, FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH (5C) AND KAI TAK AIRPORT (25), TOGETHER WITH A NEW URBAN COACH SERVICE BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND KWUN TONG (211), ARE PLANNED TO BE ROUTED VIA THE NEW RAILWAY STATION WHEN THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE OU COMPLETION OF THE AUSTIN ROAD EXTENSION PROJECT SOME TIME NEXT YEAR.

FOR TAXI PASSENGERS, THERE ARE THREE NEW TAXI STANDS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 35 TAXI SPACES AT THE NEW RAILWAY STATION. THESE ARE IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING TAXI STAND AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE.

FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, A NEW TERMINUS IS ALREADY IN USE AT THE HUNG HOM FERRY CONCOURSE.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

4

NEW BEACON TO GUIDE NAVIGATORS * * K * * K

A NEW POWERFUL BEACON WILL BE SWITCHED ON AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 26) TO GIVE MORE HELP TO NAVIGATORS ON THE SEAWAY BETWEEN CAPE D’AGUI LAR AND BEAUFORT ISLAND.

THE NEW NAVIGATIONAL AID, MANUFACTURED BY A BRITISH FIRM, HAS A 250-WATT TUNGSTEN IODINE LAMP BULB.

ON A CLEAR DAY, ITS WHITE BEAM CAN REACH A DISTANCE OF 20 MILES.

THE GRANITE TOWER WHICH HOUSES THIS NEW EQUIPMENT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1875 FOR THE FIRST BEACON IN HONG KONG.

ALTHOUGH THIS BEACON WAS NOT USED AFTER 1896, THE TOWER HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND PRESERVED. SINCE AT A HEIGHT OF 200 FEET IT IS CLEAR OF ALL OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE CAPE D’AGUILAR PENINSULA, IT WAS CHOSEN AS THE SITE OF THE NEW BEACON.

THE INSTALLATION OF THIS NEW BEACON TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING NAVIGATIONAL AIDS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S STANDING COMMITTEE ON NAVIGATIONAL AIDS (SCONA).

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/5

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

5

POST OFFICE READY FOR CHRISTMAS RUSH

KOO

THE POST OFFICE IS ONCE AGAIN MUSTERING EXTRA MANPOWER AND FACILITIES TO MEET THE RUSH OF CHRISTMAS MAIL.

MORE THAN 120 TEMPORARY LABOURERS AND 25 TEMPORARY POSTAL OFFICERS ARE BEING DEPLOYED IN THE VARIOUS SECTIONS AND COUNTERS OF THE POST OFFICE TO MEET THE SEASONAL PRESSURE, AND SEVEN ADDITIONAL MAIL VANS WILL BE USED TO CONVEY CHRISTMAS MAIL.

FROM EARLY NEXT MONTH TO THE VERY EVE OF CHRISTMAS, STAFF OF THE POST OFFICE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO TAKE LEAVE EXCEPT FOR EXTREMELY URGENT REASONS, SO THAT THE SEASONAL GOOD-WILL GREETINGS CAN BE DELIVERED IN TIME.

THEIR BURDEN CAN BE MADE A LITTLE LIGHTER IF ONLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD REMEMBER NOT TO LEAVE THEIR POSTING TO THE LAST MINUTE.

+THEY CAN ALSO HELP NOT ONLY THE POSTMEN BUT THEMSELVES TOO, BY ENSURING THAT THEIR LETTERS ARE PROPERLY STAMPED AND ADDRESSED,+ A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID.

EACH YEAR AN AVERAGE OF SOME THREE MILLION DEAD LETTERS ARE UNDELIVERABLE BECAUSE THEIR ADDRESSES ARE INSUFFICIENT OR INCORRECT.

+AS IN PAST YEARS, THE LATEST POSTING DATES FOR OVERSEAS CHRISTMAS MAIL ARE PUBLICISED WELL IN ADVANCE IN THE PRESS AND OVER THE RAD 10,+ THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.

THE POST OFFICE HAS BEEN KEPT BUSY HANDLING THE UPSURGE IN LETTERS AND PARCELS DESTINED OVERSEAS, AND LATEST DATES FOR SENDING SURFACE MAIL IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS TO MOST COUNTRIES HAVE CLOSED, HE SAID.

THE BUSIEST TIME HOWEVER IS GREETINGS FROM BOTH OVERSEAS AND ARE PRESSING TO BE DELIVERED.

YET TO COME'NEXT MONTH WHEN LOCALLY FROM AMONG THE COMMUNITY

LAST DECEMBER. ABOUT 25 MILLION ITEMS OF OUTGOING AND INLAND LETTERS WERE HANDLED BY THE POST OFFICE - AN INCREASE OF 9 MILLION OR $6 PER CENT OVER THE AVERAGE MONTHLY VOLUME.

INCOMING LETTERS TOTALLED 6.1 MILLION, 1.3 MILLION OVER THE AVERAGE MONTHLY FIGURE.

/OUTGOING AIR .....

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1?75

OUTGOING AIR PARCELS ADDED UP TO 87,000 AND WEIGHED A TREMENDOUS 108,000 KILOGRAMMES. THE AVERAGE MONTHLY NUMBER OF SUCH PARCELS IS 71,000, AT AN OVERALL WEIGHT OF 88,000 KILOGRAMMES.

THE NUMBER OF INCOMING AIR PARCELS TOO WENT UP FROM AN AVERAGE OF 17,000 TO 30,000 ITEMS, WITH A NET INCREASE OF 18,000 KILOGRAMMES.

INCOMING SURFACE MAIL PARCELS INCREASED FROM AN AVERAGE OF 26,000 TO 34,000 ITEMS IN DECEMBER, WHILE OUTGOING MAIL PARCELS, WHICH HAD TO BE POSTED EARLIER, AMOUNTED TO 186,000 ITEMS LAST OCTOBER.

- 0 -

NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR PING SHEK ESTATE

* * * * M *

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE TRAFFIC CHANGES ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 26) NEAR PING SHEK ESTATE, KOWLOON, WHEN THE THIRD AND LAST FLYOVER OF THE CHOI HUNG INTERCHANGE IS OPENED TO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO KWUN TONG.

BEFORE THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY IS OPENED AT NOON, TRAFFIC FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD TO KWUN TONG WILL BE RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL ROUTE ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF PING SHEK ESTATE.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED NEAR THE NEW FLYOVER IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE OPENING AND MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE AREA IF POSSIBLE AROUND NOON ON WEDNESDAY.

THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE NEW FLYOVER WILL BE OPENED ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER TO TRAFFIC FROM KWUN TONG TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD. TRAFFIC GOING UP THE FLYOVER WILL HAVE-TO SELECT THE RIGHT-HAND LANE WHILE APPROACHING FROM KWUN TONG.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE POSTED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.

MEANWHILE. ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE WHOLE OF FINLAY ROAD IS NOW CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO ENABLE SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT. TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN PUT UP TO INDICATE THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE.

- 0 - -

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

7

AMS TO CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY * * M #

THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE, A LARGE GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS WORKING ALONGSIDE THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IS A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OLD TODAY.

AND TO MARK THE MEMORABLE OCCASION, A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAVE DEEN ORGANISED DURING THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS INVOLVING THOUSANDS OF AMS STAFF AND MEMBERS.

THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BEGIN WITH A COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT THE HONG KONG CLUB TOMORROW EVENING. THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, WHO IS ALSO CONTROLLER OF AMS,

WILL ATTEND.

A CELEBRATION DINNER FOR UP TO 1,000 MEMBERS WILL BE HELD AT THE OCEANIA RESTAURANT, KOWLOON, ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13.

OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TWO +FAMILY DAYS+, ONE TO BE HELD AT KOWLOON HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, AND THE OTHER AT INDIAN RECREATION CLUB ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21.

A COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE WILL BE PUBLISHED TO MARK THE OCCASION.

OVER THE YEARS, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE HAS GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, WITH ITS MEMBERSHIP NOW REACHING 6,000. THE SERVICE WAS FORMED IN 1950 TO RENDER SUPPORTING SERVICES TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES.

AMS MEMBERS HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG’S MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. THEY HAVE TAKEN PART IN NUMEROUS RESCUE OPERATIONS DURING DISASTERS CAUSED BY TYPHOONS, RAIN-STORMS, AND AIR CRASHES. THEY HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO HELPING THE SICK AND WOUNDED IN TIMES OF EPIDEMICS AND CIVIL DISTURBANCES.

THERE IS ONE AMS SUB-UNIT IN ALMOST EVERY DISTRICT OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON, AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, INCLUDING MANY OFF-SHORE ISLANDS.

MEMBERS WHO ARE RECRUITED TO THE SERVICE ARE GIVEN A

40-HOUR COURSE OF BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING INITIALLY. HAVING COMPLETED THIS COURSE, THEY WILL BE OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND BY OPTION OTHER TYPES OF TRAINING, SUCH AS CASUALTY HANDLING, LIGHT RESCUE, ADMINISTRATION, LEADERSHIP, SQUAD AND STRETCHER DRILLS, AMBULANCE DUTY AND LIFE-SAVING.

_____0------

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1975

8

UMELCO MEMBERS TO VISIT TAI PO DISTRICT

*#***«

TWO UMELCO MEMBERS, MR. SZETO WAI AND MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, WILL VISIT THE TAI PO DISTRICT ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 27).

THEY WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR. JOHN CHAMBERS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND MR. CLIVE OXLEY, DISTRICT OFFICER, TAI PO.

DURING THEIR TOUR, THEY WILL VISIT THE RECENTLY OPENED YIM TIN CHAI FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE NEAR PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR, SHEK WU HUI TOWNSHIP AT SHEUNG SHU I, AND KAT-0 ISLAND OFF SHA TAU KOK. THEY WILL MEET RURAL COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR DISCUSSIONS ON LOCAL PROBLEMS.

NOTE TO EDITORS*.

MEMBERS OF THE PRESS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT TO YIM TIN CHAI AND SHEUNG SHU I. TRANSPORT (VAN AM 3274) WILL LEAVE THE TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-POOL (BEHIND THE POST OFFICE) AT 8.50 A.M. ON THURSDAY TO PROCEED TO TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.

0 - -

WATER STOPPAGE W * * #

WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 27) TO FACILITATE A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY THE TAI HONG ROAD MAIN NULLAH AND TAI HONG ROAD, INCLUDING TIN LIU TSUEN, MUK KIU TAU TSUEN, SHU I TSU LO WAI. HUNG TSO TIN TSUEN, SHU I TSU SAN TSUEN, NAM HANG, TAI TONG TSUEN AND PAK SHA TSUEN.

- o - -

PRH 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

HONG KONG BELIEVES IN ’VIGOROUS TRADE’, SAYS THE ACTING GOVERNOR ..................................................  1

KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY ENTERS A NEW ERA .................... 3

UPWARD TREND IN EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES ..................... 6

NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO BE INTRODUCED IN SHAM SHU I PO ................................................... 7

WATER CUT IN TAI PO AND WESTERN DISTRICT ................... 8

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

1 -

HONG KONG BELIEVES IN ’VIGOROUS TRADE’ - ACTING GOVERNOR

******

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, SAID TODAY HE BELIEVED HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AS A PORT AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE WAS DUE NOT ONLY TO THE FACILITIES PROVIDED AND THE QUALITY OF GOODS PRODUCED, BUT TO +THE ATMOSPHERE WE HAVE SOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE.+

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEATRADE CONFERENCE AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, HE SAID THIS ATMOSPHERE WAS ONE IN WHICH THE DEVELOPER, THE TRADER, THE INDUSTRIALIST AND THE BUSINESSMAN WOULD FLOURISH.

•HIE WILL FLOURISH BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT HE IS WANTED HERE-BECAUSE HE IS OPERATING IN A COMMUNITY WHICH BELIEVES IN INITIATIVE AND THINKS IT RIGHT THAT A MAN SHOULD RETAIN A FAIR PROPORTION OF THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOUR AND INGENUITY" BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT WE REGARD THE FREE MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL AND GOODS AS ESSENTIAL TO OUR GROWTH" AND BECAUSE HE MAY FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE SHALL STRIVE TO MAINTAIN OUR FREE PORT STATUS AND OUR LOW-TAX STRUCTURE.+

+ABOVE ALL,+ SIR DENYS STRESSED, +HE IS AWARE THAT WE BELIEVE FIRMLY IN THE BENEFITS OF VIGOROUS TRADE, FREE FROM ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS, AND IN THE ABILITY OF THE TRADER TO OPERATE IN THE WAY WHICH WILL BE OF THE GREATEST BENEFIT TO HIMSELF, TO HIS EMPLOYEES AND TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.+

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO SEPARATE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER, AND ALTHOUGH HE WAS AWARE THAT MANY ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE BELIEVED THAT SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE JUSTIFIED AND ADVANTAGEOUS TO HONG KONG’S INTERESTS, THE ACTING GOVERNOR SAID AN +IMMENSE FLEET+, PROBABLY BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MILLION TONS WAS OWNED OR OPERATED BY COMPANIES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID THAT THIS GAVE HONG KONG +A POWER AND INFLUENCE IN THE PATTERN OF-WORLD SHIPPING WHICH IS OUT OF ALL PROPORTION TO THE MODEST NUMBER OF VESSELS WHICH APPEAR ON THE HONG KONG PORTION OF THE BRITISH SHIPPING REGISTER.+

ASSOCIATED WITH THE OWNERSHIP OR OPERATION OF THE FLEET IS HONG KONG’S IMPORTANCE AS A SOURCE OF RECRUITMENT OF SEAMEN. HONG KONG MAINTAINS A REGISTER OF ABOUT 80,000 SEAMEN OF WHOM AT ANY GIVEN TIME MORE THAN 30,000 ARE SERVING ON VESSELS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

+OUR SEAMEN ARE GREATLY IN DEMAND FOR THE SAME QUALITIES OF DISCIPLINE, EFFICIENCY, HARDWORK AND ADAPTABILITY WHICH HAVE BEEN SO INTEGRAL A PART OF OUR SUCCESS AS AN INDUSTRIAL ENTITY,+ SIR DENYS SAID.

/REFERRING .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

2

REFERRING TO HONG KONG’S ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE SEA, SIR DENYS SAID THAT IN THE PAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY HONG KONG HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A TRANS-SHIPMENT PORT INTO ONE OF THE MAIN MANUFACTURING CENTRES OF THE WORLD. +BUT, WHEREVER YOU LOOK, YOU ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED THAT OUR VERY EXISTENCE DEPENDS UPON THE SEA AND THAT SHIPPING PLAYS A DOMINANT ROLE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG.*

IN CONCLUSION, THE ACTING GOVERNOR SAID THE SERIOUS RECESSION WHICH FOLLOWED THE OIL CRISIS HAD FALLEN HEAVILY ON SHIPOWNERS, WHO HAD CARRIED SO FAR THIS YEAR ABOUT 10 PER CENT LESS CARGO THAN LAST YEAR. +NOR CAN THE PROSPECTS OF RECOVERY YET BE READILY ASSESSED.*

HE DID NOT SUPPOSE THE DELEGATES ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WOULD LEAVE HONG KONG WITH +ANY PANACEA FOR THE TEMPORARY SICKNESS OF WORLD TRADE= BUT PERHAPS YOU WILL LEAVE US WITH MORE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE THAN WHEN YOU CAME. FOR THIS IS A PLACE WHICH BREEDS OPTIMISM.*

NOTE TO EDITORS: COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR’S SPEECH ARE DISTRIBUTED SEPARATELY IN THE GIS PRESS BOXES.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

3

KCR ENTERS A NEW ERA

*****

A NEW ERA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY BEGINS ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 30) WHEN THE FIRST TRAIN FROM THE HUN HOM TERMINUS LEAVES FOR LOWU AT 8.26 A.M.

THE DAY BEFORE, THE OLD STATION AT TSIM SHA TSUI WILL SEE THE LAST TRAIN DEPART AT 2.55 P.M.

DURING THE INTERVAL, A MAJOR CIVIL ENGINEERING OPERATION 'JILL iL CARRIED OUT ON THE RAILWAY LINE. THE EXISTING LINE TO TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE SEVERED AND A NEW LINE TO HUNG HOM CONNECTED.

FOR PASSENGERS NORMALLY TAKING THE TRAIN FROM TSIM SHA TSUI STATION, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL RUN A SHUTTLE SERVICE DURING THIS TIME BETWEEN THE TSIM SHA TSUI AND MONG KOK STATIONS, CHARGING A FARE OF 30 CENTS.

THESE BUSES WILL LEAVE 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE OF TRAINS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI.

ON SUNDAY, A NEW PASSENGER TIMETABLE WILL BE INTRODUCED. IN THE REVISED SCHEDULE, 20 PASSENGER TRAINS, THREE MORE THAN AT PRESENT, AND AN EXTRA FREIGHT TRAIN IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT EIGHT, WILL BE RUN EACH DAY.

THIS IMPROVEMENT WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS REDUCING OVERCROWDING, PARTICULARLY DURING PEAK HOURS.

IN THE AFTERNOON, THE NEW RAILWAY TERMINUS WILL HOLD A HOUSE-WARMING PARTY FOR 500 CHILDREN FROM THE WALLED CITY AT

ITS NORTHERN CONCOURSE.

THE CHILDREN WILL GO ON A PLEASURE TRIP ON A STAR FERRY AND LATER WILL BE FEASTED BY THE FOOD CATERER OF THE RAILWAY STATION. ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE AFTERNOON WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, KOWLOON CITY.

THE RAILWAY GENERAL MANAGER, MR. REG GREGORY, SAID IT WAS WITH A GREAT DEAL OF NOSTALGIA THAT THE KCR LEAVES ITS 60 YEAR-OLD TERMINUS AT TSIM SHA TSUI.

THE TERMINUS WAS BUILT IN 1916 TO REPLACE A STATION BETWEEN IT AND SALISBURY ROAD WHICH DATED BACK TO 1910, HE RECALLED.

/+IN 1906 .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

If

+IN 1906 VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED THAT HUNG HOM SHOULD BE CHOSEN AS THE TERMINUS, BUT THIS OPTION WAS NOT TAKEN UP. WE ARE NOW MOVING CLOSE TO THE AREA ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AT THAT TIME,+ HE SAID.

HOWEVER, THE NEW STATION AT HUNG HOM, WITH ITS MODERN AMENITIES AND ATTRACTIVE DECOR AND DESIGN, WOULD MAKE A FITTING COMPENSATION TO THE OLD TERMINUS AT TSIM SHA TSUI, MR. GREGORY SAID.,

THE NEW $150 MILLION STATION IS DIFFERENT IN CONCEPT FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, FOR IT OPERATES WITH THE CONCOURSE ABOVE THE PLATFORMS, AND WITH THE TWO LEVELS CONNECTED BY ESCALATORS, LIFTS AND STAIRWAYS.

THE NUMBER OF PLATFORMS IS INCREASED FROM TWO TO THREE, AND UNLIKE THOSE AT TSIM SHA TSUI, EACH OF THEM CAN HOLD A TRAIN WITH 14 PASSENGER COACHES.

MR. GREGORY CONTINUED: +THE STATION HAS CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS, AND ELECTRIC ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INDICATOR BOARDS. THESE WILL BE OPERATED BY A STATION CONTROLLER WHO WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AND SPEAK TO SELECTED PARTS OF THE STATION.

+THE CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM HAS MONITOR SCREENS IN THE STATION CONTROLLER’S OFFICE AND ON ALL PLATFORMS SO THAT TRAIN CREWS CAN SCAN THE WHOLE PLATFORM TO ENSURE SAFETY DURING THE DEPARTURE OF TRAINS.

♦COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SHUNTERS, SIGNALMEN AND DRIVERS OF LOCOMOTIVES TOO WILL BE MADE MUCH MORE CONVENIENT BY ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO.+

INSIDE THE MAIN CONCOURSE THERE WILL BE A RESTAURANT, A SNACK BAR AND A RAIL BAR, WHICH TOGETHER WILL OFFER A COMPLETE RANGE OF FOOD, FROM A FAST SNACK TO A FULL MENU OF WESTERN OR CHINESE CUISINE.

BANKING "SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AT A MINI-BANK AND BOOKS AND MAGAZINES CAN BE BOUGHT AT A BOOK SHOP. A TRAVEL AGENCY OFFICE IN THE CONCOURSE WILL GIVE ADVICE AND FACILITIES TO PASSENGERS TO AND FROM CHINA.

THE RAILWAY ITSELF HAS AN ENQUIRY OFFICE TO HELP PASSENGERS AND NEWCOMERS TO HONG KONG.

PLANNING FOR THE TERMINUS TOOK ACCOUNT NOT ONLY OF PASSENGER AND FREIGHT NEEDS, BUT ALSO OTHER TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS.

/MR. GREGORY .....

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

5

MR. GREGORY SAID: +THE TERMINAL IS LOCATED AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL AND ABOVE A PLANNED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION. IT IS ADJACENT TO FERRY PIERS OPERATING SERVICES TO NORTH POINT, WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL, AND IT HAS A BUS terminal on the podium outside the station concourse which will COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING ONE OUTSIDE THE FERRY PIFRS.+

THE STATION IS CONNECTED TO HUNG HOM BY A FLYOVER TO GILLIES AVENUt. IT WILL BE LINKED TO TSIM SHA TSUI EARLY NEXT YEAR WHEN A FLYOVER ACROSS THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ENTRANCE IS COMPLETED.

THERE IS AN ACCESS ROAD FROM HONG CHONG ROAD, SO THAT VEHICLES GOING TOWARDS THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL FROM KOWLOON WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO VIA THE PODIUM OF THE STATION.

THE MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AT THE TERMINUS HAS COVERED PARKING SPACES FOR 840 CARS AND THE OPEN CAR PARK NEXT TO IT WILL HOLD 215 CARS.

A SITE AT ONE END OF THE STATION COMPLEX HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR A PROPOSED 16,000-SEAT INDOOR STADIUM AND THIS ON COMPLETION WILL PUT FURTHER DEMAND ON THE FACILITIES OF THE RAILWAY TERMINUS.

MR. GREGORY SAID HE HOPED THE MANY PASSENGERS WHO HAVE USED THE KOWLOONrCANTON RAILWAY IN THE PAST, AND MORE PEOPLE FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES, WOULD ENJOY THE FACILITIES GF THE NEW STATION.

+WE LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING ALL OUR PASSENGERS WITH A SATISFACTORY SERVICE,* HE SAID.

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/6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 19'0

6 -

UPWARD TREND IN EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES K « H » M

THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE RISING TREND IN MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CONTINUED IN SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO RESULTS OF TWO EMPLOYMENT SURVEYS CONDUCTED RECENTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT SURVEY FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SHOWS THAT 627,631 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS AS AT SEPTEMBER 15 THIS YEAR. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 3,640 PEOPLE OR 0.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 623,991 FOR JUNE THIS YEAR.

AT THE INDUSTRY SECTOR LEVEL, MAIN INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN GARMENTS (+4,015), COTTON WEAVING (+1,572). HANDBAGS (+737), JOB PRINTING (+722) AND BLEACHING AND DYEING (+710). DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT OCCURRED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PLASTIC TOYS (-2,484), KNITWEAR FROM YARN (-1,132), MISCELLANEOUS PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-1,042), WOOL KNITTING (-810) AND GLOVES (-767).

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE FIVE LARGEST INDUSTRY GROUPS REMAINED WEARING APPAREL, 211,428= TEXTILES, 104,319= PLASTIC PRODUCTS, 61,645= ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPLIANCES AND SUPPLIES, 60,444= AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, 54,407.

ANOTHER EMPLOYMENT SURVEY ON IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SHOWS THAT 344,962 PEOPLE WERE ENGAGED IN THESE SECTORS IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED WITH 340,737 PEOPLE IN JUNE. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 4,225 PEOPLE OR 1.2 PER CENT.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1975

7 -

NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR SHAM SHU I PO H K H * H *

A MAJOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SHAM SHU I PO, KOWLOON, TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT BUSY ROAD SECTIONS AND JUNCTIONS.

THE SCHEME, EFFECTIVE FROM 10 A.M., WILL INVOLVE THE RE-ROUTING OF ROAD SECTIONS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF CLEARWAYS WHERE PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS DURING CERTAIN PERIODS OF THE DAY.

UNDER THE SCHEME, THE SECTION OF FUK WING STREET BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET WILL BE MADE ONE-WAY NORTHWEST-BOUND TOWARDS KIU KIANG STREET.

IN KIU KIANG STREET, THE SECTION BETWEEN FUK WING STREET AND UN CHAU STREET WILL BE MADE ONE-WAY TOWARDS UN CHAU STREET, THE SECTION BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY TOWARDS UN CHAU STREET, AND THE SECTION BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND SHUN NING ROAD WILL BE ONE-WAY TOWARDS SHUN NING ROAD.

THE SECTION OF SHUN NING ROAD BETWEEN KIU KIANG STREET AND CAMP STREET, WHICH IS NOV/ TWO-WAY, WILL BECOME ONE-WAY NORTHWESTBOUND TOWARDS CAMP STREET.

AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS ALONG THE NORTHEAST-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF YEN CHOW STREET BETWEEN FUK WA STREET AND FUK WING STREET DURING THE PEAK PERIODS FROM 7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. AND FROM 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. A SIMILAR RESTRICTION ALREADY EXISTS IN THE ADJOINING LENGTH TO THE SOUTHWEST.

DURING THE SAME PERIODS, PLBS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP ALONG THE SECTION OF YEN CHOW STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.

similar 'Restrictions on plbs will also be implemented on the NORTHEAST-DOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF YEN CHOW STREET BETWEEN FUK WING STREET AND UN CHAU STREET, AND ALONG THE SECTION OF UN CHAU STREET BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND KIU KIANG STREET, DURING THE PERIOD FROM 7 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL EE POSTED TO ADVISE MOTORISTS.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER'26, 1975

8 -

WATER CUT

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE WITHOUT WATER ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 28) AND SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 29) RESPECTIVELY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREAS.

IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE INTERRUPTED FROM 10 P.M. ON FRIDAY UNTIL 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY. AFFECTED ARE ALL PREMISES IN THE TAI PO AREA BETWEEN TAI PO LOOK-OUT AND SHU I WAI, INCLUDING VILLAS AND VILLAGES IN TAI PO ROAD, TING KOK ROAD, KAM SHAN ROAD AND TAI PO MARKET AREA, TAI PO.

IN YUEN LONG, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE CUT FROM 1 A.M. TO 6 A.M. ON SATURDAY TO ALLOW A LEAKAGE TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT.

THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI TONG ROAD MAIN NULLAH, HOP YICK ROAD, AND KAU YUK ROAD INCLUDING MA TIN TSUEN.

IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT, ALL PREMISES IN POKFULAM VILLAGE, INCLUDING TAI KOO LAU AND DAIRY FARM COLD STORAGE- WAH FU ESTATE HIGH BLOCKS- 21-60, SASSOON ROAD= 116-144 AND BLIND SCHOOL, POKFULAM RQAD AND THE SENIOR STAFF FLAT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FOR ABOUT EIGHT HOURS STARTING FROM 10 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

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< I I I 11 I I I I

PR 93 4000039

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT

SPEECH BY HIS EXCEI.TiENCY THE ACTING GOVERNOR

ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE SEATRaDE CONFERENCE

____________ON WEDNESDAY 26TII NOVEMBER, 1975________________

INTRODUCTION

The Governor has asked me to say how sorry he is that he is unable to attend this important Conference on the future of International Shipping and to extend a warm welcome to our many distinguished and influential visitors from overseas. No doubt most of you are busy men, to whom time is precious; but I hope that this will not prevent you from staying here long enough to.discover that Hong Kong has much more to offer than conferences.

The Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce are to be congratulated on their enterprise in sponsoring this Conference which has been so admirably organised by Sea Trade, the 1eadi ng publication in its fields I confess that I found it surprising that this is the first major conference to be held in Hong Kong which is devoted exclusively to shipping, in view of our dependence upon the sea for our trade, our prosperity and our ability to compete in the markets of the world. Because, for many reasons, this great maritime centre is a natural choice as the venue of a convention of shipping experts.

HONG KONG /US A SHIPPING CENTRE

In 1974 over 7,000 ocean-going vessels and more than 53^000 other ships entered this magnificent harbour, which varies from one to six miles

/in width .....

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

2

in width and encompasses an area of 23 square miles. Within its confines are 74 mooring buoys for vessels of over 450 feet in length and wharves which will accommodate ships with draughts up to 40 feet and lengths of as much as 1,000 feet.

If you look down upon the harbour from the hills which range above it to the north and south, you will see the water patterned unceasingly by the wakes of hundreds of small craft which ply day and night within its boundaries. The scale of this traffic can be judged from the fact that in 1974 over 200 million passengers used our internal ferries and nearly 4/2 million made the journey to or from Macau.

At any time, there are estimated to be about 100 ocean-going ships and 5,000 local craft working or underway within the harbour; and our fleet of locally based small ships, fishing boats, cargo vessels, work boats and pleasure craft totals more than 15,000.

In terms of tonnage of shipping using its facilities, the amount of cargo handled and the number of passengers carried within it, Hong Kong is believed to be the seventh largest port in the world.

SHIPPING FACILITIES

As you would expect, most of our international passenger traffic, except on the route to Macau, is now carried by air. But the same does not apply to the movement of goods. Last year, of a total trade of over 18 million metric tons, more than 93% was moved by sea; indeed, almost 99% by volume of our export trade, on which our survival and prosperity depend, was transported by sea.

We do not have a separate Hong Kong Shipping Register, although I am aware that many of you believe that such a development would be justified by the importance of Hong Kong as a.shipping centre and advantageous to her interests. However that may be, an immense fleet, probably between 25 and

/}0 million .....

3

30 million tons, is owned or operated by companies registered in Hong Kong. This gives us a power and influence in the pattern of world shipping which is out of all proportion to the modest number of vessels which appear on the Hong Kong portion of the British Shipping Register.

.associated with our ownership or operation of this fleet is our importance as a source of recruitment of seamen. We maintain a register of abour 80,000 seamen, of whom at any given time more than 30j000 are to be found serving on at least 1,300 vessels scattered throughout the world. Our seamen are greatly in demand for the same qualities of discipline, efficiency, hardwork and adaptability which have been so integral a part of our success as an industrial -entity.

Because of the overriding importance to us of our sea trade, we have had to develop to the full those facilities which shippers require. In the past few years three major container terminals, capable of receiving ships of up to 60,000 tons, have been constructed at Kwai Chung and three further berths are being built.

Already more than 40# of our imports and exports are handled by these terminals. -J.though this percentage may well increase, we shall continue to retain our capacity to deal by traditional methods with the remainder of our cargoes with the skill, speed and economy which have been an outstanding feature of the Port of Hong Kong for more than 100 years.

To service the large numbers of visiting and local ships, we have developed extensive repair, maintenance, dry docking and slipping facilities of a standard which brings vessels here from all parts of Asia to take advantage of them.

At least as important to those who conduct our trade, as the services provided by the Port and dockyards, are the banking and financial facilities and the reliability and speed of the international communications

/which are .....

4

which are available. In all these fields we are confident that we compare favourably with any of the large ports of the world.

HONG KONG'S ATTITUDES

We now provide, through the vision and resource of private enterprise, with little more than gentle guidance from a government which is reluctant to meddle in matters which are best left to those who are experienced in them, all that^ is necessary for tithe efficient conduct of a great- port. Its speedy and economical operation are vital to a huge overseas trade which places us, by value of our exports, among the twenty leading traders of the world. t ,

But I believe that our success as a port, and as a leading manufacturing centre, are due not only to the facilities which we provide and to the quality of the goods which we produce, but also to the atmosphere which we have sought to encourage - an atmosphere in which the developer, the trader, the industrialist and the businessman will flourish.

He will flourish because he knows that he is wanted here; because he is operating in a community which believes in initiative and thinks it right that a man should retain a fair proportion of the fruits of his labour and ingenuity; because he knows that we regard the free movement of capital and goods as essential to our growth; because he may feel confident that we shall strive to maintain our free port status and our low-tax structure.

Above all he is aware that we believe firmly in the benefits of vigorous trade, free from artificial barriers, and in the ability of the trader to operate in the way which will be of the greatest benefit to himself, to his employees and to the community in general.

HONG KONG ,<ND THE

*ks I indicated earlier, it is appropriate that Hong Kong should serve as the venue for a conference on international shipping. For the

/conception .....

5

conception, birth and growth to maturity of this remarkable place have been dominated by its ability to provide a safe haven for the trading vessels of the East.

You will recall that in the last century the British merchants who maintained factories in Canton and residences in Macau, became restive at the conditions under which they were obliged to operate and asked the British Government to try to obtain a base from which they could trade with greater freedom. After some hesitation, the Government complied and the choice fell upon the bare, infertile, volcanic Islet of Hong Kong. A visit to present day Lantao will give you an accurate picture of what Hong Kong must have looked like in 1840. There you will find a heavily indented coast rising steeply to an irregular sky-line. At sea level, lies a thin strip’of land where cultivation is possible, but the rest is hillside, treeless, barren and strewn with blocks of naked rock.

The success of Hong Kong as a trading post was founded upon its .•* j

security as an anchorage; upon its detachment from the political upheavals which were shaking Eastern Asia; upon the excellence of its shipping'and commercial facilities and upon a successful blending of the qualities of those two superb trading races the Chinese and the British.

The polyglot community which has emerged, constantly revivified and transformed by fresh migration, has wrought in a cheerless Island a transformation without parallel. What was a quiet anchorage, a haven for pirates and the home of a few thousand poor villagers, has become a remarkable Twentieth Century monument to the industry and ingenuity of man.

In the past quarter of a century we have transformed ourselves from a transhipment port into one of the main manufacturing centres of the world. But, wherever you look, you are constantly reminded that our very existence depends upon the sea and that shipping plays a dominant role in the lives of those who live in Hong Kong.

/CONCLUSION

6

CONCLUSION

The world has been full of doubt and anxieties in the past two years, since the oil crisis dealt a further shock to an already hesitant economy. The serious recession which followed has fallen heavily on shipowners, who have carried so far this year about 10% less cargo than last year. Nor can the prospects of recovery yet be readily assessed.

I do not suppose that, impressive as is the list of experts who are attending this conference, you will leave here with any panacea for the temporary sickness of world trade; but perhaps you will leave us with more hope for the future than when you came.

For.this is a place which breeds optimism* It was belief in the growth of trade with China which was the reason for its foundation* It has been developed by the enterprise of men with small capital but huge faith and by the diligence of the thousands who brought hope with them as their only asset, when they came from other lands to make this place their home. Consequently, whatever the difficulties which have beset us, we have managed to retain, as I am sure the shipping world has done, an undimmed optimism for the future.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1975

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

FOUR NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ................................................. 1

IMPROVED FERRY PIER FACILITIES FOR SHAM SHUI PO AND CHEUNG CHAU ............................................... 2

PUBLIC RECREATION GROUNDS OFFICE MOVES TO NEW ADDRESS .... 3

FREIGHT TRAFFIC BEGINS AT NEW HUNG HOM TERMINUS ........... 4

PLAY LEADERSHIP CENTRE FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN LICENSED AREA .. 5

BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS .*...........................   6

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION ....................6

»

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

THURSDAY, NOVEl

HEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO SPORT COUNCIL H » K

FOUR NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR ECR' AMuI; AND SPORT WHICH WAS SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT TWO YEAR.', ACO .o PRU10TE AND EXPAND THE USE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.

THE NEW MEMBERS ARE MR. CHAM SIU-LUEN, A PROMINENT LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION’ MR. WAI KEE-SHUN, PUBLISHER OF THE TIN TIN YAT PO, WHO TAKES A KEEN INTEREST IN SPORT= AND MR. YEUNG SIU-CHO, A SOLICITOR WHO HAS CLOSE CONNECTION WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES. ONE NEU OFFICIAL MEMBER HAS BEEN APPOINTED. HE IS MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, WHO IS THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, AND THE OTHER MEMBERS - THE SECRETARIES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTORS OF URBAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION, THE DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, Ml(. A. DE 0. SALES AND MR. H.K. HU - HAVE ALL BEEN REAPPOINTED DY THE GOVERNOR FOR ANOTHER PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.

SINCE ITS FORMATION, THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEVERAL PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

ONE OF THE PROJECTS INITIATED BY THE COUNCIL WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE SCHEME.

THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WITH THE POSTING OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO VARIOUS DISTRICTS TO ORGANISE PHYSICAL RECREATION AND SPORT AND TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF ALL THE SPORTS FACILITIES, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON IDENTIFYING AND THEN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE SCHEME HAS HAD TREMENDOUS RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC AND IN MANY INSTANCES THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY HIE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN OVERSUBSCRIBED.

THE SCHEME IS BEING GRADUALLY EXPANDED TO OTHER DISTRICTS AS RESOURCES BECOME AVAILABLE.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1975

2

IMPROVED FERRY PIER FACILITIES FOR SHAM SHU I PO AND CHEUNG CHAU

******

BETTER FERRY PIER FACILITIES AND AT CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND TO COPE COMMUTERS AND HOLIDAY CROWDS.

WILL BE PROVIDED AT SHAM SHU I PO

WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF

AT SHAM SHU I PO, A NEW PIER CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING LARGE TRIPLE-DECK PASSENGER FERRIES WILL BE BUILT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE OFF PEI HO STREET, WHILE THE PRESENT PIER AT CHEUNG CHAU WILL DE RENOVATED AND ENLARGED.

BOTH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, WHICH WILL ALSO SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.

WORK ON THE NEW SHAM SHU I PO PIER, LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWESTERN CORNER OF THE 18.5-ACRE RECLAMATION OFF TUNG CHAU STREET, WILL START IN JANUARY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1977.

RENOVATION WORK ON CHEUNG CHAU PIER IS EXPECTED TO START FEBRUARY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE NEXT TYPHOON SEASON.

IN

MR. HOWARD CHAMBERLAIN, CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, SAID TODAY THE NEW PIER WOULD BE A VAST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE EXISTING ONE AND WOULD PROVIDE BETTER BERTHING AND PASSENGER FACILITIES.

THE PRESENT PIER, HE SAID, WAS ALREADY HEAVILY OVERLOADED AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE ADEQUATELY WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN PASSENGERS. LAST YEAR, HE SAID, MORE THAN 26 MILLION PEOPLE USED THE PIER AND THE NUMBER WAS ESTIMATED TO RISE WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SHAM SHU I PO.

+THE NEW PIER WILL BE LARGER THAN THE EXISTING ONE AND WILL BE SUITABLY EQUIPPED TO ACCOMMODATE LARGER PASSENGER FERRIES SERVING THE AREA,* HE SAID.

I

MR. CHAMBERLAIN SAID THE NEW PIER WOULD BE A TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE WITH TWO BERTHS EACH FITTED WITH ELECTRICALLY OPERATED LIFTS AND RAMPS TO FACILITATE EMBARKING AND DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS.

+THERE WILL ALSO BE A LARGE CONCOURSE WITH COVERED WALKWAYS, BUS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINI AS WELL AS TAXI RANKS PROVIDING GOOD LAND TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS TO AND FROM THE PIER,+ HE ADDED.

/Mr. chamberlain .....


THURSDAY^ NOVEMBER 2 , 1975

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VOVKf

MR. CHAMBERLAIN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW PIER CONGESTION IN THE AREA SHOULD BE CONSIDERABLY REDUCED.

MEANWHILE, TENDERS FOR THE EXTENSION OF CHEUNG CHAU PIER WILL BE CALLED THIS WEEK AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT WORK WILL START IN FEBRUARY.

THE WORK WILL INVOLVE WIDEN I NG AND EXTENDING THE PIER TO MAKE IT MORE SUITABLE FOR THE LARGER TRIPLE-DECK FERRIES NOW USING IT. ELECTRICALLY-OPERATED LIFTS AND RAMPS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN NOTED THAT THE PIER WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR SINGLE-LOADING FERRIES AND WAS NOW NO LONGER ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF VISITORS AND COMMUTERS TO THE ISLAND.

+LAST YEAR, SOME THREE MILLION PEOPLE USED THE PIER AND IT IS LIKELY THAT THE NUMBER WILL INCREASE FURTHER,+ HE SAID.

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PUBLIC RECREATION GROUNDS OFFICE

******

THE PUBLIC RECREATION GROUNDS OFFICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPERATING FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN NATHAN ROAD FROM NEXT MONDAY (DECEMBER 1).

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE SENT TO THE NEW ADDRESS IN FUTURE. ,

THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE IS 3-884111 EXT. 284.

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4

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1975

RAILWAY FREIGHT TRAFFIC M M M

BEGINS AT NEW TERMINUS

M M M

FULL OPERATION OF THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY TERMINUS FOR FREIGHT TRAFFIC COMMENCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

TEST UNLOADINGS OF FREIGHT TRAINS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSFER FROM THE TSIM SHA TSUI STATION. WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM COMPLETED, THE TRANSFER TOOK PLACE LAST NIGHT.

THE S15O-MILLION HUNG HOM TERMINUS COMPLEX WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, ON MONDAY. THE LARGER AND BETTER EQUIPPED TERMINUS IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING GREATER VOLUME OF FREIGHT TRAFFIC EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE.

THE NEW STATION WILL BE RUNNING NINE DAILY FREIGHT TRAINS AND IT HAS FACILITIES TO HANDLE UP TO 5,000 TONS OF GOODS EACH DAY.

RAILWAY GOODS TRAFFIC HAS GROWN BY ABOUT NINE TIMES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS AND AN AVERAGE OF 1.2 MILLION TONS ARE AT PRESENT BEING HANDLED EACH YEAR.

LINKED FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE TRANS-SHIPMENT OF GOODS ARRIVING BY RAIL TO ROAD TRANSPORT AND TO THE NEARBY WHARVES.

TRANSFER OF THE PASSENGER TERMINUS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO HUNG HOM WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

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' HURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1975

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PLAY LEADERSHIP CENTRE FOR LICENSED AREA * * * * *

A PLAY LEADERSHIP CENTRE WILL BE OPENED THIS WEEKEND IN LICENSED AREA +E+ IN CHEUNG SHA WAN TO PROVIDE THE RESIDENTS WITH RECREATIONAL AND OTHER FACILITIES.

THE PROJECT WAS PLANNED BY THE SHAM SHU I PO COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE (C.Y.O.) WITH THE HELP OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF NORTH KOWLOON AND THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION (B.G.C.A.).

MR. CHAN CHAP-YUN, THE C.Y.O., SAID THAT APART’FROM HELPING TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT BY PROVIDING A CENTRE FOR MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES, THE PROJECT WOULD INVOLVE MORE DELIBERATE ATTEMPTS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ON THE USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME.

+BY ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO JOIN RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF PLAYLEADERS, WE ALSO HOPE TO LEAD THEM INTO THE RIGHT CHANNEL FOR DEVELOPMENT,+ MR. CHAN SAID.

THE ROTARY CLUB HAS DONATED A QUONSET HUT AS THE CENTRE WHILE THE B.G.C.A. WILL PROVIDE A REGULAR WORKING TEAM AT THE CENTRE ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FROM 2 TO 5.30 P.M. AND 6.30 TO 9 P.M. AND ON SATURDAYS BETWEEN 2 AND 5.30 P.M.

THE CENTRE WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT 3 P.M. ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 29) BY MR. HENRY AU, SENIOR PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER" MR. GEORGE CHU, PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH KOWLOON ROTARY CLUB AND MR. CHEUNG WING-IN, AN EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF B.G.C.A.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1975

6

BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS * * K K * M

THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED NO. 4 AND 6 7HIR - STREET, SAI TAU TSUEN, KOWLOON TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND ORDERED DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT THIS THREE-STOREY BUILDING WAS ■'ARTIALLY CLOSED AS AN EMERGENCY FOLLOWING A RECENT FIRE.

FULL INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE WALLS AND FRAMING OF THE BUILDING WERE FRACTURED AND BULGED AND HAD DETERIORATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THERE WAS RISK OF COLLAPSE.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON DECEMBER 22 WAS POSTED TODAY.

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INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION

M * * * *

MORE THAN 100 WORKS OF ART BY CHILDREN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL GO ON DISPLAY AT THE TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN KOWLOON FOR THREE DAYS STARTING FROM NEXT TUESDAY (DECEMBER 2).

THE EXHIBITS, 121 IN ALL, ARE THE PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN ART COMPETITION SPONSORED EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE HONG KONG CHILDREN ART ASSOCIATION.

THE DISPLAY WILL BE MOUNTED IN THE HALL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TONG YAM STREET AND WILL BE OPEN DAILY FROM 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

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GIS| |«

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1975

CONTENTS

■NEW REGULATIONS TO GIVE PLB PASSENGERS BETTER SERVICES .. REGISTRATION TEAM TO VISIT CHEUNG CHAU ..................

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AMD-INDUSTRY OFF TO EUROPE FOR TEXTILE TALKS .......................................

GOVERNMENT SOUNDS OUT PUBLIC OPINION BEFORE IT ACTS .....

RAILWAY MARSHALLING YARD TO BE BUILT AT LO WU ...........

CAS TO HOLD INTER-UNIT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT.............

FIRING PRACTICE TO TAKE PLACE ON CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 11 DAYS NEXT MONTH..........................................

NEW NUMBER FOR LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE’S ’HOT LINE’ .... PRISONS DEPARTMENT PASSING-OUT PARADE ...................

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HOLDS CHILDREN’S GAME RALLY ... FIRST TRAIN FROM HUNG HOM ...............................

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Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House. Hong Kong. Tel: 6-233191

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975

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SAFER AND BETTER SERVICES FOR PLB USERS ft ft ft ft ft ft

AMENDED REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE GREATER SAFETY AND BETTER SAFEGUARD OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE USING PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, AND ALSO TO PROTECT PLB DRIVERS AGAINST PASSENGERS NOT PAYING THE STIPULATED FARE.

THESE REGULATIONS, WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED.

THEY LAY DOWN SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISPLAY AND COLOURS OF DESTINATION INDICATORS AND FARE CARDS ON PLDS, AND FORBID THE CHANGING OF AN INDICATOR DURING A JOURNEY WITH INTENT TO CHARGE EXTRA FARES OR TO CUT SHORT THE ORIGINALLY INDICATED JOURNEY.

A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY EXPLAINED THAT THE REVISED LEGISLATION IN FACT SOUGHT TO FORMALISE WHAT SOME PLB OPERATORS HAD ALREADY BEEN DOING WITH THE DISPLAY OF DESTINATION INDICATORS AND FARE CARDS.

HE SAID THE MATTER WAS FIRST RAISED WITH PLB REPRESENTATIVES TWO YEARS AGO AND FURTHER DISCUSSED IN MEETINGS LAST YEAR. AT THE TIME, THEY AGREED IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, HE ADDED.

ONE PROVISION REQUIRES A PLB DRIVER TO DISPLAY, NOT MORE THAN ONE AT ANY ONE TIME, A DESTINATION INDICATOR OF AN APPROVED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

AT PRESENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, SEVERAL DESTINATION BOARDS WERE SOMETIMES EXHIBITED ON THE WINDSCREEN WHICH OBSCURED THE DRIVER’S VISION AND POSED A ROAD SAFETY HAZARD.

THE INDICATOR, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, MUST CLEARLY SHOW THE DESTINATION BY REFERENCE TO A ROAD JUNCTION OR SOME OTHER EASILY RECOGNISED PLACE. IT SHOULD BE ILLUMINATED DURING DARK HOURS.

UNDER THE AMENDED REGULATIONS, A SERIES OF STANDARD COLOURS FOR DESTINATION INDICATORS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR DIFFERENT ZONES. ALL INDICATORS WILL HAVE WHITE LETTERS AND CHARACTERS, BUT THE COLOUR OF THE BACKGROUND WILL VARY.

IT WILL BE DARK-BLUE FOR ANY ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND OTHER THAN A CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE- GREEN FOR ANY ROUTE WHICH ORIGINATES OR TERMINATES IN KOWLOON AND NEU KOWLOON, OTHER THAN A NEU TERRITORIES OR CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE- YELLOW FOR ANY ROUTE WHICH ORIGINATES OR TERMINATES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OTHER THAN A KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON OR CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE- AND RED FOR ANY CROSSHARBOUR-TUNNEL ROUTE.

/A F.L.B

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1 '

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A P.L.B. DRIVER WILL BE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY IN AN APPROVED POSITION ON THE VEHICLE A FARE CARD, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WHICH IS OF AN APPROVED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. THE FARE SHOULD BE INDICATED IN RED ON A WHITE BACKGROUND.

THE REVISED LEGISLATION WILL SAFEGUARD SERVICES FOR PLB PASSENGERS BY ENSURING THAT THEY ARE CARRIED TO THE INDICATED DESTINATION AND ARE NOT CHARGED A HIGHER FARE THAN THEY EXPECTED TO PAY WHEN BOARDING THE VEHICLE.

PLB OPERATORS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM CHANGING A DESTINATION INDICATOR DURING A JOURNEY WITH INTENT TO INDUCE ANY PASSENGER TO GET OFF THE VEHICLE BEFORE REACHING THE DESTINATION OR TO PAY MORE THAN WAS INDICATED AT THE TIME HE BOARDED THE VEHICLE.

IN ADDITION, PLB OPERATORS CANNOT ASK A PASSENGER TO GET OFF BEFORE REACHING THE INDICATED DESTINATION WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE.

TO PROTECT PLB OPERATORS, THE REGULATIONS MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PLB PASSENGER TO FAIL TO PAY THE INDICATED FARE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID PASSENGERS ON FRANCHISED BUSES AND TAXIS WHO FAILED TO PAY THEIR FARES COMMITTED AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, AND IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT PLB OPERATORS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME PROTECTION AS FRANCHISED BUS AND TAXI OPERATORS.

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REGISTRATION TEAM TO VISIT CHEUNG CHAU • X * * X *

A MOBILE TEAM FROM THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WILL VISIT CHEUNG CHAU NEXT WEEK TO BRING REGISTRATION FACILITIES CLOSER TO RESIDENTS THERE AND IN NEARBY AREAS.

THE REGISTRATION TEAM WILL BE STATIONED AT THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 5 (MONDAY TO FRIDAY) AND WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE 11 OR OVER MUST REGISTER THEM FOR JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS AND THOSE WHO ARE 18 MUST REGISTER FOR ADULT IDENTITY CARDS.

CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, MARITAL STATUS OR ANY OTHER PARTICULARS SINCE THEY WERE LAST REGISTERED SHOULD BE REPORTED, AND THIS CAN ALSO BE DONE AT THE TEMPORARY REGISTRATION CENTRE.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975 - 3 -

TEXTILE TALKS IN EUROPE K X * * K K

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, LEAVES FOR EUROPE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS AND MEETINGS ON TEXTILES WHICH WILL LAST ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

MR. MILLS’ FIRST STOP WILL BE GENEVA WHERE HE ATTENDS A MEETING OF THE GATT’S TEXTILE COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHED UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT.

THE COMMITTEE MEETS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE LATEST MEETING ■ INCLUDE :-

(1) A REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA)=

(2) AN ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF WORLD TEXTILE PRODUCT ION= AND

(3) MEMBERSHIP OF THE TEXTILE SURVEILLANCE BODY, OF WHICH HONG KONG IS CURRENTLY A FULL MEMBER.

MR. MILLS TRAVELS FROM GENEVA TO VIENNA WHERE HE WILL BE HOLDING CONSULTATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF THE CURRENT RESTRAINT AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRIA ON SHIRTS WHICH EXPIRES ON JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR.

MR. MILLS’ THIRD STOP IS OSLO WHERE HE WILL RESUME TALKS ON THE QUESTION OF CERTAIN TEXTILE EXPORTS TO NORWAY. THESE TALKS WERE ADJOURNED IN HONG KONG EARLY THIS MONTH.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THESE COMMITMENTS THAT THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN, WILL BE LEADING THE HONG KONG DELEGATION AT THE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EEC SCHEDULED IN BRUSSELS ON DECEMBER 15.

MR. MILLS WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT TG 603 (THAI INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE). THE ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE IS 7 A.M.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975

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GOVERNMENT ASSESSES PUBLIC OPINION BEFORE TAKING ACTION M H # ft

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFTEN GOES TO EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS TO CONSULT AND SOUND OUT OPINION BEFORE IT ACTS AND IT DOES THIS THROUGH A NETWORK OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND ADVISORY BODIES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (ADMINISTRATION), MR. YEUNG KAI-YIN, SAID TODAY.

HE TOLD A GATHERING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF KUNG LEE COLLEGE THAT THIS STEP WAS TAKEN BECAUSE HONG KONG COULD NOT HAVE THE USUAL APPARATUS OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.

MR. YEUNG SAID s +MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE MAJOR DECISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE FOUNDED ON TWO THINGS s THE PRESERVATION OF OUR EXISTENCE THROUGH SOUND ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL MEASURES, AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.+

POINTING OUT THAT IDEALS AND PRINCIPLES EXISTED BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISIONS, MR. YEUNG SAID, HOWEVER, THAT +THERE ARE NO IDEALISTS TO DRAMATISE THEM FOR US, AND IT IS PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THIS THAT NO ONE SEEMS PARTICULARLY ENAMOURED OF THE GOVERNMENT OR OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.

+ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS NOTHING OF THE PESSIMISTIC REALIST, FOR THE GOVERNMENT DOES GET ON WITH PROVIDING A LOT OF THINGS OUR COMMUNITY WANTS, WITHIN THE LIMITS SET BY AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

+IT IS PROBABLY TRUE TO SAY, THEREFORE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY ORDINARY, INTELLIGENT AND VERY PRAGMATICALLY-MINDED PEOPLE- AND WHEN WE CONSIDER THE WAY THAT HONG KONG HAS GROWN OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID FOR THE KIND OF GOVERNMENT WE HAVE.+

EARLIER, MR. YEUNG SAID HE BELIEVED THAT HUMANITY CONSISTED OF THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE - THE IDEALIST, THE REALIST AND THE PRAGMATIST.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF VERY ORDINARY PEOPLE WERE PRAGMATISTS, HE SAID.

+ IND IV(DUALLY,+ HE ADDED, +THEY ALL HAVE THEIR IDEALS, AND AMBITIONS FOUNDED ON THESE IDEALS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PREPARED TO FACE UP TO REALITY FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE REMAINING TRUE TO THEMSELVES.+

HE BELIEVED THAT SOCIETY OWED ITS STABILITY VERY MUCH TO THE FACT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WERE PRETTY PRAGMATIC IN THEIR APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS OF EXISTENCE.

BEFORE WISHING THE SCHOOL LEAVERS SUCCESS IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS, MR. YEUNG COMMENDED TO THEM THE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE PRAGMATIC MAN WHO OFTEN SURVIVED TO LEAD A USEFUL LIFE AND HE HOPED THAT THEY WOULD FIND SOME USE IN WHAT HE HAD SAID.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975

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RAILWAY MARSHALLING YARD TO BE BUILT AT LO WU if * If M M

PLANS ARE IN HAND TO BUILD A MARSHALLING YARD AT LO WU AT A COST OF $10.7 MILLION TO IMPROVE RAILWAY SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR FREIGHT ARRIVING FROM CHINA.

FREIGHT WAGONS ON TRAINS FROM CHINA ARE BOUND FOR DIFFERENT STATIONS ALONG THE LINE — FOR MONG KOK AND HUNG HOM AT PRESENT AND IM FUTURE FOR FO TAN AND SHA TIN.

+UNLESS THE WAGONS ARE SORTED ACCORDING TO THEIR DESTINATIONS BEFORE LEAVING LO WU, THEY HAVE TO BE UNCOUPLED AND REGROUPED AT EACH OF THE FREIGHT STATIONS,+ A K.C.R. SPOKESMAN SAID.

+AS THE MARSHALLING CAN ONLY BE DONE ON THE MAIN RUNNING LINE, THIS IS TIME-CONSUMING AND DISRUPTS TRAIN SCHEDULES,+ HE ADDED.

THESE COMPLICATIONS WILL BE SOLVED BY BUILDING A MARSHALLING YARD AT LO WU. ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT IS THAT TRAINS CARRYING PIGS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK CAN BE DIVERTED TO THE YARD AWAY FROM PASSENGER TRAINS AT THE STATION.

THE MARSHALLING YARD WILL CONSIST OF SEVEN SORTING TRACKS AMD A SHUNTING NECK. +THIS IS THE MINIMUM SIZE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH ALL DESTINATIONS,* THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK, EXPECTED IN EARLY 1977, WILL SMOOTH THE FLOW AND INCREASE CAPACITY FOR FREIGHT MOVEMENTS OVER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.

SOME 93,000 SQUARE FEET OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE BUILDING OF THIS YARD.

LAND RESUMPTION IS NEEDED FOR THIS PUBLIC PROJECT AND A NOTICE UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975

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CAS INTER-UNIT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

*****

THE CIVIL AID SERVICES CADET CORPS WILL HOLD AN INTER-UNIT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS WITH THE FIRST MATCH BEING PLAYED ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 30).

MR. MAK CHUN-YUEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 A.M. ON SUNDAY AT THE C.A.S. KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON.

MR. HENRY KU, COMMANDANT, C.A.S. CADET CORPS, AND MR. LAM SUI-FAN, SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER, C.A.S. HEADQUARTERS, WILL MEET MR. MAK ON HIS ARRIVAL-

BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT COMMENCES, THERE WILL BE A BAND CONCERT AND AN EXHIBITION VOLLEYBALL MATCH.

NINETEEN TEAMS FROM VARIOUS CADET UNITS WILL TAKE PART IN THE TOURNAMENT, WHICH WILL ADOPT THE SINGLE ELIMINATION SYSTEM.

THE FINAL MATCH OF THE TOURNAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 21 AT THE C.A.S. KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE COMMENCING AT 4 P.M. MR. SHEK CHUN-TAT, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.

NOTE TO EDITORS: YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER BOTH THE OPENING AND THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONIES.

FIRING PRACTICE

*****

FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON ELEVEN DAYS NEXT MONTH.

IT V/ ILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 5 P.M. QN DECEMBER 2 3 AND 4= BETWEEN 8.30 A.M. AND 4.30 P.M. ON DECEMBER 10 AND 11=' BETWEEN 8 A.M. AND 9 P.M. ON DECEMBER 15= BETWEEN 6 A.M. AND 2 P.M. ON DECEMBER 16= AND BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. ON DECEMBER 18j 19, 22 AND 23.

PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO ENTER THE THE RED FLAGS ARE FLYING DURING THE TIME OF FIRING PRACT ICE.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1975

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NEW NUMBER FOR +HOT LINE* ******

THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE’S +HOT LINE+ FOR URGENT CONSULTATION AFTER OFFICE HOURS CHANGES ON DECEMBER 1 FROM 3-640640 TO 5-470523.

THIS IS THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF LABOUR OFFICER MR. TO SAU-HONG, WHO TAKES OVER FROM MR. CHAN KWOK-KUEN. MR. CHAN HAS DEALT WITH EMERGENCY EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE MATTERS FROM HIS HOME IN THE PAST TEN MONTHS.

THE +HOT LINE+ WAS STARTED IN 1964 AS AN EXTENSION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CONCILIATION SERVICE.

MR. TSUI TIM-FOOK, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, POINTED OUT THAT DISPUTES COULD NOT BE SETTLED OVER THE TELEPHONE.

+ORDINARY CONSULTATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE MADE THROUGH THE DISTRICT LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICES DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS,+ HE SAID. +THE AFTER-HOURS SERVICE SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES.+

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PASSING-OUT PARADE ******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A HUNDRED AND TWO RECRUIT PRISON OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS WILL BE PASSING OUT FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY, TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 29) MORNING. THE PARADE WILL BE INSPECTED BY MR. DENIS BRAY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION. REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE PARADE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11. .A.M.

8

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 197?

CHILDREN'S GAME RALLY * * * * * *

FIVE OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE WONG TAI SIN AND TSZ WAN SHAN AREAS HAVE ORGANISED A CHILDREN’S GAMES RALLY FOR SOME 500 CHILDREN FROM THE WANG TAU HOM LICENSED AREA TOMORROW (SATURDAY).

THE RALLY WILL BE HELD AT KIT SAM MIDDLE SCHOOL IN FU MEI STREET, WANG TAU HOM, FROM 10 A.M. TO NOON.

THERE WILL BE A BRIEF OPENING CEREMONY BEFORE THE FUN STARTS. OFFICIATING WILL BE MRS. HENRIETTA CHEN, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICER FOR WONG TAI SIN- MR. K.T. LAU, ASSISTANT CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, WONG TAI SIN- MR. S.C. WONG, OFFICERIN-CHARGE OF THE WANG TAU HOM LICENSED AREA- MR. ALBERT LI, CHAIRMAN OF THE WANG TAU HOM AREA COMMITTEE AND SISTER ROSE DUCHESNE, PRINCIPAL OF THE KIT SAM MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THE CHILDREN, WHO RANGE IN AGE FROM EIGHT TO 14, WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 20 GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN GAMES AMONG THEMSELVES AND WITH OTHER GROUPS. THEY WILL ALSO BE SERVED REFRESHMENTS HALFWAY THROUGH.

THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY AND YOUTH OFFICE, COMMUNITY CENTRE, GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES AND ESTATE COMMUNITY WORK OFFICES IN THE EAST AND SOUTH AREAS OF TSZ WAN SHAN.

IT IS IN SUPPORT OF +WONG TAI SIN WEEK+ WHICH IS SEVEN DAYS OF RECREATIONAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS FOR PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

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FIRST TRAIN FROM HUNG HUM ******

PASSENGERS TRAVELLING BY THE 8.26 A.M. TRAIN FROM THE NEW KOWLOON STATION ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 30), WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER THEIR TICKETS AT THE STATIONS WHERE THEY ALIGHT, BUT MAY RETAIN THEM AS MEMENTOS OF THE FIRST TRAIN JOURNEY MADE FROM THE NEW TERMINAL.

ALL TICKETS ISSUED FOR THIS TRAIN WILL BE ENDORSED TO RECORD THE OCCASION.

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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

Si

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975

CONTENTS . , PAGE NO.

IMPORTANCE OF PRISON SERVICES STRESSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ...................... 1

OCTOBER BANKING STATISTICS ...................... 2

NEW PARKING CHARGES EFFECTIVE TOMORROW .......... 4

TRANSPORT OFFICER TO ATTEND MEETING IN BANGKOK ... 5

G.C.E. CERTIFICATES A VA I LA BLE -FOR COLLECTION. 6

WATER INTERRUPTION ............................... 6

OPEN DANCE CONTEST PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ......... 7

temporary closure of tregunter path .............. r

•! 1 ■ Ittued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House,.Hong Kong. Teis.5-233191

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, ' 5

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IMPORTANCE OF PRISON SERVICES STRESSED * * * K X *

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TO SENTENCE A CRIMINAL TO PRISON FOR A LONG OR SHORT TERM DOES NOT REMOVE THE THREAT HE CAUSES TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS CAN ONLY BE REMOVED BY THE WORK OF PRISON OFFICERS DURING THE TIME THE PRISONER IS IN CUSTODY.

THIS WAS STAGED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR. DENIS BRAY, WHO DESCRIBED THE TASK AS +A HEAVY BURDEN AND ONE WHICH FEW OF THE PUBLIC CONSIDER AT ALL DEEPLY.+

MR. BRAY WAS SPEAKING AT THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF 102 OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS AT THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY THIS MORNING.

NOTING THAT HONG KONG IS PASSING THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD IN RESPECT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, MR. BRAY SAID s +THERE IS ALSO WIDESPREAD CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY AND A VERY GENERAL FEELING THAT CRIMINALS SHOULD BE SEVERELY PUNISHED.+

+MANY PEOPLE WHO DISCUSS THE PUNISHMENT OF CRIMINALS SEEM TO THINK THAT ONCE A SENTENCE IS PASSED AND THE CRIMINAL IS THROWN INTO PRISON THAT IS THE END OF THE MATTER,* HE ADDED.

MR. BRAY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH MANY HAD CALLED FOR LONGER SENTENCES, FEW HAD REFLECTED THAT EVERY CRIMINAL WHO WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR A FIXED TERM WOULD ONE DAY BE RELEASED FROM PRISON TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY ONCE MORE.

+WHETHER THE SENTENCE IS LONG OR SHORT THE MAN CONVICTED OF A CRIME WILL ONE DAY BE RELEASED,* HE SAID.

IN THIS CONTEXT, MR. BRAY EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE PRISON SERVICES WHEN HE TOLD THE RECRUITSs + THE WAY HE BEHAVES WHEN HE IS RELEASED WILL BE GREATLY INFLUENCED BY WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM WHEN HE IS IN PRISON.*

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 19

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OCTOBER BANKING STATISTICS K M M M If H

BANK DEPOSITS AS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH STOOD AT $35,065 MILLION, COMPRISING $9,604 MILLION IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, $13,108 MILLION IN TIME DEPOSITS AND $12,353 MILLION IN SAVINGS DEPOSITS THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY.

AT THE END OF THE MONTH THERE WERE 74 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG.

THE FOLLOWING TABLE'GIVES A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF BANK LIABILITIES AND ASSETS FOR OCTOBER.


MONTH ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 1975

$ MILLION

LIABILITIES

1. DEPOSITS 35,065

2. AMOUNT DUE TO BANKS ABROAD 20,874

3. OTHER LIABILITIES 8,345

TOTAL LIABILITIES 64,284

ASSETS

1. CASH 646

2. AMOUNT DUE FROM BANKS ABROAD s

(I) DEMAND AND SHORT TERM CLAIMS 18,353

(II) TIME DEPOSITS " 2,125 20,478

3. LOANS AND ADVANCES s ‘

(I) HONGKONG 24,360

(II) ABROAD > 10,246 34,606

/INVESTMENTS .....

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975

NEW PARKING CHARGES EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ,##****

MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TODAY THAT THE NEW SCALE OF CHARGES AT ALL GOVERNMENT MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).

THE NEW CHARGES IN THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD WILL BE A FLAT $2 AN HOUR AT THE STAR FERRY, GARDEN ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD CAR PARKS-$1.50 AN HOUR AT THE MURRAY ROAD, RUMSEY STREET, CITY HALL AND YAU MA TEI CAR PARKS- AND $1 AN HOUR AT THE NEW HUNG HOM CAR PARK, WHICH WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW.

THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD WILL BE FROM 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 8 A.M. TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAYS.

THE CHEAP RATE OF 50 CENTS AN HOUR, WITH A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $1, WILL REMAIN AT ALL CAR PARKS IN THE HOURS OUTSIDE THE NORMAL-RATE PERIOD, AS WELL AS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

ONE EXCEPTION WILL BE THE NEW HUNG HOM CAR PARK WHERE THE CHEAP RATE WILL APPLY ALL DAY ON SATURDAYS.

THE NEW MONTHLY TICKET FEE WILL BE $400.

IN CASES WHERE A CAR IS PARKED FOR PERIOD COVERING BOTH THE NORMAL-RATE AND CHEAP-RATE PERIODS, THE NORMAL RATE WILL BE CHARGED FOR ONLY THAT HOUR WHICH INCLUDES THE TIME WHEN THE RATE CHANGES FROM NORMAL TO CHEAP OR VICE VERSA.

r

THE NEW HUNG HOM CAR PARK TO BE OPENED TOMORROW HAS A TOTAL OF 1,050 PARKING SPACES IN EIGHT FLOORS.

0 -------

/5


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975

' - 5 -

TRANSPORT OFFICER TO ATTEND BANGKOK MEETING

* M M M *

A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL REPRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT A NINE-DAY SOUTHEAST ASIAN CONFERENCE ON URBAN TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION DUE TO START IN BANGKOK ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 1).

MR. JOHN HARRIS, ACTING CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT DIVISION, WILL FLY TO BANGKOK TOMORROW TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE ASIAN CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN AGENCY FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT (SEATAC).

THE TOO-PHASED CONFERENCE AIMS AT ESTABLISHING A DIALOGUE BETWEEN RESEARCHERS AND SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS CONCERNED WITH FORMULATING, COORDINATING AND DIRECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN THE SPHERE OF URBAN TRANSPORT.

MR. HARRIS WILL ATTEND THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CONFERENCE IN WHICH HE WILL PRESENT A PAPER OUTLINING THE PROBLEMS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC IN HONG KONG.

HE WILL BE BACK ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 6) AFTER THE FIRST PHASE CONCLUDES ON FRIDAY. THE CONFERENCE WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 9.

- 6 -

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975

G.C.E. CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION M K K « « «

CERTIFICATES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON G.C.E. EXAMINATION KELP IN JUNE THIS YEAR WILL BE READY FOR COLLECTION BY PRIVATE CANDIDATES FROM DECEMBER 1 TO 5 (MONDAY TO FRIDAY), THE EDUCATION KEPARlMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY.

ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ACHIEVED GRADE E OR ABOVE IN ANY SUBJECT IN THE EXAMINATION ARE AWARDED CERTIFICATES.

CERTIFICATES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICE’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND 4 P.M. DAILY.

CANDIDATES SHOULD COLLECT THEIR CERTIFICATES IN PERSON, TAKING WITH THEM THEIR ADMISSION FORM OR THE NOTIFICATION LETTER AND THEIR IDENTITY CARD OR PASSPORT.

THESE ARRANGEMENTS APPLY ALSO TO ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION LETTER BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AS NO CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUED TO PEOPLE AUTHORISED BY THE CANDIDATES, CANDIDATES WHO ARE UNABLE TO COLLECT IN PERSON BECAUSE THEY ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE.

IF ANY CANDIDATE FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO PICK UP HIS CERTIFICATE DURING THE STIPULATED PERIOD, HE SHOULD COLLECT IT AT THE EXAMINATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

WATER INTERRUPTION ####«#

A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN MONG KOK, KOWLOON, WILL BE WITHOUT WATER FROM 9 P.M. ON TUESDAY (DECEMBER 2) TO 6 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE THE WATER WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE AREA.

PREMISES AFFECTED ARE 1-19 LOK KWAN STREET- 1-17 HOP KWAN STREET- 3-59 AND 32-70 CHUNG WUI STREET- 82-88 WONG TAI STREET, 2-16 AND 25-97 KOK CHEUNG STREET- 67-85 TAI KOK TSUI ROAD- 1-47 LI TAK STREET AND 4-44 FUK CHAK STREET.

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/7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975

7

OPEN DANCE CONTEST PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY * * M * « M

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, MR. AUGUSTINE CHUI, WILL. OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF 1975 OPEN ' ' E CONTEST ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 1) AT 7 P.M. AT CONCERT ALL, CITY HALL.

THE CONTEST HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICE (KWUN TONG), THE KWUN TONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE KWUN TONG RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE I' TEREST OF CLASSICAL AND TRADITIONAL DANCE AMONG YOUTHS.

MORE THAN 70 TEAMS TOOK PART IN THE CONTEST, WHICH WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS, INCLUDING THE CHILDREN SECTION, T< ZOUTHS SECTION AND THE OPEN SECTION. ALL TOGETHER, THERE

.• SEVEN EVENTS.

THE CONTEST WERE HELD ON THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM NOVEMBER 23. ACCORDING TO THE ADJUDICATING TEAM, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS WAS EVEN BETTER THAN LAST YEAR AND THE RESULTS WERE VERY ENCOURAGING.

AFTER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY, THE WINNING TEAMS WILL GIVE THEIR WINNING PERFORMANCES TO ENTERTAIN THE AUDIENCE.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1975 - 8 -

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TREGUNTER PATH * * K * * If

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TODAY THAT FROM TUESDAY (DECEMBER 2), THE SECTION OF TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 11 AND ITS .JNCTION WITH MAY ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

THIS IS TO ENABLE ROAD WIDENING WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.

IN THIS CONNECTION, TREGUNTER PATH BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 11 AND OLD PEAK ROAD WILL BE MADE TWO-WAY.

APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE DRIVERS.

----o------

FRM 7

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 19713.

MORE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS NOW COMPUTERISED MM «

THE DATA PROCESSING DIVISION IS HELPING MORE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO COMPUTERISE THEIR PROJECTS TO ACHIEVE GREATER EFFICIENCY.

SltUATED AT NEW MERCURY HOUSE, THE DATA PROCESSING DIVISION SERVES AS THE GOVERNMENT’S CENTRAL COMPUTER BUREAU.

CURRENTLY, IT IS HANDLING SOME 40 SYSTEMS FOR 13 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DIVISION SAID THAT DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS, COMPUTER USAGE BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD INCREASED FIVEFOLD.

+ACCORDINGLY,+ HE SAID, +OUR COMPUTER RENTAL HAS GONE UP THREEFOLD AND OUR NUMBER OF PROGRAMMERS AND SYSTEMS ANALYSTS BY NO LESS THAN FOURFOLD.+

+EVEN THIS EXPANSION DOES NOT REFLECT THE INCREASED LEVEL OF ACTIVITY,+ HE SAID.

DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE DIVISION’S INVESTMENT IN THE USE OF CONTRACTORS HAS INCREASED FROM ALMOST NIL IN 1972 TO MORE THAN 555 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.+

THE DIVISION EXPECTS TO IMPLEMENT 10 NEW APPLICATIONS BETWEEN LATE 1975 AND 1976. AMONG THEM ARE THE 1976 BI-CENSUS AND WATER WORKS BILLING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE DIVISION’S ROLE IN THE BI-CENSUS WOULD BE TO PROCESS INFORMATION GATHERED FROM A 10 PER CENT SAMPLE OF THE POPULATION, WHICH WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT 78,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 450,000 PEOPLE.

WATER WORKS BILLING, HE SAID, WOULD INITIALLY INVOLVE INDUSTRIAL ACCOUNTS ONLY AND THE DIVISION’S WORK WOULD DE THE ISSUE OF DEMAND NOTES, REMINDERS AND THE UPDATING OF PAYMENT RECORDS.

IN FUTURE, THE MOST HEFTY COMMITMENT OF THE DIVISION IS THE VEHICLE AND LICENSING DATA SYSTEM ’’(VALID)”.

/BY THEN .....

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

2

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1975

BY THEN, TERMINALS AT THE COUNTER WILL BE ’’ON-LINE” TO HELD ON THE DPD COMPUTER.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING

VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FILES

WHEN A PERSON GOES TO APPLY FOR A DRIVING LICENCE OR TO HAVE HIS LICENCE RENEWED, HE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT IN A MATTER OF ONI Y TWO TO THREE MINUTES.

WHEN THE SYSTEM GOES INTO FULL IMPLEMENTATION, DPD WILL BE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT SCHEDULE OF FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

OF THE DIVISION’S PRESENT COMMITMENTS, THE MOST WIDELY-KNOWN IS PERHAPS THE PROCESSING OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION PAPERS.

THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE OF THE EXAMINATIONS, FROM THE ENROLMENT OF CANDIDATES TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS, IS HANDLED BY COMPUTER. THE SAME THING APPLIES TO THE ALLOCATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES.

APART FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DPD HELPS ALLEVIATE THE WORKLOAD OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT BY TAKING CARE OF THE ISSUE OF TAX RETURN FORMS, DEMAND NOTES AND AMENDMENT OF RECORDS BASED ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY EMPLOYERS AND TAXPAYERS.

THE POLICE ARE ALSO ASSISTED BY THE DIVISION AS DPD HAS RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED A SYSTEM OF DETECTION OF CRIMINALS BY ’’MODUS OPERAND!’*. THE SMOOTH ENFORCEMENT OF THE FIXED PENALTY PARKING SYSTEM IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT PARKING TICKETS ARE COMPUTER-PROCESSED BY THE DIVISION.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS ON THE DPD’S CURRENT LIST OF CLIENTS ARE CENSUS AND STATISTICS, CIVIL AVIATION, GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, LABOUR, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, PUBLIC WORKS, PRISONS, REGISTRAR’S GENERAL, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND TRANSPORT. THEY ALL TURN TO DPD FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF ESSENTIAL STATISTICS.

+AS THE INFORMATION COLLECTED BY MANY DEPARTMENTS IS IN FACT OVERLAPPING, WE ARE PLANNING TO SET UP A DATA BASE, OR A COMMON FILE OF DATA, WHICH WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO MORE THAN ONE DEPARTMENT,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

+IT IS ALSO OUR PLAN TO INSTALL ANOTHER COMPUTER IN 1977. IT IS GOING TO BE LARGER THAN THE EXISTING ONE AND WILL BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING JOBS OF A DIFFERENT NATURE,+ HE ADDED.

IN ADDITION TO THE DPD, THE TREASURY AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ALSO HAVE COMPUTERS. THE COMPUTER AT THE TREASURY IS USED SOLELY FOR PROCESSING THE WORK OF THE TREASURY AND THAT AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ASSISTS THE STAFF IN THE SPECIALISED FIELD OF METEOROLOGY.

- - 0 - -

SUNDAY, riOVEflDC?

SCHOOL PATROLS PRAISED FOR ’’ADMIRABLE WORK” K K K * K *

THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAI D THE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS FOR THEIR ’’ADMIRABLE WORK” THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

SIR DENYS WAS TAKING THE SALUTE AT THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE PATROLS AT THE GOVERNMENT STADIUM.

HE NOTED THAT IT WAS ALMOST UNKNOWN FOR A CHILD TO HAVE BEEN INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHILE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PATROL.

+IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE ALERTNESS AND GOOD SENSE OF PATROL MEMBERS THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS ARE IMPLICITLY OBEYED, NOT ONLY BY THEIR FELLOW-STUDENTS BUT BY MOTORISTS,* HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT WITH THE PATROLS TAKING CARE OF STUDENTS ON THE ROADS, MORE POLICE OFFICERS COULD BE EMPLOYED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ORDER AND IN DEALING WITH CRIME.

THE GOVERNOR URGED THE PRINCIPALS OF SCHOOLS LOCATED IN BUSY AREAS TO SET UP ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH :

MR. PRESIDENT, MR.'COMMISSIONER AND PATROL MEMBERS,

I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO COME HERE TODAY TO TAKE THE SALUTE AT YOUR ANNUAL REVIEW, WHICH IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION’S CALENDAR.

FIRST OF ALL, MAY I OFFER TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE TAKING PART IN THE PARADE MY WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON MAINTAINING THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF APPEARANCE AND SMARTNESS WHICH WE HAVE ALL COME TO EXPECT FROM SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.

THESE ANNUAL PARADES GIVE THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE ADMIRABLE WORK WHICH IS DONE BY SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. BY HELPING YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS TO CROSS BUSY AND DANGEROUS ROADS YOU PERFORM AN-ESSENTIAL TASK, WHICH RELIEVES THE POLICE FORCE OF A SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT. THIS ENABLES MORE POLICE OFFICERS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ORDER AND IN DEALING WITH CRIME, SO THAT THE PATROLS ARE THEMSELVES MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THESE VITAL TASKS.

THERE ARE NOW 85 SCHOOLS WITH ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 4,000. HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR MANY MORE SCHOOLS TO FORM PATROLS AND I STRONGLY URGE THE PRINCIPALS OF SCHOOLS LOCATED IN BUSY AREAS TO TAKE THIS STEP, THUS ENSURING THAT THEIR PUPILS CAN CROSS THE ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF THE SCHOOLS WITH FAR GREATER SAFETY.

/I REALISE .....

i

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER S V ■.

- 4 -

I REALISE THAT THE COST OF PROVIDING UNIFORMS FOR PATRO' ■EMBERS SOMETIMES HOLDS BACK THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW PATROLS, ,,.:T I UNDERS AND THAT THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION HAS INITIATED A NEW SCHEME WHEREBY PRIVATE COMPANIES WILL BE ASKED TO SPONSOR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL PATROLS AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE COST OF THEIR UNIFORM.

I BELIEVE THAT, ALTHOUGH SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS EXIST IN OTHER COUNTRIES, HONG KONG IS UNIQUE IN REQUIRING THE MEMBERS OF PATROLS TO WEAR A FULL UNIFORM. NO DOUBT THIS CONTRIBUTES GREATLY fO THE SENSE OF DISCIPLINE, THE PRIDE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR PATROLS AND I AM SURE THAT WE SHOULD SEEK TO RETAIN THIS REQUIREMENT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO MOST GRATEFUL TO THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ADMIRABLE WORK IN THE PROMOTION OF ROAD SAFETY ACTIVITIES. TODAY MARKS THE CLOSE OF A MONTH LONG ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL, I TRUST, HAVE HAD SOME EFFECT IN REDUCING THE SAD TOLL OF DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURIES CAUSED BY MOTOR VEHICLES.

TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT QUESTION THE VALUE OF ROAD SAFETY PATROLS THE REPLY SHOULD BE THAT IT IS ALMOST UNKNOWN FOR A CHILD TO HAVE BEEN INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHILE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PATROL. AND IT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE ALERTNESS AND GOOD SENSE OF PATROL MEMBERS THAT THEIR INSTRUCTIONS ARE IMPLICITLY OBEYED, NOT ONLY BY THEIR FELLOW-STUDENTS BUT BY MOTORISTS.

FINALLY, MAY I THANK ALL THOSE WHO GIVE OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO THE ORGANISATION OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROL MOVEMENT OR WHO TAKE PART IN ITS ACTIVITIES. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL DERIVE SATISFACTION FROM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR EFFORTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE COMMUNITY GENERALLY, AS WELL AS BY PARENTS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN. I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS IN YOUR VALUABLE WORK.

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

COURSE CERTIFICATES READY FOR COLLECTION * M M K #

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT CERTIFICATES FOR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EVENING AND SHORT COURSES RUN BY THE MORRISON HILL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE IN THE 1974/75 SESSION ARE NOW READY FOR COLLECTION.

CERTIFICATES CAN BE COLLECTED FROM THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE INSTITUTE AT 6 01 KWAN ROAD, WANCHAI FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 12 NOON, 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. AND 7.15 P.M. TO 8 P.M. EVERY WEEK DAY EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS OR INSTITUTE HOLIDAYS. ON SATURDAYS, THE HOURS ARE FROM 9.30 A.M. TO 11.30 A.M.

STUDENTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.

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

PR 33 4000039

DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPPLEMENT SPEECH BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DENYS ROBERTS, AT THE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS ANNUAL REVIEW AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STADIUM _______ON SUNDAY, 3QTH NOVEMBER 197$_

Mr. President, Mr. Commissioner and Patrol Members,

I am very pleased to have been invited to come here today to take the salute at your Annual Review, which is perhaps the most important event in the Road Safety Association’s calendar.

First of all, may I offer to all those who are taking part in the parade my warmest congratulations on maintaining the very high standards of appearance and smartness which we have all come to expect from the School Road Safety Patrols.

These annual parades give the community an opportunity to pay tribute to the admirable work which is done by School Road Safety Patrols throughout the year• By helping your fellow students to cross busy and dangerous roads you perform an essential task, which relieves the Police j?orco of a substantial commitment. This enables more police officers to be employed in the maintenance of order and in dealing with crime, so that the patrols are themselves making a positive contribution towards these vital tasks.

There are now 85 schools with Road Safety Patrols, with a total membership of over 4,000. However, there is still a need for many more schools to form patrols and I strongly urge the Principals of Schools located in busy areas to take this step , thus ensuring that their pupils can cross the roads in the vicinity of the schools with far greater safety.

/I realise .........

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

2

I realise that the cost of providing uniforms for patrol members sometimes holds back the establishment of new patrols, but I understand that the Road Safety Association has initiated a new scheme whereby private companies will be asked to sponsor individual school patrols and contribute towards the cost of their uniform.

I believe that, although School Road Safety Patrols exist in other countries, Hong Kong is unique in requiring the members of patrols to wear a full uniform. No doubt this contributes greatly to the sense of discipline, the pride and the effectiveness of our patrols and I am sure that we should seek to retain this requirement if at all possible.

The Government is also most grateful to the Road Safety Association for its admirable work in the promotion of road safety activities. Today marks the close of a month long Road Safety Campaign which will, I trust, have had some effect in reducing the sad toll of death and serious injuries caused by motor vehicles.

To anyone who might question the value of Road Safety Patrols the reply should be that it is almost unknown for a child to have been injured in a traffic accident while under the supervision of a patrol. And it is a tribute to the alertness and good sense of patrol members that their instructions are implicity obeyed, not only by their fellow-students but by motorists.

Finally, may I thank all those who give of their time and energy to the organisation of the Road Safety Patrol Movement or who take part in its activities. I hope that they will derive satisfaction from the knowledge that their efforts are greatly appreciated by the community generally, as well as by parents of schoolchildren. I wish you continued success in your valuable work.

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